Differential effects of biological sex and relationship status on aspects of sociosexuality

Individuals differ in their orientation toward uncommitted sexual encounters. While previous research has given much emphasis on biological sex as important factor of influence, social determinants, such as relationship status, have been rather ignored. In the present study, the effects of biological sex and relationship status were investigated in a sample of 501 heterosexual adults (mean age: 28.1 years; 71.7 % female). Two-way analyses of variance yielded main effects of biological sex on Sociosexual Attitude and Desire implying men to be more permissive than women with regard to both facets. Relationship status had a main effect on Sociosexual Desire with singles having more permissive motivations than partnered individuals. Concerning Sociosexual Behavior, an interaction between biological sex and relationship status emerged indicating men to be more permissive than women among partnered individuals, but not among singles. Our results complement earlier research by highlighting the differential influence of biological sex and relationship status on aspects of sociosexuality.

Computer simulation of electrophoretic aspects of enantiomer migration and separation in capillary electrochromatography with a neutral selector.

A computer simulation study describing the electrophoretic separation and migration of methadone enantiomers in presence of free and immobilized (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-CD is presented. The 1:1 interaction of methadone with the neutral CD was simulated by using experimentally determined mobilities and complexation constants for the complexes in a low-pH BGE comprising phosphoric acid and KOH. The use of complex mobilities represents free solution conditions with the chiral selector being a buffer additive, whereas complex mobilities set to zero provide data that mimic migration and separation with the chiral selector being immobilized, that is CEC conditions in absence of unspecific interaction between analytes and the chiral stationary phase. Simulation data reveal that separations are quicker, electrophoretic displacement rates are reduced, and sensitivity is enhanced in CEC with on-column detection in comparison to free solution conditions. Simulation is used to study electrophoretic analyte behavior at the interface between sample and the CEC column with the chiral selector (analyte stacking) and at the rear end when analytes leave the environment with complexation (analyte destacking). The latter aspect is relevant for off-column analyte detection in CEC and is described here for the first time via the dynamics of migrating analyte zones. Simulation provides insight into means to counteract analyte dilution at the column end via use of a BGE with higher conductivity. Furthermore, the impact of EOF on analyte migration, separation, and detection for configurations with the selector zone being displaced or remaining immobilized under buffer flow is simulated. In all cases, the data reveal that detection should occur within or immediately after the selector zone.

THE EFFECT OF RELAXIN ON BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RAT MYOMETRIAL CELLS IN CULTURE (CYCLIC-AMP, CELL SHAPE CHANGE)

Relaxin is able to inhibit spontaneous, oxytocin-and prostaglandin-driven uterine contractions. The intracellular mechanism of action of relaxin on uterine relaxation had previously been studied using isometrically suspended uterine strips. Since uterine strips contain stroma as well as myometrium, the changes in biochemical parameters induced by relaxin treatment may not occur in the same cell types responsible for the physical changes. In these studies, cultures of enriched populations of rat myometrial cells were used to investigate the effect of relaxin on biochemical and morphological parameters which are related to relaxation.^ Under optimal culture conditions (initial plating density 1 - 1.5 x 10('6)cells/ml, 3 ml/35 mm dish, 2 days culture), enzymatically isolated rat myometrial cells were able to respond to relaxin with cAMP elevation. Relaxin elevated cAMP levels in the presence but not the absence of 0.1 mM methylisobutylxanthine or 0.4 um forskolin in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, isoproterenol was able to elevate cAMP levels in the presence and absence of 0.1 mM methylisobutylxanthine.^ Oxytocin treatment caused a decrease in mean cell length and area of myometrial cells in culture which could be considered analogous to contraction. Under optimal culture conditions, relaxin increased myometrial cell length and area (i.e. analogous to relaxation) of oxytocin-treated cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Other relaxants such as isoproterenol and dibutyryl cAMP also increased cell length and area of oxytocin - treated myometrial cells in culture.^ Under optimal culture conditions, relaxin decreased myosin light chain kinase activity in a time-and concentration-dependent manner by increasing the K(,50) of the enzyme for calmodulin (CaM), i.e. decreasing the affinity of the enzyme for CaM. The decrease in the affinity of myosin light chain kinase for CaM may be due to the phosphorylation of the enzyme by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Relaxin also decreased the Ca('2+)(.)CaM-independent myosin light chain kinase activity to a lesser extent than that of the Ca('2+)(.)CaM-dependent enzyme activity. This was not attributable to a decrease in the affinity of the enzyme for myosin in myometrial cells in culture, in contrast to the finding of such a change following relaxin treatment of uterine strips. Further studies are required to clarify this point.^ There was a temporal association between the effects of relaxin on elevation of cAMP levels in the presence of 0.4 uM forskolin, increase in cell length and decrease in myosin light chain kinase activity. . . . (Author's abstract exceeds stipulated maximum length. Discontinued here with permission of author.) UMI ^

New aspects of estrogen action in the endometrium: Reciprocal interplay with retinoic acid pathway and a novel estrogen-regulated gene

The uterine endometrium is a major target for the estrogen. However, the molecular basis of estrogen action in the endometrium is largely unknown. I have used two approaches to study the effects of estrogen on the endometrium. One approach involved the study of the interaction between estrogen and retinoic acid (RA) pathways in the endometrium. I have demonstrated that estrogen administration to rodents and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in postmenopausal women selectively induced the endometrial expression of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase II (RALDH2), a critical enzyme of RA biosynthesis. RALDH2 was expressed exclusively in the stromal cells, especially in the stroma adjacent to the luminal and glandular epithelia. The induction of RALDH2 by estrogen required estrogen receptor and occurred via a direct increase in RALDH2 transcription. Among the three RA receptors, estrogen selectively induced the expression of RARα. In parallel, estrogen also increased the utilization of all-trans retinol (the substrate for RA biosynthesis) and the expression of two RA-regulated marker genes, cellular retinoic acid binding protein II (CRABP2) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) in the endometrium. Thus estrogen coordinately upregulated both the production and signaling of RA in both the rodent and human endometrium. This coordinate upregulation of RA system appeared to play a role in counterbalancing the stimulatory effects of estrogen on the endometrium, since the depletion of endogenous RA in mice led to an increase in estrogen-stimulated stromal proliferation and endometrial Akt phosphorylation. In addition, I have also used a systematic approach (DNA microarray) to categorize genes and pathways affected by the ERT in the endometrium of postmenopausal women and identified a novel estrogen-regulated gene EIG121. EIG121 was exclusively expressed in the glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium and induced by estrogen in vivo and in cultured cell lines. Compared with the normal endometrium, EIG121 was highly overexpressed in type 1 endometrial cancer, but profoundly suppressed in type 2 endometrial tumors. Taken together, these studies suggested that estrogen regulates the expression of many genes of both the pro-proliferative and anti-proliferative pathways and the abnormality of these pathways may increase the risks for estrogen-dependent endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. ^

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 694 - "German Economy, Politics and Culture, 1900-1933", "The Collapse of German Democracy and the Expansion of National Socialism" (p. IX 168e - IX 169a)

"German Economy, Politics and Culture, 1900-1933. A Research Project of the International Institute of Social Research" (1940):; 1. Umriß des Forschungsprojekts: e)-g) Fassung vom 25.5.1940: e) Typoskript, 63 Blatt, f) Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 61 Blatt, g) Typoskript, 61 Blatt, h)-k) "Introduction": h) Typoskript, 21 Blatt, i) Typoskript, 15 Blatt, k) D.V. Glass: Entwurf, Manuskript, 17 Blatt; 2. Kostenschätzung zum Forschungsprojekt. 1 Blatt; "The Collapse of German Democracy and the Expansion of National Socialism" (1940):; 1. Darstellung des Forschungsprojekts (15.9.1940), a) als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 70 Blatt;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 695 - "The Collapse of German Democracy and the Expansion of National Socialism", "Cultural Aspects of National Socialism" u.a. (p. IX 169.1a - IX 170.1-4)

"The Collapse of German Democracy and the Expansion of National Socialism" (1940):; 1. Darstellung des Forschungsprojekts (15.9.1940), b. Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 78 Blatt; 2. "Research work on recent trends in the history of ideas (parts of the Research project on the Collapse of German Democracy would be included)". Als Memorandum zur Eröffnung zur Eröffnung einer Zweigstelle des Instituts in Los Angeles (12.12.1940): a) Typoskript, 2 Blatt, b) Teilstück, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 1 Blatt, c) Teilstück, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 1 Blatt, d) Teilstück, Typoskript, 1 Blatt, e) Teilstück, Typoskript, 1 Blatt, f) Entwurf, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen und Manuskript, 3 Blatt; 3. University of California, Los Angeles: 2 Briefe (Abschrift) von Max Horkheimer, o.O., 1940, 2 Briefe (Abschrift) an Max Horkheimer, 1940, 2 Blatt; A.R.L. Gurland: "Survey of Structural Changes in the German Economy, 1933 to 1939. Technological Bases and Organizational Forms of the National Socialist Economic System". Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen unter anderem von Theodor W. Adorno, 48 Blatt (formal nicht identisch mit "Technological Trends and Economic Structure under National Socialism", Studies in Philosophy and Social Science, Bd. IX, 1941, S. 226ff.); "Cultural Aspects of National Socialism. A Research Project" (1941):; 1. Institute of Social Research: Mitteilung über das Forschungsprojekt und das 'Supplementary Statement', Typoskript, englisch, 4 Blatt; 2. Supplementary Statement to the Research Project, a) Typoskript, 14.4.1941, 63 Blatt, b) Typoskript, 12.4.1941, mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 35 Blatt; 3. "Cultural Aspects of National Socialism. A Research Project" (24.2.1941), a) als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 54 Blatt, b) Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 34 Blatt, c) Fassung Januar 1941, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 40 Blatt; 4. Inhaltsverzeichnisse, mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 3 Blatt;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 697 - Cultural Aspects of National Socialism. A Research Project (p. IX 170.6 - 170.10)

"Bureaucracy" verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, circa 51 Blatt; Handschriftliche Notizen, 4 Blatt; "Mass Culture" verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, circa 40 Blatt ; zwei Manuskripte, eins von Max Horkheimer, 3 Blatt; "Anti-Christianity" verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, circa 51 Blatt; Eigenhändige Notizen von Max Horkheimer, 1 Blatt; "The War and Post-War Generation" verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, darunter ein Typoskript auf deutsch, mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen von Max Horkheimer, circa 67 Blatt; "Ideological Permeation of Labor and New Middle Classes" [enthält unter anderem den Titel "The German Masses and the Philosophy of National Socialism"] verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, circa 36 Blatt; Notizem, 2 Blatt;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 699 - Cultural Aspects of National Socialism. A Research Project (p. IX 170.15-17a - IX 170.19)

Neumann, Franz: Memorandum über Gespräche mit Harold Lasswell. 30.03.1941, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korekturen, 4 Blatt; Neumann, Franz: Memorandum über Gespräche mit Goodvin Watson. 21.05.1941, Typoskript, 2 Blatt; [Anderson, Eugene N.:] "Professor Anderson's Notes and criticisms to the project of German society and culture". Typoskript, 7 Blatt; "Budget for the proposed Research Project of Cultural Aspects of National Socialism". Handschriftliche Notizen, 1 Blatt; Institut of Social Research: Brief an Rockefeller Foundation, New York, 24.06.1941 verschiedene Typoskripte, zum Teil mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, circa 35 Blatt; ein Manuskript, 6 Blatt; ein Entwurf, Typoskript, 1 Blatt; Adorno, Theodor W.: 2 Briefe an I. Berlin, ohne Ort, 1940-1941; Empfehlungsschreiben zur Unterstützung des Projekts, von: Lutz, Ralph H.: 1 Brief (Abschrift) an Frederick Pollock, 11.07.1941; MacIver, Robert M.: 1 Brief (Abschrift): an New York Foundation, ohne Ort, 07.07.1941; Shotwell, James T.: 1 Brief (Abschrift) an Frederick Pollock, Woodstock, 08.07.1941; Radin, MAx: 1 Brief (Abschrift) an New York Foundation, [Los Angeles], 08.07-1941; 5 Blatt; Antwortbriefe an das Institut bzw. Max Horkheimer aufgrund der Zusendung des Umrisses des Forschungsprojektes, von: Lorwin, Lewis L.; Wooleton, H.; O'Quin, Patricia, Odum, Howard W.; Fay, Sidney B.; Merriam, Charles E.; Hoover, Calvin B.; Garrison, Lloyd K.; März bis Mai 1941, 8 Blatt;

THE EFFECT OF PERSON-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION ON ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUBJECTIVE DISTRESS OF OPTOMETRY STUDENTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an incongruence between personality characteristics of individuals and concomitant charcteristics of health professional training environments on salient dimensions contributes to aspects of mental health. The dimensions examined were practical-theoretical orientation and the degree of structure-unstructure. They were selected for study as they are particularly important attributes of students and of learning environments. It was proposed that when the demand of the environment is disparate from the proclivities of the individual, strain arises. This strain was hypothesized to contribute to anxiety, depression, and subjective distress.^ Select subscales on the Omnibus Personality Inventory (OPI) were the operationalized measures for the personality component of the dimensions studied. An environmental index was developed to assess students' perceptions of the learning environment on these same dimensions. The Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and General Well-Being schedule measured the outcome variables.^ A congruence model was employed to determine person-environment (P-E) interaction. Scores on the scales of the OPI and the environmental index were divided into high, medium, and low based on the range of scores. Congruence was defined as a match between the level of personality need and the complementary level of the perception of the environment. Alternatively, incongruence was defined as a mismatch between the person and the environment. The consistent category was compared to the inconsistent categories by an analysis of variance procedure. Furthermore, analyses of covariance were conducted with perceived supportiveness of the learning environment and life events external to the learning environment as the covariates. These factors were considered critical influences affecting the outcome measures.^ One hundred and eighty-five students (49% of the population) at the College of Optometry at the University of Houston participated in the study. Students in all four years of the program were equally represented in the study. However, the sample differed from the total population on representation by sex, marital status, and undergraduate major.^ The results of the study did not support the hypotheses. Further, after having adjusted for perceived supportiveness and life events external to the learning environment, there were no statistically significant differences between the congruent category and incongruent categories. Means indicated than the study sample experienced significantly lower depression and subjective distress than the normative samples.^ Results are interpreted in light of their utility for future study design in the investigation of the effects of P-E interaction. Emphasized is the question of the feasibility of testing a P-E interaction model with extant groups. Recommendations for subsequent research are proposed in light of the exploratory nature of the methodology. ^

Sample characteristics and pigment concentration of arctic snow and permafrost algal strains

Ten algal strains from snow and permafrost substrates were tested for their ability to produce secondary carotenoids and ?-tocopherol in response to high light and decreased nitrogen levels. The Culture Collection of Cryophilic Algae at Fraunhofer IBMT in Potsdam served as the bioresource for this study. Eight of the strains belong to the Chlorophyceae and two strains are affiliated to the Trebouxiophyceae. While under low light, all 10 strains produced the normal spectrum of primary pigments known to be present in Chlorophyta, only the eight chlorophyceaen strains were able to synthesize secondary carotenoids under stress conditions, namely canthaxanthin, echinenone and astaxanthin; seven of them were also able to synthesize minor amounts of adonixanthin and an unidentified hydroxyechinenone. The two trebouxiophyceaen species of Raphidonema exhibited an unusually high pool of primary xanthophyll cycle pigments, possibly serving as a buffering reservoir against excessive irradiation. They also proved to be good alpha-tocopherol producers, which might also support the deactivation of reactive oxygen species. This study showed that some strains might be interesting novel candidates for biotechnological applications. Cold-adapted, snow and permafrost algae might serve as valuable production strains still exhibiting acceptable growth rates during the cold season in temperate regions.