Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene, is associated with fatal muscle degeneration and atrophy. Patients with DMD have progressive reductions in skeletal muscle strength and resistance to eccentric muscle stretch. Using the DE50-MD dog model of DMD, we assessed tibiotarsal joint (TTJ) flexor and extensor force dynamics, and the resistance of dystrophic muscle to eccentric stretch.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiological variation (BV) describes the physiological random fluctuation around a homeostatic set point, which is a characteristic of all blood measurands (analytes). That variation may impact the clinical relevance of the changes that are observed in the serial results for an individual. Biological variation is represented mathematically by the coefficient of variation (CV) and occurs within each individual (CV) and between individuals in a population (CV).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe goals of this study were to determine whether mice would adapt to a low-calorie flavored water gel as their sole source of hydration and whether the addition of acetaminophen, tramadol, meloxicam, or buprenorphine to the gel would affect their intake. Water and gel intakes were measured during a 4-phase study, each of which lasted 1 wk: phase 1, standard water bottle only; phase 2, standard water bottle and a separate tube containing water gel; phase 3, water gel only; and phase 4, water gel containing an analgesic drug. Water consumption, corrected for body mass, was not different between male and female mice when water was available (phases 1 and 2).
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