Research review: the role of cytokines in depression in adolescents: a systematic review

Background: While cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression in adults, the potential role in younger age groups such as adolescents is less clear. This article therefore reviews the literature (a) to explore the relationship between cytokines and depression in adolescents, and (b) to examine how cytokines may be related to adolescent depression in the context of other neurobiological theories of depression. Method: A systematic review of the scientific literature on the subject was conducted in February 2013, searching the Web of Knowledge, PubMed (Medline), PsycInfo and Cochrane electronic databases. Results: Eighteen studies were identified measuring both depression or depressive symptoms and cytokines or immune markers in adolescents. Adolescents with depression show age-specific characteristics of the immune and inflammatory system, specifically in NK cell activity and in pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha). In addition, the role of cytokines in adolescent depression is influenced by neurodevelopment, hormonal changes, stress and trauma. Conclusions: There may be differences in the neurobiology of adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) compared with adult MDD. Increased understanding of the role of cytokines in adolescent MDD may lead to improved outcomes in the treatment of adolescent depression

Delta-beta correlation as a candidate endophenotype of social anxiety: A two-generation family study

Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by an extreme and intense fear and avoidance of social situations. In this two-generation family study we examined delta-beta correlation during a social performance task as candidate endophenotype. Methods: Nine families with a target participant (diagnosed with SAD), their spouse and children, as well as target's siblings with spouse and children performed a social performance task in which they gave a speech in front of a camera. EEG was measured during resting state, anticipation, and recovery. Our analyses focused on two criteria for endophenotypes: co-segregation within families and heritability. Results: Co-segregation analyses revealed increased negative delta-low beta correlation during anticipation in participants with (sub)clinical SAD compared to participants without (sub)clinical SAD. Heritability analyses revealed that delta-low beta and delta-high beta correlations during anticipation were heritable. Delta-beta correlation did not differ between participants with and without (sub)clinical SAD during resting state or recovery, nor between participants with and without SAD during all phases of the task. Limitations: It should be noted that participants were seen only once, they all performed the EEG tasks in the same order, and some participants were too anxious to give a speech. Conclusions: Delta-low beta correlation during anticipation of giving a speech might be a candidate endophenotype of SAD, possibly reflecting increased crosstalk between cortical and subcortical regions. If validated as endophenotype, delta-beta correlation during anticipation could be useful in studying the genetic basis, as well as improving treatment and early detection of persons at risk for developing SAD

Gall-inducing insects from Campos de Altitude, Brazil

Insetos indutores de galhas são muito ricos em espécies nas formações vegetais do sudeste do Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a riqueza de morfotipos de galha por meio da caracterização de suas formas externas e os padrões de ocorrência nas plantas hospedeiras. As amostragens foram realizadas em campos rupestres e altitudinais de quatro regiões da Serra da Mantiqueira: 1) campos de altitude do Parque Estadual do Brigadeiro e 2) Parque Nacional do Caparaó, 3) Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca e Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. Foram registradas 93 espécies de galhas induzidas por insetos em 13 famílias, 30 gêneros e 50 espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Sendo 38 a riqueza de insetos indutores de galhas do Parque Estadual do Brigadeiro, 21 do Parque Nacional do Caparaó, 23 do Parque Nacional do Caparaó e 20 do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. As famílias com maior riqueza foram Asteraceae (33%) e Melastomataceae (17%). A família Cecydomiidae (Diptera) foi a mais frequente (98%). O órgão mais atacado foi o caule (56%) seguido de folha (23%). O fato de apenas 12% das galhas descritas neste estudo já terem sido registradas em trabalhos anteriores, reforça a necessidade em aumentar o esforço amostral na direção de um maior conhecimento sobre a riqueza e história natural dos insetos indutores de galhas no Brasil. ____________________________________________________________________________________ABSTRACT: Gall-inducing insects are very specious in vegetations of southeastern Brazil. Our goal was describe the gall richness by characterizing their external forms and their patterns of occurrence on host plants. Samples were collected from Campos de Altitude at four regions of the Mantiqueira Range: 1) Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, 2) Parque Nacional do Caparaó, 3) Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, 4) Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. We found 93 gall species within 13 families, 30 genera and 50 host plant species. We recorded 38 gall species in Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, 21 in Parque Nacional do Caparaó, 23 in Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca and 20 in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. Asteraceae represented 33% of the species collected, followed by Melastomataceae at 17%; with each one concentrating 56% and 18% of the galling insects, respectively. 98% of galls were Cecydomiidae (Diptera). The most attacked organ was the stem (56%), followed by the leaf (23%). Only 12% of the galls described in our study had been already recorded in previous studies, thus reinforcing the need to increase the sampling effort toward a better understanding of the richness and the natural history of gall-inducing insects from Brazil