The morphological look of the plantar surface in the young soccer players

Introduction. The plantar support and its modifications are widely studied because of their bearing on posture (Eils E et al., 2004). In particular, past studies have focused on the support modification during specific athletic tasks to highlight the eventual correlations between foot type and the most frequent sport injuries, due to intrinsic and extrinsic components that involve the structural and functional dynamics that act on the plantar vault during static and dynamic condition. These studies have been conducted by analyzing the morphological variation of the footprint during the performance (Bruner E et al., in press). Methods. In the present study the variation in shape of the baropodometrical footprint of young soccer players, has been analyzed using geometric morphometrics (Adams et al., 2004). This approach permits a quantification of the morphological variation of the subjects using Cartesian coordinates placed at specific points on the footprint outline, and to correlate them with physical variables. Results.In the present study the young soccer players displayed a narrowing of the footprint due to a transversal variation on the isthmus, when compared to children of the same age who did not play soccer. These results suggest a physiological and biomechanical organization of the foot type in soccer due to the specific athletic tasks involved. Discussions. As the foot type, in sport, is strictly associated to recurrent injuries, the result obtained in this study should be considered as indicative for future analysis. In fact, a clear and univocal knowledge of this phenomenon would be useful in the planning of a training protocol to reduce the incidence of sport related injuries

Evaluation of the Human Body Posturizer in postural diseases and its impact on of the fall risk in the elderly

Introduction: Orthosis are external aids designed for different postural problems and represent the most commonly used conservative treatment (Noonan K et al., 1996). In this analysis, a modular exoskeleton named Human Body Posturizer (HBP) has been tested to evaluate the morphological variations due to it’s prolonged use and its effects on the fall risk in the elderly. Methods: a sample of 20 normal male subjects (age: 23.4±4.3) have worn the HBP 3 days for week for 6 months. Subject were examined by baropodometry, Surfacer system and SF-36 questionary. Furthermore, 150 subjects with mild fall risk met inclusion criteria (64.85±2.75) were enrolled. A test battery of physiological parameters related to balance and falls (Tinetti Gait and Balance test, Short Physical Performance Battery, Numeric Pain Rating Scale) has been used in order to determine fall risk in elderly people (Shimada H et al., 2011). Results: in normal subjects, a general increasing of the bilateral symmetry associated to a structural reorganization of the dorsal and lumbar regions. In elderly subjects, a significant improvements in Short Physical Performance Battery, Tinetti Scale and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (p < 0.05) have been showed after treatment with HBP. A significant reduction in fall risk was shown in HBP treated subjects. Discussions: the results of this study suggested a general improvement of the postural assessment due to the increasing of the structural symmetry of the back. The use of Human Body Posturizer seems to be a new significant device for prevention of fall in elder patients. The use of the HBP could represent an integrative therapy for different postural diseases. Further studies will be performed in order to demonstrate the efficacy of this device on elder patients

Human Body Posturizer (H.B.P.): new orthosis for improving postural dynamics

Introduction. Posture is the result of many complex processes involving the entire body in relationship with different environmental changes (Penha P.J.,2005). Interaction between the different anatomical districts occurs at different levels and it is influenced by different initial conditions. Alterations in imbalances and associated diseases produce a structural and physiologic reorganization of the anatomical structures to improve postural dynamics (Kasim et al., 2010). Generally, these modifications can be divided into para-mophisms and dis-morphisms of the spine. Currently postural diseases are treated by passive (brace and orthosis) and active (gymnastic) methods according with the severity of imbalance (LeBauer et al., 2008; Ugwonali et al., 2004). Purpose of this study is to validate a new type of orthosis named Human Body Posturizer (H.B.P). It is a modular flexible structure composed of different modules which act on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar traits of the back, and an inferior module which acts on the inferior limbs. Materials and methods. The present study considers a sample of 20 male subjects with age spanning from 19 to 35 years (mean age 23,4 ± 4,3). Subjects underwent 4 weeks of H.B.P. treatment consisting of 30 minutes, two times for week. The sample was analyzed by using the Surfacer System (Diagnostic Support), which permits to capture the external geometry of the back. Each subject was sampled before and after the treatment and differences between pre and post treatment were analyzed trough geometric morphometric approach (Slice 2000). Results. The results of this study showed a reorganization of the bilateral structures of the back after treatment. In particular an increased degree of symmetry was observed both in trunk and lumbar regions of the back. Conclusions. The preliminary results of the present study suggest that the HBP, acts on the spatial organization of the back, rectifying the position of the anatomical components associated to the early postural diseases. Nevertheless these results should be considered as preliminary and need of further researches

Geometric morphometric approach in the study of the footprint variation in children between 6 and 12 years of age

Introduction. Footprint evaluation is a widely used method for determination of foot morphology. Generally, variation in footprint have been associated to vertical variation of the plantar vault, with particular attention to the middle longitudinal arch (MLA). In the children, MLA tends to be lower and accentuates naturally when approaching adolescence (Forriol and Pascual, 1990). Thought this condition is mostly asymptomatic, permanence of lower MLA after development is associated to flatfoot. In this study the morphology of the baropodometrical footprint was analysed by using geometric morphometric approach (Slice, 2000). This method permits to quantify the geometrical look of the anatomical structures by mean of coordinate system method. Material and methods. The footprints of 50 children with age spanning from 6 to 12 years were sampled using an electronic baropodometry. The external profile of the footprints were reduced to 50 equally spaced landmarks and superimposed using the Procrustes superimposition method. A principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the morphological variability of the footprints and sex and age difference were observed. Results. geometric morphometric results show that principal variations are localized in the medial region of the isthmus and are associated to a narrowing/widening of the footprint. No sex and age differences were observed, a part from a small group with age spanning from 6 to 9 years, showing a wider footprint. Conclusions. It is thought that principal modification of the MLA occurs in the pre-school years (Stavlas et al, 2005). The results of this analysis show an high variability of the footprint geometry, suggesting that ongoing development of the foot structure takes place also during school ages. Although these results are preliminary, they should carefully considered in the treatment of the flatfoot in children, considering that the development of the foot proceeds also after 6 year

An angio-tomographic approach to the study of the variation of the middle meningeal artery in humans

Introduction. The middle meningeal artery usually enters the endocranial cavity through the foramen spinosum, running within the dura mater and developing a vascular network on the frontal, parietal, and occipital surfaces of the brain. Little information is available on its morphogenesis and variation in human populations or within primates (Falk 1993). Its imprints on the endocranial walls can be recognised on fossil specimens, allowing inferences on the evolution of this vascular system. While extinct human species display a limited reticulation of this vessels, Homo sapiens shows a definite increase of its complexity (Bruner et al., 2005). Current hypotheses on the evolution of a complex meningeal vascularisation in our species include biomechanical protection and thermoregulation of the brain surface (Bruner et al., 2011). Taking into account the limited knowledge on the variation of this arterial network, this study is aimed at quantifying individual differences in the branching patterns, as well as at investigating the spatial relationships between middle meningeal arteries, cerebral arteries, and neurocranial bones. Methods. Angio-tomography and digital anatomy are used to reconstruct in vivo the meningeal vascular system in 37 individuals with age spanning from 20 to 85 years. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the cerebral and meningeal vascular systems have been computed by using Mimics 11.1 (Materialise Software). Variations in basic branching patterns have been described by standard anatomical approaches, as well as by using standard morphometrics. Complexity of the branching pattern has been quantified also by using fractal approaches (Zamir 1999). Results. Anatomical descriptions and metrics are reported for different age classes, sexes, and hemispheres, providing mean values and ranges of distribution accounting for the vascular patterns. Conclusions. Although the middle meningeal network shows a variable and complex geometry, its spatial organization can be quantified in terms of branching patterns and topological relationships with the neurocranial elements. This information allows to test evolutionary hypothesis by quantifying individual or between-groups differences. At the same time this information is helpful in biomedical and neurosurgical context, providing statistical values for the position and distribution of the vessels

Impact of gastrointestinal side effects on patients’ reported quality of life trajectories after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Data from the prospective, observational pros-it CNR study

Radiotherapy (RT) represents an important therapeutic option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The aim of the current study is to examine trajectories in patients’ reported quality of life (QoL) aspects related to bowel function and bother, considering data from the PROState cancer monitoring in ITaly from the National Research Council (Pros-IT CNR) study, analyzed with growth mixture models. Data for patients who underwent RT, either associated or not associated with androgen deprivation therapy, were considered. QoL outcomes were assessed over a 2-year period from the diagnosis, using the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (Italian-UCLA-PCI). Three trajectories were identified for the bowel function; having three or more comorbidities and the use of 3D-CRT technique for RT were associated with the worst trajectory (OR = 3.80, 95% CI 2.04–7.08; OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.22–3.87, respectively). Two trajectories were identified for the bowel bother scores; diabetes and the non-Image guided RT method were associated with being in the worst bowel bother trajectory group (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.67; OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.70–3.86, respectively). The findings from this study suggest that the absence of comorbidities and the use of intensity modulated RT techniques with image guidance are related with a better tolerance to RT in terms of bowel side effects

Disease-specific and general health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients: The Pros-IT CNR study

Background: The National Research Council (CNR) prostate cancer monitoring project in Italy (Pros-IT CNR) is an observational, prospective, ongoing, multicentre study aiming to monitor a sample of Italian males diagnosed as new cases of prostate cancer. The present study aims to present data on the quality of life at time prostate cancer is diagnosed. Methods: One thousand seven hundred five patients were enrolled. Quality of life is evaluated at the time cancer was diagnosed and at subsequent assessments via the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results: At diagnosis, lower scores on the physical component of the SF-12 were associated to older ages, obesity and the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities. Lower scores on the mental component were associated to younger ages, the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities and a T-score higher than one. Urinary and bowel functions according to UCLA-PCI were generally good. Almost 5% of the sample reported using at least one safety pad daily to control urinary loss; less than 3% reported moderate/severe problems attributable to bowel functions, and sexual function was a moderate/severe problem for 26.7%. Diabetes, 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities, T2 or T3-T4 categories and a Gleason score of eight or more were significantly associated with lower sexual function scores at diagnosis. Conclusions: Data collected by the Pros-IT CNR study have clarified the baseline status of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. A comprehensive assessment of quality of life will allow to objectively evaluate outcomes of different profile of care

Cranial Structure and Evolution in 'Alouatta': Temporal Fossa and Interorbital Morphology

The genus 'Alouatta' is characterised by a peculiar cranial morphology, in which the splancnocranium appears as sagittally rotated with respect to the neurocranial axis. This process is called 'airorhynchy' and distinguishes the genus 'Alouatta' from all the other atelids. Previous analyses suggested that airorhynchy in 'Alouatta' is associated with the relationship between basi-cranial flexion and neurocranial development. Within this process, changes at the temporal fossa may represent a major structural rearrangement. In this paper, the area of the pterion in 'Alouatta' is investigated through Procrustes superimposition and thin-plate spline. The anatomy of the interorbital area has also been examined and described, since it represents a further source of variation among the atelids. The structural role of the temporal fossa is evidenced, while the interorbital morphology supports some phylogenetic hypotheses. Results are discussed considering the debate on the phylogenetic position of 'Paralouatta varonai' from the Quaternary of Cuba