BACKGROUND Haemangiomas of the head or face are a frequent vascular pathology, consisting in an embryonic dysplasia that involves the cranial-facial vascular network. Haemangiomas show clinical, morphological, developmental and structural changes during their course. METHODS The clinical characteristics of head-facial haemagiomas were studied in 28 individuals (9 males and 19 females) admitte...

The nanometric internal structure of polymeric fibres is fundamental for their mechanical properties. Two-dimensional small angle neutron scattering patterns were collected to obtain structural parameters the elementary fibrils in regenerated cellulose prepared by various fibre spinning technologies. Scattering features fitted model functions derive such as fibril radius, long period repeating ...

It is envisioned that for the regeneration of highly organized structures, like tendon and ligaments, only aligned fibrous scaffolds can provide adequate topographic guidance to cells. In this study, a novel method to electrospin an aligned scaffold is presented. Electrospun fibres were deposited into a water bath and then the fibres were drawn to a rotating mandrel in a controlled manner. In t...

With interest in the potential of optical fibres as the basis of next-generation thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs), the development of suitable forms of material and their fabrication has become a fast-growing endeavour. Present study focuses on three types of Ge-doped optical fibres with different structural arrangements and/or shapes, namely conventional cylindrical fibre, capillary fibre,...

BACKGROUND Accurate regulation of Notch signalling is central for developmental processes in a variety of tissues, but its function in pectoral fin development in zebrafish is still unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we show that core elements necessary for a functional Notch pathway are expressed in developing pectoral fins in or near prospective muscle territories. Blocking Notch ...

The upper airway dilator muscles (UADMs) represent a subgroup of muscles in the pharyngeal area which, in addition to their roles in mastication, vocalization, etc., also have an important respiratory function. Failure of these muscles to maintain upper airway patency during sleep is important in the development of the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. In the present study, we evaluated the hi...

Flight necessitates that the feather rachis is extremely tough and light. Yet, the crucial filamentous hierarchy of the rachis is unknown-study hindered by the tight chemical bonding between the filaments and matrix. We used novel microbial biodegradation to delineate the fibres of the rachidial cortex in situ. It revealed the thickest keratin filaments known to date (factor >10), approximately...

Recent studies show that P2X(3) may play a role in neuropathic pain, including orofacial pain. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic neuropathic pain condition affecting 0.6-12% of post-menopausal women in the Western world. This study evaluates, for the first time, P2X(3) immunoreactivity levels in lingual mucosa in BMS patients. Patients diagnosed with BMS (n=9) in accordance with Interna...

• The first aircraft structural composite components were reinforced with flax in 1940. Flax fibres used adapted technologies (preg, untwisted fibres…). potential to reinforce polymers was already demonstrated Over the past 80 years, varieties and fibre yields have changed significantly. However, geometry mechanical properties of remained stable. last years seen significant changes industrial t...

The nervous tissue within the wall of the alimentary canal consists of intramural nerves and intramural neurons and constitutes the enteric nervous system. This is indeed a system in the sense that its elements are interconnected, well integrated, and serving modulated physiological roles. The traffic of nerve signals proceeds in all directions, namely orally and aborally, circumferentially, ac...