Evaluation of vestibular function in children with purulent media otitis by computer stabilometry

The aim of the research – assessment of vestibular function in children with acute purulent otitis media by computer static stabilometry compared with typically developed children of the same age. Materials and methods: 22 children with purulent otitis media aged 4 to 7 years and 30 practically healthy peers were examined by static stabilometry on the device “MPFI stabilograph 1” (Kharkiv, Ukraine). Indicators of variation and shape of the pressure center distribution, spectral-correlation indicators of stabilograms, as well as integral indicators of stability (length, velocity and angle of postural oscillations) were taken into account and the equilibrium functions of the two sensory states (open and closed eyes) are calculated in the StabiliS software. Results: purulent otitis media causes posterior displacement of the absolute coordinates of the pressure center. In the state with closed eyes, children with purulent otitis differ from their healthy coevals by 14 of 24 stabilometric parameters, including stabilogram length, speed, angle and amplitude of oscillations, giving way to them in the stability of equilibrium. Children with purulent otitis media are more sensitive to the visual canal of postural control than their coevals. Involvement of visual afferents in postural control significantly improves balance maintenance in children with purulent otitis by reducing deviations of postural oscillations, which is reflected in the probable changes of 9 out of 24 stabilometric parameters compared to control. Conclusions: In preschool age, purulent otitis media leads to latent vestibular dysfunction, which is manifested by a violation of the stability of the vertical posture in a state with closed eyes and is compensated by visual-vestibulo-proprioceptive integration in the process of postural control.

Evaluation of Radiological Parameters of the Spino-Pelvic Complex in Children with Hip Subluxation in Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Background. The natural course of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) in children with subtotal or total lesion, which correspond to group III-IV according to the Catterall classification, it often leads to hip subluxation. Any changes in the vertebral-pelvic complex lead to mutual transformation and aggravation of existing deformities. In the Russian literature, there are no data on the assessment of the state of the frontal and sagittal spino-pelvic ratios in children with hip subluxation in LCPD. Purpose to evaluate the radiological parameters of the frontal and sagittal spino-pelvic relations in children with hip subluxation in LCPD. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the results of radiometry of 20 patients (20 hip joints) at an average age of 8.90.6 years with LCPD. Radiometry of the main frontal and sagittal spino-pelvic indices was performed and the type of vertical posture was determined according to P. Rousoully, as well as correlations between the studied parameters. Results. All patients had a pelvic distortion in the frontal plane. The values of PI had insignificant changes in comparison with similar values in the asymptomatic child population, the values of SS and SSA exceeded them, and the values of PT were significantly lower, which indicates the presence of excessive pelvic anteversion. The GLL values significantly exceeded the average statistical indicators. The global sagittal balance indicator (SVA) had negative values. The correlation analysis showed the presence of a strong positive relationship between PI and SS, SS and GLL, SSA and SS, a moderately pronounced positive relationship between PI and PT and a moderately pronounced negative relationship between PO and SS, PO and GLL. Conslusion. In children with LCPD in the fragmentation stage with subtotal or total epiphysis lesion (Catterall group III-IV) and hip subluxation, excessive pelvic anteversion is characteristic, which is expressed in an increase in the angle of inclination of the sacrum (SS) in combination with hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine and negative imbalance, as well as a pelvic distortion towards the affected limb. The totality of these changes corresponds to the IV type of vertical posture according to R. Roussouly, which can contribute to the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the lumbar spine.

Hair phenotype diversity across Indriidae lemurs

Hair (i.e., pelage/fur) is a salient feature of primate (including human) diversity and evolution-serving functions tied to thermoregulation, protection, camouflage, and signaling-but wild primate pelage biology and evolution remain relatively understudied. Specifically, assessing multiple hypotheses across distinct phylogenetic scales is essential but is rarely conducted. We examine whole body hair color and density variation across the Indriidae lemurs (Avahi, Indri, Propithecus)-a lineage that, like humans, exhibits vertical posture (i.e., their whole bodies are vertical to the sun). Our analyses consider multiple phylogenetic scales (family-level, genus-level) and hypotheses (e.g., Gloger's rule, the body cooling hypotheses). Our results show that across the Indriidae family, darker hair is typical in wetter regions (per Gloger's rule). However, within Propithecus, dark black hair is common in colder forest regions, which may implicate thermoregulation and is the first empirical evidence of Bogert's rule in mammals. Results also show pelage redness increases in populations exhibiting enhanced color vision and may thus aid conspecific communication in forested environments. Lastly, across Indriidae, we find follicle density on the crown and limbs increases in dry and open environments-rare empirical evidence supporting an early hypothesis on hominin hair evolution. We find an effect of body size on hue (red hair) and hair density but not on brightness (black hair). This study highlights how different selective pressures across distinct phylogenetic scales have likely acted on primate hair evolution. Lastly, since hair does not fossilize, the results of follicle and hair density variation across this clade offer us some potential insight into contextualizing human hair evolution.

Peculiarities of Preoperative Planning of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Hip-Lumbar Syndrome

Summary. At present, no scheme of approach to surgical treatment of patients with hip-lumbar syndrome (HLS) depending on the type of vertical posture and the type of bone formation and progression of coxarthrosis is developed. The decision of these questions, interesting from the scientific and practical point of view, is an actual task of modern orthopedics and defines features of preoperative planning of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with HLS. Objective: to determine the features of preoperative planning of total hip arthroplasty in patients with hip-lumbar syndrome. Materials and Methods. The basis for the development of recommendations for preoperative planning of THA in patients with HLS was the data of retrospective analysis of medical histories of 138 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Adults of SI “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of NAMS of Ukraine”. The data of the clinical study of 506 patients with idiopathic, dysplastic and post-traumatic coxarthrosis conducted earlier were also taken into account, and the tactics of treatment in cementless hip arthroplasty was developed. Results. It was determined that the vertical posture affects the progression of coxarthrosis and the nature of the lesion of the lumbar spine in patients with HLS. Patients with a certain hypolordotic posture and a rapid course of coxarthrosis are recommended to undergo primary decompression of the spinal roots and THA at the second stage. In other cases, the initial implementation of THA is recommended. Recommendations for the use of the type and method of fixation and coverage of the leg of the endoprosthesis depending on the type of bone formation in the HLS of the examined patients are developed. Conclusions. Taking into account the features of preoperative planning of THA in patients with HLS will reduce the number of negative results and complications of this category of orthopedic patients.

CHARACTERISTICS OF STATIC BALANCE IN BADMINTON PLAYERS OF VARIOUS AGE AND QUALIFICATION GROUPS

The ability to maintain static balance in badminton players may decrease due to prolonged asymmetric locomotor loads while training. The aim of this study was to assess the peculiarities of maintaining static balance in badminton players of various age and qualification groups. Materials and Methods. The study involved 88 badminton players, who had various sports experience and skills. Static balance was assessed with a stabilographic hardware-software complex “Stabilan 01-2” and the Romberg test (eyes open/eyes closed) during the preparatory and transitional periods of the annual training cycle. The authors assessed the following indicators: MO(x), mm; MO(y), mm. Statistical data processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel and STATISTICA 8.0 data analysis package. To compare the samples, we used the parametric Student’s t-test. Normality of distribution was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistical data represented both arithmetic mean and standard error of the mean. The parameters were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results. Badminton players of all groups under consideration demonstrated an asymmetry of the vertical posture with center-of-pressure movement to the right in both tests (eyes open/eyes closed) (p<0.05). In badminton players, aged 8–12, the posture stereotype was characterized by a forward center-of-pressure movement (p<0.05), in adolescents, aged 13–16, and young people, aged 17–21, we observed backward center-of-pressure movement (p<0.05). Conclusion. Badminton players, aged 8–12, demonstrated a higher level of maintaining static balance with visual control. Adolescents and young people are able to maintain body balance with visual deprivation, which, apparently, indicates more perfect mechanisms of proprioceptive and tactile sensitivity. Keywords: badminton, asymmetric motor loads, static balance. Способность к сохранению статического равновесия тела у бадминтонистов может снижаться вследствие длительных асимметричных двигательных нагрузок в тренировочном процессе. Целью исследования явилась оценка особенностей сохранения статического равновесия у бадминтонистов различных возрастно-квалификационных групп. Материалы и методы. В исследовании приняло участие 88 бадминтонистов различного спортивного стажа и квалификации. Статическое равновесие тела оценивалось с помощью стабилографического аппаратно-программного комплекса «Стабилан 01-2» с использованием пробы Ромберга в тесте с открытыми и закрытыми глазами в подготовительный и переходный периоды годичного тренировочного цикла подготовки. Оценивались следующие показатели: MO(x), мм; MO(y), мм. Статистическая обработка данных проводилась с использованием программы Microsoft Excel и пакета анализа данных Statistica 8.0. Для сравнения выборок использовался параметрический t-критерий Стьюдента. Нормальность распределения проверялась с помощью критерия Шапиро–Уилка. Статистические данные представлены как среднее арифметическое и стандартная ошибка среднего. Исследуемые параметры считались статистически значимыми при p<0,05. Результаты. У бадминтонистов всех исследуемых групп отмечена асимметрия вертикальной позы с девиацией центра давления вправо как в тесте с открытыми, так и в тесте с закрытыми глазами (р<0,05). У бадминтонистов группы второго детства (8–12 лет) стереотип позы характеризовался смещением центра давления вперед (р<0,05), у испытуемых подросткового (13–16 лет) и юношеского (17–21 год) возрастов отмечена девиация центра давления назад (р<0,05). Выводы. Для бадминтонистов группы второго детства при зрительном контроле характерен более высокий уровень сохранения статического равновесия, тогда как спортсмены подросткового и юношеского возрастов и при депривации зрения способны удерживать равновесие тела, что, по-видимому, указывает на более совершенные механизмы проприоцептивной и тактильной чувствительности. Ключевые слова: бадминтон, асимметричные двигательные нагрузки, статическое равновесие.

The Early Permian Bolosaurid Eudibamus cursoris: Earliest Reptile to Combine Parasagittal Stride and Digitigrade Posture During Quadrupedal and Bipedal Locomotion

A comprehensive description of the holotype skeleton is presented here for the first time of the lower Permian (Artinskian) reptile Eudibamus cursoris from the Bromacker locality of Germany since the brief description of the holotype in 2000. The holotype is essentially complete and is the only known bolosaurid represented by a well-preserved articulated skeleton. Included in the description here is a superbly preserved, partial, articulated second specimen of E. cursoris discovered at the same locality that includes a short portion of the vertebral column associated with the pelvis and right hindlimb. Descriptions of the holotype and new specimen add substantially to features of the skull and postcranium that not only confirm a bolosaurid assignment, but also add significantly to an already long list of structural features supporting an ability unique among Paleozoic vertebrates to reach relatively high bipedal and quadrupedal running speeds employing a parasagittal stride and digitigrade stance with the limbs held in a near vertical posture. Structural differences between the two specimens are restricted to the tarsi and are attributed to different ontogenetic stages of ossification, with the holotype representing a more juvenile individual, and the larger second specimen representing a more mature animal.

Higher Dependency on Visual Inputs During Posture Control: Another Long-Term Effect of mTBIs

This study investigated the hypothesis that individuals living with long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) develop increased dependency on their visual inputs to control their vertical posture. To test this hypothesis we quantified visuo-postural dependency indices (VPDIs) calculated independently for multiple postural behavioral markers extracted from the body’s center of pressure coordinates signals recorded during the execution of a quiet bipedal stance. One hundred and twenty-nine volunteers participated in this study. An mTBI (n = 50) and a neurotypical Control group were formed (n = 79). VPDIs were calculated as the normalized pair-wise subtraction of recordings obtained under Vision and No-Vision experimental conditions. Consistent with our hypothesis the results of this study show that balance behavior of mTBI participants deteriorate more abruptly in the absence of visual inputs when compared to neurotypical controls. These impairments may increase the likelihood of recurrent traumas when fast reactions are needed in daily activities, sports practice, or military operations. Additionally, the methodology used in this study showed to be potentially useful to aid future investigations of neural circuitry impaired by mTBI and provide indices of recovery in future clinical trials testing mTBI-related clinical interventions.

Biomechanical Study of Walking and Vertical Posture in 4-6-year-old Children with Spastic Forms of Cerebral Palsy

Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) requires a systematic approach and dynamic assessment of the results achieved. The development of methods for assessing the dynamics of motor disorders during medical rehabilitation is of great importance for modern medical rehabilitation. In recent years, there are more and more scientific papers devoted to the study of biomechanical disorders of locomotion in patients with CP. Aim. To assess the features of walking biomechanical characteristics and vertical pose stability in of children 4-6 years old with spastic forms of CP for further formation of rehabilitation groups, taking into account the identified functional disorders. Material and methods. The study included 20 patients (5.4±0.67 years) with spastic forms of CP. A comparative analysis of walking parameters and stabilography of children with spastic diplegia and hepiplegic CP among themselves and with a group of conditionally healthy children (norm group) (n=12) was performed. Results. A statistically significant decrease in the following indicators was found in children with hemi-and paraparesis: walking speed, double step length, and hip flexion/extension angle. Deviations of indicators are more pronounced in spastic diplegia, but are not always equivalent for both limbs; there is a violation step cycle proportions. the decrease in the length of the double step is more pronounced on the affected limb; there is a decrease in the angle of flexion/extension in the knee joint, more pronounced on a healthy limb in patients with hemiplegic CP. A wide range of stabilographic indicators values is observed in both study groups. However, only the average position of the pressure center relative to the frontal plane statistically significantly differs from the norm in the group of children with hemiparesis. In paraparesis, such differences from the norm are much more common: the area of the statokinesiogram, the maximum amplitude of fluctuations in the center of pressure and the energy of the frequency spectrum. The range of values for most indicators in paraparesis is wider. Conclusion. The revealed biomechanical features of walking and stability of the vertical posture of children with spastic forms of CP can serve as a basis for the development of rehabilitation programs. Clinical and rehabilitation groups of children with CP should be formed taking into account the severity of static-dynamic disorders present in patients. This approach will make it possible to plan further rehabilitation treatment of such patients and adequately assess the results obtained.

Is Lateropulsion Really Related with a Specific Lesion of the Brain?

Lateropulsion (pusher syndrome) is an important barrier to standing and gait after stroke. Although several studies have attempted to elucidate the relationship between brain lesions and lateropulsion, the effects of specific brain lesions on the development of lateropulsion remain unclear. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of stroke lesion location and size on lateropulsion in right hemisphere stroke patients. The present retrospective cross-sectional observational study assessed 50 right hemisphere stroke patients. Lateropulsion was diagnosed and evaluated using the Scale for Contraversive Pushing (SCP). Voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis with 3T-MRI was used to identify the culprit lesion for SCP. We also performed VLSM controlling for lesion volume as a nuisance covariate, in a multivariate model that also controlled for other factors contributing to pusher behavior. VLSM, combined with statistical non-parametric mapping (SnPM), identified the specific region with SCP. Lesion size was associated with lateropulsion. The precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, insula and subgyral parietal lobe of the right hemisphere seemed to be associated with the lateropulsion; however, after adjusting for lesion volume as a nuisance covariate, no lesion areas were associated with the SCP scores. The size of the right hemisphere lesion was the only factor most strongly associated with lateropulsion in patients with stroke. These results may be useful for planning rehabilitation strategies of restoring vertical posture and understanding the pathophysiology of lateropulsion in stroke patients.