Grammatical comprehension in language and communication disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) have traditionally been considered separate disorders, although some similarities and overlaps in certain aspects of language have been detected. In this paper, we compare the deficits in receptive grammar in these two disorders. We analyse the proportion of grammatical errors in relation to semantic complexity in 84 children divided into four groups: children with autism language impairment (ALI), with autism language normal (ALN), with DLD, and with typical development (TD), all groups with the same age of receptive vocabulary. The results show significant differences in the comprehension of grammatical structures, both simple (canonical and non-reversible) and complex (non-canonical and reversible). Children with ASD and DLD show different language profiles depending on the syntactic complexity. In the simplest structures, no differences are found between the groups, starting at an equivalent vocabulary age of 7:8 years. However, there are differences between the ALI and DLD groups with respect to the TD group in the more complex structures, starting at an equivalent vocabulary age of 3 years. Therefore, both groups ALI and DLD present the greatest difficulties compared to ALN and TD. The paper discusses the importance of attending to these differences, since the repercussion of comprehension difficulties increases as children grow.

[Linguistic impairments in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review]. / Alteraciones lingüísticas en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve. Revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: The neuropsychological profile of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been the target of several investigations. However, few works have been published about the language profile in these patients. AIM: To analyse and integrate the published scientific literature about this topic after the systematic review carried out by Johnson and Lin in 2014. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A systematic review was carried out in which three databases (Web of Science, PubMed and PsycInfo) were consulted. Seventeen studies have been analysed, with adult participants diagnosed with MCI, that included at least one control group, and studies that evaluated language parameters. A self-made registration protocol has been applied to encode the characteristics and results of the studies; and the quality of the studies and articles has been evaluated through a self-elaboration scale based on previously validated instruments. RESULTS: Patients with MCI can present deficits in naming, speech production, oral comprehension, and written comprehension. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to evaluate language in patients with MCI, although this exploration does not allow establishing a diagnosis on by itself. However, the pathology variability associated with the diagnosis, the age, the language, and the educational level of the participants, as well as the sample size, and the instruments and measures used to evaluate the language in the studies reviewed, make impossible to obtain a conclusive statement, so further research about this topic is needed.

TITLE: Alteraciones lingüísticas en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve. Revisión sistemática.Introducción. El perfil neuropsicológico de los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve ha sido objeto de estudio de diversas investigaciones. Sin embargo, se han publicado relativamente pocos trabajos sobre las características del lenguaje en estos pacientes. Objetivo. Analizar e integrar la bibliografía publicada sobre el tema tras la revisión sistemática realizada por Johnson y Lin en 2014. Sujetos y métodos. Se ha realizado una revisión sistemática en la que se han consultado tres bases de datos (Web of Science, PubMed y PsycInfo). Se han analizado 17 estudios empíricos revisados por pares, con participantes adultos con deterioro cognitivo leve, que incluyen al menos un grupo control y que evalúan parámetros de lenguaje. Se ha aplicado un protocolo de registro de elaboración propia para codificar las características y los resultados de los estudios, y se ha evaluado la calidad de los estudios y los artículos en los que se han publicado a través de una escala de elaboración propia basada en instrumentos validados previamente. Resultados. Los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve pueden presentar déficits en denominación, producción del discurso, comprensión oral y comprensión escrita. Conclusiones. Es importante evaluar el lenguaje en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve, aunque dicha exploración no permita establecer por sí sola un diagnóstico. No obstante, la variabilidad en la patología asociada al diagnóstico, la edad, el idioma y el nivel educativo de los participantes, así como al tamaño muestral, y los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar el lenguaje en los estudios revisados impiden que se puedan realizar afirmaciones concluyentes y hacen que sea necesario realizar más investigación sobre el tema.

[Psychological adaptation in children with autism spectrum disorder and its effect on family quality of life]. / Conducta adaptativa en niños con trastorno del espectro autista y su efecto sobre la calidad de vida familiar.

INTRODUCTION: In most children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), other difficulties that do not fall within the diagnostic criteria arose, and could have an impact on family quality of life. Previous research has shown several relationships among these variables and family quality of life, however results are contradictories. AIM: To examine the role of psychological adaptation (including emotional symptoms, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, problems with peers, and prosocial behavior) in children with ASD and typical development, and its impact on family quality of life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four families of children with ASD (level 1 of support) and 25 families of children with typical development between 6 and 13 years old. We have considered diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (following DSM-IV-TR) with ASD-level 1 of support (following DSM-5). We have evaluated intelligence, vocabulary, adaptive behavior, and family quality of life. RESULTS: We have found significant differences in those variables related to psychological adaptation, and in some components of the family quality of life (family interaction, physical and emotional wellbeing). In our regression model, prosocial behaviors and the group were the main predictors of satisfaction on family quality of life. CONCLUSION: It is important to pay attention to the prosocial behaviors in ASD due to its potential protective effect.

TITLE: Conducta adaptativa en niños con trastorno del espectro autista y su efecto sobre la calidad de vida familiar.Introducción. En la mayoría de los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) aparecen dificultades asociadas que, aunque no se incluyen en los criterios diagnósticos, podrían tener impacto sobre la calidad de vida familiar. La bibliografía ha mostrado algunas relaciones entre estas variables y la calidad de vida familiar, aunque los resultados no son concluyentes. Objetivo. Examinar el papel de la conducta adaptativa (incluyendo síntomas emocionales, problemas de conducta, hiperactividad/falta de atención, problemas de relaciones entre compañeros y comportamiento prosocial) en niños con TEA y con desarrollo típico, y su posible impacto sobre la calidad de vida familiar. Sujetos y métodos. Veinticuatro familias de niños con TEA (nivel 1 de apoyo) y 25 familias de niños con desarrollo típico con edades comprendidas entre 6 y 13 años. Se ha igualado el síndrome de Asperger (según el DSM-IV-TR) con el TEA con nivel 1 de apoyo (según el DSM-5). Se han evaluado la inteligencia, el vocabulario, la conducta adaptativa y la calidad de vida familiar. Resultados. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en las variables relacionadas con la conducta adaptativa y en algunos de los componentes de la calidad de vida familiar (interacción familiar, bienestar físico y emocional). En el modelo de regresión, presentar unos mejores niveles de conducta prosocial y el grupo aparecieron como los principales predictores de la satisfacción percibida en la calidad de vida familiar. Conclusión. Es importante atender a las dificultades en la conducta prosocial en el TEA, dado su potencial efecto protector sobre la calidad de vida familiar.

[Communicative and social-adaptive profile in children with autism spectrum disorder: a new approach based on the DSM-5 criteria]. / Perfil comunicativo y de adaptacion social en poblacion infantil con trastornos del espectro autista: nuevo enfoque a partir de los criterios del DSM-5.

INTRODUCTION: Following the adoption of the new international diagnosis classification from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been established as a dimensional category that includes other disorders that were previously considered as separate entities. Previous research has shown that some people with this disorder exhibit different communicative and linguistic profiles. Therefore, contradictory results could be found among people who receive the same diagnosis. AIM: To distinguish structural language aspects (expression and comprehension), interactive aspects (pragmatics), and social adaptation between children with an ASD-level 1 of support and children with typical development. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventeen children with Asperger syndrome (according to the DSM-IV-TR), and 20 children with typical development between 7 and 12 years old. We have equated diagnosis of Asperger syndrome with ASD-level 1 of support. We have evaluated intelligence quotient, communication, and social adaptation with direct and indirect standardized parental scales. RESULTS: We have found significant differences in comprehension (p = 0.025), interaction (p = 0.001), and social adaptation (p = 0.001) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with ASD-level 1 of support demonstrate an average intelligence quotient, and good expressive structure (syntax and semantic level), which may be different from other children who receive the same diagnosis, due to the wide heterogeneity of the disorder. Nevertheless, our subjects have problems related to comprehension of grammar structure, pragmatics, and social adaptation. These difficulties could be related to emotional and social problems.

TITLE: Perfil comunicativo y de adaptacion social en poblacion infantil con trastornos del espectro autista: nuevo enfoque a partir de los criterios del DSM-5.Introduccion. Tras la nueva clasificacion diagnostica del Manual diagnostico y estadistico de los trastornos mentales, quinta edicion (DSM-5), el trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) ha pasado a considerarse una categoria dimensional que engloba una serie de trastornos que antes se consideraban como entidades diferentes. La bibliografia previa ha mostrado perfiles comunicativos y linguisticos diferentes en personas con estos trastornos, por lo que podrian encontrarse resultados contradictorios en los individuos que en la actualidad reciben un diagnostico de TEA. Objetivo. Identificar los aspectos del lenguaje estructural (expresion y comprension), interaccion (pragmatica) y adaptacion social diferenciales en niños con diagnostico de TEA de nivel 1 de apoyo y compararlos con niños con desarrollo tipico. Sujetos y metodos. Diecisiete niños con sindrome de Asperger (segun el DSM-IV-TR) y 20 niños con desarrollo tipico de entre 7 y 12 años. Se ha equiparado el sindrome de Asperger del DSM-IV-TR con el TEA con nivel 1 de apoyo del DSM-5. Se ha evaluado la inteligencia, la comunicacion y la adaptacion social con medidas directas estandarizadas y medidas indirectas paternas. Resultados. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en comprension (comprension de estructuras gramaticales; p = 0,025), interaccion (cuestionario de capacidades y dificultades total; p = 0,001) y adaptacion social (Children's Communication Checklist-2 total; p = 0,001) entre los grupos. Conclusiones. Los participantes con TEA con nivel 1 muestran un nivel de inteligencia normal y buena expresividad estructural (sintaxis y semantica), lo que podria diferenciarlos sustancialmente, dada la gran heterogeneidad del trastorno, de otros niños que en la actualidad tambien reciben el diagnostico de TEA. No obstante, nuestros participantes tambien presentan problemas de comprension de estructuras gramaticales, interaccion pragmatica y adaptacion social. Estas dificultades podrian relacionarse con posibles problemas emocionales y de socializacion.

Body mass index and myocardium at risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whilst traditional studies have shown that obese individuals are at a higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to lean subjects, recent studies in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have suggested that obesity may exert protective effects (the "obesity paradox"). We sought to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the BARI score (BARIsc), a validated tool used to assess myocardium at risk, in patients with acute coronary syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were 116 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.6 years; 97 men) with AMI (68 ST elevated myocardial infarction, STEMI; 48 non-ST elevated myocardial infarction, NSTEMI). Demographics, BMI, risk factors, biochemistry data, left ventricular function, angiographic data and the BARIsc were assessed in every patient. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses showed that BMI significantly correlated with BARIsc; ß=.23, p<0.02. This was found only in the overweight/obese patients, ß=.27, p<0.01, but not in patients with normal BMIs, ß=0.08, p=0.71. CONCLUSIONS: An increased body weight is associated with an increased area of myocardium at risk in patients with ACS.

The impact of domain-specific beliefs on decisions and causal judgments.

Extensive evidence suggests that people often rely on their causal beliefs in their decisions and causal judgments. To date, however, there is a dearth of research comparing the impact of causal beliefs in different domains. We conducted two experiments to map the influence of domain-specific causal beliefs on the evaluation of empirical evidence when making decisions and subsequent causal judgments. Participants made 120 decisions in a two-alternative forced-choice task, framed in either a medical or a financial domain. Before each decision, participants could actively search for information about the outcome ("occurrence of a disease" or "decrease in a company's share price") on the basis of four cues. To analyze the strength of causal beliefs, we set two cues to have a generative relation to the outcome and two to have a preventive relation to the outcome. To examine the influence of empirical evidence, we manipulated the predictive power (i.e., cue validities) of the cues. Both experiments included a validity switch, where the four selectable cues switched from high to low validity or vice versa. Participants had to make a causal judgment about each cue before and after the validity switch. In the medical domain, participants stuck to the causal information in causal judgments, even when evidence was contradictory, while decisions showed an effect of both empirical and causal information. In contrast, in the financial domain, participants mainly adapted their decisions and judgments to the cue validities. We conclude that the strength of causal beliefs (1) is shaped by the domain, and (2) has a differential influence on the degree to which empirical evidence is taken into account in causal judgments and decision making.

Body mass index and myocardium at risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome / Índice de masa corporal y miocardio en riesgo en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo

Background and objectives. Whilst traditional studies have shown that obese individuals are at a higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to lean subjects, recent studies in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have suggested that obesity may exert protective effects (the "obesity paradox"). We sought to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the BARI score (BARIsc), a validated tool used to assess myocardium at risk, in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Patients and methods. Participants were 116 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.6 years; 97 men) with AMI (68 ST elevated myocardial infarction, STEMI; 48 non-ST elevated myocardial infarction, NSTEMI). Demographics, BMI, risk factors, biochemistry data, left ventricular function, angiographic data and the BARIsc were assessed in every patient. Results. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that BMI significantly correlated with BARIsc; β=.23, p<0.02. This was found only in the overweight/obese patients, β=.27, p<0.01, but not in patients with normal BMIs, β=0.08, p=0.71. Conclusions. An increased body weight is associated with an increased area of myocardium at risk in patients with ACS (AU)

Introducción y objetivos. Algunos estudios han demostrado que los pacientes obesos presentan un mayor riesgo cardiovascular, pero estudios más recientes en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) han sugerido que la obesidad puede ejercer un efecto protector (efecto conocido como la "paradoja de la obesidad"). Hemos examinado la relación entre el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la puntuación ofrecida por el BARI (BARIsc), una herramienta validada para determinar la cantidad de miocardio en riesgo en los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo. Pacientes y métodos. Se incluyeron 116 pacientes de forma consecutiva (edad media, 60.6 años; 97% varones) con IAM (68 con un síndrome coronario agudo con elevación de ST [SCACEST], y 48 con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación de ST [SCASEST]). En todos ellos se determinaron las variables demográficas y analíticas, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, el IMC, la función ventricular, los datos angiográficos, y el BARIsc. Resultados. El análisis de regresión lineal múltiple mostró que el IMC se correlacionaba significativamente con el BARIsc, β=,23; p<0,02. Esto se demostró únicamente en los pacientes con sobrepeso u obesidad, β=,27; p<0,01, pero no en los que presentaban IMC normal β=0,08; p=0,71. Conclusiones. El aumento de peso se asocia a la cantidad de miocardio en riesgo en pacientes que con un SCA (AU)