New perspectives on genomic diversity

Manfred Kayser and colleagues propose that some of the genetic variation we see across human populations may occur due to demographic events in recent history rather than ancient history.

Facing up to antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is both an ancient phenomenon and a worsening medical problem. Gerard Wright explains why, and what should be done about it.

OCD diagnosis revised in DSM-5

Dan Stein and Katharine Phillips comment on the patient experience that has helped define the psychiatric classification of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCD) in DSM-5, and describe the importance of taking patient opinion into account.

Increasing osteogenesis in tissue engineering

Copolymer scaffolds can be prevascularized with endothelial cells (EC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC); seeding of MSC with or without EC increases the osteogenic potential of tissue-engineered constructs.

Personalized medicine in psychiatry

Charles Nemeroff and colleagues review the genetics, epigenetics, biomarkers, treatment response and environmental factors of mood disorders and schizophrenia, and describe the impact of neuroimaging on personalized medicine in psychiatry.

Depression: a risk factor for heart disease?

Kenneth Freedland and Robert Carney argue that depression predicts coronary heart disease (CHD) but better methods are required to ascertain whether depression is a causal risk factor for CHD, which could help determine treatment strategies for CVD prevention.

Epidemiology and molecular virology of Schmallenberg virus

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in 2011 as a new livestock disease, causing late abortion or birth defects in cattle, goats and sheep. Virginie Doceul and colleagues review the emergence, epidemiology, clinical signs and molecular virology of SBV.

Depression is non-causal in CHD

Peter de Jonge and colleagues argue that, although there is a link between coronary heart disease (CHD) and depression, this association is confounded by heterogeneity, such that depression is a non-causal risk factor CHD.

Slower immunosenescence extends the life expectancy of women

The female's immune system declines at a slower rate than the male's during ageing, contributing (in part) to the significantly longer life expectancy found in women, compared to men.

DSM-5: The debate continues

Joseph Buxbaum and Simon Baron-Cohen comment on the debate surrounding the forthcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the potential implications of the new diagnostic criteria for the autism spectrum.