Do posterior eyespots in larval chitons have a molecular identity similar to anterior cerebral eyes in other bilaterians?
Our data suggest that anterior eyes with brain-associated development can indeed be subject to heterotopic replication to developmentally distinct and even posterior body regions. Retention of the transcriptional activity of a broad set of eye developmental factors and common anterior markers suggests a mode of eye development induction, which is largely independent of body regionalization.
Our results indicate that greater brace use may positively affect physical activity level, but there was minimal effect of brace wear dosage on lower-limb muscle strength. Only knee flexion showed a positive relationship. Our finding of no decreased muscle strength indicates that increased brace use over a 6-month period does not result in muscle impairment.