Glutamate decarboxylase 1 gene polymorphisms are associated with respiratory symptoms in panic disorder

BACKGROUND Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder(PD).However,the effect of genetic variants on PD remains controversial.AIM To evaluate the associations between glutamate decarboxylase 1(GAD1)gene polymorphisms and PD risk and assess the effect of GAD1 gene polymorphisms on the severity of clinical symptoms in PD.METHODS We recruited 230 PD patients and 224 healthy controls in this study.All participants were assessed for anxiety and panic symptom severity using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAM-A)and Panic Disorder Severity Scale(PDSS).GAD1 gene polymorphisms(rs1978340 and rs3749034)were genotyped and assessed for allele frequencies.RESULTS There were no significant differences between cases and controls in the genotype distributions or allele frequencies of GAD1(rs1978340 and rs3749034).In addition,the effect of GAD1(rs1978340 and rs3749034)on PD severity was not significant.However,regarding respiratory symptoms,patients with the GAD1 rs1978340 A/A genotype had significantly higher scores than those with the A/G or G/G genotype.CONCLUSION Here,we showed that the A/A genotype of GAD1 rs1978340 was associated with increased severity of respiratory symptoms in patients with PD.

Pilot study of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression for treatment response to escitalopram in panic disorder

BACKGROUND Antidepressants,particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,are currently considered the first-line treatment for panic disorder(PD).However,little is known about the relationship between the biomarkers that may predict better treatment.AIM To compare genome-wide methylation and gene expression patterns between responsive and non-responsive patients with PD after 4 wk of escitalopram treatment.METHODS Thirty patients with PD were enrolled in this study(responders=13;nonresponders=17).All patients were assessed using the PD Severity Scale-Chinese version before and after treatment.The Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC(850k)BeadChip for genome-wide methylation screening and mRNA sequencing was used in all patients with PD.RESULTS A total of 701 differentially methylated positions(DMPs)were found between responders and non-responders(|Δβ|≥0.06,q<0.05),and the hyper-and hypomethylated CpG sites were 511(72.9%)and 190(27.1%),respectively.Relative to non-responders,there were 59 differential transcripts,of which 20 were downregulated and 39 were upregulated(q<0.05).However,no differen tially expressed genes were identified by mRNA sequencing after correcting for multiple testing(|log2(FC)|>1,q>0.05).CONCLUSION This preliminary study showed that DMPs might be associated with the treatment response to escitalopram in PD;however,these DMPs need to be verified in large samples.

Higher Education in Taiwan： An Analysis of Trends Using the Theory of Punctuated Equilibrium

Taiwan is currently facing the serious challenge of decreasing enrollment in higher education institutes （HEIs） due to the oversupply of these institutions and decreasing birthrates. This has necessitated that policymakers implement new policies to meet the demands of the market. This paper uses punctuated equilibrium theory （PET） to explain the circumstances that led to the overexpansion of Taiwan＇s higher education institutions over the past decades. This article also analyzes the social contexts and ramifications of social conflict regarding public expectations and policy changes in the ideology of the educational reform movement.

Molecularly imprinted sensor based on carboxylated carbon nanotubes/Keggin-type polyoxometalates nanocomposite for the detection of furazolidone

Due to its properties of mutagenic,teratogenic,and carcinogenic,the detection of furazolidone(FZD)in aquaculture is of great importance for food safety and human health.In this study,molecularly imprinted fi lms modifi ed with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube-phosphomolybdic acid composite were used to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for the determination of FZD.The nanocomposites were characterized using infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and X-ray diff raction.The electrochemical characteristics of the modifi ed electrodes were examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,cyclic voltammetry,and diff erential pulse voltammetry.The sensor exhibited exceptional catalytic performance.The calibration curves were acquired in the concentration range of 6 nmol·L^(−1)to 0.6μmol·L^(−1),with a limit of detection of 3.38 nmol·L^(−1).Additionally,the sensor proved successful in recognizing FZD in shrimp samples with satisfactory recoveries and precision.The method provides a strategy to construct a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensing platform using nanomaterials,which has great promise in the field of food safety.