Changes In Electrical Activity Research Articles

Functional MRI study with conductivity signal changes during visual stimulation

BackgroundAlthough blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) is a standard method, major BOLD signals primarily originate from intravascular sources. Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based fMRI signals may provide additional insights into electrical activity caused by alterations in ion concentrations and mobilities. PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the neuronal response of conductivity during visual stimulation and compare it with BOLD. Materials and methodsA total of 30 young, healthy volunteers participated in two independent experiments using BOLD and MREPT techniques with a visual stimulation paradigm at 3 T MRI. The first set of MREPT fMRI data was obtained using a multi-echo spin-echo (SE) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence from 14 participants. The second set of MREPT fMRI data was collected from 16 participants using both a single-echo SE-EPI and a single-echo three-dimensional (3D) balanced fast-field-echo (bFFE) sequence. We reconstructed the time-course Larmor frequency conductivity to evaluate hemodynamics. ResultsConductivity values slightly increased during visual stimulation. Activation strengths were consistently stronger with BOLD than with conductivity for both SE-EPI MREPT and bFFE MREPT. Additionally, the activated areas were always larger with BOLD than MREPT. Some participants also exhibited decreased conductivity values during visual stimulations. In Experiment 1, conductivity showed significant differences between the fixation and visual stimulation blocks in the secondary visual cortex (SVC) and cuneus, with conductivity differences of 0.43 % and 0.47 %, respectively. No significant differences in conductivity were found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) areas between the two blocks. In Experiment 2, significant conductivity differences were observed between the two blocks in the SVC, cuneus, and lingual gyrus for SE-EPI MREPT, with differences of 0.90 %, 0.67 %, and 0.24 %, respectively. Again, no significant differences were found in the CSF areas. ConclusionConductivity values increased slightly during visual stimulation in the visual cortex areas but were much weaker than BOLD responses. The conductivity change during visual stimulation was less than 1 % compared to the fixation block. No significant differences in conductivity were observed between the primary visual cortex (PVC)-CSF and SVC-CSF during fixation and visual stimulations, suggesting that the observed conductivity changes may not be related to CSF changes in the visual cortex but rather to diffusion changes. Future research should explore the potential of MREPT to detect neuronal electrical activity and hemodynamic changes, with further optimization of the MREPT technique.

Study on ECG Signal Classification and Athlete Health Analysis Based on Attention Mechanism

Abstract In the training and competition process of athletes, their bodies are subjected to various levels of load and stress. As an important diagnostic tool, ECG signals can provide deep insights into the cardiac function of athletes, including heart rate, rhythm, and changes in cardiac electrical activity. By conducting a thorough examination of ECG readings, we are able to quickly identify possible heart conditions or irregularities, which is essential for preserving the heart health of athletes. However, ECG signals are highly complex and multidimensional. To accurately classify these signals, it is necessary to select the most representative and discriminative features. However, this is not an easy task, and the selection of effective features remains a pressing issue. To address this problem, this paper proposes the CSNet classification network model. This framework eradicates disruptions in electrocardiogram signals, performs attribute extraction via a direct network configuration, and combines channel focus mechanisms and spatial focus mechanisms to enhance attribute representation and categorization capabilities. Furthermore, to retain the temporal information of ECG signals, we introduce the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), which helps to better capture temporal patterns and dependencies in the signals, thus enabling more accurate classification of ECG signals.

Effect of exercise and manual therapy or kinesiotaping on sEMG and pain perception in chronic low back pain: a randomized trial

The importance of incorporating lumbo-pelvic stability core and controlling motor exercises in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) reinforces the use of strategies to improve biopsychosocial beliefs by reducing biomedical postulations. However, clinical practice guidelines recommend multimodal approaches incorporating exercise and manual therapy (MT), and instead reject the application of kinesiotape (KT) in isolation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of 12 weeks of exercises combined with MT or KT on perceived low back pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and muscle electric activity measured with electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis and multifidus in CLBP (mild disability) and to explore the relationship between the rectus abdominis and multifidus ratios and pain perception after intervention. A blinded, 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out, involving three parallel groups of patients with CLBP. The study was registered at Clinicaltrial.gov and assigned the identification number NCT05544890 (19/09/22). The trial underwent an intention-to-treat analysis. The primary outcome revealed a multimodal treatment program supplemented by additional therapies such as MT and KT, resulting in significant reductions in perceived low back pain. The subjective assessment of individuals with CLBP indicated no discernible distinction between exclusive core stability exercises and control-motor training when combined with MT or KT. Notably, our findings demonstrated positive alterations in both the mean and peak EMG values of the right rectus abdominis in the exercise group, suggesting a beneficial impact on muscle activation. This study focused on assessing the activation levels of the trunk musculature, specifically the rectus abdominis (RA) and multifidus (MF), in individuals with CLBP exhibiting mild disability according to the Oswestry Disability Index. Importantly, improvements in the VAS values were observed independently of changes in muscle electrical activity.

Factors Influencing Electrocardiogram Pattern in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review for Future Research

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool that can identify heart conditions and offer valuable information about electrical activity and age-related changes. Our primary concern is studying ECG changes related to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) for the benefit of researchers and clinicians. A comprehensive search for relevant literature was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. The selection criteria were limited to original papers published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, that were deemed eligible. We executed a meticulous selection process that involved eliminating duplicates, screening abstracts and full texts, and manually adding some articles. During the full-text screening process, we excluded articles that were not relevant to our study. Ultimately, we included only nine observational studies that fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Our primary objective was to determine the factors that influence the ECG pattern in children and adolescents. This review systematically highlights the significance of identifying ECG patterns that could be correlated to factors such as age, gender, and BMI. Identifying such patterns may play a crucial role in improving the diagnostic accuracy of ECG. Physicians who fail to recognize these patterns may mistakenly endanger their patients’ lives.

The contribution of EEG to assess and treat motor disorders in multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveElectroencephalography (EEG) can highlight significant changes in spontaneous electrical activity of the brain produced by altered brain network connectivity linked to inflammatory demyelinating lesions and neuronal loss occurring in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this review, we describe the main EEG findings reported in the literature to characterize motor network alteration in term of local activity or functional connectivity changes in patients with MS (pwMS). MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted to include articles with quantitative analyses of resting-state EEG recordings (spectrograms or advanced methods for assessing spatial and temporal dynamics, such as coherence, theory of graphs, recurrent quantification, microstates) or dynamic EEG recordings during a motor task, with or without connectivity analyses. ResultsIn this systematic review, we identified 26 original articles using EEG in the evaluation of MS-related motor disorders. Various resting or dynamic EEG parameters could serve as diagnostic biomarkers of motor control impairment to differentiate pwMS from healthy subjects or be related to a specific clinical condition (fatigue) or neuroradiological aspects (lesion load). ConclusionsWe highlight some key EEG patterns in pwMS at rest and during movement, both suggesting an alteration or disruption of brain connectivity, more specifically involving sensorimotor networks. SignificanceSome of these EEG biomarkers of motor disturbance could be used to design future therapeutic strategies in MS based on neuromodulation approaches, or to predict the effects of motor training and rehabilitation in pwMS.

Impact of mental arithmetic task on the electrical activity of the human brain

Cognitive neuroscience investigates the intricate connections between brain function and mental processing to understand the cognitive architecture. Exploring the human brain, the epicenter of cognitive activity, offers valuable insights into underlying cognitive processes. To monitor brain states corresponding to various mental activities, appropriate measurement tools are essential. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals serve as a valuable tool for recording patterns and changes in electrical brain activities. Leveraging non-linear signal processing techniques holds promise for advancing our understanding of brain activities during cognitive tasks. In this study, we analyze the electrical activity of the brain using EEG data collected from subjects engaged in a cognitive workload task. Employing wavelet-based analysis, we capture changes in the structure of EEG signals before and during a mental arithmetic task. Additionally, spectral analysis is conducted to discern alterations in the distribution of spectral contents of EEG signals. Our findings underscore the efficacy of wavelet-based analysis and spectral entropy in quantifying the time-varying and non-stationary nature of EEG recordings, offering effective frameworks for distinguishing between different cognitive activities. Consequently, these methods afford deeper insights into the cognitive architecture by tracking changes in the distribution of the time-varying spectrum.

Electrical Activity Changes and Neurovascular Unit Markers in the Brains of Patients after Cardiac Surgery: Effects of Multi-Task Cognitive Training.

There is growing interest in finding methods to enhance cognitive function and comprehend the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie these improvements. It is assumed that non-pharmacological interventions have better results in cognitive recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of multi-task cognitive training (MTT) on electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and markers of the neurovascular unit in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This prospective cohort study involved 62 CABG patients aged 45-75 years, 30 of whom underwent a 5-7-day MTT course. The groups of patients were comparable with respect to baseline clinical and anamnestic characteristics. An EEG study was performed before surgery and 11-12 days after CABG. Markers of the neurovascular unit (S100β, NSE, and BDNF) were examined at three time points: before surgery, within the first 24 h after surgery, and 11-12 days after CABG. Patients without training demonstrated higher relative theta power changes compared to the MTT patients. The course of MTT was associated with low plasma S100β concentration but high BDNF levels at the end of the training course. The theta activity changes and the markers of the neurovascular unit (S100β, BDNF) indicated that the severity of brain damage in cardiac surgery patients after a short course of MTT was slightly reduced. Electrical brain activity indicators and vascular markers can be informative for monitoring the process of cognitive rehabilitation in cardiac surgery patients.

Assessing the Impact of Agents with Antiviral Activities on Transmembrane Ionic Currents: Exploring Possible Unintended Actions

As the need for effective antiviral treatment intensifies, such as with the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection, it is crucial to understand that while the mechanisms of action of these drugs or compounds seem apparent, they might also interact with unexplored targets, such as cell membrane ion channels in diverse cell types. In this review paper, we demonstrate that many different drugs or compounds, in addition to their known interference with viral infections, may also directly influence various types of ionic currents on the surface membrane of the host cell. These agents include artemisinin, cannabidiol, memantine, mitoxantrone, molnupiravir, remdesivir, SM-102, and sorafenib. If achievable at low concentrations, these regulatory effects on ion channels are highly likely to synergize with the identified initial mechanisms of viral replication interference. Additionally, the immediate regulatory impact of these agents on the ion-channel function may potentially result in unintended adverse effects, including changes in cardiac electrical activity and the prolongation of the QTc interval. Therefore, it is essential for patients receiving these related agents to exercise additional caution to prevent unnecessary complications.

Cardiotoxicity Assessment through a Polymer-Based Cantilever Platform: An Integrated Electro-Mechanical Screening Approach.

Preclinical drug screening for cardiac toxicity has traditionally relied on observing changes in cardiomyocytes' electrical activity, primarily through invasive patch clamp techniques or non-invasive microelectrode arrays (MEA). However, relying solely on field potential duration (FPD) measurements for electrophysiological assessment can miss the full spectrum of drug-induced toxicity, as different drugs affect cardiomyocytes through various mechanisms. A more comprehensive approach, combining field potential and contractility measurements, is essential for accurate toxicity profiling, particularly for drugs targeting contractile proteins without affecting electrophysiology. However, previously proposed platform has significant limitations in terms of simultaneous measurement. The novel platform addresses these issues, offering enhanced, non-invasive evaluation of drug-induced cardiotoxicity. It features eight cantilevers with patterned strain sensors and MEA, enabling real-time monitoring of both cardiomyocyte contraction force and field potential. This system can detect minimum cardiac contraction force of ≈2 µN and field potential signals with 50µm MEA diameter, using the same cardiomyocytes in measurements of two parameters. Testing with six drugs of varied mechanisms of action, the platform successfully identifies these mechanisms and accurately assesses toxicity profiles, including drugs not inhibiting potassium channels. This innovative approach presents a comprehensive, non-invasive method for cardiac function assessment, poised to revolutionize preclinical cardiotoxicity screening.

Literature Review: Gambaran Monitoring Kedalaman Anestesi Pada Anestesi Umum

The term "depth of anesthesia" refers to the extent to which a general anesthetic agent anesthetizes the central nervous system with a specific concentration of force at the time the drug is administered. The depth level of anesthesia plays an important role in determining surgical complications, and it is very important to keep the depth level of anesthesia under control for the operation to be successful. The purpose of this study is to determine the Monitoring Picture of Anesthesia Depth in General Anesthesia. The literature search will be conducted between 2018 and 2023. The methodof journals and scientific articles contained in this study are national and international journals that have been accounted for their validity. Sources of information obtained from databases are Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed. Anesthesia depth monitoring with the most popular modern technique in practice is the Bixpectral Index Score (BIS) monitor. Anesthesia depth monitoring using BIS is more accurate than traditional anesthesia depth monitoring. Objective assessment of the depth of sedation can use the BIS tool that provides the best prediction of the patient's degree of consciousness to] prevent the patient from waking up and remember actions, drug additions, and wake predictions more accurately by looking at changes in brain electrical activity depicted through EEG

CineECG for visualization of changes in ventricular electrical activity during ischemia

BackgroundCineECG offers a visual representation of the location and direction of the average ventricular electrical activity throughout a single cardiac cycle, based on the 12‑lead ECG. Currently, CineECG has not been used to visualize ventricular activation patterns during ischemia. PurposeTo determine the changes in ventricular activity during acute ischemia with the use of CineECG, and relating this to changes in the ECG. MethodsContinuous ECG's during percutaneous coronary intervention with prolonged balloon inflation from the STAFF III database were analyzed with CineECG at baseline and every 10 s throughout the first 150 s of balloon inflation. The CineECG direction was determined for the initial QRS-complex, terminal QRS-complex, ST-segment and T-wave. Changes in the CineECG were quantified by calculating the Δangle between the direction at baseline and the direction at every 10 s of inflation. Additionally, the root mean square amplitude (rmsA) of the ST-segment was computed. Results94 patients were included. At start inflation, the median Δangle was 14.7° [7.5–33.4], 21.8° [11.4–34.2], 20.6° [8.0–43.9], and 23.5° [11.8–48.0] for the initial QRS-complex, terminal QRS-complex, ST-segment and T-wave, respectively. Meanwhile, the median rmsA increased from 0.039 mV [0.027–0.058] at baseline to 0.045 mV [0.033–0.075] at start of inflation. ConclusionsCineECG was able to detect immediate changes in ventricular electrical activity during induced ischemia, while changes in the ST-segment of the ECG were still subtle. Therefore, CineECG might support the early detection of acute ischemia, even before distinct ECG changes become visible.

Alpha-Band Lateralization and Microsaccades Elicited by Exogenous Cues Do Not Track Attentional Orienting.

We explore the world by constantly shifting our focus of attention toward salient stimuli and then disengaging from them in search of new ones. The alpha rhythm (8-13 Hz) has been suggested as a pivotal neural substrate of these attentional shifts, due to its local synchronization and desynchronization that suppress irrelevant cortical areas and facilitate relevant areas, a phenomenon called alpha lateralization. Whether alpha lateralization tracks the focus of attention from orienting toward a salient stimulus to disengaging from it is still an open question. We addressed it by leveraging the phenomenon of inhibition of return (IOR), consisting of an initial facilitation in response times (RTs) for stimuli appearing at an exogenously cued location, followed by a suppression of that location. Our behavioral data from human participants showed a typical IOR effect with both early facilitation and subsequent inhibition. In contrast, alpha lateralized in the cued direction after the behavioral facilitation effect and never re-lateralized compatibly with the behavioral inhibition. Furthermore, we analyzed the interaction between alpha lateralization and microsaccades: while alpha was lateralized toward the cued location, microsaccades were mostly oriented away from it. Crucially, the two phenomena showed a significant positive correlation. These results indicate that alpha lateralization reflects primarily the processing of salient stimuli, challenging the view that alpha lateralization is directly involved in exogenous attentional orienting per se. We discuss the relevance of the present findings for an oculomotor account of alpha lateralization as a modulator of cortical excitability in preparation of a saccade.

Dynamics of functional impairments during focal transient ischemia in three-dimensional cortical space

Ischemic injury in the cerebral cortex results in decreased electrical activity across all frequency bands and the emergence of abnormal electrophysiological patterns, including spreading depolarization (SD) and negative ultraslow potential (NUP) [1, 2]. Despite this, the specific dynamics of these changes in electrical activity within the three-dimensional cortical space during ischemia remain incompletely described and poorly understood. To simultaneously investigate changes in electrical activity across the layers of the cerebral cortex and in the horizontal cortical space, we used two linear 16-channel silicone probes (Neuronexus, USA) in combination with a flexible transparent 60-channel matrix of subdural electrodes (MIPT, Russia) and intrinsic optical signal imaging (IOS, 665 nm, transillumination mode) during focal ischemia induced by intracortical injection of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1, 1 μL, 1 μM). These experiments were carried out in head-restrained rats under urethane anesthesia (1.5 g/kg). Formation of the ischemic lesion following ET-1 administration was correlated with clusters of SDs that demonstrated considerable variability in their propagation patterns within both vertical and horizontal planes. The initial SDs originated from the injection site of ET-1 and diffused across all cortical layers. Subsequently, the initiation point of the ensuing SDs gradually shifted towards the deeper layers while the electrical activity showed inadequate recovery between SDs within the injection site. SDs originating in the surrounding cortex did not invade the area near the injection point. Instead, they tended to spread around, often compartmentalizing in the superficial layers of the cortex. Some SDs were observed deep in the cortex, while others were detected on the surface via superficial electrodes and IOS, without leaving typical intracortical electrode traces. Electrographic activity was significantly depressed, especially in the superficial layers around the injection site, three hours after ET-1 administration. However, it returned to pre-ET-1 levels at the remote site, with a spatial gradient observed in subdural electrodes. Functional impairments corresponded to the histological lesion observed in coronal brain sections. Recently discovered NUPs were initiated by SD and were most prominent in the electrodes closest to the ET-1 injection site. These NUPs reached their maximal amplitude at one hour and subsided three hours after ET-1 injection. Our research indicates intricate dynamics in the creation of an ischemic focal point. The data gathered suggest that the emergence of cerebral harm during focal ischemia is associated with the growth of a focus extending both horizontally and vertically across cortical dimensions. This growth is fueled by the generation of SDs within the ischemic penumbra.

Disrupted organization of dynamic functional networks with application in epileptic seizure recognition

Recently, characterizing the dynamics of brain functional networks at task free or cognitive tasks has developed different research efforts in the field of neuroscience. Epilepsy is an electrophysiological brain disease which is accompanied by recurrent seizures. Seizure and epilepsy detection is a main challenge in the field of neuroscience. Understanding the underlying mechanism of epilepsy and transition from a normal brain to epileptic brain crucial for the diagnosis and treatment purposes. To understand the organization of epileptic brain network functions at large scales, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals measure and record the changes in electrical activity and functional connectivity. Time frequency analysis and continuous spectral entropy are well developed methods which reveal dynamical aspects of brain activity and can analyze the transitions in intrinsic brain activity. In this work, we aim to model the dynamics of EEG signals of epileptic brain and characterize their dynamical patterns. We use Time frequency analysis to capture the alterations in the structure of EEG signals from patients with seizure. Continuous spectral entropy is used to detect the start of seizures. The main purpose of the current is to explore the changes in the organization of epileptic brain networks. Using time frequency techniques, we are able to draw a big picture of how the brain functions before and during seizure and step forward to classify seizure and corresponding brain activity during different stages of epilepsy. The present study may contribute to characterizing the complex non-linear dynamics of EEG signals of epileptic brain and further assists with biomarker detection for different clinical applications. This finding helps towards effective diagnosis and better treatment of epilepsy.

The peculiarities of changes in myocardial electrical activity and heart rate variability in patients with coronary artery disease depending on the stage of concomitant iron deficiency

The aim of the study: to assess changes in myocardial electrical activity and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) depending on the stage of iron deficiency (ID) and identify their relationship with ferrokinetic parameters. Materials and methods. In total, 90 patients with CAD, stable angina II–III FC were examined (men – 35, women – 55, age – 69 (61; 72) years). The patients were divided into 4 groups: the 1st group (n = 16) consisted of patients with concomitant ID anemia (IDA) of mild and moderate severity, the 2nd (n = 15) – with latent ID, the 3rd (n = 14) – with functional ID, the 4th (n = 45) – patients with CAD without iron metabolism disorders. The HRV features during 24 hours, daytime and nighttime as well as their relationships with ferrokinetic and hematological parameters were analyzed. The data analysis was performed using Statistica 13.0. Results. CAD patients with concomitant IDA demonstrated a tendency to have a higher average daytime heart rate value (U = 14.0; p ≈ 0.08), a longer duration of tachycardia (U = 20.0; p ≈ 0.06), and a significantly greater number (2.4 times) of ventricular extrasystoles (VE) (U = 7.0; p < 0.05) compared to patients without iron metabolism disorders. There were no statistically significant differences in heart rate, episodes of tachycardia, and the number of arrhythmic events in CAD patients with different stages of ID. During the temporal analysis of HRV indicators, patients with different stages of concomitant ID demonstrated a decrease in overall HRV due to SDNN-index, rMSSD (%) and HRVT triangular index both in active and passive periods as compared to patients without iron metabolism disorders. Spectral analysis of HRV has revealed reduced parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system due to HF indicator in patients of the 1st–3rd groups. The presence of concomitant IDA was characterized by maximum changes in HRV indicators and the predominance of central mechanisms of HRV regulation over autonomic ones, which was confirmed by a significant increase in the centralization index (IC) and stress index (SI). For CAD patients with concomitant IDA and latent ID, a number of relationships between ferrokinetic and HRV parameters was found. There were no statistically significant correlations between indicators of iron metabolism and HRV in patients with CAD and functional ID. Conclusions. The decrease in iron stores in the body due to its tissue and transport reserves is accompanied by changes in the myocardial electrical activity, a progressive reduction in heart rate variability, autonomic dysfunction towards a suppression of the parasympathetic domain activity, confirming the relevant correlations with the ferrokinetic parameters.

Impact of tramadol and heroin abuse on electroencephalography structure and cognitive functions

BackgroundOpioids, defined as medicines that stimulate opioid receptors, are primarily used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. They induce central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of opioids on brain electrical activity, the effect of opioids on cognitive functions, and corroborate whether there was any correlation between changes in brain electrical activity and cognitive functions that may do in opioid addicts.MethodsThis cross-sectional case–control study was performed on 80 cases (divided into two groups 40 cases with tramadol use disorders and 40 cases with heroin use disorders) and 40 age-/sex-matched healthy control. All subjects were subordinated to neuropsychiatric evaluation, assessment of opioid use complaint through history from the case and his relatives, substance monitoring in urine, medicine abuse screening test (DAST), electroencephalography (EEG), and cognitive assessment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).ResultsOpioid dependence convinced global cognitive function impairment, specific cognitive disciplines impairment that included visual-conceptual, visual-motor tracking, visual-constructional skills, language function, attention, memory, and orientation. Additionally, affection of the brain’s electrical activities with significant changes compared with control. Comparison of cognitive impairment substantiated by lower cognitive scores in relation to abnormal EEG changes among studied case groups revealed significant differences.ConclusionsOpioid abusers had a significant impairment of cognitive functions and EEG changes with a significant correlation between changes in brain electrical activity and impairment of cognitive functions.

The Cardiorenal Effects of Piper amalago Are Mediated by the Nitric Oxide/Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Pathway and the Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels.

Piper amalago L. is used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat inflammation, chest pain, and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the safety and the renal and cardiovascular effects of the volatile oil (VO) and the aqueous (AE) and hydroalcoholic (HE) extracts from P. amalago. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses identified 47 compounds in the VO, with β-cyclogermacrene, spathulenol, β-phellandrene, and α-pinene standing out. Among the 47 compounds also found in AE and HE by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, glycosylated flavones, organic acids, amino acids, and amides were highlighted. Some examples of these compounds are methoxy-methylenedioxy cis-cinnamoyl pyrrolidine, methoxy-methylenedioxy trans-cinnamoyl pyrrolidine, and cyclobutene-2,4-bis-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-methoxy-6-yl)-1,3-dicarboxapyrrolidide. The acute toxicity experiments were conducted on female rats (n = 5). The cardiorenal assays (n = 8) and evaluations of vasodilatory effects on the mesenteric vascular bed (n = 5) were conducted on male rats. In either extract or VO, there were no mortality or changes in relative weights or histopathological analysis of the organs. Urinary volume and renal electrolyte excretion were elevated significantly during repeated dose 7-day treatment with different preparations from P. amalago. None of the preparations induced hypotension or changes in cardiac electrical activity. Only HE promoted significant vasodilatory effects in rats' isolated mesenteric vascular beds. These effects were completely abolished in the presence of L-NAME plus 4-aminopyridine. Therefore, P. amalago leaves are safe and present diuretic activity after acute and repeated dose administration over 7 days. Moreover, the HE induced significant vasodilator response in rats' mesenteric vascular beds by NO/cGMP pathway and voltage-dependent K+ channels activation.

CineECG for visualization of changes in ventricular electrical activity during ischemia

Abstract Background CineECG is a newly developed method which provides an anatomical visualization of ventricular de- and repolarization in a non-invasive manner. It combines the electrical information from the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with a 3D heart model. The location and direction of the average ventricular de- and repolarization over time is projected on the model. Until now, it has not been used for visualization of ventricular electrical activity during myocardial ischemia. Purpose We aimed to visualize changes in ventricular de- and repolarization during acute ischemia with CineECG and relate these to changes in the ECG. Methods CineECG was used to provide the location and direction of the average ventricular de- and repolarization over time, using a standardized 3D heart/torso model. Continuous ECG’s during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with prolonged balloon inflation from the STAFF III database were used as study sample. ECG’s at baseline and at every 10 seconds during the first 150 seconds of balloon inflation were analyzed with CineECG. For the terminal QRS-complex, ST-segment and terminal T-wave, the direction of the CineECG was determined. The changes in CineECG direction relative to the direction at baseline were quantified by calculating the Δangle between the CineECG direction at baseline and the direction after every 10 seconds of inflation. Additionally, the root mean square amplitude (rmsA) of the ST-segment of all ECG leads was computed for every ECG. Results 94 patients from the STAFF III database were included, 10 patients were excluded due to too much signal noise of the ECG. Within 10 seconds after start inflation, the median Δangle for the terminal QRS-complex, ST-segment and terminal T-wave were 21.8° [11.4 – 34.2] , 20.6° [8.0 – 43.9] and 23.5° [11.8 – 48.0], respectively. The median Δangle for the terminal QRS-complex reached its maximum after 130 seconds (41.0° [23.0 – 70.8]). The median Δangle of the ST-segment gradually increased to 26.1° [13.1 – 56.0] after 140 seconds of inflation. The Δangle of the terminal T-wave was greatest 30 seconds after start inflation (26.3° [12.6 – 49.2]), and changed only slightly during inflation. The rmsA of the ST-segment was 0.04 mV [0.03 – 0.08] during the first 10 seconds of inflation, and gradually increased until 0.08 mV [0.05 – 0.15] mV at 150 seconds. Conclusions CineECG proves to be very sensitive in detection of early changes in the ECG during prolonged balloon inflation, even before great changes occur in ST-amplitude. Therefore, CineECG might support the early detection of acute ischemia, even before clear ECG changes are visible.

Clinical manifestations and mechanisms of formation of neurological disorders in patients with vibration disease

The review presents an analysis of literature sources devoted to the study of changes in the nervous system in patients with vibration disease. Vibration-mediated cellular hypoxia, which occurs as a result of spastic changes in blood vessels, phase fluctuations in intravascular pressure, impaired blood and lymph outflow, causes suppression of energy metabolism, contributes to disorders at the level of receptor (glutamate, GABA-ergic, dopamine and cholinergic) and synaptic structures, conductors of pain and temperature sensitivity (demyelinization), analyzing neurons in the parietal region of the brain, regulatory proteins of the nervous tissue (NF-200, GFAP S-100). A low-amplitude, irregular, disorganized and sometimes deformed EEG spectrum with a predominance of the alpha wave and a shift of the alpha rhythm to the left reflects changes in the spontaneous electrical activity of brain structures in patients. With an increase in the experience dose of vibration-noise exposure, the dominant alpha activity changes to slow-wave or polyrhythmic. Mild and moderate diffuse changes in the brain become focal in nature, cortical-subcortical relationships are disrupted at the diencephalic level, creating a pathophysiological basis for sensorineural (sensory-neural) hearing loss, especially in patients with a genetic predisposition mediated by genes encoding proteins of the heat shock system. The psycho-emotional status of patients is characterized by a hypochondriacal focus on the state of health, mental disadaptation, psycho-emotional disorders in the form of anxiety, depressive mood. The analysis of literature sources on the mechanisms of the formation of neurological disorders in patients with vibration disease revealed the lack of data on the state of the multicomponent ghrelin system interacting with GHSR-1A and GHSR-1B receptors, which determines a new vector in further experimental and clinical studies.

Risk of seizure recurrence in children with new-onset afebrile seizure

BACKGROUND A seizure is a brief change in the normal neuronal electrical activity of the brain that causes changes in consciousness, perception, behavior, or movement. This study aimed to evaluate clinical findings, initial electroencephalography (EEG), and brain imaging findings as predictors of seizure recurrence after the first nonfebrile seizure.
 METHODS This prospective follow-up study was conducted at Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk from July 2019 to January 2022 and enrolled 150 patients, ranging from 1 month to 15 years of age, who presented with their first afebrile seizure. The seizure types were classified based on the International League Against Epilepsy in 2017. A brain imaging with EEG was performed within 72 hours after admission.
 RESULTS The median age of the patients was 5 years. A higher risk of seizure recurrence occurred in patients with focal seizure (relative risk [RR] = 6.604) (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.975–10.971), seizure occurrence at sleep (RR = 3.815) (95% CI 2.410–6.039), an abnormal neurological presentation such as Todd’s paralysis (RR = 1.739) (95% CI 1.252–2.415), a positive family history of seizures (RR = 2.333) (95% CI 1.598–3.408), abnormal EEG (RR = 0.171) (95% CI 0.092–0.318), and abnormal brain image findings (RR = 0.681) (95% CI 0.492–0.941) within 72 hours. Seizure recurrence was not correlated with sex.
 CONCLUSIONS Early and late childhood new-onset afebrile seizures with a positive family history, focal epilepsy, seizure during sleep, prolonged attack duration with frequent attacks within 24 hours, and abnormal initial EEG and brain image had a high risk of seizure recurrence.