The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of computer-based video instruction to teach generalized reading of words found on grocery store aisle signs and the location of the corresponding grocery items within those aisles. A multiple probe design across three sets of words, replicated across four students with moderate intellectual disabilities, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the computer-based video program. All training sessions occurred through simulation using the computer-based program with "life-like" video recordings of multiple examples of three grocery stores. All generalization probes, including generalized reading of target words in a novel grocery store, were assessed in actual grocery stores. Results indicated that the computer-based video program alone was successful in teaching generalized reading of aisle signs and the location of items and that students generalized responding to a novel grocery store. Results are discussed in terms of the advantages of computer-based video instruction.

Numerous concerns regarding the potential for misdiagnosis of Lyme disease using commercial assays have been voiced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We attempted to clarify the clinical value of serologic testing for Lyme disease using the results of commonly marketed assays for detecting antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme disease. We reviewed published studies on B burgdorferi test performance published through 1998, package insert labeling from FDA-cleared test kits for B burgdorferi, and Lyme Disease Survey Set LY-A from the College of American Pathologists. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of commercial serologic tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], immunofluorescence antibody [IFA], and immunodot) for diagnosis of Lyme disease. To reduce this risk of misdiagnosis, it is important that clinicians understand the performance characteristics and limitations of these tests. These tests, in common use in clinical or commercial laboratories, should be used only to support a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, not as the primary basis for making diagnostic or treatment decisions. Serologic testing is not useful early in the course of Lyme disease because of the low sensitivity of tests in early disease. Serologic testing may be more useful in later disease, at which time sensitivity and specificity of the test are improved. Positive or equivocal results on an ELISA, IFA, or immunodot assay requires supplemental testing with a Western blot assay. A negative result on the Western blot or ELISA indicates that there is no serologic evidence of infection by B burgdorferi at the time the sample was drawn.

A two-day technical workshop was convened November 10-11, 1986, to discuss analytical approaches for determining trace amounts of cotinine in human body fluids resulting from passive exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The workshop, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control, was attended by scientists with expertise in cotinine analytical methodology and/or conduct of human monitoring studies related to ETS. The workshop format included technical presentations, separate panel discussions on chromatography and immunoassay analytical approaches, and group discussions related to the quality assurance/quality control aspects of future monitoring programs. This report presents a consensus of opinion on general issues before the workshop panel participants and also a detailed comparison of several analytical approaches being used by the various represented laboratories. The salient features of the chromatography and immunoassay analytical methods are discussed separately.

No abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is increasingly used for a number of medical device applications. Since the chemical structure of HA is identical no matter its bacterial or animal origin, it should be the ideal biomaterial. However, short term transient inflammatory reactions are common, while rare long-term adverse events may correlate with subclinical chronic inflammation. Concern has been raised that low molecular weight components or degradation fragments from implanted HA may directly stimulate inflammatory reactions. This study examined a panel of HA molecular weights from the unitary disaccharide up to 1.7 x 10(6) Dalton lengths, in which endotoxin was assayed at a very low level (less than 0.03 EU/mg). The murine cell line RAW 264.7, rat splenocytes, and rat adherent differentiated primary macrophages were assayed for nitric oxide production under a variety of inflammatory conditions plus or minus HA. Under the highest inflammatory states, nitric oxide production was mildly suppressed by HMW-HA while slightly augmented by LMW-HA at mg/mL concentrations. However, at micromolar concentrations fragments below 5000 Daltons, thought to have drug-like qualities, were without effect. These data support the hypothesis that if endotoxin is reduced to an extremely low level, LMW-HA may not directly provoke normal tissue macrophage-mediated inflammatory reactions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-based program designed to increase percentage of correct match to sample discrimination tasks and generalization of the skills to a natural setting. Four students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities participated. The dependent variables were: (a) the percentage of correct match to sample trials completed on the computer and (b) the percentage of items correctly selected in the natural setting of a local grocery store. Pre and post generalization testing included locating items presented and not presented during instruction. The independent variable was a multimedia computer program entitled Project SHOP that provided instruction through interactive practice activities incorporating a graduated response criterion. A multiple probe design across behaviors and replicated across four participants was used to evaluate experimental control. Results indicated that following intervention, the percentage of correct response in the community increased.

No abstract

This study examined the effect of hyaluronan (HA) molecular weight on immune response. HA with molecular weights ranging from the unitary disaccharide unit (400 Da) up to 1.7 × 10(6) Da and with very low endotoxin contamination level (less than 0.03 EU/mg) was used. Primary human monocyte/macrophage cultures were assayed for IL-1β production under a variety of inflammatory conditions with or without HA. Under the highest inflammatory states, production of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) was suppressed in the presence of high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA) and in the presence of low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA) at mg/mL concentrations. There was variability in the sensitivity of the response to HA fragments with MW below 5000 Da at micromolar concentrations. There was variability in IL-1β cytokine productions from donor to donor in unstimulated human cell cultures. This study supplements our previous published study that investigated the immunogenic effect of HA molecular weights using murine cell line RAW264.6, rat splenocytes, and rat adherent differentiated primary macrophages. These data support the hypothesis that if the amount of endotoxin is reduced to an extremely low level, LMW-HA may not directly provoke normal tissue macrophage-mediated inflammatory reactions.