Group Of Healthy Participants Research Articles

The metacontrol of event segmentation-A neurophysiological and behavioral perspective.

During our everyday life, the constant flow of information is divided into discrete events, a process conceptualized in Event Segmentation Theory (EST). How people perform event segmentation and the resulting granularity of encapsulated segments likely depends on their metacontrol style. Yet, the underlying neural mechanisms remain undetermined. The current study examines how the metacontrol style affects event segmentation through the analysis of EEG data using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and source localization analysis. We instructed two groups of healthy participants to either segment a movie as fine-grained as possible (fine-grain group) or provided no such instruction (free-segmentation group). The fine-grain group showed more segments and a higher likelihood to set event boundaries upon scene changes, which supports the notion that cognitive control influences segmentation granularity. On a neural level, representational dynamics were decodable 400 ms prior to the decision to close a segment and open a new one, and especially fronto-polar regions (BA10) were associated with this representational dynamic. Groups differed in their use of this representational dynamics to guide behavior and there was a higher sensitivity to incoming information in the Fine-grain group. Moreover, a higher likelihood to set event boundaries was reflected by activity increases in the insular cortex suggesting an increased monitoring of potentially relevant upcoming events. The study connects the EST with the metacontrol framework and relates these to overarching neural concepts of prefrontal cortex function.

Accuracy of a continuous glucose monitoring system applied before, during, and after an intense leg-squat session with low- and high-carbohydrate availability in young adults without diabetes.

The aim was to assess the accuracy of a continuous blood glucose monitoring (CGM) device (Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3) against capillary blood glucose measurement (BGM) before, during, and after an intense lower body strength training session in connection with high- versus low-carbohydrate breakfasts. Nine adults (22 ± 2 years) completed a strength training session (10 × 10 at 60% 1RM) twice after high-carbohydrate and twice after low-carbohydrate breakfasts. CGM accuracy versus BGM was assessed across four phases: post-breakfast, pre-exercise, exercise, and post-exercise. Overall fed state mean BGM levels were 84.4 ± 20.6mg/dL. Group-level Bland-Altman analysis showed acceptable agreement between CGM and BGM across all phases, with mean biases between -7.95 and -17.83mg/dL; the largest discrepancy was in the post-exercise phase. Mean absolute relative difference was significantly higher post-exercise compared to pre-exercise and exercise phases, for overall data and after the high-carbohydrate breakfast (all p ≤ 0.02). Clark Error Grid analysis showed 50.5-64.3% in Zone A and 31.7-44.6% in Zone B, with an increase in treatment errors during and after exercise. In this group of healthy participants undergoing strength training, CGM showed satisfactory accuracy in glucose monitoring but varied substantially between individuals compared to BGM and fails in meeting clinical criteria for diabetic monitoring. CGM could aid non-diabetic athletes by tracking glucose fluctuations due to diet and exercise. Although utilization of CGM shows potential in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting interstitial glucose for improving performance, the application in sports nutrition is not yet validated, and challenges in data interpretation could limit its adoption.

Closing Eyes with Artificial Tears: A Simple and Effective Strategy to Combat Screen-Related Asthenopia and Dry Eye Symptoms

BackgroundThe widespread use of various video display terminals (VDTs) always had a detrimental impact on ocular health. Prolonged use of smartphones has been one of the leading causes of dry eye (DE) and asthenopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find a simple and effective strategy to combat screen-related DE and asthenopia. MethodsA group of healthy participants aged 18 and above were randomly assigned to three groups and tasked with a 2-hour smartphone reading task. After 1 hour of usage, each group adopted different methods of rest: no rest (Group A), a 10-minute eye-closed rest (Group B), or a 10-minute eye-closed joint artificial tears rest (Group C). Ophthalmological examinations and questionnaires were administered to all participants before and after the 2-hour reading task. Results90 qualified volunteers, including 29 males and 61 females, were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A demonstrated a significant increase in the severity of DE and asthenopia as evidenced by all the evaluated indices. On the other hand, Group C did not exhibit any notable change in DE and asthenopia symptoms, with an improvement in corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) results (p > 0.05) when compared to the pre-reading values. Group B showed a significant increase in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) (p ≤ 0.05) and a decrease in critical flicker frequency (CFF) (p ≤ 0.05). ConclusionsClose-eye rest with artificial tears may be a convenient and effective prevention strategy for screen-related DE and asthenopia.

ESMAC Best Paper Award 2023: Increased knee flexion in participants with cerebral palsy results in altered stresses at the distal femoral growth plate compared to a typically developing cohort

IntroductionFemoral deformities are highly prevalent in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can have a severe impact on patients’ gait abilities. While the mechanical stress regime within the distal femoral growth plate remains underexplored, understanding it is crucial given bone's adaptive response to mechanical stimuli. We quantified stresses at the distal femoral growth plate to deepen our understanding of the relationship between healthy and pathological gait patterns, internal loading, and femoral growth patterns. MethodsThis study included three-dimensional motion capture data and magnetic resonance images of 13 typically developing children and twelve participants with cerebral palsy. Employing a multi-scale mechanobiological approach, integrating musculoskeletal simulations and subject-specific finite element analysis, we investigated the orientation of the distal femoral growth plate and the stresses within it. Limbs of participants with CP were grouped depending on their knee flexion kinematics during stance phase as this potentially changes the stresses induced by knee and patellofemoral joint contact forces. ResultsDespite similar growth plate orientation across groups, significant differences were observed in the shape and distribution of growth values. Higher growth rates were noted in the anterior compartment in CP limbs with high knee flexion while CP limbs with normal knee flexion showed high similarity to the group of healthy participants. DiscussionResults indicate that the knee flexion angle during the stance phase is of high relevance for typical bone growth at the distal femur. The evaluated growth rates reveal plausible results, as long-term promoted growth in the anterior compartment leads to anterior bending of the femur which was confirmed for the group with high knee flexion through analyses of the femoral geometry. The framework for these multi-scale simulations has been made accessible on GitHub, empowering peers to conduct similar mechanobiological studies. Advancing our understanding of femoral bone development could ultimately support clinical decision-making.

Use of functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify cortical loci for lower limb movements and their efficacy for individuals after stroke.

Identification of cortical loci for lower limb movements for stroke rehabilitation is crucial for better rehabilitation outcomes via noninvasive brain stimulation by targeting the fine-grained cortical loci of the movements. However, identification of the cortical loci for lower limb movements using functional MRI (fMRI) is challenging due to head motion and difficulty in isolating different types of movement. Therefore, we developed a custom-made MR-compatible footplate and leg cushion to identify the cortical loci for lower limb movements and conducted multivariate analysis on the fMRI data. We evaluated the validity of the identified loci using both fMRI and behavioral data, obtained from healthy participants as well as individuals after stroke. We recruited 33 healthy participants who performed four different lower limb movements (ankle dorsiflexion, ankle rotation, knee extension, and toe flexion) using our custom-built equipment while fMRI data were acquired. A subgroup of these participants (Dataset 1; n = 21) was used to identify the cortical loci associated with each lower limb movement in the paracentral lobule (PCL) using multivoxel pattern analysis and representational similarity analysis. The identified cortical loci were then evaluated using the remaining healthy participants (Dataset 2; n = 11), for whom the laterality index (LI) was calculated for each lower limb movement using the cortical loci identified for the left and right lower limbs. In addition, we acquired a dataset from 15 individuals with chronic stroke for regression analysis using the LI and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. The cortical loci associated with the lower limb movements were hierarchically organized in the medial wall of the PCL following the cortical homunculus. The LI was clearer using the identified cortical loci than using the PCL. The healthy participants (mean ± standard deviation: 0.12 ± 0.30; range: -0.63 to 0.91) exhibited a higher contralateral LI than the individuals after stroke (0.07 ± 0.47; -0.83 to 0.97). The corresponding LI scores for individuals after stroke showed a significant positive correlation with the FMA scale for paretic side movement in ankle dorsiflexion (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.025) and toe flexion (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.016). The cortical loci associated with lower limb movements in the PCL identified in healthy participants were validated using independent groups of healthy participants and individuals after stroke. Our findings suggest that these cortical loci may be beneficial for the neurorehabilitation of lower limb movement in individuals after stroke, such as in developing effective rehabilitation interventions guided by the LI scores obtained for neuronal activations calculated from the identified cortical loci across the paretic and non-paretic sides of the brain.

Pharmacokinetic and safety analysis of biosimilar adalimumab in healthy volunteers in Bangladesh

AimsAdvixa is a monoclonal antibody manufactured as a biosimilar to adalimumab (Humira, Abbvie Inc.). The key objectives of this study were to use a healthy population group to assess pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety similarity between Advixa and Humira in healthy participants and to quantify the effects on adalimumab PK and safety to assess the impact of treatment with Advixa.MethodsA group of healthy participants selected by screening aged between 18 and 45 years. According to the randomization table, each participant was given Adalimumab (Advixa or Humira) in the inpatient facilities in a hospital and observed for 72 h. Several blood samples were collected from the participants at different time points up to day 64 to measure their Pharmacokinetics and biosimilarity. The study was registered at clinicaltrial.gov retrospectively.ResultsThe serum concentration–time profiles for PK and safety were compared in this randomized, double-blinded study between Humira and Advixa. A review of the data for biosimilarity confirmed that these products are similar to each other regarding healthy participants. 90% confidence interval of the relative mean Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUCo-inf of the Advixa and Humira were found within the acceptance criteria. No differences in safety profiles were observed in these studies.ConclusionPK and safety are similar between Advixa and Humira in participants with healthy status demonstrated in this clinical trial (NCT05172817; Registration Date/Initial Release Date: 28/09/2021). Adalimumab PK was also similar to treatment with Humira and Advixa.

TDCS of right-hemispheric Wernicke’s area homologue affects contextual learning of novel lexicon

Numerous studies have shown robust evidence of the right hemisphere’s involvement in the language function, for instance in the processing of intonation, grammar, word meanings, metaphors, etc. However, its role in lexicon acquisition remains obscure. We applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right-hemispheric homologue of Wernicke’s area to assess its putative involvement in the processing of different types of novel semantics. After receiving 15 min of anodal, cathodal, or sham (placebo) tDCS, three groups of healthy participants learnt novel concrete and abstract words in the context of short stories. Learning outcomes were assessed using a battery of tests immediately after this contextual learning session and 24 h later. As a result, an inhibitory effect of cathodal tDCS and a facilitatory effect of anodal tDCS were found for abstract word acquisition only. We also found a significant drop in task performance on the second day of the assessment for both word types in all the stimulation groups, suggesting no significant influence of tDCS on the post-learning consolidation of new memory traces. The results suggest an involvement of Wernicke’s right-hemispheric counterpart in initial encoding (but not consolidation) of abstract semantics, which may be explained either by the right hemispheres direct role in processing lexical semantics or by an indirect impact of tDCS on contralateral (left-hemispheric) cortical areas through cross-callosal connections.

Valvular Prostaglandins Are Elevated in Severe Human Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is the most common valvular disease in the developed world. AVS involves the progressive fibrocalcific remodeling of the aortic valve (AV), which impairs function and can ultimately lead to heart failure. Due to gaps in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AVS, there are no pharmacological treatments or dietary interventions known to slow AVS progression. Recent studies have begun to suggest oxylipins-a class of bioactive lipids-may be dysregulated in the valves of patients with AVS. We utilized high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to conduct a targeted oxylipin analysis on human AV tissue and plasma from a cohort of 110 patients undergoing AV surgery. We identified 36 oxylipins in human AV tissue with all showing significant increase in patients with severe AVS. A multivariate model including patient characteristics and valvular oxylipins identified the arachidonic acid-COX (cyclooxygenase) pathway-derived prostanoids to be the most associated with AVS severity. Plasma oxylipin levels were measured in a subset of AV surgery patients and compared with a control group of healthy participants, showing distinct oxylipin profiles between control and disease. Our comprehensive analysis of oxylipins in the human AV identified the inflammatory and osteogenic regulating prostanoids to be positively correlated with AVS severity. This elucidation of prostanoid dysregulation warrants further research into COX inhibition to mitigate AVS.

ADAPTATION OF REY AUDITORY VERBAL LEARNING TESTFOR INDONESIA: ITS VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) assesses different as- pects of verbal memory and learning. This test is often used in clinical, educational, and selection contexts. We adapted the Geffen et al’ ver- sion for Indonesia and here we present sychometric properties. We tested the validity via its seven recall trials (A1 to A7), based on theore- tical constructs (e.g. the presence and recency effect) via analyses of variance and factor analyses and the test’s reliability via e.g. correlation analyses and Cronbach’s alpha. The objective of the research was to study the psychometric properties of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test which were adapted from Geffen et al’s to Indonesian version.Two groups of healthy participants with varying ages (16-80) and edu- cation (from Elementary school to postgraduate alumni) included 492 persons for the validation, and 50 for the test-retest reliability part of the study with a 6–14-day interval. We tested the validity via its seven recall trials, based on theoretical constructs, and factor analyses. The test’s reliability via Cronbach’s alpha test, and test-retest.The recall scores increased over trials A1 to A5. The expected position effect, primacy, and recency were found for A1 to A5. Factor analysis that the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test revealed three memory con- structs. The word “ibu (mother)” caused an anomaly in the position effect of the 15 words. Both Cronbach’s Alpha and the test-retest corre lations increased from low A1 to satisfying A7. Carry-over results were found in the retest.The Indonesian version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test is valid based on the recall related to the position of the words, the three clusters describing the memory of all seven trials. The score of relia- bility is only moderate for the recall score, it might be due to the test- retest procedure.

Resting-state EEG recorded with gel-based vs. consumer dry electrodes: spectral characteristics and across-device correlations.

Recordings of electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms and their analyses have been instrumental in basic neuroscience, clinical diagnostics, and the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). While in the past such measurements have been conducted mostly in laboratory settings, recent advancements in dry electrode technology pave way to a broader range of consumer and medical application because of their greater convenience compared to gel-based electrodes. Here we conducted resting-state EEG recordings in two groups of healthy participants using three dry-electrode devices, the PSBD Headband, the PSBD Headphones and the Muse Headband, and one standard gel electrode-based system, the NVX. We examined signal quality for various spatial and spectral ranges which are essential for cognitive monitoring and consumer applications. Distinctive characteristics of signal quality were found, with the PSBD Headband showing sensitivity in low-frequency ranges and replicating the modulations of delta, theta and alpha power corresponding to the eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, and the NVX system performing well in capturing high-frequency oscillations. The PSBD Headphones were more prone to low-frequency artifacts compared to the PSBD Headband, yet recorded modulations in the alpha power and had a strong alignment with the NVX at the higher EEG frequencies. The Muse Headband had several limitations in signal quality. We suggest that while dry-electrode technology appears to be appropriate for the EEG rhythm-based applications, the potential benefits of these technologies in terms of ease of use and accessibility should be carefully weighed against the capacity of each given system.

Functional activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in human brain using hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate.

Pyruvate, produced from either glucose, glycogen, or lactate, is the dominant precursor of cerebral oxidative metabolism. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) flux is a direct measure of cerebral mitochondrial function and metabolism. Detection of [13 C]bicarbonate in the brain from hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate using carbon-13 (13 C) MRI provides a unique opportunity for assessing PDH flux in vivo. This study is to assess changes in cerebral PDH flux in response to visual stimuli using in vivo 13 C MRS with hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate. From seven sedentary adults in good general health, time-resolved [13 C]bicarbonate production was measured in the brain using 90° flip angles with minimal perturbation of its precursors, [1-13 C]pyruvate and [1-13 C]lactate, to test the hypothesis that the appearance of [13 C]bicarbonate signals in the brain reflects the metabolic changes associated with neuronal activation. With a separate group of healthy participants (n = 3), the likelihood of the bolus-injected [1-13 C]pyruvate being converted to [1-13 C]lactate prior to decarboxylation was investigated by measuring [13 C]bicarbonate production with and without [1-13 C]lactate saturation. In the course of visual stimulation, the measured [13 C]bicarbonate signal normalized to the total 13 C signal in the visual cortex increased by 17.1% ± 15.9% (p = 0.017), whereas no significant change was detected in [1-13 C]lactate. Proton BOLD fMRI confirmed the regional activation in the visual cortex with the stimuli. Lactate saturation decreased bicarbonate-to-pyruvate ratio by 44.4% ± 9.3% (p < 0.01). We demonstrated the utility of 13 C MRS with hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate for assessing the activation of cerebral PDH flux via the detection of [13 C]bicarbonate production.

A Wearable Sonification System to Improve Movement Awareness: A Feasibility Study

This paper presents the design, development, and feasibility testing of a wearable sonification system for real-time posture monitoring and feedback. The system utilizes inexpensive motion sensors integrated into a compact, wearable package to measure body movements and standing balance continuously. The sensor data is processed through sonification algorithms to generate real-time auditory feedback cues indicating the user’s balance and posture. The system aims to improve movement awareness and physical conditioning, with potential applications in balance rehabilitation and physical therapy. Initial feasibility testing was conducted with a small group of healthy participants performing standing balance tasks with eyes open and closed. Results indicate that the real-time audio feedback improved participants’ ability to maintain balance, especially in the case of closed eyes. This preliminary study demonstrates the potential for wearable sonification systems to provide intuitive real-time feedback on posture and movement to improve motor skills and balance.

An immersive virtual reality tool for assessing left and right unilateral spatial neglect.

The reported rate of the occurrence of unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is highly variable likely due to the lack of validity and low sensitivity of classical tools used to assess it. Virtual reality (VR) assessments try to overcome these limitations by proposing immersive and complex environments. Nevertheless, existing VR-based tasks are mostly focused only on near space and lack analysis of psychometric properties and/or clinical validation. The present study evaluates the clinical validity and sensitivity of a new immersive VR-based task to assess USN in the extra-personal space and examines the neuronal correlates of deficits of far space exploration. The task was administrated to two groups of patients with right (N = 28) or left (N = 11) hemispheric brain lesions, also undergoing classical paper-and-pencil assessment, as well as a group of healthy participants. Our VR-based task detected 44% of neglect cases compared to 31% by paper-and-pencil tests in the total sample. Importantly, 30% of the patients (with right or left brain lesions) with no clear sign of USN on the paper-and-pencil tests performed outside the normal range in the VR-based task. Voxel lesion-symptom mapping revealed that deficits detected in VR were associated with lesions in insular and temporal cortex, part of the neural network involved in spatial processing. These results show that our immersive VR-based task is efficient and sensitive in detecting mild to strong manifestations of USN affecting the extra-personal space, which may be undetected using standard tools.

Altered intrinsic brain activity in patients with neuropathic pain after brachial plexus avulsion

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate brain activity changes in patients suffering from neuropathic pain (NP) following brachial plexus avulsion (BPA). MethodsFifteen patients with NP following BPA and eight healthy participants (HP) were recruited for this study. All participants underwent examination using resting-state functional MRI. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were calculated and compared between the BPA group, left-BPA subgroup, right-BPA subgroup, and the HP group using independent samples t-tests. ResultsIn the BPA group, there were notable increases in ALFF/ReHo observed in the left rolandic operculum, insula, and supramarginal gyrus, while decreases were observed in the left paracentral lobule, fusiform gyrus, calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, lingual gyrus, precuneus, as well as the bilateral anterior/median cingulate and paracingulate gyri, supplementary motor area, and cerebellum. In the left-BPA subgroup, elevated ALFF/ReHo levels were identified in the left middle/inferior frontal gyri, rolandic operculum, and supramarginal gyrus, with corresponding decreases in the left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, inferior occipital gyrus, fusiform gyrus, lingual gyrus, as well as the bilateral anterior/median cingulate and paracingulate gyri, postcentral gyri, supplementary motor area, paracentral lobules, and cerebellum. The right-BPA subgroup displayed increased ALFF/ReHo in the left frontal lobe, rolandic operculum, insula, fusiform gyrus, and lingual gyrus, as well as the right cerebellum. Conversely, decreases in ALFF/ReHo were observed in the bilateral anterior/median cingulate and paracingulate gyri, calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, cuneus, and occipital lobes. ConclusionsThe NP after BPA caused spontaneous activity changes in brain regions associated with linguistic, visual, somatosensory, and motor coordination and processing function. The majority of these abnormal areas were situated in the left cerebral hemisphere, while the effect of cingulate gyri and cerebellum seemed to be bilateral.

Alteraciones neuropsicológicas en pacientes en tratamiento con diálisis peritoneal

BackgroundPatients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (HD) often have cognitive deficits. However, there are few studies that have examined the neuropsychological impairments of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). MethodsExecutive functions, processing speed and verbal memory were assessed in 27 PD patients, 42 HD patients, and 42 healthy participants (HP). Systolic blood pressure and total time on renal replacement therapy (RRT) were controlled statistically. Associations between performance and clinical factors were analyzed using correlations and multiple regression. ResultsThe DP group showed better performance compared to the HD group in verbal fluency, working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning and decision making. The DP group showed worse execution than the HP group in verbal inhibition and memory. Executive function scores were positively associated with total months on PD, total months on RRT, total months on HD, albumin, total cholesterol, and phosphorus, and negatively with ferritin. ConclusionGlobal executive functioning was more optimal in PD patients than in HD patients. The results show the positive effect of PD on executive functions, which must be taken into account when choosing the TRS. The associations observed between biochemical factors and performance show the importance of maintaining an adequate nutritional status in these patients.

Virtual diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy using metabolomics in place of kidney biopsy: The DIAMOND study

AimsTo explore the clinical factors and urinary metabolites that predict biopsy-confirmed diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MethodsData from the medical records of 126 patients with T2DM who underwent kidney biopsy between January 2010 and October 2020 at a single-center were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the clinical factors that predict DN. Urine samples were collected to perform urine metabolomics in patients with T2DM divided by biopsy-confirmed DN, immunoglobulin A, and membranous nephropathy, and a control group of healthy participants. Each group comprised 11 age- and sex-matched participants. A prediction model was developed using a combination of clinical factors and urinary metabolites, and a multivariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted. ResultsAge, presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, T2DM duration, and hemoglobin A1c levels were clinical factors predictive of DN. Four urinary metabolites (alanine, choline, N-phenylacetylglycine, and trigonelline) had variable importance in projection scores > 1 and were predictive of DN. When conducting multivariate ROC analysis with a combination of clinical factors and urinary metabolites, the area under the curve was 1.000. ConclusionsThe combination of clinical factors and urinary metabolites is highly valuable for predicting biopsy-confirmed DN in patients with T2DM.

Effect of tone normalizing massage on stiffness of accessory inspiratory muscles in patients with COPD

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medical massage on inspiratory accessory muscle function and sensory sensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The participants were divided into two groups: group II (22 patients with COPD in the stable period), and group II (II: 17 participants with no respiratory disorders). Each group was subjected to a series of five massages. The treatment was performed for the sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, and the descending part of the trapezius muscle. The parameters of muscle frequency and stiffness were measured using a Myoton Pro Digital device. The compression sensitivity was measured using a Force algometer. The results obtained showed significant differences in the stiffness parameters of the muscles studied between the groups, which indicates a positive effect of massage on muscle function in patients with COPD. The greatest significant differences were found in the patient’s sensitivity parameters. The application of the massage series significantly improved the parameters of frequency and decreased stiffness of inspiratory accessory muscles in patients with COPD compared to the group of healthy participants. This massage is an effective method to normalize muscle tone and thus improve the functional status of patients with COPD.

Can Gait Characteristics Be Represented by Physical Activity Measured with Wrist-Worn Accelerometers?

Wearable accelerometers allow for continuous monitoring of function and behaviors in the participant's naturalistic environment. Devices are typically worn in different body locations depending on the concept of interest and endpoint under investigation. The lumbar and wrist are commonly used locations: devices placed at the lumbar region enable the derivation of spatio-temporal characteristics of gait, while wrist-worn devices provide measurements of overall physical activity (PA). Deploying multiple devices in clinical trial settings leads to higher patient burden negatively impacting compliance and data quality and increases the operational complexity of the trial. In this work, we evaluated the joint information shared by features derived from the lumbar and wrist devices to assess whether gait characteristics can be adequately represented by PA measured with wrist-worn devices. Data collected at the Pfizer Innovation Research (PfIRe) Lab were used as a real data example, which had around 7 days of continuous at-home data from wrist- and lumbar-worn devices (GENEActiv) obtained from a group of healthy participants. The relationship between wrist- and lumbar-derived features was estimated using multiple statistical methods, including penalized regression, principal component regression, partial least square regression, and joint and individual variation explained (JIVE). By considering multilevel models, both between- and within-subject effects were taken into account. This work demonstrated that selected gait features, which are typically measured with lumbar-worn devices, can be represented by PA features measured with wrist-worn devices, which provides preliminary evidence to reduce the number of devices needed in clinical trials and to increase patients' comfort. Moreover, the statistical methods used in this work provided an analytic framework to compare repeated measures collected from multiple data modalities.

Myelination and excitation-inhibition balance synergistically shape structure-function coupling across the human cortex

Recent work has demonstrated that the relationship between structural and functional connectivity varies regionally across the human brain, with reduced coupling emerging along the sensory-association cortical hierarchy. The biological underpinnings driving this expression, however, remain largely unknown. Here, we postulate that intracortical myelination and excitation-inhibition (EI) balance mediate the heterogeneous expression of structure-function coupling (SFC) and its temporal variance across the cortical hierarchy. We employ atlas- and voxel-based connectivity approaches to analyze neuroimaging data acquired from two groups of healthy participants. Our findings are consistent across six complementary processing pipelines: 1) SFC and its temporal variance respectively decrease and increase across the unimodal-transmodal and granular-agranular gradients; 2) increased myelination and lower EI-ratio are associated with more rigid SFC and restricted moment-to-moment SFC fluctuations; 3) a gradual shift from EI-ratio to myelination as the principal predictor of SFC occurs when traversing from granular to agranular cortical regions. Collectively, our work delivers a framework to conceptualize structure-function relationships in the human brain, paving the way for an improved understanding of how demyelination and/or EI-imbalances induce reorganization in brain disorders.

Impact of negative links on the structural balance of brain functional network during emotion processing

Activation of specific brain areas and synchrony between them has a major role in process of emotions. Nevertheless, impact of anti-synchrony (negative links) in this process still requires to be understood. In this study, we hypothesized that quantity and topology of negative links could influence a network stability by changing of quality of its triadic associations. Therefore, a group of healthy participants were exposed to pleasant and unpleasant images while their brain responses were recorded. Subsequently, functional connectivity networks were estimated and quantity of negative links, balanced and imbalanced triads, tendency to make negative hubs, and balance energy levels of two conditions were compared. The findings indicated that perception of pleasant stimuli was associated with higher amount of negative links with a lower tendency to make a hub in theta band; while the opposite scenario was observed in beta band. It was accompanied with smaller number of imbalanced triads and more stable network in theta band, and smaller number of balanced triads and less stable network in beta band. The findings highlighted that inter regional communications require less changes to receive new information from unpleasant stimuli, although by decrement in beta band stability prepares the network for the upcoming events.