Development of a Super-Small Solid Rocket Motor for OMOTENASHI

Background of the OMOTENASHI Mission. To be launched by NASA’s SLS Artemis 1 in the early 2020s, OMOTENASHI will be one of the 13 CubeSats launched as secondary payloads. With a size of 6U (113×239×366 mm) and a mass of CubeSat, it is the world’s smallest moon lander. Aims to land on the moon

Possible impact of ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphism on BMI in patients with schizophrenia

Background: The beta 3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3) gene Trp64Arg polymorphism has been shown to be associated with obesity as well as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The incidence of overweight and the risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also increased in major depression and schizophrenia. We hypothesized that the Trp64Arg polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of schizophrenia and depression. Methods: The Trp64Arg was genotyped in 504 patients with schizophrenia, 650 with major depressive disorder (MOD), and 1170 healthy controls. Of these participants, body mass index (BMI) data were available for 125 patients with schizophrenia, 219 with MDD, and 261 controls. Results: No significant difference in genotype or allele distribution was found across the diagnostic groups. No significant difference in BMI was observed between the Arg allele carriers and the non-carriers in the MDD and the control groups. However, patients with schizophrenia carrying the Arg allele had significantly higher BMI (Mean (SD): Arg carriers: 26.5 (6.9), Arg non-carriers: 23.8 (4.3); P=0.019) and a higher rate of being overweight (BMI of 25 or more) compared to their counterparts (Trp/Trp group) (% overweight (SE): Arg carriers: 52.3 (7.5), Arg non-carriers: 32.1 (5.2); P=0.027). Conclusions: We obtained no evidence for the association of ADRB3 Trp64Arg with the development of MDD or schizophrenia. However, the Arg allele was found to be associated with higher BMI and being overweight in patients with schizophrenia. This may imply that genotyping ADRB3 is of clinical use to detect schizophrenic individuals at risk for developing obesity.ArticlePROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. 38(2):341-344 (2012)journal articl

Possible association between Interleukin-1beta gene and schizophrenia in a Japanese population

Background: Several lines of evidence have implicated the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) in the etiology of schizophrenia. Although a number of genetic association studies have been reported, very few have systematically examined gene-wide tagging polymorphisms. Methods: A total of 533 patients with schizophrenia (302 males: mean age +/- standard deviation 43.4 +/- 13.0 years; 233 females; mean age 44.8 +/- 15.3 years) and 1136 healthy controls (388 males: mean age 44.6 +/- 17.3 years; 748 females; 46.3 +/- 15.6 years) were recruited for this study. All subjects were biologically unrelated Japanese individuals. Five tagging polymorphisms of IL-1 beta gene (rs2853550, rs1143634, rs1143633, rs1143630, rs16944) were examined for association with schizophrenia. Results: Significant difference in allele distribution was found between patients with schizophrenia and controls for rs1143633 (P = 0.0089). When the analysis was performed separately in each gender, significant difference between patients and controls in allele distribution of rs1143633 was observed in females (P = 0.0073). A trend towards association was also found between rs16944 and female patients with schizophrenia (P = 0.032). Conclusions: The present study shows the first evidence that the IL-1 beta gene polymorphism rs1143633 is associated with schizophrenia susceptibility in a Japanese population. The results suggest the possibility that the influence of IL-1 beta gene variations on susceptibility to schizophrenia may be greater in females than in males. Findings of the present study provide further support for the role of IL-1 beta in the etiology of schizophrenia

Negative correlation between cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin levels and negative symptoms of male patients with schizophrenia

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that oxytocin plays an important role in social interactions. Previous studies also suggest altered oxytocin function in patients with schizophrenia and depression. However, few studies have examined the central oxytocin levels in these disorders. Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oxytocin levels were measured by ELISA in male participants consisting of 27 patients with schizophrenia, 17 with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 21 healthy controls. Results: CSF oxytocin levels of patients with schizophrenia or MDD did not differ significantly with healthy controls. The antidepressant dose or the Hamilton depression rating scale score did not significantly correlate with the oxytocin levels in MDD patients. CSF oxytocin levels in schizophrenic patients significantly negatively correlated with second generation antipsychotic dose (r=-0.49, P=0.010) but not with first generation antipsychotic dose (r=-0.13, P=0.50). A significant correlation was observed between oxytocin levels and negative subscale of PANSS (r=-0.38, P=0.050). This correlation remained significant even after controlling for second generation antipsychotic dose (r=-0.47, P=0.016). Conclusions: We obtained no evidence of altered CSF oxytocin levels in patients with schizophrenia or those with MDD. However, lower oxytocin levels may be related to higher second generation antipsychotic dose and more severe negative symptoms in schizophrenia.ArticleSCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH. 139(1-3):201-206 (2012)journal articl

Modulation of cortisol responses to the DEX/CRH test by polymorphisms of the interleukin-1beta gene in healthy adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function assessed with the combined dexamethasone (DEX)/corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) test has been shown to be associated with response to antidepressant treatment. A polymorphism (rs16944) in the interleukin-1beta (<it>IL-1β</it>) gene has also been reported to be associated with the medication response in depression. These findings prompted us to examine the possible association between <it>IL-1β </it>gene polymorphisms and HPA axis function assessed with the DEX/CRH test.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>DEX/CRH test was performed in 179 healthy volunteers (45 males: mean age 40.5 ± 15.8 years; 134 females: mean age 47.1 ± 13.2 years). Five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of <it>IL-1β </it>gene (rs2853550, rs1143634, rs1143633, rs1143630, rs16944) were selected at an r²threshold of 0.80 with a minor allele frequency > 0.1. Genotyping was performed by the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. A two-way factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with the DEX/CRH test results as the dependent variable and genotype and gender as independent variables. To account for multiple testing, <it>P </it>values < 0.01 were considered statistically significant for associations between the genotypes and the cortisol levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cortisol levels after DEX administration (DST-Cortisol) showed significant associations with the genotypes of rs16944 (<it>P </it>= 0.00049) and rs1143633 (<it>P </it>= 0.0060), with no significant gender effect or genotype × gender interaction. On the other hand, cortisol levels after CRH administration (DEX/CRH-Cortisol) were affected by gender but were not significantly influenced by the genotype of the examined SNPs, with no significant genotype × gender interaction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that genetic variations in the <it>IL-1β </it>gene contribute to the HPA axis alteration assessed by DST-Cortisol in healthy subjects. On the other hand, no significant associations of the <it>IL-1β </it>gene polymorphisms with the DEX/CRH-Cortisol were observed. Confirmation of our findings in futures studies may add new insight into the communication between the immune system and the HPA axis.</p

Association of cognitive performance with interleukin-6 receptor Asp358Ala polymorphism in healthy adults

Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised was performed in 576 healthy adults to examine whether a functional polymorphism (Asp358Ala) of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) gene is associated with cognitive performance. Verbal intelligence quotient in Asp homozygotes was significantly higher compared to Ala carriers (P = 0.005). Compared to Ala carriers, Asp homozygotes performed better in the verbal subtests requiring long-term memory stores. Elevated IL-6 and soluble IL-6R levels in Ala carriers may have negative impact on acquiring verbal cognitive ability requiring long-term memory.ArticleJOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION. 119(3):313-318 (2012)journal articl

Association of interleukin-1 beta genetic polymorphisms with cognitive performance in elderly females without dementia

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is considered to have a role in age-related cognitive decline. A recent study has shown that a promoter polymorphism of the IL-1 beta gene (rs16944) is associated with cognitive performance in elderly males without dementia. In this study, we examined whether polymorphisms of the IL-1 beta gene also influence cognitive functions in elderly females. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised (WAIS-R) in 99 elderly (>= 60 years) females without dementia. We selected five tagging polymorphisms from the IL-1 beta gene and examined the associations with the WAIS-R scores. Significant associations were found between verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) and the genotypes of rs1143634 and rs1143633 (P = 0.0037 and P = 0.010, respectively). No significant associations of rs16944 genotype were found with verbal or performance IQ. However, individuals homozygous for the G allele of rs16944 achieved higher scores in digit span compared with their counterpart, which is consistent with the previous findings in males. These results suggest that IL-1 beta gene variation may have a role in cognitive functions in aging females as well as males. Journal of Human Genetics (2011) 56, 613-616; doi:10.1038/jhg.2011.56; published online 26 May 2011ArticleJOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS. 56(8):613-616 (2011)journal articl

Increased cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 levels in patients with schizophrenia and those with major depressive disorder

信州大学博士（医学）・学位論文・平成25年3月31日授与（甲第944号）・篠山 大明Elevated peripheral levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) are common findings in schizophrenia and depression. However, previous studies that measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 levels in these disorders reported controversial results. The present study examined whether CSF IL-6 levels are altered in patients with schizophrenia and those with depression. Lumbar punctures were performed in 32 patients with schizophrenia, 30 with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 35 healthy controls. Serum samples were simultaneously collected from all subjects in the patient groups and from 32 of the control group. CSF and serum IL-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both the patients with schizophrenia and MDD had significantly higher CSF IL-6 levels compared to the controls (schizophrenia: P = 0.0027; MDD: P = 0.012). IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the CSF than in the serum. No significant correlation was observed between CSF and serum IL-6 levels. The present findings suggest that IL-6 of central origin is associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and MDD, although confounding effect of smoking status can not be entirely excluded. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ArticleJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH. 47(3):401-406 (2013)journal articl