Test Battery Research Articles

Secular trends of physical fitness in Austrian children attending sports schools: An analysis of repeated cross-sections from 2006 to 2023

BackgroundPhysical fitness (PF) offers numerous physical and mental health benefits, especially during childhood. Previous studies investigating trends in children's PF over the years reported contradictory findings. ObjectiveTo identify and analyse secular trends in PF among Austrian schoolchildren from 2006 to 2023. MethodA repeated cross-sections design was used to examine the PF of children enrolling in sports schools between 2006 and 2023. During this period, a standardized eight-item motor performance testing battery was administered yearly to capture markers of strength, speed, endurance, agility and reaction time in Austrian schools. ResultsA total of n = 3827 children (996 girls) with a mean age of 9.9 ± 1.0 years were included. Linear mixed models indicated significant declines in sprint performance (5, 10, 20 m), tapping, jump (long jump and drop jump), throwing (medicine ball), and agility (snake run). No changes were observed in cardiorespiratory fitness (8 min run) or reaction time. ConclusionThere has been a steady decline in PF among Austrian children attending sports schools. This finding underscores the need for enhanced PF monitoring and training in schools to improve public health outcomes.

Remaining useful life prediction of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries based on incremental capacity analysis and Gaussian kernel function optimization

Remaining useful life (RUL) is a key indicator for assessing the health status of lithium (Li)-ion batteries, and realizing accurate and reliable RUL prediction is crucial for the proper operation of battery systems. As high-capacity Li batteries have more complex chemical properties, most of the current RUL prediction methods rely mainly on a priori knowledge to make judgments. As a result, prediction accuracy is not high. In this study, we developed a health indicator-capacity (HI-C) dual Gaussian process regression (GPR) model based on incremental capacity analysis (ICA) and optimized its kernel function to achieve accurate RUL prediction for 280 Ah high-capacity Li batteries. Validation against the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s four battery test datasets showed that the use of the HI-C dual GPR model resulted in a mean absolute percentage error and root mean square error of less than 0.02 and 0.04, respectively, for the four battery-rated capacity predictions. Additionally, this model achieved an absolute error of less than five battery failure turns. Compared with a single model, the HI-C dual GPR model not only had high accuracy but also solved the problem that the HI was not measurable in the actual battery operation, which made it more suitable for RUL prediction of Li batteries.

Functional observational battery (FOB) tests using caffeine and chlorpromazine hydrochloride in sprague-dawley rats.

Caffeine is believed to exert its therapeutic effects by acting as a nonselective, competitive antagonist of adenosine receptors. Chlorpromazine, a phenothiazine, is a classic psychotropic mediator extensively used in the clinical administration of psychotic disorders. This study aimed to validate the procedures used for performing Functional Observational Battery (FOB) tests, to demonstrate the proficiency and interobserver reliability during the FOB tests and also to assess effect on neurobehavioral parameters using positive controls in rats. The rats were administered with Caffeine in Milli-Q water as oral gavage at the dose of 20 mg/kg and Chlorpromazine HCl in 0.9% Saline as intraperitoneal route at the dose of 20 mg/kg. No inter-personnel variability was observed in home cage, handling, open field and sensory reactivity observations recorded in Proficiency test. In conclusion, the known effects of positive controls; caffeine and chlorpromazine HCl on neurobehavioral/Functional Observational Battery parameters including autonomic, neuromuscular and sensory reactivity tests were detected in the current study. FOB test procedures for neurobehavioral, grip strength and motor activity are adequate for the detection of neurotoxic effects of positive controls. No major inter-personnel variability was observed between study personnel in neurobehavioural observations.

Characterization of Apathy-Like Behaviors in Mouse Models of Down Syndrome.

Apathy is a state of decreased interest, lack of initiative, reduced goal-directed activity and blunted emotional responses. Apathy is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is also relatively omnipresent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Little is known about the apathy-like behaviors in rodent models of AD and DS. This study aimed to characterize apathy-like behaviors with aging in two established DS mouse models: Ts65Dn and Dp16. A battery of behavioral tests including nestlet shredding, marble burying, nest building, and burrowing were performed to examine apathy-like behaviors. Individual z-scores for each mouse for each test, and a composite z-score of apathy-like behavior were analyzed for all mice from these behavioral tests. Analysis of individual test results and composite z-score revealed significant apathy-like behaviors in Ts65Dn mice compared to WT controls. In contrast, Dp16 mice did not exhibit significant apathy-like behaviors. Our study is the first to characterize apathy-like behaviors in mouse models of DS with aging and highlights the difference between Ts65Dn and Dp16 DS model mice regarding apathy-like manifestations with aging.

Negative Externalities of Regulation: Identity‐relevant Information in Mandatory Short‐selling Disclosures

Since November 2012, short sellers have been required to disclose all their significant short positions against European firms. While this regulation was primarily implemented to have implications for financial markets, I explore its negative externalities on shorted firms. Using mandatory disclosures of short positions between 2013 and 2019, I find that short‐selling notifications and the number of short sellers with an open short position are positively associated with shorted firms’ dividend policies. Notably, the association is more pronounced for upward and initial notifications compared to downward and follow‐up notifications. These results are robust to several matching methods and a battery of robustness tests. Additional results reveal that shorted firms might increase their dividends because short‐selling disclosures reveal the identity of active and large short sellers, highlighting the importance of short sellers’ heterogeneity. I also show that shorted firms increase their dividends temporarily and do not react homogenously, as they engage in a cost–benefit analysis to decide whether to use their dividend policy. Overall, I document the real effects on shorted firms of an alternative form of short selling, bridging the gap between passive and activist short selling. I conclude that mandatory short‐selling disclosure regimes carry negative externalities for firms due to the provision of short sellers’ identity‐relevant information.

Content Analysis of Postgraduate Theses About the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Physical Activity in Türkiye in 2010-2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the postgraduate theses on the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and physical activity registered at the YÖK National Thesis Center between the years 2010-2023 and to examine these theses using the headings of descriptive features, content and methodology. A total of sixty-one (61) theses, forty-four (44) master's theses and seventeen (17) doctoral theses, on the relationship between ASD and physical activity between the years 2010-2023 were included in the study. The data of the study were obtained by using the document review model, which is one of the qualitative research methods, and analyzed by the content analysis method. Within the scope of the findings obtained from the study, it is seen that the postgraduate theses were mostly published between the years 2019-2023 and most of them were completed at Gazi University. The findings obtained show that the master's (49.9%) and doctoral (47%) theses were mostly carried out in Health Sciences Institutes. Thirty-three (33) studies were conducted in the Department of Physical Education and Sports, including twenty-one (21) master's theses (47.7%) and twelve (12) doctoral theses (70.5%). In addition, four (4) master's theses (9%) and two (2) doctoral theses (11.7%) were conducted in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching. A total of twenty-seven (27) studies, nineteen (19) master's theses (41.3%) were conducted by advisors with the title of Assistant Professor, while ten (10) doctoral theses were conducted under the leadership of advisors with the title of Prof. Dr. (%47.6). The sample group of the master's and doctoral studies mostly consists of individuals/children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, the sample group in master's theses (51.5%) and doctoral theses (28.2%) consisted of parents. Of the master's theses in the years 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, 29-30% were studies completed in the field of motor skills and 11-12% in the field of social skills. Of the doctoral theses in the years 2019-2023, 36.8% were studies completed in the field of motor skills and 15.7% in the field of social skills. It was seen that the examined master's and doctoral theses were mostly completed in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. Again, it was understood that postgraduate theses were mostly completed in special education and rehabilitation centers. Quantitative research was mostly applied in postgraduate theses (79.5% of master's degrees, 64.6% of doctoral studies) and the majority used the criterion sampling method (47.7% of master's degrees, 76.4% of doctoral studies). It was also seen that both master's and doctoral theses were conducted in experimental and case study research models. While test battery (41%) and scale (17.9) were used in master's theses, observation form (19.9) and scale (19.9) were used in doctoral theses. Finally, criterion sampling and random sampling methods were preferred in both master's and doctoral theses. As a result, it was seen that the studies completed on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increased between 2019-2023 and focused especially on motor skills and social skills.

12583 Nutrient Intake And Physical Performance In Patients With Acromegaly

Abstract Disclosure: N.N. Hupalowski: None. C.P. Rocha: None. S.Z. Fidalski: None. C.L. Boguszewski: Consulting Fee; Self; Recordati. Research Investigator; Self; Crinetics. Speaker; Self; Ipsen, Novo Nordisk. V.Z. Borba: None. Acromegaly is a chronic disease characterized by increased levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These patients exhibit increased skeletal muscle mass but poorer performance in functional physical assessments. Certain nutrients are important for both muscle mass and strength, as well as for maintaining an anti-inflammatory state in the body. Objective: To assess the correlation between nutrient intake and physical performance in patients with acromegaly. Patients and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study of patients with acromegaly matched 1:1 by sex and age with a control group. Patients underwent analysis of dietary patterns using the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and physical performance and strength were measured using Hand Grip Strength (HGS), 5 Times Seat to Stand Test (STST), Time Up and Go (TUG), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests. Results: It was evaluated 47 patients (54.1% women; mean age 56.3 ± 11.6 years), which were compared with 36 controls (53.9% women; mean age 56.7 ± 13.4). There was no difference between groups in HGS evaluation. The performance of patients with acromegaly were poorer in the STST, SPPB and TUG. Better performance was associated with selenium (p=0.045), vitamin E (p=0.034), flavonol (p=0.02) and vitamin A (0.024) intake. Conclusion: Physical performance is compromised in patients with acromegaly, especially in lower limbs, and it was associated with lower consumption of selenium, vitamin E, flavonol and vitamin A. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Relationships of body build and physical activity with the physical fitness of high school students

Background: Physical fitness determines resourcefulness, i.e. the ability to effectively solve various tasks faced by a person and, therefore, to cope with various situations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of body build and physical activity with physical fitness in high school students. Methods: The research covered 194 students (104 women and 90 men) aged 16-18, attending randomly selected high schools in the Rzeszów district. The research methods were a diagnostic survey and the Eurofit test battery. The Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s chi-square test, and Spearman’s rank correlation were used in the analyses. Results: Statistically significant relationships were found between the preferred forms of physical activity (p=0.041, p=0.008) and the subjective assessment of physical fitness (p=0.015) and the sex of the respondents. There were statistically significant sex-related differences in the Sit-and-Reach (p<0.001), Standing Broad Jump (p<0.001), Hand Grip (p<0.001), Sit- Ups (p<0.001), Bent Arm Hang (p< 0.001), Shuttle Run (p<0.001), and Endurance Shuttle Run (p<0.001). In both groups, there were statistically significant relationships between the subjective assessment of physical fitness and the results of physical fitness tests (p<0.05). Conclusions: Women chose dancing more frequently and considered their physical fitness to be average, while men preferred team sports and assessed their physical fitness as very good. Women are characterized by greater flexibility, and men by greater explosive strength of lower limbs, static strength, strength endurance of trunk muscles, speed and agility, and cardiorespiratory endurance. In both groups, the higher the subjective assessment of physical fitness, the better the results of individual physical fitness tests.

Detecting endolymphatic hydrops in patients with cranial nerve VIII schwannoma using hydrops MR examination.

This study utilized Hydrops MRI in patients with cranial nerve (CN) VIII schwannoma to assess the concomitance with endolymphatic hydrops (EH), aiming to elucidate the mechanism of hydrops formation in these patients. Twenty-six patients diagnosed as CN VIII schwannoma including vestibular schwannoma (VS) in 24 and intracochlear schwannoma (ICS) in 2 were enrolled. Fifteen patients received radiosurgery and 11 patients opted for a wait-and-scan approach. All patients underwent an inner ear test battery, followed by Hydrops MRI. Based on Hydrops MRI, 6 patients (23%) with positive EH were assigned to Group A, while the other 20 patients showing negative EH were assigned to Group B. The abnormality rates of inner ear test battery in Group A ran from the audiometry (100%), cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) test (83%), ocular VEMP (oVEMP) test (67%) to the caloric test (33%), exhibiting a significantly declining sequence. This declining sequence is consistent with the decreasing order in the prevalence of EH from the cochlea (83%), saccule (50%) to utricle (50%). However, Group B did not show such decreasing trend, indicating that Groups A and B did not share the common mechanism. The mean tumor size prior to radiosurgery was 1.91 ± 0.89cm, which significantly reduced to 1.53 ± 0.60cm at a mean interval of 6years following radiosurgery. In contrast, tumor size remained unchanged in those opted for a wait-and-scan approach. It is recommended to utilize Hydrops MRI for patients with CN VIII schwannoma during annual follow-up, particularly those experienced episodic vertigo and/or deteriorated hearing. The Hydrops MRI can not only monitor tumor size, but also detect the presence of EH, so as to guide treatment decision.

Post-COVID-19 condition-Clinical phenotyping in practice

The high number and clinical heterogeneity of neurological impairments in patients with apost-COVID-19 condition (PCC) poses achallenge for outpatient care. Our aim was to evaluate the applicability of the proposed subtypes according to the guidelines "Long/Post-COVID" (30 May 2024) and their phenotyping using clinical and neuropsychological findings from our post-COVID outpatient clinic. The evaluation was based on cross-sectional neurological and psychological test examinations of the patients, which were carried out using standardized questionnaires and test batteries. In addition, adetailed anamnesis of the current symptoms and aretrospective survey of the acute symptoms up to 4 weeks after the confirmed infection was conducted. The subtypes were classified according to the abovementioned guidelines based on the medical history and selected patient questionnaires, to which we added a5th subtype with reference to the previous guidelines "Long/Post-COVID" (as of 5 March 2023). Atotal of 157 patients were included between August 2020 and March 2022. The presentation was at a median of 9.4months (interquartile range, IQR = 5.3) after infection, with amean age of 49.9 years (IQR = 17.2) and more women (68%) presenting, with atotal hospitalization rate of 26%. Subtype1 (postintensive care syndrome) showed the highest proportion of men, highest body mass index (BMI) scores and the highest rates of subjective complaints of word-finding difficulties (70%). Subtype2 (secondary diseases) was dominated by cognitive impairment and had the highest depression scores. Subtype3 (fatigue and exercise-induced insufficiency) was the most common, had the most symptoms and most severe subjective fatigue and the largest proportion of women. Subtype4 (exacerbation) mainly showed affective symptoms. Subtype5 (complaints without relevance to everyday life) had the lowest scores for depression, fatigue and BMI. Neurological and psychological conditions were frequently pre-existing in all groups. The management of PCC can be improved at various levels. Astandardized subtype classification enables early individually tailored treatment concepts. Patients at risk should be identified at the primary care level and informed about risk factors and prevention strategies. Regular monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity are essential for PCC treatment. In the case of cognitive deficits and concurrent affective symptoms, psychotherapeutic support and drug treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) should be provided at an early stage.

Modeling and Characterization of Li-Ion 18650 Nickel–Cobalt–Alumina Battery Jellyroll Subjected to Static and Dynamic Compression Loading

This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation of the mechanical response of the jellyroll and complete Li-ion 18650 Nickel–Cobalt–Alumina (NCA) battery under axial compression, highlighting the effects of strain rate and state-of-charge (SOC). The jellyroll was subjected to both static (1 mm/min) and dynamic (10–30 m/s) axial compression using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). A key innovation of this work is the investigation of the role of electrolytes under both static and dynamic conditions, revealing their significant impact on stress and strain behavior due to hydrostatic pressure. Additionally, the complete NCA battery was tested under various SOC levels (0–75%) using flat plate compression. The results demonstrate the jellyroll’s sensitivity to strain rate, with increased stress responses at higher loading speeds. Furthermore, the inclusion of electrolytes markedly amplified the stress and strain response. The Fu-Chang model was successfully employed to numerically replicate the observed static and dynamic behaviors. Critically, the full battery tests revealed a negative correlation between voltage cutoff and SOC, with the risk of fire and explosion increasing at higher SOC levels. This research provides novel insights into the safety and mechanical resilience of Li-ion batteries under compression.

Temporal bisection task as a predictor of cognitive deficits.

Evidence suggests that neuropsychiatric symptoms and deficits in attentional control and executive function can impair time discrimination, demonstrating the intricate link between cognitive processes, subjective well-being, and perception of time. However, the relationship between sleep quality and time discrimination remains elusive. This study aimed to understand differences in the temporal bisection task (TBT) performance. We expected that individuals with impaired cognition, executive function, quality of life, or sleep quality would have reduced time sensitivity. At the same time, those with stress, anxiety, or depression would show a shift in the point of subjective equality. Data were collected from 97 female participants (ranging from 20 to 72 years of age) in more than one moment, resulting in 163 measurements used for the analysis. Participants' neuropsychiatric status was assessed using a battery of tests and scales, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21). The results showed that attention and executive control significantly affect time discrimination. In addition, the research indicated that better sleep quality is associated with improved time discrimination sensitivity.

Spectrum of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), which significantly affects patients’ daily life and professional activity. Despite the development of methods to screen MS patients for CI, data on its prevalence in the Russian population are still lacking. Aim: to comprehensively assess cognitive functions in patients with different types of MS. Materials and methods. The study included MS patients who did not have any other possible causes of CI and no diseases or conditions that confounded this assessment. CI was determined using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) test battery and the Stroop test as a decrease in the scores below the mean by at least 1.5 standard deviations. CI was subjectively assessed using the Perceived Deficit Questionnaire; fatigue was subjectively assessed using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The Mann–Whitney test and Fisher’s exact test were used for comparison, and the Spearman test was used to evaluate correlations. Results. We evaluated 77 MS patients (30 men; age 40 [30; 48] years; 47 with relapsing-remitting MS, 30 with progressive MS). CI incidence was 23.4% in patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 77% in patients with progressive MS, while multi-domain CI was statistically significantly more common in patients with progressive MS. Impairment of processing speed was the most common. Patients with relapsing-remitting MS and CI were statistically significantly older and had longer disease duration than those without CI. There was a statistically significant correlation of subjective CI severity with MFIS scores but not with testing results. Conclusion. CI incidence in MS patients was relatively high with greater severity and involvement of more domains in patients with progressive MS. No correlation was found between subjective and objective CI assessment results, which may suggest that patients underestimated their deficit.

Ability of Heart Rate Recovery and Gait Kinetics in a Single Wearable to Predict Frailty: Quasiexperimental Pilot Study.

Aging is a risk factor for falls, frailty, and disability. The utility of wearables to screen for physical performance and frailty at the population level is an emerging research area. To date, there is a limited number of devices that can measure frailty and physical performance simultaneously. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and validity of a continuous digital monitoring wearable device incorporating gait mechanics and heart rate recovery measurements for detecting frailty, poor physical performance, and falls risk in older adults at risk of falls. This is a substudy of 156 community-dwelling older adults ≥60 years old with falls or near falls in the past 12 months who were recruited for a fall prevention intervention study. Of the original participants, 22 participants agreed to wear wearables on their ankles. An interview questionnaire involving demographics, cognition, frailty (FRAIL), and physical function questions as well as the Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com) was administered. Physical performance comprised gait speed, timed up and go (TUG), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test. A gait analyzer was used to measure gait mechanics and steps (FRAIL-functional: fatigue, resistance, and aerobic), and a heart rate analyzer was used to measure heart rate recovery (FRAIL-nonfunctional: weight loss and chronic illness). The participants' mean age was 74.6 years. Of the 22 participants, 9 (41%) were robust, 10 (46%) were prefrail, and 3 (14%) were frail. In addition, 8 of 22 (36%) had at least one fall in the past year. Participants had a mean gait speed of 0.8 m/s, a mean SPPB score of 8.9, and mean TUG time of 13.8 seconds. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for the gait analyzer against the functional domains were 1.00, 0.84, and 0.92, respectively, for SPPB (balance and gait); 0.38, 0.89, and 0.64, respectively, for FRAIL-functional; 0.45, 0.91, and 0.68, respectively, for FROP-Com; 0.60, 1.00, and 0.80, respectively, for gait speed; and 1.00, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively, for TUG. The heart rate analyzer demonstrated superior validity for the nonfunctional components of frailty, with a sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 0.73, and AUC of 0.83. Agreement between the gait and heart rate analyzers and the functional components of the FRAIL scale, gait speed, and FROP-Com was significant. In addition, there was significant agreement between the heart rate analyzer and the nonfunctional components of the FRAIL scale. The gait and heart rate analyzers could be used in a screening test for frailty and falls in community-dwelling older adults but require further improvement and validation at the population level.

Screening of Sensorial and Inflammatory Changes in Patients Submitted to Orthognathic Surgery.

Despite the high levels of success after orthognathic surgery, the immediate postoperative pain and edema, besides the neurosensorial deficits, are common complications. This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of sensory and inflammatory responses in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. This prospective observational study included 20 patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, who were evaluated in the preoperative period and on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 30 after surgery, using a battery of tests to assess sensorial and inflammatory changes. Subjective and objective evaluations of edema indicated a trend toward edema resolution within 30 days, with a significant decrease in mouth opening on days 1, 7, and 30 after surgery. Regarding nasal obstruction, a significant increase in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores was demonstrated on the first, second, and third days, returning to preoperative levels after 30 days. There was a significant increase in visual analogic scale (VAS) scores from the first to the seventh day after surgery, with a reduction within 30 days. For mechanical and thermal sensitivity tests, the lower lip and chin regions had poorer results, without recovery after 30 days. Positive correlations were observed between painful and inflammatory parameters, as well as between subjective and objective evaluations. Analysis of saliva biomarkers did not show significant differences for pre- and postoperative CCL3 or CCL4 levels. Data provide new evidence about the early inflammatory and sensorial complications after orthognathic surgery.

Assessment of hearing and balance functions in patients with acromegaly by the use of an audiovestibular test battery: a cross-sectional study.

Patients with acromegaly may have abnormalities in their hearing and balance as a result of modifications in body composition and involvement of the temporal bone. The objective of this study is to examine if there are any changes in the auditory and vestibular systems in individuals with acromegaly by using audiogram and vestibular function tests. This prospective study included 33 healthy controls and 33 acromegaly patients who were matched for age and gender distribution. A pure-tone audiometry test was conducted, including frequencies ranging from 250Hz to 8000Hz. Videonystagmography (VNG) was employed to assess nystagmus, an essential parameter used for assessing vestibular functions. The Video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) was used to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was applied to evaluate the subjective complaints of the participants. The acromegaly patients had significantly elevated hearing thresholds at all frequencies (250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 6000Hz) compared to the control group (p < 0.005). The VNG tests, including gaze horizontal, gaze vertical, saccade, spontaneous nystagmus, optokinetic, smooth pursuit, and positioning tests, did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups (p values > 0.05). The patient group demonstrated reduced VOR gains compared to the control group in the anterior and posterior channels (p < 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for the occurrence of aberrant eye movements (p values > 0.05). The patient group had a total DHI score of 6.6 ± 3.2, while the control group had a score of 3.2 ± 2.6 (independent samples t-test; p < 0.001). Therefore, The patient group exhibited significantly greater subjective vestibular symptoms. Patients with acromegaly experience impaired auditory function. The central vestibular system remains unaffected, while the gains of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in the posterior and anterior semicircular canals are decreased. Additionally, these patients report experiencing subjective dizziness. Screening for hearing and balance in patients with acromegaly may improve the quality of life of patients and prevent problems related to balance disorders at an early stage.

CONFIABILIDADE DO TESTE DE AVALIAÇÃO DA FUNCIONALIDADE DE IDOSOS SENIOR FITNESS TEST: UMA BREVE REVISÃO

Introduction: The Senior Fitness Test battery aims to evaluate the functionality of elderly people. It has its specificities, having its autonomy in what will be measured during the application process. In this sense, the assessment of functional capacities is necessary in view of a diagnosis on aspects of activities of daily living, muscle strength, agility, coordination, and flexibility. Objective: To verify the reliability of the application of the functional fitness test (Senior Fitness Test) directed to elderly people ≥60 years. Methodology: This is a bibliographic review in the Pubmed BVS and Scielo database, including articles in English from 2017 to 2021 that contributed to the proposed theme: Senior Fitness Test. Results: the results included 4 articles, which showed consistent results of the Senior Fitness Test in pre and post-test to assess the physical fitness of the elderly.

Effects of 8-weeks Surf Skateboard training on physical fitness in young people

BackgroundSurf skateboards have grown in popularity among young people in recent years. However, no research studies have analyzed the effect of surf skateboarding on physical fitness. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week surf skateboard training on physical fitness in young adults. MethodsTwenty-two young people, ages 18–24 years were randomly assigned into two groups: a control (CON; n = 11) and surf skateboarding (SSK; n = 11) group. The surf skateboard training group received an eight-week intervention consisting of three 60-minute (min) sessions per week, while the control group continued with their normal daily lives. Physical fitness was assessed before and after the intervention through a battery of tests that included body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance. ResultsThe results showed that the SSK group demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvements in maximum voluntary ventilation, back and leg strength, lower body muscular endurance by the sit-to-stand tests, and balance in all direction compared with the pre-test and the CON group. In addition, the SSK group showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight, body mass index, percent body fat, and resting heart rate, while increased maximum oxygen consumption, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, upper body muscular endurance by the sit-up test and flexibility compared with the pre-test. ConclusionThe findings suggest that surf skateboard training have an effective physical activity intervention to improve body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance in young people.

Impact of an Auditory Processing Training Program on Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often report and exhibit significant auditory processing difficulties, particularly in background noise. This study extends our previous work by examining the potential benefits of a 12-week auditory processing training (APT) program designed to address the auditory processing difficulties in individuals with ASD via auditory training and the use of remote-microphone technology. Effect sizes of training benefits also were calculated, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to consolidate performance across various tests into fewer meaningful constructs related to auditory processing in this population. Twenty-eight children and young adults with ASD participated in a 12-week APT program that included one-on-one speech-in-noise training, computerized dichotic training, and use of remote-microphone technology at home and at school. Before and after training, each participant completed tests of speech recognition in noise, spatial processing, binaural integration, and general auditory processing skills. Significant performance improvements and medium-to-large effect sizes were found across most test measures after the participants completed the APT program and when using the remote-microphone system. PCA identified strong relationships among all test measures as well as documented the relationships between behavioral performance, training duration, and training improvements. The APT program significantly improved spatial processing, binaural integration, phonological processing, auditory memory, auditory cohesion, and speech recognition in noise in individuals with ASD when the remote-microphone system was used. PCA analysis of pre- and posttraining data showed a strong relationship among all test measures, suggesting an abbreviated auditory processing test battery may be feasible for individuals with ASD. Training duration (minutes) and training improvements were associated with performance outcomes measured by the test battery.

Overexpression of ATF4 Inhibits Ferroptosis to Alleviate Anxiety Disorders by Activating the TGF-β Signaling Pathway.

Anxiety disorders seriously impair patients' mental health and quality of life, with limited effectiveness of current treatments. Dysregulation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is involved in various mental diseases, but the research on its potential roles in alleviating anxiety disorders remains limited. ATF4 was screened out by bioinformatic analysis and its expression was verified in vivo. Mice were treated with 21 d of chronic restraint stress to establish the anxiety mice model. The anxiolytic effect of ATF4 was assessed by a battery of behavior tests and evaluation of hippocampal tissue damage after overexpressing ATF4. Ferroptosis-related indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Then the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway was predicted as the downstream regulatory pathway of ATF4 by bioinformatic methods. Western blotting was conducted to detect the protein expression level of TGF-β1, small mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3), and phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3). ATF4 was screened out as a ferroptosis-related anxiolytic gene after bioinformatics analysis and was down-regulated in the anxiety mice model. Mice with ATF4 overexpression spent more time in the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, appeared more frequently in the central area in the open-field test, and decreased the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Hippocampal tissue damage was alleviated, ferroptosis was suppressed, and the levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 were increased by AFT4 overexpression. ATF4 overexpression can repress ferroptosis to improve anxiety disorders by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway.