Lesão pulmonar aguda é caracterizada por infiltrado de neutrófilos no pulmão, edema, lesão alveolar difusa e alteração da reatividade das vias aéreas. Evidências clínicas e experimentais sugerem que os hormônios sexuais femininos (HSF) modulam a inflamação. Nesse estudo camundongos fêmeas C57BL/6 foram ovariectomizados (OVx) ou falsamente operados, com ovários mantidos (Sham). Após 7 dias foi realizada instilação nasal de LPS (ou salina como controle). Após 4 ou 24 h os experimentos foram conduzidos. Os resultados obtidos 24 h após o LPS mostram aumento de neutrófilos, IL-1b e de óxido nítrico (NO) e redução de IL-10 no pulmão dos animais OVx em relação aos Sham. Também foi observada redução da reatividade traqueal e da resistência e elastância pulmonar dos animais OVx. O tratamento dos animais OVx com 17b-estradiol ou progesterona antes do LPS reverteram esses efeitos. Os dados mostram que 4 h após o LPS a OVx não altera a inflamação e a reatividade das vias aéreas. Pode-se concluir nesse modelo experimental que os HSF exerçam papel de proteção ao organismo. / Acute lung injury is characterized by lung neutrophil infiltration, edema, diffuse alveolar damage and changes in airway reactivity. Clinical and experimental evidences suggest that the female sex hormones (FSH) modulate the inflammation. In this study, female mice C57BL/6 were ovariectomized (OVx) or not (Sham). After 7 days, LPS or saline (as control) were intranasally instillated. After 4 or 24 h the experiments were carried. We observed, 24 h after LPS, increase in neutrophil, IL-1b and nitric oxide (NO) and reduction of IL-10 in the lungs of OVx compared to Sham. We also noted reduced tracheal reactivity and lung resistance and elastance in OVx animals. Treatment of OVx with 17b-estradiol or progesterone before LPS reversed these effects. The data show that 4 h after LPS, the OVx does not promote inflammation and airway reactivity. We can conclude that in our experimental model, FSH exert protective role.

L’épidémie de VIH en Guyane est souvent présentée comme généralisée. Cependant, certains groupes semblent plus particulièrement touchés. Parmi ces groupes vulnérables, les travailleuses du sexe tiennent une place particulière compte tenu de la fréquence des rapports transactionnels dans la région. Ces échanges économico‐sexuels dépassent les frontières puisque de nombreux clients venant de Guyane rencontrent des travailleuses du sexe à Oiapoque, ville brésilienne frontalière. Malgré l'importance potentielle de la prostitution dans la dynamique de l'épidémie VIH, peu de données existent sur le sujet dans la région.L’objectif principal de cette étude était de répondre à ce manque de données et de décrire les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des travailleuses du sexe en Guyane et à Oiapoque afin de pouvoir ajuster au mieux les actions de prévention.Les résultats des enquêtes menées en Guyane et à Oiapoque en 2010 et 2011 ont mis en lumière un certain nombre de faits favorisant la progression de l’épidémie au sein des travailleuses du sexe, mais également favorisant la diffusion de l’épidémie en population générale. Ainsi l’utilisation du préservatif n’était pas toujours adéquate et bien qu’elle était constante avec les clients, elle l’était beaucoup moins avec les partenaires intimes, dans un contexte de multipartenariat fréquent. Le taux de dépistage à Oiapoque était particulièrement faible également. Au‐delà de l’aspect individuel, le cadre structurel impactait clairement la vulnérabilité des travailleuses du sexe. Ainsi, la non‐disponibilité des traitements à Oiapoque, la précarité dans laquelle se trouvent les personnes et le cadre législatif des deux pays représentent des obstacles majeurs à la prise en charge destravailleuses du sexe.Différents niveaux de lecture sont nécessaires pour essayer de percevoir la complexité des comportements face au risque de transmission du VIH parmi les travailleuses du sexe. C’est à chacun de ces niveaux qu’il faut envisager la prévention, et non plus au seul niveau individuel, pour qu’elle puisse être efficace. Cette prévention doit, elle‐même, être envisagée plus globalement pour apporter une réponse efficace à l’épidémie de VIH en combinant des éléments de prévention comportementale, biomédicale et structurelle. / The HIV epidemic in French Guiana is often described as generalized. However, some vulnerable groups appear particularly affected. Among these groups, female sex workers hold a special place because of the frequency of transactional relationships in the region. These sexual‐economic exchanges go beyond the borders since many customers from French Guiana solicit female sex workers in Oiapoque, the Brazilian border town. Despite the potential importance of sex work in the HIV epidemic, there is scarce data on the subject in the area.The main objective of this study was to address this knowledge gap and to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices among female sex workers in French Guiana and Oiapoque in order to optimize and subsequently evaluate prevention.The results of the survey conducted in French Guiana and Oiapoque in 2010 and 2011 highlighted a number of events promoting the spread of the epidemic among female sex workers, but also promoting the spread of the epidemic in the general population. Thus, condom use was not always adequate. Although it was consistent with the customers, it was much less with intimate partners, in a common multiple sexual partnerships context. The HIV screening rate was particularly low in Oiapoque as well. Beyond the individual aspect, the structural framework clearly impacted the vulnerability of female sex workers. Thus, the non‐availability of treatment in Oiapoque, the precariousness in which people live and the legislative framework of the two countries are major barriers to female sex workers’ support.Different levels of understanding are necessary to disentangle the complexity of behaviors facing the risk of transmission of HIV among female sex workers. Prevention must be considered at each level, not only at the individual level, to be effective. Furthermore, prevention must be considered more generally to provide an efficient response to the HIV epidemic by combining behavioral, biomedical and structural prevention elements.

This research examines the effect of gender on perpetration characteristics and empathy in a sample of juvenile sex offenders in Massachusetts using feminist criminological and gendered theory perspectives. Through the use of ordered logistic regression, I evaluate whether or not a perpetrator’s gender has an impact on the characteristics of the offense (such as the use of penetration, fellatio, genital touching, or masturbation) or the levels of empathy and remorse experienced by the offender. The results show that gender only has a significant effect on penetrative acts and remains non-significant for the remaining variables. I have concluded that the non-significance of gender lessens the dissimilarities between juvenile male and female offenders, suggesting that the female offenders are less influenced by gendered socialization. Future research should focus less on the differences between boys and girls and more on those variables that are significant: prior victimization, behavior problems, and problems in school.

Flyingfish has significant meaning on three different dimensions: ecology, culture and fisheries at Kuroshio off Taiwan. However, the figures of catch dropped nearly 60% in 2006-2007, which has led scientist to pay more attention on the sustainability of resources for the species. On the other hand, with little knowledge of reproductive biology and life history of the species, it is difficult to change the situation. Reproductive biology is an important basic study, which is to discover the life history of a species ,also it assesses changes in their resources and reproductive potential. Cypselurus poecilopterus is the most important dominant species in Kuroshio waters of Taiwan, and also an economical species. The reproductive biological study of Cypselurus poecilopterus would be great benefit on further studies. This study performed from April 2008 to June 2010, sampling from diverse areas, Pingtung, Taitung, Hualien, Ilan and Ludao, collected total 2174 individuals, including 1756 males, 418 females and 7 were unable to identify. Fork length (FL) range from 15.2cm ~ 22.1cm. All samples were measured by the total length (TL), fork length (FL), body weight (BW) and other data, and the gonadal histological examination, and the female sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (CF). The results shows that only 5% of female with fork length less than 18.5cm, while more than 80% with more than 20.5cm; via gonadal histological examination, the occyte development can be divided into chromatin-nucleolus stage, peri- nucleolus stage, yolk stage, migratory nucleus stage and ripe egg stage, five stages. When female GSI is greater than 4, it reaches matured, and the fork length of the smallest matured individual is 16.3cm, average length at 50% sexual maturity was estimated to be 18.6 cm FL for female; the annual reproductive period is April to August, and the monthly female sex ratio seems like would be raise with the closing of reproductive period. Fecundity is about 13000 ~ 36000; Cypselurus poecilopterus is estimated to be simultaneous mature species by the gonadal histological examination and egg diameter measurements.

Human pregnancy is characterized by significant increases in central ventilatory drive and perceived respiratory discomfort (breathlessness). The physiological mechanisms of hyperventilation and breathlessness in pregnancy remain largely unknown and understudied. Objective: The main purpose of this research was to elucidate the mechanisms of maternal hyperventilation, and to systematically examine the contribution of alterations in central ventilatory drive, static/dynamic respiratory mechanics and their interaction with respect to the intensity of perceived breathlessness during exercise in pregnancy. General Methods: Experiments were conducted between 34-38 wks gestation and again 4-5 months post-partum in a total of 35 healthy, young women. A comprehensive mathematical model of ventilatory control was used to examine the role of alterations in wakefulness and central chemoreflex drives to breathe, acid-base balance and female sex hormones in maternal hyperventilation. The effects of pregnancy on detailed ventilatory (breathing pattern, airway function, operating lung volumes, esophageal pressure-derived indices of respiratory mechanics) and perceptual (breathing and leg discomfort) responses to incremental cycle exercise to the limits of tolerance were also examined. Results: Maternal hyperventilation resulted from a complex interaction between alterations in arterial and central acid-base balance and other factors that directly affect ventilation, including increased wakefulness and central chemoreflex drives to breathe, increased metabolism and decreased cerebral blood flow. Mechanical adaptations of the respiratory system, including recruitment of resting inspiratory capacity and reduced airway resistance, accommodated the increased demand for tidal volume expansion during exercise in pregnancy, while preserving effort-displacement and breathlessness-ventilation relationships. Variation in the severity of gestational breathlessness could not be explained by respiratory mechanical/muscular factors, but ultimately reflected variation in the amplitude of maternal hyperventilation and temporal desensitization to the sensory consequences of increased ventilation. Conclusion: Our results indicated that 1) the hyperventilation and attendant hypocapnia/alkalosis of pregnancy can be explained by alterations in wakefulness and central chemoreflex drives to breathe, acid-base balance, metabolic rate and cerebral blood flow; 2) mechanical adaptations of the respiratory system obviated the anticipated rise in perceived breathlessness for a given ventilation during exercise in pregnancy, and helped to ensure that peak aerobic working capacity was admirably preserved, even in late gestation; and 3) gestational breathlessness ultimately reflected the normal awareness of increased ventilation and contractile respiratory muscle effort. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-28 16:01:40.78

HIV in Karnataka, south India disproportionately burdens female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). The best long-term strategy for managing the global HIV epidemic might involve a preventive vaccine; however, vaccine availability cannot guarantee its acceptability. An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted among frontline health service providers (HSPs) working with MSM/FSWs in relation to HIV-related health services in Karnataka. Face-to-face structured interviews were performed to better understand potential barriers/facilitators to acceptability/uptake of a future HIV vaccine among MSM/FSW communities. Descriptive analyses explored HSPs’ perceptions of vaccine acceptability/uptake and likelihood to recommend an HIV vaccine. Although HSPs mentioned numerous potential barriers to future HIV vaccine acceptability/uptake, most believed that MSM/FSWs would be willing to receive the vaccine to protect their health and avoid HIV. HSPs reported being very likely to recommend the vaccine, however young age of potential vaccine recipients negatively affected likelihood to recommend.

Numerous studies have looked at attitudes about sexual assault, or rape myths, but most of these studies have looked at sexual assault when victims are female and perpetrators are male. However, female-to-male rape does occur, and male victims experience negative consequences from the event. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a scale to measure acceptance of female-to-male rape myths. The investigation involved two separate phases that build on a pilot study in which a preliminary scale was developed. The first phase of the investigation identified male rape myths that are pertinent to female-to-male rape. The second phase developed the items of the scale from the rape myths identified in Phase 1 and evaluated the factor structure, reliability and validity of the scale. The Female-to-Male Rape Myths Scale (FMRM) consists of 30 items and was found to be a reliable and valid measure of female-to-male rape myth acceptance in Midwestern college students. The construct was found to be unifactorial with good internal consistency at .94. Scores on the FMRM correlated with scores on the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske, 1996), the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (Herek, 1988), and the Male Rape Myths Scale (Kerr Melanson, 1999). Implications for future research and practical uses of the scale are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

HIV in Karnataka, south India disproportionately burdens female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). The best long-term strategy for managing the global HIV epidemic might involve a preventive vaccine; however, vaccine availability cannot guarantee its acceptability. An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted among frontline health service providers (HSPs) working with MSM/FSWs in relation to HIV-related health services in Karnataka. Face-to-face structured interviews were performed to better understand potential barriers/facilitators to acceptability/uptake of a future HIV vaccine among MSM/FSW communities. Descriptive analyses explored HSPs’ perceptions of vaccine acceptability/uptake and likelihood to recommend an HIV vaccine. Although HSPs mentioned numerous potential barriers to future HIV vaccine acceptability/uptake, most believed that MSM/FSWs would be willing to receive the vaccine to protect their health and avoid HIV. HSPs reported being very likely to recommend the vaccine, however young age of potential vaccine recipients negatively affected likelihood to recommend.

While female sex workers (FSWs) are often the focus of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) research in Kenya, little else is known about their lives, including their intimate relationships. This thesis explores the relationships between FSWs and their intimate partners in Kibera, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of the Kenya Free of AIDS (KeFA) project, previous field research found that FSWs with an intimate partner saw over 50% fewer clients per week and were statistically more likely to use a condom with clients. These findings suggested that FSWs' intimate relationships might act as a form of harm and/or use reduction. Sex work harm reduction aims to diminish the occupational harms associated with sex work, such as discrimination, violence and disease, through strategies such as empowerment and education. Use reduction aims to reduce FSWs' frequency of exposure to these occupational risks through a reduction in clients. Specifically, it is proposed that FSW intimate relationships promote harm and/or use reduction in three ways: 1) by reducing the number of clients on a weekly basis, 2) by reducing harm from the virus through adherence to antiretroviral drugs (ARV), and 3) by offering a supportive environment financially, emotionally, and in terms of health and/or childcare. To test these theories this thesis analyzed interviews with 27 HIV positive FSWs from Kibera. Results showed that HIV was normalized in intimate relationships, whereas sex work was stigmatized. As a result, FSWs in this study were more likely to tell their partners that they were HIV positive than disclose their involvement in sex work. Therefore, rather than genuine use reduction, client reduction was unintentional and, in reality associated with sex work stigmatization that prevents women from disclosing their occupation. Some intimate partnerships were found to be a source of emotional and health-related support for Kibera FSWs. Intimate partners provided support for participants' HIV status and adherence to ARV. They also provided emotional support in the form of advice and comfort. Overall, this study suggested it would be difficult to include intimate partners in interventions with HIV positive Kibera FSWs because of the considerable, continued stigma surrounding sex work but that intimate partners can have a positive and/or protective role to play in HIV positive Kibera FSWs’ lives. / Graduate / 0573 / 0327 / 0626 / kimberly.m.sharpe@gmail.com

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 16-20, 34-37, 57-60).