Possible Effect Of Gender Research Articles

BNT162b2 Vaccination after SARS-CoV-2 Infection Changes the Dynamics of Total and Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2: A 6-Month Prospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to analyze the dynamics, duration, and production of total and neutralizing antibodies induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine and the possible effect of gender and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on the generation of these antibodies. Total antibodies were quantified via chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), and neutralizing antibodies were quantified using the cPass SARS-CoV-2 kit. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 produced twice as many antibodies than vaccinated individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an exponential increase observed in just six days. In those without a COVID-19 history, similar antibody production was reached 45 days after vaccination. Although total antibodies decline considerably in the first two months, the neutralizing antibodies and their inhibitory capacity (>96%) persist up to 6 months after the first dose. There was a tendency for higher total antibodies in women than men, but not at the inhibition capacity level. We suggest that the decline in total antibodies should not be considered as an indicator of loss of protective immunity because most antibodies decay two months after the second dose, but neutralizing antibodies remain constant for at least six months. Therefore, these latter antibodies could be better indicators for estimating the time-dependent vaccine efficacy.

Analysis of Gender Differences in Online Handwriting Signals for Enhancing e-Health and e-Security Applications

Handwriting is a complex perceptual–motor skill that is mastered around the age of 8. Although its computerized analysis has been utilized in many biometric and digital health applications, the possible effect of gender is frequently neglected. The aim of this paper is to analyze different online handwritten tasks performed by intact subjects and explore gender differences in commonly used temporal, kinematic, and dynamic features. The differences were explored in the BIOSECUR-ID database. We have identified a significant gender difference in on-surface/in-air time of genuine and skilled forgery signatures, on-surface time in cursive letters and numbers, and pressure, speed, and acceleration in text written in capital letters. Our findings accent the need to consider gender as an important confounding factor in studies dealing with online handwriting signal processing.

Interactions Between Gender, Age and Competitive Level on Elite Student-athletes’ Religious Coping Experiences in the Week Leading Up to Competition

In recent times, religiosity and spirituality have been embraced by most athletes as alternative coping mechanism around the world. Although extensive scholarly works on different dimensions of coping exist in sport, only few studies have explored the use of other coping strategies like religious coping. The current study investigated elite student-athletes’ religious coping strategies as a function of gender, age and competitive level in the week leading up to competition. This cross-sectional study conveniently recruited a sample of 300 student-athletes competing at the 2018 West Africa University Games (WAUG) in Nigeria. Sociodemographic data (i.e., gender, age category and competitive level) and religious coping using the Brief RCOPE Scale were assessed. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to evaluate the possible effect of gender, age and competitive level on religious coping. Results indicate that no significant interaction effects were realized across all between-subject factors: gender-age-competitive level on religious coping. However, a significant main effect was noted for only participants’ competitive level on religious coping, with international students employing more religious coping strategies (both positive and negative) compared to their national and regional counterparts. Sport psychologists, coaches and managers working closely with these athletes could integrate positive religious coping strategies for athletes of different competitive levels as part of an adaptation framework that may independently influence important outcomes such as emotion and cognitive regulation, including their psychological wellbeing.

Gender differences in the fluorescence of human skin in young healthy adults.

Human skin naturally contains many endogenous fluorophores; therefore, fluorescence techniques can be used for monitoring of the human skin even in in vivo mode. The aim of this work was to study skin autofluorescence in vivo regarding the possible effect of gender. Fluorescence emission spectra of young healthy Caucasian adults in 3 anatomical regions (forehead, hand, and inner upper arm) were taken with excitation at 280, 325, or 400nm. Three emission bands were found in the spectra for both men and women: (1) an intensive band peaked at 340/280nm (peak emission/excitation wavelength), corresponding to aromatic amino acids of proteins in epidermis; (2) a broad band with emission between 360 nm and 480 nm (excitation 325nm) with a base peak around 390nm and 2 side peaks at 420 and 450nm, mainly due to collagen cross-links in dermis with a possible weak contribution of elastin and mitochondrial NADPH; (3) a weak but distinct peak at 600/400nm corresponding presumably to skin unmetalled porphyrins. The intensity of skin autofluorescence showed differences between genders and among anatomical regions. The 340 nm intensity was 1.4 times higher in the male group in all 3 anatomical regions studied. The highest intensity of skin autofluorescence for the peaks at 340/280nm and 600/400nm was found on the forehead, whereas the 390/325nm band was most intensive on the inner upper arm in both genders.

Factors Affecting Well-being and Socio-occupational Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients Following an Acute Exacerbation: A Hospital Based Observational Study.

Background:Improving functioning levels are an important goal of treatment in schizophrenia. Most studies have described long-term course and outcome in schizophrenia. However, understanding factors influencing functioning in the immediate recovery period following an acute exacerbation may be of important clinical relevance.Aim:The aim of this study is to assess the factors that influence well-being and socio-occupational functioning following an acute exacerbation in schizophrenia patients.Materials and Methods:The study included 40 patients during the period from June 2013 to June 2014. The possible effect of gender, duration of illness, duration of untreated psychosis, premorbid adjustment, cognitive impairment, facial affect perception and treatment compliance on well-being, and socio-occupational functioning was examined.Results:About 45% of the individuals experienced below average well-being. On logistic regression analysis poor compliance with medication and poorer cognitive functioning significantly differentiated the patient group with below average well-being from those with an above average well-being. Male gender, poor premorbid adjustment, poor compliance to treatment, poor cognitive functioning, and greater duration of untreated psychosis were found to be associated with a poorer socio-occupational functioning.Conclusion:Clinical interventions focusing on improving cognitive impairment and compliance to treatment could play a role in improving well-being, and socio-occupational functioning in schizophrenia patients following an acute exacerbation.

The Effect of Gender on Measures of Electroglottographic Contact Quotient

The purpose of this study was to reevaluate the possible effect of gender on measures of electroglottographic contact quotient (CQ). In addition to criterion threshold methods frequently used for the computation of CQ's via electroglottography (EGG), derivative based methods of computing the EGG CQ that have not been previously evaluated in regard to their effectiveness in discriminating between male versus female EGG waveforms were also examined. Causal, mixed design. EGG waveforms were recorded during sustained vowel production from normal voice men and women (total N=50). Measures of EGG CQ were calculated using eight criterion thresholds (25-60% in 5% increments). In addition, CQs were computed using the EGG derivative (DEGG) as well as via two hybrid methods that combine thresholds with measures from the DEGG. Only CQs calculated via the DEGG showed a statistically significant difference in the direction anticipated via previous research (ie, men>women). In addition, the DEGG was the only method to show statistically significant differences in CQ useful in discriminating between "knee"-shaped opening phases observed in 76% of the men versus no "knee" opening phases observed in 64% of the women. The DEGG may provide advantages over other methods of EGG CQ analysis that are useful in revealing possible gender differences in vocal physiology. Further studies that examine the relationship between EGG, DEGG, and visualization of vocal fold dynamics via high-speed video may provide further insight into the possible differences between adult male versus female contacting and decontacting points during comfortable pitch and loudness phonation.

Evaluation of the Possible Effect of Gender, Age and Duration of Diabetes on the Serum Zinc Levels of Diabetic Patients in Murzuk Area-Libya

Evaluation of the Possible Effect of Gender, Age and Duration of Diabetes on the Serum Zinc Levels of Diabetic Patients in Murzuk Area-Libya

Assessment of the Exposure to Elements from Silver Jewelry by Hair Mineral Analysis

The aim of the present article was to assess the effect of wearing silver jewelry on mineral composition of human scalp hair. To investigate the possible effect of gender, a group of females and males was distinguished. Subjects, who declared in the questionnaire wearing silver jewelry, constituted 55% of the whole population. It was found that individuals wearing jewelry had increased levels of Ag (~3 times), Ba (30%), Ca (33%), La (40%), Li (25%), and Zn (27%) in hair and lowered level of: Al (34%), K (79%), and Na (32.5%) in comparison with the group that did not wear jewelry. Those differences were statistically significant. Lower levels of K and Na in hair of subjects wearing jewelry was probably related with an antagonism between Ag-K and Ag-Na found in the present work. Analyzing the effect of two grouping variables-gender and wearing silver jewelry-on hair composition, it was observed that statistically significant differences were determined for the following elements: As, Ba, Ca, and Se. Female hair contained two times more Ca, four times Ba, 36% less As, and five times less Se. It was found that 34% of the population wearing silver jewelry had higher Ag content in hair than the upper value of the reference range (0.567 mg/kg) determined for subjects who did not wear jewelry. Ag and other metals (especially Cu and Zn) from jewelry could be absorbed through the skin and therefore hair mineral analysis is useful in the assessment of this exposure. The study was carried out on Poles, among which silver jewelry is particularly popular. The population can be thus considered as exposed.

P02-182 Gender differences in family burden experienced by caregivers to people with intellectual disability

Background:The term ‘family burden’ has been introduced to describe the adverse consequences of life with severely disturbed psychiatric patients. Its use has been extended to people with intellectual disability (ID). Literature has established a distinction between the intensity of worry and appraisals experienced by caregivers (subjective burden) and the real amount of resources (time, money, health, etc.) spent on the care (objective burden).Aims:To compare the possible effect of gender on the burden experienced by a group of caregivers to people with ID in Spain.Methodology:179 adults with intellectual disability clients of the Carmen Pardo-Valcarce Foundation's sheltered workshop in Madrid (Spain) were asked to participate in the present study along with their main caregivers. Burden experienced by caregivers was assessed with the ECFOS-II / SOFBI-II scale (Entrevista de Carga Familiar Objetiva y Subjetiva / Objective and Subjective Family Burden Interview). The tool has been validated for people with ID. It hasan introductory section plus 8 modules which assess different domains of burden.Results:Only two modules of the scale showed significant differences depending on the gender of the user. These modules refer to the need of assistance in everyday activities and motives for concern for the caregiver (p< 0.05).Discussion:In overall terms, caregivers experience the same level of burden when caring either for a son or for a daughter with ID. However, gender differences arise when considering specific domains, showing that social stereotypes can account for a higher level of subjective burden associated to female gender.

Effects of gender and moderate smoking on the pharmacokinetics and effects of the CYP1A2 substrate tizanidine

We studied the effects of gender and smoking on the pharmacokinetics and effects of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 substrate tizanidine. Seventy-one healthy young volunteers (male and female nonsmokers, male smokers) ingested 4 mg tizanidine. Plasma concentrations and pharmacodynamics of tizanidine were measured, and a caffeine test was performed. Among nonsmokers, the peak concentration (C(max)) and area under concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity [AUC(0-infinity)] of tizanidine did not differ significantly between females and males. However, the half-life (t(1/2)) was 9% shorter in female nonsmokers than in male nonsmokers (P < 0.05). In male smokers, the t(1/2) was 10% shorter and the weight-adjusted AUC(0-infinity) 33% smaller than in male nonsmokers (P < 0.05). The caffeine/paraxanthine ratio was 35-40% smaller (P = 0.001) in male smokers than in nonsmoking males or females, but did not differ between males and females. Tizanidine lowered blood pressure and caused drowsiness significantly (P < 0.05) more in females than in either male groups. The effects on blood pressure were smallest in male smokers (P < 0.05). Gender by itself seems to have no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of tizanidine, whereas smoking reduces plasma concentrations and effects of tizanidine. Any possible effect of gender and smoking is largely outweighed by individual variability in CYP1A2 activity due to genetic and environmental factors and in body weight. Careful dosing of tizanidine is warranted in small females, whereas male smokers can require higher than average doses.

Estrogen deposits extra mineral into bones of female rats in puberty, but simultaneously seems to suppress the responsiveness of female skeleton to mechanical loading

To first test the possible effect of gender on the responsiveness of growing rat skeleton to mechanical loading, 5-week-old littermates of 25 male and 25 female rats were subjected to either free-cage activity or treadmill training for a period of 14 weeks (experiment 1). Using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and mechanical testing of the femoral neck, we observed female rats exhibiting a clearly lower responsiveness to external loading than male rats (+3.0% vs +25% in cross-sectional area (CSA), +4.2% vs +27% in the bone mineral content (BMC), −0.6% vs +10% in volumetric bone mineral density (BMD), and +4.7% vs +28% in fracture strength ( F max) of the femoral neck). Also, relative to the mechanical demands placed on the skeleton, the bones of the young female rats were considerably denser (>50%) than those of the males. In the subsequent experiment 2, we repeated the above-noted first experiment with 33-week-old rats and observed virtually identical exercise-induced benefits (+2.1% vs +10% in CSA, +3.4% vs +18% in BMC, +2.5% vs +23% in BMD, and −1.1% vs +27% in F max in females vs males, respectively) and the growth/puberty-related condensation of mineral into female bones. Finally, in experiment 3, 60 littermates of 3-week-old female rats were first subjected to sham operation or ovariectomy and then further randomized to exercise or control groups, respectively, to study whether the condensation of mineral into female bones and their lower responsiveness to loading were attributable to the effects of estrogen. At the end of the 16-week intervention, our pQCT and mechanical testing analysis showed not only the anticipated effect of reduced bone density in the ovariectomized rats (∼ −20%) but also the hypothesized better responsiveness to mechanical loading in these estrogen-depleted rats (−3.5% vs +9.1% in CSA, −0.4% vs +12% in BMC, +4.4% vs +9.6% in BMD, and −4.2% vs +16% in F max in SHAM vs OVX, respectively). In conclusion, the results of our series of three experiments suggest that as such estrogen seems to have very little primary effect on the sensitivity of female bone to respond to external loading, but rather deposits extra stock of mineral into female bones in puberty. This estrogen-driven extra condensation of the female skeleton seems to persist into adulthood, simultaneously damping the responsiveness of the female skeleton to mechanical loading.

Possible effect of gender and season on the length of hospitalisation in unipolar major depressives

Background: Seasonal variation as well as gender differences of several phenomena of affective disorders are a common topic of interest. Methods: The authors analysed the possible effect of season and gender on the length of hospital stay in 529 in-patients with unipolar major depressive episode. Results: Age and menopausal status alone did not influence the length of hospitalisation but there was a statistical tendency (only for females) for the shortest hospital stay in summer, that reached significance in females younger than 50 years. Conclusions: The results suggest a possible seasonal and gender effect on recovery from major depression. Limitations: Retrospective nature of the study, lack of systematic assessment of clinical response and no data collection about marital status and living conditions, that also can influence the time of discharge.

Sensation Seeking and Hormones in Men and Women: Exploring the Link

Risky behaviors (e.g., binge drinking, drunk driving, risky sex) are increasing among U.S. college students, and the personality trait of sensation seeking provides a potential link between such norm-breaking behaviors and biological processes. We examined the relationship between sensation-seeking behaviors and two hormones, testosterone and cortisol, in male and female college students. Hormone levels were hypothesized to contribute to the variability of individual scores on Zuckerman's Sensation-Seeking Scale. As expected, males scored higher on the scale than females, but the data failed to support the generally accepted positive relationship between testosterone and sensation seeking for either sex. Instead, our results support the existence of a significant inverse relationship between cortisol and sensation seeking in men, but not in women, even after adjustment for testosterone levels and age. Our study contributes to the current literature by (a) supporting the association between risky behavior and a hormone other than testosterone, (b) being the first to examine the association between cortisol and sensation seeking in women, and (c) identifying a possible effect of gender on the association between hormones and sensation-seeking behaviors. Gendered social norms and expectations are likely to be partly responsible for this effect. Theory-guided interdisciplinary research is needed to improve understanding of the biological influences on human behavior, and special attention must be paid to social context, women's perceptions of their expected behavior, and gendered socialization regarding norm-breaking or risky behaviors, which may obscure biological links to female behavior.

Hostility, gender, and cardiac autonomic control.

Although considerable evidence implicates hostility in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), the pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. We have developed a psychophysiological model that holds that altered autonomic nervous system function links psychological traits with CAD outcomes. In laboratory studies, stressors reduce high-frequency (HF) heart period variability, an index of cardiac vagal modulation. With ambulatory electrocardiographic recording, we demonstrated in a predominantly male sample that hostility was inversely associated with HF power, but only during waking hours. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that hostile individuals experience multiple stressful interpersonal transactions each day, resulting in overall lower HF power during the day but not at night. To further evaluate this hypothesis, we screened 96 subjects using the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale and selected 15 men and 15 women representing a wide distribution of hostility. These subjects were studied in a laboratory session assessing reactivity to psychological and orthostatic challenges with continuous electrocardiographic, blood pressure, and respiration monitoring. We predicted that for men and women, hostility would be inversely related to reductions in HF power in response to challenge. In response to mental stressors, all measures of heart period variability change were inversely related to hostility as predicted. No such relationships were found for responses to tilt. The data suggested a possible effect of gender on these relationships. These data add to the growing body of evidence showing that hostility influences vagal modulation of the cardiovascular system and suggest that altered autonomic control is a pathogenic mechanism linking hostility and CAD.

Gender-Related Seasonality of Human Platelet Phenolsulfotransferase Activity

This study focused on the investigation of the possible effect of gender and season on the activity of the thermolabile and thermostable forms of platelet phenolsulfotransferase (PST) in a group of 23 healthy, drug-free volunteers of both sexes. The results showed a different seasonal profile of PST activity in men and women: in men, PST seasonal rhythms revealed a shallow profile with higher values in both the spring and summer than in the autumn. Conversely, in women, the PST seasonality showed a profile consisting overall of a main peak in the summer. Also, significant gender-dependent correlations were found between the photoperiod length and PST values. Our findings should stimulate further investigation into gender-dependent molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of the metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic agents, such as monoamines and phenols, which are the substrates of PST.