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OBJECTIVE: Cleft lip and palate is the most common craniofacial birth anomaly and requires surgery in the first year of life. However, craniofacial surgery training opportunities are limited. The aim of this study was to present and evaluate an open-source cleft lip and palate hybrid (casting and three-dimensional (3D) printing) simulation model which can be replicated at low cost to facilitate the teaching and training of cleft surgery anatomy and techniques. DESIGN: The soft tissue component of the cleft surgery training model was casted using a 3D printed 5-component mold and silicone...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The benefits of physical exercise (PE) on memory consolidation have been well-documented in both healthy and memory-impaired animals. However, the underlying mechanisms through which PE exerts these effects are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of hippocampal protein synthesis in memory modulation by acute PE in rats. After novel object recognition (NOR) training, rats were subjected to a 30-minute moderate-intensity acute PE on the treadmill, while control animals did not undergo any procedures...

This work aimed to characterize and compare the physicochemical properties of four pulse starches: bean, chickpea, lentil, and pea. Chemical proximate analysis, elemental composition, morphological grain characterization, crystalline structure, thermal analysis, FTIR analysis, and pasting properties were conducted. The proximate analysis shows that these starches have low fat, mineral, and protein content but high amylose values ranging from 29 to 36 % determined by colorimetry. Despite the high amylose content, the starches did not exhibit the typical behavior of an amylose-rich starch, with high peak viscosity and low breakdown and setback...

This systematic review investigated how prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) immediately influences neuronal excitability based on oxygenation changes measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A thorough understanding of TMS-induced excitability changes may enable clinicians to proactively adjust TMS parameters and optimize treatment plans. Five databases were searched for human studies evaluating brain excitability using concurrent TMS/fMRI or TMS/fNIRS...

INTRODUCTION: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have been introduced to Neurosurgery with the goal of improving the experience of human visualization. In recent years, the application of remote AR and VR has opened new horizons for neurosurgical collaboration across diverse domains of education and patient treatment. Herein, we aimed to systematically review the literature about the feasibility of this technology and discuss the technical aspects, current limitations, and future perspectives...

We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of physical training as a protective strategy to mitigate alveolar bone damage and blood antioxidant defense caused by ethanol (EtOH) consumption in a binge-drinking pattern. Male Wistar rats aged approximately 90 days were divided into four groups: control, training, EtOH, and training + EtOH. The physical training protocol was conducted on a treadmill for four consecutive weeks, while the animals in the EtOH group were administered EtOH via orogastric gavage for three consecutive days each week, following the binge drink pattern...

In this study, hybrid bio-nanoporous peptides loaded onto poly( N -isopropylacrylamide- co -butylacrylate) (pNIPAM- co -BA) coatings were designed and obtained via matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The incorporation of cationic peptides magainin (MG) and melittin (Mel) and their combination was tailored to target synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with low toxicity on normal mammalian cells. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as contact angle and surface energy measurements revealed the successful and functional incorporation of both the peptides within porous polymeric nanolayers as well as surface modifications ( i...

While network abrupt breakdowns due to overloads and cascading failures have been studied extensively, the critical exponents and the universality class of such phase transitions have not been discussed. Here, we study breakdowns triggered by failures of links and overloads in networks with a spatial characteristic link length ζ. Our results indicate that this abrupt transition has features and critical exponents similar to those of interdependent networks, suggesting that both systems are in the same universality class...

BACKGROUND: The Breakthrough Series model uses learning sessions (LS) to promote education, professional development and quality improvement (QI) in healthcare. Staff divergences regarding prior knowledge, previous experience, preferences and motivations make selecting which pedagogic strategies to use in LS a challenge. AIM: We aimed to assess new active-learning strategies: two educational games, a card game and an escape room-type game, for training in healthcare-associated infection prevention...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Here, we show that the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) provides a stronger constraint on equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS), the global warming from increasing greenhouse gases, after accounting for temperature patterns. Feedbacks governing ECS depend on spatial patterns of surface temperature ("pattern effects"); hence, using the LGM to constrain future warming requires quantifying how temperature patterns produce different feedbacks during LGM cooling versus modern-day warming. Combining data assimilation reconstructions with atmospheric models, we show that the climate is more sensitive to LGM forcing because ice sheets amplify extratropical cooling where feedbacks are destabilizing...

The research delves into the underexplored area of how production network structures influence the severity of economic downturns, particularly during the last financial crisis. Utilizing the RSTAN database from the OECD, we meticulously derived critical measures from the input-output matrices for 61 economies. Our methodology entailed a panel analysis spanning from 2008 to 2010, which is a period marked by significant recessionary pressures. This analysis aimed to correlate economic performance with various production network metrics, taking into account control factors such as interest rates and the prevalence of service sectors...

This study evaluated the anesthetic and sedative effects of the essential oil of Zingiber officinale (EOZO) on juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Experiment 1 evaluated concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1 EOZO for times of induction and recovery from anesthesia. Furthermore, hematological responses and residual components of EOZO in plasma were determined immediately after anesthesia. Experiment 2 evaluated the effect of 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg L-1 EOZO on water quality, blood variables and residual components of EOZO in plasma and tissues (muscle and liver) immediately after 2 h of transport...

Aim: To evaluate the behavior of oral keratinocytes in the presence of Vitamin C (Vit C) and its anti-inflammatory potential. Materials & methods: Oral keratinocytes were initially exposed to 0.1-2.5 mM of Vit C and the metabolic activity and cell migration were evaluated using MTS assay and Ibidi culture inserts, respectively. After, the cells were challenged with Candida albicans and inflammatory markers were analyzed by qPCR. Results: The treatment was not cytotoxic, and the highest concentrations increased the metabolic activity at 24 h...

In this study, the genetic differences and clinical impact of the carbapenemase-encoding genes among the community and healthcare-acquired infections were assessed. This retrospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted in Colombia and included patients infected with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative rods between 2017 and 2021. Carbapenem resistance was identified by Vitek, and carbapenemase-encoding genes were identified by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to classify the alleles and sequence types (STs)...

Allergic asthma has emerged as a prevalent allergic disease worldwide, affecting most prominently both young individuals and lower-income populations in developing and developed countries. To devise effective and curative immunotherapy, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate nature of this condition, characterized by an immune response imbalance that favors a proinflammatory profile orchestrated by diverse subsets of immune cells. Although the involvement of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells in asthma pathology is frequently implied, their specific contributions to disease onset and progression remain incompletely understood...

BACKGROUND: The running performance of middle-distance and long-distance runners is determined by factors such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), velocity at VO2 max (vVO2 max), maximum metabolic steady state (MMSS), running economy, and sprint capacity. Strength training is a proven strategy for improving running performance in endurance runners. However, the effects of different strength training methods on the determinants of running performance are unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to compare the effect of different strength training methods (e...

PURPOSE: Investigate efficacy of reduced compression bandage for the control of pain after total knee arthroplasty. PATIENTS & METHODS: Prospective, single-centre, randomised controlled trial involving data for 56 out of 94 consented patients; 29 standard care versus 27 Andoflex TLC Calamine Lite. Comparison of standard care (non-compression bandage applied for up to one day) versus Andoflex TLC Calamine Lite (25-30 mmHg) two-layer compression bandage worn for five days...

The eukaryotic cell is highly compartmentalized with organelles. Owing to their function in transporting metabolites, metabolic intermediates and byproducts of metabolic activity, organelles are important players in the orchestration of cellular function. Recent advances in optical methods for interrogating the different aspects of organellar activity promise to revolutionize our ability to dissect cellular processes with unprecedented detail. The transport activity of organelles is usually coupled to the transport of charged species; therefore, it is not only associated with the metabolic landscape but also entangled with membrane potentials...