Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling mediated by the receptor Wishful thinking (Wit) is essential for nervous system development in Drosophila. Mutants lacking wit function show defects in neuromuscular junction development and function, specification of neurosecretory phenotypes, and eclosion behavior that result in lethality. The ligand is Glass bottom boat, the Drosophila ortholog of mammalian BMP‐7, which acts as a retrograde signal through the Wit receptor. In order to identify transcriptional targets of the BMP pathway in the Drosophila nervous system, we have analyzed the gene expression profile of wit mutant larval central nervous system. Genes differentially expressed identified by microarray analysis have been verified by quantitative PCR and studied by in situ hybridization. Among the genes thus identified, we find solute transporters, neuropeptides, mitochondrial proteins, and novel genes. In addition, several genes are regulated by wit in an isoform‐specific manner that suggest regulation of alternative splicing by BMP signaling. Developmental Dynamics 239:2413–2425, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

for the Depression Screening Data (DEPRESSD) PHQ Collaboration IMPORTANCE The Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9) is a 9-item self-administered instrument used for detecting depression and assessing severity of depression. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) consists of the first 2 items of the PHQ-9 (which assess the frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia) and can be used as a first step to identify patients for evaluation with the full PHQ-9.OBJECTIVE To estimate PHQ-2 accuracy alone and combined with the PHQ-9 for detecting major depression.

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. Phenotypic analysis revealed an association between clinically significant CNVs and intellectual disability. Gene set analysis showed significant overlap of biological pathways in both disorders including oxidative stress response, lipid metabolism/modification, and genomic integrity. Finally, based on bioinformatics analysis, we identified multiple disease-relevant genes in eight well-known ASD/SCZ-associated CNV loci (e.g., 22q11.2, 3q29). Our findings suggest an etiological overlap of ASD and SCZ and provide biological insights into these disorders.

To understand patients' preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news is important in the clinical oncology setting. The aim of this study was to clarify descriptively the preferences of cancer patients. Five hundred and twenty-nine Japanese cancer outpatients were surveyed regarding their preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news, and several psychosocial and medical demographic variables were analyzed. In a descriptive analysis, more than 90% of the patients strongly preferred to discuss their current medical condition and treatment options with their physician and to have their physicians take the feelings of their family into consideration as well. While half of the patients preferred to receive information regarding their life expectancy, 30% preferred not to receive it. Multiple regression analyses indicated the preferences showing interindividual variations were associated with the level of education and the mental adjustment to cancer scores. A factor analysis revealed four preferences factors: method of disclosure of the bad news, provision of emotional support, provision of additional information, and setting. These four factors had good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93-0.77). Providing emotional support, including the desire for the physician to show consideration for the patient's family, and understanding an individual's communication preferences may be useful for promoting patient-physician communication.