Physiologic and pathogenic changes in amine release induce dramatic behavioral changes, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these adaptive processes, we have characterized mutations in the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (dVMAT), which is required for the vesicular storage of dopamine, serotonin, and octopamine. dVMAT mutant larvae show reduced locomotion and decreased electrical activity in motoneurons innervating the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) implicating central amines in the regulation of these activities. A parallel increase in evoked glutamate release by the motoneuron is consistent with a homeostatic adaptation at the NMJ. Despite the importance of aminergic signaling for regulating locomotion and other behaviors, adult dVMAT homozygous null mutants survive under conditions of low population density, thus allowing a phenotypic characterization of adult behavior. Homozygous mutant females are sterile and show defects in both egg retention and development; males also show reduced fertility. Homozygotes show an increased attraction to light but are mildly impaired in geotaxis and escape behaviors. In contrast, heterozygous mutants show an exaggerated escape response. Both hetero-and homozygous mutants demonstrate an altered behavioral response to cocaine. dVMAT mutants define potentially adaptive responses to reduced or eliminated aminergic signaling and will be useful to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.A MINERGIC signaling pathways regulate a variety of complex behaviors in both the fly and mammals. In Drosophila melanogaster, dopamine is thought to regulate arousal (van Swinderen et al.

Objective We employ a nasal tip finite element model (FEM) to evaluate contributions of two of the three major tip support mechanism: attachments between the upper and lower lateral cartilages and the attachment of the medial crura to the caudal septum. Study Design The nasal tip FEM computed stress distribution and strain energy density (SED) during nasal tip compression. We examined the impact of attachments between the upper and lower lateral cartilages and the attachment of the medial crura to the caudal septum on nasal tip support. Methods The FEM consisted of three tissue components: bone, cartilage, and skin. Four models were created: A) Control model with attachments present at the scroll and caudal septum; B) Simulated disruption of scroll; C) Simulated disruption of medial crura attachments to caudal septum; D) Simulated disruption of scroll and medial crura attachments to caudal septum. Spatial distribution of stress and SED were calculated. Results The keystone, intermediate crura, caudal septum and nasal spine demonstrated high concentration of stress distribution. Across all models, there was no difference in stress distribution. Disruption of the scroll resulted in 1% decrease in SED. Disruption of the medial crura attachments to the caudal septum resulted in 4.2% reduction in SED. Disruption of both scroll and medial crural attachments resulting in 9.1% reduction in SED. Conclusion The nasal tip FEM is an evolving tool to study structural nasal tip dynamics and demonstrates the loss of nasal tip support with disruption of attachments at the scroll and nasal base.

Voice prosthesis sizing was better in patients who had office-based TEP than in patients who had operating room-based TEP. This outcome is likely due to the lesser degree of swelling of the tracheoesophageal party wall in the office-based procedure.

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Management of craniofacial and cranial base tumors is a challenge due to the anatomic intricacies associated with the calvarium, the pathological diversity of lesions that present, and the potential complications. Clinical outcomes in laparoscopically harvested omentum free flaps for cranial base and craniofacial reconstruction are presented in this paper, in the largest case series to date. A retrospective single-center experience for over 10 years with laparoscopically harvested omentum flaps used to reconstruct craniofacial and cranial base defects. A total of 13 patients underwent craniofacial or cranial base reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omentum free flaps. The mean patient age was 48 years. The anterior skull base represented the most common site of reconstruction. A total of 12 of the flaps survived (92%), with one flap failure due to infection. All patients demonstrated satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes. There were no perioperative or intra-abdominal complications. The laparoscopically harvested omentum free flap is a safe and effective tool in the armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon. It is the ideal option to treat complex, three-dimensional subcutaneous defects, such as those encountered in craniofacial and cranial base reconstruction. Its unique angiogenic and immunologic capacity makes it an excellent flap for the previously irradiated and/or infected wound bed.