Who is most at risk, and when? Gender-differentiated patterns and risk heterogeneity of adolescent depression in China: Evidence from a large-scale national study.

Delayed reporting and legal outcomes in child sexual abuse cases: An empirical analysis.

Ketamine attenuates the effects of intermittent social defeat on anxiety, social interaction and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in male mice.

Drug-related suicidal events in children and teenagers: Age-stratified insights from FAERS.

The neuro-behavioral contributions of early parental autonomy support to executive function.

Chromatin organization during postnatal development is very important for establishing neuronal function and may be disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders that are associated with impaired brain function. Both the Methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and the linker histone H1 are important chromatin regulators. Still, their developmental expression patterns and functional interactions across diverse genetic backgrounds are not well understood. This study examined changes in histone H1, histone H3, and MeCP2 levels in CD1 and C57BL/6 mice in two different strains, in the liver, cerebellum, and cerebral hemispheres obtained at two adolescent developmental stages [P21 (postnatal day 21) and P56]. We show that both strains have significant cerebral-specific increases in MeCP2 and H1, while H3 levels remain consistent. The CD1 strain exhibited hepatic H1 elevation between early (P21) and late (P56) adolescence, which was absent in the C57BL/6 strain. This highlights possible strain-dependent postnatal dynamic chromatin organization. Analysis of Mecp2T158M (Mecp2tm4.1Bird) mutant mice showed compensatory H1 elevation in the Purkinje layer of the cerebellum, indicating possible functional relation between these two chromatin-bound proteins. Despite having minimal MeCP2 protein levels, mutant mice had higher amounts of Mecp2 transcripts, suggesting post-transcriptional/post-translational regulations. Our results demonstrate that H1 and MeCP2 are subject to coordinated developmental control with possible interplay with the chromatin structure.

Prenatal stress, including maternal immune activation (MIA), affects cognitive performance in the offspring. Since insulin could improve cognitive function in several aspects, we hypothesized that intranasal insulin would attenuate MIA-induced learning and memory deficits. In the present study, the pregnant Wistar rats received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 250µg/kg) intraperitoneally on gestational day 15. Intranasal insulin (2 IU, 7 days) was administered to male pups from PND 34-47. During late adolescence, the Morris Water Maze and in vivo electrophysiological recording were performed in male rats to assess spatial learning and memory and long-term potentiation (LTP), respectively. Also, the hippocampal expression of BDNF and PSD-95 was evaluated using real-time PCR. Our results demonstrated that MIA impaired spatial learning and memory in the male pups. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity was also impaired in the adolescent male rats. However, intranasal administration of insulin could overcome MIA-induced impairments and improve learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity in the male pups. Although BDNF and PSD-95 levels were not altered in the hippocampus of MIA pups, intranasal insulin increased PSD-95 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that intranasal insulin promotes cognitive performance in MIA-exposed pups during adolescence; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

CBCT evaluation of midpalatal suture maturation for expansion planning in a Turkish population aged 8-30years: A single-center retrospective cross-sectional study.

The ability to manage emotions using emotion regulation (ER) strategies is a core competency developed across childhood and into adolescence. Youth are expected to develop more diverse ER repertoires-the range of strategies that adolescents use-as they approach adulthood. However, to date, an examination of longitudinal change and stability in normative ER strategy use or repertoires across early to late adolescence has yet to be conducted. The present study reports on two longitudinal samples with measures of six ER strategies. Reports in the Younger Sample (N = 201, aged 11-12 at Wave 1) were repeated once a year for 5 years, and reports from the Older Sample (N = 187, aged 13-15 at Wave 1) were repeated twice a year for 3 years. Growth curve analyses revealed that Distraction, Rumination, and Suppression increased in the Younger Sample, whereas Reappraisal, Relaxation, and Engagement increased in the Older Sample. Latent Markov models showed four ER repertoires in both samples (low/average, suppression propensity, engagement propensity, and high diversity) that showed moderate to high stability across waves. Across adolescence, there were increasing transitions into the high diversity profile, with some nuances by sample. Results are discussed in terms of normative emotional development and implications for understanding adolescent polyregulation and ER flexibility.

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in physical fitness between different ranked and age youth basketball players. 382 youth basketball players (U18: n = 190; U17: n = 192) participated in the study. Players` sprint, vertical jump, standing long jumps, sit-ups, sit-and-reach and shuttle run were tested before National Tournament Camp. And players were divided into the top 50% and bottom 50% based on team ranking in the tournament table. Independent T test with effect size was used for analysis. Overall, physical fitness profiles were largely similar between U17 and U18 players. U17 players were significantly faster than the U18 players in sprint and shuttle run (p < 0.05, d=-0.60 to -0.87), and their vertical jump was significantly lower than that of U18 players (p < 0.05, d=-0.31). Regarding different rankings, the U17 top ranking players were significantly faster than the bottom ranking players in sprinting speed (p < 0.05, d=-0.29) and had a significantly higher vertical jump height (p < 0.05, d = 0.36) than the bottom ranking players. Besides, all physical abilities were significantly different between positions (p < 0.05) except for sit-and-reach (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that physical fitness characteristics are broadly comparable between elite U17 and U18 basketball players, suggesting that major physical development may have largely stabilized by late adolescence. Positional demands appear to exert a stronger influence on fitness profiles than chronological age or team ranking at this stage.

This descriptive quantitative correlational study systematically examined the effects of parental absence—both physical (e.g., migration, work) and emotional (e.g., limited engagement)—on the psychosocial development of 30 adolescents aged 13-19 years residing in selected barangays (Sto. Cristo, Divino Rostro, Tayhi, Pawa) of Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines, conducted from May to June 2025. Employing a researcher-developed, expert-validated structured questionnaire with 5-point Likert scaling (5=Always to 1=Never), the research profiled respondents' socio-demographics, quantified health effects across physical (10 items: fatigue, sleep disruption), psychological (10 items: anxiety, self-worth), and social domains (10 items: peer substitution, risky behaviors), tested Pearson r correlations with demographics, and proposed evidence-based interventions. Key findings revealed a respondent profile dominated by late adolescents (17-19 years: 57%, f=17), females (57%, f=17), middle children (40%, f=12), high school enrollees amid dropouts (40% enrolled, 30% dropped), and nuclear families (50%, f=15), reflecting OFW-impacted Bicol youth vulnerable during Erikson's identity formation. Physical effects manifested "sometimes" (overall WM=2.70): hygiene often maintained via remittances (WM=3.43) but poor sleep (2.93), weakness (2.83), headaches (2.73) prevalent from absent routines/affection. Psychological impacts peaked "sometimes/often" (WM=2.90) with anxiety over expectations (3.43, "Often") and mood swings (3.40, "Often") leading, alongside low self-esteem (2.80), peer preference (3.03); social effects averaged 2.82 ("sometimes") highlighted by peer openness (3.43, "Often") and premarital sex risks for belonging (3.40, "Often"), signaling Family Systems triangulation. Statistical analysis showed moderate significant positive correlations: gender with physical/psychological effects (r=0.362*/0.333*, p&lt;0.05), education attainment with both (r=0.291*/0.308*); age, birth order, family type negligible (r&lt;0.20, ns)—indicating emotional voids transcend structure, disproportionately burdening females/higher-educated via internalization/awareness. Guided by Bowen Family Systems Theory (disrupted emotional units prompting cut-offs) and Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion stage (guidance deficits), results affirm emotional absence's equivalence to physical per Pandey (2023), despite financial buffers, challenging Filipino resilience amid PSA-noted OFW surges. The study concludes moderate pervasive impacts necessitate multi-level responses: parents/caregivers prioritize virtual rituals/coordination; schools deploy resilience counseling/mentorship; barangays/LGUs expand RA 11908 seminars/youth camps; policies enhance DOH Adolescent Health (AO 2013-0013) with digital monitoring. Limitations include small purposive N=30, cross-sectional self-reports (bias risks), no pilot/Cronbach's, and barangay-specificity curbing generalizability. Future research warrants longitudinal/mixed-methods across Bicol, intervention RCTs, and resilience mediators. This contributes localized evidence aligning Family Code (EO 209)/RPRH Law (RA 10354) mandates with migrant realities, fostering policy-responsive family strengthening in 4th-class Philippine cities.

Neuromuscular performance – including strength, power, balance, and motor control – develops dynamically across childhood and adolescence. Its trajectory reflects the interaction of biological maturation, neural plasticity, and musculoskeletal development, making this period a key window for enhancing performance, preventing injuries, and supporting lifelong physical competence. During childhood, strength and power increase gradually and, particularly in boys, accelerate around puberty due to androgen-driven gains in muscle size, tendon stiffness, and lean body mass. In girls, improvements are smaller and primarily related to neural and coordinative adaptations. Compared with adults, children typically display lower maximal and explosive force, reduced activation of high-threshold motor units, lower fatigability, and faster recovery, indicating efficient submaximal performance and high adaptive potential. These differences were summarized by the differential motor-unit activation hypothesis, which attributes them to a reduced recruitment of large motor units that predominantly innervate type II muscle fibers (Dotan et al., 2012). This aligns with our understanding that early strength gains from resistance training are primarily neural, while structural adaptations such as greater muscle cross-sectional area develop progressively with maturation and endocrine development. Systematic analyses show that structured resistance and integrative neuromuscular training effectively enhance strength, power, and coordination in youth. A recent meta-analysis reported significant improvements in jump performance, maximal strength, dynamic and static balance, compared with traditional training, with the strongest effects in programs related to higher overall training loads (Wan et al., 2025). Strength training builds the foundation for force production, while subsequent power training further improves high-velocity actions such as jumping and sprinting. In line with this, strength-based programs yield larger gains in lower-body force, whereas power training enhances explosive output once adequate strength is established (Behm et al., 2017). This sequential model - developing strength before power - appears optimal for promoting neural efficiency, coordination, and joint stability. Beyond performance enhancement, neuromuscular training supports musculoskeletal strength, joint stability, and movement mechanics. These adaptations benefit athletic development and daily function, improving health, motor proficiency, and well-being. Current knowledge on developmental pathways relies largely on cross-sectional data and reviews, while longitudinal studies covering key stages from prepuberty to late adolescence remain scarce. Addressing this gap, our own ongoing decade-study investigates neuromuscular and morphological adaptations over ten years to distinguish developmental from training-related changes. Preliminary data will be presented.

This study systematically reviewed the literature on surgical management of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) to identify trends in timing and outcomes of interventions across joints. A secondary objective was to provide practical recommendations and a clear research agenda to inform a forthcoming consensus process on timing and synchronization of care in AMC. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to June 2025. Studies reporting surgical management of AMC with data on age at intervention, recurrence, or functional outcomes were included. Forty-two studies encompassing 729 patients and 1088 joints were analyzed descriptively. The mean age at intervention ranged from infancy for foot and hip procedures to late childhood and adolescence for upper-extremity surgeries and spinal reconstructions. Soft-tissue releases and tendon procedures predominated in early life, while bony reconstructions were more common in older patients. Recurrence rates were highest after isolated soft-tissue procedures of the foot and knee (30-100%), and lowest after osteotomies, muscle transfers, and definitive fusions in the wrist, shoulder, and spine (<20%). Functional outcomes were generally favorable, with most studies reporting improved alignment, mobility, and quality of life, though long-term recurrence remains a persistent challenge across joints. This review highlights trends linking procedure type and patient age to recurrence and function but also reveals substantial heterogeneity and a lack of standardized protocols. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary consensus study to define optimal timing, sequencing, and staged correction of joint deformities in AMC.

Background: Mental health issues are highly prevalent among adolescents and represent hidden public health concern. Indian adolescents, particularly girls, are vulnerable to a broad spectrum of mental health challenges due to academic stress, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and engagement in health-risk behaviour. Aims: To assess levels of depression, anxiety, and stress along with associated individual and family factors among adolescent female students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried among adolescent girl students during February 2023 to June 2023.Total 168 adolescent girl students aged between 13 to 19 years were selected by two-stage random sampling technique. Information concerning socio-demographics, family related characteristics and psychological issues was collected. A validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) scale was used to assess the depression, anxiety and stress among adolescent girls. Results: Mean age of respondents was 15.08 ± 1.68 years. More than half of the participants were in late adolescence (57.7%). Among adolescents aged 13–15 years, a higher proportion had normal levels of depression 65 (58.6%), whereas moderate depression was more common in those aged 16–19 years 24 (42.1%). A statistically significant association was observed between age group and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS). Among early adolescents (13–15 years), moderate depression was the most prevalent category (29.8%). Severe depression was rare in both groups and extremely severe depression was not observed. Anxiety levels also varied significantly with age, with normal anxiety more frequent in early adolescents (45.0%) compared to late adolescents (33.3%). Moderate and severe anxiety levels were more prevalent in late adolescence, and extremely severe anxiety was reported only among adolescents aged 16–19 years (3.5%). Stress levels showed a similar pattern, with most early adolescents having normal stress levels (74.8%). No participant reported severe or extremely severe stress. Overall rates of depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 49.4%,58.9% and 28.6% respectively and no significant age-related differences were observed for depression, anxiety and stress (P&lt;0.001). Family type showed no statistically significant association with depression, anxiety, or stress. Respondents reported multiple coping strategies to overcome DAS, including overthinking (79.2%), procrastination (57.1%) and negative self-talk (43.5%). Sleep disturbances were reported by 35.7% of participants, mainly attributed to over thinking and academic stress. Although most respondents reported supportive family relationships, many experienced hesitations in expressing needs, difficulties in decision-making, and perceived peer pressure. Nearly two-thirds (64.3%) of the adolescents expressed a perceived need for psychological counseling. Conclusion: The present study reported a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among adolescent girl students in Chandigarh, with anxiety being the most common condition. Their mental health showed significant association with age and family relationships emphasizing the influence of family and social environments. Emotional communication, coping behaviour, peer pressure, academic stress, and sleep disturbances also emerged as key issues in health. The high perceived need for counselling reflects unmet support needs among adolescents.

The hippocampus plays a crucial role in cognition, yet its microstructural development during childhood and adolescence remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate age-related differences in hippocampal microstructure using diffusion MRI with ultra-strong gradients (300 mT/m) in a cohort of 88 participants aged 8-19 years. Surface-based hippocampal modelling was combined with established microstructural approaches, and a more advanced biophysical model (Soma and Neurite Density Imaging: SANDI) suited for studying cortical microstructure. Hippocampal volume, gyrification, and thickness remained stable across this developmental window, however we observed significant differences across age related to MR-derived neurite and soma parameters. Diffusion-derived changes across age were found to be correlated with adult microstructure maps related to myelin and iron content, synaptic density, and hippocampal interneurons derived from MRI, PET and histology. These findings highlight age-related differences of MR-derived neurite and soma parameters in the human hippocampus during late childhood and adolescence, offering insights into structural maturation during this critical period.

Violence exposure is a well-established risk factor for adolescent conduct problems, yet longitudinal research in high-adversity, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. This study investigated whether early adolescent violence exposure predicts concurrent and longer-term conduct problems, and explored potential bidirectional associations and sex differences in a peri-urban South African community with high rates of poverty and violence. Data were drawn from the Thula Sana birth cohort (n = 357; 51.5% female), a longitudinal intervention study in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Adolescents were assessed at early (ages 12-14) and late adolescence (ages 16-19). Violence exposure was measured using adolescent self-report. Conduct problems were measured using adolescent and caregiver report in early adolescence and adolescent self-report in late adolescence. Multiple linear regressions tested cross-sectional associations, and cross-lagged panel models examined longitudinal and bidirectional associations, adjusting for contextual adversity and intervention status. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation, and findings were confirmed through sensitivity analyses. Violence exposure was associated with higher concurrent conduct problems in early adolescence (β = .15-.19, p < .01) and predicted higher conduct problems in late adolescence (β = .12-.14, p < .05). The reverse pathway, from conduct problems to subsequent violence exposure, was not significant (β = .08-.11, p > .05). Interaction analyses did not provide evidence that associations differed by sex. Violence exposure in early adolescence represents a prospective risk factor for conduct problems in a high-adversity South African setting. Findings highlight the importance of early, contextually grounded violence prevention and the need for further research to test sex-specific pathways and inform the development of gender-responsive intervention strategies.

Longitudinal Relationships between Academic Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Problematic Internet Use in Early and Late Adolescence.

Sleep is a crucial process that assists the brain in returning to its critical state with optimal information processing capacity. How does the ability of sleep to restore the critical states develop with age? This study proposes to analyze the sleep EEG dynamics in children using long-range temporal correlation, to investigate the evolution of the criticality in brain system during sleep. In this study, we screened the sleep EEG of 3192 clinical children aged 0 to 18years in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Sleep Databank and analyzed the developmental evolution of long-range temporal correlation of EEG in sleep stages (wake, N1, N2, N3, and REM) using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). In synchronized N3 sleep, the DFA exponent remains at ~1.5 across all ages, indicating highly regular, Brownian-like activity far from criticality. In light (N1/N2) and REM sleep, the exponent falls progressively from 1.5 in neonates to ~1.0 by late adolescence, marking the emergence of scale-free, network-critical dynamics. This study provides the first population-scale evidence linking sleep architecture to the developmental approach toward neural criticality. The stage-specific trajectories align with known periods of synaptic pruning and network refinement, offering a biomarker of cortical maturation and highlighting sleep's role in tuning the brain toward optimal adaptability.

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol use during adolescence and early adulthood promotes the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Emerging evidence suggests that ethanol-induced gut microbiota alterations may contribute to AUD vulnerability; however, it remains unclear whether microbiota imbalances are a causal risk factor or a consequence of alcohol exposure. Objectives: This preclinical study assessed if fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donors exposed to ethanol during adolescence/early adulthood would alter ethanol drinking and other behaviors, in unrelated naïve mice. Methods: Forty-two (31 males and 11 females) C57BL/6J mice were exposed to a repeated 2-days-on, 2-days-off ethanol access protocol from postnatal day 43 to 80. Fecal microbiota from ethanol-exposed (or control) donors was transplanted into antibiotic-pretreated naïve male (n = 26) and female (n = 16) recipients. These were assessed for ethanol intake, including compulsive-like drinking (i.e. after quinine adulteration). Anxiety and repetitive behavior were measured in the light-dark box, elevated plus maze and marble-burying tests. Results: Female, but not male, recipients of FMT from ethanol-exposed donors showed significantly increased ethanol consumption (n2 p = .32) and preference (n2 p = .36) compared to controls (p < .05). This included sustained intake despite quinine adulteration (p < .05), suggestive of compulsive-like drinking. Ethanol-exposed male mice showed a significant increase in marble-burying (p < .05), consistent with compulsive-like tendencies. Additionally, both male (n2 p = .30) and female (n2 p = .28) donor mice exhibited behavioral disinhibition (p < .05). Conclusions: These findings provide preclinical evidence that microbiota alterations after ethanol exposure at late adolescence can transmit vulnerability to alcohol intake, with sex-specific effects. The results highlight the potential of microbiota-targeted interventions in prevention and treatment strategies for AUD.

Micro-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) and maxillary skeletal expanders (MSE) have broadened the age range for nonsurgical maxillary expansion, with cone-beam CT (CBCT) documenting predominantly skeletal effects in late adolescents and adults. Whether alternate expansion-constriction (AEC/ALT-RAMEC) cycles add incremental benefits when paired with MARPE/MSE remains less clear. To map and summarize CBCT-derived skeletal, sutural, dentoalveolar, and volumetric changes after MARPE/MSE with particular focus on studies employing AEC/ALT-RAMEC style activation. Eligibility (PCC): Population-humans ≥ 12years. CBCT-assessed effects after MARPE/MSE, with or without AEC. nonsurgical orthodontic expansion. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane (2015-Aug 2025) plus citation chasing. Reporting follows PRISMA-ScR. Charting & synthesis: Two-stage screening and standardized charting of study characteristics, device/protocol, CBCT parameters, outcomes, and adverse events; narrative synthesis due to heterogeneity. CBCT studies consistently show that MARPE/MSE produces parallel midpalatal opening, measurable circummaxillary suture changes, and clinically meaningful transverse gains with less dental tipping than tooth-borne RPE. Evidence specifically combining AEC/ALT-RAMEC with MARPE/MSE is limited but includes a young-adult randomized controlled trial indicating reduced molar tipping and greater zygomaticomaxillary suture widening versus conventional MARPE, without greater total transverse gain. MARPE/MSE are well supported by CBCT evidence. Adding AEC/ALT-RAMEC appears promising for biomechanical optimization (e.g., tipping control), but standardized protocols and long-term outcomes are needed.