MTHFR, Homocysteine, and Schizophrenia

Previous studies suggest that elevated blood homocysteine levels and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism are risk factors for schizophrenia. However, the effects of gender and MTHFR C677T genotypes on blood homocysteine levels in schizophrenia have not been consistent. We first investigated whether plasma total homocysteine levels were higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls with stratification by gender and by the MTHFR C677T genotypes in a large cohort (N = 1379). Second, we conducted a meta-analysis of association studies between blood homocysteine levels and schizophrenia separately by gender (N = 4714). Third, we performed a case-control association study between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia (N = 4998) and conducted a meta-analysis of genetic association studies based on Japanese subjects (N = 10 378). Finally, we assessed the effect of plasma total homocysteine levels on schizophrenia by a mendelian randomization approach. The ANCOVA after adjustment for age demonstrated a significant effect of diagnosis on the plasma total homocysteine levels in all strata, and the subsequent meta-analysis for gender demonstrated elevated blood homocysteine levels in both male and female patients with schizophrenia although antipsychotic medication might influence the outcome. The meta-analysis of the Japanese genetic association studies demonstrated a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia. The mendelian randomization analysis in the Japanese populations yielded an OR of 1.15 for schizophrenia per 1-SD increase in plasma total homocysteine. Our study suggests that increased plasma total homocysteine levels may be associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia

Prevalence and Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in Studies of PRIME-MD and PHQ (Patient Health Questionnaire) in Japan

We examine two studies on the prevalence and comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders in Japanese patients in primary care settings. The PRIME-MD study (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders) in Japan was conducted in seven primary care sites. The sample group included 601 adult patients (249 males, 352 females, mean age = 58.9 years, SD = 16.5). Of the 12.5% of patients diagnosed with mood disorders, 5.0% (n = 29) were major depressive disorder, and 6.7% (n = 40) were minor depressive disorder. The odds ratio for co-occurrence of major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorders (NOS) was 11.5 (95% CI: 2.17–18.45) and 8.00 (95% CI: 3.19–20.07), respectively. The PHQ (Patient Health Questionnaire) study in Japan was conducted in eleven primary care sites. A total of 1409 adult patients (611 males, 797 females; mean age: 56.2 years, SD: ±20.4) completed the PHQ in full. The prevalence of diagnosis of any mood disorder or any anxiety disorder was 25.0%. Of the 15.8% of patients diagnosed with mood disorders, 5.3% were for major depression and 8.4% for other depressive disorders. The odds ratio for co-occurrence of major depressive disorder with other anxiety disorders was 30.4 (95% CI: 13.19–70.28)

Addressing Arctic Challenges Requires a Synoptic Ocean Survey

A coordinated effort involving trailblazing science — and icebreaking ships — from many nations is needed to fill gaps in our understanding of the Arctic Ocean and how it’s changing

Children's Food, Wild Food, and Health in Semiarid Tanzania: Differences Within Neighboring Schools in Chamwino, Dodoma

text紀要論文 / Departmental Bulletin PaperFood intake and wild food access are important for children's health and achieving zero hunger in the semiarid Africa, but evaluations of changing diets are mixed. This article consolidates questionnaires participated by 400 pupils mainly in grades V and VI (mean age 13.02 ± 1.491) in 5 schools in semiarid central Tanzania, Chamwino district, Dodoma region collected in September 2022. Food group, wild food intake frequency, and health problems were compared between 5 schools. The pupils in relatively urbanized villages ate vegetables, fruits, and sugar more frequently, whereas those in remote areas ate wild food and milk more frequently. More health problems were frequently claimed in urbanized villages than in remote villages. Sustaining the environment and lifestyle for children to access wild food may be beneficial for children's health.子どもたちの健康や飢餓ゼロを達成する上で、アフリカ半乾燥地における食料摂取や野生食物アクセスは重要であるが、食生活の変化に対する評価は賛否がある。本論文は、2022年9月に収集したタンザニア中部ドドマ州チャムウィノ県の半乾燥地5校の、主に5～6年生の児童400人（平均年齢13.02± 1.491歳）が参加したアンケートを集約し、食品群・野生食物の摂取頻度や健康問題について5校を比較した。比較的都市化された村の生徒たちは野菜・果物・砂糖を、遠隔地の生徒たちは野生食物や牛乳をより頻繁に食べた。遠隔地の村よりも都市化された村の方が、より多くの健康問題を訴える傾向があった。子どもたちが野生食物を利用できる環境とライフスタイルを維持することは、健康に有益である可能性がある。Ulaji wa chakula na upatikanaji wa chakula cha porini ni muhimu kwa afya ya watoto na kumaliza tatizo la njaa katika Afrika yenye ukame, lakini tathmini ya mabadiliko ya lishe ni mchanganyiko. Makala haya yanajumuisha dodoso zilizoshirikisha wanafunzi 400 hasa wa darasa la V na VI (wastani wa umri 13.02 ± 1.491) katika shule 5 za eneo la kati mwa Tanzania lenye hali ya ukame, wilayani Chamwino, mkoani Dodoma zilizokusanywa Septemba 2022. Makundi ya chakula na ulaji wa vyakula pori na matatizo ya kiafya yalikuwa yakilinganishwa kati ya shule 5. Wanafunzi katika vijiji vilivyo kwenye miji walikula mboga mboga, matunda na sukari mara kwa mara, wakati wale wa maeneo ya mbali walikula chakula cha porini na maziwa mara kwa mara.Matatizo zaidi ya kiafya yalijitokeza mara kwa mara katika vijiji vya mijini kuliko vijiji vya mbali. Kudumisha mazingira na mtindo wa maisha kwa watoto kupata chakula cha porini kunaweza kuwa na manufaa kwa afya ya watoto