Women Research Articles

Prevalence of HPV infection in the general population of young and adult males in Italy.

The most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the world has the human papillomavirus (HPV) as its etiological agent. To evaluate the prevalence of previous and actual HPV infection and the clinical manifestations in unselected males. A total of 718 males participating to a surveillance program were asked to complete a study visit at our unit, including semen collection, balanopreputial sulcus swab, and blood collection for total anti-HPV immunoglobulin G (IgG). When HPV-DNA was detected, we performed HPV fluorescence in situ hybridization, oral and anal swab, and penoscopy. Because previous studies demonstrated a very high risk for HPV infection in subjects with history of HPV-induced lesions, with a partner with diagnosed HPV infection or reporting couple infertility or sexual promiscuity and an increase of the risk in males having sex with males, in subjects with unprotected sexual intercourses or in heavy smokers, patients were therefore stratified according to the presence of these known risk factors (RFs). Actual HPV infection was detected in 401/718 subjects (55.85%). Oral HPV-DNA was reported in 80 subjects and anal HPV infection in 52 subjects. Anti-HPV IgG antibodies have been detected in 288 subjects. The overall prevalence of HPV exposition, considering actual and/or previous infection was 77.99%. Among infected men, high-risk HPV genotypes were detected in 66.08%. A total of 514 subjects were considered as the RF population, while 150 were classified in the non-RF population. There was a significantly higher prevalence of condylomatosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.07) and of seminal infection (OR 6.22) in the RF group. These data represent an alert for the healthcare system to perform informative and screening campaigns for HPV infection in males and to promote HPV vaccination both in young people and for adult males with RF for HPV infections.

Building feminist communities in the digital economy: algorithmic affordances and feminist dilemmas

ABSTRACT Increasing numbers of individuals and groups are turning to subscription-based platforms like Patreon to create smaller, more private digital spaces, and income streams less contingent on social media platforms. Within this shift, feminist groups are notably visible, from private community platforms to messaging groups. In this paper, I consider this shift by reflecting on findings from a three-month digital ethnography with the Anti Diet Riot Club, a UK-based group who in 2021 launched ‘The Community’, a subscription-based online community. Drawing on ethnographic data, I explore how in contrast to experiences of social media platforms and algorithms as fast-paced, exhausting, tiring and boring, being in a space which was algorithmically simpler, slower and sparser was experienced by participants as enabling, agency-building, and connective. Yet, ‘The Community’ ultimately sits behind a paywall, and this generates powerful tensions between building participatory feminist communities, and the kinds of consumer, service-oriented expectations and relationships that emerge. I conclude by considering the opportunities slowness and sparseness afford for building feminist networks of community and support, while critically reflecting on how subscription-based memberships entangle feminist initiatives within the neoliberal digital economy and the challenges this poses for creating and sustaining feminist digital spaces.

Can 21st century women have the best of both worlds? Reality or dream?

PurposeThis study explored whether women could “have it all,” both at home and in the workplace. Using neoliberal feminism, mental load theory and intergenerational perspective as theoretical frameworks, this study explored how neoliberal ideologies which emphasized individual agency, economic empowerment and self-responsibility interact with persistent gendered expectations/norms to influence women’s experiences in navigating familial commitments and career aspirations.Design/methodology/approachAround 140 (N = 140) women living in Australia were recruited to participate in a qualitative, open-ended questionnaire that aimed to explore their: (1) perceptions and (2) expectations about (a) how gender roles evolved for them from youth to adulthood in various contexts, (b) how their family structures and dynamics, such as attitudes toward marriage, caregiving and/or household responsibilities, have changed and (c) what has/have influenced their career aspirations and family choices.FindingsResults revealed a trend of women who worked hard at home and professionally. Unlike women who in the past lived more traditional lives, women in our cohort focused on their career as an important part of their identity and self-fulfillment. However, many women did report heightened mental load, stress and a lack of physical exercise in their daily lives.Originality/valueThis study revealed complex interplay between societal norms, intergenerational influences and the cognitive burdens associated with managing multiple roles. By examining these dynamics and using an integrated theoretical framework, the article aimed to holistically explain the challenges women in Australia encounter as they try to balance familial obligations with career ambitions within changing socioeconomic contexts.

Protective effects of exercise on responses to combined social and environmental stress in prairie voles.

The combination of social and environmental stressors significantly influences psychological and physical health in males and females, and contributes to both depression and cardiovascular diseases. Animal models support these findings. Voluntary exercise may protect against some forms of stress; however, the protective effects of exercise against social stressors require further investigation. This study evaluated the influence of exercise on the impact of combined social and environmental stressors in socially monogamous prairie voles. Following a period of social isolation plus additional chronic environmental stress, prairie voles were either allowed access to a running wheel in a larger cage for 2 weeks or remained in sedentary conditions. A behavioral stress task was conducted prior to and following exercise or sedentary conditions. Heart rate (HR) and HR variability were evaluated after exercise or sedentary conditions. Group-based analyses indicated that exercise prevented elevated resting HR and promoted autonomic control of the heart. Exercise was also effective against social and environmental stress-induced forced swim test immobility. Some minor sex differences in behavior were observed in response to exercise intensity. This research informs our understanding of the protective influence of physical exercise against social and environmental stressors in male and female humans.

Establishment of a mouse model of ovarian oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide.

Oxidative stress, resulting from environmental changes, significantly affects female fertility. Developing a mouse model to study oxidative stress lays the groundwork for research into human reproductive health and livestock fertility. In this study, we established and evaluated an oxidative stress model by administering hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to mice. ICR mice of similar age (7-8 weeks old) and average body weight (31.58 ± 1.12 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (A, B, C, and D). Group A served as the control and was injected with a saline solution, while groups B, C, and D received saline solutions containing 0.75%, 1.50%, and 3.0% H2O2, respectively, over one week. We measured the body weights of all mice before and after the experimental period. Our findings showed that the average body weight of mice in groups A and B increased, while groups C and D experienced weight loss. Group C showed a significantly lower average weight gain compared to groups A and B, and group D exhibited an even more pronounced reduction in weight gain. Although group D had a high mortality rate, there was no significant difference in mortality rates among groups B, C, and D. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased with higher concentrations of H2O2, with a significant difference noted between groups C and A. Catalase (CAT) activity in group B was significantly higher than in group A, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in group C was notably elevated compared to groups A and B. Conversely, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in group C was significantly lower than in both group A and group B. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining revealed changes in ovarian morphology and follicle dynamics. The percentage of atretic follicles in group C was significantly higher than in the control group, and group D had a significantly lower total number of healthy follicles compared to the untreated group. Increased H2O2 content resulted in a reduction of ovary size and an irregular appearance in group D. Based on our findings, treatment with 1.50% H2O2 effectively established an oxidative stress model in mice within 1 week. This model serves as a valuable reference for future clinical studies on oxidative stress and reproductive disorders in female animals and humans.

Parenting styles as predictors to female students’ sexual promiscuity in tertiary institution in delta state

This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and female students’ sexual promiscuity in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study was led by two research questions and two hypotheses. The study used an ex-post facto research design with a correlational technique. The population comprised all female students of tertiary institutions in Delta Central Senatorial District with a total sample of 1,566 students. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. The questionnaire was validated by experts’ judgement and factor analysis, with a sound psychometric property indicating that the instrument is valid and reliable. The data obtained were analysed with the aid of regression statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed a significant relationship between parenting styles and sexual promiscuity and that the relationship can be moderated by socio-economic status of parents. The study recommended amongst others that Parents should improve on their relationship with their adolescents and choose the right parenting style that will help the adolescents to abstain from risky sexual behaviour.

Connotation, Expression and Breakthrough of Women’s Power

With the development and progress of the times, women’s abilities and strength have been further affirmed. Women’s thinking and development are also improving. However, there are still some obstacles that prevent them from moving forward. This issue has received a lot of attention. This article mainly focuses on the connotation, and expression of women’s power, then discovers how to solve the difficulties they faced. This article finds that women’s power took a long time to develop, and women suffered from stereotypes and discrimination while working. These kinds of obstacles mean women do not have equal chances as men. Based on these, this article finds that improving female status and breaking and turning stereotypes into benefits and policy supports are conducive to helping women. It is necessary to provide equal chances to women as men while working. Plus, women can use their advantages, such as empathy and emotional intelligence, to make a career. Last, governments ought to support women with some policies, for instance, resting holidays to relax or do other things. All these methods enable women to greatly show themselves and completely use their capabilities.

Human-specific protein-coding and lncRNA genes cast sex-biased genes in the brain and their relationships with brain diseases

BackgroundGene expression shows sex bias in the brain as it does in other organs. Since female and male humans exhibit noticeable differences in emotions, logical thinking, movement, spatial orientation, and even the incidence of neurological disorders, sex biases in the brain are especially interesting, but how they are determined, whether they are conserved or lineage specific, and what the consequences of the biases are, remain poorly explored and understood.MethodsBased on RNA-seq datasets from 16 and 14 brain regions in humans and macaques across developmental periods and from patients with brain diseases, we used linear mixed models (LMMs) to differentiate variations in gene expression caused by factors of interest and confounding factors and identify four types of sex-biased genes. Effect size and confidence in each effect were measured upon the local false sign rate (LFSR). We utilized the biomaRt R package to acquire orthologous genes in humans and macaques from the BioMart Ensembl website. Transcriptional regulation of sex-biased genes by sex hormones and lncRNAs were analyzed using the CellOracle, GENIE3, and Longtarget programs. Sex-biased genes’ functions were revealed by gene set enrichment analysis using multiple methods.ResultsLineage-specific sex-biased genes greatly determine the distinct sex biases in human and macaque brains. In humans, those encoding proteins contribute directly to immune-related functions, and those encoding lncRNAs intensively regulate the expression of other sex-biased genes, especially genes with immune-related functions. The identified sex-specific differentially expressed genes (ssDEGs) upon gene expression in disease and normal samples also indicate that protein-coding ssDEGs are conserved in humans and macaques but that lncRNA ssDEGs are not conserved. The results answer the above questions, reveal an intrinsic relationship between sex biases in the brain and sex-biased susceptibility to brain diseases, and will help researchers investigate human- and sex-specific ncRNA targets for brain diseases.ConclusionsHuman-specific genes greatly cast sex-biased genes in the brain and their relationships with brain diseases, with protein-coding genes contributing to immune response related functions and lncRNA genes critically regulating sex-biased genes. The high proportions of lineage-specific lncRNAs in mammalian genomes indicate that sex biases may have evolved rapidly in not only the brain but also other organs.

From “Big White” army to White Paper Protests: China’s gendered pandemic war and feminist interventions

ABSTRACT In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many nation-states adopted militarized measures for rapid containment. China notably implemented extreme and enduring war-like procedures. This study aims to explore the implications of securitizing the pandemic through a feminist lens and suggest ethical and equitable strategies for understanding emergencies and coping with future crises. Employing discourse-based online ethnography, it analyzes social dynamics in China’s “pandemic war,” examining how gender and (in)security are co-constructed and the role of feminist activism within an authoritarian context. This article argues that framing the pandemic as war reinforces a masculinist stance of dominance, prioritizing state stability over human rights and security. State-centric securitization perpetuates state authority, gendered social hierarchies, and structural violence. The exclusionary nature of this approach created new avenues for feminist activism, both online and offline, advocating for marginalized groups, raising social and gender awareness, challenging state narratives, and fostering collective resistance. Drawing lessons from Chinese feminist initiatives during COVID-19, this study calls for alternative crisis responses focused on care, equity, ethics, and collaboration.

The impact of salt consumption on cardiometabolic and cognitive health in aged female rats

Health concerns about excess dietary salt have traditionally focused on its relationship with hypertension and the increased risk of cognitive impairment. However, research has often overlooked the unique health concerns and physiological differences between men and women, leading to gaps in knowledge, particularly regarding disease prevention and treatment strategies for women. The present study examined aged female rats over 12 weeks, using control, low, and high salt diets to mimic the post-menopausal phase in human females when cardiovascular risks typically increase. Cardiometabolic parameters and cognition were monitored. The findings revealed the impact of varying salt diets on blood lipids, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) levels and variability, anxiety, and cognition. Specifically, intake of a low-salt diet led to a significant reduction in BP levels but an increase in BP variability starting from the eighth week of the diet onset. Moreover, HR levels and variability were notably higher with the low-salt diet. Aged female rats exhibited increased anxiety on the low-salt diet at the fourth week, but the anxiety began to improve starting from the eighth week. Additionally, a trend suggested that the low salt intake worsened short-term memory while improving long-term memory. Furthermore, plasma lipids decreased significantly in aged female rats on a high-salt diet compared to those on a low-salt diet. The study provides valuable insights into the effects of salt intake on cardiometabolic parameters and cognitive function in aged female rats, highlighting the importance of considering sex-specific dietary guidelines for cardiometabolic and cognitive health.

“We Were Put Out of Good Jobs”: Women Night Workers in New York and the Origins of the Women’s Equal Opportunity League

Abstract In the 1910s, U.S. social reformers advocated for labor laws to protect women who worked in factories. The laws included bans on women working at night. In New York, a small contingent of night-working women who had lost their jobs objected. Arguing that the laws were paternalistic and harmful, they formed the Women’s Equal Opportunity League. The group opposed all single-sex laws and ultimately won repeal of New York’s night work ban for printers, elevator operators, and transit workers. Night work was the stage on which reformers’ ideas about the greater good conflicted with arguments for women’s autonomy. Whether and what kind of work women should do at night was a conflict about class, motherhood, and self-determination. This article profiles three leaders of the Women’s Equal Opportunity League—printer Ella M. Sherwin, transit guard Margaret Hinchey, and streetcar ticket agent Mary A. Murray. All three were devoted union members whose opposition to women-only laws made them dissidents within their unions. They remained shift workers their entire lives while lobbying state legislatures and Congress to demand formal legal equality for women. Histories of the early Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) have emphasized the support of upper- and middle-class women. These working-class women, who had long opposed protective legislation, later demanded the ERA—not in spite of the prospect that it would nullify single-sex labor laws, but because they hoped it would. Theirs was a minority position, and paying attention to it reveals the complexity of class conflict at the root of a feminist dispute which persisted long into the twentieth century.

A Systematic Review on Sex Differences in Prepulse Inhibition of Startle

Abstract: Prepulse inhibition of the startle response is defined as the inhibition of the startle reflex to an intense contextual stimulus (named pulse) when a weaker stimulus (named prepulse) precedes it and is considered a measure of sensorimotor gating. Consistent with recent research, it has been observed that this measure might exhibit sex differences in studies of both humans and rodents, although the results in the literature appear to be inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review aims to analyze the sexual differences observed in human and nonhuman animal studies from a comparative perspective. A comprehensive search was conducted from the inception to the present in the Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo databases. Following the search, 58 studies were included in the review. The average age in human studies ( n = 32) was 31.45 years (range = 4–69), while among nonhuman animal studies ( n = 26), the average age was 75.5 postnatal days (range = 7–360). The results indicated no clear sexual differences in the startle response magnitude. However, consistent sex differences in prepulse inhibition were found, revealing that males exhibited higher levels of sensorimotor gating compared to females in both humans (78.79% of the studies) and nonhuman animal studies (69.23% of the studies). Therefore, the findings corroborate the sex differences of prepulse inhibition and underscore the value of this paradigm in comparative science, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as an independent variable when studying this phenomenon.

Women’s Representation in Russia: The Public Sector Bias

ABSTRACT Russia’s authorities allow for gradual increase in women’s legislative representation, but retreat from legislating policies that address women’s concerns. This article relates the discrepancy between two kinds of women’s representation in Russia – substantive and descriptive – to the prevalence of the public sector in legislative recruitment. Using a comprehensive set of data on women’s representation in the regional legislatures of Russia, the study demonstrates that public sector affiliation is the strongest predictor of women’s legislative recruitment by the country’s pro-government party, and that female legislators, in comparison to male legislators, are less likely to pursue long-term political careers.

”Un compositeur d’un grand mêrite” i Paris – Laura Netzel och hennes kammarmusik vid ingången till kvinnornas århundrade

An interest in women in Nordic music history and a fascination with Laura Netzel's (1839–1927) chamber music characterises this article. In addition to focusing on works, reception, and context, the article examines the question of what role did gender play in the reception of Netzel's and her women colleagues' chamber music? How is the reviewers' understandings of gender and originality intertwined into their texts in daily newspapers and music magazines? And finally: Do possibilities for a transformation towards a more equal chamber music repertoire and more equal music history books exist? Despite Anna Rogstad's (1854–1938) predictions that the 20th century would become "the women's century," the concert scene, and the chamber music environment in particular, was characterized by gender-related prejudices. Still, Laura Netzel received recognition for her great originality and captivating musicality when she stayed in Paris at the turn of the century. In contrast to her male Nordic colleagues, she received glowing reviews where the works are described as bold and permeated with a Nordic tone. The article focuses on two chamber music works from one of her stays in Paris: Cello Sonata, opus 66 and Piano Trio in D minor, opus 78. In the Sonata for Cello and Piano, we encounter a very expressive and mature, but also bold, forward rushing and adventurous Netzel. The style is late Romantic, but also clearly influenced by contemporary French music and in constant development. The harmonics are exploratory, but never proved too demanding for the audience and critics of the time. The Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano in D minor was premiered in 1903 at La société Musique Nouvelle with Netzel herself at the piano. Enthusiastic Scandinavians in the audience were seated together with several famous music authorities of the French capital. Le Monde musical praised it for being written with such great confidence.

Genome-wide study of gene-by-sex interactions identifies risks for cleft palate.

Structural birth defects affect 3-4% of all live births and, depending on the type, tend to manifest in a sex-biased manner. Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the most common craniofacial structural birth defects and are often divided into cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CP). Previous studies have found sex-specific risks for CL/P, but these risks have yet to be evaluated in CP. CL/P is more common in males and CP is more frequently observed in females, so we hypothesized there would also be sex-specific differences for CP. Using a trio-based cohort, we performed sex-stratified genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on proband sex followed by a genome-wide gene-by-sex (G × S) interaction testing. There were 13 loci significant for G × S interactions, with the top finding in LTBP1 (RR = 3.37 [2.04-5.56], p = 1.93 × 10-6). LTBP1 plays a role in regulating TGF-β bioavailability, and knockdown in both mice and zebrafish lead to craniofacial anomalies. Further, there is evidence for differential expression of LTBP1 between males and females in both mice and humans. Therefore, we tested the association between the imputed genetically regulated gene expression of genes with significant G × S interactions and the CP phenotype. We found significant association for LTBP1 in cell cultured fibroblasts in female probands (p = 0.0013) but not in males. Taken altogether, we show there are sex-specific risks for CP that are otherwise undetectable in a combined sex cohort, and LTBP1 is a candidate risk gene, particularly in females.

Barter, Prostitution, Abuse? Reframing Experiences of Sexual Exchange during the Holocaust

ABSTRACT Early postwar narratives by Holocaust survivors contained many descriptions of sexual exchange, sexual coercion, and sexual violence. However, Holocaust scholars have hardly investigated these experiences until the mid-1990s. And although their inquiry has grown considerably since, the ways in which researchers deal with experiences of sexual exchange remain problematic. Well into the 1970s, sexual barter between women and men was generally thought of as either sexual promiscuity or as prostitution. To counter this, feminist scholars since the late 1980s have stressed the structural power imbalance present in such sexual exchanges. Yet while the assessment has shifted significantly, the issue remains complicated due to the often unclear and hierarchical nature of such transactional relationships, obscuring the line between sexual consent and coercion. This article discusses two challenges central for scholarship on sexual barter: how to conceive of consent and choice when survival is at stake, and how to reconcile divergent interpretations if the researcher’s assessment differs from that of the survivor. It does so by examining sex and sexual exchange in the works of two female survivors – Olga Lengyel’s Five Chimneys: The Story of Auschwitz and Molly Applebaum’s Buried Words. A consideration of sexual exchange in these two works and their respective reception, alongside scholarly work on sexual barter, allows for an analysis of the changes in the understanding of this subject and highlights the challenges that it continues to present.

Men's Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and conformity to masculine norms: A person-centered, latent profile approach

BackgroundMen are up to four times more likely to die by suicide than women. At the same time, men are less likely to disclose suicidal ideation and transition more rapidly from ideation to attempt. Recently, socialized gender norms and particularly conformity to masculine norms (CMN) have been discussed as driving factors for men's increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). This study aims to examine the individual interplay between CMN dimensions and their association with depression symptoms, help-seeking, and STBs. MethodsUsing data from an anonymous online survey of 488 cisgender men, latent profile analysis was performed to identify CMN subgroups. Multigroup comparisons and hierarchical regression analyses were used to estimate differences in sociodemographic characteristics, depression symptoms, psychotherapy use, and STBs. ResultsThree latent CMN subgroups were identified: Egalitarians (58.6 %; characterized by overall low CMN), Players (16.0 %; characterized by patriarchal beliefs, endorsement of sexual promiscuity, and heterosexual self-presentation), and Stoics (25.4 %; characterized by restrictive emotionality, self-reliance, and engagement in risky behavior). Stoics showed a 2.32 times higher risk for a lifetime suicide attempt, younger age, stronger somatization of depression symptoms, and stronger unbearability beliefs. ConclusionThe interplay between the CMN dimensions restrictive emotionality, self-reliance, and willingness to engage in risky behavior, paired with suicidal beliefs about the unbearability of emotional pain, may create a suicidogenic psychosocial system. Acknowledging this high-risk subgroup of men conforming to restrictive masculine norms may aid the development of tailored intervention programs, ultimately mitigating the risk for a suicide attempt.

Iniciar un (des)aprendizaje del canon formativo desde los feminismos. Relatos desde las escuelas de arquitectura chilenas

This article presents the preliminary results of a survey that begins the work of identifying initiatives that, from Chilean architecture schools, open up possibilities for unlearning the educational canon. Just as we need to rethink how we inhabit and design, we must also review how we teach and learn architecture. The emphases of feminisms offer us some evident clues in two currently active initiatives identified in regional universities. The case of Mujeres Autoconvocadas FARCODI (MAF) encourages collective and interdisciplinary reflection, while the feminist initiative ProfesorARQ reclaims the narratives of female teaching, motivated by the concerns of current generations of students.

Heterogeneity of synaptic NMDA receptor responses within individual lamina I pain-processing neurons across sex in rats and humans.

Excitatory glutamatergic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are key regulators of spinal pain processing, and yet the biophysical properties of NMDARs in dorsal horn nociceptive neurons remain poorly understood. Despite the clinical implications, it is unknown whether the molecular and functional properties of synaptic NMDAR responses are conserved between males and females or translate from rodents to humans. To address these translational gaps, we systematically compared individual and averaged excitatory synaptic responses from lamina I pain-processing neurons of adult Sprague-Dawley rats and human organ donors, including both sexes. By combining patch-clamp recordings of outward miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents with non-biased data analyses, we uncovered a wide range of decay constants of excitatory synaptic events within individual lamina I neurons. Decay constants of synaptic responses were distributed in a continuum from 1-20ms to greater than 1000ms, suggesting that individual lamina I neurons contain AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-only as well as GluN2A-, GluN2B- and GluN2D-NMDAR-dominated synaptic events. This intraneuronal heterogeneity in AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated decay kinetics was observed across sex and species. However, we discovered an increased relative contribution of GluN2A-dominated NMDAR responses at human lamina I synapses compared with rodent synapses, suggesting a species difference relevant to NMDAR subunit-targeting therapeutic approaches. The conserved heterogeneity in decay rates of excitatory synaptic events within individual lamina I pain-processing neurons may enable synapse-specific forms of plasticity and sensory integration within dorsal horn nociceptive networks. KEY POINTS: Synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in spinal dorsal horn nociceptive neurons are key regulators of pain processing, but it is unknown whether their functional properties are conserved between males and females or translate from rodents to humans. In this study, we compared individual excitatory synaptic responses from lamina I pain-processing neurons of male and female adult Sprague-Dawley rats and human organ donors. Individual lamina I neurons from male and female rats and humans contain AMPA receptor-only as well as GluN2A, GluN2B- and GluN2D-NMDAR-dominated synaptic events. This may enable synapse-specific forms of plasticity and sensory integration within dorsal horn nociceptive networks. Human lamina I synapses have an increased relative contribution of GluN2A-dominated NMDAR responses compared with rodent synapses. These results uncover a species difference relevant to NMDAR subunit-targeting therapeutic approaches.

The Influence of Social Media on Adolescent Sexual Behavior: A Retrospective Analysis

In this modern era, the internet has become an essential part of basic human needs. Social media, as one of the most widely used platforms, offers various benefits, such as a means of communication and self-expression. However, behind these benefits, there are various negative impacts, especially for teenagers and minors. One of them is access to pornographic content that can influence premarital sexual behavior. This study aims to analyze the influence of social media on adolescent sexual behavior. The research method used is a literature study, by collecting and reviewing theories from various relevant literatures. Based on an analysis of seven international articles, it was found that adolescents have a very high exposure to negative content on social media, including pornography. This exposure increases the risk of unhealthy sexual behavior, where the more often adolescents are exposed to information and experiences related to sexual behavior, the stronger the stimulus to imitate the behavior. One significant impact of unhealthy social media use is the increase in promiscuous sex among adolescents. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of supervision and education for adolescents in using social media to minimize these negative impacts.