Aim: To investigate the relationship between 2D:4D and testosterone in men attending an infertility clinic and men drawn from the general population. Methods: Data on 2D:4D and testosterone from two samples were colle...Aim: To investigate the relationship between 2D:4D and testosterone in men attending an infertility clinic and men drawn from the general population. Methods: Data on 2D:4D and testosterone from two samples were collected: (1) 43 men attending an infertility clinic, and (2) 51 men drawn from the general population without regard to fertility. Results: In sample (1) there were negative associations between 2D:4D and testicular function, and men with lower 2D:4D in their right compared to left hand had higher testosterone levels than men with higher 2D:4D in their right compared to left hand. Sample (2) showed no significant associations between 2D:4D or side differences in 2E>:4D and testosterone. Conclusion: Adult levels of testosterone may be related to aspects of 2D:4D in samples which contain men with compromised testicular function, but not in men from normative samples. Associations between 2D:4D and fertility-associated traits probably arise from early organisational effects of testosterone rather than from activational effects of current testosterone.展开更多
Sex and sex hormones play a major role in lung physiology. It has been proposed that the ratio of the second to fourth digits （digit ratio） is correlated with fetal sex hormones. We therefore hypothesized that digit...Sex and sex hormones play a major role in lung physiology. It has been proposed that the ratio of the second to fourth digits （digit ratio） is correlated with fetal sex hormones. We therefore hypothesized that digit ratio might help predict lung function. We investigated the relationship between digit ratio and pulmonary function test （PFT） findings. A total of 245 South Korean patients （162 male, 83 female） aged from 34 to 90 years who were hospitalized for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled. Before administering the PFTs, the lengths of the second and fourth digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital Vernier caliper. In males （n = 162）, univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that digit ratio was a significant predictive factor of forced vital capacity （FVC） and forced expiratory volume in I second （FEV1） （FVC： r = 0.156, P = 0.047; FEVI： r = 0.160, P = 0.042）. In male ever-smokers （n = 69）, lung functions （FVC and FEV1） were correlated with smoking exposure rather than digit ratio. In female never-smokers （n = 83）, lung functions （FEV1 and FEVI/FVC ratio） were positively correlated with digit ratio on univariate analysis （FEVI： r = 0.242, P = 0.027; FEVI/FVC ratio： r = 0.245, P = 0.026）. Patients with lower digit ratios tend to have decreased lung function. These results suggest that digit ratio is a predictor of airway function.展开更多
The second to fourth digit ratio （2D：4D） has been proposed as a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and covaries with the sensitivity of the androgen receptor （AR）. Both prenatal testosterone and the AR ...The second to fourth digit ratio （2D：4D） has been proposed as a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and covaries with the sensitivity of the androgen receptor （AR）. Both prenatal testosterone and the AR play a central role in penile growth. In this study, we investigated the relationship between digit ratio and penile length. Korean men who were hospitalized for urological surgery at a single tertiary academic centre were examined in this study, and 144 men aged 20 years or older who gave informed consent were prospectively enrolled. Right-hand second- and fourth-digit lengths were measured by a single investigator prior to measurement of penile length. Under anaesthesia, flaccid and stretched penile lengths were measured by another investigator who did not measure nor have any the information regarding the digit lengths. Univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that only height was a significant predictive factor for flaccid penile length （univariate analysis： r=0. 185, P=-0.026; multivariate analysis： r=-0.172, P=0.038） and that only digit ratio was a significant predictive factor for stretched penile length （univariate analysis： r=-0.216, P=0.009; multivariate analysis： r=-0.201, P=0.024; stretched penile length=-9.201 xdigit ratio ＋ 20.577）. Based on this evidence, we suggest that the digit ratio can predict adult penile size and that the effects of prenatal testosterone may in part explain the differences in adult penile length.展开更多
The ratio of the second-to-fourth digit length（2D：4D）has been shown to be sexually dimorphic,with males having lower mean than females and the ratio relates to masculinity and femininity in adults.2D：4D is influen...The ratio of the second-to-fourth digit length（2D：4D）has been shown to be sexually dimorphic,with males having lower mean than females and the ratio relates to masculinity and femininity in adults.2D：4D is influenced by digit growth pattern which is related to the ratio of prenatal androgen to estrogen levels in the later part of the first trimester.展开更多
This research aimed to provide evidenee of a relationship between digit ratio and depression status in the cynomolgus monkey(Macaca fascicularis).In stable cyno molgus mon key social groups,we selected 15 depressed mo...This research aimed to provide evidenee of a relationship between digit ratio and depression status in the cynomolgus monkey(Macaca fascicularis).In stable cyno molgus mon key social groups,we selected 15 depressed monkeys based on depressive-like behavioral criteria and 16 normal control mon keys.All animals were video recorded for two weeks,with the duration and frequency of the core depressive behaviors and 58 other behaviors in 12 behavioral categories then evaluated via behavioral analysis.Fin ger len gths from the right and left forelimb hands of both groups were measured by X-ray imagi ng.Fin ger length and digit ratio comparisons between the two groups were con ducted using Stude nt's Mest.In terms of the durati on of each behavior,signifies nt differences emerged in“Huddling”and five other behavioral categories,including Ingestive,Amicable,Parental,Locomotive,and Resting.In addition to the above five behavioral categories,we found that depressed mon keys spent less time in parental and rubbing back and forth behaviors than the control group.Furthermore,the 4th fin gers were significantly Ion ger in the left and right hands in the control group relative to the depressed mon keys.The sec ond?to?fourth(2D:4D)digit ratio in the left and right forelimb hands was significantly lower in the control group tha n that in the depressed group.Our fin dings revealed significant differences in finger lengths and digit ratios between depressed mon keys and healthy controls,which concords with our view that relatively high fetal testosterone exposure may be a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms(or that low fetal testosterone exposure is a risk factor).展开更多
The ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits of the hand is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been shown to be a within sex correlate of various abilities, such as visuo-spatial processing in...The ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits of the hand is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been shown to be a within sex correlate of various abilities, such as visuo-spatial processing in men. However, a number of studies report such links also exist in women, whilst others show no link for either sex. Using a unique paradigm that sub-divides visuo-spatial processing into a distinct subset of component skills we found a strong correlation between finger ratio and spatial memory performance specifically under stereo viewing conditions in women. We argue that the current ambiguity regarding links between digit-ratio and visuo-spatial ability is the result of a lack of clarity between the component skills recruited in different visuo-spatial tasks. Our task independently tested a subset of the component skills used in visuo-spatial tasks such as: mental rotation, cross-dimensionality processing and feature detection. Our results show that digit-ratio, a physical parameter linked to prenatal testosterone levels, indicates performance on a distinct aspect of visuo-spatial processing in women, without contradicting previous links for visuo-spatial processing in men. These results offer an explanation for the differences in previous findings linking visuo-spatial processing in both men and women.展开更多
The complete stress-strain characteristics of sandstone specimens were investigated in a series of quasistatic monotonic uniaxial compression tests.Strain patterns development during pre-and post-peak behaviours in sp...The complete stress-strain characteristics of sandstone specimens were investigated in a series of quasistatic monotonic uniaxial compression tests.Strain patterns development during pre-and post-peak behaviours in specimens with different aspect ratios was also examined.Peak stress,post-peak portion of stress-strain,brittleness,characteristics of progressive localisation and field strain patterns development were affected at different extents by specimen aspect ratio.Strain patterns of the rocks were obtained by applying three-dimensional(3D) digital image correlation(DIC) technique.Unlike conventional strain measurement using strain gauges attached to specimen,3D DIC allowed not only measuring large strains,but more importantly,mapping the development of field strain throughout the compression test,i.e.in pre-and post-peak regimes.Field strain development in the surface of rock specimen suggests that strain starts localising progressively and develops at a lower rate in pre-peak regime.However,in post-peak regime,strains increase at different rates as local deformations take place at different extents in the vicinity and outside the localised zone.The extent of localised strains together with the rate of strain localisation is associated with the increase in rate of strength degradation.Strain localisation and local inelastic unloading outside the localised zone both feature post-peak regime.展开更多
The second-to-fourth digit(2D:4D)ratio is thought to be associated with prenatal androgen exposure.However,the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and hypospadias is poorly understood,and its molecular mechanism is n...The second-to-fourth digit(2D:4D)ratio is thought to be associated with prenatal androgen exposure.However,the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and hypospadias is poorly understood,and its molecular mechanism is not clear.In this study,by analyzing the hand digit length of 142 boys with hypospadias(23 distal,68 middle,and 51 proximal)and 196 controls enrolled in Shanghai Children’s Hospital(Shanghai,China)from December 2020 to December 2021,we found that the 2D:4D ratio was significantly increased in boys with hypospadias(P<0.001)and it was positively correlated with the severity of the hypospadias.This was further verified by the comparison of control mice and prenatal low testosterone mice model obtained by knocking out the risk gene(dynein axonemal heavy chain 8[DNAH8])associated with hypospadias.Furthermore,the discrepancy was mainly caused by a shift in 4D.Proteomic characterization of a mouse model validated that low testosterone levels during pregnancy can impair the growth and development of 4D.Comprehensive mechanistic explorations revealed that during the androgen-sensitive window,the downregulation of the androgen receptor(AR)caused by low testosterone levels,as well as the suppressed expression of chondrocyte proliferation-related genes such as Wnt family member 5a(Wnt5a),Wnt5b,Smad family member 2(Smad2),and Smad3;mitochondrial function-related genes in cartilage such as AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and nuclear respiratory factor 1(Nrf-1);and vascular development-related genes such as myosin light chain(MLC),notch receptor 3(Notch3),and sphingosine kinase 1(Sphk1),are responsible for the limitation of 4D growth,which results in a higher 2D:4D ratio in boys with hypospadias via decreased endochondral ossification.This study indicates that the ratio of 2D:4D is a risk marker of hypospadias and provides a potential molecular mechanism.展开更多
文摘Aim: To investigate the relationship between 2D:4D and testosterone in men attending an infertility clinic and men drawn from the general population. Methods: Data on 2D:4D and testosterone from two samples were collected: (1) 43 men attending an infertility clinic, and (2) 51 men drawn from the general population without regard to fertility. Results: In sample (1) there were negative associations between 2D:4D and testicular function, and men with lower 2D:4D in their right compared to left hand had higher testosterone levels than men with higher 2D:4D in their right compared to left hand. Sample (2) showed no significant associations between 2D:4D or side differences in 2E>:4D and testosterone. Conclusion: Adult levels of testosterone may be related to aspects of 2D:4D in samples which contain men with compromised testicular function, but not in men from normative samples. Associations between 2D:4D and fertility-associated traits probably arise from early organisational effects of testosterone rather than from activational effects of current testosterone.
文摘Sex and sex hormones play a major role in lung physiology. It has been proposed that the ratio of the second to fourth digits （digit ratio） is correlated with fetal sex hormones. We therefore hypothesized that digit ratio might help predict lung function. We investigated the relationship between digit ratio and pulmonary function test （PFT） findings. A total of 245 South Korean patients （162 male, 83 female） aged from 34 to 90 years who were hospitalized for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled. Before administering the PFTs, the lengths of the second and fourth digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital Vernier caliper. In males （n = 162）, univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that digit ratio was a significant predictive factor of forced vital capacity （FVC） and forced expiratory volume in I second （FEV1） （FVC： r = 0.156, P = 0.047; FEVI： r = 0.160, P = 0.042）. In male ever-smokers （n = 69）, lung functions （FVC and FEV1） were correlated with smoking exposure rather than digit ratio. In female never-smokers （n = 83）, lung functions （FEV1 and FEVI/FVC ratio） were positively correlated with digit ratio on univariate analysis （FEVI： r = 0.242, P = 0.027; FEVI/FVC ratio： r = 0.245, P = 0.026）. Patients with lower digit ratios tend to have decreased lung function. These results suggest that digit ratio is a predictor of airway function.
文摘The second to fourth digit ratio （2D：4D） has been proposed as a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and covaries with the sensitivity of the androgen receptor （AR）. Both prenatal testosterone and the AR play a central role in penile growth. In this study, we investigated the relationship between digit ratio and penile length. Korean men who were hospitalized for urological surgery at a single tertiary academic centre were examined in this study, and 144 men aged 20 years or older who gave informed consent were prospectively enrolled. Right-hand second- and fourth-digit lengths were measured by a single investigator prior to measurement of penile length. Under anaesthesia, flaccid and stretched penile lengths were measured by another investigator who did not measure nor have any the information regarding the digit lengths. Univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that only height was a significant predictive factor for flaccid penile length （univariate analysis： r=0. 185, P=-0.026; multivariate analysis： r=-0.172, P=0.038） and that only digit ratio was a significant predictive factor for stretched penile length （univariate analysis： r=-0.216, P=0.009; multivariate analysis： r=-0.201, P=0.024; stretched penile length=-9.201 xdigit ratio ＋ 20.577）. Based on this evidence, we suggest that the digit ratio can predict adult penile size and that the effects of prenatal testosterone may in part explain the differences in adult penile length.
文摘The ratio of the second-to-fourth digit length（2D：4D）has been shown to be sexually dimorphic,with males having lower mean than females and the ratio relates to masculinity and femininity in adults.2D：4D is influenced by digit growth pattern which is related to the ratio of prenatal androgen to estrogen levels in the later part of the first trimester.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(816 01207)National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(2017YFA 0505700)
文摘This research aimed to provide evidenee of a relationship between digit ratio and depression status in the cynomolgus monkey(Macaca fascicularis).In stable cyno molgus mon key social groups,we selected 15 depressed monkeys based on depressive-like behavioral criteria and 16 normal control mon keys.All animals were video recorded for two weeks,with the duration and frequency of the core depressive behaviors and 58 other behaviors in 12 behavioral categories then evaluated via behavioral analysis.Fin ger len gths from the right and left forelimb hands of both groups were measured by X-ray imagi ng.Fin ger length and digit ratio comparisons between the two groups were con ducted using Stude nt's Mest.In terms of the durati on of each behavior,signifies nt differences emerged in“Huddling”and five other behavioral categories,including Ingestive,Amicable,Parental,Locomotive,and Resting.In addition to the above five behavioral categories,we found that depressed mon keys spent less time in parental and rubbing back and forth behaviors than the control group.Furthermore,the 4th fin gers were significantly Ion ger in the left and right hands in the control group relative to the depressed mon keys.The sec ond?to?fourth(2D:4D)digit ratio in the left and right forelimb hands was significantly lower in the control group tha n that in the depressed group.Our fin dings revealed significant differences in finger lengths and digit ratios between depressed mon keys and healthy controls,which concords with our view that relatively high fetal testosterone exposure may be a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms(or that low fetal testosterone exposure is a risk factor).
文摘The ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits of the hand is an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure and has been shown to be a within sex correlate of various abilities, such as visuo-spatial processing in men. However, a number of studies report such links also exist in women, whilst others show no link for either sex. Using a unique paradigm that sub-divides visuo-spatial processing into a distinct subset of component skills we found a strong correlation between finger ratio and spatial memory performance specifically under stereo viewing conditions in women. We argue that the current ambiguity regarding links between digit-ratio and visuo-spatial ability is the result of a lack of clarity between the component skills recruited in different visuo-spatial tasks. Our task independently tested a subset of the component skills used in visuo-spatial tasks such as: mental rotation, cross-dimensionality processing and feature detection. Our results show that digit-ratio, a physical parameter linked to prenatal testosterone levels, indicates performance on a distinct aspect of visuo-spatial processing in women, without contradicting previous links for visuo-spatial processing in men. These results offer an explanation for the differences in previous findings linking visuo-spatial processing in both men and women.
基金supported by the Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre whose activities are funded by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Programme.This is DET CRC Document 2017/954
文摘The complete stress-strain characteristics of sandstone specimens were investigated in a series of quasistatic monotonic uniaxial compression tests.Strain patterns development during pre-and post-peak behaviours in specimens with different aspect ratios was also examined.Peak stress,post-peak portion of stress-strain,brittleness,characteristics of progressive localisation and field strain patterns development were affected at different extents by specimen aspect ratio.Strain patterns of the rocks were obtained by applying three-dimensional(3D) digital image correlation(DIC) technique.Unlike conventional strain measurement using strain gauges attached to specimen,3D DIC allowed not only measuring large strains,but more importantly,mapping the development of field strain throughout the compression test,i.e.in pre-and post-peak regimes.Field strain development in the surface of rock specimen suggests that strain starts localising progressively and develops at a lower rate in pre-peak regime.However,in post-peak regime,strains increase at different rates as local deformations take place at different extents in the vicinity and outside the localised zone.The extent of localised strains together with the rate of strain localisation is associated with the increase in rate of strength degradation.Strain localisation and local inelastic unloading outside the localised zone both feature post-peak regime.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.81870459 and 81970572).
文摘The second-to-fourth digit(2D:4D)ratio is thought to be associated with prenatal androgen exposure.However,the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and hypospadias is poorly understood,and its molecular mechanism is not clear.In this study,by analyzing the hand digit length of 142 boys with hypospadias(23 distal,68 middle,and 51 proximal)and 196 controls enrolled in Shanghai Children’s Hospital(Shanghai,China)from December 2020 to December 2021,we found that the 2D:4D ratio was significantly increased in boys with hypospadias(P<0.001)and it was positively correlated with the severity of the hypospadias.This was further verified by the comparison of control mice and prenatal low testosterone mice model obtained by knocking out the risk gene(dynein axonemal heavy chain 8[DNAH8])associated with hypospadias.Furthermore,the discrepancy was mainly caused by a shift in 4D.Proteomic characterization of a mouse model validated that low testosterone levels during pregnancy can impair the growth and development of 4D.Comprehensive mechanistic explorations revealed that during the androgen-sensitive window,the downregulation of the androgen receptor(AR)caused by low testosterone levels,as well as the suppressed expression of chondrocyte proliferation-related genes such as Wnt family member 5a(Wnt5a),Wnt5b,Smad family member 2(Smad2),and Smad3;mitochondrial function-related genes in cartilage such as AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and nuclear respiratory factor 1(Nrf-1);and vascular development-related genes such as myosin light chain(MLC),notch receptor 3(Notch3),and sphingosine kinase 1(Sphk1),are responsible for the limitation of 4D growth,which results in a higher 2D:4D ratio in boys with hypospadias via decreased endochondral ossification.This study indicates that the ratio of 2D:4D is a risk marker of hypospadias and provides a potential molecular mechanism.
