Bio-energetic profile in 144 boys aged from 6 to 15 years with special reference to sexual maturation

The effects of growth and pubertal development on bio-energetic characteristics were studied in boys aged 6-15 years (n = 144; transverse study). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max, direct method), mechanical power at VO2max (PVO2max), maximal anaerobic power (Pmax; force-velocity test), mean power in 30-s sprint (P30s; Wingate test) were evaluated and the ratios between Pmax, P30s and PVO2max were calculated. Sexual maturation was determined using salivary testosterone as an objective indicator. Normalized for body mass VO2max remained constant from 6 to 15 years (49 ml.min-1.kg-1, SD 6), whilst Pmax and P30s increased from 6-8 to 14-15 years, from 6.2 W.kg-1, SD 1.1 to 10.8 W.kg-1, SD 1.4 and from 4.7 W.kg-1, SD 1.0 to 7.6 W.kg-1, SD 1.0, respectively, (P less than 0.001). The ratio Pmax:PVO2max was 1.7 SD 3.0 at 6-8 years and reached 2.8 SD 0.5 at 14-15 years and the ratio P30s:PVO2max changed similarly from 1.3 SD 0.3 to 1.9 SD 0.3. In contrast, the ratio Pmax:P30s remained unchanged (1.4 SD 0.2). Significant relationships (P less than 0.001) were observed between Pmax (W.kg-1), P30s (W.kg-1), blood lactate concentrations after the Wingate test, and age, height, mass and salivary testosterone concentration. This indicates that growth and maturation have together an important role in the development of anaerobic metabolism.     

Expression of the two pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 in human intervertebral disc cells

Potassium channels play a major role in intracellular homeostasis and regulation of cell volume. Intervertebral disc cells respond to mechanical loading in a complex manner. Mechanical loading may play a role in disc degeneration. Lumbar intervertebral disc samples from 5 patients (average age: 47 years, range: 25-64 years) were used for this study, investigating cells from the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus duplicate samples to determine RNA expression and protein expression. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-PCR demonstrated that TREK 1 was expressed by nucleus pulposus (n=5) and annulus fibrosus (n=5) cells. Currently, TREK-1 is the only potassium channel known to be activated by intracellular acidosis, and responds to mechanical and chemical stimuli. Whilst the precise role of potassium channels in cellular homeostasis remains to be determined, TREK-1 may be important to protect disc cells against ischaemic damage, and subsequent disc degeneration, and may also play a role in effecting mechanotransduction. Further research is required to fully elucidate the role of the TREK-1 ion channel in intervertebral disc cells.     

IL-1b基因单核苷酸多态性与腰椎间盘疾病的相关性

为研究汉族人白细胞介素-1b（IL-1b）基因 ^-511T>C 和 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T位点单核苷酸多态性与腰椎间盘疾病的关系, 采用聚合酶链反应技术, 扩增 81 例腰椎间盘疾病患者和 101 例正常对照者中分别包含IL-1b 基因 ^-511T>C 和 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T 位点的片段, 酶切法鉴定 IL-1b基因 ^-511T>C和 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T 位点单核苷酸多态性情况, 比较两组中基因多态性与腰椎间盘疾病的关系。同时, 利用 MRI 检测两组腰椎间盘退变的情况, 并分析其中小于45岁者IL-1b基因多态性与腰椎间盘退变严重程度的关系。结果显示, 腰椎间盘疾病病例组及对照组中均存在IL-1b基因 ^-511T>C 和 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T 位点单核苷酸多态性。IL-1b 基因 ^-511T>C 位点 TT、TC 和 CC基因型, T、C 基因型差别与腰椎间盘疾病有关（P<0.01）, 与腰椎间盘退变严重程度无关(P>0.05), 但IL-1b基因 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T 位点单核苷酸多态性与腰椎间盘退变严重程度及腰椎间盘疾病均无关(P>0.05)。表明在汉族人中, 存在 IL-1b 基因 ^-511T>C 和 ⁺³⁹⁵⁴C>T 位点单核苷酸多态性, 但仅 ^-511T>C 位点单核苷酸多态性与腰椎间盘疾病有关。     

Effect of a Double Helical Spring Decompression Structure Backpack on the Lumbar Spine Biomechanics of School-Age Children: A Finite Element Study

Background: A children’s backpack is one of the important school supplies for school-age children. Long-term excessive weight can cause spinal deformity that cannot be reversed. This study compared a double helical spring decompression structure backpack (DHSB) with a traditional backpack (TB) to explore the optimization of decompression devices on upper body pressure. The finite element (FE) method was then used to explore the simulation of lumbar stress with different backpacks, in order to prove that DHSB can reduce the influence of backpack weight on lumbar vertebrae, avoid the occurrence of muscle discomfort and spinal deformity in children; Methods: 18 male children subjects (age: 12.5 ± 0.6 years; height: 145.5 ± 1.9 cm; bodyweight: 40.8 ± 3.1 kg) ran with DHSB and TB at a speed of 3.3 ± 0.2 m/s. Flexible pressure sensors were used to measure the pressure on the shoulder, back, and waist during running. The pressure data was then inputted into the FE model to simulate the effect of carrying different backpacks on the stress of the lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD); Result: There was a significant difference in shoulder and waist peak pressure between the DHSB and TB during the running posture. At a speed of 3.3 ± 0.2 m/s, the peak pressure of the shoulder and waist decreased. After finite element analysis, it was found that carrying DHSB on the back could effectively reduce the intervertebral disc pressure between L4-5 and L5-S1 by 27.9% and 34.1%, respectively; Conclusion: DHSB can effectively reduce the pressure on the shoulder and waist when children are running and can reduce the influence of backpacks on children’s posture to a certain extent. By finite element analysis, it is found that carrying DHSB can effectively reduce the stress of the lumbar intervertebral disc, and the damage to lumbar vertebrae is lower than with a TB.     

Targeted deletion of the SPARC gene accelerates disc degeneration in the aging mouse.

SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine) is a matricellular protein that is present in the intervertebral disc; in man, levels of SPARC decrease with aging and degeneration. In this study, we asked whether targeted deletion of SPARC in the mouse influenced disc morphology. SPARC-null and wild-type (WT) mice were studied at 0.3-21 months of age. Radiologic examination of spines from 2-month-old SPARC-null mice revealed wedging, endplate calcification, and sclerosis, features absent in age-matched WT spines. Discs from 3-month-old SPARC-null mice had a greater number of annulus cells than those of WT animals (1884.6 +/- 397.9 [mean +/- SD] vs 1500.2 +/- 188.2, p=0.031). By 19 months discs from SPARC-null mice contained fewer cells than WT counterparts (1383.6 +/- 363.3 vs 1466.8 +/- 148.0, p=0.033). Histology of midsagittal spines showed herniations of lower lumbar discs of SPARC-null mice ages 14-19 months; in contrast, no herniations were seen in WT age-matched animals. Ultrastructural studies showed uniform collagen fibril diameters in the WT annulus, whereas in SPARC-null disc fibrils were of variable size with irregular margins. Consistent with the connective tissue deficits observed in other tissues of SPARC-null mice, our findings support a fundamental role for SPARC in the production, assembly, or maintenance of the disc extracellular matrix.     

退变腰椎间盘组织细胞凋亡相关蛋白酶Caspase-10 的表达研究

目的:探讨凋亡相关蛋白酶Caspase-10在腰椎间盘退变中的表达。方法:45例腰椎间盘突出症病人按年龄分为青年、中年和老年患者组,5例青少年型特发性脊柱侧弯病人作为对照组。患者组标本均为术中所取出L4/5新鲜椎间盘髓核组织,对照组标本均为术中所取出L2/3新鲜椎间盘髓核组织。采用TUNEL法和免疫组织化学S-P法,分别检测腰椎间盘髓核中的凋亡阳性细胞率及Caspase-10的表达情况。结果:对照组髓核内TUNEL阳性细胞率为(17.80±0.62)%。青年、中年、老年患者组髓核内TUNEL阳性细胞率分别为(45.71±2.05)%、(53.65±2.93)%和(68.39±4.33)%。四个组两两之间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组髓核内Caspase-10染色阳性细胞率为(32.60士1.64)%。青年、中年、老年患者组髓核内Caspase-10染色阳性细胞率分别为(50.67士2.89)%、(63.12士4.61)%和(75.28士4.26)%。四个组两两之间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。髓核内Caspase-10染色阳性细胞率与TUNEL阳性细胞率和年龄之间均呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论:退行性变腰椎间盘组织中凋亡细胞率以及Caspase-10的表达均高于正常椎间盘组织,年龄是细胞凋亡的重要影响因素,细胞凋亡以及Caspase-10的表达上调可能在腰椎间盘退行性变的发生和发展中发挥重要作用。     

椎间孔镜下髓核摘除术对腰椎间盘突出患者CK、CRP及腰椎功能恢复的影响

目的:探讨椎间孔镜下髓核摘除术对椎间盘突出患者肌酸激酶(CK)、C反应蛋白(CRP)及腰椎功能恢复的影响。方法:选择2016年10月-2018年8月在我院接受治疗的90例腰椎间盘突出患者,采用抽签法分为椎间孔镜组(n=45)和后路切开组(n=45)。对照组给予后路切开髓核摘除手术治疗,观察组给予椎间孔镜下髓核摘除治疗。比较两组患者的手术情况、CK、CRP、腰椎功能、视觉模拟(VAS)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)评分变化情况及并发症发生情况。结果:椎间孔镜组手术时间较后路切开组更长,术中出血量、术后下床时间及住院时间较后路切开组更低(P<0.05);手术前,两组CK、CRP检测结果无差异;手术后,两组CK、CRP均随着时间的延长均呈上升趋势,且椎间孔镜组上升较后路切开组低(P<0.05);手术前,两组腰椎功能检测结果无差异;手术后,两组腰椎曲度、直腿抬高试验均随着时间的延长均呈上升趋势,且椎间孔镜组上升更为明显(P<0.05);手术前,两组VAS、ODI评分评定结果无差异;手术后,两组VAS、ODI评分均随着时间的推移均呈下降趋势,且椎间孔镜组下降更为明显(P<0.05);手术后,与后路切开组24.44%(11/45)进行比较,椎间孔镜组4.44%(2/45)显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:在腰椎间盘突出症患者中应用椎间孔镜下髓核摘除效果显著,可有效改善CK、CRP及腰椎功能水平。     

经皮椎间孔镜与椎板开窗髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效比较

目的:探讨和比较经皮椎间孔镜与椎板开窗髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2011年-2014年我院收治的明确诊断为腰椎间盘突出症并行经皮椎间孔镜或椎板开窗髓核摘除术患者192例,其中118例给予经皮椎间孔镜治疗(PELD组),74例给予椎板开窗髓核摘除术(对照)。结合随访资料,评价并比较两组患者在术前后的VAS疼痛评分、Mac Nab疗效、Lehmann腰椎功能评分及住院时间、费用、手术出血量以及并发症的发生情况。结果:两组患者的术后疼痛评分、Lehmann腰椎功能评分、Mac Nab疗效、总费用、手术时间比较均无统计学差异(P0.05),但PELD组术中出血量、切口长度、并发症的发生率均较对照组降低或减小,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:经皮椎间孔镜技术作为一种新型微创脊柱外科技术,能够在保证良好疗效的前提下,明显减少出血及并发症,在临床工作中可以进一步的开展。     

Streaming potential of human lumbar anulus fibrosus is anisotropic and affected by disc degeneration.

The streaming potential responses of non-degenerate and degenerate human anulus fibrosus were measured in a one-dimensional permeation configuration under static and dynamic loading conditions. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of the changes in tissue structure and composition on the electrokinetic behavior of intervertebral disc tissues. It was found that the static streaming potential of the anulus fibrosus depended on the degenerative grade of the discs (p = 0.0001) and on the specimen orientation in which the fluid flows (p = 0.0001). For a statically applied pressure of 0.07 MPa, the ratio of streaming potential to applied pressure ranged from 5.3 to 6.9 mV/MPa and was largest for Grade I tissue with axial orientation and lowest for Grade III tissue with circumferential orientation. The dynamic streaming potential responses of anulus fibrosus were sensitive to the degeneration of the disc: the total harmonic distortion factor increased by 108%, from 3.92 +/- 0.66% (mean +/- SD) for Grade I specimens to 8.15 +/- 3.05% for Grades II and III specimens. The alteration of streaming potential reflects the changes in tissue composition and structure with degeneration. To our knowledge, this is the first reported data for the streaming potential of human intervertebral disc tissues. Knowledge of the streaming potential response of the intervertebral disc provides an understanding of potentially important signal transduction mechanisms in the disc and of the etiology of intervertebral disc degeneration.     

Growth hormone normalises height, prediction of final height and hand length in children with Prader-Willi syndrome after 4 years of therapy

BACKGROUND: Based on the reported favourable effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on growth and body composition in Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome, we studied age dependency and the long-term effects on growth dynamics to elucidate the assumed hypothalamic GH deficiency. METHODS: We examined 23 children treated with hGH (24 U/m(2)/week) during a median of 4 (range 1.5-5.5) years; group 1: 10 young underweight (age 0.3-4.1 years), group 2: 8 prepubertal overweight (age 3.7-9.5 years) and group 3: 5 pubertal overweight children (age 9.0-14.6 years). RESULTS: After 4 years of therapy, height gain amounted to 1.8 SD; height (0.0 SD) and hand length (-0.2 SD) were normalised in the 2 prepubertal groups; in children above 6 years, height prediction approached parental target height. Weight for height rose in group 1 (to 0.64 SD) and decreased in group 2 (to 0.71 SD) to normal levels. Bone maturation of the pubertal children was too advanced to show a clear growth response to GH (height gain 0.42 SD). Even in this group, weight for height was reduced, but remained supernormal. CONCLUSION: Under exogenous GH, growth and body proportions are normalised in prepubertal children. With early institution of treatment, final height prediction reaches the parental target height range after 3 years. Such a growth-promoting effect of exogenous GH has so far only been described in children with GH deficiency.     

LBNP treadmill exercise maintains spine function and muscle strength in identical twins during 28-day simulated microgravity.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower body negative pressure (LBNP) treadmill exercise maintains lumbar spinal compressive properties, curvature, and back muscle strength after 28 days of 6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest (BR). We hypothesize that LBNP treadmill exercise will maintain lumbar spine compressibility, lumbar lordosis and back muscle strength after 28 days of 6 degrees HDT bed rest. Fifteen healthy identical twin pairs (14 women and 16 men) participated in this study. One identical twin was randomly assigned to the nonexercise control (Con) group, and their sibling was assigned to the exercise (Ex) group. The lumbar spine was significantly more compressible Post-BR compared with Pre-BR in the Con (P=0.01). Lumbar spine compressibility Post-BR was not significantly different compared with Pre-BR in the Ex group (P=0.89). In both the Con and Ex groups, there were no significant changes Post-BR in lumbar lordosis compared with Pre-BR. Back muscle strength significantly decreased in the Con group Post-BR (P=0.002), whereas in the Ex group back muscle strength was not significantly different from Pre-BR values. A significant increase in lumbar spine compressibility in the Con group suggests that spinal deconditioning to gravity occurs during 28-day bed rest. Changes in the mechanical properties of the lumbar spine may be an early indicator of lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration. Supine LBNP treadmill exercise provides axial loads to the lumbar spine and may prevent lumbar spine deconditioning associated with HDT bed rest.     

Immunolocalization of type X collagen in human lumbar intervertebral discs during ageing and degeneration

 Type X collagen has so far not been reported to occur in human intervertebral discs. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the occurrence of type X collagen in human lumbar intervertebral discs during ageing and degeneration. Ninety intervertebral discs with adjacent endplates were excised in toto from individuals (0–86 years) without known spinal disease and were processed for routine decalcified histology. Appropriate slices of each disc were processed for immunohistochemistry using a type-spec ific, monoclonal antibody raised against human type X collagen. Each intervertebral disc was examined for macroscopic and histomorphological features of disc degeneration. Immunohistochemically, a positive specific type X staining was observed in the hypertrophic zone of the growth plate and only in the interstitial matrix of juvenile (<2 years) nucleus pulposus. In adult discs, type X collagen could be localized in conjunction with advanced disc degeneration and first occurred in the disc matrix (i.e., pericellular region) of a 47-year-old specimen. Positive type X staining of the disc matrix was more frequently found in senile (>70 years) discs with end stages of disc degeneration. This study provides the first evidence for the occurrence of type X collagen in human lumbar intervertebral discs and it appears that type X collagen is re-expressed in late stages of disc degeneration. Accepted: 24 April 1997     

Lumbar spine angles and intervertebral disc characteristics with end-range positions in three planes of motion in healthy people using upright MRI

Understanding changes in lumbar spine (LS) angles and intervertebral disc (IVD) behavior in end-range positions in healthy subjects can provide a basis for developing more specific LS models and comparing people with spine pathology. The purposes of this study are to quantify 3D LS angles and changes in IVD characteristics with end-range positions in 3 planes of motion using upright MRI in healthy people, and to determine which intervertebral segments contribute most in each plane of movement. Thirteen people (average age = 24.4 years, range 18–51 years; 9 females; BMI = 22.4 ± 1.8 kg/m²) with no history of low back pain were scanned in an upright MRI in standing, sitting flexion, sitting axial rotation (left, right), prone on elbows, prone extension, and standing lateral bending (left, right). Global and local intervertebral LS angles were measured. Anterior-posterior length of the IVD and location of the nucleus pulposus was measured. For the sagittal plane, lower LS segments contribute most to change in position, and the location of the nucleus pulposus migrated from a more posterior position in sitting flexion to a more anterior position in end-range extension. For lateral bending, the upper LS contributes most to end-range positions. Small degrees of intervertebral rotation (1–2°) across all levels were observed for axial plane positions. There were no systematic changes in IVD characteristics for axial or coronal plane positions.     

腰椎间盘突出症的CT及MRI诊断

目的：总结分析１９１例腰椎间盘突出症的ＣＴ及ＭＲＩ影像特征。方法：ＣＴ组１０４例,ＭＲＩ组８７例,同时行ＣＴ及ＭＲ检查４４例。结果：ＣＴ组中,椎间盘同位于Ｌ３－４者１２例,Ｌ４－５者３２例,Ｌ５－Ｓ１者６０例。骨质增生３１例,髓核钙化１１例,后纵韧带钙化９例。ＭＲ组中,椎间盘突出位于Ｌ３－４者１３例,Ｌ４－５者３９例,Ｌ５－Ｓ１者３５例,椎间盘突变性４１例。     

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。     

Case-control study of oestrogen replacement therapy and risk of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between use of oestrogen replacement therapy and risk of cervical cancer. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Northern Italy. SUBJECTS: 645 women aged 40-75 years with cervical cancer admitted between 1981 and 1993 to university and general hospitals. The control group consisted of 749 women aged 40-75 years admitted to the same hospitals with acute conditions judged to be unrelated to any of the known or suspected risk factors for cervical cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of oestrogen replacement therapy and risk of cervical cancer. RESULTS: 40 cases versus 86 controls had ever used oestrogens, and the corresponding multivariate odds ratio was 0.5 (95% confidence interval 0.3 to 0.8). The odds ratios of cervical cancer decreased with duration of use, being 0.6 (0.4 to 1.1) for less than 12 months'' use and 0.5 (0.2 to 1.0) for use for 12 months or more compared with never users. The protection tended to be somewhat stronger for women reporting first oestrogen use before age 50. The odds ratio was 0.9 (0.5 to 1.7) for women who had taken oestrogens within the past 10 years and 0.4 (0.2 to 0.7) for those who had taken them 10 or more years ago. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that exogenous oestrogens do not increase the risk of cervical cancer and may decrease the risk.     

Genome-wide association study in Dachshund: identification of a major locus affecting intervertebral disc calcification

Intervertebral disc calcification and herniation commonly affects Dachshund where the predisposition is caused by an early onset degenerative process resulting in disc calcification. A continuous spectrum of disc degeneration is seen within and among dog breeds, suggesting a multifactorial etiology. The number of calcified discs at 2 years of age determined by a radiographic evaluation is a good indicator of the severity of disc degeneration and thus serves as a measure for the risk of developing intervertebral disc herniation. The aim of the study was to identify genetic variants associated with intervertebral disc calcification in Dachshund through a genome-wide association (GWA) study. Based on thorough radiographic examinations, 48 cases with ≥ 6 disc calcifications or surgically treated for disc herniation and 46 controls with 0-1 disc calcifications were identified. GWA using the Illumina CanineHD BeadChip identified a locus on chromosome 12 from 36.8 to 38.6 Mb with 36 markers reaching genome-wide significance (P(genome) = 0.00001-0.026). This study suggests that a major locus on chromosome 12 harbors genetic variations affecting the development of intervertebral disc calcification in Dachshund.     

中医针灸推拿配合牵引治疗对老年人腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果

目的：探讨中医针灸推拿配合牵引治疗在老年人腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法：将我院2010年5月至2012年12月间收治的182例老年腰椎间盘突出症患者随机分为综合治疗组（91例）和对照组（91例）,对照组接受牵引治疗,综合治疗组采用针灸推拿配合牵引治疗。观察比较两组患者治疗前后的症状改善及临床疗效。结果：经过3周治疗,综合治疗组的患者总有效率为95．6％,对照组的患者总有效率为60．40／0,其差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。综合治疗组治疗后FIM评分较治疗前相比各项均有明显改善,其结果具有统计学差异（P〈O．05）,对照组除括约肌控制及社会交流和认可方面无改善。其余项目FIM评分较治疗前有显著提高（P〈0．05）。综合治疗组治疗后FIM评分的提高显著高于对照组治疗后的评分（P〈0．05）。结论：中医针灸推拿配合牵引治疗对老年人腰椎间盘突出症的疗效显著,值得在临床推广应用。