bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The perception and identification of facial emotions in individuals with autism spectrum disorders using the Let’s Face It! Emotion Skills Battery
Authors: Tanaka James W. , Wolf Julie M. , Klaiman Cheryl , Koenig Kathleen , Cockburn Jeffrey , Herlihy Lauren , Brown Carla , Stahl Sherin S. , South Mikle , McPartland James C. , Kaiser Martha D. , Schultz Robert T. 
Published: July 2012

Background:  Although impaired social–emotional ability is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the perceptual skills and mediating strategies contributing to the social deficits of autism are not well understood. A perceptual skill that is fundamental to effective social communication is the ability to accurately perceive and interpret facial emotions. To evaluate the expression processing of participants with ASD, we designed the Let’s Face It! Emotion Skills Battery (LFI! Battery), a computer‐based assessment composed of three subscales measuring verbal and perceptual skills implicated in the recognition of facial emotions.Methods:  We administered the LFI! Battery to groups of participants with ASD and typically developing control (TDC) participants that were matched for age and IQ.Results:  On the Name Game labeling task, participants with ASD (N = 68) performed on par with TDC individuals (N = 66) in their ability to name the facial emotions of happy, sad, disgust and surprise and were only impaired in their ability to identify the angry expression. On the Matchmaker Expression task that measures the recognition of facial emotions across different facial identities, the ASD participants (N = 66) performed reliably worse than TDC participants (N = 67) on the emotions of happy, sad, disgust, frighten and angry. In the Parts–Wholes test of perceptual strategies of expression, the TDC participants (N = 67) displayed more holistic encoding for the eyes than the mouths in expressive faces whereas ASD participants (N = 66) exhibited the reverse pattern of holistic recognition for the mouth and analytic recognition of the eyes.Conclusion:  In summary, findings from the LFI! Battery show that participants with ASD were able to label the basic facial emotions (with the exception of angry expression) on par with age‐ and IQ‐matched TDC participants. However, participants with ASD were impaired in their ability to generalize facial emotions across different identities and showed a tendency to recognize the mouth feature holistically and the eyes as isolated parts.
Environmental and stoichiometric controls on microbial carbon‐use efficiency in soils
Authors: Manzoni Stefano , Taylor Philip , Richter Andreas , Porporato Amilcare , Ågren Göran I. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryCarbon (C) metabolism is at the core of ecosystem function. Decomposers play a critical role in this metabolism as they drive soil C cycle by mineralizing organic matter to CO2. Their growth depends on the carbon‐use efficiency (CUE), defined as the ratio of growth over C uptake. By definition, high CUE promotes growth and possibly C stabilization in soils, while low CUE favors respiration. Despite the importance of this variable, flexibility in CUE for terrestrial decomposers is still poorly characterized and is not represented in most biogeochemical models. Here, we synthesize the theoretical and empirical basis of changes in CUE across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, highlighting common patterns and hypothesizing changes in CUE under future climates. Both theoretical considerations and empirical evidence from aquatic organisms indicate that CUE decreases as temperature increases and nutrient availability decreases. More limited evidence shows a similar sensitivity of CUE to temperature and nutrient availability in terrestrial decomposers. Increasing CUE with improved nutrient availability might explain observed declines in respiration from fertilized stands, while decreased CUE with increasing temperature and plant C : N ratios might decrease soil C storage. Current biogeochemical models could be improved by accounting for these CUE responses along environmental and stoichiometric gradients.
Higher Motility Enhances Bacterial Density and Inflammatory Response in Dyspeptic Patients Infected with Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Kao Cheng‐Yen , Sheu Bor‐Shyang , Sheu Shew‐Meei , Yang Hsiao‐Bai , Chang Wei‐Lun , Cheng Hsiu‐Chi , Wu Jiunn‐Jong 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundMotility mediated by the flagella of Helicobacter pylori is important for the cells to move toward the gastric mucus in niches adjacent to the epithelium; then, H. pylori uses the adhesin SabA to interact with sialyl‐Lex on inflammatory host cells for persistent infection. Here, we reveal the clinical association of bacterial motility, SabA expression, and pathological outcomes.MethodsNinety‐six clinical isolates were screened for bacterial motility, and the expression of SabA of each isolate was confirmed by Western blotting. H. pylori‐infected patients were assessed for their bacterial density, sialyl‐Lex expression, inflammatory scores, and clinical diseases.ResultsThe mean diameter in the motility assay was 17 mm, and eight (8.3%) of the strains had impaired motility, with a diameter <5 mm. H. pylori density in cardia, the acute inflammatory score in the body locus, and the prevalence rate of gastric atrophy were increased in patients infected with higher‐motility strains (p = .023, <.001, or <.001, respectively). The total inflammatory scores (both acute and chronic) and bacterial density dramatically increased in patients expressing the sialyl‐Lex antigen and infected with higher‐motility, SabA‐positive H. pylori (p = .016, .01, or .005, respectively).ConclusionThese results suggest that the higher motility of H. pylori enhances pathological outcomes, and the SabA–sialyl‐Lex interaction has a synergistic effect on virulence of the higher‐motility strains.
Adolescent Work and Alcohol Use Revisited: Variations by Family Structure
Authors: Rocheleau Gregory C. , Swisher Raymond R. 
Published: July 2012

Previous research finds adolescent work hours to be associated with increased alcohol use. Most studies, however, fail to account for possible selection effects that lead youth to both work and substance use. Using data from the first two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 12,620), a fixed effects regression method is employed to control for stable between‐person differences neglected by previous studies. Results show little relationship between work hours and alcohol use when controlling for individual heterogeneity. Results reveal variations, however, by family structure, with work hours being negatively associated with alcohol use among those from single‐parent households. Although exhibiting significant main effects, family and peer processes fail to account for differences by family structure.
Spatial and Scale‐Dependent Controls on North American Pan‐Arctic Minimum River Discharge
Authors: Rennermalm Asa K. , Bring Arvid , Mote Thomas L. 
Published: July 2012

Spatial patterns of minimum monthly river discharge in the North American Pan‐Arctic and its potential controls are explored with geographically weighted regression (GWR). Minimum discharge is indicative of soil water conditions; therefore, understanding spatial variability of its controls may provide insights into patterns of hydrologic change. Here, GWR models are applied to determine a suitable combination of independent variables selected from a set of eight variables. A model specification with annual mean river discharge, temperature at time of minimum discharge, and biome describes well the spatial patterns in minimum discharge. However, minimum discharge in larger watersheds is influenced more by temperature and biome distributions than it is in small basins, suggesting that scale is critical for understanding minimum river discharge. This study is the first to apply GWR to explore spatial variation in Pan‐Arctic hydrology.Factores de control espaciales y dependientes de escala en las descargas fluviales mínimas de ríos Pan‐Articos en Norteamérica.El artículo explora los patrones espaciales de caudales fluviales mínimos mensuales la región pan‐ártica de Norteamérica y sus posibles factores de control haciendo uso de una regresión ponderada geográficamente (geographically weigted regression‐GWR). Los caudales mínimos son indicadores de las condiciones del agua en el suelo, y por lo tanto el entendimiento de la variabilidad espacial de los factores que los controlan puede ayudar a comprender los patrones de cambio hidrológico. En el presente estudio, varios modelos de tipo GWR son aplicados para determinar una combinación adecuada de variables independientes seleccionadas a partir de un conjunto de ocho variables. El modelo que utiliza la media anual media de descarga fluvial, la temperatura en el momento de caudal mínimo, y el bioma, proporciona una buena descripción de los patrones espaciales en la descarga mínima. Sin embargo, en las cuencas hidrográficas grandes, la descarga mínima está más influenciada por la temperatura y la distribución de los biomas que en el caso de cuencas más pequeñas, lo que sugiere que la escala es fundamental para entender la descarga mínima fluvial. Este estudio es el primero en aplicar GWR para comprender la variación espacial en la hidrología de la región pan‐ártica.基于GWR（地理加权回归模型）对北美泛北极地区月份最小河流流量的空间模式和潜在控制进行研究。最小流量暗示水土条件；因此，理解空间分异及控制可深刻理解水文变化的模式。GWR可从8个变量中提取一组独立变量的适当组合。通过年均河流流量、最小流量时的温度和生物群落，来描述最小下泄流量的空间格局。在大范围流域中，最小流量受到温度和生物群落分布的影响大于在小规模的流域，揭示出在河流最小流量分析中尺度是非常重要的。本文首次将GWR应用于泛北极水文空间异质性分析。
The influence of glutamatergic antagonism on motor variability, and comparison to findings in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Johnsen Erik , Fasmer Ole Bernt , van Wageningen Heidi , Hugdahl Kenneth , Hauge Erik , Jørgensen Hugo A. 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveThe primary aim of this explorative study was to investigate the influence of the glutamatergic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist memantine on motor activity in healthy subjects. Secondarily, we wanted to compare these data to findings in a sample of schizophrenia patients.MethodsThe healthy subjects acted as their own controls in an open‐within‐subject design. Motor activity was recorded with an actigraph worn for 24 h in the drug‐free, and steady‐state memantine conditions, respectively. Motor activity levels for 1‐min intervals were analysed by means of both linear and nonlinear methods. The schizophrenia patients were monitored only once, without memantine manipulation.ResultsThe root mean square successive differences (RMSSD) and the RMSSD/SD ratio were increased by memantine, and memantine was also associated with lower autocorrelation (lag 1) but in recordings from the right arm only. These movement patterns partly corresponded to those found in a sample of drug‐treated schizophrenia patients. Total activity level, standard deviation (SD) and sample entropy were not significantly different in the memantine versus drug‐free condition.ConclusionThe findings suggest a role for the NMDA receptor in the regulation of motor activity in healthy individuals as memantine increased the variability in the motor recordings and the alterations between adjacent motor recordings. It is suggested that the findings may be relevant to the role played by glutamate and the NMDA receptor functioning to the motor disturbances in schizophrenia.
Folic acid fortification prevents neural tube defects and may also reduce cancer risks
Authors: Jägerstad Margaretha 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe prevalence of neural tube defect (NTD)‐affected pregnancies ranges between 0.4 and 2/1000 pregnancies in EU. NTDs result in severe malformations and sometimes miscarriages. Children born with NTD suffer for the rest of their life of disability and chronic healthcare issues, and many women therefore choose termination of pregnancy if NTD is diagnosed prenatally. Women planning for pregnancy are recommended to eat 400 μg folic acid/d, whereas average figures across Europe indicate intakes of ∼250 μg/d for women of fertile age, a gap that could be bridged by implementation of folic acid fortification. The results of mandatory folic acid fortifications introduced in USA and Canada are a decrease between 25 and 45% of NTD pregnancies.Conclusion:  Evidence‐based NTD prophylaxis is now practised in more than 60 countries worldwide. EU countries worry over possible cancer risks, but ignore a wealth of studies reporting decreasing cancer risks with folate intakes at recommended levels. Currently, there are indications of a U‐shaped relationship, that is, higher cancer risks at low folate intakes (<150 μg/day) and highly elevated folate intakes (>1 mg/day), respectively. However neither the global World Cancer Research review nor EU’s European Food Safety Authority report present data on increased cancer risk at physiological folate intake levels. Therefore, EU should act to implement folic acid fortification as NTD prophylaxis as soon as possible.
Progressive aortic dilation after aortic valve replacement
Authors: Yuan Shi‐Min , Lavee Jacob 
Published: July 2012

AimAscending aortic dilation is not an uncommon complication following aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the clinical features of ascending aortic dilation after AVR are rarely described. The etiologies responsible for the development of progressive aortic dilation in such patients are not fully understood.Patients and MethodsFrom January 2006 to November 2008, 10 consecutive patients requiring ascending aortic replacement after initial AVR were enrolled into this study cohort.ResultsThe etiologies of the aortic valves subjected to the initial AVR were congenitally bicuspid (aortic valve regurgitant) in two (20 per cent), rheumatic aortic stenosis in three (30 per cent) and rheumatic combined stenotic and regurgitant aortic valve in five (50 per cent) patients, respectively. The surgical indications for subsequent aorta replacement were ascending aortic dilation in eight (80 per cent), aortic dissection in one (10 per cent), and aortic dilation and dissection in one (10 per cent) patient, respectively. The interval between initial AVR and aorta replacement was 8–32 (mean: 17.1 ± 9.1) years. The dimensions of the aortic root and ascending aorta late after AVR were 4.64 ± 1.20 cm and 5.06 ± 0.69 cm, respectively. There were no significant differences in the extent of expansion of the aortic root and the ascending aorta (0.8810 ± 0.7475 cm vs 1.0800 ± 0.6202 cm, P = 0.5252). The mean expansion rates of the aortic root and the ascending aorta were 0.052 cm/year and 0.063 cm/year between initial AVR and subsequent aorta replacement, respectively. The dimensions of the aortic root and ascending aorta measured at the initial operations and the aorta replacement did not seem to have any differences between patients with a native bicuspid aortic valve and those with a tricuspid aortic valve. No significant correlation was found between the dimension of the aortic root or ascending aorta and the independent variables.ConclusionAortic dilation might develop in younger patients late after AVR with time. Aortic dilation might involve the aortic root and ascending aorta. Neither a significant difference nor a consistent correlation was noted between expansion dimensions of aortic root and ascending aorta dilation. In patients, AVR cannot effectively hold back aortic dilation, and the mean expansion rates of the aortic root and of the ascending aorta are above 0.05‐0.06 cm/year after AVR. Early surgical intervention is necessary in order to prevent aortic rupture or dissection, and long‐term follow up is warranted in such patients.
One‐year review of the incidence of brain tumours in Hong Kong Chinese patients as part of the Hong Kong Brain and Spinal Tumours Registry
Authors: Pu Jenny K.S. , Ng Gloria K.B. , Leung Gilberto K.K. , Wong Chi‐Keung 
Published: July 2012

AimThere is a lack of recent data regarding the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) tumours in Hong Kong patients of Chinese origin. The aim of this study was to provide a current registry of brain and CNS tumour incidence in Hong Kong, which would contribute to the current knowledge of brain tumour epidemiology.Patients and MethodsProspective data were collected from neurosurgical centres in Hong Kong between July 2008 and June 2009. Demographic and diagnostic data were collected for each patient diagnosed with a brain tumour, and collated at a central coordination centre. Diagnosis was confirmed either histologically or radiologically.ResultsThere were 1031 newly‐diagnosed cases of spinal/intracranial tumours, 759 of which were primary tumours. The estimated annual incidence of spinal/intracranial tumours was 14.7 per 100 000. The annual incidence of primary CNS tumours was 10.8 per 100 000, and 3.5 per 100 000 for meningiomas. A total of 70 high‐grade gliomas (incidence rate of 1/100 000) and 171 pituitary tumours were diagnosed, both of which were more prevalent in the 45–64‐year age group. Meningiomas and pituitary tumours were more common in females. In paediatric patients, there were 36 cases of newly‐diagnosed brain tumours, glioma being the most common.ConclusionThe annual incidence rate of malignant gliomas was one per 100 000 in the Hong Kong population of Chinese origin. From comparisons with other studies, this suggests geographical and racial differences in the incidence of brain tumours, and warrants further collaboration and research regarding brain tumour epidemiology.
Low‐level laser therapy reduces time to ambulation in dogs after hemilaminectomy: a preliminary study
Authors: Draper W.E. , Schubert T.A. , Clemmons R.M. , Miles S.A. 
Published: July 2012

ObjectivesA prospective study to determine if low‐level laser therapy and surgery for intervertebral disk herniation encourage ambulation faster than surgery alone.MethodsThirty‐six dogs with acute paraparesis/paraplegia due to acute intervertebral disk herniation were evaluated and given a modified Frankel score. Dogs with scores 0 to 3 were included in the study. Dogs were assigned to the control group (1) or the laser treatment group (2) based on alternating order of presentation. All dogs underwent surgery for their herniated disk. Dogs in group 2 were treated postoperatively with low‐level laser therapy daily for five days, or until they achieved a modified Frankel score of 4. A 5×200‐mW 810‐nm cluster array was used to deliver 25 W/cm2 to the skin. All dogs were scored daily by the investigators using the modified Frankel scoring system.ResultsThe time to achieve a modified Frankel score of 4 was significantly lower (P=0·0016) in the low‐level laser therapy group (median 3·5 days) than the control group (median 14 days).Clinical SignificanceLow‐level laser therapy in combination with surgery decreases the time to ambulation in dogs with T3‐L3 myelopathy secondary to intervertebral disk herniation.
B cells set trends: Lessons from multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lawrie Sarah , Bar‐Or Amit 
Published: July 2012

AbstractUntil relatively recently, B cells were viewed as relatively passive recipients of T cell help, serving the primary normal function of protective antibody production. Similarly, their role in immune‐mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), was traditionally ascribed to production of pathogenic autoantibodies. However, new insights gained from both animal models and in humans, including studies of selective B cell targeting in patients, have shed light on non‐antibody‐mediated functions of B cells as immune regulators in both health and disease. Here, we consider the significance of the recent success of B cell depletion in patients with MS. We submit that it is no longer a question of whether
B cells contribute to MS, but how
B cells do so. In this review, we consider concepts of the different antibody‐dependent and ‐independent biological roles that B cells might play in MS pathophysiology. Important data from the commonly used animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), continues to contribute to our understanding of the molecular cascades involved in peripheral immune regulation and in immune‐neural interactions that might be relevant to inflammatory events of multiple sclerosis. We focus this review on results from human‐based studies, occasionally drawing on observations from animal models to highlight specific principles.
Incidence and mortality of breast cancer in China, 2008
Authors: Chen Wan‐qing , Zheng Rong‐shou , Zeng Hong‐mei , Zhang Si‐wei , Li Guang‐lin , Wu Liang‐you , He Jie 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundFemale breast cancer incidence and mortality data for the duration of 2008, in China, retrieved from the National Central Cancer Registry, was analyzed.MethodsIn 2008, there were 56 registries that submitted cancer registration data. Based on the criteria of data quality, a total of 41 registries' data met the requirement and were accepted for analysis. The incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer in females were calculated, including age specific rates, age‐standardized rates, proportions, and cumulative rates, stratified by areas (urban/rural).ResultsThe number of cases included from 41 registries was 66 138 784, with 32 798 187 of these cases found in women (25 898 251 in urban areas and 6 899 936 in rural areas). There were 15 625 new cases reported and 3414 deaths of women with breast cancer, resulting in a mortality to incidence ratio of 0.22. The morphological verified rate was 91.96%, and 0.43% of cases were identified by death certificate only. The crude cancer incidence rate in all areas was 47.64/100 000, and the Age‐Standardized Incidence Rates by Chinese standard population, (ASIRC) and World standard population (ASIRW) were 25.26/100 000 and 31.71/100 000, respectively. The cumulative incidence rate (0–74 years old) was 3.44%. Both crude and adjusted incidence rates in urban areas were much higher than those in rural areas. The crude cancer mortality was 10.41/100 000, and the Age‐Standardized Mortality Rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by World population (ASMRW) were 4.90/100 000 and 6.48/100 000, respectively. The cumulative mortality rate (0–74 years old) was 0.071%. Age‐adjusted mortality rates in urban areas were also higher than in rural areas. Age specific incidence rates peaked in age group 50–54 in all areas (108.27/100 000) and in urban areas (119.68/100 000). It reached the peak in the 55–59 age group for rural women. Age specific mortalities rose with the increase of age for both women in urban and rural areas, with mortality rates of 76.16/100 000 and 23.73/100 000 in age groups of 85 and above, respectively.ConclusionsBreast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Chinese women. Preventative measures, such as health education and screening, are needed in the general population, but especially for those in the high‐risk group found in urban areas.