Sex Reassignment Research Articles

Paths for colonization or exodus? New insights from the brown bear (Ursus arctos) population of the Cantabrian Mountains.

Over the centuries, the geographical distribution of brown bear (Ursus arctos) across the Iberian Peninsula has been decreasing, with the species currently confined to North Iberia. The Cantabrian brown bear population is one of the smallest in Europe and is structured into two subpopulations, positioned along an east-west axis. Given the current critically endangered status of this population, it is essential to have a clear picture of its within-population genetic patterns and processes. We use a set of three molecular markers (mitochondrial DNA, autosomal microsatellites and sex markers) to clarify the genetic origins and assess the migration patterns and gene flow of the Cantabrian brown bear population. Our results reveal the presence of two different mitochondrial (matrilineal) haplotypes in the Cantabrian population, both belonging to European brown bear clade 1a. The two haplotypes are geographically structured between Eastern (haplotype CanE) and Western Cantabrian (haplotype CanW) subpopulations, which is consistent with the genetic structure previously identified using nuclear markers. Additionally, we show that CanE is closer to the historical Pyrenean (Pyr) haplotype than to CanW. Despite strong structuring at the levels of mtDNA and nuclear loci, there is evidence of bidirectional gene flow and admixture among subpopulations. Gene flow is asymmetrical and significantly more intense from the Eastern to the Western Cantabrian subpopulation. In fact, we only detected first generation male migrants from the Eastern to the Western Cantabrian subpopulation. These results suggest more intense migration from the smaller and more vulnerable Eastern Cantabrian subpopulation towards the larger and more stable Western Cantabrian subpopulation. These new insights are relevant for assessments of on-going conservation measures, namely the role of dispersal corridors and enhanced connectivity. We discuss the importance of complementary conservation measures, such as human-wildlife conflict mitigation and habitat improvement, for the conservation of a viable Cantabrian brown bear population.

2D:4D Suggests a Role of Prenatal Testosterone in Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria (GD) reflects distress caused by incongruence between one’s experienced gender identity and one’s natal (assigned) gender. Previous studies suggest that high levels of prenatal testosterone (T) in natal females and low levels in natal males might contribute to GD. Here, we investigated if the 2D:4D digit ratio, a biomarker of prenatal T effects, is related to GD. We first report results from a large Iranian sample, comparing 2D:4D in 104 transwomen and 89 transmen against controls of the same natal sex. We found significantly lower (less masculine) 2D:4D in transwomen compared to control men. We then conducted random-effects meta-analyses of relevant studies including our own (k = 6, N = 925 for transwomen and k = 6, N = 757 for transmen). In line with the hypothesized prenatal T effects, transwomen showed significantly feminized 2D:4D (d ≈ 0.24). Conversely, transmen showed masculinized 2D:4D (d ≈ − 0.28); however, large unaccounted heterogeneity across studies emerged, which makes this effect less meaningful. These findings support the idea that high levels of prenatal T in natal females and low levels in natal males play a part in the etiology of GD. As we discuss, this adds to the evidence demonstrating the convergent validity of 2D:4D as a marker of prenatal T effects.

Development and validation of genetic markers for sex and cannabinoid chemotype in Cannabis sativa L.

AbstractHemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an emerging dioecious crop grown primarily for grain, fiber, and cannabinoids. There is good evidence for medicinal benefits of the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp, cannabidiol (CBD). For CBD production, female plants producing CBD but not tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are desired. We developed and validated high‐throughput PACE (PCR Allele Competitive Extension) assays for C. sativa plant sex and cannabinoid chemotype. The sex assay was validated across a wide range of germplasm and resolved male plants from female and monoecious plants. The cannabinoid chemotype assay revealed segregation in hemp populations, and resolved plants producing predominantly THC, predominantly CBD, and roughly equal amounts of THC and CBD. Cultivar populations that were thought to be stabilized for CBD production were found to be segregating phenotypically and genotypically. Many plants predominantly producing CBD accumulated more than the current US legal limit of 0.3% THC by dry weight. These assays and data provide potentially useful tools for breeding and early selection of hemp.

Qualitative socioecological factors of cervical cancer screening use among transgender men.

Lack of attendance to cervical cancer screening (CCS) services is the most attributable factor to the development of cervical cancer. Transgender men, individuals whose gender identity does match with their natal female sex, use CCS less often than the general female population. The underlying reasons for deficient CCS among transgender men relate mostly to their stigmatized identity, such as discrimination and unwelcoming healthcare environments. However, additional research is needed to expand our understanding of this complex issue. This exploratory qualitative research study aimed to identify the determinants of CCS from the perspective of transgender men. Twenty transgender men ages 21-65 were conveniently sampled to participate in a semi-structured interview in 2018. The data were analyzed using a deductive-inductive content analysis approach and the results were sorted into a socioecological framework (SEM). The participants were mostly non-Hispanic and white. The mean age was 33, and 55% of the sample had attended CCS in the last three years. Eight overarching factors were identified in the data. Each factor included descriptive sub-factors. At the institutional and interpersonal SEM levels, factors related to healthcare providers and healthcare organizations. At the individual level, factors related to past negative experiences, gender identity development, and socioeconomic status. To the investigators' knowledge, this is the first study to report the relationship between gender identity development and CCS behaviors. Gender identity development refers to the transition or coming-out process and gender dysphoria. This suggests that attendance to CCS services change as a transgender person's identity evolves.

Risk factors associated with conversion of an Ommaya reservoir to a permanent cerebrospinal fluid shunt in preterm posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.

A considerable percentage of preterm infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus initially managed with an Ommaya reservoir require a permanent CSF shunt. The objective of the study was to analyze possible risk factors associated with the need for converting an Ommaya reservoir to a permanent shunt. The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of premature infants weighing 1500 g or less with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (Papile grades III and IV) managed with an Ommaya reservoir at their institution between 2002 and 2017. Forty-six patients received an Ommaya reservoir. Five patients (10.9%) were excluded due to intraventricular infection during management with an Ommaya reservoir. Average gestational age and weight for the remaining 41 patients was 27 ± 1.8 weeks and 987 ± 209 grams, respectively. Thirty patients required a permanent shunt and 11 patients did not require a permanent shunt. The conversion rate from an Ommaya reservoir to a permanent shunt was 76.1%. Symptomatic persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was more frequent in the nonpermanent shunt group than in the shunt group (88.9% vs 50%, p = 0.04). The need for extraction of more than 10 ml/kg per day of CSF through the Ommaya reservoir was lower in the nonpermanent shunt group than in the shunt group (9.1% vs 51.7%, p = 0.015). CSF lactate was lower in the nonpermanent group than in the shunt group (mean 2.48 mg/dl vs 3.19 mg/dl; p = 0.004). A cutoff value of ≥ 2.8 mg/dl CSF lactate predicted the need for a permanent shunt with sensitivity and specificity of 82.4% and 80%, respectively. There were no significant differences in gestational age, sex, weight, Papile grade, ventricular index, or other biochemical markers. After the multivariate analysis, only CSF lactate ≥ 2.8 mg/dl was associated with a higher conversion rate to a permanent shunt. This study showed that a high level of CSF lactate, absence of symptomatic PDA, and a higher CSF extraction requirement were associated with a higher likelihood of implanting a permanent CSF shunt. The authors believe these findings should be considered in future studies.

Transidentités et réassignation de sexe : le rôle des psychologues au sein d’une équipe pluridisciplinaire spécialisée

This interview is the continuation and supplement of the article “Transidentity and sex change: The sociologist's point of view, the psychiatrist's role”. Psychologists Sandrine Coussinoux, Eirini Rari and psychiatrist Thierry Gallarda discuss the issue of sex reassignment for transidentitarian people as well as the role of psychologists who work on this subject in the Parisian multidisciplinary team specialized in “Gender dysphoria and mental health”.

Evaluation of concentric periareolar subcutaneous mastectomy outcomes in transsexual patients during 2016–2017 in Iran: A clinical study

Background: Transsexual (TS) people are those who assigned one sex at the birth but identified their gender in what society considers the opposite direction. Studies showed that gender reassignment surgery (GRS) had greatly improved the quality of life in TS patients. Materials and Methods: We studied 20 patients who had legally the permission of being underwent the sex reassignment surgery in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex of Tehran, Iran. For all patients, concentric periareolar subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. The patients were followed up for 1 year and the results were evaluated. Results: Our findings show an acceptable scar formation after 1 year of the sex reassignment surgery. There was only one complication which was managed conservatively. About 90% of patients were satisfied from the results of surgery, and no one was less/unsatisfied. The average score of nipple sensation was 7.9 and no changes in nipple pigmentation was observed. Conclusion: Concentric periareolar mastectomy is probably a good technique of subcutaneous mastectomy in female to male GRS in patients with small and medium size of the breast and poor skin elasticity. The result scar in this method is acceptable and gives the patients a good feeling of having male chest.

Evaluating transgender youth and parent interest and preferences regarding support groups.

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to explore transgender teens’ and their parents’ interest in and preferences regarding support groups in an effort to optimally serve the entire family’s needs. The aims of the study were to: (1) describe transgender teens interest level and preferences regarding support groups; (2) describe parents of transgender teens interest level and preferences regarding support groups; and (3) compare responses based on demographics including teens versus parent, natal sex, and gender identity. De-identified surveys were collected from a convenience sample of transgender patients (N = 26), ages 13-18 years, and their parents (N = 20). Overall level of interest in support groups was 7.20/10 for youth and 7.95/10 for parents where 0 is not interested and 10 is very interested. Both groups endorsed benefits of a support group, including help with managing school issues, learning about local resources for transgender teens, and providing peer support. Both groups indicated “no time” as the most common potential barrier to attendance. Both groups expressed moderate interest in support groups, with minor differences between youths and parents noted in preferred support group structure. Further examination is warranted to determine optimal support group characteristics aimed specifically at parents and, separately, for youth. Additional support services might complement groups for a more comprehensive approach to support resources for this community.

Population pharmacokinetics of riociguat and its metabolite in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension from routine clinical practice.

Pharmacokinetic data for riociguat in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have previously been reported from randomized clinical trials, which may not fully reflect the population encountered in routine practice. The aim of the current study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic of riociguat and its metabolite M1 in the patients from routine clinical practice. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed in NONMEM 7.3, based on riociguat and its metabolite plasma concentrations from 49 patients with CTEPH. One sample with riociguat and M1 concentrations was available from each patient obtained at different time points after last dose. Age, bodyweight, sex, smoking status, concomitant medications, kidney and liver function markers were tested as potential covariates of pharmacokinetic of riociguat and its metabolite. Riociguat and M1 disposition was best described with one-compartment models. Apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) for riociguat and M1 were assumed to be the same. Total bilirubin and creatinine clearance were the most predictive covariates for apparent riociguat metabolic clearance to M1 (CLf,M1/F) and for apparent riociguat clearance through remaining pathways (CLe,r/F), respectively. CLf,M1/F, CLe,r/F, Vd/F of riociguat and M1, and clearance of M1 (CLe,M1/F) for a typical individual with 70 mL/min creatinine clearance and 0.69 mg/dL total bilirubin were 0.665 L/h (relative standard error = 17%)), 0.66 (18%) L/h, 3.63 (15%) L and 1.47 (19%) L/h, respectively. Upon visual identification of six outlying individuals, an absorption lag-time of 2.95 (6%) h was estimated for these patients. In conclusion, the only clinical characteristics related to riociguat exposure in patients with CTEPH from routine clinical practice are total bilirubin and creatinine clearance. This confirms the findings of the previous population pharmacokinetic studies based on data from randomized clinical trials.

After Eunuchs: Science, Medicine, and the Transformation of Sex in Modern China by Howard Chiang

Reviewed by: After Eunuchs: Science, Medicine, and the Transformation of Sex in Modern China by Howard Chiang Y. Yvon Wang yyvon.wang@utoronto.ca Howard Chiang . After Eunuchs: Science, Medicine, and the Transformation of Sex in Modern China. New York: Columbia University Press, 2018. 391 pp. $65.00 (cloth), $26.00 (paper). After Eunuchs: Science, Medicine, and the Transformation of Sex in Modern China, based on the author's Princeton University doctoral dissertation, is the first monograph-length historical account of transformations that both established and challenged sexual binaries in the Sinosphere from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. It is wide ranging and ambitious in its themes and scholarly engagements. A succinct introduction surveys the work's narrative arc: Howard Chiang posits a "genealogical relationship" (7) between palace eunuchs, men castrated to qualify for service in imperial households since China's early dynasties, and Cold War–era sexual reassignment, which saturated the Taiwanese press under the Nationalist (Guomindang) Party after its retreat from the Communist-ruled mainland in 1949. The connection, Chiang argues, was a transformation in ideas about sex, sexuality, and gender between the 1920s and the 1940s. Chiang sees this shift as comparable to Michel Foucault's model of the rise of scientia sexualis, 1 anchored by state power and scientific/medical expertise, in modern Europe. In China, too, new notions about sex grew symbiotically with nationalistic ideas about the naturalness of "China." The opening chapter focuses on representations of eunuchs from the late Qing empire (1644–1912) to the Republic of China (1912–1949). The nineteenth-century court was forced by military and diplomatic reversals to grant increasing concessions to foreign states and individuals. Eunuchs surfaced in venues from expatriate European medical experts' publications to the emergent Chinese news media; Chiang also cites published recollections by eunuchs themselves. The ambiguity of what castration entailed and self-contradictory characterizations of eunuchs, including those who had self-castrated, Chiang contends, did not stop either foreign observers or increasingly nationalistic Chinese commentators from linking castrated bodies with China's weakness and backwardness, paralleling the contemporaneous condemnation of female footbinding as symptomatic of "the sick man of Asia." Chiang's subsequent chapters take up three facets of the transformation of Chinese sexuality and gender across the turn from the nineteenth to the twentieth century: "visibility," "new layers of visual evidence that made it possible for sex to become an object of observation" (71); "carnality," would-be sexological experts' debates about desire in the urban press; and "malleability," knowledge about sex hormones and intersexuality that made it possible to imagine any human body changing sex. [End Page E-6] Chapter 2 charts three phases of visualizing sex in textbooks and other texts of scientific expertise; they explain "how and why Western biological notions of sex" became the intellectual default (107; emphasis original). A novel "anatomical aesthetic" emphasized mapping organs and tissues and defining sexual difference physiologically. Next came "morphological sensibility," which compared male and female animals, drawing links to human sexual difference. Finally, Chiang describes the "subcellular gaze," which construed chromosomes and gonadal tissues as proof of sexual dimorphism. Chapter 3 documents "epistemic modernity" (129–33) in the new field of sexual science, mainly through writings by French-trained philosopher Zhang Jingsheng (張競生 1888–1970) and American-educated eugenicist Pan Guangdan (潘光旦 1898–1967) and responses thereto in the urban media. Chiang calls sexological discourse "heterogenous—and perhaps even ambiguous" (158) though it reified the "science" of sex and the authority of scientific expertise. Debates over the category of homosexuality and its threat or value to modern Chinese society illustrate this point. Sexologists formulated "homosexuality" as a totalizing identity distinct from older status- and performance-based understandings even as they projected it anachronistically backward. In chapter 4, Chiang traces an unprecedentedly fluid view of sexual difference. A hormonal conception of sex based on Euro-American research prevailed among Chinese intellectuals by the 1940s. Chiang takes the 1935 coverage of Yao Jinping (姚錦屏 ca. 1915–?) to exemplify the flexibility of sex in this endocrinological perspective. Yao, a young woman, claimed to have undergone "physical sex change" literally overnight (209) media, doctors, and the army general who had commanded her missing father...

Tilapia Skin for Neovaginoplasty after Sex Reassignment Surgery

To describe a new technique of neovaginoplasty after a female sex reassignment surgery using a tilapia skin as a graft. Stepwise demonstration of a new technique with narrated video of a single case report. The patient provided oral and written informed consent. Moreover, this video report is part of a multicenter, Investigational Review Board-approved study. Women's university hospital in Campinas, Brazil. Neovaginoplasty technique using tilapia skin with the following key strategies: (1) corpus cavernosum removal, (2) vagina tunnel creation, (3) mold coating with tilapia skin, (4) mold fixation, and (5) postoperative care. The patient remained with the mold coated with tilapia skin for 5 days; after this time, the mold was removed, and the tissue graft was adhered and incorporated in the new vaginal canal. After 2 months, the tissue resembled a vaginal mucosa, and the vaginal length was 8 cm. The patient has not had intercourse yet. We introduce an alternative for low-morbidity neovaginoplasty based on the experience of plastic surgery in burned grafts. The procedure described offers an alternative option to develop an anatomic neovagina with tissue similar to mucosa tissue by a simple, low-morbidity minimally invasive procedure.

Development of EU Law before the Grand Chamber of the EU to Benefit Transpersons

This case—MB v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions—concerned a transperson who was born male and subsequently married a woman in her birth sex. Seventeen years after the marriage, the applicant underwent sex reassignment surgery but never received a full gender recognition certificate. This was because the UK’s Gender Recognition Act 2004 (‘GRA’) required married applicants to annul their marriage in order to obtain more than an interim certificate. As MB did not wish to annul her marriage to her long-term wife, she never received the full gender recognition certificate. When she subsequently sought to claim her state pension from the younger age of 60, which applicable to women, her claim was rejected. This was because the UK government still officially classified her as a male. The argument made on behalf of the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was that it should be for Member States “‘to determine the conditions under which a person’s change of gender may be legally recognised’ (paragraph 23 MB v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Case C-451/16 ).” This, it was argued, should not only relate not only to physical and psychological criteria, but also to criteria relating to marital status (paragraph 23 MB v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Case C-451/16) and that this should be within the scope of the UK’s discretion. The Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union determined that the requirement to annul an pre-existing marriage in order to obtain a full Gender Recognition Certificate, subsequently entitling the applicant to access her state pension at the younger age applicable to women, contravened Article 4 Council Directive 79/7/EEC on the basis of sex discrimination.

Erotic Target Identity Inversions Among Men and Women in an Internet Sample

IntroductionErotic target identity inversions (ETIIs) are poorly studied paraphilias that involve sexual arousal by the idea or fantasy of being the object of one’s sexual desires. AimTo conduct a large non-clinical online survey to investigate self-reported sexual arousal, behavioral expression, and psychological correlates of 4 proposed ETIIs. MethodsA total of 736 natal males and 549 natal females responded to items about self-reported sexual arousal to the idea of acting as an animal (autoanthropomorphozoophilia) or the idea of acting as a child or infant (autonepiophilia), natal males reporting arousal to the idea of acting as a woman (autogynephilia), and natal females reporting arousal to the idea of acting as a man (autoandrophilia). Data pertaining to sexual orientation, childhood gender nonconformity, gender identity discomfort, autism, masochism, and humiliation were also collected. Main Outcome MeasuresThe main outcome was a measure of self-reported arousal and expression of the ETIIs being explored using 4 items: arousal level (–3 to 3) when imagining being the erotic target exemplar; frequency of engagement in dressing or behaving like their preferred target (0–4); strength of feeling that they would be better off as the target (0–4); and the frequency of consideration of making physical changes to look or function more like the target (0–4). ResultsMild levels of reported sexual arousal to the idea of being the preferred erotic target were common among the 4 groups, characterizing about half of them. Gender identity discomfort was associated with autogynephilia, autoandrophilia, and autoanthropomorphozoophilia. Greater gender nonconformity was associated with autogynephilia, autoandrophilia, and autonepiophilia. Autism scores were associated with autoandrophilia and autonepiophilia. Masochism was not associated with ETII scores, but humiliation was. Clinical ImplicationsFindings suggest that it may be important to distinguish between subgroups of those with different levels and types of ETII arousal/expression. Strengths & LimitationsStrengths of this study include the large, non-clinical sample of men and women for the investigation of ETIIs and the inclusion of measures of psychological correlates. The use of an Internet sample with self-report measures may be unrepresentative, although the Internet has the advantage of allowing recruitment from stigmatized or unusual groups. The cross-sectional nature limits our conclusions, as no causal inferences can be made. ConclusionThe results support the concept of ETIIs as a paraphilic dimension in non-clinical samples and the possible role of gender-related psychological factors.Brown A, Barker ED, Rahman Q. Erotic Target Identity Inversions Among Men and Women in an Internet Sample. J Sex Med 2020;17:99–110.

Dos aspectos controvertidos do registro civil de pais e mães transgêneros à luz do provimento nº 73 do CNJ e dos direitos da personalidade

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar os aspectos controvertidos da retificação do nome dos registros civil das pessoas transgêneros à luz dos direitos da personalidade. Para tanto, a pesquisa analisou a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal em sede de julgamento da ADI 4275/DF, que determinou que a alteração do prenome e do gênero do trans pode ser realizada diretamente pela via extrajudicial, sem a necessidade de realização de cirurgia de redesignação sexual ou laudos médicos/psiquiátricos. Entretanto, apesar da importância desta decisão ainda há certos aspectos controvertidos e lacunas em relação ao Provimento nº 73/18 do Conselho Nacional de Justiça, especialmente em relação à certidão de nascimento dos filhos de mãe e pais transexuais, que foram examinados por meio do método hipotético-dedutivo, fundamentado em revisão bibliográfica de obras, artigos de periódicos, notícias, legislação, doutrina e jurisprudência aplicáveis ao caso. Como resultado, verificou-se que há a necessidade do preenchimento da lacuna jurídica em relação ao registro civil dos pais e mães trans, especialmente para a efetivação de seus direitos fundamentais e da personalidade.

Sex Reassignment Surgery for Inmates with Gender Dysphoria

In Gibson v. Collier , 920 F.3d 212 (5th Cir. 2019), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision to grant summary judgment for the director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Bryan Collier, who had refused sex reassignment surgery (SRS) for Scott Gibson (also

The Use of Whole Exome Sequencing in a Cohort of Transgender Individuals to Identify Rare Genetic Variants

Approximately 0.5–1.4% of natal males and 0.2–0.3% of natal females meet DSM-5 criteria for gender dysphoria, with many of these individuals self-describing as transgender men or women. Despite recent improvements both in social acceptance of transgender individuals as well as access to gender affirming therapy, progress in both areas has been hampered by poor understanding of the etiology of gender dysphoria. Prior studies have suggested a genetic contribution to gender dysphoria, but previously proposed candidate genes have not yet been verified in follow-up investigation. In this study, we expand on the topic of gender identity genomics by identifying rare variants in genes associated with sexually dimorphic brain development and exploring how they could contribute to gender dysphoria. To accomplish this, we performed whole exome sequencing on the genomic DNA of 13 transgender males and 17 transgender females. Whole exome sequencing revealed 120,582 genetic variants. After filtering, 441 variants in 421 genes remained for further consideration, including 21 nonsense, 28 frameshift, 13 splice-region, and 225 missense variants. Of these, 21 variants in 19 genes were found to have associations with previously described estrogen receptor activated pathways of sexually dimorphic brain development. These variants were confirmed by Sanger Sequencing. Our findings suggest a new avenue for investigation of genes involved in estrogen signaling pathways related to sexually dimorphic brain development and their relationship to gender dysphoria.

A fast sex detection method for the Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei by post-PCR high resolution melting (HRM)

The Pacific Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most important aquaculture species globally, for which monosex female culture is desirable due to its higher weight at harvest. For this purpose, the development and validation of biotechnologies directed to manipulate sexual differentiation requires a verification protocol based on molecular sex markers in the early life stages where no secondary sexual characteristics are displayed. In the present study, the sequences of a 542 bp putatively sex-linked locus containing three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) followed the homogametic (male, n = 8) and heterogametic (female, n = 4) sex-determination system. The locus is probably not located in previously reported sex-associated linkage groups. A post-PCR high resolution melt (HRM) analysis was designed to amplify and differentiate homozygotes from heterozygotes of the SNP in the locus. The expected patterns in a ZZ/ZW genetic system was confirmed in wild and cultivated shrimp samples (n = 168). These results are of interest for sex detection and for future detailed studies on the sex-determination system in L. vannamei.

Why Aquinas's Metaphysics of Gender Is Fundamentally Correct: A Response to John Finley.

In an important article, John Finley suggests a correction to Aquinas's understanding of gender distinction. Disagreeing with Aquinas, Finley proposes that gender distinction (male and female) stems from the soul rather than from the body. In this essay, I will show that this is not a tenable position because it does not fit with either what we know about the physical development of sex differences or the unity of man and woman as a single human species. I will defend Aquinas's fundamental insights into the root of gender distinction without defending his biological understanding of the process itself. I will argue that there is a single generic generative power in the soul that is determined by the matter to which the soul is united, to be expressed as either male or female. This paradigm, I believe, copes better than the one offered by Finley with phenomena such as intersexed persons and sex reassignment surgery. While I do not accept the idea of a feminine or masculine soul, the paradigm offered here does lead to the notion of the soul being feminized or masculinized on account of the matter that it informs.

PIMA: A population informative multiplex for the Americas

We describe an ancestry-informative autosomal SNP multiplex designed to be a small-scale, flexible panel that can complement uniparental markers in assessing the American variability (i.e. pre-Colombian) found in contemporary indigenous American populations. This study centered on choosing SNPs with the specific characteristics of: 1) extreme allele frequency differences between indigenous Americans and the African, European and East Asian population groups that contribute to present-day population variation in the Americas; 2) high informativeness-for-assignment In values; and 3) well-spaced genomic distribution and chromosomal separation from existing small-scale forensic ancestry marker sets. The resulting capillary electrophoresis SNaPshot single base extension test was named: PIMA (Population Informative Multiplex for the Americas), comprising 26 autosomal SNPs, a single X-chromosome SNP plus the amelogenin sex marker adapted for SNaPshot. PIMA complements the established 34plex forensic ancestry panel to provide a powerful and simple tool for the analysis of American populations, including those with admixed histories, commonly encountered in America. Comparing the results obtained with the combined marker panels of PIMA and 34plex to SNP data from a much larger ancestry panel allowed us to gauge their relative efficiency. PIMA+34plex gives equivalent power to the 314-SNP ‘LACE’ genomic ancestry control panel, while requiring a much smaller genotyping effort. The ancestry profiles and genetic structure of 22 populations spread across the American continent were estimated using PIMA+34plex data, and those estimates were contrasted with information provided by uniparental markers (mtDNA and Y-chromosome loci) for a small set of admixed individuals from Venezuela. Our results indicate that an American genetic component is efficiently detected in contemporary American populations using a small set of ancestry informative SNPs, and these co-ancestry estimates are consistent with the known history and demography of the Americas. The small scale and high population differentiation power of PIMA, particularly when combined with 34plex, provides a practical and powerful tool for genetic studies of American populations as well as forensic DNA analyses.

Chest Wall Masculinization in Female-to-Male Transsexuals: Our Treatment Algorithm and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Esthetic masculinization of the chest wall is one of the first surgical steps in female-to-male transsexual (FTMTS) reassignment.This surgical procedure is not a simple mastectomy: it is required for removal of breast tissue with glandular resection and skin excess revision, to reduce and replace the nipple-areola complex in the right location, minimizing chest wall scars. The creation of an esthetically pleasing male chest allows the patient to live at ease in the male gender role.In this article, we present our series of 68 FTMTSs who underwent bilateral mastectomies for surgical sexual reassignment (a total of 136 mastectomies) according to our algorithm, in the period between January 2010 and December 2017. We selected 4 different operative procedures, classified as subcutaneous ("pull-through" and "concentric circular" techniques) and skin extended ("ultrathin vertical bipedicle" and free nipple graft).We achieved a total complication rate of 6.6%, less than that reported in the literature; additional procedures for esthetic improvements were performed in 14.7% of cases. The mean patient satisfaction was approximately 4.57% of a maximal value of 5 (excellent).To help surgeons in choosing the most appropriate FTMTS surgical technique and to reduce unfavorable results, we propose the use of our treatment algorithm in preoperative evaluation of the chest wall according to the breast volume, degree of glandular ptosis, and skin elasticity.