Patterns of Ips cembrae(Herr)infestation on trap and standing trees of European larch(Larix decidua Mill.)

The large larch beetle,Ips cembrae,is a significant pest causing the death of larch.In 2020,the attack density of I.cembrae on larch trap trees and standing trees was evaluated using sample sections placed along the trunk.As a defensive measure against I.cembrae,trap trees were highly effective in both spring and summer.The attack density increased with increasing trap tree surface area/volume.Galleries were established evenly throughout the entire trunk including the thin upper portion.When the number of trap trees was low and their capacity full,a continual aggregation of adults occurred due to pheromone communication,leading to attacks on healthy standing trees in the immediate vicinity.It was found that I.cembrae attacked standing trees from the trunk base,with a continual colonization of the stem up to 70%of the tree height in a time-differentiated progression of development stages.The attack density of I.cembrae on standing trees was up to 40%lower than on the trap trees.

Genetic Variation and Differentiation of Larix decidua Populations in Swiss Alps

Genetic diversity within and among six subpopulations of Larix decidua Mill. from two altitudinal transects of Swiss Alps was investigated using 6 enzyme systems coding for 8 loci. Globally, the mean proportion of polymorphic loci was 22.9%, the average number of alleles per locus was 1.3, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.095. Only 5.8% of the genetic variation resided among populations. The mean genetic distance was 0.006. Several significant differences of gene frequencies were found between different age classes. Positive values of the species mean fixation index observed in this study suggested a considerable deficit of heterozygotes in the populations of L. decidua of Swiss Alps. At one of the sites (Arpette), the highest subpopulation in elevation gave the lowest level of genetic diversity (as evidenced by the lowest proportion of polymorphic loci and the lowest mean expected heterozygosity) and the largest value of genetic distance when compared to other subpopulations. The genetic differences between the highest subpopulation and the other ones suggest that the founder effect may be an important factor influencing genetic differentiation of L. decidua populations at Arpette transect.

In-vitro cytotoxic activity of β-Sitosterol triacontenate isolated from Capparis decidua(Forsk.) Edgew

Objective:To study the isolation and characterization of the constituent responsible for the cytotoxic activity of the ethanolic extract of stem of Capparis decidua（C.decidua）.Methods:The preliminary cytotoxic effect of isolated compound（β-Sitosterol triacontenate） was investigated by MTT assay on A549 solid tumor cells.Results:IC50 value of theβ-Sitosterol triacontenate was found to be 1μM.The cytotoxic activity increased in a dose dependent manner in case ofβ-Sitosterol triacontenate.Conclusions:The data therefore provide direct evidence for the role ofβ-Sitosterol triacontenate as a potent antimetastatic agent,which can markedly inhibit the metastatic and invasive capacity of malignant cells.

Effect of Mifepristone on the Telomerase Activity in Chorion and Decidua during Early Pregnancy

Objective To investigate telomerase activity in chorion and decidua from abortion induced by mifepristone incorporated with misoprostol at early pregnancy. Methods TRAP-SYBR Green assay was used to detect the expression of telomerase. Forty specimen were obtained from medicinal abortion （experiment group） and forty were from normal induced abortion （control group）. Results Positive expression of chorion telomerase was significantly different between the experimental group （28%, 11/40） and the control group （73%, 29/40） （P〈0.05）. While in decidua, the positive rate was 28% （11/40） in the experimental group and 20% （9/40） in the control group, there was no significant difference （P〉0.05）. Conclusion It is suggested that miferistone may significantly decrease the telomerase activity in chorion but not in decidua.

Expression of Survivin in Early Villus and Decidua and Its Implication

Summary: To investigate the expression and implication of survivin protein and mRNA in decidua and villus and the effects of mifepristone on its expression, survivin levels in decidua and villus collected from 15 normal early pregnant women and 15 early pregnant women pretreated with 150 mg mifepristone and 400 μg misoprostol were assessed by immuno-histochemical techniques and reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that survivin proteins were stained in the cytoplasm of trophoblasts and decidual cells and in the nuclei of some of the decidual glandular epithelial cells. The expression was strongest in the trophoblasts and decidual glandular epithelial cells. The expression values in the villus and decidua were (14.56±2.44) and (10.46±2.81) respectively for normal pregnant and (8.45±2.08), (7.33±1.91) for those pretreated with mifepristone respectively (P<0.05). The transcription of survivin mRNA in villus and decidua of those pretreated with mifepristone decreased significantly compared with those in the normal pregnant women (P<0.05). It is concluded that survivin can be expressed in the decidua and villus and mifepristone inhibits its mRNA transcription and protein expression, which could possibly be one of the factors inducing decidual and villous apoptosis.

The Effects of Anordrin on Luteal Cells, DecidualCellsand TrophoblastCells in Vitro

Division of Reproductive Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China *DEPT. Of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tiedao University, Medical College Shanghai 200070, China By using the morphology and the viability of cells index, the direct effects of anordrin on serum free primary cultures of rat luteal cells, human decidual cells and trophoblast cells were observed.Meanwhile, the effect of anordrin on the secretive function of rat luteal cells was also observed. The results indicated that (1) anordrin has damaging effects on rat luteal cells, human decidual cells and trophoblast cells. The LD 50 s were 14.34±0.9 μg/ml, 17.33±4.1 μg/ml and 34.87±4.9 μg/ml respectively. (2) With nonlethal dose (5 μg/ml), the activity of progesterone secretion of rat lutein cells which was stimulated by hCG and pregnenolone was not influenced by anordrin while the stimulating activity of forskolin was inhibited remarkably.The results suggest that luteolytic action is the main mechanism of the termination of early pregnancy by anordrin and the direct damaging effects of anordrin on decidua and cytotrophoblasts also play a role in the termination of early pregnancy.

Effects of Mifepristone Compound on the Receptors of Estrogen and Progesterone in Early Pregnancy Deciduas

To examine the effect of mifepristone compound (mifepristone + anor- drin) on estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in early pregnancy decidua. Materials & Methods A Controlled study was carried out among 60 normal early pregnant volunteers (≤49d) in the department of obstetric and gynecology of Peking Union Medical Hospital. The concentrations of ER and PR were measured by radio- ligand and were compared with the control subjects after oral administration of mifepristone or mifepristone compound in different doses. Results The concentration of PR decreased while that of ER increased significantly in the decidua from all subjects administrated with mifepristone compound. We also found the concentration of EcR in Group 5 (mifepristone 30 mg + AF-53 5 mg) was the highest among 6 groups. The compound may be in favor of estrogen's action on endometrium. Conclusion The results indicate that mifepristone compound with AF- 53 has a coordi- nated function and can change the proportion of PR and ER. Hence, it can facilitate abortion. The compound dose of mifepristone 30 mg + AF-53 5mg is in favor of the endometrium recovering.

Effect of Mifepristone on Transforming Growth Factor -βand its Receptor Transcription in Decidua, Villi and Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor -α Level in Early Human Gestation

Objective To investigate the role of mifepristone in regulating cytokines of materno-fetal interface and serum of human early gestationMethods Thirty-five women with early pregnancy received mifepristone 50 mg orallyon study d 1 and d 2, respectively, followed by undergoing artificial abortion to getdecidua and villi on study d 3. Twenty-five women with early pregnancy withoutmifepristone administration as control also underwent artificial abortion to get de-cidua and villi. The expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 receptor mRNA in the earlydecidua and villi were assessed by using RT-PCR . The concentrations of serum TNF-α were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results The decidual expressions of TGF- β1 mRNA and TGF-β1 receptor mRNA in thetreated group were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05), while thevillus expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 receptor mRNA in the treated group were notsignificantly different from those of the control (P>0.05). The serum TNF-β1 levelselevated significantly after mifepristone treatment.Conclusion The antigestational effect of mifepristone might act through suppressingthe transcription of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 receptor in the decidua and increasing theserum TNF-α level, which interfered in the materno-fetal interface Th2 bias.

Effect of Mifepristone and Anordrin Compound on Levels of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor mRNAs in Human Decidua of Early Pregnancy

To provide the theoretical fundation for the further clinical application of mifepristone and anordrin compound. Materials & Methods Ribonuclease protection assay was used for the detection and quantitation of estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in human decidua from the termination of early pregnancy.Three groups, each of which had 6～8 cases, were studied. Results Compared to the normal control group, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs increased significantly (P<0.05) in the mifepristone group, whereas the changes in the group administrated mifepristone compound which contains anordrin were not obvious. Conclusions The result suggests that with the similar clinical effect, mifepristone compound has less side effect on the patients, thus being more suitable for the anti early pregnancy drug.

Studies on Expression of IGF-II Gene in Deciduas Derived from Medical Abortion Patients

To determine the effect of insulin like growth factor Ⅱ(IGF Ⅱ) upon the maintenance of decidua in early pregnancy and its relationship with progesterone, as well as its role in medical abortion. Materials & Methods Decidua tissue was obtained from 28 women who undergoing surgical abortion and 39 for medical abortion respectively at 5~7 weeks of gestation. The extracted total RNA was reversely transcripted and amplified by PCR with specific primers (IGF Ⅱ and β actin). The products were semi quantitated by MIAS 300 system and qualitatively analyzed by southern blotting. Results The expression of IGF Ⅱ gene in decidua from surgical abortion was significantly higher than that from medical abortion (P<0.05). The average IGF Ⅱ gene transcription values were 1.54±0.79 and 0.72±0.39 respectively. The results of southern blotting proved qualitatively that the RT PCR products were IGF Ⅱ cDNA. Conclusion IGF Ⅱ plays a role in the maintenance of decidua in early pregnancy. It may act as a mediator of progestin. It's also involved in the molecular mechanism of mifepristone.

Genetic imprinted gene PEG10 expression in deciduas of normal early pregnant women

Objective： To investigate the role and significance of paternally expressed gene 10 （PEG! 0） in deciduas of normal pregnant women. Methods： Sixty deciduas tissue from pregnant 6 to 11 weeks were divided into six groups and in each group ten samples were done every gestational week. The expression and distribution of PEG10 in deciduas were examined by RT-PCR, hybridization in situ, Western Blot and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results： The PEG10 mRNA and protein were expressed in deciduas tissue from pregnant 6 to 11 weeks. Among them, the expression of PEG10 showed a gradual increase as the pregnancy weeks increased. In RT-PCR, the PEG10 expression was lower at pregnant 6th week （0.6743±0.114）, from pregnant 7 to 8 weeks, the expression was increased gradually （7th week 0.7349±0.0083） and reached the pinnacle at 8th week （0.7354±0.0074）. And then the pinnacle began to descend （9th week 0.6340±0.0084, 10th week 0.5901±0.0089 and llth week 0.5261±0.0112）. There was a significant difference in the expression of PEG10 from pregnant 6 to 11 weeks except 7th week and 8th week. This expression characteristic was demonstrated by hybridization in situ. The similar conclusion was proved by Western Blot and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Conclusion： Expression of PEG 10 may play an important role in early pregnancy.

The Expression of Integrin β_3 and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule(ICAM-1) in Decidua and Chorionic Villi during Mifepristone Induced Abortion

The effects of mifepristone with misoprostol on the expression of the integrin β 3 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM 1) in decidua and chorionic villi tissues in early pregnancy in 10 cases were investigated by immuno flow cytometry (the experiment group). At the same time, the other 10 cases induced by mechanical vacuum aspiration were collected as the control. The results showed that, the positive rate of integrin β 3 and ICAM 1 in decidua of the experiment group were 19.1±5.01% and 20.61 ±6.51%; while those in chorionic villi were 21.32±4.38% and 20.29± 6.49%, which were significantly lower than those in the control group. These results suggested that integrin β 3 and ICAM 1 may take part in the maintenance of early pregnancy. The mechanism of mifepristone induced abortion may be mediated by the down regulation of the integrin β 3 and ICAM 1 expression in decidua and chorionic villi.

The Mechanism of Swainsonine Causing Early Pregnancy Abnormal Decidualization and Inducing Abortion by Changing Glycosylation Modification

Locoweed is a poisonous plant that severely harms the development of grass-land and animal husbandry throughout the world. Oxytropis and Astragalus are the Latin names for the poisonous plants commonly known as locoweed. The main toxic substance in these plants is swainsonine. It is a strong inhibitor of lysosomal α-mannosidase I and Golgi body α-mannosidase II, resulting in the accumulation of oligosaccharides and glycoproteins in lysosomes, interfering with the molecular and cellular recognition of glycans, and causing tissue-cell vacuolar degeneration. Livestock shows a series of clinical and pathological symptoms, mainly for the decline of reproductive performance. The effects in dams are abortion, weak fetus, and fetal malformations. The key step in maintaining pregnancy in dams is early endometrial decidualization, because reproductive hormones, decidual cell apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and other immune factors are negatively affected by swainsonine. This article addresses the modifications that occur through glycan processing and glycosylation resulting in the change of post-translational modification of the protein and the activity of the glycoprotein, and then direct and indirect mechanisms of ER stress, apoptosis, reproductive hormones, immune factors, and cell cycle and other pathways. Our aim is to find new methods of prevention and treatment of swainsonine poisoning in grassland animals.

The Effect of Human Recombinant Interferon Gamma(hrIFN-γ)on hCG Secretion of Trophoblast and Protein Synthesis of Decidual Tissue in Vitro

In this study the effect of human recombinant interferon gamma hrIFN-γ)on hCG secretion of human first trimester trophoblast and protein synthesis of decidual tissue was investigated in vitro.The results indicated that hrIFN-γat the doses of 250 U/ml medium and 2500 U/ml medium decreased hCG secretion of trophoblast obviously(P<0.05, P<0.01)in a dose dependent manner.The effect of hrIFN-γon protein synthesis at the doses of 10 U to 1,000 U/ml medium inhibited the 3H leucine incorporation obviously.The cpm values between control and experimental groups were significantly different(P<0. 05) in a dosedependent manner.Furthermore its inhibitory effect is in a dose-dependent manner and was neutralized by IFN-γantiserum.The IFN-a at the doses used did not find any effect on protein synthesis in decidual tissue.

Study on the activity and phenotype of decidual natural killer cells in patients with unexplained habitual abortions

Objective:To determine the activity and phenotype of decidual natural killer (NK) cells in patients with unexplained habitual abortions (UHA).Methods:A total of 32 patients with UHA were studied, and 20 cases of normal pregnant women were selected as control group. The levels of CD56 +CD3 - NK cells and their CD56 +CD16 -, CD56 +CD16 + subsets in decidua were detected using two color flow cytometric analysis.The NK cells activity was measured by a chromium 51( 51 Cr) release cytotoxicity assay,with K562 human myeloid leukaemia cells as targets.Results:Compared with control group, the proportion of CD56 +CD3 - NK cells in decidual mononuclear cells(DMC) of UHA patients had no difference, but the CD56 +CD16 - NK cell subset decreased and the CD56 +CD16 + subset increased significantly (P<0.05). The decidual NK cells activities of UHA patients were higher than those of normal controls (P<0.05).Conclusions:NK cell is predominant lymphocyte in normal decidua and plays an important role in maintaining successful pregnancy. Abnormally raised activity and disbalanced CD56 +CD16 +, CD56 +CD16 - subsets of decidual NK cell are associated with UHA and may play a role in reproductive failure.

Decidualization and Related Pregnancy Complications

Decidualization is the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into secretory decidual stromal cells.Human decidualization involves some amount of signaling molecules and pathways as well as genetic reprogramming,which is driven by the postovulatory rise in progesterone levels and local cyclic adenosine monophosphate production.Decidualization extends from the primary decidual zone to the secondary decidual zone,and then exits through apoptosis.Evidences support that decidual fibroblasts function as the pool of decidual stromal cells during pregnancy.Decidualization undergoes an acute inflammatory phase,an anti-inflammatory secretory phase to the final recession phase.The decidualization of the inner layer of endometrium,termed decidua,is the most critical determinant of pregnancy success,which can promote placenta formation,modulate immune tolerance,foster resistance to oxidative stress,sense embryo quality,and control labor.Failure to adequate decidualization in terms of hormones,biochemistry,and immunology leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes,including diseases such as preeclampsia,miscarriage,premature labor,repeated implantation failures,and some age-related decline in reproductive capacity.The development of animal models and in vitro culture systems combined with emerging technologies provides a powerful system to explore the mechanism of decidualization.However,decidualization is a dynamic,multi-step process,and translating of current research progress into disease predictions and interventions for pregnancy complications remains to be achieved.The study of periodic regeneration and spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium will be beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy diseases.

Vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and its protein expression in decidua after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone plus misoprostol

Objective To investigate the action of mifepristone plus misoprostol on decidua at the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and its protein expression, as well as the mechanism of prolonged uterine hemorrhage after terminating early pregnancy with these drugs.Methods Forty-five decidua specimens were obtained from 45 pregnant women with amenorrhea of 6 - 7 weeks' duration, in which 15 women were treated with mifepristone and 15 were given mifepristone plus misoprostol. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect VEGF protein and mRNA levels in decidua.Results In all three groups, only the VEGF121 amplification product of 452 bp was visualized. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF showed no significant differences among the three groups ( P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion In humans, early decidua VEGF121 mRNA is the main isoform. The action of mifepristone plus misoprostol on blood vessels in human decidua may be medicated by some factors other than VEGF.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 mRNA and their protein expression levels in human decidua after early pregnancy termination by mifepristone plus misoprostol

Objective To investigate the mechanism of prolonged uterine hemorrhage after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone plus misoprostol.Methods Forty-five decidua specimens were obtained from 45 pregnant women with amenorrhea of 6-7 week duration. Fifteen women were treated with mifepristone and 15 were treated with mifepristone plus misoprostol. The remaining 15 served as controls. The tPA and PAI-1 mRNA levels were estimated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Chromogenic assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect tPA activity and PAI-1 protein level in decidua. Results The activities of tPA in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group and in the mifepristone group were 46.91±20.74?IU/mg*protein and 64.25±35.81?IU/mg*protein respectively, lower than those in the normal decidua group (99.76±58.61?IU/mg*protein, P<0.05). tPA mRNA levels in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group were the highest (1.43±0.39) among the groups. In the mifepristone group, tPA mRNA level (0.90±0.16) was not significantly different from that in the normal decidua group (0.94±0.17). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PAI-1 were not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05).Conclusions Mifepristone plus misoprostol decreased tPA activity in human early decidua by post-transcription pathways, which may influence decidua shedding, endometrial angiogenesis, endometrial remodeling, and cause prolonged uterine hemorrhage after drug abortion.

Decidual natural killer cells and the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface

During early pregnancy, an orchestrated evolutionary maternal adaption toward tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus is required to ensure decidualization and early embryo development. Remodeling of the immune system involves natural killer cells （NKs）, macrophages, T cells and dendritic cells （DCs） altering the microenvironment in the deciduas. In particular, a unique population of NK cells with a CD56brightCD16 phenotype in the decidua has been proposed to play a key role in the maternal adaptation to pregnancy. However, there is a tendency for pregnancy immunology to reflect transplantation immunology regarding the assumption that the matemal immune system should be suppressed. This tendency is misleading. We discuss how the immune system is formed in early deciduas and the interactions between maternal NK cells and fetal growth. We propose that the maternal immune response must not be fully suppressed and is even necessary for the local response of uterine NK cells.

Role of uterine natural killer cells in angiogenesis of human decidua of the first-trimester pregnancy

Decidualization is accompanied by extensive angiogenesis, which is an essential step in the maturation of new blood vessels in mammalian pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine a distribution of uNK cells (CD56+ uNK or CD56bright cells) in human decidua of the first-trimester pregnancy, and investigate whether uNK cells in human decidua could express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and/or angiopoietin2 (Ang2). Our immunohistochemical staining results demonstrated that a great amount of uNK (CD56+) cells scattered throughout the decidual stroma and near endometrial gland and spiral vessels in human decidua. The protein expression of VEGF-A and Ang2 was detected in decidual stroma cells, capillary endothelial cells and glandular cells in tissue specimens. There was a positive correlation between microvessel density (MVD) and the number of the CD56-positive uNK cells in decidual stroma, and also between the number of the CD56-positive uNK cells and VEGF-A protein expression in the tissue. In addition, we found that uNK cells in human decidua could express VEGF-A mRNA, but not Ang2 mRNA, in isolated uNK cells in human decidua of the first-trimester gestation by combination of LCM and Nested-PCR. Our study indicated that uNK cells, through expressing VEGF-A, may play an important role in the angiogenic response at the time of human decidualization and early placenta development.