[Association between serum trace elements and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: a national multicenter survey].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of serum levels of trace elements with core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: From September 2018 to September 2019, an investigation was performed for 1 020 children with ASD and 1 038 healthy children matched for age and sex in the outpatient service of grade A tertiary hospitals and special education institutions in 13 cities of China. Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used to assess the core symptoms of the children with ASD. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure serum levels of trace elements magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. RESULTS: The children with ASD had significantly lower serum levels of magnesium, copper, and zinc than the healthy children (P < 0.05). The children with severe ASD had significantly lower serum levels of magnesium and zinc than those with mild-to-moderate ASD (P < 0.05). The results of partial correlation analysis showed that serum magnesium level was negatively correlated with the total score of ABC and the score of communication (r=-0.318 and -0.282 respectively; P 0.001), and serum zinc level was negatively correlated with the total score of ABC and the scores of communication and somatic movement (r=-0.221, -0.270, and -0.207 respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of magnesium and zinc may be associated with core symptoms in children with ASD, which requires further studies. The nutritional status of trace elements should be monitored for children with ASD in clinical practice.

MiR-448-5p inhibits TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis by targeting Six1 in asthma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small yet versatile gene tuners that regulate a variety of cellular processes, including cell growth and proliferation. The aim of this study was to explore how miR-448-5p affects airway remodeling and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-stimulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by targeting Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (Six1) in asthma. Asthmatic mice models with airway remodeling were induced with ovalbumin solution. MiRNA expression was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Transfection studies of bronchial epithelial cells were performed to determine the target genes. A luciferase reporter assay system was applied to identify whether Six1 is a target gene of miR-448-5p. In the current study, we found that miR-448-5p was dramatically decreased in lung tissues of asthmatic mice and TGF-ß1-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells. In addition, the decreased level of miR-448-5p was closely associated with the increased expression of Six1. Overexpression of miR-448-5p decreased Six1 expression and, in turn, suppressed TGF-ß1-mediated EMT and fibrosis. Next, we predicted that Six1 was a potential target gene of miR-448-5p and demonstrated that miR-448-5p could directly target Six1. An SiRNA targeting Six1 was sufficient to suppress TGF-ß1-induced EMT and fibrosis in 16HBE cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of Six1 partially reversed the protective effect of miR-448-5p on TGF-ß1-mediated EMT and fibrosis in bronchial epithelial cells. Taken together, the miR-448-5p/TGF-ß1/Six1 link may play roles in the progression of EMT and pulmonary fibrosis in asthma.

[Association of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during pregnancy with autism spectrum disorder-related behaviors in toddlers: a birth cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related behaviors in toddlers. METHODS: A total of 348 toddlers who had accepted the measurement of PAH-DNA adduct in umbilical cord blood and evaluation of behavior problems at the age of 36 months were enrolled in this birth cohort study. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate behavior problems at the age of 36 months. The correlation of the concentration of PAH-DNA adduct in umbilical cord blood with CBCL and ABC scores at the age of 36 months were analyzed. RESULTS: The detection rate of PAH-DNA adduct in umbilical cord blood was 52.3%, and the median concentration was 0.68 ng/mL. The median total scores of CBCL and ABC scales were 23 and 8 respectively. In children aged 36 months, the concentration of PAH-DNA adduct was positively correlated with the score of social withdrawal in the CBCL scale (rs=0.205, P<0.05), the total score of the ABC scale (rs=0.412, P<0.05), and the self-care score of the ABC scale (rs=0.355, P<0.05). The concentration of PAH-DNA adduct was closely associated with the total score of the ABC scale in children aged 36 months (ß=0.122, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PAH exposure during pregnancy may be a risk factor for ASD-related behaviors in toddlers. Effective reduction of PAH exposure during pregnancy and detection of PAH-DNA adduct in neonatal umbilical cord blood are of vital importance for early prevention, screening and intervention of ASD.

[Family-based association study of a variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism of DAT1 gene with Tourette syndrome in a Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of a 40 bp variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism within 3 untranslated region of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) with Tourette syndrome (TS) in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 160 TS patients and their parents were recruited. The VNTR polymorphism was detected with polymerase chain reaction-VNTR analysis, and its association with TS and its subtypes were assessed through a family-based association study comprising transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype relative risk (HRR) analysis. RESULTS: The repeat numbers at the DAT1 40 bp locus were 11, 10, 9, 7.5 and 7 among the patients and their parents, with the most common type being a 10-repeat allele. No significant association was detected between the polymorphism and TS (TDT: X ² = 0.472, df = 1, P = 0.583; HRR: X ² = 0.313, P = 0.576, OR = 0.855, 95%CI: 0.493-1.481). CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that the VNTR polymorphism of DAT1 gene is not associated with susceptibility to TS in Chinese Han population. However, our results are to be validated in larger sets of patients collected from other populations.

[Retracted] Inhibition airway remodeling and transforming growth factor­ß1/Smad signaling pathway by astragalus extract in asthmatic mice.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the P­smad2 western blotting data shown in Fig. 7 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form (namely, the bands appeared in the reverse orientation) in Fig. 4A in another article [Lv Z­D, Na D, Liu F­N, Du Z­M, Sun Z, Li Z, Ma X­Y, Wang Z­N and Xu H­M: Induction of gastric cancer cell adhesion through transforming growth factor­beta1­mediated peritoneal fibrosis. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 29: 139, 2010], which was written by mostly different authors at different research institutes (the author Zheng­Hai Qu did appear as an author on both papers). Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published prior to its submission to International Journal of Molecular Medicine, and due to a lack of overall confidence in the presented data, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they accepted the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 29: 564­568, 2012; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.868].

Intestinal Symptoms Among Children aged 2-7 Years with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 13 Cities of China.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial, pervasive, neurodevelopmental disorder, of which intestinal symptoms collectively represent one of the most common comorbidities. METHODS: In this study, 1,222 children with ASD and 1,206 typically developing (TD) children aged 2-7 years were enrolled from 13 cities in China. Physical measurement and basic information questionnaires were conducted in ASD and TD children. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of children with ASD. The six-item Gastrointestinal Severity Index (6-GSI) was used to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal symptoms in two groups. RESULTS: The detection rates of constipation, stool odor, and total intestinal symptoms in ASD children were significantly higher than those in TD children (40.098% vs. 25.622%, 17.021% vs. 9.287%, and 53.601% vs. 41.294%, respectively). Autistic children presenting with intestinal comorbidity had significantly higher scores on the ABC, SRS, CARS, and multiple subscales than autistic children without intestinal symptoms, suggesting that intestinal comorbidity may exacerbates the core symptoms of ASD children. CONCLUSION: Intestinal dysfunction was significantly more common in autistic than in TD children. This dysfunction may aggravate the core symptoms of children with ASD.

[Subjective quality of life in children with Tourette syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the subjective quality of life in children with Tourette syndrome (TS) in order to provide a basis for more effective interference of TS. METHODS: A total of 174 children with TS (≥ 8 years old) and 186 aged-matched healthy children as controls were enrolled. The subjective quality of life was investigated by a case-control study. RESULTS: The total score of subjective quality of life in the TS group (156.6 ± 21.1) was lower than that in the control group (164.2 ± 21.2; P<0.01). The scores of family life, school life, cognitive component, anxiety experience and depression experience (19.1 ± 3.5 vs 20.7 ± 3.0, 24.1 ± 4.4 vs 26.6 ± 3.2, 90.6 ± 13.3 vs 97.9 ± 15.3, 24.0 ± 4.6 vs 25.1 ± 3.1 and 23.8 ± 4.4 vs 24.7 ± 3.5) in the TS group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the total score of subjective quality of life in children with TS was negatively related to the age, the course of disease, the severity of symptoms, the total score of child behavior problem and family conflict (r=-0.432, -0.213, -0.869, -0.137, -0.257; P<0.01), while it was positively related to family active-cultural orientation (r=0.084, P<0.01). The multiple step regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing the subjective quality of life in children with TS included the severity of symptoms, age, family conflict and family active-cultural orientation (ß'=-0.787, -0.171, -0.109, 0.106; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The subjective quality of life is not well in children with TS. It is important to control clinical symptoms and improve family environment for the improvement of the subjective quality of life in children with TS.

A Review of Three Chinese Cases of Acromicric/Geleophysic Dysplasia with FBN1 Mutations.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the clinical features and molecular diagnosis of FBN1-related acromelic dysplasia in Chinese patients. METHODS: The clinical and genetic features of three FBN1-related acromicric dysplasia (AD)/geleophysic dysplasia (GD) Chinese patients from two families were reviewed, and comprehensive medical evaluations were performed. Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to detect genetic mutations associated with short statures, including FBN1. Sanger sequencing was used to determine the de novo mutation origin. RESULTS: Patient 1 presented with short stature, short and stubby hands and feet, mild facial dysmorphism, hepatomegaly, delayed bone age and beak-like femoral heads. Patient 2 and this patient's father merely presented with short stature, wide and short hands, and beak-like femoral heads. One novel mutation, c.5272G>T(p.D1758Y), and one known mutation, c.5183C>T(p.A1728V), were identified in these patients. CONCLUSION: The clinical features varied among these patients. The variant c.5272G>T(p.D1758Y) is a novel mutation.

Serum Folate Status Is Primarily Associated With Neurodevelopment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Aged Three and Under-A Multi-Center Study in China.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Folate has been demonstrated to be associated with ASD. However, current studies on the correlation between folate and symptoms of children with ASD have inconsistent conclusions, use mainly small samples, and lack age-stratified analysis. This study aimed to explore the association between serum folate and symptoms of autistic children at different age groups from a multi-center perspective. Methods: We enrolled 1,300 children with ASD and 1,246 typically developing (TD) children under 7 years old from 13 cities in China. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Childhood autism rating scale (CARS) were used to evaluate the symptoms of children with ASD. China neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) scale was used to evaluate the neurodevelopment of children with ASD. Serum folate was measured by chemiluminescence assay in the two groups. Results: The serum folate levels of children with ASD were lower than that of TD children. In terms of core symptoms of ASD, we found that the serum folate levels were not associated with ABC, SRS, and CARS scores in ASD children of all ages but negatively associated with communication warning behavior scores of CNBS-R2016 in ASD children aged three and under. Concerning development quotients, it was at the age of three and under that serum folate levels were positively associated with gross motor, fine motor, language, and general quotient of ASD children. These ASD children aged three and under were further divided into two groups according to the median of serum folate (14.33 ng/mL); we found that compared to ASD children with folate ≤ 14.33 ng/mL, those with folate >14.33 ng/mL had lower communication warning behavior score and higher gross motor, fine motor, adaptive behavior, language, person-social, and general development quotients. Conclusion: We found that serum folate status was primarily associated with the neurodevelopment of children with ASD aged three and under. Furthermore, relatively higher serum folate levels may be more beneficial for children with ASD. Our results suggest that folate level should be paid more attention in ASD children, especially in early life, to better promote the intervention of ASD children.

China Multi-Center Preschool Autism Project (CMPAP): Design and Methodologies to Identify Clinical Symptom Features and Biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not yet been fully identified, but it seems to be triggered by complex genetic and environmental risk factors. Moreover, the tremendous etiological and clinical differences among individuals with ASD has had a major negative impact on early diagnosis and individualized treatment. Earlier diagnosis of precise clinical subtypes of ASD could lead to individualized treatment and a better prognosis. However, few large-scale epidemiological studies have explored precise clinical subtypes and clinically meaningful biomarkers, especially in China. Methods and Design: The China Multi-center Preschool Autism Project (CMPAP) includes nearly 3,000 children-1,469 individuals with ASD and 1,499 typically-developing (TD) controls-from 13 cities in China. Using a case-control design, each participant was comprehensively characterized in terms of feeding and disease history, maternal history, family history, clinical core symptoms, comorbidities, biochemical markers, genomics, urine/fecal metabonomics, and intestinal flora. In addition, data on environmental risk factors were obtained using interviews and electronic medical records. Conclusion: The study was designed to: (1) investigate age at diagnosis and treatment and family and social support for preschool children with ASD in China, (2) develop a more accurate clinical subtype and intervention system for the ICD-11, and (3) find the specific genes and environmental markers of different subtypes, which will help in the development of early diagnosis and individual intervention programs for preschool children with ASD. This study will provide the basis for improving national health policies for ASD in China.

[Association of breastfeeding with behavioral problems and temperament development in children aged 4-5 years].

OBJECTIVE: Childhood behavioral problems can predict future psychiatric disorders. Temperament development is important for a healthy personality in adulthood. This study investigated whether breastfeeding is associated with the occurrence of behavioral problems and the temperament development in preschool children. METHODS: A total of 737 children (399 boys and 338 girls) aged 4-5 years in Zibo City were recruited by stratified random cluster sampling. They were born at term with a birth weight of >/= 2.5 kg. The feeding patterns and the breastfeeding duration in infancy were collected. Behavioral and temperament developments were investigated by the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), temperament questionnaire for 3-7-year-old children and a self-designed inventory questionnaire. The association of feeding patterns and the breastfeeding duration with behavioral problem occurrence and the temperament development in children were analyzed by a multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis and a multivariate stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: After controlling for confounding variables, such as family income and parental education levels, it was found that a breastfeeding duration of >/= 9 months was a protective factor against behavioral problem occurrence in boys (OR=0.184). In girls, a breastfeeding duration of >/= 9 months was also a protective factor against behavioral problem occurrence (OR=0.165), while a mixed feeding with more breast milk and less formula milk was a risk factor (OR=2.203). The factors influencing temperament development consisted of exclusive formula feeding and the duration of breastfeeding (lasting for 4-6 months or 7-9 months) as well as a mixed feeding (with more formula milk and less breast milk, more breast milk and less formula milk, or equal amount of both). CONCLUSIONS: The fewer amounts and the shorter duration of breastfeeding are risk factors for behavioral problems occurrence in children aged 4-5 years. Children's temperament development is correlated with the feeding patterns and the breastfeeding duration.

Targeted inhibition of Six1 attenuates allergic airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by lung eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion by goblet cells and airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled allergens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Six1 on airway inflammation and remodeling and the underlying mechanisms in a murine model of chronic asthma. Female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: phosphate-buffered saline control, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma group, OVA+siNC and OVA+siSix1. In this mice model, Six1 expression level was significantly elevated in OVA-induced asthma of mice. Additionally, downregulation of Six1 dramatically decreased OVA-challenged inflammation, infiltration, and mucus production. Moreover, silencing of Six1 resulted in decreased levels of immunoglobulin E and inflammatory mediators and reduced inflammatory cell accumulation, as well as inhibiting the expression of important mediators including matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9, which is related to airway remodeling. Further analysis indicated that silencing of Six1 can significantly inhibit NF-kB pathway activation in the lungs. .In conclusion, these findings indicated that the downregulation of Six1 effectively inhibited airway inflammation and reversed airway remodeling, which suggest that Six1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for human allergic asthma.

Transforming growth factor-ß1 induces bronchial epithelial cells to mesenchymal transition by activating the Snail pathway and promotes airway remodeling in asthma.

Airway remodeling is characterized by airway wall thickening, subepithelial fibrosis, increased smooth muscle mass, angiogenesis and an increase in mucous glands, which may lead to a chronic and obstinate asthma with pulmonary function depression. In the present study, we observed substantially thickened lung tissue with extensive fibrosis in ovalbumin-sensitized mice, which was interrelated with transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that TGF-ß1 resulted in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in bronchial epithelial cells, which was characterized by the expected decrease in E-cadherin expression and the increase in vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin expression, as well as the associated increase in Snail expression at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the downregulation of Snail by small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated the TGF-ß1­induced EMT-like phenotype. Of note, a significantly increased synthesis of fibronectin was observed following TGF-ß1 treatment, which further supported the hypothesis that EMT is a pivotal factor in peribronchial fibrosis. In combination, the results indicated that myofibroblasts deriving from bronchial epithelial cells via EMT may contribute to peribronchial fibrosis and that Snail may be an important factor in this phenomenon.

Astragalus extract attenuates allergic airway inflammation and inhibits nuclear factor κB expression in asthmatic mice.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus membranaceus from traditional Chinese herbal medicines previously showed that it possesses a strong anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of astragalus on allergen-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness and investigate its possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) developed airway inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was assessed for total and differential cell counts and cytokine and chemokine levels. In vivo airway responsiveness to increasing concentrations of methacholine was measured 24 hours after the last OVA challenge using whole-body plethysmography. The expression of inhibitory κB-α and p65 in lung tissues was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Astragalus extract attenuated lung inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia and airway hyperresponsiveness in OVA-induced asthma and decreased eosinophils and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, astragalus extract treatment reduced expression of the key initiators of allergic T(H)2-associated cytokines (interleukin 4, interleukin 5) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, astragalus extract could inhibit nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expression and suppress NF-κB translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in lung tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our current study demonstrated a potential therapeutic value of astragalus extract in the treatment of asthma and it may act by inhibiting the expression of the NF-κB pathway.

Inhibition airway remodeling and transforming growth factor-ß1/Smad signaling pathway by astragalus extract in asthmatic mice.

Airway remodeling is characterized by airway wall thickening, subepithelial fibrosis, increased smooth muscle mass, angiogenesis and increased mucous glands, which can lead to a chronic and obstinate asthma with pulmonary function depression. In the present study, we investigated whether the astragalus extract inhibits airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model and observed the effects of astragalus extract on the transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)/Smad signaling pathway in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to establish a model of asthma. Treatments included the astragalus extract and budesonide. Lung tissues were obtained for hematoxylin and eosin staining and Periodic acid-Schiff staining after the final ovalbumin challenge. Levels of TGF-ß1 were assessed by immunohistology and ELISA, levels of TGF-ß1 mRNA were measured by RT-PCR, and levels of P-Smad2/3 and T-Smad2/3 were assessed by western blotting. Astragalus extract and budesonide reduced allergen-induced increases in the thickness of bronchial airway and mucous gland hypertrophy, goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition. Levels of lung TGF-ß1, TGF-ß1 mRNA and P-Smad2/3 were significantly reduced in mice treated with astragalus extract and budesonide. Astragalus extract improved asthma airway remodeling by inhibiting the expression of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway, and may be a potential drug for the treatment of patients with a severe asthma airway.

Prospective, naturalistic study of open-label OROS methylphenidate treatment in Chinese school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders during childhood, characterized by the core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and puts great burden on children themselves, their families and the society. Osmotic release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) is a once-daily controlled-release formulation developed to overcome some of the limitations associated with immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH). It has been marketed in China since 2005 but still lacks data from large-sample clinical trials on efficacy and safety profiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in children aged 6 to 16 years with ADHD under naturalistic clinical setting. METHODS: This 6-week, multi-center, prospective, open-label study enrolled 1447 ADHD children to once-daily OROS-MPH (18 mg, 36 mg or 54 mg) treatment. The effectiveness measures were parent-rated Inattention and Overactivity With Aggression (IOWA) Conners I/O and O/D subscales, physician-rated CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale. Blood pressure, pulse rate measurement, adverse events (AEs) and concomitant medications and treatment review were conducted by the investigator and were served as safety measures. RESULTS: A total of 1447 children with ADHD (mean age (9.52 ± 2.36) years) were enrolled in this trial. Totally 96.8% children received an OROS-MPH modal dose of 18 mg, 3.1% with 36 mg and 0.1% with 54 mg at the endpoint of study. The parent IOWA Conners I/O score at the end of week 2 showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement with OROS-MPH (mean: 6.95 ± 2.71) versus the score at baseline (10.45 ± 2.72). The change in the parent IOWA Conners O/D subscale, CGI-I and parent-rated global efficacy assessment scale also supported the superior efficacy for OROS-MPH treatment. Fewer than half of 1447 patients (511(35.3%)) reported AEs, and the majority of the events reported were mild (68.2%). No serious adverse events were reported during the study. CONCLUSION: This open-label, naturalistic study provides further evidence of effectiveness and safety of OROS-MPH in school-aged children under routine practice.

Psychiatric state of college students with a history of childhood sexual abuse.

BACKGROUND: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) seriously influences children's psychological status. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CSA and the psychiatric disorders. METHODS: An anonymous and retrospective questionnaire survey was carried out in 1307 college students (aged 18-25 years; 701 females, 606 males) to investigate the participants' CSA experience by means of a complete random sampling method. The Symptom Check-List-90 (SCL-90) test was used to study the victims' psychiatric aspects. RESULTS: 22.11% (155/701) of the female students and 14.69% (89/606) of the male students experienced physical and/or non-physical contact CSA before age 18, with a significant difference between female and male (P<0.05). And 11.43% (80/701) of the female students and 7.26% (44/606) of the male students experienced physical contact CSA (P<0.05). Most abusers were male and young people, and only a few of them used violence. 78.7% of the females experienced non-physical contact CSA from strangers, while 71.3% experienced physical contact CSA from acquaintances. 89.9% of the male victims knew the abusers before. Females were more likely than males to experience physical contact CSA from members of the family circles. The CSA incidence increased with age in females, while 54.7% of the male victims experienced CSA from 12 to 16 years. The students who experienced CSA had higher SCL-90 scores than those who did not in somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. The more serious the CSA experience was, the higher SCL-90 scores of the psychiatric disorders would be. CONCLUSIONS: CSA is not uncommon in adolescents. Girls are more likely to experience CSA than boys. About half of the abusers are the victims' close relatives, neighbors and teachers; most abusers were male. Personal experience of CSA may seriously affect the victims' psychological health.

[Childhood sexual abuses among 1307 adult students and analysis on results of Symptom Checklist-90 test].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the occurrence of childhood sexual abuses (CSA) among adult students and analyze the correlation between the sexual abuses and the results of Symptom Check-List-90 (SCL-90) test. METHODS: Questionnaire survey of 1307 adult students (701 female students, 606 male students) in a college about their personal experience on childhood sexual abuses. The surveys were conducted anonymously. And SCL-90 test was carried out at the same time. RESULTS: A total of 1307 students were surveyed. 18.67% of them (female students, 155, 22.11%; male students, 89, 14.69%) experienced non-physical contact sexual abuses and/or physical contact sexual abuses before the age of 18 years, among whom 124 students (female students, 81, 11.55%; male students, 44, 7.26%) experienced physical contact sexual abuses, including 35 (26 female; 9 male) who suffered attempted genital or anal sexual intercourse and 11 (8 female and 3 male) were forced for genital or anal sexual intercourse; 13.70% (female 15.66%; male 11.44%) said they experienced sexual abuses before the age of 16 years. Of the boys, experienced sexual abuse 54.7% from age 12 to age 16 years. And among the girls sexual abuses tended to increase with their growth (results of tendency test: chi(2) = 33.5, P < 0.001). The abusers were mostly males; only a small percentage of them used violence; for most female students who experienced non-physical contact sexual abuses, the abusers were strangers (78.7%), while 71.3% of physical contact abuses were from acquaintances, 12.5% of them were teachers, 17.5% were neighbors and 21.3% were relatives. Of the male victims, 89.9% said they knew the abusers before the abuses happened, 14.6% (13 out of 89) of them were teachers, and neighbors constituted another 21.3% (19 out of 89). Students who experienced childhood sexual abuses got higher scores than the students who didn't have such experience in the nine basic symptom factors of SCL-90 and higher than normal model of national young group notably. CONCLUSION: Childhood sexual abuse among students is not rare. The female students' incidence was obviously higher than that among the male students (chi(2) = 11.8, P = 0.001). About half of the abusers were the victims' close relatives, neighbors and teachers who live or study together with them. Personal experience of childhood sexual abuses may be one of the important factors influencing the victims' results of SCL-90 test.

[Study on the risk factors and characteristics on childhood sexual abuses among female students in a college].

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors and abusers' characteristics on childhood sexual abuses among female students to provide reference data for preventive measures on child sexual abuse. METHODS: Annonymous questionnaire survey of 701 adult female students in a college about their personal experience on childhood sexual abuses, their home conditions and abusers' characteristics. RESULTS: A total number of 701 female students were surveyed. 115 (22.11%) experienced non-physical contact sexual abuses before the age of 18, including 26 (3.71%) who suffered from attempted and 8 (1.14%) were forced with genital or anal sexual intercourse. 117 (16.69%) said they had suffered from sexual abuse before the age of 16. Most abusers were males (99.4%) and only a small percentage of them (3.2%) used violence. Most non-physical contact sexual abuses were from strangers (78.7%), while 71.3% of physical contact abuses were from acquaintances including 12.5% of them were teachers, 17.5% were neighbors and 21.3% were relatives. The risk factors of child sexual abuses were: frequent use of violence, bad hobbies and poor health conditions of parents, tight family relationships, and living in remarried families. Having well-educated fathers was a preventive factor. CONCLUSION: Studies on childhood sexual abuses among females revealed that the incidents were not rare, and family environment played an important role.