Neurobrucellosis: laboratory features, clinical characteristics, antibiotic treatment, and clinical outcomes of 21 patients

BACKGROUND

Neurobrucellosis (NB) is a rare and serious complication of brucellosis. Its clinical manifestations vary, with no obvious specificity. At present, there is no clear clinical diagnosis or treatment for reference. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data for 21 patients with NB to provide reference data for its further study.

METHODS

We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, cerebrospinal fluid, and treatment plans of 21 patients diagnosed with NB in the Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing, China.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged from 15 to 60 years old (mean age 40.1 ± 13.33 years), the male: female ratio was 4.25:1. Thirteen patients had a history of animal (sheep, cattle) contact, three had no history of animal contact, and the contact status of four was unknown. Brucella can invade various systems of the body and show multi-system symptoms, the main general manifestations were fever (66.67%), fatigue (57.14%) and functional urination or defecation disturbance (42.86%). The main nervous system manifestations were limb weakness (52.38%) and hearing loss (47.62%).The main positive signs of the nervous system included positive pathological signs (71.43%), sensory abnormalities (52.38%), limb paralysis (42.86%). Nervous system lesions mainly included spinal cord damage (66.67%), cranial nerve involvement (61.90%), central demyelination (28.57%) and meningitis (28.57%). In patients with cranial nerve involvement, 69.23% of auditory nerve, 15.38% of optic nerve and 15.38% of oculomotor nerve were involved. The blood of eight patients was cultured for Brucella, and three (37.5%) cultures were positive and five (63.5%) negative. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of eight patients was cultured for Brucella, and two (25.00%) cultures were positive and six (75.00%) negative. Nineteen of the patients underwent a serum agglutination test (SAT), 18 (94.74%) of whom were positive and one (5.26%) of whom were negative. A biochemical analysis of the CSF was performed in 21 patients, and the results were all abnormal. Nineteen patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-one patients were treated with doxycycline and/or rifampicin, combined with ceftriaxone, quinolone, aminoglycoside, or minocycline. After hospitalization, 15 patients improved (71.43%), two patients did not recover, and the status of four patients was unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical manifestations, CSF parameters, and neurological imaging data for patients with NB show no significant specificity or correlations. When patients with unexplained neurological symptoms accompanied by fever, fatigue, and other systemic manifestations in a brucellosis epidemic area or with a history of contact with cattle, sheep, animals, or raw food are encountered in clinical practice, the possibility of NB should be considered. Treatment is based on the principles of an early, combined, and long course of treatment, and the general prognosis is good.

Magnetically driven Janus conical vertical array for all-weather freshwater collection

The engineering of multifunctional structures with special surface wettability is highly desirable for all-weather freshwater production, but relevant research is scarce. In this study, a Janus conical vertical array was designed and fabricated via a magnetically driven spray-coating method for the first time. Benefiting from the special structure and wettability enhancement of the array in terms of solar absorption, fog capture and merging, droplet movement and evaporation area, all-weather freshwater production consisting of high-quality daytime solar vapor generation (water evaporation rate approximately 2.43 kg m-2 h-1, 1 kW m-2) and nighttime fog collection (water collection rate approximately 3.536 g cm-2 h-1) can be realized concurrently. When the designed array is employed for outdoor environments (114°35'E, 30°38'N, average daily temperature 34.9 °C, average daily humidity 64.0%), reliable and efficient daily pure water yields of 19.13 kg m-2-26.09 kg m-2 are obtainable. We believe that the proposed strategy for fabricating a Janus conical vertical array is novel in the integration of solar vapor generation and fog collection, which has great significance for all-weather freshwater production.

Macro-porous structured aerogel with enhanced ab/desorption kinetics for sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting

Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) has been proven to be a promising method to alleviate the impact of the water crisis on human activities. However, the low water-sorption capacity and sluggish ab/desorption kinetics of current SAWH materials make it difficult to achieve high daily water production. In this study, a photothermal porous sodium alginate-tannic acid-5/Fe3+@lithium chloride aerogel (SA-TA-5/Fe3+@LiCl) with macroporous structure (average pore diameter ∼43.67 μm) and high solar absorbance (∼98.4 %) was fabricated via Fe3+-induced crosslinking and blackening methods. When it is employed for SAWH, moisture can enter the inner space of the aerogel and contact highly hygroscopic lithium chloride (LiCl) more easily via macroporous channels, resulting in the water uptake for the SA-TA-5/Fe3+@LiCl aerogel reaching approximately 1.229 g g-1 under dry conditions (relative humidity (RH) ∼ 45 %, 25 °C) after a short time (4 h) moisture absorption, and releasing as much as 97.7 % of the absorbed water under 1 sun irradiation within 2 h. As a proof of concept, it is estimated that the daily water yield of the fabricated SA-TA/Fe3+@LiCl aerogel can reach approximately 4.65 kg kg-1 in conditions close to the real outdoor environment (RH ∼ 45 %, 25 °C), which satisfies the daily minimum water consumption of two adults. This study demonstrates a novel strategy for developing advanced solar-driven SAWH materials with enhanced ab/desorption kinetics and efficient water sorption-desorption properties.

Genome-Wide Expression Analysis Unravels Fluoroalkane Metabolism in Pseudomonas sp. Strain 273

Pseudomonas sp. strain 273 grows with medium-chain terminally fluorinated alkanes under oxic conditions, releases fluoride, and synthesizes long-chain fluorofatty acids. To shed light on the genes involved in fluoroalkane metabolism, genome, and transcriptome sequencing of strain 273 grown with 1,10-difluorodecane (DFD), decane, and acetate were performed. Strain 273 harbors three genes encoding putative alkane monooxygenases (AlkB), key enzymes for initiating alkane degradation. Transcripts of alkB-2 were significantly more abundant in both decane- and DFD-grown cells compared to acetate-grown cells, suggesting AlkB-2 catalyzes the attack on terminal CH3 and CH2F groups. Coordinately expressed with alkB-2 was an adjacent gene encoding a fused ferredoxin-ferredoxin reductase (Fd-Fdr). Phylogenetic analysis distinguished AlkB that couples with fused Fd-Fdr reductases from AlkB with alternate architectures. A gene cluster containing an (S)-2-haloacid dehalogenase (had) gene was up-regulated in cells grown with DFD, suggesting a possible role in the removal of the ω-fluorine. Genes involved in long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis were not differentially expressed during growth with acetate, decane, or DFD, suggesting the bacterium's biosynthetic machinery does not discriminate against monofluoro-fatty acid intermediates. The analysis sheds first light on genes and catalysts involved in the microbial metabolism of fluoroalkanes.

Population genetics of marmosets in Asian primate research centers and loci associated with epileptic risk revealed by whole-genome sequencing

The common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus) has emerged as a valuable nonhuman primate model in biomedical research with the recent release of high-quality reference genome assemblies. Epileptic marmosets have been independently reported in two Asian primate research centers. Nevertheless, the population genetics within these primate centers and the specific genetic variants associated with epilepsy in marmosets have not yet been elucidated. Here, we characterized the genetic relationships and risk variants for epilepsy in 41 samples from two epileptic marmoset pedigrees using whole-genome sequencing. We identified 14 558 184 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the 41 samples and found higher chimerism levels in blood samples than in fingernail samples. Genetic analysis showed fourth-degree of relatedness among marmosets at the primate centers. In addition, SNP and copy number variation (CNV) analyses suggested that the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase ( WWOX) and Tyrosine-protein phosphatase nonreceptor type 21 ( PTPN21) genes may be associated with epilepsy in marmosets. Notably, KCTD18-like gene deletion was more common in epileptic marmosets than control marmosets. This study provides valuable population genomic resources for marmosets in two Asian primate centers. Genetic analyses identified a reasonable breeding strategy for genetic diversity maintenance in the two centers, while the case-control study revealed potential risk genes/variants associated with epilepsy in marmosets.

TULP4, a novel E3 ligase gene, participates in neuronal migration as a candidate in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

TUB-like protein 4 (TULP4) is one of the distant members of tubby family proteins, whose function remains largely unknown. In the present study, we intend to identify the role of TULP4 in schizophrenia from human samples and animal models.

METHODS

Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect the four schizophrenia families collected. In different cell lines, the effects of identified variants in TULP4 gene on its expression and localization were analyzed. Knockdown models in utero and adult mice were employed to investigate the role of Tulp4 on neuronal migration and schizophrenia-related behavior. Subsequently, co-IP assays were used to search for proteins that interact with TULP4 and the effects of mutants on the molecular function of TULP4.

RESULTS

For the first time, we identified five rare variants in TULP4 from schizophrenia families, of which three significantly reduced TULP4 protein expression. Knockdown the expression of Tulp4 delayed neuronal migration during embryological development and consequently triggered abnormal behaviors in adult mice, including impaired sensorimotor gating and cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, we confirmed that TULP4 is involved in the formation of a novel E3 ligase through interaction with CUL5-ELOB/C-RNF7 and the three deleterious variants affected the binding amount of TULP4 and CUL5 to a certain extent.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, we believe TULP4 plays an important role in neurodevelopment and subsequent schizophrenic-related phenotypes through its E3 ubiquitin ligase function.

Polarized tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at liquid He temperature in ultrahigh vacuum using an off-axis parabolic mirror

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) combines inelastic light scattering well below the diffraction limit down to the nanometer range and scanning probe microscopy and, possibly, spectroscopy. In this way, topographic and spectroscopic as well as single- and two-particle information may simultaneously be collected. While single molecules can now be studied successfully, bulk solids are still not meaningfully accessible. It is the purpose of the work presented here to outline approaches toward this objective. We describe a home-built, liquid helium cooled, ultrahigh vacuum TERS. The setup is based on a scanning tunneling microscope and, as an innovation, an off-axis parabolic mirror having a high numerical aperture of ∼0.85 and a large working distance. The system is equipped with a fast load-lock chamber, a chamber for the in situ preparation of tips, substrates, and samples, and a TERS chamber. Base pressure and temperature in the TERS chamber were ∼3 × 10-11 mbar and 15 K, respectively. Polarization dependent tip-enhanced Raman spectra of the vibration modes of carbon nanotubes were successfully acquired at cryogenic temperature. The new features described here including very low pressure and temperature and the external access to the light polarizations, thus the selection rules, may pave the way toward the investigation of bulk and surface materials.

Waist circumference mediates the association between rs1260326 in GCKR gene and the odds of lean NAFLD

While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been widely studied, the pathophysiology of lean NAFLD, the critical NAFLD subgroup, remains elusive. This study aimed to clarify the association between polymorphisms of GCKR, waist circumference, and the odds of lean NAFLD in the elderly Chinese Han population who live in the Zhangjiang community center of Shanghai, China. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including rs1260326, rs780093, and rs780094, were genotyped in MassARRAY Analyzer. The association between SNPs with waist circumference in five genetic models was analyzed and rechecked by the logistic regression analysis. Mediation models were established to evaluate whether the waist circumstance can mediate the association between SNPs and lean NAFLD. In this study, the frequency of the C allele of rs1260326, rs780093, and rs780094 was significantly lower in lean NAFLD individuals than in lean non-NAFLD ones. The association between rs1260326 in GCKR and the odds of lean NAFLD was mediated via waist circumference after adjusting gender and age in the elderly Chinese Han population (β = 1.196, R² = 0.043, p = 0.020). For the first time, this study examined the mediating effect of waist circumference on the association between rs1260326 in GCKR and the odds of lean NAFLD (β = 0.0515, 95% CI 0.0107-0.0900, p = 0.004). It may contribute to illustrating the pathogenesis of lean NAFLD and indicate that waist circumference management might improve lean NAFLD control.

Different roles of microbiota and genetics in the prediction of treatment response in major depressive disorder

The roles of gut microbiota and susceptibility genes in patients with major depression disorder (MDD) are not well understood. Examining the microbiome and host genetics might be helpful for clinical decision-making. Patients with MDD were recruited in this study and subsequently treated for eight weeks. We identified the differences between the population with a response after two weeks and those with a response after eight weeks. The factors that were significantly correlated with efficacy were used to predict the treatment response. The differences in the importance of microbiota and genetics in prediction were analyzed. Our study identified rs58010457 as a potentially key locus affecting the treatment effect. Different microbiota and enriched pathways might play different roles in the response after two and eight weeks. We found that the area under the curve (AUC) value was greater than 0.8 for both random forest models. The contribution of different components to the AUC was evaluated by removing genetic information, microbiota abundance, and pathway data. The gut microbiome was an important predictor of the response after eight weeks, while genetics was an important predictor of the response after two weeks. These results suggested a dynamic effect of interaction among genetics and gut microbes on treatment. Furthermore, these results provide new guidance for clinical decisions: in cases of inadequate treatment effects after two weeks, the composition of the intestinal flora can be improved by diet therapy, which could ultimately affect the efficacy.

3D genome-selected microRNAs to improve Alzheimer's disease prediction

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that has no effective treatment in its late stage, making the early prediction of AD critical. There have been an increase in the number of studies indicating that miRNAs play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease via epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation. Therefore, miRNAs may serve as excellent biomarkers in early AD prediction.

Methods

Considering that the non-coding RNAs' activity may be linked to their corresponding DNA loci in the 3D genome, we collected the existing AD-related miRNAs combined with 3D genomic data in this study. We investigated three machine learning models in this work under leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV): support vector classification (SVC), support vector regression (SVR), and knearest neighbors (KNNs).

Results

The prediction results of different models demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating 3D genome information into the AD prediction models.

Discussion

With the assistance of the 3D genome, we were able to train more accurate models by selecting fewer but more discriminatory miRNAs, as witnessed by several ML models. These interesting findings indicate that the 3D genome has great potential to play an important role in future AD research.

An approach of pectin from Citrus aurantium L. for superabsorbent resin with superior quality for hygiene products: Salt resistance, antibacterial, nonirritant and biodegradability

In this paper, a kind of superabsorbent resin (SAR) with superior quality for hygiene products was developed using Fructus Aurantii Immaturus pectin (FAIP) from Citrus aurantium L.. FAIP-g-AM/AMPS SAR was established by free radical graft co-polymerization with FAIP as skeleton structure, N, N'-Methylene-bis (acrylamide) (MBA) as the cross-linker. Meanwhile, the functional monomers of acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) were introduced. The structure and morphology of FAIP-g-AM/AMPS were characterized by FTIR, ¹³C NMR, XRD, SEM and TG-DSC analysis. The results confirmed that the AFIP-g-AM/AMPS SAR was successfully prepared, which exhibited a three-dimensional (3D) network structure and an excellent thermal stability. The absorption and retention capacity of FAIP-g-AM/AMPS was comparable to or even better than commercial diapers and sanitary napkins. Significantly, FAIP-g-AM/AMPS itself exhibited excellent antibacterial and safety. FAIP-g-AM/AMPS has an inhibition ratio of 97.1 % for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 98.5 % for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and was non-irritating and non-allergic to the skin. In addition, FAIP-g-AM/AMPS presented amazing biodegradability and a weight loss reached 37.1 % after 30 days by soil burial test. The research provides a safe and high-performance SAR, which expected to be used in hygiene products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence pads and sanitary napkins.

A Robust Planar Marker-Based Visual SLAM

Many visual SLAM systems are generally solved using natural landmarks or optical flow. However, due to textureless areas, illumination change or motion blur, they often acquire poor camera poses or even fail to track. Additionally, they cannot obtain camera poses with a metric scale in the monocular case. In some cases (such as when calibrating the extrinsic parameters of camera-IMU), we prefer to sacrifice the flexibility of such methods to improve accuracy and robustness by using artificial landmarks. This paper proposes enhancements to the traditional SPM-SLAM, which is a system that aims to build a map of markers and simultaneously localize the camera pose. By placing the markers in the surrounding environment, the system can run stably and obtain accurate camera poses. To improve robustness and accuracy in the case of rotational movements, we improve the initialization, keyframes insertion and relocalization. Additionally, we propose a novel method to estimate marker poses from a set of images to solve the problem of planar-marker pose ambiguity. Compared with the state-of-art, the experiments show that our system achieves better accuracy in most public sequences and is more robust than SPM-SLAM under rotational movements. Finally, the open-source code is publicly available and can be found at GitHub.

Genetic variation in TBC1 domain family member 1 gene associates with the risk of lean NAFLD via high-density lipoprotein

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects almost a quarter of the world's population. Although NAFLD often co-exists with obesity, a substantial proportion of NAFLD patients are lean which is relatively unexplored. This study aimed to examine the association between genetic variation in candidate genes, e.g., TBC1D1 and the risk of lean NAFLD in the elderly Chinese Han population. Methods: This is an extension of the research on physical examination in the Zhanjiang community center including 5387 residents, Shanghai, China, in 2017. According to the classification in adult Asian populations, participants were categorized into four groups: lean NAFLD (BMI <23, n = 106), non-lean NAFLD (BMI ≥23, n = 644), lean non-NAFLD (BMI <23, n = 216) and non-lean non-NAFLD (BMI ≥23, n = 253).116 NAFLD-related candidate genes, which cover 179 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were included in the KEGG enrichment analysis. Independent samples t-test was adopted for the group comparison. The associations between genetic variations with the specific phenotype in five genetic models were analyzed with the "SNPassoc" R package and rechecked with logistic regression analysis. Mediation models were conducted to explore whether the certain phenotype can mediate the association between SNPs and the risk of lean NAFLD. Results: Compared with lean non-NAFLD individuals, lean NAFLD patients had higher BMI, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, and lower HDL. The AMPK signaling pathway, which includes TBC1D1 and ADIPOQ genes, was the most significant (p < .001). The A allele frequency of rs2279028 in TBC1D1 (p = .006) and G allele frequency of rs17366568 in ADIPOQ (p = .038) were significantly lower in lean NAFLD. The association between rs2279028 and the risk of lean NAFLD was mediated by HDL (p = .014). No significant mediation effect was found between rs17366568 and the risk of lean NAFLD. Conclusion: This study, for the first time, indicated that rs2279028 of TBC1D1 may contribute to the progression of lean NAFLD through HDL. This finding provides more evidence for exploring the mechanism of lean NAFLD and suggests practical solutions for the treatment of lean NAFLD.

Unique genetic variants of lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective cohort study

We investigated the prevalence and clinical metabolic characteristics of lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an elderly Chinese population and assessed the relevance of lipid markers and genetic variation. All 5,338 community subjects underwent detailed clinical and laboratory examinations and were divided into three groups: lean (Body mass index (BMI) < 23 kg/m², n = 2,012), overweight (BMI = 23-24.9 kg/m², n = 1,354), and obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², n = 1,972). Single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected based on those reported in previous NAFLD or obesity genome-wide association studies. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were calculated and statistically analyzed with Pearson's χ² tests. One-way ANCOVA was used to test the association between positive SNPs and metabolic parameters in lean NAFLD individuals. Our results showed that the C allele frequency of rs2279026, the G allele of rs2279028, the C allele of rs780093, and the C allele frequency of rs1260326 were higher in obese NAFLD than in lean NAFLD (P < 0.05). In addition, we observed an association between the CC of rs1421085, TT of rs3751812, AA of rs8050136, and AA of rs9939609 genotypes in the FTO gene and low-density lipoprotein levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings provide a unique perspective on the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and metabolic profile of NAFLD in older lean individuals in China. This is the first study to examine the association between genetic variants in the FTO, TFAP2B and GCKR genes and NAFLD in a cohort of lean individuals.

The host genetics affects gut microbiome diversity in Chinese depressed patients

The gut microbiome and host genetics are both associated with major depressive disorder (MDD); however, the molecular mechanisms among the associations are poorly understood, especially in the Asian, Chinese group. Our study applied linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) and genome-wide association analysis in the cohort with both gut sequencing data and genomics data. We reported the different gut microbiota characteristics between MDD and control groups in the Chinese group and further constructed the association between host genetics and the gut microbiome. Actinobacteria and Pseudomonades were found more in the MDD group. We found significant differences in the ACE and Chao indexes of alpha diversity while no discrepancy in beta diversity. We found three associations between host genetics with microbiome features: beta diversity and rs6108 (p = 8.65 × 10^-9), Actinobacteria and rs77379751 (p = 8.56 × 10^-9), and PWY-5913 and rs1775633082 (p = 4.54 × 10^-8). A species of the Romboutsia genus was co-associated with the species of Ruminococcus gnavus in an internetwork through four genes: METTL8, ITGB2, OTULIN, and PROSER3, with a strict threshold (p < 5 × 10^-4). Furthermore, our findings suggested that the gut microbiome diversity might affect microRNA expression in the brain and influenced SERPINA5 and other spatially close genes afterward. These findings suggest new linkages between depression and gut microbiome in Asian, Chinese people, which might be mediated by genes and microRNA regulation in space distance.

Personality traits as mediators in the association between SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students

Background

Previous research has linked polymorphisms in the SIRT1 gene to depressive symptoms, particularly in Chinese individuals. However, it is not clear how personality traits may contribute to this association.

Methods

To explore the potential mediating effect of personality traits, we utilized a mediation model to examine the relationship between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms in 787 Chinese college students. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, while personality traits were measured using the Big Five Inventory (BFI).

Results

Our analysis indicated a significant association between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms, with this relationship partially mediated by the personality traits of neuroticism and conscientiousness. Specifically, individuals who were heterozygous for the rs12415800 polymorphism and had higher levels of conscientiousness were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Conversely, those who were homozygous for the rs12415800 polymorphism and had higher levels of neuroticism were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, may play a critical role in the association between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. These findings highlight the importance of considering both genetic factors and personality traits when exploring the etiology of depressive symptoms in this population.

College students’ screening early warning factors in identification of suicide risk

This study aimed to explore the main influencing factors of suicide risk among Chinese students and establish an early warning model to provide interventions for high-risk students. We conducted surveys of students in their first and third years from a cohort study at Jining Medical College. Logistic regression models were used to screen the early warning factors, and four machine learning models were used to establish early warning models. There were 8 factors related to suicide risk that were eventually obtained through screening, including age, having a rough father, and CES-D, OHQ, ASLEC-4, BFI-Neuroticism, BFI-Openness, and MMC-AF-C scores. A random forest model with SMOTE was adopted, and it verified that these 8 early warning signs, for suicide risk can effectively predict suicide risk within 2 years with an AUC score of 0.947. Among the factors, we constructed a model that indicated that different personality traits affected suicide risk by different paths. Moreover, the factors obtained by screening can be used to identify college students in the same year with a high risk of suicide, with an AUC score that reached 0.953. Based on this study, we suggested some interventions to prevent students going high suicide risk.

The gender-specific bidirectional relations between chronic diseases and total bilirubin/urea in the elderly population: A 3-year longitudinal study

Aging is accompanied by changes in physiology over time, which remains the largest risk of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the gender-specific bidirectional relations between the risk of chronic diseases and serum traits in a 3-year longitudinal study. A hierarchical non-linear model with random effects was used to assess the temporal patterns of anthropometric and serum traits from 2017 to 2019 among 2,338 participants. To assess the directional effect between the risk of chronic diseases and serum traits, a bivariate cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was used to estimate the structural relations of repeatedly measured variables at three different time points. Candidate SNPs were analyzed and genotyped in MassARRAY Analyzer 4 platforms. In this study, metabolic syndrome (MS) score increased with aging in females, whereas the fatty liver disease (FLD) index decreased with aging in males; the MS score was negatively correlated with TB in females, and FLD index was positively related to urea in males; CLPM showed that the MS score predicted total bilirubin (TB) in females, and urea predicted the FLD index in males. Additionally, rs2292354 in G protein-coupled receptor kinase interactor 2 (GIT2) was associated with the MS score and TB in aged females. Our study suggests the potential gender-specific causal associations between development in MS and increase in TB level in females, and rise in urea level and improved FLD index in males. The SNP rs2292354 we investigated might be a biomarker for predicting MS in the elderly Chinese Han population.

Fasting glucose mediates the influence of genetic variants of SOD2 gene on lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) imposes an enormous burden on public health, and a large proportion of NAFLD patients are lean with normal body weight, which is rarely mentioned. We conducted this study to determine the mediation effects of fasting glucose on the relationships between genetic variants of SOD2 and the susceptibility of lean NAFLD in the elderly Chinese Han population.

Methods: Data in this manuscript were collected in a cross-sectional study among 5,387 residents (aged ≥60 years) in the Zhangjiang community center, Shanghai, China, in 2017. Ten (single nucleotide polymorphisms) SNPs previously reported to be related to NAFLD and obesity, including rs9939609, rs1421085, rs9930506, rs626283, rs641738, rs4880, rs58542926, rs738409, rs2281135, and rs2294918 were genotyped. The associations between genetic variations in SOD2 and fasting glucose in five genetic models were analyzed with the SNPassoc R package and rechecked with regression analysis. Mediation models were conducted to explore whether fasting glucose can mediate the association between SNPs and the susceptibility of lean NAFLD.

Results: In this study, lean NAFLD individuals had a higher waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, ALT, and fasting glucose than lean non-NAFLD individuals (p &lt; 0.050). In comparison, the AA genotypic frequency of rs4880 in SOD2 gene was much lower in lean NAFLD patients (p = 0.005). And rs4800 had a significant indirect effect on lean NAFLD incidence mediated by fasting glucose (p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion: For the first time, the mediation effect of fasting glucose on the association of rs4880 in SOD2 with the susceptibility of lean NAFLD was clarified in the elderly Chinese Han population. It emphasized the connection between glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress in the mechanisms of lean NAFLD.

A lithiophilic/lithiophobic ternary alloy anode with Ag concentration gradients guides uniform Li deposition

A Li_92.5Cu₅Ag_2.5 ternary alloy anode was designed with controlled lithiophilic/lithiophobic gradients to induce bottom-up Li deposition. The inert metal Cu served as a rigid framework that maintains structural stability, while the lithiophilic metal Ag provided abundant Li deposition sites. Such an ultrathin Li-rich composite anode (Li content as low as 10 mA h cm^-2) affords stable cycling over 1200 h.

A natural marmoset model of genetic generalized epilepsy

Epilepsy has been extensively studied as a common neurological disease. Efforts have been made on rodent and other animal models to reveal the pathogenic mechanisms of epilepsy and develop new drugs for treatment. However, the features of current epilepsy models cannot fully mimic different types of epilepsy in humans, hence non-human primate models of epilepsy are required. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a New World monkey that is widely used to study brain function. Here, we present a natural marmoset model of generalized epilepsy. In this unique marmoset family, generalized epilepsy was successfully induced by handling operations in some individuals. We mapped the marmoset family with handling-sensitive epilepsy and found that the epileptic phenotype can be inherited. These marmosets were more sensitive to the epilepsy inducers pentylenetetrazol. Using electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings, we detected epileptiform discharge in marmosets with a history of seizures. In summary, we report a family of marmosets with generalized seizures induced by handling operations. This epileptic marmoset family provides insights to better understand the mechanism of generalized epilepsy and helps to develop new therapeutic methods.

Impact of OXTR Polymorphisms on Subjective Well-Being: The Intermediary Role of Attributional Style

Polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene are related to individual differences in negative emotions, such as depressive symptoms and anxiety. However, it remains unclear what the potential roles of OXTR polymorphisms are in subjective well-being (SWB), which is negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. We examined attributional styles as mediator between SWB and five polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR rs53576, rs2254298, rs1042778, rs2268494, and rs2268490) among 627 full-time college freshmen (M_age = 20.90, SD = 0.82 for male; M_age = 20.81, SD = 0.92 for female) using structural equation modeling. The results showed that individuals with the OXTR rs2254298 AA genotype and rs53576 AA/GA genotype reported higher scores on SWB, which suggested that individuals with this genotype experienced more happiness. Moreover, external attributional style partially mediated the association between OXTR rs2254298 polymorphism and SWB (β = 0.019, 95%CI [0.001, 0.036], p = 0.035). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the genetic variations of OXTR played a role in the individual differences of SWB, and external attribution style could mediate the association.

Non-aqueous synthesis of high-quality Prussian blue analogues for Na-ion batteries

A microwave-assisted solvothermal (MW-ST) method was developed to synthesize high-quality Prussian blue analogues. The tuned NaFeHCF exhibits low water content as well as good thermal stability. It delivers a high...

Upregulation of DGCR8, a Candidate Predisposing to Schizophrenia in Han Chinese, Contributes to Phenotypic Deficits and Neuronal Migration Delay

DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region Gene 8 (DGCR8) is a key component of the microprocessor complex governing the maturation of most microRNAs, some of which participate in schizophrenia and neural development. Previous studies have found that the 22q11.2 locus, containing DGCR8, confers a risk of schizophrenia. However, the role of DGCR8 in schizophrenia and the early stage of neural development has remained unknown. In the present study, we try to identify the role of DGCR8 in schizophrenia from human samples and animal models. We found that the G allele and GG genotype of rs3757 in DGCR8 conferred a higher risk of schizophrenia, which likely resulted from higher expression of DGCR8 according to our test of dual-luciferase reporter system. Employed overexpression model in utero and adult mice, we also revealed that the aberrant increase of Dgcr8 delayed neuronal migration during embryological development and consequently triggered abnormal behaviors in adult mice. Together, these results demonstrate that DGCR8 may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia through regulating neural development.

Analysing neutron radiation damage in YBa2 Cu3 O7-x high temperature superconductor tapes

Superconducting windings will be necessary in future fusion reactors to generate the strong magnetic fields needed to confine the plasma, and these superconducting materials will inevitably be exposed to neutron damage. It is known that this exposure results in the creation of isolated damage cascades, but the presence of these defects alone is not sufficient to explain the degradation of macroscopic superconducting properties and a quantitative method is needed to assess the subtle lattice damage in between the clusters. We have studied REBCO coated conductors irradiated with neutrons to a cumulative dose of 3.3×10²²  n*m^-2  that show a degradation of both T_c  and J_c values, and use HRTEM analysis to show that this irradiation introduces ∼10 nm amorphous collision cascades. In addition we introduce a new method for the analysis of these images to quantify the degree of lattice disorder in the apparently perfect matrix between these cascades. This method utilises Fast Fourier and Discrete Cosine Transformations of a statistically-relevant number of HRTEM images of pristine, neutron-irradiated, and amorphous samples, and extracts the degree of randomness in terms of entropy values. Our results show that these entropy values in both mid-frequency band FFT and DCT domains correlate with the expected level of lattice damage, with the pristine samples having the lowest and the fully amorphous regions the highest entropy values.  Our methodology allows us to quantify 'invisible' lattice damage to and correlate these values to the degradation of superconducting properties, and also has relevance for a wider range of applications in the field of electron microscopy where small changes in lattice perfection need to be measured. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of exercise and diet intervention in NAFLD and NASH via GAB2 methylation

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder that extends from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is effectively alleviated by lifestyle intervention. Nevertheless, DNA methylation mechanism underling the effect of environmental factors on NAFLD and NASH is still obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise and diet intervention in NAFLD and NASH via DNA methylation of GAB2.

METHODS

Methylation of genomic DNA in human NAFLD was quantified using Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip assay after exercise (Ex), low carbohydrate diet (LCD) and exercise plus low carbohydrate diet (ELCD) intervention. The output Idat files were processed using ChAMP package. False discovery rate on genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation (q < 0.05), and cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) which are located in promoters were used for subsequent analysis (|Δβ|≥ 0.1). K-means clustering was used to cluster differentially methylated genes according to 3D genome information from Human embryonic stem cell. To quantify DNA methylation and mRNA expression of GRB2 associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) in NASH mice after Ex, low fat diet (LFD) and exercise plus low fat diet (ELFD), MassARRAY EpiTYPER and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used.

RESULTS

Both LCD and ELCD intervention on human NAFLD can induce same DNA methylation alterations at critical genes in blood, e.g., GAB2, which was also validated in liver and adipose of NASH mice after LFD and ELFD intervention. Moreover, methylation of CpG units (i.e., CpG_10.11.12) inversely correlated with mRNA expression GAB2 in adipose tissue of NASH mice after ELFD intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

We highlighted the susceptibility of DNA methylation in GAB2 to ELFD intervention, through which exercise and diet can protect against the progression of NAFLD and NASH on the genome level, and demonstrated that the DNA methylation variation in blood could mirror epigenetic signatures in target tissues of important biological function, i.e., liver and adipose tissue. Trial registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN 42622771).

Capacity-Limited Na-M foil Anode: toward Practical Applications of Na Metal Anode

The practical applications of Na metal anodes are severely plagued by unstable Na plating/stripping. Here the fabrication of Na-rich Na-M (M = Au, Sn, and In) alloy anodes is reported as promising alternatives to address this issue. As compared to metallic Na foil anodes, the alloy foils exhibit improved electrolyte/electrode interface and provide abundant sodiophilic sites for efficient Na plating, while the self-evolved porous Na-M structures accommodate volume variation on cycling. Among three alloy foils, the Na-Au system shows the most promising performance. Under practical conditions such as capacity-limited anodes (5 mAh cm^-2 ) and large stripping/plating capacity (1.0 mAh cm^-2 ), the Na_0.9 Au_0.1 anodes demonstrate stable plating/stripping over 350 h. The proof-of-concept full cells assembled with hard carbon or Prussian blue materials and this thin Na_0.9 Au_0.1 anode also have much elongated cycling life than for pristine Na metal anodes. These findings confirm that the rational design of Na-M alloy anodes can be a promising strategy to promote the development of Na metal batteries.

Genetic and functional analysis reveals TENM4 contributes to schizophrenia

TENM4, encoding a member of the teneurin protein family, is a risk gene shared by many types of mental diseases and is implicated in neuronal plasticity and signaling. However, the role and the mechanisms of TENM4 in schizophrenia (SCZ) remain unclear. We identified possible pathogenic mutations in the TENM4 gene through target sequencing of TENM4 in 68 SCZ families. We further demonstrated that aberrant expression of Ten-m leads to lower learning ability, sleep reduction, and increased aggressiveness in animal models. RNA sequencing showed that aberrant expression of Ten-m was related to stimulus perception and metabolic process, and Gene Ontology enrichment terms were neurogenesis and ATPase activity. This study provides strong evidence that TENM4 contributes to SCZ, and its functional mutations might be responsible for the impaired neural circuits and behaviors observed in SCZ.

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Possible pathogenic rare missense mutations in TENM4 gene contribute to SCZ

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Aberrant expression of Ten-m leads to behavioral disturbances related to SCZ symptoms

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Ten-m affects stimulation, metabolic process, neurogenesis, and ATPase activity

Optimization of an Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Series to Afford Highly Selective Type I1/2 Dual Mer/Axl Kinase Inhibitors with In Vivo Efficacy

Inhibition of Mer and Axl kinases has been implicated as a potential way to improve the efficacy of current immuno-oncology therapeutics by restoring the innate immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Highly selective dual Mer/Axl kinase inhibitors are required to validate this hypothesis. Starting from hits from a DNA-encoded library screen, we optimized an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine series using structure-based compound design to improve potency and reduce lipophilicity, resulting in a highly selective in vivo probe compound 32. We demonstrated dose-dependent in vivo efficacy and target engagement in Mer- and Axl-dependent efficacy models using two structurally differentiated and selective dual Mer/Axl inhibitors. Additionally, in vivo efficacy was observed in a preclinical MC38 immuno-oncology model in combination with anti-PD1 antibodies and ionizing radiation.

A study of negative life events driven depressive symptoms and academic engagement in Chinese college students

Negative life events (NLEs) are an important predictor of depressive symptoms (DS). College students experiencing NLEs are at risk of developing DS that could further weaken their academic engagement (AE), while social supports may assuage such negative effect. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between negative life events, depressive symptoms, and academic engagement, and how the NLE-DS-AE relationship is affected by the level of social support among Chinese college students. To test this hypothesis, we applied data from the Decoding Happiness Gene Cohort Study (DHGCS). Baseline depressive symptoms and academic engagement were measured at the beginning of the first academic year. Approximately 12 months later, negative life events and social support over the past year were assessed retrospectively along with current depressive symptoms and academic engagement. A total of 3629 college students (Age = 18.67 ± 0.82) were included in the study. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26.7% and 36.7% in college students at the beginning of the first and second academic year, respectively. Depressive symptoms predicted subsequent academic engagement rather than the reverse based on cross-lagged analyses. Using structural equation modeling analyses, findings revealed a partial mediation effect of social support between negative life events and the development of depressive symptoms, and a partial mediation effect between negative life events and academic engagement. The findings presented negative life events jeopardize the academic engagement via depressive symptoms, while social supports are able to cancel such negative effect among college students under the Chinese cultural context.

RGCC balances self-renewal and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in the developing mammalian neocortex

During neocortical development, neural stem cells (NSCs) divide symmetrically to self-renew at the early stage and then divide asymmetrically to generate post-mitotic neurons. The molecular mechanisms regulating the balance between NSC self-renewal and neurogenesis are not fully understood. Using mouse in utero electroporation (IUE) technique and in vitro human NSC differentiation models including cerebral organoids (hCOs), we show here that regulator of cell cycle (RGCC) modulates NSC self-renewal and neuronal differentiation by affecting cell cycle regulation and spindle orientation. RGCC deficiency hampers normal cell cycle process and dysregulates the mitotic spindle, thus driving more cells to divide asymmetrically. These modulations diminish the NSC population and cause NSC pre-differentiation that eventually leads to brain developmental malformation in hCOs. We further show that RGCC might regulate NSC spindle orientation by affecting the organization of centrosome and microtubules. Our results demonstrate that RGCC is essential to maintain the NSC pool during cortical development and suggest that RGCC defects could have etiological roles in human brain malformations.

[Mn2+-doped Prussian blue nanoparticles for T1-T2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal therapy in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare Mn²⁺-doped Prussian blue nanoparticles (Mn-PB NPs) for T1-T2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photothermal therapy in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

Mn-PB NPs were prepared based on manganese chloride, ferrous chloride and potassium ferricyanide using the microemulsion method. The performance of T1-T2 dual-mode MRI with Mn-PB NPs and the photothermal property of the nanoparticles were assessed. CCK-8 assay and AM/PI double staining were used to evaluate the effect of photothermal therapy in vitro using the parepared nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE

The prepared Mn-PB NPs had a mean particle size of 39.46±0.42 nm with a Zeta potential of -25.9±1.2 mV and exhibited a good dispersibility and uniform particle size. In MRI using the nanoparticles, the r1 and r2 values reached 0.68 and 3.65 (mmol/L)^-1s^-1, respectively, indicating good performance of Mn-PB NPs for T1 and T2 enhancement in MRI. When irradiated with 808 nm laser for 10 min, Mn-PB NPs showed a temperature rise to 90 ℃ to cause significant reduction of cell survival. CCK-8 assay and AM/PI double staining confirmed that Mn-PB NPs were capable of efficient killing of HepG2 cells upon 808 nm laser irradiation.

OBJECTIVE

The Mn-PB NPs prepared in this work have uniform particle size and show good performances both in MRI for T1 and T2 enhancement and in photothermal therapy in vitro without obvious cytotoxicity.

Histological analysis of spermatogenesis and the germ cell seasonal development within the testis of domesticated tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

This study aimed to address the lack of information on the male germ cell seasonal development of domesticated tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). Testicular tissues were collected from 60 tree shrews (n=5 per month). The ultrastructures of the testes and spermatids were examined via transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was measured through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The expression of proliferation factors, namely, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67, in testicular tissues was assayed through immunohistochemistry. Spermatids ultrastructure showed seasonal differences, and spermatogenesis was relatively active in June and July and relatively stagnant from October to November. The percentage of TUNEL-positive germ cells was less during October and November, while greater in July than other phases. The number of PCNA-nucleus-positive germ cells was most in June and July, but with cytoplasm staining from October to November. Ki67 presented positive expression in the testes from April to September, with highest expression in June, but with no expression from October to March. In summary, there are seasonal differences in tissue morphology related to spermatogenesis in domesticated tree shrews. PCNA expression and Ki67 expression are good indicators of seasonal differences in male germ cells.

Structure and Membrane Targeting of the PDZD7 Harmonin Homology Domain (HHD) Associated With Hearing Loss

Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading cause of hereditary hearing–vision loss in humans. PDZ domain-containing 7 (PDZD7) has been reported to be a modifier of and contributor to USH. PDZD7 co-localizes with USH2 proteins in the inner ear hair cells and is essential for ankle-link formation and stereocilia development. PDZD7 contains three PDZ domains and a low-complexity region between the last two PDZ domains, which has been overlooked in the previous studies. Here we characterized a well-folded harmonin homology domain (HHD) from the middle region and solved the PDZD7 HHD structure at the resolution of 1.49 Å. PDZD7 HHD adopts the same five-helix fold as other HHDs found in Harmonin and Whirlin; however, in PDZD7 HHD, a unique α1N helix occupies the canonical binding pocket, suggesting a distinct binding mode. Moreover, we found that the PDZD7 HHD domain can bind lipid and mediate the localization of PDZD7 to the plasma membrane in HEK293T cells. Intriguingly, a hearing-loss mutation at the N-terminal extension region of the HHD can disrupt the lipid-binding ability of PDZD7 HHD, suggesting that HHD-mediated membrane targeting is required for the hearing process. This structural and biochemical characterization of the PDZD7 HHD region provides mechanistic explanations for human deafness-causing mutations in PDZD7. Furthermore, this structure will also facilitate biochemical and functional studies of other HHDs.

DeepAntigen: a novel method for neoantigen prioritization via 3D genome and deep sparse learning

MOTIVATION

The mutations of cancers can encode the seeds of their own destruction, in the form of T-cell recognizable immunogenic peptides, also known as neoantigens. It is computationally challenging, however, to accurately prioritize the potential neoantigen candidates according to their ability of activating the T-cell immunoresponse, especially when the somatic mutations are abundant. Although a few neoantigen prioritization methods have been proposed to address this issue, advanced machine learning model that is specifically designed to tackle this problem is still lacking. Moreover, none of the existing methods considers the original DNA loci of the neoantigens in the perspective of 3D genome which may provide key information for inferring neoantigens' immunogenicity.

RESULTS

In this study, we discovered that DNA loci of the immunopositive and immunonegative MHC-I neoantigens have distinct spatial distribution patterns across the genome. We therefore used the 3D genome information along with an ensemble pMHC-I coding strategy, and developed a group feature selection-based deep sparse neural network model (DNN-GFS) that is optimized for neoantigen prioritization. DNN-GFS demonstrated increased neoantigen prioritization power comparing to existing sequence-based approaches. We also developed a webserver named deepAntigen (http://yishi.sjtu.edu.cn/deepAntigen) that implements the DNN-GFS as well as other machine learning methods. We believe that this work provides a new perspective toward more accurate neoantigen prediction which eventually contribute to personalized cancer immunotherapy.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

Data and implementation are available on webserver: http://yishi.sjtu.edu.cn/deepAntigen.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Remote Mesoscopic Signatures of Induced Magnetic Texture in Graphene

Mesoscopic conductance fluctuations are a ubiquitous signature of phase-coherent transport in small conductors, exhibiting universal character independent of system details. In this Letter, however, we demonstrate a pronounced breakdown of this universality, due to the interplay of local and remote phenomena in transport. Our experiments are performed in a graphene-based interaction-detection geometry, in which an artificial magnetic texture is induced in the graphene layer by covering a portion of it with a micromagnet. When probing conduction at some distance from this region, the strong influence of remote factors is manifested through the appearance of giant conductance fluctuations, with amplitude much larger than e^{2}/h. This violation of one of the fundamental tenets of mesoscopic physics dramatically demonstrates how local considerations can be overwhelmed by remote signatures in phase-coherent conductors.

Paternal nicotine exposure promotes hepatic fibrosis in offspring

Paternal nicotine exposure can alter phenotypes in future generations. The aim of this study is to explore whether paternal nicotine exposure affects the hepatic repair to chronic injury which leads to hepatic fibrosis in offspring. Our results demonstrate that nicotine down regulates mmu-miR-15b expression via the hyper-methylation on its CpG island shore region in the spermatozoa. This epigenetic modification imprinted in the liver of the offspring. The decreased mmu-miR-15b promotes the expression of Wnt4 and activates the Wnt pathway in the offspring mice liver. The activation of the Wnt pathway improves the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) leading to liver fibrosis. Moreover, the Wnt pathway promotes the activation of the TGF-β pathway and the two pathways cooperate to promote the transcription of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. In conclusion, this study found that nicotine promotes hepatic fibrosis in the offspring via the activation of Wnt pathway by imprinting the hyper-methylation of mmu-miR-15b.

Applications of Low-Melting-Point Metals in Rechargeable Metal Batteries

Low-melting-point (LMP) metals represent an interesting family of electrode materials owing to their high ionic conductivity, good ductility or fluidity, low hardness and/or superior alloying capability, all of which are crucial characteristics to address battery challenges such as interfacial incompatibility, electrode pulverization, and dendrite growth. This minireview summarizes recent research progress of typical LMP metals including In, Ga, Hg, and their alloys in rechargeable metal batteries. Emphasis is placed on mainstream electrochemical storage devices of Li, Na, and K batteries as well as the representative multi-valent metal batteries. The fundamental correlations between unique physiochemical properties of LMP metals and the battery performance are highlighted. In addition, this article also provides insights into future development and potential directions of LMP metals/alloys for practical applications.

Interaction of CEND1 gene and life events in susceptibility to depressive symptoms in Chinese Han college students

BACKGROUND

. The development of depressive symptoms (DSs) is a complex process caused by both genetic and environmental factors. CEND1 gene coordinates cell division, differentiation and maturation of neural precursor cells, which affects brain structure and function. Our study investigated whether CEND1 was a genetic factor for DSs, particularly under negative life events.

METHODS

. 272 freshmen with DSs and 467 healthy controls were recruited via the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The adolescent Self-rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC) was adopted to assess stressful life events during the past 12 months. Two SNPs (rs7946354, rs6597982) within the CEND1 gene were genotyped using Agena MassARRAY iPLEX technology. We combined generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) with RStudio programming to assess the direct association and gene-environment interaction (G × E).

RESULTS

. Rs7946354 was associated with DSs in an overdominant model (GT vs. GG+TT). In addition, both rs7946354 and rs6597982 had considerable impacts on negative life events. GMDR showed a statistical G × E that the AG genotype of rs6597982 and GT genotype of rs7946354 contribute to the maximum risk of DSs under high negative life events.

LIMITATIONS

. Only two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined. Verification studies with bigger sample size and more varied demographic background information could be adopted to further support the generalization of these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

.CEND1 can potentially cause high sensitivity to life events and affect DSs especially in the presence of negative life events, which contribute to the field of depression prevention and treatment.

Nicotinamide, a vitamin B3 ameliorates depressive behaviors independent of SIRT1 activity in mice

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent protein deacetylase and a candidate gene for depression. Nicotinamide (NAM), a form of vitamin B3, is reported as a potential inhibitor of SIRT1. Our previous study found that the 24-h-restraint stress could induce long-term depressive-like phenotypes in mice. These mice displayed increased SIRT1 activity. Here, we studied whether NAM was capable of attenuating depressive behaviors through inhibiting SIRT1 activity. Surprisingly, the application of NAM significantly reversed the depressive behaviors but increased SIRT1 activity further. In contrast, the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was reduced in the restraint model for depression, and recovered by the administration of NAM. Furthermore, the Sirt1^flox/flox; Nestin-Cre mice exhibited antidepressant behaviors and increased ATP levels. These data suggest that ATP plays an important role in depression pathogenesis, and NAM could be a potential treatment method for depression by regulating ATP independent of SIRT1 activity.