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The present retrospective study reviewed and examined the prevalence of thoracic disc degeneration, end-plate lesions and osteophytes in the thoracic spine using T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance images (MRI). The sample comprised 216 thoracic spine cases (101 males and 115 females), aged from 1 to 85 years (mean age = 42 ± 19.7 years). Nuclear and anular degeneration, end-plate lesions and osteophytes were graded using a 3-point scale. The prevalence of degeneration was highest in the nucleus (86%) and lowest in the end-plates (63%). Males had a higher prevalence of degeneration in the nucleus, anulus and end-plates, and a lower prevalence of osteophytes compared to females. Increasing cranio-caudal trends in the prevalence of degeneration in the nucleus, anulus and end-plates were observed, and these trends were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Vertebral body osteophytes were most prevalent in the mid thoracic region. Osteophytes and degenerative changes in the nucleus and anulus increased significantly with age (p < 0.05). These regional and age-related degenerative trends may influence the interpretation of thoracic spine pathology from MRI investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the variability in interpreting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) films for thoracic disc degeneration, using a 5-point MRI disc grading scale and a modified 3-point scale. Forty-six T2-weighted sagittal thoracic MRI films, comprising 18 males and 28 females, aged 7 to 73 years, (mean age =41±16.3 years), were randomly selected from 318 archived cases. Nuclear and anular degeneration, end-plate lesions and osteophytes were graded on the first 30 cases using a modified 3-point grading scale. The next 30 cases were evaluated using the 5-point grading scale. Repeat evaluations for both scales were conducted after a three- to six-month interval. The intra-rater kappa coefficient was higher using the 3-point scale (0.71 to 0.87, p<0.001) compared to the 5-point scale (0.57 to 0.78, p<0.001) for the end-plate-disc-end-plate components. The lowest intra-rater reliability was for osteophytes and the highest was for the nucleus. The intra-rater reliability was generally higher in the upper thoracic region compared to the mid and lower thoracic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human thoracic discs were analyzed for collagen and collagen cross-links to determine the distribution due to segmental, age, and gender influences. Thoracic discs from 26 cadaveric spines (1 to 90 years old) were graded macroscopically, then separated into anular and nuclear samples. Only grade I (i.e., normal) disc samples were selected (n=209). Pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline cross-links were initially separated by column chromatography and analyzed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The collagen content was lower and the extent of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were significantly higher in the nucleus compared with the anulus (p <.001). The collagen content and extent of pyridinoline were significantly lower with increasing age in the anulus and nucleus (p <.001). Young male discs had a significantly higher extent of pyridinoline compared with females (p <.001). Age, gender, and disc region differences were found to have a significant influence on the biochemical composition of the normal disc extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of age, gender and spinal level differences on the collagen content and the extents of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in normal human thoracic intervertebral discs. Background on pyridinoline cross-links; Details of the macroscopic examination of the disc; Statistical analysis of the intradisc and disc regional differences.

The effect of formalin-fixation on the extent of collagen and elastin crosslinks in the matrix of human spinal intervertebral discs and ligamentum flava tissues was evaluated. Fresh discs (n = 5) and ligamentum flava (n = 22) were harvested and separated into two samples. One sample was stored in 10% buffered formalin and the other control sample in a freezer at -20°C. Using HPLC the paired anular (n = 72), nuclear (n = 22) and liagmentum flavum (n = 58) samples were dried, hydrolyzed and assayed for collagen and elastin crosslinks over a 25-week period. There were no significant differences in the collagen, isodesmosine and desmosine content, and the extent of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks, between fresh and formalin-fixed disc and ligament samples after 25 weeks of formalin fixation. Short-term formalin-fixation does not significantly influence the collagen and elastin crosslink content or the extent of insoluble collagen crosslinks in spinal disc and ligamentum flavum tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with Huntington's disease have a high prevalence of falls, but the specific factors that may increase the risk of falling have not been clearly identified in this clinical population. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of individuals with early to mid‐stage Huntington's disease who had a history of falls, compared with a cohort with no history of falls.Twenty‐four participants (10 non‐fallers and 14 recurrent fallers) with a diagnosis of early to mid‐stage Huntington's disease were included in this study. Falls data were collected using retrospective survey analysis. Participants were assessed using measures of balance (Berg Balance Scale), mobility (Rivermead mobility index [RMI]), fear of falling (Activity‐specific Balance Confidence Scale) and gait (6‐min walk test; 10‐m walk test self‐paced and dual tasking).There was no difference in severity of disease state between fallers (Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale [UHDRS] motor 25.33) and non‐fallers (UHDRS motor 25.13) (p = 0.97). The prevalence of falls was high with 66.7% of participants reporting at least one fall and 58.3% reporting two or more falls in the past 12 months. There was no difference in age or gender between recurrent fallers and non‐fallers. Recurrent fallers had significantly lower scores on the Activity‐specific Balance Confidence Scale (p < 0.01) and the RMI (p < 0.05). The probability of falling increases rapidly with a RMI score of less than 10.Recurrent falls are common in people with Huntington's disease. Individuals with a history of falls were found to have a greater fear of falling and lower functional mobility performance than those who did not have a history of falls. These measures may be useful in the identification of individuals with Huntington's disease who might benefit from a falls prevention programme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]