Cochlear implants for pre-lingually profoundly deaf adults

Introduction: Increasing numbers of pre-lingually profoundly deaf adults are seeking a cochlear implant (CI). Pre- and post-operative outcomes are presented on 20 of these patients.

Results: An Adult Pre-Lingually Profoundly Deaf Implant Profile (APDIP) weighted the pre-operative level of concern about potential CI benefit. Results indicated no group mean post-operative open-set improvement. However CUNY sentence testing (auditory plus lip-reading cues) revealed improved performance with a CI. Twelve out of 20 patients used their CIs for more than 10 hours per day, suggesting good usage. Moreover, hours of usage were positively associated with measured benefit on CUNY sentences in the lip-reading plus sound via CI condition. There was no apparent relationship between pre-operative level of concern and post-operative CI performance or hours of processor use.

Conclusion: Results suggest implantation is beneficial and effective in this group.     

Congenital pancreatic hypoplasia: a syndrome of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency

We describe two brothers with small size at birth, early-onset insulin-dependent diabetes, and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. In contrast to the findings in pancreatic aplasia, their serum C-peptide and glucagon levels were measurable. These findings, in concert with their clinical courses, are consistent with the diagnosis of congenital pancreatic hypoplasia.     

Parainfluenza type 3 infection post stem cell transplant: high prevalence but low mortality

Parainfluenza type 3 (PIV 3) is a well-recognized cause of respiratory illness after stem cell transplantation (SCT), with an estimated incidence of 2-7% and a high mortality rate associated with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). A 12-month retrospective study was undertaken in which 23 positive cases of PIV 3 occurred in SCT recipients. The frequency of infection was 36.1% in matched unrelated donor SCT recipients, 23.8% in sibling allogeneic SCT recipients and 2.3% in autologous transplant recipients. Seventeen cases were outpatient or community acquired despite standard infection control measures. Eleven patients only developed upper respiratory tract symptoms. LRTI symptoms developed in 12 patients, of whom eight had a new infiltrate on chest X-ray. Overall mortality at 30 days from PIV 3 diagnosis was 4% (one patient). Four patients died within 100 days of PIV 3 diagnosis, but PIV 3 was not believed to be the primary cause of death in any of these patients. Early ribavirin was used in eight patients and only one patient who received ribavirin died. These results suggest a higher prevalence of PIV 3 but a lower mortality than documented previously, particularly in allogeneic transplant recipients. The authors propose that the high prevalence reflects the unit's policy of active surveillance for respiratory viruses and the difficulty in preventing transmission of PIV 3, especially in the outpatient setting during an outbreak period. Ribavirin treatment may improve outcome in patients with LRTI but is not required in all patients with PIV 3.     

The effects of thiosemicarbazide on development in the wood frog, Rana sylvatica. II. Critical exposure length and age sensitivity

Wood frog (Rana sylvatica) tadpoles were exposed to 50 mg thiosemicarbazide (TSC)/liter water for varying lengths of time and at different developmental stages. Short exposure periods (3 and 6 hr) resulted in no visible deformities. Exposure periods of 12 or more hr caused slight to severe abnormalities, with a direct relationship between length of exposure and degree of deformity. Tadpoles exposed to TSC from posthatching Days 24-30 were more seriously affected than were tadpoles exposed at an older age.     

Effects of skin storage conditions and concentration of applied dose on [3H]T-2 toxin penetration through excised human and monkey skin

Penetration of [3H]T-2 toxin through excised human and monkey skin stored at -60 degrees C was faster than through human and monkey skin stored at 4 degrees C, respectively. The permeability of refrigerated human skin was 34% of the permeability of refrigerated monkey skin. Increasing the concentration of [3H]T-2 toxin applied to the refrigerated monkey skin increased the amount of [3H]T-2 toxin penetrating the skin and enhanced the efficiency of penetration. Metabolites of [3H]T-2 toxin were identified in the receptor fluid bathing the dermal side of the excised human and monkey skin.     

Child Health and Pediatric Education in Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma Medical Center has a comprehensive program of pediatric training, research and patient care. Establishment of the Oklahoma Health Center and its Children's Medical Center on the University campus will provide expanded opportunities for training and research in cooperation with other organizations concerned with child health and development.