Complex phonological tasks predict reading fluency and reading comprehension

Reading is a complex multifaceted process that critically relies on phonological processing (Del Campo et al., 2015, Ramus et al., 2013). The well-known theoretical model of phonological processing developed by Wagner and colleagues (Wagner et al., 1994) separates phonological skills into three main components: phonological awareness, phonological working memory, and rapid naming – and this model became the basis for modern studies of the relationship between phonology and reading (Del Campo et al., 2015; Kalashnikova & Burnham, 2016). But the role of the complexity level in phonological processing is underexplored now. We examined the relations between the level of complexity in phonological processing tasks and reading outcome, including reading fluency and reading comprehension. The research was conducted in a group of typically developing Russian- speaking children of primary school (N=90, 7-to-11 years of age, 48=girls, 42=boys). We used linguistically based approach and designed phonological subtests taking into account a number of psycholinguistic parameters, i.e., age of acquisition of words, word length, syllabic structure, frequency of use, articulatory features. The theoretical assessment of the complexity level in seven phonological subtests was verified by the empirical evidence. Our analysis showed that the most difficult phonological tasks have significant independent contribution to text reading and reading comprehension. The effect was revealed in a group of children controlled for non-verbal intelligence. These results suggest that phonological processing needs to be considered in models of reading not only in terms of traditional types, but also regarding the quantity and types of involved cognitive sub-processes

Maternal Age at Menarche Genes Determines Fetal Growth Restriction Risk

We aimed to explore the potential link of maternal age at menarche (mAAM) gene polymorphisms with risk of the fetal growth restriction (FGR). This case (FGR)–control (FGR free) study included 904 women (273 FGR and 631 control) in the third trimester of gestation examined/treated in the Departments of Obstetrics. For single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) multiplex genotyping, 50 candidate loci of mAAM were chosen. The relationship of mAAM SNPs and FGR was appreciated by regression procedures (logistic/model-based multifactor dimensionality reduction [MB-MDR]) with subsequent in silico assessment of the assumed functionality pithy of FGR-related loci. Three mAAM-appertain loci were FGR-linked to genes such as KISS1 (rs7538038) (effect allele G-odds ratio (OR)allelic = 0.63/pperm = 0.0003; ORadditive = 0.61/pperm = 0.001; ORdominant = 0.56/pperm = 0.001), NKX2-1 (rs999460) (effect allele A-ORallelic = 1.37/pperm = 0.003; ORadditive = 1.45/pperm = 0.002; ORrecessive = 2.41/pperm = 0.0002), GPRC5B (rs12444979) (effect allele T-ORallelic = 1.67/pperm = 0.0003; ORdominant = 1.59/pperm = 0.011; ORadditive = 1.56/pperm = 0.009). The haplotype ACA FSHB gene (rs555621*rs11031010*rs1782507) was FRG-correlated (OR = 0.71/pperm = 0.05). Ten FGR-implicated interworking models were founded for 13 SNPs (pperm ≤ 0.001). The rs999460 NKX2-1 and rs12444979 GPRC5B interplays significantly influenced the FGR risk (these SNPs were present in 50% of models). FGR-related mAAM-appertain 15 polymorphic variants and 350 linked SNPs were functionally momentous in relation to 39 genes participating in the regulation of hormone levels, the ovulation cycle process, male gonad development and vitamin D metabolism. Thus, this study showed, for the first time, that the mAAM-appertain genes determine FGR risk