Search Results (981)

This study examines how Ontario’s Health and Physical Education curriculum addresses the needs of young adults with disabilities. A total of 54 individuals aged 18–35 years old with developmental, learning, or physical disabilities who had completed secondary school in Ontario participated in a cross-sectional mixed-methods survey. Participants were recruited through disability-focused community networks and a university psychology participant pool. They completed the Sex Education subscale of the Sexual Knowledge, Experience, Feelings and Needs Scale, a 35-item sexual knowledge questionnaire, and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests; qualitative responses were examined using thematic analysis. Participants reported limited factual knowledge, minimal classroom representation, and heavy reliance on independent learning. Barriers included inaccessible materials, teacher discomfort, and the absence of disability narratives in sexuality units. Findings point to three priorities: revising curriculum content, expanding educator training, and creating disability-affirming resources. These measures will help ensure comprehensive and rights-based sexuality education that supports the autonomy and well-being of students with disabilities. Full article

Background and Objectives: Emerging evidence indicates that individuals exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) face elevated risks for various chronic illnesses. However, the association between ACEs and osteoporosis risk remains underexplored, particularly regarding potential modifications by genetic susceptibility. This prospective cohort study aims to examine the relationship of ACEs with incident osteoporosis and investigate interactions with polygenic risk score (PRS). Materials and Methods: This study analyzed 124,789 UK Biobank participants initially free of osteoporosis. Cumulative ACE burden (emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse) was ascertained through validated questionnaires. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models assessed osteoporosis risk during a median follow-up of 12.8 years. Moderation analysis examined genetic susceptibility interactions using a standardized PRS incorporating osteoporosis-related SNPs. Results: Among 2474 incident osteoporosis cases, cumulative ACEs showed dose–response associations with osteoporosis risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]_{per one-unit increase} = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.11; high ACEs [≥3 types] vs. none: HR = 1.26, 1.10–1.43). Specifically, emotional neglect (HR = 1.14, 1.04–1.25), emotional abuse (HR = 1.14, 1.03–1.27), physical abuse (HR = 1.17, 1.05–1.30), and sexual abuse (HR = 1.15, 1.01–1.31) demonstrated comparable effect sizes. Sex-stratified analysis revealed stronger associations in women. Joint exposure to high ACEs/high PRS tripled osteoporosis risk (HR = 3.04, 2.46–3.76 vs. low ACEs/low PRS) although G × E interaction was nonsignificant (P-interaction = 0.10). Conclusions: These results suggest that ACEs conferred incremental osteoporosis risk independent of genetic predisposition. These findings support the inclusion of ACE screening in osteoporosis prevention strategies and highlight the need for targeted bone health interventions for youth exposed to ACEs. Full article

Prolactin is a hormone with demonstrated roles in the brain, including neurogenesis, neuroprotection, learning, stress response or memory consolidation. To determine the prolactin expression in the rat hippocampus during aging and to resolve some controversies related to the presence of prolactin in the hippocampus, the aim of this study was to analyze whether changes occur in the expression of prolactin during different stages of life. To determine this, we designed an experimental study in which we analyzed the expression and location of prolactin in the rat hippocampus, Ammon’s horn and Dentate Gyrus, during different stages of life (prepubertal, postpubertal, young adult, adult and old) and checked if there are differences related to sex. Overall, the results obtained show that prolactin is present in the rat hippocampus and that prolactin is synthesized, as deduced from the findings obtained via ELISA, immunohistochemistry, qPCR and in situ hybridization. After analyzing the correlation between serum and hippocampal prolactin levels and comparing the amounts of Prl mRNA and the hormone, the results obtained suggest that hippocampal prolactin has a dual origin: local synthesis of the hormone and its passage from the blood. On the other hand, the amounts of prolactin and its mRNA in the hippocampus vary with sex and age, suggesting the existence of age-related sexual dimorphism. The results obtained suggest that hippocampal aging is related to a decrease in the hippocampal prolactin system, which helps to better understand brain aging. Full article

The arboreal rodent Oecomys catherinae, which has a wide geographic distribution across Brazilian biomes, provides a model for investigating environmental influences on morphological variation. We assessed craniodental differences between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, as well as along latitudinal gradients, using 45 specimens from 18 localities. Linear morphometric analyses (21 measurements) revealed no significant sexual dimorphism, allowing for pooled analyses. Principal Component Discriminant Analysis (DAPC) confirmed significant morphological divergence between biomes (72% accuracy, p < 0.01). We identified bony palate length (BPL) as the most discriminating variable, with higher values in the Atlantic Forest, suggesting a possible dietary adaptation in response to ecological pressures. Latitudinal effects were modest (adjusted R² = 0.05) although significant (F_1,43 = 3.63; p = 0.03), with southern populations exhibiting larger cranial dimensions than northern ones. We conclude that biome type and latitude played important roles in shaping cranial morphology in O. catherinae populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Violence is a significant occupational health issue for paramedics, yet underreporting limits efforts to identify and mitigate risk. Leveraging a novel, point-of-event violence reporting system, we aimed to identify characteristics of 9-1-1 calls associated with an increased risk of violence in a single paramedic service in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all electronic violence and patient care reports filed by paramedics in Peel Region and used logistic regression to identify call-level predictors of any violence and, more specifically, physical or sexual assault. Results: In total, 374 paramedics filed 974 violence reports, 40% of which documented an assault, corresponding to a rate of 4.18 violent encounters per 1000 9-1-1 calls. In adjusted models, the risk of violence was elevated for calls originating from non-residential locations (e.g., streets, hotels, bars), occurring during afternoon or overnight shifts, and involving young or working-age males. Presenting problems related to intoxication, mental health, or altered mental status were strongly associated with increased risk, with particularly high adjusted odds ratios for assault. Conclusions: These findings support the utility of near-miss and violence surveillance systems and highlight the need for multidisciplinary crisis response to high-risk calls, especially those involving mental health or substance use. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Research has focused largely on older women, while experiences of younger women remain relatively underexplored despite challenges unique to this population. Informed by the biopsychosocial model of illness, this study aims to assess the symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs of younger women complaining of prolapse by analyzing questionnaire responses from an existing electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire—Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) dataset. Methods: Mixed-methods content analysis was conducted using free-text data from an anonymized multi-site ePAQ-PF dataset of 5717 responses collected across eight UK NHS trusts (2018–2022). A quantitative, deductive approach was first used to identify younger women (≤50 years old) with self-reported prolapse. ePAQ-PF scores for younger women with prolapse were compared with those aged >50 years, using Mann–Whitney tests. Free-text response data were analyzed inductively to qualitatively explore younger women’s symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs. Results: Of the 1473 women with prolapse identified, 399 were aged ≤50 years. ePAQ-PF scores of the younger cohort demonstrated significantly greater symptom severity and bother than those aged >50, particularly in bowel, prolapse, vaginal, body image, and sexual health domains (p < adjusted threshold). Qualitative analysis undertaken to understand women’s concerns and priorities produced five health-related themes (physical health; functionality; psychosocial and emotional wellbeing; reproductive and sexual health; and healthcare journeys) and a sixth intersecting theme representing information needs. Conclusions: The findings highlight the substantial symptom burden of younger women with prolapse, as well as treatment goals and information needs specific to this population. The development of age-specific resources is identified as a requirement to support this group. Full article

Background/Objectives: Young female cancer survivors often face specific informational needs related to the physical and emotional effects of cancer and its impact on life plans, particularly fertility and parenthood. However, few tools are tailored to assess these needs during this critical life stage. This study aimed to (i) validate a multidimensional measure—the Satisfaction with Information Provided to Young Oncology Patients Scale (SIPYF-CPS)—to assess the specific informational needs of young adult female cancer survivors; and (ii) explore preferences regarding the provision of information and counseling. Methods: A total of 124 women (M[age] = 38.18; SD = 5.49; range 21–45), 76.6% diagnosed with breast cancer, participated in the study. Psychometric analyses included exploratory factor analysis and correlation coefficients to assess reliability and construct validity. Convergent validity was evaluated through standardized measures of anxiety, reproductive concerns, and quality of life. Results: A final 22-item measure demonstrated strong reliability and validity, capturing four factors: (i) Disease-Related Information, (ii) Symptoms and Functional Limitations, (iii) Implications for Fertility and Parenthood, and (iv) Support Services. Participants expressed low satisfaction with information on fertility preservation, sexual health, and support services. Lower satisfaction was moderately associated with higher anxiety and depression while positively related to quality of life. Most participants preferred phased, face-to-face communication throughout the illness trajectory. Conclusions: The SIPYF-CPS is a valid, multidimensional tool that captures the complex and evolving informational needs of young female cancer survivors. Its clinical use may promote earlier, personalized, and emotionally responsive communication—supporting psychological well-being, informed decision-making, and long-term survivorship care. Full article

The black fig fly, Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), is an invasive pest recently introduced to Mexico, where it has rapidly spread across fig-producing regions. Despite its economic importance, effective monitoring strategies remain poorly studied. The present study evaluated the response of S. adipata adults to visual (color) and olfactory (attractant) cues under laboratory and field conditions in fig orchards. No significant color preferences were observed in laboratory choice tests using nine colors or in field trials using traps of four different colors. In the laboratory, traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate solution, torula yeast + borax, or Captor + borax, captured similar numbers of flies, whereas CeraTrap^® was less attractive. Traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate were more effective than 2% ammonium acetate, though attraction was comparable when ammonium acetate was diluted to 0.2% or 0.02%. In the field, torula yeast + borax and 2% ammonium sulfate mixed with fig latex outperformed the 2% ammonium sulfate solution alone, although seasonal variation influenced trap performance. A high proportion of field-captured females were sexually immature. Torula yeast + borax attracted high numbers of non-target insects and other lonchaeid species, which reduced its specificity. In contrast, traps containing fig latex mixtures showed higher selectivity, although some S. adipata adults could not be sexed due to specimen degradation. These findings highlight the value of torula yeast pellets and 2% ammonium sulfate plus fig latex for monitoring this pest, but merit validation in field studies performed over the entire crop cycle across both wet and dry seasons. Future studies should evaluate other proteins, ammonium salt combinations and fig latex volatiles in order to develop effective and selective monitoring or mass trapping tools targeted at this invasive pest. Full article

Despite advances in cancer care, disparities persist. The collection of the social determinants of health (SDOH) is fundamental to addressing disparities. However, SDOH are inconsistently collected in many regions of the world. This two-phase multiple methods study examined patient and community perspectives regarding SDOH data collection in Canada. In phase 1, a survey was administered to patients at a cancer centre (n = 549) to assess perspectives on an SDOH data collection tool. In phase 2, broader perspectives were sought through a community consultation with patient partners experiencing structural inequality (n = 15). Most participants were comfortable with SDOH data collection. Of survey respondents, 95% were comfortable with the collection of language, birthplace, sex, gender, education, and disability, and 82% to 94% were comfortable with SES, sexual orientation, social support, and race/ethnicity. Discomfort levels did not differ across subgroups, except women were more uncomfortable disclosing SES (OR: 2.00; 95%CI: 1.26, 3.19). Most (71%) preferred face-to-face data collection with a healthcare professional and only half were comfortable with storage of SDOH in electronic health records. Open-ended survey responses (n = 1533) and the community consultation revealed concerns about privacy, discrimination, relevance to care, and data accuracy. SDOH data collection efforts should include a clear rationale for patients, training for providers, strong data privacy and security measures, and actionable strategies to address needs. Full article

This article presents a structured review of literature published between 2015 and 2025 on the experiences of rural LGBTQIA+ youth. Using targeted search terms—including “LGBT*,” “rural,” “country,” “young people,” “sexual and gender minority (SGM),” “small town,” “youth,” and “students”—a research team identified 26 peer-reviewed articles that met inclusion criteria. Through team-based thematic analysis, six core themes emerged: (1) gaps in intersectional analysis, (2) mental health outcomes, (3) culturally responsive services and resources, (4) community climate and context, (5) experiences of victimization, and (6) policy. Across these themes, the review highlights the resilience, agency, and strength of LGBTQIA+ youth navigating rural environments. The literature consistently demonstrates how experiences of victimization are closely linked to mental health outcomes, while access to social support—particularly from affirming adults in systems (such as schools)—can mitigate harm and foster well-being. Implications for social work research, practice, and policy are discussed, with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in U.S. Southern rural settings. Full article

In response to the increasing politicization and polarization of discourses around gender, sexuality, and the body, feminist theorists like Judith Butler call for feminism to strive toward flexibility and responsivity. This essay lays out some of the theoretical considerations that inform studies of graphic embodiment—or studies of embodiment in graphic narratives—both generally and within feminist studies, then examines several graphic texts by Tillie Walden and Élodie Durand that exemplify feminist theories of embodiment, with particular attention to the creative co-construction of embodied narratives. Full article

Background: Suicidal ideation among adolescents remains a major public health challenge. Exposure to neighborhood violence is associated with increased risk of mental health distress and school-related vulnerabilities. This study investigates the predictors of suicidal ideation among U.S. adolescents who have witnessed neighborhood violence. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a nationally representative survey of high school students in the United States. A subsample of 3495 adolescents who reported witnessing neighborhood violence was analyzed. Key variables included sociodemographic characteristics, mental health symptoms, perceived school safety, and experiences of victimization. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation, defined as seriously considering suicide in the past year. Analyses were conducted using Jamovi (version 2.6), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation in the sample was 34.2%. Bisexual adolescents had significantly higher odds of suicidal ideation compared to heterosexual peers (OR = 2.34, p < 0.001). Depressive symptoms were the strongest predictor (OR = 7.51, p < 0.001). Both perceived lack of safety at school and differences in ethnic and population backgrounds were significant. Black and Hispanic/Latino adolescents had lower odds compared to White peers. Conclusions: Findings highlight sexual identity, depressive symptoms, school safety concerns, and ethnic and population background differences as key correlates of suicidal ideation. Culturally responsive, trauma-informed interventions are urgently needed for youth exposed to community violence. Full article

The crustacean Daphnia magna produces genetically identical females and males by parthenogenesis. Males are produced in response to environmental cues including crowding and lack of food. For male development, the DM-domain containing transcription factor Doublesex1 (DSX1) is expressed spatiotemporally in male-specific traits and orchestrates male trait formation in both somatic and gonadal tissues. However, it remains unknown how the dsx1 gene is silenced in females to avoid male trait development. Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) plays a crucial role in epigenetic gene silencing during developmental processes. Here we report the identification of four HP1 orthologs in D. magna. None of these orthologs exhibited sexually dimorphic expression, and among them, HP1-1 was most abundantly expressed during embryogenesis. The knock-down of HP1-1 in female embryos led to the derepression of dsx1 in the male-specific traits, resulting in the development of male characteristics, such as the elongation of the first antennae. These results suggest that HP1-1 silences dsx1 for female development while environmental cues unlock this silencing to induce male production. We infer the HP1-dependent formation of a sex-specific chromatin structure on the dsx1 locus is a key process in the environmental sex determination of D. magna. Full article

Behavioral stress is a recognized triggering factor for systemic diseases, including psychiatric disorders. The stress response is subjected to circadian regulation and many factors shape the susceptibility to its maladaptive consequences, including the biological sex. Accordingly, circadian dysregulation of the stress response, often occurring in a sexually dimorphic manner, is typically associated with psychiatric disorders. However, the interaction between stress, sex, circadian phases, and behavior is still largely unknown. Here, we used the chronic restraint stress (CRS) model in male and female mice to assess the impact of sex and circadian phases on the behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Animals were stressed either in the light or dark phase, and anxious-/depressive-/anhedonic-like behaviors were assessed. Associated transcriptional changes in clock genes were measured in the prefrontal cortex. A significant interaction of stress, sex, and circadian phase was found in most of the parameters evaluated, with no behavioral response to stress in males stressed in the dark phase, and an exaggerated response in females stressed in the dark phase compared to the light phase. We also found some molecular changes in corticosterone serum levels and expression of clock genes in the prefrontal cortex. Full article

This study presents an exhaustive analysis of LGBTQIA+ audiovisual production available on the main streaming platforms in Spain, covering both Spanish and international content. Using a sample of 1490 works from ten video-on-demand services (Apple TV+, Disney+, Filmin, FlixOlé, Max, Movistar Plus+, Netflix, Prime Video, Rakuten, and SkyShowtime), this study examines how the offered catalogues are configured and structured in response to the commercial dynamics of the LGBTQIA+ production market. Using quantitative methodology, the research addresses the industrial production models, the agents involved and the characteristics of the most widely offered narrative genres and formats, highlighting distribution patterns and visibility in the catalogues. The findings include a marked international abundance, a reflection of the global market guidelines and the hegemony of narratives aimed at transnational audiences. National productions, although less numerous, are a significant contribution to the audiovisual landscape, incorporating cultural identities with an LGBTQIA+ representation that is more aligned with local realities. The central role of independent producers is observed in production models where international agreements are outlined as a key strategy. In addition, it highlights the prevalence of genres such as drama and comedy, together with that of the film format. The visibility and representation of sexual and gender diversity indicates a positive commercial response, although with considerable challenges. Full article