bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining School‐Based Pedometer Step Counts Among Children in Grades 3 to 6 Using Different Timetables
Authors: Gauthier Alain P. , Laurence Michelle , Thirkill Laura , Dorman Sandra C. 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Advocates for the implementation of the Balanced School Day (BSD) schedule argue that this schedule will increase opportunities for physical activity. However, the relationship between this scheduling change and its impact on physical activity has not been examined. Thus, this study assessed levels of physical activity in students attending 2 different schools: 1 using the BSD and the other using the Traditional School Day (TSD) schedule.METHODS: Participation of students between grades 3 and 6 was sought. Data were collected over 4 school days using pedometers. Independent Sample t tests and 1‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed.RESUTLS: A total of 117 students participated. Overall, average daily step counts for boys (6972 ± 1952) were significantly higher than girls (5742 ± 1495; p < .001). These average step counts represent 47% and 48% of the recommended amount of steps needed for health benefits for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The average daily step count for students using the BSD schedule was 6017 (±1666), while the average daily step count for students using the TSD schedule was 6788 (±1987). The difference in steps (771) was statistically significant (p = .03).CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support claims that the BSD offers increased physical activity. In fact, these results suggest that students enrolled in schools using the BSD schedule may have reduced daily physical activity. In addition, these results demonstrate that overall school‐based physical activity is less than half of the recommended level; independent of school scheduling.
Work‐Related Violence, Lifestyle, and Health Among Special Education Teachers Working in Finnish Basic Education
Authors: Ervasti Jenni , Kivimäki Mika , Pentti Jaana , Salmi Venla , Suominen Sakari , Vahtera Jussi , Virtanen Marianna 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported higher levels of absenteeism due to illness among special education teachers compared to other teachers, but it is not known which factors might contribute to this difference. We examined whether health, health behaviors, and exposure to violence at work differed between special education and general education teachers in Finnish basic education.METHODS: Survey data from 5760 general and special education teachers were analyzed with multilevel logistic models adjusted for individual‐ and school‐level confounding factors.RESULTS: No difference was found between the health behaviors of general and special education teachers. The differences in physical and mental health between the two groups were also relatively small. With regard to work‐related violence, however, male special education teachers were 3 times more likely to be exposed to mental abuse, and 5 times more likely to be exposed to physical violence when compared to their male colleagues in general education. Although female special educators were also at an increased risk of mental abuse and physical violence compared to their female general teacher colleagues, their odds ratios for such an encounter were smaller (2‐ and 3‐fold, respectively) than those of male special education teachers. The school‐level variance of physical violence toward teachers was large, which indicates that while most schools have little physical violence toward teachers, schools do exist in which teachers' exposure to violence is common.CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that special education teachers may benefit from training for handling violent situations and interventions to prevent violence at schools.
Hot and Cool Executive Function in Childhood and Adolescence: Development and Plasticity
Authors: Zelazo Philip David , Carlson Stephanie M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractExecutive function (EF), which refers to the more deliberate, top‐down neurocognitive processes involved in self‐regulation, develops most rapidly during the preschool years, together with the growth of neural networks involving prefrontal cortex but continues to develop well into adulthood. Both EF and the neural systems supporting EF vary as a function of motivational significance, and this article discusses the distinction between the top‐down processes that operate in motivationally and emotionally significant situations (“hot EF”) and the top‐down processes that operate is more affectively neutral contexts (“cool EF”). Emerging evidence indicates that both hot and cool EF are surprisingly malleable, with implications for intervention and prevention.
Aliskiren Alone or in Combination With Hydrochlorothiazide in Hispanic/Latino Patients With Systolic Blood Pressure 160 mm Hg to <180 mm Hg (Aliskiren Alone or in Combination With Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients With Stage 2 Hypertension to Provide Quick Intensive Control of Blood Pressure [ACQUIRE] Substudy)
Authors: Black Henry R. , Aguirre P. Fernando , Wright Melanie , Alessi Thomas , Baschiera Fabio 
Published: June 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.In a prespecified subgroup analysis of a 12‐week multinational, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group trial, self‐identified Hispanic/Latino adult men and women with systolic blood pressure 160 mm Hg to 179 mm Hg received combination aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) 150/12.5 mg or aliskiren 150 mg (force‐titrated to 300/25 mg and 300 mg, respectively, at week 1). At week 12, combination aliskiren/HCT provided greater reduction in mean sitting systolic blood pressure from baseline, the primary efficacy variable, compared with aliskiren monotherapy (−32.6 mm Hg vs −19.6 mm Hg; P<.0001). Differences in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure reductions followed a similar pattern (−13.5 mm Hg vs −7.1 mm Hg; P<.0001). Notable blood pressure reductions were evident at week 1 in both treatment groups, with near‐maximal effects reached by week 8. Results were consistent regardless of country of residence. Both treatments were well tolerated. Aliskiren alone or in combination with HCT is safe and effective in Hispanic/Latino patients with stage 2 hypertension. Combination aliskiren/HCT produced greater blood pressure reductions than aliskiren monotherapy.
L'extension de la couverture du système de pensions argentin: répartition de l'accès et perspectives pour une couverture universelle
Authors: Arza Camila 
Published: June 2012

RésuméUn des principaux défis auxquels sont confrontées les politiques sociales latino‐américaines est d'assurer une protection sociale à l'ensemble de la population dans des contextes marqués par un fort taux d'informalité. En Argentine, pays pionnier dans la région pour le développement des systèmes de pensions, plus d'un tiers des personnes en âge d'être à la retraite ne recevaient aucune prestation en 2005. Depuis lors, la couverture s'est étendue de manière significative, grâce à la mise en œuvre d'un programme qui a assoupli les conditions établies par le régime contributif et a octroyé des prestations à un grand nombre de personnes âgées, jusque‐là exclues du système. Dans cet article, nous analysons l'impact de ce processus sur le niveau de couverture et sa répartition, ainsi que l'évolution des facteurs sociodémographiques liés à l'inclusion/exclusion du système de protection sociale argentin. Nous examinons également les obstacles qui subsistent pour atteindre une couverture universelle à moyen et à long terme.
Host specificity in biological control: insights from opportunistic pathogens
Authors: Brodeur Jacques 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHost/prey specificity is a significant concern in biological control. It influences the effectiveness of a natural enemy and the risks it might have on non‐target organisms. Furthermore, narrow host specificity can be a limiting factor for the commercialization of natural enemies. Given the great diversity in taxonomy and mode of action of natural enemies, host specificity is a highly variable biological trait. This variability can be illustrated by opportunist fungi from the genus
Lecanicillium, which have the capacity to exploit a wide range of hosts – from arthropod pests to fungi causing plant diseases – through different modes of action. Processes determining evolutionary trajectories in host specificity are closely linked to the modes of action of the natural enemy. This hypothesis is supported by advances in fungal genomics concerning the identity of genes and biological traits that are required for the evolution of life history strategies and host range. Despite the significance of specificity, we still need to develop a conceptual framework for better understanding of the relationship between specialization and successful biological control. The emergence of opportunistic pathogens and the development of ‘omic’ technologies offer new opportunities to investigate evolutionary principles and applications of the specificity of biocontrol agents.
Nitrogen fertilization increases diversity and productivity of prairie communities used for bioenergy
Authors: Jarchow Meghann E. , Liebman Matt 
Published: June 2012

AbstractUsing prairie biomass as a renewable source of energy may constitute an important opportunity to improve the environmental sustainability of managed land. To date, assessments of the feasibility of using prairies for bioenergy production have focused on marginal areas with low yield potential. Growing prairies on more fertile soil or with moderate levels of fertilization may be an effective means of increasing yields, but increased fertility often reduces plant community diversity. At a fertile site in central Iowa with high production potential, we tested the hypothesis that nitrogen fertilization would increase aboveground biomass production but would decrease diversity of prairies sown and managed for bioenergy production. Over a 3 year period (years 2–4 after seeding), we measured aboveground biomass after plant senescence and species and functional‐group diversity in June and August for multispecies mixtures of prairie plants that received no fertilizer or 84 kg N ha−1 year−1. We found that nitrogen fertilization increased aboveground biomass production, but with or without fertilization, the prairies produced a substantial amount of biomass: averaging (±SE) 12.2 ± 1.3 and 9.1 ± 1.0 Mg ha−1 in fertilized and unfertilized prairies, respectively. Unfertilized prairies had higher species diversity in June, whereas fertilized prairies had higher species diversity in August at the end of the study period. Functional‐group diversity was almost always higher in fertilized prairies. Composition of unfertilized prairies was characterized by native C4 grasses and legumes, whereas fertilized prairies were characterized by native C3 grasses and forbs. Although most research has found that nitrogen fertilization reduces prairie diversity, our results indicate that early‐spring nitrogen fertilization, when used with a postsenescence annual harvest, may increase prairie diversity. Managing prairies for bioenergy production, including the judicious use of fertilization, may be an effective means of increasing the amount of saleable products from managed lands while potentially increasing plant diversity.
Detection of alkaline phosphatase in canine cells previously stained with Wright–Giemsa and its utility in differentiating osteosarcoma from other mesenchymal tumors
Authors: Ryseff Julia K. , Bohn Andrea A. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundOsteosarcoma (OSA) is a common primary bone tumor in dogs. Demonstration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reactivity by tumor cells on unstained slides is useful in differentiating osteosarcoma from other types of sarcoma. However, unstained slides are not always available.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting ALP expression in differentiating osteosarcoma from other sarcomas in dogs using cytologic material previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression for diagnosing osteosarcoma using a specific protocol.MethodsArchived aspirates of histologically confirmed sarcomas in dogs that had been previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain were treated with 5‐bromo, 4‐chloro, 3‐indolyl phosphate/nitroblue tetrazolium (BCIP/NBT) as a substrate for ALP. Cells were evaluated for expression of ALP after incubation with BCIP/NBT for 1 hour. Sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression for diagnosis of OSA were calculated.ResultsIn samples from 83 dogs, cells from 15/17 OSAs and from 4/66 tumors other than OSA (amelanotic melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, collision tumor, and anaplastic sarcoma) expressed ALP. Sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression detected using BCIP/NBT substrate applied to cells previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain for OSA were 88 and 94%, respectively.Conclusions
ALP expression detected using BCIP/NBT substrate applied to previously stained cells is useful in differentiating canine OSA from other mesenchymal neoplasms.
Reticular formation responses to magnetic brain stimulation of primary motor cortex
Authors: Fisher Karen M. , Zaaimi Boubker , Baker Stuart N. 
Published: June 2012

Key points
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a popular technique for the non‐invasive investigation of motor function and is often assumed to influence spinal circuits solely via the corticospinal tract.
In anaesthetized monkeys, we observed robust responses to TMS over motor cortex in single units recorded within the brainstem reticular formation.
Short latency responses were consistent with activation of a cortico‐reticular pathway. More powerful later responses seemed to be associated with the click sound produced by the coil on discharge.
Activation of brainstem neurones by sound must be considered as a potential confound during future TMS studies.
TMS might provide an easy, non‐invasive method for activating the motor reticular formation in human subjects.
Abstract  Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of cerebral cortex is a popular technique for the non‐invasive investigation of motor function. TMS is often assumed to influence spinal circuits solely via the corticospinal tract. We were interested in possible trans‐synaptic effects of cortical TMS on the ponto‐medullary reticular formation in the brainstem, which is the source of the reticulospinal tract and could also generate spinal motor output. We recorded from 210 single units in the reticular formation of three anaesthetized macaque monkeys whilst TMS was performed over primary motor cortex. Short latency responses were observed consistent with activation of a cortico‐reticular pathway. However, we also demonstrated surprisingly powerful responses at longer latency, which often appeared at lower threshold than the earlier effects. These late responses seemed to be generated partly as a consequence of the sound click made by coil discharge, and changed little with coil location. This novel finding has implications for the design of future studies using TMS, as well as suggesting a means of non‐invasively probing an otherwise inaccessible important motor centre.
Consumption of a high‐fat diet, but not regular endurance exercise training, regulates hypothalamic lipid accumulation in mice
Authors: Borg Melissa L. , Omran Simin Fallah , Weir Jacquelyn , Meikle Peter J. , Watt Matthew J. 
Published: June 2012

Key points
‘Lipotoxicity’ refers to the excessive accumulation of lipids in non‐adipose tissues that causes cellular dysfunction and, in severe cases, cell death. Lipotoxicity is often present in obesity.
It is unknown whether lipotoxicity occurs in the hypothalamus of the brain, an area involved in the regulation of feeding behaviour and energy balance.
We show that high‐fat feeding results in increased lipid content in the hypothalamus, including triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and ceramide, which was not reduced with 6 weeks of exercise training.
The obese leptin‐deficient ob/ob mouse fed a chow diet had normal hypothalamic lipid content.
These data show that dietary lipids regulate hypothalamic lipid accumulation, which is not readily reversed by exercise training.
Abstract  Obesity is characterised by increased storage of fatty acids in an expanded adipose tissue mass and in peripheral tissues such as the skeletal muscle and liver, where it is associated with the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance also develops in the central nervous system with high‐fat feeding. The capacity for hypothalamic cells to accumulate/store lipids, and the effects of obesity remain undefined. The aims of this study were (1) to examine hypothalamic lipid content in mice with increased dietary fat intake and in obese ob/ob mice fed a low‐fat diet, and (2) to determine whether endurance exercise training could reduce hypothalamic lipid accumulation in high‐fat fed mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a low‐ (LFD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks; ob/ob mice were maintained on a chow diet. HFD‐exercise (HFD‐ex) mice underwent 12 weeks of high‐fat feeding with 6 weeks of treadmill exercise training (increasing from 30 to 70 min day−1). Hypothalamic lipids were assessed by unbiased mass spectrometry. The HFD increased body mass and hepatic lipid accumulation, and induced glucose intolerance, while the HFD‐ex mice had reduced body weight and improved glucose tolerance. A total of 335 lipid molecular species were identified and quantified. Lipids known to induce insulin resistance, including ceramide (22%↑), diacylglycerol (25%↑), lysophosphatidylcholine (17%↑), cholesterol esters (60%↑) and dihexosylceramide (33%↑), were increased in the hypothalamus of HFD vs. LFD mice. Hypothalamic lipids were unaltered with exercise training and in the ob/ob mice, suggesting that obesity per se does not alter hypothalamic lipids. Overall, hypothalamic lipid accumulation is regulated by dietary lipid content and is refractory to change with endurance exercise training.
KCa channels and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids: major contributors to thermal hyperaemia in human skin
Authors: Brunt Vienna E. , Minson Christopher T. 
Published: June 2012

Key points
The increased blood flow associated with local heating of the skin is ∼60% dependent on nitric oxide. The remaining ∼40% is unknown.
Endothelial‐derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs), a class of vasodilators, are known to contribute to increases in blood flow in other vascular beds.
In the present study, we showed the drug tetraethylammonium (which blocks the channels involved in EDHF‐mediated vasodilatation), when given in combination with nitric oxide synthase inhibition, blocked the majority of hyperaemia to local heat, indicating that EDHFs are responsible for the majority of the remaining ∼40% of hyperaemia.
We also showed that about half of the EDHF‐component is attributed to a specific type of EDHF, epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), as evidenced using the cytochrome P450 inhibitor sulfaphenazole.
These findings help further our understanding of the mechanisms behind cutaneous thermal hyperaemia.
Abstract  While it is accepted that NO is responsible for ∼60% of the plateau in cutaneous thermal hyperaemia, a large portion of the response remains unknown. We sought to determine whether the remaining ∼40% could be attributed to EDHF‐mediated activation of KCa channels, and whether the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), derived via cytochrome P450, were the predominant EDHF active in the response. Four microdialysis fibres were placed in the forearm skin of 20 subjects. In Protocol 1 (n= 10): (1) Control, (2) NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), (3) a KCa channel inhibitor, tetraethylammonium (TEA), and (4) TEA +l‐NAME. In Protocol 2 (n= 10): (1) Control, (2) l‐NAME, (3) a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, sulfaphenazole, and (4) sulfaphenazole +l‐NAME. Local heating to 42°C was performed and skin blood flow was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry. Data are presented as the percentage of maximal cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC). All drug sites attenuated plateau CVC from the control site (86 ± 1%) to 79 ± 3% with sulfaphenazole (P= 0.02 from control), 71 ± 3% with TEA (P= 0.01 from control), and further to 38 ± 2% with l‐NAME (P < 0.001 from control, P < 0.001 from TEA). Plateau was largely attenuated with sulfaphenazole +l‐NAME (24 ± 2%; P= 0.002 from l‐NAME), and nearly abolished with l‐NAME + TEA (13 ± 2%; P= 0.001 from sulfaphenazole +l‐NAME), which was not different from baseline (P= 0.14). Furthermore, the initial peak was just 17 ± 2% with TEA +l‐NAME (P < 0.001 from l‐NAME). These data suggest EDHFs are responsible for a large portion of initial peak and the remaining 40% of the plateau phase, as administration of TEA in combination with l‐NAME abolished the majority of hyperaemia. These data also suggest EETs contribute to about half of the EDHF response.
Differential Detection of Avian Oncogenic Viruses in Poultry Layer Farms and Turkeys by Use of Multiplex PCR
Authors: Gopal Sathish , Manoharan Parthiban , Kathaperumal Kumanan , Chidambaram Balachandran , Divya Kurunchi C. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
Avian oncogenic viruses include Marek's disease virus (MDV), a highly contagious herpesvirus, as well as retroviruses such as avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroups A to J and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). In this study, we examined the incidence of these viruses in suspected samples collected from poultry layer farms of South India, mainly in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, a highly dense poultry-growing area in India. The histopathology-positive tissue sections were identified and further confirmed by immunohistochemistry using virus-specific antibodies. The viruses belonging to all 3 groups (MDV, ALV, and REV) were isolated in a cell culture system and confirmed by immunofluorescence using virus-specific antibodies. PCR appeared to be the method of choice for rapid and accurate diagnosis of these viruses. The multiplex PCR primers specific to MDV, ALV, REV, and chicken DNA were designed for rapid differential diagnosis. The specificity of the primers was checked by amplification of DNA from virus-infected cell culture in comparison with uninfected samples, and sensitivity was evaluated by calculating the minimum copy number at which amplification occurs in the cloned PCR products. The sequences of the amplicons were compared by BLAST analysis. PCR tests demonstrated the presence of single, dual, or triple viruses in some of the samples. Of 169 samples screened by multiplex PCR, 9 samples were positive for MDV, 17 samples were positive for ALV, 12 samples were positive for REV, and 17 samples were positive for both ALV and REV. Three samples were positive for all three viruses. ALV-positive samples were further subjected to subgroup-specific PCR, which gave positive results for subgroups B and D but not for subgroup J. Multiplex PCR appeared to be a useful technique for rapid differential diagnosis of avian oncogenic viruses and detection of multiple infections of avian oncogenic viruses under field conditions.