bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(380) “Setting the Mood: Improving the Experience for Male Patients during Penile Assessment”
Authors: Tentis E , Ziegelmann M , Kohler T , Helo S , Nelson K , Carlson S
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) is an important test to diagnose and guide treatment recommendations for peyronie’s Disease and erectile dysfunction. When patients do not achieve optimal rigidity during their evaluation we may be underestimating their degree of curvature and erection response which can impact treatment recommendations.

Objective

To evaluate specific examination conditions that may negatively impact the patient experience in men undergoing PDDU.

Methods

We developed a survey to evaluate patient experience during PDDU. Specific questions addressed preferences regarding the type of clinician performing the examination (physician versus advanced practice provider), provider gender, and specific modifiable conditions about the examination room. The survey was administered to thirty-five consecutive patients at a single academic practice. Patients were asked to complete portions of the survey before and after the examination to limit bias.

Results

113 patients completed the survey. Prior to starting the testing, 48% of patients (n=54) had no provider preference, whereas 43% (n=49) preferred a physician as the performing clinician. 70% of patients (n=79) had no provider gender preference. All patients received at least a single dose of intracavernosal erectogenic medication at the start of their assessment. After completing PDDU, 40% of patients (n=45) reported that room conditions negatively impacted their ability achieve an adequate erectile response in the clinic. As shown in Figure 1, bright fluorescent overhead lighting (29%) and hallway noise (21%) were the most frequent contributing factors. When asked about opportunities to improve future patient experience, 38% (n=43) recommended dimming the room lights, 31% (n=35) would enjoy a warm blanket, and 36% (n=41) would favor gentle music or background sounds. 32% (n=36) felt that using call button, as opposed to routine staff checks to verify erectile response, would be desirable. Despite these preferences, the mean overall patient experience on a scale of 0-10 (0=poor, 10=excellent) was high at 9.3 (SD 1.2).

Conclusions

Despite high patient-reported satisfaction, we found that patients undergoing PDDU for PD and ED reported a preference towards (i) softer/dimmer lights, (ii) sound machine to drown out hallway noise, (iii) aa warm blanket, (iv) a call system to alert staff of a satisfactory erectile response. Further investigations are necessary to determine whether these simple modifications can improve the patient experience and exam efficiency.

Disclosure

No
(387) Evaluating Bias Against Prostate Cancer Survivors in Clinical Trials for Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Gu C , Berk B , Ernandez J , Kathrins M
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Approximately 250,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United States with 90,000 radical prostatectomies (RP) performed yearly. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect following prostate cancer therapies. The estimated incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) varies in the literature after RP, however some studies have reported percentages as high as 75%. It is unclear whether there is exclusion bias among clinical trials evaluating erectile dysfunction therapies against prostate cancer survivors. We were interested to determine if clinical trials for ED had specific criteria that would exclude prostate cancer survivors.

Objective

To investigate how previous and current clinical trials evaluating ED interventions exclude prostate cancer survivors from enrollment.

Methods

We reviewed all registered trials under the category of “Erectile Dysfunction” on the website “clinicaltrials.gov”. Studies were excluded if an intervention for ED was not tested or if evaluation of ED was not a primary outcome. Exclusion criteria were examined for radical prostatectomy, androgen deprivation, pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer, or a history of prostate cancer whether treated or not.

Results

A total of n = 545 trials were reviewed. 169 trials were excluded because the primary end point did not assess ED outcomes. Thus, 376 trials were analyzed further for relevant exclusion criteria. Of the 376 trials, 48 (12.8%) were specifically for patients undergoing or status post radical prostatectomy, 8 (2.1%) for post-radiation prostate cancer survivors, 1 (0.3%) for after any intervention for prostate cancer including radical prostatectomy, radiation, and hormonal therapy, and 1 (0.3%) was for men with prostate cancer more generally. Among the 317 studies not specifically for prostate cancer survivors, 126 (39.7%) studies specifically excluded patients who had undergone RP and 167 trials (52.7%) had at least one exclusion criteria pertaining to prostate cancer history or treatment. 150 trials (47.3%) had no exclusions regarding prostate cancer interventions. A chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the relationship between exclusion criteria for prostate cancer history/therapies and intervention type. The relation between these variable was significant, χ2(7, N=317)=37.33, p=0.00. Prostate cancer related exclusions were more likely to be present than no-prostate cancer related exclusions among the examined trials not specifically designed for prostate survivors.

Conclusions

While erectile dysfunction is a common problem for prostate cancer survivors, over half of registered general erectile dysfunction intervention trials exclude patients with prostate cancer or who have had a therapeutic intervention for prostate cancer. Almost half of these clinical trials specifically exclude patients who have had a radical prostatectomy.

Disclosure

No
(416) Clinical Characteristics of Men with Sexual Dysfunction Visiting an Andrology Clinic: A Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Assaggaf H , Muawad R , Qasem A , Koujan M , Alsaif B , Aldairi A F , Minshawi F , Alwafi H
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Previous studies that investigated the clinical characteristics of sexual dysfunction in men in Saudi Arabia are limited. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of sexual dysfunction in men visiting an andrology clinic in Saudi Arabia.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of sexual dysfunction in men visiting an andrology clinic in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study is a retrospective single-center cross-sectional study. A random sampling method was used to recruit participants between March and September 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patients’ characteristics. Continuous data were reported as mean ± SD. Chi-squared and multiple logistic regression were used to find the associations between patient's age (older and younger than 50 years) and clinical characteristics of the participants.

Results

In total, 21.3% participants had diabetes and 9.5% had hypertension. More younger males suffered from sexual problems (69.8%) compared to older males (30.2%). Also, 37.5% participants were overweight, while 25.3% had class I obesity. Most participants had normal follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. Approximately 69.5% had vitamin D insufficiency. Among those older than 50 years, 80.2% had diabetes (P < 0.05). Younger smokers accounted for 79% of the population, with a significant association between patient's age and smoking status (P < 0.05). Patients younger than 50 years with normal A1C levels had a 2.5 times higher risk of having sexual problems (P < 0.00, confidence interval 1.63–3.91).

Conclusions

MSD may be considered to be caused by other nonorganic problems. There is a significant need to increase Saudi men's awareness of sexual medicine.

Disclosure

No
(422) Sexual Function of 18-50 Year Old Women With Normal Weight, Overweight and Obese
Authors: Castiglione M , Silva Cardoso E , De Avila V A , Maas Soldi N , Marques Nicastro D , Moura Rodrigues S , Benetti F , Da Silva Paiva L , Glina S
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) can influence mental and physical health, causing limitations in the ability to respond to or enjoy sexual pleasure. Obesity is related to diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer, for example, but investigations into its relationship with problems related to sexuality have not yet been well defined. of FSD, but the evidence found, including in this study, is still contradictory

Objective

To investigate and compare the sexual function of, obese, overweight and normal weight 18 to 50 year old women.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out between June 2020 and October 2021, it is observational and comparative. A questionnaire link was sent via social networks, social networks like facebook, whatsapp and also email, to women between 18 and 50 years old, sexually active in the last four weeks before answering the questionnaire, after having agreed to participate in the study and signed the consent form, they filled out a form with demographic data and the questionnaire Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), postmenopausal women were excluded from the survey. This study was approved by the ethics and research committee under opinion number: 4.229.411.

Results

325 women participated in the study, with a mean age of 28 years, where 186 (49.60%) were classified according to the body mass index (BMI) with normal weight, 109 with overweight (29.07%) and 80 as obese (21.33% most were married or in a stable relationship (50.13%) or single (42.93%). In the total score of the FSFI questionnaire (median), non-obese participants obtained 16.4 points, overweight women scored 16.4 points and obese women scored 17.1 points, it was not statistically significant when comparing the FSD according to the BMI classification (p=0.887).

Conclusions

There was no difference in the assessment of sexual function between normal weight, overweight and obese women aged 18 and 50 years.

Disclosure

No
(447) Use of Audio Recordings in the Consultation of Patients Seeking Gender-Affirming Surgery
Authors: Smith S , Stelmar J , Lee G , Garcia M
Published: May 2023

Introduction

It has been demonstrated that patient memory for medical information is often poor and inaccurate. Providing patients with an audio recording of their consultation has been shown to increase patient recall of information, improves confidence in their treatment decisions, and decreases decision regret. Patients have also reported increased satisfaction with their treatment, felt more involved in their decision making, and reported an improved relationship with the health professional.

Objective

The use of audio recordings has primarily been investigated in the setting of oncologic consultation and has been described in other patient settings as well; however, to our knowledge this is the first reported use of audio recordings in consultation for gender-affirming surgery.

Methods

We conducted a pilot study and began offering all new patients the opportunity to have their consultations recorded. 100% of the patients who were given the option to have the consultation recorded chose to do so. At the end of the consultation the recording was uploaded to a USB, which was either given to the patient to take home immediately or was mailed to their home address within a few days of their consultation. A copy of each consultation was retained by the providers as a record. We then sent out a survey to all patients who had received a copy of their audio consultation to query the utility of having access to an audio recording of their consultation.

Results

15/27 patients who had their consultation recorded responded to our survey (6 transfeminine and 9 transmasculine). Mean age was 30.4. One patient reported they did not receive their recording in the mail, leaving 14 respondents to answer questions about the audio. Survey responses are shown in Table 1.

Conclusions

In our series, patients reported that having access to an audio recording of their consultation was beneficial and was viewed overwhelmingly positively. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the use of audio recordings in the surgical consultation process for patients seeking genital gender-affirming surgery.

Disclosure

No
(456) Development of Erectile Dysfunction in Men Treated for Major Depressive Disorder with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alhuwaydi A
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is known to be associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Objective

To determine the effect of different SSRIs on SD development in males, particularly erectile dysfunction (ED), a systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

Literature, in English language, published between January 2009 and September 2019 was searched using two electronic databases, PubMed and EMBASE. Studies were screened according to the predefined inclusion-exclusion criteria. The bibliographies of the included articles were screened to identify any relevant articles.

Results

A total of ten articles were included (8/811 articles searched; two from bibliographies of eight included articles). Treatment-emergent SD, particularly ED was observed in male participants, although the ED incidence was low, less than 2%. SSRIs – fluoxetine, escitalopram, and citalopram – showed a higher risk of ED than other SSRIs.

Conclusions

The findings indicated a positive association between SSRIs and SD. However, evidence supporting a strong link between SSRIs and ED was insufficient.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: jouf university, Saudi arabia.
(460) A Case Series on Vulvovaginal Obliteration
Authors: Dominguez-Bali A , Bailey N , Callihan K , Dominguez-Bali C , Nani J
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Between Dec. 2018 & June 2020, 5 cases of Vulvovaginal Obliteration, also known as Labial Adhesion were diagnosed, evaluated and treated. All of the presenting cases had a history which shared certain features, including more than 2 decades without sexual activity, no history of masturbation, no use of hormone replacement therapy and chronic urinary tract symptoms. The most severe case had the longest period without vaginal penetration (>30years). In 3 of the 5 cases the patients didn't have a partner, while the other 2 patients were not sexually active with their partner in any way.

Objective

To add new cases to the literature about this rarely described disorder. To show this condition is one of the most extreme consequences of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. To demonstrate the importance of vaginal penetration and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent postmenopausal labial adhesion.

Methods

This is a case series reviewing the effective management of labial adhesion in post-menopausal women.

Results

In 2 of the cases the patients main complaint was their inability to urinate due to obstruction of the urethral outlet by the fused labia. This obstruction caused urocolpos, extremely distended urinary bladder, megaloureters, & bilateral hydronephrosis. Leakage of urine also occurred at the posterior fourchette. All of these urinary symptoms disappeared after an urgent introital incision was performed in the OR. In both cases the exclusive use of local estrogens postoperatively failed to prevent recurrent closure. Only the combined use of local estrogens and the regular use of dilators (3-4 times/day/2 weeks, then 1-2 times /day/2 weeks, then PRN) prevented recurrence. In 3 of the 5 cases, regular use of the dilators caused them to reach orgasm for the first time in their lives. The ages of these women were between 76 & 92 years old. The last 2, and more mild cases had 50% labial fusion, without urinary retention. The use of progressively increasing sizes of dilators and estrogen cream resolved the problem without surgical interventions.

Conclusions

Labial adhesion is one of the worst consequences of GSM, due to progression towards urinary retention. It is caused by insufficient maintenance of sexual activity after menopause, combined with lack of prevention with HRT, and is successfully managed with surgery, dilators and topical estrogens.

Disclosure

No
(466) Declining Incidence of Acquired Gynetresia; Improved Access to Healthcare?
Authors: Idowu O C , Ifebude J E , Oluwasola T A , Arowojolu A
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Acquired vaginal stenosis known as gynetresia has remained more common than the congenital type in developing countries where women engage in all manner of harmful practices including insertion of corrosives into the vagina, female genital mutilation among others.

Objective

The objectives of the study were to find out the current prevalence of acquired gynetresia, the pattern of presentation, associated risk factors, treatment modalities employed and the outcomes of such care.

Methods

A retrospective study of gynetresia (vagina stenosis) cases managed at our facility over a 20years period (2000 - 2019). The total admission over the period under study was retrieved from the hospital records department as well as indexed cases for vagina stenosis/atresia. The medical records of women managed for vagina stenosis were retrieved. Data was extracted from these records with the aid of proforma and was imputed into the IBM SPSS version 25 software and analyzed by the same software.

Results

The prevalence rate of acquired gynetresia was found to be 3/1000 gynecological admission. This is more than 50% decline from the findings of 7/1000 previously demonstrated in a 30years retrospective study done 20years earlier at the same center. Majority of cases (64%) resulted from vagina insertion of corrosives. These corrosives were prescribed or administered by traditional healers to treat uterine fibroid and/or infertility. Other causes were poorly managed birth injuries and female genital mutilation. most of them presented with narrowing of the vagina, dyspareunia with or without apareunia, amenorrhea or hypomenorrhea with associated cyclical abdominal pains. Infertility was common. The commonest form of intervention was vaginoplasty with or without skin grafting with 80-90% success characterized by restoration of satisfactory sexual and menstrual functions and some reported cases of pregnancies.

Conclusions

Acquired gynetresia though preventable remains prevalent in developing nations. Concerned authorities should intensify efforts at public education and eradication of harmful sociocultural and healthcare practices that may result in gynetresia.

Disclosure

No
(480) Whose Responsibility Is It: Examining Internet Trends to Assess Vasectomy Interest Following the Texas Heartbeat Abortion Ban
Authors: Ikedionwu I , Padhye M , Rubin D R
Published: May 2023

Introduction

There have been record-high numbers of anti-abortion laws being pushed in the United States, and Texas has been one of the few states not to have such laws struck down. In May 2021, Texas passed the “heartbeat abortion ban” law making abortions after detection of a fetal heartbeat illegal and liable to be sued in court. The bill was enacted on September 1st of the same year. Many have investigated its effect on women, abortion clinic services, and abortion providers, yet very few have examined its impact on men.

Objective

To examine the impact of Texas’s 6-week “Heartbeat Abortion Ban” on people’s interest in vasectomies through internet searches.

Methods

Relative search volumes (RSVs) of male family planning terms – “vasectomy”, “vasectomy cost”, “vasectomy near me”, “urologist near me”, and “how to get a vasectomy”-- in Texas and the United States between 2020 and 2021 were pulled from Google Trends Analytics. The scores were populated into Excel and t-tests were run between parallel dates in 2020 and in 2021. The terms “vasectomy” and “vasectomy cost” were coded as showing general interest, and the terms “vasectomy near me”, “urologist near me”, and “how to get a vasectomy” were coded as indicative of planning and a higher degree of motivation to carry out a vasectomy.

Results

The weekly RSV average score for the term “vasectomy” and “vasectomy cost” significantly increased from 2020 to 2021 in the United States and specifically in Texas (p<0.01). In 2021, the peak weekly relative search interest for “vasectomy” was from Sept 5th to 11th, almost one week after the bill was enacted. Additionally, average relative search term scores for terms indicative of carrying out a vasectomy such as “vasectomy near me”, “urologist near me”, and “how to get a vasectomy” were almost all significantly higher in 2021 than in 2020, except for “urologist near me” in Texas (p = 0.42) and “how to get a vasectomy” in the United States (p=0.13). However, none of the search terms related to carrying out a vasectomy significantly peaked within 2021 nor peaked specifically around the passing or enacting of the Texas “Heartbeat Abortion Ban” in Texas.

Conclusions

While general search trends about male family planning increased between 2020 and 2021, there was no increase in searches indicative of carrying out vasectomies surrounding the Texas abortion ban in Texas. These results paint a general stagnation and possible decline of people interested in following through with a vasectomy after Texas’s restrictive abortion law was passed and enacted. This could allude to the notion that society views contraception and family planning as a woman’s responsibility. Future studies looking at trends in vasectomy rates in regions with limitations on abortions can also be useful in understanding male involvement in family planning. Similar studies have not been conducted in the past.

Disclosure

No
(483) Predictors of Hinge Effect in Patients with Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Roadman D , Wang V , Langbo W , Levine L
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Patients with Peyronie’s disease (PD) suffer from a variety of penile deformities including curvature, indentation, hourglass, penile shortening, as well as erectile dysfunction. The presence of a hinge effect can be appreciated at time of penile duplex evaluation as buckling or folding of the shaft when axial pressure is placed on the glans. Patients with hinge effect can experience bothersome buckling of the erection and instability during penetrative sex. The actual characteristics that cause this hinge effect and its clinical implications are not fully understood.

Objective

We aim to determine the PD factors that cause hinge effect. Furthermore, we seek to assess the role of hinge effect on subsequent surgical intervention.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was conducted on 1483 patients presenting with PD from 2016 to 2021. 1223 patients who had a complete penile duplex evaluation and hinge assessment were included for analysis. Baseline demographics, penile duplex assessment, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess for predictors of hinge effect.

Results

Hinge effect was observed at the time of penile duplex evaluation in 33% of PD patients. The degree of indentation (1.82 OR, p < 0.001), rigidity of erections (0.82 OR, p=0.002), and degree of primary curvature (1.03 OR, p < 0.001) predicted presence of hinge effect. Furthermore, hinge effect greatly affected the type of surgical intervention required to correct PD deformity. Patients with presence of hinge effect were more likely to require plaque incision/excision and grafting as opposed to tunica albuginea plication in PD patients with good quality erections. When controlling for erectile rigidity, patients who underwent partial plaque excision and grafting were more likely to have hinge when measured girth discrepancy was >1 cm (p < 0.001). In patients requiring penile prosthesis, incision and grafting was more commonly required when hinge effect was present.

Conclusions

The presence of hinge effect can be extremely bothersome and cause instability of erections during penetrative sex. Multiple factors may predispose to a hinge effect, including quality of erection, severity of curvature. But when controlling for rigidity, a girth discrepancy of >1 cm did appear to pre-dispose to a hinge. Additionally, assessment of hinge effect pre-operatively was important in terms of determining the optimal surgical intervention to correct PD deformities.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientific
(491) Optimizing Healthcare Provider Response Rates in Sexual Dysfunction Survey Research
Authors: Jesse E , Russell R , Ramanujan S , Rhodes S , Callegari M , Prunty M , Omil-Lima D , Abou Ghayda R , Loeb A , Munarriz R , Thirumavalavan N
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Survey research is common in sexual medicine literature. Healthcare providers notoriously respond poorly to surveys. Response rates of 60% are commonly accepted by academic journals, as to minimize nonresponse bias.

Objective

We sought to identify tactics that optimize response rates in survey studies of healthcare providers on topics related to sexual dysfunction.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were systematically reviewed for survey studies that 1) were on topics related to sexual dysfunction, 2) utilized healthcare providers as subjects, 3) reported response rate, and 4) were written in English. Using metafor package, meta-analysis was performed to determine overall response rate. Meta-regression was performed to assess survey characteristics associated with increased response rates.

Results

Of 122 studies reviewed, 56 met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed a response rate of 41% (95% CI [35%, 47%]). Response rates were significantly higher for in-person, paper mail, or combination of paper mail plus phone call surveys, as compared to email (Table 1). Year of publication, number of questions, use of cognitive testing, monetary incentive, follow-up correspondence, and grant funding were not significantly associated with changes in response rate.

Conclusions

Response rates for healthcare provider surveys on sexual dysfunction topics are lower than commonly accepted thresholds. Email surveys achieve significantly lower response rates, as compared to other modalities.

Disclosure

No
Genomic Insights into Adaptation to Karst Limestone and Incipient Speciation in East Asian Platycarya spp. (Juglandaceae)
Authors: Cao Yu , Almeida-Silva Fabricio , Zhang Wei-Ping , Ding Ya-Mei , Bai Dan , Bai Wei-Ning , Zhang Bo-Wen , Van de Peer Yves , Zhang Da-Yong
Published: May 2023

When challenged by similar environmental conditions, phylogenetically distant taxa often independently evolve similar traits (convergent evolution). Meanwhile, adaptation to extreme habitats might lead to divergence between taxa that are otherwise closely related. These processes have long existed in the conceptual sphere, yet molecular evidence, especially for woody perennials, is scarce. The karst endemic Platycarya longipes and its only congeneric species, Platycarya strobilacea, which is widely distributed in the mountains in East Asia, provide an ideal model for examining the molecular basis of both convergent evolution and speciation. Using chromosome-level genome assemblies of both species, and whole-genome resequencing data from 207 individuals spanning their entire distribution range, we demonstrate that P. longipes and P. strobilacea form two species-specific clades, which diverged around 2.09 million years ago. We find an excess of genomic regions exhibiting extreme interspecific differentiation, potentially due to long-term selection in P. longipes, likely contributing to the incipient speciation of the genus Platycarya. Interestingly, our results unveil underlying karst adaptation in both copies of the calcium influx channel gene TPC1 in P. longipes. TPC1 has previously been identified as a selective target in certain karst-endemic herbs, indicating a convergent adaptation to high calcium stress among karst-endemic species. Our study reveals the genic convergence of TPC1 among karst endemics and the driving forces underneath the incipient speciation of the two Platycarya lineages.
SMDB: a Spatial Multimodal Data Browser
Authors: Cao Ruifang , Ling Yunchao , Meng Jiayue , Jiang Ao , Luo Ruijin , He Qinwen , Li Anan , Chen Yujie , Zhang Zoutao , Liu Feng , Li Yixue , Zhang Guoqing
Published: May 2023

Understanding the relationship between fine-scale spatial organization and biological function necessitates a tool that effectively combines spatial positions, morphological information, and spatial transcriptomics (ST) data. We introduce the Spatial Multimodal Data Browser (SMDB, https://www.biosino.org/smdb), a robust visualization web service for interactively exploring ST data. By integrating multimodal data, such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) images, gene expression-based molecular clusters, and more, SMDB facilitates the analysis of tissue composition through the dissociation of two-dimensional (2D) sections and the identification of gene expression-profiled boundaries. In a digital three-dimensional (3D) space, SMDB allows researchers to reconstruct morphology visualizations based on manually filtered spots or expand anatomical structures using high-resolution molecular subtypes. To enhance user experience, it offers customizable workspaces for interactive exploration of ST spots in tissues, providing features like smooth zooming, panning, 360-degree rotation in 3D and adjustable spot scaling. SMDB is particularly valuable in neuroscience and spatial histology studies, as it incorporates Allen's mouse brain anatomy atlas for reference in morphological research. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for examining the intricate relationships between spatial morphology, and biological function in various tissues.
Biochemical and mechanistic analysis of the cleavage of branched DNA by human ANKLE1
Authors: Freeman Alasdair D J , Déclais Anne-Cécile , Wilson Timothy J , Lilley David M J
Published: May 2023

ANKLE1 is a nuclease that provides a final opportunity to process unresolved junctions in DNA that would otherwise create chromosomal linkages blocking cell division. It is a GIY-YIG nuclease. We have expressed an active domain of human ANKLE1 containing the GIY-YIG nuclease domain in bacteria, that is monomeric in solution and when bound to a DNA Y-junction, and unilaterally cleaves a cruciform junction. Using an AlphaFold model of the enzyme we identify the key active residues, and show that mutation of each leads to impairment of activity. There are two components in the catalytic mechanism. Cleavage rate is pH dependent, corresponding to a pKa of 6.9, suggesting an involvement of the conserved histidine in proton transfer. The reaction rate depends on the nature of the divalent cation, likely bound by glutamate and asparagine side chains, and is log-linear with the metal ion pKa. We propose that the reaction is subject to general acid-base catalysis, using a combination of tyrosine and histidine acting as general base and water directly coordinated to the metal ion as general acid. The reaction is temperature dependent; activation energy Ea = 37 kcal mol−1, suggesting that cleavage is coupled to opening of DNA in the transition state.
Chastushki
Authors: Olson Laura J. , Adonyeva Svetlana
Published: May 2023

Chastushki are short (one stanza) rhymed folk songs declaimed or sung on a simple melody to the accompaniment of accordion or balalaika. This chapter surveys Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian chastushki, focusing upon their history, content, collection, poetics, musical aspects, and pragmatics (the contexts in which they are sung or declaimed and the intentions of the singers). The contexts include entertainment, courtship, competition, humor and satire, propaganda, ritual (memorializing the dead, seeing off army recruits, weddings), and remembering the past. In public, social contexts, chastushki invite a dialogue: each text can be answered by another text. The chastushka genre gives singers the chance to express their point of view and therefore to exercise power in social situations.
Social Movements under Authoritarian Regimes in Latin America
Authors: Brockett Charles D.
Published: May 2023

This chapter analyzes the vast and various Latin American experience with the confrontation between social movements and authoritarian regimes. Cases examined are selected from across the decades and the region. They are organized by a typology of authoritarian regimes types: personal dictatorships (illustrative cases of Haiti [1971–1986], Nicaragua [1967–1979], and Panama [1983–1989]); military regimes (Argentina [1966-73 and 1976-83], Brazil [1964–1985], Chile [1973–1990], Uruguay [1973-85], El Salvador [1967–1992], and Guatemala [1970–1996]); and competitive authoritarianism (Mexico [1929–2000] and contemporary Nicaragua and Venezuela). Although there are some systematic differences between authoritarian regime types in the relationship between social movements and repression, differences are not as pronounced as those that are found between cases within each type. The one constant found between cases and across regime types is that when an authoritarian regime possesses both the capacity and propensity to repress social movements it will almost always succeed. However, before long authoritarians will confront new popular mobilization efforts.
Student Movements in Latin America
Authors: Donoso Sofía
Published: May 2023

This chapter focuses on the role that student movements have played in Latin America’s political development. It examines their impact in both the field of education and in broader political reforms. Reviewing student movements along recent Latin American history, the chapter begins with the Córdoba university reform movement and its regional influence. It then depicts the political fate of student movements in the late 1960s when protests spread across the world, and their role during the dictatorships experienced in the region. The chapter also offers an overview of contemporary student movements in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. Under different political circumstances and in the context of both left and right-wing governments, recent student movements in these countries have pushed not only for education reforms but also for the democratization of their countries’ political institutions. Based on this account of past and present-day student movements in Latin America, the chapter argues that they have constituted a space of ideological renewal and resistance to the various sociopolitical and economic inequalities that historically have characterized the region. Hence, understanding the political dynamics in Latin America also requires an examination of this important social actor.
Lesbian and Gay Social Movements in Latin America
Authors: Díez Jordi
Published: May 2023

Latin American lesbian and gay movements appear to be one of the most successful in the region given the speed with which they have emerged and strengthened as well as the scope of their political victories. Historically oppressed and marginalized, gays and lesbians, despite their significantly smaller size compared to other movements, have not only forced national debates on the regulation of sexuality, but, in several countries, their mobilization has resulted in the attainment of numerous rights, all in a relatively short period of time. This chapter analyzes the evolution of Latin America’s gay and lesbian movements by, first, placing it within a historical and contextual perspective. It then looks at the several factors that contributed to the making of remarkably strong and successful social movements.
Anti-Corruption Social Mobilization in Latin America
Authors: Pereyra Sebastián , Gold Tomás , Gattoni María Soledad
Published: May 2023

This chapter explores the relation between social mobilization and anti-corruption in Latin America. First, it reconstructs the emergence and transnational diffusion of a strong anti-corruption and transparency consensus during the 1990s in the region. Then it analyzes the way in which corruption as a social problem was progressively incorporated into the frame of social mobilization as a significant element of criticism and confrontation with party politics. Finally, through a comparative analysis of recent large-scale anti-government demonstrations in Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, and Peru, the chapter shows that although perceptions of corruption do not directly translate into an anti-corruption movement, the anti-corruption rhetoric has become a strategic framing for the spread of anti-government demonstrations in the region allowing: (a) a challenge to presidential figures and relevant leaders, (b) a critique of institutional politics in moral terms, and, (c) the sedimentation of specific repertoires linking anti-corruption demands to large-scale contention.
Social Movements in Latin America
Authors: Salman Ton
Published: May 2023

This chapter sets out to warn against an overstating of the exploratory potential of “culture” to account for social movement developments, both through attributing causal effects to culture or through a reification and homogenization of culture. Subsequently, three modes in which culture should be studied in social movement research are addressed: (1) culture as an overarching, partially shared and partially subconscious set of practices and routines that orient both contenders and authorities; even if it is often hard to point down the ways such orienting effects transpire; (2) culture—often accused of being an inequality-reproducing institutionalized routine– as the issue the social movement is addressing and criticizing, like in the case of gender inequalities, theocracies, or elitism; and (3) finally the culture the movements attempts to embody and broadcast: a critical, liberating or gratifying alternative culture they actually practice in the movement form and operations. The conclusion highlights the need for cautious analyzes as culture is hardly ever the demonstrable cause for things and, moreover, usually is ambiguous, contested, and only researchable in concrete, partial instances and never as the abstraction shorthanded coined as a specific social configurations’ “culture.”
Feminist and Queer Perspectives on Latin American Social Movements
Authors: Johnson Niki , Sempol Diego
Published: May 2023

This chapter discusses the key theories and concepts informing feminist and queer perspectives on Latin American social movements, which result both from processes of translation and contestation of theories produced by academic research in the North, and from the development of locally grounded theoretical perspectives. The chapter first reviews some of the principal debates and concepts developed in feminist and queer theory around critiques of the public/private divide and the resulting narrowly institutionalist conceptions of the political, which constitute challenges and contributions to mainstream theorizing of social movements. It continues by reviewing how feminist and queer perspectives in research have opened up avenues for analyzing the complexities of collective identity construction and the tensions within as well as among social movements. Finally, the chapter highlights new developments in feminist and queer social and political theorizing and epistemological reflection in the region that seek to “decolonize” knowledge production.
Social Movements and Revolutions in Latin America
Authors: Martí i Puig Salvador , Martín Álvarez Alberto
Published: May 2023

Throughout the twentieth century, successful revolutions in Latin America were engineered by broad inter-class, urban-rural coalitions led by insurgent elites. However, the different types of relationships established between social movements and the revolutionary vanguard have yet to be analyzed in depth. Similarly, how the efforts of the vanguard enabled different revolutionary coalitions to surface and how these coalitions were organized have not been thoroughly researched. Without ignoring the importance of factors such as the infrastructural power of the state, the type of political regime, or the political environment in the successful outcome of a revolution, this chapter argues that agency is also a key element in explaining a successful revolutionary process. Its aim is to explore the impact of the degree of cohesion of the armed insurgent elites, and the different forms of relationship established between them and social movements, on the revolutionary conflicts of Latin America.
From Social Protection to Social Investment in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Mintrom Michael , Boston Jonathan
Published: May 2023

Australia and New Zealand both have well-established and comprehensive welfare states. Prompted partly by the social and economic consequences of the Great Depression, large-scale and often complex administrative systems and structures were created to provide social protection efficiently and effectively. This chapter discusses the nature, origins, and evolution of these institutional arrangements, focusing on the state’s various roles as a funder, purchaser, provider, and regulator of social services. Among other things, we highlight the distinctive features of the welfare arrangements in each country, noting how the early preference for tax-funded social provision, rather than social insurance, influenced subsequent policy developments. We also discuss the overall performance of the welfare system, identify the main drivers for change, review recent reforms, including the emergence of the “social investment approach,” and anticipate future social policy directions.
New Approaches to Youth Justice in South Africa
Authors: Gxubane Thulane
Published: May 2023

Formalizing child justice in South Africa provides an enabling legislative context for the practice of restorative justice as well as the diversion of youth offenders to innovative and inclusive processes such as home-based supervision and family group conferencing. Such interventions go a long way toward making young offenders accountable for the offenses they have committed in a non-punitive and humane manner so as to promote their reintegration in the society. Effectiveness, however, requires capable administration of the related programs. This chapter explores some of the challenges facing both governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in administering child justice restoratively. It also explores progressive features of child justice in South Africa, as well as some alternatives to court which seek to promote family and community involvement in the management of child and youth offenders in general.
Aging Asia and Implications for Social Security Programs
Authors: Fong Joelle H. , Klassen Thomas R.
Published: May 2023

The rapidly aging population in Asia, and in most regions of the world, necessitates the provision of social security for larger numbers of older people who are living longer than in the past while also balancing the interests of different generations. This chapter examines how population aging strains existing models of social support and public pension systems in Asia, including a discussion of recent policy responses. Specifically, the chapter analyzes the social security systems in Japan, China, and India as exemplars since these three countries will host a sizable share of the world’s population of oldest old (those 80 and over) in the next few decades. Findings reveal that each nation has pursued unique policy strategies to ensuring income security for its older citizens, but general trends are also apparent. India’s new National Pension is an example of an innovative public policy and administration response in a country without a national social security system. The general trends found in many countries in the region include increases to pension eligibility ages, and consolidating previously separate pension plans. Public administrators in Asia will more and more need to be creative and explore new options given limited resources, and in this regard have much to contribute to promising practices in other parts of the world in adjusting to population aging.
Changing Welfare Mix and Discretion Mix in Social Care Services in South Korea
Authors: Choi Young Jun , Choi Hye-jin
Published: May 2023

Social care services have been rapidly restructured over the last two decades. This chapter addresses the question of how to understand these changes with theoretical concepts of welfare mix and discretion mix. While the “welfare-mix” approach has been widely adopted in social care literature, it often fails to capture the role of autonomy and decision-making power in systems of social care. To fill that gap, we extend the concept of discretion—a certain degree of freedom to decide what is to be done in a particular situation—to examine the transformation of social care services in the era of aging and austerity. Care discretion, defined as the freedom and authority to decide how much care and what type of care is to be provided from whom, tends to be unevenly distributed between legislative branch actors, central government executive branch actors, local governments, street-level bureaucrats, care providers, and care recipients. This chapter uses the case of long-term care (LTC) services to investigate how aging and austerity pressures have transformed the discretion mix as well as the welfare mix in one important area of Korean social policy implementation. It also discusses why the discretion mix can be a useful complementary concept for analyzing the changing landscape of social care services.
Past, Current, and Future Social Transformation in Pacific Island Countries
Authors: Prasad Naren
Published: May 2023

This chapter outlines some of the challenges in designing and implementing social policies in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It starts with exploring the distinctive characteristics of the PICs and how these characteristics affect public administration. It delves into the specific socio-economic challenges faced by PICs, providing context for exploring hindrances in the administration and implementation of social policies. Following a brief discussion on the transformative nature of social policies, the sectors of health, education, and social security are described individually and the status quo across these countries is assessed. The chapter concludes by highlighting possible areas of improvement and emphasizing the need for affordable and accessible social security and insurance now and in the future.
Child Support
Authors: Fletcher Michael , Cook Kay
Published: May 2023

This chapter sets out the evolution of child support systems in Australia and New Zealand from the 1980s to the present. It highlights the roles played by changing family structures and labor market participation in driving the evolving design and administration of child support programs in both countries. It also describes ongoing issues concerning the interactions between child support and other social welfare policies and identifies the part played by child support payers, who are mainly male, in arguing for changes to both countries’ systems in the 2000s. The chapter concludes by considering some of the future trends likely to affect child support administration, including growth in multi-partner fertility, the increasing complexity of family structures, and the impact of rising levels of precarious work arrangements and earnings variability on liable parents’ ability to pay child support.