Mechanical pointer for use with handicapped children

For the nonverbal cerebral palsy child, communication with the outside world is a major problem. With those c.p. children who do not suffer complete limb paralysis, limb movement is at least very spastic and prevents them from using normal keyboard writing devices or instruments. During recent years a number of special communication devices have been developed for the use of such children and these range from simple mechanical systems to sophisticated, but costly, electronic systems. The paper describes a simple, inexpensive, yet useful, mechanicalpointer system for such handicapped children, which can be used for a multiaddress communications system as well as a drawing or art instrument for severely involved children.     

Interstrain variability of larval photokinesis inDrosophila melanogaster

Larvae from seven laboratory strains and eight isofemale lines ofDrosophila melanogaster differ significantly with regard to their responses to light in a photokinesis assay in which the larvae are tested en masse. Larvae from the CA-2 laboratorystock fail to disperse on assay plates, although observations of individual CA-2 larvae suggest that the larvae are repelled by light. Larvae from all of the other laboratory stocks and all of the isofemale lines (except LI2 and NC5) avoid light in the photokinesis assay. Larvae from some stocks are much more strongly repelled by light than larvae from other stocks. LI2 larvae are unresponsive to light in most replicates of the photokinesis assay, while NC5 larvae are consistently unresponsive to light. Observations of F₁ heterozygotes suggest that the allele(s) that affects the vision of LI2 and NC5 larvae has net effects on the animals' behavior that are partially dominant and recessive, respectively.     

The design and implementation of hospital-based coordinated care programs

This article contains the initial findings of an ongoing evaluation of a hospital-based coordinated care demonstration. The goal of the demonstration is to investigate the appropriateness and feasibility of providing hospital-based case management services for extended periods to elderly individuals living in the community. The rationale for the demonstration is reviewed, and the structure of each participating hospital's coordinated care program is described. Data are presented on the characteristics of clients served by the programs during the first six months of the demonstration. The factors that influenced implementation and early operations of these programs are analyzed, and their implications for hospital managers are discussed.     

Spectral sensitivity of wild-type and mutant Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Wild-type (Canton-S) Drosophila melanogaster larvae are generally repelled by white light. Mutant larval photokinesis A (lphA) larvae are less strongly repelled than controls. Mutant Larval photokinesis B (LphB) larvae are unresponsive to light, as are larvae from LI2, an isofemale line whose progenitors were recently derived from a natural population. To characterize the behavior of larvae from the mutant stocks and the isofemale line more precisely, we determined the range of wavelengths that repel wild-type (Canton-S) D. melanogaster larvae and identified wavelengths to which larvae are most sensitive. In comparison to adult flies, Canton-S larvae are much less sensitive to white light and respond to a narrower range of wavelengths. The wavelengths to which Canton-S larvae are maximally sensitive are 500 nm (green), 420 nm (indigo), and 380 nm (ultraviolet). Mutant lphA larvae respond abnormally to green and indigo light but are as strongly repelled by ultraviolet light as controls. In contrast, mutant LphB larvae and larvae from the LI2 isofemale line are unresponsive to green, indigo, or ultraviolet light. Thus, lphA larvae have a wavelength-specific defect, while LphB and LI2 larvae are generally unresponsive to wavelengths that repel wild-type larvae.     

Pharyngeal Presentation of Goltz Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome; GS) is an X-linked dominant disorder caused by a mutation in the porcupine homolog (PORCN) gene and is typically embryonically lethal for males. The presence of disease in males is usually the result of post-zygotic mutation, but may also be due to mosaicism. The presentation of this disorder is highly variable, but generally is characterized by cutaneous, skeletal, ocular, oral, dental, and aural defects. Cutaneous manifestations include foci of hypoplastic skin, abnormal pigmentation, and papillomatous growths. We present both the first case of a patient with GS related laryngeal obstruction due to papillary lymphoid hyperplasia in an adult, and the first case in a male patient. Clinical, histologic, and genetic features of the disease are discussed. Operative technique for management of the patient with pharyngeal lesions is detailed, and intraoperative photos are showcased. The challenge in airway evaluation and management is also highlighted as manifestations of GS are rarely encountered in the airway and can cause laryngeal obstruction.