Urinary metabolite concentrations of phthalate and plasticizers in infancy and childhood in the UNC baby connectome project.

Introduction: Existing evidence suggests that exposure to phthalates is higher among younger age groups. However, limited knowledge exists on how phthalate exposure, as well as exposure to replacement plasticizers, di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) and di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), change from infancy through early childhood.

Methods: Urine samples were collected across the first 5 years of life from typically developing infants and young children enrolled between 2017 and 2020 in the longitudinal UNC Baby Connectome Project.

"I don't think you can really understand it until you put it to action": school-based SLPs' reflections on graduate and continuing education in AAC.

Graduate programs have made strides to improve augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) learning opportunities for pre-service speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In addition, a number of continuing education opportunities are available to practicing SLPs; however, many still report feeling underprepared to serve clients with AAC needs. The purpose of this study was to describe school-based SLPs' perspectives regarding their graduate training, on-the-job experience, and ongoing professional development needs related to AAC.

Organophosphorus Pesticide Exposure at 17 Weeks' Gestation and Odds of Offspring Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study.

Prenatal organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are ubiquitous and have been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, few studies have examined prenatal OPs in relation to diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with only two studies exploring this relationship in a population primarily exposed through diet. In this study, we used a nested case-control study to evaluate prenatal OP exposure and ADHD diagnosis in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

Nutritional control regulates symbiont proliferation and life history in coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis.

Background: The coral-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis is fundamental for the coral reef ecosystem. Corals provide various inorganic nutrients to their algal symbionts in exchange for the photosynthates to meet their metabolic demands. When becoming symbionts, Symbiodiniaceae cells show a reduced proliferation rate and a different life history.

Effectiveness and Utility of Visual Scene Displays as Communication Supports for Adults and Children With Complex Communication Needs: Perspectives of Clinicians and Researchers.

Purpose The aims of this research study were to describe the perspectives of clinicians and researchers regarding the effectiveness of visual scene displays (VSDs) as communication supports in order to inform the translation of research to clinical practice. Method An online survey was completed by 298 clinicians and nine VSD researchers. Participants rated the effectiveness of VSDs in supporting a variety of communication functions and their strength of agreement regarding statements of VSD utility.

Clinical and Research Perspectives on Visual Scene Displays.

Purpose The purposes of this study were to measure the perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and researchers regarding the design of visual scene displays (VSDs) and to investigate the perceived difficulties of SLPs in regard to the acquisition and programming of VSDs. Method We recruited 270 SLPs and nine researchers who focus on VSDs to complete an online survey. The SLP survey addressed both perception of VSD design and difficulties associated with implementing these images as communication supports in the clinical realm.

Speech-Language pathologists' decisions when designing an aided AAC display for a compilation case study of a beginning communicator.

Purpose: The current study sought to identify decisions speech-language pathologists (SLPs) make and their rationale for those decisions when designing an AAC display for a hypothetical school-aged child who was a beginning communicator. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) displays support communicative interactions for children who are unable to use spoken language to meet their communication needs. Children who are at the early stages of learning language, often termed beginning or emerging communicators, may rely heavily on the AAC display to support comprehension and expression.

Non-compliance with disease modifying therapies in patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A qualitative analysis.

Background: Factors associated with adherence to disease modifying therapies (DMT) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have been reported before, but little has been studied on compliance to a physician's initial treatment recommendations. The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with compliance to physician recommended treatment in treatment-naïve patients with MS.

Methods: We studied a cohort of patients with MS followed at an academic MS center in Toronto, Canada between January 2015 and May 2018.

Attributable Fractions of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease for Mortality in the United States: Results From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey With 27 Years of Follow-up.

Background And Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a range of conditions, from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Studies in the United States have reported an increased mortality risk among individuals with NAFLD; therefore, the population attributable fractions (PAFs) for mortality were examined.

Approach And Results: A total of 12,253 adult individuals with ultrasound assessment of NAFLD from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and mortality follow-up through 2015 were included in the analysis.

Oophorectomy and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and primary liver cancer in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cancer are 2-3 times higher in males than females. Hormonal mechanisms are hypothesized, with studies suggesting that oophorectomy may increase risk, but population-based evidence is limited. Thus, we conducted a study within the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, with controls matched to cases of NAFLD (n = 10,082 cases/40,344 controls) and liver cancer (n = 767 cases/3068 controls).

Association of tooth loss with liver cancer incidence and chronic liver disease mortality in a rural Chinese population.

Background: Tooth loss has been reported to be associated with the risk of liver cancer in several prior studies in economically advantaged countries. Whether this relationship is also evident in economically disadvantaged populations is not known.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Nutrition Intervention Trials, two randomized placebo-controlled trials of vitamin/mineral supplementation in Linxian, China.

A national study of Indigenous youth homelessness in Canada.

Objective: This study was designed to address the need for more detailed information about Indigenous homeless youth, a group overrepresented in the homeless population, using a national-level data set.

Study Design: The study used a cross-sectional, self-report survey design.

Methods: Surveys were used to gather demographic, mental health, and quality of life data from a sample of 1103 Canadian youth accessing homeless services with data collected in 2015.

Domperidone use and risk of primary liver cancer in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Background: Pronounced sex-disparity in liver cancer suggests a role for hormones, one of which could be prolactin. Stimulation of prolactin production in mice via domperidone has been reported to decrease hepatocarcinogenesis, thus may have chemopreventive potential. To study the effect of domperidone in humans, a large medical records study was conducted.

Consistent Symbol Location Affects Motor Learning in Preschoolers Without Disabilities: Implications for Designing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Displays.

Purpose: Designing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) displays that minimize operational demands is an important aspect of AAC intervention. The current study compared the effect of 2 display designs on the speed of locating target words by preschoolers without disabilities.

Method: Across 5 sessions, participants in the consistent condition (n = 12) were asked to locate symbols on arrays that did not change, whereas participants in the variable condition (n = 12) utilized arrays where the symbols changed locations each session.

Tobacco, alcohol use and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: The Liver Cancer Pooling Project.

Background: While tobacco and alcohol are established risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, it is unknown whether they also increase the risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Thus, we examined the association between tobacco and alcohol use by primary liver cancer type.

Methods: The Liver Cancer Pooling Project is a consortium of 14 US-based prospective cohort studies that includes data from 1,518,741 individuals (HCC n = 1423, ICC n = 410).

Skin lighteners and hair relaxers as risk factors for breast cancer: results from the Ghana breast health study.

Skin lighteners and hair relaxers, both common among women of African descent, have been suggested as possibly affecting breast cancer risk. In Accra and Kumasi, Ghana, we collected detailed information on usage patterns of both exposures among 1131 invasive breast cancer cases and 2106 population controls. Multivariate analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjustment for breast cancer risk factors.

An exploration of motor learning concepts relevant to use of speech-generating devices.

For individuals who rely on speech-generating devices (SGDs) to complement and substitute for spoken language, speed, and accuracy of access to the device are paramount for effective communication. There is some evidence that application of motor memory principles may improve effectiveness of SGD-based communication. This article reviews motor learning models and principles, including learning stages, types of practice, and environmental factors that affect learning, and highlights the potential applications of these principles in dynamic display SGD design, intervention, and research.