Socio-sexual functioning in autism spectrum disorders

Review and analysis of existing literature guided the redevelopment of a measurement scale (SBS-III). Comprehensive validation analyses confirmed the SBS-III as a reliable measure of relationship experiences and sexuality. Clinical use of the SBS-III revealed significant differences in these areas, between individuals with and without autism.<br /

An Extended Culture System that Supports Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cell Survival and Initiation of DNA Methylation Erasure.

The development of an in vitro system in which human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) are generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has been invaluable to further our understanding of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification. However, the means to evaluate the next fundamental steps in germ cell development have not been well established. In this study we describe a two dimensional extended culture system that promotes proliferation of specified hPGCLCs, without reversion to a pluripotent state. We demonstrate that hPGCLCs in extended culture undergo partial epigenetic reprogramming, mirroring events described in hPGCs in vivo, including a genome-wide reduction in DNA methylation and maintenance of depleted H3K9me2. This extended culture system provides a new approach for expanding the number of hPGCLCs for downstream technologies, including transplantation, molecular screening, or possibly the differentiation of hPGCLCs into gametes by in vitro gametogenesis

Downstream signalling from molecular hydrogen

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is now considered to be a part of the suite of small molecules which can control cellular activity. As such it has been suggested to be used in the therapy of diseases in humans but also to be used in plant science, to enhance the growth and productivity of plants. Treatments of plants may involve the creation of hydrogen rich water (HRW) which can then be applied to the foliage or roots systems of the plants. However, the molecular action of H2 re-mains quite elusive. It has been suggested that the presence of H2 may act as an antioxidant, or, on the antioxidant capacity of cells, perhaps through the scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. Further more, H2 may act through an influence on heme oxygenase activity, or through the interaction with reactive nitrogen species. However, there is controversy around all the mechanisms suggested. Here, the downstream mechanisms in which H2 may be involved are critically re-viewed, with a particular emphasis on H2 mitigation of stress responses. Hopefully, this review will give an insight which may inform future research in this area

Oxy-hydrogen gas: The rationale behind its use as a novel and sustainable treatment for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases

Oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) is a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen (H2) and molecular oxygen (O2) that is generated by the electrolysis of water and delivered in a 2:1 ratio (66% and 33%, respectively) through the use of non-invasive inhalation devices such as nasal cannulas or nebulisers. Although there is a paucity of scientific evidence supporting this new and emerging therapy, initial investigations indicate that oxy-hydrogen proffers cytoprotective qualities, typically by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating the inflammatory response. These aspects are particularly favourable when considering respiratory medicine as underlying inflammation is known to drive the pathological progress of numerous respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and, pertinently, COVID-19. Direct delivery to the lung parenchyma is also likely to increase the effectiveness of this emerging medical therapy. This narrative review aims to delineate how this particular combination of gases can affect cellular processes at the molecular level by focusing on the evolutionary requirement for both O2 and H2. Furthermore, the authors assess the current available data for the safety and efficacy of HHO in a clinical setting

Hydrogenases and the role of molecular hydrogen in plants

Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been suggested to be a beneficial treatment for a range of species, from humans to plants. Hydrogenases catalyze the reversible oxidation of H2, and are found in many organisms, including plants. One of the cellular effects of H2 is the selective removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), specifically hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. Therefore, the function of hydrogenases and the action of H2 needs to be reviewed in the context of the signalling roles of a range of redox active compounds. Enzymes can be controlled by the covalent modification of thiol groups, and although motifs targeted by nitric oxide (NO) can be predicted in hydrogenases sequences it is likely that the metal prosthetic groups are the target of inhibition. Here, a selection of hydrogenases, and the possibility of their control by molecules involved in redox signalling are investigated using a bioinformatics approach. Methods of treating plants with H2 along with the role of H2 in plants is also briefly reviewed. It is clear that studies report significant effects of H2 on plants, improving growth and stress responses, and therefore future work needs to focus on the molecular mechanisms involved

The influence of molecular Hydrogen therapies in managing the symptoms of acute and chronic COVID-19

Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) that emerged as a novel pathogen of global concern in the latter stages of 2019. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which can be transmitted through aerosol droplets and surface-to-host contact. Both symptomology and the severity of disease can vary wildly between individuals, from asymptomatic but infectious, to those that require critical care. Due to the neoteric emergence of SARS-CoV-2, current treatment strategies are not yet well developed and rely on the repurposing of such medications as antiviral, corticosteroid, immunosuppressant and oxygen (O2) therapies. However, the minimal efficacy of these interventions is concerning. In addition to the acute infection that prevails, it is estimated that up to 30% of adults who contract COVID-19 develop chronic symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks. It is also estimated that 15% of children aged 2-16 years have developed long-lasting sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to recent clinical data, molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxy-hydrogen (H2/O2) therapies successfully remediated the debilitating effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. By acting as an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent, it is reported that H2 administration can improve recovery through abatement of the hyperinflammatory cytokine cascade and reduction of inhalation resistance in patients with mild-moderate disease symptoms. In this review, the authors investigate the clinical and empirical evidence relating to treating the symptoms of both acute and chronic COVID-19 with H2-containing therapeutics

The therapeutic potential of oxyhydrogen gas in oncology: A study on Epstein–Barr Virus-immortalised B-lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. B-cells are a keystone of the adaptive immune response and are essential for the presentation of tumor-associated antigens to various types of T-cells. Approximately 1.5% of global cancer cases, including breast and gastric carcinomas and both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, are linked with prior Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) infection. Such properties make EBV-infected lymphocytes ideal models for understanding the effect of oxyhydrogen gas on dysfunctional cell cycling. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of the direct infusion of oxyhydrogen gas on the replicative capacity of EBV-immortalised B-lymphocytes. Oxyhydrogen gas was directly infused into cell culture media. Cells were incubated in 95% air and 5% CO2 for up to 72 h. Cell enumeration was assessed with and without the addition of mitogenic growth stimuli, and subsequent cell-cycle analysis was performed. Cell enumeration: An initial trend of replicative inhibition of TK6 cells is noted with a single oxyhydrogen treatment at the 24 and 48 h time points. The daily addition of oxyhydrogen-infused media showed statistically relevant data at 24 and 48 h but not at 72 h. In mitogen-stimulated cells, a non-statistical trend of inhibition was observed at 24, 48 and 72 h. Analysis details a significant increase in DNA in the Sub G1 phase, indicating increased apoptosis

The AIFS evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms : a summary

In 2006, the Australian Government, through the Attorney- General\u27s Department (AGD) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to undertake an evaluation of the impact of the 2006 changes to the family law system: Evaluation of the 2006 Family Law Reforms (Kaspiew et al., 2009) (the Evaluation). This article provides a summary of the key findings of the Evaluation.<br /