Replicability of sight word training and phonics training in poor readers: a randomised controlled trial.

Given the importance of effective treatments for children with reading impairment, paired with growing concern about the lack of scientific replication in psychological science, the aim of this study was to replicate a quasi-randomised trial of sight word and phonics training using a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design. One group of poor readers (N = 41) did 8 weeks of phonics training (i.e., phonological decoding) and then 8 weeks of sight word training (i.e., whole-word recognition). A second group did the reverse order of training. Sight word and phonics training each had a large and significant valid treatment effect on trained irregular words and word reading fluency. In addition, combined sight word and phonics training had a moderate and significant valid treatment effect on nonword reading accuracy and fluency. These findings demonstrate the reliability of both phonics and sight word training in treating poor readers in an era where the importance of scientific reliability is under close scrutiny.

Análisis del programa de detección precoz de la hipoacusia neonatal en nuestro centro / Analysis of the program of early detection of neonatal hearing loss in our hospital

Objetivos: Conocer los resultados del programa de detección precoz de hipoacusia en recién nacidos (RN) de nuestro hospital durante 2001 y 2004. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizaron otoemisiones acústicas (OEA) a 2.461 (2001) y 2.549 RN (2004); si éstas eran negativas, se repetían antes de un mes. Los RN con la segunda otoemisión negativa eran remitidos al servicio de otorrinolaringología (ORL), completándose su valoración mediante potenciales auditivos troncoencefálicos. Resultados: El 10% (n= 260) y el 5% (n= 145), respectivamente, no pasaron la primera OEA. Continuaron esta primera fase 234 (2001) y 144 (2004), y no pasaron la segunda OEA el 16% (n= 37) y el 24% (n= 35), generándose una remisión al servicio de ORL del 1,51 y el 1,37% cada año; 29 niños no completaron la fase diagnóstica. De los 72 RN con sospecha de hipoacusia, el 59,72% (n= 43) completó el programa, el 30,23%había estado ingresado, el 23,25% presentaba factores de riesgo y el 48,83% tenía OEA negativas bilaterales. En el servicio de ORL se confirmó la hipoacusia en 23 RN (53,48%): en un 57,14% era neurosensorial (un 62% en RN varones sin factores de riesgo; un 75% bilaterales y un 50% profundas) y en un 42,16% era de transmisión. Conclusiones: Nuestra incidencia global de hipoacusia neurosensorial y de transmisión es de 4,54/1.000 RN, y para la neurosensorial profunda de 1,87/1.000 RN. El 71% de los hipoacúsicos eran RN sanos y sin factores de riesgo, predominando los varones. La capacidad de detección de las OEA fue significativamente mayor en 2004; las remisiones a ORL fueron adecuadas, las pérdidas de seguimiento en la primera fase escasas, pero elevadas en la de confirmación (AU)

Objectives: To examine the results of the program of early detection of hearing loss in newborn infants (NB) in our hospital during 2001 and 2004.Patients and methods: Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) were evaluated in 2,461 (2001) and 2,549 NB (2004) and, if the results were negative, the evaluation was repeated before one month had elapsed. The NB with a second negative OAE test were sent to the otorhinolaryngology service (ORL), where their evaluation was completed, including assessment of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Results: The first OAE test was negative in 260 (10%) and145 (5%) NB, respectively. In all, 234 (2001) and 144 (2004) continued this first stage; 37 (16%) and 35 (24%) NB, respectively, failed to pass the second OAE test, and 1.51% and 1.37%in each year were referred to ORL, whereas 29 children did not complete the diagnostic phase. Of the 72 NB with suspected auditory dysfunction, 59.72% (n= 43) completed the program, 30.23% had been admitted to the hospital, 23.25% had risk factors and 48.83% had bilateral negative results on OAE testing. The ORL service confirmed hearing loss in 23 NB (53.48%): sensorineural in 57.14% (62% were boys with no risk factors, and it was bilateral in 75% and profound in 50%) and conductive in 42.16%. Conclusions: Our overall incidence of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss was 4.54/1,000 NB, and that of deep sensorineural hearing loss was only 1.87/1,000 NB. In all, 71% of the infants with hearing loss were normal and had no risk factors ,and there was a male predominance. The capacity for detection of OAE was significantly greater in 2004; the referrals to ORL were appropriate, the rate of loss to follow-up was low in the first stage and elevated in the confirmation stage (AU)

Acyclovir in the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis.

We report the results obtained in a study of 3 young patients with laryngeal papillomatosis, who were treated with acyclovir after tumor excision using forceps was performed under microlaryngoscopy. No recurrence of the papillomatosis occurred between 18 and 42 months post-therapy. Laryngeal papillomatosis is the most common proliferative laryngeal lesion in children. Different non-surgical therapies have been used to prevent its recurrence but with poor results. Acyclovir is a drug with proved efficacy in DNA viral diseases. Since papillomata of the larynx is most likely a viral disease which is imputed to have a DNA virus etiology, acyclovir may be effective to control it.

[Morphometric study of the intrapetrous passage of the facial nerve in adult temporal bones and its application to the study of the pathogenesis of Bell facial paralysis]. / Estudio morfométrico del recorrido intrapetroso del nervio facial en temporales adultos y su aplicación en la patogenia de la parálisis facial de Bell.

After a morphometric study, done in adult temporals, of the inner diametre of the fallopian bony canal, of the thickness of both the epineural space and the nerve trunck (in petrous, tympanic and mastoid segments) and the like with the geniculate ganglion and the pyramidal bend, the AA. thrown out the conclusion that when a generalized edema of the nerve is expected the labyrinthine segment or the distal portion of the mastoidal segment are the sites to be found most precocious or heaviest compressed.

[The etiology of secretory otitis media]. / Algunas consideraciones sobre la etiología de la otitis media secretoria.

In this paper we pretend to study the incidence of the OMS according to age and sex, as the possible paper played by the hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil and the allergy of its production. We observe a mayor presentation between four and six years old, no difference occurs in relation to sex, and on important paper of the hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil in the etiology of the OMS superior to the roll played by the allergy.