Drogues du viol et agression sexuelle : perception de jeunes en milieu collégial

La littérature scientifique indique que l’usage de substances (alcool et drogues), particulièrement chez les jeunes, peut générer un état de vulnérabilité propice à l’agression sexuelle, notamment à cause de périodes de blackout, et que l’alcool serait surtout en cause. Cependant, l’oubli pouvant découler d’une consommation abusive a été médiatisé et présenté comme résultant de la consommation de « drogues du viol », notamment le GHB. La littérature rapporte également des relations entre l’adhésion à de fausses croyances entourant le viol (mythes) et l’agression sexuelle elle-même. L’étude vise à vérifier les liens possibles entre la présence de mythes entourant le viol et la fréquence d’épisodes de consommation menant à l’oubli chez des étudiants de niveau collégial de la région de Montréal. La perception des substances pouvant être liées à l’agression sexuelle chez les jeunes est également explorée. Les résultats indiquent que, pour les étudiants, le GHB constitue la drogue la plus souvent associée au viol, même si l’alcool est également identifié. On observe aussi que ceux qui rapportent le plus fréquemment avoir eu une période d’oubli à cause d’une consommation d’alcool ou de drogue adhèrent davantage à de fausses croyances reliées au viol que les autres. Il serait souhaitable d’explorer davantage les liens entre la consommation de substances et l’agression sexuelle en vue d’établir un lien de causalité entre les deux. De même, compte tenu des statistiques disponibles, il serait important d’intégrer de l’information concernant la consommation de substances dans les programmes de prévention des agressions sexuelles.Current literature indicates that the use of substances such as drugs and alcohol, particularly by youths, can lead to a state of vulnerability propitious to sexual assault, but that it is alcohol that has generally been linked to abuse. However, lack of recollection that can result from excessive consumption has been portrayed in the media as an effect of “date rape drugs”, such as GHB. Studies also suggest some links between rape myths acceptance and sexual assault. Therefore, the goals of the current study were to verify the perceptions held by college level students from the Montreal area in regards to substances linked to sexual assault. Possible relations between the existing rape myths and the frequency of substance abuse leading to amnesia were also explored. According to the youths who participated in the current study, GHB represent the drug most often linked to rape, even if alcohol was also identified. Moreover, results revealed that the group of youths who acknowledged often forgetting parts of an evening due to excessive use of drugs or alcohol tended to hold a greater amount of false beliefs regarding rape, in comparison to the others. Among our recommendations, we should explore the links between substance use and sexual assault to establish a causal relation between the two factors. Also, it would be beneficial to include information regarding the use of substances within the sexual assault prevention programs.La bibliografía científica indica que el uso de sustancias psicotrópicas (alcohol y drogas), particularmente entre los jóvenes, puede generar un estado de vulnerabilidad propicio para la agresión sexual, principalmente a causa de los períodos de blackout que generan, y que el alcohol sería el principal cuestionado. Sin embargo, el olvido que puede resultar de un consumo abusivo ha sido mediatizado y presentado como el resultado del consumo de “drogas de la violación”, principalmente GHB. La bibliografía informa asimismo sobre la relación existente entre la adhesión a falsas creencias en torno a la violación (mitos) y la agresión sexual misma. El estudio apunta a verificar los vínculos posibles entre la presencia de mitos en torno a la violación y la frecuencia de episodios de consumo de sustancias psicotrópicas que producen olvido entre los estudiantes de los colegios postsecundarios de enseñanza general y profesional de Montreal. Se analiza también la percepción de las sustancias que pueden estar relacionadas con la agresión sexual entre los jóvenes. Los resultados indican que la GHB es la droga que los estudiantes asocian con más frecuencia a las violaciones, aun cuando el alcohol también está identificado. Se observa además que aquéllos que declaran más a menudo haber tenido un período de olvido a causa del consumo de alcohol o de drogas son más propensos que los demás a adherir a las falsas creencias relacionadas con la violación. Sería deseable explorar aún más los vínculos entre el consumo de sustancias psicotrópicas y la agresión sexual, con el objetivo de establecer una relación de causalidad entre ambos. Asimismo, teniendo en cuenta las estadísticas disponibles, sería importante integrar en los programas de prevención de agresiones sexuales la información concerniente al consumo de sustancias psicotrópicas

Fluorescent core-shell alloy nanoparticles for cell targeting applications

ABSTRACT: RÉSUMÉ: ABSTRACT

La création d’une nouvelle génération d’études épidémiologiques en santé mentale

Grâce à une subvention des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada (IRSC), il se développe actuellement une nouvelle génération d’études en épidémiologie sociale et psychiatrique dans une zone circonscrite se situant dans le sud-ouest de Montréal où vivent 258 000 personnes. Ce programme de recherche repose sur une étude prospective longitudinale visant à identifier les déterminants de la santé mentale de la population, et sur quatre études spécifiques qui abordent des paramètres importants pour la santé mentale : l’écologie sociale et physique des quartiers, le soutien social, le stigma social et les services en santé mentale. Ce programme est complété par l’utilisation de la dernière génération des outils technologiques et informatiques soit un système d’information géographique (SIG) qui permet d’apprécier les effets du contexte sur la santé mentale. Les bases théoriques sur lesquels repose ce modèle sont présentées de même qu’une description sommaire des méthodes utilisées.The authors were granted funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) to develop a new generation of epidemiological studies in the field of social and psychiatric epidemiology in a catchment area in Montréal, with a population of around 258 000. This research program will begin with a longitudinal study that will identify mental health determinants and will be followed by four specific studies on important aspects of mental health : service organization, social stigma, and neighbourhood ecology and social support actualization. A Geographic information System based on postal codes will also be used as a mean to evaluate the effects of social and physical environment on mental health and its interactions with individual determinants of mental health. This article describes the research program, its theoretical bases and more briefly, its methodology.Gracias a una subvención de los Institutos de Investigación en Salud de Canadá (IRSC), actualmente se está desarrollando una nueva generación de estudios en epidemiología social y psiquiátrica en una zona circunscrita localizada en el sudoeste de Montreal, donde viven 258,000 personas. Este programa de investigación se apoya en un estudio prospectivo longitudinal, que busca identificar las determinantes de la salud mental de la población, y en cuatro estudios específicos que abordan los parámetros importantes para la salud mental: la ecología social y física de los barrios, el apoyo social, el estigma social y los servicios de salud mental. Este programa se completa con la utilización de la última generación de herramientas tecnológicas e informáticas, es decir, un sistema de información geográfico (SIG) que permite apreciar los efectos del contexto en la salud mental. Se presentan las bases teóricas en las que se apoya este modelo así como una descripción somera de los métodos utilizados.Graças a uma subvenção dos Institutos de Pesquisa em Saúde do Canadá (IRSC), é desenvolvida atualmente uma nova geração de estudos em epidemiologia social e psiquiátrica em uma zona circunscrita situando-se no sudoeste de Montreal, onde vivem 258 mil pessoas. Este programa de pesquisa baseia-se em um estudo prospectivo longitudinal visando identificar os determinantes da saúde mental da população, e sobre quatro estudos específicos que abordam parâmetros importantes para a saúde mental: a ecologia social e física dos bairros, o apoio social, o estigma social e os serviços em saúde mental. Este programa é realizado com a utilização da última geração de ferramentas tecnológicas e informáticas, ou seja, um sistema de informação geográfica (SIG) que permite apreciar os efeitos do contexto na saúde mental. As bases teóricas sobre as quais repousa este modelo são apresentadas, além de uma descrição sumária dos métodos utilizados

The 20S proteasome core, active within apoptotic exosome-like vesicles, induces autoantibody production and accelerates rejection

Autoantibodies to components of apoptotic cells, such as anti-perlecan antibodies, contribute to rejection in organ transplant recipients. However, mechanisms of immunization to apoptotic components remain largely uncharacterized. We used large-scale proteomics, with validation by electron microscopy and biochemical methods, to compare the protein profiles of apoptotic bodies and apoptotic exosome-like vesicles, smaller extracellular vesicles released by endothelial cells downstream of caspase-3 activation. We identified apoptotic exosome-like vesicles as a central trigger for production of anti-perlecan antibodies and acceleration of rejection. Unlike apoptotic bodies, apoptotic exosome-like vesicles triggered the production of anti-perlecan antibodies in naïve mice and enhanced anti-perlecan antibody production and allograft inflammation in mice transplanted with an MHC (major histocompatibility complex)–incompatible aortic graft. The 20S proteasome core was active within apoptotic exosome-like vesicles and controlled their immunogenic activity. Finally, we showed that proteasome activity in circulating exosome-like vesicles increased after vascular injury in mice. These findings open new avenues for predicting and controlling maladaptive humoral responses to apoptotic cell components that enhance the risk of rejection after transplantation

Integrin/Fak/Src-mediated regulation of cell survival and anoikis in human intestinal epithelial crypt cells: selective engagement and roles of PI3-K isoform complexes

In human intestinal epithelial crypt (HIEC) cells, the PI3-K/Akt-1 pathway is crucial for the promotion of cell survival and suppression of anoikis. Class I PI3-K consists of a complex formed by a catalytic (C) and regulatory (R) subunit. Three R (p85α, β, and p55γ) and four C (p110α, β, γ and δ) isoforms are known. Herein, we analyzed the expression of PI3-K isoforms in HIEC cells and determined their roles in cell survival, as well as in the β1 integrin/Fak/Src-mediated suppression of anoikis. We report that: (1) the predominant PI3-K complexes expressed by HIEC cells are p110α/p85β and p110α/p55γ; (2) the inhibition and/or siRNA-mediated expression silencing of p110α, but not that of p110β, γ or δ, results in Akt-1 down-activation and consequent apoptosis; (3) the expression silencing of p85β or p55γ, but not that of p85α, likewise induces Akt-1 down-activation and apoptosis; however, the impact of a loss of p55γ on both Akt-1 activation and cell survival is significantly greater than that from the loss of p85β; and (4) both the p110α/p85β and p110α/p55γ complexes are engaged by β1 integrin/Fak/Src signaling; however, the engagement of p110α/p85β is primarily Src-dependent, whereas that of p110α/p55γ is primarily Fak-dependent (but Src-independent). Hence, HIEC cells selectively express PI3-K isoform complexes, translating into distinct roles in Akt-1 activation and cell survival, as well as in a selective engagement by Fak and/or Src within the context of β1 integrin/Fak/Src-mediated suppression of anoikis

Typology of adults diagnosed with mental disorders based on socio-demographics and clinical and service use characteristics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mental disorder is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide. Its cost and negative impact on productivity are substantial. Consequently, improving mental health-care system efficiency - especially service utilisation - is a priority. Few studies have explored the use of services by specific subgroups of persons with mental disorder; a better understanding of these individuals is key to improving service planning. This study develops a typology of individuals, diagnosed with mental disorder in a 12-month period, based on their individual characteristics and use of services within a Canadian urban catchment area of 258,000 persons served by a psychiatric hospital.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From among the 2,443 people who took part in the survey, 406 (17%) experienced at least one episode of mental disorder (as per the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)) in the 12 months pre-interview. These individuals were selected for cluster analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis yielded four user clusters: people who experienced mainly anxiety disorder; depressive disorder; alcohol and/or drug disorder; and multiple mental and dependence disorder. Two clusters were more closely associated with females and anxiety or depressive disorders. In the two other clusters, males were over-represented compared with the sample as a whole, namely, substance abuses with or without concomitant mental disorder. Clusters with the greatest number of mental disorders per subject used a greater number of mental health-care services. Conversely, clusters associated exclusively with dependence disorders used few services.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study found considerable heterogeneity among socio-demographic characteristics, number of disorders, and number of health-care services used by individuals with mental or dependence disorders. Cluster analysis revealed important differences in service use with regard to gender and age. It reinforces the relevance of developing targeted programs for subgroups of individuals with mental and/or dependence disorders. Strategies aimed at changing low service users' attitude (youths and males) or instituting specialised programs for that particular clientele should be promoted. Finally, as concomitant disorders are frequent among individuals with mental disorder, psychological services and/or addiction programs must be prioritised as components of integrated services when planning treatment.</p

The PTEN Phosphatase Controls Intestinal Epithelial Cell Polarity and Barrier Function: Role in Colorectal Cancer Progression

The PTEN phosphatase acts on phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphates resulting from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation. PTEN expression has been shown to be decreased in colorectal cancer. Little is known however as to the specific cellular role of PTEN in human intestinal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTEN in human colorectal cancer cells.Caco-2/15, HCT116 and CT26 cells were infected with recombinant lentiviruses expressing a shRNA specifically designed to knock-down PTEN. The impact of PTEN downregulation was analyzed on cell polarization and differentiation, intercellular junction integrity (expression of cell-cell adhesion proteins, barrier function), migration (wound assay), invasion (matrigel-coated transwells) and on tumor and metastasis formation in mice. Electron microscopy analysis showed that lentiviral infection of PTEN shRNA significantly inhibited Caco-2/15 cell polarization, functional differentiation and brush border development. A strong reduction in claudin 1, 3, 4 and 8 was also observed as well as a decrease in transepithelial resistance. Loss of PTEN expression increased the spreading, migration and invasion capacities of colorectal cancer cells in vitro. PTEN downregulation also increased tumor size following subcutaneous injection of colorectal cancer cells in nude mice. Finally, loss of PTEN expression in HCT116 and CT26, but not in Caco-2/15, led to an increase in their metastatic potential following tail-vein injections in mice.Altogether, these results indicate that PTEN controls cellular polarity, establishment of cell-cell junctions, paracellular permeability, migration and tumorigenic/metastatic potential of human colorectal cancer cells