AAC Technologies with Visual Scene Displays and "Just in Time" Programming and Symbolic Communication Turns Expressed by Students with Severe Disability.

Background: The current study investigated the impact of an intervention that included aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies on the frequency of symbolic communication turns of school-age children, adolescents, and young adults with severe disability.

Method: Nine students ages 8-20 were engaged in interactive activities using an aided AAC system with visual scene displays (VSDs; concepts embedded within a photograph of a naturally occurring event), and "just-in-time" (JIT) programming (the capability to add new contexts "on the fly"). Effectiveness was evaluated using a single subject multiple probe across participants design.

Assessment of parameters influencing the blood flow velocities in cerebral arteries of the rat using ultrasonographic examination.

Objectives: Rat models of cerebrovascular diseases are used for a variety of human pathologies comprising ischemic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Whereas in neuro-intensive care, Doppler ultrasonographic examination of major cerebral arteries is a common diagnostic tool, only few data exist concerning the animal model. We therefore studied cerebral blood flow velocities in the rat by ultrasonographic triplex mode.

Feasibility of laparoscopic management of acute haemoperitoneum secondary to ruptured ovarian cysts in a haemodynamically unstable patient.

Acute haemoperitoneum in patients with coagulation disorders or those under anticoagulation therapy is a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Since radiological imaging is often insufficient for establishing the origin of the bleeding, a laparoscopic approach can be considered before a laparotomy is performed in haemodynamically unstable patients. A 32-year-old woman receiving coumadin therapy presented with acute lower abdominal complaints.

Inflammatory complications following penetrating cardiac trauma.

Two cases with pericardial and myocardial inflammatory complications following penetrating cardiac trauma are presented. A high index of suspicion with liberal usage of echocardiography, serial electrocardiograms, and careful patient follow-up will preclude this diagnostic oversight.

Beneficial effects of diltiazem in hemorrhagic shock.

The role of calcium channel blockade on metabolic alterations in a hemorrhagic shock model was studied. Experiments were performed on anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the effect of diltiazem on hyperglycemia and hyperlacticacidemia following hemorrhagic shock. Rats were bled rapidly to a blood pressure of 40 mm Hg and maintained at that level for 2 hr.