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The molecular mechanism behind pain in degenerative disc disease (DDD) and chronic low back pain (LBP) patients is largely unknown. This present study examines the association of LBP and disability to mediators of the inflammatory cascade, as indexed by mRNA gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine markers in the intervertebral disc (IVD). Biopsies of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposes (NP) from patients with DDD undergoing 1–2 level fusion surgery at L4/L5 or L5/S1 were obtained from total of 34 patients [9 M, 25 F] with average age of 53 [32–63]. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the AF and NP was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the expression level of these markers was correlated to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (0–100) for pain and disability. We report a statistically significant positive correlation between pain intensity (VAS score) and the expression of TNF-α in both the AF (r = 0.54, p = 0.001) and NP (r = 0.40, p = 0.02), similarly with IL-1β in AF (r = 0.37, p = 0.02) and IL-6 in NP (r = 0.40, p = 0.02). In addition, we found significant positive correlation observed between disability score (ODI) and expression of IL-6 in both AF (r = 0.36, p = 0.03) and NP (r = 0.41, p = 0.01). We conclude that the intensity of LBP and disability is associated with the level of inflammation in the disc.

The molecular mechanism behind pain in degenerative disc disease (DDD) and chronic low back pain (LBP) patients is largely unknown. This present study examines the association of LBP and disability to mediators of the inflammatory cascade, as indexed by mRNA gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine markers in the intervertebral disc (IVD).Biopsies of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposes (NP) from patients with DDD undergoing 1-2 level fusion surgery at L4/L5 or L5/S1 were obtained from total of 34 patients [9 M, 25 F] with average age of 53 [32-63]. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the AF and NP was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the expression level of these markers was correlated to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (0-100) for pain and disability.We report a statistically significant positive correlation between pain intensity (VAS score) and the expression of TNF-α in both the AF (r = 0.54, p = 0.001) and NP (r = 0.40, p = 0.02), similarly with IL-1β in AF (r = 0.37, p = 0.02) and IL-6 in NP (r = 0.40, p = 0.02). In addition, we found significant positive correlation observed between disability score (ODI) and expression of IL-6 in both AF (r = 0.36, p = 0.03) and NP (r = 0.41, p = 0.01).We conclude that the intensity of LBP and disability is associated with the level of inflammation in the disc.

A number of improved pipeline varieties of sorghum including PARC SS-1, PARC SS-2 and PARC Ss-15 were planted in various agro-ecological zones of Pakistan for 2 years (2004 and 2005). The participatory Mother-Baby Trial methodology was used for the first time in Pakistan for varietal evaluation and selection. Six varieties of sorghum were evaluated along with the local checks. In general, the pipeline varieties developed at the National Agricultural Research Centre had a yield advantage of 15 to 20% over the local checks and other improved varieties included in the trial. The farmers were involved in the varietal selection process. These varieties were selected by the farmers on the basis of maturity, higher yield, resistance to leaf blight and red rot diseases, drought tolerance, and the dual (grain cum fodder) nature of the varieties. Based on the evaluation and selection, these varieties are being released for general cultivation in various ecologies. The results from participatory trials on various agronomic aspects are presented and discussed in this paper.