Young Lebanese Research Articles

EXPRESS: Cultivating Sustainable Return Migration to Lebanon: Supporting Young Migrants through Marketing Systems Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Amidst Lebanon's enduring conflict and its consequences, young Lebanese are driven to seek stability and opportunities abroad, impacting the demographic balance among religious communities, which generates tensions and threatens the fragile peace prevailing in the country. This study delves into these migration dynamics, exploring how marketing systems can mitigate challenges and encourage emigrants to return to Lebanon. Semi-structured interviews with Lebanese migrants across five continents were conducted to ascertain primary motivations for emigration, obstacles to return, and factors encouraging repatriation. Findings reveal that while young Lebanese pursue better lives abroad, insecurity and persistent barriers hinder their return. By integrating marketing systems and adapting the "Transformative Refugee Service Experience Framework," this research proposes comprehensive public policy and managerial strategies tailored to Lebanon’s context. Key recommendations include targeted job placement programs, enhanced communication with the diaspora, and community-based educational reforms. By fostering a hospitable environment, Lebanon can support sustainable development, resilience, and well-being, encouraging the return of its young migrants. This study bridges theory and practice, offering actionable insights for policymakers and extending existing frameworks to other socio-political settings.

The image as a site of transgression: the case of Beirut counter-visuality since October 2019

ABSTRACT On 17 October 2019 in Beirut, a Lebanese state bodyguard confronted by demonstrators opened fire when a female protestor hit him with a side kick. Another protestor recorded this moment on his mobile phone. A single frame of the video footage was remediated shortly after as a still image and gained rapid traction across social media platforms, as did the original video. The circulation of the content online inspired a group of artists to remediate the digital image themselves into a series of artistic works, adding in the process additional layers of meaning and interpretation to its original context. Taking the digital image of the side kick as a case study, this qualitative research examines how five young Lebanese artists use ‘cyberartivism’ to participate in the rising wave of political and social transformation. Based on empirical material that consists of a series of interviews with five Lebanese artists, this study aims to understand the role of digital images in their transition from forms of evidence to remediated sites of transgression in the context of the October 2019 Revolution in Lebanon. Its purpose is to explore the way camera witnessing, connective witnessing, and the creative modification of an image and its circulation on social media can foster a sense of solidarity and dissent by empowering and strengthening protestors’ voices, thus generating new forms of leadership and agency.

Attachment and disordered eating: a cross-sectional study of young Lebanese adults encompassing gender and sexual orientation differences

Attachment and disordered eating: a cross-sectional study of young Lebanese adults encompassing gender and sexual orientation differences

Over-expression of miR-183-5p or miR-492 triggers invasion and proliferation and loss of polarity in non-neoplastic breast epithelium

microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as novel noninvasive cancer biomarkers. In an HMT-3522 S1 (S1) breast epithelial risk-progression three-dimensional (3D) culture model, non-neoplastic S1 cells form a fully polarized epithelium. When silenced for the gap junction and tumor suppressor Cx43, Cx43-KO-S1 cells recapitulate pre-neoplastic phenotypes observed in tissues at risk for breast cancer in vivo. To delineate the role of miRNAs in breast tumorigenesis and identify key miRNA players in breast epithelial polarity, the miRNA profile specific to Cx43 loss in Cx43-KO-S1 compared to S1 cells was sequenced, revealing 65 differentially expressed miRNAs. A comparative analysis was conducted between these miRNAs and tumor-associated miRNAs from a young Lebanese patient validation cohort. miR-183-5p, downstream of Cx43 loss, was commonly upregulated in the patient cohort and the 3D culture model. miR-492, not attributed to Cx43 loss, was only specifically up-regulated in the young Lebanese patients. Ectopic expression of either miR-183-5p or miR-492 in S1 cells, through pLenti-III-miR-GPF vectors, resulted in the formation of larger multi-layered acini devoid of lumen, with disrupted epithelial polarity, as shown by an altered localization of Cx43, ß-catenin and Scrib, and decreased nuclear circularity in 3D cultures. Enhanced proliferation and invasion capacity were also observed. Over-expression of miR-183-5p or miR-492, therefore, induces pre-neoplastic phenotypes similar to those reported upon Cx43 loss, and may act as oncomiRs and possible biomarkers of increased breast cancer risk.

"The Impact of Alcohol, Drugs Usage and Pornographic Movies on the Sexual Performance of Young Lebanese Students Between their Beliefs and Practices"

"The Impact of Alcohol, Drugs Usage and Pornographic Movies on the Sexual Performance of Young Lebanese Students Between their Beliefs and Practices"

Hizballah: Between Iran and Lebanon

Hizballah: Between Iran and Lebanon

Factors of body dissatisfaction among lebanese adolescents: the indirect effect of self-esteem between mental health and body dissatisfaction

BackgroundBody dissatisfaction (BD) rates are alarmingly high, especially among adolescents, thus. Having a better understanding of correlates associated with BD seems to be an important issue in this developmental context. Furthermore, as adolescence is an essential time in the development of self-perception and self-esteem the current study assesses factors associated with BD among Lebanese adolescents and evaluates the indirect effect of self-esteem between depression/anxiety/stress and BD.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study among 555 Lebanese adolescents, ages 15–18, who completed an online survey incorporating BD, socioeconomic status, weight and height, physical activity index, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Beirut Distress Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsThe results of a stepwise linear regression, taking the body dissatisfaction score as the dependent variable, showed that higher BMI (B = 0.47), feeling pressured by media/TV to lose weight (Beta = 2.80), higher depression (Beta = 0.39), exercising to lose weight (Beta = 1.84) and following a diet to lose weight (Beta = 1.58) were significantly associated with more body dissatisfaction, whereas higher self-esteem (Beta=-0.11) and more psychological distress (Beta=-0.21) were significantly associated with less body dissatisfaction. Self-esteem played an indirect role in the associations between anxiety and body dissatisfaction and stress and body dissatisfaction.ConclusionsBD is common among young Lebanese adolescents. Treating adolescents with low self-esteem and psychological issues is crucial in preventing anticipated BD and future eating disorders.

Protein Supplement Perceptions, Use, and Associated Performance in Young Lebanese Resistance-Training Athletes.

The aims of this study were first to evaluate the nutritional knowledge, perception, and source of nutrition information among resistance-trained individuals consuming protein supplements (PS), to determine whether a correlation exists between nutrition-related knowledge and the use of PS, and finally to compare the impact of PS use among participants classified as nonprotein supplement users (NPSUs) and protein supplement users (PSUs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among a highly selected group of resistance-specialized trainees (RSTs). Among the 100 RST participants recruited, the Internet and coaches were the most common source of nutritional information. About one-third of participants believed that there were no health risks after consuming PS. Both NPSU and PSU exhibit performance improvement that was significantly lessened in PSU compared to NPSU. This study demonstrated that RST may have misconceptions regarding the benefits of PS usage to increase strength. Our data also suggest a shortage of knowledge about PS and confirm that PSUs lack proper professional guidance. These findings highlight the need for proper monitoring to ensure adequate perception, awareness, and safety in the Lebanese sports sector.

The motivation behind an international entrepreneurial career after first employment experience

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the current literature on international entrepreneurial careers by employing the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. It mainly aims at identifying determinants of international entrepreneurial intentions among young people and after their first employment experience in Lebanon.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses SEM on a sample of 150 young Lebanese employees to analyze the relationships among the model constructs.FindingsThe SEM broadly holds and adequately fits the data. The entrepreneurship context and the motivation of young employees are the variables that positively affect entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship education and social norms have no statistically significant impact. Finally, risk awareness and professional experience are the variables that negatively affect entrepreneurial intentions. The level of international entrepreneurial intentions among young Lebanese employees is relatively low, which may be justified by the bad economic and political situation.Research limitations/implicationsData were drawn from organizations located in a specific geographical area, namely, Lebanon. Thus, this may constrain the generalizability as well as causality of the results.Originality/valueThis study provides an empirical explanation of having an international entrepreneurial career after the first employment experience, with a sample of 150 young employees in Lebanon. By applying the SEM, this study developed a multi-perspective framework covering various factors that may affect the choice of an international career in entrepreneurship, especially after the first job experience. Even though this study's results reflect a particular case, its recommendations could facilitate the achievement of better learning outcomes.

Claiming an Individual: Party, Family and the Politics of Memorialization in the Lebanese Civil War

Imad Nuwayhid (1944–1975) was a young Lebanese leftist intellectual, hotel employee, and fighter for the Lebanese Communist Party. Alongside thousands of others, he died during the first phase of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1976). This article explores Imad’s life, death, and legacy through the methodology of ‘Microhistory.’ Consulting Imad’s writings alongside party sources, and conducting interviews with those who knew him, it serves as a window into the politics of memorialization in the Lebanese Civil War with a focus on the Lebanese Left. It argues that multiple actors, ranging from party to family members, produced Imad’s ‘martyr narrative.’ Like others of the era, regardless of party, the narrative stressed ideology and sacrifice over individuality to mobilize the living to fight. These strategies did not, however, unfold without resistance. In the case of Imad, some family challenged the party, positing counter-narratives and claiming Imad as theirs: a Nuwayhid. Their actions seek to restore Imad as an individual, but not always as he lived. These findings contribute to the literature on the Lebanese Civil War and its memory, providing a personal touch through a new and novel level of analysis: the individual, their sources, and the battle over memory that surrounds them.

Phubbing and temperaments among young Lebanese adults: the mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional intelligence

BackgroundThe rapid increasing rate of mobile and internet users in Lebanon, predisposes us to a high dependency on smartphones, leading to more phubbing. Phubbing has been found associated with many psychological factors. Thus, the main objectives of this study was (1) to evaluate the association between phubbing and temperaments, and (2) assess the mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional intelligence in the association between phubbing and temperaments among a sample of Lebanese adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study, carried out between August and September 2020, enrolled 461 participants aged between 18 and 29 years old. Participants were recruited from all districts/governorates of Lebanon (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and Bekaa) using the snowball technique. The Generic Scale of Phubbing, Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test and TEMPS-M were used to assess phubbing, self-esteem, emotional intelligence and temperaments respectively.ResultsOur results showed that higher depressive temperament (B = 1.21) was significantly associated with more phubbing, whereas higher self-esteem (B = − 0.32) was significantly associated with less phubbing. Regarding the mediating effect, self-esteem partially mediated the association between depressive temperament and phubbing (21.02%), whereas emotional intelligence had no mediating effect on the association between temperaments and phubbing.ConclusionA strong correlation between phubbing and temperaments has been found in our study with a partial mediating effect of self-esteem in this association. Our findings might be a first step for raising awareness to develop the etiquette of using smartphones by providing media education to families, and good media usage habits.

Abstract 278: Deciphering circular RNA axes in early-onset breast cancer using a breast epithelial risk-progression 3D culture model

Abstract One of the known circular RNAs (circRNAs) functions is to sponge microRNAs (miRNAs). Studies reported dysregulated mRNA-circRNA-miRNAs axes as biomarker signatures in breast cancer (BC). Signatures in early-onset BC have not been characterized, while its incidence increased drastically worldwide. To address this gap, we performed circRNAs microarrays and miRNA-Sequencing on 3D breast epithelial risk-progression HMT-3522 S1 (S1) culture model to identify dysregulated post-transcriptional axes. S1 (non-neoplastic) cells form fully-polarized epithelium and closely mimic normal in vivo mammary epithelial morphology, while (pre-tumorigenic) Cx43KO-S1 (S1 silenced with shRNA for gap junction Cx43) lose epithelial polarity, multi-layer and mimic tumor-initiated in vivo mammary epithelial morphology. We detected through circRNA microarray (Arraystar Human circRNA Array V2) 75 significantly upregulated and 46 significantly downregulated circRNAs (Fold Change > 2, p-value < 0.05) in 6 samples of Cx43KO-S1 versus S1 cells in 3D. We then selected 10 upregulated and 8 downregulated circRNAs for validation. Of these, hsa_circ_0007961 and hsa_circ_0081481 were most significantly upregulated while hsa_circ_0060055, hsa_circ_0005185, hsa_circ_0083442 and hsa_circ_0077755 were most significantly downregulated by RT-qPCR. We focus on “possible” sponging activity of validated circRNAs to their predicted (in silico) target miRNAs, and cross-compared their dysregulation to our validated miRNA datasets (from young patients and 3D cell line). When circRNAs are upregulated, they downregulate the function of their sponged miRNAs, hence preventing them from deregulating their target mRNAs. For upregulated hsa_circ_0007961 (originating from SPRED2 mRNA), its predicted miR-99a-3p was indeed downregulated in young Lebanese and matched U.S. BC patient tissues (and in Cx43KO-S1 versus S1 microarrays) and predicted miR-653 possessed treatment potential in BC cells. For the second upregulated hsa_circ_0081481 (originating from FBXO24 mRNA), its predicted miR-3960 was exclusively dysregulated in young Lebanese BC patients. For downregulated hsa_circ_0077755 (originating from Cx43mRNA), its predicted miR-182 was commonly upregulated in young Lebanese and matched US patients and predicted miR-203a-3p was reported as promising prognostic biomarker in triple negative BC. Additionally, all predicted miRNAs targeted by all detected circRNAs were predominantly enriched in pathways in cancer. Thus, we suggest that our 3D risk-progression culture model might help delineate post-transcriptional axes to better understand early-onset BC initiation. We reveal three validated axes: i) SPRED2/hsa_circ_0007961/miR-99a-3p or miR-653-5p, ii) FBXO24/hsa_circ_0081481/miR-3960 and iii) Cx43/hsa_circ_0077755/miR-182 or miR-203, which could serve as potential biomarker signatures in early-onset BC. Citation Format: Nataly Naser Al Deen, Nadia Atallah Lanman, Shirisha Chittiboyina, Sophie Lelièvre, Heinrich Zu Dohna, Mounir AbouHaidar, Rabih Talhouk. Deciphering circular RNA axes in early-onset breast cancer using a breast epithelial risk-progression 3D culture model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 278.

Problematic social media use and mental health (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) among Lebanese adults: Any mediating effect of stress?

To examine the association between problematic social media use with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress in a sample of young Lebanese adults. This cross-sectional study was achieved between January and May 2019; 466 out of 600 adults completed the questionnaire. Higher problematic social media use was significantly associated with higher depression, anxiety, and insomnia, but not stress. Stress mediated the relation between depression, anxiety, insomnia, and problematic social media use. This study showed that problematic social media use was associated with psychological disorders. Additional research is needed to identify and describe the potential causality between the use of social media and various mental health issues and the interplay between the social media network and other mental health factors.

Biomonitoring of Aluminum in Urine of Young Lebanese Children Living in Beirut.

BackgroundAluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous, toxic metal to which infants and young toddlers are highly vulnerable. High Al exposure has been associated with various human pathologies. The aim of the present biomonitoring (BM) study was to provide a background for the levels of urinary aluminum (Al) in children ages 7 months to 4 years living in Beirut.Material/MethodsWe collected and analyzed 120 urine specimens using the Shimadzu Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer-6300 system equipped with an electrothermal atomization, and using a GFA-EX7i graphite furnace.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of Al level in urine revealed 8.978±12.275 μg/L, which is within the lower range of each of populations in Germany, Taiwan, and Poland. Vitamin intake, powder rice, and the use of Al utensils proved to be major determinants for Al level in urine (significant at 95%).ConclusionsThe Shimadzu Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer-6300 system proved again to be an optimal and reliable instrument that can be used for the determination of Al level in urine, especially if using a GFA-EX7i pyrolytic graphite furnace. High levels of Al were found in the urine of Lebanese children. However, the frequent consumption of canned food did not prove to be a significant factor in determining the Al level in urine.

Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Young Lebanese Women Under the age of 40 Years: Retrospective Study in Lebanon between the Years 2011 and 2017

Background: Breast cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy affecting females in the world. In Lebanon, breast cancer rates are gradually increasing and young females are being more frequently affected. Few studies are available concerning this particular population. Objectives: This study aims to estimate the epidemiology of breast cancer in the young Lebanese females below the age of 40 with identification of variable characteristics and risk factors of the disease and ultimately, comparing our findings to other Arab countries. Methods: Breast cancer cases diagnosed at ≤ 40 years of age between 2011 and 2017 were collected from patient’s files in the Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui and Mount Lebanon Hospital, including the variable risk factors and tumors characteristics. The statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS statistics software. Results: 862 females were diagnosed with breast cancer in the aforementioned hospitals and forty-four were ≤ 40 years. The prevalence of breast cancer in the young Lebanese females is found to be 5.1%. Majority of cases (81.8%) were initially detected by breast self-examination. 20.5% had a positive family history. Infiltrative ductal carcinoma is the predominant histological subtype and grade 2 the most common histological grade. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are positive in 26 subjects and HER2/Neu receptors positive in 17 subjects. Most of cases were in stage 2A. Only 2 patients had BRCA gene testing done. Conclusion: The early onset breast cancer is not only related to the presence of a positive family history; other factors should be actively investigated. Breast self-examination should be considered as a screening method of breast cancer in young females at high risk.

Effect of waterpipe dependence on risk motives, attitudes and other health-related risky behaviors in Lebanese university students.

Explore whether waterpipe dependence in young Lebanese adults would have any effect on modifying the association between risk conception, attitude, and other risky behaviors. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a proportionate cluster sample of Lebanese university students (3384 students). Waterpipe dependence was associated with higher association of alcohol dependence and cigarette dependence by 76.7% and higher excitement for dangerous behaviors by 7.1%. It was significantly associated with increased association of cigarette dependence and alcohol dependence by 66.8%, with the thinking of a behavior of being not dangerous by 239%, with having motives for risky behaviors by 74.1%, with ever having unsafe sex by 111.74%, and between having motives for risky behaviors and ever having unsafe sex by 61.95%. Waterpipe dependence was associated with higher motives, excitement, and perception of risk and risky behaviors, namely cigarette dependence, alcohol dependence, and unsafe sex. Moreover, it was associated with higher risky behavior interdependence.

HbA1c and Blood Pressure Measurements: Relation with Gender, Body Mass Index, Study Field, and Lifestyle in Lebanese Students

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes in Lebanese university students and to examine the relationship between both hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood pressure (BP) and gender, body mass index (BMI), study field, and lifestyle factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut. A total of 603 students aged 18 to 25 years were recruited from both the medical science campus (MSC) and the social science campus (SSC) between January, 2016, and May, 2018. Waist circumference (WC), BMI, and BP were determined for each student and HbA1c was measured using the Siemens vintage DCA device. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about their eating habits and level of physical activity. Results: The mean age of the population was 20.31 ± 1.76 years. The percentage of participants recruited from the MSC was 59.2%. The prevalence of prediabetes was 2.5%. Lower BMI, WC, and HbA1c values, and higher diastolic BP (DBP) were found in MSC students compared to SSC ones. HbA1c, systolic BP (SBP), and DBP were correlated with BMI (P = .02, P<.0001, and P = .017, respectively). HbA1c was not associated with eating habits or physical activity. DBP was inversely associated with physical activity (P = .002), while SBP was positively associated with fast food consumption (P = .003). Conclusion: The present study shows a low prevalence of prediabetes in Lebanese students. BMI and the study field are the main factors predicting HbA1c and BP. Further studies are needed to extrapolate our results to the overall young Lebanese population. Abbreviations: ADA = American Diabetes Association; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; HTN = hypertension; MSC = medical science campus; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SSC = social science campus; T2D = type 2 diabetes; US = United States; USJ = Saint-Joseph University; WC = waist circumference.

MicroRNA in Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Lebanese Women

PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most prevalent female cancer and has a higher incidence in young Lebanese patients as compared with the West. Interestingly, this particularity of breast cancer in the Lebanese population was not found to be associated with higher BRCA1/2 gene mutations. Hence, our research focuses on investigating molecular mechanisms and associated epigenetic signatures that underlie breast cancer in young patients. We are specifically interested in microRNA (miRNA), small noncoding RNAs that act as master players at all stages of breast cancer development and that are increasingly recognized as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. We have previously shown that differential expression of certain miRNAs in Lebanese breast cancer tissues could be different than what is reported in the West. METHODS We recently assessed the miRNA microarray profile expression in Lebanese breast cancer tissues, performed a comparative miRNA profile analysis with matched American samples, and predicted the role of dysregulated miRNA in early breast cancer through mRNA-miRNA integration analysis. RESULTS Although most of the dysregulated miRNA in Lebanese patients with breast cancer is similar to that in American population, differences in miRNA expression exist and can be attributed either to the patient’s age at diagnosis or to an ethnic variation. We are currently studying circulating miRNA in the blood of Lebanese patients with breast cancer, and a dysregulated signature will be presented. CONCLUSION Our data provide a basis for additional investigation that should be performed to comprehend dysregulated miRNA implication in breast cancer, especially in young patients, and the role of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for breast cancer early detection.

Stereophotogrammetric analysis of labial morphology in a young adult Middle-Eastern population

IntroductionThe majority of previous research delineating the morphological characteristics of the orolabial region has been on Caucasian populations, with very minor research on Mediterranean populations, and none on the Lebanese population. AimThe primary aim was to collect information on the gender-specific 3D morphology of the mouth and lips in young Middle Eastern adults. The secondary aim was to explore the presence of associations between orolabial morphology and age and body mass index (BMI), and to assess correlations between linear orolabial dimensions and area/volume measures. MethodsThe study used non-invasive stereophotogrammetry to collect information on gender-specific 3D labial morphology (linear distances, areas, and volumes) for 122 adult Lebanese subjects, aged 18–30 years (47 males, 75 females). Associations between labial morphology and age and body mass index were assessed, in addition to correlations between linear orolabial dimensions and area/volume measures. ResultsAll linear, angular, area, and volume lip measurements displayed significant variability. Both lip area and volume were smaller in the upper than in the lower lip. Eighteen out of the 20 linear measurements were significantly larger in males. The ratio, area, and volume measurements mostly displayed no statistically significant gender dimorphism. ConclusionsAlongside presenting the first documented report on anthropometric labial measurements of a young Lebanese adult population, this research highlights the presence of gender dimorphism in linear and angular measurements, but not in area and volume measurements, and a strong association between certain linear labial measurements and lip area and volume. In addition, it presents pilot data on the association between labial anthropometry and body mass index.

Psychological vulnerability of teams working with displaced Syrians in Lebanon

In the context of the humanitarian crisis of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a team of young Lebanese social workers attempted to identify the most economically vulnerable people. These professionals have themselves sometimes been exposed to social and economic difficulties, having in their own past experienced war and deprivation. They were confronted with experiences of war, poverty, inter-community conflicts, the recollection of their own family trauma or guilt. Support in the form of psychological care was provided to them.