HIV-infected Female Sex Workers High Risk Behavior and Attitude Changes in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan Province, China

Objective To investigate the attitude and sexual behavior status and change among HIV positive female workers in entertainment sites in Kaiyuan city, Yunnan province, China. The key information should be applied in the integrated intervention program in future. Methods A cohort survey among HIV positive female workers was conducted during 12 months, between 2010 and 2012. All the risk sexual behavior and attitude were collected for assessment for the potential secondary transmission to sexual partners. Results Of 99 HIV positive women who sell sex in Kaiyuan city, 99 participated in the survey at baseline, 80, 80, 75, and 75 at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. The percentage of participants who reported consistently used condoms in the last one month ranged between 94.5% and 95.5%. The client volume in the last one month, income per sex and age group were significant related with non-insistent condom use with their clients. Conclusion It was suggested that integrated intervention program package should include 100 percent condom use promotion for the HIV positive FSW with all sexual partners, and also, include socially support involved.

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Risk Behavior, and Recent Substance Use in a Sample of Urban Drug Users: Findings by Race and Sex

The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence of HIV, past six-month illicit drug use, and risk behaviors among a population of heavy drug users living in an urban setting. Although many studies investigate substance use, sex-risk behavior, and HIV by race and gender, no studies have examined these variables simultaneously. The current study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by exploring HIV prevalence among a predominantly heterosexual sample of recent substance users by injection drug use (IDU) status, race, and sex. Baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV epidemiologic study was used in this study. This study examines neuropsychological and social-behavioral risk factors of HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C among both injection and non-injection drug users. Descriptive statistics and chi-square statistics were used in data analyses. Blood and urine samples were obtained to test for the presence of recent drug use, viral hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Findings presented here have several important implications for HIV prevention and care among substance users. Intervention programs that incorporate substance use treatment in addition to HIV education, particularly with respect to substance use and sex risk behavior are imperative.

STUDY ON HIV/STDS KNOWLEDGE AND RISK BEHAVIORS RELATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN SHANGHAI,CHINA

Objective To assess the HIV/STDs knowledge and risk behaviors related factors among female sex workers(FSWs)in Shanghai,China.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 districts(including 3 suburbs and 2 urban districts).A total of 324 FSWs from 88 massage parlors and hair-beauty salons participated in the survey.An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information.Results The average score of HIV/STDs knowledge was 15.2±3.9.Multivariate analyses indicated that limited education [odds ratio(OR):8.6,95% confidence interval(CI):2.9-25.6],coming from suburbs [odds ratio(OR):3.7,95% confidence interval(CI):2.0-6.8],monthly income less than 1500 RMB(220 US$)[odds ratio(OR):3.9,95% confidence interval(CI):1.9-8.1],without HIV/STDs-related education experience(OR:5.2,95% CI:2.8-9.5),and coming from provinces of low epidemic(OR:2.7,95% CI:1.1-6.6)were significant predictors of lower HIV/STDs knowledge.And 29.5% FSWs had sex without a condom when clients paid much more money,and 46.3% had the experience of condom broke or slipped during commercial sexual intercourse.Conclusion Health promotion should be conducted to enhance HIV/STDs knowledge and reduce risk behaviors among FSWs from suburbs with limited education in Shanghai especially.

Effect of sex,temperature,time and flock size on the diving behavior of the wintering Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus)

Background: The foraging and diving behavior of waterfowl are affected by a number of important factors. Hence, learning more about these major factors is of great concern in order to protect endangered species. In this study, we verified the effect of sex, temperature, time and flock size on the diving behavior of the Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus).Methods: The study was conducted by means of focal animal sampling in the Wuyuan section of the Poyang Lake watershed in Jiangxi Province, China from December 2015 to March 2016. We used one-way ANOVA and LSD tests to investigate the differences among these factors. Pearson correlations were used to test the relation between pause duration and the previous or subsequent dive duration. The relations between these factors and dive/pause duration are illustrated using Spearman correlations.Results: Mean dive duration and mean time on the pause of males were significantly higher than those of females. With an increase in temperature, dive duration significantly increased. Along with the passage of time of year and daytime, dive duration significantly increased, while dive duration decreased significantly with the increase in flock size.Conclusions: Sex, temperature, time and flock size have an effect on the diving behavior of the wintering Scalysided Merganser. The difference of diving behavior between males and females is related to differences in body mass. The difference of diving behavior among various temperatures and time periods may be related to a low minimum rate of oxygen consumption, while the difference among various flock sizes may be caused by rising intraspecific competition.

Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Participatory Sex Education on the Dual Prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancies among Adolescents in Kinshasa High Schools, DR Congo

Context: With the view to reorient both STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and adolescents pregnancies, this research study aims at evaluating cognitive and behavioral acquisitions, as well as the process of interactive sex education participatory approach among adolescents in Kinshasa high schools. Methods: Based on a “pre and post” virtually experimental design, two crosswise surveys were conducted in Kinshasa, for six months in 2011-2012 on 484 high school students (pre-survey) and on 441 high school students (post-survey), whose age range from 14 - 19 years including both sexes. Two participatory educational talks (PET) “A” and “B”, covered weekly in two different schools, were compared to a control group school. The PET “A” consisted of interactive interpersonal communication sessions given by an external expert as a substitute for the life education course in one school. The PET “B” carried out in another school, included more educational talk sessions, led by the external expert and supplemented by a close follow-up of teenagers divided into small groups of 10 participants. The subjects’ assessment was based on their knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to STI/HIV/AIDS dual prevention as well as to unwanted pregnancies. Results: The subjects involved in the PET “B” displayed a better/higher performance based on their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to STI/HIV/AIDS dual prevention and unwanted pregnancies. Broadly speaking, knowledge has been improved 6 times with the PET “B” (OR = 6, 10, IC 95%) (3.24 - 11.9), and 3 times with the PET “A” (OR = 3, 45, IC 95%) (1.79 - 6.81), compared to control school. Similarly, findings on subjects’ attitudes show an improvement rated 12 times with the PET”B” (OR = 11, 99, IC 95%) (5.67 - 27.38) and 5 times for the PET “A” (OR = 5.51, IC 95%) (2.54 - 12.87). As far as the subjects’ practices are concerned, an improvement of 6 more times of protected sexual intercourses with the PET “B” compared with the control school group (OR = 6, 52, IC 95%) (3.60 - 12.0). The process assessment records a spontaneous involvement of schools enhanced by the positive contribution of Life Education and Biology teachers;add a massive participation of adolescents who requested permanent PET program. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that school sexual education programs can be improved to increase the quality of apprenticeship. The use of interactive methods and the consideration of the adolescents’ specific needs that take into account the gender approach may bring about beneficial advantages on both educational outcomes and reproductive health of adolescents.

Risky Sexual Behavior and Its Determinants among Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Back Ground: Risky sexual behavior among orphans and vulnerable children and its associated physical, psychological and social consequences is becoming a major public health concern globally. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of risky sexual behavior and its determinants among orphan and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on three support and care giving organizations for orphans and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to June 2014. A total of 422 orphan and vulnerable children were selected using systematic sampling. Data were collected using pre tested self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Result: A total of 407 (96.4%) respondents participated in this study. Among them 112 (27.5%) had sexual intercourse in their life time, of these 50 (44.6%) started sex before the age of 15, 94 (83.9%) had forced sex, 84 (75.0%) had multiple sexual partners, only 16 (14.3%) used condom the first time they had sex and 96 (85.7%) participated in transactional sex. Females were about 3.25 (2.67 - 7.3) times more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than male respondents, double orphans had 4.32 (2.45 - 9.54) odds of risky sexual behavior compared to their counterparts. Those respondents who had knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention were less likely to be involved in risky sexual behavior 0.58 (0.41 - 0.93). Conclusion: Orphan and vulnerable children are at a higher likelihood of risky sexual behavior. Intervention targeted at multilevel such as orphan survival training, assertive communication skills, sexuality education and education about HIV risk perception, physical, psychological and human right protection, social support, and economic access for basic needs need to be given consideration.

Demographic and Sexual Behavior Characteristics of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Registered in a Targeted Intervention (TI) Program in India

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) contribute substantially to HIV prevalence in India. The targeted intervention (TI) program is the most important link between MSM and the public health system. Hence, we studied the demographic and sexual behavior characteristics of MSM registered in TI program in India. Methods: We used information maintained at TI sites under the program catering exclusively to MSM in India. Demographic characteristics and sexual behavior of MSM over the past two decades were also studied. Risk behaviors included type of partners, alcohol use, sexual acts per week, years of sex work and age at initiation of sex work. Bivariate analysis was carried out to understand the demographic determinants of sexual behavior. Results: In total, data of 6037 MSMs from 14 TI sites were analyzed. Of these 4655 (73.8%) were young adults (<35 years) and 2565 (40.8%) had completed their matriculation. More than half (55.4%) were married. Double-decker was identified as the most common sub-typology among MSM. Average age of initiation of sex was 23.0 years and average number of sexual acts per week was 6.8 (95% CI: 6.8 - 7.0). Irregular partners and alcohol use were observed in 30.5% and 52.8% of MSM respectively. Cohort analysis revealed a statistically significant declining trend in average age of initiation of sex over the past two decades. The sexual behavior of MSM varied significantly by employment status, education, marital status, state of residence, alcohol use and type of sex partner. Conclusion: MSMs registered with the TI program in India were mostly young, educated, and employed. Many MSM also had a history of heterosexual relationships, and thus had the potential of transmitting HIV infection to the otherwise low risk general population. This analysis supports the use of TI program data for understanding the demographic and sexual behavior characteristics of hard to reach and stigmatized population in society.

水生甲壳动物性外激素研究现状与发展方向

性外激素参与水生甲壳动物交配前识别与配偶选择。了解水生甲壳动物性外激素的化学特性对于解析其繁殖过程中化学通讯机理至关重要。对于蜕壳交配的物种而言,分析其交配和蜕壳阶段分泌的化学物质将有助于解读水生甲壳动物性外激素的演化。水生甲壳动物性外激素分为距离性外激素和接触性外激素两种,前者为水溶性的化合物;后者不溶于水,存在于甲壳动物体表。近年来,尿苷-5’-三磷酸,尿苷-5’-二磷酸和N-乙酰基-氨基-1,5-葡糖胺被认为是十足目甲壳动物距离性外激素的主要组分,而接触性外激素则由亲脂性碳氢化合物组成。近年来关于甲壳动物性外激素化学特性研究取得了长足发展,但仍存在需要突破的瓶颈。文章梳理了水生甲壳动物性外激素研究进展及未来研究方向,以期为研究水生甲壳动物性外激素提供参考。

北京市男男性行为人群流感知信行现状分析

目的 通过研究北京市男男性行为人群流行性感冒知信行的现状及影响因素,为男男性行为人群流行性感冒防控和健康教育提供参考依据。方法 依托北京市艾滋病自愿咨询检测门诊和定点治疗机构,利用问卷星对男男性行为人群进行问卷调查,采用χ2检验和多因素二分类logistic回归模型分析调查对象关于流行性感冒的相关知识、态度和行为及影响因素。结果 收回有效问卷977份,调查对象流行性感冒相关知识正确率为86.28%,高中或中专(OR=2.279,95%CI:1.146~4.499)、大专或本科(OR=2.679,95%CI:1.462~4.916)、硕士及以上文化程度者(OR=6.400,95%CI:2.244~18.281)的流感知识水平高于初中及以下,HIV感染者流感知识水平低于HIV未感染者(OR=0.645,95%CI:0.442~0.967);流行性感冒正向态度持有率为61.31%,18~<30岁(OR=0.278,95%CI:0.128~0.608)、30~<40岁(OR=0.265,95%CI:0.134~0.578)、40~<50岁(OR=0.266,95%CI:0.115~0.609)年龄者的流感正向态度持有水平低于≥50岁者,高中或中专(OR=2.473,95%CI:1.293~4.708)、大专或本科(OR=2.556,95%CI:1.464~4.476)、硕士及以上文化程度者(OR=2.731,95%CI:1.435~5.173)的流感正向态度持有水平高于初中及以下,近3年接种过其他疫苗史者流感正向态度持有水平高于近3年未接种其他疫苗史者(OR=1.973,95%CI:1.304~2.990),流感相关知识合格者流感正向态度持有水平高于知识不合格者(OR=3.580,95%CI:2.376~5.372);流行性感冒正向行为形成率为66.84%,未发现行为相关的影响因素。结论 北京市男男性行为人群具有较高的流行性感冒相关知识水平,但正向态度持有和正向行为形成水平不高。应将50岁以下、文化程度较低、HIV感染者、近3年无疫苗接种史的男男性行为人群作为流行性感冒健康教育的重点对象。

HIV阳性MSM的社会行为及首次同性性行为到阳性时间的影响因素分析

目的了解艾滋病病毒(HIV)阳性男男性行为者(MSM)的社会行为特征,分析首次同性性行为到阳性时间的影响因素。方法收集2007—2022年绵阳市疾病预防控制中心新确证并实施首次流行病学调查的阳性MSM资料,阳性时间的影响因素分析采用χ^(2)检验和Logistics回归模型。结果共收集有效资料457份,自认性取向成因属先天因素63.95%、后天因素36.05%,首次同性性行为性伴来源互联网60.54%、朋友等39.46%。首次同性性行为年龄平均23.95岁,发生阶段为在校学生44.64%、工作后55.36%。53.75%使用过rush poppers。阳性时间平均5.25年。多因素分析结果,职业学生/商业服务/无业(OR=1.868)、首次同性性行为发生在在校学生阶段(OR=1.555)者阳性时间短的可能更大,婚姻状况在婚及其他(OR=0.566)、固定性伴数≥3人(OR=0.553)、偶遇性伴数≥5人(OR=0.457)者阳性时间短的可能更小。结论阳性MSM多自认其性取向属先天因素,首次同性性行为的性伴来源互联网、发生在工作后和使用新型毒品较为普遍。阳性时间与婚姻状况、首次同性性行为发生阶段及性伴数量相关联。要针对性强化健康教育和行为干预。

大螟成虫在高剂量性信息素交配干扰环境中的求偶和交配行为

【目的】通过实验室研究高剂量性信息素环境中大螟Sesamia inferens的求偶和交配行为,分析比较性信息素化合物顺11-十六碳烯醛(Z 11-16∶Ald)和顺11-十六碳烯乙酸酯(Z 11-16∶Ac)抑制大螟成虫求偶和交配的差异,为田间大螟有效的交配干扰技术提供技术参数。【方法】在风洞生物测定仪中模拟性信息素高剂量环境,采用2-D行为记录和分析、行为观测、卵巢解剖、性信息素提取和GC-MS分析相结合的方法,测定了雌雄成虫的移动距离、求偶和交配率以及雌成虫性信息素滴度;采用主动释放器试验评价了合成的性信息素的田间交配干扰效果。【结果】大螟雄成虫在暗期第1个小时的移动距离大于其他时间段的,在Z 11-16∶Ac环境中大螟雄成虫移动距离占整个暗期移动距离的51.8%±9.3%,远高于对照(无性信息素释放)和Z 11-16∶Ald环境中的,而暗期不同时间雌成虫移动距离则没有显著差异。Z 11-16∶Ac和Z 11-16∶Ald环境中雌成虫产卵器伸出比例均显著低于对照环境中的。在对照环境中,1日龄雌成虫产卵器伸出比例为76.7%±14.6%,显著高于Z 11-16∶Ald环境中的(29.2%±13.1%)和Z 11-16∶Ac环境中的(26.7%±11.7%)。而各交配干扰环境中不同日龄大螟雌成虫产卵器开始伸出时间和伸出后的持续时间则无显著差异。对照环境中,雌雄成虫的交配率高达72.2%±5.6%,Z 11-16∶Ac和Z 11-16∶Ald环境中交配率分别为40.5%±3.4%和45.2%±3.1%,说明对照组交配率显著高于交配干扰组。在不同的交配干扰环境中,雌成虫性信息素Z 11-16∶Ald和16∶Ac的滴度无显著差异,Z 11-16∶Ac处理后顺11-十六碳烯醇(Z 11-16∶OH)和Z 11-16∶Ac的滴度显著降低,对照环境中的雌成虫Z 11-16∶OH和Z 11-16∶Ac的滴度分别为(3.79±2.56)和(7.29±4.49)ng,但Z 11-16∶Ac环境中仅分别为(0.80±0.59)和(1.99±0.45)ng。Z 11-16∶Ald环境中Z 11-16∶OH和Z 11-16∶Ac的滴度则与对照环境中的无显著差异。田间试验验证了交配干扰的效果,Z 11-16∶Ac交配干扰效果比Z 11-16∶Ald要稳定和高效,Z 11-16∶Ald的交配干扰效果则与地理种群有关。【结论】大螟性信息素交配干扰化合物需要加入Z 11-16∶Ac才能使交配干扰效果稳定和高效,仅仅只有Z 11-16∶Ald时干扰效果可能会受地理种群的影响,Z 11-16∶Ac不仅干扰雄成虫求偶,也同时影响了雌成虫性信息素的滴度以及雌雄成虫的交配,因此,在多个方面提高了防控效果。

2022年贵州省贵阳市贵安新区初中生性教育现状及对策研究

目的了解贵州省贵阳市贵安新区初中生性教育现状,为该地区学校性健康教育提供对策建议。方法2022年7月通过分层整群随机抽样的方法,随机抽取贵安新区七、八、九年级学生,采用自编问卷对受调查者的性知识、性相关态度、性相关行为和性相关教育的现状进行调查,应用Logistic回归模型分析相关影响因素对初中生性知识及性行为的影响。结果本次调查共纳入初中生2545人,受调查者的性知识及格率为47.8%。受调查者中5.6%有过性行为,年龄最小者为13岁。所有受调查者中,有33.8%表示曾遭遇过不同类型的性骚扰。大多数受调查者报告每学年接受性教育为1~3节课(64.4%),多通过生物课(82.3%)、班会课(39.6%)等相对单一方式讲授。受调查者的性别、年级、父亲/母亲文化程度、父母是否教过性知识与受调查者性知识的及格率有关。受调查者的性别、性知识及格率、是否同意性行为与受调查者有无性行为有关。结论贵安新区初中生性知识欠缺,尤以其中的艾滋病知识为主;中学生性态度较为开放,对婚前性行为持包容态度,未采取任何避孕措施的性行为比例较高,存在性健康隐患;学校性教育存在不足。建议该地区对学校性健康教育课程进行如增加课时、完善内容、丰富教学形式等改进。

溴虫氟苯双酰胺影响灰茶尺蠖成虫合成与识别性信息素的能力

灰茶尺蠖(Ectropis grisescens Warren)是重要的茶树害虫,广泛分布于我国主要茶产区,干扰其性信息素通讯是防治该类害虫的有效方式。使用亚致死剂量的溴虫氟苯双酰胺处理灰茶尺蠖成虫,利用风洞测试发现雄蛾对性信息素诱芯表现出活跃、起飞、接触行为发生的占比分别下降了13.79%、44.23%、60.00%,且反应发生时间显著延长。进一步的电生理分析发现,处理组雄蛾对0.01 mg·L^(-1)的性信息素组分Z3,Z6,Z9-18:H的触角电位反应下降了54.57%。另外,当雌蛾受到溴虫氟苯双酰胺处理,GC-MS分析结果显示,雌蛾性腺性信息素主成分Z3,Z6,Z9-18:H和Z3,epo6,Z9-18:H的含量分别下降了21.76%和34.71%,雌蛾合成性信息素的能力显著削弱。雌蛾经溴虫氟苯双酰胺处理,参与性信息素合成的潜在基因Egri-CYP340BD1表达量显著下降。研究结果表明,溴虫氟苯双酰胺处理能显著干扰灰茶尺蠖成虫的性信息素通讯,将为茶园尺蠖类害虫行为调控提供技术参考。

Effect of electromagnetic field exposure on spermatogenesis and sexual activity

Dear Sir, We read with interest the paper by Lee et al. [1].They reported that continuous exposure to an electro-magnetic field with extremely low frequency may in-duce testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice. Our group performed a series of experiments on theeffect of exposure to an electrostatic field on spermato-genesis alld sexual activity[2-7].Polyester(polyethyleneterphthalate)exhibited electrostatic potentials [ESPs] in

Sexual and reproductive health service needs of university/ college students： updates from a survey in Shanghai, China

Aim： To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health. Methods： From July 2004 to May 2006, 5 243 students from 14 universities in Shanghai took part in our survey. Topics covered the demands of reproductive health-care services, attitudes towards and experience with sex, exposure to pornographic material, and knowledge on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections （STIs）/AIDS. Results： Of the 5 067 students who provided valid answer sheets, 50.05% were female and 49.95% were male, 14.86% were medical students, and 85.14% had non-medical backgrounds. A total of 38.4% of respondents had received reproductive health education previously. The majority of students supported school-based reproductive health education, and also acquired information about sex predominantly from books, schoolmates, and the Internet. Premarital sexual behavior was opposed by 17.7% of survey participants, and 37.5% could identify all the three types of STIs listed in the questionnaire. Although 83.7% knew how HIV is transmitted, only 55.7% knew when to use a condom and 57.8% knew that the use of condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Conclusion： The reproductive health service is lagging behind current attitudes and demands of university students. Although students＇ attitudes towards sexual matters are liberal, their knowledge about reproductive health and STIs/AIDS is still limited. It is therefore necessary to provide effective and confidential reproductive health services to young people.

The Influence of Gonadectomy on Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Melatonin in Male and Female Wistar Rats: A Possible Implication of Sex Hormones

The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of sex, ovariectomy (Ovx) and orchidectomy (Orx) on antidepressant and anxiolytic effect of melatonin in forced swimming test, open field test and elevated plus maze test. Initially, 4 mg/kg of melatonin was daily administered, at 4:00 pm, to intact male and female rats during 8 weeks. Our results have shown that the effect of chronic injection of Mel is sex dependent in the three behaviors tests. Females rats have responded better than males in behavior test study after administration of melatonin, this difference between the sexes may be related to the action of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) on behavior in males as well as in females. Secondly, to determine the possible interaction between Melatonin and steroid hormones, Ovx/sham female received Mel at dose of 4mg/kg alone or NaCl (0.9%) alone, and Orx/sham male received Mel at dose of 4 mg/kg alone or NaCl (0.9%) alone daily and during 8 weeks of treatment at 4:00 pm. All animals were tested in the open-field test, elevated plus maze test for anxiety behavior study, and forced swimming test for depression behavior study. Results revealed that Mel exerts an anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in the orchidectomized males and in intact females, confirming that the suppression of androgens by orchidectomy improved anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of melatonin in males. However in females, the suppression of estrogen by ovariectomy masked the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of melatonin. Our results confirmed that the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of melatonin are linked to sex hormones.

Pinealectomy and Exogenous Melatonin Regulate Anxiety-Like and Depressive-Like Behaviors in Male and Female Wistar Rats

The main objective of this work was to 1) study the influence of endogenous melatonin (Mel) abolishment via pinealectomy and 2) explore exogenous Mel effect on anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior in male and female rats. Rats were shamoperated (Sh) or pinealectomized (Px) and following subgroups were selected 1) Px/NaCl (0.9%) and Sh/NaCl (0.9%) : rats injected subcutaneously, once daily for 8 weeks, with saline solution NaCl (0.9%) as vehicle;2) Px/Mel (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/Mel (4 mg/Kg): Rats similarly injected with 4 mg/Kg of Mel. All animals were housed under a photoperiod of (LD:16/8). After different treatments animals were tested in the open-field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM) to determine anxiety-like behavior, and forced swimming test (FST) to evaluate depressive-like level. Our results revealed that level of anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior are significantly higher in Px/NaCl (0.9%) when compared to Sh/NaCl (0.9%) group, suggesting that pinelectomy induced an anxiogenic and depressant effects. The Px effects would be due to the absence of endogenous Mel synthesis and release. Additionally, we clearly demonstrated that the level of anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior are higher in Px/Mel (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/Mel when compared respectively to Px/NaCl (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/NaCl groups suggesting an anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of exogenous Mel. Behavioral responses were sex dependent since the difference between females and males, especially, after melatonin administration, were statistically significant. These experiments provide evidence that pinealectomy and Mel regulated emotionally behavior in male and female rats.

A survey of HIV infection and related high-risk factors among men who have sex with men in Suzhou,Jiangsu,China

A cross-sectional study using the snowball sampling method was conducted in May 2008 to investigate human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） infection status and related high risk factors among men who have sex with men （MSM） in Suzhou city of Jiangsu province. The researchers carried out a face-to-face questionnaire interview among MSM, and collected their blood samples to test for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases （STDs）. Among the 280 respondents, 91.1% had homosexual acts in the past 6 months and 87.5% had multiple homosex- ual partners; 46.4% had heterosexual sex in the past 6 months and 33.1% had multiple heterosexual partners. The rate of continued condom use was 44.3% in homosexual sex in the past 6 months, while the rate in heterosexual sex was 33.9%. Laboratory test results showed that the prevalences of HIV and syphilis were 7.1% （20/280） and 15.0% （42/280）, respectively, but no HCV-positive person was found. In the multivariate logistic regression model, subjects with a monthly income of more than RMB $ 1,000 （OR=4.83,95% CI=1.44-16.22）, subjects who often went to bars for sexual partners （OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.21-4.20）, and subjects who had more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months （OR=0.49, 95%CI=0.25-0.97） and had sex with fixed sexual partners in the past 6 months （OR=0.42, 95%CI=0.25-0.75） were significantly associated with the rate of continued condom use in homosexual sex in the past 6 months. Unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners were more common among MSM in Suzhou city; furthermore, the prevalences of HIV infection and syphilis were relatively high. HIV preventive measures should be designed to address these risk factors and control the spread of HIV among MSM.

A larval specific OBP able to bind the major female sex pheromone component in Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)

Odorant binding proteins （OBPs） in insects are postulated to solubilize and transport the hydrophobic odorants across the hydrophilic antennal lymph to the olfactory receptors （ORs） located on the dendrite membrane of the sensory neurons. OBPs in adult insects have been intensively reported, but those in larvae are rarely addressed. In our study, a full-length OBP cDNA, namely SexiOBP13, was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE strategy from the heads of Spodoptera exigua larvae. The quantitative real-time PCR （qPCR） measurement indicated that SexiOBP13 was highly expressed in larval head, but very low in other parts of larva and was not detected in any tissues of adult. The binding affinities of SexiOBP13 to plant volatiles and female sex pheromone components were measured by competitive binding assays. Interestingly, SexiOBP13 displayed a high binding affinity （Ki=3.82 IJmol L-1） to Z9,E12-14：Ac, the major sex pheromone component of S. exigua, while low affinities to the tested host plant volatiles （Ki〉27 μmol L-l）. The behavioral tests further confirmed that Z9,E12-14：Ac was indeed active to elicit the behavioral activity of the third instar larvae of S. exigua. Taken together, our results suggest that SexiOBP13 may play a role in reception of female sex pheromone in S. exigua larvae. The ecological significance of the larvae preference to the adult female sex pheromone was discussed.

No pain, no social gains:A social-signaling perspective of human pain behaviors

In this review article, we describe a social-signaling perspective of human pain and pain empathizing behaviors which is based on the premise that pain percepts evolved to serve both intrapersonal as well as interpersonal, communicative functions. This perspective offers a generative framework for understanding the natural origin and proximate expression of felt pain and pain empathizing behaviors. The basic thesis is that humans evolved sensory-behavioral heuristics for perceiving and inhibiting exogenous and endogenous pain sensations as part of more general expressive styles characterized by the demonstration of vulnerability gestures(i.e., trustworthiness cues) versus empowerment gestures(i.e., capacity cues), and these styles ultimately facilitate broader selfprotection and social novelty-seeking life-history behavior strategies, respectively. We review the extant literature on how social contextual factors(e.g., audience characteristics) and how structural and functional components of individual's social network appear to influence the expression of pain behaviors in ways that support basic predictions from the social-signaling perspective. We also show how the perspective can be used to interpret conventional findings of sex differences in pain percepts and pain empathizing behaviors and for predicting how the situational context and individual's peer networks modulate these differences in vitro and in vitro. We conclude the article by describing how pain researchers may better understand how varying levels and divergent directions of changes in affect tend to co-occur with systematic changes in internal vs external pain sensitivities, and thus why, from an evolutionary perspective, pain may occur in the presence and absence of physical tissue damage.