In vitro susceptibility testing of phytochemicals from essential oils against Prototheca species.

Phytochemicals isolated from essential oils are effective alternatives for inhibiting microbial pathogens. Bovine protothecal mastitis is the cause of a reduction in milk production and the secretion of thin, watery milk with white flakes. In the present study, we performed in vitro susceptibility testing of the phytochemicals carvacrol, citral, and thymol in Prototheca strains isolated from cases of protothecosis in small animals and cow feces.

Molecular diagnosis of 405 individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is caused by combined genetic and environmental factors. Genetic heritability in ASD is estimated as 60-90%, and genetic investigations have revealed many monogenic factors. We analyzed 405 patients with ASD using family-based exome sequencing to detect disease-causing single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions and deletions (indels), and copy number variations (CNVs) for molecular diagnoses.

Investigation of as a candidate gene for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.

A number of genomic mutations that are thought to be strongly involved in the development of schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified. Abnormalities involving oligodendrocytes have been reported in SCZ, and as a related gene, oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 () has been reported to be strongly associated with SCZ. In this study, based on the common disease-rare variant hypothesis, target sequencing of candidate genes was performed to identify rare mutations with a high effect size and the possibility that the identified mutations may increase the risks of SCZ and ASD in the Japanese population.

Perceived Social Support Partially Mediates the Impact of Temperament and Character on Postpartum Depression.

Introduction: Temperament and character of pregnant women, especially harm avoidance (HA) and self-directedness (SD) have been identified as risk factors for postpartum depression, in addition to poor social support. However, the relationship between these personality traits and social support for depressive symptoms after delivery has not been examined.

Methods: Data were extracted from a prospective cohort survey on pregnant women conducted in Nagoya, Japan that included the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the Social Support Questionnaire (J-SSQ), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at approximately week 25 and 1 month postpartum.

Rare single-nucleotide DAB1 variants and their contribution to Schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder susceptibility.

Disabled 1 (DAB1) is an intracellular adaptor protein in the Reelin signaling pathway and plays an essential role in correct neuronal migration and layer formation in the developing brain. DAB1 has been repeatedly reported to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in genetic, animal, and postmortem studies. Recently, increasing attention has been given to rare single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) found by deep sequencing of candidate genes.

Rare genetic variants in the gene encoding histone lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) and their contributions to susceptibility to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.

Dysregulation of epigenetic processes involving histone methylation induces neurodevelopmental impairments and has been implicated in schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variants in the gene encoding lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) have been suggested to confer a risk for such disorders. However, rare genetic variants in KDM4C have not been fully evaluated, and the functional impact of the variants has not been studied using patient-derived cells.

Functional characterization of rare NRXN1 variants identified in autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

Background: Rare genetic variants contribute to the etiology of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). Most genetic studies limit their focus to likely gene-disrupting mutations because they are relatively easier to interpret their effects on the gene product. Interpretation of missense variants is also informative to some pathophysiological mechanisms of these neurodevelopmental disorders; however, their contribution has not been elucidated because of relatively small effects.

Relation Between Perinatal Depressive Symptoms, Harm Avoidance, and a History of Major Depressive Disorder: A Cohort Study of Pregnant Women in Japan.

The relationship between perinatal depressive symptoms, harm avoidance (HA), and a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) was examined in a prospective cohort study. This study was conducted from May 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016. A history of MDD was evaluated using the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, Lifetime version during pregnancy.

Methylation analysis for postpartum depression: a case control study.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depressive disorder that occurs after childbirth. Objective diagnostic and predictive methods for PPD are important for early detection and appropriate intervention. DNA methylation has been recognized as a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder.

Changes in tryptophan metabolism during pregnancy and postpartum periods: Potential involvement in postpartum depressive symptoms.

Background: Many women experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum periods. These depressive symptoms are often accompanied by other inflammatory morbidities present during pregnancy. Tryptophan (TRP) metabolism has attracted considerable attention due to its influence on the onset of depression via induction of inflammation.

Comparative Analyses of Copy-Number Variation in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia Reveal Etiological Overlap and Biological Insights.

Compelling evidence in Caucasian populations suggests a role for copy-number variations (CNVs) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). We analyzed 1,108 ASD cases, 2,458 SCZ cases, and 2,095 controls in a Japanese population and confirmed an increased burden of rare exonic CNVs in both disorders. Clinically significant (or pathogenic) CNVs, including those at 29 loci common to both disorders, were found in about 8% of ASD and SCZ cases, which was significantly higher than in controls.

Postpartum depression among women in Nagoya indirectly exposed to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This study aimed to assess the situation of postpartum depression and maternal bonding in Nagoya, a city distant from the epicenter of the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. Among the participants at 1 month after childbirth between March 11, 2010 and March 10, 2013 (n = 188), 152 fully responded to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Mother-Infant Bonding Questionnaire (MIBQ). They were divided into pre-quake (n = 58), and 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 months after the earthquake groups (n = 20, 26, 29, and 19, respectively).

Integrative Analyses of De Novo Mutations Provide Deeper Biological Insights into Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Recent studies have established important roles of de novo mutations (DNMs) in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we analyze DNMs in 262 ASD probands of Japanese origin and confirm the "de novo paradigm" of ASDs across ethnicities. Based on this consistency, we combine the lists of damaging DNMs in our and published ASD cohorts (total number of trios, 4,244) and perform integrative bioinformatics analyses.

Possible involvement of a cell adhesion molecule, Migfilin, in brain development and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders.

Migfilin, encoded by FBLIM1 at the 1p36 locus, is a multi-domain adaptor protein essential for various cellular processes such as cell morphology and migration. Small deletions and duplications at the 1p36 locus, monosomy of which results in neurodevelopmental disorders and multiple congenital anomalies, have also been identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the impact of FBLIM1, the gene within 1p36, on the pathogenesis of ASD is unknown.