Species,tissue and gender-related metal and element accumulation in fish species in a large reservoir (Turkey) and health risks and nutritional benefits for consumers

Concentrations of 18 metals and elements (MEs) in the gills, skin, muscle and liver of Carasobarbus luteus and Cyprinus carpio from the Atatürk Reservoir in Turkey were investigated. The results revealed that variations in the ME contents between fish species can be attributed to different diets. The highest contents of most MEs were recorded in the gills. Gender had no significant effect on the contents of most MEs in the tissues of fish species investigated. The relations between MEs in tissues and fish size were not clear and consistent. Health risk assessment methods indicated that consumption of the studied fish species is safe. It was estimated that daily consumption of 140 g of C. carpio or 170 g of C. luteus would not be expected to cause any health risks. Furthermore, it was found that fish species would provide significant benefits in terms of intake of essential MEs.     

Differences in weight loss outcomes for males and females on a low-carbohydrate diet: A systematic review

It has been widely demonstrated that there are a broad range of individual responses to all weight management regimens, often masked by reports of the mean. Identifying features of responders and non-responders to weight loss regimens enables a more tailored approach to the provision of weight management advice. Low-carbohydrate diets are currently popular, and anecdote suggests that males are more successful at losing weight using this approach. This is feasible given the physiological and socio-psychological differences between the genders. We analysed the extent and variation in weight change for males and females separately through a systematic search for all low-carbohydrate diet trials published since 1985. Very few studies compared weight loss outcomes by gender and, of those that did, most lacked supporting data. The majority of studies reported no gender difference but when a gender difference was found, males were more frequently reported as losing more weight than females on a low-carbohydrate diet. The lack of gender stratification in weight loss trials is concerning, as there are a range of gender-based factors that affect weight loss outcomes. This study highlights the importance of examining weight change for males and females separately, since as failure to do so may mask any potential differences, which, if detected, could assist with better weight loss outcomes.     

Effect of gender on the reliability of COVID-19 rapid antigen test among elderly

Defining con-founders that affect the reliability of diagnostic tests for coronavirus disease 2019 is vital to breaking the chain of infection. The elderly population is a higher risk group for the emerging virus. However, gender seems to exert a critical role in modifying the infection risk among women owing to hormonal changes. The menopause transition is an exceptional period for older women where the protective and immunomodulatory effects of the estrogen hormone are lost. Accordingly, attention should be given to postmenopausal women since they will have an increased risk compared to their pre-menopausal peers.     

Gender differences in genotypic distribution of endothelin-1 gene and endothelin receptor A gene in pulmonary hypertension associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease

IntroductionThe female gender is a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, it is unknown whether females with rheumatic mitral valve disease are more predisposed to develop pulmonary hypertension compared to males.AimWe aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in genotypic distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor A (ET_A) genes between female and male patients of pulmonary hypertension associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease (PH-MVD).MethodsWe compared prevalence of ET-1 gene (Lys198Asn) and ET_A gene (His323His) polymorphisms according to gender in 123 PH-MVD subjects and 123 healthy controls.ResultsThe presence of mutant Asn/Asn and either mutant Asn/Asn or heterozygous Lys/Asn genotypes of Lys198Asn polymorphism when compared to Lys/Lys in females showed significant association with higher risk (odds ratio [OR] 4.5; p =0.007 and OR 2.39; p =0.02, respectively). The presence of heterozygous C/T and either mutant T/T or heterozygous C/T genotypes of His323His polymorphism when compared to wild C/C genotype in females showed a significant association with higher risk (OR 1.96; p =0.047 and OR 2.26; p =0.01, respectively). No significant difference was seen in genotypic frequencies in males between PH-MVD subjects and controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that mutant genotype Asn/Asn (p =0.007) and heterozygous genotype Lys/Asn of Lys198Asn polymorphism (p =0.018) were independent predictors of development of PH in females.ConclusionsET-1 and ET_A gene polymorphisms were more prevalent in females than males in PH-MVD signifying that females with rheumatic heart disease may be more susceptible to develop PH.     

Patellofemoral joint arthroplasty: patient selection,surgical technique and outcomes

Isolated patellofemoral arthritis is an increasingly recognized entity, and is usually associated with previous patellofemoral dysplasia or instability. Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) has evolved significantly in recent years, both in terms of implant design and importantly in the understanding of appropriate patient selection. This review outlines the indications and investigations for PFA, provides a brief history of the development of contemporary implants, and presents the clinical outcomes for the prostheses most commonly used in the UK. In addition, it provides a detailed surgical technique for implantation of an onlay implant, with tips on how to optimize patellofemoral biomechanics and thus achieve a consistently good outcome.     

Gender,power and intimate relationships over the life course among Ethiopian female peer educators living with HIV

Historically, Ethiopian women have faced numerous challenges to gender equity at the individual, relational and community levels; such inequalities can lead to increased risk of HIV acquisition. Over the past two decades, some progress has been made towards changing policies and norms to reduce gender inequality. We sought to understand the ways in which marriage and other romantic/sexual relationships of a group of Ethiopian women living with HIV had been impacted by gender norms, relational power dynamics and HIV status over the life course. We conducted in-depth interviews with 19 women living with HIV who were working as peer educators at a large clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reflecting on their early lives, participants often described traumatic prior relationships characterised by rape, forced marriage and HIV nondisclosure. In the aftermath of being diagnosed with HIV, participants’ more recent relationships embodied a more egalitarian dynamic characterised by mutual support for HIV care engagement and open communication. Participants’ narratives illustrate encouraging examples of ways in which HIV-positive women can form and maintain equitable and satisfying personal relationships even in the context of obstacles at multiple levels.     

Conference proceeding from the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons: “CAPS Serving Canada – Gender,Diversity, and CAPS”

Gender and diversity in the workforce are hot topics in both the public and professional spheres. Medicine has not been immune to these discussions, with many recent publications highlighting the lack of equal representation of women and minorities within medicine and surgery. This paper will review the history and current state of gender and minority representation in the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) as presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of CAPS in September 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.