13 research outputs found
Assessing mechanical integrity of spinal fusion by in situ endochondral osteoinduction in the murine model
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Historically, radiographs, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) exams, palpation and histology have been used to assess fusions in a mouse spine. The objective of this study was to develop a faster, cheaper, reproducible test to directly quantify the mechanical integrity of spinal fusions in mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fusions were induced in ten mice spine using a previously described technique of in situ endochondral ossification, harvested with soft tissue, and cast in radiolucent alginate material for handling. Using a validated software package and a customized mechanical apparatus that flexed and extended the spinal column, the amount of intervertebral motion between adjacent vertebral discs was determined with static flexed and extended lateral spine radiographs. Micro-CT images of the same were also blindly reviewed for fusion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean intervertebral motion between control, non-fused, spinal vertebral discs was 6.1 ± 0.2° during spine flexion/extension. In fusion samples, adjacent vertebrae with less than 3.5° intervertebral motion had fusions documented by micro-CT inspection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Measuring the amount of intervertebral rotation between vertebrae during spine flexion/extension is a relatively simple, cheap (<$100), clinically relevant, and fast test for assessing the mechanical success of spinal fusion in mice that compared favorably to the standard, micro-CT.</p
The Impact of an Institutional Grant Program on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Capital of Women Researchers
From the NIH: A Systems Approach to Increasing the Diversity of the Biomedical Research Workforce
Letter to the editor concerning: “Subdental synchondrosis and anatomy of the axis in aging: a histomorphometric study on 30 autopsy cases by M. Gebauer et al. (2006) Eur Spine J 15(3):292–298”
Intra-household exposure to labor market risk in the time of Covid-19: lessons from Mexico
Gender disparities among independent fellows in biomedical research
Independent fellowships provide an opportunity for junior scientists to found their own lab directly after completing their PhD. However, these positions show a striking gender bias that has remained consistent for almost 30 years