Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a silent global health problem that can lead to suicide. MDD development is suggested to result from numerous risk factors, including genetic factors. A precise ...tool for MDD diagnosis is currently not available. Recently, inflammatory processes have been identified as being strongly involved in MDD development and the reactivation of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), upregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, which are associated with MDD. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of HHV-6 with genetic factors, especially TNF-α mutation, in MDD patients and their relatives compared to healthy controls. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate MDD status, and 471 oral buccal samples were investigated for HHV-6 infection and viral copy number by qPCR. TNF-α (-308G/A) gene mutation and the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Whole-exome sequencing of buccal samples was performed to analyze for genetic factors. The results showed significantly higher HHV-6 positivities and viral loads in MDD patients (15/59 (25.67%) and 14,473 ± 16,948 copies/µL DNA) and their relatives (blood relatives 17/36 (47.22%) and 8146 ± 5656 copies/µL DNA); non-blood relatives 7/16 (43.75%) and 20,721 ± 12,458 copies/µL DNA) compared to the healthy population (51/360 (14.17%) and 6303 ± 5791 copies/µL DNA). The TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed no significant difference. Surprisingly, 12/26 (46.15%) participants with the TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed HHV-6 positivities at higher rates than those with wild-type TNF-α (-308G) (70/267 (26.22%)). HHV-6-positive participants with TNF-α (-308G/A) showed higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 than those of negative control. Exome analysis revealed that common mutations in immune genes were associated with depression. Therefore, this study unveiled the novel association of inflammatory gene TNF-α (-308G/A) mutations with HHV-6 reactivation, which could represent a combined risk factor for MDD. This result could induce further research on MDD development and clinical applications.
Water can contain pathogenic viruses. Many studies on RNA virus sources have shown that water can transmit them. However, there are few reports on pathogenic DNA virus transmission through water, ...such as adenovirus, which pose a widespread public health risk. Therefore, this study aimed to show waterborne viral transmission by detecting viruses in pooled human whole blood samples, tap water, and natural water from Mueang District, Phayao Province, Thailand, using a metagenomic approach. Viral prevalence in whole blood samples was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and environmental factors that affect viral infection were assessed. Metagenomics results showed that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) members were among the prominent cancer-associated oncogenic DNA viruses detected in human blood and all water types similar to the EBV reference sequence (NC_007605). There were 59 out of 813 (7.26%) human whole blood samples that were positive for EBV DNA based on PCR and qPCR for the EBNA-1 and EBNA-2 genes. Water- and blood-borne human oncogenic EBV should be a concern in tap water treatment and blood transfusion in patients, respectively. Therefore, the detection of EBV in water suggests that transmission via water is possible and should be investigated further.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a silent global health problem that can lead to suicide. MDD development is suggested to result from numerous risk factors, including genetic factors. A precise ...tool for MDD diagnosis is currently not available. Recently, inflammatory processes have been identified as being strongly involved in MDD development and the reactivation of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), upregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, which are associated with MDD. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of HHV-6 with genetic factors, especially TNF-α mutation, in MDD patients and their relatives compared to healthy controls. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate MDD status, and 471 oral buccal samples were investigated for HHV-6 infection and viral copy number by qPCR. TNF-α (-308G/A) gene mutation and the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Whole-exome sequencing of buccal samples was performed to analyze for genetic factors. The results showed significantly higher HHV-6 positivities and viral loads in MDD patients (15/59 (25.67%) and 14,473 ± 16,948 copies/µL DNA) and their relatives (blood relatives 17/36 (47.22%) and 8146 ± 5656 copies/µL DNA); non-blood relatives 7/16 (43.75%) and 20,721 ± 12,458 copies/µL DNA) compared to the healthy population (51/360 (14.17%) and 6303 ± 5791 copies/µL DNA). The TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed no significant difference. Surprisingly, 12/26 (46.15%) participants with the TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed HHV-6 positivities at higher rates than those with wild-type TNF-α (-308G) (70/267 (26.22%)). HHV-6-positive participants with TNF-α (-308G/A) showed higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 than those of negative control. Exome analysis revealed that common mutations in immune genes were associated with depression. Therefore, this study unveiled the novel association of inflammatory gene TNF-α (-308G/A) mutations with HHV-6 reactivation, which could represent a combined risk factor for MDD. This result could induce further research on MDD development and clinical applications.
The bushfrog genus Gracixalus Delorme, Dubois, Grosjean & Ohler, 2005 is found in southern and southwestern China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. It is presently comprised of 17 species. ...In Thailand, only two species have been recorded, namely G. carinensis (Boulenger) and G. seesom (Massui, Khonsue, Panha & Eto). The latter of these two species is currently known to be endemic to the country.Based on recent field work conducted in 2019 in Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan Province of northern Thailand, we are reporting on two new records of the genus Gracixalus, specifically G. quangi and G. yunnanensis, for the country of Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. In addition, this is the first study to report on the identification of a female specimen of G. yunnanensis. Furthermore, morphological data and natural history notes of the aforementioned species in Thailand have been provided, along with updated locations for the distribution of both species.
The bushfrog genus
Delorme, Dubois, Grosjean & Ohler, 2005 is found in southern and south-western China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. It is presently comprised of 17 species. In Thailand, ...only two species have been recorded, namely
(Boulenger) and
(Massui, Khonsue, Panha & Eto). The latter of these two species is currently known to be endemic to the country.
Based on recent field work conducted in 2019 in Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan Province of northern Thailand, we are reporting two new records of the genus
,
and
, from Thailand, based on morphological and molecular evidence. In addition, this is the first study to report on the identification of a female specimen of
. Furthermore, morphological data and natural history notes of the aforementioned species in Thailand have been provided, along with updated locations for the distribution of both species.
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