Exosomal MATN3 of Urine-Derived Stem Cells Ameliorates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Antisenescence Effects and Promotes NPC Proliferation and ECM Synthesis by Activating TGF-.

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the top three causes of disability in developed countries, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major contributor to LBP. In the process of IDD, there is a gradual decrease in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM). Exosomes are important exocrine mediators of stem cells that can act directly on cells for tissue repair and regeneration.

Exosomes Derived from Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells Inhibit Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Ameliorating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Objective: This study is aimed at determining the effects of human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (USCs-exos) on pressure-induced nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) apoptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and on the ERK and AKT signaling pathways.

Methods: The NPCs were obtained from patients with herniated lumbar discs. Western blot analysis (WB) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to determine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels of NPCs under stress.

Self-powered portable melt electrospinning for in situ wound dressing.

Background: Electrospun (e-spun) nanofibers for wound dressing have attracted wide attention due to its large specific surface area, large porosity and breathability. Compared with solution electrospinning (e-spinning), melt e-spinning is more bio-friendly without toxic solvent participation, which provides the possibility of in situ e-spinning on wounds directly. However, previously reported melt e-spinning devices were usually bulky and cumbersome due to their necessary heating unit, and different components were separated to avoid electrostatic interference.

In situ melt electrospun polycaprolactone/FeO nanofibers for magnetic hyperthermia.

Magnetic fibrous membrane used to generate heat under the alternating magnetic field (AMF) has attracted wide attention due to their application in magnetic hyperthermia. However, there is not magnetic fibrous membrane prepared by melt electrospinning (e-spinning) which is a solvent-free, bio-friendly technology. In this work, polycaprolactone (PCL)/FeO fiber membrane was prepared by melt e-spinning and using homemade self-powered portable melt e-spinning apparatus.

Three-dimensional porous composite scaffolds for in vitro marrow microenvironment simulation to screen leukemia drug.

The traditional 2D culture medium used for simulating the in vitro microenvironment for leukemia cells usually leads to 95% of the drug test results being different to the subsequent clinical results. Unlike this 2D culture, 3D scaffolds are more similar to the bone marrow microenvironment so can better simulate the drug effect on leukemia cells, which can benefit the preliminary screening of drugs for clinical use. For this purpose, the freeze-drying method was proposed for the fabrication of 3D scaffolds of graphene oxide/silk fibroin/carboxymethyl chitosan (GO/SF/CMCS).

Expression of HSPA8 in Nucleus Pulposus of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc and Its Effect on Degree of Degeneration.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the expression of a 70-kDa heat shock protein [heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 (HSPA8)/heat shock protein 70 (Hsc70)] in human degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs and its relationship with the degree of degeneration of human intervertebral discs.

Methods: A total of 72 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus tissues were collected. Among these, 18 cases of nucleus pulposus tissue were assigned to the control group, while 54 cases of nucleus pulposus tissues were assigned to the experimental group.

Lentivirus-mediated TGF-β3, CTGF and TIMP1 gene transduction as a gene therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration in an rabbit model.

The present study examined the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) gene transduction, using a lentiviral vector, on rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration , with the intention of investigating their potential use in gene therapy. A model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was created by needle puncture into the annulus fibrosus of 15 New Zealand white rabbits. Empty lentivirus or recombinant lentiviral plasmid lenti-TGFβ3-P2A-CTGF-T2A-TIMP1 was injected into degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs (representing the control and experimental groups, respectively), whilst untreated degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs served as the puncture group.

Survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 Gene Therapy Via Lentivirus Vector Slows the Course of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in an In Vivo Rabbit Model.

Study Design: The ability of lentivirus vector (LV) survivin-transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3)-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) on slowing disc degeneration was evaluated by an animal experiment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of LV survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 on slowing disc degeneration in an in vivo rabbit model.

Summary Of Background Data: Cell apoptosis, increase of catabolic activity, and decrease of anabolic activity were the mechanisms of disc degeneration.

Thoracic intervertebral disc calcification and herniation in adults: a report of two cases.

Purpose: Acute paraplegia due to thoracic intervertebral disc protrusion and calcification is rare. The purpose of this study was to report two cases with acute paraplegia due to a calcified thoracic disc prolapse, and discuss its clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment with literature reviews.

Methods: These two cases were verified by patient history, physical examination, laboratory examination, CT and MRI studies, and pathological findings.

One stage laminoplasty and posterior herniotomy for the treatment of myelopathy caused by cervical stenosis with cervical disc herniation.

The aim of the study was to introduce a method of one stage laminoplasty and posterior herniotomy for myelopathy caused by cervical stenosis with cervical disc herniation and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this surgery. From 1999 to 2008, 18 patients with myelopathy caused by cervical stenosis with cervical disc herniation who underwent this procedure were included. The average age was 63 years (range 48-74 years), and the average follow-up period was 46 months (range 3-108 months).

[Construction and biological assessment of tissue engineering intervertebral disc].

Objective: To investigate the value of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transformed by nucleus pulposus (NPs) for construction of tissue engineering disc.

Methods: BM-MSCs and fetal NPs were cultured in vitro, planted on polylactic acid-polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA), and observed with inverted microscope and scanning electronic microscope. PLGA scaffolds with adherent BM-MSCs and NPs, as well as BM-MSCs and NPs suspension were implanted into intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits, respectively.