Musculoskeletal System Commons^™

Life-Long Reduction In Myomir Expression Does Not Adversely Affect Skeletal Muscle Morphology, Ivan J. Vechetti Jr., Yuan Wen, Thomas Chaillou, Kevin A. Murach, Alexander Alimov, Vandre C. Figueiredo, Maeli Dal-Pai-Silva, John J. Mccarthy

Physiology Faculty Publications

We generated an inducible, skeletal muscle-specific Dicer knockout mouse to deplete microRNAs in adult skeletal muscle. Following tamoxifen treatment, Dicer mRNA expression was significantly decreased by 87%. Wild-type (WT) and Dicer knockout (KO) mice were subjected to either synergist ablation or hind limb suspension for two weeks. There was no difference in muscle weight with hypertrophy or atrophy between WT and KO groups; however, even with the significant loss of Dicer expression, myomiR (miR-1, -133a and -206) expression was only reduced by 38% on average. We next aged WT and KO mice for ~22 months following Dicer inactivation to determine …

The Pairing Of Trigger Point Dry Needling With Rehabilitation Techniques, Karle Kotze

Senior Honors Theses

Trigger point dry needling is a manual treatment modality used for individuals experiencing tightness, pain, and inhibited range of motion in any region of the body. Dry needling can be described as the insertion of a blunt, microfilament non-medicated needle into the skin for the purpose of targeting specific muscles, which contain tight bands known as trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point the muscle contracts, holds tight to the needle, and elicits a neural twitch response. This ultimately causes the muscle to relax, allowing for reduction in pain and improvements in range of motion. Although …

The Prevalence And Consequences Of Poor Posture In Children And Adolescents, Timothy Kounter

Senior Honors Theses

Correct posture is identified as a crucial aspect of healthy bodily functioning. The scientific community continues to discover evidence suggesting that improper sitting and standing posture results in musculoskeletal pain, degradation of ligaments, hindered respiratory functioning, and even increased feelings of negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Whether due to limited physical capabilities, a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of physical posture, or other reasons, much of the general population consistently partakes in improper posture for increasing bouts of time despite the research. Technological advancements in particular seem to be exacerbating the situation, with the youngest and most …

How The Foot Modulates Its Mechanics During Uphill And Downhill Walking, Jeffrey M. Patterson, Kota Z. Takahashi

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The foot's biomechanical role in walking on sloped surfaces is currently unclear. While previous biomechanics studies have examined the hip, knee, and ankle, the foot is oversimplified as a rigid-body segment. This oversimplification overshadows its complex structure and function. In this project, we use an innovative multi-segment foot model to explore how the foot adapts its mechanics to incline and decline walking. Preliminary results have revealed that the foot is capable of adapting its mechanical work profile to both incline and decline walking. Specifically, the foot can increase its positive work output (i.e., increased energy generation) during inclined walking to …

The Morphology And Evolution Of The Primate Brachial Plexus, Brian M. Shearer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Primate evolutionary history is inexorably linked to the evolution of a broad array of locomotor adaptations that have facilitated the clade’s invasion of new niches. Researchers studying the evolution of primates and of their individual locomotor adaptations have traditionally relied on bony morphology – a practical choice given the virtual non-existence of any other type of tissue in the fossil record. However, this focus downplays the potential importance of the many other structures involved in locomotion, such as muscle, cartilage, and neural tissue, which may each be influenced by separate selective forces because of their different roles in facilitating movement. …

Human Skeletal Muscle Macrophages Increase Following Cycle Training And Are Associated With Adaptations That May Facilitate Growth, R. Grace Walton, Kate Kosmac, Jyothi Mula, Christopher S. Fry, Bailey D. Peck, Jason S. Groshong, Brian S. Finlin, Beibei Zhu, Philip A. Kern, Charlotte A. Peterson

Center for Muscle Biology Faculty Publications

Skeletal muscle macrophages participate in repair and regeneration following injury. However, their role in physiological adaptations to exercise is unexplored. We determined whether endurance exercise training (EET) alters macrophage content and characteristics in response to resistance exercise (RE), and whether macrophages are associated with other exercise adaptations. Subjects provided vastus lateralis biopsies before and after one bout of RE, after 12 weeks of EET (cycling), and after a final bout of RE. M2 macrophages (CD11b+/CD206+) did not increase with RE, but increased in response to EET (P < 0.01). Increases in M2 macrophages were positively correlated with fiber hypertrophy (r = 0.49) and satellite cells (r = 0.47). M2c macrophages (CD206+/CD163+) also increased following EET (P < 0.001), and were associated with fiber hypertrophy (r = 0.64). Gene expression was quantified using NanoString. Following EET, the change in M2 macrophages was positively associated with changes in HGF, IGF1, and extracellular matrix genes. EET decreased expression of IL6 (P < 0.05), C/EBPβ (P < 0.01), and MuRF (P < 0.05), and increased expression of IL-4 (P < 0.01), TNFα (P < 0.01) and the TWEAK receptor FN14 (P < 0.05). The change in FN14 gene expression was inversely associated with changes in C/EBPβ (r = −0.58) and MuRF (r = −0.46) following EET. In cultured human myotubes, siRNA inhibition of FN14 increased expression of C/EBPβ (P < 0.05) and MuRF (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that macrophages contribute to the muscle response to EET, potentially including modulation of TWEAK-FN14 signaling.

Perceived Exertion And The Increase In Risk Of Injury In Rotc Cadets, Courtney D. Chiaramonte

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Context: Musculoskeletal injury in military personnel creates problems due to economic losses, and decreased training. The repetitive motions associated with military training and the daily physical training sessions can lead to the development of fatigue. Fatigue has been shown to contribute to 18% - 26% of musculoskeletal injuries. [7] Several studies have explored fatigue as a risk of injury during occupation. Fatigue has been shown to increase the perceived effort during physical exercise. The purpose of this study was to characterize the perception of effort during physical training sessions and injury rates in ROTC cadets throughout an academic year.

Methods …

Walking Biomechanics And Energetics Of Individuals With A Visual Impairment: A Preliminary Report, Hunter J. Bennett, Kevin A. Valenzuela, Kristina Fleenor, Steven Morrison, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose.

Although walking gait in sighted populations is well researched, few studies have investigated persons with visual impairments (VIs). Given the lack of physical activity in people with VIs, it is possible that reduced efficiency in walking could adversely affect activity. The purposes of this preliminary study were to (1) examine the biomechanics and energetics utilized during independent and guided walking in subjects with VIs, and (2) compare gait biomechanics between people with VIs and sighted controls.

Methods.

Three-dimensional motion capture and force platforms were used during independent and guided walking at self-selected speeds. Joint angles, moments, external work, and …

Abnormal Response Of Costal Chondrocytes To Acidosis In Patients With Chest Wall Deformity, A. Asmar, Iurii Semenov, R. Kelly Jr., Michael Stacey

Bioelectrics Publications

Costal cartilage is much understudied compared to the load bearing cartilages. Abnormally grown costal cartilages are associated with the inherited chest wall deformities pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum resulting in sunken or pigeon chest respectively. A lack of understanding of the ultrastructural and molecular biology properties of costal cartilage is a major confounder in predicting causes and outcomes of these disorders. Due to the avascular nature of cartilage, chondrocytes metabolize glycolytically, producing an acidic environment. During physical activity hydrogen ions move within cartilage driven by compressive forces, thus at any one time, chondrocytes experience transient changes in pH. A variety …

Prevalence Of Low Back Pain Among Adolescents In Relation To The Weight Of School Bags, Fatemah Akbar, Muneera Albesharah, Jumana Al-Baghli, Farah Bulbul, Dana Mohammad, Bann Qadoura, Abdullah Al-Taiar

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

The association between the weight of school bag and Low Back Pain (LBP) amongst students remains under intense debate worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBP amongst public high school students (14 to 19 years) in Kuwait and to investigate the association between LBP and the weight of school bags.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study using multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size was conducted on a total of 950 public high school students from all governorates. Data on LBP were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A 0–10 Numeric Pain Rating …

The Effects Of Saddle Alignment And Pedal Stroke Training On A Competitive Cyclist With Anterior Knee Pain: A Case Report, Tim Evens, Jerome Danoff

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Among competitive cyclists, anterior knee pain is a common overuse injury. Alignment of the rider on the bicycle and the loading pattern on the pedals are proposed as factors in this pain. The patient was a 23-year-old competitive female cyclist who was riding up to 200 miles weekly and had developed bilateral anterior knee pain within the 3 months preceding our examination. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the effectiveness of adjusting this patient’s static alignment (ie. position while seated on bicycle, but not actively pedaling) on the bike and modifying her habitual pedaling pattern. Methods …

The Role Of Neck Musculature In Traumatic Brain Injuries In Older Adults: Implications From Sports Medicine, Tyler A. Wood, Steven Morrison, Jacob J. Sosnoff

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common and serious injuries to older adults. The majority of TBIs in older adults are sustained when the head impacts the ground or other surface during a fall. While several non-modifiable risk factors have been identified for fall-related TBIs in older adults, there still remains a dearth of knowledge surrounding modifiable risk factors. Thus, this significant knowledge gap warrants an investigation into research across disciplines. The sports medicine literature has examined several modifiable risk factors to prevent a mild form of TBI known as concussion. While this research has identified several risk factors, one particular …

Integrating Alexander Technique Into Treatment Of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis To Improve Patient Quality Of Life, Ana Nishioka

Scripps Senior Theses

The following thesis posits training in the Alexander Technique as a possible solution to address the comorbidities of poor body image and reduced feelings of efficacy in patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Both literature and personal accounts of AIS highlight that current conservative methods of treating AIS offered by the Western medical sphere, including observation, bracing, and physical therapy, do not adequately address, and may actually exacerbate, negative mental health symptoms. Patients are often represented as their external orthopedic diagnosis and receive limited emotional guidance in exploring their internal feelings about their body and its capabilities. Alexander Technique …

Optimization Of Primary Cilia Detection In Musculoskeletal Tissue, Ragen Engel

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research project was to optimize a laboratory technique for visualizing primary cilia in musculoskeletal tissue of young swine, specifically the growth plate of long bones. This was accomplished through varying fixation procedures, antigen retrieval methods, antibody concentrations, and incubation times. By varying these parameters, a reproducible procedure was developed to examine the primary cilia in multiple tissues including ligament, fascia, and growth plate. This experiment introduced variances in fixation methods, with methanol or formalin. Paraffin and frozen embedding techniques were also varied for comparison with regards to cilia visualization. Results from the acetylated alpha tubulin (aTUB) …

Evaluating Sex Related Differences In The Osteocyte Lacunar Canalicular Network Across The Lifespan: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach, Gina Tubo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Bone is a dynamic tissue with the ability to remodel itself. This capability is facilitated via communication mechanisms through the osteocyte-lacunar-canalicular (LCN) network. Osteocytes are bone cells housed in small, hollow spaces called lacunae. Lacunae are linked by canals called canaliculi. A diminished network can lead to the inability to form bone following breakdown. A decrease in osteocyte-LCN density has been shown to correlate with aging (Ashique et al. 2017). This decline leads to the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis preferentially affects women. Prior studies have shown that women older than 50 are four times more likely to be osteoporotic when …

Description Of Motor Control Using Inverse Models, Anton Sobinov

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Humans can perform complicated movements like writing or running without giving them much thought. The scientific understanding of principles guiding the generation of these movements is incomplete. How the nervous system ensures stability or compensates for injury and constraints – are among the unanswered questions today. Furthermore, only through movement can a human impose their will and interact with the world around them. Damage to a part of the motor control system can lower a person’s quality of life. Understanding how the central nervous system (CNS) forms control signals and executes them helps with the construction of devices and rehabilitation …

Correction To: Hif Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibition Protects Skeletal Muscle From Eccentric Contraction Induced Injury, Andrew N. Billin, Samuel E. Honeycutt, Alan V. Mcdougal, Jaclyn P. Kerr, Zhe Chen, Johannes M. Freudenberg, Deepak K. Rajpal, Guizhen Luo, Henning Fritz Kramer, Robert S. Geske, Frank Fang, Bert Yao, Richard V. Clark, John Lepore, Alex Cobitz, Ram Miller, Kazunori Nosaka, Aaron C. Hinken, Alan J. Russell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that there is a discrepancy with the Availability of data and materials statement on page 12 of the article.

Femoroacetabular Impingement As A Complication Of Acetabular Fracture Fixation, David A. Zuelzer, Christopher B. Hayes, Raymond D. Wright, Stephen T. Duncan

Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Case

We present the case of a thirteen-year-old female who sustained a posterior wall acetabular fracture dislocation. She underwent urgent closed reduction and subsequent uncomplicated open reduction and internal fixation. Post reduction computed tomography demonstrated a concentrically reduced hip joint with no evidence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). She subsequently healed her fracture and returned to running activities; however, one year later presented with aching pain in her thigh. Radiographs demonstrated the development of a large osseous prominence on her anterolateral femoral neck consistent with femoroacetabular impingement. Based on these findings she was evaluated by a hip preservation specialist. She subsequently …

A Multicenter Study To Evaluate Pulmonary Function In Osteogenesis Imperfecta., Allison Tam, Shan Chen, Evan Schauer, Ingo Grafe, Venkata Bandi, Jay R. Shapiro, Robert D. Steiner, Peter A. Smith, Michael B. Bober, Tracy Hart, David Cuthbertson, Jeffrey Krischer, Mary Mullins, Peter H. Byers, Robert A. Sandhaus, Michaela Durigova, Francis H. Glorieux, Frank Rauch, Vernon Reid Sutton, Brendan Lee, Members Of The Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium, Eric T. Rush, Sandesh C S Nagamani

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pulmonary complications are a significant cause for morbidity and mortality in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). However, to date, there have been few studies that have systematically evaluated pulmonary function in individuals with OI. We analyzed spirometry measurements, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁ ), in a large cohort of individuals with OI (n = 217) enrolled in a multicenter, observational study. We show that individuals with the more severe form of the disease, OI type III, have significantly reduced FVC and FEV₁ which do not follow the expected trends of the …

The Relationship Between Feeding Type And Temporomandibular Joint Morphology In Superfamily Musteloidea, Travis L. Garvin

Masters Theses

Many studies have focused on the soft tissue analysis of carnivores and have demonstrated a relationship between feeding biomechanics and feeding types. Herbivores and omnivores rely heavily on anteroposterior and helical movement of the mandible and teeth for the breakdown of fibrous foods resulting in a flat mandibular fossa while the function of the carnivore TMJ is different, as they need a much stable joint for ripping and tearing of the flesh. I aim to look at whether the bony morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be directly related to feeding type, specifically in the superfamily Musteloidea. I sampled …