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The kinetic properties of Cu(ii) complexes of H4dota and its analogues with one (H5do3ap), two in the 1,7-position (trans-H6do2a2p), three (H7doa3p) and four (H8dotp) phosphonic acid pendant arms were investigated. The formation of a Cu(ii) complex with H4dota, trans-H6do2a2p and H8dotp at a slightly acidic pH is faster for the phosphonic acid derivatives than for H4dota, but with no simple dependence on the number of -CH2PO3H2 substituents (trans-H6do2a2p > H8dotp > H4dota; pH 4-6). Relative differences in the reactivity among the differently protonated species (HnL(x-)) of the same ligand are successively decreased with the more phosphonic acid groups in the ligand. The faster complexation is probably caused by the higher ability of phosphonates to bind the metal ion and/or to assist in the transfer of protons from the ring amine groups to the bulk water. The acid-assisted decomplexation kinetics of the complexes was followed in highly acidic solutions ([H(+)] = 0.01-5 M) and at different temperatures (15-70 °C) to determine the activation parameters of the reaction. The kinetic inertness of the Cu(ii) complexes follows the order: H4dota > H5do3ap > trans-H6do2a2p > H7doa3p > H8dotp. To obtain information on the influence of additional pendant arms, analogous data were obtained for trans-H2do2a. The ligand is less reactive than H4dota, but the kinetic inertness of its Cu(ii) complex is similar to that of the H4dota complex. As it was considered that the published thermodynamics data on the Cu(ii)-H8dotp system are probably incorrect, the system was re-investigated. It showed a very high stability for the [Cu(dotp)](6-) species and the easy formation of several Cu2L species in the presence of an excess of the metal ion. Also, the structure of the (H6doa3p)(-) anion in the solid state was determined. These experimental data demonstrate that the substitution of acetic acid pendant arms by methylphosphonic acid ones in H4dota-like ligands increases the rate of complexation but significantly decreases the kinetic inertness of the Cu(ii) complexes.

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PURPOSE: To review issues related to the use of augmentative systems with young children and present a case study of one child and family's experience with the System for Augmenting Language (SAL). METHOD: The case involved a preschool child with severe developmental delays who had little functional speech. Acquisition and use of graphic symbols on a speech-output communication device was studied in home and clinical settings. Language and communication behaviours of the child and his communication partners were observed and language assessment measures were collected. RESULTS: Child engagement state varied across the two settings with a stable profile seen in the therapy setting and a clear increase at home. Child communicative attempts increased following the introduction of the augmented system. Parents reported successful use of the SAL. CONCLUSION: SAL is a viable communication intervention approach for young children.

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Silymarin is an antihepatotoxic substance isolated from fruits of Silybum marianum. Possibly due to their antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties, the compounds have been shown to protect different organs and cells against a number of insults. The content and composition of main silymarin components (silybin, isosilybin, silydianin and silychristin) in various pharmaceuticals were analysed using HPLC and newly developed capillary zone electrophoresis method. Antioxidant properties expressed as total antioxidant status (TAS) of silymarin components were studied. Results of TAS were correlated with electropherograms and chromatograms.

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BACKGROUND: Infants born to cocaine-using mothers have a 3- to 8-fold increase in sudden infant death syndrome. Its underlying cause, in part, may be attributed to abnormal autonomic function. We proposed to study heart rate variability, reflecting autonomic control of the heart, in cocaine-exposed infants. METHODS: From 1997 to 2000, we studied 217 asymptomatic, term infants, of whom 68 had intrauterine cocaine exposure (group I). Their data were compared with infants exposed to drugs other than cocaine (group II, n = 77) and no drugs (group III, n = 72). Twenty-four-hour heart rate variability was measured within 72 hours of birth. RESULTS: Cocaine-exposed infants, as compared with the 2 control groups, had an overall significant decrease (P <.05) in global heart rate variability and a lower standard deviation of all valid N-N intervals in the recording (41.9 +/- 1.4 ms vs 47.6 +/- 1.3 ms and 46.9 +/- 1.3 ms, respectively). Vagal parameters such as high-frequency power and the square root of the mean of the squared differences between adjacent N-N intervals were also lower in newborns with heavy in utero cocaine exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased heart rate variability was seen in cocaine-exposed infants. Whether low heart rate variability is a marker for increased risk of sudden death in infants (as it is in adults with structural heart disease) is unknown and requires further investigation.

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Concurrent validity of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) was evaluated, as well as the K-BIT's accuracy as a predictor of WISC-III scores, in a sample of young children with reading disabilities. The two measures were administered to 65 children from Atlanta, Boston, and Toronto who ranged from 6-5 to 7-11 years of age at testing. Correlations between the verbal, nonverbal, and composite scales of the K-BIT and WISC-III were .60, .48, and .63, respectively. Mean K-BIT scores ranged from 1.2 to 5.0 points higher than the corresponding WISC-III scores. Standard errors of estimation ranged from 10.0 to 12.3 points. In individual cases, K-BIT scores can underestimate or overestimate WISC-III scores by as much as 25 points. Results suggest caution against using the K-BIT exclusively for placement and diagnostic purposes with young children with reading disabilities if IQ scores are required.

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The communication skills of 13 youth with moderate or severe mental retardation were compared while they communicated with a "standard partner" with and without access to their communication devices. When participants employed the communication device, they were able to convey more appropriate information as well as clearer and more specific information to an unfamiliar adult partner than they were able to convey without the device. These findings highlight the distinct contributions the participants' use of an augmented communication device make to the overall communicative interaction.

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This article provided an introduction to AAC systems for children and adolescents with severe spoken-language disorders. Over the last decade, significant advances have been made in assessment and intervention approaches. For children with severe spoken communication disabilities, the AAC assessment is an ongoing process that includes information about the child's communication development, the child's environments, and the child's physical abilities. Children with severe disabilities who use AAC systems can demonstrate communication achievements far beyond traditional expectations. Recommended assessment and intervention practices are continuing to develop and the future is certainly optimistic for children with severe spoken-language disorders who may use AAC to communicate.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that continuing regular exercise throughout pregnancy alters early neonatal behavior. STUDY DESIGN: The offspring of 34 women who exercised were compared with those of 31 demographically similar control subjects. All women had normal antenatal courses. Behavior was assessed at 5 days after birth with the Brazelton Scales. RESULTS: The offspring of the exercising women performed better in 2 of the 6 behavioral constellations when examined at 5 days after birth. The scores reflecting their ability to orient to environmental stimuli were (mean +/- SEM) 7.6 +/- 0.1 and 6.5 +/- 0. 3, respectively, and the scores reflecting their ability to regulate their state or quiet themselves after sound and light stimuli were 6. 6 +/- 0.2 and 4.9 +/- 0.3, respectively. The scores reflecting habituation (7.9 +/- 0.2 and 8.0 +/- 0.1, respectively), motor organization (5.7 +/- 0.1 and 5.5 +/- 0.1, respectively), autonomic stability (5.9 +/- 0.2 and 5.5 +/- 0.3, respectively), and behavioral state range (4.1 +/- 0.2 and 4.5 +/- 0.3, respectively) were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the neonates born of exercising mothers have a different neurobehavioral profile as early as the fifth day after birth.

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The purpose of this study was to compare the behavioral responses of term newborns of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (NDMs) with newborns of nondiabetic, healthy mothers. The research design involved matched controls with repeated measures. Participants included 40 NDMs matched with 40 newborns of nondiabetic, healthy mothers. The main outcome measures were the seven dimensions of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) and the modal response score. The results showed that NDMs performed significantly poorer than their matched controls on motor processes and reflex functioning. For all newborns, motor processes, autonomic stability, reflex functioning, and the modal performance score were better on Day 2 than Day 1. It was concluded that although NDMs' behavioral responses improved by Day 2, their overall pattern of responses could be described as listless or sluggish. Due to their poorer motor and reflex responses, NDMs may require increased efforts to facilitate sensitive maternal responding during their first days of life.

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OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that continuing regular exercise throughout pregnancy alters morphometric and neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year. STUDY DESIGN: The offspring of 52 women who exercised were compared with those of 52 control subjects who were similar in terms of multiple prenatal and postnatal variables known to influence outcome. All women were enrolled before pregnancy and had clinically normal antenatal and postnatal courses. Neurodevelopment was assessed by blinded examiners at 1 year of age, and morphometrics were obtained at birth and at 1 year of age. RESULTS: At birth, the offspring of the exercising women weighed less (3.38 +/- 0.06 kg vs 3.58 +/- 0.07 kg) and had less body fat (9.5% +/- 0.8% vs 12.6% +/- 0.6%). However, at 1 year, all morphometric parameters were similar, and no clinically significant between-group differences were observed in performance on either the Bayley psychomotor (108 +/- 1 vs 101 +/- 2) or mental (120 +/- 1 vs 118 +/- 1) scales. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the offspring of exercising mothers have normal growth and development during the first year of life.

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The purpose of this study was to compare results found using a total summative score of abnormal reflex responses with the results found using individual reflex scores. The 20 reflexes included as part of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) were assessed on 196 neonates on the 1st and 2nd days postnatally. Differences due to of type of delivery, birth weight, whether their mothers were insulin-dependent diabetics or nondiabetics, and day of testing were assessed by using analysis of variance. The key results were that all effects found using the total reflex score were replicated with individual reflex scores and that individual reflex scores also revealed effects not shown using the total score. It was concluded that the individual reflex scores, rather than the total score, should be used when evaluating newborn reflex performance.

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The word-learning ability of 12 school-age subjects with moderate or severe mental retardation was assessed. Subjects had little or no functional speech and used the System for Augmenting Language with visual-graphic symbols for communication. Their ability to fast map novel symbols revealed whether they possessed the novel name-nameless category (N3C) lexical operating principle. On first exposure, 7 subjects were able to map symbol meanings for novel objects. Follow-up assessments indicated that mappers retained comprehension of some of the novel words for up to delays of 15 days and generalized their knowledge to production. Ability to fast map reliably was related to symbol achievement status. Implications for understanding vocabulary acquisition by youth with mental retardation were discussed.

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The objective of this investigation was the examination of the relation of left ventricular mass (LVM) and function with cardiovascular response to exercise in normotensive adolescents at risk for hypertension. Carried out was a prospective, cross-sectional study of 47 subjects (age, 10 to 18 years), who underwent dynamic and isometric exercise, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and echocardiography. Twenty-nine had normotensive parents (group 2, "at risk"). Both groups were similar for age, race, sex, body mass index, blood pressures, and resting heart rates. Group 2 had a higher E/A ratio (2.3 +/- 0.5 vs 2.0 +/- 0.5; p = 0.039) and higher heart rates during stage IV of dynamic exercise (188 +/- 20 beats/min vs 176 +/- 18 beats/min; p = 0.046). The LVM, 24-hour heart rates, and exercise systolic blood pressures (SBP) were similar in both groups. Only in group 2, SBP at peak dynamic and isometric exercise correlated best with LVM (r = 0.74, p < 0.002; r = 0.82, p < 0.001). It is concluded that altered hemodynamic regulatory mechanisms may exist before the establishment of hypertension in normotensive subjects with parental hypertension.

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The primary purpose of this study was to characterize the frequency and nature of augmented input that adult partners provided to 13 youth with mental retardation as they began to use the System for Augmenting Language (SAL). Analyses of youth-partner interactions revealed differences in the frequency with which home and school partners provided augmented input and in the manner and style of home and school partners' augmented input, particularly in directiveness and position of lexigram symbols within Utterances. Overall, partners naturally provided augmented input in a manner likely to promote youth's learning of the SAL.

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Research and practice on augmentative communication for persons with moderate or severe mental retardation have primarily targeted the acquisition and use of single symbols. Symbol combinations, however, provide insight into how augmented communicators use individual symbols to build more complex communications. In Study 1, untaught symbol combinations produced during natural communication interactions by 7 subjects with mental retardation were examined for their semantic, ordering, and generalization patterns. The symbol combinations largely resembled those produced by young speaking language learners, suggesting that the augmented communicators were following typical patterns of communication in generating their symbol combinations. In Study 2, we examined the symbol combinations modeled for subjects by their partners. The structure of the modeled combinations did not resemble the children's productions, indicating that the children could not have relied on simple rote imitation for their combination production. These results suggest that augmented communicators with mental retardation may use their symbols as speaking children use oral words in the development of complex communications.

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This study characterizes the success and effectiveness of adult-directed communications of youth with mental retardation and little or no functional speech who used the System for Augmenting Language (SAL), in concert with vocalizations and gestures, to communicate over a 2-year period. Subjects were introduced to the SAL, a speech-output communication device used during daily interactions, to encourage attempts at communication either at home or school. All subjects used the SAL at home and at school during the second year. Results indicate that subjects used the SAL with their extant forms of communication, particularly vocalizations. Extant communications were more successful than SAL communications, although the environment influenced the success of all the youth's communications. The SAL, however, was more effective than vocalizations or gestures in conveying information and interacting with adults in both environments. Maintenance, generalization, and implications for practice are discussed.

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