Among vertebrates, whole-body movement is centered around the vertebral column. The bony vertebral column primarily consists of trabecular (spongy) bone that adapts in vivo to support mechanical demands respective to region, ontogeny, ecology, and locomotion. Previous work has extensively investigated the formfunction relationships of vertebral trabecular bone in terrestrial mammals, who use limb contact with a substrate as the primary support against gravity. However, we lack data from obligate swimming mammals whose locomotor ecology diverged from their terrestrial counterparts in two major ways: (1) body mass is supported by water’s uplifting buoyant forces and (2) swimmers power movement through dorsoventral loading of the axial body. This study examined vertebral trabecular bone mechanical properties and micoarchitecture from fully aquatic mammals, specifically sirenians (i.e. manatees) and cetaceans (i.e. dolphins and whales). We compression tested bone from several regions of the vertebral column among developmental stages in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and among 10 cetacean species (Families Delphinidae and Kogiidae) with various swimming modes and diving behaviors. In addition, we microCT scanned a subset of cetacean vertebrae before subjecting them to mechanical tests. We demonstrated that in precocial manatee calves, vertebrae were the strongest and toughest in the posterior vertebral column, which may support rostrocaudal force propagation and increasing bending amplitudes towards the tail tip during undulatory swimming. Among cetaceans, we showed that greatest strength, stiffness, toughness, bone volume fraction, and degree of anisotropy were in rigidtorso shallow-divers, while properties had the smallest values in flexible-torso deep-divers. We propose that animals swimming in shallower waters actively swim more than species that conduct habitual glides during deep descents in the water column, and place comparatively greater loads on their vertebral columns. We found that cetacean bone volume fraction was the best predictor for mechanical properties. Due to the shared non-weight bearing conditions of water and microgravity, we present these data as a contribution to the body of work investigating bone adaptations in mammals that live in weightless conditions throughout life and evolutionary history. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第18106号 / 理博第3984号 / 新制||理||1574(附属図書館) / 30964 / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 中務 真人, 教授 山極 壽一, 教授 疋田 努 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg 2017. / Neck pain is one of the most common debilitating musculoskeletal complaints seen in physiotherapy practice. It is often associated with headache, upper back and shoulder/arm pain (cervico-brachial pain) and such patients are more disabled than patients with neck pain only. Cervico-brachial pain syndrome is an upper quarter pain syndrome in which neural tissue sensitivity to mechanical stimulus is thought to play a role. Neuropathic pain is a problem associated with and prevalent in neck and arm pain. Psychosocial factors, such as fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophising, have been shown to play an important role in treatment outcomes. Neural mobilisation (NM) is often used to influence the neural structures in conditions with signs of neural involvement or neural mechano-sensitivity. It seems reasonable to use neural mobilisation in cervico-brachial pain as neural structures play an important role in this condition The optimal treatment intervention for cervico-brachial pain is yet to be established. The prevalence of cervico-brachial pain in a South African population is also unknown. Aims of the study The aims of the study were to: i. To establish the prevalence of cervico-brachial pain in patients being seen in physiotherapy practices in Pretoria, South Africa. ii. To establish the effect of neural mobilisation on the pain, function and quality of life of patients with acute and sub-acute cervico-brachial pain. iii. To establish the influence of high catastrophising scores and neuropathic pain on treatment outcomes. iv. To establish the effect of demographic factors on the pain, function and quality of life of patients with cervico-brachial pain. Methods Research Question 1. A retrospective survey of physiotherapy patient records dated 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 was conducted. The prevalence of patients with neck pain in relation to other musculoskeletal complaints was calculated and expressed as a percentage. Symptoms recorded included the following; headache, dizziness, pins and needles, feeling of weakness, other sensations, more than one symptom and pain in other area/s. Based on body charts, areas of pain were coded as neck pain only, pain in the shoulder, shoulder and upper arm, shoulder to elbow, lower arm, hand, neck and arm up to wrist, neck and arm including hand. Research Questions 2, 3 and 4 A single blind randomised clinical trial was conducted to establish the effect of neural mobilisation on cervico-brachial pain. The intervention group (IG) received cervical and thoracic mobilisation exercises, advice and NM. The usual care (UC) had the same treatment without NM. Outcomes were assessed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to determine the effect of NM on pain. The Patient Specific Functional Scale was used to determine the effect of NM on function and the EuroQual5 instrument was used to establish the effect of NM on the quality of life. At 6 weeks the Global Rating of Change was administered to measure patient’s perception of recovery. The Neuropathic Diagnostic Questionnaire (DN4) was used to classify patients with neuropathic pain and the Pain Catastrophising Scale to identify catastrophisers. Results and Discussion Prevalence of neck and radiating arm pain in physiotherapy private practice, Pretoria South Africa The prevalence of neck pain in private physiotherapy practices in Pretoria, SA is high (46.4% of the total musculoskeletal complaints) with radiating arm pain (52.2% of neck pain population) and pain in other areas (22.6% of neck pain population) being commonly associated with neck pain. Furthermore, other symptoms such as headache (25.4% of the neck pain population) and paraesthesia (11.2%) are also frequently present. Neck pain is multi-faceted and this has implications for its management. Future studies with a bigger, representative population sample are needed to establish the prevalence of neck pain in SA. The effect of neural mobilisation on cervico-brachial pain All patients improved significantly in terms of pain, function and quality of life over the 12-month period. However, the IG had significantly less pain than the UC group at 6 months (p=0.03 95% CI 0.96 - 2.03) and this difference was more pronounced in patients with neuropathic pain (IG 2.91 95%CI 1.74 - 4.08 and CG 5.5 95% CI 3.45 - 7.55 p=0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of function or quality of life. Patients with neuropathic pain had significantly more pain at 6 months (positive neuropathic pain 3.71 95%CI 2.57 – 4.84; negative neuropathic pain 1.44 95% CI 0.93 – 1.96 p=0.0001) and 12 months (positive neuropathic pain 3.23 95% CI 1.74 – 4.71; negative neuropathic pain 1.38 95% CI 0.88 – 1.91 p=0.01) compared to those without neuropathic pain. At 12 months function was also negatively affected by the presence of neuropathic pain (positive neuropathic pain 23.91 95%CI 20.96 – 26.86; negative neuropathic pain 27.15 95% CI 25.95 – 28.36 p=0.04). It did not have an effect on quality of life. Catastrophisers had more pain at 6 months (catastrophisers 4.25 95% CI -1.90 – 10.40; non-catastrophisers 1.70 95% CI 1.22 – 2.17 p=0.02) and 12 months (catastrophisers 3.56 95% CI 1.10 – 6.02) compared to non-catastrophisers (1.47 95% CI 0.96 – 1.99 p=0.02). There was no difference in their function at any time, however at baseline they reported a lower quality of life (Catastrophisers 61.96 95% CI 52.04 – 71.87; non-catastrophisers 75.79 95% CI 71.91 – 79.66 p=0.002). Conclusion The addition of NM to cervical and thoracic mobilisation, exercises and advice to stay active, in the management of cervico-brachial pain, resulted in less pain at 6-month follow-up. For patients with neuropathic pain the positive effect was more pronounced. Adding NM as an adjunct to usual care is effective to improve pain for patients with cervico-brachial pain especially for those with a neuropathic pain component. The presence of neuropathic pain and catastrophising resulted in poor pain-related outcomes. / MT2017

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第24465号 / 理博第4964号 / 新制||理||1709(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 平﨑 鋭矢, 教授 髙井 正成, 教授 今井 啓雄 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Snake vertebrae are common throughout the Cenozoic fossil record, but identification of isolated vertebrae often proves difficult due to inter- and intra-columnar variability. Most fossil identifications are based on comparisons with disarticulated modern specimens, with a focus on mid-trunk vertebrae. One focus of this study was to determine the necessity of identifying a true mid-trunk vertebra prior to identification and to develop a method of locating the columnar position of an isolated vertebra for both modern and fossil identifications. Colubrid genera Farancia and Heterodon were chosen for the analysis because they share distinct morphological similarities, articulated modern specimens were available, and fossil species in these genera need to be reassessed. Every third pre-cloacal vertebra was selected from each specimen to undergo geometric morphometric analysis on its anterior face. Relative warp analyses detailed the inter-columnar variation of each specimen and found that the only significant difference in the column was between the anterior most vertebrae, which are already identifiable, and the remainder of the pre-cloacal vertebrae. Despite concern, the convention of using mid-trunk vertebrae for identification may prove accurate for these genera. Due to Farancia and Heterodon’s vertebral similarities, a discriminant function analysis was utilized to distinguish the two genera from one another. To evaluate this method’s utility in paleontology, vertebrae of two extinct species, Heterodon brevis and Paleofarancia brevispinosus, will undergo identical morphometric and discriminant analyses. This study also emphasizes the need for more modern snake skeletons in collections and the necessity of stringing the vertebral column prior to disarticulation.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / Motivated by the challenges associated with demonstrating the cervicothoracic junction, a study was conducted at Pelonomi Regional Hospital from May 2006 to June 2007. In this study, two projections of the cervicothoracic junction were done, with the only difference between them being the orientation of the arms. One projection was done using the swimmer’s projection and the other using an adaptation of the swimmer’s projection where the orientation of the arms was reversed. The sample, consisting of 45 patients, was referred from the emergency department and wards. Most of the patients (95.5%) were examined using a computed radiography system providing digital images that were printed using a laser film printer. Other patients were examined using conventional film/screen systems. The objectives of this study were to compare the two imaging techniques with reference to diagnostic quality of the projections, diagnosis of pathology and repeat rate. Radiographers obtained the two projections of the cervical spine; the researcher collected the images and distributed these to three participating radiologists on a rotational basis. The radiologists evaluated the films using a set of criteria; a biostatistician analysed the results of these evaluations. In all the criteria of image quality the swimmer’s projection showed better results. There were also, however, instances where the adapted swimmer’s had better results. The differences in percentages were not significant enough to show any statistical difference between the resultant images of the two techniques. No valid deduction could be made in relation to the demonstration of pathology due to variable instances of pathology evaluated by the radiologists. The repeat rate of the adapted swimmer’s projection compared well with the swimmer’s projection. Though the swimmer’s projection had better results for most of the criteria used in this study, no unequivocal, statistically significant evidence of it demonstrating C7-T1 better could be found. What was evident was the validity of the adapted swimmer’s projection as an alternative under certain conditions. Knowing that there is an alternative method to visualising the C7- T1 junction could be beneficial not only to radiography, but also to our patients. In cases where the swimmer’s projection is not possible due to extremity injuries, an alternative arm orientation can be useful. The alternative can also address the problem regarding multiple repeats of the swimmer’s projection.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xi, 38 leaves, Annexures 1-2 / Background: Various congenital spinal anomalies are common findings in the general population. Their clinical significance is controversial with no definitive association been made between any specific congenital spinal anomaly to any clinical features. Project Design: This research study was designed in the form of a quantitative, non-experimental, empirical clinical survey. Method: Data was obtained from thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs contained in the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban University of Technology from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2005 and from the corresponding patient files. Through the research procedure, 519 thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs were located in the confines of the Chiropractic Day Clinic. Due to the exclusion criteria of a past or present history of trauma to the thoracic or lumbar spine areas, 147 radiographs were excluded. Objectives 1.To determine the period prevalence (1 January 1997 – 31 December 2005) of congenital thoracic and lumbar spine anomalies. 2.To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and the congenital thoracic and lumbar spine anomalies in general. 3.To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and individual congenital thoracic and lumbar spine anomalies. 4.To compare subjects presenting clinical features with reported clinical features from literature.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal selected radiographic parameters (thoracic kyphosis (TK), anterior vertebral body height (AVBH), posterior vertebral body height (PVBH), intervertebral disc height (IVDH) and interpedicular distance (IPD)) in young to middle-aged males across the four racial groups in Durban. Participants: Eighty young to middle-aged apparently healthy males between the ages of 18-45 years from the White, Black, Indian and Coloured racial groups in Durban. Methodology: After written informed consent was acquired, all participants underwent a case history, physical examination and thoracic orthopaedic examination. An AP and lateral radiograph of the thoracic spine was then obtained. The TK, AVBH, PVBH, IVDH and IPD were assessed using methods described previously. The IBM SPSS version 20 was utilized for the data analysis. Mean, standard deviation (SD) and range are reported for the TK, AVBH, PVBH and IPD for each of the four racial groups. For the IVDH, however, the median for the respective vertebral levels is given. ANOVA testing with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to determine overall inter-group variations and compare each group to the other. Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the thoracic kyphosis and the other radiographic parameters that were assessed. Results : The mean, SD, minimum and maximum values of the thoracic kyphosis by racial group There was no significant difference in the TK among the four race groups. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the AVBH, PVBH, IVDH and IPD between the White, Black, Indian and Coloured males at various thoracic levels. Conclusion: The trends of the various radiographic parameters observed in this study support the argument that these parameters should be based on sex, age and geographic race. These values would be useful for South African spinal health care practitioners in the diagnosis and management of spinal disorders.