External rigid distraction is an established method for achieving subcranial Le Fort III advancement in severe syndromic craniosynostosis. Craniofacial surgeons commonly use halo-type devices for these corrections, as they allow for multiple vectors of pull and facilitate larger midfacial advancements. Although most complications related to their use involve pin displacement or infection, rare complications such as skull fractures have been reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face is a rare aggressive-benign disorder characterized by progressive hemifacial overgrowth and complex, often asymmetrical, facial differences. Recently linked with the PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum, it arises from mosaic mutations in the PIK3CA gene. Treatment, largely supportive and tailored to individual clinical presentations, requires a multidisciplinary approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntramolecular through-space charge-transfer (TSCT) excited states have emerged as promising candidates for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. This study addresses the challenges in tuning excited state dynamics through conformational engineering, which significantly impacts exciton utilization. An effective strategy is presented to enhance the performance of TSCT-TADF molecules by restricting the lateral rocking of the spiro unit via immobilizing groups, which indirectly adjusts the conformations of the donor and acceptor subunits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Access to traditional mental health services in Canada remains limited, prompting exploration into digital alternatives. The Government of Ontario initiated access to two internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) programs, LifeWorks AbilitiCBT and MindBeacon TAiCBT, for adults with mental health issues.
Methods: An uncontrolled observational study utilizing secondary retrospective program data was conducted to evaluate the reach, uptake, and psychological symptom changes among participants engaging with either iCBT program.
Background: The black goji berry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) is known for its abundance of high-quality natural antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins. Black goji berry anthocyanins (BGA) are receiving increasing attention because of their high safety and beneficial biological activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The association between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a topic of discussion.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum PLP levels and the incidence of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and the risk of CVD among the US population.
Design: A population-based cohort study.
Background: The safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic stones (P-ESWL) and adverse events were not evaluated and classified within large sample population. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and classify the adverse events of P-ESWL based on a large sample cohort.
Methods: This is an observational study based on the large prospective chronic pancreatitis (CP) cohort.
Background And Aims: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic stones (P-ESWL) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are the preferred therapeutic approaches for painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) with pancreatic stones. This study aimed to report the short- and long-term outcomes following P-ESWL and ERCP in a large cohort with CP.
Methods: Patients with painful CP and pancreatic stones >5 mm in size, who underwent P-ESWL and subsequent ERCP between March 2011 and June 2018, were included in this retrospective-prospective mixed observational study.
Mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by elevated oxidative stress, impaired energy balance, and dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics, is a hallmark of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its comorbidities. Ferulic acid (FA), a principal phenolic compound found in whole grains, has demonstrated potential in ameliorating oxidative stress and preserving energy homeostasis. However, the influence of FA on mitochondrial health within the context of MetS remains unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Currently, there are hundreds of hematological parameters used for rapid diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, but there is no network meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic efficacy of these parameters.
Methods: We searched for literature on the diagnostic neonatal sepsis and selected 20 of the most common parameters to compare their diagnostic efficacy. We used Bayesian network meta-analysis, Frequentist network meta-analysis, and individual traditional diagnostic meta-analysis to analyze the data and verify the stability of the results.
Background: Smoking rationalisation beliefs are a huge barrier to quitting smoking. What types of rationalisations should be emphasised in smoking cessation interventions? Although past literature has confirmed the negative relationship between those beliefs and motivation to stop smoking, little is known regarding the importance and performance of those beliefs on motivation with varying cigarette dependence. The study aimed to ascertain rationalisations that are highly important for motivation yet perform poorly in different cigarette dependence groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhilos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
July 2024
Synaptic plasticity is a key cellular model for learning, memory and chronic pain. Most previous studies were carried out in rats and mice, and less is known about synaptic plasticity in non-human primates. In the present study, we used integrative experimental approaches to study long-term potentiation (LTP) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adult tree shrews.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe vibrating superfine mill (VSM) is a machine that belongs to the micronization technique. In this study, VSM was employed to produce micronized tapioca starch by varying micronization times (15, 30, 45, and 60 min). The structural and physicochemical properties of the micronized starch were then examined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
August 2024
Purpose Of Review: Patients with cleft lip -palate (CLP) experience morbidity and social stigma, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as those of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Delays in treatment secondary either to lack of awareness, skills, equipment and consumables; poor health infrastructure, limited resources or a combination of them, has led to SSA having the highest rates of death and second highest rates of disability-adjusted life years in patients with CLP globally. Here we review current perspectives on the state of comprehensive cleft lip and palate repair in Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: The vascular aging process accelerated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is responsible for the elevated risk of associated cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Metabolic disorder-induced immune senescence has been implicated in multi-organ/tissue damage. Herein, we sought to determine the role of immunosenescence in diabetic vascular aging and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEssential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are common chronic movement disorders that can cause a substantial degree of disability. However, the etiology underlying these two conditions remains poorly understood. In the present study, Whole-exome sequencing of peripheral blood samples from the proband and Sanger sequencing of the other 18 family members, and pedigree analysis of four generations of 29 individuals with both ET and PD in a nonconsanguineous Chinese family were performed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Rwanda has aimed to rebuild its health care system since the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, though one of the challenges has been a scarcity of radiologic resources.
Objective: To assess the location and accessibility of radiologic facilities in Rwanda using geospatial mapping and population-based data.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023 using location and radiologic modality data provided by the Department of Radiology at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali and the WorldPop database, a publicly available database providing open-access geospatial population data.
There are millions of patients experiencing infertility in China, but assisted reproductive technology (ART) is performed at the patient's expense and is difficult to afford. With the sharp decline in China's birth rate, there is a growing controversy over the inclusion of ART in medical insurance (MI). This study aims to explore the feasibility of ART coverage by MI for the first time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate the clinical value of the expression levels of tumor protein D52 (TPD52) and miR-133a on the prognosis assessment of pancreatic cancer surgery.
Methods: This was a retrospective study. Ninety-seven patients who underwent radical surgery for pancreatic cancer in Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022 were selected and divided into four groups: TPD52 high expression group, TPD52 low expression group, miR-133a high expression group and miR-133a low expression group.
The large abundance of termites is partially achieved by their defensive abilities. Stylotermitidae represented by a single extant genus, Stylotermes, is a member of a termite group Neoisoptera that encompasses 83% of termite species and 94% of termite genera and is characterized by the presence of the frontal gland. Within Neoisoptera, Stylotermitidae represents a species-poor sister lineage of all other groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFYing Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao
January 2024
Mixing native broadleaved tree species is a widely used method for renovating plantations. Soil microbial necromass carbon and organic carbon fractions are important parameters for evaluating the impacts of tree species mixing and soil organic carbon (SOC) stability. However, their responses to the mixing and renovation of plantation has not been understood yet.
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