The change of whole lumbar segmental motion according to the mobility of degenerated disc in the lower lumbar spine: a kinetic MRI study

Purpose

To analyze the effects of mobility of degenerated disc in the lower lumbar discs (L4–5 and L5–S1) on both whole lumbar motion and adjacent segment ROM.

Methods

The kMRIs with disc degeneration at L4–5 or L5–S1 were classified into three groups: the normal group, the motion-preserved (MP) group and the motion-lost (ML) group based on range of motion (ROM) of 5° in the degenerated segment. Each segmental ROM, whole lumbar motion, and the contribution % of the upper lumbar spine (ULS: L1–2–3) and the lower lumbar spine (LLS: L4–5–S1) motion to whole lumbar motion were measured and compared with each of the other groups.

Results

There were 94, 99 and 66 patients in the normal group, MP group and ML group, respectively. The normal group showed no significant difference compared to the MP group in all ROM parameters. The ML group showed significantly less whole lumbar motion, more contribution % in the ULS and less in the LLS than the normal and the MP groups. The ROM in the superior adjacent segment in the ML group was not significantly different between that in the normal and MP group.

Conclusions

Degenerated lumbar discs did not show hypermobility within functional ROM. Loss of segmental ROM from advanced disc degeneration did not cause an increase in the ROM of the superior adjacent segment in vivo. When the LLS had motion-lost, advanced disc degeneration, whole lumbar motion was significantly decreased and compensatory increase in ROM was accomplished by the ULS.

     

Life saving carotid artery stenting in Takayasu arteritis

We present two patients who had high grade unilateral carotid artery stenosis and controlateral carotid artery occlusion secondary to active stage of Takayasu arteritis. The patients were presented with hemiplegia and history of transient ischemic attacks and visual disturbances. Despite the administration of high dose systemic corticosteroids, both patients deteriorated clinically and surgery was not preferred. Angiogram of the first patient revealed the occlusion of the right common carotid, right subclavian and left subclavian artery and high grade stenosis (>95%) of the left common carotid and right vertebral artery. These two stenotic arteries were stented. Angiogram of the second patient revealed the occlusion of the left common carotid and subclavian artery and high grade stenosis (>90%) of the right common carotid artery. PTA + stenting of the right carotid artery was performed. There were no complications during a follow-up period of 10.5±7 months and control angiograms revealed that all stented vessels were free of restenosis. In conclusion, stent-supported PTA to carotid arteries provides immediate symptomatic relief for patients in the active phase of the disease. Its efficacy in the long term should be investigated.     

Effects of physiological and pharmacological concentrations of melatonin on ischemia–reperfusion arrhythmias in rats: can the incidence of sudden cardiac death be reduced?

Cardiac arrhythmias during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) are believed to be related to free radicals generated in the heart especially during the period of reperfusion. The pineal secretory product, melatonin, is known to be a potent free radical scavenger and its pharmacological concentrations have been shown to reduce the I/R-induced arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts. However, the physiological role of melatonin in the prevention of these arrhythmias is unknown. Rats were pinealectomized (Px) or sham-operated (non-Px) (control) 2 months before the I/R studies. To produce arrhythmias, left main coronary artery was occluded for 7 min, followed by 7 min reperfusion, in anesthetized rats. The incidence of mortality resulted from irreversible ventricular fibrillation (VF) was found significantly higher in the Px rats (63%) than in the control group (25%). Melatonin administration (0.4 mg/kg, either before ischemia or reperfusion) to Px rats significantly reduced the incidence of total (irreversible plus reversible) and irreversible VF and returned them to control values. On the other hand, melatonin administration (0.4 and 4 mg/kg) to non-Px rats failed to attenuate the I/R arrhythmias, significantly. These results suggest that physiological melatonin concentrations are important to reduce the I/R-induced VF and mortality, while pharmacological concentrations of melatonin did not increase its beneficial effect on these arrhythmias. As melatonin levels have been reported to decrease with age, melatonin replacement therapy may attenuate the incidence of sudden cardiac death especially in older patients.     

Levosimendan has an inhibitory effect on platelet function

Levosimendan enhances cardiac contractility by increasing myocyte sensitivity to calcium, and induces vasodilatation. Although studies have evaluated the efficacy of levosimendan in heart failure, it is not clear whether it might produce functional influence on platelet response. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on platelet aggregation was investigated. Platelet function tests were performed in 12 healthy male volunteers. Three concentrations of levosimendan solution were prepared that would result in 10, 25, and 45 ng/ml levosimendan concentrations in the blood similar to that observed after clinical therapeutic intravenous application of 0.05-0.1 microg/kg/min. Each concentration of levosimendan solution and a control diluent without levosimendan were incubated with whole blood at 37 degrees C. After incubation for 15 min, aggregation responses were evaluated with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (5 and 10 microM) and collagen (2 and 5 microg/ml) in platelet-rich plasma. Preincubation with all dilutions of levosimendan inhibited aggregation of platelets induced by ADP and collagen significantly. Levosimendan also inhibited significantly the secondary wave of platelet aggregation induced by ADP. The results showed that there was a relationship between levosimendan concentration and inhibition of platelet aggregation. In conclusion, this study with an in vitro model showed that levosimendan had a significant inhibitory effect on platelets in clinically relevant doses.     

Assessment of the alveolar bone support of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Objective:To assess the bone support of the teeth adjacent to a cleft using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and Methods:The CBCT scans of 31 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were assessed. The data for teeth neighboring the cleft were compared with those of contralateral noncleft teeth. For each tooth analyzed, the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the bone crest (AC) at the buccal side was measured as was the thickness of the buccal bone level at 0, 1, 2, and 4 mm.Results:The bone thicknesses of the central teeth at the cleft region at the crest and 2 mm apically were statistically significantly thinner than that of the central incisor at a noncleft region. The CEJ-AC distance for central teeth at the cleft region was higher than that for central teeth in a noncleft region.Conclusions:Subjects with UCLP showed reduced bone support at teeth neighboring the cleft compared with controls. This may cause some problems during orthodontic treatment.     

The effects of aquatic,isometric strength-stretching and aerobic exercise on physical and psychological parameters of female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

[Purpose] There are various treatment modalities for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), which is characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic, aerobic and isometric strength-stretching exercises on the physical and psychological parameters of patients with FMS. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy five female patients with FMS were randomly selected and divided into three groups. Patients (18–50 years) were treated for 3 months using one of three methods: a home-based isometric strength and stretching exercise program (ISSEP), a gym-based aerobic exercise program (AEP), and a pool-based aquatic aerobic exercise program (AAEP). Items evaluated were: the number of tender points, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), SF-36 physical and mental health scores, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). [Results] The results revealed that AAEP was the most effective treatment of the three. All of the groups showed significant improvements in all variables between pre-and post-test, except the mean values of VAS and BDI in ISSEP. [Conclusion] The results suggest that aquatic aerobic exercise program is more effective than AEP and ISSEP in the treatment of FMS.Key words: Fibromyalgia, Exercise, Treatment