Imaging of MELAS

Abstract

Mitochondrial diseases are multisystem disorders that frequently involve the central nervous system. The clinical presentation of these disorders may be challenging to differentiate from cerebrovascular disorders. Various imaging techniques are now available that provide a wide range of imaging modalities during initial clinical evaluation and throughout the disease course. Recent technological advancements have introduced advanced neuroimaging modalities that provide detailed information of metabolic disorders at the tissue level. Imaging findings, though diverse, usually have characteristic features that support differentiating these disorders from vascular syndromes. This article provides an overview of various neuroimaging modalities available along with the advent of new imaging techniques being utilized in these disorders.

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Audiological findings in Noonan syndrome

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Suna Tokgoz-Yilmaz, Meral Didem Turkyilmaz, Filiz Basak Cengiz, Alev Pektas Sjöstrand, Serdal Kenan Kose, Mustafa Tekin
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate audiologic properties of patients with Noonan syndrome and compare these findings with those of unaffected peers.MethodsThe study included 17 children with Noonan syndrome and 20 typically developing children without Noonan syndrome. Pure tone and speech audiometry, immitancemetric measurement, otoacoustic emissions measurement and auditory brainstem response tests were applied to all (n = 37) children.ResultsHearing thresholds of children with Noonan syndrome were higher (poorer) than those observed unaffected peers, while the hearing sensitivity of the both groups were normal limits (p = 0.013 for right, p = 0.031 for left ear). Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions amplitudes of the children with Noonan syndrome were lower than the children without Noonan syndrome (p = 0.005 for right, p = 0.002 for left ear). Middle ear pressures and auditory brainstem response values were within normal limits and there was no difference between the two groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionGeneral benefit of the present study is to characterize the audiologic findings of children with Noonan syndrome, which is beneficial in clinics evaluating children with Noonan syndrome.



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Morphology of nerve endings in vocal fold of human newborn

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Janaina Gonçalves da Silva Leite, Maria Luzete Costa Cavalcante, Francisco Vagnaldo Fechine-Jamacaru, Margarida Maria de Lima Pompeu, José Alberto Dias Leite, Dulce Maria Nascimento Coelho, Marcos Rabelo de Freitas
Sensory receptors are distributed throughout the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Laryngeal sensitivity is crucial for maintaining safe swallowing, thus avoiding silent aspiration. Morphologic description of different receptor types present in larynx vary because of the study of many different species, from mouse to humans. The most commonly sensory structures described in laryngeal mucosa are free nerve endings, taste buds, muscle spindles, glomerular and corpuscular receptors. This study aimed at describing the morphology and the distribution of nerve endings in premature newborn glottic region. Transversal serial frozen sections of the whole vocal folds of three newborns were analyzed using an immuno-histochemical process with a pan-neuronal marker anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Imaging was done using a confocal laser microscope. Nerve fiber density in vocal cord was calculated using panoramic images in software Morphometric Analysis System v1.0. Some sensory structures, i.e. glomerular endings and intraepithelial free nerve endings were found in the vocal cord mucosa. Muscle spindles, complex nerve endings (Meissner-like, spherical, rectangular and growing) spiral-wharves nerve structures were identified in larynx intrinsic muscles. Nervous total mean density in vocal cord was similar in the three newborns, although they had different gestational age. The mean nerve fiber density was higher in the posterior region than anterior region of vocal cord. The present results demonstrate the occurrence of different morphotypes of sensory corpuscles and nerve endings premature newborn glottic region and provide information on their sensory systems.



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Validation of criteria for the definition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations using high-resolution manometry

Abstract

Background

Criteria for transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) are well-defined for Dentsleeve manometry. As high-resolution manometry (HRM) is now the gold standard to assess esophageal motility, our aim was to propose a consensus definition of TLESRs using HRM.

Methods

Postprandial esophageal HRM combined with impedance was performed in 10 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations identification was performed by 17 experts using a Delphi process. Four investigators then characterized TLESR candidates that achieved 100% agreement (TLESR events) and those that achieved less than 25% agreement (non-events) after the third round. Logistic regression and decision tree analysis were used to define optimal diagnostic criteria.

Key Results

All diagnostic criteria were more frequently encountered in the 57 TLESR events than in the 52 non-events. Crural diaphragm (CD) inhibition and LES relaxation duration >10 seconds had the highest predictive value to identify TLESR. Based on decision tree analysis, reflux on impedance, esophageal shortening, common cavity, upper esophageal sphincter relaxation without swallow and secondary peristalsis were alternate diagnostic criteria.

Conclusion & Inferences

Using HRM, TLESR might be defined as LES relaxation occurring in absence of swallowing, lasting more than 10 seconds and associated with CD inhibition.

A consensus definition of transient lower espohageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) using high resolution manometry is proposed. TLESR is defined as LES relaxation occurring in absence of swallowing, lasting more than 10 seconds and associated with crural definition inhibition. Reflux on impedance, esophageal shortening, common cavity, upper esophageal sphincter relaxation without swallow and secondary peristalsis are alternate diagnostic criteria.

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Effects of scFOS on the composition of fecal microbiota and anxiety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study

Abstract

Background

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) have beneficial effects in subjects with minor digestive complaints, but the potential mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in rectal sensitivity related to the clinical effects of scFOS in a selected group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and rectal hypersensitivity.

Methods

In 79 IBS patients (defined by Rome III criteria) with rectal hypersensitivity (defined as discomfort threshold ≤44 g) a parallel, placebo-controlled, randomized, and double-blind study was performed to assess the effects of dietary supplementation (5 g d⁻¹) with scFOS vs placebo for 4 weeks on rectal sensitivity (primary outcome: tolerance to increasing wall tension applied by a tensostat), clinical outcomes (IBS, anxiety/depression and quality of life scores) and composition of fecal microbiota.

Key Results

Rectal discomfort threshold, and IBS and quality of life scores, significantly improved during treatment, but in a similar manner in both scFOS and placebo groups; a post-hoc analysis showed that the effect of scFOS on rectal sensitivity was more pronounced in constipation-predominant-IBS patients (P=.051 vs placebo). Contrary with placebo, scFOS significantly reduced anxiety scores and increased fecal Bifidobacteria (P<.05 for both) without modifying other bacterial groups.

Conclusions & Interfences

The effect of scFOS on anxiety may be related to modulation of the gut microbiota; demonstration of effects of scFOS on rectal sensitivity may require higher doses and may depend on the IBS subgroup.

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) on rectal sensitivity, fecal microbiota, and symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Rectal sensitivity improved with scFOS and placebo alike; however, scFOS, but not placebo, significantly increased fecal Bifidobacteria and reduced anxiety score.

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Sulfate-reducing bacteria slow intestinal transit in a bismuth-reversible fashion in mice

Abstract

Background

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) serves as a mammalian cell-derived gaseous neurotransmitter. The intestines are exposed to a second source of this gas by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Bismuth subsalicylate binds H₂S rendering it insoluble. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that SRB may slow intestinal transit in a bismuth-reversible fashion.

Methods

Eighty mice were randomized to five groups consisting of Live SRB, Killed SRB, SRB+Bismuth, Bismuth, and Saline. Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a common strain of SRB, was administered by gavage at the dose of 1.0 × 10⁹ cells along with rhodamine, a fluorescent dye. Intestinal transit was measured 50 minutes after gavage by euthanizing the animals, removing the small intestine between the pyloric sphincter and the ileocecal valve and visualizing the distribution of rhodamine across the intestine using an imaging system (IVIS, Perkin-Elmer). Intestinal transit (n=50) was compared using geometric center (1=minimal movement, 100=maximal movement). H₂S concentration (n=30) was also measured when small intestinal luminal content was allowed to generate this gas.

Key Results

The Live SRB group had slower intestinal transit as represented by a geometric center score of 40.2 ± 5.7 when compared to Saline: 73.6 ± 5.7, Killed SRB: 77.9 ± 6.9, SRB+Bismuth: 81.0 ± 2.0, and Bismuth: 73.3 ± 4.2 (P<.0001). Correspondingly, the Live SRB group had the highest luminal H₂S concentration of 4181.0 ± 968.0 ppb compared to 0 ± 0 ppb for the SRB+Bismuth group (P<.0001).

Conclusions & Inferences

Live SRB slow intestinal transit in a bismuth-reversible fashion in mice. Our results demonstrate that intestinal transit is slowed by SRB and this effect could be abolished by H₂S-binding bismuth.

Desulfovibrio vulgaris, common colonic sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), slow small intestinal transit in mice. This slowing effect was not seen when the bacteria are heat-killed suggesting that the slowing effect is dependent on metabolic activity of live SRB.

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Esophageal dysfunction in different stages of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Background

Dysphagia is a clinically relevant symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) leading to pronounced reduction in quality of life and other severe complications. Parkinson's disease-related dysphagia may affect the oral and pharyngeal, as well as the esophageal phase of swallowing.

Methods

To examine the nature and extend of esophageal dysphagia in different stages of PD and their relation to oropharyngeal dysfunction, we examined 65 PD patients (mean age 66.3±9.7 years, mean disease duration 7.9±5.8 years, mean Hoehn & Yahr [H&Y] stage 2.89±0.91) and divided into three groups (early [H&Y I+II; n=21], intermediate [H&Y III; n=25], and advanced stadium [H&Y IV+V; n=19]), using esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) to detect esophageal motor disorders. Oropharyngeal impairment was assessed using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.

Key Results

Major esophageal motor disorders were detected in nearly one third of the PD patients. Minor impairment of the esophageal body was present in 95% of participants and throughout all disease stages with pathological findings especially in peristalsis and intrabolus pressure (IBP). The IBP was found to significantly increase in the advanced stadium. Although dysfunction of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters was observed in individual patients, alterations in these esophageal segments revealed no statistical significance compared with normative data. No clear association was found between the occurrence of oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal impairment.

Conclusions & Inferences

Esophageal body impairment in PD is a frequent phenomenon during all disease stages, which possibly reflects α-synucleinopathy in the enteric nervous system.

In patients with Parkinson's disease, esophageal motor impairment seems to be a widespread affection occurring during all stages of the disease. Using high-resolution manometry, for the first time, a detailed description of occurrence and patterns of esophageal impairment was possible. Our findings indicate an early involvement of alpha-synucleinopathy in the enteric nervous system of the tubular esophagus.

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Recommendations for pharmacological clinical trials in children with irritable bowel syndrome: the Rome foundation pediatric subcommittee on clinical trials

Abstract

Background

There is little published evidence of efficacy for the most commonly used treatments. Thus, there is an urgent need to conduct clinical trials on existing and novel therapies.

Purpose

In order to address these issues the Rome Foundation and members of the Pediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency formed a subcommittee on clinical trials to develop guidelines for the design of clinical trials in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The following recommendations are based on evidence from published data when available and expert opinion.

Key recommendations

The subcommittee recommends randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, clinical trials to assess the efficacy of new drugs. The combined endpoints for abdominal pain are a decrease in intensity of at least 30% compared with baseline and to meet or exceed the Reliable Change Index (RCI) for the sample. Stool consistency is measured with the Bristol Stool Scale Form (BSFS). The subcommittee recommends as entry criteria for abdominal pain a weekly average of worst abdominal pain in past 24 h of at least 3.0 on a 0–10 point scale or at least 30 mm in 100 mm Visual Analog Scale. For stool endpoints the committee recommends an average stool consistency lower than 3 in the BSFS during the run-in period for clinical trials on IBS-C and an average stool consistency greater than 5 in the BSFS during the run-in period for clinical trials on IBS-D. Changes in stool consistency are the primary endpoints for both IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and IBS with constipation (IBS-C).

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Efficacy of topical therapy of irrigation with syringe and the influence of the middle turbinate in sinus penetration of solutions

Publication date: Available online 31 July 2016
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Guilherme Henrique Wawginiak, Leonardo Balsalobre, Eduardo Macoto Kosugi, João Paulo Mangussi-Gomes, Raul Ernesto Samaniego, Aldo Cassol Stamm
IntroductionThe topical therapies are the best postoperative treatment option for chronic rhinosinusitis, especially those with high volume and pressure, such as the squeeze bottles. However, they are not an available option in Brazil, where irrigation syringes are used.ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of topical sinonasal therapy with syringe and the influence of this process on the middle turbinate.MethodsIntervention study in training models (S.I.M.O.N.T.). After standard dissection, three interventions were performed (Nasal Spray 4 puffs, 60-mL syringe and 240-mL Squeeze Bottle) with normal and Sutured Middle Turbinate. Images of each sinus were captured after the interventions, totaling 144 images. The images were classified by 10 evaluators according to the amount of residual volume from zero to 3, with zero and 1 being considered poor penetration and 2 and 3, good penetration. The 1440 evaluations were used in this study.ResultsConsidering all middle turbinate situations, the amount of good penetrations were 8.1% for Spray; 68.3% for Syringe, and 78.3% for Squeeze (p<0.0001). Considering all types of interventions, the Normal Middle Turbinate had 48.2% of good penetrations and the Sutured Middle Turbinate, 55% (p=0.01). Considering only Sutured Middle Turbinate, there was no difference between the interventions with Syringe and Squeeze (76.3% vs. 80.4%; p=0.27).ConclusionTopical therapy of irrigation with a 60-mL syringe was more effective than that with nasal spray. The status of the middle turbinate proved to be fundamental and influenced topical therapy. Irrigation with syringe was as effective as the squeeze bottle when the middle turbinate was sutured to the nasal septum.



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Profile and prevalence of hearing complaints in the elderly

Publication date: Available online 31 July 2016
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Magda Aline Bauer, Ângela Kemel Zanella, Irênio Gomes Filho, Geraldo de Carli, Adriane Ribeiro Teixeira, Ângelo José Gonçalves Bós
IntroductionHearing is essential for the processing of acoustic information and the understanding of speech signals. Hearing loss may be associated with cognitive decline, depression and reduced functionality.ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of hearing complaints in elderly individuals from Rio Grande do Sul and describe the profile of the study participants with and without hearing complaints.Methods7315 elderly individuals interviewed in their homes, in 59 cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, participated in the study. Inclusion criteria were age 60 years or older and answering the question on auditory self-perception. For statistical purposes, the chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to assess the correlations between variables.Results139 elderly individuals who did not answer the question on auditory self-perception and 9 that self-reported hearing loss were excluded, totaling 7167 elderly participants. Hearing loss complaint rate was 28% (2011) among the elderly, showing differences between genders, ethnicity, income, social participation. The mean age of the elderly without hearing complaints was 69.44 (±6.91) and among those with complaint, 72.8 (±7.75) years. Elderly individuals without hearing complaints had 5.10 (±3.78) years of study compared to 4.48 (±3.49) years among those who had complaints. Multiple logistic regression observed that protective factors for hearing complaints were: higher level of schooling, contributing to the family income and having received health care in the last six months. Risk factors for hearing complaints were: older age, male gender, experiencing difficulty in leaving home and carrying out social activities.ConclusionsAmong the elderly population of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the prevalence of hearing complaints reached 28%. The complaint is more often present in elderly men who did not participate in the generation of family income, who did not receive health care, performed social and community activities, had a lower level of schooling and were older.



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Bilateral multifocal inverted papilloma with osseous metaplasia of the sinonasal cavity

Publication date: Available online 30 July 2016
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Lokman Uzun, Seyma Ozkanli, M. Tayyar Kalcioglu, Numan Kokten, Cigdem Kafkasli




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Preoperative vestibular assessment protocol of cochlear implant surgery: an analytical descriptive study

Publication date: Available online 31 July 2016
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Roseli S.M. Bittar, Eduardo Setsuo Sato, Douglas Jósimo Silva Ribeiro, Robinson Koji Tsuji
IntroductionCochlear implants are undeniably an effective method for the recovery of hearing function in patients with hearing loss.ObjectiveTo describe the preoperative vestibular assessment protocol in subjects who will be submitted to cochlear implants.MethodsOur institutional protocol provides the vestibular diagnosis through six simple tests: Romberg and Fukuda tests, assessment for spontaneous nystagmus, Head Impulse Test, evaluation for Head Shaking Nystagmus and caloric test.Results21 patients were evaluated with a mean age of 42.75±14.38 years. Only 28% of the sample had all normal test results. The presence of asymmetric vestibular information was documented through the caloric test in 32% of the sample and spontaneous nystagmus was an important clue for the diagnosis. Bilateral vestibular areflexia was present in four subjects, unilateral arreflexia in three and bilateral hyporeflexia in two. The Head Impulse Test was a significant indicator for the diagnosis of areflexia in the tested ear (p=0.0001). The sensitized Romberg test using a foam pad was able to diagnose severe vestibular function impairment (p=0.003).ConclusionThe six clinical tests were able to identify the presence or absence of vestibular function and function asymmetry between the ears of the same individual.



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Release of PACAP-38 in episodic cluster headache patients – an exploratory study

Activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex, involving the trigeminal ganglion, the superior salivatory nucleus and the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is crucial in the pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH...

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The three-dimensional radiologic viewer and scientific publications in the new century.

The three-dimensional radiologic viewer and scientific publications in the new century.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016 Jul 13;

Authors: Geist JR

PMID: 27473301 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The neural underpinnings of reading skill in deaf adults

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Karen Emmorey, Stephen McCullough, Jill Weisberg
We investigated word-level reading circuits in skilled deaf readers (N=14; mean reading age=19.5years) and less skilled deaf readers (N=14; mean reading age=12years) who were all highly proficient users of American Sign Language. During fMRI scanning, participants performed a semantic decision (concrete concept?), a phonological decision (two syllables?), and a false-font control task (string underlined?). No significant group differences were observed with the full participant set. However, an analysis with the 10 most and 10 least skilled readers revealed that for the semantic task (vs. control task), proficient deaf readers exhibited greater activation in left inferior frontal and middle temporal gyri than less proficient readers. No group differences were observed for the phonological task. Whole-brain correlation analyses (all participants) revealed that for the semantic task, reading ability correlated positively with neural activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus and in a region associated with the orthography-semantics interface, located anterior to the visual word form area. Reading ability did not correlate with neural activity during the phonological task. Accuracy on the semantic task correlated positively with neural activity in left anterior temporal lobe (a region linked to conceptual processing), while accuracy on the phonological task correlated positively with neural activity in left posterior inferior frontal gyrus (a region linked to syllabification processes during speech production). Finally, reading comprehension scores correlated positively with vocabulary and print exposure measures, but not with phonological awareness scores.



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Proverb comprehension in individuals with agenesis of the corpus callosum

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Jamie L. Rehmel, Warren S. Brown, Lynn K. Paul
Comprehension of non-literal language involves multiple neural systems likely involving callosal connections. We describe proverb comprehension impairments in individuals with isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC) and normal-range general intelligence. Experiment 1 compared Gorham Proverb Test (Gorham, 1956) performance in 19 adults with AgCC and 33 neurotypical control participants of similar age, sex, and intelligence. Experiment 2 used the Proverbs subtest of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS, 2001) to compare 19 adults with AgCC and 17 control participants with similar age, sex, and intelligence. Gorham Proverbs performance was impaired in the AgCC group for both the free-response and multiple-choice tasks. On the D-KEFS proverbs test, the AgCC group performed significantly worse on the free-response task (and all derivative scores) despite normal levels of performance on the multiple-choice task. Covarying verbal intelligence did not alter these outcomes. However, covarying a measure of non-literal language comprehension considerably reduced group differences in proverb comprehension on the Gorham test, but had little effect on the D-KEFS group differences. The difference between groups seemed to be greatest when participants had to generate their own interpretation (free response), or in the multiple choice format when the test included many proverbs that were likely to be less familiar. Taken together, the results of this study clearly show that proverb comprehension is diminished in individuals with AgCC compared to their peers.



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The neural circuits recruited for the production of signs and fingerspelled words

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Karen Emmorey, Sonya Mehta, Stephen McCullough, Thomas J. Grabowski
Signing differs from typical non-linguistic hand actions because movements are not visually guided, finger movements are complex (particularly for fingerspelling), and signs are not produced as holistic gestures. We used positron emission tomography to investigate the neural circuits involved in the production of American Sign Language (ASL). Different types of signs (one-handed (articulated in neutral space), two-handed (neutral space), and one-handed body-anchored signs) were elicited by asking deaf native signers to produce sign translations of English words. Participants also fingerspelled (one-handed) printed English words. For the baseline task, participants indicated whether a word contained a descending letter. Fingerspelling engaged ipsilateral motor cortex and cerebellar cortex in contrast to both one-handed signs and the descender baseline task, which may reflect greater timing demands and complexity of handshape sequences required for fingerspelling. Greater activation in the visual word form area was also observed for fingerspelled words compared to one-handed signs. Body-anchored signs engaged bilateral superior parietal cortex to a greater extent than the descender baseline task and neutral space signs, reflecting the motor control and proprioceptive monitoring required to direct the hand toward a specific location on the body. Less activation in parts of the motor circuit was observed for two-handed signs compared to one-handed signs, possibly because, for half of the signs, handshape and movement goals were spread across the two limbs. Finally, the conjunction analysis comparing each sign type with the descender baseline task revealed common activation in the supramarginal gyrus bilaterally, which we interpret as reflecting phonological retrieval and encoding processes.



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Visual dorsal stream is associated with Chinese reading skills: A resting-state fMRI study

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Yi Qian, Yanchao Bi, Xiaosha Wang, Yi-Wei Zhang, Hong-Yan Bi
The present study explored the relationship between visual dorsal stream and Chinese reading by resting-state fMRI technique. We collected the resting-state brain activities and reading skills of Chinese-speaking adult readers. The results showed that the values of amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and left visual middle temporal area (MT) (two regions of dorsal stream) were significantly correlated with rapid naming (RAN) speed, and the ALFF values of right PPC were correlated with orthographic awareness (OA). Further resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis revealed that RAN speed was related to RSFCs between dorsal stream areas and reading areas (e.g., left fusiform gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyrus). OA was correlated with RSFCs between right PPC and left middle occipital gyrus. It suggested that spontaneous activities of visual dorsal stream, as well as connection between it and reading-related areas, were highly associated with Chinese reading skills.



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Adjective conjunction as a window into the LATL’s contribution to conceptual combination

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Eva B. Poortman, Liina Pylkkänen
Though a large literature implicates the left anterior temporal lobe (LATL) for combinatory operations, recent MEG studies have suggested that it is specifically involved in the composition of complex concepts, rather than syntactic or semantic composition in a more general sense. To further specify the computational contribution of the LATL, we tested whether LATL effects as observed in MEG require a situation in which features combine to form a single coherent entity representation or whether the relevant computation simply requires the attribution of features to a set but not necessarily to the same members of the set. Under the former hypothesis, the LATL would be sensitive to the number of features added to the representation of a single entity whereas under the latter account, LATL activity would reflect the total number of features integrated across different members of a set. To test this, we employed conjunctions of two adjectives whose lexical semantics were varied such that they either allowed or disallowed the attribution of their denoted properties to the same members of a set, i.e., the properties were either compatible or incompatible. The compatible properties resulted in so-called intersective and the incompatible in so-called collective readings. Our results show that the LATL tracks the number of features attributed to an individual as opposed to the number of features attributed to a set. Interestingly, the reverse pattern was found in the right ATL, demonstrating that although this region often shows parallel effects to the LATL, its functional contribution is clearly distinct.



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Neural encoding of the speech envelope by children with developmental dyslexia

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 160
Author(s): Alan J. Power, Lincoln J. Colling, Natasha Mead, Lisa Barnes, Usha Goswami
Developmental dyslexia is consistently associated with difficulties in processing phonology (linguistic sound structure) across languages. One view is that dyslexia is characterised by a cognitive impairment in the "phonological representation" of word forms, which arises long before the child presents with a reading problem. Here we investigate a possible neural basis for developmental phonological impairments. We assess the neural quality of speech encoding in children with dyslexia by measuring the accuracy of low-frequency speech envelope encoding using EEG. We tested children with dyslexia and chronological age-matched (CA) and reading-level matched (RL) younger children. Participants listened to semantically-unpredictable sentences in a word report task. The sentences were noise-vocoded to increase reliance on envelope cues. Envelope reconstruction for envelopes between 0 and 10Hz showed that the children with dyslexia had significantly poorer speech encoding in the 0–2Hz band compared to both CA and RL controls. These data suggest that impaired neural encoding of low frequency speech envelopes, related to speech prosody, may underpin the phonological deficit that causes dyslexia across languages.



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Contextual modulation of hippocampal activity during picture naming

Publication date: August 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 159
Author(s): A. Llorens, A.-S. Dubarry, A. Trébuchon, P. Chauvel, F.-X. Alario, C. Liégeois-Chauvel
Picture naming is a standard task used to probe language processes in healthy and impaired speakers. It recruits a broad neural network of language related areas, among which the hippocampus is rarely included. However, the hippocampus could play a role during picture naming, subtending, for example, implicit learning of the links between pictured objects and their names. To test this hypothesis, we recorded hippocampal activity during plain picture naming, without memorization requirement; we further assessed whether this activity was modulated by contextual factors such as repetition priming and semantic interference. Local field potentials recorded from intracerebral electrodes implanted in the healthy hippocampi of epileptic patients revealed a specific and reliable pattern of activity, markedly modulated by repetition priming and semantic context. These results indicate that the hippocampus is recruited during picture naming, presumably in relation to implicit learning, with contextual factors promoting differential hippocampal processes, possibly subtended by different sub-circuitries.



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Intrafamilial phenotypic variability of Specific Language Impairment

Publication date: August 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 159
Author(s): Lisa Bartha-Doering, Sabrina Regele, Dirk Deuster, Rainer Seidl, Nadja Bogdanova, Albrecht Röpke, Peter Wieacker, Antoinette am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen
We investigated language functions in 32 members of a four generation family with several members affected by Specific Language Impairment with an extensive language test battery in order to determine the prevalence, overlap, and homogeneity of linguistic deficits within one pedigree. In sum, one fourth of all family members tested fulfilled the criteria of Specific Language Impairment. Despite of some similarities in language abilities, different combinations of language deficits were observed, and individual language profiles varied substantially. Thus, though there is a high prevalence of language deficits in this family which raises the likelihood of a genetic origin of these deficits, and though all affected study participants displayed selective linguistic deficits with normal non-verbal functioning, language testing showed considerable variance in overlap and homogeneity of linguistic deficits. Thus, even in one genetic population, an underlying linguistic disorder manifests itself in different language abilities to a variant degree.



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Examining the contribution of motor movement and language dominance to increased left lateralization during sign generation in native signers

Publication date: August 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 159
Author(s): Eva Gutierrez-Sigut, Heather Payne, Mairéad MacSweeney
The neural systems supporting speech and sign processing are very similar, although not identical. In a previous fTCD study of hearing native signers (Gutierrez-Sigut, Daws, et al., 2015) we found stronger left lateralization for sign than speech. Given that this increased lateralization could not be explained by hand movement alone, the contribution of motor movement versus 'linguistic' processes to the strength of hemispheric lateralization during sign production remains unclear. Here we directly contrast lateralization strength of covert versus overt signing during phonological and semantic fluency tasks. To address the possibility that hearing native signers' elevated lateralization indices (LIs) were due to performing a task in their less dominant language, here we test deaf native signers, whose dominant language is British Sign Language (BSL). Signers were more strongly left lateralized for overt than covert sign generation. However, the strength of lateralization was not correlated with the amount of time producing movements of the right hand. Comparisons with previous data from hearing native English speakers suggest stronger laterality indices for sign than speech in both covert and overt tasks. This increased left lateralization may be driven by specific properties of sign production such as the increased use of self-monitoring mechanisms or the nature of phonological encoding of signs.



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Tracking the time course of lexical access in orthographic production: An event-related potential study of word frequency effects in written picture naming

Publication date: August 2016
Source:Brain and Language, Volume 159
Author(s): Qingqing Qu, Qingfang Zhang, Markus F. Damian
Previous studies of spoken picture naming using event-related potentials (ERPs) have shown that speakers initiate lexical access within 200ms after stimulus onset. In the present study, we investigated the time course of lexical access in written, rather than spoken, word production. Chinese participants wrote target object names which varied in word frequency, and written naming times and ERPs were measured. Writing latencies exhibited a classical frequency effect (faster responses for high- than for low-frequency names). More importantly, ERP results revealed that electrophysiological activity elicited by high- and low frequency target names started to diverge as early as 168ms post picture onset. We conclude that lexical access during written word production is initiated within 200ms after picture onset. This estimate is compatible with previous studies on spoken production which likewise showed a rapid onset of lexical access (i.e., within 200ms after stimuli onset). We suggest that written and spoken word production share the lexicalization stage.



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Neuroimaging genetic analyses of novel candidate genes associated with reading and language

Publication date: Available online 27 July 2016
Source:Brain and Language
Author(s): Alessandro Gialluisi, Tulio Guadalupe, Clyde Francks, Simon E. Fisher
Neuroimaging measures provide useful endophenotypes for tracing genetic effects on reading and language. A recent Genome-Wide Association Scan Meta-Analysis (GWASMA) of reading and language skills (N=1862) identified strongest associations with the genes CCDC136/FLNC and RBFOX2. Here, we follow up the top findings from this GWASMA, through neuroimaging genetics in an independent sample of 1275 healthy adults. To minimize multiple-testing, we used a multivariate approach, focusing on cortical regions consistently implicated in prior literature on developmental dyslexia and language impairment. Specifically, we investigated grey matter surface area and thickness of five regions selected a priori: middle temporal gyrus (MTG); pars opercularis and pars triangularis in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG-PO and IFG-PT); postcentral parietal gyrus (PPG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG). First, we analysed the top associated polymorphisms from the reading/language GWASMA: rs59197085 (CCDC136/FLNC) and rs5995177 (RBFOX2). There was significant multivariate association of rs5995177 with cortical thickness, driven by effects on left PPG, right MTG, right IFG (both PO and PT), and STG bilaterally. The minor allele, previously associated with reduced reading-language performance, showed negative effects on grey matter thickness. Next, we performed exploratory gene-wide analysis of CCDC136/FLNC and RBFOX2; no other associations surpassed significance thresholds. RBFOX2 encodes an important neuronal regulator of alternative splicing. Thus, the prior reported association of rs5995177 with reading/language performance could potentially be mediated by reduced thickness in associated cortical regions. In future, this hypothesis could be tested using sufficiently large samples containing both neuroimaging data and quantitative reading/language scores from the same individuals.



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The peri-Sylvian cortical network underlying single word repetition revealed by electrocortical stimulation and direct neural recordings

Publication date: Available online 19 July 2016
Source:Brain and Language
Author(s): Matthew K. Leonard, Ruofan Cai, Miranda C. Babiak, Angela Ren, Edward F. Chang
Verbal repetition requires the coordination of auditory, memory, linguistic, and motor systems. To date, the basic dynamics of neural information processing in this deceptively simple behavior are largely unknown. Here, we examined the neural processes underlying verbal repetition using focal interruption (electrocortical stimulation) in 58 patients undergoing awake craniotomies, and neurophysiological recordings (electrocorticography) in 8 patients while they performed a single word repetition task. Electrocortical stimulation revealed that sub-components of the left peri-Sylvian network involved in single word repetition could be differentially interrupted, producing transient perceptual deficits, paraphasic errors, or speech arrest. Electrocorticography revealed the detailed spatio-temporal dynamics of cortical activation, involving a highly-ordered, but overlapping temporal progression of cortical high gamma (75–150Hz) activity throughout the peri-Sylvian cortex. We observed functionally distinct serial and parallel cortical processing corresponding to successive stages of general auditory processing (posterior superior temporal gyrus), speech-specific auditory processing (middle and posterior superior temporal gyrus), working memory (inferior frontal cortex), and motor articulation (sensorimotor cortex). Together, these methods reveal the dynamics of coordinated activity across peri-Sylvian cortex during verbal repetition.



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Neuroimaging correlates of language network impairment and reorganization in temporal lobe epilepsy

Publication date: Available online 5 July 2016
Source:Brain and Language
Author(s): S. Balter, G. Lin, K.M. Leyden, B.M. Paul, C.R. McDonald
Advanced, noninvasive imaging has revolutionized our understanding of language networks in the brain and is reshaping our approach to the presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has had the greatest impact, unveiling the complexity of language organization and reorganization in patients with epilepsy both pre- and postoperatively, while volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging have led to a greater appreciation of structural and microstructural correlates of language dysfunction in different epilepsy syndromes. In this article, we review recent literature describing how unimodal and multimodal imaging has advanced our knowledge of language networks and their plasticity in epilepsy, with a focus on the most frequently studied epilepsy syndrome in adults, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We also describe how new analytic techniques (i.e., graph theory) are leading to a refined characterization of abnormal brain connectivity, and how subject-specific imaging profiles combined with clinical data may enhance the prediction of both seizure and language outcomes following surgical interventions.



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The Neural Mechanisms of Hallucinations: A Quantitative Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies.

The Neural Mechanisms of Hallucinations: A Quantitative Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies.

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Jul 26;

Authors: Zmigrod L, Garrison JR, Carr J, Simons JS

Abstract
Activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging data was used to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying auditory-verbal and visual hallucinations (AVHs and VHs). Consistent activation across studies during AVHs, but not VHs, in Wernicke's and Broca's areas is consistent with involvement of speech and language processes in the experience of hearing voices when none are present. Similarly, greater activity in auditory cortex during AVHs and in visual cortex during VHs supports models proposing over-stimulation of sensory cortices in the generation of these perceptual anomalies. Activation across studies in the medial temporal lobe highlights a role for memory intrusions in the provision of content for AVHs, whereas insula activation may relate to the involvement of awareness and self-representation. Finally, activation in the paracingulate region of medial prefrontal cortex during AVHs is consistent with models implicating reality monitoring impairment in the misattribution of self-generated information as externally perceived. In the light of the results, the need for unified theoretical frameworks that account for the full range of hallucinatory experiences is discussed.

PMID: 27473935 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Loss of cargo binding in the human myosin VI deafness mutant (R1166X) increases actin filament binding.

Loss of cargo binding in the human myosin VI deafness mutant (R1166X) increases actin filament binding.

Biochem J. 2016 Jul 29;

Authors: Arden SD, Tumbarello DA, Butt T, Kendrick-Jones J, Buss F

Abstract
Mutations in myosin VI have been associated with autosomal recessive (DFNB37) and autosomal dominant (DFNA22) deafness in humans. Here, we characterise a myosin VI nonsense mutation (R1166X) that was identified in a family with hereditary hearing loss in Pakistan. This mutation leads to deletion of the C-terminal 120 amino acids of the myosin VI cargo-binding domain, which includes the WWY binding motif for the adaptor proteins LMTK2, Tom1 as well as Dab2. Interestingly, compromising myosin VI vesicle binding ability by expressing myosin VI with the R1166X mutation or with single point mutations in the adaptor binding sites leads to increased F-actin-binding of this myosin in vitro and in vivo As our results highlight the importance of cargo attachment for regulating actin binding to the motor domain, we perform a detailed characterisation of adaptor protein binding and identify single amino acids within myosin VI required for binding to cargo adaptors. We not only show that the adaptor proteins can directly interact with the cargo-binding tail of myosin VI, but our in vitro studies also suggest that multiple adaptor proteins can bind simultaneously to non-overlapping sites in the myosin VI tail. In conclusion, our characterisation of the human myosin VI deafness mutant (R1166X) suggests that defects in cargo binding may leave myosin VI in a primed/activated state with an increased actin-binding ability.

PMID: 27474411 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Predictors of Dysgeusia in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Predictors of Dysgeusia in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2016 May 17;

Authors: Sapir E, Tao Y, Feng F, Samuels S, El Naqa I, Murdoch-Kinch CA, Feng M, Schipper M, Eisbruch A

Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S): Dysgeusia is a significant factor reducing quality of life and worsening dysphagia in patients receiving chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The factors affecting dysgeusia severity are uncertain. We investigated the effects on patient-reported dysgeusia of doses to the oral cavity, salivary output (required to dissolve food particles), and patient-reported xerostomia.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy-three patients with stage III to IV oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) (N=73) receiving definitive intensity modulated radiation therapy concurrently with chemotherapy participated in a prospective, longitudinal study of quality of life (QOL), including assessment of patient-reported gustatory function by taste-related questions from the Head and Neck QOL instrument (HNQOL) and the University of Washington Head and Neck-related QOL instrument (UWQOL), before therapy and periodically after treatment. At these intervals, patients also completed a validated xerostomia-specific questionnaire (XQ) and underwent unstimulated and stimulated major salivary gland flow rate measurements.
RESULTS: At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, dysgeusia improved over time: severe dysgeusia was reported by 50%, 40%, 22%, and 23% of patients, respectively. Significant associations were found between patient-reported severe dysgeusia and radiation dose to the oral cavity (P=.005) and tongue (P=.019); normal tissue complication probability for severe dysgeusia at 3 months showed mean oral cavity D50 doses 53 Gy and 57 Gy in the HNQOL and WUQOL questionnaires, respectively, with curve slope (m) of 0.41. Measured salivary output was not statistically significantly correlated with severe taste dysfunction, whereas patient-reported XQ summary scores and xerostomia while eating scores were correlated with severe dysgeusia in the UWQOL tool (P=.04).
CONCLUSIONS: Taste impairment is significantly correlated with mean radiation dose to the oral cavity. Patient-reported xerostomia, but not salivary output, was correlated with severe dysgeusia in 1 of the 2 QOL questionnaires. Reduction in oral cavity doses is likely to improve dysgeusia.

PMID: 27473816 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy.

Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy.

Neurol Sci. 2016 Jul 29;

Authors: Zheng Q, Chu L, Tan L, Zhang H

Abstract
Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN) is a recently defined slowly progressive motor neuron disorder. It is characterized by facial onset sensory abnormalities which may spread to the scalp, neck, upper trunk and extremities, followed by lower motor neuron deficits. Bulbar symptoms, such as dysarthria and dysphagia, muscle weakness, cramps and fasciculations, can present later in the course of the disease. We search the PubMed database for articles published in English from 2006 to 2016 using the term of "Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy". Reference lists of the identified articles were selected and reviewed. Only 38 cases of FOSMN have been reported in the Pubmed database since it was first reported in 2006. Typically, FOSMN present with slowly evolving numbness of the face followed by neck and arm weakness. Reduced or absent of corneal reflexes and blink reflex is the main pathognomonic features of FOSMN. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology, clinical presentation, auxiliary examination, and treatment of all the reported cases of FOSMN. Moreover, we discuss the pathogenesis of this rare disorder. In addition, we propose diagnostic criteria for FOSMN.

PMID: 27473302 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Vesicular stomatitis.

Vesicular stomatitis.

Vet Rec. 2016 Jul 30;179(5):119-20

Authors: Timoney P

Abstract
More than 800 premises in eight states in the USA have recently reported cases of vesicular stomatitis in their horses. Here, Peter Timoney, of the Gluck Equine Research Center in Kentucky, discusses this zoonotic disease in more detail.

PMID: 27474058 [PubMed - in process]

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Allergic sensitization prevalence in a children and adolescent population of northeastern Greece region

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Michael Katotomichelakis, Gerasimos Danielides, Theodoros Iliou, George Anastassopoulos, Christos Nikolaidis, Efthimios Kirodymos, Evangelos Giotakis, Theodoros C. Constantinidis
ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence of allergic sensitization in a childhood and adolescent population, to explore age- and gender-specific variations and finally to discover co-sensitivities among allergens.MethodsA two-stage cross-sectional survey among school-aged children. The two stages of the study involved enrollment of schools and then skin prick testing (SPT) within schools. A total of 675 school children were included in the study. Of those, 231 were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR), according to the medical history as provided by parental-completed questionnaires and positive SPT results. The antigen panel consisted of common allergens and more specifically house dust mites-HDM (Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), grass mix, trees (olive, cypress and pine), weeds (Parietaria spp.), cat and dog epithelium and moulds (Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp.). The SPT sensitivity was graded according to SPT-USA Standards.ResultsThe overall prevalence rate of AR was 34.22%. In total, 93 school children (40.3%) were mono- and 138 (59.7%) were poly-sensitized. Overall, the most prevalent sensitizations in decreasing order were to HDM (59.74%), to grasses (48.9%), to Alternaria (34.6%) and to olive (14.71%). There were no age- and sex-specific differences, except for Alternaria mould that showed a significant prevalence among primary school-aged children and predominance in the female gender, by contrast to grass pollen allergy that was predominant to males. A 32% of SPT-positive individuals were not aware of their allergy, with no statistically significant differences between ages. Co-sensitivities were detected for grass pollens and pine and olive trees, for Alternaria and Cladosporium moulds, for cypress and pine trees, and finally for dog and cat danders.ConclusionsGiven data among school-aged children should be a baseline from which to monitor disease trends and is considered important for the optimal management of AR patients.



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The comparison of bleeding and pain after tonsillectomy in bipolar electrocautery vs cold dissection

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Mohammad Hossein Dadgarnia, Mohammad Ali Aghaei, Saeid Atighechi, Nasim Behniafard, Mohammad Reza Vahidi, Mojtaba Meybodian, Vahid Zand, Maryam Vajihinejad, Abdollah Ansari
ObjectiveAlthough tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed in pediatric, it has potential major complications such as pain and bleeding. This study aimed to compare the bleeding and pain after tonsillectomy in bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy versus cold dissection.MethodsThis double blind clinical trial was conducted on 70 pediatric patients who were candidate of tonsillectomy. Patients were divided into two groups of including bipolar cautery (BC) and cold dissection (CD). operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative bleeding and pain were evaluated in the current study.ResultsIn both of the CD and BC groups, no significant difference was found in terms of sex and age. The average amount of the intraoperative blood loss in BC group was 14.086 ± 5.013 ml and in CD group was 26.14 ± 4.46 ml (p. v = 0.0001). The mean time of operation in BC group was 19 ± 2.89 min and in CD group was 29.31 ± 5.29 min (p. v = 0.0001).patients were evaluated in terms of pain on the first, third, fifth, and seventh days after the operation. No statistically significant difference was found between two groups.Moreover, Compared pain scores in all times across two groups, no significant difference was found.In terms of postoperative bleeding, none of the patients in both groups had bleeding during follow-up.ConclusionOur study showed that bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy can significantly reduce the operation time and intraoperative blood loss; however, postoperative pain and blood loss were similar in both techniques. We recommend bipolar electrocautery as the most suitable alternative method for tonsillectomy, especially in children.



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Multivariate analysis on unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment outcome by EUROCRAN index: A retrospective study

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Ching Ching Yew, Mohammad Khursheed Alam, Shaifulizan Abdul Rahman
ObjectivesThis study is to evaluate the dental arch relationship and palatal morphology of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients by using EUROCRAN index, and to assess the factors that affect them using multivariate statistical analysis.MethodA total of one hundred and seven patients from age five to twelve years old with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate were included in the study. These patients have received cheiloplasty and one stage palatoplasty surgery but yet to receive alveolar bone grafting procedure. Five assessors trained in the use of the EUROCRAN index underwent calibration exercise and ranked the dental arch relationships and palatal morphology of the patients' study models. For intra-rater agreement, the examiners scored the models twice, with two weeks interval in between sessions. Variable factors of the patients were collected and they included gender, site, type and, family history of unilateral cleft lip and palate; absence of lateral incisor on cleft side, cheiloplasty and palatoplasty technique used. Associations between various factors and dental arch relationships were assessed using logistic regression analysis.ResultDental arch relationship among unilateral cleft lip and palate in local population had relatively worse scoring than other parts of the world. Crude logistics regression analysis did not demonstrate any significant associations among the various socio-demographic factors, cheiloplasty and palatoplasty techniques used with the dental arch relationship outcome.ConclusionsThis study has limitations that might have affected the results, example: having multiple operators performing the surgeries and the inability to access the influence of underlying genetic predisposed cranio-facial variability. These may have substantial influence on the treatment outcome. The factors that can affect unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment outcome is multifactorial in nature and remained controversial in general.



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Charges associated with imaging techniques in evaluation of pediatric hearing loss

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Samantha Anne, Samuel Trosman, Timothy Haffey, Raj Sindwani, Katie Geelan-Hansen
ObjectiveThe best imaging study for evaluation of pediatric hearing loss is debated and it is well known magnetic resonance imaging is more costly than computed tomography. The objective of this study is to evaluate charges of computed tomography temporal bone (CTTB) versus magnetic resonance imaging brain, internal auditory canal/cerebellopontine angle (MRI IAC/CPA), with and without sedation in the pediatric population in order to assess to what extent the charges for the procedure are increased. In addition, differences in need for sedation and duration of sedation will be evaluated.MethodsAll patients, 0–18 years that underwent CTTB or MRI IAC/CPA, between January 2013 through December 2014 within department of otolaryngology.Results120 CTTBs (118 non-sedated and 2 sedated) and 51 MRI IAC/CPAs (32 non-sedated and 19 sedated) were performed. Average charge for non-sedated CTTB was $1856. CTTB scan under sedation incurred total additional charges of $2385. Average charges for non-sedated MRI IAC/CPA was $3770. Technical charges for sedated MRI IAC/CPA was $151 lower ($2858) but had additional sedation charges of $2256, a recovery room charge of $250, and additional professional fees of $1496 for total charges of $7621. 37% of MRI IAC/CPAs needed sedation to be completed in comparison to 1.6% of CTTB.ConclusionMRI IAC/CPAs are, on average, twice as costly as CTTBs. Almost 40% of patients need sedation to complete MRI IAC/CPA. These considerations may factor into decision making when choosing imaging modality in evaluation of pediatric hearing loss.



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The suppressive effects of metformin on inflammatory response of otitis media model in human middle ear epithelial cells

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Jae Gu Cho, Jae Jun Song, June Choi, Gi Jung Im, Hak Hyun Jung, Sung Won Chae
ObjectiveMetformin is a well-known anti-diabetic agent, but its mechanism is unclear. Recently, many reports have described the anti-inflammatory effects of metformin on various cell types, including human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of metformin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in human middle ear epithelial cell lines (HMEECs).MethodsThe effect of pretreatment by metformin (0, 1, 2, 4 mM) was evaluated by the inflammatory response in the HMEECs exposed to LPS (10 ng/ml). For verifying the suppression effect of metformin on the inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and COX-2 protein was assessed by western blotting. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFHDA) fluorocytometer.ResultsStimulation by LPS 10 ng/ml concentration showed 12.4 folds increase the expression of TNF-α mRNA compared to control on HMEECs. Pretreatment of metformin dose dependently suppressed the expression of TNF-α mRNA induced by LPS (2 mM, p = 0.03). The amount of COX-2 protein production was significantly decreased by metformin pretreatment (4 mM, p = 0.01). The production of ROS was decreased significantly by pretreatment of metformin (p = 0.03).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by LPS could be suppressed by metformin in HMEECs. Therefore, metformin may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of the otitis media.



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Reading skills in Persian deaf children with cochlear implants and hearing aids

Publication date: October 2016
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 89
Author(s): Mohammad Rezaei, Vahid Rashedi, Esmaeil Khedmati Morasae
ObjectivesReading skills are necessary for educational development in children. Many studies have shown that children with hearing loss often experience delays in reading. This study aimed to examine reading skills of Persian deaf children with cochlear implant and hearing aid and compare them with normal hearing counterparts.MethodThe sample consisted of 72 s and third grade Persian-speaking children aged 8–12 years. They were divided into three equal groups including 24 children with cochlear implant (CI), 24 children with hearing aid (HA), and 24 children with normal hearing (NH). Reading performance of participants was evaluated by the "Nama" reading test. "Nama" provides normative data for hearing and deaf children and consists of 10 subtests and the sum of the scores is regarded as reading performance score.ResultsResults of ANOVA on reading test showed that NH children had significantly better reading performance than deaf children with CI and HA in both grades (P < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis, using Tukey test, indicated that there was no significant difference between HA and CI groups in terms of non-word reading, word reading, and word comprehension skills (respectively, P = 0.976, P = 0.988, P = 0.998).ConclusionConsidering the findings, cochlear implantation is not significantly more effective than hearing aid for improvement of reading abilities. It is clear that even with considerable advances in hearing aid technology, many deaf children continue to find literacy a challenging struggle.



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A novel dendritic cell targeting HPV16 E7 synthetic vaccine in combination with PD-L1 blockade elicits therapeutic antitumor immunity in mice.

A novel dendritic cell targeting HPV16 E7 synthetic vaccine in combination with PD-L1 blockade elicits therapeutic antitumor immunity in mice.

Oncoimmunology. 2016 Jun;5(6):e1147641

Authors: Liu Z, Zhou H, Wang W, Fu YX, Zhu M

Abstract
Human papilliomavirus (HPV) oncogene E7, essential for the transformation and maintenance of the malignancy of cervical cancer cells, represents an ideal tumor-specific antigen for vaccine development. However, due to the poor immunogenicity of E7 protein, an effective therapeutic E7 vaccine is still lacking. Dendritic cells (DCs) are probably the most potent antigen presenting cells for the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, which is crucial for tumor control. In this study, we tested whether targeting the E7 antigen to DCs in vivo would elicit therapeutic antitumor CTL response. We generated the DEC205-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and E7 long peptide fusion protein [scFv(DEC205)-E7] based on the novel method of protein assembly we recently developed. This fusion protein vaccine demonstrated highly efficient DC-targeting in vivo and elicited much stronger protective CTL response than non-DC-targeting control vaccine in naive mice. Furthermore, the scFv(DEC205)-E7 vaccine showed significant therapeutic antitumor response in TC-1 tumor bearing mice. Importantly, PD-L1 blockade further improved the therapeutic effect of the scFv(DEC205)-E7 vaccine. Thus, the current study suggests an efficient strategy for cervical cancer immunotherapy by combining the DC(DEC205)-targeting E7 vaccine and PD-L1 blockade.

PMID: 27471615 [PubMed]

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[The change of vaginal lactobacillus in patients with high-risk human papillomavirus infection].

[The change of vaginal lactobacillus in patients with high-risk human papillomavirus infection].

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2016 Jul 5;96(25):2006-8

Authors: Zhou D, Cui Y, Wu FL, Deng WH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution characteristics of lactobacillus in the vaginal mucosa of patients with HPV infection.
METHODS: The planting density of lactobacillus in vaginal secretions of 95 cases with HPV16/18 infection and 90 cases of normal women of childbearing age were observed by oil microscope. And the strains of vaginal lactobacilli in two groups were analyzed using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (Species-specific PCR) and the distribution of vaginal lactobacilli in patients with HPV16/18 infection were investigated.
RESULTS: In HPV16/18 infective groups, the planting density of lactobacillus in the vaginal mucosa was 104 (68-186)/HP. It was significantly lower than that of the normal group (234 (161-326)/HP, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the positive rates of lactobacillus iners, lactobacillus crispatus, and lactobacillus gasseri were significantly lower in HPV16/18 infection group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The HPV16/18 infection is associated with the decreased number of lactobacillus and the imbalance of vaginal flora; Lactobacillus iners, lactobacillus crispatus, and lactobacillus gasseri may play a key role in maintaining the vaginal micro ecological environment.

PMID: 27470959 [PubMed - in process]

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Detection of oncogenic mutations in cervical carcinoma using method "High Resolution Melting" (HRM).

Detection of oncogenic mutations in cervical carcinoma using method "High Resolution Melting" (HRM).

Neoplasma. 2016 Jul 29;63(5)

Authors: Wayhelova M, Mikulasova A, Smetana J, Vallova V, Blazkova D, Filkova H, Moukova L, Kuglik P

Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes represent one of key events in cancerogenesis. In this study, we analysed mutation status in PIK3CA, KRAS and EGFR proto-oncogenes and TP53 tumor suppressor gene in a cohort of twenty-four patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma using the screening method "High Resolution Melting" (HRM). Positive findings were confirmed and identified by Sanger sequencing. Totally, we detected DNA sequence changes in targeted regions in seven patients (7/24, 29.2%). In PIK3CA gene, we found six sequence changes in four patients (4/24, 16.7%) and four of them were confirmed as oncogenic mutations. In KRAS gene, we detected sequence changes in four patients (4/24, 16.7%). Conversely, we identified pathogenic or potentially pathogenic sequence changes neither in EGFR nor TP53 genes. Our results suggest that sequence changes are specific neither for a certain histological subtype, clinical stage nor lymph node involvement and they appear independently on the presence of HPV (human papillomavirus) infection since early clinical stages. We observed the correlation between the presence of DNA sequence changes and hTERC gene amplification, but we did not find a significant relationship between the identified DNA sequence changes and detected copy-number alterations using the technique of array-CGH (array-based comparative genomic hybridization). Regardless our results confirmed an important role of oncogenic mutations in PIK3CA and KRAS genes in the neoplastic transformation process in the cervical carcinoma pathogenesis. Their identification in the early clinical stages should encourage further studies to better understand these mutations and exploit them for more detailed diagnostics.

PMID: 27468883 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Establishment and Application of a Method for High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotyping in Cervical Cancer Tissue.

Establishment and Application of a Method for High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotyping in Cervical Cancer Tissue.

Clin Lab. 2016;62(6):1075-85

Authors: Zou R, Xie W, Wang H, Wang J, Xiao L, Ji S, Chen X, Zhang L, Xue X, Chen J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Persistent high-risk HPV infection is a major cause of cervical cancer and E6/E7 genes and the Li gene in the HPV genome are key targets to detect high-risk HPV. This study aims to explore the relationship between cervical lesions and E6/7 by establishing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect multiplex genes based on HPV EE7 genes. It is hoped that such methods will provide a more reliable method for clinical screening and the prevention of cervical cancer.
METHODS: Based on alignment, specific primers were designed for HPV E6/E7 genes, the sequences of which came from five5 high-risk papillomaviruses that are common in China. This enabled an E6/E7 gene detection method based on multiplex PCR to be established. E6/E7 and Li gene testing were then performed on 65 cervical cancer tissue samples. The gene copy number of HPV E6/E7 genes and the Li gene were detected from different classifications by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.
RESULTS: Out of the 65 cervical cancer tissue samples, 47 (72.31%) showed positive results in E6/E7 multiplex PCR, 21 (32.31%) showed positive results in the Ll gene PCR, and out of the 219 cervical exfoliate cell samples, 56 (25.57%) showed positive results in E6/E7 multiplex PCR, 21 (13.24%) showed positive results in the L1 gene PCR. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between these two test results. Fluorescent quantitative PCR showed that the ratio of gene copy number of L1 genes and E6/E7 genes was below 1 (p < 0.05) in cervical cancer tissue, in which both the Li and E6/E7 genes coexist.
CONCLUSIONS: The established HPV multiplex PCR assay based on the design of E6/E7 gene is a specific and sensitive method for the detection and genotype of five high-risk HPVs.

PMID: 27468570 [PubMed - in process]

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Longitudinal comparison of quality of life in patients undergoing laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication versus magnetic sphincter augmentation: Observational cohort study with propensity score analysis.

Longitudinal comparison of quality of life in patients undergoing laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication versus magnetic sphincter augmentation: Observational cohort study with propensity score analysis.

Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jul;95(30):e4366

Authors: Asti E, Bonitta G, Lovece A, Lazzari V, Bonavina L

Abstract
Only a minority of patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are offered a surgical option. This is mostly due to the fear of potential side effects, the variable success rate, and the extreme alteration of gastric anatomy with the current gold standard, the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. It has been reported that laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) and laparoscopic sphincter augmentation using a magnetic device (LINX) can treat reflux more physiologically and with a lower incidence of side-effects and reoperation rate. We present the first comparing quality of life in patients undergoing LTF versus LINX.Observational cohort study. Consecutive patients undergoing LTF or LINX over the same time period were compared by using the propensity score full matching method and generalized estimating equation. Criteria of exclusion were >3 cm hiatal hernia, grade C-D esophagitis, ineffective esophageal motility, body mass index >35, and previous upper abdominal surgery. The primary study outcome was quality of life measured with the Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were proton pump inhibitors (PPI) use, presence of gas-related symptoms or dysphagia, and reoperation-free probability.Between March 2007 and July 2014, 238 patients with GERD met the criteria of inclusion in the study. Of these, 103 underwent an LTF and 135 a LINX procedure. All patients had a minimum 1-year follow-up. Over time, patients in both groups had similar GERD-HRQL scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, confidence interval [CI] 0.89-1.27; P = 0.578), PPI use (OR 1.18, CI 0.81-1.70; P = 0.388), gas-related symptoms (OR 0.69, CI 0.21-2.28; P = 0.542), dysphagia (OR 0.62, CI 0.26-1.30; P = 0.241), and reoperation-free probability (stratified log-rank test = 0.556).In 2 concurrent cohorts of patients with early stage GERD undergoing LTF or LINX and matched by propensity score analysis, health-related quality of life significantly improved and GERD-HRQL scores had a similar decreasing trend over time up to 7 years of follow-up. We conclude that LTF and LINX provide similar disease-specific quality of life over time in patients with early stage GERD.

PMID: 27472725 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Steroid pulse therapy prevents restenosis following balloon dilatation for esophageal stricture.

Steroid pulse therapy prevents restenosis following balloon dilatation for esophageal stricture.

Pediatr Surg Int. 2016 Jul 28;

Authors: Yokota K, Uchida H, Tanano A, Shirota C, Tainaka T, Hinoki A, Murase N, Oshima K, Shirotsuki R, Chiba K

Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis and stricture in children.
METHODS: The study enrolled six children, including three with congenital esophageal stenosis and three with anastomotic strictures after surgery for esophageal atresia, all of whom were treated by balloon dilatation combined with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Methylprednisolone was injected intravenously at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 2 days, starting from the day of dilatation, followed by 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days, for a total of 4 days.
RESULTS: Esophageal stricture recurred in all three patients with congenital esophageal stenosis despite repeated balloon dilatation without methylprednisolone. However, the symptoms of dysphagia improved and did not recur after systemic steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation. Symptoms also resolved in all three patients with anastomotic strictures following balloon dilatation with systemic steroid pulse therapy. All six patients remained asymptomatic after 6-21 months follow-up, with no complications.
CONCLUSION: Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy following balloon dilatation is safe and effective for the treatment of esophageal stenosis and strictures in children.

PMID: 27469501 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Modulating transcallosal and intrahemispheric brain connectivity with tDCS: Implications for interventions in Aphasia.

Modulating transcallosal and intrahemispheric brain connectivity with tDCS: Implications for interventions in Aphasia.

Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2016 Jul 25;

Authors: Zheng X, Dai W, Alsop DC, Schlaug G

Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance or diminish cortical excitability levels depending on the polarity of the stimulation. One application of non-invasive brain-stimulation has been to modulate a possible inter-hemispheric disinhibition after a stroke. This disinhibition model has been developed mainly for the upper extremity motor system, but it is not known whether the language/speech-motor system shows a similar inter-hemispheric interaction. We aimed to examine physiological evidence of inter- and intra-hemispheric connectivity changes induced by tDCS of the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) using arterial-spin labeling (ASL) MRI.
METHODS: Using an MR-compatible DC-Stimulator, we applied anodal stimulation to the right IFG region of nine healthy adults while undergoing non-invasive cerebral blood flow imaging with arterial-spin labeling (ASL) before, during, and after the stimulation. All ASL images were then normalized and timecourses were extracted in regions of interest (ROIs), which were the left and right IFG regions, and the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG) in the inferior parietal lobule. Two additional ROIs (the right occipital lobe and the left fronto-orbital region) were taken as control regions.
RESULTS: Using regional correlation coefficients as a surrogate marker of connectivity, we could show that inter-hemispheric connectivity (right IFG with left IFG) decreased significantly (p <  0.05; r-scores from 0.67 to 0.53) between baseline and post-stimulation, while the intra-hemispheric connectivity (right IFT with right SMG) increased significantly (p <  0.05;r-scores from 0.74 to 0.81). A 2 × 2 ANOVA found a significant main effect of HEMISPHERE (F(8) = 6.83, p <  0.01) and a significant HEMISPHERE-by-TIME interaction (F(8) = 4.24, p <  0.05) in connectivity changes. The correlation scores did not change significantly in the control region pairs (right IFG with right occipital and right IFG with left fronto-orbital) over time.
CONCLUSION: Using an MR-compatible DC stimulator we showed that ASL-MRI can detect tDCS-induced modulation of brain connectivity within and between hemispheres. These findings might affect trial designs focusing on modulating the non-dominant hemisphere to enhance language/speech-motor functions.

PMID: 27472845 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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[LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE IN A PATIENT WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS].

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[LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE IN A PATIENT WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS].

Rev Med Liege. 2016 May;71(5):227-32

Authors: Haeck G, Bataille Y, Herzet JM, Lecoq E, Hoffer E

Abstract
We report the clinical history of a 69 year-old female who suffered from systemic sclerosis and in whom we performed a percutaneous left atrial appendage closure due to recurrent gastrointestinal bleedings under anticoagulant therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation. We review the impact of scleroderma on the cardiac and digestive systems and discuss the issue of anticoagulation and its alternatives in uncommon clinical situations. We also describe the indications, technical aspects and potential complications of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure.

PMID: 27337840 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Can 28-Month-Old Children Learn Spatial Prepositions Robustly from Pictures? Yes, When Narrative Input Is Provided.

Can 28-Month-Old Children Learn Spatial Prepositions Robustly from Pictures? Yes, When Narrative Input Is Provided.

Front Psychol. 2016;7:961

Authors: Rohlfing KJ, Nachtigäller K

Abstract
The learning of spatial prepositions is assumed to be based on experience in space. In a slow mapping study, we investigated whether 31 German 28-month-old children could robustly learn the German spatial prepositions hinter [behind] and neben [next to] from pictures, and whether a narrative input can compensate for a lack of immediate experience in space. One group of children received pictures with a narrative input as a training to understand spatial prepositions. In two further groups, we controlled (a) for the narrative input by providing unconnected speech during the training and (b) for the learning material by training the children on toys rather than pictures. We assessed children's understanding of spatial prepositions at three different time points: pretest, immediate test, and delayed posttest. Results showed improved word retention in children from the narrative but not the control group receiving unconnected speech. Neither of the trained groups succeeded in generalization to novel referents. Finally, all groups were instructed to deal with untrained material in the test to investigate the robustness of learning across tasks. None of the groups succeeded in this task transfer.

PMID: 27471479 [PubMed]

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Point-of-care ultrasonography in the detection of pediatric esophageal food impaction.

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Point-of-care ultrasonography in the detection of pediatric esophageal food impaction.

Am J Emerg Med. 2016 Apr;34(4):763.e1-3

Authors: Simone LA, Orsborn J, Berant R, Tessaro MO

PMID: 26349776 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Evaluation of Singing Vocal Health in Yakshagana Singers.

Evaluation of Singing Vocal Health in Yakshagana Singers.

J Voice. 2016 Jul 25;

Authors: Gunjawate DR, Aithal VU, Devadas U, Guddattu V

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Yakshagana, a popular traditional folk art from Karnataka, India, includes singing and dancing. Yakshagana singer or Bhagavata plays an important role in singing and conducting the performance. The present study aims to assess the singing vocal health using Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10) in these singers and to compare between those who report voice problem and those who do not.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 26 Bhagavata using demographic questionnaire and SVHI-10 in the Kannada language. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Independent sample t test was used to compare the responses for demographic variables between the two groups of singers with and without voice problems. The difference in scores of SVHI-10 between the two groups was analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test.
RESULTS: Of the Bhagavata, 38% reported to have experienced voice problems, which affected their singing, with higher total SVHI-10 score (31.2 ± 5.7) compared with those who did not report any problems (16.81 ± 9.56). A statistically significant difference between the groups was noted in the emotional domain and total scores.
CONCLUSION: The present study provides preliminary information on the voice handicap reported by Bhagavata. The singers reporting voice problems scored higher on SVHI-10. A healthy singing voice is essential for Yakshagana singers, and voice problems can have a significant impact on their performance and livelihood. Hence, results of the present study indicate the need to understand these singers' voice problems and their impact more comprehensively, and educate them about voice care.

PMID: 27469448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Objective support for subjective reports of successful inner speech in two people with aphasia.

Objective support for subjective reports of successful inner speech in two people with aphasia.

Cogn Neuropsychol. 2016 Jul 29;:1-16

Authors: Hayward W, Snider SF, Luta G, Friedman RB, Turkeltaub PE

Abstract
People with aphasia frequently report being able to say a word correctly in their heads, even if they are unable to say that word aloud. It is difficult to know what is meant by these reports of "successful inner speech". We probe the experience of successful inner speech in two people with aphasia. We show that these reports are associated with correct overt speech and phonologically related nonword errors, that they relate to word characteristics associated with ease of lexical access but not ease of production, and that they predict whether or not individual words are relearned during anomia treatment. These findings suggest that reports of successful inner speech are meaningful and may be useful to study self-monitoring in aphasia, to better understand anomia, and to predict treatment outcomes. Ultimately, the study of inner speech in people with aphasia could provide critical insights that inform our understanding of normal language.

PMID: 27469037 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Relationships between Categorical Perception of Phonemes, Phoneme Awareness, and Visual Attention Span in Developmental Dyslexia.

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Relationships between Categorical Perception of Phonemes, Phoneme Awareness, and Visual Attention Span in Developmental Dyslexia.

PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0151015

Authors: Zoubrinetzky R, Collet G, Serniclaes W, Nguyen-Morel MA, Valdois S

Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that the categorical perception deficit of speech sounds in developmental dyslexia is related to phoneme awareness skills, whereas a visual attention (VA) span deficit constitutes an independent deficit. Phoneme awareness tasks, VA span tasks and categorical perception tasks of phoneme identification and discrimination using a d/t voicing continuum were administered to 63 dyslexic children and 63 control children matched on chronological age. Results showed significant differences in categorical perception between the dyslexic and control children. Significant correlations were found between categorical perception skills, phoneme awareness and reading. Although VA span correlated with reading, no significant correlations were found between either categorical perception or phoneme awareness and VA span. Mediation analyses performed on the whole dyslexic sample suggested that the effect of categorical perception on reading might be mediated by phoneme awareness. This relationship was independent of the participants' VA span abilities. Two groups of dyslexic children with a single phoneme awareness or a single VA span deficit were then identified. The phonologically impaired group showed lower categorical perception skills than the control group but categorical perception was similar in the VA span impaired dyslexic and control children. The overall findings suggest that the link between categorical perception, phoneme awareness and reading is independent from VA span skills. These findings provide new insights on the heterogeneity of developmental dyslexia. They suggest that phonological processes and VA span independently affect reading acquisition.

PMID: 26950210 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Prolonged L2 immersion engenders little change in morphosyntactic processing of bilingual natives.

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Prolonged L2 immersion engenders little change in morphosyntactic processing of bilingual natives.

Neuroreport. 2015 Dec 2;26(17):1065-70

Authors: Bergmann C, Meulman N, Stowe LA, Sprenger SA, Schmid MS

Abstract
Bilingual and monolingual language processing differ, presumably because of constant parallel activation of both languages in bilinguals. We attempt to isolate the effects of parallel activation in a group of German first-language (L1) attriters, who have grown up as monolingual natives before emigrating to an L2 environment. We hypothesized that prolonged immersion will lead to changes in the processing of morphosyntactic violations. Two types of constructions were presented as stimuli in an event-related potential experiment: (1) verb form combinations (auxiliaries+past participles and modals+infinitives) and (2) determiner-noun combinations marked for grammatical gender. L1 attriters showed the same response to violations of gender agreement as monolingual controls (i.e. a significant P600 effect strongest over posterior electrodes). Incorrect verb form combinations also elicited a significant posterior P600 effect in both groups. In attriters, however, there was an additional posterior N400 effect for this type of violation. Such biphasic patterns have been found before in L1 and L2 speakers of English and might reflect the influence of this language. Generally, we interpret our results as evidence for the stability of the deeply entrenched L1 system, even in the face of L2 interference.

PMID: 26509547 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Subtle Differences During Posturography Testing Can Influence Postural Sway Results: The Effects of Talking, Time Before Data Acquisition, and Visual Fixation.

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Subtle Differences During Posturography Testing Can Influence Postural Sway Results: The Effects of Talking, Time Before Data Acquisition, and Visual Fixation.

J Appl Biomech. 2015 Oct;31(5):324-9

Authors: Taylor MR, Sutton EE, Diestelkamp WS, Bigelow KE

Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine the effects of 3 factors and their interactions on posturography: a period of time to become accustomed to the force platform before the initiation of data collection, presence of a visual fixation point, and participant talking during testing. The postural stability of 30 young adults and 30 older adults was evaluated to determine whether any observed effects were confounded with age. Analysis of variance techniques were used to test all possible combinations of the 3 factors. We hypothesized that all 3 factors would significantly affect postural stability. For both participant groups, the results suggest that a period of time to become accustomed to the force platform before the initiation of data collection and a visual fixation point significantly affect postural control measures, while brief participant talking does not. Despite this, no significant interactions existed suggesting that the effects of these factors, which may occur in clinical testing, do not depend on each other. Our results suggest that inconsistencies in posturography testing methods have the potential to significantly affect the results of posturography, underscoring the importance of developing a standardized testing methodology.

PMID: 26035857 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Development of a simple genotyping method for the HLA-A*31:01-tagging SNP in Japanese.

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Development of a simple genotyping method for the HLA-A*31:01-tagging SNP in Japanese.

Pharmacogenomics. 2015;16(15):1689-99

Authors: Maekawa K, Nakamura R, Kaniwa N, Mizusawa S, Kitamoto A, Kitamoto T, Ukaji M, Matsuzawa Y, Sugiyama E, Uchida Y, Kurose K, Ueta M, Sotozono C, Ikeda H, Yagami A, Matsukura S, Kinoshita S, Muramatsu M, Ikezawa Z, Sekine A, Furuya H, Takahashi Y, Matsunaga K, Aihara M, Saito Y, Japan Pharmacogenomics Data Science Consortium

Abstract
AIM: To construct a simple, low-cost typing method for the surrogate marker of HLA-A*31:01, a risk factor for carbamazepine (CBZ) related Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN).
MATERIALS & METHODS: DNAs from Japanese SJS/TEN patients were used for genotyping and developing the assay.
RESULTS: HLA-A*31:01 was confirmed to be significantly associated with definite/probable cases of CBZ-related SJS/TEN (p = 0.0040). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs1150738, rs3869066 and rs259945, were in absolute linkage disequilibrium with HLA-A*31:01 in 210 Japanese SJS/TEN patients. Robust genotyping of rs3869066 in ZNRD1-AS1 was developed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays.
CONCLUSION: Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping is less time consuming and cheaper than conventional HLA typing, and would be useful for identifying Japanese patients at risk of CBZ-related SJS/TEN.

PMID: 26490229 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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