Neurophysiological markers of phrasal verb processing: evidence from L1 and L2 speakers

Bilingual Figurative Language Processing is a timely book that provides a much-needed bilingual perspective to the broad field of figurative language. This is the first book of its kind to address how bilinguals acquire, store, and process figurative language, such as idiomatic expressions (e.g., kick the bucket), metaphors (e.g., lawyers are sharks), and irony, and how these tropes might interact in real time across the bilingual's two languages. This volume offers the reader and the bilingual student an overview of the major strands of research, both theoretical and empirical, currently being undertaken in this field of inquiry. At the same time, Bilingual Figurative Language Processing provides readers and undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in the development of psycholinguistic experiments in bilingual figurative language. Each chapter includes a section on suggested student research projects. Selected chapters provide detailed procedures on how to design and develop psycholinguistic experiments

Human Trophoblast Cells Modulate Endometrial Cells Nuclear Factor kappa B Response to Flagellin In Vitro

Background: Implantation is a complex process that requires a delicate cooperation between the immune and reproductive system. Any interference in the fine balance could result in embryo loss and infertility. We have recently shown that Toll-like receptor 5 activation results in a decrease of trophoblast cells binding to endometrial cells in an in vitro model of human implantation. However, little is known about the downstream signalling leading to the observed failure in implantation and the factors that modulate this immune response. Methods and Principal Findings: An in vitro model of embryo implantation was used to evaluate the effect of trophoblasts and flagellin on the activation of NF-kappa B in endometrial cells and whether TLR5-related in vitro implantation failure is signalled through NF-kappa B. We generated two different NF-kappa B reporting cell lines by transfecting either an immortalized endometrial epithelial cell line (hTERT-EECs) or a human endometrial carcinoma cell line (Ishikawa 3-H-12) with a plasmid containing the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) under the control of five NF-kappa B sites. The presence of trophoblast cells as well as flagellin increased NF-kappa B activity when compared to controls. The NF-kappa B activation induced by flagellin was further increased by the addition of trophoblast cells. Moreover, blocking NF-kappa B signalling with a specific inhibitor (BAY11-7082) was able to restore the binding ability of our trophoblast cell line to the endometrial monolayer. Conclusions: These are the first results showing a local effect of the trophoblasts on the innate immune response of the endometrial epithelium. Moreover, we show that implantation failure caused by intrauterine infections could be associated with abnormal levels of NF-kappa B activation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the target genes through which NF-kappa B activation after TLR5 stimulation lead to failure in implantation and the effect of the embryo on those genes. Understanding these pathways could help in the diagnosis and treatment of implantation failure cases

Study the Physical Properties of Some Alloy Materials and Effect of Gamma Radiation

The present paper reports the effect of replacement of selenium by tellurium on the optical gap and some other physical parameters of new quaternary chalcogenide TexGe20Se(60-x)As20 (x = 0, 10, 15 and 20 at. %) thin films. Thin films with thickness 100 nm of TexGe20Se(60-x)As20 were prepared by thermal evaporation of the bulk samples. Increasing tellurium content is found to affect the average heat of atomization, cohesive energy and energy gap of the TexGe20Se(60-x)As20 alloys. Optical absorption measurements showed that the fundamental absorption edge is a function of composition. The optical absorption is due to allowed direct transition and the energy gap decreases with the increase of tellurium content. The chemical bond approach has been applied successfully to interpret the decrease of the optical gap with increasing tellurium content. it has also been observed that the increase of Te was followed by decrease in glass transition temperature. The prepared films were irradiated by gamma rays at doses up to 200kGy. It was found that the compositions were almost stable against gamma radiation. Keywords: amorphous, chalcogenide, optical properties

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. PEELS AND ITS ROLE AS IMMUNOSTIMULANT AGAINST SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI INFECTION IN BIOMPHALARIA ALEXANDRINA

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Punica granatum L. and test it as immunostimulants against Schistosoma mansoni infection to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.Methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the free radical scavenging activity of the 90% defatted methanol extract (90% DM) of P. granatum peels and its sub-derived fractions was evaluated via 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and its chemical constituents were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. B. alexandrina snails were exposed to pomegranate extracts (PEs) for 1 month before their challenging with S. mansoni miracidia. Infection rates, immunological and histological parameters were, then, evaluated in PE-exposed snails and compared to controls.Results: The antioxidants activities of PE, expressed as scavenging concentration at 50%, were in the following order; 90% DM (12.45) ˃n-butanol(15.59) ˃ethyl acetate (21.36) ˃water (49.16) µg/ml, compared to 7.50 µg/ml for ascorbic acid. The infection rates of PE-exposed snails were 20%,50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%, respectively, for 90% DM, n-butanol, ethyl acetate, water, and dichloromethane extracts compared to 95% in control snails. The number of amoebocytes showed a significant increase, clear differentiation, and size increment in exposed snails compared to controls. Moreover, hermaphrodite glands histology shows a full maturity in the formation of reproductive cells in PE-exposed snails. The GC-MS analysis of the 90% DM extract revealed the presence of 36 compounds representing 93.1% of the total composition. Piperidin-4-ol, 1,3-dimethyl-2,4,6-triphenyl (19.87%), and 6,11-dihydroxy-5,12 naphthacenequinone-1-carboxylic acid (7.80%) were the major components.Conclusion: The identified compounds in 90% DM extract of P. granatum may be responsible for the high antioxidant activity of the fruit and it may account for its immunostimulatory effect against S. mansoni infection in B. alexandrina.Keywords: Punica granatum L., Antioxidant activity, Biomphalaria alexandrina, Schistosoma mansoni, Infection rate, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

TOPICAL NANOEMULSION-BASED GEL OF ISOCONAZOLE NITRATE

This study aimed to make an o/w nanoemulsion of isoconazole the drug nitrate (ISN) for topical use. Low aqueous solubility is a characteristic feature of the imidazole antifungal ISN. Therefore, ISN nanoemulsion would increase dispersibility and decreases skin resistance by enhancing the drug penetration to the first layers of skin (stratum corneum). The work included constructing the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams by using the aqueous titration method. The prepared o/w nanoemulsions were composed of oil, Smix (a mixture of surfactant and co-surfactant) and deionized water (DW). ISN nanoemulsions were subjected to characterization studies to choose the best formula. According to the characterization studies, the optimal formula, designated NE14 contains 1% ISN, 66% Smix ((1:3) tween60: propylene glycol:ethanol), 7% oleic acid, and 27% deionized water was reached. Formula NE14 is characterized by having a polydispersity index of (0.146), pH (5.76), droplet size (84.6 nm), percent transmittance (98.8%), viscosity (80m Pa.s) and a high release of isoconazole propably due low viscosity. The droplet size of NE14 (84.6nm) was also confirmed by an atomic force microscopy (AFM) research. The improved formula (ISN NE14) was found to be a promising nanoemulsion formula for enhancing the topical bioavailability of ISN and thus could increase its efficacy for the treatment of topical fungal infections

Isolation and identification of shigella from children in Kirkuk city and the studying some of the virulence characters invitro

The study included the isolation and identification of Shigella species from stool and rectal swabs of children less than 13 years suffering acute and bloody diarrhea attended Azadi General and children’s hospital in Kirkuk city, using cultural tests on selective and differential media, biochemical test and the results were confirmed by using API20E system and serological tests. Among (305) stool and rectal swabs samples, (3) isolates of Shigella (0.98%) isolated, (2) isolates belonged to Shigella flexneri , the other isolates belonged to Shigella sonnei . The study of some virulence characters were also performed for shigella isolates . The ability to survival under acidic condition in medium at PH2.5 and alkaline conditions in medium at PH9.8, the result reveal that their survival rate varied widely, after 2-hr from (16-79%) under acidic condition and (4-22%) under alkaline conditions. Also the resistance to H2O2 and bile salt were studied and the result showed little varied between Shigella isolate

Effect of some anticancer drugs on the growth of children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Iraq

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children. It represents about 75% of all leukemia types in children less than 15 years old and peak incidence at (2-5) years old. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of chemotherapeutic regimens used for Iraqi children with ALL by assessing anthropometric parameters, oxidative state markers, and metabolic state. This prospective randomized clinical study was carried out on (30) newly diagnosed children with ALL (6 months – 8 years old) in Iraq. According to the FAB-classification, the patients grouped as L1 group (n=16) and L2 group (n=14). A healthy children (n=14) were involved and considered as a control group to compare their normal data with these of patients groups. The IGF-I, albumin, total serum protein, BMI, TAS, and LDH were determined at baseline, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of the treatment regimen. The results showed that the mean level of serum IGF-I in both patient groups was significantly lower than that of control children at baseline, and it is increased significantly after receiving treatment while no significance difference between patients of both groups. Serum albumin, total serum protein, and BMI showed no significant differences in both patient groups when compared with the control group at baseline and after receiving treatment, also, between patients of both groups. TAS showed a significant reduction at baseline and after receiving treatment of both patients’ groups when compared with the control children, and there was a significant difference between patients of both groups. For LDH, there was a significant elevation in the mean level at baseline for both patients’ groups when compared with the control children, while after receiving treatment a significant reduction noticed in both groups when compared with control children and no significance difference between patients of both groups. These results can give indication for the effect of chemotherapy on the growth and nutrition of ALL children through their effects on IGF-I, which has a direct effect on GH and the reduction in the levels of total proteins and albumin, which may affect BMI, while the reduction in TAS during chemotherapy treatment may result in disruption of cells metabolism which will affect the normal body homeostasis. Keywords: ALL, Growth, IGF-I, Chemotherapy

Yield quantitative trait loci from wild tomato are predominately expressed by the shoot

Plant yield is the integrated outcome of processes taking place above and below ground. To explore genetic, environmental and developmental aspects of fruit yield in tomato, we phenotyped an introgression line (IL) population derived from a cross between the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and a wild species (Solanum pennellii). Both homozygous and heterozygous ILs were grown in irrigated and non-irrigated fields and evaluated for six yield components. Thirteen lines displayed transgressive segregation that increased agronomic yield consistently over 2 years and defined at least 11 independent yield-improving QTL. To determine if these QTL were expressed in the shoots or the roots of the plants, we conducted field trials of reciprocally grafted ILs; out of 13 lines with an effect on yield, 10 QTL were active in the shoot and only IL8-3 showed a consistent root effect. To further examine this unusual case, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of fruits from both the homo- and heterozygous lines for IL8-3 and compared these to those obtained from the fruit of their equivalent genotypes in the root effect population. We observed that several of these metabolic QTL, like the yield QTL, were root determined; however, further studies will be required to delineate the exact mechanism mediating this effect in this specific line. The results presented here suggest that genetic variation for root traits, in comparison to that present in the shoot, represents only a minor component in the determination of tomato fruit yield

Population‐based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications in a prospective population‐based cohort. Methods Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two‐level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2). Results Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications. Conclusion Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics