Crosslinguistic semantic and translation priming in normal bilingual individuals and bilingual aphasia

The present study examined lexical representation in early Spanish‐English bilinguals using an unmasked semantic and translation priming paradigm. In Experiment 1, participants were divided into two groups based on performance (more‐balanced bilinguals, MB and less‐balanced bilinguals, LB) on the experimental task. In Experiment 2, four patients with bilingual aphasia (BA) performed the same experiment. Results from both experiments revealed that all groups were more accurate for English targets (S‐E direction) than Spanish targets (S‐E direction). In Experiment 1, semantic priming was observed from English to Spanish in both the LB and MB groups although the effect was greater for the LB group. Further, only the LB group showed priming from Spanish to English. For both normal groups, there was no difference between translation and semantic priming effects. In Experiment 2, patients with bilingual aphasia demonstrated different patterns of activation with no clear trends. Two participants demonstrated greater priming from Spanish to English whereas two participants demonstrated the opposite effect.     

How justice can affect jury: Training abstract words promotes generalisation to concrete words in patients with aphasia

Developing language treatments that not only improve trained items but also promote generalisation to untrained items is a major focus in aphasia research. This study is a replication and extension of previous work which found that training abstract words in a particular context-category promotes generalisation to concrete words but not vice versa (Kiran, Sandberg, & Abbott, 2009 Kiran, S., Sandberg, C., & Abbott, K. (2009). Treatment for lexical retrieval using abstract and concrete words in persons with aphasia: Effect of complexity. Aphasiology, 23, 835–853. doi: 10.1080/02687030802588866[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Twelve persons with aphasia (five female) with varying types and degrees of severity participated in a generative naming treatment based on the Complexity Account of Treatment Efficacy (CATE; Thompson, Shapiro, Kiran, & Sobecks, 2003 Thompson, C., Shapiro, L., Kiran, S., & Sobecks, J. (2003). The role of syntactic complexity in treatment of sentence deficits in agrammatic aphasia: The Complexity Account of Treatment Efficacy (CATE). Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 46, 591–607. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2003/047)[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). All participants were trained to generate abstract words in a particular context-category by analysing the semantic features of the target words. Two other context-categories were used as controls. Ten of the twelve participants improved on the trained abstract words in the trained context-category. Eight of the ten participants who responded to treatment also generalised to concrete words in the same context-category. These results suggest that this treatment is both efficacious and efficient. We discuss possible mechanisms of training and generalisation effects.     

Clinical presentation and outcome of retinoblastoma based on age at presentation: a review of 1450 children

To compare the clinical presentation and outcomes of retinoblastoma (RB) based on age at presentation. Retrospective comparative study of 1940 eyes of 1450 children with RB. Presentation of RB with enlarged eyeball and eyelid swelling (2% and < 1% in ≤ 1 year, 4% and 2% in > 1–2 years, 7% and 2% in > 2–3 years, and 12% and 4% in > 3 years; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.05, respectively) is more common with increasing age. Based on the 8th edition of American Joint Committee Classification, T1 is more common in children younger than 1 year (27%), while T4 is more common in children > 3 years of age (20%) (p < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimate at 1 and 5 years for globe salvage was 64% and 58% in children ≤ 1 year of age versus 30% and 20% in children > 3 years, respectively [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.48; p < 0.0001], and KM estimate at 1 and 5 years for life salvage was 99% and 97% in children ≤ 1 year of age versus 89% and 78% in children older than 3 years, respectively (HR = 7.65; p < 0.0001). Uncommon clinical features of RB including enlarged eyeball and eyelid swelling are more common with increasing age. Younger age at presentation with RB is associated with better prognosis including higher chances of life and globe salvage.     

Plasma Apolipoprotein L1 Levels Do Not Correlate with CKD

Polymorphisms in APOL1 are associated with CKD, including HIV-related CKD, in individuals of African ancestry. The apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) protein circulates and is localized in kidney cells, but the contribution of APOL1 location to CKD pathogenesis is unclear. We examined associations of plasma APOL1 levels with plasma cytokine levels, dyslipidemia, and APOL1 genotype in a nested case-control study (n=270) of HIV-infected African Americans enrolled in a multicenter prospective observational study. Patients were designated as having CKD when estimated GFR (eGFR) decreased to <60 ml/min per 1.73 m² (eGFR<60 cohort) or protein-to-creatinine ratios became >3.5 g/g (nephrotic proteinuria cohort). Circulating APOL1 levels did not associate with APOL1 genotype, CKD status, or levels of proinflammatory cytokines, but did correlate with fasting cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. At ascertainment, CKD-associated polymorphisms (risk variants) in APOL1 associated with the eGFR<60 cohort, but not the nephrotic-range proteinuria cohort. Of note, in both the eGFR<60 and nephrotic proteinuria cohorts, CKD cases with two APOL1 risk variants had significant declines in eGFR over a median of 4 years compared with individuals with one or no risk variants. APOL1 risk genotype was not associated with changes in proteinuria. Higher circulating proinflammatory cytokine levels were independently associated with CKD but not APOL1 genotype. In conclusion, the function of variant APOL1 proteins derived from circulation or synthesized in the kidney, but not the level of circulating APOL1, probably mediates APOL1-associated kidney disease in HIV-infected African Americans.Nondiabetic CKD in individuals of African ancestry have been linked to polymorphisms in the gene for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1),^1–5 a protein component of HDL particles with a known function in the immune clearance of Trypanosoma brucei infections.⁶ CKD is associated with two coding variants of the APOL1 gene known as G1 and G2, both of higher allele frequency in African and African descendent populations compared with white populations where they are almost absent. Evidence suggests that the prevalence of the G1 and G2 variants may have increased in African populations because of a selective advantage from their ability to kill a broader range of Trypanosoma species.^1,2,7 Individuals carrying at least one G1 or G2 allele have additional protection from trypanosomiasis; however, individuals with two G1 or G2 alleles are at increased risk for nondiabetic CKD.^2,4,5The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for CKD associated with APOL1 risk variants are unknown. We recently showed that, in addition to being secreted and circulated in the blood,⁸ APOL1 is localized in podocytes, proximal tubular epithelial cells, and small-artery endothelium in normal kidney.⁹ Thus, the contribution of circulating versus kidney-localized variant APOL1s to CKD pathogenesis is unknown. In kidney transplantation, two studies suggest that graft loss is associated with the APOL1 genotype of the allograft, not the recipient.^10,11 However, the association of APOL1 plasma levels with CKD phenotypes or APOL1 genotype has not been studied.To address these issues, we examined circulating APOL1 levels with APOL1 genotype and renal function in HIV-infected African Americans in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Longitudinal Linked Randomized Trials (ALLRT) cohort because the occurrence of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and renal outcomes in HIV-infected patients are strongly associated with APOL1 risk alleles.^12–14 In addition, we examined the relationship between circulating APOL1 levels and proinflammatory cytokines known to induce APOL1 expression and previously associated with CKD and HIV/AIDS progression.^15,16 Additional analyses examined associations of APOL1 levels with dyslipidemia and the role of APOL1 genotype on CKD progression using longitudinal data.     

Dedicated two-stent technique in complex bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention with use of everolimus-eluting stents: The EES-bifurcation study

Objectives

To compare the outcomes of initial one-stent (1S) versus dedicated two-stent (2S) strategies in complex bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using everolimus-eluting stents (EES).

Background

PCI of true bifurcation lesions is technically challenging and historically associated with reduced procedural success and increased restenosis. Prior studies comparing initial one-stent (1S) versus dedicated two-stent (2S) strategies using first-generation drug-eluting stents have shown no reduction in ischemic events and more complications with a 2S strategy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 319 consecutive patients undergoing PCI at a single referral center with EES for true bifurcation lesions, defined by involvement of both the main vessel (MV) and side branch (SB). Baseline, procedural characteristics, quantitative coronary angiography and clinical outcomes in-hospital and at one year were compared for patients undergoing 1S (n = 175) and 2S (n = 144) strategies.

Results

Baseline characteristics were well-matched. 2S strategy was associated with greater SB acute gain (0.65 ± 0.41 mm vs. 1.11 ± 0.47 mm, p < 0.0001). In-hospital serious adverse events were similar (9% with 2S vs. 8% with 1S, p = 0.58). At one year, patients treated by 2S strategy had non-significantly lower rates of target vessel revascularization (5.8% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.31), myocardial infarction (7.8% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.31) and major adverse cardiovascular events (16.6% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.21).

Conclusion

In this study of patients undergoing PCI for true coronary bifurcation lesions using EES, 2S strategy was associated with superior SB angiographic outcomes without excess complications or ischemic events at one year.     

Blue-emissive two-component supergelator with aggregation-induced enhanced emission

Two-component organogels offer several advantages over one-component gels, but their design is highly challenging. Hence, it is extremely important to design new approaches for the crafting of two-component organogels with interesting optical and mechanical properties. Herein, we report the design of a new class of two-component supergelators obtained from the assembly between acid functionalized tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based dendrons and alkylated melamine. No gelation behaviour is observed for the individual components, but interestingly, remarkable gelation behaviour is observed for their hydrogen-bonded complex. The primary driving force responsible for the gelation is the strong π–π stacking interaction of TPE units. Because of the strong π-stacking of TPEs in the gel state, the C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond rotation of the TPE segment is completely arrested in the gel state, which results in intense fluorescence emission of the gels. Furthermore, excellent elastic response is observed for the gels as evident from their high storage modulus compared to loss modulus values. Our results clearly demonstrate that by the appropriate selection of the molecular components, this approach can be applied for the creation of functional nanomaterials with emergent properties absent in the individual blocks.

Design of a novel class of two-component, highly emissive, low molecular weight supergelator is reported.     

Confrontation naming and semantic relatedness judgements in Spanish/English bilinguals

Background: The results of many current studies on naming in bilingualism have provided converging evidence for a semantic representation common to both languages within a bilingual individual. However, the interaction between lexical access and semantic representation in bilinguals is relatively unclear. Aims: To further understand this relationship in normal bilingual individuals, we asked the following questions: (1) Is there homogeneity in naming accuracy for both languages across subjects? We predicted that naming accuracy would differ across subjects based on their proficiency levels in each language. (2) After separating subjects into groups based on their proficiency levels (balanced, Spanish dominant, English dominant), is there a difference in their mean ratings of the semantic similarity of word pairs across proficiency groups? According to the mixed model (De Groot, Dannenburg, & van Hell, 1994), it was predicted that similar mean ratings would be observed across all groups. Methods & Procedures: A total of 23 Spanish/English bilinguals (average age = 35.5 years) completed a confrontation naming task and a semantic relatedness questionnaire in both languages. The same set of stimuli, controlled for various factors, was used for each task in both languages and counterbalanced by language across two sessions. Based on naming performances, participants were assigned to the balanced bilingual (N = 10), English dominant (N = 10), or Spanish dominant (N = 3) group (Kohnert, Hernandez, & Bates, 1998). Outcomes & Results: Overall English mean correct was 94.29%; Spanish was 88.19%. Significant differences in naming were seen between groups, F(2, 85) = 4.3, p =. 01, and within the language dominant groups across subjects (p <. 05) and items (p <. 05). On the semantic relatedness task, no significant difference was observed between the ratings of word pairs in each language across participants or items in any group. Conclusions: Despite differences in lexical access, participants in all proficiency groups rated word pairs similarly, indicating a shared semantic representation for both languages. The mixed model (de Groot et al., 1994) can explain the findings for all groups. Results of this study have clinical implications for bilingual aphasic patients. It is imperative to ascertain a patient's pre‐morbid language use prior to brain damage in order to gauge pre‐morbid proficiencies. Treatment should consider proficiency levels in both languages, with consideration that the strength of connections between each lexicon and from each lexicon to semantic memory may differ.     

Neonatal cervical osteomyelitis with paraspinal abscess and Erb's palsy. A case report and brief review of the literature

An unusual case of pyogenic cervical osteomyelitis is reported in a newborn who immediately after birth had no movements in the left shoulder. There was a fullness in the left cervical region. Left Erb's palsy due to an unrecognized birth trauma was diagnosed in a peripheral hospital. Later, the child developed fever and a significant swelling in the left cervical region. On transfer to our institution, the X-rays of the cervical spine, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) established the diagnosis of C(6) cervical osteomyelitis and paraspinal abscess which extended to the posterior triangle of the neck. The abscess was drained, and the lamina and lateral mass of the C(6) vertebra were debrided. Staphylococcus aureus was grown from the pus. The patient was put on long-term antibiotics to which he responded very well, and he became asymptomatic. In the immediate post-operative period, some movements at the left shoulder were noted, and at 6-month follow-up in the out-patient clinic, the child was virtually normal with near-complete regeneration of the C(6) lamina and lateral mass.