UNASSIGNED: Recent studies have shown gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), highlighting different complication rates and adverse events, particularly in short-term assessments. As a result, there remains a significant knowledge gap on how these differences directly impact the efficacy and safety of LAAC procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of LAAC in women and men using the Watchman FLX device.
UNASSIGNED: This retrospective, multicenter study analyzes gender-specific outcomes in 650 patients who underwent LAAC with the Watchman FLX device between March 2019 and May 2022, drawn from the ITALIAN-FLX registry.
UNASSIGNED: The results show comparable rates of all-cause mortality, stroke, transient ischemic attack and major bleeding in men and women 12 months after the procedure. Notably, no significant gender differences were found for periprocedural complications.
UNASSIGNED: In conclusion, this study shows that LAAC with the Watchman FLX device has comparable clinical outcomes between genders at both short-term and long-term follow-up.

UNASSIGNED: Exploring gender differences in cognitive abilities offers vital insights into human brain functioning.
UNASSIGNED: Our study utilized advanced techniques like magnetic resonance thermometry, standard working memory n-back tasks, and functional MRI to investigate if gender-based variations in brain temperature correlate with distinct neuronal responses and working memory capabilities.
UNASSIGNED: We observed a significant decrease in average brain temperature in males during working memory tasks, a phenomenon not seen in females. Although changes in female brain temperature were significantly lower than in males, we found an inverse relationship between the absolute temperature change (ATC) and cognitive performance, alongside a correlation with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal change induced by neural activity. This suggests that in females, ATC is a crucial determinant for the link between cognitive performance and BOLD responses, a linkage not evident in males. However, we also observed additional female specific BOLD responses aligned with comparable task performance to that of males.
UNASSIGNED: Our results suggest that females compensate for their brain\'s heightened temperature sensitivity by activating additional neuronal networks to support working memory. This study not only underscores the complexity of gender differences in cognitive processing but also opens new avenues for understanding how temperature fluctuations influence brain functionality.

UNASSIGNED: Surgical undergraduate training takes place in a male-dominated work environment that struggles with recruitment problems. Experiences of cultural and sex/gender-specific barriers of women in surgery have been reported worldwide. Overall, the experiences that students have in coping with the emotional impact of surgery as a profession are thought to be crucial to their subsequent career choices. We investigated whether students\' self-reported experiences differed by sex/gender in terms of frequency and content, and whether they were related to their career aspirations.
UNASSIGNED: In Germany, the final year represents the last part of the undergraduate medical study program. At the Mannheim Medical Faculty, a 12-week surgical training is mandatory. After completing their surgical training, the students were asked about their experiences and their later career aspirations. These experiences were analysed using quantitative content analysis. The relationship between the quality of experience and career aspirations as well as sex/gender differences were statistically measured.
UNASSIGNED: In the 475 questionnaires analysed (response rate 52%), the number of positive and negative mentions does not differ by sex/gender. However, male students feel more actively involved and female students feel poorly briefed and think that supervisors are less interested in their training. A significant influence on career aspirations was found in the performance category for female and male students, and in the supervision category for female students.
UNASSIGNED: The positive experiences that students gain while performing surgical activities have an impact on their subsequent career choices. In particular, a good settling-in period and encouragement to actively participate could help to attract more women to surgery.
UNASSIGNED: Die chirurgische Ausbildung findet in einem männlich dominierten Arbeitsumfeld statt, das mit Rekrutierungsproblemen konfrontiert ist. Weltweit wird über kulturelle und geschlechtsspezifische Barrieren für Frauen in der Chirurgie berichtet. Generell wird davon ausgegangen, dass die Erfahrungen, die Studierende bei der Bewältigung der emotionalen Anforderungen im Fachbereich Chirurgie machen, entscheidend für ihre spätere Berufswahl sind. Wir untersuchten, ob sich die selbstberichteten Erfahrungen der Studierenden in diesem Bereich in Bezug auf Häufigkeit und Inhalt geschlechtsspezifisch unterscheiden und ob ein Zusammenhang mit den späteren Berufswünschen besteht.
UNASSIGNED: In Deutschland stellt das Praktische Jahr den letzten Abschnitt des Medizinstudiums dar. An der Medizinischen Fakultät Mannheim ist ein 12-wöchiger klinisch-praktischer Einsatz im Fachbereich Chirurgie obligatorisch. Die Studierenden wurden am Ende dieses Einsatzes über ihre Erlebnisse und ihre späteren Berufswünsche befragt. Die berichteten Erlebnisse wurden mittels quantitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Qualität der Erfahrungen und den Berufswünschen sowie die geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede wurden statistisch geprüft.
UNASSIGNED: 475 Fragebögen wurden ausgewertet (Rücklaufquote 52%). Die Anzahl der positiven und negativen Nennungen unterscheidet sich zwischen den männlichen und weiblichen Studierenden nicht. Studenten berichten jedoch häufiger, aktiv eingebunden worden zu sein und Studentinnen fühlen sich weniger gut eingearbeitet und meinen eher, dass die Betreuungsperson nicht an ihrer Ausbildung interessiert ist. Ein signifikanter Einfluss auf die Berufswünsche wurde in der Kategorie Praktisches Arbeiten für weibliche und männliche und in der Kategorie Supervision nur für weibliche Studierende festgestellt.
UNASSIGNED: Die angenehmen Erfahrungen, die Studierende bei der Ausübung chirurgischer Tätigkeiten im Praktischen Jahr machen, wirken sich positiv auf ihre spätere Berufswahl in der Chirurgie aus. Insbesondere eine gute Einführungsphase und die Ermutigung zur aktiven Teilnahme könnten dazu beitragen, mehr Frauen für die Chirurgie zu gewinnen.

UNASSIGNED: Hyperacusis, characterized by an abnormal sensitivity to everyday sounds, is a condition associated with subjective distress and physiological changes in the auditory system. Prevalence rates have varied significantly worldwide, emphasizing the need for standardized criteria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperacusis among high school students in Mysore district and explore gender differences.
UNASSIGNED: A diverse cohort of 597 high school students participated in this cross-sectional study. The Modified Khalfa Hyperacusis Questionnaire assessed hyperacusis symptoms. Demographic data included age, gender, and educational status. A cut-off score of 28 on the questionnaire identified hyperacusis cases. Data were analyzed descriptively.
UNASSIGNED: The study revealed a substantial hyperacusis prevalence of 17.25% among high school students in the Mysore district. Out of 103 identified cases, 43.69% were females, and 56.31% were males. These results suggest a potential gender disparity in hyperacusis prevalence. The study\'s findings highlight the high prevalence of hyperacusis among Indian high school students, emphasizing the need for attention to this issue in adolescent health. Gender differences observed in this study align with previous research, indicating a higher prevalence among males.
UNASSIGNED: Hyperacusis is a prevalent condition among Indian high school students, warranting further research on its causes and co-occurrence across different age groups. These findings underscore the significance of addressing hyperacusis as a critical health concern among adolescents and emphasize the need for tailored interventions and increased awareness.

This study explores the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among adolescents, considering the moderating effects of gender and region. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 3984 adolescents aged 12-18 from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. Data were collected via an online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey included validated measures such as the Illinois Bullying Scale (IBS) to measure bullying victimization, the Adolescent Self-Regulatory Inventory (ASRI) to measure self-regulation, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to measure depression. The SPSS macro PROCESS was employed for data analysis, with model 4 used for testing the mediating effects of self-regulation and model 1 for assessing the moderating effects of gender and region. The results demonstrated significant associations between bullying victimization, self-regulation, and depressive symptoms. Self-regulation mediated the positive association between bullying victimization and depression, with notable variations across genders and regions. Specifically, male students in Hong Kong exhibited an increased susceptibility to depression when subjected to bullying. These findings underscore the protective role of self-regulation in mitigating the adverse effects of bullying victimization on adolescent mental health. Implications for interventions and prevention strategies targeting adolescent depression are discussed.

This paper explores the intersection of gender and sports participation in adolescence, focusing on traditionally male-dominated sports like football. We aim to develop a structural model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine gender-differentiated patterns and factors influencing adolescent participation in football. We analyzes data from 1,147 adolescents using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that a blend of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and past behavior effectively predicts adolescents\' willingness to engage in football. Moreover, the study investigates the roles of perceived behavioral control, past behavior, and behavioral intentions in actual football participation, uncovering significant gender disparities in the progression from past behavior to intentions and subsequent behavior. This research highlights the complex role of gender in football participation and provides strategic insights for increasing girls\' involvement in the sport. Our study sets the stage for future research on enhancing girls\' participation in football.

Empathy in medical students is receiving increasing attention as it is fundamental to build and develop a functional patient-physician relationship. When looking at its determinants, demographic and academic factors seem to concur in shaping empathy in this population. Although data show strong gender differences and changes in empathy throughout medical school, it is not clear the direction of these changes and whether gender and curriculum features modulate them. This longitudinal study examined changes in empathy and explored gender differences throughout the medical school. Four consecutive cohorts of Italian medical students (N = 336) completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy - Student (JSE-S) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in their second year of study (before any clinical clerkship and communication skills courses) and fifth year of study (after a 2-year clinical clerkship and communication skills courses). Analysis of variance for repeated-measures revealed that, beyond the effect of gender, JSE-S total score and IRI Perspective Taking increased, whereas IRI Personal Distress and IRI Fantasy significantly decreased throughout medical school. No significant change in IRI Empathic Concern emerged over time. Student\'s t-tests showed that female students displayed significantly higher mean scores than their male counterparts for all empathy measures in both their second and fifth years of medical training. The findings suggest that the medical curriculum affects self-reported empathy dimensions among undergraduate medical students. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of the educational factors that promote the changes in empathy levels during medical training.

UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to compare gender-related differences in short- and long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
UNASSIGNED: Patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) from September 2017 to December 2022 were enrolled. The primary endpoint was 5-year all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were 30-day mortality and the incidence of post-procedural complication. Patients were separated according to gender before statistical analysis. To compare patients with similar baseline characteristics, we performed a propensity matching.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 704 patients [females, 361 (51.3%); males, 343 (48.7%)] were enrolled. Compared to women, men had a higher incidence of smoking (40.5% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.001), diabetes (32.9% vs. 25.1%, p < 0.025), peripheral artery disease (35.8% vs. 18.3%, p < 0.001), and previous cardiac surgery (13.7% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.006) and a lower ejection fraction [56.6 (9.3) vs. 59.8 (7.5), p = 0.046]. Female patients were frailer at the time of the procedure [poor mobility rate, 26% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001; CCI (Charlson comorbidity index) 2.4 (0.67) vs. 2.32 (0.63), p = 0.04]. Despite these different risk profiles, no significant differences were reported in terms of post-procedural outcomes and long-term survival. Propensity score matching resulted in a good match of 204 patients in each group (57.9% of the entire study population). In the matched cohort, men had a significantly higher incidence of new pacemaker implantation compared to women [33 (16.2%) vs. 18 (8.8%)]. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival estimate was 82.4% for women and 72.1% for men, p = 0.038.
UNASSIGNED: Female gender could be considered as a predictor of better outcomes after TAVI.

UNASSIGNED: Watching short videos on mobile phones is currently a very prevalent phenomenon. It has been found in research that excessive use of short videos is closely related to depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between short video overuse behavior and depression among college students as well as the gender differences that are present in such relationship.
UNASSIGNED: A follow-up measurement was conducted on 331 college students using the Short Video Usage Behavior Scale and the Epidemic Research Center Depression Scale with an interval of 2 months.
UNASSIGNED: (1) Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between short video overuse behavior and depression, whether measured at the same or different time points, repeated measures ANOVA indicates that short video overuse behavior and depression have strong stability within the interval between two measurements. (2) Pre-test short video overuse behavior could significantly and positively predict post-test depression, whereas pre-test depression could not significantly predict post-test short video overuse behavior. (3) The cross-lagged effect between short video overuse behavior and depression showed no gender differences.
UNASSIGNED: These findings indicate that, for college students, short video overuse behavior may increase the risk of depression, whereas depression cannot induce short video overuse behavior.

BACKGROUND: Postural instability and gait difficulties (PIGD) are a significant cause of mobility loss and lower quality of life in Parkinson\'s disease (PD). When PD progresses, patients may experience falls and freezing of gait (FoG) resulting in fear of falling and increasing sedentariness. Sedentary behavior results in sarcopenia associated with other changes in body composition, especially in older patients becoming frail. Previous studies have shown gender-specific changes in body composition with aging as well as gender disparities in symptoms and progression of PD, yet the association between gender-specific body composition and PIGD symptoms such as FoG along with falls, remains unexplored.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between gender-specific changes in body composition, FoG and falls assessment.
METHODS: 136 PD subjects underwent detailed clinical test batteries and had whole-body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariate logistic forward stepwise regression was performed to define body composition associations for FoG and falls.
RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that in males with PD, lower leg lean mass was significantly associated with the presence of FoG (OR, 0.429; 95% CI, 0.219-0.839; p=0.013) but not with falls. In females with PD, higher leg adipose mass was significantly associated with falls (OR, 4.780; 95% CI, 1.506-15.174; p=0.008) but not with FoG.
CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest gender specific associations between body composition and FoG vs. falls in PD. Future research should explore the impact of interventions on body composition in individuals with PD by paying specific attention to gender differences.