Dost Muhammad Halepoto

Serum level of desert hedgehog protein in autism spectrum disorder: preliminary results.

Objective: To investigate the role of desert hedgehog (Dhh) in a neurodevelopmental disorder known as autism. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted at the Autism Research and Treatment Center, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 2011 to May 2012. The serum levels of the Dhh protein in 57 patients recently diagnosed with autism and 37 age-matched healthy children were measured using ELISA. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used for the assessment of autistic severity. Results: The mean serum level of Dhh in patients with autism (1.38 ± 0.50 ng/ml) was significantly lower (p = 0.0003) than that of normal controls (1.73 ± 0.37 ng/ml). There was no significant relationship between the serum level of Dhh and the CARS score (p = 0.28), age (p = 0.51) or gender (p = 0.76). Conclusions: The Dhh serum level of patients with autism was lower than that of controls, probably indicating that the serum level of Dhh might be implicated in the physiology of autism. However, this finding should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed with larger populations.

Impact of GDP, spending on R&D, the number of universities and scientific journals on research publications in environmental sciences in the Middle East

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the impact of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), spending on Research and Development (R&D), the number of universities and scientific journals on the published research documents, citable documents, citations per document and H-index in environmental sciences in the Middle East countries.Materials and MethodsAll the 16 Middle East countries were included in the study. Information regarding the GDP, spending on R&D, the total number of universities and indexed journals was collected. Total number of research documents (papers), citable documents, citations per document and H-index in environmental sciences during the period 1996–2011 was recorded. The study used the World Bank, SCI-mago/Scopus, Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports (Thomson Reuters) as the main sources of information.ResultsThe mean GDP per capita of all the Middle East countries amounted to 18 125.49±5386.28 US

Impact of Auditory Integrative Training on Transforming Growth Factor-β 1 and Its Effect on Behavioral and Social Emotions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

, spending on R&D was 0.63±0.28 US

Camel Milk as a Potential Nutritional Therapy in Autism

, the number of universities equaled 36.56±11.33 and mean ISI indexed journals amounted to 8.25±3.93. The mean number of research documents published in environmental sciences in the Middle East countries during the period 1996–2011 was 2202.12±883.98; citable documents: 2156.87±865.09; citations per document: 8.74±0.73; and the H-index: 35.37±6.17. There was a positive correlation between the money spent on R&D and citations per documents (r = 0.6, p = 0.01), H-Index (r = 0.6, p = 0.01); the number of universities and a total of research documents (r = 0.65, p = 0.006), citable documents (r = 0.65, p = 0.006), H-Index (r = 0.50, p = 0.04), as well as ISI indexed journals and total research documents (r = 0.94, p = 0.0001), citable documents (r = 0.94, p = 0.0001), H-Index (r = 0.73, p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe Middle East countries which spend more on R&D and which have a large number of universities and ISI indexed journals are likely to produce more significant volume of research papers in the field of environmental science.

Correlation Between Hedgehog (Hh) Protein Family and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Objective: To explore the impact of auditory integrative training (AIT) on the inflammatory biomarker transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and to assess its effect on social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 patients (14 males and 1 female) with ASD aged 3-12 years were recruited. All were screened for autism using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Plasma levels of TGF-β1 were measured in all patients using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) immediately and 1 and 3 months after the AIT sessions. Pre- and post-AIT behavioral scores were also calculated for each child using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0 for Windows). Results: Plasma levels of TGF-β1 significantly increased to 85% immediately after AIT (20.13 ± 12 ng/mL, p < 0.05), to 95% 1 month after AIT (21.2 ± 11 ng/mL, p < 0.01), and to 105% 3 months after AIT (22.25 ± 16 ng/mL, p < 0.01) compared to before AIT (10.85 ± 8 ng/mL). Results also revealed that behavioral rating scales (CARS, SRS, and SSP) improved in terms of disease severity after AIT. Conclusion: Increased plasma levels of TGF-β1 support the therapeutic effect of AIT on TGF-β1 followed by improvement in social awareness, social cognition, and social communication in children with ASD. Furthermore, TGF-β1 was associated with severity in all scores tested (CARS, SRS, and SSP); if confirmed in studies with larger sample sizes, TGF-β1 may be considered as a marker of ASD severity and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Role of Proteomics in the Discovery of Autism Biomarkers

Abstract Autism is a severe, lifelong disorder with serious emotional and financial consequences. Its incidence is rapidly increasing, and its etiology is still unclear. Camel milk plays very important role in the treatment of many serious diseases, including autism, in many parts of the word. Camel milk is unique from other ruminant milk in terms of composition as well as claimed health effects. Camel milk has potential therapeutic characteristics, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticarcinogenic. The current scientific evidence for the therapeutic actions of camel milk continues to unfold, and efforts are underway to more precisely identify the therapeutic constituents. This review chapter is aimed at determining and reporting nutritional values and medicinal characteristics of camel milk in children with autism. In light of the previous studies, the use of camel milk appears to be a promising treatment for children with autism. More extensive research is needed to confirm these proposed health benefits and to enhance the utilization of camel milk.