Effects of methylphenidate on reading in children with attention deficit disorder.

Effects of methylphenidate on measures related to reading were studied in a group of nine boys who had attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; a double-blind crossover design using active drug and placebo was used. Administration of methylphenidate improved subjects' performance on language processing tests but not their performance on oral reading measures. The findings provide evidence in support of a two-factor theory of attention deficit disorder.

The therapeutic efficacy of human insulin (recombinant DNA) in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a comparative study with purified porcine insulin.

The therapeutic efficacy of human insulin (recombinant DNA) was compared with that of purified porcine insulin (PPI) in seven male subjects with previously treated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In a random crossover design the patients received either PPI or human insulin during one of two consecutive 7-day periods of intensive insulin therapy. Control was evaluated on days 6 and 13. Tissue sensitivity and responsiveness to the study insulins were determined by insulin dose-response studies performed using the euglycemic glucose clamp on days 7 and 14. Insulin dose and all measures of control on days 6 and 13 were not statistically different between treatments. When the insulin dose-response studies during each treatment were compared there were no differences between them. Thus, in previously treated patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, undergoing brief but intensive insulin therapy with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, human insulin is as clinically efficacious as PPI. Furthermore, insulin sensitivity and responsiveness, as assessed by dose-response studies during the euglycemic glucose clamp were equivalent for both insulins.

Comparison of the standard and computerized versions of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test.

Computerized psychological assessment is potentially a viable alternative to the traditional method of examiner based assessment. 15 children, 4 females and 11 males, ranging in age from 7 to 14 yr., were administered a computerized version of the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices test. The necessary software for computerizing this test was developed and programmed for use with an Apple II Plus microcomputer. Scores obtained from the computerized and traditional versions of the Raven's test were compared on total mean score, correlation with the WISC-R, Raven's subscale intercorrelations, and Raven's total mean score composition. In general, results indicate that the two versions of the Raven's Matrices do not statistically significantly differ on the dimensions tested in the present study. The relatively small number of subjects and the lack of rigorous experimental control limit generalization of the results. Continued research into the use of computerized psychological assessment is warranted.

Supraventricular tachycardia with edema, ascites, and hydrops in fetal sheep.

Continuous supraventricular tachycardia was induced in 13 fetal sheep for 72 to 216 hours. The PaO2 decreased from 18.1 +/- 1.2 (SEM) to 15.4 +/- 0.9 mm Hg and the PaCO2 increased from 41.5 +/- 1.2 (SEM) to 46.0 +/- 1.0 (SEM) mm Hg with pacing. The hematocrit, total protein, albumin, serum [Na+] and [K+], and osmolality remained unchanged throughout the study. All study fetuses showed signs of ascites (mean = 88 +/- 67.5 [SD] ml), and one was grossly hydropic. Six fetuses, all of which had greater than or equal to 50 ml of ascites, died as the results of pacing. Gross pathologic findings in 13 fetuses included: cardiomegaly in seven, cyanotic myocardium in two, hepatomegaly in seven, pulmonary congestion in two, generalized edema in three, and massive edema (hydrops) in one. None of these conditions was found in the 14 control animals. There was no correlation of the severity of effects upon the fetus and the induced heart rate, the duration of tachycardia, or the site of implantation of the pacemaker. The conclusion was that organomegaly, generalized edema, and hydrops fetalis were the direct result of supraventricular tachycardia in utero; the exact mechanism of production and the reasons for the variable manifestations of tachycardia remain unclear.

Effect of acute nonsurgical stress on fetal and maternal plasma glucose, glucagon and insulin concentration in sheep.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nonsurgical stress on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon in the ewe and fetus. Plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon were measured before and after a 2 min period of verbal and physical startling of much greater magnitude than that to which we ewe is exposed during routine blood drawing. Studies were completed on 5 fed ewes, 5 fasted ewes and on 4 fetuses of fasted ewes. There were no significant differences after a startling compared to the control values. Thus, there appears no need to allow the ewe a prolonged period (more than 1-2 weeks) to become accustomed to handling by humans before chronic metabolic studies involving serum glucose, insulin and glucagon are undertaken.