Disclosing Sexual Dysfunction in Newly Established Romantic Relationships: An Experimental Test of Five Strategies from the Revelation Risk Model.

Guided by the revelation risk model, we conducted an online experiment ( = 400) to assess five strategies (i.e. initiate, response, third-person disclosure, humor, evidence) used to hypothetically disclose two types of sexual dysfunction (SD) - vulvovaginal pain (VVP) and erectile dysfunction (ED) - in romantic relationships of six months or less.

The Autoimmune Library: An Arts-Based Approach to Women of Color's (Counter)Narratives of Chronic Illness.

Guided by critical race theorizing (CRT) and arts-based methodologies (i.e., metaphor and pictorial narrative mapping [PNM]), the present study analyzed the healthcare (counter)narratives of 150 United States (U.

Disenfranchising Talk Mediates the Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing Outcomes for Women of Color Patients with Autoimmune Disease.

Autoimmune disease disproportionately afflicts women of color (i.e., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, Multiethnic-racial) of childbearing age.

Chronic Phenotypes Underlying Radiation-Induced Salivary Gland Dysfunction.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most diagnosed cancer, and treatment typically consists of surgical removal of the tumor followed by ionizing radiation (IR). While excellent at controlling tumor growth, IR often damages salivary glands due to their proximity to common tumor sites. Radiation damage to salivary glands results in loss of secretory function, causing severe and chronic reductions in salivary flow.

Parotid glands have a dysregulated immune response following radiation therapy.

Head and neck cancer treatment often consists of surgical resection of the tumor followed by ionizing radiation (IR), which can damage surrounding tissues and cause adverse side effects. The underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction are not fully understood, and treatment options are scarce and ineffective. The wound healing process is a necessary response to tissue injury, and broadly consists of inflammatory, proliferative, and redifferentiation phases with immune cells playing key roles in all three phases.

Grieving "The Death of Possibility": Memorable Messages of (Dis)Enfranchised Loss in Invisible, Physical Illness.

Guided by theories of communicative disenfranchisement (TCD) and memorable messages (ToMM), this study analyzes 60 open-ended survey responses detailing experiences of grief following the onset of invisible, physical illness (e.g., chronic overlapping pain conditions, autoimmune rheumatic diseases).

Making Sense of Memorable Messages About Infertility: Examining Message Valence by Theme and Sender.

Fertility problems, often called infertility, have been defined as the inability to conceive or maintain pregnancy throughout one year of trying (World Health Organization, 2020). Because fertility problems can present unique medical, emotional, relational, and identity challenges, they are often difficult to talk about, and even well-intentioned messages can be perceived negatively. This study uses Communicated Sense-Making (CSM; Kellas & Kranstuber Horstman, 2015), particularly its mechanism of memorable messages, to explore what types of support-related messages people experiencing infertility find memorable.

A Preliminary Investigation into Intersections of Sexual Communication in Bondage, Domination, Sadomasochism and Disability.

Extending prior research on the communicative intersections of bondage, domination, and sadomasochism (BDSM) and disability communities, the present article presents preliminary findings on sexual and boundary-setting communication overlaps in relational minority groups and partnerships with disabilities. Both disability and BDSM communities engage in preparatory, open, and boundary-setting sexual communication that prioritizes shifting physical, emotional, and relational needs. Highlighting reflections from partnerships navigating chronic illness, pain, and neurodivergence, our findings extend previous recommendations for boundary-setting to focus on relationships with disability, identifying intersections as including (1) reflecting upon needs and boundaries amidst shifting symptomatology, (2) (re)write sexual and intimate scripts to prioritize (dis)ability, (3) (re)negotiate relational needs and set expectations, and (4) bring awareness to the role of mental health and medication.

"Wish I Would Have Known that before I Started Using It": Contraceptive Messages and Information Seeking among Young Women.

In recent decades, women's use of contraception has evolved. Women not only utilize contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, but also to manage menstruation and other factors related to their personal agency. Despite an abundance of available contraceptive options, many women struggle to navigate and address their contraceptive needs.

"I Thought I Was Dying:" (Un)Supportive Communication Surrounding Early Menstruation Experiences.

Menstruation is a salient, and sometimes scary, communication topic for young women. The present study reports on the early communication experiences about menstruation from 165 women using open-ended survey data. Through the framework of supportive communication, findings reveal that a discrepancy occurs between the health and practical information and needs to which young people who menstruate desire access, and their social and emotional needs.

Umbilical cord cell banking: an issue of self-interest versus altruism.

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood probably now form one of the most commonly banked types of human tissue. Originally stored for the treatment of haematological disorders these stem cells have now been found to be more versatile, even pluripotent, with potential for use in the treatment of a broader range of disorders and diseases and may be particularly valuable in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. This has led to the promotion of private storage of cord blood cells for autologous or family use and a rapidly growing private sector involvement.

Umbilical cord cell banking--implications for the future.

The first successful cord cell transplant to a sibling with Fanconi's anaemia took place 15 years ago. This proven utility of cord blood led to the establishment of cord blood banks both private and public and there are now nearly 100 cord blood banks worldwide. It is estimated that over 200,000 cord blood units (CBU) are held by the private sector and over 160,000 CBU are registered with the largest public cord blood registry.

Regulation of assisted reproductive technology: a case study of Japan.

Most studies on the ethics and provision of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have taken place in the context of the Judaeo-Christian culture of western developed countries. This study looks at ART, its provision and control, in an eastern developed country with a completely different cultural background; Japan. A necessarily brief description of the cultural context of religious belief, the family and reproduction in Japan is followed by a description of the development of ART in Japan together with an analysis of its provision and control.

Regulating assisted reproduction technologies.

Legislation in the area of assisted reproduction has been a slow process and one dogged by conflicting ethical views. Where legislation has been introduced in Europe it has not been consistent, representing the different cultural environments of the countries concerned and in a number of countries legislation has still not been introduced. Although the 1997 European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine represented a landmark in trying to introduce an international consensus on embryo research and its control, there is little or no regulation of assisted reproduction services even in those countries where legislation has been introduced.

Spinal posture and prior loading history modulate compressive strength and type of failure in the spine: a biomechanical study using a porcine cervical spine model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of posture and loading history on the compressive strength and site of failure in the spine.

Design: An in vitro experiment was performed using a porcine cervical model that provided a homogeneous population of young healthy spines.

Background: The distribution of stresses amongst the many load bearing tissues of the spine is altered throughout the day by posture and the history of loading, but it is not clear how this modulates tissue damage or the risk of injury.

Reliability of spectral EMG parameters of healthy back extensors during submaximum isometric fatiguing contractions and recovery.

Spectral EMG parameters are being used as an objective evaluation of low back rehabilitation programs. The reliability of these spectral parameters is important in determining the validity of this evaluation tool. Two groups of eight subjects, with no history of back pain, were measured: the first group every day for one week; the second group one day per week for four weeks.

Oocyte donation: the legislative framework in Western Europe.

Relatively few countries have legislation addressing oocyte donation. Where such legislation does exist it is entirely in the context of broader legislation concerned with the regulation of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or assisted reproduction more generally. Within Western Europe only nine countries so far have passed Acts addressing assisted reproduction.

Reducing loss-to-follow-up among women with abnormal Pap smears. Results from a randomized trial testing an intensive follow-up protocol and economic incentives.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of two interventions designed to reduce loss-to-follow-up among women with abnormal Pap smears.

Methods: The two interventions were evaluated in two large public hospitals using a randomized 2 x 2 factorial design. One intervention involved an intensive follow-up protocol that relied on multiple attempts (mail and telephone) to contact the patient.