AGD is delivered using a fingerless leather glove with a Velcro patch on the palmer aspect and the counter

Velcro patch adhered to the pig’s chest. Data (mean I SD) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with pair wise multiple comparisons to assess differences between groups. p-Value <= 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Tubastatin A ic50 Both AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR + ITD groups produced lower intrathoracic pressure (IttP, mmHg) during decompression phase (-13.4 +/- 6.7, p=0.01 and -11.9 +/- 6.5, p=0.01, respectively) in comparison to S-CPR (-0.3 +/- 4.2). Carotid blood flow (CBF, % of baseline mL/min) was higher in AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR + ITD (respectively 64.3 +/- 47.3%, p=0.03 and 67.5 +/- 33.1%, p=0.04) as compared with S-CPR (29.1 +/- 12.5%). Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP, mmHg) was higher in AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR + ITD (respectively 19.7 +/- 4.6, p = 0.04 and 25.6 +/- 12.1, p= 0.02) when compared to S-CPR (9.6 +/- 9.1). There was no statistically significant difference between AGD-CPR and AGD-CPR

+ ITD groups with reference to intra-thoracic pressure, carotid blood flow and coronary perfusion pressure.

Conclusion: Active compression decompression delivered by this simple and inexpensive adhesive glove device resulted in improved cerebral blood flow and coronary perfusion pressure. There was no statistically significant added effect of ITD use along with AGD-CPR on the decompression of the chest. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) regulate a wide range of biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis selleckchem inhibitor through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Accordingly, the present study analyzed polymorphisms of IGF VE-822 mw genes and their impact on the prognosis for patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials and Methods

Four hundred and two consecutive patients with curatively resected

colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the present study. The genomic DNA was extracted from fresh colorectal tissue and 8 polymorphisms of IGF genes determined using a real-time polymerase chain reaction genotyping assay.

Results

Pathologic stages after surgery were as follows: stage 0/I (n=85, 21.1%), stage II (n=147, 36.6%), stage III (n=145, 36.1%), and stage IV (n=25, 6.2%). Multivariate survival analysis including stage, age, site of disease, and carcinoembryonic antigen level showed that the progression-free survival for patients with the IGF2 + 1280 GG genotype was slightly better than for the patients with the combined IGF2 + 1280 AA and AG genotype (p=0.056), although there was no significant difference in the overall survival. However, the other polymorphisms were not associated with survival.

Conclusion

None of the 8 IGF1 or IGF2 gene polymorphisms investigated in this study were found to be independent prognostic markers for Korean patients with surgically resected colorectal cancer.”
“Non-obstructive azoospermia is diagnosed in approximately 10% of infertile men.

1% versus 54.0%, respectively, P = 0.0277). After analysing only euploid embryos for the eight selected chromosomes, a significantly higher incidence of XX embryos derived from IMSI was also observed compared with ICSI cycles (66.9% versus 52.5%, find more respectively, P

= 0.0322). This result was confirmed by logistic regression, which demonstrated a nearly 2-fold increase in euploid XX embryos derived from spermatozoa selected by high magnification (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.05-3.35, P = 0.032). A higher proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa analysed under high magnification seem to carry the X chromosome. (C) 2012, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Headache associated with moyamoya disease (HAMD) is common in moyamoya disease. However, the characteristics and classification of HAMD are largely unknown. We present a case of a 39-year-old woman with HAMD. To characterize and classify the features of this syndrome, the patient was asked to complete a 4-month diagnostic headache diary. There was a total of 15

ictal days. All episodes were without aura. The headache was more commonly pressing (10/15), mild to moderate in severity (14/15), unchanged by physical activity (11/15), and associated with photophobia (10/15). The International Headache Society Classification was utilized to determine that eight episodes met criteria for probable migraine without aura, while seven episodes met criteria for probable frequent episodic tension-type headache. We identified four other case reports LBH589 mouse of HAMD with partial descriptions of the characteristics. When combined with our patient, the median age was 34 years old (range 6-49, SD 16). Four were female, while the patient with cluster headache was male. The median time from headache onset to diagnosis with moyamoya disease was 9.5 months Histone Methyltransf inhibitor (range

0-192, SD 88.0). Headaches were described as migraine with aura in two of five cases, hemiplegic migraine in one of five, and cluster headache in one of five. The highest intensity was described as severe in three of three cases, in which headache intensity was reported. Meanwhile, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia were present in two of three cases, where these features were reported, while nausea without vomiting was seen in one of three cases. In all five cases, patients had other neurological symptoms, such as paresis, seizures, visual disturbances, dysarthria, allodynia, ptosis, and unilateral restless leg syndrome. In conclusion, HAMD can present as migraine without aura. It can be the first presenting symptom of moyamoya disease. The headache features are not diagnostic; hence, early neurovascular imaging should be considered in patients with new onset, refractory migraine-like headache, especially in the setting of other neurological symptoms to exclude underlying moyamoya disease.

Methods:

In 108 subjects with stage 3-5 CKD, plasma levels of fetuin-A, ET-1 and IL-6 were assayed. Patients were studied first as a whole group and then were divided according to stages of CKD and fetuin-A tertiles.

Results: Fetuin-A concentration decreased in parallel with the increase in ET-1 and IL-6 levels as renal function declined. Multiple regression analysis showed that fetuin- A was independently associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (beta=0.386; p<0.001), IL-6 (beta=-0.393; p=0.001) and ET-1 (beta=-0.219; p=0.02), GF120918 mouse in a multivariate model including also sex, parathyroid hormone and the calcium x phosphorus product.

Conclusions: These results seem to indicate that in CKD, even when not severe, inflammatory processes are increased and linked to

endothelial dysfunction, worsening progressively with the decline of renal function.”
“Otalgia (ear pain) is one of the characteristic symptoms and best predictor of NSC 23766 acute otitis media (AOM) in children. Although oral pain medications are the current mainstay for the treatment of AOM-associated otalgia, ototopical agents have been investigated as an alternative treatment strategy. To permit review and assessment of this treatment modality, a systematic literature search was conducted to identify all randomized, controlled trials of ototopical agents. Four trials were identified, including those examining ototopical benzocaine in combination with antipyrine, lidocaine, tetracaine, and herbal extracts. Although the current available evidence suggests ototopical agents may be safe and effective, we conclude that further studies with more rigorous methodology are needed to conclusively demonstrate their utility in this setting. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Although many reports have described the abnormal structures of O-glycan in the IgA1 hinge region in

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the specific glycopeptide that LY3023414 mouse can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for IgAN has not yet been identified. To pursue this diagnostic approach, we used mass spectrometric analysis to search for specific structures in IgA1 hinge glycopeptides in 30 IgAN patients contrasted with 30 healthy controls.

Method: IgA1 hinge glycopeptides were individually purified from the sera of 30 biopsy-proven IgAN patients and 30 healthy controls. The structure of each glycopeptide was analyzed by ion trap mass spectrometry. Sugar conformations in each glycopeptide were estimated by collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, to search for specific O-glycans in IgAN patients with a statistical significance, the identified hinge glycopeptides were analyzed by Fisher exact test.

Result: A total of 57 hinge glycopeptides were identified from each of the 2 sample groups.

In all other patients with PH, the evidence demonstrated that BLTx offers a comparable outcome with the advantage of better organ sharing for other recipients. In order to reduce the waiting time on transplantation lists, cardiac repair and BLTx can be offered in experienced centres to patients with simple cardiac anomalies such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus or perimembranous ventricular septal defect.”
“Co-morbid depression is common in patients with diabetes mellitus and has a negative impact on diabetes self-care, adherence

to treatment and the development of complications. Effective treatment of depression has been associated with LCL161 research buy improvement in metabolic parameters. We evaluated the feasibility of a two question screen for co-morbid depression in diabetic patients and studied the effect of the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant,

milnacipran, on metabolic and psychological parameters in 64 type 2 diabetic patients with co-morbid depression. The severity of depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients received milnacipran, and diabetes was treated according to the guidelines of the Austrian Diabetes Dihydrotestosterone mouse Association in a 6-month open label study. Metabolic parameters and BDI were measured at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. 46 patients satisfied the criteria for an antidepressant response (reduction of baseline BDI score of at least 50%). Hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, total and LDL-cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels were all significantly decreased in these patients at the end of the study Anlotinib research buy whereas in antidepressant non-responders these parameters were not significantly changed. Diagnosis

and treatment of depression is an important factor for the improvement of metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and co-morbid depression.”
“Background-

Although concentrating adult congenital heart disease services at high-volume centers has been widely advocated, the potential beneficial effects of competition and patient choice have received relatively little attention. We aimed to assess the degree of patient choice and competition between adult congenital heart disease units and to investigate whether competition indices correlate with clinical quality or research output.

Methods and Results-

Competition between the 10 major adult congenital heart disease units in England was evaluated based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, representing the sum of squared market shares of individual units. In addition, to account for geography and feasible access, we calculated spatial indices of competition based on travel time by road. These indices were correlated with 30-day mortality postpulmonary valve replacement in adult patients (as obtained from the National Central Cardiac Audit Database) and the aggregate research impact factors of individual centers.

They showed good adhesion properties on Plexiglass substrates. Reflectance values increased as the resin content of polymer increased. The thermal properties of all polymers selleckchem were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All block copolymers showed higher thermal stability than their precursor AFR resin. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 183-189, 2011″
“P>Few regulators of phenylpropanoids

have been identified in monocots having potential as biofuel crops. Here we demonstrate the role of the maize (Zea mays) R2R3-MYB factor ZmMYB31 in the control of the phenylpropanoid pathway. We determined its in vitro consensus DNA-binding sequence as ACCT/(A)ACC, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) established that it interacts with two lignin gene promoters in vivo. To explore the potential of ZmMYB31 as a regulator of phenylpropanoids in other plants, its role in the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway was further investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana. ZmMYB31 downregulates several genes involved in the synthesis of monolignols and transgenic plants are dwarf and show a significantly reduced lignin content with unaltered polymer composition. We demonstrate that these changes

increase cell wall degradability of the transgenic plants. In addition, ZmMYB31 represses the synthesis of sinapoylmalate, resulting PFTα in plants that are more sensitive to UV irradiation, and induces several stress-related proteins. Our results suggest that, as an indirect effect of repression of lignin biosynthesis, transgenic plants redirect carbon flux towards the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. Thus, ZmMYB31 can be considered a good candidate for the manipulation of lignin biosynthesis in biotechnological applications.”
“In situ intercalative polymerization for ethylene monomers was carried out to produce PE-based hybrids

through a slurry polymerization method. In this approach, organic solvent for olefin polymerization SBC-115076 price was found to be one of the most significant factors for the dispersion of the OMMT-intercalated Et[Ind](2)ZrCl2 catalysts, which determines that whether olefin monomers polymerize is in a well-defined confinement environment or not. Understanding the olefin polymerization occurring in between the nanoscale silicate layers of OMMT as well as the corresponding structure of OMMT in an organic polymerization solvent is a critical step toward tailoring and characterizing nanocomposites formed by OMMT in a polyolefin matrix. As we know, the Et[Ind](2)ZrCl2 catalyst and MAO are both better dissolved in toluene than that in hexane because of the larger polarity of toluene.

Pulmonary hypertension (sPAP > 35 mm Hg) was significantly more prevalent in HFpEF patients with functional MR than in HFpEF patients without functional MR (62

vs 22%; P = .002). Functional MR remained an independent predictor of PH in HFpEF patients (P = .004) after adjustment on mitral E wave to e’ mitral annulus velocity ratio (E/e’; P = .022) and left atrial volume index (P = .025). Systolic PAP and E/e’ were greater in HFpEF patients than in control subjects (35 +/- 9 vs 29 8 mm Hg [P < .00011 and 13 +/- 6 vs 11 +/- 5 [P = .0181, respectively). Systolic PAP remained greater in HFpEF patients than in control subjects after AR-13324 Cell Cycle inhibitor adjusting for E/e’ (P = .002).

Conclusions: Pulmonary hypertension appears to be linked to the presence of functional MR in HFpEF patients. (J Cardiac Fail 2011;17:806-812)”
“Plants in more than 300 genera produce extrafloral nectar (EFN) to attract carnivores as a means of indirect defence against herbivores. As EFN is secreted at nectaries that are not physically protected from the environment, and contains carbohydrates

and amino acids, EFN must be protected from infestation by micro-organisms. We investigated the proteins and anti-microbial activity in the EFN of two Central QNZ American Acacia myrmecophytes (A. cornigera and A. hindsii) and two related non-myrmecophytes (A. farnesiana and Prosopis juliflora). Acacia myrmecophytes secrete EFN constitutively at high rates to nourish the ants inhabiting these plants as symbiotic mutualists, while non-myrmecophytes secrete EFN only in response to herbivore damage to attract non-symbiotic ants. Thus, the quality and anti-microbial protection of the EFN secreted by these two types of plants were likely to differ. Indeed, myrmecophyte EFN contained significantly more proteins

than the EFN of non-myrmecophytes, and was protected effectively from microbial infestation. We found activity for three classes of pathogenesis-related (PR) enzymes: chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase. Chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases were significantly more active in myrmecophyte EFN, and chitinase at the concentrations found in myrmecophyte EFN significantly inhibited yeast growth. Of the 52 proteins found in A. cornigera EFN, 28 were annotated using Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor nanoLC-MS/MS data, indicating that chitinases and glucanases contribute more than 50% of the total protein content in the EFN of this myrmecophyte. Our study demonstrates that PR enzymes play an important role in protecting EFN from microbial infestation.”
“BackgroundBecause of its rough surface and the hydrophobic property of porous activated carbon (AC) particles, it is more difficult to grow a zeolite layer on an AC surface than on metal oxides. The aim of the present study is the in situ hydrothermal synthesis of continuous ZSM-5 zeolite layer encapsulated porous AC particles (AC@ZSM-5) through an alumina intermediate layer strategy.

After surgery, duodenal switch patients had lower mean vitamin A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and a steeper decline in thiamine concentrations than did the gastric bypass patients. Other vitamins (riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, and vitamin E adjusted for serum lipids) did not change differently in the surgical groups, and concentrations

were either stable or increased. Furthermore, duodenal switch patients had lower hemoglobin and total cholesterol concentrations and a lower BMI (mean reduction: 41% compared with 30%) than did gastric bypass patients 1 y after surgery. Additional dietary supplement use was more frequent among duodenal switch patients (55%) than among gastric bypass patients (26%).

Conclusions: Compared with gastric bypass, duodenal switch may be associated with a greater risk of vitamin A and D deficiencies in the first year after surgery and of thiamine deficiency in the initial learn more months after surgery. Patients who undergo these 2 surgical interventions may require different monitoring and supplementation regimens in the first year after surgery. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials. gov as NCT00327912. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;90:15-22.”
“The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of quinolone and beta-lactam resistance in an

isolate of Citrobacter freundii PC2/08 collected from sewage effluent Idasanutlin purchase from L’Aquila, Italy. qnrB-9 and bla(TEM-116) Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor were co-expressed in a large plasmid identified in C. freundi PC2/08 strain. Compared to TEM-1, TEM-116 showed two single mutations: V84I and A184V. The pIPC2/08 plasmid conferred resistance to several beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones. Tazobactam could be considered a good inhibitor whereas clavulanic acid was unable to restore susceptibility to amoxicillin. The QnrB-9 element seems to confer the same level of resistance to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin with minimum inhibitory

concentration (MIC) values of 4 mg/L for either. In this study, we confirm the common association of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ES beta L) production. This is the first finding in Italy of qnrB9 and TEM-116 in a non-clinical or animal strain.”
“Null hypothesis significance testing has successfully reduced the complexity of scientific inference to a dichotomous decision (i.e., ‘reject’ versus ‘not reject’). As a consequence, p values and their associated statistical significance play an important role in the social and medical sciences. But do we truly understand what statistical significance testing and p values entail? Judging by the vast literature on controversies regarding their application and interpretation, this seems questionable. It has even been argued that significance testing should be abandoned all together [2].

2(2) K, higher than the T(cGap) = 9.2 K of bulk niobium. Despite its low ordering temperature, thulium could be suitable candidate for low critical current spin-transfer-torque demonstrations. (C) 2011 American SCH772984 molecular weight Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3554254]“
“The aerial organs of plants are covered by the cuticle, a polyester matrix of cutin and organic solvent-soluble waxes that is contiguous with the polysaccharide cell wall of the epidermis. The cuticle is an important

surface barrier between a plant and its environment, providing protection against desiccation, disease, and pests. However, many aspects of the mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis, assembly, and restructuring are entirely unknown. To identify candidate proteins with a role in cuticle biogenesis, a surface protein extract was obtained from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits by dipping in an organic solvent and the constituent proteins were identified by several complementary fractionation strategies and two mass spectrometry techniques. Of the similar to 200 proteins that were identified, a subset is potentially involved in the transport, deposition, or

modification of CBL0137 the cuticle, such as those with predicted lipid-associated protein domains. These include several lipid-transfer proteins, GDSL-motif lipase/hydrolase family proteins, and an MD-2-related lipid recognition domain-containing protein. The epidermal-specific transcript accumulation of several of these candidates was confirmed by WH-4-023 laser-capture microdissection and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), together with their expression during various stages of fruit development. This indicated a complex pattern of cuticle deposition, and models for cuticle biogenesis and restructuring are discussed.”
“The screening and best treatment for coronary heart disease in diabetic patients is still a matter of debate. For this reason the main Italian scientific societies dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular

diseases have tried to finalize a document providing shared recommendations based on the available evidence on : 1) how and who to screen for coronary heart disease, 2) methodologies for the characterization of existing coronary heart disease 3) evaluation of the optimal treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and 4) appropriate revascularization procedures. For each of these points, the levels of evidence and strength of recommendations used in the Italian Standard of Care were adopted. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“We demonstrate the technique of spin-torque-driven ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) in point contacts, which enables FMR studies in sample volumes as small as a few cubic nanometers.

Methods: In a factorial design, we randomised smokers stopping smoking to 900 mg St John’s wort (SJW) active or placebo and also randomised them to 400 mu m chromium or placebo daily. Treatment started 2 weeks prior to quit day and continued for 14 weeks. Participants and researchers were blind to treatment allocation. All participants received weekly behavioural Support. The primary endpoints were biochemically confirmed prolonged abstinence and mean weight gain in abstinent smokers 4 weeks after quitting.

Results: 6/71 (8.5%) participants on active SJW and 9/72 (12.5%) on placebo achieved see more prolonged abstinence at 4 weeks, an odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) of 0.65

(0.22-1.92). MEK activity At 6 months, 3 (4.2%) SJW active and 6 (8.3%) SJW placebo participants were still abstinent, an OR of 0.49 (0.12-2.02). Among these participants, the mean difference in weight gain between active chromium and placebo was -0.81 kg (-3.79 to 2.18) at 4 weeks and -3.88 kg (-12.13 to 4.38) at 6 months.

Conclusions: Taking together the absolute quit rates, the small difference between active and placebo, and lack of effects on withdrawal

shows that SJW is ineffective for smoking cessation. Insufficient people stopped smoking to property test the efficacy of chromium in preventing weight gain, but the point estimate indicates a potentially worthwhile benefit. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The present study was undertaken to determine oxidative/nitrosative stress in aqueous humor of alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rabbits and to investigate the effects of two oral antidiabetic drugs, pioglitazone from peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) agonists and repaglinide from nonsulfonylurea K-ATP channel blockers. Ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione

(GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS), lipid peroxidation products (LPO), total nitrites (NO2), advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP), and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) were determined using respective colorimetric and ELISA methods. In our hyperglycemic animals, AA decreased by 77%, GSH by 45%, and TAS by 66% as compared to control animals. Simultaneously, BKM120 mouse LPO increased by 78%, PCG by 60%, AOPP by 84%, and NO2 by 70%. In pioglitazone-treated animals, AA and TAS increased above control values while GSH and PCG were normalized. In turn, LPO was reduced by 54%, AOPP by 84%, and NO2 by 24%, in relation to hyperglycemic rabbits. With repaglinide, AA and TAS were normalized, GSH increased by 20%, while LPO decreased by 45%. Our results show that pioglitazone and repaglinide differ significantly in their ability to ameliorate the parameters like NO2, PCG, and AOPP. In this area, the multimodal action of pioglitazone as PPAR gamma agonist is probably essential.

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MMEE ranged from 0.0625 to 0.125 mg/mL for Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium perfringens. Chloroform fraction obtained 17-AAG datasheet through liquid-liquid extraction possessed the strongest antimicrobial activity, and was separated by silica gel column chromatography. Among 22 of sub-fraction, CH4 showed the strongest activity (4-8 times MIC of the crude extract). The antimicrobial activity of CH4 to Staphylococcus aureus was reduced at high concentrations of starch, but the bactericidal effect of CH4 was maintained at 1 and 5% starch model media. The efficacy of

CH4 against S. aureus diminished in the presence of > 5% beef extract and > 1% soybean oil. In acute toxicity test, no mortalities occurred in mice administered 5 g/kg body weight of MMEE over 2

weeks observation.”
“Study Design. A descriptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study on the growth of the lumbar zygapophyseal facets and interfacet area in children from the general population.

Objective. To characterize lumbar facet and interfacet shape variation during growth.

Summary of Background Data. The growth of the lumbar facet www.selleckchem.com/products/pd-0332991-palbociclib-isethionate.html and interfacet area in children from the general population has rarely been discussed in the literature. This is an important caveat considering the important role these structures play in the development of spinal anomalies.

Materials and Methods. All lumbar (L1-S1) facet and interfacet widths and transverse orientations were measured twice by the same investigator (Y.M.) from T2-weighted MRIs of 100 healthy children (51 boys and 49 girls) from the general population at the mean age of 12 to 13 years (t(0)) and after 3 years at the mean age of 15 to 16 years (t(1)) using selleck kinase inhibitor the iQ-VIEW system. Statistical analysis included Student t tests and Pearson r after the Kolmogorov-Smirnov

test for normal distribution.

Results. The superior facet width is correlated with individual’s height only in boys at t(0) (0.56 <= r <= 0.66). No significant asymmetry in lumbar facet width and orientation is seen in children independent of gender both at t(0) and t(1). Lumbar facets have widened significantly only in boys from t(0) to t(1) (up to 30.8%). Girls at t(1) manifest greater superior interfacet width relatively to the superior vertebral body width than boys at L2-L4. No significant difference is indicated in facet orientation of the 2 sexes at t(0) and t(1). In boys only, the superior facet rotates significantly from t(0) to t(1) (up to – 10 degrees in the interfacet angle) toward a more sagittal orientation.

Conclusion. The lumbar facet joints in boys continue to develop after the age of 12, whereas facets in girls seem to have reached maturity at that age. Moreover, lumbar facet asymmetry when noted in children can be considered as a deviation from the normal state.