Association of Estrogen Receptor-α Gene PvuII Polymorphisms with the Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Skeletal Development in Chinese Pubertal Girls

Objective To investigate the association of estrogen receptor alpha （ER-c0 PvulI polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone development in Chinese pubertal girls, and to study the importance of calcium supplementation by maximizing the peak bone mass at their pubertal stage for bone development and osteoporosis prevention and the role of estrogen in regulating bone mass. Methods Ninety-four pubertal girls were recruited in the study and divided into two groups and three sub-groups according to the ER-α PvulI polymorphisms. One year before and after calcium supplementation, bone mineral density （BMD） was measured by DEXA, while BGP, BAP, TRACP5b, and 25-OH-VitD3, as well as estrogen were detected by ELISA. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the effect of ER-ct polymorphisms on bone development. Results The absolute increase and percentage change of BGP were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the control group （P〈0.05）. In the intervened group, The increase and percentage change of the total body and radio distal 1/3 BMD were higher in PP than in PP genotype （P〈0.05）, and the increase of BAP in Pp was also higher than PP in the same group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion PP genotype shows a better response to calcium supplementation than the other Pvull polymorphisms.

Carbon Ion Irradiation Induces Reduction of β-tubulin in Sperm of Pubertal Mice

Microtubules are involved in a variety of cellular functions such as cell division, intracellular transport, maintenance of cell polarity and flagella and ciliary motility. The heterogeneity of tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins is responsible for these different microtubule functions. Many studies have confirmed that the structure and function of the different α-tubulin and β-tubulin subunits can affect the microtubule. The sperm axoneme microtubule has linear fiber filaments which are polymerized by heterodimeric a and β-tubulin, each with a molecular mass of approximately 50 kD[1].

A New Case of Turner Syndrome with Early Pubertal Development

Turner syndrome (TS) is a relatively common chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X monosomy. The most frequently observed karyotype, 45, X, arises more often by loss of the paternal X or Y chromosome in meiosis or in early embryogenesis than by loss of the maternal X chromosome. The main clinical features of TS are short stature, gonadal dysgenesis, and not to undergo pubertal development (e.g. primary amenorrhea). However, a few rare cases of TS have shown precocious puberty. Our case of a 9-year-old girl did not have any TS-specific clinical hallmarks, with the exception of short stature. She visited our clinic because of her pubertal development and short stature. In this report, we highlight the variability that can occur in patients with TS and emphasizes the need to carefully assess unusual growth patterns in any child, regardless of other underlying conditions.

Risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance in obese children and adolescents

AIM:To investigate which obese children have an increased risk for impaired glucose tolerance(IGT),a risk factor for later diabetes.METHODS:We studied 169 European untreated obese children and adolescents with normal glucose tolerance at baseline.Waist circumference,fasting glucose,lipids,blood pressure,pubertal stage,2 h glucose in oral glucose tolerance test(oGTT),and HbA1c were deter mined at baseline and 1 year later.RESULTS:One year after baseline,19(11.2) children demonstrated IGT,4(2.4) children had impaired fas ting glucose,no(0) child suffered from diabetes,and 146(86) children still showed normal glucose tolerance.At baseline,the children with IGT and with normal glucose tolerance in a one-year follow-up did not differ significantly in respect of any analyzed parameter,apart from pubertal stage.The children developing IGT entered puberty significantly more frequently(37 vs 3,P < 0.001).One year after baseline,the childr en with IGT demonstrated significantly increased waist circumference,blood pressure values,insulin and triglyceride concentrations,and insulin resistance index HOMA.The children remaining in the normal glucose tolerance status 1 year after baseline did not demonstrate any significant changes.CONCLUSION:During the study period of 1 year,more than 10 of the obese children with normal glucose tolerance converted to IGT.Repeated screening with oGTT seems meaningful in obese children entering puberty or demonstrating increased insulin resistance,waist circumference,blood pressure,or triglyceride concen trations.

Precocious puberty: Pathology, related risks, and support strategies

Children are currently starting pubertal development much earlier than 20 to 30 years ago. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) conducted from 1988-1994 revealed that the median age for breast development in white girls was approximately 9.7 years and 8 years in African-American girls versus 10.9 years ago. More recent data, however, indicate that some children are starting pubertal development even earlier (age 7 or 8 in girls or age 9 in boys). Very early pubertal development is identified as precocious puberty, a phenomenon that brings great concern to others besides parents: the child, their peers, school nurses, teachers and counselors. This paper discusses precocious pubertal development, possible causes or relationships, related risks, treatment and helping strategies.

Comparing Women and Men’s Experiences with Kallmann Syndrome

Topic: Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a congenital olfacto-genital disease. Affected persons show an absence of physical pubertal development, and their sense of smell is reduced or absent (anosmia). The prevalence is 1:40,000 in women and 1:8000 to 1:10,000 in men. Development of gender identity corresponds to the assigned gender at birth. The cause of KS is a genetic defect. To date, only a few systematic investigations have delved into the psychological disstress and consequences of the somatic characteristics of KS. In order for affected persons to be appropriately informed, well-founded research results are necessary. The focus of the present study aims at examining the similarities and differences between the psychological disstress and consequences women and men experience through the development, on the one hand, and through its medical treatment on the other. The present text complements current findings on the psychological consequences of KS in men [1] and women, respectively [2]. Two questions lie at the center of the comparison: 1) Which similarities and which gender-specific differences are there concerning the perceived burdens? 2) Which coping strategies have been developed in dealing with the burdens and consequences caused by KS in the affected women and men? Which similarities and which gender-specific differences are there with respect to these coping strategies? Methodology: The survey has been carried out by means of topically focused narrative interviews of 16 men and 5 women. Based on the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring [3], categories have been generated and evaluated on the basis of the interview material. The results of the male and female samples have been contrasted and analyzed in gender-specific relevant key subjects [1,2]. Results: The comparison shows that the burdens women and men experience through KS go beyond the somato-medical problems, and that the psychosocial consequences are a heavy burden for the members of both groups. Men bear a heavier burden through insecurities and shame about the absence of virilization and subsequently suffer more from bullying and marginalization experiences. They also perceive mood changes more frequently and as more burdensome through the course of hormone treatment. Women also develop shame due to the absence of female body development;they do, however, perceive this as less burdensome than do men. They suffer particularly from a loss of libido before and also during hormone treatment. Differences occur concerning the gender-specific hormone treatment and its effects on mood and libido. Wellfounded statements relating to this do, however, require further-reaching studies. In women, KS is frequently misdiagnosed as simply estrogen deficiency, which could be an explanation for the differing degree of prevalence. The preferred coping strategies for both sexes include confidential talks with suitable people, such as parents, the partner, friends, or a psychotherapist. Using support from psychotherapists, sex education, and/or sexual therapists is recommended when necessary. Conclusion: Psychotherapeutic/psychological support is recommended for both women and men diagnosed with KS, taking into account the gender-specific differences in dealing with the burdens KS imposes. The focus for both sexes should be on developing and strengthening body image and self-esteem. In medical treatment for both women and men, normal or inconspicuous body development should be emphasized. Particularly in the case of women, sex therapy should be available for support due to loss of libido. For men, therapy should be recommended, so as to strengthen their social capabilities and self-confidence. Additional studies are necessary for examining the effects of hormonal treatment on mood and libido and phenotyp.

Investigating the Modulatory Role of Chronological and Biological Age on Performance Predictors in Youth Swimmers

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the modulatory roles of biological maturity and age on the predictors of performance in youth swimmers and their stability over a six-month training cycle.Methods In total,28 swimmers(10 pre-pubertal[6 boys],11.1±1.8 years;18 pubertal[8 boys],15.2±2.0 years old)and 26 untrained controls(15 pre-pubertal[10 boys],9.7±1.5 years;11 pubertal[6 boys],14.4±0.5 years old)were recruited.At baseline,3-and 6-months,participants completed an incremental ramp cycle test,isometric handgrip strength test and countermovement jumps,with speed assessed as a measure of performance in swimmers.Principle component analysis(PCA)identified factors that described youth swimmers’physical profile,with linear mixed models subsequently used to determine their interaction with age and maturity on performance.Results Aerobic fitness and upper body strength were significantly higher in the trained participants,irrespective of maturity status or time-point.Four key factors were identified through PCA(anthropometrics;strength;aerobic capacity;aerobic rate),accounting for 90%of the between parameter variance.Age exerted a widespread influence on swimming performance predic-tors,influencing all four factors,whilst maturity only influenced the aerobic factors.The key age of divergence was 13 years.Conclusion Overall,the present study found no evidence of a maturational threshold in the aerobic or strength-related response to training in youth.The influence of age on performance predictors suggests that utilising a single or select group of parameters to inform selection and/or talent identification throughout the dynamic processes of growth and maturation should be avoided.

s age at puberty associated with semen quality ant ＇eproductive hormones in young adult life？

The evidence is scarce on the association between age at puberty and semen quality. A cohort of 320 Danish men aged 18-21 years enrolled in the ＂Healthy Habits for Two＂ birth cohort provided self-reported data on pubertal indicators and delivered semen and blood samples. The results indicated an association between older age at pubertal development and lower semen quality and altered reproductive hormones concentrations as measured in young adult life. Men who had their first nocturnal emission, start of pubic hair growth and first voice break episode when older than 15 years had 37.0%, 45.0% and 32.7% lower sperm concentration; 37.8%, 44.2% and 29.1% lower total sperm count; 7.4%, 13.4% and 15.3% lower testosterone concentration; and 21.3%, 1.5% and 3.7% lower inhibin B concentration, respectively, compared with the men who were younger than 13 years at their first pubertal indicators. Only few of the results were statistically significant, but similar tendencies were seen in several of the reproductive parameters suggesting an association between the timing of pubertal development and reproductive health later in life.