Probabilistic inference in human semantic memory.

The idea of viewing human cognition as a rational solution to computational problems posed by the environment has influenced several recent theories of human memory. The first rational models of memory demonstrated that human memory seems to be remarkably well adapted to environmental statistics but made only minimal assumptions about the form of the environmental information represented in memory. Recently, several probabilistic methods for representing the latent semantic structure of language have been developed, drawing on research in computer science, statistics and computational linguistics.

Rhythm deficits in 'tone deafness'.

It is commonly observed that 'tone deaf' individuals are unable to hear the beat of a tune, yet deficits on simple timing tests have not been found. In this study, we investigated rhythm processing in nine individuals with congenital amusia ('tone deafness') and nine controls. Participants were presented with pairs of 5-note sequences, and were required to detect the presence of a lengthened interval.

From mere coincidences to meaningful discoveries.

People's reactions to coincidences are often cited as an illustration of the irrationality of human reasoning about chance. We argue that coincidences may be better understood in terms of rational statistical inference, based on their functional role in processes of causal discovery and theory revision. We present a formal definition of coincidences in the context of a Bayesian framework for causal induction: a coincidence is an event that provides support for an alternative to a currently favored causal theory, but not necessarily enough support to accept that alternative in light of its low prior probability.

Processing the acoustic effect of size in speech sounds.

The length of a vocal tract is reflected in the sound it is producing. The length of the vocal tract is correlated with body size and humans are very good at making size judgments based on the acoustic effect of vocal tract length only. Here we investigate the underlying mechanism for processing this main auditory cue to size information in the human brain.

Adaptation of the WHO guideline for residual DNA in parenteral vaccines produced on continuous cell lines to a limit for oral vaccines.

Although there is a WHO guidance for a limit on residual DNA for parenterally administered vaccines produced on continuous cell lines, there is no corresponding guidance for oral vaccines. To help determine an oral limit, we performed a study of Vero cell DNA uptake in rats, in which the relative uptake and persistence of Vero cell DNA administered orally was compared to its uptake when delivered intramuscularly (IM). The results of this study allowed the generation of an empirically derived IM versus oral factor (10(6)) representing the relative inefficiency of DNA uptake by oral administration.

Neurological abnormalities in young adults born preterm.

Objective: Individuals born before 33 weeks' gestation (very preterm, VPT) have an increased likelihood of neurological abnormality, impaired cognitive function, and reduced academic performance in childhood. It is currently not known whether neurological signs detected in VPT children persist into adulthood or become attenuated by maturation of the CNS.

Method: We assessed 153 VPT individuals and 71 term-born controls at 17-18 years old, using a comprehensive neurological examination.

Human brain mechanisms for the early analysis of voices.

In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we investigated human brain mechanisms that are involved in the analysis of voices as sound sources and in the pre-semantic analysis of voice information. The source of the voice was altered by changing the speaker, and the salience of the voice was altered by changing the amount of spectrotemporal detail. We identified a mechanism for detecting a change in the source of the voice in the posterior superior temporal lobe and anatomically distinct mechanisms for the detailed analysis of voice information in a bilateral network extending from the posterior to the anterior superior temporal lobe surrounding the superior temporal sulcus.

Proteomics: applications relevant to transfusion medicine.

With the completion of the human genome sequence, it is now possible to analyze the many individual components that comprise complex biologic systems. Despite this sequence data, understanding the biologic relationships of all proteins of a given cell or biologic sample (the proteome) is still an exceedingly difficult task. However, new technology developments mean that proteomics research can be used to investigate a variety of biologic systems.

Musically tone-deaf individuals have difficulty discriminating intonation contours extracted from speech.

Musically tone-deaf individuals have psychophysical deficits in detecting pitch changes, yet their discrimination of intonation contours in speech appears to be normal. One hypothesis for this dissociation is that intonation contours use coarse pitch contrasts which exceed the pitch-change detection thresholds of tone-deaf individuals (). We test this idea by presenting intonation contours for discrimination, both in the context of the original sentences in which they occur and in a "pure" form dissociated from any phonetic context.

Identification of the epitope of a monoclonal antibody that disrupts binding of human transferrin to the human transferrin receptor.

The molecular basis of the transferrin (TF)-transferrin receptor (TFR) interaction is not known. The C-lobe of TF is required to facilitate binding to the TFR and both the N- and C-lobes are necessary for maximal binding. Several mAb have been raised against human transferrin (hTF).

Recombinant expression and functional characterization of human hephaestin: a multicopper oxidase with ferroxidase activity.

Human hephaestin (Hp) is a transmembrane protein that has been implicated in duodenal iron export. Mutations in the murine hephaestin gene (sla) produce microcytic, hypochromic anemia that is refractory to oral iron therapy. Hp shares approximately 50% sequence identity with the plasma multicopper ferroxidase ceruloplasmin including conservation of residues involved in disulfide bond formation and metal coordination.

Structure and strength in causal induction.

We present a framework for the rational analysis of elemental causal induction-learning about the existence of a relationship between a single cause and effect-based upon causal graphical models. This framework makes precise the distinction between causal structure and causal strength: the difference between asking whether a causal relationship exists and asking how strong that causal relationship might be. We show that two leading rational models of elemental causal induction, DeltaP and causal power, both estimate causal strength, and we introduce a new rational model, causal support, that assesses causal structure.

Speech-specific auditory processing: where is it?

Are speech-specific processes localized in dedicated cortical regions or do they emerge from developmental plasticity in the connections among non-dedicated regions? Here we claim that all the brain regions activated by the processing of auditory speech can be re-classified according to whether they respond to non-verbal environmental sounds, pitch changes, unfamiliar melodies, or conceptual processes. We therefore argue that speech-specific processing emerges from differential demands on auditory and conceptual processes that are shared by speech and non-speech stimuli. This has implications for domain- vs.

Analysis of the spectral envelope of sounds by the human brain.

Spectral envelope is the shape of the power spectrum of sound. It is an important cue for the identification of sound sources such as voices or instruments, and particular classes of sounds such as vowels. In everyday life, sounds with similar spectral envelopes are perceived as similar: we recognize a voice or a vowel regardless of pitch and intensity variations, and we recognize the same vowel regardless of whether it is voiced (a spectral envelope applied to a harmonic series) or whispered (a spectral envelope applied to noise).

Severe FVII deficiency caused by a new point mutation combined with a previously undetected gene deletion.

A 3-week-old Caucasian female presented with severe unprovoked parenchymal cerebral haemorrhage. Her plasma factor VII (FVII) activity was <0.01 units/ml.

Oxidative stress and cyclooxygenase activity in prostate carcinogenesis: targets for chemopreventive strategies.

Over the last decade, epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies have implicated oxidative stress in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Oxidative stress may be linked to the effects of androgens, anti-oxidant systems and the pre-malignant condition, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Cyclooxygenase-2 activity has been linked with prostate carcinogenesis.

A prospective audit of hypospadias correction in a regional paediatric surgery centre.

Aim: To prospectively review the management and treatment of hypospadias in a single regional centre, and in particular, to assess the spectrum of cases treated, techniques used and to determine the nature of the complications.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-three consecutive boys undergoing hypospadias repair during a 36-month period were included in the study. Information was collected prospectively and included the site of the urethral meatus, presence of chordee, surgical technique employed, use of urinary diversion, and the prescription of postoperative antibiotics and analgesics.

What is an auditory object?

Objects are the building blocks of experience, but what do we mean by an object? Increasingly, neuroscientists refer to 'auditory objects', yet it is not clear what properties these should possess, how they might be represented in the brain, or how they might relate to the more familiar objects of vision. The concept of an auditory object challenges our understanding of object perception. Here, we offer a critical perspective on the concept and its basis in the brain.

Associated loss of fat-free mass and bone mineral density in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We hypothesized that in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, loss of fat-free mass (FFM) and loss of bone mineral density (BMD) were related to (1) each other and may be clinically inapparent, (2) urinary markers of cellular and bone collagen protein breakdown, and (3) severity of lung disease. Eight-one patients and 38 healthy subjects underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine body composition and BMD. Urinary protein breakdown markers, inflammatory mediators, and their soluble receptors were determined.

Evolving immunotherapeutic strategies in bladder and renal cancer.

For patients with urological cancers, immunotherapy is currently a treatment option for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and those with "high risk" superficial bladder cancers. In this review, our current understanding of tumour immune escape is discussed. The principles and role of current immunotherapies for these tumours are described, and new areas of immunotherapeutic promise are highlighted.

Cortical processing of complex sound: a way forward?

The organization of the cortical auditory system remains controversial. In particular, the extent to which there is regional specialization in the cortical processing of complex sound is unclear. Here, we ask whether we are currently asking the right questions of auditory cortex, or using the appropriate techniques to do so.