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Journal Article 2001; 22(6): 413-416 PubMed PMID: 11781537 Citation  Keywords:  Humans, Neoplasms:diagnosis, Thermodynamics,.   

: All the theories of carcinogenesis have properly described this event from methodologically different points of view (medical, biological, social, biochemical psychological etc.). The point is that one should understand the thermodynamical rules underlying each of these approaches. On this level of knowledge, quantum thermodynamics combines matter and energy, while technical quantization in a novel way differentiates precancerous states as the dissipathogenic ones from the neoplasms as the newly formed dissipative structures (systems). From the essential nature of the neoplasm one can derive some general rules of therapy which focus mainly on: 1 degrees prevention and therapy of the dissipathogenic states, 2 degrees strengthening of the regenerative and defensive mechanisms of the organism and, finally, 3 degrees removal of neoplastic changes as widely as necessary but also as sparingly as possible. For a long time, these rules have been observed in reverse order. That cannot improve the medical outcome, which has not changed for a few dozen years, i.e. recovery depending on the clinical level at the moment of the diagnosis....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(6): 403-409 PubMed PMID: 11781536 Citation  Keywords:  Brain:enzymology, Brain Chemistry:genetics, Female, Gender Identity, Gonadal Steroid Hormones:physiology, Humans, Male, Sexual Behavior:physiology,.   

: Alterations of sex hormone levels during pre- or perinatal sexual brain organization - responsible for long-term changes of gonadotropin secretion, sexual orientation, and gender role behavior - can be caused by: 1. Genetic effects, i.e. mutations or polymorphisms of a) 21-hydroxylase genes on chromosome 6, b) 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase genes in chromosome 1 or c) X-chromosomal genes, and 2. Epigenetic effects, such as a) stressful situations - especially in combination with mutations - and b) endocrine disrupters, e.g. the pesticide DDT and its metabolites, which display estrogenic, antiandrogenic, and inhibitory effects on the enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase leading to increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate as precursors of endogenous androgens and estrogens. In connection with the introduction and extensive use of the pesticide DDT, the following findings were obtained in subjects born before as compared to those born during this period: 1. The prevalence of patients with polycystic ovaries (PCO), idiopatic oligospermia (IO), and transsexualism (TS) increased significantly (about 3-4 fold). 2. Partial 21-hydroxylase deficiencies were observed in most patients with PCO and TS and some patients with IO born before this period. 3. In contrast, most patients with PCO and TS and several patients with IO born during the period of massive use of DDT displayed clearly increased plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and DHEA-S/cortisol ratios suggesting partial 3beta-hydroxsteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) deficiencies. Interestingly enough, geneticists could not find any mutations of 3beta-HSD genes in such subjects. However, o,p'-DDT and/or its metabolite o,p'-DDD are strong inhibitors of 3beta-HSD, indicating their possible co-responsibility for such life-long ontogenetic alterations. Finally, some data suggest that endocrine disrupters may also be able to affect the development of sexual orientation....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(6): 393-400 PubMed PMID: 11781535 Citation  Keywords:  Adaptation, Physiological, Biological Evolution, Brain:physiology, Culture, Homosexuality, Male:ethnology, Humans, Male, Neurosecretory Systems:physiology,.   

: Evolutionary theory proposes that adaptive traits are reproduced more successfully than maladaptive traits. Accordingly, natural selection should favor heterosexuality as it facilitates reproduction and the propagation of genes. However, the question becomes, what has maintained homosexuality in a small but consistent percentage of the human population? Research into the evolutionary and hormonal factors associated with a homosexual orientation have yielded provocative but inconsistent results. It also suggests that human sexual orientation, and in particular homosexual orientation, is too complex to be described by one simple model or a single research discipline. The current paper treads a new path and emphasizes an integrative approach for the understanding of homosexuality. The authors examine the combined effects of evolutionary factors and neurohormonal processes on the development of a homosexual orientation. It is suggested that research into the topic could benefit from an examination of and change in some of the assumptions upon which much past research has been based....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 332-336 PubMed PMID: 11600882 Citation  Keywords:  17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone:blood, Adolescent, Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Adult, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate:blood, Estradiol:blood, Fasting, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Follicular Phase, Humans, Hype.   

OBJECTIVES: To determine melatonin production in hyperandrogenic women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen women with late onset adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (LOCAH) and 15 control women were studied in early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Fasting serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) as well as the peak 17-OHP response to ACTH (250 microg IV) and 24h urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) were determined in all participants.

RESULTS: All 17 hyperandrogenic women were carrying mutations of the CYP21 gene. Women with LOCAH had significantly higher serum testosterone, DHEA-S, 17-OHP and ACTH stimulated 17-OHP values compared with controls. Their aMT6s values (44.6+/-20.3 microg/24h) were significantly higher than the values in control women (31.5+/-20.3) (p<0.03). The urinary aMT6s values were positively correlated with testosterone (p<0.04), DHEA-S (p<0.02) and peak 17-OHP (p<0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Women with LOCAH have increased melatonin production. There is a relationship between adrenal androgens and melatonin in these women....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 309-321 PubMed PMID: 11600881 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Behavior:physiology, Ethology, Female, Humans, Male, Neurosecretory Systems:physiology, Odorants, Pheromones:physiology, Sexual Behavior, Smell, Vomeronasal Organ,.   

: The effect of sensory input on hormones is essential to any explanation of mammalian behavior, including aspects of physical attraction. The chemical signals we send have direct and developmental effects on hormone levels in other people. Since we don t know either if, or how, visual cues might have direct and developmental effects on hormone levels in other people, the biological basis for the development of visually perceived human physical attraction is currently somewhat questionable. In contrast, the biological basis for the development of physical attraction based on chemical signals is well detailed....

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Bibliography 2001; 22(5): 359-384 PubMed PMID: 11600879 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Chronobiology Phenomena, Delivery of Health Care, History, 17th Century, History, 18th Century, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century, Humans, Magnetics, Motor Activity:physiology, Physiology:history, Plant Physiological Phenomena, United .   

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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 356-358 PubMed PMID: 11600878 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Anorexia Nervosa:blood, Body Mass Index, Bulimia:blood, Female, Galanin:blood, Humans, Leptin:blood, Neuropeptide Y:blood, Reference Values,.   

OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) play a role in the control of appetite and in the regulation of hormonal secretion.

METHODS: Plasma leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin concentrations were estimated in 13 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) 19 women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 19 healthy women of the control group (CG).

RESULTS: Plasma leptin concentration in BN was significantly higher than that in AN and it was lower as compared with the control group, despite the same BMI (body mass index) in both the groups. Plasma leptin level in AN was significantly lower as compared with the controls. Plasma galanin concentrations in AN and BN did not differ significantly from the control group. Plasma NPY concentration in AN was lower than that in the control group. However, plasma NPY level in BN was significantly higher as compared with AN and with the control group (CG). The observed increase of NPY in BN was independent of BMI because BMI in bulimia nervosa was normal.

CONCLUSIONS: The data may suggest that other factors than body weight changes may be involved in the modulation of leptin and NPY release in BN. The pathological behaviour of patients with bulimia nervosa may result from disturbed NPY release which is the strongest orexigenic factor....

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Letter 2001; 22(5): 330-331 PubMed PMID: 11600874 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Animals, Child, Child, Preschool, Cytokines:secretion, Epilepsy:physiopathology, Female, Humans, Infant, Interleukin-1:secretion, Male, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha:secretion,.   

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