Effectiveness of the FED Method in the Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis of Girls Aged 11–15 Years

(1) Background: The unknown etiology of idiopathic scoliosis and its three-dimensional nature make the cause-and-effect therapeutic management difficult. A tendency to progression of scoliosis and the failure of many methods of conservative treatment have prompted the search for new methods that would stop and correct deformations. One of them is the FED method, used in the conservative treatment of idiopathic scolioses, in which all scoliotic curves are corrected. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of idiopathic scoliosis treatment with the FED and FITS methods. (2) Methods: The study included 60 randomly selected girls, aged 11 to 15 years, treated with the FED and FITS methods. They were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis grade II according to Cobb and double-curve scoliosis type I and II according to King–Moe classification. The results of the therapy were assessed with the use of the Bunnell scoliometer. The examinations were performed before the start of the therapy—on the first day of the child’s stay—and 3 weeks after the therapy. The angle of trunk rotation and the sum of two rotations were assessed using a scoliometer. (3) Results: The performed statistical analysis demonstrated significant changes in the examined parameters in both therapeutic groups. (4) Conclusions: 1. The obtained results indicate that the FED therapy may prove to be an effective method of treating idiopathic scoliosis; however, it requires further research in a larger group of patients; 2. both methods significantly improved trunk rotation in primary and secondary scoliosis, but after using summing parameters (SDR parameter), the FED method appeared to be statistically more effective.

The Measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life of Girls with Mild to Moderate Idiopathic Scoliosis—Comparison of ISYQOL versus SRS-22 Questionnaire

This study aimed to compare the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life Questionnaire (ISYQOL-PL) versus the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire scores evaluating the validity of the concurrent and known-groups. Eighty-one girls (mean age 13.5 ± 1.8 years) with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) with a mean Cobb angle of 31.0 (±10.0) degrees were examined, all treated with a corrective TLSO brace for an average duration of 2.6 (±1.9) years. The patients’ scores were compared as follows: (1) age: ≤13 years vs. >13 years); (2) scoliosis severity: mild (Cobb angle 10–30°) vs. moderate (Cobb angle >30°); (3) single curve pattern vs. double curve pattern. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the strength of the association between ISYQOL-PL and SRS-22 scores. T-tests were applied to assess if the ISYQOL-PL measure and SRS-22 total score were significantly different in the different groups of patients. The concurrent validity analysis showed a moderate correlation (Lin pccc = 0.47). The ISYQOL-PL showed a significantly better quality of life in mild than moderate scoliosis. The severity of scoliosis but not the age or the curve pattern demonstrated a direct statistically significant effect on patients’ quality of life only when evaluated using the ISYQOL-PL.

Spinometric analysis of patient affected by scoliosis, treated with acupressure

Introduction Much has been written about how the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians (TCMs) are closely related to Myofascial Chains (MCs) and then, as a logic consequence, to the Posture. However, there are still few studies that operatively verify these concepts by performing acupressure treatments (like Shiatsu) on subjects groups, of which is performed a postural analysis, before and after.The aim of the present work is to promote these studies, starting from a pilot one and analyzing results thereof.Materials and Methods The study, intended as a case report, enrolled a single, 12 year-old, female subject affected by double curve, low degree scoliosis for just a clinic confirmation, for 10 consecutive modules spaced about a week (range 5-10 days) from each other and consisting of a postural analysis before and after an acupressure treatment (Shiatsu) without time gaps between analysis and treatment. The analysis was made with a DIERS Formetric 4D.Results While observing selected parameters relating their pre- and post-treatment values, is is possible to understand how the lumbar arrow (LA) is systemically reduced, the cervical arrow (CA) is progressively ameliorated, the Antero-Posterior Flexion (APF) and the Hemipelvis Torsion (HT) are progressively harmonized.After all the performed treatment, the subject refers the perception of his psycho-emotional state, better than the initial one, even though it was already good or very good.Discussion The series of treatments has shown his efficiency in the variation of morpho-structural parameters in the acute. Due to its configuration, the study didn't consider long term effects, an interesting aspect to be investigated dedicated studies with bigger sample size.Conclusions From an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective, the stimulation of "tsubo" according to the Fascial Neuromodulation model can represent a treatment integrated with the manipulation of peripheral entries in the correction of postural-type morpho-structural alterations.

The acoustic characteristics of the “Dives in Misericordia” Church in Rome

This paper discusses the acoustic characteristics of the “Dives in Misericordia” Church in Rome. The church was designed by architect Richard Meier and opened in 2003. It was made entirely of white concrete and consists of three septa with a double curve shaped like a sail. The nave roof is glass. The volume is approximately 14.000 cubic meters. The highest measuring is approximately 26 m. the width of the nave is 19.5 m, while the maximum width is 29.5 m, while the internal length is 32.0 m, while the total length is 45.6 m. It can seat approximately 240 people. The acoustic measurements were taken by placing a microphone at different points of the nave (the area occupied by the audience), with the sound source being placed on the altar. It was therefore possible to obtain a spatial distribution of the average acoustic characteristics inside the church. At a frequency of 1000 Hz, the average values of the reverberation time is about 10 s. In its current configuration, the church is neither suitable for understanding speech nor listening to music. A 3D virtual model was created and with the help of the building acoustics software it was possible to study the sound field inside the church. The possibility to carry out an appropriate acoustic correction was analyzed, in order to reduce the values of the reverberation time, by pacing on a side wall of the church an adequate number of sound-absorbing polyester panels.

HAIR PIN LOOP TECHNIQUE WITH THREE DIMENTIONAL SHAPE SUPPORTED STYLET FOR SUCCESSFUL BALLOON MITRAL VALVOTOMY IN A DIFFICULT CASE.

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy using Accura or Inoue balloon is an effective treatment for patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis suitable for valvotomy . Procedural success rates are high in experience hand with success rates are more than 90 %. Inability to cross the mitral valve is one of the prime reasons for procedure failure . We are reporting a case of 35 year female with severe mitral stenosis with severe subvalvular thickness using hairpin loop with double curve support of stylet, where all traditional methods of crossing mitral valve get failed. Mitral valvotomy successfully performed with mitral valve area increase from 0.5 cm2 to 2.1 cm 2.

Avalonia, get bent! Paleomagnetism from SW Iberia confirms the Greater Cantabrian Orocline

<p>The amalgamation of Pangea formed the contorted Variscan-Alleghanian orogen suturing Gondwana and Laurussia during Carboniferous. From all swirls of this orogen, a double curve stands out in Iberia, the coupled Cantabrian Orocline and Central Iberian Curve. The Cantabrian Orocline formed subsequent to Variscan orogeny (ca. 315-295 Ma). The mechanisms of formation for this orocline are disputed being the most prominent:</p><p>1) An Avalonian (Laurussia) indenter at SW Iberia, that would form the Cantabrian Orocline in a sinistral transpressive orogenic phase.</p><p>2) A change in the stress field that buckled the orogen. This change in stress would be potentially far-field and linked to subduction of the Paleo-tethys and/or diachronous collision in the Variscan belt.</p><p>In contrast, the geometry and kinematics of the Central Iberian curve are largely unknown. Whereas some authors defend both curvatures are genetically linked, others support they are distinct and formed at different times. Such uncertainty adds an extra layer of complexity into our understanding of the final stages of Pangea amalgamation.</p><p>We have performed a paleomagnetic analysis of several tectonostratigraphic units in SW Iberiat to solve the late Carboniferous Variscan kinematics. Our results show differential counterclockwise rotations, ranging from 20˚  and up to 70˚ at late Carboniferous. These results are coincident with the kinematics expected in the southern limb of the Cantabrian Orocline and discard a concomitant formation of both Cantabrian and Central Iberian curvature. The Avalonian portion of Laurussia rotated with the Cantabrian Orocline at both limbs: the northern one (Ireland, Pastor-Galán et al., 2015) and the southern one (South Portugese Zone, this study). The coherent rotation of Avalonia confirms the Greater Cantabrian Orocline hypothesis and discards the Avalonian indenter as a mechanism of formation for the Cantabrian Orocline. The Greater Cantabrian Orocline extended beyond the Rheic Ocean suture affecting both Laurussia and Gondwana margins and probably formed by a late Carboniferous change in the stress field, due to a still unidentified cause.</p>

Feasibility of Single-Staged Bilateral Anterior Scoliosis Correction in Growing Patients

Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of correcting double-curve scoliosis using dynamic scoliosis correction (DSC, also known as vertebral body tethering), which requires a bilateral anterior approach with deflation of both lungs. Typically, this approach falls under the exclusionary criteria for the eligibility for anterior scoliosis surgery. No data exists on the feasibility of single-staged bilateral DSC. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed utilizing the data from 25 patients who underwent a bilateral anterior thoracic approach and instrumentation. Thirty-day postoperative complication rates were analyzed. A learning curve subanalysis was also performed to compare the first 12 patients to the remainder of the 13 patients, with a T-test ( P ≤ .05). Results: Of the 25 patients treated, there was 1 intraoperative event: After performing lumbar DSC, the contralateral DSC was abandoned due to unexpected pleural scarring and staged selective thoracic fusion was performed. We observed 4 postoperative complications: 2 patients had recurrent pleural effusions, 1 patient was diagnosed with pneumonia, and 1 patient had a minor pulmonary embolism without cardiopulmonary consequences (after an international 24 hour flight). All patients recovered well. We observed a significant influence of learning curve on surgical time (328 vs 280 min, P = .03) and blood loss (480 vs 197 mL, P = .03). Conclusion: Data suggests that bilateral, single-stage surgery for DSC is feasible albeit with an elevated complication rate that may partially attributable to the learning curve. Future research should focus on the cause of pulmonary complications and include a matched comparative analysis with traditional posterior fusion.

EKSPLORASI MATERIAL GLULAM PADA PERANCANGAN SHELTER MENGGUNAKAN SALURAN KREATIVITAS FOCUS ON MATERIAL

Setiap material memiliki karakteristik yang dapat dieksplorasi dan digunakan sebagai saluran kreativitas dalam merancang bangunan. Proses eksplorasi material tersebut harus dapat mendukung efisiensi penggunaan sumber daya dalam keseluruhan daur hidup (life cycle) bangunan, mulai dari pemilihan material, desain, konstruksi, pemeliharaan, hingga pembongkaran. Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) merupakan salah satu material alternatif dari bahan dasar kayu yang dapat diperbaharui dan memiliki low embodied energy. Dengan menggunakan saluran kreativitas focus on material, karakteristik dari glulam digunakan sebagai pendekatan merancang bangunan. Tipe bangunan yang digunakan sebagai obyek eksplorasi adalah bangunan sederhana non-ruang, yaitu shelter (naungan). Proses rancang menggunakan Cyclical Design Process yang terdiri dari tahap analisis, sintesis, dan evaluasi yang dilakukan berulang-ulang hingga mendapat rancangan paling yang optimal. Tahap analisis data dari glulam, shelter, dan focus on material dilakukan untuk menghasilkan kriteria desain yang akan digunakan untuk menghasilkan beberapa alternatif rancangan pada tahap sintesis. Beberapa alternatif rancangan tersebut kemudian di evaluasi pada tahap evaluasi untuk mendapatkan rancangan yang paling sesuai. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah rancangan skematik bangunan shelter dengan bentuk single curve dan double curve yang tersusun dari konfigurasi monomaterial elemen-elemen glulam berukuran 60x60 cm menggunakan sambungan takik.

Analysis of the interface pressure exerted by the Chêneau brace in patients with double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The Chêneau brace has proven its effectiveness in treating the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. However, no studies reported on the analysis of interface pressure in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. In this study, we evaluated the interface pressure of the Chêneau brace action in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient treatment. A total of 72 (60 girls and 12 boys) patients aged 10 years and above participated in the study. The F-Socket transducers (9811E) were used to evaluate the pressure on the right thoracic and left thoracolumbar curves between normal and maximum strap tension and variation in these interface pressures with other tasks. Each patient was asked to do nine different tasks corresponding to daily activities, and the interface pressures for each activity were recorded for both normal and maximum tension. The resultant mean peak pressure in double-curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was higher for right thoracic curves than left thoracolumbar curves in all tasks. The pressure significantly increased at the task of maximal inspiration ( p < 0.0001) for both types of curves for normal and maximum tension. The degrees of correction for the thoracic and thoracolumbar curves were 23.2% and 34.5%, respectively, after 6 months of brace use (23 h per day). Hence, we could not find any substantial correlation between mean peak pressure in the standing position and degree of scoliosis correction for two curves having r = 0.158, p = 0.356 and r = –0.024, p = 0.889 values.

Influence of side-shift therapy associated or not with a shoe lift on idiopathic scoliosis

Introduction: The benefits of side-shift therapy associated with a shoe lift in scoliosis can act by reorganizing the asymmetries found in these individuals. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of side-shift therapy with or without a high or low shoe lift in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Materials and Methods: 10 individuals of both genders, aged 13-24 years, were selected, with scoliosis "S" and right thoracic and left lumbar greater than 10º. Initially the order of the task was static and then dynamic, after which there was a draw for the conditions with the shoe lift. The values of postural angles during the five lateral tilt movements were obtained and also the minimum and maximum values of each movement. The average value of postural angle in the static position, without a shoe lift, was used as a reference. Results: The movement associated with the shoe lift demonstrated less significant results compared with the effect of the static shoe lift and the side-shift movements performed in isolation, no significant results in any angle were found. Discussion: Both movements, to the side of the convexity or to the opposite side, seemed to decrease the effect of the shoe lift. The side-shift movement performed in isolation failed to influence the postural angles in general, demonstrating that acute intervention may not be efficient. Conclusion: The influence of side-shift therapy associated with a high or low shoe lift on both sides was effective, but the shoe lift in the static position produced the most significant changes and therefore is considered a better intervention in order to prevent the progression of double curve in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.