Assessing spinal movement during four extrication methods: a biomechanical study using healthy volunteers

Background Motor vehicle collisions are a common cause of death and serious injury. Many casualties will remain in their vehicle following a collision. Trapped patients have more injuries and are more likely to die than their untrapped counterparts. Current extrication methods are time consuming and have a focus on movement minimisation and mitigation. The optimal extrication strategy and the effect this extrication method has on spinal movement is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the movement at the cervical and lumbar spine for four commonly utilised extrication techniques. Methods Biomechanical data was collected using inertial Measurement Units on 6 healthy volunteers. The extrication types examined were: roof removal, b-post rip, rapid removal and self-extrication. Measurements were recorded at the cervical and lumbar spine, and in the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) planes. Total movement (travel), maximal movement, mean, standard deviation and confidence intervals are reported for each extrication type. Results Data from a total of 230 extrications were collected for analysis. The smallest maximal and total movement (travel) were seen when the volunteer self-extricated (AP max = 2.6 mm, travel 4.9 mm). The largest maximal movement and travel were seen in rapid extrication extricated (AP max = 6.21 mm, travel 20.51 mm). The differences between self-extrication and all other methods were significant (p < 0.001), small non-significant differences existed between roof removal, b-post rip and rapid removal. Self-extrication was significantly quicker than the other extrication methods (mean 6.4 s). Conclusions In healthy volunteers, self-extrication is associated with the smallest spinal movement and the fastest time to complete extrication. Rapid, B-post rip and roof off extrication types are all associated with similar movements and time to extrication in prepared vehicles.

Maximum movement and cumulative movement (travel) to inform our understanding of secondary spinal cord injury and its application to collar use in self-extrication

Background Motor vehicle collisions remain a common cause of spinal cord injury. Biomechanical studies of spinal movement often lack “real world” context and applicability. Additional data may enhance our understanding of the potential for secondary spinal cord injury. We propose the metric ‘travel’ (total movement) and suggest that our understanding of movement related risk of injury could be improved if travel was routinely reported. We report maximal movement and travel for collar application in vehicle and subsequent self-extrication. Methods Biomechanical data on application of cervical collar with the volunteer sat in a vehicle were collected using Inertial Measurement Units on 6 healthy volunteers. Maximal movement and travel are reported. These data and a re-analysis of previously published work is used to demonstrate the utility of travel and maximal movement in the context of self-extrication. Results Data from a total of 60 in-vehicle collar applications across three female and three male volunteers was successfully collected for analysis. The mean age across participants was 50.3 years (range 28–68) and the BMI was 27.7 (range 21.5–34.6). The mean maximal anterior–posterior movement associated with collar application was 2.3 mm with a total AP travel of 4.9 mm. Travel (total movement) for in-car application of collar and self-extrication was 9.5 mm compared to 9.4 mm travel for self-extrication without a collar. Conclusion We have demonstrated the application of ‘travel’ in the context of self-extrication. Total travel is similar across self-extricating healthy volunteers with and without a collar. We suggest that where possible ‘travel’ is collected and reported in future biomechanical studies in this and related areas of research. It remains appropriate to apply a cervical collar to self-extricating casualties when the clinical target is that of movement minimisation.

Movement and Diffusion of the Helium Atom in Nanostructures (in Pores) with Water

The influence of water-filled nanoscale defects on the total movement of helium atoms through a quartz crystal is considered. The approximation of local chains is used, the interaction constant of which characterizes the interaction of the helium atom with the environment. The appearance of water molecules in defects (pores) leads to the renormalization of this interaction. The D'Alembert principle is used to evaluate this renormalization. The effect of such a renormalization of the interaction on the diffusion coefficient of helium through a crystal with defects filled with water is considered.

The effects of environmental enrichment on hatchery-performance, smolt migration and capture rates in landlocked Atlantic salmon

Enrichment of rearing environment with natural elements has been suggested to improve the welfare and post-release survival of cultured fish. We studied the combined effects of shelter structures, periodical water flow and water level changes on pre- and post-release performance of critically endangered landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar m. sebago). Relative to standard (plain) rearing tanks, provision of enrichment improved fish condition factor and survival during the first year of rearing when most mortality was attributable to parasitic and bacterial infections. The consequent higher density in enriched tanks probably induced greater growth variation and more dorsal fin damages than found in fish of standard tanks. Possibly this was partly due to the applied changes in water level. Experimentally determined smolt migration tendency at age 3 did not differ, on average, between the rearing groups, but enriched-reared fish showed clearly less variation in total movement activity than standard-reared fish. Experimental angling in earthen ponds did not suggest divergent vulnerability between the differentially reared fish at age 3, but decreased condition during the preceding growth season increased vulnerability to fishing. Based on long-term post-stocking tag returns in large-lake fisheries, fish length at release but not rearing method affected the capture rates of fish released at age 2. When released at age 3 the fish grown in enriched environment had a higher risk to be captured with stationary gears and earlier by hook and line gears compared to standard-reared conspecifics. Earlier time of maximal smolt migration activity was associated with an increased risk of being captured. We suggest that environmental enrichment may modulate growth- and behavior-related qualities that indirectly increased the vulnerability to fishing in natural conditions but not in experimental setting. The favorable effects of enrichment on early survival encourages adopting enriched rearing practices in supportive breeding of landlocked salmon.

A prospective study of the relationships between movement and glycemic control during day and night in pregnancy

Both disturbed sleep and lack of exercise can disrupt metabolism in pregnancy. Accelerometery was used to objectively assess movement during waking (physical activity) and movement during sleeping (sleep disturbance) periods and evaluated relationships with continuous blood glucose variation during pregnancy. Data was analysed prospectively. 15-women without pre-existing diabetes mellitus wore continuous glucose monitors and triaxial accelerometers from February through June 2018 in Sweden. The relationships between physical activity and sleep disturbance with blood glucose rate of change were assessed. An interaction term was fitted to determine difference in the relationship between movement and glucose variation, conditional on waking/sleeping. Total movement was inversely related to glucose rate of change (p < 0.001, 95% CI (− 0.037, − 0.026)). Stratified analyses showed total physical activity was inversely related to glucose rate of change (p < 0.001, 95% CI (− 0.040, − 0.028)), whereas sleep disturbance was not related to glucose rate of change (p = 0.07, 95% CI (< − 0.001, 0.013)). The interaction term was positively related to glucose rate of change (p < 0.001, 95% CI (0.029, 0.047)). This study provides temporal evidence of a relationship between total movement and glycemic control in pregnancy, which is conditional on time of day. Movement is beneficially related with glycemic control while awake, but not during sleep.

Assessing Spinal Movement During Four Extrication Methods: A Biomechanical Study using Healthy Volunteers

BackgroundMotor vehicle collisions are a common cause of death and serious injury. Many casualties will remain in their vehicle following a collision. Trapped patients have more injuries and are more likely to die than their untrapped counterparts. Current extrication methods are time consuming and have a focus on movement minimisation and mitigation. The optimal extrication strategy and the effect this extrication method has on spinal movement is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the movement at the cervical and lumbar spine for four commonly utilised extrication techniques. MethodsBiomechanical data was collected using inertial Measurement Units on 6 healthy volunteers. The extrication types examined were: roof removal, b-post rip, rapid removal and self-extrication. Measurements were recorded at the cervical and lumbar spine, and in the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) planes. Total movement (travel), maximal movement, mean, standard deviation and confidence intervals are reported for each extrication type.ResultsData from a total of 230 extrications were collected for analysis. The smallest maximal and total movement (travel) were seen when the volunteer self-extricated (AP max = 2.6mm, travel 4.9mm). The largest maximal movement and travel were seen in rapid extrication extricated (AP max = 6.21mm, travel 20.51 mm). The differences between self-extrication and all other methods were significant (p<0.001), small non-significant differences existed between roof removal, b-post rip and rapid removal.Self-extrication was significantly quicker than the other extrication methods (mean 6.4s).ConclusionsIn healthy volunteers, self-extrication is associated with the smallest spinal movement and the fastest time to complete extrication. Rapid, B-post rip and roof off extrication types are all associated with similar movements and time to extrication in prepared vehicles.

Maximum Movement and Cumulative Movement (Travel) to Inform our Understanding of Secondary Spinal Cord Injury and its Application to Collar use in Self-extrication

Background:Motor vehicle collisions remain a common cause of spinal cord injury. Biomechanical studies of spinal movement often lack “real world” context and applicability. Additional data may enhance our understanding of the potential for secondary spinal cord injury. We propose the metric ‘travel’ (total movement) and suggest that our understanding of movement related risk of injury could be improved if travel was routinely reported. We report maximal movement and travel for collar application in vehicle and subsequent self-extrication.Methods:Biomechanical data on application of cervical collar with the volunteer sat in a vehicle were collected using Inertial Measurement Units on 6 healthy volunteers. Maximal movement and travel are reported. These data and a re-analysis of previously published work is used to demonstrate the utility of travel and maximal movement in the context of self-extrication.Results:Data from a total of 60 in-vehicle collar applications across three female and three male volunteers was successfully collected for analysis. The mean age across participants was 50.3 years (range 28–68) and the BMI was 27.7 (range 21.5–34.6). The mean maximal anterior-posterior movement associated with collar application was 2.3mm with a total AP travel of 4.9mm. Travel (total movement) for in-car application of collar and self-extrication was 9.5mm compared to 9.4mm travel for self-extrication without a collar. Conclusion:We have demonstrated the application of ‘travel’ in the context of self-extrication. Total travel is similar across self-extricating healthy volunteers with and without a collar.We suggest that where possible ‘travel’ is collected and reported in future biomechanical studies in this and related areas of research. It remains appropriate to apply a cervical collar to self-extricating casualties when the clinical target is that of movement minimisation.

Thymoquinone lipid nanoparticles cut the Gordian knots of depression via neuroprotective BDNF and downregulation of neuro-inflammatory NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS treated rats

Background: In over 300 million clinical cases, antidepressant drugs seem to provide only symptomatic relief and limited protection in life-threatening depressive events. Objective: To compare neuronal-signaling mechanism and neuroprotective roles of Thymoquinone (TQ) suspension and its SLN (TQSLN) against standard antidepressant drug fluoxetine. Results: As compared to fluoxetine, TQ reporteda significantly better docking score (-6.83 v/s -6.22) and a better lower free binding energy of (-34.715 Kcal/mol v/s -28.537 Kcal/mol). While poorly oral bioavailable and P-gp substrate TQ reported approximately 250% higher gut permeation if delivered as TQSLN formulation. In locomotor studies, as compared to TQS, TQSLN favored more prominent (p < 0.010) elevation in average time, horizontal-activity, average-velocity, and total-movement with reduced rest time LPS treated groups. However, in the tail suspension test, TQSLN significantly reduced immobility time (p<0.010). Similarly, In the modified force swimming test, TQSLN also significantly reduced immobility time (p<0.010), but swimming time (p<0.010) and climbing time (p<0.050) were significantly elevated. Conclusion: Despite the poor bioavailability of TQ, TQSLN potentially attenuates neuroinflammatory transmitters and favors BDNF to modulate depressive neurobehavioral states.