The hardware chosen for fMRI data analysis may depend on the platform already present in the laboratory or the supporting software. In this study, we ran SPM99 software on multiple platforms to examine whether we could analyze fMRI data by SPM99, and to compare their differences and limitations in processing fMRI data, which can be attributed to hardware capabilities. Six normal right-handed volunteers participated in a study of hand-grasping to obtain fMRI data. Each subject performed a run that consisted of 98 images. The run was measured using a gradient echo-type echo planar imaging sequence on a 1.5T apparatus with a head coil. We used several personal computer (PC), Unix and Linux machines to analyze the fMRI data. There were no differences in the results obtained on several PC, Unix and Linux machines. The only limitations in processing large amounts of the fMRI data were found using PC machines. This suggests that the results obtained with different machines were not affected by differences in hardware components, such as the CPU, memory and hard drive. Rather, it is likely that the limitations in analyzing a huge amount of the fMRI data were due to differences in the operating system (OS).

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Purpose: The aim of our study was to explore the effects of different loading positions on the movements of the abutment tooth and denture base of removable partial denture with unilaterally designed framework (RPD-U). Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out with a simulation model of a mandible without left molars. The movements of abutment tooth and denture base of the unilateral and bilateral designs were due to 30N vertical load on 12 loading positions determined with a strain gauge circuitry. The effects of loading positions on the movements of the abutment tooth and denture base were compared between two designs. Results: During the loading on buccal, lingual positions, and the most disto-central position the movements of the abutment tooth and denture base of the unilateral design were significantly greater than those of the bilateral design (P<0.01). During the loading on the three mesio-central positions the movements of the abutment tooth and denture base were equal between designs, and were significantly lower than during the loading on the other positions (P<0.01). Conclusion: Ending the denture teeth at the mesial cusp of second molar and positioning the occlusal contacts over the ridge crest adequately stabilize the abutment tooth and denture base of RPD-U.

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The objectives of this empirical study were to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative alterations experienced by community-dwelling elderly and their families when employing oral home telecare (a care service system based on interactive motion-picture transmission between households and healthcare providers). The subjects were four community-dwelling elderly in Kuriyama-cho, Hokkaido. The tutorial programs were designed to provide health information and education, as well as to enhance life skills related to exercise and communication. The programs were provided to the elderly through a new oral healthcare interactive learning system disseminated via an ISDNbased network. Quantitative and qualitative observation data on oral home telecare were collected by videophone and subsequently discussed. Functional independence in daily activities, communication skills, and social cognition, independence in oral care, and oral hygiene status all improved. Clients and their families were able to acquire broader knowledge relating to oral and general health, practical oral homecare skills, and social life skills. The use of this home telecare system as a “preventive home visit” and as a “living environmental tool” incorporating broad social supports could help improve the quality of life of clients and become part of a community oral healthcare service.

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The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between partially edentulous pattern and the masticatory function in removable partial denture wearers. Eighty eight removable partial denture wearers and 7 subjects with intact dentition volunteered for this study. Using the Eichner’s index, all subjects were divided into 6 groups. Electromyographic (EMG) activities of the masticatory muscle were recorded during chewing a piece of raw carrot. The masticatory function was analyzed by using the variation coefficient (VC) of the time parameter of EMG interval recorded during mastication. The association of the VC with group classification based on Eichner’s index was analyzed using analysis of covariance with gender and age as the covariates. The result of the analysis revealed that the VC was significantly associated with group classification and the patients in groups without posterior occlusal supports exhibited significantly higher VC values than those in groups with posterior occlusal supports. These findings suggested that the reduced function in patients without the posterior occlusal contacts was difficult to attain improved and satisfactory outcome with removable partial dentures and that there is a significant need for posterior occlusal support for the preservation of masticatory function.

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