Associations of screen time with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents / Associação do tempo de tela com sintomas de estresse, ansiedade e depressão em adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the associations between self-reported screen time and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 982 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years, enrolled in public schools in Jacarezinho (PR), Brazil. Screen time was assessed by the question "Considering a typical day, how much time do you spend watching TV, playing videogame, using computer or smartphone?" The DASS-21 questionnaire (short form) was used to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Crude and adjusted analyses (age, sex, and maternal level of education) between screen time and mental disorders symptoms were performed using general linear regression models, with Poisson distribution, with significance level at p<0.05. Results: Higher depressive symptoms were observed in adolescents who reported screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.35, 95%CI 1.13-1.61) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.88, 95%CI 1.62-2.19), compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. The same was observed for anxiety symptoms with screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.50, 95%CI 1.28-1.77); and stress, with 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08-1.44) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.49, 95%CI 1.30-1.71), also compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. Conclusions: Screen time was positively associated with depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adolescents. Special attention should be given to those who spend more than four hours a day in front of a screen.

RESUMO Objetivo: Examinar a associação entre o tempo de tela autorreportado e os sintomas de estresse, ansiedade e depressão em adolescentes. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo com delineamento transversal com 982 adolescentes entre 12-15 anos, matriculados na rede pública de ensino da cidade de Jacarezinho (PR). Para mensurar o tempo de tela, os adolescentes responderam à pergunta: "Considerando um dia típico, quanto tempo você passa assistindo TV, jogando videogame, usando computador ou smartphone?". O questionário DASS-21 (versão curta) foi utilizado para avaliar os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse. Análises brutas e ajustadas (idade, sexo e nível de escolaridade materna) entre tempo de tela e indicadores de saúde mental foram realizadas por meio do modelo de regressão linear generalizado, com distribuição de Poisson, adotando a significância de p<0,05. Resultados: Maiores sintomas depressivos foram observados em adolescentes com tempo de tela de 4-6 horas/dia (RP 1,35, IC95% 1,13-1,61) e ≥6 horas/dia (RP 1,88, IC95% 1,62-2,19) quando comparados com seus pares com ≤2 horas/dia. O mesmo foi observado para os sintomas de ansiedade com tempo de tela de 4-6 horas/dia (RP 1,23, IC95% 1,04-1,46) e ≥6 horas/dia (RP 1,50, IC95% 1,28-1,77); e estresse, com 4-6 horas/dia (RP 1,25, IC95% 1,08-1,44) e ≥6 horas/dia (RP 1,49, IC95% 1,30-1,71), também comparados com seus pares com ≤2 horas/dia. Conclusões: O tempo de tela foi associado positivamente com os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em adolescentes. Atenção especial deve ser dada àqueles que passam mais de quatro horas por dia em frente a uma tela.

Does autonomous motivation and self-efficacy mediate associations between environmental factors and physical activity in adolescents?

BACKGROUND: To analyze the associations among autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, social support and perceived environment with physical activity practice of adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years; and to test autonomous motivations and self-efficacy as potential mediators of the associations between these environmental factors and physical activity practice. METHODS: We evaluated 553 adolescents, that participated in the ActTeens Program. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, parents' social support and perceived environment were assessed using specifics questionnaires. Linear regression models were used to test the associations. RESULTS: Parents' support (ß = 0.32), satisfaction of basic psychological needs of colleagues (ß = 0.21) and teachers (ß = 0.12), and perceived environment (ß = 0.10) had significant associations with physical activity (p < 0.05). The direct effect value was reduced when autonomous motivation was added as a mediator of the association between parents' support and physical activity (ß = 0.24), with a 25% mediated effect. Autonomous motivation was mediator of the relationship between basic psychological needs of colleagues (ß = 0.13; EM = 38%), teachers (ß = 0.02; EM = 83%), and perceived environment (ß = 0.03; EM = 70%) with physical activity. CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy was not associated with physical activity and autonomous motivation was an important mediator of adolescents' physical activity.

Associations of screen time with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between self-reported screen time and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 982 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years, enrolled in public schools in Jacarezinho (PR), Brazil. Screen time was assessed by the question "Considering a typical day, how much time do you spend watching TV, playing videogame, using computer or smartphone?" The DASS-21 questionnaire (short form) was used to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Crude and adjusted analyses (age, sex, and maternal level of education) between screen time and mental disorders symptoms were performed using general linear regression models, with Poisson distribution, with significance level at p<0.05. RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms were observed in adolescents who reported screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.35, 95%CI 1.13-1.61) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.88, 95%CI 1.62-2.19), compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. The same was observed for anxiety symptoms with screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.50, 95%CI 1.28-1.77); and stress, with 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08-1.44) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.49, 95%CI 1.30-1.71), also compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. CONCLUSIONS: Screen time was positively associated with depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adolescents. Special attention should be given to those who spend more than four hours a day in front of a screen.

Gastrotheca Fitzinger, 1843 tadpole morphology: Larval cranium description and its evolutionary implications (Amphibia: Anura: Hemiphractidae).

Hemiphractids have a singular mode of reproduction that involves maternal care. The Andean-endemic Gastrotheca marsupiata species group includes direct-developing and tadpole-bearing species, the latter trait being unique among Gastrotheca. Larval morphology has proven to be a valuable source of evidence to understand the taxonomy and evolution of frogs but remains understudied in Hemiphractids. Herein, we redescribe the larval cranium of G. espeletia, G. gracilis, G. marsupiata, G. peruana, G. pseustes, and G. riobambae, and describe those of G. aureomaculata, G. chrysosticta, G. litonedis, G. monticola and G. psychrophila. Additionally, based on the data gathered, we explore their phylogenetic significance, expanding the knowledge regarding Gastrotheca larval internal morphology. We suggest that the presence of the posterolateral process of crista parotica, the concave palatoquadrate, the quadratoorbital commissure, and the proximal commissures II and III are putative synapomorphies for Gastrotheca. Furthermore, we suggest the long pseudopterygoid process as a putative synapomorphy for Hemiphractyidae.

Correction: Short Report: Early genomic detection of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009591.].

Short Report: Early genomic detection of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil.

Tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is crucial to inform public health efforts and control the ongoing pandemic. Here, we report genetic evidence for circulation of the P.1 variant in Northeast Brazil. We advocate for increased active surveillance to ensure adequate control of this variant throughout the country.

Buccopharyngeal morphology of the tadpoles of Scinax v-signatus/, with comments on larval characters of the S. perpusillus/ species group (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae).

The Neotropical genus Scinax Wagler currently comprises 127 species of small treefrogs distributed from southern Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay, including some islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia (Frost 2020). Two major clades are recognized within Scinax, the S. catharinae and the S. ruber clades. The former is composed of two species groups, the S. catharinae and the S. perpusillus groups (Faivovich 2002; Faivovich et al. 2005). The S. perpusillus species group currently comprises 13 species: S. alcatraz (Lutz); S. arduous Peixoto; S. atratus (Peixoto); S. belloni Faivovich, Gasparini Haddad; S. cosenzai Lacerda, Peixoto Feio; S. faivovichi Brasileiro, Oyamaguchi Haddad; S. insperatus Silva Alves-Silva; S. littoreus (Peixoto); S. melloi (Peixoto), S. peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya Martins; S. perpusillus (Lutz Lutz); S. tupinamba Silva Alves-Silva; and S. v-signatus (Lutz). These species are endemic of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and are recognized by their intimate association with bromeliads (Fig. 1), in which adults breed and lay their eggs, and tadpoles develop (Peixoto 1987, 1995; Alves-Silva Silva 2009).

Anatomical features of the phytotelma dwelling, egg-eating, fanged tadpoles of Rhacophorus vampyrus (Anura: Rhacophoridae).

Tadpoles of the Vampire tree frog Rhacophorus vampyrus differ substantially from other rhacophorid tadpoles, by having profound modifications in external morphology. The morphological peculiarities of this species likely correlate with their arboreal microhabitat and strict oophagous diet. In this work, we examine buccal and musculoskeletal anatomy and compare them to other rhacophorid and egg-eating larvae. The shape and arrangement of cartilages of the lower jaw are unique among tadpoles, and the lack of a palatoquadrate suspensorium is only known in the distantly related macrophagous tadpoles of the dicroglossid Occidozyga baluensis. The cranial musculature is massive, and the morphology of several mandibular, hyoid, and abdominal muscles could be related to the ingestion and transit of large eggs. In the buccal cavity, conspicuous aspects are the absence of ridges and papillae, and the development of a unique glandular zone in the buccal floor. Finally, observations of the skeletal support of keratinized mouthparts allow us to present a topography-based hypothesis of homology of the conspicuous fangs of these tadpoles.

Solução computacional de apoio à vigilância epidemiológica no enfrentamento à pandemia / Computational solution to support epidemiological surveillance in tackling the pandemic / Solución computacional para apoyar la vigilancia epidemiológica en la lucha contra la pandemia

Na pandemia da Covid-19, a transparência dos dados e das informações em saúde são fundamentais para subsidiar o processo decisório na adoção de medidas de prevenção e controle, bem como estabelecer mecanismos de comunicação mais efetivos com a imprensa, organismos de controle e sociedade. Contudo, os registros dos casos de Covid-19 são derivados de três sistemas de informação do Ministério da Saúde (e-SUS Notifica, GAL e Sivep-Gripe), sem que haja interoperabilidade entre eles, o que favorece a duplicidade de dados e a inconsistência das informações. Diante desse problema, a Secretaria da Saúde do Estado da Bahia, por meio da Diretoria de Vigilância Epidemiológica, desenvolveu uma solução computacional própria. Nesse sentido, este trabalho objetiva descrever o processo de criação da metodologia aplicada para a geração de uma base única de dados voltada à emissão de informações mais qualificadas para subsidiar o processo decisório e a elaboração do Boletim Epidemiológico do estado da Bahia sobre a Covid-19. Trata-se de uma pesquisa processual, cujas soluções tecnológicas foram se desenvolvendo no decorrer das atividades, num movimento dinâmico e contínuo, na tentativa de resolver a falta de interoperabilidade entre os sistemas de informação envolvidos. A interconexão das bases de saúde propiciou a criação de soluções para operacionalização integrada, incluindo provas de conceito realizadas por meio de diferentes chaves de ligação, o que possibilitou mudanças incrementais nos processos de trabalho da vigilância epidemiológica. Conclui-se que a interconexão de dados possibilitou um processo mais ágil e eficiente para a análise dos dados e tomada de decisão por parte da gestão.

In the Covid-19 pandemic, transparency of health data and information is fundamental to support the decision-making process in the adoption of prevention and control measures and in the establishment of more effective communication mechanisms with the press, control bodies and society. However, Covid-19 case records are derived from three Ministry of Health information systems (e-SUS Notifica, GAL and SIVEP-Gripe), without interoperability, which favors data duplicity and information inconsistency. To face this problem, the Health Department of the State of Bahia, by the Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate, developed its own computational solution. In this sense, this study aims at describing the process of creating the methodology applied to generate a single database for issuing more qualified information to support the decision-making process and preparation of the State of Bahia Epidemiological Bulletin on Covid-19. It is a procedural research, whose technological solutions were developed during the activities, in a dynamic and continuous movement, in an attempt to resolve the lack of interoperability among the information systems involved. The interconnection of the health bases led to the creation of solutions for integrated operation, including proofs of concept performed using different connection keys, which enabled incremental changes in the epidemiological surveillance work processes. It is concluded that, the data interconnection enabled a more agile and efficient process for the analysis of the data and decision making by the management.

En la pandemia del covid-19, la transparencia de los datos e información de salud es fundamental para apoyar el proceso de toma de decisiones en la adopción de medidas de prevención y control, así como establecer mecanismos de comunicación más efectivos con la prensa, los órganos de control y la sociedad. Sin embargo, los registros de casos del covid-19 se derivan de tres sistemas de información del Ministerio de Salud (e-SUS Notifica, GAL y Sivep-Gripe), sin interoperabilidad entre ellos, lo que favorece la duplicidad e inconsistencia de datos. Ante este problema, la Secretaría de Salud del Estado de Bahía, por medio de la Dirección de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, desarrolló su propia solución computacional. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo describir el proceso de creación de la metodología aplicada para generar una base de datos única para emitir información más calificada para sustentar el proceso de toma de decisiones y elaboración del Boletín Epidemiológico del Estado de Bahía sobre Covid-19. Esta es una investigación procedimental, cuyas soluciones tecnológicas se desarrollaron durante las actividades, en un movimiento dinámico y continuo, en un intento por resolver la falta de interoperabilidad entre los sistemas de información involucrados. La interconexión de las bases de salud condujo a la creación de soluciones para la operación integrada, incluidas pruebas de concepto realizadas mediante diferentes claves de conexión, que permitieron cambios incrementales en los procesos de trabajo de vigilancia epidemiológica. Se concluye que la interconexión de datos permitió un proceso más ágil y eficiente para el análisis de los datos y la toma de decisiones por parte de la gerencia.

The remarkable larval anatomy of Proceratophrys minuta Napoli, Cruz, Abreu and Del-Grande, 2011 (Amphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae).

The free living larvae of anurans (i.e., tadpoles) are a key element in the evolution and diversification of this group, and as such, their morphology is an important element to understand the phylogenetic relationships of frogs. However, the lack of data on larval morphology prevents us from fully understanding larval evolution in several lineages. The Neotropical genus Proceratophrys currently comprises 39 species, but descriptions of the internal morphology of larvae in this group are rare and restricted to few aspects of their buccopharyngeal cavity, chondrocranium, and muscles. In the present study, I describe the internal anatomy of the tadpole of P. minuta and report a new remarkable myological character state for the species. Given the rarity of this material, the description of this species' buccopharyngeal and musculo-skeletal elements is based on two tadpoles in developmental stages 30 and 31. Several new apomorphic character states are described: (a) the presence of a conical papilla in the interior of the nostril; (b) a row of five short, conical papilla preceding the tall, postnarial papilla; and (c) the m. mandibulolabialis inserting in the gular skin. This latter feature is a remarkable, newly discovered character state that had never been reported in the literature before and is probably related to a particular feeding habit of the tadpoles of this species. The function of the m. mandibulolabialis in P. minuta is unknown.

The poverty of adult morphology: Bioacoustics, genetics, and internal tadpole morphology reveal a new species of glassfrog (Anura: Centrolenidae: Ikakogi) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.

Ikakogi is a behaviorally and morphologically intriguing genus of glassfrog. Using tadpole morphology, vocalizations, and DNA, a new species is described from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), an isolated mountain range in northern Colombia. The new taxon is the second known species of the genus Ikakogi and is morphologically identical to I. tayrona (except for some larval characters) but differs by its genetic distance (14.8% in mitochondrial encoded cytochrome b MT-CYB; ca. 371 bp) and by the dominant frequency of its advertisement call (2928-3273 Hz in contrast to 2650-2870 Hz in I. tayrona). They also differ in the number of lateral buccal floor papillae, and the position of the buccal roof arena papillae. Additionally, the new species is differentiated from all other species of Centrolenidae by the following traits: tympanum visible, vomerine teeth absent, humeral spines present in adult males, bones in life white with pale green in epiphyses, minute punctuations present on green skin dorsum, and flanks with lateral row of small, enameled dots that extend from below eye to just posterior to arm insertion. We describe the external and internal larval morphology of the new species and we redescribe the larval morphology of Ikakogi tayrona on the basis of field collected specimens representing several stages of development from early to late metamorphosis. We discuss the relevance of larval morphology for the taxonomy and systematics of Ikakogi and other centrolenid genera. Finally, we document intraspecific larval variation in meristic characters and ontogenetic changes in eye size, coloration, and labial tooth-rows formulas, and compare tadpoles of related species. Ikakogi tayrona has been proposed as the sister taxon of all other Centrolenidae; our observations and new species description offers insights about the ancestral character-states of adults, egg clutches, and larval features in this lineage of frogs.

Concentrated evolutionary novelties in the foot musculature of Odontophrynidae (Anura: Neobatrachia), with comments on adaptations for burrowing.

We studied the foot musculature of the fossorial family Odontophrynidae (composed of the genera Macrogenioglottus, Odontophrynus, and Proceratophrys) plus several outgroup taxa from Hyloidea and other burrowing taxa from across Anura. We found novel character-states supporting the monophyly of Odontophrynus, Proceratophrys, and Odontophrynus + Macrogenioglottus. The character-states observed in O. cultripes support conflicting phylogenetic positions within Odontophrynus. A comparison of some novel character-states with a diverse sample of burrowing taxa suggests that some modifications of the foot musculature might be involved in digging.

Two new species of Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura; Odontophrynidae) from the Atlantic forest, with taxonomic remarks on the genus.

We describe two new species of Proceratophrys allied to the P. appendiculata species complex by the presence of single and long palpebral appendages and a triangular rostral appendage. Proceratophrys izecksohni sp. nov. is characterized by having small to medium size (SVL 32.1-54.2 mm in males), elongated hindlimbs (thigh length plus tibia length corresponding to more than 90% of snout-vent length), a broad head (head width corresponding to 55% of the snout-vent length), and by the light brown gular region and a cream colored ventral surface with scattered brown dots. Proceratophrys belzebul sp. nov. is characterized by its medium size (SVL 40.5-51.3 mm in males), by the absence of contact between the nasals bones and between the nasals and frontoparietals, by a very reduced iliac projection, by having frontoparietal bones very depressed and broad rostrally, by the smooth surface of the squamosal and nasal, by shallow, inconspicuous ventral pits on the maxillae, and by the females presenting the gular region dark brown. The two new species were previously confused with P. appendiculata for which we provide a new diagnosis. A molecular analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes recovers a monophyletic Proceratophrys with high support, and the two new species in a clade with P. appendiculata and P. tupinamba. The data also reinforce the idea that the species groups presently admitted to the genus are not monophyletic.

A new species of Bachia Gray, 1845 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the western Brazilian Amazonia.

A new species of Bachia of the B. dorbignyi group, Bachia scaea sp. nov., is described from the left bank of the upper Madeira River, at Rondônia state, at the western Brazilian Amazonia. The new species resembles morphologically B. dorbignyi and B. peruana, and seems to be related with the former species based on molecular data (16S and c-mos sequences). Nonetheless the presence of a first temporal separating parietal and supralabial scales and the absence of clawed fingers in the new species, can promptly distinguish it from their close relatives. This description ends with several-decades of stasis in the taxonomy of the Bachia dorbignyi group from Amazonian lowlands, and also presents new evidence that supports the Madeira River as a vicariant barrier.