Condition Of Man Research Articles

Biomaterials in Medical Applications

Abstract: Biomaterials, a fascinating and highly interdisciplinary field, have become integral to improving modern man's conditions and quality of life. It is done by many health-related problems arising from many sources. The first batch of biomaterials was produced as implants and medical equipment in the 1960s and 1970s. Biomaterials are primarily used in medicine and may be directly or indirectly exposed to biological systems. For instance, we could use them in cultures and mediums for cell development, plasma protein testing, biomolecular processing cultures, diagnostic gene chips, and packaging materials primarily for medical items. Biomaterials should have certain qualities for human-related problems, like being non-carcinogenic, not being pyrogenic or toxic, completely plasma compatible, and anti-inflammatory. This paper introduces the history, classification, and ideal parameters of biomaterials and where they are used in the current scenarios in the medical field, providing a brief outlook on the future.

A sociology of existence for a late modern world. Basic assumptions and conceptual tools

AbstractIn the present article, we outline basic assumptions and conceptual tools for a sociology of existence. First, we address man's fundamental conditions of existence: that life's finitude and encounters with the uncertainty of existence are fundamental experiences that construct social relations. Second, we outline how existential meaning‐making and the ability to cope with the unpredictability of life are dependent on power resources, where especially the resource poor may experience ‘existential nausea’. Third, we discuss how existential dilemmas may intensify under certain historical eras. Therefore, studying individuals' existential dilemmas is a tool to examine the dominant social issues at a particular time and place. Fourth, we elaborate on the importance of studying turning points during individuals' life courses, as existential meaning – or lack thereof – becomes particularly salient at these times. This includes an understanding that death and rebirth are experienced in the form of various endings and beginnings in everyday life. Fifth, and finally, we emphasize an analysis in which the direction of people's lives is conceptualized in a broad time perspective, where past, present, and future interact and influence life choices and social relations constructed during a lifetime.

Religion and ethnicity interaction as a predictor of male fertility in Nigeria: Evidence from a national representative sample.

High fertility constitutes a challenge to men's health conditions in Nigeria, a low-income country. Religion and ethnicity are central to the current Male Fertility (MF) level in Nigeria. This study determined the relationship between Male Fertility (MF) and Religion Ethnic Interaction (REI) amidst other socio-demographic characteristics in Nigeria. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data, 2018 was used. Men aged 15-59 years [n = 8,786] were sampled using a multi-stage approach. Fertility was measured by the number of Children Ever Born (CEB). REI was generated using the combination of religion and ethnic groups; Hausa/Fulani Muslim, Igbo Christian, Yoruba Christian, and Yoruba Muslim. However, Hausa/Fulani Christians and Igbo Muslims were excluded from this study because a few men in these categories were available in the original sample. Weighted data were analyzed using the Negative Binomial (NB) model (α0.05). The mean age and CEB of the men were 32.9±12.0 years and 3.18±4.4 respectively. The mean CEB among men aged 45-59 years was highest among Hausa/Fulani Muslims (x = 11.57±5.98), but least among Yoruba Christians (x = 4.44±2.67). About 33.4% of the Hausa/Fulani Muslims had had ≥5 children, while 13.7% were reported among the Yoruba Christian men (p<0.001). The fertility Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) was higher among Hausa/Fulani Muslims, but less among Igbo Christians, and Yoruba Christians than Yoruba Muslims. Restricting the analyzed data to only monogamous men revealed no significant differences in the fertility IRR of Yoruba Christians and Yoruba Muslims, but the fertility IRR was significantly higher among the Hausa/Fulani Muslims than Yoruba Muslims. A disparity exists in MF across the REI groups with the Hausa/Fulani Muslims being the major contributors to high MF. Therefore, bridging the gap in access to fertility control measures and programmes that might have resulted from religion and ethnic differences will reduce male fertility level in Nigeria.

Queering reproductive justice: Framing reproduction of gay men from a transnational perspective—Taiwan as a case

AbstractThis article uses Taiwan as an example to argue that reproductive justice for gay men should be conceptualised within social, legal, and political contexts. Taiwan is the first Asian country to legalise same‐sex marriage, yet the law favours heterosexual couples and denies LGBTQ+ reproductive rights. Thus, Taiwanese gay men seek third‐party reproduction overseas to become parents. This article exemplifies gay men's unequal conditions from a non‐Western perspective. I re‐examine scholarly literature on the interlocking concepts of reproductive justice, stratified reproduction, and queer reproduction to answer what reproductive justice gay men need and how their injustice position situates within and beyond the nation‐state borders. Drawing on the reproductive justice framework and studies of queer reproduction, this article proposes a transnational perspective to understand queer reproductive justice through the case that elucidates the specific context of Taiwanese gay men. This article aims to make two contributions. Firstly, it reconsiders the reproductive framework from a transnational perspective to argue that gay men's reproductive justice should be conceptualised at the intersection with other dimensions of injustice. Secondly, this article suggests that the transnational approach could be applied as a critical lens for future research in queer reproduction and reproductive justice.

Masculinity, poverty and body image among older men in Tanzania: connecting intersectionality and Bourdieu's theory of practice

Abstract Until now, the body image literature has largely ignored older men. In particular, little is known about how older men perceive and experience their ageing bodies, despite the importance of the body to men's practice of masculinity and their position within gendered hierarchies. Addressing this gap in the research, we conducted 15 in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions (N = 60) with older men aged 60–82 years. Drawing upon the intersectionality approach and Bourdieu's theory of practice, we examined how older men with low socio-economic status give meaning to their ageing bodies in relation to ideals of masculinity. The findings suggest that body strength is vital capital for older men with low socio-economic status, and that changes in their bodies as they age affect their ability to actualise themselves as ‘real’ men and undermine their sense of masculinity. The inability to live up to masculine ideals left most of these men feeling inadequate and ashamed. The findings further reveal that stress caused by ageing bodies, exacerbated by older men's socio-economic conditions, constituted a threat to their survival and overall wellbeing. Interventions should take older men's perceptions of and adaptations to the ageing body into account. In addition, when designing interventions for older men, practitioners should consider the socio-economic and cultural context in which older men are embedded. Particularly important is a gender-transformative intervention that raises awareness of negative masculine norms.

(548) NIH Funding Trends for Men's and Women's Urologic Conditions

Abstract Introduction Existing literature reports a general trend of increasing National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for surgeon-scientists in America and shows that urology has not benefited from this trend. NIH funding for urologists continues to lag behind that of our peers in other surgical specialties. Between 2010-2019 urology departments received the second-lowest amount of NIH funding of all surgical specialties, only above plastic surgery. The literature also shows that NIH awards significantly less money to male cancer research (i.e., prostate cancer) than female cancer research (i.e., breast cancer). We sought to explore further gender-specific grant variation within NIH urologic funding by exploring dollars awarded to benign gender-specific non-cancer topics of urologic research. We hypothesized that an NIH funding disparity would exist between men’s health urologic research and research devoted to women’s health urologic issues. Objective To explore NIH funding trends for men's and women's urologic health conditions via the NIH Reporter database Methods We used the publicly available NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results (NIH RePORTER) to perform our data collection. NIH RePORTER is an online search tool of the repository of NIH-funded research projects and is linked to publications, patents and clinical trials resulting from NIH funding. Data was queried for a ten-year period between 2012-2021. We used uniform search parameters including “Department Type: urology” to filter for publications from departments of urology, “Funding Mechanism: research project grant” to eliminate R&amp;D, and “Award Type: new” to capture only first-time awards in our search period. All authors were included in our search, which encompassed both trainees and non-trainees independent of Activity Code. We selected four women’s urological health issues and four men’s urological health issues to guide a keyword search. Our women’s urological health issues included overactive bladder, incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. In addition, we queried the NIH Spending Category of “Women’s Health”. Our men’s urological health issues include erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, hypogonadism and male stress incontinence. Search terms related to these health conditions were used to query project title, projects terms and project abstracts in the NIH RePORTER. Results Results of our research findings are summarized in Table 1. Of the 12 projects identified that exclusively investigate either a men’s health condition or a women’s health condition, 7 focused on men’s health and 5 on women’s health. NIH spending on women’s health issues exceeded that for men's health conditions by $833,964, a 51% difference, even though fewer projects were identified related to women’s health conditions. Overall, fewer gender-exclusive projects were found than expected. For example, incontinence projects frequently included both male and female-bodied participants. Conclusions NIH appears to devote substantially less funding for investigating benign urologic men’s health issues than benign urologic women’s health issues. Further examination of this funding gap is warranted, and if confirmed it would be prudent to improve NIH urologic funding in general and men’s health research funding specifically. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast.

Economic Impact of Urological Conditions in Men and Women in Belize

Urological disease is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Concurrently, the inability to maintain employment or provide family care contributes to poverty. We assessed the microeconomic impacts of urological disease in Belize. We conducted a prospective survey-based assessment of patients evaluated during surgical trips by the charity Global Surgical Expedition. Patients completed a survey focusing on impact of urological disease on work and caretaker responsibilities, as well as its economic impact. The primary study outcome was income loss resulting from work impairment or work time missed related to urological disease. Income loss was calculated using the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. A total of 114 patients completed surveys. Overall, 87.7% and 37.2% of respondents reported a negative impact of urological disease on job and caretaking responsibilities, respectively. Nine (7.9%) patients were unemployed secondary to their urological disease. Sixty-one (53.5%) patients provided financial data sufficient for analysis. In this cohort, median weekly income was $250 Belize dollars (approximately $125 United States Dollars), while median weekly cost for urological disease treatment was $25 Belize dollars. Among the 21 (34.5%) patients who missed work due to urological disease, median weekly income loss was $35.6 Belize dollars, representing 55% of their total income. A vast majority (88.6%) of patients reported that cure of urological disease would increase ability to work and/or care for family. In Belize, urological disease results in significant impairment of work and caretaking responsibilities, as well as income loss. Efforts are necessary to provide urological surgeries in low- and middle-income countries as urological disease impacts not only quality of life, but also financial health.

Does race make a difference in how long men with advanced prostate cancer live when treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide?

This is a summary of a research article originally published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. There were few Black men in the clinical trials that led to the approval of the medications abiraterone and enzalutamide. Abiraterone and enzalutamide are the two most commonly used drugs to treat men with advanced prostate cancer that has progressed on traditional hormonal therapy. This type of prostate cancer is called metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Overall, Black men have a higher likelihood of dying from prostate cancer than White men. Researchers wanted to find out if Black men and White men with mCRPC benefitted differently when treated with either abiraterone or enzalutamide. To do this, researchers looked at medical information from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The VHA is a large healthcare system for veterans in the US where everyone has equal access to treatment. This was a real-world study, not a clinical trial. This means that researchers looked at what happened when men received the treatments prescribed by their healthcare practitioners. After accounting for differences in the men's age and health conditions, researchers found that, on average, Black men with mCRPC actually lived 8months longer than White men with mCRPC. This real-world, US study of men with mCRPC treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide found that Black men lived longer than White men. All men in this study had equal access to healthcare and were treated with either abiraterone or enzalutamide. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this. Understanding these reasons could guide treatment to help men with mCRPC live longer.

MP30-06 FINANCIAL IMPACT OF UROLOGIC CONDITIONS IN MEN AND WOMEN IN BELIZE

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP30-06 FINANCIAL IMPACT OF UROLOGIC CONDITIONS IN MEN AND WOMEN IN BELIZE Clinton Yeaman, Devang Sharma, Raj Desai, Rajesh Balkrishnan, and David Rapp Clinton YeamanClinton Yeaman More articles by this author , Devang SharmaDevang Sharma More articles by this author , Raj DesaiRaj Desai More articles by this author , Rajesh BalkrishnanRajesh Balkrishnan More articles by this author , and David RappDavid Rapp More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002573.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Urologic disease (UD) is highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Concurrently, the inability to maintain employment or provide care for family are significant factors that contribute to extreme poverty in these countries. The impact of urologic disease on economic productivity and caretaking responsibilities in developing countries is poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a prospective survey-based study of patients treated during two separate global health trips from 2019-2021 with the charity Global Surgical Expedition. Patients completed a 17-item survey with focus on urologic disease, work and caretaking responsibilities, and financial data. Items from the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) were used to assess financial impact. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients completed surveys, with 61 having financial data sufficient for analysis. Most common presenting urologic diagnosis category included Female (pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence)- 41.4%, BPH/strictures- 28.4%, urolithiasis- 19.8%, oncology- 7.7%, and other- 2.6%. Diagnoses were not mutually exclusive. Overall, 87.7% and 36.8% reported a negative impact of urologic disorders on job and caretaking responsibilities, respectively. 9 patients (7.7%) were unemployed secondary to their UD. Mean percent work time missed and percent impairment while working due to UD was 21.8% and 42.0%, respectively. Overall activity impairment due to UD was 30.4%. Mean weekly income of respondents was BZ $461 BZD (approximately $230.50 USD). Accordingly, the percent overall work impairment resulted in $59.10 BZD per capita in lost potential income per week. This represents a loss of 12.8% of total income attributable to UD. 88.6% of patients reported that cure of UD would increase ability to work and/or care for family. CONCLUSIONS: In Belize, UD results in significant impairment and time missed as related to work and caretaking responsibilities. This impairment is associated with a significant level of lost income. Focused efforts are necessary to provide urologic surgeries in developing countries as not only do they impact quality of life but also deleteriously impact financial health of patients and families. Source of Funding: University of Virginia Center for Global Inquiry and Innovation © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e480 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Clinton Yeaman More articles by this author Devang Sharma More articles by this author Raj Desai More articles by this author Rajesh Balkrishnan More articles by this author David Rapp More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Cost Analysis of Online Telehealth Platforms Offering Testosterone Therapy

ABSTRACT Introduction Online telehealth platforms are becoming increasingly common across several areas of medicine, including those related to men's health conditions. These ventures now offer virtual services for the evaluation of testosterone deficiency and treatment via the online sale of testosterone therapy (TTh). Objective We sought to compare the cost of undergoing virtual evaluation and treatment with TTh via online telehealth platforms, as compared to what may be offered by a board-certified urologist following the American Urologic Association (AUA) guidelines at a tertiary care center. Methods Google was queried to identify platforms that offer an online consultation and prescription service for TTh. Platforms that did not provide transparency of services including details of the initial consultation, laboratory work, type of medication offered, and associated fees on the company website were excluded. Information regarding the type of providers used, services and laboratory work included in the initial consultation, and price for the evaluation and three months of treatment with TTh were gathered. These were compared to the services and prices that a board-certified urologist at a tertiary care center may offer while following the AUA guidelines for the evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency. Costs for services at the tertiary care center were estimated using a single institution's online cost estimator1 for a patient with no insurance, a patient with basic employee insurance, and a patient with Medicare. Results A total of three online platforms met inclusion criteria: Hone, Regenex Health, and TRT Nation. The services provided for the initial evaluation and for follow up of patients on TTh were similar between the online platforms and those suggested by AUA guidelines (Table 1). The cost of the initial consultation including laboratory services were lowest for the patient with Medicare at a tertiary center ($0) and via the online platform, Hone ($45.00) (Table 2). The estimated cost for three months of treatment with TRT including follow up was lowest among the patient with Medicare ($32.79) and the patient with basic employee insurance ($192.58) at the tertiary center (Table 3). The cost of three months of treatment and follow up was highest via the online platform Regenex Health ($1,059.00). Conclusions While online telehealth platforms may offer a cost benefit in the initial consultation and evaluation for TRT for some patients, the cost of ongoing treatment greatly exceeds that which may be obtained at a tertiary care center for patients with basic insurance plans or Medicare. Patients without insurance may encounter a high cost of initial evaluation at a tertiary center, however, ongoing follow up and medication costs for these patients is likely similar between select online platforms and a tertiary center. Disclosure No

Slum Realism and the Politics of Aesthetics in Walter Besant's All Sorts and Conditions of Men

Abstract: By critiquing how realism usually depicts the slums, Walter Besant's All Sorts and Conditions of Men (1882) makes room for an alternative mode of perceiving slums and slum dwellers. This mode, I argue, fuses realism and utopianism, as it revises realist images of the working class as bleak and monotonous to represent this demographic as happy, pleasurable, and life-affirming. This article departs from previous scholarship that tends to read Besant's aesthetic hybridity as a failure of realism or overly idealistic politics. In upending realist expectations about the slums, the novel challenges what has been deemed politically possible, thereby demonstrating the inextricability of politics and aesthetics.

Falsely Identifying Original Sin and Pure Nature: Christological Implications

AbstractRobert Barry argues that man's condition in a state of pure nature and man's condition in the state of original sin are one and the same. This article aims to show that this thesis is false and is not the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Angelic Doctor teaches that man in pure nature would be more capable of doing the good proportionate to his nature and would be able to love God above all things with a natural love. Important here is the truth posited by many in the Thomist commentatorial tradition, namely, that on account of sin man is directly averted from his supernatural end and at least indirectly averted from his natural end. Furthermore, this thesis has undesirable consequences, albeit consequences unintended by Barry, for Christology and soteriology. We must understand what pertains to human nature as such if we are to understand the various states in which we find human nature, including in Christ. If a natural analogue to supernatural charity cannot even in principle obtain, charity will be something alien to human nature. Christ came not only to elevate us to supernatural life and divine friendship, but to heal human nature.

Do Not Miss MEN 1 Screening When Patients Are Newly Diagnosed With Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

Abstract Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN 1) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the combined occurrence of parathyroid, pituitary, and duodeno-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) along with other characteristic tumors. Here, we present a patient with history of pancreatic NET who presented 2 years after her initial diagnosis with primary hyperparathyroidism and prolactinoma, consistent with MEN 1. Case Report: A 60-year-old African American woman was admitted to our hospital with nausea, vomiting and headache for a week. On presentation, she was found to be hypotensive and tachycardic, both responded to IV fluids. Workup for infectious etiology came back negative. Her physical exam was benign except for dry oral mucosa, dry skin and epigastric tenderness. Laboratory evaluation showed serum calcium 11.8 mg/dL (8.4 - 10.2 mg/dL), which prompted further work up. Her PTH level was 1,079 pg/ml (8.5 - 72.5 pg/ml), Phosphorus 2.1 mg/dL (2.3 - 4.7 mg/dL), and 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D 10.2 ng/ml (7.4 - 44.0 ng/ml). Additional history and review of her records revealed she was hospitalized 2 years earlier with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Then she was found to have esophageal and gastric ulcers on EGD. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed an 8 mm hypoechoic lesion in the body of pancreas found to be a pancreatic NET on biopsy. She had elevated gastrin level of 470 pg/ml (0 - 115 pg/ml) and was diagnosed with a gastrinoma. She was discharged on a PPI and was lost to follow up. Patient had no significant family history. Given her past history and current presentation, we assessed her pituitary hormonal function which was unremarkable except for prolactin level of &amp;gt;1,000 ng/ml (post-menopausal 1.8 - 20.3 ng/ml). Pituitary MRI showed a 1.8 cm macroadenoma. The optic nerve and optic chiasm were normal. Based on her clinical presentation and radiologic findings, she was diagnosed with MEN 1. Her Calcium level trended down with IV hydration, and her presenting symptoms resolved. She was started on bromocriptine, pantoprazole and vitamin D and was discharged with out-patient appointments scheduled with gastroenterology and endocrinology clinics. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion to prompt screening for MEN 1 in patients newly diagnosed with a pancreatic NET. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of the associated disease conditions in MEN 1 can prevent significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.

β-Lactoglobulin Is Insulinotropic Compared with Casein and Whey Protein Ingestion during Catabolic Conditions in Men in a Double-Blinded Randomized Crossover Trial.

Muscle loss during acute infectious disease is mainly triggered by inflammation, immobilization, and malnutrition. The objective was to compare muscle protein kinetics and metabolism following ingestion of the dairy protein supplements β-lactoglobulin (BLG), casein (CAS), and whey (WHE) during controlled catabolic conditions. We used a randomized crossover design (registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03319550) to investigate 9 healthy male participants [age: 20-40 y; BMI (in kg/m2) 20-30] who were randomly assigned servings of BLG, CAS, or WHE (0.6g protein/kg, one-third as bolus and two-thirds as sip every 20min) on 3 separate occasions separated by ∼6-8 wk. The participants received an infusion of lipopolysaccharide (1ng/kg) combined with 36h of fasting and bed rest before each study day, mimicking a clinical catabolic condition. The forearm model and isotopic tracer techniques were used to quantify muscle protein kinetics. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained and intramyocellular signaling investigated using Western blot. BLG, CAS, and WHE improved the net balance of phenylalanine (NBphe) from baseline with ∼75% (P<0.001) with no difference between interventions (primary outcome, P<0.05). No difference in rates of appearance and disappearance of phenylalanine or in intramyocellular signaling activation was found between interventions (secondary outcomes). The incremental AUC for serum insulin was 62% higher following BLG compared with CAS (P <0.001) and 30% higher compared with WHE (P=0.002), as well as 25% higher in WHE compared with CAS (P=0.006). Following BLG consumption, plasma concentrations of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) increased 70% compared with CAS (P=0.001) and increased 34% compared with WHE (P=0.06). No significant difference was found between WHE and CAS (P=0.12). BLG, WHE, and CAS have similar effects on muscle in young male participants during catabolic conditions. BLG showed specific, possibly GIP-dependent, insulinotropic properties, which may have future clinical implications.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain Conditions in Men: A Twin Study.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with chronic pain conditions that often co-occur such as migraine headaches, temporomandibular disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and tension headaches. Using a genetically informative sample, the current study evaluated the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the co-occurrence of PTSD and chronic pain conditions. Data from 4680 male twins in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry were examined. Biometric modeling was used to estimate genetic and environmental variance components and genetic and environmental correlations between PTSD and multiple chronic pain conditions. Heritabilities were estimated at 43% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15%-63%) for PTSD and 34% (95% CI = 27%-41%) for the combined history of any one or more pain condition. Specific pain condition heritabilities ranged from 15% (95% CI = 0%-48%) for tension headaches to 41% (95% CI = 27%-54%) for migraine headaches. Environmental influences accounted for the remaining variance in pain conditions. The genetic correlation between PTSD and combined history of any one or more pain condition was rg= 0.61 (95% CI = 0.46-0.89) and ranged for individual pain conditions from rg= 0.44 (95% CI = 0.24-0.77) for migraine headache to rg= 0.75 (95% CI = 0.52-1.00) for tension headaches. PTSD and chronic pain conditions are highly comorbid, and this relationship can be explained by both genetic and environmental overlap. The precise mechanisms underlying these relationships are likely diverse and multifactorial.

Gender differences in widowhood in the short-run and long-run: Financial, emotional, and mental wellbeing

Abstract The vast majority of studies of the widowed have concentrated on women. Less is known about whether differences in financial and emotional wellbeing after bereavement vary systematically with the gender of the surviving spouse. This paper analyzes the consequences of widowhood on the economic resources and emotional and mental stability of men and women in the United States. Data are from the 1992–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). A panel fixed-effect model is adopted to estimate the impact of widowhood on household size-adjusted income, family wealth, affects, and somatic symptoms. The results show that though both men and women are negatively impacted by widowhood, the areas of impact vary across gender. Women's financial security and men's mental health deteriorate as a direct result of spousal losses. Women experience a 22% income reduction and a 10% wealth loss in the first two years after losing a spouse. In subsequent years, widows continue to decumulate wealth to supplement income. In contrast, men's financial conditions stay relatively stable, but their emotional and mental health conditions worsen sharply in widowhood due to rising rates of loneliness, depression, and sadness. The results bear strong policy implications for retirement planning, survivor benefits, financial education, and public awareness of the psychological wellbeing of widowed individuals.

A review of the evolving landscape between the consumer Internet and men's health.

Internet adoption continues to increase as broadband access and mobile connectivity penetrate developing global markets. Alongside increasing adoption, the Internet continues to evolve and usher in new modes of user interaction. Social media and search engines have facilitated the emergence of the participatory web, in which users are able to contribute content, form online communities, and disseminate information. This participatory web is reshaping the patient-physician relationship as patients are able to search for medical information, directly engage with healthcare practitioners through social media, and make therapeutic decisions via online marketplaces. The ability for patients to self-diagnose and self-treat is highly relevant to andrology, given that men have a baseline reluctance to visit healthcare providers. Furthermore, men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction and male infertility are stigmatized, with men turning to the Internet for guidance. The focus of this review is to survey the academic literature that evaluates the quality of online content for four common men’s health conditions: hypogonadism, male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie’s disease.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Urinary Conditions in Men: A Classical Twin Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the genetic and environmental relationship among prostatitis and other urological conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (CaP), a classical twin design and biometric modeling was used. While prostatitis—characterized by pain and voiding symptoms, no clear etiology, and functional and quality of life impairments—co-occurs with other urinary conditions, the degree of shared overlapping etiologic processes among them remains unclear. We examined the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to these conditions and the etiology of their associations at the level of genetic and environmental influences. Methods4380 monozygotic and dizygotic male twin pairs from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry reported lifetime physician-diagnosed prostatitis (combined acute and chronic), bladder problems, enlarged prostate/BPH, and CaP. Multivariate biometrical modeling estimated the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences for each condition, as well as their genetic and environmental covariance. The common pathway model tested the assumption that covariation among these urinary conditions is determined by a single latent factor. ResultsOverall prevalence of prostatitis was 2.7%. Heritability estimates ranged from 19% for bladder problems to 42% for CaP. Significant shared environmental influences were present for CaP (12%), enlarged prostate/BPH (10%) but were smaller than genetic influences. A reduced one factor common pathway model provided the best fit, suggesting that covariation among the conditions is determined by a shared latent factor. ConclusionWe identified a common, genetically-influenced factor that accounts for much of the comorbidity among these 4 disease conditions. Nonshared environmental factors also make a significant contribution.

Effects of a service dog on social participation of a C5 complete spinal cord injury patient: A case report

Patients with complete high cervical spinal cord injury have significantly restricted social participation even with the use of various prosthetic devices. We describe a patient with a C5 complete injury who showed remarkable improvements in social participation after obtaining a service dog. During March X-8, a 48-year-old man experienced a C5 complete spinal cord injury and underwent anterior cervical fusion. In January X-7, he underwent cystostomy. He discharged from the hospital in September with Zancolli classification: C5A and American Spinal Injury Association Classification: A. Since living with his service dog, he has been giving lectures about his experiences and opinions regarding physical disabilities and barrier-free-concepts at medical institutions and schools. In October X-2, he successfully flew from Ishikawa Prefecture to Tokyo with his service dog. He received the Ishikawa Prefectural Barrier-free Governor Prize. In July X, a semi-structured interview was conducted using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Rehabilitation Set. The interview and analysis were performed after obtaining written consent. The ethics committee of our institution permitted this study. There are no conflicts of interest. Using a service dog positively changed the man's health condition as defined by ICF. The following outcomes were observed: ability to take initiative and focus on actions, increased motivation, clearer planning for specific care needs, physical improvement, increased resilience, increased physical movements, emergence of new roles, better ability to resolve emotional conflict, improved autonomous health management, locomotion with a service dog, communication facilitation, acquisition of stress coping measures, living with consideration of other people, acquiring a job, employment, experiencing positive emotions, reduction of psychological barrier, increased social support and empathy due to visualization of disability, assistance from public service providers ( Fig. 1 ). Service dogs can encourage social participation, even for those with a complete high cervical spinal cord injury.

La objetividadde la moral cristiana y la filosofía del ser

The rejection of the objectivity of moral norms, considering them to be incompatible with human freedom, is one of the clearest manifestations of the present moral crisis. This question, which is often posed in relation to those norms which relate to the natural law, finds its most profound answer in a christian perspective. In effect the Gospel implies a definite anthropology. In order to express the message revealed by Jesus Christ not every anthropology is valid. Man's conditions as creature is a necessary presupposition on the gospel message. 11 this is ignored it is impossible to understand the universality of the christian message which necessarily presupposes a common basis, that is human nature. The divine initiative of salvation does not present itself as something radically heterogeneous to man but rather in terms of fulfillment, realization and restoration. It presupposes the presence of ethical requirements in the natural and universal reality of man. These ethical requirements belong to the range of natural law, a concept which has been the object of particular attack in relativist circles. It becomes necessary then, as an important task for ethics, to delimit clearly the concept of nature since in it the concept of natural law is in the balance. In a special way it must be stressed that nature is not a univocal concept but rather it is essentially analogical. It is predicated of all creatures and of God, of things and of man. Human nature should be considered as an open reality, since it is spiritual, and the moral requirements which spring from it, while granting that they are in accord with fundamental tendencies of nature, should be regulated by human reason. In this sense the moral norms of the natural law should not be considered to have been given once and for all but rather as a task of human reason. This approach, which is also thomist, does not leed to any form of relativism as long as it is situated within the context of the metaphysics of being which respects the spiritual openness of man. The vacuum created by the abandonment of metaphysics is being filled by use of the positive sciences which thus usurp the role which corresponds to metaphysics in the determination of ethical norms. The consequence is relativism as the sciences study the events and attempt to give them normative value. The sciences do have an important service to render to morality but should not grant themselves a role which is no theirs. Specifically the particular competence which corresponds to reason should be respected and that of reason illuminated by faith in the christian context. It is precisely the relationship between reason and faith that is the key to interpret the impact of the New Law on the natural law as well as the competence of the Magisterium in moral questions.