Beyond Numbers THE IMPACT OF GENDER QUOTAS IN LATIN AMERICA

This article considers the impact of electoral quotas for women. Most studies have either focused on whether particular policies increase the numbers of women elected or assessed the extent to which a greater number of women in the legislature produces more gender-sensitive legislation. However, little attention has been paid to the cultural changes that can result from adopting gender quotas. This article argues that, although increasing the number of women in legislatures may improve the attention to gender issues, broader processes are involved. Latin American women`s activism and alliances have been critical in ensuring the expansion of women`s rights and increasing the number of women elected. Quotas, and the debate surrounding their adoption, have provided an incentive for women`s collective action and fostered the politicization of gender issues. An analysis of the impact of quotas, therefore, must recognize these broader impacts.

The impact of expert testimony on jurors' decisions: Gender of the expert and testimony complexity

The present study investigated whether people used the gender of an expert witness as a heuristic cue to evaluate the evidence presented by the expert. Specifically, the gender of the expert and the complexity of the expert's testimony (low, high) were varied systematically within a simulated civil trial involving an antitrust price-fixing agreement. It was expected that the male expert would be more persuasive than the female expert, but only when the testimony presented was complex. As predicted, this interaction was revealed across a range of dependent measures. Somewhat unexpected was the finding of a female expert advantage in the low-complexity condition. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Transfer of Cholesterol and Other Lipids From a Lipid Nanoemulsion to High-density Lipoprotein in Heart Transplant Patients

Background: Beyond the first year after a heart transplant (HT) procedure, patients often develop dyslipidemias, which may be implicated in the genesis of transplant coronary heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a several anti-atherogenic properties, but the status of HDL in HT patients is still controversial. Nonetheless, determination of HDL cholesterol concentration is not sufficient for evaluation of the overall HDL protective role. In this study, a fundamental functional property of HDL, the ability to simultaneously receive the major lipid classes, was tested in HT patients. Methods: Twenty HT patients and 20 healthy normolipidemic subjects paired for gender, age and body mass index were studied. Blood samples were collected after 12-hour fasting for determination of plasma lipids, glucose, paraxonase I (PON 1) activity, HDL diameter and transfer of labeled lipids from an artificial nanoemulsion to HDL. Results: Plasma triglycerides (159 +/- 63 vs 94 +/- 35 mg/dl) and glucose (104 +/- 20 vs 86 +/- 10 mg/dl) were greater in HT patients than in control subjects. HDL cholesterol was lower and HDL diameter was smaller in the HT group (HDL cholesterol: 44 +/- 11 vs 55 +/- 15 mg/dl; HDL diameter: 8.8 +/- 0.6 vs 9.0 +/- 1.2 nm). PON 1 activity did not differ (87 +/- 47 vs 75 +/- 37 nmol/min/ml). The transfer rates of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters were diminished in HT patients (HT: 8.4 +/- 1.2% and 3.8 +/- 0.6%; controls: 9.7 +/- 1.9% and 4.7 +/- 1.2%, respectively). Conclusions: The transfer of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters to HDL is diminished in HT patients; disturbance in the ability of HDL to receive lipids may affect the anti-atherogenic properties of the lipoprotein. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:1075-80. Copyright (C) 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Mannan-binding lectin MBL2 gene polymorphism in chronic hepatitis C: association with the severity of liver fibrosis and response to interferon therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of hepatic disease and of liver transplantation worldwide. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), encoded by the MBL2 gene, can have an important role as an opsonin and complement activating molecule in HCV persistence and liver injury. We assessed the MBL2 polymorphism in 102 Euro-Brazilian patients with moderate and severe chronic hepatitis C, paired for gender and age with 102 HCV seronegative healthy individuals. Six common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene, three in the promoter (H/L, X/Y and P/Q) and three in exon 1 (A, the wild-type, and B, C or D also known as O) were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction with fluorescent hybridization probes. The concentration of MBL in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequency of the YA/YO genotype was significantly higher in the HCV patients compared with the controls (P = 0.022). On the other hand, the genotypes associated with low levels of MBL (XA/XA, XA/YO and YO/YO) were decreased significantly in the patients with severe fibrosis (stage F4), when compared with the patients with moderate fibrosis (stage F2) (P = 0.04) and to the control group (P = 0.011). Furthermore, MBL2 genotypes containing X or O mutations were found to be associated with non-responsiveness to pginterferon and ribavirin treatment (P = 0.023). MBL2 polymorphisms may therefore be associated not only with the development of chronic hepatitis C, but also with its clinical evolution and response to treatment.

Influence of gender on the clinical and laboratory spectra of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to evaluate the differences between males and females in the clinical and biochemical manifestations of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS). The method involved 49 patients (38 premenopausal females and 11 males) diagnosed with PAPS (according to the Sapporo criteria) and their demographic data, clinical data, medications used and antiphospholipid antibodies were analyzed. The results of this study are as follows. Both the groups of patients were statistically similar regarding age, race, weight and body mass index. However, males were significantly taller than females (172 +/- A 8.9 vs. 159.2 +/- A 6.2 cm, p < 0.0001). The duration of disease was similar for females and males. The prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism was higher in females than in males (34.2 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.024). Regarding other PAPS manifestations (arterial events, venous events, deep venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, acute myocardial infarction, angina, cerebrovascular accidents and Sneddon syndrome), comorbidities (arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia), lifestyle (physical activity, previous smoking and current smoking) and the use of medications (current and previous use of corticosteroids, as well as the use of statins or chloroquine), both groups were statistically similar (p > 0.05). More females than males tested positive for IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (76.3 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.025) or for at least one of the antiphospholipid antibodies tested (either IgM anticardiolipin or IgG anticardiolipin 84.2 vs. 45.5%, p = 0.016). However, both groups were similar regarding the frequency of positivity for lupus anticoagulant and isolated IgG anticardiolipin, as well as regarding mean levels of IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (p > 0.05). We concluded that, among PAPS patients, the frequency of pulmonary thromboembolism and of positivity for IgM anticardiolipin is higher in females than in males. Our findings show that there are gender differences in PAPS, differences that might be related to alterations in sex hormones.

Gender differences in work satisfaction

This paper explores differences between men and women in levels of work satisfaction, employing data from the Australian component of the International Project on Class Structure and Class Consciousness. While moment tend to be concentrated in low-status, low-paid positions, that is the secondary labour market, the data suggest that, in general, they are more satisfied with paid employment than men. Employment constraints are found to be a key factor in the observed differences in levels of work satisfaction. For both groups, however, it is clear that work satisfaction derives primarily from work-related factors.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Hemodialysis Patients: Effects of Phosphate Binder, Calcitriol and Calcium Concentration in the Dialysate

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) concentrations increase early in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the influence of current CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) therapies on serum FGF23 levels is still under investigation. Methods: In this post-hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial, phosphate binders and calcitriol were washed out of 72 hemodialysis patients who were then submitted to bone biopsy, coronary tomography and biochemical measures, including FGF23. They were randomized to receive sevelamer or calcium acetate for 1 year and the prescription of calcitriol and the calcium concentration in the dialysate were adjusted according to serum calcium, phosphate and PTH and bone biopsy diagnosis. Results: At baseline, bone biopsy showed that 58.3% had low-turnover bone disease, whereas 38.9% had high-turnover bone disease, with no significant differences between them with regard to FGF23. Median baseline FGF23 serum levels were elevated and correlated positively with serum phosphate. After 1 year, serum FGF23 decreased significantly. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis showed that the use of a 3.5-mEq/l calcium concentration in the dialysate, as well as the administration of calcitriol and a calcium-based phosphate binder were associated with higher final serum FGF23 levels. Conclusions: Taken together, our results confirm that the current CKD-MBD therapies have an effect on serum levels of FGF23. Since FGF23 is emerging as a potential treatment target, our findings should be taken into account in the decision on how to manage CKD-MBD therapy. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Labour flexibility and gender in the service sector: A study of employment practices in law and accounting firms

In seeking to increase the flexibility of their use of employee time, employers can pursue strategies based on the employment of casual and part-time workers (numerical flexibility) or strategies based on ad hoc variation of the working hours of permanent employees (working time flexibility). Patterns of flexibility strategies and their implications are examined in the context of a highly feminised sector of work-clerical and administrative employment in law and accounting firms. We consider whether, as is often assumed, working time flexibility strategies are generally better for employees because they avoid the substitution of core, high quality jobs with the peripheral, relatively insecure employment often associated with casualisation. Analysing data drawn from a survey of law and accounting firms, we argue that there are three distinct flexibility strategies adopted by employers, and that the choice of strategy is influenced by the size of the firm and the extent of feminisation. The quality of employment conditions associated with each strategy is investigated through an analysis of the determinants of training provision for clerical and administrative workers. Rather than an expected simple linear relationship between increasing casualisation and decreasing training provision, we find that firm size and feminisation are implicated. Larger firms that tend to employ at least some men and use a combination of working time and numerical flexibility strategies tend to provide more training than the small, more fully feminised firms that tend to opt for either casualisation or working time flexibility strategies. This suggests that, from an employee perspective, working time flexibility may not be as benevolent as is often thought.

Changes in purines concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients experiencing pain: A case-control study

This study analyzes the relationship between extracellular purines and pain perception in humans. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of purines and their metabolites were compared between patients displaying acute and/or chronic pain syndromes and control subjects. The CSF levels of IMP, inosine, guanosine and uric acid were significantly increased in the chronic pain group and correlated with pain severity (P<0.05). Patients displaying both chronic and acute pain presented similar changes in the CSF purines concentration (P<0.05). However, in the acute pain group, only CSF inosine and uric acid levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). These findings suggest that purines, in special inosine, guanosine and uric acid, are associated with the spinal mechanisms underlying nociception. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Accent accommodation in the job interview - Impact of interviewer accent and gender

Using the framework of Communication Accommodation Theory, this study investigated the extent to which job applicants objectively and subjectively altered their accents to converge to or diverge from the speech style of the interviewer Forty-eight male and 48 female job applicants participated in two interviews for a casual research assistant position. In one interview, the interviewer had a broad Australian English accent, and in the other one, the interviewer had a cultivated accent. Applicants showed broader accents with broad-accented interviewers than with cultivated-accented interviewers. Applicants did not converge to the cultivated-accented interviewers, however and male job applicants were more likely than mere females to diverge from the cultivated-accented interviewers. There were also discrepancies between objectively rated changes to applicants' accents and their subjective judgments about the extent of accent accommodation.

Gastric Bypass and Cardiac Autonomic Activity: Influence of Gender and Age

Obesity is associated with increased sympathetic activity and higher mortality. Treatment of this condition is often frustrating. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most effective technique nowadays for treatment of obesity. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of this surgery on the cardiac autonomic activity, including the influence of gender and age, through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The study group consisted of 71 obese patients undergoing gastric bypass. Time domain measures of HRV, obtained from 24-h Holter recordings, were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery, and the results were compared. Percentage of interval differences of successive normal sinus beats greater than 50 ms (pNN50) and square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal sinus beat intervals (rMSSD) was used to estimate the short-term components of HRV, related to the parasympathetic activity. Standard deviation of intervals between all normal sinus beats (SDNN) was related to overall HRV. SDNN, pNN50, and rMSSD showed significant increase 6 months after surgery (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Men presented a greater increase of SDNN than women (p = 0.006) during the follow-up. There was a difference in rMSSD evolution for age groups (p = 0.002). Only younger patients presented significant increase of rMSSD. Overall HRV increased 6 months after surgery; this increase was more evident in men. Cardiac parasympathetic activity increased also, but in younger patients only.

Development of an animal model for allergic conjunctivitis: influence of genetic factors and allergen concentration on immune response

Purpose: Animal models of diseases are extremely important in the study of the physiopathogenesis of human diseases and for testing novel therapeutic interventions. The present study aimed to develop an animal model that simulates human allergic conjunctivitis and to study how allergic response may be influenced by the allergen dose used for immunization and by genetic factors. Methods: Sixty C57Bl/6 mice and 60 BALB/c mice were immunized with placebo, or 5 mu g or 500 mu g of allergen derived from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. After ocular challenge, the mice were examined in order to clinically verify the occurrence or not of conjunctivitis. Material obtained from animals was used for total and specific IgE and IgG1 dosage, for assays of Der p-specific lymphocyte proliferation and supernatant cytokine dosage, and for histopathological evaluation of conjunctiva. Results: We developed a murine model of allergic conjunctivitis induced by D. pteronyssinus. The model is similar to human disease both clinically and according to laboratory findings. In mouse, conjunctivitis was associated with a Th2 cytokine profile. However, IL-10 appeared to be involved with disease blockade. Mice of different strains have distinct immune responses, depending on the sensitization dose. Conclusions: The murine model developed is suitable for the study of immunopathogenesis and as a template for future therapies. Using BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, we demonstrated that genetic factors play a role in determining susceptibility and resistance, as well as in establishing the allergen concentration needed to induce or to block disease development.