An Outcomes Comparison Between Autologous and Alloplastic Cranioplasty in the Pediatric Population.

Background: The use of alloplastic material in cranial reconstruction has been well described in the adult population, especially when a paucity of autologous tissue exists. In children it is unknown how long-term growth, however, may be affected by the implantation of nonexpansible alloplastic material. Therefore, the authors sought to compare the outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing alloplastic versus autologous cranial reconstruction.

Botulinum Toxin Use in Pediatric Plastic Surgery.

Botulinum toxin has increasingly become a prevalent treatment option for a wide range of conditions, many of which have their roots in plastic surgery and have been well studied. In adults, chronic headache, hyperhidrosis, and facial muscular hypertrophy have been effectively treated with botulinum toxin, and emerging studies have begun looking at its efficacy in children, as well. Successful treatment of spasticity and muscular contraction has allowed for the creation of safety profiles and dosage guidelines for botulinum toxin usage in children.

The role of affective and cognitive empathy in physical, verbal, and indirect aggression of a Singaporean sample of boys.

Bullying behavior is a serious form of school violence, affecting many children. This study investigated the contributions of 2 specific components of empathy (affective and cognitive empathy) on the 3 forms of aggressive behaviors in a sample of 241 Grade 4 and Grade 5 boys from Singapore. The 2 components of empathy differed in their relation with the 3 types of aggression.

Nerve sprouting induced by radiofrequency catheter ablation in dogs.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation results in cardiac nerve sprouting.

Background: Nerve sprouting plays a role in cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Whether or not nerve sprouting occurs after RF catheter ablation is unclear.

Low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75NTR immunoreactivity in the myocardium with sympathetic hyperinnervation.

Introduction: We previously demonstrated the relationship between sympathetic nerve density in myocardium and the occurrences of ventricular arrhythmia. Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates myocardial sympathetic innervation. However, it is unclear whether the NGF high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and the NGF low-affinity receptor p75NTR are altered in the state of sympathetic hyperinnervation in the heart.