Interventions Designed to Improve Narrative Language in School-Age Children: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.

Purpose The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analyses was to examine interventions that aimed to improve narrative language outcomes for preschool and elementary school-age children in the United States. Our goal was to examine peer-reviewed publications to describe the characteristics of these interventions and synthesize their overall effectiveness on narrative comprehension and production via meta-analysis. Method We searched electronic databases, examined previously published reviews, and consulted experts in the field to identify published studies that employed robust experimental and quasi-experimental designs.

Preservice Observation in Special Education: A Validation Study.

Advancing teacher candidates' overall competence through use of valid teacher observation systems should be an essential element of teacher preparation. Yet, the field of special education has not provided observation protocols designed specifically for preservice teachers that are founded in theoretical perspectives and research on effective instruction for students with learning and other high-incidence disabilities (SWDs). To address this need, a group of researchers in special education teacher preparation and measurement developed the Preservice Observation Instrument for Special Education (POISE).

Expression of vasopressin receptors in ACTH-independent macronodular bilateral adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: molecular, immunohistochemical and pharmacological correlates.

Cortisol secretion in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome can be controlled by illegitimate receptors. The aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular, immunohistochemical, and pharmacological profiles of vasopressin receptors in cells derived from three patients with AIMAH (H1-H3), in order to evaluate the role of ectopic vasopressin receptors in the physiopathology of hypercortisolism. Expression of mRNAs encoding the vasopressin receptor types (V(1a), V(1b), and V(2)) were analyzed by RT-PCR in adrenal tissues.

Aberrant adrenal sensitivity to vasopressin in adrenal tumours associated with subclinical or overt autonomous hypercortisolism: is this explained by an overexpression of vasopressin receptors?

Objective: Abnormal responsiveness to arginine vasopressin (AVP) was previously observed in cortisol-producing adrenocortical tumours but the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of AVP on cortisol secretion from adrenocortical tumours compared to normal human adrenal gland.

Design: A multicentre study based on pharmacological, molecular and immunohistochemical experiments performed in adenomatous and normal adrenal tissues.

Expression of serotonin7 receptor and coupling of ectopic receptors to protein kinase A and ionic currents in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome.

Context: In ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome, cortisol secretion is controlled by illegitimate membrane receptors.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacological properties and the transduction mechanisms of illegitimate receptors, i.e.

In vitro effects of crude extracts of Parkia biglobosa (Mimosaceae), Stereospermum kunthianum (Bignoniaceae) and Biophytum petersianum (Oxalidaceae) on corticosteroid secretion in rat.

Previous studies conducted in guinea pig, rat and rabbit have revealed that crude extracts from Parkia biglobosa, Stereospermum kunthianum and Biophytum petersianum exert hypotensive and/or hypoglycemic activities. Since corticosteroids are involved in the control of arterial blood pressure and glycemia, we have investigated the possible effects of these plant extracts on rat adrenal tissue in vitro. Short-term administration of crude semi-ethanolic extracts of P.

The N-terminal neurotensin fragment, NT1-11, inhibits cortisol secretion by human adrenocortical cells.

Context: Neurotensin (NT) modulates corticosteroid secretion from the mammalian adrenal gland.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of NT in the control of cortisol secretion in the human adrenal gland.

Design: In vitro studies were conducted on cultured human adrenocortical cells.

QTL mapping for traits associated with stress neuroendocrine reactivity in rats.

In the present study we searched for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that affect neuroendocrine stress responses in a 20-min restraint stress paradigm using Brown-Norway (BN) and Wistar-Kyoto-Hyperactive (WKHA) rats. These strains differed in their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels, thymus, and adrenal weights) and in their renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system reactivity (plasma renin activity, aldosterone concentration). We performed a whole-genome scan on a F2 progeny derived from a WKHA x BN intercross, which led to the identification of several QTLs linked to plasma renin activity (Sr6, Sr8, Sr11, and Sr12 on chromosomes RNO2, 3, 19, and 8, respectively), plasma aldosterone concentration (Sr7 and Sr9 on RNO2 and 5, respectively), and thymus weight (Sr10, Sr13, and Srl4 on RNO5, 10, and 16, respectively).

Abnormal sensitivity of cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas to serotonin: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Two patients with incidentally discovered adrenocortical adenomas underwent a series of pharmacological and physiological tests after pretreatment with dexamethasone. Illicit plasma cortisol responses to the serotonin (5-HT)4 receptor agonist cisapride were observed in the two patients. Significant increases in plasma cortisol levels were also noticed after glucagon and combined TRH/GnRH/GHRH stimulation tests in patient 1 and after administration of the lysine vasopressin precursor terlipressin in patient 2.

Paradoxical inhibitory effect of serotonin on cortisol production from adrenocortical lesions causing Cushing's syndrome.

In the human adrenal gland, serotonin (5-HT) stimulates cortisol production through a paracrine mechanism involving 5-HT4 receptors positively-coupled to adenylyl cyclase. A hyperresponsiveness of adrenocortical tissue to 5-HT has also been described in several cases of ACTH-independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasias (AIMAHs) and adenomas causing Cushing's syndrome. In the present study, we report two cases of cortisol-producing adrenocortical lesions, i.

In vivo and in vitro screening for illegitimate receptors in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: identification of two cases of gonadotropin/gastric inhibitory polypeptide-dependent hypercortisolism.

In ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome, cortisol production can be controlled by illegitimate membrane receptors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the sensitivity of AIMAH to various regulatory factors to detect the expression of illegitimate receptors by the tissues. Four consecutive patients with AIMAH and hypercortisolism (H1-H4) preoperatively underwent a series of pharmacological and/or physiological tests.

Molecular design based on 3D pharmacophores. Applications to 5-HT7 receptors.

A definition of a pharmacophore for the 5-HT7 antagonists was carried out by searching the common chemical features of selective antagonists from the literature. A molecular design is described by analyzing the differences between this new pharmacophore and three other 3D serotonin pharmacophores previously described. This comparison led to the synthesis of a new series of potent 5-HT7 antagonists.

Identification of the secretogranin II-derived peptide EM66 in pheochromocytomas as a potential marker for discriminating benign versus malignant tumors.

EM66 is a novel secretogranin II-derived peptide present in chromaffin cells of the human adrenal gland. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible occurrence of EM66 in benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. Immunohistochemical labeling using specific antibodies revealed intense staining in both benign and malignant tumors.

Effects of serotonin and vasopressin on cortisol production from an adrenocortical tumor causing subclinical Cushing's syndrome.

In dexamethasone-suppressed healthy volunteers, the serotonin4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist cisapride and lysine vasopressin [LVP, an analog of arginine vasopressin (AVP)] have no influence on plasma cortisol levels (PCL). In contrast, cisapride and AVP have been shown to stimulate cortisol secretion in patients with adrenal tumor or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing's syndrome. In this report, we describe a case of adrenocortical adenoma causing subclinical Cushing's syndrome.

Involvement of T-type calcium channels in the mechanism of action of 5-HT in rat glomerulosa cells: a novel signaling pathway for the 5-HT7 receptor.

We have previously demonstrated that, in rat, the stimulatory effect of 5-HT on aldosterone secretion is mediated through a 5-HT7 receptor subtype. The aim of the present study was to characterize the transduction mechanisms associated with activation of native 5-HT7 receptors. 5-HT induced a dose-dependent increase in cAMP production in rat glomerulosa cells.

The ectopic expression of the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor is frequent in adrenocorticotropin-independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, but rare in unilateral tumors.

Control of cortisol secretion by the abnormal expression of the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIP-R) have been observed in some rare cases of ACTH-independent, food-dependent Cushing's syndrome (FD-ACS) due to adrenal adenoma (AA) or bilateral macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH). This study was performed to determine the prevalence of GIP-R ectopic expression in ACS and its correlation with fasting cortisol levels. GIP-R expression was studied by RT-PCR in 30 unilateral adrenal tumors [16 AA and 14 adrenocortical cancer (AC)] and 8 AIMAH tissues.

Activation of 5-HT(7) receptor in rat glomerulosa cells is associated with an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity and calcium influx through T-type calcium channels.

Serotonin (5-HT) stimulates aldosterone secretion from the rat adrenal gland through 5-HT(7) receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the transduction mechanisms associated with activation of 5-HT(7) receptors in rat glomerulosa cells. The stimulatory effect of 5-HT on aldosterone secretion and cAMP formation was significantly reduced by the 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist LY 215840.

Characterization of serotonin(4) receptors in adrenocortical aldosterone-producing adenomas: in vivo and in vitro studies.

We have previously shown that serotonin (5-HT) stimulates aldosterone secretion from the human adrenal gland through activation of 5-HT(4) receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vivo and in vitro the presence of 5-HT(4) receptors in aldosterone-producing adenomas (aldosteronomas). Eight patients with aldosteronoma received a single oral dose of placebo or cisapride (10 mg).

Production and metabolism of serotonin (5-HT) by the human adrenal cortex: paracrine stimulation of aldosterone secretion by 5-HT.

In the human adrenal cortex, serotonin (5-HT) is contained in mast-like cells, and we have shown that 5-HT stimulates aldosterone secretion, suggesting that 5-HT may control glomerulosa cells through a paracrine mechanism. Concurrently, the presence of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in human adrenocortical extracts indicates that 5-HT may be metabolized after local release by mast cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro the production and metabolism of 5-HT by the human adrenal cortex.

Rat glomerulosa cells express functional 5-HT7 receptors.

It has been previously demonstrated that serotonin (5-HT) is a potent stimulator of aldosterone secretion in amphibians and mammals. The aim of the present study was to characterize the type of serotonergic receptor involved in the action of 5-HT on rat glomerulosa cells. The effects of 10 serotonergic receptor agonists and 12 receptor antagonists on aldosterone secretion from perifused rat adrenocortical slices were investigated.

Effect of serotonin4 (5-HT4) receptor agonists on aldosterone secretion in idiopathic hyperaldosteronism.

Serotonin (5-HT) stimulates aldosterone secretion in man through 5-HT4 receptors positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. In particular, it has been shown that oral administration of a single dose of the 5-HT4 receptor agonist cisapride induces a significant increase in plasma aldosterone levels (PAL) in healthy volunteers. Idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IH) is a rare disorder characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia and bilateral adrenal hypersecretion of aldosterone.

Occurrence and effect of PACAP in the human fetal adrenal gland.

In the study reported in this paper, we characterized PACAP in the human fetal adrenal gland and we investigated the effect of PACAP on steroid secretion from cultured fetal adrenal cells. The adrenal gland from 20-week-old fetuses contained substantial concentrations of PACAP-immunoreactive material (88.6 ng/g wet tissue).

Role of 5-HT in the regulation of the brain-pituitary-adrenal axis: effects of 5-HT on adrenocortical cells.

Serotonin (5-HT) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the brain-pituitary-adrenal axis. In particular, 5-HT has been shown to control the activity of hypothalamic CRF neurons and pituitary corticotrope cells through activation of 5-HT1A and (or) 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor subtypes. 5-HT, acting through 5-HT2 receptors, can also trigger the renin-angiotensin system by stimulating renin secretion and consequently can enhance aldosterone production.