Association between constitution, axiography, orthodontic cast analysis, and upper body posture in women aged 31 to 40 years.

OBJECTIVE: Whether it is primarily the spine that reacts with pain to the negative consequences of everyday stress and possibly the temporomandibular system as a result (ascending chain), or whether incorrect stress in the dental area has an influence on body geometry (descending chain), is still a controversially discussed topic. The aim of this study is to investigate possible relationships between constitutional, axiographic, and dental parameters with upper body posture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 106 subjectively healthy women between 31 and 40 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Data collection was done by filling out a questionnaire with constitutional and anamnestic parameters and by evaluating orthodontic casts, axiographic measurements, and video raster stereographic measurements. These data were analyzed using correlations and group comparisons, with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Positive correlations were shown between the constitutional factors of body weight and BMI and the lumbar bending angle (p = 0.01), the kyphosis angle (p = 0.001), and lordosis angle (weight p = 0.05; BMI p = 0.03). In the cast analysis, regardless of the direction of the midline shift (left/right/none), a left lateral tilt can be seen which is greatest at 2.12° with a left midline shift. In addition, the elevated pelvic side correlates with the side of the displacement of the jaw, with the stronger manifestation being on the left side. With a vertical anterior bite in the normal range, the kyphosis angle is 48.09°, while with a deep bite, it is 60.92°, and with an open bite, it is 62.47°; thus, the group in the normal range differs significantly (p = 0.01) from the other two. The greater the protrusion, the smaller the sagittal plane angles (kyphosis angle, lumbar bending angle, each p = 0.03), and the more dorsal the posture (p = 0.04). The lordosis angle differs significantly (p = 0.001) between the group of subjects with a protrusion in the normal range (52.34°) and the group with an increased advancement of the mandible (41.79°). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between body weight, BMI, midline shift, and protrusion, as well as the vertical anterior step and upper body posture in women between 31 and 40 years of age. Interdisciplinary functional examinations of the temporomandibular musculature, and also sustained orthodontic treatment, can contribute to an improvement in upper body posture.

Work-Related Dermatoses of the Feet in Professional Dancers: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The feet of professional dancers are exposed to high work-related stresses. To date, data from the professional dance sector concerning this matter are lacking. The aim of this exploratory project was to analyze and evaluate skin health in the foot area with regard to the prevalence of dermatoses, their locations, as well as gender-specific and load-specific differences. METHODS: Professional classical and neo-classical ballet dancers were examined at two time points: in a phase with increased stress (T0: daily training sessions, rehearsals, and high performance frequency) (n=51, 35 females, 16 males) and after a 24-day rest phase (T1: n=35, 28 females, 7 males). In addition, gender-specific and load-specific (T0 and T1) differences were evaluated. RESULTS: All professional dancers were affected by skin lesions of the feet at T0. Hyperkeratosis (96.1%), onychomycosis (27.5%), and subungual hematoma (11.8%) were the most frequent dermatoses of the feet of professional dancers. Onychomycosis affected the nails of the big toes in particular (right 15.7%; left 13.7%), and subungual hematomas were found exclusively on the nails of the first toe (right 7.8%; left 7.8%). Women tended to be more frequently affected by hyperkeratosis, men more frequently by onychomycosis. There were no load-specific differences between the stress and rest phases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of work-related dermatoses is equally high among female and male dancers. The results can be used for further research and serve as a basis for specific measures of behavioral and environmental prevention in dance.

Association between constitution, axiography, analysis of dental casts, and postural control in women aged between 41 and 50 years.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anamnestic, axiographic and occlusal parameters and postural control in healthy women aged between 41 and 50 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 female participants aged between 41 and 50 (45.12 ± 2.96) years participated in the study. In addition to completing a general anamnesis questionnaire, lower jaw movements were measured axiographically, dental occlusion parameters were determined using a model analysis and postural parameters were recorded using a pressure measurement platform. The significance level was 5%. RESULTS: An increasing weight and a rising BMI lead to a weight shifted from the rearfoot (p ≤ 0.01/0.04) to the forefoot (p ≤ 0.01/0.02). A limited laterotrusion on the right resulted in a lower forefoot load and an increased rearfoot load (p ≤ 0.01). Laterotrusion to the left (extended above the standard) showed a lower frontal sway (p ≤ 0.02) and a reduced elliptical area, height and width (p ≤ 0.01, 0.02, 0.03). Thus, the extent of deviation correlated with reduced right forefoot loading (p ≤ 0.03) and the extent of deflection correlated with increased left foot loading (p ≤ 0.01). The higher the extent of angle class II malocclusion, the larger the ellipse area (p ≤ 0.04) and the ellipse height (p ≤ 0.02) resulted. CONCLUSIONS: There is a connection between weight, BMI and laterotrusion, as well as between angle class II malocclusion and postural control in women aged between 41 and 50 years. Interdisciplinary functional examinations of mandibular movements treating possible limitations can be conducive for an improvement of postural control. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Angle class II malocclusion has a negative influence on postural control.

Variability and reliability of muscle activity measurements during chewing.

The objective of this study was to test masseter muscle activity and its variability and reliability in terms of repeatable measurements in fully dentate and healthy volunteers during habitual chewing and deliberate unilateral chewing. Three sessions were performed on three consecutive days, each time recording kinematic data and masseter muscle EMG activities through a series of defined jaw exercises, including maximum voluntary contraction, habitual chewing, and left and right unilateral chewing. Asymmetry index (AI) and deliberate chewing index (DCI) scores were used to evaluate the activities of the left and right masseter muscles, which were separately recorded during each of these chewing exercises. DCI scores were side-specific, including two sets of values for left and right unilateral chewing. Reproducibility testing of the values obtained for all parameters revealed good to excellent reproducibility of masseter muscle activity under standardized recording conditions across the consecutive study sessions, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.68 to 0.93. Different individuals were found to utilize different strategies of bilateral masseter activation during both habitual chewing and deliberate unilateral chewing.

The nicotinic receptor beta 2 subunit is mutant in nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Clustered attacks of epileptic episodes originating from the frontal lobe during sleep are the main symptoms of autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE, MIM 600513). Despite the clinical homogeneity, three forms of ADNFLE have been associated with chromosomes 20 (ENFL1; ref. 1), 15 (ENFL2; ref. 2) and 1 (ENFL3; ref. 3). Mutations of the gene encoding the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit (CHRNA4 ) have been found in ADNFLE-ENFL1 families, but these mutations account for only a small proportion of ADNFLE cases. The newly identified locus associated with ENFL3 harbours several candidate genes, including CHRNB2 (ref. 8), whose gene product, the beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit, co-assembles with the alpha 4 nAChR subunit to form the active receptor.

Standard values of the upper body posture in healthy adults with special regard to age, sex and BMI.

In order to classify and analyze the parameters of upper body posture in clinical or physiotherapeutic settings, a baseline in the form of standard values with special regard to age, sex and BMI is required. Thus, subjectively healthy men and women aged 21-60 years were measured in this project. The postural parameters of 800 symptom-free male (n = 397) and female (n = 407) volunteers aged 21-60 years (Ø♀: 39.7 ± 11.6, Ø â™‚: 40.7 ± 11.5 y) were studied. The mean height of the men was 1.8 ± 0.07 m, with a mean body weight of 84.8 ± 13.1 kg and an average BMI of 26.0 ± 3.534 kg/m2. In contrast, the mean height of the women was 1.67 ± 0.06 m, with a mean body weight of 66.5 ± 12.7 kg and an average BMI of 23.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2. By means of video rasterstereography, a 3-dimensional scan of the upper back surface was measured when in a habitual standing position. The means or medians, confidence intervals, tolerance ranges, the minimum, 2.5, 25, 50, 75, 97.5 percentiles and the maximum, plus the kurtosis and skewness of the distribution, were calculated for all parameters. Additionally, ANOVA and a factor analyses (sex, BMI, age) were conducted. In both sexes across all age groups, balanced, symmetrical upper body statics were evident. Most strikingly, the females showed greater thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles (kyphosis: Ø â™€ 56°, Ø♂ 51°; lordosis: Ø â™€ 49°, Ø♂ 32°) and lumbar bending angles (Ø â™€ 14°, Ø♂ 11°) than the males. The distance between the scapulae was more pronounced in men. These parameters also show an increase with age and BMI, respectively. Pelvic parameters were independent of age and sex. The upper body postures of women and men between the ages of 21 and 60 years were found to be almost symmetrical and axis-conforming with a positive correlation for BMI or age. Consequently, the present body posture parameters allow for comparisons with other studies, as well as for the evaluation of clinical (interim) diagnostics and applications.

[Rehabilitation after occupational accidents in professional dancers: advice with due regard to dance specific aspects]. / Rehabilitation nach Arbeitsunfällen im professionellen Bühnentanz: Empfehlungen unter Berücksichtigung tanzmedizinischer Gesichtspunkte.

The highly specialized occupation of professional dancers is a combination of sport and artistic expression. The exertion is only possible with a fully operative body. Although professional dancers may be compared with elite athletes and acute injuries frequently happen, dancers do not seem to be granted an appropriate therapy after accidents as compared with athletes. Although even minor injuries may potentially endanger the career of a professional dancer, physiotherapeutic or physical treatment methods are applied in every tenth case only. Alternative and holistic concepts such as Pilates or dance-specific re-integration that proved successful in professional dancers, are used in even fewer instances. The aim of this study is to develop a rehabilitation concept for professional dancers focusing on dance-medicine aspects. It has been taken into account that the best physical outcomes are reflected in an optimized, holistic, dance-specific therapy and rehabilitation. Intensifying and exploiting dance-specific methods of treatment can not only reduce costs in the end but can even contribute to reducing the duration of rehabilitation after injuries of dancers. Preconditions for realization of the rehabilitative model are a high qualification of all persons working in the rehabilitative field as well as a marked willingness to cooperate in the various dance fields. Both gender-specific and dance-style particularities are to be taken into account to ensure a successful rehabilitation.

Influence of dental occlusion conditions on plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking - A gender perspective.

The aim of this study was to investigate gender-specific influences of different symmetric and asymmetric occlusion conditions on postural control during standing and walking. The study involved 59 healthy adult volunteers (41 f/19 m) aged between 22 and 53 years (30.2 ± 6.3 years). Postural control measurements were carried out using a pressure plate by measuring plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking test conditions. Seven different occlusion conditions were tested. Prior to a MANOVA model analysis, the relationship between the two test conditions were checked using a factor analysis with a varying number of factors (between 2 and 10). The plantar pressure distributions during walking and standing are independent test conditions. The coefficient of variance across all variables between the conditions and genders was not significant: t(46) = 1.51 (p = 0.13). No statement can be made whether, or not, the influence of gender is greater than the influence of the conditions. Healthy male and female test subjects did not show any difference between seven occlusion conditions on the plantar pressure distribution while standing or walking. No differences between the genders were found for any of the investigated variables. In contrast to custom-made occlusion splints, simple cotton rolls appear not to influence the neuromuscular system in a systematic manner.

The movement profile of trunk and neck during habitual vacuuming.

Musculoskeletal disorders of the trunk and neck are common among cleaners. Vacuum cleaning is a demanding activity. The aim of this study was to present the movement profile of the trunk and neck during habitual vacuuming. The data were collected from 31 subjects (21f./10 m) using a 3D motion analysis system (Xsens). 10 cycles were analysed in vacuuming PVC and carpet floors with 8 vacuum cleaners. The joint angles and velocities were represented statistically descriptive. When vacuuming, the trunk is held in a forwardly inclined position by a flexion in the hip and rotated from this position. In the joint angles and velocities of the spine, the rotation proved to be dominant. A relatively large amount of movement took place in the cervical spine and also in the lumbar spine. The shown movement profile is rather a comfort area of vacuuming which may serve as a reference for ergonomics in vacuuming.

Influence of typical handball characteristics on upper body posture and postural control in male handball players.

BACKGROUND: Well defined constitutional parameters support the physical fatigue resistance in handball to maintain the performance level for the majority of actions. Ideal constitutional conditions are necessary to achieve these physiological advantages in handball. But limited knowledge exists about the upper body posture or the postural control in correlation to the Body Mass Index (BMI), playing years, playing position and throwing arm in professional male handball. METHODS: Ninety-one male handball players participate (24.1 ± 5.9 years; playing experience 16.6 ± 5.7 years). A three-dimensional back scanner and a pressure measuring plate were used. RESULTS: Correlations between BMI and upper body posture and postural control were not significant. Same counts for the comparison between the left and right throwing arm according to upper body posture and postural control (p ≥ 0.05). Correlations between the years of playing can be found at pelvis height (p ≤ 0.04) and for the length of the Center of Pressure (CoP) (p ≤ 0.01). Wing players are 6.5-8.5 cm smaller. The playing position is independently of BMI, age or upper body posture (p ≥ 0.05). Backcourt players have a higher load of the left and a lower load of the right foot compared to wing players (p ≤ 0.001). Left-right comparison (p ≤ 0.001/ 0.01) can be seen in pivot player (covered area), backcourt player (weight distribution left/right [rear] foot), wing player (weight and force distribution left/right foot, covered area). CONCLUSION: Goalkeeper, Backcourt and pivot players are taller and heavier than wing players. These physiological demands are not detectable in the upper body posture and slightly in postural control. Wing players have the most asymmetric load distribution and the longest length of CoP. Since goalkeepers do not differ from pivot or backcourt players, this can be lead back to the same training.

Integrin-mediated neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cells depends on the activation of potassium channels.

Electrical signals elicited by integrin interaction with ECM components and their role in neurite outgrowth were studied in two clones (N1 and N7) isolated from 41A3 murine neuroblastoma cell line. Although the two clones similarly adhered to fibronectin (FN) and vitronectin (VN), this adhesion induced neurite outgrowth in N1 but not in N7 cells. Patch clamp recordings in whole cell configuration showed that, upon adhesion to FN or VN but not to platelet factor 4 (PF4), N1 cells undergo a marked (approximately equal to 20 mV) hyperpolarization of the resting potential (Vrest) that occurred within the first 20 min after cell contact with ECM, and persisted for approximately 1 h before reverting to the time zero values. This hyperpolarization was totally absent in N7 cells. A detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in N1 and N7 cell adhesion to ECM substrata was performed by using antibodies raised against the FN receptor and synthetic peptides variously competing with the FN or VN binding to integrin receptor (GRGDSP and GRGESP). Antibodies, as well as GRGDSP, abolished adhesion of N1 and N7 clones to FN and VN, revealing a similar implication of integrins in the adhesion of these clones to the ECM proteins. However, these anti-adhesive treatments, while ineffective on Vrest of N7 cells, abolished in N1 cells the FN- or VN-induced hyperpolarization and neurite outgrowth, that appeared therefore strictly associated and integrin-mediated phenomena. The nature of this association was deepened through a comparative analysis of the integrin profiles and the ion channels of N1 and N7 cells. The integrin immunoprecipitation profile resulted very similarly in the two clones, with only minor differences concerning the alpha V containing complexes. Both clones possessed Ca2+ and K+ delayed rectifier (KDR) channels, while only N1 cells were endowed with inward rectifier K+ (KIR) channels. The latter governed the Vrest, and, unlike KDR channels, were blocked by Ba2+ and Cs+. By moving patched cells in contact with FN-coated beads, it was shown that KIR channel activation was responsible for the FN-mediated hyperpolarization of Vrest. Treatment with Pertuxis toxin (PTX) abolished this hyperpolarization and neurite outgrowth, indicating that a G protein is interposed between integrins and KIR channels and that the activation of these channels is required for neuritogenesis. In fact, the block of KIR channels by Cs+ abolished both hyperpolarization and neurite outgrowth, provided that the cation was supplied during the first two hours after N1 cell contact with FN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ant alarm pheromone activity: correlation with molecular shape by scanning computer.

The ant Iridomyrmex pruinosus utilizes 2-heptanone as an alarm pheromone. The activities of 49 ketones and 35 nonketones as alarm pheromones for this species were determined. The molecular shapes of these compounds were assessed by submitting silhouette photographs of their molecular models to a pattern recognition machine. A highly significant correlation exists between molecular shape and alarm activity.

Association between constitution, medical history, axiography and postural control in women aged between 21 to 30 years.

The aim of this study was to determine association between constitutional, medical history and axiographic parameters with postural control parameters. Overall, 106 healthy female subjects aged between 21 and 30 years were measured. Data collection was carried out by completing a questionnaire on constitutional parameters, illnesses, accidents and medical/orthodontic therapies, as well as by axio- and posturographic measurements. Data were analyzed using correlations, pair comparisons and group comparisons. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The statistical evaluation showed significant correlations between sporting exercise and body sway in the sagittal direction (p ≤ 0.03), the BMI and the load on the forefoot/rear foot (p ≤ 0.01), the mouth opening and the load on the forefoot/rearfoot (p ≤ 0.01) and the presence of a deviation with the load on the left/right foot (p ≤ 0.01). The physical condition as well as the temporo-mandibular system are associated with the postural control in young women. Therefore, a holistic diagnosis and therapy will be supported by the present outcomes.

Action potentials recorded with patch-clamp amplifiers: are they genuine?

A growing number of experimental studies have used patch-clamp amplifiers (PCAs) in the current-clamp (CC) mode to investigate classical excitability. In this paper we show that the measurements obtained in this way are affected by errors due to the electronic design of the PCA input section. We present experimental evidence of such errors, and demonstrate that they derive from PCA current absorption. Moreover, we propose a new PCA input-circuit configuration for the CC mode, which is suitable for accurately recording physiological voltage signals and is perfectly compatible with the standard voltage-clamp mode.

herg encodes a K+ current highly conserved in tumors of different histogenesis: a selective advantage for cancer cells?

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (herg) encodes a K+ current (IHERG) that plays a fundamental role in heart excitability by regulating the action potential repolarization (IKr); mutations of this gene are responsible for the chromosome 7-linked long QT syndrome (LQT2). In this report, we show that in a variety (n = 17) of tumor cell lines of different species (human and murine) and distinct histogenesis (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, lung microcytoma, pituitary tumors, insulinoma beta-cells, and monoblastic leukemia), a novel K+ inward-rectifier current (IIR), which is biophysically and pharmacologically similar to IHERG, can be recorded with the patch-clamp technique. Northern blot experiments with a human herg cDNA probe revealed that both in human and murine clones the very high expression of herg transcripts can be quantified in at least three clearly identifiable bands, suggesting an alternative splicing of HERG mRNA. Moreover, we cloned a cDNA encoding for IIR from the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma. The sequence of this cDNA result was practically identical to that already reported for herg, indicating a high conservation of this gene in tumors. Consistently, the expression of this clone in Xenopus oocytes showed that the encoded K+ channel had substantially all of the biophysical and pharmacological properties of the native IIR described for tumor cells. In addition, in the tumor clones studied, IIR governs the resting potential, whereas it could not be detected either by the patch clamp or the Northern blot techniques in cells obtained from primary cell cultures of parental tissues (sensory neurons and myotubes), whose resting potential is controlled by the classical K+ anomalous rectifier current. This current substitution had a profound impact on the resting potential, which was markedly depolarized in tumors as compared with normal cells. These results suggest that IIR is normally only expressed during the early stages of cell differentiation frozen by neoplastic transformation, playing an important pathophysiological role in the regulatory mechanisms of neoplastic cell survival. In fact, because of its biophysical features, IIR, besides keeping the resting potential within the depolarized values required for unlimited tumor growth, could also appear suitable to afford a selective advantage in an ischemic environment.

erg gene(s) expression during development of the nervous and muscular system of quail embryos.

The expression pattern of K(+) currents is the principal regulator of electrical activity during development of the nervous and muscular system. We report here a study showing the expression pattern of HERG K(+) currents-encoding (erg) genes in various nervous and muscular tissues at different stages of quail embryo development.

HERG potassium channels are constitutively expressed in primary human acute myeloid leukemias and regulate cell proliferation of normal and leukemic hemopoietic progenitors.

An important target in the understanding of the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) relies on deciphering the molecular features of normal and leukemic hemopoietic progenitors. In particular, the analysis of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cell proliferation is decisive for the establishment of new targeted therapies. To gain further insight into this topic we report herein a novel approach by analyzing the role of HERG K(+) channels in the regulation of hemopoietic cell proliferation. These channels, encoded by the human ether-a-gò-gò-related gene (herg), belong to a family of K(+) channels, whose role in oncogenesis has been recently demonstrated. We report here that herg is switched off in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) as well as in circulating CD34(+) cells, however, it is rapidly turned on in the latter upon induction of the mitotic cycle. Moreover, hergappears to be constitutively activated in leukemic cell lines as well as in the majority of circulating blasts from primary AML. Evidence is also provided that HERG channel activity regulates cell proliferation in stimulated CD34(+) as well as in blast cells from AML patients. These results open new perspectives on the pathogenetic role of HERG K(+) channels in leukemias.

[Ca2+]i recordings and the inactivation of the high-voltage activated Ca2+ currents in the adult rat sensory neuron.

Fast, single cell, measurement of the average cytosolic [Ca2+]i with the Fura-2 technique suggests that the depolarization induced [Ca2+]i rise is entirely due to entry through the voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. Involvement of a Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release process is not evident. Under physiological cytosolic buffering the current-induced [Ca2+]i rise persists for seconds and decays exponentially (tau = 7 s). Analysis of the [Ca2+]i changes during two-pulse protocols indicates that the purely voltage-dependent inactivation of the high voltage-activated (HVA) channels, in the range -80/+70 mV, is a slow process (0.2-1 s) which removes at most 40% of the current. On the contrary, Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation acts in a fast way and it is therefore responsible for the fast inactivating phase of the current; this phase disappears under sustained [Ca2+]i loads, and reappears when redistribution of free Ca2+ takes place. A suitable correction may be devised to compensate for the Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation.

Sulfonylureas blockade of neural and cardiac HERG channels.

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (herg) encodes a K+ current (I(HERG)) which plays a fundamental role in heart excitability and in neurons by contributing to action potential repolarization and to spike-frequency adaptation, respectively. In this paper we show that I(HERG), recorded in neuroblastoma cells and guinea-pig ventricular myocytes, was reversibly inhibited by the K(ATP) channel blocker glibenclamide (IC50 = 74 microM). The voltage and use dependence of glibenclamide blockade were also evaluated. Another sulfonylurea, glimepiride, had less effective results in blocking I(HERG). The findings of this study are relevant to the interpretation of glibenclamide effects on cellular electrophysiology and suggest that oral antidiabetic therapy with sulfonylureas may contribute to iatrogenic QT prolongation and related arrhythmias.

Laminin-alpha2 but not -alpha1-mediated adhesion of human (Duchenne) and murine (mdx) dystrophic myotubes is seriously defective.

It has been suggested that alpha-dystroglycan links the dystrophin-associated protein complex and extracellular matrix and that the absence of dystrophin and alpha-dystroglycan in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) may lead to the breakdown of this linkage. In the present study, myotubes from DMD patients and murine X-linked muscular dystrophic mice (mdx) were used to measure their adhesive force to the physiological laminin-alpha2 substrate, and it was found that the dystrophic myotubes were selectively unable to sustain adhesion. However, normal and dystrophic myotubes attached equally well to the laminin-alpha1 substrate. As far as we know, this is the first experimental evidence that the absence of dystrophin causes the complete loss of a still unknown laminin-alpha2-dependent adhesion force, therefore suggesting that the primary consequence of Duchenne dystrophy consists of the loss of an authentic mechanical linkage at the level of the alpha-dystroglycan/basal lamina interface.