The growth and development of skeletal muscle is an important factor affecting pork production and quality, which is elaborately regulated by many genetic and nutritional factors. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a non-coding RNA with a length of about 22 nt, which binds to the 3'UTR sequence of the mRNA of the target genes, and consequently regulates its post-transcriptional expression level. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in various life processes such as growth and development, reproduction, and diseases. The role of miRNAs in the regulation of porcine skeletal muscle development was reviewed, with the hope to provide a reference for the genetic improvement of pigs.
Swine ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Muscle Development/genetics*

Spermatogenesis is a continual process that occurs in the testes, in which diploid spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) differentiate and generate haploid spermatozoa. This highly efficient and intricate process is orchestrated at multiple levels. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), an epigenetic modification prevalent in mRNAs, is implicated in the transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis. However, the dynamics of m⁶A modification in non-rodent mammalian species remains unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the profile and role of m⁶A during spermatogenesis in pigs. By analyzing the transcriptomic distribution of m⁶A in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids, we identified a globally conserved m⁶A pattern between porcine and murine genes with spermatogenic function. We found that m⁶A was enriched in a group of genes that specifically encode the metabolic enzymes and regulators. In addition, transcriptomes in porcine male germ cells could be subjected to the m⁶A modification. Our data show that m⁶A plays the regulatory roles during spermatogenesis in pigs, which is similar to that in mice. Illustrations of this point are three genes (SETDB1, FOXO1, and FOXO3) that are crucial to the determination of the fate of SSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time uncovers the expression profile and role of m⁶A during spermatogenesis in large animals and provides insights into the intricate transcriptional regulation underlying the lifelong male fertility in non-rodent mammalian species.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation/genetics* ; Mammals/metabolism* ; Methylation ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Swine/genetics* ; Testis/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; RNA Methylation/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the baseline levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25-(OH) D] in 3340 hospitalized children, analyze the 25-( OH) D levels in children with different diseases, age and gender in different seasons, and study the correlation between the 25-( OH) D levels and the clinical indicators. Methods:Totally 3340 hospitalized children were randomly selected, the 25-( OH) D levels were detected by an ELISA method, and Pearson correlation analysis of 25-( OH) D levels and clinical indicators such as liver function, myocardial enzymes, immunoglobulins, lymphocyte subtypes and thyroid function was performed. Results: The serum 25-(OH) D level in 3340 cases (1850 male, 1490 female) was (33. 00 ± 13. 42) ng·m1 -1, and that in those with neonatal diseases was the lowest followed by those with primary nephrotic syndrome, Henoch-schordeinpurpura and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The ser-um 25-( OH) D levels in the premature was higher than that in full term infant. Except the newborn, the level of serum 25-( OH) D gradually reduced along with the age increase, while the percentage of insufficiency gradually increased. The serum 25-( OH) D level between the male and the female had no significant difference. The 25-( OH) D levels of hospitalized children were the highest in sum-mer. The serum level of 25-( OH) D was positively correlated with body mass index ( BMI) , alanine transaminase ( ALT) , aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine-phosphokinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), free T4 (FT4) and free T3 (FT3), and negative correlation with alkaline phosphatase(ALP), immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Conclusion:The incidence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in hospitalized children. The level of vitamin D is different among various diseases. The level of serum 25-( OH) D may have certain relevance with BMI, allergies, myocardial damage and thyroid function.