Search Results (2,573)

Background and Objectives: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but remains under-recognized in routine care. This study aimed to quantify the burden of SD in men and women with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), describe sex-stratified patterns across primary/secondary/tertiary domains, and examine associations with fatigue and MS-related health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, RRMS participants were voluntarily recruited online via a QR code linking to a Google Forms survey. Men completed the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), and women the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). MS-specific SD domains were assessed using the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ), alongside the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire (MSQOL-54). Sex differences were tested using parametric/non-parametric methods as appropriate, with false discovery rate (FDR) and Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results: Thirty-seven participants were included (16 men; 21 women). Mean age did not differ by sex (35.9 ± 4.0 vs. 38.9 ± 10.4 years; p = 0.23). All participants reported at least some degree of difficulty across MSISQ domains. Among men, 87.5% screened positive for erectile dysfunction within this sample (mild 37.5%, mild-to-moderate 12.5%, moderate 12.5%, severe 25.0%). When dysfunction type was defined as the highest MSISQ domain score, secondary SD was most frequent in both sexes (75.0% men; 76.2% women; p = 0.49). Women showed higher secondary domain scores at the uncorrected level (p = 0.04), but this did not survive FDR correction. In HRQoL and symptom measures, women reported markedly higher fatigue (FSS 46.1 ± 12.4 vs. 25.5 ± 12.7; p_FDR < 0.001) and poorer physical health indices, including pain-related outcomes. Conclusions: SD has represented a substantial burden within this RRMS sample, with secondary domain predominance in both sexes, highlighting the clinical relevance of symptom-related and functional interference. These findings support the value of multidimensional sexual health assessment in clinical research settings and may be relevant for clinical assessment and future research in MS. Full article

Curbing pornography consumption is the subject of keen debate and the object of numerous social efforts. The methods of structuring the discourse on combatting pornography use reveal a wide range of sociocultural views. This study utilizes semiotic and textual analyses of videos and advertisements (ads) dedicated to preventing pornography use in the secular and religious sectors of the Israeli Jewish public, which illuminates the differing perceptions and social norms among these groups. To this end, we conducted a comparative study of ads aimed at both audiences. By analyzing their symbolic representations and the rhetoric emerging from their content, we discovered that, while the prohibition narrative for the observant religious public centers on pornography use negatively impact the individual’s environment (their relationship family and community), the ads designed for viewing by the secular public focus on the individuals themselves. Thus, divergent socio ethical perspectives on the use of pornography emerge, illuminating how individuals relate to both their environment and their sense of self. The present study teaches us how different communities adapt words and symbols to convey social messages, particularly those associated with charged issues such as sexuality. Full article

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) and sleep disturbances are frequent but underrecognized non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and significantly affect quality of life. However, the relationships among sexual dysfunction, sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and the possible sex-related differences remain insufficiently investigated. Methods: In this cross-sectional case–control study, we evaluated these non-motor symptoms in 147 Turkish patients with PD and 160 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and we assessed their associations and impact on quality of life, with particular attention to sex-specific patterns. Sexual function was assessed using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), quality of life using the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and disease severity using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging scale. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and sex-stratified subgroup analyses were performed. Results: Patients with PD had significantly higher ASEX, PSQI, and ESS scores compared with controls (p < 0.01), and women with PD had significantly higher total ASEX scores than men, indicating greater sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness but showed no significant association with the motor severity measures (UPDRS, H&Y stage). Sleep quality, as measured via PSQI scores, was worse in patients with PD, and poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness were both associated with significantly worse quality of life. Conclusions: According to our findings, sexual dysfunction and sleep disturbances are interrelated non-motor symptoms that significantly impair quality of life, largely independently of motor severity, and these associations were particularly pronounced among women. A combined evaluation of sleep and sexual function may therefore improve the recognition and management of the non-motor burden in PD. Full article

Adult neurogenesis is a regulated form of brain plasticity shaped by interactions between hormonal systems and environmental context. Social experience has been identified as an important modulator of neuronal proliferation, differentiation, and survival across the lifespan, although effects vary across species, developmental stages, and experimental paradigms. This review synthesizes evidence indicating that diverse social behaviors—including isolation, social hierarchy, parenting, sexual interaction, social buffering, and social learning—engage neuroendocrine, neurochemical, and stress-related pathways that are associated with modulation of hippocampal and olfactory neurogenesis. Affiliative and reproductive contexts have been linked in multiple models to enhanced neurogenic indices via gonadal hormones, oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic signaling, and neurotrophic mechanisms, whereas chronic isolation or social defeat has frequently been associated with reduced neurogenic markers, particularly within stress-sensitive regions of the ventral dentate gyrus. Sex differences further shape these patterns, reflecting both biological regulation and uneven sampling across paradigms. Comparative findings in prairie voles, eusocial mole-rats, nonhuman primates, songbirds, and teleost fish indicate that social organization can be accompanied by either increased or constrained neurogenic activity, depending on ecological pressures and life-history strategies. Collectively, the available evidence suggests that adult neurogenesis represents a context-dependent plastic process embedded within vertebrate social systems, while underscoring the need for integrative and evidence-graded interpretations. Full article

Little research has examined how often biomedical trainees encounter mistreatment in a single day or how such momentary experiences may undermine engagement in training. To address this gap, we investigated the prevalence and short-term consequences of daily sexual harassment, racial mistreatment, and incivility among graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in U.S. biomedical programs. In Study 1, 404 National Institutes of Health-funded trainees completed a two-wave survey assessing mistreatment, mood, and program attitudes across two 24 h periods separated by 10 days. On either day, 36.9% of participants experienced or observed at least one mistreatment episode, with no differences by gender or underrepresented minority status. Day 1 mistreatment was significantly negatively associated with program attitudes 10 days later, suggesting short-term derailment effects. In Study 2, 21 participants responded to true accounts of peers’ mistreatment to describe their emotional reactions and expectations of mentors. Trainees reported anger, disgust, and betrayal, and emphasized the need for mentors to acknowledge these harms, intervene appropriately, and offer support. This study provides the first evidence of single-day mistreatment prevalence among biomedical health trainees and demonstrates that even brief exposures can degrade training program attitudes. Findings underscore the need for improved mentor training and institutional resources to protect and support trainees. Full article

Sexual dimorphism is a well-recognized factor influencing growth performance and meat quality in poultry; however, its effects remain less explored in Muscovy ducks. This study investigated the effect of sex on carcass traits, meat quality parameters, muscle fiber characteristics, and lipid composition in 14-week-old Muscovy ducks. Carcass dissection, physical and chemical meat analyses, and histological evaluation of breast muscle were performed in males and females. Sex markedly affected carcass performance, with males exhibiting higher live, slaughter, semi-eviscerated, and eviscerated weights, whereas females showed greater abdominal fat deposition and higher drip and processing losses, indicating reduced water-holding capacity. In the breast muscle, females displayed lower ultimate pH, higher yellowness (b*), and lower shear force values, suggesting more tender meat. Chemical composition differed between sexes, with males showing higher moisture and protein contents and lower intramuscular fat, accompanied by sex-related differences in fatty acid composition. Muscle fiber morphology also varied significantly, as males exhibited larger fiber diameters and cross-sectional areas in the breast muscles. Overall, these findings demonstrate that sex is a critical determinant of carcass yield, technological meat properties, and nutritional quality in Muscovy ducks, highlighting its importance for targeted production and processing strategies. Full article

(1) The bird colouration is the result of adaptation to environmental conditions, predator–prey relationships, and sexual selection (intraspecific competition and signalling of quality). Only a few studies have explicitly explored the plumage colouration of birds at the level of species communities. (2) Methods: We combined data with bird plumage colours and their spatial distribution at a large spatial scale in Italy, exploring the relationship between community colours and different types of habitats and landscape heterogeneity. (3) Results: Overall, we found that the more representative colours of avian communities were grey, white, black, and brown. The percentage of black colour in the community was smaller in close habitats (e.g., forests). A high percentage of brown was observed in forests and shrublands, whereas a high percentage of white was found in wetlands, water bodies, and urban areas. The percentage of yellow was relatively low overall, but it was slightly higher in deciduous forests. Land use richness increased the percentage of brown, green, rufous, and yellow, while negatively affecting other pigments (black and grey = melanins, purple = structural, and red = carotenes). The community colour inequality decreased when the species and land use richness increased, while it increased when the weighted edge density of surrounding landscapes increased. Finally, we found that bird communities that are made up of closely related species show a wider variety of colours (e.g., lower colour inequality). This supports the idea that closely related species that live together develop different features to improve species recognition. (4) Conclusions: We found that the colours of bird communities are related to the type of environment. Full article

Eva Gore-Booth (1870–1926) was a significant contributor to the Celtic Literary Revival at the turn of the twentieth century; however, her literature differed immensely from that of her male counterparts. Gore-Booth’s writings had a prevailing feminist message, while her later works were manifestly concerned with the study of sexuality and the deconstruction of gender. Gore-Booth’s literature remained vastly overlooked and undervalued until recent times. In the twenty-first century, her poetry and plays are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence. Amid Gore-Booth’s modest literary revival, this article examines her writings from a fresh perspective. Tracing Gore-Booth’s social reform work and later devotion to the New Age religion of Theosophy, it is evident that her writings increasingly endorsed celibacy. This article will highlight how Gore-Booth advocated for celibacy as a radical practice with the potential to dismantle the social construction of gender and of presumed heterosexuality. Notably, Gore-Booth only advocated for heterosexual celibacy, placing same-sex relationships as the ideal, especially lesbian partnerships. This research centers on readings of Gore-Booth’s lesser-known writings including a neglected play Fiametta, her theological writings and the journal Urania which clearly express her revolutionary ideas. Full article

Treponema pallidum is the etiological cause of syphilis, and in recent years, reemergence has been reported, especially among men who have sex with men and people living with HIV (PLWH). Certain cytokines may act as hallmark biomarkers in the progression of syphilis in PLWH, and studying how the immune system works against T. pallidum is important, especially in PLWH, whose immune system is compromised. We evaluated the serum expressions of IFN, TNF, IL-10, TGF-β1 and IL-17 in men living with HIV (MLWH) and their association with distinct stages of syphilis. We recruited MLWH from March to October 2022. A blood sample was requested, syphilis was detected using the reverse algorithm, and antibodies were titrated to determine the stage. Each of the cytokines studied was quantified using commercial ELISA kits. The following groups were formed: active syphilis (n = 217), cured syphilis (n = 134), and without syphilis (n = 159). The prevalence of elevated TGF-β1 differed between groups, being highest in individuals with active syphilis (51.6%; median 319 pg/mL), followed by those with cured syphilis (41.0%; median 137.0 pg/mL). Younger participants and persons without a history of sexually transmitted infections were more likely to present with high TGF-β1 levels. TGF-β1 may act as a biomarker in active syphilis and could suppress the inflammatory response against spirochetes. Full article

Background/Objectives: When analyzing human skeletal remains for human identification, the assessment of sexual dimorphism is fundamental because it underlies sex estimation, a key parameter of the biological profile, which reduces the number of candidates to approximately one half. Ideally, the most dimorphic bones (the pelvis and long bones) are used, but this analysis may be compromised when the skeletal remains are badly preserved, which is often the case in older skeletons. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate sexual dimorphism in alternative skeletal elements as the quantity and quality of bone structures present in ancient skeletons represent crucial aspects when assessing biological differences between the sexes. The present study aims to evaluate the degree of sexual dimorphism in selected skeletal elements as a preliminary step toward identifying sexually dimorphic parameters with potential applicability in future research on poorly preserved skeletons. Methods: A metric assessment of sexual dimorphism was performed on the clavicle, sternum, and seventh cervical vertebra from a 20th Century collection of identified skeletons from the Portuguese population from CESPU (CEIC), showing a variable degree of bone preservation. Results: Our preliminary data suggest that although all bones analyzed may have exhibited some degree of sexual dimorphism, five parameters—sternal body length, manubrium width, first stern-vertebrae width, clavicle maximum length, and cervical vertebral body height—showed the most promising results. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to validate these observations, using a bigger sample of badly preserved bones. Conclusions: These results represent a preliminary assessment of sexually dimorphic parameters, which may be of interest in circumstances where skeletal elements are poorly preserved. Full article

The purpose of this study is to explore how adolescents in self-contained classrooms or schools for students with autism or ADHD, with no prior involvement in criminality, perceive and interpret different forms of early offending behavior through fictional case stories. The study specifically aims to examine their ability to discern what constitutes offending behavior, based on the double empathy problem. In total, 13 participants currently receiving secondary-level education (grades 10–12, aged 16–20 years) in self-contained classes at schools for adolescents with autism or ADHD participated. No student had cognitive disabilities or had been involved in any criminal act or criminal justice issues. The students were individually given three fictional written cases of offending behavior (theft, physical assault, and sexual assault). Audio-recorded stimulated recall interviews were obtained while the students solved tasks in relation to the cases, and these were analyzed to capture whether and what aspects of early offending were discerned. Overall, the results indicated limited awareness and enhanced social vulnerability, risking unwitting engagement in early offending behavior. Adapting social science education to students’ special educational needs to understand social interactions might be used to prevent and enhance their awareness of early offending behavior. Full article

Background: Although trauma can adversely affect body esteem, the specific impact of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) remains underexplored among Mexican women. Objective: This study examined body esteem among trauma-exposed controls and women with either PTSD or CPTSD in a sample of female Mexican university students. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 657 cisgender Mexican women (aged 18–66) who completed the Body Esteem Scale (BES), International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), and Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Participants were classified into three groups: trauma-exposed controls (n = 526), PTSD (n = 68), and CPTSD (n = 63). Results: Total BES scores differed significantly across groups. Participants with CPTSD reported lower overall body esteem (M = 99.48, SD = 21.32) compared to those with PTSD (M = 114.24, SD = 26.68) and controls (M = 119.38, SD = 24.93). Significant group differences also emerged in the Sexual & Physical Attractiveness and Physical Condition & Weight Concern subscales. Furthermore, the negative correlation between BES scores and trauma symptoms was more pronounced in the CPTSD group (rho = −0.40) than in the PTSD group (rho = −0.25). Conclusions: CPTSD is associated with significantly diminished body esteem in this population. These findings underscore the critical need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed interventions that address both the psychological and somatic dimensions of body image. Full article

This study documents the first confirmed record of the Buthid scorpion Leiurus nigellus from Jabal Arnan in the Ha’il region, located within the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) in the northwestern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This species was originally described by Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh (2023). This locality extends the known distribution range of L. nigellus by over 200 km southeast of the type locality in Al-Ula, Al Madinah province. A total of six specimens of L. nigellus were collected during fieldwork conducted between June 2024 and April 2025, including two adult males, one adult female, and three juveniles. The objective of this study was to confirm the taxonomic identity of Leiurus nigellus from a newly discovered locality using morphological examination and mitochondrial DNA analysis and documentation of its known geographic distribution. Adult specimens (one male and one female) were examined using comparative morphometric analysis following standard scorpion taxonomic protocols, confirming diagnostic traits consistent with the original species description. Meanwhile, habitat assessments indicated adaptation to semi-arid rocky and gravel substrates. Molecular analysis was conducted on one adult male using targeted mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Sanger method). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony analyses, placing L. nigellus within the Arabian Leiurus clade with bootstrap-supported affinity to Arabian congeners and limited intraspecific divergence. The generated 16S rRNA sequence represents the first molecular record for L. nigellus and has been deposited in GenBank. Sexual dimorphism was evident in morphometric traits, but these differences reflect normal biological variation rather than taxonomic differentiation. The discovery of L. nigellus in northern Saudi Arabia emphasizes the importance of continued faunistic and genetic surveys in underexplored regions, both to refine species distributions and to inform conservation management of specialized desert arachnofauna. Full article

Background/Objectives: The human larynx exhibits marked sexual dimorphism and undergoes age-related structural remodeling, both of which influence voice characteristics and have important implications for diagnostic assessment. While sex-related differences in laryngeal size are well recognized, the extent to which aging contributes to dimensional versus qualitative structural changes remains incompletely defined. This study aimed to analyze sex- and age-related morphometric and histological characteristics of the human larynx, with a focus on features relevant to voice evaluation and diagnostic interpretation. Methods: A cross-sectional anatomical study was conducted on 80 cadaveric human larynges preserved in 10% buffered formalin. Specimens were stratified by sex and age (<30, 30–60, and ≥60 years). Direct morphometric measurements included anteroposterior laryngeal length, thyroid cartilage height, thyroid angle, and relative glottic area. Epiglottic morphology and the presence of laryngeal cartilage calcification/ossification (binary classification: present vs. absent) were recorded. Histological analysis of vocal fold tissue was performed on a stratified subset of specimens. Statistical analysis included t-tests, chi-square tests, two-way ANOVA, effect size estimation, and logistic regression. Results: Male specimens showed significantly greater anteroposterior length, thyroid cartilage height, and relative glottic area, along with a narrower thyroid angle, compared with females (all p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Age did not significantly influence overall laryngeal dimensions. In contrast, cartilage calcification/ossification increased markedly after the age of 60. Logistic regression identified age ≥ 60 years as the only independent predictor of calcification (OR = 4.37, p = 0.039), while sex was not significant. Epiglottic morphology demonstrated a sex-dependent distribution. Histology revealed age-related muscle atrophy and reduced collagen and elastin density. Conclusions: Sex defines the baseline morphometric framework of the adult larynx, whereas aging, particularly beyond 60 years, drives qualitative structural degeneration. These findings provide a reproducible anatomical reference for distinguishing sex-related variation from age-related changes in diagnostic assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: An accurate description of facial sexual dimorphism is essential in clinical, forensic, and anthropological contexts to support accurate diagnosis of craniofacial dysmorphisms and differences, treatment planning and evaluation, as well as biological profiling, craniofacial reconstruction, and personal identification. This study investigates sexual dimorphism of the facial soft tissues in a sample of healthy Italian adults, providing reference data and deepening our understanding of normal craniofacial variation. Methods: Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetric facial images of 342 Italian adults (172 males and 170 females; 18–40 years old) were analyzed using a 3D spatially dense geometric morphometric approach to assess both shape and form. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) were used to explore facial variation and to quantify sex-related differences. Results: Centroid size was significantly larger in males. While PCA revealed that sex is a significant factor in facial shape and form variation, PLSR highlighted the existence of significant associations between sex and both shape and form. Color-coded morphometric maps underlined the most sexually dimorphic traits: males exhibited bigger faces with deep-set eyes and central facial projection extending from the supraorbital rims to the chin, whereas females display smaller faces with fuller cheeks, and a more vertical forehead profile. Conclusions: While our results are consistent with those of previous studies, our study revealed important, distinctive group-specific traits: flatter labiomandibular folds in males and wider temples and fuller cheeks in the infraorbital region extending to zygomatic and mandibular areas in females. Thus, this study provides high-resolution reference data supporting related applications. Full article