Brief Report: Using Individualized Orienting Cues to Facilitate First-Word Acquisition in Non-Responders with Autism

Though considerable progress has been made in developing techniques for improving the acquisition of expressive verbal communication in children with autism, research has documented that 10–25% still fail to develop speech. One possible technique that could be significant in facilitating responding for this nonverbal subgroup of children is the use of orienting cues. Using a multiple baseline design, this study examined whether individualized orienting cues could be identified, and whether their presentation would result in verbal expressive words. The results suggest that using individualized orienting cues can increase correct responding to verbal models as well as subsequent word use. Theoretical and applied implications of orienting cues as they relate to individualized programming for children with autism are discussed

HIV and People With Serious Mental Illness: The Public Sector’s Role in Reducing HIV Risk and Improving Care

Objective: The paper discusses issues related to the detection, prevention of transmission, and treatment of human immunodefiency virus (HIV) infection among persons with serious mental illness and suggests ways public mental health systems can address these issues. Methods: MEDLINE was searched from 1980 through 1998, and all pertinent references were reviewed. Results: Persons with severe mental illness are at greatly increased risk of HIV infection due to increased likelihood of high-risk sexual behaviors and injection drug use. The formidable barriers to detection and effective treatment of HIV that exist in this population can be attributed to the unique characteristics of this population, lack of knowledge and expertise among mental and physical health care providers, and fragmented mental and physical health care systems. Conclusions: In the last five years, treatments for HIV that are far more efficacious than earlier treatments have become available, making it more important for HIV infection be detected and treated among persons with serious mental illness. Public mental health systems need to implement active prevention policies and practices, educate both mental health and physical health care providers about key treatment issues, and develop effective linkages between mental and physical health care providers and systems

Assoziation organischer Bodensubstanz mit mineralischen Oberflächen in einem ackerbaulich genutzten Oberboden mit unterschiedlicher Bodentextur

Die Menge und mikroskalige Verteilung mineralassoziierter organischer Bodensubstanz (engl. mineral-associated organic matter, MOM) hängt von der Verfügbarkeit und Zugänglichkeit adsorptiver Mineraloberflächen ab. In tonarmen Böden mit wenig Mineraloberfläche müsste der Bedeckungsgrad an organischer Substanz entsprechend höher sein als in tonreichen Böden bei gleicher MOM Konzentration. In dieser Arbeit wurde MOM im Oberboden (0-20 cm) einer ackerbaulich genutzten (Para-)Braunerde mit unterschiedlicher Bodentextur untersucht. Die beprobte Fläche in Scheyern (Bayern, Deutschland) wurde einheitlich bewirtschaftet und mit gleichen Mengen organischen Materials versorgt. Der Texturgradient (6-37 % Partikel in der Tonfraktion) lässt sich wahrscheinlich auf unterschiedliche Lössanteile in den grobkörnigeren Tertiärsedimenten zurückführen. Um die MOM zu untersuchen, wurde aus der schweren Dichtefraktion >1,6 g cm‑3 die Feinschluff- (2‑6,3 µm) und Tonfraktion (0,2‑2 µm) gewonnen. Neben der Konzentration mineralassoziierten Kohlenstoffs wurde die chemische Zusammensetzung der MOM durch 13C-Festkörper-Kernresonanzspektroskopie bestimmt. In der Tonfraktion wurde durch Nano Sekundärionen-Massenspektrometrie (NanoSIMS) die räumliche Verteilung der Ionen 16O‑, 12C‑ und 12C14N‑ bestimmt, welche mittels Bildbearbeitung als Indikator des räumlichen organischen Bedeckungsgrads herangezogen wurde. Röntgenbeugungsanalysen haben gezeigt, dass die mineralogische Zusammensetzung ähnlich ist, wobei die Auswirkungen eines schwankenden Vermiculitgehalts noch durch Bestimmung der Kationenaustauschkapazität näher überprüft werden. Die Konzentration mineralassoziierten Kohlenstoffs in der Feinschluff und Tonfraktion war bei 6 % Tongehalt mit 80 mg g‑1 höher als bei 15 % Tongehalt mit 40 mg g‑1. In den Böden mit Tongehalt zwischen 15 und 30 % war die Konzentration mineralassoziierten Kohlenstoffs dagegen konstant bei etwa 40 mg g‑1. Zusätzlich zeigten die NanoSIMS-Messungen einen höheren organischen Bedeckungsgrad in den tonarmen Böden als in den tonreichen Böden. Unsere Daten besagen, dass in den untersuchten tonarmen Böden unter 15 % Tongehalt die MOM Konzentration als auch der Bedeckungsgrad höher ist je niedriger der Tongehalt. In den untersuchten tonreichen Böden über 15 % Tongehalt war die MOM Konzentration und der organische Bedeckungsgrad konstant niedrig, was auf ausreichende Verfügbarkeit und Zugänglichkeit adsorptiver Mineraloberflächen ab dieser Bodentextur schließen lässt

Calcium and Vitamin D increase mRNA levels for the growth control hIK1 channel in human epidermal keratinocytes but functional channels are not observed

BACKGROUND: Intermediate-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels (IKs) modulate proliferation and differentiation in mesodermal cells by enhancing calcium influx, and they contribute to the physiology of fluid movement in certain epithelia. Previous reports suggest that IK channels stimulate proliferative growth in a keratinocyte cell line; however, because these channels indirectly promote calcium influx, a critically unique component of the keratinocyte differentiation program, an alternative hypothesis is that they would be anti-proliferative and pro-differentiating. This study addresses these hypotheses. METHODS: Real-time PCR, patch clamp electrophysiology, and proliferation assays were used to determine if human IK1 (hIK1) expression and function are correlated with either proliferation or differentiation in cultured human skin epidermal keratinocytes, and skin biopsies grown in explant culture. RESULTS: hIK1 mRNA expression in human keratinocytes and skin was increased in response to anti-proliferative/pro-differentiating stimuli (elevated calcium and Vitamin D). Correspondingly, the hIK1 agonist 1-EBIO inhibited keratinocyte proliferation suggesting that the channel could be anti-proliferative and pro-differentiating. However, this proliferative inhibition by 1-EBIO was not reversed by a panel of hIK1 blockers, calling into question the mechanism of 1-EBIO action. Subsequent patch clamp electrophysiological analysis failed to detect hIK1 channel currents in keratinocytes, even those expressing substantial hIK1 mRNA in response to calcium and Vitamin D induced differentiation. Identical electrophysiological recording conditions were then used to observe robust IK1 currents in fibroblasts which express IK1 mRNA levels comparable to those of keratinocytes. Thus, the absence of observable hIK1 currents in keratinocytes was not a function of the electrophysiological techniques. CONCLUSION: Human keratinocyte differentiation is stimulated by calcium mobilization and influx, and differentiation stimuli coordinately upregulate mRNA levels of the calcium-activated hIK1 channel. This upregulation is paradoxical in that functional hIK1 channels are not observed in cultured keratinocytes. It appears, therefore, that hIK1 does not contribute to the functional electrophysiology of primary human keratinocytes, nor intact human skin. Further, the results indicate caution is required when interpreting experiments utilizing pharmacological hIK1 modulators in human keratinocytes

Augmentative and alternative communication for children with autism spectrum disorder: an evidence-based evaluation of the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) programme

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder often have restricted verbal communication. For children who do not use functional speech, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can be an important support. We evaluated the effectiveness of one AAC programme, the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) using a Vantage Lite™ device as the speech output in the home and school environments. Eight children with limited communication were assessed by a speech pathologist prior to the introduction of the programme, after five weeks of training and again after a further two weeks of use of the programme, but without the supported training. The pre-/post-assessment measures revealed that all eight children made gains in the development of spontaneous communication using the device during the implementation period. Parents and teachers also reported that the gains achieved during the five-week trial were greater than those achieved in previous interventions. Two years after the completion of the study, a follow-up phone interview was completed which identified that children who received ongoing support from a LAMP-trained speech pathologist continued using the LAMP programme. As a result of this study, a specialised LAMP specific classroom was established in one of the participating schools

In-Home Training for Fathers of Children with Autism: A Follow up Study and Evaluation of Four Individual Training Components

Literature regarding fathers of children with autism remains sparse, and because mothers are the more common intervening parent, few training methods have focused on fathers. Thus, we sought to evaluate effects of in-home training directed at fathers and their ability to train mothers in the same manner in which they were trained. Fathers were taught four skills commonly associated with in-home training interventions for parents of children with autism: following the child’s lead, imitation with animation, commenting on the child, and expectant waiting. Father skills were evaluated twice a week for 12 weeks during videotaped in-home father–child play sessions. Analyses included visual inspection of graphed data and statistical analyses of father skill acquisition, mother skill acquisition, and child behaviors with both parents. A multivariate repeated measures analysis of 18 dyads revealed significant increases in frequencies of fathers’ imitation with animation, expectant waiting, and commenting on the child. Child initiating rates increased significantly as did frequencies of child non-speech vocalizations. Analysis of mothers revealed significant increases in frequencies of imitation with animation, expectant waiting, and following the child’s lead. Child behaviors had similar results for father and mother sessions. Findings are consistent with those from our first study indicating that fathers can effectively implement skills that promote father–child social interactions and that children respond positively to this approach

Unofficial policy: access to housing, housing information and social services among homeless drug users in Hartford, Connecticut

BACKGROUND: Much research has shown that the homeless have higher rates of substance abuse problems than housed populations and that substance abuse increases individuals' vulnerability to homelessness. However, the effects of housing policies on drug users' access to housing have been understudied to date. This paper will look at the "unofficial" housing policies that affect drug users' access to housing. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 65 active users of heroin and cocaine at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Participants were purposively sampled to reflect a variety of housing statuses including homeless on the streets, in shelters, "doubled-up" with family or friends, or permanently housed in subsidized, unsubsidized or supportive housing. Key informant interviews and two focus group interviews were conducted with 15 housing caseworkers. Data were analyzed to explore the processes by which drug users receive information about different housing subsidies and welfare benefits, and their experiences in applying for these. RESULTS: A number of unofficial policy mechanisms limit drug users' access to housing, information and services, including limited outreach to non-shelter using homeless regarding housing programs, service provider priorities, and service provider discretion in processing applications and providing services. CONCLUSION: Unofficial policy, i.e. the mechanisms used by caseworkers to ration scarce housing resources, is as important as official housing policies in limiting drug users' access to housing. Drug users' descriptions of their experiences working with caseworkers to obtain permanent, affordable housing, provide insights as to how access to supportive and subsidized housing can be improved for this population