What Is a Schizophrenic Mouse?

In this issue of Neuron, Clapcote et al. examine mice containing missense mutations of the DISC1 gene, a locus associated with major mental illness in at least one large Scottish family. Genetic manipulation of mouse homologs of genes implicated in the etiology of psychiatric disorders is a promising avenue of research, but also one that is fraught with interpretative difficulties

THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENT REFUGEES IN MALAYSIA

As of June 2017, 24.8 % of the 149, 200 reported refugees in Malaysia aged 18 years and below and of that figure, 33% were females. There has been little research into the mental well-being of the refugee adolescents. This cross-sectional survey study examined the differences in stress, anxiety, and depression faced according to gender and whether there is any association between them. 104 refugee adolescents from four non-governmental organization educational centers participated in the study. The Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale 21 was used to measure the severity of the core symptoms of depression. The results showed that females have significantly higher stress, anxiety and depression compared to that of males at p<.001. Generally,the refugee has mild to normal stress as compared with anxiety and depression where a significant majority of those aged  14-27 years experienced severe to extreme severe anxiety with a moderate level of  depression.  A further analysis found that severe stress positively associated with anxiety and depression. Insights into the stress, anxiety and depression experienced by refugee adolescents are crucial towards understanding the mental health of young refugees. The current study may benefit mental health workers and humanitarian agencies to address and improve the mental health of refugees, regardless of any labels attached to them.&nbsp

Genetic variants and early cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence phenotypes in adolescents

Background: While the heritability of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence (ND) is well-documented, the contribution of specific genetic variants to specific phenotypes has not been closely examined. The objectives of this study were to test the associations between 321 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that capture common genetic variation in 24 genes, and early smoking and ND phenotypes in novice adolescent smokers, and to assess if genetic predictors differ across these phenotypes. Methods: In a prospective study of 1294 adolescents aged 12–13 years recruited from ten Montreal-area secondary schools, 544 participants who had smoked at least once during the 7–8 year follow-up provided DNA. 321 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 24 candidate genes were tested for an association with number of cigarettes smoked in the past 3 months, and with five ND phenotypes (a modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire, the ICD-10 and three clusters of ND symptoms representing withdrawal symptoms, use of nicotine for self-medication, and a general ND/craving symptom indicator). Results: The pattern of SNP-gene associations differed across phenotypes. Sixteen SNPs in seven genes (ANKK1, CHRNA7, DDC, DRD2, COMT, OPRM1, SLC6A3 (also known as DAT1)) were associated with at least one phenotype with a p-value ,0.01 using linear mixed models. After permutation and FDR adjustment, none of the associations remained statistically significant, although the p-values for the association between rs557748 in OPRM1 and the ND/craving and selfmedication phenotypes were both 0.076. Conclusions: Because the genetic predictors differ, specific cigarette smoking and ND phenotypes should be distinguished in genetic studies in adolescents. Fifteen of the 16 top-ranked SNPs identified in this study were from loci involved in dopaminergic pathways (ANKK1/DRD2, DDC, COMT, OPRM1, and SLC6A3). Impact: Dopaminergic pathways may be salient during early smoking and the development of ND

Scaling Up Towards International Targets for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: Contribution of Global Fund-Supported Programs in 2011–2015

OBJECTIVE: The paper projects the contribution to 2011-2015 international targets of three major pandemics by programs in 140 countries funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the largest external financier of tuberculosis and malaria programs and a major external funder of HIV programs in low and middle income countries. DESIGN: Estimates, using past trends, for the period 2011-2015 of the number of persons receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, tuberculosis case detection using the internationally approved DOTS strategy, and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to be delivered by programs in low and middle income countries supported by the Global Fund compared to international targets established by UNAIDS, Stop TB Partnership, Roll Back Malaria Partnership and the World Health Organisation. RESULTS: Global Fund-supported programs are projected to provide ARV treatment to 5.5-5.8 million people, providing 30%-31% of the 2015 international target. Investments in tuberculosis and malaria control will enable reaching in 2015 60%-63% of the international target for tuberculosis case detection and 30%-35% of the ITN distribution target in sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSION: Global Fund investments will substantially contribute to the achievement by 2015 of international targets for HIV, TB and malaria. However, additional large scale international and domestic financing is needed if these targets are to be reached by 2015

Psychiatric Disorder Criteria and their Application to Research in Different Racial Groups

BACKGROUND: The advent of standardized classification and assessment of psychiatric disorders, and considerable joint efforts among many countries has led to the reporting of international rates of psychiatric disorders, and inevitably, their comparison between different racial groups. RESULTS: In neurologic diseases with defined genetic etiologies, the same genetic cause has different phenotypes in different racial groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that genetic differences between races mean that diagnostic criteria refined in one racial group, may not be directly and simply applicable to other racial groups and thus more effort needs to be expended on defining diseases in other groups. Cross-racial confounds (in addition to cultural confounds) make the interpretation of rates in different groups even more hazardous than seems to have been appreciated

Effectiveness of combined Malaysia healthy plate method (half-half quarter) and physical activity intervention at workplace setting among healthcare workers

Introduction; Overweight and obesity are becoming a major health issue which contributes to the increase in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the diet intervention and exercise for weight reduction among obese but healthy adults. Methods; This was a quasi-experimental study using designed Structured Diet with Program adapted from Malaysia Healthy Plate method (half-half quarter) with physical exercise for weight reduction. The anthropometry and biochemistry parameters were monitored and collected pre- and post-program. The body mass index (BMI) cut off points by World Health Organization (WHO) for Asian population was used to define obesity in this study. Results; 30 healthcare workers (HCWs) were recruited. However, only 27 HCWs completed the program. The pre- and post-program mean BMI was 32.90 kg/m2 and 31.39 kg/m2 and weight was 81.25 kg to 77.37 kg. The total cholesterol reduced significantly with mean 5.65 mmol/l to 5.34 mmol/l. Other blood parameters showed some reduction but not statically significant with mean Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): 4.82mmol/l to 4.69mmol/l, mean High Density Lipoprotein (HDL): 1.43mmol/l to 1.32mmol/l mean Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL): 3.54mmol/l to 3.42mmol/l and mean TG 1.52mmol/l to 1.31mmol/l. Conclusions; Overall, the programme led to a considerable reduction in body weight, BMI, and total cholesterol. Even though other blood parameters did not show statistically significant reduction but they still showed some reduction in postprogramme. This method was recommended to be implemented among Malaysians for longer duration to achieve significant reduction in blood parameters. However, the commitment and motivation of the HCWs were highly needed to ensure the effectiveness and adherence to the diet method