The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) any physical characteristics in university wrestlers. We especially focused on radiological abnormalitie (RA) in their lumbar regions.
Physical characteristics and isokinetic trunk muscle strength of the 55 male university wrestlers were measured. MRI was used to evaluate the cross-sectional areas of trunk muscles between lumbar spine 3 and 4 (L3/4) . Evaluations of LBP were based on the diagnose of orthopedic surgeons and the questionnaire test. According to this evaluation, we assigned all wrestlers into two groups as the LOP group and the no LOP group. Furthermore, four groups were defined by having RA based on X-ray and MRI diagnose.
We obtained the following results. In comparison between the LOP group and the no LOP group, the trunk muscle extension flexion strength ratio of the LOP was significantly lower than that of the no LOP group. In addition, the LOP without RA group showed significant low strength of their trunk extensors in comparison with the no LOP without RA group.
We considered that the relative low strength of trunk extensors should have some effect on LBP in university wrestlers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between isometric cervical extension strength and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of neck extensor muscles in order to obtain fundamental data for conducting neck muscle training to prevent neck injuries. Subjects were 8 males belonging to the judo or American football club in N University. Isometric cervical extension strength was measured at eight positions (0°, 18°, 36°, 54°, 72°, 90°, 108°, maximum flexion) using a cervical extension machine (Medx Inc., USA) . A transaxial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of neck muscles was obtained at the intervertebral disk between C4 and C5 (using an MRI machine made by Hitachi medical Corp., JAPAN) . The findings were as follows.
1. The correlation between isometric cervical extension strength at 36°, 54°and 72°in a neutral position (60.8±1.4°) and the CSA of neck extensor muscles were higher than at other degrees (0°, 18°, 90°, 108°, maximum flexion) . In particular, there was a significant linear relationship at 54° (slightly extended position) .
2. A significant linear relationship was observed between the neck girth and CSA of neck extensor muscles.
In conclusion, there was a closer relationship between isometric cervical extension strengths at certain angles in a neutral position and the CSA of neck extensor muscles. Therefore, it was shown that isometric cervical extension strengths at certain angles in a neutral position mainly represented the CSA of neck extensor muscles.

We report a childhood case of localization-related epilepsy manifesting frequent gelastic seizures, which were successfully treated with topiramate (TPM) monotherapy. The seizures were not associated with feelings of mirth. High-resolution three-tesla magnetic resonance imaging revealed no structural abnormality. Interictal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed hypometabolism over the entire right hemisphere. Single-photon emission computed tomography imaging, both ictal and interictal, demonstrated no significant findings. Interictal electroencephalography (EEG) showed paroxysms in the right frontal region. Ictal video EEG demonstrated diffuse attenuation, followed by fast activities and spike-wave complexes predominantly over the right hemisphere. At the ictal EEG onset, low amplitude paroxysmal fast activity was recorded over the F8-T4 region. The seizures were considered to have originated from the right frontal lobe. TPM monotherapy resulted in complete cessation of the seizure. We suggest that TPM should be considered as a valuable tool for treating childhood intractable gelastic seizures, which are not due to hypothalamic hamartoma.

Background & Objective: It is well established that the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy increases over 2-3 years. When increasing the dose of VNS, some patients were noted to respond even at low-dose stimulation in the first few months. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between an initial response to VNS and long-term response in a retrospective study of patients with intractable epilepsy. Method: We retrospectively analysed 56 patients who had VNS implantation in our centre. All patients had undergone complete presurgical evaluation. After implantation, the patients were examined at regular intervals of one month for 6-9 months and then followed up regularly for more than 2 years. Their seizure frequency and intensity were documented in their seizure logs. Results: Six patients achieved Engel class I (11%) seizure outcome, 16 achieved Engel class II (28%), and 19 achieved Engel class III (34%). Of the 22 patients with Engel I and II, the 19 in Engel class I (100%) and II (81%) showed an initial response within 6 months, an earlyonset response of VNS implantation. Conclusions: Early-onset response could be an independent predictor for achievement of Engel class I and II in long-term follow-up. Keyword: Background & Objective: It is well established that the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy increases over 2-3 years. When increasing the dose of VNS, some patients were noted to respond even at low-dose stimulation in the first few months. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between an initial response to VNS and long-term response in a retrospective study of patients with intractable epilepsy. Method: We retrospectively analysed 56 patients who had VNS implantation in our centre. All patients had undergone complete presurgical evaluation. After implantation, the patients were examined at regular intervals of one month for 6-9 months and then followed up regularly for more than 2 years. Their seizure frequency and intensity were documented in their seizure logs. Results: Six patients achieved Engel class I (11%) seizure outcome, 16 achieved Engel class II (28%), and 19 achieved Engel class III (34%). Of the 22 patients with Engel I and II, the 19 in Engel class I (100%) and II (81%) showed an initial response within 6 months, an earlyonset response of VNS implantation. Conclusions: Early-onset response could be an independent predictor for achievement of Engel class I and II in long-term follow-up. Keyword: Vagus nerve stimulation, long term outcome, early onset response, predictor, epilepsy

Seven wrestlers, whose body weights should be reduced about ten per cent in relatively short period of time to be acknowledged for intercollegeate competition, were selected, and their daily food intakes in reduction through recovery period of body weight were estimated. Simultaneously, some blood and urine components were analysed, performance capacities (grip and back strength power) were measured, and gross balances of nitrogen and potassium were calculated as the difference between their intakes and urinary outputs, to discuss the influence of rapid weight reduction.
For several days of the last stage of reduction period, the average intakes per kg body weight per day were about 20 kcal for energy, about 1.7 g for protein, about 20 g for food moisture and drinking water, total intakes per day were about 2 g for sodium and about 1 g for potassium respectively.
During about seven days of recovery period, these intakes were increased to higher level, which were as average about 60 kcal for energy, about 2 g for protein, 46-73 g for food moisture and drinking water per kg body weight, about 5 g for sodium and about 3 g for potassium per day, respectively.
During reduction period, the negative balances of nitrogen and potassium, slight reduction of performance capacities and dehydration symptoms in blood components (Ht value, and contents of Hb, plasma protein plasma urea nitrogen) were observed.
During recovery period, the body weights were recovered rapidly to normal level, nitrogen and potassium were turned to positive balance, but some components (Ht value, plasma protein) were not completely recovered to their normal level.
As far as the average food composition in recovery period was concerned, not so remarkable deficiency was observed, but the personal deviations in their intakes were distinct. From these results, it is suggested that by better balanced combination of food intake, personal body conditions of these young sportsmen with high physical strength would recover to their normal level more quickly and more completely.

Introduction: To evaluate the utility of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy in the reduction of seizure frequency and quality of life (QOL). Methods: We studied five patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy, the age ranged from 21 to 46 years. QOL of the patients was evaluated with the questionnaire, QOLIE-31-P. Results: VNS therapy improved seizure frequency in four patients (80%). One patient (20%) had no reduction of seizure frequency. Three patients had improvements in QOLIE-31-P (p < 0.024) and became socially independent. Two other patients continued to be dependent, and have lesser degree of improvements in their QOLIE-31-P scores.Conclusion: VNS is effective for patients with intractable postencephalitic epilepsy and is able to improve the QOL.