A Novel MYCN Variant Associated with Intellectual Disability Regulates Neuronal Development

The V-MYC avian myelocytomatosis viral-related onco- gene, a neuroblastoma-derived gene （MYCN, MIM： 164840） located on chromosome 2p24, was previously found to be associated with Feingold syndrome 1 （FGLDS1, MIM： 164280） [1]. FGLDS1 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by variable combinations of microcephaly, limb malformations, esophageal and duodenal atresias, and learning disabilities. Cardiac and renal malformations, vertebral anomalies, and deafness have also been described in a minority of patients [2]. Despite the involvement of intellectual disability in FGLDS1, the molecular mechanisms of the MYCN gene in regulating brain development remain largely unclear.Some truncated mutations in the N terminus of the MYCN have been identified in FGLDS1 [1, 3].

Virtual reality based multiple life skill training for intellectual disability:A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Life skill-based training is essential for intellectual disabled individuals to regain autonomy and social inclusion.Virtual reality(VR)could deliver a nascent application that is more engaging and secure.The objective of this study was to evaluate the training effects of the VR-based multiple life skill training program on life skill perfor-mance,self-efficacy,memory,cognitive and behavioral functions via a multicenter randomized controlled trial.A total of 145 intellectual disabled participants were recruited for a randomized controlled trial with three in-tervention arms:VR(n=42);traditional(n=53);and control(n=50).The life skill tasks for the interventions included 1)grocery shopping,2)cooking,and 3)kitchen cleaning.Outcome measures were performance scores for the three tasks,self-efficacy scale,digit span score,and Frontal Assessment Battery score,graded by blinded assessors.Before-after effects of each group were evaluated using separated Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests.VR sig-nificantly improved cooking,cleaning performance,and memory span,while traditional training significantly improved shopping,cooking,and cleaning tasks.The generalized estimating equation evaluated effects between groups adjusted for age,gender and intelligence quotient(IQ).VR had significantly larger improvement effects in cooking and cleaning than the control group and memory span compared to traditional training and controls groups.IQ appeared to be a significant confounder on the training effect.Future work may consider developing artificial intelligence to customize programs depending on IQ level.

Progress of economic geography in China＇s mainland since 2000

Economic geography in China＇s mainland has developed in a different way from that in many other countries. On the one hand, it has been increasingly active in participating in academic dialogues and knowledge development led by Anglophone countries; on the other hand, it takes practice-based and policy-oriented research, i.e. satisfying the demands from the Chinese government and society, as the linchpin of research. Since there has been a lot of literature reviewing the development of economic geography in the country before the new millennium, this paper will make a comprehensive analysis of the discipline in 2000–2015, based on a bibliometric survey and research projects done by Chinese economic geographers. The analysis indicates that（1） economic geography research in China＇s mainland is unevenly distributed but concentrated in several leading institutions;（2） traditional research fields like human-nature system, regional disparity, industrial location and transportation geography remain dominant while new topics such as globalization, multinational corporations and foreign direct investments, information and communication technology, producer services, climate change and carbon emission emerge as important research areas;（3） Chinese economic geography is featured by policy-oriented research funded by government agencies, having considerable impacts on regional policy making in China, both national and regional. To conclude, the paper argues that the development of economic geography in China＇s mainland needs to follow a dual track in the future, i.e. producing knowledge for the international academic community and undertaking policy-oriented research to enhance its role as a major consulting body for national, regional and local development.