Global Function Research Articles

Which reference equation should we use for interpreting spirometry values for First Nations Australians? A cross-sectional study.

To evaluate the suitability of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 other/mixed and GLI-2022 global reference equations for evaluating the respiratory capacity of First Nations Australians. Cross-sectional study; analysis of spirometry data collected by three prospective studies in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia between March 2015 and December 2022. Opportunistically recruited First Nations participants in the Indigenous Respiratory Reference Values study (Queensland, Northern Territory; age, 3-25 years; 18 March 2015 - 24 November 2017), the Healthy Indigenous Lung Function Testing in Adults study (Queensland, Northern Territory; 18 years or older; 14August 2019 - 15 December 2022) and the Many Healthy Lungs study (Western Australia; five years or older; 10 October 2018 - 7November 2021). Goodness of fit to spirometry data for each GLI reference equation, based on mean Z-score and its standard deviation, and proportions of participants with respiratory parameter values within 1.64 Z-scores of the mean value. Acceptable and repeatable forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) values were available for 2700 First Nations participants in the three trials; 1467 were classified as healthy and included in our analysis (1062 children, 405 adults). Their median age was 12 years (interquartile range, 9-19 years; range, 3-91 years), 768 (52%) were female, and 1013 were tested in rural or remote areas (69%). Acceptable and repeatable forced vital capacity (FVC) values were available for 1294 of the healthy participants (88%). The GLI-2012 other/mixed and GLI-2022 global equations provided good fits to the spirometry data; the race-neutral GLI-2022 global equation better accounted for the influence of ageing on FEV1 and FVC, and of height on FVC. Using the GLI-2012 other/mixed reference equation and after adjusting for age, sex, and height, mean FEV1 (estimated difference, -0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.46 to -0.22) and FVC Z-scores (estimated difference, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.32) were lower for rural or remote than for urban participants, but their mean FEV1/FVC Z-score was higher (estimated difference, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03-0.25). The normal spirometry values of healthy First Nations Australians may be substantially higher than previously reported. Until more spirometry data are available for people in urban areas, the race-neutral GLI-2022 global or the GLI-2012 other/mixed reference equations can be used when assessing the respiratory function of First Nations Australians.

The association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing.

The EAT-Lancet commission has proposed a dietary pattern that is both sustainable and healthy. However, the impact of this diet on cognition in older adults remains unexplored. Therefore, we examined the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing. We used data from a previous intervention study involving cognitively healthy community-dwelling adults aged ≥65years. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was calculated using a recently published index and a 190-item food frequency questionnaire. Global and domain-specific cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and after 2 years using a neuropsychological test battery. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression was conducted to examine associations between EAT-Lancet diet adherence and cognitive functioning (n = 630) and 2-year change (n = 302). Greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with better global cognitive functioning (β per SD = 3.7 points [95% CI]: 0.04 [0.00, 0.08]) and slower rate of decline (β per SD [95% CI]: 0.05 [0.02, 0.08]). With respect to domain-specific functioning, beneficial associations were observed cross-sectionally for executive functioning (P < 0.01), and longitudinally for change in executive functioning (P < 0.01) and attention and working memory (P < 0.01). The degree of adherence to the EAT-Lancet was not associated with (changes in) information processing speed or episodic memory. We demonstrated that greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet is associated with better global cognitive functioning and slower cognitive decline among cognitively healthy older adults. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess the potential benefits of the EAT-Lancet diet for the ageing population in a broader context.

Practical stabilization of multi-links highly nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy complex networks with Lévy noise based on aperiodically intermittent discrete-time observation control

This paper investigates practical stabilization of multi-links highly nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy complex networks with Lévy noise (MHFNLs) via aperiodically intermittent discrete-time observation control (AIDOC). It is worth pointing out that AIDOC is considered into MHFNLs for the first time. Due to the difficulty of satisfying linear conditions in real life, polynomial growth conditions are used instead of linear growth conditions. Meanwhile, a global Lyapunov function is constructed and sufficient conditions which can remain MHFNLs practically stable are gained. Finally, an application and its numerical simulations are presented to verify the effectiveness and availability of the theoretical results.

The pursuit for markers of disease progression in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia: a scoping review to optimize outcome measures for clinical trials

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by diverse and prominent changes in behavior and personality. One of the greatest challenges in bvFTD is to capture, measure and predict its disease progression, due to clinical, pathological and genetic heterogeneity. Availability of reliable outcome measures is pivotal for future clinical trials and disease monitoring. Detection of change should be objective, clinically meaningful and easily assessed, preferably associated with a biological process. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the status of longitudinal studies in bvFTD, evaluate current assessment tools and propose potential progression markers. A systematic literature search (in PubMed and Embase.com) was performed. Literature on disease trajectories and longitudinal validity of frequently-used measures was organized in five domains: global functioning, behavior, (social) cognition, neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers. Evaluating current longitudinal data, we propose an adaptive battery, combining a set of sensitive clinical, neuroimaging and fluid markers, adjusted for genetic and sporadic variants, for adequate detection of disease progression in bvFTD.

Cardiac Mechanics Evaluation in Preschool-Aged Children with Preterm Birth History: A Speckle Tracking and 4D Echocardiography Study

Background: The premature-born adult population is set to grow significantly, and prematurity has emerged as an important cardiovascular risk factor. We aimed to comprehensively assess cardiac mechanics and function in a cohort of ex-preterm preschoolers. Methods: Ex-preterm children (&lt;30 weeks of gestation), aged 2 to 5 years, underwent transthoracic 2D, speckle-tracking, and 4D echocardiography. The findings were compared with 19 full-term children. Results: Our cohort of 38 children with prematurity history showed a normal morpho-functional echocardiographic assessment. However, compared to controls, the indexed 3D end-diastolic volumes of ventricular chambers were reduced (left ventricle 58.7 ± 11.2 vs. 67.2 ± 8.5 mL/m2; right ventricle 50.3 ± 10.4 vs. 57.7 ± 11 mL/m2; p = 0.02). Left ventricle global and longitudinal systolic function were worse in terms of fraction shortening (32.9% ± 6.8 vs. 36.5% ± 5.4; p = 0.05), ejection fraction (59.2% ± 4.3 vs. 62.3% ± 3.7; p = 0.003), and global longitudinal strain (−23.6% ± 2.4 vs. −25.5% ± 1.7; p = 0.003). Finally, we found a reduced left atrial strain (47.4% ± 9.7 vs. 54.9% ± 6.8; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Preschool-aged ex-preterm children exhibited smaller ventricles and subclinical impairment of left ventricle systolic and diastolic function compared to term children. Long-term follow-up is warranted to track the evolution of these findings.

Virtual reality-based training may improve visual memory and some aspects of sustained attention among healthy older adults – preliminary results of a randomized controlled study

Background/AimsOlder age and cognitive inactivity have been associated with cognitive impairment, which in turn is linked to economic and societal burdens due to the high costs of care, especially for care homes and informal care. Emerging non-pharmacological interventions using new technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) delivered on a head-mounted display (HMD), might offer an alternative to maintain or improve cognition. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VR-based Digital Therapeutics application for improving cognitive functions among healthy older adults.MethodsSeventy-two healthy seniors (experimental group N = 35, control group N = 37), aged 65–85 years, were recruited by the Medical University of Lodz (Poland). Participants were randomly allocated to the experimental group (a VR-based cognitive training which consists of a warm-up module and three tasks, including one-back and dual-N-back) or to the control group (a regular VR headset app only showing nature videos). The exercises are performed in different 360-degree natural environments while listening to a preferred music genre and delivered on a head-mounted display (HMD). The 12-week intervention of 12 min was delivered at least three times per week (36 sessions). Compliance and performance were followed through a web-based application. Primary outcomes included attention and working memory (CNS-Vital Signs computerized cognitive battery). Secondary outcomes comprised other cognitive domains. Mixed linear models were constructed to elucidate the difference in pre- and post-intervention measures between the experimental and control groups.ResultsThe users performed, on average, 39.8 sessions (range 1–100), and 60% performed more than 36 sessions. The experimental group achieved higher scores in the visual memory module (B = 7.767, p = 0.011) and in the one-back continuous performance test (in terms of correct responses: B = 2.057, p = 0.003 and omission errors: B = -1.950, p = 0.007) than the control group in the post-test assessment. The results were independent of participants’ sex, age, and years of education. The differences in CNS Vital Signs’ global score, working memory, executive function, reaction time, processing speed, simple and complex attention, verbal memory, cognitive flexibility, motor speed, and psychomotor speed were not statistically significant.ConclusionsVR-based cognitive training may prove to be a valuable, efficacious, and well-received tool in terms of improving visual memory and some aspect of sustainability of attention among healthy older adults. This is a preliminary analysis based on part of the obtained results to that point. Final conclusions will be drawn after the analysis of the target sample size.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05369897.

Effect of digital natives on executive function: The mediating role of problematic Internet use

The ever-increasing use of digital technology is considered to be related to the individual’s executive function. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This questionnaire-based study explored the mediating effect of problematic Internet use (PIU) in the relationship between digital natives and executive function. A total of 572 college students were enrolled to complete the measures of digital natives, PIU, executive function, and demographic variables. Structural equation models were adopted to examine the potential mediating effect of PIU on the relationship between digital natives and executive function. The results revealed that PIU mediates the relationship between global digital natives and global executive function. Moreover, the separate mediation models indicated that PIU mediated the relationship between four dimensions of digital natives and three executive function components. This study advances our knowledge of how digital natives are related to executive function. Education professionals should focus on college students suffering from excessive digital technology, particularly those with PIU.

Orthostatic hypotension, cognition and structural brain imaging in hemodynamically impaired patients

BackgroundOrthostatic hypotension (OH) is associated with an increased risk of dementia, potentially attributable to cerebral hypoperfusion. We investigated which patterns and characteristics of OH are related to cognition or to potentially underlying structural brain injury in hemodynamically impaired patients and healthy reference participants. MethodsParticipants with carotid occlusive disease or heart failure, and reference participants from the Heart-Brain Connection Study underwent OH measurements, neuropsychological assessment and brain MRI. We analyzed the association between OH, global cognitive functioning, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and brain parenchymal fraction with linear regression. We stratified by participant group, severity and duration of OH, chronotropic incompetence and presence of orthostatic symptoms. ResultsOf 337 participants (mean age 67.3 ± 8.8 years, 118 (35.0%) women), 113 (33.5%) had OH. Overall, presence of OH was not associated with cognitive functioning (β: −0.12 [−0.24–0.00]), but we did observe worse cognitive functioning in those with severe OH (≥ 30/15 mmHg; β: −0.18 [−0.34 to −0.02]) and clinically manifest OH (β: −0.30 [−0.52 to −0.08]). These associations did not differ significantly by OH duration or chronotropic incompetence, and were similar between patient groups and reference participants. Similarly, both severe OH and clinically manifest OH were associated with a lower brain parenchymal fraction, and severe OH also with a somewhat higher WMH volume. ConclusionsSevere OH and clinically manifest OH are associated with worse cognitive functioning. This supports the notion that specific patterns and characteristics of OH determine its impact on brain health.

Phosphate uptake in PhoX: Molecular mechanisms

PhoX is a high-affinity phosphate binding protein, present in Xanthomonas citri, a phytopathogen responsible for the citrus canker disease. Performing molecular dynamics simulations and different types of computational analyses, we study the molecular mechanisms at play in relation to phosphate binding, revealing the global functioning of the protein: PhoX naturally oscillates along its global normal modes, which allow it to explore both bound and unbound conformations, eventually attracting a nearby negative phosphate ion to the highly positive electrostatic potential on its surface, particularly close to the binding pocket. There, several hydrogen bonds are formed with the two main domains of the structure. Phosphate creates, in this way, a strong bridge that connects the domains, keeping itself between them, in a tight closed conformation, explaining its high binding affinity.

Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of rehabilitation therapy on patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—a meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of rehabilitation therapy on the global function, respiratory function, and quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, and The National Library of Medicine (NLM) were systematically searched and the search period was between the date of database establishment and December 31, 2023. The outcome measures finally analyzed included the ALS functional rating scale/revised (ALSFRS/ALSFRS-R), forced vital capacity percentage predicted (FVC%), fatigue severity scale (FSS), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).ResultsA total of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and 5 outcome measures were pooled and analyzed. A total of 657 patients with ALS were enrolled, with 299 in the experimental group (rehabilitation therapy, such as resistance training, endurance training, aerobic training, respiratory muscle training, and standard rehabilitation therapy) and 358 in the control group (conventional interventions, such as simple joint movements or daily stretching). The ALSFRS scores were better in the experimental group than in the control group at 0–4 months (MD = 3.36, 95% CI: 0.82, 5.91, Z = 2.59, p = 0.009) and at 5–8 months (MD = 5.00, 95% CI: −2.42, 7.58, Z = 3.80, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Moreover, the ALSFRS-R scores of the experimental group was better than that of the control group at 5–8 months (MD = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.45, Z = 3.42, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and 9–12 months (MD = 1.87, 95% CI: −0.37, 4.11, Z = 1.63, p = 0.10). It was also found that the MEP value of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group after intervention (MD = 18.49, 95% CI: 1.47, 35.50, Z = 2.13, p = 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in FVC% value and FSS scores at 0–5 months and 6–12 months between the two groups.ConclusionRehabilitation therapy is helpful in improving the short-, medium-, and long-term global function score of patients with ALS, with positive effects on respiratory function.

Latent Class Analysis of Sleep in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients and its Influencing Factors.

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) frequently experience sleep disorders, which may elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Yet, sleep types in MCI patients and the factors influencing them have not been sufficiently investigated. The objective of this study was to explore potential sleep typing and its influencing factors in patients with MCI using latent class analysis. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jiangsu Province, China. Cognitive function in older adults was assessed using neuropsychological tests, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale-Beijing version (MoCA), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Latent class analysis based on PSQI scores and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the influencing factors of sleep typing. The study included a total of 611 patients with MCI. Latent class analysis identified three latent classes to categorize the sleep patterns of MCI patients: the good sleep type (56.6%), the insufficient sleep type (29.6%), and the difficulty falling asleep type (13.7%). Potential sleep typing is influenced by gender, chronic disease, physical exercise, social activity, brain exercise, smoking, frailty, subjective cognitive status, and global cognitive function. The findings of this study underscore the notable heterogeneity in the sleep patterns of patients with MCI. Future research may provide targeted prevention and interventions to address the characteristics and influencing factors of patients with different subtypes of sleep MCI.

Self-defining memories in older adults: Distribution across lifespan and characteristics of the reminiscence bump

Many studies have investigated the temporal distribution of autobiographical memories, but none has focused on Self-Defining Memories (SDMs), i.e. memories that are particularly important for personal identity, in a large non-clinical sample. No study has examined the temporal distribution of Self-Defining Memories (SDMs), i.e. memories that are particularly important for personal identity, in a large non-clinical sample of older adults. Moreover, we examined for the first time the characteristics of SDMs located in RB. Two hundred and eighty elderly adults aged from 65 to 90 years old reported three SDMs. Participants were non-institutionalized retirees screened for global cognitive function. Participants were asked to recall three SDMs. They also completed the Mini-Mental State Examination. The period from 0 to 9 years corresponds to a very limited recall of SDMs. A RB appears between for the 10–24 years period. Recalled memories are enhanced after the age of 50. The temporal distribution of recalled SDMs differed according to thematic content and emotion. The percentage of positive SDMs was the highest in RB compared with other life periods. Specificity, meaning-making, tension, redemption and contamination did not differ for bump SDMs versus non-bump SDMs. In addition, differences between men and women were observed. Our results confirm the existence of the classical temporal distribution of autobiographical memories for SDMs. Recalling positive bump SDMs might improve well-being in older adults.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of the Family Accommodation Scale for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Patient Version

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the family accommodation scale for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) patient version (FAS-PV). A total of 171 adult OCD patients and 145 family members were enrolled in the present study. The majority of the adult OCD patients (89.5%) reported engaging in at least one accommodating behavior in the past week. The FAS-PV comprised three components that included (a) direct participation and facilitation, (b) provision of reassurance and assumption, and (c) modification of routines and avoidance. The FAS-PV demonstrated excellent internal consistency. The correlation between the total FAS-PV score and the criteria measure demonstrated excellent convergent validity when assessing the OCD symptom severity, global functioning, family functioning, and functioning impairment. The findings supported that the FAS-PV could be used widely in evaluating and identifying the accommodating behavior both in clinical and in research settings, especially in adult OCD patients who usually present to the clinic alone.

Orbital-Optimized Versus Time-Dependent Density Functional Calculations of Intramolecular Charge Transfer Excited States.

The performance of time-independent, orbital-optimized calculations of excited states is assessed with respect to charge transfer excitations in organic molecules in comparison to the linear-response time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach. A direct optimization method to converge on saddle points of the electronic energy surface is used to carry out calculations with the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals PBE and BLYP for a set of 27 excitations in 15 molecules. The time-independent approach is fully variational and provides a relaxed excited state electron density from which the extent of charge transfer is quantified. The TD-DFT calculations are generally found to provide larger charge transfer distances compared to the orbital-optimized calculations, even when including orbital relaxation effects with the Z-vector method. While the error on the excitation energy relative to theoretical best estimates is found to increase with the extent of charge transfer up to ca. -2 eV for TD-DFT, no correlation is observed for the orbital-optimized approach. The orbital-optimized calculations with the LDA and the GGA functionals provide a mean absolute error of ∼0.7 eV, outperforming TD-DFT with both local and global hybrid functionals for excitations with a long-range charge transfer character. Orbital-optimized calculations with the global hybrid functional B3LYP and the range-separated hybrid functional CAM-B3LYP on a selection of states with short- and long-range charge transfer indicate that inclusion of exact exchange has a small effect on the charge transfer distance, while it significantly improves the excitation energy, with the best-performing functional CAM-B3LYP providing an absolute error typically around 0.15 eV.

Abstract PO3-11-05: Sexual dysfunction among Brazilian women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET)

Abstract Background: Sexual dysfunction is a common health problem in women, and it can occur during breast cancer treatment and survivorship. This study aims to determine the frequency of sexual disfunction among Brazilian women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy and to explore its relationships with patients’ clinical and social characteristics, adherence to ET, quality of life, return to work and healthcare insurance. Methodology: Women with history of early-stage ER+ invasive carcinoma of the breast on adjuvant endocrine therapy for at least 6 months were invited to participate of this study. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI). A score of &amp;lt; 26.55 in FSFI indicates sexual dysfunction. We evaluated sexually active patients (women should have at least one sexual intercourse in the previous four weeks). Demographic and medical information, site of treatment (private versus public), degree of education (completed high school vs not) were reviewed from medical records. Quality of life was assessed using EORTC QLQ C30 and BR-23 forms and adherence to ET was assessed by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Additionally, patients were interviewed about return to work. Data collection was performed using RedCap software and statistical analyzes were performed on the software R (R Core Team (2022). Qualitative variables were compared between groups using the Chi-square or exact Chi-square test and for quantitative variables the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used. Multivariable analysis was performed using Poisson regression. P &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Analyzes were performed in SAS 9.4. Results: From June 2021 to May 2023, a total of 461 women with ER+ early-stage breast cancer from 12 Brazilian institutions were included in this analysis. The mean age was 56.0 years (range 22-93 ), 47.7% were non-white and 38.7% were premenopausal. A total of 233 women (50.6%) had private insurance and the remaining were treated in public institutions. Median duration of ET use was 2.78 years (range 6 months- 9.61 years).Only 249 (54%) out of 461 patients who accepted to participate in this study declared to have sexual intercourse in the previous 4 weeks before evaluation and composes the population of this analysis. Sexual disfunction according results of FSFI questionnaire was found in 113 (53.3%) participants. Age was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction with women &amp;gt; 40 years-old having higher rates (95.3%) compared with versus younger patients (4.71% p=0.0069). Patients without sexual dysfunction had significantly higher EORTC QLQ C30 Global health status, Physical Functioning, Emotional Functioning, Sexual Functioning and Sexual Enjoyment scores than those with sexual dysfunction (p = 0.0060, p = 0.0242, p = 0 .0353, p = 0.0002 and p &amp;lt; 0.0001 respectively). ET duration between 2 and 5 years vs &amp;lt; 2 years, higher vs lower education level, EORTC QLQ-BR23 breast symptom and sexual functioning higher scores were significantly associated with the occurrence of sexual dysfunction in multivariated analysis (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, only 54% of women evaluated had sexual intercourse in the previous four weeks and from those women 53.3% reported sexual dysfunction. Factors related to sexual dysfunction were higher education level, ET duration between 2 and 5 years, breast symptom and sexual functioning higher scores. div style=margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:20px;&amp;gt;Characteristic with adjusted prevalence ratios for the occurrence of sexual disfunction XX XX PR: prevalence ratio, EORTC: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Citation Format: Daniele Assad-Suzuki, Fernanda Moura, Danielle Santos, Sulene Oliveira, Cristiano Souza, Heloísa Resende, Andrea Shimada, Anna Luiza Galvão, Bruno Souza, Amanda Castro, Monalisa Andrade, Yuri Beckedorff, Maria Cristina Magalhães, Carlos Paiva, Angelica Rodrigues, Daniela Pereira, Daniela Rosa, Romualdo Barroso-Sousa. Sexual dysfunction among Brazilian women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-11-05.

Small Effects of Olfactory Identification and Discrimination on Global Cognitive and Executive Performance Over 1 Year in Aging People Without a History of Age-Related Cognitive Impairment

Olfactory and cognitive performance share neural correlates profoundly affected by physiological aging. However, whether odor identification and discrimination scores predict global cognitive status and executive function in healthy older people with intact cognition is unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we set out to elucidate these links in a convenience sample of 204 independently living, cognitively intact healthy Czech adults aged 77.4 ± 8.7 (61 – 97 years) over two waves of data collection (one-year interval). We used the Czech versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to evaluate global cognition, and the Prague Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and several verbal fluency tests to assess executive function. As a subsidiary aim, we aimed to examine the contribution of olfactory performance towards achieving a MoCA score above vs. below a published cut-off value. Our findings demonstrate that olfaction, on the one hand, and global cognition and executive function, on the other, are related even in healthy older people.

Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Concentrations and Myelin Integrity in Young People at Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis

Decreased white matter (WM) integrity and disturbance in fatty acid composition have been reported in individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR). The current study is the first to investigate both WM integrity and erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels as potential risk biomarkers for persistent UHR status, and global functioning in UHR individuals. Forty UHR individuals were analysed at baseline for erythrocyte membrane PUFA concentrates. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to analyse fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity measures. Measures of global functioning and psychiatric symptoms were evaluated at baseline and at 12-months. Fatty acids and WM indices did not predict functional outcomes at baseline or 12-months. Significant differences were found in FA between UHR remitters and non-remitters (individuals who no longer met UHR criteria versus those who continued to meet criteria at 12-months). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found to be a significant predictor of UHR status at 12-months, as was the interaction between the sum of ώ-3 and whole brain FA, and the interaction between the right anterior limb of the internal capsule and the sum of ώ-3. The results confirm that certain fatty acids have a unique relationship with WM integrity in UHR individuals.

The modulation effect of cognition on mentalization in late-life depression: a study of gaze perception—a potential screening tool for high-risk group of late-life depression

IntroductionImpairment in mentalization is implicated in the development and maintenance of depression. Major depressive disorders showed significant impairment in social cognition and such impairment appears to be positively associated with the severity of depression. Self-referential gaze perception (SRGP), a measurement of mentalization, was predominantly measured in patients with psychosis but rarely examined in late-life depression (LLD).MethodsTo assess the effect of cognition on the interpretation bias of mentalization, 29 LLD patients and 29 healthy controls were asked to judge if various gaze directions were directed to self in SRGP.ResultsPatients with better cognition showed less unambiguous-SRGP bias than those with worse cognitive scores; this difference was not found in healthy controls. Global cognition and executive function contributed to the SRGP rate in patients.ConclusionThe current study is the first study to explore the relationship between cognition and SRGP in the LLD population. Our study findings suggested that the cognitive function of LLD patients may contribute to the modulation of interpretation bias, which in turn underlie the role of SRGP bias. Greater SRGP bias in patients may reflect social cognition deterioration, impairing the social interaction and functioning of LLD patients. This highlights the need for early intervention and cognitive decline identification to facilitate better prognosis and treatment effectiveness; thus, further studies could navigate the potential of SRGP task as a screening tool for high-risk group of LLD likely to develop dementia.

A Laplace operator-based active contour model with improved image edge detection performance

Active contour model (ACM) is an important branch in the field of image segmentation, since it adapts to different image types and scenes. However, traditional ACMs rely on local image information, which makes them sensitive to initial contours and time-consuming. In this paper, a Laplace operator based ACM (LOACM) with improved image edge detection performance is proposed. LOACM combines the global pre-fitting function which is constructed by using the image's second-order gradient information with the adaptive boundary indicator function to build a hybrid model. Its compact code size allows it to be executed on a wide range of edge devices. To substantiate the segmentation capability of the LOACM model, the BSD500 dataset was utilized for experimentation. The results indicate that LOACM exhibits excellent performance, with average IOU and DSC scores of 0.861 and 0.924 respectively. Additionally, it consistently handles processes within an average time of less than 0.3s, significantly less than that of comparative models, providing compelling evidence of LOACM's exceptional efficiency and precision.

Association between global cognitive function and autonomic dysfunction in patients with de novo Parkinson’s disease

Association between global cognitive function and autonomic dysfunction in patients with de novo Parkinson’s disease