Is fragile X syndrome a pervasive developmental disability? Cognitive ability and adaptive behavior in males with the full mutation.

In addition to mental retardation (MR), fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome has been associated with various psychopathologies, although it appears that the link is secondary to MR. It has been proposed that individuals with the full mutation be classified as a subcategory of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). If fra(X) males are to be categorized as PDD, how do they compare with other types of developmental disabilities? We examined 27 fra(X) males aged 3-14 years, from 4 sites in North America. Measures of cognitive abilities were obtained from the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition (SBFE), while levels of adaptive behavior were evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Control subjects were sex-, age-, and IQ matched children and adolescents ascertained from the Developmental Evaluation Clinic (DEC) at Kings County Hospital. At the DEC, control subjects were diagnosed as either MR (n = 43) or autistic disorder (AD; n = 22). To compare subjects' adaptive behavior (SQ) with their cognitive abilities (IQ), a ratio of [(SQ/IQ) x 100] was computed. Results graphed as cumulative distribution functions (cdf) revealed that the cdf for AD males, who by definition are socially impaired, was positioned to the left of the cdf for MR controls, as expected. Mean ratio for AD males (70) was lower than for MR males (84). On the other hand, the cdf for fra(X) males was positioned far to the right of either AD or MR controls (mean ratio = 125). Statistical tests showed that SQ of fra(X) males was significantly higher than controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microplate assay analysis of reduced fenitrothion susceptibility in Haitian Anopheles albimanus.

Reduced fenitrothion susceptibility in Haitian Anopheles albimanus is documented using time/mortality measurements from otherwise standard World Health Organization (WHO) bioassays. Survival beyond a time threshold in bioassays is shown to be highly correlated with elevated non-specific esterase levels. A shift in resistance incidence from less than 20 to over 60% in a six-month period is documented using both the bioassay and microassay procedures, showing the potential of microplate assay methods in early detection of resistance. Conventional 24-hour reading of WHO bioassay data failed to detect resistance until the level reached 60%. Resistance appeared to be focal, with an increase in intensity coinciding with a fenitrothion spray cycle for malaria control.

The biting and resting behavior of Anopheles albimanus in northern Haiti.

A one-year study of the biting and resting habits of the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus was carried out in four rural villages of northern Haiti. Man-biting rates and nightly biting cycles were determined by the use of all-night man-biting captures inside and outside houses. Seasonal changes in density and behavior were determined by repeating the captures on a bimonthly basis throughout one year. Exophily was demonstrated in these anopheline populations by a comparison of inside-biting with inside-resting densities. These behavior characteristics are discussed in relation to malaria transmission and to the choice of malaria control methods.

Comparison of an experimental updraft ultraviolet light trap with the CDC miniature light trap and biting collections in sampling for Anopheles albimanus in Haiti.

Three methods of capturing Anopheles albimanus mosquitoes were compared during a field study in four villages in northern Haiti. Updraft ultraviolet (UV) light traps proved to be more effective than biting collections, regardless of season or whether the tests were done indoors or outdoors. Biting collections were in turn more effective than the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) miniature light traps. Updraft UV light traps and biting collections yielded more An. albimanus outdoors than indoors; the reverse was found for the CDC miniature light traps. The updraft UV light traps caught An. albimanus on 86% of the occasions used outside and 75% of the occasions inside. The biting collections were equally as successful as the traps in catching mosquitoes outside but caught An. albimanus only on 64% of the occasions when used inside houses. The CDC miniature light traps were successful in collecting An. albimanus on 33% of the occasions outside and 60% of the occasions inside.

[Bioecology in Haiti of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann, 1820 (Diptera:Culicidae)]. / Bio-écologie en Haïti d'Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann, 1820 (Diptera: Culicidae).

Hispaniola has the highest malaria rate in the West Indies. A study of the bio-ecology of the major vector Anopheles albimanus was carried out in Haïti. Our observations concerned the length of pre-imaginal stages, biting rates and the gonotrophic cycle. A table of its complete life cycle, stage by stage, was produced as well as a graph illustrating its whole larval development in its natural habitat. Results in the field and insectarium were compared. In the laboratory, the development was shorter, except for pupae. The temperature was the main factor governing the length of pre-imaginal development. Preimaginal development decreased from 15 days in the field to 9 days in the insectarium whereas the temperature was a high of 4 degrees C. The nycthemeral activity and seasonal variations of An. albimanus were studied, by monthly all-night captures on human volunteers, during a full year in exo- and endophilic situations. Two sampling sites were chosen for comparison, An. albimanus were caught at every hour of the nycthemeral cycle, with a peak around midnight. Monthly variations were affected by the rains. The vector was more exophagous, when its density was high. The parity rate of the biting population varied between 85.8% and 20.0%; it was low at the beginning of the rains and increased when the rains stopped and breeding places dried out. To study the gonotrophic cycle of wild An. albimanus, several techniques were used jointly; follicles dissection; follicular relics; length of maturation of follicles. The length of the full cycle and of each of its components was estimated (quest of host for blood meal; maturation phase; breeding site seeking). In Haïti 41 h (nulliparous), or 21 h (parous) were necessary for females to have a complete maturation of the follicles. The lengthening of the gonotrophic cycle of parous An. albimanus, in the natural field site, was estimated to last about 4 days. For nulliparous it was 5 days, and 7 days if a pregravid stage was necessary. Considering the sporogonic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum (12 days), the wild population of An. albimanus females could become infective at the third blood feeding in Haïti.

Working with spiritual and religious themes in group therapy.

This article explores the analytic therapy group as a spiritual community that can deepen the implications of group transference. From this perspective, group-as-a-whole dynamics include a spiritual dimension in addition to the recapitulation of the family of origin. Clinical vignettes are introduced from a midphase group to illustrate a means of working with spiritual and religious themes psychodynamically through managing them like dreams. Amplification and interpretation of the symbolic themes guide members through the transference to the family of origin. There, members gain access to childhood memories and to the childhood transitional space of religious experience where they created their God representations as a means of solving their self and object dilemmas. The working-through process facilitates the integration or transformation of new self and God images.