Differences in the sexual life of Spanish men during the COVID-19 lockdown by sexual orientation

Background: The pandemic affected the psychological well-being and sexuality of the population, especially among vulnerable groups such as men from sexual minorities. Method: In Spain, a total of 320 heterosexual men and 151 sexual minority men, aged between 18 and 60, answered an ad hoc online questionnaire about sexual behavior during the lockdown. Results: Compared to heterosexual men, during the lockdown, sexual minority men masturbated more, engaged in more sexual activities online, and had more sex with non-cohabitants. Heterosexual men had more sexual relations with their partners. Living with a partner during the lockdown predicted an improvement in sex life, especially for heterosexual men. Furthermore, the emotional impact of lockdown was a predictor of a worsening sex life regardless of sexual orientation. Conclusions: Future interventions should take into account that men’s sex lives are mediated by the emotional impact of the moment, especially among sexual minority men, since the quality of their sex life shows a weaker relationship with some of the protective variables studied (living with a partner).Antecedentes: La pandemia ha afectado al bienestar psicológico y a la sexualidad de la población, especialmente entre grupos vulnerables como los hombres de una minoría sexual. Método: En España, un total de 320 hombres heterosexuales y 151 hombres de minorías sexuales, de entre 18 y 60 años, respondieron un cuestionario online ad hoc sobre comportamiento sexual durante el confinamiento. Resultados: Durante el confinamiento, respecto a los hombres heterosexuales, los hombres de minorías sexuales se masturbaron más, realizaron más actividades sexuales en línea y tuvieron más sexo con no convivientes. En cambio, los hombres heterosexuales tuvieron más relaciones sexuales con su pareja. El hecho de vivir en pareja durante el confinamiento fue predictor de una mejoría de la vida sexual, sobre todo para los hombres heterosexuales. Además, el impacto emocional del confinamiento fue predictor de un empeoramiento de la vida sexual sin distinción por orientación sexual. Conclusiones: En futuras intervenciones habría que tener en cuenta que la vida sexual de los hombres está mediada por el impacto emocional del momento, especialmente entre los hombres de minorías sexuales, ya que su calidad de vida sexual muestra menor relación con algunas de las variables protectoras estudiadas (vivir en pareja)

“INSIDE” Project on Sexual Health in Spain: Sexual Life during the Lockdown Caused by COVID-19

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a major hazard to public health worldwide. This is causing a significant impact on life and physical health, as well as on the psychological well-being of the general population. Since the emotional distress and the social restrictions caused by this epidemic, it must be expected that its impact will also extend to sexual health. The purpose of this study, the first including a large sample of the Spanish general population, was to analyze sexual behavior during the 99 days of confinement in Spain (INSIDE Project). Method. 1,448 Spanish people, between 18 and 60 years old, were evaluated through an online survey during April 2020. The variables analyzed were the physical and social environment during confinement, sexual desire, type of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual intercourse, online sexual activity, general sexual frequency, sexual fantasies, degree of self-control over sexual drive, sexual abuse, general impact of confinement on sexuality and emotional mood. Results. Confinement has affected the sexual life of half of the Spanish population (47.7%), especially women. Those who reported a worsening of their sexual life are almost three times more (37.9%) than those who reported an improvement (14.4%). Conclusions. Different factors have been significant predictors of the positive or negative evaluation about the impact of this confinement on sexual life, such as gender, couple life, privacy, stress level and the perception of confinement as unbearable. Policy Implications. These results have important implications for the public health and more especially sexual health of the Spanish population

A Multilevel Model to Assess the Effectiveness of an Affective-Sexual Education Program for People with Intellectual Disabilities: the Influence of Participants’ Characteristics

Introduction Personal characteristics have been shown to influence the psychosexual development of people with intellectual disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the SALUDIVERSEX program about affective-sexual education depending on gender, age, relationship status, and degree of autonomy. Methods Two hundred fifty-four participants, clustered within 28 daytime support services, completed a battery of instru- ments before and after the intervention. The data was collected between January 2021 and April 2022. Results Multilevel analyses, controlling for participant’s dependence within the same center, confirm that the program is equally effective regardless of gender. Likewise, younger participants, who have greater autonomy and who have a partner, seem to benefit more from the intervention. Conclusions This suggests that the SALUDIVERSEX program is a useful tool for educating adults with intellectual dis- abilities on sexuality, when they possess a high degree of autonomy. Policy Implications The present study contributes to the successful replication of the intervention being tested, providing information on the aspects that may be more difficult to learn depending on the personal characteristics of the individuals

Actitudes hacia la sexualidad y bienestar psicológico en personas mayores

El estudio de los factores que influyen en el proceso de envejecimiento activo y saludable constituye uno de los principales intereses de la psicogerontología. En este sentido, el bienestar psicológico es un indicador fiable que asegura el éxito de dicho proceso, mientras que la sexualidad se convierte en una variable moduladora relevante. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si las actitudes hacia la sexualidad y el bienestar psicológico de las personas mayores están moduladas por el tipo de residencia, el estado civil y el grado de autonomía. Para ello se utiliza la Escala de Actitudes sobre la Sexualidad en la Vejez y la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico en una muestra de 70 personas, 35 mujeres y 35 hombres, con edades comprendidas entre los 65 y los 95 años (M = 76.78; DT = 8.3). Los resultados revelan que, en general, las actitudes más liberales hacia la sexualidad y el mayor grado de bienestar psicológico se asocian significativamente con el hecho de vivir fuera de las instituciones residenciales y mantener una relación sentimental con una pareja estable. Por su parte, el grado de autonomía solo alcanza significación estadística en el bienestar psicológico, pero no en las actitudes hacia la sexualidad. Puesto que las personas mayores representan un sector de la población estigmatizado (con numerosos mitos y creencias negativas asociadas), este estudio contribuye a crear una concepción más positiva del proceso de envejecimiento, normalizando los comportamientos y enfatizando las variables a considerar en la elaboración de programas de optimización evolutiva.The study of the factors that influence the active and healthy aging process is one of the main interests of psychogerontology. In this sense, psychological well-being is a reliable indicator that ensures the success of this process, while sexuality becomes a relevant modulating variable. The aim of this paper is to determine if attitudes towards sexuality and psychological well-being of ederly people are modulated by residence type, marital status and degree of autonomy. For this purpose, Ageing Attitude Scale on Sexuality and Psychological Well-Being Scale is used in a sample of 70 people, 35 women and 35 men, from 65 to 95 years old (M = 76.78; DT = 8.3). The results show that, in general, more liberal attitudes towards sexuality and greater psychological well-being are significantly associated with living outside residential institutions and maintaining a sentimental relationship with a stable partner. On the other hand, the degree of autonomy only obtains statistical significance in psychological well-being but not in attitudes towards sexuality. In conclusion, ederly people represent a stigmatised segment of the population (with many associated myths and negative beliefs), for this reason, this study contributes to create a positive conception of the aging process, normalizing behaviors and emphasizing the variables to be considered in the elaboration of intervention programs

Frecuencia sexual de los adolescentes españoles durante el confinamiento por COVID-19

La situación de confinamiento debido a la COVID-19 ha supuesto un gran cambio en los estilos de vida de los jóvenes. Sin embargo, poco se conoce del impacto que el aislamiento ha tenido en la sexualidad de los adolescentes. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la frecuencia sexual de los adolescentes durante el confinamiento y sus posibles consecuencias, todo ello con una perspectiva de género. 134 adolescentes españoles, entre 16-20 años, respondieron a una encuesta on-line ad hoc sobre sexualidad, siendo el 59.7% chicas. Un 67.2% de los participantes se consideraba heterosexual, un 91.2% estaba confinado/a con sus padres, un 59.7% estaba soltero/a y un 40.3% tenía pareja estable. Durante el confinamiento, se ha observado un incremento de la frecuencia de masturbación y de las actividades sexuales online, pero estos cambios solo han resultado estadística-mente significativos en los chicos. Entre las causas de este incremento, encontramos razones como “por aburrimiento”, “para relajarme”, o “debido a un aumento de apetito sexual”, siendo los chicos los que más lo justificaban con razones emocionales. Esta mayor frecuencia sexual les generaba mejor estado de ánimo y estar más relajados, aunque gran parte de los chicos refirieron que las actividades sexuales les resultaban menos satisfactorias. Cabría seguir estudiando las posibles consecuencias negativas que pueden surgir de estos cambios en la frecuencia sexual, y analizar el papel que podrían estar jugando las emociones. Todo ello con la intención de diseñar campañas de promoción de la salud sexual en tiempos de confinamiento.The confinement situation due to COVID-19 has brought a great change in the lifestyles of young people. However, little is known about the impact that isolation has had on adolescent sexuality. The objective of this work is to know the sexual frequency of adolescents during confinement and its possible consequences, including gender perspective. 134 Spanish adolescents, between 16-20 years old, responded to an ad hoc online survey on sexuality, being 59.7% girls. 67.2% of the participants considered themselves het-erosexual, 91.2% were confined to their parents, 59.7% were single and 40.3% had a stable partner. During confinement, an increase in the frequency of masturbation and online sexual activities has been observed, but these changes have only been statistically significant in boys. Among the causes of this increase, we find reasons such as “due to boredom”, “to relax”, or “due to an increase in sexual appetite”, with boys justifying it the most with emo-tional reasons. This higher sexual frequency generated a better mood and more relaxation, although many boys reported that sexual activities were less satisfactory. It would be necessary to continue studying the possible negative consequences that can arise from these changes in sexual frequency, and to analyze the role that emotions could be playing. All this to design campaigns to promote sexual health in times of confinement

Analysis of the Ush2a Gene in Medaka Fish (Oryzias latipes)

Patients suffering from Usher syndrome (USH) exhibit sensorineural hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and, in some cases, vestibular dysfunction. USH is the most common genetic disorder affecting hearing and vision and is included in a group of hereditary pathologies associated with defects in ciliary function known as ciliopathies. This syndrome is clinically classified into three types: USH1, USH2 and USH3. USH2 accounts for well over one-half of all Usher cases and mutations in the USH2A gene are responsible for the majority of USH2 cases, but also for atypical Usher syndrome and recessive non-syndromic RP. Because medaka fish (Oryzias latypes) is an attractive model organism for genetic-based studies in biomedical research, we investigated the expression and function of the USH2A ortholog in this teleost species. Ol-Ush2a encodes a protein of 5.445 aa codons, containing the same motif arrangement as the human USH2A. Ol-Ush2a is expressed during early stages of medaka fish development and persists into adulthood. Temporal Ol-Ush2a expression analysis using whole mount in situ hybridization (WMISH) on embryos at different embryonic stages showed restricted expression to otoliths and retina, suggesting that Ol-Ush2a might play a conserved role in the development and/or maintenance of retinal photoreceptors and cochlear hair cells. Knockdown of Ol-Ush2a in medaka fish caused embryonic developmental defects (small eyes and heads, otolith malformations and shortened bodies with curved tails) resulting in late embryo lethality. These embryonic defects, observed in our study and in other ciliary disorders, are associated with defective cell movement specifically implicated in left-right (LR) axis determination and planar cell polarity (PCP)

Impact of the Mitochondrial Genetic Background in Complex III Deficiency

BACKGROUND: In recent years clinical evidence has emphasized the importance of the mtDNA genetic background that hosts a primary pathogenic mutation in the clinical expression of mitochondrial disorders, but little experimental confirmation has been provided. We have analyzed the pathogenic role of a novel homoplasmic mutation (m.15533 A>G) in the cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene in a patient presenting with lactic acidosis, seizures, mild mental delay, and behaviour abnormalities. METHODOLOGY: Spectrophotometric analyses of the respiratory chain enzyme activities were performed in different tissues, the whole muscle mitochondrial DNA of the patient was sequenced, and the novel mutation was confirmed by PCR-RFLP. Transmitochondrial cybrids were constructed to confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation, and assembly/stability studies were carried out in fibroblasts and cybrids by means of mitochondrial translation inhibition in combination with blue native gel electrophoresis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Biochemical analyses revealed a decrease in respiratory chain complex III activity in patient's skeletal muscle, and a combined enzyme defect of complexes III and IV in fibroblasts. Mutant transmitochondrial cybrids restored normal enzyme activities and steady-state protein levels, the mutation was mildly conserved along evolution, and the proband's mother and maternal aunt, both clinically unaffected, also harboured the homoplasmic mutation. These data suggested a nuclear genetic origin of the disease. However, by forcing the de novo functioning of the OXPHOS system, a severe delay in the biogenesis of the respiratory chain complexes was observed in the mutants, which demonstrated a direct functional effect of the mitochondrial genetic background. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to possible pitfalls in the detection of pathogenic mitochondrial mutations, and highlight the role of the genetic mtDNA background in the development of mitochondrial disorders

PDE 7 Inhibitors: New Potential Drugs for the Therapy of Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND: Primary traumatic mechanical injury to the spinal cord (SCI) causes the death of a number of neurons that to date can neither be recovered nor regenerated. During the last years our group has been involved in the design, synthesis and evaluation of PDE7 inhibitors as new innovative drugs for several neurological disorders. Our working hypothesis is based on two different facts. Firstly, neuroinflammation is modulated by cAMP levels, thus the key role for phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which hydrolyze cAMP, is undoubtedly demonstrated. On the other hand, PDE7 is expressed simultaneously on leukocytes and on the brain, highlighting the potential crucial role of PDE7 as drug target for neuroinflammation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we present two chemically diverse families of PDE7 inhibitors, designed using computational techniques such as virtual screening and neuronal networks. We report their biological profile and their efficacy in an experimental SCI model induced by the application of vascular clips (force of 24 g) to the dura via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy. We have selected two candidates, namely S14 and VP1.15, as PDE7 inhibitors. These compounds increase cAMP production both in macrophage and neuronal cell lines. Regarding drug-like properties, compounds were able to cross the blood brain barrier using parallel artificial membranes (PAMPA) methodology. SCI in mice resulted in severe trauma characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, and production of a range of inflammatory mediators, tissue damage, and apoptosis. Treatment of the mice with S14 and VP1.15, two PDE7 inhibitors, significantly reduced the degree of spinal cord inflammation, tissue injury (histological score), and TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2 and iNOS expression. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: All these data together led us to propose PDE7 inhibitors, and specifically S14 and VP1.15, as potential drug candidates to be further studied for the treatment of SCI

Bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium cSfur genome sequence provides insights for understanding the symbiotic relationship in Sogatella furcifera host

Background: Sogatella furcifera is a migratory pest that damages rice plants and causes severe economic losses. Due to its ability to annually migrate long distances, S.furcifera has emerged as a major pest of rice in several Asian countries. Symbiotic relationships of inherited bacteria with terrestrial arthropods have significant implications. The genus Cardinium is present in many types of arthropods, where it influences some host characteristics. We present a report of a newly # identified strain of the bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium cSfur in S. furcifera. Result: From the whole genome of S. furcifera previously sequenced by our laboratory, we assembled the whole genome sequence of Cardinium cSfur. The sequence comprised 1,103,593 bp with a GC content of 39.2%. The phylogenetic tree of the Bacteroides phylum to which Cardinium cSfur belongs suggests that Cardinium cSfur is closely related to the other strains (Cardinium cBtQ1 and cEper1) that are members of the Amoebophilaceae family. Genome comparison between the host-dependent endosymbiont including Cardinium cSfur and freeliving bacteria revealed that the endosymbiont has a smaller genome size and lower GC content, and has lost some genes related to metabolism because of its special environment, which is similar to the genome pattern observed in other insect symbionts. Cardinium cSfur has limited metabolic capability, which makes it less contributive to metabolic and biosynthetic processes in its host. From our findings, we inferred that, to compensate for its limited metabolic capability, Cardinium cSfur harbors a relatively high proportion of transport proteins, which might act as the hub between it and its host. With its acquisition of the whole operon related to biotin synthesis and glycolysis related genes through HGT event, Cardinium cSfur seems to be undergoing changes while establishing a symbiotic relationship with its host. Conclusion: A novel bacterial endosymbiont strain (Cardinium cSfur) has been discovered. A genomic analysis of the endosymbiont in S. furcifera suggests that its genome has undergone certain changes to facilitate its settlement in the host. The envisaged potential reproduction manipulative ability of the new endosymbiont strain in its S. furcifera host has vital implications in designing eco-friendly approaches to combat the insect pest

Ibero-American Consensus on Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners: Safety, Nutritional Aspects and Benefits in Food and Beverages

International scientific experts in food, nutrition, dietetics, endocrinology, physical activity, paediatrics, nursing, toxicology and public health met in Lisbon on 2-4 July 2017 to develop a Consensus on the use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) as substitutes for sugars and other caloric sweeteners. LNCS are food additives that are broadly used as sugar substitutes to sweeten foods and beverages with the addition of fewer or no calories. They are also used in medicines, health-care products, such as toothpaste, and food supplements. The goal of this Consensus was to provide a useful, evidence-based, point of reference to assist in efforts to reduce free sugars consumption in line with current international public health recommendations. Participating experts in the Lisbon Consensus analysed and evaluated the evidence in relation to the role of LNCS in food safety, their regulation and the nutritional and dietary aspects of their use in foods and beverages. The conclusions of this Consensus were: (1) LNCS are some of the most extensively evaluated dietary constituents, and their safety has been reviewed and confirmed by regulatory bodies globally including the World Health Organisation, the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority; (2) Consumer education, which is based on the most robust scientific evidence and regulatory processes, on the use of products containing LNCS should be strengthened in a comprehensive and objective way; (3) The use of LNCS in weight reduction programmes that involve replacing caloric sweeteners with LNCS in the context of structured diet plans may favour sustainable weight reduction. Furthermore, their use in diabetes management programmes may contribute to a better glycaemic control in patients, albeit with modest results. LNCS also provide dental health benefits when used in place of free sugars; (4) It is proposed that foods and beverages with LNCS could be included in dietary guidelines as alternative options to products sweetened with free sugars; (5) Continued education of health professionals is required, since they are a key source of information on issues related to food and health for both the general population and patients. With this in mind, the publication of position statements and consensus documents in the academic literature are extremely desirable