Distribution Of Degenerative Changes Research Articles

Distribution of degenerative changes in the equine endometrium as observed in a single versus two biopsies

Equine endometrial degeneration is diagnosed by microscopy of an endometrial biopsy but it is uncertain if findings in a single biopsy represent the state of the entire endometrium. Previous studies have compared samples from multiple sites but conclusions are inconsistent. Further clarification is therefore needed. In this study, presence and characteristics of endometrial degeneration were compared in two full thickness specimens from the ventral base of both uterine horns, obtained post mortem from cyclic mares (n = 82). Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were blinded evaluated for periglandular fibrosis, glandular nests, dilated glands, glandular dilation, excessive lymphatic vessels, and lymphatic lacunae. Each section was also assigned to a modified Kenney and Doig categorization. Statistical analysis included multiple logistic regression models for fraction of mares with disagreement in the modified Kenney and Doig category and fraction of mares with disagreement for each parameter, multiple generalized linear regression models for fraction of parameters with disagreement, and equivalence tests for agreement of a cumulative score of degenerative parameters. Possible effect of age, mare type and estrous cycle stage were included in the analyses. For the Kenney and Doig categorization, 49% of the mares had good agreement, 46% had moderate agreement and 5% had poor agreement between the two biopsies. Disagreement in the Kenney and Doig categorization between the two biopsies increased with age (OR = 1.1, P = 0.009). Disagreement within each parameter ranged from 10% of mares (glandular nests), to 31% (periglandular fibroblasts) and 37% (lymphatic lacunae). Disagreement for changes in endometrial glands increased with age (OR = 1.15–1.16, P < 0.040). Several mares (33%) had disagreement in at least two parameters, and the number of parameters with disagreement increased with age (HR = 1.04, P = 0.010). When tested for equivalence, the cumulative scores for paired endometrial samples did not differ for mares younger than 18 years (P = 0.011). In conclusion, the degenerative changes were not uniformly distributed, revealed by a disagreement between paired endometrial samples for individual parameters and for the Kenney and Doig categorization, which increased with age. This suggests that conclusions based on a single biopsy, particularly in mares over 17 years of age, should be interpreted with caution, and evaluation of two biopsies should be considered.

T1rho MRI of the subtalar articular cartilage is increased in those with chronic ankle instability

Purpose: Clear links have been made between both lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability (CAI) and the development of ankle post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Current visualization techniques such as arthroscopy and standard MRI are ineffective at quantifying early degenerative changes to the subtalar articular cartilage. The most promising approaches for slowing ankle PTOA progression include early conservative interventions to restore appropriate joint biomechanics. Thus, identifying imaging techniques sensitive to early degenerative changes of the subtalar articular cartilage is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to determine if CAI patients have higher T1rho relaxation times and relaxation time variability in their subtalar cartilage compared to uninjured controls. T1rho was chosen because evidence indicates it is a marker of proteoglycan density. Methods: Fifteen CAI (age: 21.2±1.8 years, height: 1.7±.8m, mass: 67.0±7.7kg) and fifteen uninjured controls (age: 21.0±2.5 years, height: 1.7±.8m, weight: 69.6±13.2kg) volunteered to participate. CAI inclusion criteria was in accordance with the International Ankle Consortium guidelines. Relative to the controls, CAI participants had a history of multiple lateral ankle sprains (4.0±2.1 vs. 0.0±0.0 sprains), multiple giving way episodes within the past 6 months (6.6±5.1 vs. 0.0±0.0 episodes), higher Identification of Functional Ankle Instability scores (22.9±2.8 vs. 0.1±0.5), and greater limitations in self-reported function based on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (85.9±9.7% vs. 100.0±0.0%) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sport (68.4±20.6% vs. 100.0±0.0%). Proteoglycan density was assessed using T1rho MRI with greater T1rho relaxation times interpreted as reduced proteoglycan density. Higher T1rho variability was interpreted as a more diffuse distribution of degenerative changes in the subtalar cartilage. A Siemens Magnetom TIM 3T Prisma scanner and an 8-channel flex coil in conjunction with three-dimensional Fast Low Angle Shot (FLASH) with a spin lock power at 500Hz, five different spin lock durations (40, 30, 20,10, 0 ms) was used to acquire the T1rho MRI. Participants were non-weight bearing for 30 minutes prior to the scan to unload the cartilage. Voxel by voxel T1rho relaxation times were calculated from a five image sequence created with a MATLAB program. Segmentation of the T1rho subtalar cartilage was performed manually using ITK-SNAP software. Three regions of interest: anterior, medial, posterior were identified during segmentation based on talocalcaneal articulations. Mean T1rho relaxation times in each region of interest were compared between CAI patients and healthy controls using independent sample t-tests and an a priori alpha level of 0.05. Results: The CAI and controls groups were similar in terms of their age, height, and weight (p≥0.433). Measures of injury history and self-reported function differed between the groups (p<0.001) as expected. CAI patients had significantly higher T1rho relaxation times in the posterior subtalar articulation (CAI: 65.05±4.76ms, Control: 59.81±5.96ms, p=0.013) but not the anterior (CAI: 66.98±13.21ms, Control: 65.90±11.45ms, p=0.813) or medial articulation (CAI: 69.60±7.70ms, Control: 64.62±7.84ms, p=0.091). CAI patients had significantly higher T1rho relaxation time variability in the medial subtalar articulation (CAI: 32.46±4.58ms, Control: 28.71±5.10ms, p=0.013) but not the anterior (CAI: 35.62±4.87ms, Control: 31.51±8.27ms, p=0.813) or posterior articulation (CAI: 27.33±5.23ms, Control: 23.93±5.74ms, p=0.091). Conclusions: CAI patients demonstrate higher T1rho relaxation times and variability compared to controls in at least one subtalar joint articulation suggesting reduced proteoglycan density in the subtalar cartilage. This finding supports the hypothesis that early compositional changes, potentially indicative of cartilage degeneration, exist in individuals with CAI in subtalar joint. This finding is also consistent with the research indicating compositional changes at the subtalar joint and in on the talar dome in those with CAI. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms of these deleterious compositional changes and to identify therapeutic interventions capable of slowing the progression of these compositional changes following lateral ankle sprains and CAI.

INFLUENCE OF SPORTS ON PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

he paper demonstrates that the most spread among the diseases of the spine, acquired as a result of doing sport, is intervertebral osteochondrosis; the distribution of degenerative changes in the spine according to the type of sport was studied. It was found out that the leading position is occupied by high-skilled athletes – masters of sports, candidates for masters, first-grade sportspeople (75% of cases). Keywords: spine, osteochondrosis, sport, prevention, rehabilitation.

Imaging and prevalence study of degenerative spinal diseases in southern Chinese

Objective To estimate the extent,prevalence and distribution of degenerative changes of lumbar disc and some spinal structural abnormalities in a population of southern China.This study also determined the variation of these abnormalities in different age and gender groups.Methods A total of 1,724 southern Chinese volunteers between 18 and 85 years of age were recruited by open invitation.Radiologic examinations,clinical interviews and physical examinations were administered to all the participants.T2-weighted MRI sequences of the whole spine were obtained.On MRIs,disc degeneration was scored using our new methods.Schmorl nodes,high intensity zones,and marrow changes were assessed for each lumbar segment.Results There was a significant trend for an overall association between Schmorl nodes and gender (higher in men).In chi-square test,Schmorl nodes,marrow changes and HIZ showed a significant positive association with LDD.HIZ and marrow changes showed significant association with age.The distributive sequence of the Schmorl nodes in lumbar decreased from upper to lower,but HIZ was in a reverse order in disc levels.DDD scores showed a significant positive association with BMI.We found no significant difference in D)DD scores between genders.Among the different areas of degeneration,there was a consistent increase in prevalence of LDD from upper to lower disc levels.There were some variations in LDD across sex groups.The prevalence of LDD in younger was high (35.3％ in men and 33.9％ in women).Conclusion Schmorl nodes differed greatly between genders and were not age-related.A high prevalence of LDD existed in this southern Chinese sample.BMI was found to be correlated with LDD.In young adults,degenerative disc findings were relatively common.Men aged 25 to 35 years were more likely to have LDD than women,which we presumed to be due to environmental factors. Key words: Lumbar vertebrae; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Cross-sectional studies; Magnetic resonance imaging

Pathologic evidence of degeneration as a primary cause of rotator cuff tear.

Histopathologic, histochemical, and morphometric studies were done on 80 medial stumps of torn rotator cuff tendons to clarify the cause of tears. A high prevalence and diffuse distribution of degenerative changes were observed in the rotator cuff tendons including thinning and disorientation of collagen fibers, myxoid degeneration, hyaline degeneration, chondroid metaplasia, calcification, vascularproliferation, and fatty infiltration. No distinct inflammatory reaction was observed. Thinning and disorientation of collagen fibers, myxoid degeneration, and hyaline degeneration were seen in all cases. All changes except vascular proliferation and fatty infiltration were more pronounced in the middle to deep layers of the tendons than in the superficial layer. The collagen fibers were disoriented in the deep layer of the tendons, shown by microscopic image analysis. The frequency and distribution of thinning and disorientation of collagen fibers, myxoid degeneration, and hyaline degeneration suggest that these are early degenerative processes. Chondroid metaplasia and calcification may be chronic pathologic changes that occur after tearing regardless of the type of tear. Preexisting degenerative change in the middle and deep layers of the tendon in association with microtrauma seems to be the main cause of rotator cuff tears.

The scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal joint. Part 1: An anatomic and radiographic study.

To evaluate anatomic variations and distribution of degenerative changes in the scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal (STT) joint, 165 embalmed cadaver wrists were examined. An interfacet ridge on the distal scaphoid was found in 81% of the wrists and the shape of the distal joint surface of the scaphoid was classified into 3 types. Underdevelopment of the capitate-trapezium ligament was found in 15% of the wrists. A new skeletal measurement for the inclination of the joint surface of the trapezium-trapezoid in the STT joint (TT inclination) was investigated anatomically and radiographically. Degenerative changes were found in 39% of the wrists. The most common location of degenerative changes was on its ulnar aspect on the distal scaphoid and on the radial and central aspect of the trapezoid on the TT side. The presence of degenerative changes had a significant correlation with a higher anatomic and/or radiographic TT inclination and/or underdevelopment of the capitate-trapezium ligament.

Reduced retrograde labelling with fluorescent tracer accompanies neuronal atrophy of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in aged rats

During ageing, basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are prone to degeneration for unknown reasons. In this study we morphometrically evaluated the retrograde labelling of basal forebrain neurons obtained after injection of FluoroGold into multiple sites in the cerebral neocortex in aged (24–33 months) as compared with young adult (four to six months) male Sprague–Dawley rats. In addition, we looked for differences in the distribution of degenerative changes in topographic subdivisions of the basal forebrain cholinergic complex of neurons identified by immunohistochemical detection of the cholinergic markers choline acetyltransferase or low-affinity neurotrophin receptor. After injection of FluoroGold into the cerebral neocortex, the number of retrogradely labelled neurons in the horizontal diagonal band/substantia innominata and basal nucleus was significantly lower in aged rats, by 41% and 48%, respectively. In aged rats injected with FluoroGold, as well as in non-injected aged rats, the numbers of neurons immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase and low-affinity neurotrophin receptor were significantly lower, by 23–27% in the basal forebrain system as a whole, with no significant difference in the degree of decline amongst different subdivisions (i.e. medial septum, diagonal band, substantia innominata and basal nucleus). The ratios of the number of neurons labelled with Fluoro Gold as compared with the number of neurons immunoreactive for either cholinergic marker were significantly lower in aged rats, by 32–37%, indicating that the decline in the number of neurons retrogradely transporting tracer was greater than the decline in the number of immunoreactive neurons in aged animals. Immunoreactive as well as retrogradely labelled neurons showed a significant shrinkage of cell surface area of 6–13% in different subdivisions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in aged rats. These findings confirm significant loss and atrophy of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in aged rats, and demonstrate significantly reduced retrograde labelling of these neurons with fluorescent tracer applied to their target cortex. This reduced retrograde labelling suggests an impairment of either uptake or retrograde transport mechanisms in these neurons in aged rats. Such an impairment may contribute to the degenerative changes of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons observed in ageing and age-related degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Participation of the limbic system and its associated areas in the dementia of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The topographic distribution of degenerative changes in large brain sections from five sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with dementia and three without dementia was examined. The dementia characteristics were impaired shifting from one line of thinking to another, perseveration, and emotional disinhibition as well as impairment of cognition, and judgment. Neuropathological examinations showed definite ALS changes in all the patients studied. In addition, the five patients with dementia showed neuronal loss, gliosis, and sponginess of the superficial layers throughout the cerebral cortices, predominantly in the dorsomedial cortex of the temporal tip and the parahippocampal, ambiens, anterior cingulate, rectal, orbital, and insular gyri as well as neuronal loss in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and subiculum of the hippocampus. Ubiquitin-immunoreactive inclusions were present in some neurons in the granular cell layers of the hippocampus. Fibrous gliosis was extensive in the subcortical and deep white matter of the frontotemporal lobes. The affected regions take in the limbic system and its associated areas which are the sources of the psychological problems, including emotional disturbance, experienced by these ALS patients. The psychological problems of ALS need to be investigated in relation to the involvement of the limbic system.

Radiculoneuropathy of ageing rats: a quantitative study.

A quantitative and morphometric study has been done on the effects of age on myelinated nerve fibres of the sciatic nerve of rats ranging from 100 to 824 days of age. Using 1.0 micron semi-thin sections and a particle size analyser (TGA 10, Zeiss) it was found that both myelin sheaths and their associated axons grew in diameter until about 400 days of age, but massive destruction and disappearance of myelinated nerve fibres became manifest only after 700 days of age. In addition, onset, development and distribution of degenerative changes of nerve fibres were studied in spinal roots, lumbar plexus and sciatic nerves. Analysis of the observed data suggests that two independent mechanisms are involved in the degenerative changes of myelinated peripheral nerve fibres with age: one is axonal atrophy or loss and the other is vacuole forming, segmental demyelination and remyelination. The former begins very early in a limited number of nerve fibres and in more distal parts of the nerve, while the latter begins at a significantly later age and from the most proximal (spinal root) region.

The distribution of degenerative changes in INH neuropathy

Rats were given isoniazid either in a single large dose or continuously in drinking water and killed 5--105 days later. The distribution of degenerating fibres in various nerves (sensory and mixed) and in various sites along nerves and spinal roots was studied by light and electron microscopy. It was found that sensory nerves tended to be less affected than motor, and degeneration was more proximal in the latter. It was concluded that the pattern of degeneration and regeneration supported the view that the initial metabolic lesion is in the axon, rather than in the cell body.

Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

From a roentgenognaphic and anatomical study of 182 lumbar spines obtained at autopsy, the following conclusions were reached: The distribution of degenerative changes in the lumbar intervertebral joints varies with the lumbar londosis, and the amount of lordosis is not related to sex and age. An increased inclination of the lunibosacral joint seems to protect it against anular damage. Five basic patterns of radial tears or fissures in the anulus can be identified: posterolateral, posterior bilateral, posterocentral, lateral, and anterior. The pattern of the tear appears to be related to at least two geometric features of the joint: (1) shape of the disc and (2) symmetry of the articular processes. In discs with a flattened posterior anular surface posterolateral fissures develop while in discs with rounded posterior surfaces, posterior mid-line ruptures are found. Asymmetrical anticular processes lead to asymmetrical degeneration, while symmetrical processes lead to symmetrical degeneration.