Short-term results of microendoscopic posterior decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis. Technical note.

Object: The authors applied the technique of microendoscopic discectomy to posterior decompression procedures for lumbar spinal stenosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using an endoscopic technique to treat lumbar spinal stenosis and to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of microendoscopic posterior decompression (MEPD).

Methods: Microendoscopic posterior decompression, which involves a unilateral endoscopic approach for bilateral decompression, was performed in 47 patients.

Thoracic scoliosis fusion in adolescent and adult idiopathic scoliosis using posterior translational corrective techniques (Isola): is maximum correction of the thoracic curve detrimental to the unfused lumbar curve?

Background Context: Postoperative coronal decompensation in selective thoracic fusion was reported with derotation maneuvers when using the Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) system. Isola instrumentation is a multiple anchor system that corrects spine deformity with segmental vertebral translation to a predetermined contoured longitudinal member.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of translational corrective techniques using Isola instrumentation in thoracic fusion for adolescent and adult idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Enhancement of spine fusion using combined gene therapy and tissue engineering BMP-7-expressing bone marrow cells and allograft bone.

Study Design: Prospective study to assess the enhancement of spine fusion using a tissue engineering construct consisting of bone marrow cells genetically modified by adenovirus (Ad) vector-encoding bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) seeded onto an allograft scaffold in a rat model.

Objectives: To evaluate Ad transgene expression at the fusion site and the effect of AdBMP-7-treatment on fusion rates, mechanical stability, microscopic anatomy, and bone formation rates.

Summary Of Background Data: Nonunion is a major complication of spine fusion.

Cloning and analysis of the telomere and terminal inverted repeat of the linear chromosome of Streptomyces griseus.

Cloning and sequencing of the telomere of Streptomyces griseus revealed five palindromic sequences in the terminal 116 nucleotides, all of which can make a hairpin loop structure. However, the end sequence cannot form the foldback secondary structure that is common in Streptomyces telomeres and is suggested to be necessary for terminal replication. Both inside ends of the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) were also cloned and sequenced.