Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) histology was investigated in 8 female Scandinavian moose. 5 were 1-year-old with a carcass weight (cw) of 125-140 kg, and 3 were 2-years-old (160-175 kg cw). The condylar articular surface consisted of a connective tissue lining with parallel collagen fibres. Numerous blood vessels were observed adjacent to the joint chamber. Below the fibrous layer, a proliferative cellular zone of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells was situated. These cells differentiated into chondroblasts and hypertrophied chondrocytes. Further down, an endochondral ossification process was initiated. Vertically directed invaginations were observed. A similar cellular organization was identified in the temporal component. However, the undifferentiated mesenchymal cell layer was discontinuous. The disc showed dense collagen bundles without main alignment. Vessels were identified throughout the entire disc. The results indicate that the cellular organization of the moose TMJ is similar to the TMJ histology found in other mammals but differences do occur.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Swedish version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ).

We report herein the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the Swedish language of the parent's version of two health related quality of life instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific health instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well-being of children independently from the underlying disease. The Swedish CHAQ CHQ were already published and therefore were revalidated in this study. A total of 129 subjects were enrolled: 69 patients with JIA (13% systemic onset, 39% polyarticular onset, 25% extended oligoarticular subtype, and 23% persistent oligoarticular subtype) and 60 healthy children. The CHAQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic, polyarticular and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a higher degree of disability, pain, and a lower overall well-being when compared to their healthy peers. Also the CHQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic onset, polyarticular onset and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a lower physical and psychosocial well-being when compared to their healthy peers. In conclusion the Swedish version of the CHAQ-CHQ are reliable, and valid tools for the functional, physical and psychosocial assessment of children with JIA.

Adolescent↗