The tight junction component Claudin E is required for zebrafish epiboly.

Zebrafish epiboly results in the thinning and spreading of the blastoderm to cover the yolk cell and close the blastopore. The extra-embryonic yolk syncytial layer (YSL) tows the blastoderm vegetally during epiboly by means of its tight junction attachments to the enveloping layer (EVL). Claudins are the major transmembrane protein components of tight junctions.

One-year results of X Stop interspinous implant for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Objective: To prospectively assess the clinical outcome of patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis before and at periodic intervals after X Stop implantation and to compare the data with previous studies.

Summary Of Background Data: The X Stop Interspinous Process Distraction Device is a relatively new interspinous implant designed for patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis particularly neurogenic claudication.

The Dynesys lumbar spinal stabilization system: a preliminary report on positional magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Study Design: We present the positional magnetic resonance imaging findings of a prospective case series of patients undergoing surgery with the Dynesys spinal stabilization device (Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN).

Objective: To explore the biomechanical impact of the Dynesys device in vivo.

Influence of X Stop on neural foramina and spinal canal area in spinal stenosis.

Study Design: Measurements of cross sections of exit foramen and spinal canal were performed before and after placement of X Stop in physiologic postures using positional MR scanner at the stenosed level in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective: To quantify the effect of the implant in vivo on the lumbar spine at the instrumented levels in various postures.

Summary Of Background Data: Dimensions of the spinal canal and neural foramen decrease from flexion to extension.

Positional MRI changes in supine versus sitting postures in patients with degenerative lumbar spine.

Introduction: Back pain is associated with a degree of alteration in the alignment and movement of the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the degree of lumbar segmental degeneration affects sagittal changes in the lumbar spine as it shifts from the supine to the sitting (load-bearing) posture.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled (14 male and 16 female patients); mean age 44.

Effects of X-STOP device on sagittal lumbar spine kinematics in spinal stenosis.

The X-Stop device is designed to distract the posterior elements of the stenotic segment and place it in flexion to treat neurogenic claudication. Previous biomechanical studies on X Stop have been done in vitro on cadavers looking at disc pressures and segmental range of movements. The objective of this study is to understand the sagittal kinematics in vivo of the lumbar spine at the instrumented and adjacent levels.

The positional magnetic resonance imaging changes in the lumbar spine following insertion of a novel interspinous process distraction device.

Study Design: Patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis underwent magnetic resonance imaging to study changes in the lumbar spine in various postures before and after implantation of the X STOP Interspinous Process Distraction Device (St. Francis Medical Technologies, Concord, CA).

Objective: To visualize the effect of the device in vivo.