Splenius Research Articles

Effects of Industrial Maintenance Task Complexity on Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activity During Augmented Reality Interactions

Extensive studies have demonstrated the advantages of augmented reality (AR) in improving efficiency, thereby fulfilling a quality role in industry. Yet, the corresponding physical strain on individuals poses a significant challenge. This study explores the effects of task difficulty (complex versus simple maintenance activities) and multimedia guidance (e.g., paper-based versus AR via HoloLens) on physical strain, body discomfort ratings, perceived exertion, and mental effort. A 2 × 2 mixed design was employed, involving a total of 28 participants with an average age of 32.12 ± 2.45 years. Physical strain was evaluated by measuring the normalized root mean square (RMS) of electromyography (EMG) indicators, expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) from six muscles (i.e., right flexor carpi radialis (RFCR), right middle deltoid (RMD), right upper trapezius (RUT), right cervical extensor (RCE), and right and left splenius (RSPL and LSPL) muscles. The results indicated that AR instruction, particularly in complex tasks, led to higher physical strain in the neck and shoulder muscles (RCE and RUT) compared with paper-based methods. However, AR significantly reduced strain in the RSPL, LSPL, RMD, and RFCR muscles during both simple and complex tasks. This study highlights that while AR can lower physical strain in certain muscle groups, it also introduces increased strain in the neck and shoulders, particularly during more demanding tasks. This study highlights the need for ergonomic considerations when designing and implementing AR technologies, especially for complex tasks that inherently demand more from the user, both physically and cognitively.

Effects of Sling-Suspension-Based Active Shoulder Joint Exercise on Shoulder Joint Subluxation, Pain, Muscle Strength, and Upper Limb Function in Patients with Subacute Stroke.

Background and Objectives: We investigated the effects of sling-suspension-based active shoulder joint exercise training on shoulder joint subluxation, pain, muscle strength, and upper extremity function in patients with subacute stroke. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to either the sling-suspension-based active shoulder joint exercise (SASE) group (n = 14) or the motorized upper extremity exercise (MUEE) group (n = 14). The SASE group actively performed shoulder joint flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation, and horizontal abduction and adduction using a sling suspension system, whereas the MUEE group underwent an exercise program using a motorized upper extremity exercise machine. All participants underwent a 4-week intervention with 30 min of exercise once a day for 5 days a week. Additionally, both groups received general physical therapy and functional electrical stimulation for 30 min twice a day for 5 days a week. Shoulder joint subluxation was measured by radiographic examination before and after training, and pain was evaluated in the splenius, upper trapezius, and infraspinatus muscles using pressure parameters. In addition, a manual muscle tester was used to assess the muscle strength of the shoulder joint flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, and external and internal rotators, and the Fugl-Mayer Assessment (FMA) and Manual Functional Test (MFT) were used to evaluate upper extremity function. Results: A significant group-time interaction was observed for pain, with F-values of F(1, 26) = 7.470, p < 0.011 for the splenius and F(1, 26) = 9.623, p < 0.005 for the upper trapezius. A significant time-group interaction was observed for the muscle strength of the shoulder, with F-values of F(1, 26) = 13.211, p < 0.001; F(1, 26) = 4.974, p = 0.035 and F(1, 26) = 9.674, p = 0.004 for flexors, abductors, and external rotators, respectively. A significant time-group interaction was observed in the FMA, with F-values of F(1, 26) = 13.243, p < 0.001. When comparing the interaction effects between time and group for MFT scores, a significant difference was observed, with F-values of F(1, 26) = 32.386, p < 0.001. Conclusions: This study confirmed that sling-suspension-based active shoulder joint exercises are effective in improving shoulder joint subluxation, pain, muscle strength, and upper extremity function in patients with subacute stroke.

Heterotopic ovarian allotransplantation in a caprine model: Effects of implant site on morphological parameters

This study aimed to investigate a new implantation site (intra-auricular subcutaneous - IA) compared to intramuscular (IM) in the cervical portion (cervical splenius muscle) of the neck for ovarian transplantation in goats. Morphological aspects of the implant, follicular activation and morphology, and type I and III collagen deposits of the transplanted tissue were evaluated. Four fragments of the ovarian cortex were allotransplanted at the IA and IM sites in all goat recipients and recovered 7 (IA-7; IM-7) or 15 (IA-15; IM-15) days later and submitted to histological analysis. Two fragments/animal were separated for the fresh control (FC) group. There was a higher percentage of normal and developing primordial follicles at the IA-7 site (P < 0.05) compared to the other treatments, with similar values to the fresh control. Type I and III collagen fibers differed between the groups (P < 0.05), showing a considerable decrease in type I collagen fibers at the IA-7 site compared to the FC. However, the IM-7 and IA-15 sites showed higher values of type I collagen fibers, showing similarity to the FC. Therefore, we conclude that the IA site in goats is an effective site for ovarian tissue transplantation, as it is easily accessible, low invasive and has presented satisfactory rates of morphology and follicular activation.

The Impact of HVLA Manipulations and Therapeutic Massage in Increasing the Mobility of the Lateral Flexion of the Neck

The purpose of this study was to establish if high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation (HVLA) combined with therapeutic massage can improve cervical spine mobility, particularly neck lateral flexion, on the left and right sides, given that lateral neck flexion is 90 degrees. The sample of 75 participants was comprised of 35 men (46.6%) and 40 women (53.3%), all of whom were between the ages of 20 and 60 and were divided into four groups based on their average ages: 20 to 30 years, 31 to 40 years, 41 to 50 years, and 51 to 60 years. These groups were further subdivided into two groups by gender, male and female. Patients' lateral flexion was measured with a goniometer, which displays the angle of lateral flexion before and after treatment. C1-C7 vertebral level and shoulder joint level HVLA procedures were conducted. The therapeutic massage concentrated on the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, platysma, splenius, and semispinalis muscles using relaxing techniques. Each patient's left and right elbow lateral flexion was measured with a goniometer following HVLA manipulations and therapeutic massage to see whether or not there was a significant increase. After combining the findings and measurements, we were able to determine that these combined methods increase the cervical spine joint mobility of the 75 participants by a mean of 12.36 degrees.

Determining the effects of AR/VR HMD design parameters (mass and inertia) on cervical spine joint torques

This study aimed to determine gravitational and dynamic torques and muscle activity of the neck across a series of design parameters of head mounted displays (mass, center of mass, and counterweights) associated with virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR). Twenty young adult participants completed five movement types (Slow and Fast Flexion/Extension and Rotation, and Search) while wearing a custom-designed prototype headset that varied the three design parameters: display mass (0, 200, 500, and 750 g), distance of the display's center of mass in front of the eyes (approximately 1, 3, and 5 cm anteriorly), and counterweights of 0, 166, 332, and 500 g to balance the display mass of 500 g at 7 cm. Inverse dynamics of a link segment model of the head and headset provided estimates of the torques about the joint between the skull and the occiput-first cervical vertebrae (OC1) and joint between the C7 and T1 vertebrae (C7). Surface electromyography (EMG) measured bilateral muscle activity of the splenius and upper trapezius muscles. Adding 750 g of display mass nearly doubled root mean square joint torques across all movement types. Increasing the distance of the display mass in front of the eyes by 4 cm increased torques about OC1 for the Slow and Fast Rotation and Search movements by approximately 20%. Adding a counterweight decreased torques about OC1 during the rotation and search tasks but did not decrease the torques experienced in the lower cervical spine (C7). For the flexion/extension axis, the magnitude of the dynamic torque component was 20% or less of the total torque experienced whereas for the rotation axis the magnitude of the dynamic torque component was greater than 50% of the total torque. Surface EMG root mean square values significantly varied across movement types with the fast rotation having the largest values; however, they did not vary significantly across the headset configurations.

The use of percutaneous thermal sensing microchips for non-invasive measurement of body temperature in foals during summer seasons in a subtropical region

Continuous accurate attainment of the body temperature of foals is important to detect early stages of severe heat stress or fever due to a systemic illness. Among a number of methods to measure body temperature, measuring rectal temperature with a digital thermometer is most frequently used due to being relatively fast and simple method. It is also comparatively accurate and correlates well with the core body temperature. However, this method requires restraining the foal for a few seconds to obtain the temperature, and it can be dangerous for the handling person. Percutaneous thermal sensing microchips (PTSMs) are a means of monitoring the body temperature of horses, which offers a non-invasive, hygienic, quick, and accurate way to measure body temperature and provide an identification number for each individual, once it is implanted. This study tested the hypothesis that PTSM has a strong relationship with a conventional body temperature measurement, i.e., measuring rectal temperature with a digital thermometer of foals during summer seasons. Thirty-two foals in three consecutive foaling seasons (2018, 2019, and 2020 season) were implanted a PTSM into the right pectoral muscle, the right splenius muscle, the right gluteal muscle, and the nuchal ligament as early as two weeks after birth. The four PTSM temperatures, rectal temperature, and climate conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, and wet-bulb globe temperature) were obtained simultaneously during the three summer seasons and paired for comparison analysis. Among the PTSM temperatures, the pectoral muscle had the highest correlation and the least differences with rectal temperature. Using PTSM was safe, easy, and reliable for attaining body temperature in foals.

The Use of Percutaneous Thermal Sensing Microchips to Measure Body Temperature in Horses during and after Exercise Using Three Different Cool-Down Methods.

Simple SummaryStrenuous exercise can increase the chance of exertional heat illness (EHI) in horses. To alleviate or prevent EHI in horses, aggressive human intervention is critical, as well as frequent monitoring of body temperature. If body temperature could be obtained more accurately, safely, and rapidly post-exercise, it could act as a rapid point-of-care in detecting the early stages of EHI in horses. A percutaneous thermal sensing microchip (PTSM) has the potential to provide an accurate body temperature, more rapidly and safely post-exercise. However, to achieve this, the optimal body site for microchip implantation must be determined. Furthermore, PTSMs have only be assessed over a short period of time post-exercise in horses. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the core body temperature and muscle temperatures measured by PTSMs during exercise, and post-exercise application of different cool-down methods. Identifying the accuracy and usefulness of PTSMs as a means of monitoring the body temperature of horses after strenuous exercise, may help to detect the early stages of EHI, and determine if aggressive human intervention is required.The frequent monitoring of a horse’s body temperature post strenuous exercise is critical to prevent or alleviate exertional heat illness (EHI) from occurring. Percutaneous thermal sensing microchip (PTSM) technology has the potential to be used as a means of monitoring a horse’s body temperature during and post-exercise. However, the accuracy of the temperature readings obtained, and their relationship to core body temperature are dependent on where they are implanted. This study aimed to document the relationship between core body temperature, and temperature readings obtained using PTSM implanted in different muscles, during exercise and post application of different cool-down methods. PTSMs were implanted into the right pectoral, right gluteal, right splenius muscles, and nuchal ligament. The temperatures were monitored during treadmill exercise, and post application of three different cool-down methods: no water application (Wno), water application only (Wonly), and water application following scraping (Wscraping). Central venous temperature (TCV) and PTSM temperatures from each region were obtained to investigate the optimal body site for microchip implantation. In this study, PTSM technology provided a practical, safe, and quick means of measuring body temperature in horses. However, its temperature readings varied depending on the implantation site. All muscle temperature readings exhibited strong relationships with TCV (r = 0.85~0.92, p < 0.05) after treadmill exercise without human intervention (water application), while the nuchal ligament temperature showed poor relationship with TCV. The relationships between TCV and PTSM temperatures became weaker with water application. Overall, however the pectoral muscle temperature measured by PTSM technology had the most constant relationships with TCV and showed the best potential to act as an alternate means of monitoring body temperature in horses for 50 min post-exercise, when there was no human intervention with cold water application.

Особенности болевого синдрома у пациентов с эпизодической и хронической головной болью напряжения

Актуальность. Головная боль напряжения (ГБН) — наиболее распространенный в популяции тип головной боли (ГБ). Некоторые исследования показали, что мышечное напряжение значительно возрастает с увеличением частоты ГБН, болезненность мышц может расти во время приступов ГБ. Высказано предположение, что непрерывный ноцицептивный вклад периферических миофасциальных структур может вызвать центральную сенсибилизации и, возможно, хронизацию ГБ. Целью исследования было изучение особенностей болевого синдрома у пациентов с эпизодической и хронической головной болью напряжения. Материалы и методы. Было обследовано 108 пациентов (55 мужчин, 53 женщины) с диагнозами «частая эпизодическая головная боль напряжения» (ЭГБН) (группа I, n = 64) и «хроническая головная боль напряжения» (ХГБН) (группа II, n = 44). Проводилось клинико­неврологическое обследование, пальпация перикраниальных и шейных мышц с обеих сторон с подсчетом числа болезненности перикраниальных мышц (ЧБПМ) и числа болезненности мышц шеи (ЧБМШ) для каждого пациента и их среднее значение в группе. Для оценки субъективной выраженности боли использовался метод визуальной аналоговой шкалы (ВАШ), для качественной характеристики боли — болевой опросник Мак­Гилла. Результаты. Пациенты обследованных групп по интенсивности ГБ по ВАШ существенно не отличались, показатель был в пределах умеренного с тенденцией к более выраженному в группе II. В обеих группах при пальпации перикраниальных и шейных мышц с обеих сторон болезненность при пальпации в основном была в пределах от слабой до умеренной, кроме трапециевидной и ременной мышц головы, где болезненность носила характер от умеренной до выраженной. В группе I по сравнению с группой II выявлено достоверное превышение показателя ЧБПМ и ЧБМШ слева, ЧБПМ справа и не отмечено различий между ЧБМШ групп I и II справа. У пациентов с ЭГБН выраженность мышечной болезненности снижалась с возрастом, были выше показатели, описывающие сенсорные и психоэмоциональные характеристики боли, выявлена положительная корреляционная связь между болезненностью перикраниальных мышц и интенсивностью и частотой ГБ в месяц. У пациентов с ХГБН обнаружены корреляционные связи между интенсивностью, средней продолжительностью ГБ в месяц и сенсорными и психоэмоциональными характеристиками боли, что может свидетельствовать о вовлечении центральных и периферических ноцицептивных механизмов в патогенез хронической ГБН. Выводы. Наличие мышечной болезненности, сенсорные и психоэмоциональные характеристики ГБ необходимо учитывать при планировании лечебных и реабилитационных стратегий, что будет препятствовать прогрессированию и хронизации ГБ и способствовать повышению качества жизни пациентов.

Fast and slow myofiber-specific expression profiles are affected by noncoding RNAs in Mongolian horses

The heterogeneity and plasticity of muscle fibers are essential for the athletic performance of horses, mainly at the adaption of exercises and the effect on muscle diseases. Skeletal muscle fibers can be generally distinguished by their characteristics of contraction as slow and fast type myofibers. The diversity of contractile properties and metabolism enable skeletal muscles to respond to the variable functional requirements. We investigated the muscle fiber composition and metabolic enzyme activities of splenius muscle and gluteus medius muscle from Mongolian horses. The deep RNA-seq analysis of detecting differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs and their correlation analysis from two muscles were performed. Splenius muscle and gluteus medius muscle from Mongolian horses showed a high divergence of myofiber compositions and metabolic enzyme activities. Corresponding to their phenotypic characteristics, 57 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs and 12 differentially expressed circle RNAs were found between two muscles. The analysis results indicate multiple binding sites were detected in lncRNAs and circRNAs with myofiber-specific expressed miRNAs. Among which we found significant correlations between the above noncoding RNAs, miRNAs, their target genes, myofiber-specific developmental transcript factors, and sarcomere genes. We suggest that the ceRNA mechanism of differentially expressed noncoding RNAs by acting as miRNA sponges could be fine tuners in regulating skeletal muscle fiber composition and transition in horses, which will operate new protective measures of muscle disease and locomotor adaption for racehorses.

Patients Treated with Acupuncture on Splenius Muscle and Combined Korean Medicine for Acute Dizziness Caused by Whiplash Injury: Three Case Reports

Patients Treated with Acupuncture on Splenius Muscle and Combined Korean Medicine for Acute Dizziness Caused by Whiplash Injury: Three Case Reports

The Use of Percutaneous Thermal Sensing Microchips for Body Temperature Measurements in Horses Prior to, during and after Treadmill Exercise.

Simple SummaryDuring exercise, horses produce heat from working muscles, and this heat, under certain circumstances, may accumulate in the body. Conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation are the primary heat transfer mechanisms for the control of body temperature. Horses that undergo strenuous exercise in hot and humid environments may have heat production that exceeds their ability to dissipate the heat. Therefore, the horse could be at risk from postexercise exertional heat illness, possibly leading to heat shock and death. To avoid this outcome, many Thoroughbred racehorses are cooled-down postracing by using water application (ice-cold water or ambient temperature water), fans, combinations of water application and fans, or water application followed by scraping the water off the horse. Early detection of the clinical signs of exertional heat illness and adequate treatments are important to prevent severe hyperthermia and irreversible thermal damage. The development and application of technology that will provide accurate, rapid, safe, and noninvasive monitoring of body temperature changes might help the detection of postrace exertional heat illness in equine athletes. Implanted percutaneous thermal sensing microchip (PTSM) is a reliable method to measure body temperature in horses; however, the optimal location within the body of the horse needs to be determined.Accurately measuring body temperature in horses will improve the management of horses suffering from or being at risk of developing postrace exertional heat illness. PTSM has the potential for measuring body temperature accurately, safely, rapidly, and noninvasively. This study was undertaken to investigate the relation between the core body temperature and PTSM temperatures prior to, during, and immediately after exercise. The microchips were implanted into the nuchal ligament, the right splenius, gluteal, and pectoral muscles, and these locations were then compared with the central venous temperature, which is considered to be the “gold standard” for assessing core body temperature. The changes in temperature of each implant in the horses were evaluated in each phase (prior to, during, and immediately postexercise) and combining all phases. There were strong positive correlations ranging from 0.82 to 0.94 (p < 0.001) of all the muscle sites with the central venous temperature when combining all the phases. Additionally, during the whole period, PTSM had narrow limits of agreement (LOA) with central venous temperature, which inferred that PTSM is essentially equivalent in measuring horse body temperature. Overall, the pectoral PTSM provided a valid estimation of the core body temperature.

Effect of Head-Mounted Augmented Reality Devices on Electric Utility Manhole Workers: Neck Muscle Activity and Eye Blink Rate

Two head-mounted augmented reality (AR) systems, Microsoft HoloLens and RealWear HMT-1, were tested to determine their effect on blink rate and muscle activity of the neck and shoulder muscles of electric utility manhole workers. The task of splicing a cable was performed under three conditions: HoloLens, HMT-1, and No AR (normal). Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the right and left sternocleidomastoid, splenius, semispinalis capitis, and upper trapezius muscles were measured on 13 manhole workers, and a small camera recorded blink rate of the right eye. Results revealed, in general, no significant differences in 50th and 90th percentile sEMG between the three conditions. There was no difference in blink rate between the HMT-1 and No AR, but the HoloLens blink rate was 7.8 to 11 blinks/min lower than the HMT-1 for two of the three tasks. A decrease in blink rate of these magnitudes may indicate risk of eye strain to manhole workers who use an OST AR device without appropriate rest breaks. Head-mounted AR devices deployed for underground utility workers warrant further study.

Morphology of the spinal nerves from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the African giant rat (Cricetomys Gambianus).

This study provides detailed description of the gross morphology and distribution of the nerves arising from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the African Giant Rat (AGR). Two (2) AGRs were used for this study. The rats were euthanized using halothane. The skin and superficial fascia were removed, and dissection of the muscles in the cervical region and thoracic limbs was carried out. The vertebral canal was opened by means of a rongeur. Eight (8) pairs of spinal nerves (C1-C8) arose from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the AGR by means of dorsal and ventral roots which merged lateral to the spinal cord to form spinal nerves. Each cervical spinal nerve divided into a dorsal and ventral ramus just before exiting the intervertebral foramen. The dorsal rami divided into medial and lateral branches distributed on the medial faces of the semispinalis and splenius muscles, respectively. The ventral rami of C1, C2 and a branch from C3 interconnected to form the cervical plexus from which branches were distributed to the M.cleidomstoideus,M.cleidooccipitalis,M.occipitoscapularis,M.omotransversariusandM. trapezius.The ventral rami of C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1 (first thoracic spinal nerve)interconnectedto form the brachial plexus.The cervical spinal nerves gave rise to dorsal rami or primary branches that supplied the skin and muscles of the dorsal part of the neck and the ventral primary branches which interconnected to give rise to the cervical plexus and brachial plexuses of theAGR.

Do Muscle Activities of M. Splenius and M. Brachiocephalicus Decrease Because of Exercise-Induced Fatigue in Thoroughbred Horses?

Muscle activities of the major hindlimb muscles have been reported to decrease with fatigue in horses. However, those in other muscles have been scarcely reported. We aimed to quantify fatigue-induced electromyographic changes in head and neck muscles and muscles around the shoulder joints in horses. Surface electromyographic recording of the splenius, brachiocephalicus, infraspinatus, and deltoid muscles was performed on a total of nine healthy Thoroughbred horses. Horses galloped on a treadmill inclined to 3% at a constant speed (12.7–14.6 m/second) to make them fatigued after approximately 5 minutes. They trotted at 3.5 m/second before and after this exercise. Stride frequency, integrated electromyographic values for a stride, and median frequency of the muscle discharge were calculated every 30 seconds. These parameters were compared at the start and end of the gallop exercise for the lead and trailing limbs and while trotting before and after the exercise using a paired t-test. The stride frequency significantly decreased at the end of the gallop (P < .001), whereas it did not change while trotting. Integrated electromyographic values of the splenius and brachiocephalicus muscles in both lead and trailing limbs at the gallop and those of both left and right sides at the trot significantly decreased with fatigue (P < .05), whereas those of infraspinatus and deltoid muscles did not change at either gallop or trot. No changes were observed in median frequency in any muscles with fatigue. These results suggest that splenius and brachiocephalicus muscle activities can be associated with stride frequency and speed.

Effect of Two Common Head-Mounted Augmented Reality Systems on Muscle Force and Blink Rate of Electric Utility Power Plant Operators

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that combines real and virtual information presented to the user in an interactive way in real time. The Microsoft HoloLens and RealWear HMT-1 are two common types of head-mounted AR available to industrial field workers. These two AR systems were tested on how they affected blink rate, an indicator of eye strain, and electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the neck and shoulder muscles of electric utility power plant operators while they performed five routine inspection tasks of coal equipment. The inspection tasks were conducted under three conditions: HoloLens, HMT-1, and No AR (regular method). Workers communicated with the HoloLens with a right-hand gesture and by voice input to the HMT-1. The duration of the inspection tasks ranged from an average of 10 to 28 sec. Twelve experienced power plant operators participated in the study. sEMG) of the right and left sternocleidomastoid, splenius, semispinalis capitis, and upper trapezius muscles were measured, and a small camera recorded blink rate of the right eye. Results reveal generally no significant differences in 50th and 90th percentile sEMG between the three conditions for all eight muscles. Although the means of blink rate appeared consistently lower with the HoloLens than the No AR and HMT-1 (approximately 4.4 blinks/min), these differences were not significant at the 0.05 level (p=0.06 to 0.17). Future studies should investigate a larger sample size of workers wearing AR devices for longer time periods (&gt; 30 min) to determine long-term effects of AR devices on muscle activity and eye strain. A system of hardware, software, and experimental protocol was developed that follow-up studies may employ to test physiological effects of AR devices.

Minimally Invasive Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation (MICEPS) via a Posterolateral Approach.

Cervical pedicle screw (PS) fixation provides great mechanical strength; however, it needs wide soft tissue detachment and has vertebral artery damage risk. Minimally invasive cervical pedicle screw (MICEPS) fixation, a new method for cervical PS fixation through a posterolateral approach, was developed to reduce soft tissue damage and avoid lateral misplacement of screws. Sixty-seven patients with cervical injury underwent MICEPS fixation. They were positioned prone on a radiolucent carbon table with a carbon Mayfield frame. A reference frame was attached to the spinous process through a small skin incision. One or 2 lateral incisions were made for screw insertion under navigation guidance. After the nuchal fascia was cut, the lateral mass was exposed with blunt dissection between the levator scapulae and splenius muscles. A self-retaining tubular retractor with illumination was applied between split muscle fibers. A 1.4-mm K-wire was inserted using an electric driver under navigation guidance. Drill and tap and cannulated PSs were sequentially inserted over the K-wire; facet fusion via bone grafting can be performed at this time. The rod was placed to the screw head. This technique can reduce intraoperative bleeding and screw deviation rate, with neither of the misplaced screws deviating laterally in the MICEPS group.

Splenius capitis: sensitive target for the cVEMP in older and neurodegenerative patients.

The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a technique used to assess vestibular function. Cervical VEMPs (cVEMPs) are obtained conventionally from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle; however, the dorsal neck muscle splenius capitis (SPL) has also been shown to be a reliable target alongside the SCM in young subjects. This study aimed to compare cVEMPs from the SCM and SPL in two positions across young, older, and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Experiments were carried out using surface EMG electrodes placed over the SCM and SPL. cVEMPs were measured using a 30s, 126dB sound stimulus with 222 individual tone bursts, while subjects were in a supine and head-turned posture (also known as the head elevation method), and in a seated head-turned posture. When comparing cVEMPs across positions, the incidence of supine and seated SCM-cVEMPs diminished significantly in older and PD patients in comparison with young subjects. However, no statistically significant differences in incidences were found in seated SPL-cVEMPs when comparing young, older and PD patients. SPL-cVEMPs were present significantly more often than seated SCM-cVEMPs in PD patients. SPL-cVEMPs are not altered to the same extent that SCM-cVEMPs are by aging and disease and its addition to cVEMP testing may reduce false-positive tests for vestibulopathy.

The human electrocerebellogram (ECeG) recorded non-invasively using scalp electrodes

The electrocerebellogram (ECeG), a manifestation of cerebellar cortical local field potentials (LFPs), is characterised by a predominance of high frequency components at the gamma range (30–80 Hz) and beyond up to several hundred Hz, in contrast to the electroencephalogram (EEG) which is composed predominantly of lower frequencies at or below the gamma range. Although the potential clinical role of the ECeG has been suggested, the prospect of a non-invasive method for routine recording in humans has remained elusive. Here we show for the first time that high-frequency power characteristic of the ECeG may be easily measurable using surface electrodes placed over the posterior fossa at the approximate original 10/20 CB location. In a sample of six subjects we have compared continuous electrical recordings in a supine posture under visual motion stimulation at CB1/2, about 5% inferior and medial to PO9/10 of the 10–10 system, with those at standard 10/20 locations of C3/4 and O1/2, as well as over the splenius muscles as controls against myogenic contamination. In a neutral baseline condition high-frequency power was significantly greater over the posterior fossa, especially in ultra-gamma (80–160 Hz) and very high frequency (VHF, 160–320 Hz) bands, compared to occipital or central leads. We also found that visual stimulation, in the form of visual motion in particular, was effective in increasing the high-frequency power in CB electrodes, including in beta (14–30 Hz) and gamma, compared with electrodes over the occipital and frontal cortex. We propose that the human ECeG can be recorded non-invasively and may have application both in understanding cerebellar function and clinically.

Case Study: A Possible Accessory Muscle of the Serratus Posterior Superior Muscle

Anatomical variation is defined as the normal range of possibilities in the topography and morphology of body structures. In contrast, congenital anomaly is any structural or functional anatomical finding beyond the normal range of possibilities. This case study describes a congenital anomaly found in a 73‐year old preserved Caucasian male.This individual presents an atypical left accessory neck muscle originating from the transverse process of the C1 (Atlas) vertebrae. It inserts at more than 90 degrees onto the serratus posterior superior (SPS) proximal attachment at the C7 level.Head and neck anatomical variations are also present in this individual, which include 4‐headed levator scapulae and 3‐headed splenius muscles bilaterally.It is thought that this anomaly is a result of embryologic development and it is hypothesize that the atypical neck muscle may reinforce the action of the SPS. Due to the rarity of this finding, a description of such a case is very infrequent in the literature. Identifying anatomical head and neck anomalies are important in understanding pathological and evolutionary implications in our species.Support or Funding InformationThe opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the author/speaker and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of Defense, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or any other agency of the U.S. Government.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

New Laminoplasty Technique for Preserving Paravertebral Muscles: Technical Note.

To develop a new laminoplasty technique for preserving paravertebral muscles. In this technique, semispinalis and splenius muscles are cut approximately 1 cm laterally to the muscle insertion point to the spinous process at the laminotomy side. Then, multifidus and rotatory muscles are dissected subperiosteally and retracted laterally. The posterior part of the spinous process is cut horizontally below the insertion point of the semispinalis and splenius muscles. At this point, all the contralateral paravertebral muscles with the cut head of the spinous process are dissected subperiosteally and retracted laterally in the same manner as the laminotomy side. After the open-door laminoplasty for reconstruction of the anatomical formation, we fixed the head of the spinous process on the opening side laminae close to the inferior part of the spinous process with a titanium wire. This technique is unique in that it reconstructs the spine similar to its normal anatomical form by preserving the posterior paravertebral muscles' attachments to the bones and tension ligaments. This technique can reduce the risk of axial pain and kyphotic deformity, and prevent the reduction of ROM.