No abstract

Summary1. The evolution of fossoriality in Squamata often leads to a phenotypic syndrome involving snake-like body form, relatively low preferred temperature (T P ) and low critical maximum temperatures (CT max ). However, how traits interacted among them and with the environment during the evolution of such syndrome remains poorly understood. 2. We studied this process in ten species of gymnophthalmid lizards from the Brazilian Caatinga representing one full transition from typical lacertoid species to fossorial snake-like (FSL) ones. We tested whether different morphotypes exhibited different burrowing performances in response to heat, and also different T P and CT max . Then, we estimated how changes in burrowing performance would relate to thermoregulation costs in terms of the number of daily hours for which preferred temperatures are available and of risk of overheating. 3. Fossorial snake-like species burrowed deeper, exhibited lower T P but kept very high CT max , comparable to lacertoid species. A better burrowing performance and lower T P allowed increasing the daily amount of time during which T P was accessible within the soil of the study region. In addition, temperatures above CT max of the studied species were present down to 5 cm deep, suggesting that just burrowing does not protect against exposure to extreme temperatures in species that are surface-active during the day (all lacertoids and some FSL). Nonetheless, FSL species active at cool hours of the day exhibited lower CT max than diurnal and syntopic, lacertoid and FSL species. 4. Based on our data and previous literature, we propose a sequential explanation for the acquisition of the fossorial syndrome in Squamata.

A vertical force distribution pattern was observed on the pads of the German Shepherd dogs. These data are important for improving the understanding of vertical force distribution during gait and to assess orthopaedic conditions.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. It is known to produces remarkable muscle weakness and to greatly compromise function and quality of life. Moreover, clinical practice suggests that, unlike other inflammatory myopathies, the majority of IBM patients are not responsive to treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs to counteract disease progression 1 . Additionally, conventional resistance training programs have been proven ineffective in restoring muscle function and muscle mass in these patients 2,3 . Nevertheless, we have recently observed that restricting muscle blood flow using tourniquet cuffs in association with moderate intensity resistance training in an IBM patient produced a significant gain in muscle mass and function, along with substantial benefits in quality of life 4 . Thus, a new non-pharmacological approach for IBM patients has been proposed. Herein, we describe the details of a proposed protocol for vascular occlusion associated with a resistance training program for this population. Protocol Determination of full vascular occlusion pressure Resistance training with vascular occlusion DiscussionWe presented a novel, and likely the first, non pharmacological therapeutic tool able to counteract the muscle atrophy and decline of strength that usually occurs in patients with IBM under conventional treatment. Resistance training with vascular occlusion is a relatively novel training method, but results are very encouraging. We have found that after a 12-wk training program, an IBM patient's leg press one-repetition maximum, balance and mobility function, and thigh cross-sectional area increased 15.9%, 60%, and 4.7%, respectively. Health Survey Questionnaire subscales demonstrated improvements ranging from 18% to 600% and mRNA expression of mechanogrowth factor increased 3.97-fold, whereas that of atrogin-1 decreased 0.62-fold 4,5 . This video describes in details the protocol of a resistance training program with vascular occlusion for this population. The appropriate determination of full vascular occlusion pressure is essential for the correct implementation of this training modality and it may be applied to any patient undergoing regular resistance exercise program. Equipments required consist of a vascular Doppler, two customized tourniquets cuffs with pressure manometers and a regular training facility. Moreover, we recommend that each training session is supervised by at least one physical trainer in order to ensure the safety and efficacy of the proposed method. 1. In order to determine the blood pressure of vascular occlusion, in mmHg, a vascular Doppler is used 2. The patient lies in a supine position while a customized blood pressure cuff (180mm length x 80mm width) is fixed on his thigh. 3. After detection of the tibial artery location, the Doppler's probe is then placed over the determined spot in the patient's leg. 4. A sound signal is generated by the Doppler machine as it captures the artery pulse. 5. The customized blood...

Mean peak vertical force was lower in dogs with severe hip dysplasia compared with mildly dysplastic dogs. These results suggest that hip dysplasia degree can affect lameness severity.