Avian cranial kinesis is the result of increased encephalization during the origin of birds.

The origin of birds represents a pivotal transition in vertebrate evolution, marked by significant changes in both brain size and feeding biomechanics. The evolution of the avian skull involved dramatic modifications, such as a segmented palate and the development of powered cranial kinesis in neognath birds. Powered kinesis, the ability to move parts of the skull independently, is considered a key innovation behind the dietary diversity and evolutionary success of birds.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference.

In 2017, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) published a Clinical Practice Guideline Update for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). Since then, new lines of evidence have been published related to evaluating disordered mineral metabolism and bone quality and turnover, identifying and inhibiting vascular calcification, targeting vitamin D levels, and regulating parathyroid hormone. For an in-depth consideration of the new insights, in October 2023, KDIGO held a Controversies Conference on CKD-MBD: Progress and Knowledge Gaps Toward Personalizing Care.

Clinical Practice Guideline: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis.

Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease that affects approximately 6 million people in Germany alone. Osteoporotic fractures impair the quality of life and may make independent living impossible. Recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis are indispensable for the effective care of this large group of patients.

Association of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists use with fracture risk in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis (OP) and fractures.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the available evidence on the effect of GLP-1 RAs on fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A systematic search based on PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases was performed to collect relevant literature published until May 2024 on the application of GLP-1 RAs in T2DM patients.

Chimpanzee gestural exchanges share temporal structure with human language.

Humans regularly engage in efficient communicative conversations, which serve to socially align individuals. In conversations, we take fast-paced turns using a human-universal structure of deploying and receiving signals which shows consistent timing across cultures. We report here that chimpanzees also engage in rapid signal-to-signal turn-taking during face-to-face gestural exchanges with a similar average latency between turns to that of human conversation.

Impact of dioxins on reproductive health in female mammals.

Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the toxicological impact of dioxins on mammals, revealing profound effects on the female reproductive system in both humans and animals. Dioxin exposure significantly disrupts the intricate functions of the ovary, a pivotal organ responsible for reproductive and endocrine processes. This disruption manifests as infertility, premature ovarian failure, and disturbances in sex steroid hormone levels.

Can a kiss conquer all? The predictive utility of idealized first kiss beliefs on reports of romantic love among U.S. adults.

Research indicates that idealized romantic expectations and the extent to which they are met, are important predictors of relationship outcomes (e.g., love).

Nut Consumption and Fertility: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The high concentration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols found in nuts suggest their regular consumption may be a simple strategy for improving reproductive health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to present up-to-date evidence regarding the association between nut intake and fertility outcomes in males and females. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched from inception to 30 June 2023.

All Roads Lead to the Gut: The Importance of the Microbiota and Diet in Migraine.

Migraine, a prevalent neurological condition and the third most common disease globally, places a significant economic burden on society. Despite extensive research efforts, the precise underlying mechanism of the disease remains incompletely comprehended. Nevertheless, it is established that the activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system are crucial during migraine attacks, and specific substances have been recognized for their distinct involvement in the pathomechanism of migraine.

Migraine as a Disease Associated with Dysbiosis and Possible Therapy with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation.

Migraine is a painful neurological condition characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. It may be linked to changes in the gut microbiota, which are influenced by antibiotic use and other factors. Dysbiosis, which develops and persists as a result of earlier antibiotic therapy, changes the composition of the intestinal flora, and can lead to the development of various diseases such as metabolic disorders, obesity, hematological malignancies, neurological or behavioral disorders, and migraine.

Impact of withholding early antibiotic therapy in nonseptic surgical patients with suspected nosocomial infection: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Systemic inflammatory responses mimicking infectious complications are often present in surgical patients.

Methods: The objective was to assess the association between withholding early antimicrobial therapy while investigating alternative diagnoses and worse outcomes in nonseptic patients with suspected nosocomial infection in a retrospective cohort of critically ill surgical patients. The initiation of antibiotic therapy within 24 h of the suspicion of infection was defined as the Early Empirical Antibiotic strategy (EEA) group and the initiation after 24 h of suspicion or not prescribed was defined as the Conservative Antibiotic strategy (CA) group.

Review of curriculum-based measurement in mathematics: An update and extension of the literature.

The purpose of this literature review on curriculum-based measurement in mathematics (CBM-M) was to update and extend the Foegen et al. (2007) progress monitoring in mathematics review. We included 99 studies focused on at least one of the three stages of CBM research (i.

Deep breathing exercise at work: Potential applications and impact.

Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and daily deep breathing exercise (DBE) is a promising intervention to reduce blood pressure and stress in adults. DBE is simple, time-efficient, and does not require specialized equipment, allowing participation in a wide variety of settings. The workplace is an ideal setting to implement DBE at the national level for several reasons, including a large proportion of waking hours spent in the workplace, high levels of sedentary time at work, prevalence of work-related stress, and regular breaks throughout the day potentially reducing worker error.

Is a symmetrical face really attractive?

Facial symmetry plays an important role in facial attractiveness and is one of the major criteria used to determine attractiveness in humans. In craniomaxillofacial surgery, facial symmetry is one of the main considerations. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric measurements quantitatively and investigate the relationship between facial symmetry and attractiveness in a local Malay population.

"There's definitely something wrong but we just don't know what it is": A qualitative study exploring rowers' understanding of low back pain.

Objectives: Low back pain is highly prevalent in rowing and can be associated with significant disability and premature retirement. A previous qualitative study in rowers revealed a culture of concealment of pain and injury due to fear of judgement by coaches or teammates. The aim of this study was to explore rowers' perspectives in relation to diagnosis, contributory factors, and management of low back pain.

Toileting behaviors, urinary cues, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence in older women.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) are prevalent in older women. We investigated relations of toileting behaviors and urinary urge cues to OAB and UI in women ≥ 65 years. We tested mediation hypotheses that toileting behaviors lead to higher sensitivity to urinary urge cues (the mediator), which leads to both OAB and UI.

Gut microbiota and migraine.

Migraine is a leading cause of disability among the adult population and is a significant burden on the economies of the world. Studies into the underlying causes of migraine have spanned centuries but its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In recent years, accumulating evidence implicates that microbiota-mediated gut-brain crosstalk may contribute to the pathogenesis of migraine.

The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: a multinational randomized trial.

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization in patients with chronic heart failure, but whether empagliflozin also improves clinical outcomes when initiated in patients who are hospitalized for acute heart failure is unknown. In this double-blind trial (EMPULSE; NCT04157751 ), 530 patients with a primary diagnosis of acute de novo or decompensated chronic heart failure regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction were randomly assigned to receive empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo. Patients were randomized in-hospital when clinically stable (median time from hospital admission to randomization, 3 days) and were treated for up to 90 days.

Social isolation, social support and loneliness as predictors of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality.

Background: Poor social health is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research suggests that different social health domains should be considered separately as the implications for health and possible interventions may differ.

Aim: To assess social isolation, low social support and loneliness as predictors of CVD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a systemic disorder: Pathways to cardiovascular disease.

Evidence indicates that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most explanations for PTSD-CVD associations conceptualize PTSD as a stress-related mental health disorder that elicits physiological, behavioral, and psychological responses that are causal factors in the development of cardiovascular disorders. This article reviews evidence for the broader physical health consequences of PTSD, and presents a conceptual model based on research suggesting that PTSD is a systemic disorder.

Effect of hyponatremia normalization on osteoblast function in patients with SIAD.

Objective: Hyponatremia is associated with an increased risk of bone fragility and fractures. Many studies suggest that hyponatremia stimulates osteoclast activation, whereas other studies rather reveal a possible role of acute hyponatremia in impairing osteoblast function. We aimed to assess whether and how correction of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) has an impact on bone metabolism.

Physically distant, virtually close: Adolescents' sexting behaviors during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study contextualizes Belgian adolescents' (12-18 years old) sexting behaviors between romantic and non-romantic partners during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey among 543 Belgian respondents (  = 15.29, 68% girls) showed that 40.

Evidence that ageing yields improvements as well as declines across attention and executive functions.

Many but not all cognitive abilities decline during ageing. Some even improve due to lifelong experience. The critical capacities of attention and executive functions have been widely posited to decline.

Effect of adding hydrochlorothiazide to usual treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure: a randomized clinical trial.

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in patients aged 65 years or older, and most of them present with congestion. The use of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) may increase the response to loop diuretics. To evaluate the effect of adding HCTZ to furosemide on congestion and symptoms in patients with ADHF.