ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell （hUC-MSC） with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis （CLF）. MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC （hUC-MSC^Numb-OE）， and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector （hUC-MSC^OE-EV） was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation （BDL） was performed to establish a rat model of CLF， and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group， hUC-MSC group， hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， and hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group， while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL， and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured， including serum biochemistry， liver histopathology， the content of hydroxyproline （Hyp） in the liver， hepatic stellate cell activation， ductular reaction， liver regeneration， and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group， the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters （aspartate aminotransferase， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， total bile acid， total bilirubin， and direct bilirubin）， liver fibrosis markers （the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin， tumor necrosis factor-α， and transforming growth factor-beta 1）， and ductular reaction markers （the expression levels of CK7 and CK19） （all P <0.05）， and compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators （all P <0.05）. In addition， compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers （albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α） and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis （Numb， pNumb， Mdm2， and p53） （all P <0.05）. ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF， possibly by activating the Numb-PTB^L-p53-HNF4α axis， promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages （M1-BMDM） with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis， and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF was established， and at the end of week 8， rats were randomly divided into model group， M1-BMDM group， M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group （M1-BMDM^KD-EV group）， and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group （M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group）， with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9， the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein， along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology， serum liver function parameters， hepatic stellate cell activation， and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group （P<0.05）. The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area （all P<0.05）， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area （both P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α （all P<0.05） and the protein expression level of CD68 （all P<0.01）； compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 （both P<0.05）， significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 （both P<0.05）， and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α （P<0.01）. Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area， with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue （all P<0.05）. Compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （both P<0.05）. The M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.05）. ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF， which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential categories and characteristics of the public hospice care demand in Hainan Province， and analyze different potential types of influencing factors， so as to provide reference for relevant departments to improve the public awareness and demand of hospice care. MethodsUsing convenience sampling method， select 6484 cities of the public as the survey object， using the general data questionnaire， the hospice care demand questionnaire of the potential profile analysis， and analyze the influencing factors of the public hospice care demand category. ResultsThe characteristics of the hospice care demand in Hainan Province were divided into three potential categories： low demand group （14.19%）， medium demand group （49.99%） and high demand group （35.82%）. Multivariate analysis showed that gender， age， education level， cultural belief， and life-death education experience were the main influencing factors of public hospice care demand （p<0.05）. Males， those aged 41-60 years， and those with high school education or below had relatively lower hospice care demand， while those with life-death education experience had relatively higher demand. ConclusionRelevant departments should focus on hospice care knowledge popularization and demand enhancement for males， middle-aged groups， and people with low education levels， while strengthening universal life-death education through stratified and classified publicity strategies and educational interventions to improve different populations’ awareness and acceptance of hospice care.

ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

OBJECTIVE:The main clinical manifestations of knee osteoarthritis are pain,swelling,stiffness,and limited activity,which have a serious impact on the life of patients.Exercise therapy can effectively improve the related symptoms of patients with knee osteoarthritis.This paper uses the method of network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of different exercise types in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Scopus,Ebsco,SinoMed,and UpToDate were searched with Chinese search terms"knee osteoarthritis,exercise therapy"and English search terms"knee osteoarthritis,exercise".Randomized controlled trials on the application of different exercise types in patients with knee osteoarthritis from October 2013 to October 2023 were collected.The outcome measures included visual analog scale,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score,Timed Up and Go test,and 36-item short form health survey.Literature quality analysis was performed using the Cochrane Manual recommended tool for risk assessment of bias in randomized controlled trials.Two researchers independently completed the data collection,collation,extraction and analysis.RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 software were used to analyze and plot the obtained data. RESULTS:A total of 29 articles with acceptable quality were included,involving 1 633 patients with knee osteoarthritis.The studies involved four types of exercise:aerobic training,strength training,flexibility/skill training,and mindfulness relaxation training.(1)The results of network meta-analysis showed that compared with routine care/health education,aerobic training could significantly improve pain symptoms(SMD=-3.26,95%CI:-6.33 to-0.19,P<0.05);strength training(SMD=-0.79,95%CI:-1.34 to-0.23,P<0.05)and mindfulness relaxation training(SMD=-0.79,95%CI:-1.23 to-0.34,P<0.05)could significantly improve the function of patients.Aerobic training(SMD=-1.37,95%CI:-2.24 to-0.51,P<0.05)and mindfulness relaxation training(SMD=-0.41,95%CI:-0.80 to-0.02,P<0.05)could significantly improve the functional mobility of patients.Mindfulness relaxation training(SMD=0.70,95%CI:0.21-1.18,P<0.05)and strength training(SMD=0.42,95%CI:0.03-0.81,P<0.05)could significantly improve the quality of life of patients.(2)The cumulative probability ranking results were as follows:pain:aerobic training(86.6%)>flexibility/skill training(60.1%)>strength training(56.8%)>mindfulness relaxation training(34.7%)>routine care/health education(11.7%);Knee function:strength training(73.7%)>mindfulness relaxation training(73.1%)>flexibility/skill training(56.1%)>aerobic training(39.9%)>usual care/health education(7.6%);Functional mobility:aerobic training(94.7%)>mindfulness relaxation training(65.5%)>strength training(45.1%)>flexibility/skill training(41.6%)>routine care/health education(3.2%);Quality of life:mindfulness relaxation training(91.3%)>strength training(68.0%)>flexibility/skill training(44.3%)>aerobic training(34.0%)>usual care/health education(12.3%). CONCLUSION:(1)Exercise therapy is effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,among which aerobic training has the best effect on relieving pain and improving functional mobility.Strength training and mindfulness relaxation training has the best effect on improving patients'function.Mindfulness relaxation training has the best effect on improving the quality of life of patients.(2)Limited by the quality and quantity of the included literature,more high-quality studies are needed to verify it.

[Objective] To explore the strategy of blood management in patients with massive transfusion in the frigid plateau region. [Methods] The treatment process of a patient with liver rupture in the frigid plateau region was analyzed, and the blood management strategy of the frigid plateau region was discussed in combination with the difficulties of blood transfusion and literature review. [Results] The preoperative complete blood count (CBC) test results of the patient were as follows: RBC 3.14×10¹²/L, Hb 10⁶ g/L, HCT 30.40%, PLT 115.00×10⁹/L; coagulation function: PT 18.9 s, FiB 1.31 g/L, DD > 6 μg/mL, FDP 25.86 μg/mL; ultrasound examination and imaging manifestations suggested liver contusion and laceration / intraparenchymal hematoma, splenic contusion and laceration, and massive blood accumulation in the abdominal cavity; it was estimated that the patient's blood loss was ≥ 2 000 mL, and massive blood transfusion was required during the operation; red blood cell components were timely transfused during the operation, and the blood component transfusion was guided according to the patient's CBC and coagulation function test results, providing strong support and guarantee for the successful treatment of the patient. The patient recovered well after the operation, and the CBC test results were as follows: RBC 4.32×10¹²/L, Hb 144 g/L, HCT 39.50%, PLT 329.00×10⁹/L; coagulation function: APTT 29.3 s, PT 12.1 s, FiB 2.728 g/L, DD>6 μg/mL, FDP 25.86 μg/mL. The patient was discharged after 20 days, and regular follow-up reexamination showed no abnormal results. [Conclusion] Individualized blood management strategy should comprehensively consider the patient’s clinical symptoms, the degree of hemoglobin decline, dynamic coagulation test results and existing treatment conditions. Efficient and reasonable patient blood management strategies can effectively improve the clinical outcomes of massive transfusion patients in the frigid plateau region.

Piper nigrum L. is an evergreen climbing vine, which belongs to the genus Piperia in the Piperaceae family. Piper nigrum L., which known as the “king of spices”, is used as both food and medicine. The main active substances in Piper nigrum L. are alkaloids mainly composed of amides, and essential oil, as well as phenolic compounds. In this paper, the chemical compositions, especially amide alkaloids, and their biological activities of Piper nigrum L. were summarized. These studies showed that Piper nigrum L., as a medicinal and food plant, had a wide range of biological activities and was deserved further research and in-depth utilization.

Locomotion, a fundamental motor function encompassing various forms such as swimming, walking, running, and flying, is essential for animal survival and adaptation. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), located at the midbrain-hindbrain junction, is a conserved brain area critical for controlling locomotion. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the MLR’s structure and function across species, from lampreys to mammals and birds, with a particular focus on insights gained from optogenetic studies in mammals. The goal is to uncover universal strategies for MLR-mediated locomotor control. Electrical stimulation of the MLR in species such as lampreys, salamanders, cats, and mice initiates locomotion and modulates speed and patterns. For example, in lampreys, MLR stimulation induces swimming, with increased intensity or frequency enhancing propulsive force. Similarly, in salamanders, graded stimulation transitions locomotor outputs from walking to swimming. Histochemical studies reveal that effective MLR stimulation sites colocalize with cholinergic neurons, suggesting a conserved neurochemical basis for locomotion control. In mammals, the MLR comprises two key nuclei: the cuneiform nucleus (CnF) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). Both nuclei contain glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, with the PPN additionally housing cholinergic neurons. Optogenetic studies in mice by selectively activating glutamatergic neurons have demonstrated that the CnF and PPN play distinct roles in motor control: the CnF drives rapid escape behaviors, while the PPN regulates slower, exploratory movements. This functional specialization within the MLR allows animals to adapt their locomotion patterns and speed in response to environmental demands and behavioral objectives. Similar to findings in lampreys, the CnF and PPN in mice transmit motor commands to spinal effector circuits by modulating the activity of brainstem reticular formation neurons. However, they achieve this through distinct reticulospinal pathways, enabling the generation of specific behaviors. Further insights from monosynaptic rabies viral tracing reveal that the CnF and PPN integrate inputs from diverse brain regions to produce context-appropriate behaviors. For instance, glutamatergic neurons in the PPN receive signals from other midbrain structures, the basal ganglia, and medullary nuclei, whereas glutamatergic neurons in the CnF rarely receive inputs from the basal ganglia but instead are strongly influenced by the periaqueductal grey and inferior colliculus within the midbrain. These differential connectivity patterns underscore the specialized roles of the CnF and PPN in motor control, highlighting their unique contributions to coordinating locomotion. Birds exhibit exceptional flight capabilities, yet the avian MLR remains poorly understood. Comparative studies suggest that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) in birds is homologous to the mammalian PPN, which contains cholinergic neurons, while the intercollicular nucleus (ICo) or nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (ImC) may correspond to the CnF. These findings provide important clues for identifying the avian MLR and elucidating its role in flight control. However, functional validation through targeted experiments is urgently needed to confirm these hypotheses. Optogenetics and other advanced techniques in mice have greatly advanced MLR research, enabling precise manipulation of specific neuronal populations. Future studies should extend these methods to other species, particularly birds, to explore unique locomotor adaptations. Comparative analyses of MLR structure and function across species will deepen our understanding of the conserved and evolved features of motor control, revealing fundamental principles of locomotion regulation throughout evolution. By integrating findings from diverse species, we can uncover how the MLR has been adapted to meet the locomotor demands of different environments, from aquatic to aerial habitats.