It is pleasant and heavy: convergence of visual contents in tobacco, alcohol and food marketing in Brazil.

The tactical use of visuoperceptual content in marketing may encourage impulsive consumption of unhealthy products. In this study, the application of visuoperceptual content was compared in advertisements used by industries of tobacco, alcohol and food. The aim was to ascertain whether similarities exist in the strategies used as variables for the selection of commercial stimuli, such as color, position and size. Scion Image and Corel Draw Graphics Suite software were used to analyze the content of a non-probabilistic sample of advertising images (N = 150). Differences were identified in the use of the colors green (p = 0.04) and red (p = 0.01), but not in the use of the color blue (p = 0.64), suggesting that induction of feelings of pleasantness resulting from the use of the color blue may be associated with the advertising in the alcohol and tobacco industries. Regarding the position of the commercial stimuli, a predominance of the use of quadrants 'C' (p = 0.00) and 'D' (p = 0.01) was found in all three industries, indicating a similar use of areas perceived as being 'heavier'. As to the size, 78% of advertisements placed the commercial stimuli within a range of 0-25% of the total image. The results showed some similarities in the use of visuoperceptual content in advertisements for tobacco, alcohol and food, especially between tobacco and alcohol. The article offers a convergence analysis of these three industries altogether, providing additional subsidies for the formulation of protection policies.

Exposure to methylphenidate during infancy and adolescence in non-human animals and sensitization to abuse of psychostimulants later in life: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric pathology that has an important prevalence among young people and is difficult to diagnose. It is usually treated with methylphenidate, a psychostimulant with a mechanism of action similar to that of cocaine. Previous studies show that repeated use of psychostimulants during childhood or adolescence may sensitize subjects, making them more prone to later abuse of psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. OBJECTIVE: To review experimental studies in non-human models (rodents and monkeys) treated with methylphenidate during infancy or adolescence and tested for reinforcing effects on psychostimulant drugs in adulthood. METHOD: Systematic collection of data was performed on four databases (Web of Knowledge, PsycARTICLE, PubMed and SciELO). The initial search identified 202 articles published from 2009 to 2014, which were screened for eligibility. Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in this study. RESULTS: The findings indicate that early exposure to methylphenidate has an effect on an ADHD animal model, specifically, on spontaneously hypertensive strain rats, especially those tested using the self-administration paradigm. CONCLUSION: Future studies should prioritize the spontaneously hypertensive rat strain - an animal model of ADHD. Experimental designs comparing different behavioral paradigms and modes of administration using this strain could lead to improved understanding of the effects of exposure to methylphenidate during childhood and adolescence.

Exposure to methylphenidate during infancy and adolescence in non-human animals and sensitization to abuse of psychostimulants later in life: a systematic review / Exposição a metilfenidato na infância e adolescência em modelos não humanos e sensibilidade ao abuso de drogas psicoestimulantes na vida adulta: revisão sistemática

Introduction:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric pathology that has an important prevalence among young people and is difficult to diagnose. It is usually treated with methylphenidate, a psychostimulant with a mechanism of action similar to that of cocaine. Previous studies show that repeated use of psychostimulants during childhood or adolescence may sensitize subjects, making them more prone to later abuse of psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.Objective: To review experimental studies in non-human models (rodents and monkeys) treated with methylphenidate during infancy or adolescence and tested for reinforcing effects on psychostimulant drugs in adulthood.Method: Systematic collection of data was performed on four databases (Web of Knowledge, PsycARTICLE, PubMed and SciELO). The initial search identified 202 articles published from 2009 to 2014, which were screened for eligibility. Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in this study.Results: The findings indicate that early exposure to methylphenidate has an effect on an ADHD animal model, specifically, on spontaneously hypertensive strain rats, especially those tested using the self-administration paradigm.Conclusion:Future studies should prioritize the spontaneously hypertensive rat strain - an animal model of ADHD. Experimental designs comparing different behavioral paradigms and modes of administration using this strain could lead to improved understanding of the effects of exposure to methylphenidate during childhood and adolescence.

Introdução: O transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) é uma patologia neuropsiquiátrica de difícil diagnóstico e de relevante prevalência entre pessoas jovens. É comumente tratada com metilfenidato, uma substância psicoestimulante com mecanismo de ação similar ao da cocaína. Estudos prévios demonstram que o uso contínuo de fármacos estimulantes na infância ou adolescência pode sensibilizar o sujeito para o subsequente abuso de drogas psicoestimulantes, como cocaína e metanfetamina.Objetivo:Revisar estudos experimentais em modelos não humanos (roedores e macacos) tratados com metilfenidato na infância ou na adolescência e testados para os efeitos reforçadores de drogas psicoestimulantes na vida adulta.Método: A coleta sistemática dos dados foi realizada em quatro bases de dados (Web of Knowledge, PsycARTICLE, PubMed e SciELO). Na busca inicial, 202 artigos publicados entre 2009 e 2014 foram triados. Destes, sete preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram revisados neste estudo.Resultados:Os dados indicam um efeito da pré-exposição ao metilfenidato sobre o TDAH em animais adolescentes da linhagem do rato espontaneamente hipertensivo (spontaneously hypertensive strain, SHR). Esse efeito foi encontrado, sobretudo, nos estudos que utilizaram o paradigma de autoadministração.Conclusão: Estudos futuros devem priorizar a linhagem dos SHR - modelo animal do TDAH. Delineamentos que comparem diferentes paradigmas comportamentais e formas de administração utilizando essa linhagem podem prover uma melhor compreensão do efeito da exposição ao metilfenidato na infância e adolescência.