1
|
Arenaza‐Urquijo EM, Boyle R, Casaletto K, Anstey KJ, Vila‐Castelar C, Colverson A, Palpatzis E, Eissman JM, Kheng Siang Ng T, Raghavan S, Akinci M, Vonk JMJ, Machado LS, Zanwar PP, Shrestha HL, Wagner M, Tamburin S, Sohrabi HR, Loi S, Bartrés‐Faz D, Dubal DB, Vemuri P, Okonkwo O, Hohman TJ, Ewers M, Buckley RF. Sex and gender differences in cognitive resilience to aging and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:5695-5719. [PMID: 38967222 PMCID: PMC11350140 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sex and gender-biological and social constructs-significantly impact the prevalence of protective and risk factors, influencing the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD; amyloid beta and tau) and other pathologies (e.g., cerebrovascular disease) which ultimately shape cognitive trajectories. Understanding the interplay of these factors is central to understanding resilience and resistance mechanisms explaining maintained cognitive function and reduced pathology accumulation in aging and AD. In this narrative review, the ADDRESS! Special Interest Group (Alzheimer's Association) adopted a multidisciplinary approach to provide the foundations and recommendations for future research into sex- and gender-specific drivers of resilience, including a sex/gender-oriented review of risk factors, genetics, AD and non-AD pathologies, brain structure and function, and animal research. We urge the field to adopt a sex/gender-aware approach to resilience to advance our understanding of the intricate interplay of biological and social determinants and consider sex/gender-specific resilience throughout disease stages. HIGHLIGHTS: Sex differences in resilience to cognitive decline vary by age and cognitive status. Initial evidence supports sex-specific distinctions in brain pathology. Findings suggest sex differences in the impact of pathology on cognition. There is a sex-specific change in resilience in the transition to clinical stages. Gender and sex factors warrant study: modifiable, immune, inflammatory, and vascular.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Rory Boyle
- Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kaitlin Casaletto
- Department of NeurologyMemory and Aging CenterUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kaarin J. Anstey
- University of New South Wales Ageing Futures InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Psychology, University of New South WalesSidneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Aaron Colverson
- University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine Interdisciplinary Research LabUniversity of Florida, Center of Arts in MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Eleni Palpatzis
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jaclyn M. Eissman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Genetics InstituteVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Ted Kheng Siang Ng
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging and Department of Internal MedicineRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Muge Akinci
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jet M. J. Vonk
- Department of NeurologyMemory and Aging CenterUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Luiza S. Machado
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, FarroupilhaPorto AlegreBrazil
| | - Preeti P. Zanwar
- Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- The Network on Life Course and Health Dynamics and Disparities, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Maude Wagner
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Stefano Tamburin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement SciencesUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Hamid R. Sohrabi
- Centre for Healthy AgeingHealth Future InstituteMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Psychology, Murdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Samantha Loi
- Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - David Bartrés‐Faz
- Department of MedicineFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences & Institut de NeurociènciesUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació adscrit a la Universitat Autónoma de BarcelonaBadalonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Dena B. Dubal
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute of NeurosciencesUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Biomedical and Neurosciences Graduate ProgramsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Ozioma Okonkwo
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Department of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Timothy J. Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Genetics InstituteVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchKlinikum der Universität MünchenLudwig Maximilians Universität (LMU)MunichGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich)MunichGermany
| | - Rachel F. Buckley
- Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kostas-Polston EA, Bevans M, Shea TL, McGlothen-Bell K, Nies MA, Alexander IM, Johnson-Mallard V, Clayton JA. Ensuring accountability for consideration of sex as a biological variable in research. Nurs Outlook 2024; 72:102194. [PMID: 38788270 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The National Institute of Health (NIH) policy, Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in NIH-funded Research (2015), focuses on the expectation that researchers account for the influence of SABV in vertebrate animal and human studies and provide a strong justification for single-sex investigations. When SABV is considered in the research design, data analyses, and reporting, the rigor and reproducibility of the research are elevated and inform best practices and precision health for all people. Additional recommendations include the appropriate use of terminology, integration into curricula, intersection with social determinants of health, and application of sex and gender equity guidelines when disseminating research. This paper is a "call to action" for nurse researchers to lean into and apply this policy's principles and our recommendations, from the bench to the bedside, to advance the equity and health of all people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Kostas-Polston
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Margaret Bevans
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Tamra L Shea
- College of Health, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
| | | | - Mary A Nies
- College of Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saaoud F, Xu K, Lu Y, Shao Y, Jiang X, Wang H, Yang X. Editorial: Sex differences and cardiovascular therapeutics. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1420293. [PMID: 38832315 PMCID: PMC11144924 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1420293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Saaoud
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Keman Xu
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yifan Lu
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ying Shao
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Centers of Metabolic Disease Research and Thrombosis Research Center, Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hong Wang
- Centers of Metabolic Disease Research and Thrombosis Research Center, Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Lemore Center for Integrated Lymphatics and Vascular Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Centers of Metabolic Disease Research and Thrombosis Research Center, Departments of Cardiovascular Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gaynor JW, Moldenhauer JS, Zullo EE, Burnham NB, Gerdes M, Bernbaum JC, D’Agostino JA, Linn RL, Klepczynski B, Randazzo I, Gionet G, Choi GH, Karaj A, Russell WW, Zackai EH, Johnson MP, Gebb JS, Soni S, DeBari SE, Szwast AL, Ahrens-Nicklas RC, Drivas TG, Jacobwitz M, Licht DJ, Vossough A, Nicolson SC, Spray TL, Rychik J, Putt ME. Progesterone for Neurodevelopment in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Defects: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2412291. [PMID: 38805228 PMCID: PMC11134212 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Neurodevelopmental outcomes for children with congenital heart defects (CHD) have improved minimally over the past 20 years. Objectives To assess the feasibility and tolerability of maternal progesterone therapy as well as the magnitude of the effect on neurodevelopment for fetuses with CHD. Design, Setting, and Participants This double-blinded individually randomized parallel-group clinical trial of vaginal natural progesterone therapy vs placebo in participants carrying fetuses with CHD was conducted between July 2014 and November 2021 at a quaternary care children's hospital. Participants included maternal-fetal dyads where the fetus had CHD identified before 28 weeks' gestational age and was likely to need surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in the neonatal period. Exclusion criteria included a major genetic or extracardiac anomaly other than 22q11 deletion syndrome and known contraindication to progesterone. Statistical analysis was performed June 2022 to April 2024. Intervention Participants were 1:1 block-randomized to vaginal progesterone or placebo by diagnosis: hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), transposition of the great arteries (TGA), and other CHD diagnoses. Treatment was administered twice daily between 28 and up to 39 weeks' gestational age. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the motor score of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III; secondary outcomes included language and cognitive scales. Exploratory prespecified subgroups included cardiac diagnosis, fetal sex, genetic profile, and maternal fetal environment. Results The 102 enrolled fetuses primarily had HLHS (n = 52 [50.9%]) and TGA (n = 38 [37.3%]), were more frequently male (n = 67 [65.7%]), and without genetic anomalies (n = 61 [59.8%]). The mean motor score differed by 2.5 units (90% CI, -1.9 to 6.9 units; P = .34) for progesterone compared with placebo, a value not statistically different from 0. Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested treatment heterogeneity for the motor score for cardiac diagnosis (P for interaction = .03) and fetal sex (P for interaction = .04), but not genetic profile (P for interaction = .16) or maternal-fetal environment (P for interaction = .70). Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial of maternal progesterone therapy, the overall effect was not statistically different from 0. Subgroup analyses suggest heterogeneity of the response to progesterone among CHD diagnosis and fetal sex. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02133573.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. William Gaynor
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Julie S. Moldenhauer
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Erin E. Zullo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Nancy B. Burnham
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Marsha Gerdes
- Department of Psychology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Judy C. Bernbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Jo Ann D’Agostino
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Rebecca L. Linn
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Brenna Klepczynski
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Isabel Randazzo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Gabrielle Gionet
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Grace H. Choi
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Antoneta Karaj
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - William W. Russell
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Elaine H. Zackai
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Mark P. Johnson
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Juliana S. Gebb
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Shelly Soni
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Suzanne E. DeBari
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Anita L. Szwast
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rebecca C. Ahrens-Nicklas
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Theodore G. Drivas
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Marin Jacobwitz
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Daniel J. Licht
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Arastoo Vossough
- Division of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Susan C. Nicolson
- Division of Cardiac Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Thomas L. Spray
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Jack Rychik
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mary E. Putt
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tully LM, Blendermann M, Fine JR, Zakskorn LN, Fritz M, Hamlett GE, Lamb ST, Moody AK, Ng J, Parakul N, Ritter BM, Rahim R, Yu G, Taylor SL. The SocialVidStim: a video database of positive and negative social evaluation stimuli for use in social cognitive neuroscience paradigms. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae024. [PMID: 38597895 PMCID: PMC11015894 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the SocialVidStim-a database of video stimuli available to the scientific community depicting positive and negative social evaluative and neutral statements. The SocialVidStim comprises 53 diverse individuals reflecting the demographic makeup of the USA, ranging from 9 to 41 years old, saying 20-60 positive and 20-60 negative social evaluative statements (e.g. 'You are a very trustworthy/annoying person'), and 20-60 neutral statements (e.g. 'The sky is blue'), totaling 5793 videos post-production. The SocialVidStim are designed for use in behavioral and functional magetic resonance imaging paradigms, across developmental stages, in diverse populations. This study describes stimuli development and reports initial validity and reliability data on a subset videos (N = 1890) depicting individuals aged 18-41 years. Raters perceive videos as expected: positive videos elicit positively valenced ratings, negative videos elicit negatively valenced ratings and neutral videos are rated as neutral. Test-retest reliability data demonstrate intraclass correlations in the good-to-excellent range for negative and positive videos and the moderate range for neutral videos. We also report small effects on valence and arousal that should be considered during stimuli selection, including match between rater and actor sex and actor believability. The SocialVidStim is a resource for researchers and we offer suggestions for using the SocialVidStim in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Tully
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Mary Blendermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Fine
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Lauren N Zakskorn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Matilda Fritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Gabriella E Hamlett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Shannon T Lamb
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Anna K Moody
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Julenne Ng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Narimes Parakul
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Bryn M Ritter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Raisa Rahim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Grace Yu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Sandra L Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Reynolds AZ, Niedbalski SD. Sex-biased gene regulation varies across human populations as a result of adaptive evolution. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2024; 183:e24888. [PMID: 38100225 PMCID: PMC11279473 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies of human sexual dimorphism and gender disparities in health focus on ostensibly universal molecular sex differences, such as sex chromosomes and circulating hormone levels, while ignoring the extraordinary diversity in biology, behavior, and culture acquired by different human populations over their unique evolutionary histories. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using RNA-Seq data and whole genome sequences from 1000G and HGDP, we investigate variation in sex-biased gene expression across 11 human populations and test whether population-level variation in sex-biased expression may have resulted from adaptive evolution in regions containing sex-specific regulatory variants. RESULTS We find that sex-biased gene expression in humans is highly variable, mostly population-specific, and demonstrates between population reversals. Expression quantitative trait locus mapping reveals sex-specific regulatory regions with evidence of recent positive natural selection, suggesting that variation in sex-biased expression may have evolved as an adaptive response to ancestral environments experienced by human populations. DISCUSSION These results indicate that sex-biased gene expression is more flexible than previously thought and is not generally shared among human populations. Instead, molecular phenotypes associated with sex depend on complex interactions between population-specific molecular evolution and physiological responses to contemporary socioecologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Z. Reynolds
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stites SD, Velocci B. Sex, gender, sexual orientation, and more: Sexual diversity in Alzheimer's research needs a new lens to achieve inclusive research and generalizable results. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2024; 10:e12476. [PMID: 38915815 PMCID: PMC11194612 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) research are guiding the adoption of two-step self-report questions that capture research participants' identity based on categories of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The intent is to facilitate inclusion and representation of sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) communities in ADRD research. The data from using these questions are on a collision course with another National Institute of Aging initiative, which is aimed at understanding sex differences in ADRD mechanisms. Here, we critically analyze the goals and methods of the two initiatives. We propose that, in addition to being SGM focused, DEI efforts are needed to expand how scientists consider and measure sexual diversity itself. Highlights Sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity (SSOGI) will be asked in ADRD studies.SSOGI data will expand representation of research participant identities.SSOGI data are on a collision course with sex differences research.Both emphasize sexual diversity (SD) largely as SSOGI identity categories.Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts must develop SD methods in ADRD research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shana D. Stites
- Department of PsychiatryPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Beans Velocci
- Department of History and Sociology of Science, Program in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's StudiesUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hernandez N, Lokhnygina Y, Ramaker ME, Ilkayeva O, Muehlbauer MJ, Crawford ML, Grant RP, Hsia DS, Jain N, Bain JR, Armstrong S, Newgard CB, Freemark M, Gumus Balikcioglu P. Sex Differences in Branched-chain Amino Acid and Tryptophan Metabolism and Pathogenesis of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1345-e1358. [PMID: 38066593 PMCID: PMC10940256 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Insulin resistance is associated with elevations in plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs compete with aromatic amino acids including tryptophan for uptake into β cells. To explore relationships between BCAAs and tryptophan metabolism, adiposity, and glucose tolerance, we compared urine metabolites in overweight/obese youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with those in nondiabetic overweight/obese and lean youth. METHODS Metabolites were measured in 24-hour and first-morning urine samples of 56 nondiabetic adolescents with overweight/obesity, 42 adolescents with T2D, and 43 lean controls, aged 12 to 21 years. Group differences were assessed by Kruskal Wallis or ANOVA. RESULTS Groups were comparable for age, pubertal status, and ethnicity. Youth with T2D were predominantly female and had highest percent body fat. BCAAs, branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs), tryptophan, and kynurenine were higher in urine of subjects with T2D. There were no differences between lean controls and nondiabetic youth with overweight/obesity. T2D was associated with diversion of tryptophan from the serotonin to the kynurenine pathway, with higher urinary kynurenine/serotonin ratio and lower serotonin/tryptophan and 5-HIAA/kynurenine ratios. Urinary BCAAs, BCKAs, tryptophan, and ratios reflecting diversion to the kynurenine pathway correlated positively with metrics of body fat and hemoglobin A1c. Increases in these metabolites in the obese T2D group were more pronounced and statistically significant only in adolescent girls. CONCLUSION Increases in urinary BCAAs and BCKAs in adolescent females with T2D are accompanied by diversion of tryptophan metabolism from the serotonin to the kynurenine pathway. These adaptations associate with higher risks of T2D in obese adolescent females than adolescent males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Hernandez
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yuliya Lokhnygina
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Megan Elizabeth Ramaker
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Olga Ilkayeva
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael J Muehlbauer
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Matthew L Crawford
- Department of Research and Development, LabCorp, Burlington, NC 27215, USA
| | - Russell P Grant
- Department of Research and Development, LabCorp, Burlington, NC 27215, USA
| | - Daniel S Hsia
- Clinical Trials Unit, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Nina Jain
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - James R Bain
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sarah Armstrong
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Christopher B Newgard
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael Freemark
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pape M, Miyagi M, Ritz SA, Boulicault M, Richardson SS, Maney DL. Sex contextualism in laboratory research: Enhancing rigor and precision in the study of sex-related variables. Cell 2024; 187:1316-1326. [PMID: 38490173 PMCID: PMC11219044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Understanding sex-related variation in health and illness requires rigorous and precise approaches to revealing underlying mechanisms. A first step is to recognize that sex is not in and of itself a causal mechanism; rather, it is a classification system comprising a set of categories, usually assigned according to a range of varying traits. Moving beyond sex as a system of classification to working with concrete and measurable sex-related variables is necessary for precision. Whether and how these sex-related variables matter-and what patterns of difference they contribute to-will vary in context-specific ways. Second, when researchers incorporate these sex-related variables into research designs, rigorous analytical methods are needed to allow strongly supported conclusions. Third, the interpretation and reporting of sex-related variation require care to ensure that basic and preclinical research advance health equity for all.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Pape
- Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Miriam Miyagi
- Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stacey A Ritz
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Marion Boulicault
- Department of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Sarah S Richardson
- Department of the History of Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Committee on Degrees in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Harvard-Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Braga Tibaes JR, Barreto Silva MI, Wollin B, Vine D, Tsai S, Richard C. Sex differences in systemic inflammation and immune function in diet-induced obesity rodent models: A systematic review. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13665. [PMID: 38072656 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding sex differences in immunological responses in the context of obesity is important to improve health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to investigate sex differences in systemic inflammation, immune cell phenotype, and function in diet-induced obesity (DIO) animal models. A systematic search in Medline, Embase, and CINAHL from inception to April 2023 was conducted, using a combination of the following concepts: sex, obesity, cytokines, and immune cell phenotypes/function. Forty-one publications reporting on systemic inflammation (61%), cell phenotype (44%), and/or function (7%) were included. Females had lower systemic inflammation compared with males in response to DIO intervention and a higher proportion of macrophage (M)2-like cells compared with males that had a higher proportion of M1-like in adipose tissue. Although there were no clear sex differences in immune function, high-fat DIO intervention remains an important factor in the development of immune dysfunction in both males and females, including disturbances in cytokine production, proliferation, and migration of immune cells. Yet, the mechanistic links between diet and obesity on such immune dysfunction remain unclear. Future studies should investigate the role of diet and obesity in the functionality of immune cells and employ adequate methods for a high-quality investigation of sex differences in this context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Ines Barreto Silva
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Applied Nutrition, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bethany Wollin
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Donna Vine
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sue Tsai
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Caroline Richard
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lindsey ML, Usselman CW, Ripplinger CM, Carter JR, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Sex as a biological variable for cardiovascular physiology. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H459-H469. [PMID: 38099847 PMCID: PMC11219053 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00727.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
There have been ongoing efforts by federal agencies and scientific communities since the early 1990s to incorporate sex and/or gender in all aspects of cardiovascular research. Scientific journals provide a critical function as change agents to influence transformation by encouraging submissions for topic areas, and by setting standards and expectations for articles submitted to the journal. As part of ongoing efforts to advance sex and gender in cardiovascular physiology research, the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology recently launched a call for papers on Considering Sex as a Biological Variable. This call was an overwhelming success, resulting in 78 articles published in this collection. This review summarizes the major themes of the collection, including Sex as a Biological Variable Within: Endothelial Cell and Vascular Physiology, Cardiovascular Immunity and Inflammation, Metabolism and Mitochondrial Energy, Extracellular Matrix Turnover and Fibrosis, Neurohormonal Signaling, and Cardiovascular Clinical and Epidemiology Assessments. Several articles also focused on establishing rigor and reproducibility of key physiological measurements involved in cardiovascular health and disease, as well as recommendations and considerations for study design. Combined, these articles summarize our current understanding of sex and gender influences on cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology and provide insight into future directions needed to further expand our knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Research Service, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Crystal M Ripplinger
- Department of Pharmacology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, United States
| | - Jason R Carter
- Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lafta MS, Mwinyi J, Affatato O, Rukh G, Dang J, Andersson G, Schiöth HB. Exploring sex differences: insights into gene expression, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and pathology. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1340108. [PMID: 38449735 PMCID: PMC10915038 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1340108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased knowledge about sex differences is important for development of individualized treatments against many diseases as well as understanding behavioral and pathological differences. This review summarizes sex chromosome effects on gene expression, epigenetics, and hormones in relation to the brain. We explore neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and brain pathology aiming to explain the current state of the art. While some domains exhibit strong differences, others reveal subtle differences whose overall significance warrants clarification. We hope that the current review increases awareness and serves as a basis for the planning of future studies that consider both sexes equally regarding similarities and differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muataz S. Lafta
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Mwinyi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oreste Affatato
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gull Rukh
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Junhua Dang
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hankenson FC, Prager EM, Berridge BR. Advocating for Generalizability: Accepting Inherent Variability in Translation of Animal Research Outcomes. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:391-410. [PMID: 38358839 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-043531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Advancing scientific discovery requires investigators to embrace research practices that increase transparency and disclosure about materials, methods, and outcomes. Several research advocacy and funding organizations have produced guidelines and recommended practices to enhance reproducibility through detailed and rigorous research approaches; however, confusion around vocabulary terms and a lack of adoption of suggested practices have stymied successful implementation. Although reproducibility of research findings cannot be guaranteed due to extensive inherent variables in attempts at experimental repetition, the scientific community can advocate for generalizability in the application of data outcomes to ensure a broad and effective impact on the comparison of animals to translation within human research. This report reviews suggestions, based upon work with National Institutes of Health advisory groups, for improving rigor and transparency in animal research through aspects of experimental design, statistical assessment, and reporting factors to advocate for generalizability in the application of comparative outcomes between animals and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F C Hankenson
- Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - E M Prager
- Research Program Management, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA;
| | - B R Berridge
- B2 Pathology Solutions LLC, Cary, North Carolina, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cucinotta FA, Saganti PB. Residual radiation risk disparities across sex and race or ethnic groups for lifetime never-smokers on lunar missions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 40:72-80. [PMID: 38245350 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Missions to the Earth's moon are of scientific and societal interest, however pose the problem of risks of late effects for returning crew persons, most importantly cancer and circulatory diseases. In this paper, we discuss NSCR-2022 model risk estimates for lunar missions for US racial and ethnic groups comparing never-smokers (NS) to US averages for each group and sex. We show that differences within groups between men and women are reduced for NS compared to the average population. Race and ethnic group dependent cancer and circulatory disease risks are reduced by 10% to 40% for NS with the largest decrease for Whites. Circulatory disease risks are changed by less than 10% for NS and in several cases modestly increased due to increased lifespan for NS. Asian-Pacific Islanders (API) and Hispanics NS are at lower risk compared to Whites and Blacks. Differences between groups are narrowed for NS compared to predictions for average populations, however disparities remain especially for Blacks and to a lesser extent Whites compared to API or Hispanic NS groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis A Cucinotta
- Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America.
| | - Premkumar B Saganti
- Department of Physics, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nuseir K, Alzoubi KH, Altarifi A, Kassab M, Khabour OF, Al-Ghraiybah NF, Obiedat R. Long-term effects of neonatal pain and sucrose treatment. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2024; 6:100176. [PMID: 38322818 PMCID: PMC10844943 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In neonatal intensive care units, applying sucrose solution for analgesia is now a routine treatment for mild procedural pain. Studies of animal and human infants provide clear evidence of benefits in the short term, but few studies have investigated the long term benefits. Thus, we determined whether sucrose could ameliorate painful stimulation during infancy in Sprague-Dawley rats and also explored the long-term effects of repeated sucrose administration during infancy. Female and male rats were included to investigate sex-related differences. Methods Rat pups were stimulated either with painful or tactile stimuli for the first 14 days of their lives. Pups were pretreated either with sucrose or not treated before stimulation. Behavioral tests were conducted during adolescence and adulthood. Hotplate, rotarod, open field, elevated plus maze, and radial arm water maze tests were employed to assess the behavioral consequences of early life manipulations and treatments. Results Painful stimulation during infancy increased the sensitivity to pain later in life, and sucrose did not remedy this effect. Motility, coordination, anxiety, and cognition tests in adulthood obtained mixed results. Pain during infancy appeared to increase anxiety during adulthood. Learning and memory in adulthood were affected by pain during infancy, and sucrose had a negative effect even in the absence of pain. No sex-related differences were observed in any of the behavioral tests by employing this model of neonatal pain. Conclusion Painful stimulation during infancy resulted in deficiencies in some behavioral tests later in life. Sucrose pretreatment did not mitigate these shortcomings and it actually resulted in negative outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Nuseir
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Altarifi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Manal Kassab
- Department Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar F. Khabour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nour F. Al-Ghraiybah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Roa'a Obiedat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barr E, Popkin R, Roodzant E, Jaworski B, Temkin SM. Gender as a social and structural variable: research perspectives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Transl Behav Med 2024; 14:13-22. [PMID: 37074158 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Gender is a social and structural variable that encompasses multiple domains, each of which influences health: gender identity and expression, gender roles and norms, gendered power relations, and gender equality and equity. As such, gender has far-reaching impacts on health. Additional research is needed to continue delineating and untangling the effects of gender from the effects of sex and other biological variables. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) vision for women's health is a world in which the influence of sex and/or gender are integrated into the health research enterprise. However, much of the NIH-supported research on gender and health has, to date, been limited to a small number of conditions (e.g., HIV, mental health, pregnancy) and locations (e.g., sub-Saharan Africa; India). Opportunities exist to support transdisciplinary knowledge transfer and interdisciplinary knowledge building by advancing health-related social science research that incorporates best practices from disciplines that have well-established methods, theories, and frameworks for examining the health impacts of gender and other social, cultural, and structural variables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Barr
- Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronna Popkin
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Population Dynamics Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erik Roodzant
- Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Beth Jaworski
- Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Sarah M Temkin
- Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ciesielski TH, Sirugo G, Iyengar SK, Williams SM. Characterizing the pathogenicity of genetic variants: the consequences of context. NPJ Genom Med 2024; 9:3. [PMID: 38195641 PMCID: PMC10776585 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-023-00386-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy H Ciesielski
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Ronin Institute, Montclair, NJ, USA.
| | - Giorgio Sirugo
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Institute of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sudha K Iyengar
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Scott M Williams
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- The Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dunn SE, Perry WA, Klein SL. Mechanisms and consequences of sex differences in immune responses. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:37-55. [PMID: 37993681 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00787-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex differences refer to differences between males and females caused by the sex chromosome complement (that is, XY or XX), reproductive tissues (that is, the presence of testes or ovaries), and concentrations of sex steroids (that is, testosterone or oestrogens and progesterone). Although these sex differences are binary for most human individuals and mice, transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy, individuals with genetic syndromes (for example, Klinefelter and Turner syndromes) and people with disorders of sexual development reflect the diversity in sex-based biology. The broad distribution of sex steroid hormone receptors across diverse cell types and the differential expression of X-linked and autosomal genes means that sex is a biological variable that can affect the function of all physiological systems, including the immune system. Sex differences in immune cell function and immune responses to foreign and self antigens affect the development and outcome of diverse diseases and immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Dunn
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Whitney A Perry
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Smiley KO, Munley KM, Aghi K, Lipshutz SE, Patton TM, Pradhan DS, Solomon-Lane TK, Sun SED. Sex diversity in the 21st century: Concepts, frameworks, and approaches for the future of neuroendocrinology. Horm Behav 2024; 157:105445. [PMID: 37979209 PMCID: PMC10842816 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Sex is ubiquitous and variable throughout the animal kingdom. Historically, scientists have used reductionist methodologies that rely on a priori sex categorizations, in which two discrete sexes are inextricably linked with gamete type. However, this binarized operationalization does not adequately reflect the diversity of sex observed in nature. This is due, in part, to the fact that sex exists across many levels of biological analysis, including genetic, molecular, cellular, morphological, behavioral, and population levels. Furthermore, the biological mechanisms governing sex are embedded in complex networks that dynamically interact with other systems. To produce the most accurate and scientifically rigorous work examining sex in neuroendocrinology and to capture the full range of sex variability and diversity present in animal systems, we must critically assess the frameworks, experimental designs, and analytical methods used in our research. In this perspective piece, we first propose a new conceptual framework to guide the integrative study of sex. Then, we provide practical guidance on research approaches for studying sex-associated variables, including factors to consider in study design, selection of model organisms, experimental methodologies, and statistical analyses. We invite fellow scientists to conscientiously apply these modernized approaches to advance our biological understanding of sex and to encourage academically and socially responsible outcomes of our work. By expanding our conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches to the study of sex, we will gain insight into the unique ways that sex exists across levels of biological organization to produce the vast array of variability and diversity observed in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina O Smiley
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 639 North Pleasant Street, Morrill IVN Neuroscience, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Munley
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 3695 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
| | - Krisha Aghi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Sara E Lipshutz
- Department of Biology, Duke University, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Tessa M Patton
- Bioinformatics Program, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 West Sheridan Road, LSB 317, Chicago, IL 60660, USA.
| | - Devaleena S Pradhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 South 8th Avenue, Mail Stop 8007, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA.
| | - Tessa K Solomon-Lane
- Scripps, Pitzer, Claremont McKenna Colleges, 925 North Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
| | - Simón E D Sun
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dalla C, Jaric I, Pavlidi P, Hodes GE, Kokras N, Bespalov A, Kas MJ, Steckler T, Kabbaj M, Würbel H, Marrocco J, Tollkuhn J, Shansky R, Bangasser D, Becker JB, McCarthy M, Ferland-Beckham C. Practical solutions for including sex as a biological variable (SABV) in preclinical neuropsychopharmacological research. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 401:110003. [PMID: 37918446 PMCID: PMC10842858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, many funding agencies have released guidelines on the importance of considering sex as a biological variable (SABV) as an experimental factor, aiming to address sex differences and avoid possible sex biases to enhance the reproducibility and translational relevance of preclinical research. In neuroscience and pharmacology, the female sex is often omitted from experimental designs, with researchers generalizing male-driven outcomes to both sexes, risking a biased or limited understanding of disease mechanisms and thus potentially ineffective therapeutics. Herein, we describe key methodological aspects that should be considered when sex is factored into in vitro and in vivo experiments and provide practical knowledge for researchers to incorporate SABV into preclinical research. Both age and sex significantly influence biological and behavioral processes due to critical changes at different timepoints of development for males and females and due to hormonal fluctuations across the rodent lifespan. We show that including both sexes does not require larger sample sizes, and even if sex is included as an independent variable in the study design, a moderate increase in sample size is sufficient. Moreover, the importance of tracking hormone levels in both sexes and the differentiation between sex differences and sex-related strategy in behaviors are explained. Finally, the lack of robust data on how biological sex influences the pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), or toxicological effects of various preclinically administered drugs to animals due to the exclusion of female animals is discussed, and methodological strategies to enhance the rigor and translational relevance of preclinical research are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
| | - Ivana Jaric
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pavlina Pavlidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Anton Bespalov
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice (PAASP GmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martien J Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, USA
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordan Marrocco
- Department of Biology, Touro University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Shansky
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02128, USA
| | - Debra Bangasser
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jill B Becker
- Department of Psychology and Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Margaret McCarthy
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Baltimore MD, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Usselman CW, Lindsey ML, Robinson AT, Habecker BA, Taylor CE, Merryman WD, Kimmerly D, Bender JR, Regensteiner JG, Moreau KL, Pilote L, Wenner MM, O'Brien M, Yarovinsky TO, Stachenfeld NS, Charkoudian N, Denfeld QE, Moreira-Bouchard JD, Pyle WG, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Guidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H238-H255. [PMID: 37999647 PMCID: PMC11219057 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00535.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In cardiovascular research, sex and gender have not typically been considered in research design and reporting until recently. This has resulted in clinical research findings from which not only all women, but also gender-diverse individuals have been excluded. The resulting dearth of data has led to a lack of sex- and gender-specific clinical guidelines and raises serious questions about evidence-based care. Basic research has also excluded considerations of sex. Including sex and/or gender as research variables not only has the potential to improve the health of society overall now, but it also provides a foundation of knowledge on which to build future advances. The goal of this guidelines article is to provide advice on best practices to include sex and gender considerations in study design, as well as data collection, analysis, and interpretation to optimally establish rigor and reproducibility needed to inform clinical decision-making and improve outcomes. In cardiovascular physiology, incorporating sex and gender is a necessary component when optimally designing and executing research plans. The guidelines serve as the first guidance on how to include sex and gender in cardiovascular research. We provide here a beginning path toward achieving this goal and improve the ability of the research community to interpret results through a sex and gender lens to enable comparison across studies and laboratories, resulting in better health for all.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Merry L Lindsey
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Research Service, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Austin T Robinson
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States
| | - Beth A Habecker
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Chloe E Taylor
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - W David Merryman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Derek Kimmerly
- Autonomic Cardiovascular Control and Exercise Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Bender
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Judith G Regensteiner
- Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kerrie L Moreau
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
- Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Louise Pilote
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Megan M Wenner
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States
| | - Myles O'Brien
- School of Physiotherapy and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Timur O Yarovinsky
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nina S Stachenfeld
- John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nisha Charkoudian
- Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Quin E Denfeld
- School of Nursing and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Jesse D Moreira-Bouchard
- Q.U.E.E.R. Lab, Programs in Human Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - W Glen Pyle
- IMPART Team Canada Network, Dalhousie Medicine, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hoffmann JP, Liu JA, Seddu K, Klein SL. Sex hormone signaling and regulation of immune function. Immunity 2023; 56:2472-2491. [PMID: 37967530 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune responses to antigens, including innocuous, self, tumor, microbial, and vaccine antigens, differ between males and females. The quest to uncover the mechanisms for biological sex differences in the immune system has intensified, with considerable literature pointing toward sex hormonal influences on immune cell function. Sex steroids, including estrogens, androgens, and progestins, have profound effects on immune function. As such, drastic changes in sex steroid concentrations that occur with aging (e.g., after puberty or during the menopause transition) or pregnancy impact immune responses and the pathogenesis of immune-related diseases. The effect of sex steroids on immunity involves both the concentration of the ligand and the density and distribution of genomic and nongenomic receptors that serve as transcriptional regulators of immune cellular responses to affect autoimmunity, allergy, infectious diseases, cancers, and responses to vaccines. The next frontier will be harnessing these effects of sex steroids to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Hoffmann
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer A Liu
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kumba Seddu
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Rich-Edwards JW, Maney DL. Best practices to promote rigor and reproducibility in the era of sex-inclusive research. eLife 2023; 12:e90623. [PMID: 37917121 PMCID: PMC10622144 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To enhance inclusivity and rigor, many funding agencies and journals now mandate the inclusion of females as well as males in biomedical studies. These mandates have enhanced generalizability and created unprecedented opportunities to discover sex differences. However, education in sound methods to consider sex as a subgroup category has lagged behind, resulting in a problematic literature in which study designs, analyses, and interpretations of results are often flawed. Here, we outline best practices for complying with sex-inclusive mandates, both for studies in which sex differences are a primary focus and for those in which they are not. Our recommendations are organized within the "4 Cs of Studying Sex to Strengthen Science: Consideration, Collection, Characterization and Communication," a framework developed by the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health in the United States. Following these guidelines should help researchers include females and males in their studies while at the same time upholding high standards of rigor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet W Rich-Edwards
- Division of Women’s Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
- Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Massa MG, Aghi K, Hill MJ. Deconstructing sex: Strategies for undoing binary thinking in neuroendocrinology and behavior. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105441. [PMID: 37862978 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The scientific community widely recognizes that "sex" is a complex category composed of multiple physiologies. Yet in practice, basic scientific research often treats "sex" as a single, internally consistent, and often binary variable. This practice occludes important physiological factors and processes, and thus limits the scientific value of our findings. In human-oriented biomedical research, the use of simplistic (and often binary) models of sex ignores the existence of intersex, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people and contributes to a medical paradigm that neglects their needs and interests. More broadly, our collective reliance on these models legitimizes a false paradigm of human biology that undergirds harmful medical practices and anti-trans political movements. Herein, we continue the conversations begun at the SBN 2022 Symposium on Hormones and Trans Health, providing guiding questions to help scientists deconstruct and rethink the use of "sex" across the stages of the scientific method. We offer these as a step toward a scientific paradigm that more accurately recognizes and represents sexed physiologies as multiple, interacting, variable, and unbounded by gendered preconceptions. We hope this paper will serve as a useful resource for scientists who seek a new paradigm for researching and understanding sexed physiologies that improves our science, widens the applicability of our findings, and deters the misuse of our research against marginalized groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
| | - Krisha Aghi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - M J Hill
- Department of Sociology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Runkel MT, Tarabishi A, Shay-Winkler K, Emmert ME, Goh Q, Cornwall R. The role of sympathetic innervation in neonatal muscle growth and neuromuscular contractures. FEBS J 2023; 290:4877-4898. [PMID: 37462535 PMCID: PMC10592371 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal brachial plexus injury (NBPI), a leading cause of pediatric upper limb paralysis, results in disabling and incurable muscle contractures that are driven by impaired longitudinal growth of denervated muscles. A rare form of NBPI, which maintains both afferent and sympathetic muscle innervation despite motor denervation, protects against contractures. We have previously ruled out a role for NRG/ErbB signaling, the predominant pathway governing antegrade afferent neuromuscular transmission, in modulating the formation of contractures. Our current study therefore investigated the contributions of sympathetic innervation of skeletal muscle in modulating NBPI-induced contractures. Through chemical sympathectomy and pharmacologic modification with a β2 -adrenergic agonist, we discovered that sympathetic innervation alone is neither required nor sufficient to modulate contracture formation in neonatal mice. Despite this, sympathetic innervation plays an intriguing sex-specific role in mediating neonatal muscle growth, as the cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume of normally innervated male muscles were diminished by ablation of sympathetic neurons and increased by β-adrenergic stimulation. Intriguingly, the robust alterations in CSA occurred with minimal changes to normal longitudinal muscle growth as determined by sarcomere length. Instead, β-adrenergic stimulation exacerbated sarcomere overstretch in denervated male muscles, indicating potentially discrete regulation of muscle width and length. Future investigations into the mechanistic underpinnings of these distinct aspects of muscle growth are thus essential for improving clinical outcomes in patients affected by muscle disorders in which both length and width are affected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mason T. Runkel
- Department of Health Sciences, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Albaraa Tarabishi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kritton Shay-Winkler
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Marianne E. Emmert
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Qingnian Goh
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Roger Cornwall
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Eliot L, Beery AK, Jacobs EG, LeBlanc HF, Maney DL, McCarthy MM. Why and How to Account for Sex and Gender in Brain and Behavioral Research. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6344-6356. [PMID: 37704386 PMCID: PMC10500996 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0020-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long overlooked in neuroscience research, sex and gender are increasingly included as key variables potentially impacting all levels of neurobehavioral analysis. Still, many neuroscientists do not understand the difference between the terms "sex" and "gender," the complexity and nuance of each, or how to best include them as variables in research designs. This TechSights article outlines rationales for considering the influence of sex and gender across taxa, and provides technical guidance for strengthening the rigor and reproducibility of such analyses. This guidance includes the use of appropriate statistical methods for comparing groups as well as controls for key covariates of sex (e.g., total intracranial volume) and gender (e.g., income, caregiver stress, bias). We also recommend approaches for interpreting and communicating sex- and gender-related findings about the brain, which have often been misconstrued by neuroscientists and the lay public alike.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lise Eliot
- Stanson Toshok Center for Brain Function and Repair, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Annaliese K Beery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Emily G Jacobs
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106
| | - Hannah F LeBlanc
- Division of the Humanities & Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Margaret M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gaeta A, Tagliabue M, D'Ecclesiis O, Ghiani L, Maugeri P, De Berardinis R, Veneri C, Gaiaschi C, Cacace M, D'Andrea L, Ansarin M, Gandini S, Chiocca S. Are sex and gender considered in head and neck cancer clinical studies? NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:84. [PMID: 37679495 PMCID: PMC10484986 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the inclusion of sex and/or gender (S/G) in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) clinical studies, through inspecting ClinicalTrials.gov (AACT) and the mention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) on a specific subgroup, namely oral cavity, larynx and oropharynx. Only 5% of HNC studies mention S/G as a planned analytical variable. Proportionally more observational studies treated S/G as an analytical variable than interventional studies (10% vs 5%, P-value ≤ 0.001), 8% of studies that mentioned S/G involved more than 100 subjects while 4% less than 100 (P-value ≤ 0.001). In randomized protocols, S/G was mentioned more in studies with a planned sample of more than 100 patients and including HPV status (P-value < 0.05). Small controlled studies have lower mention of S/G as an analytical variable than uncontrolled studies (4% and 10%, respectively among studies with less than 100 subjects). Significantly greater mention of S/G as an analytical variable is observed in controlled and randomized studies with a sample size greater than 100 subjects. HPV was mentioned in only 18% of oral cavity-larynx-oropharynx studies. Interventional studies do not regularly account for S/G during HNC study design. Thus, although fundamental, in studies concerning HNC the S/G variable is often not considered. In trials published in scientific journals (P-value = 0.01) and in more recent clinical trials (P-value = 0.002), S/G is taken more into account suggesting an increasing awareness on its importance. However, the need to systematically include S/G in study design clearly emerges, to better highlight sex-related differences in disease incidence and prognosis and best imbue science and medicine with the proper biological and cultural differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Gaeta
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Oriana D'Ecclesiis
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ghiani
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Maugeri
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita De Berardinis
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Veneri
- GENDERS (Gender & Equality in Research and Science) - University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Gaiaschi
- GENDERS (Gender & Equality in Research and Science) - University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marina Cacace
- Knowledge & Innovation, Via Guido Reni 56, Rome, 00196, Italy
| | | | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Gandini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Nunamaker EA, Turner PV. Unmasking the Adverse Impacts of Sex Bias on Science and Research Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2792. [PMID: 37685056 PMCID: PMC10486396 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex bias in biomedical and natural science research has been prevalent for decades. In many cases, the female estrous cycle was thought to be too complex an issue to model for, and it was thought to be simpler to only use males in studies. At times, particularly when studying efficacy and safety of new therapeutics, this sex bias has resulted in over- and under-medication with associated deleterious side effects in women. Many sex differences have been recognized that are unrelated to hormonal variation occurring during the estrous cycle. Sex bias also creates animal welfare challenges related to animal over-production and wastage, insufficient consideration of welfare (and scientific) impact related to differential housing of male vs female animals within research facilities, and a lack of understanding regarding differential requirements for pain recognition and alleviation in male versus female animals. Although many funding and government agencies require both sexes to be studied in biomedical research, many disparities remain in practice. This requires further enforcement of expectations by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee when reviewing protocols, research groups when writing grants, planning studies, and conducting research, and scientific journals and reviewers to ensure that sex bias policies are enforced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Nunamaker
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
| | - Patricia V. Turner
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Maney DL, Rich-Edwards JW. Sex-Inclusive Biomedicine: Are New Policies Increasing Rigor and Reproducibility? Womens Health Issues 2023; 33:461-464. [PMID: 37087311 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Janet W Rich-Edwards
- Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Quignon C. Collection and Analysis of Vaginal Smears to Assess Reproductive Stage in Mice. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e887. [PMID: 37725703 PMCID: PMC10516510 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of scientific studies include female mice to assess possible sex differences. As such, for reproducibility by others, it is important to consider hormonal levels, i.e., report the reproductive status of the female mice used. The mouse estrous cycle can be divided in 4 stages, all characterized by a different proportion of 3 cell types found in vaginal secretions. Observation of the mouse vaginal opening and collection of vaginal smears for analysis of cytology can be done in order to determine puberty onset and estrus stage. This protocol describes the characteristics of each estrus stage and details a quick and low-invasive method for collection of vaginal secretions. Examples of estrous cycle stages are included to help the investigator visualize patterns of cyclicity, which can provide important information about the reproductive health of the mice. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Basic Protocol 1: Visual assessment of vaginal opening Basic Protocol 2: Collection of vaginal secretion (smears).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Quignon
- Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gloe LM, Russman Block S, Klump KL, Beltz AM, Moser JS. Determining menstrual cycle phase: An empirical examination of methodologies and recommendations for improvement in behavioral and brain sciences. Horm Behav 2023; 155:105421. [PMID: 37666081 PMCID: PMC10714354 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent decade has brought an exciting proliferation of behavioral, psychological and neuroscientific research involving the menstrual cycle. However, the reliability and validity of many popular methodologies for determining menstrual cycle phase lack empirical examination. These under-investigated methods include: (1) predicting menstrual cycle phase using self-report information only (e.g., "count" methods), (2) utilizing ovarian hormone ranges to determine menstrual cycle phase, and (3) using ovarian hormone changes from limited measurements (e.g., two time points) to determine menstrual cycle phase. In the current study, we examine the accuracy of these methods for menstrual cycle phase determination using 35-day within-person assessments of circulating ovarian hormones from 96 females across the menstrual cycle. Findings indicate that all three common methods are error-prone, resulting in phases being incorrectly determined for many participants, with Cohen's kappa estimates ranging from -0.13 to 0.53 indicating disagreement to only moderate agreement depending on the comparison. Such methodological challenges are surmountable through careful study design, more frequent hormone assays (when possible), and utilization of sophisticated statistical methods. With increased methodological rigor in behavioral, psychological and neuroscientific research, the field will be poised to detect biobehavioral correlates of ovarian hormone fluctuations for the betterment of the mental health and wellbeing of millions of females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilianne M Gloe
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Stefanie Russman Block
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kelly L Klump
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Adriene M Beltz
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason S Moser
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Chang L, Gupta A, Naliboff BD, Labus J, Kilpatrick LA, Mayer EA. Maximizing Training and Mentorship in Sex as a Biological Variable Research Across Different Brain-Body Disorders. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:869-876. [PMID: 37585513 PMCID: PMC10457633 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on sex differences at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has a long track record studying bidirectional interactions between different organs and the brain in health and disease with a strong focus on sex as a biological variable (SABV). While the initial focus was on brain-gut interactions in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), one of the most common disorders of gut-brain interaction, the scope of our Center's research has expanded to a range of different diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, alcohol use disorder, obesity, urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and vulvodynia. This expansion of research focused on the role of brain-body and brain-gut microbiome interactions in these various disorders, aligning well with the increasing importance of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team science. The SCORE's Career Enhancement Core (CEC) has modeled team science as applied to SABV research, with educational and training opportunities, a mentoring program, seed grant funding, and other career development experiences that enable mentees to work across the disciplines involved in brain body research. The CEC goals are: (1) To provide seed grant funds for innovative research relevant to the overall SCORE mission and research program; (2) to recruit and foster the career development of students, trainees, and junior investigators who conduct research focused on sex differences or women's health in IBS and chronic constipation and other brain-gut disorders; (3) to facilitate and promote collaboration between the UCLA SCORE and other academic programs involved in women's health education and research; and (4) to promote the importance of SABV through community outreach using collaborative and innovative approaches. These goals focus on establishing the leading research center in sex differences in basic, translational, and clinical aspects of brain-body interactions and on providing women and underrepresented individuals with research opportunities needed to become independent investigators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chang
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arpana Gupta
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bruce D. Naliboff
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Labus
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lisa A. Kilpatrick
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Emeran A. Mayer
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Plumb AN, Lesnak JB, Berardi G, Hayashi K, Janowski AJ, Smith AF, Bailey D, Kerkman C, Kienenberger Z, Martin B, Patterson E, Van Roekel H, Vance CGT, Sluka KA. Standing on the shoulders of bias: lack of transparency and reporting of critical rigor characteristics in pain research. Pain 2023; 164:1775-1782. [PMID: 36877823 PMCID: PMC10356741 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Rigorous experimental design with transparent reporting in biomedical science reduces risk of bias and allows for scientists to judge the quality of the research. Basic factors of rigor such as blinding, randomization, power analysis, and inclusion of both sexes impact the reproducibility by reducing experimental bias. We designed a systematic study to analyze basic factors of rigor, inclusion of sex, and whether data were analyzed or disaggregated by sex over the past 10 years in the journal PAIN . Studies that included humans reported randomization in 81%, blinding in 48%, and the use of a power analysis calculation in 27% over the past 10 years. Studies that included mice reported randomization in 35%, blinding in 70%, and the use of a power analysis in 9%. Studies that included rats reported randomization in 38%, blinding in 63%, and the use of power analysis in 12%. This study also found that human studies consistently included both sexes over the past decade, but less than 20% of data were disaggregated or analyzed for sex differences. Although mouse and rat studies predominately used males only, there has been a slight increase in inclusion of both sexes over the past few years. Justification for single-sex studies was below 50% in both human and rodent data. In both human and animal studies, transparency in reporting of experimental design and inclusion of both sexes should be considered standard practice and will result in improved quality and reproducibility of published research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Plumb
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Stahn AC, Bucher D, Zu Eulenburg P, Denise P, Smith N, Pagnini F, White O. Paving the way to better understand the effects of prolonged spaceflight on operational performance and its neural bases. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:59. [PMID: 37524737 PMCID: PMC10390562 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Space exploration objectives will soon move from low Earth orbit to distant destinations like Moon and Mars. The present work provides an up-to-date roadmap that identifies critical research gaps related to human behavior and performance in altered gravity and space. The roadmap summarizes (1) key neurobehavioral challenges associated with spaceflight, (2) the need to consider sex as a biological variable, (3) the use of integrative omics technologies to elucidate mechanisms underlying changes in the brain and behavior, and (4) the importance of understanding the neural representation of gravity throughout the brain and its multisensory processing. We then highlight the need for a variety of target-specific countermeasures, and a personalized administration schedule as two critical strategies for mitigating potentially adverse effects of spaceflight on the central nervous system and performance. We conclude with a summary of key priorities for the roadmaps of current and future space programs and stress the importance of new collaborative strategies across agencies and researchers for fostering an integrative cross- and transdisciplinary approach from cells, molecules to neural circuits and cognitive performance. Finally, we highlight that space research in neurocognitive science goes beyond monitoring and mitigating risks in astronauts but could also have significant benefits for the population on Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A C Stahn
- Unit of Experimental Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - D Bucher
- IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Zu Eulenburg
- Institute for Neuroradiology & German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - P Denise
- Normandie Univ. UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, Caen, France
| | - N Smith
- Protective Security and Resilience Centre, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - F Pagnini
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - O White
- Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Dijon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Engel BJ, Paolillo V, Uddin MN, Gonzales KA, McGinnis KM, Sutton MN, Patnana M, Grindel BJ, Gores GJ, Piwnica-Worms D, Beretta L, Pisaneschi F, Gammon ST, Millward SW. Gender Differences in a Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Revealed Using Multi-Modal Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3787. [PMID: 37568603 PMCID: PMC10417617 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to rise, in part due to poor diet, limited exercise, and alcohol abuse. Numerous studies have suggested that the loss or mutation of PTEN plays a critical role in HCC tumorigenesis through the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling axis. The homozygous knockout of PTEN in the livers of mice results in the accumulation of fat (steatosis), inflammation, fibrosis, and eventually progression to HCC. This phenotype bears a striking similarity to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is thought to occupy an intermediate stage between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), fibrosis, and HCC. The molecular and physiological phenotypes that manifest during the transition to HCC suggest that molecular imaging could provide a non-invasive screening platform to identify the hallmarks of HCC initiation prior to the presentation of clinical disease. We have carried out longitudinal imaging studies on the liver-specific PTEN knockout mouse model using CT, MRI, and multi-tracer PET to interrogate liver size, steatosis, inflammation, and apoptosis. In male PTEN knockout mice, significant steatosis was observed as early as 3 months using both magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and computed tomography (CT). Enhanced uptake of the apoptosis tracer 18F-TBD was also observed in the livers of male PTEN homozygous knockout mice between 3 and 4 months of age relative to heterozygous knockout controls. Liver uptake of the inflammation tracer [18F]4FN remained relatively low and constant over 7 months in male PTEN homozygous knockout mice, suggesting the suppression of high-energy ROS/RNS with PTEN deletion relative to heterozygous males where the [18F]4FN liver uptake was elevated at early and late time points. All male PTEN homozygous mice developed HCC lesions by month 10. In contrast to the male cohort, only 20% (2 out of 10) of female PTEN homozygous knockout mice developed HCC lesions by month 10. Steatosis was significantly less pronounced in the female PTEN homozygous knockout mice relative to males and could not accurately predict the eventual occurrence of HCC. As with the males, the [18F]4FN uptake in female PTEN homozygous knockout mice was low and constant throughout the time course. The liver uptake of 18F-TBD at 3 and 4.5 months was higher in the two female PTEN knockout mice that would eventually develop HCC and was the most predictive imaging biomarker for HCC in the female cohort. These studies demonstrate the diagnostic and prognostic role of multi-modal imaging in HCC mouse models and provide compelling evidence that disease progression in the PTEN knockout model is highly dependent on gender.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Engel
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vincenzo Paolillo
- Cyclotron Radiochemistry Facility, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Md. Nasir Uddin
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristyn A. Gonzales
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kathryn M. McGinnis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Margie N. Sutton
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Madhavi Patnana
- Department of Abdominal Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brian J. Grindel
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - David Piwnica-Worms
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Laura Beretta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Federica Pisaneschi
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Seth T. Gammon
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Steven W. Millward
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Carneiro CFD, Drude N, Hülsemann M, Collazo A, Toelch U. Mapping strategies towards improved external validity in preclinical translational research. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1273-1285. [PMID: 37691294 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2251886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Translation is about successfully bringing findings from preclinical contexts into the clinic. This transfer is challenging as clinical trials frequently fail despite positive preclinical results. Limited robustness of preclinical research has been marked as one of the drivers of such failures. One suggested solution is to improve the external validity of in vitro and in vivo experiments via a suite of complementary strategies. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors summarize the literature available on different strategies to improve external validity in in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo experiments; systematic heterogenization; generalizability tests; and multi-batch and multicenter experiments. Articles that tested or discussed sources of variability in systematically heterogenized experiments were identified, and the most prevalent sources of variability are reviewed further. Special considerations in sample size planning, analysis options, and practical feasibility associated with each strategy are also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION The strategies reviewed differentially influence variation in experiments. Different research projects, with their unique goals, can leverage the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Applying a combination of these approaches in confirmatory stages of preclinical research putatively increases the chances of success in clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa F D Carneiro
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natascha Drude
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Hülsemann
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Collazo
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Toelch
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Bae YJ, Kim MH, Choi MK. Response to Letter to the Editor: The Difference in Body Type May Modify the Relationship Between Dietary Mineral Intake and Hypertension Among Korean Adults. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:2123-2124. [PMID: 35718830 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jung Bae
- Major in Food and Nutrition, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong, 27909, Korea
| | - Mi-Hyun Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kongju National University, Yesan, 32439, Korea
| | - Mi-Kyeong Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kongju National University, Yesan, 32439, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abboud Y, Samaan JS, Oh J, Jiang Y, Randhawa N, Lew D, Ghaith J, Pala P, Leyson C, Watson R, Liu Q, Park K, Paski S, Osipov A, Larson BK, Hendifar A, Atkins K, Nissen NN, Li D, Pandol SJ, Lo SK, Gaddam S. Increasing Pancreatic Cancer Incidence in Young Women in the United States: A Population-Based Time-Trend Analysis, 2001-2018. Gastroenterology 2023; 164:978-989.e6. [PMID: 36775072 PMCID: PMC11364483 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have shown an increasing incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC), especially in younger women; however, this has not been externally validated. In addition, there are limited data about contributing factors to this trend. We report age and sex-specific time-trend analysis of PC age-adjusted incidence rates (aIRs) using the National Program of Cancer Registries database without Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data. METHODS PC aIR, mortality rates, annual percentage change, and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated and assessed for parallelism and identicalness. Age-specific analyses were conducted in older (≥55 years) and younger (<55 years) adults. PC incidence based on demographics, tumor characteristics, and mortality were evaluated in younger adults. RESULTS A total of 454,611 patients were diagnosed with PC between 2001 and 2018 with significantly increasing aIR in women (AAPC = 1.27%) and men (AAPC = 1.14%) without a difference (P = .37). Similar results were seen in older adults. However, in younger adults (53,051 cases; 42.9% women), women experienced a greater increase in aIR than men (AAPCs = 2.36%, P < .001 vs 0.62%, P = 0.62) with nonparallel trends (P < .001) and AAPC difference of 1.74% (P < .001). This AAPC difference appears to be due to rising aIR in Blacks (2.23%; P < .001), adenocarcinoma histopathologic subtype (0.89%; P = .003), and location in the head-of-pancreas (1.64%; P < .001). PC mortality was found to be unchanged in women but decreasing in counterpart men (AAPC difference = 0.54%; P = .001). CONCLUSION Using nationwide data, covering ≈64.5% of the U.S. population, we externally validate a rapidly increasing aIR of PC in younger women. There was a big separation of the incidence trend between women and men aged 15-34 years between 2001 and 2018 (>200% difference), and it did not show slowing down.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yazan Abboud
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jamil S Samaan
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Janice Oh
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yi Jiang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Navkiran Randhawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Franciscan Health, Olympia Fields, Illinois
| | - Daniel Lew
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jenan Ghaith
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pranav Pala
- Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India
| | - ChristineAnn Leyson
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rabindra Watson
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Quin Liu
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kenneth Park
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shirley Paski
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Arsen Osipov
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brent K Larson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Andrew Hendifar
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Katelyn Atkins
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicholas N Nissen
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Debiao Li
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Simon K Lo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Srinivas Gaddam
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Trofimova O, Latypova A, DiDomenicantonio G, Lutti A, de Lange AMG, Kliegel M, Stringhini S, Marques-Vidal P, Vaucher J, Vollenweider P, Strippoli MPF, Preisig M, Kherif F, Draganski B. Topography of associations between cardiovascular risk factors and myelin loss in the ageing human brain. Commun Biol 2023; 6:392. [PMID: 37037939 PMCID: PMC10086032 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability of the brain's white matter microstructure to cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is still limited. We used a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in a single centre setting to investigate the cross-sectional association between CVRFs and brain tissue properties of white matter tracts in a large community-dwelling cohort (n = 1104, age range 46-87 years). Arterial hypertension was associated with lower myelin and axonal density MRI indices, paralleled by higher extracellular water content. Obesity showed similar associations, though with myelin difference only in male participants. Associations between CVRFs and white matter microstructure were observed predominantly in limbic and prefrontal tracts. Additional genetic, lifestyle and psychiatric factors did not modulate these results, but moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was linked to higher myelin content independently of CVRFs. Our findings complement previously described CVRF-related changes in brain water diffusion properties pointing towards myelin loss and neuroinflammation rather than neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Trofimova
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adeliya Latypova
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulia DiDomenicantonio
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Lutti
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Marie G de Lange
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthias Kliegel
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Marques-Vidal
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Vaucher
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Vollenweider
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Pierre F Strippoli
- Center for Research in Psychiatric Epidemiology and Psychopathology, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Preisig
- Center for Research in Psychiatric Epidemiology and Psychopathology, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ferath Kherif
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bogdan Draganski
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Neurology Department, Max-Planck-Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nix JL, Schettini GP, Biase FH. Sexing of cattle embryos using RNA-sequencing data or polymerase chain reaction based on a complete sequence of cattle chromosome Y. Front Genet 2023; 14:1038291. [PMID: 37077537 PMCID: PMC10106624 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1038291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
When necessary, RNA-sequencing data or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can be used to determine the presence of the chromosome Y (ChrY) in samples. This information allows for biological variation due to sexual dimorphism to be studied. A prime example is when researchers conduct RNA-sequencing of single embryos, or conceptuses, prior to the development of gonads. A recent publication of a complete sequence of the ChrY has removed limitations for the development of these procedures in cattle, otherwise imposed by the absence of a ChrY in the reference genome. Using the sequence of the cattle ChrY and transcriptome data, we conducted a systematic search for genes in the ChrY that are exclusively expressed in male tissues. The genes ENSBIXG00000029763, ENSBIXG00000029774, ENSBIXG00000029788, and ENSBIXG00000029892 were consistently expressed across male tissues and lowly expressed or absent in female samples. We observed that the cumulative values of counts per million were 2688-fold greater in males than the equivalent values in female samples. Thus, we deemed these genes suitable for the sexing of samples using RNA-sequencing data. We successfully used this set of genes to infer the sex of 22 cattle blastocysts (8 females and 14 males). Additionally, the completed sequence of the cattle ChrY has segments in the male-specific region that are not repeated. We designed a pair of oligonucleotides that targets one of these non-repeated regions in the male-specific sequence of the ChrY. Using this pair of oligonucleotides, in a multiplexed PCR assay with oligonucleotides that anneal to an autosome chromosome, we accurately identified the sex of cattle blastocysts. We developed efficient procedures for the sexing of samples in cattle using either transcriptome data or their DNA. The procedures using RNA-sequencing will greatly benefit researchers who work with samples limited in cell numbers which are only sufficient to produce transcriptome data. The oligonucleotides used for the accurate sexing of samples using PCR are transferable to other cattle tissue samples.
Collapse
|
41
|
Wright ML, Drake D, Link DG, Berg JA. Climate change and the adverse impact on the health and well-being of women and girls from the Women's Health Expert Panel of the American Academy of Nursing. Nurs Outlook 2023; 71:101919. [PMID: 36801608 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Climate change has measurable adverse impact on the general and reproductive health of women and girls. Multinational government organizations, private foundations, and consumer groups identify anthropogenic disruptions in social and ecological environments as the primary threats to human health this century. Drought, micronutrient shortage, famine, mass migration, conflict over resources, and effects on mental health resulting from displacement and war are challenging effects to manage. The most severe effects will be felt by those with the least resources to prepare for and adapt to changes. Climate change is a phenomenon of interest to women's health professionals because women and girls are more vulnerable to the effects due to a combination of physiologic, biologic, cultural, and socioeconomic risk factors. Nurses, with our scientific foundation, human-centered approach, and position of trust in societies can be leaders in efforts at mitigation, adaptation, and building resilience in response to changes in our planetary health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Drake
- School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Denise G Link
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Judith A Berg
- College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hranilovich JA, Legget KT, Dodd KC, Wylie KP, Tregellas JR. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of headache: Issues, best-practices, and new directions, a narrative review. Headache 2023; 63:309-321. [PMID: 36942411 PMCID: PMC10089616 DOI: 10.1111/head.14487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To ensure readers are informed consumers of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research in headache, to outline ongoing challenges in this area of research, and to describe potential considerations when asked to collaborate on fMRI research in headache, as well as to suggest future directions for improvement in the field. BACKGROUND Functional MRI has played a key role in understanding headache pathophysiology, and mapping networks involved with headache-related brain activity have the potential to identify intervention targets. Some investigators have also begun to explore its use for diagnosis. METHODS/RESULTS The manuscript is a narrative review of the current best practices in fMRI in headache research, including guidelines on transparency and reproducibility. It also contains an outline of the fundamentals of MRI theory, task-related study design, resting-state functional connectivity, relevant statistics and power analysis, image preprocessing, and other considerations essential to the field. CONCLUSION Best practices to increase reproducibility include methods transparency, eliminating error, using a priori hypotheses and power calculations, using standardized instruments and diagnostic criteria, and developing large-scale, publicly available datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Hranilovich
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristina T Legget
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith C Dodd
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Korey P Wylie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jason R Tregellas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mast A, Peña A, Bolch CA, Shaibi G, Vander Wyst KB. Sex differences in response to lifestyle intervention among children and adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2023; 31:665-692. [PMID: 36762579 PMCID: PMC10352023 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known about sex differences in response to lifestyle interventions among pediatric populations. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate sex differences in adiposity following lifestyle interventions among children and adolescents with overweight or obesity aged 6 to 18 years old. METHODS Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE (from inception to March 2021), and references from included articles were examined. Eligibility criteria included children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with overweight or obesity, randomization to a lifestyle intervention versus a control group, and assessment of at least one adiposity measure. Corresponding authors were contacted to obtain summary statistics by sex (n = 14/49). RESULTS Of 89 full-text articles reviewed, 49 (55%) were included, of which 33 (67%) reported statistically significant intervention effects on adiposity. Only two studies (4%) evaluated sex differences in response to lifestyle intervention, reporting conflicting results. The results of the meta-regression models demonstrated no significant differences in the treatment effect between male and female youth for weight (beta = -0.05, SE = 0.18, z = -0.28, p = 0.8), BMI (beta = 0.03, SE = 0.14, z = 0.19, p = 0.85), BMI z score (beta = -0.04, SE = 0.18, z = -0.23, p = 0.82), percentage body fat (beta = -0.11, SE = 0.16, z = -0.67, p = 0.51), and waist circumference (beta = -0.30, SE = 0.25, z = -1.18, p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis revealed that youth with overweight or obesity do not demonstrate a differential response to lifestyle intervention in relation to adiposity-related outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Mast
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
| | - Armando Peña
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Charlotte A. Bolch
- Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
| | - Gabriel Shaibi
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ciesielski TH, Zhang X, Tacconelli A, Lutsar I, de Cabre VM, Roilides E, Ciccacci C, Borgiani P, Scott WK, Williams SM, Sirugo G. Late-onset neonatal sepsis: genetic differences by sex and involvement of the NOTCH pathway. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1085-1095. [PMID: 35835848 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02114-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis (LOS) is a rare condition, involving widespread infection, immune disruption, organ dysfunction, and often death. Because exposure to pathogens is not completely preventable, identifying susceptibility factors is critical to characterizing the pathophysiology and developing interventions. Prior studies demonstrated both genetics and infant sex influence susceptibility. Our study was designed to identify LOS associated genetic variants. METHODS We performed an exploratory genome wide association study (GWAS) with 224 LOS cases and 273 controls from six European countries. LOS was defined as sepsis presenting from 3 to 90 days of age; diagnosis was established by clinical criteria consensus guidelines. We tested for association with both autosomal and X-chromosome variants in the total sample and in sex-stratified analyses. RESULTS In total, 71 SNPs associated with neonatal sepsis at p < 1 × 10-4 in at least one analysis. Most importantly, sex-stratified analyses revealed associations with multiple SNPs (28 in males and 16 in females), but no variants from single-sex analyses associated with sepsis in the other sex. Pathway analyses showed NOTCH signaling is over-represented among genes linked to these SNPS. CONCLUSION Our results indicate genetic susceptibility to LOS is sexually dimorphic and corroborate that NOTCH signaling plays a role in determining risk. IMPACT Genes associate with late onset neonatal sepsis. Notch pathway genes are overrepresented in associations with sepsis. Genes associating with sepsis do not overlap between males and females. Sexual dimorphism can lead to sex specific treatment of sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy H Ciesielski
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xueyi Zhang
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Irja Lutsar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Emmanuel Roilides
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Cinzia Ciccacci
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Facolta' di Medicina e Chirurgia, Universita' di Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Unicamillus, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Borgiani
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Facolta' di Medicina e Chirurgia, Universita' di Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - William K Scott
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Scott M Williams
- The Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA.
- 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Cleveland, USA.
| | - Giorgio Sirugo
- Institute of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman SPerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvaniachool of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kato T, Konishi T, Kurazumi T, Ogawa Y, Iwasaki K. Steady-state cerebral blood flow and dynamic cerebral autoregulation during neck flexion and extension in seated healthy young adults. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15622. [PMID: 36808705 PMCID: PMC9938106 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neck flexion and extension show differences in various physiological factors, such as sympathetic nerve activity and intracranial pressure (ICP). We hypothesized that differences would exist in steady-state cerebral blood flow and dynamic cerebral autoregulation between neck flexion and extension in seated, healthy young adults. Fifteen healthy adults were studied in the sitting position. Data were collected during neck flexion and extension in random order for 6 min each on the same day. Arterial pressure at the heart level was measured using a cuff sphygmomanometer. Mean arterial pressure at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) level (MAPMCA ) was calculated by subtracting the hydrostatic pressure difference between heart and MCA levels from mean arterial pressure at the heart level. Non-invasive cerebral perfusion pressure (nCPP) was estimated as the MAPMCA minus the non-invasive ICP as determined from transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Waveforms of arterial pressure in the finger and blood velocity in the MCA (MCAv) were obtained. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was evaluated by transfer function analysis between these waveforms. The results showed that nCPP was significantly higher during neck flexion than during neck extension (p = 0.004). However, no significant differences were observed in mean MCAv (p = 0.752). Likewise, no significant differences were observed in any of the three indices of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in any frequency range. Although non-invasively estimated cerebral perfusion pressure was significantly higher during neck flexion than during neck extension, no differences in steady-state cerebral blood flow or dynamic cerebral autoregulation were evident between neck flexion and extension in seated healthy adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Kato
- Department of Social Medicine, Division of HygieneNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Toru Konishi
- Department of Social Medicine, Division of HygieneNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan,Air Staff Office, Japan Air Self‐Defense ForceTokyoJapan
| | - Takuya Kurazumi
- Department of Social Medicine, Division of HygieneNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan,Institute for Exercise and Environmental MedicineTexas Health Presbyterian Hospital DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Yojiro Ogawa
- Department of Social Medicine, Division of HygieneNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Ken‐ichi Iwasaki
- Department of Social Medicine, Division of HygieneNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Garcia JM, Dong Y, Richardson P, Kramer JR, Hartman CM, Royse K, White DL, Chiao EY. Effect of HIV and antiretroviral therapy use on body weight changes in a cohort of U.S. veterans living with and without HIV. HIV Med 2023; 24:180-190. [PMID: 35929183 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People living with HIV have high rates of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. Our study sought to evaluate weight trajectory in a retrospective cohort of people living with HIV and matched HIV-negative veterans (controls) and to evaluate risk factors for weight gain. METHODS This was a retrospective database analysis of data extracted from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse that included people living with HIV (n = 22 421) and age-matched HIV-negative controls (n = 63 072). The main outcomes were baseline body weight and weight change from baseline at 1, 2, and 5 years after diagnosis (baseline visit for controls). RESULTS Body weight at baseline was lower in people living with HIV than in controls. People living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) gained more weight than did controls. In a sub-analysis of ART-exposed people living with HIV, age >50 years, African American race, body mass index (BMI) <25, CD4 ≤200, and HIV diagnosis year after 2000 were associated with more weight gain at year 1. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus non-NRTIs (NNRTIs) were associated with less weight gain than NRTIs plus protease inhibitors, NRTIs plus integrase inhibitors, or NRTIs plus other agents at year 1. CONCLUSIONS Among US veterans, those living with HIV had lower rates of obesity than age-matched HIV-negative controls; however, primarily in the first 2 years after starting ART, people living with HIV gained more weight than did controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Garcia
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yongquan Dong
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Peter Richardson
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer R Kramer
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Medical Center Digestive Diseases Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Christine M Hartman
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kathryn Royse
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Surgical Outcomes and Analysis, Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Donna L White
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Medical Center Digestive Diseases Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Y Chiao
- VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of General Oncology and Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Medicine and Cancer Prevention, University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Stites SD, Cao H, James R, Harkins K, Coykendall C, Flatt JD. A systematic review of measures of gender and biological sex: Exploring candidates for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) research. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12359. [PMID: 36845632 PMCID: PMC9943901 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Gender and biological sex are social and structural determinants of health and umbrella concepts encompassing many distinct attributes. This systematic review summarizes measures of gender and biological sex published in the biomedical literature. The goal was to identify measures that may be useful to researchers studying Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD). Methods A search of PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO (ProQuest platform) databases from 2000 to 2021 identified 1454 articles, which were then screened by five independent reviewers. Measures of gender and biological sex are summarized according to theoretical commitments and psychometric properties. Results Twenty-nine measures were identified that assessed gender-related constructs, and 4 were identified that assessed biological factors. Self-report instruments characterized aspects of gender, such as gender stereotypes, norms, and ideologies. One measure was developed with a focus on older adults (65+ years). Discussion We offer recommendations to guide measurement of gender in AD/ADRD research, including how the use of specific existing measures may help advance AD/ADRD research. The lack of gender measures for older adults limits AD/ADRD research. New measures may be needed to address lifespan and generational differences in gender factors. Highlights A review of articles identifies 29 measures of gender in biomedical research.Gender is captured using multidimensional, self-reported concepts.One measure was developed with a focus on older adults (65+).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shana D. Stites
- Department of PsychiatryPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Hannah Cao
- School of Social Policy and PracticeUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Richard James
- University of Pennsylvania LibrariesPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Kristin Harkins
- Division of Geriatric MedicineDepartment of MedicinePerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Cameron Coykendall
- Division of Geriatric MedicineDepartment of MedicinePerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jason D. Flatt
- Department of Social and Behavioral HealthSchool of Public HealthUniversity of NevadaLas VegasNevadaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hagarty-Waite KA, Totten MS, Pierce M, Armah SM, Erikson KM. Influence of Sex and Strain on Hepatic and Adipose Tissue Trace Element Concentrations and Gene Expression in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J High Fat Diet Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213778. [PMID: 36430257 PMCID: PMC9697485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the influence of sex and strain on the dysregulation of trace element concentration and associative gene expression due to diet induced obesity in adipose tissue and the liver. Male and female C57BL/6J (B6J) and DBA/2J (D2J) were randomly assigned to a normal-fat diet (NFD) containing 10% kcal fat/g or a mineral-matched high-fat diet (HFD) containing 60% kcal fat/g for 16 weeks. Liver and adipose tissue were assessed for copper, iron, manganese, and zinc concentrations and related changes in gene expression. Notable findings include three-way interactions of diet, sex, and strain amongst adipose tissue iron concentrations (p = 0.005), adipose hepcidin expression (p = 0.007), and hepatic iron regulatory protein (IRP) expression (p = 0.012). Cd11c to Cd163 ratio was increased in adipose tissue due to HFD amongst all biological groups except B6J females, for which tissue iron concentrations were reduced due to HFD (p = 0.002). Liver divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) expression was increased due to HFD amongst B6J males (p < 0.005) and females (p < 0.004), which coincides with the reduction in hepatic iron concentrations found in these biological groups (p < 0.001). Sex, strain, and diet affected trace element concentration, the expression of genes that regulate trace element homeostasis, and the expression of macrophages that contribute to tissue iron-handling in adipose tissue. These findings suggest that sex and strain may be key factors that influence the adaptive capacity of iron mismanagement in adipose tissue and its subsequent consequences, such as insulin resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa S. Totten
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Matthew Pierce
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
| | - Seth M. Armah
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
| | - Keith M. Erikson
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Warthi G, Faulkner JL, Doja J, Ghanam AR, Gao P, Yang AC, Slivano OJ, Barris CT, Kress TC, Zawieja SD, Griffin SH, Xie X, Ashworth A, Christie CK, Bryant WB, Kumar A, Davis MJ, Long X, Gan L, de Chantemèle EJB, Lyu Q, Miano JM. Generation and Comparative Analysis of an Itga8-CreER T2 Mouse with Preferential Activity in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:1084-1100. [PMID: 36424917 PMCID: PMC9681021 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
All current smooth muscle cell (SMC) Cre mice similarly recombine floxed alleles in vascular and visceral SMCs. Here, we present an Itga8-CreER T2 knock-in mouse and compare its activity with a Myh11-CreER T2 mouse. Both Cre drivers demonstrate equivalent recombination in vascular SMCs. However, Myh11-CreER T2 mice, but not Itga8-CreER T2 mice, display high activity in visceral SMC-containing tissues such as intestine, show early tamoxifen-independent activity, and produce high levels of CreERT2 protein. Whereas Myh11-CreER T2 -mediated knockout of serum response factor (Srf) causes a lethal intestinal phenotype precluding analysis of the vasculature, loss of Srf with Itga8-CreER T2 (Srf Itga8 ) yields viable mice with no evidence of intestinal pathology. Male and female Srf Itga8 mice exhibit vascular contractile incompetence, and angiotensin II causes elevated blood pressure in wild type, but not Srf Itga8 , male mice. These findings establish the Itga8-CreER T2 mouse as an alternative to existing SMC Cre mice for unfettered phenotyping of vascular SMCs following selective gene loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Warthi
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Jessica L. Faulkner
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Jaser Doja
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Amr R. Ghanam
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Pan Gao
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Allison C. Yang
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Orazio J. Slivano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Candee T. Barris
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Taylor C. Kress
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Scott D. Zawieja
- Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212
| | - Susan H. Griffin
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Xiaoling Xie
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Alan Ashworth
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158
| | - Christine K. Christie
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - William B. Bryant
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Michael J. Davis
- Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Lin Gan
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | | | - Qing Lyu
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
- Biomedical and Health Institute, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligence Technology, Chongqing, China 400714
- Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China 401147
| | - Joseph M. Miano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sanchez VA, Arnold ML, Moore DR, Clavier O, Abrams HB. Speech-in-noise testing: Innovative applications for pediatric patients, underrepresented populations, fitness for duty, clinical trials, and remote services. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:2336. [PMID: 36319253 PMCID: PMC9722269 DOI: 10.1121/10.0014418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Speech perception testing, defined as providing standardized speech stimuli and requiring a listener to provide a behavioral and scored response, has been an integral part of the audiologic test battery since the beginning of the audiology profession. Over the past several decades, limitations in the diagnostic and prognostic validity of standard speech perception testing as routinely administered in the clinic have been noted, and the promotion of speech-in-noise testing has been highlighted. This review will summarize emerging and innovative approaches to speech-in-noise testing with a focus on five applications: (1) pediatric considerations promoting the measurement of sensory and cognitive components separately; (2) appropriately serving underrepresented populations with special attention to racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities, as well as considering biological sex and/or gender differences as variables of interest; (3) binaural fitness for duty assessments of functional hearing for occupational settings that demand the ability to detect, recognize, and localize sounds; (4) utilization of speech-in-noise tests in pharmacotherapeutic clinical trials with considerations to the drug mechanistic action, the patient populations, and the study design; and (5) online and mobile applications of hearing assessment that increase accessibility and the direct-to-consumer market.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Sanchez
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 73, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Michelle L Arnold
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - David R Moore
- Communication Sciences Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | | | - Harvey B Abrams
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| |
Collapse
|