Background: The size of sex differences in dermatoglyphic features and their inter-population differences remains a subject of debate. Combining fingers in traditional dermatoglyphic methodology and omitting finger-specific variations might be a cause for uncertainty.Aim: To compare sex differences in whorl frequencies between fingers.Subjects and methods: Using meta-analytical methods, the authors studied sex differences in frequencies of whorls (log Odd Ratios) for each finger separately, including their heterogeneities (between-samples variance). The dataset of 204 population samples was extracted from published dermatoglyphic studies.Results: Aggregated effects of sex differences were significant in all fingers, except for the left 1st finger. Sex differences were higher in the right hand and increased from radial to ulnar fingers. Apart from the right 1st and 3rd fingers, heterogeneities were small and literally zero in the right 4th finger.Conclusion: Higher sex differences in ulnar fingers and the lack of interpopulation differences all over the world in the 4th finger might be caused by a stronger influence of genetic and/or hormonal factors on dermatoglyphic development of the ulnar side of the hand. It is suggested that future studies, when applying dermatoglyphic traits as markers of prenatal environment, use traits by individual fingers or their relationships within the hand.

• Klíčová slova
• Dermatoglyphics, interpopulation differences, meta-analysis, prenatal programming, sex differences,
• MeSH
• dermatoglyfika * MeSH
• fenotyp * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
• prsty ruky anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• systematický přehled MeSH

Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) activates immune cells and is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with inflammation such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic syndrome. DNA can be cleaved by deoxyribonucleases (DNases), some of which are secreted out of cells. The aim of this experiment was to describe plasma DNase activity in relation to extracellular DNA in adult rats, to analyse potential sex differences and to prove whether they are related to endogenous testosterone. Adult Lewis rats (n=28) of both sexes were included in the experiment. Male rats were gonadectomized or sham-operated and compared to intact female rats. Plasma ecDNA and DNase activity were measured using fluorometry and single radial enzyme diffusion assay, respectively. Concentrations of nuclear ecDNA and mitochondrial ecDNA were determined using real-time PCR. Females had 60% higher plasma DNase activity than males ( p=0.03). Gonadectomy did not affect plasma DNase in males. Neither the concentration of total ecDNA, nor nuclear or mitochondrial DNA in plasma differed between the groups. No significant correlations between DNase and ecDNA were found. From previous studies on mice, it was expected, that male rats will have higher DNase activity. In contrast, our study in rats showed the opposite sex difference. This sex difference seems not to be caused by endogenous testosterone. Interestingly, no sex differences were observed in plasma ecDNA suggesting a complex or missing association between plasma ecDNA and DNase. The observed sex difference in plasma DNase should be taken into account in animal models of ecDNA-associated diseases.

• MeSH
• deoxyribonukleasy krev   MeSH
• DNA krev   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• orchiektomie MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• potkani inbrední LEW MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• deoxyribonukleasy MeSH
• DNA MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

A model was constructed which includes electron transport (linear and cyclic and Mehler type reaction) coupled to proton translocation, counter ion movement, ATP synthesis, and Calvin-Benson cycle. The focus is on modeling of the light-induced total electric potential difference (ΔΨ) which in this model originates from the bulk phase electric potential difference (ΔΨb), the localized electric potential difference (ΔΨc), as well as the surface electric potential difference (ΔΨs). The measured dual wavelength transmittance signal (ΔA515-560nm, electrochromic shift) was used as a proxy for experimental ΔΨ. The predictions for theoretical ΔΨ vary with assumed contribution of ΔΨs, which might imply that the measured ΔA515-560nm trace on a long time scale reflects the interplay of the ΔΨ components. Simulations also show that partitioning of proton motive force (pmf) to ΔΨb and ΔpH components is sensitive to the stoichiometric ratio of H+/ATP, energy barrier for ATP synthesis, ionic strength, buffer capacity and light intensity. Our model shows that high buffer capacity promotes the establishment of ΔΨb, while the formation of pHi minimum is not 'dissipated' but 'postponed' until it reaches the same level as that for low buffer capacity. Under physiologically optimal conditions, the output of the model shows that at steady state in light, the ΔpH component is the main contributor to pmf to drive ATP synthesis while a low ΔΨb persists energizing the membrane. Our model predicts 11mV as the resting electric potential difference across the thylakoid membrane in dark. We suggest that the model presented in this work can be integrated as a module into a more comprehensive model of oxygenic photosynthesis.

• Klíčová slova
• Electrochromic shift, Ion movements, Photosynthesis,
• MeSH
• biologické modely * MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů účinky záření   MeSH
• listy rostlin metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• membránové potenciály účinky záření   MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• protonmotorická síla účinky záření   MeSH
• protony MeSH
• pufry MeSH
• světlo * MeSH
• transport elektronů MeSH
• tylakoidy metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• uhlík metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protony MeSH
• pufry MeSH
• uhlík MeSH

Previous research demonstrated that there are observable sex differences in developing muscle fatigue when mental task during fatiguing activity is present; however, there is no available review on this matter. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the findings of previous studies investigating the effect of mental task on muscle fatigue in men and women. To conduct the review, we utilized searches using the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO Cinahl Ultimate. The studies included had no limited publication date and examined the effects of mental task on muscle fatigue in a healthy adult population of any age. The evaluation was performed using the following criteria: time to failure, or subjective scale in various modifications (visual analog scale-VAS, rate of perceived effort-RPE, rate of perceived fatigue-RPF, rate of perceived discomfort-RPD). A total of seven studies met the set criteria, which were subsequently analyzed. Heavy mental task (more demanding math tasks) can reduce the time to failure for both men and women, with the reduction being more pronounced for women than for men. For light mental task (simple math tasks), no reduction in time to failure was observed to a great extent. The mental task in any of the included studies did not affect the subjective perception of fatigue, effort, discomfort, or pain. Although the studies investigating the effect of mental task on sex differences in muscle fatigability are limited, based on our findings we can assume that in jobs requiring heavier mental task, women may be more prone to the faster development of muscle fatigue; thus, employers might consider paying attention to the possibility of adequate rest.

• Klíčová slova
• fatigue, gender differences, mental task, muscle fatigue, sex differences,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kosterní svaly * fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• svalová únava fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent increase of research interest in involuntary treatment and the use of coercive measures, gender differences among coerced schizophrenia patients still remain understudied. It is well recognized that there are gender differences both in biological correlates and clinical presentations in schizophrenia, which is one of the most common diagnoses among patients who are treated against their will. The extent to which these differences may result in a difference in the use of coercive measures for men and women during the acute phase of the disease has not been studied. METHODS: 291 male and 231 female coerced patients with schizophrenia were included in this study, which utilized data gathered by the EUNOMIA project (European Evaluation of Coercion in Psychiatry and Harmonization of Best Clinical Practice) and was carried out as a multi-centre prospective cohort study at 13 centers in 12 European countries. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, social functioning and aggressive behavior in patients who received any form of coercive measure (seclusion and/or forced medication and/or physical restraint) during their hospital stay were assessed. RESULTS: When compared to the non-coerced inpatient population, there was no difference in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics across either gender. However coerced female patients did show a worse social functioning than their coerced male counterparts, a finding which contrasts with the non-coerced inpatient population. Moreover, patterns of aggressive behavior were different between men and women, such that women exhibited aggressive behavior more frequently, but men committed severe aggressive acts more frequently. Staff used forced medication in women more frequently and physical restraint and seclusion more frequently with men. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study point towards a higher threshold of aggressive behavior the treatment of women with coercive measures. This may be because less serious aggressive actions trigger the application of coercive measures in men. Moreover coerced women showed diminished social functioning, and more importantly more severe symptoms from the "excitement/hostile" cluster in contrast to coerced men. National and international recommendation on coercive treatment practices should include appropriate consideration of the evidence of gender differences in clinical presentation and aggressive behaviors found in inpatient populations.

• MeSH
• agrese psychologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hospitalizovaní pacienti psychologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• schizofrenie (psychologie) * MeSH
• schizofrenie terapie   MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• ústavy pro duševně nemocné MeSH
• zodpovědnost duševně nemocného * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Aim: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the existence of uniform sexual dimorphism in some radioulnar contrasts between different finger ridge counts within the same hand in a large set of populations, thus confirming the universal nature of this dimorphism in humans.Subjects and methods: We analysed individual finger ridge counts (10 values on each hand) of both hands from archival sources (mainly the Brehme-Jantz database). In total, these included 4412 adults from 21 population samples covering all permanently inhabited continents and encompassing very different and geographically distant human populations. We calculated the contrasts (differences) of all pairs of ridge counts (45 per hand) and used diverse methods to assess the direction and degree of dimorphism of them across all population samples.Results: The highest sexual dimorphism was observed for nine contrasts involving the ridge count of the dermatoglyphic pattern on the radial side of the second finger of the right hand (R2r). Among these contrasts, we then found four that had the same direction of dimorphism in all 21 populations. The most dimorphic was the contrast R1rR2r - the difference between the ridge count of the radial side of the thumb and the radial side of the index finger.Discussion: Thus, these dermatoglyphic traits can be further investigated as potential markers of prenatal sex differentiation from ca. 10th week of intrauterine development. However, it will be useful to address the detailed factors and mechanisms for differences in the degree of dimorphism of these traits in different populations.

• Klíčová slova
• Dermatoglyphics, Finger Ridge Count, prenatal development, radioulnar contrasts, sex differences,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• prsty ruky * anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• ruka MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Intersexual differences in life span (age at death) and aging (increase in mortality risk associated with functional deterioration) are widespread among animals, from nematodes to humans. Males often live shorter than females, but there is substantial unexplained variation among species and populations. Despite extensive research, it is poorly understood how life span differences between the sexes are modulated by an interplay among genetic, environmental and social factors. The goal of our study was to test how sex differences in life span and ageing are modulated by social and environmental factors, and by intrinsic differences between males and females. To disentangle the complex basis of sex differences in life span and aging, we combined comparative data from sex ratios in 367 natural populations of four species of African annual killifish with experimental results on sex differences in life span and aging from eight laboratory populations tested in treatments that varied social and environmental conditions. In the wild, females consistently outlived males. In captivity, sex-specific mortality depended on social conditions. In social-housed experimental groups, male-biased mortality persisted in two aggressive species, but ceased in two placid species. When social and physical contacts were prevented by housing all fish individually, male-biased mortality ceased in all four species. This outcome held across benign and challenging environmental conditions. Fitting demographic survival models revealed that increased baseline mortality was primarily responsible for a shorter male life span in social-housing conditions. The timing and rate of aging were not different between the sexes. No marker of functional aging we recorded in our study (lipofuscin accumulation, proliferative changes in kidney and liver) differed between males and females, despite their previously confirmed association with functional aging in Nothobranchius killifish. We show that sex differences in life span and aging in killifish are driven by a combination of social and environmental conditions, rather than differential functional aging. They are primarily linked to sexual selection but precipitated through multiple processes (predation, social interference). This demonstrates how sex-specific mortality varies among species even within an ecologically and evolutionary discrete lineage and explains how external factors mediate this difference.

• Klíčová slova
• Nothobranchius furzeri, adult sex ratio, demographic ageing, gender, predation, senescence, social environment,
• MeSH
• Cyprinodontiformes * genetika   MeSH
• dlouhověkost MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• poměr pohlaví MeSH
• stárnutí MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

UNLABELLED: It is a well-known fact that after drinking the same amount of alcohol, women show more signs of the effects of alcohol than men of the same weight. It seems that the main factors responsible for sex differences in alcohol metabolism and influence are the relatively lower amount of body water related to body fat in women than men and lower gastric ADH activity in women, both of which enable women to reach higher BAC after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol with men. On the other hand, first-pass metabolism of alcohol during passing through the liver is more rapid in women, probably due to bigger liver mass in women than in men. It is proven that alcohol and sex hormones have bilateral influence on each other. Women with more rapid alcohol elimination ability show higher levels of sex hormones in blood than the rest. It seems that the specific body constitution of the female organism as well as the unique combination of their sex hormones is responsible for the gender differences in alcohol influence. KEYWORDS: alcohol metabolism - gender differences - gastric ADH - blood alcohol concentration.

• MeSH
• ethanol * krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pití alkoholu * MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
• tělesná hmotnost MeSH
• žaludek MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ethanol * MeSH

Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. We previously demonstrated that two types of transporters mediate the tubular reabsorption of lithium in rats, and suggested that sodium-dependent phosphate transporters play a role in lithium reabsorption with high affinity. In the present study, we examined sex differences in lithium reabsorption in rats. When lithium chloride was infused at 60 µg/min, creatinine clearance and the renal clearance of lithium were lower, and the plasma concentration of lithium was higher in female rats. These values reflected the higher fractional reabsorption of lithium in female rats. In rats infused with lithium chloride at 6 µg/min, the pharmacokinetic parameters of lithium examined were all similar in both sexes. The fractional reabsorption of lithium was decreased by foscarnet, a representative inhibitor of sodium-dependent phosphate transporters, in male and female rats when lithium chloride was infused at the low rate. Among the candidate transporters mediating lithium reabsorption examined herein, the mRNA expression of only PiT2, a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter, exhibited sexual dimorphism. The present results demonstrated sex differences in the tubular reabsorption of lithium with low affinity in rats.

• MeSH
• chlorid lithný aplikace a dávkování   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• intravenózní infuze MeSH
• kotransportní proteiny pro sodík a fosfát genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• ledvinové kanálky metabolismus   MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• renální reabsorpce * MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorid lithný MeSH
• kotransportní proteiny pro sodík a fosfát MeSH

Sexual differences in the total content of ribosomal RNA, established by cytophotometric measurements in neurones from selected brain regions, were studied in rats of the Wistar strain. In females of reproductive age, cyclic changes of RNA were synchronized with their oestrous cycle, the values being higher in the oestrous phase than in dioestrus. These changes were observed in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus and of the frontal cortex, in cells of anterior thalamus, of ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus and of tuberculi olfactorii. However, cycling cells were not disclosed in septum and thalamus posterior. A dependence upon the actual level of ovarial hormones was found in ventromedial hypothalamic cells only. In general, the RNA values in males of the same age corresponded to values of dioestrous females. The differences between newborn and 7-day-old pups were not marked enough and did not allow to define the critical period responsible for initiation of this sexual difference. In senescent rats, this difference persisted. During the stable phase of long-lasting dioestrus, the total RNA content in cells of the frontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus was higher in females than in males of the same age which may suggest a faster reduction of this substance in aged males. The prolonged influence of oestrogens in the oestrous phase of the climacteric period (preceding the permanent dioestrus) decreased the RNA values in hippocampal and hypothalamic neurones even below the level established during the permanent dioestrus (and thus reached male values). On the contrary, in frontal cortical neurones, the female values remained higher in the permanent dioestrus as well as during long-lasting oestrus. A discussion concerns the possible participation of genetic determination and of the actual state of ovarial hormones in the manifestation of sexual differences in brain cells of the rat.

• MeSH
• hypofyzektomie MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mozek cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• novorozená zvířata růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• ovarektomie MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• RNA ribozomální metabolismus   MeSH
• stárnutí metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• RNA ribozomální MeSH