Progress on CRISPR/Cas9 system in the genetic improvement of livestock and poultry.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, as a highly efficient genome editing method, has been extensively employed in the realm of animal husbandry for genetic improvement. With its remarkable efficiency and precision, this technology has revolutionized the field of animal husbandry. Currently, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene knockout, gene knock-in and gene modification techniques are widely employed to achieve precise enhancements in crucial production traits of livestock and poultry species. In this review, we summarize the operational principle and development history of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Additionally, we highlight the research advancements utilizing this technology in muscle growth and development, fiber growth, milk quality composition, disease resistance breeding, and animal welfare within the livestock and poultry sectors. Our aim is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in gene editing for livestock and poultry.

Effect of Tai Chi and Resistance Training on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Elderly Cancer Patients / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of Tai Chi (TC) and resistance training (RT) with different intensity on the cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QoL) of middle-aged and elderly cancer patients.@*METHODS@#Totally 120 cancer patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to 4 groups by a random number table, including TC group, high-intensity 60% one repetition maximum (1-RM) RT group (HIRT), low-intensity (30% 1-RM) RT group (LIRT) and control group, 30 patients in each group. Participants in the TC group received 24-form simplified Yang-style TC training at a frequency of 40 min per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Patients in the two RT groups received 10 sessions, 6 designated movements per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. The 1-RM of 6 muscle groups, fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), along with the scores of Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), QoL questionnaire for Chinese cancer patients receiving chemobiotherapy (QLQ-CCC), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were measured before and after training. The adverse effect was also observed.@*RESULTS@#After 12-week intervention, patients in both TC and RT groups showed significant improvements in CRF and QLQ-CCC compared to pre-treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the LIRT and TC groups, patients in the HIRT group improved more significantly in increasing muscle strength and LBM, and reducing in FM (P<0.05). Patients in the TC group significantly increased in lower limb muscle strength compared with the LIRT group (P<0.05). In addition, patients in the TC group showed more significant improvements in scores of GAD-7, PHQ-9 and PSQI than 2 RT groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#TC and RT, both low- and high-intensity training, can significantly increase muscle strength, reduce CRF and improve QoL in the middle-aged and elderly cancer patients. TC has a better effect than RT in terms of sleep quality and mental health. The long-term application is needed to substantiate the effect of TC as an alternative exercise in cancer patients.