Use of Neural Networks to Correlate Spine and Rib Deformity in Scoliosis

Abstract

Artificial neural networks (ANN's) recognize patterns relating input and output data in a manner analogous to the function of biological neurons. Here, we show that ANN's can predict rib deformity in scoliosis more accurately than regression analysis. ANN's and linear regression models were developed to predict rib rotation from several combinations of input spinal indices including Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, apex location and orientation of the plane of maximal curvature. ANN's averaged 60% correct predictions compared to 34% for regression analysis. This study provides evidence for the utility of artificial neural networks in scoliosis research. These data lend credence to the use of ANN's in future work on the prediction of scoliotic spinal deformity from torso surface data, which would permit assessment of scoliosis severity with minimal use of harmful X-rays.     

Genetic markers for idiopathic scoliosis on chromosome 19p 13.3 among Saudi Arabian girls: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Genetic locus linked to chromosome 19p for Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been described. This study was carried out with the aim to find any significant linkage or association between three microsatellite markers (D19S216, D19S894, and DS1034) of chromosome 19p13.3 in Saudi Arabian girls with AIS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In eleven unrelated Saudi Arabian girls who were treated for AIS with Cobb angle of ≥30 degrees and in 10 unrelated healthy individuals, linkage analysis was performed using parametric and nonparametric methods by use of GENEHUNTER version 2.1. Multipoint linkage analysis was used in specifying an autosomal dominant trait with a gene frequency of 0.01 and an estimated penetrance of 80% at the genotype and the allele level. Fisher''s exact test was used in the analysis of contingency tables for the D19S216, D19S894, and DS1034 markers.

RESULTS:

The analysis between the patient group and healthy girls showed that at genotypic level there was no significant association of the markers and scoliosis D19S216 (P = 0.21), D19S894 (P = 0.37), and DS1034 (P = 0.25). Whereas, at the allele level, there was statistically significant association between the marker DS1034 (P = 0.008) and no significant association with the other two markers D19S216 (P = 0.25) and D19S894 (P = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study shows that at genotypic level none of the markers reported earlier were associated with scoliosis but at allele level, marker DS1034 was significantly associated with patients with AIS. This allele marker on chromosome 19p appears important in the etiology of AIS.     

Role of environmental factors in axial skeletal dysmorphogenesis

Approximately 1 in 1000 live births is afflicted with an axial skeletal defect. Although many of the known human teratogens can produce axial skeletal defects, the etiology of over half of the observed defects is unknown. The high morbidity associated with these defects demands that we continue to elucidate the mechanisms of axial skeletal teratogens. Advances in cell and molecular biology with respect to normal development and somitogenesis and the pathogenesis and mechanisms of teratogenesis are occurring at a tremendous rate. This allows teratologists and developmental toxicologists the opportunity to revisit old problems with new tools to elucidate common mechanisms between various environmental insults and discover novel targets that aid in the understanding of normal and pathogenic development of the spine. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 90:118–132, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

重度脊柱侧凸后路一期小切口矫形对肺功能的影响

目的:探讨采用脊柱后路分期矫形策略治疗重度脊柱侧后凸,一期小切口矫形术对患者肺功能的影响。方法:自2007年05月-2010年12月采用脊柱后路分期矫形策略中一期小切口矫形术治疗重度脊柱侧凸患者32例,其中男12例,女20例,年龄5～25(13.5±6.12)岁。一期小切口矫形术前侧凸主弯冠状面Cobb’s角为108°～150°(128.75°±13.51°),胸腰段矢状位后凸角60°～140°(97.78°±27.88°)。测量一期矫形术前及术后2周、3月、6月肺功能,包括肺活量(VC)、用力肺活量(FVC)、第一秒时间肺活量(FEV1)、最大呼气中段流速(MMEF)、最大通气量(MVV),计算其占预计值的百分比[VC%、FVC%、FEV1%、MMEF%、MVV%]。观察患者术前与术后不同时期肺功能的变化。结果:术后3月时肺功能较术前有明显提高(P<0.05),术后6月较术后3个月无显著提高(P>0.05)。结论:对于严重的脊柱侧凸患者,后路一期小切口矫形术后3月肺功能即可获得明显改善,可行二期手术治疗。     

Preliminary studies of neurosensory and cardiopulmonary health compromise in captive- bred Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) suffering scoliosis

Background It has been widely documented that quadrupedal animals rarely display natural spontaneous scoliotic rachis deviations of the spinal column. The objective was to determine spinal deformities developed by geriatric monkeys of the Macaca mulatta species, by radiographical and tomographical studies of the vertebral column correlating morphological changes with altered physiological parameters and electrical neurosensorial conductivity of somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SEPs). Materials and methods A cohort of six geriatric monkeys was used: three non‐scoliotic subjects and three monkeys with naturally acquired true scoliosis. Results Radiographic and tomographic studies depicted a thoracic curvature displaying a left‐sided thoracic vertebral rotation. The evaluation of physiological parameters demonstrated significant differences in the respiratory rate, as it was observed for the diastolic blood pressures, which showed a decrease in the monkeys with scoliosis compared with healthy monkeys. Regarding the SEPs studies, the non‐parametric test for independent samples Mann–Whitney U test displayed a significant difference observed at the left and right thoracic derivative in P1; while regarding the study of upper limbs, a significant difference was seen at the Erb’s point derivative, left afferency in P1, showing in all the derivatives an increase in latency in monkeys with scoliosis versus monkeys in the control group. Conclusions This study has demonstrated that quadrupedal animals can develop true scoliosis showing an analogous way to that occurring in humans.     

退行性腰椎滑脱临近节段椎间盘退变和关节突关节角度相关研究

目的:探讨退行性腰椎滑脱(DLS)临近节段椎间盘退变程度和关节突关节角度之间的关系。方法:选取我院2012年6月至2016年6月收治的120例DLS患者作为DLS组,另外选取来我院接受体检的健康者120例作为对照组,选择CT进行关节突关节角和腰椎滑脱度的测量,使用MRI的T2像对椎间盘进行Pfirrmann退变分级。结果:DLS组的各节段关节突关节角度均小于对照组(P0.05);DLS组不同滑脱程度的L2/3、L3/4、L5/S1节段关节突关节角度的比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);DLS组L2/3、L3/4、L5/S1节段不同椎间盘退变等级间的滑脱程度无显著性差异(P0.05)。L2/3和L3/4节段不同椎间盘退变程度间关节突关节角度差无显著性差异(P0.05),L5/S1节段不同椎间盘退变程度间关节突关节角度差有统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:退行性腰椎滑脱临近节段关节突关节角度明显小于正常人,且临近节段关节突关节的角度并未随着腰椎滑脱程度的加重而改变,退行性腰椎滑脱患者滑脱临近节段椎间盘退变与关节突关节的矢状化程度无关,但L5/S1关节突关节角度不对称性会影响到同节段椎间盘退变程度。     

自体髂骨移植用于后路椎弓根钉棒系统矫形内固定术治疗脊柱侧凸的临床效果及对预后的影响

目的:探讨自体髂骨移植用于后路椎弓根钉棒系统矫形内固定术治疗脊柱侧凸的临床效果及对患者预后的影响。方法:选取2014年4月至2017年4月90例在我院及山西医科大学进行手术治疗的退行性脊柱侧凸患者作为研究对象,按照随机法将患者分为两组,各组45例患者。对照组采用后路椎弓根钉棒系统矫形内固定术,观察组采用后路椎弓根钉棒系统矫形内固定结合自体髂骨移植术。比较两组患者围手术期情况,术前、术后7天及术后12个月腰椎后凸角度、Cobb角、JOA评分、ODI评分的变化及术后并发症发生情况。结果:两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、体温恢复时间、WBC恢复正常时间、引流管置管时间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者术后腰椎前凸角度、Cobb角较手术前明显改善(P0.05);术后12个月,观察组患者腰椎前凸角度高于对照组,Cobb角显著低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者术后JOA评分高于手术前,ODI评分低于手术前(P0.05);观察组患者术后12个月JOA评分高于对照组,ODI评分低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者并发症发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:自体髂骨移植应用于后路椎弓根钉棒系统矫形内固定术治疗退行性脊柱侧弯效果较好,不仅可纠正脊柱侧弯,同时可减轻患者疼痛感及不适感,安全性较高。     

成纤维细胞生长因子20研究进展

成纤维细胞生长因子20(FGF20)是成纤维细胞生长因子家族(FGFs)的成员之一。研究发现,FGF20具有广泛生物学活性,不仅在退行性神经系统疾病,如帕金森病中起着重要作用,还在组织修复,肿瘤发生、器官发育等方面具有重要的生物学功能。尽管作为重组蛋白药物的开发其功能和机制仍有待进一步研究,但FGF20所具备的生物学特性将会有非常广阔的研究领域和应用价值。