A novel bacterial cellulose membrane immobilized with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosome prevents epidural fibrosis.

Introduction: Failed back surgery syndrome is a situation where there is failure after lumbar surgery aimed at correcting lumbar disease that is characterized by continuous back and/or leg pain. Epidural fibrosis and adhesions are among the major causes of failed back surgery syndrome. In recent years, several biomaterials have been applied as barriers or deterrents to prevent the compression of neural structures by postsurgical fibrosis.

Transoral Atlantoaxial Release and Posterior Reduction by Occipitocervical Plate Fixation for the Treatment of Basilar Invagination with Irreducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation.

 Prior studies have mainly assessed transoral odontoidectomy for basilar invagination with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation. However, studies evaluating transoral release and posterior reduction with occipitocervical fixation in this setting are scarce.  From 2008 to 2013, 11 patients (6 men and 5 women; 23-67 years of age) with basilar invagination and irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation underwent surgery.

[A feasibility research of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using hybrid internal fixation for recurrent lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using hybrid internal fixation of pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw for recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: From January 2010 to December 2011, 16 recurrent lumbar disc herniation patients, 10 male and 6 female patients with an average age of 45 years (35-68 years) were treated with unilateral incision MIS-TLIF through working channel. After decompression, interbody fusion and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar facet screw was inserted from the same incision through spinous process and laminar to the other side facet joint.

[A feasibility research of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using unilateral incision and hybrid internal fixation for dural-level lumbar degenerative disease].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using unilateral incision and internal fixation of pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw for dural-level lumbar degenerative disease.

Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2012, 19 patients with dural-level lumbar degenerative disease was treated, including 7 males and 12 females with an average age of 50.4 years (range, 22-68 years) and a median disease duration of 37 months (range, 8 months to 15 years).

Injectable biocomposites for bone healing in rabbit femoral condyle defects.

A novel biomimetic bone scaffold was successfully prepared in this study, which was composed of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH), collagen and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAC). CSH/nHAC was prepared and observed with scanning electron microscope and rhBMP-2 was introduced into CSH/nHAC. The released protein content from the scaffold was detected using high performance liquid chromatography at predetermined time interval.

Hypoxia inhibits the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts by activation of Notch signaling.

Postnatal bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are osteoblast precursors with great therapeutic potential. The oxygen tension in bone marrow is about 1-7% pO2 which is much lower than that of the external environment. The effect of these hypoxic conditions on MSC differentiation is not fully understood.

[A feasibility research of unilateral incision minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using pedicle screws and a translaminar screw hybrid fixation].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of unilateral incision hybrid fixation using pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Methods: From January to June 2010, 18 patients with single-level lumbar disc disease were treated with MIS-TLIF under METRx(TM) X-tube. After decompression and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar screw was inserted from the same incision to the other side.