bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Videogames as cultural devices: development of spatial skills and application in learning
Authors: Sedeño Ana 
Published: March 2010

A videogame is a cultural device with its own socializing functions, as stated by most of the media. The high levels of pleasure and enjoyment it gives players make it essential to analyse its potential as an educational tool, more so if there is an awareness of its value as a vehicle for personality development among young people. This paper tries to provide current examples of the wide range of videogames and their ability to develop certain skills related to the dynamic representation of space, within Jerome Bruner´s learning model. There is analysis of how adventure, strategy, simulation and role-playing games improve the development of skills such as reflection, strategic and tactical reasoning, or mental agility and economic challenges. Furthermore, data is provided on the present rating systems for game choice e.g.: ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) valid in the U.S.A, and PEGI, from the European Federation for Interactive Software. Both are accepted by aDeSe (Asociation for Distributors and Editors of Entertainment Software) and both try to help parents and teachers recognise its content and suitability for the different range of ages and profiles. To sum up, the essay attempts to show the importance of videogames in the teaching-learning process by providing up-to-date examples.El videojuego es un dispositivo cultural con sus propias funciones de socialización, como la mayoría de los mensajes de los medios de comunicación. Los altos niveles de placer y disfrute que proporciona a los jugadores hacen imprescindible el análisis de sus potencialidades generales como herramienta educativa, mucho más si se es consciente de que sirven como vehículos para la definición de identidades entre la juventud. El presente trabajo proporciona ejemplos actuales de diferentes tipos de videojuegos y sus posibilidades para desarrollar ciertas habilidades y destrezas relacionadas con la representación dinámica del espacio, dentro del modelo de aprendizaje de Jerome Bruner. Se reflexiona acerca de cómo los videojuegos de estrategia, aventura, simulación o rol desarrollan capacidades como la reflexión, el razonamiento estratégico y táctico o la agilidad mental. Además, se proporcionan datos sobre los sistemas vigentes de clasificación de contenidos como el ESRB del Comité para la Evaluación del Software de Entretenimiento de EEUU y el PEGI de la Federación Europea de Software Interactivo. Ambos son aceptados por la Asociación de Distribuidores y Editores de Software de Entretenimiento (aDeSe) y pretenden ayudar a los padres y educadores a discernir sobre sus contenidos y su adecuación para diferentes edades y tipos de jugadores. En resumen, se intenta transmitir la importancia del videojuego para el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, con especial atención en proporcionar ejemplos actuales.
Developing cognitive skills with mobile learning: A case study
Authors: Ramos-Elizondo Ana-Isabel , Herrera-Bernal José-Alberto , Ramírez-Montoya María-Soledad 
Published: March 2010

This article presents a multiple case study carried out when mobile learning (mLearning) was first introduced to 3.000 freshmen of two university campuses in Mexico. The objective was to analyze mLearning resources in four courses to identify how they help develop cognitive skills in students. Focus group interviews, surveys, document analysis and non-intrusive observation were used. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in order to link the results and the theoretical information within the two variables that guided this study: mLearning and cognitive abilities. The results show that by using mLearning resources it changes the learning environment by converting any setting into a collaborative and innovative environment. Results also show that the design of mLearning resources must be based on educational theories and strategies to be effective, and also the nature of the subject and resource type are related to the developed cognitive abilities. Also it was found that although students are not aware of it, mLearning resources and the use of mobile devices assists them in developing strategies that promote cognitive skills such as problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, creative thinking and melioration.
El artículo presenta un estudio de casos múltiples de la implementación, a gran escala, de un proyecto de aprendizaje móvil. El proyecto se implementó con 3.000 estudiantes de primer semestre de profesional en dos campus de una institución educativa privada de México. El objetivo fue analizar los recursos de aprendizaje móvil de cuatro cursos para identificar cómo se trataba de promover el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas en los estudiantes. Se utilizaron entrevistas a través de «focus group», encuestas, análisis de documentos y observación no intrusiva. Los datos fueron analizados en forma cuantitativa y cualitativa y se relacionaron con el sustento teórico de las dos variables conceptuales que guiaron este estudio: aprendizaje móvil –mLearning– y habilidades cognitivas. Los resultados indicaron que el uso de recursos mLearning modifica el ambiente de aprendizaje al convertir cualquier escenario en un ambiente innovador y colaborativo; que el diseño de los recursos mLearning debe sustentarse en teorías y estrategias educativas para ser efectivos y que la naturaleza de la materia y el tipo de recurso están relacionados a las habilidades cognitivas que se desarrollan. Además se encontró que aunque los estudiantes no están conscientes de ello, los recursos mLearning y el uso de dispositivos móviles los apoyan en estrategias que promueven el desarrollo de las habilidades cognitivas como solución de problemas, toma de decisiones, pensamiento crítico, pensamiento creativo y «melioration».
IL-7 Is Essential for Homeostatic Control of T Cell Metabolism In Vivo
Authors: Jacobs Sarah R. , Michalek Ryan D. , Rathmell Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
It has become apparent that T cells require growth signals to maintain function and viability necessary to maintain proper immune homeostasis. One means by which cell extrinsic signals may mediate these effects is by sustaining sufficient basal cell metabolism to prevent cell atrophy. The role of metabolism and the specific growth factors essential to maintain metabolism of mature T cells in vivo, however, are poorly defined. As IL-7 is a nonredundant cytokine required for T cell development and survival and can regulate T cell metabolism in vitro, we hypothesized it may be essential to sustain metabolism of resting T cells in vivo. Thus, we generated a model for conditional expression of IL-7R in mature T cells. After IL-7R deletion in a generally normal lymphoid environment, T cells had reduced responses to IL-7, including abrogated signaling and maintenance of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family expression that corresponded to decreased survival in vitro. T cell survival in vivo was also reduced after loss of the IL-7R in a T cell-intrinsic manner. Additionally, IL-7R deletion resulted in delayed growth and proliferation following stimulation. Importantly, in vivo excision of IL-7R led to T cell atrophy that was characterized by delayed mitogenesis and reduced glycolytic flux. These data are the first to identify an in vivo requirement for a specific cell extrinsic signal to sustain lymphocyte metabolism and suggest that control of glycolysis by IL-7R may contribute to the well-described roles of IL-7 in T cell development, homeostatic proliferation, and survival.
Prediction of nonspecific side effects in rheumatoid arthritis patients by beliefs about medicines
Authors: Nestoriuc Yvonne , Orav E. John , Liang Matthew H. , Horne Robert , Barsky Arthur J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines the determinants of patients' side effects from arthritis medication. Proposed predictors were patients' beliefs about medications, objective disease activity, treatment regimen, and psychiatric and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.MethodsIn a longitudinal design, 100 rheumatoid arthritis outpatients were investigated at baseline and again at 6 months after receiving both pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment.ResultsMultivariate analyses showed no influence of disease status, type of treatment, or psychiatric or arthritis symptoms on side effects. Heightened concerns about arthritis medication at baseline predicted side effects at baseline (partial correlation r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and at 6 months (partial correlation r = 0.25, P < 0.001) after controlling for relevant disease‐ and treatment‐related variables. In a cross‐lagged panel analysis, prior experience with side effects from arthritis medication was ruled out as a cause of heightened concerns, indicating that negative beliefs genuinely contribute to side effects. A comparison of patients who did and did not start new medications showed no difference in side effects in patients with positive beliefs about medications, but led to significantly more side effects in patients with negative beliefs.ConclusionPatients' beliefs about arthritis medications were stable and consistently associated with side effects. Patients with greater concerns about their arthritis medications are at higher risk for developing side effects, especially when starting new drugs. Identifying those patients is important to avoid premature drug discontinuation. Research into cause and preventability of negative attitudes to prescribed medicines is needed.
Frequency, predictors, and prognosis of sustained minimal disease activity in an observational psoriatic arthritis cohort
Authors: Coates Laura C. , Cook Richard , Lee Ker‐Ai , Chandran Vinod , Gladman Dafna D. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo establish the frequency and predictors of minimal disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to investigate the prognostic ability of minimal disease activity criteria to predict future joint damage.MethodsThe study was conducted using an observational PsA cohort. Patients were classified as being in minimal disease activity if they fulfilled the criteria on consecutive visits for >12 months. Predictive factors for minimal disease activity and joint damage were investigated using regression models. Joint damage progression was based on clinically damaged joint counts.ResultsOf the 344 patients, 208 (60%) achieved minimal disease activity at ≥1 visit and 116 (34%) achieved minimal disease activity for ≥12 months (sustained minimal disease activity). The average duration of minimal disease activity was 28 months (range 12–48 months). Twelve patients (10%) experienced a flare of disease after 34 months in minimal disease activity. Low erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and oligoarthritis were predictors of achieving sustained minimal disease activity (P < 0.03). The mean change in damaged joint counts was 0.931 (range 0–12) in the sustained minimal disease activity group and 2.245 (range 0–17) in the controls (P < 0.001). Of the sustained minimal disease activity group, 69% showed no progression of joint damage, compared with 51% in the control group. Elevated ESR, baseline joint damage, and use of biologic therapies increased the likelihood of damage progression (P < 0.05).ConclusionMinimal disease activity was achieved by a significant proportion of patients and was sustained in one‐third of the population studied. Patients achieving sustained minimal disease activity had a significant reduction in joint damage progression. Other factors, representing disease activity and disease severity, impact on the likelihood of achieving sustained minimal disease activity and on damage progression.
Quasi‐Amorphous Inorganic Thin Films: Non‐Crystalline Polar Phases
Authors: Wachtel Ellen , Lubomirsky Igor 
Published: February 2010

AbstractQuasi‐amorphous thin films of BaTiO3, SrTiO3, and BaZrO3 are the only known examples of inorganic, non‐crystalline, polar materials. The conditions under which they are formed and the origin of their polarity set these materials apart from other classes of inorganic materials. The most important feature of the quasi‐amorphous phase is that the polarity is the result of the orientational ordering of local bonding units but without any detectable spatial periodicity. This mechanism is reminiscent of that observed in ferroelectric polymers and permits compounds that do not have polar crystalline polymorphs, such as SrTiO3 and BaZrO3, to form polar non‐crystalline solids. In the present report, we provide an overview of the essential features of these materials including preparation, structure, and chemical composition. The report also reviews our current level of understanding and offers some guidelines for further development and application of non‐crystalline inorganic polar materials.
Combinated Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells and Collagen Type I Promote Functional Recovery After Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Yu Hongwei , Cao Bo , Feng Meiyan , Zhou Qiang , Sun Xiaodong , Wu Shuliang , Jin Shizhu , Liu Huiwen , Lianhong Jin 
Published: February 2010

AbstractUsing tissue engineering, a complex of neural stem cells (NSCs) and collagen type I was transplanted for the therapy of cerebral ischemic injury. NSCs from E14 d rats were dissociated and cultured by neurosphere formation in serum‐free medium in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), then seeded onto collagen to measure cell adhesive ability. BrdU was added to the culture medium to label the NSCs. Wistar rats (n=100) were subjected to 2‐hour middle cerebral artery occlusion. After 24 hours of reperfusion, rats were assigned randomly to five groups: NSCs‐collagen repair group, NSCs repair group, unseeded collagen repair group, MCAO medium group, and sham group. Neurological, immunohistological and electronic microscope assessments were performed to examine the effects of these treatments. Scanning electronic microscopy showed that NSCs assemble in the pores of collagen. At 3, 7, 15, and 30 d after transplantation of the NSC‐collagen complex, some of the engrafted NSCs survive, differentiate and form synapses in the brains of rats subjected to cerebral ischemia. Six d after transplantation of the NSC‐collagen complex into the brains of ischemic rats, the collagen began to degrade; 30 d after transplantation, the collagen had degraded completely. The implantation of NSCs and type I collagen facilitated the structural and functional recovery of neural tissue following ischemic injury. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and HLA Class I and Class II interactions and age‐at‐onset effects
Authors: Hollenbach Jill A. , Thompson Susan D. , Bugawan Teodorica L. , Ryan Mary , Sudman Marc , Marion Miranda , Langefeld Carl D. , Thomson Glenys , Erlich Henry A. , Glass David N. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to quantitate risk and to examine heterogeneity for HLA at high resolution in patients with the most common subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), IgM rheumatoid factor–negative polyarticular JIA and oligoarticular JIA. Use of 4‐digit comprehensive HLA typing enabled great precision, and a large cohort allowed for consideration of both age at disease onset and disease subtype.MethodsPolymerase chain reaction–based high‐resolution HLA typing for class I and class II loci was accomplished for 820 patients with JIA and 273 control subjects. Specific HLA epitopes, potential interactions of alleles at specific loci and between loci (accounting for linkage disequilibrium and haplotypic associations), and an assessment of the current International League of Associations for Rheumatology classification criteria were considered.ResultsAn HLA–DRB1/DQB1 effect was shown to be exclusively attributable to DRB1 and was similar between patients with oligoarticular JIA and a younger subgroup of patients with polyarticular JIA. Furthermore, patients with polyarticular JIA showed age‐specific related effects, with disease susceptibility in the group older than age 6 years limited to an effect of the HLA–DRB1*08 haplotype, which is markedly different from the additional susceptibility haplotypes, HLA–DRB1*1103/1104, found in the group with oligoarticular JIA and the group of younger patients with polyarticular JIA. Also in contrast to findings for oligoarticular JIA, patients with polyarticular arthritis had no evidence of an HLA class I effect. Markers associated with a reduced risk of disease included DRB1*1501, DRB1*0401, and DRB1*0701. DRB1*1501 was shown to reduce risk across the whole cohort, whereas DRB1*0401 and DRB1*0701 were protective for selected JIA subtypes. Surprisingly, the disease predisposition mediated by DPB1*0201 in individuals without any disease‐predisposing DRB1 alleles was great enough to overcome even the very strong protective effect observed for DRB1*1501.ConclusionInherited HLA factors in JIA show similarities overall as well as differences between JIA subtypes.
Is the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis rising?: Results from Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1955–2007
Authors: Myasoedova Elena , Crowson Cynthia S. , Kremers Hilal Maradit , Therneau Terry M. , Gabriel Sherine E. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo examine trends in the incidence and prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 1995 to 2007.MethodsTo augment our preexisting inception cohort of patients with RA (1955–1994), we assembled a population‐based incidence cohort of individuals ≥18 years of age who first fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for the classification of RA between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2007 and a cohort of patients with prevalent RA on January 1, 2005. Incidence and prevalence rates were estimated and were age‐and sex‐adjusted to the white population in the US in 2000. Trends in incidence rates were examined using Poisson regression methods.ResultsThe 1995–2007 incidence cohort comprised 466 patients (mean age 55.6 years), 69% of whom were female and 66% of whom were rheumatoid factor positive. The overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted annual RA incidence was 40.9/100,000 population. The age‐adjusted incidence in women was 53.1/100,000 population (versus 27.7/100,000 population in men). During the period of time from 1995 to 2007, the incidence of RA increased moderately in women (P = 0.02) but not in men (P = 0.74). The increase was similar among all age groups. The overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence on January 1, 2005 was 0.72% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.66, 0.77), which is an increase when compared with a prevalence of 0.62% (95% CI 0.55, 0.69) in 1995 (P < 0.001). Applying the prevalence on January 1, 2005 to the US population in 2005 showed that an estimated 1.5 million US adults were affected by RA. This is an increase from the previously reported 1.3 million adults with RA in the US.ConclusionThe incidence of RA in women appears to have increased during the period of time from 1995 to 2007. The reasons for this recent increase are unknown, but environmental factors may play a role. A corresponding increase in the prevalence of RA was also observed.
Inducible costimulator ligand regulates bleomycin‐induced lung and skin fibrosis in a mouse model independently of the inducible costimulator/inducible costimulator ligand pathway
Authors: Tanaka Chihiro , Fujimoto Manabu , Hamaguchi Yasuhito , Sato Shinichi , Takehara Kazuhiko , Hasegawa Minoru 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveSystemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, including the lungs. Inducible costimulator (ICOS), which is expressed on activated T cells, and its ligand ICOSL, which is expressed on antigen‐presenting cells, have been considered a single receptor–ligand pair. Although the ICOS/ICOSL pathway is known to play various roles in adaptive immunity, its roles in innate immunity and tissue fibrosis remain unknown.MethodsWe assessed the roles of ICOS and ICOSL in tissue fibrosis by administering bleomycin intratracheally or intradermally into mice deficient in ICOS and/or ICOSL. Tissue fibrosis was evaluated by histologic or biochemical examination.ResultsICOS deficiency attenuated the lung and skin fibrosis, whereas ICOSL deficiency aggravated it. Mice deficient in both ICOS and ICOSL exhibited accelerated fibrosis, reflecting a dominant role of ICOSL over ICOS in this model. Interestingly, ICOSL expression on macrophages and B cells derived from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly elevated in ICOS‐deficient mice as compared with wild‐type mice during this process. Thus, the levels of ICOSL expression on B cells and macrophages were inversely associated with the severity of tissue fibrosis.ConclusionOur results indicate that ICOSL expression on antigen‐presenting cells plays a previously unknown regulatory role during the development of bleomycin‐induced tissue fibrosis that is independent of the ICOS/ICOSL pathway. Further studies will be needed to clarify the roles of ICOS and ICOSL in the development of systemic sclerosis.
Simvastatin inhibits cytokine‐stimulated Cyr61 expression in osteoblastic cells: A therapeutic benefit for arthritis
Authors: Kok Sang‐Heng , Hou Kuo‐Liang , Hong Chi‐Yuan , Wang Juo‐Song , Liang Po‐Chin , Chang Cheng‐Chi , Hsiao Michael , Yang Hsiang , Lai Eddie Hsiang‐Hua , Lin Sze‐Kwan 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on Cyr61 expression in osteoblastic cells and the modulatory action of simvastatin, to assess the role of CREB in Cyr61 induction, and to investigate the relationship of osteoblastic expression of Cyr61 to disease progression in experimental arthritis.MethodsCyr61 expression and CREB phosphorylation at serine 133 were examined by Western blotting. Promoter activity of Cyr61 was assessed by luciferase assay with promoter deletion/mutagenesis and forced expression/gene silencing of CREB. Interaction between CREB and the Cyr61 promoter was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. CCL2 expression was examined by Northern blotting and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In rats with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), osteoblastic expression of Cyr61 was examined by immunohistochemistry, and disease progression was assessed by clinical, radiographic, and histologic examination.ResultsIn primary human osteoblasts and U2OS cells, Cyr61 expression stimulated by tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), oncostatin M (OSM), and other IL‐6–family cytokines was suppressed by simvastatin. In U2OS cells, simvastatin inhibited OSM‐induced CREB phosphorylation and CREB–DNA binding. Knockdown of CREB by short hairpin RNA reduced Cyr61 synthesis. OSM‐induced Cyr61 promoter activation was dependent on CRE–CREB interaction and inhibited by simvastatin. Cyr61 enhanced CCL2 expression by U2OS cells. Intraarticular injection of simvastatin inhibited CIA progression and diminished the number of Cyr61+ osteoblasts and infiltrating macrophages.ConclusionSimvastatin inhibited cytokine‐stimulated Cyr61 expression in osteoblastic cells and suppressed disease progression and osteoblastic expression of Cyr61 in inflammatory arthritis. This finding indicates that simvastatin may have potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory arthritis.