Inaug.-Diss.--Breslau. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 2.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 20-27). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: Eric B. Kmiec, Dept. of Biological Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Application of the molluscan neuropeptide FMRFamide to two identified neurones in the cerebral ganglia of Helix aspersa induces quite different effects. In the Cl neurone, FMRFamide produces a slow hyperpolarizing current carried by K+ while with the C2 neurone it causes a fast depolarizing current carried by Na+. Possible mechanisms underlying the slow K+ response were examined and the fast response was characterized using voltage clamp techniques. Some patch clamp experiments were also used for the slow response. The slow response was shown to depend on a G protein, which was sensitive to inhibition by pertussis toxin, indicating that it was mediated by a Gi or Go protein. Second messengers such as cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, IP3, arachidonic acid and Ca2+ along with the activation of protein kinase C were all found not to be directly involved in producing the FMRFamide response. These negative results with the second messengers gave rise to the view that the FMRFamide receptors and K+ ion channels may be linked directly through the activation of G proteins. 5-HT, probably acting through raised cyclic AMP levels, reduced the amplitude of the FMRFamide response which suggests that the channel opened by FMRFamide may be an "S" K+ type channel. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester also reduced the FMRFamide response. A role for protein phosphorylation was indicated by the use of okadaic acid which inhibits protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. Its application reduced the amplitude of the FMRFamide response which suggested that increased protein phosphorylation levels lead to smaller responses. Thus, it seemed possible that protein phosphorylation levels controlled by cyclic AMP, protein kinase C activation and protein phosphatases 1 and 2A might modulate the activity of the receptor/ G protein/ ion channel complex. Alternatively, FMRFamide may operate through the activation of protein phosphatase(s) which reduce protein phosphorylation levels. Patch clamp studies in cell attached mode on the Cl neurone failed to reveal any channel openings induced by FMRFamide. This result also tends to rule out the direct involvement of a second messenger. The fast depolarizing FMRFamide response of the C2 neurone, which is due to the opening of a ligand gated channel, was found to be carried by Na+ and not Ca2+. Amiloride produced a reversible block of the current. Tetrodotoxin and lignocaine had no effect on the FMRFamide response while raised cyclic AMP levels potentiated the response. In the presence of okadaic acid and increased levels of cyclic AMP, the FMRFamide response is potentiated. This potentiation was not maintained in the presence of okadaic acid alone. The raised protein phosphorylation levels therefore did not cause potentiation, which suggested that cyclic AMP may have a direct effect on the receptor/channel complex.

M.Tech. / PURPOSE: Impingement syndrome of the shoulder is a very common problem, yet the diagnosis and management of it is still not completely understood. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the most effective chiropractic treatment protocol in the management of impingement syndrome due to supraspinatus tendonitis. This was done by comparing objective and subjective measures gained during a treatment protocol consisting either of administering corrective chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine and/or the thoracic spine, to the glenohumeral joint or to both of these areas. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial consisted of three groups of fifteen patients, each between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years old. All potential candidates were examined and cleared for participation in the clinical trials subsequent to a selection process and X-ray examination if necessary. Diversified chiropractic manipulative techniques were used for all patients provided joint restrictions were detected. Group A received glenohumeral joint manipulations, Group B received spinal manipulations and Group C received a combination of spinal and glenohumeral joint manipulations. PROCEDURE: Patients were treated for six consultations over a two-week period. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for four weeks after that in order to determine the lasting effects of the treatment protocol. At the first, third, sixth and follow-up visit, measurements were recorded. Objective data included pain free shoulder abduction range of motion, the presence of a painful arc of the shoulder and the presence of a positive supraspinatus test. Subjective data included the numerical pain rating scale-101 scores. RESULTS: statistical analysis was conducted using the parametric One Way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and unpaired t-tests as well as the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis One Way ANOVA on Ranks and Mann-Whitney Rank Sum tests to compare intragroup and intergroup data. III CONCLUSIONS: Although all three groups showed numerical improvements throughout the treatment period, only group A showed statistically significant improvements. This study therefore suggests that manipulation of the glenohumeral joint is more effective in the treatment of impingement syndrome of the shoulder with regard to short-term as well as long-term symptomatic relief. This however requires further research, as a larger sample size is required

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 1997. / Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common and costly conditions confronting health care providers and medical insurers today. Despite' the magnitude of the problem no general consensus exists concerning an appropriate treatment for this condition. / M

M.Tech. / OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the effect of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) to the cervico-thoracic junction on the activity of the ipsilateral latissimus dorsi with regards to muscle activity measured by electromyography and activity of the trigger points measured by the algometer. STUDY DESIGN: Fourty subjects with lower cervical spine pain and dysfunction underwent six spinal manipulative treatments on alternative days over a 3 week period (excluding weekends) to test the changes in activity of the ipsi-lateral Latissimus Dorsi muscle. SETTING: Chiropractic Day Clinic at the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Forty subjects with lower cervical spine pain participated in this study. Each of the subjects was randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A consisted of 20 subjects receiving SMT to the cervico thoracic junction. Group B consisted of 20 subjects receiving de-tuned ultra-sound to the area of cervical spine pain. METHODS: Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity and its trigger point activity were tested before and after the first consultation using electromyography and the algometer respectively. After consultations two, four and six readings were taken. For the electromyography readings subjects were asked to lie down in a prone position with their arms next to their sides. They were then instructed to lie as still as possible for three minutes. The mean, peak and minimum values from the surface electromyographic meter were recorded, analysed and compared for reference. For the algometer readings, the researcher grasped the Latissimus Dorsi muscle along the free border at the posterior axillary fold of the midscapular level. The algometer was then pushed into this point and candidates had to indicate when they started to feel pain. This measurement was then recorded. RESULTS: Data was analysed using the T-test for independent samples to compare the two individual groups. Repeated measures ANOVA was useful to investigate changes over time. If one considers Group A as the superior group, no statistical significant difference were noted between Group A and Group B regarding the electromyographic readings. With regards to the algometer readings no statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups except for the last consultation (treatment 4) of Group A where the p-value = 0.035<0.05. CONCLUSION: In light of these findings, it can be concluded that there were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B, regarding the electromyographic readings. Group A showed the most favourable treatment efficacy in terms of the algometer readings. The trends shown in this study should be used and tested in future similar research studies incorporating larger sample groups.

M.Tech.

M. Tech. / OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy (CSMT) of the cervical spine on the key-strike accuracy of adults typing on a standard keyboard. By reducing the negative neural and other effects caused by aberrant movement between vertebrae, CSMT could allow optimal propagation and processing of upper limb proprioceptive information and improve cognitive processing needed for accurate typing. DESIGN: Forty subjects presenting to the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic participated in the study. The participants were allocated to one of two groups. Participants in the Experimental Group received spinal manipulative therapy to restricted segments in the cervical spine, as was determined by motion palpation of the cervical spine. Participants in the Control Group received detuned ultrasound therapy as a placebo. Patients were seen a total of six times over a period of three weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked to copy a document on a standard computer keyboard, once before the treatment trial, and once following the treatment trial. The number of errors made pre-treatment was calculated and compared to the number of errors made post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients in the experimental group made significantly less typing errors following the treatment trial, while there was no difference in the number of typing errors made by patients in the control group. The results of this study increase potential for the chiropractic profession to contribute to the efficiency of the increasing number of people in the population that perform work on computers.

M. Tech. / Method The purpose of this study was to determine whether spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) of the cervical spinal segments would have any influence on the reaction and response time of a cricket player. It has been suggested that a dysfunctional vertebral subluxation complex can cause a decrease in visual performance. The decreased visual performance may be due to decreased blood flow to the visual centers of the brain. Thirty six participants (3 cricket teams) participated in this study. They were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of eighteen subjects who received spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) of the cervical spine. The eighteen subjects in Group B received detuned ultrasound to the cervical spine The inclusion criteria required the participant to be a male cricket player who was asymptomatic, without any history of cervical spine surgery and without any current injuries (e.g. hand or wrist fractures). The participant had to be between the ages of sixteen and twenty one and have no contra-indications to spinal manipulative therapy. Measure Objective data was obtained by the Wayne’s Saccadic Fixator ® which determined the patients’ visual reaction time. After testing the participants’ visual reaction time, the one group received SMT and the other group received detuned ultrasound. After which all participants’ reaction and response time were retested. vii Results Although there was a decrease in the reaction and response time of the players after spinal manipulative therapy, the objective results showed that due to the small sample size and different baseline values of the participants in this study there was no statistical proof that Chiropractic treatment had a positive influence on the reaction and response time of the participants.