scholarly journals Long-term ABA Therapy Is Abusive: A Response to Gorycki, Ruppel, and Zane

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aileen H. Sandoval-Norton ◽  
Gary Shkedy ◽  
Dalia Shkedy
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Basic Requirement ◽  
Primary Method ◽  
Do No Harm ◽  
Aba Therapy ◽  
Continued Use

Abstract Objective In a recent response to a review of ABA literature, methodologies, and ethics, the authors of the response attempted to negate the compilation of research presented. The goal of their response was to advocate for the continued use of ABA and attempt to demonstrate that it is in fact effective in treating autism. The research utilized in the response does not pertain to the population discussed, does not present any neuroscientific research, and does not address intrinsic motivation, elevated levels of anxiety, or various other pertinent issues associated with the nonverbal autism population. Methods The current paper helps clarify any misinterpretation of the original research and seeks to advocate for greater protections and ethical compliance within this vulnerable subset of individuals on the autism spectrum. Additionally, more recent research has been included to assist in this clarification. Results Despite decades of usage as the primary method for this population worldwide, ABA has never been shown to be even slightly efficacious for the nonverbal Autism population. Conclusions Research in ABA continues to neglect the structure the autistic brain, the overstimulation of the autistic brain, the trajectory of child development, or the complex nature of human psychology, as all of these factors were ignored in the response and are ignored in ABA practice itself. Providing a treatment that causes pain in exchange for no benefit, even if unknowingly, is tantamount to torture and violates the most basic requirement of any therapy, to do no harm.

Comparing the Genetic Detox Ability and Heavy Metal Burden in a Cohort of Samples of Egyptian Children and those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaurock-Busch E
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Potentially Toxic Metals ◽  
Gstt1 Null Genotype ◽  
Egyptian Children ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases ◽  
Metal Burden ◽  
Detoxification Pathway

The heavy metal burden of patients with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been widely discussed [1-5]. Present knowledge suggests that ASD patients, compared to ‘normal’s’ show a greater metal burden, which may be a cause of the ASD pathogenesis, possibly due to a limited detoxification potential. We thus aimed to evaluate if the metal burden of ASD children is due to comprised detoxification ability, and if missing of enzymes such as the glutathione-S-transferases provide an explanation, or if additional factors play a role. Genetically, we noticed a slight difference in the detoxification ability of the ASD group compared to the Control group. In the ASD group, carrier of the genotype GSTT1 null genotype (i.e. the homozygous loss) are 1.7 times more common as in the Control group and the GSTT1 allele is more frequent in the ASD patient collective. These findings are not statistically significant but indicate a trend. In addition, our data indicates that levels of potentially toxic metals in blood and hair of both groups demonstrate a similar immediate and long-term exposure. However, 36% of the ASD group showed signs of zinc deficiency compared to 11% of the Control group and this points towards inefficiency of the Phase I detoxification pathway. More research is needed to explore the role of other elements in the detoxification pathway.

Long Term Prognostic Utility of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome – A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamika Das ◽  
Melvin George ◽  
Durga Jha ◽  
Luxitaa Goenka
Keyword(s):  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Prognostic Utility

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause for morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Numerous groups have explored single and multiple biomarker strategies to identify diagnostic prognosticators of ACS which will improve our ability to identify high-risk individuals. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) is one potential biomarker which has been widely studied in ACS. Recent reports have showed the prognostic utility of MMP-9, but due to inconsistent results, it has not been possible to draw firm conclusions. Objective: This review aims to explore the ability of MMP-9 to predict long-term prognosis of ACS. To clarify this issue, we conducted a literature review to provide a comprehensive assessment of MMP-9 levels in ACS patients. Method: We retrieved a total of 1501 articles from PubMed and Google Scholar. After thorough scrutiny, 12 original research articles were found fulfilling the inclusion exclusion criteria. MMP-9’s ability as a biomarker of prognostication post ACS was reviewed. PRISMA guidelines were used for reporting. Result: The results revealed that MMP-9, apart from being an efficient diagnostic biomarker for ACS, helps in predicting the future risk of ACS with disease outcome. Positive correlation was found between plasma MMP-9 and left ventricular remodeling. A positive association was also found between cardiovascular death and higher MMP-9 levels. Conclusion: MMP-9 can be a potential prognostic marker for ACS and aid in identifying high risk patients for intensive management during follow -up.

Emotion Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
pp. 282-298
Author(s):  
Emily Neuhaus
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Although current diagnostic conceptualizations of ASD do not include emotional difficulties as core deficits, the disorder is associated with emotion dysregulation across the lifespan, with considerable implications for long-term psychological, social, and educational outcomes. The overarching goal of this chapter is to integrate existing knowledge of emotion dysregulation in ASD and identify areas for further investigation. The chapter reviews the prevalence and expressions of emotion dysregulation in ASD, discusses emerging theoretical models that frame emotion dysregulation as an inherent (rather than associated) feature of ASD, presents neurobiological findings and mechanisms related to emotion dysregulation in ASD, and identifies continuing controversies and resulting research priorities.

025 Sleep Disruption on an Orbital Shaker alters Glutamate in Prairie Vole Prefrontal Cortex

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A11-A12
Author(s):  
Carolyn Jones ◽  
Randall Olson ◽  
Alex Chau ◽  
Peyton Wickham ◽  
Ryan Leriche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Prairie Vole ◽  
Sleep Disruption ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Orbital Shaker

Abstract Introduction Glutamate concentrations in the cortex fluctuate with the sleep wake cycle in both rodents and humans. Altered glutamatergic signaling, as well as the early life onset of sleep disturbances have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. In order to study how sleep modulates glutamate activity in brain regions relevant to social behavior and development, we disrupted sleep in the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) rodent species and quantified markers of glutamate neurotransmission within the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain responsible for advanced cognition and complex social behaviors. Methods Male and female prairie voles were sleep disrupted using an orbital shaker to deliver automated gentle cage agitation at continuous intervals. Sleep was measured using EEG/EMG signals and paired with real time glutamate concentrations in the prefrontal cortex using an amperometric glutamate biosensor. This same method of sleep disruption was applied early in development (postnatal days 14–21) and the long term effects on brain development were quantified by examining glutamatergic synapses in adulthood. Results Consistent with previous research in rats, glutamate concentration in the prefrontal cortex increased during periods of wake in the prairie vole. Sleep disruption using the orbital shaker method resulted in brief cortical arousals and reduced time in REM sleep. When applied during development, early life sleep disruption resulted in long-term changes in both pre- and post-synaptic components of glutamatergic synapses in the prairie vole prefrontal cortex including increased density of immature spines. Conclusion In the prairie vole rodent model, sleep disruption on an orbital shaker produces a sleep, behavioral, and neurological phenotype that mirrors aspects of autism spectrum disorder including altered features of excitatory neurotransmission within the prefrontal cortex. Studies using this method of sleep disruption combined with real time biosensors for excitatory neurotransmitters will enhance our understanding of modifiable risk factors, such as sleep, that contribute to the altered development of glutamatergic synapses in the brain and their relationship to social behavior. Support (if any) NSF #1926818, VA CDA #IK2 BX002712, Portland VA Research Foundation, NIH NHLBI 5T32HL083808-10, VA Merit Review #I01BX001643

scholarly journals Nanoparticle Determination in Water by LED-Excited Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging

Chemosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Lukas Wunderlich ◽  
Peter Hausler ◽  
Susanne Märkl ◽  
Rudolf Bierl ◽  
Thomas Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Light Source ◽  
Self Assembled Monolayers ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Spr Imaging ◽  
Online Sensor ◽  
Assembled Monolayers

The increasing popularity of nanoparticles in many applications has led to the fact that these persistent materials pollute our environment and threaten our health. An online sensor system for monitoring the presence of nanoparticles in fresh water would be highly desired. We propose a label-free sensor based on SPR imaging. The sensitivity was enhanced by a factor of about 100 by improving the detector by using a high-resolution camera. This revealed that the light source also needed to be improved by using LED excitation instead of a laser light source. As a receptor, different self-assembled monolayers have been screened. It can be seen that the nanoparticle receptor interaction is of a complex nature. The best system when taking sensitivity as well as reversibility into account is given by a dodecanethiol monolayer on the gold sensor surface. Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, 29 nm in diameter and with a similar refractive index to the most common silica nanoparticles were detected in water down to 1.5 µg mL−1. The sensor can be fully regenerated within one hour without the need for any washing buffer. This sensing concept is expected to be easily adapted for the detection of nanoparticles of different size, shape, and composition, and upon miniaturization, suitable for long-term applications to monitor the quality of water.

scholarly journals Acceptance of a Symptom-Based Approach for COVID-19 rtRT-PCR Testing to Conserve Resources in a Lower Middle-Income Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272098771
Author(s):  
S. M. Rashed Ul Islam ◽  
Tahmina Akther ◽  
Md. Abdullah Omar Nasif ◽  
Sharmin Sultana ◽  
Saif Ullah Munshi
Keyword(s):  
Primary Method ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Clinical Recovery ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Secretion ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Set Up

SARS-CoV-2 initially emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019. It has since been recognized as a pandemic and has led to great social and economic disruption globally. The Reverse Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtRT-PCR) has become the primary method for COVID-19 testing worldwide. The method requires a specialized laboratory set up. Long-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal secretion after full clinical recovery of the patient is regularly observed nowadays. This forces the patients to spend a longer period in isolation and test repeatedly to obtain evidence of viral clearance. Repeated COVID-19 testing in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases often leads to extra workload for laboratories that are already struggling with a high specimen turnover. Here, we present 5 purposively selected cases with different patterns of clinical presentations in which nasopharyngeal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed in patients for a long time. From these case studies, we emphasized the adoption of a symptom-based approach for discontinuing transmission-based precautions over a test-based strategy to reduce the time spent by asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients in isolation. A symptom-based approach will also help reduce laboratory burden for COVID-19 testing as well as conserve valuable resources and supplies utilized for rtRT-PCR testing in an emerging lower-middle-income setting. Most importantly, it will also make room for critically ill COVID-19 patients to visit or avail COVID-19 testing at their convenience.

scholarly journals Perinatal neuroprotection update

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie C. Jelin ◽  
Kirsten Salmeen ◽  
Dawn Gano ◽  
Irina Burd ◽  
Mari-Paule Thiet
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Delayed Cord Clamping ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Cord Clamping ◽  
Cognitive Delay ◽  
Neurological Risk

Antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal events can result in a spectrum of long-term neurological sequelae, including cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders [1]. Advances in obstetrical and neonatal care have led to survival at earlier gestational ages and consequently increasing numbers of periviable infants who are at significant risk for long-term neurological deficits. Therefore, efforts to decrease and prevent cerebral insults attempt not only to decrease preterm delivery but also to improve neurological outcomes in infants delivered preterm. We recently published a comprehensive review addressing the impacts of magnesium sulfate, therapeutic hypothermia, delayed cord clamping, infections, and prevention of preterm delivery on the modification of neurological risk [2]. In this review, we will briefly provide updates to the aforementioned topics as well as an expansion on avoidance of toxin and infections, specifically the Zika virus.

Surgery and Radiosurgery in Autism: A Retrospective Study in 10 Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Cristina V. Torres ◽  
Nuria Martínez ◽  
Marcos Ríos-Lago ◽  
Monica Lara ◽  
Juan Alvarez-Linera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Behavioural Treatment ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Radiofrequency Lesions

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> A subgroup of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show self or heteroaggression, dyscontrol episodes, and others are of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) profile; some of them are resistant to medical and behavioural treatment. We describe the long-term outcome in a group of these patients, treated with radiofrequency brain lesions or combined stereotactic surgery and Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We reviewed the medical records of 10 ASD patients with pathological aggressiveness and OCD, who had undergone radiofrequency lesions and/or radiosurgery with GK in our institution. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The 10 patients had a significant reduction of their symptoms (PCQ 39.9 and 33, OAS 11.8 and 5, CYBOCS-ASD 30.4 and 20), preoperatively and in the last follow-up, respectively; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.005 (in all cases), although all but 2 needed more than 1 treatment to maintain this improvement. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We observed a marked improvement in behaviour, quality of life, and relationship with the environment in all our 10 patients after the lesioning treatments, without long-lasting side effects.

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