James P

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a heterogeneous group of rare familial neurodegenerative disorders that share the key feature of cerebellar ataxia. Clinical heterogeneity, diverse gene mutations and complex neuropathology pose significant challenges for developing effective disease-modifying therapies in SCAs. Without a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved for each SCA, we cannot succeed in developing targeted therapies. Animal models are our best tool to address these issues and several have been generated to study the pathological conditions of SCAs. Among them, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are emerging as a powerful tool for in vivo study of SCAs, as well as rapid drug screens. In this review, we will summarize recent progress in using zebrafish to study the pathology of SCAs. We will discuss recent advancements on how zebrafish models can further clarify underlying genetic, neuroanatomical, and behavioral pathogenic mechanisms of disease. We highlight their usefulness in rapid drug discovery and large screens. Finally, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of this in vivo model to develop tailored therapeutic strategies for SCA.

Progression of chronic kidney disease may lead to kidney failure and cardiovascular, metabolic and bone disease complications. Here, the authors conduct a large-scale proteomic study in patients with chronic kidney disease, identify numerous proteins that predict kidney failure, some of which are likely causal mediators and hence potential therapeutic targets.

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, City Council Member Julie Won and officials of the Adams administration announced the launch of two planning studies for…

We shouldn’t rush to repeat the past’s mistakes because of the violence in Israel-Palestine.

As party conference season draws to a close in the UK and delegates board (not high speed) trains back home, investors into the UK would be wise to pay attention to some of the announcements.

In a premises liability case involving allegations of negligence and assault and battery, an insurance company whose policy has an assault…

Aquatic foods at the nutrition–environment nexus

Even “healthy” muscle ageing is often associated with substantial changes in muscle form and function and can lead to increased injury risks and significant negative impacts on quality of life. However, the impacts of healthy muscle ageing on the fibre architecture and microstructure of different muscles and muscle groups throughout the lower limb, and how these are related to their functional capabilities, are not fully understood. Here, a previously established framework of magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging was used to measure the muscle volumes, intramuscular fat, fibre lengths and physiological cross-sectional areas of 12 lower limb muscles in a cohort of healthily aged individuals, which were compared to the same data from a young population. Maximum muscle forces were also measured from an isokinetic dynamometer. The more substantial interpopulation differences in architecture and functional performance were located within the knee extensor muscles, while the aged muscles were also more heterogeneous in muscle fibre type and atrophy. The relationships between architecture and muscle strength were also more significant in the knee extensors compared to other functional groups. These data highlight the importance of the knee extensors as a potential focus for interventions to negate the impacts of muscle ageing.

The main mission is to hammer out a fair and balanced, constitutional, AI policy.

Sunita Keshari ∙ Alexander S. Shavkunov ∙ Qi Miao ∙ … ∙ Kristen E. Pauken ∙ Ken Chen ∙ Matthew M.