Conceptual clarification of the playful engagement in social interaction of preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate limited playfulness. Their difficulty engaging in meaningful interaction with others renders playful engagement in social interactions a challenge. Although little direct evidence exists regarding the promotion of these children’s playful engagement, links can be established with many traits cited in play and social interaction studies. This paper presents the results of a conceptual clarification exercise regarding the key behaviours associated with the construct of playful engagement in preschool-aged children with ASD. Behaviours were identified based on hallmark deficits in early social interactions and play of children with ASD. The analysis revealed the following behaviours: positive affect, engagement, imitation, joint attention, initiation of social interaction, social responsiveness, flexibility, child’s laughter in funny situations and giving and reading non-verbal cues. In conclusion, a conceptually coherent stage has been set for exploring the literature regarding interventions to promote the playful engagement of preschool-aged children with ASD.     

Heterologous fibrin sealant potentiates axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury with reduction in the number of suture points

The use of suture associated with heterologous fibrin sealant has been highlighted for reconstruction after peripheral nerve injury, having the advantage of being safe for clinical use. In this study we compared the use of this sealant associated with reduced number of stitches with conventional suture after ischiatic nerve injury. 36 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control (C), Denervated (D), ischiatic nerve neurotmesis (6 mm gap); Suture (S), epineural anastomosis after 7 days from neurotmesis, Suture + Fibrin Sealant (SFS), anastomosis with only one suture point associated with Fibrin Sealant. Catwalk, electromyography, ischiatic and tibial nerve, soleus muscle morphological and morphometric analyses were performed. The amplitude and latency values of the Suture and Suture + Fibrin Sealant groups were similar and indicative of nerve regeneration.The ischiatic nerve morphometric analysis in the Suture + Fibrin Sealant showed superior values related to axons and nerve fibers area and diameter when compared to Suture group. In the Suture and Suture + Fibrin Sealant groups, there was an increase in muscle weight and in fast fibers frequency, it was a decrease in the percentage of collagen compared to group Denervated and in the neuromuscular junctions, the synaptic boutons were reestablished.The results suggest a protective effect at the lesion site caused by the fibrin sealant use. The stitches reduction minimizes the trauma caused by the needle and it accelerates the surgical practice. So the heterologous fibrin sealant use in nerve reconstruction should be considered.     

Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors on FOLFOX and CapeOx Regimens in Colorectal Cancer

Background

First-line adjuvant chemotherapy options for early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) include CapeOx (capecitabine, intravenous oxaliplatin) and FOLFOX (intravenous 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin). Capecitabine is an oral prodrug analog of 5-fluorouracil, and recent studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may detrimentally affect capecitabine efficacy. Conversely, some literature suggests that PPIs may negatively affect CRC itself. To gain insight into the nature of PPIs’ effect on capecitabine and CRC, we investigated their effects on effectiveness of CapeOx versus FOLFOX chemotherapy.

Versatile applicability of a grid-based CYP3A4 Template to understand the interacting mechanisms with the small-size ligands; part 3 of CYP3A4 Template study

Modes of interactions of small ligands with CYP3A4 have been defined using the Template established in our previous studies (DMPK. 34: 113–125 2019 and 34 351–364 2019). Interactions of polyaromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene and dibenzo[a,j]acridine were refined with the idea of Right-side movement of ligands at Rings A and B of Template. Expected formation of metabolites from the placements faithfully matched with experimentally observed sites of their metabolisms and also with preferred orders of regio-isomeric metabolite abundances in recombinant CYP3A4 system. In comparison of CYP3A4-ligand data with the placements on simulations, a futile sitting of non-substituted and free rotatable phenyl structures was suggested as a cause of poor oxidations of the phenyl parts of CYP3A4 ligands. These data were in turn indicative of the role of the rotation-ceasing action for the function. Typical inhibitors, ketoconazole, nicardipine, mibefradil and GF-I-1 shared mutuality on their sittings, in which the inhibitor molecules hold a CYP3A4 residue from dual sides on Template. In addition, clotrimazole would be stuck between facial- and rear-side walls of CYP3A4 and interact with ferric iron through nitrogen atom of the imidazole part. These data offered structural bases of CYP3A4-inhibitory actions of ligands.     

哮喘相关基因与治疗药物的生物信息学分析

目的:通过生物信息学技术比较哮喘患者与健康人的基因芯片数据,初步鉴定与哮喘相关的基因以及治疗哮喘的潜在药物。方法:从基因表达数据库下载GSE74986基因芯片,使用GEO2R分析得出差异表达基因,采用Morpheus制作差异表达基因的热图;通过DAVID 6.8对差异表达基因进行基因本体及京都基因与基因组百科全书分析,使用String 10.5构建蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用网络,筛选核心基因。进一步使用Cytoscape 3.6.1的插件MCODE对差异表达基因进行模块分析。通过医学本体信息检索平台筛选治疗哮喘的小分子药物。结果:筛选出510个差异表达基因,包括29个上调基因和481个下调基因。差异表达基因生物过程与通路主要富集在染色质沉默、核糖核酸聚合酶Ⅱ启动子的转录调节、蛋白质转运、信使核糖核酸加工、核糖核酸剪接以及泛素介导的蛋白水解、内质网中的蛋白质加工、核糖核酸转运、髓样分化因子依赖性Toll样受体信号通路、血小板激活、核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体信号通路等。共得出9个核心基因,包括T-复合蛋白1θ亚基(CCT8),T复合物蛋白1α亚单位(TCP1),26S蛋白酶调节亚单位S10B(PSMC6),热休克蛋白90α(HSP90A) A1,细胞周期蛋白C(CCNC),HSP90AB1,26S蛋白酶体非ATP酶调节亚基6(PSMD6),泛素特异性蛋白酶14(USP14),真核细胞翻译起始因子4E(EIF4E)。得出2个重要模块,模块里的基因主要涉及剪接体和泛素介导的蛋白水解、蛋白修饰以及核糖核酸修饰等生物过程。治疗哮喘的潜在小分子药物有茴香霉素和金雀异黄素等。结论:差异表达基因和核心基因促进了对哮喘发病分子机制的理解,为哮喘的诊治提供了潜在的基因靶标与治疗药物。