Application of DNA microarrays to study human alcoholism

An emerging idea is that long-term alcohol abuse results in changes in gene expression in the brain and that these changes are responsible at least partly for alcohol tolerance, dependence and neurotoxicity, The overall goal of our research is to identify genes which are differentia[ly expressed in the brains of well-characterized human alcoholics as compared with non-alcoholics. This should identify as-yet-unknown alcohol-responsive genes, and may well confirm changes in the expression of genes which have been delineated in animal models of alcohol abuse. Cases were carefully selected and samples pooled on the basis of relevant criteria; differential expression was monitored by microarray hybridization. The inherent diversity of human alcoholics can be exploited to identify genes associated with specific pathological processes, as well as to assess the effects of concomitant disease, severity of brain damage, drinking behavior, and factors such as gender and smoking history. initial results show selective changes in gene expression in alcoholics; of particular importance is a coordinated reduction in genes coding for myelin components, Copyright (C) 2001 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel.

Spatially dynamic expression of Sry in mouse genital ridges

We have studied the spatial dynamics of Sry transcription in the genital ridges of mouse embryos. We find that Sry is expressed in a dynamic wave that emanates from the central and/or anterior regions, extends subsequently to both poles, and ends in the caudal pole. This dynamism may explain the relative positioning of ovarian and testicular tissue seen in ovotestes in mice. Since direct regulatory targets of SRY ought to be expressed in a corresponding or complimentary wave, our observations pave the way for identification of target genes. Sry is expressed in internal cells but not in coelomic surface epithelial cells, indicating that its effect on proliferation of surface cells is achieved non-cell-autonomously. The cellular dynamism of Sry expression revealed in this study thus provides important insights into both the cellular and molecular mode of action of SRY, and how perturbations in Sry expression can lead to anomalies of sexual development. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The life-history basis of latitudinal diversity gradients: how do species traits vary from the poles to the equator.

1. Latitudinal variation among species in life-history traits is often suggested to contribute to high tropical species richness. However, traditional methods of analysing such variation rarely control for phylogeny and latitudinal range overlap between species, potentially giving misleading results. 2. Using a method of pairwise independent contrasts which overcomes these problems, I tested for latitudinal variation among bird species in a number of traits which have been linked, theoretically or empirically, with both latitude and species richness. 3. This method indicates strong support for Rapoport's Rule and decreasing clutch size towards the equator in both hemispheres, but only partial support for decreasing body size and ecological generalism towards the equator. 4. Indirect measures of sexual selection (sexual dichromatism and size dimorphism) show no variation with latitude; an apparent increase in dichromatism towards the equator is shown to be an artefact of phylogeny. 5. Many of the associations between life history and latitude were not detected by traditional cross-species analyses, highlighting the importance of incorporating phylogeny and overlap in studies of geographical life-history variation. Establishing associations between life-history traits and latitude does not prove, but is a necessary prerequisite for., a link between these traits and latitudinal diversity gradients.

Genetic and environmental contributions to cannabis dependence in a national young adult twin sample

Background. This paper examines genetic and environmental contributions to risk of cannabis dependence. Method. Symptoms of cannabis dependence and measures of social, family and individual risk factors were assessed in a sample of 6265 young adult male and female Australian twins born 1964-1971. Results. Symptoms of cannabis dependence were common: 11(.)0% of sample (15(.)1% of men and 7(.)8% of women) reported two or more symptoms of dependence. Correlates of cannabis dependence included educational attainment, exposure to parental conflict, sexual abuse, major depression, social anxiety and childhood conduct disorder. However, even after control for the effects of these factors, there was evidence of significant genetic effects on risk of cannabis dependence. Standard genetic modelling indicated that 44(.)7% (95% CI = 15-72(.)2) of the variance in liability to cannabis dependence could be accounted for by genetic factors, 20(.)1% (95 CI = 0-43(.)6) could be attributed to shared environment factors and 35(.)3% (95% CI = 26(.)4-45(.)7) could be attributed to non-shared environmental factors. However, while there was no evidence of significant gender differences in the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences, a model which assumed both genetic and shared environmental influences on risks of cannabis dependence among men and shared environmental but no genetic influences among women provided an equally good fit to the data. Conclusions. There was consistent evidence that genetic risk factors are important determinants of risk of cannabis dependence among men. However, it remains uncertain whether there are genetic influences on liability to cannabis dependence among women.

Adaptation of rainbow fish to lake and stream habitats

Fish occupy a range of hydrological habitats that exert different demands on locomotor performance. We examined replicate natural populations of the rainbow fishes Melanotaenia eachamensis and M. duboulayi to determine if colonization of low-velocity (lake) habitats by fish from high-velocity (stream) habitats resulted in adaptation of locomotor morphology and performance. Relative to stream conspecifics, lake fish had more posteriorly positioned first dorsal and pelvic fins, and shorter second dorsal fin bases. Habitat dimorphism observed between wild-caught fish was determined to be heritable as it was retained in M. eachamensis offspring raised in a common garden. Repeated evolution of the same heritable phenotype in independently derived populations indicated body shape divergence was a consequence of natural selection. Morphological divergence between hydrological habitats did not support a priori expectations of deeper bodies and caudal peduncles in lake fish. However, observed divergence in fin positioning was consistent with a family-wide association between habitat and morphology, and with empirical studies on other fish species. As predicted, decreased demand for sustained swimming in takes resulted in a reduction in caudal red muscle area of lake fish relative to their stream counterparts. Melanotaenia duboulayi lake fish also had slower sustained swimming speeds (U-crit) than stream conspecifics. In M. eachamensis, habitat affected U-crit of males and females differently. Specifically, females exhibited the pattern observed in M. duboulayi (lake fish had faster U-crit than stream fish), but the opposite association was observed in males (stream males had slower Ucrit than lake males). Stream M. eachamensis also exhibited a reversed pattern of sexual dimorphism in U-crit (males slower than females) relative to all other groups (males faster than females). We suggest that M. eachamensis males from streams responded to factors other than water velocity. Although replication of muscle and U,,it phenotypes across same habitat populations within and/or among species was suggestive of adaptation, the common garden experiment did not confirm a genetic basis to these associations. Kinematic studies should consider the effect of the position and base length of dorsal fins.

Zygosity Diagnosis in the Absence of Genotypic Data: An Approach Using Latent Class Analysis

For zygosity diagnosis in the absence of genotypic data, or in the recruitment phase of a twin study where only single twins from same-sex pairs are being screened, or to provide a test for sample duplication leading to the false identification of a dizygotic pair as monozygotic, the appropriate analysis of respondents' answers to questions about zygosity is critical. Using data from a young adult Australian twin cohort (N = 2094 complete pairs and 519 singleton twins from same-sex pairs with complete responses to all zygosity items), we show that application of latent class analysis (LCA), fitting a 2-class model, yields results that show good concordance with traditional methods of zygosity diagnosis, but with certain important advantages. These include the ability, in many cases, to assign zygosity with specified probability on the basis of responses of a single informant (advantageous when one zygosity type is being oversampled); and the ability to quantify the probability of misassignment of zygosity, allowing prioritization of cases for genotyping as well as identification of cases of probable laboratory error. Out of 242 twins (from 121 like-sex pairs) where genotypic data were available for zygosity confirmation, only a single case was identified of incorrect zygosity assignment by the latent class algorithm. Zygosity assignment for that single case was identified by the LCA as uncertain (probability of being a monozygotic twin only 76%), and the co-twin's responses clearly identified the pair as dizygotic (probability of being dizygotic 100%). In the absence of genotypic data, or as a safeguard against sample duplication, application of LCA for zygosity assignment or confirmation is strongly recommended.

Signal trait sexual dimorphism and mutual sexual selection in Drosophila serrata

The evolution of sexual dimorphism may occur when natural and sexual selection result in different optimum trait values for males and females. Perhaps the most prominent examples of sexual dimorphism occur in sexually selected traits, for which males usually display exaggerated trait levels, while females may show reduced expression of the trait. In some species, females also exhibit secondary sexual traits that may either be a consequence of a correlated response to sexual selection on males or direct sexual selection for female secondary sexual traits. In this experiment, we simultaneously measure the intersex genetic correlations and the relative strength of sexual selection on males and females for a set of cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila serrata. There was significant directional sexual selection on both male and female cuticular hydrocarbons: the strength of sexual selection did not differ among the sexes but males and females preferred different cuticular hydrocarbons. In contrast with many previous studies of sexual dimorphism, intersex genetic correlations were low. The evolution of sexual dimorphism in D. serrata appears to have been achieved by sex-limited expression of traits controlled by genes on the X chromosome and is likely to be in its final stages.

Sexual dysfunction in the Australian population

AIM: To describe the prevalence and forms of sexual dysfunction experienced by Australians, and compare these with people in the United States. METHODS: A cross sectional, telephone interview survey of a randomly selected sample of men (n = 876) and women (n = 908) aged between 18 and 59 years on the electoral roll in all states and territories of Australia (response rate = 61%) was conducted between November 1999 and April 2000. RESULTS: Large proportions of Australian men (55.0%) and women (60.5%) reported at least one sexual problem within the preceding year. More serious sexual dysfunction (> 3 symptoms) was observed in 13.2% of men and 19.7% of women. DISCUSSION: Australia and the USA are similar with regard to the high rate of symptoms of sexual dysfunction observed in the population. The low rate of treatment points to both patient and doctor reluctance to discuss sexual performance and practices.

O impacto da exposição a experiências adversas na infância na ocorrência de dor crônica e depressão na vida adulta

A associação entre experiências adversas na infância e o desencadeamento de depressão ou dor crônica na vida adulta tem sido documentada, assim como a relação entre os sintomas de dor crônica e depressão. No entanto, há poucos estudos avaliando o papel da exposição a experiências adversas na infância na ocorrência dessa comorbidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a influência da exposição a experiências adversas na infância na ocorrência de dor crônica, de depressão e na comorbidade dor crônica e depressão na vida adulta, em uma amostra da população geral adulta (maiores de 18 anos) residente na Região metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Os dados são resultantes do Estudo Epidemiológicos dos Transtornos Mentais São Paulo Megacity. Os respondentes foram avaliados usando a versão desenvolvida para o Estudo Mundial de Saúde Mental do Composite International Diagnostic Interview da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WMH-CIDI), que é composto por módulos clínicos e nãoclínicos provendo diagnósticos de acordo com os critérios do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico dos Transtornos Mentais 4ª edição (DSM-IV). Um total de 5.037 indivíduos foi entrevistado, com uma taxa global de resposta de 81,3%. Foram realizadas análises descritivas para médias e proporções, e associações (Razões de Chances – OR) entre experiências adversas na infância, dor crônica e depressão através de regressão logística. Todas as análises foram realizadas através do programa estatístico Data Analysis and Statistical Software versão 12.0 (STATA 12.0), com testes bi-caudais com nível de significância de 5%. Uma elevada taxa de prevalência de dor crônica (31%, Erro Padrão [ER]=0.8) foi encontrada, Dor Crônica esteve associada aos transtornos de ansiedade (OR=2,3; 95% IC=1,9 – 3,0), transtornos de humor (OR=3,3; IC=2,6 – 4,4) em qualquer transtorno mental (OR=2,7; 95% IC=2,3 – 3,3). As adversidades na infância estiveram fortemente associadas aos respondentes com dor crônica e depressão concomitante, principalmente quanto ao abuso físico (OR=2,7; 95% IC=2,1 – 3,5) e sexual (OR=7,4; 95% IC=3,4 – 16,1).

Crime Económico Não Esquecendo Crime Clássico

Fala-se hoje em dia muito e bem no crime económico e social. Crime de colarinho branco. Também crime da ocupação, profissional ou amadora. Falamos sobre direito penal económico e social. Fraude fiscal, corrupção, branqueamento de capitais, crimes da bolsa, abuso de posição dominante, etc.. Contudo, isto não podemos esquecer o crime clássico, furtos, roubos, danos, ofensas à integridade física, violação, tortura, ameaças, ofensas à honra, injúria ou difamação, abuso sexual (não apenas de crianças), violação, homicídios domésticos ou entre estranhos, etc.. § There is talk nowadays long and hard in the economic and social crime. White collar crime. Also crime of occupation, professional or amateur. We talk about economic and social criminal law. Tax fraud, corruption, money laundering, stock crimes, abuse of dominant position, etc .. However, this can not forget the classic crime, theft, robbery, damage, bodily harm, rape, torture, threats, insults to honor, slander or defamation, sexual abuse (not just children), rape, domestic or among strangers murders, etc ..

Infidelidade e ciúme no relacionamento amoroso e sexual

RESUMO: O presente estudo tem como objectivo avaliar a relação, por género, entre a infidelidade, o ciúme e a satisfação sexual. Para tal foi utilizada uma amostra de 186 sujeitos, de ambos os sexos, que preencheram um protocolo que incluía como medidas de avaliação um questionário de dados demográficos,um de envolvimentos românticos e sexuais, um de reacções emocionais à infidelidade do parceiro, o Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (Pfeiffer & Wong, 1989), o Big Five Inventory (Benet-Martinez & Oliver, 1998) e o Index Sexual Satisfaction (Hudson, Harrison & Crosscup, 1981). Foram encontradas diferenças entre géneros face à infidelidade, sendo que os homens consideram pior uma infidelidade sexual e as mulheres uma infidelidade emocional. A insatisfação sexual associou-se positivamente ao ciúme, em ambos os sexos, contudo, nas mulheres associou-se positivamente a duas dimensões do ciúme enquanto nos homens apenas se associou a uma. O ciúme associou-se de forma positiva com alguns sentimentos como traição, engano, ódio, rejeição ou desilusão, face à infidelidade, em ambos os sexos, o que parece indicar que ambos os sexos reagem aos dois tipos de infidelidade, contudo diferenciam-se na experiência dos sentimentos a ela associados. ABSTRACT: This study aims to assess the relationship, by gender, between infidelity, jealousy and sexual satisfaction. To this end it was used a sample of 186 individuals of both sexes, who completed a protocol that included evaluating measures such as one questionnaire assessing demographic data, one of sexual and romantic entanglements, and another one of emotional reactions to infidelity of the partner, Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (Pfeiffer & Wong,1989), the Big Five Inventory (Benet-Martinez & Oliver, 1998) and Sexual Satisfaction Index (Hudson, Harrison & Crosscup, 1981). Gender differences were found in relation to infidelity, while men consider worse sexual infidelity, women consider it emotional infidelity. Sexual dissatisfaction was positively associated with jealousy in both sexes, however, in women it was positively associated with the two dimensions of jealousy while in men it was associated with only one. Jealousy was associated positively with some feelings of betrayal, deceit, hate, rejection or disappointment towards infidelity for both sexes, suggesting that both sexes respond to the two types of infidelity, however they differ when experiencing feelings associated with it.

A theoretical model of the evolution of virulence in sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS

INTRODUCTION: The evolution of virulence in host-parasite relationships has been the subject of several publications. In the case of HIV virulence, some authors suggest that the evolution of HIV virulence correlates with the rate of acquisition of new sexual partners. In contrast some other authors argue that the level of HIV virulence is independent of the sexual activity of the host population. METHODS: Provide a mathematical model for the study of the potential influence of human sexual behaviour on the evolution of virulence of HIV is provided. RESULTS: The results indicated that, when the probability of acquisition of infection is a function both of the sexual activity and of the virulence level of HIV strains, the evolution of HIV virulence correlates positively with the rate of acquisition of new sexual partners. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that in the case of a host population with a low (high) rate of exchange of sexual partners the evolution of HIV virulence is such that the less (more) virulent strain prevails.

Necessidades de formação em educação para a saúde em contexto escolar: contributos para os currículos de enfermagem

Tese de Doutoramento, Educação (Desenvolvimento Curricular), 9 de Dezembro de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Role of the wider Azores region as a nursery ground for North Atlantic blue shark (Prionace glauca)

Tese de Doutoramento, Ciências do Mar (Ecologia Marinha)

Locus of control and contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among university students

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between locus of control and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pill and condom use among university students. METHODS: The inquiry was developed in Campinas, a city in Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. A total of 295 adolescent newcomers to a public university answered a structured questionnaire and Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale. The scores of the dimensions of locus of control were calculated and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess their correlation with knowledge and practice concerning pill and condom use. In order to assess the relationship between the dimensions of locus of control and sociodemographic variables and variables related to the individuals' sex life, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used. RESULTS: Male adolescents had higher scores of powerful others externality when compared to female adolescents (p=0.01). Students living alone had lower internality (p=0.01). When locus of control was compared to condom use in the first intercourse, considering only the 102 students who informed the age of the beginning of sexual activity, greater internality was found among male adolescents who did not use condoms (p<0.05). When the locus of control scores were correlated with contraceptive knowledge and practice, it was found that the higher the powerful others externality locus, the lower the adequate use of contraceptive methods (r = -0.22, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The powerful others externality locus influences the practice of contraceptive use in this group of adolescents.