Discriminant and Concurrent Validity of a Simplified DSM-Based Structured Diagnostic Instrument for the Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Youth and Young Adults

Background: To evaluate the concurrent and discriminant validity of a brief DSM-based structured diagnostic interview for referred individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Methods: To test concurrent validity, we assessed the structured interview's agreement in 123 youth with the expert clinician assessment and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Discriminant validity was examined using 1563 clinic-referred youth. Results: The structured diagnostic interview and SRS were highly sensitive indicators of the expert clinician assessment. Equally strong was the agreement between the structured interview and SRS. We found evidence for high specificity for the structured interview. Conclusions: A simplified DSM-based ASD structured diagnostic interview could serve as a useful diagnostic aid in the assessment of subjects with ASDs in clinical and research settings

Neolithic Mitochondrial Haplogroup H Genomes and the Genetic Origins of Europeans

Haplogroup H dominates present-day Western European mitochondrial DNA variability (\u3e40%), yet was less common (~19%) among Early Neolithic farmers (~5450 BC) and virtually absent in Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. Here we investigate this major component of the maternal population history of modern Europeans and sequence 39 complete haplogroup H mitochondrial genomes from ancient human remains. We then compare this ‘real-time’ genetic data with cultural changes taking place between the Early Neolithic (~5450 BC) and Bronze Age (~2200 BC) in Central Europe. Our results reveal that the current diversity and distribution of haplogroup H were largely established by the Mid Neolithic (~4000 BC), but with substantial genetic contributions from subsequent pan-European cultures such as the Bell Beakers expanding out of Iberia in the Late Neolithic (~2800 BC). Dated haplogroup H genomes allow us to reconstruct the recent evolutionary history of haplogroup H and reveal a mutation rate 45% higher than current estimates for human mitochondria

Restorative yoga therapy for third-year medical students in pediatrics rotation: Working to improve medical student well-being

BACKGROUND: Stress experienced by medical students is a well-documented and widespread phenomenon that may have physical and psychological effects on their well-being. One solution is to provide students with the tools to recognize and cope with stress. The aim of this study was to incorporate restorative yoga training—a well-recognized tool for stress reduction—in the third-year medical student pediatrics clerkship and assess the intervention's impact on students' well-being. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Restorative yoga, as a prospective intervention, was offered to third-year medical students at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center during their pediatrics rotation. The study was between March and August 2020. Each yoga session lasted 45-minutes, once a week for six weeks. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires before and after the intervention via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). RESULT: Over the six-month study period, 25 (71%) of 35 medical students, having been given the option, chose to participate. The WEMWBS contains 14 statements on well-being, and all but one from the list showed a positive increase in average rating from pre intervention to post intervention. The statements “I've been feeling more relaxed” and “I've been thinking clearly” showed the greatest average increase. Following Chi-squared testing, two statements were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) before intervention and after intervention: “I've been feeling more relaxed” and “I've been feeling good about myself.” CONCLUSION: Students' well-being is paramount to medical schools. Restorative yoga offers hopeful outcomes for effective mitigation of the stresses of medical education and may be recommended for wider use