Rapid and Convenient Quantitative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Serous Saliva with a Direct PCR Method.

Sensitive and accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), frequently performed using direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is essential for restricting the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, studies evaluating accurate detection are still required. This study evaluated the quantitativeness and sensitivity of the Ampdirect™ 2019-nCoV detection kit, a direct PCR method.

Gpr120 mRNA expression in gonadotropes in the mouse pituitary gland is regulated by free fatty acids.

GPR120 is a long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) receptor that is specifically expressed in gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary gland in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GPR120 is activated by free fatty acids in the pituitary of mice and mouse immortalized gonadotrope LβT2 cells. First, the effects of palmitate on GPR120, gonadotropic hormone b-subunits, and GnRH-receptor expression in gonadotropes were investigated in vitro.

Short-term but not long-term high-fat diet induces an increase in gene expression of gonadotropic hormones and GPR120 in the male mouse pituitary gland.

High-fat diet (HFD) is associated with the regulation of reproductive functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term HFD on the mRNA expression levels of follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (FSHβ), luteinizing hormone β subunit (LHβ), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, and long-chain fatty acid receptor, GPR120, in the matured male mouse pituitary gland. Adult male mice were fed either control chow or HFD for 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 150 days.

Morphological analysis for neuronal pathway from the hindbrain ependymocytes to the hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons.

Hindbrain ependymocytes are postulated to have a glucose-sensing role in regulating gonadal functions. Previous studies have suggested that malnutrition-induced suppression of gonadotropin secretion is mediated by noradrenergic inputs from the A2 region in the solitary tract nucleus to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) release in the hypothalamus. However, no morphological evidence to indicate the neural pathway from the hindbrain ependymocytes to hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons, a center for reproductive function in mammals, currently exists.

Effects of ovarian hormones on GPR120 mRNA expression in mouse pituitary gonadotrophs.

GPR120 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is activated by long-chain fatty acids. In our previous study, GPR120 expression was detected in gonadotrophs of the mouse anterior pituitary gland. It is well known that the function of anterior pituitary cells is largely under the influence of circulating sex steroids.