Cyclic stretch promotes vascular homing of endothelial progenitor cells via Acsl1 regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in vascular repair and re-endothelialization after vessel injury. EPCs in blood vessels are subjected to cyclic stretch (CS) due to the pulsatile pressure, but the role of CS in metabolic reprogramming of EPC, particularly its vascular homing and repair, is largely unknown. In the current study, physiological CS applied to EPCs at a magnitude of 10% and a frequency of 1 Hz significantly promoted their vascular adhesion and endothelial differentiation. CS enhanced mitochondrial elongation and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), as well as adenosine triphosphate production. Metabolomic study and Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay revealed that CS significantly decreased the content of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) and markedly induced long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (Acsl1), which in turn facilitated the catabolism of LCFAs in mitochondria via fatty acid ß-oxidation and OXPHOS. In a rat carotid artery injury model, transplantation of EPCs overexpressing Acsl1 enhanced the adhesion and re-endothelialization of EPCs in vivo. MRI and vascular morphology staining showed that Acsl1 overexpression in EPCs improved vascular repair and inhibited vascular stenosis. This study reveals a mechanotransduction mechanism by which physiological CS enhances endothelial repair via EPC patency.

Violent Radicalization, Mental Health, and Gender Identity: Considerations for Future Research.

ABSTRACT: This study examines the association between gender identity, mental health, social adversity, and sympathy for violent radicalization (VR). Data were collected through an online survey in Canada. A total of 6003 eligible participants who were residents of Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, or Edmonton and aged from 18 to 35 years were included. We used Fisher exact test to assess gender differences in gender-based discrimination and we used analysis of variance tests to assess differences in scores on bullying, mental health, and sympathy for VR. We used linear regression to assess the relationship between mental health, social adversities, and sympathy for VR. Individuals who self-identified as trans and gender diverse had greater sympathy for VR than females did, experienced online victimization more frequently, and reported higher levels of psychological distress than both male and female participants. Our findings indicate that more research is needed on the association between social adversity and support for VR among this vulnerable population.

Cumulative and independent effects of experiences of social adversity on support for violent radicalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of depression.

PURPOSE: Social adversity experiences have increased during the pandemic and are potential risk factors for both depression and support for violent radicalization (VR). However, the cumulative and independent effects of various social adversity experiences on support for VR have yet to be explored. This paper examines the cumulative and independent effects of COVID- and non-COVID-related discrimination, exposure to violence, traditional and cyberbullying victimization on support for VR. In addition, we investigate whether depression mediates the relationship between these forms of social adversity and support for VR. METHODS: A total of 6003 young adults (Mage = 27, SDage = 4.40, range 18-35) living in metropolitan areas in Canada responded to an online survey. We used multivariable regression models, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, to infer covariate adjusted associations between social adversity measures and support for VR. Additionally, we conducted a formal mediation analysis to estimate the proportion mediated by depression. RESULTS: There was a cumulative relationship between experiences of social adversity and support for VR (ß = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.72). COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying victimization were independently associated with stronger support for VR. Depression partially mediated the effect of cumulative social adversity, COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying on support for VR. CONCLUSION: Prevention programs during the present pandemic should prioritize decreasing discrimination and providing psychosocial support to depressed young adults who experience social adversity. Practitioners should prioritize developing programs that foster digital literacy skills and critical thinking among young adults to address the concerning impact of cyberbullying on support for VR.

Socio-cultural correlates of self-reported experiences of discrimination related to COVID-19 in a culturally diverse sample of Canadian adults.

Minorities and marginalized groups have increasingly become the target of discriminatory actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed information about the manifestation of COVID-related discrimination is required to develop preventive actions that are not stigmatizing for such groups. The present study investigates experiences of perceived discrimination related to COVID-19 and its socio-cultural correlates in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). An online survey was completed by 3273 Quebec residents (49 % 18-39 years old; 57 % female; 49 % White). We used multivariate binomial logistic regression models to assess prevalence of COVID-related discrimination and to investigate socio-cultural correlates of reasons and contexts of discrimination. COVID-related discrimination was reported by 16.58 % of participants. Non-white participants, health-care workers and younger participants were more likely to experience discrimination than White, unemployed and older participants, respectively. Discrimination was reported primarily in association with participants' ethno-cultural group, age, occupation and physical health and in the context of public spaces. Participants of East-Asian descent and essential workers were more likely to report discrimination because of their ethnicity and occupation, respectively. Although young people experienced discrimination across more contexts, older participants were primarily discriminated in the context of grocery stores and because of their age. Our findings indicate that health communication actions informed by a social pedagogy approach should target public beliefs related to the association of COVID-19 with ethnicity, age and occupation, to minimize pandemic-related discrimination. Visible minorities, health-care workers and seniors should be protected and supported, especially in public spaces.

Latent class analysis of COVID-19 experiences, social distancing, and mental health.

Information is needed on the relationship between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) social distancing restrictions and their relationship with mental health. In particular, there is limited investigation into how COVID-related adversities have positively mobilized individuals. We use latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subtypes of positive and negative aspects of the experience of COVID-19 social distancing and the association of these subtypes with mental health. We conduct an online survey of COVID-19 and mental health with 3,183 adults residing in Quebec, Canada, during the first wave of the epidemic. We use LCA to identify subtypes of positive and negative aspects of social distancing. We use logistic and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership and self-reported impact of COVID-19 on mental health and scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). We identify five classes of individuals in regards to perceived positives and negatives of social distancing related to COVID-19, named Low Impact, Freedom/Flexibility, Safety, Family/Home, and Hardships. Sociodemographic variables including age, gender, race/ethnicity, and self-reported mental health prior to COVID are associated with class assignment. Latent classes are associated with both outcomes (p < .001). Individuals in the Hardships class have greater odds of reporting a significant impact of COVID-19 on mental health, OR = 2.09, 95% CI = [1.53, 2.86], p < .001, and have higher scores on the HSCL-10, ß = .32, 95% CI = [.23, .42], p < .001, than those individuals in the Low Impact group after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Gender, age, and self-reported mental health prior to COVID-19 are independently associated with both outcomes (p < .001). We discuss study implications for public health programming and interventions to promote the mental health of at-risk populations during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

COVID-19 Experiences and Social Distancing: Insights From the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences, perceived COVID-19 behavioral control, social norms and attitudes, and future intention to follow social distancing guidelines. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SETTING: Participants responded to an on-line survey in June 2020. SUBJECTS: The study included 3,183 residents within Quebec, Canada aged 18 and over. MEASURES: Measures include perceived COVID-19 related discrimination, fear of COVID-19 infection, prior exposure to COVID-19, and prior social distancing behavior. Participants self-reported attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and perceived norms related to social distancing. Finally, we measured social distancing behavioral intention. ANALYSIS: We evaluated a theory of planned behavior (TPB) measurement model of social distancing using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The association between COVID-19 perceived discrimination, fear of infection, previous social distancing behavior, exposure to COVID-19, TPB constructs and behavioral intentions to social distance were estimated using SEM path analysis. RESULTS: TPB constructs were positively associated with intention to follow social distancing guidelines. Fear of COVID-19 infection and prior social distancing behavior were positively associated with behavioral intentions. In contrast, perceived discrimination was negatively associated with the outcome. Associations between fear of COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 discrimination and behavioral intentions were partially mediated by constructs of TPB. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 prevention efforts designed to emphasize positive attitudes, perceived control, and social norms around social distancing should carefully balance campaigns that heighten fear of infection along with anti- discrimination messaging.

Trends in cervical cancer in young women in Hubei, China.

AIMS: This study was performed to determine whether the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged 35 or younger has changed for the past 30 years and to examine the clinical characteristics of the cases. METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of 6257 patients with cervical cancer treated between January 1975 and December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of young (≤ 35 years old) patients steadily increased from 2.8% to 15.7% for the past 30 years. The ratio of adenocarcinoma also rose from 1975-1979 to 2005-2009. In an analysis by age group, in group A, adenocarcinoma was found in 17% (≤ 35 years old); in group B, 7.1% (> 35 years old) [χ² = 78.92, P < 0.0001]. The clinical presentation presented showed that 36.4% of patients presented mainly postcoital bleeding in group A, whereas the symptom of irregular genital bleeding predominated in group B (P < 0.0001). The patients detected by routine cytological screening in group A (8.7%) were more than the patients in group B (3%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cervical cancer in young women has been increasing steadily in Hubei, China. It is necessary for all sexually active women and women aged 35 years or even younger to undergo cervical cancer screening.

Ethno-cultural disparities in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study on the impact of exposure to the virus and COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma on mental health across ethno-cultural groups in Quebec (Canada).

BACKGROUND: Although social and structural inequalities associated with COVID-19 have been documented since the start of the pandemic, few studies have explored the association between pandemic-specific risk factors and the mental health of minority populations. AIMS: We investigated the association of exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). METHOD: A total of 3273 residents of the province of Quebec (49% aged 18-39 years, 57% women, 51% belonging to a minority ethno-cultural group) completed an online survey. We used linear and ordinal logistic regression to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and the moderating role of ethno-cultural identity. RESULTS: Mental health varied significantly based on socioeconomic status and ethno-cultural group, with those with lower incomes and Arab participants reporting higher psychological distress. Exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination, and stigma were associated with poorer mental health. Associations with mental health varied across ethno-cultural groups, with exposed and discriminated Black participants reporting higher mental distress. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate sociocultural inequalities in mental health related to COVID-19 in the Canadian context. COVID-19-related risk factors, including exposure, discrimination and stigma, jeopardise mental health. This burden is most noteworthy for the Black community. There is an urgent need for public health authorities and health professionals to advocate against the discrimination of racialised minorities, and ensure that mental health services are accessible and culturally sensitive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.