Free and conjugated androgen and progestin levels in the serum of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) males treated with female coelomic fluid

Based on the supposition that female coelomic fluid contents have a certain chemical influence on sturgeons, blood serum concentrations of free and conjugated testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), 17,20b,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen- 3-one (20bS), 17,20b-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), 11-desoxycortisol (S) and free progesterone (P4) have been measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) males treated with female coelomic fluid (CF); CF steroid levels have also been analyzed. After treatment a significant elevation of free 20bS and glucuronidated DHP and S levels and the decrease of free T and KT levels have been observed. The obtained data support the idea that the components of CF may play some part in pheromonal effects for sturgeon reproduction

Levels of free and conjugated androgens and progestins in coelomic fluid and serum of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) females

Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) females from the Volga River were analysed for sex steroids after hormonal stimulation. The results show a significant increase of sulfated sex steroid levels in serum and coelomic fluid (CF) at final maturation (FM). It is hypothesized that the steroid metabolites could be part of a chemical communication system related to reproduction

Free androgens and progestins and their conjugated forms in serum and urine of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) males

Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) males from Volga River treated with LH-RH-A showed an increase of free, sulfated and glucuronided sex steroid levels in serum and urine at spermiation. Conjugated forms of sex steroids could act as pheromones in sturgeon

Effects of alpha fetoprotein on escape of Bel 7402 cells from attack of lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Involvement of AFP against apoptosis of tumor cell has been implicated in its evasion of immune surveillance. However, the molecular events of immune escape mechanisms are still unknown. The major observations reported here relate to a possible mechanism by which heptoloma Bel 7402 cells escape immune surveillance in vitro. METHODS: Western blotting and a well-characterized cofocal scanning image were performed to analyze the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3 in co-cultured Bel 7402 and Jurkat cells. RESULTS: After co-culture with Jurkat cells, up-regulated Fas and reduced FasL expression could be observed. Treatment with AFP could remarkably inhibit the elevated Fas and, whereas, induce the FasL expression in co-cultured Bel 7402 cells. Cells co-culture could induce the expression of caspase-3 in both cells line. The elevated caspase-3 in Bel 7402 cells was abolished following the treatment of AFP. The expression of caspase-3 was elevated in co-cultured Jurkat cells treated with AFP. No detectable change on the expression of survivin was examined in both cells line. Monoclonal antibody against AFP treatment alone did not obviously influence the growth of cells, as well as the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3. However, the effect of AFP could be blocked by antibody. CONCLUSIONS: our results provide evidence that AFP could promote the escape of liver cancer cells from immune surveillance through blocking the caspase signal pathway of tumor cells and triggering the Fas/FasL interaction between tumor cells and lymphocytes

Сердечный индекс и вариация ударного объема на основе анализа времени транзита пульсовой волны в сравнении с производными анализа контура пульсовой волны после коронарной реваскуляризации на работающем сердце

The objective was to validate cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume variation (SVV) measured by pulse wave transit time (PWTT) technology  using estimated continuous cardiac output (esCCO) technique, with pulse contour analysis (PCA) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting  (OPCAB)Materials and methods. The study involved 21 patients after elective OPCAB. In all patients, CI and SVV were measured with both esCCO technique  (CIesCCO and esSVV) and PCA (CIPCA and SVVPCA). The agreement between methods was analyzed using correlation analysis and Bland-Altman  analysis. In addition, the trending ability of esCCO technique to control changes in CI during dynamic tests was investigated.  Results. During the study, 178 pairs for CI and 174 pairs for SVV were collected. The mean bias between CIesCCO and CIPCA was 0.06 L·min–1 m–2 with limits of agreement of ± 0.92 L·min–1 m–2 and a percentage error of 35.3%. The concordance rate of CIesCCO was 70%. The mean bias between  esSVV and SVVPCA achieved – 6.1% with limits of agreement of ± 15.5% and percentage error of 137%.Conclusions. The coherence of CIesCCO and esSVV based on PWTT in comparison with PCA is not appropriate. Further development of this  monitoring algorithm may be required for more correct measurement of cardiac output and fluid responsiveness  Цель – провести валидацию сердечного индекса (СИ) и вариации ударного объема (ВУО), измеренных с помощью метода анализа  времени транзита пульсовой волны (ВТПВ) с использованием технологии estimated continuous cardiac output (esCCO), с показателями, полученными на основе анализа контура пульсовой волны (АКПВ), после аортокоронарного шунтирования на работающем  сердце (АКШ).Материалы и методы. В исследование был включен 21 пациент после планового АКШ. Всем пациентам была выполнена оценка СИ и ВУО  как с помощью технологии ВТПВ (СИВТПВ и ВУОВТПВ), так и на основе АКПВ (СИАКПВ и ВУОАКПВ). Согласованность между методами была  оценена с помощью корреляционного анализа и анализа Бланда – Альтмана. Кроме того, была произведена оценка способности технологии  esCCO контролировать изменения СИ на фоне динамических тестов.Результаты. В ходе исследования было получено 178 пар данных для СИ и 174 пары данных для ВУО. Средняя разница между СИВТПВ  и СИАКПВ составила 0,06 л∙мин–1∙м–2 с границей согласованности ± 0,92 л∙мин–1∙м–2 и процентной ошибкой 35,3%. Показатель конкордантности  для СИВТПВ составил 70%. Средняя разница между ВУОВТПВ и ВУОАКПВ достигла 6,1% с пределом согласованности ± 15,5% и процентной  ошибкой 137%. Заключение. Показатели СИ и ВУО, полученные с помощью анализа ВТПВ, обладают недостаточной согласованностью в сравнении c  АКПВ. Необходимо дальнейшее совершенствование данного алгоритма мониторинга для более точной оценки сердечного выброса и восприимчивости к инфузионной нагрузке.

The Apoptosome: Emerging Insights and New Potential Targets for Drug Design

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis, development and many diseases. The relevance of Apaf1, the molecular core of apoptosome, has been underlined in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, which according to a growing body of evidence, is involved in various pathologies where the equilibrium of life-and-death is dysregulated, such as heart attack, stroke, liver failure, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Consequently, great interest has emerged in devising therapeutic strategies for regulating the key molecules involved in the life-and-death decision. Here we review recent progress in apoptosis-based pharmacological therapies and, in particular, we point out a possible role of the apoptosome as an emerging and promising pharmacological target

Sex steroids and oocyte maturation in the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Sturgeon oocytes, like those of other vertebrates, are arrested in early meiosis and require a steroid or steroids to trigger meiosis resumption or maturation. The identity of the maturation-inducing steroid in sturgeons has present study was designed to investigate in sterlet the follicular secretion and relative blood changes of free and conjugated 17,20βP, 20βS and of the androgens T, 11KT, in response to hormonal treatment and to determine the relative potencies of the progestagens, 17,20β-P, 20βS, P4 and S, in inducing oocyte final maturation in vitro

Sex steroids and cortisol levels in the blood of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) during final maturation induced by LH-RH-analogue

Blood serum cortisol (F), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), oestradiol-17 (E2), progesterone (P4), 17,20,21-trihydroxy- 4-pregnen-3-one (20βS) and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20βP) concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and radio-immunoassay (RIA) in stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas) during final maturation (FM) induced by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LH-RH-A). After the LH-RH-A treatment there was a significant elevation of sex steroids (T, E2, P4, 20βS) and F levels before ovulation and decrease of T and E2 levels after ovulation. In males at the beginning of spermiation LH-RH-A induced a rise of sex steroids and F levels. There was a decrease of steroids levels at the end of spermiation. The data indicates a possible role of 20βS takes part in FM in stellate sturgeon male as well as in female. The rise in F levels may indicate an interaction between corticosteroids and gamete maturation in stellate sturgeon