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Significant Sex Differences (significant + sex_difference)
Selected AbstractsThe harsh life on the 15th century Croatia-Ottoman Empire military border: Analyzing and identifying the reasons for the massacre in ,epinAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Mario Abstract Excavation of the historic period cemetery in ,epin, Croatia revealed the presence of a large number of perimortem injuries distributed among males, females, and subadults. Archaeological and historical data suggest these individuals were victims of a raid carried out by Turkish akinji light cavalry in 1441. Comparisons with the frequencies of perimortem trauma in 12 other, temporally congruent skeletal series from the Balkans (n = 2,123 skeletons) support this assumption. The role of the akinji in the Ottoman army was twofold: to supply war captives, and to terrorize and disperse local populations before the advance of regular troops. This article tests the hypothesis that the purpose of the 1441 raid was the latter. To accomplish this, perimortem trauma in the series were analyzed by sex, age, location, and depth of the injury. A total of 82 perimortem injuries were recorded in 12 males, 7 females, and 3 subadults. The demographic profile of the victims suggests that young adults were specifically targeted in the attack. Significant sex differences are noted in the number, distribution, and pattern of perimortem trauma. Females exhibit significantly more perimortem injuries per individual, and per bone affected, than males. The morphology and pattern of perimortem trauma in females is suggestive of gratuitous violence. Cumulatively, analysis of the osteological data suggest that the objective of the 1441 akinji raid was to spread terror and panic in the ,epin area, either as revenge for recent military setbacks, or as part of a long-term strategy intended to depopulate the area around Osijek. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anticipation of Acute Stress in Isoprenaline-Sensitive and , Resistant Rats: Strain and Gender DifferencesBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Anna Yamamotová The effect of stress anticipation was studied in two inbred Wistar rat strains with high and low sensitivity to isoprenaline. The animals were exposed to tail-flick and 4-hr water immersion restraint stress on two consecutive days. On the first day stress was applied to one group and the next day to the anticipation group. The changes in adrenal, heart and spleen weights, tail-flick latency, incidence of gastric ulcers, and the antioxidant defense system in the sensorimotor cortex were compared with two non-stressed control groups. Anticipatory stress decreased adrenal weights. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was increased both in acute and anticipatory stress; superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and antioxidative capacity were increased in anticipatory stress only. Stress anticipation decreased the pain threshold in the isoprenaline-sensitive and increased in the isoprenaline-resistant rats and led to more frequent gastric ulcers in the isoprenaline-resistant group. Significant sex differences were observed both in adrenal weights and TBARS content. The relative adrenal weights were negatively correlated with the TBARS content. We suggest that the outcome of anticipatory stress may depend upon the relation between the hormonal and antioxidant functions of the adrenals and that anticipation-induced activation of antioxidant enzymes may ameliorate the acute stress response. Anticipation itself was found to be a stronger stressor than physical acute stress. [source] The sexually dimorphic expression of L7/SPA, an estrogen receptor coactivator, in zebra finch telencephalonDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 14 2007Kelli A. Duncan Abstract Sex differences in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) brain are robust and include differences in morphology (song control nuclei in males are significantly larger) and behavior (only males sing courtship songs). In zebra finches, hormonal manipulations during development fail to reverse sex differences in song nuclei size and suggest that the classical model of sexual differentiation is incomplete for birds. Coactivators act to initiate transcriptional activity of steroid receptors, and may help explain why hormonal manipulations alone are not sufficient to demasculinize the male zebra finch brain. The present study investigated the expression and localization of L7/SPA (an estrogen receptor coactivator) mRNA and protein expression across the development of zebra finch song nuclei from males and females collected on P1 (song nuclei not yet formed), P10 (posthatch day 10, song nuclei formed), P30 (30 days posthatch, sexually immature but song nuclei formed and birds learning to sing), and adult birds (older than 65 days and sexually mature). Northern blot analysis showed a significant sex difference in P1 and adult L7/SPA mRNA expression while Western blot analysis also showed enhanced expression in the male brain at all age points. Both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that L7/SPA mRNA and protein were located in the song nuclei as well as expressed globally. Elevated coactivator expression may be a possible mechanism controlling the development of male song control nuclei, and coactivators such as L7/SPA may be important regulators of the masculinizing effects of estradiol on brain sexual differentiation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007. [source] Digit ratio (2D:4D), sex differences, allometry, and finger length of 12,30-year olds: Evidence from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) internet studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010John T. Manning Many studies have reported digit ratio (2D:4D) to be sexually dimorphic, (males lower 2D:4D than females). However, Kratochvíl and Flegr ([ 2009]: Biol Lett 5:643-646) have suggested that 2D regressed on 4D has an allometric regression line with nonzero Y -intercept that is shared by males and females. Thus, 2D is shorter than expected when 4D is long, and males have lower 2D:4D than females because they have longer fingers. In this study, it is shown that this suggestion may be incorrect because sex differences in slope were not considered. Participants were recruited in an Internet study and had an age range of 12,30 years. The expected sex difference in 2D:4D was found, and the regression of 2D on 4D showed a significant sex difference in slope (males lower than females). A comparison of 10 age groups (12 years, 13 years,, 21,30 years) showed that sexual dimorphism for fingers was age dependent, varying from monomorphic to very dimorphic. Changes in sexual dimorphism of 2D:4D were much less marked, but there was a significant reduction in mean 2D:4D with age. The tendency for slopes of 2D regressed on 4D to be lower in males compared with females was significant in eight age groups. Sex difference in 2D:4D varied across the age groups and was positively related to the magnitude of the difference in female and male slopes. In contrast to the report of Kratochvíl and Flegr, it was found that the regression of 2D on 4D showed sex differences in slope, and such differences gave rise to the sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:604,608, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Sex differences in the level of Bcl-2 family proteins and caspase-3 activation in the sexually dimorphic nuclei of the preoptic area in postnatal ratsDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 13 2006Shinji Tsukahara Abstract In developing rats, sex differences in the number of apoptotic cells are found in the central division of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNc), which is a significant component of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area, and in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Specifically, male rats have more apoptotic cells in the developing AVPV, whereas females have more apoptotic cells in the developing MPNc. To determine the mechanisms for the sex differences in apoptosis in these nuclei, we compared the expression of the Bcl-2 family members and active caspase-3 in postnatal female and male rats. Western blot analyses for the Bcl-2 family proteins were performed using preoptic tissues isolated from the brain on postnatal day (PD) 1 (day of birth) or on PD8. In the AVPV-containing tissues of PD1 rats, there were significant sex differences in the level of Bcl-2 (female > male) and Bax (female < male) proteins, but not of Bcl-xL or Bad proteins. In the MPNc-containing tissues of PD8 rats, there were significant sex differences in the protein levels for Bcl-2 (female < male), Bax (female > male), and Bad (female < male), but not for Bcl-xL. Immunohistochemical analyses showed significant sex differences in the number of active caspase-3-immunoreactive cells in the AVPV on PD1 (female < male) and in the MPNc on PD8 (female > male). We further found that active caspase-3-immunoreactive cells of the AVPV and MPNc were immunoreactive for NeuN, a neuronal marker. These results suggest that there are sex differences in the induction of apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway during development of the AVPV and MPNc. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source] Estrogen modulates neuronal movements within the developing preoptic area,anterior hypothalamusEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 5 2007John Gabriel Knoll Abstract The preoptic area,anterior hypothalamus (POA-AH) is characterized by sexually dimorphic features in a number of vertebrates and is a key region of the forebrain for regulating physiological responses and sexual behaviours. Using live-cell fluorescence video microscopy with organotypic brain slices, the current study examined sex differences in the movement characteristics of neurons expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) driven by the Thy-1 promoter. Cells in slices from embryonic day 14 (E14), but not E13, mice displayed significant sex differences in their basal neuronal movement characteristics. Exposure to 10 nm estradiol-17, (E2), but not 100 nm dihydrotestosterone, significantly altered cell movement characteristics within minutes of exposure, in a location-specific manner. E2 treatment decreased the rate of motion of cells located in the dorsal POA-AH but increased the frequency of movement in cells located more ventrally. These effects were consistent across age and sex. To further determine whether early-developing sex differences in the POA-AH depend upon gonadal steroids, we examined cell positions in mice with a disruption of the steroidogenic factor-1 gene, in which gonads do not form. An early-born cohort of cells were labelled with the mitotic indicator bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on E11. More cells were found in the POA-AH of females than males on the day of birth (P0) regardless of gonadal status. These results support the hypothesis that estrogen partially contributes to brain sexual dimorphism through its influence on cell movements during development. Estrogen's influence may be superimposed upon a pre-existing genetic bias. [source] Spondylolysis in a pre-contact San Francisco Bay population: behavioural and anatomical sex differencesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2009E. Weiss Abstract Spondylolysis refers to a separation of the spinal body from the arch. Researchers have documented that these fractures occur due to stresses related to activities involving the lower limb and back. Spondylolysis in sacral and lumbar vertebrae of 146 (66 males, 66 females, 14 indeterminates) California Amerinds were examined to determine whether sex differences were present. Sacral anatomy (i.e. sacralisation and lumbarisation, sacral base angles, and superior facet morphology) was analysed in relation to spondylolysis and sex, to explore whether sex differences could be better explained through activity patterns or anatomical variation. Spondylolysis afflicted 24 individuals (16.4%). Males had more than twice the rate of spondylolysis than did females (26% and 11%, respectively). Activity patterns, such as thrusting and throwing shafted obsidian points, could explain the sex differences. Males were most frequently buried with obsidian point artefacts, whereas females were buried with mortar and pestles. For sacral anatomy, only males had lumbarisation, and all other anatomical variation had no significant sex differences. Lumbarisation related to spondylolysis in males. In this study, sacral anatomical variation could not fully account for sex differences in spondylolysis; activity patterns provided a better explanation. Nonetheless, anatomical variation may predispose males to spondylolysis, or spondylolysis may affect sacral anatomy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dental pathology and diet at Apollonia, a Greek colony on the Black SeaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2008A. Keenleyside Abstract Dental pathology has the potential to provide insight into the composition of the diet and to reveal dietary differences based on age, sex and social status. Human skeletal remains from the Greek colonial site of Apollonia (5th to 2nd centuries BC) on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria were analysed for various forms of dental pathology in order to: assess the prevalence of dental disease in the population; compare the dental pathology data from Apollonia with dietary data derived from ancient literary texts and from previous stable isotopic analysis of the colonists' remains; explore variations in dental disease with respect to age and sex; and compare the prevalence of dental pathology in the Apollonians with that of other Greek populations. The composition of the diet, as indicated by the dental pathology data, is consistent with the stable isotopic evidence from Apollonia and with the ancient literary texts, both of which indicate the consumption of a relatively soft, high carbohydrate diet. The higher frequency of dental caries, abscesses, calculus, and antemortem tooth loss in older adults compared with younger ones reflects the age-progressive nature of these conditions. The lack of significant sex differences in caries, abscesses, calculus and tooth loss corresponds with the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic data derived from bone collagen, which indicate no significant sex differences in the consumption of dietary protein. In contrast, these findings conflict with the ancient literary texts, which refer to distinct dietary differences between males and females, and with the stable carbon isotopic values derived from bone carbonate, which indicate sex differences with respect to the overall diet. Despite the lack of marked sex differences in dental pathology, overall trends point to subtle dietary differences between males and females. A greater degree of tooth wear in males also hints at possible sex differences in the use of the teeth as tools. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sex differences in levels of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression amongst primary school children and their associations with beliefs about aggressionAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 2 2004Katy Tapper Abstract The present study examined sex differences in levels of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression amongst primary school children and their relationship with instrumental and expressive beliefs about aggression. Levels of aggression were examined using self ratings, peer ratings, and observations. The latter were collected during the mid-morning and lunchtime breaks using a wireless microphone and hidden video camera. Beliefs about aggression were assessed using modified versions of Campbell et als.' [1992] EXPAGG questionnaire. The results revealed significantly higher levels of observed physical aggression amongst boys as compared to girls. However, although the means were generally in the directions predicted, there were no other significant sex differences, nor interactions between sex and age. The results also showed limited support for claims that instrumental versus expressive beliefs about aggression influence behaviour. Beliefs generally showed significant correlations with reported and observed levels of aggression, and three of these remained significant even after the variance associated with sex and age had been partialled out. On the basis of these results, we call for more longitudinal research while simultaneously acknowledging the possibility that children's beliefs about aggression and their aggressive behaviours may be shaped independently from one another. Aggr. Behav. 30: 123-145, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Circadian preference, sleep and daytime behaviour in adolescenceJOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Flavia Giannotti Summary The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between circadian preferences, regularity of sleep patterns, sleep problems, daytime sleepiness and daytime behaviour. As a part of an epidemiological survey on sleep in a representative sample of Italian high-school students, a total of 6631 adolescents, aged 14.1,18.6 years, completed the School Sleep Habits Survey, a comprehensive questionnaire including items regarding sleep, sleepiness, substance use, anxiety and depressed mood, use of sleeping pills, school attendance and a morningness/eveningness scale. The sample consisted of 742 evening-types (315 males and 427 females; mean age 17.1 years) and 1005 morning-types (451 males and 554 females; mean age 16.8 years). No significant sex differences were found for morningness/eveningness score. Eveningness was associated with later bedtime and wake-up time, especially on weekends, shorter time in bed during the week, longer weekend time in bed, irregular sleep,wake schedule, subjective poor sleep. Moreover, evening types used to nap more frequently during school days, complained of daytime sleepiness, referred more attention problems, poor school achievement, more injuries and were more emotionally upset than the other chronotype. They referred also greater caffeine-containing beverages and substances to promote sleep consumption. Our results suggest that circadian preference might be related not only to sleep pattern, but also to other adolescent behaviours. [source] Adverse effects of neuromuscular blocking agents based on yellow card reporting in the U.K.: are there differences between males and females?,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 3 2006FRCA, Karen Patricia Light MBBS Abstract Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are known to occur during anaesthesia; in the U.K. such ADRs may be reported through the Yellow Card Scheme (YCS). Our aim was to determine the demographics of ADRs to neuromuscular blocking drugs without formal causality assessment. Methods A retrospective analysis of ADRs to seven neuromuscular blocking drugs reported via the YCS during a greater than 30-year period was performed. Sex and age were analysed in order to identify at risk groups. Results Of 998 reports, 969 included gender. Non-allergic suspected reactions occurred with almost the same frequency as those with an allergic component. The majority occurred in females 676 (70%), and significant sex differences were measured between drugs. Males were more likely to have suffered an ADR to atracurium (p,=,0.01) whilst females experienced more ADRs to suxamethonium (p,=,0.01). ADRs proved fatal in 81 (9%) of the 950 reports for single drugs. Mortality following suxamethonium was significantly higher in males at 22% compared with 9% females (p,<,0.001). More women than men were reported to have allergic reactions, 73% (362/499) compared with 27% (137/499) respectively. The female:male ratio for ADRs was reversed for subjects <,10 years compared with peak ADR reports during the decade from 31,40 years. Conclusions Sex differences in mortality exist in this analysis. The unexpected high frequency of non-allergic ADRs suggests that morbidity and mortality from reactions to established drugs is twice that expected from allergic reactions alone. Standards and guidance for the reporting of ADRs warrant urgent development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lipid mobilization from human abdominal, subcutaneous adipose tissue is independent of sex during steady-state exerciseCLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Jens Bülow Summary The aim of the study was to elucidate whether there are sex differences of significant biological importance in the human abdominal, subcutaneous adipose tissue lipid metabolism when studied by Fick's Principle during rest and exercise in steady-state conditions. The net mobilization of fatty acids and glycerol from the abdominal, subcutaneous adipose tissue was measured by arterio-venous catheterizations and simultaneous measurements of adipose tissue blood flow with the local Xe-clearance technique in 16 healthy, young normal weight men and women during rest, during 1 h of exercise at moderate intensity, and for another 60 min during post-exercise recovery. The results show that there are not significant sex differences with respect to the steady-state fatty acid and glycerol mobilizations neither during resting condition nor during exercise. [source] | |||||||||||||