Salivary thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances are associated with periodontitis at least on a population level. Sex-specific causes of lipid peroxidation might point towards different pathogenic mechanisms.

The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or typically developing children, during the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. The study is mainly focused on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the parents and maladaptive behavior or sleep disturbances of their children. Our research sample consisted of 332 caregivers, 155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder; 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Extensive online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic–related questions; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire; and two subscales of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales—internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior. During the first wave, high levels of anxiety were found in parents of autism spectrum disorder children. During the second wave, all parents experienced increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress positively correlated with maladaptive behavior in both autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children, suggesting a need for therapy options for whole families. Lay abstract A global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) affected everyday lives of all people, including individuals with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children with autism spectrum disorder to families with typically developing children, and between the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. This mainly included symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress of parents and problem behavior or sleeping difficulties of their children. The research sample consisted of 332 parents (155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder), 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic questions, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire, and internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior subscales from Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Our results show that during the first wave, parents of autism spectrum disorder children suffered high levels of anxiety. During the second wave, both groups of parents suffered increased anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of autistic children grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress were interconnected with maladaptive behavior of both autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children, suggesting the importance of the therapy options for whole families.

The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remains unknown, but associations between prenatal hormonal changes and ASD risk were found. The consequences of these changes on the steroidogenesis during a postnatal development are not yet well known. The aim of this study was to analyze the steroid metabolic pathway in prepubertal ASD and neurotypical boys. Plasma samples were collected from 62 prepubertal ASD boys and 24 age and sex-matched controls (CTRL). Eighty-two biomarkers of steroidogenesis were detected using gas-chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. We observed changes across the whole alternative backdoor pathway of androgens synthesis toward lower level in ASD group. Our data indicate suppressed production of pregnenolone sulfate at augmented activities of CYP17A1 and SULT2A1 and reduced HSD3B2 activity in ASD group which is partly consistent with the results reported in older children, in whom the adrenal zona reticularis significantly influences the steroid levels. Furthermore, we detected the suppressed activity of CYP7B1 enzyme readily metabolizing the precursors of sex hormones on one hand but increased anti-glucocorticoid effect of 7α-hydroxy-DHEA via competition with cortisone for HSD11B1 on the other. The multivariate model found significant correlations between behavioral indices and circulating steroids. From dependent variables, the best correlation was found for the social interaction (28.5%). Observed changes give a space for their utilization as biomarkers while reveal the etiopathogenesis of ASD. The aforementioned data indicate a direction of the future research with a focus on the expression and functioning of genes associated with important steroidogenic enzymes in ASD patients from early childhood to adrenarche.

Salivary oxidative stress markers represent a promising tool for monitoring of oral diseases. Saliva can often be contaminated by blood, especially in patients with periodontitis. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of blood contamination on the measurement of salivary oxidative stress markers. Saliva samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers and were artificially contaminated with blood (final concentration 0.001–10%). Next, saliva was collected from 12 gingivitis and 10 control patients before and after dental hygiene treatment. Markers of oxidative stress were measured in all collected saliva samples. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and antioxidant status were changed in 1% blood-contaminated saliva. Salivary AOPP were increased in control and patients after dental treatment (by 45.7% and 34.1%, p < 0.01). Salivary AGEs were decreased in patients after microinjury (by 69.3%, p < 0.001). Salivary antioxidant status markers were decreased in both control and patients after dental treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). One % blood contamination biased concentrations of salivary oxidative stress markers. Saliva samples with 1% blood contamination are visibly discolored and can be excluded from analyses without any specific biochemic detection of blood constituents. Salivary markers of oxidative stress were significantly altered in blood-contaminated saliva in control and patients with gingivitis after dental hygiene treatment.