Voice symptoms and voice-related quality of life in college students.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of voice disorders in college students and their effect on the students as shown by quality-of-life indicators.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 545 college students in 2012. The survey included 10 questions from the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), selected voice symptoms, and quality-of-life indicators of functional health and well-being based on the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36).

Ecological and genetic factors influencing the transition between host-use strategies in sympatric Heliconius butterflies.

Shifts in host-plant use by phytophagous insects have played a central role in their diversification. Evolving host-use strategies will reflect a trade-off between selection pressures. The ecological niche of herbivorous insects is partitioned along several dimensions, and if populations remain in contact, recombination will break down associations between relevant loci.

Differences in incidence rates and early detection of cancer among non-Hispanic and Hispanic Whites in the United States.

Objective: Our study compared cancer incidence rates and stage distribution between non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanic Whites in the United States between 1992 and 2009.

Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for the years 1992 through 2009.

Setting: Data represent 13 registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, which reflect 14% of the total US population.

Voice-related symptoms and their effects on quality of life.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which selected voice symptoms formed underlying constructs called factors, and the degree to which these factors influenced specific quality-of-life domains among a group of relatively healthy older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed in October 2010 by 461 individuals 50 years of age and older. The questionnaire items included demographics, medical history, health, voice use, and voice symptoms.

miRNA signature of mouse helper T cell hyper-proliferation.

Helper T cells from a mutant mouse model, LAT Y136F, hyper-proliferate and cause a severe lymphoproliferative disease that kills the mice by six months of age. LAT Y136F mice carry a tyrosine to phenylalanine mutation in the Linker for Activation of T cells (LAT) gene. This mutation leads to a number of changes in T cells that result in altered cytokine production including increased IL-4 production, increased proliferation, and decreased apoptosis.

In vivo evaluation of a breast-specific magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound system in a goat udder model.

Purpose: This work further evaluates the functionality, efficacy, and safety of a new breast-specific magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) system in an in vivo goat udder model.

Methods: Eight female goats underwent an MRgFUS ablation procedure using the breast-specific MRgFUS system. Tissue classification was achieved through the 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition of several contrasts (T1w, T2w, PDw, 3-point Dixon).

Toward validation of the cepstral spectral index of dysphonia (CSID) as an objective treatment outcomes measure.

Objectives: To examine the validity of the Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID) as an objective treatment outcomes measure of dysphonia severity.

Method: Pre- and posttreatment samples of sustained vowel and connected speech productions were elicited from 112 patients across six diagnostic categories: unilateral vocal fold paralysis, adductor spasmodic dysphonia, primary muscle tension dysphonia, benign vocal fold lesions, presbylaryngis, and mutational falsetto. Listener ratings of severity in connected speech were compared with a three-factor CSID model consisting of the cepstral peak prominence (CPP), the low-to-high spectral energy ratio, and its standard deviation.

Tardive and spontaneous dyskinesia incidence in the general population.

Background: To identify the incidence rate of spontaneous dyskinesia (SD) and tardive dyskinesia (TD) in a general population and to examine the association between dykinesia and potential risk factors (exposure to metoclopramide [MCP], antipsychotic drugs, and history of diabetes and psychoses).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for the years 2001 through 2010, based on medical claims data from the Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators (DMBA).

Results: Thirty-four cases of TD and 229 cases of SD were identified.

Comparing nebulized water versus saline after laryngeal desiccation challenge in Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objectives/hypothesis: This study examined the effects of a laryngeal desiccation challenge and two nebulized hydration treatments on phonation threshold pressure (PTP), vocal effort, and throat dryness in patients with chronic airway dryness.

Study Design: Double-blind, within-subjects crossover design.

Methods: Eleven individuals with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome received a 15-minute laryngeal desiccation challenge (breathing dry air-<1% relative humidity-transorally), followed by nebulized isotonic saline or nebulized water treatments (3 mL) on 2 consecutive weeks.

Low-birthweight rates higher among Bangladeshi neonates measured during active birth surveillance compared to national survey data.

Birth size is an important gauge of fetal and neonatal health. Birth size measurements were collected within 72 h of life for 16 290 live born, singleton infants in rural Bangladesh from 2004 to 2007. Gestational age was calculated based on the date of last menstrual period.

A calcineurin docking motif (LXVP) in dynamin-related protein 1 contributes to mitochondrial fragmentation and ischemic neuronal injury.

Fission and fusion events dynamically control the shape and function of mitochondria. The activity of the mitochondrial fission enzyme dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is finely tuned by several post-translational modifications. Phosphorylation of Ser-656 by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibits Drp1, whereas dephosphorylation by a mitochondrial protein phosphatase 2A isoform and the calcium-calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) activates Drp1.

Plasma zinc, vitamin B(12) and α-tocopherol are positively and plasma γ-tocopherol is negatively associated with Hb concentration in early pregnancy in north-west Bangladesh.

Objective: The objective of the current analysis was to explore the association of multiple micronutrients with Hb concentration among pregnant women in a South Asian setting, a topic that has not been adequately explored.

Design: Sociodemographic, anthropometric and micronutrient status (plasma ferritin, transferrin receptor, retinol, a- and g-tocopherol, folate, vitamin B12, Zn) and Hb concentration were assessed at early pregnancy.

Setting: The biochemical sub-study was nested within a double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based vitamin A and b-carotene supplementation trial in rural north-western Bangladesh (JiVitA).

Factors associated with participation in and benefits of a worksite wellness program.

The objective of this study was to describe employees most likely to participate in a Personal Wellness Profile (PWP) and/or in a worksite Wellness Program (WP), and to identify whether an association exists between participation and trends in number of health care services and cost of services per person. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical claims data from the Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators, 2004 through 2009. The PWP and WP involved more than 30% of employee contract holders.

The effect of familiarity on behavior of kenneled dogs during interactions with conspecifics.

Kenneled environments often prevent direct physical contact between dogs, potentially causing stress, and so it has been recommended that such contact should be provided. This study examined the effect of familiarity on the behavior of dogs during off-lead interaction. Kenneled dogs (3 breeds) were given 15-min off-lead interactions with a familiar dog and an unfamiliar dog; the behavior of the focal dog and the distance between the dogs were recorded.

A focus group assessment to determine motivations, barriers and effectiveness of a university-based worksite wellness program.

Background: This study explores university employee perceptions and under-standing about its Worksite Health Promotion Program (WHPP). The WHPP included a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA), biometric screening, publicity for on-campus health programs and facilities, and health coaching.

Methods: A qualitative design was used based on a grounded theory ap-proach.

Self-rated job performance and absenteeism according to employee engagement, health behaviors, and physical health.

Objective: To better understand the combined influence of employee engagement, health behavior, and physical health on job performance and absenteeism.

Methods: Analyses were based on 20,114 employees who completed the Healthways Well-Being Assessment from 2008 to 2010. Employees represented three geographically dispersed companies in the United States.

Rural vs urban residence affects risk-appropriate colorectal cancer screening.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the effects of geographic factors, such as rural vs urban residence and travel time to colonoscopy providers, on risk-appropriate use of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the general population. We evaluated the effects of geographic factors on adherence to CRC screening and differences in screening use among familial risk groups.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2010 Utah Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included state-added questions on familial CRC.

A phospholipase C-γ1-independent, RasGRP1-ERK-dependent pathway drives lymphoproliferative disease in linker for activation of T cells-Y136F mutant mice.

Mice expressing a germline mutation in the phospholipase C-γ1-binding site of linker for activation of T cells (LAT) show progressive lymphoproliferation and ultimately die at 4-6 mo age. The hyperactivated T cells in these mice show defective TCR-induced calcium flux but enhanced Ras/ERK activation, which is critical for disease progression. Despite the loss of LAT-dependent phospholipase C-γ1 binding and activation, genetic analysis revealed RasGRP1, and not Sos1 or Sos2, to be the major Ras guanine exchange factor responsible for ERK activation and the lymphoproliferative phenotype in these mice.

Disruptive ecological selection on a mating cue.

Adaptation to divergent ecological niches can result in speciation. Traits subject to disruptive selection that also contribute to non-random mating will facilitate speciation with gene flow. Such 'magic' or 'multiple-effect' traits may be widespread and important for generating biodiversity, but strong empirical evidence is still lacking.

Unintentional prescription opioid-related overdose deaths: description of decedents by next of kin or best contact, Utah, 2008-2009.

Background: Little is known about the characteristics that may predispose an individual to being at risk for fatal overdose from prescription opioids.

Objective: To identify characteristics related to unintentional prescription opioid overdose deaths in Utah.

Design: Interviews were conducted (October 2008-October 2009) with a relative or friend most knowledgeable about the decedent's life.

A small business worksite wellness model for improving health behaviors.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a wellness program delivered by WellSteps, LLC, aimed at improving employee health behaviors in small companies that lack the resources to independently develop and manage a wellness program.

Methods: Analyses are based on 618 employees from five diverse companies that completed an initial personal health assessment.

Results: Exercise and dietary behaviors significantly improved across the five companies.

Maternal effects in the highly communal sociable weaver may exacerbate brood reduction and prepare offspring for a competitive social environment.

Maternal effects can influence offspring phenotype with short- and long-term consequences. Yet, how the social environment may influence egg composition is not well understood. Here, we investigate how laying order and social environment predict maternal effects in the sociable weaver, Philetairus socius, a species that lives in massive communal nests which may be occupied by only a few to 100+ individuals in a single nest.

Presenteeism according to healthy behaviors, physical health, and work environment.

The objective of this study is to identify the contribution that selected demographic characteristics, health behaviors, physical health outcomes, and workplace environmental factors have on presenteeism (on-the-job productivity loss attributed to poor health and other personal issues). Analyses are based on a cross-sectional survey administered to 3 geographically diverse US companies in 2010. Work-related factors had the greatest influence on presenteeism (eg, too much to do but not enough time to do it, insufficient technological support/resources).

Case report: an orofacial pain patient with spots on the brain-multiple sclerosis versus central systemic lupus erythematosus.

Orofacial pain bridges an important gap between medicine and dentistry. This article presents the case of a man who reported preauricular pain, tinnitus, and vertigo that began after extraction of an impacted third molar and who was sent for evaluation of a possible temporomandibular joint disorder. However, he was subsequently found to have markers and imaging results consistent with recurrent and more centralized lupus and/or multiple sclerosis.