Specific brain imaging alterations underlying autistic traits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autistic traits (ATs) are frequently reported in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to examine ATs in children with ADHD from both behavioral and neuroimaging perspectives. METHODS: We used the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) to assess and define subjects with and without ATs. For behavioral analyses, 67 children with ADHD and ATs (ADHD + ATs), 105 children with ADHD but without ATs (ADHD - ATs), and 44 typically developing healthy controls without ATs (HC - ATs) were recruited. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data and analyzed the mean amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mALFF) values (an approach used to depict different spontaneous brain activities) in a sub-sample. The imaging features that were shared between ATs and ADHD symptoms or that were unique to one or the other set of symptoms were illustrated as a way to explore the "brain-behavior" relationship. RESULTS: Compared to ADHD-ATs, the ADHD + ATs group showed more global impairment in all aspects of autistic symptoms and higher hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI). Partial-correlation analysis indicated that HI was significantly positively correlated with all aspects of ATs in ADHD. Imaging analyses indicated that mALFF values in the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), left parietal lobe (PL)/precuneus, and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) might be specifically related to ADHD, while those in the right MTG might be more closely associated with ATs. Furthermore, altered mALFF in the right PL/precuneus correlated with both ADHD and ATs, albeit in diverse directions. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of ATs in children with ADHD manifested as different behavioral characteristics and specific brain functional alterations. Assessing ATs in children with ADHD could help us understand the heterogeneity of ADHD, further explore its pathogenesis, and promote clinical interventions.

Associations of unintended pregnancy with autism spectrum disorders and the modification of folic acid supplements.

There is limited evidence on the associations of unintended pregnancy with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to examine this relationship and the modification of pre-conceptional and prenatal folic acid supplements. Six thousand and five toddlers aged 16 to 30 months from seven cities of six provinces in China were eligible for participation. Information on unintended pregnancy and folic acid supplements was obtained via questionnaires from caregivers of toddlers. The diagnosis of ASD was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Of the 6005 toddlers in the study (3337 boys and 2668 girls), 71 (1.18%) received the diagnosis of ASD. Generalized linear models with a logit link function showed unintended pregnancy was positively associated with ASD (odds ratios [OR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.79). Stratified estimates indicated that the association remained stable among toddlers of mothers without pre-conceptional and prenatal folic acid supplements (OR = 2.75, 95% CI, 1.04-7.27; n = 1243, 20.70%). Unintended pregnancy was associated with higher odds of ASD in 16-30 months of toddlers, and the association was consistent among toddlers of mothers without prenatal folic acid supplements. Our findings emphasize the need to raise awareness of the risk of unintended pregnancy and the benefits of folic acid supplements among Chinese women.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the children's empathy quotient and systemizing quotient: 4-12 years.

We aimed to validate the Children's Empathy Quotient (EQ-C) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ-C) in Mainland China, which can reflect the profiles of empathizing and systemizing, and describing specific characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender-typical behaviors in general population. A total of 800 typically developing (TD) children, aged 4-12 years was recruited initially with whose parents/guardians complete the measurements, and 782 TD children who met inclusion criteria were finally included. A 23-item three-factor EQ-C and a 22-item four-factor SQ-C was developed with good internal consistency (Omega total values of 0.87 and 0.86) and test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.82 and 0.69). In TD children, girls scored significantly higher on EQ-C (31.4 ± 7.8 vs. 28.2 ± 7.7) but there were no gender differences in SQ-C scores. TD children showed different cognitive styles (empathizing-dominant for girls with 42.6% identified as Type E; systemizing-dominant for boys with 40.7% identified as Type S). A further sample of 222 children with ASD indicated that they scored lower on EQ/SQ-C compared to TD children (13.2 ± 5.1 vs. 29.7 ± 7.9, 12.4 ± 5.8 vs. 23.5 ± 8.3) and were generally systemizing-dominant (Type S: 50.8% for boys and 64.0% for girls). Autistic children scored higher on the SQ-C in those without intellectual disability and with higher paternal education level and family income (14.2 ± 6.1 vs. 10.9 ± 5.0, 13.3 ± 6.2 vs. 11.5 ± 5.1, 13.7 ± 5.6 vs. 11.9 ± 5.8), while there were no differences in the EQ-C. This study indicated good reliability and validity of the Chinese version of EQ/SQ-C, which can be used in Chinese children with and without ASD. LAY SUMMARY: We developed the Chinese version of the Children's Empathy Quotient (EQ-C) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ-C) in 782 typically developing (TD) children aged 4-12 years in Mainland China, yielding a 23-item, 3-factor EQ-C and a 22-item, 4-factor SQ-C with good psychometric properties. In TD children, we found gender difference only in scores of EQ-C. Further analyses of 222 autistic children indicated that differences were found in scores of SQ-C when considering their gender, intelligence and socio-economic status.

Empathy, Theory of Mind, and Prosocial Behaviors in Autistic Children.

Background: Previous research has suggested that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display fewer prosocial behaviors, and the role of empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM) in prosocial behaviors of autistic children remains unclear. Methods: Data were obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study in Guangzhou, China. A total of 96 autistic children and 167 typically developing (TD) children were enrolled. Prosocial behaviors were assessed using a subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and Dictator Game (DG) paradigm with stickers as incentives. Empathic traits and ToM ability were measured using the children's Empathy Quotient and the Chinese version of ToM toolkit. Generalized linear models were used to assess the differences of prosocial behaviors and empathic traits, ToM ability between the two groups and the associations between empathic traits, ToM ability and prosocial behaviors in autistic children. Results: Compared with TD children, autistic children exhibited worse ToM ability and performed less pro-socially in the DG paradigm, while there were no differences regarding empathic traits. In autistic children, empathic traits especially affective empathy, were positively associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors [ß = 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.27; ß = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.33-0.60]. ToM ability was associated with DG paradigm (ß = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.16-1.89). Conclusion: Autistic children showed less pro-sociality and ToM ability than TD children. In autistic children, empathic trait was associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors while their ToM ability was associated with prosocial behaviors in experimental condition. Our findings indicated that better ToM ability and empathic trait might promote prosocial behaviors in autistic children.

[Effects of temperature increase on zooplankton size spectra in thermal discharge seawaters near a power plant, China]. / 电厂温排水增温对浮游动物粒径谱的影响.

Utilizing the plankton 1 (505 Μm), 2 (160 Μm), 3 (77 Μm) nets to seasonally collect zooplankton samples at 10 stations and the corresponding abundance data was obtained. Based on individual zooplankton biovolume, size groups were classified to test the changes in spatiotemporal characteristics of both Sheldon and normalized biovolume size spectra in thermal discharge seawaters near the Guohua Power Plant, so as to explore the effects of temperature increase on zooplankton size spectra in the seawaters. The results showed that the individual biovolume of zooplankton ranged from 0.00012 to 127.0 mm3·ind-1, which could be divided into 21 size groups, and corresponding logarithmic ranges were from -13.06 to 6.99. According to Sheldon size spectra, the predominant species to form main peaks of the size spectrum in different months were Copepodite larvae, Centropages mcmurrichi, Calanus sinicus, fish larvae, Sagitta bedoti, Sagitta nagae and Pleurobrachia globosa, and minor peaks mostly consisted of individuals with smaller larvae, Cyclops and Paracalanus aculeatus. In different warming sections, Copepodite larvae, fish eggs and Cyclops were mostly unaffected by the temperature increase, while the macrozooplankton such as S. bedoti, S. nagae, P. globosa, C. sinicus and Beroe cucumis had an obvious tendency to avoid the outfall of the power plant. Based on the results of normalized size spectra, the intercepts from low to high occurred in November, February, May and August, respectively. At the same time, the minimum slope was found in February, and similarly bigger slopes were observed in May and August. These results indicated that the proportion of small zooplankton was highest in February, while the proportions of the meso- and macro-zooplankton were relatively high in May and August. Among different sections, the slope in the 0.2 km section was minimum, which increased with the increase of section distance to the outfall. The result obviously demonstrated that the closer the distance was from outfall of the power plant, the smaller the zooplankton became. On the whole, the average intercept of normalized size spectrum in Xiangshan Bay was 4.68, and the slope was -0.655.

[Effects of environmental factors on ß diversity of zooplankton community in thermal discharge seawaters near Guohua Power Plant in Xiangshan Bay, Zhejiang, China].

Zooplankton samples were seasonally collected at 10 stations in thermal discharge seawaters near Guohua Power Plant in Xiangshan Bay. The abundance data from these samples were pooled and further combined with field environmental factors, then generalised dissimilarity modelling (GDM) was used to explore the effects of environmental factors on ß diversity of zooplankton community. The results showed that altogether 95 species of zooplankton belonging to 14 taxa were found. In these taxa, small zooplankton with 62.6% of abundance was the main taxa, while copepods dominated in adult groups, which abundance accounted for 35.3%. According to Whittaker's definition and additive partition, a diversity accounted for 36.3% and ß diversity 63.7%. Environmental factors explained 43.8% of ß diversity, and geographical distance between sampling sites had no effect on ß diversity. However, there were still 19.9% of ß diversity remained to be explained. After GDM fitting, there were nine environmental variables affecting zooplankton ß diversity and explaining 68.8% of ß diversity. The variables contributing to ß diversity from high to low were seasonal water temperature, dissolved oxygen, seawater temperature increment, conductivity, suspended particulate matter, salinity, transparency, water depth and redox potential, respectively. Seasonal water temperature, dissolved oxygen and seawater temperature increment were the most important factors for driving ß diversity changes, and accounted for 23.9%, 13.7% and 9.7% of absolute contribution to the interpretable portion of the ß diversity, respectively. When seasonal water temperature, dissolved oxygen and seawater temperature increment were below 25 °C, greater than 5 mg · L(-1) and over 1 °C, respectively, ß diversity rapidly increased with the increasing variable gradients. Furthermore, other predictors had little effect on ß diversity.