MRS. CAROLYN ANN ALTMAN, M.D.

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This study looked at how well bilingual preschool children can structure stories in both their home language (English) and the local language (Hebrew). Researchers found that children had better story structure scores in English, showing they were especially good at creating characters and expressing their feelings about problems. It was also noted that reading books in English at home helped improve their storytelling skills in Hebrew. Who this helps: This benefits bilingual children and their parents by highlighting the importance of reading in both languages.

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This study looked at how different doses of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), affected treatment outcomes for Medicaid patients in Philadelphia from 2017 to 2023. It found that the percentage of patients receiving higher doses (17-24 mg) increased from 12% to 40% during this time, and those on higher doses had better results: they were less likely to need detox and rehab (39% compared to 60% for lower doses) and stayed engaged in treatment longer (90 days vs. 205 days for lower doses). This matters because it shows that higher doses can lead to better care for OUD, while also highlighting racial disparities in medication access. Who this helps: Patients with opioid use disorder, especially those on Medicaid.

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This article provides guidance for school nurses on how to handle students who report heart-related symptoms like palpitations, chest pain, or fainting. It outlines critical steps for nurses to take, including recognizing serious warning signs and deciding when to call emergency services. The findings stress the importance of timely assessments, advising that some cases may need immediate medical attention while others can be addressed with a regular doctor later on. Who this helps: This benefits school nurses, ensuring they can better assess and manage students with potential heart issues.

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This study looked at a new method for treating a serious brain condition in unborn lambs called Vein of Galen malformation. Researchers found that a procedure called FETTUS, which involves guiding a small catheter to the problem artery using ultrasound and X-ray, was successful in blocking the artery 100% of the time in lambs at 130 days of gestation, 86% at 120 days, and only 33% at 100 days. This technique is important because it opens up a safe option for treating this condition before birth, potentially improving outcomes for affected babies. Who this helps: This benefits unborn babies diagnosed with Vein of Galen malformation.

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This study looked at how an academic writing program helped six college students with mild intellectual disabilities improve their writing skills. The students showed noteworthy improvements in their writing structure and complexity after going through 32 lessons, with a quick boost in overall writing quality noticed early on, although the complexity of their sentences took longer to develop. This is important because it shows that specialized writing programs can effectively enhance the academic abilities of students with intellectual disabilities, making it easier for them to succeed in higher education. Who this helps: This benefits students with intellectual disabilities and their educators.

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This research studied how well 5-year-old children with developmental language disorder (DLD) remember things compared to children without any language issues. They found that children with DLD had much lower accuracy in remembering where objects were and had more trouble with writing new symbols. For example, while their peers did better in both memory tasks, the performance gap widened over time, meaning DLD kids struggled more as time passed. These findings matter because they highlight the unique memory challenges faced by children with DLD, which can affect their language learning and overall education. Who this helps: This helps patients with developmental language disorder and the professionals supporting their education.

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This study looked at how children with autism create and understand stories compared to children without autism. Researchers tested 64 kids aged 6-8 and found that while both groups performed similarly in overall storytelling and comprehension, the children with autism had more trouble with the complexity of their narratives and using grammatical structures. However, in retelling stories, some of the autistic children outperformed their peers in using function words, showing that they have unique strengths as well. Who this helps: This helps children with autism and the educators and therapists working to support their communication skills.

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This study looked at how bilingual Russian-Hebrew children tell stories and how this is affected by Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). It involved 44 children ages 5 to 6, where 14 had DLD. The findings showed that both groups had similar levels of disfluency overall, but children with DLD made more long pauses (over 0.5 seconds) and repeated important words. This matters because it highlights the storytelling challenges bilingual children with DLD face, particularly in their less proficient language, which is Russian. Who this helps: This helps bilingual children with speech difficulties and their therapists.

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This study focused on how the complexity of storytelling tasks affects the narrative skills of bilingual kindergarten children speaking English and Hebrew. Researchers found that children performed better on simpler one-episode stories, producing more key story elements, especially in their home language, English. This research is important because it highlights the need for varied storytelling assessments that consider task complexity, which can lead to better understanding and support for bilingual children's language development. Who this helps: This helps educators and speech therapists working with bilingual children.

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This study looked at how a combination of probiotics and vitamin D affects people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have diarrhea or mixed bowel habits. Researchers found that after 42 days of treatment, 63% of patients reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, with an average score improvement of about 147 points on a scale measuring IBS severity. This matters because better symptom control leads to improved quality of life, reduced anxiety, and less depression. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from IBS.

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Researchers studied how bilingual children with developmental language disorder (DLD) tell stories, focusing on how they use terms that express thoughts and feelings (called internal state terms). They found that children with DLD used fewer words and struggled more with organizing their stories than their peers with typical language development—specifically, they used six out of seven key story elements less often and produced fewer emotional terms. This matters because understanding and expressing thoughts and feelings is crucial for effective communication, and addressing these challenges can help improve the storytelling skills of children with DLD. Who this helps: This helps children with developmental language disorder and their speech therapists.

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This study looked at whether a combination of two medications, bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens, could help prevent breast cancer in women who are at higher risk. Although they aimed to enroll 120 participants, they managed to include 61 women in the first 27 months due to delays caused by COVID-19 and other issues, but they expect to finish recruiting within the funding timeframe. This research is important because it aims to find effective methods to reduce breast cancer risk in vulnerable populations. Who this helps: This benefits women aged 45-64 who are at increased risk for breast cancer.

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This study looked at 50 adults in France who had liver transplants and a history of weight-loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery. It found that patients who had weight-loss surgery before their liver transplant were generally younger and had less liver disease caused by fat build-up compared to those who had the surgery after their transplant. This research matters because it highlights the potential benefits of weight-loss surgery in reducing complications related to obesity and liver disease in transplant patients. Who this helps: This helps patients considering liver transplantation and their doctors by providing insight into the impact of weight-loss surgery.

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This study looked at how often bilingual Russian-Hebrew children stumble while speaking, focusing on two types of speech errors: stuttering-like disfluencies and other disfluencies. Researchers examined the speech of 40 children aged 5 to 6 and found that while most of them did not show significant problems, a few did exceed typical stuttering limits, especially when speaking Hebrew. The findings highlight the need for new guidelines in assessing bilingual speech, as existing criteria may misdiagnose some bilingual children as having a stuttering disorder. Who this helps: This helps bilingual children and their families by ensuring they receive accurate speech evaluations.

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This study looked at how to better assess bilingual preschool children who speak Hebrew as a second language, specifically focusing on those whose first language is English or Russian. It found that using a standard test designed for only one language often led to misdiagnoses, with 397 children having typical language development and 46 having a developmental language disorder. The researchers emphasized that using bilingual standards significantly improved the accuracy of these assessments, especially for children who started learning Hebrew after age four. Who this helps: This benefits bilingual children, their parents, and speech-language pathologists.

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This study looked at how bilingual children are diagnosed for language development issues using tools made for children who speak just one language. The researchers found that traditional tests aren't reliable for bilinguals; for example, using these tools, 15 out of 131 children showed signs of atypical language development, compared to their typically developing peers. The findings highlight the need to create assessment tools specifically for bilingual children to ensure they receive accurate diagnoses and proper support. Who this helps: This helps bilingual children and the speech-language pathologists working with them.

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This study looked at how adults with intellectual disabilities tell stories, comparing their skills to those of typically developing peers. Researchers found that while the individuals with intellectual disabilities showed difficulties with coherence and grammar, they excelled in structuring their stories and using emotional language. As they age, their storytelling abilities improve, likely due to maturity and life experiences. Who this helps: This benefits adults with intellectual disabilities and the educators who support them.

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This study looked at how COVID-19 affects children, particularly focusing on a serious condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) that can occur after an infection. Researchers found that children with MIS-C often show severe symptoms like gastrointestinal issues and heart-related problems, with approximately 60% experiencing heart involvement such as heart muscle dysfunction or problems with blood vessels. Understanding these issues is crucial because it helps doctors identify and treat children at risk of serious complications from COVID-19. Who this helps: This benefits children with COVID-19 and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how storytelling activities in both English and Hebrew helped bilingual children improve their vocabulary in each language. The researchers found that the children significantly improved their vocabulary in the language they were focusing on; specifically, they gained vocabulary in Hebrew while receiving English intervention. However, there were no vocabulary gains in English after they had the Hebrew intervention. This is important because it shows that kids benefit from support in both their home and school languages, ensuring they grow in both areas. Who this helps: Bilingual children and their educators.

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This study looked at how a sexual health education program in Missouri affects young people's plans regarding sexual behavior, particularly their intentions to use condoms and abstain from sex. Researchers analyzed surveys from 1,335 young participants before and after the program, finding that knowledge and intentions improved significantly. Specifically, intentions to use condoms rose the most, showing the program effectively encourages healthier sexual decisions among youth. Who this helps: This benefits young people by giving them better tools and knowledge to make safer choices about their sexual health.

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This study looked at how teaching vocabulary in both English and Hebrew helps bilingual kindergarten children understand and use words better in both languages. Researchers found that children improved their vocabulary size and understanding in their home language (English) after learning in that language, and they showed some growth in Hebrew as well; specifically, children with better English skills gained more from the Hebrew lessons. This is important because it highlights the need to support both languages for bilingual children to help them succeed academically. Who this helps: This helps bilingual kindergarten students by improving their language skills.

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Researchers looked at how often two scoring systems, the CHADS and CHADSVASc scores, were used online by healthcare professionals over time. They found that the CHADSVASc score became much more popular, moving from the 20th most used tool in 2012 to the 2nd in 2018, while the CHADS score dropped in popularity. This shift is important because it aligns with new guidelines that recommend the CHADSVASc score for assessing stroke risk, particularly in the US, Canada, and Australia. Who this helps: This benefits doctors, especially primary care physicians and cardiologists, by providing clearer tools for assessing stroke risk in patients.

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This study looked at how bilingual and monolingual preschool children tell stories, focusing on their use of references like pronouns and nouns. Researchers found that bilingual children with specific language impairment (SLI) were less effective in using pronouns to introduce characters compared to bilingual peers without SLI. For example, bilingual children with SLI relied more on pronouns but used fewer of them correctly, indicating greater challenges in their storytelling abilities. This matters because it highlights the difficulties bilingual children with SLI face in forming clear narratives compared to their typically developing counterparts. Who this helps: This helps children with language impairments, their families, and speech therapists.

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This study looked at how reading e-books with dictionary support can help kindergarteners learn new words, comparing those with specific language impairment (SLI) to those with typical language development (TLD). Researchers found that both groups improved their understanding and use of new words after reading the e-books, with 20 kids in each group participating. However, while both groups made progress, children with TLD learned to use new words more effectively than those with SLI. Who this helps: This benefits young children with language challenges and their teachers by providing effective tools for word learning.

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This study looked at how well transgender and gender nonconforming individuals living with HIV follow their medication regimen. They found that about 66% of participants took their HIV medication as prescribed, with 85.7% of trans men adhering compared to 61% of trans women. The study highlighted that Black TGNC individuals were more likely to not follow their treatment and faced challenges like homelessness and verbal harassment, which made it harder for them to stick to their medication plans. Who this helps: This research benefits transgender and gender nonconforming individuals living with HIV by identifying barriers to their treatment adherence and informing better support strategies.

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This study looked at how well university students with intellectual disabilities perform on tests of intelligence and how those results can help place them in the right type of academic program. It found that students included in regular undergraduate courses show promise and motivation, with specific tests indicating their ability to succeed academically. For example, vocabulary and working memory stood out as key indicators for proper placement. Who this helps: This benefits students with intellectual disabilities by providing clearer paths for their educational opportunities.

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This study looked at how well bilingual preschool children understand language structures and how this understanding relates to their vocabulary size in both languages. Researchers found that Hebrew-dominant bilingual children had vocabulary sizes similar to monolingual children, while Russian-dominant children had larger vocabularies in Russian. They discovered that the ability to understand language features (metalinguistic awareness) plays a role in vocabulary size, with different effects depending on which language the child is more dominant in. Who this helps: This research benefits bilingual preschool children and their educators by highlighting the importance of language dominance and awareness in vocabulary development.

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This study looked at how well 5- to 6-year-old children who speak only Hebrew (monolinguals) and those who speak both Russian and Hebrew (bilinguals) understand and use nouns and verbs in Hebrew. It found that while both groups are learning the same rules, bilingual children often know fewer words and make different kinds of mistakes compared to monolinguals. Specifically, monolinguals' mistakes show they understand the language rules, while bilinguals' errors indicate they have not fully learned certain parts of Hebrew. Who this helps: This research benefits educators and speech therapists working with young bilingual children.

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This study examined how bilingual children who struggle with language (Specific Language Impairment or SLI) tell stories compared to bilingual children with typical language development. Researchers analyzed stories from 14 children with SLI and 35 children with typical development in both Russian and Hebrew. They discovered that children with SLI used fewer important story elements and causal connections in their narratives, especially in the first part of their stories, which highlights the need to look closely at how these aspects differ among children with language challenges. Who this helps: This helps speech therapists and educators working with bilingual children.

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This study looked at how bilingual people, including immigrants and indigenous communities, remember experiences in different languages. Researchers found that while most memories were recalled in the same language as the cue, about 48% were recalled in a different language than expected. Additionally, these bilingual individuals showed different patterns of switching between languages when they told their stories, indicating how their language use is influenced by their background as immigrants or indigenous people. Who this helps: This research benefits bilingual individuals and professionals working with them, such as psychologists and educators.

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This study looked at Kawasaki disease (KD), a condition that affects children, specifically focusing on cases that don't respond to standard treatment with a drug called intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Researchers found that 16.3% of patients treated in U.S. children's hospitals were resistant to IVIG, with rates varying from 8% to nearly 27% depending on the hospital. The study highlighted differences in care for African-American children and variations in tests performed based on hospital resistance levels, which shows that treatment practices need to be examined to improve care for all patients. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers understand how to better treat children with Kawasaki disease.

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This study focused on a 10-year-old girl with a rare tumor called paraganglioma, who experienced heart issues, including rapid heart rates and weakened heart function. Researchers used a special imaging technique known as speckle strain imaging to monitor her heart's condition after her tumor surgery. After treatment, they observed significant improvement in her heart function, which showcases the technique's effectiveness in managing similar cases. Who this helps: This helps doctors and pediatric patients with heart issues related to tumors.

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This study looked at replacing the aortic valve in a 7-year-old girl using a special type of valve made from pig tissue (stentless xenograft) instead of more common options. The researchers found that this method fit well for her small heart size and avoided the need for blood-thinning medications, which can be risky, especially in children. Using the stentless xenograft is a promising alternative for young patients needing aortic valve replacement, as it offers a better fit and fewer complications. Who this helps: This helps pediatric patients needing aortic valve replacement.

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This study looked at how satisfied patients were after undergoing an endoscopy by using an interactive voice response (IVR) system to gather feedback. Out of 161 patients who had the procedure, 31% called to provide their feedback, and 95% of them said they would choose to have the procedure again if needed. The findings revealed that patients who received clear explanations before the procedure were more likely to express satisfaction, highlighting the importance of good communication from doctors. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by improving understanding and satisfaction with endoscopic procedures.

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This study looked at how the brain reacts when people learn to associate certain neutral signals (like colored circles) with visceral pain (pain in internal organs). Researchers found that when participants anticipated visceral pain, their brain activity was similar to when they actually experienced pain, making it clear that both the experience and expectation of pain activate similar areas of the brain. This discovery is important because it helps us understand how the brain processes both real and expected visceral pain, which can improve approaches to treating chronic pain conditions. Who this helps: This helps patients dealing with chronic pain and their doctors.

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This study examined how well quetiapine works for patients with schizophrenia who switched from three other medications: haloperidol, olanzapine, or risperidone. The researchers found that switching to quetiapine led to significant improvements in symptoms, with reductions in the total symptom scores by an average of 32.5 for those coming from haloperidol, 15.4 from olanzapine, and 18.5 from risperidone. Patients also reported fewer side effects, which is important because it means they might feel better on quetiapine compared to their previous medications. Who this helps: This benefits patients with schizophrenia looking for better treatment options.

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This study examined the link between a specific type of skin growth called segmental hemangiomas and a serious condition involving hemangiomas in internal organs. Researchers found 47 cases where these skin hemangiomas were associated with internal organ issues, with the liver being the most affected organ in 43% of cases. Notably, 25% of the infants in the study died, often due to complications related to their organs. Who this helps: This research is important for doctors, as it helps them identify and manage risks in patients with segmental hemangiomas.

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This study looked at how effective and tolerable the drug quetiapine (Seroquel) is for patients with schizophrenia who were switched from other antipsychotics that weren't working well for them. Out of 509 patients, those who switched to quetiapine saw significant improvements in their symptoms and mental health scores, with side effects related to movement being low at just 4.7%. This is important because it shows that quetiapine can be a better treatment option for people struggling with their current medications. Who this helps: Patients with schizophrenia who are not getting satisfactory results from their current medications.

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Researchers looked at what registered nurses (RNs) at a military community hospital need in order to improve their professional skills. They found five main areas to focus on: leadership training, specialized clinical skills, ways to offer continuing education, how to assess that education's effectiveness, and obstacles to ongoing development, all of which affect nurse retention. This is important because addressing these needs can help nurses stay in their jobs and improve patient care. Who this helps: This helps military nurses and the patients they serve.

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This study examined how telephone support groups can help people aged 50 and older living with HIV by offering social support and health-related knowledge. Two 10-week support groups were held, each with an average of three participants, focusing on topics like staying healthy, medication management, and coping with losses. The research highlights the importance of providing information and support to older adults living with HIV, as they often face unique challenges due to both aging and their chronic illness. Who this helps: This benefits older adults living with HIV and healthcare professionals working with them.

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This study looked at how cirrhosis (liver scarring) affects the way the body processes lamotrigine, a medication used for epilepsy. Researchers tested 36 people, including 24 with varying levels of cirrhosis and 12 healthy individuals, after giving them a single dose of the drug. They found that those with severe cirrhosis cleared the drug from their system much more slowly—by about 60% in those with moderate cirrhosis and 64% in those with severe cirrhosis—compared to healthy subjects, indicating that dosage adjustments are necessary for these patients. Who this helps: This information benefits doctors prescribing lamotrigine to patients with liver issues.

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This study looked at how nurses provide care to patients receiving interferon treatment for hepatitis C. Out of 545 nurses surveyed, only 42 were involved in treating these patients, and they had cared for 135 individuals over 16 months. The nurses spent most of their time not just giving injections, but also answering questions and providing psychological support, highlighting the importance of nursing roles in patient care, especially given that many felt unprepared to answer patients' questions. Who this helps: Patients receiving hepatitis C treatment benefit from more comprehensive nursing support.

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The study looked at how effective general practitioners were at screening patients for hepatitis C, particularly those with a history of intravenous drug use or blood transfusions before 1991. Out of 8,292 patients surveyed, 383 had a history of blood transfusion and 116 had used intravenous drugs, but the screening only identified new cases of hepatitis C in a small number of patients: 7 from blood transfusions (2%) and 4 from drug use (15%). This matters because it shows that most patients already knew they were infected, indicating that targeted screening may not significantly uncover new cases. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk for hepatitis C and their doctors in deciding when to screen for the virus.

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This study looked at two treatments for cirrhotic patients who have a condition called ascites, where fluid builds up in the abdomen. Researchers compared hydroxyethyl starch (HES) to albumin, finding that while both treatments were safe, patients receiving HES lost less weight (4.7 kg) compared to those receiving albumin (7.9 kg). This matters because it could help doctors choose a more effective and potentially less burdensome treatment for managing fluid buildup without causing harm. Who this helps: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

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This study looked at a procedure called endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) in 52 patients with liver cirrhosis, aged about 63, to see how well it works for treating bile duct issues. The procedure was successful in 98% of cases, but there were some risks: 13.5% experienced complications shortly after, and the overall death rate was 12.5% after a month. These findings are important because they show that ES can be a safe and effective treatment option for cirrhotic patients with bile duct stones, offering a non-surgical alternative especially for those with serious complications. Who this helps: This benefits patients with liver cirrhosis who need treatment for bile duct issues.

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This study looked at the levels of a substance called carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in the bile of patients with liver and pancreatic diseases to see if it could help tell apart cancerous (malignant) from non-cancerous (benign) conditions. Out of 100 patients, 39% had benign diseases and 61% had malignant ones. They found that while the average CEA level in the bile was much higher in patients with cancer (268 ng/ml) compared to those without (35.7 ng/ml), there was too much overlap between the two groups for CEA to be a useful test for diagnosis; other tests like CA 19-9 were better for detecting cancer. Who this helps: This research helps doctors by providing clarity on what tests to use for diagnosing liver and pancreatic diseases.

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This study looked at 27 adults with hepatitis A who had symptoms lasting longer than six months. The researchers found that all patients experienced repeated increases in liver enzyme levels, known as biological relapses, with an average of 87 days between the start of the illness and the first relapse. Importantly, while all patients eventually recovered, it took about 230 days for their liver enzymes to return to normal, and tests showed that the hepatitis E virus likely did not contribute to their prolonged illness. Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors treating patients with prolonged hepatitis A, helping them manage expectations and recovery time.

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This study looked at cases of carbon monoxide poisoning that occurred in patients under anesthesia during surgery. Researchers found that carboxyhemoglobin levels (a measure of carbon monoxide in the blood) reached as high as 32% in these patients, although no deaths were reported. The incidents mostly happened in operating rooms that hadn’t been used for a couple of days, suggesting that the anesthesia machines' carbon dioxide filters might release carbon monoxide when old anesthetic chemicals break down. Who this helps: This information benefits anesthetists and surgical teams, ensuring they remain aware of potential risks when using older equipment.

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This study looked at the long-term outcomes of a procedure called endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), which is used to treat patients with bile duct stones. Out of 156 patients followed for about 9.6 years, 138 did not experience any biliary symptoms, while 16 did, with some having serious issues like malignant strictures and cholangitis. Overall, long-term complications from this procedure are rare, suggesting it's a safe option for managing bile duct stones, even in younger patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with bile duct stones and their doctors in making informed treatment choices.