Inter-gender Differences Research Articles

The Third Molar as an Age Marker in Adolescents: New Approach to Age Evaluation

Adolescence is a relatively short period between childhood and adulthood. It is very difficult to determine adulthood based on biological indicators. The third molar may be considered a potential age marker for the period between the ages of 16-21. Our study evaluated a set of 1700 panoramic radiographs of individuals aged between 5 and 21 years. Results confirmed the statistically significant difference in the course of third molars development. The mean deviation for individuals with one third molar agenesis is -0.98 years, for individuals with two third molars agenesis -1.89 years, and with three molars agenesis -3.28 years. Thus, the extent of the deviation is directly proportional to the number of unformed third molars. The calculation of age according to the mean of stages of all third molars could lead to the underestimation of age. No intergender differences were found. Age determination using third molars could be used for forensic purposes.

Cephalometric standards for 9 year-old Serbian children with neutroocclusion

Introduction. The populations show differences in relation to the various details of facial morphology. These differences are easily noticeable when comparing individuals with different ethnic background. Aim. To establish specific cephalometric standards between the sexes for the nine-year-old Serbian children. Methods. 36 boys and 42 girls (mean age 9±0.35) of Serbian nationality were selected based on the following criteria: Class I molar relationship, positive overbite and overjet less than 4mm, lack of crossbite, lack of oral and bucal failure, no previous orthodontic treatment, adequate amount of space in both dental arches, no visible asymmetry. Lateral cephalograms of each patient were analyzed twice. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were calculated for all measured parameters. The results were compared to the published norms of the other Caucasian populations. Normative data were presented in the tables. Results. Intergender differences included anterior cranial base length (Sella-Nasion), anterior facial height (nasion-menton), corpus maxilla length, SNA angle, SNB angle, angle SN/MP. Conclusion. Nine-year-old Serbian boys have a larger anterior cranial base, larger corpus maxilla, and larger anterior facial height, while the maxilla and mandible protrusion are more pronounced in girls.

Reappraisal of intergender differences in the urethral striated sphincter explains why a completely circular arrangement is difficult in females: a histological study using human fetuses

To investigate why the development of a completely circular striated sphincter is so rare, we examined histological sections of 11 female and 11 male mid-term human fetuses. In male fetuses, the striated muscle initially extended in the frontal, rather than in the horizontal plane. However, a knee-like portion was absent in the female fetal urethra because, on the inferior side of the vaginal end, a wide groove for the future vestibule opened inferiorly. Accordingly, it was difficult for the developing striated muscle to surround the groove, even though there was not a great difference in width or thickness between the female vestibule and the male urethra. The development of a completely circular striated sphincter seems to be impossible in females because of interruption of the frontal plane by the groove-like vestibule. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that before descent of the vagina, the urethral striated muscle extends posteriorly.

Timing and sequence of emergence of permanent teeth in the Jordanian population

ObjectivesPopulation-specific standards of tooth emergence are essential resources for various fields of clinical and forensic dentistry. To date, such standards have not been provided for the Jordanian population. This study aimed at providing the timing and sequence of emergence of the permanent dentition in the Jordanian population. Methods and resultsUsing multistage clustered sampling, 1240 males and 1432 females aged 4–16 years from kindergartens and primary schools in the northern, middle and southern regions of Jordan were examined for emergence of permanent teeth. The subjects were classified into 1-year age groups. For a given tooth, “present” teeth were counted and expressed as a frequency relative to the total of subjects within a given age group. Using Probit regression (SPSS version 16), the median emergence age per tooth was calculated for the total sample and for both genders. No statistically significant differences were detected between sides. In addition, mandibular teeth were generally found to emerge earlier than the corresponding maxillary teeth. However, the difference in mandibular precedence was not statistically significant in all corresponding inter-maxillary tooth pairs. Furthermore, permanent teeth were found to emerge sooner in females than in males although the inter-gender differences were non-statistically significant for first molars and central incisors. ConclusionsThe first standards of timing and sequence of permanent tooth emergence specific to the Jordanian population were provided and found to be consistent with those of Caucasian populations. These standards aid managing patients in paediatric dentistry, planning orthodontic therapy and forensic age estimation.

The role of the elastic fiber system in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and knee joint laxity

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of synovial joints in which all articular structures are affected. Evidence suggests that a decreased density in the elastic fiber concentration of the knee capsule is associated with joint hypermobility, a condition associated with OA. However, there is no study that shows a direct relationship between the elastic fiber system and knee OA. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between the elastic fiber density in medial (MCL) and lateral (LCL) collateral ligaments and the severity of OA. The elastic fiber concentration in MCL and LCL were examined in cadaver knees (n = 10; 4 M, 6 F). The elastic fiber density, measured as the concentration of elastic fibers per unit area, was correlated with the severity of OA, which was graded on a 0-16 scale using histologic and macroscopic markers. Among all subjects, elastic fiber concentrations between MCL (mean 15.49% ± 2.49) and LCL (mean 13.93 ± 3.63) showed a significant difference (P = 0.023). There were no inter-gender differences between the elastic fiber concentration in either MCL or LCL. Among all subjects, the severity of OA was found to be correlated negatively with the elastic fiber concentration in both MCL (r = -0.693, P ≤ 0.05) and LCL (r = -0.718, P ≤ 0.05). This is the first study to show a correlation between the elastic fiber system and knee OA.

Communicating to Young Adults About HPV Vaccination: Consideration of Message Framing, Motivation, and Gender

This research examines the influence of message framing (gain vs. loss), motivational orientation (approach vs. avoidance), and gender on intentions to receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and HPV-/HPV vaccine-related risk perceptions among young adults ages 18–26 years. Results of an experiment show an interaction between message framing and motivational orientation in predicting intentions to receive HPV vaccination. Loss-framed messages are more persuasive than gain-framed messages for avoidance-oriented individuals, whereas both frames are equally effective for approach-oriented individuals. Gender differences in intentions to get HPV vaccination and worry about vaccine safety are found.

T2 mapping of articular cartilage in the healthy knee using a magnetic resonance segmentation.

To evaluate T2 mapping of the healthy knee articular cartilage in different subregions using a magnetic resonance segmentation. T2 mapping was performed to 77 healthy tibiofemoral cartilages, which were divided into group H1 ( <40 years old) and group H2 (≥ 40 years old). T2 values of cartilage IN 10 subregions based on the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) segmentation and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. T2 values of cartilage in 10 subregions were compared. The association between T2 value and BMI/age was analyzed. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of measurement was calculated. The T2 values of all the subregions ranged 40. 3-53.5 ms. T2 values of group H2 were significantly higher than those in group H1 (P ≤ 0.032) except in posterior lateral femoral subregion. The inter-subregion differences within group were significant (P ≤ 0.001). The inter-gender differences were significant only in posterior medial tibial subregion of group H2 (P=0.048). No correlation of T2 values with BMI was found except in cetral lateral tibial subregion of group H2 (P=0.050, R=0.308). T2 values were correlated with age in anterior medial (P=0.004, R=-0.467) and anterior lateral P = 0.024, R=-0.375) tibial subregion of group H1 , and in all tibial subregion except anterior lateral tibial subregion of group H2 , and central medial femoral subregion of group H2 (P=0.004~0.015, R=0.376~0.437). The correlation coefficients for intra- and inter-observer of measurement showed good reproducibility (R>0.809, P ≤ 0.005). T2 mapping of the healthy knee articular cartilage based on the WORMS segmentation can effectively reflect the changes and correlations of T2 values with risk factors by focusing on the functional weight-bearing subregions.

Intergender differences in histological architecture of the fascia pelvis parietalis: A cadaveric study

The fascia pelvis parietalis (FPP) or endopelvic fascia is a well-known structure, but few studies described the detailed histological architecture, including the composite fiber directions. We hypothesized a gender-specific fiber architecture corresponding to the functional demand. For the first step to examine this hypothesis, we investigated specimens from 27 adult cadavers (10 males and 17 females) and 11 midterm fetuses (five males and six females) using immunohistochemistry and aldehyde-fuchsin staining. The adult female FPP was a solid, thick monolayered structure that was reinforced by abundant elastic fibers running across the striated muscle fibers, but it contained little or no smooth muscles (SM). In contrast, the male FPP was multilayered with abundant SM. In midterm fetuses, SM originated from the inferior part of the bladder and extended inferiorly along the gender-specific courses. Thus, we found a clear intergender difference in FPP architecture. However, the functional significance remained unknown because the basic architecture was common between nulliparous and multiparous women. Rather than for meeting the likely mechanical demands of pregnancy and vaginal delivery, the intergender difference of the FPP seemed to result from differences in the amount and migration course of bladder-derived SM as well as in hormonal background.

Ultrasound Biomicroscopic Configurations of the Anterior Ocular Segment in a Population-Based Study: The Kumejima Study

To characterize quantitatively the configuration of the anterior ocular segment with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in a population-based setting. Cross-sectional study. Ten percent of 4632 residents aged > or =40 years of Kumejima, an island off southwest Japan, were randomly selected. We performed UBM under light and dark conditions in the 4 quadrants of the right eyes. The anatomic landmarks on the anterior ocular segment UBM images were identified by 1 examiner to quantify the peripheral anterior chamber depth (ACD), location of the ciliary body, and iris thickness. Angle-opening distance at 250 and 500 microm from the scleral spur (AOD250, AOD500), trabecular-iris angle (TIA), trabecular-ciliary process distance (TCPD), thickness of the iris (ID), trabecular-anterior iris surface angle (TAIA), trabecular-posterior iris surface angle (TPIA), trabecular-ciliary angle (TCA), and thickness of iris measured at 1000, 2000, and 3000 microm (IT1000, IT2000 and IT3000). The AOD500 averaged 0.267+/-0.138 (mean +/- standard deviation) and 0.202+/-0.116 mm under light and dark conditions, respectively; TIA 22.2+/-10.0 and 17.0+/-8.9 degrees; TCPD 0.755+/-0.165 and 0.748+/-0.152 mm; and ID 0.412+/-0.053 and 0.457+/-0.062 mm. The peripheral ACD was deepest temporally, then nasally, then inferiorly, and then superiorly (P<0.05, post hoc test). The position of the ciliary body was deepest nasally, then temporally, then inferiorly, and then superiorly (P<0.05). Iris thickness did not differ significantly among the quadrants. Older subjects had a shallower peripheral ACD, more anteriorly located ciliary body, and thinner iris (analysis of covariance, P<0.015). The peripheral ACD was deeper and the ciliary body was located more deeply in men than women (P<0.05), although no intergender differences in iris thickness were seen (P>0.1). Hyperopia, short axial length, and shallow central ACD were significantly correlated with shallower peripheral ACD, anteriorly located ciliary body, and thinner iris (P<0.05). Elevated intraocular pressure was associated with a shallow peripheral ACD (P< or =0.043). There are significant associations of the peripheral ACD, location of the ciliary body, and iris thickness with age, gender, refractive error, axial length, and intraocular pressure.

Development of the external anal sphincter with special reference to intergender difference: observations of mid-term fetuses (15-30 weeks of gestation)

To investigate intergender differences in muscle cleavage and joining during development of the external anal sphincter (EAS), we examined semiserial sections of 16 fetuses between 15 and 30 weeks of gestation (6 males and 10 females). The subcutaneous part of the EAS (EASsc) developed along the male perineal raphe and extended posteriorly. Thus, the male EAS was characterized by anterior protrusion of the subcutaneous muscle, in contrast to the almost circular female EAS. In both genders, the bulbospongiosus anlage (or the levator ani anlage) issued muscle fibers to form the superficial (or deep) part of the EAS. The EASsc communicated with the superficial part in males, whereas the female bulbospongiosus tended to communicate with the levator ani rather than the EAS. In both genders, the longitudinal muscle bundle(s) of the anorectum contributed to perineal body formation. However, the male perineal body also had a thick fascia between the rhabdosphincter and the levator. The bulbospongiosus seems to play a critical role in forming the EAS. A strict intergender difference in subcutaneous muscle development is evident along the perineal raphe, as the raphe is not evident in females. These results help to explain variations in the EAS, including anal malformations.

Abstract C15: A novel panel of serum biomarkers distinguishes asthma from non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Purpose: Asthma affects an increasing proportion of the population and may predispose sufferers to lung cancer. Frequent misdiagnosis of asthma and lack of early detection tests for lung cancer might be mitigated by better diagnostic tests. We used multiplexed immunoassays and mass spectrometry to identify serum biomarkers capable of distinguishing asthma from non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. Methods: Sera from normal subjects (NO; n = 300), patients with asthma (AST; n=180), and non-small cell lung cancer (LC; n = 334) were acquired from commercial vendors. Levels of 58 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were quantified using multiplexed immunoassays. For biomarker discovery, specimens were digested with trypsin and analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization MS (LC ESI MS/MS). Proteins were identified using Mascot search software. Validation of select biomarkers identified by MS was achieved by immunodetection of target proteins in serum specimens. Data were reduced using inter-pathology comparisons with statistical significance determined using Student's t-test. Results: Multiplexed immunoassays identified 29 analytes with significant (t&amp;lt;0.05) inter-pathology differences; 14 of these were highly significant (t &amp;lt; 0.0001). We fund a subset of biomarkers with unexpectedly large inter-gender differences and distinct gender-specific expression patterns. Serum levels of interleukin-13 and small inducible cytokine b11 (I-TAC) showed the greatest difference between AST, LC, and NO sera. MS analysis to date identified 11 differentially expressed proteins that included 3 putative yet unnamed proteins identified by gene sequencing and 1 protein product corresponding to chromosome X open reading frame 38. The presence of select proteins discovered by MS (syntaxin 11, cAMP-specific 3′,5′-cyclic phosphodiesterase type 7, and arginase) was confirmed and quantified by immunobloting. Conclusion: We have identified a group of serum biomarkers having high inter-pathology discrimination power that are capable of differentiating AST and LC from normal controls and that may potentially be used in diagnostic tests for early detection of lung pathologies. Our experimental strategy is widely applicable to discovery and validation of biomarkers for diverse human diseases, response to a therapy, or pre-selection of patients for clinical trials. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C15.

Gender Differences in the Incidence of Depression and Anxiety: Econometric Evidence from the USA

Using data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES) for the United States for the period 2001–2003, this paper addresses a vexed question relating to inter-gender differences in depression rates, namely how much of the observed difference in depression rates between men and women may be explained by differences between them in their exposure, and how much may be explained by differences between them in their response, to depression-inducing factors. The contribution of this paper is to propose a method for disentangling these two influences and to apply it to US data. The central conclusion of the paper was differences between men and women in rates of depression and anxiety were largely to be explained by differences in their responses to depression-inducing factors: the percentage contribution of inter-gender response differences to explaining the overall difference in inter-gender probabilities of being depressed was 93 percent for “sad, empty type depression”; 92 percent for “very discouraged” type depression; and 69 percent for “loss of interest” type depression.

Lifestyle factors and colorectal cancer risk (1): systematic review and meta‐analysis of associations with body mass index

Excess body weight, defined by body mass index (BMI), may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. As a prerequisite to the determination of lifestyle attributable risks, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies to quantify colorectal cancer risk associated with increased BMI and explore for differences by gender, sub-site and study characteristics. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE (to December 2007), and other sources, selecting reports based on strict inclusion criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions of study-specific incremental estimates were performed to determine the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with a 5 kg/m(2) increase in BMI. We analysed 29 datasets from 28 articles, including 67,361 incident cases. Higher BMI was associated with colon (RR 1.24, 95% CIs: 1.20-1.28) and rectal (1.09, 1.05-1.14) cancers in men, and with colon cancer (1.09, 1.04-1.12) in women. Associations were stronger in men than in women for colon (P < 0.001) and rectal (P = 0.005) cancers. Associations were generally consistent across geographic populations. Study characteristics and adjustments accounted for only moderate variations of associations. Increasing BMI is associated with a modest increased risk of developing colon and rectal cancers, but this modest risk may translate to large attributable proportions in high-prevalence obese populations. Inter-gender differences point to potentially important mechanistic differences, which merit further research.

Gender differences in intention to remain a virgin until marriage among school pupils in rural northern Tanzania

Abstinence is often promoted in HIV-prevention programmes for adolescents, but little is known about the factors that influence adolescents' intentions to abstain from sex until marriage. This study was conducted in ten districts in the Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Manyara regions of northern Tanzania, in July 2005. Out of 65 villages, four were randomly selected. In total, 953 primary school pupils, aged 10 to 14 years, participated in an interview and questionnaire: about 54% were girls and 41% were aged 12 to 13. Thirty-four percent of boys and 28.5% of girls said they had the intention to remain a virgin until marriage. Among the male respondents, having the intention to remain a virgin until marriage was associated with sharing a bedroom with a brother under age 18 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-6.87) and with saying that girls have the right to say ‘no’ to sex (OR = 8.51, 95% CI 2.93-24.72); among males, the intention was also negatively associated with saying they had the confidence to refuse sex with someone they had known for less than three months (OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04-0.32). Among the female respondents, having the intention to remain a virgin until marriage was associated with living with both parents (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.23-5.50) and saying that they had the confidence to refuse sex with someone who has authority or power (OR = 3.69, 95% CI 1.31-10.48). The findings highlight that young adolescents may benefit from community-based HIV-prevention programmes that include building lifeskills and increasing one's confidence to abstain from sex or delay sexual debut until marriage.

Gender differences in onset of symptoms in AV nodal re-entrant and accessory pathway-mediated re-entrant tachycardia

Is onset of symptoms in AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and accessory pathway-mediated re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT) patients gender-specific? Intra- and inter-gender differences in onset of symptoms and mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia in adult patients undergoing catheter ablation for AVNRT or AVRT (N=230) were documented. Women with AVNRT were significantly younger at onset of symptoms compared to men (38+/-18, 51+/-18 years, p=0.01). Male AVNRT patients were significantly older at onset of symptoms compared to male AVRT patients (51+/-18, 25+/-11 years, p=0.04) but there was no difference in women. Symptoms beginning <30 years in men predicted AVRT in 73%, and beginning >or=30 years the predominant mechanism was AVNRT (85%). In women AVNRT was the most likely mechanism independent of symptom onset (>75%). Symptoms beginning in patients with AVNRT and AVRT prior to age 30 correlates with a 70% incidence of AVRT in men and a 80% incidence of AVNRT in women. Onset of palpitations >or= age 30 relates to AVNRT in 85% of patients.

The effect of gender on research staff success in life sciences in the Spanish National Research Council

Inter-gender differences in research performance of Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) scientists in the area of biology and biomedicine are analysed by means of bibliometric indicators (SCI, 1996–2000). Productivity of both men and women increases with scientific category, and inter-gender differences are not found within each category. Women with intermediate levels of seniority (11–20 and 21–30 years of working life) show lower productivity than their male counterparts, a factor which might contribute to explaining the slower promotion observed for female scientists. However, women who entered CSIC in the last 10 years overtake men in productivity, so a more balanced distribution of women by scientific ranks would be expected in the future. The need to improve the normalisation of author names in publications and bibliographic databases and even to develop a ‘digital author identifier’ to make these studies easier is pointed out. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Cephalometric Standards for Polish 10-Year-Olds with Normal Occlusion

To establish gender-specific normative data for Polish children at the age of 10 years. Thirty-nine boys and 34 girls (mean age 10.37, SD = 0.52) of Polish ethnicity were selected based on the following criteria: Class I molar relationship, lack of crossbite or scissor-bite, positive overjet and overbite less than 5 mm, adequate amount of space in both dental arches, no visible asymmetry, and good facial proportions. Lateral cephalograms of each subject were scanned and analyzed with the use of NemoCeph NX2005 software. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were calculated for all measured variables. Independent t-tests were performed to assess the intergender differences. The results were compared to the published norms of other white populations. Normative data were presented in the tables. Intergender differences included anterior cranial base length (sella-nasion), total and lower anterior facial height (nasion-menton and ANS-menton, respectively), posterior facial height (sella-gonion), SNA angle, point A to nasion perpendicular distance, pogonion to nasion perpendicular distance, and facial axis. Polish 10-year-old boys had a larger anterior cranial base, and larger total anterior, lower anterior and posterior facial heights than girls. The maxillae and chin protrusion were more pronounced in girls.

To what extent does sexual dimorphism exist in competitive powerlifters?

We examined sexual dimorphism in the anthropometry of 68 Australasian and Pacific powerlifters (14 females, 54 males) who were competing in one of two national or international powerlifting competitions held in New Zealand. All powerlifters were assessed for 37 anthropometric dimensions by ISAK (International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry) Level II and III accredited anthropometrists. While the powerlifters were highly mesomorphic and possessed large girths and bone breadths, both in absolute terms and when expressed as Z p-scores compared through the Phantom (Ross & Wilson, 1974), these characteristics were often more pronounced in male than female lifters. No significant inter-gender differences in any of the measures of adiposity were observed. When normalized through the Phantom, the female and male powerlifters had relatively similar segment lengths and bone breadths, indicating that regardless of gender, competitive powerlifters possess comparable skeletal proportions. These results indicate that although competitive powerlifters exhibit sexual dimorphism for many absolute anthropometric measures, little dimorphism is found for measures of adiposity and for proportional segment lengths and bone breadths. These results further support the importance of anthropometric profiling for powerlifting, and suggest that successful male and female powerlifters will possess similar proportional characteristics.

Phamacists’ Inter-Gender Differences in Behavior and Opinions: Is work Input an Important Mediator?

Objective: Identify and assess inter-gender differences in pharmacists’ behavior and perceptions while controlling for number of hours worked. Design: Every respondent is classified into two independent categories: gender and work input. Behavior and opinion variables are studied. Behavior variables measure who the pharmacist is and what he/she does; opinion variables measure perceptions related to satisfaction with his/her professional life. Setting: Survey questionnaire mailed to 5,000 registered pharmacists throughout the U.S. in 2004. Results: Compared to their male counterparts, female pharmacists are younger, possess less experience and job longevity, and earn lower levels of income and wage rates. These patterns are observed in every work-input category. Systematic variation in behavior variables by work-input category is more common within men than within women. Practitioners respond more positively toward job-specific than toward career-specific opinion variables, and this trend occurs more often for men than for women. In their general perception of pharmacy as a profession, women respond more positively than do men, but with respect to their own job situation, fewer gender disparities and more differences by work-input category are detected. As the level of work effort increases, male practitioners report less satisfaction, more appreciation, greater workload, more stress, less autonomy, and fewer advancement opportunities about their jobs, whereas women’s response is limited to heavier workloads and more stress. Conclusion: Male and female pharmacists exhibit different behavior characteristics, and these differences appear consistently in the three work-input categories. The conclusions derived from the analysis of opinion variables are less definitive, but provide a meaningful contribution towards understanding the forces shaping practitioners’ perceptions.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BELIEF-BASED TARGETS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS

This Study elicited salient Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) beliefs about physical activity among adolescents (Study 1) and then used these beliefs to evaluate gender differences in intention and behavior (Study 2). Study 1 was conducted with a sample (N = 25) of Canadian adolescents, followed by Study 2 (N = 157) where participants completed measures of intention, behavioral, normative, and control beliefs and a one-month follow-up of physical activity behavior. For belief-behavior relationships, boys had larger correlations for control beliefs about schoolwork, other plans, and weather, compared to girls who reported larger correlations for norms from friends (p &lt; .05). Belief-behavior correlation differences by gender were identified that may signal important tailoring in physical activity interventions for adolescents.