Castellvi classification of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: comparison between conventional radiography, CT, and MRI.

Background: The reliability and diagnostic accuracy of commonly used diagnostic imaging modalities in the classification of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are poorly known, and comparative studies are scarce.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic performance of conventional radiography (CR), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in classifying LSTVs.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a total of 852 patients undergoing lumbar imaging studies using all three modalities were initially assessed for the presence of LSTV using CT scans.

Long-term Posttraumatic Survival of Spinal Fracture Patients in Northern Finland.

Study Design: A retrospective epidemiological study.

Objective: To reveal the long-term survival and causes of death after traumatic spinal fracture (TSF) and to determine the possible factors predicting death.

Summary Of Background Data: Increased mortality following osteoporotic spinal fracture has been represented in several studies.

Traumatic Spinal Injuries in Northern Finland.

Study Design: A retrospective epidemiological study.

Objective: To reveal incidence and epidemiological features of traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) in Northern Finland.

Summary Of Background Data: In Finland the annual incidence of traumatic spine fractures requiring inpatient care has been found to be 27/100,000, while international incidences have varied across the range of 16-64/100,000.

Mitochondrial DNA Depletion and Deletions in Paediatric Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases: Novel Phenotypes.

Objective: To study the clinical manifestations and occurrence of mtDNA depletion and deletions in paediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases and to identify novel clinical phenotypes associated with mtDNA depletion or deletions.

Methods: Muscle DNA samples from patients presenting with undefined encephalomyopathies or myopathies were analysed for mtDNA content by quantitative real-time PCR and for deletions by long-range PCR. Direct sequencing of mtDNA maintenance genes and whole-exome sequencing were used to study the genetic aetiologies of the diseases.

Endothelin-1 contributes to the Frank-Starling response in hypertrophic rat hearts.

Endothelin-1 is involved in mechanical load-induced cardiac growth processes; it also has effects on contractility. The interaction of endothelin-1 and the Frank-Starling response is unknown. The present study aimed to characterize the role of endothelin-1 in the regulation of the Frank-Starling response, one of the major mechanisms regulating cardiac contractile force, in both normal and hypertrophied hearts.