MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantification of the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) in PSPE were done via colourimetric methods; and the determination of the concentrations of four specific phytochemicals (gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and quercetin) were done via High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
RESULTS: Colourimetric determination of PSPE showed TPC and TFC values of 84.53±9.40 mg GAE/g and 11.96±4.51 mg QE/g, respectively. Additional analysis of the phytochemicals using HPLC revealed that there were 6.45±3.36 g/kg, 5.91±1.07 g/kg, 0.39±0.84 g/kg, and 0.19±0.47 g/kg of caffeic acid, gallic acid, rutin, and quercetin, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The findings show that PSPE contains substantial amounts of caffeic acid, gallic acid, rutin, and quercetin, which may indicate its potential as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid, and antiviral medicines.
METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis involving 102 MRIs that met the inclusion criteria was obtained and analyzed at the L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1 discs level. For each level, the Kambin triangle was measured. By evaluating those measurements, the viability of this method was determined.
RESULTS: Safe working zone approach angles were consistently getting wider from L3 to S1 levels. It was statistically significant to be wider for the left side for the mean angle of lateral nucleus trajectory at the L4/L5 level and L5/S1. The entry point is at 32, 45, and 55-60 mm from the midline, and the instrument should be directed at 12°, 20°, and 27° medially for the lateral nucleus at L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1, respectively. The center of the nucleus pulposus entry point is at 64, 77, and 85 mm from the midline with a medial inclination of 40°, 47°, and 52°, respectively, for L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1. For the posterior nucleus pulposus, the skin should be pierced 90, 140, and 180 mm from the midline and directed medially at 53°, 61°, and 68°, respectively, for L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1. The posterior annulus fibrosis entry point is 172, 355, and 450 mm with a medial inclination of 69°, 80°, and 84° at L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1, respectively. The sagittal inclination is 3° cephalad at L3/L4, 10° caudally at L4/L5, and 27° caudally at L5/S1.
CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MRI assessment is important to determine the angle of trajectory for the safe entry point for intradiscal procedure via transforaminal approach.
PURPOSE: The C1 and C2 laminas in the Malaysian Malay population were analyzed for the feasibility of fitting 3.5-mm laminar screws in a cross configuration.
OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Morphometric analysis of the C1 and C2 laminas has been performed for various populations but not for the Malaysian Malay population.
METHODS: A total of 330 CT cervical images were measured to establish the bicortical diameter of the C1 and C2 laminas as well as their height and length. The C1 posterior tubercle bicortical diameter and height were also determined from these images. All parameters were measured up to 0.1 mm, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). An independent t -test and the Pearson chi-square test were used to determine the mean difference and screw acceptance.
RESULTS: The means of the C1 lamina measurements were 5.79±1.19 mm in diameter, 9.76±1.51 mm in height, and 20.70±1.86 mm in length. The means of the measurements of the posterior tubercle were 7.20±1.88 mm in diameter and 10.51±1.68 mm in height. The means of the C2 lamina measurements were 5.74±1.31 mm in diameter, 11.76±1.69 mm in height, and 24.96±2.56 mm in length. Overall 65.5% of C1 and 80.3% of C2 laminas are able to accept 3.5-mm screws in a cross configuration. Screw acceptability is similar between the right and left sides (p >0.05). However, males have a higher screw acceptability compared with females (p <0.05), except for the C2 left lamina.
CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to insert a 3.5-mm screw in a cross configuration in the C1 and C2 laminas of the Malaysian Malay population, especially in males. However, a CT scan should be performed prior to the operation to determine screw acceptability and to estimate screw sizes.
Purpose: We measured the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) of the hip, knee, and ankle joints during normal gait in normal patients, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with a Cobb angle <40° and in AIS patients with spinal fusion. We aimed to investigate whether vGRF in the aforementioned joints is altered in these three groups of patients.
Overview of Literature: vGRF of the lower limb joints may be altered in these groups of patients. Although it is known that excessive force in the joints may induce early arthritis, there is limited relevant information in the literatures.
Methods: We measured vGRF of the hip, knee, and ankle joints during heel strike, early stance, mid stance, and toe-off phases in normal subjects (group 1, n=14), AIS patients with Cobb angle <40° (group 2, n=14), and AIS patients with spinal fusion (group 3, n=13) using a gait analysis platform. Fifteen auto-reflective tracking markers were attached to standard anatomical landmarks in both the lower limbs. The captured motion images were used to define the orientations of the body segments and force exerted on the force plate using computer software. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and analysis of variance to examine differences between the right and left sides as well as those among the different subject groups.
Results: The measurements during the four gait phases in all the groups did not show any significant difference (p>0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found in the vGRF measurements of all the joints among the three groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions: A Cobb angle <40° and spinal fusion did not significantly create imbalance or alter vGRF of the lower limb joints in AIS patients.