A cross-linguistic database of phonetic transcription systems

Contrary to what non-practitioners might expect, the systems of phonetic notation used by linguists are highly idiosyncratic. Not only do various linguistic subfields disagree on the specific symbols they use to denote the speech sounds of languages, but also in large databases of sound inventories considerable variation can be found. Inspired by recent efforts to link cross-linguistic data with help of reference catalogues (Glottolog, Concepticon) across different resources, we present initial efforts to link different phonetic notation systems to a catalogue of speech sounds. This is achieved with the help of a database accompanied by a software framework that uses a limited but easily extendable set of non-binary feature values to allow for quick and convenient registration of different transcription systems, while at the same time linking to additional datasets with restricted inventories. Linking different transcription systems enables us to conveniently translate between different phonetic transcription systems, while linking sounds to databases allows users quick access to various kinds of metadata, including feature values, statistics on phoneme inventories, and information on prosody and sound classes. In order to prove the feasibility of this enterprise, we supplement an initial version of our cross-linguistic database of phonetic transcription systems (CLTS), which currently registers five transcription systems and links to fifteen datasets, as well as a web application, which permits users to conveniently test the power of the automatic translation across transcription systems

Bayesian phylogenetics illuminate shallower relationships among Trans-Himalayan languages in the Tibet-Arunachal area

Kho-Bwa, Hrusish, Mishmic, Tani, and Tshangla are language clusters that have been recurrently proposed as subgroups of the Trans-Himalayan (also known as Tibeto-Burman and Sino-Tibetan) language family. Nonetheless, their internal classification, as well as the relation with each other and with other linguistic groups in the family, is hitherto unresolved. We use lexical data on these groups and dated phylogenies to investigate such internal classifications.We base our examination on previous research into the language family in the Tibet-Arunachal area, and follow a computer -assisted approach of language comparison to perform Bayesian phylolinguistic analysis. As earlier phylogenetic studies on this family included little data related to this geographic area, we took a subset of the best available dataset and extended it with vocabularies for the Kho-Bwa and Hrusish clusters, also including one Mishmic, two Tani, twoTshangla, and five East Bodish languages to cover the major languages and linguistic subgroups neighboring these clusters. Our results shed light on the internal and external classification of the Kho-Bwa, Hrusish and Bodish languages, and allow us to share valuable experience on theextent to which similar approaches can be applied to the phylogenetic analysis of the Trans-Himalayan language family

In vitro and in vivo antitumoral effects of combinations of polyphenols, or polyphenols and anticancer drugs: Perspectives on cancer treatment

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process triggered by genetic alterations that activate different signal transduction pathways and cause the progressive transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell. Polyphenols, compounds ubiquitously expressed in plants, have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties, all of which are beneficial to human health. Due to their ability to modulate the activity of multiple targets involved in carcinogenesis through direct interaction or modulation of gene expression, polyphenols can be employed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, the main problem related to the use of polyphenols as anticancer agents is their poor bioavailability, which might hinder the in vivo effects of the single compound. In fact, polyphenols have a poor absorption and biodistribution, but also a fast metabolism and excretion in the human body. The poor bioavailability of a polyphenol will affect the effective dose delivered to cancer cells. One way to counteract this drawback could be combination treatment with different polyphenols or with polyphenols and other anti-cancer drugs, which can lead to more effective antitumor effects than treatment using only one of the compounds. This report reviews current knowledge on the anticancer effects of combinations of polyphenols or polyphenols and anticancer drugs, with a focus on their ability to modulate multiple signaling transduction pathways involved in cancer

Long-term hydrogeophysical monitoring of the internal conditions of river levees

To evaluate the vulnerability of the earthen levee of an irrigation canal in San Giacomo delle Segnate, Italy, a customized electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring system was installed in September 2015 and has been continuously operating since then. Thanks to a meteorological station deployed at the study site, we could investigate the relationship between the inverted resistivity values and different parameters, namely air temperature, rainfall and water level in the canal. Air temperature seems to have a minor but not negligible influence on resistivity variations, especially at shallow depth. A model of soil temperature versus depth was used to correct resistivity sections for air temperature variations through the different seasons. Changes of the water level in the canal and rainfall significantly affect measured resistivity values. At the study site, the most important variations of resistivity are related to saturation and dewatering processes in the irrigation periods. Although we explored the effect of drawdown procedures on resistivity data, this process, causing rapid variations of resistivity values, is still not completely understood because the canal is rapidly emptied during rainfall events. Therefore, the effect of variations of the water level in the canal on levee resistivity cannot be distinguished from the effect of rainfalls. To study the effect of water level variations alone, we considered the beginning of the irrigation period when the dry canal is gradually filled and we observed a smooth trend of resistivity changes. The effect of rainfall on the data was studied during different periods of the year and at different depths of the levee so that the resistivity variations could be evaluated under different conditions. To convert the inverted resistivity sections into water content maps, an empirical and site-dependent relationship between resistivity and water content was obtained using core samples. Water content data can then be used for the implementation of stability analysis using custom modeling. This study introduces an efficient technique to monitor earthen levees and to control the evolution of seepage and water saturation in pseudo-real time. Such a technique can be exploited by Public Administrations to reduce hydrogeological risks significantly

Paracoccidioidomicose disseminada fatal em criança de dois anos

A two year-old female child was admitted at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a septic shock associated with a lymphoproliferative syndrome, with history of fever, adynamia and weight loss during the last two months. On admission, the main clinical and laboratory manifestations were: pallor, jaundice, disseminated enlarged lymph nodes, hepatosplenomegaly, crusted warts on face, anemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, increased direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase. A parenteral administration of fluids, dobutamine and mechanical ventilation was started, without improvement of the clinical conditions. A direct examination of exsudate collected from cervical lymph node revealed numerous oval-to-around cells with multiple budding, like a "pilot wheel" cell, suggesting Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Even though treatment with intravenous sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprine was soon started, the child died 36 hours after hospital admission. Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis was confirmed in the autopsy. This is the youngest case of paracoccidioidomycosis in children reported in the literature.Uma menina de dois anos foi internada em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva com o diagnóstico de choque séptico associado a sindrome linfoproliferativa febril, adinamia e perda de peso nos últimos dois meses. Na admissão, as principais manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais eram: palidez, icterícia, aumento ganglionar em todas as cadeias superficiais, hepatoesplenomegalia, lesões crostosas em face, anemia, eosinofilia, plaquetopenia, elevação de bilirrubina indireta e direta, de fosfatase alcalina e de gama glutamil transferase. A terapêutica instituída foi infusão de fluidos, dobutamina e ventilação mecânica, sem melhora das condições clínicas, seguido da introdução de sulfametoxazol-trimetoprina. O exame direto do linfonodo revelou numerosas estruturas ovaladas, com múltiplos brotamentos, como "roda de leme" sugerindo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. A paciente evoluiu para o óbito 36 horas após a internação. Paracoccidioidomicose disseminada foi confirmada na necropsia. Trata-se do caso mais jovem de paracoccidioidomicose reportado na literatura consultada

Generation of donor-specific Tr1 cells to be used after kidney transplantation and definition of the timing of their in vivo infusion in the presence of immunosuppression

Background: Operational tolerance is an alternative to lifelong immunosuppression after transplantation. One strategy to achieve tolerance is by T regulatory cells. Safety and feasibility of a T regulatory type 1 (Tr1)-cell-based therapy to prevent graft versus host disease in patients with hematological malignancies has been already proven. We are now planning to perform a Tr1-cell-based therapy after kidney transplantation. Methods: Upon tailoring the lab-grade protocol to patients on dialysis, aims of the current work were to develop a clinical-grade compatible protocol to generate a donor-specific Tr1-cell-enriched medicinal product (named T10 cells) and to test the Tr1-cell sensitivity to standard immunosuppression in vivo to define the best timing of cell infusion. Results: We developed a medicinal product that was enriched in Tr1 cells, anergic to donor-cell stimulation, able to suppress proliferation upon donor- but not third-party stimulation in vitro, and stable upon cryopreservation. The protocol was reproducible upon up scaling to leukapheresis from patients on dialysis and was effective in yielding the expected number of T10 cells necessary for the planned infusions. The tolerogenic gene signature of circulating Tr1 cells was minimally compromised in kidney transplant recipients under standard immunosuppression and it eventually started to recover 36weeks post-transplantation, providing rationale for selecting the timings of the cell infusions. Conclusions: These data provide solid ground for proceeding with the trial and establish robust rationale for defining the correct timing of cell infusion during concomitant immunosuppressive treatment

Fatal Disseminated Paracoccidioidomycosis In A Two-year-old Child.

A two year-old female child was admitted at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a septic shock associated with a lymphoproliferative syndrome, with history of fever, adynamia and weight loss during the last two months. On admission, the main clinical and laboratory manifestations were: pallor, jaundice, disseminated enlarged lymph nodes, hepatosplenomegaly, crusted warts on face, anemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, increased direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase. A parenteral administration of fluids, dobutamine and mechanical ventilation was started, without improvement of the clinical conditions. A direct examination of exsudate collected from cervical lymph node revealed numerous oval-to-around cells with multiple budding, like a pilot wheel cell, suggesting Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Even though treatment with intravenous sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprine was soon started, the child died 36 hours after hospital admission. Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis was confirmed in the autopsy. This is the youngest case of paracoccidioidomycosis in children reported in the literature.4637-

The Impact of COVID-19 on Plastic Surgery Residency Training

Abstract: Nowadays didactic and surgical activities for residents in the surgery field are less and less due to an increasing burden of documentation and \u201cnon-educational work.\u201d Considering the current lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been so important to find different ways to allow residents to improve their knowledge. We asked all plastic and esthetic surgery residents in our country to fill out a questionnaire to investigate changes in their didactical activity and analyze problems about their professional growth in the last few months. From the results of such questionnaires, we found that most of the residents feel the decrease in surgical activities during this time is a detrimental factor for their training and that even if all the schools have changed their didactical activities no school has introduced the use of virtual simulators to compensate for the decrease in surgical practice. Actually, the majority of residents use webinars to keep updated, stating that such technologies are useful but not sufficient to analyze plastic surgery topics in depth during COVID-19 lockdown. Virtual interactive tools are well known in different clinical and surgical specialties, and they are considered as a valid support, but it seems that in plastic surgery they are not so used. According to the most recent studies about residents\u2019 didactical program, we have investigated the potential of Anatomage Table in combination with Touch Surgery application as physical and mental aids to bypass the decreased number and kind of surgical interventions performed in this particular time. Anatomage is an academic user-friendly touch screen table; it is used by both medical students and residents to learn human anatomy and to master surgical anatomy. Touch Surgery is an application available on smartphones and tablets that gives the possibility to watch real and virtually designed surgical videos, accompanied by explanatory comments on the surgical phases; they are interactive and give the possibility to check what you have learned through tests administered after virtual classes. In our opinion, these tools represent reliable solutions to improve plastic residents\u2019 training, mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266

Immunohistochemical evidence of a cytokine and chemokine network in three patients with Erdheim-Chester disease: Implications for pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare form of non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) of unknown etiology, characterized by diffuse histiocyte infiltration of bones and soft tissue. The purpose of this study was to assess cell proliferation and expression of cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors that may potentially be important in histiocyte accumulation in ECD lesions. METHODS: Biopsies were performed on 3 patients with ECD. The diagnosis of the disease was based on clinical signs including typical radiologic osteosclerosis, and on the detection of foamy CD68+,CD1a- non-Langerhans' cell histiocytes on histologic examination. The expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 as well as of selected chemokine/chemokine receptor pairs and cytokines was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In all samples, Ki-67 was undetectable in CD68+ histiocytes. Conversely, these cells expressed the chemokines CCL2 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1), CCL4/macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta), CCL5/RANTES, CCL20/MIP-3alpha, and CCL19/MIP-3beta, and their counter-receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR5, CCR6, and CCR7. Moreover, ECD histiocytes expressed interferon-gamma-inducible 10-kd protein (CXCL10), which is specifically induced by interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6 and RANKL, which are both implicated in bone remodeling. Finally, all cases showed a Th1-type lymphocyte infiltrate. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that, similar to LCH, ECD lesions are characterized by a complex cytokine and chemokine network, which may orchestrate histiocyte activation and accumulation through an autocrine loop and contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease

Geoelectrical characterization and monitoring of slopes on a rainfall-triggered landslide simulator

In this paper, we present the results of time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring of rainfall-triggered shallow landslides reproduced on a laboratory-scale physical model. The main objective of our experiments was to monitor rainwater infiltration through landslide body in order to improve our understanding of the precursors of failure. Time-domain reflectometry (TDR) data were also acquired to obtain the volumetric water content. Knowing the porosity, water saturation was calculated from the volumetric water content and we could calibrate Archie's equation to calculate water saturation maps from inverted resistivity values. Time-lapse ERT images proved to be effective in monitoring the hydrogeological conditions of the slope as well as in detecting the development of fracture zones before collapse. We performed eight laboratory tests and the results show that the landslide body becomes unstable at zones where the water saturation exceeds 45%. It was also observed that instability could occur at the boundaries between areas with different water saturations. Our study shows that time-lapse ERT technique can be employed to monitor the hydrogeological conditions of landslide bodies and the monitoring strategy could be extended to field-scale applications in areas prone to the development of shallow landslides