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PubMed1995

Decreased isokinetic trunk muscle strength and performance in long-term survivors of childhood malignancies: correlation with hormonal defects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trunk muscle strength and performance in long-term survivors of childhood malignancies relative to age and sex-matched controls, and to relate the muscle strength observations to the therapeutic agents used and possible hormonal disturbances. DESIGN: Age and sex-matched cohort study. SETTING: Referral center in the northern part of Finland. PATIENTS: Forty-six long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Mean age at examination 19.1 years and median off-therapy time 9.4 years. INTERVENTION: Isokinetic dynamometer testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of trunk muscle peak torque (PT) and total work done (TWD) were performed at angle speeds of 50 degrees/sec and 200 degrees/sec. The results were normalized relative to body fat-free weight (FFW). RESULTS: PT in the trunk muscles was lower in the patients at both angle speeds (mean normalized PT = 5.7Nm/kgFFW vs 7.6Nm/kgFFW for controls at 50 degrees/sec), as also was TWD except for extension TWD at the higher angle speed (mean normalized TWD = 59.9J/kgFFW vs 84.6J/kgFFW for controls at 200 degrees/sec). The normalized PT at 50 degrees/sec and TWD at 200 degrees/sec were lower in the males with testicular damage; also, low age at diagnosis correlated positively with muscle strength and performance. There were no differences in normalized PTs or TWDs between cranial radiation and non-radiation cases, or between growth-hormone-deficient and non-deficient cases, and the patients without cranial radiation or with normal growth hormone secretion still had lower normalized PTs and TWDs than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of childhood malignancies have decreased maximal trunk muscle strength and performance. The etiology of this effect remains unclear, but young age at diagnosis, as well as serum testosterone levels in male survivors, evidently influence muscle strength and performance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Lumbar trunk muscle endurance testing: an inexpensive alternative to a machine for evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to verify the reliability and safety of new methods for evaluating trunk muscle endurance, and to compare the differences between healthy subjects and patients with chronic low-back pain. DESIGN: Randomized and controlled study. SETTING: A referral center and institutional practice, and outpatient care. SUBJECTS: Ninety healthy subjects (37 men and 53 women average age 46.2 years) and 100 patients with CLBP (40 men and 60 women; average age 45.3 years) participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: During trunk flexor and extensor endurance tests, the subjects were asked to maintain the original positions for as long as possible. The performance time (seconds) for which subject could maintain the position was compared between two groups. Test-retest correlation (r) was also analyzed. The degree of lumbar lordosis was compared in conventional and new methods. RESULTS: All test-retest correlations were significantly high in both groups (p < .01). The performance time was much longer in the healthy subjects than in the patients with CLBP during any procedures (p < .01). Lumbar lordosis was significantly less in our method than in the Kraus-Weber test (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that our methods for measuring trunk flexor and extensor endurance had high reliability, reproducibility, and safety, and were easy to perform, with no need for special equipment. This study also showed that trunk muscles in patients with CLBP were more easily fatigued, compared with those in healthy subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Trunk proprioception: enhancement through lumbar bracing.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of a neoprene lumbar brace on the proprioceptive ability of subjects without pathology and to determine whether those with poorer proprioception were more affected by the brace. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized 2 x 2 Latin square cross-over design. SETTING: Laboratory in an educational institution. SUBJECTS: Forty asymptomatic subjects matched by gender, age, weight, and height. METHOD: Blindfolded subjects performed a position matching task in which they flexed the trunk in the sagittal plane. Six positions across the range of motion were examined. Angular data were recorded by a lumbar motion monitor secured by straps to the subject's trunk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Absolute, constant, and variable errors in braced and unbraced conditions. RESULTS: The mean absolute, constant, and variable errors were 3.6 degrees, .45 degrees, and 4.4 degrees, respectively. Absolute, constant, and variable errors were significantly decreased when wearing a brace. However, the magnitude of the decreases were small (<1.0 degrees) for all errors when wearing a brace. The high error group's absolute error improved significantly (p < .05), from 6.0 degrees when unbraced to 4.0 degrees when braced. In contrast, absolute error measurements for subjects in the low error group were unchanged, with an error of 2.0 degrees when unbraced and 2.3 degrees when braced. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a neoprene lumbar brace improves the somatosensory information received by the central nervous system and results in less error in trunk positioning. Persons with less ability to match trunk position will benefit more from wearing a neoprene brace than will those who are already adept at the task.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Compensatory arm-trunk coordination in pointing movements is preserved in the absence of visual feedback.

This study examined the influence of trunk recruitment on the kinematic characteristics of pointing movements. The distribution of final positions of the hand, the extent and direction of the hand trajectory was basically preserved when trunk movement was combined with arm pointing. These effects were observed during pointing not only with but also without vision. The results imply that two functionally independent units of coordination are used in pointing regardless of visual feedback-one producing arm movement to the target (the reaching synergy) and the other coordinating trunk and arm movements diminishing the influence of the trunk on the arm endpoint trajectory (the compensatory synergy).

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2001

Response of trunk muscle coactivation to changes in spinal stability.

The goal of this effort was to assess the neuromuscular response to changes in spinal stability. Biomechanical models suggest that antagonistic co-contraction may be related to stability constraints during lifting exertions. A two-dimensional biomechanical model of spinal equilibrium and stability was developed to predict trunk muscle co-contraction as a function of lifting height and external load. The model predicted antagonistic co-contraction must increase with potential energy of the system even when the external moment was maintained at a constant value. Predicted trends were compared with measured electromyographic (EMG) data recorded during static trunk extension exertions wherein subjects held weighted barbells at specific horizontal and vertical locations relative to the lumbo-sacral spine junction. The task was designed to assure the applied moment was identical during each height condition, thereby changing potential energy without influencing moment. Measured EMG activity in the trunk flexors increased with height of the external load as predicted by the model. Gender difference in spinal stability were also noted. Results empirically demonstrate that the neuromuscular system responds to changes in spinal stability and provide insight into the recruitment of trunk muscle activity.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2003

Evidence for a role of antagonistic cocontraction in controlling trunk stiffness during lifting.

Activity of the abdominal muscles during symmetric lifting has been a consistent finding in many studies. It has been hypothesized that this antagonistic coactivation increases trunk stiffness to provide stability to the spine. To test this, we investigated whether abdominal activity in lifting is increased in response to destabilizing conditions. Ten healthy male subjects lifted 35 l containers containing 15 l of water (unstable condition), or ice (stable condition). 3D-kinematics, ground reaction forces, and EMG of selected trunk muscles were recorded. Euler angles of the thorax relative to the pelvis were determined. Inverse dynamics was used to calculate moments about L5S1. Averaged normalized abdominal EMG activity was calculated to express coactivation and an EMG-driven trunk muscle model was used to estimate the flexor moment produced by these muscles and to estimate the L5S1 compression force. Abdominal coactivation was significantly higher when lifting the unstable load. This coincided with significant increases in estimated moments produced by the antagonist muscles and in estimated compression forces on the L5S1 disc, except at the instant of the peak moment about L5S1. The lifting style was not affected by load instability as evidenced by the absence of effects on moments about L5S1 and angles of the thorax relative to the pelvis. The data support the interpretation of abdominal cocontraction during lifting as subserving spinal stability. An alternative function of the increased trunk stiffness due to cocontraction might be to achieve more precise control over the trajectory of lifted weight in order to avoid sloshing of the water mass in the box and the consequent perturbations.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1997

Geometric and inertial data of the trunk in adult males.

In this study investigations on geometric and inertial quantities of 15 male patients' trunks are described. Layers of 8 mm were scanned using computerized tomography. Thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and two shoulders and their unchangeable and changeable (muscle, fat, and skin) tissues were investigated. The trunk was also divided into portions and subportions according to anthropological landmarks. By comparing subportions to right non-circular frusta, the volume of the trunk is obtained. Volume, mass, and density of trunk's segments and their tissues are given. The location of the centers of mass of the segments is also provided. Regression equations are presented for the calculation of volume of tissues and of subportions. Application of the data for locating the center of mass of the body, for building anthropometric dummies, and for calculating the load acting on any level of a spine are presented.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1991

Lumbosacral sympathetic trunk as a compensatory pathway for seminal emission after bilateral hypogastric nerve transections in the dog.

Seminal emission after transection of canine bilateral hypogastric nerves was investigated. Stimulation of severed hypogastric nerves caused full volume seminal emission (greater than four drops) in all six dogs examined. In contrast, stimulation of sympathetic trunks of other six dogs at the level of caudal mesenteric artery caused no emission in three dogs and a limited volume of seminal emission (less than one drop) by pressing the ampulla in the remaining. When hypogastric nerves were transected one month prior to the experiment, however, stimulation of sympathetic trunks in the same manner caused full volume of seminal emission in all six dogs. Distal dissection of sympathetic trunks demonstrated nerve fibers to the seminal tract via the pelvic splanchnic nerves. The results indicate that the seminal tract receives at least two sympathetic pathways; one from hypogastric nerves and the other from lumbosacral sympathetic trunks, and that the latter compensatorily generates seminal emission after hypogastric nerve transection.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The responses of leg and trunk muscles to sudden unloading of the hands: implications for balance and spine stability.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the anticipatory and responsive actions of leg and trunk muscles, and their role in whole-body and spine control in situations of sudden unloading of the hands in the sagittal plane. DESIGN: EMG and force plate measures were used to determine the baseline, anticipatory responses and post unloading responses of selected trunk and leg muscles under different conditions of unload timing knowledge. BACKGROUND: Postural muscles have been observed to increase activation in anticipation of a known loading situation to decrease the overall effect of an impulsive load delivered to the spine. It is thought that this increased activation places the spine in a more stable state, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury. Comparisons have not been made previously of the responses of postural muscles to unloading conditions where the certainty of unload timing is varied. METHODS: Eleven male subjects, holding a 6.8 kg load in the hands, were subjected to three different unloading conditions: (1) voluntary load drop; (2) known timing of load release; (3) unknown timing of load release. Anterior-posterior center of pressure data, as well as EMG activity on 8 right side muscles, were collected for 10 trials in each condition. RESULTS: Anterior-posterior center of pressure responses were significantly different (P<0.05) between each of the three conditions. Lumbar erector spinae and thoracic erector spinae significantly decreased anticipatory activity as knowledge of the unload timing increased. Five of the eight monitored muscles demonstrated significantly decreased response levels as knowledge of the timing of unloading increased. CONCLUSIONS: When an unload is self-triggered, preparatory adjustments can be made which reduce the overall postural perturbation to the body, and the spine in particular, while minimizing the responsive activity of trunk muscles. RELEVANCE: Spinal instability has been identified as a risk factor for low back injury during trunk loading. This study demonstrates that, in situations of sudden unloading, knowledge of the timing of the unloading may lead to anticipatory actions of postural muscles which actually decrease spinal stability, thereby increasing the risk of injury were an unexpected perturbation to occur.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2003

Global 3D head-trunk kinematics during cervical spine manipulation at different levels.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the three-dimensional kinematics of the head relative to the upper trunk obtained during a manipulation applied on two different cervical levels and on both sides. DESIGN: Descriptive study performed on 14 asymptomatic volunteers. The range of motion was measured by a 3D electrogoniometer during manipulation executed by the same practitioner. BACKGROUND: Spinal manipulative therapy is a common treatment approach in patients suffering from some spinal disorders. Complications exist; they are thought to be related to the force applied by the practitioner and the range of spinal motion obtained during the manipulation. Yet, little is known about cervical spine motion during manipulation. METHODS: Three dimensional electrogoniometry using a 6 degree-of-freedom spatial linkage fixed between the head and the upper trunk was used to record the pattern of motion and the amplitudes obtained during a manipulation on two cervical levels (C3 and C5) and on left and right sides. On single practitioner applied the same technique to all subjects in a seated position. RESULTS: The side and the spinal level manipulated did not influence 3D ranges of motion. The mean ranges of motion obtained were 30 degrees axial rotation, 46 degrees lateral bending and 2 degrees flexion. A significant difference of the flexion-extension range existed between manipulations with and without audible release. Axial rotation and lateral bending ranges were correlated. Except for lateral bending which was close to active range, the motion ranges obtained during manipulation were well below active range of motion reported in literature. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that for the kind of manipulation applied, maximal amplitude between head and trunk does not exceed physiological active range of motion. The amplitude for rotation, which is generally assumed to involve greatest risks for negative side effects, is significantly lower than during active motion. As the study was performed with one practitioner, this result may only be generalized with care. RELEVANCE: In spinal manipulative therapy, extreme range of motion as the result of the forces applied is generally believed to represent a major risk for negative side effects, especially with regard to the cervical spine. With a multiple component technique, amplitudes between head and upper trunk were shown not to differ significantly with regard to the side nor to the spinal level. Recorded ranges of motion did not exceed those reported for active motion in literature.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Effects of abdominal belts on intra-abdominal pressure, intra-muscular pressure in the erector spinae muscles and myoelectrical activities of trunk muscles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of abdominal belts on lifting performance, muscle activation, intra-abdominal pressure and intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles. DESIGN: Simultaneous measurement of intra-abdominal pressure, intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles was performed during the Valsalva maneuver and some isometric lift exertions. BACKGROUND: While several hypotheses have been suggested regarding the biomechanics of belts and performance has been found to increase when lifting with belts, very little is known about the modulating effects on trunk stiffness. At present, there is no reason to believe that spine tolerance to loads increases with belts. METHODS: An abdominal belt designed for weightlifting was used. Intra-abdominal pressure, intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles and myoelectric activities of trunk muscles (erector spinae, rectus abdominis and external oblique) were measured simultaneously during the Valsalva maneuver as well as three types of isometric lifting exertions (arm, leg and torso lift). A paired t-test was used to analyze for statistical differences between the two conditions (without-belt and with-belt) in intra-abdominal pressure, intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles and in the integrated EMG of the trunk muscles. RESULTS: Intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles increased significantly by wearing the abdominal belt during Valsalva maneuvers and during maximum isometric lifting exertions, while maximum isometric lifting capacity and peak intra-abdominal pressure were not affected. Integrated EMG of rectus abdominis increased significantly by wearing the abdominal belt during Valsalva maneuvers (after full inspiration) and during isometric leg lifting. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing abdominal belts raises intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles and appears to stiffen the trunk. Assuming that increased intra-muscular pressure of the erector spinae muscles stabilizes the lumbar spine, wearing abdominal belts may contribute to the stabilization during lifting exertions.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2000

Limb vs trunk sweat gland recruitment patterns during exercise in humans.

The purpose of this study was to examine the sweat gland recruitment pattern, on multiple trunk and limb sites, during exercise. Nineteen male volunteers performed 30 min of exercise on a cycle ergometer at approx. 25, 50 and 75% of their maximal oxygen uptake. The number of active sweat glands (per cm(2)) was determined immediately following each exercise bout at the following six sites: left triceps, chest, back, forearm, thigh and calf. The data showed that increases in rectal temperature during exercise resulted in a linear increase in the absolute number of active sweat glands recruited at all six sites (r=0.60-0.80). However, on a percentage basis, the limb sites increased proportionally more (300-600% increase) than the trunk sites (100-200% increase) with increases in rectal temperature. These data suggest that the absolute number of sweat glands recruited, on both the trunk and the limbs, increases in a linear manner with increases in rectal temperature during exercise. However, on a proportional basis, sweat gland recruitment on the limbs is greater than that found on the trunk during progressive exercise.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Long-term outcome of combined modality therapy in retroperitoneal and deep-trunk soft-tissue sarcoma: analysis of prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in retroperitoneal and deep-trunk soft-tissue sarcoma, and to identify the prognostic factors for local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1980 and December 1998, 60 patients with nonmetastatic retroperitoneal and deep-trunk soft-tissue sarcoma were treated at Wayne State University using combined surgery and RT. The location was retroperitoneal in 38 patients (63%) and deep trunk in 22 (27%). Forty-six patients (76%) were treated for primary disease and 14 (24%) for recurrent disease. The resection margins were negative in 24 patients (40%), close in 3 (5%), and positive in 33 (55%; 18 microscopic and 15 macroscopic). The median tumor size was 8.6 cm (range 2-55). External beam RT (EBRT; median dose 5220 cGy) was given to 44 patients (73%) and combined EBRT (median dose 4200 cGy) and brachytherapy (median dose 1600 cGy) to 16 patients (27%). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify the possible associations between patient age, race, gender, tumor site, histologic features, grade, size, stage, surgical margin, RT dose, modality (EBRT vs. EBRT plus brachytherapy), and presentation (primary vs. recurrent) and disease control. RESULTS: The actuarial 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rate was 53% and 44%, respectively. Disease-free survival was significantly associated with female gender on univariate analysis (67% for female patients and 37% for male patients at 5 years, p = 0.05). On multivariate analysis, both gender and surgical margin had borderline significance (p = 0.06). The actuarial local control rate was 71% and 54% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The median time to local relapse was 10.2 months, with 75% of all failures occurring within 29 months. The surgical margin status was significantly associated with local control (78% for patients with negative or close margins vs. 52% for patients with positive margins at 5 years, p = 0.04). Gender was borderline significant (85% for female patients vs. 54% for male patients at 5 years, p = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, only surgical margin status remained significant (p = 0.032). The distant metastasis-free survival rate at 5 and 10 years was 58% and 54%, respectively. The median time to distant metastases was 15.6 months. The lungs were the most common site of metastases. The only significant factor associated with distant metastasis-free survival was local control (73% for patients with locally controlled tumors vs. 19% for patients with local recurrence at 5 years, p = 0.0013). The actuarial 5- and 10-year overall survival rate was 56% and 47%, respectively. Gender (74% for female patients vs. 37% for male patients at 5 years), surgical margin status (66% for patients with negative or close margins vs. 48% for patients with positive margins at 5 years), and local control (64% for patients with locally controlled tumors vs. 21% for patients with uncontrolled primary tumors at 5 years) were significant predictors on both univariate and multivariate analyses (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the paramount importance of local control and complete surgical resection in the management of soft-tissue sarcoma of the retroperitoneum and deep trunk.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Tenascin-C expression in the trunk of wild-type, cyclops and floating head zebrafish embryos.

The function and the regulation of the expression of the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C during embryonic development are still unclear. In the present study, the expression of tenascin-C was analyzed in the trunk of zebrafish at the end of the first embryonic day. An antiserum raised against a zebrafish tenascin-C (TN-C) fusion protein reacted with 220 (doublet), 200, and 160 KD peptides. In situ hybridization showed that in the zebrafish wild-type embryo, tn-c mRNA was expressed by somites, neural crest cells, roof plate, notochord, hypochord, and tail fin bud. Thus, the expression of tn-c mRNA is an excellent marker for the differentiation of most zebrafish trunk structures. Immunolabelling with the anti-TN-C antibody was detected in the migratory pathway of neural crest cells and in the intersomitic furrows. In situ hybridization analysis of the zebrafish cyclops mutants, lacking the midline floor plate cells, showed normal expression of tn-c mRNA in all trunk structures. Analysis of the floating-head mutant, lacking the notochord, showed that tn-c mRNA expression in neural crest cells, roof plate, and tail fin bud is normal, but it is defective in the somites. By showing that the notochord, but not the floor plate, cells are required for normal tn-c expression in the trunk, this work provides new information on the role played by the embryonic axial structures in the regulation of the expression of tn-c during the development of zebrafish and allows new conclusions about somite patterning in the cyclops and floating-head zebrafish mutants.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Reinterventions after repair of common arterial trunk in neonates and young infants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine rates of reintervention after repair of common arterial trunk in the neonatal and early infant periods. BACKGROUND: With improving success in the early treatment of common arterial trunk, the need for reinterventional procedures in older children, adolescents and adults will become an increasingly widespread concern in the treatment of these patients. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with 159 infants younger than four months of age who underwent complete primary repair of common arterial trunk at our institution from 1975 to 1998, with a focus on postoperative reinterventions. RESULTS: Of 128 early survivors, 40 underwent early reinterventions for persistent mediastinal bleeding or other reasons. During a median follow-up of 98 months (range, 2 to 235 months), 121 reinterventions were performed in 81 patients. Actuarial freedom from reintervention was 50% at four years, and freedom from a second reintervention was 75% at 11 years. A total of 92 conduit reinterventions were performed in 75 patients, with a single reintervention in 61 patients, 2 reinterventions in 11 patients and 3 reinterventions in 3 patients. Freedom from a first conduit reintervention was 45% at five years. The only independent variable predictive of a longer time to first conduit replacement was use of an allograft conduit at the original repair (p = 0.05), despite the significantly younger age of patients receiving an allograft conduit (p < 0.001). Reintervention on the truncal valve was performed on 22 occasions in 19 patients, including 21 valve replacements in 18 patients and repair in 1, with a freedom from truncal valve reintervention of 83% at 10 years. Surgical (n = 29) or balloon (n = 12) reintervention for pulmonary artery stenosis was performed 41 times in 32 patients. Closure of a residual ventricular septal defect was required in 13 patients, all of whom underwent closure originally with a continuous suture technique. Eight of 16 late deaths were related to reintervention. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of reintervention after repair of common arterial trunk in early infancy is high. Although conduit reintervention is inevitable, efforts should be made at the time of the initial repair to minimize factors leading to reintervention, including prevention of branch pulmonary artery stenosis and residual interventricular communications.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1996

Aneurysms of anomalous splenomesenteric trunk: clinical features and surgical management in two cases.

Aneurysms of the splenic artery that anomalously arise from a splenomesenteric trunk are a rarity. Aneurysmal disease of visceral arteries is found in only 0.2% of the general population. The celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are involved in less than 10% of all visceral aneurysms. Although rupture seems to occur in 20% to 22% of patients, the related mortality rate can rise as high as 100%. Anomalies of the celiac trunk and SMA, more common than previously claimed, include the splenic artery arising from the SMA, which occurs in only 1% of patients. We present two cases of young patients who had 4-cm aneurysms behind the pancreas that involved an anomalous splenic artery. The first patient required dissection of the entire splenopancreatic bloc through a transverse abdominal incision to excise the aneurysm and repair the SMA. The second patient was treated by the classic approach, through a median incision and by entering the mesenteric root. There do not seem to be reports of similar cases, except for two cases of aneurysms involving the celiomesenteric trunk. The cause of these aneurysms can be attributed to mesenchymal alterations during the embryonic formation of aortic collateral branches. A correct surgical approach to splanchnic aneurysms calls for awareness of potential vascular variations of the arteries and their collateral pathways.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Lack of correlation between left ventricular mass and diameter of left coronary artery main trunk in hypertensive patients.

The study was designed to evaluate whether the increase in left ventricular (LV) mass in essential hypertensives (H) is associated with a proportional increase in diameter of the left coronary artery (LCA) trunk. Twenty-six hypertensives, 14 with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (left ventricular mass index [LVMI] > or =134 g/m2 in men and > or =110 g/m2 in women) and 12 without LVH, and 10 normotensive controls (C) underwent clinical laboratory and echocardiographic transthoracic examination. LV dimensions were measured according to the Penn convention and LV mass calculated by the formula of Devereux. The LCA main trunk was visualized by two-dimension short axis view at the level of the great vessels section, and the diameter measured as intima-intima distance at end-diastole. Hypertensives with and without LVH and C had similar age, sex, and body surface area distribution. LVMI was, by definition, significantly higher in H with LVH than in H without LVH and in C (144+/-21, 113+/-13, and 98+/-10 g/m2, P<.01), whereas the diameter of the LCA trunk was similar in all groups (0.48+/-0.1, 0.48, and 0.46 cm, respectively). There was no significant correlation between LVMI and LCA diameter in H (r = 0.21, P = not significant). The diameter of LCA trunk was significantly correlated only with BSA (r = 0.5, P<.01), LV end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters (r = 0.5 and r = 0.4, P<.05). Our data suggest that in H the increase in LVM is not associated with a concomitant increase of epicardial coronary artery diameter, and this finding may account in part for the impairment of coronary blood flow reserve in LVH.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed2002

Trunk neural crest has skeletogenic potential.

During early vertebrate development, neural crest cells emerge from the dorsal neural tube, migrate into the periphery, and form a wide range of derivatives. There is, however, a significant difference between the cranial and trunk neural crest with respect to the diversity of cell types that each normally produces. Thus, while crest cells from all axial levels form neurons, glia, and melanocytes, the cranial crest additionally generates skeletal derivatives such as bone and cartilage; trunk crest cells are generally thought to lack skeletogenic potential. Here, we show, however, that if avian trunk neural crest cells are cultured in appropriate media, they form both bone and cartilage cells, and if placed into the developing head, they contribute to cranial skeletal components. Thus, the neural crest from all axial levels can generate the full repertoire of crest derivatives. The skeletogenic potential of the trunk neural crest is significant, as it was likely realized in early vertebrates, which had extensive postcranial exoskeletal coverings.

Animals↗