[Biological dressing with human hair keratin-collagen sponge-poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate composite promotes burn wound healing in SD rats].

Objective: To develop a composite material containing human hair keratin (HHK), collagen sponge (inner layer) and poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) film that allows sustained release of polydatin and test its effect as a biological dressing in promoting burn wound healing in SD rats.

Methods: Three HHK materials with fast, moderate, and low degradation rates were mixed at the ratio of 4:3:3 to prepare a reticular structure, which was processed into a composite material with bovine tendon-derived collagen sponge, and further complexed with HEMA film containing PD prepared by polymerization. Degree II burn wound was induced in SD rats by scalding and within postburn day 2-5, the wounds were cleansed and covered with the composite material or with glutaraldehyde-treated porcine skin (positive control).

Toxicity evaluation of chicken calamus keratin conduit as a tissue-engineering scaffold biomaterial.

Objective: To evaluate the toxicity of chicken calamus keratin (CCK) conduit as a tissue-engineered scaffold material.

Methods: The chemical composition of the leaching solution of CCK was determined by means of ultraviolet spectrometry, and the toxic effects of the solution was evaluated by skin sensitization test in rats, intracutaneous stimulation test in rabbits, acute systemic toxicity test in mice, and cytotoxicity test in L929 cells.

Results: The leaching solution of CCK consisted mainly of middle-molecular-weight peptides with a small quantity of macromolecular proteins.

Collagen gel coating or cyclosporine A for improving histocompatibility of chicken calamus keratin.

Objective: To improve the histocompatibility of chicken calamus keratin (CCK) graft by collagen-gel coating or using of cyclosporine A (CsA).

Methods: Thirty SD rats were equally randomized into 5 groups, and in 4 of them, CCK implantation into the bilateral erector spinae was performed on different treatment protocols. In group A, the rats received daily intraperitoneal injection of CsA (5 mg/kg) for two consecutive weeks after CCK implantation; in group B, CCK was soaked in CsA (2.

[From meridians and acupoints to self-supervision and control system: a hypothesis of the 10th functional system based on anatomical studies of digitized virtual human].

Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely accepted as a useful therapeutics all over the world, but its mechanism has not been fully defined. For this purpose, a reticular framework of whole-body fascia and connective tissues has been established by means of digitized virtual human technique. The virtual acupoints represented three-dimensionally were compared with the sites for stimulation in practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy.

[Preliminary study of chicken calamus conduit as a scaffold material for tissue engineering].

Objective: To observe the unique structural features of chicken calamus keratin (CCK) conduit as a candidate scaffold material for tissue engineering and its in vivo degradation and histocompatibility after its implantation into living tissues.

Methods: Chicken calami were taken from healthy chickens and treated through sequential, controllable physical and biochemical procedures for preparation of three types of CCK conduits, namely CCK-I (mildly treated), CCK-II (moderately treated) and CCK-III (intensely treated). Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed for morphological observation.

Ooplasmic transfer: problems and prospects.

Cytoplasmic transfer between human oocytes, which represents a complete cytoplasmic exchange, has been performed recently as a means to improve the outcome of assisted reproduction and becomes a hotspot of researches. Many studies have indicated that mitochondria in the oocytoplasm obviously affect fertilization of the oocytes and early embryo development. However, ooplasmic transfer can lead to mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy and the prospect of mitochondrial heteroplasmy and its potential problems necessitate further studies.

Preparation and bioactivity of human hair keratin-collagen sponge, a new type of dermal analogue.

Objective: To develop a three-dimensional porous film of human hair keratin (HHK)-collagen sponge complex for use as a dermal substitute.

Methods: The three components F, B, and Z derived from healthy human hair were weaved into a meshwork and integrated with purified soluble type I collagen extracted from bovine tendons to prepare a highly porous film with vacuum freeze-drying followed by secondary cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The film was grafted beneath the dorsal skin in 21 SD rats (experimental group), with simple collagen sponge serving as the negative control.