Search Results (527)

With emerging improvement in screening and treatment, most patients with prostate cancer (PCa) live for a long period beyond their diagnosis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and bowel and urinary incontinence have been shown to be the most bothersome side-effects of most PCa treatment options for patients. With increasing long-term survival, most PCa patients face the prospect of experiencing symptoms, side-effects of available treatment options, and diminished quality of life. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of treatment-induced ED on masculinity among Black South African PCa patients. Twenty (20) prostate cancer patients, selected through purposive sampling and receiving some form of treatment at Pietersburg tertiary Hospital, with ages ranging from 67 to 85 years (mean age = 76 years; SD = 5.3), participated in the study. In-depth, individual semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings indicate that ED threatens or adversely impacts the participants’ perceptions of their sense of masculinity leading to diminished quality of life. The results demonstrate that loss of masculinity brought about by PCa treatment-induced ED is experienced both physically as well as psychologically. The results highlight a need for collaboration between medical and psychological professionals in the management of PCa patients. This is crucial for improving the overall health related quality of life for patients. Full article

How do Kashmiri women, seeking justice for the enforced disappearance and detention of their male relatives, navigate and negotiate with the gendered borders of ‘spaces of legality’? Drawing on ethnographic research and interviews with key stakeholders, this article uses spaces of legality, exemplified by courts, police stations, and judicial bodies, as its primary analytical sites to examine the multiple ways Kashmiri women traverse from ‘home’ into a masculine, public space. The theoretical framework argues that pre-existing patriarchal norms, in collusion with militarization and conflict-induced hypermasculinity, engender an intangible gendered border for women in Kashmir. In navigating this border, they engage in what we term ‘emotional mobility’, an infra-political agentic movement that results in renegotiating their roles, both at home and outside. Full article

Peter S. Beagle’s decision to feminize the formerly masculine figure of the unicorn in his influential 1968 fantasy novel The Last Unicorn represents a key moment in the evolution of this now ubiquitous image, one embraced today as a symbol of pride by LGBTQ+ communities. The novel and its 1982 animated film adaptation have themselves remained popular among queer and especially trans audiences, who have often found the narrative resonant with their own experiences. This essay provides a preliminary overview of the queer history of the unicorn symbol and continues into a trans reading of the novel, arguing that these responses to Beagle’s work by contemporary readers reflect dimensions of the narrative congruent with concerns about gender performance and misrecognition; gender dysphoria; and queer temporalities. The nature of the fantasy form itself, we maintain throughout, can also particularly enable reparative readings by queer and trans audiences. Full article

Background/Objectives: Assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals who identify as transgender or gender-diverse (TGD) with concurrent breast cancer or high-risk genetic mutations represent a unique population, requiring consideration of oncologic and aesthetic goals. These patients sought chest masculinization with oncologic gender-affirming mastectomy (OGAM) or non-binary reconstruction to alleviate gender dysphoria and treat their breast cancer. There is limited literature on surgical techniques in this patient population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of AFAB TGD adults (>18 years of age) who underwent OGAM or non-binary reconstruction at the University of Washington between 2019 and 2023 was conducted. All patients had a consultation with a plastic surgeon for reconstruction and a minimum of one year follow-up. Demographic data, oncologic status, post-operative complications, and revision surgical history were collected. Results: Eight AFAB TGD individuals met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of mastectomy was 35.13 years (SD = 8.04), and the mean BMI was 29.88 (SD = 6.40). Indications for mastectomy included a breast cancer diagnosis (N = 4) or a strong family history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition (N = 4). Two (25%) patients underwent nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSM), two patients (25%) underwent skin-sparing mastectomy with Goldilocks reconstruction, and four patients (50%) underwent simple mastectomy (oncologic gender-affirming mastectomy), flat closure with free nipple graft (FNG). Two patients had staged nipple mastectomy with secondary nipple reduction and fat grafting. Six patients had immediate reconstruction, four (50%) patients underwent immediate double-incision OGAM with FNG, and two (25%) patients underwent Goldilocks procedures—one with and one without FNG. One patient (12.5%) experienced a surgical site infection, and three patients (37.5%) underwent revision surgery. No patients had positive margins following their mastectomy. Conclusions: This case series highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary and highly personalized approach for AFAB and TGD individuals undergoing oncologic gender-affirming mastectomy or non-binary reconstruction. We reviewed reconstructive options performed at our institution, demonstrating safe oncologic and reconstructive techniques that emphasized collaboration between breast and plastic surgeons. Full article

This essay reads Grant Allen’s “Pallinghurst Barrow” as folk horror about the late-Victorian spiritualist debates. We read Allen’s story as not only sympathetic to spiritualism, but also as critical of the gendered and genred politics of fin-de-siècle scientific materialism which would preclude such occult experiences—or what we frame as feminine ways of knowing. In both form and content, “Pallinghurst Barrow” challenges masculine science by foregrounding the powerful influence (on Rudolph, the protagonist) of the Gothic ghost story (“gipsy” Rachel’s cautionary tale, repeated by young Joyce). Allen’s interest in the folkloric origins of religion can be traced back to Herbert Spencer’s “Ghost Theory,” a proto-sociological explanation for the cultural construction and transmission of myth (or spirits). A lifelong friend and devotee of Spencer, Allen employs his mentor’s sociology as a way to make sense of non-material forces, including the ghost story circle and its production of Gothic awe or wonder (the wonder tale). Ultimately, then, Allen’s infamous folk horror reads as an allegory of late-Victorian spiritualist debates and, more importantly, as a defence of feminine modes of knowledge and myth-making through collective story-telling. Full article

Introduction: Women and LGBTQ+ undergraduates face higher rates of sexual assault and rape compared to cisgender male peers—the overwhelming majority of perpetrators. Federal policies have aimed to curb campus sexual violence, yet questions remain about the efficacy of consent education, particularly among cisgender heterosexual men. Methods: This study surveyed 1567 undergraduate students at a large Northeastern public university in 2017 and 2022. Responses to a nine-item consent scale were analyzed by gender, sexuality, and demographic factors. Results: Cisgender heterosexual (cis-het) men had poorer understanding of consent compared to women and LGBTQ+ students, both in 2017 and 2022. Cis-het men’s consent scores showed no improvement, and for some items worsened from 2017 to 2022, while other groups showed significant improvements in recognizing the nuances of consent. Conclusions: Findings suggest that, despite increased focus on sexual assault prevention and social awareness campaigns like #MeToo, cisgender heterosexual men’s understanding of consent has not improved, highlighting the persistent challenge in shifting deeply ingrained beliefs about consent. Educational efforts should address these beliefs more directly, focusing on transforming societal norms around masculinity and sexual entitlement. Policy Implications: These results underscore the need for more comprehensive, gender-transformative education on consent. Current programs primarily focus on victims rather than perpetrators, which fails to address the root causes of sexual violence. To reduce sexual assault, consent education, delivered K-12 and in higher education, must consistently challenge harmful gender norms and promote equitable relationships. More targeted strategies are necessary to engage cisgender heterosexual men in these discussions. Full article

This paper examines Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1883 story The Captain of the ‘Pole-Star’ in light of his later intersecting interests in spiritualism and masculinity. Conan Doyle uses the Arctic as a space where scientific and spiritual ways of viewing the world struggle to co-exist, comparing ship doctor Ray’s official journal with the ‘superstition’ of the crew, examining the role of spiritual belief in an increasingly scientific age. The paper examines how the story focuses these themes through the lens of masculinity. By reading Ray and Craigie as embodiments of possible British futures—that of scientific rationality and Romantic spirituality, Ray’s rationality is ultimately confounded and unsettled by the spectral events of the story, leaving him haunted by the events on board the ship, unable to resolve them or prevent Craigie’s death. Meanwhile, Craigie’s Romanticism leads him to embrace the spectral, but at the cost of his own life. As a result, Conan Doyle depicts both definitive worldviews as ultimately cold and desolate, neither wholly sustaining on their own terms. The ghost, as a result, becomes key to determining what sort of man ought to usher in the future—whether we recognize it as having a rational explanation or a sublime supernatural one. Full article

Marbled flounder (Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae) exhibits a distinct female growth advantage and an XX/XY sex determination system. To exploit these traits, we investigated 17α-methyltestosterone (MT)-induced transcriptomic changes in gonadal tissue with the goal of generating pseudomale XX broodstock for all-female fry production. Full-sibling diploid juveniles (60 days post-hatching, dph) were fed diets containing 0 (control), 0.5, or 2 mg/kg MT for 120 days, followed by a 60-day recovery period on a commercial diet prior to sampling. Testicular transcriptomes were profiled via high-throughput sequencing, and key differentially expressed genes were validated using qPCR. Both MT treatments resulted in 100% masculinization. Testicular transcriptome analysis revealed 972 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (180 up, 792 down) in the 0.5 mg/kg MT-treated males (MT05M) compared to the control males, and 1245 DEGs (842 up, 403 down) in the 2 mg/kg MT group (MT20M). Gene Ontology terms were enriched for extracellular space and signaling receptor regulator activity. KEGG pathway analysis indicated significant enrichment in neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, ovarian steroidogenesis, and TGF-β signaling. qPCR confirmed significant downregulation (p < 0.05) of sox17, bmp4, and smad6, while dmrt1 was downregulated only in the MT20M group. These findings demonstrate that MT effectively masculinizes P. yokohamae by modulating key sex-related genes and signaling pathways, providing a transcriptomic foundation and potential mechanistic insights for optimizing pseudomale induction to enable all-female aquaculture production. Full article

Background: Hypospadias development is influenced by prenatal androgen levels, with genetic factors typically playing a significant role. Through whole-exome sequencing, we found that rare damaging variants in DNAH8 (dynein axonemal heavy chain 8) were significantly enriched in hypospadias cases. However, the role of DNAH8 deficiency in hypospadias pathogenesis remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the function of DNAH8 in urethral development and fusion. Materials and Methods: Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated DNAH8 knockout mice and employed a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluate urogenital development, male differentiation, testosterone levels, steroid biosynthesis gene expression, and cellular changes in fetal testes and external genitalia. Results:DNAH8 knockout mice presented abnormal masculinization phenotype, and fetal mice exhibited urethral fusion defects and hypoplastic glans during early urethral development. DNAH8 knockout was found to reduce prenatal testosterone levels and steroid biosynthesis in the testes. Based on single-cell sequencing and multicolor immunofluorescence, we demonstrated that in the early stage of fetal testis development, the loss of DNAH8 function affected the differentiation of Sertoli and steroidogenic cell lineages, thereby impairing testosterone synthesis ability during the masculinization programming window. Meanwhile, we identified two key distal glans cell populations that cause abnormal urethral fusion and hypoplastic glans. Furthermore, DNAH8 knockout could synergistically interact with low-dose endocrine-disrupting chemicals, increasing the incidence of urethral fusion defects at E16.5, and led to clear hypospadias phenotypes at E18.5. Conclusions: Loss of DNAH8 delays differentiation of Sertoli and steroidogenic lineages, reduces prenatal testosterone, and, with environmental exposure, increases hypospadias risk. Full article

In sturgeon aquaculture, all-female production is desirable due to the high value of caviar. Genetic sexing and the production of WW superfemales are important steps toward achieving this. In this study, we identified the WSR and ZSR primers for amplification of W- and Z-specific regions, respectively. WSR primers were designed on the gene W-linked RT RNase H-like domain containing protein (rnhW). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) bands were obtained with the WSR primer only in phenotypic female sturgeons, indicating that stable genetic sexing was achieved in most species, including those captured around Hokkaido. Moreover, rnhW showed female-specific expression in the gonads during early sex differentiation in kaluga and Amur sturgeon. ZSR primers were developed from the orofacial cleft 1 candidate gene 1 protein homolog. Clear and distinct gel band patterns for ZZ, ZW, and WW genotypes were obtained using WSR and ZSR primers, consistent with genotypic estimations by quantitative PCR. This consistency confirmed the presence of WW superfemales among offspring produced by fertilizing ZW females with ZW pseudomales masculinized using 17α-methyltestosterone. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in sturgeons, bringing the establishment of an all-female production system within reach. Full article

Conflict-related sexual violence against men in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has profound psychological, emotional, relational, and spiritual consequences. Nevertheless, male survivors can achieve post-traumatic growth through processes that rebuild fractured identities, foster resilience, and cultivate renewed purpose. This article adopts a comparative framework by combining (a) original Canadian qualitative data—an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study entitled “Silent No More: Surviving Male Rape,” conducted with survivors and trauma-informed practitioners—and (b) a phenomenologically informed synthesis of peer-reviewed studies, NGO/UN reports, and survivor testimonies from the DRC. The Canadian component focuses on the journey from victimhood to survivorship, demonstrating how breaking silence, being believed, and receiving compassionate, trauma-informed care foster meaning-making, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. The DRC component foregrounds culturally rooted pathways to recovery—especially communal and music-based practices—within conflict-affected settings. Across contexts, we identify convergent themes: beauty as a relational and embodied experience that regulates affect and restores safety; creative practices (music, visual arts, storytelling, ritual, and nature-based activity) as vehicles for dignity, connection, and purpose; and self-transcendent emotions (awe, gratitude, and wonder) that support the transition from threat to contemplation and agency. Divergences reflect cultural and structural conditions: in the DRC, healing often unfolds through community-embedded practices amid insecurity and stigma; whereas in Canada, clinical resources are more accessible, but masculine norms and isolation can impede disclosure. We argue that aesthetic and communal practices can complement clinical care and propose practice implications for arts-based, culturally grounded interventions, as well as a comparative research agenda. Full article

This paper re-examines Daoist philosophy and practice through a feminist lens, arguing that Daoist cosmology articulates a dynamic ontology of gender grounded in cixiongtongti (雌雄同體, “the body of androgyny”). Drawing on classical and religious texts—including the Daodejing, Zhuangzi, Taishang Laojun Zhongjing, Santian Neijie Jing, and later alchemical writings—it demonstrates how Daoism envisions embodiment as a site of coexistence where masculine and feminine forces mutually generate and transform. Rather than privileging “feminine” values or reversing patriarchal hierarchies, Daoist yinyang metaphysics dissolves the binary itself, redefining equality as interdependence within difference. The study situates Daoism in dialogue with feminist and ecofeminist theories, acknowledging shared anti-dualist impulses while highlighting Daoism’s distinct cosmological grounding in the circulation of qi. Through analysis of textual metaphors and inner-alchemical practices such as male pregnancy and female transformation, the paper shows that Daoist cultivation performatively realizes male-female-co-existence (nannü gongsheng 男女共生) as both a philosophical and embodied principle. In doing so, it reveals Daoist thought as a vital resource for reimagining embodiment beyond essentialism—offering a non-hierarchical, pluralistic model of gender that integrates cosmology, corporeality, and spiritual practice. Full article

Anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that are used therapeutically but are frequently abused by athletes and individuals seeking to increase muscle mass. Their anabolic (promoting muscle growth) and androgenic (inducing masculine characteristics) effects result from androgen receptor activation in target tissues. However, chronic supraphysiological AAS exposure is associated with serious cardiovascular consequences, ranging from hypertension and lipid disorders to cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, and sudden cardiac death. This review provides an updated and integrative perspective on both the molecular and clinical aspects of AAS-induced cardiovascular toxicity, highlighting recent advances in understanding endothelial injury, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and arrhythmogenesis. Importantly, it emphasizes the emerging recognition of AAS abuse as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and discusses potential preventive and therapeutic strategies, including early cardiovascular screening and risk stratification. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for recognizing the clinical manifestations of AAS misuse and for improving cardiovascular risk assessment in affected individuals. These insights underscore the clinical significance of AAS abuse as a cardiovascular risk factor and the need for vigilant cardiac monitoring and early intervention in this population. Full article

This paper builds on findings from the first systematic study of military families in Slovenia (2019–2022) to critically examine how military families are perceived and constructed within broader sociocultural and institutional frameworks. Using perspectives from family studies, military sociology, defense studies, and critical military theory, the study investigates whether these perceptions continue to reproduce the traditional binary logic that positions the family as a feminized, private domain and the military as a masculinized, public domain, or whether late modern discourses have begun to disrupt these dichotomies. The analysis focuses on the intersection of gender roles, family practices, parental responsibilities, and the symbolic and practical meanings ascribed to the notion of the “military family.” We used a reflexive approach to thematic analysis, combining qualitative interviews with young adults (aged > 18) who grew up in military families (14 participants), interviews with military and civilian experts (41 participants), survey data from service members, their spouses, and civilian respondents (411 and 125 open-ended responses from separate surveys). Findings reveal significant differences in how military families are understood and experienced. More critically, the study highlights how military institutional power and its greediness extend into the familial realm, not only through logistical demands, but also through the normalization of military values, hierarchical gendered expectations, and parenting practices. Full article

To explore the induction of low temperature the Tiger Puffer (Takifugu rubripes) In this study, the influence of temperature on the pituitary gland during masculinization was investigated through chronic hypothermia stress experiments. Metabolomics was used to analyze the metabolic regulatory network of the pituitary gland under hypothermia stress. ELISA technology was employed to determine the activity content of oxidative stress-related enzymes in the pituitary gland. Further, TUNEL fluorescence labeling and qPCR were used to detect the apoptosis level of pituitary cells. Finally, to assess the impact of low-temperature stress on muscle tissue, HE staining and qPCR techniques were employed. The results showed that after 45 days of low-temperature stress, the differential metabolites of the pituitary gland were mainly enriched in the amino acid metabolic signaling pathway, and the contents of amino acids such as GSH and its synthetic precursors in the pituitary tissue changed significantly. The contents of oxidative stress indicators such as ROS and MDA all showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The qPCR results of TUNEL fluorescence labeling and apoptosis-related genes were consistent, indicating that the apoptotic level of pituitary cells first increased and then decreased with the stress process. Histological analysis revealed that low temperature led to muscle cell atrophy and increased interstitial space in muscle tissue. The expression changes in genes related to muscle development further confirmed that low temperature significantly inhibited muscle growth and development. Therefore, this study speculates that after being subjected to chronic low-temperature stress, the pituitary gland of the red-finned Oriental pufferfish can alleviate the oxidative stress response of the body by strengthening the amino acid metabolic pathway, and the fish body has shown a physiological trend of gradually adapting to low-temperature stress, but the growth and development of muscles are still significantly inhibited. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for understanding the physiological adaptation mechanism of the red-finned Oriental pufferfish to low-temperature stress and lay a foundation for subsequent in-depth exploration of the pituitary response mechanism to low temperatures. Full article