Androgen’s effects in female

The metabolic effects of androgens and their underlying mechanisms in females have been revealed by recent studies. An excess of androgens can have adverse effects on feeding behavior and metabolic functions and induce metabolic disorders / diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes, in women and experimental animals of reproductive age. Interestingly, these effects of androgens are not observed in ovariectomized animals, indicating that their effects might be dependent on the estrogen milieu. Central and peripheral mechanisms, such as alterations in the activity of hypothalamic factors, reductions in energy expenditure, skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction, might be related to these androgens’ effects

Thermal conduction in Si and SiGe phononic crystals explained by phonon mean free path spectrum

International audienc

Thermal conduction in Si and SiGe phononic crystals explained by phonon mean free path spectrum

International audienc

Inhibition of glutamatergic transmission by morphine in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus reduces pain-induced aversion

Abstract We examined the role of glutamatergic transmission within the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (BLA) in pain-induced aversion using a conditioned place paradigm and an in vivo microdialysis technique in rats. Microinjection of MK-801 (1 or 10 nmol/side) into the bilateral BLA 5 min before intraplantar injection of formalin dose-dependently attenuated formalin-induced conditioned place aversion (F-CPA) without affecting nociceptive behaviors, such as lifting, licking, and biting. On the contrary, microinjection of neither CNQX (30 nmol/side) nor AP-3 (30 nmol/side) showed any significant effect on F-CPA. Microdialysis experiments revealed that intraplantar injection of formalin induced an increase in the extracellular glutamate level within the BLA. This increase in glutamate was suppressed by morphine perfusion (100 mM) via the microdialysis probe. Moreover, intra-BLA injection of morphine (10 mg/side) 5 min before formalin injection attenuated F-CPA without affecting nociceptive behaviors. These results suggest that glutamatergic transmission via NMDA receptors in the BLA plays a crucial role in the paininduced aversion, and that in addition to the well-characterized effects on the sensory component of pain, morphine also influences the affective component of pain through an inhibitory effect on intra-BLA glutamatergic transmission.

Pregnancy in a transgender man

Many transgender men receive testosterone therapy to achieve virilization. The therapy is often mistaken for having a contraceptive effect because it causes amenorrhea. However, some treated patients become pregnant, which is not well known. A 25-year-old transgender man who had received testosterone for 3 years had an unplanned pregnancy during discontinuation of treatment. He was unaware of his pregnancy, resumed testosterone, and continued treatment until pregnancy was confirmed. His female child was exposed to androgens during the fetal period; thus, careful, long-term observation was required. He developed insomnia and depression during the postpartum, and giving birth made it difficult for him to change his family register to male. Transgender men can become pregnant through sexual intercourse with biological men, even during hormone replacement therapy, so correct contraception is necessary to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Transgender sex education is important to increase awareness of this issue among individuals and medical professionals

Stereocontrolled spirocyclization of exo-glucal derivatives for stereodivergent synthesis of spiro[5.5]ketals

This Letter describes a stereoselective synthetic approach to spiro[5.5]ketals from the exo-glucals, constructed from 1-(4-hydroxyalkylidene)-1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol, by spirocyclization based on intramolecular α- and β-selective glycosylation. Stereodivergent synthesis of both α- and β-glucoside of spiro[5.5]ketals was attained by combination of chiral d-glucopyranose environment and C-4′ chiral center on the side chain