Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2012 Feb 3;
Blankstein R, Ahmed W, Bamberg F, Rogers IS, Schlett CL, Nasir K, Fontes J, Tawakol A, Brady TJ, Nagurney JT, Hoffmann U, Truong QA

BACKGROUND: -The aim of our study was to (a) examine how data from exercise treadmill testing (ETT) can identify patients who have coronary plaque or stenosis, using CT angiography (CTA) as the reference standard, (b) identify patient characteristics that may be used in selecting ETT versus CTA. METHODS AND RESULTS: -The Rule Out Myocardial Infarction Using Computer Assisted Tomography (ROMICAT) trial was an observational cohort study of acute chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department with normal initial troponin and a non-ischemic electrocardiogram. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to assess the relationship of baseline clinical data and ETT parameters with coronary plaque and stenosis on CTA. Out of the 220 patients who had ETT (mean age 51, 63% male), 21 (10%) had positive results. A positive ETT had a sensitivity of 30% and specificity of 93% to detect >50% stenosis. The sensitivity increased to 83% after excluding uninterpretable segments and evaluating the ability to detect a >70% stenosis. Predictors of plaque included older age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, lower functional capacity, and a lower Duke treadmill score. Both a positive ETT and a low Duke treadmill score were significant univariate and multivariable predictors of stenosis >50% on CTA While the prevalence of stenosis by CTA was greater among patients with more risk factors, coronary stenosis was not present among men

Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Feb 2;
Bae S, Saggar R, Bolster MB, Chung L, Csuka ME, Derk C, Domsic R, Fischer A, Frech T, Goldberg A, Hinchcliff M, Hsu V, Hummers L, Schiopu E, Mayes MD, McLaughlin V, Molitor J, Naz N, Furst DE, Maranian P, Steen V, Khanna D

BACKGROUND: Patients with normal (mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≤20 mm Hg) and borderline mean pulmonary pressures (21-24 mm Hg) are "at risk" of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). The objectives of this analysis were to examine the baseline characteristics in systemic sclerosis (SSc) with normal and borderline mPAP and to explore long-term outcomes in SSc patients with borderline mPAP versus normal haemodynamics.METHODS: PHAROS is a multicentre prospective longitudinal cohort of patients with SSc "at risk" or recently diagnosed with resting PH on right heart catheterisation (RHC). Baseline clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests, high-resolution CT, 2-dimensional echocardiogram and RHC results were analysed in normal and borderline mPAP groups.RESULTS: 206 patients underwent RHC (results showed 35 normal, 28 borderline mPAP, 143 resting PH). There were no differences in the baseline demographics. Patients in the borderline mPAP group were more likely to have restrictive lung disease (67% vs 30%), fibrosis on high-resolution CT and a higher estimated right ventricular systolic pressure on echocardiogram (46.3 vs 36.2 mm Hg; p

Horm Metab Res. 2012 Feb 3;
Sartorio A, Agosti F, Patrizi A, Compri E, Muller EE, Cella SG, Rigamonti AE

To date, the large majority of studies evaluating growth hormone (GH) response to acute physical exercise has been performed involving gross muscle groups. To the best of our knowledge, none has evaluated the effects of a respiratory muscle endurance training (RMET) on hormonal secretions, particularly on GH release, though some respiratory devices have been widely used in athletes to train respiratory muscles and to improve cardiopulmonary function and physical performance. 8 healthy men underwent an incremental progressive RMET protocol of 11 daily sessions, obtained through the use of a specifically designed respiratory device (Spiro Tiger®). The 12th session of RMET (15 min duration: 1 min at a respiration rate of 28 acts/min, 5 min at 32 acts/min, 5 min at 34 acts/min, 4 min at 36 acts/min) was associated with blood samplings for determination of GH, cortisol, ghrelin, glucose, and lactate (LA) levels. GH and cortisol responses significantly increased after a 15-minute RMET session, which, in contrast, inhibited ghrelin secretion. There was a minimal, though significant, increase in LA levels with a significant elevation in glycemia. A 15-minute RMET session, administered after a 11-days incremental progressive RMET protocol, was capable of stimulating GH and cortisol release and suppressing ghrelin secretion. Optimization of incremental progressive RMET protocols would be important to maximize the positive chronic effects of this intervention on somatotropic function and muscle performance.

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 Feb 3;
Algahim MF, Sen S, Taegtmeyer H

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Data from the Framingham Study have reported a higher incidence of heart failure in obese individuals compared to a normal cohort. The body initially copes with the abundance of fuel present in an obese milieu by storing it in adipose tissue. However, when the storage capacity is exceeded the excess energy is taken up and stored ectopically as fat in vital organs such as the heart. Indeed, intramyocardial lipid overload is present in both hearts of obese patients animal models of obesity and is associated with a distinct gene expression profile and cardiac dysfunction. By imposing a metabolic stress on the heart, obesity causes it to hypertrophy and ultimately to fail. Conventional measures to treat obesity include diet, exercise and drugs. More recently, weight loss surgery (WLS) has achieved increasing prominence because of its ability to reduce the neurohumoral load, normalize metabolic dysregulation and improve overall survival. The effects of WLS on systemic metabolic, neurohumoral and hemodynamic parameters are well described and include an early normalization of serum glucose and insulin levels as well as reduction in blood pressure. WLS is also associated with reverse cardiac remodeling, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and improved left ventricular and right ventricular function. By targeting the source of the excess energy, we hypothesize that WLS improves contractile function by limiting exogenous substrate availability to the metabolically overloaded heart. These changes have also been found to be associated with increased levels of adiponectin and improved insulin sensitivity. Taken together, the sustained beneficial effects of WLS on left ventricular mass and function highlight the need to better understand the mechanism by which obesity regulates cardiovascular physiology.

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 Feb 3;
Zhou Z, Hemradj V, de Beer VJ, Gao F, Hoekstra M, Merkus D, Duncker DJ

A significant endothelium-dependent vasodilation persists after inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) in the coronary vasculature, which has been linked to the activation of cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases expressed in endothelial cells, and subsequent generation of vasodilator epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Here, we investigated the contribution of CYP 2C9 metabolites to regulation of porcine coronary vasomotor tone in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-six swine were chronically instrumented. Inhibition of CYP 2C9 with sulfaphenazole (5mg kg(-1) iv) alone had no effect on bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation, but slightly attenuated bradykinin-induced vasodilation in the presence of combined NOS/COX blockade with Nω-Nitro-L-arginine (20 mg kg(-1) iv) and indomethacin (10 mg kg(-1) iv). Sulfaphenazole had minimal effects on coronary resistance vessel tone at rest or during exercise. Surprisingly, in the presence of combined NOS/COX blockade, a significant coronary vasodilator response to sulfaphenzole became apparent, both at rest and during exercise. Subsequently, we investigated the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the paradoxical vasoconstrictor influence of CYP 2C9 activity in isolated porcine coronary small arteries (~250 μm) in vitro. The vasodilation by bradykinin in the presence of NOS/COX blockade was markedly potentiated by sulfaphenazole under control conditions, which was negated by pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-(2-Mercaptoproprionyl)-glycine. In conclusion, CYP 2C9 can produce both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator metabolites. Production of these metabolites is enhanced by combined NOS/COX blockade, and is critically dependent on the experimental conditions. Thus, production of vasoconstrictors slightly outweighed the production of vasodilators at rest and during exercise. Pharmacological stimulation with bradykinin resulted in vasodilator CYP 2C9 metabolite production when administered in vivo, whereas vasoconstrictor CYP 2C9 metabolites, most likely ROS, were dominant when administered in vitro.

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Feb; 302(4): E476-7
Gomez-Cabrera MC, Ristow M, Viña J

BMJ Open. 2012; 2(1): e000624
Mustila T, Raitanen J, Keskinen P, Saari A, Luoto R

To investigate the effect of intensified lifestyle counselling targeting infants' mothers on offspring weight development during the first 4 years of life.Follow-up of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in primary care child health clinics during 2004-2006 in Finland. Participants received a follow-up survey during 2010 concerning weight and height measurements of their offspring. Number of clusters was six and the response rate to the follow-up 71.9% (N=64/89).The participants (N=89) were mothers of infants aged 2-10 months.The intervention included individual counselling on diet and physical activity when the infant was 2-10 months of age and an option to attend supervised group exercise sessions. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The authors analysed the secondary outcome of the intervention study: the weight development of the offspring. The primary outcome was the proportion of women returning to their prepregnancy weight by 10 months post partum, reported earlier.Multilevel mixed effect non-linear regression models included group, age of the child and interaction between group and age of the child. The increase of BMI z-score between 24 and 48 months was slower among the intervention group offspring (-0.034 to -0.002, p=0.028) as compared with control group. Z-scores for weight-for-length/height did not differ between groups when the period 0-48 months was analysed (p=0.23) but for the period of 24-48 months, between-group differences were significant (p=0.012).Lifestyle counselling targeting mothers during the child's first year may be effective in slowing offspring weight gain until 4 years of age. However, larger studies are needed to confirm the findings which may have the potential in combatting the obesity epidemic.Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN21512277.

J Pharm Pract. 2012 Feb 2;
Koenigsfeld CF, Wall GC, Miesner AR, Schmidt G, Haack SL, Eastman DK, Grady S, Fornoff A

Purpose: To determine whether a faculty-led mock-interview activity enhanced pharmacy student preparation for the residency interview process and increased match rates. Methods: Twenty-eight doctor of pharmacy students volunteered for a 40-minute mock-interview session with 2-person faculty teams. A standard roster of 12 interview questions was derived from published literature and the faculty members' experience. Feedback on the student's interview performance was provided verbally during the session. Following the interview, students were given a 2-part survey instrument. The first part of the survey was administered immediately following the mock-interview session and the second part was administered after the standard date for residency program results (known as "Match Day"). Participant match rates were compared to American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) national rates. Results: 82.5% (23 of 27) of students in the mock-interview group matched a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) program. Compared to national rates (61.9%), more students in our surveyed mock-interview group matched a PGY1 residency (P = .015; odds ratio [OR] 3.546, 95% CI 1.161-12.116). Conclusions: Higher match rates were seen in the students completing the mock residency interview compared to ASHP national rates. In general, students completing the mock interview found the process helpful and felt better prepared for their residency interviews.

Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2012 Feb 3;
Chang YK, Liu S, Yu HH, Lee YH

This study was conducted to determine the effect of acute aerobic exercise on executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty children with ADHD were randomly assigned into exercise or control groups. Participants in the exercise group performed a moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 30 min, whereas the control group watched a running/exercise-related video. Neuropsychological tasks, the Stroop Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), were assessed before and after each treatment. The results indicated that acute exercise facilitated performance in the Stroop Test, particularly in the Stroop Color-Word condition. Additionally, children in the exercise group demonstrated improvement in specific WCST performances in Non-perseverative Errors and Categories Completed, whereas no influences were found in those performances in the control group. Tentative explanations for the exercise effect postulate that exercise allocates attention resources, influences the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and is implicated in exercise-induced dopamine release. These findings are promising and additional investigations to explore the efficacy of exercise on executive function in children with ADHD are encouraged.

J Hypertens. 2012 Feb 2;
Sagara S, Osanai T, Itoh T, Izumiyama K, Shibutani S, Hanada K, Yokoyama H, Yamamoto Y, Yokota T, Tomita H, Magota K, Okumura K

BACKGROUND:: Regular exercise improves systolic cardiac dysfunction through Akt cascade-mediated physiological hypertrophy in congestive heart failure. Tissue acidosis impairs Akt cascade, and coupling factor 6 induces tissue acidosis via activation of ecto-F1Fo complex. We tested the hypothesis that coupling factor 6 attenuates physiological cardiac hypertrophy induced by exercise and its benefit in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS:: Adult wild-type mice (n = 20) and coupling factor 6-overexpressing transgenic mice (n = 20) were divided into two groups with or without 4-week exercise consisting of 90-min swimming twice daily. Left ventricular posterior wall and interventricular septum thicknesses were increased by 0.12 ± 0.1 and 0.16 ± 0.1 mm, respectively, after 4-week swimming in wild-type mice (both P 

Br J Nurs. 2012 Jan 26; 21(2): 116-22
Stirling K, Smith G

This article describes the findings from a pilot study undertaken to identify the potential benefits of a ward simulation exercise in developing the capabilities of newly qualified nurses. Eight newly qualified nurses were recruited to participate in this pilot study which was based in the Clinical Skills Centre, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. This pilot study was performed in conjunction with NHS Tayside Practice Education Facilitators and the University of Dundee. Data collection methods involved reflective learning logs which were reviewed independently by an expert group of teachers and practitioners. A focus group session was also undertaken to understand the lived experience of the newly qualified nurse during the ward simulation exercise. Core themes (listed in order of importance) related to the professional development of newly qualified nurses that were identified through this pilot study were: an increase in confidence, development of stress management skills, improved management of the acutely unwell patient, the transfer of skills learnt in simulation to the clinical setting, development of communication skills and reflection skills. Participants in this pilot study demonstrated increased levels of confidence in their communication skills, their ability to prioritize care and to engage in collaborative teamworking.

Man Ther. 2012 Feb 2;
Morrissey D, Graham J, Screen H, Sinha A, Small C, Twycross-Lewis R, Woledge R

BACKGROUND: Groin pain arising from adductor muscle injury is common amongst football code athletes and can result in significant time lost from sporting participation. The associated motor control deficits are not well understood. AIMS: The aim of this study was to better understand the coronal plane muscle activation patterns associated with chronic adductor injury. METHODOLOGY: Measures of muscle activation at various stages of the standing hip flexion manoeuvre were made with surface electromyography and motion capture in 9 male football code subjects with chronic adductor injury, and 9 matched controls. RESULTS: The gluteus medius to adductor longus activation ratio was significantly reduced in subjects with groin pain when the injured leg was either moving (F = 64.3, p 

J Sci Med Sport. 2012 Feb 3;
Kim Y, Beets MW, Welk GJ

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the evidence on the calibration of ActiGraph accelerometers to quantify moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for youth through the use of cut-points and describe the independent validation studies comparing the accuracy of the developed cut-points to a criterion measure. DESIGN: A systematic review. METHOD: Studies were identified that: (a) developed ActiGraph accelerometer cut-points for children and youth (calibration study); or (b) performed an independent validation of already established cut-points (validation study). Both calibration studies and independent validation studies were retrieved through a systematic search of online databases. According to proposed guidelines for designing accelerometer calibration studies, each calibration study was evaluated on the following criteria: quality of a criterion measure employed; epoch length; inclusion of a variety of activities; and sample size. RESULTS: A total of 11 calibration studies were identified. Two studies met all four criteria for a calibration study. A total of 4 independent validation studies were identified. Three of them reported that no cut-points accurately classified moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) across all ranges of physical activity intensity levels in comparison to a criterion measure. The fourth study reported two sets of cut-points that under laboratory conditions, accurately classified moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to indirect calorimetry. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence suggests that two sets of cut-points correctly classify ActiGraph counts into moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, limitations with calibration and validation studies indicate greater efforts aimed at designing high quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Neuroscience. 2012 Jan 20;
Kiuchi T, Lee H, Mikami T

In animals, chronic stress leads to the development of depression-like behavior and decreases neurogenesis and blood vessel density in hippocampus, whereas antidepressants increase adult neurogenesis in hippocampus. Regular exercise training also has antidepressant action and increases hippocampal neurogenesis; however, whether exercise-induced antidepressant action is related to hippocampal microvasculature is unclear. To address this issue, we compared depression-like behavior, blood vessel density, and neurogenesis in hippocampal dentate gyrus between stressed and exercised mice with or without administration of inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor. Chronic stress led to the development of depression-like behavior, decreased blood vessel density, and neurogenesis in hippocampus. Regular exercise training improved depression-like behavior, the decrease of hippocampal blood vessel density, and neurogenesis in the stress state, whereas the combination of regular exercise and administration of SU1498, VEGF receptor Flk-1 inhibitor, canceled the exercise-induced antidepressant effect. These findings suggested that the improvement of hippocampal blood vessel and adult neurogenesis via VEGF signaling pathway is necessary for exercise-induced antidepressant effect.

Clin Evid (Online). 2012; 2012:
Turner SW, Friend AJ, Okpapi A

Childhood asthma is the most common chronic paediatric illness. There is no cure for asthma but good treatment to palliate symptoms is available. Asthma is more common in children with a personal or family history of atopy, increased severity and frequency of wheezing episodes, and presence of variable airway obstruction or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Precipitating factors for symptoms and acute episodes include infection, house dust mites, allergens from pet animals, exposure to tobacco smoke, and exercise. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of single-agent prophylaxis in children taking as-needed inhaled beta(2) agonists for asthma? What are the effects of additional prophylactic treatments in childhood asthma inadequately controlled by standard-dose inhaled corticosteroids? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to June 2010 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).We found 48 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: beta(2) agonists (long-acting), corticosteroids (inhaled standard or higher doses), leukotriene receptor antagonists (oral), omalizumab, and theophylline (oral).

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb; 163(2): 302-12
Aryana M, Li Z, Bommer WJ

Obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions in the United States and California. Thus, the California Department of Education began a series of steps to address the increase in obesity and decline in fitness in the 6.3 million public school children in California. We evaluated serial changes in obesity and fitness in California school children following implementation of prevention steps in all California public schools.The California Department of Education implemented changes in school nutrition and exercise programs aimed at reducing obesity and improving fitness. Outcome results were monitored by performing Physical Fitness Testing on 8.4 million students (5th, 7th, and 9th grade) for body composition, aerobic capacity, flexibility, and upper body, abdominal, and truncal strength using the Cochran-Armitage trend test and multivariable logistic regression models.Overall fitness improved from 2003 to 2008. Serial changes in body composition, aerobic capacity, flexibility, and upper body, abdominal, and truncal strength improved or remained stable within school as students progressed from 5th to 7th to 9th grade. However, students entering 5th grade were more obese every year, and this early obesity was not reversible within the school programs.Following prevention measures within California public schools, obesity and fitness levels have stabilized. However, continued increases in early entrance (5th grade) obesity will require additional efforts directed at preschool and elementary students to completely stop and reverse this obesity epidemic.

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb; 163(2): 280-7
Batra AS, McElhinney DB, Wang W, Zakheim R, Garofano RP, Daniels C, Yung D, Cooper DM, Rhodes J

We assessed the hypothesis that there is an improvement in clinical and physiologic parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) after implantation of a transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV).Transcatheter pulmonary valve provides a new tool for treating conduit stenosis and regurgitation in patients with right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary artery conduit dysfunction.Patients who underwent a TPV placement between January 2007 and January 2010 (N = 150) were investigated with a standardized CPET protocol before and at 6 months after TPV placement. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer with respiratory gas exchange analysis.Six months post TPV, small but statistically significant improvements were observed in the maximum workload (65.0% ± 18.8% to 68.3% ± 20.3% predicted, P < .001) and the ratio of minute ventilation to CO(2) production at the anaerobic threshold (30.8 ± 4.7 to 29.1 ± 4.1, P < .001). There was no significant change in peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)). Patients with pre-TPV hemodynamics consistent with RV dysfunction and patients with a lower pre-TPV peak VO(2) tended to have the greatest improvement in peak VO(2). The correlation between TPV-related improvements in peak VO(2) and baseline clinical variables were weak, however, and these variables could not be used to reliably identify patients likely to have improved peak VO(2) after TPV.In patients with RV to pulmonary artery conduit dysfunction, TPV is associated with modest improvement in exercise capacity and gas exchange efficiency during exercise.

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb; 163(2): 268-73
Suzuki T, Kohro T, Hayashi D, Yamazaki T, Nagai R

Lifestyle modifications such as exercise and diet interventions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are widely regarded as important, but little is known about their frequency in clinical practice and their impact on all-cause mortality.The JCAD study is a cohort study of 13,812 patients with CAD (≥75% stenosis in ≥1 of 3 major coronary arteries). Patients were enrolled from April 2000 through March 2001 at 202 institutions throughout Japan. Exercise and diet interventions were defined based on Japanese national guidelines. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality with 95% CIs.We studied 11,893 patients in the JCAD study. Over 3 years of follow-up, there were 474 deaths; 4,237 patients (35.6%) underwent exercise intervention, and 8,642 patients (72.7%) underwent diet intervention from the time of discharge. Mortality was lower in patients who underwent an exercise or diet intervention than in patients who did not: HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.56-0.84) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.62-0.91), respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, institution, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, current drinking, current smoking, and the use of antiplatelet agents, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins, the associations with these interventions remain statistically significant: HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.96) for exercise and 0.74 (95% CI 0.58-0.95) for diet interventions.Exercise and diet interventions have a beneficial impact on all-cause mortality in patients with CAD, yet these interventions are surprisingly infrequent. Lifestyle interventions should be more actively promoted.

Int J Biol Macromol. 2012 Jan 24;
Datta S, Dou X, Shibley A, Datta B

The precise alignment of DNA molecules by Watson-Crick base-pairing combined with its polymeric characteristics have allowed DNA to be used as a template or scaffold for assembling materials. In this work, we investigate the role of calf-thymus DNA as a template for enhancing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mediated oxidation of phenol and phenolic derivatives. The HRP-catalyzed oxidation of phenol into polyphenolic products and in presence of 4-aminoantipyrine into quinoneimine dye complexes is studied. Visible spectroscopy reveals an increased yield of both products of the enzymatic reaction in presence of calf-thymus DNA and is attributed to the prearrangement of the corresponding substrates on the DNA. The concentrations of calf-thymus DNA and the substrates are found to affect the nature of prearrangement and subsequent formation of polymeric or co-oxidation products. Also, phenolic derivatives with different aromatic substitutions display divergent propensities towards product formation in presence of the DNA template. Our results demonstrate the ability of calf-thymus DNA to modulate the activity of HRP and exercise control on the nature of products formed. This work highlights the potential of using DNA as a template for influencing enzymatic reactions involving aromatic substrates.

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2012 Feb; 139(2): 261-71
Withagen A, Kappers AM, Vervloed MP, Knoors H, Verhoeven L

The present study describes a tactual object matching task based on the study of Lederman and Klatzky (1987) for the dimensions Exact shape, Weight, Volume and Texture. Participants were congenitally blind children and their sighted classmates, congenitally blind adults and sighted adults. To study a possible effect of familiarity the task was performed four times. Based on Millar's CAPIN (Convergent Active Processes in Interrelated Networks) model of spatial processing (Millar, 1994) it was thought that this manipulation would add redundant information to the experiment from which the children and blind participants could benefit. The results showed that accuracy was affected more by age than visual status, especially for the dimension Exact Shape. With regard to response times, children were in most cases faster than adults, especially the sighted adults. Familiarization had a significant effect on response times for all dimensions. Extra exercise only increased accuracy for the dimension Texture. These results were generally in line with the CAPIN model.