Search Results (471)

Mongolian horses are an indigenous Chinese breed known for their endurance capacity, yet quantitative descriptions of their gait-related kinematic characteristics remain limited. This pilot exploratory study aimed to describe the kinematics of Mongolian horses during walk, slow trot, and fast trot, and to examine whether selected variables differed between race-result groups in a 12 km endurance race. Forty-six horses were classified into an excellent group and an ordinary group based on the result of a single race. Kinematic data were collected using optical motion capture and three-dimensional skeletal modelling. Separate gait-specific linear mixed-effects models were fitted, with horse identity as a random effect and group and speed as fixed effects. The results showed gait-dependent between-group differences. During walk, the excellent group had significantly greater range of motion of the tarsal, hip, and elbow joints, as well as a greater maximum forelimb retraction angle (all p < 0.001). During slow trot, the excellent group showed significantly greater stride length (p = 0.009), elbow joint range of motion (p < 0.001), minimum hindlimb forward extension angle (p = 0.033), and minimum forelimb forward extension angle (p = 0.004). During fast trot, the between-group differences were most pronounced, with significantly greater stride length (p < 0.001) and range of motion of the tarsal joint (p < 0.001), hip joint (p = 0.015), and elbow joint (p = 0.014), together with greater maximum hindlimb retraction angle (p = 0.001) and minimum forelimb forward extension angle (p = 0.026). Overall, these findings provide preliminary evidence that gait-related kinematic differences may exist between race-result groups in Mongolian horses. However, because this was an exploratory study based on a single race, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and require validation in larger and more diverse cohorts. Full article

In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated not only with the dopamine (DA) but also with the norepinephric (NE) system. In order to investigate the potential involvement of NE in the development of the early motor symptoms of PD, we studied the effects of reducing its levels in a norepinephrine transporter knockout mouse (NET-KO). Due to the absence of NET, all the norepinephrine needed must be synthesized de novo. NET-KO mice were injected intraperitoneally with α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT), a blocker of tyrosine hydroxylase, to induce a hyponoradrenergic state. Changes in tissue NE content in the frontal cortex and DA content in the striatum were evaluated using HPLC. We also measured the motor activity parameters of NET-KO mice after AMPT injection. The hyponorepinephric state induced by AMPT administration in NET-KO mice did not lead to severe motor impairments, as occurs in PD models. However, NET-KO mice did exhibit abnormal hindlimb extension, which began three hours after AMPT administration. This symptom may be interpreted as an early symptom preceding PD. These results suggest that the potential involvement of different neurotransmitter systems in motor abnormalities relevant to Parkinson’s disease warrants further investigation. Full article

Despite the identification of several mediators of arteriogenesis, the growth of natural bypass, the role of lymphocytes, particularly T cells, in this process remains poorly defined. Among these, γδ T cells, which express alternative T cell receptors, have emerged as a key immune component. This study examined the roles of αβ and γδ T cells in arteriogenesis using a murine hindlimb model. While the absence of αβ T cells did not affect arteriogenesis, γδ T cell depletion markedly reduced vascular cell proliferation and perfusion recovery. Early phase analyses revealed impaired mast cell activation, whereas platelet–neutrophil aggregates and neutrophil extravasation were unaffected. In the later proliferative phase, γδ T cell depletion hindered perivascular M2-like (MRC1⁺) macrophage accumulation. Flow cytometric analysis of whole blood in wildtype mice revealed a temporal shift in γδ T cell populations from a CD27⁺/CD39⁻ phenotype, commonly associated with pro-inflammatory functions and IFNγ production, to CD39⁺ phenotypes, which have been linked to anti-inflammatory properties and IL-10 production. In rescue experiments, administration of IFNγ to γδ T cell-depleted mice restored mast cell activation, whereas IL-10 treatment reestablished M2-like (MRC1⁺) macrophage accumulation. These findings collectively identify γδ T cells as critical regulators of both early and late phases of arteriogenesis through coordinated inflammatory and regenerative mechanisms. Full article

Background: Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MECP2 gene mutations. MeCP2 protein binding to methylated DNA is involved in normal brain development and function. T158M is a common RTT-associated mutation, where a threonine is replaced with a methionine, affecting protein function and stability. RTT has recently been identified as a neurometabolic disorder, with metformin emerging as a potential candidate drug. Metformin is a safe and accessible drug, commonly used for Type 2 diabetes. Our team previously studied the regulatory role of metformin on the expression of RTT-related genes/proteins using in vitro and in vivo approaches. However, the phenotypical and behavioral impact of metformin in transgenic mice carrying the common T158M mutation was not explored. Methods: Wild type (WT) and mutant Mecp2^T158M (Mecp2^tm4.1Bird) male mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injection of metformin for 20 days. The control mice received a daily intraperitoneal injection of the solvent. The main RTT-like phenotypical criteria were assessed daily. Behavioral tests included the open field test and elevated plus maze. Results: Behavioral tests indicated no significant effect of metformin on the anxiety levels, locomotion, and exploratory behaviors in the hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice, despite our observation of increased anxiety levels in the WT counterparts. In hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice, metformin treatment showed beneficial effects on RTT-like phenotypes, including breathing irregularities, gait abnormalities, hindlimb clasping, and overall total score. The positive effect of metformin was also observed on the body weight in the hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence for potential therapeutic effects of metformin for MeCP2-associated neurological disorders. Full article

Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) effectively alleviates motor symptoms, the potential of targeting the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) is less understood. This study investigates the effects of mid-term DBS of the SNr on motor function and neuroplasticity in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (280–300 g) were divided into healthy control (n = 10), PD (n = 9), sham-DBS (n = 7), and SNr-DBS (n = 7) groups. Bilateral striatal 6-OHDA lesions induced PD. High-frequency (130 Hz, 60 µs) SNr-DBS was delivered for 14 days. Locomotor activity (open-field), gait (footprint method), and motor coordination (rotarod) were assessed. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the SN and c-Fos and BDNF expression in the cerebellum, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and ventrolateral thalamus were analyzed histologically. Results: SNr-DBS significantly improved ambulation and horizontal activity compared to the PD group (p < 0.05). Gait analysis showed significant improvements in forelimb/hindlimb stride length and stance width, while rotarod performance indicated enhanced motor coordination (p < 0.05). Histology revealed increased TH expression in the SN and elevated c-Fos and BDNF levels in the cerebellum, PFC, and thalamus in the SNr-DBS group vs. PD rats (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mid-term SNr-DBS produced significant functional gains in motor activity and coordination in a 6-OHDA PD model, together with molecular evidence of dopaminergic enhancement and neuroplastic activation. These translational findings suggest that targeting the SNr may offer a clinically relevant alternative for patients with PD, particularly for those who may not optimally respond to conventional STN or GPi stimulation. Full article

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe pathological condition resulting in persistent motor and sensory impairments. The trace amine-associated receptor 5 (TAAR5) is a potential modulator of central nervous system functions; however, its role in CNS repair remains poorly understood. Methods: We comprehensively evaluated the effect of TAAR5 gene knockout on functional recovery following lateral spinal cord hemisection in TAAR5-KO and wild-type (WT) male mice. Sensorimotor recovery after SCI was assessed using the horizontal ladder, grasp, and hindlimb mobility tests. Exploratory and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the open field and elevated plus maze tests before and 5 weeks after SCI. Results: TAAR5-KO mice exhibited accelerated recovery of sensorimotor functions, as assessed by joint mobility and grasping tests, compared to WT animals. In contrast, no significant intergroup differences were found in the Horizontal Regular Ladder test, likely due to the task complexity and an insufficient recovery period. Nevertheless, SCI induced elevated anxiety-like behavior regardless of genotype. Conclusions: These findings indicate that TAAR5 deficiency exerts a positive modulatory effect on the restoration of specific components of sensorimotor function after SCI. This effect may be mediated through the modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission and inflammatory processes. The observed beneficial effect of TAAR5 knockout identifies this receptor as a promising target for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving functional outcomes following spinal cord injury. Full article

The Criollo horse is prized for its endurance, yet its specific biomechanical signatures remain under-researched. This study investigated diagonal dissociation and support patterns in eleven clinically sound Criollo horses to understand the influence of head and neck position (HNP), surface compliance, and morphometry. Using high-speed video (120 fps) and kinematic analysis, we found that diagonal dissociation occurred in 85.24% of hoof contacts, while HNP1 showed a higher frequency of positive (hindlimb-first) dissociation and HNP2 had a higher incidence of negative (forelimb-first) dissociation (p = 0.0398). On soft ground, both HNPs predominantly exhibited hindlimb-first dissociation (p = 0.0446). Soft ground is also associated with the appearance of tripedal support, whereas hard ground presented more synchronous (non-dissociated) diagonal limb support. Thoracic monopedal and tripedal supports are weakly correlated with forelimb measurements, whereas pelvic monopedal and tripedal supports correlate with global body dimensions. All associations were weak to moderate (R² ≤ 0.40). The prevalence of dissociated phases and the absence of a standard symmetrical trot suggest a distinct breed signature adapted for functional efficiency and stability required for its traditional working roles. Full article

The demand for refined anaesthetic protocols in ovine experimental surgery has increased due to ethical considerations and the need to improve perioperative stability. This study evaluated the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided combined sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks using two different local anaesthetics in Hair Canarian Sheep undergoing invasive orthopaedic hindlimb surgery. Fifteen clinically healthy sheep were randomly assigned to one of three groups: lidocaine (2%), bupivacaine (0.5%), or control (general anaesthesia alone). Intraoperative physiological parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial blood pressure, were recorded, and postoperative pain was assessed using a modified Melbourne Pain Scale. Sheep receiving locoregional anaesthesia showed significantly lower postoperative pain scores compared with control animals. Intraoperatively, a significant difference between groups was observed only for respiratory rate, with lower values in the bupivacaine group. The bupivacaine group exhibited lower and more stable respiratory rates, with a trend towards lower heart rates during surgery, as well as consistently lower pain scores during the early postoperative period. Lidocaine provided limited intraoperative and postoperative effects compared with the control group. Respiratory rate appeared to be more closely associated with pain scores than other physiological parameters. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks were associated with improved perioperative analgesia in sheep undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The use of bupivacaine was associated with lower respiratory rates intraoperatively and reduced postoperative pain scores, suggesting a potential benefit in perioperative analgesia. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces persistent locomotor deficits that are closely associated with maladaptive structural plasticity of spinal neuronal circuits. Although motor rehabilitation improves functional outcomes, the cellular substrates underlying rehabilitation-induced recovery remain incompletely understood, particularly in relation to activity-dependent neuromodulation strategies. Here, we investigated how treadmill-based motor training (TMT) and its combination with bioluminescent optogenetic (BL-OG) stimulation of Hb9 (homebox 9)-positive motoneurons and excitatory interneurons selectively modulate microarchitectural plasticity in the injured rat spinal cord. At the level of gross locomotor assessment, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were comparable between the BL-OG and SCI+TMT groups. Although no statistically significant differences in the total score in rung ladder were observed at 28 days post-injury, animals in the BL-OG group showed a tendency toward a higher ratio of successful hindlimb placements, indicating improved step accuracy. BL-OG stimulation was associated with a slightly greater attenuation of SCI-induced spine abnormalities compared to TMT alone, with significant differences between the experimental groups detected specifically in laminae VIII and IX. These lamina-specific alterations in dendritic integration and dendritic spine composition were accompanied by preservation of wisteria floribunda agglutinin WFA-positive perineuronal net (PNN) architecture. Against this background, reduced glypican-4 (GPC-4) expression and attenuated WFA/GPC-4 colocalization were observed in the SCI+BL-OG group relative to SCI in laminae VII–IX, consistent with activity-dependent modulation of PNN-associated synaptic organization in Hb9-positive neuronal populations. Together, these findings indicate that motor rehabilitation and bioluminescent optogenetic stimulation engage distinct but partially overlapping mechanisms of activity-dependent microarchitectural remodeling, preferentially targeting synaptic and perineuronal net-associated substrates rather than inducing large-scale circuit reorganization. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these distinct plasticity profiles. Full article

The leg structure of swine is closely related to their robustness and longevity. Animals with sound legs generally have longer productive lifespans and higher reproductive efficiency, whereas leg defects can markedly impair performance and shorten service life. To address the high subjectivity, low efficiency, and poor consistency of traditional leg-structure evaluation by humans, this study developed an automatic scoring system for swine leg structure based on 3D point clouds. The hardware components of the system include the acquisition channel, a multi-view time-of-flight (ToF) depth camera array, an industrial computer, and a star-type synchronization hub. The core algorithm modules include point cloud preprocessing, leg segmentation, geometric feature extraction, and structure-based scoring. Body orientation was corrected using principal component analysis (PCA). An adaptive limb region segmentation method was proposed that combines iterative cropping with geometric verification. Two point cloud tasks were performed: key structural points were extracted via multi-scale curvature analysis, and angular and symmetry parameters of the fore- and hindlimbs were computed in the sagittal and coronal planes. Following a “classify first, then score” strategy, a nine-level linear scoring model was constructed. Field validation showed that the classification accuracy exceeded 90%, the scores were significantly negatively correlated with the degree of structural deviation, and multi-frame resampling yielded good repeatability. The processing time per animal ranged from 1.6 s to 3.0 s, which met the requirements for real-time applications. These results demonstrated that the proposed method could automatically identify and quantitatively evaluate swine leg structure, providing efficient and reliable technical support for objective selection and smart pig farming. Full article

This study developed a biomimetic jumping robot inspired by frogs to enhance its obstacle-crossing capabilities. The biological principles underlying the jumping biomechanics of frog hindlimbs were integrated into the robotic mechanism; quantitative analysis of the bionic structure and its jumping performance not only provides mechanical engineering insights for investigating frog locomotion mechanics but also offers practical design references for the development of biomimetic mobile robots. Through theoretical calculations and application scenario analysis, a six-bar linkage mechanism was designed to simulate the force generation of frog hindlimbs, with tension springs mimicking the elastic energy storage function of the semimembranosus and gastrocnemius muscles. A reducer was integrated into the trunk to enable energy storage, and an adjustable single-hinge structure was adopted for the forelegs to realize take-off angle adjustment and shock absorption. Finite element simulations were conducted to validate the load-bearing capacity and strength of critical components. Multi-body dynamics and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm were employed to explore the relationship between input parameters and output performance metrics (jumping height and jumping distance), while orthogonal experimental analysis was used for comprehensive parameter evaluation. Finally, a physical prototype was fabricated, and its performance parameters were tested. The prototype has a mass of 150 g, generates a ground push force of 50 N, attains a jumping height of 380 mm, and achieves a maximum jumping distance of 500 mm. This study establishes a biologically inspired working principle for jumping robots and provides a novel practical prototype for research into biomimetic mobile robots. Full article

Clothianidin (CLO) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide in agricultural systems and may pose risks to non-target aquatic organisms, including amphibians. Here, we evaluated acute and sublethal effects of CLO on Fejervarya cancrivora tadpoles, an important predator of insect pests in rice paddy ecosystems. Acute toxicity tests (96 h) yielded an LC₅₀ of 50.41 mg a.i./L (with LC₁₀, LC₂₅ and LC₃₀ values of 15.35, 31.96 and 36.07 mg a.i./L, respectively). Sublethal exposure at these concentrations significantly reduced body weight, whole-body length, and hindlimb length during metamorphosis. CLO also altered thyroid hormone regulation, with T4 showing a dose-dependent increase, while T3 was elevated relative to controls but showed comparatively limited additional sensitivity to concentration and exposure duration. Locomotor activity was impaired under sublethal CLO exposure, reflected by reduced swimming distance and speed. In addition, frogs that developed from CLO-exposed tadpoles exhibited decreased feeding efficiency on brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) across developmental stages 46–48. Together, these findings demonstrate that CLO can affect amphibian development, endocrine regulation, and behavior at sublethal levels, highlighting the need to incorporate sublethal endpoints into ecological risk assessment and to promote pest management strategies that reduce impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Full article

Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, supports vascular remodeling, but its effects on angiogenesis and regeneration of ischemic muscle tissue are not fully understood. We investigated the function of sildenafil by employing a murine hindlimb model of ischemia, in which ischemia and angiogenesis is induced by femoral artery ligation (FAL) in the lower leg of mice. Then, 7 days after FAL or sham operation, gastrocnemius muscles of sildenafil-treated and control mice were isolated and processed for histological and immunofluorescence analyses. Sildenafil treatment led to reduced apoptotic areas within the ischemic tissue (ascertained via TUNEL assay) and increased angiogenesis, evidenced by a higher capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio and an augmented number of proliferating capillary cells (CD31⁺/CD45⁻/BrdU⁺), compared to controls. We observed a decrease in the total count of leukocytes (CD45⁺) in sildenafil-treated mice. Regarding macrophage infiltration, we found a reduced total number of macrophages (CD68⁺), along with a shift in macrophage polarization toward the pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype (CD68⁺/MRC1⁺). In summary, we show that sildenafil treatment contributes to angiogenesis and the regeneration of ischemic muscle tissue, most likely by attenuating inflammatory responses and influencing macrophage polarization in direction to regenerative M2-like polarized macrophages. Full article

New bone formations (NBFs) in the tuberculum flexorium of the distal phalanx (DP) are considered one of the etiological factors inducing claw horn disruption lesions, which frequently occur in the lateral claws of cow hindlimbs. The pathological bone changes in the DP are often not clearly visible using routine ultrasonography (US) of bovine claws. Thus, to enable an evaluation of these changes using US, this report investigated the utility of the angle in the concavity of the solar surface of the DP (referred to as the DP-SS angle), which varies with the severity of NBFs in the tuberculum flexorium. A total of 484 pairs of hindlimbs from 242 lactating Holstein cows collected at a slaughterhouse were examined using computed tomography (CT), and 274 hindlimb pairs from 137 animals were examined using both US and CT. For lateral claws, the DP-SS angle values showed a moderate to strong negative correlation with the NBF width (r = −0.71), while a weak correlation was found for the medial claws (r = −0.25). The DP-SS angles measured using US were significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with those measured using CT. Lateral claws with claw diseases had a significantly (p < 0.01) lower value (158.6°) than claws without claw diseases (161.6°). The value could not be measured using US for 51.4% and 30.0% of claws with double soles or a sole ulcer/sole crack, respectively, because the DP echotextures were unclear in the US. In the CT analyses, the DP-SS angle was the lowest in lateral claws with a sole ulcer/sole crack (154.4°); this value was significantly smaller (p < 0.01) than that of lateral claws with white line disease (162.3°) or a thin sole/thin sole toe ulcer (163.5°), as well as that of lateral claws without claw diseases (161.6°). In the US analyses, the value for lateral claws with a sole ulcer/sole crack (156.7°) tended to be slightly larger compared with the CT measurements, although it was significantly different from the value for claws without claw diseases (163.0°). The DP-SS angle is considered accurate for evaluating the degree of an NBF in the lateral claws of cow hindlimbs. The preliminary standard value of 160° was considered based on the CT analyses. However, the normal and abnormal thresholds of this value should be confirmed through the further field use of claw US because of the difference between the US and CT measurements. Additionally, creating disease-specific thresholds may be required owing to the considerable variation. Full article

Major orthopedic limb surgery is often accompanied by external coaptation; the combined effect of these interventions can lead to muscle atrophy and functional impairment. Large animal models, including goats, are commonly used to study orthopedic interventions, yet longitudinal data on muscle changes after such interventions are limited. This study quantified gastrocnemius muscle adaptations in adult Boer-cross goats undergoing a clinically representative unilateral tibial segmental ostectomy and external coaptation protocol. Muscles on the operated side exhibited statistically significant decreases in mass, length, optimal fiber length, and CSA, and increases in nucleus density compared to muscles on the contralateral, non-operated side (p < 0.05). Although muscle properties showed partial recovery over time, mass and CSA remained 20–30% lower on the operated side than on the non-operated side at 12 months post-surgery despite cast removal at about 2 months post-surgery. Muscle CSA was positively correlated with bone mineral density and peak vertical ground reaction forces measured during the in vivo study. The extent of muscle recovery in the goat model was less than that observed for other mammalian models of hindlimb remobilization. More research is needed to understand the complex interaction between surgery, external coaptation, and muscle properties in the goat model. Full article