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Research in Psychotherapy (Milano) Dec 2023Defense mechanisms are adaptative processes that are related to mental health and psychological functioning and may play an important role in adaptation to distress, as...
Defense mechanisms are adaptative processes that are related to mental health and psychological functioning and may play an important role in adaptation to distress, as well as in mental health interventions. The present study aimed to compare the use of defense mechanisms and their relationship to mental health symptoms across six countries. In a large-scale descriptive study, we collected data from community- based individuals (N=19,860) in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom about the use of defense mechanisms and experienced mental health symptoms during the early phase of the pandemic. We found that the use of defense mechanism categories was similar across countries. Moreover, lower defensive functioning, specifically, neurotic and immature defenses were related to experiencing higher distress across countries, whereas mature defenses were generally inversely related to symptoms. Furthermore, these findings were relatively similar across the six countries. Cross-cultural research on defense mechanisms and mental health has important clinical implications. Our results are consistent with the goal of promoting more adaptive defensive functioning to increase psychological well-being and mitigate the detrimental impact of situational stress.
PubMed: 38226792
DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2023.729 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Stomata are crucial structures in plants that play a primary role in the infection process during a pathogen's attack, as they act as points of access for invading... (Review)
Review
Stomata are crucial structures in plants that play a primary role in the infection process during a pathogen's attack, as they act as points of access for invading pathogens to enter host tissues. Recent evidence has revealed that stomata are integral to the plant defense system and can actively impede invading pathogens by triggering plant defense responses. Stomata interact with diverse pathogen virulence factors, granting them the capacity to influence plant susceptibility and resistance. Moreover, recent studies focusing on the environmental and microbial regulation of stomatal closure and opening have shed light on the epidemiology of bacterial diseases in plants. Bacteria and fungi can induce stomatal closure using pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), effectively preventing entry through these openings and positioning stomata as a critical component of the plant's innate immune system; however, despite this defense mechanism, some microorganisms have evolved strategies to overcome stomatal protection. Interestingly, recent research supports the hypothesis that stomatal closure caused by PAMPs may function as a more robust barrier against pathogen infection than previously believed. On the other hand, plant stomatal closure is also regulated by factors such as abscisic acid and Ca-permeable channels, which will also be discussed in this review. Therefore, this review aims to discuss various roles of stomata during biotic and abiotic stress, such as insects and water stress, and with specific context to pathogens and their strategies for evading stomatal defense, subverting plant resistance, and overcoming challenges faced by infectious propagules. These pathogens must navigate specific plant tissues and counteract various constitutive and inducible resistance mechanisms, making the role of stomata in plant defense an essential area of study.
PubMed: 37836120
DOI: 10.3390/plants12193380 -
Archives of Sexual Behavior Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Gender Identity
PubMed: 37415026
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02650-2 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Feb 2024Mobile phone addiction (MPA) has been extensively researched as an important factor for students' procrastination. However, the direction and magnitudes of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Mobile phone addiction (MPA) has been extensively researched as an important factor for students' procrastination. However, the direction and magnitudes of the correlation between MPA and procrastination remain unclear. This meta-analysis, thus, aims to explore the relationship between MPA and procrastination in students, as well as the moderating effects of participant's individual characteristics (education level and sex), measurement tools, and social situational factors (publication year and culture).
METHODS
Qualified studies were obtained through a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Weipu. Meta-analysis was conducted in the CMA 3.0 software, and meta-analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the moderating effect.
RESULTS
A total of 75 studies, including 48,031 participants, were obtained. The combined effect size of the random effects model showed a significant positive correlation between MPA and procrastination in students (r = 0.376, 95 % CI [0.345, 0.406]). Education level, sex, culture, and MPA measurement tools significantly moderated the correlation between MPA and procrastination. However, the correlation was not moderated by the year of publication and the measurement tools of procrastination.
CONCLUSION
MPA is positively correlated with procrastination in students. Given the high incidence of MPA in students and its potential risk factors for procrastination, attention should be paid to the identification and intervention of MPA to prevent students from procrastination.
Topics: Humans; Procrastination; Students; Educational Status; Analysis of Variance; Technology Addiction
PubMed: 37979628
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.020 -
The Clinical Teacher Feb 2024Transgender individuals are discriminated against in health care environments and consistently experience poorer health outcomes than their cisgender counterparts.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Transgender individuals are discriminated against in health care environments and consistently experience poorer health outcomes than their cisgender counterparts. Enhancing physician training in transgender-specific health is critical to closing the transgender health gap.
METHODS
We conducted a scoping review to identify transgender health training objectives in Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine Subspecialty residency programmes in Canada and the United States. A systematic search was conducted from 1946 to 15 February 2022. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were written in English, included transgender training objectives, and were aimed at resident physicians in Internal Medicine or Internal Medicine Subspecialty training programmes in Canada or the United States.
FINDINGS
We found 4048 papers, of which 11 were included for analysis. Transgender health training objectives were synthesised into five themes, including (1) terminology, physiology, and gender presentation, (2) gender-affirming care and communication, (3) hormonal and surgical management, (4) routine health management and maintenance, and (5) equity, diversity, and inclusion in clinical care. The majority of objectives pertained to equity, diversity, and inclusion in clinical care, namely, respectful communication and non-judgemental care of transgender patients.
DISCUSSION
Our findings provide a comprehensive overview of published transgender health objectives in Canada and the United States and highlight existing gaps in postgraduate medical education for Internal Medicine and Subspecialty programmes.
CONCLUSIONS
We argue a need for standardisation of transgender-related residency training and suggest that postgraduate Internal Medicine programmes can utilise this review as a framework to begin enhancing transgender health education for their residents.
Topics: Humans; United States; Transgender Persons; Gender Identity; Internship and Residency; Internal Medicine; Physicians
PubMed: 37806669
DOI: 10.1111/tct.13673 -
Current Biology : CB Nov 2023The aerial surfaces of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) are covered with a layer of epidermal bladder cells (EBCs), which...
The aerial surfaces of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) are covered with a layer of epidermal bladder cells (EBCs), which are modified non-glandular trichomes previously considered to be key to the extreme salt and drought tolerance of these plants. Here, however, we find that EBCs of these plants play only minor roles, if any, in abiotic stress tolerance and in fact are detrimental under conditions of water deficit. We report that EBCs instead function as deterrents to a broad range of generalist arthropod herbivores, through their combined function of forming both a chemical and a physical barrier, and they also serve a protective function against a phytopathogen. Our study overturns current models that link EBCs to salt and drought tolerance and assigns new functions to these structures that might provide novel possibilities for protecting crops from arthropod pests.
Topics: Herbivory; Urinary Bladder; Sodium Chloride; Plants; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 37852262
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.063 -
Public Understanding of Science... May 2024Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies...
Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies have systematically examined how to counteract it. This review fills this gap by exploring the research about counteracting climate denial, the effectiveness and the intentions behind intervention. Through a systematic selection and analysis of 65 scientific articles, this review finds multiple intervention forms, including education, message framing and inoculation. The intentions of intervening range from changing understanding of climate science, science advocacy, influencing mitigation attitudes and counteracting vested industry. A number of divergent findings emerge: whether to separate science from policy; the disputed effects of emotions and the longitudinal impacts of interventions. The review offers guiding questions for those interested in counteracting denialism, the answers to which indicate particular strategies: identify the form of climate denial; consider the purpose of intervention and recognise one's relationship to their audiences.
Topics: Attitude; Climate Change; Denial, Psychological; Public Opinion
PubMed: 38243813
DOI: 10.1177/09636625231223425 -
Alcohol Research : Current Reviews 2023This narrative review of research conducted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic examines whether alcohol use among cisgender women and transgender and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This narrative review of research conducted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic examines whether alcohol use among cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people increased during the pandemic. The overarching goal of the review is to inform intervention and prevention efforts to halt the narrowing of gender-related differences in alcohol use.
SEARCH METHODS
Eight databases (PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Gender Studies Database, GenderWatch, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed literature, published between March 2020 and July 2022, that reported gender differences or findings specific to women, transgender or nonbinary people, and alcohol use during the pandemic. The search focused on studies conducted in the United States and excluded qualitative research.
SEARCH RESULTS
A total 4,132 records were identified, including 400 duplicates. Of the remaining 3,732 unique records for consideration in the review, 51 were ultimately included. Overall, most studies found increases in alcohol use as well as gender differences in alcohol use, with cisgender women experiencing the most serious consequences. The findings for transgender and nonbinary people were equivocal due to the dearth of research and because many studies aggregated across gender.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol use by cisgender women seems to have increased during the pandemic; however, sizable limitations need to be considered, particularly the low number of studies on alcohol use during the pandemic that analyzed gender differences. This is of concern as gender differences in alcohol use had been narrowing before the pandemic; and this review suggests the gap has narrowed even further. Cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people have experienced sizable stressors during the pandemic; thus, understanding the health and health behavior impacts of these stressors is critical to preventing the worsening of problematic alcohol use.
Topics: Humans; Female; United States; Transgender Persons; Pandemics; COVID-19; Gender Identity; Transsexualism
PubMed: 38170029
DOI: 10.35946/arcr.v43.1.05 -
MSystems Oct 2023Microbiology conferences can be powerful places to build collaborations and exchange ideas, but for queer and transgender (trans) scientists, they can also become...
Microbiology conferences can be powerful places to build collaborations and exchange ideas, but for queer and transgender (trans) scientists, they can also become sources of alienation and isolation. Many conference organizers would like to create welcoming and inclusive events but feel ill-equipped to make this vision a reality, and a historical lack of representation of queer and trans folks in microbiology means we rarely occupy these key leadership roles ourselves. Looking more broadly, queer and trans scientists are systematically marginalized across scientific fields, leading to disparities in career outcomes, professional networks, and opportunities, as well as the loss of unique scientific perspectives at all levels. For queer and trans folks with multiple, intersecting, marginalized identities, these barriers often become even more severe. Here, we draw from our experiences as early-career microbiologists to provide concrete, practical advice to help conference organizers across research communities design inclusive, safe, and welcoming conferences, where queer and trans scientists can flourish.
Topics: Humans; Transgender Persons; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Gender Identity; Transsexualism
PubMed: 37800938
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00433-23 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Sep 2023Many issues still remain unresolved in the management of pubertal patients with gender incongruence (GI). The aim of this review is to discuss the main aspects of the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Many issues still remain unresolved in the management of pubertal patients with gender incongruence (GI). The aim of this review is to discuss the main aspects of the treatment of these patients to provide a practical approach for clinicians.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed to provide updates of available evidence regarding the impact on bioethical, medical and fertility issues in gender incongruence during transition age.
RESULTS
Gender Affirming Hormone Treatment (GAHT) and Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) can induce unsatisfaction with change, future regrets, and the risk of infertility. This raises ethical issues especially in the management of pubertal patients that remain unresolved. Therapy with GnRH analogues (GnRHa) is intended to delay puberty, so as to give the adolescent a longer period of time to decide whether to continue with the treatments. At the level of physical changes, this therapy may have an effect on bone mineralization and body composition; however, long-term longitudinal data are not yet available. An important feature related to the use of GnRHa is the risk of fertility. Gamete cryopreservation is the most established method of fertility preservation (FP) and should be counselled to transgender adolescents. However, these patients are not always interested in having biological children.
CONCLUSION
Based on the current evidence, there is a need to conduct further research to clarify certain issues and to standardize clinical practice and improve counselling in transgender adolescent decision making and avoid regrets in the future.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Fertility Preservation; Counseling; Infertility; Cryopreservation; Transsexualism; Transgender Persons; Gender Dysphoria; Gender Identity
PubMed: 37071372
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02077-5