Maternal obesity induces sex-specific changes in the endocannabinoid system of the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of offspring associated with anxiety-like behavior in adolescent female rats.

Maternal obesity during perinatal period increases the risk of metabolic and behavioral deleterious outcomes in the offspring, since it is critical for brain development, maturation, and reorganization. These processes are highly modulated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises the main lipid ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R), and several metabolizing enzymes. The ECS is overactivated in obesity and it contributes to the physiological activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, promoting stress relief. We have previously demonstrated that maternal high-fat diet during gestation and lactation programmed the food preference for fat in adolescent male offspring and adult male and female offspring. In the present study, we hypothesized that maternal diet-induced obesity would induce sex-specific changes of the ECS in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of rat offspring associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis and stress-related behavior in adolescence. Rat dams were fed a control (C) or an obesogenic high-fat high-sugar diet (OD) for nine weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal obesity differentially altered the CB1R in the hypothalamus of neonate offspring, with significant increase in male but not in female pups, associated with decreased CB2R prior to obesity development. In adolescence, maternal obesity induced anxiety-like behavior only in adolescent females which was associated with increased content of CB1R in the dorsal hippocampus. Our findings suggest that the early origins of anxiety disorders induced by maternal exposome is associated with dysregulation of the brain ECS, with females being more susceptible.

Associations between perceived parenting, brain activity and connectivity, and depression symptoms in Brazilian adolescents.

In adolescence, parental care is associated with lower depression symptoms whereas parental overprotection is associated with greater depression symptoms, effects which may be mediated by adolescent brain activity and connectivity. The present study examined associations between perceived parenting, brain activity and connectivity, and depression symptoms in adolescents from Brazil, a middle-income country (MIC). Analyses included 100 adolescents who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning while completing a face matching task. Parental care and overprotection were associated with adolescent depression symptoms in expected directions. We also found that parental care and overprotection were associated with amygdala connectivity with several brain regions; however, amygdala activity was not associated with parenting and neither activity or connectivity mediated the association between parenting and depression symptoms. Results identify how parenting influences brain function and depression symptoms in youth from a MIC.

Birth order moderates the association between adverse childhood experiences and externalizing behavior symptoms in adolescence.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with externalizing behaviors. Whereas some ACEs affect individual children (i.e., child-specific; e.g., failing a grade), others affect the family unit (i.e., family-wide; e.g., parent losing a job); effects of ACEs on externalizing behavior may manifest differently across groupings of ACEs. Moreover, birth order may modify the association between child-specific and family-wide ACEs and externalizing behavior due to differences in the experience of being a younger versus older sibling. This study examined the externalizing behavior of siblings in relation to their experiences of child-specific and family-wide ACEs to test the hypothesis that younger siblings are at greater risk for developing externalizing symptoms following familial ACE exposure. Participants were 61 sibling pairs (younger sibling Mage = 11.37 years, 44.1% male; older sibling Mage = 13.1 years, 52.5% male) recruited from six schools in the northeastern United States. Parents rated each child's externalizing behaviors (e.g., bullying, meanness) and retrospectively reported on each child's experience of 34 ACEs; two raters categorized ACEs as child-specific (n = 10) or family-wide (n = 24). Multilevel modeling revealed that both child-specific and family-wide ACEs were associated with increased externalizing behaviors. Birth order moderated the effect of family-wide (but not child-specific) ACEs on externalizing behaviors, independent of sex and age. Externalizing behavior was higher for younger siblings as compared with older siblings, particularly when a high number of ACEs (6+) were reported. This research should prompt future exploration of mechanistic theories of the impact of family-wide and child-specific ACEs and the role of birth order.

Content validation of the nursing diagnosis "ineffective protection" in the context of adolescents with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relevance of a set of clinical elements to represent the content domain of the nursing diagnosis Ineffective Protection. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study employed content validation, using expert judgment to assess the appropriateness of clinical indicators, etiological factors, and conceptual and operational definitions, integrating the collective wisdom framework, the theory of predictive diversity, and the determination of rater skill level. RESULTS: From the middle range theory, 28 clinical indicators and 17 etiological factors were identified, which were rated by 34 raters. The analysis showed that the clinical indicators restlessness and insomnia and the etiological factors ambient temperature and humidity were not considered relevant for the nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Protection, because the median content validity index was lower than 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: Content validation verified that most of the components of the nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Protection were considered relevant by judges. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is believed that the data obtained can help nurses to more easily evaluate the related factors and clinical indicators of Ineffective Protection presented by adolescents with cancer, which favors the process of diagnostic inference.

The profile of adolescents assisted by the emergency department of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents represent an important demographic percentage in the studied population and in Emergency Departments (ED). It is imperative that health professionals and services are prepared to address this population. This work aims to characterize adolescents at the ED of a Brazilian private tertiary hospital. METHODS: The study was an observational, retrospective longitudinal cohort that included 37,450 visits of patients aged 10 to 21 years of age, between January 2018 and June 2022 in the ED of a private tertiary hospital. The study evaluated the reason for the consultation, diagnosis, need for hospitalization, the medical professional responsible for the care, severity, and paying source of care. RESULTS: 53.7% were female. Mean age was 16.2y for girls and 15.6y for boys (p < 0.005). The most common complaints were flu-like symptoms (17.4%), sore throat (8.2%), fever (6.7%) and limb trauma (6.3%). Flu-like symptoms were the main consultations caused in all age groups and genders. 36.8% were attended by a general practitioner, 35.8% by a pediatrician, 15.1% by orthopedics and 5.6% by surgeons. The hospitalization rate was 5.5%. There was a strong correlation between age and hospitalization rate (correlation coefficient [r = 0.93]; p < 0.001). The most prevalent diagnoses in hospitalizations were acute abdomen (12.7%) and trauma (9.4%). 78.2% of the consultations were classified as "not urgent". There was a strong correlation between age and severity (r = 0.86; p < 0.001). 92.7% of the consultations were paid by medical insurance. CONCLUSION: In this study, flu-like symptoms were the single main reason for adolescents to search for immediate health care, in every age subgroup and gender, but represented a small risk for hospital admission. Limb trauma was more common in younger male teenagers. Acute abdominal pain and trauma were the most frequent causes of hospital admissions. There was a significant and strong correlation between age and both admission rate and severity.

Adolescent pregnancy amongst displaced women in Bogota: playing between the barbs of structural violence-a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Colombia has high numbers of internally displaced people, forced to migrate due to the conflict. 1 in 3 displaced women undergo pregnancy during adolescence, compared to around 1 in 5 in the non-displaced population, alongside health and resource inequalities between these groups. There is limited qualitative information available from the perspectives of displaced women experiencing adolescent pregnancy. This research explores how structural violence may feature in their experiences. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used. Participants were recruited with purposive sampling, using key informants and snowball sampling technique. 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá, involving 11 displaced women who began childbearing age 15-19 in the past 10 years, and 4 participants' mothers. Data was analysed using the theoretical framework of structural violence, and emergent themes categorised using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Pregnancy was considered advantageous in many ways, but this was contradicted by resulting disadvantages that ensued. Structural violence was embedded in life stories, manifesting in poverty and difficulties accessing reliable income, poor access to healthcare and education following pregnancy. Institutional and interpersonal discrimination confounded these challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy during adolescence was a contradictory experience, representing both a safety net and a trap due to a complex interplay of structural and cultural violence in everyday survival. Policymakers must consider the importance of the context surrounding adolescent pregnancy and address systematic disadvantages affecting women in these positions.

The violent conflict in Colombia has left many people forced to leave their homes and become 'internally displaced'. Internally displaced women are more likely to become pregnant during their adolescence than non-displaced women. This work tries to understand more about the everyday lives of displaced women who experience adolescent pregnancy, through interviews. The interviews were analysed and results interpreted using the theory of 'structural violence'. Structural violence describes how social structures such as racism, sexism, war and poverty determine life choices, leading to suffering and inequality. The work found that pregnancy and motherhood in adolescence for displaced women was positive in many ways by bringing purpose, status and companionship. However, these women also experienced many challenges after pregnancy, such as exclusion from education and secure employment and difficulty accessing healthcare. This demonstrated that structural violence features in multiple interconnected forms in the daily lives of displaced adolescent mothers. The work urges policymakers to appreciate the complexity of context surrounding adolescent pregnancy and motherhood, and to address the structural disadvantages facing women in these situations.

Association Between Pain During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent and Adult Women.

ISSUE: Postpartum depressive symptoms may be more prevalent and/or severe in vulnerable populations. BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression represents a serious mental health problem associated with maternal suffering. Despite the relevance and clinical implications of investigating pain during pregnancy and the association with postpartum depression, there is limited research on this topic. AIM: We evaluated the association between pain during pregnancy and postpartum depression symptoms in adolescent and adult women. METHODS: This study included 86 pregnant women (42 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years and 44 adults aged 23 to 28 years) from Trairi region, Northeastern Brazil. The evaluation of pain intensity and postpartum depression symptoms was conducted using the validated instruments of the Pelvic Pain Assessment Form and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), respectively. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests compared depressive symptoms in relation to pain status. FINDINGS: Overall, pregnant women reporting moderate to intense pain presented more depressive symptoms, with emphasis to "deep pain with intercourse" (p = .09), "burning vaginal pain after sex" (p = .01), "pelvic pain lasting hours or days after intercourse" (p = .06), and "pain with urination" (p = .09). When stratified by age group, significant associations were found only for the adolescents. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that women reporting pain in different daily situations have higher EPDS scores. CONCLUSION: Pain during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression symptoms, mainly among adolescents. Adequate screening and pain management during pregnancy may improve women's quality of life.

Degradation of Perineuronal Nets in the Ventral Hippocampus of Adult Rats Recreates an Adolescent-Like Phenotype of Stress Susceptibility.

Background: Psychiatric disorders often emerge during late adolescence/early adulthood, a period with increased susceptibility to socioenvironmental factors that coincides with incomplete parvalbumin interneuron (PVI) development. Stress during this period causes functional loss of PVIs in the ventral hippocampus (vHip), which has been associated with dopamine system overdrive. This vulnerability persists until the appearance of perineuronal nets (PNNs) around PVIs. We assessed the long-lasting effects of adolescent or adult stress on behavior, ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron activity, and the number of PVIs and their associated PNNs in the vHip. Additionally, we tested whether PNN removal in the vHip of adult rats, proposed to reset PVIs to a juvenile-like state, would recreate an adolescent-like phenotype of stress susceptibility. Methods: Male rats underwent a 10-day stress protocol during adolescence or adulthood. Three to 4 weeks poststress, we evaluated behaviors related to anxiety, sociability, and cognition, ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron activity, and the number of PV+ and PNN+ cells in the vHip. Furthermore, adult animals received intra-vHip infusion of ChABC (chondroitinase ABC) to degrade PNNs before undergoing stress. Results: Unlike adult stress, adolescent stress induced anxiety responses, reduced sociability, cognitive deficits, ventral tegmental area dopamine system overdrive, and decreased PV+ and PNN+ cells in the vHip. However, intra-vHip ChABC infusion caused the adult stress to produce changes similar to the ones observed after adolescent stress. Conclusions: Our findings underscore adolescence as a period of heightened vulnerability to the long-lasting impact of stress and highlight the protective role of PNNs against stress-induced damage in PVIs.

In this work, we aimed to go deeper into understanding perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized extracellular matrix that evolves and protects inhibitory neurons in the brain, specifically parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVIs). PVIs are essential in regulating brain activity. PNNs only reach maturity in adulthood, which leaves these interneurons unprotected during early life. To investigate this vulnerability, we conducted experiments in which we exposed adolescent and adult animals to a stress protocol. We observed that adolescent animals exhibited a higher susceptibility to developing changes associated with psychiatric disorders later in life. This susceptibility may stem from the absence of PNN protection around their PVIs. To explore this possibility further, we administered an enzyme into a specific brain region, the ventral hippocampus, of adult animals to selectively remove PNNs and induce an adolescent-like state. When subjected to stress, these animals displayed abnormalities similar to those observed in animals stressed during adolescence. Our findings have significant implications, suggesting that the presence of PNN protection around PVIs may be critical for mitigating stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Chronic sleep restriction during juvenility alters hedonic and anxiety-like behaviours in a sex-dependent fashion in adolescent Wistar rats.

Chronic reduction of sleep time in children and adolescents has been related to increased incidence of anxiety and depression. In rats, protocols of protracted sleep deprivation or chronic sleep restriction (CSR) are considered a stressor. In previous studies we showed that post-weaning CSR in male rats induces anxiety-like behaviour and changes in neurotransmission in emotion-related brain areas. In the present study we examined whether the effects of this adversity are sex-dependent. Twenty-two litters, containing four males and four females were distributed into control (CTL) and CSR groups. CSR began on postnatal day (PND) 21 and lasted for 21 days; each day the animals were placed onto small platforms immersed in water for 18 h and were allowed to sleep freely in their home-cages for the remaining 6 h. Throughout the CSR, all animals underwent the sucrose splash test once/week to assess their self-care and hedonic behaviours. Body weight was measured on PNDs 21 and 42. At the end of CSR period, the adolescents were allowed to sleep freely for 2 days, after which, behavioural tests began. Within each litter, one male and one female (pair) were not tested and provided blood and brain for determination of basal corticosterone (CORT) levels and hippocampal BDNF. One pair was tested in the sucrose preference test (SPT), one pair on the elevated plus maze (EPM) and one pair in the forced swim test (FST). CORT was measured after all conditions. CSR impaired self-care behaviour and body weight gain in males and females and increased relative adrenal weight only in males. There were no changes in sucrose intake in the SPT; CSR females displayed less immobility in the FST and CSR males displayed more anxiety-like behaviour in the EPM. CORT levels were similar between CTL and CSR males, whilst lower in CSR females than CTL ones in all experimental conditions. No changes in BDNF levels were detected in the dorsal hippocampus of CSR rats. The results indicate that CSR impaired self-care behaviour in both sexes, but only males displayed anxiety-like behaviour, whilst sleep recovery in females appeared to normalise their behaviour.

Funcionamiento Familiar y Autoestima en Adolescentes de la ciudad de Guayaquil, Ecuador / Family functioning and Self-esteem in adolescents from the Guayaquil city, Ecuador

Resumen En un contexto donde la dinámica familiar y la autoestima de los adolescentes se erigen como elementos fundamentales para su desarrollo, esta investigación propone desentrañar las intrincadas conexiones entre ambas variables a través de un estudio cuantitativo, no experimental, correlacional y de corte transversal, y teniendo como objetivo principal determinar la relación entre el funcionamiento familiar y la autoestima durante los meses de noviembre y diciembre de 2022, en 870 estudiantes de bachillerato de la ciudad de Guayaquil. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir del cuestionario de funcionamiento familiar FF-SIL y la escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg aplicados previamente por el personal del Departamento de Consejería Estudiantil. El análisis mostró el predominio de familias moderadamente funcionales en la población estudiada (43,3 % mujeres y 53,9 % hombres), con diferencias estadísticamente significativas, la población femenina (45,54 %) y la masculina (47,90 %) con relación a la variable funcionamiento familiar. La autoestima valorada como baja prevaleció en ambos sexos (51,5 % mujeres y 38,8 % hombres), exhibiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la población femenina (25,54) y la masculina (27,54) respecto a esta variable. La correlación del funcionamiento familiar con la autoestima concluyó como estadísticamente significativa directamente proporcional y de baja intensidad. Estos resultados proporcionan una base significativa para futuras intervenciones y políticas destinadas a fortalecer el bienestar psicológico de los adolescentes.

Abstract In a context where family dynamics and adolescent self-esteem stand as fundamental elements for their development, this research proposes to unravel the intricate connections between both variables through a quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study and taking This study aimed to determine the relationship between family functioning and self-esteem during November and December 2022, in 870 high school students in the city of Guayaquil. The data were obtained from the FF-SIL family functioning questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale previously applied by the Student Counseling Department staff. The analysis showed the predominance of moderately functional families in the studied population (43.3% women and 53.9% men), with statistically significant differences between the female population (45.54 %) and the male population (47.90) concerning the family functioning variable. Self-esteem was valued as low prevailed in both sexes (51.5% women and 38.8% men), exhibiting statistically significant differences between the female population (25.54) and the male population (27.54 %) regarding this variable. The correlation of family functioning with self-esteem was statistically significant, directly proportional, and low intensity. These results provide a significant basis for future interventions and policies to strengthen adolescents' psychological well-being.

Determinants of Inequalities in the Exposure to and Adoption of Multiple Health Risk Behaviors among Brazilian Adolescents, 2009-2019.

The occurrence of multiple risk behaviors among adolescents imposes challenges in the context of public policies of health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on the conditions leading to the exposure to and adoption of multiple risk behaviors allows the identification of vulnerable groups of adolescents, and may support the proposition of targeted strategies directed to individuals at risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis to identify recent trends in the exposure to and adoption of multiple health risk behaviors among Brazilian adolescents, highlighting individual-, household-, and school-level characteristics linked to inequalities among social groups. The analysis was based on cross-sectional data from the National Student Health Survey (PeNSE), conducted by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics in 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2019. The trends in the occurrence of multiple risk behaviors among adolescents were estimated according to social strata, allowing the calculation of concentration indexes and their disaggregation into major determinants of inequalities in the exposure and adoption of risk behaviors. The analyses were conducted using a complex survey design to allow representativeness at the population level. The results showed a rise in the incidence of multiple risk behaviors among youngsters in Brazil from 2009 to 2019. Factors influencing inequalities in the exposure to multiple risk behaviors were socioeconomic status and the characteristics of the household and school environments, whilst the adoption of multiple risk behaviors was also influenced by early exposure to multiple risk behaviors. Furthermore, trends in inequalities in the exposure to and adoption of multiple risk behaviors showed an intensification from 2009 to 2019, being initially concentrated among wealthier adolescents, followed by a transition to higher incidence in the lower socioeconomic strata in 2012 and 2015, respectively. The findings underscore the role of support systems for adolescents at risk within the familial and school contexts, whereas strategies of public policies of health based on the strengthening of community ties may require improvements to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in the occurrence of risk behaviors among youngsters.

Association of Overweight and Obesity with Impaired Executive Functioning in Mexican Adolescents: The Importance of Inhibitory Control.

Overweight and obesity are major public health issues worldwide, including in Mexico, particularly among adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the associations between nutritional status and impaired executive function (EF) in Mexican adolescents. A case-control study was conducted with 98 male and female adolescents, categorized into normal weight and overweight/obese groups based on body mass index. EF was assessed using the BANFE-2 test. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 54.3%. The EF assessment revealed that 82.45% of the overweight/obese group exhibited mild-to-severe impairment, compared to only 36.58% in the normal weight group (X2 = 21.69, p < 0.0001). In the inhibitory control assessment, adolescents with overweight and obesity performed worse than their normal-weight counterparts. Specifically, females with overweight/obesity scored lower than females with normal weight on the risk-benefit processing test. The risk of severe EF impairment significantly increased with the presence of overweight/obesity (OR = 7.8, p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that EF, particularly inhibitory control and risk-benefit processing, is impaired in adolescents with overweight or obesity.

PERMA-Profiler for adolescents: validity evidence based on internal structure and related constructs.

Introduction: The PERMA model of well-being has gained prominence in the study of well-being by the Positive Psychology movement. However, the model has been little studied regarding its applicability in different populations, such as adolescents. This study sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PERMA-Profiler instrument for Brazilian adolescents, as well as the measurement invariance for different age groups and gender, and investigate the relation with external variables. Methods: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used to test the internal structure and invariance of the PERMA-Profiler. Reliability was determined with McDonald's Omega and composite reliability. A total of 1,197 adolescents between 11 and 19 years old from different regions of Brazil participated. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five correlated factors model was the most appropriate, presenting good factor loadings and adequate reliability. The scale proved to be invariant for adolescents of different age groups and gender. Correlations with associated variables were significant and moderate to strong, showing positive relations between positive emotions and well-being, and negative relations with negative affects and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Discussion: These results contribute to the understanding of well-being in adolescence and highlight the importance of promoting different components of well-being for adolescents' mental health.

Sedentary Behavior and Cardiometabolic Markers in Adolescents: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study.

PURPOSE: Analyzed the associations of sedentary behavior (SB) measured by questionnaire and accelerometer, with cardiometabolic markers in adolescents. METHODS: Longitudinal study with 4 years of follow-up with adolescents from João Pessoa, Brazil. SB was measured using a questionnaire (305 adolescents: 54.5% females; age 11.7 [SD = 0.7]) and use of accelerometer (136 adolescents: 54.8% females; age 11.5 [SD = 0.7]). The cardiometabolic markers were body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides/HDL ratio, and non-HDL-C. Generalized Estimating Equation analysis was used to for analyses. RESULTS: The average time in SB by the accelerometer was greater (average 8.3 [SD = 1.5], 8.8 [SD = 1.6], and 8.4 [SD = 1.9] h/d/wk) than observed in the questionnaire (on average 6.0 [SD = 4.1], 7.2 [SD = 4.9], and 6.6 [SD = 5.4] h/d/wk), in all years of the study, but without a significant increasing trend (P > .05) over time for both measures. There was a significant and positive association between SB measured by the questionnaire and SBP (ß = 0.148; 95% CI, 0.021-0.274). CONCLUSIONS: The SB generally does not seem to contribute to significant changes in cardiometabolic markers in adolescents, despite it being associated with increased systolic blood pressure levels.

Sex differences in sensitivity to fentanyl effects in mice: Behavioral and molecular findings during late adolescence.

PURPOSE: Sex differences play a crucial role in understanding vulnerability to opioid addiction, yet there have been limited preclinical investigations of this effect during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The present study compared the behaviors of male and female rodents in response to fentanyl treatment and targeted molecular correlates in the striatum and medial prefrontal cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adolescent C57BL/6J mice underwent a 1-week fentanyl treatment with an escalating dose. In addition to evaluating locomotor activity and anxiety-related parameters, we also assessed naloxone-induced fentanyl acute withdrawal jumps. We employed real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to assess overall gene expression of dopaminergic receptors (Drd1, Drd2, Drd4 and Drd5) and the µ-opioid receptor Oprm1. The levels of epigenetic base modifications including 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) were assessed on CpG islands of relevant genes. RESULTS: Females had higher locomotor activity than males after chronic fentanyl treatment, and they exhibited higher fentanyl withdrawal jumping behavior induced by naloxone. Females also presented lower Drd4 gene expression and DNA methylation (5mC + 5hmC) in the striatum. We found that locomotor activity and fentanyl withdrawal jumps were negatively correlated with Drd4 methylation and gene expression in the striatum, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that female mice displayed heightened sensitivity to the effects of fentanyl treatment during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This effect may be associated with molecular alterations related to the Drd4 gene.

Linalool-rich rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) mitigates emotional and neurochemical impairments induced by ethanol binge-like exposure during adolescence in female rats.

Linalool-rich Rosewood oil (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) is a natural compound widely used in perfumery industry. Evidence suggests that linalool exerts antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Conversely, ethanol binge drinking (i.e., intermittent and episodic consumption) during adolescence elicits neurobehavioral alterations associated with brain damage. Here, we investigated whether linalool-rich Rosewood oil administration can improve the emotional and molecular impairments associated with ethanol binge-like exposure during adolescence in female rats. Rosewood oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and posteriorly analyzed. Adolescent female Wistar rats received four-cycles of ethanol binge-like pattern (3 g/kg/day, 3 days on/4 days off) and daily Rosewood oil (35 mg/kg, intranasally) for 28 days. Twenty-four hours after treatments, it was evaluated the impact of ethanol exposure and Rosewood oil treatment on the putative emotional impairments assessed on the splash and forced swimming tests, as well as the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), S100B, oxidative parameters, and inflammatory cytokines in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Results indicated that Rosewood oil intranasal administration mitigated emotional impairments induced by ethanol exposure accompanied by a marked increase in BDNF, S100B, glutathione (GSH), and antioxidant activity equivalent to Trolox (TEAC) levels in brain areas. Rosewood oil treatment also prevented the ethanol-induced increase of interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels. These findings provide the first evidence that Rosewood oil intranasal administration exerts protective effects against emotional and molecular impairments associated with adolescent ethanol binge-like exposure, possibly due to linalool actions triggering neurotrophic factors, rebalancing antioxidant status, and attenuating proinflammatory process.

Is the frequency of breakfast consumption associated with life satisfaction in children and adolescents? A cross-sectional study with 154,151 participants from 42 countries.

BACKGROUND: The promotion of daily breakfast consumption and the importance of making appropriate breakfast choices have been underscored as significant public health messages. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between breakfast frequency and life satisfaction in large and representative samples of school-going children and adolescents aged 10-17 years from 42 different countries. METHODS: This study used information from the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study, comprising nationally representative samples of children and adolescents aged 10-17 years who were attending school. The total number of participants from the 42 countries included in the study was 155,451 (51.3% girls). The evaluation of breakfast consumption in this study involved a specific question: "How often do you typically have breakfast (more than a glass of milk or fruit juice)?". To measure life satisfaction, a subjective assessment scale was used in the form of a ladder, visually spanning from 0 to 10. On this scale, the topmost point (10) denotes the highest conceivable quality of life, whereas the bottom point (0) represents the worst imaginable quality of life. RESULTS: After adjusting for several covariates, the lowest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was identified in those participants who skipped breakfast (mean [M] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5 to 5.8). Conversely, the highest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was observed in those who had breakfast every day (M = 6.5, 95% CI 6.3 to 6.6). Overall, a nearly linear relationship between higher frequency of breakfast and greater life satisfaction in children and adolescents was identified (p-for-trend < 0.001). In addition, the highest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction score was identified in those participants from Portugal who had breakfast every day (M = 7.7; 95% CI 6.9 to 8.5 points). Conversely, the lowest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was observed in those participants from Romania who no breakfast (M = 3.5; 95% CI 2.6 to 4.4 points). CONCLUSIONS: There is a nearly linear relationship between higher frequency of breakfast and greater life satisfaction in children and adolescents. Considering the potential health advantages associated with breakfast during this critical age phase, these findings imply the necessity for additional global efforts to promote increased breakfast consumption among children and adolescents.

Aportes para el abordaje de la salud de las y los adolescentes como sujeto de derechos desde una mirada antropológica / Contributions to address the health of adolescents as rights holders from an anthropological perspective

Este artículo se propone reflexionar en torno al reconocimiento de la condición jurídica de las y los adolescentes como sujeto de derechos en los procesos de atención de la salud de esta población. A partir de la autonomía progresiva y la participación directa entendidos como dos principios rectores de la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño (CDN), se realiza un contrapunto entre las definiciones presentes en la política de salud en la adolescencia y las prácticas y sentidos puestos en juego por las/os profesionales de la salud. Las reflexiones se basan en el análisis de materiales etnográficos, producidos en una investigación realizada en la ciudad de Bahía Blanca, desde una perspectiva antropológica, centrada en la definición social de las edades. Para cerrar, se plantea una síntesis de algunos aspectos con el propósito de contribuir a la problematización de las nociones de adolescencia desde las cuales se brinda atención sanitaria de esta población. Y de favorecer el abordaje de la salud de las y los adolescentes como sujeto de derechos (AU)

This article aims to reflect on the recognition of the legal status of adolescents as subject of rights in the health care processes of this population. Starting from progressive autonomy and direct participation understood as two guiding principles of the Children's Rights Convention (CRC), a counterpoint is made between the definitions present in health policy in adolescence and the practices and meanings put into play by the health professionals. The reflections are based on the analysis of ethnographic materials, produced in an investigation carried out in the city of Bahía Blanca, from an anthropological perspective, focused on the social definition of ages. To close, a synthesis of some aspects is proposed with the purpose of contributing to the problematization of the notions of adolescence from which health care is provided to this population. And to promote the approach to adolescent health as a subject of rights (AU)

Gravidez repetida na adolescência: prevalência e fatores associados / Repeated pregnancy in adolescence: prevalence and associated factors

Analisar a prevalência da gravidez repetida e os fatores associados entre adolescentes. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 124 mães adolescentes, com idades entre 10 e 19 anos, em Caxias, Maranhão, de julho a dezembro de 2021. Foi aplicado um questionário com dados sociodemográficos, econômicos, obstétricos e sobre estilo de vida. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de associação utilizando Regressão Logística Múltipla. Entre as 124 adolescentes, 107 (86,3%) tinham mais de 15 anos; 104 (83,9%) possuíam mais de 8 anos de escolaridade; 72 (58,1%) não tinham companheiro e 113 (91,1%) estavam desempregadas. A prevalência da gravidez repetida foi de 34,7% (N=43), estando estatisticamente associada ao número de partos (p<0,000; OR: 17,62; IC95%: 6,51-47,68) e ao desejo de interromper a gravidez (p=0,047; OR: 3,20; IC95%: 1,12-9,15). O nível de escolaridade mostrou-se um fator de proteção (p=0,012; OR: 0,28; IC95%: 0,11-0,76) contra a gravidez repetida. Conclui-se que há uma alta prevalência da gravidez repetida em adolescentes com baixo nível socioeconômico e com início precoce da atividade sexual. O estudo evidencia a necessidade de planejamento adequado da assistência pela equipe de saúde na Atenção Primária à Saúde para adolescentes.

To analyze the prevalence of repeated pregnancy and the associated factors among adolescents. A cross-sectional study conducted with 124 adolescent mothers aged 10 to 19 years in Caxias, Maranhão, from July to December 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, economic, obstetric and lifestyle data. Descriptive analyses and associations were assessed using Multiple Logistic Regression. Among the 124 adolescents, 107 (86.3%) were older than 15 years; 104 (83.9%) had more than 8 years of schooling; 72 (58.1%) did not have a partner and 113 (91.1%) were unemployed. The prevalence of repeat pregnancy was 34.7% (N=43) and was significantly associated with the number of pewvious deliveries (p<0.000; OR: 17.62; 95%CI: 6.51-47.68) and the desire to terminate the pregnancy (p=0.047; OR: 3.20; 95%CI: 1.12-9.15). A higher education level found to be a protective factor against repeated pregnancy (p=0.012; OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.11-0.76). Is the findings indicate a high prevalence of repeated pregnancy in adolescents with low socioeconomic status and early f sexual initiation. The study highlights the need for improved healthcare planning and services in Primary Health Care for adolescent users.

Exploring the Association between Educational Aspirations and Intentions to Migrate among Youth in Central Mexico by Gender.

We assessed the association between educational aspirations and the intention to migrate among 1,446 adolescents aged 11-17 years, living in semi-urban/rural communities in Jalisco, Mexico. Analyses rely on survey data from the Family Migration and Early Life Outcomes study. The outcome variable was the intention to migrate, a three-category variable coded as no intention to migrate, intention to migrate within Mexico, and intention to migrate internationally. The main independent variable was the adolescents' educational aspirations, conceptualized as the intention to achieve higher education. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations. We found an association between educational aspirations and intentions to migrate, and it was moderated by gender. Girls with the highest educational aspirations intended to migrate internationally, while higher educational aspirations were not a driver for boys' migration intentions. The study findings have implications for education and migration policies and future research.