Healthy Peers Research Articles

Longitudinal amygdala resting state functional connectivity develops differently in adolescents with internalising disorders compared to healthy peers

IntroductionLongitudinal neuroimaging studies focused on adolescents with internalising psychopathology (i.e. with clinical anxiety and/or depression) are scarce, even though anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental illnesses in adolescence. Often linked to comorbidity with anxiety disorders, a large proportion of depressed adolescents displays more severe symptoms and poorer response to treatment. Previous longitudinal resting-state fMRI (RS-fMRI) studies of intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) in depressed adolescents point to dysregulation of underlying neural networks such as the corticolimbic network, including among others the amygdala and frontal regions, which are involved in emotion processing and regulation.ObjectivesThis naturalistic study investigates longitudinal changes in resting-state iFC in adolescents with internalising disorders, compared with healthy peers.Methods23 treatment naïve adolescent patients with clinical depression and comorbid anxiety (INT) and 24 healthy controls (HC) participated in RS-fMRI scans at baseline and after three months. Questionnaires measuring anxiety and depression were completed at both timepoints. Imaging analyses were conducted using independent component analysis (ICA) to extract 7 networks, being the default mode, frontoparietal (bilateral), affective, salience, executive control and dorsal attention network. Additional iFC of amygdala subregions, being laterobasal (LB) and centromedial (CM), was investigated using seed-based analyses. To investigate changes over time between groups, voxelwise analyses were conducted using FSL’s PALM.ResultsNo significant results within ICA defined networks were found. iFC between the left LB amygdala and left frontal pole significantly increased over time in patients and decreased in HC. iFC between the right LB amygdala and right pre- and postcentral gyrus also significantly increased over time in patients and decreased in HC, and was significantly associated with reduction in depressive symptoms within patients.ConclusionsThis study provides initial evidence that iFC between the laterobasal amygdala and frontal regions develops differently over time in adolescents with internalising disorders compared to healthy peers and that it is associated with reduction in depressive symptoms.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Analysis of anthropometric indicators of visually impaired children in relation to their healthy peers and according to subgroups of a special medical group

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of physical development indicators as one of the criteria for the health status of children with visual deprivation, based on the special medical subgroup, in comparison with their relatively healthy peers. Material & Methods. Guided by ethical principles and based on informed consent, a study was conducted involving 27 children aged 10. Among them, 13 children had visual deprivation, specifically 8 children were assigned to subgroup A, and 5 to subgroup B. Additionally, 14 relatively healthy children participated in the study. The assessment of physical development was carried out through anthropometric measurements, including body weight, body length, chest circumference, and chest excursion, following standard methodology. Results. The corresponding statistical analysis revealed that the difference between the groups is statistically significant at the level of p<0.01 only for the indicators of chest circumference on inhalation and exhalation in centimeters, as well as for the chest circumference based on the sigma coefficient. For the rest of the indicators, the differences do not reach a sufficient level of statistical significance. These data indicate that 10-year-old children with visual deprivation significantly differed from their peers without visual deprivation in having a significantly larger chest circumference. Children from subgroup B are slightly taller, have a greater body mass, and exceed the chest circumference on inhalation and exhalation of children who, based on medical criteria, fall into subgroup A. However, all these differences, according to statistical criteria, are not pronounced enough to be considered significant for making decisions regarding the specific design of a program for correcting motor disorders during physical education sessions. Conclusions. The study confirmed data showing that children with visual deprivation exhibit higher body weight indicators compared to their peers without visual deprivation. This is attributed to a sedentary lifestyle resulting from visual analyzer dysfunction. Comparing the anthropometric indices of children with visual deprivation of subgroup A and subgroup B, insignificant differences were found. The only indicator that significantly distinguishes these groups of children is chest excursion, where most children in subgroup A have a difference of 4 cm between the circumference of the chest during inhalation and exhalation, and children in subgroup B have a difference of only 3 cm. The statistical significance of such differences was confirmed by the Mann-Whitney test at the level of p≤0.05.

Are the nutritional status and growth parameters of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis akin to their healthy peers? A single-center experience

ObjectiveProper nutrition is a significant contributor to growth achievement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In this study, the aim was to analyze the growth parameters and nutritional status of children with JIA and then compare them with their healthy peers. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 54 patients with JIA and the same number of healthy peers. Growth parameter z-scores and nutrient distributions were analyzed and compared with a control group and among disease subgroups. ResultsWhile the average height in the control group was significantly greater than in the patient group, there was similarity in terms of body weight and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001, P = 0.33, P = 0.14, respectively). Body weight and BMI z-scores of patients with high disease activity at the most recent visit were significantly lower (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, respectively). Both groups had similar energy and protein requirement–meeting percentages (P = 0.62, P = 0.51). JIA atients had higher carbohydrate intake (P = 0.04), and fat intake was higher in controls (P = 0.02). Energy obtained from junk food was higher in patients with entesitis-related arthritis (ERA) compared to oligoarticular JIA and polyarticular JIA (P = 0.03). Micronutrient intake in the ERA group was significantly lower for vitamin E, C, and folate (P = 0.02, P = 0.03, P < 0.001). ConclusionIn our cohort, patients had a lower height score. As they have a diet characterized by adequate energy/protein, carbohydrate, and high fat intake, this may be a reflection of disease activity. Although some of the micronutrient intakes were less than normal in both groups, significant deficiencies were identified in the ERA group.

The effect of increased listening effort on the balance performance of patients with compensated vestibular lesion

ObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of listening effort (LE) on balance in patients with compensated vestibular deficits compared to healthy peers. MethodsThe subjects included two main groups: a control group of 15 healthy subjects and a study group of 19 patients with compensated vestibular pathology. The computerized dynamic posturography test (CDP) was conducted without the speech-in-noise task as a baseline, then the participant was subjected to a dual task in which the auditory task (speech-in-noise sentences) was given as the primary task, and the balance function test was the secondary task. Results: within-group analysisThe study group showed statistically significantly worse values of all body balance parameters under dual-task than the baseline in all conditions. These differences were much higher under the compliant platform conditions. However, these findings were not statistically significant in the control group. Between-group analysisThe study group showed a statistically significant decline in body balance reactions compared to the control group under dual-task with increased listening effort and the compliant platform. Study subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences between patients with unilateral vestibular loss (UVL) and those with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL) in the unstable platform condition. ConclusionOur study regarding implementing a dual-tasking paradigm as a measure of LE during the evaluation of chronic vestibular patients with CDP demonstrated how dual-tasking with increased LE affects postural stability. Because of this, patients will probably be more prone to tripping and falling in multitasking situations, as found in real-world settings. This fact should be taken into consideration while testing patients with chronic vertigo and compensated states at VNG. A dual-task paradigm helps uncover the unrevealed pathology.

Normative values of motor performance and their relationship with BMI status in Hong Kong preschoolers

This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference values for motor performance (MP) in Hong Kong preschoolers aged 3–5 years old and examine the relationship between MP and BMI status. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5579 preschoolers in Hong Kong. Three MP tests were administered, and height and weight information were collected. GAMLSS was used to compute the normative values of the motor tests. Boys outperformed girls in activities requiring muscle strength and power, while girls outperformed boys in activities requiring balance and coordination. The MP scores increased with age for both overarm beanbag throw and standing long jump for both sexes, while the one-leg balance scores showed larger differences between P50 and P95 in older preschoolers. Children with excessive weight performed worse in standing long jump and one-leg balance compared to their healthy weight peers. This study provides valuable information on the MP of preschoolers in Hong Kong, including sex- and age-specific reference values and the association between BMI status and MP scores. These findings can serve as a reference for future studies and clinical practice and highlight the importance of promoting motor skill development in preschoolers, particularly those who are overweight or obese.

Discriminant Potential of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) in Greek Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) is a widely used screening tool for detecting older adults with Alzheimer's disease among their cognitively healthy peers. A previous study in Greek population showed that ADAS-Cog-Greek (G) is a valid tool and can identify people with Alzheimer's disease from older adult control group; however, there is no current data about whether ADAS-Cog can differentiate older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from those who have subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The current study aimed to examine the discriminant potential of ADAS-Cog-G in Greek older adults who meet the criteria for SCD or MCI. Four hundred eighty-two community-dwelling older adults, visitors of the Greek Alzheimer Association and Related Disorders, were enrolled in the current study. One hundred seventy-six of them met the criteria for SCD and three hundred six had MCI. Path analysis applied to the data showed that age, as well as educational level affected ADAS-Cog-G performance. Results showed that the cut-off scores, which better discriminate people with SCD from MCI as well as their sensitivity and specificity values, were extracted in participants with high educational level (13 educational years<) and mainly under the age of 75 years. The current study provided evidence concerning the discriminant potential of ADAS-Cog-G to differentiate older adults with SCD from those with MCI in the Greek population, and therefore contributes to the relevant literature on the field.

The Effect of the Direction of Primary Lateral Spinal Curvature on Postural Stability in Children with Scoliosis.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of the direction and magnitude of primary lateral spinal curvature in children with scoliosis. Methods: Ninety-six children diagnosed with scoliosis were included in the study group, and fifty healthy peers were included in the control group. Posturographic measurements of body weight distribution and posturometric tests with eyes open and closed were performed. Results: Based on the symmetry index values, the study group was divided into children with symmetrical and asymmetrical body weight distributions on the basis of support. Then, taking into account the direction of the primary curvature, children with asymmetrical body weight distributions were divided into: (1) children with left-sided or right-sided scoliosis with overload on the same side of the body; and (2) children with left-sided or right-sided scoliosis with overload on the opposite side of the body. According to both posturometric tests, increased CoP spatial displacement was observed in the children with scoliosis compared to the healthy controls. The obtained results showed that increased asymmetry index and Cobb angle values significantly increase medial-lateral postural instability in children with scoliosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that treatment to restore symmetric body weight distribution may prevent the progression of postural instability; however, this requires confirmation through further investigation.

Сравнительный анализ средств лексической когезии устных текстов, созданных подростками с ВПС после оперативного вмешательства и их условно здоровыми сверстниками

Cognitive development and speech activity of children operated for congenital heart disease (CHD) remain understudied both from the point of view of psychology and linguistics. The aim was to identify differences in the means of lexical cohesion these groups of teenagers use to create oral texts. This article describes, classifies, and compares the means of lexical coherence in oral texts created by teenagers (13–15 y.o.) with congenital heart disease (focus group, 28 respondents) and their apparently healthy peers (control group, 28 respondents). The material was collected using the diagnostic method introduced by of T. A. Fotekova and T. V. Akhutina: the respondents were asked to talk about their hometown. The statements were analyzed for means of lexical cohesion. The analysis was complicated by the fact that most focus group respondents actually failed to produce a monologue: on average, one response involved 8.5 motivating and encouraging remarks from the interviewer (3.5 in the control group). As a result, cases of lexical cohesion between the interviewer’s questions and the respondent’s answers were not taken into account. The results showed an imbalance of lexical repetition: 64 cases in the focus group vs. 100 cases in the comparison group, 12 cases of synonymous repetition vs. 7, and 11 cases of antonymic repetition vs. 6, respectively. Hyper-hyponymous repetition was poorly represented: only 3 cases in the focus group vs. 6 in the control group. Although lexical repetition was the main means of cohesion, the teenagers with congenital disorders resorted to this method much less often than their apparently healthy peers.

Cohort profile: BioMD-Y (biopsychosocial factors of major depression in youth) – a biobank study on the molecular genetics and environmental factors of depression in children and adolescents in Munich

PurposeBioMD-Y is a comprehensive biobank study of children and adolescents with major depression (MD) and their healthy peers in Germany, collecting a host of both biological and psychosocial information from...

Health-related quality of life and self-reported health status in adolescents with chronic health conditions before transfer of care to adult health care: an international cohort study

BackgroundHeath-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lower in adolescents with chronic health conditions compared to healthy peers. While there is evidence of some differences according to the underlying condition and gender, differences by measure and country are poorly understood. In this study we focus on the differences in HRQoL in adolescents with various chronic medical conditions in the year before transfer of care to adult health services. We also study the associations of two different HRQoL measurements to each other and to self-reported health.MethodsWe recruited 538 adolescents from New Children`s Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, and the Royal Children`s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia in 2017–2020. We used two validated HRQoL measurement instruments, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and 16D, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for self-reported health status.ResultsIn total, 512 adolescents (50.4% female, mean age 17.8 [SD 1.2] years), completed the survey measures. Higher HRQoL was reported in males than females in both countries (PedsQL 79.4 vs. 74.1; 16D 0.888 vs. 0.846), and in adolescents from Finland than Australia (80.6 vs. 72.2 and 0.905 vs. 0.825, p < 0.001 for all). Adolescents with diabetes, rheumatological, nephrological conditions and/or organ transplants had higher HRQoL than adolescents with neurological conditions or other disease syndromes (p < 0.001). PedsQL and 16D scores showed a strong correlation to each other (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.81). Using the 7-point VAS (1-7), 52% (248 of 479) considered their health status to be good (6-7) and 10% (48 of 479) rated it poor (1-2). Better self-reported health was associated with higher HRQoL.ConclusionsThe HRQoL of transition aged adolescents varies between genders, diagnostic groups, and countries of residence. The association between self-reported health and HRQoL suggests that brief assessment using the VAS could identify adolescents who may benefit from in-depth HRQoL evaluation.Trial registrationTrial registration name The Bridge and registration number NCT04631965 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04631965).

Longitudinal Growth Trajectories in Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy: Effects of Elimination Diet and Post-Termination Period

Introduction: The primary dietary approach for managing cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is the elimination diet. We aimed to compare the growth patterns of children with CMA during and after the elimination diet with healthy peers and identify influencing factors. Methods: We compared 74 CMA children with age-matched healthy peers. Anthropometric data were collected during the third month of cow’s milk elimination (CME) diet (T1), 3 months after diet cessation (T2), and after ≥3 months of normal diet (T3). Control group measurements coincided. Nutrient intake was assessed by a 3-day record, and patient laboratory results were noted at T3. Results: CMA children had consistently lower weight-for-age (WFA) and height-for-age (HFA) z-scores than controls. WtHt z-score of patients was lower than those of the healthy group at T2. HC z-scores of patients were lower than those of the healthy group at T0, T2, and T3. At T3, the HFA z-score of the CME group demonstrated a negative correlation with the duration of the elimination diet (p = 0.045). Inadequate intake of energy, vitamins A, E, B1, B6, C, folic acid, magnesium, and iron was significantly higher in CMA children (p < 0.05). T3 WFA z-score correlated positively with fiber, vitamin B1, magnesium, and iron intake (p < 0.05). T3 WtHt showed a positive moderate correlation with energy, protein, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, phosphor, iron intake (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Post-elimination diet, children with CMA need sustained monitoring and potentially micronutrient supplementation to match healthy peers’ growth.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Italian Children and Adolescents Living with Bone Dysplasia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Bone dysplasia (BD) refers to a group of rare disorders characterized by skeletal and dental anomalies which may negatively influence oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the impact of BD on OHRQoL in Italian children and adolescents and to assess whether gender and age influence their OHRQoL. A total of 40 patients with BD and 40 age- and gender-matched controls (aged 8-14 years) were asked to complete the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP), and the short form of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (SF-CPQ). Children with BD showed statistically significant lower overall scores of all the questionnaires than the controls (all p < 0.001), with the largest differences being detected in overall symptoms, functional well-being, and social well-being domains. While no statistically significant gender-related differences were observed, adolescents aged 11-14 years experienced worse perception in the emotional and social well-being SSF-CPQ domains (p = 0.042 and p = 0.045, respectively) and in the peer interaction COHIP domain (p = 0.011) compared to the younger age group. Based on these findings, children suffering from BD experience poorer OHRQoL than their healthy peers, suggesting that oral and dental issues may be of special importance for the socio-psychological well-being of these growing individuals.

Relationship Between Postural Stability and Proprioception, Pain, Quadriceps Strength, and Muscle Tightness in Athletes With Patellar Tendinopathy.

Athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT) have postural stability deficits; however, the underlying mechanisms and factors responsible remain unknown. The effect on postural stability in PT of decreased quadriceps strength, altered proprioception, lower-limb muscle tightness, and knee pain, which explain postural stability deficiency in other populations, is uninvestigated. Proprioceptive acuity, muscle tightness, quadriceps strength, and pain predict postural stability in athletes with PT. Cross-sectional comparative study. Level 2. A total of 43 athletes with PT and 43 healthy athletes were enrolled. Static and dynamic postural stability, proprioceptive acuity, muscle tightness, quadriceps strength, and pain were evaluated using a force platform, Y-balance test (YBT), a weight discrimination protocol, a goniometer, an isometric dynamometer, and a valid questionnaire, respectively. Athletes with PT had significantly worse static and dynamic postural stability in the affected limb (AL) compared with the nonaffected limb (NAL) (P < 0.01) and the control group (P < 0.01). Athletes suffering from PT revealed lower quadriceps strength (P < 0.01), proprioceptive acuity (P = 0.02), and higher muscle tightness in the AL compared with the NAL and controls. Quadriceps weakness of the AL and pain in athletes with PT explained the variance of dynamic postural stability impairment. Athletes with PT have postural stability deficiency compared with healthy peers. Our results demonstrate that quadriceps muscle weakness and pain are the factors that explain postural stability impairment. These results can assist clinicians in the design of therapeutic balance rehabilitation programs by acting not only on pain relief but also on quadriceps strengthening through resistance training to avoid subsequent injuries in athletes with PT.

The Effect of Group Cooperation on College Students’ Learning Motivation

The author explores the multifaceted benefits of group work in education, focusing on its impact on students' interest, engagement, self-efficacy, creativity, critical thinking, and social skills. Group work is portrayed as a dynamic approach that transforms the learning experience into an interactive and compelling journey. It enhances interest by introducing diverse learning activities and formats, preventing monotony, and actively involving students in discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on projects. The passage emphasizes group work's role in facilitating learning engagement, promoting active participation, social interaction, and critical thinking. Furthermore, it highlights how group work stimulates student creativity through collaboration, diverse perspectives, and activities like brainstorming and problem-solving. The discussion then delves into the positive influence of group work on students' self-efficacy. It shapes self-awareness through peer assessment, fostering a deeper understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, healthy peer competition within group work is presented as a motivating factor, inspiring students to strive for excellence and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Lastly, the passage explores group work's contribution to critical thinking and social skills. Group discussions are identified as a catalyst for nurturing critical thinking skills, encouraging students to question assumptions, explore alternative perspectives, and analyze information. The social dimension of group work is portrayed as instrumental in enhancing communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills, preparing students for success in both academic and professional realms. In summary, group work emerges as a transformative educational tool that goes beyond traditional learning methods, fostering a holistic development of students by igniting interest, promoting engagement, shaping self-efficacy, stimulating creativity, enhancing critical thinking, and cultivating essential social skills.

Evaluation of Hepatosteatosis-Induced Increase in Fibrosity by Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography in Children with Obesity and Comparison with Healthy Peers.

The increase in the prevalence of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and related comorbidities in children creates a social and financial burden. In our study, we aimed to evaluate liver findings together with anthropometric and laboratory data with twodimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), one of the SWE types, which is a noninvasive method for assessing tissue stiffness in children with obesity, and to obtain quantitative data that can be used in early diagnosis and follow-up. In our single-center, observational cross-sectional study, liver gray scale findings, 2D-SWE findings, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory values of 48 children with obesity and 50 healthy children aged between 5 and 18 years, both between groups and in prepubertal and pubertal subgroups, are compared. A significant difference was found in the liver stiffness indicator kilopascal (kPA) values and between aspartate aminotransferase values in the prepubertal period and alanine aminotransferase values in the pubertal period (P < .001). No significant difference was found between insulin, HOMA-IR, waist circumference, waist/height ratio, and kPA. Two-dimensional shear wave elastography can be easily applied in the pediatric population as a practical, noninvasive, reproducible, and highly compatible technique. In this regard, 2D-SWE may be useful in the early diagnosis and follow-up of hepatosteatosis and fibrosis in children with obesity and NAFLD-risky cases.

Language brain responses and neurodevelopmental outcome in preschoolers with congenital heart disease: A fNIRS study

Neurodevelopmental disabilities affect up to 50% of survivors of congenital heart disease (CHD). Language difficulties are frequently identified during preschool period and can lead to academic, social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. Structural brain alterations are associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in patients with CHD during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. However, evidence is lacking about the functional brain activity in children with CHD and its relationship with neurodevelopment. This study therefore aimed to characterize brain responses during a passive story-listening task in 3-year-old children with CHD, and to investigate the relationship between functional brain patterns of language processing and neurodevelopmental outcomes. To do so, we assessed hemodynamic concentration changes, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and neurodevelopmental outcomes, using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – 4th Edition (WPPSI-IV), in children with CHD (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 23). Compared to their healthy peers, children with CHD had significantly lower scores on the Verbal comprehension index (VCI), the Vocabulary acquisition index (VAI), the General ability index (GAI), and the Information and the Picture Naming subtests of the WPPSI-IV. During the passive story-listening task, healthy controls showed significant hemodynamic brain responses in the temporal and the temporal posterior regions, with stronger activation in the temporal posterior than in the temporal regions. In contrast, children with CHD showed reduced activation in the temporal posterior regions compared to controls, with no difference of activation between regions. Reduced brain responses in the temporal posterior regions were also correlated with lower neurodevelopmental outcomes in both groups. This is the first study that reveals reduced brain functional responses in preschoolers with CHD during a receptive language task. It also suggests that the temporal posterior activation could be a potential brain marker of cognitive development. These findings provide support for the feasibility of identifying brain correlates of neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities in children with CHD.

The effect of local use of etiotropic drugs on the oropharyngeal microbiota in children with acute respiratory infection

Introduction. The microbiota of the oral cavity and oropharynx, actively interacts with the epithelium of the mucous membrane and the immune system, creates antagonistic conditions for the growth and reproduction of pathogens. Microbiocenosis-preserving therapy can provide conditions for maintaining colonization resistance and reduce the likelihood of adhesion of respiratory viruses.Aim. To evaluate the effect of local use of various antimicrobial drugs on the microbiota of the oropharyngeal mucosa in children with acute respiratory infection.Materials and methods. 120 children (5–10 years old) with acute respiratory infection were divided into three groups, in which they were used as part of complex therapy: in group 1st – hexetidine-containing aerosol, in group 2nd – a children’s spray containing gramicidin S and cetylpyridinium chloride, in the 3rd – 0.01% solution of benzyldimethyl-myristoylamino-propylammonium. On the 1st and 12th days of observation, participants had a throat swab taken to study the state of the oropharyngeal microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results obtained were compared with those of healthy peers.Results. According to sequencing data, the microbiota of participants in all groups before treatment differed from the microbiota of healthy peers in terms of alpha and beta diversity, as well as in the results obtained by the nearest balance method. Local use of antiseptic drugs influenced the microbiota at the level of species and genera of microorganisms. After treatment in the 2nd group, in contrast to the 1st and 3rd, statistically significant changes in the balances at the level of microorganism species were revealed towards the indicators of healthy peers.Conclusions. A combined drug containing cetylpyritinium chloride and the bacteriocin-like antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S demonstrated no negative effect on commensal microbiota and contributed to the stabilization of the regional microbiota.

Morphological characteristics of practically healthy 12-year-old children and their peers with visual deprivation

The article presents data on differences in indicators of physical development of 12-year-old children with visual impairment compared to their peers without this pathology. The purpose of the article is to analyze the characteristics of the indicators of physical development of 12-year-old children with visual deprivation in comparison with their healthy peers. Finding differences between the groups of 12-year-old children with visual deprivation and their peers in terms of chest circumference on inhalation in cm and chest circumference in sigmoid units of measurement, it was established that the representatives of the groups did not differ. According to indicators of mass, body length in absolute and sigmoidal values, as well as excursion in the group of 12-year-old adolescents with visual deprivation, the scores were slightly higher than in the group of their peers without visual deprivation. Prospects for further research. Further scientific research will be devoted to a detailed study of the physical development of 12-year-old children with visual impairment, taking into account gender.&#x0D; Such a fact can have several potential interpretations. Yes, the presence of such features in physical development can be caused by the very deprivation of vision or other factors related to their health. Or this difference may be the result of differences in lifestyle, activity and nutrition between these groups of children. In addition, it is possible to assume that differences in physical indicators may be related to different rates of sexual development of children with visual impairment and their peers without visual impairment

Lower left atrial function in young individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to healthy controls: an echocardiographic study

In adulthood, individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus may develop a condition of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. However, subclinical changes to the heart in diabetes are likely to occur prior to the clinical presentation. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare left atrial function by echocardiography between 43 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 43 healthy controls, aged 10–30 years. All participants underwent echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking measurements for left atrial phase function parameters. Physical capacity was assessed by exercise test on a bicycle. Results showed that participants with type 1 diabetes had significantly lower left atrial function parameters than healthy controls (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between HbA1c means and reservoir and conduit strain (p < 0.05) and individuals with BMI < 30 showed a lower left atrial stiffness (p < 0.05). Individuals with type 1 diabetes and a higher physical capacity did not differ from their healthy peers. Results indicate that lower HbA1c levels, BMI < 30 and a higher physical capacity are favourable in terms of left atrial function in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Left atrial strain by echocardiography might become a new important tool in assessing heart function in T1DM.

Exercise-induced cardiac troponin release in athletes with versus without coronary atherosclerosis.

The magnitude of exercise-induced cardiac troponin (cTn) elevations is dependent on cardiovascular health status, and previous studies have shown that occult coronary atherosclerosis is highly prevalent among amateur athletes. We tested the hypothesis that middle-aged and older athletes with coronary atherosclerosis demonstrate greater cTn elevations following a controlled endurance exercise test compared with healthy peers. We included 59 male athletes from the Measuring Athletes' Risk of Cardiovascular events 2 (MARC-2) study and stratified them as controls [coronary artery calcium score (CACS) = 0, n = 20], high CACS [≥300 Agatston units or ≥75th Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) percentile, n = 20] or significant stenosis (≥50% in any coronary artery, n = 19). Participants performed a cycling test with incremental workload until volitional exhaustion. Serial high-sensitivity cTn (hs-cTn) T and I concentrations were measured (baseline, after 30-min warm-up, and 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min postexercise). There were 58 participants (61 [58-69] yr) who completed the exercise test (76 ± 14 min) with a peak heart rate of 97.7 [94.8-101.8]% of their estimated maximum. Exercise duration and workload did not differ across groups. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (Hs-cTnT) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations significantly increased (1.55 [1.33-2.14]-fold and 2.76 [1.89-3.86]-fold, respectively) over time, but patterns of cTn changes and the incidence of concentrations >99th percentile did not differ across groups. Serial sampling of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI concentrations during and following an exhaustive endurance exercise test did not reveal differences in exercise-induced cTn release between athletes with versus without coronary atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that a high CACS or a >50% stenosis in any coronary artery does not aggravate exercise-induced cTn release in middle-aged and older athletes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exercise-induced cardiac troponin (cTn) release is considered to be dependent on cardiovascular health status. We tested whether athletes with coronary atherosclerosis demonstrate greater exercise-induced cTn release compared with healthy peers. Athletes with coronary atherosclerosis did not differ in cTn release following exercise compared with healthy peers. Our findings suggest that a high CACS or a >50% stenosis in any coronary artery does not aggravate exercise-induced cTn release in middle-aged and older athletes.