Role Of Sex Research Articles

SARS-CoV-2 Infection And COVID-19 Outcomes Among Mental Disorders: A Register-based Study in Catalonia

Abstract This study aimed to study the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes across different mental diagnoses and to assess the role of sex in these associations. We used electronic health records from Catalonia to identify adults receiving inpatient/outpatient mental health care between 2017-2019 with diagnosis of non-affective psychosis (NAP), bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DEP), stress-related disorders, neurotic/somatoform disorders (NSD), and substance misuse (SUB) (exposed). Outcomes included SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19-related death. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted. 785,378 adults were included (70.3% < 65 years old; 57.1% women). Compared to unexposed, those with NAP [OR (95%CI): 0.84 (0.80-0.88)], BD [0.80 (0.75-0.86)], DEP [0.97 (0.94-1.00)] and SUB [0.81 (0.78-0.84)] had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while people with NSD presented an increased risk [1.03 (1.01-1.06)]. Among those infected, people with DEP, NSD, and SUB had a lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization, but higher risk of COVID-19-related death [1.23 (1.07-1.41); 1.26 (1.07-1.48); 1.48 (1.24-1.71), respectively]. A higher COVID-19-related death was also found in people with NAP and BD [1.68 (1.34-2.12); 2.02 (1.50-2.73)]. Sex-stratified analysis showed that women with NSD were especially vulnerable to infection [1.07 (1.03-1.11)], and women with DEP and NSD to COVID-19-related death [1.24 (1.05-1.47); 1.26 (1.02-1.54)]. These results suggest different vulnerabilities to infection and COVID-19 hospitalization and death across mental disorders. These findings have implications for pandemic preparedness, highlighting the need for specific public health strategies to mitigate the excess of mortality of people with certain mental disorders.

Postnatal surge of adipose-secreted leptin is a robust predictor of fat mass trajectory in mice.

The transient postnatal increase in circulating leptin levels, known as leptin surge, may increase later susceptibility to diet-induced obesity in rodents. However, the source of leptin during the surge needs to be better characterized, and the long-term effects of leptin are contradictory. Characterization of the interaction of leptin with the genetic background, sex, and other factors is required. Here, we focused on the impact of circulating leptin levels and several related variables, measured in 2- and 4-week-old (i) obesity-prone C57BL/6 (B6) and (ii) obesity-resistant A/J mice. In total, 264 mice of both sexes were used. Posttranscriptionally controlled leptin secretion from subcutaneous white adipose tissue, the largest adipose tissue depot in mice pups, was the primary determinant of plasma leptin levels. When the animals were randomly assigned standard chow or high-fat diet (HFD) between 12 - 24 weeks of age, the obesogenic effect of HFD-feeding was observed in B6 but not A/J mice. Only leptin levels at 2 weeks, i.e., close to the maximum in the postnatal leptin surge, correlated with both body weight (BW) trajectory throughout the life and adiposity of the 24-week-old mice. Leptin surge explained 13 and 7 % of the variance in BW and adiposity of B6 mice and 9 and 35 % of the variance in these parameters in A/J mice, with a minor role of sex. Our results prove the positive correlation between the leptin surge and adiposity in adulthood, reflecting the fundamental biological role of leptin. This role could be compromised in obese subjects.

Dexmedetomidine alleviates the long-term neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by sevoflurane in the developing brain.

Sevoflurane is an extensively used anesthetic for pediatric patients, however, numerous studies showed that sevoflurane (SEVO) may cause long-term neurodevelopmental toxicity. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been shown to be protective against SEVO-induced neurotoxicity, but the mechanism remains unclear. The effects and mechanisms of different DEX administration routes on SEVO-induced neurotoxicity and long-term cognitive defects were determined and further investigated the role of sex in these processes. Male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats at postnatal day 7 (PND7) received an intraperitoneal injection of DEX (10 μg/kg) before or after exposure to 2.5% SEVO for 6 hours, or before and after SEVO exposure. The respiratory and mortality rates of the pups were recorded during anesthesia. Neuroapoptosis was evaluated by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End labeling (TUNEL) staining. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were employed to detect the expression of caspase-3 in neuronal cells and neurons. The expression of GSK-3β and DISC1 were determined by Western blotting or RT-qPCR. Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats until they were 3 weeks and 5 weeks old. Compared with the control group, exposure to 2.5% SEVO resulted in increased neuroapoptosis, and decreased the expression of DISC1 at levels of mRNA and protein and phosphorylated GSK-3β in the developing brain. SEVO exposure during critical neurodevelopmental periods could cause persistent cognitive defects in adolescent male and female rats, and inhibited DISC1 and phosphorylated GSK-3β protein expression. The neurotoxic impacts of SEVO were lessened by the administration of DEX (10 μg/kg) before or after exposure. Our findings suggest that DEX (10 μg/kg) mitigates the neurotoxic effects of SEVO on the developing rat brain as well as postnatal cognitive defects by regulating the DISC1/GSK-3β signaling.

Women of Maguey and Mezcal: The Other Everyday Symbolic World of the Palenque

Objective: To explore and highlight the role of women in the production of maguey and mezcal in Oaxaca, with the aim of analyzing how they have resisted and adapted to the dynamics of gender, class, and ethnicity that have historically limited their participation in a male-dominated context. Theoretical Framework: It is based on María Lugones' theory of coloniality, Pierre Bourdieu's concept of male domination, and Henri Lefebvre's concept of everyday life. Method: Qualitative research through semi-structured interviews with women mezcal producers and observations in palenques. Results and Discussion: It is revealed that women mezcal producers have played a crucial but historically invisible role in mezcal production. Despite barriers of gender, class, and ethnicity, they have redefined their role in palenques, gaining recognition within their communities. However, they still face cultural and structural challenges that limit their full participation and visibility in the mezcal market. Research Implications: There is a need to revalue the role of women in mezcal production, promoting inclusion and recognition. The visibility of women mezcal producers could transform gender dynamics and open economic and social opportunities. Originality/Value: This research highlights the role of women mezcal producers, providing a gendered and decolonial perspective. It reveals their resistance in a traditionally male-dominated space, suggesting new inclusion policies in rural sectors.

Artificial intelligence literacy in primary education: An arts-based approach to overcoming age and gender barriers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy education was previously taught primarily at the university and secondary school levels but has recently started to be expanded to primary school settings. When available at the primary school level, AI literacy is often taught within computer science courses, which may potentially reinforce gender stereotypes and discourage female students' engagement. In AI literacy education, the predominant teaching methods are constructivist approaches, which, while effective in fostering active learning, heavily emphasize technical skills and are therefore limited in their pedagogical scope, as they underplay other important questions, such as disinformation, data justice, and AI's ethical and societal implications. The lack of a clear definition of AI literacy for primary education also raises questions about what to teach and how to teach it. Additionally, little attention has been devoted to understanding gender differences in learning outcomes within AI literacy primary education.This study advocates the use of an arts-based transdisciplinary approach for teaching AI literacy to 25 primary school students. A pilot study utilizing mixed methods was conducted to assess the effectiveness of this arts-based approach. Quantitative analysis through a paired t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in AI literacy among students participating in knowledge tests. Moreover, the results of the Mann‒Whitney and Kruskal‒Wallis tests indicated that gender and age did not impact pre- and post-knowledge test scores. Qualitative analyses further revealed the pedagogical benefits of the arts-based approach, demonstrating that students enhance their conceptual understanding of AI literacy by reflecting on their artifacts. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence with a small sample size that the arts-based approach can overcome age and gender barriers to accessing AI literacy education and can serve as a means to teach AI thinking.

Gender Disparities and Femininity in the Third Mission: The Example of Blog Writing

Abstract The “third mission” in academia refers to work that makes research accessible and relevant to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. This article explores the third mission from a gender and feminist perspective, analysing blog posts to illustrate gender disparities in Swedish academia. The analysis identifies gender differences in blog post frequency, topics, and styles. Women tend to write about general and popular themes with an emotionally charged and inclusive approach. In contrast, men focus more on research-related topics with an ostensibly neutral and assertive style. This difference reflects traditional gendered communication patterns, where women often adopt a relational style, and men take a factual approach. These gendered norms can potentially affect research focus and career progression. The implications suggest that these patterns reinforce societal gender norms, perpetuating disparities and limiting women’s voices in academic and research settings.

Weighing Down My Career? An Exploration of the Mechanisms for Body Fat’s Impact on Long-Term Career Success and the Moderating Role of Employee Sex and Industry

ABSTRACT Much of the worldwide population is obese or overweight. However, the effects of body fat on a person’s workplace success, especially in the long term, are not well known. Further, we have little insight on the dominant mechanisms by which body fat influences career outcomes. Aiming to understand if, how, and when employee body fat impacts career success over time, we challenge prior theory (i.e. stigma theory) and employ a novel medical perspective to suggest that an employee’s health – in the form of illnesses like cardiovascular disease and diabetes – determines the relationship between employee body fat levels and long-term work success. Furthermore, we integrate research from evolutionary biology to consider the moderating role of employee sex in the health process and probe effects by industry. Longitudinal results from a nationally representative, multi-wave sample (across 20 years) show that employee health – but not stigmatization or other explanations – mediates the negative relationship between employee body fat levels and career success. Moreover, findings reveal that employee sex does not moderate this indirect effect, indicating that high body fat men and women equally experience adverse career effects due to the serious medical impairments they incur. Industry further qualifies these effects.

Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions aimed at delabeling low-risk penicillin allergies with consideration for sex and gender

BackgroundApproximately, 10% of people report a penicillin allergy; however, more than 90% can safely undergo delabeling after a detailed history, oral challenge, or other investigations such as penicillin skin testing (PST). Although PST is the gold standard, the results can be heterogeneous, and awaiting specialist assessment may take an inordinate amount of time. Therefore, oral provocation challenge has become acceptable for individuals with low-risk penicillin allergy histories. There also appears to be an association with increased prevalence of adverse drug reaction reporting in female individuals, which may translate to penicillin allergy prevalence; however, the evidence has not been assessed through a sex and gender lens. This systematic review will identify and synthesize the findings from studies that report measures of effectiveness and safety of interventions aimed at delabeling penicillin allergies in low-risk individuals. Information related to sex and gender will be extracted, where available, to understand potential differences in allergy reporting and patient outcomes.MethodsThe Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Centre for Review and Dissemination’s Guidance for Undertaking Reviews in Health Care will be used as frameworks for conducting this systematic review. The literature search will be conducted by a medical librarian (B. M. M.) and will consist of a search strategy to identify and retrieve published studies that meet our inclusion criteria. Studies that require penicillin skin testing (PST) as a step prior to other interventions will be excluded. Integrated knowledge translation involving co-design was carried out for this systematic review protocol creation. Data extraction will be conducted at four levels: (1) study level, (2) patient level, (3) intervention level, and (4) outcome level. A narrative descriptive synthesis of results and risk of bias of all included studies will be provided, and, if relevant, a meta-analysis will be performed.DiscussionThe dissemination of findings from this knowledge synthesis to various stakeholders is intended to inform on options for evidence-based interventions to aid in delabeling penicillin allergies in individuals with a low risk of experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction. Detailed reporting on the characteristics of delabeling interventions as well as the effectiveness of similar interventions will benefit policy makers considering the implementation of a penicillin allergy delabeling protocol. Additionally, findings from this systematic review will report on the current evidence regarding the role of sex and gender in both the prevalence and outcomes associated with the presence of penicillin allergies.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42022336457.

Prediction of Fetal Death in Preterm Preeclampsia Using Fetal Sex, Placental Growth Factor and Gestational Age.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a systemic disease that affects 4.6% of pregnancies. Despite the existence of a first-trimester screening for the prediction of preterm PE, no consensus exists regarding neither the right moment to end the pregnancy nor the appropriate variables to estimate the prognosis. The objective of this study was to obtain a prediction model for perinatal death in patients with preterm PE, useful for clinical practice. Singleton pregnant women with PE and preterm delivery were included in an observational retrospective study. Multiple maternal and fetal variables were collected, and several multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to construct models to predict perinatal death, selecting the most accurate and reproducible according to the highest area under the curve (AUC) and the lowest Akaike Information Criteria (AIC). A group of 148 pregnant women were included, and 18 perinatal deaths were registered. Univariable logistic regression selected as statistically significant variables the following: gestational age (GA) at admission, fetal sex, poor response to antihypertensive drugs, PlGF, umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI), cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), and absent/reversed ductus venosus (DV). The multivariable model, including all these parameters, presented an AUC of 0.95 and an AIC of 76.5. However, a model including only GA and fetal sex presented a similar accuracy with the highest simplicity (AUC 0.93, AIC 67.6). Finally, in fetuses with a similar GA, fetal death became dependent on PlGF and fetal sex, underlying the role of fetal sex in all circumstances. Female fetal sex and low PlGF are notorious predictors of perinatal death in preterm PE, only surpassed by early GA at birth.

The role of age and sex in non-linear dilution adjustment of spot urine arsenic

BackgroundPrevious research introduced V-PFCRC as an effective spot urinary dilution adjustment method for various metal analytes, including the major environmental toxin arsenic. V-PFCRC normalizes analytes to 1 g/L creatinine (CRN) by adopting more advanced power-functional corrective equations accounting for variation in exposure level. This study expands on previous work by examining the impacts of age and sex on corrective functions.MethodsLiterature review of the effects of sex and age on urinary dilution and the excretion of CRN and arsenic. Data analysis included a Data Set 1 of 5,752 urine samples and a partly overlapping Data Set 2 of 1,154 combined EDTA blood and urine samples. Both sets were classified into age bands, and the means, medians, and interquartile ranges for CRN and TWuAs in uncorrected (UC), conventionally CRN-corrected (CCRC), simple power-functional (S-PFCRC), sex-aggregated (V-PFCRC SA), and sex-differentiated V-PFCRC SD modes were compared. Correlation analyses assessed residual relationships between CRN, TWuAs, and age. V-PFCRC functions were compared across three numerically similar age groups and both sexes. The efficacy of systemic dilution adjustment error compensation was evaluated through power-functional regression analysis of residual CRN and the association between arsenic in blood and all tested urinary result modes.ResultsSignificant sex differences in UC and blood were neutralized by CCRC and reduced by V-PFCRC. Age showed a positive association with blood arsenic and TWuAs in all result modes, indicating factual increments in exposure. Sex-differentiated V-PFCRC best matched the sex-age kinetics of blood arsenic. V-PFCRC formulas varied by sex and age and appeared to reflect urinary osmolality sex-age-kinetics reported in previous research.V-PFCRC minimized residual biases of CRN on TWuAs across all age groups and sexes, demonstrating improved standardization efficacy compared to UC and CCRC arsenic.InterpretationSex differences in UC and CCRC arsenic are primarily attributable to urinary dilution and are effectively compensated by V-PFCRC. While the sex and age influence on V-PFCRC formulas align with sex- and age-specific urinary osmolality and assumed baseline vasopressor activities, their impact on correction validity for entire collectives is minimal.ConclusionThe V-PFCRC method offers a robust correction for urinary arsenic dilution, significantly reducing systemic dilution adjustment errors. Its application in various demographic contexts enhances the accuracy of urinary biomarker assessments, benefiting clinical and epidemiological research. V-PFCRC effectively compensates for sex differences in urinary arsenic. Age-related increases in TWuAs are exposure-related and should be additionally accounted for by algebraic normalization, covariate models, or standard range adjustments.

Effects of childhood adversities on alexithymia features vary between sexes. Results of a prospective population study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associate with various mental disorders, including personality features. Our understanding of how ACEs influence alexithymia features in the general population is limited. In a prospective population setting, we studied whether ACEs associate with alexithymia, and the role of sex and emotional symptoms in this association. Methods: In a Finnish population-based prospective study, 3,142 individuals aged between 30 and 64 years completed eleven ACE questions and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in 2000 and 2011, and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist in 2011. The effect of ACEs on alexithymia and its subdomains – difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF), and externally oriented thinking (EOT) in 2000 and 2011 – was analysed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The number of ACEs and their main component, childhood social disadvantage, associated positively with total alexithymia scores and its subdomains DIF and DDF, and negatively with EOT. After controlling for the effect of depression and anxiety, the strength of these associations was reduced, but the effect of social disadvantage on DIF and EOT remained significant in females. Childhood family conflicts associated positively with DIF in males and negatively with EOT in females. Additionally, maternal mental problems associated positively with DIF and DDF in females. Discussion: In the general population, ACEs, particularly social disadvantage, are associated with adult alexithymia features. Alexithymia features, detectable from youth, may predispose individuals to emotional disturbances caused by childhood adversities. The effect of family conflicts and maternal mental problems on alexithymia features varies between sexes.

Chronic Physiological Dysregulation and Changes in Depressive Symptoms: Testing Sex and Race as Vulnerability Factors.

Depression is a growing public health concern that affects approximately 5% of adults in their lifetime (WHO in Depression, 2021). Understanding the biological correlates of depression is imperative for advancing treatment. Of particular interest is allostatic load, a multisystem indicator of chronic physiological dysregulation (McEwen and Seemanin,Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1999). The current longitudinal study examined the association between allostatic load, depressive symptoms, and the moderating roles of sex and race. Participants consisted of 150 young adults (Mage = 18.81) who reported their demographics and depressive symptoms at T1 and T2, a year and a half later. Allostatic load was computed using indicators of metabolic, cardiovascular, and neuroendocrine functioning. Allostatic load was found to predict changes in depressive symptoms. Moreover, interaction effects models revealed that the associations between allostatic load and depressive symptoms at follow-up were further influenced by sex, such that the relationship was significant for males, with pronounced effects for Black males in particular. Black males may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health consequences of biological dysregulation.

Girls play basketball too? A study of the mechanisms of traditional social gender consciousness on female participation in contact leisure sports.

With the development of women's sports, the mechanism of barriers to women's leisure sports participation has attracted extensive attention from the academic community. Despite its significant impact, there are few empirical studies on intra-personal barriers. Consequently, a structural equation model was established to examine the relationships between traditional social gender awareness, gender bias, gender stereotypes, and barriers to participation in leisure sports. In this study, a total of 508 questionnaires were collected and analyzed using AMOS 24.0 software for structural equation modeling. After model testing, the relationships between the variables were examined. The results of the statistical analyses indicated that traditional gender awareness could serve as an antecedent variable for barriers to participation in leisure sports, and that gender stereotypes mediated the relationship between traditional gender awareness and barriers to participation in leisure sports. The study also concluded that gender bias could not mediate the relationship between traditional gender awareness and participation barriers in leisure sports, but gender bias and gender stereotypes could act as chain mediators in the process of the influence of traditional gender awareness on barriers to contact leisure sports. This study emphasizes the need for women to break down the traditional social gender awareness, gender bias, gender stereotypes, and other intra-personal barriers when engaging in leisure sport participation. According to this study, the promotion of sustained and healthy development of women's sport requires the breaking down of traditional social gender awareness education and the creation of more gender-inclusive sports policies and environments. The significance of the study is that by proposing and confirming the internal participation barriers to women's participation in contact leisure sports, it will lead to the ideological liberation of women's gender perspectives, so that they can break down the participation barriers to contact leisure sports, participate in sports activities, and enjoy the right to play sports on an equal footing.

Residents’ place attachment and tourist sexual behaviour in a European coastal tourist destination

PurposeDespite extensive research into residents’ attitudes towards tourist behaviour, little has been explored about the extent to which visitors’ practices contribute to the formation of residents’ bonds with their place of residence, which is also a tourist destination. Therefore, this research aims to determine how residents’ perception of tourist sexual behaviour affects their engagement with the urban environment and the image of the city and tourist destination in which they live. To structure and interpret the various attitudes of the residents surveyed, the authors used a conceptual framework based on identity process theory (IPT) in relation to residents’ attitudes and the impact of a particular dimension of tourist behaviour – their sexual practices – on their perceived connection to their place of residence.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administered to a sample of 457 residents in Salou to collect data regarding their assessments of the sexual behaviour of tourists in their community. A cluster analysis was used to classify residents according to their attitudes and stances towards the different sexual practices of visitors and their evaluation of the importance of those practices for current and future tourism at the destination. Finally, an analysis of variance was performed to compare significant differences in attitudes towards tourist behaviour and the attachment to Salou among the different segments of residents identified.FindingsThe study identified four groups of residents classified by their attitudes towards tourist sexual behaviour: permissive bystanders, supportive expectants, ambivalent pragmatics and opposed rejectors. Two attitudinal components explain the differences between the groups: tolerance and personal interest, which are associated with how residents construct their bond with Salou in terms of place attachment (PA). These results align well with IPT, as they highlight processes of assimilation, evaluation and the contribution of symbolic significance to the place of residence, mediated by the perception of tourist sexual behaviour.Practical implicationsSome practical recommendations are offered to tourist destination administrations regarding the differences among residents’ attitudes towards tourist behaviour and PA. The findings can serve as a valuable tool for designing tourism policies aimed at selecting markets, as well as for marketing and promoting tourist destinations.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in that it considers the role of tourist sexual behaviour as a compositional element of the identity of the place – a tourist destination – where residents live, providing new empirical data on an under-researched academic issue. This article attempts to contribute to a critical perspective by conceptualising and introducing new elements for understanding the identity, attraction and sexuality of tourist sites. The study also connects with the urban analysis of tourist destinations, incorporating the role of sex into the social construction of the tourist city, the creation of identity and image and the attribution of symbolic meaning to destination settings.

Sex- and dose-dependent catalase increase and its clinical impact in a benzoate dose-finding, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundSex differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are gaining increasing attention. Previously research has shown that sodium benzoate treatment can improve cognitive function in AD patients, particularly in the female patients; and 1000 mg/day of benzoate appears more efficacious than lower doses. Catalase is a crucial endogenous antioxidant; and deficiency of catalase is regarded to be related to the pathogenesis of AD. The current study aimed to explore the role of sex and benzoate dose in the change of catalase activity among benzoate-treated AD patients. MethodsThis secondary analysis used data from a double-blind trial, in which 149 CE patients were randomized to receive placebo or one of three benzoate doses (500, 750, or 1000 mg/day) and measured with Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale. Plasma catalase was assayed before and after treatment. ResultsBenzoate treatment, particularly at 1000 mg/day, increased catalase among female patients, but not among male. The increases in the catalase activity among the benzoate-treated women were correlated with their cognitive improvements. In addition, higher baseline catalase activity was associated with more cognitive improvement after benzoate treatment among both female and male patients. ConclusionsSupporting the oxidative stress theory and sex difference in AD, the finding suggest that sex (female) and benzoate dose co-determine catalase increase in benzoate-treated AD patients and the catalase increment contributes to cognitive improvement of benzoate-treated women.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03752463.

Sex and gender differences in the epidemiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias

Emerging evidence suggests that primary headaches, classified as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs), may exhibit sex and gender differences in clinical features, mechanisms, and treatment responses. While epidemiological and clinical gender-specific differences have been widely reported for cluster headache, limited evidence is available for other TACs. In this narrative review, we have analyzed the existing data on the influence of sex and gender on cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks, and hemicrania continua. Given the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine and cluster headache, sex and gender differences in the levels and function of CGRP in preclinical models and patients are reported. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the role of sex and gender in the complex interplay of genetic and neurochemical factors in TACs.

Sex differences in motivational biases over instrumental actions.

Motivational (i.e., appetitive or aversive) cues can bias value-based decisions by affecting either direction and intensity of instrumental actions. Despite several findings describing important interindividual differences in these biases, whether biological sex can also play a role is still up to debate. By comparing females and males in both appetitive and aversive Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer paradigms we found that, while motivational cues similarly bias the direction of instrumental actions in both sexes, the intensity of such actions is increased by the cue in male participants only. The present results constitute compelling evidence that a crucial motivational bias of daily actions directed to obtaining rewards or avoiding punishments is modulated by biological sex. This evidence sheds new light on the role of sex in motivational processes that underlie decision-making, highlighting the importance of considering sex as a crucial factor in future research on this topic.

“Too Much Trouble”: Transgender and Nonbinary People's Experiences of Stigmatization and Stigma Avoidance in the Workplace

Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people in the U.S. navigate significant employment and economic inequities. Gaps in knowledge about their workplace experiences limit our broader understanding of how social inequality is interactionally constructed through employment contexts. We conducted and analyzed interviews with 26 TNB young adults. Routine hiring processes and structural constraints made participants vulnerable to interactional stigmatization and subsequent discrimination, with deleterious consequences for employment as well as mental health. Participants deployed a variety of strategies to avoid or resist anticipated stigma, including exiting the workforce or changing careers. One's ability to avoid stigmatization at work was partially shaped by structural and managerial support, organizational form, and one's gender and gender conformity. Beyond contributing to economic inequality by limiting job and career options, our findings suggest that these social processes comprise minority stressors that diminish the well-being of TNB participants and exacerbate their economic marginalization. In contributing empirical insight into the experiences of TNB people, we demonstrate the salience of stigmatization and stigma avoidance strategies for social closure within organizations and thereby advance sociological understanding of the relational generation of inequality at work.

Sex differences in the molecular profile of adult diffuse glioma are shaped by IDH status and tumor microenvironment.

Sex differences in adult diffuse glioma (ADG) are well-established clinically, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Here, we aim to reveal molecular features and cellular compositions unique to each sex in ADG to comprehend the role of sex in disease etiology. We quantified sex differences in transcriptome of ADG using multiple independent glioma patient datasets. Next, we delved into the single-cell landscape to examine sex differences in gene expression and cellular composition. To explore how sex influences disease progression, we analyzed paired samples from primary and recurrent ADG cases, aiming to identify sex-specific differences in molecular and cellular features. Our analysis revealed that mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes and the tumor microenvironment emerged as primary influencers of sex-differential molecular enrichments. In IDHwt tumors, genes in neuronal signaling pathway are found to be enriched in male tumors, while genes in hypoxia and inflammatory response pathways are enriched in female tumors. This pattern was reversed in IDHmut gliomas. We hypothesized that these distinctions could be attributed to heterogeneous cellular composition between sexes. Using single-cell data, we observed distinctive patterns of sex differences in cell states, cell composition and cell-cell interaction in IDHwt and IDHmut tumors separately. Further, by comparing molecular changes in paired primary and recurrent ADG samples, we identified sex-specific differences in molecular characteristics and cellular compositions of recurrent tumors. Our results provide a comprehensive multi-level characterization of sex differences in ADG, such findings provide novel insights into glioma disease progression in each sex.

Sex-specific association between schizophrenia polygenic risk and subclinical schizophrenia-related traits

BackgroundAccording to the dimensional view of psychiatric disorders, psychosis is expressed as a continuum in the general population. However, the investigation of the putative genetic aetiological continuity between its clinical and subclinical phenotypes has yielded mixed results. We aimed to replicate previous findings regarding the association of polygenic risk for schizophrenia with subclinical traits (i.e., schizotypy traits and psychotic-like experiences), and to examine the role of sex in this association in a large nonclinical sample. MethodsThe Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences were assessed in 919 nonclinical participants. Polygenic Risk Scores for schizophrenia (SZ-PRSs) were computed using the PRS-CS method based on the latest genome-wide association study of schizophrenia. Summary statistics derived from the total GWAS sample and stratified by sex were used. Linear regression analyses tested the associations of the SZ-PRSs with the psychometric variables, both in the total sample and by sex. ResultsNo associations were found between the SZ-PRSs and the positive, negative or disorganized dimensions of schizotypy in the total sample. Likewise, no associations were found with psychotic-like experiences. However, the sex-stratified analyses revealed a male-specific association with positive schizotypy. Similar results were obtained with the PRSs derived from the sex-stratified summary statistics. DiscussionOur results are consistent with the lack of clear evidence of an association between SZ common genetic risk and its subclinical phenotypes. Nevertheless, the male-specific association found suggests that this PRS might explain better the male phenotype, as reported in previous studies. Future studies should put a focus on the role of sex in this association to unravel its sex specificities.