scholarly journals Canine Endogenous Oxytocin Responses to Dog-Walking and Affiliative Human–Dog Interactions

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Powell ◽  
Kate M. Edwards ◽  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Adam J. Guastella ◽  
Bradley Drayton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Dog Walking ◽  
Joint Influence ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Effect

Several studies suggest human–dog interactions elicit a positive effect on canine oxytocin concentrations. However, empirical investigations are scant and the joint influence of human–dog interaction and physical activity remains unexplored. The aims of the current study were to (a) examine the canine endogenous oxytocin response to owner-led dog-walking and affiliative human–dog interactions and (b) investigate the moderating effect of the owner-reported strength of the human–dog bond on such responses. Twenty-six dogs took part in a random order cross-over trial, involving dog-walking and human–dog interactions. Urinary samples were collected before and after each condition. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models with condition, order of conditions, condition duration, and latency from initiation of condition to urine sample collection considered as fixed effects, and the participant was considered a random effect. Canine urinary oxytocin concentrations did not differ significantly following dog-walking (mean change: −14.66 pg/mg Cr; 95% CI: −47.22, 17.90) or affiliative human–dog interactions (mean change: 6.94 pg/mg Cr; 95% CI: −26.99, 40.87). The reported strength of the human–dog bond did not significantly moderate the canine oxytocin response to either experimental condition. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not observe evidence for a positive oxytocin response to dog-walking or human–dog interactions.

62 Feeding Chicory-plantain Silage and Se-yeast to Lactating Ewes Subjected to Intramammary Infection: Effect on the Immune System

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Hunter Ford ◽  
Massimo Bionaz ◽  
Serkan Ates ◽  
Joe Klopfenstein ◽  
Jorge Vanegas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Mean Cell Volume ◽  
Distribution Width ◽  
Intramammary Infection ◽  
Alfalfa Meal ◽  
The Mean ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract The objective was to test the effect on the immune status by feeding a combination of chicory-plantain and Se-yeast in lactating ewes subjected to intramammary infection (IMI) with 2×107CFU of Strep uberis in both glands. For the purpose we enrolled 28 Polypay lactating sheep from a prior study where they were randomly allocated to receive chicory (CS) or grass (GC) silage and either 3.6 mg of Se/day as Se-yeast (DiaMune, Diamond V) (Y) or isoenergetic-isonitrogenous alfalfa meal (C) for 2 months. For the present study, ewes were kept on the original dietary regiment except the CT group received a chicory-plantain silage(50% each). Blood was collected prior to and for 10 days after IMI for a complete blood count(VetScan HM5), leukocytes migration, and rectal temperature (RT). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX (SAS)with time, silage type, and Se and their interactions as the fixed effects and ewe as random effect with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. RT was lower in chicory vs. grass before IMI and Se limited the RT increase after IMI. Total WBC levels tended (P = 0.06) to increase in animals fed with Se after IMI, which was driven by a larger number of lymphocytes. Hematocrit, red blood cells, and hemoglobin were strongly decreased by IMI. The mean cell volume was overall larger in ewes fed with chicory-plantain silage while mean cell hemoglobin was larger in animal fed with grass silage. The platelet distribution width was affected by silage*Se interaction due to a positive effect by Se in grass-fed but negative in chicory-plantain-fed ewes. Migration of neutrophils was larger in animals fed with chicory-plantain before IMI but similar between groups after IMI. Overall, these findings indicate that Se supplementation can increase lymphocytes with no effect on neutrophils while activity of neutrophils is positively affected by feeding chicory-plantain silage.

scholarly journals The Impact of Misspecified Random Effect Distribution in a Weibull Regression Mixed Model

Stats ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-76
Author(s):  
Freddy Hernández ◽  
Viviana Giampaoli
Keyword(s):  
Weibull Distribution ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Estimation Procedure ◽  
Weibull Regression ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
The Impact

Mixed models are useful tools for analyzing clustered and longitudinal data. These models assume that random effects are normally distributed. However, this may be unrealistic or restrictive when representing information of the data. Several papers have been published to quantify the impacts of misspecification of the shape of the random effects in mixed models. Notably, these studies primarily concentrated their efforts on models with response variables that have normal, logistic and Poisson distributions, and the results were not conclusive. As such, we investigated the misspecification of the shape of the random effects in a Weibull regression mixed model with random intercepts in the two parameters of the Weibull distribution. Through an extensive simulation study considering six random effect distributions and assuming normality for the random effects in the estimation procedure, we found an impact of misspecification on the estimations of the fixed effects associated with the second parameter σ of the Weibull distribution. Additionally, the variance components of the model were also affected by the misspecification.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a creative physical education intervention on elementary school students’ leisure-time physical activity motivation and overall physical activity in Finland

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 796-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Kokkonen ◽  
Sami Yli-Piipari ◽  
Marja Kokkonen ◽  
John Quay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
School Context ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
School Students ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

This study investigated the effectiveness of a creative physical education (CPE) intervention on students’ perceptions of motivational climate in physical education (PE), leisure-time physical activity (PA) motivation, and overall PA. A sample of 382 fourth to sixth grade students ( Mage= 10.87[.93]) from two elementary schools were assigned to the CPE intervention ( n = 196; Mage= 10.84[.95]) and control ‘PE-as-usual’ ( n = 186; Mage= 10.90[.90]) groups. Students’ perceived task- and ego-supportive climate in PE, leisure-time PA motivation, and overall PA were measured before and after the one-year intervention. Analyses of covariance and path analyses were implemented to test the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention had a positive effect on students’ perceptions of task-supportive climate in PE ( p < .001) and a negative effect on ego-supportive climate ( p < .001). Students’ perceptions of task-supportive climate had a positive effect on their leisure-time PA motivation ( p < .001), which, in turn, had a positive effect on their overall PA ( p < .001). The results suggest that CPE-based PE may increase students’ perceptions of task-supportive climate in PE, which predicts their later leisure-time PA motivation outside the school context and overall PA.

scholarly journals Using mixed models to combine smooth size-selection and catch-comparison curves over hauls

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Fryer ◽  
A F Zuur ◽  
N Graham
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Categorical Variable ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Comparison Data

Parametric size-selection curves are often combined over hauls to estimate a mean selection curve using a mixed model in which between-haul variation in selection is treated as a random effect. This paper shows how the mixed model can be extended to estimate a mean selection curve when smooth nonparametric size-selection curves are used. The method also estimates the between-haul variation in selection at each length and can model fixed effects in the form of the different levels of a categorical variable. Data obtained to estimate the size-selection of dab by a Nordmøre grid are used for illustration. The method can also be used to provide a length-based analysis of catch-comparison data, either to compare a test net with a standard net or to calibrate two research survey vessels. Haddock data from an intercalibration exercise are used for illustration.

scholarly journals Functioning of Patients with Myasthenia Gravis after Plasmapheresis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 143-147
Author(s):  
Monika Biercewicz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Respiratory Muscles ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Key Words Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Characteristic Symptom ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Effect

Introduction. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the postsynaptic part of the neuromuscular junction. A characteristic symptom of myasthenia gravis is the so-called fatigability or muscle fatigue, which also affects the respiratory muscles. Plasmapheresis is one of the treatments that improve breathing and reduce the symptoms that cause muscle weakness. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the functioning of patients with myasthenia gravis before and after plasmapheresis. Material and Methods. The research was conducted in 2019 in the Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care department on a group of 30 patients with clinically confirmed myasthenia gravis. The author’s questionnaire was used to assess the functioning of patients. The research was approved by the Bioethics Committee. Results. The patient’s condition improved after the procedure in each of the analysed areas of functioning (physical activity, movement, breathing, swallowing, mood, social functioning). The plasmapheresis most preferably affected the area of physical activity of the subjects. The conducted statistical analysis proved a significant difference (p = 0.000) for all results, in every aspect (before and after the procedure). At the same time, the highest average increase was observed in relation to physical activity — an increase of 3.17 points. Conclusions. Plasmapheresis had a positive effect on patients’ health in both physical and mental aspects. (JNNN 2019;8(4):143–147) Key Words: myasthenia gravis, plasmapheresis, functional assessment

scholarly journals Assessment of Parkinson disease patients before and after a physical activity program

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Diego Luis Ballio Santana ◽  
Rodrigo Cruz Pinto ◽  
Alessandro Finkelsztejn ◽  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Special Apparatus ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fat Composition ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Student’S T Test

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of a tailored physical activity program on specific parameters in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients. METHOD: PD patients were assessed before and after six months of a tailored physical activity program. Twenty PD patients (13 M, 7 F), mean age 55 years. Aerobic, resistance and stretching exercises. No special apparatus or machine was used at any stage of the program. There was no interference with the pharmacologic treatment, which remained at the discretion of the physician in charge. Fatigue, disability, joint amplitude, cardiorespiratory parameters and body fat composition were assessed. Comparisons were performed using the Student’s t-test at baseline and after six months. RESULTS: There was a significant (p0.001) and positive effect of this physical activity program in all assessed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Despite this chronic, disabling and progressive neurological disease, PD patients showed significant improvement in all assessed parameters after participating in a specific and tailored physical activity program.

Bouts of Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Strength Accrual During Adolescence

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Gabel ◽  
Heather M. Macdonald ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Bone Strength ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽  
Distal Tibia ◽  
Height Velocity ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Metabolic Equivalents

Purpose:We examined the influence of vigorous physical activity (VPA) bout frequency on bone strength accrual across adolescence, independent of total volume of VPA.Methods:We measured VPA (6 metabolic equivalents; total volume and bout frequency <5 min in duration) annually using waist-worn accelerometers (ActiGraph GT1M) in 309 adolescents (9–20 y at baseline: 99, <13 y; 126, 13–18 y; 84, >18 y) over a maximum of 4 years. We applied finite element analysis to high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of the distal tibia (8% site) to estimate bone strength (failure load; F.Load, Newtons). We fit a mixed effects model with maturity offset (years from age at peak height velocity) as a random effect and sex, ethnicity, tibia length, lean body mass, and VPA (volume and bout frequency) as fixed effects.Results:VPA volume and bout frequency were positively associated with F.Load across adolescence; however, VPA volume did not predict F.Load once VPA bout frequency was included in the model. Participants in the upper quartile of VPA bout frequency (∼33 bouts per day) had 10% (500 N) greater F.Load across adolescence compared with participants in the lowest quartile (∼9 bouts per day;P = .012). Each additional daily bout of VPA was associated with 21 N greater F.Load, independent of total volume of VPA.Conclusion:Frequent VPA should be promoted for optimal bone strength accrual.

Spatial summation of thermal stimuli assessed by a standardized, randomized, single-blinded technique

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibe Maria Rasmussen ◽  
Catarina Ellehuus-Hilmersson ◽  
Per Rotbøll-Nielsen ◽  
Mads Utke Werner
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Spatial Summation ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Thermal Perception ◽  
Stimulation Site ◽  
Thermal Thresholds ◽  
Correct Sequence

AbstractBackground and aimsQuantitative sensory testing of thermal perception (QTT) is a valuable method in clinical and experimental assessment of the function of small nerve fibres. Previous studies have indicated existence of spatial summation for warmth, cool and heat pain stimulation, but study designs and assessment methods have not always been mutually consistent. The aims of this study were, first, to examine spatial summation of QTT by differently sized contact thermodes, and, second, to evaluate if these differences are significant from a clinical and scientific perspective.MethodsSixteen healthy subjects were included. Warmth detection (WDT), cool detection (CDT) and heat pain (HPT) thresholds were assessed in random order, with the stimulation areas of the contact thermodes of 3.0, 6.3 and 12.5 cm2, blinded to the subjects. Assessments were made bilaterally at volar part of the distal arm and medial part of the lower leg. Data analyses were by a mixed model with random effect for subject and fixed-effects for the variables, site (arm/leg), thermode area (ln thermode area) and side (dominant/non-dominant), in addition to conventional pairwise non-parametric comparisons.ResultsData from 2 subjects were excluded. In the remaining 14 subjects only 4 subjects were able to identify the correct sequence of thermode sizes. The model demonstrated highly statistical significant relationships regarding main effects: thermode area (P < 0.0001) and stimulation site (P < 0.0001; except for CDT P = 0.011). The only significant interaction was between thermode area*site (P = 0.005) for CDT. The study demonstrated in 17 of 18 possible comparisons between thermode size and stimulation site, a significant spatial summation for WDT, CDT and HPT.ConclusionThis randomized, single-blind study of thermal thresholds demonstrated spatial summation and that considerable deviations may occur if values obtained with differing thermode sizes are used uncritically.ImplicationsData from the present study enable interpolation of thermal thresholds with differing thermode sizes, facilitating comparisons across studies.

scholarly journals Association Between Physical Activity and Activity Space in Different Farming Seasons Among Rural Lao PDR Residents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Jiang ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
Daniel Anthony Yonto ◽  
Kazuhiko Moji
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Space ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background: Southeast Asia is experiencing a health transition where non-communicable diseases (NCD) are exceeding communicable diseases. Despite NCDs accounting for roughly 60-85% of deaths in the region, many developing Southeast Asian countries are beginning to address the impacts of a physically inactive lifestyle for the first time. Our study aims to bridge this gap by objectively measuring physical activity in rural Lao PDR to reveal the association among physical activity, activity space, and seasonal variation. Methods: Multiple waves of survey data were collected in Songkhon District, Lao PDR between March 2010 and March 2011. Adults aged between 18 and 65 were recruited (n=48). A portable GPS recorded participants’ activity and farmland locations and an accelerometer recorded participants’ physical activity level and daily steps for seven consecutive days. Using a directional distribution tool in ArcGIS 10.5, the activity space area of each participant in each wave was calculated. Concurrently, participants recorded time spent on each daytime activity. Linear mixed models with the fixed effects as the observations from different waves and the random effects as individual participants were developed to identify factors associated with areas of activity space and counts of daily steps, respectively.Results: A total of 48 respondents with half being females were recruited. Walking was found to be the most frequent travel mode. Females were physically less active with smaller activity space and more overweight than their male counterparts. Participants were physically less active during the off-farming seasons. Conclusions: Findings contribute to the surveillance of risk factors needed to create healthy living environments. Our research is also one of the first to use empirical evidence demonstrating seasonal variations of rural residents’ activities in mainland Southeast Asia.

Abstract P128: The Epigenomic Signature of Life's Simple 7

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niranjan Gowda ◽  
Marguerite R Irvin ◽  
Bertha A Hidalgo ◽  
Hemant K Tiwari ◽  
Devin M Absher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality

Introduction: Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) comprises seven health factors and behaviors promoted by the American Heart Association to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite compelling evidence of inverse association between LS7 adherence and a variety of adverse health outcomes, the epigenetic sequelae of healthy lifestyle have not been comprehensively characterized and may offer valuable insights into the underlying biological mechanisms. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that LS7 adherence is associated with an epigenetic signature that is consistent with the deceleration of the aging process. Methods: Using data from the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN, n=853), we have estimated cross-sectional associations between epigenome-wide DNA methylation at 487,432 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in CD4+ T-cells and the number of achieved LS7 goals as measured by study staff (blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose) or reported by the participant (diet, smoking, physical activity). The associations were tested using linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, study site, technical artifacts (fixed effects), and family relatedness (random effect). Additionally, we tested associations between LS7 compliance and age acceleration, estimated from DNA methylation data and chronological age using two complementary validated algorithms (1: Horvath and 2: Hannum). These linear mixed models adjusted for chronological age, sex, study site, CD4+ T-cell subtype estimates (fixed effects), and family relatedness (random effect). Epigenome-wide association results were considered statistically significant if they fell under the Bonferroni corrected threshold (alpha=0.05/487,432= 1.03x10 -7 ). Results: Methylation of an intronic CpG site in CPT1A , cg00574958, was positively associated with the number of achieved LS7 goals at the epigenome-wide significance level (beta= 0.008, SE= 0.001, P= 4.7x10 -8 ). CPT1A encodes a key enzyme in the beta-oxidation process and has previously been linked to fasting triglycerides, body mass index, and adiponectin levels. Age acceleration was associated with LS7 adherence under the Hannum algorithm (beta=-0.01, SE= 0.006, P= 0.02) but not the Horvath algorithm (beta=-0.005, SE= 0.004, P= 0.18). Conclusions: Achievement of LS7 goals was significantly associated with methylation variation in CPT1A , a critical lipid metabolism gene, and was associated with age deceleration in the Hannum but not the Horvath models. Following independent replication, future studies should consider interrogating CPT1A methylation in relation to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a prospective setting.

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