Event-related potentials elicited during a visual Go-Nogo task in adults with phenylketonuria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the nature of previously reported deficits in sustained attention and response inhibition in adults with the developmental disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU). METHODS: This study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine the performance of PKU adults (n=9) and a matched control group (n=9) on a visual Go-Nogo task. RESULTS: Comparison of behavioural measures between the PKU and control groups failed to reach statistical significance, yet analysis of the ERPs showed statistically significant amplitude reductions in the P1 and N1 components elicited following presentation of stimuli, and a reduction in the amplitude of the N2 component elicited following presentation of Nogo stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adults with PKU, despite being continuously treated from birth, manifest subtle impairments in distinct aspects of information processing including early sensory processing of visually presented information, as well as impairments in inhibitory functions. SIGNIFICANCE: The results contribute to an understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms that are implicated in PKU and highlight the sensitivity of ERP techniques for the identification of the loci of information processing deficits in clinical groups.     

Effects of group socialization procedures on the social interactions of preschool children

We investigated the effects of group socialization procedures on the social behavior of preschool children in two studies. Group socialization procedures consisted of teachers using antecedent and consequent events to promote social interaction during children's games. During intervention, teachers discussed friendship with the children and then prompted and praised child-child social responding within the context of games. Children's social behavior was assessed during two sessions, group game periods (i.e., intervention sessions) and nonintervention play periods (i.e., generalization sessions). In both studies, a multiple baseline design across two target children and peers in their respective group was used to evaluate the effects of group socialization procedures. During group game periods, after intervention, target children increased their rates of both prompted and unprompted social interactions with peers. Also, in nonintervention play periods, target children improved both the rate and the duration of their social responding with peers. Results indicated that group socialization procedures were a practical and effective method for improving young children's social interaction during both structured games and unstructured play activities.     

Prognostic value of c-erbB-2 expression in uterine cervical carcinoma.

AIMS: To study the pattern of expression and prognostic importance of c-erbB-2 protein in cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Sixty two cases of stage IB/IIA cervical carcinoma, representing the three main tumour types, were investigated immunohistochemically for the presence of c-erbB-2 protein expression, using a monoclonal antibody (CB11) to its internal domain. Follow up of at least five years' duration was available in all cases. RESULTS: Definite membrane staining was seen in 38.7% of cases. There was a strong correlation with poor survival (p less than 0.0001) particularly. For those with adenocarcinomas, this was the case when nodal metastases were present. In contrast, for squamous carcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas, the association with a poor prognosis was most apparent in those patients without lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise the possibility that immunostaining for c-erbB-2 protein could be used as a prognostic marker and may help identify those patients for whom early adjuvant treatment might be beneficial.