scholarly journals Free and sulfated steroids secretion in postpubertal boars (Sus scrofa domestica)

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Schuler ◽  
Y Dezhkam ◽  
L Bingsohn ◽  
B Hoffmann ◽  
K Failing ◽  
...  

Sulfated steroids have been traditionally regarded as inactive metabolites. However, they may also serve as precursors for the production of active free steroids in target cells. In this study, we used the boar as a model to study the metabolism, transport, and function of steroid sulfates due to their high production in the porcine testicular–epididymal compartment, of which the role is unknown. To characterize the secretion of free and sulfated steroids, plasma samples were collected from six postpubertal boars over 6 h every 20 min from the jugular vein. Long-term secretion profiles were also established in seven boars stimulated with human chorionic gonadotropin. To directly characterize the testicular output, samples were collected from superficial testicular arterial and venous blood vessels. Testosterone, androstenedione and sulfated pregnenolone, DHEA, estrone (E1), and estradiol-17β (E2) were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Free E1 and E2 were measured by RIA. Irrespective of a high variability between individuals, the results suggest that i) all steroids assessed are primarily produced in the testis, ii) they exhibit similar profiles pointing to a pulsatile secretion with low frequency (three to five pulses per day), and iii) after synthesis at least a major proportion is immediately released into peripheral circulation. The fact that all steroid sulfates assessed are original testicular products and their high correlations with one another suggest their role as being intermediates of testicular steroidogenesis rather than as being inactivated end products. Moreover, a substantial use of sulfated steroids in porcine testicular steroidogenesis would assign a crucial regulatory role to steroid sulfatase, which is highly expressed in Leydig cells.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Meldolesi

AbstractLast century, neurons and glial cells were mostly believed to play distinct functions, relevant for the brain. Progressively, however, it became clear that neurons, astrocytes and microglia co-operate intensely with each other by release/binding of signaling factors, direct surface binding and generation/release of extracellular vesicles, the exosomes and ectosomes, called together vesicles in this abstract. The present review is focused on these vesicles, fundamental in various brain diseases. Their properties are extraordinary. The specificity of their membrane governs their fusion with distinct target cells, variable depending on the state and specificity of their cells of origin and target. Result of vesicle fusion is the discharge of their cargos into the cytoplasm of target cells. Cargos are composed of critical molecules, from proteins (various nature and function) to nucleotides (especially miRNAs), playing critical roles in immune and neurodegenerative diseases. Among immune diseases is multiple sclerosis, affected by extensive dysregulation of co-trafficking neural and glial vesicles, with distinct miRNAs inducing severe or reducing effects. The vesicle-dependent differences between progressive and relapsing-remitting forms of the disease are relevant for clinical developments. In Alzheimer’s disease the vesicles can affect the brain by changing their generation and inducing co-release of effective proteins, such Aβ and tau, from neurons and astrocytes. Specific miRNAs can delay the long-term development of the disease. Upon their traffic through the blood-brainbarrier, vesicles of various origin reach fluids where they are essential for the identification of biomarkers, important for diagnostic and therapeutic innovations, critical for the future of many brain patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. S205-S210
Author(s):  
R. HAMPL ◽  
L. STÁRKA

Through their receptors at each level of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis glucocorticoid excess, either endogenous or administered or stress-induced, could affect steroid production in the testis and thus male fertility. The main ways by which glucocorticoids act are as follows: 1) Affecting gonadoliberin and LH synthesis and release through glucocorticoid receptors in hypothalamic neurons and pituitary gonadotropes. 2) By so far not clearly evidenced reduction of the number of LH receptors on the membrane of Leydig cells. 3) By affecting expression and function of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis. 4) By regulation of in situ access of glucocorticoid to its target cells in the testis. 5) By promotion Leydig cell apoptosis. The review provides a survey of physiological and molecular mechanisms staying behind these effects. It does not deal with the clinical effects of glucocorticoid treatment which would substantially exceed the scope of the pater.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 914-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Clarençon ◽  
Sonia Pellissier ◽  
Valérie Sinniger ◽  
Astrid Kibleur ◽  
Dominique Hoffman ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Robert Stojanov ◽  
Sarah Rosengaertner ◽  
Alex de Sherbinin ◽  
Raphael Nawrotzki

AbstractDevelopment cooperation actors have been addressing climate change as a cross-cutting issue and investing in climate adaptation projects since the early 2000s. More recently, as concern has risen about the potential impacts of climate variability and change on human mobility, development cooperation actors have begun to design projects that intentionally address the drivers of migration, including climate impacts on livelihoods. However, to date, we know little about the development cooperation’s role and function in responding to climate related mobility and migration. As such, the main aim of this paper is to outline the policy frameworks and approaches shaping development cooperation actors’ engagement and to identify areas for further exploration and investment. First, we frame the concept of climate mobility and migration and discuss some applicable policy frameworks that govern the issue from various perspectives; secondly, we review the toolbox of approaches that development cooperation actors bring to climate mobility; and third, we discuss the implications of the current Covid-19 pandemic and identify avenues for the way forward. We conclude that ensuring safe and orderly mobility and the decent reception and long-term inclusion of migrants and displaced persons under conditions of more severe climate hazards, and in the context of rising nationalism and xenophobia, poses significant challenges. Integrated approaches across multiple policy sectors and levels of governance are needed. In addition to resources, development cooperation actors can bring data to help empower the most affected communities and regions and leverage their convening power to foster more coordinated approaches within and across countries.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Renate Kaulitz ◽  
Gerhard Ziemer ◽  
Michael Hofbeck

Abstract Direct hepatic veins-to-hemiazygos connection offers the balanced distribution of hepatic venous blood to both lungs, not requiring anticoagulation. We report a 13-year follow-up after this type of off-pump Fontan completion. Patient’s hepatic veins-to-hemiazygos confluence increased with growth to allow for unobstructed flow. This unique technique can be recommended in heterotaxy patients, if atrial hepatic venous drainage and hemiazygos vein are in close proximity.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Komatsu ◽  
S. Nakajima ◽  
K. Toyama

1. Intracellular recording was made from layer II-III cells in slice preparations of kitten (30-40 days old) visual cortex. Low-frequency (0.1 Hz) stimulation of white matter (WM) usually evoked an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) followed by an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). The postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) showed strong dependence on stimulus frequency. Early component of EPSP and IPSP evoked by weak stimulation both decreased monotonically at frequencies greater than 0.5-1 Hz. Strong stimulation similarly depressed the early EPSP at higher frequencies (greater than 2 Hz) and replaced the IPSP with a late EPSP, which had a maximum amplitude in the stimulus frequency range of 2-5 Hz. 2. Very weak WM stimulation sometimes evoked EPSPs in isolation from IPSPs. The falling phase of the EPSP revealed voltage dependence characteristic to the responses mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and was depressed by application of an NMDA antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), whereas the rising phase of the EPSP was insensitive to APV. 3. The early EPSPs followed by IPSPs were insensitive to APV but were replaced with a slow depolarizing potential by application of a non-NMDA antagonist 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), indicating that the early EPSP is mediated by non-NMDA receptors. The slow depolarization was mediated by NMDA receptors because it was depressed by membrane hyperpolarization or addition of APV. 4. The late EPSP evoked by higher-frequency stimulation was abolished by APV, indicating that it is mediated by NMDA receptors, which are located either on the recorded cell or on presynaptic cells to the recorded cells. 5. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of EPSPs was examined in cells perfused with solutions containing 1 microM bicuculline methiodide (BIM), a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist. WM was stimulated at 2 Hz for 15 min as a conditioning stimulus to induce LTP, and the resultant changes were tested by low-frequency (0.1 Hz) stimulation of WM. 6. LTP of early EPSPs occurred in more than one-half of the cells (8/13) after strong conditioning stimulation. The rising slope of the EPSP was increased 1.6 times on average. 7. To test involvement of NMDA receptors in the induction of LTP in the early EPSP, the effect of conditioning stimulation was studied in a solution containing 100 microM APV, which was sufficient to block completely synaptic transmission mediated by NMDA receptors. LTP occurred in the same frequency and magnitude as in control solution.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949901989061
Author(s):  
Suroosh Madanipour ◽  
Aditya Prinja ◽  
Marcus Lee ◽  
Abbas Rashid

There is limited literature to guide shoulder surgeons in the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We aim to help clinicians to formulate an approach to the surgical management of the condition through a review of the available literature on arthroplasty in JIA, general considerations when operating on patients with inflammatory arthropathy and recommendations based on the authors’ experience. Four articles report formal data on arthroplasty in JIA with favourable improvements in post-operative pain and function scores after the long-term follow-up. Significant heterogeneity in treatment and a lack of standardisation in quantitative outcomes highlights the need for further larger scale and higher quality research. The aim of this study is to review the evidence and provide information on preoperative evaluation of surgical candidates, operative techniques, choice of implant design and to evaluate functional outcomes in patients who undergo shoulder arthroplasty.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1948-1962 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Garcia-Herrera ◽  
D. Barriopedro ◽  
E. Hernández ◽  
H. F. Diaz ◽  
R. R. Garcia ◽  
...  

Abstract The authors present a chronology of El Niño (EN) events based on documentary records from northern Peru. The chronology, which covers the period 1550–1900, is constructed mainly from primary sources from the city of Trujillo (Peru), the Archivo General de Indias in Seville (Spain), and the Archivo General de la Nación in Lima (Peru), supplemented by a reassessment of documentary evidence included in previously published literature. The archive in Trujillo has never been systematically evaluated for information related to the occurrence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Abundant rainfall and river discharge correlate well with EN events in the area around Trujillo, which is very dry during most other years. Thus, rain and flooding descriptors, together with reports of failure of the local fishery, are the main indicators of EN occurrence that the authors have searched for in the documents. A total of 59 EN years are identified in this work. This chronology is compared with the two main previous documentary EN chronologies and with ENSO indicators derived from proxy data other than documentary sources. Overall, the seventeenth century appears to be the least active EN period, while the 1620s, 1720s, 1810s, and 1870s are the most active decades. The results herein reveal long-term fluctuations in warm ENSO activity that compare reasonably well with low-frequency variability deduced from other proxy data.


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