Comparison of Exergaming and Adaptive Physical Education on Physical Activity, On-task Behavior, and Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cette étude a comparé une évaluation objective de l’activité physique (AP), des comportements sur la tâche et de la communication durant des sessions d’éducation physique adaptée (EPad) et de jeux vidéos actifs avec des enfants présentant des troubles autistiques (TA). Durant l’été 2016, cinq garçons diagnostiqués avec des TA aux États-Unis (tous africain-américain; M̅age=6.8±2.1 ans) ont participé à une étude observationnelle de trois semaines mobilisant des méthodes mixtes. Les observations ont été conduites durant une session d’EPad et une session de jeux vidéos actifs chaque semaine pendant trois semaines consécutives (c’est-à-dire au total trois sessions d’EPad et trois sessions de jeux vidéos actifs). L’AP a été mesurée par accélérométrie tandis que des observations directes ont évalué les comportements sur la tâche ainsi que la communication entre les enseignants/aides et les enfants. Les enseignants/aides ont complété des enquêtes à base de questions ouvertes au sujet des facilitateurs et des barrières à ces trois variables durant l’EPad et les jeux vidéos actifs. Comparé à l’EPad, les jeux vidéos actifs présentent un temps d’AP modéré à vigoureux plus long (16.9 contre 12.2 min respectivement) mais des temps plus faibles d’AP légère (10.8 contre 13.0 min respectivement) et de comportements sédentaires (22.3 contre 24.7 respectivement). De plus grands pourcentages de comportements sur la tâche et de communication ont été observés durant l’EPad (93.0% and 34.0% respectivement) en comparaison aux jeux vidéos actifs (67.0% and 16.1% respectivement). Les observations ont montré que l’EPad était supérieure pour promouvoir des comportements sur la tâche et de la communication en comparaison avec les jeux vidéos actifs. Dans la mesure où les comportements sur la tâche et la communication sont vitaux pour les enfants atteints de TA, les programmes de jeux vidéos actifs sont à prendre avec précaution avec cette population.This study compared objectively-assessed physical activity (PA), on-task behavior, and communication during adaptive physical education (AdPE) and exergaming sessions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In Spring 2016, five boys with diagnosed ASD in the U.S. (all African American; M̅age=6.8±2.1 years) participated in a mixed methods 3-week observational study. Observations were conducted during one AdPE and one exergaming session each week for three consecutive weeks (six total). Accelerometry tracked PA while direct observation assessed on-task behavior and communication between teachers/aides and children. Teachers/aides completed open-ended surveys regarding the facilitators and barriers of our main outcomes during AdPE and exergaming. Compared to AdPE, exergaming had higher moderate-to-vigorous PA duration (16.9 vs. 12.2 min., respectively), but lower durations of light PA (10.8 vs. 13.0 min., respectively) and sedentary behavior (22.3 vs. 24.7 min., respectively). Greater percentages of on-task behavior and communication were seen during AdPE (93.0% and 34.0%, respectively) vs. Exergaming (67.0% and 16.1%, respectively). Space allocation/size were barriers during both PA sessions. Observations indicated that AdPE was superior in promoting on-task behavior/communication compared to exergaming. As on-task behavior/communication is vital to promote in children with ASD, exergaming programs in this population are cautioned

Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional fibrillar collagen microstructure within the normal, aged and glaucomatous human optic nerve head

The aim of this study was to quantify connective tissue fibre orientation and alignment in young, old and glaucomatous human optic nerve heads (ONH) to understand ONH microstructure and predisposition to glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Transverse (seven healthy, three glaucomatous) and longitudinal (14 healthy) human ONH cryosections were imaged by both second harmonic generation microscopy and small angle light scattering (SALS) in order to quantify preferred fibre orientation (PFO) and degree of fibre alignment (DOFA). DOFA was highest within the peripapillary sclera (ppsclera), with relatively low values in the lamina cribrosa (LC). Elderly ppsclera DOFA was higher than that in young ppsclera (p < 0.00007), and generally higher than in glaucoma ppsclera. In all LCs, a majority of fibres had preferential orientation horizontally across the nasal–temporal axis. In all glaucomatous LCs, PFO was significantly different from controls in a minimum of seven out of 12 LC regions (p < 0.05). Additionally, higher fibre alignment was observed in the glaucomatous inferior–temporal LC (p < 0.017). The differences between young and elderly ONH fibre alignment within regions suggest that age-related microstructural changes occur within the structure. The additional differences in fibre alignment observed within the glaucomatous LC may reflect an inherent susceptibility to glaucomatous optic neuropathy, or may be a consequence of ONH remodelling and/or collapse

Mapping of the Disease Locus and Identification of ADAMTS10 As a Candidate Gene in a Canine Model of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with elevated intraocular pressure as an important risk factor. Increased resistance to outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork causes elevated intraocular pressure, but the specific mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we used genome-wide SNP arrays to map the disease gene in a colony of Beagle dogs with inherited POAG to within a single 4 Mb locus on canine chromosome 20. The Beagle POAG locus is syntenic to a previously mapped human quantitative trait locus for intraocular pressure on human chromosome 19. Sequence capture and next-generation sequencing of the entire canine POAG locus revealed a total of 2,692 SNPs segregating with disease. Of the disease-segregating SNPs, 54 were within exons, 8 of which result in amino acid substitutions. The strongest candidate variant causes a glycine to arginine substitution in a highly conserved region of the metalloproteinase ADAMTS10. Western blotting revealed ADAMTS10 protein is preferentially expressed in the trabecular meshwork, supporting an effect of the variant specific to aqueous humor outflow. The Gly661Arg variant in ADAMTS10 found in the POAG Beagles suggests that altered processing of extracellular matrix and/or defects in microfibril structure or function may be involved in raising intraocular pressure, offering specific biochemical targets for future research and treatment strategies

Consensus Recommendation for Mouse Models of Ocular Hypertension to Study Aqueous Humor Outflow and Its Mechanisms.

Due to their similarities in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to humans, mice are a valuable model system to study the generation and mechanisms modulating conventional outflow resistance and thus intraocular pressure. In addition, mouse models are critical for understanding the complex nature of conventional outflow homeostasis and dysfunction that results in ocular hypertension. In this review, we describe a set of minimum acceptable standards for developing, characterizing, and utilizing mouse models of open-angle ocular hypertension. We expect that this set of standard practices will increase scientific rigor when using mouse models and will better enable researchers to replicate and build upon previous findings

Consensus recommendation for mouse models of ocular hypertension to study aqueous humor outflow and its mechanisms

Due to their similarities in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to humans, mice are a valuable model system to study the generation and mechanisms modulating conventional outflow resistance and thus intraocular pressure. In addition, mouse models are critical for understanding the complex nature of conventional outflow homeostasis and dysfunction that results in ocular hypertension. In this review, we describe a set of minimum acceptable standards for developing, characterizing, and utilizing mouse models of open-angle ocular hypertension. We expect that this set of standard practices will increase scientific rigor when using mouse models and will better enable researchers to replicate and build upon previous findings