Branko Barac

Finger Length Ratios in Serbian Transsexuals

Atypical prenatal hormone exposure could be a factor in the development of transsexualism. There is evidence that the 2nd and 4th digit ratio (2D : 4D) associates negatively with prenatal testosterone and positively with estrogens. The aim was to assess the difference in 2D : 4D between female to male transsexuals (FMT) and male to female transsexuals (MFT) and controls. We examined 42 MFT, 38 FMT, and 45 control males and 48 control females. Precise measurements were made by X-rays at the ventral surface of both hands from the basal crease of the digit to the tip using vernier calliper. Control male and female patients had larger 2D : 4D of the right hand when compared to the left hand. Control males left hand ratio was lower than in control females left hand. There was no difference in 2D : 4D between MFT and control males. MFT showed similar 2D : 4D of the right hand with control women indicating possible influencing factor in embryogenesis and consequently finger length changes. FMT showed the lowest 2D : 4D of the left hand when compared to the control males and females. Results of our study go in favour of the biological aetiology of transsexualism.

The level of endogenous testosterone and correlation with lipid profile in men with acute myocardial infarction older than 40 years

Introduction. The effect of lipid profile on AMI is well known. On the other hand, the role of testosterone (T) as one of the possible predictive factors in men with acute myocardial infarction and his interplay with lipid profile in AMI is still controversial. The aim of the study was to measure the level of testosterone in men with AMI and in the same patients 6 months after AMI, and to compare with testosterone levels of healthy control.Also we correlate testosterone levels with lipid profile in AMI and 6 months after AIM. Methods. The study was designed as prospective study. Patients were divided into III groups: Group I included 35 men, aged value (55.00±3.00 years) with AMI. Group II included the same 35 males, analyzed 6 months after the AMI. The Group III, control group consists of 20 healthy men aged value( 57±2.12 years). The blood samples for the Group I (AMI) were taken in the first 12 hours of AIM, and also 6 months after the AIM (Group II). Following analyses were performed: total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoprotein, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B and testosterone level. Results. By comparing the values of testosterone (T) in patients with acute myocardial infarction ,Group I (16,86±7.18nmol/l) and the values of testosterone in the same patient 6 months after the AMI, Group II (18,12±7.96nmol/l), with testosterone values in control, Group III (27.11±10.48nmol/), a high statistically significant difference was obtained, p<0.001. Testosterone values in a patient with AIM as well as 6 months after AIM were lower than those in a healthy population of the same age (p <0.001). In the Group I, statisticaly significant positive correlation were found for tetsosterone and HDL (r 0.403, p<0.05), and high statistical significant positive correlation of T with ApoA1(r 0.747, p<0.01). In Group II, statistical significant positive correlation was found for T and

How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disorders: Influence of Gonadal Steroids on the Heart

In the ancient Rome, average life duration was 23 years; in Sweden at the end of the eighteenth century, 36.6 years for women and 33.7 for men; and in many European countries at the beginning of the twenty-first century, life expectancy was 72 and 76 years, respectively. The menopause (period in women’s life 1 year after the last menstruation until the end of life) and involutive hypoandrogenism in males (testosterone below 12 nmol/L and typical symptoms) are characterized by decrease of gonadal steroids and initiating of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Rahman [1] found that women who entered early menopause (40–45 years) had 40% increase of heart disease. Meta-analysis confirmed these data (Table 16.1).

The efficacy and safety of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) injections compared with betamethasone and placebo injections in the treatment of chronic shoulder joint pain due to supraspinatus tendinopathy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

AIMS Autologous conditioned serum (ACS; marketed as Orthokine®) is an autologous blood product that has previously shown efficacy in treatment of joint osteoarthritis, spinal radiculopathy, tendon and muscle injuries in randomized controlled trials. In this 24-week, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the efficacy and safety of ACS with glucocorticoid (betamethasone) injections in chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-two patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy were enrolled in the study. The ACS group received four ACS injections once weekly over four weeks and the glucocorticoid group received three betamethasone injections once weekly over three weeks with a placebo (saline) injection at week 4 into the enthesis and paratenon of the supraspinatus tendon. Study endpoints were pain intensity (VAS) and Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 24. RESULTS Shoulder pain intensity improved after 4 weeks and significantly improved after 24 weeks in patients treated with ACS compared with those treated with glucocorticoids (pain intensity week 4: ACS=22.0, glucocorticoid=32.0; week 24: ACS=15.0, glucocorticoid=40.0). CSS improved to a similar extent in both groups after 4 weeks. After 24 weeks, ACS patients exhibited significantly greater CSS improvements than glucocorticoid patients. Adverse events (n=8) were reported in betamethasone patients. CONCLUSIONS Compared with betamethasone, ACS therapy improved joint function and reduced shoulder pain more effectively after 4 weeks of treatment; these improvements were sustained to week 24. Combined with its favorable safety profile, ACS appears to be a more effective treatment than glucocorticoids and could enhance the quality of life in patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Adipose Tissue and Menstrual Disturbances: Obesity Versus Anorexia Nervosa

Maintaining body homeostasis is a prerequisite for normal reproductive function, which is vital for the survival of the species and an important process of natural selection. Body weight is an independent regulator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity.

Gender-Specific Hypertension

It is well known that hypertension can be primary or secondary. However, among secondary causes of hypertension, gender-specific hypertension is one lately recognized.

Contraception in Climacterium

Climacterium is the phase in women’s life beginning with the first menopausal symptom and cycle irregularities and ending 1 year after the last menstruation. Endocrinological, biological and clinical changes become apparent at that time.

Premature Ovarian Failure: Fertility Challenge

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (also known as premature menopause) is a heterogeneous disorder of multifactorial origin defined as the occurrence of secondary amenorrhoea, hypergonadotropism (follicle-stimulating hormone above 40 IU/L) and hypoestrogenism (oestradiol below 50 pmol/L) in women under the age of 40 years.

Transsexualism: Endocrine Aspects

Harry Benjamin, the father and establisher of transsexualism, tried to describe this phenomenon as terra incognita or noli me tangere (1966), trying to explain that many doctors were blinded in the presence of a new undescribed and undiagnosed disorder [1]. Ira Pauly described one hundred transsexuals from 13 countries [2].

ESTRADIOL/NORETHINDRONE THERAPY EFFECT ON AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: PP.18.189

Objective: Numerous physicians are loath to prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women with elevated blood pressure (BP) because of their concern that hypertension might worsen. Studies have advocated that Drospirenone combined with estradiol significantly reduces BP in postmenopausal women with hypertension. Design and Method: In the present study, we examined the effects of estradiol / norethindrone acetate on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) in 182 hypertensive postmenopausal women (PMW, 52 ± 2 [mean ± SE] years, BMI 21.81 ± 3.29 kg/m2). Validated, Meditech ABPM 05 ambulatory blood pressure monitor was used to obtain 24-h BP before and during six months therapy with estradiol / norethindrone acetate. Most women did not change antihypertensive treatment during the study. Results and Conclusions: After six months on HRT BP was lowered by an average of 1 mmHg systolic and 2 mmHg diastolic per day and per night BP was lowered by an average of 2 mmHg systolic and 1 mmHg diastolic. BP reductions were not significantly lower with regard to systolic or diastolic BP before initiation of HRT nor to action on day and night-time BP. BP reduction in PMW with hypertension after six months receiving estradiol / norethindrone acetate may lower the physicians concern that hypertension might worsen if they prescribe HRT. Hormone replacement therapy should be considered as a first line therapy in postmenopausal women with hypertension if there is no contraindication.