The effect of sarcopenia on postoperative complications in autologous breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Sarcopenia refers to a loss of muscle mass combined with an associated loss of muscle function and has been demonstrated to predict post operative complications across a range of surgical procedures. The effect of sarcopenia on patient outcomes following autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) remains unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of sarcopenia on complications following ABR.

Nuance in the Narrative of a Brown Poison Frog: Environmental Alkaloids and Specialized Foraging in a Presumed Toxin-Free and Diet-Generalized Species.

In poison frogs (Dendrobatidae), conspicuous colors have evolved repeatedly in tandem with high numbers and quantities of skin toxins (alkaloids). Here, we focus on an inconspicuously-colored species-Silverstoneia flotator-which has long been deemed toxin-free and thought to forage opportunistically on mites and ants. Both assumptions have received some empirical support, but there is also evidence that predators avoid S.

Retrospective analysis of radiological investigation of surgically excised head and neck lipomas.

Purpose: Differentiating benign lipomas from malignant causes is challenging and preoperative investigative guidelines are not well-defined. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively identify cases of head and neck lipomas that were surgically resected over a 5-year period and to identify the radiological modality chosen and features discussed in the final report. Multidisciplinary outcomes and pathology reports were examined with a view to identifying high risk features of a lipoma to aid in future risk stratification.

White phosphorous civilian hand burns - An aid to timely treatment of a rare entity.

First discovered in 1669, white phosphorus is well known for its use in military warfare (Davis, 2002). Its application has since been expanded to include industrial disinfectants, fertilisers and fireworks (Davis, 2002). Exposure to white phosphorus can lead to severe chemical burns with high morbidity and potentially fatal systemic effects.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography: A critical intra-operative assessment tool to aid decision making in complex hand trauma.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) is a validated non-invasive imaging tool used to assess tissue perfusion and guide intra-operative decision making in many surgical disciplines. Clinical assessment of tissue perfusion following crush or degloving traumatic hand injuries presents a significant challenge. This case report supports the critical role of intra-operative ICG-FA as a decision aid in complex hand trauma.

Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of butterflies across a large geographic range.

In many animals, mate choice is important for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between species. Traits important for mate choice and behavioral isolation are predicted to be under strong stabilizing selection within species; however, such traits can also exhibit variation at the population level driven by neutral and adaptive evolutionary processes. Here, we describe patterns of divergence among androconial and genital chemical profiles at inter- and intraspecific levels in mimetic butterflies.

Using a portable hydrogen cyanide gas meter to uncover a dynamic phytochemical landscape.

Premise: Over 3000 species of plants and animals release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas when their tissues are crushed. To investigate the role of cyanogenesis in -herbivore interactions, we developed an inexpensive, rapid, sensitive method for measuring HCN emissions from crushed tissues.

Methods: The method includes crushed tissue confinement in a closed chamber, where cyanogenesis reactions occur, followed by evacuation of gas to a portable HCN meter.

Interplay between Developmental Flexibility and Determinism in the Evolution of Mimetic Heliconius Wing Patterns.

To what extent can we predict how evolution occurs? Do genetic architectures and developmental processes canalize the evolution of similar outcomes in a predictable manner? Or do historical contingencies impose alternative pathways to answer the same challenge? Examples of Müllerian mimicry between distantly related butterfly species provide natural replicates of evolution, allowing us to test whether identical wing patterns followed parallel or novel trajectories. Here, we explore the role that the signaling ligand WntA plays in generating mimetic wing patterns in Heliconius butterflies, a group with extraordinary mimicry-related wing pattern diversity. The radiation is relatively young, and numerous cases of wing pattern mimicry have evolved within the last 2.

Variation in Host Plant Usage and Diet Breadth Predict Sibling Preference and Performance in the Neotropical Tortoise Beetle Chelymorpha alternans (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae).

Specialized interactions between insects and the plants that they consume are one of the most ubiquitous and consequential ecological associations on the plant. Decades of investigation suggest that a narrow diet favors an individual phytophagous insect's performance relative to a dietary generalist. However, this body of research has tended to approach questions of diet breadth and host usage from the perspective of temperate plant-insect associations.

Male sex pheromone components in butterflies released by the androconia affect female choice.

Sex-specific pheromones are known to play an important role in butterfly courtship, and may influence both individual reproductive success and reproductive isolation between species. Extensive ecological, behavioural and genetic studies of butterflies have made a substantial contribution to our understanding of speciation. Male pheromones, although long suspected to play an important role, have received relatively little attention in this genus.

Aesthetic surgery training in a changing healthcare environment.

Aesthetic surgery is a rapidly evolving sub-speciality, both technologically and conceptually. It is therefore critical that plastic surgery training coincides with this rapid evolution. Recent fiscal limitations in public health provision and trainee working-time legislation may impact the delivery of high quality aesthetic surgery training.

The Aesthetic Surgery Literature: Do Plastic Surgeons Remain at the Cutting Edge?

Background: The aesthetic surgery arena has become a competitive marketplace. Recognition as an authority in aesthetic surgery remains a powerful marketing tool for plastic surgeons, but have significant inroads been made by other specialties? The aims of this study were to analyze publication trends relating to the top five most commonly performed aesthetic surgical procedures, and to assess the origins (i.e.

Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community and population structure for specialist caterpillars.

Chemically mediated plant-herbivore interactions contribute to the diversity of terrestrial communities and the diversification of plants and insects. While our understanding of the processes affecting community structure and evolutionary diversification has grown, few studies have investigated how trait variation shapes genetic and species diversity simultaneously in a tropical ecosystem. We investigated secondary metabolite variation among subpopulations of a single plant species, Piper kelleyi (Piperaceae), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to understand associations between plant phytochemistry and host-specialized caterpillars in the genus Eois (Geometridae: Larentiinae) and associated parasitoid wasps and flies.

Metazoans of redoxcline sediments in Mediterranean deep-sea hypersaline anoxic basins.

Background: The deep-sea hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) of the Mediterranean (water depth ~3500 m) are some of the most extreme oceanic habitats known. Brines of DHABs are nearly saturated with salt, leading many to suspect they are uninhabitable for eukaryotes. While diverse bacterial and protistan communities are reported from some DHAB haloclines and brines, loriciferans are the only metazoan reported to inhabit the anoxic DHAB brines.

Scar Wars: Preferences in Breast Surgery.

Background: The uptake of breast reconstruction is ever increasing with procedures ranging from implant-based reconstructions to complex free tissue transfer. Little emphasis is placed on scarring when counseling patients yet they remain a significant source of morbidity and litigation. The aim of this study was to examine the scarring preferences of men and women in breast oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery.

Benthic protists and fungi of Mediterranean deep hypsersaline anoxic basin redoxcline sediments.

Some of the most extreme marine habitats known are the Mediterranean deep hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs; water depth ∼3500 m). Brines of DHABs are nearly saturated with salt, leading many to suspect they are uninhabitable for eukaryotes. While diverse bacterial and protistan communities are reported from some DHAB water-column haloclines and brines, the existence and activity of benthic DHAB protists have rarely been explored.

Opportunities to reduce plastic surgery claims through an analysis of complaints data.

Background: Patient expectations and demands placed on the National Health Service have significantly increased over the last decade. The analysis of adverse outcomes and measures to improve practice remain fundamental to clinical governance. We decided to investigate the reasons for plastic surgery patients making complaints and claims of negligence in order to identify trends and potential areas of improvement.

Operating room fires: part II. optimizing safety.

Background: The second part of the authors' study on operating room fires analyzes the construct of the nasal cannula used during facial surgery for patients under conscious sedation with supplemental oxygen. This prospective study compares two common styles of nasal cannulas with a nasopharyngeal system described in their first report.

Methods: Twenty patients underwent upper and/or lower lid blepharoplasty under conscious sedation with one of three methods of supplemental oxygen delivery: a Mac-Safe nasal cannula (Unomedical, Inc.

A survey of cosmetic surgery training in plastic surgery programs in the United States.

Background: Aesthetic surgery is evolving rapidly, both technologically and conceptually. It is critical for the specialty that aesthetic surgery training keep pace with this rapid evolution. To shed more light on this issue, a survey was sent to all program directors and senior plastic surgery residents to record their impressions of the quality of cosmetic surgery resident training.

Follow-up: orthognathic surgery. Is there a future? A national survey.

Background: The authors recently documented a significant decrease in orthognathic surgical cases performed by both plastic and oral surgeons in Ohio over a recent 5-year period. The main reason noted was related to third-party reimbursement. This is a potentially serious issue that may affect the quality of health care for patients with dentofacial deformities.