Dataset Information

Three-Dimensional Kinematics of the Pelvis and Caudal Lumbar Spine in German Shepherd Dogs

ABSTRACT: Lumbosacral vertebral motion is thought to be a factor in the development of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in German shepherd dogs. So far, few studies exist describing natural canine lumbosacral movement in vivo. Therefore, this investigation aims to achieve a detailed in vivo analysis of bone movement of the lumbosacral region to gain a better understanding of the origin of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis using three-dimensional non-invasive in vivo analysis of canine pelvic and caudal lumbar motion (at L6 and L7). Biplanar cineradiography of the pelvis and caudal lumbar spine of four clinically sound German shepherd dogs at a walk and at a trot on a treadmill was recorded. Pelvic and intervertebral motion was virtually reconstructed and analyzed with scientific rotoscoping. The use of this technique made possible non-invasive measurement of physiological vertebral motion in dogs with high accuracy. Furthermore, the gait patterns of the dogs revealed a wide variation both between individual steps and between dogs. Pelvic motion showed a common basic pattern throughout the stride cycle. Motion at L6 and L7, except for sagittal rotation at a trot, was largely asynchronous with the stride cycle. Intervertebral motion in all dogs was small with approximately 2–3° rotation and translations of approximately 1–2 mm. The predominant motion of the pelvis was axial rotation at a walk, whereas lateral rotation was predominant at a trot. L7 showed a predominance of sagittal rotation (with up to 5.1° at a trot), whereas lateral rotation was the main component of the movement at L6 (about 2.3° in both gaits). During trotting, a coupling of various motions was detected: axial rotation of L7 and the pelvis was inverse and was coupled with craniocaudal translation of L7. In addition, a certain degree of compensation of abnormal pelvic movements during walking and trotting by the caudal lumbar spine was evident.

SUBMITTER: Schaub K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8427507 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:In vivo three-dimensional (3D) kinematics of the lumbar spine has not been well evaluated by the conventional methods because of their methodological limitations, while 3D intervertebral motions have been quantitatively determined by cadaver studies. We thus developed a novel 3D analyzing system for the relative motions of individual vertebrae using 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analyzed in vivo 3D intervertebral motions of the lumbar spine during trunk rotation. Ten healthy volunteers underwent 3D MRI of the lumbar spine in nine positions with 15 degrees increments during trunk rotation (0 degrees , 15 degrees , 30 degrees , 45 degrees , and maximum). Relative motions of the lumbar spine were calculated by automatically superimposing a segmented 3D MRI of the vertebra in the neutral position over images of each position using the voxel-based registration method. These 3D motions were represented with 6 degrees of freedom by Euler angles and translations on the coordinate system. The mean axial rotation of ten healthy volunteers of each lumbar spinal segment in 45 degrees trunk rotation to each side ranged from 1.2 degrees to 1.7 degrees . Coupled flexion with axial rotation was observed at the segments from L1/2 to L5/S1. Coupled lateral bending of the segments from L1/2 to L4/5 was in the opposite direction of the trunk rotation, while that of T12/L1 and L5/S1 was in the same direction. The direction of the coupled lateral bending in the present study was different from that in the previous cadaver study only at L4/5. This difference might result from the non-load state of the supine position in the current study and/or the non-physiological state in the cadaver study. Our system has two limitations: (1) the study was conducted with each volunteer in the supine position, and (2) because the rotation device regulated trunk rotation, trunk rotation might not have been physiological. In vivo 3D intervertebral motions of the lumbar spine during trunk rotation were evaluated using our novel motion analysis system. These data may be useful for the optimal orthopaedic management of lumbar spinal disorders.

Project description:Lumbosacral (LS) stenosis is a cause of lower back pain, loss of mission readiness, and early retirement in military working dogs (MWDs). Aims of the present two-part study were to evaluate a sample of German Shepherd MWDs using standard clinical criteria for LS pain, standard qualitative computed tomographic (CT) criteria for LS stenosis, novel quantitative CT criteria for LS stenosis, and novel behavioral classification criteria for LS pain. Data were retrieved from archives of a tertiary referral MWD hospital. Study 1 was a retrospective, observational, two-group design with a hypothesis that there would be a significant difference in the percentage of affected German Shepherd MWDs with multilevel stenosis (affecting ≥ 3 vertebrae) between LS pain groups, based on standard clinical and qualitative CT criteria. Study 2 was a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional, two- and three-group study design with a hypothesis that quantitative CT measurements would significantly differ between LS pain groups, assigned based on 3 classification systems. The 1st classification system used standard clinical criteria, while the 2nd and 3rd novel classifications included behavioral signs of LS pain. The following quantitative CT measures were recorded without knowledge of behavioral classification: vertebral foramen area, vertebral foramen volume, vertebral foramen fat area; and ratios of vertebral foramen area/vertebral body area (foramen area ratio), cranial vertebral foramen area/caudal vertebral foramen area (cranial:caudal foramen area ratio), and vertebral fat area/vertebral body area (fat area ratio). Study 1 findings did not support the hypothesis in that there was no significant difference in the percentage of dogs affected with multilevel stenosis between LS pain groups (P = 0.6567). Findings for study 2 supported the hypothesis in that dogs with LS pain were significantly more affected by multilevel stenosis (P = 0.0273). Significant differences occurred between LS pain groups in select vertebral locations for all measurements (P ≤ 0.05) except vertebral foramen area and vertebral foramen volume (P > 0.05). Comparisons using novel quantitative CT measures and behavioral classification criteria identified significant differences between LS pain groups that were not detected using standard qualitative criteria. These novel quantitative and behavioral classification criteria may be helpful in future research on causes for early retirement in German Shepherd MWDs.

Project description:The aim of this study was to explore the development of the gut microbiota in 168 German Shepherd dogs (30 litters) from 7 weeks to 18 months of age and furthermore, to study the effect of relatedness, maternal microbiota composition and living environment in a large and well-defined population of dogs. Using 454 pyrosequencing, we assessed the effects of pre- and postnatal probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC533 (La1)) and analysed whether administration of the probiotic strain influenced fecal microbiota composition in a placebo controlled double-blinded study. The bitches were treated with probiotics or placebo during last trimester of pregnancy and until their puppies were 8 weeks old, the puppies received the same treatment as their mothers between 3-12 weeks of age. Samples from bitches were collected at pregnancy day 42, partum, 4 weeks postpartum and 7 weeks postpartum and from puppies at the age 4 weeks, 7 weeks, 12-13 months and 15-18 months. Serum IgA, total serum IgE, fecal IgA and IgG antibody responses against canine distemper virus were analysed by ELISA in order to detect any immune stimulating effects of the probiotic strain. Analysis of the fecal microbiota composition showed that the predominant phyla were the same in 7 weeks old puppies as in pregnant and lactating bitches (Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes). Proportions among different bacteria as well as diversity varied from 7 weeks old puppies up to 15-18 months of age. Litter mates had a more similar fecal microbiota compared to unrelated dogs and 7 weeks old puppies were more similar to their mothers than to unrelated bitches at 7 weeks postpartum but not at partum. We observed a change in the relative abundance of different bacteria during lactation, and an increase in diversity from pregnancy to end of lactation. The microbial diversity was affected by living area where dogs living in big cities had higher diversity compared to dogs living at the countryside. However, we were not able to demonstrate an effect by pre and postnatal exposure to Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC533 (La1) upon the diversity or composition of the microbiota or the levels of serum IgA, total serum IgE, fecal IgA or vaccine response. Our findings provide a better understanding of the canine fecal microbiota in growing dogs as well as in pregnant and lactating bitches. This information forms a basis for further research on the connection between early gut colonization and immune function later in life.

Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to measure the movement of the cervical spine in healthy volunteers and patients with cervical spondylosis (CS) and describe the actual motion of the cervical spine using a three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction method. The results can enrich current biomechanical data of cervical spine and help to find the differences between the noted two groups.Materials and methods20 healthy volunteers underwent CT examination ranging from the clivus of the occiput (Oc) to the top of first thoracic vertebrae (T1) in a neutral position with left or right maximal axial rotation, while 26 CS patients received the same CT scan procedures in the neutral position with left and right maximum rotation. Subsequently, the three-dimensional images of the occiput and every cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) were reconstructed using medical software. 3 virtual non-collinear markers were placed on the prominent structures of foramen magnum and every cervical vertebrae. Then, the 3D orthogonal spatial coordinates were defined with these anatomical markers to represent the orientation and position of every vertebra. Segmental relative motions were calculated using Cardan angles in the 3D spatial coordinates. Finally, the differences between the two groups were analyzed with statistical software SPSS.ResultsThe cervical spine exhibited complicated 3D movements, which could be adequately described using the three-dimensional CT reconstruction method. Reliability analysis of the 3D CT reconstruction method showed inter-rater ICC of 0.90-0.99 and intra-rater ICC of 0.91-0.98, suggesting very good consistency. Besides, the rotation at the upper cervical spine (Oc-C2) took up at least 60% of the total cervical rotation. The coupled lateral bending movement of the upper cervical spine was opposite to the major motion, while the movement of the lower cervical spine followed the same direction as that of the major motion. Oc to C5 segments were all coupled with the back-extension movement. The relative translations of all adjacent segments in each direction were minimal. CS patients showed a significant decrease in the movement of the C4-C5 segment compared with healthy volunteers.ConclusionThe motion of the cervical spine was complicated and three-dimensional. The CT reconstruction method employed here was good at describing such movement. The 3D CT reconstruction method exhibited high reproducibility when measuring cervical spine movement. CS patients and healthy volunteers showed significant differences in the movement of some segments.

Dataset Information

Three-Dimensional Kinematics of the Pelvis and Caudal Lumbar Spine in German Shepherd Dogs

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets