Primary cilia are singular structures containing a microtubule-based axoneme which are believed to not only be mechanosensitive but also to co-ordinate many cell functions via signalling pathways including Hedgehog and Wnt. Primary cilia have previously been described on cells of mouse intervertebral discs (IVDs), but not in bovine or human IVDs. Our aim was to examine primary cilia in these species. Nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from cows with no overt disc degeneration and patients following spine surgery (for herniations and/or degenerative disc disease) and cultured until confluent before maintaining with or without serum for 24h. Primary cilia were visualised with antibodies to the axoneme (acetylated α-tubulin and Arl13b) and/or the basal body (pericentrin) using fluorescent secondary antibodies and ≥200 cells per sample were counted.Introduction
Methods
To determine radiographic variables that predict the need for distal extension of the fusion beyond Cobb-to-Cobb levels in treating thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) scoliosis (Lenke 5) in adolescent patients. We reviewed the medical notes and radiographs of the senior author's consecutive series of 53 adolescent patients with TL/L scoliosis treated by posterior instrumented spinal arthrodesis using an all-pedicle screw construct. Our patients were categorised into 2 groups: patients with instrumented fusion between Cobb-to-Cobb levels of the TL/L curve (Group 1), and patients that required distal extension beyond the caudal Cobb level (Group 2). Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression analyses (significance p<0.05) were performed to identify variables that predict the need for distal extension.Aim:
Method:
