Anxiety and Depression in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are thought to be at disproportionate risk of developing mental health comorbidities, with anxiety and depression being considered most prominent amongst these. Yet, no systematic review has been carried out to date to examine rates of both anxiety and depression focusing specifically on adults with ASD. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the rates of anxiety and depression in adults with ASD and the impact of factors such as assessment methods and presence of comorbid intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis on estimated prevalence rates. Electronic database searches for studies published between January 2000 and September 2017 identified a total of 35 studies, including 30 studies measuring anxiety (n = 26 070; mean age = 30.9, s.d. = 6.2 years) and 29 studies measuring depression (n = 26 117; mean age = 31.1, s.d. = 6.8 years). The pooled estimation of current and lifetime prevalence for adults with ASD were 27% and 42% for any anxiety disorder, and 23% and 37% for depressive disorder. Further analyses revealed that the use of questionnaire measures and the presence of ID may significantly influence estimates of prevalence. The current literature suffers from a high degree of heterogeneity in study method and an overreliance on clinical samples. These results highlight the importance of community-based studies and the identification and inclusion of well-characterized samples to reduce heterogeneity and bias in estimates of prevalence for comorbidity in adults with ASD and other populations with complex psychiatric presentations

Losartan modulates muscular capillary density and reverses thiazide diuretic-exacerbated insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin sensitivity (IS). The role of RAS in insulin resistance and muscular circulation has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study sought to determine the mechanisms of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and/or diuretics on IS and capillary density (CD) in fructose-fed rats (FFRs). Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either normal chow (control group) or fructose-rich chow for 8 weeks. For the last 4 weeks, FFRs were allocated to four groups: an FFR group and groups treated with the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), with the ARB losartan, or both. IS was evaluated by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp technique at week 8. In addition, CD in the extensor digitorum longus muscle was evaluated. Blood pressure was significantly higher in the FFRs than in the controls. HCTZ, losartan and their combination significantly lowered blood pressure. IS was significantly lower in the FFR group than in the controls and was even lower in the HCTZ group. Losartan alone or combined with HCTZ significantly increased IS. In all cases, IS was associated with muscular CD, but not with plasma adiponectin or lipids. These results indicate that losartan reverses HCTZ-exacerbated insulin resistance, which can be mediated through the modulation of muscular circulation in rats with impaired glucose metabolism

NCAA TRACK & CROSS COUNTRY COACHES: A PROFILE OF EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, PAST ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE, AND JOB SATISFACTION SURVEY

Joe Linder*1 and Danielle Hemingsonǂ1, 1Baker University, Baldwin City, KS PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between NCAA track and cross-country coaches’ educational background, athletic experience, and differences among Divisions I, II, and III. METHODS: A survey was sent via Google Docs to 519 track and/or cross-country coaches in the NCAA. Fifteen conferences in each division were chosen randomly as the sample population. Out of 519 surveys sent 112 participants responded resulting in a 21.6% response rate. RESULTS: A chi-squared test (X2 = 0.408, p=0.8153) showed no significant relationship between division and field of study. An ANOVA test (F=1.289, p= 0.259) showed no significant relationship between division and job satisfaction. A chi-squared test (X =5.6441, p=0.1303) showed no significant relationship between divisions and past athletic experience. Utilizing odds ratios predicted those who coach in Division I are 2.22 times more likely to have a degree in the field of education than in exercise science or a related field. Moreover, coaches who received an All-Conference competition status as athletes were 2.86 times more likely to be coaching in Division I than a coach who reached the All-American status as an athlete, and 1.86 times more likely than those who achieved Professional status as an athlete. CONCLUSION: No significance was found between divisions and field of study, divisions and job satisfaction, or divisions and past athletic experience. However, it is predicted those who coach Division I are more likely to have a degree in the field of education or have achieved All-Conference competition status as an athlete

«GREEK PROJECT» AS A MAJOR FACTOR CHURCH-TRANSFORMATIVE POLICIES OF TSAR ALEXEI MIKHAILOVICH AND PATRIARCH NICON: ATTEMPT IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS

Данное исследование посвящено двум эпохальным для России второй половины XVII в. событиям – церковной реформе патриарха Никона и вхождению Украины в состав Российского государства. Тема выбрана не случайно, ведь правильность и целесообразность мероприятий, положивших начало этим событиям, остается спорным и неоднозначным моментом в историографии. Значимость темы заключается в том, что последствия, порожденные этими событиями, повлияли на всю последующую историю нашей страны и жизнь ее многомиллионного населения. В связи с этим, в работе предпринята попытка выявления и анализа подлинных мотивов, которыми руководствовались правящие круги России во второй половине XVII в. при осуществлении политики, результатом которой явились эти два названных события. Происходившие практически в одно время, при всей наружной не связанности и разноплановости, они на самом деле имеют между собой теснейшую взаимосвязь и взаимообусловленность. Это обстоятельство побуждает автора рассматривать их в комплексе.В ходе проведенного анализа удалось установить, что это были звенья одной цепи или точнее – это были две стороны одной медали под названием «греческий проект», цель которого заключалась в осуществлении политики по освобождению Константинополя от турок и создании Великой Греко-Российской империи. Как показывает данное исследование, эта политика явилась результатом грандиозной провокации, направленной на максимальное ослабление православной России и превращение ее в послушное орудие обслуживания корыстно-эгоистических интересов Запада. Главный вывод работы состоит в том, что люди, наделенные властью, помимо всего прочего, должны обладать нравственным чутьем, позволяющим безошибочно отделять подлинные ценности от мнимых.This study focuses on two epochal for Russia events in the second half of the XVII century – the Patriarch Nikon’s Church reforms and the entry of Ukraine into the Russian state. Since the accuracy and appropriateness of activities, which ushered in these events remains controversial and ambiguous moment in historiography, this theme was not chosen by chance. The importance of this theme is that the effects generated by these events influenced the all subsequent history of our country and the life of its multi-million population. In this regard, in this study was an attempt to identify and analyze the real motives that guided the ruling circles of Russia in the second half of the XVII century in the implementation of policies, which resulted in these two named events. These almost simultaneous events, with all exterior non-connectedness and diverse of them, have actually a close relationship and interdependence. This fact motivates the author to consider them in combination.During the analysis it was found that they were links in a chain, or more precisely – they were two sides of the same coin called «The Greek Project», whose aim was to im-plement policies for the release of Constantinople from the Turks and the creation of the Great Greek-Russian Empire. As this study shows, this policy was the result of great prov-ocation aimed at maximum attenuation of Orthodox Russia and turning it into an obedient tool of service selfish interests of the West. The main conclusion of the paper is that the people with the power, among other things, must have moral insight which enables accurately separate the true values of the imaginary

Multiple Dorsal Hand Actinic Keratoses and Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A Unique Presentation following Extensive UV Nail Lamp Use

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer worldwide, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is a major cause of SCC. UV nail lamps can be used for drying and hardening acrylic or gel nail polish. We report a case of a 52-year-old Caucasian woman with an 18-year history of UV nail lamp use every 3 weeks and an 18-year history of weekly tanning bed use who presented with over 25 actinic keratoses and two SCC in situ on her dorsal hands. Of note, this patient has never had any previous biopsies, skin cancer or precancers, or skin cancer or precancer treatment at any time in the past and on skin examination had no precancers or cancers elsewhere on her body. We also review the existing research regarding nail lamp use, which overall suggests that the risk of carcinogenesis is low, and discuss ways dermatologists can educate patients regarding proper UV nail lamp use to minimize risks. This patient’s extensive UV nail lamp use coupled with UVA exposure from tanning beds may have put her at particular risk and exacerbated the effects of the nail lamp alone.</jats:p