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Repeat-induced point mutations in Pad-1, a putative RNA splicing factor from Neurospora crassa, confer dominant lethal effects on ascus development.

We describe the characterization of a gene, Pad-1, from Neurospora crassa which displays sequence characteristics of the RS class of hnRNA-binding proteins (hnRNP) and mRNA splicing factors. This is the first report of the isolation of a putative hnRNP gene from N. crassa. PAD-1 showed 30% identity and 57% similarity to a protein, HCC1, which was isolated using autoantibodies from patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma. Both HCC1 and PAD-1 show amino acid sequence similarities to the human splicing factor, U2AF65. Mutations induced in Pad-1 by repeat-induced point (RIP) mutation show dominant effects on ascus and ascospore formation, a novel phenotypic class of RIP mutants. A mutant isolated from the Pad-1 RIP cross displayed a severe vegetative growth defect and dominant effects on ascus development, indicating that Pad-1 is essential for both asexual and sexual development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sexuality education in Russia: defining pleasure and danger for a fledgling democratic society.

Public health indicators have plummeted throughout Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with exponential increases in sexually transmitted diseases reported among this society's young adults. Newly developing sexuality education programs provide insights into the ways local health providers interpret such public health challenges and conceptualize the educational needs of Russian youth. Moreover, these initiatives reveal the impact of both Soviet-era discourses and more recent, international anti-abortion activism on contemporary thinking about sexual health matters. This article explores the implicit and sometimes explicit ways that sex education lectures are being driven by debates over the significance of the Soviet past and anxieties over the perceived chaos of current transformations. Drawing on material from lectures, fieldwork, and interviews with sex educators, I argue that sexuality education efforts reveal a persistent ambivalence between the hope to promote individual autonomy from state interests and the presumed need to control sexual expression and reproductive practices within an emerging moral economy of post-Soviet Russia.

Abortion, Legal↗

Premature thelarche: a possible adrenal disorder.

Endocrine studies in girls with precocious thelarche were compared with those of normal girls of similar ages. Girls with precocious thelarche showed breast development and oestrogenised vaginal smears as the only signs of precocious sexual development. A few of the girls were tall and some had advanced bone ages but these two findings were not consistently present in the same patient. Hormones--such as serum oestradiol, oestrone, delta 4-androstenedione, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, and prolactin, and urinary 17-ketosteroids--were measured. Only DHEA was different, being higher in girls with precocious thelarche. It is suggested that the high DHEA level may serve as a precursor for conversion to oestrogens in target tissues, breast, and vagina. This mechanism for oestrogenisation had been reported in other patients.

17-Ketosteroids↗

Gonadal development and plasma steroid levels during pubertal development in captive-reared striped bass, Morone saxatilis.

Puberty is the period during which full sexual development occurs and the capacity to reproduce is acquired. Despite its importance, our understanding of the endocrine regulation of puberty in lower vertebrates is still limited. The objective of the present study was to describe the changes in gonadal development and plasma steroid levels in a relatively late maturing species, the striped bass, during the first four years of life. In about 65% of the females, puberty was initiated during the third year. Although gonadosomatic index (GSI) and oocyte diameter increased during this year, this first cycle was characterized by a heterogeneous population of developing oocytes, a relatively low mean maximum oocyte diameter, and an absence of yolk granules in the oocytes. Plasma 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) levels were low in all three-year-old fish, suggesting that an insufficient stimulation of vitellogenin production by E(2) may underlie the lack of vitellogenin incorporation into developing oocytes. All monitored parameters increased during the fourth year, but were still below the values attained by older females. In about 60% of the males, puberty was initiated during the first year and all males were mature by the third year. During the first two years, several immature males initiated spermatogenesis without reaching full maturity. In mature males, mean GSI, plasma testosterone, and 11-ketotestosterone levels increased simultaneously, reaching higher values each subsequent year. Our results indicate that, similar to the situation in mammals, more than one reproductive cycle is required in striped bass before complete adulthood is reached.

Animals↗

The development of adolescent sexual intimacy: implications for counseling.

This paper proposes a perspective for understanding the development of adolescent sexual intimacy. A "transitional stage" is described in which adolescents, driven by a variety of developmental needs influenced by external forces such as peers and family, experiment with sexual behaviors. The completion of the transitional stage results in the adolescent's ability to achieve "relational" sexual intimacy, which is also described. The problems and implications for counseling associated with the biophysiological and family dynamic influences on the development of adolescent sexual intimacy are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Infrequent orgasms in women.

Out of a sample of 2,425 gynecological patients aged 21-40 and married for at least one year, three groups were selected according to the frequency of coital orgasm. The first, orgastic, group contained 1,266 (52.2%) orgastic women, the second group included 466 (19.2%) patients with infrequent orgasms, and the third group consisted of 151 (6.2%) patients whose infrequent orgasms were felt by the examinees as distressing. Significant differences were found between the three groups concerning family environment and childhood, level of education and professional standing, sexual development and life, and in the incidence of psychopathological symptoms. It appears that the insufficient capacity of many women to attain regular orgasms in sexual intercourse is caused by several factors of both biological and psychosocial nature.

Adult↗

The sexual desire inventory: development, factor structure, and evidence of reliability.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a self-administered questionnaire to measure sexual desire. In the development phase, items were generated and pilot-tested with 24 subjects. Based on these data, items were deleted, added, or modified. Next, in Study One, the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) was administered to 197 females and 117 males. Factor analyses revealed that the SDI was multifactorial; however, none of the generated factor solutions up to five factors yielded a good fit. Interpretation of the factors led to revisions of the SDI. It was hypothesized that sexual desire might consist of two related dimensions; dyadic sexual desire and solitary sexual desire. Items on the SDI were modified to measure these two dimensions, and the revised SDI was administered to 249 females and 131 males. Factor analysis supported the presence of these two dimensions. Internal consistency estimates using Cronbach's alpha revealed coefficients of .86 for dyadic sexual desire and .96 for solitary sexual desire, providing preliminary evidence for the reliability of the SDI. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Retardation of pubertal development by prenatal long days in goat kids born in autumn.

Goat kids born in spring attain sexual maturity during the first autumn after birth in temperate regions, at about 30 weeks of age. This study observed sexual development in autumn-born kids and the influence of late-summer, prenatal light treatment on onset of puberty. The breeding season of 14 female British Saanen dairy goats was artificially advanced by 4 months, using a treatment of long days during the winter followed by melatonin treatment in spring. Five goats were treated with a photoperiod of 20 h light:4 h dark (lights on 04.00 h) for 62.1 +/- 1.4 days (mean +/- SEM, n = 5) prepartum (14 August to 15 October). The remaining nine goats were kept under a natural photoperiod: 20 kids from these mothers were followed, five males and five females from each group. Testicular development was assessed by means of weekly measurement of scrotal circumference. Blood samples were taken once a week from all kids from 4 weeks of age for 5 months. Plasma was assayed for progesterone in females and testosterone in males. Autumn-born female kids initiated oestrous cyclicity in January, at a mean age of 12.8 +/- 0.8 weeks. Puberty onset was significantly delayed (P less than 0.03, unpaired Student's t test) in females exposed to 20 h light:4 h dark in utero and occurred at a mean age of 16.5 +/- 1.4 weeks. Testicular development was significantly delayed and plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in autumn-born male kids that experienced 20 h light:4 h dark in utero than in kids from mothers in a natural photoperiod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

A developmental approach to sexuality education: implications for medical practice.

Medical professionals are increasingly expected to address issues of sexuality and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with young patients and their parents. Focus group interviews were conducted with parents (n = 43) and adolescents (n = 800) to determine the preferred physician role regarding families and sexual development. Parents believed that a physician was an appropriate expert to assist in preventing negative risk behaviors (e.g., drugs, alcohol, sexual intercourse) and emphasized the importance of the physician developing a comfortable relationship early on with parents and youth to allow for reciprocal dialogue about sensitive topics. Parents also commented that physicians generally appeared uncomfortable when discussing personal issues (viz., sexuality) and frequently lacked communication skills (e.g., use of open-ended questions or statements) to foster conversation. Youth identified physicians as a logical source of information about sexuality but felt hesitant to ask questions that might prompt value-based discussion. Youth also expressed concern about confidentiality in the doctor-patient relationship. Adolescents desired physicians to be more "askable" than they are perceived to be. Guidelines are offered for strengthening office interactions and improving communication skills.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effect of tetrahydrocannabinols on pubertal body weight spurt and sex hormones in developing male rats.

Chronic administration of delta 8- and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinols (4 mg/kg b.wt. i.p.) to sexually developing male rats every alternate day from age day 16 to age day 87 resulted in a significant decrease in pubertal growth spurts, especially the second peak. Endogenous testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, LH and FSH concentration in blood declined significantly from those of the control animals. When the drugs were withdrawn at mid-puberty (age day 40) the "catch-up" phenomenon in body growth weas evident although testosterone level continued to be suppressed but dihydrotestosterone level recovered. Withdrawal of the drugs resulted in better recovery in LH level compared to that of FSH. Administration of LH-RH to the animals receiving drugs until day 87 resulted in significantly (P less than 0.001) lower levels of gonadotropins than those in the control animals. The inhibition in delta 9-THC-treated animals was more severe than in delta 8-THC-treated ones. When the drug was withdrawn, delta 8-THC-treated animals responded to LH-RH stimulation better than did those treated with delta 9-THC. These findings suggest that the tetrahydrocannabinols perhaps mainly affect pituitary function.

Animals↗

[The pre-morbid personality of schizophrenics in the literature of the last hundred years (author's transl)].

A survey of the literature on the primary personality of schizophrenics shows that the essential concepts derive from Kraepelin (1893), E. Bleuler (who also introduced the technical term "schizoid", 1911) and C.G. Jung introversion; 1913). E Kretschmer (1921) adopted these preliminary findings and integrated them into his system of "Constitution" which greatly stimulated research in this field. Most of the following investigations confirmed his hypotheses on the basis of clinical impressions. A few only criticised his teaching, particularly as a theoretical concept. The musculo-somatotonic type apart, Sheldon's (1940) research agrees with Kretschmer to a large degree. Later investigators, however, could not sufficiently support Sheldon's constitutional biology on empirical grounds. No further pre-morbid types were developed in the following years, if one discards the somewhat rare "stormy" character (Arieti, 1955). All attempts to discover differences between the pre-morbid development of personality and the subheadings of schizophrenia failed. Pre-morbid sexual development is not typical, but the disturbances of contact are in the foreground. Whether schizophrenics differ later in their intelligence is still undecided. But it appears certain that, even before the start of their illness, they achieve a lower social status than their siblings. There exists a large experimental psychologic literature on relationships between the original personality, symptoms and psychophysiologic correlates in which it is confirmed again and again that bad pre-morbid adaptation corresponds closely with the severity of symptoms and loss of achievement. There are no consonant result of investigations into the frequency of schizoid structures in schizophrenics, in psychiatric control groups and in the normal population. Psychometric techniques have been used only rarely, but existing publications confirm in principle that schizophrenics are markedly more schizoid than control groups. As with schizophrenia, there are contrasting ideas as to the cause and pathogenesis of the pre-morbid personality. Psycho- and socio-genetic, behavioral, genetic and neurochemical hypotheses have their adherents. According to recent studies of adoption the genetic factor appears to predominate. The clinician relies on pre-morbid development of the personality in his search for a "kink in the life line" or in his assessment of the quality of remissions. There is general agreement that a schizoid primary personality has an unfavorable influence on the long-term prognosis. This is still true today, in spite of modern possibilities of treatment and rehabilitation. Prophylactic aspects have been discussed for a long time but have remained unhelpful clinically. Often it may be difficult to distinguish between schizoids and mild hebephrenias. In spite of this the clinical concept "schizoid" should never be used for "mild schizophrenia"...

Adoption↗

Reproductive abnormalities in adult male mice following preimplantation exposures to estradiol or pesticide methoxychlor.

Adult females of ICR strain of mice were bred, separated into different experimental groups, and treated as follows. On Days 2-4 of pregnancy, the mice received daily subcutaneous injections of either 0.05 ml sesame oil (vehicle) or same volume of 5.0mg of purified methoxychlor (MXC) suspended in the vehicle. Another group received a single subcutaneous injection of 1.0 microg of estradiol-17beta (E) on Day 2 of pregnancy only. Male offspring were tested at 3 and 6 months of age. At 3 months, E or MXC did not alter the weights of seminal vesicles, preputial glands, or testes, although after exposure for 30 min to a female in estrus behind a partition, testosterone levels were significantly reduced in treated males in comparison to control males exposed to the same partition test. At 6 months, the preputial glands and testes weight remained unchanged, while the seminal vesicles were significantly heavier in E- and MXC-treated males. Same partition tests again revealed that in E and MXC groups, testosterone levels remained significantly lower in comparison to control males. MXC or E exposures during preimplantation appear to induce long-term effects on the sexual development in 3 and 6 month-old-males by compromising their sexual arousal and altering seminal vesicles weights in the older group.

Animals↗

[Sexually differentiated metabolism of testosterone in liver slices of mouse, and its alteration by a mutation in the X-chromosome that results in testicular feminization].

1. Sexual differentiation of the metabolism of testosterone in liver slices of normally developed, sexually mature mice: Sexual differentiation in the mouse, unlike that in the rat, shows a high degree of uniformity: Where the formation of metabolites with the composition C19O2 is markedly greater in one sex, then this is invariably the male. The formation of C19O3 steroids and 4-androstene-3,17-dione, and the turnover of testosterone show no marked sexual differences, although the sum of the C19O2-type delta4-hydrogenation products of testosterone is significantly greater in the male. This apparent discrepancy is explained by the fact that the sum of the delta4-hydrogenation products represents no more than 10% of testosterone turnover. Thus, sexual differences in the formation of individual delta4-hydrogenation products are not apparent from a consideration of the overall turnover of testosterone. 2. Sexual differentiation of testosterone metabolism studied in genetically male litter mates, carrying the X-chromosome-bound mutation and showing testicular feminization (Tfm): The Tfm mutation (genotype XTfm Blo/Y; Blo = coat colour gene Blotchy) results in a feminization of testosterone metabolism. Where the level of testosterone metabolites is significantly higher in the normal male than in the normal female, the Tfm mutation shows a level that is significantly lower than in the normal male, and which, in most cases, is the same as that in the normal female. The concentration of three metabolites (3alpha- and 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one, and 5beta-androstane-3,17-dione), which do not show sex-based differences, were significantly increased in the Tfm mutation. The Tfm mutation therefore effects the formation of all ring A hydrogenation products of type C19O2 (with the single exception of 5bets-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol). It does more than simply equalize sexual differences by feminization. It has no effect on the hydroxylation of testosterone, or on its 17beta-dehydrogenation to 4-androstene-3,17-dione. The consequences of the Tfm mutation for the liver are irreversible: The formation of 5alpha-androstane-3,17-dione, which is a representative parameter for the sexual differentiation of testosterone metabolism, is not influenced by the injection of testosterone (15 mg i.p. 6 days before investigation).

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗

[Study of the hypophyseal-gonadal system in patients with hereditary muscular dystrophy].

Hypophyseal-testicular function was examined in 11 patients with Becker's progressive myodystrophy (PMD), in 9 with Erb-Roth's PMD and in 10 with Landouzy-Dejerine's PMD. The patients' age ranged from 21 to 45 years. Blood serum LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol were measured by RIA. A sexological study was carried out as well. All the patients' groups suffering from PMD were characterized by a significant rise of blood estradiol. Apart from hypoestrogenemia, some of the patients manifested hypotestosteronemia, hyper- and hypoprolactinemia, reduction of the LH level. It is assumed that the identified hormonal alterations, primarily hyperestrogenemia, may play an adaptation role under the conditions of the genetically determined myodystrophic process. On the other hand, however, the neuroendocrine alterations provoked sexual disorders in PMD patients. The patients often manifested arrest of sexual development, libido decrease, objective signs of demasculinization and feminization, subjective complaints of sexual dysfunction whatever the PMD pattern.

Adult↗

[Relation between arterial pressure and variability in the development of 2300 children of both sexes].

Object of this study is to analyse relationship between blood pressure and a set of somathologic variables, including skinfold thickness and stages of sexual development (Tanner's standards), in three different ontogenetic phases. 1,200 boys and 1,100 girls from elementary statal schools of Alcalá de Henares have been studied. Age groups, 6.5, 10.5 and 13.5 years, are the starting point for a semi-longitudinal study of three years. In the two younger groups, blood pressure variables show direct positive association with general development variables, and specially with stages of sexual maturation. In the oldest boys group (13.5 years), this association is lower, and disappears in girls with have reached menarche at this age.

Adolescent↗

Assessing the impact of a comprehensive sexually transmitted disease curriculum on learning outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the impact of a curriculum designed to improve third-year medical students' knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, measured by sexually transmitted disease-related items from the National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination and by a locally developed sexually transmitted disease test. STUDY DESIGN: All students (n = 108) were exposed to a new sexually transmitted disease curriculum: a 2-hour laboratory module, lectures, syllabus, and locally developed pretest/posttest with review of the test prior to taking the National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination. Students were randomized to a attend sexually transmitted disease clinic (n = 47) versus no sexually transmitted disease clinic (n = 61). RESULTS: Students performed equal to or better than the national average on 85% of the National Board of Medical Examiners sexually transmitted disease-related items after curriculum institution, compared with 56% of the test items prior ( P < .001). Magnitude of improvement was dependent on clerkship timing, with greater improvement in students taking the obstetrics-gynecology clerkship earlier in the third year. Mean postcurriculum test scores of sexually transmitted disease improved significantly ( P < .001), independent of clinic site and clerkship timing. CONCLUSION: The curriculum for sexually transmitted disease produced significant improvement in third-year medical students' knowledge of sexually transmitted disease. This might have an impact on future prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases in communities in which these students practice.

Alabama↗

Recent developments in male sexual dysfunction.

The past few years have witnessed major developments in the management of male sexual dysfunction. The introduction of the first efficacious and safe oral medication (sildenafil) resulted in the expansion of the patient base and, the change in health care delivery, with erectile dysfunction (ED) entering the primary care physician's practice. New guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ED have been developed, including the Process of Care in the USA and the 1st International Consultation on ED sponsored by the World Health Organization. Well-defined algorithms for diagnosis and treatment have been adopted. These recent developments have brought up challenging issues, including the cardiovascular safety of sexual activity, societal changes, internet prescriptions, definition of the patient, expansion of clinical and laboratory research, rise of interest in female sexual dysfunction, and a significant economic impact. The recent developments in male sexual dysfunction continue with the study of new oral medications. Some of these new medications, such as sublingual apomorphine, have a central mode of action, whereas others, such as the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IC351, have a selective peripheral vasodilation-enhancing action.

Administration, Oral↗

Cushing's disease. A cause of delayed growth and development.

An adolescent male with a typical cushingoid appearance presented to his physician with failure of linear growth and sexual development. Although his neuroradiologic workup was negative, his endocrinologic assessment pointed to the pituitary gland as the diseased organ. Selective transsphenoidal adenomectomy has thus far resulted in normalization of cortisol and growth hormone levels and furthered linear and sexual growth.

Adenoma↗