Analog language teaching versus natural language teaching: Generalization and retention of language learning for adults with autism and mental retardation

Examined the effects of two instructional methods on language generalization and longterm retention in 23 adults with autism and severe to profound mental retardation. Analog language teaching employed discrete trials in a controlled setting concentrating on discrimination and identification of materials. Natural language teaching emphasized instruction through interactions that occurred incidentally to training students in the use of materials to perform functional tasks. Assessments were conducted under conditions favoring analog teaching to assure against partiality toward natural language teaching. Under such disadvantageous conditions, the methods of natural language teaching would be supported by results showing either no difference or an advantage in their favor. Both techniques increased initial and long-term generalization though the results suggest no relative superiority for either method under these assessment conditions. A significant interaction was found between prior functioning level and sequence of instruction. Because natural language teaching has many strengths, few drawbacks, and produces equal generalization and retention under disadvantageous conditions, it is strongly supported as preferable for people with autism and mental retardation.The authors acknowledge the important assistance provided by the following people: the staff and management of the Behavior Development and Learning Center at CSH/DC directed by Israel Perel, Lisa Kramer, Steve Hafferkamp, James Lowdermilk, and, finally, and especially, to the participants themselves.     

The effect of endurance training on serum triiodothyronine kinetics in man: physical conditioning marked by enhanced thyroid hormone metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between endurance training, aerobic capacity, and T3 metabolism in healthy euthyroid men. DESIGN: T3 kinetic studies performed on two groups of subjects differentiated on the basis of physical activity status and aerobic capacity. SUBJECTS: Five endurance-trained athletes and five sedentary controls (mean +/- SD VO2 max = 48.2 +/- 7.1 vs 23.2 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/min, respectively) matched for age, body surface area, lean body mass, and baseline thyroid function. MEASUREMENTS: Kinetic analysis performed using serial serum T3 levels measured following oral T3 administration. Metabolic clearance rate, total volume of distribution, disposal rate, and total body pool calculated using non-compartmental analysis. RESULTS: When normalized for lean body mass, all kinetic parameters were 25-38% greater in the athletic group compared to controls (P < 0.05). Total volume of distribution, disposal rate, and total body pool were positively correlated with aerobic capacity (r = +0.69 to +0.79; P < 0.05). Metabolic clearance rate was positively correlated to a non-significant degree. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the findings of prior studies that thyroid hormone metabolism is altered by physical conditioning. In addition, we demonstrated a positive correlation between aerobic capacity and several parameters of T3 kinetics. Differences in absolute lean body mass cannot explain these findings; rather it appears that there is something qualitatively different in the way endurance-trained tissue processes thyroid hormone, compared to untrained tissue. The study was not designed to elucidate these differences at the cellular level; however, it does support a link between muscle physiology and T3 activity and may suggest a physiological role for thyroid hormone in physical conditioning.     

Providing a quality service in the recovery room: setting up a standard setting group.

At the time of writing, January 1992, we are in the very early stages of setting up a standard setting group, and as such this article reflects our current thinking on why it is desirable, perhaps even necessary to do this and how we envisage assuring quality care for our patients in the recovery room.     

Hypothesis: association of the critical region of trisomy 18 and 18q2—syndrome with dermatoglyphic findings and a growth suppressor (deleted in colon cancer) locus

Evidence from the literature is reviewed to suggest that when fingertip dermal ridge patterns in chromosomal deletion syndromes are characteristic of the opposite spectrum of the developmental scale from patterns found in cases trisomic for the same chromosomal region, the association may be a consequence of loci with growth regulatory functions. Evidence is presented that DNA markers at 18q21 should be the first candidate sequences to be used to test this hypothesis in families with fingertip arches segregating in an apparent autosomal dominant fashion.     

Is antibiotic prophylaxis necessary for routine urodynamic investigations? A controlled study in 100 patients

The value of a prophylactic antibiotic before a routine cystometrogram has been assessed in a controlled trial of 100 patients. The infection rate was low and not statistically different in both groups. Subsequent symptoms of dysuria and haematuria had a mechanical aetiology.     

Long-term results and complications of preoperative radiation in the treatment of rectal cancer

A retrospective study of 149 patients with rectal cancer diagnosed between 1972 and 1979 was undertaken to compare survival, disease-free survival, recurrence sites, and long-term complications of 40 patients who received 4000 to 4500 rads of preoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (radiation group) with those of 109 patients treated by resection alone (control group). After a mean follow-up of 84 months and 99 months, respectively, survival of the irradiated patients was significantly better than that of controls (68% versus 52%, p less than 0.05). Disease-free survival of those patients rendered free of disease by treatment was also superior for the irradiated group (84% versus 57%, p less than 0.005). Local recurrence without signs of distant metastases developed only one-third as often in irradiated patients (6% versus 18%). Distant metastases, alone or in combination with local recurrence, were also less common after radiation (12% versus 27%). Second primary tumors developed in 15% and 10% of the respective groups, a difference that was not statistically significant. When we consider the survival benefit of preoperative radiation therapy, long-term complications were relatively mild. Delayed healing of the perineum was noted in two irradiated patients. Persistent diarrhea was severe enough to warrant treatment in only one case, and one patient required a colostomy for intestinal obstruction from pelvic fibrosis.     

Base deficit stratifies mortality and determines therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of base deficit with mortality and other factors affecting mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive samples of 3791 trauma patients admitted with an arterial blood gas sample taken in the first 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, injury mechanism, head injury, shock (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg), Revised Trauma Score, TRISS probability of survival Ps, and mortality. RESULTS: Most (3038) patients (80.1%) exhibited a base deficit. Base deficit, age, injury mechanism, and head injury were associated with mortality using logistic regression. Age less than 55 years, no head injury, and a base deficit of -15 mmol/L were associated with 25% mortality. Age greater than or equal to 55 years with no head injury or age less than 55 years with a head injury and a base deficit of -8 mmol/L were associated with a 25% mortality. When shock was added to the model, all factors remained significant, and base deficit was supplemental to blood pressure. Base deficit also added significantly to the Revised Trauma Score and TRISS measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The base deficit is an expedient and sensitive measure of both the degree and the duration of inadequate perfusion. It is useful as a clinical tool and enhances the predictive ability of both the Revised Trauma Score and TRISS.