Positive effects of grasping virtual objects on memory for novel words in a second language.

Theories of embodied cognition describe language processing and representation as inherently connected to the sensorimotor experiences collected during acquisition. While children grasp their world, collect bodily experiences and name them, in second language (L2), students learn bilingual word lists. Experimental evidence shows that embodiment by mean of gestures enhances memory for words in L2. However, no study has been conducted on the effects of grasping in L2. In a virtual scenario, we trained 46 participants on 18 two- and three-syllabic words of Vimmi, an artificial corpus created for experimental purposes. The words were assigned concrete meanings of graspable objects. Six words were learned audio-visually, by reading the words projected on the wall and by hearing them. Another 6 words were trained by observation of virtual objects. Another 6 words were learned by observation and additional grasping the virtual objects. Thereafter participants were subministered free, cued recall, and reaction time tests in order to assess the word retention and the word recognition. After 30 days, the recall tests were repeated remotely to assess the memory in the long term. The results show that grasping of virtual objects can lead to superior memory performance and to lower reaction times during recognition.

Prolactin selectively inhibits the LPS-induced chemokine secretion of human foetal membranes.

Background: Inflammation is a condition that jeopardizes the continuity of pregnancy because it increases the secretion of chemokines that favor the migration of leukocytes from maternal and fetal circulations to the cervix, placenta, and the chorioamniotic membranes. During pregnancy, the level of prolactin (PRL) in the amniotic fluid is high; there is evidence to suggest that PRL contributes to maintain a privileged immune environment in the amniotic cavity. We test the effect of prolactin on the secretion profile of chemokines in human fetal membranes.Methods: Nine fetal membranes collected from healthy nonlabouring cesarean deliveries at term. We placed whole membrane explants in a two-chamber culture system. Choriodecidua and amniotic chambers were pretreated with 250, 500, 1000, or 4000 ng/ml of PRL for 24 h, then choriodecidua was cotreated with 500 ng/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and PRL for 24 h. We used ELISA to measure secreted levels of four chemokines (RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), MIP-1α, and IL-8) in both amnion and choriodecidua regions.Results: In comparison with basal conditions, LPS treatment induced significantly higher secretion of RANTES, MCP-1, and MIP-1α, but not of IL-8. RANTES was mainly produced by choriodecidua and cotreatment with PRL significantly decreased its LPS-induced secretion. MCP-1 was primarily produced by the amnion and its secretion was only inhibited by 4000 ng/ml of PRL. Both membrane regions produced MIP-1α, which was significantly inhibited at 1000 and 4000 ng/ml PRL concentrations. IL-8 showed no significant changes regardless of PRL concentration.Conclusion: PRL inhibits the differential secretion of proinflammatory chemokines by human fetal membranes.

Active tuberculosis patients have high levels of IgA anti-alpha-crystallin and isocitrate lyase proteins.

SETTING: Mexico City, Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To identify proteins synthetised by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in hypoxic culture, which resemble more closely a granuloma environment than aerobic culture, and to determine if they are recognised by antibodies from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). DESIGN: Soluble extracts from M. tuberculosis H37Rv cultured under aerobic or hypoxic conditions were analysed using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and proteins over-expressed under hypoxia were identified by mass spectrometry. The presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA and IgM antibodies against these proteins was determined in the serum of 42 patients with active PTB and 42 healthy controls. RESULTS: We selected three M. tuberculosis H37Rv proteins (alpha-crystallin protein [Acr, Rv2031c], universal stress protein Rv2623 and isocitrate lyase [ICL, RV0467]) that were over-expressed under hypoxia. Titres of anti-Acr and anti-ICL IgA antibodies were higher in patients than in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 for anti-ICL IgA antibodies. CONCLUSION: ICL could be used in combination with other M. tuberculosis antigens to improve the sensitivity and specificity of current serological TB diagnostic methods.

Systematic approach for severe respiratory failure due to novel A (H1N1) influenza.

AIM: In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus appeared in Mexico. It rapidly acquired the characteristics of a pandemic disease. Our objective is to present a case series of mechanically ventilated patients with severe influenza, treated with a systematic approach. METHODS: Prospective, observational, single-center study in a University Hospital. A (H1N1) virus was confirmed by rRT-PCR. In this report, we only considered patients that required mechanical ventilation (MV). All patients received antibiotics, steroids and oseltamivir from the time of admission. The main strategies incorporated in the systematic approach were a lung-protective strategy, PEEP adjusted for each patient, protocol-guided sedoanalgesia, restrictive fluid management, weaning protocol, and prolonged prone ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapies. RESULTS: We studied 19 patients: age 41 ± 13 years old, APACHE II 16 ± 7 and SOFA 8 ± 4. All patients presented PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200 before connection to MV. Their worst values within the first 24 hours for oxygenation index, PaO2/FiO2, and PaCO2 on MV were 21.8 ± 13, 98 ± 39, and 48 ± 16 mmHg, respectively. Sixteen patients achieved ARDS; three exhibited acute lung injury criteria. Ten required a prone position, and two required ECMO (one patient required both therapies). Time on MV was 16 ± 13 days. Length of stay in the ICU and in hospital was 18 ± 12 and 28 ± 17 days, respectively. Mortality was 21%. CONCLUSION: Severe hypoxemia and a high rate of rescue therapies were observed among our patients. Nevertheless, mortality was lower than previously reported in comparable populations, which may be related to the management by a critical care team and the use of a systematic approach for ventilatory and non-ventilatory therapeutic strategies.

Efectos de la ventilación en posición prono extendida en SDRA secundario a influenza A(H1N1) / Impact of extended prone position ventilation in patients with severe ARDS secondary to influenza A(H1N1)

Introducción: Durante la pandemia por influenza A(H1N1), Chile alcanzó una de las tasas de casos más alta del mundo. Nuestro hospital recibió numerosos afectados el 2009 y 2010. Evaluamos el impacto de ventilación en posición prono (VPP) extendida, en las variables respiratorias de pacientes con SDRA grave secundario a influenza, y comparamos estos resultados con los obtenidos en otras series de VPP. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, intervencional en UCI. Los pacientes recibieron oseltamivir y antibióticos y fueron manejados según protocolos (ventilatorio y no ventilatorio). Aquellos con criterios de SDRA grave fueron pronados hasta un índice de oxigenación <10. Se registraron parámetros de intercambio gaseoso, ventilatorios y desenlaces clínicos. Resultados: 12 pacientes con SDRA grave (edad 46+/-12 años, 7 hombres, APACHE II 17+/-6, SOFA 9+/-3) requirieron VPP, que se instauró a las 14(7-39) horas de ventilación mecánica (VM) y se mantuvo por 72(54-96) horas. Ningún paciente experimentó complicaciones mayores. La PaO2:FiO2 mejoró de 82(63-101) mmHg a 145(138-223) mmHg, (p<0.001). El tiempo en VM fue 20+/-13 días y en UCI 22+/-13 días. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue 25 por ciento y no cambió en el seguimiento de más de 8 meses. Este comportamiento con VPP fue similar al observado en otras series de SDRA grave. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la VPP resultó segura y se asoció a mejoría del intercambio gaseoso en pacientes con SDRA por influenza A(H1N1). Aunque el número reducido de pacientes no permite sacar mayores conclusiones, la VPP extendida podría ser de utilidad en los casos más graves causados por esta nueva influenza.

Introduction: During pandemic for influenza A(H1N1), Chile achieved one of the highest rates of infection worldwide. On 2009 and 2010, our hospital received a large number of infected patients. We evaluated the impact of extended prone position ventilation (PPV) on respiratory variables from severe ARDS patients secondary to this influenza. We also compared these results with those obtained with PPV in other series. Methods: Prospective, interventional study, performed in a mixed-ICU. Patients received oseltamivir and antibiotics, and were treated according to protocols (ventilatory and non-ventilatory). Severe ARDS patients were proned until oxygenation index was < 10. Oxygen exchange, ventilatory parameters and clinical outcomes were registered. Results: 12 severe ARDS patients (46+/-12 y.o., 7 men, APACHE II 17+/-6, SOFA 9+/-3) required PPV, which was started 14(7-39) hours after mechanical ventilation (MV) initiation, and it was maintained for 72(54-96) straight hours. No major complication was described. Three patients needed two periods of PPV. PaO2:FiO2 improved significantly with PPV from 82(63-101) mmHg to 145(138-223) mmHg, (p<0.001). Time on MV was 20+/-13 days, and LOS in UCI was 22+/-13 days. Hospital mortality was25 percent and remained unchanged for at least 8 month of follow-up. PPV had the same effect than in other severe ARDS series. Conclusion: Our results suggest PPV is safe and it was associated with improvement in oxygen exchange in ARDS secondary to A(H1N1) influenza. Although the small number of patients does not allow drawing any major conclusion, we believe PPV can be useful to treat severe ARDS cases due to influenza infection.

Persistent autobiographical amnesia: a case report.

We describe a 47-year-old man who referred to the Emergency Department for sudden global amnesia and left mild motor impairment in the setting of increased arterial blood pressure. The acute episode resolved within 24 hours. Despite general recovery and the apparent transitory nature of the event, a persistent selective impairment in recollecting events from some specific topics of his personal life became apparent. Complete neuropsychological tests one week after the acute onset and 2 months later demonstrated a clear retrograde memory deficit contrasting with the preservation of anterograde memory and learning abilities. One year later, the autobiographical memory deficit was unmodified, except for what had been re-learnt. Brain MRI was normal while H20 brain PET scans demonstrated hypometabolism in the right globus pallidus and putamen after 2 weeks from onset, which was no longer present one year later. The absence of a clear pathomechanism underlying focal amnesia lead us to consider this case as an example of functional retrograde amnesia.

Emergency medicine: the Italian experience.

The Italian health care system is largely socialized, with priorities and policies established both nationally and regionally. Currently emergency medicine in Italy is practiced mainly by traditional specialists, such as internists and surgeons, and the scope of emergency medicine practice is not as broad as that seen in the United States. However, dedicated training programs in emergency medicine have recently been developed, and it appears that in the future, specially trained emergency physicians will be increasingly available. Emergency medicine is currently viewed as a sub-specialty of internal medicine, and it is unclear whether emergency medicine will be recognized as an independent specialty.

Single-step PCR in molecular diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection.

The diagnostic utility of two PCR systems and three PCR detection methods for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was evaluated in serum samples. A nested PCR was considered the reference assay and was compared with two single-step PCR methods: the first is based on the detection of PCR products by liquid hybridization with a 32P-end-labeled probe, and the second is the Roche Amplicor colorimetric assay using microwell plate hybridization with a specific nucleic acid probe. Using the Pelicheck HCV RNA Eurohep genotype 1 proficiency panel, our laboratory achieved medium-high levels of performance with all three methods. The highest sensitivity was, however, observed with the isotopic single-step PCR (ss-PCR) method. The analytical sensitivity of ss-PCR with isotopic detection and ss-PCR with colorimetric detection was identical to that of nested PCR, with a 100% result concordance. Comparison of ss-PCR with enzyme-linked immunosorbent and RIBA assays in the analysis of clinical samples showed a high concordance. ss-PCR methods appear more suitable for diagnostic application. Nevertheless, HCV RNA PCR cannot be considered a screening assay; it should be requested in the presence of reactive serology or specific clinical symptomatology with altered liver parameters, and it is a potential tool for the follow-up of patients with HCV infection.

"Single step" PCR with a sensitivity similar to nested PCR for the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the performance of different HCV PCR detection systems for HCV RNA: A nested PCR, considered the reference assay, was compared with two single-step methods (ss-PCR): the first is based on the detection of PCR products by liquid hybridization with a 32P end-labelled probe (isotopic ss-PCR), while the second assay is a colorimetric method (colorimetric ss-PCR) using microwell plate hybridization with a specific nucleic acid probe (Amplicor HCV PCR, Roche Diagnostics Systems). METHODS: Sera from 56 patients with suspected hepatitis C infection based on reactive serology or altered liver parameters, and sera from 15 blood donors were tested for HCV RNA: After RNA extraction, the synthesized HCV cDNA was amplified in parallel using isotopic ss-PCR, colorimetric ss-PCR and nested PCR. The products were detected by autoradiography, color development and ethidium bromide fluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: In order to assess the analytical sensitivity of ss-PCR versus that of nested of PCR, experiments included serial dilutions of positive control samples. Results showed that both methods had an extinction signal at the 1:512 dilution. A comparative analysis of 71 clinical sera samples was obtained using the three protocols and the results clearly documented 100% concordance. CONCLUSIONS: Single step PCR methods for HCV RNA have a sensitivity equal to that of nested PCR and appear more suitable for diagnostic applications. Ss-PCR is safer than nested PCR in terms of both specificity and contamination problems. In particular, the Roche Amplicor HCV PCR assay minimizes sample exposure and management problems.

HTLV antibodies in Italian patients with multiple sclerosis.

Several observations indicate that a retrovirus might be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We report that the sera from 40 Italian MS patients did not contain antibodies to the human T-lymphotropic type I (HTLV-I) and type III viruses (HTLV-III) at levels detectable by commercial ELISA kits. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that a distinct retrovirus is the etiologic factor of MS.

Cáncer gástrico intermedio / Intermediate gastric cancer

Se presenta un caso de cáncer gástrico que penetra la pared del estómago hasta la capa muscular (C.G.P.M.) en un paciente de cincuenta y tres años que consultó por dolor abdominal y pérdida de peso, y que en la actualidad lleva dos años y medio de sobrevida libre de síntomas. Se analizan las características radiológicas, endoscópicas y anatompatológicas de esta enfermedad. Se enfatiza la trascendencia del diagnóstico de cáncer gástrico en este estadío (AU)

Cáncer gástrico intermedio / Intermediate gastric cancer

Se presenta un caso de cáncer gástrico que penetra la pared del estómago hasta la capa muscular (C.G.P.M.) en un paciente de cincuenta y tres años que consultó por dolor abdominal y pérdida de peso, y que en la actualidad lleva dos años y medio de sobrevida libre de síntomas. Se analizan las características radiológicas, endoscópicas y anatompatológicas de esta enfermedad. Se enfatiza la trascendencia del diagnóstico de cáncer gástrico en este estadío

Characterization of tumor cell lines from a spontaneous rat sarcoma expressing an endogenous retrovirus.

We have characterized various biologic, immunologic and growth properties of several cell lines established from a spontaneous rat sarcoma that was discovered more than 60 yr ago. The tumors consisted of mixed cell types with no detectable host cellular immune response. Cultures derived from single-cell clones of the parental cell line were non-invasive but highly tumorigenic even in adult rats. The cultured cells spontaneously released replication-competent endogenous rat type C virus which did not carry a transforming gene in its genome. Since normal cells from the same rat strain did not produce a retrovirus, it is possible that production of the endogenous retrovirus may have triggered specific cellular changes necessary for the oncogene expression and development of this tumor.

[Intermediate gastric cancer]. / Cáncer gástrico intermedio.

It is presented a case of gastric cancer that penetrates the stomach wall up to the muscular layer (C.G.P.M.). In a 53 years old patient, who consulted for abdominal pain and weight lost, and who has at the present a survival of 2 1/2 years, symptom free, the radiology, endoscopic and anato-pathologic features of this disease, are analyzed. The transcendence in diagnostic of gastric cancer in this stage is emphasized.

Cáncer gástrico intermedio. / [Intermediate gastric cancer]

It is presented a case of gastric cancer that penetrates the stomach wall up to the muscular layer (C.G.P.M.). In a 53 years old patient, who consulted for abdominal pain and weight lost, and who has at the present a survival of 2 1/2 years, symptom free, the radiology, endoscopic and anato-pathologic features of this disease, are analyzed. The transcendence in diagnostic of gastric cancer in this stage is emphasized.

Host range differences among xenotropic type C retroviruses isolated from mouse kidney cell cultures.

By co-cultivation procedures, infectious xenotropic type C viruses have been recovered from kidney cells of several strains of mice. They have host-range patterns which place them into separate subgroups. In cells cultivated from one NZB kidney, two biologically different xenotropic type C retroviruses were found. One, X-NZB/K-1, infects and replicates well in human and mink fibroblast cells but does not induce foci in mink S + L - cells with good efficiency. The other, X-NZB/K-2, infects and replicates well in mink but not human fibroblast cells, and induces foci readily in mink S + L - cells. Cross-infection studies indicate that these viruses, classified as xenotropic by host range and envelope properties, are genetically stable.

Sensitive micro in situ fluorescent focus assay for detection of murine xenotropic retroviruses.

A sensitive micro in situ fluorescent focus assay (mISFA), which utilizes cell monolayers fixed on a plastic surface, was developed for the detection of NZB xenotropic type C retroviruses grown in mammalian cell lines. The mISFA technique is an easier, more rapid and less expensive assay than other biological tests used to detect these viruses; it gives a more precise viral titer and is slightly more sensitive. This technique allows extension of host-range investigations to include any growing cell cultures and is applicable to various virus-host cell systems.