Sex-related Responses Research Articles

Sex blind: bridging the gap between drug exposure and sex-related gene expression in Danio rerio using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and a literature review to find the missing links in pharmaceutical and environmental toxicology studies.

The sex of both humans and Danio rerio has previously been shown to affect the way individuals respond to drug exposure. Genes which allow identification of sex in juvenile zebrafish show potential to reveal these confounding variables between sex in toxicological and preclinical trials but the link between these is so far missing. These sex-specific, early expressed genes where expression is not altered by drug exposure must be carefully selected for this purpose. We aimed to discover genes which can be used in pharmaceutical trials and environmental toxicology studies to uncover sex-related variations in gene expression with drug application using the model organism Danio rerio. Previously published early sex determining genes from King et al. were evaluated as well as additional genes selected from our zebrafish Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data which are known from previously published works not to be susceptible to changes in expression with drug exposure. NGS revealed a further ten female-specific genes (vtg1, cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, igf3, ftz-f1, gdf9, foxl2a, Nr0b1, ipo4, lhcgr) and five male related candidate genes (FKBP5, apobb1, hbaa1, dmrt1, spata6) which are also expressed in juvenile zebrafish, 28 days post fertilisation (dpf). Following this, a literature review was performed to classify which of these early-expressed sex specific genes are already known to be affected by drug exposure in order to determine candidate genes to be used in pharmaceutical trials or environmental toxicology testing studies. Discovery of these early sex-determining genes in Danio rerio will allow identification of sex-related responses to drug testing to improve sex-specific healthcare and the medical treatment of human patients.

Climate Change, Extreme Temperatures and Sex-Related Responses in Spiders.

Climatic extremes, such as heat waves, are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration under anthropogenic climate change. These extreme events pose a great threat to many organisms, and especially ectotherms, which are susceptible to high temperatures. In nature, many ectotherms, such as insects, may seek cooler microclimates and 'ride out´ extreme temperatures, especially when these are transient and unpredictable. However, some ectotherms, such as web-building spiders, may be more prone to heat-related mortality than more motile organisms. Adult females in many spider families are sedentary and build webs in micro-habitats where they spend their entire lives. Under extreme heat, they may be limited in their ability to move vertically or horizontally to find cooler microhabitats. Males, on the other hand, are often nomadic, have broader spatial distributions, and thus might be better able to escape exposure to heat. However, life-history traits in spiders such as the relative body size of males and females and spatial ecology also vary across different taxonomic groups based on their phylogeny. This may make different species or families more or less susceptible to heat waves and exposure to very high temperatures. Selection to extreme temperatures may drive adaptive responses in female physiology, morphology or web site selection in species that build small or exposed webs. Male spiders may be better able to avoid heat-related stress than females by seeking refuge under objects such as bark or rocks with cooler microclimates. Here, we discuss these aspects in detail and propose research focusing on male and female spider behavior and reproduction across different taxa exposed to temperature extremes.

Fermented whey modulated AFB1 and OTA-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in vivo. A relative and absolute quantification about sex differences

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are well-known to promote hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in vivo, which may be counteracted by natural compounds like fermented whey (FW). Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) are typical biomarkers used to detect liver and kidney damage, respectively. Thus, RT-qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) analysis were performed to assess the potential beneficial effect of FW against AFB1 and OTA hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male and female Wistar rats by analyzing the altered gene expression of hepatic CPS1 and renal KIM-1 after 28 days of oral exposure. In male livers, the most damaging treatment was AFB1 by reducing CPS1 expression, which was totally reversed by FW-administration. This bioactive compound also improved gene expression changes induced by OTA and mycotoxins mixture. In female livers, a significant CPS1 overexpression was observed for each exposure performed, in which FW-supplementation reported no remarkable differences compared with mycotoxins exposure. Conversely, in the kidneys of male and female rats, exposure to mycotoxins promoted renal damage by altering KIM-1 gene expression, being OTA-exposure the most harmful condition. In both sexes, ddPCR analysis demonstrated that FW-addition modulated mycotoxins induced KIM-1 gene expression changes, thus reducing kidney damage. In this organ, sex-related responses were not clearly observed. Therefore, these findings confirmed that AFB1 and OTA-promoted hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in vivo, which could be modulated by dietary FW supplementation.

Acrylamide and Potential Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: Effects on Human Population, Glucose Metabolism and Beta-Cell Toxicity.

Diabetes mellitus is a frequent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Acrylamide (AA) is food contaminant formed during the high-temperature processing of food rich in carbohydrates and low in proteins. Recent human epidemiological studies have shown a potential association between AA exposure and the prevalence of diabetes in the general population. In male rats, AA treatment promoted pancreatic islet remodeling, which was determined by alpha-cell expansion and beta-cell reduction, while in female rats AA caused hyperglycemia and histopathological changes in pancreatic islets. In vitro and in vivo rodent model systems have revealed that AA induces oxidative stress in beta cells and that AA impairs glucose metabolism and the insulin signaling pathway. Animal studies have shown that diabetic rodents are more sensitive to acrylamide and that AA aggravates the diabetic state. In this review, we provide an overview of human epidemiological studies that examined the relation between AA exposure and glucose disorders. In addition, the effects of AA treatment on pancreatic islet structure, beta-cell function and glucose metabolism in animal models are comprehensively analyzed with an emphasis on sex-related responses. Furthermore, oxidative stress as a putative mechanism of AA-induced toxicity in beta cells is explored. Finally, we discuss the effects of AA on diabetics in a rodent model system.

Sexual differences in root growth and antioxidant characteristics in Salix viminalis exposed to cadmium stress

Salix viminalis is a typical dioecious shrub willow, which has been widely used in the heavy metal polluted soil phytoremediation due to its fast growth rate, deep root system, and metal-resistance trait. It has been reported that dioecious plants present sex-specific characteristics when exposed to biotic and abiotic stress. However, different responses to heavy metal cadmium stress between male and female plants of S. viminalis have not been clarified. In this study, male and female S. viminalis clones were treated by 100 μM cadmium stress for a period of 21 days, and the root morphology, hydrogen peroxide content, malondialdehyde, and free proline content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and glutathione content were investigated after every 7-day interval. The results showed that female plants of S. viminalis developed thicker root diameter and volume and also accumulated more hydrogen peroxide than males at the first 7-day interval. Furthermore, sexual dichotomous indexes showed the most significant on the second 7-day interval. These findings suggest that male plants of S. viminalis have stronger cadmium tolerance than female plants and sexual differences in adaptive responses to cadmium are duration dependent, which adds to present evidence of sex-related responses to environmental stress in dioecious plants. Novelty statement Salix viminalis, a dioecious shrub willow, has been widely used in phytoremediation, yet sexually differences in tolerance to cadmium of which remained unclear. This study focused on different responses to cadmium stress between roots of male and female S. viminalis. Results show that male plants of S. viminalis have stronger cadmium tolerance than female plants, which indicates male S. viminalis should be more considered to be applied for phytoremediation and ecological restoration of cadmium-accumulated soil considering cadmium tolerance characteristics. The findings can provide valuable evidence and insights for researches focused on phytoremediation with dioecious woody plants and sexual dimorphism under abiotic stress.

Investigation of itch in Parkinson disease

Introduction: Sensory abnormalities (eg, pain) are common in Parkinson disease (PD) with a negative impact on quality of life. As itch is less studied in PD, and pain and itch partially share sensory pathways, we designed this study to identify the occurrence and pattern of spontaneous itch, and responsiveness to a surrogate itch model in PD. Methods: The study protocol was approved (N-20180079) and PD patients and their best matched controls were recruited. A questionnaire was used to collect general information on itch. Sensory alterations were determined by subjective ratings and mechanical sensitivity threshold before and after a standard histamine-dependent itch model on forearms. Itch and pain intensities were rated on visual and numerical rating scales, respectively. Dispersion of itch was drawn on arm charts. Presence and area of alloknesis and hyperknesis were determined. Group comparisons were performed in SPSS with a significant level of 0.05. Descriptive statistic was used for questionnaire’s analysis. Results: Patients (n=20; 68.10±7.91 y, F/M ratio: 8/12) and controls (n=20; 67.35±7.65 y, F/M ratio: 8/12) were examined. PD patients rated less physical and emotional descriptors, except for the stinging (P=0.028). No difference was found between the groups in histamine-provoked itch intensity (P=0.799) or the itchy area. A significantly larger area of hyperknesis was found in PD (P=0.011), but not for the area of alloknesis (P=0.221). Sex-related responses yielded only a tendency toward higher responses in female patients. Discussion: PD does not seem to influence perception of itch, neither spontaneous nor evoked itch, except for hyperknesis area, which was found significantly larger in PD patients following the application of histamine. This finding proposes a potential alteration in central processing of itch that needs further investigation and whether and how it is affected by, for example, PD pathogenesis.

Sex-Dependent Dyslipidemia and Neuro-Humoral Alterations Leading to Further Cardiovascular Risk in Juvenile Obesity

Objective: Childhood obesity is a growing concern as the World Health Organization (WHO) states that ~10% of adolescents worldwide are overweight or obese. This condition is the reflex of energy imbalance between the calories consumed and those expended. Sex-related responses associated with dyslipidemia, hormonal alterations, and neuro-humoral disruptions in childhood obesity are the focus of the present investigation.Methods: Ninety-two Brazilian adolescents were enrolled and divided between obese and eutrophic groups. Obesity was assessed using body mass index Z-score according to age and weight. Anthropometrical analyses, blood pressure, blood lipids, metabolism-regulating hormones, and neuropeptides were carried out.Results: Systolic blood pressure was higher in female and male patients with obesity. Obese females presented alterations in lipid profile and an augment of cardiovascular disease prediction ratios TC/HDL, TG/HDL, LDL/HDL, and VLDL/HDL. The levels of leptin, GIP, and neuropeptide showed sex-dimorphism in obesity. The obese adolescents presented increased levels of circulating insulin, c-peptide, amylin, glucagon, and GLP-1. Correlation analysis showed significant linearity between body mass index, blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, hormones, and neuropeptides content.Conclusions: Our data support an existing link associating hypertension, dyslipidemia, and neuro-hormonal imbalance in childhood obesity. We also described a sex-dependent pattern in childhood obesity-associated dyslipidemia and blood pressure in female patients with obesity solely.

Sex-related responses in rhizosphere processes of dioecious Populus cathayana exposed to drought and low phosphorus stress

Extensive research has shown that dioecious plants exhibit sexual dimorphism under extreme environments. However, sex-specific differences in responses to drought, phosphorus (P) shortage or their combination are less known. In our study, impacts of drought, P shortage and their combination on the performance of Populus cathayana males and females were investigated. Drought and P deficiency caused a greater negative impact on female growth than on male growth. P application ameliorated the more negative effect of drought on the shoot dry matter accumulation and P concentration in male leaves, while smaller effects were observed in females. The concentration of citrate in the rhizosphere of males was higher under drought combined with P application than under adequate water availability, and the increase was greater in males than in females. Males also showed a higher abundance of main soil microbial groups, including bacteria, actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and Gram+ and Gram- bacteria in the rhizosphere, resulting in a more resistant microhabitat. In contrast, the abundance of bacteria and AMF was less in the rhizosphere of females exposed to stress conditions, while saprophytic fungi increased significantly. P enhanced drought resistance more in stress-resistant males but less in females under relatively severe drought stress. Increased drought resistance by P in males might be associated with greater plasticity in rhizosphere processes when compared with females.

Role of Sirt3 in Differential Sex-Related Responses to a High-Fat Diet in Mice.

Metabolic homeostasis is differently regulated in males and females. Little is known about the mitochondrial Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) protein in the context of sex-related differences in the development of metabolic dysregulation. To test our hypothesis that the role of Sirt3 in response to a high-fat diet (HFD) is sex-related, we measured metabolic, antioxidative, and mitochondrial parameters in the liver of Sirt3 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice of both sexes fed with a standard or HFD for ten weeks. We found that the combined effect of Sirt3 and an HFD was evident in more parameters in males (lipid content, glucose uptake, pparγ, cyp2e1, cyp4a14, Nrf2, MnSOD activity) than in females (protein damage and mitochondrial respiration), pointing towards a higher reliance of males on the effect of Sirt3 against HFD-induced metabolic dysregulation. The male-specific effects of an HFD also include reduced Sirt3 expression in WT and alleviated lipid accumulation and reduced glucose uptake in KO mice. In females, with a generally higher expression of genes involved in lipid homeostasis, either the HFD or Sirt3 depletion compromised mitochondrial respiration and increased protein oxidative damage. This work presents new insights into sex-related differences in the various physiological parameters with respect to nutritive excess and Sirt3.

A Long-Term Pilot Study on Sex and Spinal Cord Injury Shows Sexual Dimorphism in Functional Recovery and Cardio-Metabolic Responses

More than a quarter of a million individuals in the US live with spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI disrupts neural circuitry to vital organs in the body. Despite severe incidences of long-term peripheral complications from SCI, the cardio-metabolic consequences and divergences in sex-related responses are not well described. We examined the effects of SCI on functional recovery, cardiac structure and function, body composition, and glucose metabolism on adult female and male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. SCI was induced at T10 via contusion. Measured outcomes include behavioral assessment, body weight, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for body composition, echocardiography for cardiac structure and function, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) for glucose metabolism, insulin tolerance test (ITT), and histology of cardiac structure at the endpoint. There was a decrease in body fat percentage in both sexes, with SCI females disproportionately affected in percent body fat change. Left ventricular internal diameter during systole (LVIDs) was decreased in SCI females more than in SCI males. No significant differences in glucose metabolism were observed up to 20 weeks post-injury (PI). These data show significant cardio-metabolic differences as a consequence of SCI and, furthermore, that sex is an underlying factor in these differences.

Increased influenza-specific antibody avidity in HIV-infected women compared with HIV-infected men on antiretroviral therapy.

It is recommended that HIV-infected individuals receive annual influenza vaccination due to their high susceptibility to influenza infection, especially among women. However, there have been few studies investigating sex-related responses to influenza vaccine in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected individuals. In this study, 26 aviremic ART-treated HIV-infected individuals and 16 healthy controls were enrolled in the current study. Blood was collected prior to vaccination (D0), on days 7-10 (D7) and on days 14-21 (D14) following administration of the 2013-2014 seasonal influenza vaccine. A series of analyses evaluated the serological and cellular responses following influenza vaccination. Female HIV-infected individuals had increased influenza-specific antibody avidity relative to male HIV-infected individuals, but similar plasma levels of influenza-specific binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies. Increased cycling B cells and follicular helper CD4 T (Tfh) cells were observed in female HIV-infected individuals pre and postvaccination compared with male HIV-infected individuals, and cycling Tfh cells were directly correlated with influenza-specific antibody avidity. Moreover, plasma testosterone levels were inversely correlated with antibody avidity index. The magnitude of microbial translocation [plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] level was directly correlated with influenza-specific antibody avidity. Circulating 16S rDNA microbiome showed that enrichment of specific species within Proteobacteria was associated with influenza-specific antibody avidity. These results, including differences based on sex and correlations, were only observed in HIV-infected individuals but not in the healthy controls. This study demonstrated sex differences in influenza-specific antibody avidity in ART-treated HIV disease, and provides valuable information on vaccination strategy in the ART-treated HIV-infected population.

Sex-Related Responses to Eccentric-Only Resistance Training in Knee-Extensors Muscle Strength and Architecture

ABSTRACTPurpose: The present study aimed to investigate whether or not eccentric-only training induced different sex-related adaptations in vastus lateralis muscle architecture and knee extensors strength. Methods: Thirteen healthy women and 13 healthy men were recruited. Vastus lateralis pennation angle, fascicle length, and muscle thickness, as well as knee extensors eccentric, isometric, and concentric peak torque and one-repetition maximum (1RM) were measured. Both women and men underwent a unilateral iso-load knee-extension eccentric-only training with 120% of the concentric 1RM, consisting of 4 sets × 10 repetitions twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Results: Pennation angle increased in women (+ 14%, 95% CI [10, 17], effect size [ES] = 1.54) but not in men (+ 5%, 95% CI [−1, 11], ES = 0.28), while fascicle length increased in both women (+ 7%, 95% CI [4, 10], ES = 1.02) and men (+ 12%, 95% CI [8, 16], ES = 1.82) and muscle thickness increased in women (+ 13%, 95% CI [8, 18], ES = 1.11) and men (+ 11%, 95% CI [7, 15], ES = 0.89). In both women and men, eccentric (18%, 95% CI [11, 25], ES = 0.96, and 16%, 95% CI [9, 22], ES = 0.82, respectively), isometric (17%, 95% CI [11, 23], ES = 0.53, and 17%, 95% CI [10, 24], ES = 0.62), concentric (12%, 95% CI [7, 16], ES = 0.49, and 9%, 95% CI [5, 13], ES = 0.42) peak torque and 1RM (10%, 95% CI [6, 14], ES = 0.53, and 10%, 95% CI [5, 15], ES = 0.50) similarly increased after the intervention. Conclusions: This study showed that the adaptations in strength are not sex-dependent, but the increases in pennation angle only in women suggest that the changes in muscle architecture may depend on sex.

Sex-related responses after traumatic brain injury: Considerations for preclinical modeling.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has historically been viewed as a primarily male problem, since men are more likely to experience a TBI because of more frequent participation in activities that increase risk of head injuries. This male bias is also reflected in preclinical research where mostly male animals have been used in basic and translational science. However, with an aging population in which TBI incidence is increasingly sex-independent due to falls, and increasing female participation in high-risk activities, the attention to potential sex differences in TBI responses and outcomes will become more important. These considerations are especially relevant in designing preclinical animal models of TBI that are more predictive of human responses and outcomes. This review characterizes sex differences following TBI with a special emphasis on the contribution of the female sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen, to these differences. This information is potentially important in developing and customizing TBI treatments.

Elevated temperature and CO2 affect responses of European aspen (Populus tremula) to soil pyrene contamination

High northern latitudes are climatic sensitive areas, and are also regions to which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) easily transport and accumulate with potential risk to natural ecosystems. However, the effect of PAHs on northern woody plant growth and defense under climate change is very little studied. Here, we conducted a unique experiment in greenhouses to investigate sex-related responses of the dioecious Populus tremula to pyrene (50mgkg−1) and residue of pyrene in soils under ambient and elevated temperature (+1.8°C on average) and CO2 (740ppm). Pyrene decreased stem biomass and leaf area by 9% and 6%, respectively under ambient conditions, and the reduction of leaf area was more severe under elevated temperature (38%), elevated CO2 (37%), and combined T+CO2 (42%). Other growth parameters were unchanged by pyrene. Pyrene did not affect the concentration of leaf total phenolics under ambient conditions, but increased it by 16%, 1%, and 20% compared to controls under elevated temperature, elevated CO2, and T+CO2, respectively. Pyrene had only minor sex-specific effects on plant growth and phenolics. The concentration of residual pyrene in pyrene-spiked soils was higher under elevated CO2 than under ambient, elevated temperature, and combined T+CO2. The results suggest that both sexes of P. tremula have the capacity to regulate growth and metabolism to adjust to the stress of the tested pyrene contamination under elevated temperature and CO2, but potential risk of pyrene to plants still exists in the future changing climate.

Sex-related responses of European aspen (Populus tremula L.) to combined stress: TiO2 nanoparticles, elevated temperature and CO2 concentration

The combined effects of climate change and chemical contaminants on plant performance are still not well understood. Especially, whether different sexes of dioecious plants respond differently to combined stresses is unknown. In order to study the sex-related responses of European aspen to soil nTiO2 contamination (0, 50, 300 mg kg–1) under elevated temperature (+1.6 °C) and CO2 (730 ppm), we conducted a study in greenhouses. Ti accumulated in roots exposed to nTiO2 (1.1–3.3 and 2.7–21.1 mg kg–1 in 50 and 300 mg kg–1 treatments, respectively). Elevated CO2 had no effects on Ti uptake, while elevated temperature increased it in the 300 mg kg–1 treatment. Males grew taller than females under ambient conditions, but females had greater height and biomass increment under elevated temperature. In all climate treatments, nTiO2 increased leaf phenolics in females by 12–19% and 15–26% at 50 and 300 mg kg–1, respectively. Leaf phenolics decreased under elevated temperature, but increased under elevated CO2 in both sexes. Results suggest that females have better chemical defense against nTiO2 than males under future climate conditions. In the longer run, this may cause changes in the competitive abilities of both sexes, which again may affect sex ratios and genetic variation in nature.

The dioecious Populus tremula displays interactive effects of temperature and ultraviolet-B along a natural gradient

Observed and projected warming has provoked research interest on tree phenology in relation to climate. While both ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and warming has been shown to affect growth and development in plants, the combined effects of the two environmental factors has been little studied. In addition, there is concern for environmental change yielding divergent responses between sexes in dioecious tree species. Here, we present a study of the dioecious Populus tremula grown along a natural temperature and UV-B gradient in Central Norway, reducing UV-B using specific screening filters. We tested for effects on growth, timing of terminal bud formation and bud break, carbon and nitrogen content and concentrations of phenolic compounds. Increased elevation had a negative effect on plant growth and promoted bud formation, with effects differing between plant sexes. UV-B attenuation delayed bud formation and enhanced growth of males at the highest elevation, counteracting the effect of low temperature. In addition, elevation and UV-B affected concentrations of different phenolics in stems and leaves. Our data show that interactive effects of warming and other climate factors like UV-B should be considered when predicting climate change effects in woody plants, and add to present evidence of sex-related responses to climate change in dioecious woody plants.

Different Proteome Profiles between Male and Female Populus cathayana Exposed to UV-B Radiation.

With increasing altitude, solar UV-B radiation is enhanced. Based on the phenomenon of male-biased sex ratio of Populus cathayana Rehder in high altitude alpine area, we hypothesized that males have a faster and more sophisticated responsive mechanism to high UV-B radiation than that of females. Our previous studies have shown sexually different responses to high UV-B radiation were existed in P. cathayana at the morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic levels. However, the responses at the proteomic level remain unclear. In this study, an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteome analysis was performed in P. cathayana females and males. A total of 2,405 proteins were identified, with 331 proteins defined as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Among of these, 79 and 138 DEPs were decreased and 47 and 107 DEPs were increased under high solar UV-B radiation in females and males, respectively. A bioinformatics analysis categorized the common responsive proteins in the sexes as related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, translation/transcription/post-transcriptional modification, photosynthesis, and redox reactions. The responsive proteins that showed differences in sex were mainly those involved in amino acid metabolism, stress response, and translation/transcription/post-transcriptional modification. This study provides proteomic profiles that poplars responding to solar UV-B radiation, and it also provides new insights into differentially sex-related responses to UV-B radiation.

Evaluation of internal validity using modern test theory: Application to word association.

Word association tests (WATs) have been widely used to examine associative/semantic memory structures and shown to be relevant to behavior and its underpinnings. Despite successful applications of WATs in diverse research areas, few studies have examined psychometric properties of these tests or other open-ended cognitive tests of common use. Modern test theory models, such as item response theory (IRT) models, are well suited to evaluate interpretations of this class of test. In this evaluation, unidimensional IRT models were fitted to the data on the WAT designed to capture associative memory relevant to an important applied issue: casual sex in a sample of 1,138 adult drug offenders. Using association instructions, participants were instructed to generate the first behavior or action that came to mind in response to cues (e.g., "hotel/motel") that might elicit casual sex-related responses. Results indicate a multitude of evidence for the internal validity of WAT score interpretations. All WAT items measured a single latent trait of casual sex-related associative memory, strongly related to the latent trait, and were invariant across gender, ethnicity, age groups, and sex partner profiles. The WAT was highly informative at average-to-high levels of the latent trait and also associated with risky sex behavior, demonstrating the usefulness of this class of test. The study illustrates the utility of the assessments in this at-risk population as well as the benefits of application of the modern test theory models in the evaluation of internal validity of open-ended cognitive test score interpretation. (PsycINFO Database Record

Sex-Related Responses of Populus cathayana Shoots and Roots to AM Fungi and Drought Stress.

We investigated the impact of drought and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the morphological structure and physiological function of shoots and roots of male and female seedlings of the dioecious plant Populus cathayana Rehder. Pot-grown seedlings were subjected to well watered or water-limiting conditions (drought) and were grown in soil that was either inoculated or not inoculated with the AM fungus Rhizophagus intraradices. No significant differences were found in the infection rates between the two sexes. Drought decreased root and shoot growth, biomass and root morphological characteristics, whereas superoxide radical (O2–) and hydrogen peroxide content, peroxidase (POD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and proline content were significantly enhanced in both sexes. Male plants that formed an AM fungal symbiosis showed a significant increase in shoot and root morphological growth, increased proline content of leaves and roots, and increased POD activity in roots under both watering regimes; however, MDA concentration in the roots decreased. By contrast, AM fungi either had no effect or a slight negative effect on the shoot and root growth of female plants, with lower root biomass, total biomass and root/shoot ration under drought. In females, MDA concentration increased in leaves and roots under both watering regimes, and the proline content and POD activity of roots increased under drought conditions; however, POD activity significantly decreased under well-watered conditions. These findings suggest that AM fungi enhanced the tolerance of male plants to drought by improving shoot and root growth, biomass and the antioxidant system. Further investigation is needed to unravel the complex effects of AM fungi on the growth and antioxidant system of female plants.

Sex differences in morphine-induced behavioral sensitization and social behaviors in ICR mice.

Gender and genetic strain are two prominent variants that influence drug abuse. Although certain sex-related behavioral responses have been previously characterized in ICR mice, little is known about the effects of sex on morphine-induced behavioral responses in this outbred strain. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the sex differences of morphine-induced locomotion, anxiety-like and social behaviors in ICR mice. After morphine or saline exposure for four consecutive days (twice daily), increased locomotion, more time spent in the central area, as well as attenuated rearing and self-grooming behaviors were found in morphine-treated females in an open field; no differences were found in locomotion and the time spent in the central area between male and female controls. When interacting with the same-sex individuals, female controls were engaged in more social investigation, following, body contacting and self-grooming behaviors than controls; morphine exposure reduced contacting and self-grooming behaviors in females; in contrast, these effects were not found in males. These results indicate that female ICR mice are more prosocial and are more susceptible to morphine exposure than males.