Bioclimatic and masticatory influences on human cranial diversity verified by analysis of 3D morphometric homologous models.

This study analyzes the effects of bioclimate and masticatory factors on the regional variability of human cranial forms across 150 ethnic groups worldwide. Morphometric variables were generated using principal component analysis applied to 3D homologous models. Relationships between cranial form and bioclimate (temperature and precipitation) and masticatory factors (infratemporal space) were tested considering sampling bias due to past population movements during the late Pleistocene and/or early- to mid-Holocene.

Concern about falling is related to threat-induced changes in emotions and postural control in older adults.

Background: Concern about falling is reportedly related to mobility and balance in older adults. While increased concern about falling may be directly related to balance deficits, establishing a causal relationship remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether concern about falling affects threat-induced changes in emotions and postural control in older adults.

Association between acute pain trajectory and patient-reported outcomes at 6-months following lumbar surgery for patients with lumbar degenerative disease.

Purpose: To investigate the association between acute pain trajectory over one week and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) at 6-months following lumbar surgery in patients with lumbar degenerative disease (LDD).

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five subjects with LDD who received surgical treatment at our hospital between April 2019 and March 2022. Acute pain trajectory was measured using a pain trajectory calculator to determine an approximate line using the linear least squares method based on pain intensity on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Dual-task interference of reactive stepping kinematics for balance recovery strategies in older adults.

Objective: To characterize the interference of reactive stepping kinematics related to the increase or maintenance of the number of steps in response to a large perturbation during dual tasks among older adults.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 52 community-dwelling healthy older adults. Reactive stepping performance was analyzed after forward balance loss during a single task and a second cognitive task.

Effect of Residual Pain After Posterior Fusion Surgery for Lumbar Degenerative Disorders on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Two-Year Follow-Up Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Study Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of residual pain after fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases on quality of life (QOL).

Overview Of Literature: Residual symptoms after spinal surgery often restrict patients' activities of daily living and reduce their QOL.

Association between trunk extensor strength and gait-induced back pain in the elderly with adult spinal deformity: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between quantitatively assessed trunk extensor strength and gait-induced back pain (GIBP) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Methods: Ninety-five patients with ASD aged ≥ 50 years who were admitted to our hospital between April 2018 and March 2023 were included in the study. GIBP was evaluated through a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), with GIBP being defined as the occurrence of back pain during the evaluation and inability to complete the test.

Influence of Anterior Talofibular Ligament Injury and Ankle Anterior Displacement on Symptoms in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability.

Context: Repeated ankle sprains can lead to injuries, including those of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL); however, the extent to which these ligament injuries are associated with symptoms of chronic ankle instability (CAI) remains unclear.

Objective: To examine the influence of ATFL injury and ankle anterior displacement on symptoms of CAI.

Design: Case-control study.

Differences and relationships between weightbearing and non-weightbearing dorsiflexion range of motion in foot and ankle injuries.

Background: This study aimed to: (1) identify assessment methods that can detect greater ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) limitation in the injured limb; (2) determine whether differences in weightbearing measurements exist even in the absence of DROM limitations in the injured limb according to non-weightbearing measurements; and (3) examine associations between DROM in the weightbearing and non-weightbearing positions and compare those between a patient group with foot and ankle injuries and a healthy group.

Methods: Eighty-two patients with foot and ankle injuries (e.g.

The Contributions of Knee Extension Strength and Hand Grip Strength to Factors Relevant to Physical Frailty: The Tanno-Sobetsu Study.

Sarcopenia is the core factor of frailty. This study specifically focused on lower limb muscle strength and examined muscle indices that indicate the risk of frailty or pre-frailty in older adults. The study included 327 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years (43.

Joint instability in patients with borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Background: The treatment strategy for developmental dysplasia of the hip is determined based on the lateral center-edge angle. Nonetheless, an evaluation of joint instability may be important in determining the treatment strategy. This study classified the displacement patterns of the femoral head center during hip abduction.

Morphological and mechanical characteristics of the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles under loading in individuals with flat feet.

Background: The intrinsic and extrinsic foot softtissue structures that apply force and support the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) have been implicated in the development of flat feet. However, the relationship between the changes in MLA height under increasing load and the morphological and mechanical properties of individual intrinsic and extrinsic foot soft tissue structures is not fully understood.

Research Question: To examine the morphological and mechanical characteristics of the foot soft tissue structures in flat feet when subjected to loading.

Association of serum superoxide dismutase activity and the incidence of colorectal cancer in a nested case-control study.

Background: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme that degrades superoxide, a major causative factor in carcinogenesis. We assessed associations between serum SOD activities and incidence of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in a case-control study nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) study.

Methods: At baseline, 39,242 subjects donated serum samples.

Characteristics of the static muscle stiffness of ankle plantar flexors in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Purpose: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have deficits in closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion that may perpetuate injury. Determining the characteristics of muscle stiffness in the plantar flexors of individuals with CAI may help in developing appropriate treatments. We aimed to highlight the characteristics of static muscle stiffness in ankle plantar flexor muscles during the passive dorsiflexion of the ankle joint in individuals with CAI.

Effect of toe-out gait modification on patellofemoral joint loading.

Background: Toe-out gait has been proposed as a conservative treatment to reduce medial tibiofemoral joint loading. However, patellofemoral joint loading during toe-out gait is not yet understood.

Research Question: Does the toe-out gait modification affect patellofemoral joint loading?

Methods: Sixteen healthy adults were enrolled in this study.

Relationship Between Posterior Shoulder Tightness and Lower-Limb Flexibility in College Baseball Players.

Context: Posterior shoulder tightness evaluated as limited glenohumeral internal rotation and horizontal adduction is a risk factor for throwing-related shoulder and elbow injuries. Given that the throwing motion uses the entire body kinematics, limited lower-limb flexibility might be associated with posterior shoulder tightness. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationships between posterior shoulder tightness and lower-limb flexibility in college baseball players.

Cumulated ambulation score in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures is an important predictor of returning home: a retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are recognized as a serious problem in the aging society. In this study, we found that the cumulated ambulation score predicts returning home in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The cumulated ambulation score is an important piece of information in determining the destination of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Novel assessment of physiotherapy outcomes in adults with structural spinal disorders.

Purpose: The aim is to investigate whether a simple prone posture assessment test (P-test) at baseline can be predict the effectiveness of at least 3 months of physiotherapy for adults with structural spinal disorders.

Methods: Seventy-six adults (age 71.0 ± 7.

Reliability and validity of ultrasonographic automated length measurement system for assessing talofibular anterior instability in acute lateral ankle sprain.

Ankle joint instability after acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is an important factor for deciding treatment strategies. Nevertheless, the degree of ankle joint mechanical instability as a criterion for making clinical decisions is unclear. This study examined the reliability and validity of an Automated Length Measurement System (ALMS) in ultrasonography for assessing real-time anterior talofibular distance.