Terkildsenmunoz2751

Purpose Brain imaging has provided puzzle pieces in the understanding of language. In neurologically healthy populations, the structure of certain brain regions is associated with particular language functions (e.g., semantics, phonology). In studies on focal brain damage, certain brain regions or connections are considered sufficient or necessary for a given language function. However, few of these account for the effects of lesioned tissue on the "functional" dynamics of the brain for language processing. Here, functional connectivity (FC) among semantic-phonological regions of interest (ROIs) is assessed to fill a gap in our understanding about the neural substrates of impaired language and whether connectivity strength can predict language performance on a clinical tool in individuals with aphasia. Method Clinical assessment of language, using the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained for 30 individuals with chronic aphasia secondary to with recovered word retrieval performance. Predictions may be made, based on these findings, about which connections have potential as targets for neuroplastic functional changes with intervention in aphasia. Supplemental Material https//doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735785.Purpose Dysphagia is one of the most debilitating chronic symptoms experienced by patients who undergo radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Triciribine.html Despite the high prevalence of dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, we lack understanding of the specific changes in swallowing physiology that arise in the short-term following radiation therapy and how these changes impact the key functions of swallowing safety and efficiency. This study sought to identify pathophysiological mechanisms underlying impairments in swallowing safety and efficiency on thin liquids following (chemo)radiation for oropharyngeal cancer. Method Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were completed in 12 male patients within 6 months following completion of (chemo)radiation and in 12 healthy male controls. To compare swallowing function and physiology between groups, we analyzed three discrete sips of 20% w/v thin liquid barium per participant. The videofluoroscopic swallowing study recordings were rated for swallowing safety, efficiency, timing parameters, and pixel-based measures of structural area or movement. Results The oropharyngeal cancer cohort displayed significantly higher frequencies of penetration-aspiration, incomplete laryngeal vestibule closure, prolonged time-to-laryngeal vestibule closure, and poor pharyngeal constriction. Incomplete or delayed laryngeal vestibule closure was associated with airway invasion, while poor pharyngeal constriction was associated with pharyngeal residue. Conclusions This study highlights the primary mechanisms behind impaired safety and efficiency of the swallow in patients following (chemo)radiation for oropharyngeal cancer.Purpose This study compared the performance of three amplification devices hypothesized to improve speech communication in individuals with hypophonia (HP), as well as to identify individuals' device preferences. Method Twenty-two individuals with HP and their primary communication partners participated in a cross-over design study comparing three different speech amplification devices a wired portable amplifier (Device A), a wireless stationary amplifier (Device B), and a one-way personal communication system (Device C). Participants attended one laboratory visit followed by 1-week trial periods with each device. At the first visit, HP participants completed speech tasks with and without the devices, in quiet and in noise. Following the in-laboratory test period, participants trialed each device at home for approximately 1 week per device. Following completion of the study, participants indicated whether or not they would like to continue using a device. Results Overall, in the presence of noise, all three dplemental Material https//doi.org/10.23641/asha.12735875.Purpose Elementary-age dual language learners (DLLs) from Spanish-speaking homes in the United States are often characterized as at risk for low vocabulary in both Spanish and English. This longitudinal study examined conceptually scored receptive and expressive vocabulary development among DLLs from Spanish-speaking, low-income homes and investigated patterns of language responses on the conceptually scored measures. Method DLLs in kindergarten and second grade (N = 118) attending school in the Southeast region of the United States were followed for three consecutive academic years and assessed on measures of receptive and expressive conceptually scored vocabulary. Results Individual growth modeling, using raw scores, revealed positive vocabulary growth over time, with above average performance relative to national norms. However, initial conceptually scored receptive vocabulary scores were higher than conceptually scored expressive vocabulary scores. Furthermore, DLLs' conceptually scored receptive-but not expressive-vocabulary rate of growth was more rapid compared to national norms. Finally, DLLs' patterns of language responses revealed a shift toward more English over time, but Spanish continued to be used through fourth grade. Conclusion Results contradict deficit-driven views about DLLs' vocabulary skills and underscore the utility of conceptually scored vocabulary measures to assess vocabulary development among elementary-age DLLs to more comprehensively account for the linguistic assets they bring to learning.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that is potentially fatal. There is no cure for SLE and the medications used are associated with toxic side effects. In the era of revolutionary emerging novel biologic agents, the design and investigation of targeted therapy for these patients is necessary. Novel therapies under investigation in phase II-III clinical trials showed promising results. Therapies can target various pathways involved in SLE including cytokines, signal transduction inhibitors, B-cell depletion and interference with co-stimulation. Of interest is the proof of concept of sequential therapy.

We performed an extensive literature search via PubMed, Medline, Elsevier Science and Springer Link databases between the years 2014-2020 using the following terms SLE, novel treatments. We have reviewed 232 articles and selected those articles that (i) focus on phase II-III emerging therapies and (ii) offer new findings from existing therapies, which reveal breakthrough concepts in SLE treatment.