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International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2019Mouse hind limb ischemia is the most common used preclinical model for peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia. This model is used to investigate the... (Review)
Review
Mouse hind limb ischemia is the most common used preclinical model for peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia. This model is used to investigate the mechanisms of neovascularization and to develop new therapeutic agents. The literature shows many variations in the model, including the method of occlusion, the number of occlusions, and the position at which the occlusions are made to induce hind limb ischemia. Furthermore, predefined end points and the histopathological and radiological analysis vary. These differences hamper the correlation of results between different studies. In this review, variations in surgical methods of inducing hind limb ischemia in mice are described, and the consequences of these variations on perfusion restoration and vascular remodeling are discussed. This study aims at providing the reader with a comprehensive overview of the methods so far described, and proposing uniformity in research of hind limb ischemia in a mouse model.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Hindlimb; Ischemia; Mice; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Perfusion Imaging; Postoperative Complications; Regional Blood Flow; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Ultrasonography, Doppler
PubMed: 31362356
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153704 -
Vascular Pharmacology Dec 2021Pro-angiogenic microRNA modulation is a potentially attractive approach in the management of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of this systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pro-angiogenic microRNA modulation is a potentially attractive approach in the management of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the impact of microRNAs involved in the process of angiogenesis on blood flow recovery following hind limb ischemia induction in animal models.
METHODS
A literature search was performed to identify studies testing the efficacy of microRNA treatment on animal models of hind limb ischemia. Following that, a meta-analysis of the included studies was executed with the primary outcome being the change in ischemic-to-normal hind limb perfusion ratio assessed via laser Doppler imaging. Moreover, risk of bias, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were evaluated.
RESULTS
Studies evaluation led to the inclusion of 18 studies whose meta-analysis suggested that microRNA treatment resulted in improved ischemic hind limb perfusion 7 [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.93, 95% CI 0.49-1.38], 14 (SMD: 1.31, 95% CI 0.78-1.84), and 21 days (SMD: 1.13, 95% CI 0.59-1.66) after hind limb ischemia induction. Moderate-to-substantial heterogeneity and possible publication bias were noted. Risk of bias was unclear despite the balanced baseline animal characteristics.
CONCLUSION
The present meta-analysis suggests that pro-angiogenic modulation of microRNAs accelerates vascular perfusion recovery in animal models of acute hind limb ischemia. Further studies on animal models with similar characteristics to that of PAD patients are warranted to translate those findings in human PAD setting.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Hindlimb; Humans; Ischemia; MicroRNAs; Muscle, Skeletal; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Regional Blood Flow
PubMed: 34509635
DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2021.106906 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jul 2020The high prevalence of claw lesions in dairy cows necessitates the investigation and hopefully elimination of factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of these...
The high prevalence of claw lesions in dairy cows necessitates the investigation and hopefully elimination of factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of these disorders. Indirect genetic selection for specific conformation traits in feet and legs has been evaluated as a means of improving claw health but to date has not been successful. Claw disorders are commonly discussed in context with unequal claw load, and thus this study was designed to investigate the relationship between hind limb conformation and the load exerted on the respective claws. A total of 36 cows were divided into 3 groups of 12 based on the presence of parallel, straight, and cow-hocked hind limb conformation. The vertical ground reaction forces, claw prints, and mean and maximum pressures under the claws were measured in these cows before and after claw trimming. The principal characteristic of all 3 conformation traits was a significantly higher load on the lateral claws compared with the medial claws, which was least severe in cow-hocked cows. After functional foot trimming, the claws of the cows with straight conformation tended to have the most pronounced disproportion between the loads of the paired claws. Considering that a significantly higher load on the lateral claws occurred with all 3 conformations, the potential for improvement of claw health by means of indirect genetic selection for specific hind limb traits appears limited.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dairying; Female; Hindlimb; Hoof and Claw; Pressure; Tarsus, Animal; Weight-Bearing
PubMed: 32389472
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-18024 -
Foot & Ankle International Dec 2015After ankle arthrodesis (AA), compensatory increased range of motion in adjacent joints might lead to increased osteoarthritis. Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes...
BACKGROUND
After ankle arthrodesis (AA), compensatory increased range of motion in adjacent joints might lead to increased osteoarthritis. Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes after AA with validated questionnaires is rare. Likewise, reliable radiographic analysis of the position of the AA, expected to influence the range of motion of the hind- and midfoot, is lacking. Therefore, the current study was performed.
METHODS
Seventeen patients with unilateral AA were included. Sagittal hind- and midfoot range of motion was measured radiographically. The position of the AA in the sagittal and coronal planes and osteoarthritis of adjacent joints were also evaluated radiographically. Measurements were compared to the contralateral side. Patient-reported outcomes via validated questionnaires were compared to a control group (n = 18).
RESULTS
Average follow-up was 3.5 years. Mean combined hind- and midfoot sagittal range of motion after AA equaled that of the contralateral side (20.8 vs. 21.0 degrees; P = .93). The tibiotalar angle after AA equaled that of the contralateral side (107 vs. 107 degrees; P = .86). The talus was translated posteriorly after AA (T-T ratio 0.45 vs. 0.34; P < .001). Low intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) precluded reliable evaluation of the coronal position of the hindfoot (ICC, 0.07 and -0.34) and osteoarthritis in adjacent joints (ICC range, 0-0.54). SF-36 physical health scores after AA are lower as compared with those of controls (50 vs. 56; P = .01). Scores on the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale were also significantly lower. Patient satisfaction with AA was high (average visual analog scale score, 83).
CONCLUSION
No increased sagittal range of motion in the hind- and midfoot after AA was found at 3.5 years of follow-up as compared with the contralateral side. Tibiotalar angles were equal. The talus was translated posteriorly. The hindfoot alignment view was not suitable to analyze the position of the hindfoot. Low ICC of the Kellgren and Lawrence scale precluded evaluation of osteoarthritis of adjacent joints. Patients scored lower than controls on self-reported outcome questionnaires but were satisfied with the result of AA.
Topics: Adult; Ankle Joint; Arthrodesis; Case-Control Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Foot Joints; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis; Patient Satisfaction; Radiography; Range of Motion, Articular
PubMed: 26160385
DOI: 10.1177/1071100715593913 -
Journal of Anatomy Jan 2022Several species of African mole-rats use seismic signalling by means of hind foot drumming for communication. The present study aimed to create three-dimensional...
Several species of African mole-rats use seismic signalling by means of hind foot drumming for communication. The present study aimed to create three-dimensional reconstructions and compare volumetric measurements of 27 muscles of the hind limb of two drumming (Georychus capensis and Bathyergus suillus) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) species of African mole-rats. Diffusible iodine contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (diceCT) scans were performed on six specimens per species. Manual segmentation of the scans using VGMAX Studio imaging software allowed for individual muscles to be separated while automatically determining the volume of each muscle. The volume of the individual muscles was expressed as a percentage of the total hind limb volume and statistically compared between species. Subsequently, three-dimensional reconstructions of these muscles were created. Musculus gracilis anticus had a significantly larger percentage of the total hind limb muscle volume in both drumming species compared to the non-drumming C. h. natalensis. Furthermore, several hip and knee extensors, namely mm. gluteus superficialis, semimembranosus, gluteofemoralis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis, had significantly larger muscle volume percentages in the two drumming species (G. capensis and B. suillus) compared to the non-drumming species. While not statistically significant, G. capensis had larger muscle volume percentages in several key hip and knee extensors compared to B. suillus. Additionally, G capensis had the largest summed percentage of the total hind limb volume in the hip flexor, hip extensor, knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscle groups in all the three species. This could be indicative of whole muscle hypertrophy in these muscles due to fast eccentric contractions that occur during hind foot drumming. However, significantly larger muscle volume percentages were observed in the scratch digging B. suillus compared to the other two chisel tooth digging species. Moreover, while not statistically significant, B. suillus had larger muscle volume percentages in several hip extensor and knee flexor muscles compared to G. capensis (except for m. vastus lateralis). These differences could be due to the large relative size of this species but could also be influenced by the scratch digging strategy employed by B. suillus. Therefore, while the action of hind foot drumming seems to influence certain key muscle volumes, digging strategy and body size may also play a role.
Topics: Animals; Foot; Hindlimb; Mole Rats; Muscle, Skeletal; X-Ray Microtomography
PubMed: 34374084
DOI: 10.1111/joa.13534 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Apr 2021In a number of dairy farms, a restlessness of hind legs of cows during milking can be observed for no apparent reason. Previous studies have associated the hind leg...
In a number of dairy farms, a restlessness of hind legs of cows during milking can be observed for no apparent reason. Previous studies have associated the hind leg activity of cows with mental or physical discomfort. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the observed hind leg activity was influenced by the milking process. The analysis was performed for total milking period and also separately for the following milking periods: let-down, main milk flow and over-milking. The following variables were analyzed for their influence on dairy cows' hind leg activity: the vacuum level in the MPC and SMT, the length of the milking periods, the vacuum curve type, bimodal curves and the presence of teat-end hyperkeratosis. In turn, it was also investigated whether the cows' hyperkeratosis is influenced by milking duration, length of milking periods or by the vacuum level in the SMT. Measurements and observations were done in ten milking parlors, each visited twice. Four milking units per parlor were equipped with vacuum loggers (VaDia 2.0, BioControl AS, Norway). One observer recorded hind leg activity per up to four cows, using the following categories: (1) stepping (claw raised < 15 cm) and (2) kicking (claw raised > 15 cm). A powerful, purposive kick to milking unit/milker was classified as p-kick (3) initially. Due to a small number of p-kicks, they were added to the number of kickings for further analysis. The analyses showed that none of the milking process-related variables had a significant influence on the dairy cows' prevalence to show hind leg activity. Although the prevalence was not influenced, the type of hind leg activity was. The hind leg activity kicking was observed at significantly higher average mouthpiece chamber vacuum levels than steppings. Cows showing kickings had a higher degree of teat-end hyperkeratosis than those showing steppings. The degree of teat-end hyperkeratosis was related to the milking duration.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dairying; Female; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Milk; Norway; Vacuum
PubMed: 33637440
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100186 -
JDS Communications Mar 2021Hind-leg activity in dairy cows during milking is considered an indicator of a stressful situation or discomfort. Automatic detection of cow hind-leg activity during...
Hind-leg activity in dairy cows during milking is considered an indicator of a stressful situation or discomfort. Automatic detection of cow hind-leg activity during milking could be used to monitor deficiencies at the cow, milking machine, or human level. We assumed that the milking cluster follows cow hind-leg movements during milking. Therefore, the aim of our study was to estimate the ability of a 3-dimensional (3D) accelerometer attached to the claw's hook of the milking cluster to indirectly measure cow hind-leg activity during milking. The behavior of 45 dairy cows during 1 morning and 1 evening milking in a 2 × 3 auto tandem milking parlor was monitored by using direct visual observations and a 3D accelerometer attached directly to the hook of each milking claw. We recorded when hind-leg foot-lifting or stepping (undifferentiated) and kicking behaviors occurred. Detected activities were obtained after applying a standard deviation filter (over a sliding window of 1 s) on the x (left/right lateral) acceleration axis only. We set the detection threshold at 0.13 (i.e., 1.27 m·s), based on the visual evaluation of 10 "reference" graphs (from 5 randomly chosen cows). Periods of activity were created for each observed or detected activity (and for consecutive activities that were less than 3 s apart) to take into account the milking cluster's rocking motion resulting from a single movement. Observed and detected periods of activity were considered matching when they occurred simultaneously (with a 2-s delay acceptance in the visual observations). In total, 472 periods of hind-leg activity were observed. The detection of hind-leg activity by using a 3D accelerometer attached to the milking cluster was found to have 69% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 75% positive predictive value, 98% negative predictive value, and an overall accuracy of 97%. On average, cows were observed being active 0.94 times per minute and being detected active 0.86 times per minute. The observed and detected periods of activity were found to be correlated (r = 0.657). Therefore, the use of a 3D accelerometer attached to the milking cluster seems promising for reliably estimating cow hind-leg activity during milking. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary to clarify whether other factors can cause variations in milking cluster movements, regardless of cow hind-leg activity, and to generalize our method to better identify deficiencies in cow-machine-human interactions.
PubMed: 36338777
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2020-0020 -
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) Jan 2022Hind foot drumming as a form of seismic signaling plays a pivotal role in the communication of various mammalian species including Bathyergidae (African mole-rats). The...
Hind foot drumming as a form of seismic signaling plays a pivotal role in the communication of various mammalian species including Bathyergidae (African mole-rats). The aim of the present study was to histologically determine if the action of hind foot drumming would influence the number of type II fibers present in the hind limb muscles of two drumming (Georychus capensis and Bathyergus suillus) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) bathyergid species. Twenty-one frozen muscles of each species were selected for the purpose of mid-belly cryostat sections. These sections were immunohistochemically labeled for myosin heavy chain slow muscle fibers (MHCs). In addition, oxidative capacity was determined by means of histochemical staining. A high percentage of fast type II muscle fibers was found in all the functional muscle groups, although there were no statistical differences between the drumming and non-drumming species. Bathyergus suillus had significantly fewer type II fibers in mm. semitendinosus, gluteofemoralis, tibialis cranialis, plantaris, and the medial head of m. gastrocnemius compared to the other two species. In all three species, the majority of the muscle fibers in all functional muscle groups demonstrated low oxidative capacity which correlated with the expression of type II muscle fibers. It therefore seems likely that the number of type II muscle fibers in the hind limb muscles of the Bathyergidae species studied here is more influenced by either body size or digging strategy rather than being an adaptation for hind foot drumming.
Topics: Animals; Mole Rats; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Muscle, Skeletal; Myosin Heavy Chains
PubMed: 34240567
DOI: 10.1002/ar.24712 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... May 2018β-Conglycinin α subunit (323-333) [βCGα(323-333)] is an exogenous neuromodulating undecapeptide found from enzymatic digest of β-conglycinin, a soy major storage...
β-Conglycinin α subunit (323-333) [βCGα(323-333)] is an exogenous neuromodulating undecapeptide found from enzymatic digest of β-conglycinin, a soy major storage protein by mice behavior tests. We investigated effect of βCGα(323-333) on Drosophila behavior. Oral administration of βCGα(323-333) in Drosophila increased hind leg grooming, which may act through specific sets of neurons. It was reported that dopamine receptor (DopR) meditates hind leg grooming, and we tested involvement of DopR in βCGα(323-333)-induced hind leg grooming by using DopR knockout flies. In the wild type but not in the DopR-knockout flies, βCGα(323-333) increased hind leg grooming. These results suggest that βCGα(323-333) induces hind leg grooming via activating the DopR. This is the first report showing that exogenously administered peptide changes fly behaviors.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Plant; Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster; Extremities; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Globulins; Grooming; Oligopeptides; Receptors, Dopamine; Seed Storage Proteins; Soybean Proteins; Glycine max
PubMed: 29577906
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.03.162 -
Journal of Morphology Apr 2020Hind foot drumming is a form of seismic signaling that plays a vital role in the communication of several Bathyergidae species. Hind foot drumming is initiated by the...
Hind foot drumming is a form of seismic signaling that plays a vital role in the communication of several Bathyergidae species. Hind foot drumming is initiated by the rapid movement of the whole hind limb by flexion and extension of the hip and knee. This study aimed to determine if morphological adaptations of the hind limb osteology were measurable using established morphometric analyses in two drumming (Bathyergus suillus and Georychus capensis) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) African mole-rat species. Forty-three linear measurements of the hind limb were taken in 48 limbs (n = 16 limbs per species) and 32 indices were calculated. Mixed model analysis of variance was used to compare the three species and sexes within a species. Thirteen indices had significant differences between species. Eleven indices had significant differences between sexes within a species. Significant differences between the drumming (B. suillus and G. capensis) and the non-drumming species were observed in three indices. The femoral greater trochanter was relatively shorter in the drumming species compared to the non-drumming species, which is proposed to allow for increased hip joint mobility, thereby permitting drummers to move their limbs at the rapid speed required to generate seismic signals. Furthermore, the small in-lever (shorter greater trochanter) may increase the velocity of limb motion. The robust tibias in the drumming species, as indicated by the tibial robustness index, are likely to counter the additional biomechanical load caused by the muscles involved in hind foot drumming. The relatively small hind feet seen in the drumming species allows for reduced limb weight needed for the rapid extension and flexion motion required during hind foot drumming. The significant differences reflected in the hind limb osteological indices between B. suillus and G. capensis and the non-drumming species are indicative of adaptations for hind foot drumming.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone and Bones; Foot; Hindlimb; Mole Rats; Osteology; Species Specificity
PubMed: 32031740
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21110