VATER syndrome is a non-random association of birth defects affecting multiple organ systems, with orofacial clefts uncommonly reported. This study presents a unique case of a patient with VATER syndrome with a bilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent the rare surgical removal of the premaxilla during cleft lip repair, resulting in a large maxillary defect and oronasal fistula. This report highlights the successful use of non-vascularized bone graft in this setting, with 13-month follow-up...

Several studies have examined the association between resistance training (RT)-induced muscle hypertrophy and androgen signaling in men. However, only one recent study has reported that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein content positively associates with myofiber hypertrophy following RT. Thus, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of RT on skeletal muscle ERα markers in women and men, and whether these outcomes predicted hypertrophic responses. Given the role of ERα in satellite...

Retinol dehydrogenases (RDHs) catalyze multiple steps in the visual cycle to regenerate 11-cis-retinal, a critical component in rod phototransduction. The structural homology between RDHs enables functional redundancy; yet Mendelian disorders are linked to RDHs. Variants in RDH12 and RDH5 cause non-syndromic inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD), whilst variants in RDH11 cause syndromic IRD. RDH11 is a minor isoenzyme catalyzing two reactions: (i) reduction of all-trans-retinal in rod photoreceptors...

As staged palliative surgery for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome ages to greater than 50 years in practice, providers are increasingly faced with the challenges of managing patients with "failed Fontan" physiology. In this brief case report, we discuss different ways paediatric palliative care can support this population.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) occur in aquatic environments and accumulate in fish. MNPs can also adsorb other contaminants present in aquatic environments, and there is limited information on exposure scenarios involving MNP and pesticide mixtures. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and chemical oxidation of MNPs can affect the sorption properties of MNPs and chemicals, thus altering the exposure and effects on fish. Our study investigated the toxicity and bioaccumulation of a lindane and...