An auditory perspective on phonological development in infancy

Introduction

The auditory system encodes the phonetic features of languages by processing spectro-temporal modulations in speech, which can be described at two time scales: relatively slow amplitude variations over time (AM, further distinguished into the slowest <8-16 Hz and faster components 16-500 Hz), and frequency modulations (FM, oscillating at higher rates about 600-10 kHz). While adults require only the slowest AM cues to identify and discriminate speech sounds, infants have been shown to also require faster AM cues (>8-16 Hz) for similar tasks.

Methods

Using an observer-based psychophysical method, this study measured the ability of typical-hearing 6-month-olds, 10-month-olds, and adults to detect a change in the vowel or consonant features of consonant-vowel syllables when temporal modulations are selectively degraded. Two acoustically degraded conditions were designed, replacing FM cues with pure tones in 32 frequency bands, and then extracting AM cues in each frequency band with two different low-pass cut- off frequencies: (1) half the bandwidth (Fast AM condition), (2) <8 Hz (Slow AM condition).

Results

In the Fast AM condition, results show that with reduced FM cues, 85% of 6-month-olds, 72.5% of 10-month-olds, and 100% of adults successfully categorize phonemes. Among participants who passed the Fast AM condition, 67% of 6-month-olds, 75% of 10-month-olds, and 95% of adults passed the Slow AM condition. Furthermore, across the three age groups, the proportion of participants able to detect phonetic category change did not differ between the vowel and consonant conditions. However, age-related differences were observed for vowel categorization: while the 6- and 10-month-old groups did not differ from one another, they both independently differed from adults. Moreover, for consonant categorization, 10-month-olds were more impacted by acoustic temporal degradation compared to 6-month-olds, and showed a greater decline in detection success rates between the Fast AM and Slow AM conditions.

Discussion

The degradation of FM and faster AM cues (>8 Hz) appears to strongly affect consonant processing at 10 months of age. These findings suggest that between 6 and 10 months, infants show different developmental trajectories in the perceptual weight of speech temporal acoustic cues for vowel and consonant processing, possibly linked to phonological attunement.

Abstract PD3-07: TEM8 specific CAR T cells serve as a novel targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer and its supporting endothelium

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) refers to an aggressive subtype of breast cancer negative for HER2, estrogen and progesterone receptors. Lacking these receptors, individuals with TNBC do not benefit from many of the targeted therapies for breast cancer. Tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8), originally identified as a tumor endothelium associated antigen, has more recently been implicated in TNBC pathogenesis and as a marker of breast cancer stem like cells. Here we report that T cells expressing a TEM8-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) serve as a novel approach to target both TNBC cells and its supporting endothelium. CARs combine the specificity of a monoclonal antibody with the signaling properties of a T cell. Methods: We designed two novel TEM8-specific CAR molecules. A CAR molecule containing an exodomain derived from the anti-TEM8 L2 antibody, followed by CD28 and CD3-zeta signaling domains (second generation CAR) and CD28, 41BB and CD3-zeta signaling domains (third generation CAR), respectively. Retroviral transduction was used to express the TEM8 CAR transgene constructs on HEK 293T cells, then on primary T cells. Results: Immunofluorescence staining revealed that in a panel of primary TNBC breast cancer samples, TEM8 was overexpressed in comparison to normal adjacent breast tissue (6/6). Costaining with the pan-endothelial cell marker CD31 revealed that this overexpression was not confined to the endothelial compartment, but also present on tumor parenchymal cells. The immortalized TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, MDA-MB-468 and Hs578T) expressed endogenous levels of TEM8 protein as revealed by western blot. Greater than 90% transduction of primary human T cells was achieved using both of our CAR constructs, as detected by flow cytometry. TEM8 specific T cells displayed significantly higher killing of TEM8 positive TNBC and tumor endothelial cells (2H11 and bEND.3) in standard four hour chromium release assays when compared to both non-transduced or irrelevant (CD19) CAR T cells and secreted immunomostimulatory cytokines upon encounter of TEM8 positive cells in coculture assays. In a vascularized xenograft model, MDA MB468 cells were injected subcutaneously with matrigel into athymic nude mice and followed via bioluminescence imaging over the course of two months. Established tumors were treated with either, second or third generation TEM8 specific T cells, HER2 specific T cells, non-transduced T cells or left untreated. Relative to non-transduced T cells, TEM8 specific second and third generation CAR T cells significantly delayed tumor growth by 36 days and 50 days, respectively. Conclusion: TEM8 specific CAR T cells could serve as a novel targeted therapy for TNBC and supporting endothelium.

Citation Format: Byrd T, Fousek K, Pignata A, Szot C, Bielamowicz K, Wakefield A, Koch J, Landi D, Seaman S, Wels W, Fletcher B, Hegde M, St Croix B, Ahmed N. TEM8 specific CAR T cells serve as a novel targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer and its supporting endothelium. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD3-07.

Microengineered cell and tissue systems for drug screening and toxicology applications: Evolution of in-vitro liver technologies

The liver performs many key functions, the most prominent of which is serving as the metabolic hub of the body. For this reason, the liver is the focal point of many investigations aimed at understanding an organism's toxicological response to endogenous and exogenous challenges. Because so many drug failures have involved direct liver toxicity or other organ toxicity from liver generated metabolites, the pharmaceutical industry has constantly sought superior, predictive in-vitro models that can more quickly and efficiently identify problematic drug candidates before they incur major development costs, and certainly before they are released to the public. In this broad review, we present a survey and critical comparison of in-vitro liver technologies along a broad spectrum, but focus on the current renewed push to develop "organs-on-a-chip". One prominent set of conclusions from this review is that while a large body of recent work has steered the field towards an ever more comprehensive understanding of what is needed, the field remains in great need of several key advances, including establishment of standard characterization methods, enhanced technologies that mimic the in-vivo cellular environment, and better computational approaches to bridge the gap between the in-vitro and in-vivo results.

Molecular testing of 163 patients with Morquio A (Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA) identifies 39 novel GALNS mutations

Morquio A (Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA; MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by partial or total deficiency of the enzyme galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS; also known as N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase) encoded by the GALNS gene. Patients who inherit two mutated GALNS gene alleles have a decreased ability to degrade the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) keratan sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate, thereby causing GAG accumulation within lysosomes and consequently pleiotropic disease. GALNS mutations occur throughout the gene and many mutations are identified only in single patients or families, causing difficulties both in mutation detection and interpretation. In this study, molecular analysis of 163 patients with Morquio A identified 99 unique mutations in the GALNS gene believed to negatively impact GALNS protein function, of which 39 are previously unpublished, together with 26 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Recommendations for the molecular testing of patients, clear reporting of sequence findings, and interpretation of sequencing data are provided.

Acute pulmonary embolism being the first presentation of undetected HIV infection: report of two cases

Though HIV infection is considered as a hypercoagulable state, but occurrence of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare and usually seen in the advanced stage of the disease. PE as a presentation in a case where there is no previous history of having HIV infection is very rare; a Medline search revealed only one case reported previously. We describe two cases who presented with acute PE and were treated; they were subsequently diagnosed as having HIV infection.

Combined orthodontic and surgical correction of an adolescent patient with thin palatal cortex and vertical maxillary excess

This paper describes the treatment of a male patient aged 14 years who presented with a skeletal class I, vertical maxillary excess, marked increase in overjet, thin palatal cortex and a gummy smile. Considering the severity of his malocclusion and its impact severity on his psychosocial well being, he was managed with a combined approach of Fixed Orthodontic therapy and Orthognathic surgery, even though his growth was not complete. Records of Pre treatment, Post treatment and three years in retention were analyzed and the functional and esthetic results were found to be fairly stable.

Isolation rearing significantly perturbs brain metabolism in the thalamus and hippocampus

Psychosocial neglect during childhood severely impairs both behavioral and physical health. The isolation rearing model in rodents has been employed by our group and others to study this clinical problem at a basic level. We previously showed that immediate early gene (IEG) expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is decreased in isolation-reared (IR) compared to group-reared (GR) rats. In the current study, we sought to evaluate: (1) whether these changes in IEG expression would be detected by the measurement of brain glucose metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and (2) whether PET FDG could illuminate other brain regions with different glucose metabolism in IR compared to GR rats. We found that there were significant differences in FDG uptake in the hippocampus that were consistent with our findings for IEG expression (decreased mean FDG uptake in IR rats). In contrast, in the mPFC, the FDG uptake between IR and GR rats did not differ. Finally, we found decreased mean FDG uptake in the thalamus of the IR rats, a region we had not previously examined. The results suggest that PET FDG has the potential to be utilized as a biomarker of molecular changes in the hippocampus. Further, the differences found in thalamic brain FDG uptake suggest that further investigation of this region at the molecular and cellular levels may provide an important insight into the neurobiological basis of the adverse clinical outcomes found in children exposed to psychosocial deprivation.

Orthodontic repositioning of a malposed and dilacerated central incisor

Dilacerated teeth are commonly seen in the maxillary anterior region. They are a cause for concern to both patients as well as parents when such teeth do not erupt or erupt in an unusual position. Careful planning is required while aligning such teeth. Orthodontists often hesitate aligning severely dilacerated teeth due to high chances of failure. A case of a dilacerated and malposed right central incisor in an eleven-year-old male patient is presented here. The tooth was orthodontically repositioned despite its unusual position and severely dilacerated root.

Evaluation of genetic diversity in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., commonly called jackfruit, is a medium-sized evergreen tree that bears high yields of the largest known edible fruit. Yet, it has been little explored commercially due to wide variation in fruit quality. The genetic diversity and genetic relatedness of 50 jackfruit accessions were studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Of 16 primer pairs evaluated, eight were selected for screening of genotypes based on the number and quality of polymorphic fragments produced. These primer combinations produced 5976 bands, 1267 (22%) of which were polymorphic. Among the jackfruit accessions, the similarity coefficient ranged from 0.137 to 0.978; the accessions also shared a large number of monomorphic fragments (78%). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis grouped all jackfruit genotypes into three major clusters. Cluster I included the genotypes grown in a jackfruit region of Karnataka, called Tamaka, with very dry conditions; cluster II contained the genotypes collected from locations having medium to heavy rainfall in Karnataka; cluster III grouped the genotypes in distant locations with different environmental conditions. Strong coincidence of these amplified fragment length polymorphism-based groupings with geographical localities as well as morphological characters was observed. We found moderate genetic diversity in these jackfruit accessions. This information should be useful for tree breeding programs, as part of our effort to popularize jackfruit as a commercial crop.

Use of the newborn screening card to define cause of death in a 12-year-old diagnosed with epilepsy

Post-mortem investigation of sudden death in young people frequently reveals no overt cause for the death. Full investigation is hampered if tissue or blood is not retained for DNA analysis. We report a post mortem molecular diagnosis of long QT syndrome in a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with epilepsy who died suddenly playing sport. The DNA was extracted from an archived blood spot on his newborn screening ('Guthrie') card, which had been taken from him at 6 days of age. A missense mutation was detected in exon 5 of the KCNQ1 gene; R243C (835C > T), associated with long QT type 1. The same mutation was found in the mother (who now takes effective preventative therapy), but not in the sib who has now been reassured that she is not at risk of sudden death.

Diagnostic DNA testing for X-linked ocular albinism (OA1) with a hierarchical mutation screening protocol

Albinism is a group of inherited conditions in which affected individuals have less than normal pigment in the eyes, skin, and hair compared to others of the same race and ethnic background. The prevalence of all types of albinism in the United States is estimated at 1 in 20,000, based on poor epidemiological data. X-linked Nettleship-Falls ocular albinism (XLOA, OA1) affects approximately 1/150,000 males in the population. XLOA effects reduce visual acuity and nystagmus, result in a mild skin and hair phenotype, and occur mostly in XY males. Female carriers of XLOA have normal visual acuity, but often show iris punctate transillumination and a classic pattern of mosaic retinal pigmentation, coarse and grainy in the macula and becoming increasingly reticular into the periphery of the retinal pigment epithelium. Studies of OA1 have shown linkage of a single gene to markers at Xp22.3-p22.2. About 48% of the reported mutations in the OA1 gene are intragenic deletions and about 43% are point mutations. We present a hierarchical strategy for mutation screening for diagnostic testing for OA1 that comprises two tiers: first, multiplex PCR to detect intragenic deletions in the OA1 gene with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC), and, second, heteroduplex analysis with dHPLC to scan for mutations, with subsequent sequencing of variants to confirm putative mutations in the OA1 gene. Prenatal diagnosis can be provided for families when the mutation has been firmly identified. We have validated this procedure with positive controls that were identified in patients by Southern blot, single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and sequencing. In this hierarchical strategy, these procedures have an analytical sensitivity of > 99%.

Detection of sequence variations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography

We have evaluated the usefulness of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) for scanning the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene for point mutations, small deletions, and insertions. Our assay consists of 28 sets of primers to amplify the 15 exons of the APC gene. All PCR reactions were amplified simultaneously using the same reaction conditions in a 96-well format and then analyzed by dHPLC, using empirically determined optimum temperatures for partial fragment denaturation. Previously studied DNA specimens from 47 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients were analyzed by dHPLC and all mutations were correctly identified and confirmed by sequence analysis. This approach identified a single-base substitution in exon 6 and a 2-bp insertion in exon 15 that initially had not been detected by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. A novel mutation in exon 15 of the APC gene, 2065delG (codon 689) that had previously been undetected by the protein truncation test (PTT) was also identified by dHPLC. We present our validation studies of dHPLC technology for APC gene analysis in terms of sensitivity and specificity and compare it to current standard scanning technologies including PTT, SSCP, and conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE).

Evidence for a major gene for bone mineral density in idiopathic osteoporotic families

Although there have been a number of studies indicating a heritable component for osteoporosis in middle to late adulthood, the etiology of osteoporosis in young people is uncertain. The present study aims to evaluate the extent to which genetic factors influence familial resemblance for bone mineral density (BMD) in families ascertained on the basis of young osteoporotic probands. The sample comprises eight families (74 total individuals) that were identified through a proband under the age of 35 years with a history of two or more fractures and a spinal bone density of at least 2.5 SDs below the mean for age and sex (Z score). Secondary causes of osteoporosis were excluded in the probands. In total, 27% (18/66) of the probands' relatives had osteoporosis and an additional 30% (20/66) had osteopenia. Classical segregation analysis was performed to evaluate the extent to which a genetic etiology could account for familial resemblance in these families. The results indicate a major gene of codominant inheritance for spinal BMD. Model-fitting comparisons revealed no support for environmental effects or for polygenic inheritance.

Identification and physical characterization of yeast maltase structural genes

Each of at least five unlinked MAL loci (MAL1 through MAL4 and MAL6) on the yeast genome controls the ability to synthesize an inducible alpha-D-glucosidase (maltase). A subcloned fragment of the coding sequence of the MAL6 maltase structural gene was used as a hybridization probe to investigate the physical structure of the family of MAL structural genes in the genomes of different Saccharomyces strains. MAL+ strains, each carrying a genetically defined MAL locus, were crossed with a MAL- strain and the segregation behavior of the functional locus and of sequences complementary to the maltase structural gene at that locus analyzed. The maltase structural gene sequences of each MaL locus were detected by Southern blot hybridization using BamH1 digests of genomic DNA of the meiotic products. This restriction enzyme was previously shown to cleave outside the confines of the MAL 6 locus. The results of such experiments indicate that each MAL locus encompasses at least one maltase structural gene sequence homologous to that of MAL6, that yeast strains that lack functional MAL loci may or may not contain the corresponding maltase structural gene sequence, that the MAL1 maltase structural gene sequence or one of its alleles can be detected in all laboratory yeast strains examined and that each MAL locus can be identified as a characteristic BamH1 fragment of genomic DNA which includes a maltase structural gene. Yeast strains vary in the number of maltase structural gene sequences that they carry. By using the approach described in this report, the ones corresponding to the different functional MAL loci and residing within a BamH1 generated restriction fragment can be identified.

Syphilitic aortic regurgitation. An appraisal of surgical treatment

During the 10 years from 1964 to 1973, fifteen patients with severe syphilitic aortic regurgitation were treated surgically at the National Heart Hospital. In thirteen the valve was replaced and in two it was repaired. In addition four had replacement of an aneurysmal ascending aorta with a Dacron graft and seven some form of plastic repair to the coronary ostia. Three patients died within 1 month of surgery and a further six during the follow-up period which varied from 1 to 55 months (mean 25-5). The six survivors have been followed-up for an average of 33 months. Factors contributing to this high mortality were analysed and it was found that the mean duration of effort dyspnoea was 22 months in the survivors compared with 48 months in those who had died. Similarly the average duration of nocturnal dyspnoea was 4 months in the survivors compared with a mean of 8 months in those who had died. Only six out of the fifteen patients had angina; this was present in two of the survivors and in four of the fatalities. The pulse pressure, heart size, and haemodynamic findings were similar in the two groups. The prognostic value of an elevated erythocyte sedimentation rate was also examined. It was concluded that preoperative investigations should include aortography, coronary arteriography, an assessment of left ventricular function, and whenever possible myocardial biopsy. These data were interpreted as suggesting that patients should be referred for surgery at an earlier stage in the disease--certainly before the onset of cardiac failure and--and that if this more aggresive attitude was adopted, as it has been in non-syphilitic cases of aortic valve disease, the present high mortality in this group would be reduced.

Association of secundum atrial septal defect with abnormalities of atrioventricular conduction or left axis deviation. Genetic study of 10 families

A genetic analysis was made of 10 families in which the propositi had a secundum atrial septal defect associated with abnormal atrioventricular conduction (first, second, or third degree heart block) or unexplained left axis deviation or a combination of these conduction disturbances. Diagnostic information was available on 51 (81%) of the first degree relatives. Three of the families appeared to be examples of a new syndrome which, with variable expression, was inherited as a non-sex-linked autosomal dominant. The main features were a secundum atrial septal defect; disease of the conducting tissue, which in some cases was progressive; unexplained left axis deviation; and unexpected death. These families did not seem to be examples of the Holt-Oram syndrome, for the upper limbs were clinically and radiologically normal in the 19 members examined. The importance of recognizing this syndrome is the occurrence of progressive disease of the conducting tissue and the risk of sudden death. When, therefore, unexplained left axis deviation or prolonged atrioventricular conduction is found in association with a secundum atrial septal defect all available relatives should be examined. In the remaining seven families there was only one affected first degree relative out of 39 examined. He was the son of one of the propositi and had paroxysmal coronary sinus rhythm with an intact atrial septum.