Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of the Measurement Errors Associated with the Analysis of Velar Movements Assessed from Lateral Videofluoroscopic Investigations

Objective The analysis of lateral videofluoroscopic images of velar movements during speech is a commonly used tool in the management of the cleft palate patient. This study tests the general hypothesis that measurements of velar movements taken from lateral videofluoroscopic Images are accurate and reliable. Method A measurement system was used that allowed for the rapid assessment of velopharyngeal distance, soft palate velocity during the closure cycle, extension of the soft palate at maximum closure, and the angular lift of the soft palate above the plane of the hard palate. Ten recordings of soft palate movement during speech were randomly chosen from lateral X-rays of 27 normal adults. The video recordings were captured by digital frame grabber for subsequent analysis by three operators using a standard PC that was running image-analysis software. The uncertainties associated with the above measurements were analyzed in terms of the errors introduced by the inherent calibration and nonlinearity of the imaging system, the inaccuracy of the patient setup, and the operator-dependent measurement error. Results For both absolute dimensions and ratiometric measurements, the measurement uncertainties related to the inherent nonlinearity in the imaging system were shown to be less than 2%. Typical patient misalignments as a result of a 10° head rotation and a 10-mm translation out of the measurement plane introduced errors of between 2% and 3%. Results showed that the average standard deviation for measurement of gap size was 1.2 mm, extension ratio was 0.11, angular lift was 3.1°, and soft palate velocity was 15.5 mm/second. The intra-class correlation coefficient generally showed a good agreement between operators, typically in the range 0.8 to 0.9. Conclusion Measurements of velopharyngeal distance, extension of the soft palate at maximum closure, and the angular lift of the soft palate above the plane of the hard palate assessed from lateral videofluoroscopic images are reliable and accurate. The soft palate velocity during the closure cycle can also be determined, but clinical interpretations based on this parameter should be constrained by the measurement uncertainties.
Nasalance and Nasal Area Values: Cross-Racial Study

Nasometry and nasal cross-sectional area data were obtained from 80 normal male and female speakers (40 African-Americans and 40 white Americans) all of whom were over the age of 18 and spoke the Mid-Atlantic dialect of American English. The nasalance scores for readings of the Zoo Passage did not differ significantly between the groups. However, nasalance scores for readings of the Nasal Sentences were found to be significantly higher among the white speakers. The pressure-flow method was used to obtain nasal cross-sectional area values. There were no racial differences in nasal cross-sectional area. The Nasal Sentences scores were not highly correlated with nasal cross-sectional area. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
Habilitation of Patients with Clefts: Parent and Child Ratings of Satisfaction with Appearance and Speech

This study examined ratings regarding satisfaction with facial appearance and speech performance from 495 parent-child pairs. Data were obtained from school-aged children (5–18 years old) and their parents using standardized independent interviews. Results revealed that 54 percent of the children with cleft lip (CL) or cleft lip and palate (CLP) were very pleased with their appearance, and 62 percent of the cleft palate or CLP subjects were very pleased with speech. Low, but statistically significant correlations exist between the female subjects and their parents in satisfaction with appearance. Although older cleft lip and/or palate patients reported increased satisfaction with speech, no age differences in patient satisfaction with appearance were observed in subjects with CL/CLP. Parents of females expressed more concern about their daughters' appearance than parents of males, while parents of males were more concerned about speech. Implications for craniofacial habilitation teams and research suggestions are discussed.
OBESITY AND SELF-CONTROL: EVIDENCE FROM FOOD

In this paper, we examine the relationship between obesity and food purchase behavior using a novel and unique dataset that links individual-level scanner data on food purchases to survey data containing questions about an individual’s obesity status. We find that obese individuals have higher purchase shares of unhealthy goods, are more likely to purchase products offered in checkout lanes that exploit consumer temptation, and are significantly more sensitive to price changes in product categories that are both unhealthy and tempting. We find no differences in price sensitivity across obesity levels in comparable product categories that would not be considered tempting. Moreover, we find that the relationship between price sensitivity and BMI is significantly smaller for individuals who have recently lost weight. Our empirical results are consistent with the model of self-control developed by Gul and Pesendorfer (2001) and Bénabou and Pycia (2002). We do not find systematic support for the idea that more obese individuals are more myopic, in contrast to earlier research. We also do not find systematic evidence that obesity is correlated with worse information about the consequences of unhealthy eating.
Dentocraniofacial Morphology of 12 Japanese Subjects with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate with a Severe Class III Malocclusion: A Cephalometric Study at the Pretreatment Stage of Surgical Orthodontic Treatment

Objective: The present study clarifies the dentocraniofacial morphology of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with severe Class III malocclusion prior to surgical orthodontic treatment. Methods: The sample was 12 Japanese male subjects with repaired complete unilateral CLP (surgical CLP group; 21.2 6 1.92 years in mean age). Two sets of patients without CLP Class III malocclusion, consisting of 19 male subjects treated by surgical orthodontic treatment (surgical Class III group; 23.4 6 6.35 years in mean age) and 14 male subjects treated by nonsurgical orthodontic treatment (nonsurgical Class III group; 18.7 6 3.49 years in mean age) were used as controls. Analyses were performed using lateral and posteroanterior (P-A) cephalograms. Results: (1) The surgical CLP group showed significantly smaller values for overjet, SNA angle, and inclination of the maxillary incisor as compared with those of the surgical and nonsurgical Class III controls. The values of SNB, mandibular effective length, and ramus height in the surgical CLP group were significantly smaller than those of the surgical Class III group but were similar to those of the nonsurgical Class III group. (2) The mandible and the upper and lower dental arches deviated laterally toward the cleft side. The displacement of the mandible was correlated with that of the maxilla. These results show that CLP patients who required surgical orthodontic treatment had a characteristic dentocraniofacial morphology, compared to controls without CLP with Class III malocclusion.
Effects of Orthognathic Surgery on Speech and Breathing of Subjects with Cleft Lip and Palate: Acoustic and Aerodynamic Assessment

Objective: To evaluate the impact of orthognathic surgery on acoustic nasalance of subjects with cleft and investigate the causes of possible changes by analyzing velopharyngeal function and nasal patency. Design/Patients: Nasalance was measured in 29 subjects with operated cleft palate 6 lip before (PRE) and 45 days (POST1) and 9 months (POST2) after surgery, on average. In 19 of the patients, the minimum velopharyngeal (VP) and nasal cross-sectional (N) areas were also determined. Interventions: Le Fort I osteotomy with maxillary advancement in combination with procedures involving the nose, maxilla, mandible or all three. Main Outcome Measures: Nasalance, VP area, N area. Results: We observed: (1) a significant (p , .05) increase in mean nasalance at POST1 and POST2, compared with PRE during the reading of oral sentences and nasal sentences; at POST2, high nasalance on the oral sentences was observed in 45% of the patients with normal nasalance at PRE, and 57% of patients with low nasalance on the nasal sentences at PRE no longer presented abnormal nasalance; (2) a significant increase in mean VP area at POST1; two borderline patients demonstrated deterioration of VP closure at POST2, compared with PRE; and (3) a significant increase in mean N area at POST2, with 73% of patients no longer presenting subnormal areas seen at PRE. Conclusions: On a long-term basis, orthognathic surgery modifies speech nasalance of some subjects with cleft, perhaps because of an increase in internal nose size. This may also improve nasal patency for breathing.
Goldmann-Favre Vitreoretinal Degeneration

Goldmann-Favre syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary vitreoretinal degeneration (1) characterized by pigmentary degeneration, macular and peripheral retinoschisis, posterior subcapsular cataract, and degenerative vitreous changes (2). Reduced or nonrecordable electroretinogram (ERG), abnormal dark adaptation, and progressive loss of peripheral visual field are associated findings. We describe a case with typical clinical features of Goldmann-Favre syndrome and report the findings of different diagnostic tests.
Intraoral-Appliance Modification to Retract the Premaxilla in Patients with Bilateral Cleft Lip

Management of the protrusive premaxilla in patients with bilateral cleft lip is challenging for the reconstructive team. Several intra- and extraoral orthopedic techniques to reposition the protrusive premaxilla prior to bilateral cleft lip repair have been presented In the literature. A modification to a previously described tissue-borne palatal plate with a latex strap is presented. In the modified plate, the latex strap is replaced by an orthodontic elastomeric chain, and the chain over the prolablum is covered with soft denture liner. This appliance Is effective in retracting the premaxilla, noninvasive, easy to construct and adjust, economic, well tolerated by the patient, and accepted by the parents.
NADPH Oxidase as a Mechanistic Link Between Erectile Dysfunction, Peripheral, and Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity

Cardiovascular complications involving both microvascular and macrovascular tissues are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in obese patients. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that erectile dysfunction and peripheral endothelial dysfunction may predict cardiovascular risk. The purpose of these studies was to investigate NADPH oxidase a major source of vascular derived oxidative stress as a common mechanism between erectile dysfunction and coronary artery endothelial dysfunction in rats fed a Western diet (WD) and peripheral endothelial dysfunction in an obese group of human subjects. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a control diet (CD) or WD for 4 8 or 12 weeks. Erectile function was evaluated by measuring intracavernosal pressure in response to electrical field stimulation of the cavernosal nerve. Coronary artery endothelial function (CAEF) was evaluated ex vivo with cumulative doses of (ACh) applied to pre-constricted segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Erectile function was significantly attenuated following 8-weeks (P < 0.05) and 12-weeks (P < 0.05) of the WD whereas CAEF was significantly attenuated following 12-weeks of the WD (P < 0.01). Larger groups of rats were then fed the CD or WD for 12 weeks and erectile function and CAEF were evaluated following intracavernosal injection or vessel incubation with apocynin an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Apocynin improved erectile function (P < 0.01) and CAEF (P < 0.05) in WD and had no effect on CD rats. Sedentary young adults were recruited across a body mass index (BMI) range of 18-40 and split into BMI tertiles. Microdialysis probes were inserted into the vastus lateralis and in vivo reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured and microvascular endothelial function was assessed via local ACh-stimulated blood flow. ROS production (P < 0.05) was elevated and ACh-stimulated blood flow (P < 0.05) was attenuated in the highest BMI tertile compared to both other tertiles. Apocynin had a greater effect of attenuating ROS production (P < 0.05) and augmenting ACh-stimulated blood flow (P < 0.05) in the highest compared to lowest BMI tertile. These studies suggest that NADPH oxidase contributes to obesity associated erectile dysfunction peripheral endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery disease development.
Longitudinal Study of Craniofacial Growth in Subjects with Cleft Lip and Palate: From Cheiloplasty to 8 Years of Age

Craniofacial morphology was compared in 10 patients with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA), 33 with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and 14 patients with isolated cleft palate (CP). Serial lateral and posteroanterior cephalograms, obtained just before lip repair at 4 months or palatoplasty at 2 years, and at 4 and 8 years of age, were analyzed through comparisons with the means and growth increments of craniofacial dimensions. Facial forms at 8 years of age were compared with those of 33 noncleft subjects. Wider upper facial width before lip repair in the UCLP patients diminished slightly following surgery, but the condition persisted up to 8 years of age. Less forward growth of the maxilla was found in the subjects who received palatoplasty and a larger vertical growth increment in anterior maxilla occurred in the UCLP patients. Posterior maxillary height showed no significant differences in its growth increment among patients with clefts, but shorter posterior maxillary height in the UCLP patients continued. Linear dimensions of the mandible did not differ among cleft subjects, but a larger intercondylar width, a larger gonial angle, and a slightly retruded mandible in the CP patients and UCLP patients suggested compensation of the mandible to a wider and retroinclined nasomaxillary complex.
A Comparison of the Effects of Veau-Wardill-Kilner Palatoplasty and Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty Operations on Eustachian Tube Function

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of VeauWardill-Kilner (VWK) two-flap palatoplasty and Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty operations on eustachian tube (ET) opening in patients with cleft palate (CP). Design: Twenty-six patients underwent CP repair between 1993 and 1997. VWK and Furlow operations were used in 13 patients each. All patients were examined by the otorhinolaryngologist before and after the operations; mean follow-up time was 27.3 months. Secretory otitis media (SOM), as identified by tympanograms, was the comparison criterion used. Results: The prevalence of SOM was 69% (n 5 18) in all CP patients preoperatively. Among those with preoperative SOM, we did not find any statistically significant difference in the frequency of postoperative SOM between the two techniques. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is no difference in postoperative ET function between patients undergoing either VWK or Furlow operations, in spite of the differences in muscle positioning in these operations. We discuss the implications of this finding in relation to surgical anatomy and histology of the soft palate muscles.
Learning and testing the farmers’ knowledge: Conservation of location specific indigenous paddy varieties

The local farmers possess an immense knowledge of their environment. An effort was made to carryout a research on the conservation and testing of nitrogen effect over the location specific indigenous paddy varieties in purposively selected tribals’ villages from Dindori Developmental Block of Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh. The results indicate that tribal farmers have developed location specific knowledge to identify varied micro-farming situations and accordingly they grow and conserve number of indigenous paddy varieties. Study suggests that instead of macro, the micro level of planning of research and conservation strategy would be required for sustaining the biodiversity and related socio-ecological systems.
Development of Scales of Severity of Facial Cleft Impairment

The reliability and validity of human judgments in rating the severity of cleft-related facial impairment were examined in this series of studies. The goal of the research was to develop scales for rating the severity of facial cleft impairment using psychophysical methods for measuring human judgment. The principle findings were: (1) Four photographic categorized scales with high inter-group reliability and satisfactory content and construct validity were developed; (2) Raters used objective stimulus characteristics of the face to scale impairment; (3) Ratings of facial attractiveness decreased as the severity of impairment increases; (4) Full face ratings of the severity of impairment correlated highly with ratings of the same photographs cropped below the eyes. The implications of these findings for clinical and research application are discussed.
Craniofacial Morphology and Growth Comparisons in Children with Robin Sequence, Isolated Cleft Palate, and Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: Comparison of early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with nonsyndromic Robin Sequence (RS), isolated cleft palate (ICP), and unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP). Subjects: One hundred eight children with cleft: 7 with RS, 53 with ICP, and 48 with UCCLP were included in the study. The children were drawn from the group of all Danish children with cleft born 1976 through 1981. Method: Three-projection infant cephalometry. Results: The craniofacial morphology in the RS, ICP, and UCCLP groups had some common characteristics: a wide maxilla with decreased length and posterior height, wide nasal cavity, short mandible, bimaxillary retrognathia, and reduced pharyngeal airway. The shortest mandible was found in RS followed by ICP and UCCLP; the pharyngeal airway was reduced in RS and ICP, compared with UCCLP; and the maxillary complex and nasal cavity were wider in UCCLP than in the other groups. The amount of facial growth in all three groups was similar; however, the direction was more vertical in UCCLP than in RS and ICP. Conclusion: Except for a shorter RS mandible, the facial morphology of infants with RS and ICP was similar, as was the amount of facial growth and the growth pattern. The differences in facial morphology can be ascribed to the difference in the primary anomaly. The amount of facial growth was similar in the three groups; however, the growth pattern showed a more vertical direction in UCCLP than in RS and ICP. It is hypothesized that the mandibular retrognathia in RS represents the outer end of that of the ICP distribution.
Facteurs associés au tabagisme en classe de sixième

Du fait que l'initiation du tabagisme se fait le plus souvent a l'adolescence, il est essentiel de mieux cerner, dans une optique preventive, les motivations de l'adolescent a fumer. Le role de l'entourage est deja connu. L'objectif de cette enquete etait d'evaluer le role potentiellement protecteur d'une part des connaissances qu'a l'adolescent dans le domaine de la respiration et de la fumee de cigarette, d'autre part de son implication dans des activites mettant en jeu le souffle. Le groupe etudie se composait de 1 802 eleves de colleges d'enseignement public, selectionnes de maniere aleatoire dans la ville de Marseille. Ces eleves ont rempli en classe un questionnaire anonyme. Le pourcentage de non-reponses a ete globalement tres faible. Globalement 10,5 % des enfants declarent avoir deja fume, d'avantage les garcons (13,1 %) que les filles (8,1 %). Contrairement au tabagisme du pere, le tabagisme de la mere et des freres et sœurs influence tres significativement le tabagisme de l'enfant. L'enfant n'est pas plus influence par le tabagisme du fumeur de meme sexe de sa fratrie. La proportion d'enfants ayant deja fume augmente progressivement en fonction du nombre de fumeurs a la maison. Dans l'analyse de regression logistique apparaissent predictifs du tabagisme: le fait d'etre un garcon, d'avoir son (sa) meilleur(e) ami(e) qui fume et le nombre de fumeurs dans la famille. Par contre le fait d'avoir des antecedents d'« allergie », la connaissance de l'environnement et de l'appareil respiratoire, la connaissance de la cigarette, enfin la pratique d'un sport, d'un instrument a vent et le fait de chanter dans une chorale ne sont pas associes a un risque moindre de tabagisme. Ces resultats remettent en cause l'efficacite des actions classique de prevention et de lutte contre le tabagisme qui sont basees sur de telles strategies.
Relationship between Primary Palatal Form and Maxillofacial Growth in Japanese Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Infancy to Adolescence

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Improved Patient Compliance with Cleft Palate Team Regimes

A cleft palate team's prescribed regimen requires prompt and continued compliance to meet the objectives of the clinical management and to achieve the best clinical results for the patient. In a previous study (Paynter et al., 1990), we reported an overall compliance rate of 64% for patients seen by a cleft palate team during its first 8 years of operation. After the study, changes in the team's operational procedures were made in an attempt to provide better service, improve patient compliance, and improve the efficiency of the clinic. The purposes of the current clinical investigation were to determine the degree of compliance with recommendations made by the cleft palate team for the patients seen during the four years after the implementation of the changes and to identify variables that interfered with compliance. A subject was defined as the person(s) who could best respond to questions concerning the management of the team's patient. Each subject was interviewed using a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (Becker et al., 1977). The mean patient compliance rate was 82%. Using Jones and Caldwell's (1981) classification, 56.7% of the patients were classified as compilers, 40% as partial compilers, and 3.3% as noncompliers. Compliance with specific recommendations ranged from 58 to 100%. No specific variable was found to interfere with compliance.
Evidence for Cleft Palate as a Postfusion Phenomenon

Some clefts of the lip and palate appear to result from the rupture after fusion has occurred. This possibility is suggested by (1) epithelial remnants found in the palatal shelves, (2) regenerating epithelium found in the palatal clefts of human fetuses older than 13 weeks, (3) immature epithelium visible on the margin of the cleft, (4) nasopalatine ducts cut off by clefts, (5) perforation type cleft found in the hard palate, (6) a Simonart band visible in six cleft mouse fetuses, (7) duplicated upper lateral incisors enclosing a lip-jaw cleft, and (8) rodent cavities in the lip or palate related to cleft formation.