Family Dynamics Research Articles

Healthcare Experiences of African American Women with the Fragile X Premutation.

This study aims to understand the healthcare experiences of African American women with a fragile X premutation (PM). PM carriers are at risk for fragile X-associated conditions, including primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) and neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND). There is no racial/ethnic association with carrying a PM, but African American women historically experience barriers receiving quality healthcare in the USA. Obstacles to care may increase mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Eight African American women with a PM were interviewed to explore disparities in receiving healthcare and to learn about psychosocial experiences during and after their diagnoses. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and independently coded by two researchers. A deductive-inductive approach was used, followed by thematic analysis to determine prominent themes. The average participant age was 52.3 ± 8.60 years, with a mean age at premutation diagnosis of 31 ± 5.95 years. Seven participants had children with FXS. Themes from interviews included healthcare experiences, family dynamics, and emotional/mental health after their diagnosis. Participants reported concerns about not being taken seriously by providers and mistrust of the medical institutions. Within families, participants reported denial, insensitivity, and isolation. Participants reported a high incidence of anxiety and depression. Both are symptoms of FXAND and stresses of systemic racism and sexism. The reported family dynamics around the news of a genetic diagnosis stand apart from other racial cohorts in fragile X research: interventions like family counseling sessions and inclusive support opportunities from national organizations could ease the impacts of a PM for African American women.

Accueillir l’enfant suivant un deuil périnatal : l’examen de Brazelton comme intervention thérapeutique précoce

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown that children whose births occur after a childless pregnancy tend to be more prone to psychological and affective disorders, with a moderate and nonspecific degree of significance. These pathologies are most often described as a consequence of altered family dynamics rather than an actual impairment of the child's cognitive pathways. Such alterations in familial balance, when occurring in the traumatic shadow of a childless pregnancy be it from spontaneous miscarriage, stillbirth or voluntary termination due to foetal abnormalities, often take root in the prenatal period due to anticipatory representations and thoughts and can express themselves as early as the first days of the newborn's life ex utero. Aim of studyWe used the standardized Brazelton assessment scale to observe three such newborns in the presence of their parents and paid particular attention to the parents’ reactions and attitudes to the child's behavior and the impact our explanations had on their understanding of the newborn's response. ResultsThis study highlights the value of early postnatal care of these dyads with a focus on the issues of caring for the individual discovery of the child by his parents, supported by psychoaffective elements of childcare. However, the specific relevance of the Brazelton's tool in this indication remains to be discussed due to its limited nature by the absence of precise indications, the absence of a reproducible equivalent later in the baby's life, as well as the absence of a result that can be communicated to parents who therefore do not systematically carry the meaning that the caregivers confer on it. ConclusionThe study asserts the fundamental benefit of an early child-based intervention in these families to facilitate genuine bonding and secure attachment, but the nature of such an intervention is yet to be determined.

The influence of social media on adolescent mental health and substance abuse patterns

Adolescents' widespread use of social media has become a serious public health issue, especially considering its effects on substance abuse and mental health. The aim of this review is to examine the complex relationship between the use of social media, mental health issues, and the rise in substance abuse among teenagers. An overview of social media engagement trends is given at the start, emphasising that teenagers are among the most frequent users and that platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are essential to their social lives. According to recent studies, high social media use has been linked to a rise in mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The prevalent behaviours of social comparison, cyberbullying, and validation-seeking in online interactions exacerbate mental health challenges. The review also explored the patterns of substance abuse among adolescents, with particular attention to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal narcotics. Peer pressure, family dynamics, early substance exposure, and other factors have been identified as contributing factors to substance misuse. A critical analysis is conducted on the function that social media plays in normalising substance use, since media portrayals of substance use can glamourise these behaviours and make them seem socially acceptable to impressionable teens. The ways in which peer pressure and heightened stress are two of the methods through which social media impact substance abuse are examined, offering a thorough grasp of the difficulties that young people today face. The urgent need for multifaceted interventions that address social media use and mental health education is emphasised in the review's conclusion. Along with programs to promote digital literacy and ethical social media usage, recommendations are made for parents, schools, and policymakers to reduce the risks associated with social media use. The results highlight the need for additional investigation into the complex interactions among social media, mental health, and substance addiction and support cooperative endeavours aimed at safeguarding and enabling young people in the digital age.

Male Homosexuality: Is It Nature or Nurture?

Abstract: This is an overview of nature and nurture arguments for male homosexuality based on the literature review. This article summarized and discussed both sides of nature and nurture perspectives and how they may contribute to the development of male homosexuality. From the nature perspective, the genetic, brain structure, and evolutionary arguments are included. From the nurture perspective, the birth order and family dynamics are mentioned. Both the nature and nurture aspects seem to play an important role in order to explain homosexuality. It is suggested that for future studies in this field, researchers may explore and compare the evolutionary connection of female and male homosexuality. In addition, the grey matter volume (GMV) in different brain regions seems to be a contributor to homosexuality; further examining the connection between the brain regions function and homosexuality may be necessary.

“There is a Mental Resistance”: Experiences of Involving Refugee Parents in a Youth Trauma Recovery Program from the Perspective of Participating Youth, Parents and Facilitators

AbstractScalable light-touch programs that align with the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) approach is becoming an established intervention model for refugee youth with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) is one example and, as TF-CBT guidelines state, parent sessions are included as the model relies on parents to provide support and instigate the techniques. In addition to traumatic stress, refugee families are often subjected to acculturative, isolation and resettlement stress. This study sought to understand how refugee parental involvement in TRT functions in practice and how it is perceived by participating youth, parents, and facilitators in Sweden. Thirty semi-structured interviews (11 youth, 8 parents, and 11 TRT facilitators) were conducted by phone or videoconference, transcribed, and analyzed using Thematic Network Analysis. A global theme ‘Parental engagement in trauma recovery requires dedicated attention’ emerged. Three organizing themes sat within this global theme: (i) Shifting roles when adapting differently to a new context; (ii) Tendency to keep parents at a distance; and (iii) Parent sessions don’t just happen. Whilst the potential for refugee parent involvement was recognized, a number of factors preventing their participation were identified. Cultural adaptations within TRT facilitators’ training are recommended, including: raising awareness about contextual factors and changes in family dynamics with regard to trauma and migration; adopting culturally responsive ways to present parental involvement to youth and parents; adding positive parenting skills; addressing parental mental health and readiness; and preparing facilitators to redirect parents to adequate services, when needed.

The Impact of Social Networking Sites on the Family Cohesion of Algerian Society: Risks and Pros

Objective: Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of SNS on family closeness in the Algerian culture while looking at the benefits in addition to the drawbacks of using the technology. Theoretical Framework: Applying Social Capital Theory, Family Systems Theory, and Uses and Gratifications Theory allows the research to explain the connection between SNS and family cohesion and give a coherent concept of how the media affects family bonds. Method: A cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews were used as main data collection tools from the families of different SES in Algeria; social networking usage patterns were also quantitatively measured by coded questionnaires and a qualitative approach was employed to explore the family dynamics and modes of communication. Results & Discussion: This study revealed bi-directional relationship between SNS and family connectedness ; and, the following are the majority observation : Nevertheless, some families had lesser amounts of direct confrontation and roadside fights. The findings are elaborated in regard to theoretical frameworks. Research Implications: This research emphasizes on family therapy, counseling and education, and use of internet by families. It prescribes SNS usage as a means for a healthy functioning of families. Originality/Value: This work aims at giving a cultural angle to the effects of social networking sites (SNS) on family integration in Algeria while serving to substantiate the prior research on digitisation counterpoint in the area of relationship communication.

Women’s Histories in a Digital World: An Exploration of Digital Archives, Family History, and Domestic Violence in Early Twentieth-Century Australia

In recent years, scholars have increasingly recognised the ways that colonialism, and related racism, embedded intergenerational trauma within families and communities. The role of domestic violence within families is widely accepted as important, but often treated separately. This article uses a case study from Western Australia, the life and death of Annie Grigo Dost, to explore the dynamics of both issues. Importantly, it also critiques the presentation of complex colonial family histories within a range of digital platforms, especially Ancestry.com. Such platforms obscure complex family dynamics, enforcing normative (often Westernised and highly gendered) digital frameworks for data, and consequently for stories about the past. This article offers an important critique of the ways that Ancestry.com in particular seems to actively sanitise family history, and the ways that they may be doing a disservice to their customers, who may want to acknowledge a more complex, critical family history.

Exploring Factors Influencing Patient Delay Behavior in Oral Cancer: The Development of a Risk Prediction Model in Western China

Background and Aims: To study the unknown influencing factors of delayed medical treatment behavior in oral cancer patients in western China and to develop a prediction model on the risk of delayed medical treatment in oral cancer patients. Method: We investigated oral cancer patients attending a tertiary Grade A dental hospital in western China from June 2022 to July 2023. The logistic regression and four machine learning models (nearest neighbors, the RBF SVM, random forest, and QDA) were used to identify risk factors and establish a risk prediction model. We used the established model to predict the data before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and test whether the prediction effect can still remain stable and accurate under the interference of COVID-19. Result: Out of the 495 patients included in the study, 122 patients (58.65%) delayed seeking medical treatment before the lifting of the restrictions of the pandemic, while 153 patients (53.13%) did so after the lifting of restrictions. The logistic regression model revealed that living with adult children was a protective factor for patients in delaying seeking medical attention, regardless of the implementation of pandemic control measures. After comparing each model, it was found that the statistical indicators of the random forest algorithm such as the AUC score (0.8380) and specificity (0.8077) ranked first, with the best prediction performance and stable performance. Conclusions: This study systematically elucidates the critical factors influencing patient delay behavior in oral cancer diagnosis and treatment, employing a comprehensive risk prediction model that accurately identifies individuals at an elevated risk of delay. It represents a pioneering large-scale investigation conducted in western China, focusing explicitly on the multifaceted factors affecting the delayed medical treatment behavior of oral cancer patients. The findings underscore the imperative of implementing early intervention strategies tailored to mitigate these delays. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the pivotal role of robust social support systems and positive family dynamics in facilitating timely access to healthcare services for oral cancer patients, thereby potentially improving outcomes and survival rates.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Role of Culturally Relevant Social Prescribing in Supporting Pakistani Carers Living in the UK.

Approximately 5.7 million people in the UK are providing informal care. Carers across all ethnic groups can experience negative impacts on their physical and mental health but some minority ethnic groups face greater challenges. Higher levels of social isolation exist among Pakistani carers compared to White British carers, yet the needs of Pakistani carers and how well support services meet these needs is less well understood. Social prescribing can help people get more control over their health care in a nonmedical way. South Asian and other ethnically diverse populations are under-served in social prescribing and there is little evidence available on why this is the case. To explore the potential role of culturally relevant and adapted social prescribing in assisting Pakistani carers and identify the cultural and religious influences and barriers on carer health behaviours. Semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Pakistani family carers (n = 27) and social prescribing stakeholders (n = 10) living in London and Sheffield, UK. Participants were recruited through voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs), social media, religious organisations, and word of mouth. Interview data was analysed in NVivo using reflexive thematic analysis methods. Two themes were developed; (1) Individual and community level influences: Navigating and accessing carer support within Pakistani communities, including carer identity and cultural barriers to accessing support provision, and cultural adaptation to facilitate support for Pakistani carer health and well-being, (2) societal and structural level challenges: Accessing and providing social prescribing for Pakistani carers, including funding challenges for the provision of culturally relevant carer support, integration of primary care and social prescribing, and enhancing cultural awareness and competence in social prescribing for Pakistani carers. There are complexities surrounding carer identity, family dynamics, stigma, and a lack of knowledge of social prescribing within Pakistani communities. There is a need for more culturally competent support, culturally relevant education, awareness-raising, and collaboration among primary care and VCSO's to better support Pakistani carers through social prescribing, which acknowledges and addresses the complexities. The study included a patient advisory group comprised of two South Asian family carers who contributed towards all stages of the study. They provided feedback on study documents (topic guides and recruitment materials) and recruitment strategy, supported with translation of study documents and interpretation of the interview data, and helped with facilitation of our dissemination activities.

Parents' experiences of their children's obesity management at the children's hospital on Reunion Island.

Parents' perspectives on their child's obesity (BMI >IOTF-30) management are essential to ensure positive outcomes. This study explored parents' experiences in managing their children's obesity and investigated the sociocultural and environmental factors influencing such management on Reunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. This qualitative study used a general inductive analysis approach. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted from France, between January and April 2019, with nine parents of children treated in the Childhood Obesity Unit of the Children's Hospital on Reunion Island. The interviews were analysed by using thematic analysis until data saturation. Four main themes emerged reflecting the stages of parents' experiences during treatment: a life history with feelings of justification and guilt, acceptance, involvement and activism. Cultural food traditions were a barrier to implementing healthier habits. Support and advice from the healthcare services alleviated feelings of isolation and motivated parents to be more proactive in their children's obesity management. Parents' involvement motivated their children and improved their relationships. Parent's involvement is essential in managing children's obesity. To maximise treatment outcomes, tailored interventions that address parents' unique family dynamics and sociocultural perspectives are key.

Children’s digital practices and family dynamics during the COVID-19 lockdown: contrasting children’s and parents’ perspectives

ABSTRACT Since 2020, research has continued to grow on children’s digital practices during the COVID-19 lockdown, but the child’s perspective has commonly been ignored. This article aims to depict how the COVID-19 lockdown altered family dynamics regarding the use of technology, focusing on screen media. In particular, it illustrates how parents and children acted upon these changes, managing and negotiating children’s digital practices during the circumstances. As part of a larger European study, we have carried out online interviews with 10 Spanish families with children between 6 and 12 years of age. We conducted interviews both with children and adults, complementing and dynamizing them with other instruments (questionnaires and activity sheets). The study demonstrates that both children and parents are active agents in the family dynamics around the use of technology. Children have their own perspectives and expectations about technology, which do not necessarily coincide with their parents’. Furthermore, this study shows the diversity of strategies devised by the families to manage children’s digital practices, as well as to deal with the tensions that arose through the differences in perspectives and expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Family Psychological Distress among OFW Parents and their Children in the Middle East: A Mixed Method Study

Aims: This study aims to examine the psychological impact of family separation on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their children, with a focus on emotional distress, coping strategies, and the long-term effects of prolonged separation on family dynamics. Sample: The study involved 50 OFW parents residing in Dubai and 50 of their children aged 8-18 living in the Philippines, providing a dual perspective on the experiences of both parents and children. Study Design: A mixed-methods research design was utilized, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to offer a comprehensive understanding of the psychological impacts of family separation. Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected between January and August 2024, with participants recruited through community organizations supporting OFWs in Dubai. Methodology: Quantitative data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Semi-structured interviews provided qualitative insights into emotional experiences, coping mechanisms, and the challenges of reintegration. Statistical analyses explored correlations between separation duration, communication frequency, and psychological distress. Results: Quantitative findings from the ANOVA revealed that OFW parents had a significantly higher mean depression score (16.3, SD = 5.4) compared to their children (14.4, SD = 4.2), F (1, 98) = 4.21, p < 0.05. Anxiety levels were similarly elevated in both parents (18.1, SD = 6.2) and children (18.6, SD = 5.7), with no significant difference, F (1, 98) = 0.12, p > 0.05. A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the length of separation (average 3.5 years) and psychological distress. Frequent communication was associated with lower anxiety levels (p < 0.01). Qualitative analysis identified seven key themes: emotional burden of separation, coping strategies, impact on family dynamics, reintegration challenges, mental health and well-being, support systems, and emotional regulation. Parents expressed regret over missing family milestones, while children reported feelings of abandonment. Some families, however, demonstrated resilience through strong communication practices and emotional regulation skills. Conclusion: The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions that address the psychological challenges experienced by OFW families. Emotional support systems, in addition to financial assistance, are essential to mitigating the emotional toll of prolonged separation and fostering healthier family dynamics.

Provincial distribution and factors associated with self-reported sexually transmitted infections and their symptoms among women in Sierra Leone

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern worldwide. These infections can have severe consequences for women’s health, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased risk of HIV acquisition. Understanding the prevalence and factors associated with STIs among women in Sierra Leone is crucial to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study investigated the provincial distribution and factors associated with self-reported STIs (SR-STIs) and STI symptoms among women in Sierra Leone.MethodsThe study used data from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey, comprising 13,965 women aged 15 to 49 who have ever had sex. Provincial variations in the prevalence of SR-STIs and STI symptoms were presented using a spatial map. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the factors associated with SR-STIs and STI symptoms among women in Sierra Leone. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe overall prevalence of SR-STIs and their symptoms was 21.6% [20.4, 22.9] among women in Sierra Leone. Higher odds of SR-STIs and their symptoms were associated with being aged 25–29 (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10,1.66), 30–34 (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09,1.74), 35–39 (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.77), having tested for HIV (aOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.29), and having multiple sexual partners (aOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.80, 2.83) compared to those in the reference category. Being in the rich wealth index (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.57), living in the Northern (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 2.08, 2.83) and Northwestern province (aOR = 3.28, 95% CI = 2.81, 3.83), and being covered by health insurance (aOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 2.62, 3.88) were associated with higher odds of SR-STIs and their symptoms. Lower odds of SR-STIs and their symptoms were found among women with one (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.68, 0.96), two (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.61, 0.93), three (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53, 0.83), and four or more children (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49, 0.77], those residing in rural areas (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.94), and women living in the Southern province (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.80) compared to those in the reference category.ConclusionThe findings indicate that SR-STIs and their symptoms are prevalent among women in Sierra Leone. Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to address the SR-STIs and their symptoms among women in Sierra Leone. The increased risk among women aged 25–39, those with multiple sexual partners and those from wealthier backgrounds, suggests that educational programmes focusing on safe sexual practices and STI prevention should be prioritized in urban and affluent areas. Additionally, the lower odds of SR-STIs among women with more children and those in rural regions indicate that family dynamics and geographic factors may offer protective benefits, which could be leveraged in public health messaging. Our findings highlight the importance of tailoring health services and outreach efforts to effectively reach and support vulnerable populations, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of SR-STIs.

Menopause Legacies: Designing to Record and Share Experiences of Menopause Across Generations

Menopause is often overlooked or medicalized, consequently devaluing individual experiences and failing to support individuals experiencing this life event. Family dynamics, death, and taboo further mean that individuals often miss out on information that could help them contextualize their experiences. We examine participant experiences with menopause and explore designs of digital and non-digital legacies for sharing menopause experiences across generations. We conducted semi-structured interviews and design sessions with 17 participants who experienced or are experiencing menopause. We report participant information needs and sense-making practices, including what personalized information participants wish to pass down and preferred formats for intergenerational sharing. Findings highlight the potential of using storytelling and life-logging to create 'holistic' memories of the menopause journey, to support self-reflection, and for using legacies to initiate conversations about marginalized health experiences. We identify future design and research opportunities for the HCI and CSCW communities to support intergenerational sharing of non-medicalized and stigmatized health experiences.

"The struggle is a part of the experience": Engaging Discontents in the Design of Family Meal Technologies

Meals are a central (and messy) part of family life. Previous design framings for mealtime technologies have focused on supporting dietary needs or social and celebratory interactions at the dinner table; however, family meals involve the coordination of many activities and complicated family dynamics. In this paper, we report on findings from interviews and design sessions with 18 families from the Midwestern United States (including both partners/parents and children) to uncover important family differences and tensions that arise around domestic meal experiences. Drawing on feminist theory, we unpack the work of feeding a family as a form of care, drawing attention to the social and emotional complexity of family meals. Critically situating our data within current design narratives, we propose the sensitizing concepts of generative and systemic discontents as a productive way towards troubling the design space of family-food interaction to contend with the struggles that are a part of everyday family meal experiences.

Exploring religion's influence on causing emotional distress

While Hinduism offers many positive teachings and practices that promote well-being, certain interpretations and pressures within the religion—such as rigid social hierarchies, religious guilt, and community pressure—can also contribute to feelings of isolation, low self-worth, and anxiety. Cultural pressures and gender-specific roles within Hindu families can also significantly impact mental health, particularly for married Hindu women who face the dual responsibilities of managing household chores and fulfilling religious obligations. These expectations to raise children, participate in daily prayers, and uphold familial honor can lead to emotional and psychological overwhelm, resulting in heightened stress levels and decreased mental well-being. It is essential to recognize that the effects of these pressures vary widely based on individual experiences, family dynamics, and personal beliefs. By emphasizing flexibility, inclusivity, and mental health awareness within Hindu communities, we can help mitigate these negative impacts and foster a supportive environment where individuals can balance spiritual practices with their well-being.

Factors Affecting Urban Women Empowerment in Bangladesh

This study explored the factors (attributes) affecting women empowerment in Bangladesh focusing 24 specific attributes grouped into six categories. The primary data is collected through a questionnaire survey of 176 urban women selected through convenient sampling. The most agreed attributes are access to education, and the education of people. Next agreed factors are social security, family support, women personality, women rights, legal rights, societal perception about women, vocational training, work mobility, and NGO impact and support, Next in the row are break of study, income, voting rights, savings, dowry, employment length, profession choice, wealth, inheritance. The disagreed factors are public or private education, and sibling status. The analysis of group variables showed that environment is the most important group followed by rights, education, family dynamics, finance, and employment. The important environmental factors include social security, and societal perception about women. NGO impact and support also plays a key role. Regarding rights the significant factors are awareness of women, legal, and voting rights. In the education group, access to education, and level of education of people are the two most crucial factors. Also, vocational education, as well as break of study play important roles. But public or private education have no effect in women empowerment. Regarding family dynamics, family support, and women personality are two important variables. Dowry payment, and marital status also found to carry less weight. But sibling status have no impact on women empowerment. Financial factors playlesser role in women empowerment. In this group income and savings are key factors followed by wealth and inheritance. Employment is the least important group variable. Here work mobility found to help women empowerment followed by length of employment. Parental leave was found to have no impact. Demographically not much difference in opinion is observed.

The International Problem of HIV/AIDS in the Modern World: A Comprehensive Review of Political, Economic, and Social Impacts

This comprehensive review explores the international problem of HIV/AIDS, focusing on its multifaceted political, economic, and social impacts in the modern world. Since its identification in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has evolved into a global public health crisis, with over 38 million people currently living with HIV. The review examines the global landscape of the epidemic, highlighting the progress and challenges in prevention, treatment, and care. It delves into the political impacts of HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the role of government policies, international influence, and political commitment in shaping the response to the epidemic. The economic impacts are analyzed, including the strain on national economies, labor markets, and healthcare systems, exacerbating poverty and income inequality. The social impacts are discussed, with a focus on stigma, discrimination, and the effects on family dynamics and vulnerable populations. The review also explores the intersection of HIV/AIDS with other global issues, such as migration, conflict, and technology, emphasizing the need for a rights-based approach and global collaboration. The conclusion highlights persistent challenges, including stigma, healthcare access, and funding gaps, while outlining future directions for research, policy, and practice to sustain progress and ultimately end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, global health, political impact, economic impact, social impact, public health.

Origin, Evolution, and Diversification of the Expansin Family in Plants.

The cell wall is a crucial feature that allows ancestral streptophyte green algae to colonize land. Expansin, an extracellular protein that mediates cell wall loosening in a pH-dependent manner, could be a powerful tool for studying cell wall evolution. However, the evolutionary trajectory of the expansin family remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted a comprehensive identification of 2461 expansins across 64 sequenced species, ranging from aquatic algae to terrestrial plants. Expansins originated in chlorophyte algae and may have conferred the ability to loosen cell walls. The four expansin subfamilies originated independently: α-expansin appeared first, followed by β-expansin, and then expansin-like A and expansin-like B, reflecting the evolutionary complexity of plant expansins. Whole genome duplication/segmental duplication and tandem duplication events greatly contributed to expanding the expansin family. Despite notable changes in sequence characteristics, the intron distribution pattern remained relatively conserved among different subfamilies. Phylogenetic analysis divided all the expansins into five clades, with genes from the same subfamily tending to cluster together. Transcriptome data from 16 species across ten lineages and qRT-PCR analysis revealed varying expression patterns of expansin genes, suggesting functional conservation and diversification during evolution. This study enhances our understanding of the evolutionary conservation and dynamics of the expansin family in plants, providing insight into their roles as cell wall-loosening factors.

Selection on synonymous codon usage in soybean (Glycine max) WRKY genes

The WRKY transcription factor gene family in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (GmWRKY) is critical for the plant’s development and stress responses. This study examines the evolutionary dynamics of the GmWRKY gene family, focusing on its synonymous codon usage bias (CUB) in a comprehensive set of 179 coding sequences. CUB was analyzed using various indices, revealing a preference for A/T-ending codons and relatively low codon bias. Codon adaptation index (CAI) analysis suggested that these genes are optimized for efficient translation despite relatively low bias, reflecting a balance between codon diversity and translation efficiency. Neutrality and NC plots indicated that selective forces dominate over mutational forces in shaping codon usage, while selection signature analysis showed purifying selection being prevalent across the gene family. However, episodic positive selection was also detected in certain clades, highlighting potential adaptive diversification in response to environmental stress. Additionally, promoter binding site analysis uncovered correlations between codon usage and transcriptional regulation, indicating a context-dependent relationship between CUB and gene expression. Phylogenetic analysis identified 11 well-supported clades in the modern GmWRKY gene family and ancestral sequence reconstruction revealed more relaxed codon preferences and reduced selection constraints in modern GmWRKY genes, potentially linked to neofunctionalization and adaptation to environmental changes. These findings provide a framework for optimizing gene expression in transgenic soybean crops with resilience. Further functional validation of positively selected genes is recommended to elucidate their role in stress responses.