COVID-19 in the Community: Changes to Women's Mental Health, Financial Security, and Physical Activity

Introduction This study describes changes in the mental health, financial security, and physical activity levels of women in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data were collected from women aged 20–40 years receiving primary care at 2 health centers in North Carolina during 2020–2022. Surveys (N=127) evaluated changes in mental health, financial security, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes were analyzed both descriptively and for association with sociodemographic factors using logistic regression. A subset of participants (n=46) participated in semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed and evaluated for recurring themes by primary and secondary coders using a rapid-coding technique. Analysis was conducted in 2022. Results Women surveyed were 28.4% non-Hispanic White, 38.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 33.1% Hispanic/Latina. Compared with reports before the pandemic, participants reported increased frustration or boredom (69.1%), loneliness (51.6%), anxiety (64.3%), depression (52.4%), and changed sleep patterns (68.3%). Increased alcohol and other recreational substance use were associated with race and ethnicity (p<0.05) after adjustment for other sociodemographic factors. Participants reported difficulty in paying for basic expenses (44.0%). Financial difficulties during COVID-19 were associated with non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, less education, and lower prepandemic household income. Data showed pandemic-associated reductions in mild (32.8%), moderate (39.5%), and strenuous (43.3%) exercise, with a correlation between increased depression and reduced mild exercise. Interviews identified themes including reduced activity while working remotely, lack of gym access, and reduced motivation for exercise. Conclusions This mixed-methods study is one of the first to evaluate the mental health, financial security, and physical activity challenges women aged between 20 and 40 years in the southern U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic

Estudo in vivo de atividade anti-radicalar por quantificação de peróxidos cutâneos In vivo antiradicalar activity by skin peroxidies quantification

FUNDAMENTOS: O organismo humano possui eficientes mecanismos de defesa contra os radicais livres. A relação causal observada entre estresse oxidativo e diversos processos degenerativos despertou o interesse para a exploração de diversos antioxidantes. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho propõe um método in vivo para comprovação da eficácia de um novo complexo de alta atividade anti-radicalar (acetato de tocoferila, licopeno e mistura de ácidos clorogênicos rica em ácido caféico). MÉTODOS: Neste ensaio, não invasivo e placebo controlado, a medida da taxa de peróxido cutâneo realizou-se em diferentes áreas - três após a incidência da radiação UV, duas tratadas, uma não tratada, e uma não tratada e não irradiada. A presença do peróxido foi detectada pela aplicação de sonda fluorescente em adesivo específico, que retirou uma amostra do estrato córneo dos sítios supracitados. O cálculo da proteção anti-radicalar dá-se em função das unidades fluorimétricas obtidas. RESULTADOS: Tomando-se como base áreas controles não irradiadas, as áreas irradiadas e tratadas com o complexo estudado apresentaram concentrações 116% menores (p=0,02%) de peróxidos cutâneos, com significância estatística em relação às áreas apenas irradiadas. Já as áreas irradiadas e tratadas com o placebo apresentaram concentrações apenas 49% menores (p=0,501), o que não é estatisticamente significativo em comparação às áreas irradiadas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos indicam que o complexo estudado possui significativa capacidade protetora da pele contra a ação de radicais livres formados a partir da exposição solar.<br>BACKGROUND: Our organism has important defense mechanisms against free radicals. The causal relationship observed among the oxidative stress and degenerative problems in humans, are getting attention for the exploration of antioxidant agents. OBJECTIVES: This study proposes an in vivo methodology for proving the efficacy of a new high-activity antioxidant complex (tocopheryl acetate, licopene and a pool of chlorogenic acids rich in cafeic acid). METHODS: In this non-invasive and placebo controlled assay, the measure of the peroxide rates was performed in different areas, three after UV radiation, two treated, one non-treated, and an other non-treated and non-irradiated. The peroxide presence was detected through a fluorescent probe on samples stripped form the sites above mentioned. The free-radical scavenger activity is calculated through the fluorimetry results. RESULTS: Based on non-irradiated areas data’s, the irradiated and complex-treated areas presented skin-peroxide concentration 116% lower, statistically significant (p=0,02%) compared to the non-treated irradiated areas. Although, placebo-treated irradiated areas presented skin-peroxide concentration 49% lower, a non-statistically significant rate (p=0,501%) compared to the irradiated areas. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that studied-complex, have significant skin-protective action against the free-radicals, usually formed after sun exposure

COVID-19 in the Community: Changes to Women's Mental Health, Financial Security, and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study describes changes in the mental health, financial security, and physical activity levels of women in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected from women aged 20–40 years receiving primary care at 2 health centers in North Carolina during 2020–2022. Surveys (N=127) evaluated changes in mental health, financial security, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes were analyzed both descriptively and for association with sociodemographic factors using logistic regression. A subset of participants (n=46) participated in semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed and evaluated for recurring themes by primary and secondary coders using a rapid-coding technique. Analysis was conducted in 2022. Results: Women surveyed were 28.4% non-Hispanic White, 38.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 33.1% Hispanic/Latina. Compared with reports before the pandemic, participants reported increased frustration or boredom (69.1%), loneliness (51.6%), anxiety (64.3%), depression (52.4%), and changed sleep patterns (68.3%). Increased alcohol and other recreational substance use were associated with race and ethnicity (p<0.05) after adjustment for other sociodemographic factors. Participants reported difficulty in paying for basic expenses (44.0%). Financial difficulties during COVID-19 were associated with non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, less education, and lower prepandemic household income. Data showed pandemic-associated reductions in mild (32.8%), moderate (39.5%), and strenuous (43.3%) exercise, with a correlation between increased depression and reduced mild exercise. Interviews identified themes including reduced activity while working remotely, lack of gym access, and reduced motivation for exercise. Conclusions: This mixed-methods study is one of the first to evaluate the mental health, financial security, and physical activity challenges women aged between 20 and 40 years in the southern U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic

APOE and immunity: Research highlights

INTRODUCTION: At the Alzheimer's Association's APOE and Immunity virtual conference, held in October 2021, leading neuroscience experts shared recent research advances on and inspiring insights into the various roles that both the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) and facets of immunity play in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. METHODS: The meeting brought together more than 1200 registered attendees from 62 different countries, representing the realms of academia and industry. RESULTS: During the 4-day meeting, presenters illuminated aspects of the cross-talk between APOE and immunity, with a focus on the roles of microglia, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), and components of inflammation (e.g., tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα]). DISCUSSION: This manuscript emphasizes the importance of diversity in current and future research and presents an integrated view of innate immune functions in Alzheimer's disease as well as related promising directions in drug development