Alterations in plasma cytokine levels in chinese children with autism spectrum disorder / C. C. HU in Autism Research, 11-7 (July 2018)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 11-7 (July 2018) . - p.989-999 Titre : Alterations in plasma cytokine levels in chinese children with autism spectrum disorder Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : C. C. HU, Auteur ; X. XU, Auteur ; G. L. XIONG, Auteur ; Q. XU, Auteur ; B. R. ZHOU, Auteur ; C. Y. LI, Auteur ; Q. QIN, Auteur ; C. X. LIU, Auteur ; H. P. LI, Auteur ; Y. J. SUN, Auteur ; X. YU, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.989-999 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : TGF-beta1  TNF-alpha  cytokine  eotaxin  immune  neuroinflammation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Genetic alterations, together with environmental risk factors during infancy and childhood, contribute significantly to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Mounting evidence points to a critical contribution of immunological risk factors to the development of ASD. By affecting multiple neurodevelopmental processes, immune system dysfunction could act as a point of convergence between genetics and environmental factors in ASD. Previous studies have shown altered cytokine levels in individuals with ASD, but research in Asian populations are limited. Here, we measured the plasma levels of 11 candidate cytokines in ASD and typically developing (TD) children. The cohort included 41 TD children and 87 children with ASD, aged 1-6 years. We found that as compared to the TD group, children with ASD had higher plasma levels of Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha. The increase in TGF-beta1 level was most significant in males, while the increase in Eotaxin was most significant in females. Eotaxin level negatively correlated with the social affect score (SA) in ADOS, while TNF-alpha level positively correlated with total development quotient (DQ), measured using GMDS. These pilot findings suggest potentially important roles of Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in ASD in the Chinese population. Autism Res 2018, 11: 989-999. (c) 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Alteration of immune system function is an important risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here we found that the levels of cytokines, including Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha, are elevated in Chinese children with ASD, as compared to typically developing children. The change in TGF-beta1 level was most prominent in boys, while that of Eotaxin was more significant in girls. These results provide evidence for changes in cytokine profile in Chinese children with ASD. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.1940 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=366 [article] Alterations in plasma cytokine levels in chinese children with autism spectrum disorder [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / C. C. HU, Auteur ; X. XU, Auteur ; G. L. XIONG, Auteur ; Q. XU, Auteur ; B. R. ZHOU, Auteur ; C. Y. LI, Auteur ; Q. QIN, Auteur ; C. X. LIU, Auteur ; H. P. LI, Auteur ; Y. J. SUN, Auteur ; X. YU, Auteur . - p.989-999. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 11-7 (July 2018) . - p.989-999 Mots-clés : TGF-beta1  TNF-alpha  cytokine  eotaxin  immune  neuroinflammation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Genetic alterations, together with environmental risk factors during infancy and childhood, contribute significantly to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Mounting evidence points to a critical contribution of immunological risk factors to the development of ASD. By affecting multiple neurodevelopmental processes, immune system dysfunction could act as a point of convergence between genetics and environmental factors in ASD. Previous studies have shown altered cytokine levels in individuals with ASD, but research in Asian populations are limited. Here, we measured the plasma levels of 11 candidate cytokines in ASD and typically developing (TD) children. The cohort included 41 TD children and 87 children with ASD, aged 1-6 years. We found that as compared to the TD group, children with ASD had higher plasma levels of Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha. The increase in TGF-beta1 level was most significant in males, while the increase in Eotaxin was most significant in females. Eotaxin level negatively correlated with the social affect score (SA) in ADOS, while TNF-alpha level positively correlated with total development quotient (DQ), measured using GMDS. These pilot findings suggest potentially important roles of Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in ASD in the Chinese population. Autism Res 2018, 11: 989-999. (c) 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Alteration of immune system function is an important risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here we found that the levels of cytokines, including Eotaxin, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha, are elevated in Chinese children with ASD, as compared to typically developing children. The change in TGF-beta1 level was most prominent in boys, while that of Eotaxin was more significant in girls. These results provide evidence for changes in cytokine profile in Chinese children with ASD. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.1940 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=366

CRISPR/Cas9-induced shank3b mutant zebrafish display autism-like behaviors / C. X. LIU in Molecular Autism, 9 (2018)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 9 (2018) . - 23p. Titre : CRISPR/Cas9-induced shank3b mutant zebrafish display autism-like behaviors Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : C. X. LIU, Auteur ; C. Y. LI, Auteur ; C. C. HU, Auteur ; Y. WANG, Auteur ; J. LIN, Auteur ; Y. H. JIANG, Auteur ; Q. LI, Auteur ; X. XU, Auteur Article en page(s) : 23p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Asd  Animal model  CRISPR/Cas9  Social behavior  Zebrafish  shank3 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: Human genetic and genomic studies have supported a strong causal role of SHANK3 deficiency in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular mechanism underlying SHANK3 deficiency resulting in ASD is not fully understood. Recently, the zebrafish has become an attractive organism to model ASD because of its high efficiency of genetic manipulation and robust behavioral phenotypes. The orthologous gene to human SHANK3 is duplicated in the zebrafish genome and has two homologs, shank3a and shank3b. Previous studies have reported shank3 morphants in zebrafish using the morpholino method. Here, we report the generation and characterization of shank3b mutant zebrafish in larval and adult stages using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique. Methods: CRISPR/Cas9 was applied to generate a shank3b loss-of-function mutation (shank3b(-/-) ) in zebrafish. A series of morphological measurements, behavioral tests, and molecular analyses were performed to systematically characterize the behavioral and molecular changes in shank3b mutant zebrafish. Results: shank3b(-/-) zebrafish exhibited abnormal morphology in early development. They showed reduced locomotor activity both as larvae and adults, reduced social interaction and time spent near conspecifics, and significant repetitive swimming behaviors. Additionally, the levels of both postsynaptic homer1 and presynaptic synaptophysin were significantly reduced in the adult brain of shank3b-deficient zebrafish. Conclusions: We generated the first inheritable shank3b mutant zebrafish model using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing approach. shank3b(-/-) zebrafish displayed robust autism-like behaviors and altered levels of the synaptic proteins homer1 and synaptophysin. The versatility of zebrafish as a model for studying neurodevelopment and conducting drug screening will likely have a significant contribution to future studies of human SHANK3 function and ASD. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-018-0204-x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=354 [article] CRISPR/Cas9-induced shank3b mutant zebrafish display autism-like behaviors [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / C. X. LIU, Auteur ; C. Y. LI, Auteur ; C. C. HU, Auteur ; Y. WANG, Auteur ; J. LIN, Auteur ; Y. H. JIANG, Auteur ; Q. LI, Auteur ; X. XU, Auteur . - 23p. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 9 (2018) . - 23p. Mots-clés : Asd  Animal model  CRISPR/Cas9  Social behavior  Zebrafish  shank3 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: Human genetic and genomic studies have supported a strong causal role of SHANK3 deficiency in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular mechanism underlying SHANK3 deficiency resulting in ASD is not fully understood. Recently, the zebrafish has become an attractive organism to model ASD because of its high efficiency of genetic manipulation and robust behavioral phenotypes. The orthologous gene to human SHANK3 is duplicated in the zebrafish genome and has two homologs, shank3a and shank3b. Previous studies have reported shank3 morphants in zebrafish using the morpholino method. Here, we report the generation and characterization of shank3b mutant zebrafish in larval and adult stages using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique. Methods: CRISPR/Cas9 was applied to generate a shank3b loss-of-function mutation (shank3b(-/-) ) in zebrafish. A series of morphological measurements, behavioral tests, and molecular analyses were performed to systematically characterize the behavioral and molecular changes in shank3b mutant zebrafish. Results: shank3b(-/-) zebrafish exhibited abnormal morphology in early development. They showed reduced locomotor activity both as larvae and adults, reduced social interaction and time spent near conspecifics, and significant repetitive swimming behaviors. Additionally, the levels of both postsynaptic homer1 and presynaptic synaptophysin were significantly reduced in the adult brain of shank3b-deficient zebrafish. Conclusions: We generated the first inheritable shank3b mutant zebrafish model using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing approach. shank3b(-/-) zebrafish displayed robust autism-like behaviors and altered levels of the synaptic proteins homer1 and synaptophysin. The versatility of zebrafish as a model for studying neurodevelopment and conducting drug screening will likely have a significant contribution to future studies of human SHANK3 function and ASD. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-018-0204-x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=354

Development and evaluation of a speech-generating AAC mobile app for minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in Mainland China / S. AN in Molecular Autism, 8 (2017)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 8 (2017) . - 52p. Titre : Development and evaluation of a speech-generating AAC mobile app for minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in Mainland China Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : S. AN, Auteur ; X. FENG, Auteur ; Y. DAI, Auteur ; H. BO, Auteur ; X. WANG, Auteur ; M. LI, Auteur ; J. Z. WOO, Auteur ; X. LIANG, Auteur ; C. GUO, Auteur ; C. X. LIU, Auteur ; L. WEI, Auteur Article en page(s) : 52p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : App  Augmentative and alternative communication  Development  Mainland China  Training effectiveness Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Mobile touchscreen devices are currently being used as speech-generating devices (SGDs) and have been shown to promote the communication skills, particularly the requesting skills of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have limited spoken language. However, no augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) mobile app has been developed and evaluated in the Chinese language in Mainland China. METHODS: We developed an AAC mobile app, which is the first in Mainland China, to our knowledge, named Yuudee (Chinese name (xiaoyudi)). Yuudee was developed using the Objective-C and Java programming languages. A five-phase training protocol for making requests using Yuudee was developed based on the Picture Exchange Communication System. We trained ten minimally verbal children with ASD to make requests using Yuudee and evaluated the effectiveness of the training. RESULTS: Yuudee has a built-in library of over 400 pictures with corresponding spoken phrases that are divided into 39 categories ranging from making simple requests to expressing emotions. An additional important feature of Yuudee is its customization functions that allow a parent or trainer to easily select pictures and phrases to display, create new pictures and phrases, and change the layouts and orders of the pictures to fit the personal needs of each child. Yuudee is freely available in an iOS version from the iTunes App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/xiao-yu-di/id794832934?mt=8) and in an Android version from Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supersuperstar.yuudee.vue) and domestic Chinese Android App stores. Three consecutive unprompted successful responses, which were defined as an initial training success, were achieved in at least three of the five phases for all ten of the evaluated children. The accuracy rate of a given phase was calculated for each child who achieved three consecutive unprompted successful responses in the phase. Seven children achieved at least 50% accuracy in at least two of the five phases. The other three children achieved at least 50% accuracy in only one phase. Two children achieved at least 50% accuracy in all of the phases in which they were trained. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Yuudee is a useful tool for helping minimally verbal children with ASD make requests. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-017-0165-5 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=329 [article] Development and evaluation of a speech-generating AAC mobile app for minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in Mainland China [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / S. AN, Auteur ; X. FENG, Auteur ; Y. DAI, Auteur ; H. BO, Auteur ; X. WANG, Auteur ; M. LI, Auteur ; J. Z. WOO, Auteur ; X. LIANG, Auteur ; C. GUO, Auteur ; C. X. LIU, Auteur ; L. WEI, Auteur . - 52p. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 8 (2017) . - 52p. Mots-clés : App  Augmentative and alternative communication  Development  Mainland China  Training effectiveness Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Mobile touchscreen devices are currently being used as speech-generating devices (SGDs) and have been shown to promote the communication skills, particularly the requesting skills of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have limited spoken language. However, no augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) mobile app has been developed and evaluated in the Chinese language in Mainland China. METHODS: We developed an AAC mobile app, which is the first in Mainland China, to our knowledge, named Yuudee (Chinese name (xiaoyudi)). Yuudee was developed using the Objective-C and Java programming languages. A five-phase training protocol for making requests using Yuudee was developed based on the Picture Exchange Communication System. We trained ten minimally verbal children with ASD to make requests using Yuudee and evaluated the effectiveness of the training. RESULTS: Yuudee has a built-in library of over 400 pictures with corresponding spoken phrases that are divided into 39 categories ranging from making simple requests to expressing emotions. An additional important feature of Yuudee is its customization functions that allow a parent or trainer to easily select pictures and phrases to display, create new pictures and phrases, and change the layouts and orders of the pictures to fit the personal needs of each child. Yuudee is freely available in an iOS version from the iTunes App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/xiao-yu-di/id794832934?mt=8) and in an Android version from Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supersuperstar.yuudee.vue) and domestic Chinese Android App stores. Three consecutive unprompted successful responses, which were defined as an initial training success, were achieved in at least three of the five phases for all ten of the evaluated children. The accuracy rate of a given phase was calculated for each child who achieved three consecutive unprompted successful responses in the phase. Seven children achieved at least 50% accuracy in at least two of the five phases. The other three children achieved at least 50% accuracy in only one phase. Two children achieved at least 50% accuracy in all of the phases in which they were trained. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Yuudee is a useful tool for helping minimally verbal children with ASD make requests. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-017-0165-5 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=329

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