scholarly journals Morphology, Development and Deformation of the Spine in Mild and Moderate Scoliosis: Are Changes in the Spine Primary or Secondary?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 5901
Author(s):  
Theodoros B. Grivas ◽  
George Vynichakis ◽  
Michail Chandrinos ◽  
Christina Mazioti ◽  
Despina Papagianni ◽  
...  

Introduction and aim of the study: We aim to determine whether the changes in the spine in scoliogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis (IS), are primary/inherent or secondary. There is limited information on this issue in the literature. We studied the sagittal profile of the spine in IS using surface topography. Material and methods: After approval of the ethics committee of the hospital, we studied 45 children, 4 boys and 41 girls, with an average age of 12.5 years (range 7.5–16.4 years), referred to the scoliosis clinic by our school screening program. These children were divided in two groups: A and B. Group A included 17 children with IS, 15 girls and 2 boys. All of them had a trunk asymmetry, measured with a scoliometer, greater than or equal to 5 degrees. Group B, (control group) included 26 children, 15 girls and 11 boys, with no trunk asymmetry and scoliometer measurement less than 2 degrees. The height and weight of children were measured. The Prujis scoliometer was used in standing Adam test in the thoracic (T), thoraco-lumbar (TL) and lumbar (L) regions. All IS children had an ATR greater than or equal to 5 degrees. The Cobb angle was assessed in the postero-anterior radiographs in Group A. A posterior truncal surface topogram, using the “Formetric 4” apparatus, was also performed and the distance from the vertebra prominence (VP) to the apex of the kyphosis (KA), and similarly to the apex of the lumbar lordosis (LA) was calculated. The ratio of the distances (VP-KA) for (PV-LA) was calculated. The averages of the parameters were studied, and the correlation of the ratio of distances (VP-KA) to (VP-KA) with the scoliometer and Cobb angle measurements were assessed, respectively (Pearson corr. Coeff. r), in both groups and between them. Results: Regarding group A (IS), the average height was 1.55 m (range 1.37, 1.71), weight 47.76 kg (range 33, 65). The IS children had right (Rt) T or TL curves. The mean T Cobb angle was 24 degrees and 26 in L. In the same group, the kyphotic apex (KA (VPDM)) distance was −125.82 mm (range −26, −184) and the lordotic apex (LA (VPDM)) distance was −321.65 mm (range −237, −417). The correlations of the ratio of distances (KA (VPDM))/(LA (VPDM)) with the Major Curve Cobb angle measurement and scoliometer findings were non-statistically significant (Pearson r = 0.077, −0.211, p: 0.768, 0.416, respectively. Similarly, in the control group, KA (VPDM))/(LA (VPDM) was not significantly correlated with scoliometer findings (Pearson r = −0.016, −p: 0.939). Discussion and conclusions: The lateral profile of the spine was commonly considered to be a primary aetiological factor of IS due to the fact that the kyphotic thoracic apex in IS is located in a higher thoracic vertebra (more vertebrae are posteriorly inclined), thus creating conditions of greater rotational instability and therefore greater vulnerability for IS development. Our findings do not confirm this hypothesis, since the correlation of the (VP-KA) to (VP-KA) ratio with the truncal asymmetry, assessed with the scoliometer and Cobb angle measurements, is non-statistically significant, in both groups A and B. In addition, the aforementioned ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups in our sample (0.39 ± 0.11 vs. 0.44 ± 0.08, p: 0.134). It is clear that hypokyphosis is not a primary causal factor for the commencing, mild or moderate scoliotic curve, as published elsewhere. We consider that the small thoracic hypokyphosis in developing scoliosis adds to the view that the reduced kyphosis, facilitating the axial rotation, could be considered as a permissive factor rather than a causal one, in the pathogenesis of IS. This view is consistent with previously published views and it is obviously the result of gravity, growth and muscle tone.

According to the Tambovagrochemcenter data, zinc deficiency in animal rations exceeds 33%. To de-termine the efficiency of ration additives 3 groups of calves were formed, one of which was control and received regular feed, first test group received additional Zinc Sulphate, and second test group received additional Zinc Bioplex. To assess the results, we take into account the following values: chemical com-position and nutritional values of the feed, body mass value, amount of immunoglobulins in blood, bio-chemical and hematological values of blood, morphological values of fur and skin. Noticeable results were achieved in 4 months, with first and second test groups receiving accordingly 3,15% and 6,13% more body mass increase over the control group. A tendency towards higher albumin concentration in both test groups was noted, and calves of the second test group had higher amounts of hemoglobin and higher concentrations of it per erythrocyte. In samples of epidermis and hairs of the second test group the papillary layer was well developed, with the amount of hair and hair follicles exceeding 7 in the field of view, with the thickness of hairs being at least 70 μm. Inner papilla of hair contained 6 to 8 layers of hair, thickness of awn hairs reaching 80-90 μm, down hairs reaching 40 μm, with the hair cortex making up more than 80% of the hair thickness. Thus, introducing zinc salts and chelated zinc compounds to the milk-fed calves’ ration, has resulted in monetary profit increases over the control group by 255,0 and 612,0 roubles accordingly. By all researched values, the highest results were reached from adding zinc bioplex with approximately 360 mg added per animal for the entire duration of the growth process.


Author(s):  
Tamkeen Fatima ◽  
Farah Zeb ◽  
A. Dar Farooq

Background: CYP2D6 is to be considered the most pronounced gene in pharmacegenetic field which is involved in metabolizing ~25% of all clinically used neuroleptic drugs and other antidepressants. We designed a study to evaluate differential expression of CYP2D6*4 and CYP2D6*10 variants which are very prevalent in Asian countries and exhibit variation in drug metabolizing ability that affect therapeutic responses. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the genotypic frequencies of CYP2D6 *1 (normal metabolizer), *4 (poor metabolizer) and *10 (intermediate metabolizer) variants among schizophrenic subjects and compared with control group from a sub-set of Karachi population. Method: Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA ) was extracted and amplified with CYP2D6*4 and *10 primers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested by Bacillus stereothermophilus (BstN1) and Hemophilus parahemolyticus (Hph1) restriction enzymes. The digested bands were identified as wild type or mutants and their genotypic frequencies were estimated statistically by Hardy-Weinberg equation (HWE) and analyzed further under non-parametric Chi-square test. Results: The results mentioned the frequencies of CYP2D6*1 wild allele (57%) which produces functional enzyme in normal subjects but CYP2D6*4 variant (9%) that produces non-functional enzyme and CYP2D6*10 allele (70%) produces altered enzyme with reduced activity that was most prevalent in schizophrenic patients. Conclusion : Genotyping of CYP2D6 alleles among schizophrenic patients indicated prevalence of *4 and *10 variants in Karachi population producing non-functional and reduced functional drugs metabolizing enzymes respectively that increases the incurability rate of schizophrenia. Therefore, CYP2D6 gene screening program should be conducted routinely in clinical practice to help clinicians to prescribing appropriate doses according to patient’s genotype and minimize the sufferings of schizophrenia. Discussion: In last, drug response is a complex phenomenon that is dependent on genetic and environmental factors. CYP2D6 polymorphism may un-cured the schizophrenia due to improper drug metabolism and protein-proteins interaction that may alter the antipsychotic drugs metabolism among patients with variable drug resposes. Gene testing system need to establish for analyzing maximum patient’s genotypes predicted with poor metabolizer, intermediate metabolizer and ultrarapid metabolizer for the adjustment of antipsychotic drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Stringer ◽  
Sarah Malley ◽  
Darrell M. Hutto ◽  
Jason A. Griggs ◽  
Susana M. Salazar Marocho

Background: The most common approach to remove yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fixed-dental prostheses (FDPs) is by means of diamond burs attached to a high-speed handpiece. This process is time-consuming and destructive. The use of lasers over mechanical instrumentation for removal of FDPs can lead to efficient and predictable restoration retrievability. However, the heat produced might damage the tooth pulp (>42˚C). Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum temperature (T) reached during the use of different settings of the erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet Er,Cr:YSGG laser through a YSZ ceramic. Methods: YSZ slices (1 mm thick) were assigned into 7 groups. For the control group, a diamond bur was used to cut a 1 mm groove into the YSZ slices. For the 6 experimental groups, the laser was operated at a constant combination of 33% water and 66% air during 30 s with two different power settings (W) at three frequencies (PPS), as follows (W/PPS): 2.5/20, 2.5/30, 2.5/45, 4.5/20, 4.5/30, 4.5/45. The T through the YSZ slice was recorded in degrees Celsius by using a digital thermometer with a K thermocouple. Results: The median T of the control group was 26.5˚C. The use of 4.5 W resulted in the median T (˚C) of 44.2 at 20 PPS, 53.3 at 30 PPS, and 58.9 at 45 PPS, while 2.5 W showed 34.6, 31.6, and 25.0 at 20, 30, and 45 PPS, respectively. KruskalWallis one-way ANOVA showed that within each power setting, the T was similar. The high power and lowest frequency (4.5/20) showed no significant difference from the 2.5 W settings and the control group. Conclusion: The lower power setting (2.5 W) is a potential method for the use of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser to debond YSZ structures. The higher power (4.5 W) with high frequencies (30 and 45 PPS) is unsuitable.


Author(s):  
Patil Aniket ◽  
Dindore Pallavi ◽  
Arbar Aziz ◽  
Kadam Avinash ◽  
Saroch Vikas

The quest for excellence in mental and physical health is not new. We find various references and formulations in Ayurvedic classics meant for promoting mental and physical health of a child. Suvarna Prashan is one of the formulations explained in age old Ayurvedic classic Kashyap Samhita. This formulation is very widely used now days as a memory and immune booster for children. But there is very little systematic documented study which can be used to evaluate the efficacy of the formulation. Suvarna Bhasma was prepared in Ayurved Rasayani Pharmacy, Pune. Madhu and Ghrita were collected from KLE Ayurveda Pharmacy, Belgaum. Suvarna Bindu Prashan was prepared in KLE Ayurved pharmacy, Belgaum. It contains Suvarna Bhasma, Ghrita and Madhu. Twenty apparently healthy male and female children with age group of three to four years were ready to sign inform consent form were selected into two groups each. Subjects in Group A received Suvarna Bindu Prashan where as Group B (Control group) did not receive any treatment. Both the groups were observed for six months. Children in Suvarna Bindu Prashan group showed significant reduction in the scores of eating habits, behavior, mood, temperament and scores of event of illness. However there was no significant difference in the score of sleeping habit. There was significant increase in IQ percentage.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Yang Tao ◽  
Yun Zhong ◽  
Jacqueline Thompson ◽  
Jamal Rahmani ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Lifestyle interventions have been recognised as a line treatment of non-communicable diseases. The aimed of this study was to evaluate a bespoke mHealth approach to delivers personalised feedback to improve blood pressure and weight for hypertensive patients in community settings. A total of 307 participants, 50 from each community, were expected to be in the intervention or control group. A professional health facilitator was assigned for each of the 6 communities. The primary outcomes of the study are the reduction in blood pressure and weight at baseline and post-intervention. Of 307 recruited,192 (62.5%) participants completed the study (intervention: 104 and control: 88). There was no difference in attrition rates between the two groups (33.5%vs41.9%, p=0.291). After 6-months of intensive feedback intervention through mHealth approach, patients had better blood pressure, weight, and BMI compared with control. People who were adherent to the intervention demonstrated a clinical benefit with regards to weight and blood pressure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Ariyanto Harsono

Background Evidence begin to accumulate that high-dose sub-lingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is as effective as subcutaneousimmunotherapy (SIT) in the treatment of childhood asthma.Since the capacity of sublingual area is similar whether the doseis high or low, the efficacy of low dose may be important to bestudied.Objective To investigate the efficacy of low-dose sublingual im-munotherapy in the treatment of childhood asthma.Methods Parents signed informed consent prior to enrollment,after having received information about the study. Patients weremoderate asthma aged 6-14 years with disease onset of lessthan 2 years before the commencement of the study and peakexpiratory flow rate (PEFR) variability of more than 15%. Pa-tients were randomly allocated into group A, B, and C whoreceived subcutaneous immunotherapy, low-dose sublingualimmunotherapy, and conventional asthma therapy, respectively.Randomization was stratified into two strata according to agei.e., 6-11 years or 11-14 years. Patients of each stratum wererandomized in block of three for each group. At the end of threemonths, lung function tests were repeated. The primary outcomewas PEFR variability at the end of the study. The study wasapproved by the Ethics Committee of Soetomo HospitalSurabaya.Results Distribution of variants as represented by sex, age,eosinophil count, and total IgE concentration were normal inthe three groups. PEFR variability decreased significantly from16.97+0.81 to 8.50+5.08 and 17.0+0.87 to 8.40+4.72 in groupreceiving SIT and SLIT, respectively (p<0.05), but decreasednot significantly from 17.00+0.83 to 10.82+0.5.41 in control group(p>0.05).Conclusion Low-dose SLIT is as efficacious as SIT in the treat-ment of moderate asthma in children


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110134
Author(s):  
O Zouaoui ◽  
K Adouni ◽  
A Jelled ◽  
A Thouri ◽  
A Ben Chrifa ◽  
...  

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of flowers decoction at post-flowering stage (F3D) of Opuntia dejecta were determined. The obtained findings demonstrate that F3D has a marked antioxidant activity in all tested assays. Furthermore, the present study was designed to test the protective activity of F3D against induced Diabetes type 2 (DT2) in male rats. Those metabolic syndromes were induced by a high-fructose diet (HFD) (10% fructose solution) for a period of 20 weeks. F3D was administered orally (100 and 300 mg/kg body weight) daily for the last 4 weeks. Metformin (150 mg/kg body weight) was used as a standard drug and administrated orally for the last 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in blood glucose, triglycerides and hepatic markers (ALAT, ASAT and ALK-P) in HFD group. A significant increase in hepatic TBARS and a significant decrease in SOD, CAT and GPX were observed in fructose fed rats compared to control group. Administration of F3D showed a protective effect in biochemical and oxidative stress parameters measured in this study. Also, oral administration of F3D restored the histological architecture of rat liver in comparison with rats fed HFD. In conclusion, F3D attenuated hepatic oxidative stress in fructose-fed rats.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
VV Ryabov ◽  
D Vorobyeva ◽  
YUG Lugacheva ◽  
IV Kulagina

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number №19-315-90106 Aim To compare indicators of blood prothrombotic activity in patients with myocardial infarction with and without coronary arteries obstruction Material and methods. The study included 40 patients with AMI (19 patients in the main group and 21 patients in the control group). Three patients (15.7%) with acute myocarditis were excluded from the analysis. Hemostasiological and hematological blood tests were studied upon admission, on the 2nd, 4th, 7th days from hospitalization. Blood samples for protein C, antithrombin, von Willebrand factor (WF), plasminogen, homocysteine were performed on 4th ± 1 day from hospitalization. To determine the IgG / IgM antibodies to cardiolipin and β2-glycoprotein for the diagnosis of APS, the ORGENTEC Anti-β2-Glycoprotein I IgG / IgM ELISA enzyme immunoassay was used. Blood tests for lupus anticoagulant were performed using an ACL-Top 700 analyzer (Werfen) with HemosIL SynthASil dRVVT screen reagents / dRVVT confirm  and with a SCT screen / SCT confirm quartz activator. Results In patients with MINOCA a statistically higher level of homocysteine (p = 0.03) and a lower level of plasminogen (p = 0.007) are determined. Protein C, antithrombin, WF the presence of lupus anticoagulant, antibodies to cardiolipin and β2-glycoprotein no differences between the groups were detected, p &gt;0.05. MINOCA patients have a statistically higher platelet level on the 2nd and 4th day of AMI (p = 0.046 and p = 0.01 ) however the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit was statistically lower on the 4th day of AMI, (p = 0.008). In the main group, a moderate correlation was found between protein C and antithrombin (r = 0.65, p = 0.0001), antithrombin and von Willebrand factor (r = 0.54, p = 0.0001), between protein C and platelet level by 4th day (r = - 0.49, p = 0.04). In MINOCA patients a moderate negative correlation was found between homocysteine and plasminogen (r = -0.69, p = 0.002). In the control group, a high correlation was found between protein C and antithrombin (r = 0.96, p = 0.0001), a moderate correlation between protein C and plasminogen (r = 0.47, p = 0.03). In addition, a relationship was revealed between the presence of thrombosis according to ICAG data and the level of ejection fraction (r = 0.46, p = 0.04) in the control group, as well as between the presence of thrombosis and the level of fibrinogen upon admission (r = 0.55, p = 0.008). Conclusions Patients with MINOCA have a higher level of homocysteine and a lower level of plasminogen. For such indicators as protein C, antithrombin III, WF the presence of antibodies on the APS is not defined differences between groups. According to laboratory data patients with MINOCA showed higher levels of platelets but lower levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the early post-infarction period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Scaramuzzo ◽  
Antonino Zagra ◽  
Giuseppe Barone ◽  
Stefano Muzzi ◽  
Leone Minoia ◽  
...  

AbstractAim of the study was to evaluate sagittal parameters modifications, with particular interest in thoracic kyphosis, in patients affected by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) comparing hybrid and all-screws technique. From June 2010 to September 2018, 145 patients were enrolled. Evaluation included: Lenke classification, Risser scale, coronal Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS). Patients were divided in two groups (1 all-screws and 2 hybrid); a further division, in both groups, was done considering preoperative TK values. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted. 99 patients were in group 1, 46 in group 2 (mean follow-up 3.7 years). Patients with a normo-kyphotic profile developed a little variation in TK (Δ pre–post = 2.4° versus − 2.0° respectively). Hyper-kyphotic subgroups had a tendency of restoring a good sagittal alignment. Hypo-kyphotic subgroups, patients treated with all-screw implants developed a higher increase in TK mean Cobb angle (Δ pre–post = 10°) than the hybrid subgroup (Δ pre–post = 5.4°) (p = 0.01). All-screws group showed better results in restoring sagittal alignment in all subgroups compared to hybrid groups, especially in hypo-TK subgroup, with the important advantage to give better correction on coronal plane.


Author(s):  
Lauri Laukkanen ◽  
Sanna Lahtinen ◽  
Janne Liisanantti ◽  
Timo Kaakinen ◽  
Ari Ehrola ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has had a major impact on health care services globally. Recent studies report that emergency departments have experienced a significant decline in the number of admitted patients in the early phase of the pandemic. To date, research regarding the influence of COVID-19 on emergency medical services (EMS) is limited. The present study investigates a change in the number and characteristics of EMS missions in the early phase of the pandemic. Methods All EMS missions in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, Finland (population 295 500) between 1 March to 30 June 2020 were screened and analyzed as the study group. A control group was composed from the EMS calls between the corresponding months in the years 2016–2019. Results A total of 74 576 EMS missions were screened for the study. Within the first two months after the first COVID-19 cases in the study area, the decline in the number of EMS missions was 5.7% – 13% compared to the control group average. EMS time intervals (emergency call to dispatch, dispatch, en-route, on-scene and hospital handover) prolonged in the COVID-19 period. Dispatches concerning mental health problems increased most in the study period (+1.2%, p &lt; 0.001). Only eleven confirmed COVID-19 infections were encountered by EMS in the study period. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the present COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions lead to changes in the EMS usage. These preliminary findings emphasize the importance of developing new strategies and protocols in response to the oncoming pandemic waves.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document