Estrus Detection Using Background Image Subtraction Technique in Tie-Stalled Cows.

In this study, we determined the applicability of the background image subtraction technique to detect estrus in tie-stalled cows. To investigate the impact of the camera shooting direction, webcams were set up to capture the front, top, and rear views of a cow simultaneously. Video recording was performed for a total of ten estrous cycles in six cows.

Conditional kisspeptin neuron-specific Kiss1 knockout with newly generated Kiss1-floxed and Kiss1-Cre mice replicates a hypogonadal phenotype of global Kiss1 knockout mice.

The present study aimed to evaluate whether novel conditional kisspeptin neuron-specific Kiss1 knockout (KO) mice utilizing the Cre-loxP system could recapitulate the infertility of global Kiss1 KO models, thereby providing further evidence for the fundamental role of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons in regulating mammalian reproduction. We generated Kiss1-floxed mice and hypothalamic kisspeptin neuron-specific Cre-expressing transgenic mice and then crossed these two lines. The conditional Kiss1 KO mice showed pubertal failure along with a suppression of gonadotropin secretion and ovarian atrophy.

Retinoblastoma binding protein 7 is involved in Kiss1 mRNA upregulation in rodents.

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1, is essential for reproduction in mammals. Kiss1 expression is regulated by estrogen via histone acetylation in the Kiss1 promotor region. Thus, elucidation of histone modification factor(s) involved in the regulation of Kiss1 expression is required to gain further understanding of the mechanisms of its control.

Expressions of lipoprotein receptors and cholesterol efflux regulatory proteins during luteolysis in bovine corpus luteum.

The corpus luteum (CL) synthesises and secretes progesterone (P4), which is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in mammals. P4 is synthesised from cholesterol. Cholesterol is internalised by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and/or scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI), and is effluxed by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1).

CT during arterial portography: effects of precontrast injection of prostaglandin E1 into the superior mesenteric artery.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a vasodilator that increases portal venous flow. Hepatic CT during arterial portography (CTAP) was performed in 42 patients with and without PGE1 to compare peak hepatic enhancement and nontumorous abnormalities. Although no significant differences in peak hepatic enhancement were observed (71 +/- 12 HU for CTAP with PGE1; 74 +/- 34 HU for CTAP without PGE1), the number of nontumorous abnormalities for CTAP with PGE1 (n = 11) was significantly lower than that for CTAP without PGE1 (n = 24) (p < 0.

Peripancreatic arteries in thin-section multislice helical CT.

Background: The normal and pathologic anatomies of the peripancreatic arteries were demonstrated using thin-section multislice computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Triple-phase dynamic CT was performed in 304 consecutive patients without pancreatic pathology and in 22 patients with pancreatic carcinoma. CT angiographies images (2.

[Therapeutic effect of TAE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using color Doppler imaging with intravenous ultrasound contrast agent].

We evaluated the therapeutic effect of TAE in 9 nodules with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using color Doppler flow imaging with an intravenous ultrasound contrast agent. The intratumoral color signal enhancement that was detected in 7 nodules resulted in complete disappearance after TAE. The other 2 nodules without color signal enhancement showed well-differentiated HCC with fatty degeneration on histological study.

[Long-term results of TIPS].

The long-term results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) were analyzed in 48 patients between February 1992 and December 1998, for treatment of esophageal varices and ascites caused by portal hypertension. The procedure was successful in 42 patients. Portal vein pressure was reduced from 29 mmHg +/- 7.

Analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma fed by internal thoracic artery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) fed by the internal thoracic artery (ITA). Methods: In seven patients HCC fed by the ITA was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. The number of previous transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), the period from the first TAE to TAE of the ITA, tumor location, tumor size, and occlusion of the hepatic artery (HA) and other collateral vessels were explored in each case.

[Evaluation of hepatic encephalopathy and portal hemodynamics by Doppler ultrasonography after a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt].

TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) is an efficacious treatment for esophagogastric varices, ascites and hypertensive gastrointestinal vasculopathy associated with portal hypertension. The main complication after the procedure is hepatic encephalopathy. We tried to elucidate the correlation between hepatic encephalopathy and changes in portal hemodynamics after TIPS, based on observation by Doppler ultrasonography.

[Spiral volumetric CT venography of the lower extremities: preliminary report].

Twelve cases, including varicose veins (7), deep venous thrombosis (3), A-V malformation (1) and skin ulcer (1), were examined by three-dimensional CT venography (3D CTV), and comparison was made with conventional ascending venography. In the "double phase method," the first phase scan (40 seconds) of the femoral region was performed in order to rule out deep venous thrombosis, and the second phase scan (30 seconds) of the lower leg was performed to visualize varicose veins. Veins of the thigh and popliteal space were relatively well visualized.

Post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy treated by occlusion balloon-assisted retrograde embolization of a coexisting spontaneous splenorenal shunt.

A 51-year-old man with posthepatitis cirrhosis underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for bleeding of recurrent esophageal varices. The patient had a coexisting, spontaneous, splenorenal shunt. He subsequently developed hepatic encephalopathy, presumably due to excessive portosystemic shunting.