Race differences in the sex dimorphism of dermatoglyphic traits

AbstractSex dimorphism and gene expression were studied in developing catkins in 159 F2 individuals from the bioenergy crop Salix purpurea, and potential mechanisms and pathways for regulating sex development were explored. Differential expression, eQTL, bisulfite sequencing, and network analysis were used to characterize sex dimorphism, detect candidate master regulator genes, and identify pathways through which the sex determination region (SDR) may mediate sex dimorphism. Eleven genes are presented as candidates for master regulators of sex, supported by gene expression and network analyses. These include genes putatively involved in hormone signaling, epigenetic modification, and regulation of transcription. eQTL analysis revealed a suite of transcription factors and genes involved in secondary metabolism and floral development that were predicted to be under direct control of the sex determination region. Furthermore, data from bisulfite sequencing and small RNA sequencing revealed strong differences in expression between males and females that would implicate both of these processes in sex dimorphism pathways. These data indicate that the mechanism of sex determination in Salix purpurea is likely different from that observed in the related genus Populus. This further demonstrates the dynamic nature of SDRs in plants, which involves a multitude of mechanisms of sex determination and a high rate of turnover.

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Sex Dimorphism in Pulmonary Hypertension: The Role of the Sex Chromosomes

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10050779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 779

Author(s):

Daria S. Kostyunina ◽

Paul McLoughlin

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance ◽

Vascular Resistance ◽

Sex Chromosomes ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ◽

Sex Dimorphism ◽

Pulmonary Arterial ◽

The Impact

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterised by an abnormal elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by an increased pulmonary vascular resistance, frequently leading to right ventricular failure and reduced survival. Marked sexual dimorphism is observed in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of pulmonary hypertension with a particularly severe clinical course. The incidence in females is 2–4 times greater than in males, although the disease is less severe in females. We review the contribution of the sex chromosomes to this sex dimorphism highlighting the impact of proteins, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs encoded on the X and Y chromosomes. These genes are centrally involved in the cellular pathways that cause increased pulmonary vascular resistance including the production of reactive oxygen species, altered metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. The interaction with genetic mutations on autosomal genes that cause heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMPR2) are examined. The mechanisms that can lead to differences in the expression of genes located on the X chromosomes between females and males are also reviewed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of sex dimorphism in this disease will contribute to the development of more effective therapies for both women and men.

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Exploring Race Differences in Satisfaction with Rehabilitation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Qualitative Study

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glab132 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Allyn M Bove ◽

Erin R Dong ◽

Leslie R M Hausmann ◽

Sara R Piva ◽

Jennifer S Brach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Focus Group ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Physical Therapists ◽

Race Differences ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Black And White ◽

Total Knee

Abstract Background The purpose of this qualitative focus group study was to explore race differences in the rehabilitation experience and satisfaction with rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods We conducted a series of qualitative focus group discussions with groups of Non-Hispanic White and Non-Hispanic Black older adults who recently underwent TKA. We used grounded theory approach, which asks the researcher to develop theory from the data that are collected. Participants discussed barriers and facilitators to accessing rehabilitation after surgery, opinions regarding their physical therapists, the amount of post-operative physical therapy received, and overall satisfaction with the post-operative rehabilitation process. Results Thirty-six individuals participated in focus groups. Three major themes emerged: (1) Participants reported overall positive views of their post-TKA rehabilitation experience. They particularly enjoyed one-on-one care, the ability to participate in “prehabilitation”, and often mentioned specific interventions they felt were most helpful in their recovery. (2) Despite this, substantial barriers to accessing physical therapy exist. These include suboptimal pain management, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs, and transportation to visits. (3) There were minor differences in the rehabilitation experiences between Black and White participants. Black participants reported longer paths toward surgery and occasional difficulty interacting with rehabilitation providers. Conclusions Individuals undergoing TKA can largely expect positive rehabilitation experiences post-operatively. However, some barriers to post-operative physical therapy exist and may differ between Black and White patients. Physical therapists should increase their awareness of these barriers and work to minimize them whenever possible.

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Sex-dimorphic genetic effects and novel loci for fasting glucose and insulin variability

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-19366-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vasiliki Lagou ◽

◽

Reedik Mägi ◽

Jouke- Jan Hottenga ◽

Harald Grallert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Fasting Glucose ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Genetic Effects ◽

Fasting Insulin ◽

Sex Dimorphism ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractDifferences between sexes contribute to variation in the levels of fasting glucose and insulin. Epidemiological studies established a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in men and impaired glucose tolerance in women, however, the genetic component underlying this phenomenon is not established. We assess sex-dimorphic (73,089/50,404 women and 67,506/47,806 men) and sex-combined (151,188/105,056 individuals) fasting glucose/fasting insulin genetic effects via genome-wide association study meta-analyses in individuals of European descent without diabetes. Here we report sex dimorphism in allelic effects on fasting insulin at IRS1 and ZNF12 loci, the latter showing higher RNA expression in whole blood in women compared to men. We also observe sex-homogeneous effects on fasting glucose at seven novel loci. Fasting insulin in women shows stronger genetic correlations than in men with waist-to-hip ratio and anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, waist-to-hip ratio is causally related to insulin resistance in women, but not in men. These results position dissection of metabolic and glycemic health sex dimorphism as a steppingstone for understanding differences in genetic effects between women and men in related phenotypes.

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