Search results for "Spinal"

Incidence and risk factors for back pain in young floorball and basketball players : A prospective study

2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of back pain in young basketball and floorball players under 21 years of age. The secondary aim was to examine risk factors especially for low back pain (LBP). Nine basketball and nine floorball teams (n = 396) participated in this prospective follow‐up study (2011‐2014). Young athletes (mean age 15.8 ± 1.9) performed physical tests and completed a questionnaire at baseline. The follow‐up lasted 1‐3 years per player. During the follow‐up, back pain reported by the players was registered on a weekly basis and verified by a study physician. The exposure time (AE) on team practices and games was recorded by the coach. Altogether back pain …

Components and connections of the circadian timing system in mammals

1996

The circadian timing system is a neural network consisting of the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, aided by the retina, other hypothalamic nuclei, autonomic regions of the spinal cord, sympathetic ganglia and the pineal gland. Extensive studies conducted over the last two decades have unravelled the principal items of its functional neuroanatomy. The system is responsible for the generation of the circadian rhythm, its synchronization by environmental factors such as light, and its mediation with respect to morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of mammals that exhibit distinct alterations throughout the 24-h cycle. This review characterizes the brain sites involved an…

Neurochemical anatomy of the mammalian spinal cord: Functional implications

1992

Degradable poly(amidoamine) hydrogels as scaffolds for in vitro culturing of peripheral nervous system cells.

2012

This paper reports on the synthesis and physico-chemical, mechanical, and biological characterization of two sets of poly(amidoamine) (PAA) hydrogels with potential as scaffolds for in vivo peripheral nerve regeneration. They are obtained by polyaddition of piperazine with N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) or 1,4-bis(acryloyl)piperazine with 1,2-diaminoethane as cross-linking agent and exhibit a combination of relevant properties, such as mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, ability to induce adhesion and proliferation of Schwann cells (SCs) preserving their viability. Moreover, the most promising hydrogels, that is those deriving from 1,4-bis(acryloyl)piperazine, allow the …

Endothelialization of chitosan porous conduits via immobilization of a recombinant fibronectin fragment (rhFNIII7–10)

2013

Abstract The present study aimed to develop a pre-endothelialized chitosan (CH) porous hollowed scaffold for application in spinal cord regenerative therapies. CH conduits with different degrees of acetylation (DA; 4% and 15%) were prepared, characterized (microstructure, porosity and water uptake) and functionalized with a recombinant fragment of human fibronectin (rhFNIII 7–10 ). Immobilized rhFNIII 7–10 was characterized in terms of amount ( 125 I-radiolabelling), exposure of cell-binding domains (immunofluorescence) and ability to mediate endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and cytoskeletal rearrangement. Functionalized conduits revealed a linear increase in immobilized rhFNIII 7–10 with rhF…

Withdrawal of a mumps vaccine: Reasons and impacts

1993

Analysis of the conflicts of interest disclosed by the program reviewers of the scoliosis research society (SRS) congresses, 2010-2014.

2018

Background Conflicts of interest (COI) between industry and surgeons frequently introduce biases into surgical research. The abstracts submitted for presentation in scientific congresses are usually vetted for any indication of commercial bias. Members of review program committees regularly have recognized qualifications, and therefore certain COI are unavoidable. This study aims to determine the prevalence and magnitude of possible COI among those responsible for the selection of presentations at two important international conferences on spine surgery during a five-year period. Methodology COI declarations by those responsible for the final programs of the annual SRS (Scoliosis Research S…

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: An Update

2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with brain neurodegeneration. MS patients present heterogeneous clinical manifestations in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. The diagnosis is very complex due to the high heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of the disease. The diagnostic criteria have been modified several times over the years. Basically, they include clinical symptoms, presence of typical lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laboratory findings. The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) allows an evaluation of inflammatory processes circumscribed to the CNS and reflects chan…

Ultrastructure of Spinal Dura Mater

2014

Pia mater is the innermost of the three meningeal membranes, closely surrounding the brain, the spinal cord, and the portion of spinal nerve roots extending towards their exit across the dura mater. A cellular layer and a subpial compartment shape the structure of the pia mater. The cellular layer is made up of flat, overlapping pial cells with amorphous, fundamental substance interposed among them. The surface of the cellular plane appears smooth and bright under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy shows that the cellular component is about three to five pial cells thick at the medullary level and two to three cells thick at the level of the nerve roots. Th…

Type IV collagen and its degradation in paralyzed human muscle: Effect of functional electrical stimulation

2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) of paralyzed muscles on type IV collagen content and proteins involving its degradation, which is initiated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and regulated by their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs)-2 and -1. Ten SCI subjects participated in an 18-month program of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of their leg muscles. Needle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before and at various times during the training period, and from able-bodied controls. Type IV collagen concentration was unaltered. ProMMP-2 level of SCI subjects before the training p…