The degenerative processes of the intervertebral disc represent an important cause of morbidity in everyday clinical practice, exerting burden on patients and clinicians treating them. Numerous factors may initiate degenerative processes, which most commonly affect the nucleus pulposus and ultimately influence the biomechanics of the whole spine. This paper provides an overview from the literature about the process, causes and mechanisms of disc degeneration and the associated factors. The scientific literature was reviewed through PubMed, Medline and Science Direct. The articles were chosen in correlation with the study objective and their scientific relevance. Many mechanical factors, such as mechanical, traumatic, genetic and nutritional, may affect the integrity of the intervertebral disc. The degenerative processes involve the structural damage of the intervertebral disc and the changes in number and composition of cells. The main factor in the degeneration of the intervertebral disc is the loss of proteoglycans. Degenerative changes of the disc are connected to damage of adjacent structures, leading to functional changes, higher susceptibility to injuries and clinical signs and symptoms. Degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc remains a significant health problem. Besides standard conservative and surgical treatment, techniques of regenerative therapy are becoming very promising, although still in the experimental phase.

Craniosynostosis - Recognition, clinical characteristics, and treatment

Astrocytes are key cells in the central nervous system. They are involved in many important functions under physiological and pathological conditions. As part of neuroglia, they have been recognised as cellular elements in their own right. The name astrocyte was first proposed by Mihaly von Lenhossek in 1895 because of the finely branched processes and star-like appearance of these particular cells. As early as the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Ramon y Cajal and Camillo Golgi had noted that although astrocytes have stellate features, their morphology is extremely diverse. Modern research has confirmed the morphological diversity of astrocytes both in vitro and in vivo and their complex, specific, and important roles in the central nervous system. In this review, the functions of astrocytes and their roles are described.

Wounds and their complications present a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in everyday clinical practice. In order to reduce the wound burden, much effort has been directed into the physiology of healing and new therapeutic approaches. This paper provides an overview from the literature about the role of endothelial and epithelial cells in tissue filler employment for wound healing. The scientific literature was reviewed through PubMed, Medline and Science Direct. The articles were chosen in correlation with the study objective and their scientific relevance. Successful wound healing depends on many diverse processes, cell types and molecular mediators. The definitive aim of wound healing is a properly healed wound. Tissue fillers are becoming an important alternative in wound management, although augmentation of soft tissue can present a demanding problem due to the difficulties in tissue survival. In order to prevent its failure, an optimal vascular network needs to form from wound edges into the filler. Because of the importance of chemotaxis and angiogenesis in various physiological and pathological processes, both events present an extensive area of intense research. Additionally, epithelial cells are needed to cover the wound defect and sealing the wound environment from outer world.

Biomaterials and host versus graft response: a short review

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is associated with low back pain and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. Degeneration of the IVD alters disk height and the mechanics of the spine, leading to chronic segmental spinal instability. The pathophysiology of IVD disease is still not well understood. Current therapies for IDD include conservative and invasive approaches, but none of those treatments are able to restore the disc structure and function. Recently, tissue engineering techniques emerged as a possible approach to treat IDD, by replacing a damaged IVD with scaffolds and appropriate cells. Advances in manufacturing techniques, material processing and development, surface functionalization, drug delivery systems and cell incorporation furthered the development of tissue engineering therapies. In this review, biomaterial scaffolds and cell-based therapies for IVD regeneration are briefly discussed.