We know muscles grow through a procedure called, "hypertrophy." However there's also this fancy sounding process called, "hyperplasia," that is surrounded by a twister of debate. This is one of the topics we get a lots of concerns on so it's worth taking the time to commit a complete short article to it and clear up any staying confusion.
Hypertrophy Vs Hyperplasia and the Sapien Medicine workout
The first thing to comprehend is the distinction between hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and the concept of skeletal muscle hyperplasia vs. other kinds of hyperplasia in the body. Hypertrophy is just the increase in size of a muscle fiber-- this can be attained through increasing the size of the contractile proteins or increasing the fluid and enzyme content of the muscle cell (4,15). On the other hand, hyperplasia is the increase in the variety of muscle fibers (4,15). Increasing the variety of muscle fibers will increase the total cross sectional area of a muscle likewise to increasing the size of person fibers. On the outside, hypertrophy and hyperplasia would look extremely similar from a looks viewpoint.
- Whether hyperplasia is just a natural "present" for the elite or otherwise awaits exploration, but also for now, let's review why hyperplasia may occur.
- Finally, we for the very first time discovered that chemerin induced aortic smooth muscular tissue cells expansion and carotid intimal hyperplasia using activation of MAPK signaling, which might result in vascular swelling as well as renovation.
- The anabolic stimulus seems associated with the amount of resistance made use of in a lift as well as the associated neural activation in both males and females (Campos et al. 2002; Schuenke et al. 2013).
- Skeletal muscle hyperplasia has no organization with growths, so keep that in mind if you do any kind of further study on the subject and find disconcerting findings connected to lump growth.
- This hypoplasia takes place concomitantly with a decrease in ERK immunoreactivity degrees as well as lowers in MyoD as well as myogenin expression.
- Muscle degeneration is the reduction in muscle toughness due to a decline in muscular tissue mass, or the amount of muscular tissue fibers.
Hyperplasia can also take place in other tissues of the body. This is where hyperplasia can get rather of a bad rep as unchecked cellular proliferation is typically connected with tumor growth (11 ). Skeletal muscle hyperplasia has no association with growths, so keep that in mind if you do any further research study on the topic and stumble upon worrying findings related to tumor development.
Is Muscle Hyperplasia a Myth?In short, no; skeletal muscle hyperplasia is not a myth. Some think that it does not happen in human beings considering that we don't truly have solid evidence of it occurring throughout a controlled resistance training procedure. Human evidence is definitely lacking, however we have myriad evidence of hyperplasia taking place in birdsmice, cats, and even fish.
Knockdown Of Chemerin Decreased Healthy Proteins Associated With Mapk Sapien Medicine muscle
The procedures through which these cases of hyperplasia occurred likewise greatly vary which makes hyperplasia a lot more of a fascinating topic. Numerous bird research studies that displayed hyperplasia included hanging weights from the wings of birds for unbelievably long times (2,3). This does not really represent a typical human training protocol, however conversely, felines performing their own sort of kitty resistance training likewise exhibited hyperplasia (10 ). No, the felines were not bench pressing or crouching, but their procedure included similar muscle activation series to what a typical human training session would appear like. The mice we discussed earlier knowledgeable hyperplasia after scientists had the ability to decrease their levels of myostatin (20 ), which is a protein related to limiting muscle development. And the fish we referred to merely underwent hyperplasia while growing throughout adolescence.It's clear that hyperplasia can occur through various methods, however still the concern remains: does it take place in people? Let's go over.
What Makes Muscles Expand? Myostatin Related Muscle Hypertrophy
Proof of Hyperplasia in HumansIt goes without saying here, that the proof for hyperplasia in humans is definitely lacking. We'll enter into why that is here in a second, but for now, let's discuss what we have seen throughout the past couple of decades. research studies have compared high level bodybuilders to sedentary or recreationally active people to identify if hyperplasia contributes in extreme muscle development. And we do see proof that these bodybuilders include substantially more muscle fibers than their sedentary equivalents (8,16,18). The problem we have with this evaluation is that we can not state for certain whether or not the bodybuilding training stimulus was the main reason for the increased variety of muscle fibers. It certainly stands to reason that a high level bodybuilder would have a hereditary propensity for developing muscle, and among these genetic "cheat codes" might simply be a higher standard level of muscle fibers.
We do see one study in which a "training" stimulus might have represented an increase in fiber numbers. This specific study analyzed the left and ideal tibialis anterior (front of the shin) muscle in young men. It was discovered that the non-dominant side tibialis anterior consistently displayed a higher cross-sectional area than the dominant side, but single muscle fiber size in between the two muscles was similar. For that reason, the very best explanation for this distinction in total size would have been through increased fiber number. The authors propose that the non-dominant tibialis anterior received a greater daily workload than the dominant side for a couple of different reasons, however this is one scenario in which a "stimulus" could have conjured up an increase in muscle fiber number (21 ).
Exactly How To Create Hyperplasia Muscle Hyperplasia
So we do have a little evidence for hyperplasia happening in human beings. Whether hyperplasia is simply a natural "gift" for the elite or not waits for discovery, but for now, let's discuss why hyperplasia might occur.How Does Hyperplasia Occur?
Before comprehending how hyperplasia might happen, it deserves discussing how we can measure it. I make certain you're imagining some elegant trousers computer evaluating a muscle biopsy and spitting out numbers. However no, it's not that cool. If you scroll through the referrals, you'll see that a lot of these examinations were happening in the late 1970s through the 1990s. More than likely, a young graduate student had to do the unclean job of literally counting muscle fibers by hand to make their place in the lab. Fancy computer systems didn't assist much then, so grad students took the impact of this duty.
So it's easy to see, then, that simple counting mistakes can represent small differences in pre- and post-training here fiber numbers. This likewise represents a concern when considering a specific kind of muscle hypertrophy called longitudinal hypertrophy. We understand from earlier that a muscle fiber can grow by increasing the size of its contractile proteins or intracellular space, but a muscle fiber can likewise grow length-wise by including more contractile units in series. These new contractile systems can be hard to differentiate from old and/or possible new muscle fibers which represents a hard scenario when trying to count muscle fibers by hand (22 ).
So now that that's out of the method, let's go over why hyperplasia might occur. It deserves an evaluation of the Muscle Memory article (here), but we understand that a person of the ways a muscle fiber can experience hypertrophy is through satellite cell activation. This process is potentially needed due to the Nuclear Domain Theory. The Nuclear Domain Theory mentions that a cell nucleus can only control a restricted part of the cell area (7 ). Therefore, for a muscle fiber to grow, it would need to include extra nuclei to maintain the nuclear domain of each nucleus. Hard training can indicate satellite cells to contribute their nuclei to the muscle cell to make this procedure possible (12 ).
Now, what would happen if you can no longer continue adding nuclei to a muscle to enable it to grow? It's not particular whether satellite cells end up being downregulated or if there's a biological limit to the amount of nuclei a muscle cell can contain, but there might eventually be a circumstance in which myonuclear addition can no longer occur to drive growth. What occurs if you get to this theoretical development limitation but keep training and stimulating the muscle to grow? The fiber has to divide and form 2 brand-new fibers (9) to restart the hypertrophy process. This theory provoked a somewhat "chicken and the egg" argument among scientists-- does hypertrophy have to occur before hyperplasia or can they occur simultaneously?
Current Posts Strongest myostatin inhibitor
Numerous researchers have linked satellite cell activation and muscle hyperplasia due to this theory (1,5,9). It's worth understanding, nevertheless, that the theoretical time course of the above paragraph would take years of tough training to finally cause fiber splitting. As far as we know, myonuclear addition and muscle hypertrophy doesn't have actually a specified limitation as to when the muscle has to split to continue supporting the need for development. I question this circumstances will ever be displayed in a study as no study will last that long or induce a difficult sufficient training stimulus to really trigger this to take place.
A couple of longitudinal studies have analyzed fiber number as a specific variable following a training procedure, however none have actually actually discovered a direct increase in muscle fiber number (6,19). These findings provoked one review to claim that the evidence of hyperplasia happening in people is, "limited," (6) and another to state that, if hyperplasia does take place, it probably only accounts for about 5% of the increase in overall muscle size we see in training procedures (15 ). That last declaration definitely appears to prove out as some studies showing an increase in muscle cross sectional area are not always able to discuss this difference through boosts in single fiber size alone (8,19)-- little boosts in fiber number can definitely add to gains, however most likely do not play a major role and don't present as statistically different than their baseline levels-- especially in studies only lasting a few months.
How to Cause Hyperplasia
Now, we need to talk about the unavoidable concern that many individuals will have: how can I cause hyperplasia in my own training? According to the above area, you're going to need to train for a really long time for hyperplasia to occur. Any type of significant gains will take a long time, so don't ever discount the significance of training longevity when considering gains.
Now, when considering prospective severe training techniques for inducing hyperplasia, it's easy to see that the greatest boosts in muscle fiber number in animal research studies was produced by severe mechanical overload at long muscle lengths (14 ). You can presume this for your own training by including techniques such as weighted extending, Intraset extending, and even stretch-pause reps.


Real Alcohol Allergies Are Rare
Genuine alcohol allergies are infrequent nevertheless the reactions can be extreme. The things most people assume to be alcohol allergy is really a reaction to an allergen in the alcohol. Commonplace allergens in alcohol include:
histamines (commonly found in red wine).
sulfites (typically found in white wines).
People frequently call alcohol intolerance an alcohol allergy– and the other way around. People who have a real alcohol allergy ought to avoid alcohol consumption.
What Makes Someone Allergic to Alcohol?
Research into alcohol allergies is restricted. It has primarily concentrated on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). ALDH2 is the enzyme that digests alcohol, converting it into acetic acid or vinegar in the liver. Someone who has a vinegar allergy might have a severe response after consuming alcohol. Research shows that a gene modification called a polymorphism, more prevalent in people of Asian ancestry, inactivates the enzyme ALDH2. Then it is not possible to transform alcohol into vinegar. This condition may be described as an ALDH2 deficit.
Alcohol can also trigger allergies or aggravate existing allergies. A Danish research study found that for each extra alcoholic drink ingested in a week, the danger of in season allergy symptoms went up 3 percent. addiction think that germs and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines. These caused manifestations such as scratchy eyes and stuffy nose.
Persons who think they’ve experienced a reaction to alcohol should see an allergy specialist.
Even a little bit of alcohol can induce symptoms in persons with genuine alcohol allergies. The symptoms might consist of abdominal region pains, a labored respiratory system, and even a respiratory system collapse.
Responses to different ingredients in mixed drinks will induce different manifestations. :.
someone who has an allergy to sulfites may experience hives or anaphylaxis.
somebody who is allergic to histamines might endure nasal inflamation and congestion.
alcohol high in sulfates may intensify asthmatic signs in individuals with asthma.
alcohol may amplify the response to food item allergies.
Other symptoms associated with the components discovered in alcoholic beverages may include:.
nasal congestion consisting of runny or stuffy nose
a feeling of sickness
rapid heart beat.
Rashes and a flushed face or skin.
breathalyzer may experience face reddening (flushing) when they consume alcohol. This alcohol flush reaction is more common in those of Asian descent, due to polymorphism. Facial flushing is not an allergy, just a side effect of alcohol intake in some people.
According to a 2010 scientific investigation released in BMC Evolutionary Biology, the gene change responsible for the polymorphism is related to the domestication of rice in southern China a number of hundred years ago. Individuals with the changed gene have reduced possibility for alcoholism than others, mainly due to the uncomfortable response that happens after consuming alcohol.
Even though reddening of the face might manifest in individuals with an ALDH2 deficiency, some other people develop red, warm, blotchy skin after drinking an alcoholic beverage. This sign is commonly related to sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is commonly employed to process and help protect alcohol. breathalizer might set off responses to allergens such as wheat or sulfites. Histamines and the tannins found in wine might even induce rashes in some people.
The only method to eliminate manifestations of an alcohol allergy is to refrain from alcohol. Persons who’ve had a severe allergic response to certain foods should use a medical alert pendant and ask their physician if they require to bring an emergency epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector like an EpiPen in case of an extreme allergic reaction.
What most individuals believe to be alcohol allergy is in fact a response to an irritant in the alcohol. Someone who has a vinegar allergy might have an extreme reaction after drinking alcohol. Alcohol can even set off allergic reactions or irritate existing allergies. Facial reddening is not an allergic response, it is simply a side effect of alcohol intake in some individuals.
The only way to avoid symptoms of an alcohol allergy is to refrain from alcohol.


Did you know April is National Heartworm Awareness Month?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the United States and many other parts of the world. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but heartworms also live in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and—in rare instances—humans. Because wild species such as foxes and coyotes live in proximity to many urban areas, they are considered important carriers of the disease.
12 months of Sentinel Spectrum for a 50-100 pound dog= $166.96
Heartworm Treatment for a 53 pound dog= $670 + monthly heartworm prevention
There is no treatment for cats currently.
April is also:
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Other fun April Holidays
• April 1st through 7th: International Pooper Scooper Week
• April 2nd: National Ferret Day
• April 4th: World Rat Day
• April 7th through 13th: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
• April 10th: National Hug Your Dog Day; ASPCA Day
• April 11th: National Pet Day
• April 22nd: Earth Day
• April 23rd: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
• April 28th: National Pet Parent’s Day
• April 30th: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day


Covid 19 Rapid Test Kit
The Test COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test (15 min) is an in vitro diagnostic test for the qualitative determination of COVID-19's IgM and IgG antibodies in human whole blood, serum, plasma and fingertip blood. The test kit consists of test devices and buffer. It is for in vitro diagnostic use only and can be used in point- of care testing settings and central laboratories. The test kit is based on immunoassay technology.


Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries resulting from two forces. One is created by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. The other is the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow.
According to the American Heart Association, Blood pressure below 120 over 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is considered optimal for adults. A systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg is considered “pre-hypertension” and needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 or higher is considered high.
Additional blood pressure screens are held at Community Health and Wellness on Mondays from 9 am to noon; Wednesdays from noon to 4 pm; Fridays 9 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm.


"When children are born prematurely (before 36 weeks of gestation), their organs are not as prepared as those of full term children to handle functioning in the outside world. As a result, the most important bodily functions become circulation, breathing air effectively and efficiently, and carrying oxygen to the organs.
Premature birth interrupts the final stages of normal lung development. If lungs were to be represented as an upside-down tree, the lungs of a full-term baby would be fully branched with many leaves. The lungs of a premature baby would look like a simple tree or sapling and would be very rudimentary, with only a few branches and leaves. Since the body counts on those branches to breathe, a simple tree cannot function as well as a fully developed tree.
The illustration graphically shows how the lungs of a premature baby differ from a full-term infant and why a disease such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can be so serious. A premature baby’s lungs are underdeveloped and cannot fight an infection such as RSV as well as a full-term baby’s can.”
– Alan Cohen, MD, FAAP, FCCP


Your eyelids are important to the protection, health and function of your eyes. If you have eyelid damage following an injury, skin cancer, or previous surgery, then our experienced oculo-facial surgeons can determine whether you are a good candidate for our Philadelphia and Wayne, PA eyelid reconstruction procedure, one of the many reconstructive facial surgeries at our practice. To schedule a consultation with one of our oculoplastic surgeons, please call Morgenstern Center for Orbital and Facial Plastic Surgery at (610) 687.8771.
Eyelid Trauma and Injury
The eyelids are a very important part of your anatomy. This thin, delicate skin protects your eyes from sunlight, injury and the elements. The tear drains are important for lubricating your eyes by spreading tears across the cornea. The eyelid is a moving, functional body part, opening and closing when needed.
Eyelid reconstruction may be beneficial following:
- Injury or physical trauma
- Defect after skin cancer surgery
- Defect after removal of growth
- Complication from a previous eyelid surgery
The eyelid skin is quite thin and there is very little fat. For this reason, it can be torn or injured easily if you have been involved in an accident or trauma. Such an injury may require reconstruction of the eyelid skin or tear drains depending on the extent of damage.
Eyelid reconstruction is often necessary after surgery to remove a tumor or growth from the eyelid area. If the cancer surgery leaves of significant divot – or a hole where tissue was removed – then reconstruction surgery can restore the tissue lost in this area. This surgery is important for both facial appearance and the proper function of the eyelid.
How the Eyelids can be Reconstructed
Reconstructive eyelid surgery depends on what exactly the nature of the defect is and how it needs to be repaired. The most simple eyelid injuries can sometimes be repaired with stitches, but more serious injuries and defects may require skin grafting, possibly taken from an area nearby the eyelid, or a flap of skin and muscle can be taken from elsewhere on your body.
This type of procedure is delicate, complex and vitally important. Our oculo-facial surgeons are highly specialized in surgeries of the face and eyes, and know how to repair eyelid damage while taking into account the tear ducts, eye appearance, function and other factors.
Enucleation and Evisceration
An eye injury or tumor may also require "enucleation" or "evisceration":
- Enucleation: removal of the entire eye
- Evisceration: Removal of the contents of the eye
While enucleation removes the entire eyeball, evisceration leaves the muscles of the eye and the white portion of the eye intact.
One of these procedures may be necessary to manage pain caused by a blind eye, to treat a tumor or an infection, or to improve the appearance of a disfigured eye. If a tumor is present, enucleation is often the best course of action. For the other eye problems, removal or evisceration may be an option. Our experienced oculo-facial surgeons will determine the most appropriate treatment.
If you have suffered an eyelid injury or have a defect from tumor removal surgery, please call Morgenstern Center for Orbital and Facial Plastic Surgery, at (610) 687.8771, to learn about your eyelid reconstruction options near and beyond the greater Main Line Philadelphia area.


An ultrasound test is a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the organs and structures of the body. The test can be used for many purposes including obtaining views of a developing fetus, the heart, abdominal organs and blood vessels.
Ultrasounds are performed by a Registered Sonographer, and the results are read by a radiologist specially trained in interpreting ultrasound images.
Please bring the referral requisition given to you by your doctor, as well as any documentation they may have provided. Please bring your Provincial Health Card.


It won’t be long and we’ll be hearing the yodel, hoot, wail and tremelo sounds of our native Common Loons! After a winter, where they experience a complete molt of their feathers, they usually return from the South in mid-April to early May.
Wisconsin has a summer population of over 4000 breeding loons. They are the darlings of the lake that they inhabit and are greeted with joy when they return. As much as we swoon over the fact that they “mate for life” and return to the same area together each year. Much of their lives is spent alone. They migrate in the Fall alone. They winter alone and they come back alone. (I’d go it alone too if I lost all my feathers.) The male loon usually returns first and waits for the female. After only a few days of calling and swimming side-by-side, they are back in synch, ready to build their nest.
They spend most of their lives in the water because their bodies aren’t built for land dwelling. But they will typically lay two eggs in a nest on high ground and then teach their babies to swim through the course of the summer. The chicks ride on their backs for only about the first 10 days. After that, the parents swarm and coddle them as they grow and become stronger swimmers.
The immature loons will migrate South for their first autumn, but don’t make the return flight for about 3 years. Once they do return, they will choose a place within 30 miles of their birthplace. With a typical lifespan of about 25 years, they have a pretty reliable flight pattern. From sun country to God’s country – nature is the original “get-it-right” operation! ~ Wanda Boldon


Dr. Doris Wang is a neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UCSF with a clinical and research focus in treating movement disorders using neuromodulation and ablative procedures. Her research goal is to understand neural network physiology involved with human motor control in movement disorders and using novel neuromodulation tools to study and treat brain diseases and injuries.
2000 – 2004: B.S., Yale University
2004 – 2011: M.D., PhD; UCSF
2011 – 2017: Neurosurgery Resident; UCSF
2017 – 2018: Clinical Fellow in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery; UCSF
2018 – Present: Assistant Professor, Neurological Surgery, UCSF
2018: American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Resident Poster Award
2017: 2017 Journal of Neurosurgery Editor’s Choice Article
2017: American Association of Neurological Surgeons Journal of Neuro-oncology Award
2016: UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery Best Translational Research Presentation
2015: Congress of Neurological Surgeons Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Resident Award
2014: UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery Best Clinical Presentation
Pallidal deep brain stimulation disrupts pallidal beta oscillations and coherence with primary motor cortex in Parkinson’s disease
Wang DD, de Hemptinne C, Miocinovic S, Ostrem JL, Galifianakis NB, San Luciano M, Starr PA.
J Neurosci. 2018 May 9; 38(19):4556-4568. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0431-18.2018. Epub 2018 Apr 16.


Local community and wildlife to benefit from RNOH redevelopment proposals
New areas of woodland and open space and enhancements to habitats for birds, mammals and reptiles will be key features of the RNOH's redevelopment.
The redevelopment will see the site transformed to create a more environmentally sustainable landscape, including improved access to high quality open spaces and a multi-story car park which will end the current ad hoc and haphazard car parking arrangements.
RNOH Chief Executive Rob Hurd said: “Our team has worked closely with independent experts throughout the planning application process to ensure plans are in place that safeguard and enhance habitats for wildlife and build on our unique natural setting for the benefit of patients and the public in future. We have worked closely with the London Borough of Harrow’s planning advisors throughout the process and we are grateful for their advice.”
The RNOH has marked out routes for new footpaths and cycle ways through the grass and woodland and there will also be new facilities for children in a revitalised natural environment.
Precautions are in place to safeguard and enhance habitats for wildlife during the construction phase. Habitat creation and expansion will bring benefits to bats, badgers, birds, amphibians, reptiles, Southern wood ants and will also allow for a greater diversity of species. New roosting opportunities will be provided for bats and habitats for the Southern wood ant will be protected during construction; the Southern wood ant population will increase as a result of the redevelopment.
Building work is expected to begin later this year.


Whether it's a patented medical device, drug, plant, or gene product, it is likely that the resulting patent involved the biological sciences. Biologists meet with patent attorneys just as engineers do. The patentability of their innovations is balanced against the legal prohibition on patenting human organisms. The tension between this restriction and biological innovation is one of the hottest areas in intellectual property.
Plants and Bacteria
Federal law first allowed inventors to patent plants in 1930, when Congress enacted the Plant Patent Act. Under this law, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can grant a plant patent to inventors who can asexually -- from a single parent -- reproduce a plant that they invented or discovered. Other patentable biological products include genetically modified organisms, such as bacteria that consume spilled oil.
Patent Issues With Genes
Biologists and patent attorneys alike were interested in the 2013 case, Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court held Myriad could not patent the BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes, which are associated with breast cancer, because they did not actually invent them. But the court also ruled that a synthetic complementary DNA sequence that contained only those portions of the gene coding for proteins was patentable. This important ruling allows scientists to develop cures that will be protected by the law without patenting life itself.


Footmed Foot and Ankle Clinic is Adelaide, Elizabeth Vale and Murray Bridge’s experienced team of podiatrists. We help to identify heel pain causes while providing effective and lasting heel pain treatment.
Morton’s neuroma is a pathological condition of the common digital nerve, most frequently between the third and fourth metatarsals (third intermetatarsal space). The nerve sheath becomes abnormally thickened with fibrous (scar) tissue. A diagnostic ultrasound may be ordered to confirm this.
- Pain most commonly in the ball of the foot and affecting one or two of the lesser toes (usually the third and fourth).
- Pain can sometimes radiate to the top of the foot
- The pain may can be intermittent in nature – it may disappear as quickly as it came
- Pain is often sharp, burning, or cramping in nature
- Pain may radiate into the tips of the toes or up the foot/ leg
- Aggravated by tight shoes and prolonged weight-bearing
- Removing the shoe often relieved the pain
Morton’s neuroma pain causes
The exact cause is not yet fully understood. A neuroma most often affects women over 50 years of age and aggravated by tight or high-heeled shoes. Faulty foot mechanics is thought to play a role.
The condition seems to occur in response to irritation, pressure or injury to one of the nerves that lead to your toes. The neuroma is part of your body’s response to the irritation or injury. In some cases, Morton’s neuroma may result from abnormal movement of your foot, caused by bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet or excessive flexibility.
Pads, rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication can help improve comfort. Wide shoes with foot orthoses and cortisone injections may resolve the pain in some people. If the neuroma is small in size a course of 5-6 injections of local anesthetic around the neuroma can be helpful. No long-term studies are available. However, surgery is recommended if treatment is ineffective and problems interfere with quality of life.
The operation involves removing the enlarged nerve by a cut made on the top of the foot. The deep transverse metatarsal ligament suspected of causing some of the constriction above the nerve is released. The thickened nerve is then isolated from the surrounding tissue and cut where the nerve trunk appears normal again. An inflamed intermetatarsal bursa is often present and this is also removed. The specimen is sent for a pathology examination.
This operation (neurectomy) by a dorsal approach has shown good to excellent patient satisfaction rates (78-84%) in two good studies.. The Coughlin and Pinsonneault study is a long term follow up after 11 years.
- Infection (smoking increases by 16X)
- Stump neuroma can occur when little sproutlets of nerve from the cut end of the nerve starts to grow again. These sproutlets can grow into a ball that hurts like (or more than) the original neuroma and this requires further surgery to rectify.
- Wound problems (slow to heal)
- Scar sensitivity
- Nerve Injury (nerves can be bruised which resolves but you can be left with permanent numbness)
- CRPS = Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Rare <1%)
- Deep vein thrombosis (clot in deep vein in the legs)
The underneath of the foot can remain tender for about 3-4 months after surgery. This is likely to resolve on its own without treatment. An orthotic will also help.


The versatile open source genome analysis software
The GenomeTools genome analysis system is a free collection of bioinformatics tools (in the realm of genome informatics) combined into a single binary named gt. It is based on a C library named “libgenometools” which consists of several modules.
If you are interested in gene prediction, have a look at GenomeThreader.
GenomeTools: a comprehensive software library for efficient processing of structured genome annotations.
IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 2013, 10(3):645–656
Published software in GenomeTools
The GenomeTools distribution includes several published software tools:
- LTRharvest, an efficient and flexible software tool for
de novo detection of LTR retrotransposons.
D. Ellinghaus, S. Kurtz, and U. Willhoeft.
LTRharvest, a efficient and flexible software for de novo detection of LTR retrotransposons.
BMC Bioinformatics 2008, 9:18
- Tallymer, a collection of flexible and memory-efficient
programs for k-mer counting and indexing of large sequence sets.
S. Kurtz, A. Narechania, J.C. Stein, and D. Ware.
A new method to compute K-mer frequencies and its application to annotate large repetitive plant genomes.
BMC Genomics 2008, 9:517
- uniquesub, a program for computing minimum unique substrings.
S. Gräf, F.G.G. Nielsen, S. Kurtz, M.A. Huynen, E. Birney, H. Stunnenberg, and P. Flicek.
Optimized design and assessment of whole genome tiling arrays.
Bioinformatics 2007, 23(13):i195–i204
- AnnotationSketch, a library for drawing genome annotations.
S. Steinbiss, G. Gremme, C. Schärfer, M. Mader and S. Kurtz.
AnnotationSketch: a genome annotation drawing library.
Bioinformatics 2009, 25(4):533–534
- LTRdigest, a software tool for automated annotation of internal features of LTR retrotransposons.
S. Steinbiss, U. Willhoeft, G. Gremme and S. Kurtz.
Fine-grained annotation and classification of de novo predicted LTR retrotransposons.
Nucleic Acids Research 2009, 37(21):7002–7013
- MetaGenomeThreader, a software to predict genes, such as PCS's (predicted coding sequences) in sequences of metagenome projects.
D.J. Schmitz-Hübsch and S. Kurtz.
MetaGenomeThreader: A software tool for predicting genes in DNA-sequences of metagenome projects.
In R. Daniel and W. Streit (Eds.), Metagenomics. Methods in Molecular Biology, 325–338, Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, ISBN 978-1-60761-822-5
- GtEncseq, a compressed biosequence representation with many features.
S. Steinbiss and S. Kurtz.
A New Efficient Data Structure for Storage and Retrieval of Multiple Biosequences.
IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 2012, 9(2):345–357
- Readjoiner, a sequence assembler based on the assembly string graph framework.
G. Gonnella and S. Kurtz.
Readjoiner: a fast and memory efficient string graph-based sequence assembler.
BMC Bioinformatics 2012, 13:82
The following software tools are based on the GenomeTools library:
a software tool to compute eukaryote gene structure predictions.
G. Gremme, V. Brendel, M.E. Sparks, and S. Kurtz.
Engineering a software tool for gene structure prediction in higher organisms.
Information and Software Technology 2005, 47(15):965–978
- FISH Oracle,
a web server for visualizing cancer genomics data.
M. Mader, R. Simon, S. Steinbiss and S. Kurtz.
FISH Oracle: a web server for flexible visualization of DNA copy number data in a genomic context.
Journal of Clinical Bioinformatics 2011, 1:20
- ParsEval, a
tool for comparing genome annotations.
D.S. Standage and V.P. Brendel.
ParsEval: parallel comparison and analysis of gene structure annotations.
BMC Bioinformatics 2012, 13:187
a graphical interface for working with LTR retrotransposon predictions.
S. Steinbiss, S. Kastens and S. Kurtz.
LTRsift: a graphical user interface for semi-automatic classification and postprocessing of de novo detected LTR retrotransposons.
Mobile DNA 2012, 3:18
- FISH Oracle 2,
a web-based software tool for the integrative analysis of cancer genomics data.
M. Mader, R. Simon, and S. Kurtz.
FISH Oracle 2: a web server for integrative visualization of genomic data in cancer research.
Journal of Clinical Bioinformatics 2014, 4:5


The Manchester Guardian has an excellent article on the opening of the park, with a detailed account of the plantings by Dutch horticulturalist Piet Oudolf, and a comparison with similar projects elsewhere. I am impressed. Current horticultural thinking is all about "what wants to grow there".
Forty per cent of the species Oudolf put on the High Line were already there, dropped by birds and blown by the winds on to the railbed during its derelict years. Sustainable may be an overused adjective, but Oudolf embraces the notion, in that what was put there by nature was, by definition, sustained.
It reminds me of the agrarian writings of Masanobu Fukuoka, and reflects my own attitude about the ecology of urban yards.


19th September 2022
Clinical Genetics Society Medical Student Essay Prize 2022-2023
We look forward to new essay entries.
Clinical Genetics Society Medical Student Essay Prize 2021-2022
Medical students in the UK were invited to submit a 2,000 word essay titled
‘How can we address inequalities in access to genetic services?’.
Health inequality has long been recognised as an important matter, but never
more so than now, with the COVID-19 global pandemic only increasing the gap.
Congratulations to the 2021- 2022 winners:
Holly Pratt, a 4th year medical student at the University of Leicester
Jonathan Heng, a 1st year medical student at the University of Bristol
Click here to view the winning essays


CHARACTERISTICS AND APPLICATIONS
Ecological biostimulant with amino acids for moments of physiological stress
SERVANITRO STAR® is a product obtained from natural sources and is based on amino acids of enzymatic hydrolysis. It solubility is total in water. The amino acids contained in the formulation are obtained using biological methods and, in any case, from a chemical hydrolysis process. It has a high content of organic nitrogen making it an excellent fertilizer of gradual mineralization, preventing leaching losses.
SERVANITRO STAR® has a biostimulant action on crops due to its richness in amino acids of biological origin and is also an important source of organic nitrogen.
It is especially indicated in the initial growth and development stages of the crop, in the flowering and fruit growth stage and at any time when biotic or abiotic stress is generated in the crop.
• Foliar: 100-300 g/hL (1-3 kg/ha)
• Fertigation: 2-4 kg/ha
|Total amino acids
|Nitrogen (N) total
|Nitrogen (N) organic
|Total organic matter
Main amino acids: Alanine 9,85%; Aspartic Acid + Asparagine 5,70%; Glutamic Acid + Glutamine 9,89%; Glycine 22,06%; Proline 13,25%; Hydroxyproline 9,85%; Serine 1,26%; Arginine 4,78%; Histidine 7,70%; Isoleucine 1,59%; Leucine 3,16%; Valine 2,40%; Lysine 3,22%; Methionine 0,56%; Phenylalanine 2,03%; Threonine 0,40%.


Since the dawn of humanity, people have hunted animals for sustenance or in defense of family and livestock. These direct actions have had catastrophic impacts, however, it is only recently that the indirect actions of humans have had such an impact on so many species.
Habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, noise pollution, entanglement in human debris, microplastic contamination of water, introduction of invasive species, air pollution, and migration disruption are just a few of the factors pushing many species towards extinction. Many of these ideas are considered to be fairly recent, and have only become an issue due to rising global population and reliance on fossil fuels and oil products.
Some organisms have been observed to adapt well to changing conditions. The best example of this might be the Peppered Moth (Biston betularia). The Peppered Moth is a small, nocturnal moth that lives over most of the world. It is about 5.5cm across and, as the name would suggest, is speckled in appearance.
One of the regions that this small moth calls home is the British Isles. From 1760-1840, Britain experienced huge growth in industry. Before the explosion of factory manufacturing, most products had been hand-crafted, meaning little machinery had been used. With so much production, air quality decreased rapidly. The creation of soda ash was particularly detrimental to air quality, as it released noxious gases and smoke into the atmosphere. All of this lead to deposits of carbon, coating everything from houses to trees. Suddenly, the Peppered moth went from blending into wood to standing out- white on black.
At this time, Darwin’s theory of natural selection and evolution was not widely accepted. When biologists started to notice the colour shift in the Peppered moth, however, that began to change. By 1895, 98% of Peppered moths were the black phenotype. This made them blend in against the now- dark environment, meaning they were harder to see, and therefore, harder to consume. The lighter, original phenotype stood out to predators and made them less successful, or, as Darwin would have described it, less “fit”.
So what’s the big deal? There was soot on everything and a moth changed colour. Who cares? This was actually very significant, as it is still one of the only instances of visible evolution. Generally, natural selection occurs over hundreds or thousands of years, making it impossible to witness first hand. The Peppered moth spoke to the power of natural selection. It also was a perfect illustrator on how human activity was forcing animals to adapt their behaviour (in this case, their sexual selection of mates).
The moth indicated the poor air quality before Britain even thought to regulate air pollution, but soon the human population started to see the negative impacts of the smog. Several laws were put into place to try and reduce the air pollution. The first of which was the Public Health Act, enacted in 1875. This act was meant to decrease the amount of smoke being released from factories, trains, and private fireplaces. The most recent was passed in response to the Killer Smog of 1952. The Clean Air Act of 1956 outlined areas of stricter smoke control. Chimney height had to be reduced, only smokeless fuels could be burned, and smoke that was released was only allowed to be so dark. This did not eliminate the air pollution issue, but it did decrease it.
How did this change in policy impact Peppered moths? With the deposits of soot decreasing all over Britain, it was no longer advantageous for moths to be dark in colour. With the trees returning to their original light colouration, the moths once again stood out- this time black on white. Suddenly, the moths that would have been superior at the height of the Industrial Revolution were more vulnerable to predation and, therefore, less fit. If the moths wanted to survive, they would have to make another behavioral shift, once again demonstrating the power of natural selection to the scientific community. Scientists are hoping that the public can help them to find the distribution of different colouration types of moths over Britain, by identifying Peppered moths and reporting on what colour they are.
The Peppered moth is an interesting example of natural selection and behavioural adaptation, but really it is a ‘near miss’. If the moth had not been able to adapt its colouration to the human-impacted environment, it likely would have gone extinct over a century ago. It’s a near miss because human influences almost had serious consequences for this species.
What about species that cannot change their colouration? Or cannot naturally select their way out of poaching or entanglement? What about organisms who find that their stop-over migration grounds have been turned into a subdivision, when only one year ago it was a marsh? Though the Peppered moth didn’t really end up experiencing lasting population or even behavioural changes as a result of decreasing air quality, many species aren’t so lucky. We should take the story of this little creature as a tale of warning: we as humans have huge influence on the fate of most species on the planet, and should take this seriously.
We are entering the 6th major extinction event because of human impact on the planet. Let us learn from this ‘Near Miss Moth’, and take action for species that will not be able to rely on a colour mutation in order to dodge human impact and extinction.


MyDogDNA canine testing service discovers known gene for canine bleeding disorder also in Finnish Hound and Welsh Springer Spaniels
Genoscoper Laboratories, genomics laboratory in Helsinki, Finland, reports today that they have identified the known mutation responsible for a canine bleeding disorder called Canine Factor VII Deficiency (cFVII) in two dog breeds, the Finnish Hound and the Welsh Springer Spaniel. The discovery has been made with MyDogDNA, canine DNA testing service based on a dog’s genome-wide analysis.
Canine Factor VII Deficiency is caused by a mutation in the Factor VII gene, which encodes a protein that is crucial for the initiation of blood coagulation. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive gene, so a dog needs to inherit the defective gene from both its sire and dam to manifest the disease. Symptoms of Canine Factor VII Deficiency can include bruising, bleeding from the nose or vagina, or internal bleeding, but the disorder typically goes unnoticed until trauma or surgery results in prolonged bleeding affected dogs. Clinical symptoms can be reduced by blood transfusions or recombinant FVII therapy, but long-term management is difficult.
The mutation was originally discovered in Beagles and has since been reported in the Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Klee Kai, Giant Schnauzer, and Scottish Deerhound. Because the consequences of a genetic mutation are not necessarily the same in every breed, the discovery of cFVII in these two additional breeds highlights the need for further research to validate the link between the mutation and its manifestation as the bleeding disorder. As the next step, the MyDogDNA research team, headed by Dr. Jonas Donner at Genoscoper Laboratories, will be cooperating with other researchers, breed clubs, breeders, and veterinarians worldwide to identify genetically affected (homozygous) dogs and determine if this mutation indeed produces the same bleeding disorder seen in other breeds.
The Finnish-based Genoscoper Laboratories is the first canine diagnostics laboratory in the world to use a genome-wide DNA analysis for genetic testing. Unlike single-gene tests, MyDogDNA's comprehensive panel analysis tests for over hundred known mutations simultaneously, using only a single DNA sample swabbed from inside the dog's cheek. The technology also records at the same time thousands of neutral chromosomal markers that can be used to measure genetic diversity and even locate new mutations associated with other genetic disorders.
The development of comprehensive panel screening allows MyDogDNA to provide much deeper insights into canine genome. This will translate into genetic information that can be used by breeders and veterinarians to reduce the incidence of inherited diseases in dogs.
further information, please visit www.mydogdna.com
For press and media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Saila Sorsa, Head of Customer Relations at Genoscoper Laboratories
mobile +358 50 5736697, saila.sorsa(at)mydogdna.com
MyDogDNA™ testing services provided by Genoscoper Laboratories help explore inherited characteristics in dogs. The world's first genome-wide DNA analysis, core of the MyDogDNA testing services, enables panel screening of several known canine hereditary disorders and conformational traits with a comprehensive assessment of the level of inbreeding of a single dog as well as that of the breed. The global MyDogDNA database provides dog breeders with information and new tools to reduce harmful inbreeding and disease load within their breed.


Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Corina Newsome is a wildlife biologist dedicated to the integration of environmental justice and conservation science and practice. Corina earned her bachelor's degree in zoo and wildlife biology from Malone University and, after several years as an animal care professional, went on to earn her master's degree in biology from Georgia Southern University.
With a specific passion for avian conservation, Corina’s research focuses on answering landscape ecology questions that help us better understand how we can help birds thrive in a changing world. Corina’s fascination with birds extends beyond her research and into the communities where she lives and works, serving as beautiful vehicles through which she connects herself and others to the world around them.
In addition to her work as a wildlife scientist, Corina is committed to increasing the representation and visibility of Black science professionals for the next generation of STEM experts, and centering the leadership and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color in wildlife conservation, environmental education, and exploration of the natural world.


Bernadette, a thirteen year old spayed female domestic long hair cat, just could not seem to get over an ear infection. It seemed to respond to ear medication, but every time it would mysteriously return once she was off medication. She was brought to Hampden Family Pet Hospital for evaluation where not only was an infection found, but also a mass was seen inside her ear canal. Bernadette was placed under general anesthesia for skull xrays and video otoscopy (using a small camera to look within the ear) to help visualize her middle ear. Based on those findings, surgery was performed to remove the mass coming from the middle ear which luckily came back as a benign growth, called an inflammatory polyp. After a short stay in the hospital, Bernadette was sent home. She did develop Horner’s syndrome, a possible side effect of the surgery, which causes the affected side to have a drooping eyelid, smaller pupil, sunken in appearance, and exposed third eyelid. This condition can be temporary or permanent and is caused by irritation of the nerves within the middle ear. In Bernadette’s case, the Horner’s syndrome resolved over a few months and since surgery, she has not had any more ear infections.
Inflammatory polyps within the ear are typically found in younger cats and are one of the most common causes of disease in that part of the body. Symptoms can include head shaking, pawing at the ear, discharge, and neurologic signs, such as Horner’s syndrome, head tilt, and a drunken gait. Because of Bernadette’s age, both benign and malignant masses had to be considered. Advanced imaging, such as CT scan or MRI, can help determine the extent of a mass prior to surgery and give us a better idea of prognosis. If your pet displays any of these signs or you are concerned about a stubborn ear infection, do not hesitate to seek veterinary care.


10 Benefits of Eating Dates
Dates have been consumed for centuries and are well-known for their sweet taste and unique texture. These small fruits pack a powerful punch when it comes to nutritional value and health benefits. From improving digestion to boosting heart health, dates offer a wide range of advantages that make them an excellent addition to your diet. In this article, we will explore the ten remarkable benefits of eating dates, highlighting why you should consider incorporating them into your daily routine.
- Rich in Essential Nutrients: Dates are loaded with essential nutrients that promote overall well-being. They contain high levels of fibre, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. These nutrients are vital for maintaining a healthy nervous system, supporting muscle function, and aiding in the formation of red blood cells. By including dates in your diet, you can ensure you’re getting a natural source of valuable vitamins and minerals.
- Improved Digestive Health: If you’re looking to improve your digestive health, dates can be a valuable ally. The high fibre content in dates helps regulate bowel movements, preventing constipation and promoting a healthy digestive system. Additionally, dates contain soluble and insoluble fibres that contribute to better nutrient absorption and a healthy gut microbiome.
- Enhanced Brain Function: Dates are a brain-friendly food due to their high potassium content. Potassium is an essential mineral that promotes proper oxygen supply to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and boosting concentration. Regular consumption of dates can improve memory, enhance focus, and support overall brain health.
- Natural Energy Booster: Dates are an excellent natural source of energy. Their natural sugars, including fructose, glucose, and sucrose, provide a quick energy boost without the need for processed sugars. By incorporating dates into your diet, you can experience sustained energy levels throughout the day, making them an ideal snack choice for athletes or those with an active lifestyle.
- Heart Health: When it comes to cardiovascular health, dates have numerous benefits. They are low in cholesterol and contain no sodium, making them heart-friendly fruits. Moreover, dates are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. The antioxidants present in dates also contribute to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, further supporting heart health.
- Strengthened Bones and Teeth: Dates are an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, manganese, and magnesium, which are crucial for maintaining strong bones and teeth. These minerals play a vital role in bone density and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis. Including dates in your diet can be particularly beneficial for growing children, pregnant women, and individuals at risk of bone-related issues.
- Improved Immune System: Dates contain several antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid, which help strengthen the immune system and protect the body against various infections. Regular consumption of dates can boost your body’s defence mechanisms, reducing the risk of illness and supporting overall health.
- Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: The antioxidant properties of dates help combat oxidative stress, which is a significant contributor to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The high fibre content in dates also aids in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, making them a suitable choice for individuals with diabetes. By incorporating dates into your diet, you can reduce the risk of these conditions and promote long-term health.
- Natural Weight Management: Dates are satisfying and nutritious snacks that can aid in weight management. The high fibre content promotes feelings of fullness, reducing the urge to overeat. Additionally, dates’ natural sweetness can help curb sugar cravings, making them a healthier alternative to processed sweets. Including dates in a balanced diet can support healthy weight loss or maintenance goals.
- Promotes Healthy Skin: The vitamins and minerals present in dates, such as vitamins C and D, selenium, and zinc, contribute to healthy skin. These nutrients help combat skin ageing, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production. Regular consumption of dates can improve skin elasticity, prevent wrinkles, and contribute to a glowing complexion.
Dates are not only delicious but also offer a wide range of impressive health benefits. From improving digestive health and enhancing brain function to promoting heart health and healthy skin, incorporating dates into your diet can significantly contribute to your overall well-being. Whether enjoyed on their own, added to smoothies, or used as a natural sweetener, dates provide a nutritious and versatile addition to any meal plan. Embrace the many advantages of dates and experience the positive impact they can have on your health and vitality.
Buy Best Dates in Malaysia at our online store.


IPL Laser – Permanent hair Reduction and Removal
Using Phaser EPL™ Smartlite™ dual phase technology high powered multi-purpose IPL system, Phaser EPL delivers pulses of light into the skin at specific wavelengths which selectively absorb in the melanin pigment in the hair follicle and the vascular network that feeds the germ cells locked in the bulge. The light energy heats the pigment and effectively disables the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin tissue. It is important to note that IPL hair removal is effective in removing hairs which are in the growing phase.
A course of treatments will be required, usually 6-10 sessions to reduce or remove unwanted hairs. (Discounts available on courses of treatments.)


Our eyes are a window: they reveal when we don’t get enough sleep, if we drank too much wine the night before or how much we laughed throughout our lives.
This is because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the face, making it more susceptible to irritation, dryness and environmental damage, which can contribute to the onset of skin aging. And that’s because the skin around your eyes doesn’t have as many sebaceous glands and collagen as the rest of your face and body, making it more prone to dryness, sagging, wrinkles. and fine lines, according to a study published in 2015 in Advanced biomedical research.
To help prevent these common eye problems, dermatologists stress the importance of using dedicated eye care products, as they are formulated specifically for the delicate eye area.
“When treating a skin problem around the eyes, it’s important to properly diagnose the problem first in order to get the best treatment and the best results,” says Joshua Zeichner, MDdirector of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Luckily, there are tons of products to choose from when it comes to eye skin care, including serums, creams, oils, and tools. So if you’re not using any eye care products, don’t worry, it’s never too late to start, and these pro tips will lead you to the best solution for your needs.
From lightening dark circles to reducing puffiness, discover expert-approved tips and product choices for common eye skin care concerns below.
Softens fine lines and crow’s feet
Crow’s feet are the hallmark of a happy life. Those horizontal creases that form at the outer corners of the eyes are largely the result of muscle movements that occur when we smile and laugh. If you want to soften them, “a retinoid product can be very helpful,” says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cambridge, MA. Retinoids can trigger collagen production in the skin to help smooth out some of the wrinkles. A prescription retinoid such as Tretinoin Cream 0.025% can be quite effective, although Dr. Hirsch suggests sticking to the area outside the eye socket (you can feel the orbital bone at the perimeter).
To treat fine lines under the eyes, you can try an over-the-counter eye cream with retinol, which is a less potent retinoid. Whether you’re using a prescription retinoid or an over-the-counter version, start by tapping on a small dot one night a week and gradually work your way up to multiple nights of use to limit dryness and irritation. If you can’t tolerate a retinoid, consider a peptide eye cream, which can also boost collagen. Remember to protect your skin by applying a product with a Broad Spectrum SPF of 50 or higher. (To avoid stinging the eyes, Dr. Hirsch recommends using a sunscreen stick, which won’t run into the eyes.)
Lack of sleep can make dark circles worse, but it’s usually not the root cause. “The main culprits for creating circles are excess pigment in the skin and the hollowness around the eyes that occurs with age,” says Dr. Zeichner. To determine which type you have, stand in front of a brightly lit mirror. “Gently pinch a bit of the dark skin and pull it slightly forward,” he advises. “If the skin is still dark, it signals excess pigment. If the skin color looks normal, digging around your eyes creates shadows.
For dark circles caused by pigmentation, Dr. Zeichner suggests an eye cream containing vitamin C, which helps reduce the skin’s production of melanin (aka pigment). Choose a formula in a tube or pump bottle rather than a jar to preserve the potency of the ingredient, and apply it daily. “Think of vitamin C like exercise,” says Dr. Zeichner. “You have to be consistent and persevere for a few months to see results.” For more pronounced dark circles, you may want to consider in-office laser treatment, suggests Dr. Hirsch. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as chronic rubbing can cause more melanin to be produced, especially on more melanic skin types.
Hollowing is a different problem that occurs when the fat under the skin in the tear trough (the area between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek) decreases with age, making the trough deeper and more shaded. “An eye cream rich in hyaluronic acid can help plump the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. For further enhancement, you may want to consider an injectable filler. Drinking water can also help. Although the water you drink will not directly hydrate the skin, when your body is well hydrated, sunken skin will be a little less noticeable.
Going to bed drunk or crying can leave you with puffy eyes, but chronically puffy eyes are often the result of allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, antihistamines can help interfere with the pathway that triggers puffiness, if used correctly.
“You don’t want to wait until you have symptoms to start them,” says Dr. Hirsch. “Ideally, you want to take an antihistamine daily for two weeks before pollen peaks to stay ahead of allergies.” If you suffer from dust and dander allergies, Dr. Hirsch recommends getting an allergy protection cover: “This can prevent household allergens from sticking to your pillow, which can make a significant difference in eliminating that.
prolonged exposure while you sleep.
For an immediate fix, dab on an eye cream containing caffeine, which is an anti-inflammatory that helps constrict blood vessels to remove excess fluid from under the skin. You can also apply popular anti-puffiness eye patches or try a cool compress on your eyes, as cold temperatures also constrict blood vessels. (Just be sure to raise your head to help drainage.) “If you’re prone to puffiness, using a retinol eye cream daily will help firm the skin so the swelling is less noticeable.” , says Dr. Zeichner.
However, if you have what looks like a fatty bulge under your eyes that won’t go away no matter what you try, “it’s probably due to your cheek pad slipping, which can’t be treated with care. of the skin but can be made less obvious with an injectable filler or permanently fixed with surgery,” says Dr. Zeichner.
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Don't let insect bites ruin your beautiful moments. Picasol Anti-Insect protects you against annoying and sometimes dangerous bites of ticks, mosquitoes and other biting insects. This natural insect spray, without DEET, is also suitable for babies (as from 3 months old) and during pregnancy.
Mosquitoes, including malaria mosquito, yellow fever mosquito or the mosquito that causes the ZIKA virus.
Ticks are on the rise in all of Europe and can carry a bacteria causing Lyme disease.
All other biting insects.
Do you stay at home this summer or will you be holidaying in Europe or further away?
Wherever you are, Picasol Anti-insect will protect you.
Suitable for children aged 3 months and up, and pregnant women
With Citriodiol, the only natural insect repellent approved by the authorities (WHO, EU, ...).
Scientifically proven performance (Source: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association)


In the past 24 hours, 6,424 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Serbia out of 20,584 persons tested, while 38 people died of the disease.
The Ministry of Health announced on Sept. 20 that 4,642 people were currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 181 of whom were on ventilators.
A total of 872,110 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Serbia since the beginning of the epidemic, while 7,808 people have died of the disease according to official records.
A shipment of vaccines against COVID-19 made by Pfizer-BioNTech containing 100,650 doses arrived in Serbia on Sept. 20. According to the Serbian government website, the vaccines were delivered to the Belgrade Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera.


Mexico, Feb. 27 (Notimex).- In order to know the past of the Earth, the secrets of DNA and a conversation between the human body and the biology of dinosaurs, the Toluca Cultural Center will exhibit “Dinosaurios Ahora” (Dinosaurs now), “Dime tus genes y te dire quién eres” (Tell me about your genes and I will tell who you are) and “Génesis”, from March 8 to June 9.
“Dinosaurios Ahora” will arrive from the Museum of the Desert in Coahuila with an exhibition composed by scientifically endorsed robots, among which are the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sabinosaur and Acantholipan Gonzalezi”.
“Dime tus genes y te diré quién eres” is an exhibition about genetics, which aims to let children and adults know the secret of DNA life and the relationship between genetics with the environment and the advances of medicine, where the audience can even hear the beating of a giant heart.
“Génesis” is a digital photographic exhibition created by Jorge López, which reflects a connection between the shape and movements of the human body compared to the biology of dinosaurs.
As part of the “Sorpréndete” exhibitions, the exhibitions will be available from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 at the Toluca Cultural Center, State of Mexico.


Main Floral Source: Wildflowers of the Altiplano Central
This is a typical honey from the highlands in central Mexico
Color: yellow, extra light amber
Aroma: Clean, waxy
Taste: Waxy, floral
Primary Taste: Sweet
What is the origin of this honey?
When spring comes to Mexico, sun-drenched expanses of the volcanic mountain slopes on the plateau of the Altiplano Central begin to bloom. It is at this time of the year that beekeepers bring their bees to gorge on the colorful, fragrant splendor of flowers such as the mozote and acahual. Other popular flowers with the bees are the jamarao, perilla and aceitilla.
The combination of these wonderful, exotic flowers gives the incomparable taste of Mexican highland honey, balanced but with a floral note.


The mid-November morning was mostly clear and seasonably cool. A bit of fog was hanging around in the valleys and near the Tennessee River. When I looked out the window and noticed the last of a colorful Red Maple's leaves moving in the breeze, I decided then and there I wanted to go to the woods….I wanted to take a walk through the woods. I wanted to feel the breeze in my face and experience the quiet of the forest from a perch on the edge of a mountain. And I knew just the place. Ten minutes later I was beginning the trek down Sweetgum Trail, one of the recently designed hiking trails in Jasper Highlands. The photographs summarize the experience…though I just missed a few of the inhabitants of the forest who shared space with me during the hike. I saw a Gray Squirrel clinging to the bark of an oak, a White-Breasted Nuthatch in the customary 'upside down' pose on the trunk of a maple, a Blue Jay squawking from a thicket near the creek, and from my seat on a log near the edge, a Red-Tailed Hawk soaring effortlessly on the currents rising from the valley floor. No doubt there was a White-Tailed Deer along the way, but this time I did not see one….though several times I had the feeling I was being watched, for along this trail there are many clandestine vantage points from which Odocoileus could have seen me without being seen. They are very good at such craft. Their very existence depends on it.
There were all kinds of features along this trail that caused me to pause and take note…..a rock wall standing strong and tall over the ravine through which part of the trail winds, the hardwood trees, primarily Red, White and Chestnut Oak, Red Maple, and Mockernut Hickory, but also a few towering Sweetgums (one specimen for which the trail is named). A seasonal creek meandered down the valley adjacent to the trail, and the relaxing trickle of the moving water was a welcome addition to the quiet forest. And then I could see the edge….a place where the mountain topography experienced a sudden change, giving rise to one of the most majestic views in all of the Southeast. I was there, the end of the trail. I placed my backpack and hiking stick on a fallen tree and began to enjoy the scene…..to the south was the Tennessee River and Lake Nickajack….and mountains beyond.
To the east was Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, to the west more tree covered mountains and valleys. Nothing like it….the panorama, the grandeur of The Tennessee River Valley, the quiet, the harmony of the forest. All it takes is a bit of time and initiative and Mother Nature will reward your efforts.
- Mark Bray, Land Specialist


Bulletproof Si ® delivers silicon in a form that may be utilized in virtually any fertilizer regimen. The silicon form (SiO2) has shown to increase agricultural production, yield, strengthening plants, promote resistance to stressors like heat, cold, drought, lodging, accelerate maturity, promotion of a advantageous upright stature which leads to favorable exposure of leaves to light.
Bulletproof Si ® is formulated without potassium to facilitate application flexibility. Bulletproof Si ® is extremely beneficial in hydroponics, coco blends, and soilless growing media. **NOTE** A strong aroma similar to ammonia is normal in Bulletproof Si. The specialty enzymes used in the formula produce a sour, almost acetic smell. Always shake very well before use.
In addition, Bulletproof Si ® is designed for use in hydroponics, continuous feed, drain to waste, soilless, and traditional soil growing applications.
Bulletproof Si ® is recommended for use with all Cutting Edge Solutions® products, as well as with other commercial hydroponic nutrients. Bulletproof Si ® should be applied to roots and leaves during all stages of growth.
Use lighter solutions of Bulletproof Si ® for young plants, perennials, and during foliar application. Higher strength solutions are best suited for fast growing annuals, during both vegetative growth and fruiting/flowering.


International Compost Awareness Week - May 7th - 13th
It’s International Compost Awareness Week! This year’s theme “For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food...Compost!” focuses on how compost can have a role in helping feed the world, by making our soil healthier which produces healthier food.
Composting materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings converts these materials into a nutrient rich soil amendment that communities can use to promote soil fertility and productivity, improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and soil erosion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn more about Composting.


Avascular necrosis (AVN), better known as osteonecrosis, of the femoral head, is a disease that causes death of bone.
In the earliest stages of osteonecrosis plain x-rays are often normal. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) is the key that allows us to detect AVN at its earliest stages.
Will it get Worse?
The natural history of osteonecrosis is linked to the size of the necrotic segment. Very small lesions (involvement of less than 15% of the femoral head) may resolve without any further treatment. On the other hand, lesions involving greater than 50% of the femoral head progress to collapse, and ultimately require in total hip arthroplasty.
Does Avascular Necrosis Cause Pain?
AVN may be present without any pain whatsoever. There may be early hip pain but unfortunately, pain often develops only once the osteonecrosis has progressed quite far. At that time the pain is caused by fragmentation and collapse of the femoral head.
How often is the other hip affected?
Verification of the status of the opposite hip is very important as part of the evaluation of osteonecrosis, because studies have shown that often the contralateral hip is asymptomatic and has a normal x-ray, and even more importantly in cases of non-traumatic osteonecrosis, the incidence of bilaterality is up to 80%.
No one really understands the cause of AVN, but it appears to be related to a disruption of the blood flow to the femoral head. Four basic mechanisms are implicated: mechanical disruption (e.g., broken hip), external pressure on or damage to a vessel wall (e.g., vasculitis, radiation therapy), arterial thrombosis or embolism (e.g., sickle cell diseases, prednisone, alcohol), and venous or blood outflow occlusion (e.g., infection). Although the relationship between the inciting event and the onset of osteonecrosis is clear in some cases, such as vascular disruption from a femoral neck fracture or arterial thrombosis from sickled blood cells, the inciting event in most cases is poorly understood. There is an increased incidence of osteonecrosis seen in people who chronically use corticosteroids, as well as people who consume more than 3 glasses of wine or 5 beers per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an operation to correct Osteonecrosis?
There are several treatment choices, determined by the extent of involvement of the femoral head.
Are there other choices?
Besides non-operative management and core decompression, there are several other treatment modalities, which include osteotomies, bone grafting, and total hip arthroplasty.


Table Of Contents
Do Hair Growth Pills Work? Understanding the Biotin Hair Loss Remedy
Hair loss is something most individuals don’t want to face. Thankfully, there are many different hair loss remedies that are actually effective. Biotin is one of the most popular substances for hair loss, and for good reason. Understanding how biotin works to help hair grow can help individuals determine whether hair growth pills with biotin are a good idea.
What is Biotin?
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, which is also called Vitamin B7. Individuals get biotin from many different foods they consume, including different types of fish and seafood. In the body, biotin helps with many different things, including helping to convert food into energy.
It is actually rare to find an individual who is biotin deficient, but taking biotin in the form of a pill can help many different conditions, such as hair loss. Biotin in the form of a shampoo or topical application isn’t such a great idea, since the body has a difficult time absorbing biotin through the skin. Therefore, a supplement is the best idea.
Underlying Causes of Hair Loss
While it’s true that biotin can help men and women naturally grow thicker, longer and healthier hair – it may not work if there is an underlying cause to the hair loss. There are many different medical conditions that can cause thinning hair and hair loss. Some of these medical conditions are very serious.
If the hair loss is a symptom of an underlying disease or medical condition, the hair growth pills may not work. Some of the medical conditions that can cause hair loss include stress, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disease, diabetes, lupus and certain types of infections. It’s important that individuals speak with their physicians to be sure there is no underlying cause for the hair loss. To learn more about what can cause hair loss, visit Family Doctor.
Daily Intake of Biotin
It’s very rare for an individual to experience a deficiency of biotin. However, it does happen and in some cases is paired with certain medical conditions such as gastrointestinal disease. Individuals who use biotin supplements need to know how much biotin to take daily, though. For adult men and women, the maximum daily requirement of biotin is between 30 to 100 mcg a day. Again, one should speak to his or her physician before starting a biotin supplement.
How Biotin Helps Hair Grow
Biotin produces neurotransmitters in the brain, and helps with many different processes in the body – including the absorption of protein and glucose. The vitamin itself helps individuals’ bones grow stronger, helps boost male sex drive and helps the health of nerve cells, sweat glands and tissues. When an individual doesn’t get enough biotin from his diet and the body is not naturally producing enough, these functions can suffer. This can be one reason individuals experience thinning hair.
However, when it is taken in supplement form, the deficiency is balanced so that the body can use the readily available supply of biotin for these necessary processes and functions. As the body gets the needed help in absorbing protein and glucose, the hair, nails and skin will start to become healthier. This is the reason biotin is so popular with individuals who are suffering with alopecia.
With this information, individuals can understand how biotin works and determine whether it’s right for them.


First Nation Group’s Wellness Program observes National COPD Awareness Month
This November, First Nation Group’s Wellness Program is observing National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness for COPD and recognizing those who care for people with the disease, whether family members, caregivers, or healthcare professionals.
In honor of this month, First Nation Group hosted an informational webinar to educate our employees on the importance of COPD awareness and lung health. Our very own Glenn Munroe, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Tiffany Mueller-Childs, RRT, Patient Solutions Clinical Specialist, and Patti Sawyer, RRT, ACCS, Patient Solutions Clinical Specialist, shared their knowledge of COPD, including risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and more!
Check out the FAQs below to learn more about how you can live a lung-healthy life!
What is COPD?
COPD is a preventable and treatable disease that limits airflow due to chronic inflammation in the airways and lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease affects more than 15 million Americans and is a leading cause of death in the United States with one American dying every four minutes.
What is Emphysema?
Emphysema results in damage to tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen transfers into the bloodstream. Air may also become trapped in the lungs and hard to breathe out.
What is Chronic bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis causes the bronchial tubes to become irritated or swollen. This causes excess mucus and coughing that can last up to three months. The bronchial tubes may lose their cilia. Cilia are tiny hairs that move mucus, so it can be coughed out.
Who develops COPD?
Most COPD patients develop the condition after the age of 40, following years of exposure to something that irritates the lung such as cigarette smoking, vaping, exposure to air pollution, or workplace fumes.
What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic condition in which the body does not make enough AAT, a protein that protects the lungs and liver from damage. This condition can lead to COPD and liver disease.
What are the symptoms and the treatment for COPD?
- Increased shortness of breath
- Frequent coughing/wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Frequent colds
- Nose or throat infections
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Oral corticosteroids
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehab
1. Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). Advancing Nationwide Efforts to Engage, Educate & Empower. Allergy & Asthma Network. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/
2. Patient & Caregiver Resource Center. NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://rarediseases.org/


This is the first time for me adopting a street cat and i did a lot of research on the internet about all the possible situations and necessary procedures. Here is a list of what i did right after the first day Beef(the adopted cat) come home.
A Comprehensive Examination in Veterinary Hospital
The first and the most important thing, a comprehensive veterinary examination. Taking the street cat to have a body check-up is a must for every adoptive family. Not only for the good of your kitten, also prevent us, our family members from getting affected by any infectious disease. On the other hand, if the kitten has any initiative virus, it is better to find out on the early stage. I took Beef to the hospital right away to have her body checked up and luckily she is surprisingly healthy, no ear mite, no eyes inflation, no cat tinea or other infectious diseases, although the doctor said she is undernourished.
Street cat’s previous living environment made vermifuge necessary. The repellent is divided into two types, inside body vermifuge and repellent on cats’ skin. Normally cats should do on-skin repellent once a month and inside body vermifuge accordingly. Beef was nearly two month old and used only half of the regular dosage for the fist time.
Vaccine should be used in all adopted kittens to prevent from infectious diseases. Vaccination is also good for a cat’s immune system.
New born kitten often have sticky and watery discharge inside their eyes and they can not get away from it themselves. The parents should use cotton swab to softly remove the discharge from their eyes at least three times a day to avoid eye disease and inflation.
Kittens younger than three month should be mainly fed with milk, it is wildly known that goats milk is especially good for pets, goats milk provides most nutrition they need. Make the milk warm before feeding, and use feeder to feed the kitten 4-5 times a day, 3-5ml per time.
Keep Them Warm
Beef sleeps with me on the same bed so it would not be a problem, however, if you are planning to put kittens in a cage or outside the room, make sure to provide them semi-closed house or cattery and a blanket if necessary. Small kittens get anxious when their parents are not around, therefore, it is suggested to let them stay around you when they are little.
Help Them Poop
Small kittens often have trouble pooping properly before they were trained. Mother cat usually lick the kitten’s butt hole to stimulate them pooping. On the other hand, we can also use cotton swab to solve this problem. Using cotton swab to zip in warm water, and softly touch the kitten’s butt hole for several times and put them in the cat sand. Most cats have got their natural instincts and they know just what to do right after you put them into cat sand.
The 7 important tips above are what i have done to change Beef’s life and also let her change mine, I always wanted a British Shorthair because i love their big orange eyes and i started saving for one of them long back, well, my plan was ended by Beef and I love how it went. Beef has grown so much in a fast step, I am hoping she loves her life right now and being healthy always.
To be noticed, there are several ways to simply check if our kittens are in good heath. Firstly we can check on their nose, if the nose is a little wet and does not change color, then he/she is safe. The second way to check on kittens is their butt hole and their poop, if the butt hole is clean and dry, the poop is brown in regular bar shape(not liquid-ish or sheep manure-ish), the cat’s digestion system is working properly. Other perspectives such as their appetite, energy and fur also tell you all about cat’s health situation, what we need to do is to always keep an eye on them and show them more love.


A study in Nature Sustainability is the first large scale study of the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on bird biodiversity in the United States. The study showed that the increase in neonic use between 2008 and 2014 led to a 4% decrease of grassland bird biodiversity and a 3% decrease in insectivorous bird biodiversity every year. This is expected to increase to 12% and 5% annually as the effects compound. Other bird species were affected too, but to a lesser extent.
Neonics are the most widely used pesticides, used on over 160 million acres of genetically modified crops, and even on many native plants grown for sale to homeowners. They target neuro receptors involved in neurologic development. Studies have shown exposure may lead to an increased risk of autism. These pesticides are not good for birds, bees, or us. And they stay in plants and soil for a long time, so buy plants that have not been treated with neonicotinoids.


About the Journal
As the journal and newsletter of the Neotropical section of the Primate Specialist Group, Neotropical Primates helps to disseminate information on Platyrrhini biology and conservation. We welcome manuscripts dealing with any aspect of primate conservation, including research articles, news items, thesis abstracts, notices of recent publications and the like. Neotropical Primates publishes articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
To submit a manuscript to Neotropical Primates, you need to register on the website and log in: Submit a manuscript
Please visit http://www.primate-sg.org/neotropical_primates/ to view past publications of Neotropical Primates.
ISSN 1413-4705 (Print); ISSN 2995-2174 (Online)
Front cover: Albino Ateles chamek subadult in early 2019. Photograph by Liselot Lange.
Online first of 2022 volume. New articles still being added.


The easily accessible Dachigam National Park is located 22km from Srinagar. Declared a National Park in 1951, previously an exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir, the park spreads over an area of 141 sq. km. The altitude of the park varies, ranging from 5500ft to 14000ft above sea level. Due to this vast variation, the park is defined into two regions namely as Upper Dachigam and Lower Dachigam. The most desirable times to visit the two regions of the Park are in May-August and Sept-March respectively.
The terrain of the Park ranges from gently sloping grasslands to sharp rocky outcrops and cliffs. Part of the park lies above the tree line and this area displays bare rock mountains and crevices. The park has a vegetation of over fifty species of trees, twenty species of shrubs and five hundred species of herbs. The principal tree species include Wild Cherry, Pear, Plum, Peach, Apple, Apricot, Walnut, Chestnut, Oak, Willow, Poplar, Birch, Pine and Elm.
The Park is the habitat of the endangered Hangul or the Kashmir stag, the only species of red deer found in India. The Hangul population, once 150, now stands at over 400, thanks to a strict conservation policy. Winter is the best time to view the red deer, when they gather in the Lower Dachigam.
Other inhabitants of the Park include the Himalayan Black Bear, Markhor, Ibex, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Marmot, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Jackal, Jungle Cat and Otter
Over 150 species of birds can be seen in the park. They includeCrimson Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture , Minivet ,Pygmy Owlet, Woodpecker, Babbler, Redstart, Wagtail, Orange Bullfinch, Kashmir Flycatcher, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Streaked Laughing thrush, Himalayan Rubythroat, Wallcreeper ,Black-and-Yellow Grosbeak, Himalayan Griffon and Red-billed Blue Magpie
There is a trout farm in Dachigam, located just near the entrance of the park. Angling is not allowed here. The visitors require a special permit from the chief wildlife warden before visiting the park or the trout farm. Carry your own refreshments as nothing will be available commercially. Accommodation is provided at Lower Dachigam in the form of forest rest houses. Do not try to go on a trek without the guidance of a local person, preferably a qualified guide with good knowledge of the area.
Srinagar is the nearest airport, connected by daily Indian Airlines and Jet Airways flightsfrom Delhi .Jammu is the nearest railhead, connected by daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata and Chennai on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.. From Jammu, travel by NH1 to reach Srinagar. By road from Srinagar, travel via Shalimar Bagh and Harwan to Dachigam National Park. Lower Dachigam is connected to Srinagar by roads while Upper Dachigam can only be accessed on foot.
For further information please contact:
Chief Wildlife Warden,
Tourist Reception Centre,
State of Jammu & Kashmir,
I N D I A


The trio of scientists had been ordered to survey the planet's flora, fauna and mineral resources, and from the very beginning of their mission everything they observed led to one startling conclusion-the mysterious world was virtually identical with the Earth of the Paleocene period, 70,000,000 years ago at the very dawn of the age of mammals! Their names were Cal, Veg, and Aquilon, the most resourceful-and rebellious-of Earth's explorers, and with them came four alien companions, the mantas. Strange flying beings, half-animal, half-fungus, the mantas possessed the keenest senses of any creatures in the universe, a gift which immediately saved the mission from complete disaster. Detecting strong vibrations coming from a great distance, the mantas warned the humans, and Cal realized that it could mean only one thing: an earthquake-one large enough to produce a tidal wave that would totally inundate the small island where they had set up camp. Veg, the strongest member of the team, constructed a crude sailing raft, and the party put out to sea to escape the doomed island. It was the beginning of an incredible series of adventures which would lead them to discoveries as momentous as they were deadly. Sailing for weeks, the raft took them to a region vastly different from the island they had left behind. And when a brachiosaurus, supposedly extinct in the Paleocene period, nearly swamped the raft, they knew they had reached an area of priceless scientific value-an isolated enclave of the Cretaceous period where the full spectrum of the golden age of reptiles was present! But just as incredible as the dinosaurs was another creature they were soon to meet-Orn, a man-sized bird who belonged to the most advanced species ever to develop on this world. Unsurpassed racial memory enabled Orn's mind to reach millions of years into the past, and it was his presence that led the three humans and the mantas to open revolt. Determined to prevent man's destructive exploitation of this world, they must pit themselves not only against the creatures they wish to save from extinction, but also against the all-consuming greed of Earth's powerful authorities. As rich in scientific detail as it is in breathtaking excitement, Orn is a masterwork of the imagination and a tribute to the creative genius of Piers Anthony.