It was questioned whether a unilateral stretching program would induce a crosstraining effect in the contralateral muscle. To test this, 13 untrained individuals participated in a 10-week stretching program while 12 other untrained individuals served as a control group. For the experimental group, the right calf muscle was stretched 4 times for 30 seconds, with a 30-second rest between stretches, 3 d·wk -1 for 10 weeks. Strength determined via 1 repetition maximum (1RM) unilateral standing toe raise, and range of motion (ROM) were measured pre-post. In the treatment group, the stretched calf muscle had a significant (p < 0.05) 8% increase in ROM, whereas the nonstretched calf muscle had a significant 1% decrease in ROM. The 1 RM of the stretched calf muscle significantly increased 29%, whereas the 1RM of the nonstretched calf muscle significantly increased 11%. In the control group, neither 1RM nor ROM changed for either leg. The results indicate that 10 weeks of stretching only the right calf will significantly increase the strength of both calves. Hence, chronic stretching can also induce a crosstraining effect for strength but not for the ROM. This study also validates earlier findings suggesting that stretching can elicit strength gains in untrained individuals.

Para avaliar a eficácia do laser de arsenito de gálio em acelerar a cicatrização tendínea em cavalos PSI de corrida com lesão no tendão flexor digital superficial, foram realizados dois experimentos, primeiro (E1) com 14 casos clínicos onde as lesões foram decorrentes do esporte em um dos membros torácicos, o segundo (E2) com cinco casos experimentais, onde as lesões foram induzidas com colagenase em ambos os membros torácicos. No E1, após a detecção da lesão no tendão flexor digital superficial por exame ultra-sonográfico, todos os animais receberam antiinflamatório não esteróide associado à dimetilsulfóxido por via intravascular, crioterapia no local da lesão, e caminharam ao passo duas vezes ao dia por 15 minutos durante os 30 dias de acompanhamento. Os membros tratados pertenceram a onze animais que receberam uma sessão diária de laser de arsenito de gálio na dose de 20 J/cm2, realizadas durante 10 dias consecutivos, após término do antiinflamatório e da crioterapia. Os membros controle pertenceram a três animais, os quais não foram tratados com laser. No E2, após identificação das lesões, foram escolhidos aleatoriamente um membro torácico controle e outro a ser tratado por laser em cada animal. Da mesma forma, estes animais foram mantidos a passo e receberam o mesmo protocolo de laserterapia que os membros tratados do E1. Todos os membros foram avaliados através de exames ultra-sonográficos, utilizando-se como parâmetros o paralelismo das fibras tendíneas em corte longitudinal; a ecogenicidade, a área do tendão, a área da lesão e a porcentagem de ocupação da lesão em corte transversal. No E1, os membros controle não apresentaram diferença significativa (P>0,05) nos parâmetros avaliados entre os dias 0 e 30. Nos membros tratados, a área do tendão também não apresentou diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre os dias analisados, porém houve diminuição muito significativa nos escores de ecogenicidade e paralelismo (P<0,001), assim como diminuição no tamanho da lesão (P<0,05) e na porcentagem de ocupação da lesão (P<0,05). No E2 também não houve diferença significativa entre os dias em todos os critérios avaliados nos membros controles (P>0,05). Nos membros tratados a ecogenicidade, o paralelismo e o tamanho do tendão, não sofreram alterações significativas (P>0,05) entre os dias avaliados, porém o tamanho da lesão (P<0,05) e a porcentagem de ocupação da lesão (P<0,01) apresentaram diminuição significativa. O laser de arsenito de gálio na dose de 20 J/cm2 mostrou-se eficaz em acelerar a reparação da lesão tendínea nos membros tratados em relação aos membros controle, tanto no grupo de casos clínicos quanto no grupo experimental, quando comparados aos 30 dias do aparecimento da lesão. Esses resultados sugerem a participação positiva do laser de arsenito de gálio nos resultados e a validação do mesmo no tratamento da tendinite do flexor digital superficial de cavalos Puro Sangue Inglês de corrida. / This study conducted two trials to evaluate the efficacy of Gallium Arsenide Laser in the speed of the healing process of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) lesions in thoroughbred horses. One trial group (T1) comprises 14 horses with lesions, which resulted from the sport, in the SDFT in one of the front limbs. The other trial group (T2) was formed by five horses that had lesions induced in both front limbs by collagenase injection. In the T1, after the detection of the lesion in the SDFT by ultrasonography all horses were treated by intravenous injection, once a day, over five days, with an association of two AINS: phenylbutazone and dimethylsulfoxide. Cryotherapy was also applied on the affected tendon (three times a day over five days) and the horses were kept in stalls and allowed controlled exercise (hand-walked twice daily for 15 minutes) during the 30 days of the study. The treated limbs belong to 11 horses that received laser sessions once a day for ten days at a dosage of 20J/cm2. These sessions started after the AINS association and cryotherapy. The control limbs belong to the other three horses that received the same treatment, except by the laser sessions. In the T2, after the detection of the lesion, a limb from each horse was randomly chosen to be the control limb and the other limb was treated by laser. These horses were also kept in stall under controlled exercise and the treated limb was under the same laser protocol that T1. All horses were evaluated by two ultrasonographic exams with a 30-day interval. The parameters evaluated were: the fiber alignment, the echogenicity, the tendon area, the lesion area and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved. In the T1, the control limbs showed no significant difference (p>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment, the tendon area, the lesion area or the proportion of the cross sectional area involved, between the day 0 and 30. The treated limb, didn´t show any significant difference of the tendon area, but showed a significant difference on the echogenicity (P<0,001), the fiber alignment (P<0,001), the lesion area (P<0,05) and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved (P<0,05). In the T2, only one limb received the laser treatment, the other limb acted as a control. The control limbs showed no significant difference (P>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment, the tendon area, the lesion area and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved between the day 0 and 30. The treated limbs showed no significant difference (P>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment and the tendon area, but showed significant difference in the lesion area (P<0,05) and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved (P<0,01). The treatment dose of 20J/cm2 of gallium arsenide laser was efficient in speeding the healing process of SDFT lesions of the laser treated limbs in both groups (T1 and T2), when compared with the control limbs, at 30 days of the onset of the lesion. The group which lesions occurred due to the sport (T1) had a better response to the treatment than the group which lesions were induced by collagenasis (T2). The limbs treated by laser showed a positive response which validates the use of the Gallium Arsenide laser for the treatment of tendinitis in the Superficial Digital Flexor in race horses.

The aim of this study was to investigate which protocols Occupational Therapists (OT’s) use when rehabilitating clients after flexor tendon repairs, and to investigate the therapist’s knowledge regarding these protocols, to guide therapists and institutions in using effective methods within the South African context. A questionnaire was sent to OT’s in South Africa. Of the 32 responses, 50% had more than 10 years experience and 50%, less experience. 81.2% were private practitioners and 28% worked in government. The trend of protocol use was as follows: 18.8% used a Duran-type passive mobilization protocol, 25% used a Kleinert-type protocol - a passive flexion protocol (but labelled an active mobilization protocol in literature as it allows active extension of the fingers), 28.1% used Early Active Mobilization and 3.1% used an Immobilization-type protocol. 64.5% of the sample used static splints, 9.7% used dynamic splints and 25.8% used a combination. Most (83.3%) continued the splint at 4 weeks but only 26.6% were using the splint at 6 weeks. At week 1, 30% allowed active flexion of the fingers, whereas at week 4 and 5, 60% allowed active flexion. The referring doctor and confidence in one’s own skills were the main factors influencing protocol choice. Resources available influenced the protocol choice, which can be problematic in South Africa. Access to literature was mostly through textbooks (90.6%), although journal articles were accessed (internet - 50%, hard copy - 62.5%). More than half of the sample attended courses regularly. Most therapists were happy with their outcomes, regardless of which protocol used. Therapists need to build their confidence, realising the efficacy of various protocols is similar, according to research. Thus whatever factors influence protocol choice, they will likely not be critical to good outcomes. / Thesis (M.O.T.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Orientador: Edson Rosa Pimentel / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T20:41:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vieira_CristianoPedrozo_M.pdf: 2180870 bytes, checksum: 84839495dd54341c9219c9aca477f0aa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Os tendões podem ser acometidos por lesões, infecções e inflamações, seguidas ou não de ruptura, podendo ser decorrentes de atividades desportivas, como exercícios e alongamentos, ou de atividades diárias de muitos trabalhadores. Em situações patológicas a matriz extracelular (MEC) do tendão passa por um processo de reorganização de seus componentes, visando à regeneração e homeostasia do tecido. A inflamação pode ser desencadeada por diferentes fatores, entre os principais causadores desse processo estão injúrias mecânicas e químicas, agentes infecciosos, queimadura, radiação e supressão de oxigênio. Pouco é conhecido na literatura sobre as possíveis alterações que a inflamação instalada em tecidos próximos pode ocasionar em tendões. Desse modo, o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar as alterações bioquímicas e morfológicas do tendão flexor digital profundo (TFDP) após indução da inflamação aguda em pata. Os períodos de análises foram 4 horas, período em que ocorre o pico da inflamação, 12 e 24 horas. Ratos Wistar (140-160g) foram separados em três grupos experimentais: os que receberam aplicação da carragenina (1%), os que receberam NaCl (0,9%), e os que não receberam nada, sendo utilizados como controle. O TFDP foi dividido conforme suas diferentes regiões (distal, intermediária, proximal). Para análises bioquímicas, os tendões foram processados e analisados de acordo com as seguintes técnicas: SDS-PAGE, para observação do perfil de proteínas, eletroforese em gel de agarose para análise de glicosaminoglicanos sulfatados; zimografia para detecção de metaloproteínase (MMP) 2 e 9; e dosagem de proteínas não colagênicas e hidroxiprolina. Para análises morfológicas, os cortes foram corados com hematoxilina-eosina, azul de toluidina e ponceau SS. De acordo com nossos resultados, no pico da inflamação aguda foi observada menor quantidade de proteínas e glicosaminoglicanos nas três regiões do TFDP dos animais tratados com carragenina. A concentração de hidroxiprolina foi maior nas duas regiões de tensão do tendão do grupo inflamado. A presença da MMP-9 foi detectada na região distal e foi evidenciado o epitendão mais espesso com células inflamatórias nas três regiões do TFDP no grupo com carragenina. Uma melhor organização dos feixes de colágeno foi observada nas duas regiões de tensão desse mesmo grupo. Após o período de pico da inflamação foi evidenciado a presença da isoforma latente e ativa da MMP-9 em 12 horas após a indução da inflamação. Houve maior quantidade de hidroxiprolina na região intermediária e proximal no grupo de 12 horas e, na região distal no grupo de 24 horas no grupo tratado com carragenina. A concentração de proteínas foi menor na região distal do grupo tratado com carragenina em 12 horas e maior em 24 horas nessa mesma região e grupo. A presença de um epitendão mais espesso com infiltrado de células foi observado nas regiões do TFDP dos animais com carragenina em 24 horas e, a organização dos feixes de colágeno foi menor na região proximal em 12 e 24 horas foram mostradas nos animais que receberam o veículo e a carragenina. Nenhuma diferença foi encontrada durante 4, 12 e 24 horas nos géis de SDS-PAGE. Nossos resultados mostram que embora o tendão não esteja inflamado, durante o pico do processo inflamatório agudo na pata de rato, alterações marcantes são evidenciadas. Contudo, podem ser ressaltados que o período posterior ao pico da inflamação também desencadeia alterações nos elementos estruturais e bioquímicos da MEC do TFDP / Abstract: The tendons are often affected by injuries, infections and inflammations, followed or not by rupture, which may occur during sport activities such as exercise and stretching, or during other daily activities. In pathological situations the extracellular matrix of tendons undergoes a reorganization process of their components, aimed at the improvement, regeneration and tissue homeostasis. Inflammation can be triggered by different factors, among the main causes of this process are mechanical and chemical injuries, infectious agents, burns, radiation and suppression of oxygen. Little is known in the literature on possible changes that the inflammation may trigger in near tissues where it is installed. This study aims to examine biochemically and morphologically the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) after induction of acute inflammation in rat paw (140-160g). The analysis was performed in the peak of inflammation (4 hours) and after that period (12 and 24 hours). Rats Wistar were divided into three groups: those who received application of (1%) carrageenan, those receiving 0.9% NaCl, and those who received nothing and were used as control. The DDFT was analyzed according to their regions (distal, intermediate and proximal). The DDFT was analyzed according to its different regions (distal, intermediate, proximal). For biochemical analysis, the tendons were processed and analyzed in accordance with the following techniques: SDS-PAGE, to observe the profile of proteins, agarose gel electrophoresis to analysis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans; zymography for detection of metalloproteinases 2 and 9, and dosage of non collagenous proteins and hydroxyproline. For morphological analysis, sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue and Ponceau SS. At the peak of acute inflammation was observed lower amount of proteins and glycosaminoglycans in the three regions of animals tendons with carrageenan. The hydroxyproline concentration was higher in the two tension regions of tendon of inflamed group. The presence of MMP-9 was detected in the distal region and was shown a thicker epitendon with inflammatory cells in the three regions of the DDFT in the group with carrageenan. Better organization of collagen bundles were observed within two regions of tension in the mentioned group. After the peak of inflammation was evidenced the presence of the latent and active isoform of the MMP-9 in 12 hours after induction of inflammation. A higher amount of hydroxyproline was detected in the intermediate and proximal region in the 12 hours and in the distal region in 24 hours in group treated with carrageenan. The protein concentration was lower in the distal region of the inflamed group at 12 hours and higher in 24 hours on the same region in the group treated with carrageenan. The presence of a thicker epitendon with cell infiltration was observed in the animals with DDFT of carrageenan animals as well as, a smaller organization of collagen bundles in the proximal region in 12 and 24 hours were shown in rats treated with vehicle and carrageenan. No difference was found for 4, 12 and 24 hours in SDS-PAGE gels. Our results show that although the tendon is not inflamed, during the peak of acute inflammation in rat paw, the most marked changes are evident. However, it can be emphasized that the period after the inflammation also triggers changes in the structural and biochemical components of the extracellular matrix of the deep digital flexor tendon / Mestrado / Biologia Celular / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Para avaliar a eficácia do laser de arsenito de gálio em acelerar a cicatrização tendínea em cavalos PSI de corrida com lesão no tendão flexor digital superficial, foram realizados dois experimentos, primeiro (E1) com 14 casos clínicos onde as lesões foram decorrentes do esporte em um dos membros torácicos, o segundo (E2) com cinco casos experimentais, onde as lesões foram induzidas com colagenase em ambos os membros torácicos. No E1, após a detecção da lesão no tendão flexor digital superficial por exame ultra-sonográfico, todos os animais receberam antiinflamatório não esteróide associado à dimetilsulfóxido por via intravascular, crioterapia no local da lesão, e caminharam ao passo duas vezes ao dia por 15 minutos durante os 30 dias de acompanhamento. Os membros tratados pertenceram a onze animais que receberam uma sessão diária de laser de arsenito de gálio na dose de 20 J/cm2, realizadas durante 10 dias consecutivos, após término do antiinflamatório e da crioterapia. Os membros controle pertenceram a três animais, os quais não foram tratados com laser. No E2, após identificação das lesões, foram escolhidos aleatoriamente um membro torácico controle e outro a ser tratado por laser em cada animal. Da mesma forma, estes animais foram mantidos a passo e receberam o mesmo protocolo de laserterapia que os membros tratados do E1. Todos os membros foram avaliados através de exames ultra-sonográficos, utilizando-se como parâmetros o paralelismo das fibras tendíneas em corte longitudinal; a ecogenicidade, a área do tendão, a área da lesão e a porcentagem de ocupação da lesão em corte transversal. No E1, os membros controle não apresentaram diferença significativa (P>0,05) nos parâmetros avaliados entre os dias 0 e 30. Nos membros tratados, a área do tendão também não apresentou diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre os dias analisados, porém houve diminuição muito significativa nos escores de ecogenicidade e paralelismo (P<0,001), assim como diminuição no tamanho da lesão (P<0,05) e na porcentagem de ocupação da lesão (P<0,05). No E2 também não houve diferença significativa entre os dias em todos os critérios avaliados nos membros controles (P>0,05). Nos membros tratados a ecogenicidade, o paralelismo e o tamanho do tendão, não sofreram alterações significativas (P>0,05) entre os dias avaliados, porém o tamanho da lesão (P<0,05) e a porcentagem de ocupação da lesão (P<0,01) apresentaram diminuição significativa. O laser de arsenito de gálio na dose de 20 J/cm2 mostrou-se eficaz em acelerar a reparação da lesão tendínea nos membros tratados em relação aos membros controle, tanto no grupo de casos clínicos quanto no grupo experimental, quando comparados aos 30 dias do aparecimento da lesão. Esses resultados sugerem a participação positiva do laser de arsenito de gálio nos resultados e a validação do mesmo no tratamento da tendinite do flexor digital superficial de cavalos Puro Sangue Inglês de corrida. / This study conducted two trials to evaluate the efficacy of Gallium Arsenide Laser in the speed of the healing process of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) lesions in thoroughbred horses. One trial group (T1) comprises 14 horses with lesions, which resulted from the sport, in the SDFT in one of the front limbs. The other trial group (T2) was formed by five horses that had lesions induced in both front limbs by collagenase injection. In the T1, after the detection of the lesion in the SDFT by ultrasonography all horses were treated by intravenous injection, once a day, over five days, with an association of two AINS: phenylbutazone and dimethylsulfoxide. Cryotherapy was also applied on the affected tendon (three times a day over five days) and the horses were kept in stalls and allowed controlled exercise (hand-walked twice daily for 15 minutes) during the 30 days of the study. The treated limbs belong to 11 horses that received laser sessions once a day for ten days at a dosage of 20J/cm2. These sessions started after the AINS association and cryotherapy. The control limbs belong to the other three horses that received the same treatment, except by the laser sessions. In the T2, after the detection of the lesion, a limb from each horse was randomly chosen to be the control limb and the other limb was treated by laser. These horses were also kept in stall under controlled exercise and the treated limb was under the same laser protocol that T1. All horses were evaluated by two ultrasonographic exams with a 30-day interval. The parameters evaluated were: the fiber alignment, the echogenicity, the tendon area, the lesion area and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved. In the T1, the control limbs showed no significant difference (p>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment, the tendon area, the lesion area or the proportion of the cross sectional area involved, between the day 0 and 30. The treated limb, didn´t show any significant difference of the tendon area, but showed a significant difference on the echogenicity (P<0,001), the fiber alignment (P<0,001), the lesion area (P<0,05) and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved (P<0,05). In the T2, only one limb received the laser treatment, the other limb acted as a control. The control limbs showed no significant difference (P>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment, the tendon area, the lesion area and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved between the day 0 and 30. The treated limbs showed no significant difference (P>0,05) in the echogenicity, the fiber alignment and the tendon area, but showed significant difference in the lesion area (P<0,05) and the proportion of the cross sectional area involved (P<0,01). The treatment dose of 20J/cm2 of gallium arsenide laser was efficient in speeding the healing process of SDFT lesions of the laser treated limbs in both groups (T1 and T2), when compared with the control limbs, at 30 days of the onset of the lesion. The group which lesions occurred due to the sport (T1) had a better response to the treatment than the group which lesions were induced by collagenasis (T2). The limbs treated by laser showed a positive response which validates the use of the Gallium Arsenide laser for the treatment of tendinitis in the Superficial Digital Flexor in race horses.

Resumo: A claudicação em bovinos é uma importante causa de diminuição da produção e abate precoce, sendo predominantemente de origem digital. A base para avaliação de alterações ortopédicas em bovinos reside no conhecimento anatômico e nos aspectos radiográficos e ultrassonográficos da área acometida. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de caracterizar, por meio da ultrassonografia, as estruturas flexoras da porção distal dos membros de bovinos. Para este estudo foram utilizadas peças anatômicas da porção distal dos membros torácicos e pélvicos provenientes de 20 novilhas mestiças da raça Nelore, com idades entre 24 e 36 meses. Para análise ultrassonográfica foram estabelecidas cinco zonas de avaliação no plano transversal, denominadas, respectivamente, de zonas A, B, C, D e E, e duas em plano sagital, F-III e F-IV. Na face flexora foram avaliados os tendões flexores digitais superficial e profundo, o músculo interósseo,o ligamento acessório do tendão flexor digital profundo e a manica flexoria, quanto à forma, limites, posição, ecogenicidade e mensurações das áreas transversais em cm2, sendo os resultados apresentados na forma descritiva e em tabelas. Com este trabalho foi possível a caracterização das estruturas flexoras, identificando e determinando planos ultrassonográficos apropriados para a observação de imagens adequadas destes tecidos, além da obtenção de valores e parâmetros que possam ser utilizados como referência para esta espécie, ampliando conhecimentos já descritos na literatura / Abstract: Lameness in cattle is a major cause of reduced production and premature culling, predominantly digital home. The basis for evaluation of orthopedic changes in cattle lies in the anatomic and radiographic and ultrasonographic aspects of the affected area. This work was carried out to characterize, by means of ultrasound, the structures of the distal flexor members of cattle. For this study we used anatomical specimens of the distal portion of the thoracic and pelvic limbs from 20 crossbred Nelore, aged between 24 and 36 months. For ultrasound examination were established five areas of assessment in the transverse plane, called, respectively, in zones A, B, C, D and E, and two in the sagittal plane, F-III and F-IV. On the face of the flexor tendons were assessed superficial and deep digital flexor, interosseous muscle, ligament tendon and deep digital flexor of shape, manica flexoria, boundaries, location, echogenicity and crosscutting areas in cm2, and the results were presented as descriptive and tables. This work was possible to characterize the structures flexor, identifying and determining appropriate plans for the sonographic observation of appropriate images of these tissues, in addition to obtaining values and parameters that can be used as reference for this species, increasing knowledge described in the literature / Orientador: José Wanderley Cattelan / Coorientador: Julio Carlos Canola / Banca: Paola Castro Moraes / Banca: Wanderson Adriano Biscola Pereira / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:30:38Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 nogueira_gm_me_jabo.pdf: 15853896 bytes, checksum: 275796e881aa1463105455fa578574b0 (MD5) / A claudicação em bovinos é uma importante causa de diminuição da produção e abate precoce, sendo predominantemente de origem digital. A base para avaliação de alterações ortopédicas em bovinos reside no conhecimento anatômico e nos aspectos radiográficos e ultrassonográficos da área acometida. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de caracterizar, por meio da ultrassonografia, as estruturas flexoras da porção distal dos membros de bovinos. Para este estudo foram utilizadas peças anatômicas da porção distal dos membros torácicos e pélvicos provenientes de 20 novilhas mestiças da raça Nelore, com idades entre 24 e 36 meses. Para análise ultrassonográfica foram estabelecidas cinco zonas de avaliação no plano transversal, denominadas, respectivamente, de zonas A, B, C, D e E, e duas em plano sagital, F-III e F-IV. Na face flexora foram avaliados os tendões flexores digitais superficial e profundo, o músculo interósseo,o ligamento acessório do tendão flexor digital profundo e a manica flexoria, quanto à forma, limites, posição, ecogenicidade e mensurações das áreas transversais em cm2, sendo os resultados apresentados na forma descritiva e em tabelas. Com este trabalho foi possível a caracterização das estruturas flexoras, identificando e determinando planos ultrassonográficos apropriados para a observação de imagens adequadas destes tecidos, além da obtenção de valores e parâmetros que possam ser utilizados como referência para esta espécie, ampliando conhecimentos já descritos na literatura / Lameness in cattle is a major cause of reduced production and premature culling, predominantly digital home. The basis for evaluation of orthopedic changes in cattle lies in the anatomic and radiographic and ultrasonographic aspects of the affected area. This work was carried out to characterize, by means of ultrasound, the structures of the distal flexor members of cattle. For this study we used anatomical specimens of the distal portion of the thoracic and pelvic limbs from 20 crossbred Nelore, aged between 24 and 36 months. For ultrasound examination were established five areas of assessment in the transverse plane, called, respectively, in zones A, B, C, D and E, and two in the sagittal plane, F-III and F-IV. On the face of the flexor tendons were assessed superficial and deep digital flexor, interosseous muscle, ligament tendon and deep digital flexor of shape, manica flexoria, boundaries, location, echogenicity and crosscutting areas in cm2, and the results were presented as descriptive and tables. This work was possible to characterize the structures flexor, identifying and determining appropriate plans for the sonographic observation of appropriate images of these tissues, in addition to obtaining values and parameters that can be used as reference for this species, increasing knowledge described in the literature

Fibrotic diseases account for an estimated 45% of the total number of deaths in the developed world (Wynn 2007). Tendons are an excellent model for studying the dysregulated response which leads to fibrosis, as tendons have an organized, parallel matrix, in which tissue defects could easily be distinguished. Wong et al. (2006b) demonstrated the presence of a bell-shaped region around sutures in tendons that was devoid of cells in histological sections. The mechanisms of the formation of this acellular zone, that was also noted in cornea and cartilage (Matsuda et al. 1999; Hunziker and Stähli 2008), were unknown. It was hypothesized that the acellular zone was formed by cell death and that suturing caused alterations to the extracellular matrix of sutured regions of tendon, which made the acellular zone refractory to cellular re-population. The acellular zone was tracked in sutured tendons for up to a year to determine the temporal properties of the acellular zone. Electron microscopic and time lapse studies were carried out to determine if the acellular zone formed by cell migration or cell death. Microarray analysis was conduced to confirm this and to reveal potential molecular targets for future studies. The extracellular matrix of sutured tendons was studied by electron, atomic, scanning and polarized light microscopy and mechanical measurements were obtained using nanoindentation. It was concluded that the acellular zone formed within 24 hours and persisted for up to a year. Tension and size of the suture's grasp were also shown to be important for acellular zone formation. Cell death was the main effector of acellular zone formation. Microarray analysis showed evidence of upregulation of inflammatory mediators and programmed necrosis pathways. The sutured extracellular matrix was denser, more disorganized and had a lower Young's modulus than unsutured regions of the same tendon. These differences in the properties of the extracellular matrix of sutured tendons may be the cause of the persistence of the acellular zone.

Many clinicians believe exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC) occur because of dehydration and electrolyte losses. Experimental research supporting this theory is lacking. Mild hypohydration (3% body mass loss) does not alter cramp threshold frequency (TF), a measure of cramp susceptibility, when fatigue and exercise intensity are controlled. No experimental research has examined TF following significant (3-5% body mass loss) or serious hypohydration (>5% body mass loss). TF and blood variables of ten subjects were measured pre-post exercise. Subjects exercised in an environmental heat chamber alternating between upper arm ergometry and non-dominant leg cycling every 15 minutes until they lost 5% of their body mass or were too exhausted to continue. Significant (n=5) or serious hypohydration (n=5) did not alter cramp TF, cramp intensity, or cramp EMG amplitude. Significant and serious hypohydration with moderate electrolyte losses does not alter cramp susceptibility when fatigue and exercise intensity are controlled.

Background:Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a diagnosis of exclusion and represents a spectrum of severity. Treatment for ITW includes observation and a variety of conservative treatment methods, with surgical intervention often reserved for severe cases. Previous studies reviewing treatment outcomes are often difficult to interpret secondary to a mixture of case severity. The goal of this study was to review surgical outcomes in patients with severe ITW who had failed prior conservative treatment, as well as determine differences in outcomes based on the type of surgery performed.Methods:After IRB approval, all patients with surgical management of severe ITW at a single institution were identified. Zone II or zone III plantar flexor lengthenings were performed in all subjects. Clinical, radiographic, and motion analysis data were collected preoperatively and at 1 year following surgery.Results:Twenty-six patients (46 extremities) with a diagnosis of severe ITW from 2002 to 2017 were included. Zone II lengthenings were performed in 25 extremities (mean age=9.9 y) and zone III lengthenings were performed in 21 extremities (mean age=8.6 y). At the most recent follow-up, 100% of zone III lengthening extremities and 88% of zone II lengthening demonstrated decreased severity of ITW. Six extremities required additional treatment, all of which were initially managed with zone II lengthenings.Conclusions:Severe ITW or ITW that has not responded to conservative treatment may benefit from surgical intervention. More successful outcomes, including continued resolution of toe walking, were observed in subjects treated with zone III lengthenings.Level of Evidence:Level III - case series.