Recognising Autism Spectrum Disorders in Primary Care: Perspectives of Speech and Language Therapists

Understanding the process of recognising autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children is important, both for achieving timely identification of children's difficulties and for ensuring positive experiences for families. Professionals working in primary care services are suitably positioned to identify children requiring referral for diagnostic assessment of ASD through their early contact with children and their families. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) in particular are well situated to recognise ASD, as concerns regarding communication development are frequently raised by parents of children who later go on to receive an ASD diagnosis. This small-scale qualitative study aimed to explore primary care SLTs' experiences of recognising potential ASD in children. Five SLTs working in primary care services in the Republic of Ireland participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that participants were concerned with two key events: firstly, accurately recognising potential ASD in children; and secondly, discussing the possibility of ASD with parents. The SLTs' experiences of these events were found to be influenced by both individual and wider organisational factors. The findings are discussed in the context of the current literature on ASD identification and implications for practice are considered.     

用DNA条形码技术鉴定阿拉善黄鼠和达乌尔黄鼠

目的 探索阿拉善黄鼠和达乌尔黄鼠的分类鉴定方法。方法 运用DNA条形码技术测定两地黄鼠的线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅰ（COⅠ）基因序列,分析遗传距离,构建系统发育NJ树。结果 11份阿拉善黄鼠的种内遗传距离〈2%,4份达乌尔黄鼠的种内遗传距离〈1%,两地黄鼠的遗传距离介于8%~9%之间,同时,NJ树将两地黄鼠分成2个独立分支。结论 阿拉善黄鼠为独立物种。DNA条形码技术可用于黄鼠种类鉴定。     

肺癌干细胞标志物的研究现状

肺癌具有高度异质性,能够抵抗化疗药物治疗,5年生存率小于15%。尽管我们关于肺癌的知识在不断增多,但仍很难确定肺癌的异质性和耐药性的发病基础。肿瘤干细胞模型近年来吸引了很多注意力,通过这种模型可以解释各种肿瘤的异质性、耐药性、休眠、复发和转移。肿瘤干细胞理论较少涉及肺癌研究。本文综述了肺癌干细胞的鉴定方法,包括其细胞表面标志物和生物学特征,还讨论了肺癌干细胞与肺癌预后的关系,从而为消灭肺癌干细胞、攻克肺癌提供理论依据。     

薏苡仁及其伪品的鉴别研究

目的：鉴别薏苡仁的真伪。方法：采用薄层色谱法和高效液相色谱指纹图谱法对薏苡仁和4种伪品草珠子、小麦、大麦、高粱米进行比较研究。结果：结果显示,薏苡仁与小麦、大麦、高粱米在薄层色谱条带上加以区分。薏苡仁和同属的草珠子在薄层色谱鉴别中难以辨别,进一步采用指纹图谱区分。结论：建立的鉴别方法,可准确区分薏苡仁及其常见伪品,为薏苡仁的质量控制提供参考。     

The use of MALDI-TOF ICMS as an alternative tool for Trichophyton rubrum identification and typing

Aims

In this study, the potential of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight intact cell mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF ICMS) was investigated for the identification of clinical isolates. The isolates were analyzed at the species and strain level.

Methods

Spectral identification by MALDI-TOF ICMS was performed for all strains, and compared with the results of sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2), and the 5.8S rDNA region. PCR fingerprinting analysis using primers M13, (GACA)₄, and (AC)₁₀ was performed in order to assess the intra-specific variability of Trichophyton rubrum strains.

Results

The identification of strains at species level by MALDI-TOF ICMS was in agreement with the previously performed morphological and biochemical analysis. Sequence data confirmed spectral mass identification at species level. Intra-specific variability was assessed. Within the T. rubrum cluster, strains were distributed into smaller highly related sub-groups with a similarity values above 85%.

Conclusions

MALDI-TOF ICMS was shown to be a rapid, low-cost and accurate alternative tool for the identification and strain typing of T. rubrum.     

Substance use and misuse in persons with intellectual disabilities (ID): Results of a survey in ID and addiction services in Flanders

Little is known about the characteristics of substance users with intellectual disabilities (ID). Nevertheless, this group is assumed to be at greater risk of developing substance misuse problems. This study focuses on substance users and misusers with ID, and investigates whether the two groups differ significantly in terms of the nature and consequences of their substance (mis)use. Information regarding the characteristics of the substance (mis)users, the substances used, the negative consequences of substance (mis)use, and the service use was collected through a questionnaire forwarded to ID and addiction services in Flanders. Caregivers identified 104 substance users and misusers with ID. Overall, few differences were observed between users and misusers. This finding underscores that substance use in persons with ID can have important consequences. Substance misusers, however, were found to have more mood changes, more suicidal ideation/thoughts, and more negative long-term consequences on their health, daily activity, and relationships due to substance misuse. Substance use and misuse were associated with mental health problems and were suggested to be a risk factor for offending behavior. To provide appropriate support for this specific population, an individualized approach is suggested that supports better intersectoral collaboration between services.