Spine
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Cross-sectional study. Women giving birth at one of two hospitals of northern Sweden from 1 January 2002 until 30 April 2002 were invited to fill in a questionnaire on their obstetric and gynecological history, actual pregnancy, and delivery. ⋯ A majority of pregnant women report LBPP. Parity, LBPP during a previous pregnancy, body mass index, a history of hypermobility, and amenorrhea are factors influencing the risk of developing LBPP during pregnancy.
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A case-control study using radiograph findings and the PCR assay with regard to the susceptibility and the severity of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL). ⋯ The present results suggest that the IVS20-11delT variant of the NPPS gene and the A861G variant of the leptin receptor gene are associated with more extensive OPLL, but not with the frequency with which it occurs.
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An in vitro biomechanical study on lumbar intervertebral joints. ⋯ The posterior elements of the lumbar spine are more efficient in resisting anterior and posterior shear loads. However, the anterior column will exhibit similar load-displacement characteristics if subject to greater deformations. The sum of the normalized mean shear loads of the anterior column and posterior elements sustained at maximum intact deformation is significantly different from the shear load sustained by the intact spine at the same deformation. A simple concept of load sharing between the anterior column and the posterior elements may not be valid.
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A retrospective review of spinal deformity in patients with congenital heart disease surgically treated through a median sternotomy before the age of 8 years. Assessment was done on chest roentgenograms at skeletal maturity. ⋯ There is a high prevalence of scoliosis in patients with congenital heart disease surgically treated through a median sternotomy. The prevalence of scoliosis increases in patients operated at an earlier age.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Looking away from whiplash: effect of head rotation in rear impacts.
Twenty healthy volunteers in a laboratory were subjected to rear-end impacts 4.4, 7.9, 10.9, and 13.1 m/s acceleration, with head rotation to the right and left. ⋯ If the head is rotated out of neutral posture at the time of rear impact, the injury risk tends to be greater for the sternocleidomastoid muscle contralateral to the side of rotation. Measures to prevent whiplash injury may have to account for the asymmetric response because many victims of whiplash are expected to be looking to the left or right at the time of collision.