Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are the chief glial population of the mammalian olfactory nervous system and are thought to be responsible for the successful directional growth of new olfactory axons throughout the life of adult mammals. Due to this unique property, OECs have been targeted as a potential cellular transplantation therapy for spinal cord injury. In order to effectively isolate OECs for intraspinal transplantation, more knowledge must be gained on their phenotypic properties. We investigated the neurochemical features of OECs in a variety of mammalian species (including hamsters, rabbits, monkeys, mice, and pigs) using three biomarkers: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β, and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). In addition, we tested the ability of a few biomatrices to sustain and promote OEC growth and survival in vitro. The rationale for using biomatrices is to provide a supportive environment for glial and axonal growth in the spinal lesion. Here, we found that mucosal and bulbar OECs from all five of the aforementioned mammalian species express S100β. Expression of GFAP, however, was not consistent across the five species. Both mucosal and bulbar OECs of monkeys express αSMA; only bulbar OECs of hamsters and only mucosal OECs of rabbits express αSMA as well. Though αSMA immunostaining was not detected in the OECs of adult mice, in adult mutant mice lacking αSMA expression, OECs displayed perturbed ultrastructural morphology. None of the biomatrices used (methacrylated glycol chitosan, arginine-glycine-aspartic acid – grafted methacrylated glycol chitosan, and agarose) were able to promote OEC proliferation. Isolated strips of rodent olfactory lamina propria (the deep connective tissue layer in the olfactory mucosa containing primary sensory axons and OECs) showed sustained growth when cultured for 10 days. In sum, these findings highlight the following points: the efficacy of S100β and αSMA as biomarkers for mammalian OECs in vivo; the potential for isolated strips of lamina propria to provide a natural, supportive environment for OECs during intraspinal transplantation; the failure of methacrylated glycol chitosan and its derivatives, as well as agarose, to promote OEC proliferation. / Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-07-27 15:29:47.642

The objective of this work was threefold: 1) to assess how local dynamic spinal stability is affected by various factors including: the personal lift-assist device (PLAD), different loads when lifting, and prolonged repetitive work; 2) to establish the between-day reproducibility of local dynamic stability and kinematic variability measures; and 3) to directly compare local dynamic spinal stability to quasi-static mechanical spinal stability. The first study was an investigation into the effects of the PLAD on local dynamic spinal stability during repetitive lifting. Short- (λmax-s) and long-term (λmax-l) maximum finite-time Lyapunov exponents were calculated from measured trunk kinematics to assess stability. PLAD use did not change λmax-s, but significantly reduced λmax-l; indicating increased local dynamic spinal stability when lifting with the device. The second study was a report on the effects of lifting two different loads (0% and 10% maximum back strength) on local dynamic spinal stability and kinematic variability, expressed as the mean standard deviation (MeanSD) across cycles. It was determined that increasing the load that was lifted significantly reduced λmax-s, but not λmax-l or MeanSD. Thus, as muscular and moment demands increased with load so did subjects’ spinal stability. The third study was designed to look at changes in local dynamic spinal stability and kinematic variability resulting from 1.5 hours of repetitive automotive manufacturing work, as well as the between-day reproducibility of the measures. Operators performed a repetitive dynamic trunk flexion task immediately pre- and post-shift, as well as at the same pre-shift time on the following day. Despite significant increases in back pain scores, operators were able to maintain their stability and variability post-shift. Moreover, λmax-s was the most reproducible measure. The final study was structured to directly compare lumbar spine rotational stiffness (quasi-static mechanical spinal stability), calculated with an EMG-driven biomechanical model, to local dynamic spine stability, during a series of dynamic lifting challenges. Results suggest that spine rotational stiffness and local dynamic stability are positively associated, as they provided similar information when lifting rate was controlled. However, both models provide unique information and future research is required to fully understand their relationship. In general, the results of these studies illustrate the potential for Lyapunov analyses of kinematic data to be used to assess local dynamic spinal stability in a variety of situations. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-07-31 15:34:01.804

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Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. xvi, 155 leaves / The aim of this investigation was to investigate whether an immediate objective increase in hip strength was observed after an ipsilateral sacroiliac manipulation in patients suffering from chronic sacroiliac syndrome. The actions of hip flexion, extension, abduction and adduction were assessed. The study also investigated the patients’ subjective perception of pain due to the chronic sacroiliac syndrome before and after the manipulation. The proposed increases in strength would have been as a result of a reduction in arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Stimulation of nociceptors caused by the chronic sacroiliac syndrome would have lead to the presence of the arthrogenic muscle inhibition within the joint. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition has been described as an inability of a muscle group to utilise all its muscle fibres when performing a maximum voluntary contraction of that muscle group. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition is a joints natural response to pain, damage or distension within the joint. The response is an ongoing reflex inhibition of the muscles surrounding the joint in order to protect the joint. The inhibition of the surrounding musculature clinically manifests itself as a decrease in strength of the affected muscles. The decreased strength levels hampers rehabilitation of the affected joints as active exercise forms a vital role in the rehabilitation process. Current treatment options used to reduce arthrogenic muscle inhibition include lidocaine injection into the joint, cryotherapy and transcutaneous nerve stimulation. These treatments are aimed rather at the reduction of pain, joint effusions and atrophy of the related musculature than at the reduction of arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Recent studies have proposed that manipulation reduced arthrogenic muscle inhibition by causing excitation of the joint receptors, called the Wyke receptors. Stimulation of these joint receptors is thought to cause an alteration in the afferent input to the motorneuron pool resulting in a reduction of arthrogenic muscle inhibition. This study aimed to investigate whether sacroiliac manipulation could reduce arthrogenic muscle inhibition at the hip by assessing the immediate gains in hip muscle strength. The problem statement was to evaluate if an immediate subjective or objective change in hip strength was observed after an ipsilateral sacroiliac manipulation in patients suffering from chronic sacroiliac syndrome.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a single versus multiple cervical spine manipulations, over a two week period, on peak torque of the rotator cuff muscles utilizing the Cybex Orthotron II Isokinetic Rehabilitation System. This study was a pre and post experimental investigation. Method: Forty asymptomatic (in terms of neck and shoulder pain) male chiropractic students were stratified into two equal groups of twenty subjects to ensure that each group consisted of an equal number of subjects from each year of study. All subjects underwent a familiarisation session on the Cybex Orthotron II Isokinetic Rehabilitation System. Group One received a single manipulation. Rotator cuff peak torque was measured pre-manipulation, immediately post manipulation and at a two-week follow up. Group Two received four manipulations over a two week period. Rotator cuff peak torque was measured pre and immediately post the first manipulation. A third rotator cuff peak torque measurement was taken two weeks after the first manipulation. Results: There was no statistically significant effect of a single or multiple manipulations on rotator cuff peak torque (abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation). Inter-group analysis revealed a trend of an effect for abduction as the single manipulation increased at the two-week follow up and the multiple manipulation group decreased; however, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: No statistically significant results were found possibly due to small sample size and the fact that objective measurements were only taken at the beginning and the end of the research processes and not at regular intervals throughout the study.Further studies are needed to determine the effects of multiple manipulations on peripheral muscle activity, including the treatment of symptomatic patients with rotator cuff pathology. It is also recommended that EMG readings be done in conjunction with peak torque measures to determine muscle activity.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The low back and the lower limb are generally viewed as two isolated regions, however, there are many authors who believe that these two regions are functionally related. This is due to the two regions being connected to each other through the kinematic chain of the lower extremity. The lumbar spine is the link between the lower extremities and the trunk, and plays a significant role in the transfer of forces through the body via the kinematic chain. The physical link between the low back and the lower limb is supplied by the thoracolumbar fascia, which plays an important role in the transfer of forces between the spine, pelvis and legs. Although a relationship between the lower extremity and low back pain is often assumed, little research has been published to demonstrate the association. Most of the evidence so far has been anecdotal, without scientific research to support it. This study was designed to compare the relative effectiveness of lumbar spine manipulation, compared to combined lumbar spine and subtalar manipulation for the treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain, using subjective and objective measures, for the management of chronic mechanical low back pain. The study design was a quantitative clinical trial, using purposive sampling. It consisted of forty voluntary participants with chronic mechanical low back pain. There were two groups of twenty participants each, each of whom received six treatments within a three week period. Group A received manipulation of the lumbar spine only, whilst Group B received manipulation of both the lumbar spine and subtalar joint. The outcome measures included the response of the participants to the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-101 and the Quebec Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Objective data was obtained from three digital Algometer measures. Data was collected prior to the initial, third and sixth treatment. iv Statistically both groups showed improvements, subjectively and objectively, with regards to chronic mechanical low back pain. Inter-group testing for NRS over time showed no significant effect for both treatment groups. There was a significant treatment effect for Algometer Average TP1 while the treatment effect for Algometer Average TP2 was not significant. However, inter-group testing for the Quebec LBP over time showed no significant effect for both treatment groups. Inter-group analysis demonstrated no statistical significance between the two groups for subjective and objective measurements, thus suggesting that there is no additional benefit in treating the subtalar joint in the management of mechanical low back pain. Further studies will also benefit greatly from the use of larger sample sizes to improve statistical relevance of data.

Dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, submitted to the Faculty of Health at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Although kayaking is an Olympic sport and said to be one of the top ten growth sports in America, relatively little literature has been written on it by sports scientists and there is a paucity of available literature. Previous research has described the effects of spinal manipulation on muscles at distant sites to the joint being manipulated, and there have been trends which have shown a positive increase in strength and in muscle activity at these sites. There has, however, been a lack of literature to show that these positive trends would influence sporting performance in any way. 30 volunteer kayakers, who train and compete on a regular basis, were actively recruited and randomly allocated into one of three groups. Group 1 received manipulation on a fixated cervical segment, group 2 on a non-fixated cervical spine segment, and group 3 received placebo laser to the posterior cervical area. Subjects were then required to complete two 200m sprint tests on a kayak ergometer. Measurements were taken pre and post manipulation and included maximum watts recorded for the duration of the sprint test and time taken to complete 200m. Although no statistically significant results were found between the groups, trends revealed that in group 1, which received spinal manipulation on a fixated joint, there was an increase in the mean peak watts post manipulation, as compared to the placebo and non-fixated groups which showed a decrease in peak watts post manipulation. Group 1 also demonstrated a mean decrease in time taken to complete the second 200m sprint test. Group 2 and 3 again showed an increase in time taken to complete the second sprint test post manipulation. iv It is, therefore, concluded that manipulation of a fixated cervical joint in asymptomatic kayakers results in an increase in performance, although it must be noted that these were only trends and that there was no statistical significance in these results. This research has, furthermore, opened the door to future studies which may test the performance enhancing benefits of competitive sports such as kayaking.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The Effect of Cervical and Thoracic Spinal Manipulations on Blood Pressure in Normotensive Males. BACKGROUND A distinguishing feature of chiropractic is manipulation that is a load delivered by hand, to specific tissues (usually a short lever bony prominence) with therapeutic intent. Chiropractic spinal manipulation results in somatovisceral reflexes, which can affect the cardiovascular system and thereby reduce blood pressure. Areas of the spine known to cause such effects are the upper cervical region and the upper thoracic region. Increased blood pressure/hypertension is a global disorder. The incidence is increasing and leads to complications of cardiovasular disease and cerebral vascular accidents OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were to determine whether spinal manipulation evokes somatovisceral reflexes and causes a reduction in blood pressure following an atlanto-axial (C0/C1), and Thoracic segments one to five manipulations (T1-T5). METHODS Forty, asymptomatic, normotensive males between the ages of 20 – 35 years of age participated in the study. All subjects underwent four consecutive days of intervention. Day one was sham laser. Day two was C0/C1 spinal manipulation. Day three was T1-T5 thoracic manipulation. Day four was a combination of C0/C1 and T1-T5 spinal manipulations. RESULTS The results of this study suggest that blood pressure decreases following a cervical or a thoracic manipulation, however a combination of the manipulations does not have a significant cumulative effect on the reduction of blood pressure. iv CONCLUSIONS Somatovisceral reflexes are evoked following a spinal manipulation, causing a reduction in blood pressure after an upper cervical or upper thoracic manipulation. Neurophysiological effects occurring as a result of spinal manipulation may inhibit or excite somatosomatic reflexes, which changes heart rate and blood pressure.