Pleiotropic action of genetic variation in ZNF804A on brain structure: a meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies

Effectiveness of red yeast rice on carotid atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

While several studies have demonstrated the preventive and therapeutic effects of red yeast rice (RYR), a traditional Chinese medicine, on carotid atherosclerosis through the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and other risk factors, the evidence remains inconsistent. This study aimed to further evaluate the effects of RYR in carotid atherosclerosis. Several databases were searched for original trials of RYR for the treatment of carotid atherosclerosis that reported plaque indicators. Carotid plaque area (AREA), carotid plaque score (SCORE), and intima-media thickness (IMT) were set as the primary outcomes, while lipid profile and safety indicators were set as the secondary outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed on the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 index and Q statistic. Subgroup, sensitivity, and dose-effect analyses were conducted. Twenty RCTs with 2217 patients were included. Compared to the control group, AREA (SMD = −0.855, 95%CI: −1.259 to −0.451, p < 0.001), IMT (SMD = −0.588, 95%CI: −0.792 to −0.384, p < 0.001), SCORE (SMD = −0.708, 95%CI: −1.135 to −0.282, p = 0.001), LDL-C (SMD = −0.938, 95%CI: −1.375 to −0.502, p < 0.001), triglyceride (SMD = −0.766, 95%CI: −0.980 to −0.551, p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (SMD = −0.858, 95%CI: −1.254 to −0.462, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased and HDL-C (SMD = 0.389, 95%CI: 0.044–0.733, p = 0.027) was significantly increased following RYR therapy. The indicators for safety were not significant and did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.050). Heterogeneities mainly existed for the treatment time or control group setting. Most results showed no changes in the sensitivity analysis. Dose-effect relationships were observed for all indicators except for TC and HDL-C. We concluded that RYR therapy showed considerable efficacy and an acceptable safety profile for the treatment of carotid atherosclerosis in the Chinese population.

Genetic analysis of the ZNF804A gene in Mexican patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that schizophrenia (SCZ), schizoaffective disorder (SAD) and bipolar disorder (BPD) share genetic risk variants. ZNF804A gene has been associated with these disorders in different populations. GWAS and candidate gene studies have reported association between the rs1344706 A allele with SCZ, SAD and BPD in European and Asian populations. In Mexican patients, no studies have specifically analyzed ZNF804A gene variants with these disorders. The aim of the study was to analyze the rs1344706 and identify common and rare variants in a targeted region of the ZNF804A gene in Mexican patients with SCZ, BPD and SAD compared with a control group.

METHODS

We genotyped the rs1344706 in 228 Mexican patients diagnosed with SCZ, SAD and BPD, and 295 controls. Also, an additional sample of 167 patients with these disorders and 170 controls was analyzed to identify rare and common variants using the Sanger-sequence analysis of a targeted region of ZNF804A gene.

RESULTS

Association analysis of rs1344706 observed a higher frequency of A allele in the patients compared with the control group; however, did not show statistical differences after Bonferronís correction (χ2 = 5.3, p = 0.0208). In the sequence analysis, we did not identify rare variants; however, we identified three common variants: rs3046266, rs1366842 and rs12477430. A comparison of the three identified variants between patients and controls did not show statistical differences (p > 0.0125). Finally, haplotype analysis did not show statistical differences between SCZ, SAD and BPD and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings did not support the evidence suggesting that ZNF804A gene participates in the etiology of SCZ, SAD and BPD. Future studies are needed in a larger sample size to identify the effect of this gene in psychiatric disorders.

Association Between ZNF804A Gene rs1344706 Polymorphism and Brain Functions in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Voxel-Based Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) protein participates in embryonic neural repair and development. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs1344706 in ZNF804A gene is closely related to functional abnormalities of the human brain. However, these results are inconsistent. This association was verified by meta-analysis in this study.

METHODS

Fifteen studies on functional magnetic resonance imaging involving 1710 healthy individuals were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis used by Anisotropic Effect-Size Signed Differential Mapping software.

RESULTS

Functional connectivity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC)-left hippocampus in the rs1344706 risk allele carrier was significantly increased (z = 2.066, p < 0.001), while those in the rDLPFC-left middle frontal gyrus (z = -1.420, p < 0.001) and rDLPFC-right middle frontal gyrus (z = -1.298, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. Neural activity of the left anterior cingulate gyrus in the rs1344706 risk allele carrier was significantly decreased (z = -2.525, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis was almost stable, and no publication bias was found.

CONCLUSION

The changes in brain function have a clear correlation with ZNF804A gene in healthy individuals, which indicate the contribution of genetic variants on brain dysfunction.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

This meta-analysis is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42016051331).

Genetic impact of ZNF804A on cognitive function in patients with bipolar I disorder

Our previous genetic study identified a variant rs1344706 in the zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) gene conferring susceptibility to bipolar disorder subtype I (BD-I) in Han Chinese. Literature documented that this variant may affect brain structure and function. As such, we attempted to identify whether the rs1344706 polymorphism influences cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder I. We recruited 177 patients with bipolar disorder in remission period. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs1344706 was genotyped using TaqMan assays. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analysis showed a significant genotypic effect on RBANS immediate memory (P = 0.002) and total score (P = 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that the patients with T/T genotype have lower RBANS immediate memory and total scores than those with T/G or G/G genotypes. When the patients were stratified by sex, such significances are only seen in male patients, but not female patients. Our findings suggested a sex-specific effect of ZNF804A rs1344706 polymorphism on cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder-I.

Nanomedicines for Near-Infrared Fluorescent Lifetime-Based Bioimaging

Nanomedicines refer to the application of nanotechnology in disease diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Bioimaging provides crucial biological information for disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Fluorescent bioimaging shows the advantages of good contrast and a vast variety of signal readouts and yet suffers from imaging depth due to the background noise from the autofluorescence of tissue and light scattering. Near-infrared fluorescent lifetime bioimaging (NIR- FLTB) suppresses such background noises and significantly improves signal-to-background ratio. This article gives an overview of recent advances in NIR- FLTB using organic compounds and nanomaterials as contrast agent (CA). The advantages and disadvantages of each CA are discussed in detail. We survey relevant reports about NIR-FLTB in recent years and summarize important findings or progresses. In addition, emerging hybrid bioimaging techniques are introduced, such as ultrasound-modulated FLTB. The challenges and an outlook for NIR- FLTB development are discussed at the end, aiming to provide references and inspire new ideas for future nanomedicine development.