Conversation as an Outcome of Aphasia Treatment: A Systematic Scoping Review

PURPOSE: Conversation-focused speech-language pathology services are a top priority for people living with aphasia, but little is known about how researchers measure conversation as an outcome of treatment. This scoping review was undertaken to systematically review the evidence regarding the measurement of conversation in aphasia studies and to identify current practices and existing gaps. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1995 and September 2019 in multiple electronic databases. Covidence software was used to manage search results, study selection, and data charting processes. Data were extracted from each study and then collated and organized to elucidate the breadth of approaches, tools, or procedures oriented to measuring conversation as an outcome and identify gaps in the existing literature. RESULTS: The systematic search of the literature resulted in 1,244 studies. A total of 64 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The review summarizes the various tools and procedures used to measure conversation as an outcome of aphasia intervention, including variations in data collection and analysis procedures. The review also evaluates the quality of conversation measures in terms of psychometric properties and informal measures of validity. There was a total of 211 measures used across the 64 studies. CONCLUSIONS: While there was no clear measure that was objectively superior, several measures show promise and warrant future exploration. Some of the orientations, conceptualizations, and procedures we have presented can be seen as options that might be included in a future conversation-focused core outcome set. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21514062

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) extracts suppress the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cell line

We examined the inhibitory effects of loquat methanol extract on the adhesion, migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 10, 25, or 50 µg/ml of loquat methanol extract. Both leaf and seed extracts significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner, although leaf extract was more effective. Adhesion and migration were significantly inhibited by loquat extracts in a dose-dependent manner. Loquat extract also inhibited the invasion of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and leaf extract was more effective than seed extract. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were also inhibited by loquat extract. Our results indicate that methanol extracts of loquat inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells partially through the inhibition of MMP activity and leaf extract has more anti-metastatic effects in cell based assay than seed extract. Clinical application of loquat extract as a potent chemopreventive agent may be helpful in limiting breast cancer invasion and metastasis

Negative regulation of ErbB family receptor tyrosine kinases

Receptors of the EGF receptor or ErbB family of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases are frequently overexpressed in a variety of solid tumours, and the aberrant activation of their tyrosine kinase activities is thought to contribute to tumour growth and progression. Much effort has been put into developing inhibitors of ErbB receptors, and both antibody and small-molecule approaches have exhibited clinical success. Recently, a number of endogenous negative regulatory proteins have been identified that suppress the signalling activity of ErbB receptors in cells. These include intracellular RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases such as cbl and Nrdp1 that mediate ErbB receptor degradation, and may include a wide variety of secreted and transmembrane proteins that suppress receptor activation by growth factor ligands. It will be of interest to determine the extent to which tumour cells suppress these pathways to promote their progression, and whether restoration of endogenous receptor-negative regulatory pathways may be exploited for therapeutic benefit

The College Experience of Stuttering: An Ethnographic Study

This dissertation focused on the impact of stuttering within the university setting. Data were gathered and examined using a qualitative research methodology. This research design used several data collection procedures including participant observation, ethnographic interviews, and artifact analysis. These procedures captured the use of communicative strategies and barriers as they unfolded in authentic interactions within the university. They also served to illustrate how other social partners perceived PWS (persons who stutter) in the classroom and other relevant university contexts. The results of these data were examined using categorization of the context and culture of each environment, conversational strategies employed during social interactions, and the coping and supportive devices used during authentic interactions. The views, reactions, and affective reactions of PWS were also explored and discussed. Patterns emerged from the data that uncovered the types of strategies that PWS employed to overcome communicative barriers within the university setting. This study provides further evidence in support of strategies that consider the context within the university when examining PWS and the value in exploring the real-time behaviors that are implemented by PWS as they negotiate social action within these contexts. This study has important implications regarding the value of qualitative research paradigms in investigating social access and inclusion in PWS in the university setting and exploring the usefulness of partner and advocacy training in universities and other educational institutions

[Letter from A. D. Azios to LULAC members - April 24, 1953]

Letter from A. D. Azios, LULAC National Executive Secretary, to all LULAC members, dated April 24, 1953. Contains details about interested candidates filing for position of LULAC National President. Includes dates, times, mailing address, and deadlines

Letter from A.D. Azios to John J. Herrera - March 17, 1976]

Letter from A.D. Azios to John J. Herrera asking Herrera for his support to help Azios win the election of Judge of the Criminal Court No. 9. Azios also extends an invitation to Herrera to a reception on March 25th at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 2100 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas

[Letter A. D. Azios to LULAC Councils - April 24, 1953]

Letter from A. D. Azios, LULAC National Executive Secretary, to LULAC councils and officers dated April 24, 1953. The letter details the requirements and filing deadline for candidates running for the office of LULAC National President. This is a returned copy signed by G. C. Martinez of Council #15 in Galveston, Texas

[Letter from A.D. Azios to John J. Herrera - April 10,1976]

Handwritten letter from A.D. Azios thanking John J. Herrera for his contributions for the election of Judge for the Criminal Court No. 9 in Houston, Texas