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Background and objective: Genetic polymorphism studies in families and twins indicated the heritability of depression. However, the association between genes with genetic polymorphism and depression provides various findings and remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the genes with their polymorphism associated with the symptomatic depression known as major depressive disorder (MDD). Materials and methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched for relevant studies published before May 22, 2023 (1968–2023), and 62 were selected for this review. The study's bias risk was investigated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Gene functional enrichment analysis was investigated for molecular function (MF) and biological process (BP) and pathways. A meta-analysis of the studied genes that were replicative in the same single nucleotide polymorphism was conducted using a random-effect model. Results: The 49 genes involved in MDD were studied and engaged in several pathways, such as tryptophan metabolism or dopaminergic and serotonergic synapses. Based on gene overlapping in MF and BP, 13 genes with polymorphisms were identified as related to MDD. Most of them were only studied once. Solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) overlapping between MF and BP and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as unique to BP were replicative studied and used in the meta-analysis. The polymorphism of SLC6A4 SS and LS genotypes increased the occurrence of MDD development but not significantly [odd ratio (OR) = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–2.22; P = 0.16 and OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.84–1.53; P = 0.42, respectively]. A similar result was observed for BDNF rs6265 GG (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 0.78–2.06; P = 0.35) and BDNF rs6265 AA genotypes (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.77–1.64; P = 0.56). These studies indicated low bias and significant heterogeneity. Conclusion: At least 13 studied genes with polymorphisms were involved in MDD development according to MF and BP, but not significantly. These results suggest that MDD development risk factors might require genetic and other factors for interaction and induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue is a global health concern, and the host-viral interactions that regulate disease severity are largely unknown. Detrimental effects of neutrophils in this disease have been reported, but the precise mechanisms and functional properties of dengue-activated neutrophils are not fully characterised. Here, we measured the effects of dengue virus serotype 3 (DV3) on neutrophil lifespan and functions. We show that DV3 extends neutrophil survival with a significant proportion of cells surviving for 72 h post-incubation. These effects on neutrophil survival were greater than those observed by adding GM-CSF and TNF-α alone, but these cytokines enhanced survival induced by the virus. Enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was observed following incubation with DV3 activation and this ROS production was enhanced by co-incubation with priming agents. In addition, DV triggered the enhanced IL-8 expression by the majority of neutrophils and a low percentage of cells were activated to express MCP-1 (CCL2). A low number of neutrophils showed increased co-expression of the migratory markers, CCR7 and CXCR4 which could promote their migration towards lymph nodes. DV3 significantly upregulated the BCL-XL gene at 3, 12, and 24 h, and the Mcl-1 gene at 12 h, following treatment. We also show that DV3 induces the Mcl-1 protein stabilization similar to GM-CSF. This report sheds new light on the mechanisms by which neutrophils may contribute to the pathology of dengue disease via delayed apoptosis and generation of pro-inflammatory molecules, and raises the possibility that dengue-activated neutrophils may play a role in activating cells of adaptive immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Some Culex mosquitoes are competent vectors for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which cause public health problems worldwide, especially in South-east Asia. Xenosurveillance of Culex mosquitoes remains limited compared with other common mosquito-borne diseases. This study aimed to identify JEV and ZIKV in field-caught Culex mosquitoes collected from Ubon Ratchathani province., Materials and Methods: We investigated the presence of JEV and ZIKV in Culex mosquitoes from two districts in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, and examined their role in viral interepidemic circulation. Female Culex mosquitoes (5,587) were collected using a mechanical aspirator from indoors and outdoors. The consensus sequences of the E and NS1 genes of JEV and the E gene of ZIKV were identified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction., Results: From 335 sample pools that contain a total of 5587 adult female Culex mosquitoes collected from Don Yung, Mueang district (4,406) and Phon Duan, Det Udom district (1,181), none of the collected mosquitoes tested positive for either JEV or ZIKV., Conclusion: This study did not find JEV and ZIKV in Culex mosquitoes collected from the area of collection, which may be due to the low circulating amount of the virus in the vectors in the area, making it undetectable, or it may be because Culex mosquitoes are not suitable vector for the virus being tested. However, further xenosurveillance study of JEV and ZIKV in mosquito is suggested to prepare for the next outbreak., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Surasa, et al.)