172 research outputs found
Differential gene expression of serine protease inhibitors in bovine ovarian follicle: possible involvement in follicular growth and atresia
Differential genome-wide gene expression profiling of bovine largest and second-largest follicles: identification of genes associated with growth of dominant follicles
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine follicular development is regulated by numerous molecular mechanisms and biological pathways. In this study, we tried to identify differentially expressed genes between largest (F1) and second-largest follicles (F2), and classify them by global gene expression profiling using a combination of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) analysis. The follicular status of F1 and F2 were further evaluated in terms of healthy and atretic conditions by investigating mRNA localization of identified genes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Global gene expression profiles of F1 (10.7 +/- 0.7 mm) and F2 (7.8 +/- 0.2 mm) were analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis and expression profiles of 16 representative genes were confirmed by QPCR analysis. In addition, localization of six identified transcripts was investigated in healthy and atretic follicles using in situ hybridization. The healthy or atretic condition of examined follicles was classified by progesterone and estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hierarchical cluster analysis of microarray data classified the follicles into two clusters. Cluster A was composed of only F2 and was characterized by high expression of 31 genes including IGFBP5, whereas cluster B contained only F1 and predominantly expressed 45 genes including CYP19 and FSHR. QPCR analysis confirmed AMH, CYP19, FSHR, GPX3, PlGF, PLA2G1B, SCD and TRB2 were greater in F1 than F2, while CCL2, GADD45A, IGFBP5, PLAUR, SELP, SPP1, TIMP1 and TSP2 were greater in F2 than in F1. In situ hybridization showed that AMH and CYP19 were detected in granulosa cells (GC) of healthy as well as atretic follicles. PlGF was localized in GC and in the theca layer (TL) of healthy follicles. IGFBP5 was detected in both GC and TL of atretic follicles. GADD45A and TSP2 were localized in both GC and TL of atretic follicles, whereas healthy follicles expressed them only in GC.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We demonstrated that global gene expression profiling of F1 and F2 clearly reflected a difference in their follicular status. Expression of stage-specific genes in follicles may be closely associated with their growth or atresia. Several genes identified in this study will provide intriguing candidates for the determination of follicular growth.</p
Quantitative analysis of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene expression in calf and adult bovine ovaries
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been reported that calf oocytes are less developmentally competent than oocytes obtained from adult cows. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) play critical roles in folliculogenesis, follicular development and ovulation in mammalian ovaries. In the present study, we attempted to compare the expression patterns of <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>in the cells of calf and cow ovaries to determine a relationship between the level of these genes and the low developmental competence of calf oocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Bovine tissues were collected from 9-11 months-old calves and from 4-6 years-old cows. We characterized the gene expression of BMP15 and GDF9 in calf and adult bovine oocytes and cumulus cells using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) and <it>in situ </it>hybridization. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>in cumulus cells of adult ovaries was significantly higher than that in calf ovaries, as revealed by QPCR. <it>GDF9 </it>expression in the oocytes of calf ovaries was significantly higher than in those of the adult ovaries. In contrast, <it>BMP15 </it>expression in the oocytes of calf and adult ovaries was not significantly different. The localization of gene expression and protein were ascertained by histochemistry.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our result showed for the first time BMP15 and GDF9 expression in bovine cumulus cells. <it>BMP15 </it>and <it>GDF9 </it>mRNA expression in oocytes and cumulus cells was different in calves and cows.</p
ベタヒスチンが一側内耳破壊後のラットの前庭代償に与える影響
Background: Vestibular compensation (VC) after unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) consists of the initial and late processes. These processes can be evaluated based on the decline in the frequency of spontaneous nystagmus (SN) and the number of MK801-induced Fos-positive neurons in the contralateral medial vestibular nucleus (contra-MVe) in rats. Histamine H3 receptors (H3R) are reported to be involved in the development of VC. Objective: We examined the effects of betahistine, an H3R antagonist, on the initial and late processes of VC in UL rats. Methods: Betahistine dihydrochloride was continuously administered to the UL rats at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day using an osmotic minipump. MK801 (1.0 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered on days 7, 10, 12, and 14 after UL, while Fos-positive neurons were immunohistochemically stained in the contra-MVe. Results: The SN disappeared after 42 h, and continuous infusion of betahistine did not change the decline in the frequency of SN. The number of MK801-induced Fos-positive neurons in contra-MVe significantly decreased on days 7, 10, and 12 after UL in a dose-dependent manner in the betahistine-treated rats, more so than in the saline-treated rats. Conclusion: These findings suggest that betahistine facilitated the late, but not the initial, process of VC in UL rats
Constraints on Hidden Photon Models from Electron g-2 and Hydrogen Spectroscopy
The hidden photon model is one of the simplest models which can explain the
anomaly of the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g-2). The experimental
constraints are studied in detail, which come from the electron g-2 and the
hydrogen transition frequencies. The input parameters are set carefully in
order to take dark photon contributions into account and to prevent the
analysis from being self-inconsistent. It is shown that the new analysis
provides a constraint severer by more than one order of magnitude than the
previous result.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. v2: minor correction
Risk factors of first bite syndrome
Objective : First bite syndrome is a complication of surgical resection of parapharyngeal space tumors and the development of cramping pain in the parotid region with the first bite of a meal. The present study aimed to identify the potential risk factors for the development of first bite syndrome. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients with parapharyngeal space tumors who had been surgically treated between August 2003 and December 2015 at our department. Results : The tumor site (prestyloid or retrostyloid) and surgical approach (transcervical-parotid, transparotid, or transcervical) were not correlated with the development of first bite syndrome. Ligation and mobilization of the external carotid artery was significantly correlated with the development of first bite syndrome. Moreover, patients with complete resection of the parotid gland did not experience first bite syndrome. Discussion : The present findings suggest that concomitant surgical settings of 1) sympathetic denervation of the parotid gland with ligation of the external carotid artery or injury of the sympathetic nerve plexus around the external carotid artery during its mobilization, and 2) residual parotid gland tissue are risk factors for the development of first bite syndrome after surgical resection of parapharyngeal space tumors
免疫組織化学法を用いた一側内耳破壊ラットの前庭代償の新しい評価法の開発
Background: Unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) causes the disappearance of ipsilateral medial vestibular nuclear (ipsi-MVe) activity and induces spontaneous nystagmus (SN), which disappears during the initial process of vestibular compensation (VC). Ipsi-MVe-activity restores in the late process of VC.
Objective: We evaluated the late process of VC after UL in rats and examined the effects of thioperamide (H3 antagonist) on VC.
Materials and methods: MK801 (NMDA antagonist)-induced Fos-like immunoreactive (-LIR) neurons in contra-MVe, which had been suppressed by NMDA-mediated cerebellar inhibition in UL-rats was used as an index.
Results: The number of MK801-induced Fos-LIR neurons in contra-MVe gradually decreased to the same level as that of sham-operated rats 14 days after UL. Thioperamide moved the disappearance of the MK801-induced Fos-LIR neurons 2 days earlier. The number of MK801-induced Fos-LIR neurons in thioperamide-treated rats was significantly decreased, compared with that of vehicle-rats on days 7 and 12 after UL. But, thioperamide did not influence the decline of SN frequency in UL-rats.
Conclusion: There findings suggested that the number of MK801-induced Fos-LIR neurons in contra-MVe was decreased in concordance with the restoration of ipsi-MVe-activity during the late process of VC after UL and that thioperamide accelerated the late, but not the initial process of VC
Capability and Limitations of Recent Diagnostic Criteria for Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Because a diagnostic serological marker is unavailable, autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is diagnosed based on unique features. The diagnostic capabilities and potential limitations of four sets of diagnostic criteria for AIP (Japanese diagnostic criteria 2006 and 2011, Asian diagnostic criteria, and international consensus diagnostic criteria (ICDC)) were compared among 85 patients who were diagnosed AIP according to at least one of the four sets. AIP was diagnosed in 87%, 95%, 95%, and 95% of the patients according to the Japanese 2006, Asian, ICDC, and Japanese 2011 criteria, respectively. The ICDC can diagnose types 1 and 2 AIP independently and show high sensitivity for diagnosis of AIP. However, as the ICDC are rather complex, diagnostic criteria for AIP should perhaps be revised and tailored to each country based on the ICDC
Impact of prior abdominal surgery on the outcomes after robotic - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: single center experience
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