Although few previous studies have reported segmental ROM with regard to sagittal plane, these were based on cadaver specimens. No study has reported normal functional ROM of thoracic spine.
Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar spinal disease but neither thoracic spinal disease nor compression fracture were enrolled prospectively in this study (34 males, 16 females; mean age 55.4 +/- A 14.7 years; range 27-81 years). After preoperative myelography, multidetector-row computed Selleck FK228 tomography scanning was performed at passive maximum flexion and extension position. Total and segmental thoracic kyphotic angles were measured and ROM calculated.
Total
kyphotic angle (T1/L1) was 40.2A degrees A A +/- A 11.4A degrees and 8.5A degrees A A +/- A 12.8A degrees in flexion and extension, respectively (P < 0.0001). The apex of the kyphotic angle was at T6/7 in flexion.
Total ROM (T1/L1) was 31.7A degrees A A +/- A 11.3A degrees. Segmental ROM decreased from T1/2 to T4/5 but increased gradually from T4/5 to T12/L1. Maximum ROM was at T12/L1 (4.2A degrees A A +/- A 2.1A degrees) and minimum at T4/5 (0.9A degrees A A +/- A 3.0A degrees).
Thoracic spine showed ROM in sagittal plane, despite being considered a stable region. These findings selleck chemical offer useful information in the diagnosis and selection of surgical intervention in thoracic spinal disease.”
“Seroprevalence of and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in sheep from different properties in the Jaboticabal microregion, Sao Paulo State, Brazil were determined. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in sera of 52.0% of 488 sheep tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT >= 64). T gondii seropositivity in sheep was significantly associated with gender of the sheep, pasturing system, contact with cats, and the use of mineral supplements and the type of feed. (C) 2009 Elsevier
Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“OBJECTIVE: Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common form of structural lung disease associated with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection, no longitudinal studies have investigated the role of NTM in COPD disease progression.
DESIGN: From 2000 to 2008, spirometry-confirmed COPD patients with sputum specimens sent for mycobacterial cultures were included. Analysis of clinical, microbiological and pulmonary function Selleck GSK-J4 data was performed.
RESULTS: The 251 patients were divided into three groups according to the number of NTM isolates: multiple (n = 47), single (n = 63), and no (n = 141) isolates. Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common species in multiple isolates (36.2%) and single isolate (28.6%) groups. Overall, 24.7% of COPD patients had been admitted for exacerbations at least once a year, and patients with multiple and single NTM isolates were more than twice as likely as those with no isolate to experience such exacerbations (38.3% vs. 31.7% vs.