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BackgroundDisc degeneration (DD) is a common condition that progresses with aging. Although the events leading to DD are not well understood, a significant genetic influence has been found. This study was undertaken to assess the association between relevant candidate gene polymorphisms and moderate DD in a well-defined and characterized cohort of young adults. Focusing on young age can be valuable in determining genetic predisposition to DD.MethodsWe investigated the associations of existing candidate genes for DD among 538 young adults with a mean age of 19 belonging to the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 16 genes were genotyped. We evaluated lumbar DD using the modified Pfirrmann classification and a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner for imaging.ResultsOf the 538 individuals studied, 46% had no degeneration, while 54% had DD and 51% of these had moderate DD. The risk of DD was significantly higher in subjects with an allele G of IL6 SNPs rs1800795 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.96) and rs1800797 (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.85) in the additive inheritance model. The role of IL6 was further supported by the haplotype analysis, which resulted in an association between the GGG haplotype (SNPs rs1800797, rs1800796 and rs1800795) and DD with an OR of 1.51 (95% CI 1.11-2.04). In addition, we observed an association between DD and two other polymorphisms, SKT rs16924573 (OR 0.27 95% CI 0.07-0.96) and CILP rs2073711 in women (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.07-3.89).ConclusionOur results indicate that IL6, SKT and CILP are involved in the etiology of DD among young adults.

Highlights d A NOTO-EGFP reporter in hPSCs is established to monitor differentiation to NCLs d hPSCs can be induced into NCLs and NP-like cells using a defined protocol d hPSC-NP-like cells and human NP cells share high similarities in molecular signatures d Transplantation of hPSC-NP-like cells attenuates injuryinduced intervertebral disc degeneration

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a common clinical problem. No study has examined the pattern of neurological recovery after surgical decompression. We conducted a prospective study on the pattern of neurological recovery after surgical decompression in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Patients suffering from cervical spondylotic myelopathy and requiring surgical decompression from January 1995 to December 2000 were prospectively included. Upper limbs, lower limbs and sphincter functions were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Assessment was done before the operation, at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and then yearly after surgery. Results were analysed with the t-test. Differences with Pvalues less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Fifty-five patients were included. The average follow-up period was 53 months. Thirty-nine patients (71%) had neurological improvement after the operation with a mean recovery rate of 55%. The JOA score improved after surgery, reaching statistical significance at 3 months and a plateau at 6 months. Thirty-six patients (65%) had improvement of upper limb function. Twentyfour patients (44%) had improvement of lower limb function. Eleven patients (20%) had improvement of sphincter function. The recovery rate of upper limb function was 37%, of lower limb function was 23% and of sphincter function was 17%. Surgical decompression worked well in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Seventy-one percent of patients had neurological improvement after the operation. The neurological recovery reached a plateau at 6 months after the operation. The upper limb function had the best recovery, followed by lower limb and sphincter functions.Résumé Les myélopathies cervicales sont un problème courant. Aucune étude n'a examiné la récupération neurologique après décompression chirurgicale. Nous avons conduit une étude prospective sur ce sujet, chez des patients ayant bénéficié d'une décompression pour myélopathie cervicale. Les patients opérés entre janvier 1995 et décembre 2000 ont été inclus dans cette étude. Les fonctions des membres supérieurs, des membres inférieurs et les fonctions sphinctériennes ont été évaluées selon le score de la JOA (Association Japonaise d'Orthopédie). L'évaluation a été réalisée avant l'opération, une semaine, deux semaines, un mois, trois mois, six mois, un an et chaque année après l'intervention chirurgicale. Les résultats ont été analysés selon le P test et en appréciant ensuite les résultats statistiquement ou non statistiquement significatifs. Cinquante-cinq patients ont été inclus. Le suivi moyen a été de 53 mois, 39 patients (71%) ont montré une amélioration neurologique après l'intervention avec un taux de récupération complète de 55%. Le score de la JOA a été amélioré à 3 mois avec un plateau de récupération à 6 mois. Trente-six patients (65%) ont vu une amélioration au niveau des fonctions du membre supérieur, 24 (44%) au niveau des membres inférieurs, 11 (5%...

This is the first study to note that the DRU classification can predict both PG and GC, providing evidence that it may aid the management of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1689-96.

BackgroundScoliosis is a common spinal deformity that occurs often during adolescence. Previous studies suggested that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients can have various aspects of their lives being affected, due to disease presentation and/or treatment received. It is important to define a reliable instrument based on which the affected patients’ health-related quality of life can be assessed. This study aims to assess the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) in Chinese patients with AIS.MethodsAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients of Chinese descent were prospectively recruited to complete both the traditional Chinese versions of the EQ-5D-5L and the refined Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22r) questionnaires. Patients’ demographic profiles and corresponding clinical parameters including treatment modalities, spinal curve pattern and magnitude, and duration of bracing were recorded. Telephone interviews were then conducted at least two weeks later for the assessment of test-retest reliability. Statistical analysis was performed: construct validity of the EQ-5D-5L domains were assessed using Spearman’s correlation test against the SRS-22r; whereas intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the test-retest reliability, and agreement over the test-retest period was expressed in percentages. Also, the sensitivity of the EQ-5D-5L in differentiating various clinical known groups was determined by effect size, independent t-test and analysis of variance.ResultsA total of 227 AIS patients were recruited. Scores of domains of the EQ-5D-5L correlated significantly (r: 0.57-0.74) with the scores of the SRS-22r domains that were intended to measure similar constructs, supporting construct validity. The EQ-5D-5L domain responses and utility scores showed good test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.777; agreement: 76.4 -98.1 %). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s α: 0.78) for the EQ-5D-5L utility score. The EQ-5D-5L utility score was sensitive in detecting differences between subjects who had different treatment modalities and bracing duration, but not for curve pattern and its magnitude.ConclusionsThe EQ-5D-5L is found to be a valid, reliable and sensitive measure to assess the health-related quality of life in Chinese AIS patients. This potentiates the possibility of utilizing the EQ-5D-5L to estimate AIS patients’ health-related quality of life, based on which the outcome of various treatment options can eventually be evaluated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13013-016-0083-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.