Ultrasonographic assessment of costochondral cartilage for microtia reconstruction

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149363/1/lary27390_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149363/2/lary27390.pd

Biomechanical evaluation of human and porcine Auricular cartilage

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112214/1/lary25040.pd

Diagnosis of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is a syndrome characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food, in subjects that are not affected by either celiac disease or wheat allergy. Given the lack of a NCGS biomarker, there is the need for standardizing the procedure leading to the diagnosis confirmation. In this paper we report experts’ recommendations on how the diagnostic protocol should be performed for the confirmation of NCGS. A full diagnostic procedure should assess the clinical response to the gluten-free diet (GFD) and measure the effect of a gluten challenge after a period of treatment with the GFD. The clinical evaluation is performed using a self-administered instrument incorporating a modified version of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. The patient identifies one to three main symptoms that are quantitatively assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale with a score ranging from 1 to 10. The double-blind placebo-controlled gluten challenge (8 g/day) includes a one-week challenge followed by a one-week washout of strict GFD and by the crossover to the second one-week challenge. The vehicle should contain cooked, homogeneously distributed gluten. At least a variation of 30% of one to three main symptoms between the gluten and the placebo challenge should be detected to discriminate a positive from a negative result. The guidelines provided in this paper will help the clinician to reach a firm and positive diagnosis of NCGS and facilitate the comparisons of different studies, if adopted internationally

Integrated microtia and aural atresia management

ObjectivesTo present recommendations for the coordinated evaluation and management of the hearing and reconstructive needs of patients with microtia and aural atresia.MethodsA national working group of 9 experts on microtia and atresia evaluated a working document on the evaluation and treatment of patients. Treatment options for auricular reconstruction and hearing habilitation were reviewed and integrated into a coordinated care timeline.ResultsRecommendations were created for children with microtia and atresia, including diagnostic considerations, surgical and non-surgical options for hearing management and auricular reconstruction, and the treatment timeline for each option. These recommendations are based on the collective opinion of the group and are intended for otolaryngologists, audiologists, plastic surgeons, anaplastologists, and any provider caring for a patient with microtia and ear canal atresia. Close communication between atresia/hearing reconstruction surgeon and microtia repair surgeon is strongly recommended

Non-hierarchical influence of visual form, touch and position cues on embodiment, agency and presence in virtual reality

The concept of self-representation is commonly decomposed into three component constructs (sense of embodiment, sense of agency, and sense of presence), and each is typically investigated separately across different experimental contexts. For example, embodiment has been explored in bodily illusions; agency has been investigated in hypnosis research; and presence has been primarily studied in the context of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Given that each component involves the integration of multiple cues within and across sensory modalities, they may rely on similar underlying mechanisms. However, the degree to which this may be true remains unclear when they are independently studied. As a first step towards addressing this issue, we manipulated a range of cues relevant to these components of self-representation within a single experimental context. Using consumer-grade Oculus Rift VR technology, and a new implementation of the Virtual Hand Illusion, we systematically manipulated visual form plausibility, visual–tactile synchrony, and visual–proprioceptive spatial offset to explore their influence on self-representation. Our results show that these cues differentially influence embodiment, agency, and presence. We provide evidence that each type of cue can independently and non-hierarchically influence self-representation yet none of these cues strictly constrains or gates the influence of the others. We discuss theoretical implications for understanding self-representation as well as practical implications for VR experiment design, including the suitability of consumer-based VR technology in research settings

Current use of 3D printing in plastic surgery

Since the 1980s, 3D printing has considerably broadened its field of application. Although only recently developed, there are now several techniques that allow the custom design of 3D objects. Plastic surgery, with its wide range of surgical indications, also benefits from the various 3D printing techniques. It brings a precious help to the surgeon, whether it is within the framework of pre-operative planning, of the custom design of cutting tools in maxillofacial surgery, or within a pedagogical framework with the learning of surgical techniques to students or for the provision of more precise information to patients. This work first recalls the different modalities of three-dimensional printing, then describes the main uses of 3D printing in plastic surgery

Non-hierarchical influence of visual form, touch, and position cues on embodiment, agency, and presence in Virtual Reality

The concept of self-representation is commonly decomposed into three component constructs (sense of embodiment, sense of agency, and sense of presence), and each is typically investigated separately across different experimental contexts. For example, embodiment has been explored in bodily illusions; agency has been investigated in hypnosis research; and presence has been primarily studied in the context of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Given that each component involves the integration of multiple cues within and across sensory modalities, they may rely on similar underlying mechanisms. However, the degree to which this may be true remains unclear when they are independently studied. As a first step toward addressing this issue, we manipulated a range of cues relevant to these components of self-representation within a single experimental context. Using consumer-grade Oculus Rift VR technology, and a new implementation of the Virtual Hand Illusion, we systematically manipulated visual form plausibility, visual–tactile synchrony, and visual–proprioceptive spatial offset to explore their influence on self-representation. Our results show that these cues differentially influence embodiment, agency, and presence. We provide evidence that each type of cue can independently and non-hierarchically influence self-representation yet none of these cues strictly constrains or gates the influence of the others. We discuss theoretical implications for understanding self-representation as well as practical implications for VR experiment design, including the suitability of consumer-based VR technology in research settings.14 page(s

Interaction of filipin and derivatives with erythrocyte membranes and lipid dispersions: Electron microscopic observations

The effect of the polyene antibiotic, filipin, on the morphology of erythrocyte membranes and lipid dispersions has been investigated with the electron microscope using negative staining (phosphotungstate). Filipin induces pit formation in rat and human erythrocytes; similar pits are also produced by the antibiotic in lecithin cholesterol dispersions. Pit formation requires the presence of cholesterol. Evidence is presented which suggests that the light ring surrounding each pit may consist predominately, if not exclusively, of sterol which had interacted with the antibiotic. Pits are not produced in lecithin-cholesterol dispersions by derivatives of the antibiotic which have little (perhydrofilipin) or no (irradiated filipin) hemolytic activity. Thus, the characteristic lamellar pattern of the dispersions is retained in the presence of the irradiated derivative, whereas perhydrofilipin has an effect which is apparently similar to that produced by lysolecithin. The pits produced by filipin resemble those produced in human erythrocyte membranes by immune lysis in the presence of complement but are quite different from those produced by saponin. The relevance of these observations to current concepts regarding the mode of filipin action is discussed. It is suggested that filipin may interfere with the ability of cholesterol to stabilize the bilayer configuration of phospholipids. Experiments which suggest that the sterol can function as a stabilizer are described