BackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle-wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in the absence of the membrane-stabilising protein dystrophin. Dystrophic muscle fibres are susceptible to injury and degeneration, and impaired muscle regeneration is associated with fibrotic deposition that limits the efficacy of potential pharmacological, cell- and gene-based therapies. Novel treatments that can prevent or attenuate fibrosis have important clinical merit for DMD and related neuromuscular diseases. We investigated the therapeutic potential for tranilast, an orally bioavailable anti-allergic agent, to prevent fibrosis in skeletal muscles of mdx dystrophic mice.ResultsThree-week-old C57Bl/10 and mdx mice received tranilast (~300 mg/kg) in their food for 9 weeks, after which fibrosis was assessed through histological analyses, and functional properties of tibialis anterior muscles were assessed in situ and diaphragm muscle strips in vitro. Tranilast administration did not significantly alter the mass of any muscles in control or mdx mice, but it decreased fibrosis in the severely affected diaphragm muscle by 31% compared with untreated mdx mice (P < 0.05). A similar trend of decreased fibrosis was observed in the tibialis anterior muscles of mdx mice (P = 0.10). These reductions in fibrotic deposition were not associated with improvements in maximum force-producing capacity, but we did observe small but significant improvements in the resistance to fatigue in both the diaphragm and TA muscles of mdx mice treated with tranilast.ConclusionTogether these findings demonstrate that administration of potent antifibrotic compounds such as tranilast could help preserve skeletal muscle structure, which could ultimately increase the efficacy of pharmacological, cell and gene replacement/correction therapies for muscular dystrophy and related disorders.

This study compared the observed and the self-reported engagement of 16 students who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) attending mainstream schools to that of matched controls with typical hearing. Observed engagement was measured through observations in the classroom setting using the Mainstream Version of the Code for Instructional Structure and Student Academic Reponses. Self-reported engagement was measured using the Classroom Participation Questionnaire. The results revealed no significant differences for either observed or self-reported engagement between the DHH and the control groups; however, three individual DHH participants had lower levels of observed engagement compared to their matched controls. As such, including engagement in the evaluation of students who are DHH may be important for some individuals to provide a better understanding of the daily challenges they experience at school. Where needs are identified, the support that students who are DHH receive should include a specific focus on engagement to assist with their successful inclusion.

This study confirmed that a clinical group of CI recipients obtained a significant benefit when upgrading to the Nucleus 6 sound processor.

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The experiment included 20 ewes of the Tsigai breed, allocated in two groups of 10 animals each. Inducing of oestrus synchronisation was performed during anoestral season (April-May) through vaginal sponges containing gestagens, and administration of Gravohormon (Vetbiopharm, Bulgaria)-500 UI in group 1 ewes and 1000 UI in group 2 ewes. Macromorphological study of the ovaries was carried out by means of laparoscopy after the adopted methods-on the 56 th hour, 72 nd hour and 5 th day following sponge withdrawal and injection of gonadotropin. The levels of the steroid hormones progesteron and 17ß-oestradiol were recorded in three ewes per each group at different times according to the experiment scheme. The histological structure of the ovaries was determined in seven animals subjected to ovariectomy.