We have studied the human thoracolumbar fascia by using antiserum against neurofilament protein (NFP) and S-100 protein to identify sensory nerve fibers and their endings. Seven surgical specimens from 7 patients were studied with light microscopy. In addition to free nerve endings, two types of encapsulated mechanoreceptors (Ruffini's and Vater-Pacini corpuscles) were identified. These findings support the hypothesis that the thoracolumbar fascia may play a neurosensory role in the lumbar spine mechanism.
Analysis of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption patterns recorded in pregnancy could not detect a harmful effect of alcohol at levels below 2 glasses a day. Total abstainers fared very slightly worse than those who drank occasionally. Smoking was associated with lower birth-weight and a worse fetal outcome independent of socioeconomic status, parity, maternal age or alcohol consumption. There was evidence of an interaction between smoking and adverse social and parity factors in low birth-weight.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.