3D reconstruction of dynamic liquid film shape by optical grid deflection method.

In this paper, we describe the optical grid deflection method used to reconstruct the 3D profile of liquid films deposited by a receding liquid meniscus. This technique uses the refractive properties of the film surface and is suitable for liquid thickness from several microns to millimeter. This method works well for strong interface slopes and changing in time film shape; it applies when the substrate and fluid media are transparent.

Vascular tissue engineering of small-diameter blood vessels: reviewing the electrospinning approach.

Vascular tissue engineering is a relevant research field aimed at elaborating and proposing innovative solutions to overcome the drawbacks related to the use of conventional blood vessel substitutes, especially referring to small-diameter grafts. For this aim, electrospinning can be regarded as a valuable technique to produce novel scaffolds with several functional characteristics that can be usefully tailored for the application discussed here. The reproduction of the natural extracellular matrix obtained by processing bioresorbable polymers, either functionalized or not, is driving the biomedical research towards technical solutions that can lead to an actual therapeutic improvement.

Aspirin-loaded electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) tubular scaffolds: potential small-diameter vascular grafts for thrombosis prevention.

Thrombosis is the main cause of failure of small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts when used for by-pass procedures. The development of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds with localized and sustained intra-luminal antithrombotic drug release could be considered a desirable improvement towards a valuable solution for this relevant clinical need. For this aim, we present the fabrication and characterization of aspirin-loaded electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) tubular scaffolds as a vascular drug-delivery graft.

Electrospun tubular scaffolds: on the effectiveness of blending poly(ε-caprolactone) with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate).

Tissue engineering can effectively contribute to the development of novel vascular prostheses aimed to overcome the well-known drawbacks of small-diameter grafts. To date, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a bioresorbable synthetic poly(α-hydroxyester), is considered one of the most promising materials for vascular tissue engineering. In this work, the potential advantage of intimate blending soft PCL and hard poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a polymer of microbial origin, has been evaluated.

ELF magnetic therapy and oxidative balance.

Knowledge about the relationship between exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) EMF and formation (or neutralization) of free radicals in the living cells is limited. Studies performed on animals and plants have shown conflicting effects on the relation between EMF and oxidative stress. Very few experiments have been performed on humans.

Effects of cyclotronic ion resonance on human metabolic processes: a clinical trial and one case report.

We studied the effects of ion cyclotron resonance (Seqex) magnetic therapy on the blood of thirty two healthy volunteers. They received 15 treatments each 27 minutes in length, distributed over 5 weeks. The concentrations of two blood components, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cholesterol were measured in each subject, immediately before and immediately after the 15 treatments as well as one month after the final treatment.

[Sclerotic dentin: aetio-pathogenetic hypotheses].

The situation with regard to current knowledge concerning dentinal sclerosis is examined. SEM and TEM examination of specimens of sclerotic dentin showed changes in diameter and tubular content leading to various degrees of obstruction of the lumen. There is agreement that this is due to the neo-apposition of peri-tubular dentin associated with intra-tubular deposition of crystals of Whitelockite, although the debate is still open on how such deposition may come about.

[Anesthesiology problems in the surgery of cervico-mediastinal goiter. Our clinical experience].

The Authors, after explaining the difficulties that an anaesthetist finds in cervical-mediastinum goitre surgery, report their own experience. Even if limited, it shows the full validity of a methodology of using a very efficacious drug for good cardiovascular stability. Moreover, we must take into account the constant attention the anaesthetist must pay in some essential moments of general anaesthesia such as intubation, patient position and monitoring.