Estrogenic Induction of NADPH- Diaphorase Activity in the Preoptic Neurons Containing Estrogen Receptor Immunoreactivity in the Female Rat

Nitric oxide and estrogen have been shown to play a critical role in the control of female reproductive function. In order to determine an anatomical relationship between nitric oxide generating neurons and estrogen target neurons, NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry was combined with estrogen receptor immunohistochemistry in the female medial preoptic area. While only a few weakly stained neurons for NADPH-diaphorase were found in ovariectomized control rats, a drastic increase in NADPH-diaphorase activity was observed in the medial preoptic nucleus of estradiol-treated ovariectomized animals. The total number of NADPH-diaphorase neurons in the estradiol-treated group increased three-fold relative to controls, and more than 80% of those neurons contained estrogen receptor-immunoreactivity in their nuclei. Since neuronal NADPH-diaphorase is nitric oxide synthase, the present result suggests that nitric oxide synthase activity can be positively regulated by estradiol in neurons containing estrogen receptor in the female medial preoptic nucleus.     

Childhood precursors of age at first intercourse for females

Age at first intercourse for a sample of adult white women using variables measured during childhood is predicted. Childhood predictors were measured at birth, and ages 5 and 9–11, using existing public-use data on the women. Median age at first intercourse for the sample was 17.5 years. Early family predictors, early developmental characteristics, and temperamental characteristics during childhood together could predict about a fourth of the variance in age at first intercourse. The strongest predictors were motor skills and nightmares at age 5, church attendance with family at age 9, and domineering and mature personality at age 9.This research was supported by grants R01-HD23454 and P30-HD05798 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meetings of the Population Association of America, Denver, Colorado, April 30–May 2, 1992.     

女性压力性尿失禁的微创治疗

目的探讨女性压力性尿失禁的发病机制和微创治疗方法。方法女性压力性尿失禁患者25例,经临床、尿动力学检查或膀胱尿道造影确诊,均为稳定性膀胱,无膀胱出口梗阻。采用无张力阴道吊带术(TVT),将吊带无张力置于尿道中段。结果手术时间平均(40±5)min;术中出血量平均(43±10)mL;术后平均留置导尿1.5 d;术后平均住院3 d。23例患者术后尿失禁症状均消失,其中2例患者术后出现尿潴留,留置导尿1周后好转,尿潴留症状消失,尿失禁未复发;2例尿失禁症状显著改善。结论TVT等微创术式因简单、微创、疗效好、并发症少等,目前是女性压力性尿失禁外科手术治疗的发展方向。     

The prevalence of transsexualism in Singapore

The prevalence of transsexualism in Singapore was estimated by counting all the patients who sought sex-reassignment surgery and were subsequently diagnosed as transsexuals by psychiatrists. Up to 1986, there were a total of 458 Singapore-born transsexuals, of which 343 were males and 115 were females. This was a prevalence of 35.2 per 100,000 population age 15 and above (or 1/2900) for male transsexualism, and 12.0 per 100,000 (or 1/8300) for female transsexualism. The sex ratio was about 3 males to 1 female. The main reason for the high prevalence was the availability of sex-reassignment surgery.     

后现代心理学概观

后现代心理学家反对以往的心理学理论和流派把心理或行为看作是一个独立于研究者的“实体”。后现代心理学的典型特征是反对基础主义和本质主义。它认为心理现象并不是一种“精神实在” ,而是一种文化的社会建构。后现代心理学的理论基础是社会建构论 ,多元文化论、后现代女性心理学都是后现代心理学的重要形式。     

中段尿道吊带术治疗女性压力性尿失禁的手术并发症防治

目的探讨中段尿道吊带术的并发症及其防治措施。方法采用中段尿道吊带术治疗女性压力性尿失禁48例,其中,TVT术26例,TVT-O术19例,Sparc术3例。结果手术并发症包括:1例(TVT)术中膀胱镜检发现穿刺针穿入膀胱,经重新调整穿刺纠正。2例(Sparc术和TVT-O术各1例)分别于术后1、3个月发现阴道前壁吊带外露,经再次手术修补阴道前壁治愈。4例出现尿急症状,给予黄酮哌酯对症治疗2周后症状明显改善。2例出现股内侧轻度疼痛,未经特殊治疗,1周内症状自行缓解。结论中段尿道吊带术治疗女性压力性尿失禁方法简便、疗效可靠,但其手术并发症的发生应引起重视。     

Mortality among female registered nurses and school teachers in British Columbia

The mortality profile of female nurses and teachers in British Columbia (BC) was examined using age-standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) calculated for the period 1950–1984. Lowered overall mortality among nurses was seen for degenerative heart disease and for cerebrovascular accidents. Significantly elevated PMR values were observed for cancer of the breast and ovary in nurses of age 20–65 years. PMRs were significantly elevated for cancer of the pancreas and leukemia among those age 20 years and older. Elevated values were also observed for motor vehicle accidents and suicide among nurses in both age groups. Lower than expected mortality from degenerative heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents was seen in working age teachers (age 20–65 years). However, elevated PMRs were detected for carcinoma of the colon, breast, endometrium, brain, and melanoma. Among those 20 years and over, significantly elevated PMRs were also observed for cancers of the ovary and other digestive organs. Elevated PMRs were found for motor vehicle and aircraft accidents. Mortality from cirrhosis of the liver was lower than anticipated in both teachers and nurses. A number of significant PMRs declined when deaths of “homemakers” were withdrawn from the comparison group used to generate PMR values, suggesting that risk of death from various causes among women working outside the home differ from those seen in women who are predominantly in the home.     

The importance of vaginal mucosal folds at the urethral external meatus

We report on the vaginal mucosal folds (VMF) at the urethral external meatus. Resection of the VMF reduces the dispersed micturition and other urinary symptoms. EDITORIAL COMMENT: The investigators describe the presence of a vaginal mucosal fold (VMF) just dorsal to the urethral meatus and its relationship to voiding abnormalities. VMF were found on physical examination in 8.9% of the clinic population, all of whom complained of dispersed micturition, and 79% also experienced other voiding abnormalities. The complaint of dispersed micturition was successfully treated with excision of the VMF, and the other associated symptoms were improved. This structure should be routinely looked for on physical examination, especially in patients with voiding symptoms. Only further investigation of this newly described entity at other centers around the world will determine the incidence of the anatomic finding and the prevalence of associated voiding disturbances across different populations.     

Reduced genital sensitivity in female patients with multiple system atrophy of parkinsonian type.

According to the consensus statement on the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), erectile dysfunction is required for male patients to fulfil the urinary incontinence criterion. However, there is no equivalent item for female patients. We questioned 19 female patients with MSA of the parkinsonian type (MSA-P), 28 female patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 27 healthy controls on their genital sensitivity. A total of 47% of the MSA patients but only 4% of the PD patients and 4% of the control group admitted to reduced genital sensitivity, a highly significant difference (P < 0.001). Moreover, the appearance of reduced genital sensitivity in female MSA patients showed a close temporal relation to the onset of the disease. If these preliminary results can be confirmed and further specified in a larger sample, a historical item of reduced genital sensitivity in female patients might become a diagnostic feature for MSA, comparable to erectile dysfunction in male patients.