Demographic Data of Patients seen in a Medical Genetics Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as part of an ongoing study on “Genetic Variations in ASD”.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability defined by deficits in social communication and social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Over the last few decades, the global prevalence of autism has increased by twentyfold to thirtyfold. In the United States, the prevalence of ASD has increased rapidly with one out of every fifty-nine children (1.7%) diagnosed with the condition. With the increasing prevalence of ASD, the financial cost has been estimated to exceed those of Diabetes and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by 2025. Furthermore, ASD has been found to be about 4-5 times more prevalent in males, compared to females, and there has been a noted increase in the prevalence of congenital abnormalities in patients with ASD. Objective: As part of an ongoing multi-year retrospective chart review of the patients seen at the Genetics Clinic for suspected or confirmed cases of ASD, we sought to identify the demographic characteristics of these patients and to see how they compare with documented studies. Methods: The overall study is an ongoing multi-year, retrospective chart review of patients seen at the ETSU Medical Genetics Clinic, with features suggestive of ASD. For this preliminary study, we extracted data from the Electronic health record (Allscripts) for 80 patients (n=80), on the gender, term status at birth (term defined as gestational age at delivery of 37 weeks or more, preterm defined as those delivered at less than 37 weeks), twin status, presence of congenital abnormalities, and the state of residence. We entered all the extracted data into REDCap and carried out a descriptive analysis of the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: It was found that of the eighty patients, eighteen (22.5%) were females while sixty-two (77.5%) were males, (male to female ratio of 3.4 to 1). Fifty-nine patients (73.8%) were born at term, eighteen (22.5%) born preterm and three (3.8%) with unknown term status. Seventy-seven patients (96.3%) were twins and three (3.8%) were not. Thirty patients (37.5%) had no congenital abnormalities at birth while fifty patients (62.5%) had at least one congenital abnormality at birth. Sixty-one patients (76.3%) were from Tennessee while nineteen (23.8%) were from Virginia. Conclusions: This preliminary finding revealed an increased proportion of males compared to females, as well as an increased proportion of the population with congenital abnormalities compared to those without such abnormality. These findings agree with documented data from previous studies on ASD. In our future analysis, we would examine the rate of diagnosis of ASD in the clinic, the type of mutation and the genes involved and identify any trend for specific genes, and/or specific mutation

Springs of Florida

bulletin which documented the major and important springs in the state (Ferguson et al., 1947). This publication was revised in 1977, with many previously undocumented springs and many new water-quality analyses being added (Rosenau et al., 1977). The Florida Geological Survey's report on first magnitude springs (Scott et al., 2002) was the initial step in once again updating and revising the Springs of Florida bulletin. The new bulletin includes the spring descriptions and water-quality analyses from Scott et al. (2002). Nearly 300 springs were described in 1977. As of 2004, more than 700 springs have been recognized in the state and more are reported each year. To date, 33 first magnitude springs (with a flow greater than 100 cubic feet per second or approximately 64.6 million gallons of water per day) have been recognized in Florida, more than any other state or country (Rosenau et al., 1977). Our springs are a unique and invaluable natural resource. A comprehensive understanding of the spring systems will provide the basis for their protection and wise use. (Document pdf contains 677 pages

Can changes in angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy predict development of pre-eclampsia in a low-risk nulliparous patient population?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if change in maternal angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters predicts pre-eclampsia in low-risk nulliparous women. DESIGN: A nested case-control study of change in maternal plasma soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and placenta growth factor (PlGF). We studied 158 pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and 468 normotensive nonproteinuric controls. SETTING: A multicentre study in 16 academic medical centres in the USA. POPULATION: Low-risk nulliparous women. METHODS: Luminex assays for PlGF, sFlt-1 and sEng performed on maternal EDTA plasma collected at 9-12, 15-18 and 23-26 weeks of gestation. Rate of change of analyte between first and either early or late second trimester was calculated with and without adjustment for baseline clinical characteristics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in PlGF, sFlt-1 and sEng. RESULTS: Rates of change of PlGF, sEng and sFlt-1 between first and either early or late second trimesters were significantly different in women who developed pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia or early-onset pre-eclampsia compared with women who remained normotensive. Inclusion of clinical characteristics (race, body mass index and blood pressure at entry) increased sensitivity for detecting severe and particularly early-onset pre-eclampsia but not pre-eclampsia overall. Receiver operating characteristics curves for change from first to early second trimester in sEng, PlGF and sFlt-1 with clinical characteristics had areas under the curve of 0.88, 0.84 and 0.86, respectively, and for early-onset pre-eclampsia with sensitivities of 88% (95% CI 64-99), 77% (95% CI 50-93) and 77% (95% CI 50-93) for 80% specificity, respectively. Similar results were seen in the change from first to late second trimester. CONCLUSION: Change in angiogenic biomarkers between first and early second trimester combined with clinical characteristics has strong utility for predicting early-onset pre-eclampsia

Precision Farming by Cotton Producers in Six Southern States: Results from the 2001 Southern Precision Farming Survey

Precision Farming by Cotton Producers in Six Southern States: Results from the 2001 Southern Precision Farming Surveycotton, precision farming, survey, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Production Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Exploring online experiences, cyberbullying and wellbeing for young people looked after in Wales: An analysis of the school health research network 2017/18 survey

For young people the online world affords creative, entertainment and socialisation opportunities but also poses risks including cyberbullying, grooming and harmful content. Little is known about online experiences of care-experienced young people, a vulnerable group who may benefit from online experiences but may be at increased risk online. This cross-sectional study used data from 11- to 16-year-olds in Wales from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) Student Health and Wellbeing Survey 2017/18 (n = 103,971). Cyberbullying, face-to-face bullying and other online experiences were analysed. The prevalence of these experiences and associated mean wellbeing scores were compared for young people in care (n = 1,921) and not in care (n = 83,551), controlling for socio-demographic variables gender, ethnicity and year group. Higher numbers of young people in care were involved in cyberbullying, bullying, sharing explicit images, problematic social media use and regular contact with online only friends. These online experiences were associated with lower mean wellbeing scores. Lower numbers of young people in care had access to smartphones and social networking sites from age 12, and lower numbers were regularly in online contact with close friends and a wider peer group. These online experiences were associated with higher mean wellbeing scores. Young people in care appear to be less involved with online experiences that positively impact wellbeing and more involved in online experiences that negatively impact wellbeing. Promoting positive online experiences and education around problematic social media use may be particularly valuable in helping young people living in care develop healthy, safe and positive online lives

Precision Farming by Cotton Producers in Eleven Southern States: Results from the 2005 Southern Precision Farming Survey

Precision Farming by Cotton Producers in Eleven Southern States: Results from the 2005 Southern Precision Farming Surveycotton, precision farming, survey, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Production Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Intra-arterial nitroglycerin as directed acute treatment in experimental ischemic stroke

Background: Nitroglycerin (also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)), a vasodilator best known for treatment of ischemic heart disease, has also been investigated for its potential therapeutic benefit in ischemic stroke. The completed Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial suggested that GTN has therapeutic benefit with acute (within 6 hours) transdermal systemic sustained release therapy. Objective: To examine an alternative use of GTN as an acute therapy for ischemic stroke following successful recanalization. Methods: We administered GTN IA following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Because no standard dose of GTN is available following emergent large vessel occlusion, we performed a dose–response (3.12, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 .ig/.iL) analysis. Next, we looked at blood perfusion (flow) through the middle cerebral artery using laser Doppler flowmetry. Functional outcomes, including forced motor movement rotor rod, were assessed in the 3.12, 6.25, and 12.5 .ig/.iL groups. Histological analysis was performed using cresyl violet for infarct volume, and glial fibrillary activating protein (GFAP) and NeuN immunohistochemistry for astrocyte activation and mature neuron survival, respectively. Results: Overall, we found that acute post-stroke IA GTN had little effect on vessel dilatation after 15 min. Functional analysis showed a significant difference between GTN (3.12 and 6.25 .ig/.iL) and control at post-stroke day 1. Histological measures showed a significant reduction in infarct volume and GFAP immunoreactivity and a significant increase in NeuN. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that acute IA GTN is neuroprotective in experimental ischemic stroke and warrants further study as a potentially new stroke therapy

Intra-Arterial Nitroglycerin as Directed Acute Treatment in Experimental Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Nitroglycerin (also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)), a vasodilator best known for treatment of ischemic heart disease, has also been investigated for its potential therapeutic benefit in ischemic stroke. The completed Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial suggested that GTN has therapeutic benefit with acute (within 6 hours) transdermal systemic sustained release therapy. OBJECTIVE: To examine an alternative use of GTN as an acute therapy for ischemic stroke following successful recanalization. METHODS: We administered GTN IA following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Because no standard dose of GTN is available following emergent large vessel occlusion, we performed a dose-response (3.12, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 µg/µL) analysis. Next, we looked at blood perfusion (flow) through the middle cerebral artery using laser Doppler flowmetry. Functional outcomes, including forced motor movement rotor rod, were assessed in the 3.12, 6.25, and 12.5 µg/µL groups. Histological analysis was performed using cresyl violet for infarct volume, and glial fibrillary activating protein (GFAP) and NeuN immunohistochemistry for astrocyte activation and mature neuron survival, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, we found that acute post-stroke IA GTN had little effect on vessel dilatation after 15 min. Functional analysis showed a significant difference between GTN (3.12 and 6.25 µg/µL) and control at post-stroke day 1. Histological measures showed a significant reduction in infarct volume and GFAP immunoreactivity and a significant increase in NeuN. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that acute IA GTN is neuroprotective in experimental ischemic stroke and warrants further study as a potentially new stroke therapy