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Structured professional judgement (SPJ) guidelines for assessing risk of sexual offending have existed for more than two decades, yet the literature investigating the validity of these tools remains relatively limited. Recent research has shown that actuarial sexual offending risk assessment tools should be adjusted to reflect reduced risk as offenders age (Helmus et al., 2012), leading to questions about the validity of extant SPJ guidelines for older people who sexually offend. The current study investigated the reliability and predictive validity of the Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20) and the Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP) with a sample of 95 Australian individuals aged 50 years or over who had sexually offended. Sixteen (16.84%) participants sexually recidivated over a mean follow-up period of 9.07 years. Contrary to results with younger offenders, structured judgements using the SVR-20 or RSVP did not significantly differentiate recidivists from non-recidivists in this sample (AUC = .57). However, the total scores for both instruments were predictive at particular time periods. Certain risk factors were potentially important and accounted for unique variance that was not accounted for by actuarial instruments. The implications and limitations of this study are discussed, as well as recommendations for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSex plays a crucial role in shaping the immune response of vertebrates, leading to differing susceptibilities to diseases between females and males. This review explores the observed sexually dimorphic patterns in different pathogenic infections, immune responses, and molecular events. First, a compilation of historical guidelines for incorporating gender/sex as a variable in research studies to enhance scientific rigor, improve research outcomes, and promote better health for both sexes has been carried out. Following this, the study focuses on examining sex-based differences in immune responses across different taxa, with an in-depth review of available studies on fish, particularly regarding the prevalence of sex-related differences in parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Furthermore, the benefits of considering sexual dimorphism when evaluating the prevalence of diseases in fish management in aquaculture and ecological contexts have been discussed. Integrating sex in understanding immune responses will positively influence fish welfare, economic impacts, and policymaking, leading to more tailored and effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the existence of numerous laws and regulations that govern policy arrangements for the management of sexual harassment cases, victims still lack access to justice. This research examines the rules governing the management of sexual harassment cases in the workplace, with a particular emphasis on ASEAN member countries. This research employs normative juridical methods, which include statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. The research results show that, despite the existence of the 1955 Employment Law and Criminal Code in Malaysia, the incidence of sexual harassment continues to rise. To address this issue, it is critical to involve all employees in the development, execution, and oversight of workplace policies. Second, Singapore's primary law for dealing with sexual harassment, the Protection from Harassment Act, is accompanied by an employment law. Nevertheless, there are apprehensions regarding the inadequate remedies, uncertainty, and statutory protections against harassment, particularly in the workplace. Third, Indonesia has implemented numerous laws and regulations to manage sexual harassment cases. However, the government still faces challenges, such as an incomplete and insufficient legal framework, which results in victims being denied justice. Fourth, the effective implementation and protection of women's rights necessitate a comprehensive approach that considers cultural sensitivities, regional dynamics, and international norms to reconstruct sexual harassment regulations in ASEAN countries. As a result, it is critical to establish an anti-sexual harassment organizational culture and restructure sexual harassment regulations to protect victims' rights.

Background: The basic objective of any civilization is to preserve a happy family. The quality of one’s sexual encounters is crucial to a happy marriage. Couples’ dissatisfaction in this area may be the cause of several social, psychological, and medical issues. The way reality is interpreted, which shapes behaviors and emotions, is established by beliefs. These beliefs, which are among the most frequent causes of male sexual problems, include those relating to high performance, women’s sexual enjoyment, and sexual conservatism. Aims: To identify the misconceptions about sexuality among psychiatry patients. Method This cross-sectional study was carried out at the School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University. We enrolled 200 samples and it is assessed through Sexual Beliefs Questionnaire (Male version). Result: Sexual beliefs were assessed in different domains as well as overall sexual belief score was also estimated. The different domains in which the sexual beliefs were scored were sexual conservatism, female sexual power, macho belief, beliefs about women’s sexual satisfaction, restrictive attitude toward sex, and sex as an abuse of men’s power. Conclusion: The development of both psychiatric and sexological care will benefit from the early identification of the intricate relationships between psychopathology, the adverse effects of antipsychotic medicines, and sexuality. However, longitudinal studies are needed to anticipate the relationship more accurately between sexual dysfunction and sexual beliefs at a larger sample size. Sexual beliefs are significant contributors to sexual dysfunction.

Background: A growing number of advanced neuroimaging studies have compared brain structure and function in long term meditators to non-meditators. The goal is to determine if there may be long term effects on the brain from practicing meditation. In this paper, we present new data on the long term effects of a novel meditation practice in which the focus is on clitoral stimulation. The findings from such a study have implications for potential therapeutic uses with regard to various neurological or psychiatric conditions. Methods: We evaluated the cerebral glucose metabolism in 40 subjects with an extended history (>1 year of practice, 2-3 times per week) performing the meditation practice called Orgasmic Meditation (OM) and compared their brains to a group of non-meditating healthy controls (N = 19). Both meditation and non-meditation subjects underwent brain PET after injection with 148 to 296 MBq of FDG using a standard imaging protocol. Resting FDG PET scans of theOM group were compared to the resting scans of healthy, non-meditating, controls using statistical parametric mapping. Results: The OM group showed significant differences in metabolic activity at rest compared to the controls. Specifically, there was significantly lower metabolism in select areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the anterior cingulate, insula, and thalamus, in the OM group compared to the controls. In addition, there were notable distinctions between the males and females with the females demonstrating significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus and insula. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that the long term meditation practitioners of OM have different patterns of resting brain metabolism. Since these areas of the brain in which OM practitioners differ from controls are involved in cognition, attention, and emotional regulation, such findings have implications for understanding how this meditation practice might affect practitioners over long periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the differences in pelvic floor muscle (PFM) electromyography (EMG) parameters between women with or without sexual dysfunction (FSD) and their correlations. Methods: Women who voluntarily participated in a questionnaire-based survey on sexual function and underwent PFM EMG in Weifang People's Hospital during the period from March 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The female sexual (dys)function was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index. Glazer PFM EMG was performed using a Melander instrument (MLD A2 Deluxe). The differences in PFM EMG parameters between women with or without FSD were compared, and the relationships between PFM EMG parameters and FSD were analysed using multiple linear regression models. Results: A total of 305 women were enrolled, with 163 in the FSD group and 142 in the non-FSD group. Comparisons of PFM EMG parameters between these two groups revealed that the FSD group had significantly higher peak EMG amplitude during the phasic (flick) contractions and shorter recovery latency during the tonic contractions than the non-FSD group (both P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression suggested that the peak EMG amplitude during the phasic (flick) contractions was 5.39 μV higher in the FSD group than in the non-FSD group, whereas the recovery latency during the tonic contractions was 0.29 s shorter (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the pelvic floor EMG in this study suggest that the pelvic floor muscles of women with FSD may be more susceptible to fatigue, and may have poorer coordination of their pelvic floor muscles. Female sexual dysfunction brings great trouble to women. Evidence suggests that women with greater pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength have better sexual function. Sexually active women have better PFM endurance than inactive women. However, it has also been reported that PFM strength is not correlated with sexual function. Here, we assessed female PFM function with electromyography, and explored the relationships between electromyography parameters and sexual dysfunction, in an attempt to provide an objective basis for sexual dysfunction diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: fluctuation in serum levels of thyroid hormones or thyroid-associated dysfunction can negatively affect the sexual behaviors or performance, and disruption in couples' relationship or satisfaction. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis study was aimed to investigate the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with thyroid gland disorders (TGD). Methods: this systematic review and meta-analysis study conducted based on PRISMA statement criteria regarding the available evidences representing the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with TGD. The initial searching process was applied on July, 2023. In this era, the main keywords of "Prevalence", "Sexual disorders", "Sexual disorder", "Sexual dysfunction", "Male sexual dysfunction", "Erectile dysfunction", "Males", "Men", "Thyroid disorders", "Thyroid diseases", "Hyperthyroidism", "Thyroid", and "Thyroiditis" were hired. Also, "AND" and "OR" operators were used for keywords combination. All intended studies were searched using the databases of Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Embase. Random effects model was used to perform the analysis and the heterogeneity of the studies was assessed through I2 index. Data analysis was applied with CMA software (v.2). Results: following the assessment of 17 eligible studies with a sample size of 501 individuals, the global prevalence of male sexual dysfunction with TGD was found 51.5% (95% CI:38.7–64). Also, the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cases was 59.1% (95% CI:37.2–77.8) and 41.5% (95% CI:25.9–59.1), respectively. The meta-regression analysis showed that following incremental trend in sample size, the global prevalence of male sexual dysfunction with TGD decreases. This assessment also revealed that the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction increases with the year of study conduction, significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with TGD was found relatively high. also, the highest prevalence of sexual disorders was reported in hypothyroid cases. Thus, health policymakers are suggested to inform the individuals prone to this pathology regarding the negative effects of TGD on sexual dysfunction. Besides, TGD-affected cases can prevent sexual disorders and unpleasant consequences through timely medical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Huntington's disease (HD) is usually thought of as a triad of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms, there is growing appreciation of HD as a systemic illness affecting the entire body. Objectives: This review aims to draw attention to these systemic non‐motor symptoms in HD. Methods: We identified relevant studies published in English by searching MEDLINE (from 1966 to September 2023), using the following subject headings: Huntington disease, autonomic, systemic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, sexual and cutaneous, and additional specific symptoms. Results: Data from 123 articles were critically reviewed with focus on systemic features associated with HD, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, sexual and sweating. Conclusion: This systematic review draws attention to a variety of systemic and autonomic co‐morbidities in patients with HD. Not all of them correlate with the severity of the primary HD symptoms or CAG repeats. More research is needed to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of systemic and autonomic dysfunction in HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To find the frequency of reported asphyxial deaths to gender and pattern of injury reported. This study also intended to identify the causes and the association between age, area, and gender of the deceased with sexual assault-related asphyxial deaths. Material and Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Khyber Medical College Peshawar from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2023 (5 years data). All the subjects who died due to asphyxia and were presented for autopsy at the department were included in the study. Cases with incomplete documentation and those referred from other districts were excluded from the study. Results: Of the total 187 subjects, 66.8% (n=125) were males and 33.2% (n=62) were females with male to female ratio of 2:1. In the data, 57.2% (n=107) belonged to urban areas and 42.8% (n=80) were of rural areas. In total subjects, 88.8% (n=166) had immediate deaths, 6.4% (n=12) had delayed ones, and 4.8% (n=9) were undetermined. The most prevalent type of asphyxia was mechanical 113 (60.4%). The most common cause of asphyxia death was found to be hanging at 34.22%. However, of the 187 subjects, 5.3% (n=10) had intoxications, of which 1.6% (n=3) had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and morphine poisoning each and 0.5% (n=1) had methamphetamine poisoning. Conclusion: Our study concluded that asphyxial deaths were more prevalent in males in the middle-aged group. Asphyxial deaths were found more in urban areas than in rural areas. Mechanical asphyxia was the most common type of asphyxia while hanging was the most common pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The basic objective of any civilization is to preserve a happy family. The quality of one's sexual encounters is crucial to a happy marriage. Couples' dissatisfaction in this area may be the cause of several social, psychological, and medical issues. The way reality is interpreted, which shapes behaviors and emotions, is established by beliefs. These beliefs, which are among the most frequent causes of male sexual problems, include those relating to high performance, women's sexual enjoyment, and sexual conservatism. Aims: To identify the misconceptions about sexuality among psychiatry patients. Method This cross-sectional study was carried out at the School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University. We enrolled 200 samples and it is assessed through Sexual Beliefs Questionnaire (Male version). Result: Sexual beliefs were assessed in different domains as well as overall sexual belief score was also estimated. The different domains in which the sexual beliefs were scored were sexual conservatism, female sexual power, macho belief, beliefs about women's sexual satisfaction, restrictive attitude toward sex, and sex as an abuse of men's power. Conclusion: The development of both psychiatric and sexological care will benefit from the early identification of the intricate relationships between psychopathology, the adverse effects of antipsychotic medicines, and sexuality. However, longitudinal studies are needed to anticipate the relationship more accurately between sexual dysfunction and sexual beliefs at a larger sample size. Sexual beliefs are significant contributors to sexual dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundYouth is a decisive age that shapes the direction of their life and that of their family. However, due to the host of biological, social, and economic factors, youth Industry Park workers can be at high risk of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Therefore, assessing youth sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among youth workers is very crucial for timely intervention to their gaps.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among youth workers working at Kombolcha Industry Park Kombolcha, Northeast Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Kombolcha Industry Park, Kombolcha, among a total of 422 youth workers from 1 January to 30 January 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to access a total of 422 youth workers in Kombolcha Industry Park. The data were collected using pre-test, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and were exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at a p value of less than 0.05.ResultsOverall utilization of reproductive health services was 45.50%. Being married [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.76, 95% CI (2.94, 11.25)], near distance of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) facility to home [AOR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.60, 4.14)], having good knowledge [AOR = 9.23 95%CI (4.88, 17.44)], and good attitude about SRH [AOR = 2.06 95% CI (1.29, 3.28)] were significantly associated with youth SRHs utilization.ConclusionYouth sexual and reproductive health service utilization among youth workers of Kombolcha Industry Park was low. Ensuring SRHs availability and accessibility, empowering youth with knowledge of SRHs, and advocating sexual and reproductive health services to develop a good attitude might be important in improving reproductive health service utilization. Future researchers should address segments of the population other than Kombolcha Industry Park.

Integrating appreciative inquiry (AI) and pastoral care may help address the complex issues of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This article explores the benefits of incorporating AI principles into pastoral care for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking involve exploitation, degradation, and violence, making them complex issues. By understanding the sex trade, we can recognise that prostitution is an act of exploitation. Some scholars believe that prostitution and human trafficking are interconnected, with a focus on exploiting the poor, especially women and children. Commercial sexual exploitation can cause mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. Survivors require comprehensive aftercare to address their spiritual, self-esteem, and dignity needs. Organisational development-based AI is constructive and strength-based. Appreciative inquiry promotes positive development, community and individual strength, and resilience by re-contextualizing narratives and envisioning brighter futures. The use of AI could improve pastoral care and holistic rehabilitation. Pastoral caregivers using AI can promote reconciliation, development, and rehabilitation. Using strengths-based strategies, pastoral care practitioners can help survivors regain agency and purpose. Survivors receive spiritual support through the Appreciative Way, which combines contemplative spirituality and inquiry. Narrative exploration can help trauma survivors envision a bright future based on love and resilience. This study suggests that AI principles may benefit pastoral care recipients who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Pastoral caregivers can help survivors regain dignity, calling, and well-being by implementing an appreciative healing approach. Contribution: The article sheds light on the dehumanising consequences of sex trafficking on vulnerable populations in South Africa, particularly women and children. This article aims to explain how AI concepts can be applied to Practical Theology. Specifically, this article will demonstrate how the Appreciative Way can be utilised in pastoral care for healing from sex trafficking trauma.

Objective: To determine the psychological impact of sexual assaults among males during their childhood. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Okara from 2 August 2022 to 20 March 2023. Materials and Methods: We consecutively sampled 204 subjects who were given proforma to record demographic data including age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, being victim of sexual assault, relationship to the assailant, numbers of sexual assault, and mode of sexual assault. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) check list and Trauma symptom check (TSC) list was applied on participants reporting sexual assault and SPSS 23 used for data analysis. Results: Out of 204 study participants 33 (16.1%) males experienced sexual assault while 27 (81.8%) victims experienced PTSD with trauma symptoms of sleep disturbance in 18 (54.5%), sexual dysfunction experienced by 6 (18.1%), anxiety felt by 13 (39.3%), depression presented in 5 (15.1%), while 2 (6.0%) individuals experienced dissociation. Victims of sexual assault, assailant and number of sexual assaults were highly correlated with mode of sexual assault, trauma symptoms (except dissociation), and PTSD (p < 0.001) Conclusion: Sexual assault on males during their childhood is strongly associated with significant psychological distress.

Abstract Background Nightlife environments are high risk settings for sexual violence and bystander intervention programmes are being developed in response. However, more research is needed to understand nightlife-related sexual violence, and factors that influence bystander interventions. This study examined nightlife patron’s experiences of sexual violence and associated factors; and relationships between attitudes towards, awareness and experience of sexual violence, and confidence to intervene. Methods Cross-sectional on-street survey of nightlife patrons (N = 307, aged 18+) on a night out in an English city. Surveys (7.30pm-1.30am; Wednesday-Saturday) established sexual violence awareness, myth acceptance, and experience, and confidence to intervene. Participant’s socio-demographics, nightlife alcohol consumption, and frequency of nightlife usage were collected. Results 58.0% had ever experienced sexual violence whilst on a night out. In adjusted analyses, sexual violence was higher amongst females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.0; p

Psychoanalytic reflection and practice must take the Shoah into account. I argue for an integration of Levinas's reading of ethics as an asymmetrical responsibility for the other with Laplanche's theorization regarding the revival of the fundamental anthropological situation in analysis. It is possible to enrich Laplanche's concepts with the idea of an ethical seduction active in the psychoanalytic situation echoing the ethical exigency at the beginning of life arising from the violence inflicted on the parents by the infant's distress and absolute fragility. The analyst is subject to a similar ethical upheaval which is transformed into a position of matricial space made of emotionally "affected" (cathected or invested) asymmetrical responsibility for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine and summarize the available data on urinary, sexual, and health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQOL) outcomes after traditional radical cystectomy (RC), reproductive organ‐preserving RC (ROPRC) and nerve‐sparing RC (NSRC) for bladder cancer (BCa) in female patients. Methods: The PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies reporting functional outcomes in female patients undergoing RC and urinary diversion for the treatment of BCa. The outcomes of interest were voiding function (for orthotopic neobladder [ONB]), sexual function and HRQOL. The following independent variables were derived and included in the meta‐analysis: pooled rate of daytime and nighttime continence/incontinence, and intermittent self‐catheterization (ISC) rates. Analyses were performed separately for traditional, organ‐ and/or nerve‐sparing surgical approaches. Results: Fifty‐three studies comprising 2740 female patients (1201 traditional RC and 1539 organ‐/nerve‐sparing RC, and 264 nerve‐sparing‐alone RC) were eligible for qualitative synthesis; 44 studies comprising 2418 female patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. In women with ONB diversion, the pooled rates of daytime continence after traditional RC, ROPRC and NSRC were 75.2%, 79.3% and 71.2%, respectively. The pooled rate of nighttime continence after traditional RC was 59.5%; this rate increased to 70.7% and 71.7% in women who underwent ROPRC and NSRC, respectively. The pooled rate of ISC after traditional RC with ONB diversion in female patients was 27.6% and decreased to 20.6% and 16.8% in patients undergoing ROPRC and NSRC, respectively. The use of different definitions and questionnaires in the assessment of postoperative sexual and HRQOL outcomes did not allow a systematic comparison. Conclusions: Female organ‐ and nerve‐sparing surgical approaches during RC seem to result in improved voiding function. There is a significant need for well‐designed studies exploring sexual and HRQOL outcomes to establish evidence‐based management strategies to support a shared decision‐making process tailored towards patient expectations and satisfaction. Understanding expected functional, sexual and quality‐of‐life outcomes is necessary to allow individualized pre‐ and postoperative counselling and care delivery in female patients planned to undergo RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the legal acceptance of homosexuality in India, it remains a social taboo, resulting in various challenges being faced by homosexual males. These challenges mainly include issues such as addiction/drug use and inconsistent and/or incorrect condom usage which increase the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among them. This study was thus conducted with the objective of studying the patterns of addiction/drug use and condom usage among homosexual males. Methods: The study was conducted at outreach sites of a non-governmental organization (NGO). A total of 240 participants, consisting of homosexual and bisexual males aged 18-24 years who were residing in the metropolitan city of Mumbai for at least 1 year, were enrolled. Data about addiction/drug use and patterns of condom usage was collected, compiled, entered into Microsoft Excel, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS. Findings: Out of the total participants, 171 (71.2%) reported engaging in addiction/drug use, Among those participants, 105 (61.4%) engaged in alcohol consumption prior to sexual contact to enhance pleasure or delay climax. Cigarette smoking was the most common type of addiction. Statistically significant association was found between habitual addiction/drug use (P = 0.0023), use of ecstasy/aphrodisiac drugs (P = 0.00654) and, inconsistent and/or incorrect condom use among the participants. However, planned addiction/drug use only before sexual contact did not show a significant association (P = 0.066). Conclusion: Habitual addiction/drug use among homosexual males increases the likelihood of engaging in inconsistent and/or incorrect condom use, thereby elevating the risk of acquiring STIs and HIV. To mitigate this risk, interventions targeting addiction/drug use prevention should be initiated during adolescence to address this issue at an earlier stage of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxytocin supports reproduction by promoting sexual- and nursing behavior. Moreover, it stimulates reproductive organs by different avenues. Oxytocin is released to the blood from terminals of oxytocinergic neurons which project from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. Concomitantly, the dendrites of these neurons discharge oxytocin into neighboring areas of the hypothalamus. At this location it affects other neuroendocrine systems by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Moreover, sensory processing, affective functions, and reward circuits are influenced by oxytocinergic neurons that reach different sites in the brain. In addition to its facilitating impact on various aspects of reproduction, oxytocin is revealed to possess significant anti-inflammatory, restoring, and tranquilizing properties. This has been demonstrated both in many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The oxytocin system may therefore have the capacity to alleviate detrimental physiological- and mental stress reactions. Thus, high levels of endogenous oxytocin may counteract inadequate inflammation and malfunctioning of neurons and supportive cells in the brain. A persistent low-grade inflammation increasing with age--referred to as inflammaging--may lead to a cognitive decline but may also predispose to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson. Interestingly, animal studies indicate that age-related destructive processes in the body can be postponed by techniques that preserve immune- and stem cell functions in the hypothalamus. It is argued in this article that sexual activity--by its stimulating impact on the oxytocinergic activity in many regions of the brain--has the capacity to delay the onset of age-related cerebral decay. This may also postpone frailty and age-associated diseases in the body. Finally, oxytocin possesses neuroplastic properties that may be applied to expand sexual reward. The release of oxytocin may therefore be further potentiated by learning processes that involves oxytocin itself. It may therefore be profitable to raise the consciousness about the potential health benefits of sexual activity particularly among the seniors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nightlife environments are high risk settings for sexual violence and bystander intervention programmes are being developed in response. However, more research is needed to understand nightlife-related sexual violence, and factors that influence bystander interventions. This study examined nightlife patron's experiences of sexual violence and associated factors; and relationships between attitudes towards, awareness and experience of sexual violence, and confidence to intervene. Methods: Cross-sectional on-street survey of nightlife patrons (N = 307, aged 18+) on a night out in an English city. Surveys (7.30pm-1.30am; Wednesday-Saturday) established sexual violence awareness, myth acceptance, and experience, and confidence to intervene. Participant's socio-demographics, nightlife alcohol consumption, and frequency of nightlife usage were collected. Results: 58.0% had ever experienced sexual violence whilst on a night out. In adjusted analyses, sexual violence was higher amongst females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.0; p < 0.001), and regular nightlife patrons (AOR 2.1; p < 0.05). The majority agreed that they would feel confident asking someone who has experienced sexual violence if they are okay/would like support (92.2%). In adjusted analyses, confidence to intervene was higher amongst those who agreed that sexual violence was an issue in nightlife (AOR 3.6; p < 0.05), however it reduced as sexual violence myth acceptance increased (AOR 0.5; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Sexual violence is a pertinent issue in nightlife. Programmes aiming to address nightlife-related sexual violence must address the wider social norms that promote sexual violence, and ensure patrons understand the extent and significance of the issue, to increase confidence to positively intervene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual intercourse is a sexual activity that does not only include one person but also involves other parties as partners. Sexual relations have certain rules so as not to harm either the wife or the husband. Problem formulation of how is the sexual relationship between husband and wife in the perspective of normative, sociology, and psychology? The purpose of this research is to find out the sexual relations of husband and wife from a normative, sociological, and psychological perspective, and how the rights and obligations of sexual relations between men and women in marriage are equal. This research uses library research or qualitative methods. The approach used is a normative, sociological, and psychological approach. The results of this study are that Islam regulates sexual relations between husband and wife. In surah al-Baqarah (2): 223 it is stated that the wife is a rice field cultivated by her husband. The husband is given freedom regarding how and when to have sexual relations with his wife. Sexual relations are a form of human activity that is naturally ingrained from birth. By nature, everything is created in pairs. From a sociological perspective, husband and wife in sex life become biological partners in household life. Humans cannot deny reproductive activity as one of their biological needs. In this case, Allah swt. has bestowed pleasure so that humans (husband and wife) have fun doing it so that they can continue it and maintain generations of people on this earth. Meanwhile from a psychological perspective every couple, especially the husband, tries to make his partner happy in sexual intercourse, especially in achieving the wife's sexual satisfaction. One thing that can be done to achieve wife's sexual satisfaction is to establish open and deep communication between husband and wife. So, the harmonious relationship between husband and wife can affect the health of the couple's sexual behavior and conversely, the health of the husband and wife's sexual behavior can affect the harmony of their relationship. Sexual fulfillment, as a form of spiritual livelihood, rights for a husband and wife can create a feeling of happiness in order to realize the goals of marriage, namely sakinah, mawaddah, warahmah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: many young people globally grapple with early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially in regions like Africa and particularly Niger due to high poverty rates. Various sexual and reproductive health (SRH) projects aim to address these challenges. This study evaluated the JADES 2 project's implementation of SRH services provided focusing on the quality of these services in Niger in 2021. Methods: a cross-sectional evaluative study was conducted based on Donabedian and Bruce's theory from March 10 to August 15, 2021, in Niger. The evaluation was carried out through the analysis of supervision data, administration of questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews in 9 Integrated Health Centers and Youth-Friendly Centers. Across these sites, 203 adolescents and young people, as well as 9 healthcare workers involved in providing SRH services, were interviewed. The composite indicator in the field developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000 was used. Results: the quality score estimated for the project was 67% indicating that the services provided was of good quality. The majority (56%) of surveyed people were very satisfied with the services received, and 65% were aware of at least two methods of preventing Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and three methods of preventing early pregnancies. Conclusion: the SRH services implemented are of acceptable quality. The study identified gaps in the process of service provision, particularly regarding confidentiality and the availability of inputs and medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following is my reaction to Abraham Maslow's article, "Toward a Humanistic Biology." This reflection follows my initial excitement about the opportunity to learn more about Maslow, who is a central figure in humanistic psychology. The article then illustrates the dissonance and disillusion I experienced after reading a passage discrepant with Maslow's wisdom and values while using a social justice lens to reconcile my concerns. The commentary concludes with a community-oriented solution as a call to update and transcend the limitations of Maslow's contributions to reflect modern humanistic values and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BackgroundA growing number of advanced neuroimaging studies have compared brain structure and function in long term meditators to non-meditators. The goal is to determine if there may be long term effects on the brain from practicing meditation. In this paper, we present new data on the long term effects of a novel meditation practice in which the focus is on clitoral stimulation. The findings from such a study have implications for potential therapeutic uses with regard to various neurological or psychiatric conditions.MethodsWe evaluated the cerebral glucose metabolism in 40 subjects with an extended history (>1 year of practice, 2–3 times per week) performing the meditation practice called Orgasmic Meditation (OM) and compared their brains to a group of non-meditating healthy controls (N = 19). Both meditation and non-meditation subjects underwent brain PET after injection with 148 to 296 MBq of FDG using a standard imaging protocol. Resting FDG PET scans of the OM group were compared to the resting scans of healthy, non-meditating, controls using statistical parametric mapping.ResultsThe OM group showed significant differences in metabolic activity at rest compared to the controls. Specifically, there was significantly lower metabolism in select areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the anterior cingulate, insula, and thalamus, in the OM group compared to the controls. In addition, there were notable distinctions between the males and females with the females demonstrating significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus and insula.ConclusionsOverall, these findings suggest that the long term meditation practitioners of OM have different patterns of resting brain metabolism. Since these areas of the brain in which OM practitioners differ from controls are involved in cognition, attention, and emotional regulation, such findings have implications for understanding how this meditation practice might affect practitioners over long periods of time.

Global warming-induced environmental changes have resulted in salinity fluctuations that markedly impact aquatic organisms. Consequently, the salinization of freshwater has become a major concern. Among these organisms, planarians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, especially Dugesia bursagrossa, the first freshwater planarian species identified in Saudi Arabia, which reproduces both sexually and asexually through fission. This study examined the reproductive response of sexual and asexual D. bursagrossa specimens to salinity changes. Asexual reproduction rates were found to increase with elevated salinity, whereas sexual reproduction was sensitive to high salinity, evidenced by the absence of cocoons in treated groups. This phenomenon was further explored by investigating the microtubular cytoskeleton’s organization in the sexual form’s ovary using immunolabeled α-tubulin and confocal microscopy. Results revealed a significant decline in the tubulin cytoskeleton with rising salinity levels, supporting the notion that increased salinity restricts sexual reproduction. Given that heightened salinity induces stress, the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and various antioxidant indicators, including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were evaluated. Elevated salinity led to a notable increase in MDA levels as well as reduced GSH, SOD, and CAT levels in both sexual and asexual specimens, with sexual organisms exhibiting more pronounced effects. In conclusion, salinity directly impacts the homeostasis and reproduction of D. bursagrossa, with sexual specimens facing greater challenges than their asexual counterparts.

The study aimed to explore information about factors and social realities that influence pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) seeking and accessing behavior in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province. This basic research uses a type of ethnographic research, data from the views of the community (emic views), namely health workers, program managers, PrEP service recipients, key groups, related community groups, and communities. Results show that people with high HIV potential are generally unwilling or embarrassed to disclose and often fill out paperwork dishonestly, due to cultural realities. Customs, habits, and practices among potential PrEP clients, known as user culture, make it difficult for interventions to select appropriate and accurate health services, thus affecting future transmission maps. In conclusion, potential users are still secretive, and their sexual activities and places of use of PrEP services do not want to be known by others. The social and cultural reality demonstrated by PrEP users at the Andalas Puskesmas is that some persons tend to avoid the Andalas Puskesmas working area, claiming that they are embarrassed to be seen by residents.

BACKGROUND: Sexual changes in breast cancer occur after diagnosis and treatment, including a mastectomy. Sexual assertiveness is an effective factor in sexual satisfaction, which means the ability to convey sexual feelings, beliefs, and thoughts. Given the limited studies on sexual assertiveness in breast cancer and different client participation, this study was conducted to compare the effect of sexual counseling based on two models of PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, Intensive Therapy) and BETTER (Bring Up, Explain, Tell, Time, Education, Record) on sexual assertiveness in women after mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental intervention was conducted in 2021 in Mashhad, Iran. Seventy-eight mastectomized women with breast cancer were assigned to the BETTER (n = 39) and PLISSIT (n = 39) groups using permuted block randomization with a block size of 4 and an allocation ratio of 1:1. Both groups received four individual counseling sessions, one week apart. The research tools included a demographic information form and the Hulbert index of sexual assertiveness. Changes in the mean scores of sexual assertiveness between the two groups were evaluated before and four weeks after the intervention, and the mean changes were compared between the groups. Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square tests using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The results of the study showed that before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the score of sexual assertiveness in both groups (P = 0.253). The mean score of sexual assertiveness changes before and after the intervention in the BETTER group (8.07 ± 4.9) was significantly higher than in the PLISSIT group (5.58 ± 4.7) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that BETTER sexual counseling was more effective in increasing the sexual assertiveness of mastectomized women than PLISSIT counseling. Due to its simplicity and client-centeredness, this model can be used in breast cancer care programs.

The relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sexual offending (SO) is an overlooked issue, both in clinical practice and in research. Based on a pre-specified protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42024501598), we systematically searched Pubmed and Scopus, between January 1st, 1994 and January 12th, 2024, for articles related to SO in ASD. Study quality was assessed with study design-specific tools (Study Quality Assessment Tools, NHLBI, NIH). We found 19 relevant publications (five cross-sectional studies, two case-control studies, and 12 case reports). Seven of the studies were deemed of "good" quality, the rest as "fair". Included studies addressed three key aspects: 1) psychopathological characteristics of individuals with ASD that increase the risk of committing SO; 2) intervention strategies for individuals with ASD and SO; 3) involvement of individuals with ASD and SO in the justice system. Overall, while there is an increasing interest in this topic, more rigorous study designs, including randomised controlled trials, are needed to inform clinical practice and healthcare and social policies. • Individuals with ASD are not at higher risk of committing crimes. • When individuals with ASD offend, they are at higher risk of committing SO. • ASD is still overlooked in legal settings. • Legal decisions and therapeutic approaches must be tailored to the individual case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug users are a high-risk group for HIV infection and are prominent HIV carriers. Given the emergence of new drugs, we explored current drug-using behaviors, HIV infections, and the correlation between drug-using behaviors and HIV infection risk among drug users from 2014 to 2021., Objective: We aimed to identify the prevalence of HIV infection risk among drug users and explore drug use behaviors based on the updated data, which could provide evidence for the precision of HIV prevention strategies among drug users., Methods: Data were collected from sentinel surveillance of drug users in rehabilitation centers and communities in Hangzhou (2014-2021), including sociodemographic characteristics, HIV awareness, drug use, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV infection status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the factors influencing HIV infection and risky sexual behaviors among drug users., Results: In total, 5623 drug users (male: n=4734, 84.19%; age: mean 38.38, SD 9.94 years) were included. New drugs dominated among the participants (n=3674, 65.34%). The main mode of drug use was noninjection (n=4756, 84.58%). Overall, for 27.45% (n=1544) of injected drugs in the last month before the investigation, the average daily injection frequency was 3.10 (SD 8.24). Meanwhile, 3.43% of participants shared needles. The incidence of sexual behaviors after drug use was 33.13% (n=1863), with 35.75% (n=666) of them using a condom in the last time. Overall, 116 participants tested positive for HIV antibodies (infection rate=2.06%). New drug users exhibited more postuse sexual behaviors than traditional drug users (odds ratio [OR] 7.771, 95% CI 6.126-9.856; P<.001). HIV-aware drug users were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors (OR 1.624, 95% CI 1.152-2.291; P=.006). New-type drug users were more likely to engage in unprotected sexual behavior (OR 1.457, 95% CI 1.055-2.011; P=.02). Paradoxically, drug users with greater HIV awareness were more prone to engaging in unprotected sexual behavior (OR 5.820, 95% CI 4.650-7.284; P<.001). Women engaged less in unprotected sex than men (OR 0.356, 95% CI 0.190-0.665; P=.001). HIV rates were higher among injecting drug users (OR 2.692, 95% CI 0.995-7.287; P=.04) and lower among drug users who used condoms during recent sex than those who did not (OR 0.202, 95% CI 0.076-0.537; P=.001). Higher education levels were associated with higher HIV infection rates. However, there was no significant correlation between HIV cognition level and HIV infection., Conclusions: New drug types and noninjection were the main patterns in last 7 years. Using new types of drugs, rather than traditional drugs, was associated with an increased risk of HIV infection. Injection drug use was a risk factor for HIV infection. HIV awareness among drug users was high, but the incidence of risky sexual behaviors remained high. Therefore, it is important to promote the behavioral transformation of high-risk populations from cognition to attitude, and then to taking protective measures., (© Jiaqi Lv, Yangfan Jia, Chunhui Yan, Xingliang Zhang, Ke Xu, Junfang Xu. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org).)

HLA-I/KIR genotypes influence HIV-1 disease progression and viral load, but their role in primary infection is uncertain. Inconsistent results from previous studies suggest that the inoculum size and transmission route-parenteral vs. sexual-may influence this association. We conducted a GWAS in a population of people living with HIV-1 and HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals exposed to the virus through the sexual route. Our data do not support any role of the HLA/KIR system in susceptibility to sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection. The genetics basis of HIV-1 viral load and disease progression are distinct from the genetics of HIV resistance, a paradox worth exploring., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Extensive cross-sectional research reports that body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction contribute to negative psychological outcomes among sexual minority men; however, longitudinal models are necessary for accurately quantifying the strength and direction of these relationships. We investigated the bidirectional longitudinal relationships of body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction with psychological quality of life among 2953 sexual minority men using random intercept cross-lagged panel models. Consistent with existing literature, we found that higher average muscularity and body fat dissatisfaction were associated with higher average psychological quality of life impairment between-persons. Unexpectedly, these constructs were not significantly associated within-persons/longitudinally. These findings conflict existing literature's conclusions that muscularity and body fat dissatisfaction consistently contribute to poorer psychological wellbeing in this population. A significant between-person relationship in the absence of within-person relationships suggests that intermediary constructs (e.g., body ideal internalization) may account for the between-person effects of muscularity and body fat dissatisfaction on psychological wellbeing. Future research can accurately estimate these effects and identify reliable intervention targets by ensuring that within- and between-person relationships are examined separately, rather than being conflated., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The atractid nematode Cyrtosomum penneri is an autoinfective parasite of several lizard species. Intraspecific transmission between hosts appears to occur exclusively through sexual copulation, yet it is unclear how worms are transferred between different host species. Our research aims to test the possibility of oral transmission of C. penneri using experimental infections. The lizards Anolis sagrei, Leiocephalus carinatus, Hemidactylus mabouia, and Agama picticauda were experimentally exposed to C. penneri in 1 of these groups: (1) oral infection using a feces and saline slurry to approximate host coprophagy, (2) oral infection with a large meal to approximate host predation, and (3) venereal infection using a pipette to confirm sexual transmission. Experimental infections to test venereal transmission were successful in A. sagrei, A. picticauda, and H. mabouia, but were unable to establish infections in L. carinatus. In the predation exposures, A. picticauda, A. sagrei, and H. mabouia hosted infections, whereas L. carinatus were uninfected. Finally, coprophagy experimental infections did not result in infections for any species of host. Our study corroborates venereal transmission of C. penneri in multiple species of lizards and establishes predation as an alternative route of infection. Predation as an oral route of transmission may provide C. penneri an opportunity for interspecific transmission that would otherwise be unlikely during host copulation., (© American Society of Parasitologists 2024.)

Background: Sexual transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) has become the major HIV transmission route. However, limited research has been conducted to investigate the association between transactional sex (TS) and HIV incidence in China., Objective: This study aims to investigate HIV incidence and distinguish sociodemographic and sexual behavioral risk factors associated with HIV incidence among MSM who engage in TS (MSM-TS) in China., Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using a WeChat-based platform to evaluate HIV incidence among Chinese MSM, including MSM-TS in Ningbo, recruited from July 2019 until June 2022. At each visit, participants completed a questionnaire and scheduled an appointment for HIV counseling and testing on the WeChat-based platform before undergoing offline HIV tests. HIV incidence density was calculated as the number of HIV seroconversions divided by person-years (PYs) of follow-up, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to identify factors associated with HIV incidence., Results: A total of 932 participants contributed 630.9 PYs of follow-up, and 25 HIV seroconversions were observed during the study period, resulting in an estimated HIV incidence of 4.0 (95% CI 2.7-5.8) per 100 PYs. The HIV incidence among MSM-TS was 18.4 (95% CI 8.7-34.7) per 100 PYs, which was significantly higher than the incidence of 3.2 (95% CI 2.1-5.0) per 100 PYs among MSM who do not engage in TS. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, factors associated with HIV acquisition were MSM-TS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.93, 95% CI 1.29-11.93), having unprotected sex with men (aHR 10.35, 95% CI 2.25-47.69), and having multiple male sex partners (aHR 3.43, 95% CI 1.22-9.64) in the past 6 months., Conclusions: This study found a high incidence of HIV among MSM-TS in Ningbo, China. The risk factors associated with HIV incidence include TS, having unprotected sex with men, and having multiple male sex partners. These findings emphasize the need for developing targeted interventions and providing comprehensive medical care, HIV testing, and preexposure prophylaxis for MSM, particularly those who engage in TS., (©Hang Hong, Xiaojun Shi, Yuhui Liu, Wei Feng, Ting Fang, Chunlan Tang, Guozhang Xu. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org).)

The ability to exercise autonomy in achieving reproductive health goals necessitates access to contraceptive and reproductive health information and medical care. Finding trusted, comprehensive, consistent and affordable reproductive care is particularly challenging for immigrants living in the United States, especially for those without legal immigration status and for those who prefer a language other than English. In immigrant communities, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, contraceptive choice, and family planning are influenced by many factors including tension between traditional and adopted cultural norms, limited English proficiency, restricted health care access, and structural racism. The family-centered model and longitudinal nature of relationships in pediatric primary care pose a unique opportunity to support immigrant families across the lifespan in obtaining SRH information and achieving reproductive health goals. Here, we present the unique vulnerabilities faced by immigrants seeking SRH services in the United States including both the upstream and downstream health effects of immigration status on family health. We then describe four time points across the lifespan where pediatricians can support SRH, including examples of existing SRH programming designed or adapted for immigrant families. Finally, we discuss opportunities to advance research, policy, education, and clinical care related to SRH equity for immigrant families., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None. This article was published as part of a supplement sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation., (Copyright © 2024 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Global warming-induced environmental changes have resulted in salinity fluctuations that markedly impact aquatic organisms. Consequently, the salinization of freshwater has become a major concern. Among these organisms, planarians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, especially Dugesia bursagrossa , the first freshwater planarian species identified in Saudi Arabia, which reproduces both sexually and asexually through fission. This study examined the reproductive response of sexual and asexual D. bursagrossa specimens to salinity changes. Asexual reproduction rates were found to increase with elevated salinity, whereas sexual reproduction was sensitive to high salinity, evidenced by the absence of cocoons in treated groups. This phenomenon was further explored by investigating the microtubular cytoskeleton's organization in the sexual form's ovary using immunolabeled α-tubulin and confocal microscopy. Results revealed a significant decline in the tubulin cytoskeleton with rising salinity levels, supporting the notion that increased salinity restricts sexual reproduction. Given that heightened salinity induces stress, the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and various antioxidant indicators, including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were evaluated. Elevated salinity led to a notable increase in MDA levels as well as reduced GSH, SOD, and CAT levels in both sexual and asexual specimens, with sexual organisms exhibiting more pronounced effects. In conclusion, salinity directly impacts the homeostasis and reproduction of D. bursagrossa , with sexual specimens facing greater challenges than their asexual counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young Latinas and Black women drink less than women of other racial/ethnic groups but experience more alcohol-related problems in midlife. This study aims to identify modifiable factors to prevent adult onset of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in this population.Data were collected at six time points as part of the Harlem Longitudinal Development Study from 365 Latinas (47%) and Black (53%) women (mean age at time 1 = 14, standard deviation 1.3). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized pathways from childhood physical and sexual abuse to AUD via depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints in the 20s. We also tested the moderation effect of the high school academic environment by including in the structural equation model two latent variable interaction terms between the school environment and each of the abuse variables.Childhood physical and sexual abuse was positively associated with depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints when participants were in the 20s. Depressive mood mediated childhood abuse and AUD when women were in the 30s. The high school academic environment attenuated the effect of physical, but not sexual abuse, on depressive mood (β = −0.59, B = −9.38, 95% CI [−14.00, −4.76]), anxiety symptoms (β = −0.61, B = −14.19, 95% CI [−21.76, −6.61]), appetite loss (β = −0.41, B = −10.52, 95% CI [−15.61, −5.42]), and sleeplessness (β = −0.50, B = −9.56, 95% CI [−13.95, −5.17]) in the early 20s.Our findings underscore the need to invest in early violence prevention interventions and in education to ensure equitable access to quality, academically oriented, and safe schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study presents one of the first agent-based models to evaluate dispersal potential of seagrass vegetative fragments. • Vegetative fragments could be an effective mode of dispersal for pioneer species Halophila ovalis. • Vegetative fragments from Halophila ovalis had similar establishment patterns to seeds from Thalassia hemprichii and established at greater distances on average. • Most meadows around Singapore are well connected locally and regionally, regardless of the mode of dispersal. Understanding how populations in the marine environment exchange genetic material is vital for the implementation of suitable conservation measures. However, dispersal can be challenging to empirically assess as it can occur over huge distances. Increasingly, agent-based models (ABMs) are being used to predict the dispersal pathways of populations of many taxa, including seagrasses. Most seagrass ABMs have been based on sexual propagules (i.e. fruits, seeds, spathes), and overlook the potential role of asexual vegetative fragments in long-distance dispersal. In this study, we developed two contrasting ABMs, one for vegetative fragments and another for fruits and seeds using Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii respectively as model species, to evaluate (i) the dispersal potential of these two dispersal strategies, and (ii) the local and regional seagrass connectivity around Singapore. Our models demonstrate that vegetative fragments could be an effective mode of dispersal for H. ovalis , having similar establishment patterns to T. hemprichii fruits/seeds and establishing at greater distances on average. The models also show that most meadows are well connected locally and regionally, regardless of the mode of dispersal. The ABMs identified possible source and sink meadows that should be conserved to provide a repository of genetic material, as well as a supply of propagules for recruitment. We highlight the need to include vegetative fragments alongside sexual propagules when evaluating seagrass connectivity in future modeling efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual changes in breast cancer occur after diagnosis and treatment, including a mastectomy. Sexual assertiveness is an effective factor in sexual satisfaction, which means the ability to convey sexual feelings, beliefs, and thoughts. Given the limited studies on sexual assertiveness in breast cancer and different client participation, this study was conducted to compare the effect of sexual counseling based on two models of PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, Intensive Therapy) and BETTER (Bring Up, Explain, Tell, Time, Education, Record) on sexual assertiveness in women after mastectomy., Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention was conducted in 2021 in Mashhad, Iran. Seventy-eight mastectomized women with breast cancer were assigned to the BETTER ( n = 39) and PLISSIT ( n = 39) groups using permuted block randomization with a block size of 4 and an allocation ratio of 1:1. Both groups received four individual counseling sessions, one week apart. The research tools included a demographic information form and the Hulbert index of sexual assertiveness. Changes in the mean scores of sexual assertiveness between the two groups were evaluated before and four weeks after the intervention, and the mean changes were compared between the groups. Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t -test, paired t -test, and Chi-square tests using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 ( P < 0.05)., Results: The results of the study showed that before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the score of sexual assertiveness in both groups ( P = 0.253). The mean score of sexual assertiveness changes before and after the intervention in the BETTER group (8.07 ± 4.9) was significantly higher than in the PLISSIT group (5.58 ± 4.7) ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The results indicated that BETTER sexual counseling was more effective in increasing the sexual assertiveness of mastectomized women than PLISSIT counseling. Due to its simplicity and client-centeredness, this model can be used in breast cancer care programs., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Background: Despite the legal acceptance of homosexuality in India, it remains a social taboo, resulting in various challenges being faced by homosexual males. These challenges mainly include issues such as addiction/drug use and inconsistent and/ or incorrect condom usage which increase the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among them. This study was thus conducted with the objective of studying the patterns of addiction/drug use and condom usage among homosexual males., Methods: The study was conducted at outreach sites of a non-governmental organization (NGO). A total of 240 participants, consisting of homosexual and bisexual males aged 18-24 years who were residing in the metropolitan city of Mumbai for at least 1 year, were enrolled. Data about addiction/drug use and patterns of condom usage was collected, compiled, entered into Microsoft Excel, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS., Findings: Out of the total participants, 171 (71.2%) reported engaging in addiction/drug use, Among those participants, 105 (61.4%) engaged in alcohol consumption prior to sexual contact to enhance pleasure or delay climax. Cigarette smoking was the most common type of addiction. Statistically significant association was found between habitual addiction/drug use ( P =0.0023), use of ecstasy/aphrodisiac drugs ( P =0.00654) and, inconsistent and/or incorrect condom use among the participants. However, planned addiction/drug use only before sexual contact did not show a significant association ( P =0.066)., Conclusion: Habitual addiction/drug use among homosexual males increases the likelihood of engaging in inconsistent and/ or incorrect condom use, thereby elevating the risk of acquiring STIs and HIV. To mitigate this risk, interventions targeting addiction/ drug use prevention should be initiated during adolescence to address this issue at an earlier stage of life., (© 2024 Kerman University of Medical Sciences.)

This meta-analysis aims to investigate demographic disparities in monkeypox (mpox) infections among various groups based on ethnicity, sexual partners, and gender. The study includes data from 2,646 to 4,002 patients across various outcomes. Among racial demographics, black populations show a lower odds ratio for mpox compared to white populations (OR=0.08 [0.01, 0.45], 95% CI, p=0.004). However, no statistically significant difference is found when comparing black populations with Hispanic or Asian populations (OR=0.72 [0.46, 1.11], p=0.13). There was a substantial disparity between gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM) and heterosexual populations, with significantly higher odds of mpox among the former (OR=393.80, 95% CI: [82.45, 180.85], p<0.00001). Analysis of sexual partners indicates a significant difference in infection risk between individuals with zero to one sexual partner and those with more than two partners (OR=0.06 [0.01, 0.28], p=0.0005). Additionally, there is a substantial difference in infection risk between male and female populations (OR=3868.02, p<0.00001). These findings emphasize the importance of considering demographic factors in understanding mpox transmission and risk profiles. Targeted research and intervention strategies are required to address the identified disparities and mitigate the spread of mpox.