Biopsychosocial Predictors of Postpartum Depression: Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

During the postpartum period, psychological disorders may emerge. Aims and objectives: With the current study, we aim to explore the biological determinants that act on women during labor and incur the risk for postpartum depression (PPD). To reach the aim, we will perform the following tasks: (i) identify biological peripartum risk factors and calculate pooled prevalence of PPD for each of them; (ii) explore the strength of the relationship between peripartum risk factors and PPD; (iii) rank the predictors by their prevalence and magnitude of association with PPD. The knowledge obtained will support the development and implementation of early diagnostic and preventive strategies. Methods and analysis: We will systematically go through peer-reviewed publications available in the PubMed search engine and online databases: Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE. The scope of the review will include articles published any time in English, Arabic, or Polish. We will deduplicate literature sources with the Covidence software, evaluate heterogeneity between the study results, and critically assess credibility of selected articles with the Joanna Briggs Institute's bias evaluation tool. The information to extract is the incidence rate, prevalence, and odds ratio between each risk factor and PPD. A comprehensive analysis of the extracted data will allow us to achieve the objectives. The study findings will contribute to risk stratification and more effective management of PPD in women.

Postpartum blues: a predictor of postpartum depression, from the IGEDEPP Cohort.

BACKGROUND: To identify the different factors associated with postpartum blues and its association with postpartum depression, from a large French cohort. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of the Interaction Gene Environment in Postpartum Depression cohort, which is a prospective, multicenter cohort including 3310 women. Their personal (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition [DSM-5]) and family psychiatric history, stressful life events during childhood, pregnancy, and delivery were collected. Likewise, the French version of the Maternity Blues Scale questionnaire was administered at the maternity department. Finally, these women were assessed at 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum by a clinician for postpartum depression according to DSM-5 criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of postpartum blues in this population was 33%, and significant factors associated with postpartum blues were found as personal (aOR = 1.2) and family psychiatric history (aOR = 1.2), childhood trauma (aOR = 1.3), obstetrical factors, or events related to the newborn, as well as an experience of stressful life events during pregnancy (aOR = 1.5). These factors had a cumulative effect, with each additional factor increasing the risk of postpartum blues by 31%. Furthermore, adjustment for sociodemographic measures and history of major depressive episode revealed a significant association between postpartum blues and postpartum depression, mainly at early onset, within 8 weeks after delivery (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.6-2.7), but also at late onset (aOR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1-1.9), and mainly if the postpartum blues is severe. CONCLUSION: These results justify raising awareness among women with postpartum blues, including reassurance and information about postpartum depression, its symptomatology, and the need for management in case of worsening or prolongation of postpartum blues.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression 2 months after a vaginal delivery: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among women with vaginal births without major pregnancy complications. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression and identify its characteristics 2 months after singleton vaginal delivery at or near term. STUDY DESIGN: This was an ancillary cohort study of the TRanexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Delivery randomized controlled trial, which was conducted in 15 French hospitals in 2015-2016 and enrolled women with singleton vaginal deliveries after 35 weeks of gestation. After randomization, the characteristics of labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum experience, including the experience of childbirth, were prospectively collected. Medical records provided women's other characteristics, particularly any psychiatric history. Of note, 2 months after childbirth, provisional postpartum depression diagnosis was defined as a score of ≥13 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a validated self-administered questionnaire. The corrected prevalence of postpartum depression was calculated with the inverse probability weighting method to take nonrespondents into account. Associations between potential risk factors and postpartum depression were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Moreover, an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale cutoff value of ≥11 was selected to perform a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 2811 of 3891 women (72.2% response rate). The prevalence rates of the provisional diagnosis were 9.9% (95% confidence interval, 8.6%-11.3%) defined by an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of ≥13 and 15.5% (95% confidence interval, 14.0%-17.1%) with a cutoff value of ≥11. The characteristics associated with higher risks of postpartum depression in multivariate analysis were mostly related to prepregnancy characteristics, specifically age of <25 years (adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.9) and advanced age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.6), migration from North Africa (adjusted odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-4.4), previous abortion (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.0), and psychiatric history (adjusted odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-4.8). Some characteristics of labor and delivery, such as induced labor (adjusted odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.0) and operative vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.0), seemed to be associated with postpartum depression. In addition, bad memories of childbirth in the immediate postpartum were strongly associated with postpartum depression symptoms at 2 months after giving birth (adjusted odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.2). CONCLUSION: Approximately 10% of women with vaginal deliveries have postpartum depression symptoms, assessed by a score of ≥13 on the depression scale that was used at 2 months. Prepregnancy vulnerability factors; obstetrical characteristics, such as induced labor and operative vaginal delivery; and bad memories of childbirth 2 days after delivery were the main factors associated with this provisional diagnosis. A screening approach that targets risk factors may help to identify women at risk of postpartum depression who could benefit from early intervention.

Controlled Construction of Core-Shell Structured Prussian Blue Analogues towards Enhanced Oxygen Reduction.

Metal-organic frameworks-based electrocatalysts have been developed as highly desirable and promising candidates for catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which, however, usually need to be prepared at elevated temperatures and may suffer from the framework collapse in water environments, largely preventing its industrial application. Herein, this work demonstrates a facile low-temperature ion exchange method to synthesize Mn and Fe co-loaded Prussian blue analogues possessing core-shell structured frameworks and favorable water-tolerance. Among the catalysts prepared, the optimal HMPB-2.6Mn shows a high ORR electrocatalytic performance featuring a half-wave potential of 0.86 V and zinc-air battery power density of 119 mW cm-2 , as well as negligible degradation up to 60 h, which are comparable to commercial Pt/C. Such an excellent electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the special core-shell-like structure with Mn concentrated in outer shell, and the synergetic interactions between Mn and Fe, endowing HMPB-Mn with outstanding ORR activity and good stability.

Baby blues, premenstrual syndrome and postpartum affective disorders: intersection of risk factors and reciprocal influences.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology and consequences of 'baby blues' (lower mood following childbirth) are yet to be sufficiently investigated with respect to an individual's clinical history. AIMS: The primary aim of the study was to assess the symptoms of baby blues and the relevant risk factors, their associations with clinical history and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and their possible contribution to the early recognition of postpartum depression (PPD). METHOD: Beginning shortly after childbirth, 369 mothers were followed up for 12 weeks. Information related to their clinical history, PMS, depression, stress and mother-child attachment was collected. At 12 weeks, mothers were classified as non-depressed, or with either PPD or adjustment disorder. RESULTS: A correlation was found between the severity of baby blues and PMS (r = 0.397, P < 0.001), with both conditions increasing the possibility of adjustment disorder and PPD (baby blues: OR = 6.72, 95% CI 3.69-12.25; PMS: OR = 3.29, 95% CI 2.01-5.39). Baby blues and PMS independently predicted whether a mother would develop adjustment disorder or PPD after childbirth (χ2(64) = 198.16, P < 0.001). Among the non-depressed participants, baby blues were found to be associated with primiparity (P = 0.012), family psychiatric history (P = 0.001), PMS (P < 0.001) and childhood trauma (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Baby blues are linked to a number of risk factors and a history of PMS, with both conditions adding to the risk of PPD. The neuroendocrine effects on mood need be understood in the context of individual risk factors. The assessment of both baby blues and PMS symptoms within the first postpartum days may contribute to an early identification of PPD.

Thyroid Predictors of Postpartum Mood Disorders.

Postpartum mood disorders (PMD) are currently among the leading causes of maternal postpartum morbidity and mortality. PMD include the conditions of postpartum blues (PB), postpartum depression (PPD), and postpartum psychosis. The pathogenesis of PMDs are ambiguous, and there are no reliable prenatal predictive markers despite current research efforts. Even though reliable indicators have not been found, leading ideas suggest an etiology of hormonal fluctuations. Although thyroid markers have long been linked to psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), how they correlate with PMDs is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the pathophysiological link between thyroid function, PMDs, and the usefulness of thyroid markers as indicators of their occurrence and severity. The methodology consisted of a narrative literature review. Several inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to filter the results of literature searches in PubMed. Studies were included if they discussed any marker related to thyroid endocrinology in relation to the incidence or pathophysiology of any PMD. Both primary and secondary analyses were included. The permissive inclusion criteria were used due to the relative scarcity of research on the topic and the ambiguous pathophysiology of PMD. The results demonstrated the potential utility of thyroid autoimmunity as a predictor of late-onset PPD. Hypothyroidism, low euthyroid hormone levels, and the presence of thyroid autoantibodies were correlated with increased incidence of PPD and late postpartum depressive symptoms, past the timeline of PB. Most notably a rapid postpartum drop in cortisol level may precipitate thyroid autoimmunity in anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody positive women, which could eventually produce a hypothyroid phase associated with depressive symptoms. There was insufficient evidence to suggest a relationship with postpartum psychosis. In conclusion, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of PMDs remain ambiguous, but TPO-antibodies in the third trimester may be a predictor of late PPD.

Oxytocin changes in women with emergency cesarean section: Association with maternal blues by delivery mode.

Introduction: Women with emergency cesarean section (CS) have presumed effects of an unscheduled surgery on their salivary oxytocin (OXT) level and psychological state. This study aimed to measure changes in the salivary OXT levels of women with emergency CS and change in the OXT levels by delivery mode, and to investigate the association between changes in OXT levels and maternity blues. Methods: We used a longitudinal observational study. The eligibility criteria were primipara pregnant women who were planning to have vaginal delivery. The salivary OXT levels of women were measured at 36 weeks gestation, 38 weeks gestation, 1 day postpartum, and 5 days after childbirth. Maternity blues was diagnosed using the Maternity Blues Scale (13 items), 'Fatigue after Childbirth' was diagnosed using the Visual Analogue Scale (0-100), and the subjective symptoms of fatigue was diagnosed using the Jikaku-sho shirabe. The three groups ("Without EA", "With EA", and "Emergency CS") were analyzed separately. The changes in the oxytocin levels of women with emergency CS at four time points were analyzed by using a repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: The mean OXT levels of women with emergency CS (n = 6) were significantly lower at 5 days after childbirth than at 36 weeks gestation, 38 weeks gestation, and 1 day postpartum. There was a significant middle correlation between changes in the mean maternity blues scores between 1 day and 5 days, and the mean changes in OXT levels from 38 weeks gestation to 5 days after childbirth. Conclusion: It could be assumed that women with emergency cesarean section may be affected psychologically by the unplanned method of delivery. In the present study, it was not possible to analyze this association because of the small sample size; however, it is possible to clarify predictors as the sample size accumulates in the future.

Postpartum Blues in Fathers: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Impact on Father-to-Infant Bond.

In this study we explored, in men, one of the most common postpartum syndromes in women: the postpartum blues. The aims of the study were (a) to evaluate the prevalence of postpartum blues in fathers, (b) to explore the sociodemographic and perinatal factors that may be associated with its intensity, and (c) to investigate the relationship between the intensity of blues symptoms and the quality of father-to-infant bonding. Three hundred and three French-speaking fathers living in France completed a sociodemographic and obstetrical questionnaire, the Maternity Blues Questionnaire, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. The fathers were recruited from two maternity hospitals and a Child and Maternal Health Centre within 10 days of their infant's birth, or from online forums devoted to parenting. At least 17.5% of fathers experienced postpartum blues. A high level of education was associated with a higher level of postpartum blues symptoms. Dissatisfaction with the maternity care and significant father involvement during pregnancy and delivery predicted more severe postpartum blues symptoms. Symptoms of postpartum blues were positively correlated with impairment in the father-to-infant bond. This study lends support to the existence of postpartum blues among fathers and highlights its possible consequences on early father-infant relationships.

Effect of auricular acupressure on postpartum blues: A randomized sham controlled trial.

AIM: To investigate the effect of auricular acupressure on the severity of postpartum blues. METHODS: A randomized sham controlled trial was conducted from February to November 2021, with 74 participants who were randomly allocated into two groups of either routine care + auricular acupressure (n = 37), or routine care + sham control (n = 37). Vacaria seeds with special non-latex adhesives were used to perform auricular acupressure on seven ear acupoints. There were two intervention sessions with an interval of five days. In the sham group, special non-latex adhesives without vacaria seeds were attached in the same acupoints as the intervention group. Severity of postpartum blues, fatigue, maternal-infant attachment, and postpartum depression were assessed. RESULTS: Auricular acupressure was associated with significant effect in reduction of postpartum blues on 10th and 15th days after childbirth (SMD = -2.77 and -2.15 respectively), postpartum depression on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = -0.74), and maternal fatigue on 10th, 15th and 21st days after childbirth (SMD = -2.07, -1.30 and -1.32, respectively). Also, maternal-infant attachment was increased significantly on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = 1.95). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupressure was effective in reducing postpartum blues and depression, reducing maternal fatigue, and increasing maternal-infant attachment in the short-term after childbirth. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered prospectively in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (ID: IRCT20180218038789N2).

The Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Maternal Perinatal Depressive Symptoms and the Contribution of Group Prenatal Support as a Preventive Measure.

Background: The European and Greek financial turmoil that began in 2007 has had adverse health consequences. Stillbirth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and maternal suicide have all increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether socioeconomic factors contribute to postpartum blues, and whether psychoprophylaxis with group prenatal education and support may have a beneficial effect. Materials and Methods: The sample study comprised 414 pregnant women equally divided into psychoprophylaxis or standard care. There were six psychoprophylaxis sessions, with two each week lasting 2 hours each in groups of five people at the urban health center of Larissa, Greece. A questionnaire was used for data collection, including (1) closed-type questions about sociodemographic characteristics, and medical and obstetric history; (2) the Hamilton Depression Scale; (3) a Blues Questionnaire; (4) the Holmes and Rahe stressful life events scale; and (5) a scale of effects of the economic crisis. Differences between the two groups and within the groups at different time points were assessed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests. Results: Maternity blues scores, depression scores at all time points, life stress event score, and financial difficulty score were all significantly related to each other in both groups at all time points (p < 0.01). The correlation between financial difficulties and depression/maternity blues disappeared after delivery in the intervention group. Financial difficulties, depression, and psychoprophylaxis sessions emerged as independent prognostic factors of maternity blues score, the group variable being most significantly associated with maternal blues. Conclusion: Although financial status as well as depression continued to play a role, the deterrent contribution of psychoprophylaxis was the most important parameter in the final maternity blues prognostic model. The results of our study show a potential for prevention and suggest interesting hypotheses for future interventions.

Maternity Blues: A Narrative Review.

Puerperium is a period of great vulnerability for the woman, associated with intense physical and emotional changes. Maternity blues (MB), also known as baby blues, postnatal blues, or post-partum blues, include low mood and mild, transient, self-limited depressive symptoms, which can be developed in the first days after delivery. However, the correct identification of this condition is difficult because a shared definition and well-established diagnostic tools are not still available. A great heterogenicity has been reported worldwide regarding MB prevalence. Studies described an overall prevalence of 39%, ranging from 13.7% to 76%, according to the cultural and geographical contexts. MB is a well-established risk factor for shifting to more severe post-partum mood disorders, such as post-partum depression and postpartum psychosis. Several risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms which could provide the foundation of MB have been the object of investigations, but only poor evidence and speculations are available until now. Taking into account its non-negligible prevalence after childbirth, making an early diagnosis of MB is important to provide adequate and prompt support to the mother, which may contribute to avoiding evolutions toward more serious post-partum disorders. In this paper, we aimed to offer an overview of the knowledge available of MB in terms of definitions, diagnosis tools, pathophysiological mechanisms, and all major clinical aspects. Clinicians should know MB and be aware of its potential evolutions in order to offer the most timely and effective evidence-based care.

Maternal and paternal postpartum early mood and bonding.

BACKGROUND: Whereas the maternal 'blues' has been widely researched, comparatively less is known about the "highs" following childbirth, and the relation between mothers and fathers' mood in this early period. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal 'blues' and 'highs' with paternal postpartum mood (here described as 'lows' and 'highs') in the early postpartum and their associations with the quality of child bonding. METHODS: Women and their cohabitating male partners, fathers of the index child (N = 98 couples), attending an obstetric hospital unit completed questionnaires on mood, bonding and socio-demographics between the 3rd and the 5th postpartum day. We used generalised estimating equations to analyse the data. RESULTS: The 'blues' scores were higher in mothers, whereas 'highs' and bonding were higher in fathers. Maternal 'blues' were significantly correlated with paternal 'lows' (rs = .23, p < .05) and maternal 'highs' were also associated with paternal 'highs' (rs = .22, p < .05). Parental 'highs' were significantly associated with better baby bonding (B = .13, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates moderate associations between both 'blues/lows' and 'highs' in mothers and fathers shortly after the birth of the child. Associations between mood, particularly 'highs', and bonding were similar for mothers and fathers. Greater consideration of 'blues/lows' and 'highs' in both parents is needed to promote adjustment in the postpartum period.

Neural responses to monetary incentives in postpartum women affected by baby blues.

Up to 50% of new mothers experience baby blues (BB) within a week of delivery, with affective disturbances being the central symptoms. Because reward processing is known to be affected in depression, this study sought to investigate whether incentive processing during the experience of BB can be altered through the monetary incentive delay (MID) task. The MID task allows reward processing to be investigated based on responses to 'anticipation' and 'feedback of reward or loss'. 60 women participated in the fMRI-based MID task within 1-6 days of delivery, and 50% of them developed BB within the first few postpartum weeks. Over a 12-week observation period, a greater number of women in the BB group (52% vs. 13%) developed psychiatric conditions, with 24% of women with BB developing postpartum depression compared to only 3% of those without BB. During the feedback trials of the MID task, women with BB, compared to those without, showed increased activation in both the winning and losing trials (the temporal areas, the insula, the midbrain, and the inferior frontal gyrus). During the anticipation trials, however, subjects affected by BB showed reduced activation in the pregenual and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortices (pg/sg ACC). Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that the BB-related time window overlaps with alterations in the brain networks associated with incentive processing. Given the involvement of pg/sgACC in the development of depressive mood, the weaker involvement of these brain regions during anticipation in participants affected by BB is of particular interest.

Biopsychosocial correlates of emotional problems in women during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Background: Transition to motherhood is associated with several emotional problems that can have long-term consequences on the mother and baby. Aim: To examine the association of various biomedical and cultural factors with the new onset of emotional problems during pregnancy and postpartum period. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 300 pregnant women interviewed in the third trimester. Results: The prevalence of emotional problems in the study group was 31.58%. The prevalence of anxiety disorder NOS and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder in the last trimester of pregnancy in our study was 4% and 1.33%, respectively, and 0.67% and 1.33%, respectively, at 4 days postpartum. At 6 weeks postpartum, the prevalence of anxiety disorder NOS was 1.33%, generalized anxiety disorder was 0.67%, and major depression was 1.33. The prevalence of postpartum blues in our study was 25.33%. Conclusion: There was a significant association between psychiatric disorders during and postpartum period and the following factors: higher parity, increased maternal age, low hemoglobin levels, cesarean section, planned pregnancy, and extended family. Postpartum blues was associated with higher parity and low blood pressure.

Postpartum Depression after Maternal Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The MUMI-19 Study (Mothers Undergoing Mental Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic).

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world by imposing unprecedented health measures, including in the postpartum period. Objectives: We aim to assess the impact of maternal isolation in the immediate postpartum period on the rate of postpartum depression (PPD) in a tertiary center. Study Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study, between 22 April and 29 October 2020, using anonymous questionnaires on 265 participants (129 during lockdown and 135 outside). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used as screening for PPD. We used a univariate logistic regression model to analyze the association between risk factors and PPD. Results: There was no difference between the two groups for PPD assessed by an EPDS score >10.5 on day 30 and/or day 60 (23.1% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.661) but on day 3 it was higher (31% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.015) during the lockdown period and partners were more impacted psychologically (48.3% vs. 10.5%, p < 0.001). Parity ≥1 was a protective factor for PPD (OR = 0.2, 95% CI [0.1−0.6], p = 0.003). Risk factors of PPD were: history of psychological abuses (OR = 6.4, CI 95% [1.1−37.6], p = 0.04), stressful life event (OR = 4.5, CI 95% [1.6−12.6], p = 0.004), and bad birth experience (OR = 5.1, CI 95% [1.4−17.8], p = 0.012). Conclusion: Maternal isolation in the immediate postpartum period is associated with an increased rate of moderate to severe symptoms of postpartum blues. The well-known long-term consequences of PPD must be balanced against the expected benefits of partner's restrictive access to maternity ward.

Endogenous oxytocin levels in extracted saliva elevates during breastfeeding correlated with lower postpartum anxiety in primiparous mothers.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding in the early postpartum period is expected to have mental benefits for mothers; however, the underlying psychobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we hypothesized that the release of oxytocin in response to the suckling stimuli during breastfeeding would mediate a calming effect on primiparous mothers, and we examined salivary oxytocin measurements in primiparous mothers at postpartum day 4 using saliva samples without extraction, which was erroneous. Thus, further confirmation of this hypothesis with a precise methodology was needed. METHODS: We collected saliva samples at three time points (baseline, feeding, and post-feeding) to measure oxytocin in 24 primiparous mothers on postpartum day 2 (PD2) and 4 (PD4) across the breastfeeding cycle. Salivary oxytocin levels using both extracted and unextracted methods were measured and compared to determine the qualitative differences. State and trait anxiety and clinical demographics were evaluated to determine their association with oxytocin changes. RESULTS: Breastfeeding elevated salivary oxytocin levels; however, it was not detected to a significant increase in the extraction method at PD4. We found a weak but significant positive correlation between changes in extracted and unextracted oxytocin levels during breastfeeding (feeding minus baseline); there were no other significant positive correlations. Therefore, we used the extracted measurement index for subsequent analysis. We showed that the greater the increase in oxytocin during breastfeeding, the lower the state anxiety, but not trait anxiety. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at the 1-month follow-up tended to be associated with slightly higher oxytocin change at PD2 than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding in early postpartum days could be accompanied by the frequent release of oxytocin and lower state anxiety, potentially contributing to exclusive breastfeeding.

Identification of high seed oil yield and high oleic acid content in Brazilian germplasm of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.).

Cucurbita moschata D. seed oil contains approximately 75% unsaturated fatty acids, with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant compounds such as vitamin E and carotenoids, constituting a promising food in nutritional terms. In addition, the Brazilian germplasm of C. moschata exhibits remarkable variability, representing an important source for the genetic breeding of this vegetable and other cucurbits. The present study evaluated the productivity and profile of the seed oil of 91C. moschata accessions from different regions of Brazil maintained in the Vegetable Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Viçosa (BGH-UFV). A field experiment was conducted between January and July 2016. The accessions showed high genetic variability in terms of characteristics related to seed oil productivity (SOP), such as the weight of seeds per fruit and productivity of seeds, providing predicted selection gains of 29.39 g and 0.26 t ha-1, respectively. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic correlations, a greater SOP can be achieved while maintaining a high oleic acid concentration and low linoleic acid concentration, providing oil of better nutritional and chemical quality. In the variability analysis, the accessions were clustered into five groups, which had different averages for SOP and fatty acid concentration of seed oil, an approach that will guide the use of appropriate germplasm in programs aimed at genetic breeding for SOP and seed oil profile. Per se analysis identified BGH-4610, BGH-5485A, BGH-6590, BGH-5556A, BGH-5472A, and BGH-5544A as the most promising accessions in terms of SOP, with an average (µ + g) of approximately 0.20 t ha-1. The most promising accessions for a higher oleic acid concentration of seed oil were BGH-5456A, BGH-3333A, BGH-5361A, BGH-5472A, BGH-5544A, BGH-5453A, and BGH-1749, with an average (µ + g) of approximately 30%, almost all of which were also the most promising in terms of a lower linoleic acid concentration of the seed oil, with an average (µ + g) of approximately 45%. Part of the C. moschata accessions evaluated in the present study can serve as a promising resource in genetic breeding programs for SOP and fatty acid profile, aiming at the production of oil with better nutritional and physicochemical quality.

Who Is Suffering from the "Corona Blues"? An Analysis of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Its Implications for Health Policy.

COVID-19 is tremendously affecting not only social structures but also people's psychological states. In particular, COVID-19 is negatively affecting psychological health, in particular, the depression. When individuals are experiencing the depression, there is increase in the suicide rate and occurrence of serious social problems. This study therefore examines factors affecting depression by using hypothesis testing. Previous studies have limitations in that they focus only on demographic variables or other specific variables. In contrast, this study focuses on the influences of four non-pandemic and seven pandemic-related variables on people's depression. We analyze data from a social survey (N = 1525) in Korea which adopted the stratified quota sampling method. Results show that, first, among the demographic variables, young people experience depression to a greater extent than older people do. Second, among the non-pandemic variables, individuals with more social support, good health, optimism, and self-efficacy exhibit lower levels of depression. Third, among the factors related to COVID-19, fear of infection, financial instability, personal lifestyle changes, and poor health status increase depression.

Prevent postpartum blues with the implementation of breastfeeding father education model to increase the frequency of breastfeeding in mothers: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if the breastfeeding father education model can increase exclusive breastfeeding in mothers to prevent the occurrence of postpartum blues. METHODS: This study uses literature review design, articles collected using search engines such as PubMed, Elsevier, Scinapse, Plos One, and Google Scholar. We identified journals based on the PRISMA 2015 Guidelines with a total of n=5690 and obtained the number of journals reviewed n=33. RESULTS: The father's support is believed to have influenced the mother's decision to start and maintain breastfeeding. Father education is proven to increase breastfeeding with a value of p (0.001)<0.05. In addition, support from husbands is also classified as sufficient (54%) in lowering anxiety levels in mothers with spearman's test results p=0.48 or <0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Providing an education model of breastfeeding father can increase the exclusive breastfeeding by the mother to prevent the occurrence of postpartum blues.

Pilot study to test the Slovenian version of the Kennerley-Gath Blues questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum blues in 20% of cases develops into postnatal depression if it lasts longer than 14 days, so the condition requires attention. To help Slovenian midwives in screening for postpartum blues, we aimed to translate the Kennerly-Garth Blues Questionnaire (BQ). METHODS: The blues questionnaire was translated using a double-blind translation method. The Cathedra for Midwifery at the Faculty Health Sciences Ljubljana reviewed the ethics and research design of the study. The online survey was conducted among Slovenian postpartum women who had to be between the 3rd and 15th day postpartum (inclusion criteria). A snowball sampling was used. The online questionnaire was active from January to March 2020. Women voluntarily participated in the survey and were assured of anonymity. RESULTS: A total of 101 women participated in the study. More than half (58%) scored ≥7 points in the questionnaire, which is the cut-off score, indicating postpartum blues. More single women obtained a high score (66.6%) than those who were married (63.6%) or in an extramarital relationship (50.9%). High questionnaire scores were more common among women who had had their second child. Cronbach alpha for the Slovenian version of the Blues questionnaire was 0.995. CONCLUSIONS: The survey instrument can be used easily and quickly and is a good way to open discussion with women about emotional and mental health in the postnatal period. The Slovenian version of the Blues questionnaire showed a satisfactory level of internal consistency, but a larger study should be conducted to evaluate the cut-off score and the content validity.