Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), an enzyme expressed in mammalian testes, exerts a direct effect on spermatogenesis; however, its protein characteristics in bovine testes remain unknown. Here, we analysed bovine testicular structure, MTHFR bioinformatics profile, mRNA, and protein expression characteristics in yellow-cattle (y-c) and yak testis using histological procedures, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Testes from 13 bovines, ≤2 years juvenile (y-c, n = 3; yak, n = 3) and ≥3 years adult (y-c, n = 3; yak, n = 4) were collected and analysed. Anatomical characteristics of testis in y-c and yak were similar except the weight or size for which that of y-c was significantly higher or greater than yak. In y-c, an open reading frame (ORF) for 2600 nucleotides sequence, encoding 655 amino acids showed high homology with zebu cattle (99.51%) and wild yak (98.68%). Secondary and 3D protein structures were similar to that of humans with differences in the number of nucleotides, amino acids, and some physico-chemical characteristics. MTHFR mRNA expression in y-c and yak were significantly higher in adult testes compared with juvenile ones. However, its protein expression was higher, but not statistically significant, in adult y-c and yak compared to the juvenile ones. The highlights and inferences of these and other findings are discussed.

Objectives: To evaluate the upper airway changes before and after the use of Mandibular Advancement Device (OAm) of the patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Design: Prospective study recruiting patients from February 2015 to January 2017 Settings: Department of Stomatology at Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, China. Participants: PSG confirmed Chinese OSAHS patients. Main outcomes measures: CBCT scans were done before and after the use of OAm to assess the change in the sagittal and coronal diameter, volumetric changes and the change in Minimal Cross-sectional Area (MCA) of different segments of upper airway. Results: A total of 30 patients were included with an average age of 49.53 ± 6.62 years. A significant increase in sagittal and coronal diameter of the lower margin of soft palate and the upper epiglottis was observed except the hard palate plane after OAm (P>0.05). MCA and volume of the posterior soft palate, lingual, epiglottis area and total airway were significantly increased with the use of OAm (P<0.001). Conclusion: OAm is a beneficial device in OSAHS patients as it increases the upper airway area and the volumetric changes thereby reducing the effects of OSAHS.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), an enzyme expressed in mammalian testes exerts direct effect on spermatogenesis; however, its protein characteristics in bovine testes remain unknown. Here, we analysed bovine testicular structure, MTHFR bioinformatics profile, mRNA, and protein expression characteristics in yellow-cattle (y-c) and yak testis using histological procedures, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Testes from 13 bovines, &le; 2 years juvenile (y-c, n = 3; yak, n=3) and &ge; 3 years adult (y-c, n = 3; yak, n = 4) were collected and analysed. Anatomical characteristics of testis in y-c and yak were similar except the weight or size for which that of y-c was significantly higher or greater than yak. In y-c, an open reading frame (ORF) for 2600 nucleotides sequence, encoding 655 amino acids showed high homology with zebu cattle (99.51%) and wild yak (98.68%). Secondary and 3D protein structures were similar to that of humans with differences in number of nucleotides, amino acids, and some physico-chemical characteristics. MTHFR mRNA expression in y-c and yak were significantly higher in adult testes compared with juvenile ones. However, its protein expression was higher but not statistically significant in adult y-c and yak compared to the juvenile ones. The highlights and inferences of these and other findings are discussed.