Decline of Plasma Concentrations of Interleukin-18 in Severely Malnourished Patients with Anorexia Nervosa: Exploratory Analysis

Multiple studies on the dynamics of inflammatory cytokines in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been published, although results are not consistent among reports. Thus the pathophysiologic roles of these cytokines are not clear. We performed an exploratory analysis that included (1) comparisons of plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) concentrations between patients with AN (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 39), and (2) correlations between body mass index (BMI) and IL-18 concentrations in both groups, exploring the relationship between malnourishment and IL-18. Plasma IL-18 levels were significantly decreased in patients with AN compared with controls. Plasma IL-18 levels correlated to BMI in controls, but not in patients with AN. These results suggest that a decline in plasma IL-18 levels in patients with AN is not only due to malnourishment, but other pathophysiologic changes as well. IL-18 has a role in the brain’s reaction to sadness and chronic stress. Therefore, decreased levels of IL-18 may commonly occur in patients with chronic AN

Factor structure of the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in the postpartum period.

BACKGROUND: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely used screening tool for postpartum depression (PPD). Although the reliability and validity of EPDS in Japanese has been confirmed and the prevalence of PPD is found to be about the same as Western countries, the factor structure of the Japanese version of EPDS has not been elucidated yet. METHODS: 690 Japanese mothers completed all items of the EPDS at 1 month postpartum. We divided them randomly into two sample sets. The first sample set (n = 345) was used for exploratory factor analysis, and the second sample set was used (n = 345) for confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The result of exploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor model consisting of anxiety, depression and anhedonia. The results of confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the anxiety and anhedonia factors existed for EPDS in a sample of Japanese women at 1 month postpartum. The depression factor varies by the models of acceptable fit. CONCLUSIONS: We examined EPDS scores. As a result, "anxiety" and "anhedonia" exist for EPDS among postpartum women in Japan as already reported in Western countries. Cross-cultural research is needed for future research

Resequencing and Association Analysis of <i>PTPRA</i>, a Possible Susceptibility Gene for Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders

<div><p>Background</p><p>The <i>PTPRA</i> gene, which encodes the protein RPTP-α, is critical to neurodevelopment. Previous linkage studies, genome-wide association studies, controlled expression analyses and animal models support an association with both schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, both of which share a substantial portion of genetic risks.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We sequenced the protein-encoding areas of the <i>PTPRA</i> gene for single nucleotide polymorphisms or small insertions/deletions (InDel) in 382 schizophrenia patients. To validate their association with the disorders, rare (minor allele frequency <1%), missense mutations as well as one InDel in the 3′UTR region were then genotyped in another independent sample set comprising 944 schizophrenia patients, 336 autism spectrum disorders patients, and 912 healthy controls.</p><p>Results</p><p>Eight rare mutations, including 3 novel variants, were identified during the mutation-screening phase. In the following association analysis, L59P, one of the two missense mutations, was only observed among patients of schizophrenia. Additionally, a novel duplication in the 3′UTR region, 174620_174623dupTGAT, was predicted to be located within a Musashi Binding Element.</p><p>Major Conclusions</p><p>No evidence was seen for the association of rare, missense mutations in the <i>PTPRA</i> gene with schizophrenia or autism spectrum disorders; however, we did find some rare variants with possibly damaging effects that may increase the susceptibility of carriers to the disorders.</p></div

In silico functional effect prediction for rs61742029 and L59P.

<p>In silico functional effect prediction for rs61742029 and L59P.</p

Structure of the <i>PTPRA</i> gene, RPTP-α, and position of discovered rare missense mutations.

<p>Structure of the <i>PTPRA</i> gene, RPTP-α, and position of discovered rare missense mutations.</p

Targeted sequencing areas of the <i>PTPRA</i> Gene.

<p>Targeted sequencing areas of the <i>PTPRA</i> Gene.</p

Rare exonic mutations identified during the resequencing stage.

<p>Notes:</p>a<p>: Based on NCBI build 37.1.</p>b<p>: Based on NCBI Reference Sequence NC_000020.10.</p>c<p>: Based on NCBI Reference Sequence NP_001099043. AA: amino acid.</p><p>All mutations are heterozygous.</p><p>Rare exonic mutations identified during the resequencing stage.</p

Goodness-of-fit of the models.

<p>Goodness-of-fit of the models.</p