bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of different levels of mannan‐oligosaccharide supplementation on some immunological variables in weaned piglets
Authors: Nochta I. , Tuboly T. , Halas V. , Babinszky L. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe effect of different doses of mannan‐oligosaccharide (MOS) on specific and non‐specific immune responses was studied in piglets, weaned at 28 days. A total of 58 piglets were used in six groups. Five groups were fed 0, 1, 2, 4 g MOS product per kg diet or with growth promoting antibiotics and immunized by inactivated Aujeszky’s disease virus (AyV) vaccine at week 1 and 3 of the experiment (35 and 49 days). A sixth group, receiving the same non‐supplemented diets was not immunized. Blood samples for lymphocyte stimulation (LST) and AyV neutralization (VN) tests were taken from all pigs on the first day of the experiment and at weekly intervals for 5 weeks. At week 8, the immunized piglets were infected orally with transmissible gastroenteritis virus. All piglets were weighed and slaughtered at week 10, digesta from small intestine were collected and tested for the presence of secretory (s)IgA. Feeding MOS supplementation resulted in enhanced specific and non‐specific immune responses, however, a regressive dose‐response of MOS was observed. Both the specific cellular (LST) and humoral responses (VN) were enhanced after 2 weeks of feeding 1 g/kg MOS and significantly differed from the antibiotic positive control. The same tendency was detected in case of the non‐specific LSTs, although these started some weeks later showing significant differences by the fifth week. Higher doses of MOS had no further beneficial effect on systemic immunity. In addition, 1 g/kg MOS supplementation group also showed some advantage in local immune responsiveness. Therefore, based on the studied immune variables, 1 g/kg MOS product is suggested in the diet of weaned piglets.
Effect of feeding allowance level on embryonic survival, IGF‐1, insulin, GH, leptin and progesterone secretion in early pregnancy gilts
Authors: De W. , Ai‐rong Z. , Yan L. , Sheng‐yu X. , Hai‐yan G. , Yong Z. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding allowance level on embryonic survival, uterine development and reproductive hormone secretion in early gestation gilts. A total of 54 F1 crosses of Landrace × Large white gilts were randomly allocated to three treatment groups of high (H, 2 × maintenance), medium (M, 1.2 × maintenance) and low (L, 0.6 × maintenance) feeding level after mating. Blood samples and uterine flushings were collected on day 12, 25 and 35 of pregnancy, and embryonic survival rate was estimated. Concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF)‐1, insulin, growth harmone (GH), leptin and progesterone in serum and uterine flushings were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Embryonic survival was affected by dietary treatment; total number of viable embryos and embryo survival of group M were higher than other groups in the early pregnancy (p < 0.05). Greater foetal weight in M gilts was achieved when gestation advanced to day 35 (p < 0.05), though there was no difference on day 25 of pregnancy among treatments. No appreciable differences were observed in the crown‐rump length on day 25 and 35 of pregnancy among groups. Greater weight of uterus and products of conception were identified in M gilts compared with group H and L (p = 0.024 and p = 0.005, respectively) on day 25 of pregnancy. The hormone level was greatly affected by feeding allowance level. In serum, concentrations of IGF‐1, leptin and insulin tended to be greater in H than in M and L during the early gestation, while concentrations of GH were greater in M and progesterone were the lowest in H. At the same time, feed allowance level affected the concentration of IGF‐1, insulin, GH, leptin and progesterone in uterine flushings. These data demonstrated that feed allowance level after mating has important consequence on embryo survival, embryo development and uterine development, possibly mediated by nutrition level inducing changes in concentrations of reproductive hormones and/or intermediary metabolites in early pregnancy.
Effect of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) administration on volumetric bone mineral density, and morphometric and mechanical properties of tibia in male turkeys
Authors: Tatara M. R. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThis study was performed to investigate the effects of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) administration on skeletal system properties in turkeys. Thirty‐two males were randomly divided into two groups at the age of 35 days of life. The first group included control turkeys (n = 16) treated with placebo, while the second group of birds (HMB group; n = 16) was administered orally with calcium salt of HMB during the last 15 weeks of life. The turkeys were sacrificed at the age of 20 weeks and tibia was isolated for analysis of bone geometrical parameters, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and mechanical properties. Furthermore, assessment of free amino acid concentrations in plasma was performed. The results showed a 6.3% increase of vBMD of tibia in response to HMB treatment (p < 0.01). Cross‐sectional area, second moment of inertia, maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength of tibia were significantly increased in HMB‐treated turkeys by 21.3%, 49.0%, 27.2% and 28.3%, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate administration increased plasma concentrations of proline, glutamate, leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, aspartate, phenylalanine and cysteic acid (p < 0.05). These results indicate that long‐term administration of HMB improves vBMD, and geometrical and mechanical properties of skeletal system in turkeys, and that these effects are associated with improved plasma amino acid concentrations.
The Effect of Verbal Self‐Guidance Training for Overcoming Employment Barriers: A Study of Turkish Women
Authors: Yanar Basak , Budworth Marie‐Hélène , Latham Gary P. 
Published: August 2008

Women over the age of 40 were trained in verbal self guidance, a methodology for training people to identify dysfunctional self‐statements and translate them into positive self‐talk. Subsequently, they (n= 27) had significantly higher self‐efficacy with regard to re‐employment than their counterparts who had been randomly assigned to a control group (n= 28). In addition, they persisted in job search behavior significantly more so than those in the control group. Job search self‐efficacy completely mediated the effect of the training program on job search behavior. Consequently, they were more likely to find a job in their area of interest within 6 months and 1 year of training than were those women in the control group.Des femmes de plus de 40 ans d’une société musulmane, ont été formées à l’auto‐régulation verbale, une méthode pour former les personnes à identifier les auto‐évaluations dysfonctionnelles et à les traduire en un dialogue intérieur positif. En conséquence, elles (n= 27) ont une auto‐efficacité significativement plus élevée en ce qui concerne le retour à l’emploi que leurs homologues du groupe contrôle (n= 28). De plus, elles persistent significativement plus dans le comportement de recherche d’emploi que celles du groupe contrôle. L’auto‐efficacité dans la recherche d’emploi influence complètement l’effet du programme de formation sur le comportement de recherche d’emploi. En conséquence, elles étaient plus susceptibles de trouver un emploi en accord avec leur centre d’intérêts en moins de 6 mois et 1 an de formation que les femmes du groupe contrôle.
Domain‐specific and domain‐general changes in children's development of number comparison
Authors: Holloway Ian D. , Ansari Daniel 
Published: August 2008

Abstract The numerical distance effect (inverse relationship between numerical distance and reaction time in relative number comparison tasks) has frequently been used to characterize the mental representation of number. The size of the distance effect decreases over developmental time. However, it is unclear whether this reduction simply reflects developmental changes in domain‐general speed of processing and whether it is specific to numerical compared with non‐numerical magnitude. To examine these open questions, we conducted a cross‐sectional study with 6‐, 7‐, and 8‐year‐old children as well as adult college students. Participants performed comparisons on Arabic numerals, arrays of squares, squares of varying luminance and bars of varying height. To control for general age‐related changes in reaction time, a measure of speed of processing was used as a covariate in the analysis. A significant developmental decrease in the distance effect was found across numerical and non‐numerical comparison tasks over and above general changes in processing speed. However, this change was not found to differ as a function of format. These data suggest that developmental changes in the distance effect are reflective of changes in a domain‐general comparison process, rather than domain‐specific developmental changes in number representations. However, analysis of overall reaction times revealed significantly greater developmental changes for numerical relative to non‐numerical comparison tasks. These findings highlight the importance of taking multiple measures into account when characterizing developmental changes in numerical magnitude processing. Implications for theories of numerical cognition and its development are discussed.
Individual differences in numerical abilities in preschoolers
Authors: Dowker Ann 
Published: August 2008

Abstract This study investigated individual differences in different aspects of early number concepts in preschoolers. Eighty 4‐year‐olds from Oxford nursery classes took part. They were tested on accuracy of counting sets of objects; the cardinal word principle; the order irrelevance principle; and predicting the results of repeated addition and subtraction by 1 from a set of objects. There were marked individual differences for most tasks. Most children were reasonably proficient at counting and 70% understood the cardinal word principle. Based on the results of a repeated addition and subtraction by 1 task, the children were divided into three approximately equal groups: those who were already able to use an internalized counting sequence for the simplest forms of addition and subtraction; those who relied on a repeated ‘counting‐all’ procedure for such tasks; and those who were as yet unable to cope with such tasks. In each group, significant relationships between some, but not all, of the numerical tasks were found. However, for almost any two tasks, it was possible to find individuals who could carry out either one of the tasks but not the other. Thus, even before formal instruction, arithmetical cognition is not unitary but is made up of many components.
The impact of specific prior experiences on infants’ extension of animal properties
Authors: Furrer Stephanie D. , Younger Barbara A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe examined the influence of prior exposure to specific animal properties on 15‐month‐old infants’ inductive generalization. Using picture books, 29 infants were trained on properties linked in a congruent or incongruent manner with four animal categories. A generalized imitation task was then administered to assess patterns of property extension for two of the trained properties as well as two untrained properties aligned with the training categories. Prior exposure to particular category–property relations was shown to impact infants’ property extensions in that infants selected a novel member of the training category for their imitation. For untrained properties, infants selected equally between novel members of the training and non‐training categories. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of inductive processes in infancy.
The effect of social engagement on 24‐month‐olds’ imitation from live and televised models
Authors: Nielsen Mark , Simcock Gabrielle , Jenkins Linda 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTo date, developmental research has rarely addressed the notion that imitation serves an interpersonal, socially based function. The present research thus examined the role of social engagement on 24‐month‐olds’ imitation by manipulating the social availability of the model. In Experiment 1, the children were more likely to imitate the exact actions of a live socially responsive model compared to a videotaped model who could not provide socially contingent feedback. In Experiment 2, the children were more likely to imitate the exact actions of a model with whom they could communicate via a closed‐circuit TV system than a videotaped model who could not provide interactive feedback. This research provides clear evidence that children's imitative behavior is affected by the social nature of the model. These findings are discussed in relation to theories on imitation and the video deficit.
Children's performance in mental rotation tasks: orientation‐free features flatten the slope
Authors: Perrucci Vittore , Agnoli Franca , Albiero Paolo 
Published: August 2008

Abstract Studies of the development of mental rotation have yielded conflicting results, apparently because different mental rotation tasks draw on different cognitive abilities. Children may compare two stimuli at different orientations without mental rotation if the stimuli contain orientation‐free features. Two groups of children (78 6‐year‐olds and 92 8‐year‐olds) participated in an experiment investigating development of the ability to mentally rotate and the ability to recognize and use orientation‐free features. Children compared two stimuli, one upright and one rotated, and responded as quickly as possible indicating whether the stimuli were the same or different. The stimuli were either two panda bears or two ice‐cream cones with three scoops of ice‐cream of different colors. The panda bears were either identical or mirror images. The cones were either identical, mirror images, or non‐mirror images. Response times increased linearly as a function of the angle of orientation when stimuli were the same and when the stimuli were mirror images. But response times were much less dependent on angle of orientation for non‐mirror image stimuli. Children as young as 6 years recognized orientation‐free stimulus features and responded without mentally rotating when the task permitted this strategy.
How young children and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) perceive objects in a 2D display: putting an assumption to the test
Authors: Leighty Katherine A. , Menzel Charles R. , Fragaszy Dorothy M. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract Object recognition research is typically conducted using 2D stimuli in lieu of 3D objects. This study investigated the amount and complexity of knowledge gained from 2D stimuli in adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and young children (aged 3 and 4 years) using a titrated series of cross‐dimensional search tasks. Results indicate that 3‐year‐old children utilize a response rule guided by local features to solve cross‐dimensional tasks. Four‐year‐old toddlers and adult chimpanzees use information about object form and compositional structure from a 2D image to guide their search in three dimensions. Findings have specific implications to research conducted in object recognition/perception and broad relevance to all areas of research and daily living that incorporate 2D displays.
Disinhibition: its effects on appetite and weight regulation
Authors: Bryant E. J. , King N. A. , Blundell J. E. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryOver the past 30 years, the understanding of eating behaviour has been dominated by the concept of dietary restraint. However, the development of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire introduced two other factors, Disinhibition and Hunger, which have not received as much recognition in the literature. The objective of this review was to explore the relationship of the Disinhibition factor with weight regulation, food choice and eating disorders, and to consider its aetiology. The review indicates that Disinhibition is an important eating behaviour trait. It is associated not only with a higher body mass index and obesity, but also with mediating variables, such as less healthful food choices, which contribute to overweight/obesity and poorer health. Disinhibition is also implicated in eating disorders and contributes to eating disorder severity. It has been demonstrated that Disinhibition is predictive of poorer success at weight loss, and of weight regain after weight loss regimes and is associated with lower self‐esteem, low physical activity and poor psychological health. Disinhibition therefore emerges as an important and dynamic trait, with influences that go beyond eating behaviour and incorporate other behaviours which contribute to weight regulation and obesity. The characteristics of Disinhibition itself therefore reflect many components representative of a thrifty type of physiology. We propose that the trait of Disinhibition be more appropriately renamed as ‘opportunistic eating’ or ‘thrifty behaviour’.
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of low‐carbohydrate vs. low‐fat/low‐calorie diets in the management of obesity and its comorbidities
Authors: Hession M. , Rolland C. , Kulkarni U. , Wise A. , Broom J. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThere are few studies comparing the effects of low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diets with low‐fat/high‐carbohydrate diets for obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. This systematic review focuses on randomized controlled trials of low‐carbohydrate diets compared with low‐fat/low‐calorie diets. Studies conducted in adult populations with mean or median body mass index of ≥28 kg m−2 were included. Thirteen electronic databases were searched and randomized controlled trials from January 2000 to March 2007 were evaluated. Trials were included if they lasted at least 6 months and assessed the weight‐loss effects of low‐carbohydrate diets against low‐fat/low‐calorie diets. For each study, data were abstracted and checked by two researchers prior to electronic data entry. The computer program Review Manager 4.2.2 was used for the data analysis. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. There were significant differences between the groups for weight, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerols and systolic blood pressure, favouring the low‐carbohydrate diet. There was a higher attrition rate in the low‐fat compared with the low‐carbohydrate groups suggesting a patient preference for a low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein approach as opposed to the Public Health preference of a low‐fat/high‐carbohydrate diet. Evidence from this systematic review demonstrates that low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diets are more effective at 6 months and are as effective, if not more, as low‐fat diets in reducing weight and cardiovascular disease risk up to 1 year. More evidence and longer‐term studies are needed to assess the long‐term cardiovascular benefits from the weight loss achieved using these diets.
Quantitation of non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chaudhuri K. Ray , Martinez‐Martin P. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Disabling non‐motor symptoms (NMS) associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as dementia and loss of balance, do not respond well to levodopa therapy and can lead to eventual death in patients with the disease. In 2006, a multidisciplinary group of experts and patient representatives developed an NMS screening questionnaire (NMSQuest) and a unified Non‐Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) to address the need for simple identification and comprehensive assessment of NMS in patients with PD.Methods and Results:  An international pilot study of 96 healthy controls and 123 patients with various stages of treated and untreated PD was conducted to demonstrate that the NMSQuest is a feasible, valid, and accepted tool.Conclusion:  The majority of patients and caregivers felt that the questionnaire was clear and relevant to their daily lives. Data from 242 PD patients with no dementia were analysed in a pilot study on the clinimetric validation of NMSS. Similar to the NMSQuest study, the NMSS study revealed a significant correlation between progression of PD and increasing NMS burden. These studies suggest that the NMSQuest accurately detects the NMS, and that the NMSS closely correlates with quality of life for PD patients.
Dopamine agonists in the treatment of non‐motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: depression
Authors: Lemke M. R. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Psychiatric symptoms such as depression are common non‐motor comorbidities of Parkinson's disease (PD). Depressive symptoms in patients with PD are a major complication that impairs quality of life independent of motor symptoms. The relationship between PD and comorbid depression is not completely understood.Methods and Results:  Evidence suggests that both PD and depression may be mediated by degeneration of the dopaminergic system. Recent and ongoing research is exploring the potential role of dopamine agonists in the treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with PD.Conclusion:  Experimental studies suggest a primary relationship and the importance of dopaminergic mechanisms in PD and depression. Patients with PD and depression might benefit from a global approach. Thus, treatment with dopamine agonists promises to reduce motor complications as well as depressive symptoms, avoiding multiple drug interactions as well as possible antidepressant medication side effects.
Caregiver Perceptions of the Community Integration of Adults with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia
Authors: Clark Erica , Minnes Patricia , Lutke Jan , Ouellette‐Kuntz Hélène 
Published: August 2008

Background  Adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) require support to be part of the community; however, most have few supports other than family and friends. The purpose of this study was to assess caregiver perceptions of community integration of adults with FASD living in British Columbia.Method  The Assimilation, Integration, Marginalization and Segregation (AIMS) Interview and Functional Assessment were used to assess community integration and the level of support needed respectively.Results  Scores on the AIMS indicated that most of the adults with FASD were integrated (i.e. disability related needs were identified and supported) in the following domains: medical, dental and housing; however, a large percentage were marginalized in other domains. Living with a caregiver had the greatest positive impact on integration while a history of incarceration or confinement had a negative impact.Conclusion  Although most of the adults with FASD had achieved community integration in some areas; this was, to some extent, because of the support of family and friends.
Physical Training and Well‐being in Older Adults with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Residential Care Study
Authors: Carmeli Eli , Orbach Iris , Zinger‐Vaknin Tzvia , Morad Mohammed , Merrick Joav 
Published: August 2008

Background  Exercise is important for health and well‐being. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical training on general well‐being and self‐image in older people with intellectual disability.Methods  This study evaluated older adults with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel. The concept of well‐being perceived by the participants was measured by direct interview with a questionnaire consisting of 37 structural statements. The physical training programme was conducted three times a week for 10 consecutive months.Results  Statistical analyses suggested a positive relationship between perceived well‐being and physical training between the experimental and control group.Conclusions  This positive relation supports the important role of physical training to improve perceived well‐being among older adults with intellectual disability.