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

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the fundus arteriosclerosis and its influencing factors in HIV/AIDS patients after long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods　The clinical basic data and fundus examination data of 203 HIV/AIDS patients before and after HAART in the Fourth People 's Hospital of Nanning from January 2020 to June 2022 were collected to evaluate the occurrence of fundus arteriosclerosis and analyze its influencing factors. Results　Of the 203 HIV/AIDS patients, 159 patients developed fundus arteriosclerosis, with an incidence of 78.33%, including 33 patients with grade Ⅰ(20.75%), 87 patients with grade Ⅱ (54.72%), 28 patients with grade Ⅲ(17.61%), and 11 patients (6.92%) with Grade Ⅳ. Before HAART, there was no significant difference in CD4+T lymphocyte count, CD8+T lymphocyte count, viral load, white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and serum total bilirubin between the atherosclerosis group and normal group (P>0.05). After 6 months of HAART, CD8+T lymphocyte count, triacylglycerol and fasting blood glucose in atherosclerosis group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). In the stratified comparison of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts after 6 months of HAART, the proportion of patients with CD4+ lymphocyte count (CD4+)<200 (cells/μL) in the atherosclerosis group was significantly higher than that in the normal group; the proportion of patients with CD4+ lymphocyte count (CD4+)≥500 (cells/μL) was significantly lower than that in the normal group; the proportion of patients with CD8+ lymphocyte count CD8+≥ 800/μL was significantly higher than that in the normal group (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that opportunistic infection, HIV course, CD4+T, CD8+T lymphocyte count after HAART and triglyceride were independent risk factors for ocular fundus atherosclerosis in HIV/AIDS patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions　The incidence of ocular fundus arteriosclerosis is high in HIV/AIDS patients. More than 4 years of HIV course, combined opportunistic infection, Low CD4+T lymphocyte count after 6 months of HAART, high CD8+T lymphocyte count and high triglyceride level are independent risk factors for ocular fundus arteriosclerosis in HIV/AIDS patients. Fundus screening should be performed before and after HAART in such population, HAART program should be formulated for the risk of cardiovascular disease, and risk management of cardiovascular disease should be strengthened during treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy and influence factors of a triple-united method used for the determination of root canal working length.Methods:Root canal working length was detemined by manual measurement,tooth average length and radiographic measurement(triple-united method).In vitro experiment was conducted in 40 teeth and clinical study in 96 teeth by experienced specialists and postgraduates.Results:The accuracy of triple-united method was 82.5% and 62.5% by spcialist and poststudents in vitro, 87.1% and 75.5% in clinic,respectively. The accuracy was interfered by experience of the examiner, tooth integrity and apical disease.Conclusion:Triple-united method can meet the clinic requirement in the determination of root canal length.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate combined with endocrine therapy (TURP + ET) with that of αlA-blockers combined with ET ((αlA-b + ET) in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and to investigate the safety of the TURP + ET for the treatment of PCa with BOO.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 63 cases of PCa with BOO, 28 treated by αlA-b + ET and the other 35 by TURP + ET. We obtained the residual urine volume (RV), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life score (QoL) before and after treatment along with the overall survival rate of the patients, followed by comparison of the parameters between the two methods.

RESULTSAt 3 months after treatment, RV, IPSS, and QoL in the TURP + ET group were significantly decreased from (137.8 ± 27.6) ml, (22.3 ± 3.6), and (4.2 ± 0.8) to (29 ± 13.6) ml, (7.8 ± 2.1), and (1.6 ± 0.5) respectively (P < 0.05), while Qmax increased from (5.6 ± 2.1) ml/s to (17.6 ± 2.7) ml/s (P < 0.05); the former three parameters in the αlA-b + ET group decreased from (133.6 ± 24.9) ml, (21.5 ± 3.2), and (4.7 ± 1.1) to (42 ± 18.3) ml, (12.8 ± 2.6), and (2.5 ± 0.7) respectively (P < 0.05), while the latter one increased from (6.3 ± 2.4) ml/s to (11.7 ± 2.3) ml/s (P < 0.05), all with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The overall survival rate of the TURP + ET group was not significantly different from that of the αlA-b + ET group (51.4% vs 46.4% , P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTURP + ET is preferable to αlA-b + ET for its advantage of relieving BOO symptoms in advanced PCa without affecting the overall survival rate of the patients.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of fluoride drop or fluoride ion infiltration on demineralization of the first permanent molar of children.

METHODS45 children applied by fluoride drop over 3 years in Chengdu and 40 controls were selected. 45 children applied by fluoride ion infiltration more than 3 years in Xiamen and 40 controls were selected in this study. Demineralization of the different sites of the first permanent molar was evaluated by KaVo DIAGNOdent. The effect of FD and FII in toddler period on demineralization of the first permanent molar was evaluated.

RESULTSEarly demineralization of the first permanent molar in children without fluoride drop were more severe than that of children with fluoride drop in toddle period (P < 0.01). There was no significantly difference between demineralization of first permanent molar in children with fluoride ion infiltration and control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFluoride drop in toddle period can help the remineralization of newly erupted first permanent molar of children. There is no effect of fluoride ion infiltration on demineralization of newly erupted first permanent molar of children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fluorides ; Humans ; Molar ; Phosphates ; Tooth Eruption

In traditional Chinese medicine herbs (TCM), including Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Danshen), Radix Puerariae Lobatae (Gegen), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui), and Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) are widely used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and also often co-administered with Western drugs as a part of integrative medicine practice. Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) plays a pivotal role in the metabolisms of pro-drugs. Since (S)-2-(2-(6-dimethylamino)-benzothiazole)-4,5-dihydro-thiazole-4-carboxylate (NLMe) has recently been identified by us as a selective CES1 bioluminescent sensor, we developed a rapid method using this substrate for the direct measurement of CES1 activity in rats. This bioluminescence assay was applied to determine CES1 activity in rat tissues after a two-week oral administration of each of the four herbs noted above. The results demonstrated the presence of CES1 enzyme in rat blood and all tested tissues with much higher enzyme activity in the blood, liver, kidney and heart than that in the small intestine, spleen, lung, pancreas, brain and stomach. In addition, the four herbs showed tissue-specific effects on rat CES1 expression. Based on the CES1 biodistribution and its changes after treatment in rats, the possibility that Danshen, Gegen and Danggui might alter CES1 ac-tivities in human blood and kidney should be considered. In summary, a selective and sensitive biolu-minescence assay was developed to rapidly evaluate CES1 activity and the effects of orally administered TCMs in rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and mechanism of Coicis Semen oil (Kanglaite injection, KLT) on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

METHODFifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 6 in each group, the sham operated group, the model group, and the KLT group. Renal interstitial fibrosis model was established in rats by UUO. After administration of KLT (15 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 3, 7 and 14 days, the dynamic histological changes of renal interstitial tissues were observed and renal damage including tubular impairment and interstitial fibrosis were quantified on HE and Masson stained tissue sections. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were measured by immunohistochemistry staining sections. The protein expression of p-Smad2 and Smad7 were detected by Western blot respectively.

RESULTThe degree of tubular damage in KLT group was much lower than that in UUO group (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 was decreased in both UUO group and KLT group, while it was significantly lower in KLT group at every time point. The protein expression of p-Smad2 was obviously decreased while the protein expressions of Smad7 was obviously increased in KLT group, compared with the UUO group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCoicis Semen oil could attenuate the tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, probable by intervening the TGF-beta/Smads signal transduction pathway of UUO rats.

Animals ; Coix ; Fibrosis ; Injections ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Plant Oils ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Urethral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; pathology

BACKGROUNDSuccessful periodontal regeneration depends on the migration, proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament cells in periodontal defects. The total protein content and the ultrastructure demonstrate the metabolizability and activity of periodontal ligament cells. This study was conducted to observe the effects of Shuanghuangbu, a mixture of medicinal herbs, on the total protein content and the ultrastructure of human periodontal ligament cells.

METHODSPeriodontal ligament cells were grown to confluence and then cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with Shuanghuangbu over the concentration range of 0 to 1000 microg/ml. The total protein content in cultured cells was determined by using Coommasie brilliant blue technique. Periodontal ligament cells were incubated in 0 and 100 microg/ml Shuanghuangbu decoction for 5 days, then observed through transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe total protein content of human periodontal ligament cells increased in each experiment group added 10 - 1000 microg/ml Shuanghuangbu respectively, and the effect of 100 microg/ml was excellent. Under the transmission electron microscope, there were more rough endoplasmic reticulums and mitochodrias in the experiment group than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONShuanghuangbu stimulates the protein synthesis of human periodontal ligament cells and improves human periodontal ligament cells' metabolizability and activity.

Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Periodontal Ligament ; chemistry ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Proteins ; analysis

The clinical and hematologic features in 22 patients with metastatic carcinoma of bone marrow were observed and analyzed. Morphology of bone marrow cells, bone marrow biopsy and other accessory examinations were performed. The primary or cardinal symptoms of metastatic carcinoma of bone marrow included anemia (17 cases, 77.3%), ostealgia (10 cases, 45.5%), fever (8 cases, 36.4%), hemorrhage (4 cases, 18.2%) and complicated hemolytic anemia (4 cases, 18.2%). The primary carcinomas, diagnosed by pathologic and accessory examinations, include gastric carcinoma (6 cases, 27%), lung cancer (3 cases, 13.6%), ovarian cancer (2 cases, 9%), mammary cancer, prostatic carcinoma, osteocarcinoma and metastatic malignant melanoma (1 case, respectively), and unknown primary lesion (7 cases, 31.8%). The hematologic features were decrease of hemoglobin (17 cases, 77.3%) and blood plate count (16 cases, 72.7%), leukocytosis (11 cases, 50%), immature leukocytes (14 cases, 63.6%) and erythrocytes (9 cases, 40.9%) seen on the peripheral blood smear, and reticulocytosis (4 cases, 18.2%). Masses of metastatic carcinoma cells can be frequently seen at two sides and tail of bone marrow smear. Bone marrow biopsy of 8 cases demonstrated the infiltration of carcinoma cells with nest-like distribution in the bone marrow cavity. Examination of MRI in 6 case showed destruction of bone and corpus vertebra and abnormal signal focus. Bone marrow biopsy could contribute to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and determine the origin of primary carcinoma. MRI plays an important role in diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma in bone marrow.