The immediate effect of multidirectional elastic tape on the passive mechanical properties of the ankle joint

This study examined the immediate effects of multidirectional elastic tape (MET) on passive ankle joint torque in healthy adults. A randomised crossover trial evaluated four tape conditions (no-tape-NT, low-tension-LT, medium-tension-MT, and high-tension-HT) at two angular speeds on peak dorsiflexion torque, low- (stiffness 1) and high-torque stiffness (stiffness 2), area under the loading curve (AUC) and hysteresis. Twenty-two adults completed the study (17 females; mean (SD): age 26.0 (6.9) years, height 1.7 (0.1) m, body mass 71.1 (20.2) kg. There was no significant condition-by-speed interaction for any ankle torque variable. There was a significant main effect of condition on peak dorsiflexion torque, stiffness 1, and AUC, but not stiffness 2 or hysteresis. Post-hoc tests revealed that peak dorsiflexion torque, stiffness 1 and AUC were significantly lower in the NT condition, compared to the three taped conditions, and between the LT and HT conditions, though the effect sizes were considered small. MET applied with increasing levels of pre-tension, led to a small and incremental increase in stretch resistance and elastic energy stored (range 5.5% to 12.5%) during passive ankle dorsiflexion. Importantly, effect sizes were small and may not translate to measurable improvements in muscle-tendon unit performance during dynamic exercise.

The biomechanical effects of 3D printed and traditionally made foot orthoses in individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy and flat feet

BACKGROUND

Foot orthoses (FOs) are used to manage foot pathologies such as plantar fasciopathy. 3D printed custom-made FOs are increasingly being manufactured. Although these 3D-printed FOs look like traditionally heat-moulded FOs, there are few studies comparing FOs made using these two different manufacturing processes.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How effective are 3D-printed FOs (3D-Print) compared to traditionally-made (Traditional) or no FOs (Control), in changing biomechanical parameters of flat-footed individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy?

METHODS

Thirteen participants with unilateral plantar fasciopathy walked with shoes under three conditions: Control, 3D-print, and Traditional. 2 × 3 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVAs) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to compare discrete kinematic and kinetic variables between limbs and conditions. Waveform analyses were also conducted using statistical parametric mapping (SPM).

RESULTS

There was a significant condition main effect for arch height drop (p = 0.01; ηp² =0.54). There was 0.87 mm (95% CI [-1.84, -0.20]) less arch height drop in 3D-print compared to Traditional. The SPM analyses revealed condition main effects on ankle moment (p < 0.001) and ankle power (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between control condition and both 3D-print and Traditional conditions. For ankle moment and power, there were no differences between 3D-print and Traditional conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE

3D-printed FOs are more effective in reducing arch height drop, whist both FOs lowered ankle plantarflexion moment and power compared to no FOs. The results support the use of 3D-printed FOs as being equally effective as traditionally-made FOs in changing lower limb biomechanics for a population of flat-footed individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy.

Immediate comfort perception of 3D-printed foot orthoses in individuals with unilateral heel pain

BACKGROUND

Custom-made foot orthoses (FOs) play an integral part in managing foot disorders. Traditional FO fabrication is time-consuming and labor intensive. Three-dimensional (3D) printed FOs save time and cost compared with the traditional manufacturing process. To date, the differences in dimensions and comfort perception of these orthoses have not been compared in a pathological population.

OBJECTIVE

Compare the dimensions between 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs and comfort perception between 3D-printed, traditionally made, and no FOs in individuals with flatfeet and unilateral heel pain.

STUDY DESIGN

Within-subject single-blinded randomized crossover study design.

METHODS

Thirteen participants had custom-made FOs using 3D-printing and traditional processes. Orthotic lengths, widths, arch heights, and heel cup heights were compared. Participants performed walking trials under three conditions: (1) no orthoses, (2) 3D-printed orthoses, and (3) traditionally made orthoses. Comfort perception was recorded. Orthotic dimensions were compared using paired t tests, and comfort perception were compared using one-way multiple analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

RESULTS

Three-dimensional-printed orthoses were wider, have higher arch heights, and heel cup heights compared with traditionally made FOs (medium to large effect sizes). There was a difference in comfort perception between the three orthotic conditions, F(12,62) = 1.99, P = 0.04; Wilk Λ = 0.521, ηp2= 0.279. Post hoc tests show that there is no difference in comfort perception between the 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs. Both FOs were significantly more comfortable than no orthoses.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional printing seems to be a viable alternative orthotic fabrication option. Future studies should compare the biomechanical effects of 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs.

Let's take the dog for a gait…

BACKGROUND

In 1872, Eadweard Muybridge was hired to research unsupported transit in horses, i.e. the trot and the gallop. This research was the first instance of the use of photography to analyse movement and was the ultimate precursor to motion capture for biomechanical assessment of movement utilised today. With the expansion of the field continuing, the term "gait" has become synonymous with walking and is often used interchangeably. In this editorial, we discuss the term "gait" and its' origin in the context of scientific research and aim to address the heterogeneous taxonomy associated with the ambiguous use of the term "gait".

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the ambiguous use of the term gait?

METHODS

A non-systematic review was conducted of the original research and short communications in the 2019 issues of Gait and Posture RESULTS: A total of 219 titles were characterised as directly addressing locomotion. Of these, a total of 108 titles quantified the form of locomotion (e.g. walk/ing, run/ing) and 111 titles utilised the word "gait" to describe the task. However, 104 of these clarified the form of locomotion either within the abstract or the main text of the manuscript.

SIGNIFICANCE

"Gait" is not mutually exclusive to humans nor walking. The ambiguity associated with the use of this term demonstrates the importance of quantifying the type of locomotion being studied. Ultimately, such efforts will allow the streamlining search strategies for appropriate research for academics, clinicians, and scientists alike.

A Comparison of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health to the Disability Tax Credit

Background. The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) Certification is an assessment tool used to provide Canadians with disability tax relief. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a universal framework for defining disability. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DTC and familiarize occupational therapists with the process of mapping measures to the ICF classification system. Method. Concepts within the DTC were identified and mapped to appropriate ICF codes (Cieza et al., 2005). Results. The DTC was linked to 45 unique ICF codes (16 Body Functions, 19 Activities and Participation, and 8 Environmental Factors). Implications: The DTC encompasses various domains of the ICF; however, there is no consideration of Personal Factors, Body Structures, and key aspects of Activities and Participation. Refining the DTC to address these aspects will provide an opportunity for fair and just determinations for those who experience disability.

Outcomes for patients with the same disease treated inside and outside of randomized trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether participation in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), irrespective of assigned treatment, is harmful or beneficial to participants. We compared outcomes for patients with the same diagnoses who did ("insiders") and did not ("outsiders") enter RCTs, without regard to the specific therapies received for their respective diagnoses.

METHODS

By searching the MEDLINE (1966-2010), Embase (1980-2010), CENTRAL (1960-2010) and PsycINFO (1880-2010) databases, we identified 147 studies that reported the health outcomes of "insiders" and a group of parallel or consecutive "outsiders" within the same time period. We prepared a narrative review and, as appropriate, meta-analyses of patients' outcomes.

RESULTS

We found no clinically or statistically significant differences in outcomes between "insiders" and "outsiders" in the 23 studies in which the experimental intervention was ineffective (standard mean difference in continuous outcomes -0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.1 to 0.04) or in the 7 studies in which the experimental intervention was effective and was received by both "insiders" and "outsiders" (mean difference 0.04, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.13). However, in 9 studies in which an effective intervention was received only by "insiders," the "outsiders" experienced significantly worse health outcomes (mean difference -0.36, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.12).

INTERPRETATION

We found no evidence to support clinically important overall harm or benefit arising from participation in RCTs. This conclusion refutes earlier claims that trial participants are at increased risk of harm.

Identification of genes regulated by prolonged acid exposure in Helicobacter pylori

To investigate the influence of prolonged acid exposure on the gene expression, transcripts of Helicobacter pylori, grown under pH 5.5 and pH 7.4 for five successive passages, were analysed by differential display PCR. Eight genes were regulated by prolonged acid exposure. These genes included topA, tufB, ureB, flaA, atoE in the H. pylori genome and a cDNA fragment with 54% identity of the predicted amino acid sequence to a Bacillus cereus YkoW protein. The remaining two cDNA fragments had no significant homology to known sequences. Our data suggest that most of these genes might be required for the resistance of H. pylori to prolonged acid exposure.

Orthodontic force application to titanium endosseous implants

Endosseous implants in dogs are used successfully to apply orthodontic and orthopedic forces. Not all experimental implants remained firm enough through the initial healing period to be used for anchorage.

Notes on the breeding of the WHHL rabbit: an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia

We describe in this study a reliable method for the breeding of the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit. Placing a male and a female WHHL rabbit in the same cage for the purpose of mating resulted in only two pregnancies out of a total of 227 mating attempts (0.9%). After manually assisting the rabbits, 15% of the matings resulted in pregnancies. When the female rabbits were injected with 40 I.U. of human chorionic gonadotropin within 1 hr of this procedure, 56% of the matings resulting in pregnancies. We feel that the inherent difficulty in breeding the WHHL rabbit, a model for the disease familial hypercholesterolemia, can be significantly overcome by the methods discussed in this report.

LDL, scavenger, and beta-VLDL receptors on aortic endothelial cells

Primary and first passage aortic endothelial cells were shown to possess a high affinity receptor for beta-migrating very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) distinct from the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and scavenger receptor on these cells. In bovine aortic endothelial cells, 125I-rabbit beta-VLDL was taken up and degraded by a high affinity process that was competed for by unlabeled rabbit beta-VLDL and unlabeled postprandial VLDL from a fat-fed normal subject. However, unlabeled human or rabbit LDL, human LDL modified by malondialdehyde (MDA-LDL), or VLDL from a fasted normal human or a rabbit were not effective competitors for the degradation of 125I-rabbit beta-VLDL. In contrast to the receptor-mediated degradation of 125I-human or rabbit LDL and 125I-human-MDA-LDL, cell density did not affect the receptor-mediated degradation of 125I-rabbit beta-VLDL. Endothelial cells from a Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit virtually did not degrade rabbit LDL, but degraded rabbit beta-VLDL at a rate equal to that seen in normal rabbit endothelial cells. It was concluded that the beta-VLDL receptor on endothelial cells is genetically distinct from the LDL receptor. Incubation of cells for 3 days with 100 micrograms/ml protein of unlabeled beta-VLDL caused an 88% increase in cellular cholesterol content, even though the beta-VLDL receptor activity was down-regulated by 60%. Endothelial cells and monocyte-macrophages are thus far the only cells known to possess the LDL receptor, the scavenger receptor, and the beta-VLDL receptor.

Psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey. Epidermal labeling indexes, polyamines, and histopathologic findings

We have previously described the clinical and dermatopathologic features of a psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). This animal has been studied further in attempts to characterize its skin disease. Epidermal cell DNA synthesis was measured following the intradermal injection of tritiated thymidine. Epidermal cell labeling indexes in the involved and uninvolved skin of the affected monkey and in the skin of a normal monkey were compared. The labeling indexes in the involved skin were significantly increased as compared with uninvolved skin; they were also significantly higher than in normal skin. Epidermal polyamine assays showed increased epidermal putrescine in involved skin together with increased spermidine and an increased spermidine-spermine ratio compared with uninvolved and normal skin sites.

The metabolism of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II): distribution, clearance, and toxicity

The distribution and toxicity of 195mPt-labeled cis-platinum were studied in two groups of dogs. Serum and tissue levels, renal and marrow toxicities, and urinary excretion were compared in dogs given cis-platinum, 3 mg/kg, intravenously with a group treated by intraperitoneal administration. Peak serum levels occurred immediately after intravenous administration and 8 hours after intraperitoneal instillation, at which time the two were identical and declined at similar rates. Mean levels of cis-platinum measured in peritoneal tissues on day 4 were higher in the intraperitoneal group. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and white blood cell and platelet counts were similar in both groups. Bloody ascites and adhesion formation occurred in 37.5% of dogs treated by intraperitoneal administration. The intraperitoneal route of chemotherapy administration results in higher drug levels in target peritoneal tissues without a corresponding increase in systemic toxicity.

Psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey

We describe a dermatosis in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) that has the characteristic features of the human skin disease, psoriasis vulgaris. The monkey was affected by chronic erythematous, scaling plaques that occurred on the scalp, face, dorsal back, the extensor aspects of the limbs and the palms and soles. Subungual hyperkeratosis was present. Skin biopsies of the affected skin showed a regular acanthosis with reduction of granular cell layer, parakeratosis and supra papillary thinning of the epidermis. Foci of inflammatory cells were seen in the upper epidermis. The dermal changes were tortuous capillary loops and benign inflammatory infiltrate, particularly in the papillary dermis, all of which are features of the human skin disease psoriasis vulgaris. The presence of a nutritional deficiency syndrome was excluded and there was no evidence of any systemic disease.