The psychological impact of the rise in media reporting of sexual violence after COVID-19 pandemic on Pakistani women's mental health.

PURPOSE: Pandemics usually have inequitable effects on the most vulnerable groups of society. Since the start of COVID-19, there has been a horrifying upsurge in cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women, globally. Consequently, frequent breaking news of sexual violence in media aggravated mental distress and worry among women. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the impact of the rise in active circulation of news of sexual violence on the mental health of working women and students using the validated DASS-21 questionnaire. METHODS: A total of 303 women with diverse socio-demographic backgrounds participated in the study. We performed a chi-square test to analyze the association of increase in media reporting with DASS-21total and sub-categories scores. Multivariate linear regression was performed on propensity score-matched subjects to identify psychosocial predictors of mental distress. RESULTS: Increased self-reported worries in response to rise in media reports of sexual violence was found to be significant predictor of mental distress (p < 0.002). Moreover, highly significant correlation between the increase in media reports and scores of depression, anxiety, and stress was observed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The rise in media reporting of sexual violence in the after math of COVID-19 was found to have a significant psychological impact on the mental health of Pakistani women. This is the first study of its kind on the subject and provides fundamental findings for shaping policy change on responsible media reporting of sexual violence.

The mental health of working women after the COVID-19 pandemic: an assessment of the effect of the rise in sexual harassment during the pandemic on the mental health of Pakistani women using DASS-21.

Introduction: The mental health of South Asian women has been observed to be in regression lately, with sexual harassment as one of the major factors accounting for mental health deterioration, especially for women who leave their homes frequently for work and study. The COVID-19 pandemic not only augmented the mental health distress of the general female population but the rise in sexual violence against women is being consistently reported around the globe. Based on this background, we adopted a two-pronged strategy to assess whether working women and students aged 18-55 experienced a rise in sexual harassment in the 18 months after lifting the COVID-19 lockdowns. Secondly, using the well-validated psychometric test, DASS-21, we evaluated the psychiatric outcome of this change on the mental health of those women. Study design: The study was designed as a quantitative, cross-sectional survey-based research. Methodology: A total of 303 women participated in this study. Personal interviews through a specifically designed questionnaire and psychometric test DASS-21 were administered to assess the mental health state of working women and female students, aged between 18 and 55 years old. The mean age of the participants was 37 ± 2.8. The study population was further categorized into two main groups of limited and frequent interactions based on varying levels of the frequency of leaving home and interacting with male strangers in their daily routine. Data were analyzed and the correlation between limited/frequent interaction and DASS-21 total scores and sub-scores of depression, anxiety and stress, and other sociodemographic variables were investigated using the Chi-square test, whereas psychosocial predictors of mental distress were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis after matching limited and frequent interaction groups using a 1:1 propensity score-matched pair method for sociodemographic covariates. Results: Overall, approximately 50% of our study population experienced changes in the behavior of male strangers that could be categorized as harassment in their daily life interactions, whereas 33.66% of participants experienced relatively more sexual harassment post-pandemic than before it. This observation was significantly correlated with the frequency of male interaction (χ2 = 5.71, p < 0.01). Overall, 34% of our study population scored >60 on the DASS21-total score, whereas 29.04% scored >21 on the depression scale. Alarmingly, >40% of the women in the frequent interaction group scored in the extremely severe range of anxiety and depression. Moreover, in the regression analysis, out of all the factors analyzed, the extent of everyday interaction with male strangers, an increase in fear of sexual crimes, and a self-perceived increase in mental distress during the 18 months post-pandemic were found to be highly statistically significant predictors of mental distress not only for total DASS 21 but also for the sub-scales of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: In Pakistan, women experienced a rise in sexual harassment cases post-COVID-19. An increase in sexual harassment was found to be a predictor of negative mental health in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Neuropeptide S receptor gene Asn107 polymorphism in obese male individuals in Pakistan.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a naturally occurring appetite stimulant, associated with anxiety, stress, and excitement regulation. Neuropeptide S serves as a hypothalamic energy regulator that enhances food intake with a reduced level of satiety. NPS activates fat angiogenesis and the proliferation of new adipocytes in obesity. NPS has an established role in energy regulation by many pre-clinical investigations; however we have limited data available to support this notion in humans. We found significant association of Neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR1) Asn107Ile (rs324981, A>T) polymorphism with obese male participants. The current investigation carried out genotype screening of NPSR1 allele to assess the spectrum of the Asn107Ile polymorphism in obese and healthy Pakistani individuals. We revealed a significant (p = 0.04) difference between AA vs TT + AT genotype distribution of NPSR1 (SNP rs324981,) between obese and healthy individuals (p = 0.04). In this genotype analysis of (SNP rs324981) of the NPSR1 gene, T allele was marked as risk allele with higher frequency in the obese (38%) compared to its frequency in the controls (25%). Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP, rs324981) Asn107Ile of NPSR1gene, that switches an amino acid from Asn to Ile, has been found associated with increased susceptibility to obesity in Pakistani individuals. Furthermore, molecular simulation studies predicted a lower binding affinity of NPSR1 Asn107Ile variant to NPS than the wild-type consistent with the genotype studies. These molecular simulation studies predict a possible molecular mechanism of this interaction by defining the key amino acid residues. However, a significantly (p<0.0001) lower concentration of NPS was recorded independent of genotype frequencies in obese subjects compared to healthy controls. We believe that large scale polymorphism data of population for important gene players including NPSR1 will be more useful to understand obesity and its associated risk factors.

AMPA receptor trafficking in recent vs. remote memory.

It is now established that iteration of memory circuits takes place from hippocampus to cortical regions. The recall of recent event is largely dependent on the hippocampus networks, however, with passage of time, the cortical regions become largely involved in the recall of remote events. Molecular events, specifically, the AMPA receptor regulation underlying this iteration remains largely elusive. METHOD: Separate groups of mice were fear conditioned using contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Memory retrieval test was performed 1 day post-training, for the recent memory group, together with respective controls. Where as, in case of remote group retrieval was performed 30 days post training. One hour post retrieval session, hippocampus and anterior cingulate regions were harvested after decapitation from all the groups, which were processed for synaptic membrane isolation and quantitative western blotting. RESULTS: We observed endocytosis of GluA1 and 2 exclusively in the anterior cingulate regions in the remote memory group, one hour post retrieval session, whereas in recent group, endocytosis of AMPA receptor units was only observed in the hippocampal regions. The endocytosis of GluA1-2 containing AMPARs upon retrieval, showed the weakened state of synapse. At this time point modification in content and strength of memory is possible for treatment of traumatic memories.

The Physio-Pharmacological Role of the NPS/NPSR System in Psychiatric Disorders: A Translational Overview.

In 2004, Neuropeptide S (NPS) was identified to be the cognate ligand of the previously discovered orphan receptor GPCR 154, now termed as NPS receptor (NPSR). Since, then a wealth of data has elucidated the unique behavioral profile of this peptidergic system in numerous physiological function such as being pro-arousal and anxiolytic at the same time. Besides, its robust anxiolytic profile, this peptide system has been found to activate HPA axis and concomitant release of ACTH and corticosterone. Additionally, the involvement of NPS in reinstatement of drug seeking behavior has also been reported. In recent years, accumulating data from various labs have demonstrated an A/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) resulting in (Asn107Ile) switch in the human NPSR gene as the risk factor for various psychiatric disorders such as panic disorder, post traumatic syndrome, alcohol use disorders and enhanced anxiety sensitivity, although, this is in stark contrast to the findings made in animal models which have consistently projected the anxiolytic nature of this peptide system. Therefore, in context of robust involvement of NPS system in various psychiatric disorders this review article considers the importance of NPS from translational point of view and appraises the need of therapies to be tailored around NPSR. In this respect, pharmacology of important NPSR ligands which have been recently developed has been discussed together with their possible side effects profile. Additionally, this review article encompasses all recent developments in the field of NPS system highlighting the role of this neuropeptide in all those biological functions which are modulated by this system. The role of this peptide has been discussed in detail in the perspective of sleep regulation, anxiety, fear expression and most importantly in drug addiction. Additionally, neuroimaging and genetic linkage studies addressing the functional impact of NPSR1 variants in the aforementioned psychiatric disorders have also been discussed.

Paradoxical response to the sedative effects of diazepam and alcohol in C57BL/6J mice lacking the neuropeptide S receptor.

The neuropeptide S (NPS) system is characterized by a unique pharmacology because it has anxiolytic-like effects and promotes arousal and wakefulness. To shed light on this peptidergic system, we tested the sedative effect of the central depressants diazepam and ethanol on the loss of righting reflex in mice lacking the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR), NPSR(-/-). Furthermore, we tested the effect of the intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of NPS on the sedative effect of diazepam and ethanol in NPSR(-/-) and their wild type counterpart NPSR(+/+). Finally, we evaluated the effect of the pro-arousal neuropeptides CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A in NPSR-deficient mice. Contrary to our expectations, the results showed that the NPSR(-/-) were less sensitive to the hypnotic effects of both diazepam and ethanol compared with their wild type littermates. ICV NPS was able to attenuate the sedative effect of both alcohol and diazepam in wild type mice, but not in the NPSR(-/-) line. The administration of CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A, two classic pro-arousal peptides, elicited the same effects in both NPSR(-/-) and wild type mice, ruling out the possibility that adaptive mechanisms occurring at the level of these two systems could have occurred during NPSR(-/-) development to compensate for the lack of NPSR receptors. Our findings demonstrated that the deletion of NPSR leads to minor changes in the arousal behavior of mice. Moreover, we demonstrated that the deletion of NPSR did not lead to compensatory changes in the vigilance-promoting effects of the CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A systems.

Morphine dependence is associated with changes in neuropeptide S receptor expression and function in rat brain.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a newly identified ligand for the previously discovered G-protein coupled receptor 154 now named NPSR. Recently, it has been found that NPSR gene expression is altered during ethanol withdrawal. In this study we tried to elucidate if NPSR gene expression is modified in response to morphine withdrawal and its protracted abstinence. To induce opioid dependence Wistar rats were treated for 7 days with morphine. Twelve hours and 7 days after the last morphine administration brains were removed and the expression of NPSR mRNA was analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH). Successful induction of opioid dependence was confirmed by the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal test 2 h after the last morphine administration. Moreover, 7 days after the last morphine dose animals were checked for signs of anxiety and for intracerebroventricular (ICV) NPS (0.3 and 1.0 nmol) induced anxiolytic effects by elevated plus maze (EPM). Results showed that in morphine treated rats strong somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal occurred. ISH data revealed changes in NPSR gene expression in the ventral tegmental area as well as in the basolateral amygdaloid and bed nucleus of stria terminalis at 12 h and 7 days into abstinence, respectively. At 7 days into abstinence post dependent animals showed higher levels of anxiety than controls which were significantly attenuated by NPS. These results demonstrated that morphine dependence induction led to (i) changes in NPSR mRNA expression; (ii) increased anxiety; and (iii) more potent anxiolytic-like effect of NPS.