ERPs reveal an iconic relation between sublexical phonology and affective meaning

Classical linguistic theory assumes that formal aspects, like sound, are not internally related to the meaning of words. However, recent research suggests language might code affective meaning such as threat and alert sublexically. Positing affective phonological iconicity as a systematic organization principle of the German lexicon, we calculated sublexical affective values for sub-syllabic phonological word segments from a large-scale affective lexical German database by averaging valence and arousal ratings of all words any phonological segment appears in. We tested word stimuli with either consistent or inconsistent mappings between lexical affective meaning and sublexical affective values (negative-valence/high-arousal vs. neutral-valence/low-arousal) in an EEG visual-lexical-decision task. A mismatch between sublexical and lexical affective values elicited an increased N400 response. These results reveal that systematic affective phonological iconicity - extracted from the lexicon - impacts the extraction of lexical word meaning during reading.

[Severe respiratory insufficiency as manifestation of a pulmonary metastasized Ewing's sarcoma]

A previously unknown tumor led to respiratory failure due to pulmonary metastasis in a young male. The shortness of breath began gradually and then rapidly progressed within 2 weeks. With the cause of respiratory failure still unclear, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment was initiated to gain time for the definitive diagnosis. After the exclusion of infectious lung diseases the diagnosis could be made by a biopsy. Surprisingly, a Ewing's sarcoma was diagnosed and chemotherapy was initiated. This led to tumor regression within about 3 weeks, so that the patient could be successfully weaned from ECMO treatment.

Approaches to limit S-off-flavors during white wine fermentation with specific emphasis on yeast nitrogen nutrition

Low molecular weight volatile sulfur compounds are associated with the “reductive” off flavor of wines. The formation of 15 sulfide off-flavor compounds has been monitored with a novel HS-SPME GC-PFPD method and SIDA quantification during white wine fermentation. Since it is known that glutathione (GSH) might buffer nitrogen stress of the yeast but can also lead to an increase of S-off-flavors, the effect of GSH addition was investigated. Fermentations were carried out in triplicate with Riesling musts showing low NOPA concentrations whereby we evaluated the effect of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAHP), pantothenic acid, inactive dry yeast based nutrient (IDY) and must oxidation. It could be shown that only the addition of 0.6 g/L IDY increased fermentation speed and completed fermentations. The addition of IDY as well as GSH lead to a significant increase in H2S formation. Total yeast cells were increased by must oxidation thus leading to faster fermentation whereby no significant difference in S-off-flavors could be observed. The addition of GSH did not affect yeast viability but increased significantly the negative effect of IDY addition regardless the S-off-flavor investigated. In all fermentations the use of DAHP reduced significantly S-off-flavor formation and could completely prevent both S-Methyl thioacetate and S-Ethyl thioacetate development. Under nitrogen deficient conditions, GSH can be used in white wine making when combined with DAHP.

The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS): results from the German validation study

BACKGROUND

Recent research has convincingly shown that the ability to work mainly depends on the cognitive status in multiple sclerosis (MS). An international committee of experts recommended a brief neuropsychological battery to evaluate cognitive performance in MS. BICAMS comprises three tests, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the learning trials of the California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R).

OBJECTIVE

To validate BICAMS on a sample of German MS patients and healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS

According to the international guidelines for validation, examiner's instructions were standardized and translated into German. Due to the availability of better normative data for future applications in routine clinical care and classification of individual performance degree, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) (German version: Verbaler Lern- und Merkfähigkeits-Test, VLMT) was chosen instead of CVLT-II. 172 MS patients and 100 HCs entered the study. BICAMS was administered at baseline and retest (after 3-4 weeks).

RESULTS

The groups did not differ in age, gender or education. Mean age of MS patients was 43.33 years (SD 11.64); 68% were female and 86.9% had relapsing-remitting MS. Patients performed significantly worse than HCs on the SDMT (p < 0.01) and on BVMT-R (p < 0.05) but not on VLMT. In addition, BICAMS was shown to be reliable over time: r = 0.71 for BVMT-R, r = 0.72 for VLMT and r = 0.85 for SDMT. SDMT z-score proved to be a good predictor for the ability to work in a full-time (p < 0.001) as well as in a part-time job (p < 0.001). VLMT z-score turned out to be a significant predictor only for the ability to work in a part-time job, while BVMT-R z-score showed no significant predictive value.

CONCLUSION

In this German validation study with the VLMT, the modified BICAMS (BICAMS-M) turned out to reliably detect cognitive problems in MS patients and to monitor cognitive performance over time. SDMT revealed the best predictive value for working ability. Moreover, only the SDMT was able to predict the ability to work in a part-time or full-time job. Following these results, application of the SDMT is recommended for medical statements on working ability of MS patients.

Outcome and clinical course of EHEC O104 infection in hospitalized patients: A prospective single center study

Objectives

Shiga-toxin producing O157:H7 Entero Haemorrhagic E. coli [STEC/EHEC] are the most common cause of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome [HUS] related to infectious haemorrhagic colitis. Nearly all recommendations on long term treatment of EHEC infections refer to this strain. The 2011 outbreak in Northern Europe was the first of this dimension to be caused by the serotype O104:H4. We report on the 3.5 year follow up of 61 patients diagnosed with symptomatic EHEC O104:H4 infection in spring 2011.

Methods

Patients with EHEC O104 infection were followed in a monocentric, prospective observational study at four time points: 4, 12, 24 and 36 months. These data include the patients’ histories, clinical findings, and complications.

Results

Sixty-one patients suffering from EHEC O104:H4 associated enterocolitis participated in the study at the time of hospital discharge. The mean age of patients was 43 ± 2 years, 37 females and 24 males. 48 patients participated in follow up 1 [FU 1], 34 patients in follow up 2 [FU 2], 23 patients in follow up 3 [FU 3] and 18 patients in follow up 4 [FU 4]. Out of 61 patients discharged from the hospital and included in the study, 54 [84%] were examined at least at one additional follow up. Serum creatinine decreased significantly between discharge and FU 1 from 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/dl to 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/dl [p = 0.0045]. From FU 1 until FU 4, no further change in creatinine levels could be observed. The patients need of antihypertensive medications decreased significantly [p = 0.0005] between discharge and FU 1 after four months. From FU 1 until FU 3, 24 months later, no further significant change in antihypertensive treatment was observed.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that patients free of pathological findings at time of discharge do not need a specific follow up. Patients with persistent health problems at hospital discharge should be clinically monitored over four months to evaluate chronic organ damage. Progressive or new emerging renal damage could not be observed over time in any patient.

[Home Treatment]

Home Treatment (HT) means acute psychiatric treatment in the patient's usual environment. Conceptually, HT is to be differentiated from other home-based services: It is limited with regard to duration and multiprofessional (e. g. psychiatrist plus psychiatric nursing staff plus social worker); the "24/7"-accessibility is frequently provided by the corresponding background hospital infrastructure. Target group are acutely mentally ill persons with an indication to inpatient treatment, who are willing to cooperate, and absence of endangerment to self and others. In contrast to the Scandinavian and many Anglophone countries where nationwide HT services are delivered, there are not many HT sites in Germany so far. Consequently, empirical data concerning HT in Germany is scarce. In summary, international studies show equivalent effects on psychopathological measures compared to inpatient treatment, reductions with regard to inpatient days, higher patient satisfaction and a trend towards cost-effectivity.

Regulation of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) by protein kinase B and glucocorticoids: different mechanisms of induction of beta cell death in vitro

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

In steroid diabetes insulin secretion does not adequately compensate for enhanced hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance. Previous studies suggest that activation of the transcription factor forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) contributes to glucocorticoid-induced beta cell death. This study examines the role and regulation of FOXO1 in insulin-secreting cells.

METHODS

INS-1E cells and mouse islet cells were cultured in the presence of dexamethasone. Signalling pathways were modified pharmacologically or by small interfering (si)RNA-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. Changes in protein abundance and phosphorylation were analysed by western blotting, and subcellular localisation was assessed using confocal microscopy. Transcript levels were examined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Surprisingly, downregulation of FOXO1 by siRNA did not affect dexamethasone-induced apoptosis or Bim expression, but it prevented the effects of the pan protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor (Akti-1/2). Indeed, dexamethasone and Akti-1/2 synergistically increased beta cell death and Bim expression. Akti-1/2 triggered dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of FOXO1. Glucocorticoid-receptor activation stimulated Foxo1 transcription, but FOXO1 phosphorylation was unchanged and the cytosolic concentration of FOXO1 remained high in relation to its nuclear concentration. However, subcellular fractionation revealed a significant increase in both cytosolic and nuclear FOXO1 compared with untreated cells. Dexamethasone diminished Pdx1 mRNA level, an effect which was not reversed by siRNA against Foxo1. Downregulation of AKT isoforms and serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) suggests that only sustained suppression of all three AKT isoforms caused dephosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of FOXO1.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

This study reveals that FOXO1 is not the main mediator of glucocorticoid-receptor-induced beta cell apoptosis, but rather that it escalates beta cell death when AKT activity is inhibited by distinct pathways.

Borderline personality disorder: health service use and social functioning among a national household population

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether Axis II psychopathology or co-morbid clinical syndromes result in the treatment-seeking behaviour and social impairment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study examined the independent associations between social functioning and service use and Axis I and Axis II disorders in persons with BPD in the national household population of Britain.

METHOD

The study was a cross-sectional survey of adults aged 16-74 years in households (n=8397). Data included self-reported consultations with health-care professionals and behavioural problems. Diagnosis was determined by computer-assisted interviews. Analyses included logistic regression adjusting for demography, co-morbid Axis I clinical syndromes and other Axis II disorders.

RESULTS

Consultation in the past year was reported by 57.5% of persons with BPD but only 13.4% reported lifetime psychiatric admission. BPD was not independently associated with impaired functioning but was associated with co-morbid psychotic, depressive and anxiety disorders. Only general practitioners (GPs) were consulted for problems independently due to BPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional effects of BPD are mediated through co-morbid clinical syndromes, not Axis II psychopathology. A subgroup do not have co-morbid disorders or seek treatment, and are high functioning.

Severe impaired respiratory ciliary function in Wegener granulomatosis

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of granulomatous inflammation in the respiratory tract and autoimmunity in Wegener granulomatosis (WG) are poorly understood. Since mucociliar clearance represents the first major line of defence in the respiratory tract and its breakdown facilitates chronic inflammation, we investigated ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in WG.

METHODS

Nasal epithelial cells were obtained from 30 patients with WG with involvement of the upper respiratory tract, 12 patients with other inflammatory rheumatic disease and 10 healthy controls. CBF was measured at 5 and 24 h after collection.

RESULTS

were correlated with clinical data. Results: CBF was significantly reduced in WG compared to disease and healthy controls after 5 and 24 h. In WG, CBF almost stagnated after 24 h. Reduction of CBF correlated with the cumulative number of immunosuppressive agents in WG, but not in disease controls. No correlation was found between CBF impairment and cyclophosphamide levels, disease extent, disease activity, disease duration, serological and microbiological findings, or inflammation markers.

CONCLUSION

CBF is severely impaired in WG, potentially influenced by immunosuppressive treatment. To what extent CBF impairment and subsequent barrier dysfunction are caused by other factors still has to be elucidated. Supportive measures to improve mucociliary clearance should be discussed in patients with WG.