Congenital posterior cervical spine malformation due to biallelic c.240‐4T>G RIPPLY2 variant: A discrete entity

The clinical and radiological spectrum of spondylocostal dysostosis syndromes encompasses distinctive costo‐vertebral anomalies. RIPPLY2 biallelic pathogenic variants were described in two distinct cervical spine malformation syndromes: Klippel–Feil syndrome and posterior cervical spine malformation. RIPPLY2 is involved in the determination of rostro‐caudal polarity and somite patterning during development. To date, only four cases have been reported. The current report aims at further delineating the posterior malformation in three new patients. Three patients from two unrelated families underwent clinical and radiological examination through X‐ray, 3D computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging. After informed consent was obtained, family‐based whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed. Complex vertebral segmentation defects in the cervico‐thoracic spine were observed in all patients. WES led to the identification of the homozygous splicing variant c.240‐4T>G in all subjects. This variant is predicted to result in aberrant splicing of Exon 4. The current report highlights a subtype of cervical spine malformation with major atlo‐axoidal malformation compromising spinal cord integrity. This distinctive mutation‐specific pattern of malformation differs from Klippel–Feil syndrome and broadens the current classification, defining a sub‐type of RIPPLY2‐related skeletal disorder. Of note, the phenotype of one patient overlaps with oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum disorder.     

The antigen-presenting environment in normal and human papillomavirus (HPV)-related premalignant cervical epithelium

The activation of HPV-specific T cells within the cervical microenvironment is likely to play an important part in the natural history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The extent and the type of T cell activation will depend critically on the expression of MHC, costimulatory cell surface molecules and cytokines by keratinocytes and Langerhans cells within the cervical lesion. Expression of MHC class II (HLA-A-DR and -DQ), costimulatory/adhesion molecules (CD11a/18, CD50, CD54, CD58 and CD86) and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-10) was therefore investigated by immunohistochemistry in normal squamous epithelium (n = 12), low-grade (n = 23) and high-grade (n = 18) squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. CIN progression was associated with de novo expression of HLA-DR and CD54, and increased expression of CD58 by keratinocytes. However, significantly, there was no expression of any adhesion/costimulation molecule by epithelial Langerhans cells in any cervical biopsy studied. Furthermore, TNF-alpha, a potent activator of Langerhans cells, was expressed constitutively by basal keratinocytes in normal cervix (12+/12). but expression of this cytokine was absent in a number of CIN samples (20+/23 for low-grade, 12+/18 for high-grade CIN). Conversely, the suppressive cytokine IL-10 was absent in normal epithelium (0+/12), but was up-regulated in a number of CIN lesions (12+/23 for low-grade; 8+/18 for high-grade CIN). The restricted expression of costimulation/adhesion molecules and the nature of the cytokine microenvironment within the epithelium may act to limit effective immune responses in some CIN lesions.     

Removal Tools are Faster and Produce Less Force and Torque on the Helmet Than Cutting Tools During Face-Mask Retraction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the retraction time, forces, and torques applied to the football helmet during removal of the face mask with different face-mask removal tools. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects retracted the face mask of a football helmet mounted to a force platform in a laboratory setting. They removed a standard face mask by cutting or removing (or both) the lateral plastic loop straps using 4 different tools: the Trainer's Angel (TA), FM Extractor (FM), power screwdriver (SD), and Quick Release System (QR) in a counterbalanced fashion. SUBJECTS: Eighteen certified athletic trainers participated in this study. MEASUREMENTS: We started measuring time when the subject picked up the tool and ended when the face mask was in a fully retracted position. Maximum forces and torques were measured from the force platform during the retraction process. RESULTS: The SD and QR retracted the face mask significantly faster than the TA and FM. Forces producing superior-inferior translation were least with the SD. The SD and QR produced less lateral translation and rotation and lateral flexion moment than the TA and FM. The FM produced less torque in the lateral flexion moment than the TA. CONCLUSIONS: Tools that removed the loop straps (SD, QR) were faster and produced less force and torque on the helmet than the tools that cut through the loop straps (TA, FM).     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in human cervical carcinoma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), represented by superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, have been implicated in many diseases including cancer. ROS have been known to play an important role in the initiation and promotion of multistep carcinogenesis. The cellular antioxidants play a crucial role in protection against neoplastic disease. However, very little is known about the antioxidant defense in cervical carcinoma. This is addressed in the present study. Lipid peroxides, glutathione content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, together with vitamin C and E content, were estimated in patients who had carcinoma of the cervix, and the values were compared with those of normal women. The results showed a remarkable reduction in the content of glutathione, vitamin E and C. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also reduced in cervical cancer compared to normal controls (P < 0.001). This reduction was more marked in late stages (III, IV) than in early stages (I, II) (P < 0.001). Glutathione was reduced more in poorly differentiated tumors (grade III) than in well and moderately differentiated ones (grade I, II) (P < 0.05). Levels of lipid peroxides were found to be significantly higher in malignant than in normal tissue samples and their levels were correlated with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.001). Our results suggest impaired antioxidant status in carcinoma of the cervix. This impairment is related to tumor progression.     

颈椎钩突邻近结构薄层断面与MRI对照研究

目的阐明颈椎钩突在薄层断面和MRI断面图像上与周围结构的毗邻关系,为颈椎退行性疾病提供影像学诊断依据。方法选取5例中国数字化可视人体（CVH）数据集中C3-C7椎体上缘清楚显示钩突的薄层断面图像,观察并测量钩突与邻近的椎动脉和颈神经的位置关系,选择对应平面的MRI断面图像对照分析。结果CVH数据集的薄层断面清晰显示颈椎钩突及其周围结构,在断面上测量并得出钩突与颈神经、钩突与椎动脉的距离的平均值,MRI清楚显示颈椎钩突及其邻近结构。结论将CVH数据集中的颈椎钩突平面的薄层断面与对应的MRI图像进行对照研究,可为颈椎病的影像学诊断和治疗提供形态学参考。     

颈椎椎间盘的解剖学测量

颈椎椎间盘退变及病变是引起颈肩痛的常见原因之一。近年来许多学者对颈椎椎间盘的形态学及生物力学特征作了较系统的研究。但以往认为颈椎间盘突出症较少见。对颈椎髓核位置、椎间盘前、中、后三部分高度解剖学测量的文献报道较少。本研究在青年新鲜尸体的颈椎上。对颈椎髓核位置、椎间盘前、中、后三部分高度等,做了较为系统的解剖学测量。旨在为人体解剖学积累资料,为临床应用提供形态学依据;并对其临床意义进行了讨论。     

Total hemolytic complement (CH50) and its fractions (C3 and C4) in the sera of patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity,uterine cervix,and breast

The total hemolytic complement activity of CH50 and its fractions C3 and C4 was determined in the sera of 196 patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity, 172 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix, and 166 patients with breast cancer. The values were compared with those of 18 patients with mammary dysplasia, 32 patients with mild to moderate dysplasia of the cervix, and 100 healthy, normal age- and sex-matched controls. No alterations in CH50, C3, and C4 were observed in the sera of patients with benign lesions, whereas a significant rise in the three factors was observed in all the cancer patients studied. The complement activity increased significantly with the progression of the disease up to stage III and remained persistently elevated thereafter. Patients who had a clinical cure had normal levels of CH50, C3, and C4, whereas the values remained elevated in patients who were still undergoing treatment for residual lesions.     

不同位置植入SMH人工腰椎间盘对小关节应力分布的影响

目的:通过三维有限元方法研究正常椎间盘、SMH人工腰椎间盘前置、中置和后置四组模型中小关节的应力分布情况,探讨不同位置植入SMH人工腰椎间盘对小关节应力分布的影响。方法:建立正常腰椎间盘、人工SMH腰椎间盘前置、中置和后置的三维模型,然后模拟腰椎节段的运动,进行小关节应力分布的比较研究。结果:与正常L4/5椎间盘模型相比,除SMH人工腰椎间盘前置模型前屈时比正常模型小关节应力小外,其余运动时SMH人工腰椎间盘前置、中置和后置模型中小关节的应力均高于正常腰椎间盘组,但后置SMH人工腰椎间盘组则相对较小。结论:SMH人工腰椎间盘后置可以更好地预防小关节的退变;人工椎间盘植入位置的不同对人工腰椎间盘术远期疗效的预测具一定的作用。     

终板蛋白多糖的变化对颈椎间盘力学性能的影响

目的:通过测定退变颈椎间盘压缩性能的改变,同时观测软骨终板基质蛋白多糖(proteoglycan PG)的变化,为退变的椎间盘显现异常力学特性作一分子机制上的探讨。方法:将24只家兔随机分为对照组和模型组,模型组家兔保持45°低屈曲住5小时/次·天,取C5-6椎间盘进行生物力学测定;同时生化测定椎间盘终板糖胺多糖(glycosaminoglycan,GAG)总量、硫酸软骨素(chongdroitin sulphate,CS)和硫酸角质素(keratan sulphate,KS)比值和透明质酸(hyaluronic acid,HA)含量;总结分析颈椎间盘退变时基质各成分的系统变化及其对椎间盘力学性能的影响。结果:模型组终板抗压强度、断裂时的最大形变、终板基质蛋白多糖总含量、硫酸软骨素/硫酸角质素比值、透明质酸含量都低于对照组(P<0.05),并随造模进程的深入而减小。结论:长时间的应力不均状态,造成椎间盘终板材料力学特性改变;颈椎间盘基质蛋白多糖含量和成分改变是颈椎间盘生物力学性能减退的主要原因之一。     

Immunohistochemical localization of syndecan-1 in normal and pathological human uterine cervix

Expression of syndecan-1, a cell surface proteoglycan that binds growth factors and extracellular matrix components, was studied in normal and pathological human uterine cervix using immunohistochemical methods. Normal cervical squamous epithelium showed positive staining for syndecan-1 in all cell layers, except the basal cell layer, whereas endocervical columnar epithelium stained weakly. In non-neoplastic reactive lesions, metaplastic squamous cells were positive for syndecan-1, whereas columnar cells showed weak or negative staining. In cervical condylomas, cells showing koilocytotic atypia were positive for syndecan-1. The progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade I to grade III was associated with reduced syndecan-1 expression and localization of syndecan-1 to more superficial cell layers. In squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), syndecan-1 expression correlated with histological differentiation, being absent from most poorly differentiated tumours. The results suggest that loss of syndecan-1 from atypical cells is an early event during cervical carcinogenesis and show a close association of syndecan-1 expression with preserved epithelial morphology and differentiation.