The Contribution of Posterior Capsule Hypertrophy to Soft Tissue Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit in Healthy Pitchers

Background: The relationship between posterior capsule adaptations and soft tissue glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) in healthy pitchers remains unclear. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to identify if posterior capsule thickness (PCT) was associated with soft tissue GIRD in healthy pitchers. We hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between soft tissue GIRD and PCT in the dominant arm, no relationship between soft tissue GIRD and PCT in the nondominant arm, and a strong positive relationship between soft tissue GIRD and the bilateral difference in PCT (posterior capsule hypertrophy [PCH]). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 45 healthy collegiate and professional pitchers were included. Glenohumeral internal rotation and external rotation range of motion, humeral retroversion, and PCT were measured bilaterally. PCT was determined for unilateral posterior capsule measurements, and PCH of the throwing shoulder was calculated as the bilateral difference in PCT. Soft tissue GIRD was calculated as the sum of clinical GIRD and the bilateral difference in humeral retroversion. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined to evaluate the relationships between dominant arm PCT, nondominant arm PCT, and PCH and soft tissue GIRD. Results: Pearson correlations showed that both dominant arm PCT ( R = −0.13; P = .378) and nondominant arm PCT ( R = 0.21; P = .165) were not related to soft tissue GIRD. However, Pearson correlations did show that the amount of PCH was moderately related to soft tissue GIRD ( R = 0.40; P = .007). Therefore, as the posterior capsule hypertrophied, soft tissue GIRD moderately increased. Conclusion: Increased PCH was associated with an increase in soft tissue GIRD in healthy pitchers. If PCT measurements are feasible, clinicians should consider performing bilateral ultrasound assessments to isolate posterior capsule adaptations (ie, PCH). This will allow clinicians to identify pitchers with potentially maladaptive structural adaptations and optimize management strategies throughout the season to counteract them.

Assessment of Isokinetic Knee and Shoulder Strength in Elite Youth Boxers: Correlation with Punch Impact Force

This study aimed to assess the isokinetic strength performance of the knee and shoulder in amateur boxer, and further to explore the contribution of knee and shoulder peak torque to different punches. Boxers (6 females and 8 males) were measured the dynamic concentric torque of knee flexion(F) and extension(E), shoulder external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR) at 60°/S, 180°/S. We tested the punching force of three techniques by Kistler Instruments. At 60°/S, F/E ratios of the dominant (D) knee of female boxers were lower than those of non-dominant (ND) side (p=0.03). At two angular velocities, all boxers demonstrated higher ER/IR ratios in ND (p=0.011 for males, p=0.025 for females). Bilateral difference of knee flexor in females was greater (p=0.038) than that in males. The maximum correlation was found at 180°/S between punching forces and the joints strength. ANOVA analyses revealed that athletes with greater punching force tend to have higher knee strength. Although correlations between shoulders strength and punching forces were strong, they did not discriminate between athletes who punched with higher punching force. In order to effectively transfer muscle strength to punching force, rapid completion of action should be highlighted in strength training, especially lower-limb strength.

Sensitivity of discrete symmetry metrics: implications for metric choice

Gait asymmetry is present in several pathological populations, including those with Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and stroke survivors. Previous studies suggest that commonly used discrete symmetry metrics, which compare single bilateral variables, may not be equally sensitive to underlying effects of asymmetry, and the use of a metric with low sensitivity could result in unnecessarily low statistical power. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the sensitivity of commonly used discrete symmetry metrics to better inform design of future studies. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the statistical power of each symmetry metric at a range of asymmetry magnitudes, group/condition variabilities, and sample sizes. Power was estimated by repeated comparison of simulated symmetric and asymmetric data with a paired t-test, where the proportion of significant results is equivalent to the power. Simulation results confirmed that not all common discrete symmetry metrics are equally sensitive to reference effects of asymmetry. Multiple symmetry metrics exhibit equivalent sensitivities, but the most sensitive discrete symmetry metric in all cases is a bilateral difference (e.g. left - right). A ratio (e.g. left/right) has poor sensitivity when group/condition variability is not small, but a log-transformation produces increased sensitivity. Additionally, two metrics which included an absolute value in their definitions showed increased sensitivity when the absolute value was removed. Future studies should consider metric sensitivity when designing analyses to reduce the possibility of underpowered research.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Can Become Hypertrophied in Response to Mechanical Loading: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study in Elite Athletes

Background: Evidence, mainly from animal models, suggests that exercise during periods of pubertal growth can produce a hypertrophied anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and improve its mechanical properties. In humans, the only evidence of ACL hypertrophy comes from a small cross-sectional study of elite weight lifters and control participants; that study had methodological weaknesses and, thus, more evidence is needed. Purpose: To investigate bilateral differences in the ACL cross-sectional area (CSA) for evidence of unilateral hypertrophy in athletes who have habitually loaded 1 leg more than the other. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We recruited 52 figure skaters and springboard divers (46 female and 6 male; mean age, 20.2 ± 2.7 years) because the former always land/jump on the same leg while the latter always drive the same leg into the board during their hurdle approach. Sport training for all participants began before puberty and continued throughout as well as after. Using oblique axial– and oblique sagittal–plane magnetic resonance imaging, we measured the ACL CSA and the anteroposterior diameter of the patellar tendon, respectively. In addition, isometric and isokinetic knee extensor and flexor peak torques were acquired using a dynamometer. Bilateral differences in the ACL CSA, patellar tendon diameter, and knee muscle strength were evaluated via 2-sided paired-samples t tests. Correlations between the bilateral difference in the ACL CSA and age of training onset as well as between the bilateral difference in the ACL CSA and years of training were also examined. Results: A significantly larger ACL CSA (mean difference, 4.9% ± 14.0%; P = .041), as well as patellar tendon diameter (mean difference, 4.7% ± 9.4%; P = .002), was found in the landing/drive leg than in the contralateral leg. The bilateral difference in the ACL CSA, however, was not associated with the age of training onset or years of training. Last, the isometric knee flexor peak torque was significantly greater in the landing/drive leg than the contralateral leg (mean difference, 14.5% ± 33.8%; P = .019). Conclusion: Athletes who habitually loaded 1 leg more than the other before, during, and after puberty exhibited significant unilateral ACL hypertrophy. This study suggests that the ACL may be able to be “trained” in athletes. If done correctly, it could help lower the risk for ACL injuries.

Structural features of the temporomandibular joint in patients with gnathic mesial occlusion

The aim of the study was to evaluate the structural features of the temporomandibular joint in patients with a gnatic form of mesial occlusion of the dentition. Materials and methods. In studying the structural features of the facial skull in patients with gnatic mesial occlusion, the height of the condylar process was separately evaluated in the course of the study in order to avoid the incorrect measurement of the branch height in cases of degenerative changes in the condylar process. Results. The structural features of the temporomandibular joint were determined in 50 adult patients (aged 1844 years old) using cone-beam computed tomography.Сonclusion. Patients with gnathic mesial occlusion of the asymmetric group showed identical articular spaces (anterior and posterior) in the sagittal direction on both the deviating and non-deviating sides, suggesting that the bilateral relationship between the head and fossa may be as symmetrical as in patients with symmetry. However, the axial condylar angle had a bilateral difference only among patients in the asymmetric group; namely, it was significantly greater on the side of the deviating condyle.

Gender-specific difference of in-vivo kinematics in patients with unilateral total hip arthroplasty

Purpose: Asymmetric gait patterns are known to persist in patients with unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Little is known about the effect of gender on gait asymmetry. This study aimed to determine whether gait asymmetry differs between genders in unilateral THA patients and can be explained by component positioning. Methods: 23 female and 10 male unilateral THA patients were included. Asymmetric hip kinematics during gait and component positioning were quantified using a combined computed tomography-based modelling and dual fluoroscopic imaging system. Multiple regression was performed to examine the unique and mediated contribution of gender to observed gait asymmetry. Results: Female and male patients differed most significantly in frontal plane gait asymmetry ( p = 0.001) and bilateral difference of vertical femoral offset ( p = 0.048). Compared with the native hip, the implanted hip exhibited significantly increased adduction ( p = 0.007) in females but significantly increased abduction ( p = 0.001) in males. The stem head of the implanted hip was more superiorly positioned compared to the native femoral head in female but more inferiorly positioned in male. Gender accounted for 41.5% variance of frontal plane gait asymmetry and was partially mediated by the bilateral difference of vertical femoral offset. Conclusions: Female unilateral THA patients exhibited significantly increased adduction in the implanted hip compared to the native hip, which is partially attributable to a more superiorly positioned femoral stem centre of rotation. The understanding of gender-specific differences of kinematic patterns may benefit female patients through targeted preoperative planning and postoperative rehabilitation.

Comparison of maxillomandibular asymmetries in adult patients presenting different sagittal jaw relationships

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study aims at using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to analyze the maxillomandibular characteristics present in adults with mandibular asymmetries and different sagittal jaw relationships. Methods: 360 patients were selected and divided into three groups (Class I, Class II, and Class III), with 120 individuals per group. The groups were then subdivided according to the intensity of lateral deviation of the gnathion point, into: 1) relative symmetry, 2) moderate asymmetry, and 3) severe asymmetry. Three planes of reference were established in the CBCT images and several measurements were taken to compare the bilateral skeletal differences between the intensities of asymmetry for the different sagittal jaw relationships. Results: When the groups were compared by the intensity of asymmetry, significant differences among patients with relative symmetry and moderate to severe asymmetry were found. This was especially noticed for severe asymmetry, suggesting that the deviation of the chin did not constitute the only morphological alteration for these patients, especially because a series of measurements showed significant bilateral differences. When comparing sagittal jaw relationships, the only significant finding was the vertical positioning of the gonion between Class II and III patients with severe asymmetry. Conclusions: When comparing the three sagittal jaw relationships with the same intensity of asymmetry, most maxillofacial aspects were quite similar. The only difference was found for patients with severe asymmetry, as the individuals with Class II showed greater bilateral difference in the vertical positioning of the gonion, when compared to patients with Class III.

Bổ A New Record of Piper Minutistigmum C. DC. (Piperaceae) for Flora in Vietnam

The genus Piper has about 1.500 species mainly distributed in tropical, there were 43 Piper species recorded in Vietnam. In this paper, we reported Piper minutistigmum C. DC. newly recorded for the flora of Vietnam. Voucher specimens were collected in Thanh Hoa province (Ben En National park), Nghe An province (Pu Mat National Park: Khe Kem), Ha Tinh province (Vu Quang National park: Doc De) deposited in the Herbarium of the Faculty of Biology, Vinh University and Herbarium of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (HN) Ha Noi, Vietnam. Woody clember, 3-12 m high. Petiole 3-8 mm, glabrous or sometimes sparsely pubescent; leaf simple, alternate, ovate, 6-11 × 3-7 cm, leaf blade toward apex aute, glabrous or sometimes sparsely pubescent, base oblique, 1 side rounded, other side tapered and acute, bilateral difference 3-4 mm, apex acute to long acuminate; veins 3-4, usually 1 more lateral vein on wider side, apical pair arising along midvein. Male spikes is smilar to female spikes, 5-10 x 1-1,5 cm., peduncle 1-1,2 cm, bracts 1-1,5 cm. Fruit a drupe, globose, 1-2 mm, often red. Keywords Piper minutistigmum, Piperaceae, Ben En, Pu Mat, Vu Quang, National Park References [1] Chaveerach A., P.Mokkamul, R. Sudmoon, T. Tanee (2006), Ethnobotany of the genus Piper (Piperaceae) in Thailand, Ethnobotany Research & Applications, 4: 223-231.[2] Chaveerach A., R. Sudmoon T. Tanee, P. Mokkamul (2006), Three new species of Piperaceae from Thaila[3] nd, Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica, 44: 447-453. [4] Cheng Y., N. Xia & M.G. Gilbert (1999), Piperaceae, Pp 110-129 in Flora of China Vol. 4. Edited by Z. Wu & P.H. Raven. Missouri Botanical Garden, St.Louis, Missouri.[5] Lê Thị Hương, Lê Đông Hiếu, Trần Minh Hợi, Đỗ Ngọc Đài (2018), Piperboehmeriaefolium (Piperaceae) loài bổ sung cho hệ thực vật Việt Nam, Báo cáo Khoa học về Nghiên cứu và Giảng dạy Sinh học ở Việt Nam, Hội nghị Khoa học Quốc gia lần thứ 3, Nxb Nông nghiệp Hà Nội, Quy Nhơn, 20/5/2018; 529-531[6] Nguyễn Kim Đào (2003), Họ Piperaceae trong Nguyễn Tiến Bân (Chủ biên), Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam, tập 2, Nxb. Nông nghiệp, Hà Nội, 115-122.[7] Lê Đông Hiếu, Đỗ Ngọc Đài, Trần Minh Hợi (2017), Đa dạng họ Hồ tiêu (Piperaceae) ở Bắc Trung Bộ, Tạp chí Nông nghiệp và Phát triển Nông thôn, [8] Phạm Hoàng Hộ (1999), Piperaceae - Họ Hồ tiêu, Cây cỏ Việt Nam, 1: 228-301. Nxb Trẻ, Tp Hồ Chí Minh.