Molecular insight into heart development and congenital heart disease: An update review from the Arab countries.

Congenital heart defect (CHD) has a major influence on affected individuals as well as on the supportive and associated environment such as the immediate family. Unfortunately, CHD is common worldwide with an incidence of approximately 1% and consequently is a major health concern. The Arab population has a high rate of consanguinity, fertility, birth, and annual population growth, in addition to a high incidence of diabetes mellitus and obesity.

The different effects on cranial and trunk neural crest cell behaviour following exposure to a low concentration of alcohol in vitro.

Embryonic neural crest cells give rise to large regions of the face and peripheral nervous system. Exposure of these cells to high alcohol concentrations leads to cell death in the craniofacial region resulting in facial defects. However, the effects of low concentrations of alcohol on neural crest cells are not clear.

Immunohistochemical characterization of reparative tissue present in human osteoarthritic tissue.

Studies involving disease progression in osteoarthritis (OA) have typically focused on the deterioration of native articular cartilage (AC) rather than the de novo cartilage which is frequently present. In general, there are two categories of de novo tissue observed in OA: (1) a pannus-like fibrocartilage that overlays native AC and (2) osteophytes. In this study, 30 AC samples representing a range of disease stages consistent with early to intermediate OA were examined for the occurrence of pannus-like tissue.

The International Research Society of Spinal Deformities (IRSSD) and its contribution to science.

From the time of its initial, informal meetings starting in 1980 to its formal creation in 1990, the IRSSD has met on a bi-annual basis to discuss all aspects of the spine and associated deformities. It has encouraged open discussion on all topics and, in particular, has tried to be the seed-bed for new ideas. The members are spread around the world and include people from all areas of academia as well as the most important people, the patients themselves.

Effects of introducing cultured human chondrocytes into a human articular cartilage explant model.

Articular cartilage (AC) heals poorly and effective host-tissue integration after reconstruction is a concern. We have investigated the ability of implanted chondrocytes to attach at the site of injury and to be incorporated into the decellularized host matrix adjacent to a defect in an in vitro human explant model. Human osteochondral dowels received a standardized injury, were seeded with passage 3 chondrocytes labelled with PKH 26 and compared with two control groups.

How can we achieve success in understanding the aetiology of AIS?

A cure to prevent scoliosis from developing does not seem to be available in the near future. Primarily this is because of a lack of understanding of the aetiology of this devastating disease or cosmetic deformity. While extensive research has been performed in this area over the past 100 years many experiments have been poorly designed because they have been developed on the premise that patients with AIS all have the same, single underlying cause despite much evidence to the contrary.

Using a synthesis of the research literature related to the aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide ideas on future directions for success.

This review is atypical by design. It has used a synthesis of the available literature relating to the aetiology of AIS to draw attention to the lack of progress in this area despite intensive research for more than 100 years. The review has argued that if progress is to be made in this area then significant changes in approach to the problem must be made.

Biomechanical simulations of the scoliotic deformation process in the pinealectomized chicken: a preliminary study.

Background: The basic mechanisms whereby mechanical factors modulate the metabolism of the growing spine remain poorly understood, especially the role of growth adaptation in spinal disorders like in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This paper presents a finite element model (FEM) that was developed to simulate early stages of scoliotic deformities progression using a pinealectomized chicken as animal model.

Methods: The FEM includes basic growth and growth modulation created by the muscle force imbalance.

Pedicle growth asymmetry as a cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a biomechanical study.

Over the last century the neurocentral junction (NCJ) has been identified as a potential cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Disparate growth at this site has been thought to lead to pedicle asymmetry, which then causes vertebral rotation and ultimately, the development of scoliotic curves. The objectives of this study are (1) to incorporate pedicle growth and growth modulation into an existing finite element model of the thoracic and lumbar spine already integrating vertebral body growth and growth modulation; (2) to use the model to investigate whether pedicle asymmetry, either alone or combined with other deformations, could be involved in scoliosis pathomechanisms.

Repetitive pointing to remembered proprioceptive targets improves 3D hand positioning accuracy.

Repetitive pointing movements to remembered proprioceptive targets were investigated to determine whether dynamic proprioception could be used to modify the initial sensorimotor conditions associated with an active definition of the target position. Twelve blindfolded subjects used proprioception to reproduce a self-selected target position as accurately as possible. Ten repetitions for each limb were completed using overhead and scapular plane pointing tasks.

Evaluating MRI as a technique for visualizing the neurocentral junction.

Study Design: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neurocentral junction (NCJ) was correlated with gross anatomic and histologic sections acquired at the same position.

Objectives: To determine the composition of the MRI of the NCJ and to explore the long-standing discrepancy between the ages of closure of the NCJ as determined by anatomic and imaging studies.

Summary Of Background Data: Disparate growth at the site of the NCJ has been implicated as a potential cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis since the early 1900s.

Assessment of the validity of observing three-dimensional images of the spine using polarising, synchronised techniques.

Three-dimensional imaging is an emerging technique in radiology. It might be used to help view the spine and assist in improving evaluation of scoliosis. These images are currently computer generated and although very effective are actually optical iflusions.

The effects of exposure to intense, 24 h light on the development of scoliosis in young chickens.

The aetiology of adolescent 5 coliosis remains unknown and hindering research is the absence of an appropriate animal model. It is now well-established that pinealectomy in young chickens results in the development of scoliosis that has many of the characteristics seen in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis but the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive. The principle product of the pineal gland is melatonin and so many studies have focused on studying the effects of reduced levels of this hormone.

The addition of manual lymph drainage to compression therapy for breast cancer related lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the reduction in arm lymphedema volume achieved from manual lymph drainage massage (MLD) in combination with multi-layered compression bandaging (CB) to that achieved by CB alone.

Methods And Materials: Fifty women with lymphedema (mean age of 59 years +/- 13 years) were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of combined MLD/CB or CB alone. The primary study endpoint was the reduction in arm lymphedema volume, which was determined by water displacement volumetry and measurement of circumference.

Imparting bone mineral affinity to osteogenic proteins through heparin-bisphosphonate conjugates.

Although numerous growth factors can promote the regeneration of bone upon parenteral administration, all exhibit undesirable side-effects that prevent their clinical utility. These side-effects arise due to the growth factors' inherent lack of bone affinity. The goal of this study was to develop a means to enhance the bone mineral affinity of osteogenic growth factors so as to minimize their extra-skeletal distribution.

Dynamic upper limb proprioception in multidirectional shoulder instability.

The ability of subjects with multidirectional shoulder instability to use proprioception to complete a series of upper limb repositioning tasks was investigated. Twelve subjects with multidirectional instability and 12 control subjects were blindfolded and instructed to use proprioception to reproduce a self-selected target position as accurately as possible. Subjects completed 10 repetitions for each limb using three distinct upper limb movements: overhead reaching, scapular plane pointing, and humeral external rotation with abduction.