374 research outputs found
Evidence for a link among cognition, language and emotion in cerebellar malformations
No full textWe compared the neurobehavioral profiles of children with Joubert syndrome OS participants), a rare autosomal recessive condition characterized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis and midbrain-hindbrain malformations, and children with malformations confined to the cerebellar vermis and one or both hemispheres (Cerebellar malformations - CM participants). We aimed at investigating the influence of anatomo-clinical similarities (vermian malformation) and differences (intact cerebellar hemispheres us sparing of the pons, respectively) with respect to cognitive, linguistic and emotional development, assuming as a reference framework the Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome (CCAS). Results show that severe to moderate mental retardation is infrequent in JS children, while it is present in more than half the sample of CM children. Affect development was generally preserved in JS, in high-functioning CM individuals and also in some of the CM children with moderate mental retardation, which raised questions as to the role of a cerebellar vermis lesion in determining affect disorders. Further, cognitive and linguistic profiles on both intellectual and neuropsychological evaluations provided evidence for distinct patterns of peaks and valleys in the two groups, with JS children being significantly more impaired in language and verbal working memory and CM individuals showing a significant impairment of executive functions and emotional development. The overall evidence provides support for an important role of cerebellar structures per se in shaping emotional, cognitive and linguistic development, when vermian lesions are associated to cerebellar hemispheric lesions. Cerebellar vermis and brainstem lesions instead appear to have a major impact on motor-related skills, including oro-motor abilities and verbal working memory. (C) 2009 Elsevier Srl. All rights reserved
Molecular discrimination between Rana latastei and R. italica
No full textThe two endemic Italian brown frog species, Rana latastei and R. italica, have a very similar morphology: the diagnostic characters are the tympanum, larger in R. latastei and the nostril distance that is almost equal to the interorbital length in R. latastei, while is slightly greater in R. italica. The most important parameter in order to discriminate between the two species is their different areals: R. latastei is mostly widespread in the Po Valley, while R. italica inhabits almost only the Apennine rivers.
The S1 satellite DNA from Palaearctic brown frogs displays a different structure in all the previously tested species, and this complete species- specificity was verified also for R. latastei and R. italica.
Southern Blot of DNA samples from the two species, digested with five different restriction enzymes, displays different patterns of hybrid bands. Both species present two repetitive units S1a and S1b. The S1a repetitive unit has the same size but different restriction sites, while the S1b unit differs both in size and restriction sites.
In conclusion, the S1 satellite DNA is a powerful molecular marker in order to discriminate the Palaearctic brown frog species
Opsonins and Dysopsonins of Nanoparticles: Facts, Concepts, and Methodological Guidelines
No full textUnderstanding the effects mediated by a set of nanoparticle (NP)-bound host biomolecules, often indicated with the umbrella term of NP corona, is essential in nanomedicine, nanopharmacology, and nanotoxicology. Among the NP-adsorbed proteome, some factors mediate cell binding, endocytosis, and clearing by macrophages and other phagocytes (opsonins), while some others display few affinities for the cell surface (dysopsonins). The functional mapping of opsonins and dysopsonins is instrumental to design long-circulating and nanotoxicologically safe next-generation nanotheranostics. In this review, we critically analyze functional data identifying specific proteins with opsonin or dysopsonin properties. Special attention is dedicated to the following: (1) the simplicity or complexity of the NP proteome and its modulation, (2) the role of specific host proteins in mediating the stealth properties of uncoated or polymer-coated NPs, and (3) the ability of the innate immune system, and, in particular, of the complement proteins, to mediate NP clearance by phagocytes. Emerging species-specific peculiarities, differentiating humans from preclinical animal models (the murine especially), are highlighted throughout this overview. The operative definition of opsonin and dysopsonin and the measurement schemes to assess their in vitro efficacy is critically re-examined. This provides a shared and unbiased approach useful for NP opsonin and dysopsonin systematic identification
La letteratura come testimonianza
No full textL'importanza dell'elemento biografico nella letteratura ceca del Novecento, spesso documento storico oltre che opera d'arte, viene argomentata sulla base dell'analisi di testi letterari (fra gli altri Kolář, Zábrana, Hanč).In Czech literature of the 20th century the biographical contents often have the same importance as the literary value of the work, due to the political context in which this literature was living. The paper examines some Czech authors and works under this point of view
Sphingius superbus Dankittipakul, Tavano & Singtripop, 2011, sp. nov.
No full textSphingius superbus sp. nov. Figures 5, 27– 30 Type material. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND: Yala Province: Tarn To District, Bang Lang NP, Tarn To Waterfall, 150 m, 1 February 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG, Sph- 879). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1♂, 1♀ (TNHM, 6774); Nakhorn Sri Thammarat Province: Khao Nan NP, semi-evergreen lowland forest, 200 m, 24 April 2007, leg. P. Dankittipakul, 2♂ (MHNG, Sph- 5433). MALAYSIA: Terengganu State: Lake Kenyir, 5 km southwest of damn, 50 km southwest of Kuala Terengganu, 300–400 m, 10 July 2001, leg. A. Schulz, 1 ♀ (MHNG, M01- 167); Perak State: Chenderiang, ca. 8 km northeast of Ipoh, evergreen rainforest, 300–350 m, 22–24 January 1994, leg. P.J. Schwendinger, 1 ♀ (MHNG, M01- 167). Diagnosis. Males of S. superbus sp. nov. are closely resemble those of S. spinosus sp. nov. in having a spiniform, prolaterally originated embolus (Fig. 27) and a hyaline tegular apophysis (Figs 27–28); but can be distinguished by a distinctly larger tegular apophysis and a shorter embolus. Females share the large, elliptic copulatory orifices medially situated on an epigynal atrium (Fig. 29) and the relatively short insemination ducts (Fig. 30). Etymology. The specific epithet, a nominative of an adjective, is derived from Latin (superbus, -a, -um = splendid) and refers to the extraordinary beauty of the spider. Description. Male (holotype): Total length 3.64. Prosoma 1.80 long, 1.10 wide. Opisthosoma 1.84 long, 1.12 wide. Spination: femora I–III 1 d, IV 1 -0d; tibia I–III 1 -0v, 1p, IV 1- 2 v, 1- 1 r; metatarsi III–IV 1 pv, 1 -1-0v. Eye size and interdiatances: AME 1 / 2 d of ALE; PME 1 / 2 d of PLE; AME-AME their d apart; AME-ALE 2 / 3 d of AME; PME-PME 1 / 3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1 / 3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1 / 2 d of AME; ALE-PLE 3 / 5 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind. Prosoma dark brown; lateral margin rebordered, posterior margin slightly excavated; carapace integument smooth. Fovea deep, longitudinal. Sternum dark brown; surface integument punctated. Chelicerae, labium and gnathocoxae orange-brown. Legs yellowish brown. Opisthosoma ovoid. Dorsal scutum occupying entire length of opisthosoma, dark chestnut-brown, slightly paler posteriorly, covered with fine, black pubescence, its integument finely granulated. Epigastric scutum extending anteriorly, represented by groove collar in dorsal view. Ventral scutum smaller than dorsal one, tightly fused with epigastric scutum, posteriorly with group of ventral bristles (Fig. 5). Palp (Figs 27–28): RTA triangular, gradually narrowing towards its apex, reaching slightly less than half length of cymbium. Embolus short; embolic base spiniform, originating meso-prolaterally. Conductor indistinct. Median apophysis rostrated, excavated on meso-prolateral side, with sharply pointed apical process and blunt basal process. Accessory tegular apophysis represented by transparent, triangular flange situated posterior to embolus, its apex sharply pointed. Female (paratype, TNHM, 6774): Total length 3.94. Prosoma 1.96 long, 1.20 wide. Opisthosoma 1.98 long, 1.22 wide. Spination: femora I–IV 1d; tibia I–III 1 - 1 v, 1p, IV 2- 1 -0v, 1- 1 r; metatarsi III–IV 1pv, 1 - 1 -0v. Eye size and interdistances: AME 1 / 2 d of ALE; PME 1 / 3 d of PLE; AME-AME their d apart; AME-ALE 1 / 4 d of AME; PME-PME 1 / 2 d of AME; PME-PLE 1 / 3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1 / 2 d of AME; ALE-PLE 4 / 5 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind. General appearance as in male except prosoma slightly wider posteriorly; carapace and sternum smooth; dorsal and ventral scuta on opisthosoma absent; dorsum sparsely covered with black pubescence; opisthosoma dark greenish, cardiac region and preanal area pale. Genitalia (Figs 29–30): Epigynal plate elongated, weakly sclerotized. Atrium more or less rectangular, situated anteriorly, its anterior margin slightly concave. Copulatory orifices large, elliptic, situated medially on superficial epigynal atrium. Insemination ducts ascending obliquely, then descending posteriorly. Bursae small, spherical, originating on distal portion of insemination ducts. Spermathecae elongated, widest posteriorly. Fertilization ducts acicular-shaped. Natural history. Types of S. superbus sp. nov. were collected in secondary evergreen forests and evergreen rainforests at low altitudes. Distribution. Thailand and Malaysia (Fig. 40).Published as part of Dankittipakul, Pakawin, Tavano, Maria & Singtripop, Tippawan, 2011, Neotype designation for Sphingius thecatus Thorell, 1890, synonymies, new records and descriptions of six new species from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Liocranidae), pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 3066 on page 12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20192
Speaking without the cerebellum: Language skills in a young adult with near total cerebellar agenesis
No full textLanguage and social communication in children with cerebellar dysgenesias
No full textObjective: Acquired cerebellar lesions in children and adults may determine deficits of executive functions, visuoperceptual skills, expressive language and modulation of affect; a complex pattern termed 'cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome'. However, the long-term sequelae of malformative cerebellar lesions have yet to be systematically investigated, particularly in children. The purpose of this study was to present preliminary longitudinal data on the development of language and social communication skills in children with congenital malformations confined to the cerebellum. Patients and Methods: Five children ( 3 males, 2 females) with cerebellar malformations confined to the cerebellum were selected. Three patients presented with cerebellar hypoplasia involving the vermis and the hemispheres, while the remaining 2 had a malformation affecting only the cerebellar hemispheres. Neurobehavioral and language development were traced through access to available clinical data. Results: In the patients with cerebellar vermis malformation, language and social communicative skills were affected to a variable extent: 1 patient did not present with social disturbances during development. Those with hemispheric cerebellar lesions presented with selective linguistic impairments. Conclusions: The neurobehavioral profile of children with cerebellar malformations supports a key role of the cerebellum in language acquisition and affect regulation as distinguished functional domains. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
Processing role-ambiguous sentences in German: An ERP study in 7-8 year old children
No full textMuralikrishnan, Tavano, Friederici & Brauer (2018). Poster presented at the CUNY Conference on Sentence Processing, University of California, Davis, USA
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