Treatment of sound errors in aphasia and apraxia of speech: Effects of phonological complexity

BACKGROUND: Recent research suggests that the complexity of treatment stimuli influences the effectiveness of treatment. However, no studies have examined the role of complexity on sound production treatment in adult individuals with sound production impairments. AIMS: This study examines effects of syllable complexity on treatment outcome in two patients with acquired sound production problems. Complexity is defined in terms of syllable structure: clusters are more complex than singletons. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design, we address the question: Is treatment of complex syllables more effective than treatment of simple syllables? METHODS #ENTITYSTARTX00026; PROCEDURES: Two patients with aphasia and apraxia of speech were trained to produce complex or simple syllables (using modelling). Improvement was measured by percent correct on a word and nonword repetition test. OUTCOMES #ENTITYSTARTX00026; RESULTS: We found that both treatment on simple syllables and treatment on complex syllables led to improved production of simple syllables, while treatment of complex syllables also led to improvement on some complex syllables for one of the two patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggests that training complex items is more effective than training simple items, at least for some patients. Possible reasons for lack of stronger effects are discussed, as well as directions for future research.     

Increased survival from peritonitis after blockade of transdiaphragmatic absorption of bacteria

Based upon the knowledge that bacteria in the peritoneal cavity gain access to circulating blood by way of transdiaphragmatic absorption into lymph, a study was carried out to determine whether this absorption protects or endangers the host. Blockade of absorption produced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) or by scarification of the peritoneal surface of the diaphragm increased survival time in rats with double colonic perforation from 20 per cent in control rats to 86 and 93 per cent, respectively. Each of these maneuvers significantly increased the number of negative blood culture findings.     

Social contacts as a possible mechanism behind the relation between green space and health

This study explored whether social contacts are an underlying mechanism behind the relationship between green space and health. We measured social contacts and health in 10,089 residents of the Netherlands and calculated the percentage of green within 1 and a 3 km radius around the postal code coordinates for each individual's address. After adjustment for socio-economic and demographic characteristics, less green space in people's living environment coincided with feelings of loneliness and with perceived shortage of social support. Loneliness and perceived shortage of social support partly mediated the relation between green space and health.     

Radiological diagnosis of cervical trauma at the level C7/T1

Summary After a car accident a 23-year-old man was found to have rotational luxation of the cervical spine at the level C7/T1. The diagnosis was suspected from indirect signs on the ap X-ray and subsequently confirmed by conventional lateral tomography. Neurological symptoms were not present. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated dorsal protrusion of the intervertebral disc.

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Zusammenfassung Nach einem Verkehrsunfall fand sich bei einem 23jährigen Mann eine einseitige Luxation der Halswirbelsäule im Segment C7/T1. Die Diagnose wurde aufgrund indirekter Zeichen auf der ap-Übersichtsaufnahme der Halswirbelsäule vermutet und anschließend durch konventionelle laterale Tomographie bestätigt. Eine neurologische Symptomatik lag nicht vor. Die Kernspintomographie zeigte die dorsale Protrusion der Bandscheibe des luxierten Segments.

     

Modified creatine kinase-MB plots as a tool to detect perioperative myocardial infarction. Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity as compared with electrocardiographic changes

Based on electrocardiographic criteria, coronary artery bypass grafting patients were divided into two groups, one with and one without perioperative myocardial infarction. Serial total-creatine kinase activity did not discriminate between the two groups; however, serial creatine kinase-MB activity showed a consistent difference. Patients with perioperative myocardial infarction showed an increase, whereas patients without perioperative myocardial infarction showed a decrease during the postoperative period. The creatine kinase-MB plots showed a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.98 as compared with the electrocardiograms.     

Maximal expiratory and inspiratory flow-volume curves in bilateral vocal-cord paralysis. Changes after surgical treatment and comparison with glottic resistance characteristics

The maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) and maximal inspiratory flow-volume (MIFV) curve present maximal attainable flows, plotted against the displaced volume at the mouth during a forced expiratory manoeuvre from total lung capacity (TLC) and a subsequent forced inspiratory manoeuvre from residual volume (RV), respectively. Depending on the glottic resistance characteristics, the usual flow limitation may be absent during forced expiration, drastically influencing the form of MEFV curves. During forced inspiration however, the flow remains effort-dependent. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the form of MEFV and MIFV curves, and the glottic resistance characteristics, before and after an endolaryngeal superolateralization of a vocal cord, in 12 patients with bilateral vocal-cord paralysis. Peak expiratory and inspiratory flows were estimated with the aid of the measured glottic resistance characteristics on the assumption that the maximal alveolar pressures were normal during the manoeuvres. The estimated values agreed well with measured values. The form of the MEFV and MIFV curves was also found to be closely linked to the glottic resistance characteristics. It is concluded that the MEFV and MIFV curves are sensitive indicators of flow limitation in patients with upper-airway obstructions.     

Early-Pregnancy-Factor-Nachweis bei Schwangerschaften nach IVF

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The Rotterdam teletransducer: State of the device

Summary The developments of a telemetric device for monitoring intracranial pressure, the Rotterdam Teletransducer, are described. The major problem in telemetric pressure sensing devices consists of diffusion of water into the transducer, resulting in unpredictable zero drift. Therefore, special attention was paid to bonding techniques for sealing the transducer.The results of improved epoxy sealing, active metal brazing and glass bonding are described. In vitro tests showed transducers sealed with epoxy resin to be stable for two months. Using the more complicated tchniques of glass bonding and active metal brazing, hermetic seals could be achieved with stable transducers for over one year. In vivo functioning of the Rotterdam Teletransducer was tested in acute and chronic animal experiments. The in vivo results corresponded to those obtained in the in vitro experiments. Regression analysis between epidural and ventricular fluid pressure showed a one to one ratio.Results of clinical application of the device in 22 patients are described. Accurate depth setting of the transducer on the dura, according to the pressure depth curve, was shown to be essential.The device has also been used with success for non-invasive fontanelle pressure measurements in infants. The depth positioning of the transducer on the fontanelle according to a pressure depth curve is described.This paper has been awarded by the 1985 Casey Holter Memorial Prize by the Society for Research in Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.     

Effects of allergy and age on responses to salbutamol and ipratropium bromide in moderate asthma and chronic bronchitis.

The bronchodilating responses to 400 micrograms salbutamol and 80 micrograms ipratropium bromide were studied in 188 patients with chronic bronchitis (n = 113) or asthma (n = 75) and mild to moderate airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) above 50% but below 2 SD of predicted value) in a crossover study on two days a week apart. Both the patients with asthma and the patients with chronic bronchitis varied considerably in their responses to the salbutamol and the ipratropium bromide. The mean increase in FEV1 in the subjects with asthma was higher after salbutamol (0.371 or 18% of the prebronchodilator value) than after ipratropium bromide (0.26 1 or 13%). In chronic bronchitis there was no difference between the increase in FEV1 after salbutamol (0.161 or 7%) and after ipratropium bromide (0.191 or 8%). When patients were categorised into those with a better response to salbutamol 400 micrograms and those with a better response to ipratropium bromide 80 micrograms, patients with chronic bronchitis responded better in general to ipratropium bromide whereas asthmatic patients responded better to salbutamol. The response pattern was also related to allergy and age, allergic patients and patients under 60 being more likely to respond better to salbutamol 400 micrograms than non-allergic patients and older patients, who benefited more from ipratropium bromide 80 micrograms. The response pattern was not related to sex, smoking habits, lung function, bronchial reactivity, respiratory symptoms, or number of exacerbations during the preceding year.