Family coordination in families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder

Little is known about the interactions of families where there is a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study applies the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP) to explore both its applicability to this population as well as to assess resources and areas of deficit in these families. The sample consisted of 68 families with a child with ASD, and 43 families with a typically developing (TD) child. With respect to the global score for family coordination there were several negative correlations: the more severe the symptoms (based on the child’s ADOS score), the more family coordination was dysfunctional. This correlation was particularly high when parents had to play together with the child. In the parts in which only one of the parents played actively with the child, while the other was simply present, some families did achieve scores in the functional range, despite the child’s symptom severity. The outcomes are discussed in terms of their clinical implications both for assessment and for interventio

Norovirus Regulation of the Innate Immune Response and Apoptosis Occurs via the Product of the Alternative Open Reading Frame 4

Small RNA viruses have evolved many mechanisms to increase the capacity of their short genomes. Here we describe the identification and characterization of a novel open reading frame (ORF4) encoded by the murine norovirus (MNV) subgenomic RNA, in an alternative reading frame overlapping the VP1 coding region. ORF4 is translated during virus infection and the resultant protein localizes predominantly to the mitochondria. Using reverse genetics we demonstrated that expression of ORF4 is not required for virus replication in tissue culture but its loss results in a fitness cost since viruses lacking the ability to express ORF4 restore expression upon repeated passage in tissue culture. Functional analysis indicated that the protein produced from ORF4 antagonizes the innate immune response to infection by delaying the upregulation of a number of cellular genes activated by the innate pathway, including IFN-Beta. Apoptosis in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line was also increased during virus infection in the absence of ORF4 expression. In vivo analysis of the WT and mutant virus lacking the ability to express ORF4 demonstrated an important role for ORF4 expression in infection and virulence. STAT1-/- mice infected with a virus lacking the ability to express ORF4 showed a delay in the onset of clinical signs when compared to mice infected with WT virus. Quantitative PCR and histopathological analysis of samples from these infected mice demonstrated that infection with a virus not expressing ORF4 results in a delayed infection in this system. In light of these findings we propose the name virulence factor 1, VF1 for this protein. The identification of VF1 represents the first characterization of an alternative open reading frame protein for the calicivirus family. The immune regulatory function of the MNV VF1 protein provide important perspectives for future research into norovirus biology and pathogenesis

Concurrent validity between a portable force plate and instrumented walkway when measuring limits of stability

Background: Balance deficits underlie a number of disorders and can exacerbate the primary condition if not addressed. Limits of stability, usually evaluated via force plates, can provide valuable information about balance and associated insufficiencies. A portable instrumented mat used clinically to measure gait characteristics has recently shown potential for limits of stability assessment. The mat also affords the ability to measure proactive control of limits of stability and quantitative information specific to stepping when limits of stability are exceeded. This study examined concurrent validity between the Bertec BalanceCheck Force Plate, an established instrument for measuring limits of stability, and the ProtoKinetics Zeno Walkway. Methods: A total of 51 adults (mean age 25.5 [standard deviation: 7.5] years; 72.5% female) without known disabilities leaned as far as possible in anterior, posterior, rightward and leftward directions while standing in narrow and natural stances on the force plate and walkway. Results: Pearson correlations for the force plate and walkway showed significant positive agreement for all directions tested in the narrow (r range = 0.657–0.878) and natural stances (r range: 0.928–0.936). Conclusions: Findings lend evidence of instrument interchangeability when measuring limits of stability. The results demonstrate evidence of concurrent and construct validity in support of the use of the Zeno Walkway as a measure of limits of stability