Height-weight relationship in young healthy Indian males

Height-weight relationship in young healthy Indian males (19-22 yrs.) has been established. It is concluded that the relationship of the form: log w = 1.18 + 0.35 h fits well to the data on height h (in metres) and weight w (in kilograms) for this group of subjects, the logarithm is taken to the base 10. The results of the present study show that Ehrenberg's equation of the form: log w = 0.8 h + 0.4 cannot be extended beyond the age of 18 years in young healthy Indian males.     

Testosterone therapy in young and old rhesus males that display low levels of sexual activity

Ten wild-born rhesus (Macaca mulatta) males (estimated age, 14-28 years) were given pair-tests with each of six sexually receptive females. Males that ejaculated in 50% or less of the tests (N = 5) were assigned to an experimental group and those that ejaculated in over 50% of the tests (N = 5) served as a control group. All of the males had typically ejaculated in over 80% of the pair tests given in the past. The experimental group was injected daily with testosterone propionate (TP, 1 mg/kg) and was given a pair-test twice each week for six weeks. The control group was injected daily with oil and given comparable tests with the same females. Treatment with TP did not increase level of performance, and differences between the groups, overall, showed little change. In a second experiment five wild-born males (three, 7-9 years; two, 17 years) whose previous sexual performance had characteristically been sluggish were given two pre- and two posttests with each of five receptive females. They were given the same TP treatment as were the males in the first experiment. Treatment with TP failed to improve performance.     

Psychoendocrine response to sexual arousal in human males

The hypothesis is tested that luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH( may be released from the anterior pituitary in response to a psychological state of sexual arousal. LH levels in 10 male volunteers were found to be higher after viewing a sexually arousing film than after a control film. The magnitude of LH response was found to be positively correlated with the subjective evaluation of sexual arousal. FSH levels tended in the same direction bu the predominant and unexpected finding for this hormone was that levels were consistently lower during the first session, when anxiety was high, and higher during the second session, when anxiety was less, whether control or stimulus film had been shown. This study is analogous to those demonstrating the responsiveness of other anterior pituitary hormones to specific psychological states.     

Decreased sexual interest and its relationship to body build in postmenopausal women

Objectives: The relationship between body build, androgen levels and changes in sexual interest after menopause was investigated in 171 postmenopausal women from Vienna, Austria. Methods: All women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Body build was determined by employing five absolute body dimensions and four anthropometric indices. Results: Body weight, as well as the amount of subcutaneous centripetal fat (such as in the chest, waist and hip region), were statistically significantly related to the degree of reduced sexual interest. Corpulent and heavy women suffered far more frequently from a severe decrease in sexual interest after menopause. Statistically significant associations between androgen levels and decrease in sexual interest could not be demonstrated. Conclusions: Reduced sexual interest is associated with a kin 1 of body type not corresponding to the culture-specific beauty ideals of our society, first of all evident in women whose menopause occurred relatively early.     

Skeletal muscle fibre types,enzyme activities and physical performance in young males and females

Differences in skeletal muscle characteristics, metabolic profiles and functional performance between males and females were investigated using young (15–24 yrs) male and female twins as subjects. The comparison included such variables as anthropometry, muscle strength, mechanical power, maximum oxygen uptake, electrical activation of muscle, muscle fibre composition (m. vastus lateralis), and activities of several skeletal muscle enzymes. The results disclosed the following primary differences between males and females: In the various functional tests the performance of females was from 61.1 to 84.6% of that in males; distribution of slow twitch fibres in m. vastus lateralis of the females (49.1 ± 7.7%) was lower (p<.05) than that of the males (55.9 ± 11.9); activities of enzymes Ca²⁺ stimulated ATPase, CPK, phosphorylase and LDH ± were higher (p <.05-.01) in the males, whereas the distribution pattern of LDH-1 isozyme was higher (p <05) in the females. A pronounced difference between the two groups was an almost 100% longer rise time of isometric force in females. It is concluded that the males as compared to the females demonstrate higher aerobic and strength performance capacity, more efficient neuromotoric output during contraction, more slow twitch muscle fibres and more pronounced contractile and glycolytic profiles in the skeletal muscles.     

Allele frequency and its forensic application of STR Y27 in Korean males.

The allele frequency and mutation rate in a Short Tandem Repeat locus, Y27 were studied in 247 unrelated Korean males using polymerase chain reaction followed by high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a procedure called the amplification fragment length polymorphism technique. Six alleles were noted ranging from 190 bp to 210 bp. They existed as discrete bands with 4 bp discrepancy. Among which DY3(198 bp), DY4(202 bp) were common with the frequencies of 0.408, 0.356 respectively. Other alleles, DY1(190 bp, frequency 0.020), DY2(194 bp, frequency 0.121), DY5(206 bp, frequency 0.089), DY6(210 bp, frequency 0.004) were relatively uncommon. In a 78 subject father-son study with parenthood confirmed through other genetic studies, no case of mutation was noted. As the allele number was not as large as 6 and two alleles were dominant, the discrimination power in routine individual identification was thought to be low. But in selective cases such as father-son determination or sex determination, this locus could be a valuable genetic marker and we thought these results to be common for the Korean population. These results were also compared with that of other race.     

Skeletal muscle fibre types, enzyme activities and physical performance in young males and females.

Differences in skeletal muscle characteristics, metabolic profiles and functional performance between males and females were investigated using young (15--24 yrs) male and female twins as subjects. The comparison included such variables as anthropometry, muscle strength, mechanical power, maximum oxygen uptake, electrical activation of muscle, muscle fibre composition (m. vastus lateralis), and activities of several skeletal muscle enzymes. The results disclosed the following primary differences between males and females: In the various functional tests the performance of females was from 61.1 to 84.6% of that in males; distribution of slow twitch fibres in m. vastus lateralis of the females (49.1 +/- 7.7%) was lower (p less than .05) than that of the males (55.9 +/- 11.9); activities of enzymes Ca2+ stimulated ATPase, CPK, phosphorylase and LDH1a leads to py were higher (p less than .05--0.1) in the males, whereas the distribution pattern of LDH-1 isozyme was higher (p less than .05) in the females. A pronounced difference between the two groups was a almost 100% longer rise time of isometric force in females. It is concluded that the males as compared to the females demonstrate higher aerobic and strength performance capacity, more efficient neuromotoric output during contraction, more slow twitch muscle fibres and more pronounced contractile and glycolytic profiles in the skeletal muscles.     

Relationship of free and bound testosterone to sexual behavior in old rhesus males

Total serum testosterone concentrations, percentage of total serum testosterone bound to testosterone-binding globulin (TeBG), and estimates of free testosterone concentrations were determined in old and young male rhesus macaques. Also the sexual performance of the old (20 years and older) males was studied. The two groups did not differ in either the mean level of total testosterone or the index of free testosterone but the old males had a significantly higher percentage of testosterone bound to TeBG than did the young (10 years old) ones. We found significant negative correlations between the percentage of testosterone binding and sexual behavior in the old males. The percentage of bound testosterone was negatively correlated with the rates of contacting females, mounting, and intromission, and with the percentages of tests during which intromission and ejaculation occurred. Neither the total serum testosterone level nor the index of free testosterone correlated with the level of sexual performance.     

Assessing nonresponse bias at follow-up in a large prospective cohort of relatively young and mobile military service members

Background

Gene-environment interactions are likely to explain some of the heterogeneity in childhood asthma. Here, we describe the methodology and experiences in establishing a database for childhood asthma designed to study gene-environment interactions (PAGES - Paediatric Asthma Gene Environment Study).

Methods

Children with asthma and under the care of a respiratory paediatrician are being recruited from 15 hospitals between 2008 and 2011. An asthma questionnaire is completed and returned by post. At a routine clinic visit saliva is collected for DNA extraction. Detailed phenotyping in a proportion of children includes spirometry, bronchodilator response (BDR), skin prick reactivity, exhaled nitric oxide and salivary cotinine. Dietary and quality of life questionnaires are completed. Data are entered onto a purpose-built database.

Results

To date 1045 children have been invited to participate and data collected in 501 (48%). The mean age (SD) of participants is 8.6 (3.9) years, 57% male. DNA has been collected in 436 children. Spirometry has been obtained in 172 children, mean % predicted (SD) FEV₁ 97% (15) and median (IQR) BDR is 5% (2, 9). There were differences in age, socioeconomic status, severity and %FEV₁ between the different centres (p≤0.024). Reasons for non-participation included parents not having time to take part, children not attending clinics and, in a small proportion, refusal to take part.

Conclusions

It is feasible to establish a national database to study gene-environment interactions within an asthmatic paediatric population; there are barriers to participation and some different characteristics in individuals recruited from different centres. Recruitment to our study continues and is anticipated to extend current understanding of asthma heterogeneity.     

Pharmacokinetics of meropenem compared to imipenem-cilastatin in young,healthy males

Imipenem combined with cilastatin and meropenem was given as intravenous infusions of 1 g to eight young, healthy males on two separate occasions. Blood and urine samples were collected for up to 12 h. The terminal half-lives in plasma were 0.98 h and 1.11 h for meropenem and imipenem, respectively. The volume of distribution was smaller for meropenem than for imipenem (12.5 l and 14.4 l, respectively). The plasma clearance for meropenem was 188 (SD 31) ml/min and for imipenem 183 (SD 25) ml/min. Renal clearance was on average 139 (SD 24) ml/min and 135 (SD 11) ml/min, respectively. About 75% of the administered dose of both compounds was eliminated unchanged in urine. Non-renal clearance accounted for approximately 25% of the total clearance for both drugs. The kinetics of meropenem are very similar to those of imipenem given with cilastatin, and meropenem is as stable against renal metabolic degradation as imipenem combined with cilastatin.     

American time use survey: sleep time and its relationship to waking activities

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To gain some insight into how various behavioral (lifestyle) factors influence sleep duration, by investigation of the relationship of sleep time to waking activities using the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from ATUS, an annual telephone survey of a population sample of US citizens who are interviewed regarding how they spent their time during a 24-hour period between 04:00 on the previous day and 04:00 on the interview day. PARTICIPANTS: Data were pooled from the 2003, 2004, and 2005 ATUS databases involving N=47,731 respondents older than 14 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. RESULTS: Adjusted multiple linear regression models showed that the largest reciprocal relationship to sleep was found for work time, followed by travel time, which included commute time. Only shorter than average sleepers (<7.5 h) spent more time socializing, relaxing, and engaging in leisure activities, while both short (<5.5 h) and long sleepers (> or =8.5 h) watched more TV than the average sleeper. The extent to which sleep time was exchanged for waking activities was also shown to depend on age and gender. Sleep time was minimal while work time was maximal in the age group 45-54 yr, and sleep time increased both with lower and higher age. CONCLUSIONS: Work time, travel time, and time for socializing, relaxing, and leisure are the primary activities reciprocally related to sleep time among Americans. These activities may be confounding the frequently observed association between short and long sleep on one hand and morbidity and mortality on the other hand and should be controlled for in future studies.     

Molecular characterization of Korean Pepper mottle virus isolates and its relationship to symptom variations

The symptom variations among Korean Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) isolates infecting pepper, tomato and potato were described and the cause of variations in relation to molecular variability were investigated. In addition, the entire genome of the 13 PepMoV isolates, collected from five provinces (Kyonggi, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk and Jeonnam) in Korea, were determined and compared including the previously reported Korean-Vb isolate and 2 other PepMoV isolates isolated from America (CA and FL). Our results showed that the nucleotide sequence of all Korean isolates tested were nearly identical (98–99%) and only 94% similar to American isolates. In general, the complete nucleotide sequences and deduced polyprotein sequences indicated low genetic variation among isolates showing 0.1–3% nucleotide changes per site. However, based on ratio between nucleotide diversity values in nonsynonymous and synonymous position (dN/dS ratio) surprisingly, P1 and 6K2 genes showed relatively high nucleotide substitution ratio (0.8 and 1.0 nucleotide, respectively). When the 6K2 amino acid were aligned, there were 15 amino acid substitutions found in PepMoV-infected potato and only 1 amino acid change from two isolates of PepMoV-infected bell pepper. Interestingly, three isolates including isolate numbers 731, 205135 and 205136 that possessed different aa changes at 6K2 region also showed distinct symptom differentiation in indicator hosts and cosegregated in the phylogenetic analysis. These results further proved previous studies that P1 and 6K2 genes with other proteins might have some involvement on host specificity and pathogenicity.     

Prevalence trends of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among young men in Korea: A Korean military population-based cross-sectional study

Background/AimsNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a major concern in Korea since its emergence as a dominant cause of chronic liver disease. However, no study has explored its prevalence in adults under 30 years of age. Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in Korean men in their early 20s.MethodsWe collected data of 596,359 Korean soldiers who participated in a health examination between January 2015 and July 2021. A total of 571,872 individuals were analyzed after excluding those with missing data and hepatitis B antigen positivity. Hepatic steatosis was determined using the hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Participants with HSI >36 were considered to have NAFLD.ResultsAll participants were men, and the mean age was 20.9±1.3 years. Of the 571,872 participants screened, 77,020 (13.47%) were classified as having NAFLD. The prevalence of NAFLD consistently increased from 2015 to 2021 (10.66% vs. 16.44%, P<0.001). Increases from 2015 to 2021 were also noted in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension (P<0.001 for all). The mean body mass index also increased from 23.3±3.0 kg/m² to 23.9±3.1 kg/m² between 2015 and 2021 (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of NAFLD and of other metabolic dysfunctions in Korean men in their early 20s increased from 2015 to 2021.     

Somatic comparisons at three ages of South Korean males and males of other Asian groups

Somatic data were collected during July 1995 on 154 males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, residing in urban Pusan, South Korea, and on 157 age peers residing in rural regions surrounding the city. Comparisons are made between urban and rural groups for measures of body size and form, skinfold thicknesses, the body mass index (BMI), and estimated arm muscle area (ARM). The data were analyzed in 2 (urban-rural) × 3 (age) analyses of variance with an alpha level of P < 0.05. Age differences were evident for all dimensions. A significant main effect for urban-rural differences was found for stature, sitting height, lower limb height, upper limb length, arm girth, calf girth, shoulder width, hip width, body weight, and the sum of skinfolds. Regardless of age, urban children were larger than rural children. The interaction was nonsignificant. Except for the trunk width index, urban and rural boys did not differ on measures of body form. Similar means were obtained for the BMI and ARM in urban and rural boys. Compared with data collected four decades ago, present day 6, 9, and 15 year old males are taller and heavier at every age, indicating secular gains. Pusan males are similar in stature to age peers in Taiwan and Japan, and taller than the Chinese. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:493–503, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Are all males equal? Anatomic and functional basis for sexual orientation in males.

In non-human primates anterior hypothalamic nuclei are closely involved in heterosexual activity in males. In humans, hypothalamic nuclei which correspond to these nuclei in non-human primates have been shown to have a neuronal density in homosexual men that is approximately half of that seen in heterosexual men. In addition, homosexual men exhibit a positive luteinizing hormone response to acutely administered estrogen that is intermediate between women (flat response) and heterosexual men (exaggerated response). Furthermore, on the basis of serum testosterone concentrations in similarly feminized transsexual males on estrogen/progestogen treatment 3 distinct groups can be identified. It is postulated that anatomic differences in the anterior hypothalamic nuclei that regulate sexual orientation in males may lead to alteration in the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse/frequency leading to a more female-type pattern of gonadotropin secretion in homosexual males. Based on data in transsexual males this pattern may be more or less of the female-type in subsets of male homosexuals.     

Apomorphine, deprenyl, and yohimbine fail to increase sexual behavior in rhesus males

Various doses of apomorphine, deprenyl, and yohimbine were administered to old (20-26 years) rhesus males that had been sexually active when younger and to younger (6-17 years) males that were characteristically sexually sluggish. These neuropharmacological agents have been reported to increase sexual behavior in male rats. In Experiment 1, 10 old intact rhesus males were tested after injection of vehicle and apomorphine, and 6 old testosterone-treated castrated males were tested after treatment with deprenyl and yohimbine and the vehicles for each drug. In experiment 2, the 5 younger males were tested after treatment with each of the drugs and with the vehicles for each drug. There were a few minor changes in behavior associated with certain doses of each of the drugs and as many depressive as facilitative effects on sexual behavior. This suggests that there are basic differences between rats and rhesus macaques in the systems mediating sexual behavior.