Cell delivery to the pathological intervertebral disc (IVD) has significant therapeutic potential for enhancing IVD regeneration. The development of injectable biomaterials that retain delivered cells, promote cell survival, and maintain or promote an NP cell phenotype in vivo remains a significant challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated NP cell – laminin interactions in the nucleus pulposus (NP) region of the IVD that promote cell attachment and biosynthesis. These findings suggest that incorporating laminin ligands into carriers for cell delivery may be beneficial for promoting NP cell survival and phenotype. Here, an injectable, laminin-111 functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-LM111) hydrogel was developed as a biomaterial carrier for cell delivery to the IVD. We evaluated the mechanical properties of the PEG-LM111 hydrogel, and its ability to retain delivered cells in the IVD space. Gelation occurred in approximately 20 minutes without an initiator, with dynamic shear moduli in the range of 0.9 – 1.4 kPa. Primary NP cell retention in cultured IVD explants was significantly higher over 14 days when cells were delivered within a PEG-LM111 carrier, as compared to cells in liquid suspension. Together, these results suggest this injectable laminin-functionalized biomaterial may be an easy to use carrier for delivering cells to the IVD.

33 and MHHS demonstrated adequate responsiveness, and the MCIC for all measures was less than 11 points out of 100. Conclusions: The HOOS and IHOT-33 PROs demonstrate psychometric properties that may enable researchers and clinicians to use them with confidence in those who have undergone hip arthroscopy 12-24 months previously. Further research is required to determine if the psychometric properties of the investigated PROs are consistent in patients who are in the acute post-operative phase of hip arthroscopy.Purpose: This study aimed to verify whether a program predominantly sensory-motor training positively influences the domains of the WOMAC (pain, stiffness and function) of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in the early stages. Methods: The study included 5 men with knee osteoarthritis grade II (64.8 AE 4.6 years). All patients underwent radiographic examination and answered the questionnaire Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after the training program. The symptoms of pain, stiffness and function were assessed using the WOMAC questionnaire. The training program was conducted for 3 months, with 2 training sessions per week, consisting of exercises predominantly sensory-motor control and strengthening exercises complemented by low intensity of the lower limbs. For strengthening exercises was used 40% of 1RM, and performed the evolution of the load at the end of the 4th and 9th week. The sensorymotor training was conducted focusing on exercises in static and dynamic positions using the trampoline and dyna-disc, with the evolution of bipedal support held for one-leg support and eyes open to eyes closed, and the evolution was of low to high complexity. For comparisons of means was used the Wilcoxon test was considered significant p <0.05. Results: Analysis of data can observe a positive influence in terms of pain (p¼0.05), stiffness (p¼0.04) and function (p¼0.05) evaluation after the proposed training compared with pre training. Conclusion: We conclude that the training program with a predominance of sensory-motor positively influenced in terms of pain, stiffness and function in patients with OA of the knee in the early stages.

Biological and anatomical changes of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration frequently occur in the nucleus pulposus (NP) [1]. Changes in NP matrix composition coincide with the loss of a distinct notochord derived cell population [2],[3], which may have the potential to generate or maintain a functional NP-like matrix. Immature NP cells reside in an environment rich in laminin and express specific laminin-binding receptors [4],[5]. Additionally, NP cells attach in higher numbers to laminins as compared to cells isolated from other regions of the IVD [6]. Our initial work demonstrated that matrix protein and stiffness modulate NP cell-cell interactions upon surfaces [7], with results that suggest soft, laminin-functionalized hydrogels may be useful for promoting an NP-like cell phenotype.