Healthy Volunteers Age Research Articles

Immune Response Following Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Women After Hematopoietic Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is found in about 40% of women who survive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and can induce subsequent neoplasms. To determine the safety and immunogenicity of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18) in clinically stable women post-allogeneic transplant compared with female healthy volunteers. Participants received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in intramuscular injections on days 1 and 2 and then 6 months later. This prospective, open-label phase-1 study was conducted in a government clinical research hospital and included clinically stable women posttransplant who were or were not receiving immunosuppressive therapy compared with healthy female volunteers age 18 to 50 years who were followed up or a year after first receiving quadrivalent HPV vaccination. The study was conducted from June 2, 2010, until July 19, 2016. After all of the results of the study assays were completed and available in early 2018, the analysis took place from February 2018 to May 2019. Anti-HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18-specific antibody responses using L1 virus-like particle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were measured in serum before (day 1) and at months 7 and 12 postvaccination. Anti-HPV-16 and -18 neutralization titers were determined using a pseudovirion-based neutralization assay. Of 64 vaccinated women, 23 (35.9%) were receiving immunosuppressive therapy (median age, 34 years [range, 18-48 years]; median 1.2 years posttransplant), 21 (32.8%) were not receiving immunosuppression (median age, 32 years [range, 18-49 years]; median 2.5 years posttransplant), and 20 (31.3%) were healthy volunteers (median age, 32 years [range, 23-45 years]). After vaccine series completion, 18 of 23 patients receiving immunosuppression (78.3%), 20 of 21 not receiving immunosuppression (95.2%), and all 20 volunteers developed antibody responses to all quadrivalent HPV vaccine types (P = .04, comparing the 3 groups). Geometric mean antibody levels for each HPV type were higher at months 7 and 12 than at baseline in each group (all geometric mean ratios >1; P < .001) but not significantly different across groups. Antibody and neutralization titers for anti-HPV-16 and anti-HPV-18 correlated at month 7 (Spearman ρ = 0.92; P < .001 for both). Adverse events were mild and not different across groups. Treatment with the HPV vaccination was followed by strong, functionally active antibody responses against vaccine-related HPV types and no serious adverse events. These findings suggest that HPV vaccination may be safely administered to women posttransplant to potentially reduce HPV infection and related neoplasia. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01092195.

Age-Related Decreases in Interhemispheric Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Their Relationship With Executive Function.

Age-related alterations of functional brain networks contribute to cognitive decline. Current theories indicate that age-related intrinsic brain functional reorganization may be a critical marker of cognitive aging. Yet, little is known about how intrinsic interhemispheric functional connectivity changes with age in adults, and how this relates to critical executive functions. To address this, we examined voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC), a metric that quantifies interhemispheric communication, in 93 healthy volunteers (age range: 19–85) with executive function assessment using the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) scales. Resting functional MRI data were analyzed to assess VMHC, and then a multiple linear regression model was employed to evaluate the relationship between age and the whole-brain VMHC. We observed age-related reductions in VMHC of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and hippocampus in the medial temporal lobe subsystem, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and insula in salience network, and inferior parietal lobule in frontoparietal control network. Performance on the color-word inhibition task was associated with VMHC of vmPFC and insula, and VMHC of vmPFC mediated the relationship between age and CWIT inhibition reaction times. The percent ratio of correct design scores in design fluency test correlated positively with VMHC of the inferior parietal lobule. The current study suggests that brain interhemispheric functional alterations may be a promising new avenue for understanding age-related cognitive decline.

Effect of Drinking Oxygenated Water Assessed by in vivo MRI Relaxometry.

This project was funded by the Research Council of Norway. Oxygen uptake through the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration of oxygenated water in humans is not well studied and is debated in the literature. Due to the paramagnetic properties of oxygen and deoxyhemoglobin, MRI as a technique might be able to detect changes in relaxometry values caused by increased oxygen levels in the blood. To assess whether oxygen dissolved in water is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported into the bloodstream after oral administration. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Thirty healthy male volunteers age 20-35. 3T/Modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) T1 -mapping and multi fast field echo (mFFE) T2 *-mapping. Each volunteer was scanned in two separate sessions. T1 and T2 * maps were acquired repeatedly covering the hepatic portal vein (HPV) and vena cava inferior (VCI, control vein) before and after intake of oxygenated or control water. Assessments were done by placing a region of interest in the HPV and VCI. A mixed linear model was performed to the compare control vs. oxygen group. Drinking caused a mean 1.6% 95% CI (1.1-2.0% P < 0.001) increase in T1 of HPV blood and water oxygenation attributed another 0.70% 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.07-1.3% P = 0.028) increase. Oxygenation did not change T1 in VCI blood. Mean T2 * increased 9.6% 95% CI (1.7-17.5% P = 0.017) after ingestion of oxygenated water and 1.2% 95% CI (-4.3-6.8% P = 0.661) after ingestion of control water. The corresponding changes in VCI blood were not significant. Ingestion of water caused changes in T1 and T2 * of HPV blood compatible with dilution due to water absorption. The effects were enhanced by oxygen. Assessment of oxygen enrichment of HPV blood was not possible due to the dilution effect. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:720-728.

Simultaneous voxel-based magnetic susceptibility and morphometry analysis using magnetization-prepared spoiled turbo multiple gradient echo.

This study aimed to develop and test a simultaneous acquisition and analysis pipeline for voxel-based magnetic susceptibility and morphometry (VBMSM) on a single dataset using young volunteers, elderly healthy volunteers, and an Alzheimer's disease (AD) group. 3D T1 -weighted and multi-echo phase images for VBM and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) were simultaneously acquired using a magnetization-prepared spoiled turbo multiple gradient echo sequence with inversion pulse for QSM (MP-QSM). The magnitude image was split into gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) and was spatially normalized. The susceptibility map was reconstructed from the phase images. The segmented image and susceptibility map were compared with those obtained from conventional multiple spoiled gradient echo (mGRE) and MP-spoiled gradient echo (MP-GRE) in healthy volunteers to validate the availability of MP-QSM by numerical measurements. To assess the feasibility of the VBMSM analysis pipeline, voxel-based comparisons of susceptibility and morphometry in MP-QSM were conducted in volunteers with a bimodal age distribution, and in elderly volunteers and the AD group, using spatially normalized GM and WM volume images and a susceptibility map. GM/WM contrasts in MP-QSM, MP-GRE, and mGRE were 0.14 ± 0.011, 0.17 ± 0.015, and 0.045 ± 0.010, respectively. Segmented GM and WM volumes in the MP-QSM closely coincided with those in the MP-GRE. Region of interest analyses indicated that the mean susceptibility values in MP-QSM were completely in agreement with those in mGRE. In an evaluation of the aging effect, a significant increase and decrease in susceptibility and volume were found by VBMSM in deep GM and WM, respectively. Between the elderly volunteers and the AD group, the characteristic susceptibility and volume changes in GM and WM were observed. The proposed MP-QSM sequence makes it possible to acquire acceptable-quality images for simultaneous analysis and determine brain atrophy and susceptibility distribution without image registration by using voxel-based analyses.

Association of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphisms with White Matter Lesions and Brain Atrophy.

ObjectiveApolipoprotein E (ApoE) is mainly synthesized in the liver. So far, it is unknown the relationship among APOE gene polymorphisms and WML, brain atrophy. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the associations of APOE gene polymorphisms in patients with WML and brain atrophy. MethodsA total of 58 patients with WML, 128 patients with brain atrophy, 112 patients with co-occurrence of WML and brain atrophy and 95 healthy elderly volunteers were recruited from Renmin Hospital of WuHan University. ResultsAllele E3 was the most common allele. The alleles E2 had significantly higher levels of ApoB and lower age in WML group. The alleles E2 was associated with the lower level of ApoB, LDL-Ch, TCh, and sdLDL in co-occurrence group. The E3/E3 genotype has higher level of sdLDL, but lower age and female frequency in WML. The E3/E4 genotype had higher level of TG, but lower age in WML. Gender, Age, E2, Hyperhomocysteinemia and UA were also significantly associated with disease progression. ConclusionThis study found that clinical data, lipids and metabolic complications were closely related to ApoE genotypes and alleles, and also disease progression and type.

High Intensity Interval Training Does Not Have Compensatory Effects on Physical Activity Levels in Older Adults.

Background: Exercise has beneficial effects on older adults, but controversy surrounds the purported “compensatory effects” that training may have on total daily physical activity and energy expenditure in the elderly. We wanted to determine whether 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) induced such effects on physical activity and energy expenditure in healthy, active older adult men. Methods: Twenty-four healthy elderly male volunteers were randomized to two groups. The experimental group performed HIIT (7 × 2 min cycling repetitions, 3 d/w); the control group performed continuous moderate-intensity training (20–30 min cycling, 3 d/w). Physical activity and energy expenditure were measured with a multisensor activity monitor SenseWear Armband Mini. Results: During HIIT, significant changes were observed in moderate and vigorous physical activity, average daily metabolic equivalents (METs), physical activity level, and activity energy expenditure (p < 0.05) but not in total energy expenditure. Sleep and sedentary time, and levels of light physical activity remained constant during the training period. Conclusions: The findings suggest that HIIT induced no compensatory effect: HIIT does not adversely affect lifestyle, as it does not reduce daily energy expenditure and/or increase sedentary time.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures improves spino-pelvic alignment and global sagittal balance maximally in the thoracolumbar region

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) often cause local kyphosis. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is a common method for the treatment of local kyphosis. However, the influence of kyphoplasty on spino-pelvic alignment and global sagittal balance when performed at specific treatment sites in the spine remains unclear. The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of different fracture sites and PKP treatment on the spino-pelvic alignment and global sagittal balance in patients with OVCFs. 90 patients with OVCF who underwent PKP were included in the retrospective study. According to the site of the fractured vertebrae, all the cases were divided into 3 groups: Main thoracic (MT) group (T1 to T9), Thoracolumbar (TL) group (T10 to L2) and Lumbar (LU) group (L3 to L5). 26 healthy elderly volunteers (aged over 59) were enrolled as the control group. Sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were measured on the full-spine radiographs preoperatively and postoperatively. Information of sagittal spino-pelvic parameters and global sagittal balance was gathered. Compared with the Control group, TL group showed significant differences in almost all parameters, except pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL). While only local sagittal parameters (Thoracic kyphosis (TK), Thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), LL) were significantly different in MT group. There was no significant difference in almost all of the parameters except for PT and TPA in LU group. Correspondingly, the sagittal parameters of TL group improved best after PKP, except for thoracic kyphosis (TK) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). In MT group, only TLK was significantly decreased, while in LU group, only local kyphosis Cobb angle and SSA were improved. OVCF mainly occurs in the thoracolumbar region. Compared with MT group and LU group, OVCF occurred in the thoracolumbar region had greater influence on the spino-pelvic alignment and global sagittal balance. When PKP was performed, the improvement of sagittal balance parameters of TL group was the best in the three groups.

An experimental study on effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on sleep in healthy elderly males and females: Gender matters!

BackgroundResults from human experimental studies investigating possible effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on sleep are heterogeneous. So far, there is no study on possible sex-differences in RF-EMF effects. ObjectivesThe present study aimed at analyzing differences in RF-EMF effects on the macrostructure of sleep between healthy elderly males and females. MethodsWith a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over design effects of two RF-EMF exposures (GSM900 and TETRA) on sleep were investigated in samples of 30 elderly healthy male and 30 healthy elderly female volunteers. Participants underwent each of the three exposure conditions on three occassions following an individually randomized order resulting in a total of nine study nights per participant. Exposure was delivered for 30 min prior to sleep and for the whole night (7.5 h) by a head worn antenna specifically designed for the projects. The peak spatial absorption rate averaged over time in head tissues (psSAR10g) was 6 W/kg for TETRA and 2 W/kg for GSM900. Thirty variables characterising the macrostructure of sleep and arousals as well as four subjective sleep variables were considered for statistical analyses. ResultsMultivariate analyses revealed that exposure to GSM900 and/or TETRA resulted in a significant reduction in arousals, a shorter latency to sleep stage N3, and a shorter self-reported time awake after sleep in both males and females. Exposure effects depending on sex (significant interactions) were observed. Latency to sleep stage R was shorter in females and tended to be longer in males under both exposures. Latency to stage N3 was shorter in females under TETRA exposure and almost not affected in males. The time awake within the sleep period under TETRA exposure was shorter in females and only slightly longer in males. Under GSM exposure, the self-rated total sleep time tended to be longer in females and to be shorter in males. Finally, the number of awakenings was lower only in females and tended to be higher in males under GSM exposure. DiscussionWith regard to RF-EMF effects on human sleep it seems that gender matters since GSM900 and TETRA led to significantly more exposure effects in females. Regardless of gender, none of the observed changes is indicative of a sleep disturbing effect of RF-EMF exposure. Observed effects might be mediated by skin related thermoregulatory mechanisms.

Assessment of left atrial function in elderly patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation by real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

Objective To assess left atrial(LA)function by evaluating changes of LA wall movement and volume detected by real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(RT3D-STI)in elderly patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation(IMR). Methods Eighty-six elderly patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)were enrolled in this study.According to whether or not to have IMR, the patients were divided into the pure CHD group(n=32)and the CHD-induced ischemic mitral regurgitation(IMR)group(n=54, including 20 cases of mild IMR, 18 cases of moderate IMR and 16 cases of severe IMR). Thirty-two healthy elderly volunteers were considered as control group.RT3D-STI was used to evaluate the global atrial longitudinal strain(GLS), global circumferential strain(GCS), global radial strain(GRS)and LA maximal, minimal and pre-systolic volumes(LAVmax, LAVmin, and LAVp). LA ejection fraction(LAEF), LA passive ejection fraction(LApEF)and LA active ejection fraction(LAaEF)were calculated.The relationship of LA volume changes and myocardial strain with LA function was analyzed. Results The left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and LAEF were reduced in CHD group and IMR group as compared with the control group, and were lower in IMR group than in CHD group(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the LAVmin was increased, and the LAaEF was decreased in the IMR group(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the GLS, GCS, GRS were declined in the CHD and IMR groups, and were lower in IMR group than in control group(P<0.05). Along with the increased severity of regurgitation, GLS, GCS, and GRS were decreased in varying degrees.The standard deviations of time to peak longitudinal strains(TLS-SD), of time to peak circumferential strains(TCS-SD), and of time to peak radial strain(TRS-SD)rose in the IMR group as compared with the control group(P<0.05). The myocardial motion indicators(GLS, GCS, GRS)had a quite strong correlation with LAEF in the CHD and IMR groups(CHD group: r=-0.745, -0.718 and 0.627, P=0.006, 0.007 and 0.009; IMR group: r=-0.785, -0.781, 0.643, P=0.006, 0.007 and 0.008). The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of TLS-SD, TCS-SD and TRS-SD were 89.7% and 81.8%, 78.6% and 84.8%, 85.7% and 72.1%, respectively in the evaluation of LA function changes. Conclusions RT3D-STI can precisely and objectively assess the LA function changes by measuring the volume changes and tracing the myocardial motion in elderly IMR patients. Key words: Coronary disease; Mitral valve insufficiency; Echocardiography, three-dimensional; Atrail function, left

Extracranial versus intracranial hydro-hemodynamics during aging: a PC-MRI pilot cross-sectional study

BackgroundBoth aging and changes in blood flow velocity between the extracranial (intraspinal) and intracranial regions of cerebral vessels have an impact on brain hydro-hemodynamics. Arterial and venous cerebral blood flows interact with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the both the cranial and spinal systems. Studies suggest that increased blood and CSF flow pulsatility plays an important role in certain neurological diseases. Here, we investigated the changes in blood-CSF flow pulsatility in the cranial and spinal systems with age as well as the impact of the intracranial compartment on flow patterns.MethodPhase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) was performed in 16 young and 19 elderly healthy volunteers to measure the flows of CSF and blood. CSF stroke volume (SV), blood SV, and arterial and venous pulsatility indexes (PIs) were assessed at intra- and extracranial levels in both samples. Correlations between ventricular and spinal CSF flow, and between blood and CSF flow during aging were also assessed.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in arterial cerebral blood flow and intracranial venous cerebral blood flow with aging. We also found a significant increase of intracranial blood SV, spinal CSF SV and arterial/venous pulsatility indexes with aging. In regard to intracranial compartment impact, arterial and venous PIs decreased significantly at intracranial level in elderly volunteers, while young adults exhibited decrease in venous PI only. Intracranial venous PI was paradoxically lower than extracranial venous PI, regardless of age. In both sample groups, spinal CSF SV and aqueductal CSF SV were positively correlated, and so were extracranial blood and spinal CSF SVs.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that aging changes blood flow but preserves blood and CSF interactions. We also showed that many parameters related to blood and CSF flows differ between young and elderly adults.

A mixed waveform protocol for reduction of the cardiac motion artifact in black-blood diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver

ObjectiveDiffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the liver suffers from signal loss due to the cardiac motion artifact, especially in the left liver lobe. The purpose of this work was to improve the image quality of liver DWI in terms of cardiac motion artifact reduction and achievement of black-blood images in low b-value images. Material and methodsTen healthy volunteers (age 20–31 years) underwent MRI examinations at 1.5 T with a prototype DWI sequence provided by the vendor. Two diffusion encodings (i.e. waveforms), monopolar and flow-compensated, and the b-values 0, 20, 50, 100, 150, 600 and 800 s/mm2 were used. Two Likert scales describing the severity of the pulsation artifact and the quality of the black-blood state were defined and evaluated by two experienced radiologists. Regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn in the right and left liver lobe in each slice and combined to a volume of interest (VOI). The mean and coefficient of variation were calculated for each normalized VOI-averaged signal to assess the severity of the cardiac motion artifact. The ADC was calculated using two b-values once for the monopolar data and once with mixed data, using the monopolar data for the small and the flow-compensated data for the high b-value. A Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the Likert scores obtained for monopolar and flow-compensated data. ResultsAt b-values from 20 to 150 s/mm2, unlike the flow-compensated diffusion encoding, the monopolar encoding yielded black blood in all images with a negligible signal loss due to the cardiac motion artifact. At the b-values 600 and 800 s/mm2, the flow-compensated encoding resulted in a significantly reduced cardiac motion artifact, especially in the left liver lobe, and in a black-blood state. The ADC calculated with monopolar data was significantly higher in the left than in the right liver lobe. ConclusionIt is recommendable to use the following mixed waveform protocol: Monopolar diffusion encodings at small b-values and flow-compensated diffusion encodings at high b-values.

Endothelial progenitor cells, potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke: protocol for an observational case-control study.

Ischemic stroke is a devastating, life altering event which can severely reduce patient quality of life. Despite years of research there have been minimal therapeutic advances. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), stem cells involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, may be a potential therapeutic target. After a stroke, EPCs migrate to the site of ischemic injury to repair cerebrovascular damage, and their numbers and functional capacity may determine patients’ outcome. This study aims to determine whether the number of circulating EPCs and their functional aspects may be used as biomarkers to identify the type (cortical or lacunar) and/or severity of ischemic stroke. The study will also investigate if there are any differences in these characteristics between healthy volunteers over and under 65 years of age. 100 stroke patients (50 lacunar and 50 cortical strokes) will be recruited in this prospective, observational case-controlled study. Blood samples will be taken from stroke patients at baseline (within 48 hours of stroke) and days 7, 30 and 90. EPCs will be counted with flow cytometry. The plasma levels of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines will also be determined. Outgrowth endothelial cells will be cultured to be used in tube formation, migration and proliferation functional assays. Primary outcome is disability or dependence on day 90 after stroke, assessed by the modified Rankin Scale. Secondary outcomes are changes in circulating EPC numbers and/or functional capacity between patient and healthy volunteers, between patient subgroups and between elderly and young healthy volunteers. Recruitment started in February 2017, 167 participants have been recruited. Recruitment will end in November 2019. West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee approved this study (REC number: 16/WM/0304) on September 8, 2016. Protocol version: 2.0. The Bayraktutan Dunhill Medical Trust EPC Study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02980354) on November 15, 2016. This study will determine whether the number of EPCs can be used as a prognostic or diagnostic marker for ischemic strokes and is a step towards discovering if transplantation of EPCs may aid patient recovery.

156 Shear wave propagation velocity after aortic valve closure could be a novel parameter for myocardial contractility

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Research Foundation (FWO) Flanders grant Background Shear wave imaging is a novel ultrasound technique based on the detection of transverse waves travelling through the myocardium by using high frame rate (HFR) echocardiography. These waves can be induced by an external or internal stimulus, such as aortic valve closure (AVC). The propagation velocity of shear waves is directly dependent on myocardial stiffness. It has been previously suggested in animals that the shear wave propagation velocity at AVC might be related to myocardial contractility. Aim The aim of this study was to validate if the shear wave propagation velocity after AVC (end-systole) is related to myocardial contractility. Methods Firstly, 11 healthy volunteers (age: 25 ± 4 years; male: n = 11) performed a supine bicycle exercise test. Images were taken at rest and during 25%, 50% and 66% of maximal workload, as determined by previous upright bicycle exercise testing. Secondly, 9 patients (age: 63 ± 10 years; male: n = 7) underwent a dobutamine stress echocardiography. The stress echo was negative in all patients. Images were taken at rest and after a dobutamine administration of 10µg/kg/min and 40µg/kg/min. Left ventricular (LV) parasternal long axis views were acquired with an experimental HFR ultrasound scanner (HD-PULSE) (average frame rate: 1217 ± 233fps). Apical 4-chamber views were acquired with a conventional ultrasound machine. Non-invasive single beat end-systolic elastance (Ees) was used as a measure of contractility. Acceleration maps were created from HFR-datasets by drawing a M-mode line along the midline of the interventricular septum. Shear wave propagation speed at AVC (end-systole) was calculated by measuring the slope of the wave front on the acceleration maps (Figure A). Results During the bicycle exercise, heart rate (61 ± 11bpm vs. 146 ± 13bpm; p &amp;lt; 0.001), systolic blood pressure (125 ± 12mmHg vs. 173 ± 15mmHg; p &amp;lt; 0.001), LV ejection fraction (55 ± 3% vs. 70 ± 5%; p &amp;lt; 0.001), Ees (1.8 ± 0.3mmHg/ml vs. 3.6 ± 1.0mmHg/ml; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and propagation velocity of the shear waves (3.3 ± 0.5m/s vs. 6.2 ± 1.7m/s; p &amp;lt; 0.01) (Figure B) increased significantly from rest to exercise. Likewise, dobutamine administration significantly increased the heart rate (68 ± 10bpm vs. 131 ± 14bpm; p &amp;lt; 0.001), LV ejection fraction (57 ± 5% vs. 74 ± 7%; p &amp;lt; 0.001), as well as the shear wave velocity after AVC (4.4 ± 0.6m/s vs. 7.2 ± 1.7m/s; p &amp;lt; 0.01) (Figure C) and Ees (2.1 ± 0.4mmHg/ml vs. 3.3 ± 0.8mmHg/ml; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Independent from the stressor, shear wave propagation velocity had a good and significant correlation with Ees (Figure D). Conclusion Shear wave propagation velocity after AVC increases with increasing level of exercise or dobutamine dose. Shear wave velocities at AVC show a good correlation with Ees. Our data indicate that end-systolic shear wave velocity is related to myocardial contractility and might therefore be a potential novel parameter for the non-invasive assessment of myocardial function. Abstract 156 Figure.

Investigation of the chaotic dynamics of the vertical strance of a human body on the model of an inverted pendulum

Different stances of human body are studied in medicine and biology for quantitative estimation and clinical diagnostics of impairments and diseases of the musculoskeletal, nervous, vestibular systems and functions. Human body is composed of ~200 bones and ~600 muscles, and its upright position is unstable due to high complexity of the system and its control mechanisms. Among different techniques of the body sway recording the stabilography is one of the most simple and cheap unit. It is composed by a force platform that can measure the reaction forces over the contact areas between two feet and the platform. The former is portable and can be connected to any laptop via USB port. In this study the functions controlling the vertical stance of a person are studied accounting for the nonlinear dynamics of oscillations of the projection (XC,YC) of center of mass (CM) of the body on the horizontal plane. The time series {XC(t),YC(t)} have been measured on 28 healthy volunteers (age 21-42, height 156-182 cm, body mass 48-84.8 kg). The volunteers were asked to keep a quiet stance on two feet, similar stances with body mass shifted onto the left and then onto the right leg. Each stance has been repeated during 30 s with open and then with closed eyes. After a short break a test with balancing on the left and then on the right leg has been perfrmed. For each case, based on the mathematical model of the inverted pendulum, the calculated control functions u(t) in the form u(t)=k1(r(t)-r0)+ k2(r/(t)-r/0), where r(t) is the radius-vector of the CM, r0 is its averaged value over time, (.)/ means the time derivative. Using statistical analysis, the absence of correlations between the control functions for both different subjects and for different positions of the body of the same volunteer was shown. Based on the calculations of the Lyapunov exponent, the individuals have been classified into groups with stable, weakly and highly unstable control of the vertical position of the body. The modeling of such systems in the framework of nondeterministic chaos models with nonlinear control is discussed.

Effects of 12 weeks yoga practice on body composition and cardiopulmonary status of 10–12 years female volunteers

Background and Aim: Yoga practice may be beneficial for promotion of good health and mental well-being of the children and helps them to adopt with the changing environment. The present study has been designed to find out the effects of 12 weeks of yoga practice on body composition and cardiopulmonary variables of 10–12 years female volunteers. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight healthy female children volunteers (age 10–12 years) were screened, among them thirty eight were excluded, and the remaining 60 volunteers were randomly divided into: (i) experimental Group (n =30) and (b) control Group (n =30). Yoga practice (60 min/d, 06 d/wk for 12 wks) was followed in the yoga group with no yoga practice in control group. Body composition, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulmonary functions were assessed in both the groups at the beginning (0 week) and after 12 weeks. Results: Significant increase (P

Blood pressure, autonomic stress, and inflammatory markers during sleep deprivation and recovery in healthy men.

Recent community-based studies have identified sleep deprivation (SD) as an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension However, the underlying mechanisms linking SD to hypertension remain elusive. Thus, this study investigates blood pressure (BP) responses to cardiac autonomic stress tests in the presence of SD. Furthermore, we analyzed vascular inflammatory biomarkers as a possible underlying factor linking SD to increased BP. Ten healthy male volunteers (age, 21.6±1.2 years) underwent repeated autonomic stress tests for three consecutive days (baseline, SD, and recovery). The autonomic stress tests included the Valsalva maneuver, mental arithmetic, isometric handgrip, and cold pressor tests. Each day, resting BPs were measured, venous blood samples were collected for intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin measurements, and stress tests were performed between 0900 and 1100. Ambulatory BP was recorded during the entire SD period (24 h). One-night SD abolished BP reactivity to the Valsalva maneuver, isometric hand grip, and cold pressor tests, which returned after recovery sleep. Ambulatory BP monitoring showed that the mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 121.1±8.5 mm Hg and 72.8±6.3 mm Hg, respectively, between 0700 and 2300 and 120.3±9.6 mm Hg and 74.1±6.1 mm Hg, respectively, between 2300 and 0700 during the SD day (p>0.05 for both). Vascular inflammatory markers seemed unrelated to BP changes. Acute SD altered BP responses to cardiac autonomic stress tests in healthy men without affecting resting BP levels. SD led to a non-dipping pattern in BP oscillation. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of sleep in regulating BP.

HealthSOS: Real-Time Health Monitoring System for Stroke Prognostics

Electroencephalography (EEG) is immediate and sensitive to cortical impairment resulting from ischemic stroke and is considered as the potential predictive tool of stroke onset, and post-stroke clinical management. Brainwave monitoring outside the heavily equipped clinical environment demands a low-cost, portable, and wearable EEG system. This study aims to assess the feasibility of using an ambulatory EEG system to classify the stroke patient group with neurological changes due to ischemic stroke and the control healthy adult group. HealthSOS, a real-time health monitoring system for stroke prognostics, is proposed here, which consists of an eye-mask embedded portable EEG device, data analytics, and medical ontology based health advisor service. This system was investigated with 37 stroke patients (mean age 71.6 years, 61% male) admitted in the emergency unit of a hospital and 36 healthy elderly volunteers (mean age 76 years, 28% male). EEG was recorded in resting-state using the portable device with frontal cortical electrodes (Fp1, Fp2) embedded in an eye-mask within 120 h after the onset of symptoms of ischemic stroke (confirmed clinically). The EEG data acquisition of the left and right brain hemispheres was done for at least 15 minutes in the awake resting state while subjects laid down on the bed. The statistical result shows that the revised brain symmetry index (rsBSI), the delta-alpha ratio, and the delta-theta ratio of the stroke group differ significantly from those of the healthy control group. In the machine learning analysis, the support vector machine (SVM) model shows the highest accuracy (Overall accuracy: 92%) and the highest Gini coefficient (95%) in classification performance. This study will be useful for early stroke prognostics and the management of post-stroke treatment.

Reproducibility of compartmental modelling of 18F-FDG PET/CT to evaluate lung inflammation

IntroductionCompartmental modelling is an established method of quantifying 18F-FDG uptake; however, only recently has it been applied to evaluate pulmonary inflammation. Implementation of compartmental models remains challenging in the lung, partly due to the low signal-to-noise ratio compared to other organs and the lack of standardisation. Good reproducibility is a key requirement of an imaging biomarker which has yet to be demonstrated in pulmonary compartmental models of 18F-FDG; in this paper, we address this unmet need.MethodsRetrospective subject data were obtained from the EVOLVE observational study: Ten COPD patients (age =66±9; 8M/2F), 10 α1ATD patients (age =63±8; 7M/3F) and 10 healthy volunteers (age =68±8; 9M/1F) never smokers. PET and CT images were co-registered, and whole lung regions were extracted from CT using an automated algorithm; the descending aorta was defined using a manually drawn region. Subsequent stages of the compartmental analysis were performed by two independent operators using (i) a MIAKATTM based pipeline and (ii) an in-house developed pipeline. We evaluated the metabolic rate constant of 18F-FDG (Kim) and the fractional blood volume (Vb); Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the results. Further, we adjusted the in-house pipeline to identify the salient features in the analysis which may help improve the standardisation of this technique in the lung.ResultsThe initial agreement on a subject level was poor: Bland-Altman coefficients of reproducibility for Kim and Vb were 0.0031 and 0.047 respectively. However, the effect size between the groups (i.e. COPD, α1ATD and healthy subjects) was similar using either pipeline. We identified the key drivers of this difference using an incremental approach: ROI methodology, modelling of the IDIF and time delay estimation. Adjustment of these factors led to improved Bland-Altman coefficients of reproducibility of 0.0015 and 0.027 for Kim and Vb respectively.ConclusionsDespite similar methodology, differences in implementation can lead to disparate results in the outcome parameters. When reporting the outcomes of lung compartmental modelling, we recommend the inclusion of the details of ROI methodology, input function fitting and time delay estimation to improve reproducibility.

Elafibranor Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Elderly Healthy Volunteers

Elafibranor Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Elderly Healthy Volunteers

Whole brain 7T-fMRI during pelvic floor muscle contraction in male subjects.

AimThe primary aim of this study is to demonstrate that 7‐tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging (7T‐fMRI) can visualize the neural representations of the male pelvic floor in the whole brain of a single subject.MethodsIn total, 17 healthy male volunteers (age 20‐47) were scanned in a 7T‐MRI scanner (Philips Achieva). The scanning protocol consisted of two functional runs using a multiband echo planar imaging sequence and a T1‐weighted scan. The subjects executed two motor tasks, one involving consecutive pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMC) and a control task with tongue movements.ResultsIn single subjects, results of both tasks were visualized in the cortex, putamen, thalamus, and the cerebellum. Activation was seen during PFMC in the superomedial and inferolateral primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), insula, midcingulate gyrus (MCG), putamen, thalamus, and in the anterior and posterior lobes of the cerebellum. During tongue movement, activation was seen in the inferolateral M1, SMA, MCG, putamen, thalamus, and anterior and posterior lobes of the cerebellum. Tongue activation was found in the proximity of, but not overlapping with, the PFMC activation. Connectivity analysis demonstrated differences in neural networks involved in PFMC and tongue movement.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that 7T‐fMRI can be used to visualize brain areas involved in pelvic floor control in the whole brain of single subjects and defined the specific brain areas involved in PFMC. Distinct differences between brain mechanisms controlling the pelvic floor and tongue movements were demonstrated using connectivity analysis.