Effects of Wp-PKC on gonadal development of Whitmania pigra / 中国中药杂志

Protein kinase C(PKC) is a kind of kinase which is widely involved in cell proliferation and development. PKC(Wp-PKC) in Whitmania pigra body belongs to classic PKC. In order to investigate the effect of Wp-PKC on the development of Wh. pigra germ cells, 17β-estradiol(17β-E2)(100 ng·mL~(-1)) and methyltestosterone(MT)(150 μg·L~(-1)), 150 μg·L~(-1)(MT)+0.5 mg·L~(-1) PKC, 0.5 mg·L~(-1) PKC inhibitor were added to Wh. pigra culture water, and no addition group(control group) was added, and the effects on the development of Wh. pigra germ cells and the expression of Wp-PKC were observed. The results showed that: Wp-PKC in male gonads was always higher than that in female gonads; MT promoted the development of male gonads in Wh. pigra, while the expression of Wp-PKC was significantly higher than that in the control; 17β-E2 promoted the development of female gonads in Wh. pigra and Wp-PKC expression significantly lower than that of the control; while the development of the female and male gonads in the PKC inhibitor group was inhibited, the expression of Wp-PKC was significantly lower than that of the control. In summary, Wp-PKC may promote the development of Wh. pigra, especially the development of male gonads.

Masculinization in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by androgen immersion: The interaction effect of hormone concentration and immersion time / Masculinização na carpa comum (Cyprinus carpio) por imersão em androgênio: Efeito da interação da concentração hormonal e do tempo de imersão

Synthetic androgens (male hormones) administered to fish nursery are being used in aquaculture to avoid sexual differentiation and unwanted spawning at the eggs or the first feeding fry stage of fish. Present trial was conducted with the aim to produce male common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by egg immersion technique. Through this little insight, the effect of different hormone concentrations (17α-methyltestosterone @ HC:150, 300, 450 and 600 µgl-1) with immersion times (IT: 24, 48 and 72 hrs) and their interaction effect (HC x IT) on the hatching percentage of Cyprinus carpio eggs, percent survival and percent of male's production was evaluated specifically. Results showed that egg hatching percentage decreased with increased IT likewise, survival of treated fry was affected by increasing the IT (P<0.001). The main interaction effect of HC x IT showed that the highest percent of male individuals (95%) was obtained at 450-600 µgl-1 HC for 72 hrs IT, followed by 88-92.50% at 150-300 µgl-1 HC for 72-hrsof IT, 87.50% at 48-hrs of IT for rest of the hormone treatments, and lowest 47.50% was recorded in control (P<0.05). Increased percent male of Cyprinus carpio was obtained with increasing HC across all ITs. It was observed that the immersion treatment at 600µgl-1 for 72 hours was more effective to change the sex ratio of pre hatch Cyprinus carpio. A comparative outlook made from this experimental trial that sex induction of Cyprinus carpio by eggs immersion using synthetic male steroid hormone is an alternative safe technique of fish sex reversal in contrast to oral administration of hormone in fish feed.

Andrógenos sintéticos (hormônios masculinos) administrados ao viveiro de peixes estão sendo usados ​​na aquicultura para evitar a diferenciação sexual e a desova indesejada nos ovos ou no primeiro estágio de alimentação dos peixes. O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de produzir carpa comum masculina (Cyprinuscarpio) pela técnica de imersão em ovos. Com essa pequena percepção, o efeito de diferentes concentrações hormonais (17α-metiltestosterona @ HC: 150, 300, 450 e 600 µgl-1) com tempos de imersão (IT: 24, 48 e 72 horas) e seu efeito de interação (HC x IT) na porcentagem de eclosão dos ovos de Cyprinuscarpio, a porcentagem de sobrevivência e a porcentagem da produção masculina foram avaliadas especificamente. Os resultados mostraram que a porcentagem de incubação de ovos diminuiu com o aumento da TI da mesma forma, a sobrevivência dos alevinos tratados foi afetada pelo aumento da TI (P <0,001). O principal efeito de interação do HC x IT mostrou que o maior percentual de indivíduos do sexo masculino (95%) foi obtido com 450-600 µgl-1 HC por 72 horas de TI, seguido por 88-92,50% com 150-300 µgl-1 HC para 72 horas de TI, 87,50% às 48 horas de TI para o restante dos tratamentos hormonais, e 47,50% mais baixos foram registrados no controle (P <0,05). A porcentagem aumentada de macho de Cyprinuscarpio foi obtida com o aumento do HC em todas as TIs. Observou-se que o tratamento de imersão a 600µgl-1 por 72 horas foi mais efetivo na alteração da razão sexual do Cyprinuscarpio antes da eclosão. Uma perspectiva comparativa feita a partir deste ensaio experimental de que a indução sexual de Cyprinuscarpio por imersão de ovos usando hormônio esteróide masculino sintético é uma técnica alternativa segura de reversão do sexo em peixes, em contraste com a administração oral de hormônio na alimentação de peixes.

Differences in dietary intakes, body compositions, and biochemical indices between metabolically healthy and metabolically abnormal obese Korean women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are various factors that affect metabolic abnormalities related to obesity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences in dietary intakes and body compositions of obese women according to metabolic risks and to classify them as metabolically healthy obese (MHO) or metabolically abnormal obese (MAO). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was conducted on 59 obese Korean women aged 19 to 60 years. NCEP-ATPIII criteria were applied and the women classified as MHO (n = 45) or MAO (n = 14). Body composition of each subject was measured by using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Three-day food records were used to analyze dietary intake. Eating habits and health-related behaviors were determined through questionnaires. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure resting metabolic rate and respiratory rate. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 43.7 years. The analysis of body composition according to phenotype revealed significantly higher body fat mass (P < 0.05), arm fat mass (P < 0.05), and android fat mass (P < 0.05), as measured by DEXA, in the MAO group than in the MHO group. There was no significant difference in the dietary intake of the two groups. However, eating behaviors differed. Compared to the MHO group, the MAO women had a shorter meal time (less than 10 minutes), a preference of oily foods, and a tendency to eat until full. Therefore, the eating habits of MHO women were more positive than those of MAO women. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that fat distribution in each body region affects various metabolic abnormalities. A high level of arm fat mass in obese Korean women may increase metabolic risk. In addition, eating habits of obese Korean women are considered to be environmental factors affecting the metabolic phenotype of obese Korean women.

Development of a smartphone application for providing disinfectant information on livestock industry / 대한수의학회지

It is important to select the correct disinfectants and to use them appropriately in order to prevent the initial spread of highly infectious livestock disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease or highly pathogenic avian influenza. This study describes a smartphone application developed to enable livestock workers to observe information related to disinfectants for the prevention of livestock disease in the domestic market, regardless of time and location, through a Linux-based Android mobile platform. This application (Konkuk-Disinfectant Information Database) provides information on disinfectant names, components, license and use; it was designed to enable the user to share disinfectant information through social media.

Ecological Momentary Assessment Using Smartphone-Based Mobile Application for Affect and Stress Assessment / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the process of utilizing a mobile application for ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to collect data on stress and mood in daily life setting. METHODS: A mobile application for the Android operating system was developed and installed with a set of questions regarding momentary mood and stress into a smartphone of a participant. The application sets alarms at semi-random intervals in 60-minute blocks, four times a day for 7 days. After obtaining all momentary affect and stress, the questions to assess the usability of the mobile EMA application were also administered. RESULTS: The data were collected from 97 police officers working in Gyeonggi Province of South Korea. The mean completion rate was 60.0% ranging from 3.5% to 100%. The means of positive and negative affect were 18.34 of 28 and 19.09 of 63. The mean stress was 17.92 of 40. Participants responded that the mobile application correctly measured their affect (4.34 ± 0.83) and stress (4.48 ± 0.62) of 5-point Likert scale. CONCLUSIONS: Our study investigated the process of utilizing a mobile application to assess momentary affect and stress at repeated times. We found challenges regarding adherence to the research protocol, such as completion and delay of answering after alarm notification. Despite this inherent issue of adherence to the research protocol, the EMA still has advantages of reducing recall bias and assessing the actual moment of interest at multiple time points that improves ecological validity.

Augmented Reality to Localize Individual Organ in Surgical Procedure / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Augmented reality (AR) technology has become rapidly available and is suitable for various medical applications since it can provide effective visualization of intricate anatomical structures inside the human body. This paper describes the procedure to develop an AR app with Unity3D and Vuforia software development kit and publish it to a smartphone for the localization of critical tissues or organs that cannot be seen easily by the naked eye during surgery. METHODS: In this study, Vuforia version 6.5 integrated with the Unity Editor was installed on a desktop computer and configured to develop the Android AR app for the visualization of internal organs. Three-dimensional segmented human organs were extracted from a computerized tomography file using Seg3D software, and overlaid on a target body surface through the developed app with an artificial marker. RESULTS: To aid beginners in using the AR technology for medical applications, a 3D model of the thyroid and surrounding structures was created from a thyroid cancer patient's DICOM file, and was visualized on the neck of a medical training mannequin through the developed AR app. The individual organs, including the thyroid, trachea, carotid artery, jugular vein, and esophagus were localized by the surgeon's Android smartphone. CONCLUSIONS: Vuforia software can help even researchers, students, or surgeons who do not possess computer vision expertise to easily develop an AR app in a user-friendly manner and use it to visualize and localize critical internal organs without incision. It could allow AR technology to be extensively utilized for various medical applications.

Developing and Clinical Application of a Smartphone Mobile Mood Chart Application in Korean for Patients with Bipolar Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a Korean version of a mood chart application on an Android platform. METHODS: This application is based on the traditional mood chart. Eighteen adults with DSM-5 bipolar disorder were enrolled from November 2016 to March 2017. They were asked to rate their daily mood scores and severity of irritability and impulsivity for six months. Their clinicians rated their symptom severity monthly using the Clinical Global Impression-7 (CGI-7) scale. After six months, the participants completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their satisfaction with the application. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, one withdrew their consent from this study and six were males (35.3%) ; their mean age was 31.71±8.56 years. The mean follow-up duration was 159.12±49.45 days and the period of application use was 143.65±52.11 days. The mean total response rate was 59.45% and the mean response rate on the same day was 43.06%. The adherence to using the application decreased significantly declined over the duration since enrollment [odds ratio (OR)=1.008, p=0.008] but tended to increase according to age (OR=0.958, p=0.002). The application mood scores were correlated significantly with the manic (β=0.307, p=0.004) and depressive (β=−0.701, p < 0.001) subscale, and the total (β=1.026, p=0.002) of the CGI-7 (linear mixed models). The majority of subjects agreed that the application helped them manage their symptoms (92.86%), stating that the application was easy to use (78.57%). CONCLUSION: This application could be a valid and useful tool to monitor the mood symptoms of patients with bipolar disorder in Korea.

Development of the IMB Model and an Evidence-Based Diabetes Self-management Mobile Application / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study developed a diabetes self-management mobile application based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model, evidence extracted from clinical practice guidelines, and requirements identified through focus group interviews (FGIs) with diabetes patients. METHODS: We developed a diabetes self-management (DSM) app in accordance with the following four stages of the system development life cycle. The functional and knowledge requirements of the users were extracted through FGIs with 19 diabetes patients. A system diagram, data models, a database, an algorithm, screens, and menus were designed. An Android app and server with an SSL protocol were developed. The DSM app algorithm and heuristics, as well as the usability of the DSM app were evaluated, and then the DSM app was modified based on heuristics and usability evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 11 requirement themes were identified through the FGIs. Sixteen functions and 49 knowledge rules were extracted. The system diagram consisted of a client part and server part, 78 data models, a database with 10 tables, an algorithm, and a menu structure with 6 main menus, and 40 user screens were developed. The DSM app was Android version 4.4 or higher for Bluetooth connectivity. The proficiency and efficiency scores of the algorithm were 90.96% and 92.39%, respectively. Fifteen issues were revealed through the heuristic evaluation, and the app was modified to address three of these issues. It was also modified to address five comments received by the researchers through the usability evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The DSM app was developed based on behavioral change theory through IMB models. It was designed to be evidence-based, user-centered, and effective. It remains necessary to fully evaluate the effect of the DSM app on the DSM behavior changes of diabetes patients.

Comparing the Self-Report and Measured Smartphone Usage of College Students: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: Nowadays smartphone overuse has become a social and medical concern. For the diagnosis and treatment, clinicians use the self-report information, but the report data often does not match actual usage pattern. The paper examines the similarity and variance in smartphone usage patterns between the measured data and self-reported data. METHODS: Together with the self-reported data, the real usage log data is collected from 35 college students in a metropolitan region of Northeast Asia, using Android smartphone monitoring application developed by the authors. RESULTS: The unconscious users underestimate their usage time by 40%, in spite of 15% more use in the actual usage. Messengers are most-used application regardless of their self-report, and significant preference to SNS applications was observed in addict group. The actual hourly pattern is consistent with the reported one. College students use more in the afternoon, when they have more free time and cannot use PCs. No significant difference in hourly pattern is observed between the measured and self-report. CONCLUSION: The result shows there are significant cognitive bias in actual usage patterns exists in self report of smartphone addictions. Clinicians are recommended to utilize measurement tools in diagnosis and treatment of smartphone overusing subjects.

Identification and expression analysis of two Wnt4 genes in the spotted scat (Scatophagus argus)

Background: WNT4 is a protein that plays a crucial role in ovarian differentiation and development in mammals, with a relatively well understood function in mammalian gonadal differentiation. The role of WNT4 in teleost fish; however, remains unclear. In the present study, cDNAs of Wnt4a and Wnt4b were cloned and characterized in the spotted scat. The expression patterns of two Wnt4 genes in the gonads at different stages of development and in fish after treatment with 17a-methyltestosterone (MT) were investigated. Results: The tissue distribution showed that Wnt4a was expressed in various tissues, including the gonads, gills, spleen, brain, and fin. Interestingly, Wnt4b not only was expressed in the gills, brain, and spleen, but also was obviously expressed in the ovary. During gonad development, Wnt4a was highly expressed in the testis at stage I and Wnt4b was mainly expressed in the ovary at stages II-III. After MT treatment, the mRNA expression of Wnt4a increased significantly up to 40 d, and the transcript level of Wnt4b decreased at 20 d. Conclusions: These results suggest that Wnt4a may be involved in gonad development and plays a role in the process of spermatogonial proliferation. Our results also demonstrate that Wnt4b is not only expressed in the nervous system, but also in the ovary and it may be involved in ovary development of the spotted scat.

The development of a mobile u-Health program and evaluation for self-diet management for diabetic patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a mobile nutritional management program for integration into the already developed web-based program, Diabetes Mellitus Dietary Management Guide (DMDMG) for diabetic patients. Further, we aim to evaluate the amended DMDMG program. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The mobile application based on an Android operating system includes three parts: 1) record of diet intake, which allows users to take pictures of the meal and save to later add diet records into DMDMG; 2) an alarm system that rings at each meal time, which reminds users to input the data; 3) displays the diet record and the results of nutrient intake, which can be also viewed through the web program. All three parts are linked to the web-based program. A survey was conducted to evaluate the program in terms of nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude, eating behavior and diet intake by non-equivalent control group design among diabetic patients with 14 DMDMG users and 12 non-user controls after a one-month trial of DMDMG. RESULTS: Non-users did not use the program, but participated in the weekly off-line nutrition classes for one month. The program users showed increased healthful dietary behavior (P < 0.01) and dietary attitude scores (P < 0.05). More DMDMG users had higher nutrition knowledge scores after one-month trial than non-users. However, dietary intake significantly increased in non-user group for calcium and sodium (P < 0.05) while the user group did not show significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The program has created positive changes in patients' dietary life. All the users were satisfied with the program, although some expressed minor difficulties with an unfamiliar mobile app.

The development of a mobile u-Health program and evaluation for self-diet management for diabetic patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a mobile nutritional management program for integration into the already developed web-based program, Diabetes Mellitus Dietary Management Guide (DMDMG) for diabetic patients. Further, we aim to evaluate the amended DMDMG program. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The mobile application based on an Android operating system includes three parts: 1) record of diet intake, which allows users to take pictures of the meal and save to later add diet records into DMDMG; 2) an alarm system that rings at each meal time, which reminds users to input the data; 3) displays the diet record and the results of nutrient intake, which can be also viewed through the web program. All three parts are linked to the web-based program. A survey was conducted to evaluate the program in terms of nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude, eating behavior and diet intake by non-equivalent control group design among diabetic patients with 14 DMDMG users and 12 non-user controls after a one-month trial of DMDMG. RESULTS: Non-users did not use the program, but participated in the weekly off-line nutrition classes for one month. The program users showed increased healthful dietary behavior (P < 0.01) and dietary attitude scores (P < 0.05). More DMDMG users had higher nutrition knowledge scores after one-month trial than non-users. However, dietary intake significantly increased in non-user group for calcium and sodium (P < 0.05) while the user group did not show significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The program has created positive changes in patients' dietary life. All the users were satisfied with the program, although some expressed minor difficulties with an unfamiliar mobile app.

Are Currently Available Wearable Devices for Activity Tracking and Heart Rate Monitoring Accurate, Precise, and Medically Beneficial? / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The new wave of wireless technologies, fitness trackers, and body sensor devices can have great impact on healthcare systems and the quality of life. However, there have not been enough studies to prove the accuracy and precision of these trackers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, precision, and overall performance of seventeen wearable devices currently available compared with direct observation of step counts and heart rate monitoring. METHODS: Each participant in this study used three accelerometers at a time, running the three corresponding applications of each tracker on an Android or iOS device simultaneously. Each participant was instructed to walk 200, 500, and 1,000 steps. Each set was repeated 40 times. Data was recorded after each trial, and the mean step count, standard deviation, accuracy, and precision were estimated for each tracker. Heart rate was measured by all trackers (if applicable), which support heart rate monitoring, and compared to a positive control, the Onyx Vantage 9590 professional clinical pulse oximeter. RESULTS: The accuracy of the tested products ranged between 79.8% and 99.1%, while the coefficient of variation (precision) ranged between 4% and 17.5%. MisFit Shine showed the highest accuracy and precision (along with Qualcomm Toq), while Samsung Gear 2 showed the lowest accuracy, and Jawbone UP showed the lowest precision. However, Xiaomi Mi band showed the best package compared to its price. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy and precision of the selected fitness trackers are reasonable and can indicate the average level of activity and thus average energy expenditure.

Somatic growth effects of intramuscular injection of growth hormone in androgen-treated juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

Little is known about the effects of the interaction of growth hormone (GH) with 17 a-methyltestosterone (17-MT) during fish growth. We evaluated this in the present study to assess the effect on fish growth. Fish in two batches of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (approximately 5.0cm in length) were randomly assigned in triplicate to three treatments and a control group, distributed among 12 fiberglass tanks of 1 000L capacity (50 fish per tank) in an experiment covering a period of six weeks. The experimental groups were: a) fish treated with 17-MT and GH in mineral oil (RGH); b) fish treated with 17-MT and mineral oil without the addition of GH (R); c) fish treated with GH in mineral oil but not 17-MT (NGH); and d) fish of the control group, which were treated with mineral oil but not 17-MT or GH (N). The GH was injected into the fish at a rate of 0.625mg/g body weight. Morphometric data were recorded at the beginning of the experiment (T) and at 15, 30 and 45 days (T, T and T), and various indicators of growth were assessed: condition factor (K); survival percentage (S), feed conversion rate (FCR), percentage weight gain (WG) and (v) daily weight gain. The optimum dietary level was calculated assuming 5% food conversion to total weight in each group. During the experiment, the fish were provided with a commercial food containing 45% protein. The data showed that GH injection resulted in a greater weight gain in fish treated with 17-MT (the RGH treatment group), being particularly significant increase in weight during T and T (p<0.05). High values of K were found in the R and RGH treatments during the initial days of the experiment, which may have been a consequence of the better nutritional status affecting both weight gain and growth in body length, as a result of the additive effects of 17-MT and GH. The fish in groups not treated with 17-MT and treated with 17-MT and added GH showed greater increases in WG per day, higher K values and lower FCRs than fish in the other groups, which suggests that greater feed efficiency occurred in the hormone-treated fish. Fish in the RGH treatment showed the most growth, suggesting a possible interaction between 17-MT and injected GH.

Actualmente, durante el crecimiento de los peces existe poco conocimiento sobre los efectos de la interacción de la hormona del crecimiento (HC) con 17 α-metiltestosterona (17-MT). En el presente estudio los peces en dos lotes de tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (5.0cm de longitud), fueron asignados al azar por triplicado a tres tratamientos y un grupo control, distribuidos en 12 tanques de fibra de vidrio de 1 000 litros (50 peces por tanque), en un período de seis semanas. Los tratamientos fueron: a) peces tratados con 17-MT+HC en aceite mineral (RGH), b) peces tratados con 17-MT+aceite mineral sin la adición de HC (R), c) los peces que no fueron tratados con 17-MT-tratado+HC en aceite mineral (NGH), y d) los peces que no fueron tratados con 17-MT+aceite mineral (N). La hormona de crecimiento humano recombinante (Humatrope, Eli Lilly & Co., Windlesham, Inglaterra), se inyectó en el pez con una dosis de 0.625mg por gramo de peso corporal. Los datos morfométricos se registraron al comienzo del experimento (T) y en los días 15, 30 y 45 (T, T y T), Se registraron diversos indicadores de crecimiento: factor de condición (K), porcentaje de supervivencia (S), la tasa de conversión alimenticia (FCR), porcentaje de ganancia de peso (GP) y el aumento de peso al día. El nivel óptimo dietético fue calculado suponiendo 5% de conversión de alimentos al peso total de cada grupo. Durante el experimento fue usada una dieta comercial con el 45% de proteína. De los resultados presentados, es evidente que la inyección de HC dio lugar a una mayor ganancia de peso en el 17-MT-los peces tratados (el grupo de tratamiento RGH), y la diferencia fue significativa, tanto en T y T (p<0.05) para ambas comparaciones. De manera similar, los altos valores de K se presentaron en los tratamientos R y RGH durante los primeros días de cultivo. Esto puede haber sido asociado con un mejor estado nutricional que afectó tanto el desarrollo de peso y la longitud del cuerpo del pez, como resultado del efecto aditivo de 17-MT y GH. Los tratamientos no andrógenos y los grupos tratados con andrógenos y con HC mostraron un mayor incremento en la ganancia de peso por día, los mayores valores de K y menores tasas de conversión del alimento, lo que sugiere una mayor eficiencia de la alimentación en los peces tratados con hormonas. Peces en el tratamiento RGH mostraron el mayor crecimiento, lo que sugiere una posible interacción entre el 17 de α-metiltestosterona (17-MT) y hormona de crecimiento inyectada.

Salinidade da água e suplementação alimentar com microalga marinha no crescimento e masculinização de tilápia do Nilo / Water salinity and food supplementation with marine microalgae on growth and masculinization of nile Tilapia

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da salinidade da água e suplementação alimentar com Spirulina platensis no crescimento e masculinização de Oreochromis niloticus, tilápia do Nilo. Na primeira fase, além da S. platensis, foi ofertada ração microparticulada (50% PB; 4500 Kcal/kg) contendo o andrógeno 17-α- metiltestosterona. Na segunda etapa, as tilápias foram cultivadas por mais 32 dias em água doce, alimentadas apenas com ração (38% PB; 1900 Kcal/kg). Os delineamentos foram divididos em três tratamentos com cinco repetições cada. Os animais (peso inicial: 0,01 ± 0,02 g, comprimento inicial: 1,0 ± 0,03 cm) ao final de 28 dias apresentaram crescimento médio em peso e crescimento total em comprimento de 1,64 ± 0,10 g e 4,84 ± 0,24 cm; 1,59 ± 0,18 g e 4,94 ± 0,12 cm e 1,58 ± 0,09 g e 4,84 ± 0,02 cm para as salinidades 0, 15 e 25 g.L-1, respectivamente. A masculinização mais satisfatória foi alcançada pelos peixes cultivados a 15 g.L-1, ao qual obtiveram 90% de machos. A análise de variância não evidenciou diferenças significativas (p>0,05) entre os tratamentos para o desenvolvimento em ambas as fases de cultivo e para a taxa de masculinização ao final do experimento. As salinidades testadas não interferiram no desempenho dos peixes, propondo que a microalga S. platensis pode ser utilizada com êxito como suplemento alimentar para tilápias do Nilo nas condições testadas.

The aim of this study was evaluate the influence of water salinity and diet supplemented with Spirulina platensis on growth and masculinization of Nile tilapia. In the first phase, in addition to S. platensis, was offered microparticulate diet (50% CP, 4500 Kcal/kg) containing 17-α-methyltestosterone androgen. In the second phase, the tilapias were cultivated for 32 days in fresh water, fed only with ration (38% CP, 1900 kcal/kg). The designs were divided into three treatments with five replicates each. The animals (initial weight: 0,01 ± 0,02 g, initial length: 1,0 ± 0,03 cm) after 28 days showed average weight growth and total length growth of 1,64 ± 0,10 g; 4,84 ± 0,24 cm, 1,59 ± 0,18 g; 4,94 ± 0,12 cm, 1,58 ± 0,09 g; 4,84 ± 0,02 cm, in salinities 0, 15 and 25 g.L-1, respectively. The indices of improvement sexual inducing were achieved by animals cultured at 15 g.L-1, which reached 90% of masculinization. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences (p>0,05) among treatments for development in cultivation phases both and the masculinization rate in the experiment final. The salinities tested did not interfere with the performance of fish, suggesting that the microalgae S. platensis can be successfully used as a food supplement for Nile tilapia in the tested conditions.

Effects of glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii, methyltestosterone and zhuanggushenjin capsule on nitric oxide synthase in rat testes / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii (GTW), methyltestosterone and Zhuanggushenjin capsule on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat testes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five rats were equally divided into 5 groups, and respectively given GTW [10 mg/(kg x d)], methyltestosterone [2 mg/(kg x d)], Zhuanggushenjin capsule [0.3 g/(kg x d)], distilled water plus Tween 80 (control I), and distilled water alone (control II) for 4 weeks. At the end of the 5th week, the immunochemical ABC method was used to observe the effects of the three drugs on the NOS positive Leydig cells of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control II, the GTW group had a significant decrease in the numbers of nNOS and eNOS positive Leydig cells, the methyltestosterone group showed an increase in the number of nNOS but a decrease in that of eNOS positive Leydig cells, and the Zhuanggushenjin group had an increase in the numbers of both nNOS and eNOS positive Leydig cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTW can reduce NO production by inhibiting eNOS and nNOS, and hence influence the spermatogenic process. Zhuanggushenjin capsule plays an important role in improving male sexual function by enhancing nNOS and eNOS expression and NO synthesis.</p>

Terapia hormonal e sexualidade em mulheres na pós-menopausa / Hormone therapy and sexuality in postmenopausal women

Avaliação dos efeitos da terapia estro-progestacional isolada ou associada à metiltestosterona, na sexualidade e nos sintomas climatéricos, em mulheres saudáveis na pós-menopausa. Realizou-se estudo de coorte progressiva, duplo-cego, randomizado, com duração de 12 meses, utilizando estrogênios conjugados 0,625 mg e acetato de medroxiprogesterona 2,5 mg associados a metiltestosterona 2 mg (n=31) ou a placebo (n=29). Ambos os tratamentos aumentaram o desejo sexual vinculado, exclusivamente, às atividades desenvolvidas com o parceiro, a excitação, a capacidade orgástica e a freqüência sexual e reduziram a secura vaginal, a dispareunia e os sintomas climatéricos. A associação da metiltestosterona resultou em maior interesse sexual não vinculado, exclusivamente, às atividades com o parceiro e em aumento dos índices de Castelli I e II. /An analysis was conducted of the effects of estrogen-progesterone therapy, prescribed singly or associated with methyltestosterone, on sexuality and climacteric symptoms in healthy postmenopausal women. A progressive, double-blind, randomized cohort series over a 12 month period was realized, employing conjugated estrogens 0,625mg and medroxyprogesterone acetate 2,5mg together with methyltestosterone 2mg (n=31) or placebo (n=29). Both treatments increased sexual desire – linked exclusively to activities developed with the partner – excitation, orgasmic capacity and sexual frequency and they reduced vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and climacteric symptoms. Association of methyltestosterone resulted in major sexual interest, not linked exclusively to activities with the partner, and an increase in Castelli I and II indexes...

Effects of Tributyltin Chloride on the Reproductive System in Pubertal Male Rats

Detrimental effects of tributyltin (TBT) chloride on the reproductive system were investigated in pubertal male rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats aged with 35 days were assigned to six different groups; negative control receiving vehicle, positive control receiving methyltestosterone (10 mg/kg B.W.), TBT chloride (5 mg/kg B.W., 10 mg/kg B.W., and 20 mg/kg B.W.), and a combination of TBT chloride (10 mg/kg B.W.) and flutamide (10 mg/kg B.W). The animals were treated with test compounds by oral gavage daily for 10 days and sacrificed on the next day of the final treatment. The treatment with TBT chloride at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg B.W. significantly decreased seminal vesicle weights, compared to the negative control. The combined treatment of TBT chloride and flutamide caused a significant decrease in accessory sex organ weights, compared to the control and TBT chloride treatments. The treatment with TBT chloride or in the combination with flutamide increased detached debris and sloughed cells in the tubules of epididymis and narrowed seminal vesicles. In addition, the combined treatment with TBT chloride and flutamide caused a noticeable increase in serum androgen level, compared to the negative control.These results suggest that TBT chloride exposed during pubertal period cause partial reproductive disorders in male rats.

A Study of Estrogen only Therapy and Estrogen Plus Androgen Combination Therapy in Surgical Menopause Patients / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between estrogen only therapy and estrogen-androgen combination therapy in surgical menopause patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Surgical menopause patients received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 1.25 mg methyltestosterone for 2 years. Bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, lipoprotein profiles were measured. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased bone mineral density. In the combination group, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased. In the estrogen only group, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased but high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. In both groups, menopausal symptoms were much improved. Side effects were easily tolerated in both groups. CONSLUSIONS: Estrogen-androgen combination therapy had comparable benefits compared with estrogen only therapy.

A Study of Estrogen only Therapy and Estrogen Plus Androgen Combination Therapy in Surgical Menopause Patients / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between estrogen only therapy and estrogen-androgen combination therapy in surgical menopause patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Surgical menopause patients received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 1.25 mg methyltestosterone for 2 years. Bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, lipoprotein profiles were measured. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased bone mineral density. In the combination group, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased. In the estrogen only group, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased but high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. In both groups, menopausal symptoms were much improved. Side effects were easily tolerated in both groups. CONSLUSIONS: Estrogen-androgen combination therapy had comparable benefits compared with estrogen only therapy.