The 10-year follow-up study showed that the long-term clinical outcomes of MED are satisfactory and better than those of the traditional discectomy procedure. The MED procedure is both feasible and efficacious for the treatment of LDH.

Background: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates inflammatory reactions and the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is characterized by an inflammatory reaction, but the potential role of MIF in IVD degeneration has not been determined. Recent studies have shown that MIF and its receptor, CD74, are involved in regulating the migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); Thus, MIF might impair the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to home to injured tissues. Our previous studies indicated that cartilage endplate (CEP)-derived stem cells (CESCs) as a type of MSCs exist in human degenerate IVDs. Here, we investigate the role of MIF in regulating the migration of CESCs.

Introduction Intervertebral disc degeneration is considered to have a close relation with nucleus pulposus calcification. Electrospunning provides promising strategies for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds that resemble the extracellular matrix. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential ability of proliferation and differentiation, which are suitable stem cell source for nucleus pulposus regeneration. Materials and Methods In this study, we fabricated two kinds of nanofibrous scaffolds. The first kind of scaffold was fabricated by blending TGF-β1, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers and electrospinning (group I). The other kind of scaffold was fabricated using coaxial electrospinning, in which TGF-β1 and PVA formed the central core and PLGA formed the outer layer (group II). Human MSCs were seeded on both kinds of scaffolds and cultured in a hypoxia chamber (2% O2). Scaffold characterizations were examined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scaffold characterization, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cell proliferation and differentiation were evaluated after 3 weeks of cell culture. Results Results showed that both kinds of scaffolds shared similar diameter distributions and protein release. However, group I scaffolds were more hydrophilic than that of group II. Both kinds of scaffolds induced the MSCs to differentiate toward the nucleus pulposus-type phenotype in vitro. In addition, the expression of nucleus pulposus-associated genes (aggrecan, type II collagen, and Sox-9) in group I increased more than that in group II. Conclusion Our results indicated that electrospinning nanofibrous scaffolds containing TGF-β1 support the differentiation of MSCs toward the pulposus-type phenotype in a hypoxia chamber. Electrospinning scaffolds by blending TGF-β1, PVA, and PLGA nanofibers would be a more appropriate choice for nucleus pulposus regeneration. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Introduction To evaluate the accurate rate of insertion and the short-term curative effect of C1, 2 pedicle screw internal fixation for atlanto-axial instability guided by surgical CT navigation. Materials and Methods Seven patients with atlanto-axial instability were treated by C1, 2 pedicle screw internal fixation and bone graft fusion, guided by surgical CT navigation, including three cases of congenital dysplasia of odontoid process, three cases of atlantoaxial instability, and one case of old odontoid process fracture. Results There was no vascular or neural injury found. The patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months. The clinical symptom was improved in some extent after operation. No looseness or breakage of screw occurred and bony fusion was achieved in all cases. Conclusion C1, 2 pedicle screw fixation is a reliable method for atlanto-axial instability. Accurate rate of insertion can be improved by surgical CT navigation. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Introduction Objective To observe the effects of halting, reversing degeneration of the intervertebral disc repair or repairing the degenerated intervertebral disc after bone marrow, stromal stem cells were transplanted to the degenerated rat intervertebral disc. Materials and Methods Rats aged 2 weeks were selected and sacrificed by breaking the neck. The bone marrow stroma stem cells of the rats were separated, cultured, detected for their adherence rate, growth, and diving. The Wistar rats aged 8 weeks were divided into four groups at random with 15 rats for each group. Each group was further divided into three subgroups with five rats for each subgroup. Experimental animal models were established. The three subgroups of animals were sacrificed at appropriate time, respectively, observed for morphological changes of the intervertebral disc tissue under a light microscope, and immunohistochemically detected for expression of type I collagen in the fibrous rings. Results Primary culture and continuous culture indicate that the bone marrow stroma stem cells of the rats have an active proliferation and multiplication capacity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicates that group A is the normal group and the intervertebral disc shape is regular during various periods of time; in group B, the intervertebral space becomes narrow and the fibrous rings are arranged irregularly; in group C, the intervertebral space of the specimens is becoming narrow and the fibrous rings are arranged irregularly in an early stage; the histological changes of various periods of time are consistent with that of group B. An immunohistochemical qualitative analysis on the fibrous ring type I collagen indicates that the expression of fibrous ring type I collagen is more in group A and the expression of the fibrous ring type I collagen in group B is decreasing. In group C, the intervertebral disc structure is damaged and the expression of type I collagen in the fibrous rings decreases. In group D, the morphology of the fibrous rings and expression of type I collagen during various periods of time are similar to that of group B indicating that the alginate serves as a carrier for the stem cells and does not play a role in repairing the intervertebral disc. Conclusion The degeneration of the intervertebral disc may be delayed or the degenerated intervertebral disc repaired after the bone marrow stromal stem cells are transplanted to the degenerated rat intervertebral disc. Disclosure of Interest None declared