The power of language: functional brain network topology of deaf and hearing in relation to sign language experience

Publication date: Available online 15 December 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Michel R.T. Sinke, Jan W. Buitenhuis, Frank van der Maas, Job Nwiboko, Rick M. Dijkhuizen, Eric van Diessen, Willem M. Otte

Abstract

Prolonged auditory sensory deprivation leads to brain reorganization. This is indicated by functional enhancement in remaining sensory systems and known as cross-modal plasticity. In this study we investigated differences in functional brain network topology between deaf and hearing individuals. We also studied altered functional network responses between deaf and hearing individuals with a recording paradigm containing an eyes-closed and eyes-open condition.

Electroencephalography activity was recorded in a group of sign language-trained deaf (N = 71) and hearing people (N = 122) living in rural Africa. Functional brain networks were constructed from the functional connectivity between fourteen electrodes distributed over the scalp. Functional connectivity was quantified with the phase lag index based on bandpass filtered epochs of brain signal. We studied the functional connectivity between the auditory, somatosensory and visual cortex and performed whole-brain minimum spanning tree analysis to capture network backbone characteristics.

Functional connectivity between different regions involved in sensory information processing tended to be stronger in deaf people during the eyes-closed condition in both the alpha and beta frequency band. Furthermore, we found differences in functional backbone topology between deaf and hearing individuals. The backbone topology altered during transition from the eyes-closed to eyes-open condition irrespective of deafness, but was more pronounced in deaf individuals. The transition of backbone strength was different between individuals with congenital, pre-lingual or post-lingual deafness. Functional backbone characteristics correlated with the experience of sign language. Overall, our study revealed more insights in functional network reorganization caused by auditory deprivation and cross-modal plasticity. It further supports the idea of a brain plasticity potential in deaf and hearing people. The association between network organization and acquired sign language experience reflects the ability of ongoing brain adaptation in people with hearing disabilities.

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Most cancers-causing chemical substances result in extra testing of consuming water - Infosurhoy

Most cancers-causing chemical substances result in extra testing of consuming water  Infosurhoy

Public water supplies around the country are increasing efforts to test for chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases after studies revealed millions of ...

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HUTCHISON CHINA/S (HCM) vs. Loxo Oncology (LOXO) Head-To-Head Review - Modern Readers

HUTCHISON CHINA/S (HCM) vs. Loxo Oncology (LOXO) Head-To-Head Review  Modern Readers

HUTCHISON CHINA/S (NASDAQ:HCM) and Loxo Oncology (NASDAQ:LOXO) are both mid-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will ...

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HUTCHISON CHINA/S (HCM) vs. Loxo Oncology (LOXO) Head-To-Head Review - Modern Readers

HUTCHISON CHINA/S (HCM) vs. Loxo Oncology (LOXO) Head-To-Head Review  Modern Readers

HUTCHISON CHINA/S (NASDAQ:HCM) and Loxo Oncology (NASDAQ:LOXO) are both mid-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will ...

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Most cancers-causing chemical substances result in extra testing of consuming water - Infosurhoy

Most cancers-causing chemical substances result in extra testing of consuming water  Infosurhoy

Public water supplies around the country are increasing efforts to test for chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases after studies revealed millions of ...

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Evaluating the effect of nasal septoplasty on atrial electromechanical features

Publication date: Available online 15 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): Osman Kayapinar, Adnan Kaya, Cem Ozde, Derya Cebeci, Ilhan Unlu

Abstract

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and increased pulmonary artery pressure may be frequent in patients with upper airway obstruction. In this study, we evaluated atrial conduction delays in patients with upper airway obstruction secondary to nasal septum deviation (NSD).

Methods

A total of 32 patients with upper airway obstruction secondary to NSD undergoing a septoplasty procedure were enrolled in this study. Preoperative electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in all patients who underwent surgery. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and atrial conduction time (ACT) were recorded before and 6 months after the surgical procedures.

Results

The PAP was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (20.75 ± 4.83 vs. 24.68 ± 5.26; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Mitral septal wall (EMD-MS) value was significantly lower than that preoperatively (46.20 ± 8.5 vs. 40.5 ± 9.9; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Mitral lateral wall (EMD-ML) value decreased significantly compared to the preoperative period (46.3 ± 7.4 vs. 40.6 ± 9.3; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Tricuspit lateral wall (EMD-TL) value was significantly lower than that preoperatively (43.8 ± 7.0 vs. 38.1 ± 9.1; P < 0.001). There was no significant change in pre- or postoperative measurements of inter- and intra-atrial conduction delays.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that upper airway obstruction secondary to NSD causes a significant increase in mPAP and a significant delay in ACT, which improved after nasal septoplasty. According to these results, we conclude that upper airway obstruction may be an important risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension, RV dysfunction, and atrial arrhythmias, especially in unoperated cases.

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Evaluating the effect of nasal septoplasty on atrial electromechanical features

Publication date: Available online 15 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): Osman Kayapinar, Adnan Kaya, Cem Ozde, Derya Cebeci, Ilhan Unlu

Abstract

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and increased pulmonary artery pressure may be frequent in patients with upper airway obstruction. In this study, we evaluated atrial conduction delays in patients with upper airway obstruction secondary to nasal septum deviation (NSD).

Methods

A total of 32 patients with upper airway obstruction secondary to NSD undergoing a septoplasty procedure were enrolled in this study. Preoperative electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in all patients who underwent surgery. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and atrial conduction time (ACT) were recorded before and 6 months after the surgical procedures.

Results

The PAP was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (20.75 ± 4.83 vs. 24.68 ± 5.26; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Mitral septal wall (EMD-MS) value was significantly lower than that preoperatively (46.20 ± 8.5 vs. 40.5 ± 9.9; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Mitral lateral wall (EMD-ML) value decreased significantly compared to the preoperative period (46.3 ± 7.4 vs. 40.6 ± 9.3; P < 0.001). The postoperative Electromechanical Delay of Tricuspit lateral wall (EMD-TL) value was significantly lower than that preoperatively (43.8 ± 7.0 vs. 38.1 ± 9.1; P < 0.001). There was no significant change in pre- or postoperative measurements of inter- and intra-atrial conduction delays.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that upper airway obstruction secondary to NSD causes a significant increase in mPAP and a significant delay in ACT, which improved after nasal septoplasty. According to these results, we conclude that upper airway obstruction may be an important risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension, RV dysfunction, and atrial arrhythmias, especially in unoperated cases.

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Enzymatic, enzymatic-ultrasonic and alkaline extraction of soluble dietary fibre from flaxseed – A physicochemical approach

Publication date: May 2019Source: Food Hydrocolloids, Volume 90Author(s): Małgorzata Moczkowska, Sabina Karp, Yuge Niu, Marcin Andrzej KurekAbstractFlaxseed soluble dietary fibres (SDF) exhibit low viscosity, which makes them a valuable ingredient that does not have much influence on the rheological properties of food products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of enzymatic (EN), enzymatic-ultrasonic at 20 °C (EN-US20) and at 55 °C (EN-US55), and alkaline extraction (AL) of the physicochemical characteristics of soluble dietary fibres (SDF) from flaxseed. The highest extraction yield of flaxseed gum-FG (17.65 ± 0.13%) was obtained from AL extraction. Nevertheless, AL extraction resulted in the highest protein content in the FG. Similar SDF, but not the highest...

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The Clinical Features and Mortality Risk Factors of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ConclusionsRecent pulse therapy, pancytopenia, and concurrent infections constituted risk factors for mortality in patients with SLE and CMV infection. Among mortality patients, PCR rather than serological tests (IgM antibodies) helped to arrive at an earlier diagnosis. (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection)

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Enzymatic, enzymatic-ultrasonic and alkaline extraction of soluble dietary fibre from flaxseed – A physicochemical approach

Publication date: May 2019Source: Food Hydrocolloids, Volume 90Author(s): Małgorzata Moczkowska, Sabina Karp, Yuge Niu, Marcin Andrzej KurekAbstractFlaxseed soluble dietary fibres (SDF) exhibit low viscosity, which makes them a valuable ingredient that does not have much influence on the rheological properties of food products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of enzymatic (EN), enzymatic-ultrasonic at 20 °C (EN-US20) and at 55 °C (EN-US55), and alkaline extraction (AL) of the physicochemical characteristics of soluble dietary fibres (SDF) from flaxseed. The highest extraction yield of flaxseed gum-FG (17.65 ± 0.13%) was obtained from AL extraction. Nevertheless, AL extraction resulted in the highest protein content in the FG. Similar SDF, but not the highest...

MedWorm Message: Have you tried our new medical search engine? More powerful than before. Log on with your social media account. 100% free.

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The Clinical Features and Mortality Risk Factors of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ConclusionsRecent pulse therapy, pancytopenia, and concurrent infections constituted risk factors for mortality in patients with SLE and CMV infection. Among mortality patients, PCR rather than serological tests (IgM antibodies) helped to arrive at an earlier diagnosis. (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection)

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GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM) Sellers Decreased Their Shorts By 6.67% - The EN Bulletin

GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM) Sellers Decreased Their Shorts By 6.67%  The EN Bulletin

It was reported a decrease on GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM)'s shares shorted with 6.67%. In December was published GBIM's total 8400 shares ...

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GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM) Sellers Decreased Their Shorts By 6.67% - The EN Bulletin

GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM) Sellers Decreased Their Shorts By 6.67%  The EN Bulletin

It was reported a decrease on GLOBEIMMUNE INC (OTCMKTS:GBIM)'s shares shorted with 6.67%. In December was published GBIM's total 8400 shares ...

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Evidences of different meteorological patterns governing 7Be and 210Pb surface levels in the southern Iberian Peninsula

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): E.G. San Miguel, M.A. Hernández-Ceballos, H. García-Mozo, J.P. Bolívar

Abstract

⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ levels in surface air have been simultaneously measured at two sampling sites in the southern Iberian Peninsula for a period of two years. Each site covers one different meteorological area of the Guadalquivir valley, from the mouth (Huelva) to the middle point (Cordoba). The objective of the present study is to analyse the spatial variability of both natural radionuclides, and to identify and characterise the meteorological patterns associated with similar and different surface concentration levels in this complex region. Concentrations are similar in both sampling sites. ⁷Be level is in the 0.6–15.5 mBq m⁻³ range in Huelva and 1.2–13.3 mBq m⁻³ in Córdoba, ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations are between 0.04 and 2.30 mBq m⁻³ in Huelva, and between 0.03 and 1.2 mBq m⁻³ in Cordoba, and PM₁₀ concentrations are found to be in the 5.1–81.3 μg m⁻³ range in Huelva, and 8.2–76.3 μg m⁻³ in Cordoba, respectively. A linear regression analysis indicates more regional variability for ²¹⁰Pb than for ⁷Be between simultaneous measurements. Principal components analysis (PCA) is applied to the datasets and the results reveal that aerosol behaviour is mainly represented by two components, which explain 82% of the total variance. The analysis of surface measurements and meteorological parameters revealed that component F1 groups sampling periods in which the influence of similar meteorological conditions over the region lead to similar ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ concentration levels in both sampling sites. On the other hand, component F2 detaches the ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ concentration levels between monitoring sites, and the meteorological analysis shows how surface concentrations within this component are associated with the development of different mesoscale circulations in each part of the valley. The identification of sampling periods characterised by differences in surface concentrations and wind patterns between stations suggests that the valley could not be considered as one single unit for certain meteorological scenarios. These results evidence how the understanding of wind characteristics within a complex terrain provide some essential knowledge in the regionalization and/or optimization of monitoring networks.

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Evidences of different meteorological patterns governing 7Be and 210Pb surface levels in the southern Iberian Peninsula

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): E.G. San Miguel, M.A. Hernández-Ceballos, H. García-Mozo, J.P. Bolívar

Abstract

⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ levels in surface air have been simultaneously measured at two sampling sites in the southern Iberian Peninsula for a period of two years. Each site covers one different meteorological area of the Guadalquivir valley, from the mouth (Huelva) to the middle point (Cordoba). The objective of the present study is to analyse the spatial variability of both natural radionuclides, and to identify and characterise the meteorological patterns associated with similar and different surface concentration levels in this complex region. Concentrations are similar in both sampling sites. ⁷Be level is in the 0.6–15.5 mBq m⁻³ range in Huelva and 1.2–13.3 mBq m⁻³ in Córdoba, ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations are between 0.04 and 2.30 mBq m⁻³ in Huelva, and between 0.03 and 1.2 mBq m⁻³ in Cordoba, and PM₁₀ concentrations are found to be in the 5.1–81.3 μg m⁻³ range in Huelva, and 8.2–76.3 μg m⁻³ in Cordoba, respectively. A linear regression analysis indicates more regional variability for ²¹⁰Pb than for ⁷Be between simultaneous measurements. Principal components analysis (PCA) is applied to the datasets and the results reveal that aerosol behaviour is mainly represented by two components, which explain 82% of the total variance. The analysis of surface measurements and meteorological parameters revealed that component F1 groups sampling periods in which the influence of similar meteorological conditions over the region lead to similar ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ concentration levels in both sampling sites. On the other hand, component F2 detaches the ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and PM₁₀ concentration levels between monitoring sites, and the meteorological analysis shows how surface concentrations within this component are associated with the development of different mesoscale circulations in each part of the valley. The identification of sampling periods characterised by differences in surface concentrations and wind patterns between stations suggests that the valley could not be considered as one single unit for certain meteorological scenarios. These results evidence how the understanding of wind characteristics within a complex terrain provide some essential knowledge in the regionalization and/or optimization of monitoring networks.

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Most cancers-causing chemical compounds result in extra testing of consuming water - Infosurhoy

Most cancers-causing chemical compounds result in extra testing of consuming water  Infosurhoy

Public water supplies around the country are increasing efforts to test for chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases after studies revealed millions of ...

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Combined deficiency of SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 prevents endotoxin-induced liver inflammation by downregulating TLR4 expression on macrophages.

Authors: Zeng X, Liu G, Peng W, He J, Cai C, Xiong W, Chen S, Yang M, Dong Z Abstract Classical signaling lymphocyte activating molecule (SLAM) family receptors are abundant within many types of immune cells, whereas the nonclassical SLAM family receptors SLAMF8 and SLAMF9, which uniquely lack cytoplasmic signaling motifs, are highly expressed by myeloid cells. Due to the potential redundancy, whether these two receptors regulate macrophage function remains largely unknown. Here, we show that SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 co-regulate macrophage-mediated liver inflammation. To overcome the redundancy, we generated mice that simultaneously lacked SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Although macrophage differentiation was not altered by the combined deficiency of SLAMF8 and SLAMF9, th...

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Most cancers-causing chemical compounds result in extra testing of consuming water - Infosurhoy

Most cancers-causing chemical compounds result in extra testing of consuming water  Infosurhoy

Public water supplies around the country are increasing efforts to test for chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases after studies revealed millions of ...

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2RZvI09

Combined deficiency of SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 prevents endotoxin-induced liver inflammation by downregulating TLR4 expression on macrophages.

Authors: Zeng X, Liu G, Peng W, He J, Cai C, Xiong W, Chen S, Yang M, Dong Z Abstract Classical signaling lymphocyte activating molecule (SLAM) family receptors are abundant within many types of immune cells, whereas the nonclassical SLAM family receptors SLAMF8 and SLAMF9, which uniquely lack cytoplasmic signaling motifs, are highly expressed by myeloid cells. Due to the potential redundancy, whether these two receptors regulate macrophage function remains largely unknown. Here, we show that SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 co-regulate macrophage-mediated liver inflammation. To overcome the redundancy, we generated mice that simultaneously lacked SLAMF8 and SLAMF9 using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Although macrophage differentiation was not altered by the combined deficiency of SLAMF8 and SLAMF9, th...

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CXCR4 enhances cisplatin resistance of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

The chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) plays an important role in tumor progression. Overexpressed CXCR4 is associated with a poor prognosis of patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, the correlation between CXCR4 and chemotherapy resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains obscure.

Methods

Stable cisplatin‐resistant CAL27 CDDP and SCC25 CDDP cells were established and identified by CCK8 assay, and the CXCR4 expression was detected using qRT‐PCR and western blot. CXCR4‐siRNA was transfected into TSCC CDDP cells, whose transfect efficiency was examined. Cisplatin sensitivity was further detected, as well as several proliferation and apoptosis related proteins.

Results

CAL27 CDDP and SCC25 CDDP cells were successfully established, which exhibited significantly higher cell viability and less apoptosis under cisplatin stimulation than that of parental cells. CXCR4 expression was increased in TSCC CDDP cells. After transfection of CXCR4‐siRNA, the expression of CXCR4 was reduced by 73% and 78% in CAL27 CDDP and SCC25 CDDP cells, respectively. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry assay revealed that the proliferative capacity under cisplatin stimulation significantly decreased after CXCR4 silencing. Moreover, increased TSCC CDDP cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase after knockdown of CXCR4. Compared with negative control group, the expression of cyclin D1 and p‐AKT decreased, while that of p‐caspase‐3 and Bax significantly increased.

Conclusions

Silencing CXCR4 may evidently inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and enhance cisplatin sensitivity of TSCC CDDP cells by reduced cyclin D1 and p‐AKT, and increased p‐caspase‐3 and Bax.

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