SRA deficiency induces follicular dysplasia by disrupting the hypothalamic Kisspeptin-GPR54 system in mice.

Purpose: To investigate how steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA) regulates follicular development in mice.

Methods: Systemic SRA knockout mice were introduced. SRA expression was reinstated in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) of the hypothalamus using lentiviral vectors.

Melatonin attenuates repeated mild traumatic brain injury-induced cognitive deficits by inhibiting astrocyte reactivation.

Melatonin has been well documented for its neuroprotective role through inhibiting oxidative stress against traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the specific role of melatonin and the exact effects on cell responses (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) in different brain regions are unclear. Here, we subjected mice to closed head injury, to establish a repeated mild TBI model and detect neuronal activity and glial responses in cognition-related brain regions after melatonin administration.

Effect of tap dance on plantar pressure, postural stability and lower body function in older patients at risk of diabetic foot: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: To examine the effects of tap dance (TD) on dynamic plantar pressure, static postural stability, ankle range of motion (ROM), and lower extremity functional strength in patients at risk of diabetic foot (DF).

Research Design And Methods: A randomised, single-blinded, two-arm prospective study of 40 patients at risk of DF was conducted. The intervention group (n=20) received 16 weeks of TD training (60 min/session×3 sessions/week).

Cross-cultural modifications and measurement properties of the CHAMPS questionnaire among Chinese older adults.

Background/objective: The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaires (CHAMPS-Q) is one of the most extensively used instruments in assessing physical activity among older adults. However, no study had translated the CHAMPS-Q into Chinese, and no evaluations were made on the psychometric properties of the CHAMPS-Q among the Chinese population. Considering cultural differences in perceptions of language, cultural context and living habits, this study was of necessary to 1) translate and cross-culturally adapt the original CHAMPS-Q, and 2) examine the test-retest reliability and construct/predictive validity of the Chinese version of the CHAMPS-Q.

Chrysin ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by a diet deficient in methionine and choline by inducing the secretion of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α-dependent very low-density lipoprotein.

We investigated the effects of chrysin (CHR) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. The NAFLD mouse model was established using a diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCD). CHR was shown to attenuate MCD-induced hepatic fat accumulation, increase very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion, and decrease hepatic oxidative stress in NAFLD mice.

Microglial Trem2 induces synaptic impairment at early stage and prevents amyloidosis at late stage in APP/PS1 mice.

Triggering receptor expressed in myeloid cells (TREM)2 is a genetic high-risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is considered a potential target for AD diagnosis and therapy, although its role in the different stages of AD remains controversial. We generated an embryonic deletion of Trem2 (whole body deletion) and induced hippocampal- and cortical-specific knockdown of microglial Trem2 at different stages of the AD process in amyloid precursor protein/Psen1 mice by adeno-associated virus (AAV) infection. AAV infection induced microglial Trem2 overexpression in the hippocampus of wild-type (WT) and thymus cell antigen 1-enhanced green fluorescent protein mice.

Synergistic effect of tanshinone IIA and mesenchymal stem cells on preventing learning and memory deficits via anti-apoptosis, attenuating tau phosphorylation and enhancing the activity of central cholinergic system in vascular dementia.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is one of common causes of dementia following Alzheimer's disease. However, up to date, there has been no effective treatment for VaD yet. Cellular therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and some extract ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines are expected to improve learning and memory function in VaD model.