Evidence for an Interaction Between NEDD4 and Childhood Trauma on Clinical Characters of Schizophrenia With Family History of Psychosis.

Background: Neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4 (NEDD4) polymorphisms and childhood trauma (CT) are associated with schizophrenia. However, whether NEDD4 interacts with CT on symptoms of schizophrenia remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the gene-environment interaction effect. Methods: We recruited 289 schizophrenia patients and 487 controls and genotyped rs2303579, rs3088077, rs7162435, rs11550869, and rs62043855 in their NEDD4 gene. Results: We found significant differences in the rs2303579 and rs3088077 between the two groups. Patients with the rs2303579 CC genotype had higher scores compared with other genotype (P = 0.026) in the test of positive schizophrenia syndrome scores, whereas patients with the rs3088077 TT (P = 0.037) and rs7162435 CC genotypes (P = 0.009) had higher scores compared with the other genotypes in the test of excitement factor. Patients with a family history of psychosis (FH+) reported higher negative scores (P = 0.012) than those without. Patients exposed to physical abuse (PA) reported a lower language learning and memory score (P = 0.017) and working memory score (P = 0.047) than those not. Patients exposed to sexual abuse (SA) reported a lower reasoning and problem-solving skills score (P = 0.025); those exposed to emotional neglect (EN) reported a lower social cognition score (P = 0.044); and those exposed to physical neglect reported a lower social cognition score (P = 0.036) but higher visual learning and memory score (P = 0.032). Rs3088077 could interact with EN to increase risk for schizophrenia. Optimal model rs62043855 × EA, rs3088077 × rs7162435 × rs11550869 × SA × EN and rs2303579 × rs7162435 × rs11550869 × rs62043855 × EA × PA could explain positive symptom, excitement symptom and working memory, respectively, in FH+ group. Conclusion: The study highlighted that the combined interaction of NEDD4 and CT may be associated with symptoms of schizophrenia especially for those with FH+.

Childhood trauma interacted with BDNF Val66Met influence schizophrenic symptoms.

The gene - environment (G × E) interaction effect is involved in severe mental disorders. However, whether the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism participates in the childhood-abuse influenced schizophrenic symptoms remains unclear. We examined the interaction between BDNF Val66Met, and childhood trauma (ChT) on psychotic symptoms in a Chinese Han population.To estimate the G × E interaction, psychiatric interviews, self-report questionnaires for ChT, and genotyping for BDNF Val66Met were carried out on 201 schizophrenic patients. G × E interactions were analyzed by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR).Among all patients, 11.9%, 19.4%, 23.4%, 26.4%, and 73.6% reported emotional abuses, physical abuses (PA), sexual abuses (SA), emotional neglects (EN), and physical neglects (PN), respectively. Significant negative correlations were observed between anxiety/depression factors, and ChT total scores. Patients with 3 different BDNF genotypes showed significant differences in anxiety/depression scores. Significant 2-way interactions were found for Val66Met × PN, 3-way interactions were found for Val66Met × PN × PA, and four-way interactions were found for Val66Met × PN × PA × EN with regard to the excitement scores.Our findings suggested an involvement of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism after ChT in terms of risk for schizophrenia symptoms.

[Detection of respiratory viruses in influenza-like illness in Shijiazhuang, China in 2011].

This study aimed to investigate viral infections and the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Shijiazhuang, China, in 2011 and to provide a scientific basis for the diagnosis and control of respiratory tract infections. Throat swab specimens were collected from 483 cases of ILI who were outpatients in the influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Shijiazhuang between January and December 2011. All specimens were examined by multiplex RT-PCR for the following 15 respiratory tract viruses: adenovirus (ADV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human parainfluenza virus (PIV types 1-4), influenza virus A (FluA), influenza virus B (FluB), human enterovirus (HEV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-A and -B), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV-229E/NL63 and -OC43/HKU1), and human bocavirus (HBoV). Among the 483 cases of ILI, 214 (44.31%) were positive for viruses, including ADV (8.7%), HEV (8.7%), RSV-A (8.07%), HRV (7.45%), FluA (5.38%), HCoV-OC43/ HKU1 (2.9%), PIV-3 (2.9%), HMPV (1.86%), PIV-1 (1.24%), HCoV-229E/NL63 (1.04%), PIV-2 (1.04%), HBoV (0.83%), and FluB (0.41%). Twenty-six (5.38%) of all cases were co-infected with two or more viruses, most commonly HEV/HRV with other viruses. Cases of viral infection were detected throughout the year, with peaks in January and February. ADV and HRV were detected throughout almost the whole year without obvious seasonality. HEV was detected between April and November, with a peak of prevalence in summer and autumn. FluA and FluB reached epidemic levels mainly in winter and spring. All cases of RSV were identified to be subtype A. PIV infection was mainly caused by PIV-3. The positive rate of HCoV-OC43/HKU1 infection was significantly higher than that of HCoV-229E/NL63. The leading five viruses that resulted in ILI Shijiazhuang in 2011 were HEV, ADV, RSV-A, HRV, and FluA, and these viruses have different epidemiological features.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Although several lines of evidences suggest that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, this association remains controversial. Here, we aim to investigate the genetic association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and schizophrenia and to explore whether this polymorphism could influence the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients in a Chinese Han population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genotyping of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was carried out in 456 schizophrenic patients and 483 controls using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer method. The patients' psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The general clinical data of schizophrenic patients were analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the genotype distribution and allelic frequencies of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism between the schizophrenia group and the controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism explained ~16% of the variance in anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may be involved in the etiology of schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. Furthermore, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a significant factor influencing the severity of anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

[A case-control study on the quality of life and the way of response among patients with anxiety disorder in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics related to the quality of life and the way of response among patients with anxiety disorder in Shandong province. METHODS: Case-control study was adopted, with secondary data analysis on mental disorders among adults over 18 years of age, in Shandong province. 720 patients with anxiety disorder who met the anxiety diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV, were selected from the database, according to the distributions on gender, age (±3 years of age), village or community. 720 persons without any psychiatric diagnosis were selected and served as controls, under 1 :1 paired choice. Research tools would include:General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12),Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and questionnaire on general information. RESULTS: Scores of QLQ among patients with anxiety disorder were lower than that of the control group, with statistically significant difference(P < 0.01). Scores on the negative ways of coping among patients with anxiety disorder were higher than the scores of the control group, with statistically significant difference(P < 0.01). Regardless of gender, age, occupation, education, marriage, religious belief etc., results from the 'two factors anova-analysis' showed that the scores of QLQ among patients with anxiety disorder were still lower than the scores of the control group while the scores on negative coping were still higher than the scores of the control group. CONCLUSION: Patients with anxiety disorder and having poor quality of life outnumbered the ones from the control group, and using negative coping ways to cope with the stress events.

[Association study of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and clinical characteristics of first episode schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met polymorphism and clinical characteristics of first episode schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: Genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was carried out for 135 schizophrenic patients and 483 healthy controls with TaqMan probe technology. The patients' psychotic symptoms were assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). RESULTS: A significant difference was found in genotype distribution and allelic frequency of the Val66Met polymorphism between the two groups (P< 0.01). In patients, Met homozygotes had a significantly higher score in anxiety/depression factor, cognitive factor and total score of PANSS than Val carriers. CONCLUSION: BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism is associated with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The Met/Met genotype of BDNF Val66Met variant may be a risk factor for symptoms in first episode schizophrenia patients.

[Plasma levels of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in patients with bipolar disorders and health adults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma levels of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (OGQ) in patients with bipolar depression and bipolar mania and to analyze the relationship of plasma OFQ to bipolar disorders. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 21 patients with bipolar II depression (BD group), 26 patients with bipolar I mania (BM group), and 31 health adults (control group). The concentrations of plasma OFQ were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The psychological status was examined by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale (BRMS), and Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). RESULTS: The plasma OFQ level of the BD group was (20+/-4) ng/L, significantly higher than that of the control group [(14+/-5) ng/L, t=5.28, P<0.01], and the OFQ level of the BM group was (11+/-3) ng/L, significantly lower than that of the control group (t=-2.47, P<0.05). There were not significant differences in the plasma OFQ between the males and females in all groups (all P>0.05). In the BD group the plasma OFQ level was significantly positively correlated with HAMD and MADRS scores (r=0.607, P<0.01; r=0.541, P<0.05). In the BM group the plasma OFQ level was significantly negatively correlated with the BRM score (r=-0.750, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The changes of plasma OFQ level may play a role in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder and indicate the severity of disease. Plasma OFQ may be a new biological parameter of bipolar disorder.

[Study on depressive disorder and related factors in surgical inpatients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and possible influencing factors of depressive disorder in surgical inpatients. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-six surgical inpatients meeting the inclusion criteria were first screened with the self rating depression scale (SDS), and then the subjects screened positive and 20% of those screened negative were evaluated with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID) as a gold standard for diagnosis of depressive disorder. Possible influencing factors were also analyzed by experienced psychiatrists. RESULTS: The standard score of SDS in the surgical inpatients were significantly higher than those in the Chinese norm, and the incidence of depressive disorder in the surgical inpatients was 37.2%. Unvaried analysis showed that depressive disorder were associated with gender, education, economic condition, variety of diseases, hospitalization duration, and treatment methods. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, economic condition, treatment methods and previous history were the main influencing factors. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of depressive disorder in the surgical inpatients is high, and it is mainly influenced by gender, economic condition, treatment methods and previous history.