THE EFFECT OF SELECTED SPORT SURFACES ON VERTICAL LANDING FORCES IN JUMPING

Introduction: The jump for height has received much attention as an important element in many sport activities, but less attention is given to the impact of landing, which may result in injuries due to the large forces involved (Miller, 1976). Therefore, activities that involve landings are potentially more harmful to the joint when there is inefficient absorptive material within the shoes and/or the sport surface. Cavanagh and Lafortune (1980) found that vertical forces, with magnitudes 2.5 times those found in running, were generated when landing from a vertical jump. Nigg, Denoth and Neukomm (1981) reported a force of magnitude 3.5 times the body weight when landing from a vertical jump. Knowing the magnitude of the vertical reaction forces to human beings, when jumping on different sport surfaces, could assist surface manufacturers and shoe designers in producing products that will reduce impact and therefore reduce injuries

THE EFFECT OF SELECTED SPORT SURFACES ON GROUND REACTION FORCES IN WALKING AND RUNNING

Introduction During physical activity, the human body exerts force against its environment. Previous research indicates that the body is exposed to magnitudes of force equaling 2 to 3 times body weight in running (Bates, 1985 & Dickinson, Cook & Leinhardt, 1985) and 1.1 to 1.3 times body weight in walking (Cavanagh, 1980). The magnitude and duration of these forces are a potential source of physical injury. Most biomechanical research in locomotion has examined the role offootwear. However, there is not enough information on the absorption capacity of shoes to determine their safety limit and the ground reaction force is relatively unaffected by footwear changes (Clarke, Frederick & Hamill, 1984)

Serum glucose concentration and lipid profile in racing horses

The aim of the present work was to evaluate serum glucose concentration and lipid profile in racing horses in Iraq. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 92 clinically healthy racing horses (males and females, Arabian and Cross bred), 2-8 years old at Equestrian Club, Baghdad. Investigations included serum measurements of glucose (sg) and lipid profile parameters; total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and the atherogenic ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C), in order to register the normal ranges and mean values of these measured parameters in Iraqi healthy racing horses. Results showed that the range and mean values ± standard error of sg were: 33.3 – 6.71 mmol/l and 5.17±0.07 mmol/l, respectively, whereas the TC was 2.07 – 4.22 mmol/l and 3.01±0.05 mmol/l, TG 0.6 – 1.47 mmol/l and 1.06±0.02 mmol/l, HDL-C 0.93 – 2.25 mmol/l and 1.50±0.03 mmol/l, LDL-C 0.10 – 2.12 mmol/l and 0.91±0.04 mmol/l, VLDL-C 0.31 -0.67 mmol/l and 0.55±0.02 mmol/l, respectively and the atherogenic ratio 0.66±0.03. The data present reference values and mean ± SE for sg and lipid profile parameters in healthy racing horses in Baghdad

A Repurposing Programme Evaluating Repurposing Transdermal Oestradiol Patches for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer Within the PATCH and STAMPEDE Trials: Current Results and Adapting Trial Design

AIMS: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), usually achieved with luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogues (LHRHa), is central to prostate cancer management. LHRHa reduce both testosterone and oestrogen and are associated with significant long-term toxicity. Previous use of oral oestrogens as ADT was curtailed because of cardiovascular toxicity. Transdermal oestrogen (tE2) patches are a potential alternative ADT, supressing testosterone without the associated oestrogen-depletion toxicities (osteoporosis, hot flushes, metabolic abnormalities) and avoiding cardiovascular toxicity, and we here describe their evaluation in men with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PATCH (NCT00303784) adaptive trials programme (incorporating recruitment through the STAMPEDE [NCT00268476] platform) is evaluating the safety and efficacy of tE2 patches as ADT for men with prostate cancer. An initial randomised (LHRHa versus tE2) phase II study (n = 251) with cardiovascular toxicity as the primary outcome measure has expanded into a phase III evaluation. Those with locally advanced (M0) or metastatic (M1) prostate cancer are eligible. To reflect changes in both management and prognosis, the PATCH programme is now evaluating these cohorts separately. RESULTS: to date: Recruitment is complete, with 1362 and 1128 in the M0 and M1 cohorts, respectively. Rates of androgen suppression with tE2 were equivalent to LHRHa, with improved metabolic parameters, quality of life and bone health indices (mean absolute change in lumbar spine bone mineral density of -3.0% for LHRHa and +7.9% for tE2 with an estimated difference between arms of 9.3% (95% confidence interval 5.3-13.4). Importantly, rates of cardiovascular events were not significantly different between the two arms and the time to first cardiovascular event did not differ between treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.80-1.53; P = 0.54). Oncological outcomes are awaited. FUTURE: Efficacy results for the M0 cohort (primary outcome measure metastases-free survival) are expected in the final quarter of 2023. For M1 patients (primary outcome measure - overall survival), analysis using restricted mean survival time is being explored. Allied translational work on longitudinal samples is underway

NUBPL mitochondrial disease: new patients and review of the genetic and clinical spectrum

Background: The nucleotide binding protein-like (NUBPL) gene was first reported as a cause of mitochondrial complex I deficiency (MIM 613621, 618242) in 2010. To date, only eight patients have been reported with this mitochondrial disorder. Five other patients were recently reported to have NUBPL disease but their clinical picture was different from the first eight patients. Here, we report clinical and genetic findings in five additional patients (four families).  Methods: Whole exome sequencing was used to identify patients with compound heterozygous NUBPL variants. Functional studies included RNA-Seq transcript analyses, missense variant biochemical analyses in a yeast model (Yarrowia lipolytica) and mitochondrial respiration experiments on patient fibroblasts.  Results: The previously reported c.815-27T>C branch-site mutation was found in all four families. In prior patients, c.166G>A [p.G56R] was always found in cis with c.815-27T>C, but only two of four families had both variants. The second variant found in trans with c.815-27T>C in each family was: C.311T>C [p.L104P] in three patients, c.693+1G>A in one patient and c.545T>C [p.V182A] in one patient. Complex I function in the yeast model was impacted by p.L104P but not p.V182A. Clinical features include onset of neurological symptoms at 3-18 months, global developmental delay, cerebellar dysfunction (including ataxia, dysarthria, nystagmus and tremor) and spasticity. Brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy. Mitochondrial function studies on patient fibroblasts showed significantly reduced spare respiratory capacity.  Conclusion: We report on five new patients with NUBPL disease, adding to the number and phenotypic variability of patients diagnosed worldwide, and review prior reported patients with pathogenic NUBPL variants

WHO global research priorities for antimicrobial resistance in human health

The WHO research agenda for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health has identified 40 research priorities to be addressed by the year 2030. These priorities focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens of crucial importance in addressing AMR, including drug-resistant pathogens causing tuberculosis. These research priorities encompass the entire people-centred journey, covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of antimicrobial-resistant infections, in addition to addressing the overarching knowledge gaps in AMR epidemiology, burden and drivers, policies and regulations, and awareness and education. The research priorities were identified through a multistage process, starting with a comprehensive scoping review of knowledge gaps, with expert inputs gathered through a survey and open call. The priority setting involved a rigorous modified Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative approach, ensuring global representation and applicability of the findings. The ultimate goal of this research agenda is to encourage research and investment in the generation of evidence to better understand AMR dynamics and facilitate policy translation for reducing the burden and consequences of AMR

Comparative study of the auricle and external acoustic meatus of the cattle and buffalo

The present work was design to study the anatomical features and radiographic appearance of auricle and external acoustic meatus of cattle and buffalo, collected from (12) sample of heads were used in this study, there were equally divided into three groups: first group to study the shape, position and relation of cartilage, muscles and ligament of auricle in both animals, second group to study the measurements of external acoustic meatus, and the third group study morphological and radiographical of external acoustic meatus in both animal, the study revealed that the auricle is a flapy flashy appendage attached to the side of the skull by muscles and ligaments, the auricle is funnel shape, distally is wide open, but more proximally, it is rolled up to form a tube that bend medially to be connected to the external acoustic meatus, the auricle in both animals is composed of three cartilage: the part auricular, scutiform and annular cartilage also auricular muscle and ligament which support the external ear. The result of this study shows that intrinsic auricular muscles is more developed in buffalo, while the greater parts of the extrinsic auricular muscles are developed in both animals. The present work shows that the frontoauricular muscles are distinguish into two parts in buffalo and cattle on the other hand the interscutularis muscle thin fibers and attached with scutuloauricularis prefunds muscle in buffalo, also the parotidauriculares narrower and thicker in cattle, but a ribbon-like muscle thin and wide in buffalo. The external acoustic meatus begins where the rolled up part of the annular cartilage narrows and ends, the meatus has cartilaginous and osseou