Disorders of Sex Development (DSD): Peer Relations and Psychosocial Well-Being.

Social and emotional development is shaped by familial and extra-familial experiences especially interactions with peers. Children and adolescents with physical, behavioral or developmental differences, such as youth with disorders of sex development (DSD), may not benefit to the same degree as other children and adolescents from experiences with peers. This paper reviews current thinking about the features and effects of experiences with peers and the potential challenges of peer interactions for children and adolescents with DSD. We review findings from studies of adjustment for individuals with DSD. We finish the paper with a brief outline of a research agenda to promote the understanding of adjustment of individuals with DSD.

The fall, recovery, orbit, and composition of the Tagish Lake meteorite: a new type of carbonaceous chondrite.

The preatmospheric mass of the Tagish Lake meteoroid was about 200,000 kilograms. Its calculated orbit indicates affinity to the Apollo asteroids with a semimajor axis in the middle of the asteroid belt, consistent with a linkage to low-albedo C, D, and P type asteroids. The mineralogy, oxygen isotope, and bulk chemical composition of recovered samples of the Tagish Lake meteorite are intermediate between CM and CI meteorites. These data suggest that the Tagish Lake meteorite may be one of the most primitive solar system materials yet studied.

Analysis of the role of GSK3 in the mitotic checkpoint.

The mitotic checkpoint ensures proper chromosome segregation; defects in this checkpoint can lead to aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. The mitotic checkpoint blocks progression through mitosis as long as chromosomes remain unattached to spindle microtubules. Unattached kinetochores induce the formation of a mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) composed of Mad2, BubR1, Bub1 and Bub3 which inhibits anaphase onset. Spindle toxins induce prolonged mitotic arrest by creating persistently unattached kinetochores which trigger MCC formation. We find that the multifunctional ser/thr kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is required for a strong mitotic checkpoint. Spindle toxin-induced mitotic arrest is relieved by GSK3 inhibitors SB 415286 (SB), RO 318220 (RO) and lithium chloride. Similarly, targeting GSK3ß with knockout or RNAi reduced mitotic arrest in the presence of Taxol. GSK3 was required for optimal localization of Mad2, BubR1, and Bub1 at kinetochores and for optimal assembly of the MCC in spindle toxin-arrested cells. The WNT- and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways negatively regulate GSK3ß activity. Inhibition of WNT and PI3K/Akt signaling, in the presence of Taxol, induced a longer mitotic arrest compared to Taxol alone. Our observations provide novel insight into the regulation of the mitotic checkpoint and its connection to growth-signaling pathways.

Pubertal disorders. Psychology and clinical management.

The behavioral data reviewed herein must be viewed with caution. Although there are reports that adhere to rigorous methodology, these are the exception. Most reports do not adequately describe either the methodology used or their sample. Subjects are often of mixed endocrine diagnoses, and sometimes the results are of both boys and girls. All of these pitfalls make interpretation of results difficult and limiting. With this in mind, the following conclusions are offered. The majority of behavioral data on precocious puberty comes from studies of IPP in girls. Cognitively, IPP has been associated with average to high-average intelligence. Purportedly, the finding of lower visual-spatial skills than verbal skills in early maturing boys and girls has received equivocal support by cognitive studies of IPP individuals. Similarly, clear differences in hemispheric lateralization have not been demonstrated. Aside from increased somatic complaints during the nonmenstrual phases of their menstrual cycle, girls with IPP show a spectrum of behavior adjustments. Major psychopathology is rare. Clearly, their early development makes them look older than their actual age, which probably alters the expectations others have for them. Psychosexually, however, IPP girls develop in concert with their chronologic age and social experience, rather than their early biologic maturation. However, recent reports suggest a modest influence of hormones. In summary, these studies support an interactionist theory of human psychosexual development. Research data on IPP girls suggest that they do not significantly differ from girls who are early maturers but within the normal range. Research on these girls indicates that most negotiate their puberty without severe problems. There has been less research on IPP boys because it occurs so rarely. Most of what is understood about precocious puberty in boys comes from boys with precocious puberty secondary to poorly controlled CAH. Behavioral data on individuals with delayed puberty come almost exclusively from boys. Although CD appears to be the most frequently diagnosed form of delayed puberty and does not reflect a known pathologic process, men with CD as well as those with organic disorders appear to be at risk for psychosocial and psychosexual difficulties. These difficulties are not severe forms of psychopathology. Rather, they probably represent problems negotiating the expected adolescent lessons of psychosocial development with a physique that places them at a disadvantage. They clearly look younger than their actual chronologic age. Cognitively, as with the children with precocious puberty, there is no evidence of intellectual impairment associated with delayed puberty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Data on virilization and erotosexual behavior in male hypogonadotropic hypopituitarism during gonadotropin and androgen treatment.

The goal of this investigation was to assess whether or not gonadotropin therapy enhanced the degree of virilization and psychosexual behavior of men with hypogonadotropic hypopituitarism. Pre- and post-gonadotropin assessments of virilization in four men indicated that gonadotropin therapy was associated with dramatic improvements in the degree of virilization that each man previously obtained on androgen only. Retrospective interview data on erotosexual behavior indicated improved erotosexual function on gonadotropin as compared to the prior androgen treatment. These data suggest that complete virilization in these men was partially gonadotropin dependent. Whether or not the behavioral benefits reported by these men represented a direct or synergistic effect of gonadotropin in the expression of erotosexual behavior or an indirect effect of improved virilization can not be answered by these data.

Naegleria fowleri in thermally polluted waters).

Two complexes of lakes and canals supplying water for two electric power plants, their steam condensors and an adjoining river were investigated by means of culture methods for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in Poland in the period from 1974 to 1980. Sixty-four strains of N. fowleri were isolated, 13 isolates being virulent for mice when instilled intranasally. These strains were found in the steam condensor of the power station A and in waters polluted with warm water of this plant. Pathogenic N. fowleri strains occurred also in an adjoining river connected with the water system of the power plant. The results show the possible role of the steam condensor A as an incubator and regular source of pollution with pathogenic amoebae for its own system of cooling waters and even the adjoining river.

[Value of the color test in assessing the viability of cysts of Acanthamoeba sp]. / Wartosc testu barwnego w ocenie zywotnosci cyst Acanthamoeba sp.

The eosin colour test estimating the viability of cysts was compared with the method of in vitro excystation on agar substrate (NNE). Single cysts were studied, isolated from populations stored under sterile conditions in water at 4 degrees C for a period ranging from a few days to 16 years. It has been found that the inoculations of single cysts (805 cysts) on the NNE substrate allow a precise determination of the percentage of living cysts. All the cysts stained with eosin, incubated on such a substrate proved to be dead, while the non-staining cysts ex-cistated with varying percentage. Thus, among the non-staining cysts of Acanthamoeba after 2-4 years of storage at 4 degrees C 89.2% excystated while the remaining ones were dead. After 16 years of storage only 29.8% nostaining cysts excystated. Very similar values (89.6 and 28.5% respectively) were obtained when determining the percentage of living cysts with the colour test. The eosin test has proved to be a good method of the estimation of the viability of cysts of Acanthamoeba.

[Extracerebral infections of Acanthamoeba spp. in mice]. / Pozamózgowe inwazje Acanthamoeba spp. u myszy.

A variety of Acanthamoeba spp. pathogenic strains were isolated from water pools in the area of Poznan. In many cases amoebae invaded in mice, beside central nervous system (CNS) also lungs, kidney, heart, liver, diaphragm and eyeballs, causing significant changes in these organs. The presence of amoebae outside of CNS was found mainly in the early period of infection. Amoebae isolated from different organs of dead animals did not exhibit any specificity in relation to the organs in following infections.

[Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and other intestinal protozoa among the inhabitants of Poznan province over a period of 30 years]. / Wystepowanie Entamoeba histolytica i innych pierwotniaków jelitowych wsród ludnosci wielkopolski w okresie ostatnich 30 lat.

The aim of the study was to present the past and actual prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and other intestinal protozoa in Poznan Province. Although in Poland there are only few accurate data concerning the prevalence of intestinal protozoa, the results of some studies were found reliable. In a survey conducted in 1958 in an orphanage in Poznan (Kasprzak and Karlewiczowa) the intestinal protozoa were found with high prevalence (Table 1). After six years this prevalence decreased considerably (Karlewiczowa and Kasprzak, 1964). Because at the same time such a decrease in intestinal protozoa prevalence, especially that in Entamoeba coli, was observed in the whole population of the Poznan Province, long-term surveys were undertaken. The diagnosing of intestinal protozoa in faeces of 4165 persons, performed at more points in time in the period of 1963 to 1986 in the Poznan Province, were conducted by the same highly skilled staff. Decreasing rates of infection were seen for each amoeba species at nearly each point in time, particularly in the first eight years of observation (Table 2). By using the "amoebic index" and "amoebic prevalence rate" in assessing epidemiological factors (acc. WHO, 1969), the considerable reduction in both indices should be accounted for the improvement of the sanitation and socio-economic status in our country. After the Second World War some Polish authors expressed the fear that after returning to the country, the Polish soldiers who had fought in the endemic regions of invasive amoebiasis, infected with E. histolytica, would constitute sources for spreading amoebiasis and that the disease would be a nucleus of a new, hitherto unknown, social calamity in Poland. Fortunately, the fear did not come true. Although in this country the infection with amoebae, also with E. histolytica, decreased considerably after several years, unfortunately, some opinions still prevail, being the source of an amoebo-mania in the medical staff and corresponding amoebophobia in the patients.

Extracerebral infections of Acanthamoeba spp. in mice. pathomorphological changes in tissues of infected animals.

A variety of Acanthamoeba spp. pathogenic strains were isolated from water pools in the area of Poznan. In many cases amoebae invaded lungs, kidney heart, liver and diaphragm causing significant changes in these Organs. The presence of amoeba outside of CNS was found mainly in the early periods of infection. Amoeba isolated from different organs of dead animals did not exhibit any specificity in relation to the organs in following infections. Infection with both low-and high-virulent strains resulted in pathomorphological changes of similar character. However, changes induced by low-virulent parasites developed later and were less extensive.

[Amebic keratitis-keratitis acanthamoeba]. / Pelzakowe zapalenie rogówki--keratitis acanthamoebica.

In seventeen patients who suffered of corneal ulcer, and were negative in bacteriological and mycological examinations, parasitological tests were performed between 1990-1992. Acanthamoeba keratitis was diagnosed in one patient with characteristic corneal changes of right eye following trauma. The patient was not a contact lens wearer. The amoeba found in direct smears of scraping from corneal ulcer and isolated and cloned in in vitro conditions (isolate-clone-No. 2961) belonged to Acanthamoeba polyphaga species. The trophozoites showed a low degree of invasiveness and high virulence when tested in BALB/c mice. The authors discussed the epidemiology of Acanthamoeba keratitis and pointed out to the necessity of accurate laboratory diagnosis and discerning interpretation of the results to prevent an Acanthamoeba-phobia among the potential patients and most of all among the medical staff.