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.

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.

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.

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.

Cognitive, Language, and Behavioral Outcomes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Exposed to Early Comprehensive Treatment Models: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Early comprehensive treatment models (CTMs) have been developed as effective treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have suggested that CTMs can improve short-term outcomes, but little is known about precise outcome information in childhood. The current meta-analysis reviewed studies reporting broader outcomes in children with ASD who had ever participated in a CTM and examined the predictors of developmental gains.

Altered Gut Microbiota in Chinese Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The link between gut microbes and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been already observed in some studies, but some bacterial families/species were found to be inconsistently up or down regulated. This issue has been rarely explored in the Chinese population. In this study, we assessed whether or not gut microbiota dysbiosis was associated with children with ASD in China.

Psychometric properties of the chinese version of autism spectrum quotient-children's version: A sex-specific analysis.

A Simplified Chinese translation of the Autism Spectrum Quotient-Children's Version (AQ-C) is needed for research in mainland China. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that differs in presentation and prevalence by sex. Thus, evaluating the psychometric validity of the AQ-C in males and females is an important step in its validation.

Gender Difference in the Association Between Executive Function and Autistic Traits in Typically Developing Children.

Autistic traits and executive function (EF) were assessed in 413 typically developing children aged 6-9 years. The children were divided into the high- autistic-trait (HAT) and low-autistic-trait (LAT) groups based on their total autistic traits. Results suggested that there were gender differences in specific autistic traits in children with LAT.

Incidence of childhood overweight and obesity and its association with weight-related attitudes and behaviors in China: a national longitudinal study.

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge. We aimed to investigate the incidence of overweight/obesity among Chinese children; and prospectively examine the associations of weight-change intention with risk of overweight/obesity and behavioral changes in initially normal-weight children.

Methods: A national sample of 21,796 children aged 6-17 years were investigated in September 2013 and followed up nine months later, of which 19,887 (91%) were normal weight and 1909 (9%) were underweight at baseline.

Differences in relationships of maternal and paternal age at childbirth with body fat distribution in offspring.

Objectives: Although delayed parenthood has been linked to various adverse health outcomes in offspring, little attention has been given to the relationship between an increased parental age at childbirth and fat distribution in offspring. We aimed to determine the relationship between parental age at childbirth and body fat partitioning in Chinese children.

Methods: A total of 463 children (mean age, 8 years; 43% female) were recruited.

One-child policy, weight status, lifestyles and parental concerns in Chinese children: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Background/objectives: China's one-child policy has been in place for 35 years, yet its impact on the differences of weight status including thinness and overweight/obesity, lifestyles, and parental concerns between only children (OC) and non-only children (NOC) were seldom discussed.

Subjects/methods: A total of 62,444 children aged 6-17 years were recruited in 2013. Thinness and overweight/obesity were calculated from anthropometric measurements.

Association between Cesarean Section and Weight Status in Chinese Children and Adolescents: A National Survey.

Previous research on the association between cesarean section (CS) and childhood obesity has yielded inconsistent findings. This study assessed the secular trend of CS and explored the relationship between CS and the risks of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents. Data came from a national multicenter school-based study conducted in seven provinces of China in 2013.

[Effects of environmental factors on β 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 β diversity of zooplankton community. The results showed that altogether 95 species of zooplankton belonging to 14 taxa were found.