An examination of the distinction between nouns and verbs: associations with two different kinds of motion

Four experiments provide evidence that people are biased to associate particular types of motion with nouns and different types of motion with verbs. Novel nouns and verbs were related to two types of motion: (1) path, or the direction of motion of one character with respect to the other character, and (2) movement orientation, or the direction a character was facing as it moved. Subjects associated verbs more strongly with path than with movement orientation. In contrast, they associated nouns more strongly with movement orientation than with path. Movement orientation was associated with both object categories and verbs, inconsistent with a complete division of labor between these two types of categories. These results are consistent, however, with the notion that people are biased to associate verbs with relations between objects, whereas they are biased to associate object categories with motions defined with respect to the object carrying out those motions.     

Identification of a new splice form of the EDA1 gene permits detection of nearly all X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia mutations

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), the most common of the ectodermal dysplasias, results in the abnormal development of teeth, hair, and eccrine sweat glands. The gene responsible for this disorder, EDA1, was identified by isolation of a single cDNA that was predicted to encode a 135-amino-acid protein. Mutations in this splice form were detected in <10% of families with XLHED. The subsequent cloning of the murine homologue of the EDA1 gene (Tabby [Ta]) allowed us to identify a second putative isoform of the EDA1 protein (isoform II) in humans. This EDA1 cDNA is predicted to encode a 391-residue protein, of which 256 amino acids are encoded by the new exons. The putative protein is 94% identical to the Ta protein and includes a collagen-like domain with 19 repeats of a Gly-X-Y motif in the presumptive extracellular domain. The genomic structure of the EDA1 gene was established, and the complete sequence of the seven new exons was determined in 18 XLHED-affected males. Putative mutations, including 12 missense, one nonsense, and four deletion mutations, were identified in approximately 95% of the families. The results suggest that EDA1 isoform II plays a critical role in tooth, hair, and sweat gland morphogenesis, whereas the biological significance of isoform I remains unclear. Identification of mutations in nearly all of the XLHED families studied suggests that direct molecular diagnosis of the disorder is feasible. Direct diagnosis will allow carrier detection in families with a single affected male and will assist in distinguishing XLHED from the rarer, clinically indistinguishable, autosomal recessive form of the disorder.     

Dual origins of Finns revealed by Y chromosome haplotype variation

The objective of this study was to determine effects of photoperiod and age on the circulating concentrations of LH, testosterone (T), thyroxine (T4), and semen production in male turkeys. Male turkeys from 10 or 12 wk of age were maintained under either a long-day (LD) photoperiod of 16L:8D up to 35 wk (LL), or a short-day (SD) photoperiod of 6L:18D to 29 wk and then an LD photoperiod of 16L:8D up to 35 wk of age (SL). Plasma concentrations of both LH and T increased by 17 or 18 wk of age under both photoperiods, but higher levels were attained in the LL group prior to 29 wk of age. Both LH and T levels increased significantly within days in the SL group after the group was switched to LD at 29 wk of age. Higher levels of T4 were present in the LL group prior to sexual maturation. No differences were observed in T4 concentration between lighting treatments after sexual maturation. The LL group first produced semen at 20-22 wk of age, which was about 1 wk earlier than first semen production in the SL group. A significantly larger volume of semen was produced in the LL group at most ages. No further increase in semen production was observed in the first 6 wk after the SL group was switched to the LD photoperiod at 29 wk of age. Pulsatile patterns of LH and T were characterized by serial blood sampling at 13, 23, and 35 wk of age under both the LL and SL photoperiods. The baseline levels of both LH and T in male turkeys were influenced by age and photoperiod. However, pulse characteristics (numbers, duration, and amplitude) of LH did not change with age or lighting treatment, while pulse characteristics of T did change with age. We conclude that exposing male turkeys to an LD photoperiod from 10 or 12 wk of age advanced the age of sexual maturation and induced earlier increased concentrations of LH and T.     

Effects of postural change on aspiration in head and neck surgical patients

This study was designed to define the effects of postural change on liquid aspiration during videofluorographic examination of oropharyngeal swallow in head and neck surgical patients. Thirty-two patients were given two swallows of five different amounts of liquid barium as tolerated. When aspiration occurred, the patient's head and/or body position was changed, new posture being determined by the swallowing disorder identified as the cause of the aspiration. Postural techniques were successful in eliminating aspiration on at least one volume of liquid in 81% of these patients. Patients in all surgical groups were able to use postures with equal success. A variety of positions were used in each type of surgical patient, indicating that these patients exhibited a variety of swallowing problems. Results emphasize the importance of introducing postural techniques during the radiographic study of oropharyngeal swallow to facilitate safe oral intake of liquids.     

Single-cell measurements of human neutrophil activation using electrorotation

We have used the technique of cell electrorotation within a microfabricated planar gold electrode array as a means of detecting changes in the physical properties of a single human neutrophil, when activated by the chemotactic factor, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The results, which have been analyzed using a double-shell model to represent the cell and its nucleus, provide an indication of the changes in biophysical parameters that occur during cell activation. The methods used in this study have potential applications in the development of single-cell assays for pharmaceutical screening, as a means of determining rapidly the action of drugs.     

Immunization of Aotus monkeys with recombinant Plasmodium falciparum hybrid proteins does not reproducibly result in protection from malaria infection

Plasmodium falciparum antigens SERP, HRPII, MSAI, and 41-3 have shown promise as vaccine components. This study aimed at reproducing and extending previous results using three hybrid molecules. Antibody responses were reproduced in Aotus monkeys, but solid protection from a P. falciparum blood-stage challenge that showed an unintendedly enhanced pathogenicity was not observed.     

Evolution of malaria in Africa for the past 40 years: impact of climatic and human factors

MOTIVATION: Prediction methods for identifying binding peptides could minimize the number of peptides required to be synthesized and assayed, and thereby facilitate the identification of potential T-cell epitopes. We developed a bioinformatic method for the prediction of peptide binding to MHC class II molecules. RESULTS: Experimental binding data and expert knowledge of anchor positions and binding motifs were combined with an evolutionary algorithm (EA) and an artificial neural network (ANN): binding data extraction --> peptide alignment --> ANN training and classification . This method, termed PERUN, was implemented for the prediction of peptides that bind to HLA-DR4(B1*0401). The respective positive predictive values of PERUN predictions of high-, moderate-, low- and zero-affinity binders were assessed as 0.8, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.8 by cross-validation, and 1.0, 0.8, 0.3 and 0.7 by experimental binding. This illustrates the synergy between experimentation and computer modeling, and its application to the identification of potential immunotherapeutic peptides. AVAILABILITY: Software and data are available from the authors upon request. CONTACT: vladimir@wehi.edu. au     

Violent emergence from anesthesia: is it a pharmacological or psychological reaction?

A violent emergence from deep sedation is an uncommon reaction in the daily practice of anesthesia in the oral and maxillofacial surgery office. We present a case of a 22-yr-old male with a severe violent emergence from deep sedation that we attribute to a psychological rather than a pharmacological cause. A differential diagnosis is discussed, as are methods of treatment.