Effects of Voicing Similarity Between Consonants in Printed Stimuli in Normal and Dyslexic Readers

Previous studies have shown that adult skilled readers are sensitive to voicing similarity of printed prime-target or target-mask pairs (Bedoin, 1998). In the present consonant detection task, phonetic priming and masking effects were assessed within one briefly presented CVCV printed stimulus. The consonant target (Rank 1 or 2) was either similar or different in voicing to the other consonant. In adult skilled readers and third graders with average reading level, voicing similarity impaired Rank 2 consonant detection and improved Rank 1 consonant detection, replicating effects found with stimuli pairs in previous experiments. These results argue for the involvement of phoneme detectors organised by inhibitory relations based on shared phonetic properties. In dyslexic children, voicing similarity improved Rank 2 target detection, suggesting impaired phonetic organisation of phoneme detectors. After audio-visual training about voicing, this pattern of results was modified in dyslexic children, and became quite similar to skilled readers’ data

Effects of Voicing Similarity Between Consonants in Printed Stimuli in Normal and Dyslexic Readers

Previous studies have shown that adult skilled readers are sensitive to voicing similarity of printed prime-target or target-mask pairs (Bedoin, 1998). In the present consonant detection task, phonetic priming and masking effects were assessed within one briefly presented CVCV printed stimulus. The consonant target (Rank 1 or 2) was either similar or different in voicing to the other consonant. In adult skilled readers and third graders with average reading level, voicing similarity impaired Rank 2 consonant detection and improved Rank 1 consonant detection, replicating effects found with stimuli pairs in previous experiments. These results argue for the involvement of phoneme detectors organised by inhibitory relations based on shared phonetic properties. In dyslexic children, voicing similarity improved Rank 2 target detection, suggesting impaired phonetic organisation of phoneme detectors. After audio-visual training about voicing, this pattern of results was modified in dyslexic children, and became quite similar to skilled readers’ data

A comparison of serum antivenom concentrations after intravenous and intramuscular administration of redback (widow) spider antivenom

AIMS: There are no studies measuring antivenom concentrations following intramuscular administration. This study aimed to compare antivenom concentrations following intravenous and intramuscular administration of redback spider antivenom (RBSAV). METHODS: Twenty patients recruited to a controlled trial comparing intramuscular and intravenous administration of antivenom had serial blood samples collected at 30 min intervals for 2 h after the administration of one or two doses of antivenom. Antivenom concentration was measured using an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Ten patients received intramuscular antivenom but antivenom could not be detected in serum after either one or two vials, at any time point. The median time of the final sample after commencement of antivenom treatment in these patients was 3.2 h (1.8-5 h). Ten patients received intravenous antivenom (three one vial and seven two or more vials) and antivenom was detected in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: RBS AV given by the intramuscular route is unlikely to be effective in the treatment of redback (widow) spider bite

De l’occupation à l’amélioration de la santé des personnes sans domicile fixe

From occupation to health improvement of homeless people.Objective : Social, material, cultural and environmental factors contribute to the determinants of health. This study tried to understand how the situation of homeless people was unfair in terms of occupation and global health.Method : The study conducted was qualitative and descriptive. It is similar to a phenomenological approach. The interview grid was developed by using of the Person - Environment - Occupation model, the concept of community approach and occupational injustice. Three people were interviewed directly on the street.Results : The study showed that the participants had made a life choice or that they had experienced a traumatic event which led them to a precarious situation. The three participants shared common characteristics : they beg in the streets, they are not accompanied by other professionals or they are not satisfied with their support, they have good relationships with their entourage and have no life project for the future.Conclusion : Significant injustices were identified in the study, related to employment but also to leisure, which concentrated a restricted set of activities. The lack of access to the determinants of health deprives homeless people of an optimal health.It seems appropriate for the occupational therapist to intervene with this population to help them to improve their health and achieve a personal project.De l’occupation à l’amélioration de la santé des personnes sans domicile fixe.Objectif : Les facteurs sociaux, matériels, culturels et environnementaux, contribuent aux déterminants de la santé. Cette étude a tenté de comprendre comment la situation des personnes sans domicile fixe était injuste en termes d'occupation et de santé globale.Méthode : L’étude menée est qualitative, de nature descriptive. Elle s’est apparentée à une approche phénoménologique.La grille d’entretien a été élaborée à l’aide du modèle Personne – Environnement – Occupation, des concepts d’approche communautaire et d’injustice occupationnelle. Trois personnes ont été interrogées directement dans la rue.Résultats : L’étude a montré que les participants ont fait un choix de vie ou ont vécu un événement traumatisant engendrant une situation de précarité. Les trois participants ont des points communs : ils font la manche, ils ne sont pas accompagnés par d’autres professionnels ou ne sont pas satisfaits de leur accompagnement, ils ont de bons rapports avec leur entourage et n’ont pas de projet de vie future.Conclusion : Des injustices notables ont été repérées dans l’étude, liées à l’emploi, mais aussi aux loisirs, qui concentrent un panel d’activités limité. Le manque d’accès aux déterminants de la santé ne permet pas une santé optimale des personnes sans domicile fixe.Il semble pertinent que l’ergothérapeute puisse intervenir auprès de ces personnes afin de les accompagner vers l’amélioration de leur santé et l’accomplissement d’un projet personnel

New procedures and parameters for better evaluation of Androctonus australis garzonii (Aag) and Buthus occitanus tunetanus (Bot) scorpion envenomations and specific serotherapy treatment.

International audienceNew procedures describing intoxication with variable amounts of scorpion venoms (from 1 to 5 LD50) allowed us to introduce new parameters to evaluate Aag and Bot envenomations. Significant differences between the fatal limit time (FLT) and the last mortality time (LMT) were observed when the amount of Aag and Bot venom injected was equal to 1 LD50 and equal to or higher than 2 LD50. For Aag and Bot, the percentage of the fast mortality (FM) and the delayed mortality (DM) varied conversely when the amount of injected venom increased from 1 to 5 LD50. The relationship between the venom LD50 (from 2 to 20), the median protective dose (PD50) and the neutralizing activity of specific antivenom have been established. PD50 increased in a parallel manner with LD50. The neutralizing titres (LD50/ml) of Aag antivenom decreased from 74 +/- 3 to 44 +/- 2 and that of Bot antivenom from 52 +/- 2 to 36 +/- 1 when the number of LD50 injected increased from 2 to 20. Antivenom potency was evaluated using different protocols based on the presence or the absence of preincubation of the venom with the antivenom. In experiments where venom and antivenom were simultaneously but immediately injected, PD50 were twice as high as those found when venom and antivenom were preincubated (30 min at 37 degrees C). On the contrary, the corresponding neutralizing titres were two times lower. In an attempt to simulate accidental envenomations and subsequent serotherapy, Aag and Bot venom (4 LD50) were subcutaneously injected and the appropriate PD50S of antivenom were intravenously administered at different time intervals after envenomation. When the time of antivenom administration was shorter than the FLT, all envenomed mice might be protected by increasing volume of antivenom. However, when the antivenom is injected closer to the FLT only 50 to 60% of mice envenomed, respectively, by Aag and Bot could be saved even when more than 5 PD50 were injected

Effect of Some Variables on theIn VivoDetermination of Scorpion and Viper Venom Toxicities

International audienceAbstractAn adequate assessment of scorpion and snake venom LD50 is an important step for accurate evaluation of antivenom sera potencies and the optimization of serotherapy. The LD50 variation of Tunisian scorpion (Androctonus australis garzonii: Aag and Buthus occitanus tunetanus: Bot) venoms with body weight, sex and strain (Swiss or C57BI/6) of mice used, the route of venom injection, the venom-milking procedures (manually or electrically) and the venom batches have been studied over a 7-year period (1990-1996). Aag venom is 3-4 times more toxic than Bot venom. However for both venoms, the LD50 determined in C57BI/6 mice, in small body weight animal or by intraperitoneal route were respectively significantly lower than those determined in Swiss mice, in high body weight or by subcutaneous route. Significant LD50 variations (25-50%) were also seen from one electrically prepared batch to another. A good correlation (r = 0.982) was observed between the concentrations of the crude venom toxic fraction determined by ELISA and LD50 values when assessed in vivo. The LD50 variation of Tunisian viper (Cerastes cerastes: Cc and Vipera lebetina: VI) venoms with the strain (Swiss or BALB/c), sex and body weight of mice used, the season and the year of venom milking were also investigated over a 3-year period (1990-1992). No significant LD50 variations were observed with the mouse strain, the sex or the season of venom milking. However, LD50 varies significantly with the year of the venom collection and the body weight of mice used. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis shows annual variation for VI venom composition where no such variations were observed for Cc venom. These results stress the need either for the standardization of the venom LD50 evaluation or of the venom quality used for the development of an efficient antivenom

Evaluation of antivenom therapy in children severely envenomed by Androctonus australis garzonii (Aag) and Buthus occitanus tunetanus (Bot) scorpions.

International audienceOne hundred and forty-seven cases of envenomed children under 15 years old presenting local and general symptoms without failure in vital functions (clinical grade II) or presenting serious general symptoms with failure in vital functions (clinical grade III) were collected during the summer seasons of 1993-1997. They were classified in six groups according to the use or not of antivenom, the route and the frequency of antivenom administration. The determination, by a sensitive ELISA, of blood venom concentration before and until 6 h after antivenom therapy, allowed the establishment of the venom toxicokinetic curve for each group. The intramuscular administration of antivenom did not show significant effects on venom toxicokinetic curves and on patients recovery time. However, the same amount of antivenom administered by intravenous route clear rapidly the blood free venom toxins. Also, the patient recovery time was significantly shortened. These data are in favor of intravenous application of an adequate dose of an efficient antivenom in order to treat successfully severe scorpion envenoming cases

Effects of antivenom on Buthus occitanus tunetanus (Bot) scorpion venom pharmacokinetics: towards an optimization of antivenom immunotherapy in a rabbit model

International audienceThe pharmacokinetic parameters of Bot venom were determined in a rabbit model using a specific sandwich type ELISA. After intravenous injection, Bot venom seems to follow a three-compartment pharmacokinetic open model. However, after subcutaneous injection, the distribution and elimination kinetics of Bot venom are best characterized by a bi-compartment pharmacokinetic open model. Bot venom is completely absorbed from its SC injection site, since the absolute bioavailability is higher than 95%; the maximum plasma venom concentration is reached between 30 and 60 min after venom injection. Bot venom diffuses rapidly to tissues and is distributed in a high body volume. The total body clearance of Bot venom is relatively high in agreement with a low mean residence time. Antivenom immunotherapy experiments were carried out in the rabbit model, in order to select the most appropriate strategy for the adequate use of this treatment. The effects of the route, the dose and the delay of antivenom injection on Bot venom pharmacokinetic parameters and on the antivenom immunotherapy efficacy were then studied. These studies indicated in particular that: (1) the injection of a minimal neutralizing antivenom dose is required for a complete and permanent neutralization of circulating venom antigens; this dose is named minimal (threshold) efficacious antivenom dose; (2) the intramuscular route is not the most appropriate way for antivenom injection; and (3) a delayed antivenom immunotherapy remains efficacious especially on the neutralization of the remaining circulating venom. In short, these experimental studies show that early intravenous injection of an appropriate antivenom dose (at least the threshold efficacious dose) is the indicated way for a rapid and permanent neutralization of circulating scorpion venom toxins

Processing of natural fast speech and time-compressed speech in children with speech output disorders

International audienc