Biomechanical Dysfunction Research Articles

Upper cervical spine syndrome: A new perspective

Headaches are widespread in Western Society; they affect approximately 50% of the adult population in the United States. Headaches can present with a variety of clinical and regional symptoms. Although a headache disorder classification system exists, clinical experience has identified various overlapping causes for headaches. It remains clinically challenging to identify the exact etiology causing headaches. For example, the underlying mechanism of cervicogenic headaches remains elusive, but the upper cervical spine plays a key role. Abnormal upper cervical movement patterns, in combination with muscular dysfunctions, are a possible contributing factor to headaches. The upper vertebral spinal nerves C0-C3 have been correlated with cervicogenic headaches. It has been established that biomechanical dysfunction of the upper cervical spine can contribute to neck pain. The atlas plays a key role in the biomechanical dysfunction in the upper cervical spine. Previously, it has been identified that the relative position of the atlas to the axis correlates with headaches. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that an extended contraction of the homolateral obliquus capitis inferior muscles can result in positional default rotation of the atlas. As managing headaches remains multimodal and challenging, there is enough evidence to support the inclusion of the upper cervical spine to normalize joint position, joint mobility, muscle tonicity, and upright positioning. When recognizing the “upper cervical syndrome” and addressing the functioning of the atlas, clinical outcomes will improve for those treating patients with headaches.

Air pollution induces morpho-functional, biochemical and biomechanical vascular dysfunction in undernourished rats

Air pollution (gases and particulate matter -PM) and child undernutrition are globally recognized stressors with significant consequences. PM and its components breach the respiratory alveolar-capillary barrier, entering the vasculature transporting not only harmful particles and its mediators but, altering vascular paracrine and autocrine functions.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA), on the vasculature of young animals with nutritional growth retardation (NGR). Weanling rats were fed a diet restricted 20% (NGR) compared to ad libitum intake (control-C) for 4 weeks. Rats were intranasally instilled with 1 mg/kg BW of ROFA. After 24h exposure, histological and immunohistochemical, biochemical and contractile response to NA/ACh were evaluated in aortas.ROFA induced changes in the tunica media of the aorta in all groups regarding thickness, muscular cells and expression of Connexin-43. ROFA increased TGF-β1 and decreased eNOs levels and calcium channels in C and NGR animals. An increment in cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 was observed in C, with no changes in NGR. ROFA exposure altered the vascular contractile capacity.In conclusion, ROFA exposure could increase the risk for CVD through the alteration of vascular biochemical parameters, a possible step of the endothelial dysfunction.

A model for personalized diagnostics for non-specific low back pain: the role of the myofascial unit.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Most LBP is non-specific or idiopathic, which is defined as symptoms of unknown origin without a clear specific cause or pathology. Current guidelines for clinical evaluation are based on ruling out underlying serious medical conditions, but not on addressing underlying potential contributors to pain. Although efforts have been made to identify subgroups within this population based on response to treatment, a comprehensive framework to guide assessment is still lacking. In this paper, we propose a model for a personalized mechanism-based assessment based on the available evidence that seeks to identify the underlying pathologies that may initiate and perpetuate central sensitization associated with chronic non-specific low back pain (nsLBP). We propose that central sensitization can have downstream effects on the "myofascial unit", defined as an integrated anatomical and functional structure that includes muscle fibers, fascia (including endomysium, perimysium and epimysium) and its associated innervations (free nerve endings, muscle spindles), lymphatics, and blood vessels. The tissue-level abnormalities can be perpetuated through a vicious cycle of neurogenic inflammation, impaired fascial gliding, and interstitial inflammatory stasis that manifest as the clinical findings for nsLBP. We postulate that our proposed model offers biological plausibility for the complex spectrum of clinical findings, including tissue-level abnormalities, biomechanical dysfunction and postural asymmetry, ecological and psychosocial factors, associated with nsLBP. The model suggests a multi-domain evaluation that is personalized, feasible and helps rule out specific causes for back pain guiding clinically relevant management. It may also provide a roadmap for future research to elucidate mechanisms underlying this ubiquitous and complex problem.

Running gait adaptations among adolescent runners with soft tissue impairments following lateral ankle sprains.

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) frequently lead to residual soft tissue impairments, often attributed to biomechanical dysfunction during movement. To compare running biomechanics between adolescent runners with soft tissue pathologies following LAS (injured) and healthy runners (control) and between limbs. Retrospective cohort study. Hospital-affiliated sports injury prevention center. Twenty-five adolescent runners with a history of LAS and current ankle impingement or tendinopathy (23 female, 2 male; age: 15 ± 2 years; body mass index [BMI]: 19.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2 ; symptom duration: 1.1 ± 0.9 years), and 23 healthy controls without any LAS history (19 female, 4 male; age: 15 ± 1 years; BMI: 19.2 ± 2.7 kg/m2 ) were included in this study. All participants completed a clinical gait assessment in which they ran at a self-selected speed on a force-plate instrumented treadmill, while two video cameras recorded two-dimensional sagittal and coronal views. Foot rotation, step width, contact time, and cadence were compared between groups and limbs (involved, uninvolved [or "better" for bilateral cases]) using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Rearfoot landing and foot strike type were compared between groups and limbs using a chi-square analysis. The injured group had significantly increased step width (F = 4.71, p = .04; mean difference [MD] with SE: 1.5 [0.7] cm) compared to controls. The injured groups' involved limb had longer contact time (F = 4.62, p = .03; MDgroup : 12 [7] ms, MDlimb : 22 [11] ms) with more internal foot rotation (F = 14.60, p < .001; MDgroup : 2.2 [1.2] degrees, MDlimb : 4.2 [1.3] degrees) compared to controls and their contralateral limb. There were no significant differences for cadence (F = 2.43, p = .13; MD: 4 [3] steps/min), foot landing (X2 = 1.28, p = .53), or foot strike (X2 = 1.24, p = .54). Spatiotemporal and kinematic running adaptations may predispose young runners with initial LAS to secondary soft tissue dysfunction due to loss of stability from ligamentous structures and an overreliance on myotendinous control. Clinicians may consider targeting these maladaptations during gait-training interventions.

Equine blood flow restriction training: Safety validation.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) has become a key rehabilitative tool for human orthopaedic conditions. With modernised technology and evolution of clinical application, patient-specific delivery of occlusion percentages is now considered the standard of care in human patients due to improved therapeutic outcomes and minimised safety risks. Safety validation and limb occlusion pressure (LOP) data for horses, however, are lacking. (1) To determine if BFR exposure resulted in forelimb biomechanical gait dysfunction as safety validation and (2) to investigate inter-horse and inter-limb LOP differences. Controlled in vivo experiment. Daily unilateral forelimb BFR was performed in four horses over 56 days. Clinical examinations and objective gait analyses were performed on Days 0, 28 and 56. Daily LOP values were determined by Doppler evaluation to deliver 80% vascular occlusion at a walk. A linear mixed model evaluated for differences in lameness, kinetic and kinematic gait parameters. There were no significant differences in forelimb lameness (range of Grades 0-2 across all forelimbs), kinematic or kinetic gait parameters over time or between BFR-exposed and control (contralateral) limbs (p > 0.05). Clinically apparent complications related to BFR such as thrombosis or dermatitis were not appreciated. Significant differences in mean LOP values between various horses (p < 0.001) and measured left (204.48 mmHg) and right (173.78 mmHg) forelimbs (p < 0.001) were observed. Mean LOP and standard deviation across all readings was 189.1 ± 22.2 mmHg. Optimal BFR occlusion percentages and protocols with documented clinical efficacy are unknown. Small study population. Exposure to BFR did not result in forelimb biomechanical dysfunction in four horses. Applied pressures of 75-151 mmHg would likely simulate a range of 50%-80% vascular occlusion in horses, but inherent physiological variation between horses and forelimbs warrants incorporation of individual pressures.

Meniscus surface texture is associated with degenerative changes in biological and biomechanical properties

Meniscal degeneration is defined by semi-quantitative assessment of multiple histological findings and has been implicated in biomechanical dysfunction, yet little is known about its relationship with biological properties. This paper aimed to quantitatively evaluate degenerative findings in human meniscus to examine their relationship with gene expression and biomechanical properties, and to extract histological findings that reflect biological properties like gene expression and cytokine secretion. This study included lateral menisci of 29 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. The menisci were divided into six samples. For each sample, Pauli's histological evaluation and corresponding quantitative assessment (surface roughness, DNA content, collagen orientation, and GAG content) were performed, with surface roughness showing the highest correlation with the histological evaluation in a single correlation analysis (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001) and multivariate analysis (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, surface roughness was associated with gene expression related to meniscal degeneration and with tangent modulus which decreases with increasing degeneration (r = − 0.49, p = 0.0002). When meniscal tissue was classified by surface integrity, inflammatory cytokine secretion tended to be higher in severe degenerated menisci. These results suggest that the evaluation of meniscal surface texture could predict the degree of degeneration and inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Evolving Mural Defects, Dilatation, and Biomechanical Dysfunction in Angiotensin II-Induced Thoracic Aortopathies.

Thoracic aortopathy associates with extracellular matrix remodeling and altered biomechanical properties. We sought to quantify the natural history of thoracic aortopathy in a common mouse model and to correlate measures of wall remodeling such as aortic dilatation or localized mural defects with evolving microstructural composition and biomechanical properties of the wall. We combined a high-resolution multimodality imaging approach (panoramic digital image correlation and optical coherence tomography) with histopathologic examinations and biaxial mechanical testing to correlate spatially, for the first time, macroscopic mural defects and medial degeneration within the ascending aorta with local changes in aortic wall composition and mechanical properties. Findings revealed strong correlations between local decreases in elastic energy storage and increases in circumferential material stiffness with increasing proximal aortic diameter and especially mural defect size. Mural defects tended to exhibit a pronounced biomechanical dysfunction that is driven by an altered organization of collagen and elastic fibers. While aneurysmal dilatation is often observed within particular segments of the aorta, dissection and rupture initiate as highly localized mechanical failures. We show that wall composition and material properties are compromised in regions of local mural defects, which further increases the dilatation and overall structural vulnerability of the wall. Identification of therapies focused on promoting robust collagen accumulation may protect the wall from these vulnerabilities and limit the incidence of dissection and rupture.

Duplicated Palmaris Longus Muscle With Insertion Onto The Transverse Carpal Ligament: A Case Report

The palmaris longus muscle is one of the most anatomically variable muscles in the human body, with incidence ranging from 0-63.9%. While these anatomical variations are typically benign, they are of clinical importance as they can contribute to neurovascular and biomechanical dysfunction. We report here a duplicated palmaris longus muscle with an insertion onto the transverse carpal ligament found during cadaveric dissection in a graduate anatomy course for physical and occupational therapy students.

Effect of Age and BMI on Sonographic Findings of Plantar Fascia

Biomechanical dysfunction of the foot is most common cause of plantar fascia disorder and obesity and increasing age are well-known risk factors. Due to being inexpensive and quick, ultrasound imaging techniques are considered the modality of choice to assess plantar fascia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on sonographic findings of plantar fascia in normal population. Ultrasonography was used to measure the plantar fascia thickness of 148 healthy adults (54 males, 36.5% and 94 females, 63.5%) during a period of one year. The age, BMI, and walking distance of each participant were recorded and statistically analyzed. The mean plantar fascia thicknesses at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 cm distal to the insertion of the plantar fascia were 1.76 ± 0.32 mm, 2.50 ± 0.50 mm and 2.11 ± 0.41 mm respectively. The mean plantar fascia thickness for individuals ≥45 years and BMI ≥25 were significantly higher (p < .001) compared to individuals <45 years and BMI <25. In a normal population, the thickness of the plantar fascia determined by ultrasound measurement was less than 3 mm. We recommend using the position 1.0 cm distal to the calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia as the reference point for diagnosing plantar fasciitis. The thickness of plantar fascia was significantly increased with age and BMI whereas gender, walking activity, exercise and running did not seem to affect the plantar fascia thickness.

Diurnal Variation in Hydration of the Cervical Intervertebral Disc Assessed Using T2 Mapping of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate the diurnal variation in cervical disc hydration and its relationship with cervical degeneration.Materials and MethodsC3–C7 discs of 86 prospectively enrolled participants (37 males, 49 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were assessed using T2 mapping in the morning and evening. All discs were stratified by Miyazaki grade or C2–C7 Cobb angle and T2 values (T2). The degree of diurnal T2 variation (T2-DDV), defined as (morning T2 – evening T2)/morning T2 × 100%, was measured for the entire disc, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate zones.ResultsT2 of the entire disc decreased significantly after the daytime load (p < 0.001), with a T2-DDV of 13.3% for all discs and 16.0%, 12.2%, and 13.0% for healthy (grade I), mild degenerative (grade II), and advanced degenerative (grade III/IV) discs, respectively. T2 of regional NPs and AFs decreased significantly from morning to evening (p ≤ 0.049) except in the healthy anterior inner AF (p = 0.092). Compared with healthy discs, mild degenerative discs displayed lower T2 and T2-DDV in regional NPs (p < 0.001). Advanced degenerative discs showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior inner AF compared with healthy discs (p = 0.050). Significant diurnal T2 changes in the endplate zones were observed only in healthy discs (p = 0.013). Cervical discs in the low Cobb angle group showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior AFs and anterior NP and lower T2-DDV in the posterior AF than those in the high Cobb angle group (p ≤ 0.041).ConclusionThis study characterized the diurnal variation in hydration of the cervical discs as assessed using T2 mapping and revealed early chemo-mechanical coupling dysfunction in degenerating discs. Cervical sagittal alignment on MRI can affect the diurnal stress patterns of the cervical discs. T2 mapping is sensitive to disc biomechanical dysfunction and offers translational potential from biomechanical research to clinical application.

Effectiveness of Deep Cervical Flexor (DCF) Exercise on Neck Functional Scores in Helicopter Crew with Mechanical Neck Pain

Background: Mechanical neck pain is defined as neck pain due to biomechanical dysfunction in the neck or upper back. Exercise can reduce muscle tension and strengthen deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles by helping to relieve pain. The prevalence of neck pain is considered high in helicopter crews compared to the general population. Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of DCF exercise on neck functional scores (study of helicopter crews with mechanical neck pain).Material and Methods: Experimental one pre and post-test group design. The samples were 14 squadron-31/serbu helicopter crew performing conventional DCF muscle exercise 12 times for 4 weeks with a frequency of 3 times each week. Neck function was assessed using the Neck Outcome Score (NOOS) which consists of domains of mobility, stiffness, symptoms, sleep disturbances, everyday activity and pain, participating in everyday life, and quality of life.Results: This study showed that the mean NOOS score before intervention was 30.64 (SD: 9.44) and the mean NOOS score after intervention was 8.57 (SD: 5.33). There was a significant difference in the NOOS score before and after deep cervical flexor exercise (p = 0.001).Conclusion: DCF exercises are effective for improving neck functionality in helicopter crew with mechanical neck pain.

Typing and particle analysis of squeaking hip endoprostheses : First histopathological analysis to examine the squeaking pathogenesis of ceramic-on-ceramic bearings

Since the use of ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) hip endoprostheses complications in the form of squeaking noises have occasionally occurred. This is the first histopathological analysis of the synovia-like interface membrane (SLIM) of ceramic squeaking hip endoprostheses with the aim to gain new insights into the squeaking pathogenesis. Seven CoC hip endoprostheses with squeaking pathogenesis are analyzed by SLIM consensus classification, particle algorithm, CD3 quantification, semiquantitative CD68 macrophages, Oil-Red positive macrophages, hemosiderin evaluation and in twocases by energy dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy (EDX). In 1733 hip joint prosthesis pathology cases, asqueaking revision incidence of 0.40% was determined. In addition to SLIM type I(1/7), only SLIM type IV(6/7) was detected. 4/7CoC cases showed combinations of micro, macro and, for the first time, supramacro (166.5 µm) ceramic wear particles. The EDX analysis confirmed the ceramic and an additional metallic abrasion. Increased focal concentrated low inflammatory markers (CD3/CD68) with hemosiderin(5/7) and lipid depositions (Oil-Red positive macrophages)(6/7) occurred. Apathogenetic connection between SLIM typeI/IV and squeaking can be assumed. SLIM types showed apartly light microscopic ceramic particle-dependent, partly independent predominantly low-grade inflammation. Hemosiderin and Oil-Red positive macrophages are signs of synovial tissue damage and indicate biomechanical misload (impingement) and dysfunction as cause of the squeaking pathogenesis.

Study on functional outcome of bimalleolar ankle fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Ankle injury is the most common weight bearing orthopaedic musculoskeletal trauma encountered in emergency medicine and practice. Ankle joint is highly congruous and any disturbance of normal articular relationship may result in some progressive arthrosis of biomechanical dysfunction. As with all intra-articular fractures it necessitates accurate reduction and stable internal fixation. The objectives were to study the functional outcome of surgical treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures and to know the complications of open reduction internal fixation of bimalleolar fractures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; 45 patients with malleolar fractures were included in this prospective longitudinal interventional study. Patients who underwent operative treatment were followed up regularly for 6 months with OPD visits and X-ray imaging at each stage. Patient parameters were recorded at immediate post op period, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Baird and Jackson scoring system for ankle were used for the functional outcome measurement.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Most common type of injury pattern was supination-external rotation with 21 cases (47% of cases). The results are excellent to good in 65% of patients, 27% of patients had fair and 8% had poor result. Syndesmotic screw fixation was done with 4.5 mm cortical screw in 7 cases. Most common complication was surgical site infection in 3 cases (6.67%). 2 patients underwent implant removal due to unresolved infection at 3 months.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The results of operative fixation were satisfactory in 90% of patients. Most of the complications were minor and resolved within three weeks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Biomechanical and clinical outcomes in response to inpatient multidisciplinary hip and groin rehabilitation in UK military personnel

IntroductionHip and groin related pain is a common complaint among the military population across UK Defence Rehabilitation and addressing associated biomechanical dysfunction is a key treatment goal. Personnel are exposed...

Comparing the effect of thrust manipulation and muscle energy technique on pain and disability in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction

IntroductionSacroiliac joint pain is described as pain in and around the joint along with dull pain in lower back due to biomechanical dysfunction in the sacroiliac region. Manual therapy is a common treatment for patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to examine the within- and between-group effects of high-velocity thrust manipulation and muscle energy technique in sacroiliac joint dysfunction.MethodsThirty patients with low back pain were randomized to receive either high-velocity thrust manipulation (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 15) or muscle energy technique (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 15) for 6 sessions over 2 weeks. The outcomes included the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The paired t-test and two-way ANCOVA were used for within- and between-group analysis, respectively.ResultsA statistically significant difference was observed in baseline and post-treatment MODI and NPRS scores within the groups (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001). In turn, no statistically significant difference was found in baseline or post-treatment MODI and NPRS scores between the groups (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsThe between-group effects were neither clinically nor statistically significant. The within-group effects were both significant and exceeded the reported minimal clinically important differences for the outcome tools of MODI and NPRS.

Force and EMG Comparison between a weight-bearing clinical assessment of hip strength assessment and non-weightbearing tasks

Purpose: Altered hip strength is a risk factor for lower extremity injury but its relationship to biomechanical dysfunction is debated. Hip strength assessment methods are criticized for using unidirectional, non-weight-bearing positions which may not be representative of athletic activity and may affect comparison to biomechanical analysis of athletic tasks. A weight-bearing task may better represent hip muscle function during these movements. The aim of this study was to identify EMG and force differences for a clinical weight-bearing method of hip strength (the squat-hold) to traditional non-weight-bearing maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) for hip abduction, extension, and external rotation. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy volunteers (23 female, 6 male; 23.3±5.8 years) performed the squat-hold, sidelying abduction, prone extension, and seated hip external rotation MVICs. The squat-hold was performed by exerting a bilateral, maximal force against a rigid strap encircling both knees in a semi-squatted position. Surface electromyography (EMG) recorded peak activation of the gluteus medius (GMed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and tensor fascia lata (TFL) and a handheld dynamometer simultaneously measured force during all tasks. Peak activation was compared between the squat-hold and each MVIC using paired t-tests. Force was compared across tasks using a one-way ANOVA. Results: Greater force was observed during the squat-hold than the external rotation MVIC, but abduction and extension MVICs yielded greater force than the squat-hold. GMax activation was higher during the squat-hold than the external rotation task. TFL activation was higher during the abduction MVIC than the squat-hold but GMed activation was similar across tasks. Peak GMax activation was similar between the extension MVIC and squat-hold. Conclusions: Squat-hold force may have been reduced due to altered gluteal moment arms, which affected the length-tension relationship. Clinicians should consider the squat-hold as an alternative assessment of external rotation force, but should continue to assess abduction and extension force with MVICs. Researchers should examine positions optimizing length-tension relationships to better relate motor function and movement patterns.

Acute effect of low-Dye taping on dynamic plantar pressure in subjects with overpronation foot.

Introduction: The pronation foot is related to numerous musculoskeletal disorders, in order to reverse this biomechanical dysfunction has often been used to low-Dye taping (LDT). Objective: Evaluate the acute effect of the application of low-Dye taping (LDT) on dynamic Baropodometric parameters (DBP) in subjects with foot overpronation. Method: They evaluated 17 feet by baropodometric dynamic by midgait protocol. The pressure measurements were obtained by planting stratification of the foot region in eight shades in LDT conditions and without taping. Results: The Student t test for paired samples showed a significant reduction of peak plantar pressure, mean plantar pressure, integral pressure / time largely masks studied without however generate substantial increases in other plantar regions. Conclusion: The application of LDT proved to be an efficient way to reduce the DPB in subjects with foot overpronation.

Bioassay-guided isolation and evaluation of anti-osteoporotic polysaccharides from Morinda officinalis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMorinda officinalis is a well-known Chinese tonic herb that has shown clinical efficacy in the treatment of bone disease. However, its anti-osteoporotic potential and the M. officinalis polysaccharides (MOPs) responsible for activity require further investigation. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporotic effects of different MOP fractions in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and to identify the osteoprotective components by bioassay-guided isolation. Materials and methodsMOPs were prepared by hot water and alkali extraction, separated into three fractions (MO50, MO70, and MOB) and evaluated in the classic OVX rat model and in MC3T3-E1 cells for anti-osteoporotic activity. ResultsAdministration of MOPs (400 mg/kg/day) provided significant protection against ovariectomy-induced bone loss and biomechanical dysfunction in rats. Treated animals exhibited reduced deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture and lower levels of bone turnover markers. Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two inulin-type fructans from MO50, MOW50-1 and MOP50-2, with potential anti-osteoporotic activities. These consisted of (2 → 1)-linked β-D-fructosyl residues with degrees of polymerization (DP) of 7 and 13, respectively. Furthermore, MOW50-1 promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells by increasing alkaline phosphatase activity. ConclusionsThese data suggest very strongly that MOPs, especially MO50 and MOW50-1, may play important roles in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Employing Nanostructured Scaffolds to Investigate the Mechanical Properties of Adult Mammalian Retinae Under Tension.

Numerous eye diseases are linked to biomechanical dysfunction of the retina. However, the underlying forces are almost impossible to quantify experimentally. Here, we show how biomechanical properties of adult neuronal tissues such as porcine retinae can be investigated under tension in a home-built tissue stretcher composed of nanostructured TiO2 scaffolds coupled to a self-designed force sensor. The employed TiO2 nanotube scaffolds allow for organotypic long-term preservation of adult tissues ex vivo and support strong tissue adhesion without the application of glues, a prerequisite for tissue investigations under tension. In combination with finite element calculations we found that the deformation behavior is highly dependent on the displacement rate which results in Young’s moduli of (760–1270) Pa. Image analysis revealed that the elastic regime is characterized by a reversible shear deformation of retinal layers. For larger deformations, tissue destruction and sliding of retinal layers occurred with an equilibration between slip and stick at the interface of ruptured layers, resulting in a constant force during stretching. Since our study demonstrates how porcine eyes collected from slaughterhouses can be employed for ex vivo experiments, our study also offers new perspectives to investigate tissue biomechanics without excessive animal experiments.

Neuroplasticity and Central Sensitization in Orofacial Pain and TMD

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the masticatory muscles, and branches of the trigeminal nerve. TMD is the most common chronic oral facial pain disorder. Pain associated with TMD can be clinically expressed as myogenous or arthrogenous in etiology. The myogenous variant of TMD is characterized by pain in the muscles of mastication. The arthrogenous form of TMD is caused by pain in the joint leading to synovitis, capsulitis, or arthritis. Classically, mastication activity aggravates musculoskeletal pain. TMD pain is frequently associated with biomechanical dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. This includes clicking or locking of the TMJ due to an anterior displaced disk, resulting in limited range of motion of the mandible. The diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms such as periauricular pain related to mastication, joint noises (popping/clicking), limited mandible opening, jaw locking, and headaches. Orofacial pain includes several diagnoses: odontogenic, musculoskeletal, neurovascular, persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP), neuropathic pain, neuralgia, TMD, and headache. When there is a persistent and intense nociceptive input in a sensitized central nervous system, the patient becomes more reactive and experiences more pain with less provocation. Practitioners should have knowledge of this type of heterotopic pain when determining the origins of orofacial pain. Without deep understanding of the trigeminal system and mechanisms differentiating nociceptive and non-nociceptive pain, clinicians will most likely treat the reported symptoms instead of the underlying cause.