Cryopreservation of sperm from the gudgeon, Microphysogobio rapidus (Cyprinidae): Effects of cryoprotectant, diluents, and dilution ratio.

We investigated methods for cryopreserving sperm from the endangered gudgeon, Microphysogobio rapidus, by examining the effects of cryoprotective agent (CPA) concentration, diluent, and dilution ratio on post-thaw sperm quality. The quality of frozen sperm was evaluated in terms of motility and kinematic parameters, viability, DNA damage, and fertilization rate. We evaluated methanol, glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and ethylene glycol as CPAs. Sperm motility, velocity, and viability were significantly higher when methanol was used as the CPA (p < 0.05). The diluents tested were Ringer's solution, Kurokura's Extender, Common Carp Sperm Extender (CCSE), and buffered sperm motility-inhibiting saline solution (BSMIS); post-thaw motility was highest when Ringer's solution was used as the diluent. Next, various quantities of methanol were combined with Ringer's solution to identify the optimal dose of methanol. The dilution ratios tested ranged from 1:1 to 1:7. Cryopreserved sperm was thawed at 20 °C for 15 s. The use of 10% methanol with Ringer's solution at a dilution ratio of 1:5 resulted in the highest post-thaw sperm motility, viability, and velocity including VAP, VCL, and VSL. Post-thaw sperm showed significantly greater DNA damage than the control (fresh sperm) (p < 0.05). The fertilization rate was highest with fresh sperm (p < 0.05), followed by sperm frozen with 10% methanol + Ringer's solution. We recommend that the best way to preserve sperm in the studied species is to use a combination of Ringer's solution and 10% methanol at a 1:5 dilution ratio. Our findings will facilitate the artificial fertilization of M. rapidus.

Correlation between muscle electrophysiology and strength after fibular nerve injury.

Muscle strength measurement is important when evaluating the degree of impairment in patients with nerve injury. However, accurate and objective evaluation may be difficult in patients with severe pain or those who intentionally try to avoid full exertion. We investigated the usefulness of the affected-to-unaffected side electrophysiological parameter ratios as a measure of objective ankle dorsiflexion (ADF) strength in patients with unilateral fibular nerve injury (FNI). ADF strength was measured in patients with FNI via handheld dynamometer and manual muscle test (MMT). Fibular nerve compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and latency and ADF strength of the affected side were presented as ratios to the corresponding measurements of the unaffected side. We analysed the correlation of the CMAP ratio with the ADF strength ratio using a dynamometer and compared the CMAP ratios according to MMT grade. Fifty-two patients with FNI were enrolled. The mean CMAP latency ratio did not differ between MMT groups (p = 0.573). The CMAP amplitude ratio proportionally increased with the quantified ADF strength ratio via dynamometer increase (ρ = 0.790; p < 0.001), but the CMAP latency ratio and the quantified ADF strength ratio did not significantly correlate (ρ = 0.052; p = 0.713). The average CMAP amplitude ratio significantly differed between MMT groups (p < 0.001), and post hoc tests showed significant differences in all paired comparisons except of Fair and Good grades (p = 0.064). Electrophysiological parameter ratio, such as the affected-to-unaffected side CMAP amplitude ratio, might be sensitive parameters for ADF power estimation after FNI.

A Wide Spectrum of Axial Mesodermal Dysplasia Complex With Rhombencephalic Anomaly: A Case Report.

Axial mesodermal dysplasia complex (AMDC) arises in variable combinations of craniocaudal anomalies such as musculoskeletal deformities, neuroschisis, or rhombencephalic developmental disorders. To the best of our knowledge, the co-existence of AMDC with associated musculoskeletal anomalies, medullary neuroschisis with mirror movements, and cranial nerve anomalies has not yet been reported. Here, we report the case of a 4-year-old boy whose clinical features were suggestive of Goldenhar syndrome and Poland syndrome with Sprengel deformity. Moreover, he showed mirror movements in his hands suspected of rhombencephalic malformation, and infranuclear-type facial nerve palsy of the left side of his face, the opposite side to the facial anomalies of Goldenhar syndrome. After conducting radiological studies, he was diagnosed with medullary neuroschisis without pontine malformations and Klippel-Feil syndrome with rib anomalies. Based on these findings, we propose that clinical AMDC can be accompanied by a wide variety of musculoskeletal defects and variable degrees of central nervous system malformations. Therefore, in addition to detailed physical and neurological examinations, imaging studies should be considered in AMDC.