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In the proximal interphalangeal (or P.I.P.-) joint of the third finger, asymmetries of its condyles imply that the ulnar condyles are ≈ ¼ larger than the radial ones. The articular surface of the ulnar condyle at the head of the first phalanx is more convex, compared to its mating articular surface at the base of the second phalanx. Ulnar condyles thus show an incongruence of their articular surfaces: a greater convexity of the "ball" and a lesser concavity of its "socket", thus allowing (small) additional translations to occur, apart from normal P.I.P.-flexion and-extension. The convex articular surface of the radial condyle of the first phalanx nicely fits in with its mating concave articular surface of the radial condyle of the second phalanx. So, radial articular surfaces of both condyles of the P.I.P.-joint are fairly congruent, approaching a ball-and-socket-like situation. Thus, P.I.P. axial rotational motions can occur. Now each individual P.I.P.-joint of the fingers 2-5 of the hand exhibits its own corresponding range of such a pronation and supination. In the living this can be easily demonstrated, especially at full P.I.P.-flexion, in which these rotations together result in directions of all fingers 2-5 converging towards one point. Poster is a short synopsis of Ref. [1], figures used with kind permission of the editors.

This paper discusses the effects of smallpox vaccination on the public opinion, 250 yrs. ago. Dr. Dimsdale and Dr. Ingen-Housz, and Empress-Queen Maria Theresa are highlighted, and we conclude our literature search with the Wiener Zeitung weekend edition of October 1, 1768.

Based on historical phenomena, our paper discusses changes of physico-cultural borders over the centuries, with some anthropological applications. We summarize, which trends in history may have foreshadowed the relativities of physico-cultural borders.

We showed some examples of supernumerary structures in lower arm and hand, by means of their presence during ontogeny and in comparative anatomy. In non-human primates and their predecessors, the presence of such supernumerary muscles as the contrahentes muscles and the extensor digitorum profundus muscle, may be quite normal, while with respect to human anatomy most of these muscle-layers disappear during ontogeny. Full persistence however, may be associated with certain genetic conditions. A specific example of supernumerary digital rays in the definitive hand, namely the Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome or postaxial polydactyly, was then discussed. First depicted in 1670, this genetic condition did persist by inheritance, in the offspring of 17th and 18th century mennonite migrants, fleeing from Switzerland and the Palatinate. Currently described in Amish and Brasilian families, this condition also occurs in Western Australian Aboriginal families.

In optimal aerodynamic position, during road cycling, 20° anterior pelvic tilt results in a 7.5 % increase of the length of the hamstrings (long head of m. biceps femoris and m. semimembranosus) and a 6 % decrease of the length of the m. rectus femoris. These muscles are most active during pedal strokes. The increase and decrease in length of these muscles in aero position may lead to respectively hamstrings passive insufficiency, and m. rectus femoris active insufficiency, as these muscles are now likely to shift away from their plateau region of optimal force ( = 100 %). Such imminent muscle insufficiencies are reflected in “thigh injuries” such as “quadriceps and hamstring strains”, as diagnosed in cyclists. Therefore, to restore optimal muscle force, Electro Vibro Stimulation (EVS) is strongly recommended.

In-vivo data about the precise positions of the tendinous lateral bundles (lateral slips or lateral bands) of the extensor assembly of the human finger, in proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion, are provided by this pilot study.

In this paper we shall follow J. F. Edelmann’s (1795-1848) final wanderings to the West Indies where he unintentionally witnessed more calamities such as slave rebellion and repression, as well as their aftermath. We were able to create our current survey thanks to contemporary documents indicating his presence, successively in France, Guyana, Jamaica and finally Cuba. Dealing with multicultural clients, the efforts by J.F. Edelmann and his sons may be seen as “music therapy”.

During normal human gait, just after take-off, a short but distinct foot eversion helps to clear the foot from the surface, mainly during the onset of swing. Only since recently, quantitative measurements in man allow extrapolating such data to quadrupedal gait. Very recently, sophisticated technology captured foot eversion in swing just prior to touch-down in a carnivore running at full speed, which showed full toe-abduction simultaneously with full toe-extension. Institutional cooperation with the Anton De Kom University of Suriname (ADEKUS), Suriname. International University Cooperation (IUC). Flemish programme coordinator: Wim Van Petegem (KU Leuven). Local programme coordinator: Henry R. Ori. Flemish operational coordination: Roeland Janssen & Evy Verstraeten (ICOS KU Leuven). Local operational coordination: Ranoe Mangal and Anthea Rokadji. Phase I started on 1 April 2008, Phase II started on 1 April 2013. Cluster 2: Education and Research. Project 5. Education and research programme on physical therapy. Flemish project leader: Yves Vanlandewijck (KU Leuven). Local project leader: Tony C.M. Chang. The Anton De Kom Universiteit (Adekus) is located in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Adekus is convinced that the IUC programme can contribute enormously to its institutional development, the strengthening of its management and research structures, and the confirmation of its role as a driving force in the Surinam society. The eventual finalization of a number of PhDs will allow the academic staff to strengthen the lecturing staff slowly replacing the foreign lecturers.

Empirical evidence shows that a strong correlation exists between the flexion angles of the distal and proximal interphalangeal(D.I.P., P.I.P.) joints of the human finger. Several authors measured this functional dependence, stating that the interdependence of D.I.P. and P.I.P. flexion is different for healthy individuals and patients displaying pathologies. The purpose of our study is to find an analytical expression for this correlation. Methods: Following closely the anatomical in situ relations, we developed a two-dimensional kinematical model which expresses analytically the D.I.P.–P.I.P. angle correlation. Numerical values for the model were extracted from one healthy and one pathological case data set. Results: The analytical form of the model allows for any P.I.P. angle not only to calculate the corresponding D.I.P. angle, but after first order differentiation with respect to the P.I.P. angle, it also shows the rate of change of the D.I.P. flexion. The model reproduces well the differences in the angular correlation of D.I.P. flexion of the two healthy- pathological data sets. Displaying the rate of change of D.I.P. flexion versus P.I.P. flexion provides an additional, clear-cut discriminatory tool between normal and pathological states. Conclusions: Information on differences between normal and pathological flexion of fingers is more pronounced and easier accessible from the derivatives of the D.I.P.–P.I.P. flexion behaviour than from direct angular correlation data. The analytical form of our model allows one to establish the rate of change of the D.I.P. angles, resulting in a better analysis of the situations at hand.

In walking bipedally, various arboreal New World primate species use a “forefoot first” strategy, after which heel contact occurs. A similar walking scenario is seen in arboreal New World marsupials like the opossum, a quadrupedal primate “predecessor”. In opossum walking the swing phase ends with the foot in the inverted position to the next touchdown with the forefoot. We therefore hypothesized that those quadrupedal marsupials which are mainly or exclusively terrestrial like e.g., wombats, will also display a “forefoot first” strategy at touchdown. Our observations reveal that marsupials such as wombats, though being exclusively quadrupedal and non-arboreal, show basically the same strategies of foot eversion to ensure safe touchdown as bipedally walking arboreal New World primate species, with morphologically guided adjustments. Analyzing this hopefully helps to understand gait training problems in patients too, with emphasis on foot inversion and eversion. Agreement on Scientific Cooperation of 01.02.2010 between the Department of Department of Physical Culture and Adaptation of the St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Research Group of Functional Morphology of the Universiteit Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium - no fundings implied.

Enkele minder bekende morfologische eigenschappen en detail-structuren van het Proximale Interphalangeale (PIP-) gewricht van de normale vinger worden besproken, die een rol zouden kunnen spelen bij de pathogenese van reumatoïde artritis. Naast het verloop van de capillairen in het gewrichtskapsel, en het gekruiste, laagsgewijze verloop van de vezelbundels in het proprius collateraal ligament (PCL) van het PIP-gewricht, spreken vooral de intra-articulaire plicae synoviales (synovial folds), en de in het PCL aanwezige gelamelleerde proprioceptieve lichaampjes tot de verbeelding. Ideeën worden geopperd omtrent mogelijke microtraumata van deze structuren. Recente literatuurgegevens suggereren namelijk het pathogenetisch belang van zulke microtraumata, die ook aanleiding kunnen zijn tot chronische gewrichtsontstekingen zoals reumatoïde artritis waarvan de (vroege) symptomen immers vaak de hand betreffen, met name de PIP-gewrichten.

This study offers data on finger joint morphology, revealed by micro-anatomical observations, histological screening, and various high resolution imaging techniques in in-vitro anatomical specimens of small finger joints. Such data may help to understand the use of finger joints while handling PC mice, especially flexing and extending the fingers in e.g. moving a PC mouse scrolling wheel during educational and professional activities. Possible solutions after long standing finger problems are proposed.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem with important financial implications for society. Chronic LBP is a multidimensional problem with patho-anatomical, neurophysiological, physical and psychosocial aspects. One of the causes of mechanical LBP is instability of the lumbar spine. Imbalance of mm. multifidi may play a role in spinal disorders and low back pain in the lumbar spine. Stability of the vertebral column in the frontal plane greatly depends on symmetrical activities of muscles, on both sides of the spine. To extend our data concerning the lines of application along which the forces produced by mm. multifidi in particular are acting, directions of these lines with respect to the vertebral column's longitudinal axis were determined in four otherwise normal anatomical whole body specimens (2 men, 2 women). Bony origins and insertions of lumbar multifidus muscles in each specimen were marked by coloured pins, over a number of vertebral levels. Specimens were photographed in standard anatomical conditions, i.e. from dorsal views. On the photographs, following characteristics of the m. multifidus were measured: a) lengths of subsequent superficial muscle fibers of the multifidus muscle from their origins to their insertions and b) angles of these superficial multifidus muscle fibers with respect to the axis of each segment of the lumbar spine. Compared to female, male specimens showed significantly longer multifidi. Finally, after superimposing AP radiograms of the specimens on their photographs, moment arms of some multifidi respective to nuclei pulposi of lumbar intervertebral discs were measured. Although our data stretch farther caudally, results accord with current biomechanical literature, especially concerning right-left differences, and related to scoliosis visible on radiograms. Epidemiologically, increased percentages of scoliosis during growth - be it partly temporarily - were observed as vertebral column deformations in female gymnasts, in years of intense training, after assymetrical muscle activities.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem with important financial implications for society, imposing a heavy economic burden as well. Chronic LBP is a multidimensional problem with patho-anatomical, neurophysiological, physical and psychosocial aspects. One of the causes of mechanical LDP is instability of the lumbar spine. Imbalance of mm. multifidi may play a role in spinal disorders and low back pain in the lumbar spine. Stability of the vertebral column in the frontal plane greatly depends on symmetrical activities of muscles, on both sides of the spine. To extend our data concerning the lines of application along which the forces produced by mm. multifidi in particular are acting, directions of these lines with respect to the vertebral's column's longitudinal axis were determined in four otherwise normal anatomical whole body specimens (2 male, 2 female). Bony origins and insertions of the lumbar multifidus muscles in each anatomical specimen were marked by coloured pins, over a number of vertebral levels. Specimens were photographed in standard anatomical conditions,i.e. from dorsal views. On the photographs, following characteristics of the m.multifidus were measured: a) lengths of subsequent superficial muscle fibers of the multifidus muscle from their origins to their insertions and b) angles of these superficial multifidus muscle fibers with respect to the axis of each segment of the lumbar spine. Compared to female, male specimens showed significantly longer multifidi. After superimposing AP radiograms of the specimens on their photographs, moment arms of some multifidi respective to nuclei pulposi of lumbar intervertebral discs were measured. Although our data stretch farther caudally, results correspond with current biomechanical literature, especially concerning right-left differences (Oatis, 2009). Our data also accord with scoliosis visible on AP radiograms. Biomechanically,the lumbar spine described as a multiarticular chain of rigid bodies tends to "buckle" or collapse - even when opposing muscle forces bilaterally that stabilise the articular chain in the frontal plane are of equal values - if the ratios of the joints' moment arms are inequal. In order to prevent buckling in the frontal plane, viz.scoliosis of the lumbar spine, the aforesaid biomechanical principle presumes equal values by opposing muscle forces, as well as equal ratios of moment arms of the joints of the multiarticular chain. Even if this last condition is fulfilled as it should normally be, bilaterally opposing muscle forces by lumbar multifidi may develop unequally, e.g. after prolonged rhythmic muscle training during asymmetrical movements, as in the education of girl gymnasts. In view of gender-related length differences of lumbar multifidus muscles, revealed by our in vitro study, some in vivo data regarding the incidence of postural defects and scoliosis were followed epidemiologically. Increased percentages of scoliosis during growth - being somewhat reduced over the years by adapted programs - were observed as vertebral column deformations in female gymnasts ages 5-17, in years of intense training, after asymmetrical muscle activities.

Introduction: Foot dorsiflexor m.tibialis anterior causes foot inversion too. Foot inversion turns the footsole inwards; eversion turns it outwards. Backgrounds: Quadrupedalism in primates and precursors is characterized by moving forward in a parasagittal plane, while the forefoot keeps clinging to the substratum. This imposes external rotation on the lower leg, tranferred to foot inversion by cardan-like functions of the ankle-joint. Such rotational movements include calcaneo-cuboid pivot in primates, and in the opossum, a predecessor. At beginning of stance, opossum and lower primates lack initial heel contact, while higher primates have heel contact from touchdown. Prerequisites for heel strike at the onset of stance include foot dorsiflexion. Materials and methods: In ten human anatomical specimens, prior to radiography, metal marking wires were wound around m.tibialis anterior tendons, indicating this muscle on radiograms. Longitudinal axes of inversion of the transverse tarsal joint were introduced in tracings of each radiogram, by drawing oblique lines connecting the lateral tubercl of tuber calcanei and the cuboid's processus calcaneus, up to the first interdigital cleft. Measurements in orthogonal pairs of biplanar radiograms provided the distances between the line representing tibialis anterior and the axis of foot inversion at their crossing points. These distances represented tibialis anterior moment arm lengths respective to foot inversion axes. Results and conclusions: Average length of the inversion moment arm of m. tibialis anterior in 10 anatomical specimens is about 2.3 cm, according with recently published in vivo data. Live foot motion reveals visibly active m. tibialis anterior initiating foot dorsiflexion, to cause foot inversion simultaneously.

In the PIP joint capsule of the finger, neurofilaments and lamellated corpuscules are observed, comparable with those present in human facet joints. Our study demonstrated these corpuscules in the PIP Proper Collateral Ligament for the first time. Supposedly acting as mechanoreceptors, they may also produce cytokines and substance P, a neuropeptide involved in pain. As the PIP joints of fingers in particular show symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis at very early stages, these organs may therefore play a role in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In conclusion, we state that curiosity-driven research after normal synovial folds within the PIP-joint of the finger confirms their actual location. Neurovascular bundles in the normal PIP-joint’s capsule, and neurons in lamellated corpuscles within the Proper Collateral Ligament, may shed new light on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis in human finger joints.

The bony attachments of the PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint's collateral ligaments of the finger, are known as the so-called entheses. Enthesitis as a key-mechanism in human arthritis was investigated by various authors (e.g., McGonagle et al., 2003). Therefore we carried out a meticulous morphological reappraisal, based on coronal HR-MRI slices of a normal anatomical specimen of an extended PIP joint (Lippens et al. , 1997). Additional coronal histological sections (Masson Trichrome & Weigert Orcein staining) of a PIP collateral ligament from a normal finger anatomical specimen, observed under low power magnification, reveal crisscrossing of collagen fiber bundles with virtually no elasticity. This contrasts with the simple parallelism of collagen fibers as sketched in the diagrams from literature.

In human gait, at the end of the stance phase, the lower leg normally performs a slight temporary lateral rotation, while the foot simultaneously shows inversion through mid-stance until toe-off. The subsequent swing phase mostly shows the foot swaying more or less in inversion, in order to be repositioned, as the lower leg does, during late swing and after touchdown. While these non-sagittal events in lower leg, ankle and foot have been hitherto insufficiently analyzed in quadrupeds, more profound analysis in terms of arthrology and myology of lower leg and foot in primates and their predecessors remained quite scarce as well. Therefore, in our laboratory of anatomy, a series of measurements in anatomical specimens of human lower leg and foot was performed, in order to quantify with regard to gross anatomy some of the underlying functional-morphological mechanisms of such nonsagittal movements. As the majority of the abovementioned studies has been published else already, this review emphasizes their methods and results, with possible applications to well-known phenomena of foot inversion and foot eversion, that occur during the normal walking and running cycles, e.g. in children.

Heller et al.(2013) state that in multiple sclerosis patients, inversion of the foot at terminal swing is insufficiently corrected. However, it is the inversion of the foot at the end of the stance phase that is insufficiently corrected because of poor eversion of the foot in the early swing phase, which results in early ground contact of the outside border of the still partially inverted foot in the terminal swing phase. In minimally impaired multiple sclerosis patients walking on a treadmill, this leads to the producing of characteristic high-pitched shuffling sounds, generated in fact by a temporary friction of the outside border of the shod foot-in-terminal-swing, along the surface of the treadmill belt. Scientific Contract Research by K. J. van Zwieten, at the University of Hasselt, Belgium : "Foot inversion and eversion movements in stance and swing - some comparative-anatomical and functional morphological aspects (R-3500)", 1-01-2012 - 31-12-2013.

Foot movements involved in the kinematic articular chain of the gait cycle in metatherians (marsupials) may be analysed in order to unravel eutherian bipedal gait. At the onset of sway, a short distinct foot eversion helps to clear the human foot from the walking surface. Very recently, sophisticated technology captured foot eversion at the end of swing, in a carnivore running at full speed. While doing so, this eutherian quadruped shows internal axial rotation of the lower leg and simultaneously heel-abduction, toe-extension and toe-abduction. This latter phenomenon might be universal, as it has been described in metatherians earlier. University of Hasselt Belgium, Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds (BOF), Bilateral Project, Institutional University Cooperation (IUS), ADEKUS University of Suriname, 2008 - 2018 Title of Project R-3500 : Foot inversion and eversion movements in stance and swing - some comparative-anatomical and functional morphological aspects, Period of Project : 1-01-2012 - 31-12-2013, also see : http://www.uhasselt.be/project_details?pid=5986&t=nl

Multiple Sclerosis patients sometimes experience their forward swinging feet to catch the floor unintentionally. Minimally impaired Multiple Sclerosis patients, during terminal-swing phases of gait, may even produce shuffling sounds, by the lateral soles of their feet over the ground. To prevent tripping, such patients should train their medial hamstring muscles. Renewed interest in gait and balance in Multiple Sclerosis emerges, as the 1st International Symposium on Gait and Balance in Multiple Sclerosis testifies (International Journal of MS Care, 2011). However, little attention is given to the swing phase of gait in early Multiple Sclerosis patients. Remarkably, various early diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis patients produce audible shuffling sounds, caused by the lateral soles of their shod feet over the ground, during the terminal-swing phase of gait. The common cause seems to be foot-drop including foot-inversion. Foot-inversion is defined as turning the sole of the foot inward, while foot-eversion is turning the sole outward. Recent quantitative data on exercise therapies of ankle weakness patients clearly show that normal foot eversion goes together with simultaneous shank internal rotation. From a functional-anatomical point of view, normal internal shank rotation during knee flexion is effectuated by the medial hamstring muscles. Most authors therefore agree on training Multiple Sclerosis patients´ hamstrings. Strength training of hamstring muscles appears to have positive effects on muscular function and gait speed in Multiple Sclerosis patients. We presume that the abnormal lateral foot shuffling in swing may easily lead to the much-dreaded tripping, stumbling and falling with their far-reaching consequences. This should be avoided as much as possible. University of Hasselt Scientific Contract Research 2012 -2013, Project : Foot inversion and eversion movements in stance and swing - some comparative-anatomical and functional morphological aspects (R-3500)

We analysed videos (from the public domain) of a walking wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii. From take-off, its foot’s lateral side stays continuously lifted, causing everted foot positions during most of the swing phase, as also observed in the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis. Here the cardan-like ankle joint transmits shank axial rotation to foot-eversion or foot-inversion (Narain et al., 2009). Only recently, have measurements from primates, viz. man, allowed extrapolating these data to bipedal gait. At the onset of swing, foot eversion clears the human foot from the ground (Legault-Moore et al., 2012). University of Hasselt, Scientific Contract Research, Project R-3500 Foot inversion and eversion movements in stance and swing - some comparative-anatomical and functional morphological aspects

Empirical evidence shows that a strong correlation exists between the flexion angles of the distal interphalangeal joint (D.I.P.), and the proximal interphalangeal joint (P.I.P.) of the human finger. The aim of the study therefore is to find an analytical expression for this correlation, from where the first derivative may be calculated. Especially the visualisation of the rate of change of the D.I.P. flexion versus P.I.P. flexion provides an additional and clear-cut discriminatory tool between normal and pathological states of the finger.

In human and non-human primates, at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger, the arrangement of tendinous bands in the extensor assembly as well as the shape of the trochlea of the proximal phalanx determine the rate of release of the third phalanx as seen in e.g., ordinary opening and closing of the hand. In view of the importance of skilled forelimb movements and hand- and finger joint coordination, in prehensile kinematics of human and other primates, we therefore analyse the various morphological characteristics of these structures to some detail, viz. in human, non-human primates, and in a primate ‘predecessor’. Our data corroborate most of the previously published conclusions. In the extensor assembly of the finger, intercrossing of the various fanning-out tendon fibres appears to be a prerequisite par excellence for well-defined tendon-bundle formation (also known as “tendon fasciculation and individualization”). Initially, “in opossum, at the dawn of mammalian eruption, the hand emerged with a [less] complex structure of the extensor assembly”. On the other hand, a predominant parallelism of tendon fibres in the extensor assembly results in more homogeneity. Especially small-sized mammalian species, with short gestation periods, appear to display such homogeneities. The fanning out of tendon fibres in the extensor assembly increases as contrahentes digitorum muscles of the hand become more and more incorporated within the interosseus muscles. As hands of mammals with rather long gestation periods lack mm. contrahentes digitorum in particular, it is challenging to consider some relation between tendon fasciculation and individualization in the extensor assemblies, and ontogenetic processes, in human and other primates.

Starting from analyses, performed to design total knee joint prostheses, we used similar approaches for the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the finger (Wachowski et al., 2011). By 4-bar linkage analysis of main fiber bundles in the PIP joint´s Proper Collateral Ligament (PCL), we were able to construct the curvatures of the only two articulating surfaces which can perform PIP flexion by rolling relative to each other without any gliding. Such engineering results can be used for prosthesis design although they deviate from normal anatomy. Endorsed by HandShoemouse ® ("Hippus") the Truly Ergonomic Computer Mouse - see http://www.handshoemouse.com/

Superficial and deep fiber bundles within the proper collateral ligament (PCL) of the finger's Proximal Inter Phalangeal (P.I.P.) joint(van Zwieten et al., 2011)are clearly visible in High Resolution MRI frontal and sagittal slices. Because these bundles are fully tautened during PIP flexion, and in view of their intercrossing, we could conceive the PIP joint as a crossed 4-bar linkage system. Introducing into this 4-bar linkage model numerical values, obtained after measurements in sagittal HR-MRI slices, allowed us to construct the curvatures of the only two articulating surfaces which can perform PIP flexion by rolling relative to each other without any gliding. Endorsed by "Hippus Handshoemouse" - Truly Ergonomic Mouse, the only PC-mouse that fits like a glove, www.handshoemouse.com/

Beneficial effects by low frequency vibrations on muscle strength as in walking and running, and by medium frequency whole body vibration as during the application of electrovibrostimulation were demonstrated recently (Van Zwieten et al., 2007). Very low frequency vibrations (1-2 Hz), however, may evoke so-called kinetosis which is characterized by malaise, dizziness and nausea (Kepa, 2006). Large wind turbines can produce these infrasonic vibrations, as reported by Jung et al. (2008). Wind turbines should be constructed at least 1.5 km from residences (Chouard, 2006) and should stand not too close together. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Prof. Hermans and Dr. Doolan are thanked for their kind correspondences.

Some gait characteristics of individuals with minimally impaired Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were calculated quantitatively by means of gait frequencies, and described qualitatively by means of clinical observation, focusing on gait analysis. The present report is part of the current University of Hasselt Research Project R-3500 "Foot inversion and eversion movements in stance and swing - some comparative-anatomical and functional morphological aspects", see http://www.uhasselt.be/UH/research/Research-UHasselt/Research-groups-per-discipline-group/en-projecten_DOC/en-project_details.html?pid=5986&t=en

The article presents widening of spaces between certain lower leg and ankle bones, during power stroke of normal gait. Repositioning of these bones after this widening, normally occurring during recovery, can be analysed functional morphologically and comparative anatomically. Endorsed by the University of Hasselt Institutional University Cooperation (IUS), within the framework of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) University of Hasselt Project "ADEKUS Suriname '08-'18, KUL, Profs. Vervoort, G. Janssens, P. Steels, K.J. van Zwieten, P. Janssen"

Proactive training of the evertor muscles might be a useful method to prevent ankle sprains. This can be achieved by exercising the evertor muscle m. peroneus longus. Specially designed warming-ups, like single-leg jumps and sideward jumps should be performed. Our pilot study strongly suggests such an approach. Further research to confirm this hypothesis may be helpful to pro-actively prevent ankle sprains in a broader population as well. Endorsed by the University of Hasselt Institutional University Cooperation (IUS), within the framework of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) University of Hasselt Project "ADEKUS Suriname '08-'18, KUL, Profs. Vervoort, G. Janssens, P. Steels, K.J. van Zwieten, P. Janssen"

A group of nine youthful gymnasts without a medical history was trained by warm-up exercises four times weekly intended to reinforce peroneus muscles. After four weeks this group performed the single-leg standing balance on board longer than a control group exercising with non-specific warm-ups. Evertor muscles reinforcement might therefore be used to prevent so-called “inversion traumatisms”. Endorsed by the University of Hasselt Institutional University Cooperation (IUS), within the framework of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) University of Hasselt Project "ADEKUS Suriname '08-'18, KUL, Profs. Vervoort, G. Janssens, P. Steels, K.J. van Zwieten, P. Janssen"

Behavioural studies make use of handwritten letters’ characteristics like strokes, roundedness, etcetera. In consequence, Fisher et al. (2010) studying brain activation during rejected love, noticed typical pre-motor activity patterns, as suggested by irregular writing patterns as well, due to basal ganglia dysfunction (Mergl et al., 2004). A short historical text written in a presumably depressed mood was checked on such characteristics in the light of hypothesised finger-, and hand movements possibly related to pre-motor activities in e.g. unrequited love. Down-strokes in particular require coordination of extrinsic, but especially intrinsic hand- and finger- muscles. Rounded forms ask for well-coordinated interphalangeal joint motion. We conclude that no basal ganglia dysfunction was present. Supported by the "Zomercursus Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur", headed by J. Wilmots and E. Moonen, University of Hasselt. The developing of new ideas on some alternatives for handwriting, by P. Helder and his colleagues at www.handshoemouse.com is greatly appreciated.

In primate predecessors, various muscles might be involved in guaranteeing foot eversion at touchdown. In bipedal primates, e.g. humans, the strength of the peroneus muscles may be trained, in order to guarantee stable foot positioning at touchdown. Evertor muscles reinforcement might thus be used to prevent inversion traumatisms. Endorsed by Institutional University Cooperation (IUS) ADEKUS Suriname '08-'18 KUL, Coordinator Prof. Vervoort, Teamleader G. Janssens, Teammembers P. Steels, K.J. van Zwieten, P. Janssen

Because in man, the knee joint and the Proximal Inter Phalangeal (P.I.P.-) joint of the finger show several similarities (Slattery, 1990), it is justified to analyze some of the human P.I.P.-joint´s functional morphology by making use of methodologies elsewhere applied on form and function of the human knee. Analyzing the shapes of the articular surfaces of the finger P.I.P.-joint is also needed in view of somber perspectives of some P.I.P. joint arthroplasties after a certain time (Sweets and Stern, 2011).

In small quadrupeds, internal rotation of the humerus and subsequent supination of the forearm are related to locomotion. Internal humeral rotation is correlated with backward movement of the limb during the stance phase. In the opossum, an early predecessor of primates including man, the internal humeral rotation imposes supination on the forearm during the propulsion stroke. In planar movement of the human hand, e.g. a vertical shift overa flat surface,rotation of the humerus is involved. Forward movement implies an internal rotation, backward movement an external rotation. This external rotation imposes some degree of pronation on the lower arm. As a consequence, excessive repetitive forward-backward shifting of the hand (palm downwards) may result in overactivity of the m.pronator teres, and may eventually lead to pathological conditions like repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Such injuries do often occur in PC-workers, as a consequence of their handling of the computer mouse. The present study focused on the anatomical features of the pronator teres muscle investigated in normal human anatomical specimens by means of dissection, morphometry and roentgenphotogrammetry. Humeral (superficial) and ulnar (deep) heads of m. pronator teres fuse, their common tendon inserting on the tuberositas pronatoria of the radius. Vectorial decomposition of forces indicates that the effective contribution of m. pronator teres to pronation of the forearm may be considered as somewhat limited. M. pronator teres' vector of elbow flexion appears to be about 4 x its pronating vector. Further reduction of the pronating muscle activities in shifting of the hand (palm downwards) when handling the PC-mouse, may be attained by preventing the lower arm to use its full range of pronation. Using lightly slanted computer mice thus prevents the hand to display fully palm-downwards positions. Consequently, decreased pronator teres activities in PC-workers using such mice were demonstrated (Chen & Leung, 2007)..

De voordracht “Hoe werkt onze stem” kwam tot stand op basis van twee studiedagen aan de Universiteit Hasselt “Anatomie van de stemvormende organen”. Nadruk ligt op het leren kennen van anatomische structuren die voor de stemvorming zorgen, en hoe hun vorm bijdraagt tot functies van spreken en zingen. Enkele stoornissen qua functie worden geduid. Open Universiteit Hasselt, België, http://www.openuniversiteit.uhasselt.be/ HandShoe Mouse, Hippus NV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, http://www.handshoemouse.com/

The use of vertical PC-mice in “handshake” positions, although stated equivalent to other devices, should be re-evaluated in view of the observed interosseous membrane tautness that our in vitro study demonstrated. As most thumb and index finger long muscles -agonists and antagonists alike - do originate from this forearm interosseous membrane, undue strains simultaneously caused by opposing muscles in using vertical PC-mice may elicit problems in vivo.

This short survey is concluded by stating that of all positions of the forearm, its so-called “neutral” position contains the greatest potential source of muscular and other damage during longstanding and repetitive movements of thumb and fingers. Most of this present conclusion is based on evident observations in preserved anatomical specimens of the forearm, supple enough to be compared to the situation in the living. Studies performed by means of modern imaging techniques moreover, applied to the forearms in otherwise normal subjects do clearly support these observations. To avoid the abovementioned effects, as a consequence of PC mice in “handshake” of “joystick” positions, we strongly recommend pronated positions of the forearm, explicitly the somewhat tilted variances e.g. in using lightly slanted computer mice, by proof requiring least muscle activities

To analyse the behaviour of the forearm interosseous membrane (IOM) in vitro, forearm anatomical specimens supple enough to simulate in vivo movements, were observed in supination, neutral position, and pronation. The bony, so-called interosseous borders of radius and ulna lie in frontal plane in supination. Their distal halves partly follow each other’s curvatures, leaving the IOM in-between undulated and rather lax. The neutral or “handshake” position, ulna unchanged while the radius’ arched curvature lies in sagittal plane, creates largest distances between the bones, causing the IOM to be maximally taut. In full pronation (radius and ulna crossed) the interosseous borders re-approach each other, causing the IOM to become undulated and lax again. These bony characteristics, directed differently dependent of forearm position, causing the IOM to be whether lax or taut, may generate different proprioceptive signals in vivo, e.g. in handling vertical PC mice.

Highly intense use of the finger, while handling the computer mouse, as in e-learning, may lead to hand- or finger complaints, e.g. in the elderly. To understand the finger positions concerned, we analysed some of its joints by functional anatomical research. A statically and dynamically stabilised finger arch is needed to prevent complaints. Endorsed by HandShoe Mouse, Hippus NV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Focal dystonia (FD) - a neuromuscular disorder - severely interferes with occupational activities – moreover, it may be an early Multiple Sclerosis symptom (Yücesan et al., 2000) - Focal dystonia of hand and fingers, described as an imbalanced tension of their different muscles, leads to painful, impaired and often aberrant motions (Van Zwieten et al., 2008) - Normal coordinated finger flexion becomes clear by a kinematic model (Sholukha et al., 1998) - Such a model can also be used to analyze uncoordinated finger movement patterns, e.g. those visible after long standing peripheral neuropathies (Van Zwieten et al., 2008) - An example of such a peripheral neuropathy is the “intrinsic minus” hand, caused by chronic neurodegeneration of n. ulnaris, which innervates most of intrinsic hand muscles - Fingers of “intrinsic minus” hands are characterized by o.a. hyperextension of their metacarpophalangeal joints, simultaneous with flexion of the both interphalangeal joints - Muscle tension imbalances in focal dystonia too, will produce “intrinsic minus” patterns - As focal dystonia in instrumentalists’ hands also presents itself with “intrinsic minus” patterns (Van Zwieten et al., 2009), similar patterns may be seen in PC-workers Endorsed by the Belgische Vereniging voor Dystoniepatiënten VZW / Association Belge des Patients Dystoniques ASBL / Belgische Vereinigung für Dystoniepatienten VoG, Website : www.dystonie.be

Comparative observations in the hind limb of the opossum, a primate predecessor, reveal essential differences regarding lower leg coupling mechanisms. Especially the primate ankle shows cardan joint properties, causing inversion of the foot before toe-off. Inversion is turning the footsole inwards, eversion is turning it outwards. By bony landmarks, features of longitudinal rotation of bones from 3-D frames were matched to available radiocinematographs of walking stages in (a) early stance, (b) mid-stance, (c) toe-off, and (d) swing. Flemish Interuniversity Council - University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS), Institutional University Cooperation, ADEKUS Suriname, Project 6: Education and research programme on physical therapy, Coordinators: Yves Vanlandewijck & Tony Chang