Review
Genetics & Heredity
Yulian Fang, Yaqiong Cui, Zhaoqing Yin, Mengzhu Hou, Pan Guo, Hanjie Wang, Nan Liu, Chunquan Cai, Mingbang Wang
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between genetic variants and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. The results revealed significant associations between certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate genes, including CNTNAP2, MTHFR, OXTR, and VDR, and increased ASD risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masud Rabbani, Munirul M. Haque, Dipranjan Das Dipal, Md Ishrak Islam Zarif, Anik Iqbal, Amy Schwichtenberg, Naveen Bansal, Tanjir Rashid Soron, Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral patterns of children with ASD during and after the COVID-19 lockdown, and found that support in the areas of problematic behavior could mitigate future risks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuanchuan Wang, Weixuan Chen, Yishan Jiang, Xiao Xiao, Qianhui Zou, Jiarui Liang, Yu Zhao, Qianxu Wang, Tian Yuan, Rui Guo, Xuebo Liu, Zhigang Liu
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms may be improved through modulation of gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of a synbiotic treatment on an ASD-like mouse model, and found that it rectified social impairments, attenuated inflammatory cytokine expressions, protected gut barrier integrity, and altered gut microbiota composition. The synbiotic treatment elevated beneficial metabolites and upregulated genes associated with their synthesis. Overall, the synbiotic combination mitigated ASD-related social impairments through regulation of the gut-brain axis.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Maude M. David
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Studies have suggested a role of the gut microbiome in modulating ASD phenotype, but results remain inconsistent. Future research will require new experimental methodologies to better understand this relationship.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xinyan Xie, Li Li, Hao Wu, Fang Hou, Yanlin Chen, Qi Xue, Yu Zhou, Jiajia Zhang, Jianhua Gong, Ranran Song
Summary: The study utilized a convergent functional genomics approach to identify three candidate causal genes of ASD, with the TIGD5 gene showing association with ASD risk through a specific SNP (rs75547282). Genotyping experiments revealed an increased risk of ASD associated with TIGD5 rs75547282 under the dominant model, but with limited statistical power (5.2%).
Article
Psychiatry
Jifeng Wang, Yuan Cao, Weiliang Hou, Dexi Bi, Fang Yin, Yaohui Gao, Dengfeng Huang, Yingying Li, Zhan Cao, Yinmei Yan, Jianhua Zhao, Dewu Kong, Xiaoqiong Lv, Linsheng Huang, Hui Zhong, Chunyan Wu, Qiyi Chen, Rong Yang, Qing Wei, Huanlong Qin
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, restricted verbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a safe and efficient strategy to adjust gut microbiota dysbiosis and improve ASD-related behavioral symptoms, but its mechanism is still unknown. Understanding the impact of microbiota on ASD development is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ramkumar Aishworiya, Tatiana Valica, Randi Hagerman, Bibiana Restrepo
Summary: While behavioral interventions remain the primary treatment for autism spectrum disorder, new targeted treatments addressing the underlying neurophysiology have emerged. These treatments show promise in effectively addressing the core symptoms of autism and may also target genetic mechanisms associated with the disorder. This article provides a review of current pharmacological treatments for autism and explores upcoming targeted approaches in autism management.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
James T. Nugent, Christine Bakhoum, Lama Ghazi, Jason H. Greenberg
Summary: This study compares the frequency of hypertension screening at health maintenance visits between children with and without autism.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Richard H. Cole, Michael S. Elmalem, Panayiota Petrochilos
Summary: In a cohort of adults with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), the prevalence of autistic traits and alexithymia is reported, along with the associated psychiatric comorbidity. Furthermore, it is explored whether alexithymia mediates the association between autistic traits and comorbidity.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Liliana Dell'Osso, Giulia Amatori, Ivan Mirko Cremone, Enrico Massimetti, Benedetta Nardi, Davide Gravina, Francesca Benedetti, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Maurizio Pompili, Pierluigi Politi, Antonio Vita, Mario Maj, Barbara Carpita
Summary: Recent literature suggests that patients with severe mental disorders may develop catatonia over time, and that autistic traits and borderline personality disorder may play important roles in this development. This study aimed to compare catatonic spectrum symptoms and autistic traits among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and healthy controls (CTL), while also evaluating possible predictive dimensions of the different diagnoses.
Article
Psychiatry
Doha Bemmouna, Sebastien Weibel, Markus Kosel, Roland Hasler, Luisa Weiner, Nader Perroud
Summary: The co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD in adults is common. The utility of the AQ as a screening tool for ASD in the context of ADHD is limited, but the imagination subscale can be useful for distinguishing between individuals with ADHD and ASD.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Tomoko Horinouchi, Kaori Maeyama, Masashi Nagai, Masami Mizobuchi, Yasuko Takagi, Yuka Okada, Takeshi Kato, Mio Nishimura, Yoko Kawasaki, Mieko Yoshioka, Satoshi Takada, Hisayuki Matsumoto, Yuji Nakamachi, Jun Saegusa, Sachiyo Fukushima, Kazumichi Fujioka, Kazumi Tomioka, Hiroaki Nagase, Kandai Nozu, Kazumoto Iijima, Noriyuki Nishimura
Summary: The study found no significant association between neonatal jaundice and ASD when examining UGT1A1 polymorphisms. There was no UGT1A1*27 allele detected in the subjects, and ASD symptom assessment scores were not associated with genotypes or diplotypes.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Zhang, Rong Zou, Min Guo, Mengmeng Duan, Quan Li, Huajun Zheng
Summary: The study found significant differences in gut microbiota between adults with ASD and obese adults, with certain bacterial genera significantly increased in ASD patients and certain species enriched in obesity. Some species identified may serve as predictive biomarkers for obesity.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mingxing Lou, Aihua Cao, Cuiyuan Jin, Kai Mi, Xiyue Xiong, Zhaoyang Zeng, Xu Pan, Jinlong Qie, Shangfeng Qiu, Yaofang Niu, Hao Liang, Yanping Liu, Lin Chen, Zhi Liu, Qing Zhao, Xiyan Qiu, Yuanxiang Jin, Xiaoqi Sheng, Zhibin Hu, Gulei Jin, Jingshi Liu, Xingyin Liu, Yichao Wang
Summary: Recent studies have revealed the developmental characteristics of gut microbiota in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), showing a distinct and progressive deviation in microbiota development, as well as extensive microbial changes before the age of 3.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sebastian Lundstrom, Mark Taylor, Henrik Larsson, Paul Lichtenstein, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Christopher Gillberg
Summary: This study found that impairment due to autism symptoms increased with consecutively later birth cohorts based on data from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden. Parents of children born in 2007-2009 reported a higher degree of impairment compared to those born in 1995-1997, even at levels below the diagnostic threshold. These results suggest a growing diffuseness in the conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Li Zou, Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Jiang, Pei Xiao, Xiaoqian Wu, Bing Zhu, Ranran Song
Summary: The study found that the quality of life of children with developmental dyslexia (DD) was significantly lower than that of healthy children, with poorer psychosocial function, physiological and mental health, living environment, and satisfaction with quality of life. This suggests the need for more public efforts to improve the quality of life for children with DD.
Article
Psychiatry
Xiaomin Luo, Ruimin Zheng, Pei Xiao, Xinyan Xie, Qi Liu, Kaiheng Zhu, Xiaoqian Wu, Zhen Xiang, Ranran Song
Summary: School bullying is still a health problem among adolescent students in China. It is associated with various mental health issues, with boys being more prone to being bullies, victims, and bully/victims, while girls are more likely to be involved in bullying others or being bullied.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xinyan Xie, Li Li, Xiaoqian Wu, Fang Hou, Yanlin Chen, Liuwei Shi, Qi Liu, Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Jiang, Yanan Feng, Pei Xiao, Jiajia Zhang, Jianhua Gong, Ranran Song
Summary: This study characterized the gut microbiota composition of 101 children with ASD and 103 healthy controls in China. The altered gut microbiota may contribute significantly to the risk of ASD, including significant increases in the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella and significant decrease of Blautia and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae. This study provided further evidence of gut microbial dysbiosis in ASD.
Article
Nursing
Kaiheng Zhu, Xinyan Xie, Qi Liu, Heng Meng, Ranran Song
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) among Chinese undergraduates during widespread online learning and found that IA was associated with academic burnout. Better cognition of COVID-19 and positive lifestyles were found to be protective factors against IA.
PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHIATRIC CARE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinyan Xie, Yanjian Wan, Bing Zhu, Qi Liu, Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Jiang, Yanan Feng, Pei Xiao, Xiaoqian Wu, Jiajia Zhang, Heng Meng, Ranran Song
Summary: This study examined the association between exposure to organophosphate insecticides and the risk of dyslexia among Chinese children. The results suggest that children exposed to organophosphate insecticides may have a higher risk of dyslexia, especially among boys.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Xinyan Xie, Qi Liu, Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Jiang, Yanan Feng, Pei Xiao, Xiaoqian Wu, Ranran Song
Summary: This study investigated the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19 in children in China and found that there was an increased prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms after schools resumed. Females, children in Wuhan, and children with experience of neglect were at higher risk of mental health disorders.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Han Xiao, Qi Liu, Hong Mei, Qi Xue, Xiaonan Cai, Xinyan Xie, Zhiguo Xia, Yu Zhou, Hui Li, Kaiheng Zhu, Zihao Wan, Ranran Song, Zhisheng Liu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of behavioral problems among pediatric patients recovered from COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. The results showed that the highest prevalence of behavioral problems among recovered children was for prosocial behavior, and there was a correlation between parents' emotional problems and children's behavioral problems.
Article
Pediatrics
Yanan Feng, Qi Liu, Xinyan Xie, Qi Jiang, Kaiheng Zhu, Pei Xiao, Xiaoqian Wu, Pengxiang Zuo, Ranran Song
Summary: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of reading disabilities (RDs) and potential environmental risk factors in Shihezi, Xinjiang, a multiethnic city in China. The results showed that the prevalence of RDs was 3.38% in Shihezi, with significantly higher rates among Uighur children compared to Han children. Gender, learning habits, and the home literacy environment were found to be associated with RDs.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Liu, Xinyan Xie, Qi Jiang, Yanan Feng, Pei Xiao, Xiaoqian Wu, Ranran Song
Summary: This study found an association between the BDNF gene rs6265 polymorphism and the risk of dyslexia, and that copper exposure could interact with rs6265 to increase the risk of dyslexia.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yulin Chen, Chunxia Jiang, Yile Wang, Ranran Song, Yang Tan, Yuyi Yang, Zulin Zhang
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of antibiotic pollution in the Yangtze River, focusing on sedimentary concentrations, sources, environmental fate, and ecological risks. The results revealed the abundance and distribution of different antibiotic categories in the sediments, with fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines being the dominant pollutants. The study also demonstrated the influence of local animal husbandry on antibiotic contamination and highlighted the positive correlation between antibiotics and heavy metals. The findings contribute to a better understanding of antibiotic contamination in the Yangtze River basin and emphasize the need for mitigation and management measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Haoxue Wang, Xvfang Wu, Yanlin Chen, Fang Hou, Kaiheng Zhu, Qi Jiang, Pei Xiao, Quan Zhang, Zhen Xiang, Yixi Fan, Xinyan Xie, Li Li, Ranran Song
Summary: This study aims to identify potential causative variants of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by analyzing the differential expression of long non-coding RNA genes in brain tissues. By utilizing different analytic methods, functional SNPs and their association with ASD risk were identified. A specific SNP (rs1565228) was found to reduce the risk of ASD, and further analysis indicated its role in regulating the expression of a specific long non-coding RNA.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaiheng Zhu, Yanjian Wan, Bing Zhu, Haoxue Wang, Qi Liu, Xinyan Xie, Qi Jiang, Yanan Feng, Pei Xiao, Zhen Xiang, Ranran Song
Summary: This study found that exposure to sodium iodide symporter inhibitors, including perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate, were associated with an increased risk of dyslexia. Specifically, urinary thiocyanate levels were significantly associated with dyslexia risk, particularly in boys, children with fixed reading time, and those without maternal depression or anxiety during pregnancy. These findings suggest the potential neurotoxicity of thiocyanate or its parent compounds in dyslexia and further investigation is needed to confirm and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yulin Chen, Ranran Song, Ping Li, Yile Wang, Yang Tan, Yongfei Ma, Lie Yang, Li Wu, Zhenjie Du, Xuebin Qi, Zulin Zhang
Summary: This study examined the sources, pollution, and ecological risks of PAHs in the Wuhan section of the Yangtze River. Sediment was found to be a secondary release source for two- and three-ring PAHs and a sink for four- and five-ring PAHs. The dominant contribution of PAHs in water was from two-ring PAHs, while in sediments, it was from four-ring PAHs. Higher levels of PAHs were observed around industrial areas during the wet season, influenced by local industrial emissions and rainfall/runoff. Risk assessments showed low risks in water but medium risks in 44% of the sediments. Energy structure adjustment and stricter regulations are necessary to reduce PAH emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Pei Xiao, Kaiheng Zhu, Yanan Feng, Qi Jiang, Zhen Xiang, Quan Zhang, Xufang Wu, Yixi Fan, Li Zou, Han Xiao, Ranran Song
Summary: This study found that dyslexia is associated with stress and depressive symptoms in children. Dyslexic children have persistent emotional issues, highlighting the importance of addressing their psychological well-being.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xianglong Meng, Hui Su, Ranran Song, Jianzheng Su, Junjie Bian
Summary: The use of thermochemical methods to convert biomass resources into high-value fuels and chemicals has gained popularity in energy utilization. In this study, natural minerals were modified through ball-milling to introduce acidic sites, and a solvent-free aldol condensation reaction of biomass-based cyclopentanone was carried out. The results demonstrated that the SO3H-APG catalyst with a -SO3H loading of 4 mmol/g showed excellent acid-base co-activation effects and catalytic effect in the condensation reaction. The optimized reaction conditions achieved a 85.53% conversion of cyclopentanone at a reaction temperature of 150 degrees Celsius and reaction time of 4 h. The dimer and trimer selectivity were 69.04% and 28.41%, respectively. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the presence of an acid-base bifunctional catalyst was crucial for the condensation reaction and this research offers a promising pathway for catalyst design and the synthesis of long-chain hydrocarbons.
