Higher Percentage Of Males Research Articles

A metabolic balance study in term infants fed lactose‐containing or lactose‐free formula

Lactose‐free (L –) formulas are recommended for infants with conditions affecting lactose digestion. Cows' milk protein‐based formulas containing other carbohydrate sources are most often used for such infants. This study compared fat absorption and absorption and retention of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in term infants fed either a L – or standard lactose‐containing (L+) bovine milk protein‐based formula. Data from three single‐centre, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group metabolic balance studies were combined. After a 4–7‐d equilibration period on either L – or L+ formula, a 72‐h balance study was performed. Twenty infants received L – and 21 received L+ formula. Besides the L – group having a higher percentage of males (65%) and the L+ group a higher percentage of females (52.4%), other baseline measurements were similar. The majority of nutrient balance data was similar between the two groups. Exceptions were relative nitrogen absorption, calcium intake and calcium retention, magnesium retention, and faecal phosphorus excretion, all of which were significantly higher in the L – group. Vitamin D supplementation did not significantly affect either calcium or phosphorus data. This new L – formula provided similar nutrients and is a suitable alternative to a L+ formula in term infants requiring L – feedings.

Attraction of the Colour Beetle Species Pallenothriocera rufimembris by Cantharidin (Cleridae: Coleoptera)

About 50 specimens of the clerid species Pallenothriocera rufimembris Pic 1949 were attracted to cantharidin traps at several locations of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from 1996-XI to 1997-I. Habitat descriptions are given as well as notes on the biology of P rufimembris. Paired tufts of hairs arising from glandular pores at the elytra surface in the shoulder region of the beetles suggested to play a role in courtship behaviour in connection with cantharidin. The high percentage of males being attracted to cantharidin in contrast to single females gives reason to the assumption that cantharidin has a similar purpose as found within canthariphilous Coleoptera :Anthicidae. Anthicid males use elytral notches as a test system to inform female partners about the amount of cantharidin a male has ingested.

Structure of egg‐batches of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. and Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae), egg parasitoids and rate of egg parasitism on the Iberian Peninsula

In four regions of the Iberian Peninsula 273 egg‐batches of the pine processionary moth were collected after hatching of the caterpillars in 1991 and 1992. After collection, the batches were stored singly in test tubes closed with foam stoppers under laboratory conditions at 20–25°C. The number of eggs in each egg‐batch varied between 37 and 312 and the length of the batches between 0.6 and 4.2 cm. Independently of the pine species infested, seven to nine rows of eggs were counted, wrapped around one pair of needles. A correlation was found between number of eggs and the product of number of egg rows and length of egg‐batches (82% < r2 < 97%). Oviposition almost always started from the base towards the tip of the needles. The egg parasitoids that emerged were counted daily, removed and identified. Later in the year of oviposition, after the end of the period of emergence of the parasitoids, the scale cover of the egg‐batches were removed. One year later, all eggs were opened and the contents, such as parasitoid meconia and remains of caterpillars, were determined. The hatching rate of the caterpillars varied from 47.2 to 79.7%. The rate of parasitism fluctuated between 11.3 and 31.7%, but 44% of parasitoids died before successful emergence. Four species of Chalcidoidea were identified: Baryscapus servadeii (Dom.), Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet), Anastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.) and Trichogramma sp. Baryscapus servadeii and O. pityocampae were the most abundant species, followed by Trichogramma sp. Baryscapus servadeii emerged mainly in June and O. pityocampae in April or June, depending on the region. For A. bifasciatus only males, and for B. servadeii females emerged except one male. In O. pityocampae, a relatively high percentage of males (5.4–10.4%) was found.

The incidence of cleft lip and palate deformities in the south-east of Scotland (1971-1990).

This retrospective study reports the incidence of infants born with the cleft lip and palate anomaly within the Edinburgh Cleft Units catchment area, between 1 January, 1971, and 31 December, 1990. The importance of accurate data collection for local, regional, and national data bases is discussed with reference to the recent CSAG report on cleft lip and palate services in the UK. Five-hundred-and-two cleft lip and palate patients were identified (291 males, 211 females). The incidence is reported as 1.4 per 1000 live births (1 in 711). Twenty-five per cent of clefts affected the primary palate, 45 per cent affected the secondary palate, and the remaining 30 per cent were clefts of both the primary and secondary palate. Overall, a higher percentage of males were affected (58 per cent males to 42 per cent females). Clefts of the secondary palate, however, were more common in females (56 per cent females to 44 per cent males). Data presented in this study is similar to that previously reported from UK centres. It is suggested the accuracy of the UK cleft lip and palate data collection needs to be improved. Prospective data collection in a standardized format carried out on a national basis has to be a priority as recommended by the CSAG report.

Response to Growth Hormone in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Effects of Methylphenidate and Pemoline Therapy

To determine whether treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with methylphenidate hydrochloride or pemoline diminishes the response to growth hormone (GH) therapy in patients with idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD) or idiopathic short stature (ISS). The National Cooperative Growth Study database was used to identify patients between 3 and 20 years of age with IGHD or ISS and those within these groups who were treated with methylphenidate or pemoline for ADHD. Their growth in response to GH treatment (change in height standard deviation score [SDS]) was compared with that of patients with IGHD or ISS who were not treated for ADHD, by using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. In the IGHD cohort, there were 184 patients who were being treated for ADHD and 2313 who were not. In the ISS cohort there were 117 patients who were being treated for ADHD and 1283 who were not. There was a higher percentage of males being treated for ADHD in both cohorts. In the IGHD cohort, the change in height SDS was positively associated with the number of years of GH treatment, parents' heights, body mass index, and GH injection schedule, and was negatively associated with height SDS at the initiation of GH therapy, age, and maximum stimulated GH level. The use of methylphenidate or pemoline had a negative effect on the change in height SDS, but the magnitude of the effect was small. Similar effects were noted in the ISS cohort, but body mass index and the use of methylphenidate or pemoline had no effect on the change in height SDS. Concurrent ADHD therapy is associated with a slight decrease in the change in height SDS during GH treatment in patients with IGHD but not in those with ISS. Even in IGHD, the magnitude of the effect is small and should not deter the use of such concurrent therapy.

Alzheimer's disease: patterns of cognitive impairment at different levels of disease severity

The aim of this study was to establish the presence and the consistency of different cognitive profiles in AD patients taking into consideration the severity of mental impairment. Therefore we stratified 679 neuropsychological observations on 119 probable AD patients followed longitudinally on the basis of overall degree of cognitive impairment. To compare performance on tests with different score ranges we transformed raw test scores into coefficients; to summarize our results in terms of language versus visuo-spatial performance we computed indices of prevalent impairment of performance (IPIP) by subtracting the coefficients for constructional praxis from coefficients for language-related tests. Finally, we converted these indices into z-scores for each level of mental decline to identify patients with generalized, language (L) or visuo-spatial (V) prevalent impairment. The latter, 30% of the sample, can be detected at all stages of dementia. There was a higher percentage of males among language impaired patients ( P<0.05). Approximately half of patients with L/V prevalent impairment continued to show such a focality when followed longitudinally. The groups did not differ in the annual rate of cognitive decline.

Influence of stocking density of European eel (Anguilla anguilla, L.) elvers on sex differentiation and zootechnical performances

Summary Survival rate, sex ratio and zootechnical performances were evaluated on 168 kg of Anguilla anguilla elvers (0.45 gj weaned into three groups (Al, A2, A3) at initial densities of 800, 1600 and 3200g m-j, respectively. In order not to modify the sex ratio, animals weaned at the different densities were maintained separately during the trials, and no size grading was performed at the fattening phase. Final mean weight achieved by females belonging to the different groups showed no statistically significant differences; weight of males was higher (P < 0.05) in A1 than in A3 where a higher percentage of males was observed. Sex ratio of eels was different among the groups, with a higher percentage of males in A3 (96%) than in A2 (78%) or in Al (69%). This finding testifies to a sex differentiation strongly affected by pre-fattening stocking density of elvers. Final load showed an increase in males corresponding to a significantly reduced biomass between A1 and A2 (10.97 and 10.24kg m-3) and A3 (8.44kg m-3). Final survival rate ranged from 87% (Alj to 90% (A3). As to food conversion, a better rate was found in A1 (1.9:l) compared to A2 (2.1:l) and A3 (2.3:lj eels.

People with intellectual disability in general practice: case definition and case finding.

In a general practice database containing data on 62,000 patients, those with intellectual disability (ID) were traced. Health problems in this database were recorded according to the International Classification of Health Problems in Primary Care (ICPC) code. By using selected codes, 318 people with ID (0.65% of the study population) were found; the sample contained nearly as many false positives. Adding up the percentage of people with ID living in residential facilities, the total prevalence of people with ID was estimated as 0.82%. Documentation on the cause and level of ID was available in about half of the cases. The demographic characteristics of the people with ID were significantly different from the general population: there was a higher percentage of males and a lower percentage of people over 50 years of age among those with ID. Information about the use of home care was virtually non-existent in the general practice data. The results are compared with those of other studies. The discussion deals with reasons for complete documentation of cases with ID in general practice and the role of the general practitioner in health care supply to people with ID.

The human autosomal gene DAZLA: testis specificity and a candidate for male infertility.

The DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) and DAZLA (DAZ-like autosomal) genes may be determinants of male infertility. The DAZ gene on the long arm of the human Y chromosome is a strong candidate for the 'azoospermia factor' (AZF). Its role in spermatogenesis is supported by its exclusive expression in testis, its deletion in a high percentage of males with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, and its homology with a Drosophila male infertility gene boule. No DAZ homologous sequences have been found on the mouse Y chromosome. Instead, a Dazla gene was isolated from mouse chromosome 17 and has been considered to be a murine homologue of DAZ. However, the homology between human DAZ and mouse Dazla is not strong, and Dazla contains only one of the seven DAZ repeats found in DAZ. We report the isolation of the human DAZLA gene by screening a human testis cDNA library with a DAZ cDNA clone. DAZLA encodes only one DAZ repeat and shares high homology with the mouse Dazla, indicating that these two genes are homologues. Using a panel of rodent-human somatic cell lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, the DAZLA gene was mapped to 3p24, a region not known to share homology with mouse chromosome 17. The DAZLA gene may be involved in some familial cases of autosomal recessive male infertility.

Alcohol use, abuse, and alcohol-related disorders among ethnic groups in Hungary. Part II: Palócs from Mátraderecske

An epidemiological study on alcohol drinking habits, alcohol metabolism rate, alcohol-related acute physiological symptoms, and alcohol misuse among Palócs, an ethnic minority in Hungary, was conducted. The demographic and sociocultural correlates revealed their ethnic identity: low to moderate education, relatively low number of children per family and higher percentage of skilled workers among males. Alcohol use survey revealed that frequency of alcohol consumption among Palóc male population is considerably high. While about 41% of the Palóc males reported to drink daily between 30 ml and 90 ml pure alcohol, only 5% of the females reported to consume this amount regularly. 53% of males and less than 1% of females were classified as heavy drinkers (consuming more than 60 ml absolute alcohol per day). While all kinds of alcoholic beverage was reported to be consumed by the males, Pálinka (a kind of brandy) drinking was more common among females. About 45% of the Palócs reported to experience acute reactions after drinking a moderate dose of alcohol. The physical and physiological reactions include facial flushing, higher pulse rate, tachycardia and euphoria. While there was no distinct gender difference in facial flushing response to alcohol drinking, a higher percentage of males (70%) reported symptoms such as sleepiness, euphoria and aggressiveness as compared to about only 36% females reporting such reactions. Distribution of clinical chemical markers, in particular GGT values confirmed a heavier alcohol consumption among males than among females. High GGT value also correlated with a positive alcohol-related facial flushing reaction in males.

Production of a high percentage of male offspring with 17α-ethynylestradiol sex-reversed Oreochromis aureus. I. Estrogen sex-reversal and production of F2 pseudofemales

This study aims at developing a production process of male monosex populations of tilapia without the use of steroids. The sex-reversal of O. aureus (male genotype, ZZ; female genotype, ZW) with an estrogen treatment produces pseudofemales with a male genotype (ZZ). Crossing these fish with normal males (ZZ) gives, in theory, 100% male offspring. The objective of this study was to develop this technique for mass production of pseudofemale O. aureus producing a high percentage of male offspring. Batches of 250 O. aureus fry were submitted during a 40-day period to 17α-ethynylestradiol treatments of 100, 150 and 200 mg · kg −1 of food. We obtained 93 to 98% females in the treated groups in comparison with 53% females in the control group. Females randomly taken from the treated groups were crossed with normal males. Out of 64 fish tested, 30 gave progenies with a high percentage of males (68 to 100%) and were considered as pseudofemales. Crosses were repeated ( n = 2–5) to test the sex ratio stability in successive progenies (variation from 0 to 16.4% of the male ratio). Fry from pseudofemales producing only 100% male progenies were submitted to a 17α-ethynylestradiol treatment of 150 mg · kg −1 of food to obtain F2 pseudofemales. The results of the sex-reversal were variable and fluctuated between 18 and 95% of females. After the elimination of the males, we obtained 725 sexually mature F2 pseudofemales. Tests of the progeny of 6 F2 pseudofemales gave 97.5 to 100% of males and showed the heritability of the high percentage male offspring feature of the selected fish. These results confirm the possibility of multiplication of the pseudofemale stock (F2) to obtain, on a large scale, all-male progenies. Although it would be difficult to obtain only 100% male offspring, this method has the advantage, when compared to the classical sex-reversal process with 17α-methyltestosterone, of producing high percentage male progenies without the use of steroid treatment.

Patterns of Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) Pairing Success in Missouri Forest Tracts

Minimum-area-requirement estimates for area-sensitive birds may underestimate the actual area needed to provide long-term breeding habitat because they do not consider the pairing and mating success of territorial males. Patterns of pairing success were studied in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) in north-central Missouri in forest tracts below, approaching, and exceeding minimum-area-requirement estimates for this species. The possible roles of habitat area, isolation, and edge effect in causing reduced pairing success were examined. Male Ovenbird territories were spot mapped within seven forest tracts. Each male was observed to determine if he had acquired a mate. The percentage of paired male Ovenbirds was directly related to forest-tract area and total estimated male Ovenbird population. A higher percentage of males with territories more than 300 m from the forest edge were paired than males with territories less than or equal to 300 m from the forest edge. The combined effect of total forest area, edge-to-interior ratio, and percent forest cover within a 5-km radius of the tracts was highly correlated with pairing success. Edge effects are an important consideration that should be a contributing factor when developing minimum-area-requirement estimates.

Stability of the relationships between anabolic steroid use and multiple substance use among adolescents

Background: In a previous study, we tested the hypothesis that because adolescent anabolic steroid users are concerned with increasing muscle size and strength they are different from other substance users and are unlikely to use other drugs. Alternatively, if the causal factors of anabolic steroid use are similar to those for use of other substances, then adolescent anabolic steroid users would be expected to report poly drug use. Study findings confirmed the second hypothesis. Purpose: To test the stability of the relationships between anabolic steroid use and poly drug use over a four month period among ninth grade students. Methods: All ninth grade students (1422) enrolled in compulsory health science classes in a county school system who had previously completed a modified version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1989 Health Risk Survey and the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in November 1990 were asked to repeat the survey in February 1991. Results: A higher percentage of males (4.7 percent) than females (2.9 percent, P ≤ 0.018) reported anabolic steroid use without a doctor's prescription. As was found in the initial study, frequency of anabolic steroid use was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with frequency of use in the last 30 days of cocaine, injectable drugs, alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco. When those variables were analyzed with multiple regression analysis, the same four variables continued to be the best predictors of the frequency of anabolic steroid use, although the order that the variables entered into the multiple regression model changed. Use of smokeless tobacco, shared needles, cocaine, and marijuana explained more variation in the frequency of anabolic steroid use in the replication study (48.5%) than initially (32.8%). Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that adolescent anabolic steroid users are also likely to use other drugs and are engaging in shared needle use. These relationships remained relatively stable over a four month period of time.

Comparison of demographics and motivations of highly committed whole blood and platelet donors

To compare donor demographics and motivations for donation, we surveyed 159 consecutive whole blood donors (WD) and 146 consecutive plateletpheresis donors. All donors had donation experiences of at least 2 gallons (i.e., 16 previous donations). Evaluation of answers to fixed-response and open-ended questions revealed no difference between the two groups in age, type of wages, compensation by employer, "time off" for donation, and church or volunteer organization memberships. The two groups differed in that the platelet donor (PD) group had a higher percentage of males than females (PD group 72.6% males and 27.4% females versus WD group 59% males and 41% females [chi-square = .01]). PDs most often began donating platelets because they were asked (22.6%), demonstrating the importance of active recruitment. When asked why they do not donate platelet products by apheresis, highly committed WDs reported lack of time (25%), lack of knowledge ("Don't know about it," 21%), lack of recruitment ("No one asked," 18.5%), or lack of awareness ("Never though about it," 5%) as reasons. Factors centering on time constraints, lack of knowledge or awareness about platelet donation by apheresis, and lack of active recruitment prohibit highly committed WDs from entering into plateletpheresis programs.

Meanings of Intimacy in Cross- and Same-Sex Friendships

The purpose of this study was to investigate how individuals in cross- and same-sex friendships define and express intimacy. In a self-report questionnaire 164 college students were asked what they meant by the term `intimacy' in the context of cross- and same-sex friendships. Individuals assigned an average number of two meanings to the term `intimacy', though the number of meanings ranged from one to five. Results revealed substantial similarities in the meanings of intimacy in both types of friendship, as well as some gender differences. For instance, five of the seven most frequently mentioned definitions of intimacy were specified by both cross- and same-sex friends: self-disclosures, emotional expressiveness, unconditional support, physical contact and trust. One of the remaining two meanings of intimacy, i.e. sexual contact, was mentioned by cross- but not same-sex friends. Sharing activities was given as a definition of intimacy by 9 percent of the males in same-sex friendships, and 4 percent of the females in cross-sex friendships. Within cross-sex friendships, emotional expressiveness and sexual contact were specified as meanings of intimacy by a higher percentage of males than females, while physical contact was specified by a greater percentage of females in those relationships.

Comparison of diazepam with progestin for effectiveness in suppression of urine spraying behavior in cats

Summary The most common treatment for urine spraying and marking in cats has been administration of long-acting progestins. Treatment with diazepam has recently been gaining favor, particularly because of reported adverse effects of progestins. Results of a clinical trial involving 20 cats indicated that diazepam was effective in eliminating or markedly reducing spraying in 11 (55%) of them. However, most cats required continuous treatment, or at least intermittent treatment, when spraying recurred. The physiologic and behavioral dependency of cats on diazepam, which presumably develops over the course of administration, may contribute to the tendency for spraying to recur once diazepam treatment is discontinued. Using data from previously published findings on progestin administration, plus additional cases, it was documented that a significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher percentage of males than females responded favorably. Although the number of cases was not sufficient for a statistical comparison of diazepam vs progestin treatment with regard to male vs female, possible gender difference in the effectiveness of diazepam was not indicated.

Walker-related burns in infants and toddlers

During one year, four (6.5%) of the 61 children who were hospitalized for burns at a children's hospital sustained their injuries in a walker. Records from a total of nine children hospitalized with walker burns were compared to those from other hospitalized burned children. Patients who were burned while in a walker had a greater body surface area burned (11.6%) than those with burns from abuse (1.7%), neglect (2.5%), or other accidents (6.2%). A higher percentage of males were burned, and the burn patterns differed among all four groups. Seven of the nine walker burns resulted from scalds, with three scalds from hot grease. Walker-related burn patients required more physical or occupational therapy and a longer mean hospital stay. Social histories of infants with walker and other accidental burns differed from those associated with abuse or neglect. Walkers expose infants to unnecessary hazards, including potentially serious burns; their use should be discouraged.

Significance of a low oxygen layer for a Daphnia population in Lake Yunoko, Japan

Population dynamics and vertical migration of Daphnia longispina in Lake Yunoko were studied. The Daphnia population was small in spring and early summer, probably because of high predation pressure by fish. The population grew in midsummer, when thermal stratification developed and the dissolved oxygen became very low in the deeper layer of the hypolimnion. In this season, adults of D. longispina concentrated in the daytime near the lake bottom, where fish were absent because of the anoxic conditions, but ascended at night to the upper layer of the hypolimnion, where food was most abundant. The low oxygen layer near the bottom kept out the predators and protected Daphnia from predation, and consequently contributed to the built-up of its population. However, the low oxygen layer was unfavorable for reproduction of Daphnia, as reflected in the low egg ratio and high percentage of males in the population. The population decreased in the fall, when thermal stratification disappeared and predation pressure seemed to increase.

Alternative reproductive strategies of Ostrea puelchana

Three reproductive strategies of Ostrea puelchana from the San Matias Gulf (Rio Negro, Argentina) are described and discussed. These relate to the degree of grouping shown by the oysters; i.e., (a) Carriage (this strategie is unique to the Ostreidae); (b) clusters and (c) isolation. Incidence of these strategies differed among three study sites (Banco Reparo, Las Grutas and Bajo Oliveira). Carriage incidence was maximal at Bajo Oliveira (69.4 % of the individuals), intermediate at Banco Reparo (49.7 %), and minimal at Las Grutas (19.7%), where clusters and isolated individuals predominate. Clusters constituted only a small fraction at Bajo Oliveira (1.1 %) and Banco Reparo (3.5%). The percentage of males larger than 50 mm was notedly lower at Banco Reparo (8.0 %) than at Las Grutas (39.3 %). The Las Grutas oysters associated in clusters have a higher percentage of males (57.9%) than at other locations and in any other type of association.

Effects of Ad Libitum and Restricted Feeding on Semen Quantity and Quality, Body Composition, and Blood Chemistry of Caged Broiler Breeder Males

One hundred eighty, 16-wk-old, caged broiler breeder males were randomly assigned to one of three feeding treatments: 1) restricted feeding (RES), breeder-recommended levels minus 25%; 2) control feeding (CON), breeder-recommended levels; 3) full-fed (FF), ad libitum feeding. Each group received the same com-soybean diet, with 15.5% CP and 2,878 kcal ME/kg feed. The males were ejaculated twice weekly, and BW, semen characteristics, hematocrits (HCT), and serum testosterone (T) were determined every 4 wk. At 17, 35, and 56 wk of age males were killed for body composition determination of percentages of protein, moisture, and fat.The FF males were heavier throughout the experiment than either CON or RES males. The FF group had a higher percentage of males in semen production than CON, which had a higher percentage of males in production than RES. Males of the FF group produced more semen with a higher spermatozoa concentration (SC) than CON, which males had higher spermatozoan concentrations than RES. The FF males had a higher level of T overall than CON or RES males. Hematocrits of FF were higher than those of CON birds, which were higher than those of RES birds. Body compositions were not significantly different among treatments at 17 wk; however, at 35 and 56 wk, FF males had a higher percentage of fat and a lower percentage of protein than birds in the other two groups.Significant positive correlations were found between body fat and the variables HCT, BW, semen weight (SW), and SC. Body weight was positively correlated with SW, and T was correlated with HCT.