How the brain can be trained to achieve an intermittent control strategy for stabilizing quiet stance by means of reinforcement learning.

The stabilization of human quiet stance is achieved by a combination of the intrinsic elastic properties of ankle muscles and an active closed-loop activation of the ankle muscles, driven by the delayed feedback of the ongoing sway angle and the corresponding angular velocity in a way of a delayed proportional (P) and derivative (D) feedback controller. It has been shown that the active component of the stabilization process is likely to operate in an intermittent manner rather than as a continuous controller: the switching policy is defined in the phase-plane, which is divided in dangerous and safe regions, separated by appropriate switching boundaries. When the state enters a dangerous region, the delayed PD control is activated, and it is switched off when it enters a safe region, leaving the system to evolve freely.

NG2-positive pericytes regulate homeostatic maintenance of slow-type skeletal muscle with rapid myonuclear turnover.

Background: Skeletal muscle comprises almost 40% of the human body and is essential for movement, structural support and metabolic homeostasis. Size of multinuclear skeletal muscle is stably maintained under steady conditions with the sporadic fusion of newly produced myocytes to compensate for the muscular turnover caused by daily wear and tear. It is becoming clear that microvascular pericytes (PCs) exhibit myogenic activity.

Ninjurin1 Deletion in NG2-Positive Pericytes Prevents Microvessel Maturation and Delays Wound Healing.

The formation of mature vasculature through angiogenesis is essential for adequate wound healing, such that blood-borne cells, nutrients, and oxygen can be delivered to the remodeling skin area. Neovessel maturation is highly dependent on the coordinated functions of vascular endothelial cells and perivascular cells, namely pericytes (PCs). However, the underlying mechanism for vascular maturation has not been completely elucidated, and its role in wound healing remains unclear.

Inclusion bodies are not uncommon in angioleiomyoma.

Background: Leiomyomas with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies have been described in the urinary bladder, brain, gastrointestinal tract, uterus, and oral cavity but not in the skin. Prompted by our recent experience with a case of cutaneous angioleiomyoma with many inclusion bodies, we hypothesized that similar cases might have been previously overlooked.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 cases of angioleiomyoma and 10 cases of piloleiomyoma focusing on inclusion bodies.

Effects of a Classroom-Based Stress Management Program by Cognitive Reconstruction for Elementary School Students.

Background: The present study evaluates the effects of a classroom-based universal program for stress management among elementary school students.

Methods: The participating children (aged 11-12 years) were assigned to either an intervention ( = 172) or a control group ( = 100). The program involved one 45-minute session during school hours.

EphA7 perivascular cells as myogenic and angiogenic precursors improving skeletal muscle regeneration in a muscular dystrophic mouse model.

Skeletal muscle has a capacity for muscular regeneration mediated by satellite cells (SCs) and non-SCs. Although it is proposed that non-SCs are attractive therapeutic targets for dystrophies, the biological properties of these cells remain unclear. We have recently identified novel multipotent pericytes (PCs), capillary stem cells (CapSCs) derived from the microvasculature.

Ninjurin 1 mediates peripheral nerve regeneration through Schwann cell maturation of NG2-positive cells.

Ninjurin 1 (Ninj1) is identified as a peripheral nerve injury-induced protein. However, the role of Ninj1 in nerve regeneration is unclear. Schwann cells (SCs) and microvasculature are critical for peripheral nerve regeneration.

A Comparative Evaluation of Parent Training for Parents of Adolescents with Developmental Disorders.

Background: In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a parent training (PT) program in Japan for parents of adolescents with developmental disorders (DDs). In Japan, there were no separate programs for parents of children with DDs in early adolescence and beginning to assert their independence from their families despite the many parent-child conflicts and secondary disorders arising from the children.

Methods: The parents of forty-four adolescent children ranging in ages from ten to seventeen were assigned to either a control group or an experimental group.