bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The response dynamics of rabbit retinal ganglion cells to simulated blur
Authors: RISNER MICHAEL L. , AMTHOR FRANKLIN R. , GAWNE TIMOTHY J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractRetinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are highly sensitive to changes in contrast, which is crucial for the detection of edges in a visual scene. However, in the natural environment, edges do not just vary in contrast, but edges also vary in the degree of blur, which can be caused by distance from the plane of fixation, motion, and shadows. Hence, blur is as much a characteristic of an edge as luminance contrast, yet its effects on the responses of RGCs are largely unexplored.We examined the responses of rabbit RGCs to sharp edges varying by contrast and also to high-contrast edges varying by blur. The width of the blur profile ranged from 0.73 to 13.05 deg of visual angle. For most RGCs, blurring a high-contrast edge produced the same pattern of reduction of response strength and increase in latency as decreasing the contrast of a sharp edge. In support of this, we found a significant correlation between the amount of blur required to reduce the response by 50% and the size of the receptive fields, suggesting that blur may operate by reducing the range of luminance values within the receptive field. These RGCs cannot individually encode for blur, and blur could only be estimated by comparing the responses of populations of neurons with different receptive field sizes. However, some RGCs showed a different pattern of changes in latency and magnitude with changes in contrast and blur; these neurons could encode blur directly.We also tested whether the response of a RGC to a blurred edge was linear, that is, whether the response of a neuron to a sharp edge was equal to the response to a blurred edge plus the response to the missing spatial components that were the difference between a sharp and blurred edge. Brisk-sustained cells were more linear; however, brisk-transient cells exhibited both linear and nonlinear behavior.
Six different roles for crossover inhibition in the retina: Correcting the nonlinearities of synaptic transmission
Authors: WERBLIN FRANK S. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractEarly retinal studies categorized ganglion cell behavior as either linear or nonlinear and rectifying as represented by the familiar X- and Y-type ganglion cells in cat. Nonlinear behavior is in large part a consequence of the rectifying nonlinearities inherent in synaptic transmission. These nonlinear signals underlie many special functions in retinal processing, including motion detection, motion in motion, and local edge detection. But linear behavior is also required for some visual processing tasks. For these tasks, the inherently nonlinear signals are “linearized” by “crossover inhibition.” Linearization utilizes a circuitry whereby nonlinear ON inhibition adds with nonlinear OFF excitation or ON excitation adds with OFF inhibition to generate a more linear postsynaptic voltage response. Crossover inhibition has now been measured in most bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells. Functionally crossover inhibition enhances edge detection, allows ganglion cells to recognize luminance-neutral patterns with their receptive fields, permits ganglion cells to distinguish contrast from luminance, and maintains a more constant conductance during the light response. In some cases, crossover extends the operating range of cone-driven OFF ganglion cells into the scotopic levels. Crossover inhibition is also found in neurons of the lateral geniculate nucleus and V1.
Emerging obesity and dietary habits among James Bay Cree youth
Authors: Khalil Cynthia Bou , Johnson-Down Louise , Egeland Grace M 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo describe dietary habits and extent of overweight and obesity among Cree youth.DesignDietary intake and habits were assessed by a 24 h recall and FFQ as part of a cross-sectional survey.SettingThree Cree communities in northern Québec, Canada.SubjectsA total of 125 youth aged 9–18 years.ResultsOverall 67·6 % of the study population was either at risk of overweight or overweight. Over 98 % had a usual saturated fat intake over 10 % of energy while 65 % had a lower consumption of fruit/vegetables and 95 % had a lower consumption of milk and milk products than recommended by Canada’s Food Guide. The majority (96·8 %) consumed high-fat foods (>40 % of total energy as fat), which accounted for 39 % of total energy intake (EI). Similarly, 92·8 % consumed high-sugar food and beverages (>25 % of total energy as sugar), which accounted for 12·8 % of total EI. Furthermore, 95 % of the youth had a Healthy Eating Index (HEI) below the recommended score of 80 or above. Certain measures of diet quality (traditional food (TF) consumption, HEI and vegetables and fruit consumption) were significantly correlated with adiposity measures.ConclusionsA high prevalence of low-diet quality was found with a high degree of sugar and fat intake and a low consumption of vegetables/fruit and milk/milk alternates and any weekly TF. Dietary interventions are sorely needed.
Tracking excess weight and obesity from childhood to young adulthood: a 12-year prospective cohort study in Slovenia
Authors: Starc Gregor , Strel Janko 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to examine the tracking of obesity from childhood to young adulthood in Slovenia.SubjectsA subsample included 4833 children from the Slovenian national sample (n21 777) who were included in the SLOFIT monitoring system from 1997 to 2008, with complete data at 7 years and 18 years.DesignA 12-year prospective cohort study. Height, weight and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were measured at 7, 11, 14 and 18 years. The BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Taskforce were used to identify excess weight and obesity.SettingThe survey was conducted in Slovenian primary and secondary schools from 1988 to 2008 but only the data from the measurements in 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2008 are presented.ResultsHeight, weight and BMI at 18 years were well predicted from childhood and became more predictable with age, while TSF was not. Obese and overweight children had the greatest risk of becoming obese or overweight young adults. The history of their weight shows that 40·0 % of males and 48·6 % of females who were obese at 18 years had already been obese at 7 years.ConclusionsOverweight or obese Slovenian children are more likely to become overweight or obese adolescents and young adults than reported in other similar European and American studies, which indicates the need for early prevention and treatment of excess weight and obesity.
Vitamin D supplementation in young children: associations with Theory of Planned Behaviour variables, descriptive norms, moral norms and habits
Authors: de Nooijer Jascha , Onnink Monique , van Assema Patricia 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectiveIn the Netherlands, a supplementation of 10 μg vitamin D is recommended for children (aged 0–4 years), given that vitamin D contributes to the development of healthy bones and deficiency during childhood is a risk factor for osteoporosis at a later age. However, only 60 % of the Dutch children receive sufficient vitamin D supplementation a day. In order to develop interventions to improve supplementation intake, it is necessary to gain insight into the behaviour of parents in giving their children vitamin D supplementation and its association with variables of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, moral and descriptive norms and habits.DesignA cross-sectional survey to assess present supplementation-related behaviour, knowledge, received information, intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, moral norm, descriptive norm and habit.SettingData obtained from a representative Internet Panel by means of electronic questionnaires.SubjectsParents (n 270) of children aged 0–4 years.ResultsHalf of the parents (48·9 %) gave their child sufficient vitamin D supplementation. Giving the supplement at a fixed time, a positive intention and habit were significantly associated with actual behaviour. The higher age of the child, first-born status, a fixed time for taking vitamin supplementation, descriptive norm and moral obligation were significantly associated with intention.ConclusionsThese results indicate that because many parents do not give their children adequate vitamin D supplementation, the promotion of supplementation during the first years of life is a necessity. Effective yet simple strategies should be developed, focused on improving moral obligation, descriptive norms and habit formation.
Dissimilatory reduction of nitrate in seawater by a Methylophaga strain containing two highly divergent narG sequences
Authors: Auclair Julie , Lépine François , Parent Serge , Villemur Richard 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Methylophaga spp. are methylotrophs commonly associated with marine environments and have been defined as strict aerobic methylotrophs. They have been shown previously to represent 50–70% of the bacterial population in the biofilm of the methanol-fed denitrification reactor treating a large seawater aquarium at the Montreal Biodome. It was therefore surprising to find such a high concentration of Methylophaga spp. in anoxic conditions. In this study, we showed by cultivation-independent and -dependent approaches that one Methylophaga strain present in the anoxic biofilm is involved in the denitrification process. DNA stable-isotope probing (SIP) experiments in which the biofilm was cultured under denitrifying conditions with 13C-methanol have revealed the enrichment of one particular taxon. By screening a 16S ribosomal RNA gene library derived from a 13C-DNA fraction of the SIP gradients, 62% of the library was composed of one sequence affiliated with the genus Methylophaga. One strain, named JAM1, representing this Methylophaga species was isolated. It grows aerobically but also under denitrifying conditions by reducing nitrate into nitrite. The nitrate-reducing activity was correlated with the presence and the expression of two highly divergent narG genes (narG1 and narG2). narG1 showed a high percentage of identity with the corresponding part of narG found in Thiobacillus denitrificans, which suggests a recent acquisition of narG in strain JAM1 by horizontal gene transfer. This study provides the first direct evidence of the adaptation of a Methylophaga species to an oxygen-limited environment.
Structure of the histone chaperone CIA/ASF1–double bromodomain complex linking histone modifications and site-specific histone eviction
Authors: Akai Yusuke , Adachi Naruhiko , Hayashi Yohei , Eitoku Masamitsu , Sano Norihiko , Natsume Ryo , Kudo Norio , Tanokura Masaru , Senda Toshiya , Horikoshi Masami 
Published: April 2010

Nucleosomes around the promoter region are disassembled for transcription in response to various signals, such as acetylation and methylation of histones. Although the interactions between histone-acetylation-recognizing bromodomains and factors involved in nucleosome disassembly have been reported, no structural basis connecting histone modifications and nucleosome disassembly has been obtained. Here, we determined at 3.3 Å resolution the crystal structure of histone chaperone cell cycle gene 1 (CCG1) interacting factor A/antisilencing function 1 (CIA/ASF1) in complex with the double bromodomain in the CCG1/TAF1/TAF(II)250 subunit of transcription factor IID. Structural, biochemical, and biological studies suggested that interaction between double bromodomain and CIA/ASF1 is required for their colocalization, histone eviction, and pol II entry at active promoter regions. Furthermore, the present crystal structure has characteristics that can connect histone acetylation and CIA/ASF1-mediated histone eviction. These findings suggest that the molecular complex between CIA/ASF1 and the double bromodomain plays a key role in site-specific histone eviction at active promoter regions. The model we propose here is the initial structure-based model of the biological signaling from
hi
stone
mo
difications to
st
ructural change of the nucleosome (hi-MOST model).
Defensin‐mRNA Expression in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Is Modulated in Children With Celiac Disease and Helicobacter pylori–positive Gastritis
Authors: Vordenbäumen Stefan , Pilic Denisa , Otte Jan‐Michel , Schmitz Frank , Schmidt‐Choudhury Anjona 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:Defensins are expressed in epithelial cells as cationic peptides with antimicrobial properties. Because of their role as immunologically important effector molecules, their contribution in maintaining a stable microenvironment in the gastrointestinal tract has recently received much attention. The present study was designed to further characterize expression patterns of defensins in diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract in children, particularly in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)–associated gastritis or celiac disease (CD).Patients and Methods:Semiquantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out with gene‐specific primers for human β‐defensin 1 to 6 (hBD1 to 6) and human α‐defensin 5 and 6 (hD5 and 6) in mucosal biopsies of children diagnosed as having CD (n = 11; 4.2–16.2 years) or Hp gastritis (n = 18; 3.2–16.7 years). Levels of expression were compared with those of healthy individuals (n = 21; 2.8–14.6 years). Expression levels in Hp‐infected specimens were furthermore compared with those with histologic inflammation not associated with Hp infection (n = 30; 3.6–15.7 years).Results:Expression of hBD2 was upregulated in the antrum and corpus of patients with Hp gastritis, whereas inflammation without detection of Hp was not associated with any change in defensin gene expression. In patients with CD, expression of hBD2 was upregulated in the antrum, whereas hBD1 and 4 were downregulated in duodenal biopsies.Conclusions:Different pathological conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract lead to specific modulations of defensin gene expression in children. Especially the pathophysiological role of hBD2 in Hp infection and hBD1 and 4 in CD warrant further attention.
Parental perspectives on caring for a child with chronic kidney disease: an in‐depth interview study
Authors: Tong A. , Lowe A. , Sainsbury P. , Craig J. C. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  Children diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) depend on their parents for complex, continuous and intensive support. The study aimed to explore the experiences of parents who have children with CKD.Methods  Parents of 20 children with CKD, recruited from two paediatric hospitals in Australia, participated in an in‐depth interview, qualitative study.Results  Four major themes were identified: (1) absorbing the clinical environment: parents struggled to accept the diagnosis and permanence of CKD, felt traumatized watching their child undergo invasive clinical procedures, battled to meet appointments, negotiated with staff for their child's needs and felt disempowered; (2) medicalizing parenting: parents became caregivers, a role which was stressful, exhausting and overwhelming. Dialysis was unrelenting and consumed the time, thoughts and energy of parents who felt at fault if their child developed infections and other complications. Parents struggled with their child's psychological problems and episodic aggressive behaviour; (3) disrupting family norms: CKD caused spousal tension, sibling neglect and influenced family planning; (4) coping strategies and support structures: Parents depended on support from their health care providers and valued meeting and learning from other parents of CKD children. Parents also expressed information needs and suggested methods of communicating information.Conclusions  Despite facing profound and pervasive difficulties, parents strived to fulfil their dual parental and health care provider responsibilities. Parents appear to need better support structures to help them cope with the difficulties encountered during all stages of their child's illness.
Functional disability in paediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain
Authors: Wendland M. , Jackson Y. , Stokes L. D. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is common in childhood, affecting approximately 12% of children and adolescents. Children with RAP tend to experience impairments in functioning, such as increased school absences, anxiety and depression.Methods  The current study investigated the potential influences on the relation between functional disability and RAP in 100 school‐aged children. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test two models: main effects and moderation of the relation between abdominal pain symptoms, child anxiety, child depression, maternal emotional distress, maternal encouragement of child illness behaviour and functional disability.Results  The results indicated support for abdominal pain symptoms and child depression in predicting functional disability. The results also indicated that child anxiety and child depression each moderated the relation between pain symptoms and functional disability.Conclusions  Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of potential influences on the development of functional disability in youth.
Inflammation reduces HDL protection against primary cardiac risk
Authors: Corsetti James P. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Sparks Charles E. , Dullaart Robin P. F. 
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 483–489AbstractBackground  We recently reported high high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol as a predictor of recurrent risk in a subgroup of postinfarction patients defined by hypercholesterolemia and high C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. We investigated whether a similar high‐risk subgroup might exist for incident cardiovascular disease.Material and Methods  A graphical exploratory data analysis tool was used to identify high‐risk subgroups in a male population‐based cohort (n = 3405) from the prevention of renal and vascular end‐stage disease study by generating 3‐dimensional mappings of risk over the HDL‐cholesterol/CRP domain with subsequent use of Kaplan–Meier analysis to verify high‐risk. Within‐subgroup risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results  Mappings revealed two high‐risk subgroups: a low HDL‐cholesterol/high CRP subgroup and a high HDL‐cholesterol/high CRP subgroup. The low HDL‐cholesterol subgroup demonstrated a pattern of metabolic syndrome dyslipidemia contrasted with a predominantly unremarkable biomarker pattern for the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup. However, in the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, CRP levels were higher than the low HDL‐cholesterol subgroup; and within the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, CRP predicted risk. Moreover, in the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, risk was associated with lower triglyceride levels in conjunction with presumptively larger HDL particles.Conclusions  High HDL‐cholesterol and high CRP levels define a subgroup of men at high‐risk for incident cardiovascular disease. High HDL cholesterol‐associated risk likely relates to impaired HDL particle remodelling in the setting of inflammation. This approach may facilitate identification of additional inflammation‐related mechanisms underlying high HDL cholesterol‐associated risk; and potentially influence management of such patients.
Expression of STAMP2 in monocytes associates with cardiovascular alterations
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Hao , Zhang Wei , Gong Hui‐Ping , Guo Zhong‐Xiu , Zhao Jing , Shang Yuan‐Yuan , Feng Jin‐Bo , Zhang Yun , Zhong Ming 
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 490–496AbstractBackground  Metabolic and inflammatory pathways crosstalk at many levels. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of six‐transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) in macrophages and tried to search for the association between the decreased STAMP2 expression, if any, and carotid atherosclerosis as well as cardiac adaptations.Materials and methods  A total of 97 unrelated Chinese subjects were recruited including 48 subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 49 controls. Clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected from subjects, with quantification of STAMP2 in monocyte/macrophages. All subjects underwent ultrasonography.Results  STAMP2 expression in macrophages was significantly decreased in MetS as compared with the control group (10·25 ± 9·20 vs. 15·20 ± 9·18, P = 0·009), especially in women patients. Partial correlation analysis showed that STAMP2 expression in macrophages correlated with BMI (r = −0·375, P = 0·045), age (r = 0·414, P = 0·026) and HDL (r = 0·377, P = 0·044) after controlling for systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, STAMP2 expression was correlated with PI (r = −0·454, P = 0·013), LVEF (r = −0·503, P = 0·005), LA‐ESR (r = −0·424, P = 0·022), LA‐S (r = 0·469, P = 0·010) and mitral E/A ratio (r = 0·492, P = 0·005) after controlling for SBP. Still, in multivariable analysis, STAMP2 expression was independently associated with IMTmean, PI and mitral E/A ratio.Conclusions  In MetS patients, especially women patients, STAMP2 expression was down‐regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cell, which was correlated with carotid atherosclerosis and cardiac adaptation.
ADHD symptom presentation and trajectory in adults with borderline and mild intellectual disability
Authors: Xenitidis K. , Paliokosta E. , Rose E. , Maltezos S. , Bramham J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  This study examined symptoms and lifetime course of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults with borderline and mild Intellectual Disability (ID).Method  A total of 48 adults with ID and ADHD were compared with 221 adults with ADHD without ID using the informant Barkley scale for childhood and adulthood symptoms.Results  The ADHD/ID group presented with greater severity of (adult and childhood) symptoms compared with the non‐ID group. For the ADHD/non‐ID group, most symptoms improved significantly from childhood to adulthood, whereas only two symptoms changed significantly for the ID group. Principal component analysis revealed scattered loading of different items into five components for the ADHD/ID group that were not consistent with the classic clusters of inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. A negative correlation was found between severity of symptoms and IQ.Conclusions  ADHD in adults with ID may have a more severe presentation and an uneven and less favourable pattern of improvement across the lifespan in comparison with adults without ID.