The Isolation of Numerals at the Semantic Level

Abstract

In this study, we examine the case of a patient (NM) who could comprehend and produce numerals despite impairment on comprehension tasks and a high degree of anomia for other categories of words. It will be claimed that NM suffered from an impairment to the semantic system affecting all categories except numerals and the series of days and months. The case of a patient presenting with the exact reverse dissociation has been described a few years ago by Cipolotti et al. (Brain 1991; 114: 619–37). We conclude that NM's pattern of performance provides evidence that numerals constitute a relevant and perhaps a distinct category at the semantic level.     

The duration of the aftereffects of UV-irradiation of man in conditions of UV-insufficiency

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the aftereffect of UV-B-irradiation applied during 10 or 20 sessions. The biological effect and aftereffect duration of UV-B-irradiation of the upper body of 9 healthy volunteers (residents of the city of Moscow and its suburbs) were evaluated in autumn and winter. During UV-irradiation in the range 220-280, 280-320, or 320-400 nm the flux density was 0.035, 1.75, or 0.65 W/m2, respectively. Group 1 subjects (5 men) were exposed to UV-B-irradiation 10 times (once with 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, 0.9, 1.1, 1.35, 1.65 MED and three times with 2.0 MED) and Group 2 subjects (4 men) were exposed to UV-B-irradiation 20 times (twice with 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 MED and eight times with 2 MED). The sessions were arranged every other day. The exposure produced a beneficial effect on the human body: skin sensitivity decreased, resistance of skin capillaries increased, Ca metabolism normalized, blood 25 (OH) D grew. The trend of responses was similar after 10 and 20 sessions; however, 20 sessions caused a longer-term aftereffect. In relation to space programs, it is concluded that UV-irradiation can be applied on the ground before short-term flights (less than 4 months) and in space during longer-term flights (greater than 4 months).     

A case of impaired knowledge for fruit and vegetables

In this paper, we report the case of RS, a brain-damaged patient presenting with a disproportionate conceptual impairment for fruit and vegetables in comparison to animals and artefacts. We argue that such a finer-grained category-specific deficit than the living/nonliving dichotomy provides a source of critical evidence for assessing current alternative theories of conceptual organisation in the brain. The case study was designed to evaluate distinct expectations derived from the categorical and the knowledge-specific accounts for category-specific semantic deficits. In particular, the integrity of object-colour knowledge has been assessed in order to determine whether the patient's deficit for fruit and vegetables was associated with a deficit for that kind of knowledge, which has been claimed to be highly diagnostic for fruit and vegetables. The results showed that the patient's pattern of performance is consistent with theories assuming a topographical category-like organisation of conceptual knowledge in the brain.     

Vascular mechanisms of adaptation to head-down tilt body posture

Using occlusion plethysmography and rheography, the state of peripheral circulation of 18 test subjects during 25 exposures to head-down tilt was investigated. The test subjects were subdivided into two groups: nine subjects actively changed their body position by 90 degrees and nine others were passively transferred to the head-down position at an angle of -12 degrees. It was found that regular training facilitated the development of vascular mechanisms which assisted adaptation to the head-down tilt: it decreased the tone of resistance vessels of the arms and legs and that of capacitance vessels of the legs; it increased the tone of cerebral resistance and capacitance vessels. The tone of leg capacitance vessels varied, depending on the type of training: passive tilting increased their compliance and active tilting decreased it. The final result of the tone redistribution in the peripheral vascular bed during training was a smaller increase of head blood content and a smaller fluid outflow from the legs.     

Ultrasonography in the comprehensive diagnosis and evaluation of treatment effectiveness in retroperitoneal neuroblastoma in children

Neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma of adrenal (17) and extra-organ (60) origin and retroperitoneal extra-organ neoplasia (18), infrequent in childhood, were identified in 109 children referred to the Institute's Clinic with diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumor. Ultrasound characteristics of retroperitoneal tumors of the sympathetic nervous system and predictive value of ultrasound for involvement of adjacent organs and vessels were defined and classified. Similar criteria for differential diagnosis between retroperitoneal neuro- and ganglioblastoma and rare pediatric retroperitoneal tumors were worked out. Dynamics of evidence in the course of conservative treatment of tumors and the role of ultrasound tomography in evaluating retroperitoneal neuroblastoma were established. Predictive value of sonography, computed tomography and angiography in certain applications was compared.     

Effect of lifetime low dose exposure to heavy metals on selected serum proteins of Wistar rats during three subsequent generations

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of exposure to low doses of lead, cadmium and mercury dissolved in drinking water (at a concentration 200-fold of maximum allowable concentration) on selected serum proteins of 120 Wistar rats during three subsequent generations. Animals were divided into four groups in all observed generation—control (C) and three experimental groups exposed to low doses of heavy metals (lead acetate in concentration 100 μM; mercuric chloride in 1 μM; cadmium chloride in 20 μM of drinking water). We studied the biochemical parameters as well as total protein, albumin, transferrin and ferritin in the serum. Exposure to lead and mercury shortened life span, decreased body weight of the animals in each generation whereas cadmium had no such effect. Total protein increased after exposure to lead and mercury (P<0.001), albumin increased after exposure to lead and mercury in 1st filial and 2nd filial generation (P<0.05) and insignificantly decreased after exposure to cadmium in parental and 1st filial generation. Transferrin and ferritin increased in all exposed groups and generations (P<0.05). Transferrin and ferritin are good markers for intoxication of rats with heavy metals. For the results evaluation, not only data at the end of experiment should be taken into account, but entire duration of trials (i.e., more time steps), which makes results more objective.