Effect of masticatory muscle function on the craniofacial sutures of the anterior viscerocranium in growing rats.

The transverse dimensions of internasal and nasopremaxillary sutures in rats were assessed at different ages and following different dietary functional demands.Eighty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups fed either a hard or a soft diet from 4 weeks of age, and sacrificed at 4 weeks (baseline: n = 12),16 weeks (n = 24), 26 weeks (n = 24), or 38 weeks (n = 24) of age. High-resolution micro-computed tomograms of the internasal and left nasopremaxillary sutures were obtained with 10 µm voxel size and 5 × 5 mm field of view.

Age-related transversal changes in craniofacial sutures of the anterior viscerocranium in growing rats.

To evaluate the dimensional changes that occur in the internasal and nasopremaxillary sutures, and related transverse craniofacial dimensions, of rats from 4 to 38-weeks of age. Four groups of twelve male Wistar rats were sacrificed at different ages [4-weeks (immature), 16-weeks (adolescent), 26-weeks (young adult), 38-weeks (adult)]. The rats were scanned with a high-resolution micro-computed tomography imaging device with 90 µm voxel size and 45 mm × 45 mm field of view (FOV) to obtain images of the viscreocranium, and with 10 µm voxel size and 5 mm × 5 mm FOV to obtain images of the internasal and left nasopremaxillary sutures.

Evaluation of natural head position over five minutes: A comparison between an instantaneous and a five-minute analysis with an inertial measurement unit.

Background: Head posture is a balance of several positions and therefore shows inherent variation. Most methods available to quantify this are however instantaneous, not providing information about its variation over time. A dynamic recording of head posture would thus be beneficial.

Evaluation of head posture using an inertial measurement unit.

An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is an electronic device that measures and track the orientation of a body. We conducted this study in accordance with the STARD guidelines to evaluate the accuracy of IMU (index test) for measuring head posture compared to the current gold standard using a cervical range of motion (CROM) device. The reproducibility of the hunter and mirror-guided head posture was also evaluated.

Measuring the difference in natural head position between the standing and sitting positions using an inertial measurement unit.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the natural head position (NHP) in the sitting position to the NHP in a standing position using inertial measurement unit (IMU) and lateral photographs.

Matierials & Methods: Twenty healthy young adult volunteers were asked to look at a mirror located at 1 metre in front of their eyes while being recorded with the IMU system. Lateral photographs were also taken.