Pump the brakes! The hindlimbs of three-toed sloths decelerate and support suspensory locomotion.

Modern tree sloths are one of few mammalian taxa for which quadrupedal suspension is obligatory. Sloth limb musculature is specialized for slow velocity, large force contractions that stabilize their body below branches and conserve energy during locomotion. However, it is unknown whether two- and three-toed sloths converge in their use of limb kinetics and if these patterns are comparable to how primates perform arboreal suspensory locomotion.

Three toes and three modes: Dynamics of terrestrial, suspensory, and vertical locomotion in brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypodidae, Xenarthra).

Living sloths exhibit numerous anatomical specializations towards inverted quadrupedalism, however, previous studies have noted a more varied locomotor repertoire than previously anticipated. In this study, we present spatiotemporal gait characteristics and triaxial kinetic data from the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) across three locomotor modes: terrestrial quadrupedal "crawling", suspensory walking, and vertical climbing. Compared to quadrupedal crawling and suspensory walking, B.

Does a suspensory lifestyle result in increased tensile strength? Organ-level material properties of sloth limb bones.

The material composition of vertebrate connective tissue is highly conserved across taxa. Existing data suggest that the compressive and tensile strength of limb bones are very similar despite marked variation in limb posture and locomotor patterns. However, the material properties of limb bone tissue from suspensory taxa have not been formally evaluated.

Only the Good Die Old? Ontogenetic Determinants of Locomotor Performance in Eastern Cottontail Rabbits ().

For many animals, the juvenile stage of life can be particularly perilous. Once independent, immature animals must often complete the same basic survival functions as adults despite smaller body size and other growth-related limits on performance. Because, by definition, juveniles have yet to reproduce, we should expect strong selection for mechanisms to offset these ontogenetic limitations, allowing individuals to reach reproductive adulthood and maintain Darwinian fitness.

Myology of the pelvic limb of the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus).

Tree sloths rely on their limb flexors for bodyweight support and joint stability during suspensory locomotion and posture. This study aims to describe the myology of three-toed sloths and identify limb muscle traits that indicate modification for suspensorial habit. The pelvic limbs of the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) were dissected, muscle belly mass was recorded, and the structural arrangements of the muscles were documented and compared with the available myological accounts for sloths.

Coming to grips with life upside down: how myosin fiber type and metabolic properties of sloth hindlimb muscles contribute to suspensory function.

Sloths exhibit almost obligatory suspensory locomotion and posture. These behaviors require both strength and fatigue resistance, although we previously found muscle fiber type characteristics in the forelimbs of sloths that belied these initial expectations. Based on locomotor roles of the forelimbs versus hindlimbs in propulsion and braking, respectively, sloth hindlimb musculature should be adapted for force production and energy savings by a near homogeneous expression of slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) fibers.

Forelimb myology of armadillos (Xenarthra: Cingulata, Chlamyphoridae): Anatomical correlates with fossorial ability.

Descriptions of myology reflect adaptations of the post-cranium and are essential for understanding the functional morphology of animal limbs. Armadillos (Cingulata) are the most species-rich group of the basal superorder Xenarthra, which is evident by their various lifestyles (subterranean vs. terrestrial) and levels of fossoriality (fossorial vs.

Keep calm and hang on: EMG activation in the forelimb musculature of three-toed sloths ().

Sloths exhibit below branch locomotion whereby their limbs are loaded in tension to support the body weight. Suspensory behaviors require both strength and fatigue resistance from the limb flexors; however, skeletal muscle mass of sloths is reduced compared with other arboreal mammals. Although suspensory locomotion demands that muscles are active to counteract the pull of gravity, it is possible that sloths minimize muscle activation and/or selectively recruit slow motor units to maintain support, thus indicating neuromuscular specializations to conserve energy.

Multicentric, prospective observational data show sperm capacitation predicts male fertility, and cohort comparison reveals a high prevalence of impaired capacitation in men questioning their fertility.

Research Questions: Can a previously defined relationship between sperm capacitation and the probability of a man generating pregnancy within three cycles, prospectively predict male fertility in diverse clinical settings? A second study asked, what is the prevalence of impaired sperm fertilizing ability in men questioning their fertility (MQF), and does this relate to traditional semen analysis metrics?

Design: In the multicentric, prospective observational study, data (n = 128; six clinics) were analysed to test a published relationship between the percentage of fertilization-competent, capacitated spermatozoa (Cap-Score) and probability of generating pregnancy (PGP) within three cycles of intrauterine insemination. Logistic regression of total pregnancy outcomes (n = 252) assessed fit. In the cohort comparison, Cap-Scores of MQF (n = 2155; 22 clinics) were compared with those of 76 fertile men.

Variation in limb loading magnitude and timing in tetrapods.

Comparative analyses of locomotion in tetrapods reveal two patterns of stride cycle variability. Tachymetabolic tetrapods (birds and mammals) have lower inter-cycle variation in stride duration than bradymetabolic tetrapods (amphibians, lizards, turtles and crocodilians). This pattern has been linked to the fact that birds and mammals share enlarged cerebella, relatively enlarged and heavily myelinated Ia afferents, and γ-motoneurons to their muscle spindles.

Ontogeny of effective mechanical advantage in eastern cottontail rabbits ().

Juvenile animals must survive in the same environment as adults despite smaller sizes, immature musculoskeletal tissues, general ecological naïveté and other limits of performance. Developmental changes in muscle leverage could constitute one mechanism to promote increased performance in juveniles despite ontogenetic limitations. We tested this hypothesis using a holistic dataset on growth and locomotor development in wild eastern cottontail rabbits () to examine ontogenetic changes in hindlimb muscle effective mechanical advantage (EMA).

Topical Agents for Premature Ejaculation: A Review.

Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) is among the most common sexual dysfunctions that affect men. Currently, topical medications are considered a first-line treatment option for PE, with no specific medication having market approval in the United States specifically for the treatment of PE. Topical agents for PE include eutectic mixture of local anesthetics cream, topical eutectic mixture for premature ejaculation spray, severance secret-cream, resiniferatoxin, and an assortment of over-the-counter treatments, including medicated condoms, sprays, and wipes.

Hypoxic and Cold Adaptation Insights from the Himalayan Marmot Genome.

The Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) is a hibernating mammal that inhabits the high-elevation regions of the Himalayan mountains. Here we present a draft genome of the Himalayan marmot, with a total assembly length of 2.47 Gb.

A Review of the FAERS Data on 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: Implications for Postfinasteride Syndrome.

Objective: To quantify reports made to the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), create a demographic of patient reports, and examine the cluster of symptoms to correlate consistency of postfinasteride syndrome (PFS) complaints. PFS is a provisional diagnosis encompassing a cluster of sexual, physical, and psychological and/or neurologic symptoms associated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use that emerge or continue after discontinuation of medication.

Materials And Methods: FAERS dataset of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors from April 2011 to October 2014 was obtained.

Cheap labor: myosin fiber type expression and enzyme activity in the forelimb musculature of sloths (Pilosa: Xenarthra).

Sloths are canopy-dwelling inhabitants of American neotropical rainforests that exhibit suspensory behaviors. These abilities require both strength and muscular endurance to hang for extended periods of time; however, the skeletal muscle mass of sloths is reduced, thus requiring modifications to muscle architecture and leverage for large joint torque. We hypothesize that intrinsic muscle properties are also modified for fatigue resistance and predict a heterogeneous expression of slow/fast myosin heavy chain (MHC) fibers that utilize oxidative metabolic pathways for economic force production.

Andrianne Mini-Jupette Graft at the Time of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement for the Management of Post-Prostatectomy Climacturia and Minimal Urinary Incontinence.

Background: After radical prostatectomy (RP), erectile dysfunction, often necessitating the need for inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion, and urinary incontinence and climacturia can ensue.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of the mini-jupette, a mesh used to approximate the medial aspects of the 2 corporotomies at the time of IPP insertion, for the management of climacturia and urine leakage in patients with minimal incontinence.

Methods: We conducted a pilot multicenter study of patients with post-RP erectile dysfunction and climacturia and/or mild urinary incontinence (≤2 pads/day [ppd]) undergoing IPP insertion with concomitant placement of a mini-jupette graft.

Ontogeny of myosin isoform expression and prehensile function in the tail of the gray short-tailed opossum ().

Terrestrial opossums use their semiprehensile tail for grasping nesting materials as opposed to arboreal maneuvering. We relate the development of this adaptive behavior with ontogenetic changes in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression from 21 days to adulthood. is expected to demonstrate a progressive ability to flex the distal tail up to age 7 mo, when it should exhibit routine nest construction.

Use of Sperm Parameters to Predict Clinical Pregnancy with Intrauterine Insemination.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that morphology is the best predictor of clinical pregnancy (CP) when employing intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed a registry of 527 couples who collectively underwent 1,027 IUI cycles, testing sperm parameters and other variables with univariate and multivariate analyses for association with CP. With the literature scant regarding the impact of sperm morphology on IUI outcome, we determined semen parameter threshold values in our patient population and compared them to published reference range values.

The Effect of LUTS/BPH and Treatments on Ejaculatory Function.

As men age, there is an increased incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), often from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which can adversely affect sexual function. There are many different treatments for these symptoms; however, many of the treatments also affect sexual quality of life, specifically in the realm of ejaculation. Our paper will review the medications, surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, and even investigational procedures used to treat LUTS/BPH and the effect they have on ejaculation.

Two Fungal Infections of Inflatable Penile Prostheses in Diabetics.

Introduction: Penile prosthesis infections have decreased since the introduction of antibiotic-coated implants. Infections that do occur can be from more rare and virulent organisms than the traditional skin flora historically implicated.

Aim: In this report, we present two cases of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infection from C andida organisms in insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Counseling on sexual side effects from TURP.

Introduction: We designed a pilot study to measure preoperative sexual dysfunction risk counseling between sexual medicine experts (SME) and general urologists between monopolar/bipolar transuretheral resection of the prostate (TURP) and laser TURP (LT).

Materials And Methods: An emailed electronic survey was distributed to members of the North Central Section (NCS) of the American Urologic Association and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA). Overall, 260 (12.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy on the Natural History of Prostate Disease.

The physiology of testosterone production and action are closely related to prostatic disease. An understanding of the natural history of testosterone and prostate growth and development is needed in order to understand this complex relationship. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and sexual function are common disorders for which testosterone is thought to play a role.

In vivo strains in the femur of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).

The capacity of limb bones to resist the locomotor loads they encounter depends on both the pattern of those loads and the material properties of the skeletal elements. Among mammals, understanding of the interplay between these two factors has been based primarily on evidence from locomotor behaviors in upright placentals, which show limb bones that are loaded predominantly in anteroposterior bending with minimal amounts of torsion. However, loading patterns from the femora of opossums, marsupials using crouched limb posture, show appreciable torsion while the bone experiences mediolateral (ML) bending.