The moderating role of stigma in the relationship between depression and resilience: results of a cross-sectional study in university students

Background/objective: Depression is a growing concern in university students and resilience has shown to play a protective role. The impact of stigma is still under-explored, with reference to its moderating role between depression and resilience. The present study investigate such a relationship among Italian university students. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied in a simple of 1,912 students to examine the interrelationships between depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), resilience (Nicholson McBride Resilience questionnaire), and stigma (Stigma-9). Correlation, predictor, and moderation analyses were applied in RStudio. Results: A negative correlation was found between depressive symptoms and resilience (r = −0.455, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between depressive symptoms and stigma (r = 0.207, p < 0.001). Lower levels of resilience and higher levels of stigma were significant predictors of depressive symptoms [F(df, n) = 190.8(3, 1884), p < 0.001, R2 = 0.236]. The moderation analysis showed a weakening of resilience protective effect against depression as stigma levels increase [F(df,n) = 186.7(3,1908), p < 0.001, R2 = 0.226]. Conclusion: Stigma influences the relationship between depression and resilience. Anti-stigma interventions and programs empowering resilience, should be implemented in university settings to protect students from depression

From hysteria to somatic symptom disorders: Searching for a common psychopathological ground

After decades of manifold contributions aimed at defining hysteria, somatisation and conversion, such syndromes are still neglected and their nosographical definition is debated. The DSM and the ICD have undergone major changes, but their clinical utility with regards to these syndromes is still questionable. On the contrary, the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research represents a useful clinical instrument since it translates psychosocial variables derived from psychosomatic research into operational tools. The present paper offers an overview on the psychopathological description of syndromes such as alexithymia, hypochondriasis, health anxiety, thanatophobia, conversion symptoms, anniversary and reaction which are frequent in clinical practice, but often misdiagnosed due to their absence in the DSM and the ICD. In addition, the influence of culture and cultural changes on the modifications of psychopathological manifestations is described as a further possible source of misdiagnosing and underreporting. New psychopathologies (e.g., multiple chemical sensitivity, orthorexia/vigorexia) that resemble conversion and/or somatisation have been developed, but neither is included in nosography nor taught to clinicians. The aim of the present paper is thus to describe psychopathological manifestations of somatic symptoms and related disorders to help clinicians formulate their diagnosis on the presence of signs and symptoms that can be elicited during a clinical visit, rather than by way of exclusion of other organic or psychiatric disease only

Essential oils against Varroa destructor: a soft way to fight the parasitic mite of Apis mellifera

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from the aromatic plants Artemisia annua, Artemisia verlotiorum, Cinnamomum verum, and Citrus reticulata were investigated as repellents against the honey bees parasitic mite Varroa destructor. In laboratory tests, all EOs except C. reticulata exerted significant repellent activity against the mite after 24 h exposure. C. verumwas the most effective EO against V. destructor (median effective concentration EC50 =1.30 μL L−1), and the least toxic against honey bees (EC50 = 13.29 μL L−1). Because of its high selectivity ratio (A. mellifera LD50/V. destructor EC50 = 10.22), C. verum EO was then tested to control varroosis in colonies in field trials. The results of open field tests confirmed the efficacy observed in the laboratory. After one week of treatment, colonies treated with the EO showed a significant reduction of V. destructor infestation (about 65% at the dose of 25.0 μL L−1) and no negative effects on A. mellifera. Overall, our experiment indicated that C. verum EO could be used to effectively control varroosis in the hive with no side effects on the bee colonies

Repellency of anethole- and estragole-type fennel essential oils against stored grain pests: the different twins

Aromatic plants essential oils (EOs) are promising alternatives to chemical insecticides and insect repellent for the post-harvest protection of crops. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is a highly aromatic plant, cultivated worldwide of which several chemotypes can be distinguished on the basis of the relative content of its main compounds (E)-anethole and estragole. Fennel is well known for its pharmacological, antioxidant antimicrobial and acaricidal activities, and several studies showed its effectiveness as insecticidal and repellent against insects. In this study the repellency of the EOs extracted from two chemotypes, anethole- and estragole-type of F. vulgare fruits, against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium confusum Jaqcquelin du Val, three of the major worldwide post-harvest grains insects was assessed by in vitro bioassays. Along with the EOs, we also tested the repellency of their major chemical components (E)-anethole, estragole, limonene and, fenchone and we evaluated the co-repellency effect of (E)-anethole and estragole. Finally, the repellence of the fennel EOs in the presence of maize was tested by a two-choice pitfall bioassay. (E)-anethole and estragole content in the anethole-type was 78.4 and 8.0%, respectively while in the estragole-type fennel EO anethole and estragole content was 0.9 and 85.5%, respectively. RD50 values showed that the estragole-type EO was the most effective repellent against the three insect species with values of 0.007, 0.051 and 1.124 mg cm-2 for R. dominica, T. confusum and S. zeamais, respectively. Consistently, relative median potency analysis showed that estragole was significantly more repellent to the three pest insect species than (E)-anethole. Interestingly, in the EOs, (E)-anethole and estragole showed a synergistic co-repellent effect. The strongest synergy was observed against R. dominica (CRC = 634.51). The repellency of fennel EOs also in the presence of maize was confirmed by a two-choice bioassay. Also in this case, the most overall effective EO resulted to be the estragole-type. The results highlight the importance of a chemical standardization based on the bioactivity of the fennel EOs and indicate the estragole-type fennel EO as suitable for the development of eco-friendly repellents for the post-harvest protection of grain crops

Facteurs affectant la concentration de cellules somatiques dans le lait des chèvres de la race Mur -ciano-granadina: Résultats préliminaires

Somatic cell count (SCC) in milk is an indicator of the udder´s health. The National Association of Murciano-granadina Goat Breeders (CAPRIGRAN) has developed a program in order to improve the quantity and the quality of milk, being the SCC an important milk quality aspect. The aim of this study is to identify the factors significantly affecting the SCC content in milk of Murcia-granadina goats. Data from 18 farms were collected, with a total of 5799 lactations. 10 variables have been analyzed, 7 quantitative (number of births, lactation period days, drying period days, milk production per day, fat contain, protein contain and SCC) and 3 qualitative (type of system, drying treatment and milking valorization). The most influencing quantitative variables in the SCC are: milk production per day and lactation period days and the drying period days. The most influencing qualitative variables are: type of system and milking valorization. Further studies are necessary for better understanding the influence of type of system on the SCC, especially on factors related to facilities and the feeding.La concentration de cellules somatiques (CCS) dans le lait est un indicateur de la santé des ma - melles. L’Association d’Éleveurs de chèvres de la Race Murciano-granadina (CAPRIGRAN) a mis au point un programme pour améliorer la quantité et qualité du lait, étant la CCS un important aspect lié à la qualité. L’objet de ce travail est d’identifier les différents facteurs affectant le contenu en cellules somatiques du lait des chèvres de la race Murciano-granadina. On a utilisé les données de 18 fermes, avec un total de 5799 lactations et on a analysé 10 variables, 7 quantitatives (numéro de naissances, jours du période de lactation, jours du période de séchage, production par jour, contenu en graisse, contenu en protéine et CCS) et 3 qualitatives (type de système, traitement de séchage et valorisation de la traite). Les variables quantitatives plus influentes sur la CCS sont la production de lait par jour, la durée du période de lactation et la durée du période de séchage. Les variables quantitatives plus influentes sur la CCS sont le type de système de production et la valorisation du procès de traite. Plus d’études pour mieux comprendre l’influence du type de système de production sur le CCS seraient nécessaires, spécialement au sujet des aménagements et de l’alimentation des chèvres

The epidemiology of panic disorder and agoraphobia in Europe

A literature search, in addition to expert survey, was performed to estimate the size and burden of panic disorder in the European Union (EU). Epidemiologic data from EU countries were critically reviewed to determine the consistency of prevalence estimates across studies and to identify the most pressing questions for future research. A comprehensive literature search focusing on epidemiological studies in community and clinical settings in European countries since 1980 was conducted (Medline, Web of Science, Psychinfo). Only studies using established diagnostic instruments on the basis of DSM-III-R or DSM-IV, or ICD-10 were considered. Thirteen studies from a total of 14 countries were identified. Epidemiological findings are relatively consistent across the EU. The 12-month prevalence of panic disorder and agoraphobia without history of panic were estimated to be 1.8% (0.7–2.2) and 1.3% (0.7–2.0) respectively across studies. Rates are twice as high in females and age of first onset for both disorders is in adolescence or early adulthood. In addition to comorbidity with agoraphobia, panic disorder is strongly associated with other anxiety disorders, and a wide range of somatoform, affective and substance use disorders. Even subclinical forms of panic disorder (i.e., panic attacks) are associated with substantial distress, psychiatric comorbidity and functional impairment. In general health primary care settings, there appears to be substantial underdiagnosis and undertreatment of panic disorder. Moreover, panic disorder and agoraphobia are poorly recognized and rarely treated in mental health settings, despite high health care utilization rates and substantial long-term disability