Effect Of Biological Sex Research Articles

General feature selection technique supporting sex-debiasing in chronic illness algorithms validated using wearable device data

AbstractIn tasks involving human health condition data, feature selection is heavily affected by data types, the complexity of the condition manifestation, and the variability in physiological presentation. One type of variability often overlooked or oversimplified is the effect of biological sex. As females have been chronically underrepresented in clinical research, we know less about how conditions manifest in females. Innovations in wearable technology have enabled individuals to generate high temporal resolution data for extended periods of time. With millions of days of data now available, additional feature selection pipelines should be developed to systematically identify sex-dependent variability in data, along with the effects of how many per-person data are included in analysis. Here we present a set of statistical approaches as a technique for identifying sex-dependent physiological and behavioral manifestations of complex diseases starting from longitudinal data, which are evaluated on diabetes, hypertension, and their comorbidity.

Sex differences in COVID-19 vaccine confidence in people living with HIV in Canada

BackgroundUnderstanding the roots of vaccine confidence in vulnerable populations, such as persons living with HIV (PLWH), is important to facilitate vaccine uptake, thus mitigating infection and spread of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. In an online survey of PLWH conducted in Canada during winter 2022 (AIDS and Behav 2023), we reported that the overall COVID-19 vaccination uptake rate in PLWH was similar by sex. Here, we examined attitudes and beliefs towards vaccination against COVID-19 based on sex. MethodsBetween February and May 2022, PLWH across Canada were recruited via social media and community-based organizations to complete an online survey consisting of a modified Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) questionnaire with items from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Acceptability Matrix. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and responses to the VHS questionnaire by biological sex. The effect of biological sex on total VHS score, two subscales (“lack of confidence” and “perceived risk”) was assessed separately by linear regression adjusting for other key baseline variables. ResultsOf 259 PLWH, 69 (27 %) were females and 189 (73 %) were males. Sixty-six (26 %) of participants self-identified as a woman, 163(63 %) as a man and 28(11 %) as trans/two-spirited/queer/non-binary/agender/other. The mean age (SD) was 47 ± 14 years. Females were less likely to believe that COVID-19 vaccination was: important for his/her own health (71 % vs. 86 %); a good way to protect themselves from infection (68 % vs. 86 %); that getting the COVID-19 vaccine was important for the health of others in his/her community (78 % vs. 91 %); believed recommendations by their doctor/health care provider about COVID-19 vaccines (78 % vs. 88 %); that information about COVID-19 vaccines from public health officials was reliable and trustworthy (56 % vs. 75 % vs); COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19 infections (61 % vs. 82 %) and that all COVID-19 vaccines offered by government programs in their communities were important for good health (70 % vs. 87 %). Although more males than females felt that new vaccines generally carry more risks than older vaccines (19 % vs 16 %,), fewer males than females endorsed concern about serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccines (33 % vs 45 %).The linear regression model showed females had a significantly higher VHS total score than males (adjusted mean difference 0.38; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.64; p = 0.004), indicating greater COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among females. It was observed that females had a greater “lack of confidence in vaccines” score than males (adjusted mean difference 0.43; 95 % CI 0.14–0.73; p = 0.004). We did not observe a significant difference in “perceived risk in vaccines” between males and females (adjusted mean difference 0.20; 95 % CI −0.07–0.46; p = 0.1). The inadequate number of participants self-identifying as different from biological sex at birth prevented us from analyzing the VHS score based on gender identity. ConclusionsAmong PLWH, females showed greater COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy than males. Specifically, compared with males, females had a higher level of lack of confidence in vaccines. Fewer females than males believed that COVID-19 vaccines had health benefits at both the personal and societal level and that recommendations made by their doctor/health care provider and public health officials are reliable and trustworthy. Further investigation into reasons for this difference in opinion still needs to be elucidated. Educational interventions targeted toward females living with HIV are especially needed to increase confidence in vaccination.

Effect of sex on sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 antagonists and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists in heart failure.

Recent evidence suggests that medications not primarily targeting the cardiovascular (CV) system may have cardioprotective effects in patients with heart failure (HF), in particular the anti-diabetic therapies sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) antagonists and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. We conducted a systematic review to assess the pooled evidence for the use of SGLT-2 antagonists and GLP-1 agonists in patients with HF and the effect of biological sex on the results. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinical trial databases were searched until February 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English that included adult participants with HF who were randomized to an SGLT-2 antagonist or GLP-1 agonist with a primary or secondary outcome of HF hospitalization (HFH) or CV death were eligible for inclusion. Data pooling was undertaken using a random effects model and odds ratios (ORs) to determine the association between drug and outcome. Sub-group analyses to investigate sex differences were conducted. Six RCTs were included (24781 patients). Four studies investigated SGLT-2 antagonists, and two studies examined GLP-1 agonists. SGLT-2 antagonists improved HFH {OR [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.69 [0.63, 0.77], P<0.001} and CV death [0.87 (0.78, 0.97), P=0.01] independent of diabetes status, with excellent homogeneity across all four studies. No beneficial effects were found for GLP-1 agonists. The effects of SGLT-2 antagonists on HFH and CV death were similar in men and women [OR (95% CI): HFH, 0.70 (0.64, 0.76), P<0.001 and 0.58 (0.46, 0.74), P<0.001, respectively; CV death, 0.86 (0.78, 0.95), P=0.003 and 0.84 (0.73, 0.96), P=0.01, respectively], and the neutral effect of GLP-1 agonists on HFH and CV death was similar in men and women (all P>0.05). SGLT-2 antagonists but not GLP-1 agonists beneficially affect HFH and CV death in patients with HF with or without diabetes. We show for the first time that GLP-1 agonists have a neutral effect on HFH and CV death in both male and female HF patients and a reduction in HFH and CV death in male and female HF patients taking SGLT-2 antagonists.

Sex differences in chest electrical impedance tomography findings

Objective. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been used to determine regional lung ventilation distribution in humans for decades, however, the effect of biological sex on the findings has hardly ever been examined. The aim of our study was to determine if the spatial distribution of ventilation assessed by EIT during quiet breathing was influenced by biological sex. Approach. 219 adults with no known acute or chronic lung disease were examined in sitting position with the EIT electrodes placed around the lower chest (6th intercostal space). EIT data were recorded at 33 images/s during quiet breathing for 60 s. Regional tidal impedance variation was calculated in all EIT image pixels and the spatial distribution of the values was determined using the established EIT measures of centre of ventilation in ventrodorsal (CoVvd) and right-to-left direction (CoVrl), the dorsal and right fraction of ventilation, and ventilation defect score. Main results. After exclusion of one subject due to insufficient electrode contact, 218 data sets were analysed (120 men, 98 women) (age: 53 ± 18 vs 50 ± 16 yr (p = 0.2607), body mass index: 26.4 ± 4.0 vs 26.4 ± 6.6 kg m−2 (p = 0.9158), mean ± SD). Highly significant differences in ventilation distribution were identified between men and women between the right and left chest sides (CoVrl: 47.0 ± 2.9 vs 48.8 ± 3.3% of chest diameter (p < 0.0001), right fraction of ventilation: 0.573 ± 0.067 vs 0.539 ± 0.071 (p = 0.0004)) and less significant in the ventrodorsal direction (CoVvd: 55.6 ± 4.2 vs 54.5 ± 3.6% of chest diameter (p = 0.0364), dorsal fraction of ventilation: 0.650 ± 0.121 vs 0.625 ± 0.104 (p = 0.1155)). Ventilation defect score higher than one was found in 42.5% of men but only in 16.6% of women. Significance. Biological sex needs to be considered when EIT findings acquired in upright subjects in a rather caudal examination plane are interpreted. Sex differences in chest anatomy and thoracoabdominal mechanics may explain the results.

Effect of biological sex and short-term high-fat diet on cellular proliferation, ribosomal biogenesis, and targeted protein abundance in murine articular cartilage

ObjectiveTo identify factors contributing to sex-differences in OA risk by evaluating the short-term effect of high-fat (HF) diet on sex-specific changes in cartilage cell proliferation, ribosomal biogenesis, and targeted extra-cellular and cellular protein abundance. Materials and methodsKnee cartilage was harvested to the subchondral bone from 20-week-old female and male C57BL/6J mice fed a low-fat or HF diet for 4 weeks and labeled with deuterium oxide for 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, or 21 days. Deuterium enrichment was quantified in isolated DNA and RNA to measure cell proliferation and ribosomal biogenesis, respectively. Protein concentration was measured using targeted high resolution accurate mass spectrometry. ResultsHF diet increased the maximal deuterium incorporation into DNA from approximately 40 to 50%, albeit at a slower rate. These findings, which were magnified in female versus male mice, indicate a greater number of proliferating cells with longer half-lives under HF diet conditions. HF diet caused distinct sex-dependent effects on deuterium incorporation into RNA, increasing the fraction of ribosomes undergoing biogenesis in male mice and doubling the rate of ribosome biogenesis in female mice. HF diet altered cartilage protein abundance similarly in both sexes, except for matrilin-3, which was more abundant in HF versus LF conditions in female mice only. Overall, HF diet treatment had a stronger effect than sex on cartilage protein abundance, with most changes involving extracellular matrix and matrix-associated proteins. ConclusionsShort-term HF diet broadly altered cartilage matrix protein abundance, while sex-dependent effects primarily involved differences in cell proliferation and ribosomal biogenesis.

Depression and the Role of Perceived Stress Controllability During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract The learned helplessness theory of depression suggests that a perceived loss of control over stressful events is associated with depression. However, little research has tested this relationship in humans, and there has been little to no discussion of the possible effect of biological sex. The present study examined the relationship between perceived stress controllability and depression in a sample of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether biological sex moderated this relationship. Participants (ages 18-38, N = 295) were university students who were enrolled in the study near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed across the subsequent eight weeks. Using remote surveys, we assessed stressors the participants had experienced as well as the amount of control they felt they had over each; we also assessed anhedonic depression via surveys. At baseline, there was a significant correlation between perceived stress controllability and depression. Biological sex was not a moderator of this relationship, but planned post hoc analyses revealed baseline perceived stress controllability was significantly associated with depression in females but not in males. Across the eight weeks of the study, there was not a significant relationship between change in perceived stress controllability and change in depression, and biological sex was not a moderator. Planned post hoc analyses, however, showed that there was a significant correlation between change in perceived stress controllability and change in depression in females but not in males. These results suggest a possible relationship between perceived stress controllability and depression in females. However, our results were mixed and therefore further research is necessary to elucidate the nature of the relationship between perceived stress controllability and depression, and the extent to which this is moderated by sex. If this relationship does exist, it could suggest a potential target for therapy, particularly in females. Lay Summary We can locate brand new exoplanets, many light years away, without ever actually seeing them. Better yet, we can classify and learn vital information about the star and planet system from the exoplanet detection methods. One commonly used detection method is the transit method. The transit method captures the slight dimming of a star’s light as a planet crosses in front of it. This decrease in brightness is temporary and regular. Transits provide information about the composition and properties of stars. One such phenomenon is limb-darkening where the brightness of the star appears darker around its edges. Limb-darkening coefficients are calculated using a quadratic relationship between the intensity at a certain point of the star to the intensity at the center of the star. As the coefficients increase, the “limbs” or edges of the star appear darker. The wavelength in which we are measuring the transit also impacts the limb-darkening. At lower wavelengths, the darkening effect is more dramatic. Using these coefficients at different wavelengths we can create theoretical models to show what stars should look like without being able to see them. The James Webb Telescope (JWST) is capturing numerous exoplanets through the transit method. Launched in December 2021, the JWST contains instruments capable of measuring the slightest changes in the brightness of distant stars. The transit data, collected from the JWST, are fit to infer the best limb-darkening coefficients. We also calculate theoretical coefficients using known physical properties of the star. One particular star captured by the JWST is WASP-39, located 700 light years away. WASP-39 is a dwarf star slightly smaller than our Sun. Models of WASP-39 are created using the empirical and theoretical coefficients. These stellar movies show the appearance of the star at various wavelengths and their corresponding limb-darkening coefficients. The appearances are compared to show how different actual data presents from theoretical models. Providing visual models for stars is an easy way to quantify differences, rather than numerical data. For the full text, please visit https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/z890rv682.

Dimorphic effect of TFE3 in determining mitochondrial and lysosomal content in muscle following denervation

BackgroundMuscle atrophy is a common consequence of the loss of innervation and is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy is the adaptive process through which damaged mitochondria are removed via the lysosomes, which are regulated in part by the transcription factor TFE3. The role of lysosomes and TFE3 are poorly understood in muscle atrophy, and the effect of biological sex is widely underreported.MethodsWild-type (WT) mice, along with mice lacking TFE3 (KO), a transcriptional regulator of lysosomal and autophagy-related genes, were subjected to unilateral sciatic nerve denervation for up to 7 days, while the contralateral limb was sham-operated and served as an internal control. A subset of animals was treated with colchicine to capture mitophagy flux.ResultsWT females exhibited elevated oxygen consumption rates during active respiratory states compared to males, however this was blunted in the absence of TFE3. Females exhibited higher mitophagy flux rates and greater lysosomal content basally compared to males that was independent of TFE3 expression. Following denervation, female mice exhibited less muscle atrophy compared to male counterparts. Intriguingly, this sex-dependent muscle sparing was lost in the absence of TFE3. Denervation resulted in 45% and 27% losses of mitochondrial content in WT and KO males respectively, however females were completely protected against this decline. Decreases in mitochondrial function were more severe in WT females compared to males following denervation, as ROS emission was 2.4-fold higher. In response to denervation, LC3-II mitophagy flux was reduced by 44% in females, likely contributing to the maintenance of mitochondrial content and elevated ROS emission, however this response was dysregulated in the absence of TFE3. While both males and females exhibited increased lysosomal content following denervation, this response was augmented in females in a TFE3-dependent manner.ConclusionsFemales have higher lysosomal content and mitophagy flux basally compared to males, likely contributing to the improved mitochondrial phenotype. Denervation-induced mitochondrial adaptations were sexually dimorphic, as females preferentially preserve content at the expense of function, while males display a tendency to maintain mitochondrial function. Our data illustrate that TFE3 is vital for the sex-dependent differences in mitochondrial function, and in determining the denervation-induced atrophy phenotype.

The Effect of Biological Sex on a County Pre-hospital Stroke Initiative

Background Females are disproportionately affected by strokes when compared to males. This may be attributed to non-traditional stroke symptoms in females and stroke care sex variance. This study explored sex and ethnicity discrepancies in the FAST-ED and stroke outcomes. Methods An internal hospital registry created in 2017 evaluated EMS FAST-ED compliance and monitored patient outcomes. We assessed two cohorts, the 2017 cohort collected one year after FAST-ED implementation, and the 2019 cohort collected two years after FAST-ED implementation. Inclusion criteria included patients aged ≥18 years arriving via EMS as a stroke alert; walk-ins were excluded. EMS FAST-ED compliance, FAST-ED score, final diagnoses, door to needle time (DTN), door to puncture (DTP) time, and stroke treatment volumes were evaluated for sex differences. Results 1,156 cases were analyzed, 638 (55%) were female. EMS FAST-ED compliance decreased by 17%, but did not differ by sex or ethnicity. EMS FAST-ED score was similar for females and males. Despite the similarity in FAST-ED score, females scored higher on the initial NIHSS ( F(1) = 6.25, p &lt; .05) and discharge NIHSS ( F(1) = 8.588, p &lt; .01). Those diagnosed with a stroke were 1.4 times more likely to be female (χ²wald = 6.21, p &lt; .01, 95% CI [1.07–1.80]). Treatment rates did not vary between sex or ethnicity and overall DTN decreased by 10 minutes (2017 cohort M = 36 minutes, SE = 1.96; 2019 cohort M = 26 minutes, SE = 1.69). Conclusions The FAST-ED demonstrated equitable implementation and scoring among a diverse population, regardless of sex or ethnicity. Additionally, patients were equally likely to receive treatment, while benefiting from a decrease in DTN times.

Sex and Age Differences in a Progressive Synucleinopathy Mouse Model.

The mutation and overexpression of the alpha-synuclein protein (αSyn), described as synucleinopathy, is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD)-like pathologies. A higher prevalence of PD is documented for men versus women, suggesting female hormones' implication in slowing PD progression. The nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons in rodent males are more vulnerable to toxins than those in females. The effect of biological sex on synucleinopathy remains poorly described and was investigated using mice knocked out for murine αSyn (SNCA-/-) and also overexpressing human αSyn (SNCA-OVX) compared to wildtype (WT) mice. All the mice showed decreased locomotor activity with age, and more abruptly in the male than in the female SNCA-OVX mice; anxiety-like behavior increased with age. The SNCA-OVX mice had an age-dependent accumulation of αSyn. Older age was associated with the loss of nigral DA neurons and decreased striatal DA contents. The astrogliosis, microgliosis, and cytokine concentrations increased with aging. More abrupt nigrostriatal DA decreases and increased microgliosis were observed in the male SNCA-OVX mice. Human αSyn overexpression and murine αSyn knockout resulted in behavioral dysfunctions, while only human αSyn overexpression was toxic to DA neurons. At 18 months, neuroprotection was lost in the female SNCA-OVX mice, with a likely loss of estrus cycles. In conclusion, sex-dependent αSyn toxicity was observed, affecting the male mice more significantly.

Female mice are protected from impaired parenchymal arteriolar TRPV4 function and impaired cognition in hypertension.

Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease. Our laboratory has shown that endothelium-dependent dilation in cerebral parenchymal arterioles (PAs) is dependent on transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) activation, and this pathway is impaired in hypertension. This impaired dilation is associated with cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation. Epidemiological evidence suggests that women with midlife hypertension have an increased dementia risk that does not exist in age-matched men, though the mechanisms responsible for this are unclear. This study aimed to determine the sex differences in young, hypertensive mice to serve as a foundation for future determination of sex differences at midlife. We tested the hypothesis that young hypertensive female mice would be protected from the impaired TRPV4-mediated PA dilation and cognitive dysfunction observed in male mice. Angiotensin II (ANG II)-filled osmotic minipumps (800 ng/kg/min, 4 wk) were implanted in 16- to 19-wk-old male C56BL/6 mice. Age-matched female mice received either 800 ng/kg/min or 1,200 ng/kg/min ANG II. Sham-operated mice served as controls. Systolic blood pressure was elevated in ANG II-treated male mice and in 1,200 ng ANG II-treated female mice versus sex-matched shams. PA dilation in response to the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A (10-9-10-5 M) was impaired in hypertensive male mice, which was associated with cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation, reproducing our previous findings. Hypertensive female mice exhibited normal TRPV4-mediated PA dilation and were cognitively intact. Female mice also showed fewer signs of neuroinflammation than male mice. Determining the sex differences in cerebrovascular health in hypertension is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies for women.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Vascular dementia is a significant public health concern, and the effect of biological sex on dementia development is not well understood. TRPV4 channels are essential regulators of cerebral parenchymal arteriolar function and cognition. Hypertension impairs TRPV4-mediated dilation and memory in male rodents. Data presented here suggest female sex protects against impaired TRPV4 dilation and cognitive dysfunction during hypertension. These data advance our understanding of the influence of biological sex on cerebrovascular health in hypertension.

The Effect of Biological Sex on Arterial Stiffness and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Activity in Response to Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibition

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostaglandins play an important role in cardiovascular health regulation. Animal studies suggest a greater vascular dependence on prostaglandins in female subjects, but whether this extends to humans is unknown. We aimed to assess the effect of COX-2 inhibition on blood pressure and arterial stiffness, validated markers of cardiovascular risk, in human adults. MethodsHealthy premenopausal females and males were studied in high-salt balance before and after 14 days of daily oral celecoxib, 200 mg ingestion, on 2 identical study days. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were measured at baseline and in response to an Angiotensin II (AngII) challenge, a validated marker of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity. ResultsThirteen females (age [mean ± standard deviation], 38 ± 13 years) and 11 males (age, 34 ± 9 years) were studied. Pre-COX-2 inhibition, resting measures of systolic (S)BP (P = 0.2) and diastolic (D)BP (P = 0.1) were similar between sexes. Post-COX-2 inhibition, resting SBP (P < 0.001) and DBP (P = 0.02) were significantly lower in females than in males. COX-2 inhibition was not associated with changes in arterial parameters by sex (change in DBP: P = 0.54; change in PWV: P = 0.55; females vs males). COX-2 inhibition was associated with increased SBP (P = 0.039 vs pre-COX-2 inhibition), but no change in DBP (P = 0.16) or PWV (P = 0.52) response to AngII challenge in females. Measures did not differ in response to AngII pre- vs post-COX-2 inhibition in males (SBP: P = 0.88; DBP: P = 0.93; PWV: P = 0.97). ConclusionsThe effects of COX-2 inhibition on arterial function may differ by sex, but further studies are needed. Given the association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cardiovascular risk, increased attention regarding sex-specific pathophysiology is warranted.

Gender difference among newly reported HIV patients attending HIV center- Alsadqa teaching hospital - Aden

Gender is a clear contributor to disease pathogenesis in multiple infectious diseases.There were different studies identifying that effect of biological sex are challenging,work to date has yielded important insights. HIV disease progression and clinical manifestations differ among women and men because of biological and socioeconomic factors. This is a descriptive prospective study, the main objectives of study is identify sex difference among newly reported HIV patients attending HIV Center at AlsadqaTeaching Hospital Aden, from 1st January 2021 to 31stJan 2022.Most of the patients were males with 74.6% andthe mean age was 38.79 ± 10.38 in stage 4 with 28.6% and death were 7.9%, while female mean were younger age 32.44 ± 8.23.From this study, we conclude that male patients were the most common attendant to HIV Center but in late stage 4, with heigh mortality in comparison to female.

Sexual dimorphism in neurological function after SCI is associated with disrupted neuroinflammation in both injured spinal cord and brain

Whereas human spinal cord injury (SCI) is more common in men, the prevalence is growing in women. However, little is known about the effect of biological sex on brain dysfunction and injury mechanisms. To model the highest per capita rate of injury (ages between 16 and 30 years old) in humans, in the present study, young adult or a young/middle-aged male and female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to moderate contusion SCI. When mice were injured at 10–12-week-old, transcriptomic analysis of inflammation-related genes and flow cytometry revealed a more aggressive neuroinflammatory profile in male than females following 3 d SCI, ostensibly driven by sex-specific changes myeloid cell function rather than cell number. Female mice were generally more active at baseline, as evidenced by greater distance traveled in the open field. After SCI, female mice had more favorable locomotor function than male animals. At 13 weeks post-injury, male mice showed poor performance in cognitive and depressive-like behavioral tests, while injured female mice showed fewer deficits in these tasks. However, when injured at 6 months old followed by 8 months post-injury, male mice had considerably less inflammatory activation compared with female animals despite having similar or worse outcomes in affective, cognitive, and motor tasks. Collectively, these findings indicate that sex differences in functional outcome after SCI are associated with the age at onset of injury, as well as disrupted neuroinflammation not only at the site of injury but also in remote brain regions. Thus, biological sex should be considered when designing new therapeutic agents.

Avoidance coping mediates the effect of hardiness on mental distress symptoms for both male and female subjects.

The personality disposition hardiness has been shown to be associated with adaptive coping strategies and is considered an important protective factor against development of mental health symptoms. One of the criticisms found in the hardiness literature concerns the question whether the construct is equally important for men and women. Using a prospective design in a moderated mediation model, regression analyses were performed to examine the effect of avoidance coping in the association between hardiness and mental distress. The effect of biological sex was examined in the association between hardiness and avoidance coping. Our sample included 410 civilian personnel employed in a military organization. The results showed that higher hardiness levels were associated with lower reported use of avoidance coping, which in turn was associated with lower levels of distress symptoms. Avoidance coping mediated the effect of hardiness on anxiety symptoms and this indirect effect was not moderated by biological sex. These results indicate that hardiness operates similarly for women and men as a factor influencing mental distress symptoms.

The Validity of the Short Inventory of Problems and Drinking Intensity among Urban American Indian Adults

Background American Indian (AI) adults have both high prevalence rates of alcohol abstinence and alcohol use disorders compared to non-Hispanic White adults. We investigated the applicability and validity of the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP) among AI urban adults and the moderating effect of biological sex. Methods AI adults from three Alcoholics Anonymous samples (n = 124) provided baseline, 3-, 6- and 9-month data. Measures included Form 90 and the SIP, which includes 5 domains of alcohol-related negative consequences including interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, impulse control and social. Drinking frequency and intensity were assessed by percent days abstinent (PDA) and drinks per drinking day (DPDD). Results Cronbach alphas of the SIP were similar between urban AI adults and the mainstream treatment-seeking population reported in the SIP manual. DPDD was a significant and positive predictor of all five SIP scales collected 9-months later. Higher PDA was significantly and negatively associated with later consequences, and all 5 SIP scales. Moderation tests indicated that the association between consequences and drinking intensity was stronger for AI females with fewer drinking days resulting in significantly fewer consequences for AI males relative to AI females. Conclusions Findings highlight the acceptability of SIP as a measure to assess drinking related consequences among AI urban adults, with clinical implications related to alcohol use and sex. Further research is warranted to examine differential drinking related outcomes among AI men and women in addition to adaptations of the SIP that more fully capture the range of negative drinking consequences.

Abstract 16147: Sex, Gender Factors and Cardiovascular Health in Canadian and Austrian Populations

Introduction: Little evidence exists differentiating the effect of biological sex from gender-related (i.e. psycho-socio-cultural) characteristics in cardiovascular outcomes. Hypothesis: Here, we explored the association between sex, gender, and cardiovascular health (CVH) among Canadians (CAN) and Austrians (AT). Methods: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) (n=63,522, 55% Females) and Austrian Health Interview Survey (AT-HIS) (n=15,771, 56% Females), were analyzed. The CANHEART index, a measure of ideal CVH composed of 6 cardiometabolic risk factors ranging from 0 (worst) to 6 (ideal), was calculated in the CCHS as well as AT-HIS databases (ATHEART). A country-specific gender score was computed using principal component analysis-derived propensity score methods. The final gender scores (Range=0-1, higher score identifying characteristics traditionally ascribed to women) included: i) household size, perceived life stress, education, sense of belonging to community, marital status, and income (CAN); ii) household size, frequency of negative emotions, education, marital status and income (AT). Results: Median CANHEART and CAN gender scores were 4 [3-5] and 0.53 [0.49-0.60] while median ATHEART and AT gender scores were 4 [3-5] and 0.55 [0.46-0.64]. Although higher gender scores (CCHS: β=-1.33, 95%CI (-1.44,-1.22); AT-HIS: β=-1.11, 95%CI (-1.30,-0.91)) were associated with worse CVH, female sex (CCHS: β=0.35, 95% CI (0.33,0.37); AT-HIS: β=0.59, 95%CI (0.55,0.64)) was associated with better CVH in both populations. Additionally, higher gender scores were associated with a higher risk of heart disease, compared to female sex. The magnitude of this risk was higher in AT population (Table1). Conclusions: Individuals with characteristics typically ascribed to women reported poorer CVH and exhibited higher risk of heart disease independent of biological sex. Gender factors must be targeted for improving cardiovascular health.

The Effects Video Gameplay on Memory and Need for Cognition in Adults and Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of video gameplay and biological sex on memory and the Need for Cognition in adults and aging adults. A sample of adults who played video games were identified from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The final poststrata sample included 242 respondents in the 2012 HRS wave. Of these respondents, 121 indicated engagement with video games (videogamers), and 121 were a match sample of non-videogamers on age, sex, and HRS cohort. Results revealed no difference in memory or the Need for Cognition between adults who played video games and those who did not play video games. There was an effect of biological sex on general memory performance. Implications of the results are further discussed.

Sex Matters: Robust Sex Differences in Signal Detection in the HIV-1 Transgenic Rat.

Sex differences in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) have been repeatedly suggested. Females, who account for 51% of HIV-1 seropositive individuals, are inadequately represented in clinical and preclinical studies, as well as in the description of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Direct comparisons of neurocognitive decline in women and men must be made to address this underrepresentation. The effect of biological sex (i.e., the biological factors, including chromosomes and hormones, determining male or female characteristics; WHO, 2017) on sustained attention, which is commonly impaired in HIV-1 seropositive individuals, was investigated in intact HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals using a signal detection operant task. Analyses revealed a robust sex difference in the rate of task acquisition, collapsed across genotype, with female animals meeting criteria in shaping (at least 60 reinforcers for three consecutive or five non-consecutive sessions) and signal detection (70% accuracy for five consecutive or seven non-consecutive sessions) significantly more slowly than male animals. Presence of the HIV-1 transgene also had a significant effect on shaping and signal detection acquisition, with HIV-1 Tg animals displaying significant deficits in the rate of acquisition relative to control animals–deficits that were more prominent in female HIV-1 Tg animals. Once the animals’ reached asymptotic performance in the signal detection task, female animals achieved a lower percent accuracy across test sessions and exhibited a decreased response rate relative to male animals, although there was no compelling evidence for any effect of transgene. Results indicate that the factor of biological sex may be a moderator of the influence of the HIV-1 transgene on signal detection. Understanding the impact of biological sex on neurocognitive deficits in HIV-1 is crucial for the development of sex-based therapeutics and cure strategies.

How and why do men and women differ in their willingness to use automated cars? The influence of emotions across different age groups

Current research on willingness to use automated cars indicates differences between men and women, with the latter group showing lower usage intentions. This study aims at providing a first explanation of this effect. Research from other fields suggests that affective reactions might be able to explain behavioral intentions and responses towards technology, and that these affects vary depending on age levels. By examining a sample of 1603 participants representative for Germany (in terms of biological sex, age, and education) we found evidence that affective responses towards automotive cars (i.e., anxiety and pleasure) explain (i.e., mediate) the effect of biological sex on willingness to use them. Moreover, we found that these emotional processes vary as a function of respondent age in such a way that the differential effect of sex on anxiety (but not on pleasure) was more pronounced among relatively young respondents and decreased with participants’ age. Our results suggest that addressing anxiety-related responses towards automated cars (e.g., by providing safety-related information) and accentuating especially the pleasurable effects of automated cars (e.g., via advertising) reduce differences between men and women. Addressing the anxiety-related effects in order to reduce sex differences in usage intentions seems to be less relevant for older target groups, whereas promoting the pleasurable responses is equally important across age groups.

An Applied Test of the Social Learning Theory of Deviance to College Alcohol Use

Several hypotheses about influences on college drinking derived from the social learning theory of deviance were tested and confirmed. The effect of ethnicity on alcohol use was completely mediated by differential association and differential reinforcement, whereas the effect of biological sex on alcohol use was partially mediated. Higher net positive reinforcements to costs for alcohol use predicted increased general use, more underage use, and more frequent binge drinking. Two unexpected finding were the negative relationship between negative expectations and negative experiences, and the substantive difference between nondrinkers and general drinkers compared with illegal or binge drinkers. The discussion considers implications for future campaigns based on Akers's deterrence theory.