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BREAKING BARRIERS: ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES IN TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES
Get PDFThis study explores the impact of barriers to gender-affirming care (GAC) on the mental health outcomes of transgender individuals using a mixed-methods secondary data analysis. Drawing on an existing dataset originally collected by California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) faculty in collaboration with the Transgender Health and Wellness Center (THWC), this research examines both quantitative survey data and qualitative open-ended responses from transgender participants in Southern California. This study focuses on how healthcare access issues—particularly those related to insurance coverage, provider discrimination, and systemic inequities—affect reported experiences of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality.
This research is guided by intersectionality theory and minority stress theory. These frameworks provide a lens through which to understand how overlapping marginalized identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, intensify the impact of discrimination and healthcare inaccessibility. The study identifies not only the prevalence of mental health challenges in the sample but also the psychosocial narratives that reveal how denial or delay of medically necessary care contributes to emotional distress.
This project contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for structural and policy reforms in healthcare systems to better serve transgender populations. The findings will support social work practitioners, educators, and policymakers in promoting culturally competent and affirming care. Moreover, this research amplifies the voices of transgender individuals, honoring their lived experiences as critical data for informing future interventions and public health strategies aimed at improving mental health outcomes and promoting equity
Micronutrient Deficiencies in Celiac Disease: Systematic Review
Get PDFCeliac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to villous atrophy, nutrient malabsorption, and a range of systemic complications. Although adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the only effective treatment, growing evidence suggests that the GFD alone may be insufficient in meeting the long-term nutritional and psychosocial needs of adults with CD. This systematic review evaluates the prevalence and persistence of micronutrient deficiencies—including iron, calcium, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc—in adult CD populations following a GFD. It also examines the psychological burden associated with lifelong dietary restriction, including food-related anxiety, social isolation, and disordered eating behaviors. The review aims to (1) assess the prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies in celiac patients adhering to a GFD, (2) evaluate dietary strategies such as supplementation and diversification, and (3) explore the effects of dietary restriction on nutrient status. Seven peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2025 were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Across all studies, micronutrient deficiencies remained prevalent despite dietary adherence. Psychosocial impacts were found to exacerbate dietary challenges and reduce quality of life. The findings emphasize the critical role of registered dietitians and systemic changes to support optimal outcomes
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON DIETARY CHOICES AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
Get PDFBackground and aims: For decades, the field of nutrition has been influenced by advertising, fad diets, and celebrity endorsements, often leading to confusion. Social media has introduced a new level of influence, potentially leading to more misinformation about health and nutrition. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook may serve as a primary source of news and information for young adults, drastically changing how nutrition advice is shared. Research suggests that social media can positively and negatively impact people’s views on health and nutrition, such as a poor relationship with food and a negative body image. This study aimed to identify how social media influences food choices and the views of nutrition information shared on social media.
Methods: Student participants were recruited from a mid-sized university located in southern California through email using a campus listserv on January 8, January 22, and February 5, 2025. Recipients were prompted to complete an anonymous 23-question survey. The survey questions were based on time spent on social media, the type of content consumed, and views on nutrition information shared on social media. A total of 418 students completed the survey, and 360 responses were analyzed. Data were organized and coded systematically, and data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28 (SPSS v. 28).
Results: Pearson correlation tests were conducted, and several weak, positive relationships were discovered between following health or nutrition accounts on social media and trying a new diet (r = .283, p \u3c .001), feeling pressured to change one\u27s appearance or diet (r = .207, p \u3c .001), and confusion about what constitutes a healthy diet (r = .104, p = .050). A moderate, positive relationship was found between exposure to health influencers’ content and the likelihood of participants attempting a new diet trend (r = .534, p \u3c .001). Lastly, a weak, negative relationship was found between the amount of time spent viewing nutrition-related content and confidence in the accuracy of content seen (r = -.250, p \u3c .001).
Conclusion: Despite social media being a motivator for some, it also perpetuates unrealistic health standards and feelings of pressure to change students’ diet or appearance. Exposure to non-evidence-based nutrition advice and conflicting information may lead to confusion, poor dietary habits, such as the implementation of restrictive diets promoted by influencers rather than qualified experts. While young adults use social media to engage with nutrition content, the confidence in its accuracy remains low. Social media provides an accessible space for sharing nutrition information, healthy recipes, and advice while also contributing to misinformation, fad diets, and unrealistic body standards. More nutrition professionals promoting evidence-based information online can help mitigate these negative effects and promote healthier lifestyles on a larger scale
Awareness and Attitudes Toward Diabetes Among Students in the California State University System
Get PDFBackground and Aims: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been increasing globally. Studies examining patient awareness and attitudes toward diabetes have been conducted and found that diabetes education does increase patient knowledge but has no effect on attitudes. Additionally, many of these studies did not assess university students’ views on type 2 diabetes. Given that type 2 diabetes incidence is increasing among young adults, more attention must be given to this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate CSUSB students\u27 understanding and attitudes toward type 2 diabetes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using electronic surveys with validated questions adjusted for university students was spread via email and an electronic flyer. Participants were asked about their awareness and attitudes regarding type 2 diabetes; results were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions Version 28.
Results: Participants (n=110) include: 39 (35.5%) full-time students, 81 (73.6%) women, age 18- 24 years, 30 (27.3%) white, 24, (21.8%) Asian, 41 (37.3%) other. A weak, negative relationship was found between knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus (DM) with the causes of the disease (r = -0.026, p= 0.819), complications from the disease (r = -0.056, p = 0.612), and being Undergraduate/Graduate and Full/Part-time students (r = -0.050, p = 0.612). There was a weak, positive relationship between knowledge and symptoms of the disease (r = 0.102, p = 0.358); and Cronbach’s Alpha is at 0.558.
Conclusion: Understanding type 2 diabetes knowledge and attitudes in college students will help dietitians, physicians, and public health practitioners develop targeted interventions to help reduce incidence
TRANSIENT POPULATIONS OF EARLY-STAGE STEM CELLS WITH HEMATOPOIETIC LINEAGE DIFFERENTIATION CAPABILITY RESIDE IN NEONATAL CARDIOVASCULAR TISSUE
No full textHuman neonatal cardiovascular tissue contains a unique and varied repertoire of early-stage stem cells based on RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis of clonal cell subpopulations. The current study sought to determine whether early-stage stem cells with differentiation capability along the hematopoietic lineage exist transiently in cardiac tissue derived from human neonates. We hypothesized that Islet-1+ neonatal subpopulations expressing ETV2, MESP1, EOMES, and MIXL1 can differentiate into the hematopoietic lineage and exhibit a distinct stage-specific microRNA profile reflective of their multipotent capabilities.
To test this hypothesis, clonal subpopulations of human Islet-1+ stem cells isolated from discarded cardiac surgical tissue of neonates were analyzed by transcriptomics and RT-qPCR. Clones expressing pre-mesendodermal markers ETV2, MESP1, EOMES, and MIXL1 were differentiated through supplementation of growth factors BMP4, FGF2, SCF, VEGF, IL3, and FLT3 at specific intervals over ten days. The expression of hematopoietic markers CD34 and CD43 was evaluated using RT-qPCR and gel electrophoresis to assess differentiation progression. Additionally, the microRNA profiles of untreated Islet-1+ clonal subpopulations were analyzed using RNAseq-based transcriptomic data.
Results indicated a significant increase in the expression of early-stage hematopoietic markers, CD34 and CD43 after differentiation, suggesting commitment toward the hematopoietic lineage. The microRNA profile of the clonal subpopulations demonstrating differentiation along the hematopoietic lineage revealed elevated expression of hematopoiesis-related microRNAs, including miR-Let-7d, miR-10a, miR-125a, miR-125b, and miR-181a. Our results define a select group of early-stage transcripts and microRNAs which are expressed in neonatal Islet-1+ subpopulations with the ability to differentiate along the hematopoietic lineage
A Conceptual View of Data for Decision-Oriented Databases: A Knowledge-Driven Approach
Get PDFTypical database design goes through three levels of data modeling: conceptual modeling, logical modeling, and physical modeling. In particular, conceptual modeling is important since it captures and documents user data requirements. Conceptual modeling serves as a blueprint for designing a database by defining information content to be included in a database. Presently, decision-oriented databases have no well-accepted conceptual modeling approach to apply. While some use conceptual modeling approaches for transaction-oriented databases such as the ER (Entity-Relationship) model, they are not well-suited for decision-oriented databases. It is hard to map from the ER Model to decision-oriented data models. Others attempt to address the challenges through unified data models, automated tools, and best practices, but it is still in need to develop more robust, standardized conceptual models that can accommodate the unique characteristics of decision-oriented data structures. In this paper, we propose a new approach to conceptual modeling for decision-oriented databases. This approach is knowledge-driven and decision-oriented. It provides a comprehensive view of data at the conceptual level for decision-oriented databases