Gender-related Differences Research Articles

40 Hz Binaural Beats entrainment enhances the mood and cognition of medical students

Many medical students experience psychological distress from high academic demands, potentially harming their performance and mental health. Binaural beats (BB) stimulation, particularly gamma band entrainment, has been suggested to enhance neural communication, cognition, and reduce anxiety. This study aimed to determine whether 40 Hz BB could improve cognitive performance and mood in medical students. Forty participants, selected based on the inclusion criteria of good health, normal hearing, and no mental illness were recruited considering factors such as all sessions availability and consent. Participants listened to BB for 15 minutes, three times a week, over three consecutive weeks. Electroencephalogram recordings confirmed that 40 Hz BB induced gamma neural oscillations in the brain. Emotional states were assessed using the 32-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) with ratings on a 5-point Likert scale, whereas cognitive function was measured with the Stroop test, based on reaction time in milliseconds. Pre- and post-BB comparisons and gender-related differences were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric tests. The results showed that listening to BB significantly reduced negative emotions (p < 0.001) and enhanced positive emotions (p < 0.001), while also improving cognitive performance. However, the effects of BB were gender-specific, with female students showing greater improvements in ‘happiness’ and ‘calmness,’ (p < 0.001), while males experienced more pronounced enhancements in cognitive performance (p < 0.001). Additionally, time-dependent effects of BB were also observed. Therefore, 40 Hz BB seems to be an effective tool for helping students manage their challenges calmly and more efficiently.

Burnout and sleep quality in sports managers

Sports managers have great responsibilities aimed at coordinating and directing the organization through the employed staff who will be given precise tasks, regardless of their hierarchical position. Perfectionism or unfulfilled expectations can influence employees’ subjective state, making them more or less vulnerable and prone to burnout. In the present study sleep quality and burnout dimensions (exhaustion and work disengagement) were addressed, in successful sports managers (n = 20), and, also, in the case of future managers (n = 23). The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and The ATHENS Insomnia Scale were used. For data analysis and processing independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney (U) test were performed. The results emphasized that female successful managers reported significantly poorer sleep quality and higher daytime sleepiness compared to male successful sports managers. Gender-related differences in terms of burnout dimensions were, also, discussed.

A higher mortality in men compared to women with heart failure in primary care and ejection fraction equal to or more than 40%

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe gender-related differences in characteristics and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients managed in primary care (PC). We included 1802 hF patients aged 77.5 ± 8.8 years (47% women) with ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 40% from the Swedish Heart Failure (SwedeHF) registry. The patients were divided by gender, and by heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF; EF 40–49%) or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; EF ≥ 50%). Men included in the study were younger (mean-age 76.4 vs 78.7 years, p < 0.0001) and showed a higher age-adjusted mortality (p < 0.0001). Men more often showed ischemic heart disease, 49% vs. 38% (p < 0.0001), atrial fibrillation, 56% vs. 50%, and diabetes, 25% vs. 17% (both p < 0.01). Women had higher blood pressure compared to men (p < 0.01), more commonly had kidney dysfunction (p < 0.01), and a worse functional capacity (p < 0.01). Cardiovascular diseases were the dominating causes of death in men and women (60% and 56%) but were less dominating in individuals with EF ≥ 50%, especially among women (56% in men vs. 46% in women). Among women with EF ≥ 50%, the mortality was dominated of mixed and unspecified diseases. Other important causes of death were cancer (15%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (13%). Men managed in PC with HF and EF ≥ 40% have a higher age-adjusted mortality than women. Cardiovascular disease is the dominating cause of death in both genders. Other frequent causes of death were malignant tumors and respiratory diseases, illustrating the need to carefully diagnose and treat all associated comorbidities.

Gender differences in reported potentially morally injurious events among post-9/11 U.S. combat veterans, using two measures.

Military experiences that violate one's sense of right and wrong (i.e., potentially morally injurious events [PMIEs]) may result in moral injury, characterized by shame, guilt, demoralization, self-condemnation, and social withdrawal. The objective of this study was to examine gender-related differences in the rate of reporting PMIEs. Secondary analyses were conducted on a previously collected longitudinal cohort study of postdeployment functioning among U.S. post-9/11 combat veterans in Central Texas (N = 406). As part of the parent study, participants completed two measures of PMIEs-the Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES; Nash et al., 2013) and the Moral Injury Questionnaire-Military Version (MIQ-M; Currier et al., 2015). Gender differences at the item response level were analyzed in a series of Bayesian multilevel item response theory models. The most frequently endorsed responses on both the MIES and MIQ-M for both men and women were never or strongly disagree. On the MIQ-M, more veteran men endorsed experiencing PMIEs to some degree. On the MIES, more veteran women endorsed strongly agree to betrayal items. Veteran men and women reported any PMIE occurring at relatively high rates. Gender differences at the item response level were found for most items on both the MIES and MIQ-M, albeit of small magnitude. Awareness of gender differences in the likelihood of experiencing a given PMIE may help inform clinical assessments and case conceptualizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Gender-related differences in clinical characteristics of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in our city

Abstract Background Female patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) tend to display a higher rate of heart failure as well as lower survival compared to male patients. Despite this, gender-related differences in the clinical characteristics of HCM patients remain unclear. Methods and Aim Consecutive HCM patients were prospectively enrolled at a tertiary referral center. The primary objective of this study was to investigate and emphasize gender differences in clinical characteristics including imaging and laboratory parameters. Results Between May 2018 and January 2024, a total of 301 HCM patients were included, of which 41.9% were female (n=125). Female patients were significantly older and more symptomatic than male counterparts (59 years [IQR 47-67] vs. 53 years [IQR 39-61], p=0.001; New York Heart Association functional class ³III: 28.8% vs. 17.6%, p=0.002, respectively). No significant differences in body mass index were found (28.4 kg/m² [IQR 24.9-31.6] vs. 28.4 kg/m² [IQR 25.9-31.8], p=0.8). With respect to echocardiographic parameters, although interventricular septal thickness was comparable (19.0 mm [IQR 16.0-22.0] vs. 19.5 mm [IQR 17.0-22.0], p=0.4) left atrial as well as right atrial volume index were higher in women (30.0 cm³/m² [IQR 27.0-35.0] vs. 27.0 cm³/m² [IQR 24.0-30.0], p&amp;lt;0.001; 27.1 cm³/m² [IQR 25.4-29.3] vs. 24.7 cm³/m² [IQR 22.5-28.2], p&amp;lt;0.001). These findings were further supported by elevated filling pressures in female patients reflected by E/e’ ratio (16 [IQR 14-22] vs. 10 [IQR 9-12], p&amp;lt;0.001). Moreover, these patients showed more frequent left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction (50% vs. 33%, p=0.029) which is accompanied by a slightly higher LV ejection fraction compared to men (69% [IQR 62-74] vs. 62% [IQR 55-67], p=0.004). In terms of cardiac biomarkers, female HCM patients presented with higher levels of serum N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (671 pg/ml [IQR 333-1613] vs. 357 pg/ml [IQR 115-959], p&amp;lt;0,001) as well as lower concentrations of serum creatinine (0.84 mg/dl [IQR 0.75-0.95] vs. 0.98 mg/dl [IQR 0.87-1.15], p&amp;lt;0.001) whereas no differences regarding high-sensitive troponin-T levels were observed. Conclusion This single-center analysis illustrates profound gender-related differences among HCM patients in Vienna. Female patients tend to present in a more advanced clinical status, rather reflecting the phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Whether these findings should prompt an early HCM diagnosis in female patients with unspecific symptoms, or may result in early treatment initiation of e.g. sodium-glucose-transporter 2 inhibitors, should be part of future research.

Gender-related differences in the timing of intervention for aortic stenosis: focus on cardiac damage

Abstract Background and aim: There is an increasing awareness of gender-related differences in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to assess whether cardiac damage prior to intervention for severe aortic stenosis (AS) differs according to gender. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of patients with AS who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a tertiary care center from 2017 to 2022. Echocardiographic parameters prior to surgery were collected, and patients were classified into categories of a cardiac damage staging system. (1) Several echocardiographic variables according to gender were evaluated. Results 869 patients were included, of which 350 underwent TAVR and 519 were treated with SAVR. Females represented 52.4% (n=272) of TAVR patients and 37.7% (n=132) of SAVR patients. In the echocardiogram performed before the intervention, both in the TAVR and the SAVR cohort, female patients had worse diastolic function (significantly higher values of E/e’), and greater involvement of pulmonary vasculature damage (significantly higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure and worse right ventricular-arterial coupling (Table-Figure 1). When applying an available cardiac damage staging system (1), we documented that women were treated at a statistically significant more advanced stage compared to men (Figure 2). Conclusions There are gender-related differences in the timing of aortic stenosis intervention, both with TAVR and SAVR. Women are operated on at a more advanced stage of cardiac damage, particularly regarding the parameters of diastolic function and right-side damage. These findings should be taken into account to improve intervention timing and outcomes, especially for women.Table-Figure 1Figure 2

Adenovirus-5 and adenovirus-37 seropositivity in obese patients.

Obesity is a major health issue linked to conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Infectobesity suggests that certain microorganisms may contribute to obesity. Human adenovirus serotypes, particularly Human adenovirus type-36 (HAdV-36), Human adenovirus type-5 (HAdV-5), and Human adenovirus type-37 (HAdV-37), are thought to influence body fat regulation. This study investigates the relationship between Immunoglobulin G (IgG) positivity for HAdV-5 and HAdV-37 and obesity, aiming to provide data on the infectious etiology of obesity. Blood samples separated into serums from obese (BMI ≥30) and non-obese (BMI 18.5-25) individuals were tested for HAdV-5 and HAdV-37 seropositivity using ELISA kits and seropositivity rates between the groups were compared. HAdV-37 antibody positivity was significantly higher in obese patients (39/48) compared to the control group (24/42) (p=0.011). For HAdV-5, antibody positivity was similar in both groups (26 individuals each) with no significant difference (p=0.461). No significant gender-related differences were found for either serotype. The study suggests HAdV-37 may be associated with obesity, while no such relationship was found for HAdV-5. There was no gender association for either serotype. These results align with existing literature on HAdV-37, but further research is needed to confirm the link between adenoviruses and obesity and explore potential treatment options.

Influence of gender and bruxism on the masseter muscle: A population-based magnetic resonance imaging study

This study aimed to (1) examine the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the masseter muscle in relation to bruxism and (2) investigate if there are gender-related differences in the masseter muscle in a population-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. The study included 720 subjects aged 30-89 years (391 women and 329 men) from the Study of Health in Pomerania, a cross-sectional population-based study assessing the prevalence and incidence of common population-relevant diseases and their risk factors in Northeastern Germany. The participants underwent both a whole-body MRI and a full oral examination. The CSAs of the masseter muscles on both sides were measured from MRI images. The presence or absence of awake and/or sleep grinding and clenching, unilateral chewing, and other parafunctional activities were obtained from the dental interview. Linear and ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between the CSAs of the masseter, bruxism, and gender. The frequency of bruxism and reports of muscle or joint pain were significantly higher in women. The analysis revealed that a larger masseter CSA was significantly associated with bruxism only in men. The larger CSA was manifested only in the higher frequency bruxers. Bruxism had heterogeneous effects on the masseter muscle between genders. Although a higher prevalence of bruxism was reported by women, the larger CSA of the masseter muscle was significantly higher in bruxing men but not in women. This study emphasizes the need for a gender-specific approach when evaluating the clinical implications of bruxism on the masseter muscle.

How Do Men Who Post Publicly on Social Media Author Themselves and Their Experiences of Crohn's Disease? A Dialogical Analysis of Three Cases.

Despite distinct sex- and gender-related differences in the presentation and manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD), little research to date has considered men's particular experiences. Whilst hegemonic masculine ideals have been reported to negatively impact men's mental and physical health, increasingly research has emphasized that men engage in a diverse range of practices, including those beneficial to health. One such practice is posting about their illness experiences on social media. The interactive nature of posting online means that a dialogical approach, based on a relational epistemology, is particularly useful. This study therefore asked: "How do men who post publicly on social media author themselves and their experiences of CD?" Three participants were recruited, all of whom had a diagnosis of CD, wrote a blog, and posted on other social networking sites (SNSs) about CD. Two resided in Canada and one in the United Kingdom. All were white. For each participant, 2years of multimodal social media data was downloaded. After screening, in-depth analysis was conducted using a dialogical approach focusing on three key dialogical concepts: genre, chronotope, and forms of authorship. The key findings emphasized the participants' different responses to the lack of predictability caused by CD and the different ways they used social media to gain a greater sense of control over their illness stories and identities, providing important insights into the interaction between masculine identities and illness. Finally, the potential deployment of such methods in future research and within therapeutic contexts was considered.

Anatomic Patterns of Distribution of the Renal Arteries' Origin from the Aorta

To characterize the variation of the renal arteries' origin from the aorta, through examination of computed-tomography angiographies (CTA) in a cohort of patients, and to evaluate any gender-related difference. CTA of the thoraco-abdominal district in patients with a non-dilated aorta (group A), patients with aortic aneurysm involving the origin of splanchnic and/or renal vessels (group B), and patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (group C), were retrospectively analyzed. The diameter and angles of emergence (axial and cranio-caudals) of the renal arteries were measured, as well as their mutual distance, and the distance between the renal vessels and the superior mesenteric artery/the aortic bifurcation. Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA and bivariate Pearson's Correlation tests were performed as appropriate. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Six-hundred CTA of patients (452 males) were examined, being 286 in group A, 119 in group B, and 195 in group C. When examining the whole population and also the subgroup of female patients, the clock position of the right renal artery (RRA) was the only parameter that followed a Gaussian distribution, and its ostium raised from the aorta with a mean axial angle of -61.5°+16.6°. There was a negative correlation between left renal artery (LRA) and RRA's coronal angle and aortic diameter at the same level, as well as between the LRA's clock position and the aortic diameter at the same level. The longitudinal distances between established landmarks and both renal arteries positively correlated to the aortic diameter. The LRA showed a high anatomic variability, both in males and in females. With the increase of the aortic diameters in the juxtarenal/infrarenal portion of the aorta, the renal vessels tended to have a more horizontal course in the coronal view, a more acute "clock-position" and longer longitudinal distances between their ostia and the aortic bifurcation.

Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Diffusion-weighted Imaging in the Evaluation of Supratentorial Brain Tumours with Histopathology Correlation at a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Abstract Background: Traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may face challenges in accurately discerning supratentorial malignancies. However, advanced techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) have significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of these non-invasive diagnostic methods in patients with suspected intracranial lesions. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study at Osmania General and Allied Hospitals, 40 eligible patients were enrolled. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, MRI examinations were conducted at two hospitals utilising GE 1.5T and PHILIPS 1.5T 32-channel machines. Standardised brain sequences, encompassing T1- and T2-weighted scans, DWI, gradient-recalled echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging, were systematically performed. In addition, post-contrast administration and contrast-enhanced MRS were employed. Results: In this study, a higher tumour incidence was observed in males (52%) compared to females (48%). The choline/creatine (CHO/Cr) ratio revealed more cases below 1.5 and fewer at the 3.1–3.5 level. Perilesional CHO/Cr ratio had the highest cases (21) at 1.1–2.0 and the lowest (2) at 3.1–4.0. Further analysis revealed significant differences in the mean CHO/Cr ratio amongst primary low-grade (1.8), primary high-grade (3.91) and metastatic tumours (7.23). The mean choline/N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) ratio also differed significantly amongst these tumour types, with choline/NAA and CHO/Cr ratios indicating statistical significance in distinguishing primary low-grade tumours. In addition, mean apparent diffusion coefficient values showed significant differences between primary low-grade tumours (1.1), primary high-grade tumours (0.87) and metastasis (0.855). Conclusion: This study underscores gender-related differences in supratentorial tumour susceptibility and highlights distinct tumour distributions based on grades. These findings emphasise the significance of considering gender, age and histopathological attributes when evaluating supratentorial tumours.

Sex Disparity in the Canal-to-Body Ratio of the Cervical Spine Indicating the Prevalence of Cervical Myelopathy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background A narrow spinal canal and large vertebral body have been thought to be risk factors for cervical myelopathy. It is generally known that males are more likely to develop cervical myelopathy than females. Thus, sex is also a factor that contributes to myelopathy. The anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the cervical spinal canal is well-established as a primary factor of myelopathy. Objective To investigate the sex discrepancy in the canal-to-body ratio of the cervical spine on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 59 males and 59 females, all aged between 20 and 40 years. Morphological parameters, including height, AP diameter of the vertebral body, and AP diameter of the spinal canal, were measured on sagittal T2-weighted MRI cervical spine images for each participant. The canal-to-body ratio, obtained by dividing the spinal canal's AP diameter by the vertebral body's AP diameter, served as a key metric. The average canal-to-body ratio values compared between male and female groups at each spinal level (C3–C7) elucidate potential gender-related differences. Results The height and the AP diameter of the vertebral body were larger in males than in females throughout C3–C7. There was a statistically significant difference between males and females. The AP diameter of the spinal canal was similar for both genders, with no statistically significant difference between them. The mean canal-to-body ratio was significantly larger in females than in males, with a statistically significant difference between males and females at each spinal level. Conclusion Females had a larger canal-to-body ratio, and men had a significantly lower one. The canal-to-body ratio method was thought to be superior to the absolute value of the AP diameter of the spinal canal for the diagnosis of canal stenosis.

Developmental Aspects of Greek Vowel Reduction in Different Prosodic Positions

This study investigates the development of Greek vowel reduction across different prosodic positions (stressed, pre-stressed, post-stressed), examining normative data from 72 participants aged 3 years to adulthood and balanced for gender. Participants performed a delayed repetition task, producing real trisyllabic words with the vowels [i, ε, ɐ, o, u] examined in the second syllable. Measurements included relative vowel duration, normalized acoustic vowel space areas, and Euclidean distances of vowels from the centroid of the acoustic space. Our findings show that changes in speech motor control, system stiffness, and stress marking with age, along with children’s prosody sensitivity, contributed to several developmental milestones: the completion of the developmental trajectory of relative vowel duration and temporal vowel reduction at early adolescence; the attainment of adult-like spatial vowel characteristics and their reduction at preschool age; and the early acquisition of the prosodic strength of the stress conditions, leading to vowel reduction from the stressed to pre-stressed to post-stressed conditions. The correlation strength between temporal and spatial vowel reduction across ages revealed age-related differences in spatiotemporal speech organization, with significant gender-related differences observed only in vowel space areas, where females exhibited larger areas possibly related to sociophonetic factors. Intrinsic vowel duration appeared from age 3.

Emotion regulation motives in adolescence shape regulatory strategy use.

Emotion regulation (ER) motives (i.e., the reasons individuals regulate their emotions) are key factors influencing the development of adolescents' ER abilities. However, age- and gender-related trends in adolescents' ER motives, as well as their impact on the use of ER strategies, remain unclear. We recruited 5629 participants from two schools in Southwest China (M = 15.18, SD = 1.73; 45.11% male) to complete the Emotion Regulation Goals Scale and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Linear and polynomial regression analyses were conducted to examine age- and gender-related differences in ER motive patterns. We then tested whether different patterns of ER motives were also associated with participants' habitual use of two common ER strategies. This study revealed nonlinear and diverse age-related differences in adolescents' contra-hedonic and pro-social motives, with notable fluctuations in contra-hedonic motives. Boys exhibited higher levels of contra-hedonic motives, while girls showed higher levels of performance motives. Moreover, ER motives were significantly and broadly associated with individuals' habitual use of reappraisal and suppression. More specifically, pro-hedonic motives were associated with greater use of reappraisal, while contra-hedonic motives were linked to higher levels of suppression. Furthermore, instrumental motives (i.e., performance, pro-social, and impression management) were positively related to both reappraisal and suppression. These findings enhance our understanding of how adolescents' ER motives vary by age and gender, as well as the crucial role different ER motives play in shaping patterns of ER strategy use.

7555 Gender-Related Differences in Outcomes of Patients With Diabetic Ketoacidosis: An Analysis of the National Readmission Database

Abstract Disclosure: E. Ahsan: None. C. Lesniak: None. M. Akula: None. K. Hu: None. K. Chalasani: None. R. Ong: None. S. Holland: None. M. Hossain: None. J. Cheng: None. J. Heaton: None. Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), one of the most serious complications of diabetes, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Hospitalizations for DKA have increased significantly over the past two decades. Despite this, there is a notable absence of data on gender-related variations in the clinical characteristics and outcomes of individuals hospitalized with DKA. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for optimizing disease prevention and care. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to explore whether gender influences the outcomes of DKA. Methodology: We analyzed the National Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2020 by evaluating patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of DKA without coma. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years old and admitted between January and November. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were stratified by sex. The groups were assessed for 30-day readmissions, all causes of mortality, length of stay, and total cost. Descriptive statistics, Cox proportional hazards, and adjusted Wald tests were used to compare the groups. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, 642,431 patients met the inclusion criteria with a median age of 44, of which 46.5% were female and 53.5% were male. Early readmission occurred in 33,639.20 females and 31,101.92 males. Cox regression analysis showed a significant difference in readmission risk for female patients than males (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.17-1.22, P = &amp;lt;0.001). The length of stay was higher in male patients than in female patients (adjusted Wald test, P =&amp;lt;0.001). Inpatient mortality was higher in females than in males (Cox regression analysis, P = 0.009). Total cost was higher in males compared to females (adjusted Wald test, P = &amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion: Regrettably, the majority of studies on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) have not given due attention to gender differences. Our study, however, reveals statistically significant variations in in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates between men and women hospitalized with DKA, with women exhibiting higher rates than men. Additionally, the length of stay and total cost were found to be higher for men. To comprehend the underlying reasons for these distinctions, further investigations are warranted. Early introduction and intensification of insulin therapy may prove beneficial for this patient group in mitigating the risk of DKA and other complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Evaluation of health-related quality of life and adherence among pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients receiving either Bedaquiline or Delamanid regimen at a teaching hospital in Eastern India

ABSTRACT Background: The foremost concern and challenge in managing drug-resistant tuberculosis is ensuring a high health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The effectiveness of pre-extensively drug-resistant (Pre-XDR) tuberculosis management hinges on patients adhering to therapy, a crucial factor in averting the development of drug-resistant strains, ultimately enhancing HRQoL. Methodology: This analytical longitudinal study spanned two years at a teaching hospital and involved collaboration between the Departments of Pharmacology and Pulmonary Medicine. A case record form was utilized to gather baseline data, encompassing patient demographics, medication details, WHO BREF HRQoL scores, and treatment adherence. Patients were classified as either adherent or nonadherent using three distinct criteria: the guidelines of the Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP), the Morisky-Green-Levine Scale (MGLS), and the Batalla test. The sample size was determined based on 30% nonadherence rates from preliminary analysis of prior data, resulting in 86 patients included in the study. The association between the improvement of HRQoL score from the baseline with the predictor variables was assessed with a linear regression model. Comparison of nonadherence with the different predictors of the study population was assessed with binary logistic regression model. Results: Analysis of demographic data revealed no notable differences in age and BMI between the Bedaquiline and Delamanid groups. However, there was a gender-related difference in treatment distribution, with more men in the Bedaquiline group. Other factors, such as marital status, socioeconomic status, employment status, stigma/discrimination, comorbidity, and addiction, showed no significant differences between the groups. Comparing HRQoL scores at baseline and after six months showed substantial improvements in all domains, indicating a positive impact of the treatment. Linear regression analysis revealed a strong association between QoL improvement and adherence. Adherence patterns did not significantly differ between the two treatment groups, as assessed by various criteria. The patients with high stigma, newly diagnosed Pre-XDR cases, and the presence of adverse events had higher odds of nonadherence. Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial impact of Bedaquiline and Delamanid treatment on the HRQoL of Pre-XDR TB patients in Eastern India. Adherence to treatment plays a crucial role in improving QoL, and factors like stigma, newly diagnosed Pre-XDR patients, and adverse drug reactions influence adherence adversely. The findings emphasize the importance of patient support and education to enhance treatment outcomes.

Assessing diastolic function using CMR as an alternative to echocardiography: age- and gender-related normal reference values.

Impaired diastolic function is associated with a variety of diseases such as myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy. Currently, echocardiography is the standard method for assessing diastolic function. Recently, it has been postulated that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is an at least equivalent or superior alternative to echocardiography. To assess CMR-based age- and gender-dependent diastolic functional normal reference values, pulmonary venous and transmitral blood-flow parameters were examined in heart-healthy test persons. Flow-sensitive phase-contrast CMR imaging was performed in the right upper pulmonary vein (RUPV) and at the level of the mitral valve (MV) in 183 healthy subjects (age 10-70years; 97 women, 86 men). The data wasdistributed as evenly as possible across all groups. Strong age-dependence was observed for PV S/D; r = 0.718, p < 0.001 (Pearson product-moment correlation) and for transmitral MV E/A; ρ = -0.736, p < 0.001 (Spearman's Rho correlation). Moderate age-dependence was found for PV slope D-wave; r = 0.394, p < 0.001. Except for MV slope E-wave (male -292cm/s2 interquartile range (IQR) {-338; -243} vs. female -319 ± 82cm/s2; p = 0.047), no gender-related differences were observed. In a subgroup (N = 100), CMR data were compared with echocardiographic data. Strong correlation was found between CMR and echocardiography for PV S/D; r = 0.545, p < 0.001 and MV E/A; ρ = 0.692, p < 0.001. Diastolic functional parameters change with age, while gender-differences are small. CMR and echocardiography showed similar PV S/D and MV E/A ratios, making CMR a promising alternative for assessing diastolic function.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity: Are There Gender-Related Differences?

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity: Are There Gender-Related Differences?

Item response theory analysis of the Chinese version compulsive shopping scale

Compulsive shopping, a behavioral disorder with significant personal and social repercussions, necessitates reliable assessment tools, especially within different cultural contexts. While several scales exist to measure compulsive buying behavior, there is a lack of validated instruments tailored to the Chinese population. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Compulsive Shopping Scale (CSS) using Item Response Theory (IRT). A total of 637 young healthy participants (42.5 % males and 57.5 % females), with a mean age of 21.32 years (SD = 2.06), both undergraduate and postgraduate students, were recruited from various cities in China. Sixty-four participants were retested after a two-week interval to assess test-retest reliability. The results indicated that a one-dimensional factor structure was appropriate. The reliability analyses, including test-retest reliability, ω, α, and λ6 tests, demonstrated good internal consistency. The rating scale model analysis showed infit and outfit MNSQ values between 0.6 and 1.4, indicating a good fit. The item information curve and test information curve indicated a normal distribution of scores. Differential item functioning was observed in two items, suggesting potential gender-related differences. These findings indicate that the Chinese version of the CSS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring compulsive shopping behaviors in Chinese populations.

The Impact of Frailty and Gender Differences on Hospitalization and Complications in Proximal Femoral Pathological Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Frailty associated with aging increases the risk of falls, disability, and death. The aim of this study is to explore gender-related disparities in the survival outcomes of pathological femoral fractures in older frail patients, while analyzing potential specific prognostic factors. This study is a retrospective observational analysis conducted at a single medical center. It enrolled all patients aged 65 and above who were admitted to our emergency department between 2016 and 2020 with a diagnosis of pathological femur fracture requiring surgical intervention. The primary study endpoint was evaluating gender-related differences in survival outcomes. The secondary endpoint involves investigating gender-specific prognostic factors through the analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters. The average Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was slightly lower in men, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.53). The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) showed similar results, with men and women 5.23 (SD 1.46), also not significant (p = 0.83). An evaluation comparing patients aged 75 years or younger to those older than 75 years found significant differences in health metrics. The average CCI was higher in the over 75 group compared to the under 75 group, with a p-value of 0.001. Similarly, the CFS average was also greater in the over 75 group than in the under 75 group, with a p-value of 0.0001. Complications were more frequent in patients over 75 and those with lower educational qualifications. The evaluation analyzed cardiac patients compared to a control group, revealing that the average age of cardiac patients was 75.22 years, while the control group was younger at 73.98 years (p = 0.5119). The CCI for cardiac patients averaged 6.53, significantly higher than 4.43 for non-cardiac patients (p = 0.0003). Frailty assessment is therefore essential in patients with pathological fracture of the proximal femur and is an important predictor of both gender differences and hospital complications. Enhancing gender analysis in this field is crucial to gather more robust evidence and deeper comprehension of potential sex- and gender-based disparities.