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Purpose: To investigate longitudinal radiographic changes, and physical characteristics of lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) and spondylolisthesis (DS)., Methods: Two-hundred eighty nine community-based female subjects were recruited from population register and studied longitudinally for a mean 12.3 years. Upright entire spine radiographs were used to evaluate spinopelvic parameters, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and vertebral slip (% slip). Physical measurements included lumbar range of motion (ROM), isometric trunk muscle strength, and photometric gait posture using change in trunk inclination angle (dTIA)., Results: Subjects' mean age (standard deviation: SD) was 56.9 (10.0) years at baseline and 68.5 (9.2) years at the final follow-up. Among 202 subjects who could perform instructed physical measurements, DS, defined as more than 5 % slip, was found in 50 subjects (24.8 %), and LDK, defined as LL of less than 1SD of mean value (<24.4°), was found in 24 subjects (11.9 %). DS subjects showed a significant weakness in trunk flexor strength (normal 282.5 ± 73.0 N vs. DS 245.5 ± 75.5 N, p = 0.0219), and LDK subjects showed significant differences in: trunk extensor strength (normal 493.4 ± 172.8 N vs. LDK 386.3 ± 167.6 N, p = 0.0066), ROM, and dTIA (normal 3.5° ± 2.7° vs. LDK 7.6° ± 4.8°, p < 0.0001). PI was significantly larger in DS and smaller in LDK than normal subjects (normal 53.8° ± 9.9° vs. DS 58.2° ± 10.6°, p = 0.0111; normal vs. LDK 48.4° ± 9.2°, p = 0.0191)., Conclusions: Current study showed that DS was associated with reduced trunk flexor strength, which might increase pelvic anteversion, and LDK was associated with reduced extensor strength, ROM, and ambulatory kyphosis. Physical characteristics should be evaluated for the successful management of adult spinal deformity.

This chapter argues that a basal ganglia-brainstem system throughout the mesopontine tegmentum contributes to an automatic control of movement that operates in conjunction with voluntary control processes. Activity of a muscle tone inhibitory system and the locomotion executing system can be steadily balanced by a net excitatory cortical input and a net inhibitory basal ganglia input to these systems. We further propose that dysfunction of the basal ganglia-brainstem system, together with that of the cortico-basal ganglia loop, underlies the pathogenesis of motor disturbances expressed in basal ganglia diseases.

The hypocholesterolemic efficacy of various polyunsaturated fatty acids was compared in rats given cholesterol-enriched diets. Capybara oil (CO, linoleic + alpha-linolenic acids), horse oil (HO, alpha-linolenic acid), and sardine oil (SO, eicosapentaenoic + docosahexaenoic acids) were added to diets at 50 g/kg. The weight gain, food intake, and liver weight in the CO-fed group were significantly higher than those in other groups during the 6-wk experimental period. The serum total and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) + intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) + low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations of the CO-fed and SO-fed groups were significantly lower than in the HO-fed group after 6 wk. The serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in the SO-fed group was significantly higher than that in the CO-fed and HO-fed groups. The fecal neutral sterol concentration in the CO-fed group was reduced significantly compared with the other groups, and the fecal bile acid concentration in the HO-fed group was significantly higher than that in the SO-fed group. The results of this study demonstrate that CO lowers the serum total cholesterol and VLDL + IDL + LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the presence of excess cholesterol in the diet as well as SO.

Forty-six elbows in 40 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were evaluated after using a modified King's method. The average postoperative followup period was 79 months. The severity of cubital tunnel syndrome was graded before and after operation by the modified method of Stuffer et al which evaluated the amount of numbness, sensation, muscle strength, and muscle atrophy. The results were positively correlated with the preoperative severity of the disease and the ulnar nerve sulcus angle as measured in the axial view of the elbow. When the amount of the medial epicondylectomy was large, a good result was obtained, but the risk of medial collateral ligament insufficiency increased. Because the results of medial epicondylectomy are inconsistent with stability of the elbow, when doing a modified King's operation, careful repair of the medial collateral ligament is essential to minimize instability of the elbow.