Motor Activity Research Articles

Polyphenol-rich Sorghum bicolor supplement exhibits anti-nociceptive activity and protective effects against pathological changes associated with complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in rodents

IntroductionArthritis is a common inflammatory joint disease; causing severe pain, anxiety, and depression. Sorghum bicolor L. Moench (Pocaeae) is used for treating cough, asthma, and arthritic pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This study evaluates the anti-nociceptive and anti-arthritic effects of the polyphenol-rich Sorghum bicolor supplement (SBS) in rodents. MethodsThe anti-nociceptive activity of SBS was assessed using hot plate, acetic acid mouse writhing, and formalin-induced paw licking tests in mice. In the arthritis study, rats received SBS (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg p.o) for 28 days. Thirty minutes after treatment on days, 1 and 20, rats received intra-articular injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) for arthritis induction. Arthritic scores and paw edema were determined before assessing motor function, anxiety, depression, hyperalgesia and allodynia on day 28. Lipid profiles were determined, and ankle and brain tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, alongside histopathological studies. ResultsSBS reduced nociceptive responses induced by noxious heat, acetic acid and formalin in mice. In CFA-injected rats, SBS decreased paw volume and arthritic scores, and increased pain thresholds to thermal, cold, and mechanical stimuli. The SBS reduced motor activity, anxiety and depression, and improved serum lipid profiles in arthritic rats. It further modulated oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB), apoptotic markers, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in CFA-treated rats. SBS produced histopathological improvements in joint tissues of arthritic rats. DiscussionThis study revealed that SBS exhibited anti-nociceptive activity in mice and reduces inflammation, hyperalgesia, anxiety and depression in CFA-arthritic rats. The ability of SBS to modulate key biomarkers such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB, caspases, Nrf2, BDNF, and GAD highlights its multifaceted approach in addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of arthritis, providing a comprehensive therapeutic strategy, justifying its use in TCM for this debilitating condition.

Use of phygital technologies in improving the level of school students’ physical fitness in sporting games section classes

Introduction. The increasing number of people keeping to sedentary lifestyles highlights the need for innovative and non-standard methods of maintaining physical health. The physical and the digital merge and create exciting new possibilities, transforming sports into a new epoch. This evolution is continuously changing the paradigm of sports, opening up new realities. The research aims to study the effectiveness of a new methodology – using the phygital sports tools in the educational and training process involving sports games based on the school sporting club. Materials and methods. The sample comprised secondary educational school students of Grozny (Russian Federation) aged from 12 to 14. One control group and three experimental groups (a total of 60 people) were formed to carry out the formative pedagogical experiment. Three training groups were formed by phygital sport type: 1) phygital volleyball, 2) phygital basketball, 3) phygital football in which 2 sessions were held within a weekly cycle based on the developed methodology. The used methods of mathematical statistics involved the Student’s t-test. Results. Significant changes were found in the experimental groups in the following indicators: “Running 60 m, s.” – EG1 [t=5.5; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=6.4; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=2.3; p<0.05]; “Standing long jump” – EG 1 [t=5.1; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=3.5; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=2.3; p<0.05]; “Pull-up in suspension on a high crossbar” – EG1 [t=4.9; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=4.6; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=4.9; p<0.05]; “Torso lift in seated position” – EG1 [t=3.5; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=3.1; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=3.1; p<0.05]; “Run 100 m.” – EG1 [t=9.8; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=6.2; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=7.8; p<0.05]; KG [t=0.8; p>0.05]. “Sequential execution of 5 somersaults” – EG1 [t=6.5; p<0.05], EG2 [t=2.4; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=3.3; p<0.05]; “Leaning forward while standing on the gym bench” – (EG1 [t=2.6; p<0.05]; EG2 [t=2.5; p<0.05]; EG3 [t=4.4; p<0.05]. No statistically significant changes were found according to these indicators in the control group. Conclusion. The research results showed that the experiment participants successfully combined computer sports with traditional classes and physical activity. The new format of integrating computer game technologies with active motor activity generates young people’s increased interest and can positively influence their motivation to perform physical exercises and physical activity.

Working memory involvement in action planning does not include timing initiation structure.

A fundamental limitation in the type of information that can be retained in working memory is identified in this theoretical / review article. The analysis is based on studies of skilled motor performance that were not initially conceived in terms of working memory. Findings from a long history of experimentation involving reaction time (RT) prior to making a brief motor response indicate that although the parameters representing the goal to be achieved by the response can be retained in working memory, the control code that implements timing of action components cannot. This lack of working memory requires that the "timing code" must be compiled immediately prior to the moment that it is to be utilized; it is not possible to be fully ready to respond earlier. This compiling process increases RT and may also underlie both the psychological refractory period effect and the difficulty of generating concurrent motor actions with independent timing. These conclusions extend, but do not conflict with, other models of working memory.

가정 소근육운동 경험에 대한 부모인식이 유아의 소근육운동 빈도에 미치는 영향: 가정환경의 매개효과

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among parental perception of home-based fine motor experiences in early childhood, home environment, and frequency of fine motor activities, and to investigate a mediating role of home environment in the process of parental perception influencing early childhood's frequency of fine motor activities. The data from 214 five-year-old children and their parents from six early childhood education centers in Gyeonggi province were collected and analyzed. The data were processed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 and analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and bootstrapping analysis. The major findings were as follows: First, gender differences in parental perception, home environment, and frequency of fine motor activities existed in that values across all three variables were higher for girls than for boys. Second, parental perception, home environment and frequency of fine motor activities were positively correlated. Third, partial mediating effects of home environment on the relation between parental perception and the frequency of fine motor activities were found. These findings show an existence of gender differences in early childhood’s fine motor activities. This research also affirms the significance of increasing the frequency of fine motor activities by enhancing parental perceptions for balanced motor development of boys and girls, and establishing a home environment conducive to fine motor activities at any time and in any location.

Models For Motor Creativity Based on Strategies to Solve Problems

This study investigates the relationship between problem solving and motor creativity, two essential cognitive and motor abilities that are crucial for innovation and problem-solving in various contexts. The study employed a correlational design, analyzing the correlations between variables and developing a linear model to test the validity of the relationship between problem solving and motor creativity. Four questionnaires were administered to assess the ability to solve problems with different objects (ball, hoop, newspaper, and wooden stick). The results show a significant correlation between the dimensions of problem solving and motor creativity, indicating that individuals who are better at solving problems are also more creative in their motor abilities. The linear model of motor creativity based on problem solving dimensions was found to be valid, with a coefficient of correlation R=0.8 (p=0) and coefficient of determination exceeding 60% for the explanation of motor creativity with odds ratio (OR)= 8 (IC=2,27): students with appropriate problem-solving skills are eight times more likely to develop motor activity compared to students with inappropriate problem-solving skills. These findings suggest that problem solving is a crucial component of motor creativity and that developing problem-solving skills can enhance motor creativity. The study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between problem solving and motor creativity, highlighting the importance of integrating these abilities in educational and professional settings.

The influence of complex motor activities on the morphofunctional and psychoemotional state of elderly people from different countries of Europe and Asia

The influence of complex motor activities on the morphofunctional and psychoemotional state of elderly people from different countries of Europe and Asia

Features of forming coordination abilities and properties of the nervous system of schoolchildren (aged 11-12) at physical education classes

Introduction. The problem of forming and improving modern adolescents’ coordination abilities is relevant, considering the fact that most professional skills are based on these abilities. A number of studies indicate the relationship between the development of schoolchildren’ coordination abilities and the properties of their nervous system. Thus, to date, these relationship has been quite poorly studied. The purpose of the article is to reveal the features of forming coordination abilities and properties of the nervous system of schoolchildren aged between 11 and 12 years in the process of physical education. Materials and Methods. The methodological approach of this study is N. A. Bernstein’s theory on the physiological basis of movement control. In order to assess the level of schoolchildren’s motor coordination, the ability to kinetic differentiation, maintaining balance (Romberg’s test), and the ability to coordinate movements were assessed. The properties of nervous system were studied using visual-motor reactions. The tests make it possible to determine a subject’s reaction time to a visual stimulus, the stability of the reaction, the speed of decision-making in the choice reaction, and to assess the mobility of the main nervous processes in the central nervous system. Results. The article presents the results of a study of forming coordination abilities and properties of schoolchildren’s nervous system in the process of Physical Education classes. At the beginning of the experiment, schoolchildren, aged 11-12 years, had a below average level of the ability to balance and kinesthetic differentiation and a low level of development of the ability to coordinate movements. The time for a complex visual-motor reaction was significantly longer compared to a simple reaction. There were no significant differences in the indicators of visual-motor reactions of schoolchildren depending on their gender. During Physical Education classes, when they do gymnastics, basketball and track and field athletics, some specially selected exercises were used aimed at developing coordination abilities in middle schoolchildren. At the end of the experiment, schoolchildren aged 11-12 years were determined to have a high level of the ability to balance and kinesthetic differentiation and an above-average level of development of the ability to coordinate movements. According to the results of the experiment, the highest level of ability to kinesthetic differentiation and coordination of movements were shown by schoolchildren. The authors obtained data about the optimization of indicators of the nervous system properties, assessed by the magnitude of simple-motor reaction (SVMR) and complex visual-motor reaction (CVMR), which proves the leading role of the central nervous system in the formation of coordination abilities. Conclusions. The results of the work allow the authors to draw a conclusion about the relationship between the properties of the nervous system and the dynamics of coordination abilities, which determine the speed of the processes of excitation and inhibition, the mobility of nervous processes in the central nervous system, the ability to develop differential inhibition and the accuracy of the motor act in schoolchildren aged 11-12 years during the Physical Education classes.

Ringol: deporte alternativo para las clases de Educación Física. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

Introduction: Alternative Games and Sports arise with the intention of introducing new alternatives that make possible a more logical evolution of the game and sport, favouring motivation, participation, and enjoyment to escape from the monotony of traditional methodologies. Objetive: Therefore, the aim of this paper is to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the game and alternative sport Ringol. Methodology: For this, a document search has been carried out in the following databases: Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and Sportdiscus. For the search of the documents, the following keywords have been used: "Ringol", "Physical education", and "Primary education", obtaining a final number of 6 valid documents, identified until November 2022. To limit the search and obtain the most appropriate documents, a series of inclusion and exclusion were established. Results: The results show that most of the documents are Academic Projects, written in Spanish and found in Google Scholar, with a predominance of Sports Information. Conclusions: The documents analyzed show that the main benefits of Ringol are egalitarian practice, the development of motor skills and actions such as participation, motivation, cooperation, and respect. The educational level where these projects are carried out is both Primary Education and Secondary Education. Finally, this review serves as a basis and guide for future research on the Ringol.

Photobiomodulation under Electroencephalographic Controls of Sleep for Stimulation of Lymphatic Removal of Toxins from Mouse Brain.

The meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) play an important role in the removal of toxins from the brain. The development of innovative technologies for the stimulation of MLV functions is a promising direction in the progress of the treatment of various brain diseases associated with MLV abnormalities, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and intracranial hemorrhages. Sleep is a natural state when the brain's drainage processes are most active. Therefore, stimulation of the brain's drainage and MLVs during sleep may have the most pronounced therapeutic effects. However, such commercial technologies do not currently exist. This study presents a new portable technology of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) under electroencephalographic (EEG) control of sleep designed to photo-stimulate removal of toxins (e.g., soluble amyloid beta (Aβ)) from the brain of aged BALB/c mice with the ability to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of different optical resources. The technology can be used in the natural condition of a home cage without anesthesia, maintaining the motor activity of mice. These data open up new prospects for developing non-invasive and clinically promising photo-technologies for the correction of age-related changes in the MLV functions and brain's drainage processes and for effectively cleansing brain tissues from metabolites and toxins. This technology is intended both for preclinical studies of the functions of the sleeping brain and for developing clinically relevant treatments for sleep-related brain diseases.

Creatine Kinase and Respiratory Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Respiratory dysfunction is an important hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Elevation of creatine kinase (CK) has been reported in 23-75% of ALS patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This work aims to enlighten the role of CK as a prognostic factor of respiratory dysfunction in ALS. A retrospective analysis of demographic and clinical variables, CK, functional decline per month (ΔFS), forced vital capacity (%FVC), and mean amplitude of the phrenic nerve compound motor action potential (pCMAP) in 319 ALS patients was conducted. These measurements were evaluated at study entry, and patients were followed from the moment of first observation until death or last follow-up visit. High CK values were defined as above the 90th percentile (CK ≥ P90) adjusted to sex. We analyzed survival and time to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as proxies for respiratory impairment. Linear regression analysis revealed that high CK was associated with male sex (p < 0.001), spinal onset (p = 0.018), and FVC ≥ 80% (p = 0.038). CK was 23.4% higher in spinal-onset ALS patients (p < 0.001). High CK levels were not linked with an increased risk of death (p = 0.334) in Cox multivariate regression analysis. CK ≥ P90 (HR = 1.001, p = 0.038), shorter disease duration (HR = 0.937, p < 0.001), lower pCMAP (HR = 0.082, p < 0.001), and higher ΔFS (HR = 1.968, p < 0.001) were risk factors for respiratory failure. The association between high CK levels and poorer respiratory outcomes could derive from cellular metabolic stress or a specific phenotype associated with faster respiratory decline. Our study suggests that CK measurement at diagnosis should be more extensively investigated as a possible marker of poor respiratory outcome in future studies, including a larger population of patients.

Motor cortex activation mediates associations between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in Parkinson's disease

IntroductionParkinson's disease (PD) presents with a progressive decline in manual dexterity, attributed to dysfunction in the basal ganglia-thalamus-cortex loop, influenced by dopaminergic deficits in the striatum. Recent research suggests that the motor cortex may play a pivotal role in mediating the relationship between striatal dopamine depletion and motor function in PD. Understanding this connection is crucial for comprehending the origins of manual dexterity impairments in PD. Therefore, our study aimed to explore how motor cortex activation mediates the association between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in PD. Materials and methodsWe enrolled 26 mildly affected PD patients in their off-medication phase to undergo [18F]FDOPA PET/CT scans for evaluating striatal dopaminergic function. EEG recordings were conducted during bimanual anti-phase finger tapping tasks to evaluate motor cortex activity, specifically focusing on Event-Related Desynchronization in the beta band. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. Regression-based mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether motor cortex activation mediates the association between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in PD. ResultsMediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of putamen dopamine depletion on manual dexterity for the affected hand and assembly tasks (performed with two hands), with motor cortex activity mediating this association. In contrast, while caudate nucleus dopamine depletion showed a significant direct effect on manual dexterity, motor cortex mediation on this association was not observed. ConclusionOur study confirms the association between striatum dopamine depletion and impaired manual dexterity in PD, with motor cortex activity mediating this relationship.

Hippocampal Serotonin and Responses to Immobilization Stress in Rats Treated with Metformin

Background: Stress-related illnesses and depression are rising in modern society. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as other antidepressants, are also not very effective and commonly exhibit partial remission, suggesting the need for novel therapeutic agents for treating anxiety and depression. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate serotonergic mechanisms in the potential anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects of metformin. Method: In the first experiment, rats were given two doses (50 and 100mg/kg) of metformin to monitor the effects of repeated administration on motor activity, anxiety, and 5-HT-1A receptor expression in the hippocampus and raphe nuclei. The second experiment was conducted in 2 parts, in 2a. experiment, control, and metformin (50 mg/kg) treated rats were immobilized for 2 hours for 5 consecutive days. Food intake and body weight were monitored daily and anxiety-like behavior was monitored on days 2 and 6. On day 6, rats were again immobilized for 2 hours, and after termination of stress rats were sacrificed to collect the hippocampus for HPLC-EC analysis of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA). In 2b. experiment, control, and metformin (50 mg/kg) treated rats were immobilized for 2 hours, and after 2 hours rats were sacrificed to collect the hippocampus for HPLC-EC analysis of 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Results: We found that metformin treatment exhibited anxiety reduction associated with greater expression of 5-HT-1A receptor in the hippocampus and reduced expression in the raphe nuclei. Immobilization stress-induced food intake and body weight deficits were comparable in control and metformin-treated rats, but the anxiogenic effects of stress were smaller in the metformintreated group. Stress-induced decreases of hippocampal 5-HT were smaller in metformin-treated than in control rats. Conclusion: Metformin can reduce stress-induced anxiety mediated via an increase in hippocampal 5-HT levels and 5-HT-1A heteroreceptor expression.

The combination of RNA-seq transcriptomics and data-independent acquisition proteomics reveal the mechanisms and function of different gooses testicular development at different stages of laying cycle

Egg production performance is an important economic trait in the poultry industry. In previous studies, attention has often been paid to the growth and development of the ovaries, while there has been less research on the testicular tissue of male goose. Due to various factors, there are usually significant differences in the process of testicular spermatogenesis among different goose breeds. The Jilin white goose (JL) is a high-production local goose species in China, domesticated from Anser cygnoides, which has a high egg-laying performance and the egg-laying period can last from February to July. In the production of goose within Jilin Province, the female goose of Jilin White goose is considered as an important maternal parent of synthetic lines, and ganders from Hungarian white goose (HU), Wanxi white goose (WX) and Jilin white goose are the main male parents. Each year, all 3 gander species begin to exhibit breeding capacity in February and reach the peak of reproductive capacity by April, marked by high fertilization rates. With the gradual increase in temperature, the testicular tissue of Hungarian and Wanxi goose gradually diminishes in its ability to produce sperm. the testicular tissue undergoes significant shrinkage by the end of June, resulting in a near loss of sperm production capability, thereby yielding low fertilization rates. However, the Jilin White goose demonstrates the ability to maintain a stable sperm production capacity. Individuals with low sperm motility contribute to increased seed production costs and pose constraints on the industrial development of livestock and poultry varieties. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics data from gooses testicular of 3 different goose breeds inclouding Jilin white goose, Wanxi white gooseand Hungary white goose sampled in 2 stages, peak of laying cycle (PLC) and end of laying cycle (ELC). In a comparative analysis between PLC and ELC groups (ELC vs. PLC) of 3 breeds, we identified 401,340,6651 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,225,323 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), respectively. Differentially expressed genes and proteins were significantly enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms such as phosphotransferase activity, cytoskeletal protein binding, microtubule motor activity, channel activity and carbohydrate metabolic process. The KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs in testicular showed that most differentially expressed mRNAs participate in the KEGG pathways, including ECM-receptor interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, carbon metabolism, Cell cycle, VEGF signaling pathway, Lipoic acid metabolism and p53 signaling pathway. The differential expression of 4 selected DEGs (SPAG6, NEK2, HSPA4L, SERF1A) was verified by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with RNA-seq data. In conclusion, this study reveals the differences in gene expression regulation in testicular tissues of different goose species, and screening candidate genes and proteins related to spermatogenesis.

Spontaneous rates exhibit high intra-individual stability across movements involving different biomechanical systems and cognitive demands

Spontaneous rhythmic movements are part of everyday life, e.g., in walking, clapping or music making. Humans perform such spontaneous motor actions at different rates that reflect specific biomechanical constraints of the effector system in use. However, there is some evidence for intra-individual consistency of specific spontaneous rates arguably resulting from common underlying processes. Additionally, individual and contextual factors such as musicianship and circadian rhythms have been suggested to influence spontaneous rates. This study investigated the relative contributions of these factors and provides a comprehensive picture of rates among different spontaneous motor behaviors, i.e., melody production, walking, clapping, tapping with and without sound production, the latter measured online before and in the lab. Participants (n = 60) exhibited high intra-individual stability across tasks. Task-related influences included faster tempi for spontaneous production rates of music and wider ranges of spontaneous motor tempi (SMT) and clapping rates compared to walking and music making rates. Moreover, musicians exhibited slower spontaneous rates across tasks, yet we found no influence of time of day on SMT as measured online in pre-lab sessions. Tapping behavior was similar in pre-lab and in-lab sessions, validating the use of online SMT assessments. Together, the prominent role of individual factors and high stability across domains support the idea that different spontaneous motor behaviors are influenced by common underlying processes.

Motor Control of Distinct Layer 6 Corticothalamic Feedback Circuits.

Layer 6 corticothalamic (L6 CT) neurons provide massive input to the thalamus, and these feedback connections enable the cortex to influence its own sensory input by modulating thalamic excitability. However, the functional role(s) feedback serves during sensory processing is unclear. One hypothesis is that CT feedback is under the control of extra-sensory signals originating from higher-order cortical areas, yet we know nothing about the mechanisms of such control. It is also unclear whether such regulation is specific to CT neurons with distinct thalamic connectivity. Using mice (either sex) combined with in vitro electrophysiology techniques, optogenetics, and retrograde labeling, we describe studies of vibrissal primary motor cortex (vM1) influences on different CT neurons in the vibrissal primary somatosensory cortex (vS1) with distinct intrathalamic axonal projections. We found that vM1 inputs are highly selective, evoking stronger postsynaptic responses in Dual ventral posterior medial nucleus (VPm) and posterior medial nucleus (POm) projecting CT neurons located in lower L6a than VPm-only projecting CT cells in upper L6a. A targeted analysis of the specific cells and synapses involved revealed that the greater responsiveness of Dual CT neurons was due to their distinctive intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic mechanisms. These data demonstrate that vS1 has at least two discrete L6 CT subcircuits distinguished by their thalamic projection patterns, intrinsic physiology, and functional connectivity with vM1. Our results also provide insights into how a distinct CT subcircuit may serve specialized roles specific to contextual modulation of tactile-related sensory signals in the somatosensory thalamus during active vibrissa movements.

Motor Control of Distinct Layer 6 Corticothalamic Feedback Circuits.

Layer 6 corticothalamic (L6 CT) neurons provide massive input to the thalamus, and these feedback connections enable the cortex to influence its own sensory input by modulating thalamic excitability. However, the functional role(s) feedback serves during sensory processing is unclear. One hypothesis is that CT feedback is under the control of extrasensory signals originating from higher-order cortical areas, yet we know nothing about the mechanisms of such control. It is also unclear whether such regulation is specific to CT neurons with distinct thalamic connectivity. Using mice (either sex) combined with in vitro electrophysiology techniques, optogenetics, and retrograde labeling, we describe studies of vibrissal primary motor cortex (vM1) influences on different CT neurons in the vibrissal primary somatosensory cortex (vS1) with distinct intrathalamic axonal projections. We found that vM1 inputs are highly selective, evoking stronger postsynaptic responses in CT neurons projecting to the dual ventral posterior medial nucleus (VPm) and posterior medial nucleus (POm) located in lower L6a than VPm-only-projecting CT cells in upper L6a. A targeted analysis of the specific cells and synapses involved revealed that the greater responsiveness of Dual CT neurons was due to their distinctive intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic mechanisms. These data demonstrate that vS1 has at least two discrete L6 CT subcircuits distinguished by their thalamic projection patterns, intrinsic physiology, and functional connectivity with vM1. Our results also provide insights into how a distinct CT subcircuit may serve specialized roles specific to contextual modulation of tactile-related sensory signals in the somatosensory thalamus during active vibrissa movements.

Nerve conduction features may serve as a diagnostic clue for neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with a wide phenotypic spectrum, including peripheral neuropathy. This study aims to characterize the nerve conduction features and proposes an electrophysiological criterion to assist the diagnosis of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. In this study, nerve conduction studies were performed in 50 genetically confirmed neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease patients, 200 age- and sex-matched healthy controls and 40 patients with genetically unsolved leukoencephalopathy. Abnormal electrophysiological parameters were defined as mean values plus or minus two standardized deviations of the healthy controls or failure to evoke a response on the examined nerves. Compared to controls, neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease patients had significantly slower motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, as well as lower amplitudes of compound motor action potentials and sensory nerve action potentials in all tested nerves (P < 0.05). Forty-eight of the 50 neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease patients (96%) had at least one abnormal electrophysiological parameter, with slowing of motor nerve conduction velocities being the most prevalent characteristic. The motor nerve conduction velocities of median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial nerves were 44.2 ± 5.5, 45.3 ± 6.1, 37.3 ± 5.3 and 35.6 ± 5.1 m/s, respectively, which were 12.4-13.6 m/s slower than those of the controls. The electrophysiological features were similar between neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease patients manifesting with CNS symptoms and those with PNS-predominant presentations. Thirteen of the 14 patients (93%) who underwent nerve conduction study within the first year of symptom onset exhibited abnormal findings, indicating that clinical or subclinical peripheral neuropathy is an early disease marker of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. We then assessed the feasibility of using motor nerve conduction velocity as a diagnostic tool of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease and evaluated the diagnostic performance of various combinations of nerve conduction parameters using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The criterion of having at least two nerves with motor nerve conduction velocity ranging from 35 to 50 m/s in median/ulnar nerves and 30-40 m/s in tibial/peroneal nerves demonstrated high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (99%), with an area under the curve of 0.95, to distinguish neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease patients from healthy controls. The criterion's diagnostic performance was validated on an independent cohort of 56 literature reported neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease cases (area under the curve = 0.93, sensitivity = 87.5%, specificity = 99.0%), and in distinguishing neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease from genetically unresolved leukoencephalopathy cases (sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 80.0%). In conclusion, mildly to moderately decreased motor nerve conduction velocity in multiple nerves is a significant electrophysiological hallmark assisting the diagnosis of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease, regardless of CNS- or PNS-predominant manifestations.

Технологичность вида спорта и практикоориентированность образования (на примере киокушинкай карате до)

The authors note the transformation in Russia and the world and the emergence of new directions in the development of sport, associated with national programs and projects, new sports infrastructure. The introduction of new educational standards in sports universities has shown the necessity of developing practice-oriented education for various specialties. The problem of practice-oriented education is considered in several aspects. The technologicity of the sport in the subject technologies of the educational process in the format of the development of practice-oriented education in the University is presented. The base of the research: Technique of a blow in kyokushinkai karate do. Mawashi (from the side, in a circle) geri(leg) jodan (upper level) in a practical lesson on the profile subject “Biomechanics of motor activity”. The methodical map (case) was developed with biomechanical characteristics by phases of movement with the use of specialized terms, video and photo pose-movements with biomechanical characteristics of the athlete.

Outdoor STEAM Education: Opportunities and Challenges

There is a consensus that students should be involved in interdisciplinary activities that promote a solid education in STEAM subjects from an early age. The outdoor settings of schools present an advantageous context for STEAM education, allowing for a myriad of learning experiences. To understand how teachers perceive the pedagogical use of the school’s outdoor space, a study was carried out in a cluster of schools in a Portuguese city, including one middle school and 10 kindergarten and elementary schools. A mixed methods approach was used, combining a questionnaire for teachers (N = 49) with interviews (N = 8). The results indicate that teachers’ perceptions of the characteristics of their school’s outdoor spaces either facilitate or hinder the implementation of outdoor pedagogical activities. Most teachers concur that the outdoors provides contact with nature and encourages interdisciplinary and collaborative activities. However, the teachers surveyed admit to using the school’s outdoor spaces only occasionally, and this use decreases as the educational level at which they teach increases. The most common use of outdoor spaces is for physical and motor activities, promoting the well-being of children and youth. Although interdisciplinary activities in outdoor spaces are recognised, their implementation is limited and hampered by factors such as the length of curricula and the lack of training for teachers in these approaches. In this sense, there is an urgent need to train teachers in the interdisciplinary use of outdoor spaces to promote a solid education in STEAM subjects.

Developmental morphological characteristics of sympathetic ganglia in premature infants

The results of morphological and clinical-functional studies of the central and peripheral departments of the sympathoadrenal systems of premature newborns are presented. According to the morphometry of deceased newborns, along with pronounced immaturity, a stably reduced number of neurocytes of the cervical-thoracic (stellate) ganglia of the sympathetic chain of premature infants was found, which can limit the level of their motor activity for a long time. Low activity of sub-cortical sympathoadrenal systems, due to antenatal inhibition under the influence of a number of factors, may be the cause of the syndrome of general depression of the central nervous system in premature infants.