Male Individuals Research Articles

A Preliminary Study on Gonadal Development in the European Eel (Anguilla anguilla, Linnaeus, 1758) within the Gediz Delta, Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea, Türkiye)

Anguilla anguilla, a catadromous species, is believed to undergo significant morphological and physiological changes in the final stage of its freshwater life. These changes are closely associated with gonad development and enable adaptation for long migration. This study examined 89 eels from the Gediz Delta, caught by commercial fishermen between 2020-2021. The eels' total lengths and weights were measured in the laboratory before they were dissected to examine gonad development. The total length and weight values of the specimens ranged from 19.2-72.5 cm (average: 46.77 cm) and 10.1-1002.4 g (average: 254.69 g) respectively. The ratio of female to male eels was 1:1.28. The chi-square test revealed no significant difference between female and male individuals (χ² calculation: 0.625 < χ² table: 3.841). The Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) value of the species was found to be between 0.22-0.47, peaking in the fall (0.47). Upon histological examination of the females' ovaries, two phases were identified - immature and maturing. Oocytes in the ovary consisted of pre-vitellogenic and early vitellogenic phases. The pre-vitellogenic phase featured a large nucleus situated in the centre of dense cytoplasm. The diameter of oocytes in this stage was measured between 90-200 µm. The early vitellogenic stage was characterized by larger oocytes located primarily in the peripheral zone of the ovarian stroma, containing a high amount of adipose tissue. The oocytes in this stage had a diameter ranging from 210-280 µm.

Schmorl's nodes in two 19th-20th century Spanish osteological collections from Valladolid and Granada.

This study examines how age at death, sex, and socio-historical context relate to the frequency, location, and severity of Schmorl's nodes. The sample comprised thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of 192 skeletons from two contemporary documented osteological collections from Spain, in Valladolid and Granada, both of which contain individuals who died during the second half of the 20th century. Schmorl's nodes were recorded on the superior and inferior surfaces of vertebral bodies and their location was categorized in one of three areas: center, canal, and periphery. The prevalence of Schmorl's nodes was 57.42 % for the Valladolid collection and 67.39 % for Granada, with no significant differences between collections. Statistically significant differences were found between the sexes, but age at death did not correlate with the presence of the lesion. This analysis supports the absence of a direct relationship between the pathology and the aging process, but shows a greater predisposition in male individuals, suggesting that vertebral morphology and/or physical activity might be key etiological factors. This research enhances our understanding of the etiology of Schmorl's nodes by highlighting sex as a key variable and suggesting a lack of association with age. The absence of data on occupational activity prevents correlating this variable with the presence of Schmorl's nodes. Conduct studies on geometric morphometric data to corroborate the evolutionary hypothesis proposed by other authors.

Monkeypox-related knowledge and vaccination willingness among HIV-diagnosed and -suspected males: a cross-sectional survey in Changsha

ObjectiveThis study aimed to update baseline data on monkeypox (mpox)-related knowledge and vaccination willingness among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosed and suspected males.MethodsThe cross-sectional survey was conducted in Changsha, a provincial capital in China, during 5 JULY to 5 SEPTEMBER 2023. Among the three study groups, the participants in the “previously diagnosed” group were recruited from a cohort of HIV-infected patients. The “newly diagnosed” and the “suspected” groups were recruited from the outpatients and grouped according to their confirmatory test results. The the exploratory factor analysis was firstly applied to capture the latent structure of participants’ response to the questionnaire about monkeypox. The component and factor scores were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis H tests. The chi-square test was then used to assess the difference of mpox vaccination willingness between MSM and non-MSM in each group. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of vaccination willingness.ResultsA total of 481 males were included in the final analysis. The results revealed that there was a gap in knowledge about monkeypox between the three participant groups. The vaccination willingness rate of HIV-infected participants was above 90%, while the rate in the HIV-suspected group was 72.60%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the previously diagnosed group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.314, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.105–0.940) and the suspected group (aOR = 0.111, 95% CI: 0.034–0.363) had a lower level of vaccination willingness and they were referred to the newly diagnosed group. Participants in the age groups ranging 25–34 (aOR = 0.287, 95% CI: 0.086–0.959) and 35–44 (aOR = 0.136, 95% CI: 0.039–0.478) years showed a lower level of vaccination willingness, referred to the 15–24 year age group. A better knowledge about monkeypox was associated with a higher level of vaccination willingness (aOR = 1.701, 95% CI: 1.165–2.483). Additionally, a considerable percentage of heterosexual individuals in each group indicated their acceptance of monkeypox vaccines.ConclusionAn overall high level of vaccination willingness was observed among HIV-infected and-suspected male individuals with disparities noted among those with different HIV infection status, knowledge levels of monkeypox, and age. Addressing the existing knowledge gap and engaging people with persistent risks—regardless of their sexual orientation—for a timely HIV diagnosis may facilitate vaccine-based mitigation measures against monkeypox.

Acute kidney injury: a post-COVID-19 complication in children and adolescents.

To describe cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children diagnosed with COVID-19, associated risk factors, clinical aspects and outcome of cases. Retrospective study, carried out in a pediatric hospital between March 2020 and September 2021, with patients with COVID-19 who were diagnosed with AKI, studying information present in medical records such as comorbidities, age, gender and use of nephrotoxic medications. We studied 40 cases, and male individuals were significantly more affected (62.5%; p=0.025). AKI was a severe complication of COVID-19 infection, with 100% of the sample requiring admission to the Intensive Care Unit and 22.5% dying. The most prevalent comorbidities analyzed in this study were epilepsy, cerebral palsy and heart disease. Most patients were classified according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria as KDIGO 1 (42.5%), and required orotracheal intubation (67.5%). The frequency of use of nephrotoxic medications and need for dialysis was low, with percentages of 35 and 17.5%, respectively. Among the children who died, 70.4% had some comorbidity and 88.8% received invasive ventilation. AKI in children with COVID-19 infection is associated with severe conditions. Despite the severity, most patients were discharged alive from the hospital.

Recommendations from Imaging, Oncology, and Radiology Organizations to Guide Management in Prostate Cancer: Summary of Current Recommendations.

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy among male individuals in the United States and requires careful imaging approaches because of its varied presentations. This review examines prostate cancer imaging guidelines from leading organizations, including the American College of Radiology, American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and serves as a reference highlighting commonalities and divergences in current imaging recommendations across prostate cancer states. We outline these organizations and their methods, focusing on their approaches to panel expertise, guideline development, evidence grading, and revision schedules. We then compare and contrast the role of various imaging modalities across states of prostate cancer management in the following categories: clinically suspected prostate cancer, clinically established prostate cancer: active surveillance or staging, monitoring metastatic disease, and posttreatment follow-up: recurrent or residual disease. Overall, there is consensus on the importance of multiparametric MRI in diagnosis and staging prior to active surveillance and the emerging role of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT in metastatic and recurrent disease. However, there is disparity in imaging recommendations for detecting metastases in unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer and views on current applications of PSMA PET/CT. Ultimately, variations in radiologic expertise exist among guideline panels, and there continue to be inconsistencies in imaging recommendations in prostate cancer. Keywords: Prostate, Genital/Reproductive, Oncology Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2025.

Cohort profile: creation of the SAIL MELD-B e-cohort (SMC) and SAIL MELD-B children and young adult e-cohort (SMYC) to investigate the lived experience of the 'burdensomeness' of multimorbidity.

We have established the SAIL MELD-B electronic cohort (e-cohort SMC) and the SAIL MELD-B children and Young adults e-cohort (SMYC) as a part of the Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) project. Each cohort has been created to investigate and develop a deeper understanding of the lived experience of the 'burdensomeness' of multimorbidity by identifying new clusters of burdensomeness concepts, exploring early life risk factors of multimorbidity and modelling hypothetical prevention scenarios. The SMC and SMYC are longitudinal e-cohorts created from routinely collected individual-level population-scale anonymised data sources available within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. They include individuals with available records from linked health and demographic data sources in SAIL at any time between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2022. The SMYC e-cohort is a subset of the SMC, including only individuals born on or after the cohort start date. The SMC and SMYC cohorts include 5 180 602 (50.3% female and 49.7% male) and 896 155 (48.7% female and 51.3% male) individuals, respectively. Considering both primary and secondary care health data, the five most common long-term conditions for individuals in SMC are 'Depression', affecting 21.6% of the cohort, 'Anxiety' (21.1%), 'Asthma' (17.5%), 'Hypertension' (16.2%) and 'Atopic Eczema' (14.1%) and the five most common conditions for individuals in SMYC are 'Atopic Eczema' (21.2%), 'Asthma' (11.6%), 'Anxiety' (6.0%), 'Deafness' (4.6%) and 'Depression' (4.3%). The SMC and SMYC e-cohorts have been developed using a reproducible, maintainable concept curation pipeline, which allows for the cohorts to be updated dynamically over time and manages for the request and processing of further approved long-term conditions and burdensomeness concepts extraction. Best practices from the MELD-B project can be utilised across other projects, accessing similar data with population-scale data sources and trusted research environments.

Association of altered cortical gyrification and working memory in male early abstinent alcohol-dependent individuals.

Alcohol dependence (AD) is an addictive disorder with multifaceted neurobiological features. Recent research on the pathophysiological mechanisms of AD has emphasized the important role of dysconnectivity. Cortical gyrification is known to be a reliable marker of neural connectivity. This study aimed to explore cortical gyrification using the local gyrification index (LGI) between alcohol-dependent patients and controls. Magnetic resonance images were collected from 60 early abstinent patients with AD (5-12 days after stopping alcohol consumption) and 59 controls and preprocessed using FreeSurfer, followed by surface-based morphometry (SBM) analysis to compare the LGI between the two groups. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Spatial Working Memory (SWM) test in the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). The relationship between LGI, cognitive performance, and clinical variables was also explored in the patient group. Compared with controls, patients with AD exhibited significantly decreased LGI in several regions, including the postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal, superior temporal, middle temporal, insula, superior parietal, and inferior parietal cortex. AD patients did worse than controls in several SWM measures. Furthermore, decreased LGI in the left postcentral was negatively correlated with working memory performance after multiple comparison corrections in the patient group. Alcohol-dependent individuals exhibit abnormal patterns of cortical gyrification, which may be underlying neurobiological markers of AD. Our findings further indicate that working memory deficits may be related to abnormalities in cortical gyrification in alcohol addiction.

Analyzing Patterns of Skeletal Indicators of Developmental Stress Through the Double Lens of Ontogeny and the Life Course Approach in a Contemporary Reference Sample.

Skeletal indicators of developmental stress are commonly used to assess health, disease, and patterns of morbidity and mortality in past populations. Incorporating information about individual life history, such as adverse life events, allows for a more thorough understanding of their etiology. This paper adopts the double lens of ontogeny and the life course to analyze indicators of developmental stress in relation to known individual pathologies and developmental patterns of the cranium, vertebrae, and long bones. Six skeletal indicators were collected on CT scans or virtual skeletal reconstructions of 1033 contemporary deceased male and female individuals aged between 0 and 20 years from New Mexico: cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, Harris lines, stunting, vertebral neural canal diameters, and bone mineral density. Autopsy reports provided information on age, sex, disease type, and duration. Polychoric and polyserial correlations, boxplots, balloon plots, factor analyses of mixed data, and cluster analyses were used to explore patterns among indicators, ontogeny, sex, and disease. The presence and prevalence of indicators varied depending on age and disease: Harris lines, stunted growth, and cribra orbitalia were common in younger age groups and in cases of long-term or respiratory illnesses, while porotic hyperostosis was more prevalent in adolescent and young adult males. Skeletal indicators of developmental stress are most likely associated with the timing of adverse life events in relation to the corresponding ontogenetic patterns, developmental sensitivity to stressors, and developmental plasticity/canalization of the different skeletal elements that bear them.

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological, psychological, and neurostimulatory interventions for ADHD in adults: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis.

The comparative benefits and harms of available interventions for ADHD in adults remain unclear. We aimed to address these important knowledge gaps. In this systematic review and component network meta-analysis (NMA), we searched multiple databases for published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for ADHD in adults from database inception to Sept 6, 2023. We included aggregate data from RCTs comparing interventions against controls or any other eligible active intervention for the treatment of symptoms in adults (ages ≥18 years) with a formal diagnosis of ADHD. Pharmacological therapies were included only if their maximum planned doses were considered eligible according to international guidelines. We included RCTs of at least 1-week duration for medications, of at least four sessions for psychological therapies, and of any length deemed appropriate for neurostimulation. For RCTs of medications, cognitive training, or neurostimulation alone, we included only double-blind RCTs. At least two authors independently screened the identified records and extracted data from eligible RCTs. Our primary outcomes were efficacy (change in ADHD core symptom severity on self-rated and clinician-rated scales at timepoints closest to 12 weeks) and acceptability (all-cause discontinuation). We estimated standardised mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) using random effects pairwise and component NMA, dismantling interventions into specific therapeutic components. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021265576). People with relevant lived experience were involved in the conduct of the research and writing process. Of 32 416 records, 113 unique RCTs encompassing 14 887 participants were eligible for analysis (6787 [45·6%] females, 7638 [51·3%] males, 462 [3·1%] sex not reported). The RCTs encompassed pharmacological therapies (63 [55·8%] of 113 RCTs; 6875 participants), psychological therapies (28 [24·8%] of 113 RCTs; 1116 participants), neurostimulatory therapy and neurofeedback (ten [8·8%] of 113 RCTs; 194 participants), and control conditions (97 [85·8%] of 113 RCTs; 5770 participants). For reduction of ADHD core symptoms at 12 weeks on both self-reported and clinician-reported rating scales, atomoxetine (self-reported scale SMD -0·38, 95% CI -0·56 to -0·21; clinician-reported scale -0·51, -0·64 to -0·37) and stimulants (0·39, -0·52 to -0·26; -0·61, -0·71 to -0·51) had higher efficacy than placebo (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis [CINeMA] ranging between very low and moderate). Cognitive behavioural therapy (-0·76, -1·26 to -0·26), cognitive remediation (-1·35, -2·42 to -0·27), mindfulness (-0·79, -1·29 to -0·29), psychoeducation (-0·77, -1·35 to -0·18), and transcranial direct current stimulation (-0·78; -1·13 to -0·43) were better than placebo only on clinician-reported measures. Regarding acceptability, all therapeutic components were similar to placebo other than atomoxetine (OR 1·43, 95% CI 1·14 to 1·80; CINeMA moderate) and guanfacine (3·70, 1·22 to 11·19; high), which had lower acceptability compared with placebo. Baseline severity of self-reported ADHD core symptoms, year of publication, percentage of male individuals, and percentage of individuals with ADHD and another mental health condition did not explain the heterogeneity observed in unadjusted non-component models of self-reported ADHD core symptoms. Treatment length had little effect on heterogeneity. Stimulants and atomoxetine were the only interventions with evidence of beneficial effects in terms of reducing ADHD core symptoms in the short term, supported by both self-reported and clinician-reported ratings. However, atomoxetine was less acceptable than placebo. Medications for ADHD were not efficacious on additional relevant outcomes, such as quality of life, and evidence in the longer term is underinvestigated. The effects of non-pharmacological strategies were inconsistent across different raters. Our network meta-analysis represents the most comprehensive synthesis of available evidence to inform future guidelines in the field. UK National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Alcohol Use Disorder Polygenic Score Compared With Family History and ADH1B

Identification of individuals at high risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and subsequent application of prevention and intervention programs has been reported to decrease the incidence of AUD. The polygenic score (PGS), which measures an individual's genetic liability to a disease, can potentially be used to evaluate AUD risk. To assess the estimability and generalizability of the PGS, compared with family history and ADH1B, in evaluating the risk of AUD among populations of European ancestry. This genetic association study was conducted between October 1, 2023, and May 21, 2024. A 2-stage design was used. First, the pruning and thresholding method was used to calculate PGSs in the screening stage. Second, the estimability and generalizability of the best PGS was determined using 2 independent samples in the testing stage. Three cohorts ascertained to study AUD were used in the screening stage: the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE), and the Australian Twin-Family Study of Alcohol Use Disorder (OZALC). The All of Us Research Program (AOU), which comprises participants with diverse backgrounds and conditions, and the Indiana Biobank (IB), consisting of Indiana University Health system patients, were used to test the best PGS. For the COGA, SAGE, and OZALC cohorts, cases with AUD were determined using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) or Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria; controls did not meet any criteria or did not have any other substance use disorders. For the AOU and IB cohorts, cases with AUD were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) or International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes; controls were aged 21 years or older and did not have AUD. The PGS was calculated using single-nucleotide variants with concordant effects in 3 large-scale genome-wide association studies of AUD-related phenotypes. The main outcome was AUD determined with DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria and ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes. Generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression models were used to analyze related and unrelated samples, respectively. The COGA, SAGE, and OZALC cohorts included a total of 8799 samples (6323 cases and 2476 controls; 50.6% were men). The AOU cohort had a total of 116 064 samples (5660 cases and 110 404 controls; 60.4% were women). The IB cohort had 6373 samples (936 cases and 5437 controls; 54.9% were women). The 5% of samples with the highest PGS in the AOU and IB cohorts were approximately 2 times more likely to develop AUD (odds ratio [OR], 1.96 [95% CI, 1.78-2.16]; P = 4.10 × 10-43; and OR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.59-2.71]; P = 9.15 × 10-8, respectively) compared with the remaining 95% of samples; these ORs were comparable to family history of AUD. For the 5% of samples with the lowest PGS in the AOU and IB cohorts, the risk of AUD development was approximately half (OR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.45-0.62]; P = 6.98 × 10-15; and OR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.39-0.84]; P = 4.88 × 10-3) compared with the remaining 95% of samples; these ORs were comparable to the protective effect of ADH1B. PGS had similar estimabilities in male and female individuals. In this study of AUD risk among populations of European ancestry, PGSs were calculated using concordant single-nucleotide variants and the best PGS was tested in targeted datasets. The findings suggest that the PGS may potentially be used to evaluate AUD risk. More datasets with similar AUD prevalence as in general populations are needed to further test the generalizability of PGS.

Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors was associated with rapid progression to end stage kidney disease in a Korean nationwide study

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used drugs worldwide. However, their influence on the progression of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in established chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases is unclear. Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database encoded by the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership–Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM), patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD initiating PPIs or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) for over 90 days were enrolled from 2012 through 2021. Incidence of ESKD events between the groups were compared using a cox proportional hazard model. A total of 34,656 eligible patients were included. Of the patients, 65.1% had CKD stage 3, 44.5% aged > 75 years, 59.8% were male individuals, and 68.3% had diabetes. After 1:1 propensity score matching, ESKD progression was observed in 2327 out of 19,438 patients and it was more frequent in PPI users (incidence rate, 10.5/100PYs) than that in H2RA users (incidence rate, 9.2/100PYs; IRR, 1.14 [1.07–1.12]). Using the subgroup analysis, IRR was significantly higher in patients with CKD stage 3 (IRR 1.40 [1.21–1.60]), whereas it was not in those with CKD stage 4 (IRR 1.04 [0.94–1.15]). A similar trend was observed in patients with CKD 3 or 4 with and without diabetes. In general, PPI use is associated with a 14% higher risk of ESKD progression in patients with CKD stage 3 or 4. However, the influence of PPIs differed according to the comorbidities and risks of adverse kidney outcomes.

Forest Environmental Conditions Shape Carcass Mass but Not Antler Investment of Red Deer Stags (Cervus elaphus L.)—Study from Western European Populations

Population stability depends on environmental conditions and their changes, as well as the availability of energy resources. Animals allocate their energy to maintenance, growth, reproduction, and energy storage; therefore, trade-offs are expected between life history traits. Access to abundant resources is expected to manifest itself in the investment of male individuals in sexually selected traits, such as carcass mass and antler size. The study aimed to analyze environmental climate conditions on the carcass and antler mass, as well as on antler form in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) populations. We analyzed the carcasses and the antler masses and forms of 550 red deer stags from three populations in Central–Western Europe that differ in climate conditions that were hunter-harvested between the 2017 and 2021 hunting seasons. Our data indicated that carcass mass was shaped by the location of the population, stag age, precipitation, and temperature, as well as the number of frost days from January to the harvest date. Antler mass and antler investment depended on stag age but not climatic factors. Regular antler forms were more often observed in the harsh environmental conditions. Our observation confirms that resource trade-off is related to carcass mass of red deer.

In Vivo Tau and Neurodegeneration Imaging in a Family With the Presenilin 1 Met146Leu Pathogenic Variant.

We investigated tau and neurodegeneration patterns and clinical phenotypes in carriers of a specific pathogenic variant in the PSEN1 gene and 1 nonaffected relative. We included 3 symptomatic carriers of the c.436 A>C, p.Met146Leu, NM_000021.4, rs63750306 variant in the PSEN1 gene, pathogenic for autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (AD), 1 asymptomatic carrier of the same variant, and 1 noncarrier, all belonging to the same "N" family. All subjects underwent clinical evaluations, 18F-flortaucipir-PET, and MRI. 18F-fludeoxyglucose-PET was available for 3 cases. All symptomatic carriers showed advanced AD tau patterns. Symptomatic female carriers presented an earlier age at onset and more pronounced tau pathology in temporoparietal and frontal regions than male carriers, at comparable disease severity and duration. The presymptomatic male carrier showed a negative tau scan 4 years before symptom onset. MRI showed no severe cortical and hippocampal atrophy in all individuals. Brain metabolism showed neurodegeneration patterns typical of AD in symptomatic carriers. In PSEN1 Met146Leu variant carriers, high cortical tau load, without significant atrophy, was present during early memory deficits. In the asymptomatic phase, all biomarkers were negative. More pronounced tau pathology in female than male individuals highlights the need to investigate sex differences in autosomal dominant AD.

Embracing diversity and inclusivity in nursing: challenges and opportunities for transgender and intersex individuals in Pakistan

Variety is an integral aspect of our world, adding beauty and enabling us to appreciate the diverse qualities present in different aspects of life. Imagine a world without diversity, where we are left with only one type of fruit, flower, or colour. Such uniformity would render life bland and monotonous. Hence, the importance of diversity cannot be overstated, as it brings vibrancy and richness to our existence, making it essential for our well-being. God created diverse sexes, including female, male, intersex, and transgender individuals, each with roles to fulfil. However, intersex and transgender people often face barriers to healthcare access, professionals' unfamiliarity with relevant terminology, failure to respect patients' preferred pronouns, and treatment in non-inclusive environments [1]. Similarly, a 2024 study by Nation, Austin found that LGBT individuals often face fear, stigma, discrimination, homophobia, and even violence when seeking healthcare and mental health services [2]. Transgender individuals are underrepresented in nursing worldwide, including in Pakistan, due to fears of discrimination and social rejection, despite the profession's esteemed status. Pakistan is grappling with a severe shortage of nurses, as evidenced by the 2022-23 report from the Pakistan Nursing Council, which indicates a total enrolment of 103,821 registered nurses. In the Asian region, there has been a notable increase in the departure of nursing professionals as a result of stress, burnout, and disproportionate workloads both proceeding and during the COVID-19 pandemic [3]. To address the nursing shortage, the transgender and intersex community's potential should be recognized, given their physical and mental strength. Historically, they held roles like guards and chamberlains in the Middle East and China [4]. Transgender individuals, known for their compassion and empathy, are ideal for nursing roles. Integrating them helps address the nursing shortage, provides dignified opportunities, and reduces involvement in unethical activities like sex work and begging. Nurses should explore how to integrate transgender and intersex individuals into the profession with respect and dignity, considering eligibility, educational gaps, cultural objections, and workplace readiness. Rigorous research is needed to address these issues and ensure equal rights for all.

Assessment to determine the accuracy of Chaillet and Demirjian method of dental age estimation using Orthopantomographs, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Background The approach to estimating mandibular age has been widely used, although it has shown age estimation disparities in diverse populations, including Indians. Objective Our goal was to test the Demirjian 8-teeth approach utilizing orthopantomogram to estimate age reliably after incorporating the third molar. We also used Chaillet and Demirjian’s regression equations to estimate age estimation accuracy in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods The retrospective study included 196 people. Individuals were 8–24 years old. The left mandibular teeth were staged using an orthopantomographs utilizing the Demirjian 8-teeth approach. The Chaillet and Demirjian’s regression models determined dental age, and statistical methods compared dental age to chronological age. Results The gender breakdown was 49.5% male and 50.5% female. Gender did not significantly affect chronological mean age or estimated mean age (13.39±3.77 vs. 13.10±3.51, p = 0.583; 11.75±2.92 vs. 11.58±2.70, p = 0.674). Statistically substantial differences in chronological and estimated mean ages between male and female individuals (p<0.001). Out of the total participants, 31.6% had a difference in age of ±1 year, 30.6% had a difference of 1-2 years, and 37.8% had a difference of more than 2 years. Compared to chronological and estimated ages, these variations in age between males and females were not statistically significant (p=0.557). Conclusions The findings of this study support the use of Demirjian’s 8-teeth approach in the Saudi population residing in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, employing Chaillet and Demirjian’s regression equations.

Comparative analysis of the population of the brachiopod belonging to Artemia genus in the hypersaline lakes of Crimea based on its morphometric characteristics

Systematic and regular long-term observations of Crimean artemia populations have not been carried out, and therefore, there is little data in the literature on the size and weight characteristics and morphometric features of artemia at different stages of development. It is obvious that the water-salt regime of many lakes is changing and new observations of the peculiarities of its biology and the study of its morphometric indicators are required for a reliable assessment of stocks and forecasting of catch volumes of artemia. Aim of this work is to study the morphometric characteristics of the brine shrimp, a branchiopod crustacean (gen. Artemia) of the saline lakes within Kransnoperekopsk, Chernomorsk, Saky and Lenino Districts of the Republic of Crimea. The correlation analysis of morphometric (9 morphological and 3 meristic) parameters of Artemia males and females has been conducted. New data on the length, weight and morphometric characteristics of the brine shrimp at various stages of its development have been obtained for the hypersaline water bodies of the Republic of Crimea. In the hyperhaline lakes of the Republic of Crimea, parthenogenetic and bisexual Artemia populations have been found. Investigated morphological features of male and female individuals have shown a different degree of contingency. The furca parameters in females and the abdomen parameters in males are found to be the most variable. Based on the morphometric characteristics of the investigated Artemia populations, a similarity dendrogram for the saline lakes has been created. The morphometric and cluster analysis made it possible to categorize the investigated lakes into three groups with differing salinity. Mineralization of these water bodies exerts a morphogenetic influence on the growth and development of Artemia.

Evaluation of Food Label Reading Awareness, Healthy and Halal Nutrition Attitudes in Adults

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between food label reading awareness and healthy and halal nutrition attitudes in adults aged 18-65. Method: It was conducted digitally between March-August 2024 with 403 volunteers aged 18-65. The individuals' sociodemographic characteristics, food label reading habits, and healthy and halal nutrition attitudes were investigated. The survey included a total of 53 questions. Individuals participating in the study were randomly selected. Results: 212 individuals under the age of 30and 191 individuals over the age of 30 participated in the study. Male individuals constituted 41.9% of the participants and female individuals constituted 58.1%. 193 married and 210 single individuals participated in the study. 32.3% of the participants have an income level of 10,000TL and below, 18.9% 10,000-25,000TL, 34.5% 25,000-50,000TL and 14.4% 50,000TL and above. A significant difference was found in label reading awareness, healthy and halal nutrition status according to age, marital status and income level. Accordingly, individuals over the age of 30, singles and individuals with high income levels were found to have higher food label reading awareness and healthy and halal nutrition attitudes. A positive correlation was obtained between label reading awareness, healthy nutrition attitude and halal nutrition attitude. Conclusion: Food label reading awareness is a tool that strengthens both healthy and halal nutrition attitudes of individuals, allowing them to make conscious food choices and thus adopt a lifestyle that is compatible with both their health goals and religious beliefs.

The metabolome of male and female individuals with knee osteoarthritis is influenced by 18-months of weight loss intervention: the IDEA trial

BackgroundThe Intensive Diet and Exercise for Arthritis (IDEA) trial was a randomized trial conducted to evaluate the effects of diet and exercise on osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent form of arthritis. Various risk factors, including obesity and sex, contribute to OA’s debilitating nature. While diet and exercise are known to improve OA symptoms, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these interventions, as well as effects of participant sex, remain elusive.MethodsSerum was obtained at three timepoints from IDEA participants assigned to groups of diet, exercise, or combined diet and exercise (n = 10 per group). A randomly selected subset of serum samples were extracted and analyzed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with metabolomic profiling to unveil mechanisms associated with types of intervention and disease. Extracted serum was pooled and fragmentation patterns were analyzed to identify metabolites that statistically differentially regulated between groups.ResultsChanges in metabolism across male and female IDEA participants after 18-months of diet, exercise, and combined diet and exercise intervention mapped to lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, vitamin, and matrix metabolism. The diverse metabolic landscape detected across IDEA participants shows that intervention type differentially impacts the serum metabolome of OA individuals. Moreover, dissimilarities in the serum metabolome corresponded with participant sex.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that intensive weight loss among males and females offers potential metabolic benefits for individuals with knee OA. This study provides a deeper understanding of dysregulation occurring during OA development in parallel with various interventions, potentially paving the way for improved interventions, treatments, and quality of life of those impacted by OA.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT00381290, Registered, 9/25/2006.

Rapid Sex Identification in Spotted Knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) Using tmem88 Gene Structural Variation Markers.

Spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) is an economically important marine cultured species exhibiting a unique complex sex chromosome system (X1X1X2X2 in females and X1X2Y in males), with males possessing one fewer chromosome (2n = 47) than females (2n = 48) and an abnormally large Y chromosome. Additionally, males demonstrate significant growth advantages over females. Rapid and accurate sex identification is essential for effective culture management, selective breeding, and population control. In this study, we identified a homologous region of the tmem88 gene containing large DNA insertion markers on the X and Y chromosomes through whole-genome sequencing of O. punctatus. The X1 chromosome harbors a 278bp DNA fragment, whereas the Y chromosome contains a 1472bp fragment, resulting in a 1194bp size difference indicative of structural variation in the non-coding region of the tmem88 gene. We developed a rapid detection method based on this variation, utilizing a pair of primers that amplify two distinct bands (278bp and 1472bp) in male (X1X2Y) individuals and a single 278bp band in female (X1X1X2X2) individuals when analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. This method enables efficient and accurate sex differentiation in O. punctatus, significantly reducing the time required for identification and enhancing detection efficiency. This study provides a valuable tool for the rapid identification of sex in O. punctatus, facilitating improved breeding strategies and supporting the large-scale production of high-quality fry.

Exposure to novel females increases fecundity in adult male prairie voles.

Social circuitry of the mammalian brain can influence male reproductive physiology. This often manifests as plasticity in sperm production or allocation, particularly in response to male-male competition. However, socially mediated testicular plasticity has not been investigated with respect to mating and parental strategy. Testis mass and sperm production of sexually naïve and female-exposed adult male individuals of three rodent species were compared: the socially monogamous and paternal prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), the promiscuous and non-paternal meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), and the promiscuous and non-paternal house mouse (Mus musculus). Monogamously paired prairie vole males exhibited significantly larger testes and greater sperm production than naïve prairie vole males. Comparatively, there were no significant differences between naïve and monogamously paired male meadow voles or mice. To investigate the role of olfactory cues for regulating this phenomenon in prairie voles, a group of naïve males exposed to soiled bedding from novel females was used. These males were more similar to paired males than to naïve males not exposed to novel female odors, demonstrating a strong role of the social olfactory system. Further, while the predictions of sperm competition theory (species with greater female promiscuity have larger testes than closely related species with less female promiscuity) are consistent between naïve meadow voles and prairie voles, the prediction does not hold for monogamously paired prairie voles and meadow voles. This demonstrates the complexity of internal social dynamics and reproductive pressures which socially monogamous paternal males face and the evolutionary adaptions that may develop in response.