Different types of scaffolds are used to reconstruct muscle volume loss injuries. In this experimental study, we correlated ultrasound observations with histological findings in a muscle volume loss injury reconstructed with autologous adipose tissue. The outcome is compared with decellularized and porous matrix implants. Autologous adipose tissue, decellularized matrix, and a porous collagen matrix were implanted in volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries generated on the anterior tibial muscles of Wistar rats. Sixty days after implantation, ultrasound findings were compared with histological and histomorphometric analysis. The muscles with an autologous adipose tissue implant exhibited an ultrasound pattern that was quite similar to that of the regenerative control muscles. From a histological point of view, the defects had been occupied by newly formed muscle tissue with certain structural abnormalities that would explain the differences between the ultrasound patterns of the normal control muscles and the regenerated ones. While the decellularized muscle matrix implant resulted in fibrosis and an inflammatory response, the porous collagen matrix implant was replaced by regenerative muscle fibers with neurogenic atrophy and fibrosis. In both cases, the ultrasound images reflected echogenic, echotextural, and vascular changes compatible with the histological findings of failed muscle regeneration. The ultrasound analysis confirmed the histological findings observed in the VML injuries reconstructed by autologous adipose tissue implantation. Ultrasound can be a useful tool for evaluating the structure of muscles reconstructed through tissue engineering.

Skeletal muscle is affected in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is a model of multiple sclerosis that produces changes including muscle atrophy; histological features of neurogenic involvement, and increased oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the involvement of rat skeletal muscle and to compare them with those produced by natalizumab (NTZ). EAE was induced by injecting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) into Dark Agouti rats. Both treatments, NTZ and TMS, were implemented from day 15 to day 35. Clinical severity was studied, and after sacrifice, the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were extracted for subsequent histological and biochemical analysis. The treatment with TMS and NTZ had a beneficial effect on muscle involvement in the EAE model. There was a clinical improvement in functional motor deficits, atrophy was attenuated, neurogenic muscle lesions were reduced, and the level of oxidative stress biomarkers was lower in both treatment groups. Compared to NTZ, the best response was obtained with TMS for all the parameters analyzed. The myoprotective effect of TMS was higher than that of NTZ. Thus, the use of TMS may be an effective strategy to reduce muscle involvement in multiple sclerosis.

Despite the development of mobile device technology over recent years, its application in the field of teaching has not yet had a parallel development. For the past two decades teaching subjects such as histology has undergone a change in the digital use of its content and didactic methods based on Web applications, e-learning portals, etc., in which the use of high definition images enables the substitution of the light microscope for a “virtual microscope”. This paper describes a mobile device solution based on the use of Near Field Communication technology for supporting teaching in medical histology. The didactic contents are managed in a database which stores information and images corresponding to the histological slides that are handed out to students in the glass slides for their analysis under a microscope. By associating a single NFC chip to each glass slide and touching this chip with a smartphone, students are given access to all the multimedia information related to the histological slides, without needing a mobile device. The system developed, called HistoNFC, enables access to this information at any moment, as well as the follow-up to the didactic activity and student evaluation. Evaluation of the system has been carried out by histology students of medical degree at the University of Córdoba, assessing aspects of the assisted-learning process as well as technologies, and the results obtained have been very favorable for both, as can be seen in detail in this study.

Background: In volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries, spontaneous muscle regeneration capacity is limited. The implantation of autologous adipose tissue in the affected area is an option to treat these lesions; however, the effectiveness of this therapy alone is insufficient for a complete recovery of the damaged muscle. This study examined the influence of treadmill exercise on the rehabilitation of VML injuries reconstructed with autologous adipose tissue, as a strategy to counteract the limitations of spontaneous regeneration observed in these injuries. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups of five individuals each: normal control (NC), regenerative control (RC), VML control (VML), VML injury reconstructed with fresh autologous adipose tissue (FAT), exercise-rehabilitated control (RNC), exercise-rehabilitated regenerative control (RRC), exercise-rehabilitated VML injury (RVML), and exercise-rehabilitated VML injury reconstructed with fresh autologous adipose tissue (RFAT). Histological and histochemical staining techniques were used for the analysis of structural features and histomorphometric parameters of the tibialis anterior muscle. Grip strength tests were conducted to assess muscle force. Results: Exercise rehabilitation decreased the proportion of disoriented fibers in RFAT vs. FAT group. The percentage of fibrosis was significantly higher in FAT and RFAT groups versus NC and RNC groups but did not vary significantly between FAT and RFAT groups. Overall, muscle grip strength and fiber size increased significantly in the exercise-rehabilitated groups compared to control groups. Conclusions: To conclude, rehabilitation with physical exercise tended to normalize the process of muscle repair in a model of VML injury reconstructed with fresh autologous adipose tissue, but it did not reduce the intense fibrosis associated with these injuries.

Background: Sarcomas are rare malignant tumors for which diagnostic delay is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Primary care clinicians (PCCs) are often the first physicians to evaluate patients with suspicious soft tissue masses. This study aimed to assess training exposure, self-reported knowledge of soft tissue tumors/sarcoma (STT/S) alarm signs, and diagnostic practices among PCCs in Spain. Methods: We conducted a nationwide descriptive cross-sectional survey between January 2024 and May 2025. A structured questionnaire was distributed through scientific societies, in-person dissemination at healthcare centers, and direct professional contact. Participants included Primary Care physicians (PCPs), and medical intern residents (MIRs). The primary outcome was self-reported knowledge of STT/S alarm signs, assessed as a dichotomous variable. Results: A total of 642 clinicians participated, of whom 67% were female. Most respondents were Primary Care general practitioners (64%) or MIRs (31%), and 64% worked in urban settings. Overall, 38% of participants reported being aware of STT/S alarm signs. Undergraduate exposure to oncology- or sarcoma-related content was limited: 36% reported no training, 17% reported fewer than 10 h, and data were missing for 35%. Self-reported knowledge of sarcoma alarm signs was higher among younger participants, residents, and those with prior oncology training. Conclusions: Undergraduate exposure to sarcoma-related content and self-reported knowledge of STT/S alarm signs were suboptimal among PCCs in Spain. Targeted educational interventions and simplified referral pathways aligned with national recommendations may help improve earlier recognition and referral of suspected sarcoma.