European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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This research is intended to evaluate the correlations of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 concentrations with bone density and turnover markers as well as their diagnostic value in elderly male patients with osteoporosis (OP). ⋯ Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.
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Appendicular skeleton markers are commonly used for maturity assessment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients. Traditionally, Risser has been a standard skeletal maturity assessment method. More recently, Sanders classification (SSMS), as a more comprehensive system, became popular, especially in decision-making for Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). Thumb-Ossification Composite Index (TOCI), using ossification of thumb epiphyses, has been claimed to more accurately stage patients around their peak height velocity. However, growth peaks may occur separately at lower limbs and trunk. Hence, Cervical Vertebral Maturity (CVM), using cervical spine morphology, possesses a potential to better estimate spinal growth as it uses axial skeleton markers instead of appendicular skeleton markers. The aim of the study was to compare various axial and appendicular skeletal maturity assessment methods for longitudinal growth and curve modulation after VBT. ⋯ Risser score provided considerably less information for all three outcome variables. TOCI and SSMS provided substantial information regarding remaining leg-length assessments, while in terms of assessment of total height gain and curve modulation after surgery, CVM and TOCI offered substantial information and SSMS offered strong information. Mutual use of axial and appendicular markers may provide valuable insight concerning timing of surgery and magnitude of surgical correction.
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Lumbar paraspinal intramuscular fat (IMF) has emerged as a biological factor in low back pain (LBP). Traditional assessments measure IMF across the entire muscle or at specific levels and may miss key information on the role of IMF in LBP. Despite known variations across the lumbar spine, the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of IMF has not been characterized across people. Here we develop a template-based spatial parametric mapping approach to explore the 3D spatial distribution of lumbar paraspinal IMF. ⋯ The developed 3D spatial parametric mapping approach provides a comprehensive assessment of lumbar paraspinal IMF, potentially enhancing our understanding of lumbar spine function and pathology, treatment mechanisms, and the modifiable factors promoting recovery from LBP.