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Subscribe To Game Of Thrones' David Bradley Replaces John Hurt In Guillermo del Toro's The Strain Updates
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Following word that FX is moving forward with the small screen adaptation of Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain series comes news that Game of Thrones' David Bradley has joined the cast, playing the key role of Professor Abraham Setrakian in the vampire-virus outbreak series. This role was previously played by John Hurt, who's being recast by the producers.
Based on del Toro and Hogan's best-selling vampire trilogy, FX's The Strain is set to be executive produced by Carlton Cuse, who will also serve as the showrunner for the series.
The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of "Dr. Ephraim Goodweather" (Corey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.
Along with word that FX has given the drama a 13-episode order, we learned that FX was looking to get this series on the air next July (2014).
Bradley has signed on to play Professor Setrakian, a holocaust survivor who immigrated to the U.S. after World War II and now runs a pawn shop in Spanish Harlem. The story is set in New York, where a vampire virus is sweeping the population. As the outbreak spreads, Dr. Setrakian could be the only one with answers, assuming anyone's interested in hearing them. As we mentioned, John Hurt originally held this role, back when the project was in the pilot stage, but it looks like the producers are going in another direction, for whatever the reason.
David Bradley's a pretty great cast addition for the series, which already stars Corey Stoll (House of Cards), Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Rchard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez. Game of Thrones fans will likely recognize Bradley for his recurring role as Walder Frey in the series. And Harry Potter fanatics will undoubtedly recognize him for the cranky, cat-loving squib caretaker Filch in the films. Bradley's also no stranger to the small screen across the pond, with roles in Broadchurch, Prisoners Wives and Mount Pleasant among his recent credits. And by "recent," I mean all this year. Bradley's a busy man, which actually makes me wonder how much we should expect to see of him in The Strain. I haven't actually read the books yet, so I couldn't comment on the fate of his character, but given the nature of the story, what with there being vampires all over the place, and the fact that Professor Setrakian might actually have some useful information, it wouldn't be all that surprising if Professor Setrakian's life were put into danger. But that's pure speculation, and as I said, given the plot, it sounds like every character's life will be in danger. Either way, FX says it's a key role, and Bradley's casting is certainly one more reason to look forward to this series when it airs next summer.


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QSA - Quarterly Sector Accounts (MUFA and NFA Eurostat ESA2010 TP, table 801)
ECB and Eurostat
Statistical Information Request form
GUIDELINE (EU) 2016/450 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK of 4 December 2015
Quarterly financial and non-financial sector accounts
The European sector accounts provide a comprehensive and comparable overview of the European economy as a whole. They record all "transactions" between economic agents grouped by "sector". Stocks of assets and liabilities are recorded in balance sheets. The system forms a sequence of interlinked accounts. The institutional sectors bring together economic agents with broadly similar behaviour: non-financial corporations (code S11), financial corporations (S12), general government (S13), households and non-profit institutions serving households (S14 + S15). Moreover, an additional sector detail of MFIs (S12K), OFIs (S12P) and insurance corporations and pension funds (S12Q) is provided for financial transactions and stocks. Transactions and financial claims between economic agents resident in the euro area/EU28 and economic agents resident elsewhere are recorded in the "rest of the world" (W1.S1) accounts. The sector accounts thus show the interactions among the different sectors of the European economy, and between them and the rest of the world. Transactions are classified according to their economic nature (e.g.: payment and receipt of wages or taxes, consumption, assumption of a loan, etc.). For each transaction in the current accounts (and for capital transfers) "resources" and "uses" are recorded. For instance, the resources side of the transaction category "interest" records the amounts of interest receivable by the different sectors of the economy. The uses side shows interest payable. For each type of transaction, total resources of all sectors and the rest of the world equal total uses. For the transactions in the capital accounts (other than capital transfers) and the financial accounts, the distinction is between "changes in liabilities" and "changes in assets". Transactions are grouped into a sequence of accounts covering a specific aspect of the economic process, ranging from production, generation and (re)distribution of income through consumption and investment to borrowing and lending. Each account leads to a balancing item, which is calculated as total resources minus total uses or total changes in financial assets minus total changes in liabilities. Balance sheets record for each domestic sector the (non-financial and financial) assets and liabilities valued at market prices on the date to which the balance sheet relates. The external financial assets and liabilities account shows the financial position of the euro area vis-à-vis the rest of the world and vice versa. The financial balance sheets group similar types of financial instrument into financial asset and liability categories, such as holdings of deposits, loans and shares. The changes in financial balance sheets can be divided into changes arising from financial transactions and other changes. The financial transactions cover net acquisitions of financial assets and net incurrence of liabilities, while the other changes mainly reflect revaluations due to changes in the market prices of financial instruments.
Detailed sector breakdown of financial accounts for the financial sector (MFIs, OFIs, money market funds, investment funds, insurance corporations, pension funds, financial auxiliaries and captive financial institutions).
Quarterly national financial and non-financial accounts. Other data sources cover MFI statistics, balance of payments statistics, general government statistics.
Timing of observations: Accrual
Market prices
Non-financial accounts are generally non-consolidated except the general government sector. Also financial accounts are not consolidated.
Euro area and national quarterly financial accounts - 2017 Quality Report
Data are disseminated to ECB Statistical Data Warehouse on the internet. At the same time, quarterly updates are published in a Press Release. In addition, the data are presented in the ECB Economic Bulletin, ECB Statistics Bulletin, Euro area accounts report and Household Sector Report.
See ECB website, Eurostat website for metadata for Non-financial transactions and Quarterly financial flows and stocks.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in the Wahlkreis (constituency) of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
Rapperswil is located on the east shore of Lake Zurich. It is sometimes referred to as Rappi.
Rapperswil, town of roses located on the upper end of Lake Zurich, and the neighbouring sports and leisure district of Jona combine sights, cultural life, hiking and sports possibilities with a Mediterranean holiday atmosphere.
Roses decorate the coat of arms of the town of Rapperswil located on the upper end of Lake Zurich, and all types and colours of this gorgeous flower bloom in Rapperswil's public areas and three rose gardens. Rapperswil has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and as the region's transport hub is easily accessible by public transport.
The castle towers above the town and lake and is Rapperswil's landmark. The castle hill affords a panorama view from the Glarus Alps all the way to the Zurich Oberland. Several churches, chapels and monasteries in Rapperswil bear testimony to the past. The medieval old town with very little traffic – a protected historic monument, the lake promenade and varied excursion possibilities make Rapperswil particularly suitable for families with children.
In addition to the lake dam for road and rail, a new wooden bridge for pedestrians – probably not unlike in the past – provides access to the other side of the lake. This wooden bridge also happens to be the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland. And Rapperswil is also an embarkation point for the regular ship services on Lake Zurich, including two authentic paddle steamers, to Zurich.
The area around Lake Zurich in addition to a wealth of beautiful scenery offers a whole range of fun and experience opportunities. Knie's Children's Zoo and the Circus Museum are a particular attraction for children and circus fans. The animals at the children's zoo can be stroked and there are also elephant rides on offer.
In summer a 700-metre-long summer toboggan run on the nearby Atzmännig is great for some family fun. In winter there is a ski region suitable for families with easy ski pistes. On the other side of the lake, Pfäffikon with the Alpamare fun and experience baths featuring a wide range of water slides and wellness treatments is well worth visiting. Einsiedeln, the most important place of pilgrimage in Switzerland with a famous monastery, is accessible in 30 minutes.
- Rapperswil Literature Festival – spontanuous encounter between writers and readers (March).
- blues'n'jazz festival – annual open-air happening in the old town of Rapperswil (June/July).
- Nighttime festival by the lake – huge, three-yearly event attracting about 150'000 spectators (August).


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Calif. Walmart Employees Strike to Protest Treatment, Working Conditions
(PICO RIVERA, Calif.) -- Evelin Cruz used to be terrified to speak up at work. A department manager at Walmart in Pico Rivera, Calif., for the past eight and a half years, Cruz, 41, feared she would lose her job if she spoke up against perceived injustices.
"People were really tired that any time they would speak out against the pay, hours, how much they would work, that management would cut their hours or not give them a schedule," said Cruz, who is one of thousands of members of Our Walmart, a labor organization backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers that defends Walmart workers' rights, told ABC News. "The retaliation was just enough."
On Thursday, about 30 employees from the Pico Rivera store, including Cruz, wielded signs that read "Stand Up, Live Better, Stop Retaliation" and "Stop Trying to Silence Us" and marched outside the store. At the same time, workers at eight other Walmart stores in California also protested working conditions and treatment.
It was the first-ever employee walk-out in the company's 50 year history, said Dawn Le, a spokeswoman for Making Change at Walmart, a coalition whose mission is to change the way Walmart conducts business.
"Everyone else has a union," said Le. "Workers in every other country -- Japan, the U.K., Nicaragua, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina -- have been able to form a union, except the U.S. and Canada. We just don't understand the double standard Walmart has. How come those in other countries get to have a voice, yet not in the U.S., its home country?"
Walmart spokesman Dan Fogleman disputed Le's charges, claiming that most employees have "repeatedly rejected unionization. "They seem to recognize that Walmart has some of the best jobs in the retail industry -- good pay, affordable benefits and the chance for advancement," he said in a telephone interview with ABC News.
Walmart and its practices have made the news a lot lately. In mid-September, warehouse workers in Southern California were on a 15-day strike that included a six-day, 50-mile pilgrimage for safe jobs. Around the same time, hundreds of people marched in Dallas and San Diego, demanding better work conditions.
On Monday, Chicago police dressed in riot gear arrested 17 peaceful protesters blocking the entrance to a warehouse operated by an outside contractor that supplies Walmart stores, in Elwood, Ill. The protestors were there to show support for workers who had been on strike since Sept. 15, the Chicago Sun Times reported. What's more, the company faces yet another sex discrimination lawsuit, filed on behalf of 100,000 women in California and Tennessee.
According to Dan Schlademan, director of Making Change at Walmart, Walmart employees across the U.S. have recently filed more than 20 charges of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board. "Workers find how Walmart has tried to retaliate by cutting their hours and not scheduling them for certain shifts when they tried to speak out, and they're tired of it," he said.
But the $16 billion dollar company sees it differently, arguing that the California rally was simply a "publicity stunt by the UFCW to seek media attention in order to further their political agenda and financial objectives," said Fogleman.
Cruz, who makes $13.20 an hour -- up from $7.40 when she started -- begs to differ. "We just wanted to be treated like humans, not robots. We do have health insurance, but in most cases, you're not even making enough to live on, let alone take anyone to the hospital."
And though she worries about losing her job, she didn't see another option but to voice her anger. "We are still worried that they might retaliate," said Cruz. "We know exactly how they operate. They wait until you feel confident, or put down your guard, and then they come after you one way or another. But that's how tired we are of what's going on in the stores."
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio


text: See It, Make It: 5-Minute Snacks See It, Make It: 5-Minute Snacks So much better than a candy bar or bag of chips, these healthy snack recipes can fend off hunger with style and wake-'em-up flavorsand with a minimum of kitchen work. These healthy snack mix recipes, smoothie recipes, dip recipes and more snack recipes are so quick, they'll be ready to eat in 5 minutes or less. Download a FREE Ultra-Quick Recipe Cookbook for Every Meal! Watch Video See Recipes ADVERTISEMENT Recipes in slideshow ADVERTISEMENT


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Salaams and Salutations Beauties...
Today I went to my local LUSH in Georgetown. I love LUSH. I love the way it smells, the cool people that work there, that I can play in EVERYTHING. LUSH is like a 'product junkies paradise' but it is SOOO eco friendly. I mean even the little yellow bags are bio-degradable!!
I went in to only purchase a couple of products Baby Face make up remover and another face masque. Of course I milled around my favorite soaps, balm bombs, and skin soaps. I had seen Baby face on Amazon and I was dying to try it. Since LUSH is so close I decided NOT to order online.
Baby Face is a make up remover and all around face cleaner. Best to use with one of the many spray toners they carry. I purchased the Tea Tree Water Toner. Please note: One does NOT use this like a soap...lol. Please ask for a demo.
I also purchased Castastrophe Cosmetic which is a face mask. Its made with blueberries with is a natural antioxidant. It calms and cleans the skin. Can't wait to use it!!
I previously purchased Love Lettuce and I use it about once a week. Its a great exfoliate and is for normal to oily skin
So I can't wait to go back to LUSH. I received some great advice on hand lotion, cuticle cream, food cream and body wash.
Now mind you I already use a lot of LUSH products on my face. I totally recommend Coleface Cleanser as an everyday face soap, Angles on Bare Face which is an exfoliate and a cleanser, and Fresh Farmacy which is a pimple remover and calms all types of body breakouts.
So Eco beauties...LUSH is the place for you. Remember that it's not a dirty work....
B Beautiful!
Umm Amirah


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HTC has rolled out an update for both its Photo Enhancer and Hearing Aids apps. The former has been with us since the platform launched back in 2010, enabling HTC Windows Phone owners to easily edit (or enhance) photos saved on the device with minimal user input. It's a handy tool that's utilised by those who take regular shots and enjoy 'correcting' them before uploading to social networks.
The Hearing Aids app is a system tool for those who require higher in-call volume levels. Should you happen to find it hard to hear sound from the Windows Phone when in a call with a contact, be sure to look at enabling Hearing Aids to improve call quality.
- Photo Enhancer -- 2.2.0
- Hearing Aids -- 2.4.0
Unfortunately no changelog is presently available, so we can only assume minor fixes and improvements are present. Be sure to be on the look out for more system app updates released by Windows Phone manufacturers.


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Dinner Tonight: Steak with Arugula, Lemon, and Parmesan (via Food52)
Your source for quick recipe every single week day.
Editor's Note: We're teaming up with our friends over at Food52 to bring you even more easy weeknight recipes. Food52 recipes will appear on this site every Tuesday and Thursday, and are carefully curated by the Serious Eats team. Check back on Serious Eats every weekday afternoon for a new quick and easy weeknight dinner idea from our own test kitchens, or from the good folks at Food52.
Steak, greens, salty parmesan, and acidic lemon all contribute to one harmonious dish that will fill you without stuffing you.
Get the Recipe
Steak with Arugula, Lemon, and Parmesan
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.


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Jennifer Camley has not received any gifts yet
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
I must admit at first I was very spectacle, I didn't think that the SodaStream would taste anything like real soda. When I said real soda, I mean taste anything like the soda I am use to drinking and that is why I really wanted to review one.
When I got the SodaStream I was surprised at how easy it was to put together, I only had to do a few things…Continue
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:26pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
As many people can see Cloey always seems to have her hair in her eyes. I try to get her to let me put it up, and sometimes I am lucky enough for her to let me do it. With as fine and soft as her hair is the hair ties, or clips, would just slip out when she gets playing or touches them.Then she comes to me to have me fix her hair, this can go on for a while, but I usually only fix it twice and then I have had enough and tell her "All done!"…Continue
Welcome to Mom Bloggers club! I am new too but am already having a great time connecting with people. I think you will enjoy it on here. I saw that you have a blog. I am about to go stop by and have a look around. would love for you to stop by my blog too. We are always having giveaways on my site. If you follow my blog I will follow you back.
Chunky and Monkey MD
Hi there and welcome from The Girlz Korner in upstate New York where you'll find light, witty and rather entertaining articles on every topic imaginable from beauty, health, fashion, parenting, sex and everything else in between. So if you get a chance to kick back and exhale, if only for a brief moment, we'd love to have you. Hope you enjoy your stay :) http://www.thegirlzkorner.com
Welcome to MBC!
Hello, welcome to Mom Bloggers. This is a wonderful community where you can meet other interesting moms.
I am Nekky from Reflexions, a fun loving mom of two who like to meet people, make friends and share opinions. I have some weekly blog hops: GET CONNECTED TUESDAY BLOG HOPand WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP. Always feel free to link up every week as this will enable you gain some new followers. Come and also make new blogger friends from around the world.
Hope you enjoy your stay here. Happy Connections.
Welcome to MBC! We are glad to have you here. We look forward connecting more with you here. I'm a Super Mama who has a family friendly blog, i also have a weekday blog hop called Exposure 99%. This weekday blog hop helps you get more dedicated readers and blog followers. Hope you link up weekly. If you have any questions about how to link up do not hesitate to let me know.
Here is my personal blog: http://nzeremm.blogspot.com


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CTE and Civil Rights
The State Education Department (SED) is required by the federal Office for Civil Rights to conduct civil rights compliance reviews and provide technical assistance to agencies receiving federal financial assistance, i.e., local school districts and BOCES and public two-year colleges. These reviews and the technical assistance provided are geared toward the prevention, identification, and remediation of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in career and technical education programs that receive federal assistance. This ensures that all students have access to career and technical education programs and services.
CTE contact: Michelle Muscedere <email@example.com>
E-mail address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fax: 518-402-5114


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University of Melbourne Graduations
UoM Graduation Video 11am, Saturday 12 Dec 2015 West
Digital download of the video recording of the University of Melbourne's graduation ceremony, held at 11am on 12 December 2015 West. Please note, when you receive the link to download your video, you will be able to use it a maximum of three times. This will enable you, or your friends and family, to collectively download three copies of the file before the link becomes inactive. There is no time limit on the link.


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Tampa News
Seniors fill out survey
Tampa correspondent
Sunflower Senior Citizens met April 9 at the senior center with Tom and Dee Duggan as hosts. A Mexican meal was served followed by a program.
Gayla Ratzlaff from the Marion County Department on Aging asked members to complete a survey to help evaluate the county's services for seniors, Father Paul Oborny presented an amusing musical program. Mary Clemmer was presented with a small cake with a candle in honor of her birthday. Others present were Raymond and Janet Bielefeld, Betty Mueller, Sue Yanda, Shirley Zaideman, Kathy Kroupa, Connie McMahan, Kathy Davis, Kent Becker, Leona Kleiber, Phylllis Mueller, Adeline Bernhardt, Gary and Carole Spohn, Georgia Spohn and Jane Vajnar.
Lucille Kerbs visited her daughter, Connie Thompson, April 9 in Abilene. They were joined by Allison Sluder and Brooklyn for dinner out.
Tampa residents enjoyed their last winter game night April 7. However, Carla Hajek announced that PRIDE will sponsor parties in the park the first Sunday of each month during the summer.
Family members helping Bev Reid of Marion celebrate her birthday with dinner out were Tom Reid of Marion, Mike and Jennifer Jay and Cody of Hillsboro, Paul and Edna Backhus and Alisha Barney. After dinner, they came to Paul and Edna's home for dessert and gifts.
Tom and Dee Duggan attended a bridal shower at the Catholic parish hall in Hope April 7 honoring Amanda Dillon and Chad Hairston.
Jerry and Jeanne Rziha spent April 6 and 7 with Ron and May Hammerschmidt of Topeka.
Deb Hall and Kaylee, Makena and Liz of Herington and Tom and Dee Duggan attended a barbecue dinner April 7 at the Rock Island Church in Herington. The event was a fundraiser for missions.
Phyllis Branson and Jane Vajnar attended the Butler County Community College free classes April 6.
Georgia Spohn met Lenora Graham and Paulette Zook of Florence April 5 in Hillsboro. They attended Lifelong Learning at Tabor and enjoyed dinner out. The Tabor program consisted of a lecture about depression-era glassware.


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Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals With ASDs: A Consensus Report
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are common and clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders and associated symptoms are commonly reported in individuals with ASDs, but key issues such as the prevalence and best treatment of these conditions are incompletely understood. A central difficulty in recognizing and characterizing gastrointestinal dysfunction with ASDs is the communication difficulties experienced by many affected individuals. A multidisciplinary panel reviewed the medical literature with the aim of generating evidence-based recommendations for diagnostic evaluation and management of gastrointestinal problems in this patient population. The panel concluded that evidence-based recommendations are not yet available. The consensus expert opinion of the panel was that individuals with ASDs deserve the same thoroughness and standard of care in the diagnostic workup and treatment of gastrointestinal concerns as should occur for patients without ASDs. Care providers should be aware that problem behavior in patients with ASDs may be the primary or sole symptom of the underlying medical condition, including some gastrointestinal disorders. For these patients, integration of behavioral and medical care may be most beneficial. Priorities for future research are identified to advance our understanding and management of gastrointestinal disorders in persons with ASDs.
- autism spectrum disorder
- gastrointestinal
- constipation
- chronic diarrhea
- abdominal discomfort
- problem behavior
- gluten-free casein-free diet
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction; varying degrees of verbal and nonverbal communication deficits; and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. The term includes autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).1 Approximately 1 of every 150 children in the United States has an ASD.2 In these children, a variety of gastrointestinal dysfunctions and associated symptoms have been reported frequently.
Gastrointestinal problems in individuals with ASDs can be challenging to evaluate. Clinical practice guidelines exist for the evaluation and management of ASDs by primary care and other physicians responsible for the care of individuals with ASDs but do not include routine consideration of potential gastrointestinal and other medical problems.1,3–5 Many individuals with ASDs are nonverbal or minimally verbal and cannot express pain or discomfort through speech. As a result, they may not communicate information about their symptoms as clearly as their typically developing peers. Even individuals with ASDs who acquire verbal communication skills may have difficulty describing subjective experiences or symptoms.
On May 29–30, 2008, a multidisciplinary panel convened in Boston, Massachusetts, to review and discuss gastrointestinal aspects of ASDs. Meeting participants were part of a larger group that was organized to develop recommendations for the evaluation and management of gastrointestinal disorders for individuals with ASDs, as well as for future research directions. Working groups comprised 28 experts in child psychiatry, developmental pediatrics, epidemiology, medical genetics, immunology, nursing, pediatric allergy, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric pain, pediatric neurology, pediatric nutrition, and psychology.* All of these experts are experienced in providing clinical care or addressing research questions related to individuals with ASDs and reviewed the published literature before the meeting.
A literature search on Medline was conducted to identify relevant articles by using the key words "gastrointestinal disease" and "autism." Results of the search were complemented by additional publications identified by participants. Each article was assigned to 2 working group members (one as a primary reader and the other as a secondary reader) who reviewed the articles and assigned a score based on a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system of evaluation.6,7 With this modified system, one assigns 2 scores that rate the type and quality of evidence according to specific criteria (Table 1). 8 Committee members were encouraged to review but not necessarily grade all articles. In advance of the panel meeting, each committee met via conference call to discuss and arrive at a consensus evaluation of each article.
At the Boston meeting, the chairs of 7 working groups summarized their findings and suggested statements on the prevalence of gastrointestinal and associated conditions, as well as potential etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and future research. Potential associated conditions included food allergies and other adverse reactions to foods, immunologic dysfunction, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and nutritional deficiencies.
The nominal group technique was used to review and refine these statements, with consensus reached by 1 or more rounds of voting. Voting members used electronic key pads to select a number between 1 and 9; a vote of 1 signified complete disagreement with a statement, whereas a vote of 9 signified complete agreement. To achieve consensus, all voting members had to score a statement with either 1 to 3 (signifying consensus on disagreement) or 7 to 9 (signifying consensus on agreement). If consensus were not achieved, the statement was modified and another vote was taken. The process was repeated until consensus was achieved or a decision was made by the group that it was not possible to achieve agreement. A total of 10 to 13 participants in attendance voted on 23 statements.†
The consensus statements and discussion highlights were summarized as draft proceedings of the meeting, which then were edited and expanded on by all members of each working group. The participants have contributed equally to the final consensus report.
Because of the absence, in general, of high-quality clinical research data, evidence-based recommendations are not possible at the present time. However, the panel agreed on a number of statements based on expert opinion that arose from a review of existing evidence. It is acknowledged that, in many areas, evidence is generally confined to case reports, observational or descriptive studies, and poorly controlled or uncontrolled studies.
The expert panel reached consensus on the following statements.
Statement 1 (Key Statement)
Individuals with ASDs who present with gastrointestinal symptoms warrant a thorough evaluation, as would be undertaken for individuals without ASDs who have the same symptoms or signs. Evidence-based algorithms for the assessment of abdominal pain, constipation, chronic diarrhea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be developed.
Individuals with ASDs deserve the same thorough diagnostic workup for gastrointestinal symptoms as should occur for other patients. There is no evidence for pathogenic mechanisms specific to ASDs that warrant a distinct diagnostic approach. Guidelines for the evaluation of common gastrointestinal symptoms have been developed by medical societies, medical centers, and managed care practices.9–12 Few, if any, published documents have addressed modifications in the diagnostic evaluation on the basis of the needs of persons with disabilities such as impaired language. An evidence base is needed to guide evaluation and therapy, but until appropriate studies are conducted, guidelines must be based on expert opinion.
Statement 2
Gastrointestinal conditions that are reported to be common in individuals without ASDs are also encountered in individuals with ASDs.
In persons with ASDs, gastrointestinal conditions can present typically or atypically as nongastrointestinal manifestations, including behavioral change and/or problem behaviors. Symptom severity can be quite variable in patients with ASDs, as in other patients.
The most common gastrointestinal symptoms and signs reported for persons with ASDs are chronic constipation, abdominal pain with or without diarrhea, and encopresis as a consequence of constipation. Other gastrointestinal abnormalities that have been described for individuals with ASDs include GERD, abdominal bloating, and disaccharidase deficiencies, as well as pathologic findings such as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and abnormalities of the enteric nervous system.
Gastrointestinal disorders can present as nongastrointestinal problems. For example, Horvath and Perman13 reported disturbed sleep and nighttime awakening for 52% of children with ASDs who had gastrointestinal symptoms (vs 7% of age-matched healthy siblings; P < .001). Children with ASDs who had reflux esophagitis exhibited unexplained irritability more frequently (43%) than those who did not (13%).13 Behaviors, including problem behavior, may be markers of abdominal pain or discomfort in individuals with ASDs.14,15 Table 2 identifies some vocal and motor behaviors, as well as changes in overall state, that may indicate abdominal pain or discomfort.
The diagnostic evaluation of potential gastrointestinal disorders can vary depending on the possible problem (Table 3). For example, if one suspects that maldigestion or malabsorption is causing abdominal distension or is associated with self-injurious behavior, an upper endoscopy with measurement of disaccharidases might be considered. Lactose intolerance is common in the general population and therefore common in individuals with ASDs. To clarify the diagnosis, empiric trials of lactase supplementation or dietary restriction might be considered, in the proper clinical context, before referral to a gastrointestinal specialist.
As for individuals without ASDs, functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can present in individuals with ASDs with behavioral indicators of pain, disordered sleep, diarrhea and/or constipation, and bloating and/or flatulence. The diagnosis of FAP or IBS is a clinical one that is made on the basis of a pattern of predominant symptoms occurring over time in the absence of organic disease. Empiric treatment, initiated by a gastroenterologist or specialist skilled in understanding neurenteric dysregulation, may be warranted for some patients without other indicators of disease, such as weight loss, fever, and bloody stools, before proceeding to invasive evaluations. However, for children with ASDs, behavioral indicators may be the only manifestation of pain, and determining who should be evaluated medically and who should be treated empirically can be problematic. Evaluating all children may result in some with IBS and FAP having potentially unnecessary invasive evaluations; treating children empirically may delay identification of morbidities that could be remedied by medical or surgical intervention. Clearly better biomarkers of disease in children with ASDs are needed to reliably identify those individuals who are most likely to benefit from the more comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Statement 3
The prevalence of gastrointestinal abnormalities in individuals with ASDs is incompletely understood.
The reported prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with ASDs has ranged from 9% to 70% or higher (Table 4). 13,16–25 Prospective descriptive reports from autism clinics have described significant gastrointestinal symptoms in at least 70% of patients,22 data that might reflect a referral bias. In contrast, secondary analysis of a UK database indicated that the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms was no different in children with ASDs compared with children without ASDs (9%) at the time of their initial ASD diagnosis.16
Most of these studies had 1 or more methodologic limitations, in particular a lack of appropriate (nonrelated) control groups. Despite the limitations in type and quality of available evidence, the preponderance of data were consistent with the likelihood of a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders associated with ASDs.
The panel agreed that to unequivocally answer the important question of prevalence of gastrointestinal dysfunction in this population, prospective multicenter studies need to be performed by using validated instruments and outcome measures administered to persons with a diagnosis of ASD established by accepted methods and appropriate control groups. Population-based studies are also needed to avoid referral bias and overestimation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with ASDs.
Statement 4
The existence of a gastrointestinal disturbance specific to persons with ASDs (eg, "autistic enterocolitis") has not been established.
Some health care providers and researchers have proposed that certain gastrointestinal pathologies are specific to individuals with ASDs. An immune or inflammation-mediated mechanism specific to ASDs, possibly vaccine-triggered in the setting of abnormal immune function or increased gut permeability ("leaky gut"), has been hypothesized to underlie the gastrointestinal disorders seen in individuals with ASDs, mainly on the basis of a finding of ileal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) and/or chronic colitis seen on colonoscopy.
In 1998, Wakefield et al26 reported an association between ileocolitis and developmental regression in 12 children and coined the term "autistic enterocolitis." From the same uncontrolled study they reported NLH of the ileum and colon as an abnormal finding in most children with ASDs. However, similar findings are known to be present in children with typical development, as well as children with food allergies and immunodeficiencies.27,28 The significance of these findings, therefore, is unclear. Wakefield et al29 also proposed a causal relation between measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism, a suggestion that was later retracted by many of the original authors.
Other study-design limitations in these reports included flawed control groups, lack of validated and standardized definitions, and speculative interpretation of results. In summary, published reports have not established the presence of a unique gastrointestinal pathophysiology specific to ASDs.
Statement 5
The evidence for abnormal gastrointestinal permeability in individuals with ASDs is limited. Prospective studies should be performed to determine the role of abnormal permeability in neuropsychiatric manifestations of ASDs.
Altered intestinal permeability was reported in 9 of 21 (43%) children with ASDs and 0 of 40 healthy age-matched controls.30 The authors of the study speculated that the alteration might be the mechanism for increased passage of food-derived peptides through a damaged gut mucosa. Increased permeability (or a "leaky gut") has been cited as having a key role in various hypotheses regarding the biology of ASDs, including excess opiate activity, diminished peptidase activity, and immune dysfunction.31 Some investigators have reported decreased serum sulfate levels in children with ASDs and hypothesized a link between such deficits and increased gut permeability.13
The available literature has not confirmed the presence of abnormal gastrointestinal permeability in individuals with ASDs, and the presence of increased intestinal permeability has not been correlated with an underlying gastrointestinal disorder or neuropsychiatric manifestations. Studies to date have had methodologic limitations including small subject populations and poor controls; properly powered prospective studies with appropriate controls are needed.
Statement 6
Individuals with ASDs and gastrointestinal symptoms are at risk for problem behaviors. When patients with gastrointestinal disorders present with behavioral manifestations, the diagnostic evaluation can be complex.
An emerging literature suggests that individuals with ASDs and gastrointestinal symptoms may be at higher risk for problem behaviors than those with ASDs who do not have gastrointestinal symptoms.32 Problem behaviors are recurrent behaviors that interfere with an individual's functioning; their occurrence often affects family and community members as well. Problem behaviors are the single most important factor in determining quality of life for individuals with ASDs and their caretakers.33 Vocal and motor behaviors, including problem behaviors such as self-injury and aggression, as well as overall changes in state of being (eg, sleep disturbance or irritability), may be behavioral manifestations of abdominal pain or discomfort in persons with ASDs (Table 2).14,15
The evaluation of individuals with ASDs and gastrointestinal symptoms can be complex. Sleep disturbances and the other problem behaviors mentioned above may indicate abdominal discomfort. In turn, abdominal discomfort, as well as other symptoms (constipation, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, straining), may be manifestations of neurenteric dysregulation or IBS. A diagnosis of exclusion, IBS is difficult to distinguish from other underlying conditions without invasive testing. For the patient who is not losing weight, has no blood in the stool, and has normal findings on a complete blood count and urinalysis, evaluations are recommended in the order described in Table 3. No evidence-based guidelines are available to guide the evaluation. For this reason, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, and gastroenterologists may need to work together to improve the evaluation and treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with ASDs.
Statement 7
For a person with an ASD who presents for treatment of a problem behavior, the care provider should consider the possibility that a gastrointestinal symptom, particularly pain, is a setting event, that is, a factor that increases the likelihood that serious problem behavior (eg, self-injury, aggression) may be exhibited. Sudden and unexplained behavioral change can be the hallmark of underlying pain or discomfort. Behavioral treatment may be initiated as the possible concurrent medical illness is being investigated, diagnosed (or excluded), and treated, but the behavioral treatment should not substitute for medical investigation. The behavioral treatment plan should be developed, implemented, and changed as needed in collaboration with the medical caregivers who are leading the medical investigation.
Clinical practice guidelines for the management of ASDs have not included routine consideration of potential gastrointestinal problems.1,3–5 As previously noted, for individuals with ASDs, symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders, especially pain, may function as setting events for problem behaviors.34 In this context, a setting event is any gastrointestinal symptom that influences how a person will respond to a given environment. For example, the presence of pain (a gastrointestinal setting event) can result in simple daily tasks and routines being perceived by the child as much more aversive than would be the case if the child were healthy and free of pain. As a consequence, these tasks and routines now trigger bouts of severe problem behavior as the child attempts to escape from the now-aversive situation. Once the gastrointestinal condition has been treated successfully, it is likely that pain will diminish, the situation will be perceived as less aversive, and the child will, therefore, no longer be motivated to engage in problem behavior. A review of both gastrointestinal symptoms and behaviors clinically associated with gastrointestinal problems (see Tables 2 and 3), along with other potential sources of pain and discomfort (such as ear, dental, urologic, musculoskeletal, and cutaneous problems), should be incorporated into the clinical behavioral assessment.
The presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and/or related behaviors (Table 3), regardless of whether they are clearly temporally related to problem behavior, should be considered a strong and urgent indication for medical investigation. Clinical judgment will determine if medical investigation should precede or occur concurrently with behavioral and/or psychopharmacologic intervention; the latter, however, should never substitute for medical investigation. Clearly, reliable biomarkers of gastrointestinal function are needed to identify those individuals who are highly likely to have conditions that may respond to medical or surgical intervention. Until such biomarkers are shown to be helpful, clinicians with expertise in both medical and behavioral interventions should work together on an integrated care plan.
Recognition that abdominal pain and discomfort can function as a setting event has important implications for the treatment of problem behavior.15 First, time-consuming behavioral treatments that address only psychosocial triggers and consequences for problem behavior may likely be ineffective. Behavioral treatments that promote means of communication in the affected individual may be more effective. For example, it would be extremely useful, from the standpoint of medical diagnosis, to teach a child to identify the location and type of pain that he or she is currently experiencing.35 Second, the individual can be taught skills for coping with task demands appropriately during moments of pain or discomfort, and psychosocial environments that have become aversive because of gastrointestinal pain can be restructured to attenuate their aversive properties.36,37 Third, if the gastrointestinal disorder is recognized and medical treatment is effective, the problem behaviors may diminish. When abdominal pain or discomfort is a setting event, psychotropic medications are likely to be ineffective and may even aggravate the problem if they have adverse gastrointestinal effects.
Statement 8
Education of caregivers and health care providers is necessary to impart knowledge of how to recognize typical and atypical signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs.
The clinical presentation of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs may differ from that of individuals with typical development. For example, behavioral alterations can complicate the diagnosis of GERD in persons with compromised communication skills. Expert clinicians have observed that aggressive and self-injurious behavior may be the primary clinical manifestations of GERD in individuals with ASDs, but these symptoms are frequently attributed to nonmedical causes. As a result, manifestations may go unrecognized as signs and symptoms of GERD and, importantly, may go untreated. Caregivers should be informed about atypical manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders. Greater awareness of this association by health care providers may result in these conditions being diagnosed and treated in more affected individuals. Additional research is needed to evaluate the usefulness of adding behavior to screening for gastrointestinal problems in persons with ASDs.
Educational programs designed to increase awareness of medical conditions that can go unrecognized because of atypical symptom presentation should be a priority at meetings of professional societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Statement 9
Pediatricians and other primary care providers should be alert to potential nutritional problems in patients with ASDs. Evaluation by a nutritionist who is familiar with nutrition support for individuals with ASDs is recommended if caregivers raise concern about the patient's diet or if the patient exhibits selectivity of intake or is on a restricted diet.
Nutritional deficiencies have been reported in patients with ASDs, which is not surprising because of the narrow food preferences of many affected individuals and/or purported therapeutic diets that might be nutritionally inadequate. In a study of 36 children with ASDs, regardless of unrestricted or restricted diet, essential amino acid deficiencies consistent with poor protein nutrition occurred more frequently than in age- and gender-matched controls.38 Low dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D and iron deficiency have been implicated in compromised bone development and sleep disturbances, respectively, in children with ASDs receiving an unrestricted or restricted diet.39,40 Resources for general nutritional guidance are available that may be helpful for families.41–43
Statement 10
Primary care nutritional assessment for each person with an ASD should include (1) weight for height or BMI, (2) weight for age, (3) height for age, and (3) any marked changes in growth rate (percentiles over time).
It is recommended that pediatricians routinely monitor anthropometry as part of the evaluation of children with ASDs. Abnormalities in nutritional status (wasting, stunting) or changes in growth rate should alert the clinician to inadequate growth and the possibility of inadequate caloric intake or poor nutritional quality of the diet, malabsorption, or maldigestion. Any child whose growth is of concern should be referred to a nutritionist, preferably one who is familiar with nutritional support for individuals with ASDs.
In addition to nutritional inadequacy, children with ASDs have the potential to be obese. In a retrospective review of charts from 1992 to 2003 in children aged 3 to 18 years with ASDs, the prevalence rates of at risk for overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) and overweight (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) were 35.7% and 19.0%, respectively.44 These prevalence data are similar to rates in children aged 6 to 19 years in the general population of 31.0% and 16.0% for at risk for overweight and overweight, respectively, in 1999–2002.45 However, children with ASDs in the 12- to 19-year age range were reported to have 80% and 50% rates of being at risk for overweight and overweight, respectively, compared with 30.9% and 16.1%, respectively, in the general population.44
Statement 11
Anecdotal reports have suggested that there may be a subgroup of individuals with ASDs who respond to dietary intervention. Additional data are needed before pediatricians and other professionals can recommend specific dietary modifications.
Dietary modifications such as removal of milk for symptoms of lactose intolerance may be approached empirically, as with any other pediatric patient with consistent symptoms. The data on the value of specific diets being effective in the treatment of individuals with ASDs are difficult to assess. Many dietary modifications are believed to have a beneficial outcome, although placebo effects are likely to be high in this setting. The few studies in the literature are difficult to interpret without adequate control groups.
Statement 12
Available research data do not support the use of a casein-free diet, a gluten-free diet, or combined gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet as a primary treatment for individuals with ASDs.
Few studies have examined the effects of a casein-free diet, a gluten-free diet, or combined GFCF diet on the behavior of individuals with ASDs. To our knowledge, only 1 double-blind placebo-controlled study has been published to date.46
In this double-blind crossover trial of GFCF or typical diet in 15 children with ASDs, there were no differences in measures of severity of ASD symptoms, communication, social responsiveness, and urinary peptide levels after 12 weeks.46 Nevertheless, after being informed of the results, 9 parents wanted to continue the diet and reported positive subjective clinical changes while their child was on the GFCF diet. Study limitations included the small sample size and heterogeneity, concerns about compliance and possible dietary infractions by study subjects, and lack of a direct observational outcome measure.
Parents need information to help plan a balanced diet within the restrictions imposed by the chosen diet. Given the real hardships associated with implementation of a strict GFCF diet, additional studies are needed to assess risk factors and possible markers that identify individuals who might benefit from these diets. The panel emphasized that parents and care providers should agree on objective measures, which ideally are to be evaluated by blinded observers, to assess the intervention effect as well as a reasonable time frame before embarking on restrictive or unusual diets. The current literature does not permit a recommendation as to the length of a trial of dietary intervention. In the absence of data, any trial will need to be long enough to ensure that variability in behavior is not responsible for the perceived diet response.
Statement 13
For patients with ASDs, a detailed history should be obtained to identify potential associations between allergen exposure and gastrointestinal and/or behavioral symptoms.
It has been estimated that 25% to 65% of children in westernized societies have evidence of allergen sensitization, with food allergy present in 6% to 8% of infants and young children and ∼4% of adolescents and adults. It is assumed that a similar proportion of children with ASDs exhibit allergic disorders.47–49 Table 5 lists symptoms associated with immune-mediated gastrointestinal food allergies as well as suggested diagnostic approaches.50 The patient's parents, teachers, or other caretakers are an important source of information, because they are in a position to observe an association between exposure and the person's response.
Statement 14
Standardized definitions of adverse reactions to foods would be helpful in discussions with patients/providers. These definitions also should be used in studies of adverse food reactions in individuals with ASDs.
Health care providers can reduce the potential for misunderstanding by defining terms with patients and their families early in the evaluation process and reviewing with them the different types of adverse reactions to foods. In doing so, they establish a framework for discussions about whether the diagnosis is food allergy, another type of adverse reaction to a food, or some other entity unrelated to food ingestion.
In a logical scheme developed for categorization of food-induced reactions according to mechanism, an adverse reaction to a food is the general term used to refer to any unpleasant reaction that occurs as a result of food ingestion.51 An adverse reaction to a food may be toxic or nontoxic.52 In toxic reactions the symptoms are caused by a toxin synthesized by the food or by an organism or substance that contaminated the food. Although sensitivity to different toxins may vary from person to person, a characteristic of toxic reactions is that they occur in virtually every person who ingests enough of the food that contains the toxin.51
Nontoxic reactions are further categorized into food intolerance or food allergy, depending on whether the immune system is the primary cause of the reaction.52 Reactions in which the immune system is not involved are categorized as examples of food intolerance. Categories of food intolerance include metabolic, pharmacologic, and idiosyncratic reactions. Individuals are more likely to experience metabolic reactions to foods if they are malnourished or ill, take certain medications, or have acquired or inherited metabolic disorders. Pharmacologic food reactions occur after the ingestion of foods that contain pharmacologically active ingredients. Idiosyncratic reactions resemble allergic reactions to foods but are not mediated by the immune system and result from a quantitatively abnormal response to a food or food additive that is not caused by a pharmacologic or physiologic effect of the food.
Food allergy is the term used to refer to nontoxic reactions to foods that are mediated by the immune system.52 Allergic reactions to foods are further categorized as mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE), non–IgE mediated, or combined (both IgE- and non–IgE-mediated mechanisms are implicated).49 Disorders caused by IgE-mediated reactions to foods typically involve the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the respiratory tract either alone or in combination. For example, gastrointestinal anaphylaxis presents with cramping abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting that occurs within minutes to hours of ingestion of the offending food and is often accompanied by cutaneous or respiratory symptoms. IgE-mediated cutaneous symptoms include acute urticaria, angioedema, generalized pruritus, and flushing, whereas respiratory disorders associated with IgE-mediated reactions to foods include acute rhinoconjunctivitis and acute-onset bronchospasm. The most severe form of an IgE-mediated allergic reaction to a food is anaphylaxis involving multiple organ systems.53
Non–IgE-mediated allergic reactions to foods may be cell mediated. Examples that involve the gastrointestinal tract include food protein–induced syndromes such as food protein–induced enterocolitis, food protein–induced proctocolitis, and food protein–induced enteropathy syndromes.54,55 These disorders are seen primarily in infants or young children who present with abdominal complaints such as vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally blood in the stool. Celiac disease, which results from sensitivity to gliadin (found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley), is another example of a non–IgE-mediated gastrointestinal reaction to a food.56,57 Dermatitis herpetiformis and contact dermatitis are examples of cutaneous non–IgE-mediated reactions to food. Mixed IgE- and cell-mediated allergic reactions to foods are exemplified by eosinophilic gut disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, or potentially other entities such as atopic dermatitis or asthma.58
The potential for a food aversion should be considered in patients with ASDs. Aversion may be present because of a previous noxious event that occurred after ingestion of a specific food. The aversion to the specific food may then be generalized to a broader food category. An example is a child who becomes ill after eating a tomato; a child with an ASD who has that experience may subsequently avoid all red foods. This aspect of food intolerance is often overlooked in the search for the cause of an individual's refusal of a specific food.
Statement 15
For patients with ASDs, a detailed history (including personal history of allergic disease, dietary history, and family history) and physical examination should be performed to accurately identify potential comorbid allergic disease.
A comprehensive history and physical examination always provide important information for the clinician who is evaluating the person with an ASD and possibly co-occurring allergies. A positive history of allergic disease in parents and siblings is a significant risk factor, placing the person at higher risk for the development of allergies. The typical pattern of allergen sensitization, often referred to as the "atopic march," begins with sensitization to food allergens and/or eczema within the first 2 years of life, followed by sensitization to inhalant allergens manifested by allergic rhinitis, animal dander sensitivity, and/or allergen-driven asthma. Many children outgrow IgE-mediated reactions to foods such as milk, egg, soy, and grains as they age, although most individuals who are sensitized to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish remain allergic. Non–IgE-mediated reactions to foods such as allergic proctocolitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis are outgrown in the first few years of life, whereas celiac disease is lifelong. Combined IgE- and non–IgE-mediated allergic reactions to foods such as eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis are often long lived, with symptoms that wax and wane.
Older children who present for allergic evaluation are unlikely to have allergic colitis, a non–IgE-mediated condition that is often outgrown by 3 or 4 years of age in typically developing children. In individuals with ASDs, some experts have commented that resolution of a non–IgE-mediated condition may be delayed, possibly related to underdiagnosis at a young age. There are no data to support this speculation.
Because allergic diseases are common and individuals with ASDs may have atypical presentations or difficulty verbalizing complaints, it is important for caregivers to be vigilant in monitoring symptoms and looking for signs of allergic disease. If the presence of allergic disease is suggested by the history or physical examination, patients with ASDs should undergo appropriate allergy testing (eg, skin testing, measurement of allergen-specific IgE levels, elimination diets, food challenges) and gastrointestinal evaluation (including laboratory testing and endoscopy, if indicated), as would be done for patients without ASDs.
Statement 16
Involvement of specialists (allergists, gastroenterologists, dietitians, and feeding therapists) for the management of individuals with ASDs may be beneficial.
The management of uncomplicated gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation or GERD, in individuals with ASDs can be initiated and followed by the pediatrician or other primary health care provider. Patients who are unresponsive to standard care may benefit from a referral to a gastroenterologist. The panel emphasized that specialist referral should be undertaken only after a patient has not responded to standard treatment directed by the primary health care provider.
Similarly, patients with ASDs who have allergic disease can receive effective care under the supervision of a pediatrician or other primary care provider. Involvement of an allergist is recommended for patients with multiple allergies or complex allergic disease. Working with a dietitian to optimize nutrition is helpful, because these patients often have specific food preferences and limited diets or are on supplements that should be critically evaluated from a nutritional standpoint. A knowledgeable feeding therapist should be consulted when feeding disorders are suspected or the patient is difficult to feed. The potential benefits of an allergy program with input from experts in other areas include not only reduction in symptoms of allergic disease but also fewer medication adverse effects and, in some instances, an improvement in behavior.
Statement 17
Immunologic aberrations have been reported in individuals with ASDs. However, a direct cause-and-effect relationship between immune dysfunction and ASDs has yet to be proven.
There has been research to suggest that immune responses can influence neurodevelopment and that significant immunologic alterations may play a key pathogenic role in some individuals with ASDs. Two lines of research are promising: (1) dysregulation of cytokine production; and (2) the effect of maternal autoantibodies during early neurodevelopment.
Researchers in a number of laboratories have described intestinal inflammatory changes in individuals with ASDs.59–61 A few studies have suggested that activation of circulating lymphocytes and monocytes may lead to dysregulated cytokine production.62–66 Some investigators have speculated that increased peripheral cytokine levels may act directly on the central nervous system (CNS) or may trigger a CNS-mediated inflammatory response via glial cells. In turn, these actions could affect neurodevelopment or directly elicit autistic behaviors (reviewed by Ashwood and Wakefield67). Other researchers have observed increased production of cytokines from the innate immune system in the plasma and CNS, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1).63,68,69
An increase in autoimmune disorders has been reported in the families of individuals with ASDs. The findings of (1) a family history of autoimmune disease and (2) antibrain antibodies suggest that, in some individuals with ASDs, autoantibodies that target the CNS may be related to the neurobiology of the disorder.70–74
Immunoprotective maternal IgG antibodies and autoantibodies that react to fetal "self" proteins have been shown to cross the placenta.75 In a recent study, reactivity to human fetal brain protein, but not adult brain protein, was observed with antibodies from 7 of 61 (11.5%) mothers of children with ASDs.76 In contrast, immunoreactivity was observed in neither the mothers of children with typical development nor the mothers of children with developmental delays but no ASDs. In a population-based study by the same group with samples taken during gestation, a pattern of maternal antibody reactivity to fetal brain protein (simultaneous reactivity to 39- and 73-kDa molecular weight bands) was reported only for mothers of children with early-onset ASDs.77 More recently, introduction of maternal IgG in a Rhesus monkey model resulted in profound behavioral changes in the offspring.78 These clinical and animal observations are of potential interest in understanding a possible mechanism for the behavioral changes observed in ASDs. At present, their clinical relevance is speculative.
We are now able to accurately define immune status in individuals with ASDs. Well-defined studies are needed using larger sample sets and age- and geographically matched controls, with extensive immune analysis, to determine the precise relationship of immune dysfunction to clinical symptoms.
Statement 18
The role of immune responses in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs warrants additional investigation.
A few studies have suggested a relationship between gastrointestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal symptoms associated with ASDs. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ in the body, containing up to 80% of Ig-producing cells in the body. In children with ASDs, immunohistochemistry and flow-cytometry studies have consistently shown marked pan-enteric infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the gut mucosa.59,61,79,80 Torrente et al61,80 suggested an autoimmune component to the inflammatory response (co-localized deposition of IgG and complement C1q on the surface epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract). These studies suggest an underlying chronic inflammatory process in some individuals with ASDs and co-occurring gastrointestinal disturbances, characterized by NLH, enterocolitis, and mucosal infiltration by immune cells along the length of the gastrointestinal tract. These findings should be considered preliminary and will require confirmation.
Statement 19
The role of gut microflora in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs is not well understood.
The microbiological ecosystem of the gut is complex and poorly understood but likely plays a significant role in both health and disease. Few researchers, however, have attempted to critically examine the relationship of gut microflora to ASDs. Future studies will require molecular approaches aimed at identification and quantification of microbial species. If an association is identified, it may lead to novel treatment trials. Careful selection of study subjects will be important for controlling for antimicrobial exposure, diet, and other factors.
It should be noted that empirical antibiotic and antifungal therapy in patients with ASDs is not recommended. Clinicians should obtain an abnormal culture result from a duodenal aspirate or abnormal stool culture before starting any treatment designed to alter intestinal flora.
Statement 20
Given the heterogeneity of persons with ASDs and the many inconsistent research findings regarding ASDs, it is imperative that the phenotype (biological, clinical, and behavioral features) of future study subjects be well defined. This will help to clarify the underlying pathophysiology and the clinical aspects of the disorder and guide focused evaluations and treatments.
A number of factors make the generalization of study findings difficult. Individuals with ASDs share a common behavioral diagnosis and, although at present we are unable to establish an etiologic diagnosis for most cases of ASDs, we are nonetheless aware of numerous uncommon or rare causes of this behaviorally defined condition. It is likely, therefore, that different pathogenic mechanisms underlie ASDs in individuals who have received this diagnosis. Consequently, future studies relating to diagnostic, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic aspects of ASDs should endeavor to characterize in detail the clinical, behavioral, metabolic, genetic, and imaging phenotypes of the subjects to the extent possible.
Statement 21
Studies of gastrointestinal disorders in ASDs should include genetic testing for all participants.
Future research studies to examine gastrointestinal function in people with ASDs should include characterization of the genotype. Guidelines for the genetic evaluation of individuals with ASDs have been published by the American College of Medical Genetics.81 Our recommendations include consideration of determinations of chromosomal microarray analysis, mutation analysis of the FMR1 gene (to evaluate for fragile X syndrome), mutation analysis of the MECP2 gene in females, as well as mutation analysis of clinically relevant candidate genes and selected metabolic testing based on the clinical and family histories and physical examination.
Statement 22
Prevalence and characterization of specific gastrointestinal symptoms should be examined in well-defined genetic syndromes with high rates of ASDs.
It is recommended that gastrointestinal disorders be studied in individuals with genetically well-defined disorders with which ASD rates are high. Such disorders are rare and include Rett, Smith-Lemli-Opitz, and fragile X syndromes. There have been minimal published data regarding gastrointestinal dysfunction in these and other monogenic or chromosomal disorders that are strongly associated with ASDs.
Gastrointestinal dysfunction in persons with ASDs and a monogenic disorder could result from a direct effect of the mutated gene on a specific gut function. Alternatively, abnormal neurologic function rather than an intrinsic, genetically programmed abnormality within the gastrointestinal tract could be the basis of disturbed gastrointestinal function. Differentiating between these pathophysiologic categories is difficult at present.
Detailed description of gastrointestinal dysfunction in individuals with ASDs and defined genetic conditions will increase our knowledge of the natural histories of these conditions and ideally translate to improved clinical care. It may also provide insight into the pathogenetic basis of the gastrointestinal dysfunction with these conditions. Lessons learned about gastrointestinal abnormalities from monogenic conditions will likely have relevance for similar gastrointestinal abnormalities that occur not only in individuals with idiopathic ASDs but also in individuals without ASDs. Recent data regarding the MET gene are provocative in this regard.82
Statement 23
Clinical trials of treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms should include banking of DNA samples.
Investigators are strongly encouraged to obtain blood samples for banking of DNA in their research protocols. An unknown but potentially large fraction of patients may have specific mutations as the cause of their ASDs. The value of the research will be significantly greater if causative mutations are identified in some of the subjects and the data reanalyzed in light of this information.
Medical disorders, including gastrointestinal problems, occur commonly in individuals with ASDs, but because symptoms may be atypical, these medical conditions may be undiagnosed. Whether the prevalence is higher than in the general population is not known with certainty, because prospective well-controlled studies are unavailable. Many parents and care providers have observed and reported improvements in problem behaviors with nutritional or medical interventions. Some of these therapies are based on purely observational reports; many are based on studies that may have reached erroneous conclusions because of recruitment bias, lack of validated or standardized outcomes, or inadequate controls. In this document we focused on gastrointestinal disorders and related conditions including allergy, inflammation, metabolic disease, genetics, and nutrition.
The care of individuals who are nonverbal or have difficulties in communication or who display self-injurious or other problem behaviors presents special challenges. Nevertheless, the approach to evaluation and diagnosis of possible underlying medical conditions, in particular gastrointestinal disorders, should be no different from the standard of care for persons without ASDs. Management of co-occurring gastrointestinal problems in individuals with ASDs usually begins with the primary care provider and may eventually warrant multidisciplinary consultation.
Anecdotal reports that restricted diets may ameliorate symptoms of ASDs in some children have not been supported or refuted in the scientific literature, but these data do not address the possibility that there exists a subgroup of individuals who may respond to such diets. Professional supervision of restricted diets is recommended to prevent nutritional inadequacies.
Future research is expected to clarify the role of metabolic disorders, allergic/toxic reactions, immune dysregulation, and inflammatory changes in the etiology of gastrointestinal disturbances in individuals with ASDs. Whether unique genetic, metabolic, or physiologic conditions exist and are specific to ASDs remains to be determined. Accrual of new knowledge will advance our approach to the management of ASDs and co-occurring medical conditions. Recognition that problem behaviors might indicate an underlying medical condition will facilitate diagnosis and treatment and ultimately improve the quality of life for many persons with ASDs. This expert panel has addressed considerations in the diagnostic evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with ASDs that may lead to effective treatment options, with the hope that patients will have better access to enlightened care. Important take-away messages are summarized in Table 6, and areas that are in need of new knowledge are identified in Table 7.
The meeting and consensus report were sponsored by the Autism Forum. The forum's goal in this initiative is to establish best practices for the care of co-occurring medical conditions that may affect the developmental outcome of persons with ASDs. Autism Forum programs are developed under the guidance of the Northwest Autism Foundation and in association with, and support of, the Autism Research Institute, Autism Society of America, and Easter Seals Oregon.
Dr Carr passed away before publication of this supplement. He was an enthusiastic and articulate contributor whose comments were enlightening and greatly improved the manuscript. We shall miss his passion and deep commitment to improving the lives and quality of care of people with autism spectrum disorders.
- Accepted September 4, 2009.
- Address correspondence to Timothy Buie, MD, or Harland Winter, MD, Mass General Hospital for Children, Pediatric Gastrointestinal Unit, CRPZ 5-560, 175 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail: tbuie{at}partners.org or hwinter{at}partners.org
↵* The 7 working groups were the Allergy Working Group (Drs Furuta [chair], Atkins, Jyonouchi, and SE Levy), GI Symptoms Working Group (Drs Fuchs [chair], Gershon, Kooros, and Winter), Genetics Working Group (Drs Campbell [chair], Beaudet, Natowicz, and Levitt), Immunology/Inflammation Working Group (Drs VandeWater [chair], Wershil, and Sabra), Interpretation of Abdominal Pain Working Group (Drs Whitaker [chair], Bauman, Buie, and Carr, Ms Murray, and Dr Zeltzer), Metabolism and Maldigestion Working Group (Drs J Levy [chair], Kushak, and Lewis), and Nutrition Working Group (Drs Buie [chair], Hyman, and Jirapinyo, Ms Weston, and Dr Winter).
↵† A total of 14 participants attended the May 2008 meeting in Boston as voting members: the working group chairs (Drs Buie, Campbell, Fuchs, Furuta, Levy, Van de Water, and Whitaker), Drs Atkins, Bauman, Jirapinyo, and Kushak, Ms Murray, and Drs Sabra and Winter.
The guidance in this article is not intended to advocate for an exclusive course of treatment or to represent a standard of medical care. Individual circumstances will determine variations that may be appropriate.
Financial Disclosure: The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, of which Dr Beaudet is chair, derives revenue from genetic laboratory testing, including use of arrays for genomic copy-number analysis; Dr Winter has consulting agreements with AstraZeneca, P&G, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc, and UCB Inc Pharma and has received research grants from AstraZeneca, Centocor, Inc, P&G, Nutricia North America Inc, SHS, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc, UCB Inc Pharma and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; and the Autism Forum provided honoraria to all authors.
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- Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Pediatrics


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As a Candidate
Respect is key to Mercuri Urval's relationship with candidates.
The recruitment and selection process is about bringing together two parties – an organisation that needs specific capabilities to fill a role, and an individual having those specific capabilities.
The most effective recruitment processes promote mutual respect, making sure both parties benefit fully. And in the long term, Mercuri Urval is there to make sure each candidate settles and evolves in their new workplace. Because even the best matched candidate's performance can be helped to improve.
Throughout the interview sessions, the interviewee's personal and professional privacy is protected, as is any sensitive information regarding our client.
Our interviews with candidates are often conducted together with our client. These interviews focus on your achievements, aspirations and preferences. At the end of the interview we provide immediate feedback and some conclusions.
Our sincere hope is that every candidate – whether selected or not – gets valuable input and advice concerning his or her strengths, limitations and future career prospects.


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Courtesy L.G. Herndon Jr. FarmsA worker field packs Lil' Bo's brand baby Vidalia onions for L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms, Lyons, Ga.LYONS, Ga. — Demand isn't growing by double digits, but green Vidalia onions marketed as "salad" onions under a variety of brands have earned a loyal customer base since their introduction a decade or so ago.
Several growers and shippers offer the so-called baby Vidalias, which are usually sold in bunches of three. Generally they are about the size of a ping pong or golf ball, and growers harvest on demand according to incoming orders.
L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms entered the baby Vidalia deal three years ago with Lil' Bo's, named after owner L.G. "Bo" Herndon Jr.
"We start shipping them around Thanksgiving and keep going until the end of April or first part of May," Herndon said. "We've had good, consistent response."
The immature Vidalias are field packed after being hand harvested and cleaned. Green tops are left on and can be chopped up along with the onion bulb to add subtle, sweet onion flavor to salads, soups and other recipes, Herndon said.
Pittman Family Farms also grows and packs the "green" Vidalia onions, as they are referred to in Georgia statutes. All of the Pittman green Vidalias are marketed by Bland Farms, Glennville, Ga., as salad onions. The Pittman family has been growing and packing them for Bland since 2008, said Mitchell Pittman, partner.
Coral BeachMitchell Pittman shows some of the salad, aka baby, Vidalia onions harvested in early March at Pittman Family Farm, Lyons, Ga.Delbert Bland, president and owner of Bland Farms, said his company started shipping the young Vidalias about 10 years ago. He said one of the challenges is that the immature onions have an even shorter shelf life than their adult counterparts.
"They're field packed so they aren't dried. Their shelf life is only about six days so we don't pack ahead," Bland said.
Bryce Edmonson, Bland's chief executive officer, described the salad Vidalias as a definite niche product.
"They're not even a blip on the radar screen," he said. "Not even 1% of our total business."
Bland said that doesn't mean he will stop shipping the young Vidalias.
"Demand is across the board for them and we are in our second or third year of mail orders for them," Bland said. "As long as there is a demand, we'll keep shipping."


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Pick of the Day: The Great Interior Design Challenge, BBC2
PROPERTY: The Great Interior Design Challenge, 7pm, BBC2
The search for Britain's best amateur interior designers begins with the first of eight heats.
Would-be interior designers Sarah, Helen and James take on three large bedrooms in Edwardian homes in the leafy north London district of Muswell Hill.
They have 48 hours, £1,000 and a builder to make real the homeowners' briefs.
As well as impressing the homeowners, they must also satisfy judges Daniel Hopwood and Sophie Robinson (above).
But only one designer can make it through to the quarter-final.


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2016 Volvo S80 is a premium car that can be used every day and will steal the attention of many people. New Volvo S80 is expected to have experienced change and improvement. Volvo S80 latest rumored ready to enliven the market otomotid globally this year. The all New Volvo S80 will design the look out which offers more elegant and stylish. We will discuss the specifications 2016 Volvo S80 for premium sedan car lovers.
2016 Volvo S80 Concept Design
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2016 Volvo S80 Engine
2016 Volvo S80 sedan premium will offer impressive performance. Volvo S80 is rumored to be prepared with the use of large machines. Volvo S80 will use the machine 2.0-liter inline four engine that will generate power sekiter 258 horsepower. And Volvo S80 is available with an inline four engine and turbocharged engines supercharged 2.0 liter for 300 horsepower for higher trim.
2016 Volvo S80 Release Date and Price
2016 Volvo S80 which will come with a more premium look and stylish that will get amazed a lot of people. According to rumors circulating, the release date of 2016 Volvo S80 will be launched at the beginning of this year. As for the 2016 Volvo S80 price information is expected to be sold for $ 40,000 to $ 60,000.