Crossover Study Research Articles

Exploring the Efficacy of a Dynamic Harness System on Gross Motor Development and Motivation for Infants With Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

To explore the benefits of a Partial Body Weight Support (PBWS) harness system within a play enriched environment on gross motor development and mastery motivation of infants with Down Syndrome (DS). A randomized crossover study with 17 pre-walking infants with DS in two conditions-play with or without the harness engaged-each for 3×/week over 3weeks with a 1-week washout. Assessments took place at baseline, crossover, and completion. Statistically and clinically significant changes were evident on the Gross Motor Function Measure-88; however, there were no significant changes in parent-reported mastery motivation. The combination of PBWS harness system support and high frequency-facilitated play within an enriched play environment positively affected gross motor development. The intervention did not impact mastery motivation skills, and the direct impact of the harness remains unclear.

Effect of particle size on gastric emptying of enteric-coated granules in fasted beagle dogs: Relationship with interdigestive migrating motor complex

This study investigates the particle size threshold at which the interdigestive migrating motor complex (IMMC) becomes active in gastric emptying for fasted beagle dogs. Enteric-coated granules containing cetirizine dihydrochloride (CET) were prepared in three particle sizes, 200, 660, and 1,200 µm (D50). To mark IMMC timing and water movement from the stomach, enteric-coated aspirin tablets and acetaminophen solution were used. To six fasted beagle dogs with 50 mL of acetaminophen solution was administered each granule size as a multiple-unit and a single enteric-coated aspirin tablet (3-period crossover study). No significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters of CET after oral administration of different particle sizes was observed. However, the appearance time of CET in plasma with smaller granules (200 and 660 µm) was significantly faster than that of salicylic acid (a major metabolite of aspirin) in all dogs. In the case of the largest granules (1,200 µm), no significant time difference was observed in the appearance of both compounds in plasma. Furthermore, in two dogs, both compounds appeared at the same time, implying IMMC-regulated gastric emptying for the largest CET granules. These results support a particle size threshold between 660 and 1,200 µm for gastric emptying without IMMC action in fasted beagle dogs.

Epidural methadone and morphine pharmacokinetics and clinical effects in healthy volunteers: A randomized, crossover-design trial.

Epidural opioids can provide effective analgesia for acute postoperative pain. Due to its unique physicochemical properties and long systemic elimination half-life, epidural methadone may provide lasting analgesia with minimal adverse effects; however, human studies are lacking. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that epidural methadone would exhibit greater segmental analgesia (analgesia at the dermatome of injection vs. distant dermatomes) than epidural morphine. In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, crossover study, thirteen healthy volunteers received a 4-mg epidural bolus of methadone or morphine at L3-L4 and underwent repeated assessment of dermatomal heat pain tolerance and pressure pain threshold at lumbar (L3) and trigeminal (V2) dermatomes, pupil diameter, respiratory parameters and venous opioid concentration for 24 h. The primary outcome was selective (lumbar vs. trigeminal) segmental analgesia for heat pain, as a marker of a spinal analgesic mechanism. The degree of segmental analgesia to heat pain tolerance was not different between morphine and methadone (P =.09), although morphine (P =.0009) but not methadone (P =.81) produced significant analgesia to heat pain at the lumbar vs. trigeminal dermatome over 0-12 h. Morphine overall provided longer lasting analgesia to heat pain vs. methadone (24 vs. 2 h, respectively). Morphine elicited greater systemic effects, including miosis (P =.009) and opioid-related adverse effects (P =.002). These results suggest that, with equal epidural doses, both methadone and morphine produced analgesia and methadone did not produce greater segmental effects than morphine. Epidural methadone provided a more favourable adverse effect profile.

Characterising applied forces during positive pressure ventilation: a randomised cross-over simulation study

ObjectiveTo characterise applied force on the face and head during simulated mask ventilation with varying mask, device and expertise level.DesignRandomised cross-over simulation study.SettingA quiet, empty room in the children’s hospital.ParticipantsNeonatal...

The Effect of Reiki on Fatigue Symptoms of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of reiki on fatigue symptoms of cancer patients. The databases "PubMed," "ScienceDirect," "Scopus," "Web of Science," and "Cochrane Library" were screened between July 12, 2023, and July 25, 2023, using the keywords "Reiki," "Fatigue," and "Cancer" without any restriction to the publication year. The selected studies were evaluated using the Jadad scale, a quality assessment checklist for randomized controlled trials. Among 794 studies initially found, 5 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the present systematic review. Of these studies, 2 were randomized controlled trials, 2 were quasi-experimental studies, and 1 was a cross-over study. It was found that reiki applied to cancer patients in the studies included in the systematic review reduced fatigue while being effective in pain and stress alleviation and improvement of quality of life.

Immediate and residual effects of functional chewing gum on sustained attention and mood

ABSTRACT Objectives: Chewing gum has been shown to improve aspects of cognition and mood with sustained attention being particularly receptive to the effects of chewing. Chewing gum may also be a useful vehicle for administering functional ingredients. The herbal extract Rhodiola rosea and certain B-vitamins have previously been shown to improve aspects of cognition and subjective state, but their combined effects have not been studied to date. Methods: The current randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced crossover study compared the effects of a functional gum containing Rhodiola rosea and B-vitamins to flavour-matched regular chewing gum and a flavour-matched placebo. Thirty-six healthy young participants completed measures of attention and mood at baseline, during chewing, and 1-h after chewing. Results: Chewing both functional and regular gum was shown to reduce errors on a digit vigilance task compared to placebo irrespective of whether measured during or after chewing. There were no benefits to adding functional ingredients to the gum. Discussion: Future chewing research should consider different formats of placebo. Sex differences in response to chewing and the impact of rate and intensity of chewing should also be explored. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05544500.

Conservative interventions for female exercise-induced urinary incontinence: a systematic review.

To systematically review and synthesise what is known about the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical conservative interventions for the management of urinary incontinence (UI) experienced by women during physical exercise. A systematic search was performed in the following databases in September 2023: the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Studies were deemed eligible if population consisted of females who reported symptoms of UI while participating in physical exercise, and the interventions involved any non-pharmaceutical conservative treatment to manage symptoms during exercise. The primary outcome was severity of UI signs and symptoms. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42022379138). Of the 3429 abstracts screened, 19 studies were retained. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and intravaginal devices were the most commonly investigated modalities. Only two randomised controlled trials (RCTs), both among volleyball players, compared PFMT with no PFM exercise, showing a reduction in pad weight gain after the intervention in the experimental groups only. PFMT with and without biofeedback randomised among soldiers demonstrated a reduction in the frequency of urine leakage episodes in both groups, while supervised and unsupervised PFMT randomised among athletes from different sports showed pad weight gain reduction in the supervised group only. Seven single-arm studies suggested that PFMT alone or combined with other modalities may reduce UI severity in active women based on questionnaires, bladder diaries, and self-reported symptoms. A single-arm and a crossover study found pessary use beneficial in reducing urine leakage based on questionnaires and pad weight gain, respectively. When comparing pessary, tampon, and no intervention, two repeated-measures studies found tampons may reduce leakage more than pessaries in CrossFit exercisers and women performing aerobic exercises. A vaginal sponge also reduced pad weight gain during aerobic exercises. Other modalities (i.e., an intraurethral device, photobiomodulation, and combined therapies) were investigated using case series or single case studies. While all interventions showed some evidence of effectiveness, the results must be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations and high risk of bias. In particular, despite a high reliance on pad tests as a primary outcome, we identified inconsistencies in how pad tests were administered and interpreted. Only the effectiveness of PFMT to reduce urine leakage during exercise has been evaluated through RCTs, with some evidence of effectiveness. We identified a clear need for higher quality studies, with better reporting on the interventions, and more judicious use and interpretation of outcome measures.

Comparative efficacy of neuromodulation and structured exercise program on pain and muscle oxygenation in fibromyalgia patients: a randomized crossover study.

Introduction: This study investigates the comparative efficacy of neuromodulation therapy using the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit and a structured exercise program in pain modulation and muscle oxygenation in Fibromyalgia patients. Methods: A randomized, crossover, longitudinal, and experimental study design was employed, involving 10 female Fibromyalgia patients. Participants were subjected to two distinct treatment modalities: neuromodulation therapy with the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit and a strength-based High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) exercise program, each conducted over 16 sessions. Outcome measures included pain severity, assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and muscle oxygenation variables measured via Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Results: Both interventions demonstrated significant reductions in NRS scores and improvements in muscle oxygenation. However, the exercise program yielded more pronounced long term basal adaptations in muscle oxygenation compared to the neuromodulation therapy. Discussion: The findings underscore the potential of integrating non-pharmacological treatments, particularly structured exercise programs, in managing Fibromyalgia. While neuromodulation therapy presents a viable alternative, the exercise regimen's capacity to induce basal muscle oxygenation adaptations suggests its superiority in addressing the complex symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Furthermore, these therapeutic approaches may enhance patients' vocational values and employability opportunities by improving their functional capabilities and overall quality of life.

Comparative Efficacy of Neuromodulation and Structured Exercise Program on Autonomic Modulation in Fibromyalgia Patients: Pilot Study

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder marked by widespread muscle and joint pain, persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and irregularities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Methods: This study compared the effectiveness of neuromodulation using the EXOPULSE Mollii suit with a structured exercise program in regulating ANS function in fibromyalgia patients. In this randomized, longitudinal crossover study, 10 female patients were randomly assigned to either the Suit + Exercise group or the Exercise + Suit group. Each group participated in two sessions per week for eight weeks, followed by a two-week washout period before switching to the other intervention. We measured cortical arousal, microcirculation, and heart rate variability (HRV) before and after the 1st, 8th, and 16th sessions. Results: The results showed significant improvements in cortical arousal, HRV, and microcirculation with the neuromodulation treatment whereas the exercise program only produced short-term improvements in cortical arousal. Conclusion: The EXOPULSE Mollii suit exhibited cumulative benefits on ANS modulation over time, suggesting potential long-term advantages for managing fibromyalgia. However, further research is needed to explore the delayed effects of both treatments on ANS modulation.

Towards pharmacokinetic boosting of phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin-V) using probenecid for the treatment of bacterial infections

In the face of increasing antimicrobial tolerance and resistance there is a global obligation to optimise oral antimicrobial dosing strategies including narrow spectrum penicillins, such as penicillin-V. We conducted a randomised, crossover study in healthy volunteers to characterise the influence of probenecid on penicillin-V pharmacokinetics and estimate the pharmacodynamics against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Twenty participants took six doses of penicillin-V (250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg four times daily) with and without probenecid. Total and free concentrations of penicillin-V and probenecid were measured at two timepoints. A pharmacokinetic model was developed, and the probability of target attainment (PTA) calculated. The mean difference (95% CI) between penicillin-V alone and in combination with probenecid for serum total and free penicillin-V concentrations was significantly different at both timepoints (total: 45 min 4.32 (3.20–5.32) mg/L p < 0.001, 180 min 2.2 (1.58–3.25) mg/L p < 0.001; free: 45 min 1.15 (0.88–1.42) mg/L p < 0.001, 180 min 0.5 (0.35–0.76) mg/L p < 0.001). There was no difference between the timepoints in probenecid concentrations. PTA analysis shows probenecid allows a fourfold increase in MIC cover. Addition of probenecid was safe and well tolerated. The data support further research into improved dosing structures for complex outpatient therapy and might also be used to address penicillin supply shortages.

Pharmacodynamics Between a Dual Delayed-Release Formulation of Low-Dose Esomeprazole and Famotidine in Healthy Korean Subjects

PurposeGastritis, one of the most common clinically diagnosed conditions, is defined as the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gastric mucosa. Drugs for gastritis include histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce acidity in the stomach, and antacids, which neutralize acid. Esomeprazole is a PPI for gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastric and duodenal ulcers that has been shown to be safe and effective at a 10 mg dose. Dual-release drugs have not yet been approved for the treatment of gastritis domestically or internationally. In this study, a dual delayed-release (DR) esomeprazole (10 mg), was compared to famotidine (20 mg) to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of gastritis. MethodsThis study was a randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 2-treatment, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover study with a 7-day washout between periods. In each period, the subjects were administered one dose of esomeprazole (10 mg) or famotidine (20 mg) for 7 days at each period. The 24-hour gastric pH was recorded after single and multiple doses. The percentage of time (duration%) that the pH was maintained above 4 in the 24 hours after 7 days of repeated dosing was evaluated. FindingsThe mean percentages of time that the gastric pH was above 4 after multiple doses over 7 days of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) and famotidine (20 mg) was 47.31% ± 14.85% and 23.88% ± 10.73%. ImplicationsMultiple doses of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) showed effective gastric acid secretion suppression compared to famotidine with comparable safety and tolerability. These results provide evidence supporting the clinical use of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) to treat gastritis.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04967014.

Identification of Sarmentosin as a Key Bioactive from Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) for Inhibiting Platelet Monoamine Oxidase in Humans.

Previous clinical studies indicate that monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition by blackcurrants must be predominantly attributed to bioactives other than anthocyanins. In this natural products discovery study, MAO-A/B inhibitory phytochemicals were isolated from blackcurrants, and a double-blind crossover study investigated the efficacy of freeze-dried whole-fruit blackcurrant powder in inhibiting MAO-B compared with blackcurrant juice in healthy adults. Platelet MAO-B inhibition was comparable between powder (89% ± 6) and juice (91% ± 4), and it was positively correlated with MAO-modulated plasma catecholamines, subjective alertness, and reduced mental fatigue, assessed using the Bond-Lader questionnaire. Sarmentosin, a nitrile glycoside, and its hydroxycinnamoyl esters were identified as novel MAO-A/B inhibitors from blackcurrant in vitro, and sarmentosin was demonstrated to inhibit platelet MAO-B activity in vivo. These findings confirm sarmentosin as the primary bioactive for MAO-A/B inhibition in blackcurrants, as well as its bioavailability and stability during freeze-drying, and suggest that consuming blackcurrant powder and juice may positively affect mood in healthy adults.

Effects of Intranasal Naloxone on Hypoglycemia-Associated Autonomic Failure (HAAF) in Susceptible Individuals.

Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF), defined as blunting of counter-regulatory hormone and symptom responses to recurrent hypoglycemia, remains a therapeutic challenge in diabetes treatment. The opioid system may play a role in HAAF pathogenesis since activation of opioid receptors induces HAAF. Blockade of opioid receptors with intravenous naloxone ameliorates HAAF experimentally, yet is not feasible therapeutically. To investigate the effects of opioid receptor blockade with intranasal naloxone on experimentally-induced HAAF. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study. Academic research center. Healthy non-diabetic volunteers. Paired two-day studies, 5-10 weeks apart, each consisting of three consecutive hypoglycemic episodes (hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamps, glucose nadir: 54 mg/dL): two on day 1 with administration of intranasal naloxone vs. placebo, followed by the third episode on day 2. Differences in counter-regulatory hormones responses and hypoglycemia symptoms between first and third hypoglycemic episodes in naloxone vs. placebo studies. Out of 17 participants, 9 developed HAAF, confirming variable inter-individual susceptibility. Among participants susceptible to HAAF, naloxone maintained some hormonal and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia and prevented the associated requirement for increased glucose infusion. Unexpectedly, naloxone reduced plasma epinephrine and growth hormone responses to the first hypoglycemic episode but prevented further reduction with subsequent hypoglycemia. This is the first study to report that intranasal naloxone, a widely used opioid receptor antagonist, may ameliorate some features of HAAF. Further investigation is warranted into mechanisms of variable inter-individual susceptibility to HAAF and the effects of intranasal naloxone in people with diabetes at risk for HAAF.

Biomechanical Profile after Dry Needling in Mixed Martial Arts.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) intervention on the responses of muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, as well as power, pressure pain thresholds, and blood perfusion of the flexor carpi radialis muscle in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Thirty-two trained/developmental men MMA fighters (25.5±4.5 years; 24.5±3 body mass index) participated in a randomized crossover study. Participants underwent a single intervention, receiving both DN and placebo. Laser Doppler flowmetry measured blood perfusion, while a myotonometer assessed the mechanical characteristics of muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the flexor carpi radialis muscle. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured using an algometer, and maximal forearm muscle force was measured using a hand dynamometer. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and 24 hours and 48 hours post-intervention. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant Intervention*Time interaction for all outcomes: perfusion unit (p<0.001), muscle tone (p<0.001), stiffness (p<0.001), elasticity (p<0.001), PPT (p<0.001) and maximal forearm muscle force (p<0.001). The current study suggests that a single session of DN enhances muscle recovery, increases muscle strength, and improved PPT in MMA athletes. These positive adaptations appear to last up to 48 hours in some variables.

Evaluation of three doses of oral trazodone and their impact on handling, activity, and physiological parameters in rabbits: a prospective, blinded, randomized cross-over study.

No study has determined the minimal effective dose of trazodone required to induce behavioral changes and its safety profile in rabbits. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the minimal effective dose of trazodone to improve compliance to handling, and to evaluate associated changes in motor activity, physiological and arterial blood gas parameters. Eight intact female New Zealand White rabbits (2-month-old; 1.66 ± 0.12 kg) were included in this prospective, blinded, randomized cross-over study. After a 10-day acclimation, rabbits randomly received placebo or trazodone 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg orally (PLAC, TRAZ10, TRAZ20, TRAZ30) with a 1-week wash-out period. Compliance scoring (dynamic interactive visual analog scale; DIVAS), activity levels measured with accelerometry (T0-T600), physiological parameters (temperature, heart, and respiratory rates), and arterial blood gas parameters (up to T240) were evaluated. Compliance scores, accelerometry, physiological and arterial blood gas parameters and hypoxemia prevalence (PaO2 <60 mmHg) were analyzed using linear mixed models and Chi-squared tests, respectively (P<0.05). When compared with PLAC, DIVAS scores were significantly higher at T80-120, T40-120 and T120-200 in TRAZ10, TRAZ20 and TRAZ30 post-administration, respectively. When compared with baseline, DIVAS scores were significantly higher from T80-160, T40-240 and T80-200 in TRAZ10, TRAZ20 and TRAZ30, respectively. All other parameters were not significantly different. In TRAZ30, hypoxemia was observed in 2/8 rabbits (P=0.104). In conclusion, oral trazodone improved rabbit compliance at all studied dosages, especially 20 mg/kg improved rabbit compliance without decreasing motor activity or causing hypoxemia.

Dietary macronutrient composition and its effect on 24-h substrate oxidation: A study of diurnal variations in carbohydrate and fat intake

IntroductionIn recent times, the complexity of food styles and meal content has increased, leading to significant variations in macronutrient composition between meals. This has coincided with a rise in obesity rates. ObjectiveTo determine if a larger variation in macronutrient composition between meals results in lower fat oxidation. MethodsA cross-over study was conducted on 13 healthy young male individuals using whole-body indirect calorimetry to test energy metabolic responses under three conditions: regular meals (R), high-carbohydrate breakfast (CB), or high-fat breakfast (FB), each with different macronutrient contents. R included three meals daily with the same macronutrient composition. CB included a high-carbohydrate meal at breakfast, a high-fat meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner. FB included a high-fat meal at breakfast, a high-carbohydrate meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner. The daily macronutrient compositions were similar across the three conditions, except CB and FB had larger variations in carbohydrate and fat balance between meals than R. The participants were tested in random order. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the measures of energy expenditure among the three conditions. However, after adjusting for the sleeping respiratory quotient (RQ) on the preceding day, the 24-hour RQ was lower under FB than under R (β=−0.0087, P=0.0077) or CB conditions (β=−0.0078, P=0.016). There was no difference in the magnitude of the 5-hour RQ change from lunch to dinner under the CB condition and in the magnitude of change from breakfast to lunch under the FB condition. ConclusionsA large variation in carbohydrate and fat balance between meals does not decrease daily fat oxidation. A FB may increase daily fat oxidation compared to a CB when the daily food quotient is equal, but this impact may not involve radical acceleration of fat oxidation.

The effect of ischemic preconditioning on repeated sprint cycling performance: a randomized crossover study.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been suggested to improve exercise performance by 1-8%. Prior research concerning its impact on short-duration exercises, such as sprints, has been limited and yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study, which included a non-occlusion-based placebo control, was to determine whether IPC improves repeated sprint performance in a manner that accounted for psychophysiological effects. Twenty-two healthy males participated in this study, which employed a randomized crossover design. Following the 10-min baseline period, participants received intervention under four different conditions: 1) no-intervention control (CON); 2) non-occlusion-based placebo control (SHAM); 3) remote IPC (RIPC); and 4) local IPC (LIPC). Participants then performed a standardized repeated sprint cycling (5×10s maximal cycling sprint, separated by a 40-s rest in each set). Repeated sprint performance, as indexed by average power output, peak power output, and total work, the improvement was observed in the RIPC and LIPC during the initial phase (set 1-3) when compared with CON (P<0.05). SHAM condition also showed an increase in peak power output in the set 1 (CON 9.97±1.05 vs. SHAM 10.30±1.13 w/kg, P<0.05), which may represent a psychophysiological component in the IPC-induced improvement. Higher lactate concertation was found in the SHAM and LIPC groups, than in the CON group, 5 minutes after the exercise (CON 15.72±0.68 vs. SHAM 16.82±0.41 vs. LIPC 17.19±0.39 mmol/L, P<0.0001 for both, respectively). In conclusion, LIPC enhanced repeated sprint cycling performance during the initial phase, beyond what could be accounted for entirely by a psychophysiological effect. The improvement associated with RIPC, however, did not surpass the effect of a placebo intervention.

Dietary free L-glutamate contributes to maintaining a low sodium intake among Vietnamese.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommend the consumption of less than 2,000 mg of sodium/day to reduce blood pressure and the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The sodium intake among Vietnamese was reported to be 7,200 mg/d or more. Free L-glutamate enhances flavor when it is added to food and improves the taste of sodium-reduced foods. This study aims to investigate whether the intake of free L-glutamate-rich seasonings contributes to maintaining a low sodium intake in a cross-over study. From a total of 145 subjects, 42 participants were screened for participation in the cross-over design study. Subjects were randomly allocated to the Low free L-glutamate group (Low free L-Gl) and the Normal free L-glutamate group (Normal free L-Gl). Both received a direct educational guideline to reduce sodium intake. The Low free L-Gl group started with a restriction in the variety of free L-glutamate-rich seasonings, and the Normal free L-Gl group had no restriction in the variety of seasonings. Blood pressure was measured at week 0 (baseline), week 2, week 4, and week 6, while body weight, height, urine sodium and potassium excretion, chromogranin-A (CgA pmol/mg protein) from saliva, and free L-glutamate from food were measured at week 0, week 3, and week 6. In Low free L-Gl, the amount of free L-glutamate in food decreased significantly from baseline to week 6 (p < 0.00), while it did not change in the Normal free L-Gl (p > 0.05). However, the reduction of sodium excretion at week 6 was 22% in Low free L-Gl (5,875 mg/d vs. 4,603 mg/d, p < 0.01) and 46% in Normal free L-Gl (6,107 mg/d vs. 3,277 mg/d, p < 0.00), both lower than the baseline. CgA (pmol/mg protein) did not show any difference between the two groups. The group with Normal free L-Gl intake showed a 46% reduction in sodium excretion by week 6 compared to the baseline. This suggests that the consumption of L-glutamate-rich seasonings when complemented with direct educational guidelines, can contribute to maintaining a low sodium intake.

Acute Effects of Cadence-Controlled Walking on Cognition and Vascular Function in Physically Inactive Older Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Cadence-controlled walking may be a desirable approach for older adults to self-monitor exercise intensity and achieve physical activity guidelines. We examined the acute effects of cadence-controlled walking on cognition and vascular function in physically inactive older adults. In a randomized crossover design, 26 participants (65% females, 67.8 ± 11.3years) underwent 30-min acute exercise (walking at 100steps/min) and control (sitting) conditions. We measured cognition, central blood pressure (BP), and arterial stiffness before, and immediately, after each condition. We observed significant Time × Condition interactions in the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention (Flanker) test and Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) test scores, and in central systolic BP, central pulse pressure, and carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (p < .05). The Flanker and DCCS scores significantly increased after walking (d = 0.4 and 0.5, respectively), but not after sitting. Central systolic BP, central pulse pressure, and carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity significantly increased after sitting but remained unchanged after acute walking (d = 0.4-0.2), with p-values < .05. After walking, significant correlations were observed between DCCS and diastolic BP and central pulse pressure change scores and change scores in central pulse wave velocity,Flanker, and DCCS (rs = -0.45 to -0.52). These findings suggest that a single bout of cadence-controlled walking elicited an immediate improvement in cognition and might have mitigated increases in arterial stiffness and central BP observed in the seated control condition. Further research is needed to examine the association between cognition and vascular function following acute exercise compared to control conditions. Our findings may have practical implications for developing daily physical activity recommendations for improving the cognitive health for successful aging.

Clinical utility of fMRI in evaluating of LSD effect on pain-related brain networks in healthy subjects

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the effect of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on the pain neural network (PNN) in healthy subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). MethodsTwenty healthy volunteers participated in a balanced-order crossover study, receiving intravenous administration of LSD and placebo in two fMRI scanning sessions. Brain regions associated with pain processing were analyzed by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), independent component analysis (ICA), functional connectivity and dynamic casual modeling (DCM). ResultsALFF analysis demonstrated that LSD effectively relieves pain due to modulation in the neural network associated with pain processing. ICA analysis showed more active voxels in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus (THL)-left, THL-right, insula cortex (IC)-right, parietal operculum (PO)-left, PO-right and frontal pole (FP)-right in the placebo session than the LSD session. There were more active voxels in FP-left and IC-left in the LSD session compared to the placebo session. Functional brain connectivity was observed between THL-left and PO-right and between PO-left with FP-left, FP-right and IC-left in the placebo session. In the LSD session, functional connectivity of PO-left with FP-left and FP-right was observed. The effective connectivity between left anterior insula cortex (lAIC)-lAIC, lAIC-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII)-dlPFC were significantly different. Finally, the correlation between fMRI biomarkers and clinical pain criteria was calculated. ConclusionThis study enhances our understanding of the LSD effect on the architecture and neural behavior of pain in healthy subjects and provides great promise for future research in the field of cognitive science and pharmacology.