Global and Local Visual Processing in Rate/Accuracy Subtypes of Dyslexia.

Words are processed in both a global and local manner. Studies on global versus local processing styles in individuals with and without dyslexia are inconclusive. In the present study, we investigated whether distinct patterns of global/local visual processing were associated with more precisely defined dyslexia profiles. Previous studies on dyslexia provide evidence of accuracy- and rate-based subtypes, with impairment in one dimension alongside normal performance in the other. In the current study, three groups of adult readers: rate disability, accuracy disability, typical development, were presented with nonlinguistic global /local congruency task. The results revealed that the rate disability group had deficiencies performing the global task while the accuracy disability group had deficiencies in the local task. These results are discussed in the context of global/local word processing and in relation to dyslexia. Specifically, they suggest that different patterns of global/local processing are observed between different types of dyslexics, and imply that practitioners should modify their treatment based on the specific deficiency.

Postnatal development of the middle ear in New Zealand White rabbits: ossicles and tympanic ring.

We studied the postnatal development of the middle ear (ME) in New Zealand White rabbits. Bullae were scanned using a desktop X-ray microtomograph and 3D models of the ME ossicles as well as the tympanic ring (TR) were prepared. In 0, 1, 2 days old rabbits the ossification process was incomplete. We can therefore present quantitative data obtained from older rabbits (ages: 4-180 days) and a qualitative description at the earlier ages. For a number of the measured parameters an exponential curve could be fitted to the data, and the time constant (at which 63% of the final value was obtained) was calculated. The length of the manubrium increased rapidly in a period of about 15 postnatal days, from 1.73 mm to 4.08 mm. The distance between the tip of the malleus and the TR increased rapidly until day 30, from nearly 0 to 1.40 mm. The increase of the surface area within the TR was small as compared to inter-specimen variance, but the ratio [tympanic membrane area]/[TR area] clearly increased (from 1.00 to 1.11), with a time constant of 8.3 days. The area of the stapes footplate (FP) increased rapidly in about 15 days (from 0.72 mm(2) to 1.49 mm(2), time constant 4.8 days). The TR was nearly developed at birth whereas the stapes footplate was quite underdeveloped. The distance between the tip of the malleus and the incudomallear rotation axis increased rapidly until day 20 and varied between 3.47 mm and 5.00 mm. The distance between the tip of the incus and the rotation axis increased until day 133, from 1.39 mm to 1.69 mm. Our study shows that in rabbits the ME is underdeveloped at birth and that the functional geometry develops over the same time course as the ability to hear. The conical shape of the tympanic membrane (TM) is formed by retraction and growth of the manubrium, mainly during the first 40 days after birth.

Perfusion and diffusion limitations in middle ear gas exchange: the exchange of CO2 as a test case.

A long standing debate on perfusion/diffusion limitations in the context of middle ear (ME) gas exchange was revisited using data obtained from previous iso-pressure gas-exchange measurements in different mammals. We tried to determine whether the exchange of CO(2) in the ME is limited by perfusion or by diffusion by comparing the mass specific cardiac output (msQ) and the mass specific initial CO(2) flow rate into air-washed MEs (msV(i) CO(2)) of rabbits and rats. Based on previously published allometry at rest, the msQ was 0.154 mL/(min g) in rabbits (mean body weight: 2800 g) and 0.259 mL/(min g) in rats (mean body weight: 179.1 g); msV(i) CO(2) (Delta t=0) was 0.109+/-0.047 microL/(h g) in rabbits (n=16) and 0.170+/-0.094 microL/(h g) in rats (n=9). Similar ratios were found when an allometric comparison was made between the ratio of msV(i) CO(2) (Delta t=0) (approximately 0.64), and the ratio of msQs (approximately 0.59) in rabbits and rats. If the active mucosal surface areas of MEs of rabbits and rats are directly proportional to their masses as are the masses of their hearts and if their msQs are proportional to the rates of blood flows in the ME mucosa, these results support the assumption that the exchange of CO(2) in the ME of mammals is mainly perfusion (and not diffusion) dependent.

High-resolution measurements of middle ear gas volume changes in the rabbit enables estimation of its mucosal CO(2) conductance.

Transmucosal CO(2) exchange in the middle ear (ME) of the New Zealand White rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was studied using an accurate novel detecting and recording system for measuring gas volume changes at constant pressure, based on a principle that was previously used by Kania et al. (Acta Otolaryngol 124:408-410, 2004). After the ME cavity was washed with ambient air, the initial diffusion rate of CO(2) (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) from the blood perfusing the ME mucosa was calculated from gas volume change measurements. In nine cases, the (V(.-)(i)CO(2))calculated after normalization due to shifts in baseline was 314+/-112 microL x h(-1) (mean +/- SD). In two cases where normalization was not needed, (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) was 409 microL x h(-1) (276 and 543 microL x h(-1)). Normalization of (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) data was also made in five additional cases where secretion of fluids from the lining of the ear canal was observed. In these cases (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) was 245 +/- 142 microL x h(-1). No differences were found between results obtained in the three groups. Thus, an overall mean value of (V(.-)(i)CO(2)) of 305 +/- 131 microL x h(-1) (n = 16) was calculated. An effective coefficient of conductance of CO(2) (G(CO(2))) between the mucosal circulation and the ME gas cavity of the New Zealand White rabbit was estimated to be approximately 0.05 microL (h x Pa)(-1) and compared to the G(CO(2)) estimated for humans in a different study.

Experimental model for investigating trans-mucosal gas exchanges in the middle ear of the rat.

OBJECTIVE: The total pressure in the middle ear depends on the air composition of this gas pocket, i.e. on gas exchanges occurring through either the Eustachian tube (ET) or mucosa. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental model to investigate the exclusive role of trans-mucosal gas exchanges in the middle ear (ME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Both tympanic membranes of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were punctured under general anesthesia. Rats were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 had no ET obstruction. In Group 2, the ET was blocked, after velar incision, by cauterization and application of cyanoacrylate glue into the lumen. One open transparent glass tube containing a droplet of colored water was placed horizontally and connected hermetically to each ear canal. The ME was then flushed with room air through the tube. Variations in ME gas volume were measured by reading the displacement of the liquid droplet in the horizontal tube. The kinetics of variations in gas volume between groups were displayed and statistically compared using a two-sided t-test. RESULTS: The pattern of variations in ME gas volume with time was similar in the two groups. Both were characterized by a decrease with three phases and an elimination rate of approximately 0.152 +/- 0.026 microl/min. There was no significant difference in the mean rate of ME volume changes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This experimental model allows investigation of trans-mucosal gas exchanges. These exchanges exhibit an absorptive function resulting in a negative pressure that must be compensated, under physiological conditions, by air flow through the ET.