Acute Effects of Static Self-Stretching Exercises and Foam Roller Self-Massaging on the Trunk Range of Motions and Strength of the Trunk Extensors

Although the effectiveness of static self-stretching exercises (SSSEs) and foam roller self-massaging (FRSM) in joint range of motion and muscle strength of the lower limbs has been extensively investigated, little is known about their effectiveness on the posterior trunk muscles. The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two 7-min SSSEs and FRSM intervention protocols on the range of trunk movements and the strength of the trunk extensors. Twenty-five healthy active males (n = 14) and females (n = 11) performed each intervention separately, one week apart. The range of motion (ROM) of the trunk-hip flexion (T-HF), the ROM of the trunk side-flexion (TSF) and rotation (TR) bilaterally, as well as the isometric maximum strength (TESmax) and endurance (TESend) of the trunk extensors were measured before and after each intervention. The ROMs of T-HF, TSF, and TR were significantly increased following both SSSEs and FRSM. The TESmax and TESend were also significantly increased after FRSM, but decreased following SSSEs. While both interventions were effective in increasing the range of motion of the trunk, a single 7-min session of FRSM presented more advantages over a similar duration SSSEs protocol due to the increase in the strength of the trunk extensors it induced.

DEVELOPMENTAL AND EVOLUTIONARY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF A HOXD REGULATORY LANDSCAPE IN MAMMALS AND BIRDS

Modifications in gene regulation during development are considered to be a driving force in the evolution of organisms. Part of these changes involve rapidly evolving cis-regulatory elements (CREs), which interact with their target genes through higher-order 3D chromatin structures. How such 3D architectures and variations in CREs contribute to transcriptional evolvability nevertheless remains elusive. During vertebrate evolution, Hox genes were redeployed in different organs in a class-specific manner, while maintaining the same basic function in organizing the primary body axis. Since a large part of the relevant enhancers are located in a conserved regulatory landscape, this gene cluster represents an interesting paradigm to study the emergence of regulatory innovations. In this work, we analyzed Hoxd gene regulation in both murine vibrissae and chicken feather primordia, two mammalian- and avian-specific skin appendages which express different subsets of Hoxd genes, and compared their regulatory modalities with the regulations at work during the elongation of the posterior trunk, a mechanism highly conserved in amniotes. We show that in the former two structures, distinct subsets of Hoxd genes are contacted by different lineage-specific enhancers, likely as a result of using an ancestral chromatin topology as an evolutionary playground, whereas the regulations implemented in the mouse and chicken embryonic trunk rely more on conserved CREs. Nevertheless, a high proportion of these non-coding sequences active in the trunk appear to have functionally diverged between the two species, suggesting that transcriptional robustness is maintained despite a considerable divergence in CRE sequences, an observation supported by a genome-wide comparative approach.

Evaluation of plantar pressures and center of pressure trajectories in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been postulated to affect gait patterns and postural stability due to its effect on center of body mass. 1) Determine the correlation between Cobb angle and COP in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction, COP in the medial-lateral (ML) direction, COP oscillation (COP-O) from midline walking, peak pressures, and pressure-time integrals (loading) at 10 anatomic foot segments; 2) Determine the differences in COP-AP, COP-ML, COP-O, and peak plantar pressures at 10 anatomic foot segments between the normal group and the AIS group. All patients wore a gown to expose the posterior trunk and underwent evaluation with Formetric 4D (DIERS International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany) while walking on the treadmill at 2 km/hour for 15 seconds. A total of 24 pressure metrics at 10 anatomic foot segments were evaluated. We then analyzed the data using t-test and linear regression analyses.16 patients were assigned to a normal group (Cobb angle 10° or less, n=4) or AIS group (Cobb greater than 10°, n=12). Of note, AIS patients had statistically significant lower max. pressures at the hallux and the 2nd, 4th, 5th metatarsal head compared to the normal group. Additionally, there was a statistically significant linear association between Cobb angle and both hallux max. pressure and hallux pressure-time integral (P<0.05). Reduced peak plantar pressures before the toe-off phase of gait cycle indicate that AIS patients may lean backwards and have posterior postural sway, which may be associated with hypokyphosis during walking.

Treating surgical site infection following posterior instrumentation with free-style deepithelialized propeller flap: A case report

Surgical site infection is a challenging situation for all types of surgeons. Extensive debridement with or without implant removal can create soft tissue defects. A well-vascularized, adequate soft tissue is needed to cover the wound and to fill the dead space for proper healing. Herein, we describe our approach to a large posterior trunk defect with dead space and our solution to manage an intraoperative complication using a free-style deepithelialized propeller flap.

663 Application and Management of Cultured Epithelial Autografts (CEAs) on Posterior Burns – A 5-year, Multi-center, Retrospective Review of Outcomes

Introduction In patients with larger burns, treatment with CEAs have proven to increase survival.1 CEAs, while useful, are not without some disadvantages. For instance, if the injury involves burns to posterior surfaces, the challenge is inherent in that these fragile sheets are easily sheared, and pressure can cause disruption and graft loss. CEA grafting must be managed with specific care and with specialized protocols that help address these challenges. Graft loss due to these and other factors can delay healing, increase hospital length of stay, and increase the cost of care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the success for graft take in patients with posterior burns treated with CEA and to discuss the techniques, protocols and approaches to managing these patients within our burn network. Methods This retrospective study was granted exemption by IntegReview IRB. Take rate for each application of CEA was not always found for some cases. For purposes of this study, we agreed with methods of other researchers in the literature and adapted the “clinically relevant” assessment that take and final coverage was successful when re-grafting was not required by the time of discharge or death.2 Results Study dates was March 2016 - December 2019 and at this time, is being reported from among 3 of 6 participating centers. Our approach is to provide CEA prep the day before initial placement and then to ensure strict protocols are followed at the bedside post-op and thereafter. Total number of patients considered was 68, 41 were deemed evaluable. See tables for other demographics and results. 31 patients were discharged to rehab (75%), 6 were discharged home (15%) and 4 died (10%). Conclusions Meticulous attention to wound bed preparation and ensuring that post-op care is clearly stated and understood by all clinicians involved in the care of patients with larger burns with posterior trunk involvement is the key to successful coverage with CEA to this challenging anatomical location.

Size and shape regional differentiation during the development of the spine in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Xenarthrans (armadillos, anteaters, sloths and their extinct relatives) are unique among mammals in displaying a distinctive specialization of the posterior trunk vertebrae - supernumerary vertebral xenarthrous articulations. This study seeks to understand how xenarthry develops through ontogeny and if its development impacts regionalisation patterns (thoracic vs lumbar). Using 3D geometric morphometrics on the neural arches of vertebrae, we explore phenotypic, allometric, and disparity patterns of the different axial morphotypes during ontogeny of nine-banded armadillos. Shape-based regionalisation analyses showed that adult thoracolumbar column is divided into three regions according to the presence or absence of ribs and the presence or absence of xenarthrous articulations. A three-region-division was retrieved in almost all specimens through development, although younger stages (e.g. embryos, neonates) have more region boundary variability. In size-based regionalisation analyses, thoracolumbar vertebrae are separated into two regions according to the presence or absence of xenarthry. We show that xenarthrous thoracic vertebrae grow at a slower rate, while anterior thoracics and lumbar grow at a faster rate relatively, with rates decreasing anteroposterioly in the former and increasing anteroposterioly in the latter. We propose that different proportions between vertebrae and vertebral regions might result from differences in growth pattern and timing of ossification, which might in turn correlate with expression patterns of Hox genes.

Propeller Dorsal Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap for an Extensive Defect on the Back Following Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Resection: A Case Report

Posterior trunk defects have been a challenging anatomical area to cover in reconstructive surgery. The use of local myocutaneous flaps has been described extensively in the literature to cover these defects, but these techniques are associated with significant donor-site morbidity, including functional loss of muscle units. Freestyle perforator flaps enable local tissue recruitment with skin of a similar color and texture in diverse anatomic areas, but there is a shortage of case series on posterior trunk defects using propeller dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flaps, particularly when the defects are extensive. In this report, the authors present a successful case of a DICAP propeller flap for an extensive defect on the upper back following a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor resection.