Scaffold is one of the key elements required for tissue engineering. Porous scaffolds have several special advantages for muscle tissue engineering, and they are beneficial to cell survival, myogenic differentiation, and vascular ingrowth. The performance of porous scaffolds is closely related to the property of the biomaterials used. Additionally, the pore size and porosity may affect cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This review focuses on the application of porous scaffolds in muscle tissue engineering, including their categories, application, and advantages.
Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Adhesion ; Humans ; Muscles ; physiology ; Porosity ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

Objective To identify the isolated rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),and evaluate the efficiency of adenoviral vector expressing human urokinase type plasminogen activator(uPA) in transfection of rat MSCs and its effect on proliferation of MSCs. Methods MSCs were isolated and purified by pasted wall purification,and were identified by immunicytochemistry.The transfection efficiency of uPA was detected by fluorescent microscopy,the expression of uPA in MSCs was detected by Western blotting,and the proliferation of MSCs was evaluated by MTT. Results The harvested MSCs exhibited the typical appearance of MSCs,and it was revealed by immunohistochemistry that the expression of MSCs markers CD29 and CD90 was positive,while that of CD34 and CD45 was negative.A tendency of increase in expression of green fluorescent protein(GFP) was observed with increase of multiplicity of infection(MOI).After transfection with AduPA for 72 h,the transfection efficiency reached(94.0?1.5)% at MOI of 80,and positive GFP cells could still be observed even after 7 d.The transfected uPA had no effect on the proliferation of MSCs. Conclusion MSCs are favourable genetic vectors to express uPA,and can be used for treatment of liver fibrosis.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound in thyroid nodular disease.Methods Eighty-seven patients with thyroid nodule in hospital from 2010-2011 were taken ultrasound examination,including 23 cases with benign nodules and 64 cases with malignant nodules.Univariate analysis and mutivariate Logistic regression analysis were taken to test the ultrasonic index (internal echo,boundary,size,shape,microcalcifications,and aspect ratio) for discovery of the best diagnostic ultrasonic index to identify benign and malignant nodules.Results The ultrasound in the patients with malignant thyroid nodules showed the hypoecho,unclear border,irregular shape,microcalcifications,low blood supply,the aspect ratio ＞ 1.The ultrasound in the patients with benign thyroid nodules showed high or equal echo,clear border,regular shape,high blood supply,and the aspect ratio≤ 1.The ultrasonic indices between two groups had statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The shape and microcalcifications were the best ultrasonic diagnostic index to indentify the benign and malignant nodules with an EXP(B) 20.12 and 19.14,respectively.Conclusions The ultrasound is helpful in the diagnosis of thyroid nodular disease and identification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.The ultrasonic images are the basic data for the clinical diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the effect of aluminum on hair loss induc ed by fluoride in fluorosis mice.Methods Sixty male C57BL mice were divided into four groups according to body mass:control group,fluoride (F) group (F-100 mg/L),aluminum(Al) group(Al3+ 270 mg/L) and F + Al group(F-100 mg/L + Al3+270 mg/L).Mice were killed 1 month and 3 months after the experiment,respectively.Bone F content was detected by ion-selective electrode method.The level of bone Al was measured through inductively coupled plasma emission spectrum.Dental fluorosis and hair loss of mice were evaluated by visual method.Results One month after the experiment,no dental fluorosis and hair loss was found in all four groups.The content of bone F was the highest in F group [(2401.649 + 86.835) mg/kg],and the lowest in A1 group [(427.006 + 11.878) mg/kg].The levels of bone F in F + Al group and control group were (1210.332 + 19.531)mg/kg and (538.001 + 33.337)mg/kg,respectively.The difference was statistically significant between any two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Three month after the experiment,all mice of F treatment group had dental fluorosis and hair loss(10/10).Alopecia areas were found in the neck and back regions only.There was no hair loss in control group,Al group and F + Al group.No dental fluorosis was found in both control and Al groups.Only 2 mice were found with dental fluorosis in F + Al group.The levels of bone F in F group,F + Al group,control group and Al group were (4098.645 + 58.842),(1888.165 ± 12.187),(876.258 + 14.462) and (662.385 ± 8.966) mg/kg,respectively.The difference was statistically significant between any two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The hair loss is found in fluorosis mice.Hair loss of mice is closely associated with the level of F exposure.Al can prevent the occurrence of hair loss induced by F in mice through reducing the accumulation of F.

Objective To observe the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in the progress of rat subchronic fluorosis,and analyse the mechanism of nitric oxide(NO) free radical injnry in bone.Methods Male wistar rats were divided randomly by body weight into two groups.i.e.sodium fluoride group and control group.Sodium fluoride group was given drinking water with 150 mg/L sodium fluoride,and control group was given tap water only.The animals were bred for 24 weeks.Every four weeks some rats were killed.The contents of serum and bone fluoride were examined and analyzed.The levels of serum NO were determined by Griess Reagent.The expressions of iNOS mRNA and protein were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Results The serum NO contents significantly increased(t=9.36,P＜0.01) in NaF-treated rats after 8 weeks[(19.94±3.04)nmol/L],but significantly decreased(t=10.47,4.46,P＜0.01) after 20 weeks[(11.55±3.54)nmol/L]and 24 weeks[(20.83±2.49)nmol/L],compared with control group[(9.11±1.21,31.13±3.93,33.10±7.37)nmol/L].The expression of iNOS mRNA significantly increased(t=13.09,4.82,14.23,4.64,7.82,5.29,P＜0.01)in rats treated with sodium fluoride[(1.87±0.11),(1.87±0.78),(1.90±0.29),(1.93±0.67),(1.88±0.38),(1.84±0.03)],compared with control group[(0.41±0.25),(0.30±0.17),(0.18±0.06),(0.63±0.15),(0.66±0.04),(0.65±0.55)],and these proteins mainly appeared in hyperplasie zone and hypertrophic zone cells of epiphyseal plate,cartilages,articular cartilage cells,osteoblasts and ligament cells.Conclusions High dose fluoride might persistentlv induce the expressions of iNOS and catalyze synthesis of NO,then regulates osteoblast and osteoclast activitv and finally influences bone turnover.

Objective To observe the expressions of matrix metal proteinases-13(MMP-13) mRNA and tissue inhibitor of metal protease- 1 (TIMP- 1) mRNA and analyse the molecular mechanism of bone matrix degradation in the progress of rat subchronic fluorosis. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups according to body weight, i.e. sodium floride group and control group. Rats in the sodium fluoride group were given drinking water containing 150 mg/L F-, and the animals in the control group were given tap water. The animals were bred for 24 weeks. Every 4 weeks some rats were killed. The change of obsteoclst was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of MMP-13 mRNA and TIMP-I mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results The number of lysesome and the synthesis of lysosoma enzyme in osteeclast were decreased. The expression of MMP-13 mRNA was significantly increased(t=2.29,2.41,3.07,2.52, 3.15,2.22, P<0.05) in rats treated with sodium fluoride (1.87±0.67,1.87±0.75,1.90±0.73,1.93±0.86,1.88±0.61,1.84±0.53), compared with control group(1.24±0.39, 1.19±0.27,1.07±0.22, I. 15 ~ 0.17, 1.17±0.18, 1.20±0.62). The expression of TIMP-1 mRNA was significantly increased (t=2.69,2.19,2.68,2.46,2.43,2.96, P<0.05) in rats treated with sodium fluoride(1.89±0.77,1.70±0.85,1.61±0.82,1.81±0.84,1.70±0.74, 2.06±0.96), compared with control group (1.07±0.39,0.87±0.49,0.71±0.48,0.99±0.43,0.95±0.46,0.89±0.57). Conclusion High dose fluoride might persistently induce the expressions of MMP-13 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA and may be involved in bone turnover.

Objective To understand the clinical features of acute renal failure(ARF)as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods Eight cases of ARF in SLE from Jan 1995 to Apt 2006 were investigated,descriptive analysis and literature review were performed.Results①The symp- tom of ARF in SLE was mainly oliguria,with severe accompany symptoms and complications.②The level of leucocyte and hemoglobin was low in laboratory tests,also the complement level decreased significantly.The most frequent renal pathology was typeⅣ,Ⅳ+ⅤLN.③Large dose steroid and CTX were the mainstay of treatment.In addition,SCUF,CVVHDF and hemodialysis could be used for lethal conditions.Conclusion ARF can be the first manifestation of SLE and it usually represents more severe disease and more complica- tions.Large dose steroid and CTX can improve prognois.In cases refractory to steroid and if the effect is obso- lete,CTX treatment SCUF,CVVHDF and hemodialysis can be use.

Objective To observe the effect of low arsenic sub-chronic exposure on blood routine test index in rabbits to pave a way for screening early injury of the low arsenic exposure. Methods Twelve healthy male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. They were administrated with As at the concentration of 0(control), 10, 50 and 250 μg/L in the drinking water. Blood samples were collected from the vein of the ear edge in 8 weeks, and blood test routine including leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil (GRA), neutrophil percentage (GRA%), monocyte (MON), monocyte percentage (MON%), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), RDW, platelets(PLT), mean platelet volume(MPV), platelet hematocrit(PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were detected by the ABX-60 hemocyte analyzer. Results Compared with the control group, the WBC, GRA and GRA% increased in 0, 50 and 250 μg/L groups, but there was no significance(P > 0.05). PLT and MPV had a statistical significance in 4 groups(F = 4.07,4.20, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group[(292.00±16.97)×109/L, (7.10±0.99)fL], PLT decreased in the 250 μg/L group [(221.33±22.50)×109/L] and MPV decreased in the 50μg/L group [(5.57±0.46)fL] significantly (P < 0.05). The other index didn't change obviously. Conclusions Sub-chronic low level arsenic exposure may lead to the change in the blood system. The blood routine test may be considered for early injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Objective To observe the sub-chronic effects of low doses of arsenic poisoning in rabbits exposed to different periods on some of the serum enzymes and biochemical indicators, and to provide the basis for screening of meaningful hematologic indicators for early diagnosis of arsenic poisoning. Methods Twelve adult rabbits,weighing 2.0 - 3.5 kg, were randomly divided into four groups, 3 in each group, and they were fed with drinking water containing sodium arsenite 0(control),0.01,0.05,0.25 mg/L, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transacylase (y-GT), total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), globulin(GLP), and ALB/GLP of rabbit were measured by SYSMEX-180 automated biochemistry analyzer after 8 weeks and 12 weeks exposure. Results The results showed that ALT in 0.05 mg/Lgroup of 12 week[(60.00 ± 4.14)U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(41.50 ± 2.12)U/L, P ＜0.05];AST in 0.25 mg/L group of 8 week and 12 week[(46.50 ± 3.21 ), (52.33 ± 3.81 )U/L]increased significantly compared with the control[(21.33 ± 3.53), (29.50 ± 3.23 )U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];ALP in 0.05 mg/L and 0.25 mg/L group of 12 week [(78.68 ± 4.85 ), ( 103.00 ± 7.83 ) U / L]increased significantly compared with the control [(45.50 ± 5.50)U/L, all P ＜ 0.05];γ-GT in 0.05 mg/L group of 12 week[(19.33 ± 7.50)U/L]increased significantly compared with the contro1[(8.50 ± 3.53)U/L, P＜ 0.05]. TP, ALB, GLP, ALB/GLP of different groups of 8 week and 12 week were not significantly different statistically(F= 0.77,0.02,0.16,3.14 and 0.51,0.29,0.41,0.52, all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions Zero point zero five mg/L and higher doses of sub-chronic arsenic exposure has some major damage to the liver. Compared with other serum enzymes and the biochemical indexes, serum AST is a early sensitive indicator of liver injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy is a commonly encountered and frequently occurring disease. Traditional Chinese osteopathic manipulations may have better therapeutic efficacy than that of other methods in treating patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.