Adaptation and feasibility assessment of a dating violence prevention program for girls in foster care

BACKGROUND

Dating violence in adolescence is a serious public health issue due to its significant impact on mental health and its significant predictive value for intimate partner violence in adulthood. Universal and selective programs can contribute to the prevention of this issue. Nonetheless, there are few selective programs with evidence of feasibility in contexts of social vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined evidence of the feasibility of a dating violence selective prevention program for girls in foster care by monitoring process indicators during the implementation phase of a pilot study.

METHODS

The program, originally designed for adolescents in the general population, was adapted to the context of girls at risk. The pilot study was conducted in the southern region of Brazil and involved the participation of six girls aged between 15 and 17. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used, and the data were explored through frequency analysis, the Jacobson and Truax test, and content analysis.

RESULTS

The study identified favorable evidence regarding demand, acceptability, and adaptation of the intervention. On the other hand, contextual and institutional barriers hindered recruitment and restricted the reach of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Although there are changes to be made to improve the program's applicability in its specific context, it should be emphasized that this study provides evidence to maintain the methods and content of the intervention.

Biosynthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: a review

Nanoparticles promise to revolutionize the way we think of ordinary materials thanks to the new features such small structures exhibit which include strength, durability, optical and magnetics properties. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are a prominent class of NMs because of their potential application in magnetic separation, hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and catalysis. Most synthetic nanoparticulate platforms rely on the use of tough chemical procedures associated with unfriendly, harmful and costly reactants. For this reason, bio-inspired approaches have become the most successful alternatives to fabricate nanomaterials in an "eco-friendly" manner, and many bio-protocols that make use of substrates from plants and microorganisms have been successfully applied in the synthesis of magnetic IONPs. In this review, the main biosynthesis protocols applied in the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles are discussed. A discussion on the challenges for a second stage perspective which would be a large scale production is also given.

Life cycle differences among Brazilian sandflies of the Lutzomyia longipalpis sibling species complex

The developmental cycles of five Brazilian populations of the Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae) were compared under laboratory conditions. Three of the populations were derived from insects collected in allopatric sites at Natal (Rio Grande do Norte State), Jacobina (Bahia State) and Lapinha Cave (Minas Gerais State). The other two originated from Sobral (Ceará State), where the males of two sympatric species can be distinguished by the presence of one (1S) or two (2S) pairs of abdominal spots. The results of the present study clearly show that all three populations whose males produce C16 pheromones and use pulse-type copulation songs (Jacobina, Lapinha Cave and Sobral 1S) are more easily adapted to the colonization conditions used in our laboratory, producing larger egg batches, with higher survival and an overall faster developmental cycle. This contrasts with populations producing C20 male pheromones and using burst-type copulation songs (Natal and Sobral 2S) that produce smaller egg batches, have higher oviposition mortality and a slower rate of development under identical laboratory conditions. In conclusion, these phenological differences are a further indication of the differentiation of the siblings within the Lu. longipalpis species complex.

Menstrual irregularity in the first postmenarchal years: an early clinical sign of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence

We determined the hormonal, metabolic and ultrasonographic pattern of adolescents with menstrual irregularity since menarche but without clinical signs of hyperandrogenism with the aim of evaluating whether this condition represents an early stage of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These adolescents were divided in two groups: 13 adolescents with irregular cycles (IC) within the first 3 postmenarchal years (IC < or = 3) and 15 adolescents having persistent irregular cycles for more than three postmenarchal years (IC > 3). These adolescents were compared with 15 adolescents with PCOS and 18 normal adolescents. The values of free testosterone, free androgen index, luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio were similar in IC < or = 3, IC > 3 and PCOS, and higher than in the normal group (p < 0.005). The total testosterone and androstenedione levels were higher and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) lower in PCOS only when compared with the normal group (p < 0.05). The ovarian volume was similar in IC < or = 3, IC > 3 and PCOS, and higher than in the normal group (p < 0.005). A higher incidence of polycystic structure was found in IC < or = 3, IC > 3 and PCOS, whereas normal structure was more common in normal adolescents (p < 0.0005). There were no significant differences in glucose and insulin parameters between groups. These results indicate that menstrual irregularity within the first postmenarchal years can be an early clinical sign of PCOS.

The relationship between ovarian structure and hyperandrogenism in premature pubarche

The aim of this study was to describe the ovarian structure (OS) and its relationship with hyperandrogenism in girls with premature pubarche (PP). A pelvic ultrasound was carried out in 23 girls with PP and in 57 prepubertal age-matched controls (C), and the OS was subdivided into five classes (c): 1-homogeneous; 2-microcystic, 3-multicystic, 4-polycystic and 5-follicular. In the girls with PP, an ACTH test was performed, and the presence of hormonal levels >3 SD of postpubertal normal levels and not compatible with late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia were considered an exaggerated response. The fasting levels of glucose (G) and insulin (I) were measured and the fasting I to G ratio (FIGR) was calculated. FIGR >22 was suggestive of I resistance (IR). The microcystic structure (c2) was more frequently found in the PP than in the C group (63% vs 35%, p=0.03). In the PP group, we observed the following OS: cl (n=6), c2 (n=15), c3 (n=1) and c4 (n=1). 11-Deoxycortisol--both basal and after ACTH--was greater in the PPc2 group than in PPc1 (p=0.04, p=0.0008, respectively). We also observed an exaggerated response to ACTH in 87% of the girls with PP, greater in the PPc2 group than in PPc1 (p=0.04). The FIGR showed IR in 44% of girls with PP, but I levels and FIGR were similar between PPc1 and PPc2. These findings suggest generalized adrenocortical hyperresponsiveness in girls with PP, which is more accentuated in PPc2. Long-term follow-up of girls with PP into adulthood is warranted to ascertain whether microcystic ovarian structure precedes functional ovarian hyperandrogenism.

[Study of true precocious puberty in girls using clinical, laboratorial and imaging techniques]

This paper reviews the clinical findings, pituitary gonadotrophin reserve, plasma estradiol and androgens, radiological findings and pelvic ultrasound appearance in 17 girls with true precocious puberty (PP), and attempts to asses the value of these tests diagnosis in the clinical management of such patients and better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. As noted in other series, acceleration of growth is one of the earliest features of PP and at the time of diagnosis bone age can be already significantly advanced. In 3 (18%) patients intracranial abnormalities were present. Ultrasound examination showed changes similar to those seen during normal puberty. To conclude, the introduction of high-resolution methods (CT scan and RM) and techniques for ultrasound examination have greatly simplified the clinical investigation of female precocious puberty.