Genetic polymorphisms are associated with hair, blood, and urine mercury levels in the American Dental Association (ADA) study participants

SummaryGenetic polymorphisms of heat shock protein 70-kD (HSP70) gene family have recently been hypothesized to be risk factors for cerebral ischemia. However, no prospective epidemiological data evaluating this gene family are available. The present investigation was conducted to examine the possible associations between the HSP70-1 nucleotide 190, HSP70-2 nucleotide 1267, and HSP70-hom nucleotide 2437 polymorphisms and the incidence of stroke in a large cohort of initially healthy men. 14916 apparently healthy men were followed over a 12-year period for incident stroke. Employing a nested case-control study design, 338 study participants who developed stroke (cases) and 338 ageand smoking-matched study participants who remained healthy during follow-up (controls) were evaluated. All observed genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The allele and genotype distributions of the polymorphisms tested were similar among cases and controls, such that the relative risk of future stroke was 0.89 for HSP70-1 nucleotide 190 (95%CI = 0.70–1.12; p = 0.31), 1.13 for HSP70-2 nucleotide 1267 (95%CI = 0.90–1.42; p = 0.29); and 0.89 for HSP70-hom nucleotide 2437 (95%CI = 0.65–1.21; p = 0.45), assuming an additive model. No evidence of association was observed assuming dominant or recessive mode of inheritance. In this large, prospective study, genetic polymorphisms in the HSP70 genes were not associated with risks of future stroke. Screening for these polymorphisms is unlikely to be a useful tool for risk assessment.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Symbol Background Color on the Speed of Locating Targets by Adults Without Disabilities: Implications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Display Design

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1482-1488

Author(s):

Jennifer J. Thistle

Keyword(s):

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Reaction Times ◽

The Other ◽

Background Color ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Display Design ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Research With Children ◽

Study Participants ◽

Perceptual Factors

Purpose Previous research with children with and without disabilities has demonstrated that visual–perceptual factors can influence the speech of locating a target on an array. Adults without disabilities often facilitate the learning and use of a child's augmentative and alternative communication system. The current research examined how the presence of symbol background color influenced the speed with which adults without disabilities located target line drawings in 2 studies. Method Both studies used a between-subjects design. In the 1st study, 30 adults (ages 18–29 years) located targets in a 16-symbol array. In the 2nd study, 30 adults (ages 18–34 years) located targets in a 60-symbol array. There were 3 conditions in each study: symbol background color, symbol background white with a black border, and symbol background white with a color border. Results In the 1st study, reaction times across groups were not significantly different. In the 2nd study, participants in the symbol background color condition were significantly faster than participants in the other conditions, and participants in the symbol background white with black border were significantly slower than participants in the other conditions. Conclusion Communication partners may benefit from the presence of background color, especially when supporting children using displays with many symbols.

Download Full-text

Predictors of Purchasing a Hearing Aid After an Evaluation Period: A Prospective Study in Dutch Older Hearing Aid Candidates

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2019_aja-heal18-18-0163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (3S) ◽

pp. 802-805 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marieke Pronk ◽

Janine F. J. Meijerink ◽

Sophia E. Kramer ◽

Martijn W. Heymans ◽

Jana Besser

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Model Performance ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Support Program ◽

Evaluation Period ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Study Participants ◽

Baseline Covariates

Purpose The current study aimed to identify factors that distinguish between older (50+ years) hearing aid (HA) candidates who do and do not purchase HAs after having gone through an HA evaluation period (HAEP). Method Secondary data analysis of the SUpport PRogram trial was performed ( n = 267 older, 1st-time HA candidates). All SUpport PRogram participants started an HAEP shortly after study enrollment. Decision to purchase an HA by the end of the HAEP was the outcome of interest of the current study. Participants' baseline covariates (22 in total) were included as candidate predictors. Multivariable logistic regression modeling (backward selection and reclassification tables) was used. Results Of all candidate predictors, only pure-tone average (average of 1, 2, and 4 kHz) hearing loss emerged as a significant predictor (odds ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 1.17]). Model performance was weak (Nagelkerke R 2 = .04, area under the curve = 0.61). Conclusions These data suggest that, once HA candidates have decided to enter an HAEP, factors measured early in the help-seeking journey do not predict well who will and will not purchase an HA. Instead, factors that act during the HAEP may hold this predictive value. This should be examined.

Download Full-text

A View of the Lexical–Grammatical Link in Young Latinos With Specific Language Impairment Using Language-Specific and Conceptual Measures

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-l-18-0315 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (6) ◽

pp. 1775-1786 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lucía I. Méndez ◽

Gabriela Simon-Cereijido

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Language Impairment ◽

Specific Language Impairment ◽

L2 Acquisition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specific Language ◽

Vocabulary Skills ◽

In The Beginning ◽

Study Participants ◽

L1 And L2

Purpose This study investigated the nature of the association of lexical–grammatical abilities within and across languages in Latino dual language learners (DLLs) with specific language impairment (SLI) using language-specific and bilingual measures. Method Seventy-four Spanish/English–speaking preschoolers with SLI from preschools serving low-income households participated in the study. Participants had stronger skills in Spanish (first language [L1]) and were in the initial stages of learning English (second language [L2]). The children's lexical, semantic, and grammar abilities were assessed using normative and researcher-developed tools in English and Spanish. Hierarchical linear regressions of cross-sectional data were conducted using measures of sentence repetition tasks, language-specific vocabulary, and conceptual bilingual lexical and semantic abilities in Spanish and English. Results Results indicate that language-specific vocabulary abilities support the development of grammar in L1 and L2 in this population. L1 vocabulary also contributes to L2 grammar above and beyond the contribution of L2 vocabulary skills. However, the cross-linguistic association between vocabulary in L2 and grammar skills in the stronger or more proficient language (L1) is not observed. In addition, conceptual vocabulary significantly supported grammar in L2, whereas bilingual semantic skills supported L1 grammar. Conclusions Our findings reveal that the same language-specific vocabulary abilities drive grammar development in L1 and L2 in DLLs with SLI. In the early stages of L2 acquisition, vocabulary skills in L1 also seem to contribute to grammar skills in L2 in this population. Thus, it is critical to support vocabulary development in both L1 and L2 in DLLs with SLI, particularly in the beginning stages of L2 acquisition. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.

Download Full-text

Speech-Language Pathologists' Comfort Level With Use of Term “Stuttering” During Evaluations

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-19-00081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 841-850 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Courtney T. Byrd ◽

Danielle Werle ◽

Kenneth O. St. Louis

Keyword(s):

Communication Disorders ◽

Academic Experiences ◽

Comfort Level ◽

Future Research ◽

Clinical Experiences ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Comfort Levels ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Evaluation Feedback ◽

Study Participants

Purpose Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) anecdotally report concern that their interactions with a child who stutters, including even the use of the term “stuttering,” might contribute to negative affective, behavioral, and cognitive consequences. This study investigated SLPs' comfort in providing a diagnosis of “stuttering” to children's parents/caregivers, as compared to other commonly diagnosed developmental communication disorders. Method One hundred forty-one school-based SLPs participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two vignettes detailing an evaluation feedback session. Then, participants rated their level of comfort disclosing diagnostic terms to parents/caregivers. Participants provided rationale for their ratings and answered various questions regarding academic and clinical experiences to identify factors that may have influenced ratings. Results SLPs were significantly less likely to feel comfortable using the term “stuttering” compared to other communication disorders. Thematic responses revealed increased experience with a specific speech-language population was related to higher comfort levels with using its diagnostic term. Additionally, knowing a person who stutters predicted greater comfort levels as compared to other clinical and academic experiences. Conclusions SLPs were significantly less comfortable relaying the diagnosis “stuttering” to families compared to other speech-language diagnoses. Given the potential deleterious effects of avoidance of this term for both parents and children who stutter, future research should explore whether increased exposure to persons who stutter of all ages systematically improves comfort level with the use of this term.

Download Full-text