Gender Differences In Growth Research Articles

Growth, Body Composition, and Lung Function in Prepubertal Children with Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosed by Newborn Screening.

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of altered body composition (BC). Newborn screening (NBS) may lead to improved BC outcomes. We investigated BC and its relationship with lung function in prepubertal children diagnosed with CF by NBS. Secondary aims explored predictors of fat-free mass (FFM) and lung function. Thirty-seven screened (non-meconium ileus) children with CF (20 boys) born 2007-2012 had a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan at 5-8 years to determine whole-body (WB) and appendicular BC. Anthropometry was performed and routine spirometry recorded. Results were converted to z-scores, height-adjusted (fat mass index [FMI] and FFM index [FFMI]) and compared with population mean values. Predictors of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) were assessed using linear regression. Height, body mass index (BMI), and FEV1 were within normal limits, however, weight and BC were significantly low compared with reference data (weight, P = .03; WB FMI, P = .001; WB FFMI, P = .009). Gender differences were detected, with lower appendicular BC in boys and lower weight, BMI, and BC in girls. The association between FEV1 and WB FFMI (r = 0.38; P = .02) was stronger than with BMI (r = 0.29; P = .08). WB FFMI was the only significant predictor of FEV1 in a multivariable model (95% CI, 0.11-0.99; P = .016). In this NBS CF population, gender differences in growth and BC were apparent despite preserved lung function. These results support BC assessment in prepubertal children, particularly girls, with an opportunity to direct interventions to optimize FFM.

Amh dominant expression in Sertoli cells during the testicular differentiation and development stages in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

The olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, an important marine fish, shows gender differences in growth. The mechanism on its gonadal differentiation direction affected with exogenous factors still needs to be clarified. The anti-Müllerian hormone (amh) gene is involved in fish testicular differentiation and maintenance. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the flounder amh in tissues and the gonads. The quantitative expression analysis results showed that it was highly expressed in the testis, especially in the testis at stages I - IV (P<0.05). Also, amh was detected in Sertoli cells surrounding spermatogonia and peripheral seminiferous lobule of the testis with in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). During the differentiation period, the amh expression in the testis of the tamoxifen treatment group (100ppm) was higher than that in the ovary of the 17β-estradiol (E2, 5ppm) group, and the expression levels of amh during process of the male differentiation in the tamoxifen group were higher than those in the 17ɑ-methyltestosterone (MT, 5ppm) group (P<0.05). ISH results also exhibited that amh was expressed in the somatic cells that surrounded the germ cells of juvenile flounder similar to adult ones. Furthermore, the flounder gonads in the tamoxifen group maintained more germ cells and somatic cells than those in the MT group from 20 to 80mm total length (TL). Especially, at 60 and 80mm TL, the numbers of germ and somatic cells in the tamoxifen group were significantly higher than those in the MT group (P<0.05). In summary, amh might initiate the process of testicular differentiation, and is involved in the early development and maintenance of testis.

Gender differences in growth of Spanish university spin-offs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the hypothesis that the female-owned university spin-off organizations (USOs) have a similar resource endowment and, as a consequence, growth rates similar to the male-owned USOs.Design/methodology/approachA unique and original longitudinal data set, which is an unbalanced panel, consisting of 120 Spanish USOs over the period 2001-2010 has been constructed. The methodology includes the analysis of mean differences (t-test) and dynamic panel data models.FindingsThe results confirmed that there are no gender differences in either the firms’ initial resource endowment or in the preference for industries. There is no gender effect on the USOs’ growth, but the initial endowment resources matter. Thus the financial, human and technological resources have a positive effect on the USOs’ growth. This evidence suggests that the USOs’ context may mitigate the initial resource endowment of the female-owned firms and their preferences for traditional industries, showing similar rates of growth than male-owned USOs.Research limitations/implicationsOwners’ gender has been used as a proxy for founders’ gender. Also, only USOs included in the SABI database have been considered as part of the sample; the significant number of USOs that did not reveal information about their owners have been discarded.Practical implicationsIt is important to continue supporting academic entrepreneurship, as in the university context, firm growth is not affected by gender differences. However, given that the percentage of female owners in university entrepreneurship is still lower compared to entrepreneurship in general, the universities’ entrepreneur programmes targeting women must adopt a gendered perspective.Originality/valueLiterature on USOs has traditionally analyzed the firm-specific characteristics that impact their growth without considering the influence of the owners’ gender. In this paper, an attempt to fill this gap has been made using a sample of 120 Spanish USOs and by applying the dynamic panel data methodology. In particular, it has been argued that the university context from which USOs emerge allows female-owned USOs to have a similar resource endowment and, as a consequence, a similar growth when compared to male-owned USOs.

Measuring annual growth using written expression curriculum-based measurement: An examination of seasonal and gender differences.

The purpose of this study was to examine annual growth patterns and gender differences in written expression curriculum-based measurement (WE-CBM) when used in the context of universal screening. Students in second through fifth grade (n = 672) from 2 elementary schools that used WE-CBM as a universal screener participated in the study. Student writing samples were scored for production-dependent, production-independent, and accurate-production indicators. Results of latent growth models indicate that for most WE-CBM outcome indicators across most grade levels, average growth was curvilinear, with increasing curvilinearity on all indicators as grade level increased. Evidence of gender differences was mixed with girls having higher initial scores on all WE-CBM indicators except for total words written (second and third grades), correct minus incorrect writing sequences (fourth grade only), and percent correct writing sequences (second-fourth grades) where differences were not statistically significant. Despite differences in initial level, there were few gender differences in growth and limited overall between-student variability in linear slope. The results of this study extend research on annual patterns of growth and gender differences in WE-CBM by analyzing all 3 types of WE-CBM indicators, including upper elementary grades, and assessing skills more frequently (i.e., 4 to 5 times in 1 year) than in prior research on annual growth. The findings have implications for universal screening in WE-CBM and for understanding gender differences in writing performance.

Abstract 2532: Pediatric osteosarcoma patients are taller than average from birth to age twelve: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Abstract Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form of bone cancer in children and displays a peak incidence that coincides with the pubertal growth spurt. Consequently a number of studies have investigated whether cases are taller at diagnosis than the general pediatric population; a recent analysis which pooled seven such studies found that cases were disproportionately in the 51st-89th and especially the &amp;gt;90th percentiles of height-for-age (HFA). However, no study to our knowledge has examined whether OS patients exhibit greater HFA at earlier ages. During 2008-2010 we enrolled 290 OS cases &amp;lt;20 years of age diagnosed at Children's Oncology Group institutions in the United States and Canada in a genetic epidemiologic study. In addition to collecting buccal cell samples for genetic analysis we requested permission to obtain length/height data from medical records from birth to diagnosis. Records were obtained for 153 male and 111 female participants. Anthropometrics and date of measurement were doubly entered into a custom database, and inconsistencies were resolved by a third abstraction. Between 1 and 46 measurements (median = 11) were recorded up to the earlier of diagnosis or 12 years of age. Mixed effects cubic spline models were applied to length/height to produce individual growth curves using Stata. Sex was included as a main effect and as interactions with the model slope terms to account for gender differences in growth. Individual estimates of length/height at every three months of age between birth and age two years, and at each year of age thereafter, were computed and transformed to Z-scores according to the CDC 2000 reference. OS cases of both sexes were consistently longer or taller than reference data at all ages, as at no age did the 95% confidence interval around mean Z-score include 0 (i.e. the population mean and median). Under 2 years of age length was examined; mean Z-score at birth was 0.56 (71st %ile), rose to 0.72 (76th %ile) at 0.5 years, and fell to 0.31 (62nd %ile) at 2 years. Over 2 years of age height was examined; mean Z-score was 0.48 (68th %ile) at 4 years, dipped to 0.33 (63rd %ile) at 8-9 years, and rose to 0.49 (69th %ile) at 12 years. No differences in mean Z-score at each age were observed by age at diagnosis (sex specific inter-quartile range of age at diagnosis vs. other), location of tumor (long bone of the lower limb vs. other), or race (White non-Hispanic vs. other). Our data clearly indicate that pediatric OS patients are substantially longer/taller than the United States national norm at all ages before puberty. Citation Format: Logan G. Spector, Kathryn Ritter, Ellen W. Demerath, Charles Sklar, Julie A. Ross, Mark Krailo, Rajaram Nagarajan, David Malkin, Tracy L. Bergemann, Sharon A. Savage, William Johnson. Pediatric osteosarcoma patients are taller than average from birth to age twelve: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2532. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2532

Effects of early growth on blood pressure of infants of British European and South Asian origin at one year of age: the Manchester children's growth and vascular health study

The objective of this study was to investigate early influences of postnatal growth on blood pressure (BP) in healthy, British-born South Asian and European origin infants. We tested the hypotheses that South Asian infants would be smaller in all body dimensions (length and weight) with higher relative truncal skinfold thickness at birth, and that increased (central) adiposity and accelerated growth up to 1 year would be associated with higher BP in both ethnic groups. Five hundred and sixty infants were followed prospectively from birth to 3 and/or 12 months with measures of anthropometry and resting BP, compared against a UK 1990 growth reference, and analysed using regression methods. Marked differences in birth size persisted, as expected, between European and South Asian babies, but with a sexual dichotomy: South Asian boys were smaller in all anthropometric parameters (P < 0.001), including skinfolds (P < 0.05), than European boys, but South Asian girls, although smaller in length and weight, had similar skinfolds to European girls and thus a slightly larger subscapular skinfold thickness relative to birth weight [1.3 versus 1.2, mean difference 0.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0009-0.14, P = 0.047]. The dichotomy persisted postnatally; South Asian boys showed a striking early increase in weight and length compared with European boys, associated with significant accrual of subscapular fat (6.1 versus 5.3 mm, mean difference 0.8, 95% CI 0.3-1.3, P = 0.003). In gender and ethnicity adjusted regression models, infants with the largest weight standard deviation score (SDS) increases in the first 3 months had the highest 12-month systolic BP (beta = 2.4, 95% CI 0.5-4.2, P = 0.01), while those with the greatest birth length (beta = 0.7, 95% CI 0.05-1.4, P = 0.04) but the smallest changes in length over 3-12 months (beta = -0.57, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.19, P = 0.004) had the highest diastolic BP. Ethnic and gender differences in growth and adiposity present in early infancy include truncal fat preservation in South Asian girls from birth, which in boys is related to rapid early weight gain. Weight gain during the first 3 months appears to drive the rise in systolic BP to 1 year, itself a likely driver of later BP.

Gender differences in growth and nutrition in a sample of rural ontario schoolchildren

This paper reports findings of a cross-sectional study of the growth and nutrition of children living in rural Ontario, Canada. The objectives of the research were threefold: (1) to obtain data on obesity prevalence and nutrient intake in a sample of rural Canadian schoolchildren, (2) to compare findings with rural and national-level data on obesity prevalence and nutrient intake, and (3) to provide data to school board and public health agencies planning and implementing nutrition policy and programs to this population. Measures of height and weight were obtained for 504 children ages 7-13 years. Height for age and body mass index scores were calculated and compared with 2000 data from the Centers for Disease Control (Kuczmarski et al. [2002]: Vital Health Stat 246:1-190). Weekday 24-h dietary recall was conducted on a subsample of 352 children and the results compared with Canada's Food Guide (Health Canada,1997) and dietary reference data from the US Institute of Medicine (2000). Prevalence of overweight and obesity were high in this sample, with 17.7% of children classified as overweight and 10.9% of children classified as obese. Fifteen percent of boys were classified as obese, compared to 6.8% of girls. Boys consumed significantly more servings from the grain and meat food groups than girls. While mean daily intake of fiber and micronutrients was significantly low for both boys and girls, there were significant gender differences in nutrient intake, with boys consuming greater energy, protein, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium than girls. A number of limitations are discussed, in particular issues arising from the use of Dietary Reference Intakes.

Educating adolescents about puberty: what are we missing?

Adolescents undergo significant physical and cognitive changes during their pubertal development. These changes contribute to and impact their future development. Educating adolescents at an early age about their expected development decreases the possible anxiety associated with this period of life and also helps adolescents make better choices in regards to their sexuality. In order to assess the degree of education regarding pubertal development and sexuality, we conducted a survey of late adolescents (Median age 19 years) and parents of adolescents. A total of 409 adolescents (237 females, 172 males) and 124 parents completed the survey. 14.4% of teens (36.6% of males and 2% of females) reported that no one spoke to them prior or during puberty about pubertal development or sexuality issues. Teens receiving some form of puberty/sexuality education did so at a median age of 13 for girls and 15 for boys. More than one source of information was the most common (49%) followed by mother only (20%). 85% of parents reported talking to their teens about pubertal development and sexuality. There were several differences between areas reported covered by parents but not by teens, for example 72% of parents reported talking to their teens about gender differences in growth but only 31% of teens reported being spoken to about that. Areas that are very poorly covered are breast development in boys and sexual assault/date rape in girls at 5% and 26% respectively. In summary, it appears that we continue to do a relatively poor job in educating our kids about their development and sexuality and we do it late. Boys are even less likely than girls to be talked to about many areas of pubertal development and sexuality and when that is done, it is done at a later age.

Population and Fishery Characteristics of White Bass in Four Large Missouri Reservoirs

Abstract The population and fishery characteristics of white bass Morone chrysops were determined for four large Missouri reservoirs to help establish meaningful objectives for white bass fisheries. The growth of white bass in Table Rock and Bull Shoals lakes was faster and a higher proportion of fish were larger than 380 mm than in Pomme de Terre Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. Age-4 white bass exceeded 400 mm at Table Rock and Bull Shoals lakes and averaged about 370 mm in the other two. When gender differences in growth could be examined, female white bass grew faster than males in Pomme de Terre Lake and Lake of the Ozarks and were 12–20 mm longer than males for ages 3 and older. Mean relative weights were at least 90 in all reservoirs and exceeded 100 in Table Rock and Bull Shoals lakes. The age structures of white bass populations were similar among all four reservoirs; fish up to age 7 were present, but there was a sharp decline in abundance after age 4. Variable recruitment strongly affected size and...

Gender Differences in Growth in Mathematics Achievement: Three-Level Longitudinal and Multilevel Analyses of Individual, Home, and School Influences

This study focused on gender differences in growth in mathematics achievement in relation to various social-psychological factors such as attitude toward mathematics, self-esteem, parents' academic encouragement, mathematics teachers' expectations, peer influence, and so on. The study was based primarily on the data collected by the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (Miller, Hoffer, Suchner, Brown, & Nelson, 1992) and focused on students from Grade 7 to Grade 10. The key methodology used in the study was 3-level longitudinal and multilevel modeling. Results indicated that gender differences in growth in mathematics varied by one's initial status in mathematics. For those who started low, girls started higher than boys, but their average growth rate was slightly lower than boys. Although the average gender gap in growth rate was not statistically significant, the gap varied across schools. In some schools girls' average growth rate was higher, whereas in other schools boys' average growth rate was higher. For those who started high, there were no gender differences in initial status and growth rate. However, the effect of math attitude and math teacher encouragement on mathematics differed for boys and girls who started high. The effect of math attitude on mathematics was stronger for boys than for girls. The effect of math teacher encouragement on mathematics varied across schools for boys, but no math teacher encouragement effect was found for girls. Results also show that home resources, individual behavior problems, and attitude toward mathematics were related to growth in mathematics. In addition, aggregated school resources had a significant effect on growth in mathematics. The effect of math teacher encouragement on mathematics varied across schools for boys and girls who started low as for boys who started high. Implications of these results are discussed.

Gender, light and water effects in carbon isotope discrimination, and growth rates in the dioecious tree Ilex aquifolium

1. Detailed understanding of the specific physiology of sexes in dioecious species is required to explain patterns in gender dimorphism. Under controlled-environment conditions we tested the hypothesis that sexes of the dioecious tree holly Ilex aquifolium L. (Aquifoliaceae) differed in growth and long-term potential water-use efficiency, as measured by carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C), and that these differences were dependent on the environmental context. 2. Patterns of response in Δ13C to the various combinations of light and water were gender-specific. Under more xeric conditions, females maintained significantly higher Δ13C than males. 3. Female plants exhibited significantly greater relative diameter growth rates than male plants. 4. As expected, Δ13C significantly increased with decreasing irradiance, and decreased with increasing limitation in water supply. Light and water effects were not independent, with a more pronounced drought effect in decreasing leaf Δ13C under unshaded than under shaded conditions. 5. Our results suggest that between-sex differences in physiology are context-dependent. Future studies attempting to assess gender dimorphism should take more account of gender-specific interactions with the environment. Gender-specific efficiency in water use could play a decisive role in explaining gender differences in growth and ecological interactions.

Gender, light and water effects in carbon isotope discrimination, and growth rates in the dioecious tree Ilex aquifolium

Abstract1. Detailed understanding of the specific physiology of sexes in dioecious species is required to explain patterns in gender dimorphism. Under controlled‐environment conditions we tested the hypothesis that sexes of the dioecious tree holly Ilex aquifolium L. (Aquifoliaceae) differed in growth and long‐term potential water‐use efficiency, as measured by carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C), and that these differences were dependent on the environmental context.2. Patterns of response in Δ13C to the various combinations of light and water were gender‐specific. Under more xeric conditions, females maintained significantly higher Δ13C than males.3. Female plants exhibited significantly greater relative diameter growth rates than male plants.4. As expected, Δ13C significantly increased with decreasing irradiance, and decreased with increasing limitation in water supply. Light and water effects were not independent, with a more pronounced drought effect in decreasing leaf Δ13C under unshaded than under shaded conditions.5. Our results suggest that between‐sex differences in physiology are context‐dependent. Future studies attempting to assess gender dimorphism should take more account of gender‐specific interactions with the environment. Gender‐specific efficiency in water use could play a decisive role in explaining gender differences in growth and ecological interactions.

Gender Differences in Growth in Mathematical Skills During Secondary Grades: A Growth Model Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the rate at which males and females acquired mathematical skills during secondary grades and to determine the relationship between their rates of growth and student- arid school-level characteristics. Based on data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY), a three-level hierarchical linear model (HLM) indicated that males and females acquired mathematical skills at the same rate. The variation in scores among students increased over time, and students maintained their initial position in the distribution. This fan-spread phenomenon among students was more pronounced in basic skills and knowledge than in problem-solving. Schools were more homogeneous in female rate of growth than in male rate of growth. The variation in scores among schools enlarged over time, and schools maintained their initial position in the distribution. This fan-spread phenomenon among schools was more pronounced in basic skills and knowledge than in problem-solving. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are provided.

Gender differences in growth of school-aged children with schistosomiasis and geohelminth infection.

Light or moderate intensity infection with Schistosoma mansoni may contribute to growth deficits. We report on the effects of treatment for S. mansoni on growth and development in Brazilian schoolchildren. Anthropometric measurements were taken from 539 S. mansoni-infected children and their age- and sex-matched egg-negative controls between the ages of 7 and 15 years. The children as a whole exhibited chronic malnutrition, with growth retardation in height evident in 21% of the population. Infected children, however, were significantly smaller in height, weight, mid upper arm circumference (UAC), tricep skinfold (TSF), and subscapular skinfold (SSF) measurements than control children (P < 0.05). These differences were due primarily to a greater disparity between infected and egg-negative girls in height (P < 0.01), weight (P = 0.01), UAC (P = 0.O2), and TSF (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, girls demonstrated a better level of development and nutrition compared with boys. While infected boys were shorter and weighed less than controls, these differences were not significant. Growth and development in girls was negatively correlated with intensity of infection. Coinfection with S. mansoni and Trichuris appeared to act synergistically in the development of malnutrition.

Gender Differences in Growth and Maturation: Are These Relevant for Athletic Competition?

Gender Differences in Growth and Maturation: Are These Relevant for Athletic Competition?

Gender differences in lung growth.

Annual measurements of lung volumes and forced expiratory flows were made in 281 boys and girls from 8 to 12 years and in another cohort of 287 from 12 to 20 years to measure longitudinal lung growth. Gender differences in growth of lung function were documented, with girls generating greater volume-standardized maximal expiratory flows until age 18.5 years. Beyond that age boys generated higher expiratory flows in proportion to total lung capacity (TLC). There was a time lag of up to 1 year between the age of peak growth velocity in lung volume and peak growth velocity in height. Age at peak growth in flow lagged another year behind that in volume. This was noted more in boys than girls. Dysanaptic lung growth was found with differing rates of growth of maximal expiratory flow compared with TLC or vital capacity (VC).

Affective Variables and Mathematics Education

to general feelings such as liking/disliking of mathematics, nor is it meant to exclude perceptions of the difficulty, usefulness, and appropriateness of mathematics as a school subject. There are several ways affective variables are related to mathematics learning. It is likely that a student who feels very positive about mathematics will achieve at a higher level than a student who has a negative attitude toward mathematics. It is also likely that a high achiever will enjoy mathematics more than a student who