Small intestinal submucosa as a potential bioscaffold for intervertebral disc regeneration.

Study Design: To evaluate the capacity of porcine small intestine submucosa to support the in vitro proliferation of human disc cells and the synthesis of extracellular matrix that could restore the biochemical properties of the disc.

Objective: To evaluate if porcine small intestine submucosa is a potential bioactive scaffold for rescuing degenerative disc cells.

Summary Of Background Data: Discogenic back pain is associated with alterations of the disc and abnormal turnover of the disc extracellular matrix.

In vivo evaluation of plasmid DNA encoding OP-1 protein for spine fusion.

Study Design: A posterolateral lumbar interbody arthrodesis animal model was selected to evaluate the percutaneous delivery of OP-1 plasmid DNA. OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate the feasibility of achieving ectopic bone formation using nonviral gene delivery with a minimally invasive technique, by coinjecting plasmid DNA encoding OP-1 with collagen into the paraspinal muscle.

Interaction of human mesenchymal stem cells with disc cells: changes in extracellular matrix biosynthesis.

Study Design: To evaluate the in vitro interactions between human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and degenerative disc cells.

Objectives: To demonstrate the potential of MSCs in regulating the extracellular matrix synthesis of degenerative disc cells.

Summary Of Background Data: Culture of degenerative disc cells followed by their reinsertion into a disc can retard the degeneration process in an animal model.

Functional and radiographic outcome of sacroiliac arthrodesis for the disorders of the sacroiliac joint.

Background Context: The sacroiliac joint is known to be a possible cause of chronic low back pain, but the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the sacroiliac joint have been difficult and controversial.

Purpose: To describe the outcome of sacroiliac joint arthrodesis for sacroiliac joint disorders, with the hypothesis that sacroiliac arthrodesis leads to improved postoperative function.

Study Design/setting: Consecutive case series performed in an academic medical institution.

Temperature-responsive hydroxybutyl chitosan for the culture of mesenchymal stem cells and intervertebral disk cells.

Temperature-responsive polymers are attractive candidates for applications related to injectable delivery of biologically active therapeutics, such as stem cells. In this study, we evaluate the potential of thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) as a biomaterial for the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and cells derived from the intervertebral disk, with the eventual goal of using the HBC polymer as an injectable matrix/cell therapeutic. Conjugation of hydroxybutyl groups to chitosan renders the polymer water soluble and thermally responsive.

Concepts in nuclear replacement.

This article describes the pathogenesis of early nuclear failure and current philosophical approaches to artificial, biological, and bioartificial nucleus replacement. Necessary in this review is an overview of current approaches to nucleus replacement with prosthetics and various gel materials.

Role of femoral ring allograft in anterior interbody fusion of the spine.

A review was carried out on 59 patients (10 males and 49 females) who had anterior interbody fusion performed with femoral ring allograft packed with autograft bone chips with a minimum follow up of 2 years. The average age at the time of surgery was 49.1 year old (26 to 75).

Functional outcome and radiographic correction after spinal osteotomy.

Study Design: A prospective clinical trial to study the radiographic parameters and functional outcome in patients undergoing spinal osteotomy.

Objectives: To determine whether correction of specific radiographic parameters is associated with improved functional outcome.

Summary Of Background Data: Although vertebral osteotomies have been shown to improve functional outcome in patients with spinal deformity, no prospective reports have studied whether correction of specific radiographic parameters is associated with improvement in functional outcome.