The use of context in resolving syntactic ambiguity: structural and semantic influences

Verb bias facilitates parsing of temporarily ambiguous sentences, but it is unclear when and how comprehenders use probabilistic knowledge about the combinatorial properties of verbs in context. In a self-paced reading experiment, participants read direct object/sentential complement sentences. Reading time in the critical region was investigated as a function of three forms of bias: structural bias (the frequency with which a verb appears in direct object/sentential complement sentences), lexical bias (the simple co-occurrence of verbs and other lexical items), and global bias (obtained from norming data about the use of verbs with specific noun phrases). For reading times at the critical word, structural bias was the only reliable predictor. However, global bias was superior to structural and lexical bias at the post-critical word and for offline acceptability ratings. The results suggest that structural information about verbs is available immediately, but that context-specific, semantic information becomes increasingly informative as processing proceeds

Chronic Postconcussion Symptoms and Functional Outcomes in OEF/OIF Veterans with Self-Report of Blast Exposure

Abstract Postconcussion symptoms (PCS) and functional outcomes were evaluated in 91 OEF/OIF outpatient veterans with reported histories of blast-exposure, with the goal of evaluating (1) the association between these outcomes and a clinical diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with or without loss of consciousness (LOC); and (2) the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression on PCS reporting and perceived functional limitations. Individuals who reported mTBI with LOC had greater PCS complaints than individuals who reported mTBI without LOC or individuals without mTBI. However, after adjusting for severity of PTSD and depression symptoms, this group difference disappeared. Functional limitations were particularly prominent in the psychosocial domain. Again, PTSD was significantly associated with functional outcomes, but the mTBI with LOC group had greater psychosocial limitations than the other two groups, even when PTSD and depression symptoms were taken into account. These findings highlight the role of mental health in both outcomes, but additionally point to the impact of mTBI with LOC on long-term psychosocial adjustment. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1-10

Peptide-induced immune regulation by a promiscuous and immunodominant CD4T-cell epitope of Timothy grass pollen:a role of Cbl-b and Itch in regulation

BACKGROUND: T-cell targeted peptide epitope tolerogens from grass pollen allergens may be useful in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis, but there is urgent need for optimisation of approaches from improved understanding of mechanism. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR1-restricted epitopes from the Timothy grass pollen allergen, Phleum pratense, and characterise T-cell immune regulation following intranasal administration of a single, immunodominant epitope. METHODS: T-cell epitopes within P pratense were identified using HLA-DR1 transgenic mice and tetramer-guided epitope mapping (TGEM) in HLA-DR1-positive individuals with grass allergy. An immunodominant epitope was tested in HLA-DR1 transgenics for impact on responses to whole Phl p5 b or peptide. Microarrays and quantitative PCR were used to characterise T-cell immunity. RESULTS: Peptide 26 ( p26) was identified in HLA-DR1 transgenic mice and by TGEM analysis of HLA-DR1-positive individuals with grass allergy. p26 shows promiscuous binding to a wide range of HLA class II alleles, making it of relevance across immunogenetically diverse patients. The epitope is conserved in rye and velvet grass, making it applicable across a spectrum of grass pollen allergy. Intranasal pretreatment of mice with p26 results in significantly reduced T-cell responses. Transcriptomic array analysis in mice showed T-cell regulation in the intranasal treatment group associated with increased expression of members of the Cbl-b and Itch E3 ubiquitin ligase pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We defined an immunodominant P pratense epitope, p26, with broad binding across multiple HLA class II alleles. Intranasal treatment of mice with p26 results in T-cell regulation to whole allergen, involving the Cbl-b and Itch regulatory pathway