Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Briana L. Hickey, Junyi Chen, Yunfan Zou, Adam D. Gill, Wenwan Zhong, Jocelyn G. Millar, Richard J. Hooley
Summary: An arrayed combination of water-soluble deep cavitands and cationic dyes has been shown to optically sense insect pheromones at micromolar concentration in water. Machine learning approaches were used to optimize the most effective array components, which allows differentiation between small structural differences in targets, including between different diastereomers, even though the pheromones have no innate chromophore. When combined with chiral additives, enantiodiscrimination is possible, dependent on the size and shape of the pheromone.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Victoria Persky, Chibuzor Abasilim, Konstantina Tsintsifas, Tessa Day, Robert M. Sargis, Martha L. Daviglus, Jianwen Cai, Sally Freels, Terry Unterman, Noel Chavez, Robert Kaplan, Carmen R. Isasi, Amber Pirzada, Michelle L. Meyer, Gregory A. Talavera, Bharat Thyagarajan, Brandilyn A. Peters, Jessica M. Madrigal, Arielle Grieco, Mary E. Turyk
Summary: This study examined the associations between endogenous sex hormones and diabetes progression. It found an inverse association between testosterone levels in men and conversion from prediabetes to diabetes, and an inverse association between SHBG levels in women and various glycemic measures as well as prediabetes to diabetes conversion.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hao Wei, Annie Lee, Qing Zhang, Melanie A. Felmlee
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of exogenous sex hormones and cross-sex hormones on the expression of renal monocarboxylate transporters, finding that different hormones had different regulatory effects on the expression of MCT1, MCT4, and SMCT1.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nathalie Fuentes, Miguel Silva Rodriguez, Patricia Silveyra
Summary: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with identified sex differences in incidence and mortality rates among various types of lung cancers. While some mechanisms are known, such as the synergism between estrogen and certain tobacco compounds in lung carcinogenesis, much remains unknown about the influence of sex hormones in lung cancer development. Research incorporating biological sex may help uncover the mechanisms behind observed disparities in lung cancer rates and lead to the development of new treatments.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Aditi Bhargava, Arthur P. Arnold, Debra A. Bangasser, Kate M. Denton, Arpana Gupta, Lucinda M. Hilliard Krause, Emeran A. Mayer, Margaret McCarthy, Walter L. Miller, Armin Raznahan, Ragini Verma
Summary: The NIH announced in 2014 that applicants for research funding must consider sex as a biological variable. Despite efforts to include both sexes in research plans, confusion remains among researchers and reviewers about sex differences. Gender and sex are often used interchangeably, and the gender of the researcher may impact the outcomes of studies, particularly in behavioral research.
Article
Cell Biology
Cordelia Fine
Summary: This review discusses the potential conflicts that may arise in the investigation of sex differences in the human brain, including academic freedom versus gender equality, frameworks, background assumptions, and dominant methodologies, and inductive risk and social values. The article highlights the distinction between fair criticism and politicization, as well as how the academic community can protect academic freedom while preventing the politicization of science.
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Miriam Pillerova, Veronika Borbelyova, Julius Hodosy, Vladimir Riljak, Emese Renczes, Karyn M. Frick, Lubomira Tothova
Summary: Sex steroid hormones play important roles in the development of brain structures, affecting physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional functions. While the classical mechanisms of action have been well studied, the physiological importance of non-classical mechanisms and the overall effects of SSHs on different body systems remain unclear. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of testosterone and estradiol on various body systems and behavior.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Abhilash Jayaraj, Heidi A. Schwanz, Daniel J. Spencer, Shalender Bhasin, James A. Hamilton, B. Jayaram, Anna L. Goldman, Meenakshi Krishna, Maya Krishnan, Aashay Shah, Zhendong Jin, Eileen Krenzel, Sashi N. Nair, Sid Ramesh, Wen Guo, Gerhard Wagner, Haribabu Arthanari, Liming Peng, Brian Lawney, Ravi Jasuja
Summary: Multiple allosterically coupled binding sites were identified for testosterone on human serum albumin (HSA) through various techniques, showing nonlinear binding dynamics and the potential displacement of testosterone by free fatty acids under different physiological conditions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
B. C. Braun, K. Jewgenow
Summary: Lynxes and domestic cats have different luteal life cycles, with lynxes' corpora lutea persisting for multiple cycles while those of domestic cats regress. These differences may indicate processes ensuring long-term luteal survival and functionality.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helen E. Collins
Summary: For many years, females were excluded from research due to the misconception that they were smaller men with complex hormonal cycles. However, in the past decade, it has become clear that male and female cardiovascular biology and cardiac stress responses differ significantly. Premenopausal women are protected from cardiovascular diseases and have different biological processes that contribute to ventricular remodeling compared to males. Understanding the sex-dependent differences in myocardium response is important for post-infarction remodeling and functional decline.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Janghee Lee, Hakyoung Kim, Soong June Bae, Jung Hwan Ji, Jong Won Lee, Byung Ho Son, Sei Hyun Ahn, Joon Jeong, Sae Byul Lee, Sung Gwe Ahn
Summary: This study found that BMI may affect the 21-gene recurrence score in patients with ER-positive, ERBB2-negative breast cancer, suggesting that weight control becomes more important in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Brandilyn A. Peters, David B. Hanna, Yi Wang, Kathleen M. Weber, Elizabeth Topper, Allison A. Appleton, Anjali Sharma, Howard N. Hodis, Nanette Santoro, Chantal Guillemette, Patrick Caron, Rob Knight, Robert D. Burk, Robert C. Kaplan, Qibin Qi
Summary: The study found that there is an interplay between sex hormones and the gut microbiome, which may impact cardiovascular risk. Serum sex hormones are associated with gut microbiome diversity and composition, and the gut microbiome may play a role in estrogen-related cardiovascular protection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilya Golovchenko, Boris Aizikovich, Oleg Golovchenko, Evgeny Reshetnikov, Maria Churnosova, Inna Aristova, Irina Ponomarenko, Mikhail Churnosov
Summary: This study demonstrated that sex hormone polymorphisms proven by GWAS are associated with the risk of endometriosis and involved in the molecular pathophysiology of the disease due to their functionality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Swati Pawa, Promila Banerjee, Shivangi Kothari, Sharlene L. D'Souza, Sarah L. Martindale, Jill K. J. Gaidos, Amy S. Oxentenko, Carol A. Burke
Summary: The study found that 75% of gastroenterologists reported endoscopy-related injuries, with thumb, neck, hand/finger, and lower back being the most commonly affected areas. While there was no significant difference in injury prevalence between male and female gastroenterologists, significant gender differences were observed in the specific sites affected by injuries and the contributing mechanisms.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Adeeba H. Dhalech, Caleb M. Corn, Vrushali Mangale, Fahim Syed, Stephanie A. Condotta, Martin J. Richer, Christopher M. Robinson
Summary: Biological sex plays a significant role in the outcomes of various infections and diseases. This study found that testosterone enhances the replication and dissemination of Coxsackievirus B3 in the intestines, while also impacting the immune response.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Michelle Barber, Zakir Hussain, Merlin Thomas, Andrew Hung
Summary: Phosphorylation of GLO1 alters its structure and affects its activity and interaction with substrates, potentially leading to cellular damage.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Guang Yang, Tingting Qian, Hui Sun, Qun Xu, Xujuan Hou, Wenqi Hu, Guang Zhang, Grant R. Drummond, Christopher G. Sobey, Paul K. Witting, Kate M. Denton, Fadi J. Charchar, Jonathan Golledge, Yutang Wang
Summary: This study found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is inversely associated with blood pressure and hypertension in young and middle-aged individuals, but not in older participants. However, in males, HDL-C was not associated with systolic blood pressure or hypertension. Further adjustments for body mass index (BMI) changed the negative associations of HDL-C with blood pressure and hypertension to positive associations in the whole cohort, specifically in males.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Linda A. Gallo, Tania F. Gallo, Danielle J. Borg, Karen M. Moritz, Vicki L. Clifton, Sailesh Kumar
Summary: The study found that planned moderate/late preterm births significantly decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown, while there was no impact on extremely or very preterm infants, spontaneous preterm births, or stillbirth rates. A non-significant spike in spontaneous preterm births was observed from late April to early May 2020.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Reetu R. Singh, Zoe McArdle, Lindsea C. Booth, Clive N. May, Geoff A. Head, Karen M. Moritz, Markus P. Schlaich, Kate M. Denton
Summary: Patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease who undergo renal denervation may have impaired hemodynamic responses to blood loss if they continue taking antihypertensive medication. Therefore, closer monitoring is necessary during surgery or traumatic blood loss in these patients to minimize the risk of hypotension-mediated organ damage.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
M. C. Thomas
Summary: Type 2 diabetes and its comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and eye and foot disease, are interrelated and caused by a failure to efficiently manage excessive energy. These conditions worsen each other through shared pathogenesis and subsequent dysfunction. CARAMEL disease, a combination of cardiac, renal, adipo-metabolic, eye, and liver disease, is commonly found in patients with type 2 diabetes. Recent changes in diabetes guidelines emphasize the identification and aggressive management of high-risk individuals.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chris Tikellis, Gardner N. Robinson, Carlos J. Rosado, Duygu Batu, Maria A. Zuniga-Gutierrez, Raelene J. Pickering, Merlin C. Thomas
Summary: The levels of soluble ACE2 increase in diabetes, but its specific role in atherogenesis is unclear. Experimental findings suggest that increasing circulating soluble ACE2 can reduce plaque accumulation and has independent vasculoprotective effects.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Vicki L. Clifton, Sailesh Kumar, Danielle Borg, Kym M. Rae, Roslyn N. Boyd, Koa Whittingham, Karen M. Moritz, Hannah E. Carter, Steven M. McPhail, Brenda Gannon, Robert Ware, Barnaby J. W. Dixson, Samudragupta Bora, Cameron Hurst
Summary: This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown and post lockdown on the mental health of pregnant women and their partners. The results showed a significant decrease in severe anxiety among pregnant and postpartum women during lockdown, and the odds of severe anxiety returned to pre-COVID-19 levels after the lockdown. The lockdown and post-lockdown period did not have a significant effect on the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the partners.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Sarah L. Walton, Kate M. Denton
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zoe McArdle, Reetu R. Singh, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Karen M. Moritz, Kate M. Denton, Michiel F. Schreuder
Summary: Previous studies have shown that brief early ACEi can protect the kidney of children with SFK and increase renal functional reserve. This study investigated the long-term effects of brief early ACEi in SFK sheep and found that it could decrease albuminuria at 8 months but not at 14 or 20 months. At 20 months, SFK+ACEi sheep had lower basal GFR compared with SFK sheep, but RBF, RVR, and filtration fraction were similar. Brief ACEi in SFK could delay kidney disease in the short-term but not in the long-term.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yutang Wang, Dinh Tam Nguyen, Jack Anesi, Ahmed Alramahi, Paul K. Witting, Zhonglin Chai, Abdul Waheed Khan, Jason Kelly, Kate M. Denton, Jonathan Golledge
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the sympatholytic drug moxonidine on atherosclerosis. The results showed that moxonidine increased the uptake of oxidised LDL by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), as well as the expression of LDL receptors and the lipid efflux transporter ABCG1. Moxonidine also inhibited inflammatory gene expression and increased VSMC migration. In vivo experiments on ApoE(-/-) mice showed that moxonidine administration reduced atherosclerosis formation and increased plasma lipid hydroperoxide levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Sarah E. Steane, James S. M. Cuffe, Karen M. Moritz
Summary: Prenatal alcohol consumption can have a range of effects on pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. One major mechanism behind these effects is altered DNA methylation and gene expression. Maternal intake of micronutrients like folate and choline can modify the effects of alcohol consumption on development, but more research is needed to fully understand their impact.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zoe Mcardle, Reetu R. Singh, Karen M. Moritz, Michiel F. Schreuder, Kate M. Denton
Summary: A study investigated the effects of brief postnatal ACE inhibition (ACEi) in sheep with a solitary functioning kidney (SFK). It was found that ACEi in SFK sheep led to attenuated water homeostasis in response to a physiological challenge at 20 months of age. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of ACEi in children with SFK on fluid homeostasis.
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Sarah E. Lucas, Sarah L. Walton, Katrina M. Mirabito M. Colafella, Steven J. Mileto, Dena Lyras, Kate M. Denton
Summary: Gut dysfunction is identified as a contributor to hypertension and its related diseases. The breakdown of the homeostatic relationship involving intestinal epithelial function, microbiota and immune responses is crucial. Antihypertensive medications have shown potential in reversing intestinal dysfunction and dysbiosis but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yutang Wang, Jack Anesi, Michelle C. Maier, Mark A. Myers, Ernesto Oqueli, Christopher G. Sobey, Grant R. Drummond, Kate M. Denton
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by narrowing of the arteries due to lipid accumulation, with high cholesterol being a major risk factor. Despite advances in lipid-lowering therapy, atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of death globally, highlighting the need for additional treatment strategies. Recent evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Jenny Kuo, Lisa K. Akison, Mark D. Chatfield, Peter Trnka, Karen M. Moritz
Summary: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of urine and serum biomarkers not currently used in routine clinical practice to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in premature infants. The results showed that uNGAL may be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of AKI in premature infants.
JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)