Growth factor expression in degenerated intervertebral disc tissue. An immunohistochemical analysis of transforming growth factor beta, fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.

Degenerated intervertebral disc has lost its normal architecture, and there are changes both in the nuclear and annular parts of the disc. Changes in cell shape, especially in the annulus fibrosus, have been reported. During degeneration the cells become more rounded, chondrocyte-like, whereas in the normal condition annular cells are more spindle shaped.

Oncoprotein c-Fos and c-Jun immunopositive cells and cell clusters in herniated intervertebral disc tissue.

The oncoproteins c-Fos and c-Jun create a transcriptional site early response activating protein (AP-1) mediating the regulation of gene expression in response to extracellular signalling by, for example, cytokines. These proteins are important in the signalling pathway from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Previously, oncoproteins have been located in articular synovium and in chondrocytes, participating in transcription.

Comparison of the prevalence of inflammatory cells in subtypes of disc herniations and associations with straight leg raising.

Study Design: The prevalence of inflammatory cells in 205 disc herniations (DHs) and nine macroscopically normal discs for comparison was studied immunohistochemically. Inflammatory cells were separately analyzed in subtypes of DH. Immunohistochemical data were related to clinical parameters, the straight leg raising test (SLR) in particular.

Transforming growth factor beta receptor induction in herniated intervertebral disc tissue: an immunohistochemical study.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inducer of angiogenesis and fibrogenesis. There is presently little information about the pathophysiological function of TGF-beta in herniated disc tissue. In order to analyze the cellular role and activation of TGF-beta after disc herniation we immunostained frozen material from 38 disc herniation operations and from eight macroscopically normal discs from organ donors.

Inflammatory cells, motor weakness, and straight leg raising in transligamentous disc herniations.

Study Design: Possible statistically significant relationships between inflammatory cells and either motor weakness or straight leg raising were determined.

Objectives: To look for any clinically relevant links between inflammatory cells in disc herniations and signs of radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Many studies have during recent years shown a presence of various types of inflammatory cells in disc herniations, but their clinical relevance has been questioned.

A novel splice site mutation of the EXT2 gene in a Finnish hereditary multiple exostoses family. Mutations in brief no. 197. Online.

Hereditary multiple exostoses is a dominantly inherited disease characterized by multiple benign osteochondromas. The affected individuals have an increased risk of developing sarcoma. A large Finnish family with hereditary multiple exostosis was analyzed to find the disease-causing mutation.

Prolonged low-back pain in young athletes: a prospective case series study of findings and prognosis.

We investigated the prognosis of low-back pain and the association of clinical symptoms and anatomic findings among young athletes. Consecutive patients, aged between 12 and 18 years, who had low-back pain that had interfered with their training for at least 4 weeks were included in the case series. All the patients participated in a standardized interview and clinical examination, and plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images were also obtained.

MR imaging in suspected acute trauma of wrist bones.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the findings of MR imaging compared to plain radiography in acute wrist trauma.

Methods: Radiography and MR imaging (obtained at 1.5 T) of 67 patients (38 female, 29 male, aged 15-80 years) were analysed by three senior radiologists in a blinded random fashion.

An immunohistochemical study of nerve structures in the anulus fibrosus of human normal lumbar intervertebral discs.

Study Design: The innervation of the anulus fibrosus of human macroscopically normal intervertebral discs from five patients was investigated immunohistochemically.

Objectives: Immunoreactivity to general nerve markers (synaptophysin and protein gene product 9.5) and to neuropeptides (substance P and C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y) was studied.

Clinical significance of genetic imbalances revealed by comparative genomic hybridization in chondrosarcomas.

DNA copy number changes were studied by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in 50 chondrosarcoma samples from 45 patients. Mean number of genetic aberrations in primary tumors was 4.8 +/- 1.

The role of mast cells in disc herniation inflammation.

Study Design: A study of herniated lumbar disc tissue samples and control disc material to determine the presence of mast cells in disc herniations.

Objectives: To analyze whether mast cells have any involvement in disc herniation pathophysiology and lumbar pain, because mast cells may have an important role in acute and chronic inflammatory responses.

Summary Of Background Data: Studies of inflammatory cells, biochemical mediators of inflammation, and tissue degrading enzymes have suggested that these factors may be involved--and perhaps play an important role--in the pathophysiology of lumbar pain and radiculopathy.

Among numerous DNA copy number changes, losses of chromosome 13 are highly recurrent in plasmacytoma.

Chromosomal imbalances were studied by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on 27 specimens from 24 patients with plasmacytoma. All the specimens exhibited DNA copy number changes (mean, 7.7 aberrations/tumor; range, 2-15).

Comparative immunohistochemical study of group II (synovial-type) and group IV (cytosolic) phospholipases A2 in disc prolapse tissue.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has been suggested to be present in herniated disc tissue and it could possibly be involved in sciatica/ discogenic back pain mechanisms. In the present study the occurrence of two different phospholipase A2 enzymes, (1) low molecular weight (14 kDa) group II synovial-type (sPLA2) and (2) high molecular weight (85 kDa) group IV cytosolic (cPLA2), were compared. Fifty-three disc prolapses obtained at disc operations were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, using anti-human monoclonal antibodies to sPLA2 and cPLA2, respectively.

A comparative immunohistochemical study of inflammatory cells in acute-stage and chronic-stage disc herniations.

Study Design: Herniated lumbar disc specimens were obtained from patients undergoing surgical discectomy for persistent radicular pain (radiculopathy) and stained for inflammatory cells to determine their occurrence in relation to the duration of radicular pain and to analyze the role of the time factor in the inflammatory response.

Objectives: To analyze the presence of inflammatory cells and their involvement in the pathophysiology of radicular pain and to determine whether there is a clear difference in the occurrence of inflammatory cells between the earlier phase of radicular pain (after herniation) and the later chronic stage.

Summary Of Background Data: Previously, inflammatory cells were reported in herniated disc tissues, and macrophages were most prevalent.

Incidence and clinical significance of bone bruises after supination injury of the ankle. A double-blind, prospective study.

We used MRI to study a prospective series of 95 patients with inversion injuries of the ankle and no fracture on plain radiographs. We found an incidence of bone bruises of 27%, but these made no difference to the time of return to work, limitation of walking or physical activity, or the clinical outcome scores at three months. We conclude that bone bruises have very little clinical significance after inversion injuries of the ankle.

Inflammatory cells in full-thickness anulus injury in pigs. An experimental disc herniation animal model.

Study Design: Inflammatory cells were studied by indirect immunocytochemistry in experimental full-thickness anulus fibrosus lesions in pigs.

Objectives: First, to determine the occurrence, by immunocytochemistry, of T lymphocytes and macrophages in experimentally produced, anterolateral full-thickness disc lesions in pigs, and second, to compare the presence of inflammatory cells in 1) the injury area, 2) the adjacent noninjured part of the disc, and 3) control discs.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies on disc herniation material obtained from human disc surgeries have demonstrated inflammatory cells in a subgroup of herniations.

Inflammatory cells in experimental intervertebral disc injury.

Study Design: Inflammatory cells were located by immunocytochemistry in areas of experimental intervertebral disc injury in pigs.

Objectives: To study the occurrence of T lymphocytes and macrophages 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after partial-thickness transverse scalpel injuries in pig lumbar discs.

Summary Of Background Data: Inflammatory cells and mediators recently have been observed in disc herniation tissue that was removed at disc prolapse surgery.

No DNA copy number changes in osteochondromas: a comparative genomic hybridization study.

Cytogenetic changes in osteochondroma samples were studied by comparative genomic hybridization and by chromosome banding. No DNA copy number changes (15 patients) or chromosomal aberrations (9 patients) were observed in any of the patients.

Gains, losses, and amplifications of DNA sequences evaluated by comparative genomic hybridization in chondrosarcomas.

Comparative genomic hybridization was used to search for previously unknown gains and losses of DNA sequences along all chromosome arms in 29 chondrosarcoma specimens obtained from 23 patients. Extensive genetic aberrations, with a mean of 6 changes per tumor (range, 1 to 24), were detected in 21 of the 29 samples analyzed (72%). The majority of these changes were gains of whole chromosomes or whole chromosome arms.

Recurrent gains of 1q, 8 and 12 in the Ewing family of tumours by comparative genomic hybridization.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to detect copy number changes of DNA sequences in the Ewing family of tumours (ET). We analysed 20 samples from 17 patients. Fifteen tumours (75%) showed copy number changes.

Platelet-derived growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in disc herniation tissue: and immunohistochemical study.

Angiogenesis is essential in tissue growth and regeneration. There are several factors that are able to stimulate vascular endothelial cell growth, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Disc herniation tissue (DHT) contains vascular ingrowth, which promotes granulation tissue formation.

Immunocytochemical localization of immunoglobulins in disc herniations.

Study Design: Disc herniation and control discs were studied for the presence of immunoglobulins immunocytochemically.

Objectives: To study a possible presence of immunoglobulin complexes in herniated disc tissue and to locate them at the tissue level by immunocytochemistry; to compare immunohistologic findings with those obtained in control disc tissue; and to compare the prevalences of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G.

Summary Of Background Data: In herniated disc tissue, high activity of inflammatory phospholipase A2 was previously demonstrated, and inflammatory cells were noted immunohistochemically.

Prevalence, morphology, and topography of blood vessels in herniated disc tissue. A comparative immunocytochemical study.

Study Design: Ninety disc herniations removed during surgery were studied by immunocytochemistry, using two different endothelial cell markers, to study the prevalence, morphology, and topography of blood vessels in disc herniations.

Objectives: To increase the specific localization of even very small blood vessels present in disc herniations by using specific antibodies to endothelial cells; to study blood vessels comparatively with two different endothelial cell antibodies, comparing their prevalence; and to study blood vessel morphology and topographic relationships of blood vessels to other tissue elements, particularly disc cells.

Summary Of Background Data: In many previous macroscopic studies and in studies using conventional histologic methodology, blood vessels have been observed in degenerated and injured intervertebral discs.

No evidence of microsatellite instability in bone tumours.

Microsatellite instability has recently been reported in sporadic and familial colorectal tumours and can be due to defects in DNA mismatch repair genes. Such instability has subsequently been detected in several other types of sporadic tumours. We studied 29 specimens of bone tumours with different histopathological diagnoses and found no evidence of microsatellite instability.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of sensory and autonomic nerve terminals in herniated lumbar disc tissue.

Study Design: Thirty-five lumbar disc herniations removed at surgery were studied by indirect immunocytochemistry.

Objectives: To localize immunohistochemically both sensory and autonomic nerve terminals in disc herniations.

Summary Of Background Data: Using various more or less specific histologic and histochemical methods, investigators have reported the presence of free nerve terminals in disc tissue.