School screening for scoliosis: can surface topography replace examination with scoliometer?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinical examination with the use of scoliometer is a basic method for scoliosis detection in school screening programs. Surface topography (ST) enables three-dimensional back assessment, however it has not been adopted for the purpose of scoliosis screening yet. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of ST for scoliosis screening.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>996 girls aged 9 to 13 years were examined, with both scoliometer and surface topography. The Surface Trunk Rotation (STR) was introduced and defined as a parameter allowing comparison with scoliometer Angle of Trunk Rotation taken as reference.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intra-observer error for STR parameter was 1.9°, inter-observer error was 0.8°. Sensitivity and specificity of ST were not satisfactory, the screening cut-off value of the surface topography parameter could not be established.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study did not reveal advantage of ST as a scoliosis screening method in comparison to clinical examination with the use of the scoliometer.</p

The current distribution in Poland of some European neophytic bryophytes with supposed invasive tendencies

The paper presents a brief review of published so far and recently recorded unpublished bryological data concerning the distribution in Poland of two neophytic (sensu Meusel 1943) mosses: Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. and Orthodontium lineare Schwaegr.to estimate their current influence on native bryoflora. The data clearly indicate the constant spreading of these species towards the east, however, there is no direct evidence that they have been limiting the occurrence of native moss species. They are acidophilous species, so the acidification of the environment probably promotes their expansion. Maps of the most current distribution of Campylopus introflexus and Orthodontium lineare in Poland (in a system of ATMOS-grid squares) are provided, as well as a description of the first locality in Poland of another European bryo-neophyte species Leptophascum leptophyllum Mull. Hal

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 10

This work presents a list of localities for the following species: Anomodon attenuatus, A. viticulosus, Dicranum viride, Gymnomitrion alpinum, Hedwigia ciliata, Homalia trichomanoides, Lophoziopsis longidens, Obtusifolium obtusum, Odontoschisma elongatum, Orthodicranum tauricum, Porella platyphylla, and Syntrichia papillosa

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 10

This work presents a list of localities for the following species: Anomodon attenuatus, A. viticulosus, Dicranum viride, Gymnomitrion alpinum, Hedwigia ciliata, Homalia trichomanoides, Lophoziopsis longidens, Obtusifolium obtusum, Odontoschisma elongatum, Orthodicranum tauricum, Porella platyphylla, and Syntrichia papillosa

New distributional data on bryophytes of Poland and Slovakia, 17

Every garden is therapeutic in a way. When we are surrounded by plants, we often do not realise the fact that all our senses perceive the space, composition and its elements. Plants can be used for rela- xation, recreation, rehabilitation, therapy, education and sports. Therapeutic gardens stimulate all the five senses, i.e. the sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. When creating a therapeutic garden, one of the main rules is to design the whole composition, select the programme and its elements so as to minimise the in- tensity of visual stimuli. All the other senses should play the main role. Horticultural therapy requires the application of appropriate architectural and landscaping rules and solutions, such as a specialised adjusted garden programme, spatial composition, appropriate surface and equipment for disabled people, elevated flowerbeds and adequate selection of plants. Vegetation plays an important role in therapeutic gardens, especially in those providing horticultural therapy. Plants should not be treated exclusively as aesthetic (visual) material, but also as elements, components and materials which are widely used in therapies. The- refore, the primary role of vegetation in these gardens is to offer therapeutic properties, which affect the sanitary conditions in a particular environment