This study examined sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) by 1,612 individuals who are current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Data were obtained through a comprehensive online survey from both quantitative items and open-ended written responses. A minimum of 73% of men and 43% of women in this sample attempted sexual orientation change, usually through multiple methods and across many years (on average). Developmental factors associated with attempts at sexual orientation change included higher levels of early religious orthodoxy (for all) and less supportive families and communities (for men only). Among women, those who identified as lesbian and who reported higher Kinsey attraction scores were more likely to have sought change. Of the 9 different methods surveyed, private and religious change methods (compared with therapist-led or group-based efforts) were the most common, started earlier, exercised for longer periods, and reported to be the most damaging and least effective. When sexual orientation change was identified as a goal, reported effectiveness was lower for almost all of the methods. While some beneficial SOCE outcomes (such as acceptance of same-sex attractions and reduction in depression and anxiety) were reported, the overall results support the conclusion that sexual orientation is highly resistant to explicit attempts at change and that SOCE are overwhelmingly reported to be either ineffective or damaging by participants.

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is an intrinsic part of organismal development and aging. Here we report that many nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause apoptosis when applied to v-src-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs). Cell death was characterized by morphological changes, the induction of tissue transglutaminase, and autodigestion of DNA. Dexamethasone, a repressor of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, neither induced apoptosis nor altered the NSAID effect. Prostaglandin E2, the primary eicosanoid made by CEFs, also failed to inhibit apoptosis. Expression of the protooncogene bcl-2 is very low in CEFs and is not altered by NSAID treatment. In contrast, p20, a protein that may protect against apoptosis when fibroblasts enter Go phase, was strongly repressed. The NSAID concentrations used here transiently inhibit COXs. Nevertheless, COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs and COX-2 protein were induced. In some cell types, then, chronic NSAID treatment may lead to increased, rather than decreased, COX activity and, thus, exacerbate prostaglandin-mediated inflammatory effects. The COX-2 transcript is a partially spliced and nonfunctional form previously described. Thus, these findings suggest that COXs and their products play key roles in preventing apoptosis in CEFs and perhaps other cell types.

No abstract

The developmental features of the pancreas are reviewed as a n example of cytodifferentiation and organogenesis. Attention is directed to the regulatory characteristics of the specific proteins synthesized and secreted by the endocrine and exocrine cells. The following topics are discussed: (1) The number of specific protein species and, inferentially, the number of genes involved in differentiated function.( 2 ) The stringent regulation of the concentration of these specific proteins and the probable restriction of their synthesis to exocrine and endocrine cells. (3) The multiphasic pattern of accumulation of these specific proteins during pancreatic development and the synchronized but noncoordinate regulation of individual protein species. Synthetic rates of specific exocrine proteins in uit70 correlate closely with measurements of the accumulation of proteins during development. (4) A model postulating three regulatory transitions. The primary transition (related to organ "determination") denotes the conversion of a "predifferentiated" cell to the "protodifferentiated" state in which low but significant levels of specific proteins are present. The secondary transition is viewed as an amplification of this specific protein synthesis and is associated with typical pancreatic histogenesis. In the third regulatory transition, the synthesis of specific proteins in the "differentiated state" is modulated by diet, or hormonal states, etc. The third regulatory transition may be similar to some types of "enzyme induction" as studied in multicellular systems. (5) The differentiative fidelity in an organotypic culture system; the role of mesenchymal tissue or a particle fraction derived therefrom in supporting the protodifferentiated state and the secondary regulatory transition. (6) The possible mechanisms of the secondary regulatory transition in exocrine cells. Effects of actinomycin D, bromodeoxyuridine, and other mitotic inhibitors suggest the requirement for a critical cell division prior to the loss of proliferative capacity. (7) The synthesis of pro-insulin and insulin during primary and secondary regulatory transitions; the possible interrelationships of endocrine and exocrine cells in pancreas development.Embryological development may be viewed as the formation of cells of different phenotype from common genotypic precursors. Since the basic physiological and morphological features of cells are largely a result of their protein (enzyme) complement, the mechanisms involved in development are reduced largely to the qualitative and quantitative regulation of the proteins of the system. There have been two major lines of investigation contributing to our understanding of the processes involved in embryological development. The f i s t is concerned with the mechanism of "embryonic induction," in which a heterotypic cellular interaction results in a complex series of developmental events usually including alterations in cell proliferation, morphogenesis, and a grossly modified pattern of protein synthesis. T...

This study reports the results of a comprehensive online survey of 1,612 current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, many of whom engaged in psychotherapy to cope with (i.e., understand, accept, or change) their same-sex attractions. Data obtained from written and quantitative responses showed that therapy was initiated over a very wide age range and continued for many years. However, counseling was largely ineffective; less than 4% reported any modification of core same-sex erotic attraction. Moreover, 42% reported that their change-oriented therapy was not at all effective, and 37% found it to be moderately to severely harmful. In contrast, affirming psychotherapeutic strategies were often found to be beneficial in reducing depression, increasing self-esteem, and improving family and other relationships. Results suggest that the very low likelihood of a modification of sexual orientation and the ambiguous nature of any such change should be important considerations for highly religious sexual minority individuals considering reorientation therapy.