The effect of varus rearfoot wedges on hallux dorsiflexion resistance.

BACKGROUND: The first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), which includes the first metatarsal and proximal phalanx, plays a crucial role in gait and impacts the windlass mechanism. Disruptions to this mechanism are implicated in various foot pathologies. Jack's Test serves as a valuable tool for clinicians to assess the functionality of the MTPJ. Varus rearfoot wedges (VRFWs) are a common treatment employed in the management of lower limb pathologies. The impact of VRFWs on the resistance of the first MTPJ during Jack´s Test is currently unknown. This study aimed to measure the influence of VRFWs on the resistance of the first MTPJ during Jack´s Test. The secondary objective was to validate a new measurement method using a digital force gauge. METHODS: Thirty participants (17 women and 13 men) were enrolled. A digital force gauge measured the weight-bearing force needed for Jack's Test, thereby evaluating the effects of VRFWs of different angulations. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test confirmed that the data followed a normal distribution (p > 0.05). The nonparametric Friedman test (p < 0.001) showed that there were significant differences among all VRFWs, while the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.001) showed that there were differences between barefoot conditions and 3°, 5°, and 8° VRFWs. RESULTS: The use of 8° VRFWs yielded a statistically significant reduction in the passive dorsiflexion force of hallux during Jack's Test (12.51 N ± 4.12, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of VRFWs has been observed to reduce dorsiflexion resistance in the proximal phalanx of the first MTPJ during Jack's Test. Additionally, the digital force gauge was proven to be a valid tool for conducting Jack's Test, thus offering a reliable measurement method.

Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures, semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) on testicle and epididymis biometrics, semen characteristics and testosterone level in Egyptian Jack. This study was conducted on 50 mature Jacks divided according to their body condition score into four groups: Poor (G1), moderate (G2), good (G3) and fat (G4). The complete testis was collected immediately after execution in the Giza Zoo abattoir; then, the epididymis was carefully dissected at the testicular junction. Biometrical measures including length, weight and volume were determined for the right and left testis and epididymis. Also, epididymal sperm was collected from all examined animas and evaluated for sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability and sperm abnormalities. Serum samples were collected for determination of total testosterone level. Results showed that the body condition score of the examined animal affects their biometrical measure of testicles and epididymis. There is a significant decrease (p < .05) in biometrical measures for the testicles and epididymis, sperm concentration, motility, viability and testosterone level in poor BCS animals (G1). The highest values were recorded in Good BCS (G3) Jacks. Conclusion: Jacks with good BCS (G3) should be selected for breeding activity in donkey.

Termination of puberty in out-of-season male Atlantic salmon smolts.

Environmental conditions are known to contribute to the phenotypic plasticity in the age of sexual maturation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Here, we report on an observation of out-of-season male Atlantic salmon initiating puberty as pre-smolts (jacks) but failing to complete maturation as post-smolts. Jacks were identified based on elevated plasma 11-ketotestosterone (range, 3-12 ng/ml) and the occurrence of type B spermatogonia in January 2017. However, these males failed to show running milt as post-smolts at the expected time in May 2017. Subsequently, 6 out of the 21 (32%) suspected "terminated jacks" went on to become grilse, whereas only 1 of the 22 (5%) males that showed no signs of initiating puberty in January became grilse in December 2017. Therefore, "terminated" jacks were more likely to mature as grilse than the males that remained immature. Why these pubertal pre-smolt males did not complete maturation is unclear but could be related to the transfer of fish from conditions of warm water and long days, risk factors for early maturation, to conditions of cold water and short days, which are expected to delay the age of maturation. We provide a description of the conditions under which male Atlantic salmon appear to have terminated the process of sexual maturation.

Towards an integrated phylogenetic classification of the Tremellomycetes.

Families and genera assigned to Tremellomycetes have been mainly circumscribed by morphology and for the yeasts also by biochemical and physiological characteristics. This phenotype-based classification is largely in conflict with molecular phylogenetic analyses. Here a phylogenetic classification framework for the Tremellomycetes is proposed based on the results of phylogenetic analyses from a seven-genes dataset covering the majority of tremellomycetous yeasts and closely related filamentous taxa. Circumscriptions of the taxonomic units at the order, family and genus levels recognised were quantitatively assessed using the phylogenetic rank boundary optimisation (PRBO) and modified general mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) tests. In addition, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on an expanded LSU rRNA (D1/D2 domains) gene sequence dataset covering as many as available teleomorphic and filamentous taxa within Tremellomycetes was performed to investigate the relationships between yeasts and filamentous taxa and to examine the stability of undersampled clades. Based on the results inferred from molecular data and morphological and physiochemical features, we propose an updated classification for the Tremellomycetes. We accept five orders, 17 families and 54 genera, including seven new families and 18 new genera. In addition, seven families and 17 genera are emended and one new species name and 185 new combinations are proposed. We propose to use the term pro tempore or pro tem. in abbreviation to indicate the species names that are temporarily maintained.

Cholesterol Loaded Cyclodextrin Supplementation Enhances the Cholesterol-to-Phospholipid Ratio and Diminishes Oxidative Stress in Jack Spermatozoa During Cryopreservation.

The present study was conducted with the hypothesis that addition of cholesterol to the extender would stabilize the sperm membranes by increasing the cholesterol-to-phospholipid (C:P) ratio and would result in an improved post-thaw semen quality and reduce oxidative stress in the jack (Martina franca) semen. Forty-eight ejaculates from six jacks were collected and analyzed for the present study. The freshly collected semen sample of each jack stallion was divided into five equal fractions after addition of the primary extender without cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) (C) and with 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mg/mL CLC to obtain 120 × 106 sperm/mL spermatozoa concentration. The semen was cryopreserved using customized freezing protocols. Evaluation of seminal parameters, the C:P ratio, and the oxidative status of jack spermatozoa was analyzed at all stages of cryopreservation. The oxidative status in the jack semen was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels. The results indicated that the mean percent values for various seminal quality parameters and the oxidative parameters were found to be significantly higher (P < .05) in CLC-treated groups with the highest values for 2 mg of CLC/120 × 106 spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the supplementation of CLC before cryopreservation has significantly reduced the oxidative stress and also increased the C:P ratio during semen cryopreservation process. Furthermore, a reduction in lipid peroxidation levels, reduced damage to the sperm plasma and acrosome membranes and improvement in the post-thaw sperm integrity as well as stability were recorded.

First record of hybridization in Caranx Lacepède, 1801 (Carangidae: Perciformes) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.

During a recreational fishing trip on May 2017 to Isla Montuosa, Pacific coast of Panama (7.467472, -82.266556; 30 m depth), a specimen belonging to the genus Caranx was captured. The specimen showed an unusual combination of external characters, intermediate among the species known to occur in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), which caught the attention of the fishermen. A detailed analysis involving traditional morphology and molecular techniques revealed that the specimen corresponds to a hybrid of the species C. melampygus and C. sexfasciatus. This represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first confirmed record of hybridization within the genus and family in the TEP and the second record for the entire Pacific Ocean.

Jacks and other dexterity games in children and their parents. / La payana y otros juegos de destreza en los niños y sus padres.

Traditional games have changed with the development of technology. We analyzed dexterity games played by children and their parents in general, and jacks in particular. A survey was administered to children aged 5-12 years and their families. A total of 109 surveys were completed; 91.7 % of parents referred that they had played jacks and that 4.6 % of their children also played it (p < 0.00001). Girls played Chinese jump rope and ring-a ring-a roses less often than their mothers, but football more often. Boys played ring-a ring-a roses less often than their fathers. Besides, 28.4 % of parents did not play any dexterity game with their children. To conclude, jacks, Chinese jump rope, and ring-a ring-a roses are now less common; and girls play football more often than their mothers. Parents do not usually play dexterity games with their children.

Los juegos tradicionales se han modificado con el desarrollo de la tecnología. Se analizaron los juegos de destreza en general y la payana en particular que practicaban los niños y sus padres. Se realizó una encuesta a niños de 5 a 12 años y a sus familias. Se completaron 109 encuestas; el 91,7 % de los padres refirió haber jugado payana y el 4,6 % de sus hijos jugaba también (p < 0,00001). Las niñas jugaban menos que sus madres al elástico y a la ronda, pero más al fútbol. Los niños jugaban menos a la ronda que sus padres. El 28,4 % de los padres no solía jugar ningún juego de destreza con sus hijos. En conclusión, la payana, el elástico y la ronda han disminuido y las niñas juegan más al fútbol que sus madres. Los padres suelen jugar pocos juegos de destreza con sus hijos.

Actividad cicatrizante de seis extractos hidroalcohólicos de plantas en heridas incisas de Rattus norvegicus albinus / Healing activity of six hydroalcoholic extracts of plants in incised wounds of Rattus norvegicus albinus

Introducción: En la medicina militar, los agentes cicatrizantes naturales frente a heridas por incisión son relevantes en el tratamiento de los militares. Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad cicatrizante de los extractos hidroalcohólicos de Peperomia congona Sodiro (congona), Annona muricata L. (guanábana), Urtica urens L. (ortiga),Ormosia coccinea (Aubl) Jacks (huayruro), Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill. (tuna) y Musa acuminata Colla (plátano bellaco) en heridas incisas de Rattus norvegicus albinus (rata albina). Métodos: Estudio analítico experimental de tipo prospectivo y longitudinal. Se realizó el análisis fitoquímico preliminar de los 6 extractos. Se emplearon 80 ratas albinas machos, aleatorizadas y distribuidas en 8 grupos (n = 10). Se realizó una aplicación dermal durante 10 días consecutivos posteriores a la generación de heridas incisas que se realizaron en el dorso. Grupo I (cloruro de sodio al 0,9 por ciento). Grupo II (gel cicatrizante comercial). Del Grupo III al VIII fueron tratados con extracto hidroalcohólico de congona, guanábana, ortiga, huairuro, tuna y plátano bellaco respectivamente. La evolución de la cicatrización fue seguida en los días 1, 5 y 11 y medida en milímetros. Resultados: Se detectó la presencia de alcaloides, compuestos fenólicos y flavonoides en los 6 extractos; además de cumarinas en congona, taninos en guanábana, ortiga, tuna y huayruro, y quinonas en guanábana y plátano bellaco. Se comprobó la actividad cicatrizante en los extractos de guanábana (69,77 por ciento), tuna (66,27 por ciento), plátano bellaco (64,38 por ciento), ortiga (56,73 por ciento), congona (55,74 por ciento) y huayruro (54,50 por ciento), comparados con un gel comercial (72,21 por ciento). Conclusiones: El extracto hidroalcohólico de las hojas de Annona muricata L. (guanábana) presentó la mayor actividad cicatrizante en heridas incisas de ratas albinas machos(AU)

Introduction: In military medicine, natural healing agents against incision wounds are relevant in the treatment of the military. Objective: To evaluate the healing activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Peperomia congona Sodiro (congona), Annona muricata L. (guanabana), Urtica urens L. (ortiga), Ormosia coccinea (Aubl) Jacks (huairuro), Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill. (tuna) and Musa acuminata Colla (platano bellaco) in incised wounds of Rattus norvegicus albinus (albino rat). Methods: Experimental analytical study of prospective and longitudinal type. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the 6 extracts was carried out. We used 80 male albino rats, randomized and distributed in 8 groups (n = 10). A dermal application was made during 10 consecutive days after the generation of incised wounds that were made on the back. Group I (0.9 percent sodium chloride). Group II (commercial healing gel). From Group III to VIII they were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of congona, guanábana, ortiga, huairuro, tuna and platano bellaco respectively. The evolution of healing was followed on days 1, 5 and 11 and measured in millimeters. Results: The presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids was detected in the 6 extracts; in addition to coumarins in congona, tannins in guanábana, nettle, tuna and huayruro, quinonas in guanábana and plantain bellaco. The healing activity was verified in the extracts of guanabana (69.77 percent), tuna (66.27 percent), platano bellaco (64.38 percent), ortiga (56.73 percent), congona (55.74 percent) and huayruro (54.50 percent), compared with a commercial gel (72.21 percent). Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Annona muricata L. (guanábana) showed the highest healing activity in incised wounds of male albino rats(AU)

La payana y otros juegos de destreza en los niños y sus padres / Jacks and other dexterity games in children and their parents

Los juegos tradicionales se han modificado con el desarrollo de la tecnología. Se analizaron los juegos de destreza en general y la payana en particular que practicaban los niños y sus padres. Se realizó una encuesta a niños de 5 a 12 años y a sus familias. Se completaron 109 encuestas; el 91,7 % de los padres refirió haber jugado payana y el 4,6 % de sus hijos jugaba también (p < 0,00001). Las niñas jugaban menos que sus madres al elástico y a la ronda, pero más al fútbol. Los niños jugaban menos a la ronda que sus padres. El 28,4 % de los padres no solía jugar ningún juego de destreza con sus hijos.En conclusión, la payana, el elástico y la ronda han disminuido y las niñas juegan más al fútbol que sus madres. Los padres suelen jugar pocos juegos de destreza con sus hijos.

Traditional games have changed with the development of technology. We analyzed dexterity games played by children and their parents in general, and jacks in particular. A survey was administered to children aged 5-12 years and their families. A total of 109 surveys were completed; 91.7 % of parents referred that they had played jacks and that 4.6 % of their children also played it (p < 0.00001). Girls played Chinese jump rope and ring-a ring-a roses less often than their mothers, but football more often. Boys played ring-a ring-a roses less often than their fathers. Besides, 28.4 % of parents did not play any dexterity game with their children.To conclude, jacks, Chinese jump rope, and ring-a ring-a roses are now less common; and girls play football more often than their mothers. Parents do not usually play dexterity games with their children.

Determination of tetrahydropalmatine and rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Anshen Yangxue Oral Liquid by HPLC / 中成药

AIM : To establish the method for determining tetrahydropalmatine,rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in AnshenYangxue Oral Liquid (Ramulus uncariae cum uncis, stephania kwangsiansis, Radix polygoni multiflori praeparata cum succo glycinus sotae , Caulis Polygoni multiflori and Pine needle). METHODS: Tetrahydropalmatine,rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline were determined by HPLC. Chromatographic condition was composed of Kromasil C_(18) column, a mixture of methanol and water(55: 45) as mobile phase with 0.01 mol/L triehthylamine, adjusted with acetic acid to pH of 7.5, UV detection wavelength of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline was set at 254 nm, UV detection wavelength of tetrahydropalmatine was set at 281 nm. RESULTS: The averagere recoveries of tetrahydropalmatine,rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline were 98.47% ,99.04% and 98. 75% respectively; RSD were 0.95% ,2.6% and 1.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, sensitive, accurate, and can be used for determining tetrahydropalmatine ,rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Anshen Yangxue Oral Liquid.

Determination of tetrahydropalmatine and rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Anshen Yangxue Oral Liquid by HPLC / 中成药

AIM: To establish the method for determining tetrahydropalmatine、rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in AnshenYangxue Oral Liquid(Ramulus uncariae cum uncis, stephania kwangsiansis,Radix polygoni multiflori praeparata cum succo glycinus sotae,Caulis Polygoni multiflori and Pine needle). METHODS: Tetrahydropalmatine、rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline were determined by HPLC.Chromatographic condition was composed of Kromasil C_18 column,a mixture of methanol and water(55∶45) as mobile phase with 0.01 mol/L triehthylamine,adjusted with acetic acid to pH of 7.5,UV detection wavelength of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline was set at 254 nm,UV detection wavelength of tetrahydropalmatine was set at 281 nm. RESULTS: The averagere recoveries of tetrahydropalmatine、rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline were 98.47%、99.04%and 98.75% respectively;RSD were 0.95%、2.6%and 1.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION: This method is simple,sensitive,accurate,and can be used for determining tetrahydropalmatine、rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Anshen Yangxue Oral Liquid.

Different Hypotentive Effects of Various Active Constituents Isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla / 中草药

Hypotensive effects of rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, total alkaloid and non-alka-loid fraction isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. were compared. Change in peripheralblood pressure was recorded by inserting a catheter into the right common carotid artery of anaethetizedrat, while each of the four hypotensive constituents was injected individually into the femoral vein by a mi-croinfusion pump. Results of the findings showed that the four constituents in U. rhynchophylla displayeddifferent hypotensive potency in the order of isorhynchophylline [lowering of mean arterial pressure(MAP) by 42.0%] > rhynchophylline (lowering of MAP by 32.1%) > total alkaloid (lowering of MAPby 21.3%) > non-alkaloid fraction (lowering of MAP by 12.4%). It was concluded that isorhyn-chophylline and rhynchophylline were the main hypotensive constituents in U. rhynchophylla.