Sex steroid hormones, architects of behavior and development: A look at the effects of sex steroid hormones in a lizard model

The mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in reptilian groups are diverse and largely not well understood. With this study, we hoped to identify to what extent these mechanisms may be overridden by hormonal exposure, whether it be maternal embryonic, or exogenous in origin. We explored the extent of changes acquired by the offspring of Anolis sagrei treated with steroid hormones. Specifically, we documented how the introduction of estradiol (E2 ) and testosterone (T) into the developing embryos of this species early in development affected not only physiology, but also behavioral patterns. In this study, we observed that E2 and T affected many aspects of development. In our first project, we discovered that certain treatment methods for delivering hormones to females when testing maternal effects may be problematic. We specifically tested implantation as a delivery method for the hormones. After implantation, we discovered that oviposition had ceased for all groups, pointing to either a critical effect of stress or an interaction with application method. In this part of our project, we also observed that though oviposition ceased for all groups, our T treated females had a significantly higher number of yolking follicles than our controls. Similar results have been seen in hens and could apply to other reptiles if investigated in future studies. When we adjusted our study to directly treat eggs, we discovered that treatment of eggs with E2 resulted in a female sex ratio bias. For those few resultant male offspring treated with E2, we found that growth (in terms of snout-vent-length and mass) were significantly affected as hatchlings and at 30-days post-hatch. These males tended to be smaller than controls at these time-points, and as adults, they had significantly smaller dewlap-cartilage lengths. This suggests that E2 plays a critical role in the developmental pathway for females and potentially leads to their smaller stature and dewlap lengths as adults. The major results of our behavioral study also identified E2 as the major player. We found that E2 treated females had on average higher aggression scores than controls indicating E2 is involved in the organization of agonistic displays for female development. While we examined these hormones through the lens of approximating maternal and embryonic origin, future studies may want to approach these in terms of toxicological pollutants as many estrogenic mimics have been observed in habitats that are viable for this species

A multi-centre observational study of how financial considerations influence dialysis treatment decisions

Introduction Little is known about the factors that contribute to the successful uptake of home dialysis, although increased utility costs have been identified as one possible factor affecting the decision to take up home dialysis. This paper reports on quantitative survey data collected during an Australian multi-centre observational study that aimed to identify factors that either facilitate or inhibit the uptake of home dialysis from patients' perspectives. Method This paper provides a quantitative analysis of survey responses that dealt with the question of how cost is experienced by those on dialysis, whether home or hospital. 138 participants were recruited from five dialysis centres. All forms of dialysis treatment were included. The survey was purposely designed to gain insight into how home dialysis is perceived and/or experienced. Survey responses were counted, ranked and summarised. Result Quantitative measures reported in this paper identify obstacles and facilitators to home dialysis. While costs were a concern for some home dialysis patients, cost alone did not explain treatment decisions. Support and medical advice were reported as more common factors affecting treatment decisions. Discussion & Conclusion The quantitative analysis of results shown in this paper indicates that cost does not determine treatment decisions for these dialysis patients in Australia. This finding lends support to at least maintaining the financial support offered to Australian patients as they prepare for home dialysis. Ongoing costs were documented and the results shown here provide justification for additional assistance in the form of payouts to dialysis patients on low incomes

Equinox : the review of scientific illuminism.

Mode of access: Internet."The official organ of the O.T.O."Continues the numbering of Aleister Crowley's publication of the same name, counting monographs published since Crowley's death as v. 3, no. 6-9

A multi-centre observational study of how financial considerations influence dialysis treatment decisions

Introduction:Little is known about the factors that contribute to the successful uptake of home dialysis, although increased utilitycosts have been identified as one possible factor affecting the decision to take up home dialysis. This paper reports onquantitative survey data collected during an Australian multi-centre observational study that aimed to identify factorsthat either facilitate or inhibit the uptake of home dialysis from patients’ perspectives.Method:This paper provides a quantitative analysis of survey responses that dealt with the question of how cost is experiencedby those on dialysis, whether home or hospital. 138 participants were recruited from five dialysis centres. All formsof dialysis treatment were included. The survey was purposely designed to gain insight into how home dialysis isperceived and/or experienced. Survey responses were counted, ranked and summarised.Result:Quantitative measures reported in this paper identify obstacles and facilitators to home dialysis. While costs were aconcern for some home dialysis patients, cost alone did not explain treatment decisions. Support and medical advicewere reported as more common factors affecting treatment decisions.Discussion & Conclusion:The quantitative analysis of results shown in this paper indicates that cost does not determine treatment decisions forthese dialysis patients in Australia. This finding lends support to at least maintaining the financial support offered toAustralian patients as they prepare for home dialysis. Ongoing costs were documented and the results shown hereprovide justification for additional assistance in the form of payouts to dialysis patients on low incomes