An Adaptive Resonance Theory account of the implicit learning of orthographic word forms.

An Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) network was trained to identify unique orthographic word forms. Each word input to the model was represented as an unordered set of ordered letter pairs (open bigrams) that implement a flexible prelexical orthographic code. The network learned to map this prelexical orthographic code onto unique word representations (orthographic word forms). The network was trained on a realistic corpus of reading textbooks used in French primary schools. The amount of training was strictly identical to children's exposure to reading material from grade 1 to grade 5. Network performance was examined at each grade level. Adjustment of the learning and vigilance parameters of the network allowed us to reproduce the developmental growth of word identification performance seen in children. The network exhibited a word frequency effect and was found to be sensitive to the order of presentation of word inputs, particularly with low frequency words. These words were better learned with a randomized presentation order compared with the order of presentation in the school books. These results open up interesting perspectives for the application of ART networks in the study of the dynamics of learning to read.

Efficacy of twice daily versus three times daily oral ondansetron in the prevention of chemotherapy induced emesis: a randomized, single-blind, multicentre study. The Ondansetron International Emesis Study Group.

Following a single intravenous dose given pre-chemotherapy, the efficacy and tolerability of oral ondansetron treatment given twice daily was compared with the established three times daily oral supplementary regimen in the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting induced by cyclophosphamide (greater than or equal to 500 mg/m2) in combination with doxorubicin (greater than or equal to 40 mg/m2) or epirubicin (greater than or equal to 40 mg/m2). Oral ondansetron given twice daily or three times daily was equally effective in controlling nausea and emesis. The twice daily oral treatment prevented emesis in 73% of patients in the first 24 hours and in 65% of patients over 3 days. Both dose schedules were safe and were tolerated well. Twice daily oral ondansetron showed good efficacy for controlling emesis and nausea in oncology outpatients.

[Our experience in the study and treatment of medullary carcinomas of the thyroid. Apropos of 2 familial cases]. / Notre expérience dans la mise au point et le traitement des carcinomes médullaires de la thyroïde. A propos de deux cas familiaux.

Between July 1976 and July 1984, 1106 cold thyroid nodules have been operated on UCL. Teaching Hospital; 128 were diagnosed as carcinoma (11,5%) and 15 were diagnosed as medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland (1,3% of all the cold nodules and 12% of all carcinomas of the thyroid). This article presents the case of two families exhibiting a characteristic clinical history of Medullary Carcinoma of the thyroid or CMT. The authors describe briefly the clinical signs; they point out that it is absolutely necessary to ask for a blood calcitonine level control in case of cold thyroid nodule or cervical lymphadenopathie. Once the diagnosis of Medullary Carcinoma of the thyroid gland is reached, screening of the Family, at least the first degree relatives should be undertaken, in order to reveal subclinical cases, which could be detected by laboratory investigations at an early subclinical stage. The treatment of the CMT is always surgery; it consists of total thyroidectomy with a modified neck dissection or a radical neck dissection, if lymph nodes are more than 3 cm or are fixed. Any way the recurrent nerve nodes have to be looked for, and if positive a Mediastinal lymph node dissection should be carried out. A control of the calcitonine hormone blood level should be asked for twice a year to detect any metastases or recurrence.