Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Editorial: Perceptual Linguistic Salience: Modeling Causes and Consequences

Recent years have seen an upsurge of interest in the notion of salience in linguistics and related disciplines. The attention literature distinguishes two broad types of perceptual salience (Summerfield and Egner, 2009; Awh et al., 2012). First, a stimulus can be salient—i.e., foremost in one’s mind—because it is cognitively preactivated. This type of salience, sometimes referred to as top-down salience, may occur if a stimulus is expected because it is part of a cognitive routine, if it has recently been mentioned, or due to current intentions of the perceiver. Research on salience as a semantic-pragmatic phenomenon has shown that top-down salience can account for systematic preferences in the interpretation of figurative utterances, pronominal antecedents, implicatures, and discursive links (Geeraerts, 2000; Giora, 2003; Chiarcos et al., 2011; Jaszczolt and Allan, 2011). While in top-down salience, perceivers endogenously direct their attention to a certain stimulus, in the second type of salience, bottom-up salience, it is the stimulus itself which attracts attention. In prototypical cases of bottom-up salience, the stimulus stands out because it is incongruous with a given ground by virtue of intrinsic physical characteristics. But a stimulus may also cause surprise by virtue of deviating from a cognitive ground, e.g., when violating social or probabilistic expectations (Clark, 2013). This has prompted researchers to examine the relationship between expectations and the perceptual salience of linguistic stimuli in new ways (Hanulíková et al., 2012; Rácz, 2012; Hanulíková and Carreiras, 2015; Blumenthal-Dramé, 2016a,b; Roller, 2016; Blumenthal-Dramé et al., 2017), and inspired us to organize a workshop devoted to this particular area. In October 2014, the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies (FRIAS) hosted the workshop “Perceptual linguistic salience: Modeling causes and consequences”, organized by the editors of this volume. Bringing together researchers from psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, and cognitive linguistics, the workshop sought to explore the notion of perceptual salience and its explanatory potential for the domains of language processing, variation, and change. Several questions arising from the stimulating discussions were listed in the call for papers for this Research Topic and included the following:
Haemoglobin predicts total mortality in a general young and middle‐aged male population. The Tromsø Study

Objective. The prognostic value of haemoglobin within normal references is seldom emphasized. The relationship between haemoglobin and mortality has been questioned because of the possible confounding of other risk factors. We investigated whether there was a curve linear relationship between haemoglobin and total mortality, and evaluated the possible modifying effects of smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Materials and methods. In all, 6541 men aged between 20 and 49 years were examined in 1974 in a prospective, population‐based study from the municipality of Tromsø, Northern Norway. During 20 years of follow‐up (127 120 person‐years), 495 deaths were identified. Results. We found a U‐shaped relationship between quintiles of haemoglobin and total mortality. Among the 35–49 years group, the multiple adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) were 1.83 (1.31–2.57) in quintile 1 and 1.72 (1.23–2.41) in quintile 5, compared to quintile 3 of haemoglobin. Compared to the age‐adjusted hazard ratios, the multiple adjustments tended to non‐significantly enhance the association in the lowest quintiles and non‐significantly attenuate the association in the highest quintiles. The relationship was most pronounced in smokers in a dose–response manner, but also present in non‐smokers. Conclusions. High and low haemoglobin levels have an independent prognostic effect on mortality, although a possible effect of residual confounding cannot be ruled out. Smokers in quintile 1 and quintile 5 of haemoglobin were at increased risk of dying.
Histoplasmosis: a review for clinicians from non‐endemic areas

Histoplasmosis is an important systemic mycosis in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Increasingly cases are recognised in nonendemic areas. Proper management requires recognition of the clinical syndromes caused by Histoplasma capsulatum infection, familiarity with the uses and limitations of the diagnostic tests, an understanding of the indications for treatment and role of specific antifungal agents. This review will address these issues with the goal of providing physicians in non‐endemic areas sufficient information to suspect, diagnose, and treat patients with histoplasmosis.
satG, Conferring Resistance to Streptogramin A, Is Widely Distributed in Enterococcus faecium Strains but Not in Staphylococci

ABSTRACT A gene almost identical to satG was isolated from anEnterococcus faecium strain. This gene was transferred to aStaphylococcus aureus recipient strain where it conferred resistance to streptogramin A. satG was found to be widely distributed among E. faecium strains but not detected among staphylococci.
Relationship of reduced cerebral blood flow and heart failure severity in elderly males

Introduction. Brain detrimental effects are under-recognised complication of chronic heart failure (CHF). One of the major causes may be cerebral hypoperfusion. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between cerebral blood flow (CBF) and severity of CHF as well as to evaluate its determinants among different parameters of cardiac dysfunction. Methods. Seventy-one CHF males with NYHA class II and III and 20 control subjects age ≥ 55 years were recruited. CBF was evaluated by colour duplex sonography of extracranial arteries. Echocardiography, 6-min walk test, quality of life and endothelial function were also assessed. Serum NT-pro-BNP and adipokines levels (adiponectin and leptin) were measured. Results. CBF was significantly reduced in elderly patients with CHF compared to healthy controls (677 ± 170 vs 783 ± 128 ml/min, p = 0.011). Reduced CBF was associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.271, p = 0.022), lower 6-min walk distance (r = 0.339, p = 0.004), deteriorated quality of life (r = −0.327, p = 0.005), increased serum adiponectin (r = −0.359, p = 0.002), and NT-pro-BNP levels (r = −0.375, p = 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, LVEF and adiponectin were independently associated with reduced CBF in CHF patients (R2 = 0.289). Conclusion. CBF was reduced in elderly males with mild-to-moderate CHF, and was associated with factors that represent the severity of CHF including high serum adiponectin and NT-pro-BNP levels, decreased LVEF, impaired physical performance, and deteriorated quality of life.
Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis by using a recombinant form of the 54-kilodalton rhoptry antigen expressed in Escherichia coli

A 330-residue carboxy-terminal antigenic fragment of the Toxoplasma gondii 54-kDa rhoptry protein (ROP2) was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion polypeptide containing a 48-amino-acid sequence derived from phage lambda protein Cro and E. coli protein LacI followed by six consecutive histidyl residues. Metal chelate affinity chromatography provided an easy way to isolate the recombinant product in a highly purified form (> 95%). When this material was used to develop an immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, the test reached a sensitivity of 89%. The sensitivity of the assay was similar whether the sera contained T. gondii-specific IgM or were devoid of such IgM. It was also found that ROP2 is a conserved antigen since antibodies against the recombinant antigen could be detected in mice experimentally infected with 11 independent T. gondii isolates originating from infected human tissues tested. Thus, the 54-kDa rhoptry antigen could advantageously complement other previously described T. gondii antigens for the development of more-sensitive and more-informative recombinant antigen-based tests for toxoplasmosis diagnosis.
Patients With End-Stage Congestive Heart Failure Treated With &bgr;-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists Have Improved Ventricular Myocyte Calcium Regulatory Protein Abundance

Background—Alterations in Ca2+-handling proteins are thought to underlie the deranged Ca2+ transients that contribute to deterioration of cardiac function in congestive heart failure (CHF). Clinical trials in CHF patients have shown that treatment with &bgr;-adrenergic receptor antagonists (&bgr;B) improves cardiac performance. The present study determined whether the abundance of Ca2+-handling proteins is different in failing hearts from patients treated or untreated with &bgr; B. Methods and Results—Ca2+ regulatory protein abundance was compared in LV myocardium of 10 nonfailing hearts (NF group) and 44 failing hearts (CHF group) removed at transplantation. Analysis was performed in &bgr;B-treated (&bgr;B-CHF) and non–&bgr;B treated (non-&bgr;B-CHF) patients and in 4 subgroups: ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM, n=10), nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n=10), ICM with &bgr;B therapy (&bgr;B-ICM, n=12), and DCM with &bgr;B therapy (&bgr;B-DCM, n=12). Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase, phospholamban, and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger protein abundance were determined by use of Western blot analysis. Ca2+ transients were measured with fluo-3. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase was significantly less abundant whereas phospholamban and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger were not significantly altered in non-&bgr;B-CHF versus NF. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in the &bgr;B-ICM and &bgr;B-DCM was greater than in non-&bgr;B-CHF and were not different than in NF. Ca2+ transients in non-&bgr;B-CHF myocytes had significantly smaller peaks and were prolonged versus NF myocytes. Ca2+ transients from &bgr;B-CHF myocytes had shorter durations than in &bgr;B-CHF myocytes. Conclusions—&bgr;B treatment in CHF patients can normalize the abundance of myocyte Ca2+ regulatory proteins and improve Ca2+-handling.
Rosiglitazone inhibits high glucose-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway.

Previous studies have shown that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase / Akt / endothelial nitric oxide synthase / NO (PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO) pathway is involved in high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and rosiglitazone has a protective effect on endothelium. In the present study, we investigated the antiapoptotic effect of rosiglitazone on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to high glucose and explored its possible mechanism. Treatment of high glucose (33 mmol/L) for 48 h significantly induced the apoptosis of HUVECs, concomitantly with increased caspase-3 activity. High glucose treatment also decreased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation levels with subsequent NO production. All these alterations induced by high glucose were attenuated by rosiglitazone (1 micromol/L). Interestingly, the antiapoptotic effect of rosiglitazone was inhibited by PI3K inhibitor (LY294002, wortmannin) or eNOS inhibitor NG-l-nitro-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). The reverse effects of rosiglitazone on phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS with subsequent NO production were also inhibited by LY294002, wortmannin or l-NAME, respectively. These findings suggest that rosiglitazone inhibits high glucose-induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway.
Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis at rest and in response to maximal exercise before and after a physical conditioning programme

Twenty-five young subjects were divided into experimental (n = 13) and control (n = 12) groups in order to examine the acute and chronic effects of exercise on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis variables were ascertained in both groups before and after a physical conditioning programme both at rest and following maximal exercise. The experimental group exercised for 12 weeks [30 min, 3 × week at 70% (6 weeks) and 80% (6 weeks) of maximum heart rate]. The control group maintained normal activity patterns. Significant activation (P > 0.05) of blood coagulation was observed in response to maximal exercise before and after the conditioning programme in both groups in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin clotting time (TCT), factor VIII procoagulant activity (FVIII PA) and factor VIII antigen (FVIII A). Likewise, blood plasminogen activator showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in response to maximal exercise before and after conditioning in both groups. Although VO2 max following the conditioning programme was significantly increased in the exercise group versus control, no significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed in either group in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters at rest or in response to maximal exercise. It is concluded that maximal exercise transiently accelerates blood coagulation and activates blood fibrinolytic activity, however physical conditioning appears not to influence the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems at rest or in response to maximal exercise.
Coordinated Plasticity among Glutamatergic and GABAergic Neurons and Synapses in the Barrel Cortex Is Correlated to Learning Efficiency

Functional plasticity at cortical synapses and neurons is presumably associated with learning and memory. Additionally, coordinated refinement between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons occurs in associative memory. If these assumptions are present, neuronal plasticity strength and learning efficiency should be correlated. We have examined whether neuronal plasticity strength and learning efficiency are quantitatively correlated in a mouse model of associative learning. Paired whisker and odor stimulations in mice induce odorant-induced whisker motions. The fully establishment of this associative memory appears fast and slow, which are termed as high learning efficiency and low learning efficiency, respectively. In the study of cellular mechanisms underlying this differential learning efficiency, we have compared the strength of neuronal plasticity in the barrel cortices that store associative signals from the mice with high vs. low learning efficiencies. Our results indicate that the levels of learning efficiency are linearly correlated with the upregulated strengths of excitatory synaptic transmission on glutamatergic neurons and their excitability, as well as the downregulated strengths of GABAergic neurons' excitability, their excitatory synaptic inputs and inhibitory synaptic outputs in layers II~III of barrel cortices. The correlations between learning efficiency in associative memory formation and coordinated plasticity at cortical glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons support the notion that the plasticity of associative memory cells is a basis for memory strength.
Exploring self-concepts of persons with brain injury

Background : This study explored the self-concepts of Hong Kong Chinese adults with brain injury. Objectives : The Adult Source of Self-concept Inventory (ASSEI) Chinese Version was adopted to identify the sources and basis of the self-conceptions of 120 persons with brain injury. Method : The Adult Source of Self-Esteem Inventory (ASSEI), a self evaluation tool using open-ended questions and interviewing, was used to identify the sources and basis of the self-concept of persons with and without brain injury. The subjects' important life aspects were identified through interpreting their responses to open-ended questions and interviews. Moreover, a structured questionnaire on their subjective perceptions of importance and satisfaction in different life areas was used to identify the relationships between discrete self-concept variables. The subjects' responses to the 20 items of the ASSEI were also subjected to an exploratory factor analysis. Main outcome and results : Five self-concept related factors, which accounted for 65.55% of the total variance, were successfully identified. They were family self, physical self, moral self, personal achievement and social self. The self-concept factors match the results of content analysis of the subjects' responses to the open-ended questions. The results showed that family, physical health, work and friends were the most important domains in lives of individuals with brain injury. Brain injury survivors felt good towards their family, work and friends in their daily life. However, the majority expressed the view that they felt bad due to deteriorating physical health, poor family relationships, emotional difficulties and poor working relationship with others. Conclusion : Findings from this study identified the self-concept basis of persons with brain injury that can indicate self-concept enhancement strategies to improve their rehabilitation outcomes. Hopefully, they can develop more positive self-images and, thus, achieve better community integration.
Consumption of nonpublic water: implications for children's caries experience.

UNLABELLED There are concerns that the consumption of unfluoridated bottled and tank water may put children at increased risk of developing caries. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nonpublic water consumption (either from bottles or rainwater tanks) and socioeconomic status (SES) and both deciduous and permanent caries experience. METHODS A random sample of children enrolled in the School Dental Service of South Australia participated in the study (response rate = 71.8%, n = 9988). RESULTS Forty-five per cent of children had greater than 50% lifetime consumption of nonpublic water while 36% of children had 0% lifetime consumption. Increased use of nonpublic water occurred for children from lower socioeconomic groups, two-parent families and children from nonmetropolitan areas, with these results most likely a result of the residential location of the children. Multivariate modelling revealed a significant positive relationship between deciduous caries experience and consumption of nonpublic water, even after controlling for the age and sex of the child, SES and residential location. This relationship was significant only for those children with 100% lifetime availability of fluoridated water. The effect of consumption of nonpublic water on permanent caries experience was not significant. It is postulated that these findings may result from the lower caries activity in the permanent dentition of children aged 10-15 and possible dietary confounders. CONCLUSION Recommendations are made for the addition of fluoride to bottled water, especially with regard to the oral health of younger children.
Paradoxical effects of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 gene transfer in collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE The imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 3, and 9 and their specific inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), is a critical step in cartilage injury and angiogenesis in arthritis. To explore the therapeutic potential of TIMP-1 gene transfer in erosive arthritis, the effects of an adenoviral vector (Ad-TIMP-1) were assessed in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS DBA/1 mice with CIA received an intravenous injection of replication-deficient adenovirus containing the human TIMP-1 gene or a control LacZ gene on day 28 postimmunization. The efficiency of gene transfer was determined by serum TIMP-1 detection, measurements of paw swelling, as well as radiologic and histologic examination of the paws. RESULTS A single administration of Ad-TIMP-1 resulted in detectable serum levels of the exogenous protein for at least 13 days. The incidence and onset of arthritis were not statistically modified after human TIMP-1 gene transfer in DBA/1 mice compared with control mice. However, the severity of inflammation was statistically significantly increased in Ad-TIMP-1-treated mice and a similar trend was observed in the histologic and radiologic scores. With regard to the mechanisms of the worsened effect in the Ad-TIMP-1-treated mice, we observed 1) higher serum levels of anti-type II collagen IgG2a, 2) a significant increase in endogenous soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNFRI) in sera, and 3) increased labeling of mouse tumor necrosis factor alpha and TNFRI within arthritic joints. CONCLUSION These findings show that overexpression of TIMP-1 does not prevent osteochondral injury in a mouse model of arthritis. Since MMPs have overlapping properties in terms of their roles in extracellular matrix degradation, angiogenesis, and shedding of cell surface adhesion molecules, cytokines, and cytokine receptors, the paradoxical results obtained suggest that TIMP-1 is probably not the main inhibitor to target.
Quarter-milking-, quarter-, udder- and lactation-level risk factors and indicators for clinical mastitis during lactation in pasture-fed dairy cows managed in an automatic milking system.

OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors and indicators at quarter-milking and other levels for clinical mastitis during lactation in pasture-fed cows managed in an automatic milking system. DESIGN A retrospective nested case-control study using data collected over a 31-month period. A total of 803,948 quarter-milkings from 249 cows were available for analysis, of which 245 were selected as clinical mastitis quarter-milking cases and 2450 unaffected quarter-milkings were selected as controls. Most of the diagnoses of clinical mastitis had been made after clinical assessments of quarters following automated alerts by the milking system. Potential risk factors and indicators were assessed using univariable and multivariable multilevel logistic models. RESULTS Quarters that are milked infrequently and have low yield, fast peak milk flow rates, blood in the milk and/or elevated milk conductivity are at increased risk of clinical mastitis. Quarters were also at increased risk between days 10 and 29 of lactation, and during higher parity lactations. Milk fat and protein concentrations and the fat:protein ratio were not significantly associated with the development of clinical mastitis. Neither quarter position (fore or rear) nor side (left or right) was associated with clinical mastitis occurrence. Quarters that had been clinically affected more than 30 days previous in the current lactation were not at increased risk of redeveloping clinical mastitis. CONCLUSIONS Under the study conditions, the risk of clinical mastitis increased for quarter-milkings in quarters that were milked less frequently in the previous 7 days, were low-yielding, had fast peak milk flow rates and had more milkings in which blood was detected in milk and/or the milk conductivity was elevated. Risk was also increased in days 10-29 of lactation and in higher parity lactations.