European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Several types of stem cells have been successfully demonstrated to exist in the human degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD), which is composed of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and cartilage endplate (CEP). However, the differences in the biological characteristics among these and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) remain unclear. ⋯ Our data indicated that all the four types of stem cells shared some similar biological properties (regarding shape, proliferation ability and immunophenotypic expression). CESCs, which had the strongest osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials, may serve as excellent seed cells for NP/cartilage or bone tissue engineering.
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To investigate whether axial loading of the spine during MRI (alMRI) instantaneously induces changes in biochemical disc features as reflected by altered quantitative T2 values in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). ⋯ alMRI instantaneously induces T2-value changes in lumbar discs and is, thus, a feasible method to reveal dynamic, biochemical disc features in patients with chronic LBP.
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Observational Study
Emotional distress drives health services overuse in patients with acute low back pain: a longitudinal observational study.
To determine whether emotional distress reported at the initial consultation affects subsequent healthcare use either directly or indirectly via moderating the influence of symptoms. ⋯ Emotional distress in the acute stage of low back pain increased subsequent consultation rates. Interventions that target emotional distress during the initial consultation are likely to reduce costly and potentially inappropriate future healthcare use for patients with non-specific low back pain.
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Investigation of self-reported of low back pain (LBP) over the last month and associated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of a community-dwelling population aged ≥65. ⋯ LBP appears to be a more permanent condition in the older groups. LBP may be a part of the definition of a subgroup of elderly at risk of becoming frail in relation with higher levels of functional limitations, psychological difficulties and social restrictions, hence globally impaired HRQoL.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the lumbar trunk parameters by MRI and investigate their association with chronic low backache. ⋯ Tendency of smaller trunk musculature CSA may be a cause or a result of chronic LBP. A unique pattern of larger CSA at L3-L4 and L4-L5 disc levels and smaller CSA at L5-S1 of Rectus abdominis muscles is observed in LBP patients compared to healthy persons. Differences in disc angles and CSA of disc at L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels between the two groups signify that these may be the predisposing factors leading to LBP due to abnormal load/stress transmission and precipitating early degenerative changes in the disc.