Neural Correlates of Embodiment in Action Verb Meaning: Entrenched Versus Translated Forms

The purpose of the present study is to test whether symbol grounding for action verbs occurs in entrenched native verb forms, and whether they transfer to novel verb forms that are acquired as explicit translations of existing verbs. The entrenched and novel verbs were referred to here as L1 verbs and L2 verbs respectively, and were used as analogs of meanings in first and second language learning. Symbolic grounding was investigated by observing behavioral data in lexical decision tasks, and scalp electrophysiological signals using 128-channel EEG data. The present study used different kinds of action verbs (e.g., verbs of foot movement, such as kick or jump, and verbs of hand movement, such as swipe or grab) and abstract verbs, such as learn or plan. Previous researchers have provided empirical evidence showing that when action verbs are accessed in reading, there is concomitant activation of primary motor and/or somatosensory cortex. The established relationships of action verbs in L1 and their sensorimotor groundings as a reference were used to determine successful transfer of groundings of L1 words to L2 words. By observing the responses to the L2 words that are acquired through symbolic manipulation without perceptual or bodily experiences and examining, it can be determined if they produce similar neural activations as in those found in L1 words, and we can test whether the symbol-grounding-transfer occurs in part or in whole, given this minimal learning context. The behavioral measure was a lexical decision task where the participants respond to meaningful words (foot-related verbs or hand-related verbs) with two kinds of response modalities (button press with a finger or foot pedal press with a foot). Although either facilitation (foot verb to foot movement and hand verb to hand movement) or interference (Foot verb to hand movement and hand verb to foot movement) effect of action verbs was expected, the results showed that the participants consistently responded faster to the L1 English verbs than to the L2 verbs and responded faster with finger-pressing button box than foot-pressing pedal. However, at the slowest response times condition, the condition of foot-pedal pressing to L2 words, the facilitation effect of Foot related verbs was observed. The response times of foot pedal pressing to L2 Foot-related verbs were significantly faster than both L2 Hand-related verbs (p=.003) and abstract verbs (p=.005) at the paired t-test. This result is consistent with the research hypothesis and provides partial evidence supporting the assumption that the Foot-related action verbs have close link with sensorimotor cortex associated with foot movement and reading those verbs will facilitate corresponding body movement. The three kinds of EEG data analysis methods were used in the current study: Event Related Potential (ERP) component analysis, EEG topographic analysis, and EEG source localization with low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). The ERP components were used to examine the effect of language (L1 vs. L2) and lexicality (Word vs. Non-word) in terms of amplitudes and temporal points of ERP components. The EEG topographic analysis and EEG source localization with LORETA are methods for spatiotemporal analysis, which provide information on intracranial neural activations that are sources of scalp electric signals. When ERP components of the montaged electrodes placed on the central area of the scalp (vertex and neighboring 14 electrodes) were examined, the P3 component for L1 (at around 390~400ms) reached its peak earlier that that of L2 (495~505ms). Topographic analysis results that compared topographic maps created by different verb groups provided evidence that different configurations of the neuronal activations were created by the verb groups representing body movements of different body parts. In addition, by means of the source localization analysis with the LORETA, the differential neural activations at sensorimotor cortex were observed when the brain activations elicited by L1 Foot related and Hand related verbs were compared. At both temporal windows, early (126~134ms) and late (318~322ms), the regions of the sensorimotor cortex associated with Hand movement were activated significantly more by the Hand related verbs than Foot related verbs. In order to test Harnad's symbol grounding transfer hypothesis, the neural activations at the sensorimotor cortex elicited by L2 Foot verbs and the L2 Hand verbs were examined in comparison with those of the abstract verbs. Significant larger activations were elicited by both of the action verbs over the abstract verbs. To summarize, the current study provided the neurophysiological evidence on the symbol grounding at L1 word and the symbol grounding transfer at L2 words by exhibiting links between the regions of sensorimotor cortex and L1 and L2 action verbs in terms of differential neural activations elicited by the verb groups

Effectiveness of regdanvimab on mortality in COVID-19 infected patients on hemodialysis

Background Although several therapeutic agents have been evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are lack of effective and proven treatments for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of regdanvimab on mortality in COVID-19–infected patients on hemodialysis (HD). Methods We conducted an observational retrospective study in 230 COVID-19–infected patients on HD, of whom 77 (33.5%) were administered regdanvimab alone or in combination with dexamethasone or remdesivir during hospitalization (regdanvimab group) and 153 patients (66.5%) were not (no regdanvimab group). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We compared mortality rates according to the use of regdanvimab and investigated the factors associated with mortality. Results Fifty-nine deaths occurred during hospitalization, 49 in the no regdanvimab group (32.0%) and 10 in the regdanvimab group (13.0%), and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the no regdanvimab group than that in the regdanvimab group (p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that malignancy (p = 0.001), SPO2 of <95% at admission (p = 0.003), and administration of antibiotics and regdanvimab (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively) were significantly associated factors with mortality. Conclusion Regdanvimab administration is beneficial in improving prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on HD. Considering the vulnerability to infection and high mortality of ESRD patients, regdanvimab may be considered as a therapeutic option in COVID-19 patients on HD

Safety and Effectiveness of Regdanvimab for COVID-19 Treatment: A Phase 4 Post-marketing Surveillance Study Conducted in South Korea

Introduction Regdanvimab, a neutralising monoclonal antibody (mAb) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), received approval for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea in 2021. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea mandate that new medications be re-examined for safety and effectiveness post-approval in at least 3000 individuals. This post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of regdanvimab in real-world clinical care. Methods This prospective, multicentre, phase 4 PMS study was conducted between February 2021 and March 2022 in South Korea. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years with confirmed mild COVID-19 at high risk of disease progression or moderate COVID-19. Patients were hospitalised and treated with regdanvimab (40 mg/kg, day 1) and then monitored until discharge, with a follow-up call on day 28. Adverse events (AEs) were documented, and the COVID-19 disease progression rate was used to measure effectiveness. Results Of the 3123 patients with COVID-19 infection identified, 3036 were eligible for inclusion. Approximately 80% and 5% of the eligible patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the delta- and omicron-dominant periods, respectively. Median (range) age was 57 (18–95) years, and 50.6% of patients were male. COVID-19 severity was assessed before treatment, and high-risk mild and moderate COVID-19 was diagnosed in 1030 (33.9%) and 2006 (66.1%) patients, respectively. AEs and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were experienced by 684 (22.5%) and 363 (12.0%) patients, respectively. The most common ADR was increased liver function test (n = 62, 2.0%). Nine (0.3%) patients discontinued regdanvimab due to ADRs. Overall, 378 (12.5%) patients experienced disease progression after regdanvimab infusion, with extended hospitalisation/re-admission (n = 300, 9.9%) as the most common reason. Supplemental oxygen was required by 282 (9.3%) patients. Ten (0.3%) patients required intensive care monitoring and 3 (0.1%) died due to COVID-19. Conclusion This large-scale PMS study demonstrated that regdanvimab was effective against COVID-19 progression and had an acceptable safety profile when used in real-world clinical practice.This study and the journals Rapid Service fee was funded by Celltrion Inc. (Incheon, Republic of Korea)

Neural substrates of Hanja (Logogram) and Hangul (Phonogram) character readings by functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The two basic scripts of the Korean writing system, Hanja (the logography of the traditional Korean character) and Hangul (the more newer Korean alphabet), have been used together since the 14th century. While Hanja character has its own morphemic base, Hangul being purely phonemic without morphemic base. These two, therefore, have substantially different outcomes as a language as well as different neural responses. Based on these linguistic differences between Hanja and Hangul, we have launched two studies; first was to find differences in cortical activation when it is stimulated by Hanja and Hangul reading to support the much discussed dual-route hypothesis of logographic and phonological routes in the brain by fMRI (Experiment 1). The second objective was to evaluate how Hanja and Hangul affect comprehension, therefore, recognition memory, specifically the effects of semantic transparency and morphemic clarity on memory consolidation and then related cortical activations, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (Experiment 2). The first fMRI experiment indicated relatively large areas of the brain are activated by Hanja reading compared to Hangul reading. The second experiment, the recognition memory study, revealed two findings, that is there is only a small difference in recognition memory for semantic transparency, while for the morphemic clarity was much larger between Hanja and Hangul. That is the morphemic clarity has significantly more effect than semantic transparency on recognition memory when studies by fMRI in correlation with behavioral study

Neural Substrates of Hanja (Logogram) and Hangul (Phonogram) Character Readings by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The two basic scripts of the Korean writing system, Hanja (the logography of the traditional Korean character) and Hangul (the more newer Korean alphabet), have been used together since the 14th century. While Hanja character has its own morphemic base, Hangul being purely phonemic without morphemic base. These two, therefore, have substantially different outcomes as a language as well as different neural responses. Based on these linguistic differences between Hanja and Hangul, we have launched two studies; first was to find differences in cortical activation when it is stimulated by Hanja and Hangul reading to support the much discussed dual-route hypothesis of logographic and phonological routes in the brain by fMRI (Experiment 1). The second objective was to evaluate how Hanja and Hangul affect comprehension, therefore, recognition memory, specifically the effects of semantic transparency and morphemic clarity on memory consolidation and then related cortical activations, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (Experiment 2). The first fMRI experiment indicated relatively large areas of the brain are activated by Hanja reading compared to Hangul reading. The second experiment, the recognition memory study, revealed two findings, that is there is only a small difference in recognition memory for semantic transparency, while for the morphemic clarity was much larger between Hanja and Hangul. That is the morphemic clarity has significantly more effect than semantic transparency on recognition memory when studies by fMRI in correlation with behavioral study

Undefined xylose media extracted from biorefinery waste for enhanced and eco‐friendly production of cephalosporin C by Acremonium chrysogenum M35

Abstract Xylose‐rich undefined broth, extracted from the dilute acid pretreatment wastes of barley straw, serves as resourceful media for Acremonium chrysogenum M35 culture and production of cephalosporin C (CPC). Concentrating the extract with proper reprocessing enables to prepare various concentrations of xylose broth (2%–8%). The undefined xylose media were prepared for CPC production from A. chrysogenum M35 by the addition of other nutrients. Cell growth and CPC production were the most effective at 6% xylose and additional 2% glycerol, with maximum CPC production of 9.07 g/L after 6 days, which is higher production than that in defined media prepared with laboratory‐level nutrients and reagents. Investigation of autotrophic and reverse trans‐sulfuration pathways for cysteine synthesis, a limited element of three precursors for CPC synthesis, supports the enhanced CPC production in undefined media. Abundance of xylose ensures a maintained NADPH concentration required for sulfate reduction and synthesis of amino sulfide such as cysteine. Cystathionine‐γ‐lyase activity profiling indicated more efficient biosynthesis in undefined media than in other cultures use glycerol and glucose, and the biosynthesis pathway of CPC production by the cephalosporin gene cluster (i.e. pcbC and cefG genes) was investigated. The process using undefined xylose media was designed, and process simulation program confirmed our results

COVID-19-related clinical outcomes among Korean hemodialysis patients

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are more vulnerable to viral epidemics, experiencing higher mortality rates compared to individuals without chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective cohort study sought to demonstrate clinical outcomes and associated factors among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed Korean HD patients.Methods: From February 2020 to November 2021, the COVID-19 Task Force Team collected clinical data for HD patients with confirmed COVID-19 via a self-report survey of nephrologists. The composite outcome included in-hospital mortality, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and use of mechanical ventilation. Risk factors associated with clinical outcomes were analyzed among HD patients and compared to those of individuals without CKD using the COVID-19 database from the Korea Disease Control and PreResults: A total of 380 HD patients from 206 facilities were diagnosed with COVID-19. Fever (49.5%) and cough (25.7%) were the two most common initial symptoms. The overall in-hospital fatality rate was 22.4% and even higher among ICU admission cases (64.7%). Non-survivors were older, more frequently developed shortness of breath, and were more likely to come from a nursing hospital. Compared to the age- and sex-matched non-CKD population, HD patients showed greater risk of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-2.75; p &lt; 0.001) and composite outcome (hazard ratio, 3.50; 95% confidence interval,Conclusion: HD patients have a greater risk of in-hospital mortality and morbidity from COVID-19. Special attention should be paid to COVID-19 HD patients when they are older or present with symptoms.Y

Impact of decreased levels of total CO2 on in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19

Abstract Decreased total CO2 (tCO2) is significantly associated with all-cause mortality in critically ill patients. Because of a lack of data to evaluate the impact of tCO2 in patients with COVID-19, we assessed the impact of tCO2 on all-cause mortality in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in two Korean referral hospitals between February 2020 and September 2021. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We assessed the impact of tCO2 as a continuous variable on mortality using the Cox-proportional hazard model. In addition, we evaluated the relative factors associated with tCO2 ≤ 22 mmol/L using logistic regression analysis. In 4,423 patients included, the mean tCO2 was 24.8 ± 3.0 mmol/L, and 17.9% of patients with tCO2 ≤ 22 mmol/L. An increase in mmol/L of tCO2 decreased the risk of all-cause mortality by 4.8% after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and laboratory values. Based on 22 mmol/L of tCO2, the risk of mortality was 1.7 times higher than that in patients with lower tCO2. This result was maintained in the analysis using a cutoff value of tCO2 24 mmol/L. Higher white blood cell count; lower hemoglobin, serum calcium, and eGFR; and higher uric acid, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly associated with a tCO2 value ≤ 22 mmol/L. Decreased tCO2 significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Monitoring of tCO2 could be a good indicator to predict prognosis and it needs to be appropriately managed in patients with specific conditions