Search

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a sudden lack of blood flow to a limb, primarily caused by arterial embolism and thrombosis. Various experimental animal models, including non-invasive and invasive methods, have been developed and successfully used to induce limb ischemia-reperfusion injuries (L-IRI). However, there is no consensus on the methodologies used in animal models for L-IRI, particularly regarding the assessment of functional recovery. The present study aims to compare different approaches that induce L-IRI and determine the optimal animal model to study functional limb recovery. In this study, we applied a pneumatic cuff as a non-invasive method and ligated the aorta, iliac, or femoral artery as invasive methods to induce L-IRI. We have measured grip strength, motor function, creatine kinase level, inflammatory markers such as nuclear factor NF-κB, interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypoxia markers such as hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), and evaluated the muscle injury with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in Sprague Dawley rats after inducing L-IRI. The pneumatic pressure cuff method significantly decreased the muscle strength of the rats, causing the loss of ability to hold the grid and inducing significant limb function impairment, while artery ligations did not. We conclude from this study that the tourniquet cuff method could be ideal for studying functional recovery after L-IRI in the rat model.

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to predicting short-term (for the upcoming 2 weeks) changes in estuarine dissolved oxygen concentrations via machine learning models that integrate historical water sampling, historical and upcoming 2-week meteorological data, and river discharge and discharge metrics. Dissolved oxygen is a critical indicator of ecosystem health, and this approach is implemented for the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, U.S.A., which has a long history of hypoxia-related habitat degradation. Through meticulous data preprocessing and feature selection, this research evaluates the predictions of dissolved oxygen concentrations by comparing a recurrent neural network with four other models, including a Multilayer Perceptron, Long Short-Term Memory, Gradient Boosting, and AutoKeras, through sensitivity experiments. The input predictors to our prediction models include water temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, aggregated river discharge, and aggregated wind based on eight directions. By emphasizing the most impactful predictors, we streamlined the model-building processes and built a hindcast system from 2015 to 2019. We found that the recurrent neural network model was most effective in predicting the dissolved oxygen concentrations, with an R2 value of 0.99 at multiple stations. Different from our machine learning hindcast models that used observed upcoming meteorological and discharge data, an actual forecast system would use forecasted meteorological and discharge data. Therefore, an actual operational forecast may have lower accuracy than the hindcast, as determined by the accuracy of the predicted meteorological and discharge data. Nevertheless, our studies enhance our understanding of the factors influencing dissolved oxygen variability and set the basis for the implementation of a predictive tool for environmental monitoring and management. We also emphasized the importance of building station-specific models to improve the prediction results.

Abstract Genomic structural variation (SV) has profound effects on organismal evolution; often serving as a source of novel genetic variation. Gene copy number variation (CNV), one type of SV, has repeatedly been associated with adaptive evolution in eukaryotes, especially with environmental stress. Resistance to the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, has evolved through target-site CNV in many weedy plant species, including the economically important grass, Eleusine indica (goosegrass); however, the origin and mechanism of these CNVs remain elusive in many weed species due to limited genetic and genomic resources. To study this CNV in goosegrass, we present high-quality reference genomes for glyphosate-susceptible and -resistant goosegrass lines and fine-assembles of the duplication of glyphosate’s target site gene 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). We reveal a unique rearrangement of EPSPS involving chromosome subtelomeres. This discovery adds to the limited knowledge of the importance of subtelomeres as genetic variation generators and provides another unique example for herbicide resistance evolution.

Abstract Equine-assisted services (EAS) are known to be beneficial for participants, though factors that influence their in-session experiences of horse-human interactions (HHI) remain underexplored. A mixed-methods, repeated measures design was used to investigate relationships between unmounted activities and human mood state, their activity enjoyment, and their perceptions of the horse they interacted with. We aimed to determine if participants’ (n = 56) reported mood states reflected their behavior toward the EAS horses (n = 14) across activity conditions. Horses and humans completed three activity conditions: grooming, leading the horse, and leading the horse around a maze. To assess participants’ mood states throughout the interaction, we measured participants’ mood states before the interaction began and after each activity. A post-interaction survey was used to assess participants’ enjoyment of each activity and the influence of certain horse characteristics on their experience. All interaction activities were filmed for analysis of human behavior. Results from two logistic regression models suggest that activity type was not significantly associated with the arousal (p = 0.09) or valence (p = 0.70) of participants’ reported mood states; however, a trend in the post hoc comparisons indicated participants were more likely to report an activated mood state before the interaction began compared to after the first activity (i.e., post-groom) (OR: 3.15, CI: 7.79−1.28, p = 0.013). Most participants (n = 46/54) reported pleasant moods throughout the interactions, although qualitative results suggest participants experienced a wider range of affective states. Participant behavior supported their reported pleasant mood as most behaviors across conditions were affiliative toward the horse. These results identify factors that influence human experiences when interacting with horses that are incorporated into EAS.

Abstract Purpose To compare the effectiveness and safety of phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (phaco/ECP), phacoemulsification combined with MicroPulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (phaco/MP-TSCPC), and phacoemulsification alone (phaco) in the treatment of coexisting cataract and glaucoma. Methods Retrospective cohort study of consecutive cases at Massachusetts Eye & Ear. The main outcome measures were the cumulative probabilities of failure between the phaco/ECP group, phaco/MP-TSCPC group, and the phaco alone group with failure defined as reaching NLP vision at any point postoperatively, undergoing additional glaucoma surgery, or the inability to maintain ≥ 20% IOP reduction from baseline with IOP between 5–18 mmHg while maintaining ≤ baseline medications. Additional outcome measures included changes in average IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and complication rates. Results Sixty-four eyes from 64 patients (25 phaco/ECP, 20 phaco/MPTSCPC, 19 phaco alone) were included in this study. The groups did not differ in age (mean 71.04 ± 6.7 years) or length of follow-up time. Baseline IOPs were significantly different between groups (15.78 ± 4.7 mmHg phaco/ECP, 18.37 ± 4.6 mmHg phaco/MP-TSCPC, 14.30 ± 4.2 mmHg phaco alone, p = 0.02). Primary open-angle glaucoma was the most common type of glaucoma in the phaco alone (42%) and phaco/ECP (48%) groups while mixed-mechanism glaucoma was the most common type in the phaco/MP-TSCPC group (40%). Surgical failure was less likely in eyes in the phaco/MP-TSCPC (3.40 times, p = 0.005) and phaco/ECP (1.40 times, p = 0.044) groups compared to phaco alone based on the Kaplan–Meier survival criteria. These differences maintained statistical significance when differences in preoperative IOP were taken into account using the Cox PH model (p = 0.011 and p = 0.004, respectively). Additionally, surgical failure was 1.98 times less likely following phaco/MP-TSCPC compared to phaco/ECP (p = 0.038). This difference only approached significance once differences in preoperative IOP were accounted for (p = 0.052). There was no significant difference in IOP reduction at 1 year between groups. Mean IOP reductions at 1 year were 3.07 ± 5.3 mmHg from a baseline of 15.78 ± 4.7 in the phaco/ECP group, 6.0 ± 4.3 mmHg from a baseline of 18.37 ± 4.6 in the phaco/MP-TSCPC group and 1.0 ± 1.6 from a baseline of 14.30 ± 4.2 mmHg in the phaco alone group. There were no differences in complication rates among the three groups. Conclusions Both Phaco/MP-TSCPC and phaco/ECP appear to provide superior efficacy for IOP control when compared to phaco alone. All three procedures had similar safety profiles.

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and hypoxia have a complex interaction: RAS is activated under hypoxia and activated RAS aggravates hypoxia in reverse. Renin is an aspartyl protease that catalyzes the first step of RAS and tightly regulates RAS activation. Here, we outline kidney renin expression and release under hypoxia and discuss the putative mechanisms involved. It is important that renin generally increases in response to acute hypoxemic hypoxia and intermittent hypoxemic hypoxia, but not under chronic hypoxemic hypoxia. The increase in renin activity can also be observed in anemic hypoxia and carbon monoxide-induced histotoxic hypoxia. The increased renin is contributed to by juxtaglomerular cells and the recruitment of renin lineage cells. Potential mechanisms regulating hypoxic renin expression involve hypoxia-inducible factor signaling, natriuretic peptides, nitric oxide, and Notch signaling-induced renin transcription.

Lifelong movement and physical activity (PA) patterns develop during early childhood. Therefore, educators (teachers and practitioners) in early childhood education and care (ECEC) should provide opportunities to support children’s play, PA, and movement development. The World Health Organization (2019) offers new recommendations for PA, for children under five years. The guidelines do not specify the ways ECEC staff can support PA through play. Therefore, this paper investigates, how physical play (PP) is enacted globally. An international policy and practice analysis of twelve countries, (Australia [Victoria], Belgium [Flanders], Canada [Alberta], China, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK [England] and USA) was completed by analyzing the ECEC curricula and their implementation in different cultural contexts. A content analysis was undertaken by AIESEP Early Years SIG experts revealing that PP was not clearly defined. When defined, it was described as PA, and important for children’s holistic development. The majority of curricula did not state the length/time for PP. Three main strategies for implementing PP were found: a) pedagogical framework; b) active learning methods; and c) motor development. This international analysis highlights the global need for better ECEC staff support in acknowledging and implementing PP to aid children’s overall development, PA and wellbeing.

Early childhood education settings play a critical role in offering opportunities for children to develop physical literacy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if Movement for Life! (M4L), a physical literacy education program for adult caregivers of children ages 0-6, translated to change in the provision, knowledge, and understanding of physical literacy by early childhood educators (ECEs). Using a pre and post-test design 84 ECES completed two measures: the Physical Literacy Environmental Assessment (PLEA; Caldwell et al., 2020), and a survey regarding personal behaviours for providing physical literacy development opportunities. In addition, six childcare centre directors completed the Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare (Ward et al., 2008). The results demonstrate that the participation in the M4L program has a positive impact on the physical literacy environment of early childhood care centres. Additionally, ECEs believed it was important to provide physical literacy development activities. They reported increased confidence to provide effective physical literacy development activities from pre-test to post-test and reported significantly decreased difficulty providing effective physical literacy development activities from pre-test to post-test, although some barriers were suggested to still exist. The results indicate the M4L program was effective and successfully implemented with ECEs.

A child's early movement and active play experiences influence their attitudes towards physical activity throughout their childhood and into adulthood (Blair, 1992). Yet, it has been suggested that early childhood educators (ECEs) may not recognize the importance of, or give enough attention to, movement skills and physical development opportunities for young children (Clark, 2014; Whitehead, 2010). The education, or lack thereof, that ECEs receive could be an important factor. International comparisons of overall ECE preparation and training have demonstrated that some countries' ECEs are more highly educated than others (Howells and Sääkslahti, 2019). Using a case study approach, this paper conducts an analysis and comparison of three countries to examine the value and role of physical activity/movement education for ECEs to enable them to support physical literacy development in early childhood educational settings. In addition, lessons learned from creating such educational opportunities in the context of their various locations (Manitoba in Canada, Kent in England, and Escambia County, FL in U.S.A.) are discussed. A purposeful sample was used as these countries have relatively low levels of educational requirements for ECEs, yet children start attending early years’ education from the earliest life points (Howells & Sääkslahti, 2019).

Target spot is caused by Corynespora cassiicola, which heavily affects soybean production areas that are hot and humid. Resistant soybean genotypes have been identified; however, the molecular mechanisms governing resistance to infection are unknown. Comparative transcriptomic profiling using two known resistant genotypes and two susceptible genotypes was performed under infected and control conditions to understand the regulatory network operating between soybean and C. cassiicola. RNA-Seq analysis identified a total of 2571 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which were shared by all four genotypes. These DEGs are related to secondary metabolites, immune response, defense response, phenylpropanoid, and flavonoid/isoflavonoid pathways in all four genotypes after C. cassiicola infection. In the two resistant genotypes, additional upregulated DEGs were identified affiliated with the defense network: flavonoids, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and brassinosteroids. Further analysis led to the identification of differentially expressed transcription factors, immune receptors, and defense genes with a leucine-rich repeat domain, dirigent proteins, and cysteine (C)-rich receptor-like kinases. These results will provide insight into molecular mechanisms of soybean resistance to C. cassiicola infection and valuable resources to potentially pyramid quantitative resistance loci for improving soybean germplasm.

Abstract This study assesses the safety and efficacy of microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with cataract extraction in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). In our sample of 45 NTG patients, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 13.7 to 12.3 mmHg at 2.5 years, and mean medication burden decreased from 2.0 to 1.1 at 1.5 years. For success defined as IOP reduction ≥ 30% from baseline IOP with medication burden reduction from preoperative levels, success probability was 5.4% at 1.5 years. For success defined as medication burden reduction with an IOP reaching goal IOP as determined by the glaucoma specialist, success probabilities were 67.2% at 1.5 years and 29.4% at 2.5 years. At the last follow-up visit, eyes with two MIGS procedures with different mechanisms of action achieved successful medication reduction 68.8% of the time versus 35.7% achieved by a single MIGS procedure (p = 0.052). At their last visit, visual acuity was unchanged or improved in all eyes (100%). MIGS with cataract surgery results in modest reductions in IOP and medication burden in NTG patients, which may lead to lower costs and better therapeutic compliance. A combination of two MIGS procedures with different mechanisms of action may potentially be more effective in reducing medication burden than a single MIGS procedure in NTG patients. Further research is necessary to ascertain whether MIGS for NTG patients may help decrease medication burden while helping achieve goal IOP.

Abstract Background Plant homeodomain (PHD) fingers are central “readers” of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) with > 100 PHD finger-containing proteins encoded by the human genome. Many of the PHDs studied to date bind to unmodified or methylated states of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). Additionally, many of these domains, and the proteins they are contained in, have crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression and cancer development. Despite this, the majority of PHD fingers have gone uncharacterized; thus, our understanding of how these domains contribute to chromatin biology remains incomplete. Results We expressed and screened 123 of the annotated human PHD fingers for their histone binding preferences using reader domain microarrays. A subset (31) of these domains showed strong preference for the H3 N-terminal tail either unmodified or methylated at H3K4. These H3 readers were further characterized by histone peptide microarrays and/or AlphaScreen to comprehensively define their H3 preferences and PTM cross-talk. Conclusions The high-throughput approaches utilized in this study establish a compendium of binding information for the PHD reader family with regard to how they engage histone PTMs and uncover several novel reader domain–histone PTM interactions (i.e., PHRF1 and TRIM66). This study highlights the usefulness of high-throughput analyses of histone reader proteins as a means of understanding how chromatin engagement occurs biochemically.

Purpose. The aim of the study is to assess netarsudil’s intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering potential when prescribed as an adjunctive agent, to examine the effect of baseline IOP on patients’ response to netarsudil, and to explore patients’ characteristics predictive of pronounced responses to netarsudil. Methods. This is a single-center, multiprovider retrospective cohort study set at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Patients with a diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension on netarsudil and at least one other hypotensive agent for glaucoma who had at least one month of follow-up were included. Patients with additional procedures or glaucoma medication changes were excluded. The main outcome measures were IOP reduction, Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, netarsudil responder type, and complication rates. Results. 236 eyes of 236 patients were included. The mean baseline IOP was 19.06 ± 4.6 mmHg on an average of 4 ocular hypotensive medications. 196 (83.1%) patients experienced IOP reduction at the first follow-up visit of 2.84 ± 0.30 mmHg at 55.66 ± 51.89 days. IOP reduction at the second visit among these patients was 3.01 ± 0.44 mmHg at 133.24 ± 77.63 days. After starting netarsudil, 59% had a sustained response (median duration of 315 days), 25% had a robust response (>20% IOP reduction for at least 80% of visits), and 10% had a super response (>20% and >10 mmHg IOP reduction). Netarsudil was effective as an adjunctive therapy across all baseline IOP categories with greater relative IOP reduction in higher baseline IOP groups. Conclusions. Netarsudil is an effective adjunctive glaucoma therapy. IOP reductions between 2 and 3 mmHg are typical, but a minority had more pronounced and sustained effects (>10 mmHg). Further analysis is needed to assess specific demographic and clinical factors predictive of these robust responses.

Purpose: This study examined how treatment patterns for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) have changed over time using clinical registry data from the AAO IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). Design: A retrospective cohort analysis using the IRIS Registry database spanning 2013–2017. Participants: A total of 141 317 patients with newly diagnosed PDR (International Classification of Diseases [ICD], Tenth Revision, codes E08.35, E09.35, E10.35, E11.35, and E13.35 and ICD, Ninth Revision, code 362.02) were included. Methods: Comparison analyses were conducted using Tukey and chi-square tests, and time-trend analyses were conducted using Mann-Kendall tests and Theil-Sen slopes. Main Outcome Measures: Patient characteristics including age, gender, and laterality; whether patients received intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections (IVI) only, panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) only, both IVI and PRP (IVI+PRP), or observation; intravitreal drug data; and diabetic macular edema (DME) status were compared. Results: From 2013–2017, the average age of PDR diagnosis was 59.2 years, with 53.3% of patients being male. Sixty-two thousand one hundred five newly diagnosed PDR patients (43.9%) received IVI, 32 293 patients (27.1%) received PRP, 27 664 patients (19.6%) received IVI+PRP, and 13 255 patients (9.4%) underwent observation. In 2013, more PDR patients undergoing treatment received PRP only (47.5%) than IVI only (37.3%) or IVI+PRP (15.1%). From 2013 to 2017, the percentage of patients treated with PRP only decreased by 5.6% per year (P = 0.05) and the percentage of patients treated with IVI only increased by 3.9% per year (P = 0.05). By 2017, most patients received IVI only (52.9%). Patients with PDR with DME were more likely than patients without DME to receive IVI only (64.3% vs. 31.5%; P < 0.001). Among patients receiving IVI and IVI+PRP, bevacizumab (69.8%) was the most common intravitreal medication given followed by aflibercept (18.4%) then ranibizumab (11.7%). Conclusions: In this cohort analysis of the IRIS Registry, IVI surpassed PRP as the more common method of treating newly diagnosed PDR from 2013 to 2017, with bevacizumab administered in more than two thirds of IVIs.

The genus Marshallia is made up by seven to ten species of perennial herbs growing mainly in open habitats, whereas the genus Balduina is represented by three sympatric species; two perennial herbs and one annual, growing in open pine forest habitats. Both genera belong to the family Asteraceae, tribe Helenieae, and are endemic to the southeast United States, in North America. Cytogenetic studies concerning these two genera are scarce and genome size data is lacking for both. The main goals of this study were to (i) generate novel insights into the evolution of the genome size and (ii), contribute to filling existing gaps on our knowledge of the Asteraceae family from this point of view. Nuclear DNA contents range from 11.42 pg/2C in Marshallia trinervia to 31.58 pg/2C in Marshallia mohrii. The combination of genome size with chromosome data (and inferred cytotypes) suggests the existence of multiple cytotypes, and provides interesting insights into the potential impact of polyploidy in the evolution of these genera in general, and the shaping of genome size diversity, in particular.

Purpose Emergency medicine is a common access point to health care; disparities in this care by demographic characteristics, including race and ethnicity, may affect outcomes. The Massachusetts Eye and Ear (MEE) Emergency Department (ED) is a subspecialty emergency department; data from this site can be utilized to better understand social determinants of quality ophthalmic care. Design This is a retrospective cross sectional cohort study in the MEE ED examining patient visits from June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019. Methods Using the electronic medical record system, all unique visits were identified between June 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019 (inclusive); patient demographics (sex, race, ethnicity [Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic], primary care provider [PCP] status, insurance type, zip code, primary language), date of visit, triage category and outcomes (final diagnosis, visit duration, and next visit at MEE within 3 months of the ED visit) were collected. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to visualize likelihood of follow-up visit to MEE for urgent patients based on demographics. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine factors affecting visit durations, as stratified by urgency, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to establish hazard ratios for next visit to MEE. Results Of the 46,248 ophthalmology ED initial visits, only triage status, season of visit, out-of-state residency, Medicare coverage, and Medicaid coverage led to statistically significant differences in visit durations for urgent visits compared with the respective reference groups. Similar trends persisted within the non-urgent visit cohort for visit durations. Residency, insurance coverage, season of visit, race, PCP status, and sex were identified as statistically significant predictors of the likelihood of a follow-up visit. Conclusion Data from an ophthalmic emergency department suggest that demographic factors do impact patient visit duration and time to follow-up visit. These findings suggest a continued need for attention to social determinants of health and equitable care of patients within ophthalmology.

Relationships in the genus Eleusine were obtained through transcriptome analysis. Eleusine coracana (E. coracana ssp. coracana), also known as finger millet, is an allotetraploid minor crop primarily grown in East Africa and India. Domesticated E. coracana evolved from wild E. africana (E. coracana ssp. africana) with the maternal genome donor largely supported to be E. indica; however, the paternal genome donor remains elusive. We developed transcriptomes for six Eleusine species from fully developed seedlings using Illumina technology and three de novo assemblers (Trinity, Velvet, and SOAPdenovo2) with the redundancy-reducing EvidentialGene pipeline. Mapping E. coracana reads to the chloroplast genes of all Eleusine species detected fewer variants between E. coracana and E. indica compared to all other species. Phylogenetic analysis further supports E. indica as the maternal parent of E. coracana and E. africana, in addition to a close relationship between E. indica and E. tristachya, and between E. floccifolia and E. multiflora, and E. intermedia as a separate group. A close relationship between E. floccifolia and E. multiflora was unexpected considering they are reported to have distinct nuclear genomes, BB and CC, respectively. Further, it was expected that E. intermedia and E. floccifolia would have a closer relationship considering they have similar nuclear genomes, AB and BB, respectively. A rethinking of the labeling of ancestral genomes of E. floccifolia, E. multiflora, and E. intermedia is maybe needed based on this data.

Purpose. To compare the effectiveness and safety of 360° and 180° of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods. Retrospective cohort study. The main outcome measure was the Kaplan–Meier analysis comparing the cumulative probabilities of survival between the 360° and 180° SLT groups in terms of IOP reduction. Success was defined as ≥20% IOP reduction from baseline with an IOP between 5–18 mmHg and ≤1 glaucoma medication added postoperatively. Additional outcome measures included changes in average IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and the incidence of postoperative IOP spikes. Measurements were obtained at 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Results. Two hundred and fifty-eight eyes of 258 patients were included in the 360° group, and 196 eyes of 196 patients were included in the 180° group. The mean IOP reductions at 2 years were 2.21 ± 2.02 mmHg and 2.43 ± 1.81 mmHg (p=0.33) in the 180° and 360° groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative IOP spikes between the two groups. There was a significant difference in the survival curves of the two groups (p=0.035). The Cox proportional-hazard model indicated that 360° of SLT application was a significant predictor of long-term success (p=0.030). Conclusions. 360° of SLT application seems to provide for greater long-term IOP control than 180° of application without putting patients at an elevated risk for postoperative IOP spikes.

Abstract Background Physical literacy is the foundation of a physically active lifestyle. Sedentary behaviour displays deleterious associations with important health indicators in children. However, the association between sedentary behaviour and physical literacy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the aspects of physical literacy that are associated with key modes of sedentary behaviour among Canadian children participating in the RBC-CAPL Learn to Play study. Methods A total of 8,307 children aged 8.0-12.9 years were included in the present analysis. Physical literacy was assessed using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, which measures four domains (Physical Competence, Daily Behaviour, Motivation and Confidence, Knowledge and Understanding). Screen-based sedentary behaviours (TV viewing, computer and video game use), non-screen sedentary behaviours (reading, doing homework, sitting and talking to friends, drawing, etc.) and total sedentary behaviour were assessed via self-report questionnaire. Linear regression models were used to determine significant (p

Abstract Background The current physical literacy level of Canadian children is unknown. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Learn to Play – Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) project, which is anchored in the Canadian consensus statement definition of physical literacy, aimed to help establish the current physical literacy level of Canadian children. Methods The CAPL was used to assess the physical literacy (and component domains: Daily Behaviour, Physical Competence, Knowledge and Understanding, and Motivation and Confidence) of Canadian children aged 8–12 years. Data were collected from 11 sites across Canada, yielding a sample of 10,034 participants (5030 girls). Descriptive statistics by age and gender were calculated and percentile distributions of physical literacy scores, including each domain and individual measure, were derived. Results The mean age of participants was 10.1 ± 1.2 years. Total physical literacy scores (out of 100) were on average 63.1 ± 13.0 for boys and 62.2 ± 11.3 for girls. For boys and girls respectively, domain scores were 19.9 ± 4.7 and 19.3 ± 4.1 (out of 32) for Physical Competence; 18.6 ± 7.9 and 18.5 ± 7.4 (out of 32) for Daily Behaviour; 12.7 ± 2.8 and 12.2 ± 2.6 (out of 18) for Motivation and Confidence; and 11.8 ± 2.8 and 12.2 ± 2.6 (out of 18) for Knowledge and Understanding. Physical Competence measures were on average 28.1 ± 8.4 cm (sit-and-reach flexibility), 33.5 ± 9.4 kg (grip strength, right + left), 23.4 ± 14.1 laps (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run [PACER] shuttle run), 61.8 ± 43.8 s (isometric plank), 19.0 ± 3.8 kg/m2 (body mass index), 67.3 ± 10.8 cm (waist circumference), and 20.6 ± 3.9 out of 28 points for the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA), with scores for boys higher than girls and older children higher than younger children for grip strength, PACER, plank, and CAMSA score. Girls and younger children had better scores on the sit-and-reach flexibility than boys and older children. Daily pedometer step counts were higher in boys than girls (12,355 ± 4252 vs. 10,779 ± 3624), and decreased with age. Conclusions These results provide the largest and most comprehensive assessment of physical literacy of Canadian children to date, providing a “state of the nation” baseline, and can be used to monitor changes and inform intervention strategies going forward.

Abstract Background Physical literacy is an emerging construct in children’s health promotion, and may impact their lifelong physical activity habits. However, recent data reveal that only a small portion of Canadian children are regularly physically active and/or meet sedentary behaviour guidelines. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the association between physical literacy and movement behaviour guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical literacy scores in Canadian children who meet or do not meet physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. Methods Children (n = 2956; 56.6% girls) aged 8–12 years from 10 Canadian cities had their physical literacy levels measured using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, which consists of four domains (Physical Competence; Daily Behaviour; Knowledge and Understanding; and Motivation and Confidence) that are aggregated to provide a composite physical literacy score. Physical activity levels were measured by pedometers, and sedentary behaviour was assessed through self-report questionnaire. Analyses were conducted separately for each guideline, comparing participants meeting versus those not meeting the guidelines. Comparisons were performed using MANOVA and logistic regression to control for age, gender, and seasonality. Results Participants meeting physical activity guidelines or sedentary behaviour guidelines had higher physical literacy domain scores for Physical Competence and for Motivation and Confidence compared to those not meeting either guideline (both p

Abstract Background Physical literacy is a complex construct influenced by a range of physical, behavioural, affective, and cognitive factors. Researchers are interested in relationships among these constituent factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate how age, gender, and physical competence components of physical literacy relate to a child’s adequacy in and predilection for physical activity. Methods A sample of 8530 Canadian youth (50% girl) aged 8.0 to 12.9 years participated in the study. Participants completed the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) protocol, which assesses physical literacy in four domains: Physical Competence, Daily Behaviour, Motivation and Confidence, and Knowledge and Understanding. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between physical competence components of physical literacy (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run [PACER], Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment [CAMSA], sit and reach, handgrip, plank, and body mass index) and children’s perceived adequacy and predilection toward physical activity as measured by subscales from the Children’s Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity scale (CSAPPA). Results The variable most strongly associated with adequacy and predilection was the PACER shuttle run score. The PACER accounted for 10.9% of the variance in adequacy and 9.9% of the variance in predilection. Participants’ age was inversely related to adequacy (β = − 0.374) and predilection (β = − 0.621). The combination of other variables related to adequacy brought the total variance explained to 14.7%, while the model for predilection explained a total of 13.7%. Conclusions Results indicate an association between cardiorespiratory fitness and measures of physical activity adequacy and predilection. These findings suggest that practitioners should consider the physiological and psychological makeup of the child, and ways to enhance adequacy and predilection among children with limited cardiorespiratory fitness, in order to create the best possible environment for all children to participate in physical activity.

Abstract Background Quality physical education (PE) contributes to the development of physical literacy among children, yet little is known about how teacher training relates to this development. We assessed the association between teacher training, and the likelihood that children met recommended achievement levels for components of physical literacy as defined by the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL). Methods Canadian children (n = 4189; M = 10.72 years, SD = 1.19) from six provinces completed the CAPL. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between teacher training (generalist/PE specialist), adjusting for children’s age and gender, and physical competence protocols (sit and reach, handgrip, plank, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run [PACER], body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment [CAMSA]), the four CAPL domain scores, and the total CAPL score. Results Teacher training, in addition to children’s age and gender, explained only a very small proportion of variance in each model (all R2

Abstract Background The associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical literacy in children are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between CRF, measured using the 20-m shuttle run test (20mSRT), and components of physical literacy among Canadian children aged 8–12 years. Methods A total of 9393 (49.9% girls) children, with a mean (SD) age of 10.1 (±1.2) years, from a cross-sectional surveillance study were included for this analysis. The SRT was evaluated using a standardized 15 m or 20 m protocol. All 15 m SRTs were converted to 20mSRT values using a standardized formula. The four domains of physical literacy (Physical Competence, Daily Behaviour, Motivation and Confidence, and Knowledge and Understanding) were measured using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy. Tertiles were identified for 20mSRT laps, representing low, medium, and high CRF for each age and gender group. Cohen’s d was used to calculate the effect size between the low and high CRF groups. Results CRF was strongly and favourably associated with all components of physical literacy among school-aged Canadian children. The effect size between low and high CRF tertile groups was large for the Physical Competence domain (Cohen’s d range: 1.11–1.94) across age and gender groups, followed by moderate to large effect sizes for Motivation and Confidence (Cohen’s d range: 0.54–1.18), small to moderate effect sizes for Daily Behaviour (Cohen’s d range: 0.25–0.81), and marginal to moderate effect sizes for Knowledge and Understanding (Cohen’s d range: 0.08–0.70). Conclusions This study identified strong favourable associations between CRF and physical literacy and its constituent components in children aged 8–12 years. Future research should investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the 20mSRT in screening those with low physical literacy levels.

Human–animal interaction (HAI) research has increasingly documented the important role of pet dogs in children’s lives. The quality of interaction between children and their pet dogs, however, is likely influenced by individual differences among children as well as their perceived relationship with their pet dog. Ninety-seven children aged 7–12 years and their pet dogs participated in a laboratory protocol during which the child solicited interaction with their dog, from which time petting and gazing were recorded. Children reported on their perceived relationship with the pet dog via interview. Children provided saliva samples, from which a polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor, OXTR rs53576, which has long been implicated in social behavior, was genotyped. The results showed that OXTR genotype and children’s perceived antagonism with the pet dog predicted the amount of petting, but not gazing, between children and their pet dogs. This research adds to the growing body of HAI research by documenting individual differences that may influence children’s interactions with animals, which is key to research related to pet ownership and understanding factors that may impact therapeutic interventions involving HAI.

In this paper, we share the rationale, process, and results related to a community-based participatory action research (PAR) project in which we, among other things, aimed to attend to the underrepresentation of newcomer youth in community sport and recreation pursuits. By way of engaging with one rural county’s Syrian youth refugee population while also attending closely to a social ecological framework, we first identified obstacles and opportunities related to multiple systems (i.e., individual, social/interpersonal, organizational/community, public policy). Drawing upon multiple data sources (i.e., photos and photovoice, participants’ drawings and notes, participant-researchers’ field notes, and focus group interviews) to inform our subsequent plan-act-observe-reflect action research cycles, we and our Syrian youth participants co-created and implemented the Syrian Youth Sports Club. In addition to describing the rationale and process related to this Syrian Youth Sports Club, we focus herein upon the results, which primarily relate to participants’ experiences becoming (physically literate) and belonging.

This paper, based upon the Dudley Allen Sargent lecture delivered at the 2023 NAKHE conference, provides a discussion on the importance of physical education in higher education from a non-American perspective. It explores the past and present place of physical education and its scholars in the realm of higher education, while sharing examples and insights from a Canadian context. It argues that at the present time physical education scholars suffer somewhat from an abundance affliction with respect to the immense number of organizations, conferences, and journals that exist for sharing their scholarly work. Finally, readers are encouraged to reflect on how this breadth of opportunity for physical education in higher education and academia is both the disciplines' greatest strength and weakness, but that regardless of this fact the roots of physical education in higher education and Dudley Sargent's aspirations are still shared among physical education and kinesiology scholars of today.