Dr T.P. Lucas and the papaw - "The most wonderful tree in the world".
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) for compliance with wheelchair standards, metabolic energy cost during propulsion, and ergonomics during selected activities of daily living (ADLs). DESIGN: A 3-phase study, the second and third of which were repeated-measures designs. SETTING: A rehabilitation engineering center within a Veterans Affairs medical center. PATIENTS: Eleven full-time, community-dwelling, manual wheelchair users (4 women, 6 men) with spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. INTERVENTIONS: Phase 1: Compliance testing, with a test dummy, in accordance with the wheelchair standards of the American National Standards Institute and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. Phase 2: Metabolic energy consumption testing-at 2 speeds and 3 resistance levels-in subjects' manual wheelchair and the PAPAW. Phase 3: Evaluation of ability to perform ADLs and ergonomics of the PAPAW compared with the subjects personal wheelchair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Phase 1: The PAPAW's static stability, static strength, impact strength, fatigue strength, environmental response, obstacle climbing ability, range, maximum speed, and braking distance. Phase 2: Subjects' oxygen consumption per minute, minute ventilation, and heart rate during different speeds and workloads with a PAPAW and their own wheelchairs. Phase 3: Subject ratings of perceived comfort and basic ergonomics while performing selected ADLs. Completion time, stroke frequency, and heart rate during each ADL. RESULTS: Phase 1: The PAPAW was found to be in compliance with wheelchair standards. Phase 2: With the PAPAW, the user had a significantly lower oxygen consumption (&Vdot;O(2)mL/min: p <.0001; &Vdot;O(2)mL/kg x min: p <.0001) and heart rate (p <.0001) when compared with a manual wheelchair at different speeds. Phase 3: The PAPAW had a significantly higher mean ergonomic evaluation (p <.01) than the subjects' personal wheelchairs. The results of comparing the ratings of the car transfer between the PAPAW and the subjects' personal wheelchair showed a significant difference in the task of taking the wheels off (p <.001) and putting the wheels back on (p =.001), with the PAPAW receiving lower ratings. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the PAPAW is compliant with wheelchair standards, reduces the energy demand placed on the user during propulsion, and that subjects rated its ergonomics favorably when compared with their personal wheelchair. PAPAWs may provide manual wheelchairs with a less physiologically stressful means of mobility with few adaptations to the vehicle or home environment.
The objective of this study was to quantify the difference in mechanical efficiency and user power generation between traditional manual wheelchairs and a pushrim activated power assisted wheelchair (PAPAW). Ten manual wheelchair users were evaluated in a repeated measures design trial with and without the PAPAW for propulsion efficiency. Subjects propelled a Quickie GP equipped with the PAPAW and their own chair on a computer controlled wheelchair dynamometer at five different resistance levels. Power output, user power with the PAPAW hubs, subjects' oxygen consumption per minute and mechanical efficiency were analyzed. Metabolic energy and user power were significantly lower (p<0.05), and mechanical efficiency significantly higher with the PAPAW than with subjects' own chairs. Subjects needed to generate on average 3.65 times more power when propelling their own wheelchairs as compared to PAPAW. Mean mechanical efficiency over all trials was 80.33% higher with the power assisted hubs. PAPAW provides on average 73% of the total power when subjects propel with power assistance. Significantly increased efficiency and reduced requirement of user power is achieved using the PAPAW. With use, the PAPAW may contribute to delaying secondary injuries of manual wheelchair users. In addition, it may be suitable for people who have (or at risk for) upper extremity joint degeneration, reduced exercise capacity, low strength or endurance who currently use electric powered wheelchairs.
OBJECTIVES: To determine differences in metabolic demands, stroke frequency, and upper-extremity joint range of motion (ROM) during pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) propulsion and traditional manual wheelchair propulsion among subjects with tetraplegia. DESIGN: Repeated measures. SETTING: A biomechanics laboratory within a Veterans Affairs medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen full-time manual wheelchair users who had sustained cervical-level spinal cord injuries. INTERVENTIONS: Participants propelled both their own manual wheelchairs and a PAPAW through 3 different resistances (slight, 10W; moderate, 12W; high, 14W) on a wheelchair dynamometer. Each propulsion trial was 3 minutes long. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary variables that were compared between the 2 wheelchairs were participants mean steady-state oxygen consumption, ventilation, heart rate, mean stroke frequency, and maximum upper-extremity joint ROM. RESULTS: When using the PAPAW, participants showed a significant ( P <.05) decrease in mean oxygen consumption and ventilation throughout all trials. Mean heart rate was significantly lower when using the PAPAW for the high resistance trial. Stroke frequency was significantly lower when using the PAPAW for the slight and moderate resistances. Overall joint ROM was significantly lower when using the PAPAW. CONCLUSIONS: For subjects with tetraplegia, PAPAWs reduce the energy demands, stroke frequency, and overall joint ROM when compared with traditional manual wheelchair propulsion.
Manual wheelchair propulsion combined with other stresses to the upper extremities may result in secondary injury. Possible solutions would be to devise alternative methods of propulsion, such as a pushrim-activated, power-assist wheelchair (PAPAW). The goals of this study were to examine the usage of the PAPAW in a real world setting and to characterize the driving habits of manual wheelchair users. Feedback was also obtained regarding subjects' opinions with respect to the PAPAW: their likes and dislikes. A PAPAW was provided to subjects for 2 weeks. Usage (average and total distance traveled and velocity) was tracked for both the PAPAW and the subjects' own wheelchairs. Significant differences in usage were not seen between the personal wheelchairs or the PAPAW. As a result, weeks were combined to provide an overall examination of driving characteristics. The average distance traveled over an average day was 1,671.4 +/- 314.8 m with an average velocity of 0.44 +/- 0.09 m/second. This pilot study provides an idea of manual wheelchair usage in a population of individuals with spinal cord injury. The lack of significant findings between the PAPAW and the subjects' own wheelchairs may be a function of study methodology such as sample size and length of follow-up in the new wheelchair. Future studies should expand upon the pilot work completed here, strengthening the design.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the use and efficacy of a pushrim-activated power-assist wheelchair (PAPAW) in the reduction of upper extremity range of motion (ROM) and stroke frequency in manual wheelchair users. METHODS: Ten manual wheelchair users were evaluated using a repeated-measures design with and without the use of a PAPAW for maximum ROM of shoulder flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation, and horizontal flexion/extension; elbow flexion/extension; wrist flexion/extension, supination/pronation, and ulnar/radial deviation; and stroke frequency. Participants propelled a Quickie 2 manual wheelchair configured as a PAPAW and their own wheelchair on a computer-controlled dynamometer at 3 different resistance levels and 2 different speeds. RESULTS: The use of the PAPAW significantly (P < 0.05) decreased shoulder flexion/extension and horizontal flexion/extension, elbow flexion/extension, and wrist flexion/extension and ulnar/radial deviation for many speed and resistance combinations. Univariate analysis revealed that stroke frequency was unaltered in all cases. CONCLUSION: These findings provide the foundation for studying the utility of the PAPAW in reducing the risk of upper limb injury and neuropathy in the manual wheelchair user population.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia. SUBJECTS: We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55+ years attending the 5-year follow-up of the cross-sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), who completed a detailed semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The intakes for five carotenoids were studied: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin combined, and lycopene. RESULTS: The mean intake per day for each carotenoid was: alpha-carotene, 2675 microg; beta carotene equivalents, 7301 microg; beta-cryptoxanthin, 299 microg; lutein and zeaxanthin, 914 microg; lycopene, 3741 microg; retinol, 653 microg; total vitamin A, 1872 microg retinol equivalents. beta-Carotene equivalents contribute a substantial proportion of total vitamin A intake (65%) in this population. Women had slightly higher intakes than men for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene equivalents, and lutein and zeaxanthin (P < 0.05). Carrots and pumpkin were the main contributors to alpha-carotene and beta-carotene equivalent intakes. Orange juice, oranges and papaw were the main contributors to beta-cryptoxanthin intake. Broccoli, green beans and oranges contributed substantially to lutein and zeaxanthin intake. The main contributors to lycopene intake were tomatoes and bolognaise sauce. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A intake in this population is high relative to the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake. Carotenoid intakes, particularly beta-carotene, make a substantial contribution, particularly from fruit and vegetables. This study provides important information as a basis for examining associations between dietary carotenoid intake and eye disease in the BMES.
There has been very limited information on the capacities of tropical fruits to inhibit human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity. Thus, the inhibitory effects of tropical fruits on midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity of CYP3A in human liver microsomes were evaluated. Eight tropical fruits such as common papaw, dragon fruit, kiwi fruit, mango, passion fruit, pomegranate, rambutan, and star fruit were tested. We also examined the inhibition of CYP3A activity by grapefruit (white) and Valencia orange as controls. The juice of star fruit showed the most potent inhibition of CYP3A. The addition of a star fruit juice (5.0%, v/v) resulted in the almost complete inhibition of midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity (residual activity of 0.1%). In the case of grape-fruit, the residual activity was 14.7%. The inhibition depended on the amount of fruit juice added to the incubation mixture (0.2-6.0%, v/v). The elongation of the preincubation period of a juice from star fruit (1.25 or 2.5%, v/v) with the microsomal fraction did not alter the CYP3A inhibition, suggesting that the star fruit did not contain a mechanism-based inhibitor. Thus, we discovered filtered extracts of star fruit juice to be inhibitors of human CYP3A activity in vitro.
The consumption of herbal medicines is increasing steadily throughout the world, although to our knowledge there are neither studies on their effectiveness nor controls over the quality and safety of these preparations. Considered "food integrators", these preparations are marketed without restriction. It is a common notion that natural therapy has neither side nor toxic effects: allergic reactions, direct toxic effects or those due to contamination, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and heavy metal toxicity have been reported as adverse events caused by herbs. Rather than replacing traditional therapy, most herbal medical treatment is used in conjunction with it. Also, the attending physician is generally not informed that the patient is using herbs. Because Passionflower, hydroalcoholic extracts, Juniper and Verbena officinalis supply variable quantities of vitamin K, they can lessen the effect of oral anticoagulant therapy. Ganoderma Japonicum, Papaw, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ginseng, Devil's claw, Garlic, Quinine, Ginkgo, Ginger, Red Clover and Horse-Chestnut reinforce warfarin action by heterogeneous mechanisms. They should thus not be used in patients on oral anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy. The scientific community must take into account the adverse events caused by interaction between herbal medicine and conventional therapy, and patients must be informed of the dangers of these preparations. If a bleeding event occurs or the quality of anticoagulant therapy is poor, the clinician should consider the possibility of interaction between conventional therapy and herbal medicine that the patient has neglected to mention he is taking.
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