Sandra Neumann

Pertussis toxin inhibits autophosphorylation and activation of the insulin receptor kinase

Pertussis toxin is an ADP-ribosyltransferase which alters the function of some of the GTP-binding proteins and inhibits some actions of insulin. In vivo, pertussis toxin (2 micrograms/ml/2h) inhibited insulin-stimulated tyrosyl autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor by 50% in FaO cells, and nearly completely inhibited phosphorylation of the cellular insulin receptor substrate pp185. Similarly, insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation and kinase activity of the insulin receptor purified on wheat germ agglutinin-agarose from pertussis toxin-treated FaO cells was diminished 50%; however, treatment of cells with the catalytically inactive B-oligomer of the toxin had no effect on receptor tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. Pertussis toxin did not alter insulin binding or the cellular levels of ATP, cAMP, and cGMP. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation of the insulin receptor from intact cells with anti-insulin receptor antibodies showed that pertussis toxin did not increase the phosphorylation of serine or threonine residues in the insulin receptor. These results suggest that pertussis toxin can modulate signal transduction of insulin at the level of the insulin receptor kinase.

Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health–Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY) to Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective In recent health policy discussions, the World Health Organization has urged member states to implement the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version in their clinical practice and research. The purpose of this study was to identify codes from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version relevant for use among children with cleft lip and/or palate, thereby highlighting the potential value of these codes for interprofessional cleft palate-craniofacial teams. Design The scope of recent published research in the area of cleft lip and/or palate was reviewed and compared with meaningful terms identified from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version. In a five-step procedure, a consensus-based list of terms was developed that was linked separately to International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version categories and codes. This provided a first draft of a core set for use in the cleft lip and/or palate field. Conclusions Adopting International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version domains in cleft lip and/or palate may aid experts in identifying appropriate starting points for assessment, counseling, and therapy. When used as a clinical tool, it encourages health care professionals to go beyond treatment and outcome perspectives that are focused solely on the child and to include the childrens environment and their familial/societal context. In order to establish improved, evidence-based interdisciplinary treatments for children with cleft lip and/or palate, more studies are needed that seek to identify all the influencing conditions of activities, childrens participation, and barriers/facilitators in their environments.

Effectiveness of nasopharyngoscopic biofeedback in clients with cleft palate speech: a systematic review.

Objective. To conduct a systematic review analyzing the effectiveness of nasopharyngoscopic biofeedback in clients with cleft lip and palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. Method. Extensive electronic search and analysis of the databases of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL, AMED, Journals@Ovid, and German Databases, including all papers published since 1970 plus a manual search of the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (1970-3/2010). Results. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Their analysis reflects a low level of evidence and a broad heterogeneity concerning age range, intervention methods, and outcome measurement. Conclusion. The analyzed studies show that nasopharyngoscopy may be effective only in combination with traditional speech therapy in helping patients with cleft palate speech optimize their velopharyngeal closure in articulation, but the quantity and quality of studies are limited.

The German Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS-G): Reliability and Validity of a Novel Assessment of Communicative Participation

Purpose Our purpose was to explore the validity and reliability of the German Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS-G; Thomas-Stonell, Oddson, Robertson, & Rosenbaum, 2010, 2012), which is an authorized adaptation of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (Thomas-Stonell et al., 2010) tool, which measures communicative participation in preschool children. Method Parents of typically developing children (TDC) and of children with speech impairment (CSI) completed the FOCUS-G and the Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children (KiddyKINDL; Ravens-Sieberer & Bullinger, 2000). To determine test-retest reliability, the FOCUS-G was readministered to a subsample of parents 1 week later. Results The FOCUS-G had high values for internal consistency (α = .959, Ω = .941), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .974), and split-half reliability (r = .832). Total scores on the FOCUS-G and KiddyKINDL demonstrated significant associations. FOCUS-G total scores and subdomain scores for both samples showed significant correlations, indicating good construct validity. The discriminatory ability of the FOCUS-G was indicated by significantly higher mean scores for TDC (M = 6.03, SD = 0.65) than CSI (M = 5.47, SD = 1.02). Conclusion The overall good psychometric properties of this novel assessment of communicative participation support its use by speech-language pathologists for clinical and research purposes with German-speaking children.

Validation of the German Version of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the German translation of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals (TVQMtF), an instrument assessing the voice-related quality of life (VrQoL) in trans women. STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. METHOD The conducted online survey contained the TVQMtF as well as a generic measurement of VrQoL (Voice Handicap Index) and items on transition. Data of 127 trans women were analyzed computing coefficients of reliability and convergent validity. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis and model modification were performed. RESULTS Analyses revealed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.97), split-half reliability (rSB = 0.95) and good convergent validity. Significant associations were found between the total scores of the German TVQMtF and the Voice Handicap Index (r = 0.88; P < 0.001) as well as the vocal self-perception (r = -0.57; P < 0.001). An acceptable model with a two-factor structure including 22 of the 30 items was found. CONCLUSIONS The TVQMtF is the first German reliable and valid measurement of VrQoL for trans women. Therefore, its utilization can be recommended for clinical and research purposes in the fields of voice therapy and surgery.

What do we measure when we assess communication-related quality of life in people with aphasia?

Background: People with aphasia (PWA) face significant changes of their communicative functioning that can lead to reducedactivities andparticipation in everyday life (Howe,Worrall, & Hickson, 2008). Accordingly, aphasia – and especially limitations of functional communication – were shown to cause reduced quality of life (QoL) (Cruice, Worrall, Hickson, & Murison, 2003; Hilari, Needle, & Harrison, 2012). The operational model of communication-related quality of life (CRQoL, Cruice, 2008) incorporates these findings and suggests a focus on the self-perceived communicative functioning, activities, and participation with special regard to personal and environmental factors. QoL measures therefore aim to evaluate the functioning and participation of a PWA, as well as their very personal perception of this functioning (WHOQOL Group, 1994). Aims: Due to the close relation of communicative abilities and the perception of QoL in PWA,we aimed to review communication-related items andmeasures currently used to assess QoL in PWA and analyse which aspects of CRQoL are being evaluated. Method & procedures: We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX databases on 26 January 2018 for studies focusing on PWA and reporting the use of a QoL measure. Only QoL measures which applied communication-related items were included. Furthermore, we only analysed items that explicitly referred to communication. We analysed those items based on the categorisation of the WHOQOL Group (1994) and the definition of CRQoL (Cruice, 2008). First, we classified the items into the categories suggested by the WHOQOLGroup (1994) (1.1) “specific information about functioning”, (1.2) “global evaluations of functioning”, and (1.3) “highly personalized evaluations of functioning” (WHOQOL Group, 1994, p. 28). Second, we assigned the items to the categories of CRQoL (Cruice, 2008) (2.1) “performance”, (2.2) “satisfaction”, (2.3) “personalmeaning”, and/or (2.4) “current/future aspiration” and subsequently rated the items as being related to (2a) personal or (2b) contextual factors (see Table 1). The communication-related items were rated independently by two raters (JQ&AR). In cases of disagreement, a third rater’s judgementwas considered as final (KJ). Outcomes & results: In the 516 reviewed studies, we identified 23 QoL measures. Twelve of the QoL measures included communication-related items (102 items in total) which were further analysed.