Massage Therapy Can Prevent the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children

Background: The prevalence of people with autism spectrum disorders in some parts of the world tends to increase, in Indonesia alone, accurate and complete data and information from people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still lacking, so it is feared that many children with risk symptoms of autism spectrum disorders do not get treatment early. Aim: This study aims to prevent the risk of autism spectrum disorders in children by applying massage therapy based on analysis of the Modified Check List for Autism in Toddler (M-Chat) scores. Methods: The study was conducted from May 2019 to March 2020 at three public health centers in the city of Jakarta. An analysis was carried out before and after the application of massage in a time series of four periods on 10 children aged 18-36 months with M-Chat scores, then analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to obtain a cut off point to determine the risk status of autism spectrum disorders. Results: The results showed that there was an effect of massage therapy on the M-Chat score of children with autism spectrum disorder risk p=0.004 <0.05 and changes in the M-Chat score of children with autism spectrum disorder risk experienced significant changes after massage in the third and fourth therapy periods. with p = 0.005 and p = 0.007 < 0.05. Conclusion: The results show that massage therapy can prevent the risk of autism spectrum disorders in children based on the Modified Check List for Autism in Toddler (M-Chat). Keywords: Massage therapy, babies, autism spectrum disorders, modified checklist for autism in toddler

Identification of TIA1 mRNA targets during human neuronal development

Background Neuronal development is a tightly controlled process involving multi-layered regulatory mechanisms. While transcriptional pathways regulating neurodevelopment are well characterized, post-transcriptional programs are still poorly understood. TIA1 is an RNA-binding protein that can regulate splicing, stability, or translation of target mRNAs, and has been shown to play critical roles in stress response and neurodevelopment. However, the identity of mRNAs regulated by TIA1 during neurodevelopment under unstressed conditions is still unknown. Methods and Results To identify the mRNAs targeted by TIA1 during the first stages of human neurodevelopment, we performed RNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing (RIP-seq) on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), and cortical neurons under unstressed conditions. While there was no change in TIA1 protein levels, the number of TIA1 targeted mRNAs decreased from pluripotent cells to neurons. We identified 2400, 845, and 330 TIA1 mRNA targets in hESCs, NPC, and neurons, respectively. The vast majority of mRNA targets in hESC were genes associated with neurodevelopment and included autism spectrum disorder-risk genes that were not bound in neurons. Additionally, we found that most TIA1 mRNA targets have reduced ribosomal engagement levels. Conclusion Our results reveal TIA1 mRNA targets in hESCs and during human neurodevelopment, indicate that translation repression is a key process targeted by TIA1 binding and implicate TIA1 function in neuronal differentiation.

Prenatal exposure to paternal smoking and likelihood for autism spectrum disorder

Genetics, environment, and their interactions impact autism spectrum disorder etiology. Smoking is a suspected autism spectrum disorder risk factor due to biological plausibility and high prevalence. Using two large epidemiological samples, we examined whether autism spectrum disorder was associated with prenatal paternal smoking in a Discovery sample ( N = 10,245) and an independent Replication sample ( N = 29,773). Paternal smoking was retrospectively assessed with questionnaires. Likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder was estimated with the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire at three levels: low (<10), intermediate (10–14), and high (⩾15). Ordinal regression was used to examine the relationship between prenatal paternal smoking and likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder, adjusting for confounders. A total of 36.5% of Discovery sample fathers and 63.3% of Replication sample fathers smoked during the pregnancy period; 7% of the Replication sample smoker fathers smoked during the pre-conception period but quit during pregnancy period. Discovery sample prenatal paternal smoking significantly increased the likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder in their offspring (adjusted odds ratio=1.27). This was confirmed in the Replication sample with adjusted odds ratio of 1.15 among smoking pre-conception period + pregnancy period fathers; 14.4% and 11.1% increased high likelihood of autism spectrum disorder was attributable to prenatal paternal smoking in Discovery sample and Replication sample, respectively. Smoking prevention, especially in pregnancy planning, may decrease autism spectrum disorder risk in offspring. Lay abstract What is Already Known about This Subject: Genetics, (including de novo mutations), environmental factors (including toxic exposures), and their interactions impact autism spectrum disorder etiology. Paternal smoking is a candidate risk for autism spectrum disorder due to biological plausibility, high prevalence, and potential intervention. What This Study Adds: This original study and its replication confirms that paternal factors can substantially contribute to autism spectrum disorder risk for their offspring. It specifically indicates that paternal smoking both before and during pregnancy contributes significantly to autism spectrum disorder risk. Implications for practice, research, or policy: Smoking prevention, especially in pregnancy planning, may decrease autism spectrum disorder risk in offspring.

Identification of TIA1 mRNA targets during human neuronal development

BackgroundNeuronal development is a tightly controlled process involving multi-layered regulatory mechanisms. While transcriptional pathways regulating neurodevelopment are well characterized, post-transcriptional programs are still poorly understood. TIA1 is an RNA-binding protein that can regulate splicing, stability, or translation of target mRNAs, and has been shown to play critical roles in neurodevelopment. However, the identity of mRNAs regulated by TIA1 during neurodevelopment is still unknown.Methods and ResultsTo identify the mRNAs targeted by TIA1 during the first stages of human neurodevelopment, we performed RNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing (RIP-seq) on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), and cortical neurons. While there was no change in TIA1 protein levels, the number of TIA1 targeted mRNAs decreased from pluripotent cells to neurons. We identified 2400, 845, and 330 TIA1 mRNA targets in hESCs, NPC, and neurons, respectively. The vast majority of mRNA targets in hESC were genes associated with neurodevelopment and included autism spectrum disorder-risk genes that were not bound in neurons. Additionally, we found that most TIA1 mRNA targets have reduced ribosomal engagement levels.ConclusionOur results reveal TIA1 mRNA targets in hESCs and during human neurodevelopment, indicate that translation repression is a key process targeted by TIA1 binding and implicate TIA1 function in neuronal differentiation.

Research of the Causes and Risk Factors of Autism in the Western Region of Algeria

Introduction Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests before 3 years old and affects many areas, communication, social interactions and behaviors. In Algeria, there has not yet been a regional or national epidemiological investigation concerning autism spectrum disorders. Materials and methods: Our study was carried about 100 patients ( autistic children) in the western region of Algeria, in order to determine the differents risk factors involved in the onset of autism syndrome. Results and discussion: The obtained results indicate a male predominance with a sex ratio of 4: 1 and the degree of reached is average in 44% of patients. 42% of the patients are youngsters. Parents' worry about their children begins between 24 and 36 months. The parents' advanced age at conception, stress, presence of certain pathologies and drug intake by mothers, as well as fetal distress at birth and children's exposure to screens were the main risk factors. Repetitive movements, lack of social communication, language delay, and lack of visual fixation were the main clinical symptomatology. Conclusion: This study allowed us to detect the main factors associated with the onset of autism. However, the results obtained cannot be generalized to the entire population. Keywords: Autism, autism spectrum disorder, risk factors, clinical symptoms, western region of Algeria.