Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Chinese Population with Mild to Moderate Depression in Hong Kong

Background. Exercise has been suggested to be a viable treatment for depression. This study investigates the effect of supervised aerobic exercise training on depressive symptoms and physical performance among Chinese patients with mild to moderate depression in early in-patient phase. Methods. A randomized repeated measure and assessor-blinded study design was used. Subjects in aerobic exercise group received 30 minutes of aerobic training, five days a week for 3 weeks. Depressive symptoms (MADRS and C-BDI) and domains in physical performance were assessed at baseline and program end. Results. Subjects in aerobic exercise group showed a more significant reduction in depressive scores (MADRS) as compared to control (between-group mean difference = 10.08 ± 9.41; = 0.026) after 3 weeks training. The exercise group also demonstrated a significant improvement in flexibility (betweengroup mean difference = 4.4 ± 6.13; = 0.02). Limitations. There was lack of longitudinal followup to examine the long-term effect of aerobic exercise on patients with depression. Conclusions. Aerobic exercise in addition to pharmacological intervention can have a synergistic effect in reducing depressive symptoms and increasing flexibility among Chinese population with mild to moderate depression. Early introduction of exercise training in in-patient phase can help to bridge the gap of therapeutic latency of antidepressants during its nonresponse period

Identification of a region required for TSC1 stability by functional analysis of TSC1 missense mutations found in individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the development of hamartomas in a variety of organs and tissues. The disease is caused by mutations in either the TSC1 gene on chromosome 9q34, or the TSC2 gene on chromosome 16p13.3. The TSC1 and TSC2 gene products, TSC1 and TSC2, form a protein complex that inhibits signal transduction to the downstream effectors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Recently it has been shown that missense mutations to the TSC1 gene can cause TSC. Methods: We have used in vitro biochemical assays to investigate the effects on TSC1 function of TSC1 missense variants submitted to the Leiden Open Variation Database. Results: We identified specific substitutions between amino acids 50 and 190 in the N-terminal region of TSC1 that result in reduced steady state levels of the protein and lead to increased mTOR signalling. Conclusion: Our results suggest that amino acid residues within the N-terminal region of TSC1 are important for TSC1 function and for maintaining the activity of the TSC1-TSC2 complex

Alcohol Facilitates CD1d Loading, Subsequent Activation of NKT Cells, and Reduces the Incidence of Diabetes in NOD Mice

Background: Ethanol ('alcohol') is a partly hydrophobic detergent that may affect the accessibility of glycolipids thereby influencing immunological effects of these molecules. Methods: The study included cellular in vitro tests using α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and in vivo NOD mice experiments detecting diabetes incidence and performing behavioural and bacterial analyses. Results: Alcohol in concentrations from 0.6% to 2.5% increased IL-2 production from NKT cells stimulated with αGalCer by 60% (p<0.05). CD1d expressed on HeLa cells contained significantly increasing amounts of αGalCer with increasing concentrations of alcohol, suggesting that alcohol facilitated the passive loading of αGalCer to CD1d. NOD mice were found to tolerate 5% ethanol in their drinking water without signs of impairment in liver function. Giving this treatment, the diabetes incidence declined significantly. Higher numbers of CD3+CD49b+ NKT cells were found in spleen and liver of the alcohol treated compared to the control mice (p<0.05), whereas the amount of CD4+Foxp3+ regulator T cells did not differ. Increased concentrations of IFN-γ were detected in 24-hour blood samples of alcohol treated mice. Behavioural studies showed no change in attitude of the ethanol-consuming mice, and bacterial composition of caecum samples was not affected by alcohol, disqualifying these as protective mechanisms. Conclusion: Alcohol facilitates the uptake of glycolipids and the stimulation of NKT cells, which are known to counteract Type 1 diabetes development. We propose that this is the acting mechanism by which treatment with alcohol reduces the incidence of diabetes in NOD mice. This is corroborated by epidemiology showing beneficial effect of alcohol to reduce the severity of atherosclerosis and related diseases

Functional characterisation of the TSC1–TSC2 complex to assess multiple TSC2 variants identified in single families affected by tuberous sclerosis complex

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by seizures, mental retardation and the development of hamartomas in a variety of organs and tissues. The disease is caused by mutations in either the TSC1 gene on chromosome 9q34, or the TSC2 gene on chromosome 16p13.3. The TSC1 and TSC2 gene products, TSC1 and TSC2, interact to form a protein complex that inhibits signal transduction to the downstream effectors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). METHODS: We have used a combination of different assays to characterise the effects of a number of pathogenic TSC2 amino acid substitutions on TSC1-TSC2 complex formation and mTOR signalling. RESULTS: We used these assays to compare the effects of 9 different TSC2 variants (S132C, F143L, A196T, C244R, Y598H, I820del, T993M, L1511H and R1772C) identified in individuals with symptoms of TSC from 4 different families. In each case we were able to identify the pathogenic mutation. CONCLUSION: Functional characterisation of TSC2 variants can help identify pathogenic changes in individuals with TSC, and assist in the diagnosis and genetic counselling of the index cases and/or other family members

Next-generation sequencing-based genome diagnostics across clinical genetics centers: Implementation choices and their effects

Implementation of next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technology into routine diagnostic genome care requires strategic choices. Instead of theoretical discussions on the consequences of such choices, we compared NGS-based diagnostic practices in eight clinical genetic centers in the Netherlands, based on genetic testing of nine pre-selected patients with cardiomyopathy. We highlight critical implementation choices, including the specific contributions of laboratory and medical specialists, bioinformaticians and researchers to diagnostic genome care, and how these affect interpretation and reporting of variants. Reported pathogenic mutations were consistent for all but one patient. Of the two centers that were inconsistent in their diagnosis, one reported to have found 'no causal variant', thereby underdiagnosing this patient. The other provided an alternative diagnosis, identifying another variant as causal than the other centers. Ethical and legal analysis showed that informed consent procedures in all centers were generally adequate for diagnostic NGS applications that target a limited set of genes, but not for exome- and genome-based diagnosis. We propose changes to further improve and align these procedures, taking into account the blurring boundary between diagnostics and research, and specific counseling options for exome- and genome-based diagnostics. We conclude that alternative diagnoses may infer a certain level of 'greediness' to come to a positive diagnosis in interpreting sequencing results. Moreover, there is an increasing interdependence of clinic, diagnostics and research departments for comprehensive diagnostic genome care. Therefore, we invite clinical geneticists, physicians, researchers, bioinformatics experts and patients to reconsider their role and position in future diagnostic genome care

Limbah Cair Tapioka, Pencemaran, dan Teknik Pengolahannya

ENGLISHThe tapioca industry is one type of agro-industry that is widely developed in Indonesia. The problem that often arises due to the presence of the tapioca industries is waste pollution, especially liquid waste. Tapioca liquid waste is immediately disposed of into the river flows without any treatment process. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the impact caused by the disposal of tapioca liquid waste, especially on the aquaculture environment and alternative processing technology. The research method is literature study. Tapioca liquid pollution increases the death vulnerability the biota in the ponds, namely shrimp and milkfish. The danger of tapioca liquid waste pollution can be minimized by treating the disposed liquid waste properly. Several alternatives of wastewater treatment that can be applied to minimize the impact of pollution caused by tapioca liquid waste are (1) ultrafiltration membranes can separate suspended solids; ABR (Anaerobic Baffled Reactor) and UAF (Up-flow Anaerobic Filter) systems can reduce COD concentrations; photo-catalysts can reduce COD concentrations; phytoremediation with water hyacinth can reduce BOD, COD, and CN concentrations and increase pH of tapioca wastewater; and batch sequencing reactor shows efficiency of removing HCN, BOD, COD, turbidity, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. INDONESIAIndustri tapioka merupakan salah satu jenis agroindustri yang banyak berkembang di Indonesia. Permasalahan yang sering timbul dari industri tapioka adalah pencemaran limbah, terutama limbah cair. Limbah cair tapioka langsung dibuang ke aliran sungai tanpa melewati proses pengolahan terlebih dahulu. Tujuan dari penulisan ini adalah memberikan gambaran mengenai dampak yang ditimbulkan oleh adanya pembuangan limbah cair tapioka khususnya terhadap lingkungan pertambakan serta alternatif teknologi pengolahannya. Metode yang digunakan adalah studi pustaka. Pencemaran limbah cair tapioka mengakibatkan kerawanan kematian biota yang dibudidayakan di tambak, yaitu udang dan bandeng. Bahaya pencemaran limbah cair tapioka dapat diminimalisir dengan melakukan pengolahan terhadap limbah cair yang dibuang. Beberapa alternatif pengolahan limbah cair untuk meminimalisir dampak pencemaran oleh limbah cair tapioka, yaitu (1) membran ultrafiltrasi, yang dapat memisahkan padatan tersuspensi; (2) sistem ABR (Anaerobic Baffled Reactor) dan sistem UAF (Upflow Anaerobic Filter, yang dapat menurunkan konsentrasi COD; (3) fotokatalis, yang dapat menurunkan konsentrasi COD; (4) fitoremediasi dengan eceng gondok, yang mampu menurunkan konsentrasi BOD, COD, dan CN serta meningkatkan pH limbah cair tapioka; dan (5) sistem SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) menunjukkan efisiensi pembuangan HCN, BOD, COD, kekeruhan, sodium, magnesium, dan kalsium

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