Dysregulation of the inflammatory response system has been linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Abnormal levels of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors have been found in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenic patients, suggesting the presence of immune activation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) influences the expression of cytokines related to T helper responses. MCP-1 also exerts several effects on monocytes, including the expression of several proinflammatory genes. The A-2518G polymorphism of the MCP-1 gene (SCYA2) appears to affect the transcriptional activity and monocyte MCP-1 production. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the potential role of SCYA2 (A-2518G polymorphism) in conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia and to the resistance to antipsychotic treatment. The sample studied consisted of 191 DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (depressive subtype) patients and 161 matched healthy controls. No significant genotypic (chi(2) = 0.278, df = 2, P = 0.986) or allelic (chi(2) = 0.021, df = 1, P = 0.884) association was found between the A-2518G variant of the SCYA2 and the diagnosis. No differences in the age at onset of schizophrenia were found between the three genotype groups identified. Significant genotypic association was found between the A-2518G variant of the SCYA2 and the resistance to antipsychotic treatment (chi(2) = 6.26, df = 2, P = 0.04), with resistant patients more frequently carrying the G allele. The odds ratio associated to the presence of the G allele was 2.39 (95% CI = 1.14-4.98). These data suggest that the A-2518G variant of the SCYA2 has not a major role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, while it could be implicated in the resistance to antipsychotic treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of comorbid subthreshold anxiety on the course and the treatment of Depressive Disorders. The sample studied comprised four groups defined by the DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis: (1) Patients with a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and an Anxiety Disorder (DA); (2) patients with MDD and a subthreshold Anxiety Disorder (Da); (3) patients with subthreshold depression and an Anxiety Disorder (dA); (4) patients with subthreshold depression and subthreshold anxiety (da). HAMD, HAMA and CGI rating scales were administered monthly for 12 months while patients were treated with different antidepressants. Significant differences were found among the four groups with respect to the baseline depressive symptoms: Da presented more frequently suicidal ideation (chi2=9.568, d.f.=3, p=0.023), psychomotor retardation (chi2=12.568, d.f.=3, p=0.006), sexual dysfunctions (chi2=7.761, d.f.=3, p=0.05), hypochondriacal ideation (chi2=13.633, d.f.=3, p=0.003), weight loss (chi2=9.520, d.f.=3, p=0.023), and diurnal variation of symptoms (chi2=13.258, d.f.=3, p=0.004). With respect to the treatment response Da patients showed an overall worse response to antidepressants, having a longer latency and a lower reduction of symptoms. These results suggest that patients with Major Depression and subthreshold anxiety present with a more severe baseline clinical picture and seem to have a less efficient response to antidepressants.

Abstract. Many behavioural aspects of Anoplius infuscatus (Vander Linden) and Episyron sp. Schioedte were examined in detail, both on a qualitative and, when possible, on a quantitative level, during a long-term fi eld study in Northern Italy. Both wasps dig unicellular nests on bare soil, which are fi lled with a single spider to feed the brood. The main differences regard the way to hunt their prey, that of burrowing, that of transporting and introducing the spider into the nest, the habit of amputating spider legs and the abdominal movements during nest closing. On the whole, starting from prey capture to nest closure, A. infuscatus is signifi cantly slower than Episyron. The observed ethological differences are well fi tted to the exploitation of the different preys consisting in wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and orb weaving spiders (Araneidae), respectively. Some fl exibility in the observed behaviour is described. A critical re-examination of the literature shows that, even if most results agree with those of previous authors, two controversial points remain open regarding Episyron species: the position of the egg (on the prey or on the cell wall) and the way to grasp the spider during tranport and introdution into the nest. Les deux pompiles creuvent des nids unicellulaires sur le sol nu, avec une seule araignée pour nourrir le couvain. Les principales différences concernent la manière dont ils chassent, dont ils creusent, dont ils transportent et introduisent la proie dans le nid, dont ils amputent les pattes de l'araignée ainsi que les mouvements abdominaux lors de la fermeture du nid. Dans l'ensemble, en partant de la capture jusqu'à la fermeture du nid, A. infuscatus est signifi cativement plus lent qu'Episyron. Les différences éthologiques observées sont bien adaptées à l'exploitation des différentes proies, des lycoses (Lycosidae) et les Araneïdes (Araneidae), respectivement. On observe une certaine fl exibilité dans les comportements observés. Un réexamen critique de la littérature montre que, même si la plupart des résultats sont conformes à ceux des auteurs précédents, deux controverses subsistent à propos des espèces d'Episyron : la position de l'oeuf (sur la proie ou sur la paroide la cellule), et la manière d'agripper la proie pendant son transport et son dépôt dans le nid.