Muscle fibers attach to laminin in the basal lamina using two distinct mechanisms: the dystrophin glycoprotein complex and the a 7 b 1 integrin. Defects in these linkage systems result in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a 2 laminin congenital muscular dystrophy, sarcoglycan-related muscular dystrophy, and a 7 integrin congenital muscular dystrophy. Therefore, the molecular continuity between...

Genetic parameters for degree of kyphosis were estimated from a Duroc-Landrace F(2) population (n = 316) and from a composite population (line C) composed of Duroc, Large White, and 2 sources of Landrace (n = 1,552). Live presentation did not indicate kyphosis in pigs or sows. Degree of kyphosis was measured by scoring the shape of the vertebral column of split carcasses on a scale from 0 (norm...

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of radiographic data. OBJECTIVES This study sought to define interobserver and intraobserver variability to further delineate reliable means by which radiographs of patients with neuromuscular scoliosis can be examined. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous studies analyzed the use of Cobb angles in the measurement of idiopathic and congenital scoliosis, but ...

Cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) results in myelopathy. Conservative treatment is usually ineffective, thus, surgical treatment is required. One of the reasons for the poor surgical outcome following laminoplasty for cervical OPLL is kyphosis. In the present study, a 3-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM) was used to analyze the stress distribution in pr...

Lumbar kyphosis and the decreased mobility of the lumbar spine increase the risk of falls and impair both the quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily living. However, in the elderly Japanese population, little is known about the age-related changes and sex-related differences in muscle strength, including of the upper and lower extremities and back extensors. An adequate ...

Background & Aims: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks specific aquatic therapy on kyphosis angle and some pulmonary indices in male university students with kyphosis. Methods: A total of 15 males with increased normal thoracic Kyphosis (kyphosis 40 degrees, 20.70 ± 0.705 years old, height 175.5 ± 6.19 cm, weight 64.19 ± 8.23 kg) were selected. Before and afte...

BACKGROUND Halo-femoral traction could gradually improve the coronal and sagittal deformity and restore the trunk balance through the elongation of the spine. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the effectiveness of Halo-femoral traction after anterior spinal release in the management of severe idiopathic and congenital scoliosis. METHODS Sixty patients with severe and rigid...