Pelvic Suspension Research Articles

Effects of pelvic suspension of beef carcasses and wet aging time of cuts on eating quality and sensory scores of 14 muscles

Abstract To evaluate the effect of carcass hanging method and aging period on beef eating quality young cross-breed bulls were slaughtered in a slaughterhouse in south-eastern Poland. After the slaughter operations were completed, one carcass side was hung by the Achilles tendon and the other by the hip bone. Suspension methods depending on the carcass sides were used in rotation. Consumer samples were prepared from 14 muscles collected from each of the 50 sides. The use of different hanging methods showed their varied impact on tenderness, juiciness, flavour overall liking and eating quality of beef cuts. A positive effect of tenderstretch on eating quality was observed for six of the muscles (longissimus thoracis, spinalis dorsi, longissimus lumborum, vastus lateralis, gluteus profundus and semimembranosus), no effect was observed for seven, and a negative effect of suspending carcass by hip bone was noted for just one muscle.

Nerve relationships to the sacrospinous ligament: application to suspension procedures and transgluteal approaches for nerve repair and tumor removal with three case illustrations.

Transvaginal suspension procedures often use the sacrospinous ligament (SSL), which attaches onto the ischial spine (IS). However, nerve-related sequelae (e.g., sciatic nerve injury) following such procedures have been reported. Therefore, the current anatomical study was performed to better understand these relationships. Additionally, three case illustrations of patients with injury to the sciatic nerve following sacrospinous ligament suspension procedures are included to exemplify the significance of a thorough knowledge of this anatomy. In 20 human adult cadavers (40 sides), a gluteal dissection was performed to expose the IS and SSL and regional nerves near the greater sciatic foramen. Measurements between the IS and SSL were made between these structures and surrounding nerves. The average distance between the IS and sciatic nerve was 1.4cm. From this bony part, the average distance to the S1 and S2 ventral rami was 3.1cm and 1.9cm, respectively. From the IS to the lumbosacral trunk, pudendal nerve, nerve to obturator internus, and superior gluteal nerve, the mean distance was 4cm, 0.5cm, 0.7cm, and 4.5cm, respectively. From the SSL to the lumbosacral trunk, S1 ventral ramus, and S2 ventral ramus, there was an average distance of 4.2cm, 1.6cm, and 0.8cm, respectively. Statistically, in females, the distances from the IS and SSL to the sciatic nerve, lumbosacral trunk, superior gluteal nerve, and S1 and S2 ventral rami were shorter when compared to males. An improved understanding of the relationship between the SSL and IS and nerves near the greater sciatic foramen can lead to fewer intraoperative complications during approaches to various peripheral nerves in this region. Lastly, these relationships might help better understand the nerve injuries following pelvic suspension procedures that use the SSL.

Bos indicus Carcasses Suspended by the Pelvic Bone Require a Shorter Aging Time to Meet Consumer Expectations Regarding Meat Quality.

This study evaluated the effects of hanging the carcass by the Achilles tendon (AS) versus pelvic suspension (PS) on meat quality traits. Bos indicus carcasses of two distinct biological types/sex categories comprised 10 young Brangus heifers and 10 Nellore bulls which were finished in a feedlot. Half-carcasses of each biological type/sex category were randomly hung using Achilles suspension (n = 20, AS) or pelvic suspension (n = 20, PS) for 48 h. At boning, longissimus samples were collected for evaluation by untrained consumers for tenderness, liking of flavor, juiciness and overall acceptability, after aging for 5 or 15 days. Objective samples were also tested for shear force (SF), Minolta meat colour, ultimate pH, cooking loss (CL) and purge loss (PL). There was a positive effect (p < 0.01) of PS on the sensory tenderness of Nellore bulls and Brangus heifers aged for 5 days compared to the AS method. At 15 days of aging, difference in sensory tenderness was observed (p < 0.05) in either group. Additionally, an interaction occurred between the suspension method and the aging of Nellore beef (p < 0.05) on liking of flavor, juiciness and overall acceptance, while the same effects were not observed for Brangus beef (p > 0.05). Nellore carcasses submitted to PS tended (p = 0.06) to produce more tender meat than those submitted to AS (SF = 44.62 ± 6.96 vs. 50.41 ± 8.04 N), and lower CL (p < 0.05) were found (27.7 vs. 30.9%). Carcass-suspension methods did not influence meat color, pH or PL in either group (p > 0.05). The PS contributes to improve the quality of Bos indicus bulls loins; in addition, this method allows a reduction in the aging time from 15 to 5 days, and it can be used to supply meat consumer markets which accept a certain level of eating quality.

Consumer assessment, in Ireland and the United Kingdom, of the impact of the method of suspension of carcasses from dairy-origin bulls and steers, on the sensory characteristics of the longissimus muscle

The objective was to compare the assessment of beef produced in Ireland from a 19-month bull or a 24-month steer dairy beef production system by consumers in Ireland (Cork) and the United Kingdom (Belfast and Reading). Carcass sides were suspended by the Achilles tendon or by the pelvic bone and 21-d aged longissimus muscle assessed using Meat Standards Australia protocols. Carcass weight and classification were similar for bulls and steers. Consumers in Belfast and Cork rated aroma liking, tenderness, juiciness, overall liking and the composite meat quality score (MQ4) similarly, but lower (P &lt; 0.05) than consumers in Reading. Consumers in Belfast and Cork rated flavour liking similarly as did consumers in Cork and Reading, but consumers in Reading rated flavour liking higher (P &lt; 0.05) than consumers in Belfast. Muscle from steers had higher scores for aroma liking, flavour liking, overall liking and MQ4 scores than bulls (P &lt; 0.05). On average, pelvic suspension increased (P &lt; 0.05) the scores for aroma liking and flavour liking compared with conventional suspension but increased (P &lt; 0.05) tenderness, juiciness, overall liking and MQ4 scores only in bulls. Consumers in Reading rated striploin from the traditional Achilles tendon-suspended steers similarly to striploin from pelvic-suspended bulls (MQ4 score of 71.8 and 68.2, respectively). Beef from the latter system could replace the traditional steer beef in this market, thereby benefiting the beef producer and the environment.

Percutaneous electrical stimulation-induced muscle contraction prevents the decrease in ribosome RNA and ribosome protein during pelvic hindlimb suspension.

Skeletal muscle unloading leads to muscle atrophy. Ribosome synthesis has been implicated as an important skeletal muscle mass regulator owing to its translational capacity. Muscle unloading induces a reduction in ribosome synthesis and content, with muscle atrophy. Percutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (pEMS)-induced muscle contraction is widely used in clinics to improve muscle mass. However, its efficacy in rescuing the reduction in ribosomal synthesis has not been addressed thus far. We examined the effects of daily pEMS treatment on ribosome synthesis and content during mouse hindlimb unloading. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to sedentary (SED) and hindlimb unloading by pelvic suspension (HU) groups. Muscle contraction was triggered by pEMS treatment of the right gastrocnemius muscle of a subset of the HU group (HU + pEMS). Hindlimb unloading for 6 days significantly lowered 28S rRNA, rpL10, and rpS3 expression, which was rescued by daily pEMS treatment. The protein expression of phospho-p70S6K and UBF was significantly higher in the HU + pEMS than in the HU group. The mRNA expression of ribophagy receptor Nufip1 increased in both the HU and HU + pEMS groups. Protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II expression and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio were increased by HU, but pEMS attenuated this increase. Our findings indicate that during HU, daily pEMS treatment prevents the reduction in the levels of some proteins associated with ribosome synthesis. In addition, the HU-induced activation of ribosome degradation may be attenuated. These data provide insights into ribosome content regulation and the mechanism of attenuation of muscle atrophy by pEMS treatment during muscle disuse.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscle inactivity reduces ribosome synthesis and content during atrophy. Whether percutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (pEMS)-induced muscle contraction rescues the ribosome synthesis and content during muscle unloading is unclear. Using a mouse hindlimb-unloading model with pelvic suspension, we provide evidence that daily pEMS-induced muscle contraction during hindlimb unloading rescues the reduction in the expression of some ribosome synthesis-related proteins and ribosome content in the gastrocnemius muscle.

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy versus pelvic organ prolapse suspension for surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse: a retrospective study

This retrospective surgical clinical study compares clinical and functional effects of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) and laparoscopic pelvic organ prolapse suspension (L-POPS) for anterior and central prolapse correction. Thirty patients enrolled were affected by a symptomatic vaginal central compartment stage 2–3 prolapse and vaginal anterior compartment stage 1–3 prolapse without vaginal posterior compartment prolapse. A successful correction of anterior and central compartments prolapse without relapses were observed in both groups (LSC group versus L-POPS group). In patients who underwent L-POPS, a de novo posterior compartment prolapse was recorded. In this group, 7/15 patients complained more bowel symptoms and underwent vaginal colpoperineoplasty. In 20% (group LSC) and in 13.3% (group L-POPS) of cases, a condition of de novo urinary stress incontinence was described. LSC seems to remain the gold standard for pelvic organ prolapse correction, while further preventive strategies should be carried out in L-POPS to avoid a de novo posterior compartment prolapse. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is the gold standard technique for the correction of pelvic organ prolapse; however, laparoscopic pelvic organ prolapse suspension, based on the surgical technique of lateral suspension, is an innovative surgical method for the treatment of POP. What do the results of this study add? L-POPS could be considered a valid alternative to LSC for women with multiple comorbidities because of less operative time and reduced surgical risks. However, in the long follow-up period, some patients underwent L-POPS complained rectal discomfort and dysfunction on quality of life questionnaire and on clinical evaluation from six to twelve months after surgery probably due to the post-operative appearance of posterior compartment prolapse. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Considering the retrospective design and the small sample size the major limits of this study, larger, prospective, randomized studies could be encouraged to better compare a modified technique of L-POPS with posterior mesh apposition (preventing the post-operative appearance of posterior compartment prolapse) with the gold standard LSC for the correction of multi-compartment POP.

Effect of Pelvic Floor Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Suspension Training on Postpartum Rectus Abdominis Muscle Separation

Effect of Pelvic Floor Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Suspension Training on Postpartum Rectus Abdominis Muscle Separation

Laparoscopic Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension (Pops) Versus Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy for Treatment of Rectal Prolapse: Prospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to compare ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) and pelvic organ prolapse suspension surgery (POPS) in management of patients presenting with rectal prolapse. Our study was a prospective cohort trial in which 120 female patients with complete rectal prolapse were included, 60 patients had had VMR and the other 60 had had POPS as a surgical management for complete rectal prolapse. Results had been compared 6months postoperatively regarding operative time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, complications of surgery including recurrence of the rectal prolapse, the efficacy of each operation in treatment of rectal prolapse and associated symptoms. The patients were assessed 6months postoperatively. There was no significant statistical difference regarding hospital stay and postoperative pain. Operative time was significantly shorter in POPS in comparison with VMR (P value < 0.05). VMR showed slight improvement regarding constipation and continence scores; however, this was statistically significant. VMR showed less complications compared to POPS. Complications with rectopexy happened only with 4 patients compared to 24 patients in POPS groups, 2 cases of recurrence in rectopexy group compared to 6 cases of recurrence in POPS. POPS is comparable to VMR in management of rectal prolapse and in improving the ODS symptoms. Thus, POPS can be used as easier, faster option to treat rectal prolapse in selected patients.

Ante-and post-mortem strategies to improve the meat quality of high-value muscles harvested from farmed male common eland (Taurotragus oryx)

The effects of immunocastration, pelvic suspension and wet ageing on the meat quality of the longissimus lumborum et thoracis (LTL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles of male common eland were evaluated. Ten subadult males were either immunocastrated (n = 5) or remained intact (n = 5) throughout a four-month growth trial, after which their carcass sides were randomly allocated to either pelvic- or Achilles-suspension. The LTL and BF were further aged for 14 days, measuring changes in the physical quality weekly. The sensory quality of the LTL and BF were determined after ageing (8/9 days, respectively). Immunocastration had minimal effects on the meat quality of male eland, but pelvic suspension decreased the shear force. All muscles reached minimum shear force after seven days of ageing, and the panellists ranked the pelvic-suspended muscles higher for tenderness traits. Incorporating pelvic suspension and wet ageing into the commercial processing of eland carcasses should be considered to improve overall meat quality.

Perioperative performance of a new Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension (POPS) for vaginal vault prolapse

Perioperative performance of a new Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension (POPS) for vaginal vault prolapse

A review of factors affecting goat meat quality and mitigating strategies

Abstract Goat meat is increasing in popularity worldwide due to a growing demand for lean and nutritious meat. It is important to have an understanding of factors affecting goat meat quality in order to ensure the best possible quality acceptable to consumers. This paper reviews current knowledge on key factors and strategies for improving goat meat quality. Among animal factors, the breed/genetics and age at slaughter are key to goat meat quality. Conditioning of goats destined for slaughter can improve the quality of meat through more desirable carcass fat content. It has been established that goat carcasses have low glycolytic potential and consequently yield higher pH meat, therefore, minimising ante-mortem stress is important for goat meat quality. Goat carcasses are very small and lean, therefore, chilling conditions should be carefully monitored in order to minimise the risk of cold shortening. Electrical stimulation of carcasses has been reported to improve goat meat tenderness. Pelvic suspension of goat carcasses may result in improved meat tenderness compared to Achilles-hung carcasses. Post-slaughter ageing can further improve the tenderness of goat meat. Several efforts have been made to address the concerns pertaining to goat meat quality, but the challenge now is to promote the consumption of goat meat among diverse consumers and establish it as a dietetically acceptable red meat source.

Neurophysiological changes in simulated microgravity: An animal model.

Microgravity (MG) is one of the main problems that astronauts have to cope with during space missions. Long-duration space travel can have detrimental effects on human neurophysiology. Despite scientific efforts, these effects are still insufficiently investigated. Animal earth-based analogs are used to investigate potential nervous system associated perturbations that might occur during prolonged space missions. Hindlimb unloading, Tail suspension and Pelvic suspension models are currently used in MG studies. Loss of homeostasis of certain biological pathways in the nervous system can lead to the functioning and expression of receptors/genes, and the release and functioning of neurotransmitters and neuronal membrane ion channels into specific brain regions. The potential impact of MG on molecular mechanisms linked to neurophysiology through animal earth-based analogs is reviewed. The effect of molecular signalling pathways on the decline of neuronal connectivity and cognitive and neuroplasticity function under MG simulated conditions will be studied. The role of biomarkers including neurotransmitters, genes or receptors will be highlighted in the healthy and MG-affected brain. MG-mediated neurodegenerative mechanisms linked to learning and memory impairment will be highlighted. This review depicts the current rodent models applied to simulate MG ground based approaches and investigates the MG induced changes in the nervous system. The neuropathological profile of the above animal MG ground-based models can be comparable to the effects of ageing, anxiety and other neurological disorders. The advantages and limitations of the existing approaches are discussed. MG induced neurophysiology outcomes can be extrapolated to study other clinical applications.

Pregnancy impact on uterosacral ligament and pelvic muscles using a 3D numerical and finite element model: preliminary results.

We studied the geometry of and changes in structures that play an important role in stabilizing the pelvic system during pregnancy using a numerical system at different gestational ages and postpartum. We developed a parturient numerical model to assess pelvic structures at different gestational stages (16, 32, and 38weeks) and postpartum (2months and 1year) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Organs, muscles, and ligaments were segmented to generate a 3D model of the pelvis. We studied changes in the length of uterosacral ligaments (USL) and thickness of the puborectal portion of the levator ani muscle (LAM) during and after pregnancy. We used this model to perform finite element (FE) simulation and analyze deformations of these structures under stress from the increase in uterine weight. Analysis reveals an increase in the length of US ligaments at 16, 32, and 38 weeks. Two months after delivery, it decreases without returning to the length at 16 weeks of pregnancy. Similar changes were observed for the puborectal portion of the LAM. Variations observed in these structures are not equivalent to other anatomical structures of pelvic suspension. FE simulation with increased uterus weight does not lead to those findings. This analysis brings new elements and a new focus for discussion relating to changes in pelvic balance of parturient women that are not simply linked to the increase in uterine volume.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OF UROGENITAL PROLAPSE USING AMI I-STITCH

Introduction. Genital prolapse is a pelvic static disorder, which represents the descending of the vaginal walls and the uterus in the vaginal axis with their exteriorization through vaginal introit. It is a public health problem, with a risk of occurrence of 30-40% in women over 40 years old, of 20-30% in multiparous, of about 20% after surgeries, having as the main cause injuries to pelvic supporting and suspension structures. The objective of this paper is to compare the classic transvaginal surgical technique of mounting the prosthesis to the bilateral sacrospinous ligament with the technique of fixing the mesh to the sacrospinous ligament using the I-Stitch device. Materials and methods. Between 2010 and 2017, in the Sibiu Urology Clinic, there were diagnosed 57 patients (p) with urogenital prolapse who benefited from colpopexy by fixing the polypropylene mesh to the sacrospinous ligament using the I-Stitch device and colpopexy by classically fixing the mesh. Results. In the group using the I-Stich device, mean operative time was 48.5 minutes (between 35 and 110 minutes), mean blood loss was 140 ml (90-300 ml), postoperative pain present in 5 p (8.77%), hospitalization length between 2 and 5 days with an average of 3.2 days. Conclusion. Reconstructive surgery of pelvic floor is a combination of surgical procedures designed to correct multiple defects, is definitive and curative in the treatment of prolapse.

Instantaneous changes in respiratory function induced by passive pelvic suspension in the supine position in relation to increased diaphragm excursion.

[Purpose] This study aimed to introduce an approach of pelvic suspension (PS) using sling cords and to obtain evidence for changes in respiratory function of healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were 25 healthy men. In the supine position, with hip and knee joints flexed at 90°, the subjects’ pelvises were suspended with sling belts. Diaphragm excursion, respiratory function, and respiratory comfort in these postures were measured using ultrasonography, respirometry, and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. [Results] When the pelvis was passively suspended with sling cords, the diaphragm moved 5 mm cranially and diaphragm excursion showed an instantaneous increase compared with the control. The tidal volume (VT) showed an increase and the respiration rate (RR) showed a decrease. The extent of diaphragm excursion was correlated with changes in VT under the control and PS conditions. Independent measurements of pulmonary function revealed that PS reduced the expiratory reserve volume, being correlated positively and negatively to increases in vital and inspiratory capacities, respectively. Furthermore, VAS values for respiratory ease were greater with PS than with the control. [Conclusion] These results suggest that PS effectively changed diaphragm excursion and respiratory function, leading to ease of breathing (i.e., deep and slow respiration).

Influence of age and method of carcass suspension on meat quality attributes of pure bred Ankole bulls

This study investigated the effect of age at slaughter, pre-rigour carcass suspension and their interaction on meat quality of longissimus dorsi from Ankole bulls. Ankole bulls (45) were evenly distributed into three age groups (2, 3 or 5 years). Immediately after slaughter, carcasses were weighed, halved and sides were either suspended in the Achilles tendon or pelvic bone until 48h postmortem. Carcass weights, grades and fat scores increased (P<0.001) with increasing age. Pelvic suspended sides had lower (P<0.001) chilling and cooking loss than Achilles-suspended sides across all age groups. Collagen solubility decreased (P<0.001), while shear force increased (P<0.001) with increasing age. Pelvic suspension decreased shear force across all age groups and the decrease was more pronounced in 5 year old bulls. The present study indicates that pelvic suspension is beneficial in eliminating the age-induced increase in toughness in longissimus thoracis from Ankole bulls.

Effect of pelvic suspension on the instrumental meat quality characteristics of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) venison

The effect of pelvic and Achilles tendon suspension of red and fallow deer carcasses on meat quality parameters were compared. Venison was evaluated from red deer stags (n=14), bucks (n=14) and fallow deer does (n=10) between 12 and 36months old. Immediately after slaughter, carcasses were split down the dorsal midline and assigned to one of the two hanging methods and pH and core body temperature measured. Twenty-four hours post-slaughter muscles were excised. Venison from fallow deer and red deer stags pelvic-suspended had significantly lower (P<0.001) cooked shear force values than Achilles hung carcasses. There was no significant difference between hanging technique for other characteristics measured. These data indicated that pelvic suspension should be adopted by the deer industry to increase tenderness of venison.

Hızlı Soğutma ve Pelvik Asılmanın Kuzulara Ait Longissimus dorsi Kasındaki Et Kalitesi Üzerine Etkisi

Summary The objective of this study was to examine the effect of rapid (RC) and conventional (CC) chilling with achilles (AS) and pelvic (PS) suspension on the meat quality of M. Longissimus dorsi. Twenty lamb carcasses were randomly allocated immediately prior to slaughter to the two experimental groups which were subjected to four different treatments. In the first group, carcasses were suspended from the Achilles tendon. Right sides (RC/AS; n=10) were rapidly chilled, while the left sides (CC/AS; n=10) were conventionally chilled. In the second group, the carcasses were re-hanged from the pelvic bone. Right sides (RC/PS; n=10) were rapidly chilled whilst the left sides (CC/PS; n=10) were conventionally chilled. Meat quality was evaluated by measuring the water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), surface colour and shear force (SF). As a result, CC accelerated the rate of pH decline while RC increased the temperature decline. RC reduced CL and WHC values. PS had no impact on WHC, CL and color of steaks, but decreased the SF values on the 7 th days of post-mortem. In conclusion; PS is a useful method for improving tenderness during storage period and the disadvantageous effect of RC on SF could be equalized by using PS.

Effect of suspension method and aging time on meat quality of Chinese fattened cattle M. Longissimus dorsi

Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of suspension method and aging time on quality traits of Chinese fattened cattle M. Longissimus dorsi (LD). At the end of the slaughter line, the right sides of carcasses were re-hung from the pelvic bone obturator foramen, while the left sides remained hung by Achilles tendon suspension (AS). LD muscles were aged for 1, 7, 14 and 21days and were then evaluated for quality index. Pelvic suspension (PS) significantly decreased the WBSF of beef muscle at 1d and 7d postmortem compared with AS. The tenderness with PS at 7d postmortem was similar with that of AS at 14d. Moreover, PS increased sarcomere length and decreased purge loss of LD significantly. In addition, aging time had a significant effect on pH, meat color, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and myofibril fragmentation index of LD muscle. To conclude, PS is valuable to be introduced to the beef industry in China for rapid (within 7days) improvement of beef tenderness and decreased aging time of Chinese fattened cattle.

Animal model of simulated microgravity: a comparative study of hindlimb unloading via tail versus pelvic suspension.

The aim of this study was to compare physiological effects of hindlimb suspension (HLS) in tail- and pelvic-HLS rat models to determine if severe stretch in the tail-HLS rats lumbosacral skeleton may contribute to the changes traditionally attributed to simulated microgravity and musculoskeletal disuse in the tail-HLS model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into suspended and control-nonsuspended groups were subjected to two separate methods of suspension and maintained with regular food and water for 2 weeks. Body weights, food and water consumption, soleus muscle weight, tibial bone mineral density, random plasma insulin, and hindlimb pain on pressure threshold (PPT) were measured. X-ray analysis demonstrated severe lordosis in tail- but not pelvic-HLS animals. However, growth retardation, food consumption, and soleus muscle weight and tibial bone density (decreased relative to control) did not differ between two HLS models. Furthermore, HLS rats developed similar levels of insulinopenia and mechanical hyperalgesia (decreased PPT) in both tail- and pelvic-HLS groups. In the rat-to-rat comparisons, the growth retardation and the decreased PPT observed in HLS-rats was most associated with insulinopenia. In conclusion, these data suggest that HLS results in mild prediabetic state with some signs of pressure hyperalgesia, but lumbosacral skeleton stretch plays little role, if any, in these pathological changes.