Pain was measured with use of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Elbow Evaluation instrument. Four patients underwent additional, subsequent procedures to address residual elbow stiffness.

Results: One patient who needed several

additional procedures, including a total elbow arthroplasty, was considered to have had a failure of the operative contracture release and was excluded from the analysis; this left twenty-two patients in the study. On the average, the arc of flexion and extension improved from I-BET-762 clinical trial 51 degrees preoperatively to 106 degrees postoperatively; the DASH score, from 38 points to 18 points; the SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score, from 39 points to 49 points (all p

< 0.05); and the SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) score, from 49 points to 54 points (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the improvement in the arc of flexion and extension and the improvement in the DASH (p = 0.53), PCS (p = 0.73), or MCS (p = 0.41) score. There also was no correlation between the final arc of flexion and extension and the final DASH score (p = 0.39 for the total score, p = 0.52 for the PCS score, and p = 0.42 for the MCS score).

Conclusions: Health status and disability scores improve after open elbow contracture release, but the improvements do not correlate with the improvement in elbow motion. Among multiple objective and subjective factors, pain PR-171 clinical trial was a strong predictor of the final general health status and arm-specific disability.”
“OBJECTIVE: To determine magnetic resonance imaging

PF-02341066 molecular weight (MRI) characteristics of abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

DESIGN: Twenty-six consecutive patients (20 men, 6 women; mean age 38 +/- 14 years) with documented tuberculosis (TB) in the abdominal lymph nodes were recruited and retrospectively analysed for contour, size, enhancement patterns, signal intensity and anatomic distribution of enlarged lymph nodes, as well as extra-nodal lesions.

RESULTS: The main anatomic distribution of lymph node involvement included the lesser omentum (80.8%, 21/26), anterior pararenal space (96.2%, 25/26), mesentery (34.6%, 9/26) and the upper para-aortic region (73.1%, 19/26), and, exceptionally, the lower para-aortic region (19.2%, 5/26). Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images demonstrated predominantly peripheral enhancement in 24 cases (92.3%, 24/26), most of which (80.8%, 21/26) had enlarged lymph nodes with conglomerated multilocular appearance. In 24 peripheral enhancement cases, the contrast-to-noise ratio values were significantly higher for the marginal zones of the enlarged lymph nodes compared to the central zones in each contrast phase (all P < 0.05); the difference in signal-to-noise ratio between the central and marginal zones was found at the portal venous phase (P = 0.04).

(C) 2011 American Ipatasertib Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3610511]“
“Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), such as cyclosporin A and tacrolimus, are the cornerstone of maintenance immunosuppressive regimens in liver transplantation. CNIs prevent rejection by inhibition of calcineurin, via which

lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 production is prevented. Tacrolimus is now the first-choice immunosuppressant after liver transplantation, since it is associated with fewer episodes of rejection than cyclosporin A. In this review we will discuss interindividual differences, which influence tacrolimus metabolism. Because of these factors and the narrow therapeutic index of tacrolimus, monitoring of drug trough levels is necessary. Furthermore, we will discuss studies concerning conversion from the tacrolimus twice daily to tacrolimus once daily formulation in stable LT patients. Due to adverse effects of CNIs, such as chronic renal failure, hypertension, de novo malignancy and new-onset diabetes mellitus, CNI minimization strategies have been developed, which will be discussed too. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The protective Sapanisertib nmr wax coating on plant surfaces has long been considered to be non-uniform in composition at a subcellular scale. In recent years,

direct evidence has started to accumulate showing quantitative compositional differences between the epicuticular wax (i.e. wax exterior to cutin that can be mechanically peeled GNS-1480 supplier off) and intracuticular wax (i.e. wax residing within the mechanically resistant layer of cutin) layers in particular. This review provides a first synthesis of the results acquired for all the species investigated to date in order to assign chemical information directly to cuticle substructures, together with an overview of the methods used and a discussion of possible mechanisms and biological functions. The development of methods

to probe the wax for z-direction heterogeneity began with differential solvent extractions. Further research employing mechanical wax removal by adhesives permitted the separation and analysis of the epicuticular and intracuticular wax. In wild-type plants, the intracuticular (1-30 mu g cm(-2)) plus the epicuticular wax (5-30 mu g cm(-2)) combined to a total of 8-40 mu g cm(-2). Cyclic wax constituents, such as triterpenoids and alkylresorcinols, preferentially or entirely accumulate within the intracuticular layer. Within the very-long-chain aliphatic wax components, primary alcohols tend to accumulate to higher percentages in the intracuticular wax layer, while free fatty acids and alkanes in many cases accumulate in the epicuticular layer. Compounds with different chain lengths are typically distributed evenly between the layers.

This article reviews the current

therapy options.”
“Pulsed-laser https://www.selleckchem.com/products/GSK1904529A.html (neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet; 1.06 mu m in wavelength) treatments were performed on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) in nitrogen. It results in nitrogen doping of ZnO, mainly with chemical states of N(2) at oxygen sites, which is demonstrated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. The laser treated ZnO NWs show significant improvement in electrical conduction and field emission. Typically, with the critical treated conditions of peak power 400 W and pulse duration 2 ms, NWs with the highest conductivity of 1.43×10(-2) S/cm was obtained. It is one order of magnitude higher than that of the as-prepared NWs (1.20×10(-3) S/cm). These NWs show better field electron emission properties. The turn-on field is 2.0 MV/m and a current density of 5.3 mA/cm(2) can be obtained at a field of 3.0 MV/m. The

underlying mechanisms related to the enhancing effect of conduction and field emission were discussed. The pulsed-laser treatment may be developed toward a technique for application in the study of nanoelectronic devices using NWs.”
“Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations are common, with current treatments for chronic perforations involving LGX818 research buy surgery, using various graft materials, from autologous cartilage or fascia through to paper patch. Recent research developments in this field have begun applying the principles of tissue engineering, with appropriate scaffolds, cells, and bioactive molecules (BMs). This has revolutionized the therapeutic approach due to the availability of a wide range of materials with appropriate compatibility and mechanical properties to regenerate the membrane ABT263 acoustics and may also represent a paradigm shift in

the management of TM perforations in an outpatient setting without surgery. However, many factors need to be considered in the fabrication of a bioengineered TM. This review discusses the issues associated with current treatment and examines TM wound healing relevant to the construction of a bioengineered TM. It also describes the tissue-engineering approach to TM regeneration by summarizing currently used scaffolds, BMs, and cells in TM wound healing. Finally, it considers the design of scaffolds, delivery of BMs, and cell engraftment toward potential clinical application.”
“Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a rapidly evolving technique for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. In the United States, over 65% of radical prostatectomies are robot-assisted, although the acceptance of this technology in Europe and the rest of the world has been somewhat slower.

4 billion people around the world,

or about 40% of the world’s population, depend on biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, dung, crop residue) to meet their energy needs for cooking and heating. The burden is especially high in Asia. Studies suggest that levels of pollutants including particulate matter <10 mu m and polycyclic LOXO-101 aromatic hydrocarbons indoors in homes where biomass fuels are used far exceed levels recommended as safe. While in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models suggest that wood smoke emission extracts are mutagenic and carcinogenic, epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent. In this review, we discuss possible carcinogenic mechanisms of action of biomass fuel emissions, summarize the biological evidence for carcinogenesis, and review the epidemiologic evidence in humans of biomass fuel emissions as a risk factor for lung cancer. Finally, we highlight some issues relevant FG-4592 cell line for interpreting the epidemiologic evidence for the relationship between biomass fuel exposure and lung cancer: these include methodologic

considerations and recognition of possible effect modification by genetic susceptibility, smoking status, age of exposure and histologic type.”
“The lung begins as a simple outpouching of the foregut and develops by stages into a highly complex organ, the proper function of which is essential to life for terrestrial mammals. Nec-1s supplier Interruption of normal lung development can result in death or chronic disease. Conversely, repair after lung injury, as well as many acquired diseases, involves recapitulation, often aberrant, of developmental

pathways. The principal paradigms in lung development are branching morphogenesis and alveolar septation, but others, such as vasculogenesis, are critical. These are partially understood at the level of cellular differentiation and molecular signaling, but a true systems biology analysis of lung development and lung repair/regeneration, including bioinformatics analysis and integration of data from unbiased and complementary -omics level studies, is still lacking. The past decade has seen increasing numbers of genomic, proteomic, metabolomics, and epigenomic studies of lung development and lung remodeling. In many cases, these studies have confirmed the importance of pathways uncovered painstakingly through single-molecule approaches, but they have also uncovered novel and unexpected pathways and new paradigms such as noncoding RNA. Future studies will need to combine data from multiple repositories and apply novel mathematical and computational models in order to establish a systems-level understanding of this remarkable organ. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:125133. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1205 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Conclusion: Based on the simulation and experimental data, we postulate that both endochondral ossification and adaptation to high load may contribute to OA bone structural changes, while both wear and tear and the replacement of mineralized cartilage with

bone tissue may contribute cartilage thinning. (C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction Adalimumab is a fully humanized anti TNF a antibody that has showed its efficacy in Crohn’s disease (CD) adult patients Its less immunogenic composition seems to be an advantage compared to previous anti TNF alpha, mainly infliximab Good response to adalimumab has been reported in patients naive to infliximab, Selleckchem Anlotinib in those in whom infliximab has shown no efficacy and in those intolerant or who have lost previous response to it Adalimumab has shown also its efficacy as a second line anti TNF alpha in small series of paediatric CD but data regarding its use in children naive to infliximab are scarce

Aim To report our experience with Entrectinib purchase adalimumab as first line anti TNF alpha treatment in paediatric CD Patients and methods Four CD paediatric patients (2 boys) previously naive to infliximab have received adalimumab Mean age at diagnosis 13 years,

4 months Adalimumab was initiated in our patients soon after diagnosis (mean time from diagnosis 8 5 months, range 1 month 15days-14 months) at decreasing loading doses (160mg and 80mg two weeks after) and then 40 mg subsequently every two Pictilisib in vivo weeks

Results The four patients entered in remission after the first dose of adalimumab (mean previous PCDAI 35, mean PCDAI after first dose 3 6) No adverse effects were registered Azathioprine was stopped after 4 months of combination therapy, without loss of efficacy or adverse reactions attributable to immunogenicity All the 4 patients have remained in remission on adalimumab monotherapy for a mean follow up of 17 months (range 9-20 months)

Conclusion Adalimumab

has shown its efficacy in our paediatric CD patients naive to other anti TNF alpha drugs Early introduction of anti TNF alpha antibodies in these patients could help to a better control of the disease Its less immunogenicity and the possibility of a home based administration are advantages when compared to other parenteral anti TNF treatments Change to monotherapy after prior successful combination therapy with azathioprine and adalimumab is a safe strategy that can help to minimize possible risks of intensive immunomodulation (C) 2010 European Crohn s and Colitis Organisation Published by Elsevier B V All rights reserved”
“Objective: We have previously shown the capacity of tenascin-C (TN-C) to induce inflammatory mediators and matrix degradation in vitro in human articular cartilage.

Summary of Background Data. MEK inhibitor review Trans-1 axiaLIF procedure is gaining in popularity for L5-S1 fusion due to the ease

of access to the sacrum through the presacral space. Normally, the midline of the sacrum at S1-S2 is relatively free from neurovascular and intra-abdominal structures, making this level a safe entry point for the axiaLIF procedure. We report a case of high rectal injury during Trans-1 axiaLIF L5-S1 procedure due to altered intra-abdominal anatomy as a result of multifactorial adhesions formation.

Methods. A 44-year-old female patient with a history of previous anterior and posterior spinal surgeries, pelvic inflammatory disease, and non-disclosed previous diverticulitis, developed a high rectal injury BAY 57-1293 manufacturer during Trans-1 axiaLIF L5-S1 fixation.

Results. After Trans-1 axiaLIF L5-S1, the patient presented with an episode of melena

and hypogastric pain with nausea and vomiting. A computed tomography(CT) scan of the abdomen with intravenous and oral contrast showed presacral soft tissue fluid density with fat stranding and extraluminal rectal contrast and gas with some areas of soft tissue enhancement compatible with probable high rectal perforation. Patient’s symptoms gradually subsided during a period of 6 months with aid from a temporary diverting ileostomy and a course of IV antibiotics. No spine implants were removed.

Conclusion. We report a case of high rectal injury during Trans-1 axiaLIF L5-S1 fixation and strongly advice that patients who are candidates C188-9 cost for this surgery and have any risk factors

for intra-abdominal adhesion formation, undergo a pelvic CT with rectal contrast before the surgery to evaluate for any signs of altered rectal-sacral anatomy.”
“Lipoprotein lipase is essential for triglyceride hydrolysis. The polymorphisms S447X in exon 9 and HindIII in intron 8 have been associated with lower triglyceride levels and lower cardiovascular risk in adult men. We examined the association of these lipoprotein lipase polymorphisms with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels in elderly men. Blood samples were obtained from 87 elderly men, 48 of whom had cardiovascular disease and 39 (controls) had no history of cardiovascular events. The lipoprotein lipase polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Allele frequencies were H- = 27.9% and X = 21.5%. There were no significant differences in allele frequencies or blood lipid levels between cardiovascular disease and control groups. However, the X allele was associated with a lower triglyceride/HDL ratio, 2.30 vs 3.02 for X allele absent (P = 0.03); the H-X haplotype was associated with lower triglyceride levels compared to the H+ S haplotype (1.22 vs 1.58 mM, respectively) and a lower triglyceride/HDL ratio (2.29 vs 3.26, respectively). The X allele and H-X haplotype were associated with lower triglyceride/HDL ratios in these elderly men, independent of the history of cardiovascular events.

Correlation among LF thickness, fibrosis, and PDGF-BB expression was

analyzed.

Results. LF thickness was 5.3 +/- 1.0 mm (range from 3.9 to 7.5 mm) in the LSS group and 2.8 +/- 0.7 mm (range from 1.69 to 3.8 mm) in the LDH group. Obvious fibrosis was observed in all samples of the LSS group, and correlated to LF thickness of the dural, middle, and dorsal layers (P < 0.05), respectively. PDGF-BB was detected in the hypertrophied LF, particularly in the dorsal layer. PDGF-BB expression was higher in the LSS group than that in the LDH group (P < 0.05), and in the dorsal layer than the dural layer in the LSS group (P < 0.05). PDGF-BB mRNA correlated significantly to thickness of LF (r = 0.41) and the severity of fibrosis (r = 0.69) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion. INCB018424 research buy A higher PDGF-BB expression existed in the hypertrophied LF of patients with LSS and could be a risk factor of the fibrosis.”
“A substantial proportion of patients who have undergone a radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer will have either persistently detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or a delayed rise in PSA. The optimum treatment for these situations is not known. The key question is whether the PSA is reflective of local or distant

progression. For salvage radiotherapy to be most effective, treatment should be considered before the PSA level is allowed to rise too high, when disease is more likely to be confined QNZ to the prostate bed. However, at low PSA levels, current imaging techniques are poor at detecting disease, making it difficult to differentiate local and distant recurrences and to target the radiotherapy appropriately. We review current and investigational imaging techniques, including bone scan, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron

emission tomography and Prostascint, assessing their utility in the situation of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. (C) 2009 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Groin pain after transobturator tape is not uncommon. Differential diagnosis Mizoribine and treatment strategies are becoming elaborated in the literature. A patient presented with partial improvement in her stress incontinence and persistent groin and vulvar discomfort for 3 months after “”inside-out”" transobturator tape. The sling was removed secondary to malposition anterior to the inferior pubic ramus, i.e., a trans-vulvar passage. Her vulvar and groin complaints resolved. Recommendations are made to facilitate the “”inside to out”" transobturator dissection and trocar passage to prevent this complication.”
“Introduction: Regulated neurotransmitter actions in the mammalian central nervous system determine brain function and control peripheral organs and behavior.

It is explicitly shown that the bending vibration of a rotating carbon nanotube is significantly influenced by the existence of a preload, angular velocity and the nonlocal parameter. (C) 2010

American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3520404]“
“PURPOSE: To evaluate the repeatability of the Galilei dual-Scheimpflug analyzer in measuring corneal curvature, wavefront aberrations, pachymetry, and anterior chamber depth (ACD).

SETTING: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

METHODS: Three consecutive measurements were performed in 1 eye of selleck each subject. The following were evaluated: (1) mean total corneal power at the central, paracentral, and peripheral zones (0.0 to 4.0 mm, 4.0 to 7.0 mm, and 7.0 to 8.0 mm, respectively) and posterior corneal power (K(avg)); (2) corneal higher-order wavefront aberrations

(6.0 mm pupil); (3) mean pachymetry at the central, paracentral, and peripheral zones; and (4) ACD. Repeatability was assessed by calculating the within-subject standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (COV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS: The study enrolled 20 subjects. The SD was 0.09 diopter (D), 0.05 D, and 0.19 D for central, paracentral, and peripheral total corneal power, respectively, and 0.03 D for posterior K(avg). The COV ranged from 0.10% to 0.35%, and the ICC was 0.996 or more (P<.001). For 3rd-order coma and trefoil, the SD was 0.08 mu m and 0.09 pm, respectively. For 4th-order spherical aberration, astigmatism, and ASP1517 tetrafoil, the SDs were lower (0.02 mu m, 0.04 mu m, and 0.09 pm, respectively). The SD was 1.68 mu m, 1.98 mu m, and 2.82 mu m for central, paracentral, and peripheral pachymetry, respectively, and 0.04 mm for ACD.

CONCLUSION: Dual-Scheimpflug measurements Nec-1s research buy of corneal power, pachymetry, ACD, and corneal aberrations

for Zernike terms in the middle of the Zernike tree showed excellent repeatability.”
“Berberine, palmatine, and coptisine are major pharmacologically active protoberberine alkaloids in Coptidis Rhizoma, and have been used as indices for chemical evaluation of the crude drug. H-1-NMR spectroscopy was applied to determination of purities of commercial reagents of protoberberine alkaloids. The purities of the alkaloids were calculated from the ratios of the intensities of the H-13 singlet signal at about delta 8.7 ppm of target protoberberine alkaloids to integration of a hexamethyldisilane (HMD) signal at 0 ppm. The concentration of HMD was corrected with SI traceability using potassium hydrogen phthalate of certified reference material (CRM) grade. The purity of the reagent estimated by the H-1-NMR was, in general, lower than that claimed by the manufacturer, leading to over-estimation of the alkaloid contents of Coptidis Rhizoma when determined by HPLC.

It allowed us to determine the cultivable bacterial densities in each fraction and to confirm the existence of a bacterial gradient linked to roots distance, with a higher amount of bacteria in the rhizospheric area. We suggest to use this unified procedure as a common basis for soil sampling and bacterial communities analysis from other roots systems.”
“Background: Experimental models of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) injury are invariably performed in mice harboring their

normal commensal flora, even though multiple IIR events occur in humans during prolonged intensive care confinement when they are colonized by a highly pathogenic hospital flora. The aims of this study were to determine whether the presence of the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the distal intestine potentiates the lethality of mice exposed to IIR and to determine what role any in Proteasome inhibitor vivo virulence activation plays in the observed mortality.

Methods: Seven-to 9-week-old C57/BL6 mice were exposed to 15 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) followed by direct intestinal inoculation

of 1.0 x 10(6) colony-forming unit of P. aeruginosa PAO1 into the ileum and observed for Sotrastaurin nmr mortality. Reiterative studies were performed in separate groups of mice to evaluate both the migration/dissemination pattern and in vivo virulence activation of intestinally inoculated strains using live photon camera imaging of both a constitutive bioluminescent P. aeruginosa PAO1 derivative XEN41 and an inducible reporter derivative of PAO1, the PAO1/lecA:luxCDABE that conditionally expresses the quorum sensing-dependent epithelial disrupting virulence protein PA 1 Ion Channel Ligand Library mouse Lectin (PA-IL).

Results: Mice exposed to 15 minutes of SMAO and reperfusion with intestinal inoculation of P. aeruginosa had a significantly increased mortality rate (p < 0.001) of 100% compared with <10% for sham-operated mice intestinally inoculated with P. aeruginosa without SMAO and IIR alone (<50%). Migration/dissemination patterns of P. aeruginosa in

mice subjected to IIR demonstrated proximal migration of distally injected strains and translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. A key role for in vivo virulence expression of the barrier disrupting adhesin PA-IL during IIR was established since its expression was enhanced during IR and mutant strains lacking PA-IL displayed attenuated mortality.

Conclusions: The presence of intestinal P. aeruginosa potentiates the lethal effect of IIR in mice in part due to in vivo virulence activation of its epithelial barrier disrupting protein PA-IL.”
“Atrial tachycardia (AT) is recognized as a risk factor of sudden death (SD) in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch operation.

19 +/- 0.03) was estimated between MW and AFC. Selection to increase weight or weight gains at

any age, as well as hip height, will change MW in the same direction. Selection for higher SC may lead to a long-term increase in MW. The AFC can be included in selection indices to improve the reproductive performance of beef cattle without significant changes in MW.”
“Background HTS assay The role 01 dairy calcium intake and scrum vitamin D concentrations in weight loss is controversial

Objective The objective was to assess the association of dairy calcium intake and serum vitamin D with weight loss

Design We analyzed data from participants in the 2 y Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT) [n = 322 mean body mass index (BMI in kg/m(2)) 31 mean age 52 y] A representative sample (n = 126) was followed for 6 mo for serum vitamin D changes

Results Baseline serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]

concentrations decreased significantly across the tertiles of baseline BMI (25 6 +/- 8 0 24 1 +/- 8 9 and 22 9 +/- 6 8 ng/mL respectively P for trend = 0 02) Baseline concentrations of vitamin D and dairy calcium intake were not associated with subsequent weight loss How ever in repeated-measures models adjusted for age sex baseline BMI total tat intake and diet group assignment higher 6 mo tertile levels of dairy calcium intake (median for tertiles 156 5 358 0 and 582 9 mg/d respectively) and serum 25(OH)D (14 5 21 2 and 30 2 ng/mL respectively) were associated with increased weight loss across the 2 y intervention (-3 3 -3 5 and -5 3 kg respectively for dairy calcium P = 0 043 -3 MAPK inhibitor 1 -3 8, and -5 6 kg respectively for vitamin D, P = 0 013) In a multivariate logistic regression adjusted simultaneously for age sex baseline BMI total fat intake diet group vitamin D concentration and dairy calcium an increase of 1 SD in dairy calcium

intake increased the likelihood of weight loss of >4 5 kg in the preceding 6 mo [odds ratio (OR) 1 45 P = 0 046] A similir increase was seen for serum 25(OH)D at the 6 mo point (OR 1 7 P = 0 009)

Conclusion Our study suggests that both higher dairy calcium in take and increased serum vitamin D are related to greater diet-induced weight loss This trial was registered at clinicaltrials gov as NCT00160108 Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92 1017-22″
“Study Design. A validated finite element model of an L3-L4 motion segment is used to analyze the effects of HDAC 抑制剂s list interpersonal differences in geometry on spinal stiffness.

Objective. The objective of this study is to determine which of the interpersonal variations of the geometry of the spine have a large effect on spinal stiffness. This will improve patient-specific modeling.

Summary of Background Data. The parameters that define the geometry of a motion segment are vertebral height, disc height, endplate width, endplate depth, spinous process length, transverse process width, nucleus size, lordosis angle, facet area, facet orientation, and the cross-sectional areas of the ligaments.