Vertebral Endplate Changes Correlate with Presence of Cartilaginous Endplate in the Herniated Disc Tissue: Factor Predicting Failure of Conservative Treatment

Methods@#Fifty-one discs were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for herniated disc. Their ages ranged from 19-65 years, and 31/51 were male. Pre-surgical T1 and T2 weighted lumbar-spine MRIs were analyzed to observe Pfirrmann grade, VEP defects, herniation type, Modic changes, and high-intensity zones (HIZ) at the affected level. Five-micron thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue periodic acid–Schiff stain; examined for histological degeneration scores (HDS; 0–15), inflammation (0 [absence]–3 [severe]), and presence of cartilaginous endplate (CEP). Three-micron thick sections were stained with protein-gene-product 9.5 and expression was counted/mm2. Data was analyzed, and p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. @*Results@#VEP defects, Modic changes, and HIZ were respectively observed in 30/51, 16/51, and 6/51 of the samples. CEP was observed in 26/51 samples and in 23/51 with endplate defects. Discs with adjacent VEP defects showed increased HDS (p<0.001) and inflammation (p<0.001). Discs with adjacent Modic changes also revealed increased HDS (p=0.01). Histological sections with CEP showed increased HDS (p<0.001) and inflammation (p<0.001), and nerve density was significantly positively correlated with HDS (r=0.27, p=0.02). @*Conclusions@#VEP changes can modulate degeneration and inflammation of herniated discs. Presence of these changes is highly predictive of the occurrence of CEP in herniated discs, which leads to slow resorption and persistent clinical symptoms.

Ginkgo biloba induced malformations in mice

To determine the gross structural malformations to the mice fetuses of the mothers given Ginkgo biloba during pregnancy. Experimental study. The Experimental Research Laboratory, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from May 2006 to December 2006. The teratogenic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract [78 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day] dissolved in water were studied on the gross features of mice fetuses. Three groups [A, B and C] of 6 females each were mated with 2 males in two cages with 3:1 ratio of females to males. The first two groups [A and B] served as experimental and the third [C] was used as a control. Pregnancy was confirmed by a vaginal plug and gravid female mice [6] were separated from the males. Group A was treated with human therapeutic dose [78 ppm] while group B was given a high dose [100 ppm]. Group C was given water only. Both experimental groups were given the drug orally throughout the gestational period. Result were compared using ANOVA with significance at p < 0.05. Forty-nine fetuses from B and C groups and 50 fetuses from A group were recovered. There was a significant [p < 0.05] decrease in weight and crown-rump length of fetuses in group B as compared to those from group A and C. Further, fetuses from groups A and C did not show any gross abnormalities, whereas those from group B exhibited a high frequency of malformations including round shaped eye and orbits, syndactyly, malformed pinnae, nostrils, lips and jaws. The results obtained substantiate the early finding that Ginkgo biloba can be teratogenic when given to pregnant mothers

comparative study of student's performance in multiple choice questions of anatomy before and after a relevant guidance session

To study the effects of proper guidance on the performance of students in attempting multiple choice questions of Anatomy. Prospective. The Anatomy Department, Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt. Sixty five medical students of second year Wah Medical College were given MCQ tests prepared according to international guidelines of MCQ construction, before and after a teaching session guiding them about "How to attempt MCQs, " without a time lapse between two tests so they were unable to enhance their knowledge base. Both tests were exact counterparts of each other regarding the level of questions and area of syllabus they were covering. Results were recorded and one sample t test was applied to compare them. Forty four students showed an improved performance out of sixty five students. The average marks of all students in first and second tests were 14.77 +/- 0.398 and 16.02 +/- 0.400 respectively, with a highly significant statistical difference [P=0.000]. The findings suggest that there was an improved response of students in attempting MCQs of Anatomy after they were guided on the relevant methodology

Syndromic and non-syndromic deafness, molecular aspects of pendred syndred syndrome and its reported mutations

Deafness means partial or complete hearing impairment and is one of the most prevalent sensory defects in humans. It can be due to genetic or environmental causes or a combination of both and may be Syndromic [associated with additional clinical features] or nonsyndromic [no other recognizable abnormal associated phenotype]. The overall impact of hearing impairment is greatly influenced by the severity of hearing defect and by the age of onset. If defect is severe and presents in early childhood, it has dramatic effect on speech acquisition and thereby cognitive and psychosocial development. The mutations shown in the paper results in the conformational changes of protein and influence the phenotype of the affected individuals. For recessive cases of deafness it is possible to reduce the incidence of deafness by carrier screening in the families with multiple affected individuals and genetic counselling. Pendred Syndrome can be characterized by the triad composed of familial goitre, abnormal perchlorate discharge and congenital deafness