Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions最新文献

Objective: To develop a methodology to improve the representation of the mechanical properties of a vertebral finite element model (FEM) based on a new dual-energy (DE) imaging technology to improve pedicle screw fixation.

Methods: Bone-calibrated radiographs were generated with dual-energy imaging technology in order to estimate the mechanical properties of the trabecular bone. Properties were included in regions of interest in four vertebral FEMs representing heterogeneity and homogeneity, as a realistic and reference model, respectively. Biomechanical parameters were measured during screw pull-out testing to evaluate pedicle screw fixation.

Results: Simulations with property distributions deduced from dual-energy imaging characterization (heterogeneous models) induced an increase in biomechanical indicators versus with a homogeneous representation, implying different behaviors for the subject-specific models.

Conclusion: The presented methodology allows a patient-specific representation of bone quality in a FEM using new DE imaging technology. Consideration of individualized bone distribution in a spinal FEM improves the perspective of orthopedic surgical planning over otherwise underestimated results using a homogeneous representation.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise-induced lower limb muscle fatigue on postural stability in female patients with fibromyalgia (FMS).

Method: This study included 19 female patients diagnosed with FMS according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria and 19 age-matched healthy controls. Muscle fatigue was induced by chair sit-to-stand (STS) repetitions in all participants. Postural stability was evaluated before and immediately after muscle fatigue test (MFT) in standard bipedal and tandem stances with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC), and in single leg stance with EO using a foot pressure platform.

Results: The mean number of STS repetitions on MFT was lower in FMS patients (p<0.001). Before MFT, plantar center of pressure (CoP) excursions was greater in FMS patients versus controls in all postures tested except in EO bipedal stance (all p<0.01). Postural sway increased post-MFT in both FMS and control groups in all stances (all p<0.001). Post-MFT increase in postural sway was greater in the FMS group versus controls (all p<0.05).

Conclusion: Lower limb muscle fatigue occurs earlier in FMS patients than in healthy individuals and exacerbates postural stability problems. This indicates the importance of planning tailored exercise programs for these patients.

Objective: To investigate the effect of dual tasking on postural control in individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: Fifteen outpatients with schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls were included. Postural control was assessed with postural sway velocity (PSV) using Balance Master System during three different tasks: single task (standing on a force platform), cognitive task (categorical verbal fluency) and motor task (holding a cup of water) in four conditions: on firm surface with eyes open (1) and closed (2), on foam surface with eyes open (3) and closed (4).

Results: Individuals with schizophrenia presented higher PSV during single standing on foam surface with eyes open and closed. During the cognitive task, they showed higher PSV on foam surface with eyes closed. During the motor task PSV in schizophrenia group was higher on firm surface with eyes closed and on foam surface with eyes open and closed. Individuals with schizophrenia showed higher PSV during cognitive task on firm surface with eyes closed compared to the single task.

Conclusions: Dual tasking results in a deterioration in postural control in individuals with schizophrenia. A cognitive task specifically alters postural control in the absence of visual information suggesting a possible sensorimotor dysfunction in this population.

The most common tumours in the brachial plexus are benign schwannomas, followed by neurofibromas and malignancies, originating from the peripheral nerve sheath. The clinical manifestations of brachial plexus tumours are variable according to their location, extension, neurological elements involved and pathology. Brachial plexus tumours are rare in the upper extremity, and axillary schwannoma is uncommon. This case reports a 59-year-old woman with a tumour in her left axilla for two years, gradually enlarging with numbness in her left little finger. Microsurgical interfascicular dissection operation was performed to remove the tumour. Νumbness disappeared after the procedure, and no tumour recurrence was observed during the 30-month follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, plexiform schwannoma of the brachial plexus in the axilla has not been reported so far. In this article, such a case is reported, where this tumour was diagnosed by the histopathological examination and confirmed with immunohistochemistry.

Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is challenging to diagnose in its early stages, and treatment options are limited.

Methods: GEO2R analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify DEGs and key modules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis and Protein-protein interactions were used to identify core genes. Receiver operating characteristic curve, chi-square and t-test were used to analyze the correlation between gene expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Gene expression was detected using Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Results: GEO2R analysis and WGCNA identified 1100 DEGs and brown module. The KEGG analysis revealed that 444 core genes were closely associated with specific pathways. PPIs demonstrated that a key module, consisting of 6 genes, was linked to the phagosome pathway. NCF4, identified as an effective biomarker, was selected for diagnosing AS. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that NCF4 could be associated with important clinical markers. RT-PCR and western blotting showed increased expression of NCF4 in AS, which decreased after anti-TNF therapy.

Conclusions: Anti-TNF therapy may exert its therapeutic function by inhibiting NCF4 expression, hence controlling the phagosome pathway. NCF4 has the potential to function as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for AS.

Herein we present a rare anatomic variation of unilateral accessory scapular ossicle in a trauma patient and its rare association with a common scapular anomaly, Sprengel deformity. Foci that appear near the inferior angle of the scapula due to failure of bony fusion during bone maturation are called accessory scapular ossicles. Sprengel deformity is defined as the congenitally high position of the scapula. The recognition of the normal variants of scapula is important, since they could be confused with other pathologies, such as fracture and pulmonary nodule in a trauma patient. Therefore, radiologists should be familiar to these entities even rarely seen.

Patients with altered kidney function are at increased risk of hypocalcemia after denosumab administration. There is however a small number of studies and case reports describing hypocalcemia refractory to treatment. We describe a case of severe hypocalcemia, after the administration of three doses of denosumab, in a young patient with lupus nephritis under corticosteroid coverage and osteopenia. However, more studies are needed in order to extract a safe conclusion about the factors that contribute to the development of severe hypocalcemia in this group of patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between cartilage loss and differences in muscle thickness and/or leg length in poliomyelitis sequelae (PMS). Our study is the first to evaluate the relationship between cartilage loss and both muscle atrophy and leg length discrepancy in the same population.

Methods: 37 patients with PMS and 38 healthy controls were included. Talar and distal femoral cartilage thicknesses and gastrocnemius medialis and quadriceps femoris muscle thicknesses were measured via ultrasound. Leg length differences and manual muscle strength were also evaluated.

Results: The mean muscle thicknesses and cartilage thicknesses were thinner in the more affected legs than in the less affected legs in the patient group. All of the ultrasonographic measurements were thinner in the less affected legs of the patient group than in the right legs of the control group, except for the knee cartilage thicknesses. While there was a correlation between the cartilage thickness difference and the muscle thickness difference between the less and more affected legs in the patient group, there was no correlation between the cartilage thickness difference and leg length differences.

Conclusions: Patients with PMS are predisposed to osteoarthritis. Talar and knee cartilage thicknesses may be more associated with the muscle thickness than the leg length discrepancy in PMS.

Objectives: Older adults with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have a limited range of knee joint motion due to pain and stiffness. A roller massager (RM) has recently been suggested to decrease pain and increase joint range of motion (ROM). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effect of RM intervention on pain and knee joint ROM in older adults with TKA in the second postoperative week.

Methods: The participants were 23 patients (76.3±5.4 years) who had undergone TKA for knee OA. The degree of pain during the ROM measurements was measured using the visual analog scale before and immediately after the RM intervention. The RM intervention was performed on the thigh's lateral, central, and medial parts for three sets of 60 s using an RM.

Results: RM intervention could significantly increase knee flexion ROM (p<0.01, d=0.41, Δchange: 4.1±3.2°) and decrease pain during the knee ROM measurements (p<0.01, d=-0.53, Δchange: -11.9±21.0).

Conclusions: The three sets of 60-s RM intervention significantly increased knee flexion ROM and reduced pain in older adults with TKA in the second postoperative week. These results show that RM intervention is an effective tool for treating stiffness and pain after TKA.

Objective: It is unclear whether lower limb and trunk fatigue leads to different effects. Although some studies have compared the effects of muscle fatigue on balance and performance in healthy individuals, little is known about its effects on skin temperature. This study aimed to compare the effects of lower limb and trunk fatigue on balance, performance, and skin temperature in healthy males.

Methods: Twenty participants performed trunk and lower limb fatigue protocols on two separate days. Balance (Y-Balance Test-YBT), trunk performance (plank test), lower limb performance (Single-Leg Triple Hop-SLTH and Countermovement jump-CMJ), and skin temperature were assessed pre-fatigue and post-fatigue. Infrared Thermography assessed the skin temperatures of the trunk and lower limb.

Results: Compared with trunk fatigue, the lower limb fatigue protocol had a more significant adverse effect on reducing YBT score, CMJ parameters, and SLHT distance (p<0.05). Both fatigue protocols resulted in lower plank test times and trunk skin temperature (p<0.05). The changes in plank times and skin temperature were similar between protocols (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that lower limb fatigue adversely affected balance and lower limb performance more than trunk fatigue. Trunk performance and trunk skin temperatures decreased after both fatigue protocols. Lower limb and trunk fatigue-induced changes in trunk performance and skin temperatures were similar.