Efficient bovine sex selection via Toll-like receptors 7/8 agonist 24e through the GSK3α/β-hexokinase pathway.

Sex selection is pivotal in animal husbandry and reproductive biotechnology, critical for preferential production of male beef cattle and female dairy herds. Current bovine sex selection via flow cytometry is limited by high costs, low efficiency, and sperm motility damage. This study revealed X sperm-specific Toll-like receptors 7/8 (TLR7/8) expression.

Acupotomy for knee osteoarthritis: Literature review and meta-analysis.

PurposeAs a contemporary acupuncture technique combined with modern anatomy and biomechanics, acupotomy was widely used in clinical treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This article aims to evaluate the advantages and potential of acupotomy of KOA and to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.Patients and methodsWe conducted a comprehensive search across four databases of ancient Chinese classics to trace the historical development of acupotomy.

Dppa2 Promotes Early Embryo Development Through Regulating PDH Expression Pattern During Zygotic Genome Activation.

During embryonic development, zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a critical event that determines the rational process and the fate of embryonic cells. The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) provides necessary reactants and energy for biological activities such as genome activation, chromatin opening, and epigenetic modifications during ZGA. Recent studies have shown that during ZGA, core enzymes associated with TCA briefly enter the nucleus and participate in initiating the ZGA process.

NAD Promotes Superovulation of Huaxi Cattle Through Regulation of Cumulus Cell Proliferation and Oocyte Maturation.

Superovulation and embryo transfer are key technologies to improve the reproductive ability of female animals and enhance the efficiency of livestock production. However, poor-quality oocytes or abnormal fluctuations of hormone levels caused by superovulation affect the embryonic development environment, which may lead to a significant decline in the number and quality of transferable embryos, thus reducing the efficiency of superovulation. In this study, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) was injected into Huaxi cows during the superovulation period to observe the proliferation and apoptosis of transplanted embryos.

Loss of Affects m6A Modification but Not Semen Characteristics in Bull Spermatozoa.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a key methylation modification involved in reproductive processes. gene editing (MT) in cattle is known to enhance muscle mass and productivity. However, the changes in m6A modification in MT bull sperm remain poorly understood.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of Parkinson's disease (PD) have received increasing attention, but effective treatment options remain limited. Acupuncture may have clinical benefits for NPSs in PD patients, but high-quality evidence supporting this possibility still needs to be discovered. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on NPSs in PD patients.

Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis of Smooth Muscle of Myostatin Knockout Cattle.

Myostatin (MSTN), a growth and differentiation factor, plays an important role in regulating skeletal muscle growth and development. MSTN knockout (MSTN-KO) leads to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and regulates metabolic homeostasis. Moreover, MSTN is also detected in smooth muscle.

Loss of Myostatin Alters Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation, TCA Cycle Activity, and ATP Production in Skeletal Muscle.

Myostatin (MSTN) is an important negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in animals. A lack of MSTN promotes lipolysis and glucose metabolism but inhibits oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here, we aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of MSTN regulating the mitochondrial energy homeostasis of skeletal muscle.

Sanfu herbal patch applied at acupoints in patients with bronchial asthma: statistical analysis plan for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Sanfu herbal patch (SHP) is widely used in the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma in China, but its efficacy and mechanism of action are not completely clear. This trial aims to determine the efficacy of SHP and the underlying mechanism.

Methods/design: We will conduct a multi-centre parallel randomised controlled trial consisting of 72 participants with bronchial asthma recruited and randomly allocated at a ratio of 1:1 into two groups.

Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Intracranial Arterial Stenosis in a Korean Population: A Secondary Analysis Based on a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Purpose: Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is a common cause of cerebrovascular disease. Studies have shown that the disease may be associated with elevated serum uric acid. However, the results remain inexact and controversial.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of adenomyosis: a narrative review.

Objective: The purpose of the present review is to analyze and summarize the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for adenomyosis according to largest studies available in current literature, so as to provide a more robust foundation for its use in the treatment of patients with this condition.

Background: Adenomyosis is a common and frequently occurring gynecological disease. It can lead to clinical symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, menostaxis, menorrhagia, and anemia, and can seriously affect patients' quality of life.

The effectiveness and safety of Tuina for tension-type headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Tension-type headache (TTH) is one of the most common primary headache diseases in the world and has a serious negative impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Tuina is now widely used to treat tension-type headaches. This article aims to systematically review the evidence about the effectiveness of Tuina on the effectiveness rate, pain intensity, and impact of headache in individuals with TTH.

Transient Dux expression facilitates nuclear transfer and induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.

Cloned animals generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been reported for many years; however, SCNT is extremely inefficient, and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is required for SCNT-mediated somatic cell reprogramming. To identify candidate factors that facilitate ZGA in SCNT-mediated reprogramming, we performed siRNA-repressor and mRNA-inducer screenings, which reveal Dux, Dppa2, and Dppa4 as key factors enhancing ZGA in SCNT. We show that direct injection of ZGA inducers has no significant effect on SCNT blastocyst formation; however, following the establishment of an inducible Dux transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate that transient overexpression of Dux not only improves SCNT efficiency but also increases that of chemically induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.

Melatonin restores the pluripotency of long-term-cultured embryonic stem cells through melatonin receptor-dependent m6A RNA regulation.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most common and abundant modification on mammalian messenger RNA (mRNA) and regulates the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Research has shown that melatonin plays a fundamental role in DNA and histone modifications. However, the effect of melatonin on RNA modification is unknown.

Inhibiting repressive epigenetic modification promotes telomere rejuvenation in somatic cell reprogramming.

The efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) reprogramming is extremely low in terms of production of cloned animals. Here, we found that telomere rejuvenation is a critical event for SCNT reprogramming. Through small-molecule screening, we identified that melatonin significantly improved the and developmental competence of SCNT-derived embryos.

Generation of and transgenic mice that produce n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Linoleic acid (18 : 2, n-6) and α-linolenic acid (18 : 3, n-3) are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are essential for mammalian health, development and growth. However, the majority of mammals, including humans, are incapable of synthesizing n-6 and n-3 PUFAs. Mammals must obtain n-6 and n-3 PUFAs from their diet.