Interactive Effects Of Sex Research Articles

Elevations in interleukin-8 levels in individuals with alcohol use disorder and clinical insomnia symptoms.

Insomnia commonly co-occurs with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and predicts poorer outcomes for those with AUD. Insomnia and AUD are individually associated with increases in systemic inflammation. Insomnia and inflammation both serve as risk factors for relapse in AUD. However, little is known about the relationship between insomnia and systemic inflammation in individuals with AUD. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between the severity of insomnia symptoms and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in a sample of treatment-seeking individuals with an AUD. This secondary analysis included 101 (61M/40F) individuals with an AUD. Participants were categorized into groups based on their scores on the Insomnia Severity Index: no insomnia (n = 47), subthreshold insomnia (n = 37), and clinical insomnia (n = 17). Participants provided blood samples to measure plasma levels of four peripheral markers of inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and CRP). Inflammatory marker levels were compared between groups. Interactive effects of sex and AUD severity were examined. There was a significant main effect of insomnia group on log IL-8 levels (F = 6.52, p = 0.002), such that individuals with AUD and clinical insomnia had higher log IL-8 levels compared to both the no insomnia and subthreshold insomnia groups (ps ≤ 0.05). Sex and AUD severity interacted with this relationship, such that men with clinical insomnia and AUD and individuals with severe AUD had higher log IL-8 levels. There were no significant effects of insomnia on IL-6, TNF-α, or CRP levels. The present study identified a specific elevation in IL-8 levels in individuals with an AUD and clinical insomnia that was not identified in other markers of peripheral inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP). Sex and AUD severity interacted with insomnia symptoms, indicating that those with clinical insomnia and severe AUD or male sex may be the most vulnerable to the inflammatory consequences associated with AUD and clinical insomnia symptoms.

Variable and interactive effects of Sex, APOE and TREM2 on the deposition of tau in entorhinal and neocortical regions.

The canonical AD pathological cascade posits that the accumulation of amyloid beta ( ) is the initiating event, accelerating the accumulation of tau in the entorhinal cortex (EC), which subsequently spreads into the neocortex. Here in a sample of over 1300 participants with multimodal imaging and genetic information we queried how genetic variation affects these stages of the AD cascade. We observed that females and homozygotes are more susceptible to the effects of on the primary accumulation of tau, with greater EC tau for a given level of . Furthermore, we observed for individuals who have rare risk variants in Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) and/or homozygotes there was a greater spread of primary tau from the EC into the neocortex. These findings offer insights into the function of sex, APOE and microglia in AD progression, and have implications for determining personalised treatment with drugs targeting and tau.

Interactive Effects of Sex and Smoking on Palmoplantar Pustulosis: Japanese Healthcare Claim Database Study

Interactive Effects of Sex and Smoking on Palmoplantar Pustulosis: Japanese Healthcare Claim Database Study

Association Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Insomnia Risk: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested a close link between sleep disturbances and diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, to date, no confirmatory findings have been reported. We aimed to explore the risk of insomnia in DR by considering demographic factors and diabetes mellitus (DM)-related variables.MethodsA nationwide population-based cohort of 2,206,619 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Korean National Insurance Service Database was followed up for insomnia incidence. DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR) were defined according to ICD-10 codes. The interactive effects of sex, age, and DM-related variables were analyzed to evaluate their impact on insomnia risk in DR.ResultsCompared with the non-DR group, insomnia risk was increased in the DR [(adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.125, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.108-1.142), NPDR (aHR:1.117, 95% CI:1.099-1.134), and PDR (aHR:1.205, 95% CI: 1.156-1.256), even after controlling for comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and DM-related variables. The men and youngest age groups (<40 years) were most vulnerable to insomnia risk. Sex, age, DM duration, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) status exerted interactive effects with DR status in increasing the insomnia risk. In the PDR group, sex, age, DM duration, insulin therapy status, and CKD status exerted interactive effects that increased the risk of insomnia.ConclusionInsomnia risk is significantly higher in patients with DR, and clinical attention is warranted.

Independent and Interactive Effects of Sex and CYP2C9 Variant rs4918758 on Ischemic Stroke Risk in Taiwan Biobank.

PurposeStroke is a complex health condition caused by multiple risk factors. We investigated whether the Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) rs4918758 polymorphism and sex were independently and interactively associated with ischemic stroke risk among Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants.Material and MethodsWe analyzed TWB data pertaining to 9197 female and 8625 male individuals. Data collected between 2008 and 2015 were linked to medical records in the National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD). Based on multiple logistic regression analyses, we estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for ischemic stroke.ResultsWe found that 441 women and 468 men had ischemic stroke. There were no differences in the risk of ischemic stroke between individuals with the TC/CC genotype and those with the TT genotype [OR (95% CI) = 1.04 (0.90–1.21)]. When compared to women, men had an OR of 1.03 (95% CI = 0.87–1.22) for ischemic stroke. Based on further analysis, sex was found to interact with polymorphism rs4918758 (p for interaction = 0.0019). After categorizing by sex, men with TC/CC genotype showed significant ORs but not women [OR (95% CI) = 1.32 (1.07–16.33) vs 0.83 (0.68–1.00)]. Further stratification by genotype showed that in comparison with their female counterparts, men with the TT and TC/CC genotypes had ORs of 0.59 (95% CI = 0.44–0.80) and 1.36 (95% CI = 1.10–1.68), respectively.ConclusionAccording to our study, the TT genotype of rs4918758 was associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke in Taiwanese men when compared to women, whereas the TC/CC genotype was associated with a greater risk.

Interactive effects of sex and pain on elevated depressive symptoms in university student athletes

ABSTRACT Student athletes are a unique group that balances sporting and academic prowess with a reduction in social support when moving away from home. Thus, many studies indicate that student athletes may experience higher depressive symptoms compared to the general public, with sex, pain, and injury status reported to influence this. Therefore, this study aimed to identify whether sex, injury or pain predicts elevated depressive symptoms among student athletes and whether there are interactions between these factors. Depression scores were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Of 130 participants, 43% displayed depressive symptoms recorded as scoring ≥16 on the CESD, which is much higher than what is seen in the general public. A multiple linear regression revealed that sex (p = .022) and physical pain (p = .015) explained almost 9% of the variance in depressive symptoms (p = .022). Women were found to be more susceptible to experiencing depressive symptoms and there was a significant interaction between sex and pain (p = .002). Injury was not found to be a significant predictor (p = .566). Therefore, it is important to be aware of physical pain levels in women student athletes to protect their mental health regardless of whether they are injured or not. Improving our knowledge in this area can improve the support given towards student athletes that are experiencing physical pain. This may provide sports coaches with a greater insight into the well-being of their athletes and lead to improved athlete support.

Sex, military occupation and rank are associated with risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in tactical-athletes

IntroductionAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common within the US military and represents a significant loss to readiness. Since recent changes to operational tempo, there has not been an analysis...

Sex-specific response to whole-body vibration training: a randomized controlled trial.

A few studies have indicated that males and females respond differently to whole-body vibration (WBV) training. However, the existing insights are still insufficient and they cannot be transferred to sex-specific practice planning. To evaluate the effect of 5-week WBV training on neuromuscular [countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ)] and cardiovascular [heart rate and blood pressure] data, taking into account sex-specific effects. This is a comparative experimental study including 96 healthy adults, divided into two groups: a WBV group (25 females and 24 males) and a control group (27 females and 20 males). The participants attended nine to ten training sessions (twice a week for 5 weeks), each lasting approximately 30 min. Both groups performed the same exercise routine on the vibration training device. For the WBV group, the training device was vibrating during the whole training session, including the breaks. For the control group, it was turned off. Maximum jump height (H, cm) and maximum relative power (MRP, kW/kg) were noted during CMJ and SJ performed on a force plate. Resting (sitting) heart rate (bpm) and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured twice, before and after the intervention. For each parameter, Δdata (= before – after) was calculated. Interactive effects of sex (2) vs group (2) vs session (2) were noted only in males and they only concerned ΔSJMPR and ΔCMJH: compared to the control group, the WBV group had better ΔSJMPR (1.39 ± 3.05 vs -2.69 ± 4.49 kW/kg, respectively) and ΔCMJH (0.50 ± 6.14 vs -4.42 ± 5.80 cm, respectively). No sex-specific effect of WBV on neuromuscular (CMJ and SJ) or cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) data was found.

013 Associations Between Rest-Activity Rhythms and Nocturnal Blood Pressure are Sex-Dependent in Apparently Healthy Emerging Adults

Abstract Introduction Misalignment between endogenous circadian rhythms and environmental signals – an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) – can disrupt diurnal blood pressure (BP) rhythms, resulting in higher nocturnal BP and less-pronounced BP dipping (i.e., % decline in nighttime systolic BP [SBP] relative to daytime values). Daily patterns of rest and activity (‘rest-activity rhythms’ [RAR]) are a proxy for estimating circadian disruption in free-living settings and have been independently associated with elevated CVD risk. However, the relation between RAR and nocturnal BP is unclear. Thus, we aimed to quantify the associations between RAR and nocturnal BP characteristics in male and female emerging adults (18-25y). Methods Fifty healthy emerging adults (20±1y; 20M/30F) underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring following 14 consecutive days of continuous wrist actigraphy. RAR variables of interdaily stability (IS; day-to-day consistency in RAR), intradaily variability (IV; within-day fragmentation of RAR), and relative amplitude (RA; difference between trough vs. peak activity) were computed. Bivariate correlations were used to quantify associations between RAR variables and nocturnal BP characteristics for all participants, and separately for males and females. Linear regression models of mean nocturnal SBP, nocturnal diastolic BP (DBP), and SBP dipping were also generated to test main and interactive effects of sex and RAR. Potential confounders (variables associated with outcomes at p&amp;lt;0.10) of daytime BP, race, body mass index, physical activity, sleep duration, alcohol, caffeine, and sodium intake were also included as indicated. Results Overall, IS and RA positively correlated with % SBP dipping (IS: r=0.33, p=0.02; RA: r=0.35, p=0.01). Among females only, correlations strengthened (IS: r=0.50, p&amp;lt;0.01; RA: r=0.52, p&amp;lt;0.01) and an inverse association between RA and mean nocturnal SBP emerged (r=-0.46, p=0.01). Conversely, among males, no significant associations were apparent. Multivariate regressions revealed a significant sex*RAR interaction, such that in females, every 1-standard deviation increase in IS and RA were associated with an average decrease in nocturnal SBP of 5.4 mmHg (95% CI: -10.0, -0.73) and 4.8 mmHg (95% CI: -9.2, -0.34), respectively. Conclusion Findings suggest that consistent and high-amplitude RAR associate with more favorable nocturnal BP characteristics, particularly in emerging female adults. Support (if any) Supported in part by NIH P20-GM113125.

Sex hormones modulate sex differences and relate to hemispheric asymmetries in a divided visual field Navon task

Sex differences in functional hemispheric asymmetries (FHA) have been hypothesized as a fundamental mechanism behind sex differences in global-local processing. So far, it has not been assessed how interactive effects of sex and hemifield presentation influence common indicators of global precedence. The current study is the first to investigate the involvement of FHAs by using a divided visual field Navon paradigm and controlling for sex hormone status. Moreover, various factors that have previously shown a reliable influence on global-local processing performance are verified within the context of unilateral presentation. 39 men and 39 naturally cycling women in their luteal cycle phase completed a divided visual field Navon task with the instruction to detect targets either at any level (divided attention) or only at the global or local level (selective attention) in three different spacing conditions. The obtained evidence reveals significant sex differences in the global advantage effect (faster reaction to global vs. local level targets) for densely spaced letter stimuli, as well as significant sex differences in global-local level interference, with findings on both measures being mediated by testosterone. Also, estradiol showed different relationships to the global advantage effect in men and women together with a positive relationship to global advantage for the selective attention condition. Behavioural reaction time results were mirrored by accuracy measures but presented significantly higher global- over local-level accuracy in women compared to men for the divided attention condition. Our results did not show significant sex differences in FHAs but indicate differential relationships between progesterone and FHAs in men and women. In conclusion, sex hormones emerged as central mediators of sex differences in global precedence and possible moderators of hemispheric asymmetries.

Understanding sex differences in physical activity behavior: The role of anxiety sensitivity

ProblemThere is a well-evidenced sex-disparity in physical activity (PA), such that females are significantly less active than males. Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, is a cognitive-affective vulnerability associated with increased negative affect during PA and lower levels of PA. The current study examined anxiety sensitivity as a potential sex-specific, psychological factor related to sex differences in past-week PA behavior in daily cigarette smokers. MethodParticipants (n = 527; 53.3% female) completed an anonymous online survey on emotion and health. Anxiety sensitivity was assessed with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. Past-week, self-reported PA minutes were measured across four intensities (e.g., walking, moderate, vigorous, and total PA) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short. Four zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were constructed to test the main and interactive effects of sex and anxiety sensitivity on PA outcomes. ResultsFemales reported significantly fewer past-week PA minutes relative to males across all domains. At higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, males reported significantly fewer total PA minutes; whereas, total PA levels in females were not dependent on anxiety sensitivity level. Additionally, females with elevated anxiety sensitivity reported significantly more past-week walking minutes relative to females with low anxiety sensitivity, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in males. ConclusionThis is the first study to our knowledge to examine sex differences in anxiety sensitivity and PA, at varying PA intensities, among smokers. These data have the potential to inform sex-specific models of anxiety, PA, and smoking.

Sex differences in deterioration of sleep properties associated with aging: a 12-year longitudinal cohort study.

The sleep patterns of humans are greatly influenced by age and sex and have various effects on overall health as they change continuously during the lifespan. We investigated age-dependent changes in sleep properties and their relation to sex in middle-aged individuals. We analyzed data from 2,640 participants (mean age of 49.8 ± 6.8 years at baseline, 50.6% women) in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, which assessed sleep habits using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and other clinical characteristics. We analyzed the sleep habit changes that occurred between baseline and a follow-up point (mean interval: 12.00 ± 0.16 years). Associations of age and sex with 9 sleep characteristics were evaluated. Age was associated with most of the sleep characteristics cross-sectionally and longitudinally (P < .05), except for the time in bed at baseline (P = .455) and change in sleep duration (P = .561). Compared with men, women had higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, shorter time in bed, shorter sleep duration, and longer latency at baseline (P ≤ .001). Longitudinal deterioration in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, habitual sleep efficiency, duration, and latency was more prominent in women (P < .001). The sex differences in these longitudinal sleep changes were mainly noticeable before age 60 years (P < .05). Worsening of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, habitual sleep efficiency, and latency was most evident in perimenopausal women. Men presented with greater advancement of chronotype (P = .006), with the peak sex-related difference occurring when they were in their late 40s (P = .048). Aging is associated with substantial deterioration in sleep quantity and quality as well as chronotype advancement, with the degree and timing of these changes differing by sex.

Beyond Haemostasis and Thrombosis: Platelets in Depression and Its Co-Morbidities.

Alongside their function in primary haemostasis and thrombo-inflammation, platelets are increasingly considered a bridge between mental, immunological and coagulation-related disorders. This review focuses on the link between platelets and the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its most frequent comorbidities. Platelet- and neuron-shared proteins involved in MDD are functionally described. Platelet-related studies performed in the context of MDD, cardiovascular disease, and major neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders are transversally presented from an epidemiological, genetic and functional point of view. To provide a complete scenario, we report the analysis of original data on the epidemiological link between platelets and depression symptoms suggesting moderating and interactive effects of sex on this association. Epidemiological and genetic studies discussed suggest that blood platelets might also be relevant biomarkers of MDD prediction and occurrence in the context of MDD comorbidities. Finally, this review has the ambition to formulate some directives and perspectives for future research on this topic.

Activation level as a mediator between behavioral activation, sex, and depression among treatment-seeking smokers

IntroductionBehavioral activation (BA) has gained interest when combined with tobacco interventions as it relates to improved depression and cessation rates. However, no prior efforts have examined mediators of BA effectiveness and sex-dependent effects. This secondary analysis assesses the main and interactive effects of sex and type of smoking cessation intervention [a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) only, or CBT + BA] on depressive symptoms among treatment-seeking patients with depression. It also examines the activation level as a mediator between BA, BA by sex, and depression. Method120 smokers were assigned to an 8-week CBT or to CBT + BA. They completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Behavioral Activation for Depression scale-short-form (BADS-SF). A two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of sex and treatment condition on participants’ BDI-II scores. A moderated mediational analysis tested whether the indirect effect of treatment condition on BDI-II through BADS-SF differed by sex. ResultsAfter controlling for end-of-treatment smoking status and baseline BDI-II, there were no significant effects of treatment condition, sex, and their interaction on end-of-treatment BDI-II. Being a male was indirectly associated with higher BDI-II scores through lower BADS-SF score (point estimate = −3.440; SE = 1.637; BC 95% CI [−7.105, −0.749]). This effect was not found for women. ConclusionsThere is a need to tailor interventions by sex when treating smokers with depression. It is recommended to assess symptoms such as mental rumination or self-consciousness, which tend to be more pronounced in women.

Sex Mediates Relationships Between Regional Tau Pathology and Cognitive Decline.

The goal of this study was to examine sex differences in tau distribution across the brain of older adults, using positron emission tomography (PET), and investigate how these differences might associate with cognitive trajectories. Participants were 343 clinically normal individuals (women, 58%; 73.8 [8.5] years) and 55 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; women, 38%; 76.9 [7.3] years) from the Harvard Aging Brain Study and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We examined 18 F-Flortaucipir (FTP)-positron emission tomography (PET) signal across 41 cortical and subcortical regions of interest (ROIs). Linear regression models estimated the effect of sex on FTP-signal for each ROI after adjusting for age and cohort. We also examined interactions between sex*Aβ-PET positive / negative (+ / -) and sex*apolipoprotein ε4 (APOEε4) status. Linear mixed models estimated the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between a composite of sex-differentiated tau ROIs and cognitive decline. Women showed significantly higher FTP-signals than men across multiple regions of the cortical mantle (p < 0.007). β-amyloid (Aβ)-moderated sex differences in tau signal were localized to medial and inferio-lateral temporal regions (p < 0.007); Aβ + women exhibited greater FTP-signal than other groups. APOEε4-moderated sex differences in FTP-signal were only found in the lateral occipital lobe. Women with higher FTP-signals in composite ROI exhibited faster cognitive decline than men (p = 0.04). Tau vulnerability in women is not just limited to the medial temporal lobe and significantly contributed to greater risk of faster cognitive decline. Interactive effects of sex and Aβ were predominantly localized in the temporal lobe, however, sex differences in extra-temporal tau highlights the possibility of accelerated tau proliferation in women with the onset of clinical symptomatology. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:921-932.

Contextual Effects of Family and Work on Bridge Employment for Men and Women

Drawing upon lifespan and social role theory, we tested the influences of sex, work, and family contexts on bridge employment decisions. A random sample of N = 12,108 Turkish retirees over 4 years, representing k = 32,640 distinct respondent-year observations, was utilized. The interactive effects of sex and work (job level) and family contexts (marital status, having dependents) were regressed on the probability of entering bridge employment, either full- or part-time, and in a job that is either similar or different to ones' career job. Respondents' years since retirement, age, household income, education, health status, and year/region fixed effects were controlled. Female retirees were overall less likely to enter bridge employment and less likely to enter bridge employment in a different occupation. Family context variables had larger effects than job level in bridge employment for women but not men. However, these contextual effects were overall more influential for male retirees. Married men were more likely to enter bridge employment (both full- and part-time) than unmarried men. Men holding higher-level jobs were more likely to enter bridge employment, and more likely to hold that employment in a job similar to their career job, than men in elementary jobs. Findings are discussed.

Oxytocin and vasopressin modulation of prisoner's dilemma strategies.

Background:The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin have been repeatedly implicated in social decision making by enhancing social salience and, generally, cooperation. The iterated and sequential version of the prisoner’s dilemma (PD) game is a social dilemma paradigm eliciting strategies of cooperation versus competition.Aims:We aimed to characterise the role of PD players’ sex, game partner type (computer vs. human) and oxytocin or vasopressin inhalation on the player’s strategy preference.Methods:Participants (153 men; 151 women) were randomised to intranasal 24 IU oxytocin, 20 IU vasopressin or placebo, double-blind, and played the PD. We examined main and interactive effects of sex, drug and partner type on strategy preference.Results:We found a pervasive preference for a tit-for-tat strategy (i.e. general sensitivity to the partner’s choices) over unconditional cooperation, particularly when against a human rather than a computer partner. Oxytocin doubled this sensitivity in women (i.e. the preference for tit-for-tat over unconditional cooperation strategies) when playing against computers, which suggests a tendency to anthropomorphise them, and doubled women’s unconditional cooperation preference when playing against humans. Vasopressin doubled sensitivity to the partner’s previous choices (i.e. for tit-for-tat over unconditional cooperation) across sexes and partner types.Conclusions:These findings suggest that women may be more sensitive to oxytocin’s social effects of anthropomorphism of non-humans and of unconditional cooperation with humans, which may be consistent with evolutionary pressures for maternal care, and that vasopressin, irrespective of sex and partner type, may be generally sensitising humans to others’ behaviour.

Cognitively normal women with Alzheimer\u2019s disease proteinopathy show relative preservation of memory but not of hippocampal volume

BackgroundWe examined interactive effects of sex, diagnosis, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta/phosphorylated tau ratio (Aβ/P-tau) on verbal memory and hippocampal volumes.MethodsWe assessed 682 participants (350 women) from BioFINDER (250 cognitively normal [CN]; and 432 symptomatic: 186 subjective cognitive decline [SCD], 246 mild cognitive impairment [MCI]). General linear models evaluated effects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) proteinopathy (CSF Aß/p-tau ratio), diagnosis, and sex on verbal memory (ADAS-cog 10-word recall), semantic fluency (animal naming fluency), visuospatial skills (cube copy), processing speed/attention functions (Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Trail Making Part A), and hippocampal volumes.ResultsAmyloid-positive (Aβ/P-tau+) CN women (women with preclinical AD) showed memory equivalent to amyloid-negative (Aβ/P-tau−) CN women. In contrast, Aβ/P-tau+ CN men (men with preclinical AD) showed poorer memory than Aβ/P-tau− CN men. Symptomatic groups showed no sex differences in effect of AD proteinopathy on memory. There was no interactive effect of sex, diagnosis, and Aβ/P-tau on other measures of cognition or on hippocampal volume.ConclusionsCN women show relatively preserved verbal memory, but not general cognitive reserve or preserved hippocampal volume in the presence of Aβ/P-tau+. Results have implications for diagnosing AD in women, and for clinical trials.

Space use by animals on the urban fringe: interactive effects of sex and personality

AbstractPersonality traits shape individual perceptions of risks and rewards, and so, should affect how animals value and use their environment. Evidence is emerging that personality affects foraging, space use, and exploitation of novel environments such as urban habitat. But the influence of personality is also hypothesized to be sex-dependent when primary motivation for space use differs between sexes, as often occurs in polygynous species. We tested the influence of personality traits, interacting with sex, on space use by the polygynous common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, in an urban-woodland boundary in Sydney, Australia. We quantified personality traits, including exploration, using behavioral assays in an artificial arena. We also GPS-tracked free-ranging individuals, and measured range size, core area: home range, and proportional urban range. We found that personality traits affected space use either as a main effect or, as predicted, an interaction with sex. More exploratory animals, regardless of sex, had higher core area: home range ratios and proportionally larger ranges within urban habitat. However, less exploratory females yet more exploratory males had larger ranges. Our findings provide new insight into movement ecology by demonstrating, for the first time, the sex-dependent influence of personality. The demonstrated influence of personality on urban use by possums also suggests a personality filter for wildlife, as populations transition into urban areas. Finally, as individuals at the interface between urban and natural habitat are also a conduit between the two, a corollary of our findings is that there may be personality-mediated spread of disease across this boundary.

Relative accuracy of anthropometric-based body fat equations in males and females with varying BMI classifications

BMI based body fat equations developed from Womersley and Durnin (BMIWO), Jackson etal. (BMIJA), Deurenberg etal. (BMIDE), and Gallagher etal. (BMIGA) are commonly used to quantify body fat percentage (BF%). However, relative fat mass (RFM) is a new anthropometric-based method that has been proposed as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and interactive effects of sex and BMI classification on the relative accuracy of BMI-based body fat equations and RFM. Males (n=75) and females (n=75) were stratified and classified into three different groups; 1) normal weight (n=50 [NW: 50% males]; BMI<25.0kg/m2); 2) overweight (n=50 [OW: 50% males]; BMI≥25.0-29.9kg/m2); 3) obese (n=50 [OB: 50% males]; BMI≥30.0kg/m2). A criterion three-compartment model (3C model) was determined with air displacement plethysmography for body volume and multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis for total body water. Data were stratified by sex and BMI classification. Difference scores were created by subtracting estimated BF% from 3C model BF%. A significant SEX×BMI interaction was detected for all comparisons (all p<0.05). Post hoc analysis indicated the differences in BF% were statistically significant between OW females and males for all equations (BMIWO:-2.99±4.79% vs. 4.71±5.86%, p=0.003; BMIJA:-1.77±4.83% vs. 5.77±5.85%, p<0.001; BMIDE:-3.09±4.80% vs. 4.97±5.98%, p<0.001; BMIGA:0.36±4.51% vs. 4.56±5.55%, p=0.018; RFM:-2.17±4.84% vs. 3.01±5.34%, p=0.004, respectively). In addition, there were significant differences between females and males classified as NW (BMIJA:-2.11±4.15% vs. 2.61±5.98%, p=0.008) and OB (BMIGA:2.40±3.36% vs.-1.09±6.40%, p=0.006). The current findings highlight that RFM does not appear to overcome error commonly associated with BMI-based body fat equations when stratifying by sex and BMI classification. Nonetheless, practitioners can use BMIWO, BMIDE, and RFM in males and females classified as NW or OB, but should employ caution prior to use in OW persons.