PERINATAL DEPRESSION: A STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND OF RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Background: International literature has shown that Postpartum Depression (PPD) has a significant social and relational impact on mothers and their partners, on the interaction between mother and child, as well as on the cognitive and emotional development of the child. The goal of this study is to increase the epidemiological knowledge of PPD and to evaluate both risk and protective factors. Subjects and methods: Our study is based on the administration of three tests, Paykel’s Life Events Scale, EPDS and MMPI-2, at three distinct time point (during the third trimester, 72 hours after delivery, and three months after delivery, respectively) to a sample of women recruited in the Prenatal Medicine Clinic at the Hospital of Perugia. The data collected was statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of PPD 72 hours after delivery was 11%, while the prevalence of PPD three months after delivery was 16.7%. Antepartum Depression (APD), measured using EPDS cut-offs scores of 9 and 14, was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for the development of PPD, while desired life-events during pregnancy can represent a protective factor. Conclusions: The prevalence of PPD that we measured, in agreement with that found in the literature, demonstrates that despite the fact that the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV refer to PPD only if it develops within 4 weeks after delivery, PPD can also develop after this period. Furthermore, it appears that monitoring APD and encouraging a psycho-socially serene pregnancy are important for prevention of PPD. In the case of APD it was shown that monitoring women with even light depressive symptoms is important, because these women are more likely to then develop PPD

TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN CHILDHOOD AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS IN THE ADULT

Introduction: Child maltreatment is a well-known condition that is currently considered to be associated with the development of severe psychiatric conditions. Consequently, the authors decided to review the current literature in order to give a complete scenario of the situation in the world and to give recommendations about prevention and treatment as well as research goals. Methods: An electronic search was conducted through the means of MEDLINE database in order to find the most up to date peer-reviewed papers, including only those papers published in 2015. Results: 15 papers were included and analyzed the current situation in different countries: US (n.3), Australia (n.2), Ireland (n.2), Israel (n.2), China (n.2), Indonesia (n.1), Pakistan (n.1) and Norway (n.1). Discussion: Even though sexual abuse has been studied extensively, both physical and emotional abuse and neglect appear to be more represented within the population of patients that had suffered from abuse. Psychiatric disorders (mainly personality disorders, depression and anxiety), interpersonal, social and legal outcomes are important consequences of child maltreatment. Conclusions: Interventions and strategies are needed at different levels, from prevention to treatment and further research is important in order to better understand the phenomenon

Trophic dynamics of three sympatric anuran species in a soybean agroecosystem from Santa Fe Province, Argentina

The conversion of forests to agroecosystems presents a challenge for biodiversity conservation. In this study, the feeding habits of three species of anurans (Rhinella fernandezae, Odontophrynus americanus and Physalaemus albonotatus) were comparedRhinella fernandezae, Odontophrynus americanus and Physalaemus albonotatus) were compared between a soybean field and a native forest in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Our dietary assessment is based on 124 individuals (47 R. fernandezae, 45 O. americanus and 32 P. albonotatus). Lepidopteran larvae were the predominant item in anuranR. fernandezae, 45 O. americanus and 32 P. albonotatus). Lepidopteran larvae were the predominant item in anuran diets from the soybean field, whereas collembola, isopods and snails prevailed in the diets from forests. Generally, the three anuran species shifted their diets as prey differs in the two environments, but R. fernandezae and P. albonotatus maintainedR. fernandezae and P. albonotatus maintained a preference for a few prey types. Mean niche overlap in the soybean field was smaller than expected by chance, suggesting that the three anuran species are competing for limited resources. Trophic studies on other native anurans in agroecosystems should be a priority in conservation efforts due to their potential use as natural control agents, as well as for assessing the consequences of the broad conversion of natural forest to agricultural use in our region and throughout the world.Fil: Peltzer, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Lajmanovich, Rafael Carlos. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Junges, Celina Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Beltzer, Adolfo Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Laura Cecilia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Reproductive activity of anurans in a dominant agricultural landscape from central-eastern Argentina

Agriculture can modify natural systems through habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as through the effect of agrochemicals on biological traits such as reproduction. We studied anuran diversity and reproduction of assemblages from 3 sites with different degrees of agricultural activities (an agroecosystem, a transitional area, and a natural forest) located in Entre Ríos province (Argentina). We conducted several field surveys during 2 soybeancropping periods from November 2006 to April 2008. A total of 23 anuran species were identified. Richness, evenness and diversity differed among sites. No range-abundance models were statistically adequate to describe the distribution of abundances within the agroecosystem, whereas the anuran species from the other 2 sites fitted the normal logarithmic model. The location and substrates used for nuptial calling in ponds, as well as the reproductive periods of anuran species varied among sites. These findings might respond to a combination of factors, such as anuran composition, species abundances, availability of reproductive microhabitats, and variation of microclimatic characteristics among sites, the agroecosystem being the most different anuran reproductive community. Finally, our results suggest that agricultural land use have adverse effects on the reproduction of anurans in central-eastern Argentina.La agricultura puede modificar los sistemas naturales mediante la fragmentación y pérdida de hábitat, como también debido al efecto de los agroquímicos sobre rasgos biológicos tales como la reproducción. Se estudió la diversidad y la reproducción en 3 comunidades de anuros provenientes de sitios con distintos grados de actividad agrícola (un agroecosistema, una área de transición y un bosque natural) de la provincia de Entre Ríos (Argentina). Se realizaron inspecciones a campo durante 2 periodos entre la siembra y la cosecha de soja, desde noviembre de 2006 hasta abril de 2008. Se identificaron 23 especies de anuros. La riqueza, la equitatividad y la diversidad difirieron entre sitios. La distribución de abundancias dentro del agroecosistema no se ajustó a ningún modelo rango-abundancia. La ubicación y los sustratos utilizados para vocalizar por las especies como también sus periodos reproductivos variaron entre sitios. Estos resultados podrían responder a una combinación de factores tales como composición de anuros, abundancia de las especies, disponibilidad de microhabitats reproductivos y variaciones microclimáticas entre sitios, siendo el agroecosistema la comunidad reproductiva más diferente. Finalmente, se sugiere que el uso de la tierra para la agricultura tendría efectos adversos sobre la reproducción de los anuros en el centro-este de Argentina.Fil: Sanchez, Laura Cecilia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Escuela Superior de Sanidad; Argentina;Fil: Peltzer, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental; Argentina;Fil: Lajmanovich, Rafael Carlos. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Escuela Superior de Sanidad; Argentina;Fil: Manzano, Adriana Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico y Transferencia de Tecnologia A la Producción; Argentina;Fil: Junges, Celina Maria. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental; Argentina;Fil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental. Cátedra de Ecotoxicologia; Argentina

Physalaemus santafecinus (Barrio, 1965). Ranita maulladora

Producción independiente incluida en la Categorización del Estado de Conservación de la Herpetofauna de la República Argentina. Fichas de los Taxones. Anfibios., Vaira, et al., 2012). Estas fichas son producciones independientes de un especialista o grupo de especialistas en cada taxón al que le correspondía una ficha individual por presentar cambios en el estado de conservación de sus poblaciones respecto de la categorización propuesta por Lavilla et al., 2000. La categorización de especie Insuficientemente Conocida a No Amenazada se debe a las siguientes evidencias. Tiene una distribución limitada (endemismo ecoregional) dentro de Argentina. Se distribuye en las provincias de Santa Fe, Corrientes, Chaco, Formosa, y eventualmente en Entre Ríos. Es una especie abundante que habita biotopos arenosos cercanos a cuerpos de agua temporarios donde se reproduce. Se adapta a fuertes modificaciones del hábitat, siendo frecuente su hallazgo en urbanizaciones así como también áreas agrícolas (Peltzer et al., 2006; Duré et al., 2008; Attademo, 2010; Lajmanovich et al., 2010). Posee una dieta generalista presentando una preferencia, no estricta, por isópteros, formícidos y colémbolos (Duré, 1998, 2004; Attademo, 2010; Cajade, 2012). Su potencial reproductivo se determinó sobre la base del análisis de 50 nidos de espuma, encontrándose que las hembras pueden oviponer entre 461 y 3165 huevos (1441,75 ± 432,42) (Cajade, 2012). Sus poblaciones no revisten mayores amenazas. La especie se halla protegida en numerosas áreas de conservación a lo largo de su distribución geográfica. Se sugiere reforzar la búsqueda de este taxón en distintas localidades de la provincia de Entre Ríos para confirmar su presencia permanente (Lajmanovich y Peltzer, 2001; obs. pers.) como así también en MisionesFil: Cajade, Rodrigo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Duré Pitteri, Marta Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schaefer, Eduardo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lajmanovich, Rafael Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Peltzer, Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Junges, Celina Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Laura Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Categorización del estado de conservación de los anfibios de la República Argentina

A más de una década de la primera Lista Roja de herpetofauna propuesta por la Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (Lavilla et al., 2000), se recategorizaron los anfibios a partir de nueva información taxonómica, biogeográfica, bio-ecológica y de modificaciones metodológicas respecto a la evaluación anterior. Mediante la participación de 35 especialistas de toda la Argentina se reevaluaron 175 taxones de anfibios (171 en la anterior) incluyendo 23 taxones nuevos para Argentina y obteniéndose como resultado la inclusión de 51 especies en la Lista Roja (8 En Peligro, 11 Amenazadas, 32 Vulnerables), 21 Insuficientemente Conocidas y 103 No Amenazadas. En relación con la categorización anterior de la AHA, los cambios de categorías han sido: un taxón descendió de las categorías En Peligro a Amenazado, siete taxones descendieron de Amenazados o Vulnerables a Insuficientemente Conocidos y nueve de Insuficientemente Conocidos a No Amenazados. Tres No Amenazados y 10 Insuficientemente Conocidos fueron elevados a distintas categorías de amenaza, nueve taxones Vulnerables fueron elevados a Amenazados, cinco de Vulnerables a En Peligro, y un taxón fue elevado de Amenazado a En Peligro. De 23 taxones no evaluados en el 2000, 16 se ubican en la categoría No Amenazados, tres en Insuficientemente Conocidos y cuatro en Vulnerables. Estas modificaciones son el resultado de: (1) mayor información sistemática, biogeográfica y bio-ecológica disponible para la evaluación,(2) cambios en cuanto a las presiones antrópicas sobre las especies o sus hábitats, (3) modificaciones metodológicas que incluyeron instructivos para aplicar los conceptos, la discusión y consenso entre especialistas y el análisis de las incertidumbres.More than a decade after the first red list of herpetofauna proposed by the Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (Lavilla et al., 2000), we recategorized amphibians based on new taxonomic, biogeographical, bio-ecological information and methodological changes in the former evaluation. Through the participation of 35 specialists from all over Argentina 175 taxa of amphibians (171 in the previous categorization) are reevaluated including 23 new taxa added to Argentina, obtaining as results the inclusion of 51 Red List species (8 Endangered, 11 Threatened, 32 Vulnerable), 21 Insufficiently Known and 103 Not Threatened. In relation to the former categorization of the AHA the changes were: one taxon descended from Critically Endangered to Endangered, seven taxa descended from Endangered orVulnerable to Insufficiently Known, and nine from Insufficiently Known to Not Threatened. Three Not Threatened and 10 Insufficiently Known were elevated to different categories of threat, nine taxa were elevated from Endangered to Vulnerable, five from Vulnerable to Endangered, and one from Threatened was elevated to Critically Endangered. Of 23 taxa not evaluated in 2000, 16 are placed as Not Threatened, three Vulnerable, and four Insufficiently Known. These changes are the result of: (1) more available information for evaluation from systematic, biogeography and bio- ecology, (2) changes in human pressures over the species or over their habitats, (3) methodological changes that included recommendations for applying concepts, discussion and consensus among experts and analysis of uncertainties.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Perinatal depression: A study of prevalence and of risk and protective factors

Background: International literature has shown that Postpartum Depression (PPD) has a significant social and relational impact on mothers and their partners, on the interaction between mother and child, as well as on the cognitive and emotional development of the child. The goal of this study is to increase the epidemiological knowledge of PPD and to evaluate both risk and protective factors. Subjects and methods: Our study is based on the administration of three tests, Paykel’s Life Events Scale, EPDS and MMPI-2, at three distinct time point (during the third trimester, 72 hours after delivery, and three months after delivery, respectively) to a sample of women recruited in the Prenatal Medicine Clinic at the Hospital of Perugia. The data collected was statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of PPD 72 hours after delivery was 11%, while the prevalence of PPD three months after delivery was 16.7%. Antepartum Depression (APD), measured using EPDS cut-offs scores of 9 and 14, was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for the development of PPD, while desired life-events during pregnancy can represent a protective factor. Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD that we measured, in agreement with that found in the literature, demonstrates that despite the fact that the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV refer to PPD only if it develops within 4 weeks after delivery, PPD can also develop after this period. Furthermore, it appears that monitoring APD and encouraging a psycho-socially serene pregnancy are important for prevention of PPD. In the case of APD it was shown that monitoring women with even light depressive symptoms is important, because these women are more likely to then develop PPD

TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN CHILDHOOD AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS IN THE ADULT

Introduction: Child maltreatment is a well-known condition that is currently considered to be associated with the development of severe psychiatric conditions. Consequently, the authors decided to review the current literature in order to give a complete scenario of the situation in the world and to give recommendations about prevention and treatment as well as research goals. Methods: An electronic search was conducted through the means of MEDLINE database in order to find the most up to date peer-reviewed papers, including only those papers published in 2015. Results: 15 papers were included and analyzed the current situation in different countries: US (n.3), Australia (n.2), Ireland (n.2), Israel (n.2), China (n.2), Indonesia (n.1), Pakistan (n.1) and Norway (n.1). Discussion: Even though sexual abuse has been studied extensively, both physical and emotional abuse and neglect appear to be more represented within the population of patients that had suffered from abuse. Psychiatric disorders (mainly personality disorders, depression and anxiety), interpersonal, social and legal outcomes are important consequences of child maltreatment. Conclusions: Interventions and strategies are needed at different levels, from prevention to treatment and further research is important in order to better understand the phenomenon

Activity levels of B-esterases in the tadpoles of 11 species of frogs in the middle Paraná River floodplain: Implication for ecological risk assessment of soybean crops

Soybean fields provide habitats for many species of amphibians. However, the persistence and health of amphibian populations may be at risk from the increasing use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. We examined the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and carboxylesterases (CbEs) in 11 syntopic species of larval anurans. In vitro effects of malaoxon causing 50% BChE inhibition (IC50) were also studied. In addition, we calculated a relative risk index (RI) based on the geographic distributions of the anurans, the phenology of soybean cultivation, and basal enzymatic values related to potential pesticide detoxification. Among the 11 species, AChE activity varied from 17.5±1.6 to 68.2±4.7nmolmin-1mg-1 protein (PT). BChE activity also varied significantly, ranging from 3.3±0.4 to 7.5±0.4nmolmin-1mg-1PT. Both measures of CbE activities varied widely (CbE α-NA: 2.1±0.5-12.4±1.1nmolmin-1mg-1PT; CbE-4NPV: 21.8±1.8-102.6±7.9nmolmin-1mg-1PT). We also corroborate that lower BChE activity levels for the tadpoles were associated at minor IC50 values. The results of this study demonstrate significant variation in enzymatic levels among several tadpole species and intermediate to high RI values for 7 species. Based on these results, it appears that a conversion of native ecosystems to soybean crops may lead to increased ecological risk for anuran amphibians.Fil: Lajmanovich, Rafael Carlos. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Peltzer, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Junges, Celina Maria. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Laura Cecilia. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Basso, Agustin. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin