X-Ray Fluoroscopy-Based Kinematic Analysis of Quadrupedal Locomotion in Slow and Fast Fatigue-Resistant Motor Neuron-Deleted Mice.

Introduction/aims: VAChT-Cre is a transgenic mouse line targeting slow-twitch fatigue-resistant and fast-twitch fatigue-resistant motor neurons that innervate oxidative type I and type IIa muscle fibers. To ablate these neurons, VAChT-Cre mice were crossbred with NSE-DTA mice, leading to the expression of diphtheria toxin A after Cre-mediated excision. The resulting VAChT-Cre;NSE-DTA mice exhibited motor deficits, abnormal locomotion, muscular atrophy, and tremor, making them a useful model for studying motor neuron physiology and pathology.

Extracellular fluid volume as a key indicator in home-care management of chronic heart failure: The role of nutritional and exercise therapy.

Extracellular fluid volume, rather than body weight, should guide chronic heart failure management in home-care patients. Enhancing muscle mass through pharmacotherapy, nutrition, and exercise is essential to prevent heart failure exacerbation.

Curve Progression After the Termination of Bracing for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Usefulness of Combining the Proximal Femur Maturity Index (PFMI) and Risser Staging.

Background The brace therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) typically ends upon the end of growth. However, determining the timing of growth cessation can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the proximal femur maturity index (PFMI), which can be assessed simultaneously with Risser staging without requiring additional radiation exposure, in determining the appropriate timing to terminate bracing.

A useful PCR primer set for the ectomycorrhizal fungus in wild pine rhizosphere based on the nuclear ribosomal DNA IGS2 sequence.

is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom that forms a symbiotic association with Pinaceae trees by constructing a large extraradical mycelial area (called a shiro) in the soil. The detection of this fungal mycelium in the soil is crucial for estimating the success of outplanted mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with under experimental conditions. Although several -specific DNA markers have been reported for efficient detection in the field, no comparative study has been conducted to assess their effectiveness.