Grado de cumplimiento de los indicadores de calidad según el sexo del paciente en las intoxicaciones agudas en urgencias / Adherence to quality indicators for emergency department treatment of acute poisoning according to patient sex

Objetivos. Estudiar las diferencias dependiendo del sexo en la atención de pacientes con intoxicaciones agudas en urgencias y en el grado de cumplimiento de los indicadores de calidad (IC). Método. Estudio observacional y retrospectivo, que incluyó todos los casos de intoxicación aguda de pacientes mayores de 14 años atendidos en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario durante 4 años. Se analizaron variables demográficas, tipo de tóxicos y causa de la intoxicación, el grado de cumplimiento de los IC y destino al alta. Resultados. Se registraron 1.144 casos, un 62,1% (n = 710) eran mujeres. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor número de intoxicaciones voluntarias (52,3% vs 41,4%; p < 0,001) y menos de manera accidental (24,9% vs 30,3%; p = 0,047). Los fármacos más frecuentes en mujeres fueron las benzodiacepinas (49,6% vs 41,2%; p = 0,007), y las intoxicaciones por drogas de abuso y alcohol fueron menores que en hombres. Hubo un alto grado de cumplimiento en la mayoría de los IC (> 85%) en ambos sexos. Conclusiones. El perfil epidemiológico de la intoxicación aguda en mujeres es diferente al de los hombres. En general se puede considerar como óptimo el cumplimiento de los IC en urgencias. No existen diferencias cualitativas en la asistencia del paciente intoxicado con respecto a su sexo. (AU)

Objective. To study differences in the emergency department treatment of acute poisoning according to biological sex of patients and to assess adherence to care quality indicators. Methods. Retrospective observational study including all cases of acute poisoning diagnosed in patients over the age of 14 years treated in a tertiary care hospital emergency department over a period of 4 years. We analyzed demographic variables, substance type and reason for acute poisoning, degree of adherence to quality indicators, and discharge destination. Results. A total of 1144 cases were included; 710 patients (62.1%) were female and 434 (37.9%) were male. The proportion of deliberate self-poisoning was higher in females (52.3% vs 41.4% in males; P < .001); unintentional poisoning was less frequent in females (in 24.9% vs in 30.3% of males; P = .047). Benzodiazepine poisoning was more frequent in females (in 49.6% vs 41.2%; P = .007). Street drug and alcohol poisoning was less common in females. Adherence to quality indicators was high (> 85%) for both sexes. Conclusions. The epidemiologic profile of poisoning is different in females and males. General emergency department adherence to quality indicators can be considered optimal. We detected no qualitative sex-related differences in the care of patients with acute poisoning. (AU)

Propiedades psicométricas del Eating Attitudes Test-26 en escolares españoles / Psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 in Spanish schoolchildren

Introducción: Las Actitudes y los Comportamientos Alimentarios Desordenados (DEAB, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden afectar tanto a la salud mental como física en los niños/as. Su detección temprana es crucial para prevenir complicaciones y mejorar las posibilidades de recuperación. El Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada para evaluar las DEAB debido a su costo/efectividad.ObjetivoEvaluar las propiedades psicométricas del EAT-26, analizando la estructura factorial, la consistencia interna, la validez convergente e invarianza de medida entre ambos sexos en escolares españoles.MétodoEstudio instrumental con una muestra de 718 escolares. La muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en 2 grupos, cada uno con 359 participantes, realizando un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) y un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). Posteriormente, se estimó la consistencia interna con el alfa ordinal, la validez convergente con el cuestionario SCOFF y la invarianza de medida entre ambos sexos.ResultadosLos hallazgos del AFE y AFC respaldaron una estructura multidimensional del EAT, compuesta por 6 factores y 21 ítems. Estos factores subyacen en un modelo de segundo orden de las DEAB. La consistencia interna fue suficiente para la mayoría de los factores. Se mostró una validez convergente moderada con el cuestionario SCOFF para la mayoría de los factores. Se alcanzó una invarianza estricta entre ambos sexos. (AU)

Introduction: Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours (DEABs) can impact both the mental and physical health of children. Early detection is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used, cost-effective tool for assessing DEABs.ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 by analysing its factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance across sexes in Spanish schoolchildren.MethodValidation study in a sample of 718 schoolchildren. The sample was randomly divided into two groups, each with 359 participants, and we carried out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the instrument. Subsequently, for the total sample, we assessed the internal consistency by means of the ordinal alpha, the convergent validity with the SCOFF questionnaire and the measurement invariance between the sexes.ResultsThe results of the EFA and CFA supported a multidimensional structure of the EAT comprising six factors and 21 items. These factors underlie a second-order model of DEABs. The internal consistency was adequate for most factors. The SCOFF questionnaire showed a moderate convergent validity for most factors. We found strict invariance across the sexes. (AU)

Sex-specific transgenerational effects of diet on offspring life history and physiology.

Dietary variation in males and females can shape the expression of offspring life histories and physiology. However, the relative contributions of maternal and paternal dietary variation to phenotypic expression of latter generations is currently unknown. We provided male and female Drosophila melanogaster grandparents with diets differing in sucrose concentration prior to reproduction, and similarly subjected their grandoffspring to the same treatments. We then investigated the phenotypic consequences of this dietary variation among the grandsons and granddaughters. We observed transgenerational effects of dietary sucrose, mediated through the grandmaternal lineage, which mimic the direct effects of sucrose on lifespan, with opposing patterns across sexes; low sucrose increased female, but decreased male, lifespan. Dietary mismatching of grandoffspring-grandparent diets increased lifespan and reproductive success, and moderated triglyceride levels of grandoffspring, providing insights into the physiological underpinnings of the complex transgenerational effects on life histories.

Shirin Heidari.

Dr. Shirin Heidari is the lead author of the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines. In this interview with Dr. Isabel Goldman at Cell, she discusses her research, GENDRO, the SAGER guidelines and importance of considering sex- and gender-related variables in research, and her work on sexual and reproductive health in forced displacement.

The future of sex and gender in research.

Our understanding of sex and gender evolves. We asked scientists about their work and the future of sex and gender research. They discuss, among other things, interdisciplinary collaboration, moving beyond binary conceptualizations, accounting for intersecting factors, reproductive strategies, expanding research on sex-related differences, and sex's dynamic nature.

The history of sex research: Is "sex" a useful category?

The history of sex research demonstrates an ongoing coexistence of multiple, conflicting meanings of sex. This history raises questions for scientists about the deployment of a research variable that lacks precision. Cross-disciplinary collaboration between scientists and science and technology studies (STS) scholars offers a way to find solutions to this problem.

Sex contextualism in laboratory research: Enhancing rigor and precision in the study of sex-related variables.

Understanding sex-related variation in health and illness requires rigorous and precise approaches to revealing underlying mechanisms. A first step is to recognize that sex is not in and of itself a causal mechanism; rather, it is a classification system comprising a set of categories, usually assigned according to a range of varying traits. Moving beyond sex as a system of classification to working with concrete and measurable sex-related variables is necessary for precision. Whether and how these sex-related variables matter-and what patterns of difference they contribute to-will vary in context-specific ways. Second, when researchers incorporate these sex-related variables into research designs, rigorous analytical methods are needed to allow strongly supported conclusions. Third, the interpretation and reporting of sex-related variation require care to ensure that basic and preclinical research advance health equity for all.

Risk factors for oral mucositis in patients with solid tumorsunder treatment with cetuximab: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for oral mucositis (OM) during cetuximab treatment. Material and Methods: We screened patients using cetuximab and retrospectively evaluated the presence of OM based on medical records. We collected information from 2 years of evaluations. Patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle and dose, sex, age, primary tumor, TNM stage, and head and neck radiotherapy (HNR) history. The X2 test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). Results: Among 1831 patients, OM was showed in 750 in any grade (41%), during cetuximab treatment. Most patients were female (n=944, 51.6%), <70years-old (n=1149, 62.8%), had larynx cancer (n=789, 43.1%) in T4 (n=579, 47.7%), N0 (n=509, 52.6%) stages. Primary tumor surgery was performed in 1476 (80.6%) patients, radiotherapy in 606 (33.1%) patients and cetuximab protocols most used involved up to four cycles (n=1072, 58.5%) of <400mg (n=996, 54.4%) cetuximab doses. Female (OR [odds ratio] = 2.17, CI95% = 1.26-3.75), >70 years-old patients (OR = 16.02, CI95% = 11.99-21.41), with HHNR (OR = 1.84, 1.41-2.40), treated with >4 cycles (OR = 1.52, CI95% = 1.16-2.01) and high doses of cetuximab (OR = 3.80, CI95% = 2.52-5.71) are the greatest risk factors for OM. Conclusions: Since the clinical benefit of cetuximab in the treatment of older patients is limited and there is a high OM, especially in women with head and neck treated with radiotherapy, high doses and a high number of cetuximab cycles must be administered with caution. (AU)

Role of collagen and immunostaining for TGF-β in the clinical andmicroscopic findings of pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma

Background: Collagen is a component of Pyogenic Granuloma (PG) and Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma (POF) and performs different functions in these lesions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of collagen and immunostaining for Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β) in the clinical and microscopic findings of PG and POF. Material and Methods: PG (n=20) and POF (n=20) were selected for clinical evaluation (sex, age, localization, size and evolution time) and microscopic analysis (picrosirius red staining for collagen analysis and immunohistochemistry for TGF-β) performed in the superficial and deep areas of the two lesions. ANOVA/Bonferroni and t-test, Pearson correlation and χ2 were used to compare the sites and parameters analyzed (p<0.05, GraphPad Prism 5.0). Results: The depth of PG presented the highest amount of collagen (p<0.001), and its surface showed the lowest amount of type 1 collagen (yellow-red strong birefringence). Type 1 collagen gradually increased in depth of PG, surface and depth of POF (p<0.001). The number of TGF-β+ cells was lower on the surface of PG compared with the depth of PG and the two areas of POF (p<0.001). Sex and localization did not affect these parameters, but the profile of collagen and immunostaining for TGF-β suffered from modifications by the time of evolution and the size of the lesion. Conclusions: Although PG and POF are reactive gingival lesions, the expression of TGF-β and its role in collagen showed different biological behaviors in these lesions, suggesting different biological origins for its components. (AU)

Actualización y reflexiones en Sexología / News and thoughts on sexology

Se presenta en esta sección una revisión de los artículos científicos de mayor impacto publicados entre septiembre y noviembre del 2023 en las revistas internacionales sobre Sexología con mayor reconocimiento a nivel nacional e internacional.(AU)

Cortical hemodynamics and inhibitory processing in preadolescent children with low and high physical activity / Hemodinámica cortical y procesamiento inhibitorio en niños preadolescentes con baja y alta actividad física

Background: Preadolescent children undergo developmental changes in inhibitory control. Maintenance of high levels of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) has been suggested to promote its maturation. We compared inhibitory control between children with low and high MVPA as well as their inhibitory processing stream and changes in cortical hemodynamics. Method: 109 participants aged 10 to 13 years wore accelerometers over 7 days. Those with MVPA levels of 30 min/d or less and 60 min/d or more further performed a computerized Stroop Color-Word task. Electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy were used to record changes in inhibitory processing and cortical hemodynamics, respectively. Results: An interaction of MVPA group and sex indicated better interference in highly-active boys, but the opposite pattern in girls. Independent from sex, the high compared to low MVPA group showed greater P300 and PSW amplitudes, whereas no group differences were found for N200, N450, and changes in cortical hemodynamics. Conclusion: Children with high MVPA differ from their less-active peers by a distinct inhibitory processing profile, which is characterized by altered allocation of attentional resources and conflict resolution. However, these alterations do not necessarily translate into better performance, especially since MVPA is linked with higher inhibitory control in boys only.(AU)

Cancer and the family: Variations by sex and race/ethnicity.

BACKGROUND: Cancer affects patients and their families, but few data are available on factors associated with diversity of family structures among patients with cancer. Family is a source of both support and responsibility that must be understood to support patients and their families. METHODS: Pooled data (2004-2015) from the National Health Interview Study were used to compare characteristics of cancer survivors with and without minor children and differences by sex and race/ethnicity among survivors with minor children. RESULTS: 13.9% of cancer survivors have minor children in the household, and this experience is more likely for women and people who identify as other than non-Hispanic White. CONCLUSION: There are considerable differences by sex and race/ethnicity in the characteristics of cancer survivors with minor children. Clinicians should make consideration of family circumstances a routine part of their history. Doing so will help to identify potential sources of support and responsibility that may affect adherence.

Sex and gender essentialism in textbooks.

Several widely used high school biology texts depart from established science.

Diferencias en función del sexo en las características clínicas y resultados del ensayo clínico CLOROTIC (combinación de diuréticos de asa con tiazidas en la insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada) / Sex differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes in the CLOROTIC (combining loop with thiazide diuretics for decompensated heart failure) trial

ObjetivoEvaluar si existen diferencias en los resultados del ensayo clínico CLOROTIC según el sexo. Métodos Subanálisis del ensayo CLOROTIC, que evaluó la eficacia y la seguridad de añadir hidroclorotiazida (HCTZ) o placebo a furosemida intravenosa en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). Los resultados primarios y secundarios incluyeron cambios en el peso y la disnea a las 72 y 96horas, medidas de la respuesta diurética y la mortalidad y reingresos a los 30 y 90días. Se evaluó la influencia del sexo en los resultados primarios y secundarios y de seguridad. Resultados De los 230 pacientes incluidos, 111 (48%) eran mujeres, que tenían más edad y valores más elevados de fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda. Los hombres tenían más cardiopatía isquémica, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y mayor valor de péptidos natriuréticos. La adición de HCTZ a furosemida se asoció con una mayor pérdida de peso a las 72/96horas y mejor respuesta diurética a las 24horas en comparación con el placebo, sin diferencias significativas según el sexo (ningún valor de p para la interacción fue significativo). El deterioro de la función renal fue más frecuente en mujeres (OR: 8,68; IC95%: 3,41-24,63) que en varones (OR: 2,5; IC95%: 0,99-4,87), p=0,027. No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad ni en los reingresos a los 30/90días. Conclusión La adición de HCTZ a furosemida intravenosa es una estrategia eficaz para mejorar la respuesta diurética en la ICA sin diferencias según el sexo. Sin embargo, el deterioro de la función renal es más frecuente en las mujeres. (AU)

Aims The addition of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to furosemide improved the diuretic response in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in the CLOROTIC trial. Our aim was to evaluate if there were differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes according to sex. Methods This is a post hoc analysis of the CLOROTIC trial, including 230 patients with AHF randomized to receive HCTZ or placebo in addition to an intravenous furosemide regimen. The primary and secondary outcomes included changes in weight and patient-reported dyspnoea 72 and 96h after randomization, metrics of diuretic response and mortality/rehospitalizations at 30 and 90days. The influence of sex on primary, secondary and safety outcomes was evaluated. Results One hundred and eleven (48%) women were included in the study. Women were older and had higher values of left ventricular ejection fraction. Men had more ischemic cardiomyopathy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and higher values of natriuretic peptides. The addition of HCTZ to furosemide was associated to a greatest weight loss at 72/96h, better metrics of diuretic response and higher 24-h diuresis compared to placebo without significant differences according to sex (all P-values for interaction were not significant). Worsening renal function occurred more frequently in women (OR: 8.68; 95%CI: 3.41-24.63) than men (OR: 2.5; 95%CI: 0.99-4.87), P=.027. There were no differences in mortality or rehospitalizations at 30/90days. Conclusion Adding HCTZ to intravenous furosemide is an effective strategy to improve diuretic response in AHF with no difference according to sex, but worsening renal function was more frequent in women. (AU)

Diferencias en función del sexo en las características clínicas y resultados del ensayo clínico CLOROTIC (combinación de diuréticos de asa con tiazidas en la insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada) / Sex differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes in the CLOROTIC (combining loop with thiazide diuretics for decompensated heart failure) trial

ObjetivoEvaluar si existen diferencias en los resultados del ensayo clínico CLOROTIC según el sexo. Métodos Subanálisis del ensayo CLOROTIC, que evaluó la eficacia y la seguridad de añadir hidroclorotiazida (HCTZ) o placebo a furosemida intravenosa en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). Los resultados primarios y secundarios incluyeron cambios en el peso y la disnea a las 72 y 96horas, medidas de la respuesta diurética y la mortalidad y reingresos a los 30 y 90días. Se evaluó la influencia del sexo en los resultados primarios y secundarios y de seguridad. Resultados De los 230 pacientes incluidos, 111 (48%) eran mujeres, que tenían más edad y valores más elevados de fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda. Los hombres tenían más cardiopatía isquémica, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y mayor valor de péptidos natriuréticos. La adición de HCTZ a furosemida se asoció con una mayor pérdida de peso a las 72/96horas y mejor respuesta diurética a las 24horas en comparación con el placebo, sin diferencias significativas según el sexo (ningún valor de p para la interacción fue significativo). El deterioro de la función renal fue más frecuente en mujeres (OR: 8,68; IC95%: 3,41-24,63) que en varones (OR: 2,5; IC95%: 0,99-4,87), p=0,027. No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad ni en los reingresos a los 30/90días. Conclusión La adición de HCTZ a furosemida intravenosa es una estrategia eficaz para mejorar la respuesta diurética en la ICA sin diferencias según el sexo. Sin embargo, el deterioro de la función renal es más frecuente en las mujeres. (AU)

Aims The addition of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to furosemide improved the diuretic response in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in the CLOROTIC trial. Our aim was to evaluate if there were differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes according to sex. Methods This is a post hoc analysis of the CLOROTIC trial, including 230 patients with AHF randomized to receive HCTZ or placebo in addition to an intravenous furosemide regimen. The primary and secondary outcomes included changes in weight and patient-reported dyspnoea 72 and 96h after randomization, metrics of diuretic response and mortality/rehospitalizations at 30 and 90days. The influence of sex on primary, secondary and safety outcomes was evaluated. Results One hundred and eleven (48%) women were included in the study. Women were older and had higher values of left ventricular ejection fraction. Men had more ischemic cardiomyopathy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and higher values of natriuretic peptides. The addition of HCTZ to furosemide was associated to a greatest weight loss at 72/96h, better metrics of diuretic response and higher 24-h diuresis compared to placebo without significant differences according to sex (all P-values for interaction were not significant). Worsening renal function occurred more frequently in women (OR: 8.68; 95%CI: 3.41-24.63) than men (OR: 2.5; 95%CI: 0.99-4.87), P=.027. There were no differences in mortality or rehospitalizations at 30/90days. Conclusion Adding HCTZ to intravenous furosemide is an effective strategy to improve diuretic response in AHF with no difference according to sex, but worsening renal function was more frequent in women. (AU)

Sexual cannibalism as a female resistance trait: a new hypothesis.

Female spiders and praying mantises are renowned for their cannibalism of male partners before, during, or after mating. While several hypotheses have been proposed to explain species-specific examples of sexual cannibalism, much variation remains unexplained, including why the timing of cannibalism varies across taxa. Here, I outline how sexually cannibalistic behavior could evolve via sexually antagonistic selection as a type of behavioral resistance to male-imposed mating costs, and how such a generalizable interpretation provides a framework for understanding the evolution of both sexual cannibalism in females and anti-cannibalistic traits in males. I discuss how differences between mating systems that physiologically constrain males to mate only once (monogyny) or twice (bigyny) and systems where the sexes can potentially mate multiply (polygyny and polyandry) are likely to influence how sexual conflict shapes cannibalistic behavior. I review key examples from the literature that suggest how sexually cannibalistic behavior might function as a female resistance trait and provide comprehensive predictions for testing this hypothesis empirically.