Occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of natural and synthetic steroid hormones in soil, water, and sediment systems in suburban agricultural area of Guangzhou City, China

Steroid hormones are highly potent compounds that can disrupt the endocrine systems of aquatic organisms. This study explored the spatiotemporal distribution of 49 steroid hormones in agricultural soils, ditch water, and sediment from suburban areas of Guangzhou City, China. The average concentrations of Σsteroid hormones in the water, soils, and sediment were 97.7 ng/L, 4460 ng/kg, and 9140 ng/kg, respectively. Elevated hormone concentrations were notable in water during the flood season compared to the dry season, whereas an inverse trend was observed in soils and sediment. These observations were attributed to illegal wastewater discharge during the flood season, and sediment partitioning of hormones and manure fertilization during the dry season. Correlation analysis further showed that population, precipitation, and number of slaughtered animals significantly influenced the spatial distribution of steroid hormones across various districts. Moreover, there was substantial mass transfer among the three media, with steroid hormones predominantly distributed in the sediment (60.8 %) and soils (34.4 %). Risk quotients, calculated as the measured concentration and predicted no-effect concentration, exceeded 1 at certain sites for some hormones, indicating high risks. This study reveals that the risk assessment of steroid hormones requires consideration of their spatiotemporal variability and inter-media mass transfer dynamics in agroecosystems.

Application of molecularly imprinted polymers as the sorbent for extraction of chemical contaminants from milk

Milk is one of the most consumed and balanced foods with a high nutritional value which could be contaminated with different chemicals such as antibiotics, melamine, and hormones. Because of the low concentration of these compounds and the complexity of milk samples, there is a need to use sample pre-treatment methods for purification and preconcentration of these compounds before instrumental techniques. Molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) are synthetic materials with specific recognition sites complementary to the target molecule. MIPs have selectivity for a specific analyte or group of analytes, which could be used to extract and determine contaminants and remove the interfering compounds from complex samples. Compared to other techniques, sample preparation, high selectivity, excellent stability, and low cost are other advantages of using MIPs. The present article gives an overview of the synthesis of MIPs and their application for extracting antibiotics, hormones, and melamine in milk samples.

Chromatin accessibility mediated transcriptome changes contribute to flavor substance alterations and jasmonic acid hyperaccumulation during oolong tea withering process

During the oolong tea withering process, abiotic stresses induce significant changes in the content of various flavor substances and jasmonic acid (JA). However, the changes in chromatin accessibility during withering and their potential impact remain poorly understood. By integrating ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, metabolite, and hormone assays, we characterized the withering treatment-induced changes in chromatin accessibility, gene expression levels, important metabolite contents, and JA and JA-ILE contents. Additionally, we analyzed the effects of chromatin accessibility alterations on gene expression changes, content changes of important flavor substances, and JA hyperaccumulation. Our analysis identified a total of 3451 open- and 13 426 close-differentially accessible chromatin regions (DACRs) under withering treatment. Our findings indicate that close-DACRs-mediated down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) resulted in the reduced accumulation of multiple catechins during withering, whereas open-DACRs-mediated up-regulated DEGs contributed to the increased accumulation of important terpenoids, JA, JA-ILE and short-chain C5/C6 volatiles. We further highlighted important DACRs-mediated DEGs associated with the synthesis of catechins, terpenoids, JA and JA and short-chain C5/C6 volatiles and confirmed the broad effect of close-DACRs on catechin synthesis involving almost all enzymes in the pathway during withering. Importantly, we identified a novel MYB transcription factor (CsMYB83) regulating catechin synthesis and verified the binding of CsMYB83 in the promoter-DACRs regions of key catechin synthesis genes using DAP-seq. Overall, our results not only revealed a landscape of chromatin alters-mediated transcription, flavor substance and hormone changes under oolong tea withering, but also provided target genes for flavor improvement breeding in tea plant.

Metabolomic profiling of exosomes reveals age-related changes in ovarian follicular fluid

BACKGROUND

Female fertility declines with increased maternal age, and this decline is even more rapid after the age of 35 years. Follicular fluid (FF) is a crucial microenvironment that plays a significant role in the development of oocytes, permits intercellular communication, and provides the oocytes with nutrition. Exosomes have emerged as being important cell communication mediators that are linked to age-related physiological and pathological conditions. However, the metabolomic profiling of FF derived exosomes from advanced age females are still lacking.

METHODS

The individuals who were involved in this study were separated into two different groups: young age with a normal ovarian reserve and advanced age. The samples were analysed by using gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) analysis. The altered metabolites were analysed by using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis to identify the functions and pathways that were involved.

RESULTS

Our data showed that metabolites in exosomes from FF were different between women of young age and women of advanced age. The set of 17 FF exosomal metabolites (P ≤ 0.05) may be biomarkers to differentiate between the two groups. Most of these differentially expressed metabolites in FF were closely involved in the regulation of oocyte number and hormone levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we identified differences in the metabolites of exosomes from FF between women of young age and women of advanced age. These different metabolites were tightly related to oocyte count and hormone levels. Importantly, these findings elucidate the metabolites of the FF exosomes and provide a better understanding of the nutritional profiles of the follicles with age.

Organoid co-culture model of the human endometrium in a fully synthetic extracellular matrix enables the study of epithelial-stromal crosstalk

BACKGROUND

The human endometrium undergoes recurring cycles of growth, differentiation, and breakdown in response to sex hormones. Dysregulation of epithelial-stromal communication during hormone-mediated signaling may be linked to myriad gynecological disorders for which treatments remain inadequate. Here, we describe a completely defined, synthetic extracellular matrix that enables co-culture of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in a manner that captures healthy and disease states across a simulated menstrual cycle.

METHODS

We parsed cycle-dependent endometrial integrin expression and matrix composition to define candidate cell-matrix interaction cues for inclusion in a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel crosslinked with matrix metalloproteinase-labile peptides. We semi-empirically screened a parameter space of biophysical and molecular features representative of the endometrium to define compositions suitable for hormone-driven expansion and differentiation of epithelial organoids, stromal cells, and co-cultures of the two cell types.

FINDINGS

Each cell type exhibited characteristic morphological and molecular responses to hormone changes when co-encapsulated in hydrogels tuned to a stiffness regime similar to the native tissue and functionalized with a collagen-derived adhesion peptide (GFOGER) and a fibronectin-derived peptide (PHSRN-K-RGD). Analysis of cell-cell crosstalk during interleukin 1B (IL1B)-induced inflammation revealed dysregulation of epithelial proliferation mediated by stromal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, we demonstrate the development of a fully synthetic matrix to sustain the dynamic changes of the endometrial microenvironment and support its applications to understand menstrual health and endometriotic diseases.

FUNDING

This work was supported by The John and Karine Begg Foundation, the Manton Foundation, and NIH U01 (EB029132).

Integrated biochemical and transcriptomic analysis reveals the effects of Burkholderia sp. SRB-1 on cadmium accumulating in Chrysopogon zizanioides L. under Cd stress

Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria plays a vital role in enhancing phytoremediation efficiency. In this study, multiple approaches were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Burkholderia sp. SRB-1 (SRB-1) on elevating Cd uptake and accumulation. Inoculation experiment indicated that SRB-1 could facilitate plant growth and Cd tolerance, as evidenced by the enhanced plant biomass and antioxidative enzymes activities. Cd content in plant shoots and roots increased about 36.56%-39.66% and 25.97%-130.47% assisted with SRB-1 when compared with control. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that SRB-1 upregulated expression of amiE, AAO1-2 and GA2-ox related to auxin and gibberellin biosynthesis in roots. Auxin and gibberellin, as hormone signals, regulated plant Cd tolerance and growth through activating hormone signal transduction pathways, which might also contribute to 67.94% increase of dry weight. The higher expression levels of ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamilies (ABCB, ABCC, ABCD and ABCG) in Chrysopogon zizanioides roots contributed to higher Cd uptake in Cd15 B (323.83 mg kg^-1) than Cd15 (136.28 mg kg^-1). Further, SRB-1 facilitated Cd migration from roots to shoots via upregulating the expression of Nramp, ZIP and HMA families. Our integrative analysis provided a molecular-scale perspective on Burkholderia sp. SRB-1 contributing to C. zizanioides performance.

Variability in fecal metabolome depending on age, PFBS pollutant, and fecal transplantation in zebrafish: A non-invasive diagnosis of health

To protect the wellbeing of research animals, certain non-invasive measures are in increasing need to facilitate an early diagnosis of health and toxicity. In this study, feces specimen was collected from adult zebrafish to profile the metabolome fingerprint. Variability in fecal metabolite composition was also distinguished as a result of aging, perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) toxicant, and fecal transplantation. The results showed that zebrafish feces was very rich in a diversity of metabolites that belonged to several major classes, including lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, vitamin, steroid hormone, and neurotransmitter. Fecal metabolites had functional implications to multiple physiological activities, which were characterized by the enrichment of digestion, absorption, endocrine, and neurotransmission processes. The high richness and functional involvement of fecal metabolites pinpointed feces as an abundant source of diagnostic markers. By comparison between young and aged zebrafish, fundamental modifications of fecal metabolomes were caused by aging progression, centering on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. Exposure of aged zebrafish to PFBS pollutant also significantly disrupted the metabolomic structure in feces. Of special concern were the changes in fecal hormone intermediates after PFBS exposure, which was concordant with the in vivo endocrine disrupting effects of PFBS. Furthermore, it was intriguing that transplantation of young zebrafish feces efficiently mitigated the metabolic perturbation of PFBS in aged recipients, highlighting the health benefits of therapeutic strategies based on gut microbiota manipulation. In summary, the present study provides preliminary clues to evidence the non-invasive advantage of fecal metabolomics in the early diagnosis and prediction of physiology and toxicology.

Determination of steroid hormone residues in farmed fish using high-resolution orbital ion trap mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of 15 steroid hormones in farmed fish by liquid chromatography-orbital ion trap mass spectrometry has been developed and validated. The method involved sample preparation with acetonitrile extraction and clean-up, and separation in the LC using a C₁₈ column. The orbital ion trap MS was operated at a resolution of 35 000 FWHM in selected ion monitoring mode. An ion source with heated electrospray ionization was used in positive ionization mode. The samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction. The limit of quantification of steroid hormones in fish samples was 2 μg kg^-1. Good linearity was observed since correlation coefficients were more than 0.99 for all compounds. Recoveries of spiked fish samples (2 μg kg^-1 and 20 μg kg^-1) ranged from 80.8% to 112.6% with relative deviations less than 15%. The method was successfully applied to detect steroid hormones in real farmed fish samples at the μg kg^-1 level.

Quantity and Source of Protein during Complementary Feeding and Infant Growth: Evidence from a Population Facing Double Burden of Malnutrition

BACKGROUND

While high protein intake during infancy may increase obesity risk, low qualities and quantities of protein contribute to undernutrition. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the amount and source of protein on infant growth during complementary feeding (CF) in a country where under- and overnutrition co-exist as the so-called the double burden of malnutrition.

METHODS

A multicenter, prospective cohort was conducted. Healthy term infants were enrolled with dietary and anthropometric assessments at 6, 9 and 12 months (M). Blood samples were collected at 12M for IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and insulin analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 145 infants were enrolled (49.7% female). Animal source foods (ASFs) were the main protein source and showed a positive, dose-response relationship with weight-for-age, weight-for-length and BMI z-scores after adjusting for potential confounders. However, dairy protein had a greater impact on those parameters than non-dairy ASFs, while plant-based protein had no effect. These findings were supported by higher levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and insulin following a higher intake of dairy protein. None of the protein sources were associated with linear growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the distinctive impact of different protein sources during CF on infant growth. A high intake of dairy protein, mainly from infant formula, had a greater impact on weight gain and growth-related hormones.

Meta-QTL analysis explores the key genes, especially hormone related genes, involved in the regulation of grain water content and grain dehydration rate in maize

BACKGROUND

Low grain water content (GWC) at harvest of maize (Zea mays L.) is essential for mechanical harvesting, transportation and storage. Grain drying rate (GDR) is a key determinant of GWC. Many quantitative trait locus (QTLs) related to GDR and GWC have been reported, however, the confidence interval (CI) of these QTLs are too large and few QTLs has been fine-mapped or even been cloned. Meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis is an effective method to integrate QTLs information in independent populations, which helps to understand the genetic structure of quantitative traits.

RESULTS

In this study, MQTL analysis was performed using 282 QTLs from 25 experiments related GDR and GWC. Totally, 11 and 34 MQTLs were found to be associated with GDR and GWC, respectively. The average CI of GDR and GWC MQTLs was 24.44 and 22.13 cM which reduced the 57 and 65% compared to the average QTL interval for initial GDR and GWC QTL, respectively. Finally, 1494 and 5011 candidate genes related to GDR and GWC were identified in MQTL intervals, respectively. Among these genes, there are 48 genes related to hormone metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies combined traditional QTL analyses, genome-wide association study and RNA-seq to analysis major locus for regulating GWC in maize.

Unraveling the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in groundwater from urban setting: A combined multidisciplinary approach and self-organizing maps

In recent decades, changes in human behavior and new technologies have introduced thousands of new compounds into the environment called "contaminants of emerging concern" (CEC). These compounds have been detected in different environmental compartments such as soil, surface water, air, and groundwater. The presence of these contaminants in groundwater may pose risks to human health when used as potable water. In some urban areas in Brazil, groundwater is normally consumed without previous treatment. This study aimed to use statistical analysis by self-organizing maps (SOM) to evaluate the trends of CEC in urban groundwater systems. A total of 23 CEC compounds including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and hormones were determined in groundwater samples using solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The CEC most frequently detected were atrazine and degradation products, fipronil, simazine, tebuconazole, hexazinone, and caffeine in concentrations up to 300 ng L^-1. All studied compounds were detected in groundwater at least in one sample. Patterns in the data through SOM have shown a strong positive correlation between atrazine, hexazinone, simazine, tebuthiuron, 2-hydroxyatrazine, and 17β-estradiol. The hormones estrone and testosterone also show a positive correlation due to their similar chemical properties. On the other hand, caffeine was detected in 90% of the samples, likely due to a population habit of taking daily a hot drink made of yerba mate associated with low rates of treated domestic sewage in the study area.

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of seven steroid hormones in human saliva: A novel method based on O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride as derivatization reagent

RATIONALE

Saliva has been widely accepted as a more convenient alternative to serum or plasma in the field of clinical diagnosis. However, the detection of trace components in saliva has been a bottleneck problem. The aim of this work was to develop a highly sensitive and reliable method for simultaneously determining the trace steroid hormones including some with poor ionization efficiency in human saliva by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

METHODS

Saliva was deproteinated by acetonitrile containing mixed isotope internal standards and extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether. The extraction solution was dried under a stream of nitrogen and the residue was derivatized using 50 mM O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride in 80% methanol/water solution (v/v). The processed sample was determined by LC/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.

RESULTS

The method was successfully established for the simultaneous quantification of seven steroid hormones in human saliva and showed excellent specificity and sensitivity. The limits of quantification (LOQs) of all steroid hormones were below 5 pg/mL, in particular, the LOQ of progesterone was as low as 0.15 pg/mL. The linear correlation coefficients (r) were greater than 0.9990 in the range of 2-200 pg/mL for T, DHEA, A4, P4, P5, and 17OHP4 and in the range of 5-500 pg/mL for 17OHP5. The intra-day and inter-day variability ranged from 1.86% to 7.83% and 1.95% to 10.4%, respectively. The recovery of the method ranged from 86.9% to 111.1% for all steroid hormones using three spiked concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel LC/MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of seven kinds of trace steroid hormones in human saliva. The results of the methodological study showed that the method exhibited excellent sensitivity and reliability for the evaluation of free steroid hormones in the human body. It is believed that this method could provide useful information of steroid hormone metabolism for auxiliary diagnosis of some endocrine disorders.

Access to gender-affirming hormones during adolescence and mental health outcomes among transgender adults

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between recalled access to gender-affirming hormones (GAH) during adolescence and mental health outcomes among transgender adults in the U.S.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, a cross-sectional non-probability sample of 27,715 transgender adults in the U.S. Using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders, we examined associations between access to GAH during early adolescence (age 14-15), late adolescence (age 16-17), or adulthood (age ≥18) and adult mental health outcomes, with participants who desired but never accessed GAH as the reference group.

RESULTS

21,598 participants (77.9%) reported ever desiring GAH. Of these, 8,860 (41.0%) never accessed GAH, 119 (0.6%) accessed GAH in early adolescence, 362 (1.7%) accessed GAH in late adolescence, and 12,257 (56.8%) accessed GAH in adulthood. After adjusting for potential confounders, accessing GAH during early adolescence (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.6, p < .0001), late adolescence (aOR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.4-0.7, p < .0001), or adulthood (aOR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.7-0.8, p < .0001) was associated with lower odds of past-year suicidal ideation when compared to desiring but never accessing GAH. In post hoc analyses, access to GAH during adolescence (ages 14-17) was associated with lower odds of past-year suicidal ideation (aOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.6-0.9, p = .0007) when compared to accessing GAH during adulthood.

CONCLUSION

Access to GAH during adolescence and adulthood is associated with favorable mental health outcomes compared to desiring but not accessing GAH.

Aroused: A Rousing Look at Hormones

Stories of discovery, wrong turns, and hope.

PDE11A gene polymorphism in testicular cancer: sperm parameters and hormonal profile

PURPOSE

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) is the most common malignancy among young adult males. The etiology is multifactorial and both environmental and genetic factors play an important role in the origin and development of TGCT. Genetic susceptibility may result from the interaction of multiple common and low-penetrance genetic variants and one of the main candidate genes is PDE11A. Many PDE11A polymorphisms were found responsible for a reduced PDE activity in TGCT patients, who often also display impaired hormone and sperm profile. The aim of this study was to investigate testicular function and PDE11A sequence in testicular cancer cases.

METHODS

Semen analysis was performed in 116 patients with unilateral and bilateral sporadic TGCTs and in 120 cancer-free controls. We also investigated hormone profile and PDE11A polymorphisms using peripheral blood samples.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that TGCT patients showed lower testosterone levels, higher gonadotropins levels and worse semen quality than controls, although the mean and the medians of sperm parameters are within the reference limits. PDE11A sequencing detected ten polymorphisms not yet associated with TGCTs before. Among these, G223A in homozygosity and A288G in heterozygosity were significantly associated with a lower risk of testicular tumour and they displayed a positive correlation with total sperm number.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the key role of PDE11A in testis and suggest the presence of an underlying complex and fine molecular mechanism which controls testis-specific gene expression and susceptibility to testicular cancer.

Simultaneous Determination of Prostaglandin and Hormones in Excreta of Trogopterus xanthipes

The excreta of Trogopterus xanthipes (also called Wulingzhi in Chinese, WLZ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of irregular menstruation in clinic. Few reports are available on the chemical profiling of WLZ. In this work, qualitative and quantitative analyses of endogenous prostaglandin and hormones in WLZ were performed using UHPLC-orbitrap-MSn. In total, 48 compounds were identified in urine of T. xanthipes. Furthermore, the contents of four target compounds were simultaneously quantitated in 20 batches of samples by UPLC-MS/MS. The quantitative method showed a good linear correlation (R > 0.995) in a wide range for each compound. The method had a high sensitivity with LOD (0.5-1.0 ng/mL) and LOQ (1.0-2.5 ng/mL). The intra- and inter-day precisions were < 9.17 (RSD %), and repeatability and stability were < 6.14 (RSD %). The recovery of the analytes varied between 85.8% and 97.3% at three different concentrations. The present integrated qualitative and quantitative assessment of WLZ provides an evaluation strategy to assess the constituent in traditional Chinese medicine.

Improving Science by Overcoming Laboratory Pitfalls With Hormone Measurements

Despite all the effort taken, there is often surprisingly little attention paid to the hormone analyses involved in research studies. Thinking carefully about the quality of the hormone measurements in these studies is, however, of major importance, as this attention to methods may prevent false conclusions and inappropriate follow-up studies. We discuss issues regarding hormone measurements that one should consider, ideally prior to starting, or otherwise, as they arise during a scientific study: quality of the technique, expertise, matrices, timing and storage conditions, freeze-thaw cycles, lot-to-lot and day-to-day variation, analyses per batch or sample-wise, singlicate or duplicate measurements, combining methods, and standardization. This article and the examples mentioned herein aim to clarify the need to pay attention to the hormone analyses, and to help in making decisions. In addition, these examples help editors and reviewers of scientific journals to pay attention to the methods section in the submitted manuscripts and ask the right critical questions when needed.

The endocrine milieu in naturally matured follicles is different in women with high serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is the endocrine milieu different in women with low serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration compared with women with high concentration?

DESIGN

Cohort study of 84 women (four groups) classified according to AMH concentration and age undergoing natural cycle IVF treatment. Concentrations of LH, oestradiol, testosterone, androstenedione and AMH were determined in follicular fluid (FF), associations analysed and clinical outcome parameters evaluated.

RESULTS

A positive correlation between serum and FF AMH concentrations was confirmed. Follicular fluid androstenedione concentration was positively correlated with serum AMH concentration (P < 0.0001, r² = 0.197). The correlation between FF LH and FF testosterone concentration in all women was not significant (P = 0.050, r² = 0.046); however, the correlation between FF androstenedione in women with high serum AMH concentration was significant (P = 0.032, r² = 0.220). Follicular fluid testosterone and androstenedione were positively correlated with FF oestradiol overall and in some individual groups. The high serum AMH concentration group showed the highest FF AMH and androstenedione concentrations and lowest oestradiol-testosterone and oestradiol-androstenedione ratios. High FF AMH concentration was associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate and high FF oestradiol concentration with a slightly better embryo quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in the endocrine milieu in women with high serum AMH concentration seem to be caused by increased follicular LH concentration. In women with high serum AMH concentration, FF androstenedione is increased and ratios of oestradiol-testosterone and oestradiol-androstenedione are decreased, suggesting a disturbed endocrine milieu caused by reduced metabolization of FF androgens into oestrogens. In natural cycles, FF AMH concentrations are positively associated with higher clinical pregnancy rates and oestradiol concentrations with a higher embryo score.

Description of the Follicular Fluid Cytokine and Hormone Profiles in Human Physiological Natural Cycles

PURPOSE

Exogenous gonadotrophins administration during in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles could significantly alter the endogenous follicular regulation system and could influence oocyte quality. The analysis of the follicular fluid (FF) cytokine and hormone profiles in physiological natural cycles is crucial to appreciate the role of FF milieu on follicle development. So far, the FF cytokine profile has been analyzed only in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles and in modified natural cycles. Our study defines, in physiological natural cycles, the cytokine and hormone profiles of individual FF aspirated from antral follicles.

METHODS

A total of 203 FFs obtained from 83 women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation were analyzed: 115 FFs from Group 1 (10 to 29 years of age) and 88 FFs from Group 2 (30 to 40 years of age). In individual FF, 27 cytokines were measured with xMAP technology, and progesterone, estrone, estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

FF hormone profiles were not different in follicular and luteal phase, suggesting that FF hormones are regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotrophins-possibly because 74% of the punctured follicles, which were ≤6 mm, did not require cyclic pituitary function. The follicle size was influenced not only by the FF cytokine profile but also by the FF hormone profile, both of which are dependent on age.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS

In physiological natural cycles, FF hormones seems to be regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotropins. Age influences FF hormone and cytokine profiles and the compelling relationship between FF hormones and FF cytokines could influence the follicle development.

Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses

Colostrum is the milk produced during the first few days after birth and contains high levels of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors. Colostrum is important for supporting the growth, development, and immunologic defence of neonates. Colostrum is naturally packaged in a combination that helps prevent its destruction and maintain bioactivity until it reaches more distal gut regions and enables synergistic responses between protective and reparative agents present within it. Bovine colostrum been used for hundreds of years as a traditional or complementary therapy for a wide variety of ailments and in veterinary practice. Partly due to concerns about the side effects of standard Western medicines, there is interest in the use of natural-based products of which colostrum is a prime example. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of bovine colostrum for a wide range of indications, including maintenance of wellbeing, treatment of medical conditions and for animal husbandry. Articles within this Special Issue of Nutrients cover the effects and use bovine colostrum and in this introductory article, we describe the main constituents, quality control and an overview of the use of bovine colostrum in health and disease.

Should Pediatric Endocrinologists Consider More Carefully When to Perform a Stimulation Test?

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric endocrinology rely greatly on hormone stimulation tests which demand time, money and effort. The knowledge of the pattern of pediatric endocrinology stimulation tests is therefore crucial to optimize resources and guide public health interventions. Aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of endocrine stimulation tests and the prevalence of pathological findings over a year and to explore whether single basal hormone concentrations could have saved unnecessary stimulation tests.

METHODS

Retrospective study with data collection for pediatric endocrine stimulation tests performed in 2019 in a tertiary center.

RESULTS

Overall, 278 tests were performed on 206 patients. The most performed test was arginine tolerance test (34%), followed by LHRH test (24%) and standard dose Synachthen test (19%), while the higher rate of pathological response was found in insulin tolerance test to detect growth hormone deficiency (81%), LHRH test to detect central precocious puberty (50%) and arginine tolerance test (41%). No cases of non-classical-congenital adrenal hyperplasia were diagnosed. While 29% of growth hormone deficient children who performed an insulin tolerance test had a pathological peak cortisol, none of them had central adrenal insufficiency confirmed at low dose Synacthen test. The use of basal hormone determinations could save up to 88% of standard dose Synachthen tests, 82% of arginine tolerance + GHRH test, 61% of LHRH test, 12% of tests for adrenal secretion.

CONCLUSION

The use of single basal hormone concentrations could spare up to half of the tests, saving from 32,000 to 79,000 euros in 1 year. Apart from basal cortisol level <108 nmol/L to detect adrenal insufficiency and IGF-1 <-1.5 SDS to detect growth hormone deficiency, all the other cut-off for basal hormone determinations were found valid in order to spare unnecessary stimulation tests.

Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Identify Spliceosome as a Significant Component of the Molecular Machinery in the Pituitary Tumors Derived from POU1F1- and NR5A1-Cell Lineages

Background: Pituitary adenomas (PA) are the second most common tumor in the central nervous system and have low counts of mutated genes. Splicing occurs in 95% of the coding RNA. There is scarce information about the spliceosome and mRNA-isoforms in PA, and therefore we carried out proteomic and transcriptomic analysis to identify spliceosome components and mRNA isoforms in PA. Methods: Proteomic profile analysis was carried out by nano-HPLC and mass spectrometry with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The mRNA isoforms and transcriptomic profiles were carried out by microarray technology. With proteins and mRNA information we carried out Gene Ontology and exon level analysis to identify splicing-related events. Results: Approximately 2000 proteins were identified in pituitary tumors. Spliceosome proteins such as SRSF1, U2AF1 and RBM42 among others were found in PA. These results were validated at mRNA level, which showed up-regulation of spliceosome genes in PA. Spliceosome-related genes segregate and categorize PA tumor subtypes. The PA showed alterations in CDK18 and THY1 mRNA isoforms which could be tumor specific. Conclusions: Spliceosome components are significant constituents of the PA molecular machinery and could be used as molecular markers and therapeutic targets. Splicing-related genes and mRNA-isoforms profiles characterize tumor subtypes.

A New Strategy for the Analysis of Steroid Hormones in Industrial Wastewaters by Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A new approach using paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) for the analysis of steroid hormones in wastewater samples has been demonstrated. Triangular papers containing paraffin barriers as microfluidic channels were used to direct the sample solution to the paper tip, preventing the sample from spreading over the corners of the paper. The method was used to analyze the hormones levonorgestrel and algestone acetophenide in industrial wastewaters. Analytical curves presented a correlation coefficient (R²) above 0.99. Limits of quantification were below 2.3 ppm and limits of detection below 0.7 ppm. Values of precision (coefficient of variation) and accuracy (relative error) were less than 15% for all analyses. Recovery results ranged from 82% to 102%. Levonorgestrel was also analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in order to compare the analytical performance with PSI-MS. No statistically significant differences were found between both methods. This study demonstrates the usefulness of PSI-MS for rapid analysis of hormones in industrial wastewater samples and also indicates its potential to be employed as a simple and reliable analytical method in environmental sciences.

In ovo green light photostimulation during the late incubation stage affects somatotropic axis activity

Targeted green light photostimulation during the last stage of broiler incubation increases expression of the somatotropic axis. The purpose of this study was to further shorten the in ovo green light photostimulation and determine the critical age for photostimulation in broilers embryos, as a future strategy for broiler incubation. Fertile broilers eggs (n = 420) were divided into 5 treatment groups. The first group was incubated under standard conditions (in the dark) as the negative control group. The second was incubated under intermittent monochromatic green light using light-emitting diode lamps with an intensity of 0.1 W/m² at shell level from embryonic day (ED) 0 of incubation until hatch, as a positive control. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were incubated under intermittent monochromatic green light from ED 15, 16, and 18 of incubation, respectively, until hatch. All treatment groups showed elevated somatotropic axis expression compared with the negative control, with the group incubated under monochromatic green light from ED 18 until hatch showing results closest to the positive control. This suggests that broiler embryos can be exposed to in ovo green light photostimulation from a late stage of incubation (when transferring the eggs to the hatchery) and exhibit essentially the same outcome as obtained by photostimulation during the entire incubation period.

Occurrence and distribution of hormones and bisphenol A in Laguna Lake, Philippines

The occurrence of hormones and hormone-like compounds in water has been regarded as an emerging environmental concern. These water contaminants are known to cause endocrine disruption that may affect aquatic organisms. In this study, hormones and phenolic xenoestrogens were investigated and measured in the surface waters of Laguna Lake, Philippines. Laguna Lake is the largest lake in the country that has many uses including fish cultivation and source for potable water production. The hormones estrone, 17-beta-estradiol, 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol, progesterone and testosterone as well as the plasticizer bisphenol A in the lake water were determined by solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS. The extraction method exhibited good recoveries (75-90% in spiked lake water) while the instrumental method of analysis has low detection limits (0.01-0.24 μg/L) and good linear response (>99% in the 0-50 μg/L concentration range). In the nine sampling sites across the lake, estrone was found in concentrations between 0.03 and 0.30 ng/L. 17-Beta-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone were detected in some of the sites in concentrations up to 0.36, 0.22, and 2.05 ng/L, respectively. Bisphenol A was detected in all sites in higher concentrations of 0.71-47.40 ng/L. Although there are no local guidelines yet, the determination and monitoring of these emerging water contaminants are important because of their potential environmental impacts. Further to this initial study, investigations on point sources spanning the tributary rivers, long-term determination of locational and temporal variations, and assessment of ecotoxicological risks are needed. These are crucial in the regulation and mitigation of discharges into the lake.

Simultaneous quantification of endocannabinoids, oleoylethanolamide and steroid hormones in human plasma and saliva

Endogenous cannabinoids are an increasingly intriguing target for biological research, given the changing legal status of medicinal cannabinoid-based products throughout the world. However, studying the endogenous cannabinoid system is a relatively new field, with few research teams attempting to develop quantitative methods for these important modulatory analytes in human matrices, other than blood. Here we develop and validate simultaneous methods for quantifying arachidonoyl-ethanolamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, oleoylethanolamide, cortisol and progesterone in human plasma and saliva using liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The method was fully validated over the linear concentration range 1-20 ng/mL for each analyte in plasma (R² = 0.98-0.99) and saliva (R² = 0.99). We find that salivary endogenous cannabinoids and cortisol are acutely responsive to exercise, suggesting that targeting the saliva system may present a convenient way for future research of endogenous cannabinoids. This finding also encourages a broader understanding of the endogenous cannabinoid system during stress responses, and our method may consequently lead to a better understanding of the role of endogenous cannabinoids in peripheral tissues.

A critical review on antibiotics and hormones in swine wastewater: Water pollution problems and control approaches

Swine wastewater (SW) is an important source of antibiotics and hormones (A&H) in the environment due to their large-scale application in swine industry. A&H in SW can be released into the water environment through the direct discharge of SW, effluent from SW treatment plants, and runoff and leaching from farmland polluted by swine wastes. The presence of A&H in the water environment has become an increasing global concern considering their adverse effects to the aquatic organism and human. This review critically discusses: (i) the occurrence of A&H in global water environment and their potential risks to water organisms and human; (ii) the management and technical approaches for reducing the emission of A&H in SW to the water environment. The development of antibiotic alternatives and the enhanced implementation of vaccination and biosecurity are promising management approaches to cut down the consumption of antibiotics during swine production. Through the comparison of different biological treatment technologies for removing A&H in SW, membrane-based bioprocesses have relatively higher and more stable removal efficiencies. Whereas, the combined system of bioprocesses and AOPs is expected to be a promising technology for elimination and mineralization of A&H in swine wastewater. Further study on this system is therefore necessary.

Endocrine testing in obesity

Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism may cause weight gain and exacerbate metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Other forms of endocrine dysfunction, particularly gonadal dysfunction (predominantly testosterone deficiency in men and polycystic ovarian syndrome in women), and abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the growth hormone-IGF-1 system and vitamin D deficiency are common in obesity. As a result, endocrinologists may be referred people with obesity for endocrine testing and asked to consider treatment with various hormones. A recent systematic review and associated guidance from the European Society of Endocrinology provide a useful evidence summary and clear guidelines on endocrine testing and treatment in people with obesity. With the exception of screening for hypothyroidism, most endocrine testing is not recommended in the absence of clinical features of endocrine syndromes in obesity, and likewise hormone treatment is rarely needed. These guidelines should help reduce unnecessary endocrine testing in those referred for assessment of obesity and encourage clinicians to support patients with their attempts at weight loss, which if successful has a good chance of correcting any endocrine dysfunction.

Endogenous steroid hormones in hair: Investigations on different hair types, pigmentation effects and correlation to nails

Steroid hormone analysis is widely used in health- and stress-related research to get insights into various diseases and the adaption to stress. Hair analysis has been used as a tool for the long-term monitoring of these steroid hormones. In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous identification and quantification of seven steroid hormones (cortisone, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, androstenedione, 11-deoxycorticosterone, testosterone, progesterone) in hair. Cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, testosterone and progesterone were detected and quantified in authentic hair samples of different individuals. Significantly higher concentrations for body hair were found for cortisone and testosterone compared to scalp hair. Furthermore, weak correlations for the majority of steroids between scalp and body hair indicate that body hair is not really suitable as alternative when scalp hair is not available. The influence of hair pigmentation was analyzed by comparing pigmented to non-pigmented hair of grey-haired individuals. The results showed no differences for cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, testosterone and progesterone concentrations (p > 0.05) implying that hair pigmentation has not a strong effect on steroid hormone concentrations. Correlations between hair and nail steroid levels were also studied. Higher concentrations of cortisol and cortisone in hair were found compared to nails (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation for cortisone, cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone and progesterone concentrations were found between hair and nails. These results demonstrate that matrix-dependent value ranges for hair and nail steroid levels should be established and applied for interpretation.

Seasonal changes in yolk hormone concentrations carry-over to offspring traits

Yolk hormones are substances which transmit non-genetic factors from the mother to the next generation. The systematic changes of yolk hormone concentrations within asynchronously hatching clutches have been interpreted as a means to adaptively shape the offspring's phenotype. However, in synchronously hatching clutches the role of yolk hormones is less understood. We investigated whether seasonal changes between eggs in the yolk hormones testosterone (Testo), progesterone (Prog) and corticosterone (Cort) also occur in the grey partridge, a synchronously hatching precocial species without direct food competition between siblings. Specifically we asked whether yolk hormone concentrations systematically vary with season and whether they affect the offspring's hatching mass, mass gain, circulating baseline and stress-induced Cort. Additionally, we investigated the effect of genetic background and food availability on yolk hormone concentrations by subjecting grey partridge hens of two strains (wild and domesticated) to two different feeding regimes (predictable vs. unpredictable feeding) during egg laying. We hypothesized that egg hormone concentrations change over the season, but breeding in captivity over many generations and ad libitum food access could have resulted in domestication effects which abolished potential seasonal effects. Results showed that progressing season had a strong positive effect on yolk Prog and yolk Testo, but not on yolk Cort. Feeding regimes and strain had no effect on yolk hormones. Offspring mass and mass gain increased and baseline Cort decreased with progressing season. In addition, yolk Testo correlated positively with offspring mass gain and negatively with baseline Cort, while yolk Prog had a positive correlation with baseline Cort. Strain and feeding regimes of the mother had no effect on offspring traits. In conclusion, grey partridge chicks hatching late in the season might benefit from the increased concentrations of the growth-stimulating yolk Testo and by this catch-up in development. Hence, yolk hormone concentration could adaptively shape the offspring phenotype in a precocial species.

The influence of physiological status on the reproductive behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

For most cetacean species, there is little known about how an individual's physiology influences its behaviour. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a good candidate to examine such links as they have a well-described distribution and behaviour, can be consistently sampled using remote biopsy systems, and have been the subject of several previous endocrine studies. The objective here was to examine whether a female humpback whale's social state (i.e. escorted by a male or not) is related to her endocrine condition, and whether male dominance ranking is related to testosterone levels. Skin and blubber biopsies were collected from the east and west Australian humpback whale populations in 2010-2016 (n = 252) at multiple times throughout the winter-spring breeding season. Steroid hormones were extracted from blubber and concentrations of progesterone (a marker for pregnancy), testosterone (a marker of male testicular activity) and oestradiol (a potential marker of ovarian activity) measured using enzyme-immunoassays. Principal escorts-the dominant males in mixed sex groups-had significantly higher blubber testosterone levels (mean ± SE; 1.43 ± 0.20 ng/g wet weight) than subordinate, secondary escorts (0.69 ± 0.06 ng/g wet weight). Females that were escorted by males typically possessed elevated blubber oestradiol levels (1.96 ± 0.25 ng/g wet weight; p = 0.014); few were considered to be pregnant (p = 0.083). 'Unescorted' females displayed characteristically lower blubber oestradiol levels (0.56 ± 0.06 ng/g wet weight). Together, these results are consistent with 'challenge hypothesis' theory and suggest the existence of associated reproductive patterns in humpback whales.

Urban PM2.5 Induces Cellular Toxicity, Hormone Dysregulation, Oxidative Damage, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Interference in the HRT8 Trophoblast Cell Line

Objective: Epidemiological studies have found air pollution to be a driver of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, low term birth weight and preeclampsia. It is unknown what biological mechanisms are involved in this process. A first trimester trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) was exposed to various concentrations of PM2.5 (PM2.5) in order to elucidate the effect of urban particulate matter (PM) of size <2.5 μm on placental function. Methods: PM2.5 were collected at a site representative of urban traffic and dispersed in cell media by indirect and direct sonication. The HTR-8 cells were grown under standard conditions. Cellular uptake was studied after 24 and 48 h of exposure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA. Changes in membrane integrity and H₂O₂ production were analyzed using the CellTox^TM Green Cytotoxicity and ROSGlo^TM assays. Protease activity was evaluated by MitoTox^TM assay. Mitochondrial function was assessed through high resolution respirometry in an Oroboros O2k-FluoRespirometer, and mitochondrial content was quantified by citrate synthase activity. Results: TEM analysis depicted PM2.5 cellular uptake and localization of the PM2.5 to the mitochondria after 24 h. The cells showed aggregated cytoskeleton and generalized necrotic appearance, such as chromatin condensation, organelle swelling and signs of lost membrane integrity. The mitochondria displayed vacuolization and disruption of cristae morphology. At 48 h exposure, a significant drop in hCG secretion and a significant increase in progesterone secretion and IL-6 production occurred. At 48 h exposure, a five-fold increase in protease activity and a significant alteration of H₂O₂ production was observed. The HTR-8 cells exhibited evidence of increased cytotoxicity with increasing exposure time and dose of PM2.5. No significant difference in mitochondrial respiration or mitochondrial mass could be demonstrated. Conclusion: Following exposure to air pollution, intracellular accumulation of PM may contribute to the placental dysfunction associated with pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, through their direct and indirect effects on trophoblast protein secretion, hormone regulation, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial interference.

Binary Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Strategy for Accurate and Precise Determination of Micropollutants in Lake, Well and Wastewater Matrices

In this study, a binary mixture in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was used for the preconcentration and determination of selected pesticides, pharmaceutical and hormone by GC-MS. A Box-Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the amounts of binary mixture, dispersive solvent and salt. The optimum parameters obtained were dichloromethane/1,2-dichloroethane binary mixture (200 µL), ethanol (2.0 mL) and potassium nitrate (1.0 g). Analytical performance of each analyte was determined under the optimum conditions and the lowest and highest detection limits calculated were 0.43 and 5.9 ng/mL. Low relative standard deviations were obtained even in the lowest concentrations in linear calibration plots, signifying high precision for the sample preparation procedure and instrumental measurement. Accuracy of the developed method and applicability to real samples was tested on well, lake, hospital and municipal wastewater. The percent recoveries acquired at different spiked concentrations were satisfactory (89%-108%), validating the accuracy of the method for the quantification of the analytes in the selected matrices.

[Hormonal Assessment of Secondary Hypertension - How to do it and what to expect?]

The Hormonal assessment of Arterial Hypertension (HTA) is an important part of the balance of resistant hypertension. This assessment - going well beyond the search for primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) - requires a rigorous methodology and a robust experience of the nursing team within a dedicated unit: the HTA Day Hospital. If all the conditions are met and the assessment carried out well, it will allow a significant profitability since in this resistant hypertensive population it will detect a particular mechanism or secondary hypertension in 70% of patients. Since the diagnosis of PHA is essentially biological, the proper execution of the various stages of the assessment is essential to its documentation.

Simultaneous determination of drug active compound, hormones, pesticides, and endocrine disruptor compounds in wastewater samples by GC-MS with direct calibration and matrix matching strategies after preconcentration with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

DLLME was coupled with GC-MS for the simultaneous determination of a drug active compound, hormones, pesticides, and endocrine disruptor compounds with high accuracy and reproducibility in this study. Extraction parameters that affect extraction output including types and volumes of dispersive and extraction solvents, and effect of salt addition were optimized to lower the detection limits for 12 compounds. Under the optimum conditions, LOD and LOQ values were found between 1.99-5.05 and 6.63-16.87 ng/mL, respectively. Spiked recovery tests were also applied to wastewater samples to check the applicability of the method. Matrix matching strategy was used to improve the overall recovery results of the analytes obtained for municipal wastewater. Two different municipal wastewater samples were used in the matrix matching studies. Percent recovery values calculated with the matrix matching experiments were between 85-114%. The results obtained indicated that the developed method could be applied for the determination of the analytes of interest with high accuracy and sensitivity.

Determination of twenty pharmaceutical contaminants in soil using ultrasound-assisted extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometric detection

In this paper, an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of twenty pharmaceuticals (eight non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, five oestrogenic hormones, two antiepileptic drugs, two β-blockers, and three antidepressants) in soils was developed. The optimal method included ultrasound-assisted extraction, a clean-up step on a silica gel column, derivatization using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) in pyridine and ethyl acetate (2:1:1, v/v/v) for 30 min at 60 °C, and determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry working in the selected ion monitoring mode. This affords good resolution, high sensitivity and reproducibility, and freedom from interferences even from complex matrices such as soils. The method detection limits ranged from 0.3 to 1.7 ng g^-1, the intra-day precision represented as RSDs ranged from 1.1 to 10.0%, and the intra-day accuracy from 81.3 to 119.7%. The absolute recoveries of the target compounds were above 80%, except for valproic acid and diethylstilbestrol. The developed method was successfully applied in the analysis of the target compounds in soils collected in Poland. Among the 20 pharmaceuticals, 12 compounds were detected at least once in the soils. The determination of antiepileptic drugs, β-blockers, and antidepressants was also performed for the first time.

Effects of empagliflozin on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitor that improves cardiovascular risk and promotes weight loss in patients with type-2 diabetes. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with obesity and increased cardiovascular risk; therefore, empagliflozin may be of benefit for these women. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of empagliflozin vs metformin on anthropometric and body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized open-label study was conducted in women with PCOS who were randomized to either empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 19) or metformin 1500 mg (n = 20) daily for 12 weeks. The main outcomes assessed were changes in anthropometric and body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed significant differences in weight (empagliflozin: -1.4 ± 3.2% vs metformin: 1.2 ± 2.3%; P = 0.006), body mass index (empagliflozin: -1.4 ± 3.2% vs metformin: 1.1 ± 2.2%; P = 0.006), waist circumference (empagliflozin: -1.6 ± 2.8% vs metformin: 0.2 ± 2.1%; P = 0.029) and hip circumference (empagliflozin: -2.0 ± 3.0% vs metformin: 1.1 ± 1.9%; P = 0.001), basal metabolic rate (empagliflozin: -1.8 ± 2.9% vs metformin: 0.1 ± 1.9%, P = 0.024) and fat mass (empagliflozin: -0.7 ± 4.9% vs metformin, 3.2 ± 5.0%; P = 0.023) between the empagliflozin and the metformin groups. These differences were confirmed in linear regression analysis after adjustment for relevant covariates. There were no significant changes in hormonal or metabolic parameters between both groups.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant improvement in anthropometric parameters and body composition, in overweight and obese women with PCOS after 12 weeks of treatment with empagliflozin compared to metformin, although no changes were seen in hormonal or metabolic parameters.

Endocrine aspects of Klinefelter syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in men. Hypogonadism and testicular degeneration are almost universal. Truncal adiposity, metabolic syndrome and low bone mass occur frequently. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the pathogenesis and management of the endocrine abnormalities in Klinefelter syndrome. It is expected that optimal endocrine management will improve outcomes and quality of life in Klinefelter syndrome.

RECENT FINDINGS

In Klinefelter syndrome, testosterone replacement is routinely prescribed despite lack of evidence on the optimal dose and time for initiation of therapy. Cross-sectional studies have linked hypogonadism to the development of metabolic abnormalities and low bone mass. Testosterone therapy, however, is not consistently associated with improved metabolic and bone outcomes. Increased truncal adiposity and high rates of metabolic syndrome are present in prepubertal children. A randomized trial of oxandrolone in prepubertal boys showed improvement in visual-motor function, socialization and cardiometabolic health. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) has success rates similar to other causes of nonobstructive azoospermia when performed between 16 and 35 years of age.

SUMMARY

Endocrine care in Klinefelter syndrome should start in childhood and include evaluation of metabolic risk factors and bone health. Further research to guide evidence-based endocrine care is very much needed.

Emerging and traditional organic markers: Baseline study showing the influence of untraditional anthropogenic activities on coastal zones with multiple activities (Ceará coast, Northeast Brazil)

Molecular markers are useful tools to characterize natural and anthropogenic impacts on coastal zones. Distribution of n-alkanes showed that the Pacoti River was predominantly influenced by terrigenous input. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) indices showed a mix of natural sources, especially pyrogenic influences. Sterol and hormone levels showed sewage discharge. Integrated geographic assessment showed that pyrogenic process and sewage discharge are predominant along the river because of natural and different anthropogenic activities. The upstream region is influenced by rural activities such as livestock and discharge from the sewage treatment plant, whereas the estuarine region is influenced by urban and industrial activities, predominantly the discharge of treated or untreated sewage, vehicle traffic, and manufacture of red ceramics. On the other hand, on the river mouth, there is the predominance of aquaculture activities. Traditional anthropogenic markers are not sufficient for producing a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic impacts in areas with multiple activities.

New biomarkers in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disorder which presents significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and management. Despite decades of research, there are no sufficiently sensitive and specific signs and symptoms nor blood tests for the clinical confirmation of endometriosis, which hampers prompt diagnosis and treatment. The huge majority of potential biomarkers has been discarded in research stage and very few have been translated to clinical practice. Serum CA-125 is the most studied and used one, but studies have shown its poor diagnostic performance. Several factors involved in the chronic inflammatory process of endometriosis, such as hormones, cytokines, chemokines, angiogenic factors, oxidative stress markers and others, have been implicated in the disease's pathogenesis and have been extensively studied, but not a single one has successfully been able to accurately identify the disease. MicroRNAs have emerged more recently but their utility to detect endometriosis remains uncertain. The search for a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is still open and may benefit from novel molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches to mine and uncover molecular signatures specifically associated with the disease.

Occurrence, removal and risk assessment of steroid hormones in two wastewater stabilization pond systems in Morogoro, Tanzania

The present study investigated the occurrence and removal of 10 steroid hormones (4 androgens, 3 progestagens and 3 estrogens) in two WSP systems, Mafisa and Mzumbe in Morogoro, Tanzania. All 10 steroid hormones were detected in the influent of both WSP systems in the dry as well as in the rainy season. The concentrations of steroids in influent wastewater ranged from 0.1 ng/L for 17-OH-pregnenolone to 445 ng/L for estrone and from below limit of detection for 17-OH-pregnenolone to 45 ng/L for estrone in effluent. During dry season, the overall mean ± standard deviation removal efficiency for the 10 steroids were 70 ± 21% for Mzumbe WSP and 97 ± 3% for Mafisa WSP. During the rainy season the overall mean removal efficiency for all the steroid hormones were 52 ± 32% for Mzumbe WSP and 94 ± 8% for Mafisa WSP. Risk was characterized by calculating the risk quotients (RQs) for fish and humans. 46% of the total RQs calculated were above one, indicating high risk. Low RQs were estimated for androgens and progestagens but the estrogen concentrations measured in the WSP systems and Morogoro River indicated a high risk for fish. However, estrogens appeared not to pose an appreciable risk to human health from water intake and fish consumption. The results indicated that WSP systems are quite effective in removing steroid hormones from wastewater. Thus, low technology systems such as WSP systems are suitable techniques in low income counties due to relatively low costs of building, operating and maintaining these systems.

Hormonal biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of endometriosis: A protocol for a network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a major cause of disability and compromised the quality of life in women and teenage girls. The gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis is laparoscopy with histology of excised endometriosis lesions. However, women can suffer for 8 to 12 years before obtaining a correct diagnosis. Several biomarkers showed good diagnostic value for endometriosis, but no studies directly or indirectly compare the diagnostic value of different biomarkers. We perform this network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the diagnostic accuracy of hormonal biomarkers, and to find a most effective hormonal biomarker for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

METHODS

A systematic search will be performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Chinese Biomedicine Literature to identify relevant studies from inception to August 2018. We will include random controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of hormonal markers for endometriosis. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 quality assessment tool will be used to assess the risk of bias in each study. Standard pairwise meta-analysis and NMA will be performed using STATA V.12.0, MetaDiSc 1.40 and R 3.4.1 software to compare the diagnostic efficacy of different hormonal biomarkers.

RESULTS

The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSION

This study will summarize the direct and indirect evidence to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the hormonal biomarkers for endometriosis and attempt to find a most effective biomarker for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval and patient consent are not required as this study is a meta-analysis based on published studies.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018105126.

Cell-Based Biosensors Based on Intein-Mediated Protein Engineering for Detection of Biologically Active Signaling Molecules

Live-cell-based biosensors have emerged as a useful tool for biotechnology and chemical biology. Genetically encoded sensor cells often use bimolecular fluorescence complementation or fluorescence resonance energy transfer to build a reporter unit that suffers from nonspecific signal activation at high concentrations. Here, we designed genetically encoded sensor cells that can report the presence of biologically active molecules via fluorescence-translocation based on split intein-mediated conditional protein trans-splicing (PTS) and conditional protein trans-cleavage (PTC) reactions. In this work, the target molecules or the external stimuli activated intein-mediated reactions, which resulted in activation of the fluorophore-conjugated signal peptide. This approach fully valued the bond-making and bond-breaking features of intein-mediated reactions in sensor construction and thus eliminated the interference of false-positive signals resulting from the mere binding of fragmented reporters. We could also avoid the necessity of designing split reporters to refold into active structures upon reconstitution. These live-cell-based sensors were able to detect biologically active signaling molecules, such as Ca2+ and cortisol, as well as relevant biological stimuli, such as histamine-induced Ca2+ stimuli and the glucocorticoid receptor agonist, dexamethasone. These live-cell-based sensing systems hold large potential for applications such as drug screening and toxicology studies, which require functional information about targets.

Steroid hormonal bioactivities, culprit natural and synthetic hormones and other emerging contaminants in waste water measured using bioassays and UPLC-tQ-MS

Emission of compounds with biological activities from waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents into surface waters is a topic of concern for ecology and drinking water quality. We investigated the occurrence of hormone-like activities in waste water sample extracts from four Dutch WWTPs and pursued to identify compounds responsible for them. To this aim, in vitro reporter gene bioassays for androgenic, anti-androgenic, estrogenic, glucocorticoid and progestogenic activity and a UPLC-tQ-MS target analysis method for 25 steroid hormones used in high volumes in pharmacy were applied. Principal component analysis of the data was performed to further characterize the detected activities and compounds. All five types of activities tested were observed in the WWTP samples. Androgenic and estrogenic activities were almost completely removed during WW treatment, anti-androgenic activity was only found in treated WW. Glucocorticoid and progestogenic activities persisted throughout the treatment. The androgenic activity in both influent could predominantly be attributed to the presence of androstenedione and testosterone. Anti-androgenic activity was explained by the presence of cyproterone acetate. The glucocorticoid activity in influent was fully explained by prednicarbate, triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone and amcinonide. In effluent however, detected hormones could only explain 10-32% of the activity, indicating the presence of unknown glucocorticoids or their metabolites in effluent. Progesterone and levonorgestrel could explain the observed progestogenic activity. The principle component analysis confirmed the way in which hormones fit in the spectrum of other emerging contaminants concerning occurrence and fate in WWTPs.

Study on the removal of hormones from domestic wastewaters with lab-scale constructed wetlands with different substrates and flow directions

Eight wastewater samples from a university campus were analysed between May and July of 2014 to determine the concentration of 14 natural and synthetic steroid hormones. An on-line solid-phase extraction combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (on-line SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS) was used as extraction, pre-concentration and detection method. In the samples studied, three oestrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone and estriol), two androgens (boldenone and testosterone), three progestogens (norgestrel, progesterone and norethisterone) and one glucocorticoid (prednisone) were detected. The removal of hormones was studied in primary and secondary constructed wetland mesocosms. The porous media of the primary constructed wetlands were palm tree mulch. These reactors were used to study the effect of water flow, i.e. horizontal (HF1) vs vertical (VF1). The latter was more efficient in the removal of 17β-estradiol (HF1: 30%, VF1: 50%), estrone (HF1: 63%, VF1: 85%), estriol (100% both), testosterone (HF1: 45%, VF1: 73%), boldenone (HF1:-77%, VF1: 100%) and progesterone (HF1: 84%, VF1: 99%). The effluent of HF1 was used as influent of three secondary constructed wetland mesocosms: two double-stage vertical flow constructed wetlands, one with gravel (VF2gravel) and one with palm mulch (VF2mulch), and a mineral-based, horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFmineral). VF2mulch was the most efficient of the secondary reactors, since it achieved the complete removal of the hormones studied with the exception of 17ß-estradiol. The significantly better removal of BOD and ammonia attained by VF2mulch suggests that the better aeration of mulch favoured the more efficient removal of hormones.

Imaging endocrinology in animal models of endocrine disease

Endocrine organs secrete a variety of hormones involved in the regulation of a multitude of body functions. Although pancreatic islets were discovered at the turn of the 19th century, other endocrine glands remained commonly described as diffuse endocrine systems. Over the last two decades, development of new imaging techniques and genetically-modified animals with cell-specific fluorescent tags or specific hormone deficiencies have enabled in vivo imaging of endocrine organs and revealed intricate endocrine cell network structures and plasticity. Overall, these new tools have revolutionized our understanding of endocrine function. The overarching aim of this Review is to describe the current mechanistic understanding that has emerged from imaging studies of endocrine cell network structure/function relationships in animal models, with a particular emphasis on the pituitary gland and the endocrine pancreas.

Interbirth intervals in wild baboons: Environmental predictors and hormonal correlates

OBJECTIVES

Interbirth intervals (IBIs) are a key metric of female reproductive success; understanding how they are regulated by environmental, social, and demographic factors can provide insight into sources of variance in female fitness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using 36 years of reproductive data on 490 IBIs for 160 wild female baboons, we identified sources of variance in the duration of IBIs and of their component phases: postpartum amenorrhea (PPA), sexual cycling, and pregnancy. We also examined how body fat and fecal hormone concentrations varied during female IBIs.

RESULTS

We found that IBIs tended to be shorter (reproduction was accelerated) when female traits and environmental variables promoted energy acquisition, but with different specific effects for different component phases of the IBI. We also found that females lost a substantial amount of body fat during PPA, indicating that PPA imposes accumulating energetic costs as it progresses. Prior to cycle resumption females began to regain body fat; body fat was stable across the cycling phase and increased throughout most of pregnancy. However, body fat scores per se were not associated with the duration of any of the component phases. Finally, we found that fecal glucocorticoid concentrations decreased as PPA progressed, suggesting a decline in energetic stress over this phase. Fecal progestogen and estrogen concentrations changed over time during sexual cycling; the direction of these changes depended on the phase of the sexual cycle (luteal versus early or late follicular phases).

DISCUSSION

Our study lends insight into the energetic constraints on female primate reproduction, revealing how female environments, changes in body fat, and steroid hormone concentrations relate to IBI duration and to reproductive readiness.

Trace Level Analysis of Airborne Hormone Particulates

Trace levels of airborne hormones during the pharmaceutical compounding process are analyzed by air monitoring and surface sampling. This study is discussed in two parts: the first part discusses the analysis of particulates suspended in the air by using video particle counting; the second part discusses the analysis of particulates settled on the surface by using surface wipe sampling. One solution to the problem of airborne hormones is to incorporate the hormones into a vehicle like a semisolid cream with high surface tension such that there are no powders to be used during the pharmaceutical compounding process. The analytical method for this study was performed.

Exploring the Sea Urchin Neuropeptide Landscape by Mass Spectrometry

Neuropeptides are essential cell-to-cell signaling messengers and serve important regulatory roles in animals. Although remarkable progress has been made in peptide identification across the Metazoa, for some phyla such as Echinodermata, limited neuropeptides are known and even fewer have been verified on the protein level. We employed peptidomic approaches using bioinformatics and mass spectrometry (MS) to experimentally confirm 23 prohormones and to characterize a new prohormone in nervous system tissue from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the purple sea urchin. Ninety-three distinct peptides from known and novel prohormones were detected with MS from extracts of the radial nerves, many of which are reported or experimentally confirmed here for the first time, representing a large-scale study of neuropeptides from the phylum Echinodermata. Many of the identified peptides and their precursor proteins have low homology to known prohormones from other species/phyla and are unique to the sea urchin. By pairing bioinformatics with MS, the capacity to characterize novel peptides and annotate prohormone genes is enhanced. Graphical Abstract.

Presence of Cells with Argyrophil Granules in Normal, Hyperplastic, and Neoplastic Endometrium

Cells with argyrophil granules were searched for in 131 consecutive specimens obtained from endometrial curettage. Particular care was taken with the fixation methods to avoid a false positivity to the silver impregnation according to Grimelius. We did not consider the grossly argyrophilic positivity on the cellular apex or of the whole cytoplasm, which was partially reduced by diastase digestion and probably due to the presence of glycogen and secretory mucoproteins. Cells with thin argyrophilic granules similar to those observed in endocrine APUD cells were present among glandular cells and/or among stromal cells in 15 of 131 examined specimens. They concerned 5 cases of proliferative endometrium, 3 of secretive endometrium, 5 of hyperplasia, and 2 of carcinoma. In 8 of the 15 cases with argyrophilic cells, immunohistochemical studies with the PAP method showed cells with the presence of FSH, S-100 protein, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), gastrin, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The significance and origin of these cells in normal and neoplastic endometrium are discussed.