Transvaginal sonographic assessment of cervical length changes during triplet gestation

The current study aimed to evaluate the contribution of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for monitoring cervical changes during the second half of triplet gestation. Forty-five pregnant women with triplets pregnancies were prospectively scanned by TVS from approximately 26 weeks gestation and were longitudinally followed-up until delivery. Based on a receiver-operating curve it was found that a cervical length of 25 mm is the most accurate parameter (94% sensitivity and 45% specificity) for predicting premature delivery < or =33 gestational weeks. Thus, a single cervical length measurement of < or =25 mm at 26 weeks gestation correlated well with premature delivery at < or =33 weeks (chi(2); P = 0.002). Using the linear regression model, a mathematical equation [(Week of delivery = 27.4 + 1.6 x cervical length; R(2) = 0.46; P = 0.01)] for predicting the gestational age of delivery (dependent variable) was determined based on mid-gestation cervical measurements (predictors). In parturient women with triplet gestation, TVS assessment of the uterine cervix offers insight into the cervical status and provides valuable information for prenatal care. This includes both monitoring the cervical changes throughout third trimester as well as predicting the likelihood of premature delivery.     

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).     

腰大肌作用力与脊柱伸展应力关系的生物力学实验研究

目的:探讨腰大肌作用力带动脊柱伸展应力的生物力学关系。方法:取家兔12只,分3组,每组4只,解剖后保留枢椎以下完整之脊柱及骨盆、髋关节、上段股骨,不损伤脊柱前、后纵韧带、椎间盘及所附着之腰大肌,保留脊柱背侧的竖脊肌、棘上韧带,置于生物力学拉伸测试仪(日本岛津制作所产AGS-J系列)。上端十字头分别夹枢椎(颈胸腰段)、第1胸椎(胸腰段)和第12胸椎(腰段),下端十字头夹股骨上部;分别作有腰大肌状态下和切断腰大肌状态下,股髋自屈曲位到过伸带动脊柱自屈曲位到过伸位拉伸试验,测定两种不同状态下脊柱各节段的伸展应力(N/mm2)。结果:有腰大肌状态和切断腰大肌状态下,股-髋-脊柱拉伸后脊柱伸展应力分别为:颈胸腰全段平均为306.6675N/mm2:78.7167N/mm2;胸腰段为680.8417N/mm2:373.0375N/mm2;腰段为1990.7944N/mm2:523.0608N/mm2;经统计学分析,具显著性差异,P<0.01。结论:腰大肌作用力对脊柱伸展应力影响显著,颈胸腰段占74.33%、胸腰段占45.21%,腰段占73.73%的伸展应力源自腰大肌。脊柱在腰大肌作用下产生腰椎向腹部的弯曲。     

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。     

Morphometric analysis of the thoracic and lumbar spine in Japanese on the use of pedicle screws

The pedicle screw and hook have become popular instruments in treating spinal deformity and disease. This study gathered morphological data on thoracic and lumbar spines in a Japanese population that should serve as useful reference for posterior instrumentation surgery. One hundred and three dry bones were used to investigate the morphology of pedicle and facet in thoracic and lumbar spines. Measurements included the diameter and axial length of pedicle from T8 to L5, height and width of facets and thickness of articular processes from T1 to T12, and axial angle of pedicle from T1 to L5. The diameter and axial length of pedicle were smallest at T8, diameter was largest at L5 and axial length was largest at L3. Height of facets and thickness of articular processes were largest at T12. Men tended to have larger pedicles and facets than women. Transverse angle of pedicle was smallest at T12. These precise data may provide useful information when performing posterior instrumentation surgery and when developing new spinal implant systems for Asians.     

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.