The clinical effects of Orff music therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive evaluation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of Orff music therapy on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the perspectives of parents, evaluators, and therapists. Methods: 93 children with ASD aged 3-6 years participated in the study. They were divided into an observation group (n = 48) receiving comprehensive rehabilitation intervention including Orff music therapy, and a control group (n = 45) receiving only comprehensive rehabilitation intervention. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Psycho-educational Profile-3rd edition (PEP-3) were used for assessments before and after the intervention. Results: There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvements in Sensory, Relating, Language, CVP, EL, RL, VMI, AE, SR, and CARS scores at T1, T2, and T3 (T1 vs. T2, T2 vs. T3, T1 vs. T3) (all p < 0.05). The observation group demonstrated significant changes in Body and Object use and FM, while the control group showed some changes in these domains. Social and self-help, GM, CMB, and CVB also significantly improved in both groups after 6 months of intervention (all p < 0.05). In terms of different time intervals, the observation group showed greater improvements in Sensory, Relating, Language, CARS scores, EL, RL, and SR compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). The improvement levels in Body and Object use, CVP, FM, VMI, and AE did not differ significantly between the two groups in the T1-T2 interval, but were significantly higher in the observation group in the T2-T3 and T1-T3 intervals (all p < 0.05). The magnitude of changes in Social and self-help, GM, CMB, and CVB did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: Orff music therapy showed significant improvements in language expression, language comprehension, social skills, cognitive abilities, imitation abilities, emotional expression and fine motor in children with ASD. These findings provide support for the use of Orff music therapy as an effective intervention for children with ASD.

[Prenatal diagnosis of a case with Schuurs-Hoeijmakers syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with multiple malformations. METHODS: Clinical data of the fetus was collected, Amniotic fluid sample of the fetus was subjected to conventional G-banded karyotyping, low-depth whole genome copy number variants detection and whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the fetus and its parents. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasound scan at 21+5 gestational weeks had revealed increased nuchal thickness (9.0 mm), enhanced echos of bilateral renal parenchyma, seroperitoneum, left pleural effusion and right displacement of the heart. The mother had a previous history of terminated pregnancy for multiple fetal anomalies. No abnormality was found by conventional karyotyping and CNV analysis, though WES revealed that the fetus has harbored a de novo heterozygous c.607C>T (p.Arg203Trp) variant of the ACS1 gene (NM_018026.3), and the result was validated by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSION: Through WES and prenatal ultrasonography, the fetus was diagnosed with Schuurs-Hoeijmakers syndrome due to the heterozygous c.607C>T (p.Arg203Trp) variant of the PACS1 gene (NM_018026.3). For fetuses with multiple malformations, WES can help to reveal the genetic etiology when CNV result is negative.

[Clinical features and genetic analysis of a child with glycogen storage disease type VI].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of a child with glycogen storage disease VI (GSD-VI). METHODS: Clinical data and laboratory results of the patient were collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the patient. Candidate variant and its parental origin was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The patient was a 3-year-and-9-month old boy whom has featured abdominal distention, hepatomegaly, short stature and elevated hepatic transaminase. WES revealed the he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the PYGL gene, namely c.697G>A (p.Gly233Ser) and c.320dupA (p.Asn107fs). Sanger sequencing has verified that the two variants have derived from his father and mother, respectively. The c.320dupA (p.Asn107fs) variant was unreported previously. CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous variants of the PYGL gene probably underlay the GSD-VI in this patient. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of PYGL gene variants and provided a basis for the treatment and genetic counseling.

[Clinical effect of functional chewing training in treatment of oral motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of functional chewing training (FuCT) on masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A prospective study was performed for 48 children who were diagnosed with oral motor dysfunction from January 2019 to January 2020, and they were randomly divided into an FuCT group and an oral motor training group, with 24 children in each group. Both groups received FuCT or oral motor training for 12 weeks, and then they were evaluated in terms of the changes in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling before treatment (P>0.05). After the 12-week training, the FuCT group showed significant improvements in the masticatory function and the severity of tongue thrust and drooling (P<0.05), but with no improvement in the frequency of drooling (P>0.05), while the oral motor training group had no improvements in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling (P>0.05). After the 12-week training, the FuCT group had more significantly improvements in the severity of tongue thrust and the severity and frequency of drooling than the oral motor training group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FuCT can effectively improve the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling in children with cerebral palsy.

[Analysis of a family with recurrent fetal copy number variations in 1p31.1].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a family with recurrent fetal copy number variations (microdeletion and microduplication, respectively) of 1p31.1 using single nucleotide polymorphism-based array (SNP-array) and G banding chromosomal karyotyping. METHODS: Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling were performed for a woman during the two pregnancies. Whole genome SNP-array was used to detect genomic imbalance of the fetus. The couple was also subjected to G-banding chromosomal analysis and SNP-array analysis. RESULTS: SNP-array showed a 1p31.1 (70 164 686-83 474 843) ×1 and a 1p31.1 (70 164 686-83 479 747) ×3 in the fetuses during the two pregnancies, respectively. SNP array results of the couple appeared to be normal. The mother of the fetuses had a 46,XX,inv(1)(p31.1p32.1) karyotype. CONCLUSION: The paracentric inversion in chromosome 1 in the gravida probably underlies the recurrent 1p31.1 copy number variations in the fetuses. SNP-array combined with G banding chromosomal analysis are suitable for prenatal diagnosis for recurrent microdeletion and microduplication in the same chromosomal region, and can provide detailed information for genetic counseling.

TPX2 siRNA regulates growth and invasion of esophageal cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Observe how specific small RNA interference (siRNA) aimed at TPX2 gene suppresses TPX2 gene expression in esophageal cancer EC9706 cells and the effect on esophageal cancer cell growth and invasion ability. METHODS: Transfect TPX2 siRNA into EC9706 cells via lipofectamin 2000. The experiments were divided into three groups, a negative control, a blank control and an siRNA interference group (24h, 48h, 72h, 96h). We examined RNA and protein level alteration of the TPX2 gene after TPX2 siRNA transfection by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Detection of how TPX2 siRNA influences EC9706 cell proliferation was done by MTT, cell apoptosis monitored through Tunel assay, in vitro invasion ability via Boyden chamber and cell cycle change by flow cytometry. RESULTS: After effective siRNA transfection, TPX2 mRNA and protein expression level in siRNA interference group were (0.31±0.08, 0.39±0.12),72h after transfection, significantly lower than blank control group (1.00±0.01) and negative control group (0.98±0.11), (F=71.182, t1=8.17, t2=7.90, P<0.05); MTT results demonstrated that cell growth and proliferation were inhibited and the inhibition rate was up to 35.4% (P<0.05) compared with the control group. TUNEL results indicated that cell apoptosis index in siRNA interference group was 18.28±0.35, higher than that in blank control group (4.07±0.26)and negative control group (4.13±0.22), (F=244.5, t1=60.61, t2=53.32, P<0.01). Boyden chamber results showed that the transmembrane cell number was 45.30±8.08 in siRNA interference group, less than blank control group (121.90±7.83), (F=122.46, t1=11.81, t2=10.47, P<0.01); besides, in siRNA interference group cell invasion inhibition rate was 71.42±9.12, higher than negative control group (5.65±3.55), (t=14.256, P<0.01). Flow cytometry results illustrated that more EC9706 cells went into apoptosis and cell cycle arrested in S phase. Similar results were obtained by in vivo transplantation, as TPX2 siRNA transfection significantly reduced tumor growth of the xenograft in nude mice. CONCLUSION: siRNA could effectively inhibit the invasion and metastasis of EC9706 cells, promote the apoptosis of tumor cells and may become a new approach for treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of ENT associated with hard lump: a report of 9 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and pathological features of the patients with ENT adenoid cystic carcinoma (ENTACC) who presented with hard lump, and to detect its prognosis. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on 9 patients with ENTACC by their clinical data. RESULT: The period from the occurrence of primary symptoms to definite diagnosis was 4 years and 3 months on average. All patients were followed up from 6 months to 15 years. All of the cases relapsed after operation and radiotherapy. Five patients died, among which 3 died with lung metastases, 2 with local lymphatic metastases, 1 with bone metastases and 1 with encephalic diffusion. The other 4 cases still survive. The longest survival period with tumor was 6 years and 3 months. CONCLUSION: The pathological result of these 9 cases were all salivary gland derived adenoid cystic carcinoma of solid type. It was mainly characterized by the development of ENT hard lump. All of the patients should be diagnosed in time. Extensive excision and postoperative radiotherapy are needed at the first time. The tumor of solid histological pattern appears with much poorer prognosis compared with that of other histological pattern.