A phonology-free mobile communication app

Purpose: Aphasia – loss of comprehension or expression of language – is a devastating functional sequela of stroke. There are as yet no effective methods for rehabilitation of aphasia. An assistive device that allows aphasia patients to communicate and interact at speeds approaching real time is urgently needed. Methods: Behavioral and linguistic studies of aphasia patients show that they retain normal thinking processes and most aspects of language. They lack only phonology: the ability to translate (input) and/or output sounds (or written words) such as “ta-ble” into the image of a four-legged object with a top at which one works or eats. Results: We have made a phonology-free communication mobile app that may be useful for patients with aphasia and other communication disorders. Particular innovations of our app include calling Google Images as a “subroutine” to allow a near-infinite number of choices (e.g. food or clothing items) for patients without having to make countless images, and by the use of animation for words, phrases or concepts that cannot be represented by a single image. We have tested our app successfully in one patient. Conclusions: The app may be of great benefit to patients with aphasia and other communication disorders.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• We have made a phonology-free mobile communication app.

• This app may facilitate communication for patients with aphasia and other communication disorders.

     

Foreign-Born Women's Experiences of Community-Based Doulas in Sweden—A Qualitative Study

We conducted 32 in-depth interviews with 20 rural, low-income, women residing in the United States who were pregnant (n = 12) or 3 months postpartum (n = 8) and had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Using purposive sampling and the grounded theory method, we generated a conceptual model of coping. The urge to protect the unborn baby was the primary influence for participants’ decisions about separating from or permanently leaving an abusive relationship. Implications include universal screening for IPV in child-bearing women, inquiry into maternal identity development during pregnancy, and improved resource access for rural, low-income women.     

In vivo growth of a bioengineered internal anal sphincter: comparison of growth factors for optimization of growth and survival

Purpose  

Our laboratory has developed and implanted a novel bioengineered internal anal sphincter (IAS) to treat anal incontinence. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has been used in mice; however, the optimal growth factor for successful IAS implantation is unclear. This study compares several growth factors in order to optimize IAS viability and functionality.     

Abnormal gene expression leads to poor prognosis in breast cancer patients in Bihar

With its highest mortality rate, the breast cancer outruns other gynecological cancers. For a long time, the breast cancer was associated with poor prognosis. But with the advent of analysis of expression level of different protein receptors (ER/PR and Her-2/neu) with the help of immunohistochemistry (IHC) has ushered us to a new era of treatment of cancer called immunotherapy.Tissues sampled from 167 breast cancer patients at pathology labs of Mahavir Cancer Institute & Research Center, S S Hospital and Research Institute and NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India, were processed by a routine protocol.Highest percentage of patients showed ER⁺/PR+ and least percentage of patients were characterized by ER+/PR? (p value <0.0001, hazard ratio, 95 % CI 2.537–21.603). A large number of patients (52.09 %) were classified under luminal C. Interestingly, 25.74 and 44.31 % of total patients aged within 30–50 tend to show ER^?/PR^? and Her-2/neu with p value <0.0081 (hazard ratio, 95 % CI 1.674–6.833) and 0.0313 (hazard ratio, 95 % CI 0.263–1.623), respectively.The present endeavor was to classify the patients for their prognosis on the basis of hormonal and C-erb B2. The failure of the drug in ER?/PR? patients like tamoxifen is not a good sign to the oncologists. Herceptin on the other hand can play a good role in the treatment of greater percentage of patients showing Her-2/neu+. However, implementation of either new prognostic marker or more effective immunotherapy or both are warranted for effective treatment of breast cancer patients.     

Haemorrhagic purpura in an elderly man

You are asked to review an 85 year old man with bullous lesions on the torso and limbs (as shown), which developed after treatment with low‐molecular weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH), and furosemide. Based on the given history and the clinical and histological images, what is your diagnosis?