Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability of the Midfacial Muscles: Analysis of 50 Hemifacial Cadaver Dissections

&NA; The region of the midface represents a challenging area to both reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. An anatomic study was performed that attempted to identify patterns and variations of the muscular anatomy. The goals of this study were twofold: to identify patterns and variability of the midfacial muscles that might impact on reconstructive efforts and to attempt to correlate this anatomy with features of the overlying soft tissues, specifically the nasolabial crease. Fifty hemifacial cadaver dissections were performed. The information collected was assembled into a large data base, and statistical significance was analyzed using Fisher's exact probability test. Results demonstrated that, although a great degree of variability exists with respect to the midfacial muscles, seven distinct patterns of these muscles did emerge. The most common pattern was the presence of a levator alae nasi, levator labii superioris, and zygomaticus major, which occurred in 44 percent of specimens. Specimens that possessed a risorius, zygomaticus minor, or both, were relatively uncommon. The consistent presence of the levators suggests adding a superior vector to recreate a smile in facial reanimation surgery. Two important anatomic variations were noted. A bifid zygomaticus major was found to be present in 34 percent of individuals. Because the inferior bundle had a dermocutaneous insertion, this anomaly may represent the anatomic correlate of a cheek “dimple. ” A second anomaly noted was the lateral cheek crease, which appeared to be associated with a cutaneous attachment from the underlying platysma muscle. However, no correlation could be found for facial muscle pattern and the overlying nasolabial crease structure. This lack of correlation may indicate that the facial muscles alone do not dictate the structure of the nasolabial crease and that other dynamic factors are involved in determining this feature of the aging face. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102: 1888, 1998.)
Aspects of the reproductive biology of the toadfish, "Halobatrachus didactylus" (Schneider, 1801) (Pisces: Batrachoididae)

The biology of Halobatrachus didactylus has received special attention during recent years because of its use as an experimental species in toxicology and cardiology experiments. The object of the present work is to supply basic information about the reproductive biology of this species. Samples were collected in Cadiz Bay between February 1999 and March 2000. A total of 901 specimens (440 females and 461 males) were examined. Sex ratio did not differ from the theoretical 1:1, except in May 1999, and February 2000. Minimum size at maturity was 191 mm total length for females and 160 mm total length for males. Approximately 50 % of the population matured at 262 mm for females and 302 mm for males. The spawning season extends from March to August, with a peak in May-June. Fecundity ranged from 227 to 1233 eggs/female, and was related to body length and weight. Length-weight relationship for the sexes differed, and showed positive allometry. The condition factor showed a minimum in the spawning season, which is interpreted as the result of mobilization of somatic energy reserves needed for reproductive development, and/or the use of reserves stored in the body as a source of energy in spawned fish, influenced by reduced feeding during this period.
Age and years to death disparately influence reproductive allocation in a short-lived bird.

Theory predicts that reproduction will change as individuals near the end of their lives by either increasing reproductive allocation (terminal allocation hypothesis) or decreasing allocation (senescence hypothesis) toward the end of life. Although senescence has received more support, few studies examine how both age and years to death influence late-life reproduction. We used a 37-yr study of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to ask how age and years to death influenced reproductive allocation late in life. We observed both senescence and terminal allocation, and that age and years to death interacted to influence individual variation in allocation tactics. In particular, we observed a decline in allocation in older individuals (senescence), but only when comparing individuals with the same number of years to death. Likewise, we observed terminal allocation, but only in young females. Reproductive tactics were most variable in young females, with many exerting high effort but living 1-2 yr, and others exerting low effort annually and living longer. Our results suggest that late-life reproductive tactics are influenced by both chronological age and years to death, and that short- and long-lived females with differing reproductive tactics exist within this population of Song Sparrows.
Gracility of the modern Homo sapiens skeleton is the result of decreased biomechanical loading

Significance Compared with other primates and earlier human species, contemporary humans possess relatively lightly built skeletons. Previous studies suggest that skeletal gracility results from a lack of physical activity because of increased reliance on culture, is a biomechanical consequence of bipedal locomotion, or reflects systemic physiological differences between modern humans and other primates. We found that bone strength in the hip joint of human foragers is comparable to similarly sized nonhuman primates, and is significantly more robust than sedentary agriculturalists. These results conclusively demonstrate the utility of trabecular bone structure for differentiating activity and mobility patterns among prehistoric hominins and reveal that low levels of physical activity contribute to reduced bone strength, and consequently increased fracture risk, in contemporary human populations. The postcranial skeleton of modern Homo sapiens is relatively gracile compared with other hominoids and earlier hominins. This gracility predisposes contemporary humans to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. Explanations for this gracility include reduced levels of physical activity, the dissipation of load through enlarged joint surfaces, and selection for systemic physiological characteristics that differentiate modern humans from other primates. This study considered the skeletal remains of four behaviorally diverse recent human populations and a large sample of extant primates to assess variation in trabecular bone structure in the human hip joint. Proximal femur trabecular bone structure was quantified from microCT data for 229 individuals from 31 extant primate taxa and 59 individuals from four distinct archaeological human populations representing sedentary agriculturalists and mobile foragers. Analyses of mass-corrected trabecular bone variables reveal that the forager populations had significantly higher bone volume fraction, thicker trabeculae, and consequently lower relative bone surface area compared with the two agriculturalist groups. There were no significant differences between the agriculturalist and forager populations for trabecular spacing, number, or degree of anisotropy. These results reveal a correspondence between human behavior and bone structure in the proximal femur, indicating that more highly mobile human populations have trabecular bone structure similar to what would be expected for wild nonhuman primates of the same body mass. These results strongly emphasize the importance of physical activity and exercise for bone health and the attenuation of age-related bone loss.
On- and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. The heart surgeon should master both techniques.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has reinforced its importance in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) with the latest scientific evidence, proving to be the most effective in improving patient outcomes when compared to other therapies, such as drug or interventionist, especially in high risk patients. However , controversy remains as to the technique to be employed, particularly with regard to employment or not of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The OPCABG emerged as an alternative technique to avoid the deleterious effects of CPB, which negatively affect the outcome of MRI, notably the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which leads to complications, inducing organ dysfunction, and the need for cannulation and aortic clamping which increases the incidence of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). With the increasing complexity of cases referred for sur gery, these complications can compromise the expected result and the implicit benefit for patients, especially those with higher morbidity and older . However, OPCAB sur gery has been questioned regarding its efficacy and safety in comparison to the conventional technique, especially with the outcomes related to incomplete revascularization and quality of grafts. In this issue of BJCVS, the findings of the study by Cerqueira Neto et al. [1] [pg. 283] reinforce that the quality of the anastomosis of the left internal thoracic artery (LIT A) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) is similar , with fluxometric data showing no difference between them, either performed with or without CPB. Unfortunately , there was no comparison with the grafts to other areas of the heart, what would allow additional information and verifying that the results also apply . However , the anastomosis of the LITA to LAD stands today as the only strategy in CABG surgery that increases survival.
Genetic variability and character association studies in rainfed upland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A study to obtain information on genetic variability and inter-relationship of grain yield and associated characters under rainfed upland conditions was carried out using 44 diverse genotypes. The analysis of variance revealed the significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits indicating presence of sufficient variability among the genotypes for various traits. High estimate of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for number of grains per panicle, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant and harvest index indicated wider genetic variation for these traits. High value of heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for the characters number of grains per panicle, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, harvest index, 1000-grain weight, grain L/B ratio and amylose content indicated that selection may be effective for this character. The results of correlation studies indicated that genotypic correlation coefficients were higher in magnitude than their corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the traits. Grain yield per plant was found positively and significantly associated with plant height, panicle length, number of total tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle, harvest index and 1000-grain weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels indicating that these traits were main yield attributing traits. Path analysis revealed that straw yield per plant had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by grain length, harvest index, days to maturity, protein content, number of total tillers per plant and number of grain per panicle. For maximizing the grain yield per plant emphasis should be given in selection of characters such as number of grains per panicle, straw yield per plant, harvest index and 1000 grain weight for further improvement of upland rice.
Bayesian Analysis of A Rat Formaldehyde DNA–Protein Cross-Link Model

As the initial effort in a multi-step uncertainty analysis of a biologically based cancer model for formaldehyde, a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis was performed for a compartmental model that predicts DNA–protein cross-links (DPX) produced by formaldehyde exposure. The Bayesian approach represented by the MCMC analysis integrates existing knowledge of the model parameters with observed, formaldehyde-DPX-specific data, providing a statistically sound basis for estimating model output uncertainty. Uncertainty and variability were evaluated through a hierarchical structure, where interindividual variability was considered for all model parameters and that variability was assumed to be uncertain on population levels. The uncertainty of the population mean and that of the population variance were significantly reduced through the MCMC analysis. Our investigation highlights several issues that must be dealt with in many real-world analyses (e.g., issues of parameters' nonidentifiability due to limited data) while demonstrating the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive quantitative uncertainty evaluation. The current analysis can be viewed as a case study, for a relatively simple model, illustrating some of the constraints that analysts will face when applying Bayesian approaches to biologically or physiologically based models of increasing complexity.
Mucosal delivery of cytotoxic therapeutic agents: Response of rat nasal mucosa to microencapsulated ethopropazine HCl enantiomer

Use of microencapsulation technology in combination with absorption enhancers eliminated epithelium irritation and necrosis commonly associated with nasal delivery of cytotoxic therapeutic agents. Phenothiazines, such as ethopropazine (ETZ), promethazine, trimeprazine and propiomazine have been used for the treatment of allergenic conditions, motion sickness, nausea, Parkinson's disease, Prion disease and as a sedative for psychiatric disorders. The enantiomers of commercially available racemic phenothiazines were isolated and purified using classical diastereomeric salt techniques. The racemate and the enantiomers of ETZ were tested in vitro for their cellular toxicity using lung fibroblast cells. Each enantiomer was shown to be cytotoxic at concentrations greater than 10−5 molar. The ETZ enantiomers were encapsulated using spinning disk atomization to prepare a nasal delivery dosage form that does not produce an irritation response. Release rates for the ETZ microcapsules were determined in vitro and an animal study was conducted to determine the irritation response of rat nasal mucosa when dosed with encapsulated vs. non-encapsulated ETZ.
Predicting conformational switches in proteins

We describe a new computational technique to predict conformationally switching elements in proteins from their amino acid sequences. The method, called ASP (Ambivalent Structure Predictor), analyzes results from a secondary structure prediction algorithm to identify regions of conformational ambivalence. ASP identifies ambivalent regions in 16 test protein sequences for which function involves substantial backbone rearrangements. In the test set, all sites previously described as conformational switches are correctly predicted to be structurally ambivalent regions. No such regions are predicted in three negative control protein sequences. ASP may be useful as a guide for experimental studies on protein function and motion in the absence of detailed three‐dimensional structural data.
Testosterone and estradiol among older men.

CONTEXT Testosterone and estradiol levels decline with age in men. This change may affect multiple clinical outcomes, but there have been few reports of the distribution and correlates of testosterone and estradiol concentrations in elderly men. OBJECTIVE The purpose of these studies was to assess sex steroid levels in a large cohort of older men. DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional cohort evaluation. SETTING Community-dwelling men were studied at six academic medical centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study is a prospective cohort of men aged at least 65 yr. In these studies, a randomly selected stratified subsample of 2623 participants was analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We assessed levels of total and free testosterone and estradiol and SHBG. RESULTS Age was inversely associated with free testosterone and free estradiol levels (P for trend = 0.001 for both). Notably, at any age, there was substantial variation in levels of each hormone. Free testosterone levels were lower in men with greater body mass index, lower SHBG, and poorer self-reported health status and in those of Asian race. Free estradiol concentrations were lower in men with lower body mass index and higher SHBG levels. Free estradiol and free testosterone were modestly correlated (r = 0.20; P < 0.001), but at any level of free testosterone, there was considerable variation in free estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest cohort of older men in which sex steroid levels are available, and it demonstrates that testosterone and estradiol, and their free fractions, tend to decline with age even among older men. However, substantial variation is also present. The relationships between sex steroid levels and their consequences in aging are likely to be complex.
Has the time come for a staging model to map the course of eating disorders from high risk to severe enduring illness? An examination of the evidence

To examine the evidence to support using a staging heuristic for eating disorders, suggesting that the diagnosis of an eating disorder follows a trajectory across the life course. Specifically, to examine whether high‐risk markers and prodromal features presenting in childhood and adolescence can later transition to the full manifestation of the illness in early adulthood, and whether over time, the illness can be described as becoming severe and enduring, often resistant to treatment.
Tetrabenazine as antichorea therapy in Huntington disease

Background: Tetrabenazine (TBZ) selectively depletes central monoamines by reversibly binding to the type 2 vesicular monoamine transporter. Open-label reports indicate TBZ is effective in treating chorea. Objective: To examine the safety, efficacy, and dose tolerability of TBZ for treating chorea in Huntington disease (HD). Methods: The authors randomized 84 ambulatory patients with HD to receive TBZ (n = 54) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. TBZ was increased over 7 weeks up to a maximum of 100 mg/day or until the desired antichoreic effect occurred or intolerable adverse effects supervened. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the chorea score of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Results: TBZ treatment resulted in a reduction of 5.0 units in chorea severity compared with a reduction of 1.5 units on placebo treatment (adjusted mean effect size = −3.5 ± 0.8 UHDRS units [mean ± SE]; 95% CI: −5.2, −1.9; p < 0.0001). There was also a significant benefit on ratings of clinical global improvement. There were five study withdrawals in the TBZ group and five serious adverse events (SAEs) in four subjects (drowning suicide, complicated fall, restlessness/suicidal ideation, and breast cancer) compared with one withdrawal and no SAEs in the placebo group. Conclusion: Tetrabenazine (TBZ), at adjusted dosages of up to 100 mg/day, effectively lessens chorea in ambulatory patients with Huntington disease. TBZ should be dosed individually based on ongoing assessment of possible adverse side effects.
Use of Gastroesophageal Reflux Medications in Premature Infants After NICU Discharge

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology and management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) medications started in the first year of life for premature infants. METHODS: Retrospective review of a cohort of infants ≤35 weeks’ gestation presenting for care by 168 days of age to a 30-site network between 2005 and 2009 (n = 2217) and followed to 3 years of age. Medication frequency, types, and duration of use were assessed. Logistic regression identified factors associated with treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent (812) were prescribed GER medications with 77% begun after NICU discharge. Ninety percent (727) received histamine-2 receptor antagonists, 33% (269) proton pump inhibitors, 22% (182) prokinetics; 40% (325) received >1 medication. Outpatient medication was initiated at 95 ± 69 days of life for total of 294 ± 249 days (interquartile ratio: 117–359). Feeding issues (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–3.39) were associated with outpatient initiation. Forty-three percent (322) of infants started before 6 months were still on at 1 year of age associated with gestational age <32 weeks (aOR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.16–2.67), chronic lung disease (aOR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.29–5.22), and reactive airways disease (aOR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.05–2.65). CONCLUSIONS: Of the 37% of the cohort on GER medications, 77% were started after NICU discharge with prolonged use of medications. Feeding difficulties were associated with starting medication and markers of chronic lung disease with continuation of treatment. With uncertain evidence of efficacy, use of these medications in a high-risk population should be carefully evaluated.
Diagnostic Efficacy of 3-T MRI for Knee Injuries Using Arthroscopy as a Reference Standard: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of our study were to assess the evidence for the diagnostic efficacy of 3-T MRI for meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the knee using arthroscopy as the reference standard and to compare these results with the results of a previous meta-analysis assessing 1.5-T MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS The online Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases were searched using the following terms: MRI AND ((3 OR three) AND (Tesla OR T)) AND knee AND arthroscopy AND (menisc* OR ligament). Patient demographics, patient characteristics, MRI scanning details, and diagnostic results were investigated. The methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed using the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. A meta-analysis of studies using 3-T MRI was performed, and the results were compared with a previous meta-analysis of studies using 1.5-T MRI. RESULTS One hundred one studies were identified by the search strategy, and 13 studies were included in our review. Twelve studies were considered to have level 1b evidence, and one study was considered to have level 2b evidence. All 13 studies had high methodologic integrity and low risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. The studies included 1197 patients with a mean age of 41.9 years. Ten of the 13 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. The mean sensitivity and mean specificity of 3-T MRI for knee injuries by location were as follows: medial meniscus, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.91-0.96) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75-0.83), respectively; lateral meniscus, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75-0.85) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89); and ACL, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.83-0.96) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96-1.00). The specificity of 3-T MRI for injuries of the lateral meniscus was significantly lower than that of 1.5-T MRI (p = 0.0013). CONCLUSION This study does not provide evidence that 3-T scanners have superior diagnostic efficacy for meniscal damage and ACL integrity when compared with previous studies of 1.5-T machines.