BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and resilience in major depressive disorder: the impact of cognitive psychotherapy

Objective: Clinical and biological correlates of resilience in major depressive disorder are scarce. We aimed to investigate the effect of the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene on resilience scores in major depressive disorder patients and evaluate the polymorphism's moderation effect on resilience scores in response to cognitive therapy. Method: A total of 106 major depressive disorder patients were enrolled in this clinical randomized study. The Resilience Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were applied at baseline, post-treatment, and at six months of follow-up. Blood samples were obtained at baseline for molecular analysis. Results: The baseline resilience scores were higher in patients with the Met allele (114.6±17.6) than in those with the Val/Val genotype (104.04±21.05; p = 0.037). Cognitive therapy treatment increased resilience scores (p ≤ 0.001) and decreased depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001). In the mixed-effect model, the Val/Val genotype represented a decrease in resilience scores (t218 = -1.98; p = 0.048), and the Val66Met polymorphism interacted with sex to predict an increase in total resilience scores during cognitive treatment (t218 = 2.69; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Our results indicate that cognitive therapy intervention could improve resilience in follow-up, considering that gender and genetic susceptibility are predicted by the Val66Met polymorphism.

Childhood trauma and bipolar spectrum: a population-based sample of young adults

Abstract Introduction Childhood trauma has been suggested to be involved in susceptibility to bipolar disorder (BP). However, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of childhood trauma is differently distributed in subthreshold bipolar disorder (SBP). Objective To assess childhood trauma in young adults with SBP, as compared to young adults with BP and population controls (PC). Method This was a cross-sectional, population-based study. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to define the groups with BP (subjects with a lifetime or current manic episode or lifetime or current hypomania with a history of a depressive episode), SBP (subjects with a history of hypomanic episode without lifetime or current depressive episode), and subjects without mood disorders (PC). Childhood trauma was assessed using de Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). We investigated differences regarding childhood trauma across the three groups (BP, SBP and PC). Result Except for sexual abuse, all subtypes of childhood trauma remained associated with the BP group as compared to PC. Additionally, when we compared SBP and BP, significant differences were found only for emotional abuse. No significant differences were found in relation to childhood trauma between the SBP and PC groups after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion These findings suggest that investigating childhood trauma, with a particular focus on emotional abuse, could be considered a preventive measure and potentially improve the prognosis.

Effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy after treatment for adults with major depression / Efeito da terapia cognitivo-comportamental um ano após tratamento para adultos com transtorno depressivo maior / Efecto de la terapia cognitiva comportamental un año después tratamiento para transtorno depresivo mayor

In Brazil, little is known about the maintenance of results after treatment of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for major depressive disorder (MDD). The objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of individual psychotherapeutic treatment from CBT for depressive symptoms within 6 and 12 months after the intervention. We evaluated 94 participants with MDD from the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). There was significant posttreatment response (p < 0.001), with no difference between the end of the treatment and the symptom assessment at 6 (p = 0.486) and 12 months (p = 0.098). A significant positive correlation was observed between the intensity of depressive symptoms at the baseline and the reduction of initial symptoms for 12-month follow-up (r = 0.49; p < 0.001). CBT significantly reduces depressive symptoms by maintaining this condition up to 12 months post-intervention without significant influence of other characteristics beyond the intensity of depressive symptoms at the beginning of the therapeutic process.

No Brasil, pouco se sabe sobre a manutenção dos resultados pós-tratamento da terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) para o transtorno depressivo maior (TDM). Objetivou-se verificar a efetividade do tratamento psicoterápico individual a partir da TCC para os sintomas depressivos em um período de 6 e 12 meses pós-intervenção. Avaliaram-se 94 participantes com TDM a partir do Inventário Beck de Depressão (BDI-II). Houve resposta significativa pós-tratamento (p < 0,001), não ocorrendo diferenças entre o final do tratamento e a avaliação dos sintomas aos 6 (p = 0,486) e 12 meses (p = 0,098). Uma correlação positiva significativa foi observada entre a intensidade dos sintomas depressivos no baseline e a redução de sintomas iniciais para o acompanhamento de 12 meses (r = 0,49; p < 0,001). A TCC reduz significativamente os sintomas depressivos mantendo essa condição até 12 meses pós-intervenção sem influência significativa de outras características além da intensidade dos sintomas depressivos no início do processo terapêutico.

Este estudio verificó la efectividad del tratamiento psicoterápico individual a partir de la terapia cognitiva conductual (TCC) para los síntomas depresivos dentro de los 6 y 12 meses post-intervención. Se evaluaron 94 participantes con TDM a partir del Inventario Beck de depresión (BDI-II). Se observó una respuesta significativa post-tratamiento (p < 0,001), no ocurrieron diferencias entre el final del tratamiento y la evaluación de los síntomas a los 6 (p = 0,486) y 12 meses (p = 0,098). Había una correlación positiva significativa entre la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos en el baseline y la reducción de los síntomas iniciales para el seguimiento de 12 meses (r = 0,49; p < 0,001). La TCC reduce significativamente los síntomas depresivos manteniendo esa condición hasta 12 meses después de la intervención sin influencia significativa de otras características además de la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos al inicio del proceso terapéutico.

Metabolic syndrome and psychiatric disorders: a population-based study

Objective: To identify the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders in young adults in southern Brazil. Methods: This population based cross-sectional study involved a total of 1,023 young adults between the ages of 21 and 32 years. Current episodes of psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus version. MetS was evaluated using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). Results: Of the 1,023 participants, 24.3% were identified with MetS, 13.5% were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 7.5% with current depression, 3.9% with bipolar disorders and 10.1% were at risk of suicide. MetS was associated with ethnicity (p = 0.022), excess weight (p < 0.001), current anxiety disorders (p < 0.001), current mood disorders (bipolar disorder in mood episode and current depression) (p < 0.001), and suicide risk (p < 0.001). Conclusions: MetS was associated with psychiatric disorders. Awareness of factors associated with MetS can help identify high-risk individuals and stimulate disease prevention and control programs, as well as lifestyle changes.

Psychoactive substance abuse and dependence and its association with anxiety disorders: a population-based study of young adults in Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the association between abuse of and dependence on different psychoactive substances and the presence of anxiety disorders in a sample of young adults from a city in southern Brazil. Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, we carried out a cross-sectional, population-based study of individuals aged 18-24 years who lived in Pelotas, a city in southern Brazil. We evaluated anxiety disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 (MINI), and use of psychoactive substances with the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST 2.0/0MS). We used Fisher's exact test for univariate analysis, and Poisson regression models with robust variance for multivariable analysis. Results: The sample consisted of 1,560 young adults. The overall prevalence of abuse/dependence was 26.9% for alcohol, 24.9% for tobacco, and 7.3% for illicit substances. Individuals with agoraphobia had a 32% higher prevalence of tobacco abuse/dependence (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.32 [95%CI 1.01-1.74]). Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) had a 2.41-fold (95%CI 1.22-4.77) and 1.76-fold (95%CI 1.00-3.11) higher prevalence of illicit substance abuse/dependence, respectively. Conclusion: In this population-based sample, we found associations between GAD, PTSD, and increased prevalence of illicit substance abuse/dependence. In addition, individuals with agoraphobia seem to have increased tobacco abuse/dependence.

Gender differences of cannabis smoking on serum leptin levels: population-based study

Objective: To evaluate the serum leptin levels in cannabis smokers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study of participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and the use of psychoactive substances. Leptin levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Results: Of the 911 participants, 6.7% were identified as cannabis smokers and had significantly lower leptin levels (p = 0.008). When stratified by gender, there was a significant decrease in leptin levels among male smokers (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Cannabis smoking was linked to leptin levels in men, suggesting that the response to biological signals may be different between men and women.

Mood disorder, anxiety, and suicide risk among subjects with alcohol abuse and/or dependence: a population-based study

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and/or dependence in a population-based sample of young adults and assess the prevalence of comorbid mood disorders, anxiety, and suicide risk in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study enrolled 1,953 young adults aged 18-35 years. The CAGE questionnaire was used to screen for alcohol abuse and/or dependence, with CAGE scores ≥ 2 considered positive. Psychiatric disorders were investigated through the structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence was identified in 187 (9.60%) individuals (5.10% among women and 15.20% among men). Alcohol abuse and/or dependence were more prevalent among men than women, as well as among those who used tobacco, illicit drugs or presented with anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and suicide risk. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol abuse and/or dependence are consistently associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, could be considered important predictors of other psychiatric disorders, and deserve greater public heath attention, pointing to the need for alcohol abuse prevention programs.

Epidemiología digital como herramienta para la evaluación de enfermedades del oído y la vía aérea en Colombia, durante los años 2012-2014: Un estudio ecológico / Digital epidemiology as a tool for the evaluation of ear and airway diseases in Colombia, during the years 2012-2014: An ecological study

Introducción: Las tecnologías de información y la facilidad de acceso a grandes volúmenes de datos "big data" están revolucionando la epidemiología. Objetivo: Analizar datos del sistema integral de Información "SISPRO" del Ministerio de Salud para obtener los motivos más frecuentes de consulta en otorrinolaringología en consulta externa y urgencias. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo ecológico. Metodología: En SISPRO se usaron los códigos CIE-10 para analizar los datos de atención en salud para patologías de oído (H60-H959) y vía aérea superior (J00-J399). Resultados: Los principales motivos de consulta incluyen: infecciones de la vía aérea superior (rinofaringitis, faringitis, amigdalitis, otitis media aguda e infecciones no especificadas) con 14.935.729 atenciones, 7.877.189 personas atendidas y un promedio de 1,9 consultas por persona; Rinitis (1.760.055 atenciones, 899.349 personas y 1,96 consultas/persona); Vértigo (1.632.012 atenciones, 686.470 personas y 2,38 consultas/persona); Cerumen impactado (554.744 atenciones, 296.324 personas y 18,76 consultas/persona); Hipoacusia (853.047 atenciones, 366.037 personas y 2,33 consultas/persona). La relación entre el número de atenciones en consulta externa vs urgencias es de 281,66 (hipoacusia), 126,23 (Rinitis), 37,2 (Cerumen impactado), 10,73 (vértigo) y 6,9 (infecciones). Conclusión: La epidemiología digital es una herramienta útil en la práctica de ORL. Las enfermedades infecciosas son la principal causa de atención en ORL.

Introduction: Information technologies and the ease of access to large volumes of data "big data" are revolutionizing epidemiology. Objective: Analyze data from the Comprehensive Information System "SISPRO" of the Ministry of Health, to obtain the most frequent reasons for consultation in otorhinolaryngology in outpatient and emergency departments. Design: ecological descriptive study. Methods: In SISPRO, ICD-10 codes were used to analyze health care data for ear (H60-H959) and upper airway (J00-J399) pathologies. Results: The main reasons for consultation included: upper airway infections (rhinopharyngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute otitis media and unspecified infections) with 14,935,729 attentions, 7,877,189 people attended and an average of 1.9 consultations per person; Rhinitis (1,760,055 attentions, 899,349 people and 1.96 consultations / person); Vertigo (1,632,012 attentions, 686,470 people and 2,38 consultations / person; Cerumen impacted (554,744 attentions, 296,324 people and 18,76 consultations / person); Hearing loss (853,047 attentions, 366,037 people and 2,33 consultations / person). The ratio between the number of visits in the outpatient clinic vs. emergencies is 281.66 (hearing loss), 126.23 (rhinitis), 37.2 (impacted earwax), 10.73 (vertigo) and 6.9 (infections). Conclusion: Digital epidemiology is an useful tool in ENT. Infectious diseases are the main cause of consultation in ENT.

Association between perceived social support and anxiety in pregnant adolescents

Objective: To evaluate the association between perceived social support and anxiety disorders in pregnant adolescents. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 871 pregnant women aged 10 to 19 years who received prenatal care in the national public health care system in the urban area of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. We assessed perceived social support and anxiety disorders using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. A self-report questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic information. Results: The prevalence of any anxiety disorder was 13.6%. Pregnant adolescents with an anxiety disorder reported less perceived social support in all domains (affectionate, emotional, tangible, informational, and positive social interaction). Older teenagers reported lower perceived support in the emotional, informational, and positive social interaction domains, whereas those with low socioeconomic status reported lower perceived social support in the material domain. Women who did not live with a partner had less perceived social support in the affectionate and positive social interaction domains. Conclusion: Perceived social support seems to be a protective factor against anxiety disorders in pregnant adolescents, with a positive effect on mental health.

Association of interleukin-10 levels with age of onset and duration of illness in patients with major depressive disorder

Objective: To investigate peripheral levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) and evaluate the relationship between IL-10, age of disease onset, and duration of illness. Methods: Case-control study nested in a population-based cohort of 231 individuals (age 18-24 years) living in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Participants were screened for psychopathology using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). Serum IL-10 was measured using commercially available immunoassay kits. Results: Peripheral levels of IL-10 were not significantly different in individuals with MDD or BD as compared to controls. However, higher IL-10 levels were found in MDD patients with a later disease onset as compared with controls or early-onset patients. In addition, IL-10 levels correlated negatively with illness duration in the MDD group. In the BD group, age of onset and duration of illness did not correlate with IL-10 levels. Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-10 are correlated with late onset of MDD symptoms. Moreover, levels of this cytokine might decrease with disease progression, suggesting that an anti-inflammatory balance may be involved in the onset of depressive symptoms and disease progression in susceptible individuals.

Quality of life, social functioning, family structure, and treatment history associated with crack cocaine use in youth from the general population

Objective:To assess the relationship between crack cocaine use and dimensions of quality of life and social functioning in young adults.Methods:This was a cross-sectional, population-based study involving 1,560 participants in Pelotas, Brazil. Crack cocaine use and abuse were investigated using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) inventory. Outcomes of interest were quality of life, religiosity, and social functioning in terms of education, occupational status, family structure, and medical treatment history.Results:Lifetime crack cocaine use was associated with poor quality of life, worse functioning, impaired academic performance, and lower religious involvement. A greater maternal presence and higher paternal absence were more also more pronounced in crack cocaine users, who were also more likely to seek psychological and psychiatric treatment than the general population.Conclusion:Quality of life was severely impacted by crack cocaine use, especially in terms of general and physical health. Social functioning also differed between the general population and crack users, who had lower educational attainment and religious involvement. Maternal presence, paternal absence, and mental health-seeking behaviors were also more frequent among crack cocaine users, although these individuals reported lower rates of treatment satisfaction. Crack cocaine users also had significant social impairment, so that interventions involving family management and a greater focus on general health, quality of life, and functioning may make crucial contributions to the recovery of this group.

First record of Anastrepha pseudanomala Norrbom (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its host in Brazil

Anastrepha pseudanomala Norrbom was reared in fruits of Couma utilis (Apocynaceae), and also collected in McPhail traps in Ferreira Gomes county, State of Amapá, Brazil.

Influence of the bipartite scrotum on the testicular and scrotal temperatures in goats / Influência do escroto bipartido sobre as temperaturas dos testículos e escroto em caprinos

The influence of the scrotal bipartition and of the year period on the scrotal-testicular thermal regulation was evaluated in male goats raised in Piaui State, Brazil. Eighteen male goats at mating age were accomplished in this study and arranged into three Groups (6 animals each) obeying the classification as goats presenting no scrotal bipartition (Group I), goats showing scrotal bipartition at 50 percent of the testicular length (Group II), and goats with more than 50 percent of scrotal bipartition (Group III). The scrotal, testicular and spermatic funiculi temperatures were evaluated invasively with the aid of a digital thermometer and non-invasive with a pyrometer in the proximal, medial and distal portion. The data were acquired during the dry (October-November) and rainy (February-March) period of the year, measured in two shifts: morning (6h00-7h00) and afternoon (14h00-15h00). The results were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) following the SNK test for average comparison (p<0.05). The year period interfered on the scrotal-testicular thermal regulation, due to increased temperatures of the scrotal, testicular and spermatic funiculi during the dry period in comparison with the rainy period. The bipartition level was also a factor which contributed to the influence of scrotal-testicular temperature regulation, due to lower average scrotal-testicular temperature rates observed during both periods in the goats with higher levels of scrotal bipartition (>50 percent). It is possible to conclude that with the experimental conditions applied on this study, the level of scrotal bipartition and the climatic conditions interfere with the scrotal-testicular thermal regulation in goats.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do grau de bipartição escrotal e do período do ano sobre a termorregulação escroto-testicular em caprinos criados no Estado do Piauí. Foram utilizados 18 reprodutores caprinos machos, divididos em três grupos de seis animais: O Grupo I contendo caprinos com escroto simples, o Grupo II, caprinos com escroto bipartido até 50 por cento do comprimento testicular e o Grupo III, caprinos com bipartição superior a 50 por cento do comprimento testicular. Os parâmetros avaliados foram as temperaturas do escroto, testículo e funículo espermático, obtidas de forma invasiva, com um termômetro digital termoacoplável, e não invasiva, com um pirômetro, nos terços proximal, médio e distal. Os dados foram coletados nos períodos seco (outubro-novembro) e chuvoso (fevereiro-março) do ano, bem como, nos turnos da manhã (6h00 às 7h00) e tarde (14h00 às 15h00). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) seguida do teste SNK para comparação das médias (p<0,05). O período do ano interferiu na termorregulação escroto-testicular, pois no período seco as temperaturas do escroto, testículo e funículo espermático foram mais elevadas que as observadas no período chuvoso. O grau de bipartição do escroto foi outro fator que modificou a temperatura escroto-testicular, já que os caprinos que apresentaram escroto com maior grau de bipartição demonstraram as menores médias das temperaturas escroto-testiculares em ambos os períodos e turnos avaliados. Conclui-se, portanto, que tanto o período do ano quanto o grau de bipartição do escroto influenciaram o processo de termorregulação escroto-testicular em caprinos.

New records of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), wild hosts and parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Brazilian Amazon / Novos registros de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae), hospedeiros silvestres e parasitóides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) na Amazônia brasileira

Anastrepha anomala Stone was obtained from Parahancornia amapa (Huber) Ducke (Apocynaceae) fruits, and Anastrepha hastata Stone from Cheiloclinium cognatum (Miers.) (Hippocrateaceae) in the State of Amapá, Brazil. Two braconids, Doryctobracon sp. and Opius bellus Gahan, were reared from the latter fruit fly species. This is the first record of P. amapa as a fruit fly host. C. cognatum is the first host known to A. hastata. Both braconids are also the first records of parasitoids for this species.

Anastrepha anomala Stone foi obtida de frutos de Parahancornia amapa (Huber) Ducke (Apocynaceae) e Anastrepha hastata Stone de Cheiloclinium cognatum (Miers.) (Hippocrateaceae) no Amapá, sendo obtidos dois braconídeos, Doryctobracon sp. e Opius bellus Gahan, dessa espécie. Este é o primeiro registro de P. amapa como hospedeiro de moscas-das-frutas. C. cognatum é o primeiro hospedeiro conhecido de A. hastata e os braconídeos são também os primeiros registros de parasitóides dessa espécie.

Triangulação e compasso: um método simples de transferir dados para a superfície do crânio: uma nota técnica / Triangle and compass: a simple technique for transfering data to the cranial surface: technical note

A tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância magnéticaprovêem o neurocirurgião com imagens de secções da cabeçanas quais será definido o ponto onde a craniotomia deverá sercentrada. Muitas vezes, determinar esse local na superfície docrânio constitui um desafio à argúcia do cirurgião, que necessitarátransferir dados das imagens para o paciente. Tal transferênciapoderá ser realizada com o auxílio de um compasso,tomando por base princípios elementares de triangulação; esseprocedimento tem-se mostrado bastante eficaz, sendo de fácilaplicação e confortável para o paciente.

Descrição dos estágios imaturos de Phthia picta (Drury) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) / Description of immature stages of Phthia picta (Drury) (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

The external morphological characters of the egg and five instars of Phthia picta (Drury) are described and illustrated.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a descrição dos caracteres morfológicos externos do ovo e dos cinco ínstares ninfais de Phthia picta (Drury), incluindo ilustrações.