ELECTROPALATOGRAPHY AS AN ADJUNCT TO NONSPEECH OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDER ASSESSMENTS: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

The purpose of this study was to determine if electropalatography (EPG) would be a useful adjunct and feasible option for those conducting clinical assessments of individuals with suspected nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD). Three females (two adults, one child) were referred by their orthodontist for assessment of suspected NSOMD. Three adults and one child without NSOMD were recruited for the purpose of evaluating methodological construct, and to provide comparisons for participants with NSOMD. Using EPG, lingual-palatal timing and contact patterns of 105 saliva swallows (45 with NSOMD, 60 without NSOMD) were analyzed by compartmentalizing the sensor display and tracking the order and duration of activation. Lingual-palatal contact patterns were compared in terms of four stages: prepropulsion, propulsion, postpropulsion, release. Coding the lingual-palatal activation in an operationalized manner was a valuable adjunct for describing lingual-palatal timing and contact patterns. Participants with NSOMD showed unique lingual-palatal contact patterns that differed from the patterns of the participants without NSOMD, and from each other. EPG is a potential adjunct to the non-instrumental assessment of NSOMD. Larger scale investigations using EPG should proceed

Treating Myofunctional Disorders: A Multiple-Baseline Study of a New Treatment Using Electropalatography

Purpose: This study assessed the benefit of using electropalatography (EPG) in treatment aimed at habilitating individuals with nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD). Method: The study used a multiple-baseline design across 3 female participants who were referred for an evaluation and possible treatment of their NSOMD. Treatment sessions were 30 min and provided twice weekly. Participant 1 received 8 treatments, Participant 2 received 6 treatments, and Participant 3 received 4 treatments. The patterns of sensor activation produced when participants’ tongues made contact with the electropalate during saliva swallows were compared with the patterns of age-matched peers. Individualized goals were developed on the basis of these comparisons. Results: Treatment was generally effective for the established goals. Of the 3 participants, 2 met all their goals, and the 3rd participant made gains across 1 of 2 goals. Participants continued to perform above baseline levels for most targeted goals during testing 5–8 weeks posttreatment. Conclusion: When used in skilled treatment, EPG has potential as a means of habilitating NSOMD. It may serve as a valuable tool, providing the clinician and client with information that allows for individualized treatment planning

ELECTROPALATOGRAPHY AS AN ADJUNCT TO NONSPEECH OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDER ASSESSMENTS: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

The purpose of this study was to determine if electropalatography (EPG) would be a useful adjunct and feasible option for those conducting clinical assessments of individuals with suspected nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD). Three females (two adults, one child) were referred by their orthodontist for assessment of suspected NSOMD. Three adults and one child without NSOMD were recruited for the purpose of evaluating methodological construct, and to provide comparisons for participants with NSOMD. Using EPG, lingual-palatal timing and contact patterns of 105 saliva swallows (45 with NSOMD, 60 without NSOMD) were analyzed by compartmentalizing the sensor display and tracking the order and duration of activation. Lingual-palatal contact patterns were compared in terms of four stages: prepropulsion, propulsion, postpropulsion, release. Coding the lingual-palatal activation in an operationalized manner was a valuable adjunct for describing lingual-palatal timing and contact patterns. Participants with NSOMD showed unique lingual-palatal contact patterns that differed from the patterns of the participants without NSOMD, and from each other. EPG is a potential adjunct to the non-instrumental assessment of NSOMD. Larger scale investigations using EPG should proceed

A Medium-Resolution Near-Infrared Spectral Library of Late Type Stars: I

We present an empirical infrared spectral library of medium resolution (R~2000-3000) H (1.6 micron) and K (2.2 micron) band spectra of 218 red stars, spanning a range of [Fe/H] from ~-2.2 to ~+0.3. The sample includes Galactic disk stars, bulge stars from Baade's window, and red giants from Galactic globular clusters. We report the values of 19 indices covering 12 spectral features measured from the spectra in the library. Finally, we derive calibrations to estimate the effective temperature, and diagnostic relationships to determine the luminosity classes of individual stars from near-infrared spectra. This paper is part of a larger effort aimed at building a near-IR spectral library to be incorporated in population synthesis models, as well as, at testing synthetic stellar spectra.Comment: 34 pages, 12 figures; accepted for publication at ApJS; the spectra are available from the authors upon reques

Focal Fat Masquerading as Malignancy in the Liver Graft of a Post-Transplant Patient

Liver failure from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing indication for liver transplant and recurrence of fatty liver in transplanted grafts has been documented. Herein is described an atypical recurrence of steatosis as a de novo focal fatty lesion that mimicked a more ominous cancerous lesion. This presentation of recurrent NAFLD has not previously been described in the literature

The oncogene AAMDC links PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling with metabolic reprograming in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Adipogenesis associated Mth938 domain containing (AAMDC) represents an uncharacterized oncogene amplified in aggressive estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. We uncover that AAMDC regulates the expression of several metabolic enzymes involved in the one-carbon folate and methionine cycles, and lipid metabolism. We show that AAMDC controls PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling, regulating the translation of ATF4 and MYC and modulating the transcriptional activity of AAMDC-dependent promoters. High AAMDC expression is associated with sensitization to dactolisib and everolimus, and these PI3K-mTOR inhibitors exhibit synergistic interactions with anti-estrogens in IntClust2 models. Ectopic AAMDC expression is sufficient to activate AKT signaling, resulting in estrogen-independent tumor growth. Thus, AAMDC-overexpressing tumors may be sensitive to PI3K-mTORC1 blockers in combination with anti-estrogens. Lastly, we provide evidence that AAMDC can interact with the RabGTPase-activating protein RabGAP1L, and that AAMDC, RabGAP1L, and Rab7a colocalize in endolysosomes. The discovery of the RabGAP1L-AAMDC assembly platform provides insights for the design of selective blockers to target malignancies having the AAMDC amplification

Opportunity Crop Profiles for the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) in Africa

The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (or “VACS”) is a movement that brings together dedicated communities and individuals from research, advocacy, and policy to shine a light on opportunities that traditional and underutilized crops provide to build more resilient and competitive food systems. VACS was launched in February 2023 in partnership with the African Union (AU), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Food Security at the State Department, with an initial focus on the African continent. This report is an in-depth crop analysis designed to provide a rigorous evidence base to the global community. By conducting a holistic assessment of a variety of well- researched crops (e.g., maize, cassava, soybean and tomato), compared to a non-exhaustive list of neglected and underutilized crops (e.g., opportunity crops, such as bambara groundnut and fonio), we aim to provide actionable insights into the crops that are best equipped to provide stable and nutritious diets in the face of climate variability and extreme weather events in geographies across the continent. This piece of research is not meant to be exhaustive or exclusionary towards considering a broader set of crops. We hope this process and the findings are a stepping-stone to provide an evidence-based assessment on behalf of a global agenda. This report was produced alongside the VACS: Research in Action Report, (also known as the Summary Report) which outlines the guiding concepts of the VACS approach, overviews research conducted to date to expand the evidence base, recommends areas of focus for the movement going forward, and ways to engage in VACS

Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) Research in Action: Opportunity Crops for Africa

The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (or “VACS”) brings together dedicated communities and individuals from research, advocacy, and policy to shine a light on opportunities that opportunity crops provide to build more resilient and food systems. Scaling up production and access to more diverse, climate-resilient crop varieties that support good nutrition and better livelihoods is a goal shared across national, regional, and international communities. VACS has gained important visibility, including from the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, which has galvanized further international support. This report outlines the guiding concepts of the VACS approach, provides an overview of the research conducted as part of VACS through crop-modeling and evidence synthesis approaches, and recommends areas of focus for the movement going forward as well as ways to engage in VACS