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Evidence suggests there may be increased risk for suicidal behavior among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An emerging body of research explores social factors that may contribute to increased risk, however little is known about the potential role of biological factors. The current project addresses this knowledge gap through a preliminary study of genes associated with both ASD and suicidal behavior. Gene set enrichment tests of eight genes strongly associated with both ASD and suicidal behavior revealed overrepresentation of nine biological processes, including cognition and synapse function, and 14 cellular components, including the neuron, the synapse, and the synaptic and postsynaptic membrane. These results can be used to inform future investigations of the biological underpinnings of suicidal behavior and ASD.

The biofortification of plants seems to be a beneficial dietary strategy for alleviating iron deficiency around the world. The main aim of this study was to determine the content and bioaccessibility of minerals in biofortified lettuce in relation to plant morphological parameters. The experiment was conducted in a climate chamber under controlled conditions. Plants were grown in hydroponics with the application of nutrient solutions with varied iron levels (mg dm-3): 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5. The contents of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Mg, Ca, Na, and K in the lettuce were assayed after the dry ashing of the samples. The enzymatic digestion in vitro was performed using fresh lettuce plants, and then the contents of released elements were assayed. The concentrations of elements in lettuce before and after digestion were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. In the lettuce, the contents of total, soluble, and insoluble fiber were also measured. It was found that the highest Fe level significantly increased the yield of dry matter. The studied trends of chlorophyll fluorescence change indicated a positive effect of Fe biofortification on plants but, at the same time, an increase in the carotenoid content was observed along with an increase in Fe, which may indicate the plants’ initial defense response to increasing oxidative stress. Increasing Fe biofortification also caused an increase in the chlorophyll content in leaves. The higher content of Fe and of most other elements in the plant was determined in biofortified lettuces. Generally, biofortification of iron decreased Fe bioaccessibility and increased the bioaccessibility of other elements. In conclusion, the content of iron increases, but its bioaccessibility decreases in biofortified lettuce, and plant responses can be affected by biochemical reactions connected among others to carotenoids and the chlorophyll content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Halliwick concept is widely used in different settings to promote joyful movement in water and swimming. To assess the swimming skills and progression of an individual swimmer, a valid and reliable measure should be used. The Halliwick-concept-based Swimming with Independent Measure (SWIM) was introduced for this purpose. We aimed to determine its content validity and inter-rater reliability. Fifty-four healthy children, 3.5-11 years old, from a mainstream swimming program participated in a content validity study. They were evaluated with SWIM and the national evaluation system of swimming abilities (classifying children into seven categories). To study the inter-rater reliability of SWIM, we included 37 children and youth from a Halliwick swimming program, aged 7-22 years, who were evaluated by two Halliwick instructors independently. The average SWIM score differed between national evaluation system categories and followed the expected order (P less than 0.001), whereby a ceiling effect was observed in the higher categories. High inter-rater reliability was found for all 11 SWIM items. The lowest reliability was observed for item G (sagittal rotation), although the estimates were still above 0.9. As expected, the highest reliability was observed for the total score (intraclass correlation 0.996). The validity of SWIM with respect to the national evaluation system of swimming abilities is high until the point where a swimmer is well adapted to water and already able to learn some swimming techniques. The inter-rater reliability of SWIM is very high; thus, we believe that SWIM can be used in further research and practice to follow the progress of swimmers.

Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM) frequently develops in patients hospitalized in intensive care units. The number of patients with CIPNM admitted to inpatient rehabilitation is increasing. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the outcome of their rehabilitation. Twenty-seven patients with CIPNM were included in the study. The diagnosis was established clinically and confirmed electrophysiologically. Manual muscle testing was used for the assessment of function. Activity was assessed using the functional independence measure and two walking tests. The patients were also assessed using an adapted International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) checklist. All assessments were performed at admission and discharge. Clinically important and statistically significant improvements were found in all observed measures. High and significant correlations were found between the measures, except between muscle strength and the results of walking tests. Improvement in body functions during rehabilitation decreased as the time from established diagnosis to the start of rehabilitation increased, but it was not related to rehabilitation duration. Improvements in terms of the ICF mainly corresponded to the gain in functional independence measure scores. Major improvement regarding body functions and activities/participation was achieved in patients with CIPNM with a relatively short rehabilitation. Rehabilitation of such patients should start as early as possible once the diagnosis has been established. Comprehensive assessment of such patients combining established scales, objective clinical tests, and the ICF is recommended.

Plantar pressures measurement is a frequently used method in rehabilitation and related research. Metric characteristics of the F-Scan system have been assessed from different standpoints and in different patients, but not its reliability in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Therefore, our objective was to assess reliability of the F-Scan plantar pressure measurement system in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Twelve rheumatoid arthritis patients were included in this study. Plantar pressures measurement was carried out in six consecutive walks and average peak pressure on seven spots analyzed for each walk. Intraclass correlation was estimated for each spot and for within-patient coefficient of variation between spots. For each spot, average within-patient coefficient of variation between walks was also calculated. Repeated measures of analysis of variance and Hotelling's T[superscript 2] test, both with Holm correction, were used to test equality of mean measurement across patients between walks. The intraclass correlations, which were all statistically significant at P less than 0.0001, ranged from 0.897 to 0.999, with a mean of 0.97 for single measure and 0.99 for average measure estimates. Overall median of within-patient coefficient of variation between walks was 7%. None of the tests of equality of means showed significant differences between walks. On both feet, the highest variability of measurements was observed at midfoot, whereas all the other spots demonstrated excellent reliability. The measurement setup was found to be highly reliable and therefore suitable for clinical practice, as well as for research. If possible, taking an average of several measurements is recommended.

The soaring prices of nitrogen fertilizer production, low use efficiency of nitrogen compounds, and environmental threats resulting from soil nitrogen leaching and gaseous nitrogen losses are the main reasons for conducting research on increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of foliar application of the new generation of N fertilizers in the second and third dose on the yield of winter triticale and grain protein content, and to evaluate the indicators of nutrient efficiency: agronomic efficiency and apparent nitrogen recovery, relative to fertilizer type and method of application. The experiment was set up as a single factor one with a complete randomized block design. The experimental factor was the varying dose of mineral nitrogen fertilization against the constant level of phosphorus and potassium application. According to the experimental design, two liquid fertilizers (A1N and A2N) applied to foliage were the source of nitrogen in the second and third doses of fertilization, except for the control treatment (AN). The use of the hybrid technique of nitrogen application in the triticale fertilization technology at the same time reduced N fertilizer doses by 20 and 25% and significantly enhanced the yield of grain. Moreover, the treatment with the tested fertilizers increased significantly the nitrogen use efficiency from 45% to 75%. Considering the average protein contents from four experiments, the reduction in nitrogen doses, irrespective of the liquid fertilizer used, resulted in a decline in the grain protein content compared to the control. The results demonstrate the possibility of meeting the legal requirements for reducing the nitrogen dose while ensuring the yield at the same or even an increased level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]