Exposure to anandamide on young rats causes deficits in learning, temporal perception and induces changes in NMDA receptor expression.

Human use of marijuana at an early age has been reported to lead to cognitive impairment. However, researchers have not yet clearly determined whether this impairment is due to marijuana-induced alterations in the developing nervous system and whether this deficit persists into adulthood after marijuana use has ceased. We administered anandamide to developing rats to assess the effect of cannabinoids on development. We subsequently evaluated learning and performance on a temporal bisection task in adulthood and assessed the expression of genes encoding principal subunits of NMDA receptors (Grin1, Grin2A, and Grin2B) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Rats in two age groups, namely, 21-day-old and 150-day-old rats, received intraperitoneal injections of anandamide or the vehicle for 14 days. Both groups performed a temporal bisection test, which included listening to tones of different durations and classifying them as short or long. The expression of the Grin1, Grin2A and Grin2B mRNAs was evaluated using quantitative PCR in both age groups after extracting mRNA from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. We observed a learning impairment in the temporal bisection task (p < 0.05) and changes in the response latency (p < 0.05) in rats that received anandamide. Furthermore, these rats exhibited decreased expression of Grin2b (p = 0.001) compared to those that received the vehicle. In human subjects, the use of cannabinoids during development induces a long-term deficit, but this deficit is not observed in subjects who use cannabinoids in adulthood. Rats treated with anandamide earlier in development took longer to learn the task, suggesting that anandamide exerts a harmful effect on cognition in developing rats. Administration of anandamide during early stages of development induced deficits in learning and other cognitive processes that depend on an adequate estimation of time. The cognitive demands of the environment must be considered when evaluating the cognitive effects of cannabinoids on developing or mature brains. High cognitive demands might induce differential expression of NMDA receptors that improves cognitive capacity, overcoming altered glutamatergic function.

Análisis de trayectoria de las creencias patriarcales y sexistas, actitudes favorables a la violencia y violencia en el noviazgo / [Trajectory analysis of patriarchal and sexist beliefs, attitudes favorable to violence and dating violence]

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las relaciones entre las creencias patriarcales y sexistas, las actitudes favorables a la violencia física, psicológica y sexual hacia las mujeres y hacia los hombres, y la presencia de la violencia en el noviazgo. Participaron 774 universitarios mexicanos (52,33% mujeres). Los resultados mostraron que los hombres han desarrollado más actitudes favoreciendo el uso de la violencia física, psicológica y sexual en contra de las mujeres a partir de la influencia de las creencias patriarcales y sexistas. Las mujeres con mayor adhesión a las creencias patriarcales y sexistas presentaron más actitudes favorables a la violencia física, psicológica y sexual hacia ellas mismas. Las mujeres que tuvieron puntuaciones más altas en las actitudes que favorecen la violencia hacia ellas tuvieron un mayor nivel de victimización. En conclusión, los cuatro modelos de análisis de trayectorias revelaron el impacto que tienen las creencias patriarcales y sexistas en la violencia en el noviazgo por medio de las actitudes que favorecen la violencia hacia las mujeres y hacia los hombres.

Dating violence research needs to examine the perspective and experience that women and men have of this type of violence and the cognitive factors associated with it. In order to fill this gap, the objective of this research was to analyze the relations between patriarchal and sexist beliefs, attitudes favorable to physical, psychological, and sexual violence towards women and men, and the prevalence of dating violence. A total of 774 Mexican university students (52.33% women and 47.67% men) participated answering five instruments. In order to examine the data obtained, four path analysis models were created. The results showed that men have developed more attitudes supporting the use of physical, psychological, and sexual violence against women from the influence of patriarchal and sexist beliefs. Likewise, women who reported greater adherence to patriarchal and sexist beliefs presented more favorable attitudes towards physical, psychological, and sexual violence towards themselves. In turn, it was found that female participants who reported higher scores in the attitudes supporting sexual, psychological, and sexual violence towards themselves had a higher level of victimization. In conclusion, the four models revealed the impact that patriarchal and sexist beliefs have on dating violence through attitudes supporting violence towards women and men.

The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence.

The effects of family of origin violence and intimate partner violence have been extensively documented; however, very few studies have examined the interaction with emotion regulation strategies. Thus, the objective of this research was to analyze whether different types of emotion regulation strategies, both adaptive and maladaptive, mediate the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence in the Mexican population. A total of 838 participants (45.9% men and 54.1% women) responded to instruments addressing family of origin violence, emotion regulation strategies, and intimate partner violence. The results revealed that both structural models were significant. For women, the model showed an adequate fit X2 (11, N = 838) = 22.75, p = .288, GFI = .95, AGFI = .91, NFI = .98, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .05. Likewise, we found similar indexes for men X2 (11, N = 838) = 28.20, p = .348, GFI = .97, AGFI = .93, NFI = .97, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .04. Specifically, the direct effects of adaptive strategies on intimate partner violence were statistically significant. Meanwhile, the direct effects of family of origin violence on maladaptive emotion regulation strategies were significant, as were the direct effects of maladaptive strategies on intimate partner violence. In turn, the indirect effects of family of-origin violence were significantly related to intimate partner violence via maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. In addition, the results clearly showed that men reported higher levels of aggression against women. Finally, regarding the selection of emotion regulation strategies, while women employed more adaptive emotion regulation, men showed a more definite tendency to use maladaptive emotion regulation.

Creencias sobre la violencia y sus efectos en la prevalencia de la violencia en el noviazgo / Beliefs about violence and its effects on the prevalence of dating violence

Resumen La violencia en el noviazgo es un fenómeno multifactorial que requiere de estudios que profundicen respecto a los efectos que tienen las creencias culturales en el comportamiento tanto del agresor como de la víctima. Teniendo esto en cuenta, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la relación entre las creencias acerca de la violencia y la prevalencia de la violencia en el noviazgo. Para ello, se contó con una muestra de 420 estudiantes de dos universidades públicas mexicanas que respondieron el Inventario de creencias acerca de la violencia hacia la esposa, el Inventario de conflictos en las relaciones de noviazgo, y un cuestionario de información sociodemográfica. Los datos recolectados fueron examinados por medio de un análisis de correlación canónica, y los resultados mostraron que el modelo en general fue estadísticamente significativo (Wilks X = .654, F(20, 677.54) = 4.626,p < .05); que el tamaño del efecto del modelo general fue de .346, lo que indica que este explicó el 34.6 % de la varianza compartida por los dos conjuntos de variables; y que, específicamente en la primera función, el coeficiente de mayor magnitud fue el de la variable de justificación de la violencia (r2 s = 76.2; h 2 = 90.0), seguido por la del apoyo que se le puede brindar a la víctima (r2 s = 57.1; h2 = 94.5).

Abstract Dating violence is a multifactorial phenomenon that requires in-depth studies regarding the effects that cultural beliefs have on the behavior of both the aggressor and the victim. With this in mind, the objective of this research was to determine the relationship between beliefs about violence and the prevalence of dating violence. To this end, a sample of 420 students from two Mexican public universities answered the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife Violence, the Inventory of Conflicts in Dating Relationships, and a sociodemographic information questionnaire. The data collected were examined through a canonical correlation analysis, and the results showed that the overall model was statistically significant (Wilks X = .654, F (20, 677.54) = 4.626, p < .05); that the effect size of the overall model was .346, indicating that it explained 34. 6 % of the variance shared by the two sets of variables; and that, specifically in the first function, the coefficient of greatest magnitude was that of the variable of justification of the violence (r2 s = 76.2; h2 = 90.0), followed by that of the support that can be given to the victim (r2 s = 57.1; h2 = 94.5).

Un modelo multidimensional de la violencia escolar en México: factores familiares y psicológicos / A multidimensional model of school violence in Mexico: family and psychological factors

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación entre las disfunciones familiares, la violencia escolar y algunos trastornos psicológicos, particularmente la depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés. Participaron 388 adolescentes mexicanos de entre 14 y 19 años de edad. Con la finalidad de examinar los efectos que tienen los factores familiares en la violencia escolar, así como las consecuencias de esta violencia en la salud mental de los adolescentes, se construyó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Debido a que el modelo original no se ajustó de forma adecuada a los datos, se reespecificó mostrando de esta manera un ajuste global adecuado con los datos. Los resultados indican que los problemas en la comunicación y la falta de apoyo por parte de los padres fueron los dos predictores más significativos en la violencia escolar y la experiencia de victimización. Además, la depresión, el estrés y la ansiedad presentaron, de mayor a menor magnitud, una relación positiva con la variable latente de trastornos psicológicos (AU)

The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between family dysfunctions, bullying, and some psychological disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 388 Mexican adolescents between 14 and 19 years of age participated in this study. In order to examine the effects that family factors have on bullying, as well as the consequences of this violence on the mental health of adolescents, a structural equation model was constructed. Since the original model did not fit the data adequately, it was re-specified. Consequently, this new model shows an adequate global fit with the data. Results indicate that communication problems and lack of parental support were the two most significant predictors of bullying and the experience of victimization. In addition, depression, stress, and anxiety presented, from greater to lesser magnitude, a positive relation with the latent variable of psychological disorders (AU)

The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence

Abstract The effects of family of origin violence and intimate partner violence have been extensively documented; however, very few studies have examined the interaction with emotion regulation strategies. Thus, the objective of this research was to analyze whether different types of emotion regulation strategies, both adaptive and maladaptive, mediate the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence in the Mexican population. A total of 838 participants (45.9% men and 54.1% women) responded to instruments addressing family of origin violence, emotion regulation strategies, and intimate partner violence. The results revealed that both structural models were significant. For women, the model showed an adequate fit X 2 (11, N = 838) = 22.75, p = .288, GFI = .95, AGFI = .91, NFI = .98, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .05. Likewise, we found similar indexes for men X2 (11, N = 838) = 28.20, p = .348, GFI = .97, AGFI = .93, NFI = .97, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .04. Specifically, the direct effects of adaptive strategies on intimate partner violence were statistically significant. Meanwhile, the direct effects of family of origin violence on maladaptive emotion regulation strategies were significant, as were the direct effects of maladaptive strategies on intimate partner violence. In turn, the indirect effects of family of-origin violence were significantly related to intimate partner violence via maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. In addition, the results clearly showed that men reported higher levels of aggression against women. Finally, regarding the selection of emotion regulation strategies, while women employed more adaptive emotion regulation, men showed a more definite tendency to use maladaptive emotion regulation.

c-Fos immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus and reward system of young rats after social novelty exposure.

Socialization is an adaptive behavior during the early stages of life because it helps young animals become independent and determines healthy adult social behavior. Therefore, it is probable that the brain areas involved in the processing of social stimuli are more sensitive to social novelty during early life stages. To test this hypothesis, four groups of young male rats were exposed to different socioenvironmental stimuli; nonsocial physical novelty, social familiarity, social novelty, and a control group which received no stimulation. After stimuli exposure, brains were fixed and cut in coronal sections for c-Fos immunohistochemistry. The number of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus, the main producers of oxytocin and vasopressin, was compared, as well as in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum, the main areas involved in reinforced behavior. A significantly higher number of c-Fos-ir neurons were found in animals exposed to social novelty in all areas, except in the supraoptic nucleus. In particular, the increase in c-Fos-ir in the paraventricular nucleus seems to be selective in response to social novelty, while the increase of c-Fos-ir in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum suggests that social novelty during youth is a highly rewarding stimulus compared with social familiarity and nonsocial physical novelty.

Hormonal State Comparison (Progesterone, Estradiol, and Leptin) of Body Fat and Body Mass Indices in Mexican Women as a Risk Factor for Neonatal Physiologic Condition.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Describe the impact of teen pregnancy on later ovarian activity and metabolic hormones considering the concentration of current levels of ovarian steroids and leptin in a sample of Mexican females. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in the maternity of the General Hospital of Atlacomulco and campus of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 71 women between the ages of 18 and 24, and 160 neonates seen between March 2010 and June 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The measurements obtained included anthropometric body composition (bioelectrical impedance), serum hormone quantification of ovarian steroids and leptin (immunoassays), and the Apgar scores, height, and weight in neonates. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, Student, and chi-square for P < .05. RESULTS: Adolescent mothers showed significantly lower concentrations of estradiol (P = .001) and progesterone (P = .001). However, higher levels of leptin in adolescent mothers were not statistically different compared with older mothers (P = .84). Also, leptin was correlated with all measures of adiposity. The mean birth weights (P = .001) and Apgar scores (P = .001) were lower in neonates of adolescent mothers than in neonates of adult mothers. There was no association between maternal age with the anthropometric variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: Early reproduction represents a metabolic stress condition that modifies the long term ovarian activity and metabolic hormones, and impacts the morbidity-mortality of the mother and offspring in a later vital life cycle stage.

[Food habits of the white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Nanchititla Natural Park, Mexico]. / Hábitos alimentarios del venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) en el Parque Natural Sierra Nanchititla, Estado de México.

White-tailed deer is a species with a large behavioral plasticity and adaptation to different habitats, including their food habits. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the food habits of this species in the cloud (BMM) and pine-oak (BPE) forests. Deer scats and plant samples were obtained following standard methods, from Sierra Nanchititla Park in the State of Mexico, from June 1990 to May 1992. A total of 104 deer pellet-groups were collected, and histological analysis for herbivores was used and compared with stock samples of plant tissues collected from the study area. We applied the Spearman correlation and Morisita index to determine alimentary preference. The results showed that the deer consumes 79.44% of plant species from BMM and 20.56% of the BPE. There is a selectivity tendency for 12 of the 14 plant species located in the BMM, while for BPE no tendency was observed. Key species that are part of the elemental diet of the deer in these areas were: Acalypha setosa, Smilax pringlei, Psidium sartorianum and Dendropanax arborea. The consumption of plants did not differ significantly between the dry and rainy seasons in terms of biological form, however, during the dry season there is a tendency to consume trees, and by the end of the rainy season to consume herbs. The data indicate that the deer can be selective with BMM plants, while for the BPE tends to be opportunistic.

Hábitos alimentarios del venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) en el Parque Natural Sierra Nanchititla, Estado de México

Food habits of the white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Nanchititla Natural Park, Mexico. White-tailed deer is a species with a large behavioral plasticity and adapta- tion to different habitats, including their food habits. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the food habits of this species in the cloud (BMM) and pine-oak (BPE) forests. Deer scats and plant samples were obtained following standard methods, from Sierra Nanchititla Park in the State of Mexico, from June 1990 to May 1992. A total of 104 deer pellet-groups were collected, and histological analysis for herbivores was used and compared with stock samples of plant tissues collected from the study area. We applied the Spearman correlation and Morisita index to determine alimentary preference. The results showed that the deer consumes 79.44% of plant species from BMM and 20.56% of the BPE. There is a selectivity tendency for 12 of the 14 plant species located in the BMM, while for BPE no tendency was observed. Key species that are part of the elemental diet of the deer in these areas were: Acalypha setosa, Smilax pringlei, Psidium sartorianum and Dendropanax arborea. The consumption of plants did not differ significantly between the dry and rainy seasons in terms of biological form, however, during the dry season there is a tendency to consume trees, and by the end of the rainy season to consume herbs. The data indicate that the deer can be selective with BMM plants, while for the BPE tends to be opportunistic.

El venado cola blanca es una especie con una gran plasticidad conductual y de adaptación en diferentes hábitat. En el Parque Sierra Nanchititla en el Estado de México se realizó un estudio para determinar los hábitos alimentarios en el bosque mesófilo de montaña (BMM) y bosque de pino-encino (BPE). De junio 1990 a mayo 1992 se recolectaron 104 muestras de excremento de venado en las dos zonas de estudio. Aplicamos el índice de Morisita y la correlación de Spearman para determinar la preferencia alimentaria. Se utilizó el análisis histológico de heces fecales para herbívoros las cuales se compararon con muestras de tejidos vegetales de plantas de la zona de estudio. Los resultados muestran que consume el 79.44% de especies vegetales del BMM y 20.56% del BPE. Existe cierta tendencia en la selectividad de 12 de las 14 especies de plantas localizadas en el BMM, mientras que para el BPE no se aprecia tal tendencia. Las especies clave que for- man parte de la alimentación elemental del venado fueron: Acalypha setosa, Smilax pringlei, Psidium sartorianum y Dendropanax arborea. El consumo de plantas no varió sig- nificativamente entre la época seca y lluviosa en función de la forma biológica (X2=12, p=0.21). Sin embargo, durante la época seca existe cierta tendencia a consumir árboles y a finales de la época de lluvia a consumir hierbas (Z=1.61, p=0.95). Los datos indican que el venado puede ser selecti- vo con plantas del BMM, mientras que para el BPE tiende a ser oportunista.