Chronic Multi-Electrode Electromyography in Snakes

Knowledge about body motion kinematics and underlying muscle contraction dynamics usually derives from electromyographic (EMG) recordings. However, acquisition of such signals in snakes is challenging because electrodes either attached to or implanted beneath the skin may unintentionally be removed by force or friction caused from undulatory motion, thus severely impeding chronic EMG recordings. Here, we present a reliable method for stable subdermal implantation of up to eight bipolar electrodes above the target muscles. The mechanical stability of the inserted electrodes and the overnight coverage of the snake body with a “sleeping bag” ensured the recording of reliable and robust chronic EMG activity. The utility of the technique was verified by daily acquisition of high signal-to-noise activity from all target sites over four consecutive days during stimulus-evoked postural reactions in Amazon tree boas and Western diamondback rattlesnakes. The successful demonstration of the chronic recording suggests that this technique can improve acute experiments by enabling the collection of larger data sets from single individuals.

Peculiarities of hemodynamics in gestosis

As many as 239 pregnant women suffering from gestosis were examined and they were allowed to give birth by the caesarean operation. Nine types of hemodynamics were selected. All the patients were divided into two groups, depending on the level of gestosis. In each group two subgroups were picked out according to the type of therapy (the 1st one by the old way, the 2d one by new methods). It is shown that in both groups the hypertensive-hypodynamic dissociation and isolated hypertension prevailed. It is stated that in both groups the calculation of the Cardiac Index and Systemic Vascular Resistance with the following definition of the hypodinamic type reflects the severity of the course of gestosis and the effeciency of the therapy directed to the correction of hemodinamics. The application of suggested systematization of hemodynamics disorders and the therapy methods promotes quicker correction of complications of hypertensive therapy in the form ofv postural reactions than in the case of the routine method.

Location of Scoliosis and Postural Reactions Among Girls Aged 7-18 Years

The objective of the study was evaluation of the relationships between location of scoliosis and postural reactions in girls aged 7-18. The study included 28 girls aged 7-18 with lateral curvature of the spine and scoliotic posture. Selection of the examined girls was targeted. The children were treated in the Inter-School Centre for Corrective and Compensatory Gymnastics in Starachowice. The study was conducted in June 2011. Digital Exhibeon radiograms were applied to determine the location of the curvature. Postural reactions were evaluated using the static-dynamic platform Tecnobody ST 310 Plus Stability System. The variables were verified for normality of the distribution by means of Shapiro-Wilk test. The variability of the quantitative characteristics with respect to categorial characteristics was verified by using one-way and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. In the case of significant main results or interactions, the Bonferroni test and Tukey test were applied as a post hoc analysis. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Analysis of variance showed significant relationships between Average Forward-Backward Speed, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in open eyes test (OE), and location of the curvature. The highest amplitudes of the reactions Average Forward-Backward Speer, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in open eyes test (OE) were observed in lumbar curvatures. In examination with eyes closed (CE), a correlation was found between the location of the curvature and Forward-Backward Standard Deviation, Average Forward-Backward Speer, and Perimeter. The highest amplitudes of reactions Average Forward-Backward Speer, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in eyes closed test (CE) were noted also in lumbar curvatures. The comparative analysis of variance of postural reactions with respect to the location of the secondary curvature showed significant results only for Average Forward-Backward Speed (OE). Average Forward-Backward Speed (OE) was the highest in curvatures with thoracic location.

The Analysis of Selected Posturogram Parameters in Children with Scoliotic Changes

The aim of the research was to analyze selected posturogram parameters in children with scoliotic changes. 28 girls aged 7-18 years old were involved in the study. Children attended to the Interschool Centre of Corrective Exercises in Starachowice. The research was conducted in June 2011. Spine research was made by Exhibeon digital radiography. Based on the size of the angle of spinal curvature there were identified scoliotic posture: 1-9° and scoliosis: ≥10°. There were 21 (75%) children with scoliotic posture, and 7 (25%) with idiopathic scoliosis. The frequency and type of defect didn't depended on age. Postural reactions were examined by static-dynamic Tecnobody’s ST 310 Plus Stability System platform. Perimeter was from 539,46 with opened eyes (OE) to 759,04 with closed eyes (CE). The difference in Romberg’s Test was 219,58. Ellipse area was from 447,46 with opened eyes (OE) to 850,32 with closed eyes (CE). The difference in Romberg’s Test was 402,86. Perimeter ratio was 146,68, and Area ratio was 213,89. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of study options which clearly differentiates Permeter (p=0,000008) and Ellipse Area (p=0,029882) in the research with opened and closed eyes. In a study with closed eyes it has been observed a significant increase of posturogram variables. Analysis of variance for Area ratio didn't show any significant effects (p= 0,376899) similarly for Perimeter ratio (p=0,523086). Posturogram variables generally decreased with age, however the analysis of variance didn’t show any statistically significant effects. The analysis of the Spearman rank correlation of posturogram variables with age of examined persons also didn’t show any significant associations.