Removal efficiencies of natural and synthetic progesterones in hospital wastewater treated by different disinfection processes

Progesterones are ubiquitous in hospital wastewater(HWW)with concentrations much higher than those of estrogens and androgens.To ensure that these water systems are safe to use,disinfection is crucial during HWW treatment by providing"front line"defense against biological contaminations.Here,five disinfection processes,namely,chlorine(Cl_(2)),chlorine dioxide(ClO_(2)),ozone(O_(3)),ultraviolet(UV)),and UV/chlorine(UV/Cl_(2)),were selected to investigate their removal efficiencies for progesterones in primary filtration and secondary biological treatment effluents.There were 61 natural and synthetic progesterones detected in HWW,with the natural progesterones being the main components with a concentration of 845.51 ng/L and contributing to 75.08%of the total proge-sterones.The primary filtration treatment presented insignificant removal effects on the progesterones,while the secondary biological treatment significantly reduced the progesterone content by biode-gradation.The order of removal efficiencies of total progesterones by different disinfection processes was UV/Cl_(2)>Cl_(2)>O_(3)>ClO_(2)>UV.UV/Cl_(2)showed the highest removal efficiency against progesterones mainly due to the activation of Cl_(2)by ultraviolet(UV)photolysis,which helps open the heterocyclic,aromatic,and phenolic rings,thus accelerating progesterone degradation.In addition,the removal efficiencies of natural progesterones in the five disinfection processes were higher than those of synthetic progesterones(progesterone derivatives,19-nortestosterone derivatives,and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives).

Unraveling the gut-brain axis:the impact of steroid hormones and nutrition on Parkinson's disease

This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between nutrition,the gut microbiome,steroid hormones,and Parkinson's disease within the context of the gut-brain axis.The gut-brain axis plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease,encompassing diverse components such as the gut microbiota,immune system,metabolism,and neural pathways.The gut microbiome,profoundly influenced by dietary factors,emerges as a key player.Nutrition during the first 1000 days of life shapes the gut microbiota composition,influencing immune responses and impacting both child development and adult health.High-fat,high-sugar diets can disrupt this delicate balance,contributing to inflammation and immune dysfunction.Exploring nutritional strategies,the Mediterranean diet's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties show promise in reducing Parkinson's disease risk.Microbiome-targeted dietary approaches and the ketogenic diet hold the potential in improving brain disorders.Beyond nutrition,emerging research uncovers potential interactions between steroid hormones,nutrition,and Parkinson's disease.Progesterone,with its anti-inflammatory properties and presence in the nervous system,offers a novel option for Parkinson's disease therapy.Its ability to enhance neuroprotection within the enteric nervous system presents exciting prospects.The review addresses the hypothesis thatα-synuclein aggregates originate from the gut and may enter the brain via the vagus nerve.Gastrointestinal symptoms preceding motor symptoms support this hypothesis.Dysfunctional gut-brain signaling during gut dysbiosis contributes to inflammation and neurotransmitter imbalances,emphasizing the potential of microbiota-based interventions.In summary,this review uncovers the complex web of interactions between nutrition,the gut microbiome,steroid hormones,and Parkinson's disease within the gut-brain axis framework.Understanding these connections not only offers novel therapeutic insights but also illuminates the origins of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis in measuring the volume ratio of subchorionic hematoma with serum progesterone

BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,preterm birth,and other complications.Early detection and accurate assessment of SCH are crucial for appropriate management and improved pregnancy outcomes.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis(VOCAL)in measuring the volume ratio of SCH to gestational sac(GS)combined with serum progesterone on early pregnancy outcomes in patients with SCH.METHODS A total of 153 patients with SCH in their first-trimester pregnancies between 6 and 11 wk were enrolled.All patients were followed up until a gestational age of 20 wk.The parameters of transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound,including the circumference of SCH(Cs),surface area of SCH(Ss),circumference of GS(Cg),and surface area of GS(Sg),and the parameters of VOCAL with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound,including the three-dimensional volume of SCH(3DVs)and GS(3DVg),were recorded.The size of the SCH and its ratio to the GS size(Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,3DVs/3DVg)were recorded and compared.RESULTS Compared with those in the normal pregnancy group,the adverse pregnancy group had higher Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,and 3DVs/3DVg ratios(P<0.05).When 3DVs/3DVg was 0.220,the highest predictive performance predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes,resulting in an AUC of 0.767,and the sensitivity,specificity were 70.2%,75%respectively.VOCAL measuring 3DVs/3DVg combined with serum progesterone gave a diagnostic AUC of 0.824 for early pregnancy outcome in SCH patients,with a high sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 72.1%,which showed a significant difference between AUC.CONCLUSION VOCAL-measured 3DVs/3DVg effectively quantifies the severity of SCH,while combined serum progesterone better predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Detection of Progesterone Receptor as a Method of Diagnosing Mammary Cancer in Female Dogs

Introduction: Canine mammary gland tumor is the most common type of neoplasia in non-ovariectomized bitches. Approximately 50% of tumors are malignant. Neoplasms originating from the mammary gland represent the most common neoplastic disease in canines in Veterinary Medicine. Aim: Relate the expression of the receptor to progesterone (PR) with the tumor stage of canine mammary carcinoma. Material and Methods: Analytical-cross-sectional study, samples of paraffinized tumor tissue obtained from 30 canine patients with breast cancer were used. The expression of PR was performed by immunohistochemical labeling, using murine anti-PR (anti-PR Biocare brand). A descriptive analysis was carried out with the results using the SPSS program. Results: The predominant histological subtype of breast cancer was tubular carcinoma with 12 patients, followed by papillary cystic carcinoma with 6 patients, solid carcinoma 5, carcinosarcoma 4 and comedocarcinoma 3. There was a significant trend between breast cancer subtypes, histological grade G1. Among the histopathological findings, the degree of invasion is related to the presence of tumor cells in adjacent lymph nodes, which is why it is a prognostic indicator. The expression of PR in the tumor tissue samples it was 42.8% positive versus 57.14% negative, of which 75% correspond to G1, 8.3% to G2 and 16.6% to G3. With respect to the relationship of the expression of PR vs type of tumor, it was found that 50% correspond to tubular carcinoma, 33.3% to papillary cystic carcinoma, 8.3% to solid carcinoma and 8.3% to comedocarcinoma. Conclusion: The hormone receptor was negative in more than half of the patients and histological grade is significantly associated with tumor subtypes, this study emphasizes the need to introduce receptor testing into our routine clinical practice to offer the best treatment for breast cancer.

高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定动物源食品中群勃龙、勃地酮和黄体酮残留量

The analytical method developed is based on HPLC-MS/MS to simultanous determine Progesterone,Boldenone and Trenbolone in Chicken,Beef and Pork meats.The sample is freeze drying reduced in powder and a Methanol-Acetate Buffer (pH=5.2) solution is added in order to perform the extraction and sonicated with a solution prior to deconjugation using β-glucosidase.The sample is purified using C18 and SiOH solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge prior to analyze on reversed phase with a elution gradient performed on Agilent C18 coupled with a HPLC-MS/MS.The detection Limit is respectively 0.11,0.17 and 0.02 μg/kg for Trenbolone,Boldenone and Progesterone with a ratio Signal/Noise>3 in the 3 different kind of meat.The quantification was based on the peak area and overall recoveries of synthetic growth hormones were 62%-99%.

肺良性转移性平滑肌瘤4例及文献复习(英文)

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma(BML)is a rare lesion characterized by benign-appearing smooth muscle tumor most frequently occurring

Fecal progesterone and estradiol changes during the breeding season in captive female wolf

Understanding basic reproductive physiology is crucial for the management of both captive and free-ranging wolf. In the present study, we determined hormonal changes during pregnancy and the estrous cycle in captive female wolf by measuring fecal steroids collected during the breeding season with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. These biochemical analyses were validated using chemical devivatization and mass spectrometry, and interpreted along with the behavioral data. All four females undergoing estrus cycles were copulated with their partners and delivered pups successfully. We found that estradiol concen-trations were significantly higher during the estrus cycle than other stages （p0.01） and progesterone was also significantly increased throughout the pregnancy （p0.01）. These hormonal fluctuations demonstrated pregnancy-specific changes in the fecal progesterone and estradiol con-centrations. Patterns of fecal estradiol and progesterone concentrations during estrous cycles were similar to those reported for other canids.

妊娠期血浆CRH、E_2及P与早产关系的研究

目的：探讨促肾上腺激素释放激素（corticotropin releasing hormone, CRH）、雌二醇（estradiol, E2）及孕激素（progesterone, P）在妊娠期间的浓度变化及其在早产中的预测作用。方法选取正常妊娠组孕妇54例,先兆早产组孕妇54例,采集外周静脉血分离血浆,用免疫化学发光法测定E2、P,放射免疫法测定CRH水平。结果①正常妊娠血CRH均值28～33周组与＆gt;37周组比,明显低于＆gt;37周组,经t检验P〈0.05；血E2各组间均值经t检验P〉0.05,差异无统计学意义；血P各组均值,28～33周组明显高于＆gt;37周组,经t检验P〈0.05,差异有统计学意义,其余各组差异无统计学意义。②正常妊娠组和先兆早产组在妊娠28～33周血CRH分别为（68.23＆#177;13.34）ng/L和（298.42＆#177;162.78）ng/L；在34～36周分别为（132.75＆#177;126.3） ng/L和（354.42＆#177;50.46） ng/L,经t检验, P值均＆lt;0.05,差异有统计学意义。正常妊娠组和先兆早产组血E2在28～33周分别为（128.72＆#177;50.83）μg/L和（152.94＆#177;31.7）μg/L；在34～36周分别为（136.24＆#177;62.41）μg/L和（173.58＆#177;92.3）μg/L,两组均值经t检验, P值均＆lt;0.05,差异无统计学意义。正常妊娠组和先兆早产组血P在28～33周分别为（523.52＆#177;105.43）μg/L和（353.21＆#177;52.21）μg/L,34～36周（483.24＆#177;113.52）μg/L和（310.25＆#177;83.02）μg/L,差异有统计学意义。结论血P在妊娠晚期各孕周组间变化较为明显,妊娠＆gt;37周之后明显下降。妊娠晚期正常妊娠组中的血浆CRH值随着孕周增加而逐渐升高,而血E2值无明显变化。

孕酮、17β-雌二醇对在体培养人子宫内膜出血作用的初步研究

去卵巢地鼠皮下埋植孕酮和17β-雌二醇硅胶管,两周后在地鼠颊囊内移植分泌期人子宫内膜。手术后第11天用3种不同方式取出含类固醇激素管;1)10只动物仅取出17β-雌二醇管,保留孕酮管,移植内膜均无出血现象;2)31只动物取出孕酮管,保留17β-雌二醇管,有21只动物移植内膜出血,10只不出血;3)10只动物两种激素管同时取出,所有移植内膜均出血。内膜出血时间比较集中在取管后36—72小时内,占总出血动物的64％。文章讨论了子宫内膜出血原因。

Effect of Sex Steroid Hormones on Brain Tubulin Synthesis in Castrated Male Mouse & Testis-intact Male Mouse

The effect of gonadal hormones on brain tubulin synthesis has been studied in the castrated middle-aged male mouse and testes intact oldaged male mouse.Estrogen exerts potent influences on stimulating tubulin synthesis.Treatment with estradiol benzoate or estradiol benzoate and hydroxyprogesterone caproate increase the amount of tubulin by almost 37%-43%.Administration of testosterone propionate can produce a 13%-23% increase.Both estrogen and androgen can stimulate tubulin synthesis after the critical period of brain development but, estrogen plays a stronger role than androgen in stimulating tubulin synthesis in male mouse.

Study on prevention effect of Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone for threatened abortion in rats

Objective:To observe preventive and therapeutic effects and the mechanism of actions on Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone on threatened abortion in rats.Methods:After pregnancy,50 SPF female SD rats were selected and divided into control group,model group,progesterone group,Zishen Yutai pill group,and progesterone plus Zishen Yutai pill group(combination group),with 10 rats in each group.The rats of control group and abortion model group were lavaged with 2 mL/kg normal saline on pregnancy day 1 for continuous 10 days.Rats in Zishen Yutai pill group were given 1.575 g/kg/d of Zishen Yutai pill for intragastric administration for continuous 10 days.Rats in progesterone group were given intramuscular injection treatment of 0.1 mL/d progestin,continuous for 10 days.Rats in combination group were given injection therapy of aqueous solution of Zishen Yutai pill for continuous 10 days,and other treatments were the same as previous two groups.Abortion model were established then and live births,numbers of abortion and average rate of abortion were compared between the five groups.Peripheral blood was collected to detect the estradiol(E2) and progestational hormone(P),and obtain ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines(IL-2,INF-γ,IL-4,IL-10).Results:Significant more live births of rats were found in the control group compared with other four groups(P<0.05).The numbers of live births of the rats in abortion model group were significantly less than that of progesterone group,Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group(P<0.05).The numbers of live births of rats in joint group were significant more than that of progesterone group and Zishen Yutai pill group.The serum E2 level of P of rats in the control group,progesterone group,Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group were significant higher than that of abortion model group(P<0.05).Serum levels of E2 and P of rats in the control group,progesterone group,Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group were not significant different(P>0.05) but these levels in the control group and Zishen Yutai pill group were significant lower than that of progesterone group and joint group(P<0.05).The maternal-fetal interface IL-4/IL-2,IL-10 / IL-2 of model group were balanced deviating to Th1,while the IL-4/IL-2,IL-10/IL-2 of progesterone group,Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group were balanced deviating to Th2,and joint group' deviation was better than progesterone group and Zishen Yutai pill group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone has a significant control effect for threatened abortion,which can obviously increase contents of maternal serums E2 and P,and regulate the Thl/Th2 balance with a remarkable effect.

Inhibitory Effect of Progesterone on Inflammatory Factors After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective Traumatic brain injury （TBI） is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young people. Inflammatory cytokines play an important part in the pathophysiology of TBI. Recent studies demonstrate that progesterone significantly reduces cerebral edema and enhances functional recovery from TBI and stroke in several animal models. This study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of progesterone on inflammatory response after traumatic brain injury. Methods Progesterone was injected intraperitoneally using rats as a model of traumatic brain injury, and Western blot technique was applied to detect the expression of three inflammation-related factors： nuclear factor kappa B p65 （NFκB p65）, glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. The water content of injured brain was also examined. A neurological severity score was recorded to evaluate the effect of progesterone on neurodeficit recovery. Results NFκB p65, GFAP, and TNF-α were increased in all injured animals. In rats treated with progesterone, the expression level of NFκB p65 and TNF-α were reduced significantly in comparison with vehicle-treated rats. However, progesterone did not alter the expression of GFAP in the injured rats. Progesterone also reduced the water content of injured brain and the lesion volume. In addition, progesterone-treated injured rats showed significant improvements in the Neurological Severity Score test, compared with vehicle-treated ones. Conclusions Progesterone inhibits the inflammatory response after experimental traumatic brain injury and mitigates the severity of brain damage.

Liver expression of steroid hormones and Apolipoprotein D receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the tissular expression of Androgen (A), Estrogen (E) and Progesterone (Pg) receptors, and Apolipoprotein D (ApoD), in liver tumors from resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in order to assess their possible relationship to prognosis. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical study using tissue microarrays (containing more than 260 cancer specimens, from 31 HCC patients and controls) to determine the presence of specif ic antibodies against AR, ER, PgR and ApoD, correlating their findings with several clinico-pathological and biological variables. The staining results were categorized using a semi-quantitive score based on their intensity, and the percentage of immunostained cells was measured. RESULTS: A total of 21 liver tumors (67.7%) were positive for AR; 16 (51.6%) for ER; 26 (83.9%) for PgR and 12 (38.7%) stained for ApoD. We have found a wide variability in the immunostaining score values for each protein, with a median (range) of 11.5 (11.5-229.5) for AR; 11.1 (8.5-65) for ER; 14.2 (4-61) for PgR; and 37.7 (13.8-81.1) for ApoD. A history of heavy ethanol consumption, correlated positively with AR and PgR and negatively with ER status. HCV chronic infection also correlated positively with AR and PgR status. However, the presence of ApoD immunostaining did not correlate with any of these variables. Tumors with a positive immuno-staining for PgR showed a better prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a moderate clinical value of the steroid receptor status in HCC, emphasizing the need to perform further studies in order to evaluate the possible role of new hormonal-based therapies.

Effects of progesterone on gastric emptying and intestinal transit in male rats

AIM: To study the dose-dependent of progesterone (P) effect and the interaction between the oxytocin (OT) and P on gastrointestinal motility. METHODS: In order to monitor the gastric emptying and intestinal transit, the SD male rats were intubated via a catheter with normal saline (3 ml/kg) containing Na(2)(51)CrO(4) (0.5 microCi/ml) and 10% charcoal. OT was dissolved into normal saline and P was dissolved into 75% alcohol. RESULTS: Low does of P (1 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the gastric emptying (75+/-3%, P【0.05) and high dose of P (5 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibit it (42+/-11.2%, P【0.01). P (1 mg/kg) increased the intestinal transit (4.2+/-0.3, P【0.05) while the higher dose (10-20 mg/kg) had no effect. OT (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited the gastric emptying (23.5+/-9.8%, P【0.01). The inhibitory effects of P(20 mg/kg) (32+/-9.7%, P【0.05) and OT (0.8 mg/kg) on gastric emptying enhanced each other when the two chemicals were administrated simultaneously (17+/-9.4%, P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Low dose of P increased GI motility while high dose of P decreased it. During the later period of pregnancy, elevated plasma level of OT may also participate in the gastrointestinal inhibition.

Progesterone promotes neuronal differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in culture conditions that mimic the brain microenvironment

In this study, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells from full-term neonates born by vagina delivery were cultured in medium containing 150 mg/mL of brain tissue extracts from Sprague-Dawley rats （to mimic the brain microenvironment）. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that the cells differentiated into neuron-like cells. To evaluate the effects of progesterone as a neurosteroid on the neuronal differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, we cultured the cells in medium containing progesterone （0.1, 1, 10 pM） in addition to brain tissue extracts. Reverse transcription-PCR and flow cytometric analysis of neuron specific enolase-positive cells revealed that the percentages of these cells increased significantly following progesterone treatment, with the optimal progesterone concentration for neuron-like differentiation being 1 tJM. These results suggest that progesterone can enhance the neuronal differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in culture medium containing brain tissue extracts to mimic the brain microenvironment.

Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the proinflammatory cytokine production by mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM:To investigate the effects of estradiol (E2) and progesterone on the unstimulated and oxidative stressstimulated production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with chronic hepatitis C and healthy controls. METHODS:The PBMCs were separated from agematched 72 males and 71 females with and without chronic hepatitis C, who were divided into two groups based on a mean menopausal age of 50 years. Oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide in the cells incubated in serum-free media. Cytokines in the culture supernatant were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS:The highest levels of the spontaneous production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and MCP-1 by the unstimulated PBMCs were in the older male patients with chronic hepatitis C and the lowest levels were in the premenopausal female healthy controls. E2 inhibited the cytokine production by the unstimulated PBMCs from the older male and post-menopausal female patients, which was further stimulated by progesterone. The exposure to hydrogen peroxide in the PBMCs from the younger male and pre-menopausal female healthy subjects induced the production of cytokines. The change rates of the hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cytokine production were suppressed by E2 and enhanced by progesterone. CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that E2 may play a favorable role in the course of persistent liver injury by preventing the accumulation of monocytes-macrophages and by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas progesterone may counteract the favorable E2 effects.

Fenvalerate-induced Alterations in Calcium Homeostasis in Rat Ovary

Objective To observe the effects of fenv＇,derate on calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. Methods Female SpragueDawley rats were orally given fenvalerate at dally doses of 0.00, 1.91, 9.55, and 31.80 mg/kg for four weeks. The ovary ultrastucture was observed by electron microscopy. Serum free calcium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The activities of phosphorylase a in rat ovary were evaluated by the chromatometry. The total content of calmodulin in ovary was estimated by ELISA at each stage of estrous cycle. Radioimmunoassay （R/A） was used to evaluate the level of serum progesterone. Results Histopathologically, damages of ovarian corpus luteum cells were observed. An increase in serum fi＇ee calcium concentration was observed in rats treated with 31.80mg/kg fenvalerate. The activities of phosphorylase a enhanced in all treated groups, and fenvalerate increased the total content of calmodulin significantly in estrus period. Serum progesterone levels declined in fenvalerate exposed rats in diestrus. Conclusion Fenvalerate interferes with calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. Also, the inhibitory effects of fenvalerate on serum progesterone levels may be mediated partly through calcium signals.

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 as a potential prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To investigate the clinicopathological significance of progesterone receptor membrane component 1(PGRMC1) and PGRMC2 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). METHODS We performed immunohistochemical staining to evaluate the estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor(PR), PGRMC1, and PGRMC2 in a clinical cohort consisting of 89 paired HCC and non-tumor liver samples. We also analyzed HCC data(n = 373) from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA). We correlated the expression status of PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 with clinicopathological indicators and the clinical outcomes of the HCC patients. We knocked down or overexpressed PGRMC1 in HCC cell lines to evaluate its biological significance in HCC cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and invasion. RESULTS We found that few HCC cases expressed ER(5.6%) and PR(4.5%). In contrast, most HCC cases expressed PGRMC1(89.9%) and PGRMC2(100%). PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 exhibited significantly lower expression in tumor tissue than in non-tumor tissue(P < 0.001). Lower PGRMC1 expression in HCC was significantly associated with higher serum alpha-fetoprotein expression(P = 0.004), poorer tumor differentiation(P = 0.045) and liver capsule penetration(P = 0.038). Low PGRMC1 expression was an independent predictor for worse disease-free survival(P = 0.002, HR = 2.384,CI: 1.377-4.128) in our cases, as well as in the TCGA cohort(P < 0.001, HR = 2.857, CI: 1.781-4.584). The expression of PGRMC2 did not relate to patient outcome. PGRMC1 knockdown promoted a poorly differentiated phenotype and proliferation of HCC cells in vitro, while PGRMC1 overexpression caused the opposite effects.CONCLUSION PGRMC1 is a non-classical hormonal receptor that negatively regulates hepatocarcinogenesis. PGRMC1 down-regulation is associated with progression of HCC and is a poor prognostic indicator.

Asynchronous Embryo Transfer in Sheep:Lack of Survival in Progestinized Recipient Ewes

Synchronization of development between the embryo and uterus is required for successful pregnancy establishment. Transfer of early embryos requires synchrony with the recipient uterus of 2 days or less in sheep, because asynchrony of 3 days or more results in failure of pregnancy recognition signaling for maintenance of corpus luteum （CL） and progesterone （P4） production and/or uterine support of the embryo. The objective was to determine if P4 treatment of recipient ewes would obviate the need for pregnancy recognition signaling and maintain a uterine environment conducive to embryo survival after asynchronous transfer, thereby establishing a universal recipient. Embryos （morulae/blastocysts） were recovered on day 6 from super-ovulated donor ewes. Recipient ewes received 25 mg P4 daily from day 6 post-estrus until 60 days after embryo transfer. Embryos were transferred into recipients on day 6,9, 12,18, or 30 post-estrus. The pregnancy rate on day 22 post-transfer was 60% for synchronous transfers to day 6 ewes, 44% and 22% for asynchronous transfers to day 9 and 12 ewes, and 0% for asynchronous transfers to day 18 and 30 ewes. On day 39 posttransfer ,pregnancy rates remained 60% for day 6 ewes,33% for day 9 ewes,and 0% for day 12,18, and 30 ewes. The P4 treatment did extend the window of uterine receptivity to early embryos in ewes by one day ,but did not create a universal recipient. Available results support the idea that a window of uterine receptivity to the conceptus exists in sheep that is independent of pregnancy recognition signaling.

Does progesterone show neuroprotective effects on traumatic brain injury through increasing phosphorylation of Akt in the hippocampus?

There are currently no federally approved neuroprotective agents to treat traumatic brain injury. Progesterone, a hydrophobic steroid hormone, has been shown in recent studies to exhibit neu-roprotective effects in controlled cortical impact rat models. Akt is a protein kinase known to play a role in cell signaling pathways that reduce edema, inlfammation, apoptosis, and promote cell growth in the brain. This study aims to determine if progesterone modulates the phosphor-ylation of Aktvia its threonine 308 phosphorylation site. Phosphorylation at the threonine 308 site is one of several sites responsible for activating Akt and enabling the protein kinase to carry out its neuroprotective effects. To assess the effects of progesterone on Akt phosphorylation, C57BL/6 mice were treated with progesterone （8 mg/kg） at 1 （intraperitonally）, 6, 24, and 48 hours （subcutaneously） post closed-skull traumatic brain injury. The hippocampus was harvest-ed at 72 hours post injury and prepared for western blot analysis. Traumatic brain injury caused a signiifcant decrease in Akt phosphorylation compared to sham operation. However, mice treat-ed with progesterone following traumatic brain injury had an increase in phosphorylation of Akt compared to traumatic brain injury vehicle. Our ifndings suggest that progesterone is a viable treatment option for activating neuroprotective pathways after traumatic brain injury.