Cultural influences on the development of lateral preferences: a comparison between French and Tunisian children

We compared the development of laterality in two cultures that differ in pressure against left-handedness. Tunisian children, who are discouraged by their parents from using their left hand for all food-related activities, were compared to French children, who are allowed to use either the left or right hand. The subjects were 5, 7, and 9 years of age. To check the development of laterality, we tested hand preference (for writing and for performing 14 other manual activities), right-left performance difference, eye preference, and foot preference. The results showed that the frequency of left-handedness and left-eyedness was lower among Tunisian than among French children; this was particularly clear at age 5. Group difference almost disappeared in primary school children. Footedness did not differ between the two groups. Tunisian right-hand writers, although they probably included some children who might not have been right-handed without the cultural pressure, were not less consistent than French right-hand writers on the 14-item scale; they even showed a greater performance difference in favour of the right hand than the French on the pegboard task. These results may indicate that cultural pressure influences handedness at an early age, perhaps by leading towards right-handedness in children whose genetic background might otherwise have induced a chance-determined pattern of handedness.     

The effects of reading-writing direction on the asymmetry of space perception and directional tendencies: a comparison between French and Tunisian children

We compared the influence of reading and writing habits on the asymmetry of space perception and the directional tendencies of French and Tunisian right-handers, aged 5, 7, and 9 years. By comparing two groups of children who use the opposite direction for writing (from left to right for French, from right to left for Arabic), before and after being taught to read in school, we evaluated the impact of writing direction on these asymmetries. A bisection task, a circle-drawing task, and a dot-filling task were used to assess spatial asymmetries and directional tendencies. On the bisection task, a group difference emerged at 9 years, with the French children bisecting the line to the left of the true centre, and the Tunisian children showing no bias. On the circle-drawing task, there was a group difference from 7 years on, as the French children, but not the Tunisian children, used increasing counterclockwise movements. Finally, on the dot-filling task performed with the right hand, the French children filled in significantly more dots when going from left to right from 7 years on, whereas Tunisian children filled in more dots when going from right to left. These results show the impact of basic tendencies in younger children (ipsilateral bias in line bisection, clockwise direction in circle drawing, outward tendency for horizontal displacement in dot filling), as well as the impact of writing direction on spatial asymmetries after learning to read. The results are also discussed in reference to the differences between the two languages, the closeness of the French direction of writing to spontaneous neural-based tendencies, and the influence of learning French at age 8 for the Tunisian children.     

Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess potential relationships of race and socioeconomic status (SES) to bedtime behavior from a community sample of 2- to 7-year-old children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A previously validated sleep questionnaire was administered to parents of children enrolled in the Jefferson County, Kentucky school system. The sleep behavior of African-American (n=973) and Caucasian (n=2398) children was analyzed. Median annual income of residential zip codes was used as a proxy for SES. RESULTS: Mean age was 4.8+/-1.1 years. Two composite 'sleep behavior scores' were generated related to excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-related behavior. Children in the lower SES group had significantly more impaired 'sleep behavior scores' than those in the higher SES group, regardless of race or age. African-American children had later bedtimes than Caucasian children with similar rise times, resulting in significantly shorter sleep duration and more excessive daytime sleepiness, independent of SES and age. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural variables impact sleep-related behavior in children. Race and SES have independent relationships with sleep behavior. Independent of SES, African-American children sleep less due to later bedtimes. SES does play a role, however, in parentally reported sleep-related behavior problems. Thus, cultural variables such as race and SES are important modifiers of sleep behaviors in children and should be addressed in sleep education programs.     

Visual attending preferences in children with autism spectrum disorders: A comparison between live and video presentation modes

Visual attending patterns of children with ASD differ from those of typically developing (TD) children. Children with ASD spend less time visually attending to relevant people and stimuli than do TD children. Impaired visual attending patterns can greatly decrease the effectiveness of therapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of presentation modality on the visual attending profiles of children with ASD and typically developing (TD) peers. In the study, the children watched puppet shows presented in two presentation modes: live (in person) and video. The amount of time that the children visually attended to the puppet shows was measured. Overall, typically developing children visually attended significantly longer to the shows than the children with ASD. Both children with ASD and TD children attended longer to the video presentations than to the live presentations. All of the children with ASD showed a visual preference for the video presentation relative to the live presentation. The results show that visual attending of children with ASD can be influenced by presentation mode. Establishing the variables that increase visual attending may improve the effectiveness of intervention techniques developed for individuals with ASD.     

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A comparison between French and North-American white patients

ObjectiveTo compare French and American white patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and to determine prognostic factors associated with visual loss.MethodsMedical records of all consecutive white patients with definite IIH seen between 2001 and 2006 in three French tertiary care medical centers and one American tertiary medical center were reviewed. Demographics, associated clinical features, and visual function at presentation and follow-up were collected. French white patients were compared to American white patients.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-four patients (66 French, 68 American) were included. American patients were 8.7 times more likely than French patients to have visual acuity 20/60 or worse or visual field constriction (95% CI: 2.1–36.1, p = 0.0001). American patients were treated more aggressively than French patients. French patients were older (31 vs. 28 years, p = 0.02) and more likely to have anemia (20 vs. 2%, p < 0.001). American patients had a longer duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis (12 vs. 4 weeks, p = 0.01) and longer follow-up than French patients (26 vs. 11 months, p = 0.001). Multivariable analysis found that nationality was an independent risk factor for visual loss. French and American patients did not differ regarding gender proportion, frequency of obesity, sleep apnea, endocrine diseases, or systemic hypertension. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressures were similar in both groups.ConclusionAmerican patients with IIH had worse visual outcomes than French patients despite more aggressive treatment. These differences are not explained by differences in previously known risk factors.     

On the mediating effects of pregnancy and birth stress events on the relation between lateral preferences and cognitive functioning in healthy school-aged children

If the pathological left-handedness theory is valid, left-handed people who also experienced pregnancy and birth stress events (PBSEs) would especially be expected to deviate from the cognitive norm (rather than left-handers in general). This hypothesis was tested in a large sample of healthy children (aged 6.6-15.9 years). Multiple cognitive abilities were assessed, including verbal fluency and working memory. Children with a left lateral preference who also experienced a PBSE did not deviate from the cognitive norm. Age was positively associated with all cognitive measures, and mean level of parental education strongly affected verbal fluency functioning.     

A genetic interaction between the APP and Dab1 genes influences brain development

The Dab1 docking protein is required for the proper organization of brain laminae and for a signal transduction pathway initiated by Reelin binding to the ApoER2 and VLDLR receptors on the cell surface of neurons. Dab1 physically interacts with APP; however, it is not known whether the APP gene influences Dab1 function. Here we demonstrate a genetic interaction between Dab1 and APP. Dab1-hypomorphic animals have neuronal ectopias in the neocortex and reduced cerebellar volume, possibly a consequence of Purkinje cell misplacement. These phenotypes are exacerbated in transgenic animals overexpressing a mutant form of APP, APP(swe), which is characterized by increased processing at the beta-secretase site. The Dab1-hypomorphic phenotype is improved in the cerebellum of animals that are deficient for APP. Together this suggests that APP expression constrains the consequences of Dab1 activity during brain development.     

A comparison of the electroencephalogram between institutionalized and community children in Romania

Electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected from a sample of institutionalized infants and young children in Bucharest, Romania, and were compared with EEG data from age-matched children from the local community who had never been institutionalized and who were living with their families in the Bucharest area. Compared with the never-institutionalized group, the institutionalized group showed a pattern of increased low-frequency (theta) power in posterior scalp regions and decreased high-frequency (alpha and beta) power, particularly at frontal and temporal electrode sites. This finding is consistent with EEG studies of children facing environmental adversity and children with learning disorders. The institutionalized group also showed less marked hemispheric EEG asymmetries than the never-institutionalized group, particularly in the temporal region. The results are discussed in the context of two models: that the pattern of EEG in the institutionalized children reflects a maturational lag in nervous system development, or that it reflects tonic cortical hypoactivation.     

Postnatal development of rat alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors: A comparison between tissues

The rates of development of rat kidney α- and β-adrenoceptors were compared with those of heart and lung adrenoceptors in the same animals by direct binding studies using [³H]WB4101 (α₁), [³H]yohimbine (α₂) and [¹²⁵I]HYP (β). Kidney α₁ and β-adrenoceptors had reached adult concentrations 7 days after birth, while the α₂-adrenoceptor concentration plateaued at 21 days. Lung β-adrenoceptor concentration was stable initially, then increased rapidly to adult levels by 18 days. In contrast, heart α₁-and β-adrenoceptor concentrations were at mature levels at birth. In all tissues studied the increase in noradrenaline concentration was slower than the increases in adrenoceptor concentrations.     

Cerebellar medulloblastomas: a comparison between adults and children

A retrospective analysis of 19 medulloblastomas in patients aged 2 to 24 years was conducted employing 14 children (<15 years old) and 5 adults. All patients received gross total excision of the tumour with postoperative craniospinal irradiation. The patients were then followed up for more than 5 years. To determine which factors influenced the prognosis of these two age groups, we analysed the differences of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the degree of tumour invasion and the outcome between adult and childhood medulloblastomas. In summary, medulloblastomas in adults and children had similar cell proliferative activity and long term survival rates but the tumours with brain stem invasion, which commonly occurred in children, had an early recurrence rate and a poor prognosis. The prognosis of medulloblastoma may depend upon the degree of tumour invasion of the brain stem.     

A cross cultural comparison of French and Dutch disturbed children using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)

Parents, mostly mothers, of French and Dutch children who had been referred to Mental Health Services, completed the CBCL to indicate the behaviour problems that their children suffered from. The 85 items which had been found in the USA to measure eight types of disturbed behaviour, called the cross-informant syndromes, were studied to see if a similar set of dimensions of disturbed behaviour would underlie the Dutch and French CBCL scores. Seven types of disturbance were found which corresponded to the equivalent cross informant syndromes, but thought problems had no similar sort of disorder amongst the Dutch and French children. It was found that only 43 items were necessary to measure these seven dimensions. It was concluded that despite differences in language, culture and the pattern of mental health services, the CBCL scores could be used to make meaningful clinical comparisons of psychiatric disturbances.     

应用枕下外侧入路和远外侧入路处理下斜坡病变的解剖学量化对比研究

目的通过对成人头颅标本相关解剖进行测量和量化分析,为下斜坡及枕大孔腹侧病变手术入路的选择提供依据.方法根据枕大孔前正中点与枕髁后缘连线垂直距离(AOCP)/枕大孔纵经(FML)的比值将成人头颅标本分组,分析每组采用不同手术入路时对枕大孔腹侧区显露角度的差异.结果100例成人头颅标本分为3组:Ⅰ组(小枕髁型)占8%,Ⅱ组(中枕髁型)占74%,Ⅲ组(大枕髁型)占18%.Ⅰ组中角A和角B之间无统计学差异,但Ⅱ、Ⅲ组中角A与角B之间存在显著性差异(角A、角B分别表示磨除枕髁后1/3前、后的显露角度).结论枕髁大小变异较大.对于下斜坡及枕大孔腹侧病变,小型枕髁病人术中无需磨除枕髁,采用枕下外侧入路即可获得理想的显露.对于中、大型枕髁病人,磨除枕髁后可提供更大的观察视角,因此宜采用远外侧经髁人路.应用CT行三维骨性重建,明确枕髁的类型对手术入路的选择具有指导意义.     

Epilepsy surgery program in Tunisia: An example of a Tunisian French collaboration

ObjectiveTo describe the first Tunisian epilepsy surgery program establishment and to emphasize on its originality that is an exchange and surgery decision taken by two Mediterranean neurophysiological teams, via the Internet.MethodsPatients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and refractory to antiepileptic drugs were included. A noninvasive protocol evaluation including a detailed history, neurological evaluation, brain imaging, scalp video-EEG monitoring and neuropsychological evaluation were performed. The different findings were discussed between the Neurophysiological Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital of Tunis and Rouen through the EUMEDCONNECT Internet network project. If cases of concordance of clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging data and video-EEG recordings, surgery was indicated.Results15 patients (7 women and 8 men) with mean age of 30 years were included. 10 patients had right hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and 5 had left HS. MRI findings were concordant with the ictal EEG in 12 patients. One patient had bitemporal ictal EEG abnormalities and right HS on MRI. One patient had contralateral ictal clinical and EEG patterns to the side of HS. One patient had temporal ‘plus’ epilepsy. Surgery was performed in 10 cases. After surgery, all patients are seizure free, with no operative mortality or major surgery complications.ConclusionOur model of twin affiliations between advanced epilepsy surgery programs in a developed country and starting programs in a developing country, using Internet technology, can be a model for collaboration in other countries.     

Reports of sexual abuse of children in state care: A comparison between children with and without intellectual disability

Background Little is known about the nature and reactions to sexual abuse of children with intellectual disability (ID). The aim was to fill this gap.

Method Official reports of sexual abuse of children with ID in state care were examined (N?=?128) and compared with children without ID (N?=?48).

Results Clear signs of penetration or genital touching by male (adolescent) peers or (step/foster)fathers were found in most ID reports. Victims often received residential care and disclosed themselves. Type of perpetrator seemed to affect the nature and reaction to the abuse. Cases of children with and without ID seemed to differ in location and reports to police.

Conclusions Screening of (foster)homes seems crucial. Residential facilities should find a balance between independence of children and protection. Care providers should be trained in addressing sexual issues and sexual education, accounting for different types of perpetrators (peers/adults). Uniform reporting guidelines are needed.     

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: possible role of environmental influences

This treatise briefly discusses the genetic features of ALS and reviews environmental exposures in sporadic ALS. At least 10 genetic foci are responsible for cases of familial motor neuron disease and more are yet to be discovered. Research into sporadic ALS suggests that abundant factors apparently participate in the disease process. A singular cause and unifying disease and nerve dysfunction in polyneuropathies, a multitude of genetic, toxic, autoimmune, infectious, and systematic processes seem to be at play. The ALS syndrome likely will not be dissimilar.     

Homes of TMR children: comparison between American and Japanese families

A cross-cultural study was conducted to examine the extent to which certain environment-child development relationships can be generalized across two cultures. Participants were 103 trainable mentally retarded (TMR) children and their families in Japan and 88 TMR children and their families in the United States. The relation between cognitive stimulation and cultural opportunities at home and the children's social competence appeared to generalize across both cultures; however, the relation between affective and emotional aspects of parental behavior and the children's emotional adjustment appeared to be culture-specific. The cross-cultural difference in home environment was interpreted in terms of qualitative difference in parental values and expectations regarding the children's behavior.     

Properties of neurons in cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus: A comparison between medial interlaminar and laminated parts of the nucleus

We studied the receptive field properties of 460 cells in the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd), 108 cells were located in the medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN) and 352 in the laminated part of the LGNd. In both the MIN and laminated parts of the LGNd, relay cells belonging to all three functional classes (W, X and Y) have been identified. Of cells in the laminated LGNd, about 32.5% were Y cells, about 54.5% were X cells and about 8.5% were W cells. By contrast, in the MIN, about 84% were Y cells, only about 4.5% being X cells and about 7.5%, W cells. In the laminated LGNd, Y cells represented 25% of cells with receptive fields near the area centralis (0–3° eccentricity group) and about 42% in the group of cells with the most peripherally located receptive fields (20–40° eccentricity group). A similar but much weaker trend was observed in the MIN. In the laminated LGNd but not in the MIN the receptive field center sizes increased with increasing eccentricity of receptive field position. At any eccentricity, receptive field centers of MIN Y cells tended to be larger than those of Y cells in the laminated LGNd. Response latency ranges to orthodromic and antidromic stimulation were the same for cells located in the laminated LGNd and those in the MIN. However, the mean response latency to stimulation of the optic chiasm was significantly shorter for Y cells in MIN than for Y cells in the laminated LGNd. Our results suggest that the most numerous cells observed histologically in the MIN, class 1 cells of Guillery ('66) are morphological equivalents of Y cells.     

A functional MRI study of simple arithmetic--a comparison between children and adults

The purpose of this study was to examine brain areas involved in simple arithmetic, and to compare these areas between adults and children. Eight children (four girls and four boys; age, 9-14 years) and eight adults (four women and four men; age, 40-49 years) were subjected to this study. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed during mental calculation of addition, subtraction, and multiplication of single digits. In each group, the left middle frontal, bilateral inferior temporal and bilateral lateral occipital cortices were activated during each task. The adult group showed activation of the right frontal cortex during addition and multiplication tasks, but the children group did not. Activation of the intraparietal cortex was observed in the adult group during each task. Although, activation patterns were slightly different among tasks, as well as between groups, only a small number of areas showed statistically significant differences. The results indicate that cortical networks involved in simple arithmetic are similar among arithmetic operations, and may not show significant changes in the structure during the second decade of life.