January 27, 2021
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, pathogenesis, and manifestation is differentially influenced by biological sex. Berry polyphenols target several signaling pathways pertinent to CVD development, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac and vascular remodeling, and there are innate differences in these pathways that also vary by sex. There is limited research systematically investigating sex differences in berry polyphenol effects on these pathways, but there are fundamental findings at this time that suggest a sex-specific effect. This review will detail mechanisms within these pathological pathways, how they differ by sex, and how they may be individually targeted by berry polyphenols in a sex-specific manner. Because of the substantial polyphenolic profile of berries, berry consumption represents a promising interventional tool in the treatment and prevention of CVD in both sexes, but the mechanisms in which they function within each sex may vary.
January 27, 2021
Ultra-endurance has been defined as any exercise bout that exceeds 6 h. A number of exceptional, record-breaking performances by female athletes in ultra-endurance sport have roused speculation that they might be predisposed to success in such events. Indeed, while the male-to-female performance gap in traditional endurance sport (e.g., marathon) remains at ~ 10%, the disparity in ultra-endurance competition has been reported as low as 4% despite the markedly lower number of female participants. Moreover, females generally outperform males in extreme-distance swimming. The issue is complex, however, with many sports-specific considerations and caveats. This review summarizes the sex-based differences in physiological functions and draws attention to those which likely determine success in extreme exercise endeavors. The aim is to provide a balanced discussion of the female versus male predisposition to ultra-endurance sport. Herein, we discuss sex-based differences in muscle morphology and fatigability, respiratory-neuromechanical function, substrate utilization, oxygen utilization, gastrointestinal structure and function, and hormonal control.
Do Sex Differences in Physiology Confer a Female Advantage in Ultra-Endurance Sport?
January 27, 2021
Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in women. The spectrum of disease differs between men and women, with women being particularly vulnerable to certain conditions, especially during specific periods of life such as pregnancy. There are several unique risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in women, and the influence of some traditional risk factors for stroke is stronger in women. Moreover, disparities persist in representation of women in clinical trials, acute intervention, and stroke outcomes. In this review, we aimed to explore the epidemiology, etiologies, and management of cerebrovascular disease in women, highlighting some of these differences and the growing need for sex-specific management guidelines and health policies.
January 27, 2021
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) affects over 600,000 Americans per year and is a common diagnostic consideration among emergency department patients. Although there are well-documented differences in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of cardiovascular conditions, such as ischemic heart disease and stroke, the influence of sex and gender on PE remains poorly understood. The overall age-adjusted incidence of PE is similar in women and men, but women have higher relative rates of PE during early and mid-adulthood (ages 20-40 years); whereas, men have higher rates of PE after age 60 years. Women are tested for PE at far higher rates than men, yet women who undergo computed tomography pulmonary angiography are ultimately diagnosed with PE 35%-55% less often than men. Among those diagnosed with PE, women are more likely to have severe clinical features, such as hypotension and signs of right ventricular dysfunction. When controlled for PE severity, women are less likely to receive reperfusion therapies, such as thrombolysis. Finally, women have more bleeding complications for all types of anticoagulation. Further investigation of possible sex-specific diagnostic and treatment algorithms is necessary in order to more accurately detect and treat acute PE in non-pregnant adults.
January 26, 2021
The World Health Organization is putting a halt on the coronavirus vaccine by Moderna for pregnant women due to a lack of data. “While pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended, unless they are at risk of high exposure,” the official WHO status report released Tuesday reads. Experts now advise people who are pregnant to avoid receiving the Moderna vaccine unless they are health-care workers in a facility treating coronavirus patients, or if they have a medical condition that would put them at a higher risk of COVID-19 fatality.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should not be used on pregnant women: WHO
January 26, 2021
Doctors who treat pregnant patients are finding themselves in a tough and familiar spot as the COVID-19 vaccines roll out: making decisions about the use of a particular medicine in this group of patients without any clinical evidence to guide them.
Protect Pregnant Women 'Through Research,' Not 'From Research,' OB-GYNs Urge
January 26, 2021
It’s truly encouraging to witness people all across our nation rolling up their sleeves to get their COVID-19 vaccines. That is our best chance to end this pandemic. But this is the third coronavirus to emerge and cause serious human illness in the last 20 years, and it’s probably not the last. So, this is also an opportunity to step up our efforts to develop vaccines to combat future strains of disease-causing coronavirus. With this in mind, I’m heartened by a new NIH-funded study showing the potential of a remarkably adaptable, nanoparticle-based approach to coronavirus vaccine development.
Nanoparticle Technology Holds Promise for Protecting Against Many Coronavirus Strains at Once
January 26, 2021
A new database will collect information from clinicians about COVID-19-related neurological symptoms, complications, and outcomes as well as COVID-19 effects on pre-existing neurological conditions. The COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank (NeuroCOVID), which was created and will be maintained by NYU Langone Health, New York City, will be a resource of clinical information as well as biospecimens from people of all ages who have experienced neurological problems associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The database is supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
NIH launches database to track neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19
January 26, 2021
With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to support the development of objective and independent knowledge and validated tools to reduce violence against women (VAW) (including violence against elderly women and American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls), promote justice for victims of crime, and enhance criminal justice responses. For that reason, this solicitation seeks applications for grant funding to conduct research and evaluation projects examining a broad range of topics, including the crimes of domestic and family violence, homicide, intimate partner and dating violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking, along with the associated criminal justice system response, procedures, and policies. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, NIJ is interested in research responding to the following two priority areas: 1) evaluation research on VAW programs, models, practices and 2) VAW research.
Funding Opportunity: Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women, Fiscal Year 2021
January 25, 2021
Understanding and accounting for sex and gender influences on health and disease are key steps toward improving outcomes for all patients—regardless of sex or gender. Introduction: Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Health is a self-paced training course for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. The training and Facilitator’s Guide can be used by individuals or teams to initiate dialogue about how—and whether—to incorporate a sex and gender lens into health-related research and clinical care.
