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Building semantic segmentation is key to many applications relying on 3D modeling of city buildings such as urban planning or business intelligence. Recent works have shown great improvements in this area thanks to artificial intelligence, but even state of the art neural networks encounter difficulties to generalize to buildings that are different from the training dataset. 3D modeling applications also requires the elevation information often retrieved from a pair of High Resolution satellite images. In this article, we show that using both images of a stereo pair as inputs to a neural network trained for building semantic segmentation achieves better results than using a single view. Especially, stereo training gives a greater ability to generalize. We show that using neural networks designed for disparity estimation performs well for building semantic segmentation from a pair of satellite views in epipolar geometry. We also discuss how radiometry and disparity both affect the definition of what a building is depending on the multi-view network architecture.

Most published autism research, and the funding that supports it, remains focused on basic and clinical science. However, the public health impact of autism drives a compelling argument for utilizing a public health approach to autism research. Fundamental to the public health perspective is a focus on health determinants to improve quality of life and to reduce the potential for adverse outcomes across the general population, including in vulnerable subgroups. While the public health research process can be conceptualized as a linear, 3-stage path consisting of discovery - testing - translation/dissemination/implementation, in this paper we propose an integrated, cyclical research framework to advance autism public health objectives in a more comprehensive manner. This involves discovery of primary, secondary and tertiary determinants of health in autism; and use of this evidence base to develop and test detection, intervention, and dissemination strategies and the means to implement them in 'real world' settings. The proposed framework serves to facilitate identification of knowledge gaps, translational barriers, and shortfalls in implementation; guides an iterative research cycle; facilitates purposeful integration of stakeholders and interdisciplinary researchers; and may yield more efficient achievement of improved health and well-being among persons on the autism spectrum at the population-level. LAY SUMMARY: Scientists need better ways to identify and address gaps in autism research, conduct research with stakeholders, and use findings to improve the lives of autistic people. We recommend an approach, based in public health science, to guide research in ways that might impact lives more quickly.

A new autoinflammatory syndrome related to somatic mutations of UBA1 was recently described and called VEXAS syndrome ('Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic syndrome').To describe clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and outcomes of VEXAS syndrome.One hundred and sixteen patients with VEXAS syndrome were referred to a French multicentre registry between November 2020 and May 2021. The frequency and median of parameters and vital status, from diagnosis to the end of the follow-up, were recorded.The main clinical features of VEXAS syndrome were found to be skin lesions (83%), noninfectious fever (64%), weight loss (62%), lung involvement (50%), ocular symptoms (39%), relapsing chondritis (36%), venous thrombosis (35%), lymph nodes (34%) and arthralgia (27%). Haematological disease was present in 58 cases (50%): myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS; n = 58) and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (n = 12; all patients with MGUS also have a MDS). UBA1 mutations included p.M41T (45%), p.M41V (30%), p.M41L (18%) and splice mutations (7%). After a median follow-up of 3 years, 18 patients died (15·5%; nine of infection and three due to MDS progression). Unsupervised analysis identified three clusters: cluster 1 (47%; mild-to-moderate disease); cluster 2 (16%; underlying MDS and higher mortality rates); and cluster 3 (37%; constitutional manifestations, higher C-reactive protein levels and less frequent chondritis). The 5-year probability of survival was 84·2% in cluster 1, 50·5% in cluster 2 and 89·6% in cluster 3. The UBA1 p.Met41Leu mutation was associated with a better prognosis.VEXAS syndrome has a large spectrum of organ manifestations and shows different clinical and prognostic profiles. It also raises a potential impact of the identified UBA1 mutation.

Few funding sources have explicitly supported systems-wide research to identify mechanisms for improving access, service delivery, outcomes and wellbeing for autistic transition-age youth and young adults. We aimed to integrate findings from research produced through a five-year federal Autism Transition Research Project (ATRP) cooperative agreement. This capstone review sought to: (1) map the body of scientific evidence that emerged from this federal award, and (2) identify remaining evidence gaps to inform future autism transition services research. We used scoping review methods to assess 31 ATRP-funded published scientific studies. We charted study characteristics, topical domains, socio-ecological levels of variables, focus on equity, and inclusion of autistic participants. We evaluated how these topics were addressed across studies to identify continued gaps in the evidence base. Compared to prior published reviews and research agendas, we found improvements in characterization of study participants, broader examination of socio-ecological correlates, and examination of multiple outcome domains. However, we also identified continued deficits in inclusion of autistic study participants, use of multisectoral data, and research with a strong focus on equity. Our recommended priorities for autism transition services research to facilitate healthy life outcomes and wellbeing included: continued analysis of population-level data and improved data infrastructure; development of service delivery methods and interventions that target marginalized groups; expanded research to inform improvements in the performance and coordination of complex service ecosystems that interface with autistic youth; and bolstering the roles of autistic research participants.

This paper used Social Security Administration program data from 2005 to 2019 to examine national- and state-level changes in the number of new adult supplemental security income (SSI) awardees on the autism spectrum relative to awardees with intellectual disability and other mental health disorders. We identified three main findings: the number of autistic awards increased between 2005 and 2019 when awards for all other mental health disorders declined; roughly nine out of every 10 autistic adult awardees were between ages 18–25 years; there was variation in the growth of autistic awards across states. These findings support the need to consider geographic and age differences in SSI program participation among autistic adults and determine the underlying causes.

Coccidiosis is a major intestinal challenge that causes economic loss to the broiler industry. Two battery cage studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of trace minerals, source and dose of methionine on growth performance and gut health of broilers subjected to

Infection of bone tissue, or osteomyelitis, has become a growing concern in modern healthcare due in no small part to a rise in antibiotic resistance among bacteria, notably Staphylococcus aureus. The current standard of care involves aggressive, prolonged antibiotic therapy combined with surgical debridement of infected tissues. While this treatment may be sufficient for resolving a portion of cases, recurrences of the infection and associated risks including toxicity with long‐term antibiotic usage have been reported. Therefore, there exists a need to produce safer, more efficacious options of treatment for osteomyelitis. In order to test treatment regimens, animal models that closely mimic the clinical condition and allow for accurate evaluation of therapeutics are necessary. Establishing a model that replicates features of osteomyelitis in humans continues to be a challenge to scientists, as there are many variables involved, including choosing an appropriate species and method to establish infection. This review addresses the refinement of animal models of osteomyelitis to reflect the clinical disease and test prospective therapeutics. The aim of this review is to explore studies regarding the use of animals for osteomyelitis therapeutics research and encourage further development of such animal models for the translation of results from the animal experiment to human medicine., This review addresses the refinement of animal models of osteomyelitis to reflect the clinical disease and test prospective therapeutics. The aim of this review is to explore studies regarding the use of animals for osteomyelitis therapeutics research and encourage further development of such animal models for the translation of results from the animal experiment to human medicine. The models discussed in this review utilize three main methods for induction of infection: post‐traumatic, implants, and hematogenous.

The Coronavirus -19 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus has now exceeded two years in duration. The pandemic has been characterized by the development of a succession of variants containing mutations in the spike protein affecting infectiousness, virulence and efficacy of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Resistance to vaccination and limitations in the current treatments available require the ongoing development of therapies especially for those with severe disease. The plant lectin Galanthus nivalis binds to mannose structures in the viral envelope. We hypothesized that viral binding should be unaffected by spike protein mutations. Known concentrations of seven clinically relevant SARS-CoV-2 variants were spiked in medium and passed three times over columns containing 1 gm of GNA affinity resin. Percent decrease in viral titer was compared with a control sample. Viral capture efficiency was found to range from 53 to 89% for all variants. Extrapolation indicated that an adult Aethlon Hemopurifier® would have more than sufficient binding capacity for viral loads observed in adult patients with severe COVID-19 infection.

This report examines the following two questions: 1) do income-based differences in health and health care outcomes look the same for children with and without autism? and 2) do income-based differences in health and health care outcomes look the same for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children with autism and white children with autism? Examining the health and healthcare outcomes of children with autism in combination with other social characteristics offers several advantages. First, we can illuminate how demographics alone, and in combination with other social characteristics of children, are associated with differences in the rates of health and healthcare outcomes they experience. Second, it increases our understanding of the health-related experiences of social groups who are often neglected in research. Third, it provides current and comprehensive evidence on how children with autism experience relative disadvantages related to social determinants of health, which are aspects of the environment that affect health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.

BACKGROUND Autistic young adults (YAs) often live with family and present with complex health needs. Adults with developmental disabilities (DDs) who live with family are the least likely to receive preventive health care compared with residents of other settings. No published studies have examined intersectionality between age, race or ethnicity, household income, and health needs in health care access for autistic YA. This study explored health care access among autistic YAs receiving state DD services compared with other age and disability groups. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Core Indicator’s Adult Family Survey of families of DD service users ages 18 and older who lived in the respondent’s home. We used bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression to examine family-reported access to health care providers when needed, the role of sociodemographics, and the complexity of health care needs in predicting consistent care. RESULTS Approximately 70% of autistic YAs had consistent access to health care when needed, similar to autistic adults but at lower rates than those with other disabilities. Odds of consistent health care access were higher among autistic YAs who were Black or lived in a rural area and lower among those with co-occurring health conditions or who needed extensive personal care support. CONCLUSIONS Nearly one-third of autistic YAs who lived with family and receive state DD services had difficulty consistently accessing needed health care. Improved surveillance of health care services in this population is needed in addition to innovations in Medicaid waivers, which fund DD services, to address health needs and support families in accessing care.

BACKGROUND We provide an update on reproductive health education (RHE) and substance use prevention education (SUPE) participation for autistic youth compared with other youth with and without individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans. The 800 000 autistic youth served by the US special education system need education to make informed decisions about reproductive health and substance use. METHODS Data were from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2012, a survey designed to yield nationally representative estimates of the experiences of US youth. Autistic youth (n = 390) who received RHE and SUPE were compared with youth with all other IEP classifications (n = 4420), with a 504 plan (n = 350), and with no IEP or 504 plan (n = 980). All youth were ≥14 years old and able to self-report on a survey. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed for each group to identify characteristics associated with RHE and SUPE receipt. RESULTS Autistic youth reported a significantly lower rate of RHE (47.4%) and SUPE (49.6%) inclusion versus students with no IEP or 504 plan (59.2% and 57.4%, respectively). Autistic girls were more than twice as likely to report RHE receipt than autistic boys (55.1% vs 45.9%). For autistic youth, no markers for receipt of SUPE were identified. CONCLUSIONS Autistic youth are underserved when it comes to school-based RHE and SUPE, potentially undermining self-determination and leading to poorer lifespan health trajectories. Research and policy advocacy are needed to ensure that these youth have access to RHE and SUPE.

We report on advance developments of terahertz system data analysis for measuring the thicknesses of multiple films for non-contact control in heritage science. We provide the analysis of time-domain data regarding the measurements conducted on a French Renaissance painting realized on a copper substrate. The piece of art is made of a varnish layer deposited on the different painting layers. We specifically focus on the dielectric characterization of the varnish layer and its ageing consequences on THz images that are also reported here and revealed optically hidden details.

U.S. policy interventions encourage earlier provision of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to support students and youth with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the transition from school to work. We analyzed Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) data using multivariable logistic regression to determine the association of VR services receipt with employment outcomes for students ages 16-21, same-age non-student youth and young adults with ASD. Students with autism received job-related services (job search, job placement, and on-the-job supports) at rates significantly below comparison groups, even though odds of successful employment at VR exit were significantly higher if they received these services. Findings suggest that rates of employment among students with autism might be improved with intentional delivery of job-related services.

For almost half a century, acute hippocampal slice preparations have been widely used to investigate anti-amnesic (or promnesic) properties of drug candidates on long-term potentiation (LTP)—a cellular substrate that supports some forms of learning and memory. The large variety of transgenic mice models now available makes the choice of the genetic background when designing experiments crucially important. Furthermore, different behavioral phenotypes were reported between inbred and outbred strains. Notably, some differences in memory performance were emphasized. Despite this, investigations, unfortunately, did not explore electrophysiological properties. In this study, two stimulation paradigms were used to compare LTP in the hippocampal CA1 area of both inbred (C57BL/6) and outbred (NMRI) mice. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) revealed no strain difference, whereas theta-burst stimulation (TBS) resulted in significantly reduced LTP magnitude in NMRI mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that this reduced LTP magnitude (exhibited by NMRI mice) was due to lower responsiveness to theta-frequency during conditioning stimuli. In this paper, we discuss the anatomo-functional correlates that may explain such hippocampal synaptic plasticity divergence, although straightforward evidence is still lacking. Overall, our results support the prime importance of considering the animal model related to the intended electrophysiological experiments and the scientific issues to be addressed.

BACKGROUND Addressing health care needs is complex in autistic youth for many reasons. Increased inpatient care that has been noted in this population, particularly for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), may be a marker of inadequate primary and outpatient care. METHODS This study used data from hospital inpatient discharges from the National Inpatient Sample 2017. The prevalence, average length of stay, and the average cost per day of the 10 most common principal diagnoses for index stay were calculated for autistic youth and youth with mental, behavioral, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (MBND), ages 0 to 17. RESULTS Of every 1000 inpatient stays, 7.3 were for autistic youth and 65.2 for youth with MBND. The rate varied by US region and zip code-level household income. The most common diagnosis associated with stays in autistic youth was mood disorders, as in youth with MBND. Nearly all top 10 principal diagnoses for autistic youth were for ACSCs. The highest average cost per day for autistic youth was for physical injuries ($4320 per day), and the longest stays were for schizophrenia (14 days). CONCLUSIONS High occurrence of ACSCs in autistic youth suggests that primary care may not adequately address health and mental health needs. Clinical complexity and autism characteristics may be impacting care received in the hospital. Additional considerations need to explore and examine care complexity, racial and ethnic disparities, and the large portion of Medicaid-covered youth. Strategies for the provision of care to these vulnerable populations are of great concern.

The hippocampus has long been considered as a key structure for memory processes. Multilevel alterations of hippocampal function have been identified as a common denominator of memory impairments in a number of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. For many years, the glutamatergic and cholinergic systems have been the main targets of therapeutic treatments against these symptoms. However, the high rate of drug development failures has left memory impairments on the sideline of current therapeutic strategies. This underscores the urgent need to focus on new therapeutic targets for memory disorders, such as type 4 serotonin receptors (5-HT4Rs). Ever since the discovery of their expression in the hippocampus, 5-HT4Rs have gained growing interest for potential use in the treatment of learning and memory impairments. To date, much of the researched information gathered by scientists from both animal models and humans converge on pro-mnesic and anti-amnesic properties of 5-HT4Rs activation, although the mechanisms at work require more work to be fully understood. This review addresses a fundamental, yet poorly understood set of evidence of the potential of 5-HT4Rs to re-establish or limit hippocampal alterations related to neurological diseases. Most importantly, the potential of 5-HT4Rs is translated by refining hypotheses regarding the benefits of their activation in memory disorders at the hippocampal level.

The purpose of this report is to catalogue indicators of mental health and mental health care to highlight areas of needed improvement in practice and policy. Mental health care is an urgent priority and this report documents barriers that individuals and families face when trying to access mental health care. Good health and wellbeing require effective interventions and supportive policy to ensure that mental health needs of autistic children and adults are effectively addressed.

This paper used Social Security Administration program data from 2005 to 2019 to examine national- and state-level changes in the number of new adult supplemental security income (SSI) awardees on the autism spectrum relative to awardees with intellectual disability and other mental health disorders. We identified three main findings: the number of autistic awards increased between 2005 and 2019 when awards for all other mental health disorders declined; roughly nine out of every 10 autistic adult awardees were between ages 18-25 years; there was variation in the growth of autistic awards across states. These findings support the need to consider geographic and age differences in SSI program participation among autistic adults and determine the underlying causes.

Transition-age youth with autism (TAY-ASD) experience poor employment outcomes and gaps in services that could assist them in securing jobs. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a source of public assistance for people with disabilities seeking employment and TAY-ASD are a growing segment of VR service users. Postsecondary education (PSE) is essential for building vocational skills, contributing to employment satisfaction and better wages. VR provides services to support PSE success. Fewer TAY-ASD received PSE training from VR (18%) than TAY with other disabilities (32%), but more than TAY with an intellectual disability (15%). TAY-ASD who received PSE training were more likely to exit VR with a job. The importance of PSE to employment should be considered in TAY-ASD who seek employment supports.

Innate immunity plays a vital role in detecting cytoplasmic nucleic acids resulting from viral infection or the presence of tumor cells. Cytosolic DNA is sensed by the cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, and in the case of tumors, activation of this pathway has potential to both positively and negatively modulate cancer development. Activation of the STING pathway is a key prerequisite for type I IFN production that is needed for either endogenous or treatment-induced cancer immune responses, and reduced cGAS-STING expression is associated with poorer survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, invasive breast ductal carcinoma, and gastric cancer. Intrinsic activation of the cGAS-STING pathway in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes cancer cell-intrinsic senescence and recruitment of immune cells, resulting in antitumor effects. For cancers that are difficult to treat and characterized by immune tolerance, combination therapies of STING agonists with immune checkpoint inhibitors represents a new paradigm in disease management. To date, only two early clinical trials of the STING agonist ADU-S100 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors are underway (NCT02675439 and NCT03172936). To progress clinical trials more rapidly and with better safety outcomes for patients with advanced treatment-refractory metastatic solid tumors or lymphomas, being able to reliably screen a variety of STING agonists in different types of in vitro cancer models is of paramount importance. We have previously reported a novel functional assay that is capable of demonstrating the potency level of different STING agonists, based on the IFNβ response in THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells. We further investigated the role of newly developed STING agonists and clinical compounds in phenotypic in vitro cancer cell and TME models to inform on oncotherapeutic development. STING-expressing cancer cell lines, chosen based on microarray mRNA expression, were treated with agonists and assayed for cGAS-STING activation status using a fully automated platform for high-content imaging. In vitro analysis demonstrated high phospho-STING activation at 4 hours. In the BioMAP® Oncology Colorectal TME model, STING activation increased IL-6 release and the effect on other primary immune and tissue remodeling biomarkers will be discussed. Preclinical studies indicate that STING agonists, used as adjuvants in combination with other agents or radiation therapy, suppress tumor progression, reduce cellular toxicity, and eliminate metastases in breast and pancreatic cancer models. Phenotypic assays that provide human, translational data early in discovery are a valuable tool to accelerate progress in this area. Citation Format: Satheesh K. Sainathan, Justin H. Lipner, Jennifer I. Drake, Brogan A. Epkins, Brianna M. Roux, Alastair J. King. Measurement of cytosolic DNA sensing cGAS-STING pathway functional activity using in vitro phenotypic assay models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1877.

The families of youth and adults on the autism spectrum provide vital supports across the lifespan. This report explores what family members report about autistic adults: the settings they live in, their access to services, opportunities to participate in their communities, and the choices they have about their services and supports. We also look at the characteristics of family members themselves, how they participate in decision-making and choices about services and providers, and the types of supports they may need themselves to identify and coordinate quality care and to best meet the needs of the autistic adult.

Objectives Protection induced by acellular vaccines can be short, requiring novel immunization strategies. Objectives of this study were to evaluate safety and capacity of a recombinant pertussis toxin (PTgen) -coated Viaskin® epicutaneous patch to recall memory responses in healthy adults. Methods This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (Phase I) assessed the safety and immunogenicity of PTgen administered on days 0 and 14 to healthy adults using Viaskin® patches applied directly or after epidermal laser-based skin preparation. Patch administration was followed by Boostrix®dTpa on day 42. Antibodies were assessed at days 0, 14, 28, 42 and 70. Results Among 102 volunteers enrolled, 80 received Viaskin-PT (Viaskin-PT 25 μg (n = 25), Viaskin-PT 50 μg (n = 25), laser + Viaskin-PT 25 μg (n = 5), laser + Viaskin-PT 50 μg (n = 25)), Viaskin-placebo (n = 10) or laser + Viaskin-placebo (n = 2). Incidence of adverse events was similar across groups (any local event: 21/25 (84.0%), 24/25 (96.0%), 4/5 (80.0%), 24/25 (96.0%), 8/10 (80.0%), 10/12 (83.0%), respectively). Direct application induced no detectable response. On day 42, PT-IgG geometric mean concentrations were significantly higher following laser + Viaskin-PT 25 μg and 50 μg (139.87 (95% CI 87.30–224.10) and 121.76 (95% CI 95.04–156.00), respectively), than laser + Viaskin-placebo (59.49, 95% CI 39.37–89.90). Seroresponse rates were higher following laser + Viaskin-PT 25 μg (4/5 (80.0%), 95% CI 28.4–99.5) and 50 μg (22/25 (88.0%), 95% CI 68.8–97.5) than laser + Viaskin-placebo (0/12 (0.0%), 95% CI 0.0–26.5). Conclusions Viaskin-PT applied after laser-based epidermal skin preparation showed encouraging safety and immunogenicity results: anti-PT booster responses were not inferior to those elicited by Boostrix®dTpa. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 03035370) and was funded by DBV Technologies.

Health and health care are critical issues for many children and adults on the autism spectrum. They may experience more frequent use of services and medications. They may need more types of routine and specialty healthcare. And their overall health and mental health care tends to be more complex than people with other types of disabilities and special health care needs. This report provides indicators of health and health care for autistic persons across the lifespan. Topics covered include overall health, health services, medication, insurance, and accessing services. We need to understand health and healthcare needs across the life course to support recommendations on how to improve health and health care at critical points across a person's life. The purpose of this report is to catalogue indicators to aid in decision making to this end.

The type 4 serotonin receptor (5-HT4R) is highly involved in cognitive processes such as learning and memory. Behavioral studies have shown a beneficial effect of its activation and conversely reported memory impairments by its blockade. However, how modulation of 5HT4R enables modifications of hippocampal synaptic plasticity remains elusive. To shed light on the mechanisms at work, we investigated the effects of the 5-HT4R agonist RS67333 on long-term potentiation (LTP) within the hippocampal CA1 area. Although high-frequency stimulation-induced LTP remained unaffected by RS67333, the magnitude of LTP induced by theta-burst stimulation was significantly decreased. This effect was blocked by the selective 5-HT4R antagonist RS39604. Further, 5-HT4R-induced decrease in LTP magnitude was fully abolished in the presence of bicuculline, a GABAAR antagonist; hence, demonstrating involvement of GABA neurotransmission. In addition, we showed that the application of a GABABR antagonist, CGP55845, mimicked the effect of 5-HT4R activation, whereas concurrent application of CGP55845 and RS67333 did not elicit an additive inhibition effect on LTP. To conclude, through investigation of theta burst induced functional plasticity, we demonstrated an interplay between 5-HT4R activation and GABAergic neurotransmission within the hippocampal CA1 area.

Families of children with ASD face significant financial challenges due to their child's complex service needs and frequent out-of-pocket expenditures for community services and health care. This report describes financial hardship among families of children with ASD (ages 3-17 years) and their participation in safety net programs.

U.S. policy interventions encourage earlier provision of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to support students and youth with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the transition from school to work. We analyzed Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) data using multivariable logistic regression to determine the association of VR services receipt with employment outcomes for students ages 16-21, same-age non-student youth and young adults with ASD. Students with autism received job-related services (job search, job placement, and on-the-job supports) at rates significantly below comparison groups, even though odds of successful employment at VR exit were significantly higher if they received these services. Findings suggest that rates of employment among students with autism might be improved with intentional delivery of job-related services.

This study used Social Security Administration program data to identify population-level trends in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program participation and payments to adult recipients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to recipients with intellectual disability and other mental disorders.The authors examined SSI program data from 2005 to 2015. Variables included caseload size, number of new adult awardees per year, total annual SSI payments per disability group, and average annual SSI payment per recipient.Adults with ASD represented a growing share of the total first-time SSI awards given to adults with mental disorders, with percentages increasing from 1.3% in 2005 to 5.0% in 2015. In 2015, 158,105 adults with ASD received SSI benefits, a 326.8% increase since 2005. Federal SSI payments to adults with ASD increased by 383.2% during the same period (totaling roughly $1.0 billion in 2015). The annual average payment for adults with ASD was $6,527.40 in 2015.The purpose of the SSI program is to reduce the extent of poverty by providing monthly payments to eligible individuals with disabilities. The authors found that a large and growing number of adults with autism receive SSI benefits. This finding underscores the importance of future research related to the economic security of adults on the autism spectrum.

Purpose of Review We review original research about services for adults on the autism spectrum published from January 2013 through December 2018. The main aim is to characterize the topical and methodological aspects of research about services. We review research on services related to employment, living in the community, and social participation. We compare our results with those from a similar review published in 2012 to assess progress and identify where new directions in research about services for adults with autism are needed. Recent Findings We found the evidence base about services for adults on the autism spectrum remains very small and highly variable in aims and methods. There is wide variability in methods used to define sampling frames and recruit participants. Most studies focus on employment. Almost no studies examine the overall ecosystem of services serving autistic adults. Few studies use a conceptual framework for understanding access to, or improvement of, services. Summary The small size of the extant research coupled with inconsistent quality prevents the accumulation of new knowledge in ways that would significantly inform the improvement of systems of care for the growing population of adults on the autism spectrum.

Vascularization is critical for the survival of engineered tissues post implantation. It has been previously shown that biomaterials containing preformed networks can anastomose to host vasculature following implantation. However, the optimal source of cells for vascularization for clinical use remains elusive. In this study, vascular networks were generated from endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Network formation by iPSC-ECs within fibrin gels was investigated in a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) co-culture spheroid model. Statistical design of experiments (DOE) techniques were applied to identify optimal conditions for vessel-like network formation. The prevascularized units were then combined with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to develop a vascularized composite hydrogel that was implanted in a rodent critical sized cranial defect model. Immunohistological staining for human-specific CD31 at week 1 indicated the presence and maintenance of the implanted vessels. Erythrocytes in the vessel lumen further suggests anastomosis of vessels with host vasculature. At week 8, isolectin staining indicated functionality of the human implanted vessels. There was a slight increase in bone volume in prevascularized scaffolds compared to MSC-only scaffolds. However, a pronounced increased in bone regeneration with prevascularization was not observed. These results show that prevascularized scaffolds can be generated from ECs derived from iPSC and that the networks survive and inosculate with the host post implantation in a bone model.

Vascular networks provide nutrients, oxygen, and progenitor cells that are essential for bone function. It has been proposed that a preformed vascular network may enhance the performance of engineered bone. In this study vascular networks were generated from human umbilical vein endothelial cell and mesenchymal stem cell spheroids encapsulated in fibrin scaffolds, and the stability of preformed vascular networks and their effect on bone regeneration were assessed in an in vivo bone model. Under optimized culture conditions, extensive vessel-like networks formed throughout the scaffolds in vitro. After vascular network formation, the vascularized scaffolds were implanted in a critical sized calvarial defect in nude rats. Immunohistochemical staining for CD31 showed that the preformed vascular networks survived and anastomosed with host tissue within 1 week of implantation. The prevascularized scaffolds enhanced overall vascularization after 1 and 4 weeks. Early bone formation around the perimeter of the defect area was visible in X-ray images of samples after 4 weeks. Prevascularized scaffolds may be a promising strategy for engineering vascularized bone.

Objectif : Le but premier de cette étude était d’explorer la prévalence du blues post-partum (BPP) ainsi que des facteurs psychosociaux et obstétricaux associés dans un échantillon de femmes francophones primipares. L’objectif secondaire était d’explorer les représentations de ce phénomène parmi des sages-femmes exerçant en suites de couches. Méthodologie : Il s’agit d’une enquête transversale descriptive et à visée étiologique réalisée auprès de mères primipares et de sages-femmes. Les mères, âgées de 18 à 45 ans, ayant accouché depuis moins de six mois, ont répondu en ligne au Maternity Blues Questionnaire et à un questionnaire sociodémographique. De plus, une série de questions a été soumise à des sages-femmes exerçant depuis au moins un an, portant sur leurs connaissances et leurs représentations du BPP. Leur recrutement s’est fait par e-mail, sur la base du volontariat, ainsi qu’au sein d’une maternité parisienne, entre février et mai 2017. Résultats : Cinq cent onze mères ont été recrutées pour cette étude. Plus de la moitié (60 %) ont présenté un BPP, la plupart ayant présenté un blues classique (49,7 %) et 10,2 % un blues sévère. Les résultats montrent que le fait d’avoir eu précédemment une dépression, d’avoir un vécu de la grossesse négatif ou d’avoir manqué de soutien durant celle-ci est associé à l’émergence d’un blues post-partum. Trente sages-femmes ont été recrutées. Bien que ses manifestations soient bien repérées, le BPP fait l’objet de représentations en partie lacunaires ou approximatives parmi ces dernières. Ainsi, des expressions variées et laissant apparaître des caractéristiques ou causes supposées et inexactes du BPP sont utilisées pour le décrire. De même, alors que la variation hormonale est citée en cause principale par 80%de celles-ci, seulement 13,3 % évoquent le manque de soutien, pourtant un facteur prépondérant selon les études antérieures. Conclusion : Au-delà de sa prévalence importante, la prise en compte d’antécédents obstétricaux et de facteurs psychosociaux associés à la survenue du BPP paraît importante afin de mieux le prévenir et l’accompagner. Une étude sur les modalités d’accompagnement du BPP par les sagesfemmes et les attentes des mères à cet égard serait bienvenue.

Almost half of young American children live in low-income families, many with unmet needs that negatively impact health and life outcomes. Understanding which needs, proactively addressed, would most improve their lives would allow maternal and child health practitioners and social service providers to generate collaborative solutions with the potential to affect health in childhood and throughout the life course. 2-1-1 referral helplines respond to over 16 million inquiries annually, including millions of low-income parents seeking resources. Because 2-1-1 staff members understand the availability of community resources, we conducted an online survey to determine which solutions staff believed held most potential to improve the lives of children in low-income families. Information and referral specialists, resource managers, and call center directors ( N = 471) from 44 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada ranked the needs of 2-1-1 callers with children based on which needs, if addressed, would help families most. Childcare (32%), parenting (29%), and child health/health care (23%) were rated most important. Across all childcare dimensions (e.g. quality affordable care, special needs care), over half of the respondents rated community resources inadequate. Findings will help practitioners develop screeners for needs assessment, prioritize resource referrals, and advocate for community resource development.

BACKGROUND: Our objective in this study was to describe the association between the receipt of health care transition services (HCTS) and having a medical home in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Youth with ASD receive HCTS less often than other youth with special health care needs but are in particular need of continuous, comprehensive health care. METHODS: We used the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs to describe the receipt of HCTS in youth with ASD and its association with presence of a medical home. Descriptive statistics are presented, and logistic regression is used to assess the association between medical home and HCTS. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of youth with ASD met the criteria for receiving HCTS. Youth with ASD and a medical home were almost 3 times as likely to receive HCTS as youth without a medical home, and youth who received family-centered care and have adequate care coordination within the medical home were more than twice as likely to receive HCTS as those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with ASD are not receiving HCTS at the same rate as their peers. Increasing provider awareness of autism, the components of a medical home, and of the importance of HCTS could greatly help increase the percentage of youth who receive effective HCTS.

The transition into adulthood is a critical period in the life course that shapes later outcomes. Many adults on the autism spectrum fare poorly across a wide range of quality of life indicators. Understanding the multilevel factors that influence transition outcomes is necessary to develop strategies that promote better outcomes. In this scoping review, we characterize the use of social-ecological factors in adult autism outcome studies, identify understudied areas of research, and provide recommendations for future research. We conducted a literature search for studies in which the relationship between social-ecological factors and transition outcomes among transition-age youth with autism was assessed. We organized variables used in studies across 5 levels of influence: family-, interpersonal-, institutional-, community-, and policy-level factors. Our findings reveal that both breadth and depth of social-ecological factors usage in autism outcomes studies is limited because of the narrow inclusion of variables across social-ecological levels, the overreliance on a limited number of national data sets, and the overall lack of variation in research design. We propose 9 recommendations to inform the development of multilevel studies.