The existence during gestation of an immunological buffer zone at the interface between maternal and foetal tissues.

In mammalian pregnancy the trophoblast normally constitutes an uninterrupted boundary of foetal tissue in immediate contact with maternal tissue, including blood in some species, and is the decisive immunological barrier to rejection of the foetus as an allograft. The ability of the trophoblast to function as a barrier evidently results from its capacity to resist immunological attack by either alloantibody or alloimmune cells and to prevent immunocompetent cells from reaching and damaging the foetus but, as yet, there is no general agreement regarding the means by which it exercises these functions. In view of the dramatic hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and the undisputed involvement of trophoblast in these endocrine events, the possibility exists of an interaction between the hormones of pregnancy and the immunological phenomena. The present account furnishes evidence that endocrine activity at the maternal surface of the trophoblast, the presumptive site of the immunological frontier between foetus and mother, may be a factor in its local survival at implantation. The placental hormones so far known that are capable of blocking the antigen receptor sites of the mother's lymphocytes and thus preventing the latter from reacting with the foetal antigens are the glycoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and the polypeptide hormone, human chorionic somatomammotrophin (HCS) or human placental lactogen (HPL), both of which are specific to the human placenta. The origin of these hormones, their spatial distribution and their probable interaction with placental steroid hormones are discussed. It is argued that the place of highest concentration of these hormones is on the surface of the syncytial microvilli and the adjacent caviolae of the apical plasma membrane, as well as on the surfaces of the persisting cytotrophoblastic cells of the basal plate (cytotrophoblastic shell), the cell islands and the septa-precisely where the immunological challenge of the foetal allograft to the maternal host occurs. An explanation is offered for the continuing production of the voluminous quantities of these hormones during human pregnancy.     

Vapor phase toxicity of plant essential oils to Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The toxicities of 44 plant essential oils against larvae of Cadra cautella (Walker) were examined using direct contact and vapor phase toxicity bioassays and compared with the lethal activity of chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos, and fenthion, four widely used organophosphorus insecticides. Responses varied according to plant material used and exposure dose and time. In a filter paper contact toxicity bioassay, potent toxicity was produced from buchu leaf, niaouli, and rosemary oils at 2.4 mg/cm2 and armoise, cypress, galbanum, and mace oils at 4.7 mg/cm2. In vapor phase toxicity bioassays with larvae, cypress, galbanum, niaouli, and rosemary oils were much more effective in closed containers than in open containers, indicating that the lethal effects of these oils were largely because of action in the vapor phase. As judged by 24-h LC50 values, potent fumigant action was observed with niaouli oil (64.7 mg/liter air) and rosemary oil (64.6 mg liter/air). Cypress and galbanum oils exhibited weak fumigant activity. These essential oils were less active than dichlorvos (0.86 mg/liter air). Little or no fumigant action was observed with chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, and fenthion. Essential oils described herein, particularly niaouli and rosemary oils, merit further study as potential larvicides for the control of C. cautella.     

The gastrointestinal endocrine system

Gastrointestinal endocrinology is the study of the hormonal regulation of digestion. A number of characterized polypeptide hormones have been localized in specific gastroenteropancreatic endocrine cells. The fact that some of these hormones are also found in nerve and brain cells has given rise to the concept of a gut-brain axis. The functional capacities of these endocrine cells are determined by their anatomic location; the luminal exposure of gastroenteric endocrine cells represents an additional avenue for stimulation and release that is not open to pancreatic endocrine cells. Gastroenteropancreatic hormones regulate carbohydrate metabolism, gastric acid secretion, pancreatic exocrine and gallbladder function, gastrointestinal motility and blood flow. These important regulatory hormones may in turn be controlled by a series of gastroduodenal releasing hormones.Diabetes mellitus is the most important metabolic disorder related to a gastroenteropancreatic hormone imbalance. Most tumours producing these hormones are of pancreatic origin and produce a number of hormones; insulinomas and gastrinomas are detected readily because of the serious metabolic distrubances they cause. Other instances of altered circulating concentrations of these hormones result from rather than cause the disease.The challenge of future study is to determine if postprandial changes in the plasma concentrations of these hormones are sufficient or necessary, or both, for the control of digestion.     

Evolving the neuroendocrine physiology of human and primate cooperation and collective action

While many hormones play vital roles in facilitating or reinforcing cooperative behaviour, the neurohormones underlying competitive and cooperative behaviours are largely conserved across all mammals. This raises the question of how endocrine mechanisms have been shaped by selection to produce different levels of cooperation in different species. Multiple components of endocrine physiology—from baseline hormone concentrations, to binding proteins, to the receptor sensitivity and specificity—can evolve independently and be impacted by current socio-ecological conditions or individual status, thus potentially generating a wide range of variation within and between species. Here, we highlight several neurohormones and variation in hormone receptor genes associated with cooperation, focusing on the role of oxytocin and testosterone in contexts ranging from parenting and pair-bonding to reciprocity and territorial defence. While the studies reviewed herein describe the current state of the literature with regard to hormonal modulators of cooperation and collective action, there is still a paucity of research on hormonal mechanisms that help facilitate large-scale collective action. We end by discussing several potential areas for future research.     

Evaluation of the composition and fumigant toxicity against Plodia interpunctella of essential oils from Ajania potaninii and Ajania fruticulosa

Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a worldwide omnivorous pest. It is the primary insect pest in many economically important stored crops. The insecticidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Ajania potaninii and Ajania fruticulosa were evaluated against Plodia interpunctella. EOs obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed by GC–MS. Fumigant toxicity testing indicated that both EOs and their main components were toxic to P. interpunctella adults. 1,8-Cineole exhibited the strongest activity, having an LC₅₀ of 0.86 mg/L air and being twice as active as camphor. Myrtenol was also strongly toxic to P. interpunctella adults (LC₅₀ 0.99 mg/L air), while camphor, verbenol, borneol, and the two complete EOs exhibited lower toxicity. None of the EOs or main components exhibited significant toxicity against the larvae of P. interpunctella. This study provides evidence of the individual active substances accounting for the insecticidal activity of EOs from A. potaninii and A. fruticulosa. These EOs have potential as biological insecticides for controlling insect pest damage in stored crops.     

Casearia Essential Oil: An Updated Review on the Chemistry and Pharmacological Activities

Casearia species are found in the America, Africa, Asia, and Australia and present pharmacological activities, besides their traditional uses. Here, we reviewed the chemical composition, content, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) from Casearia species. The EO physical parameters and leaf botanical characteristics were also described. The bioactivities of the EOs from the leaves and their components include cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiviral activities. The main components associated with these activities are the α-zingiberene, (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol, α-humulene, β-acoradiene, and δ-cadinene. Data on the toxicity of these EOs are scarce in the literature. Casearia sylvestris Sw. is the most studied species, presenting more significant pharmacological potential. The chemical variability of EOs components was also investigated for this species. Caseria EOs have relevant pharmacological potential and must be further investigated and exploited.     

Purinergic signalling in endocrine organs

There is widespread involvement of purinergic signalling in endocrine biology. Pituitary cells express P1, P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes to mediate hormone release. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) regulates insulin release in the pancreas and is involved in the secretion of thyroid hormones. ATP plays a major role in the synthesis, storage and release of catecholamines from the adrenal gland. In the ovary purinoceptors mediate gonadotrophin-induced progesterone secretion, while in the testes, both Sertoli and Leydig cells express purinoceptors that mediate secretion of oestradiol and testosterone, respectively. ATP released as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline is involved in activities of the pineal gland and in the neuroendocrine control of the thymus. In the hypothalamus, ATP and adenosine stimulate or modulate the release of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone, as well as arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin. Functionally active P2X and P2Y receptors have been identified on human placental syncytiotrophoblast cells and on neuroendocrine cells in the lung, skin, prostate and intestine. Adipocytes have been recognised recently to have endocrine function involving purinoceptors.     

A life-long search for the molecular pathways of steroid hormone action

The O'Malley laboratory first showed that estrogen and progesterone act in the nucleus to stimulate synthesis of specific mRNAs (ovalbumin and avidin), coding for their respective inducible proteins. The overall molecular pathway of steroid-receptor-DNA-mRNA-protein-function was then established and provided a coherent foundation for future studies of the impact of estrogen and progesterone receptors on endocrine tissue development, adult function, and in pathologies such as cancer. The lab group went on to: biochemically demonstrate ligand-induced conformational activation of progesterone and estrogen receptors, discover the concept of ligand-independent activation of steroid receptors, discover key steroid receptor coactivator intermediary coactivators for receptor function, and define the role of coactivators/corepressors in selective receptor modulator drug action and in cell homeostasis. This body of work advanced our molecular understanding of the critical role of steroid hormones in normal and abnormal physiology and also generated a base of scientific knowledge that served to further modern hormonal therapy and disease management.     

无翅茶蚜对茶树挥发物的触角电生理和行为反应

分别使用昆虫触角电位仪(EAG)和四臂嗅觉仪,测定了无翅茶蚜Toxopteraaurantii Boyer对14种茶树挥发性化合物、14种挥发物中"绿叶气味"组成的混合物(GLV)、14种挥发物的混合物(ACB)、以及新鲜嫩叶、芽、嫩茎、成叶和茶蚜为害嫩叶(ADYL)的EAG反应和行为反应。ACB引出最大的EAG反应值,茶树挥发物主要组分Z-3-己烯-1-醇、E-2-己烯醛、n-己醇、水杨酸甲酯和苯甲醇也引起较大的EAG反应值。4种正常茶梢的器官也引出较大的EAG反应,以嫩叶最强、依次为芽、嫩茎和成叶。有趣的是ADYL引出弱的负的EAG值。用嗅觉仪进行的生物测定表明,嫩叶以及主要的茶梢挥发性成分乙酸-Z-3-己烯酯、水杨酸甲酯、E-2-己烯-1-醇和Z-3-己烯-1-醇等也具有较强引诱活性。研究显示无翅茶蚜可能利用茶梢挥发物作为利它素而寻觅适宜的取食场所,如茶树嫩梢。     

EAG and behavioral responses of the wingless tea aphid Toxoptera aurantii (Homoptera: Aphididae) to tea plant volatiles

Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of the wingless tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer), to 14 synthetic volatiles identified from tea shoots, their partial (GLV mixture) and full (ACB mixture) blends, and fresh young tea leaves, buds, tender stems, adult tea leaves and tea aphid-damaged young leaves (ADYL) were studied by using an electroantennography (EAG) and a four-arm olfactometer. ACB elicited the largest EAG responses. Major volatile components, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, E-2-hexenal, n-hexanol, methyl salicylate and benzylalcohol, from the tea shoots were strongly EAG active. All the 4 tested tea shoot tissues also elicited significant EAG responses, with the young tea leaves being the strongest, followed by buds, tender stems and adult tea leaves. Surprisingly, ADYL elicited a weakly negative EAG response. In the olfactory assays, the fresh and tender tea leaves, as well as the individual major volatile components, e.g. Z-3-hexenyl acetate, methyl salicylate, E-2-hexen-1-ol and Z-3-hexen-1-ol, from the tender shoots (EAG-active) were all attractive. This result might indicate that the wingless tea aphids may use tea shoot volatiles as kairomone to find their optimal feeding sites, e.g. fresh tender tea shoots.     

Endocrine biomarkers of early fetal loss in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) following exposure to dioxin

This study examines the endocrine alterations associated with early fetal loss (EFL) induced by an environmental toxin, TCDD (2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), in the cynomolgus macaque, a well-documented reproductive/developmental model for humans. Females were administered single doses of 1, 2, and 4 microgram/kg TCDD (n = 4 per dose group) on gestational day (GD) 12. Urinary estrogen metabolites (estrone conjugates) were monitored to establish the day of ovulation, and serum hormones (estradiol, progesterone, chorionic gonadotropin, relaxin) were measured to assess ovarian and placental endocrine status before and after treatment. EFL occurred between GDs 22 and 32 in 10 of the 12 animals treated with TCDD. The primary endocrine alterations associated with TCDD treatment were significant decreases in serum estradiol and bioactive chorionic gonadotropin concentrations (p < 0.02). Less pronounced decreases in serum progesterone (p = 0.10) and relaxin (p < 0.08) also followed TCDD treatment. In contrast, immunoreactive chorionic gonadotropin concentrations were not reduced by TCDD exposure at any level, indicating that TCDD targets specific components of the chorionic gonadotropin synthesis machinery within the trophoblast to alter the functional capacity of the hormone. These data demonstrate the value of endocrine biomarkers in identifying a toxic exposure to primate pregnancy many days before direct signs of reproductive toxicity were apparent. The increased EFL that occurred after exposure to TCDD might reflect a toxic response initially mediated via endocrine imbalance, leading to placental insufficiency, compromised embryonic circulation, and subsequent EFL.     

Sexually dimorphic basal water absorption at the isolated pelvic patch of Japanese tree frog, Hyla japonica

Frogs ingest little water orally, but absorb the majority of the water needed for normal physiological performance through a specific region of the ventral skin, the pelvic patch. We observed non-stimulated (basal water absorption, BWA) water flux through the isolated pelvic patch in vitro in Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica). We found that water flux through non-stimulated skin from the pelvic patch was greater in males than females. This water flux was confirmed as BWA by observing no effect following the in vitro administration of propranolol and [adamantaneacetyl(1), O-Et-D-Tyr(2), Val(1), aminobutyryl(6), Arg(8, 9)] vasopressin, which are a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist and a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, respectively. We further examined this phenomenon following gonadectomy, treatment with sex hormones (E2, 17beta-estradiol; TP, testosterone propionate), estrogenic chemicals (BPA, bisphenol A; MTX, methoxychlor) or prolactin (PRL, a hormone regulated by sex hormones that has osmoregulatory activity). Ovariectomy increased BWA in females. Injection (in vivo treatment) of E2 or PRL reduced BWA in males, whereas TP injection increased BWA in females. However, the in vitro addition of E2, TP, or PRL to the Ringer's solution on the serosal side of the ventral skin patch did not alter BWA. Subsequently, we injected (in vivo treatment) BPA or MTX, environmental chemical contaminants with known hormonal actions in mammals. Injection of BPA or MTX reduced BWA in males as observed following treatment with E2. These results provide the first evidence of sexual dimorphism in BWA through the isolated pelvic patch. The gonad appears essential for observed sexual dimorphism in BWA, and we hypothesize that sex hormones regulate the release of PRL, that in turn influences BWA indirectly. E2 is known to exert a specific stimulatory effect on PRL secretion. In addition, we have observed that some endocrine disrupting contaminants also eliminate the sexual dimorphism in BWA observed in the Japanese tree frog.     

Steroid-protein interaction in human placenta

Human placenta produces a large variety of bioactive substances with endocrine and neural competence: pituitary and gonadal hormones, hypothalamic-like releasing or inhibiting hormones, growth factors, cytokines and neuropeptides. The most recent findings indicate that locally produced hormones regulate the secretion of other placental hormones supporting a paracrine/autocrine regulation. In placental endocrinology, a particular relevance is played by steroid hormones. In fact, a specific gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regulation of placental steroidogenesis has been proposed as a placental internal regulatory system acting on steroids production from human placenta. In addition, activin and inhibin have been proposed as further regulatory substances of the synthesis and secretion of steroids; the addition of activin A to placental culture augments GnRH, hCG and progesterone, and this effect can be significantly reduced by the addition of inhibins. Finally, a steroid-steroid interaction is suggested by the evidence that placental estrogen has a positive role in the regulation of progesterone biosynthesis. Other steroid-protein interactions have been observed in human placenta. In fact, recent data indicate that progesterone inhibits placental corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and estrogens act on placental conversion of cortisol to cortisone, activating cortisol secretion by the fetal adrenal and enhancing fetal adrenal function with advancing gestation.     

Within seasons and among years: when are corticosterone levels repeatable?

Hormones play a central role in integrating internal and external cues to help mediate life-history decisions as well as changes in behavior and physiology of individuals. Describing the consistency of endocrine traits within and among individuals is an important step for understanding whether hormonal traits are dependable predictors of phenotypes that selection could act upon. However, few long-term field studies have investigated the individual consistency of hormonal traits. Glucocorticoid hormones mediate homeostatic responses to environmental variation as well as stress responses to acute, unpredictable disturbances. We characterized the repeatability of plasma corticosterone concentrations in two species of free-living passerines across multiple years. We found repeatability in baseline corticosterone concentrations in both sexes of great tits (Parus major) and in female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) within the breeding season but no repeatability of this trait among seasons or across years. Stress-induced levels of corticosterone were only assessed in great tits and were not repeatable in either sex. Our data suggest that in line with their function in mediating responses of individuals to longer-term and acute demands, both baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone concentrations are rather plastic traits. However, individuals may differ in their degree of trait plasticity and hence in behavioral and physiological responses to a variety of organismal challenges.     

Within seasons and among years: When are corticosterone levels repeatable?

Hormones play a central role in integrating internal and external cues to help mediate life-history decisions as well as changes in behavior and physiology of individuals. Describing the consistency of endocrine traits within and among individuals is an important step for understanding whether hormonal traits are dependable predictors of phenotypes that selection could act upon. However, few long-term field studies have investigated the individual consistency of hormonal traits. Glucocorticoid hormones mediate homeostatic responses to environmental variation as well as stress responses to acute, unpredictable disturbances. We characterized the repeatability of plasma corticosterone concentrations in two species of free-living passerines across multiple years. We found repeatability in baseline corticosterone concentrations in both sexes of great tits (Parus major) and in female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) within the breeding season but no repeatability of this trait among seasons or across years. Stress-induced levels of corticosterone were only assessed in great tits and were not repeatable in either sex. Our data suggest that in line with their function in mediating responses of individuals to longer-term and acute demands, both baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone concentrations are rather plastic traits. However, individuals may differ in their degree of trait plasticity and hence in behavioral and physiological responses to a variety of organismal challenges.     

Methyl salicylate and trans‐anethole affect the pheromonal activity of homofarnesal,the female sex pheromone of azuki bean beetle

Plant essential oils (EOs) exhibit an array of biological activities against insect pests. However, their negative influences on the pheromonal activity of azuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis L. have not received research attentions. ABB is a field‐to‐storage pest of legumes, and its female produces the sex pheromone known as homofarnesal with two isomeric components: 2E‐ and 2Z–homofarnesal, (2E,6E)‐7‐ethyl‐3,11‐dimethyl‐2,6,10‐dodecatrienals and (2Z,6E)‐7‐ethyl‐3,11‐dimethyl‐2,6,10‐dodecatrienals. We evaluated the effects of three EOs and their two major components on the attractiveness of male ABBs to synthetic homofarnesal (2E‐:2Z–homofarnesal = 6:4) using Y‐tube olfactometry in laboratory and rocket traps in the semi‐open polyhouse. Y‐tube olfactometry showed the significant negative effect of EOs of Illicium verum, Croton anisatum at 10 and 100 ng, and Gaultheria fragrantissima at 100 ng against homofarnesal (100 ng) in attracting male ABBs. Similarly trans‐anethole (at 10 and 100 ng) and methyl salicylate (at 100 ng) also ascertained significant negative effect against homofarnesal (100 ng) in Y‐tube olfactometry. When 10 mg of each of trans‐anethole and methyl salicylate was released at the downstream of 30 mg homofarnesal lure in rocket traps, highly significant effect was achieved against attractiveness of homofarnesal to ABB males. This study ascertained significant level of negative effect of the tested EOs and their major components to homofarnesal, tracing out a new opportunity of integrating them in ABB management programs both in field and storage.     

Regulation of tumor-host interactions in breast cancer

Breast cancer has a striking dependence upon steroid and other endocrine hormones in its onset, regulation, and malignant progression to its most deadly forms. The epithelium of the normal mammary gland is also regulated by the ovarian endocrine steroids estrogen and progesterone, by other endocrine hormones, and by poorly defined influences of the stromal cells and basement membrane. The onset and development of cancer appears to involve tumor misinterpretation of and/or desensitization to host regulatory signals, and finally to releasing its own hormonal signal to reorganize the host for its own benefit. Current studies are beginning to examine mediators of tumor-host interaction and their regulation by steroid hormones. Important tumor-host interactions under investigation include desmoplasia, angiogenesis, metastases and immunosuppression.