Structural and Functional Differences in Small Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota: 16S rRNA Gene Investigation in Rats.

To compare the differences in floral composition and functions between the two types of microbiota, ileal contents and feces were collected from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats fed in a conventional or specific-pathogen free (SPF) environment and rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene in these rats was then amplified and sequenced. Compared with feces, about 60% of the bacterial genera in the ileum were exclusive, with low abundance (operational taxonomic units (OTUs) < 1000). Of bacteria shared between the ileum and feces, a few genera were highly abundant (dominant), whereas most had low abundance (less dominant).

Patient-Perceived Improvement in Facial Appearance and Quality of life: FACE-Q as a Tool to Study Reduction Mandibuloplasty Outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction regarding facial appearance and quality of life pre- and post-reduction mandibuloplasty. In addition, it sought to investigate the factors influencing patient satisfaction.

Methods: Conducted as a prospective cohort study spanning from November 2020 to October 2023, participants were required to complete the FACE-Q assessment both before and one year following reduction mandibuloplasty.

Age Reduction After Face-Lift Surgery in Chinese Population: An Outcome Study Using Artificial Intelligence and Objective Observer-Based Assessment.

Background: The literature is replete with favorable face-lift results, yet the objective facial rejuvenation outcome measures in Chinese women have remained poorly understood.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to objectively evaluate the apparent age (AA) reduction in Chinese women following face-lift by artificial intelligence (AI) and objective observers.

Methods: Standardized pre- and postoperative (1-year) images of 48 patients undergoing face-lift procedures were analyzed by AI to estimate AA.

Effect of nonpharmacological interventions on nutrition status, complications and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of nonpharmacological therapies on nutrition status, complications and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients and to provide a basis for clinical practice.

Methods: This systematic review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Ten databases were systematically searched for all available articles from construction to November 2023.

M2 Macrophage Polarization and Tissue Remodeling in Autologous Fat Grafting for Diabetic Skin Defects.

Autologous adipose tissue was recognized as a promising therapeutic option for soft tissue defects owing to its regenerative potential and ability to facilitate tissue reconstruction. However, the mechanisms by which autologous fat grafting (AFG) promotes healing remain unclear, hindering its potential applications. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and phenotypic transition of infiltrating macrophages in transplanted adipose tissue, as well as their correlation with diabetic skin defect remodeling.

Construction of a Lentiviral Vector for Fgfr2 Overexpression and its Impact on the Biological Behavior of Cranial Suture Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Objective: Suture mesenchymal stem cells (SuSCs), possessing self-renewal and multilineage differentiation abilities, play a crucial role in cranial bone growth. However, the impact of the disease-causing fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) mutation on SuSCs in Crouzon syndrome has not been explored. This study aims to employ a lentivirus to overexpress Fgfr2 and investigate its role in the pathogenesis of Crouzon syndrome.

A Prospective Investigation of Patient Satisfaction and Psychosocial Status Following Facial Bone Contouring Surgery using the Face-Q.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess satisfaction and psychosocial status before and after facial bone contouring surgery using the Face-Q.

Methods: The Face-Q, a multimodular patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, comprises independently functioning scales and checklists designed to assess outcomes in facial aesthetic patients. A prospective cohort study was conducted from November 2020 to May 2022.

Double Chin Concerns after En Bloc Mandibular U-Shaped Osteotomy: Submental-Cervical Soft Tissue Changes and Anterior Belly of Digastric Muscle Assessment.

Objective: To assess submental-cervical soft tissue changes after en bloc mandibular U-shaped osteotomy and examine alterations in the anterior belly of digastric muscle (ABDM).

Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 20 patients who underwent en bloc mandibular U-shaped osteotomy from 2018 to 2023. Preoperative (Tp) and long-term follow-up (Tf) CT data were collected for analysis, measuring mandibular volume, soft tissue thickness at menton (Mes) and cervicale (C), and ABDM parameters (length, cross-sectional area (CSA), volume, distance from centroid point to the mandibular margin).

Single dose recombinant VSV based vaccine elicits robust and durable neutralizing antibody against Hantaan virus.

Hantaan virus (HTNV) is a pathogenic orthohantavirus prevalent in East Asia that is known to cause hemorrhagic fever with severe renal syndrome (HFRS), which has a high fatality rate. However, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine is not currently available against this virus. Although inactivated vaccines have been certified and used in endemic regions for decades, the neutralizing antibody (NAb) titer induced by inactivated vaccines is low and the immunization schedule is complicated, requiring at least three injections spanning approximately 6 months to 1 year.

Mentalis Muscle Reconstruction: An Innovative Technique.

Background: The mentalis muscle is a significant component of the lower lip; its injury could impair appearance and function. This study presents a surgical strategy for treating mentalis muscle rupture to restore muscle tension and improve function.

Methods: Medical records and photographs of 2 patients with mentalis muscle rupture were reviewed.

Optimal time to initiate early oral feeding in postoperative patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancy: A network meta-analysis.

Background: With the development of enhanced recovery after surgery, early oral feeding is likely to become the preferred mode of nutrition after surgery for upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies. However, the optimal time to initiate early oral feeding remains unknown.

Objective: We aimed to compare the effects of different introduction times of early oral feeding in patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancies in terms of safety, tolerance, and effectiveness and to identify the optimal time for early oral feeding after surgery.

RCAN family member 3 deficiency contributes to noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium.

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM), the third most diagnosed cardiomyopathy, is characterized by prominent trabeculae and intratrabecular recesses. However, the genetic etiology of 40%-60% of NVM cases remains unknown. Here, we identify two infants with NVM, in a nonconsanguineous family, with a typical clinical presentation of persistent bradycardia since the prenatal period.

Would hyaluronic acid-induced mental bone resorption be a concern? A prospective controlled cohort study and an updated retrospective cohort study.

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a widely used filler for face contouring and is generally believed to be safe and effective. However, there have been reports of HA-related bone erosion in the chin area without clear scientific data regarding its existence, incidence, and severity. This exploratory study was to evaluate HA-related mental bone resorption through a prospective, controlled, observer-blind, nonrandomized clinical trial and a retrospective cohort study.

The Influence of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Dural Cells on Osteoblasts.

To explore the influence of extracellular vesicles secreted by dural cells (Dura-EVs) on osteoblasts. Our methodology involves assessing the effects of these EVs at concentrations of 50ug/ml, 100ug/ml, and 200ug/ml on osteoblasts proliferation, differentiation, migration, osteogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. We also treated a cranial defect model with injections of these Dura-EVs and monitored the healing rate of cranial defects.

ZFYVE28 mediates insulin resistance by promoting phosphorylated insulin receptor degradation via increasing late endosomes production.

Insulin resistance is associated with many pathological conditions, and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms involved is necessary to improve insulin sensitivity. Here, we show that ZFYVE28 expression is decreased in insulin-sensitive obese individuals but increased in insulin-resistant individuals. Insulin signaling inhibits ZFYVE28 expression by inhibiting NOTCH1 via the RAS/ERK pathway, whereas ZFYVE28 expression is elevated due to impaired insulin signaling in insulin resistance.

A Novel Chin-Reductive Drawer Genioplasty Using Subapical and Mandibular Contouring Ostectomy.

Summary: As the most prominent feature of the lower face, the chin is crucial to human facial morphology, and plays a large role in contributing to facial attractiveness and harmony. Although an increasing number of genioplasty procedures are being introduced for chin augmentation, chin reduction procedures are rarely performed. Because of the inevitable cervicomental angle widening and relaxation of the floor-of-mouth muscles caused by chin shortening and the elevation of the lower edge of the mandible, chin reduction remains a challenging procedure.

Effects of low doses of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on definitive endoderm cell differentiation in human embryonic stem cells.

Fetal development is one of the most sensitive windows to methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity. Laboratory and epidemiological studies have shown a dose-response relationship between fetal MeHg exposure and neuro performance in different life stages from infants to adults. In addition, MeHg exposure has been reported to be associated with disorders in endoderm-derived organs, such as morphological changes in liver cells and pancreatic cell dysfunctions.

High-Quality Genome Assembly and Genome-Wide Association Study of Male Sterility Provide Resources for Flax Improvement.

Flax is an economic crop with a long history. It is grown worldwide and is mainly used for edible oil, industry, and textiles. Here, we reported a high-quality genome assembly for "Neiya No.

The Effect of Various Temperatures on the Inflammatory Profile of Fat Graft Storage: An Experimental Study.

Fat tissue has been widely used as a filler material during plastic surgery, but unpredictable fat retention remains a significant concern. Fat tissue is vulnerable to ischemia and hypoxia, but it always has waiting time before injection in the operation theater. Apart from transferring fat tissue as quickly as possible after harvesting, washing the aspirate with cool normal saline is often used.

Successful Treatment and Long-Term Follow-Up of Parry-Romberg Syndrome with Anterolateral Thigh Adipofascial Flap.

Background: Anterolateral thigh adipofascial free flap transfer is a frequently used method to reconstruct facial symmetry and restore facial soft-tissue contour in patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome, but long-term prognosis and outcomes are unclear.

Method: The authors report their treatment experience with 42 patients between 2001 and 2017 using microsurgical free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap transfer. Long-term follow-up results and final reconstructive outcomes were evaluated.

Mendelian randomization supports causality between overweight status and accelerated aging.

It is reported that overweight may lead to accelerated aging. However, there is still a lack of evidence on the causal effect of overweight and aging. We collected genetic variants associated with overweight, age proxy indicators (telomere length, frailty index and facial aging), etc.

Astaxanthin Promotes the Survival of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Alleviating Oxidative Stress via Activating the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

The survival of free fat grafts is dependent primarily on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs); however, ADSCs are susceptible to oxidative stress in the recipient area. Astaxanthin (Axt) is a natural xanthophyll carotenoid with potent antioxidant properties and numerous clinical applications. To date, the therapeutic potential of Axt in fat grafting has not been explored.