The Effects of Yoga Breathing Before Motor Speech Practice in Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An n-of-1 Trial.

A previous study discovered that two speakers with moderate apraxia of speech increased their sequential motion rates after unilateral forced-nostril breathing (UFNB) practiced as an adjunct to speech-language therapy in an AB repeated-measures design. The current study sought to: (1) delineate possible UFNB plus practice effects from practice effects alone in motor speech skills; (2) examine the relationships between UFNB integrity, participant-reported stress levels, and motor speech performance; and (3) sample a participant-led UFNB training schedule to contribute to the literature's growing understanding of UFNB dosage. A single-subject (n-of-1 trial), ABAB reversal design was used across four motor speech behaviors.

MultipleXed Population Selection and Enrichment single nucleus RNA sequencing (XPoSE-seq) enables sample identity retention during transcriptional profiling of rare populations.

Single nucleus RNA-sequencing is critical in deciphering tissue heterogeneity and identifying rare populations. However, current high throughput techniques are not optimized for rare target populations and require tradeoffs in design due to feasibility. We provide a novel snRNA pipeline, Mulipleed pulation election and nrichment snRNA-sequencing (), to enable targeted snRNA-seq experiments and in-depth transcriptomic characterization of rare target populations while retaining individual sample identity.

A cortico-amygdala neural substrate for endocannabinoid modulation of fear extinction.

Preclinical and clinical studies implicate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in fear extinction, but the underlying neural circuit basis of these actions is unclear. Here, we employed in vivo optogenetics, eCB biosensor imaging, ex vivo electrophysiology, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mice to examine whether basolateral amygdala (BLA)-projecting medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons represent a neural substrate for the effects of eCBs on extinction. We found that photoexcitation of mPFC axons in BLA during extinction mobilizes BLA eCBs.

A Comparison of Voice Therapy Attendance Rates Between In-Person and Telepractice.

Purpose: This study sought to investigate whether a significant difference exists in attendance, cancellations, and no-shows between in-person therapy and telepractice. The authors hypothesized that telepractice no-show and cancellation rates would be less than in-person no-show and cancellation rates.

Method: This retrospective study manually reviewed and analyzed attendance, no-show, and cancellation data over a 3-month span of in-person-only visits (September 2019-November 2019) and a 3-month span of telepractice visits (September 2020-November 2020) conducted at the Emory Voice Center, a tertiary care practice in urban Atlanta, Georgia.

Custom-Built Operant Conditioning Setup for Calcium Imaging and Cognitive Testing in Freely Moving Mice.

Operant chambers are widely used in animal research to study cognition, motivation, and learning processes. Paired with the rapidly developing technologies for brain imaging and manipulations of brain activity, operant conditioning chambers are a powerful tool for neuroscience research. The behavioral testing and imaging setups that are commercially available are often quite costly.

Enhancing Adherence to Voice Therapy via Social Cognitive Strategies.

Treatment adherence is a challenge in behavioral voice therapy. Patients commonly encounter difficulties with practicing and implementing target voice techniques outside of the clinic. Several mobile support strategies have been shown to improve adherence.

Effect of an iOS App on Voice Therapy Adherence and Motivation.

Purpose Patients commonly report difficulties adhering to voice therapy. An iOS app was developed in our lab that assists practice via reminder notifications, instructional recordings, and cepstral peak prominence analysis results. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of such homework support modality on adherence behavior and associated motivation in a comparison of app support and written homework instructions and to assess the usability and utility of the app.

Toward a Consensus Description of Vocal Effort, Vocal Load, Vocal Loading, and Vocal Fatigue.

Purpose The purpose of this document is threefold: (a) review the uses of the terms "vocal fatigue," "vocal effort," "vocal load," and "vocal loading" (as found in the literature) in order to track the occurrence and the related evolution of research; (b) present a "linguistically modeled" definition of the same from the review of literature on the terms; and (c) propose conceptualized definitions of the concepts. Method A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scientific Electronic Library Online. Four terms ("vocal fatigue," "vocal effort," "vocal load," and "vocal loading"), as well as possible variants, were included in the search, and their usages were compiled into conceptual definitions.

Patient, Parent, and Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions of Pediatric Voice Therapy Through Interviews.

Purpose: Voice therapy is heavily reliant on patient adherence for success, and patient perceptions are an important piece of understanding adherence. Patient perceptions of voice therapy have not been studied in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to examine patient, parent, and speech-language pathologists' experiences and perceptions of voice therapy and how they reflect barriers to and facilitators of adherence to therapy.

Feasibility of the Fake Phone Call: An iOS App for Covert, Public Practice of Voice Technique for Generalization Training.

Objectives: Generalization is a challenging phase in voice therapy, involving the implementation of a targeted voice technique in all spoken communication. Among other barriers to generalization, self-consciousness keeps patients from practicing and recalibrating their voice technique when they can be overheard (eg, at work). We developed an iOS application that covertly assists users in producing their target voice while they appear to be engaged in a cellular phone call.

Long-Term Cortisol Concentration in Scalp Hair of Asthmatic Children Using Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and may lead to adrenal insufficiency, resulting in a decrease of cortisol production. Cortisol levels measured in scalp hair provide a marker for long-term cortisol exposure. Data regarding hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in asthmatic children with ICS therapy are scarce.

Using the Borg CR10 Physical Exertion Scale to Measure Patient-perceived Vocal Effort Pre and Post Treatment.

Objectives: Reduction of vocal effort is a therapeutic goal in resonant voice therapy and in the treatment of a variety of voice disorders. The Borg CR10 is a perceived effort scale that is widely accepted across a wide variety of disciplines. The purpose of the present study was to examine (1) the utility of an anchored, adapted Borg CR10 in observing treatment-related vocal effort reduction and (2) the convergent validity of the Borg CR10 in its relation to Voice Handicap Index (VHI) item 14.

Effect of MP4 Therapy Videos on Adherence to Voice Therapy Home Practice in Children With Dysphonia.

Objectives/hypothesis: Voice disorders in children are often treated with behavioral voice therapy, which requires home practice of exercises. Previous studies with adults demonstrated increased practice frequency when patients were given videos of a clinician and patient performing therapy tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine whether videos of practice exercises would increase adherence to therapy in children.

An iOS-based Cepstral Peak Prominence Application: Feasibility for Patient Practice of Resonant Voice.

Objectives/hypothesis: Patients participating in voice therapy often express difficulty replicating therapy targets during their independent home practice. To assist patients, an iOS-based app was developed that calculates and displays cepstral peak prominence (CPP) values for patient self-monitoring of voice quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usability (ie ease of use) and utility (ie helpfulness) of this app in patient practice of resonant voice, and its effect on self-efficacy for practice.

Predicting and influencing voice therapy adherence using social-cognitive factors and mobile video.

Purpose: Patient adherence to voice therapy is an established challenge. The purpose of this study was (a) to examine whether adherence to treatment could be predicted from three social-cognitive factors measured at treatment onset: self-efficacy, goal commitment, and the therapeutic alliance, and (b) to test whether the provision of clinician, self-, and peer model mobile treatment videos on MP4 players would influence the same triad of social cognitive factors and the adherence behavior of patients.

Method: Forty adults with adducted hyperfunction with and without benign lesions were prospectively randomized to either 4 sessions of voice therapy enhanced by MP4 support or without MP4 support.

Factors associated with singers' perceptions of choral singing well-being.

Objectives: Choral singing is a popular vocational pastime across cultures. The potential health benefits associated with choral singing, including positive effect on well-being, are a topic of interest in health research. However, anecdotal reports from voice professionals suggest that the unique demands of choral singing may enforce unhealthy singing habits.

Use of portable digital media players increases patient motivation and practice in voice therapy.

Objectives/hypotheses: There are many documented barriers to successful adherence to voice therapy. However, methods for facilitating adherence are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if patient adherence and motivation for practice could be improved by providing patients with practice support between sessions using mobile treatment videos.

Patient perceptions of voice therapy adherence.

Patient perspectives of behavioral voice therapy, including perspectives of treatment adherence, have not been formally documented. Because treatment adherence is, to a large extent, determined by patient beliefs, assessment of patient perspectives is integral to the study of adherence. Fifteen patients who had undergone at least two sessions of direct voice therapy for a variety of voice disorders/complaints were interviewed about their perspectives on voice therapy, with a particular focus on adherence.

The acquisition of tolerance toward cow's milk through probiotic supplementation: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is the most frequently diagnosed food allergy in infancy. In general, patients have a good prognosis because the majority acquire tolerance within the first years. Interventions have been proposed to accelerate tolerance and reduce morbidity.

Transtheoretical model of health behavior change applied to voice therapy.

Studies of patient adherence to health behavior programs, such as physical exercise, smoking cessation, and diet, have resulted in the formulation and validation of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change. Although widely accepted as a guide for the development of health behavior interventions, this model has not been applied to vocal rehabilitation. Because resolution of vocal difficulties frequently depends on a patient's ability to make changes in vocal and health behaviors, the TTM may be a useful way to conceptualize voice behavior change processes, including the patient's readiness for change.

Hb St. Jozef, A Val-->Leu N-terminal mutation leading to retention of the methionine, and partial acetylation found in the globin gene in Cis with a -alpha3.7 thalassemia deletion.

We report a new hemoglobin (Hb) variant found in a 6-year-old girl of Moroccan origin, living in the Dutch city of Gouda. The child was referred because of microcytic and hypochromic parameters. A normal zinc protoporphyirin (ZPP) value excluded iron deficiency and gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) revealed a heterozygosity for the common -alpha(3.

Cellular response of human cardiac fibroblasts to mechanically simulated aortic regurgitation.

Myocardial fibrosis has been identified in biopsy specimens from catheterization and valve replacement surgery in patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). While characterization of these extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations has been incomplete in humans, fibrosis also has been identified in chronic severe experimentally created AR, in which ECM composition features abnormal fibronectin/glycoprotein production, with normal collagen content. Virtually identical ECM variations have been induced when normal rabbit cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are subjected in culture to cyclic mechanical strain mimicking that found in the left ventricle (LV) in severe AR.

Promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in poverty neighborhoods.

This review of promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in poverty neighborhoods reveals four main themes: (1) The challenges facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods are not discrete-but are multidimensional; (2) Integrated family and neighborhood strengthening practices, such as the Making Connections (MC) Initiative (funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation), and the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), represent innovative strategies to address the multifaceted issues facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods; (3) The organizational structure, challenges and successes of the MC and HCZ provide insight into the nature of integrated family and neighborhood approaches; (4) A framework for the design of an integrated family and neighborhood program includes a focus on internal organizational processes, neighborhood processes, and external processes. This framework can assist social service agencies in moving their services toward a more integrated family and neighborhood approach.

Bolus location associated with videofluoroscopic and respirodeglutometric events.

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the relation between specific events observed with simultaneous videofluoroscopy and respirodeglutometry. The order of occurrence was determined for each of 31 events (18 videofluoroscopic, 13 respirodeglutometric). Using 1 video frame (33.

The effect of elicitation task on discourse coherence and cohesion in adolescents with brain injury.

Six adolescents with traumatic brain injury and six adolescents who had been hospitalized for an illness or injury not affecting the brain were administered two narrative tasks designed to vary in their demand for spontaneous organization of information and minimize the requirement for new learning. The discourse topics--a description of each subject's injury and hospitalization, and a re-telling of a current event--were chosen to be representative of discourse in adolescent daily living. Narratives produced by subjects in each group were compared between the two tasks on measures of coherence and cohesion.