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.     

Validity and ethics of penile circumference measures of sexual arousal: A reply to McConaghy

McConaghy (1989) argued that the validity of penile circumference responses (PCRs) is at best unestablished and that penile volume responses (PVRs) have been demonstrated to be clearly superior indices of sexual arousal and orientation. In his critique, McConaghy stated that (i) penile erection has been incorrectly identified with sexual arousal, (ii) that PCRs have not been shown to accurately discriminate between divergent patterns of sexual arousal (including paraphilias), (iii) that the methodologies used to compare the two types of transducers are inappropriate, and (iv) that PCRs should not be used for diagnostic and treatment decisions. In this paper, McConaghy's criticisms are reviewed in the context of the existing literature on the subject. Although PCRs and PVRs involve different methodologies, they generally yield results that bear more similarities than differences. Furthermore, there is an extensive and growing literature on the use of PCR measures with various paraphilias. Several of McConaghy's arguments should be considered tentative while others are clearly unsubstantiated. Most of McConaghy's concerns over the validity and uses of PCR measures are empirical questions. Suggestions for future research are offered.     

Cocaine decreases self-control in rats: a preliminary report

Cocaine abuse is often associated with behavior that takes into account short-term, but not long-term consequences. However, there has been no empirical research concerning the effects of cocaine on self-control (choice of a larger, more delayed reinforcer over a smaller, less delayed reinforcer). In the present research, when food-deprived rats repeatedly chose between a larger, more delayed food reinforcer and a smaller, less delayed food reinforcer, chronic intraperitoneal injections of 15 mg/kg cocaine (but not 10 mg/kg fluoxetine) decreased the rats' choices of the larger, more delayed reinforcer. Cocaine can decrease rats' self-control.     

Use of protein A immunoadsorption as a treatment for thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected homosexual men: a retrospective evaluation of 37 cases.

Thirty-seven HIV-infected homosexual men with thrombocytopenia (less than 100 x 10(9)/l) received protein A immunoadsorption treatments to remove platelet-sensitizing immunoglobulin (Ig) G and circulating immune complexes (CIC) from plasma. Patients received an average of six treatments each, consisting of 250 ml plasma over a 3-week period. Clinical improvement in hemorrhagic symptoms associated with substantial increase in platelet counts was achieved in 18 patients. These responses were maintained over a median follow-up period of more than 7 months in 14 evaluable patients who were not lost to follow-up (three patients relapsed in 2 weeks and one received another therapy). Generally, moderate transient treatment-related side-effects included fever, musculoskeletal pain, chills and nausea. A transient serum sickness-like reaction was observed in seven patients, leading to termination of treatment in two. Clinical responses were associated with significant decreases in levels of platelet-sensitizing Ig, including CIC. Stimulation of broadly cross-reactive anti-antigen-binding fragment [F(ab)2], antibodies contributed to these responses. Protein A immunoadsorption is an effective alternative treatment for HIV-associated thrombocytopenia.     

Prenatal Stress Increases the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Response in Young and Adult Rats

Prenatal stress is considered as an early epigenetic factor able to induce long-lasting alterations in brain structures and functions. It is still unclear whether prenatal stress can induce long-lasting modifications in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. To test this possibility the effects of restraint stress in pregnant rats during the third week of gestation were investigated in the functional properties of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and hippocampal type I and type II corticosteroid receptors in the male offspring at 3, 21 and 90 days of age. Plasma corticosterone was significantly elevated in prenatally-stressed rats at 3 and 21 days after exposure to novelty. At 90 days of age, prenatally-stressed rats showed a longer duration of corticosterone secretion after exposure to novelty. No change was observed for type I and type II receptor densities 3 days after birth, but both receptor subtypes were decreased in the hippocampus of prenatally-stressed offspring at 21 and 90 days of life. These findings suggest that prenatal stress produces long term changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in the offspring.     

Advances in treatment of type II diabetes mellitus in the elderly.

Elderly diabetic patients are prone to the acute and subacute consequences of hyperglycemia, which can adversely affect health, well being, and quality of life. Every elderly patient with diabetes should be offered an individualized treatment plan, consisting of education, dietary counseling, and an exercise program. If fasting and postprandial glucose levels do not stay consistently in the desired range, then an oral hypoglycemic agent should be instituted at the lowest possible dose. When the oral hypoglycemic agent fails, it may be possible to achieve good glycemic control with the addition of insulin. Recent developments in insulin administration can optimize glycemic benefits and reduce potential adverse effects.