Intercellular signaling pathways active during and after growth and differentiation of the lumbar vertebral growth plate.

Study Design: Vertebral growth plates at different postnatal ages were assessed for active intercellular signaling pathways.

Objective: To generate a spatial and temporal map of the major signaling pathways active in the postnatal mouse lumbar vertebral growth plate.

Summary Of Background Data: The growth of all long bones is known to occur by cartilaginous growth plates.

Postnatal growth, differentiation, and aging of the mouse intervertebral disc.

Study Design: This study follows postnatal intervertebral disc (IVD) growth and differentiation in the mouse. OBJECTIVE.: To initiate use of the mouse as a model system for postnatal IVD differentiation and growth, and to serve as a basis for assaying changes caused by disease or genetic or experimental perturbation.

Intercellular signaling pathways active during intervertebral disc growth, differentiation, and aging.

Study Design: Intervertebral discs at different postnatal ages were assessed for active intercellular signaling pathways.

Objective: To generate a spatial and temporal map of the signaling pathways active in the postnatal intervertebral disc (IVD).

Summary Of Background Data: The postnatal IVD is a complex structure, consisting of 3 histologically distinct components, the nucleus pulposus, fibrous anulus fibrosus, and endplate.

Spinal deformity: a new classification derived from neutral upright spinal alignment measurements in asymptomatic juvenile, adolescent, adult, and geriatric individuals.

Objective: In this literature review, the authors analyze data from previously published studies that evaluated neutral upright spinal alignment (NUSA) from the occiput to the pelvis in asymptomatic individuals. Based on the data for NUSA in asymptomatic volunteers, a new classification is proposed for spinal deformity.

Methods: A review of the English literature was conducted to identify studies evaluating NUSA from the occiput to the pelvis in asymptomatic juvenile, adolescent, adult, and geriatric volunteers.