This study investigated the relationship of children's autism symptoms with their toxic metal body burden and red blood cell (RBC) glutathione levels. In children ages 3–8 years, the severity of autism was assessed using four tools: ADOS, PDD-BI, ATEC, and SAS. Toxic metal body burden was assessed by measuring urinary excretion of toxic metals, both before and after oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Multiple positive correlations were found between the severity of autism and the urinary excretion of toxic metals. Variations in the severity of autism measurements could be explained, in part, by regression analyses of urinary excretion of toxic metals before and after DMSA and the level of RBC glutathione (adjusted R 2 of 0.22–0.45, P < .005 in all cases). This study demonstrates a significant positive association between the severity of autism and the relative body burden of toxic metals.

Background: This study investigated the effect of oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders ages 3-8 years.

Background: This study investigated the effects of oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy on the behavioural symptoms of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ages 3-8 years.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of commonly used probiotics and nutrients available for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Five different combinations of probiotics and nutrients, or placebo, were taken daily over 12 weeks. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, men and women 21 to 72 years of age with FGID symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and abdominal discomfort were assigned to one of six groups, 12 patients per group. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for GI symptoms, SF-36, lactulose and mannitol test (LMT), and urine indican levels were evaluated. GIQLI, VAS scores, and LMT did not change significantly (P > 0.05). There were clinically notable improvements in two of the combination formulations. While the nonsignificant improvements in GI symptoms could suggest that combination probiotics and nutrients may be beneficial in conditions such as FGID, no conclusive evidence was found in this pilot trial. Further investigations to explore the findings are discussed.

Not uploaded.Key Words: Enteric fever; Atypical features; Susceptibility patternDOI: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i1.2436Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6, No. 1, Issue 12, April, 2008 Page: 1-4