bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of group cognitive behaviour therapy for low self-esteem in primary care
Authors: Pack Stuart , Condren Emma 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLow self-esteem is widely acknowledged to be associated with the phenomenology of a number of mental health diagnoses, including those which are treated under the umbrella of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. To evaluate the effectiveness of group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based on the work of Fennell in treating low self-esteem 50 participants attended a 10-week group programme. Pre- and post-group measures of depression, anxiety and self-esteem were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant and clinically meaningful change across all pre- and post-group measures. Mean post-group measures indicated levels of depression and anxiety which were below caseness and a healthy level of self-esteem. Results indicated that gains were well maintained at 3-month follow-up. The results from this study highlight the effectiveness of group CBT for low self-esteem and thus contribute to the limited evidence base in this area. Results are discussed with consideration of the existing evidence base, implications for clinical practice, and future research.
Dynamic Range for Speech Materials in Korean, English, and Mandarin: A Cross-Language Comparison
Authors: Jin In-Ki , Kates James M. , Arehart Kathryn H. 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify whether differences in dynamic range (DR) are evident across the spoken languages of Korean, English, and Mandarin.MethodRecorded sentence-level speech materials were used as stimuli. DR was quantified using different definitions of DR (defined as the range in decibels from the highest to the lowest signal intensities), for several integration times (from 1 to 512 ms) and in different frequency bands (center frequencies [CFs] ranging from 150 to 8600 Hz).ResultsAcross the 3 languages, DR was affected in similar ways with regard to changes in DR definition and integration time. In contrast, across-language differences in DR were evident when considering frequency-band effects. Specifically, the DR for Korean was smaller than the English DR and the Mandarin DR in low-frequency bands (less than the CF of 455 Hz). Compared with Korean and Mandarin, the DR for English was smallest in mid-frequency bands (between the CF of 455 Hz and 4050 Hz) and was greatest in high-frequency bands (above the CF of 4050 Hz).ConclusionThe observed differences in DR across languages suggest that the best-fit DR for Korean and Mandarin may be different than the best fit for English.
The Preliminary Outcome of MIS-TLIF in the Treatment of Isthmic Spondylolisthesis—Is Direct Decompression of Exiting Nerve Necessary?
Authors: Wu W. , Liang Y. , Zhang X. , Cao P. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction The technique of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has been successfully used to treat lumbar degenerative diseases with the advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, perioperative narcotic requirements, quick postoperative recovery, and shorter hospital length of stay. However, to our knowledge, there are few reports about the application of MIS-TLIF in the treatment of isthmic spnodylolisthesis. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of the MIS-TLIF in the treatment of grades I to II isthmic spondylolisthesis. Materials and Methods From January 2011 to September 2012, 17 consecutive cases of grades I to II isthmic spondylolisthesis were treated with MIS-TLIF. Radiographs were obtained before and after surgery, 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up to determine the percentage of the slippage, segmental lordosis (SL) and lumbar lordosis (LL), presence of fusion, and hardware-related problems. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry disability index before and after surgery, and at the final follow-up. The visual analog scale score of back pain and radicular pain were evaluated as well. The intraoperative data and perioperative complications were recorded. Results Mean follow-up period was 13 months (range, 6-25 months). Mean operating time was 153 minutes, mean intraoperative blood loss was 175 mL, mean postoperative hospitalization was 3.7 days. Eleven cases got complete reduction, five cases got partial reduction, and one case no reduction. The mean SL was 2.4 degrees preoperatively and 14.9 degrees postoperatively; the mean LL was 50.1 degrees preoperatively and 51.9 degrees postoperatively, both SL and LL were significantly improved after surgery ( p < 0.05). There were 15 cases got fusion at the final follow-up (88.2%). The mean ODI was 49.6% before surgery and significantly improved to 22.7% at the final follow-up. There was one patient got transient radicular pain after surgery and was recover after conservative treatment. There is no hardware failure. Conclusion MIS-TLIF is safe and effective for the treatment of grades I to II isthmic spondylolisthesis. For carefully selected patient, direct decompression of exiting nerve is not necessary. Disclosure of Interest None declared
MMP 7, CALM 1, and Cox 2 Genes Influence Genetic Susceptibility of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease in Young Adults—Analysis of 58 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 580 Individuals Based on Total Degenerative Disc Score
Authors: Rajasekaran S. , Kanna R. M. , Natesan S. , Muthurajan R. , Shetty A. P. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Although the exact mechanisms that lead to degenerative disc disease (DDD) are not well understood, a significant genetic influence has been found. Focusing on DDD that occurs in young adults can be valuable in determining the exact role of genetic predisposition to DD. The present study was undertaken to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate genes in a cohort of young Indian adults. Materials and Methods We selected young patients (age < 40 years) with lumbar disc degeneration and evaluated them with MRI and genetic association studies for 58 SNPs of 35 candidate genes. Disc degeneration of individual discs of lumbar spine from L1 to S1 was quantified by Pfirrmann grading in MRI images (1.5 T). The subjects were stratified into three groups based on a total degenerative disc score (TDDS). TDDS was developed by adding the individual scores of Pfirrmann grading of all the five lumbar discs. Based on the TDDS, the severity of DDD among the subjects was classified as mild (TDDS < 10), moderate (TDDS of 10-15), and severe (TDDS > 15). The patients were classified into three groups so that the extreme confounding patients in the mild and severe TDDS groups will automatically fall into the moderate TDDS group. For the final association analysis, only the results of mild (the unaffected, control group) and severe TDDS groups (affected, case group) were compared and analyzed. Results The study population comprised 580 subjects including 308 patients with mild TDDS, 211 patients with moderate TDDS, and 61 patients with severe TDDS. There was no significant difference in the gender difference and the mean age of the both groups. Three of the 35 candidate genes showed significant association with severe TDDS. SNPs, viz., rs1940044 of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase 7), rs2300496 SNP and rs3213718 SNPs of CALM1 (calmodulin), and rs5277 of COX 2 (cyclooxygenase) were found to be significantly associated with severe TDDS. Among the previously reported candidate genes, our analysis in the young Indian population had revealed that SNPs of COL 9, SKT, CHST 3, CILP, IGFR, SOXp, BMP, MMP 2-12, ADH2, IL1RN, AGC 1, ADAMTS5, NGFB, GLI, HHIP, TAC1, and IL1B were not significantly associated with severe TDDS. [Table: see text] Conclusion This is the first of its kind in studying the genetic aspects of disc degeneration in the young adults. The study identifies specific SNP associations of three genes (MMP 7, CALM 1, and COX2) in young adults with severe lumbar disc degeneration. Genes involved in matrix degradation (MMP), intracellular signaling (CALM), and inflammation (COX 2) were associated with early disc degeneration indicating that DDD is a complex disease with an intricate interplay of multiple genetic polymorphisms. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Associated Factors of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration—Current Results from a Population-Based Cohort: The Wakayama Spine Study
Authors: Hashizume H. , Teraguchi M. , Yoshimura N. , Yamada H. , Akune T. , Yoshida M. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) is thought to be the first step of degenerative spinal changes. Furthermore, DD is considered to be one of the causes of several symptoms including low back pain (LBP). Although previous studies have investigated the association between DD and LBP as well as risk factors of DD, many of them are still controversial mainly because of the selection bias for the cohort. The purposes of this study were (1) to examine the association between the presence of DD and low back pain, and (2) to examine the risk factors related to DD (age, gender, body mass index [BMI], hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus [DM], peripheral artery disease [PAD], and smoking) using a large scale population-based cohort. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study of the base-line data from the population-based cohort of Wakayama, western part of Japan, comprising 975 (men, 324; women, 651; mean age 66.4 years) of 1,011 participants (age, 21-97 years). The participants were subjected to the entire spine MRI and the lumbar intervertebral disc was evaluated according to the Pfirrmann classification system (1-3 = nondegeneration; 4, 5 = degeneration). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between DD and low back pain after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. Besides this, we analyzed the association between the presence of DD and the potential risk factors: age, gender, BMI, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and smoking. Results The presence of DD was significantly associated with low back pain. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that older age, obesity, and hyperlipidemia were significant related factors of DD. Gender, DM, PAD, and smoking were not significantly related with DD in our cohort. Conclusion The current data provide the foundation for elucidating the causes and mechanisms of DD. However, there is a limitation concerning a temporal relationship between exposure and outcome due to the nature of cross-sectional study design. The second survey of the cohort, which is now ongoing, will provide important information in the near future. Disclosure of Interest None declared Reference Teraguchi M, Yoshimura N, Hashizume H, et al. Prevalence and distribution of intervertebral disc degeneration over the entire spine in a population-based cohort: the Wakayama Spine Study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2014;22(1):104–110
Comprehensive Analysis of MRI-Phenotypes Provides New Insights into Lumbar Disc Degeneration for Genetic Studies
Authors: Li Y. , Samartzis D. , Campbell D. , Cheung K. , Luk K. , Karppinen J. , Cheah K. , Chan D. , Sham P. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction For the past two decades, numerous genetic association studies addressing lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) have been performed, but few of them can be replicated. The possible reasons could be the phenotype definition of LDD was highly variable between studies and level-specific variations were not addressed. As such, this study addressed the relationship between MRI features of the discs at different lumbar levels to explore the etiology of LDD; thereby, providing new insights and measurements for genetic studies. Materials and Methods Sagittal T2-weighted MRI of the lumbar spine was assessed in a population sample of 2,952 Southern Chinese (mean age, 41.1 years; range, 15.0-65.4 years; 40.7% males; 59.3% females). Loss of disc signal intensity, disc bulges/extrusions, Schmorl nodes, high-intensity zones, and bone marrow changes were assessed on imaging. Subject demographics, environmental, and lifestyle factors were also evaluated. Pair-wised polychoric correlations between phenotypes in all five lumbar discs were performed using R v3.01 Heritability was estimated by Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis (GCTA) using genotype data to identify phenotypes shared common genetic factors. Local regressions were performed between conditions and risk factors, such as age and body mass index, to distinguish the relationship between phenotypes and environmental factors. Phenotypes which were highly correlated and shared common genetic factors were grouped to form a new measurement. Results Analyses suggested distinct genetic etiologies for the upper (L1-L2) versus lower regions (L3-S1). Estimation of heritability showed the upper (L1-L2) and lower regions (L3-S1) of the lumbar spine shared common genetics factors, respectively; but upper and lower regions could present independent genetic features. Regression between phenotype and age denoted that age-related condition was restricted to lower regions while the upper region suggests developmental characters. By combining highly correlated MRI phenotypes in the upper and lower regions separately, two composite scores were generated: a degenerative score (DgS) (represents age-related disc changes) and a developmental score (DvS) (represents congenital variations). Conclusion Based on one of the largest population-based MRI studies of LDD, comprehensive analyses of MRI phenotypes provided new insights into its etiology. Our study proposes a novel phenotype scoring system to assess disc changes on MRI. This scoring system can be used as the basis to promote a standardization of phenotype delineation, maximizing the potential of replication and meta-analysis studies of genetic risk factors for LDD. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Facet Joint Orientation and Tropism in Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease and Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Chotiyarnwong P. , Pichaisak W. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Back pain is one of the most common reported health problems in elderly. Two common causes of back pain were included in this study, degenerative disc disease (DDD) and spondylolisthesis (DS). Since facet joint is one of many structures that provide stability for spine, so this study will focus on the facet joint angle of patient. The association between lumbar facet joint angle and tropism in DDD and DS remain unclear. Materials and Methods The angle and tropism of lumbar facet joint were retrospectively studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 180 subjects to determine whether there is a difference between degenerative diseases. MRI of patients with DDD, DS, and control group at facet joint between L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 levels were measured in axial view that can clearly see facet joint (60 subjects in each group). Results There is no different in facet joint angle in DDD (44.1 ± 11.9) and control (45.6 ± 8.9) but different in DS (40.1 ± 10.7) and control group ( p = 0.010) at L4-5 level. Facet tropism shows different between degenerative and control groups (mean different = 2.9 degrees, p = 0.007 in DDD and mean different = 2.2 degrees, p = 0.046 in DS) at L4-5 level. Conclusion This study confirms a significant different between facet joints angle at L4-L5 in DS and normal population. Facet tropism in DDD and DS were shown significantly different to normal population. Additional, longitudinal studies are needed to understand the clinical significant in relationship between facet joint angle and tropism in spinal degenerative diseases. Disclosure of Interest None declared References Boden SD, Riew KD, Yamaguchi K, Branch TP, Schellinger D, Wiesel SW. Orientation of the lumbar facet joints: association with degenerative disc disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1996;78(3):403–411 Kalichman L, Suri P, Guermazi A, Li L, Hunter DJ. Facet orientation and tropism: associations with facet joint osteoarthritis and degeneratives. Spine 2009;34(16):E579-E585 Don AS, Robertson PA. Facet joint orientation in spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis. J Spinal Disord Tech 2008;21(2):112–115
DNA Demethylation Regulates Anabolic and Catabolic Gene Expression in Intervertebral Disc Cells
Authors: Chutkan N. , Sangani R. , Zhou H. , Fulzele S. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction The intervertebral disc (IVD) cell distribution depends on the developmental stage of the human disc. DNA methylation has been shown to be essential to mammalian development, and aberrant methylation patterns are a common feature of many kinds of age-related diseases. We hypothesize that the methylation status of the promoter region of the genomic DNA regulates gene expression of IVD cells. Materials and Methods IVD tissues were obtained from donors undergoing anterior lumbar discectomy procedures with Institutional Review Board approval. The tissues were transported to the laboratory, minced, and immediately underwent cell isolation by sequential enzyme digestion. The digested cells were centrifuged and seeded in culture dishes, supplemented with complete medium (DMEM/F12) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% L-glutamine, and 1% antibiotic. The demethylation agent 5-azacytidine (5-aza-C) was used to inhibit DNA methylation in IVD cells. The cells were then plated and treated with 5-aza-C followed by RNA isolation and real time PCR for gene analysis. Results We investigated important cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6), anabolic genes (Aggrecan, Collagen type II), apoptotic (Bax), and cell cycle (p16, cyclin D2) genes following 5-aza-C. In the presence of 5-azaC treatment, IL-1b, IL-6, Bax, p16, and cyclin D2 expression were upregulated approximately twofold or more. The anabolic gene aggrecan was downregulated whereas no effect on collagen type II expression. Conclusion The experimentally induced loss of DNA methylation results in the increase expression of apoptotic, catabolic, and inflammatory genes. Furthermore, anabolic genes aggrecan significantly downregulated in 5-azacytidine treated samples, thus confirming a cause-and-effect relationship between DNA demethylation and transcription of these genes in IVD cells. DNA demethylation has been previously shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptotic cell death in different cell types. Our results suggest that demethylation of IVD cells may be one of the influential causes for IVD degeneration. Further studies are required to confirm our findings. Disclosure of Interest None declared
CK8 Phosphorylation Induced by Compressive Loads Underlies the Downregulation of CK8 in Human Disc Degeneration by Activating Protein Kinase C
Authors: Sun Z. , Luo Z. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) is a member of the cytokeratins family with multiple functions on the basis of its unique structural hallmark. The aberrant expression of CK8 and its phosphorylation are pertinent with various diseases. We have previously shown that CK8 exists in normal human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and decreases as the intervertebral disc degenerates. However, the underlying molecular regulatory machinery of CK8 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has not been clarified. Materials and Methods NP samples were collected from patients with idiopathic scoliosis as control and IDD as degenerate groups. Phosphorylation of CK8 was detected. Moreover, NP cells were cultured under different compressive load schemes for diverse time duration. Results We found that CK8 expression decreased in IDD with an increased phosphorylation in degenerate NP cells. Moreover, compressive loads resulted in phosphorylation and disassembly of CK8 in a time-dependent and degree-dependent manner in vitro. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) was a significant molecular factor contributing to this phenomenon. Conclusion This study is the first addressing the molecular mechanisms of CK8 downregulation in NP cells. Importantly, our findings provide clues regarding a molecular link between compressive loads and CK8 alterations, which shed a novel light on the etiology of IDD. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Immortalization of Human Cartilage Endplate Stem Cell from Degenerated Human Intervertebral Disc
Authors: Liu M. , Huang B. , Zhou Y. 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical advice and is a major cause of work-related disabilities. Recently, cell-based therapies for regenerating or repairing the degenerated disc have become treatment options. Our group previously demonstrated that stem cells exit in human degenerated CEP and that cartilage endplate-derived stem cells (CESCs) are superior to BM-MSCs in terms of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. CESCs may represent one of the most promising stem cells for several degenerative conditions due to their multipotency, immunoprivileged properties, and easy expansion in vitro. However, the limited life span of primary CESCs during in vitro expansion greatly hampers their use in basic research and clinical applications. Immortalization of CESCs will overcome this problem and may provide a very useful tool with which to study CESCs biology. Materials and Methods Cells isolated from CEP were cultured in a three-dimensional agarose suspension to acquire proliferative cell clusters. As previous method, we acquire primary CESCs. Then with these cells we showed that silencing p53 expression with lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNA and overexpressing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Results The effects of p53 knockdown and hTERT overexpression on CESCs, including proliferation, colony formation, and differentiation, were determined. The resultant immortal CESCs displayed similar surface antigen profile to primary CESCs and retained CESCs differentiation potential. Gene expression profile showed high similarity between immortalized CESCs and primary CESCs. In addition, immortalization-associated genes were also identified. Conclusion This study provides a new stem cell resources for basic studies of characteristics of CESCs and understanding the mechanism of disc degeneration. Disclosure of Interest None declared