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Summary: A few Capsicum (pepper) species produce yellow‐colored floral nectar, but the chemical identity and biological function of the yellow pigment are unknown.A combination of analytical biochemistry techniques was used to identify the pigment that gives Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum pubescens nectars their yellow color. Microbial growth assays, visual modeling, and honey bee preference tests for artificial nectars containing riboflavin were used to assess potential biological roles for the nectar pigment.High concentrations of riboflavin (vitamin B2) give the nectars their intense yellow color. Nectars containing riboflavin generate reactive oxygen species when exposed to light and reduce microbial growth. Visual modeling also indicates that the yellow color is highly conspicuous to bees within the context of the flower. Lastly, field experiments demonstrate that honey bees prefer artificial nectars containing riboflavin.Some Capsicum nectars contain a yellow‐colored vitamin that appears to play roles in (1) limiting microbial growth, (2) the visual attraction of bees, and (3) as a reward to nectar‐feeding flower visitors (potential pollinators), which is especially interesting since riboflavin is an essential nutrient for brood rearing in insects. These results cumulatively suggest that the riboflavin found in some Capsicum nectars has several functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth with a family history of bipolar disorder (BD) may be at increased risk for mood disorders and for developing side effects after antidepressant exposure. The neurobiological basis of these risks remains poorly understood. We aimed to identify biomarkers underlying risk by characterizing abnormalities in the brain connectome of symptomatic youth at familial risk for BD. Methods: Depressed and/or anxious youth (n = 119, age = 14.9 ± 1.6 years) with a family history of BD but no prior antidepressant exposure and typically developing controls (n = 57, age = 14.8 ± 1.7 years) received functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an emotional continuous performance task. A generalized psychophysiological interaction (gPPI) analysis was performed to compare their brain connectome patterns, followed by machine learning of topological metrics. Results: High‐risk youth showed weaker connectivity patterns that were mainly located in the default mode network (DMN) (network weight = 50.1%) relative to controls, and connectivity patterns derived from the visual network (VN) constituted the largest proportion of aberrant stronger pairs (network weight = 54.9%). Global local efficiency (Elocal, p =.022) and clustering coefficient (Cp, p =.029) and nodal metrics of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (Elocal: p <.001; Cp: p =.001) in the high‐risk group were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, and similar patterns were also found in the left insula (degree: p =.004; betweenness: p =.005; age‐by‐group interaction, p =.038) and right hippocampus (degree: p =.003; betweenness: p =.003). The case–control classifier achieved a cross‐validation accuracy of 78.4%. Conclusions: Our findings of abnormal connectome organization in the DMN and VN may advance mechanistic understanding of risk for BD. Neuroimaging biomarkers of increased network segregation in the SFG and altered topological centrality in the insula and hippocampus in broader limbic systems may be used to target interventions tailored to mitigate the underlying risk of brain abnormalities in these at‐risk youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose is to compare youth- and caregiver-reported characteristics of family environment, within and between families with a child experiencing a first manic episode of bipolar disorder (BPD), and families without a child with BPD or familial history of psychiatric disorders (HF). Methods: Family environment of 61 families with a child with BPD and 44 HF were assessed with Family Environment Scale (FES). We compared FES subscale scores between families with BPD and HF, and caregiver- and youth-rated scores. Results: Families with BPD differed significantly from HF on 8/10 FES subscales scores. Youth differed significantly from their caregivers on 7/10 subscales. An interaction effect was observed such that youth with BPD reported lower cohesion and organization, and higher conflict than their caregivers; however, HF did not differ significantly on these domains. Conclusions: Our results suggest that families with BPD have higher conflict and lower cohesion and organization compared to HF. Results also indicate differences between youth and caregiver perspectives in both groups, which may contribute to family discord. Interventions targeting areas of cohesion, organization, and conflict may be beneficial for youth with BPD and their families, specifically those that identify and bridge perceptual divides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The black nectar produced by Melianthus flowers is thought to serve as a visual attractant to bird pollinators, but the chemical identity and synthesis of the black pigment are unknown.A combination of analytical biochemistry, transcriptomics, proteomics, and enzyme assays was used to identify the pigment that gives Melianthus nectar its black color and how it is synthesized. Visual modeling of pollinators was also used to infer a potential function of the black coloration.High concentrations of ellagic acid and iron give the nectar its dark black color, which can be recapitulated through synthetic solutions containing only ellagic acid and iron(iii). The nectar also contains a peroxidase that oxidizes gallic acid to form ellagic acid. In vitro reactions containing the nectar peroxidase, gallic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and iron(iii) fully recreate the black color of the nectar. Visual modeling indicates that the black color is highly conspicuous to avian pollinators within the context of the flower.Melianthus nectar contains a natural analog of iron‐gall ink, which humans have used since at least medieval times. This pigment is derived from an ellagic acid‐Fe complex synthesized in the nectar and is likely involved in the attraction of passerine pollinators endemic to southern Africa. See also the Commentary on this article by Gong et al., 239: 1542–1544. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To conduct a pilot study to examine topiramate for the treatment of weight gain associated with olanzapine in manic adolescents with bipolar disorder. Methods: We conducted a 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of topiramate (300–400 mg/day) versus placebo in manic youth (ages 10–18 years) with bipolar disorder who were treated with olanzapine (10–20 mg/day). The primary outcome measure was gender- and weight-normed change in body mass index (BMI z-score). Results: Thirty manic adolescents were treated with olanzapine and were randomized to either topiramate (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14). There was a significantly greater increase in BMI z-scores in the placebo group (0.28 standard deviations [SDs]) compared with the topiramate group (0.10 SDs) when analyzed by longitudinal regression (p = 0.049). The placebo group had greater increases in raw BMI and weight (2.25 kg/m2 and 6.9 kg, respectively) compared with the topiramate (0.99 kg/m2 and 2.9 kg) group (p = 0.011 for BMI, p = 0.016 for weight). The most common adverse events in the topiramate group were headache (n = 7, 44%), gastrointestinal upset (n = 3, 19%), and muscle stiffness (n = 3, 19%). Conclusions: Topiramate may minimize the weight gain associated with olanzapine treatment in adolescents with bipolar disorder. Moreover, topiramate in combination with olanzapine was well tolerated. Larger studies that are adequately powered are necessary to determine the efficacy of topiramate for second-generation antipsychotic-related weight gain. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier number NCT00394095. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT‐C), as a psychotherapeutic intervention, has been shown to be effective for treating mood dysregulation (MD). While previous neuroimaging studies of MD have reported both pre‐treatment structural and functional alterations, the effects of MBCT‐C on brain morphological network organisation has not been investigated. Methods: We investigated brain morphological network organisation in 10 mood‐dysregulated youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder and 15 matched healthy comparison youth (HC). Effects of 12 weeks of MBCT‐C were examined in the mood‐dysregulated youth. Topological properties of brain networks used for analyses were constructed based on morphological similarities in regional grey matter using a graph‐theory approach using MRI data. Results: At baseline, compared with the HC group, the mood‐dysregulated group exhibited increased global efficiency (Eglob), decreased path length (Lp), and abnormal nodal properties, mainly in the limbic system. Right temporal pole alterations at baseline predicted change in Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure scores after treatment. The mood‐dysregulated group showed significant decreases in both the Eglob and Lp metrics after MBCT‐C, suggesting an improved capacity for optimal information processing. Changes in Lp were correlated with changes in Emotion Regulation Checklist scores. Our results show significant topological alterations in the mood‐dysregulated group as compared to controls at baseline. After MBCT‐C, disrupted topological properties in the mood‐dysregulated group were significantly reduced. Conclusion: MBCT‐C may facilitate clinically meaningful changes in the brain structural network in mood‐dysregulated individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antidepressants are standardly used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in youth but may also be associated with rare but serious psychiatric adverse events such as irritability, agitation, aggression, or suicidal ideation. Adverse events are especially common in youth with a family history of bipolar disorder (BD) who are at heightened risk for dysfunction in neurobiological systems that regulate emotion and arousal. To further understand this phenomenon, this study will examine (a) baseline risk factors associated with dysfunctional arousal in a sample of youth at high-risk for BD treated with or without an antidepressant, (b) whether antidepressant-related changes in arousal are mediated by changes in prefrontal-limbic circuitry, and (c) whether pharmacogenetic factors influence antidepressant-related changes in arousal. High-risk youth (aged 12–17 years with moderate to severe depressive and/or anxiety symptoms and at least one first-degree relative with bipolar I disorder) will be randomized to receive psychotherapy plus escitalopram or psychotherapy plus placebo. Neuroimaging and behavioral measures of arousal will be collected prior to randomization and at 4 weeks. Samples for pharmacogenetic analysis (serum escitalopram concentration, CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype, and HTR2A and SLC6A4 genotypes) will be collected at 8 weeks. Youth will be followed for up to 16 weeks to assess change in arousal measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gun violence within the United States has become a public health crisis, negatively impacting the wellness of individuals and communities. While professional counseling associations have called upon members to advocate against gun violence, the literature remains sparse. Furthermore, activism can impede counselor wellness, thus, increased self-care and wellness promotion practices are needed. For these reasons, we propose the combined use of the ACA Advocacy Competencies and CSI Wellness Competencies for counselors advocating against gun violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiences of African American couples facing prostate cancer include cancer concerns that intersect with sexuality, older age, and culture. We provide a review of concerns and counseling strategies and present an integrative approach through a case study. Future research on testing such approaches is encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]