Higher Frequency In Females Research Articles

Reproduction of saguiru Steindachnerina elegans (Steindachner, 1874) (Pisces: Curimatidae) in the São Francisco River, downstream from a large reservoir in south-eastern Brazil.

The gametogenesis and reproduction of S. elegans from the São Francisco River at Três Marias, Minas Gerais, were analyzed in this study. Steindachrina elegans is a species abundant in the São Francisco River basin and an important fish in the food chain. The size at first gonadal maturation (indicated by the total length of the shortest spermatid male and spawned female) was 10.5 cm and 15.0 cm, respectively. Reproduction occurred more frequently from September to April. This period had high water temperature values. A high frequency of females was observed at the mature and spawned stages and height gonadosomatic index (GSI). Meanwhile, in males, the reproductive peak was from November to February. The long spawning period and the histological characteristics of the spawned ovaries that contained oocytes at different stages of development along with post-ovulatory and atretic oocytes indicates that the spawning of S. elegans is of the partial type.

Gender differences in the microbial spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of uropathogens isolated from patients with urinary stones.

PurposeThe characteristics and resistance patterns of urine bacteriology urolithiasis patients between male and female have not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate the gender differences in microbial spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogens isolated from urolithiasis patients and provide insights for appropriate antimicrobial therapies.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical microbiology data from urine culture in urolithiasis patients between March 2014 and December 2018 in Xiangya Hospital. Then the patients were divided into male and female groups. The microbial spectrum and frequency of susceptibility to antibiotics were compared.ResultsA total of 359 uropathogen isolates were collected from 335 patients, including 144 males (43.0%) and 191 females (57.0%). E. coli dominated in both groups, indicating higher frequency in females (53.2%) than in males (26.6%, p < 0.001), followed by E. faecalis, with higher frequency in males (15.6%) than in females (2.9%, p < 0.001). Major Gram‐negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria showed high sensitivity to cefoperazone/sulbactam, cefotetan, piperacillin/ tazobactam, and amikacin. In contrast, the resistance level was high to penicillin, tetracycline, and vancomycin in both groups. Gram‐positive (E. faecalis and E. faecium) isolates demonstrated high sensitivity to gentamicin and vancomycin in both groups. Furthermore, uropathogens isolated from female urolithiasis patients were more susceptible to antimicrobials than males.ConclusionsUropathogen microbial spectrum in female urolithiasis patients is different from males. High susceptibility antibiotics should be used empirically according to gender to avoid multidrug‐resistant bacteria increase.

Frequent EGFR Mutations and Better Prognosis in Positron Emission Tomography-Negative, Solid-Type Lung Cancer

BackgroundThe differential diagnosis of a solitary solid-type lung nodule is diverse. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) has a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of solid-type lung cancers; however, PET-negative, solid-type lung cancers are rarely observed. In this study, we analyzed the clinical/genetic features and prognosis of PET-negative, solid-type lung cancers. Patients and MethodsBetween January 2007 and February 2020, 709 patients with solid-type lung cancers (tumor size ≥2.0 cm) underwent pulmonary resection. Clinical, genetic, and prognostic features were evaluated in 27 patients (3.8%) with tumors showing negative PET results defined as SUVmax <2.0. ResultsAll 27 patients had lung adenocarcinoma; 23 had invasive adenocarcinomas and 4 had invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas. The PET-negative group showed high frequencies of females and never-smokers. Recurrence-free survival was significantly better in the PET-negative group compared with PET-positive counterparts extracted using propensity score matching from patients who underwent pulmonary resection during the same period (P = .0052). Furthermore, 83% of PET-negative, solid-type invasive lung adenocarcinoma patients harbored EGFR mutation, which was significantly higher than that of PET-positive, solid-type invasive lung adenocarcinoma patients (38%, n = 225) who received EGFR mutation testing in our cohort (P < .0001). PET-negative, solid-type lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations had significantly better recurrence-free survival compared with PET-positive, solid-type lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations extracted using propensity score matching (P = .0030). ConclusionPET-negative, solid-type lung cancers are characterized with a high incidence of EGFR mutation and a better prognosis compared with PET-positive, solid-type lung cancer.

Insomnia episodes, new-onset pharmacological treatments, and other sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Brazilian health care professionals.

To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on insomnia and other sleep disturbances in health care professionals. A survey was distributed using social media and organizational emails to Brazilian active health care professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak. We explored potential associated factors including age, sex, occupation, workplace, work hours, income, previous infection with COVID-19, recent/current contact with COVID-19 patients, regional number of incident deaths, anxiety, and burnout. We evaluated new-onset/previous insomnia worsening episodes (primary outcome), new pharmacological treatments, sleep quality, duration, nightmares, and snoring (secondary outcomes). A total of 4,384 health professionals from all regions of the country were included in the analysis (44 ± 12 years, 76% females, 53.8% physicians). Overall, 55.7% were assisting patients with COVID-19, and 9.2% had a previous COVID-19 infection. The primary outcome occurred in 32.9% of respondents in parallel to 13% new pharmacological treatments for insomnia. The sleep quality worsened for 61.4%, while 43.5% and 22.8% reported ≥ 1-hour sleep duration reduction and worsening or new-onset nightmares, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.008; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.001-1.015), females (OR: 1.590; 95% CI 1.335-1.900), weight change (decrease: OR: 1.772; 95% CI 1.453-2.161; increase: OR: 1.468; 95% CI 1.249-1.728), prevalent anxiety (OR: 3.414; 95% CI 2.954-3.948), new-onset burnout (OR: 1.761; 95% CI 1.489-2.083), family income reduction > 30% (OR: 1.288; 95% CI 1.069-1.553), and assisting patients with COVID-19 (OR: 1.275; 95% CI 1.081-1.506) were independently associated with new-onset or worsening of previous insomnia episodes. We observed a huge burden of insomnia episodes and other sleep disturbances in health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drager LF, Pachito DV, Moreno CRC, etal. Insomnia episodes, new-onset pharmacological treatments, and other sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Brazilian health care professionals. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):373-382.

Frequency and Determinants of Olfactory Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background: Olfactory dysfunctions and hallucinations are considered common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Visual and auditory hallucinations are well-known; however, olfactory hallucinations (OHs) are not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate OHs in PD patients, and their correlation to motor impairment, cognitive abilities, visual and auditory hallucinations, and olfactory and gustatory function. Methods: A sample of 273 patients was enrolled: 141 PD patients (mean age ± SD: 70.1 ± 9.5 years) and 132 healthy controls (mean age ± SD: 69.4 ± 9.6 years). In all patients, the following parameters were evaluated: motor symptoms (UPDRS-III), olfactory function, cognitive abilities, and occurrence of OH, gustatory hallucinations (GHs), and visual/auditory hallucinations. Results: OHs were found only in PD patients with a percentage of 11.3%. Among PD patients with OHs, 2.8% also presented GHs. High significant frequencies of females, the presence of visual/auditory hallucinations, and a high mean UPDRS-III score were found in patients with OHs related to patients without them. Binary logistic regression evidenced the presence of visual/auditory hallucinations and sex as main variables predicting the presence of OHs. Conclusions: Our data indicated that OHs occur frequently in PD patients, especially in women, and often concomitant with visual and auditory hallucinations, without any association with olfactory impairment.

Statistical Analysis of Patients Attending the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at DaeJeon Korean Medicine Hospital: from March 2015 to February 2020

Background: This study was designed to statistically analyze the year, gender, age, insurance type, and condition/disease of patients who were admitted to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at DaeJeon Korean Medicine Hospital over a 5-year period (2015-2020).Methods: Patients who visited the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at DaeJeon Korean Medicine Hospital were classified according to year, gender, age, insurance type, and condition/disease. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 23.0.Results: There is an increasing number of patients attending the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine year-on-year over the 5-year period, with a higher frequency of females than males each year. The largest age groups represented in these patients were those aged in their 50s, followed by those aged in their 40s, and 60s. Furthermore, the number of patients using health insurance was greater than those using automobile insurance each year. Of the 5,061 patients, the most common group was the patients (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 991) who reported sprain and strain of cervical spine, followed by lumbar spine, lumbar herniation of the intervertebral disc, and facial paralysis.Conclusion: The number of patients seeking traditional Korean medicine treatment continues to increase, particularly in the 40s to 60s age group, with a larger proportion using health insurance and sprain or strain of the cervical spine. The results of this study may be used as a local (Daejeon) reference to develop Korean medicine policies, such as setting up medical benefits for patients using Korean medicine hospitals.

DIABETESvid: Web survey methods for diabetes self-care and resilience in the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

AimTo describe Brazilian web survey methods termed DIABETESvid by assessing the diabetic individuals’ self-care practices and their resilience in the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study on data collected from web surveys in the period between 1st September and 19th October 2020, in which socio-demographic, clinical, self-care and resilience variables were investigated. A questionnaire was elaborated and implemented by using the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. ResultsA total of 1,633 participants were eligible for this study, with a higher frequency of females, 46.5% being aged between 18 and 39 years old, 40.9% being diagnosed with diabetes within 1 to 10 years and all having high level of education. Most of the participants was living in south-eastern Brazil, self-reported type 1 diabetes mellitus and had access to the survey link on WhatsApp. In this 7-week study, it was evidenced that the survey response rate was higher in the first week (38.5%) and number of accesses were increased on Thursdays (20.2%) and in the night (40.2%). ConclusionThe method used here can be useful as a baseline for future web surveys involving diabetic individuals so that several analyses can be conducted in the clinical care and academic contexts.

Prevalence, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies of DVT cases in Al-Madinah province

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common disease and is defined as the development of a blood clot in the major deep veins in the body, which might result in impaired venous blood flow, leg swelling, and pain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis, its risk factors, and therapeutic strategies among adult patients in Al-Madinah province. Methods: This analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to August 2020 and included all DVT cases in Al-Madinah governmental hospitals and those recorded from medical records and online questionnaire which was delivered by social media to Al-Madinah residence. Results: Out of 1,397 participants, 385 patients had DVT with a prevalence of 27.56%, including 65.2% of females and 34.8% of males. The most affected age was 40 years and older. Among the evaluated risk factors, immobility/long distance traveling was the most common risk factor (15.8%). Smoking showed a significant gender difference (p = 0.001) in males when compared to females, and the oral antithrombotic medications were the most used therapeutic strategy. Conclusion: It was found that DVT is a common disease in Al-Madinah with a higher prevalence (27.56%) compared to the worldwide 1/1,000 population every year, with a higher frequency in females than males. In Al-Madinah province, the immobility is considered to be the most common contributing risk factor in developing DVT.

Sexual and ontogenetic structures of gynodioecious Geranium pseudosibiricum J. Mayer (Geraniaceae) in Altai Mountains

Geranium pseudosibiricum J. Mayer. is a gynodioecious North and Central Asian species. The study was conducted in a grass meadow on the edge of larch forest in the Altai Republic. The aim was to study the sexual and ontogenetic structures of the coenopopulation of G. pseudosibiricum. The generative individual consists of shoots of only one sexual form: hermaphrodite with bisexual flowers and female with pistillate flowers. There are significant differences in the length of corolla: the length of bisexual flowers is 12.2 ± 0.29 mm, pistillate flowers 6.7 ± 0.19 mm. The bisexual flower has well-developed stamens and anthers; the pistillate flower has stamens with underdeveloped anthers. There are no significant differences between hermaphrodite and female individuals in the number of generative shoots and the number of flowers per individual. The ontogenetic structure of the coenopopulation of G. pseudosibiricum is dominated by pregenerative individuals − 53%. Good seed germination contributes to maintenance of sexual structure of the coenopopulation. The female frequency is 55% of the total number of generative plants. The detected morphological differences between bisexual and pistillate flowers and the high female frequency may indicate a high degree of sexual differentiation of G. pseudosibiricum.

Familial hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease in older individuals

Background and aimsFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by high LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). With a lipid lowering therapy (LLT), most individuals with FH may have a longer ASCVD-free survival. However, there is scant data about older individuals with FH. MethodsWe compared characteristics of genetically defined FH older individuals with age-matched non-FH counterparts. ResultsFrom 4111 genotyped individuals, 462 older than 60 years were included (198 positive and 264 negative for FH variants). There were no differences regarding median age [%25; 75%] 66.0 (62.0; 71.0) and 66.0 (62.2; 71.0) years, p = 0.68 for FH and non-FH, respectively. In both groups, there was a higher frequency of females, however, there were more males in the FH group 37.4% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.002. No differences were seen between FH and non-FH in LLT use: 88.5% vs. 91.5%, p = 0.29. Despite a longer LLT duration in FH patients (with 11.0 (7.0; 20.0) vs. 7.0 (3.0; 13.0) years, p < 0.001), treatment was started late in both groups: at 54.0 (47.0; 61.0) and 59.0 (52.0; 64.0) years, p < 0.001, in FH and non-FH, respectively. FH had greater frequencies of previous and early ASCVD (40.9% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.002, and 22.2% vs. 9.0%, p < 0.001). In FH, male sex [HR (95%CI)] 2.67 (1.50–4.73), p = 0.001, and LLT onset age 0.96 (0.93–0.99), p = 0.009, were independently associated with ASCVD. ConclusionsAmong hypercholesterolemic older individuals participating in a cascade screening program, the genetic diagnosis of FH was associated with higher ASCVD rates, emphasizing the relevance of a monogenic defect as the cause of long-lasting hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD risk, particularly in men.

363 Meat Quality Matters: Trends and Mitigation Strategies for Muscle Myopathies in the Broiler Meat Industry

Abstract Broiler breast myopathies, including woody breast (WB), white striping (WS), and spaghetti breast (SB), negatively impact the industry. Broiler breast myopathy trends show that myopathies generally increase as the birds get older and larger, and they also increase as breast yield increases to higher levels. Gender can have some impact on myopathies, as males tend to have a higher frequency of WB and females have a higher frequency of SB. Mitigation strategies in both plant and live production are needed. In the short term, it is possible to sort carcasses/fillets manually in processing plants and technology is being developed to detect these issues automatically. These online methods may include image analysis of carcass/fillet shape or dimension features, or evaluating compression force to determine hardness. Fillets determined to be severe for these defects may be diverted into products such as comminuted ones, that are less impacted by appearance or reduced functionality relative to whole fillets. In live production, evaluating strategies to slow down growth rate overall (e.g. management or nutrition), or at strategic times, may be worth investigating, though this would be a short-term mitigation strategy. In the long term, strategies should focus on genetic programs. Breeder companies have always been committed in producing exceptional products. A multitude of methods for early detection of myopathies have tested over the years. Currently, innovative techniques centered around machine learning and more structured breeding programs have been leading the way in further improving meat quality without sacrificing yield. These and other intriguing approaches centralizing on the live bird will drive a positive trend in the quality and quantity of protein produced in the broiler industry.

Resiliência, capacidade funcional e apoio social de pessoas com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico

Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre a resiliência, a capacidade funcional e o apoio social de pessoas com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com 108 indivíduos com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico, cadastrados em Unidades de Saúde da Família, do município de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Escala de Resiliência, Índice de Barthel e Escala de Apoio Social. Para análise, utilizou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: Houve maior frequência do sexo feminino (57,4%), 60 anos ou mais (59,2%), com companheiro (47,2%) e cuidador (76,6%). Os participantes apresentaram mais frequentemente o nível de resiliência moderada (64,8%), dependência funcional (93,6%) para realização das atividades diárias e médio apoio social (48,2%). Foi verificado que quanto maior a capacidade funcional e o apoio social, maior a resiliência. Conclusão: A capacidade funcional e o apoio social são preditores da resiliência de pessoas com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico.

Does gender differences have a role in determining sleep quality in Parkinson's disease?

Sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD) are common. Non -motor symptoms including sleep disturbance have gender difference in PD. The objective is to determine gender differences in PD in relation to the sleep quality. 156 patients with PD with males (n = 119) and females (n = 37) were included. The sleep quality and sleep disturbances were assessed using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS). Females with PD had higher frequency with insomnia (56.7%) as compared to males with PD (44.5%) (p = 0.05), nightmares (32.4%) as compared to males with PD (16.8%) (p = 0.04), greater PSQI component score of habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.008), sleep disturbance (p = 0.03) and daytime dysfunction (p = 0.02), greater global PSQI score (p = 0.03), higher percentage of patients with global PSQI score > 5 (64.8%) than males with PD (41.1%) (p = 0.01), suggesting poor quality of sleep in females with PD. Higher total ESS score (p = 0.03), higher frequency of females with PD with total ESS score > 10 (45.9%) than in males with PD (26.9%) (p = 0.02), and lower total PDSS score (p = 0.009). On correlation analysis, the global PSQI score in females with PD had strong positive correlation with duration of PD, HAM-A and HAM-D scores and negative correlation with MMSE scores. Females with PD had a poor sleep quality with higher frequency of insomnia, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness. The longer duration of PD, higher scores of anxiety and depression scale and lower MMSE scores are associated with poor sleep quality in females with PD.

Reproductive biology and female frequencies of two co-occurring gynodioecious Thymus species

Gynodioecy, the co-occurrence of female and hermaphrodite plants in the same population is relatively common in the genus Thymus, where a high and variable female frequency has been reported in several species, populations and years. In most gynodioecious species, female plants produce more and/or better seeds than hermaphrodite plants, facilitating female maintenance in natural populations. Thymus × arundanus and T. granatensis are two sympatric gynodioecious species that inhabit the region of Andalucia, Spain. Here we studied reproductive components in two different years (1987 and 2016) as flower number, fruit-set, seed number and seed mass, and their possible relation to female frequencies in those years in natural populations of both species. In T. × arundanus, mean female frequency (59%) was ten times higher than that of T. granatensis (5%). Female frequency was relatively constant in T. × arundanus after almost 15 years (1987–2016), and in T. granatensis low female frequencies were observed (0–5%) with the exception of one population (18%). However, reproductive components were variable among species, years and genders, showing no consistent female fertility advantage. High female frequencies in T. × arundanus are not likely to be maintained by female fertility advantage but stochastic and pleiotropic effects on sex determination may play a relevant role in sex ratio variation in the studied populations of both species.

Coexistence of Hermaphrodites and Males in Androgenetic Clam Corbicula fluminea Müller in Shirakawa River, Kyoto, Japan

Sex, maturity, and the incidence of males in a population of hermaphroditic Corbicula fluminea Muller from Shirakawa River, Kyoto, Japan, are reported. Two shell color types (yellow and green) of this species are recognized. High frequencies of females (63.3% yellow and 58.5% green) are represented among individuals in this population. Histological examination of gonads and measurements of shell length suggest this species first matures as a female before commencing spermatogenesis (i.e., it is a protogynous simultaneous hermaphrodite). Low frequencies of males (mostly less than 5%), the testes of which are filled with spermatozoa, are reported; no histological evidence for any change from males to hermaphrodites, or hermaphrodites to males, is found. Requirements for maintaining males, and for their successful reproduction in self-compatible hermaphrodite populations, are proposed as follows: (1) the protogynous nature of the hermaphrodite, (2) low self-fertilization rates of hermaphrodites, (3) more spermatozoa and greater survival of males than hermaphrodites, and (4) high population densities, ensuring males and hermaphrodites are in close proximity.

Cross–Sectional Descriptive Study: Risk Factors of Urinary Tract infection in hospitalized Patients Under the age of 5 in hospital humanitario Pablo Jaramillo, Cuenca 2014 - 2015

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is the colonization and microbial replication along the urinary tract, it is a frequent cause for seeking medical attention. Its clinical presentation is often nonspecific and represents a risk of permanent kidney damage, which is higher as younger is the patient. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of known risk factors for urinary tract infection in hospitalized patients under the age of 5 years and older than a month of age. METhODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 68 patients with diagnosis of urinary tract infection (confirmed by urine culture), hospitalized at the Pediatrics department of Hospital Hu-manitario Pablo Jaramillo from January 2014 to December 2015. We measured the prevalence of the known risk factors for urinary tract infection. Data was collected in a form with the information obtained from the medical records and analyzed in SPSS V 20. Possible associations between the variables was evaluated with the Chi square test. RESUlTS: 67.6% of the sample were women and 32.4% were men. The age group with the highest prevalence of UTI was the group under 12 months (80.9%), with a higher frequency in females in all age groups. Among the risk factors, the maternal background of urinary infection represented 13.3%. Ve-sico-ureteral reflux represented 7.2% and hydronephrosis 8.8%. Phimosis was predominant in children under 12 months (11.7% of the total sample). The prolonged use of the diaper corresponded to 36.7 %. 5.9% of the patients with UTI presented constipation. CONClUSiON: UTIs are a frequent infectious disease in children under 5, with different distribution ac-cording to age and sex. The age group more frequently affected was the group under 12 months of age, and it was higher on women. Prolonged used of diaper (higher than 8 hours) was the most frequent risk factor in this study, and we found statistical significant association between this two variables. KEyWORDS: URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, RISK FACTORS, CHILD, HOSPITALIZED, HYDRONEPHROSIS, PHYMOSIS, DIAPERS.

Spatial distribution of equine seroreagent to Leptospira spp. in Northeastern Brazil

Considering the importance of leptospirosis in both equine husbandry and public health, as well as the relevance of knowledge of current serogroup and the small number of studies addressing this disease in equines in Northeastern Brazil, the present study performed a serological survey of Leptospira spp. in a serum bank of 1,267 equines originating from 177 municipalities, located in four states in Northeastern Brazil: Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used for diagnosis of leptospirosis using 24 serovars as antigens. The frequency of reagent equines was 29.7% (376/1,267), and 68.9% (122/177) of municipalities had at least one positive reaction. The serogroups reagent were Australis (37.2%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (29.3%), Tarassovi (9.6%), Sejroe (5.8%), Pomona (5.3%), Grippotyphosa (4.5%), Pyrogenes (2.4%), Bataviae (1.9%), Ballum and Hebdomadis (1.3%), Mini (0.5%), Celledoni, Shermani, and Javanica (0.3% each). There were significant statistical differences regarding sex and age, with a higher frequency in females (P= 0.014), and in animals ≥ 6 years (P=0.001). We concluded that seropositivity to Leptospira spp. is high in equines in Northeastern Brazil, with a predominance of serologic reactions to the Australis serogroup in the border areas between the states, and the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup in coastal areas or their vicinity. The high degree of seropositivity found points to the need to implement prophylactic strategies, both intraspecies infection prophylaxis and rodent control. We also recommended avoiding animal crowding and separating animals according to sex and age group during handling.

Age and Sex Influence Thyroid Hormone Effects in Target Tissues with Organ-Specific Responses.

Age and sex impact prevalence and clinical features of thyroid disease. Thyroid dysfunction occurs with a higher frequency in elderly patients and females. Moreover, age alters clinical presentation of hyper- and hypothyroidism and onset of thyroid hormone (TH) related co-morbidities leading to increased risk for underdiagnosis and maltreatment in the elderly. Rodent models allow further insights into mechanisms of age- and sex-dependent TH action in target tissues. In this review, we summarize findings from mouse studies showing distinct effects of age and sex on systemic versus organ-specific TH action and discuss their wider implication for clinical care.

Sex expression and genotypic sex ratio vary with region and environment in the wetland moss Drepanocladus lycopodioides

Abstract Sex ratio variation is common among organisms with separate sexes. In bryophytes, sex chromosome segregation at meiosis suggests a balanced progeny sex ratio. However, most bryophyte populations exhibit female-biased phenotypic sex ratios based on the presence of reproductive structures on gametophytes. Many bryophyte populations do not form sexual organs, and genotypic sex ratio variation in such populations is mostly unknown. We tested sex expression, and phenotypic and genotypic sex ratios against environmental parameters in natural populations of the unisexual wetland moss Drepanocladus lycopodiodes at 11 sites in each of three regions in southern Sweden. We identified sex in 660 individual ramets, based on sexual structures, when present, or with a specifically designed molecular marker, when absent. All regions exhibited a female bias in phenotypic and genotypic sex ratios. Sex ratio biases and sex expression differed between regions. Sex ratios were less female-biased in larger patches. Wetter patches exhibited a stronger female bias in genotypic sex ratio and lower sex expression. This is the first evidence of environmental effects on genotypic sex ratio in mosses. A higher frequency of females in wet patches could be due to higher female resource demands for sporophyte production or higher male sensitivity to wetness. A higher incidence of females than males in moister sites aligns with female flowering plants, but differs from reproductive bryophytes in drier environments. Taken together with previous results, our data indicate that sex ratio variation and its drivers differ among species, their life histories and environments.

Beyond balancing selection: frequent mitochondrial recombination contributes to high-female frequencies in gynodioecious Lobelia siphilitica (Campanulaceae).

Gynodioecy is a sexual system in which females and hermaphrodites co-occur. In most gynodioecious angiosperms, sex is determined by an interaction between mitochondrial male-sterility genes (CMS) that arise via recombination and nuclear restorer alleles that evolve to suppress them. In theory, gynodioecy occurs when multiple CMS types are maintained at equilibrium frequencies by balancing selection. However, some gynodioecious populations contain very high frequencies of females. Highfemale frequencies are not expected under balancing selection, but could be explained by the repeated introduction of novel CMS types. To test for balancing selection and/or the repeated introduction of novel CMS, we characterised cytoplasmic haplotypes from 61 populations of Lobelia siphilitica that vary widely in female frequency. We confirmed that mitotype diversity and female frequency were positively correlated across populations, consistent with balancing selection. However, while low-female populations hosted mostly common mitotypes, high-female populations and female plants hosted mostly rare, recombinant mitotypes likely to carry novel CMS types. Our results suggest that balancing selection maintains established CMS types across this species, but extreme female frequencies result from frequent invasion by novel CMS types. We conclude that balancing selection alone cannot account for extreme population sex-ratio variation within a gynodioecious species.