The sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters and their implication in pain after spinal cord injury

In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.

Transgenerational and Sexual Auto-Dissemination Within Anopheles Mosquitoes of the Malaria Parasite Transmission Blocking Microsporidia Sp MB in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Malaria control needs the development of complementary and/or alternative strategies such as biological controls. Despite, malaria’s current control efforts, the spread and the emergence of insecticide resistance in vectors undermine the fight against vectors. Endonsymbiotic fungi can be a good candidate to include in the existence of Arsenal. However, we know little about endosymbiotic fungi transmission and its impact on malaria transmission. In this paper, the authors aimed to investigate Microsporidia sp MB transgenerational and sexual autodissemination and malaria parasites within Anopheline mosquitoes. Methods: An entomology survey was conducted in Burkina Faso for one year (June 2020 to June 2021) using the Residual Fauna Capture method. Infection rates in collected females, sexual autodissemination of Microsporidia sp MB in both Microsporidia sp MB negative females and Microsporidia sp MB negative males through mating, transgenerational prevalence from parents to offsprings and the correlation between Microsporidia sp MB and Plasmodium falciparum were investigated. Results: Results show Microsporidia sp MB infection in An. gambaie s.l in Burkina Faso. The prevalence was significantly higher (21.78%) in An. coluzzii than An. gambiae s.s (16.89%) (p-value = 0.03). Sexual auto-dissemination of Microsporidia sp MB in Microsporidia sp MB uninfected females was significantly 3-fold lower than those in Microsporidia sp MB uninfected males (9.23% and 33.33%, p-value = 0.03) during mating for An. coluzzii lines. Microsporidia sp MB prevalence was significantly higher through mosquitos’ generations in An. gambaie s.s than An. coluzzii (30.23% vs 26.41%, p-value Microsporidia sp MB and Plasmodium infection rate with 73% of Microsporidia sp MB positive mosquitoes which were negative at Plasmodium infection (p-value Conclusions: Our findings pave the road to developing new malaria control technologies by making Microsporidia sp MB-positive males sexually competitive with wild males to spread the fungus to wild female mosquitoes.

Sexual Dimorphism and Female Reproductive Characteristics in the Hainan Water Skink(Tropidophorus hainanus)from Hainan,South China

We studied sexual dimorphism in body size and shape and female reproductive characteristics in the Hainan Water Skink(Tropidophorus hainanus)from Hainan,South China.In our sample the largest female and male were 61.1 and 55.2 mm snout-vent length(SVL),respectively.The mean SVL was larger in adult females(52.0 mm)than in adult males(48.3 mm).Juveniles were sexually dimorphic in head length but not in other examined morphological variables.Adult males were longer in head length and shorter in abdomen length and fore-limb length than adult females of the same SVL.Ontogenetic shifts in sexual dimorphism in body shape were evident,as revealed by the fact that morphological differences between the sexes were more pronounced in adults than in juveniles.Females produced a single litter of 3–6 offspring per season from early August to early September.Litter size,litter mass and offspring(neonate)mass were positively related to female SVL.Neonate mass was independent of relative fecundity.From the above findings we draw three main conclusions.First,females are the larger sex in T.hainanus,and sexual dimorphism in body shape is more pronounced in adults than in juveniles.Second,larger female T.hainanus produce more and larger offspring and thus heavier litters than smaller ones.Third,the offspring size-number trade-off does is not evident in T.hainanus.

Sexual Assault and Its Psychopathological Repercussions in the Life of Female Students in Northeastern Benin (2023)

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychic repercussions of sexual assault among female students in Parakou in 2023. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2022 to July 2023 among all students at the University of Parakou. The sampling technique was stratified non-proportional at two levels. The dependent variable was self-reported sexual assault. The psychopathological repercussions linked to sexual assault and explored in these students were: post-traumatic stress disorder assessed with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5) scale;and current depression screened with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale. Results: A total of 376 female students from the University of Parakou meeting the inclusion criteria were surveyed. The average age of the subjects surveyed was 20.56 ± 2.46 years, with extremes of 16 and 32 years. A predominance of subjects under 25 was observed. The prevalence of sexual assault among female students at the University of Parakou was 10.63%. The types of aggression suffered were mostly rape (18 people;45%) and sexual touching (16 people;40%), and the aggressors were mainly friends/boyfriends (13;32.5%), family members (12;30.0%) and people from the house/neighborhood (9;22.5%). Psychological repercussions included depression in 72.5% (29) of cases, with mild depression in 30% (12), moderate depression in 37.5% (15) and severe depression in 5% (2). Anxiety disorders were present in 27.50% (11) of victims. The risk factors associated with sexual assault in these students were gravidity (p = 0.014;OR = 15.32), unhappy life events (p = 0.01;OR = 17.24), and age of first sexual intercourse (p = 0.016;OR = 4.608). Conclusion: One in ten female students in Parakou has been sexually assaulted. Once again, preventive action through effective sex education is a means of fighting the problem that should be prioritized for every girl and boy from an early age. Psychological support by specialists should be offered to any victim discovered without delay. Communication on the subject should be multiplied in all family and academic educational environments, from the lowest to the highest levels.

Macroinvertebrate Community in Streams on the Canary Islands: Gradient Analysis and Stressors

This study describes the gradient analysis of the freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages in eight streams of Tenerife and La Gomera (Canary Islands) over a 16-year period. During this period, a total of 75 taxa belonging to 34 taxonomic families were found. Endemism has an important presence in the streams on both islands, especially regarding Trichoptera and Coleoptera. The overall status of freshwater macroinvertebrates is rather uncertain as recent data on these communities are scarce and focused on a limited number of sites. Overexploitation of aquifers and the diversion of natural water flows for irrigation have resulted in the drying up of numerous natural streams, inevitably endangering the fauna that inhabits them. A reduction in number and abundance of endemic and sensitive species was observed in the majority of the sampled streams resulting in a lower ecological rating. Therefore, it is proposed that the protection of streams of high conservation value is essential to conserve freshwater macroinvertebrate fauna native to the Canary Islands.

Prospective randomized study to evaluate and compare the post-procedural sexual function in patients undergoing semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones in three different operating room settings

Objective:To evaluate and compare the effect of semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy on post-procedural sexual function with three different operating room settings.Methods:In this prospective randomized study,consecutive sexually active patients with normal pre-operative sexual function undergoing uncomplicated semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones were randomized into three groups,with three different operating room settings.Procedure-related anxiety and sexual function were assessed pre-operatively using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale and Brief Sexual Function Inventory(in males)and Female Sexual Function Index-6(in females),respectively.All the participants were stented following the procedure,and the stent was removed after 3 weeks.Post-procedural sexual function and general discomfort were assessed and compared between three groups at 1 week,3 weeks,and 12 weeks.The effect of surgery-related anxiety,preoperative sexual function,age,and general discomfort(including stent-related discomfort)on post-procedural sexual function were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Totally,327 eligible patients were randomized into three groups.The group of patients who underwent the procedural with a screen separating the operating area from the patient vision,while the patient could watch the endoscopy through a separate monitor,had better post-procedural sexual function compared to those who had total vision of the operating area as well as to those whose eyes were blocked.This difference was statistically significant.This post-procedural reduction in sexual function could not be attributed to in situ stent alone.Conclusions:Our study showed that semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy can have significant negative effect on sexual function,which can be reduced with proper preoperative counseling and an ideal operating room settings.

Rosgen stream classification and fluvial processes of the Shiyang River,China

The Shiyang River is an important ecological pillar in northwest China,sustaining Minqin oasis and its surrounding society.However,the basin has long been plagued by water scarcity and ecological fragility.Although the river classification is critical for understanding the complexity,diversity,and ecological functions of rivers,and the foundation of river management and watershed ecological restoration,it has not received adequate attention in this region.To obtain a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the Shiyang River,this study utilizes the Rosgen stream classification system to assess the river morphology,geomorphic features,and hydrologic processes.The results showed that seven first-level and fourteen second-level river types can be identified along 53 river sections of the Shiyang River.Further comparison analysis on the hydrologic parameters for each river type demonstrated a strong positive correlation between discharge and all river parameters.As discharge increased,channels with moderate to high width/depth ratios experienced significant lateral adjustments.A consistent channel gradient,coupled with higher discharge,facilitated the transition from single to multiple channels.Braiding tendencies were more pronounced in rivers where riverbeds were wider and shallower with higher stream power.Additionally,water-flow shear stress decreased with the increase in the width/depth ratio.This study offered critical insights into the Shiyang River’s forms and processes and for the river management and ecological restoration practices.

Spatial and temporal variability of agricultural pollutants in an agricultural headwater stream within a multipond system, southeastern China

The spatial and temporal variability of nutrients and suspended solids were investigated for two years in a 1.8 km agricultural headwater stream, located by Chaohu Lake, southeastern China. The stream form was greatly modified by human activities into channelized, pond and estuary shapes. The stream could be divided into 4 channelized reaches(1.3 km), a pond reach(0.15 km) and 3 estuary reaches(0.36 km). It was found that nutrients and TSS concentrations in the stream showed temporal variability, and higher concentrations occurred in months with high precipitation and intensive agricultural activities. And, retention of total nitrogen(TN), nitrate(NO- 3-N), ammonium(NH+ 4-N) and total suspended solids(TSS) predominantly occurred in the pond reach and estuary reaches with larger width and low current velocity. Pollutants retained in these reaches accounted for more than 50% of those retained in whole stream. The retention mostly happened in the rain-runoff events and it was 7 to 27 times than that in base flow. The results showed that the channelized reach was the most important source for pollutants release under either runoff or base flow, and its release accounted for more than 90% of whole stream release. There was a high spatial variability of nutrients retention in different channelized reaches. The channelized reach directly discharging into the pond did always retain nutrients and TSS under base flow and runoff conditions, whereas the other channelized reaches performed differently in different hydrological conditions. The high spatial and temporal variability of nutrients and TSS in the stream indicated that anthropogenic disturbance of the agricultural headwater stream, such as channelization and excavation, would be expected to decrease the capacity of nutrients retention in the stream.

Sexual maturation in hens is not associated with increases in serum leptin and the expression of leptin receptor mRNA in hypothalamus

Background： In mammals, leptin is an attractive candidate for mediating the metabolic signal and the reproductive function via the specific receptor in hypothalamus. However, till now, the role of leptin on reproduction in birds is less well established. This experiment was conducted to elucidate the role of leptin on the onset of reproduction in bird, as a first step, to detect the changes of peripheral leptin and leptin receptor mRNA expression in hypothalamus between mature and immature hens at the same age. 120 ISA brown pullets at D60 were allocated randomly into two groups, long light （LL） group being raised under artificial light regimes with incrementally increased light phase （from 8 L：]6D to 14 L：]2D） and short light （SL） group raised on consistent light （8 L：16D） for 12 wk. Results： The results showed that pullets in LL group reached sexual maturation 15 d earlier than those in SL group. Serum E2 showed a significant increase with age, but no difference was observed between two groups. Serum leptin concentration decreased significantly from D112 to D136 in LL, and was markedly higher in LL group than that in SL at D112, while there was no significant difference between two groups at D136. Leptin receptor and GnRH-I mRNA expression in hypothalamus were significantly increased with age, yet there was no significant difference between SL and LL chickens at the same age. The expression of FSH-13 and LH-13 mRNA in pituitary was increased with age but did not show significant difference between LL and gland, and decreased from D112 to D136 in LL but not groups at the same age. SL group. GnfiH-I mRNA expression was very rich in pinea n SL group, and there was no difference between two Conclusions： These results indicate that the earlier sexual maturation in hens induced by long-light regime is not accompanied with an increase in serum leptin or leptin receptor gene expression in hypothalamus, or genes expression in HPG axis.

The effects of comprehensive nursing interventions on sexual functions in young and middle-aged patients with coronary stent implantation

Objective: To study the effects of comprehensive nursing interventions on sexual functions in young and middle-aged patients with coronary stent implantation. Methods: 96 cases of coronary stent implantation were randomly divided into control group and intervention group (experimental group) with each group of 48 cases. The control group received the routine nursing measures after the coronary stent implantation and the experimental group was treated by the comprehensive nursing interventions such as psychological nursing, education of sexual knowledge, playing the full enthusiasm of spouse and appropriate exercise therapy on basis of the routine nursing measures. The two groups were given the questionnaire of brief male sexual function questionnaire (BSFI), Chinese patients with premature ejaculation sexual function score (C-ISFPE) and the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). The scores of BSFI, C-ISFPE and IIEF-5 were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 29 cases who were satisfied with sexual life on the whole (≤1), 26 cases with different degrees of premature ejaculation symptoms and 21 cases with erectile dysfunctions, which were respectively 27.08%, 30.2% and 21.87% of the total number. The scores of BSFI, C-ISFPE and IIEF-5 inthe experimental group were significantly increased after the interventions (P P IIEF-5 scores in the two groups were significantly different

Use of a Natural Compound Made of Ecklonia bicyclis Seaweed, Tribulus terrestris and Water-Soluble Chitosan Oligosaccharide, in Male Sexual Asthenia with Mild or Mild-Moderate Erectile Dysfunction and Serum Testosterone Levels at the Lower Limit of Normal

Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural compound made of Ecklonia bicyclis Seaweed, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide, in the male sexual asthenia with mild or mild-moderate erectile dysfunction and serum testosterone levels between 280 and 350 ng/dl. Materials and Methods: 84 male patients affected by reduced libido and serum testosterone levels at the lower limit of normal, were recruited. We have separated patients in three different age groups: group A (18 - 45 years), group B (45 - 59 years), group C (>60 years). All subjects answered the International index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5) and underwent determination of serum total testosterone before and after 30 days of treatment. Results: Before treatment, the group A showed mean (± standard deviation) total testosterone 321.9 ± 19.2 ng/dl and mean IIEF-5 18.6 ± 1.97, in the group B it was 318.5 ± 18.1 ng/dl and 16.3 ± 2.66, and finally in the group C it was 305.4 ± 13.1 ng/dl and 14.2 ± 1.95 respectively. After treatment mean total testosterone and mean IIEF-5 were respectively: group A (448 ± 111.46 ng/dl and 21.84 ± 3.41);group B (453.8 ± 105.23 ng/dl and 20.4 ± 3.81);group C (385.8 ± 87.29 ng/dl and 16.7 ± 3.84). Conclusions: The treatment with Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide might represent a safe and effective option on the improvement of libido and erectile function in man with testosterone level at the lower limit of normal.

Assessing Sexual Function amongst Hong Kong Chinese Patients with Gynecological Cancer： Translation and Validation of the Sexual Function-Vaginal Changes Questionnaire （SVQ）

OBJECTIVE The study aims to translate the Sexual FunctionVaginal Changes Questionnaire （SVQ） into Chinese and to establish its psychometric properties.METHODS A Chinese SVQ was developed by the use of the Brislin model of translation. The content validity and semantic equivalence were assessed by an expert panel. The translated version of SVQ was administered to 75 Hong Kong Chinese women who were suffered from gynecological cancer to test its psychometric properties.RESULTS The Chinese version of SVQ was compared to the original study for factor analysis. Internal consistency, itemtoscale correlations and test-retest reliability were high. The convergent and divergent validities supported the Chinese SVQ to CONCLUSION We conclude that the Chinese SVQ appears to be a valid, reliable and feasible disease-specific tool for the assessment of sexual function among Chinese patients.

Association of severity and sex with vasoactive substance and sexual hormone level in patients with vascular dementia in the type of kidney asthenia and blood stasis syndrome

BACKGROUND: Kidney asthenia is the basic cause of the development of vascular dementia (VD). Kidney asthenia lasting for a long time will result in blood stasis. Also, the cause of VD may have relationships with endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), homocysteine (HCY), estrogen (E2), and testosterone (T). OBJECTIVE: To observed clinical curative effect of the kidney tonic, pancreas tonic, and blood tonic with promoting blood circulation components in treating kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome of VD. DESIGN: Case controlled study. SETTING: Geriatric Institute of Integrated Medicine, Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 70 patients, including 39 males and 31 females aged 60-80 years, were selected from Department of Neurology, Pingshan Hospital from May 2000 to September 2002. Diagnostic criteria were used for probable VD of the American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical of Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th ed (DSM-Ⅳ), 1994 revised, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and criteria of kidney asthenia with blood stasis with mixed weak and sthenia syndrome of Guidelines of Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicine in Treating Dementia. According to score of kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome, they were classified to three groups: mild (n =22), moderate (n =33) and severe (n =15). All of them with complete chest X-Ray, ECG, blood chemistry and other related examinations, exclusive of cardiovascular, liver, kidney diseases, homeopathy and psychiatry diseases. And hereby we also select 30 normal people as the comparing group, having no substantial diseases in heart, brain, kidney, liver, lung and other main organic systems after medical examination. Of this group, 11 were males and 19 were females, ranging from 62 years old to 78 years old. There were no obvious differences between the above two groups in sex, age, and education level after statistical analysis. All patients observed in Pingxi Hospital, Fuzhou, from May 2000 to September 2002. METHODS: ① According to the diagnoses standard of blood stasis syndrome: 0-89: The increase in score indicated that blood stasis syndrome was getting serious. ② According to MMSE: All the test samples were evaluated, those with scores of 0-30, in which the non-educated ≤ 17, primary school ≤ 20, above middle school ≤ 24 were categorized. ③ Testing all sample's ET, E2 and T by using radioimmunoassay, the RIA kits were provided by Scientific and Technological Development Center of General Hospital of PLA. ④ Testing the level of NO by using colorimetic method. ⑤ Testing the level of HCY by using Enzyme-linked Immunoassay. ⑥ Meanwhile, analyzing the blood stasis score by comparing with every standard. The differences of data were compared by using t test and F test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Blood plasma ET, blood serum NO, HCY, E2 and T. ② The analyzing results obtained from comparing score of blood stasis with every indicators. RESULTS: The result analysis was including of both the 70 patients of VD with kidney asthenia and blood stasis and compared group consist of 30 healthy people. ① ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO: The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO were increasing with pathography, while the levels of ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO were decreasing with the pathography, and the difference in statistics was significant (P < 0.01). ② The level of E2 and T: The levels of both E2, T and E2/T for male VD patients were (67.72±12.18) pg/L and (351.58±155.02) ng/L, 0.24±0.12 respectively, which were higher than the compared group [(53.96±16.13) pg/L, (471.83±143.99) ng/L, 0.12±0.00, P < 0.05]. The level of E2 in the female VD patients was lower than the compared group [(34.23±10.99), (44.81±14.65) pg/L, P < 0.05]. ③ The relationship between the score of blood stasis and each indicators: The levels of ET, ET/NO and HCY had significant positive relationship with blood stasis mark (r = 0.352, 0.754, 0.347, P < 0.05-0.01), obvious negative relationship with NO (r =-0.528, P < 0.01) and no clear relationship with female E2/T and male E2/T (r = -0.210, 0.04, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ① The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO are increasing with pathography, while the level of NO is decreasing, which may be the evidence that the possibility of VD pathography may have relationship with the indicators above. ② The level of E2 increase in male's VD patients, and decrease in male's. And the decrease of the female may have relationship with the VD.

A Survey on the Sexual Health of Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Their Spouses

Objective:To investigate the sexual relationship and sexual health of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and their spouses,as well as to explore the relationship between sexual health and the quality of life.Methods:A total of 206 CHD patients and their spouses(N=206)as well as 238 age-and gender-matched healthy people were recruited and investigated by using a seilf-designed sexual relationship and sexual health questionnaire and the SF-36 questionnaire;data analysis and comparison were carried out by using SPSS 22.0.Results:The scores of perceived health,marital satisfaction,sexual satisfaction,sexual function,and quality of life were all significantly different among elderly CVD patients,then-spouses,and healthy people(F=3.894,p<0.05).There was a significant correlation between perceived health,marital satisfaction,sexual satisfaction,and sexual function with quality of life(p<0.05).Conclusion:Sexual behavior is an important aspect of quality of life.The sexual relationship,sexual health,and quality of life of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and their spouses were significantly lower than those of healthy people.It is recommended that more attention should be paid on the sexual relationship and sexual health of these patients and their spouses,with counselling offered when needed.

The Correlation between Sexuality and Family Functioning among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Japan

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between the sexuality of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and family functioning. Methods: The study took the form of a self-administered questionnaire survey, utilizing the Sexuality Satisfaction Index for IBD (SEXSI-IBD) for measuring sexuality and the Survey of Family Environment Survey of Family Environment (SFE) for measuring family functioning. SEXSI-IBD consists of 28 items and five domains, and SFE consists of 30 items and five domains. The participants were recruited at 15 self-help groups and 14 hospitals. Results: Of 146 participants, 48.6% were male and 52.4% female, with an average age of 41.1 years. A significant correlation was observed between the item average score of SEXSI-IBD and Overall Satisfaction Score (OSS) of SFE. Significant correlations were observed in two domains of the SEXSI-IBD, “Daily interaction” and “Sexual communication,” and in all five domains of the SFE. In particular, for “Daily interaction,” the strongest correlation was observed in the SFE’s “Macro system” and “Family internal environment system.” A correlation was observed between the “Physical contact importance” in SEXSI-IBD and the “Macro system” in the OSS of the SFE. Conclusions: Sexuality correlates with family functioning not only in the family internal environment system but also in the family external environment system. Through an approach aimed at elevating the degree of satisfaction for sexuality, it becomes possible to improve family functioning and realize a sense of family well-being.

Sociodemographic, Psychosocial, and Health Behavior Risk Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behaviors among Southeastern US College Students

Objectives: We examined correlates of 1) being a virgin;2) drug or alcohol use prior to the last intercourse;and 3) condom use during the last intercourse in a sample of college students. Methods: We recruited 24,055 students at six colleges in the Southeast to complete an online survey, yielding 4840 responses (20.1% response rate), with complete data from 4514. Results: Logistic regression indicated that correlates of virginity included being younger (p < 0.001), male (p = 0.01), being White or other ethnicity (p < 0.001), attending a four- vs. two-year school (p < 0.001), being single/never married (p < 0.001), lower sensation seeking (p < 0.001), more regular religious service attendance (p < 0.001) and marijuana use (p = 0.002), and less frequentdrinking (p < 0.001). Correlates of alcohol or drug use prior to most recent intercourse including being older (p = 0.03), being White (p < 0.01), attending a four-year college (p < 0.001), being homosexual (p = 0.041) or bisexual (p = 0.011), having more lifetime sexual partners (p = 0.005), lower satisfaction with life (p = 0.004), greater likelihood of smoking (p < 0.001) and marijuana use (p < 0.001), and more frequent drinking (p < 0.001). Correlates of condom use during the last sexual intercourse including being older (p = 0.003), being female (p < 0.001), being White (p < 0.001), attending a two-year school (p = 0.04), being single/never married (p = 0.005), being homosexual or bisexual (p = 0.04), and a more frequent drinking (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Four-year college attendees were more likely to be a virgin but, if sexually active, reported higher sexual risk behaviors. These nuances regarding sexual risk may provide targets for sexual health promotion programs and interventions.

Sexual Function in Men with Castrate Levels of Testosterone: Observations of a Subgroup of Sexually Active Men with Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Purpose: To identify possible factors that influence sexual function in men undergoing maximal androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients and Methods: A descriptive exploration was performed looking at characteristics of twenty-two men reporting sexual activity after nine months of maximal ADT. This previously published Phase II study, involved 250 prostate cancer patients undergoing intermittent ADT. An analysis between this cohort and the group that did not maintain sexual function was performed to ascertain if age, testosterone level, functional status or maintenance of quadriceps strength had an impact upon sexual function. Results: There was no difference in age, testosterone level or ECOG performance status between the sexually active and non-sexually active groups. Over the course of 9 months of ADT, the sexually active group appeared to maintain quadriceps muscle strength as measured with physical stands, and maintained overall health as measured by quality of life questionaries, compared to the non-sexually active group. Conclusions: This retrospective study suggests that exercise during ADT may reduce the impact of ADT on sexual function. This warrants further testing, and could be the focus of future randomised controlled trials.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effectiveness of Mate Endurance TM Dietary Supplement on Sexual Satisfaction, Ejaculatory Control, and Distress in Men with Premature Ejaculation

Background: To assess the efficacy of the dietary supplement Mate Endurance on sexual satisfaction, ejaculatory control, and sexually related personal distress in patients with premature ejaculation. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 68 patients between 21 and 60 years old with premature ejaculation were randomized to receive either Mate Endurance or placebo treatment for three months. The patients were provided a questionnaire at the start of the study and again three months post commencement of the study. The questionnaires were comprised of the Index of Premature Ejaculation (IPE) and the PE Diagnostic Tool (PEDT). Results: Participants in the treatment group experienced a significant improvement in symptoms often associated with premature ejaculation versus those in the placebo group. The treatment was widely used with limited adverse effects. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate the effectiveness of the dietary supplement Mate Endurance in improving symptoms associated with premature ejaculation, including general sexual satisfaction and distress associated with sexual encounters.

Reproductive Hormone Profiles and Their Relationships with Sexual Function in Patients with Prostate Cancer after Rapid Prostatectomy in Benin City

There are limited studies examining the relationship between serum reproductive hormone levels and sexual functions among prostate cancer (PCa) patients after rapid prostatectomy (RP). Aim: The present study aimed at evaluating the correlation between post-operative serum levels of some male reproductive hormones of PCa patients and their sexual functions in the months following RP. A total of 20 male patients with clinically localized PCa who had undergone RP within the last 12 months prior to commencement of the study, were invited to participate. The postoperative serum levels of their luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and total testosterone (Te) were measured. They also completed a structured health and lifestyle questionnaire to obtain information on their demographic characteristics and detailed medical history. Our data indicated normal mean levels of post-operative Te (4.34 ± 4.38 ng/ml) in the patients following RP, while the mean levels of FSH (39.24 ± 34.12 miu/ml) and LH (21.67 ± 25.73 miu/ml) were on the increase and far above normal ranges for healthy men. Data indicated a significant positive correlation between Te and frequency of sexual intercourse (r = 508;p < 0.05), libido (r = 0.429;p < 0.05) and penile erection (r = 0.494;p < 0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between FSH or LH and any of the sexual function parameters. The present study indicated that radical prostatectomy affected reproductive hormones by increasing LH and FSH concentrations above normal ranges for healthy men, while Te concentrations remained within normal range in the months following RP. The postoperative serum total Te concentrations of the patients were significantly associated with their postoperative sex drive, penile erection and frequency of sexual intercourse.

Social Skills and Behavioral Problems in Adolescents with Child Sexual Abuse, and Their Relation to Basal Cortisol

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a stressful associated with alterations in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-adrenal (HPA) axis and behavioral problems. Children and adolescents with history of CSA could have higher cortisol levels, as these have been associated with deleterious changes in brain regions involved in controlling social behavior and self-control. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship among basal cortisol levels, social skills and behavioral problems in adolescents with CSA by evaluating two groups: one consisting of 12 - 15-year-old girls with CSA (n = 23), the other healthy comparison adolescents with no history of child abuse (n = 23). Social skills and behavioral problems were assessed using the Social Skills Improvement System. Three saliva samples were collected from each participant. The girls with CSA had lower social skills and more behavioral problems, as well as, higher cortisol concentrations. Besides, these participants showed significant negative correlations among cortisol levels and social skills, as well as, positive correlations with behavioral problems scales. It is feasible to suggest that the social deficiencies observed in these participants with CSA are related to alterations of the HPA.