bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Embodied Learning Across the Life Span
Authors: Kontra Carly , Goldin‐Meadow Susan , Beilock Sian L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDevelopmental psychologists have long recognized the extraordinary influence of action on learning (Held & Hein, 1963; Piaget, 1952). Action experiences begin to shape our perception of the world during infancy (e.g., as infants gain an understanding of others’ goal‐directed actions; Woodward, 2009) and these effects persist into adulthood (e.g., as adults learn about complex concepts in the physical sciences; Kontra, Lyons, Fischer, & Beilock, 2012). Theories of embodied cognition provide a structure within which we can investigate the mechanisms underlying action’s impact on thinking and reasoning. We argue that theories of embodiment can shed light on the role of action experience in early learning contexts, and further that these theories hold promise for using action to scaffold learning in more formal educational settings later in development.
Characterization of culturable bacterial endophytes of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and their capacity to influence plant growth
Authors: Xia Ye , Greissworth Eliana , Mucci Curtis , Williams Mark A. , De Bolt Seth 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial warm season grass that is native to the plains of North America and is widely grown as a forage, bioenergy or groundcover crop. Despite its importance, a bottleneck in switchgrass production is poor seedling vigor, which as a perennial crop represents an important time for management. Herein, data identify a suite of culturable bacterial microflora extracted from switchgrass, and show their capability to influence host plant growth and development. A total of 307 bacterial isolates were cultured and isolated from surface sterilized switchgrass biomass and sequence identified into 76 strains (subspecies classification), 36 species and 5 phyla. Approximately 58% of bacterial strains, when reintroduced into surface‐sterilized switchgrass seeds, were documented to increase lamina length (cm from base to tip after 60 days growth) relative to uninoculated controls. Ecologically, Phylum Firmicutes was the most abundant bacterial classification and encompassed 75% of all isolates. Although the culturable bacterial community studies herein represent an unknown and assumedly minor proportion of the total microbiome, by focusing on culturable bacteria, we delineate functional feedback between the presence of isolated bacteria and switchgrass seedling growth.
Anterior mediastinal masses resection with cosmetic skin approach
Authors: Liu Baoxing , Qin Jianjun , Xu Jinliang , Zhang Ruixiang , Li Yin 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to describe a cosmetic skin incision for resection of large anterior mediastinal masses, and to review our experience with this technique.MethodsFrom 1999 to 2010, 55 patients with a diagnosis of large anterior mediastinal masses underwent “goblet”‐shaped skin incision with midline sternotomy. The complications, mortality, details of surgery, and duration of hospital stay were observed from review. Patients were monitored via follow‐up for a duration of one year after surgery.ResultsThe mean hospital stay was nine days. Wound complications of infection were observed in one patient. There were no other complications, such as hematoma formation, necrosis of skin flap, split or infection of the sternum. No related mortality was recorded within the 30‐day postoperative period. All of the patients verbalized the benefits of this technique, particularly the possibility of wearing open‐collared clothing, as a result of the cosmetic chest wall and a camouflaging scar below the angle of Louis. At the follow‐up periods, 52 of the patients were found to be well. Three patients did not complete follow‐up at our facility.ConclusionOur primary experience with this procedure proved it was safe. The technique allows excellent access to the mediastinum and complete removal of large anterior mediastinal masses that are complicated with adjacent midline cardiovascular structures. This technique also provides a better cosmetic result than the standard vertical incision.
Leptospiral Uveitis – There Is More to It Than Meets the Eye!
Authors: Verma A. , Stevenson B. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryLeptospirosis, caused by pathogenic species of genusLeptospira, is a highly prevalent zoonotic disease throughout many parts of the world, and an important emerging disease within the United States. Uveitis is a common complication of systemic infection in humans. A similar condition in horses is characterized by recurrent bouts of inflammation. In this article, we review advances in our understanding of leptospiral uveitis and its pathogenic mechanisms.
Epidemiological Survey of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Domestic Owned Cats from the Tropical Southeast of Mexico
Authors: Jiménez‐Coello M. , Acosta‐Viana K.Y. , Guzman‐Marin E. , Gomez‐Rios A. , Ortega‐Pacheco A. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAmerican trypanosomiasis is an infectious disease of importance for public health and caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi mainly transmitted by triatomine bugs. The precise role of cats in the peridomestic transmission of T. cruzi and the mechanism by which cats become infected remain uncertain. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in domestic cats from an urban area of tropical Mexico by serological and molecular methods and evaluate associated risk factors. A total of 220 domestic cats from Merida Yucatan, Mexico, were studied. Animals older than 3 months were blood sampled. Serum and DNA were obtained. Specific T. cruzi IgG antibodies were detected using a commercial indirect ELISA with an anti‐cat antibody HRP labelled. Positive cases were confirmed by Western blot (WB). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed using the primers TC1 and TC2. From the 220 cats, 8.6% had antibodies against T. cruzi using ELISA test and later confirmed by WB. In 75 cats (34%), the sequence of ADNk of T. cruzi was amplified. The bad–regular body condition was the only risk factor associated with PCR positive to T.cruzi (P < 0.001). In Mexico, there are no previous epidemiological reports that demonstrate the importance of the cat as a reservoir of T. cruzi. Few individuals were identified with a serological response because they were probably at an early stage of infection or antibodies were not detected because they could be immunocompromised (FIV, FeLV or others). It is necessary to monitor PCR‐positive patients and conduct further studies for better understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Chagas disease in domestic cats.
Lessons from Emergence of A/Goose/Guangdong/1996‐Like H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses and Recent Influenza Surveillance Efforts in Southern China
Authors: Wan X.F. 
Published: September 2012

SummarySouthern China is proposed as an influenza epicentre. At least two of the three pandemics in the last century, including 1957 and 1968 influenza pandemics, originated from this area. In 1996, A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (H5N1), the precursor of currently circulating highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) was identified in farmed geese in southern China. These H5N1 HPAIVs have been spread across Asia, Europe and Africa and poses a continuous threat to both animal and human health. However, how and where this H5N1 HPAIV emerged are not fully understood. In the past decade, many influenza surveillance efforts have been carried out in southern China, and our understanding of the genetic diversity of non‐human influenza A viruses in this area has been much better than ever. Here, the historical and first‐hand experimental data on A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996(H5N1)‐like HPAIVs are reviewed within the context of the findings from recent surveillance efforts on H5N1 HPAIVs and other non‐human influenza A viruses. Such a retrospective recapitulation suggests that long‐term and systematic surveillance programmes should continue to be implemented in southern China that the wet markets on the animal–human interface shall be the priority area and that the surveillance on the animal species bridging the interface between wildlife and domestic animal populations and the interface between the aquatics and territories shall be the strengthened.
Liraglutide administration in type 2 diabetic patients who either received no previous treatment or were treated with an oral hypoglycemic agent showed greater efficacy than that in patients switching from insulin
Authors: Nambu Takuo , Matsuda Yuki , Matsuo Koji , Kanai Yugo , Yonemitsu Shin , Muro Seiji , Oki Shogo 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAims/IntroductionLiraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, is expected to provide a new treatment option for diabetes. However, the suitable timing of liraglutide administration in type 2 diabetic patients has not yet been clarified.Materials and MethodsWe reviewed type 2 diabetic patients (n = 155) who visited the Osaka Red Cross Hospital for glycemic control, with administration of liraglutide at a dose of 0.6 mg (average glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] level, 8.7 ± 0.1%). The effect of liraglutide based on the pretreatment status was compared. We also analyzed the background factors of both a successful and failed group of patients who switched to liraglutide from insulin.ResultsAn improvement in blood glucose levels was confirmed in 122 of 155 patients. During the 4‐month observation period, the improvement in HbA1c levels was significantly greater in the group of drug‐naïve/previous oral hypoglycemic agent (9.1 ± 0.2 to 7.2 ± 0.2%) than that in the group switching from insulin (8.6 ± 0.2 to 7.8 ± 0.2%). In addition, C‐peptide immunoreactivity levels (fasting > 2.2 ng/mL; delta >1.6 ng/mL; urine > 70 μg/day), younger age and a smaller number of insulin units used per day were considered important when deciding on switching to liraglutide from insulin.ConclusionsLiraglutide was more effective in patients who had not been treated previously or received oral hypoglycemic agents than in patients switching from insulin. With respect to switching to liraglutide from insulin, the most important factors to be considered were C‐peptide immunoreactivity levels, age, and the number of insulin units used per day.
Pneumocephalus in five horses
Authors: Dunkel B. , Corley K. T. T. , Johnson A. L. , Witte T. H. , Leitch M. , Marr C. M. , Weller R. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryPneumocephalus is occasionally encountered in horses but poorly described in the literature. The study aimed to describe historical, clinical and diagnostic imaging findings and outcome in horses to increase the awareness and recognition of the condition amongst equine practitioners, allowing appropriate management of these cases. Cases of pneumocephalus from 4 participating institutions were identified and case details extracted from the medical records. Five cases of pneumocephalus were identified. Head trauma with suspected or confirmed fractures of the sinuses was the underlying cause in 4 cases, while the remaining horse was thought to have developed pneumocephalus secondary to sinusitis or trauma. Diagnosis was established radiographically in 4 cases and by computed tomography in a fifth. Gas was noted between the cranial vault and the brain, in the lateral ventricles, in the brain parenchyma and within the cranial cervical canal. The gas accumulation resolved gradually in all horses and did not appear independently to result in neurological compromise. Long‐term outcome was available for 3 cases, 2 of which were ultimately subjected to euthanasia due to neurological deficits. Pneumocephalus is a possible consequence of head trauma or sinusitis in horses; although the finding is frequently incidental, it has the potential to develop into a life‐threatening complication. Imaging the complete skull and cranial cervical spine is important to allow identification and appropriate management of these cases. The use of computed tomography enables easier identification and localisation of the gas accumulation within the central nervous system.
Cognitive‐self consciousness and metacognitive beliefs: Stress sensitization in individuals at ultra‐high risk of developing psychosis
Authors: Palmier‐Claus J. E. , Dunn G. , Taylor H. , Morrison A. P. , Lewis S. W. 
Published: September 2012

Objective: Metacognitive beliefs (MCB) may guide information and attention processes, increasing affective and symptomatic reactions to stressful events. Cognitive self‐consciousness (CSC; i.e., a preoccupation with one's thoughts) may increase awareness of MCB, potentially triggering the onset of psychotic symptoms. This study tested the hypotheses that (1), MCB would moderate affective and symptomatic reactions to stress in individuals at ultra‐high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis, and (2), greater CSC would precede worsening in psychotic symptoms in individuals with strong MCB.Method: Twenty‐seven individuals at UHR of developing psychosis completed a self‐report diary when prompted by an electronic wristwatch several times each day for 6 days (experience sampling).Results: MCB moderated the association between affective, but not symptomatic, responses to social stress. CSC preceded the subsequent occurrence of hallucinations in individuals who reported strong beliefs about the need to control their thoughts.Conclusions: The data suggest that MCB sensitize an individual to social stressors. CSC may represent times where an individual is aware that their thoughts are uncontrollable, and therefore contradicting their MCB, motivating them to make an external attribution. The findings have implications for improving the effectiveness of interventions for people experiencing hallucinations.Practitioner Points

Cognitive self‐consciousness may precede the onset of hallucinations in individuals with a strong belief that they need to control their thoughts.

Metacognitive beliefs may increase emotional reactions to everyday irritations and hassles.

Limitations

Only 27 individuals were included in the final analysis.

Causality could not be established.
Availability and night‐time use of electronic entertainment and communication devices are associated with short sleep duration and obesity among Canadian children
Authors: Chahal H. , Fung C. , Kuhle S. , Veugelers P. J. 
Published: September 2012

Summary
What is already known about this subject
Short sleep duration is a risk factor for obesity.
Television (TV) in the bedroom has been shown to be associated with excess body weight in children.
Children increasingly use other electronic entertainment and communication devices (EECDs) such as video games, computers, and smart phones.

What this study adds
Access to and night‐time use of EECDs are associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels.
Our findings reinforce existing recommendations pertaining to TV and Internet access by the American Academy of Pediatrics and suggest to have these expanded to restricted availability of video games and smart phones in children's bedrooms.
BackgroundWhile the prevalence of childhood obesity and access to and use of electronic entertainment and communication devices (EECDs) have increased in the past decades, no earlier study has examined their interrelationship.ObjectiveTo examine whether night‐time access to and use of EECDs are associated with sleep duration, body weights, diet quality, and physical activity of Canadian children.MethodsA representative sample of 3398 grade 5 children in Alberta, Canada, was surveyed. The survey included questions on children's lifestyles and health behaviours, the Harvard Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency questionnaire, a validated questionnaire on physical activity, and measurements of heights and weights. Random effect models were used to assess the associations of night‐time access to and use of EECDs with sleep, diet quality, physical activity, and body weights.ResultsSixty‐four percent of parents reported that their child had access to one or more EECDs in their bedroom. Access to and night‐time use of EECDs were associated with shortened sleep duration, excess body weight, poorer diet quality, and lower physical activity levels in a statistically significant manner.ConclusionsLimiting the availability of EECDs in children's bedrooms and discouraging their night‐time use may be considered as a strategy to promote sleep and reduce childhood obesity.
Circulating branched‐chain amino acid concentrations are associated with obesity and future insulin resistance in children and adolescents
Authors: McCormack S. E. , Shaham O. , McCarthy M. A. , Deik A. A. , Wang T. J. , Gerszten R. E. , Clish C. B. , Mootha V. K. , Grinspoon S. K. , Fleischman A. 
Published: September 2012

Summary
What is already known about this subject
Circulating concentrations of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) can affect carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal muscle, and therefore may alter insulin sensitivity.
BCAAs are elevated in adults with diet‐induced obesity, and are associated with their future risk of type 2 diabetes even after accounting for baseline clinical risk factors.

What this study adds
Increased concentrations of BCAAs are already present in young obese children and their metabolomic profiles are consistent with increased BCAA catabolism.
Elevations in BCAAs in children are positively associated with insulin resistance measured 18 months later, independent of their initial body mass index.
BackgroundBranched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations are elevated in response to overnutrition, and can affect both insulin sensitivity and secretion. Alterations in their metabolism may therefore play a role in the early pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in overweight children.ObjectiveTo determine whether paediatric obesity is associated with elevations in fasting circulating concentrations of BCAAs (isoleucine, leucine and valine), and whether these elevations predict future insulin resistance.MethodsSixty‐nine healthy subjects, ages 8–18 years, were enrolled as a cross‐sectional cohort. A subset of subjects who were pre‐ or early‐pubertal, ages 8–13 years, were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort for 18 months (n = 17 with complete data).ResultsElevations in the concentrations of BCAAs were significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) Z‐score (Spearman's Rho 0.27, P = 0.03) in the cross‐sectional cohort. In the subset of subjects that followed longitudinally, baseline BCAA concentrations were positively associated with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance measured 18 months later after controlling for baseline clinical factors including BMI Z‐score, sex and pubertal stage (P = 0.046).ConclusionsElevations in the concentrations of circulating BCAAs are significantly associated with obesity in children and adolescents, and may independently predict future insulin resistance.
The potential of embryo transfer in a German horse‐breeding programme
Authors: Sitzenstock F. , Rathke I. , Ytournel F. , Simianer H. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryA reference horse‐breeding programme with 13 500 foals each year was modelled with ZPLAN+. This new software for the optimization of the structures in breeding programmes is based on ZPLAN. In two scenarios, the implementation of a rigorous selection of mares was implemented. In scenario I, the mare performance test was the point of selection, while in scenario II, further information on 20 competitions in two more years is available. These selected mares were used for embryo transfer (ET), partly in combination with multiple ovulation (MOET). The selection intensity and the number of foals out of (MO)ET were varied in both scenarios. It was expected that 250, 500 and 1000 mares are available for selecting 20, 50, 100 or 200 donor mares each year. The number of foals out of (MO)ET was varied between one and six foals per donor mare and year. Donor mares were used for ET for 4 years. It became clear that with high selection intensities of donor mares and high reproduction rates of them, the yearly genetic gain in a horse‐breeding programme could increase over a large range. In scenario II, the additional information on 20 competitions increased the accuracy of the selection index to 0.85. With 200 selected donor mares of 1000 available mares and six foals per year, the genetic gain could almost be doubled compared to the reference scenario. The implementation of ET and a related higher usage of few selected mares entails rising costs and a reduction in the genetic variance. In the most extreme MOET scenario, the effective population size was reduced by 19% relative to the reference scenario. Only if the increase in genetic gain can be converted into higher return for the breeders, the implementation of (MO)ET schemes is a realistic and sensible option for horse‐breeding programmes.
Missense polymorphisms in the MC1R gene of the dog, red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog
Authors: Nowacka‐Woszuk J. , Salamon S. , Gorna A. , Switonski M. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryCoat colour variation is determined by many genes, one of which is the melanocortin receptor type 1 (MC1R) gene. In this study, we examined the whole coding sequence of this gene in four species belonging to the Canidae family (dog, red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog). Although the comparative analysis of the obtained nucleotide sequences revealed a high conservation, which varied between 97.9 and 99.1%, we altogether identified 22 SNPs (10 in dogs, six in farmed red foxes, two in wild red foxes, three in arctic foxes and one in Chinese raccoon dog). Among them, seven appeared to be novel: one silent in the dog, three missense and one silent in the red fox, one in the 3′‐flanking region in the arctic fox and one silent in the Chinese raccoon dog. In dogs and red foxes, the SNPs segregated as 10 and four haplotypes, respectively. Taking into consideration the published reports and results of this study, the highest number of missense polymorphisms was until now found in the dog (9) and red fox (7).
Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in a neuronal cell line: modulation by cell differentiation and NRSF/rest activity
Authors: Gentile Maria Teresa , Nawa Yukino , Lunardi Gianluigi , Florio Tullio , Matsui Hiroaki , Colucci‐D'Amato Luca 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSerotonin (5‐HT) is a neurotransmitter involved in many aspects of the neuronal function. The synthesis of 5‐HT is initiated by the hydroxylation of tryptophan, catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). Two isoforms of TPH (TPH1 and TPH2) have been identified, with TPH2 almost exclusively expressed in the brain. Following TPH2 discovery, it was reported that polymorphisms of both gene and non‐coding regions are associated with a spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Thus, insights into the mechanisms that specifically regulate TPH2 expression and its modulation by exogenous stimuli may represent a new therapeutic approach to modify serotonergic neurotransmission. To this aim, a CNS‐originated cell line expressing TPH2 endogenously represents a valid model system. In this study, we report that TPH2 transcript and protein are modulated by neuronal differentiation in the cell line A1 mes‐c‐myc (A1). Moreover, we show luciferase activity driven by the human TPH2 promoter region and demonstrate that upon mutation of the NRSF/REST responsive element, the promoter activity strongly increases with cell differentiation. Our data suggest that A1 cells could represent a model system, allowing an insight into the mechanisms of regulation of TPH2 and to identify novel therapeutic targets in the development of drugs for the management of psychiatric disorders.