Exploring the impact of heat stress on oocyte maturation and embryo development in dairy cattle using a culture medium supplemented with vitamins E, C, and coenzyme Q10

Heat stress is a significant factor affecting the fertility of dairy cattle due to the generation of free radicals. In assisted reproductive techniques, the inclusion of protective antioxidants becomes crucial to mitigate potential cellular damage. This study aimed to explore the impact of supplementing vitamins E, C, and coenzyme Q10 into the oocyte culture medium, with the goal of ameliorating the adverse effects of heat stress on oocyte maturation and embryo development in dairy cattle. A group of fifty Holstein dairy cows were synchronized, and their oocytes were harvested using the ovum pick-up method. High-quality oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, utilizing a culture medium containing, no supplements (Group 1), 100 μM of vitamins E (Group 2) and C (Group 3), along with 50 μM of coenzyme Q10 (Group 4). The ensuing zygotes were cultured, and the ensuing embryos were evaluated for blastocyst formation by the seventh day. An analysis of the blastocysts' inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells was also conducted. The findings revealed that the group receiving supplementation of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 exhibited significantly higher maturation and cleavage rates in comparison to both the control and the vitamin C groups. Furthermore, the count of ICM, TE, and blastocyst cells was notably elevated in the vitamin E supplemented group when compared to the control group. In summary, the effectiveness of vitamin E in enhancing IVM, IVF, and embryo development under conditions of heat stress surpassed that of vitamin C and coenzyme Q10.

Therapists' perspectives on a new portable hand telerehabilitation platform for home-based personalized treatment of stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

Patients who have sustained a stroke suffer from residual motor impairments. Stroke can limit their ability to employ their impaired upper limb properly. Hand function is particularly one of the most frequently persisting consequences of stroke. This paper introduces a new portable hand telerehabilitation platform (PHTP) for home-based personalized treatment of stroke patients. The aims of this study are (1) to document the iterative design and development process of the PHTP, and (2) to explore the therapists' perspectives on implementing home-based treatment of stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Local therapists were involved early in designing and developing the PHTP. We collected views of 84 therapists practicing in North America via an online survey.

RESULTS

Therapists' perspectives on the introduced prototype support the use of the PHTP to provide home-based telerehabilitation for stroke patients. The System Usability Scale score was 70 for the PHTP, indicating that the platform is usable. The rest of the qualitative results obtained from custom questionnaires showed consistency in the platform design, high perceived usability and good acceptability among the therapists' community.

CONCLUSIONS

In sum, the results encourage and support fine-tuning of the PHTP, commercializing it, and conducting prospective clinical studies.