Sexual dimorphism in the mandible in a portugese population - predicting the gender for forensic purpose: a pilot study / Dimorfismo sexual mandibular da população Portuguesa ­ Predição do gêne-ro para análise forense: Um estudo piloto

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o dimorfismo sexual em uma coleção de mandíbulas portuguesas através de uma metodologia métrica digital, utilizando análise estatística descritiva, inferencial e multivariada para identificar quais parâmetros são mais dimórficos e quais são os melhores preditores de sexo. Trinta e três mandíbulas (14 mulheres e 19 homens) e pertences pessoais foram fotograficamente registrados com código e sexo. Os dados foram coletados por tomografia e as medidas foram feitas pelo software Simplant Pro. Foram registrados a largura máxima e mínima do ramo mandibular, altura condilar, altura do processo coronoide, altura da sínfise mandibular, ângulo mandibular, distâncias bimentual, biantegonial, bigonial e bicondilar e comprimento máximo mandibular. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando IBM® SPSS. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os seguintes parâmetros: altura do processo coronoide, altura do côndilo, comprimento máximo da mandíbula e largura mínima do ramo mandibular. Na análise estatística multivariada foi possível identificar a altura do processo coronoide como melhor preditor de sexo com precisão em 72,2% dos casos. Isto permite uma diferenciação mais fácil entre mandíbulas femininas e masculinas com uma precisão de 64,3% e 78,9%, respectivamente. Foi possível concluir que a altura do processo coronoide é o parâmetro mais dimórfico e o melhor preditor de sexo na amostra.

This study aimed to assess sex dimorphism in a collection of Portuguese mandibles through a digital metric methodology by using descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical analysis to identify which parameters are the most dimorphic and which are the best sex predictors. Thirty-three mandibles (14 females and 19 males) and personal belongings were photographically registered with code and sex. Data was collected using tomography, and measurements were made using the Simplant Pro software. The maximum and minimum width of the mandibular ramus, condylar height, coronoid process height, mandibular symphysis height, mandibular angle, bi-mental, bi-antegonial, bi-gonial and bi-condylar distances, and maximal mandibular length were registered. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM® SPSS. The results showed statistically significant differences for the following parameters: coronoid process height, condyle height, the maximum length of the mandible, and the minimum width of the mandibular ramus. In the multivariate statistical analysis, it was possible to identify the coronoid process height as the best sex predictor accurately in 72.2% of cases. This allows for easier differentiation between female and male mandibles with an accuracy of 64.3% and 78.9%, respectively. It was possible to conclude that the coronoid process height is the most dimorphic parameter and the best sex predictor in the sample.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease exhibits sex-specific microbial heterogeneity within intestinal compartments.

Background: Evidence suggests that the gastrointestinal microbiome plays a significant role in the biology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, it remains unclear whether disparities in the gut microbiome across intestinal tissular compartments between the sexes lead to MASLD pathogenesis. Methods: Sex-specific analyses of microbiome composition in two anatomically distinct regions of the gut, the small intestine and colon, were performed using an experimental model of MASLD. The study involved male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats and the Wistar-Kyoto control rat strain, which were fed either a standard chow diet or a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce MASLD (12 rats per group). High-throughput 16S sequencing was used for microbiome analysis. Results: There were significant differences in the overall microbiome composition of male and female rats with MASLD, including variations in topographical gut regions. The beta diversity of the jejunal and colon microbiomes was higher in female rats than in male rats (PERMANOVA p-value=0.001). Sex-specific analysis and discriminant features using LEfSe showed considerable variation in bacterial abundance, along with distinct functional properties, in the jejunum and colon of animals with MASLD. Significantly elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide and protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 were observed in the livers of male rats with MASLD compared with their female counterparts. Conclusion: This study uncovered sexual dimorphism in the gut microbiome of MASLD and identified microbial heterogeneity within intestinal compartments. Insights into sex-specific variations in gut microbiome composition could facilitate customised treatment strategies.

Gene co-expression networks reveal sex-biased differences in musculoskeletal ageing.

Aging is a universal and progressive process involving the deterioration of physiological functions and the accumulation of cellular damage. Gene regulation programs influence how phenotypes respond to environmental and intrinsic changes during aging. Although several factors, including sex, are known to impact this process, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the functional organization patterns of skeletal muscle genes across different sexes and ages using gene co-expression networks (GCNs) to explore their influence on aging. We constructed GCNs for three different age groups for male and female samples, analyzed topological similarities and differences, inferred significant associated processes for each network, and constructed null models to provide statistically robust results. We found that each network is topologically and functionally distinct, with young women having the most associated processes, likely due to reproductive tasks. The functional organization and modularity of genes decline with age, starting from middle age, potentially leading to age-related deterioration. Women maintain better gene functional organization throughout life compared to men, especially in processes like macroautophagy and sarcomere organization. The study suggests that the loss of gene co-expression could be a universal aging marker. This research offers insights into how gene organization changes with age and sex, providing a complementary method to analyze aging.

The loss of riparian vegetation along streams causes morphological divergences in functional traits of semiaquatic insects (Heteropteran: Gerromorpha) in the eastern Amazon.

Understanding the effects of mining activities on Amazonian streams and their impact on aquatic communities is of paramount importance in the current context of resource overexploitation in society. In this study, we assessed the significance of the environment and interspecific interactions on the organization patterns of semiaquatic insect species in a mineral extraction region in the eastern Amazon. We utilized the morpho functional characteristics of 22 species from the suborder Gerromorpha (Heteropteran), considering both the abundance and sexual dimorphism of these species. Additionally, we quantified the density of riparian vegetation surrounding each stream to categorize sampling points and evaluate whether there are differences in species distribution patterns among categories. We sampled 16 sites, categorized into two treatments based on the percentage of riparian vegetation in forested and deforested areas located in the Capim River Basin. We did not find the action of environmental filters on the total assembly; however, we found significant morphological divergence for all the traits analyzed. On the other hand, the separation of streams into treatments with different portions of riparian vegetation showed that there are significant differences between them regarding species distribution patterns. Forested streams within a 500-m radius have species distributed over a larger area, indicating that these streams have greater resource availability or that species can use these resources more efficiently. Our results demonstrate the importance of riparian vegetation for the studied communities, as well as for mitigating the impacts caused by mining activities.

Coexistencia y fuentes de alimentación de mosquitos adultos (Diptera: Culicidae) en un centro de salud rural en Piura, Perú 2024 / Coexistence and food sources of adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in a rural health center in Piura, Peru 2024

RESUMEN Con el objetivo del estudio fue determinar la coexistencia y fuentes de alimentación de mosquitos adultos (Diptera: Culicidae) en un centro de salud rural de Piura en Perú, se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se usaron técnicas entomológicas para capturar e identificar mosquitos, y técnicas de biotecnología molecular para identificar las fuentes de alimentación. Un total de 793 ejemplares de los géneros Culex y Aedes se encontraron coexistiendo, 789 (99,5%) corresponden a Culex quinquefasciatus, 607 (76,9%) fueron machos y 182 (23,1%) hembras. Así mismo, 4 (100%) corresponden a Aedes aegypti hembras. Las fuentes de alimentación de Aedes aegypti fueron Homo sapiens sapiens, y de Culex quinquefasciatus fueron Homo sapiens sapiens y Canis familiaris. Este estudio proporciona evidencia de que los centros de salud rurales estarían actuando como focos de arbovirosis, existiendo el riesgo de que personas que acuden por distintas dolencias, puedan contraer enfermedades transmitidas por C. quinquefasciatus y A. aegypti.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the coexistence and food sources of adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in a rural health center in Piura, Peru by using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Entomological techniques were used to capture and identify mosquitoes, and molecular biotechnology techniques were used to identify food sources. A total of 793 specimens of the Culex and Aedes genera were found coexisting, 789 (99.5%) were Culex quinquefasciatus, 607 (76.9%) were males and 182 (23.1%) were females. Likewise, 4 (100%) corresponded to Aedes aegypti females. The food sources of Aedes aegypti were Homo sapiens sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens and Canis familiaris were the food sources of Culex quinquefasciatus. This study provides evidence that rural health centers could be acting as foci of arbovirosis, with the risk that people who come for different ailments could contract diseases transmitted by C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti.

Growth and allometric curves of southern brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba): Insights on its ontogeny and conservation.

Ontogenetic sexual dimorphism is observed in different primate species, with ecological and evolutionary relationships explaining this pattern. Understanding the growth of the southern brown howler monkey elucidates not only the ecology and evolution but also contributes to conservation projects for this species. Throughout 20 years of the Centro de Pesquisas Biológicas de Indaial-Projeto Bugio, Brazil, we collected morphological data on 105 howlers of the Alouatta guariba species to identify the growth differences between ontogenetic categories and sexes and generate a growth curve to estimate the age of rescued individuals. Linear measurements were employed to obtain body length as well as the dimensions of the head and limbs. All individuals were also weighed to obtain body mass. We assessed growth rate and duration using allometric analysis based on the individuals' ages. We compared growth rate and duration among infant, juvenile, and adult howlers and between sexes. We provide growth curves for body size for both sexes using the Von Bertalanffy model. Infants have accelerated growth rate in comparison to the juveniles and adults, with no differences between sexes in establishing body length at this ontogenetic stage. Males have a prolonged development duration from the juvenile stage, reaching adulthood later than females, which explains the body length differences found in this species. Variables of head and limbs analyzed also showed differences in growth rate and duration, but not so consistently among ontogenetic stages. Mass was not a good variable to understand the growth differences of the animals, since many arrived feeble in the project and may have lost mass due to different circumstances in old age. Therefore, growth curves were obtained only for body length, allowing the estimation of the age of these animals when rescued from the wild to more effectively provide needed care in captivity.

Prenatal stress induces sex- and tissue-specific alterations in insulin pathway of Wistar rats offspring.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Prenatal stress may lead to tissue and sex-specific cardiometabolic disorders in the offspring through imbalances in the insulin signaling pathway. Therefore, we aimed to determine the sex-specific adaptations of prenatal stress on the insulin signaling pathway of cardiac and hepatic tissue of adult offspring Wistar rats. METHODS: Wistar pregnant rats were divided into control and stress groups. Unpredictable stress protocol was performed from the 14th to the 21st day of pregnancy. After lactation, the dams were euthanized and blood was collected for corticosterone measurement and the offspring were separated into four groups according to sex and intervention (n=8/group). At 90 days old, the offspring were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an insulin tolerance test (ITT). After euthanasia blood collection was used for biochemical analysis and the left ventricle and liver were used for protein expression and histological analysis. RESULTS: Stress increased maternal corticosterone levels, and in the offspring, decreased glucose concentration in both OGTT and ITT, reduced insulin receptor (Irß) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) activation and reduced insulin receptor inhibition (PTP1B) in the liver of male offspring at 90 days old, without repercussions in cardiac tissue. Moreover, female offspring submitted to prenatal stress exhibited reduced fatty acid uptake, with lower hepatic CD36 expression, reduced high density lipoprotein (cHDL) and increased Castelli risk indexes I and II. CONCLUSIONS: Unpredictable prenatal stress evoked reduced insulin sensitivity and liver-specific impairment in insulin signaling activation in male while increasing markers of cardiovascular risk in females.

Sexual dimorphism of colorectal cancer in humans and colorectal tumors in a murine model.

Introduction: In colorectal cancer, men exhibit a higher incidence than women, and there is a disturbance in the levels of sex steroids in serum in patients with this disease. Consistently, in animals, males have greater tumor growth than females in diverse models. Nevertheless, the role of sex steroids is not well established. For that, we analyzed the effect of the principal gonadal sex steroids in both sexes. We determined sex as a statistically risk factor for colorectal cancer with data obtained from GLOBOCAN database. Methods: To induce colorectal tumors, we used the gold standard chemical method of azoxymethane and dextran sulphate of sodium. To evaluate the role of sex steroids, we gonadectomized independent males and female animals, reconstituting and substituting them with 17ß estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. Finally, we determined, in vitro, the proliferation of a human cell line exposed to 17ß estradiol, testosterone, or dihydrotestosterone. Sex, as a risk factor for colorectal cancer, showed a statistically significant susceptibility of men over 50 years old. Results: In vivo, males develop a greater number of tumors and with a larger size than females. In males, orchiectomy prevents tumor growth, whereas in females, ovariectomy promotes the development of neoplasms. DHT acts as a protumoral agent in both sexes. 17ß estradiol reduces tumor growth in females but enhances it in males, showing a dimorphic effect. In vitro studies reveal that estradiol decreases the proliferation of the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line, while testosterone boosts proliferation in these cells. Interestingly, dihydrotestosterone does not influence proliferation.

The Sigma-1 Receptor Exacerbates Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Obstructive Nephropathy: A Role for Sexual Dimorphism.

The Sigma-1 Receptor (Sigmar1) is a stress-activated chaperone and a promising target for pharmacological modulation due to its ability to induce multiple cellular responses. Yet, it is unknown how Sigmar1 is involved in cardiorenal syndrome type 4 (CRS4) in which renal damage results in cardiac dysfunction. This study explored the role of Sigmar1 and its ligands in a CRS4 model induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in male and female C57BL/6 mice. We evaluated renal and cardiac dysfunction markers, Sigmar1 expression, and cardiac remodeling through time (7, 12, and 21 days) and after chronically administering the Sigmar1 agonists PRE-084 (1 mg/kg/day) and SA4503 (1 mg/kg/day), and the antagonist haloperidol (2 mg/kg/day), for 21 days after UUO using colorimetric analysis, RT-qPCR, histology, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RNA-seq, and bioinformatics. We found that obstructive nephropathy induces Sigmar1 expression in the kidneys and heart, and that Sigmar1 stimulation with its agonists PRE-084 and SA4503 aggravates cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in both sexes. Still, their effects are significantly more potent in males. Our findings reveal essential differences associated with sex in the development of CRS4 and should be considered when contemplating Sigmar1 as a pharmacological target.

Size Gynomimicry in the Sanmartinero Creole Bovine of the Colombian Orinoquia.

Variations in the size of animals of the same species but of different sex are called sexual size dimorphism. The aim of this study was to compare the biometrics between males and females of the Sanmartinero creole bovine, of Colombia, to establish if sexual dimorphism appears in the breed. A total of 94 animals (16 uncastrated males and 78 females, average age of 4.3 ± 1.4 and 4.2 ± 2.3 years, respectively) from three different farms were measured. A total of 21 linear variables were obtained using standard morphometric methods and live weight. A one-way NPMANOVA was used to evaluate between sexes, ages, and farms, a Principal Component Analysis was used to detect the most discriminating variables, and a multivariate regression used age as an independent value. Statistically significant differences were reflected between sexes (p = 0.033) and not by age and farms. The variables that differentiated the most between males and females were those related to size (thoracic circumference, body length, dorso-sternal diameter, height at the withers, height at the rump, and horn length), variables that were biased toward males, although only the height at the withers and the rump were the ones that presented statistically significant differences.

Effects of methylphenidate on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile rats are sex-dependent.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a central nervous system stimulant drug and a first order prescription in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although MPH biochemistry in neurodevelopment is not completely understood, studies showed it alters energy metabolism in rat brains. ADHD prevalence during neurodevelopment is related to males and the investigation has been mainly done in these subjects, therefore, little is known about MPH action in females and, consequently, about sexual dimorphism. In the present study we evaluated markers of mitochondrial dynamics (DRP1 and MFN2, fission and fusion, respectively), biogenesis (mtTFA) and bioenergetics (respiratory chain complexes) in prefrontal cortex of male and female juvenile rats submitted to exposure to MPH to better understand MPH effect during postnatal neurodevelopment. ATP and oxidative stress levels were also evaluated. Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injection of MPH (2.0 mg/kg) or control (saline), once a day, from 15th to 45th day of age. Results showed that MPH increased DRP1 and decreased MFN2, as well as increased mtTFA in prefrontal cortex of male rats. In female, MPH decreased NRF1 and increased Parkin, which are mitochondrial regulatory proteins. Respiratory chain complexes (complex I, SDH, complexes III and IV), ATP production and oxidative stress parameters were altered and shown to be sex-dependent. Taken together, results suggest that chronic MPH exposure at an early age in healthy animals changes mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis and bioenergetics differently depending on the sex of the subjects.

The invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) disrupts the adaptive function of heteranthery by indiscriminately visiting the pollinating and feeding anthers of Senna arnottiana flowers.

Heteranthery, the presence of different types of anthers on the same flower, is a floral adaptation that aims to balance the need for pollinators to collect pollen as a food resource while ensuring sufficient pollen for pollination. We investigate the role of heteranthery in the pollination of Senna arnottiana flowers and how it is affected by the behaviour of visiting bee species, with a particular focus on the impact of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris. In three populations of S. arnottiana we measured the size of three sets of anthers and style, stigma-anther separation, pollen quantity and fruit set, and contrasted it with the body size, behaviour, and pollination effectiveness of all floral visitors. Different bee species visited S. arnottiana flowers, and their foraging behaviour varied. Large-bodied native bees, including Centris cineraria, Caupolicana sp. and Cadeguala occidentalis, preferentially visited short anthers, whereas B. terrestris, an exotic bumblebee, foraged from both short and long anthers without distinction. In addition, B. terrestris contacted the stigma at a lower rate than large-bodied native bees. Instead of concentrating its pollen-gathering efforts on the feeding anthers, as predicted by the "division of labor" hypothesis, B. terrestris indiscriminately visited both types of anthers similarly. This behaviour of B. terrestris may disrupt the adaptive significance of heteranthery by mixing the roles of pollination and feeding anthers of S. arnottiana. Therefore, our results highlight the potential disruption of this relationship by exotic pollinators and the need to consider it in conservation efforts.

Acrobatic training prevents learning impairments and astrocyte remodeling in the hippocampus of rats undergoing chronic cerebral hypoperfusion: sex-specific benefits.

Background: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) leads to memory and learning impairments associated with degeneration and gliosis in the hippocampus. Treatment with physical exercise carries different therapeutic benefits for each sex. We investigated the effects of acrobatic training on astrocyte remodeling in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus and spatial memory impairment in male and female rats at different stages of the two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups of males and females: 2VO acrobatic, 2VO sedentary, sham acrobatic, and sham sedentary. The acrobatic training was performed for 4 weeks prior to the 2VO procedure. Brain samples were collected for morphological and biochemical analysis at 3 and 7 days after 2VO. The dorsal hippocampi were removed and prepared for Western blot quantification of Akt, p-Akt, COX IV, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, and GFAP. GFAP immunofluorescence was performed on slices of the hippocampus to count astrocytes and apply the Sholl's circle technique. The Morris water maze was run after 45 days of 2VO. Results: Acutely, the trained female rats showed increased PARP expression, and the 2VO-trained rats of both sexes presented increased GFAP levels in Western blot. Training, mainly in males, induced an increase in the number of astrocytes in the CA1 subfield. The 2VO rats presented branched astrocytes, while acrobatic training prevented branching. However, the 2VO-induced spatial memory impairment was partially prevented by the acrobatic training. Conclusion: Acrobatic training restricted the astrocytic remodeling caused by 2VO in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus. The improvement in spatial memory was associated with more organized glial scarring in the trained rats and better cell viability observed in females.

Dimorphic Regulation of the MafB Gene by Sex Steroids in Hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus.

MafB is a transcription factor that regulates macrophage differentiation. Macrophages are a traditional feature of the hamster Harderian gland (HG); however, studies pertaining to MafB expression in the HG are scant. Here, the full-length cDNA of the MafB gene in hamsters was cloned and sequenced. Molecular characterization revealed that MafB encodes a protein containing 323 amino acids with a DNA-binding domain, a transactivation domain, and a leucine zipper domain. qPCR assays indicated that MafB was expressed in different tissues of both sexes. The highest relative expression levels in endocrine tissues were identified in the pancreas. Gonadectomy in male hamsters was associated with significantly higher mRNA levels in the HG; replacement with dihydrotestosterone restored mRNA expression. The HG in male hamsters contained twofold more MafB mRNA than the HG of female hamsters. Adrenals revealed similar mRNA relative expression levels during the estrous cycle. The estrous phase was associated with higher mRNA levels in the ovary. A significantly up-regulated expression and sexual dimorphism of MafB was found in the pancreas. Therefore, MafB in the HG may play an active role in the macrophage differentiation required for phagocytosis activity and intraocular repair. Additionally, sex steroids appear to strongly influence the MafB expression in the HG and pancreas. These studies highlight the probable biological importance of MafB in immunological defense and pancreatic ß cell regulation.

A high-density linkage map and sex-determination loci in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

BACKGROUND: Expansion of genomic resources for the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), such as the construction of dense genetic linkage maps, is crucial for the application of genomic tools in order to improve economically relevant traits. Sexual dimorphism exists in Pacific white shrimp, and the mapping of the sex-determination region in this species may help in future reproductive applications. We have constructed male, female, and sex-averaged high-density genetic maps using a 50 K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, followed by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with sex in white shrimp. RESULTS: The genetic map yielded 15,256 SNPs assigned to 44 linkage groups (LG). The lengths of the male, female, and sex-averaged maps were 5,741.36, 5,461.20 and 5,525.26 cM, respectively. LG18 was found to be the largest for both sexes, whereas LG44 was the shortest for males and LG31 for females. A sex-determining region was found in LG31 with 21 statistically significant SNPs. The most important SNP was previously identified as a sex-linked marker and was able to identify 99% of the males and 88% of the females. Although other significant markers had a lower ability to determine sex, putative genes were intercepted or close to them. The oplophorus-luciferin 2-monooxygenase, serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein and spermine oxidase genes were identified as candidates with possible participation in important processes of sexual differentiation in shrimp. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide novel genomic resources for shrimp, including a high-density linkage map and new insights into the sex-determining region in L. vannamei, which may be usefulfor future genetics and reproduction applications.

Potential role of the sella turcica X-ray imaging aspects for sex estimation in the field of forensic anthropology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several studies have evaluated the parameters of normality of the sella turcica (ST), which is important to face different craniofacial syndromes that may affect this structure. Therefore, this research summarized the scientific evidence on the role of ST in the sex estimation of non-syndromic individuals. The research protocol was registered (Prospective International Registry of Systematic Reviews # CRD42021256469), followed by an electronic search in six databases (PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and LIVIVO) and gray literature (Google Scholar and OpenGrey). Meta-analysis of linear (width, length, height, and diameter) and volumetric measurements, in addition to an assessment of risk of bias (RoB) and certainty of evidence, were performed. After the screening of 986 articles, 13 were evaluated by meta-analysis (1 307 males and 1 231 females). In subgroup analysis, females had lower values for width (lateral radiograph; -0.67 mm; P = 0.040), length (computed tomography; -0.23 mm; P = 0.020), and diameter (computed tomography; -0.27 mm; P < 0.001) compared to males. There was no statistically significant difference regarding height (P = 0.95), area (P = 0.72), and volume (P = 0.21). Most studies exhibited moderate RoB, and the certainty of evidence of the outcomes was very low. In this review, significant differences were observed between the sexes for the length and diameter of the ST; however, the heterogeneity of the studies must be considered. Key points: Studies from different geographic regions evaluated the morphology of ST according to sex and showed this anatomical structure as an important indicator of dimorphism.Meta-analysis showed shorter ST length and diameter in women.Subgroup analysis found lower ST width in women based on lateral skull radiographs.Subgroup analysis found smaller lengths and diameters in women based on CT scans.

Sexual dimorphism of maxillary sinuses in adult population using cone-beam computed tomography. A pilot study.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the sexual dimorphism of maxillary sinuses (MS) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method: A total of 80 CBCT scans were taken from Peruvian patients aged between 20 and 70 years-old. The dimensions (length, width, and height) of the MS were measured and evaluated. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The left MS was wider than the right MS. Meanwhile, the right MS was longer than the left MS. In addition, the height of the right and left MS was significantly different in males and females, with p-value of 0.003 and 0.044 respectively. Bigger dimension of height of the MS was found in patients aged between 30 and 39 as well as patients aged between 40 and 49, whereas smaller dimension of height of the MS was found in patients aged between 60 and 70. Furthermore, the height of the right MS was significantly different in dentate and edentulous patients, with p-value of 0.033 and 0.043 respectively. The height of the right MS was predicted at 65 % in males and 70 % in females (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The morphometry of the maxillary sinuses can be used for predicting sexual dimorphism.

In vitro Evaluation of Fungal Susceptibility and Inhibition of Virulence by Diosgenin.

Fungal infections are a public health problem that mainly affects immunosuppressed people, Candida spp. have been responsible for most sources of contamination and invasive fungal infections described around the world. The need arises to find new therapeutic approaches to combat growing infections. Plants and natural products have been considered a valuable source for discovering new molecules with active ingredients. Diosgenin is a sapogenin found in the families of Leguminosae and Dioscoreaceae, it is obtained mainly from the dioscin saponin through the hydrolysis method, it is a phytochemical that has been highlighted in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in combating microbial resistance. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of fungal strains to diosgenin, as well as verify the association with the reference drug and evaluate the inhibition of the virulence factor through morphological changes in the yeast state to the filamentous form of hyphae and pseudohyphae in strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei using the broth microdilution method and microculture technique. Antifungal assays revealed that diosgenin was not able to inhibit the growth of the tested strains. However, it was able to inhibit the fungal dimorphism of the strains evaluated, however further studies are recommended to verify its effectiveness against other virulence factors.

High-fat diet elicits sex-based differences in liver inflammatory cytokines and redox homeostasis.

Sex differences in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have been reported. Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the progression of MASLD. Thus, we aimed to evaluate liver redox homeostasis and inflammation in male and female rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male and female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: standard chow diet (SCD) or HFD during 12 weeks. HFD groups of both sexes had higher hepatocyte injury, with no differences between the sexes. Portal space liver inflammation was higher in females-HFD compared to females-SCD, whereas no differences were observed in males. Lobular inflammation and overall liver inflammation were higher in HFD groups, regardless of sex. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels were higher in males-HFD compared to males-SCD, but no differences were observed in females. Catalase activity was higher in males compared to females, with no differences between the SCD and HFD groups of both sexes. Glutathione peroxidase activity was higher in females compared to males, with no differences between the SCD and HFD groups in both sexes. Lipid peroxidation was higher in female-SCD when compared to male-SCD, and in both male- and female-HFD compared to SCD groups. Furthermore, both cytoplasmic and nuclear NRF2 staining were lower in the HFD group compared to the SCD group in males. However, female-HFD exhibited reduced nuclear NRF2 staining compared to the female-SCD group. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that while both male and female rats developed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis after 12 weeks of HFD, the alterations in inflammatory cytokines and redox balance were sexually dimorphic.

Validation and recalibration of sex estimation methods using pubic nonmetric traits for the Chilean population.

Chile had a violent military coup (1973-1990) that resulted in 3,000 victims declared detained, missing or killed; many are still missing and unidentified. Currently, the Human Rights Unit of the Forensic Medical Service in Chile applies globally recognised forensic anthropological approaches, but many of these methods have not been validated in a Chilean sample. As current research has demonstrated population-specificity with extant methods, the present study aims to validate sex estimation methods in a Chilean population and thereafter establish population-specific equations. A sample of 265 os coxae of known age and sex of adult Chileans from the Santiago Subactual Osteology Collection were analysed. Visual assessment and scoring of the pelvic traits were performed in accordance with the Phenice (1969) and Klales et al. (2012) methods. The accuracy of Phenice (1969) in the Chilean sample was 96.98%, with a sex bias of 7.68%. Klales et al. (2012) achieved 87.17% accuracy with a sex bias of -15.39%. Although both methods showed acceptable classification accuracy, the associated sex bias values are unacceptable in forensic practice. Therefore, six univariate and eight multivariate predictive models were formulated for the Chilean population. The most accurate univariate model was the ventral arc at 96.6%, with a sex bias of 5.2%. Classification accuracy using all traits was 97.0%, with a sex bias of 7.7%. This study provides Chilean practitioners a population-specific morphoscopic standard with associated classification probabilities acceptable to accomplish legal admissibility requirements in human rights and criminal cases specific to the second half of the 20th century.