Methyl-donor depletion of head and neck cancer cells in vitro establishes a less aggressive tumour cell phenotype

European Journal of Nutrition - DNA methylation plays a fundamental role in the epigenetic control of carcinogenesis and is, in part, influenced by the availability of methyl donors obtained from...     

Consensus Paper: Language and the Cerebellum: an Ongoing Enigma

In less than three decades, the concept “cerebellar neurocognition” has evolved from a mere afterthought to an entirely new and multifaceted area of neuroscientific research. A close interplay between three main strands of contemporary neuroscience induced a substantial modification of the traditional view of the cerebellum as a mere coordinator of autonomic and somatic motor functions. Indeed, the wealth of current evidence derived from detailed neuroanatomical investigations, functional neuroimaging studies with healthy subjects and patients and in-depth neuropsychological assessment of patients with cerebellar disorders shows that the cerebellum has a cardinal role to play in affective regulation, cognitive processing, and linguistic function. Although considerable progress has been made in models of cerebellar function, controversy remains regarding the exact role of the “linguistic cerebellum” in a broad variety of nonmotor language processes. This consensus paper brings together a range of different viewpoints and opinions regarding the contribution of the cerebellum to language function. Recent developments and insights in the nonmotor modulatory role of the cerebellum in language and some related disorders will be discussed. The role of the cerebellum in speech and language perception, in motor speech planning including apraxia of speech, in verbal working memory, in phonological and semantic verbal fluency, in syntax processing, in the dynamics of language production, in reading and in writing will be addressed. In addition, the functional topography of the linguistic cerebellum and the contribution of the deep nuclei to linguistic function will be briefly discussed. As such, a framework for debate and discussion will be offered in this consensus paper.     

Are postmortem studies of glossal candidal infection useful? An experimental study

Autopsy studies have suggested that candidal pseudohyphae may be found in dorsal glossal epithelium in 38% to 42% of cases. Candidal yeast forms, and occasionally free pseudohyphae, are found as oral commensals in about 44% of the population. This study examined the possible distorting influence in autopsy studies that could be caused by postmortem hyphal transformation of candidal yeast forms followed by saprophytic infestation. Candida albicans yeast forms were topically applied to the middorsal glossal mucosa of five healthy pigs, immediately after killing. Biopsy specimens from this mucosa were subsequently maintained, in vitro, for periods of 12 and 24 hours in humid conditions at different temperature regression rates chosen to approximate those of the oral cavity after death. Biopsy specimens subjected to a temperature regression of 35 degrees C (oral temperature) to 23 degrees C (room temperature) over 11 hours showed infestation of epithelium by pseudohyphae in all cases. Biopsy specimens subjected to a similar temperature regression over 5 hours showed infestation in two of five cases. Control biopsy specimens showed that there was no candidal infection at the time of killing. The results indicate that in vitro saprophytic candidal infestation is possible in the time intervals and the declining oral temperatures preceding autopsy. It suggests that postmortem saprophytic candidal infestation may distort results from autopsy studies that do not anticipate this problem.     

An EMA analysis of the effect of increasing word length on consonant production in apraxia of speech: a case study

The effect of increasing word length on the articulatory dynamics (i.e. duration, distance, maximum acceleration, maximum deceleration, and maximum velocity) of consonant production in acquired apraxia of speech was investigated using electromagnetic articulography (EMA). Tongue-tip and tongue-back movement of one apraxic patient was recorded using the AG-200 EMA system during word-initial consonant productions in one, two, and three syllable words. Significantly deviant articulatory parameters were recorded for each of the target consonants during one, two, and three syllables words. Word length effects were most evident during the release phase of target consonant productions. The results are discussed with respect to theories of speech motor control as they relate to AOS.     

Spontaneous reports of emotional upset and health care utilization among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder after receiving a potentially upsetting survey

This study assessed the effects of a potentially distressing mailed survey on the emotional well-being and health care utilization (HCU) of 4,918 male and female veterans who applied for posttraumatic stress disorder disability benefits. Content analysis of spontaneous comments, in combination with analysis of subjects' HCU before and after receipt of the survey, suggested that spontaneously disclosed episodes of emotional upset were rare. In general, surveyed veterans' HCU decreased after receipt of the survey.