Gender Differences In Activity Research Articles

Gender Differences in the Activation and Co-activation of Lower Extremity Muscles During the Stair-to-Ground Descent Transition

The movement pattern during stair descent differs by gender, and this difference may be associated with gender differences in muscle strength or activation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a gender difference in muscle activation exists by comparing the muscle activation amplitude and co-activation of lower extremity muscles during the stair-to-ground descent transition. Fifteen men and thirteen women descended stairs and the muscle activation was measured. Women showed a significantly lower peak normalized electromyography amplitude of the vastus lateralis (women: 171.7% peak EMG activation amplitude for level walking (PEALW), men: 297.0%PEALW, p < 0.05). Additionally, women showed significantly elevated co-activation of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris compared to men (p < 0.05). The lower amplitude of the vastus lateralis in women indicates lower recruitment of knee extensor. In conclusion, the significantly higher co-activation of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris in women may be a women’s stair descent strategy to safely descend stairs by increasing knee joint stability and stiffness through less recruitment of knee extensor muscle during stair-to-ground descent transition.

Crime frames and gender differences in the activation of crime concern and crime responses

Prior work has reported mixed evidence for the gender gap in crime concern and crime responses, yet very few studies have considered the importance of the framing of a crime in explaining this gap. Crime frames are important because they can raise deep levels of concern that activate a criminal justice system response to the crime. This study draws on the literature on problem framing to examine gender differences in crime concern and crime responses in relation to human trafficking. Human trafficking is a type of crime that has raised public alarm in the U.S and is being framed by the government and the media as a crime to which women are at increased risk. Using data from a national probability sample of approximately 2000 Americans, the findings show that beliefs about the causes of human trafficking, specifically gender discrimination and transnational crime, are associated with gender differences in concern and activation of the criminal justice system. These findings can guide future research on gender differences in crime concern and crime responses and call for research and policies that are sensitive to gendered effects of framing on public opinion about crime and criminal justice issues.

Structural disadvantage and (un)successful ageing: gender differences in activities of daily living for older people in Chile

ABSTRACTDiscourses on successful ageing have changed the way older age is viewed and the possibilities associated with it. However, such discourses do not always take into account differential capacities and resources that may shape disadvantage for women. The aim of this article is to examine gender differences in the experience of difficulties carrying out basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs) in community-living people over the age of 65, using Chile as a case study. We also examine the effect of healthcare provider on performance of ADLs. We carried out logistic regressions on cross-sectional data from a sample of over 33,000 men and women, drawn from the 2015 National Socioeconomic Characterisation Survey, conducted by the Ministry of Social Development of the Government of Chile. We found significant gender differences in experiences of performing ADLs for older people in Chile, with women consistently reporting more problems than men. The affiliation with the public health provider was also associated with gender differences. The results of our study indicate that women in Chile experience structural disadvantage in their efforts to age successfully, reporting higher levels of functional limitations. We argue that it is important that gender-sensitive public health initiatives be developed, focusing on the prevention of functional disability.

Gender differences in activity and travel behavior in the Arab world

The purpose of this study is to extend the research on gendered differences in travel patterns in the Arab world by an in-depth study of the interrelationship of travel-related activities and various socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This study is based on a unique data set that includes activity and travel diaries collected from three Arab communities in the Galilee region of Israel. Through descriptive statistics and nonlinear structural equations modeling, we found that gender plays an important role in both activity participation and travel behavior in these communities. Women tend to travel less than men in terms of both number of tours, defined as chain of trip segments that start and end at home, trips, and total time spent traveling. Women tend to work more within their communities and to conduct more of their activities by walking; they are also the ones who make more child-serving stops, which affect their travel patterns. Women tend to travel by car more as passengers, whereas men tend to be drivers. Those who made more tours also tended to make more complex tours, with more stops per tour, although, in general, complex tours are not substituted for making additional tours. People who work outside the community and make complex tours are more likely to drive, as the car is needed for these types of trips, which men make more than women.From a policy perspective, these findings suggest that public transportation services are needed to help overcome gender differences in travel behavior. Improving transit service for school trips and improving urban design through a friendlier environment, especially for children, will beneficially affect the complexity of women’s daily activity patterns and their quality of life.

Gender Differences in the Activation of Social Capital in Response to a Job Threat

Across two studies with both archival and laboratory data, we examine whether men and women activate different networks in the face of a job threat. Study 1 demonstrated this finding using data from the 2004 General Social Survey. Through an experimental design, we further show that gender differences in network activation are causally related to the experience of a job threat and that these differences are the result of a strategic, social strategy deployed by men to ameliorate job threats (Study 2). In doing so, our research contributes to an expanded understanding of gender differences in social capital and highlights the anticipatory function of social network schemas as a strategic response to threat.

Gender Differences in Frontal Activation While Perceiving Pathologically Thin Female Body Forms

Brain mechanisms underlying body image disturbances are a focus of research in the realm of eating disorders, and functional imaging studies have revealed gender differences in the processing of body shape. In this study, using 16-channel near infrared spectroscopy, we investigated frontal lobe activation in 46 healthy university students during viewing of photographs of pathologically thin female forms, and compared gender differences in activation, and examined the correlations between the relative changes in cerebral blood volume, eating attitudes, and perceived feelings. Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT26) and rated a visual analogue scale for anxiety/disgust. Significant gender differences in the pattern of activation were noted in the prefrontal region (predominantly right side, dorsolateral to ventral), with male participants showing greater and more widespread frontal activation. The total and subscale scores on EAT26 were significantly correlated with the frontal activation, and perceived feelings were significantly associated with increased prefrontal activation on the left side. Gender differences in frontal activation suggest differential expectations between men and women of pathologically thin female body forms. The study results suggest that anorexic psychopathology may be associated with abnormal right frontal activation while viewing thin bodies of others.

Abstract 3697: Evaluation of monocyte and granulocyte function with and without ex vivo pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) exposure in blood of healthy volunteers

Abstract Background: PLD is a nanoparticle approved for treatment of refractory ovarian cancer. The reticuloendothelial system (RES), which includes monocytes (MO), may have a key role in clearance (CL) of nanoparticle sized pegylated liposomes such as PLD, though factors affecting the CL of liposomes are unclear. Previously we reported that the CL of liposomes is associated with age and monocyte counts. This study's objective was to characterize the function of MO and granulocytes with and without ex vivo PLD exposure in the blood of healthy volunteers. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from six (4 males, 2 females) healthy human volunteers, immediately placed on ice and processed. Blood samples were incubated with PLD 10 mcg/mL or 5% dextrose solution (control) for 1 hour (h) at 37°C with 5% CO2. After incubation, PHAGOTEST® and PHAGOBURST® (Orpegen Pharma) tests were performed to evaluate phagocytic activity and respiratory burst activity. PHAGOBURST® tests were performed after fMLP and PMA stimulation. Samples were analyzed using Dako CyAn Flow Cytometer with Summit software. Comparisons were made between samples with and without PLD exposure, gender, and age &amp;gt;60 and &amp;lt;60 years old (yo) based on previously reported trends. Results: The mean + SD age of healthy volunteers was 45.9 + 14.9 yo. The mean fluorescence per cell, grouped by functional test and age, gender, and with or without PLD exposure are summarized in Table 1.Table 1.Mean Fluorescence Phagocytic ActivityRespiratory Burst Activity with fMLPRespiratory Burst Activity with PMA GranulocytesMonocytesGranulocytesMonocytesGranulocytesMonocytesAge &amp;gt;60 (n=2)447.6323.383.757.7377.789.4Age &amp;lt;60 (n=4)343.3213.5555.538.8663.6163.6p-value0.4590.240.0470.0480.6130.583 Male (n=4)370.2256.860.344.5587.9171.1Female (n=2)393.7236.674.146.4529.174.4p-value0.8940.9080.5290.8790.9320.449 Without PLD (n=6)414.2250.148.839.1542.1114.4With PLD (n=6)378.0250.164.945.1568.3138.9p-value0.6630.9990.2530.6290.9410.761 Conclusions: Differences in phagocytic and respiratory burst activity in granulocytes and MO of healthy volunteers were observed. There is variability in activity based on the type of assay used. There appears to be both age and gender differences in activity. A 1 h ex vivo exposure to PLD does not seem to significantly alter cell function. Future studies will characterize MO and granulocyte function, PLD uptake, and viability with and without PLD exposure in additional healthy subjects and ovarian and breast cancer patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3697.

Gender difference in activation of platelets in septic rats

Objective:To investigate the influence of gender difference on the activation of platelets in septic rats.Methods: Totally 20 female and 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: male sham-operated group,female sham-operated group,female septic group,and male septic group,with each group containing 10 rats.Sepsis model in the last two groups was produced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP);rats in the sham-operated group received no CLP.The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after surgery;the blood samples were collected for blood routine test;and the serum β-TG levels were detected by ELISA assay.Serum estrogen(E2) levels were detected by radioimmunoassay.Results: The blood platelet counts were decreased in both septic rats of both genders;the count in female rats was significantly higher than in the male rats(P0.01).The serum β-TG levels were increased in septic rats of both genders;the level in the female rats was significantly lower than that in the male rats(P0.01).The blood platelets count in female or male septic rats was significantly positive correlation with the level of serum estrogen and the β-TG expression in female or male septic rats was significantly negative correlation with the level of serum estrogen(P0.05).Conclusion: There is a gender difference in the activation of platelets in septic rats,and the endogenous estrogen may have protective effect on the platelets of female septic rats.

Gender Differences in Activity of Daily Living of the Elderly in Rural China: Evidence from Chaohu

ABSTRACT Using data from a sample survey, “Well-being of the elderly in Anhui province, China,” this paper studies the effects of health, economic and family factors on the activities of daily living (ADLs) as measures of disability for elderly men and women. The objective is to explore reasons for gender differences in ADLs in rural China. Our results suggest that higher incidence rates of chronic diseases, lower cognitive ability, as well as heavier household and daily care burdens of females, are the main factors leading to a higher prevalence of ADL disability for the female elderly.

A developmental examination of gender differences in brain engagement during evaluation of threat

Background Females appear to be more sensitive and responsive to social cues, including threat signals, than are males. Recent theoretical models suggest that developmental changes in brain functioning play important roles in the emergence of such gender differences. Methods We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine developmental and gender differences in activation of neural structures thought to mediate attention to emotional faces depicting varying degrees of threat. Analyses focused on the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex during the evaluation of threat conveyed by faces. Healthy adolescents ( n = 17; 53% male) and adults ( n = 17; 53% male) were scanned while they rated how threatening pictures of neutral and emotional (angry, fearful, or happy) faces appeared. Results Results indicate significant interactions among age, gender, and face type for activation during explicit threat monitoring. In particular, adult women activated orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala selectively to unambiguous threat (angry) cues, while adult men showed a less discriminating pattern of activation. No gender differences were evident for adolescents, who as a group resembled adult males. Conclusions These findings suggest that there are gender differences in patterns of neural responses to emotional faces that are not fully apparent until adulthood.

Estradiol-induced expression of N(+)-K(+)-ATPase catalytic isoforms in rat arteries: gender differences in activity mediated by nitric oxide donors.

We tested the hypothesis that previously demonstrated gender differences in ACh-induced vascular relaxation could involve diverse Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase functions. We determined Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase by measuring arterial ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake in response to ACh. We found a significant increase of Na+ pump activity only in aortic rings from female rats (control 206 +/- 11 vs. 367 +/- 29 nmol 86Rb/K.min(-1).g wt tissue(-1); P < 0.01). Ovariectomy eliminated sex differences in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase function, and chronic in vivo hormone replacement with 17beta-estradiol restored the ACh effect on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Because ACh acts by enhancing production of NO, we examined whether the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) mimics the action of ACh on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. SNP increased ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake in denuded female arteries (control 123 +/- 7 vs. 197 +/- 12 nmol 86Rb/K.min(-1).g wt tissue(-1); P < 0.05). Methylene blue (an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase) and KT-5823 (a cGMP-dependent kinase inhibitor) blocked the stimulatory action of SNP. Exposure of female thoracic aorta to the Na+/K+ pump inhibitor ouabain significantly decreased SNP-induced and ACh-mediated relaxation of aortic rings. At the molecular level, Western blot analysis of arterial tissue revealed significant gender differences in the relative abundance of catalytic isoforms of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Female-derived aortas exhibited a greater proportion of alpha2-isoform (44%) compared with male-derived aortas. Furthermore, estradiol upregulated the expression of alpha2 mRNA in male arterial explants. Our results demonstrate that enhancement of ACh-induced relaxation observed in female rats may be in part explained by 1) NO-dependent increased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in female vascular tissue and 2) greater abundance of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha2-isoform in females.

Women are more disabled in basic activities of daily living than men only in very advanced ages: A study on disability, morbidity, and mortality from the Kungsholmen Project

Objective: We explored the effect of morbidity, mortality, and occurrence of new disability on gender differences in activities of daily living (ADL) functioning in different age groups in the elderly population. Methods: All 77+-year-old members of a community-based cohort were clinically examined by physicians, assessed by psychologists, and interviewed by nurses at baseline and after a 3-year interval. Diseases were diagnosed according to ICD-9 and the DSM-III-R criteria for dementia. The Katz index of ADL was used to measure basic functional status. Results: After adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, the oldest women (90+ years) had higher disability prevalence and a tendency for higher long-term disability incidence. Women aged 85+ years also had higher morbidity prevalence. Mortality among disabled subjects was similar for both genders, whereas higher mortality was found in younger nondisabled men (77–84 years). Conclusion: We conclude that gender differences in disability, morbidity, and mortality vary with age in the elderly population. Gender differences in morbidity and basic functional dependence were evident only in the oldest old. Based on current and previous findings, we speculate that more women may be at higher risk of developing severe disability than men in the advanced ages due to longer survival with slight disability earlier in adult life.

Sex differences in the activity level of infants

A gender difference in motor activity level (AL) is well established for children, but questions about the existence and nature of an infant sex difference remain. To assess these questions, we applied meta-analytic procedures to summarize 46 infancy studies comprising 78 male–female motor activity comparisons. Our results showed that, as with children, male infants were more active than females. Objective measures of infant AL estimated the size of this difference to be 0.2 standard deviations, though subjective parent-report measures estimated the difference to be smaller. We argue that this early sex difference in activity level is biologically based. However, socialization processes, such as gender-differentiated expectations and experiences, in conjunction with further sex-differentiated biological developments, amplify this early difference to produce the larger gender differences in activity found during childhood. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gender differences in activities of mouse esterase and sensitivities to DFP and sarin toxicity

1. 1. Gender differences in the toxicity of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP; 4.0 mg/kg) and isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin; 0.3 mg/kg) were studied in mice. 2. 2. The animals were killed 3 hr after intraperitoneal (IP) injection of the organophosphates (OPs). 3. 3. Although the activity of plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was two-fold higher and carboxyl-esterase (CaE) 1.3-fold higher in females than in males, the elevated BChE and CaE activities did not prevent inhibition of the enzyme by OPs in brain. 4. 4. The differences in plasma BChE and CaE activities do not seem to be critical for the detoxification of OPs used in this study.

Suppressor genes with gender differences in activity in natural populations of Drosophila robusta: another approach to wild-type.

Homozygous or hemizygous expression of an X-linked wing mutant of Drosophila robusta varies from a rudimentary wing that does not reach the tip of the abdomen (called 'club') to forms with full-sized but curled or crumpled wings (called 'curly'). Homozygous club females crossed to flies from natural populations or laboratory stocks derived from wild flies invariably produce significantly less club male progeny than the 100% expected, most of them exhibiting less severe phenotypes: 'curly' forms and wild-type. The male progeny from similar crosses using curly females tend to be predominantly normal. By contrast, the male progeny of outcrossed females homozygous for an X-linked eye colour mutant, vermilion, are all vermilion. The data indicate that natural populations of D. robusta contain suppressors of the wing mutant but not of the eye colour mutant studied. Activity of the suppressors differs by gender: in experiments in which genetic theory expects similar results in the two sexes, males consistently show stronger effects of the suppressors than females.

Gender Differences in Activities and Mobility in the Netherlands, 1975 to 1990

As in many other countries, a growing number of women in the Netherlands are entering the labor market. The difference between male and female participation in paid work is decreasing, and more men are taking care of domestic duties. It is expected that these changes will lead to growing numbers of task combiners and to more similar patterns of travel behavior for men and women. The intention of the present research is to investigate these expectations for the situation in the Netherlands. For this goal two groups of time budget data for the period from 1975 to 1990 were analyzed. The focus was on gender differences in trends in time use and mobility. The results indicate that between 1975 and 1990, the distribution of paid work and domestic work by men and women changed, more men and women were performing combinations of obligatory tasks, gender differences in mobility became smaller, and car use, both for men and for women, depended heavily on the workload of an out-of-home paid job.