Cone Beam Computed Tomography Based Sex Estimation by Volume of Odontoid Process of The Second Cervical Vertebra / Estimativa sexual baseada em tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico pelo volume do processo odontóide da segunda vértebra cervical

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the volume of odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra on CBCT images can be used for sex estimation. Material and Methods: The volume of odontoid process on CBCT images of 138 subjects was measured. In addition, the patients were classified into five age groups. The comparisons between the groups in relation to sex and age were performed by using Mann-Whitney's test and Kruskal-Wallis' test, respectively. The ROC curve was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the volume to determine the sex. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between age and volume. Males had significantly larger volumes than females. Values of volume equal to or greater than 1.254 mm3 have sensitivity of 68.2% and specificity of 68.1% to determine male sex. Conclusion: The volume of the odontoid process tends to be larger in males than in females and can be used as sex estimation (AU)

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se o volume do processo odontóide da segunda vértebra cervical em imagens de TCFC pode ser usado para estimativa do sexo. Material e Métodos: O volume do processo odontóide em imagens CBCT de 138 indivíduos foi medido. Além disso, os pacientes foram classificados em cinco faixas etárias. As comparações entre os grupos em relação ao sexo e idade foram realizadas por meio dos testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, respectivamente. A curva ROC foi utilizada para avaliar a sensibilidade e especificidade do volume para determinar o sexo. Resultados: Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre idade e volume. Os machos tiveram volumes significativamente maiores do que as fêmeas. Valores de volume igual ou superior a 1,254 mm3 apresentam sensibilidade de 68,2% e especificidade de 68,1% para determinação do sexo masculino. Conclusão: O volume do processo odontóide tende a ser maior no sexo masculino do que no feminino e pode ser usado como estimativa do sexo. (AU)

Transmasculinidade e teoria queer: a experiência corporal da infância à vida adulta / Transmasculinidad y teoría queer: la experiencia corporal desde la infancia hasta la edad adulta / Transmasculinity and queer theory: body experience from childhood to adulthood

Resumo Considerando o discurso patologizante e biologizante que têm recaído incisivamente sobre as pessoas e corpos trans, e partindo do pressuposto de que a identidade de gênero é socialmente construída, este estudo tem por objetivo investigar a experiência corporal de um homem trans da infância à vida adulta. Os dados foram colhidos mediante aplicação individual de sucessivas entrevistas semiestruturadas individuais com um homem trans e com sua mãe. O material transcrito foi organizado sob a forma de estudo de caso e analisado com base nos estudos queer. Os resultados indicam que a experiência corporal é atravessada pelo discurso heteronormativo desde tenra idade. A passagem pelo processo transexualizador, paulatinamente permite ao homem trans aceder às possibilidades hegemônicas e humanizadoras das construções de gênero, performatizando a relação fictícia entre sexo e gênero e se afastando do lugar de abjeção relegado à transexualidade na cultura heteronormativa.

Resumen Considerando el discurso patologizante y biologizante que ha caído incisivamente sobre las personas y cuerpos trans, y asumiendo que la identidad de género se construye socialmente, este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la experiencia corporal de un hombre trans desde la niñez a la edad adulta. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante la aplicación individual de sucesivas entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas con un hombre trans y su madre. El material transcrito se organizó como un estudio de caso y se analizó en base a los estudios queer. Los resultados indican que la experiencia corporal es atravesada por el discurso heteronormativo desde temprana edad. El paso por el proceso de transexualización permite que los hombres trans accedan paulatinamente a las posibilidades hegemónicas y humanizadoras de las construcciones de género, realizando la relación ficticia entre sexo y género y alejándose del lugar de abyección relegado a la transexualidad en la cultura heteronormativa.

Abstract Considering the pathologizing and biologizing discourse that have been incisively fallen on transgender people and bodies, and assuming that gender identity is socially constructed, this study aims to investigate the bodily experience of a trans man (FtM) from childhood to adulthood. Data were collected through individual application of successive semi-structured individual interviews with a transman and his mother. The transcribed material was organized as a case study and analyzed based on queer studies. The results indicate that the body experience is crossed by heteronormative discourse from an early age. The passage through the transsexualizing process gradually allows the transgender man to access the hegemonic and humanizing possibilities of gender constructions, performing the fictitious relationship between sex and gender and moving away from the place of abjection relegated to transsexuality in heteronormative culture.

Increasing the chances of natural conception: opinion statement from the the brazilian federation of gynecology and obstetrics associations - FEBRASGO committee of gynecological endocrinology / Aumentando as chances de concepção natural: parecer da comissão nacional de ginecologia endócrina da Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Abstract Considering that myths and misconceptions regarding natural procreation spread rapidly in the era of easy access to information and to social networks, adequate counseling about natural fertility and spontaneous conception should be encouraged in any kind of health assistance. Despite the fact that there is no strong-powered evidence about any of the aspects related to natural fertility, literature on how to increase the chances of a spontaneous pregnancy is available. In the present article, the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO, in the Portuguese acronym) Committee on Endocrine Gynecology provides suggestions to optimize counseling for non-infertile people attempting spontaneous conception.

Resumo Uma vez que mitos e equívocos sobre a procriação natural se espalham rapidamente na era do fácil acesso à informação e às redes sociais, o aconselhamento adequado sobre a fertilidade natural e a concepção espontânea deve ser encorajado em qualquer tipo de assistência à saúde. Apesar do fato de não haver evidências fortes sobre qualquer dos aspectos relacionados à fertilidade natural, existe literatura sobre como aumentar as chances de uma gravidez espontânea. No presente artigo, a Comissão Nacional de Ginecologia Endócrina da Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (FEBRASGO) oferece sugestões para otimizar o aconselhamento a pessoas que tentam a concepção espontânea, na ausência do diagnóstico de infertilidade.

Chances to have a boy after gender selection by pre-implantation genetic screening are reduced in couples with only girls and without a boy sired by the male partner

Background: Gender selection and family planning have their roots in human history. Despite great interest in these fields, very few scientific propositions exist which could explain why some family do not attain the desired sex. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether sex of previous child or children could affect the outcomes of pre-implantation genetic screening [PGS]

Materials and Methods: This historical cohort study including 218 PGS cases referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center [IFIC]. Couples were grouped as those who their male child passed away or her husbands' has a son[s] from their previous marriage [n=70] and couples who just have daughter [n=148]. Male normal blastocysts were transferred for both groups. The outcomes of PGS including pregnancy, implantation and abortion rates, along with possible confounding factors were compared between the two groups

Results: Significant differences in pregnancy, implantation and abortion rates were observed between couples whose their male partner had/has one boy [n=70] compared to those who have just girl[s] [n=148] despite similar number and quality of male normal blastocyst transferred in the two groups. Confounding factors were also considered

Conclusion: The Y- bearing spermatozoa in male partners with no history of previous boy have lower ability to support a normal development to term, compared to male partners with previous history of boy requesting family balancing

Tegumentary leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas: what have we learned and what do we need?

This study evaluated the occurrence of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, in the last 30 years with emphasis on the last 10 years (2001 to 2010). The disease was predominantly observed in males (76.2%), in the 21- to 30-year-old age group (26.6%) and in extractive workers (43.7%); 3.3% of the cases were the mucosal form. The endemic channel shows the disease seasonality, with a predominance of cases at the beginning and end of each year. The number of cases by municipality in the period of 2001-2010 shows the maintenance of the endemic in the localities where the highest numbers of cases have always been registered, namely, Manaus, Rio Preto da Eva, Itacoatiara and Presidente Figueiredo. The comparison of data from 2001 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2010 showed the emergence of this disease in municipalities that had been previously unaffected. In the last years, there has been a significant increase in the activities of control, diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas. In conclusion, the historical series of ATL analyzed in this study suggests that the transmission foci remain and are even expanding, though without continuous transmission in the intra- or peridomicile settings. Moreover, the disease will persist in the Amazon while the factors associated with infection acquisition relative to forest exploitation continue to have economic appeal. There is a real expectation of wide variations in disease incidence that can be influenced by climate and economic aspects.

Distúrbio do desenvolvimento sexual 46,XX testicular SRY negativo sindrômico devido à mutação missense no gene RSPO1: estudo clínico, molecular e histológico de grande família consanguínea brasileira / SRY-negative syndromic 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development due to missense homozygous RSPO1 mutation: clinical, molecular and histological study of a large consanguineous Brazilian family

Nos mamíferos, a determinação sexual é governada pelo equilíbrio entre duas vias de sinalização paralelas e antagônicas: a via masculina SOX9/FGF9 e a via feminina RSPO1/beta-catenina/WNT4. A R-spondina 1 é uma importante reguladora do processo de diferenciação ovariana e atua modulando a via de sinalização Wnt canônica (Wnt/beta-catenina). Em humanos, mutações em RSPO1 causam uma rara síndrome genética autossômica recessiva caracterizada por Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento Sexual (DDS) 46,XX Testicular ou Ovotesticular, hiperceratose palmoplantar (HPP) e predisposição para o desenvolvimento de carcinoma de células escamosas (MIM 610644). Identificamos um paciente brasileiro, proveniente de uma grande família consanguínea, que apresentava a associação de HPP e DDS 46,XX Testicular SRY negativo. A avaliação da região codificadora do gene RSPO1 identificou a nova variante alélica c.305G>A (p.Cys102Tyr). O estudo de segregação realizado em 67 familiares demonstrou que a variante c.305G>A segrega em perfeita concordância com o fenótipo de HPP, exibindo um padrão de herança autossômico recessivo. Na família foram identificados 10 indivíduos afetados pelo fenótipo de HPP. As avaliações clínica e hormonal e os estudos molecular e citogenético nesses indivíduos resultou na caracterização de: (a) quatro indivíduos do sexo masculino 46,XX e/ou SRY negativo, com ambiguidade genital e perfil hormonal alterado; (b) cinco indivíduos do sexo masculino 46,XY e/ou SRY positivo, sem ambiguidade genital, com perfil hormonal normal e (c) uma mulher 46,XX, fértil. Experimentos de transfecção transitória in vitro demostraram que a proteína mutante tem menor capacidade de transativação do plasmídio reporter da via Wnt. As simulações de dinâmica molecular constataram que a troca p.Cys102Tyr aumenta a flexibilidade do backbone da R-spondina-1, diminuindo a energia de ligação da proteína ao complexo de receptores, LGR5 e RNF43. Em conjunto, nossos achados demonstram que a...

In mammals, sex determination is governed by the balance between two parallel and antagonic signaling pathways: the male SOX9/FGF9 and the female, RSPO1/beta-catenin/WNT4 pathways. R-spondin 1 regulates the ovarian differentiation process by its modulating action through the canonic Wnt pathway (Wnt/beta-catenin). In humans, patogenic mutations in RSPO1 cause a rare, autosomic recessive syndrome characterized by 46,XX Testicular or Ovotesticular disorders of sexual development (DSD), palmoplantar keratosis (PPK) and predisposition to squamous cell carcinoma (MIM 610644). We identified and studied a SRY-negative 46,XX DSD patient with PPK from a large, consaguineous, brazillian family. Through a "candidate gene" approach we identified in the proband a new allelic variant in the coding region of RSPO1, c.305G > A. This variant presented full concordance with the PPK phenotype by segregation analyses in 10 of 67 members of this family. Clinical, hormonal, cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies characterized three patterns in individuals with this variant: (a) four 46,XX and/or SRY-negative males with ambiguous genitalia and altered hormonal profile; (b) five 46,XY and/or SRY-positive males without ambiguous genitalia with normal hormonal profile; (c) one 46,XX fertile woman. In vitro experiments demonstrated that transient transfection of the mutant protein resulted in lower transactivation of the Wnt pathway-reporter plasmid. Moreover, molecular dinamic studies showed that p.Cys102Tyr increased the R-spondin-1 backbone flexibility, thus decreasing the interaction between this protein and its receptors, LGR5 and RNF43. Thus, both in vitro and in silico analysis demonstrate the pathogenicity of the RSPO1 variant c.305G > A. In addition, in the index case, a higher expression of SOX9, corroborated by a reactive immunohistochemistry in testicular tissue, suggested that the process of sexual reversal in the XX individual is driven by a higher SOX9 expression...

Effect of dietary phytoestrogens on human growth regulation: imprinting in health & disease.

This group has advocated a return to the notional Palæolithic diet with fruits, vegetables, roots, leaves, seeds, phytochemical antioxidants and proteins, etc. Phytoestrogens, viz. lignans, isoflavonoids and flavonoids are weak oestrogenic constituents of such a diet and may have a considerable impact on human health and disease. The aim of this paper was to conduct a preliminary overview of about 2000 research-led studies from the 1930s to the present time reported in the literature on flavonoids/isoflavonoids/lignans and to assemble evidence for a future strictly formal literature review on the health benefits and risks of flavonoids in a variety of diseases.

Norethindrone-induced masculinization and progeny testing in guppy, Poecilia reticulata (Peters 1859).

Norethindrone(NE) was evaluated for its efficacy on alteration of sex ratio of P. reticulata. Either the young fry or the brooders and the resultant fry were fed a commercial diet incorporated with NE at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg kg-1 diet (ppm) for 30-40 d in rectangular glass aquaria; this was followed by 40-60 d rearing on NE-free diet in out-door concrete tanks. In general, the androgen treatment altered sex ratio, leading to the production of a dose dependent increase in the percentage of males. The oral administration of the steroid at 75 ppm for 40 d or 100 ppmfor 30 or 40 d to first feeding fry, yielded 100% males. On the other hand, NE administration to brooders before parturition and the resultant fry also produced an all-male population of guppy. The sex ratio of the untreated control was almost 1:1. The survival of fish in all the trials was high, ranging between 67 and 100%. Mating masculinized males (“XX” male) with normal female resulted in an all-female progeny, while crossing normal male (XY) from treatment groups with normal female sired normal sex ratio (1:1), elucidating XX-XY sex determination system in the guppy.

Germ cell sex prior to meiosis in the rainbow trout

Germ cells make two major decisions when they move from an indeterminate state to their final stage of gamete production. One decision is sexual commitment for sperm or egg production, and the other is to maintain mitotic division or entry into meiosis. It is unclear whether the two decisions are made as a single event or separate events, because there has been no evidence for the presence of germ cell sex prior to meiosis. Here we report direct evidence in the fish rainbow trout that gonia have distinct sexuality. We show that dazl expression occurs in both male and female gonia but exhibits differential intracellular distribution. More strikingly, we show that boule is highly expressed in male gonia but absent in female gonia. Therefore, mitotic gonia possess sex, sperm/egg decision and mitosis/meiosis decision are two independent events, and sperm/egg decision precedes mitosis/meiosis decision in rainbow trout, making this organism a unique vertebrate model for mechanistic understanding of germ cell sex differentiation and relationship between the two decisions.

Correlation of odontometric measures in sex determination.

Mandibular canines exhibit the greatest sexual dimorphism amongst all teeth. The present study was performed on 400 healthy volunteers (200 males, 200 females) of 17 - 21 years with the aim to investigate whether any correlation existed between odontometric measures including mandibular canine index, and sex determination. Mean value of intercanine distance was higher in males than females and the difference was statistically highly significant (p value<0.01). Comparison of mean values of left and right mandibular canine widths exhibited lesser values in females. The variation in right and left mandibular canine width between males and females was highly significant (p value<0.01). The right and left mandibular canine index (MCI) among genders showed no significant difference. A mesio-distal canine width greater than 7.3 mm was suggestive of male sex. Our study conclusively establishes the existence of a definite statistically significant sexual dimorphism in mandibular canines and that MCI is of limited value.

Pesquisa de mutações em genes envolvidos na diferenciação e manutenção das células germinativas em pacientes portadores de distúrbio do desenvolvimento gonadal 46, XX / Mutation analysis of genes involved in differentiation and maintenance of germ cells in patients with 46, XX disorders of gonadal development

Diversos genes expressos durante a diferenciação das células germinativas atuam no desenvolvimento ovariano. A diferenciação das células somáticas ovarianas depende do número de células germinativas pré-meióticas que migram para a fenda gonadal. A expressão espaço-temporal de genes envolvidos na diferenciação dessas células e a posterior sobrevivência dos oócitos meióticos são de interesse no estudo dos distúrbios do desenvolvimento sexual (DDS) 46,XX. Entre os genes envolvidos nesses processos estão o NANOS3, BMP15 e STRA8. O NANOS3, uma molécula de ligação ao RNA que bloqueia a via apoptótica, assegura a sobrevivência das células germinativas durante sua migração para o interior da gônada. O STRA8 atua no início da meiose das células germinativas na gônada de embriões XX, sendo o primeiro sinal de dimorfismo gonadal. Por outro lado a subseqüente sobrevivência dos oócitos é controlada por fatores de transformação e crescimento como o BMP15, que promove a diferenciação das células da granulosa que por sua vez participam indiretamente da diferenciação dos oócitos e das células da teca. Neste trabalho pesquisamos a presença de mutações inativadoras nos genes NANOS3 e BMP15 em 45 pacientes com disgenesia gonadal (DG) 46,XX (10 casos familiais) e 40 pacientes com amenorréia secundária sem mutação nos genes FSHR e SF1. Também pesquisamos mutações nas regiões promotora proximal e codificadora do gene STRA8 de 45 pacientes com DG 46,XX, 16 pacientes com DDS ovotesticular 46,XX e 5 pacientes com DDS testicular 46,XX todos SRY negativo nos quais foram afastados defeitos moleculares nos genes DAX1, WNT4 e SOX9. No NANOS3 identificamos a mutação p.E120K em homozigose, a primeira associada ao fenótipo de DG 46,XX. Esta mutação missense foi identificada em duas irmãs com DG 46, XX e está localizada no domínio de ligação do tipo dedo de zinco da proteína. A nova mutação não foi identificada em 200 alelos controles pesquisados. No BMP15, uma nova mutação nonsense...

Several genes expressing during the germ cell differentiation act in ovary development. The differentiation of somatic ovary cells depends of a pool of pre meiotic germ cells migration into the gonad. The space and temporal expression pattern of some genes involved with germ cell differentiation and the subsequently oocyte survival should be investigated in the disorders of sexual development (DSD) 46,XX. Some key genes involved with these processes are: NANOS3, BMP15 and STRA8. The NANOS3, a RNA binding molecule that blocks the apoptotic pathway, ensures the survival during migration into genital ridge. The STRA8 acts in the bigining of germ cells meioses in XX embryos and mark the first sexual gonadal dimorphism. In other hand the subsequently oocyte survival is controlled through transforming growth factor member BMP15, that guarantees granulose cells differentiation that acts indirectly in meiotic oocyte and theca cells differentiation. In this work we searched for the presence of inactivating mutations in NANOS3 and BMP15 in 45 patients with 46XX gonadal dysgenesis (10 familial cases) and 40 patients with secondary amenorrhea without FSHR and SF1 mutation. We also searched for inactivating mutations in coding and proximal promoter region of STRA8 in 45 patients with 46XX gonadal dysgenesis, 16 ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) patients and five 46XX testicular DSD patients all SRY negative and molecular defects in DAX1, WNT4 and SOX9 gene. In NANOS3 we identified the mutation p.E120K in homozygous state, the first associated with DG 46,XX phenotype. This missense mutation was identified in two sisters with 46XX GD and affects a zinc finger domain of the protein. The new variant was absent in 200 control alleles. In BMP15, a new nonsense mutation p.Q115X was identified two sisters in homozygous state and in one sporadic case of secondary amenorrhea in heterozygous state. The premature codon STOP affects the pro-peptide domain of the...

Verificación de la aplicabilidad de la fórmula de regresión logística para determinar el sexo por medio de odontometría del canino inferior, en una muestra bogotana / Verifying applicability of the logistic regression formula for gender estimation through odontometry of the lower canine in a Bogotan sample

Objetivo: Evaluar la validez predictiva de la fórmula de regresión logística propuesta por Mesa y colaboradores para determinar el sexo en una población colombiana. Métodos: Se utilizó una muestra de 98 caninos inferiores, extraídos de cuerpos de cadáveres encontra¬dos en Bogotá que ingresaron al Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses (INMLCF). Utilizando un odontómetro, cada diente se midió cuidadosamente y se reimplantó dentro del alvéolo. Se construyó una base de datos en Excel y se analizaron los datos con el programa SPSS 12.0. Se hicieron pruebas de normalidad (Shapiro-Wilk y Kolmogorov-Smirnov) y de correlación (Pearson) para evaluar la asociación entre medidas dentales y sexo. Para la segunda parte del estudio se tomó la adecuación propuesta por Mesa y colaboradores para determinar el sexo de los especímenes, realizando análisis de pruebas de concordancia diagnóstica; se calcularon características operativas como sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivos y exactitud de diagnóstico con sus correspondientes intervalos de confianza (Win-Episcope 2.0, α=0,05). Resultados: De los 62 especímenes de hombres, el modelo de regresión logística categorizó adecuadamente 54 (87,8%), mientras que de las 36 muestras de mujeres se categorizaron adecuadamente 17 (52,8%). El por¬centaje total de categorización acertada fue 74,5%. Conclusiones: La ecuación logística mostró una mayor capacidad predictiva para establecer el sexo de los hombres que para el sexo de las mujeres, con un error cercano a 25%.

Objective: Evaluate the predictive validity of the logistic regression formula proposed by Mesa et al. for gender estimation in Colombian population. Methods: A sample of 98 mandi¬bular canines extracted from human corpses was gathered at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) in Bogota. Each tooth was carefully measured using an odontometer and repositioned to the alveolar bone. A database was created to collect the data that were analyzed with SPSS 12.0. Normal distribution of data was analyzed through the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and the association between tooth measures and gender were determined through Pearson correlation. For the second part of the study, the modification proposed by Mesa et al. was used to estimate gender in the samples through diagnostic concordance; operative characterisitics such as predictive sen¬sitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy including confidence intervals were determined (Win-Episcope 2.0, α=0.05). Results: 62 samples belonged to deceased males of which 54 (87.8%) were adequately classified through the logistic regression model. On the other hand, 36 samples belonged to deceased females of which 17 were properly classified with the model. Of the total samples, 74.5% were properly classified. Conclusions: The logistic equation showed a greater predictive capacity in the estimation of gender in males than in females, failing to estimate 25% of the cases.

Pesquisa de tecido prostático em pacientes 46, XX portadoras da forma clássica de hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais / Search of prostatic tissue in 46, XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a ocorrência de tecido prostático em pacientes portadoras da forma clássica de hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais, com cariótipo 46,XX e analisar a sensibilidade e a especificidade do antígeno prostático específico (PSA) das pacientes com hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais em relação à detecção de tecido prostático na ressonância magnética (RNM) de região pélvica. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 52 crianças e adolescentes, sendo 32 meninas portadoras da forma clássica de hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais, 10 meninas e 10 meninos sem hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais. A RNM da região pélvica e a coleta de PSA, diidrotestosterona e testosterona foram realizadas em todos os pacientes. Para analisar a capacidade de discriminação do antígeno prostático-específico, foi utilizada a curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve). RESULTADOS: Cinco das 32 pacientes portadoras de hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais apresentaram tecido prostático na RNM de região pélvica. Para concentração de antígeno prostático-específico de 0,1 ng/mL, obteve-se sensibilidade de 100 por cento e especificidade de 88,9 por cento para a detecção de tecido prostático. CONCLUSÕES: A ocorrência de tecido prostático nas pacientes portadoras de hiperplasia congênita das suprarrenais estudadas foi de 15,6 por cento. O antígeno prostático-específico mostrou ser valioso marcador de tecido prostático nestas pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the presence of prostatic tissue in 46,XX patients with the classical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) measured in congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients with regard to the detection of prostatic tissue in pelvic MRI. METHODS: We studied 52 children and adolescents, 32 with the classical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, 10 boys and 10 girls without CAH. Pelvic MRI was performed in all patients to detect prostatic tissue. Prostate specific antigen, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured in all patients. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve for PSA discrimination capacity. RESULTS: Five girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia showed image of prostatic tissue on pelvic MRI. Prostate specific antigen showed sensitivity and specificity of 100 percent and 88.9 percent, respectively, taking 0.1 ng/mL as the cutoff level. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of prostatic tissue in 46,XX patients with the classical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia was 15.6 percent. PSA demonstrated to be a good marker of prostatic tissue in these patients and should be used to screen patients to be submitted to image studies.

Efetividade de métodos de identificação sexual em tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) revertidas sexualmente com hormônio em ração com diferentes granulometrias / Effectiveness of methods of sexual identification in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) sexually reverted with hormone in diet with different diameters

Foram avaliados três métodos de identificação do sexo em tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), nas idades de 30, 60 e 90 dias que foram revertidas mediante a administração do hormônio androgênico 17 alfa-metiltestosterona incorporado às rações fareladas com diferentes granulometrias (0,25, 0,35 e 0,50 mm) na dosagem de 60 mg/kg de ração. As técnicas de sexagem testadas foram: exame macroscópico da papila urogenital, exame microscópico das gônadas coradas a fresco com acetato-carmim e exame microscópico das gônadas pela rotina histológica. Perante os três métodos de sexagem avaliados, a histologia das gônadas obteve o diagnóstico mais seguro. As granulometrias das rações utilizadas não interferiram nas características morfológicas das gônadas, nem nos caracteres sexuais secundários dos peixes.

Three methods of sexual identification were evaluated in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at ages of 30, 60 and 90 days that were submitted to sexual reversion under administration of androgen hormone 17 alpha-methyltestosterone added to crumble diets with different granules sizes (0.25, 0.35 and 0.50 mm) in dosage of 60mg/kg. The techniques of sexual identification employed were: a) Macroscopic examination of urogenital papilla; b) Microscopic examination of gonads through stain with carmine-acetate and c) Microscopic examination of gonads through histological routine. In the presence of three methods of sexual identification evaluated, histology of gonads has shown the most confident diagnosis. The grain diameters of rations did not interfere in morphological characteristics of gonads, neither in secondary sexual characters of fish.

RAPD and SCAR molecular markers linked to the sexuality of cycads (Cycas tanqingii D. Y. Wang) / 生物工程学报

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to amplify DNA fragment, aiming at finding markers linked to the sex trait in Cycas tanqingii D. Y. Wang. A total number of 160 random primers were screened in the RAPD-PCR and more than 2500 RAPD fragments were generated from the male or the female plants. One fragment of about 500 bp was amplified steadily and repeatedly by the S0465 (CCCCGGTAAC) primer only from female plants but not male plants. The RAPD marker was then converted into female-linked dominant SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions) marker named STQC-S465-483. The development of this sex-linked SCAR marker provides a possibility of identifying the sex of Cycas tanqingii before sexual maturation, which is very important to in situ or ex situ conservation.

Isolation and molecular characterization of the bactrocera zonata [saund.] sex-lethal [SxL] gene homologue of the ceratitis capitata

The fruit fly Bactrocera zonata [Dacus zonata] is a serious pest of fruits in many parts of the world. B. zonata larvae feed exclusively on fruits, causing severe damage to crops. B.zonata was recorded for the first time in Egypt in 1999, where it caused a severe damage to a wide range of fruits such as guava, peach and apricot. This work includes the isolation and molecular characterization of the fruit fly B. zonata sex-lethal [Bz SxL] gene homologs to the C. capitata SxL [CcSxl] gene. Investigation of the effect of Gamma radiation on the expression of B. zonata SxL gene had been performed. Mature pupae 2 days before eclosion, were irradiated at 100, 120, 150 GY gamma irradiation. Total RNA has been isolated from every irradiated dose. Fragments of the Bz SxL were recoverd with RT-PCR and sequenced. Irradiated and non-irradiated B. zonata SxL gene [Bz SxL] express the same pattern of transcripts, which encode for a single common polypeptide in both male and female flies. The sequenced fragment of irradiated female with 150 GY dose revealed some sequence mutations. The gene shares a high degree of similarity in sequence compared to C. capitata orthologous and does not appear to play a key regulatory role in the sex determining cascade

Babies as desired: Ethical arguments about gender selection

Gender selection for non-medical reasons raises serious moral, legal, social and ethical issues. The desire to preselect the gender of offspring dates from antiquity and is influenced by many factors including economics, culture, religion and personal circumstances. The gender ratio of children can be affected by using techniques such as prefertilization sperm sorting, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and prenatal sex determination. The cheapest and the most widely used method is ultrasound scanning early in pregnancy, which may lead to abortion of the undesired sex. The distortion of the national sex ratio in countries where discrimination against women is common, such as India and China, has resulted in laws and policies to explicitly forbid sex selection. Laws and clinical practice guidelines should be enforced to eradicate sex selection especially in societies where gender selection is apparently sexist. The ethics of legal prohibition warrant urgent attention. The challenge to all societies is to improve womens social, economic, political and cultural status, in order to eliminate discrimination against women