Richard Wassersug - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Richard Wassersug

Journal of Men’s Health, 2021

Background and objective: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa) suppress gonadal... more Background and objective: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa) suppress gonadal hormone production and are commonly used to treat prostate cancer (PC) in men and conditions ranging from uterine ﬁbroids to estrogen-sensitive cancers in women. They are also used to delay sexual development in children considering gender reassignment or experiencing premature puberty. As chemically castrating agents, LHRHa may affect cutaneous steroid secretions, which, in turn, could alter body odor and inﬂuence the psycho-sexual dynamics between individuals. The objectives of the present study were to determine (1) if LHRHa indeed alter cutaneous skin secretions, and (2) whether this leads to perceivable changes in body odor. Material and methods: Axillary skin secretions were collected on new cotton T-shirts worn by men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy with an LHRHa to treat PC (n = 10), both before starting the LHRHa and 3 months later. Healthy heterosexual university stude...

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1984

Air-breathing tadpoles of Xenopus laevis (Amphibia: Anura) use buccopharyngeal surfaces for both ... more Air-breathing tadpoles of Xenopus laevis (Amphibia: Anura) use buccopharyngeal surfaces for both gas exchange and capture of food particles in the water. In dense food suspensions, tadpoles decrease ventilation of the buccopharynx and increase air breathing. The lung ventilatory frequency is elevated even though the rate of oxygen consumption is at or below resting levels, suggesting that the lung hyperventilation reflects compensation for decreased buccopharyngeal respiration rather than an increased metabolic requirement. If tadpoles in hypoxic water are prevented from breathing air, they increase buccopharyngeal respiration at the expense of feeding. Aerial respiration evidently permits the buccopharyngeal surfaces to be used primarily for food entrapment.

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1998

The tadpole tail fin is a simple double layer of skin overlying loose connective tissue. Collagen... more The tadpole tail fin is a simple double layer of skin overlying loose connective tissue. Collagen fibres in the fin are oriented at approximately +/-45 degrees from the long axis of the tail. Three tests were conducted on samples of the dorsal tail fin from 6-10 Rana catesbeiana tadpoles to establish the fin's viscoelastic properties under (1) large-deformation cyclic loading at 1 and 3 Hz, (2) small-deformation forced vibration at 1 and 3 Hz, and (3) stress relaxation under a 0.1 s loading time. The fin was very fragile, failing easily under tensile loads less than 7 g. It was also strikingly viscoelastic, as demonstrated by 72+/-1 % hysteresis loss (at 3 Hz), 16+/-3 % stress remaining after 100 s of stress relaxation and a phase angle of 18+/-1 degrees in forced vibration. As a consequence of its viscoelastic properties, the fin was three times stiffer in small than in large deformation. This may account for the ability of the fin to stay upright during normal undulatory swimm...

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1984

Tadpoles of Xenopus laevis Daudin can extract oxygen from both air and water. When these larvae h... more Tadpoles of Xenopus laevis Daudin can extract oxygen from both air and water. When these larvae have access to air, aerial oxygen uptake averages 16.6% of total oxygen consumption in normoxic water, and increases to 100% of net oxygen consumption in hypoxic water. Neither anaerobiosis nor increased buccopharyngeal ventilation occur in response to hypoxia. If tadpoles are prevented from surfacing to breathe air, they can maintain normal oxygen consumption through aquatic respiration alone in normoxic water, but not in hypoxic water. Unlike air-breathing larvae, exclusively water-breathing larvae respond to aquatic hypoxia by increasing their buccal pumping rate and by accumulating lactate. Even though Xenopus larvae can survive without air for many days, aerial respiration is necessary for other functions: tolerance of hypoxia, normal feeding, locomotion and buoyancy regulation.

Sexual medicine, 2017

Testosterone is known to regulate male sexual interest, but the exact way that androgens influenc... more Testosterone is known to regulate male sexual interest, but the exact way that androgens influence men's sexual cognition remains unclear. To investigate the influence of androgen deprivation (AD) on visual responses to sexually suggestive stimuli in men treated for prostate cancer with AD therapy. Patients with AD-treated prostate cancer, patients with prostate cancer not on AD therapy, and age-matched healthy control participants were exposed to images of male and female runway models fully or minimally clothed. Eye tracking was used to compare looking behavior among groups. Proportion of fixations on fully clothed vs minimally clothed models and proportion of fixations on target areas of interest (ie, legs, chest, pelvis, and face) of fully clothed and minimally clothed models were analyzed and compared among groups. Although men not on AD exhibited a larger proportion of fixations on the minimally clothed compared with the fully clothed images, there was no difference betwee...

Translational andrology and urology, 2017

Erectile dysfunction (ED), the most commonly reported sexual problem for men, reduces the quality... more Erectile dysfunction (ED), the most commonly reported sexual problem for men, reduces the quality of life for both patients and their partners. Even when physiologically effective, long-term adherence to ED treatments is poor. We review here the implication of having patients' partners involved in ED treatment, starting with treatment selection. We suggest that having partners engaged from the outset may promote an erotic association of the treatment with the partner, i.e., conceptually linking the aid to the sexual pleasure that the partner provides. We hypothesize that this erotic association should enhance the sexual aid's effectiveness and might potentially help improve long-term adherence. The primary focus of this review, though, is non-pharmacological and non-surgical options for maintaining sexual activity for men with ED. Though not ED treatments per se, anecdotal data suggest that these options may be effective for some patients and their partners in regaining a sa...

BJU international, May 18, 2016

To compare quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes at 6 months between men with advanced prostate cancer r... more To compare quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes at 6 months between men with advanced prostate cancer receiving either transdermal oestradiol (tE2) or luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa) for androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer participating in an ongoing randomised, multicentre UK trial comparing tE2 versus LHRHa for ADT were enrolled into a QoL sub-study. tE2 was delivered via three or four transcutaneous patches containing oestradiol 100 μg/24 h. LHRHa was administered as per local practice. Patients completed questionnaires based on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire 30-item core (EORTC QLQ-C30) with prostate-specific module QLQ PR25. The primary outcome measure was global QoL score at 6 months, compared between randomised arms. In all, 727 men were enrolled between August 2007 and October 2015 (412 tE2, 315 LHRHa) with QoL questionnaires completed at bot...

Translational andrology and urology, 2016

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) side effects are numerous and negatively impact prostate cance... more Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) side effects are numerous and negatively impact prostate cancer patients' quality of life. There is considerable discrepancy though among Canadian urologists regarding what ADT side effects and side effect management strategies. Little is known about global differences in ADT patient education. International respondents were recruited via online posting and at an international urology conference. Hypotheses suggest that economic and cultural differences influence patient education practices; therefore, international respondents were divided into 3 categories (high, medium, and low gross domestic product). No differences were found between responses from Canadian urologists and high GDP countries. Compared to responses from low GDP countries, Canadian urologists are more likely to endorse informing patients about: osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, fatigue/sleep disturbance, relationship changes, cognitive changes, and loss of body ...

EvoDevo, 2016

The Neotropical frog genera Ceratophrys, Chacophrys and Lepidobatrachus form the monophyletic fam... more The Neotropical frog genera Ceratophrys, Chacophrys and Lepidobatrachus form the monophyletic family Ceratophryidae. Although in- and out-group relationships are not fully resolved, the monophyly of the three genera is well supported by both morphological and molecular data. Much is known about the morphology of the ceratophryids, but there is little comparative information on how modification of a common ancestral developmental pathway played a role in shaping their particular body plans. Herein, we review morphological variation during ceratophryid ontogeny in order to explore the role of development in their evolution. The ceratophryids are collectively characterized by rapid larval development with respect to other anurans, yet the three genera differ in their postmetamorphic growth rates to sexual maturity. Derived traits in the group can be divided into many homoplastic features that evolved in parallel with those of anurans with fossorial/burrowing behaviors in semiarid envir...

The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015

Introduction. With earlier prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and an increased focus on survivorship... more Introduction. With earlier prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and an increased focus on survivorship, post-treatment sexual quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. Research and validated instruments for sexual QoL assessment based on heterosexual samples have limited applicability for men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). Aim. We aimed to create a validated instrument for assessing sexual needs and concerns of MSM post-PCa treatment. Here we explore post-PCa treatment sexual concerns for a sample of MSM, as the first part of this multi-phase project. Methods. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 MSM face-to-face or via Internet-based video conferencing. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences of sexual QoL following PCa. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, uploaded to NVivo 8 TM , and analyzed using qualitative methodology. Main Outcome Measure. We have conducted semi-structure qualitative interviews on 16 MSM who were treated for PCa. Focus was on post-treatment sexual concerns. Results. The following themes were inductively derived: (i) erectile, urinary, ejaculation, and orgasmic dysfunctions; (ii) challenges to intimate relationships; and (iii) lack of MSM-specific oncological and psychosocial support for PCa survivorship. Sexual practices pre-treatment ranked in order of frequency were masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex, an ordering that prevailed post-treatment. Sexual QoL decreased with erectile, urinary, and ejaculation dysfunctions. Post-treatment orgasms were compromised. Some single men and men in non-monogamous relationships reported a loss of confidence or difficulty meeting other men post-treatment. Limited access to targeted oncological and psychosocial supports posed difficulties in coping with PCa for MSM. Conclusions. The negative impact on sexual QoL can be severe for MSM and requires targeted attention. Penilevaginal intercourse and erectile function have been the primary focus of sexual research and rehabilitation for men with PCa, and do not adequately reflect the sexual practices of MSM. Our findings suggest that future research dedicated to MSM with PCa is needed to incorporate their sexual practices and preferences specifically into treatment decisions, and that targeted oncological and psychosocial support services are also warranted. Lee TK, Handy AB, Kwan W, Oliffe JL, Brotto LA, Wassersug RJ, and Dowsett GW. The impact of prostate cancer treatment on the sexual quality of life for men-who-have-sex-with-men. J Sex Med **;**:**-**.

Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 1988

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY • NUMBER 457 SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT... more SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY • NUMBER 457 SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Emphasis upon publication as a means of "diffusing knowledge" was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry outlined a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge." This theme of basic research has been adhered to through the years by thousands of titles issued in series publications under the Smithsonian imprint, commencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series:

Biological Sciences in Space, 1997

The "Frog in Space" (FRIS) experiment marked a major step for Japanese space life science, on the... more The "Frog in Space" (FRIS) experiment marked a major step for Japanese space life science, on the occasion of the first space flight of a Japanese cosmonaut. At the core of FRIS were six Japanese tree frogs, Hyla japonica, flown on Space Station Mir for 8 days in 1990. The behavior of these frogs was observed and recorded under microgravity. The frogs took up a "parachuting" posture when drifting in a free volume on Mir. When perched on surfaces, they typically sat with their heads bent backward. Such a peculiar posture, after long exposure to microgravity, is discussed in light of motion sickness in amphibians. Histological examinations and other studies were made on the specimens upon recovery. Some organs, such as the liver and the vertebra, showed changes as a result of space flight; others were unaffected. Studies that followed FRIS have been conducted to prepare for a second FRIS on the International Space Station. Interspecific diversity in the behavioral reactions of anurans to changes in acceleration is the major focus of these investigations. The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand how organisms have adapted to gravity through their evolution on earth.

Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 2014

Les traitements du cancer de la prostate s'accompagnent d'un large éventail d'enjeux de survivanc... more Les traitements du cancer de la prostate s'accompagnent d'un large éventail d'enjeux de survivance à court et à long terme non seulement pour les patients mais aussi pour leurs partenaires. Les effets du traitement varient de l'incontinence urinaire au dysfonctionnement sexuel en passant par des défis psychologiques, relationnels et sociaux. De plus, l'hormonothérapie anti-androgénique entraîne de graves risques pour la santé (p. ex. maladies cardiovasculaires et ostéoporose), qui doivent faire l'objet d'une gestion efficace. Bien qu'il y ait une multitude d'enjeux liés à la survivance à prendre en charge, il existe au Canada fort peu de programmes à l'intention des survivants qui aident ces derniers et leurs partenaires à aborder les résultats du diagnostic et du traitement du cancer de la prostate. Malgré tout, la situation commence à s'améliorer. Plusieurs établissements de différentes régions du Canada participent à l'élaboration d'un éventail de programmes visant à répondre aux besoins en soins de soutien des hommes ayant le cancer de la prostate et de leurs partenaires. Nous discutons dans cet article des questions qui se posent et des programmes qui sont lancés en vue de les aborder. Les patients atteints du cancer de la prostate font face à une multitude d'enjeux associés au traitement qu'ils ont reçu et qui ont une incidence importante sur leur qualité de vie. Les traitements primaires du cancer de la prostate, localisés et à visée curative, sont la prostatectomie radicale et la radiothérapie (sous forme de curiethérapie ou de radiothérapie standard, par faisceau externe). Des thérapies générales telles que l'hormonothérapie anti-androgénique (HAA) sont également courantes. Quoique les patients et leurs partenaires éprouvent les importantes conséquences physiques et psychosociales de ces traitements, le soutien permettant d'aborder ces enjeux est limité et erratique parmi les centres de cancérologie du Canada. Plusieurs centres de cancérologie du Canada travaillent assidument depuis six ans à l'amélioration des soins de soutien dispensés aux patients ayant le cancer de la prostate et à leurs partenaires. Nous aborderons deux de ces programmes, le premier qui porte sur le dysfonctionnement sexuel induit par le traitement localisé du cancer de la prostate alors que le second concerne l'adaptation à l'hormonothérapie anti-androgénique. Questions liées à la survivance pour les hommes et pour leurs partenaires En dépit des améliorations au niveau des traitements du cancer de la prostate localisé, la meilleure estimation générale de la prévalence de difficultés érectiles à long terme à la suite

Applied Herpetology, 2007

We review various ways that anurans have been of service to mankind, as well as threats to frog s... more We review various ways that anurans have been of service to mankind, as well as threats to frog species from human activity beyond habitat destruction, global warming, and epidemic diseases. Over the centuries frogs have been a subject of fascination and entertainment, food, sources of medicinal preparations, and model organisms in biological research. For years many species were used in teaching anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, and in pregnancy testing. Current research has revealed antibiotic peptides, anti-tumour agents, analgesics and adhesive compounds in frog skin. There are also volatile compounds released from their skin; these chemicals repel various predators and may prove useful to humans. The global decline of amphibian populations is a major concern. Habitat destruction, global warming, and pandemic diseases are increasingly suspect in the decline of frog populations, but difficult to control. Restrictions in the food and pet trade are areas in which better enforcement could benefit anurans. However, not all human interactions have been deleterious to all species. The mechanics of highway building in North America commonly has created areas of runoff that provide breeding sites for select species. Similarly, in arid northern Australia, frogs aggregate in large numbers at artificial sites where human activity has provided stable water sources.

Global Health Promotion, 2014

The unprecedented success of the Movember campaign in raising money for, and awareness of, prosta... more The unprecedented success of the Movember campaign in raising money for, and awareness of, prostate cancer (PCa) brings with it a novel opportunity to consider how masculinity and men’s health can connect. In this essay we first detail the history of some less fruitful endeavors for advancing PCa awareness that played on masculine stereotypes. We then consider how Movember’s moustache motif has succeeded. Included are commentaries about why the strongly masculine motifs of combat, loyalty, and aggression couched in military language were not successful when used to promote concern about men’s health. Movember in contrast succeeds by focusing on a way that men can express their individuality without resorting to overt acts or signs of aggression or militarism.

Urology, 2013

To determine if heterosexual and nonheterosexual men treated for prostate cancer differ in diagno... more To determine if heterosexual and nonheterosexual men treated for prostate cancer differ in diagnostic and treatment outcomes and in various measures of physical health, sexual function, and well being, before and after the treatment. METHODS Four hundred sixty self-identified heterosexual and 96 self-identified nonheterosexual men completed an anonymous online survey. The men in the 2 groups were then compared using logistic regressions that controlled for differences among countries. RESULTS There were no significant differences in age at diagnosis for men in the 2 groups. However, Gleason scores at diagnosis were significantly lower for the nonheterosexual men (P ¼ .02). There were no significant differences among men in the 2 groups in the proportion who receive different treatment modalities or in the incidence of urinary incontinence, who experience bone pain (as a marker of disease progression), who take antidepressants (as a proxy measure for mental health), or who experience erectile dysfunction after the treatment. However, nonheterosexual men rated the degree to which they were bothered by an inability to ejaculate significantly higher than did the heterosexual men (P ¼ .04). CONCLUSION This is the first set of findings from a survey that compares heterosexual and nonheterosexual men treated for prostate cancer. Although the groups were generally similar, nonheterosexual men might experience more intensive screening for disease, as indicated by lower Gleason scores at diagnosis. Nonheterosexual men appear more distressed by loss of ejaculation after prostatectomy. UROLOGY 82: 565e571, 2013.

Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013

Summary Anuran larvae, which are otherwise simple in shape, typically have complex keratinized mo... more Summary Anuran larvae, which are otherwise simple in shape, typically have complex keratinized mouthparts (i.e., labial teeth and jaw sheaths) that allow them to graze upon surfaces. The diversity in these structures among species presumably reflects specializations that allow for maximal feeding efficiency on different types of food. However, we lack a general understanding of how these oral structures function during feeding. We used high-speed digital imaging (500 Hz) to observe tadpoles of six species from the anuran family Hylidae grazing on a standardized food-covered substrate. Tadpoles of these species vary in the number of labial tooth rows, belong to two different feeding guilds (benthic and nektonic), and inhabit ponds and streams. We confirmed that the labial teeth in these species serve two functions; anchoring the mouth to the substrate and raking material off of the substrate. In general, tadpoles with a larger maximum gape and those with fewer labial tooth rows opene...

Science, 1974

ground (2). Accurate estimates can therefore be made only by capture-recapture experiments. Anoth... more ground (2). Accurate estimates can therefore be made only by capture-recapture experiments. Another practical difficulty that may arise is that samples upon which apparent associations of gene frequency with density are based are not independent of each other, so that intensive sampling of one region with a high population density and, quite coincidentally, with a characteristic gene frequency may give rise to a spurious appearance of density dependence. Bearing in mind these important OuLt on the possible effects of poptulation density on polymorphism in Cepaea.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995

To test whether gravity is required for normal amphibian development, Xenopus laevis females were... more To test whether gravity is required for normal amphibian development, Xenopus laevis females were induced to ovulate aboard the orbiting Space Shuttle. Eggs were fertilized in vitro, and although early embryonic stages showed some abnormalities, the embryos were able to regulate and produce nearly normal larvae. These results demonstrate that a vertebrate can ovulate in the virtual absence of gravity and that the eggs can develop to a free-living stage.

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 2007

This article compares the motivations for, and responses to, castration between two groups of mal... more This article compares the motivations for, and responses to, castration between two groups of males: prostate cancer patients and voluntary modern-day eunuchs with castration paraphilias or other emasculating obsessions. Prostate cancer patients are distressed by the side effects of androgen deprivation and typically strive to hide or deny the effects of castration. In contrast, most voluntary eunuchs are pleased with the results of their emasculations. Despite a suggested association of androgen deprivation with depression, voluntary eunuchs appear to function well, both psychologically and socially. Motivation, rather than physiology, appears to account for these different responses to androgen deprivation.

Journal of Men’s Health, 2021

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1984

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1998

Journal of Experimental Biology, 1984

Sexual medicine, 2017

Translational andrology and urology, 2017

BJU international, May 18, 2016

Translational andrology and urology, 2016

EvoDevo, 2016

The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015

Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 1988

Biological Sciences in Space, 1997

Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 2014

Applied Herpetology, 2007

Global Health Promotion, 2014

Urology, 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013

Science, 1974

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 2007