Beyond the face: An interdisciplinary evaluation of satisfaction with appearance in young people with orofacial clefts.

Orofacial clefts are the most common congenital anomaly of the face, and they significantly affect appearance. The combined effects of demographics, psychology, neurophysiology, and cleft characteristics to explain satisfaction with appearance in young people with a cleft have not yet been comprehensively studied in an interdisciplinary manner. We found that interpersonal difficulties, age, and conscientiousness were significant explanatory factors for satisfaction with appearance (t = -3.

PPIA, HRPT1, and PGK1 genes as the appropriate combination for RT-qPCR normalization in alveolar and femoral bone remodeling in olanzapine-treated rats.

Reliable gene expression analysis in bone remodeling studies requires an appropriate selection of internal controls, stable reference genes for the normalization of quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), the most common method used for quantifying gene expression measurements. Even the most widely used reference genes can have variable expression under different experimental conditions, or in different tissue types or treatment regimes, so selecting appropriate controls is a key step in ensuring reliable results. The aim of this research was to identify the most stable reference gene(s) for the study of olanzapine modulated bone remodeling in rats.

Integrating EEG and Machine Learning to Analyze Brain Changes during the Rehabilitation of Broca's Aphasia.

The fusion of electroencephalography (EEG) with machine learning is transforming rehabilitation. Our study introduces a neural network model proficient in distinguishing pre- and post-rehabilitation states in patients with Broca's aphasia, based on brain connectivity metrics derived from EEG recordings during verbal and spatial working memory tasks. The Granger causality (GC), phase-locking value (PLV), weighted phase-lag index (wPLI), mutual information (MI), and complex Pearson correlation coefficient (CPCC) across the delta, theta, and low- and high-gamma bands were used (excluding GC, which spanned the entire frequency spectrum).

Hypoplastic arteries of the cerebral arterial ring in the blind spot of computed tomography angiography.

Background: Some variations of the cerebral arterial circle (CAC) are associated with an increased risk for the development of various pathological conditions. This paper aimed to determine the prevalence of hypoplastic arteries of CAC and to emphasize the limited possibility of their visualization by computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Materials And Methods: The research was performed on 400 adult cadavers by macro- and microdissection of the cerebral arteries.

Assessment of Model Accuracy in Eyes Open and Closed EEG Data: Effect of Data Pre-Processing and Validation Methods.

Eyes open and eyes closed data is often used to validate novel human brain activity classification methods. The cross-validation of models trained on minimally preprocessed data is frequently utilized, regardless of electroencephalography data comprised of data resulting from muscle activity and environmental noise, affecting classification accuracy. Moreover, electroencephalography data of a single subject is often divided into smaller parts, due to limited availability of large datasets.

Olanzapine decreased osteocyte maturation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling during loading of the alveolar bone in rats.

Several studies indicate the influence of olanzapine on bone metabolism; however, the results are contradictory. We evaluated the effects of olanzapine on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, physiological alveolar bone turnover, and alveolar bone modeling due to an applied orthodontic force. Adult male rats (n=48) were treated with either olanzapine or a vehicle for 21 days; then 8 rats from each group were sacrificed and the rest were divided into 4 groups: control, appliance-only, olanzapine-only, and olanzapine-appliance.

Marital status and survival in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little is known about which types of social support promote better survival rates, and which subgroups of cancer patients are more susceptible to the benefits of it. The aim of this study was to identify, organize, and examine studies reporting on the significance of social support in cancer survival.

Nutrition and Congruent Care Improve Wellbeing of Residents With Dementia in Slovenian Care Homes.

Introduction: Current nutritional strategies for people with dementia focus on nutritional diets and regimens, although in recent years congruent care for people with dementia has been increasingly recognized to improve their wellbeing. This includes consistency of care, respecting the variability of psycho-sociological factors, emphasizing the importance of participation in activities, and congruence with the individual's needs and capabilities. When applied to the nutritional aspects of care, it aims to empower people with dementia to have an active role in their care and during meals.

Real-life dental examination elicits physiological responses different to visual and auditory dental-related stimuli.

Background: Previous studies on dental anxiety have examined the psychophysiological responses evoked in dentally anxious subjects by dental-related stimuli, but not during a real-life dental examination, which was achieved in the present study.

Methods: The heart rate, skin conductance level, and heart rate variability of 25 subjects with dental anxiety and 25 healthy controls were examined. Anxiety was determined by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised.

Mental health and drug use severity: the role of substance P, neuropeptide Y, self-reported childhood history of trauma, parental bonding and current resiliency.

Background: Many risk factors lead to opioid use and drug-related problems. One of the challenges to understand behavioural factors, drug problems and psychopathology is to identify biological markers that are suitable for research on broad substance abuse and dependence involving human participants.

Aims: The study has examined the relationships between the self-reported childhood history of trauma, parental bonding, psychopathology, impulsivity, current resiliency, two neuropeptides, possible markers of behaviour and emotion regulation, and severity of drug-related problems.

Increased Risk-Taking Behaviour and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism Correlates to Decreased Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Level in Heroin Users.

Background: This study has examined the relationships and interactions between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and self-reported risk-taking behaviour in individuals with a history of heroin use undergoing outpatient treatment in comparison to healthy individuals.

Methods: We enrolled 167 heroin users and 86 healthy subjects and examined serum BDNF levels, Val66Met polymorphism, and personal characteristics using Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, Risk-taking (RT) propensity questionnaire, and Personality Assessment Inventory.

Results: Heroin users had significantly higher serum BDNF levels than controls.

Sub-therapeutic doses of fluvastatin and valsartan are more effective than therapeutic doses in providing beneficial cardiovascular pleiotropic effects in rats: A proof of concept study.

Background: Statins and sartans can, in therapeutic doses, induce pleiotropic cardiovascular effects. Similar has recently been shown also for sub-therapeutic doses. We thus explored and compared the cardiovascular pleiotropic efficacy of sub-therapeutic vs.

Cardioprotective effects of silver fir () extract in ischemic-reperfused isolated rat hearts.

Background: Silver fir trunk extract (SFTE) is a complex mixture of antioxidative polyphenols (lignans and phenolic acids) from the trunks of silver fir trees (, lignum). In our previous study, we have shown that SFTE exerts strong antioxidative and protective effects against atherogenic, diet-induced arterial wall damage.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the potential protective effects of SFTE and its compounds, two phenolic acids (p-coumaric and protocatechuic acids) in ischemia-reperfusion injury of isolated rat hearts.

The "Rise-Peak-Fall" Pattern of Time Dependency of the Cardiovascular Pleiotropic Effects of Treatment With Low-dose Atorvastatin, Losartan, and a Combination Thereof in Rats.

Treatment with low, subtherapeutic doses of statins and sartans expresses beneficial pleiotropic effects on the arterial wall. The present study explored whether these effects depend on treatment duration. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and received low-dose atorvastatin, low-dose losartan, their combination, or saline (control) daily.

Bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement in rats with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is known to affect bone metabolism. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of type 2 diabetes on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.

Methods: The 48 rats were divided into 4 groups: Wistar control group (n = 8), Goto-Kakizaki (GK) control group (n = 8), Wistar appliance group (n = 16), and GK appliance group (n = 16).

Silver fir (Abies alba) trunk extract protects guinea pig arteries from impaired functional responses and morphology due to an atherogenic diet.

Background: Diet, rich in plant polyphenols prevents atherogenesis that manifests as reduced vascular relaxation and formation of plaques.

Hypothesis: Atherosclerosis could be reduced by the intake of silver fir (Abies alba) extract (SFTE), rich in polyphenols.

Study Design: Chronic, in vivo treatment animal study.

The low-dose atorvastatin and valsartan combination effectively protects the arterial wall from atherogenic diet-induced impairment in the guinea pig.

New preventive strategies for atherosclerosis are needed. In this study, we tested whether a new therapeutic approach consisting of low-dose treatment with a statin and sartan combination could prevent atherogenic diet-induced impairment of the arterial wall in guinea pigs. Twenty-five Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: 1) normal diet; 2) atherogenic diet (AD); 3) AD + a low-dose atorvastatin and valsartan combination (5mg/kg/day and 2.

Recombinant single-chain antibody with the Trojan peptide penetratin positioned in the linker region enables cargo transfer across the blood-brain barrier.

Delivery of therapeutic proteins into tissues and across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is limited by the size and biochemical properties of the proteins. Efficient delivery across BBB is generally restricted to small, highly lipophilic molecules. However, in the last decades, several peptides that can pass cell membranes have been identified.

Treatment with low-dose atorvastatin, losartan, and their combination increases expression of vasoactive-related genes in rat aortas.

Recently it has been shown that statins and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) at low doses express beneficial pleiotropic vascular effects. We aimed to explore whether these drugs at low doses induce the expression of vasoactive-related genes. Sixty adult Wistar rats were treated with low-dose atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), low-dose losartan (5 mg/kg), their combination or saline daily for 4, 6, or 8 weeks.

A low-dose atorvastatin and losartan combination directly improves aortic ring relaxation and diminishes ischaemic-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts.

Background: The cardiovascular pleiotropic effects of statins and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) could be of interest for innovative preventive approaches. We aimed to investigate whether low-dose atorvastatin and losartan, separately not possessing protective cardiovascular pleiotropic effects, express them when combined.

Material/methods: Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were anaesthetized and their thoracic aortas and hearts were isolated.

Cardiovascular effects induced by polymeric 3-alkylpyridinium salts from the marine sponge Reniera sarai.

Water-soluble polymeric 3-alkylpyridinum salts (poly-APS), isolated from the marine sponge Reniera sarai, are natural products with promising biomedical applications. However, their ability to form non-specific cell membrane pores raises safety issues. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the direct toxic effects of poly-APS on the cardiovascular system.

Low-dose atorvastatin, losartan, and particularly their combination, provide cardiovascular protection in isolated rat heart and aorta.

Statins and angiotensin receptor blockers at therapeutic doses have beneficial cardiovascular effects, which can be applied for cardiovascular protection. We explored whether low doses of atorvastatin, losartan, and particularly their combination, possess important pleiotropic vasodilatory effects. Wistar rats were treated daily with low-dose atorvastatin (2 mg/kg, n = 15), low-dose losartan (5 mg/kg, n = 15), their combination (n = 15), or saline (n = 15).

Contribution of Ras farnesyl transferase, MAP kinase and cytochrome P-450 metabolites to endothelin-1 induced hypertension.

Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is vasoactive peptide that acts via ET-A receptors coupling inducing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and contraction. ET-1 is involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Aim of this study was to determine the contribution of Ras farnesyl transferase, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and cytochrome P¬450 (CYP450) metabolites to ET-1 induced hypertension.