Pharynx Muscles Research Articles

Posterior fossa decompression in patients with Chiari malformation type 1: effect on sleep apnea and follow-up outcomes.

Sleep apnea, posing significant health risks, is frequently associated with Chiari malformation (CM), characterized by cerebellar tonsil herniation through the foramen magnum. Central sleep apnea (CSA) in CM results from impaired brain-to-muscle signaling and requires treatment. Conversely, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), arising from throat muscle relaxation, typically unrelated to CM, often coexists. This study evaluates the effectiveness of posterior fossa decompression (PFD) on sleep apnea. A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients with CM-1 and sleep apnea who underwent PFD between April 1, 2004, and September 30, 2022. Data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, adenotonsillectomy status, PFD details, and sleep study parameters like the apnea-hypopnea index and respiratory disturbance index. Statistical analysis assessed the surgery's impact on sleep apnea severity. The study included eleven patients, predominantly male (63.6%). All had OSA (100%), with 63.6% also having CSA. Preoperative sleep studies classified OSA severity as 36.4% mild, 18.2% moderate, and 45.5% severe, with no change post-surgery. CSA severity initially included seven mild cases, which became three mild, one moderate, and three resolved cases post-surgery. Among seven patients who had adenotonsillectomy before decompression, five showed no improvement in OSA severity post-surgery. This study elucidates the complex relationship between CM-1, sleep apnea, and PFD. The findings show the persistence of sleep apnea in some patients and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of these patients in order to optimize their care after surgery.

Prognostic significance of T3b in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Appropriateness of classifying T3bN0M0 in patients aged 55years or older into stage II.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) often extends to adjacent organs. According to the 8th Tumor-Node-Metastasis Classification, extension to the strap muscles was graded as T3b. We investigated the prognostic impact of T3b and the appropriateness of T3b in patients aged ≥55years who were classified as stage II. We enrolled 7811 patients with M0 PTC who underwent initial surgery at the Kuma Hospital (Kobe, Japan) between January 2007 and December 2016. Tumor extension was divided into T3b, T4a1 (extension to the tracheal adventitia, tracheal cartilage, esophageal muscle layer, recurrent laryngeal nerve, cricothyroid, and inferior constrictor muscles), and sT4a2 (extension to the subcutaneous soft tissues, tracheal mucosa, esophageal mucosa, internal jugular vein, brachiocephalic vein, larynx, pharynx, and sternocleidomastoid muscle). In patients ≥55years, the local recurrence-free survival (LR-FS), distant recurrence-free survival (DR-FS), and cause-specific survival (CSS) rates of T3bN0M0 were significantly poorer than those of T1/T2N0M0 but did not significantly differ from those of T3aN0M0. The LR-FS, DR-FS, and CSS rates of T3b stage II patients did not differ from those of T4a1 stage III patients but were significantly better than those of T4a2 stage III patients. T3b was an independent predictor of local recurrence and distant recurrence but not of death due to carcinoma in the multivariate analysis. In patients aged <55years with M0 PTC, T3b had no prognostic value in both analyses. T3bM0 patients are appropriate to be classified as stage II in patients ≥55years but be kept in stage I in patients <55years.

Probable paralytic rabies in a dog: ante-mortem clinical diagnosis implications in limited resource settings.

Rabies is a dreadful zoonotic viral disease that affects animals and humans with a fatality rate of 100%. This report aims to create awareness among the veterinarians and general public about the paralytic form of rabies in order to understand the antemortem clinical diagnosis implications in limited resource settings, so as to follow the post-exposure prophylaxis at the golden hour period of rabies transmission. A one-year-old female dog was presented to the Ambulatory Clinic Unit, Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India with the ailment of a dropped jaw and was unable to swallow food and water for the past three days. Epidemiological investigations revealed that the animal had dog-bitten wounds from a week ago. On clinical examination, facial distortion, changes in the vocal cord, and paralysis of the throat muscle were noticed. Based on the anamnesis, clinical, and epidemiological investigations, the animal was diagnosed to be a probable case of paralytic form of canine rabies. In the limited resource settings, antemortem clinical diagnosis was practiced to suspect rabies-infected dogs. Further, the owner was advised to implement preventive measures to safeguard against rabies infection. The dog was kept under isolation and succumbed on day two with evidence of progressive paralytic signs. This report emphasizes the importance of paralytic rabies, alongside of furious form of rabies, further creating awareness among the general public about the antemortem clinical diagnosis under limited resource settings.

C. elegans touch receptor neurons direct mechanosensory complex organization via repurposing conserved basal lamina proteins

The sense of touch is conferred by the conjoint function of somatosensory neurons and skin cells. These cells meet across a gap filled by a basal lamina, an ancient structure found in metazoans. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigate the composition and ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix at the epidermis and touch receptor neuron (TRN) interface. We show that membrane-matrix complexes containing laminin, nidogen, and the MEC-4 mechano-electrical transduction channel reside at this interface and are central to proper touch sensation. Interestingly, the dimensions and spacing of these complexes correspond with the discontinuous beam-like extracellular matrix structures observed in serial-section transmission electron micrographs. These complexes fail to coalesce in touch-insensitive extracellular matrix mutants and in dissociated neurons. Loss of nidogen reduces the density of mechanoreceptor complexes and the amplitude of the touch-evoked currents they carry. Thus, neuron-epithelium cell interfaces are instrumental in mechanosensory complex assembly and function. Unlike the basal lamina ensheathing the pharynx and body wall muscle, nidogen recruitment to the puncta along TRNs is not dependent upon laminin binding. MEC-4, but not laminin or nidogen, is destabilized by point mutations in the C-terminal Kunitz domain of the extracellular matrix component, MEC-1. These findings imply that somatosensory neurons secrete proteins that actively repurpose the basal lamina to generate special-purpose mechanosensory complexes responsible for vibrotactile sensing.

Using neural biomarkers to personalize dosing of vagus nerve stimulation

BackgroundVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an established therapy for treating a variety of chronic diseases, such as epilepsy, depression, obesity, and for stroke rehabilitation. However, lack of precision and side-effects have hindered its efficacy and extension to new conditions. Achieving a better understanding of the relationship between VNS parameters and neural and physiological responses is therefore necessary to enable the design of personalized dosing procedures and improve precision and efficacy of VNS therapies.MethodsWe used biomarkers from recorded evoked fiber activity and short-term physiological responses (throat muscle, cardiac and respiratory activity) to understand the response to a wide range of VNS parameters in anaesthetised pigs. Using signal processing, Gaussian processes (GP) and parametric regression models we analyse the relationship between VNS parameters and neural and physiological responses.ResultsFirstly, we illustrate how considering multiple stimulation parameters in VNS dosing can improve the efficacy and precision of VNS therapies. Secondly, we describe the relationship between different VNS parameters and the evoked fiber activity and show how spatially selective electrodes can be used to improve fiber recruitment. Thirdly, we provide a detailed exploration of the relationship between the activations of neural fiber types and different physiological effects. Finally, based on these results, we discuss how recordings of evoked fiber activity can help design VNS dosing procedures that optimize short-term physiological effects safely and efficiently.ConclusionUnderstanding of evoked fiber activity during VNS provide powerful biomarkers that could improve the precision, safety and efficacy of VNS therapies.

Harmonizing Elastic Modulus and Dielectric Constant of Elastomers for Improved Pressure Sensing Performance.

Enhancing the sensitivity of capacitive pressure sensors through microstructure design may compromise the reliability of the device and rely on intricate manufacturing processes. It is an effective way to solve this issue by balancing the intrinsic properties (elastic modulus and dielectric constant) of the dielectric layer materials. Here, we introduce a liquid metal (LM) hybrid elastomer prepared by a chain-extension-free polyurethane (PU) and LM. The synergistic strategies of extender-free and LM doping effectively reduce the elastic modulus (7.6 ± 0.2-2.1 ± 0.3 MPa) and enhance the dielectric constant (5.12-8.17 @1 kHz) of LM hybrid elastomers. Interestingly, the LM hybrid elastomer combines reprocessability, recyclability, and photothermal conversion. The obtained flexible pressure sensor can be used for detecting hand and throat muscle movements, and high-precision speech recognition of seven words has been using a convolutional neural network (CNN) in deep learning. This work provides an idea for designing and manufacturing wearable, recyclable, and intelligent control pressure sensors.

Gnashing of Teeth

Life is filled with objects, things, strategies, devices, ploys that may be complex or simple. A common condition impacting not only the teeth but gumjawbone complex, temporal mandibular joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments and softtissues of the oral cavity is that of “gnashing of teeth.” We in the honorable art and science of dentistry call this condition bruxism, tapping, jiggling or extra-oral movements (parafunctional habits) that may impede breathing, influence headache, or other super-pectoral painful conditions such as neuropathies. After 55 years of practice I have observed a huge rise in these condition in the past ten to fifteen years. Oral Bruxism condition is associated with snoring, clapping of teeth, airway compromise, and their attending effects—loss of sleep, quality of sleep as well as emotional implications. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is the condition identified from a medical view and, related to snoring, grinding of teeth, tapping, jiggling and has led many to devices such as an electrical stimulator called “Inspire” (figure 2.) which is alleged as an alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP—see figure 1.) that works inside your body while you sleep. It’s a small electrical device placed during a same-day, outpatient procedure below the collar bone that monitors breathing and stimulates the tongue to reposition for better breathing, hopefully. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. Of course, this is theory with some facts in logic, in my humble opinion. About 18 million American adults have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.Another approach in resolution of these condition are oral positioners as shown below, Figure 3 below. All of these devices are made of hard plastics that may cause more harm than good in my experience and estimation. They are often of novel colors to encourage acceptance of their many designs. Constructed to fit the upper arch and lower and work together they are complex and ill-fitting mostly.

Efficacy of coblation assisted surgery in obstructive sleep apnea with obstruction at the retropalatal level

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep disorder caused by abnormalities in the pharynx and upper airway muscles. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the commonly indicated surgical procedure for the management of OSA. Recent studies state that coblation assisted UPPP can improve the outcomes of OSA. : To study the efficacy of coblation assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome with isolated obstruction at the retropalatal level. This prospective before-after analysis was conducted in Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital and Government Royapettah Hospital attached to Kilpauk Medical College from September 2016 to September 2017. After a thorough examination, patients with moderate and severe OSA with obstruction at the retropalatal level were selected for the study. Institutional ethical clearance was obtained and all patients signed the written informed consent form.A total of 25 patients were selected for the study and a male predominance was observed (80%). Tonsil size was graded using the Friedman grading scale and the majority of the patients had grade II tonsillar enlargement (52%). Based on tonsil size and Friedman's palate position, the patients were classified using Friedman's system. 11 patients were classified as stage 1, 10 patients were classified as stage 2, 4 patients were classified as stage 3. A success rate of 68% was observed following surgery based on the 50% reduction in the AHI criterion. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is effective in the management of OSA. Coblation assisted procedures can reduce postoperative pain and improve the outcomes of surgical therapy.

Upper airway modifications after weight loss: a systematic review.

Weight loss is one of the most often prescribed treatments to reduce the level of sleep apnea severity; however, objective assessment of airway alterations after loss of weight has only been studied in the last decades. This study aimed at evaluating alterations after weight loss reported in the literature. A literature review was performed in the medical databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase. A total of 681 articles were found in the databases and after evaluation only 10 studies were selected for data extraction. Most studies observed an increase of the area in the retropalatal region; some indicating that this increase occurred mostly in the lateral pharyngeal region. Studies with volumetric reconstruction showed a significant reduction in parapharyngeal fat deposits, lateral wall and tongue fat, and volumetric reduction in all soft tissues of the pharynx, pterygoid and genioglossus muscles. Studies evaluating craniofacial bone structures showed a reduction in the airway height by bringing the hyoid closer to the posterior nasal spine and a reduction in the distance from the hyoid to the chin. There is a limited number of studies with a good level of scientific evidence evaluating changes in the upper airways after weight loss and how these changes impact obstructive sleep apnea. The studies included in this review indicate that weight loss increases the airways space by reducing the volume of the parapharyngeal structures, particularly at the retropalatal site, where there is an apparent gain in the lateral area of the airway and hyoid relocation.

An Ultra-Sensitive and Multifunctional Electronic Skin with Synergetic Network of Graphene and CNT.

Electronic skin (e-skin) has attracted tremendous interest due to its diverse potential applications, including in physiological signal detection, health monitoring, and artificial throats. However, the major drawbacks of traditional e-skin are the weak adhesion of substrates, incompatibility between sensitivity and stretchability, and its single function. These shortcomings limit the application of e-skin and increase the complexity of its multifunctional integration. Herein, the synergistic network of crosslinked SWCNTs within and between multilayered graphene layers was directly drip coated onto the PU thin film with self-adhesion to fabricate versatile e-skin. The excellent mechanical properties of prepared e-skin arise from the sufficient conductive paths guaranteed by SWCNTs in small and large deformation under various strains. The prepared e-skin exhibits a low detection limit, as small as 0.5% strain, and compatibility between sensitivity and stretchability with a gauge factor (GF) of 964 at a strain of 0-30%, and 2743 at a strain of 30-60%. In physiological signals detection application, the e-skin demonstrates the detection of subtle motions, such as artery pulse and blinking, as well as large body motions, such as knee joint bending, elbow movement, and neck movement. In artificial throat application, the e-skin integrates sound recognition and sound emitting and shows clear and distinct responses between different throat muscle movements and different words for sound signal acquisition and recognition, in conjunction with superior sound emission performance with a sound spectrum response of 71 dB (f = 12.5 kHz). Overall, the presented comprehensive study of novel materials, structures, properties, and mechanisms offers promising potential in physiological signals detection and artificial throat applications.

Flexible Pressure Sensors Based on Molybdenum Disulfide/Hydroxyethyl Cellulose/Polyurethane Sponge for Motion Detection and Speech Recognition Using Machine Learning

Flexible pressure sensors with excellent performance have broad application potential in wearable devices, motion monitoring, and human-computer interaction. In this paper, a flexible pressure sensor with a porous structure is proposed by coating molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) on a polyurethane (PU) sponge skeleton. The obtained sensor has excellent sensitivity (0.746 kPa-1), a wide detection range (250 kPa), fast response (120 ms), and outstanding repeatability over 2000 cycles. It is proven that the sensor can realize human motion detection and distinguish the touch of varying strength. In addition, a pressure sensing array was fabricated to reflect the pressure distribution and recognize the writing of Arabic numerals. Finally, the sensor performs speech detection through throat muscle movements, and high-accuracy (97.14%) speech recognition for seven words was achieved by a machine learning algorithm based on the support vector machine (SVM). This work provides an opportunity to fabricate simple flexible pressure sensors with potential applications in next-generation electronic skin, health detection, and intelligent robotics.

Flexible MXene/Bacterial Cellulose Film Sound Detector Based on Piezoresistive Sensing Mechanism.

Flexible pressure sensors have aroused extensive attention in health monitoring, human-computer interaction, soft robotics, and more, as a staple member of wearable electronics. However, a majority of traditional research focuses solely on foundational mechanical sensing tests and ordinary human-motion monitoring, ignoring its other applications in daily life. In this work, a paper-based pressure sensor is prepared by using MXene/bacterial cellulose film with three-dimensional isolation layer structure, and its sensing capability as a wearable sound detector has also been studied. The as-prepared device exhibits great comprehensive mechanical sensing performance as well as accurate detection of human physiological signals. As a sound detector, not only can it recognize different voice signals and sound attributes by monitoring movement of throat muscles, but also it will distinguish a variety of natural sounds through air pressure waves caused by sound transmission (also called sound waves), like the eardrum. Besides, it plays an important role in sound visualization technology because of the ability for capturing and presenting music signals. Moreover, millimeter-scale thickness, lightweight, and degradable raw materials make the sensor convenient and easy to carry, meeting requirements of environmental protection as well.

Clinical trials of Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training for post-stroke dysphagia

To observe the clinical effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training on swallowing function, quality of life and throat surface muscle function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. A total of 124 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 62 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional western medication treatment, respiratory training was applied in the control group, once daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. On the base of the treatment as the control group, Xingnao Kaiqiao needling was applied at Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Fengchi (GB20), Wangu (GB12), Yifeng (SJ17), posterior pharyngeal wall, Shuigou (GV26) and Lianquan (CV23) in the observation group, once daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Kubota water swallowing test (KWST) scale, swallowing function, swallowing-quality of life (SWAL-QOL) scale, maximum amplitude of pharyngeal surface electromyography (sEMG), and complications of dysphagia were observed and recorded. After the treatment, self-comparison showed that the KWST and swallowing function scores were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the SWAL-QOL score and sEMG were notably increased in both groups (P<0.05) in comparison with their own pre-treatment. The KWST and swallowing function scores were obviously lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the SWAL-QOL score and sEMG were evidently higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.16% (59/62), which was higher than 80.65% (50/62) of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of dysphagia complications in the observation group was 24.19% (15/62), which was lower than 50.00% (31/62) of the control group (P<0.01). Xingnao Kaiqiao needling combined with respiratory training in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia can increase the activity of throat muscles, promote the swallowing function, improve the quality of life, and reduce the incidence of dysphagia related complications.

Characteristics of low frequency repetitive nerve stimulation in patients with myasthenia gravis and its correlation with clinical features

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of low frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and analyze the correlation between RNS results and clinical characteristics. Methods: The clinical and electrophysiological data of 107 MG patients who were admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and underwent electromyography (EMG) between September 2015 to September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of low frequency RNS in ocular MG and generalized MG patients were analyzed. Patients were divided into RNS-negative group and RNS-positive group according to the RNS results. The clinical features, serological and thymic CT findings, thymic pathology were collected and compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of low frequency RNS. Results: Generalized MG (73.0%, 46/63) showed a lower positive rate of low frequency RNS compared to ocular MG (34.1%, 15/44) (P<0.001). In generalized MG, the positive rate of low frequency RNS in accessory nerve (68.3%, 43 cases) and facial nerve (52.4%, 33 cases) was higher than that in ulnar nerve (14.3%, 9 cases) (P<0.001). The decrease rate of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in facial nerve (32%±11%) was higher than that in ocular muscle type (22%±7%) in RNS-positive group (P=0.011). Patients with positive facial nerve RNS were more likely to involve the throat muscles than those with negative result [22 cases (52.4%) compared with 17 cases (26.2%), P=0.006]. RNS-positive group showed a significantly higher quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score than that of negative group (P<0.001). In ocular MG, patients with positive RNS showed a later onset (P=0.021), higher acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive rate (P=0.03) and QMG score (P<0.001). Additionally, In generalized MG, patients with positive RNS showed a significantly higher AChR antibody-positive rate (P=0.023) and QMG score (P<0.001). The logistic regression analysis showed that QMG score [OR(95%CI)=1.66(1.36-2.03), P<0.001] and positive AChR antibody [OR(95%CI)=5.45(1.28-23.14), P=0.022] were independently related to abnormal RNS. Conclusions: Low frequency RNS is more sensitive in generalized MG. The stimulation of facial and accessory nerves increases the positive rate of RNS in MG patients. Abnormal results of low frequency RNS tend to be combined with positive AChR antibody and higher QMG score, reflecting the severity of muscle weakness. Therefore, serological examination and early intervention are required for those with abnormal RNS.

Robust physiological signal monitoring by a flexible piezoresistive sensor microstructured with filamentating laser pulses

Flexible pressure sensors are promising for biomedical diagnosis and health monitoring, but most of such sensors meet with problems of one kind or another, such as counterfeit sensitivity, poor durability, expensive fabrication cost and trade-off between sensitivity and sensing range. Herein, a high-performance flexible pressure sensor microstructured with femtosecond filamentating pulses is assembled to realize robust physiological signal monitoring. The sensing mechanism is based on the change of contact resistance between the patterned silver conductive ink thin layer and the laser filament-microstructured polydimethylsiloxane film coated with single-walled carbon nanotubes. The sensor exhibits a maximum sensitivity of 0.266 kPa−1, a broad range of up to 160 kPa and an excellent stability. Benefiting from the aforementioned advantages, the sensor is used with success to detect a variety of human physiological signals, such as real-time artery pulse and throat muscle movement. Moreover, with the assistance of principle component analysis algorithm, it is demonstrated that the sensor can unambiguously distinguish different phonations, making it high potential for application in physiological analysis systems.

Stimuli-Responsive Electrospun Piezoelectric Mats of Ethylene-co-vinyl Acetate-Millable Polyurethane-Nanohydroxyapatite Composites.

Piezoelectric materials have gained interest among materials scientists as body motion sensors and energy harvesters on account of their fast responsiveness and substantial output signals. In this work, piezoelectric polymer mats have been fabricated from ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-millable polyurethane/nanohydroxyapatite (EVA-MPU/nHA) composite systems by employing the electrospinning technique. The ferro-piezoelectric features of the samples were confirmed from the butterfly loops of electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) amplitude signals as well as through the hysteresis curves of the EFM phase recorded with the assistance of dynamic-contact EFM. Piezoelectric responses of the samples to random finger tapping were evaluated after fabricating a simple device prototype connected to an oscilloscope. The efficacy of the mats to generate a voltage in response to activities such as mechanical bending, movement of throat muscles while drinking, movement of elbow joints, air blowing, and so forth has also been investigated. The results suggest the promising possibility of fabricating user-friendly piezoelectric mats out of the EVA-MPU/nHA system for physiological motion-sensing applications.

Obstructive sleep apnea: A comprehensive review

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the patient’s throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep, the initial sign of the OSA is snoring or sometimes it may be asymptomatic in the 1st stage of its clinical course. Although, OSA is related to sleep and respiration, but it’s non-surgical as well as surgical management can also be done in dental practice apart from the medical and surgical management, and lifestyle modification. And so, in this article, we are going to study about the obstructive sleep apnea and its management along with its clinical features, classification, complication and also the role of the dentist in OSA. Keywords: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Panting zebra finches twitter to keep cool

To survive searing heat, desert birds have developed adaptations to stay cool; they sweat, vibrate their throat muscles to flutter air over the moist surface of their throat, or pant like a dog, although panting is the least efficient mechanism for remaining cool. Yet, songbirds, which make up over half of all bird species, are only able to resort to panting to keep their temperatures down, so how have they managed to colonise even the hottest regions on Earth when keeping cool is quite costly for then? One group of researchers from Australia and South Africa had noticed that zebra finches that live in arid Australian deserts also switch to singing when panting to prevent themselves from overheating. In addition, the scientists discovered that parents that twittered while panting when sitting on their eggs gave their young a better start in the hot environment. Anaïs Pessato from Deakin University, Australia, and her colleagues sought to understand whether singing while panting helped the birds cool off more quickly while also saving water in their dry habitat.To solve this mystery, the team recorded when wild zebra finches began silent panting or singing while panting, and how long they continued, across temperatures ranging from 35°C up to 44°C. To investigate how quickly singing while panting had an effect on the birds’ ability to regulate their temperature, the team compared the animals’ water loss, energy use and body temperature during the run up to, and after, normal panting and the same period before and after the birds took up tweeting while panting. In addition, they investigated how the birds coped over longer periods by measuring the proportion of time spent panting, or singing while panting, at 35, 40, 42 and 44°C.As soon as the birds began normal silent panting, the team noticed that they were using more water to cool down, although they were also, unexpectedly, using a lot less energy. However, when the birds began singing while panting, their water loss rates increased even more, going up by 4%. Because vocal panting increases the amount of water being evaporated, it allows the birds to cool faster, which allows them to survive at hotter temperatures, albeit at the cost of increased water loss. In fact, the birds that vocally panted for over half of the 14 min experiment had an almost 60% greater chance of enduring the hottest temperature, 44°C. Although water is a scarce resource in the desert, using it to avoid overheating in hot temperatures is worth it for these desert birds.In addition, the team noticed that individuals always began panting silently at around the same body temperature and they also spent the same proportion of time panting silently and vocally. Each bird also tended to switch to singing after an initial period of regular panting that was specific to themselves, suggesting that zebra finches may be able to adjust when they implement this alternative form of panting in order to combat the rising temperatures they will likely encounter as a consequence of climate change.Pessato and her team have found that singing while panting helps songbirds keep cool in the Australian desert, which allows them to survive sizzling temperatures up to 44°C. However, melodic panting comes at a cost: the birds have to consume more water, which is an expensive commodity for desert species. This newly discovered adaptation to cope with hot temperatures, and how it is different in birds within a population, will help us to understand how species may survive as climate change continues.

Fechamento de fissura palatina com prótese total adaptada – relato de caso

In order for us to understand the objectives of treatment with a palate prosthesis, it is necessary, initially, to understand the speech production mechanism, as well as the suction mechanism performed during feeding. The palate prosthesis consists of a removable device that has a fixed extension towards the pharynx and bulb, whose function is to act on the dynamics and functionality together with the pharynx musculature, so that there is control of the oronasal air flow, being the most common the removable type, which can be total, when the patient has no teeth, or partial, when the patient has some teeth, which can be used as anchorage. Its preparation is made from a combination of acrylic resin with the appropriate steps for making a prosthesis. MDGAF patient, 67 years old, female, attended to the clinic of the Brazilian Postgraduate Institute IBPG, reporting functional and aesthetic dissatisfaction of her prosthesis, as she had teeth with wear, pigmentation throughout the prosthesis, speech difficulties, and swallowing. On clinical examination, it was found that it was not just a conventional full denture, but a conventional full denture adapted for patients with cleft palates. In the anamnesis, the patient reported that she was diagnosed in 2003 with poor basilar formation, and the main symptom was severe headaches. She sought a neurologist for such diagnosis, where three attempts were made to close the communication that were unsuccessful.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Dynamics in MCU Knockout C. elegans Worms.

Mitochondrial [Ca2+] plays an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial function, controlling ATP production and apoptosis triggered by mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. This regulation depends on Ca2+ entry into the mitochondria during cell activation processes, which is thought to occur through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU). Here, we have studied the mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics in control and MCU-defective C. elegans worms in vivo, by using worms expressing mitochondrially-targeted YC3.60 yellow cameleon in pharynx muscle. Our data show that the small mitochondrial Ca2+ oscillations that occur during normal physiological activity of the pharynx were very similar in both control and MCU-defective worms, except for some kinetic differences that could mostly be explained by changes in neuronal stimulation of the pharynx. However, direct pharynx muscle stimulation with carbachol triggered a large and prolonged increase in mitochondrial [Ca2+] that was much larger in control worms than in MCU-defective worms. This suggests that MCU is necessary for the fast mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake induced by large cell stimulations. However, low-amplitude mitochondrial Ca2+ oscillations occurring under more physiological conditions are independent of the MCU and use a different Ca2+ pathway.