Gestures and words in naming: Evidence from cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparison

We report on an analysis of spontaneous gesture production in 2-year-old children who come from three countries (Italy, UK and Australia) and whom speak two languages (Italian and English), in an attempt to tease apart the influence of language and culture when comparing children from different cultural and linguistic environments. Eighty-seven monolingual children aged 24-30 months completed an experimental task measuring their comprehension and production of nouns and predicates. The Italian children scored significantly higher than the other groups on all lexical measures. With regards to gestures, British children produced significantly fewer pointing and speech combinations compared to the Italian and Australian children, who did not differ from each other. In contrast, Italian children produced significantly more representational gestures than the two other groups. We conclude that spoken language development is primarily influenced by the input language over gesture production, whereas the combination of cultural and language environments affects gesture productions

dic(7;9)(p11-13;p11)

Dicentric (7;9)(p11-13;p11) is a rare but recurrent abnormality in pediatric and adult precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The rarity precludes a deep understanding of its biology and associated prognosis. However, recent findings have correlated dic(7;9) and PAX5 mutations, highlighting this cytogenetic event's involvement in leukemogenesis and may also shed light on the overall prognosis of dic(7;9) B-ALL

Familial deletion 18p syndrome: case report

BACKGROUND: Deletion 18p is a frequent deletion syndrome characterized by dysmorphic features, growth deficiencies, and mental retardation with a poorer verbal performance. Until now, five families have been described with limited clinical description. We report transmission of deletion 18p from a mother to her two daughters and review the previous cases. CASE PRESENTATION: The proband is 12 years old and has short stature, dysmorphic features and moderate mental retardation. Her sister is 9 years old and also has short stature and similar dysmorphic features. Her cognitive performance is within the borderline to mild mental retardation range. The mother also presents short stature. Psychological evaluation showed moderate mental retardation. Chromosome analysis from the sisters and their mother revealed the same chromosomal deletion: 46, XX, del(18)(p11.2). Previous familial cases were consistent regarding the transmission of mental retardation. Our family differs in this regard with variable cognitive impairment and does not display poorer verbal than non-verbal abilities. An exclusive maternal transmission is observed throughout those families. Women with del(18p) are fertile and seem to have a normal miscarriage rate. CONCLUSION: Genetic counseling for these patients should take into account a greater range of cognitive outcome than previously reported

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of pancreatin from porcine pancreas (Pan-zoot) for dogs (Almapharm GmbH + Co KG)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a pancreatic extract (Pan-zoot) as a zootechnical additive for dogs. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) could not conclude on the safety of Pan-Zoot as a feed additive for dogs under the proposed conditions of use. The FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the skin/eye irritancy potential of the additive or on the dermal sensitisation potential. Owing to its proteinaceous nature, the additive is considered a respiratory sensitiser. The additive may induce allergic reactions to the exposed users. The Panel concluded that there is no need for an environmental risk assessment. The FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the product as a feed additive at the recommended conditions of use

Investigating the purpose of an online discussion group for health professionals: a case example from forensic occupational therapy

Background: Thousands of health-related online discussion groups are active world-wide however, very little is known about the purpose and usefulness of such groups. In 2003 an online discussion group called ‘forensic occupational therapy' was established in the United Kingdom. This group was examined to gain an understanding of the purpose and use of online discussion groups for health professionals who may be practically and geographically isolated from others in similar areas of practice. Methods: Following a case study design, descriptive characteristics on members' locations and number of posts were collected from the forensic occupational therapy online discussion group. Eight years of posts (2003-2011) were examined using a theoretical thematic analysis process to identify and describe the purposes for which members were using the group. Results: Members from 20 countries contributed to the discussion group; the vast majority of posts being from members in the United Kingdom. Activity within the group was consistently high for the first five years however, activity within the group declined in the final three years. Six purposes for which members use the online discussion group were identified: seeking and giving advice, networking, requesting and sharing material resources, service development, defining the role of occupational therapists, and student learning. Conclusions: Findings suggest that health professionals in specialized and often isolated areas of practice are keen to connect with colleagues and learn from each other's experiences. The main purposes for which the online discussion group was used could be summarized as communication, information sharing and networking; though activity within the group declined significantly during the last three years of the data collection period. This raises questions about the sustainability of online discussion groups within the rapidly developing social media environment

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella phaffii (CECT 13171) (FSF10000/FLF1000) for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species (FERTINAGRO BIOTECH S.L.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 3-phytase produced by Komagataella phaffii (CECT 13171) (FSF10000/FLF1000) as a zootechnical additive for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species. The production strain (CECT 13171) is genetically modified and was developed from a strain that had been previously assessed by the FEEDAP Panel. The genetic modifications present in K. phaffii CECT 13171 do not raise safety concerns and no recombinant DNA was detected in the final formulations of the additive (FSF10000/FLF1000). However, the Panel could not conclude on the identity of the production strain and uncertainty remained on the possible presence of viable cells of the production strain in the final formulations. Owing to these uncertainties, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additive regarding the production strain. The additive in either form is not irritant to eyes and skin, the liquid formulation is not a dermal sensitiser but the solid formulation is, and the two formulations should be considered potential respiratory sensitisers. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the 3-phytase present in the additive is safe for the target species at a level of 1,000 FTU/kg feed and that would not raise safety concerns for the environment. However, considering the uncertainties on the identification of the production strain and the possible presence of viable cells in the final formulations, the Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additive for the target species, consumer, users, and the environment. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is efficacious at 500 FTU/kg feed in poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species and at 1,000 FTU/kg feed in laying hens