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Background The masseter nerve is a useful donor nerve for reconstruction in patients with established facial palsy, with numerous advantages including low morbidity, a strong motor impulse, high reliability, and fast reinnervation. In this study, we assessed the results of masseter nerve–innervated free gracilis muscle transfer in established facial palsy patients. Methods Ten patients with facial palsy who received treatment from January 2015 to January 2017 were enrolled in this study. Three patients received masseter nerve–only free gracilis transfer, and seven received double-innervated free gracilis transfer (masseter nerve and a cross-face nerve graft). Patients were evaluated using the Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation software (FACEgram) to quantify oral commissure excursion and symmetry at rest and when smiling after muscle transfer. Results The mean time between surgery and initial movement was roughly 167.7 days. A statistically significant increase in excursion at rest and when smiling was seen after muscle transfer. There was a significant increase in the distance of oral commissure excursion at rest and when smiling. A statistically significant increase was observed in symmetry when smiling. Terzis’ functional and aesthetic grading scores showed significant improvements postoperatively. Conclusions Masseter nerve innervation is a good option with many uses in in established facial palsy patients. For some conditions, it is the first-line treatment. Free gracilis muscle transfer using the masseter nerve has excellent results with good symmetry and an effective degree of recovery.

This study was conducted to determine the stress response [ethological (operculum movement number (OMN)), hematological (hematocrit and hemoglobin), biochemical (glucose, cortisol and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT))] in red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara during exposure of different water temperature in winter season. This species (Total length, 18.56±0.34 cm) previously maintained in water temperature of 15°C were transferred to 15, 20 and 25°C. During experimental period (7 days), OMN, hematocrit (Ht), glucose and GOT values were significantly high in 15°C when compared to 20 and 25°C. Hemoglobin value was also increased at 15°C, but no significant differences. There was no differences in cortisol levels among the temperature groups. No fish mortality was observed during the experimental period. From these results, 15°C is likely more stressful to red spotted grouper than 20°C and 25°C. These observations confirm that red spotted grouper adapts better to temperatures between 20 and 25°C during the winter season.

Changes of sex steroid hormones in the plasma of yellowfin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus were investigated in relation to the gonadosomatic index (GSI), the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadal development. The GSI in females rose rapidly in November and remained high from December to May . The Male`s GSI also increased gradually from November and was highest in May . The HSI in both sexes was in reverse correlation with the GSI, and the HSI was low during the spawning season (February-May). In females, the level increased during vitellogenesis (November and December) and reached its maximum at the maturing period, in January. -dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one gradually increased from October to March and increased rapidly in May. The level of testosterone (T) showed a similar tendency of . In males, T increased gradually during spermatogenesis from September to December and peaked in January when the spermatozoa filled the testis. 11-KT also rose markedly in January and then decreased. On the other hand, in males did not show any clear tendencies.

In this paper, we propose a mobile telemedicine system that acquires more easily and analyzes individual`s bio-signal using PDA. It is not easy for modern people who live busily, disabled patients, or old people to visit hospital. The major goal of this study is to implement the mobile telemedicine systems that the captured bio-signal from remote hospital or other medical treatment device is transmitted via Bluetooth module in ubiquitous environment, PDA with built-in Bluetooth module receives its data and displays on the screen in various form. By implemented systems, it is possible to compare current bio-signal with historical bio-signal and analyze bio-signal, and it is able to make a self diagnosis and it is available to be examined and treated remote diagnosis by sending stored bio-signal to a medical doctor.

The in vitro effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on ovarian steroidogenesis of the longchin goby (Chasmichthys dolichognathus) was investigated. Oocytes taken during the maturing phase (vitellogenic, fully vitellogenic or germinal vesicle breakdown stage) were incubated with BPA (100 ng/mL) in the presence of exogenous precursor Steroids were extracted from the media and the isolated oocytes, and the extracts were separated and identified by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The identities of the major metabolites were progestogens androgens [androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T)] and estrogens [estrone BPA treatment inhibited production of estrogens in all the maturing phases and progestogens in the germinal vesicle migrating stage. Percentage yield of estrogens was decreased with increased yield of androgens. In conclusion, BPA had an inhibitory effect on the conversion of to estrogens and progestogens. These results demonstrate that BPA can act either estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects.

Plasma steroid hormone levels in the viviparous rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) were examined in relation to gonadal histology under controlled photoperiods and water temperatures. To investigate those effects in S. schlegeli the photoperiod was maintained at 15L:9D in June and then it was gradually decreased to 9L: 15D in October. It was then gradually increased to 12L:12D in January, followed by 14L:I0D in February. The water temperature was in July. From August to October, it was from . Then, it was dropped to a low of in November to December and then gradually increased to in February. In females, both plasma (E2) and testosterone (T) levels from August to February showed a similar pattern in both the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, the peaks of plasma E2 and T were observed in November, and the peaks were closely correlated to histological observations. Oocytes contained many yolk globules (final vitellogenic oocytes), and oocytes at the migratory nucleus stage increased in size. Plasma levels of progesterone did not change much throughout the experimental period. However, in the control group, the peaks of E2, T, and progesterone were observed in February. These results indicate that the controlled photoperiod and water temperature accelerated sexual maturity, corresponding to the advancement of plasma E2 and T peaks by approximately 3 months. In males, plasma T levels showed a similar pattern from August to October in the treatment and control groups, though levels in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group. From histological observations, the treatment group copulated one month earlier.

In this study, we examined the potential estrogenic activity of nonylphenol (NP) on oocyte development of a marine fish, Hexagrammos otakii, using steroid hormone assays. Vitellogenic (0.80-82, 0.92-96 and 1.08-12 mm diameter) and fully matured (1.90-95 mm diameter) oocytes were in vitro exposed to NP at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) with or without 50IU human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). NP increased the estradiol-17β (E2)/testosterone (T) ratio at 0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml in the oocytes of 0.80-82 and 0.92-96 mm. In the oocytes of 1.08-12 mm, which were fully vitellogenic stage, NP increased E2/T ratio only at 100 ng/ml. In the oocytes of 1.90-95 mm, NP increased E2/17α,20β- dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α20βP) ratio at all concentrations tested without HCG and decreased E2/17α20βP ratio in the presence of HCG but not in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that NP exhibits estrogenic activity through ovarian development of H. otakii.

http://archive.org/details/aggragationofmea1094518587 NA NA