Autism as a disorder of neural information processing: directions for research and targets for therapy

The broad variation in phenotypes and severities within autism spectrum disorders suggests the involvement of multiple predisposing factors, interacting in complex ways with normal developmental courses and gradients. Identification of these factors, and the common developmental path into which theyfeed, is hampered bythe large degrees of convergence from causal factors to altered brain development, and divergence from abnormal brain development into altered cognition and behaviour. Genetic, neurochemical, neuroimaging and behavioural findings on autism, as well as studies of normal development and of genetic syndromes that share symptoms with autism, offer hypotheses as to the nature of causal factors and their possible effects on the structure and dynamics of neural systems. Such alterations in neural properties may in turn perturb activity-dependent development, giving rise to a complex behavioural syndrome many steps removed from the root causes. Animal models based on genetic, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and behavioural manipulations offer the possibility of exploring these developmental processes in detail, as do human studies addressing endophenotypes beyond the diagnosis itself

The role of collaboration in the cognitive development of young children: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Collaboration is a key facilitator of cognitive development in early childhood; this review evaluates which factors mediate the impact of collaborative interactions on cognitive development in children aged 4-7 years. METHODS: A systematic search strategy identified relevant studies (n = 21), which assessed the role of ability on the relationship between collaboration and cognitive development. Other factors that interact with ability were also assessed: gender, sociability/friendship, discussion, age, feedback and structure. RESULTS: Immediate benefits of collaboration on cognitive development are highlighted for same-age peers. Collaborative interactions are beneficial for tasks measuring visual perception, problem-solving and rule-based thinking, but not for word-reading and spatial perspective-taking. Collaboration is particularly beneficial for lower-ability children when there is an ability asymmetry. High-ability children either regressed or did not benefit when paired with lower-ability participants. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the studies included within this review indicate that brief one-off interactions can have a significant, positive effect on short-term cognitive development in children of infant school age. The longer-term advantages of collaboration are still unclear. Implications for practice and future research are discussed

Father Involvement Support Program

The purpose of our study was to examine a father support program, called Dads Matter and evaluate its effectiveness. Specifically, this study answered the following question: Does participation in the Dads Matter program improve parenting and co-parenting (parenting skills, time with child, relationship with child), economic stability (paying child care, keeping current with bills), relationship/marriage with partner, and personal development (housing, employment). Data analysis was conducted using secondary data from participants’ pre/post surveys who participated in the Dads Matter program using the Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) intervention. There were a total of 312 pre-surveys and 89 post surveys. Results showed that there was a statistical significant change in economic stability and personal development; there was improvement over time among the fathers. Given this preliminary analysis, further research is critical in order to understand the effectiveness of the SFI intervention.California State University, Northridge. Department of Social Work

Social support, stress, health, and academic success in Ghanaian adolescents: A path analysis

The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the role psychosocial factors play in promoting the health and academic success of adolescents. A total of 770 adolescent boys and girls in Senior High Schools were randomly selected to complete a self-report questionnaire. School reported latest terminal examination grades were used as the measure of academic success. Structural equation modelling indicated a relatively good fit to the posteriori model with four of the hypothesised paths fully supported and two partially supported. Perceived social support was negatively related to stress and predictive of health and wellbeing but not academic success. Stress was predictive of health but not academic success. Finally, health and wellbeing was able to predict academic success. These findings have policy implications regarding efforts aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing as well as the academic success of adolescents in Ghana. © 2014 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents

Programa eficiente para la creación de un modelo óptimo de producción, en los procesos donde se aplica técnica abrasiva de arena a presión, empleando la economía circular, en una empresa que mejora sus procesos a bajo impacto ambiental

Desarrollar un programa eficiente para la creación de un modelo óptimo de producción, en los procesos donde se aplica técnica abrasiva de arena a presión, empleando la economía circular, en una empresa que desea mejorar sus procesos a bajo impacto ambiental, así identificar las deficiencias en los procedimientos empleados actualmente en el departamento de producción, para implementar mejoras asociadas a su ritmo de producción y definir el plan ambiental apegado a las normas establecidas en el Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, que promueven la economía circular en la empresa

Effects of S100B on Serotonergic Plasticity and Neuroinflammation in the Hippocampus in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease: Studies in an S100B Overexpressing Mouse Model

S100B promotes development and maturation in the mammalian brain. However, prolonged or extensive exposure can lead to neurodegeneration. Two important functions of S100B in this regard, are its role in the development and plasticity of the serotonergic neurotransmitter system, and its role in the cascade of glial changes associated with neuroinflammation. Both of these processes are therefore accelerated towards degeneration in disease processes wherein S100B is increased, notably, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome (DS). In order to study the role of S100B in this context, we have examined S100B overexpressing transgenic mice. Similar to AD and DS, the transgenic animals show a profound change in serotonin innervation. By 28 weeks of age, there is a significant loss of terminals in the hippocampus. Similarly, the transgenic animals show neuroinflammatory changes analogous with AD and DS. These include decreased numbers of mature, stable astroglial cells, increased numbers of activated microglial cells and increased microglial expression of the cell surface receptor RAGE. Eventually, the S100B transgenic animals show neurodegeneration and the appearance of hyperphosphorylated tau structures, as seen in late stage DS and AD. The role of S100B in these conditions is discussed

Conocimiento de los estudiantes de 4to. a 6to. año de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, sobre los medicamentos que se pueden suministrar y tratamientos odontológicos que pueden realizarse en mujeres embarazadas.

En este estudio se evaluaron a 166 estudiantes de 4to a 6to año de la carrera. El fin del estudio fue evaluar el conocimiento de los estudiantes sobre medicamentos a suministrarse y los tratamientos a realizarse en mujeres embarazadas. También se deseaba evaluar si existía o no diferencia significativa entre conocimiento y sexo en los tres grupos, (4to, 5to y 6to año). Según los resultados observados, el conocimiento en estudiantes de 4to a 6to año de Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, FOUSAC, se encuentran en nivel de intermedio y satisfactorio. Por lo tanto, podría decirse que los estudiantes conocen las bases del tema. No obstante, se recomienda reforzar el tema años posteriores; ya que lo enseñado durante la formación académica de la carrera es poco aplicado en el campo práctico, este reforzamiento permitirá aplicar la teoría y a la vez, no solo la curva de aprendizaje se mantendrá conforme el tiempo, sino que continuará formando profesionales capaces de atender cualquier tipo de paciente especial, en este caso gestantes