Metaphor production in an EFL setting: a cognitive - affective process.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία επικεντρώθηκε αρχικά στην αναγνώριση και ερμηνεία της μεταφοράς και σε δεύτερη φάση στην παραγωγή της μεταφοράς από Έλληνες μαθητές που διδάσκονται την Αγγλική γλώσσα. Κύριος σκοπός της έρευνάς μου ήταν να αποσαφηνίσω κατά πόσο εμπειρίες και καταστάσεις έντονου συναισθήματος θα μπορούσαν όχι μόνο να διευκολύνουν την κατανόηση της μεταφοράς στην ξένη γλώσσα αλλά και να πυροδοτήσουν την παραγωγή της. Διερευνάται ειδικότερα ποια μπορεί να είναι η επίδραση των συναισθημάτων της χαράς, της λύπης, του φόβου και της αγάπης στην αναγνώριση και κατανόηση μεταφορών που συμπεριλαμβάνονται σε κείμενα που περιγράφουν τα προαναφερθέντα συναισθήματα. Επιπλέον επικεντρώνομαι στο να διερευνήσω τι καθορίζει την παραγωγή της μεταφοράς από τους συμμετέχοντες καθώς και στην ανάλυση των ειδών της μεταφοράς που παράγουν.My aim in this M.A. dissertation is firstly, to examine whether metaphor interpretation can be facilitated through exploitation of readers’ emotional perception and secondly, to investigate to what extent metaphor production can be triggered by emotional states and prior experiences when language learners are requested to produce short texts narrating a personal emotional experience. The above research questions addressed in this M.A. dissertation are investigated in an experiment conducted in an EFL setting with 50 Greek native speakers learning English as a foreign language. Participants were divided into two groups according to their level of proficiency in English and were exposed to two tests. The first test investigated the role of emotions in metaphor interpretation and the second test the role of emotions in metaphor production by language learners. In this experiment, I further examine the impact of participants’ grammatical and communicative level of proficiency in the target language on metaphor production and whether raising learners’ pragmatic awareness can facilitate metaphor production. Evidence on L2 metaphors produced by language learners in contexts requesting a vivid description of emotions, reinforces the view that metaphorical competence involves cognitive-affective processes which facilitate metaphor production

Beta cell function in participants with single or multiple islet autoantibodies at baseline in the TEDDY Family Prevention Study: TEFA

AimThe aim of the present study was to assess beta cell function based on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in participants with single islet autoantibody or an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IvGTT) in participants with multiple islet autoantibodies.Materials and methodsHealthy participants in Sweden and Finland, between 2 and 49.99 years of age previously identified as positive for a single (n = 30) autoantibody to either insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen-2, zinc transporter 8 or islet cell antibodies or multiple autoantibodies (n = 46), were included. Participants positive for a single autoantibody underwent a 6-point OGTT while participants positive for multiple autoantibodies underwent an IvGTT. Glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured from OGTT and IvGTT samples.ResultsAll participants positive for a single autoantibody had a normal glucose tolerance test with 120 minutes glucose below 7.70 mmol/L and HbA1c values within the normal range (ConclusionParticipants positive for a single autoantibody appeared to have a normal beta cell function. Participants positive for three or more autoantibodies had a lower FPIR as compared to participants with two autoantibodies, supporting the view that their beta cell function had deteriorated.</p

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Sequences in Kiev: Findings Among Key Populations

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Ukraine has been driven by a rapid rise among people who inject drugs, but recent studies have shown an increase through sexual transmission. Methods: Protease and reverse transcriptase sequences from 876 new HIV diagnoses (April 2013–March 2015) in Kiev were linked to demographic data. We constructed phylogenetic trees for 794 subtype A1 and 64 subtype B sequences and identified factors associated with transmission clustering. Clusters were defined as ≥2 sequences, ≥80% local branch support, and maximum genetic distance of all sequence pairs in the cluster ≤2.5%. Recent infection was determined through the limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay. Sequences were analyzed for transmitted drug resistance mutations. Results Thirty percent of subtype A1 and 66% of subtype B sequences clustered. Large clusters (maximum 11 sequences) contained mixed risk groups. In univariate analysis, clustering was significantly associated with subtype B compared to A1 (odds ratio [OR], 4.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.56–7.50]); risk group (OR, 5.65 [95% CI, 3.27–9.75]) for men who have sex with men compared to heterosexual males; recent, compared to long-standing, infection (OR, 2.72 [95% CI, 1.64–4.52]); reported sex work contact (OR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.07–3.47]); and younger age groups compared with age ≥36 years (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.10–3.05] for age ≤25 years). Females were associated with lower odds of clustering than heterosexual males (OR, 0.49 [95% CI, .31–.77]). In multivariate analysis, risk group, subtype, and age group were independently associated with clustering (P < .001, P = .007, and P = .033, respectively). Eighteen sequences (2.1%) indicated evidence of transmitted drug resistance. Conclusions Our findings suggest high levels of transmission and bridging between risk groups

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: This study investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported by previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to be associated with impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and/or type 2 diabetes are associated with disposition index, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and/or development of diabetes following a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Seventy-two SNPs were genotyped in 374 women with previous GDM from Southern Sweden. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed 1–2 years postpartum, although data on the diagnosis of diabetes were accessible up to 5 years postpartum. HOMA-IR and disposition index were used to measure insulin resistance and secretion, respectively. Results: The risk A-allele in the rs11708067 polymorphism of the adenylate cyclase 5 gene (ADCY5) was associated with decreased disposition index (beta = − 0.90, SE 0.38, p = 0.019). This polymorphism was an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) in islets for both ADCY5 and its antisense transcript. The risk C-allele in the rs2943641 polymorphism, near the insulin receptor substrate 1 gene (IRS1), showed a trend towards association with increased HOMA-IR (beta = 0.36, SE 0.18, p = 0.050), and the T-allele of the rs4607103 polymorphism, near the ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 9 gene (ADAMTS9), was associated with postpartum diabetes (OR = 2.12, SE 0.22, p = 0.00055). The genetic risk score (GRS) of the top four SNPs tested for association with the disposition index using equal weights was associated with the disposition index (beta = − 0.31, SE = 0.29, p = 0.00096). In addition, the GRS of the four SNPs studied for association with HOMA-IR using equal weights showed an association with HOMA-IR (beta = 1.13, SE = 0.48, p = 9.72874e−11). All analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, and ethnicity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the genetic susceptibility of women with a history of GDM to impaired insulin secretion and sensitivity and, ultimately, to diabetes development

Seasonal Pattern in the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Southern Sweden

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine seasonal patterns in glucose tolerance and in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods. Altogether, 11 538 women underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy during the years 2003-2005 in southern Sweden. GDM was defined by the 2-h capillary glucose concentration in the OGTT (≥8.9 mmol/L). Chi-squared test, analysis of variance, and regression analyses were used for statistical evaluations. Results. The seasonal frequency of GDM ranged from 3.3% in spring to 5.5% in summer (p<0.0001). Mean 2-h glucose concentrations followed the same seasonal trend, with a difference of 0.15 mmol/L between winter and summer (p<0.0001). The 2-h glucose level increased by 0.009 mmol/L for every degree increase in temperature (p<0.0001). In regression analysis, summer (June-August) was associated with increased 2-h glucose level (p<0.001) and increased frequency of GDM compared to the other seasons (odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.24-1.83, and p<0.001). Conclusions. Our findings suggest seasonal variation in the 2-h glucose concentration in the OGTT and in the proportion of women diagnosed with GDM, with a peak in the summer

Postinfectious Rhabdomyolysis in a 5-Year-Old Boy When to Look a Little Deeper

We report on a 5-year-old boy with recurrent severe postinfectious rhabdomyolysis who, after systematic stepwise evaluation, was found to have the adult form of carnitine palmityl transferase II (CPT II) deficiency directly by blood mutation analysis. Timely diagnosis of CPT II deficiency in this case prevented further potentially devastating episodes of rhabdomyolysis by avoiding triggering factors. Conclusion Although most cases of rhabdomyolysis are nonrecurrent and benign, a metabolic myopathy, such as CPT II deficiency, should be suspected in children with episodic muscle necrosis and paroxysmal myoglobinuria

Association between the rs1544410 polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and insulin secretion after gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Genetic variants involved in vitamin D metabolism have been associated with diabetes and related syndromes/diseases. We wanted to investigate possible associations of polymorphisms in genes involved in vitamin D metabolism with indices of insulin resistance and insulin secretion, and also with development of diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied 376 women with previous GDM. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes for vitamin D receptor (VDR) [rs731236, rs7975232, rs10735810, and rs1544410], vitamin D binding protein (DBP) [rs7041 and rs4588], and cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1 (CYP27B1) [rs10877012 and rs4646536] were genotyped by TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay using the Quantstudio 7 Flex system. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed 1-2 years postpartum. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the disposition index [(insulinogenic index: I30/G30)/HOMA-IR] were used to calculate insulin resistance and insulin secretion, respectively. Serum samples for determination of 25(OH)D3 were collected at the time of the OGTT. Manifestation of diabetes was followed up to five years postpartum.RESULTS: After adjustment for BMI, age, and ethnicity, the A-allele of the VDR rs1544410 polymorphism was found to be associated with increased disposition index (difference per allele = 3.56, 95% CI: 0.4567-6.674; p = 0.03). The A-allele of the DBP rs7041 polymorphism was found to be associated with 25(OH)D3 levels (difference [in nmol/L] per allele = -5.478, 95% CI: -8.315 to -2.641; p = 0.0002), as was the T-allele of the DBP rs4588 polymorphism (OR = -6.319, 95% CI: -9.466 to -3.171; p = 0.0001). None of the SNPs were significantly associated with HOMA-IR or postpartum diabetes.CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the rs1544410 polymorphism of the VDR gene may be associated with increased insulin secretion in women after pregnancy complicated by GDM. Further studies in other populations are needed to confirm the results

Interleukin 33 and interleukin 4 regulate interleukin 31 gene expression and secretion from human laboratory of allergic diseases 2 mast cells stimulated by substance P and/or immunoglobulin E

Background: Cytokine interleukin (IL) 31 has emerged as an important component of allergic and inflammatory diseases associated with pruritus, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and mastocytosis. Mast cells (MC) are stimulated by allergic and nonallergic triggers, and play a critical role in such diseases by secreting histamine and tryptase as well as cytokines and chemokines. IL-33 has been reported to augment MC responses, but its effect on secretion of IL-31 is not known. Objectives: To investigate whether IL-33 can stimulate the secretion of IL-31 from cultured human MCs and whether this response is augmented by either the neuropeptide substance P (SP) or immunoglobulin E (IgE) and anti-IgE in the absence or presence of IL-4. Methods: Laboratory of Allergic Diseases (LAD2) human MCs were cultured in StemProH-34 SFM medium supplemented by stem cell factor and were stimulated either with IL-33 (10 ng /mL) or SP (2 mu M), or preincubated with IgE (1 mu g/mL) overnight, and then stimulated with anti-IgE (1 mu g/mL) for 24 hours. IL-31 gene expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: IL-33 (10 ng/mL) induces IL-31 gene expression, synthesis, and secretion from LAD2 cells in the absence of degranulation, whereas SP and IgE on their own have no effect. However, the effect of IL-33 is augmented by SP (2 mu M) and/or IgE and anti-IgE (1 mu g/mL both) and especially their combination. Moreover, this response is significantly further increased when LAD2 cells are cultured in the presence of IL-4. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that IL-33 induced secretion of IL-31 from LAD2 MC, an action augmented by novel neuroimmune interactions that may help in the development of new treatments of allergic and inflammatory diseases, especially AD and mastocytosis