Meeting the 24-h Movement Guidelines and Health-Related Outcomes Among Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Seven-Country Observational Study

Background: Meeting daily guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration is associated with a host of health indicators for youth. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the associations between adherence to the movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Parents of youth with ASD (10-17 years) from seven countries and regions were invited to provide online proxy-reports for child\u27s movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep and screen time), and health-related outcomes (i.e., body mass index [BMI], general health, and quality of life). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between meeting movement guidelines and health-related outcomes, adjusted for covariates. Results: The final sample consisted of 1165 youth with ASD. Compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a higher BMI z-score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = 0.62, P = 0.04), sedentary time only (B = 0.60, P = 0.047), and physical activity plus sleep only (B = 0.85, P = 0.04). Compared with meeting all three guidelines, meeting no guidelines was associated with poorer general health (B = - 0.46, P = 0.02). Further, compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a lower quality of life score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = - 0.47, P = 0.02) and physical activity only (B = - 0.62, P = 0.03). Lastly, there were dose-response associations between the number of guidelines met and all three health-related outcomes (all P(trend) \u3c 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, meeting more 24-h movement guidelines was generally associated with more favorable health-related outcomes in youth with ASD. The low level of adherence to all three guidelines (2.0%) suggests the urgent need to promote the adoption of all the guidelines in this group

Meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder: a seven-country observational study

Background: Meeting daily guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration is associated with a host of health indicators for youth. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the associations between adherence to the movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods: Parents of youth with ASD (10–17 years) from seven countries and regions were invited to provide online proxy-reports for child’s movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep and screen time), and health-related outcomes (i.e., body mass index [BMI], general health, and quality of life). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between meeting movement guidelines and health-related outcomes, adjusted for covariates.Results: The final sample consisted of 1165 youth with ASD. Compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a higher BMI z-score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = 0.62, P = 0.04), “sedentary time only” (B = 0.60, P = 0.047), and “physical activity plus sleep only” (B = 0.85, P = 0.04). Compared with meeting all three guidelines, meeting no guidelines was associated with poorer general health (B = − 0.46, P = 0.02). Further, compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a lower quality of life score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = − 0.47, P = 0.02) and “physical activity only” (B = − 0.62, P = 0.03). Lastly, there were dose–response associations between the number of guidelines met and all three health-related outcomes (all Ptrend Conclusions: In conclusion, meeting more 24-h movement guidelines was generally associated with more favorable health-related outcomes in youth with ASD. The low level of adherence to all three guidelines (2.0%) suggests the urgent need to promote the adoption of all the guidelines in this group.</p

The unmasking of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia during reversal of immunosuppression: Case reports and literature review

Background: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) is an important opportunistic infection among immunosuppressed patients, especially in those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The clinical presentation of PCP in immunosuppressed patients have been well-reported in the literature. However, the clinical importance of PCP manifesting in the setting of an immunorestitution disease (IRD), defined as an acute symptomatic or paradoxical deterioration of a (presumably) preexisting infection, which is temporally related to the recovery of the immune system and is due to immunopathological damage associated with the reversal of immunosuppressive processes, has received relatively little attention until recently. Case presentation: We aim to better define this unique clinical syndrome by reporting two cases of PCP manifesting acutely with respiratory failure during reversal of immunosuppression in non-HIV infected patients, and reviewed the relevant literature. We searched our databases for PCP cases manifesting in the context of IRD according to our predefined case definition, and reviewed the case notes retrospectively. A comprehensive search was performed using the Medline database of the National Library of Medicine for similar cases reported previously in the English literature in October 2003. A total of 28 non-HIV (excluding our present case) and 13 HIV-positive patients with PCP manifesting as immunorestitution disease (IRD) have been reported previously in the literature. During immunorestitution, a consistent rise in the median CD4 lymphocyte count (28/μL to 125/μL), with a concomitant fall in the median HIV viral load (5.5 log10 copies/ml to 3.1 log10 copies/ml) was observed in HIV-positive patients who developed PCP. A similar upsurge in peripheral lymphocyte count was observed in our patients preceding the development of PCP, as well as in other non-HIV immunosuppressed patients reported in the literature. Conclusions: PCP manifesting as IRD may be more common than is generally appreciated. Serial monitoring of total lymphocyte or CD4 count could serve as a useful adjunct to facilitate the early diagnosis and pre-emptive treatment of this condition in a wide range of immunosuppressed hosts, especially in the presence of new pulmonary symptoms and/or radiographic abnormalities compatible with the diagnosis. © 2004 Wu et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.published_or_final_versio

Meta-analysis Followed by Replication Identifies Loci in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Asians

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with a strong genetic involvement and ethnic differences. Susceptibility genes identified so far only explain a small portion of the genetic heritability of SLE, suggesting that many more loci are yet to be uncovered for this disease. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on SLE in Chinese Han populations and followed up the findings by replication in four additional Asian cohorts with a total of 5,365 cases and 10,054 corresponding controls. We identified genetic variants in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with the disease. These findings point to potential roles of cell-cycle regulation, autophagy, and DNA demethylation in SLE pathogenesis. For the region involving TET3 and that involving CDKN1B, multiple independent SNPs were identified, highlighting a phenomenon that might partially explain the missing heritability of complex diseases

Plastic deformation of aluminium micro-specimens

published_or_final_versionMechanical EngineeringDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph

Farnesyltransferase inhibition: a novel method of immunomodulation.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are anticancer compounds that inhibit Ras GTPases. Since Ras GTPases play key roles in T cell activation and function, we hypothesized that FTIs have immunomodulatory properties and are potential antirejection agents. An investigation was performed on a potent FTI to evaluate this hypothesis in the in vitro setting. The in vitro effects of the FTI A-228839 were evaluated. Lectin- or antigen presenting cell (APC)-induced lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of A-228839 was measured. The effects of A-228839 on 1E5 T cell polarity were assessed by microscopy. Intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) kinetics of lectin-activated lymphocytes was monitored by flow cytometry. The effects of A-228839 on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine production was assessed by a cytometric bead array method. Activation-induced apoptosis was measured with an annexin V staining assay.A-228839 inhibited lectin-induced proliferation (IC(50)=0.24+/-0.11 microM). The inhibitory effects of A-228839 on lectin induced lymphocyte proliferation were additive to those of CsA. A-228839 was more effective in inhibiting APC-induced T cell proliferation (IC(50)=0.10+/-0.09 microM). A-228839 significantly disrupted the polarized shape of 1E5 T cells at physiologic concentrations. A-228839 altered PBMC baseline [Ca(2+)](i) but did not affect [Ca(2+)](i) kinetics during lectin-induced lymphocyte activation. A-228839 inhibited lymphocyte Th1 cytokine production at submicromolar levels and promoted apoptosis in lectin-activated lymphocytes.A-228839 potently inhibits lymphocyte activation and function. Our results suggest that FTIs may represent a new class of clinically useful immunomodulatory agents. A-228839 has potent in vitro immunomodulatory properties that warrant in vivo evaluation as an antirejection agent

Farnesyltransferase inhibition: a novel method of immunomodulation.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are anticancer compounds that inhibit Ras GTPases. Since Ras GTPases play key roles in T cell activation and function, we hypothesized that FTIs have immunomodulatory properties and are potential antirejection agents. An investigation was performed on a potent FTI to evaluate this hypothesis in the in vitro setting. The in vitro effects of the FTI A-228839 were evaluated. Lectin- or antigen presenting cell (APC)-induced lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of A-228839 was measured. The effects of A-228839 on 1E5 T cell polarity were assessed by microscopy. Intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) kinetics of lectin-activated lymphocytes was monitored by flow cytometry. The effects of A-228839 on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine production was assessed by a cytometric bead array method. Activation-induced apoptosis was measured with an annexin V staining assay.A-228839 inhibited lectin-induced proliferation (IC(50)=0.24+/-0.11 microM). The inhibitory effects of A-228839 on lectin induced lymphocyte proliferation were additive to those of CsA. A-228839 was more effective in inhibiting APC-induced T cell proliferation (IC(50)=0.10+/-0.09 microM). A-228839 significantly disrupted the polarized shape of 1E5 T cells at physiologic concentrations. A-228839 altered PBMC baseline [Ca(2+)](i) but did not affect [Ca(2+)](i) kinetics during lectin-induced lymphocyte activation. A-228839 inhibited lymphocyte Th1 cytokine production at submicromolar levels and promoted apoptosis in lectin-activated lymphocytes.A-228839 potently inhibits lymphocyte activation and function. Our results suggest that FTIs may represent a new class of clinically useful immunomodulatory agents. A-228839 has potent in vitro immunomodulatory properties that warrant in vivo evaluation as an antirejection agent