Functional Variables Research Articles

Evaluating handgrip strength and functional tests as indicators of gait speed in older females

IntroductionWith aging, females often experience greater declines in functional capacity [e.g., gait speed (GS)] compared to males, highlighting the need for sex-difference considered in screening and intervention planning. In certain contexts, assessing GS may not be feasible. Handgrip strength (HGS) commonly used as a surrogate measure for physical performance, also serves as an indirect indicator of muscle strength in the lower limbs. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the associations between HGS and common functional tests and to determine the optimal cut-off values for these tests in assessing GS.Methods142 community-dwelling older females aged 60–80 years old (mean age: 75 ± 6 years) were evaluated with HGS, the 30-second arm curl (30 s-AC), 30-second chair stand (30 s-CS), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the 8-foot Up & Go (8-UG) test. Pearson's correlation (r) was used to assess the strength of associations between HGS and functional variables, while multiple linear regression models identified determinants of GS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of various tests in detecting slow GS (<1.0 m/s), by means of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.ResultsHGS showed positive significant (p < 0.001) associations with 30 s-AC (r = 0.499), SPPB (r = 0.447), and 30 s-CS (r = 0.329). Standardised coefficients of the linear models were: 30 s-AC (β=0.593), 30 s-CS (β=0.513), 5-CS (β=−0.431), and HGS (β=0.475) (all p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed the following results: 30 s-AC (AUC = 0.80, cut-off=∼16 repetitions, sensitivity 83%, specificity 36%), 30 s-CS (AUC = 0.74; cut-off=∼13 repetitions, sensitivity 78%, specificity 64%), and 5-CS (AUC = 0.75, cut-off = 10.0 s, sensitivity 81%, specificity 57%), HGS (AUC = 0.73, cut-off=∼20 kg, sensitivity 79%, specificity 46%).DiscussionWe found that HGS was moderately-to-weakly associated with functional outcomes in older females, indicating that it may not reflect the overall body functional capacity. Despite similar AUCs across all tests, the 30 s-CS and 5-CS showed a better balance of sensitivity and specificity, making them potential indicators of slow GS compared to HGS and 30 s-AC.

The Role of Maladaptive Plasticity in Modulating Pain Pressure Threshold Post-Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently leads to pain, leading to significant disability. Pain sensitization, a key feature of SCI, is commonly assessed via quantitative sensory testing like the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), though the factors influencing PPT changes remain unclear. This study hypothesizes that specific clinical and neurophysiological factors modulate PPT in SCI patients. The primary objective is to identify predictors of PPT in SCI patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of neurophysiological, clinical, and demographic data from 102 SCI patients in an ongoing prospective cohort study called “Deficit of Inhibition as a Marker of Neuroplasticity” (DEFINE study). Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate demographic, clinical, and functional variables associated with PPT, the primary outcome measure. Results: The sample comprised 87.9% males with an average age of 41. Trauma was the leading cause of SCI (77.45%), predominantly affecting the cervical and thoracic levels. Pain was reported by 44% of participants, and the mean PPT was 8.3 kPa, measured bilaterally. Multivariate analysis of PPT in the left, right, and bilateral thenar regions revealed consistent trends. Significant negative associations were found between bilateral PPT and low beta EEG frequency in the central area (β = −14.94, p = 0.017), traumatic lesion etiology (β = −1.99, p = 0.038), and incomplete lesions by the American Spinal Injury Association classification (β = −1.68, p = 0.012). In contrast, positive associations were observed with age (β = 0.08, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings show that increased beta oscillations and traumatic brain injury having a lower PPT indicate that factors associated with maladaptive plasticity are associated with decreased and likely less functional PPT. On the other hand, increased motor function may help to regulate PPT in a more functional status.

Integrating ESG Factors Into Cost‐Efficiency Frontier: Evidence From the European Listed Banks

ABSTRACTThis paper provides the first in‐depth analysis of the effects of incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the cost‐efficiency frontier of banks. Drawing on both shareholder and stakeholder theories, the research addresses the increasing regulatory and market pressures for banks to incorporate ESG components into their operational processes. Using data from 42 European listed banks spanning the 2006–2021 period and a stochastic frontier approach (SFA), the study introduces two novel ESG‐related variables in the stochastic frontier function: (i) a variable measuring the contribution of ESG factors to banking output production and (ii) a variable measuring the risks associated with ESG controversies. Additionally, it evaluates the impact of executive remuneration tied to ESG goals on cost efficiency, addressing a critical gap in the literature. The findings reveal that ESG‐related frontier variables significantly influence the banks' cost function. Furthermore, the results show that banks with a stronger commitment to ESG principles achieve higher cost efficiency in the long term, despite short‐term cost increases associated with ESG investments. Moreover, the results highlight that executive compensation linked to ESG targets negatively affects cost efficiency. By filling these gaps, the paper significantly contributes to the literature, offering valuable insights for bank managers tasked with balancing short‐term costs against long‐term efficiency gains through strategic ESG investments.

Cooperative line-of-sight guidance strategy with prescribed performance and input saturation against active defensive aircraft in two-on-two engagement

Abstract This paper considers the guidance issue for attackers against aircraft with active defense in a two-on-two engagement, which includes an attacker, a protector, a defender and a target. A cooperative line-of-sight guidance scheme with prescribed performance and input saturation is proposed utilising the sliding mode control and line-of-sight guidance theories, which guarantees that the attacker is able to capture the target with the assistance of the protector remaining on the line-of-sight between the defender and the attacker in order to intercept the defender. A fixed-time prescribed performance function and first-order anti-saturation auxiliary variable are designed in the game guidance strategy to constrain the overshoot of the guidance variable and satisfy the requirement of an overload manoeuver. The proposed guidance strategy alleviates the influence of external disturbance by implementing a fixed-time observer and the chattering phenomenon caused by the sign function. Finally, nonlinear numerical simulations verify the cooperative guidance strategies.

Psychosocial moderators of the association between pain intensity and physical function in people with systemic sclerosis.

Pain is a prevalent symptom of systemic sclerosis. While previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between higher pain intensity and lower physical function in individuals with systemic sclerosis, the potentially moderating effect of psychosocial factors on the association has yet to be explored. This cross-sectional study used data from a fatigue self-management trial for adults with systemic sclerosis. Baseline questionnaire instruments measured pain intensity (11-point scale), physical function (PROMIS 4a short form), and psychosocial factors: positive and negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), anxiety, depression (PROMIS short forms), and self-efficacy domains (PROMIS item banks). Linear regression quantified the pain intensity-physical function association with interaction terms for candidate psychosocial moderators included in separate models (adjusted for age, systemic sclerosis subtype, and disease duration). Among 173 participants (mean age 54.5, Standard Deviation 11.7, 93% female, 83% White), 47% had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, 35% limited, 13% overlap, and 5% other/unsure. Mean pain intensity was 4.9 (Standard Deviation 2.3) and mean physical function T-score was 38.5 (Standard Deviation 6.4). Pain intensity accounted for 31% of the variability in physical function (B -1.34, 95% confidence interval -1.69, -0.99). Statistically significant interactions were found between pain intensity and negative affect and anxiety, with higher levels of these factors amplifying the negative pain-physical function association. These findings suggest that higher levels of negative affect and anxiety exacerbate the negative effect of pain on physical function in individuals with systemic sclerosis. Interventions targeting these factors may help improve overall physical function regardless of pain intensity.

Reproducible, Scale-Up Production of Human Brain Organoids (HBOs) on a Pillar Plate Platform via Spheroid Transfer.

Human brain organoids (HBOs) derived from pluripotent stem cells hold great potential for disease modeling and high-throughput compound screening, given their structural and functional resemblance to fetal brain tissues. These organoids can mimic early stages of brain development, offering a valuable in vitro model to study both normal and disordered neurodevelopment. However, current methods of generating HBOs are often low throughput and variable in organoid differentiation and involve lengthy, labor-intensive processes, limiting their broader application in both academic and industrial research. Key challenges include high costs of growth factors, variability in organoid size and function, suboptimal maturation, and manual handling that reduces throughput. Here, we present a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the scalable production of HBOs using a novel pillar plate system that simplifies the spheroid transfer process and allows miniature organoid culture. This method enables the reproducible generation of HBOs without the need for extensive manual intervention, providing a streamlined solution for high-throughput screening (HTS). The resulting assay-ready pillar plate with HBOs is optimized for compound testing, in situ staining, and analysis, offering an efficient platform to advance neurodevelopmental research and therapeutic screening.

Reproducible, Scale-Up Production of Human Liver Organoids (HLOs) on a Pillar Plate Platform via Microarray 3D Bioprinting.

Human liver organoids (HLOs) derived from pluripotent stem cells hold potential for disease modeling and high-throughput compound screening due to their architectural and functional resemblance to human liver tissues. However, reproducible, scale-up production of HLOs for high-throughput screening (HTS) presents challenges. These include the high costs of additives and growth factors required for cell differentiation, variability in organoid size and function from batch to batch, suboptimal maturity of HLOs compared to primary hepatocytes, and low assay throughput due to excessive manual processes and the absence of assay-ready plates with HLOs. To address some of these issues, here we present standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the scale-up production of HLOs using a pillar plate through microarray 3D bioprinting. This technology facilitates the rapid, uniform seeding of foregut cells onto the pillar plate, maintaining cell viability and enabling the scale-up generation of HLOs. The assay-ready pillar plate with HLOs is suitable for compound testing, as well as in situ organoid staining and analysis.

Correlation Between Plantar Fascia Thickness and Other Variables in Women Diagnosed with Plantar Fasciopathy.

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between plantar fascia (PF) thickness and various factors including pain, function, anthropometric parameters, and other variables in women diagnosed with plantar fasciopathy. A total of 37 feet from female patients were randomly selected for this investigation. Utilizing ultrasound, the thickness of the PF was meticulously measured. Subsequently, the correlation between PF thickness and several factors such as pain intensity, functional impairment, height, age, weight, biconvexity of the plantar fascia, duration of the disease, recurrence of plantar fasciopathy, and daily activity levels were analyzed. The findings of this study unveiled a significant positive correlation between PF thickness and several parameters. Specifically, there was a notable correlation with pain intensity, where increased thickness corresponded to heightened pain levels. Additionally, PF thickness exhibited positive associations with height, age, and weight, indicating that these anthropometric factors may influence PF thickness. Moreover, the biconvexity of the plantar fascia, disease duration, and recurrence of plantar fasciopathy showed correlations with PF thickness, suggesting potential implications for disease progression and management. Furthermore, the study identified a relationship between PF thickness and daily activity levels, underscoring the impact of physical exertion on PF health. Notably, the presence of hyperemia in the plantar fascia, as determined by power Doppler ultrasound, also showed a correlation with PF thickness, highlighting potential vascular implications in plantar fasciopathy. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted relationship between PF thickness and various clinical parameters in women with plantar fasciopathy. Understanding these correlations may aid in the development of more targeted and effective management strategies for this debilitating condition.

Tracking changes in autonomic function by coupled analysis of wavelet-based dispersion of heart rate variability and gastrointestinal symptom severity in individuals with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome

IntroductionPeople with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) experience multisystemic dysfunction with varying severity and unpredictability of flare occurrence. Cohort studies suggest that individuals with hEDS have a higher risk for autonomic dysfunction. The gold standard for assessing autonomic function, clinically, is the heart rate variability (HRV) assessment from 24-h Holter monitor electrocardiogram data, but this is expensive and can only be performed in short durations. Since their advent, biometric devices have been a non-invasive method for tracking HRV to assess autonomic function. This study aimed to understand the intra- and inter-individual variability in autonomic function and to associate this variability with gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with hEDS using wearable devices.MethodsWe studied 122 days of biometric device data from 26 individuals, including 35 days highlighted as high gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and 48 days as low GI dysfunction. Utilizing wavelet analysis to assess the frequency domains of heart rate signals, we compared participants’ HRV data for high, low, very low (VLF), and ultralow (ULF) frequency domains associated with physiological differences.ResultsWe found a significant difference between the VLF and ULF signals on high-GI symptom days compared with low-symptoms days for 92 and 76% of the signals sampled, respectively.DiscussionOur pilot data show a change in HRV for individuals with hEDS experiencing a flare day for a single-body system. Future research will focus on evaluating the relationship between longitudinal multisystemic symptom severity fluctuations and HRV.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL FACTORS AND IMPACTS ON SEXUALITY OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

This study explored the association between sociodemographic and clinical factors with the sexuality of kidney transplant recipients treated at the Federal University of Maranhão Hospital. A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was employed, involving 80 patients over 18 years old, of both genders. Data were gathered through questionnaires assessing sociodemographic, clinical, and sexual function variables, utilizing the Male and Female Sexual Quotient instruments. The findings revealed a predominance of women, with an average age of 47 years. Key factors such as age, gender, and duration since transplantation were significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. The research underscores the relevance of evaluating sexual function in the routine care of transplant patients, given its profound impact on their quality of life and overall well-being. The study advocates for the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to enhance patient care, emphasizing the necessity of addressing sexual health as a pivotal component of comprehensive treatment strategies. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the importance of holistic healthcare models tailored to the unique needs of kidney transplant recipients.

Effects of Bhramari and Sheetali Pranayama on Cardio Respiratory Function in Post-COVID Patients: A Randomised Controlled Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a range of long-term health issues in recovered patients, collectively known as "post-COVID syndrome." This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined pranayama techniques, specifically Sheetali and Bhramari, on pulmonary function and heart rate variability in post-COVID patients. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 90 post-COVID patients (aged 19-40). Participants were divided into three groups of 30 each: control, Bhramari Pranayama and Sheetali Pranayama. The intervention groups practiced their respective pranayama techniques for 15 minutes twice daily for 6 months. Outcome measures included Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. At 3 months, both pranayama groups showed moderate improvements in pulmonary function and HRV compared to baseline. By 6 months, these improvements were significantly enhanced. The Bhramari group showed increased FVC from 3.2 ± 0.5 L to 3.5 ± 0.4 L at 3 months, and to 3.7 ± 0.4 L at 6 months (P < .001). Similarly, the Sheetali group reflected improved FVC from 3.3 ± 0.4 L to 3.5 ± 0.3 L at 3 months, reaching 3.7 ± 0.3 L at 6 months (P < .001). HRV measures showed a similar trend, with SDNN and RMSSD in the Bhramari group and Sheetali pranayama group. This study provides novel insights into the combined effects of Bhramari and Sheetali Pranayama on post-COVID patients. The findings suggest significant improvements in respiratory function and autonomic nervous system balance.

How the fish community structure change with seasons in Zhoushan Fishing Ground, China?

Understanding seasonal variations in fish communities is important for fishery resources conservation and management in fishery economic zones. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding to the differential responses of fish functional traits to various disturbances. Here, we sampled fish communities of 20 sites during autumn (November 2023) and spring (April 2024) in Zhoushan Fishing Ground. Taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and functional redundancy (FR) were calculated to investigate the state of the fish communities and their seasonal changes. Beta diversity was calculated based on the pairwise communities of spring and autumn and decomposed into turnover and nestedness proportions, to investigate the dissimilarities of the fish communities between the two seasons and their drive mechanisms. We also applied R-mode linked to Q-mode (RLQ) and fourth-corner methods to test the relationships between fish functional traits and environmental variables (trait-environment relationships). These results showed that the mean values of taxonomic and functional beta diversities were 0.852 and 0.769, respectively, which indicate that taxonomic and functional structures of the fish communities have high dissimilarities between spring and autumn. However, the taxonomic and functional structures showed different ecological processes of seasonal changes with the former were mainly driven by species turnover (occupied 89.9% of the total dissimilarity) and the latter were driven by both functional turnover and nestedness (occupied 57.9% and 42.1% of the total dissimilarity, respectively). Species occurrence, environmental variables, and functional traits matrices were closely correlated, which mainly result from the significant trait-environmental relationships. Combining with TD, FD, and FR, we concluded that the fish communities in autumn had higher resistance to environmental changes than in spring. Our findings are accepted to serve as a basis for fishery management.

Move Better, Live Better: A novel supervised combined training for peripheral arterial disease: A quasi-experimental approach.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of a novel supervised exercise therapy (SET) program based on intermittent treadmill walking and circuit-based moderate-intensity functional training (MIFT) on walking performance and HRQoL in PAD patients. All participants underwent a 12-week SET that involved 15 to 30 minutes of treadmill walking followed by a 15-minute moderate-intensity functional training (MIFT) continued by 12-week of follow-up. Maximum walking distance (MWD), pain-free walking distance (PFWD), gait speed and estimated peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) were calculated through the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and HRQoL through the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VascuQol-6). There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between baseline and post-intervention for walking performance outcomes [MWD (MD: 88.53 m), PFWD (MD: 62.89 m), gait speed (MD: 0.24 m·s-1) and peak VO2 (MD: 2.04 ml·kg-1·min-1)] and for HRQoL [physical functioning in SF-36 (MD: 6.93 points) and VascuQol-6 (MD: 1.46 points)]; while no differences were found between baseline and 12-week follow-up. Results seem to show that 12-week of novel SET based on intermittent walking and MIFT induced significant clinical improvements in key functional variables of PAD while cessation of exercise leads to significant negative clinical changes in subsequent weeks of follow-up.

The role of hyperaccuracy CT three-dimensional reconstruction technology in partial nephrectomy for completely endophytic renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective propensity-matched cohort study.

To compare the clinicopathological, perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of completely endophytic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) with or without preoperative hyperaccuracy CT three-dimensional (HACT3D) reconstruction. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 154 completely endophytic RCC patients treated with PN at our medical center from January 2018 to December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received preoperative HACT3D reconstruction. To control for selection bias, we implemented 1:1 propensity score matching based on baseline characteristics. In the original cohort, 47 patients in the HACT3D group had higher RENAL scores (P=0.014) and PADUA scores (P=0.012). After matching, each group contained 47 RCC patients with no significant baseline differences (P>0.05). In the matched cohort, patients in the HACT3D group had significantly shorter warm ischemia time (WIT) (22.3 vs. 26.7min, p<0.001), shorter total length of hospital stay (LOS) (10.0 vs. 11.6 days, p=0.012), shorter postoperative LOS (5.8 vs. 7.3 days, p=0.003), and higher trifecta achievement rate (83.0% vs. 36.2%, p<0.001). Among functional variables, patients in the HACT3D group exhibited a smaller increase in postoperative serum creatinine (SCR) (7.5 vs. 16.5μmol/L, p=0.012), and a smaller decrease in postoperative estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) (-6.9 vs. -14.1mL/min/1.73m2, p=0.011). No significant differences were found in pathological outcomes and prognosis between the two groups (p>0.05). For completely endophytic RCC patients, HACT3D reconstruction can assist clinicians in performing precise parameter measurements, designing personalized surgical approaches, and providing intraoperative image guidance.

Clinical Application of the Fetal HQ Technique in the Evaluation of Normal Fetal Cardiac Function at Different Gestational Weeks.

To investigate the clinical value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in the evaluation of normal fetal heart size, morphology, and cardiac function at different gestational weeks. A total of 101 pregnant women diagnosed with a healthy fetus by fetal echocardiography from September 2021 to December 2023 were selected and classified into four different periods of gestational weeks: 20-28 weeks (25 cases), 29-32 weeks (26 cases), 33-36 weeks (26 cases), and 37-40 weeks (24 cases). Quantitative analyses were performed by automatically tracking the endocardium using fetal HQ software that comes with the Voluson E10 from GE. To investigate the correlation between four-chambered vesicle length end-diastolic (4CV LED), four-chambered vesicle transverse width end-diastolic (4CV TWED), global sphericity index (GSI), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and gestation age (GA), and the variability of normal fetal cardiac morphology and cardiac function at different gestational weeks. A statistically significant difference was observed between 4CV LED and 4CV TWED in normal fetuses at different gestational weeks (p < 0.05), which exhibited a positive correlation with gestational week. Conversely, no significant correlation was identified between GSI and gestational week (p > 0.05). The mean GSI of 101 normal fetuses was found to be 1.25±0.09. A comparative analysis of EF, SV, and CO in normal fetuses at different gestational weeks revealed statistically significant differences in SV and CO (p < 0.05), which gradually increased with gestational weeks, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in EF (p > 0.05). Fetal HQ represents a straightforward and dependable method for evaluating GSI and 24-segment SI of the left and right ventricles, which can provide a certain theoretical basis for the clinical quantitative evaluation of fetal cardiac geometry and cardiac function.

Vascular density and metamorphopsia after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. comparison between macula‐on and macula‐off eyes

Purpose: To analyze vascular changes such as the postoperative foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, the superficial vessel density (sVD) and deep vessel density (dVD) and their correlation with functional (best‐corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia) and anatomical variables (foveal macular thickness, FMT) after successful repair of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair.Methods: Patients with RRD eyes, successfully treated with a single pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas or silicone oil tamponade and a minimum 6 months follow‐up, were re‐examined. For patients where silicone oil was applied, measures were taken after its removal. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, sVD, dVD and FAZ area were evaluated by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compared to fellow eye. Moreover, anatomical association was tested between areas of reported metamorphopsias and vascular changes in the corresponding area.Results: Twenty‐one patients with macula‐on and 24 with macula‐off RRD were included in the study. In both groups, no significant difference in macular thickness and FAZ area was found compared to fellow eyes. In macula‐on RRD eyes, a lower total dVD (p &lt; 0.05) was detected; FAZ area was not related to FMT, and the postoperative BCVA was correlated with FAZ area and dDV (p &lt; 0.05). In macula‐off RRD eyes, lower sDV (p = 0.05), and dVD (p &lt; 0.05, respectively) were observed when compared to fellow eyes. The prevalence of metamorphopsia in macula‐on group was 42.86% (9/21), whereas in macula ‐off this number increased to 62.5% (15/24). For both of these groups we found significant association between sDV and presence of metamorphopsia but only in the inferior paramacular area (p = 0.01).Conclusions: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment eyes successfully treated with PPV had lower vessel density in the superficial and deep retinal plexus compared to fellow healthy eyes; final BCVA was related to vessel density and FAZ area. Metamorphopsias were also related to superficial vessel density inferiorly of the macula.

Functional brain network dynamics mediate the relationship between female reproductive aging and interpersonal adversity

Premature reproductive aging is linked to heightened stress sensitivity and psychological maladjustment across the life course. However, the brain dynamics underlying this relationship are poorly understood. Here, to address this issue, we analyzed multimodal data from female participants in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (longitudinal, N = 441; aged 9–12 years) and Human Connectome-Aging (cross-sectional, N = 130; aged 36–60 years) studies. Age-specific intrinsic functional brain network dynamics mediated the link between reproductive aging and perceptions of greater interpersonal adversity. The adolescent profile overlapped areas of greater glutamatergic and dopaminergic receptor density, and the middle-aged profile was concentrated in visual, attentional and default mode networks. The two profiles showed opposite relationships with patterns of functional neural network variability and cortical atrophy observed in psychosis versus major depressive disorder. Our findings underscore the divergent patterns of brain aging linked to reproductive maturation versus senescence, which may explain developmentally specific vulnerabilities to distinct disorders.

Multilevel Analysis of Ground Beetle Responses to Forest Management: Integrating Species Composition, Morphological Traits and Developmental Instability.

This study evaluates the response of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblage to forest management practices by integrating species composition, body traits, wing morphology and developmental instability. Traditional approaches that rely on averaged identity-based descriptors often overlook phenotypic plasticity and functional trait variability, potentially masking species-specific responses to environmental changes. To address this, we applied a three-layered analytical approach to address this gap, utilising ground beetle occurrence and morphological trait data from Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic. The first layer assessed assemblage composition with ecological and dietary preferences across control, ecotone and clearing treatments using multivariate techniques. Building on species-level knowledge, the second layer analysed the interaction between coarse traits, such as wing morphology and fine-scale body traits, including body size (proxied by elytron length), head width and last abdominal sternite, to assess their relationship with the different treatments. These interactions were explored as intraspecific wing plasticity can affect functional interpretations. The third layer focused on fluctuating asymmetry as an intraindividual indicator of developmental instability, examining how ground beetles respond to environmental stressors. Our findings revealed: (i) no significant impact of habitat treatments on the presence of specialist species in the assemblage analysis; (ii) analysis of morphological traits highlights the combined influence of a coarse trait, such as wing morphology, and a fine trait, such as head width, which together contribute to the partitioning of assemblages and help distinguish differences in habitat use; and (iii) FA analysis revealed a significant positive association between the second antennal segment of specialist species and litter while displaying a negative association with Collembola. This multilevel analytical framework not only confirms ecological findings but also advances our approach to habitat and species analysis, offering deeper insights into ecosystem dynamics.

Green Environments and Healthy Aging: Analyzing the Role of Green Infrastructure in the Functional Well-Being of Seniors-A Pilot Study.

Health professionals have slowly integrated the environment and green areas into their prescriptions to connect patients with nature and outdoor activities. The World Health Organization recommends that everyone reside within 300 m of green regions to improve well-being and physical and mental health. The study aimed to explore the effects of urban and rural green areas on multiple physiological and functional variables, as well as evaluate the perception of individuals regarding the ease of use of these same spaces. Participants walked twice a week for six weeks, covering 1.6 km. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), physical capacity analysis (IPAQ), risk of falls (Morse Fall Scale), Mini Mental State Examination, physical performance test (PPT), and perception of accessibility (Pedestrian Accessibility Perception Scale for adults over 65 years old) were evaluated/administered. Variables such as noise, temperature, and air quality were also measured during the outdoor activities. Twenty-four individuals divided into two groups participated in the study: group 1 (urban route) and group 2 (rural route). We found impacts on body weight (p = 0.021), SpO2 (p = 0.033), and Mini Mental State Examination (p = 0.041) scores in group 1 and SpO2 and PPT scores in group 2. This study highlights the importance of incorporating green infrastructure in urban planning to support healthy aging and improve accessibility for older adults, and shows that outdoor activities provide various health benefits (physical, mental, and social well-being) and that walking in urban and rural environments seems to impact the health of elderly individuals positively and should be considered in physical therapy by health professionals.

The Impact of Pesticides Exposure on Thyroid Function in Rafsanjan Farmers in 2023-2024: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Pesticides, particularly highly toxic organophosphates, are widely used in agriculture and can disrupt the endocrine system. This study aims to determine thyroid function indicators in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides in Rafsanjan city, Iran, in 2023. Material and Methods: This 10-month (from March 2023 to January 2024) case-control study involved 150 participants (men farmers) divided into three groups: pesticide-spraying farmers, rural non-farmers, and urban non-exposed individuals. Socio-demographic information, medical history, and lifestyle factors data were collected by a detailed checklist. Thyroid enzyme levels, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and free thyroxine (FT4) were tested by ELISA kits. The collected data were analyzed and compared across the groups by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Significant differences were observed in serum levels of thyroid function indicators such as TSH, Total T4, and Free T4 among the three groups (spraying farmers, rural residents near pistachio orchards, and urban residents), except for Total T3, which showed no significant difference. Moreover, there was a relationship between thyroid function variables in the spraying group and factors such as using personal protective equipment (PPE), days of spraying per year, hours of spraying per day, distance from home to pistachio orchards, and levels of pesticide exposure. However, these relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study found no significant effect of pesticide exposure on thyroid function, possibly due to minimal skin contact and equipment maintenance practices among farmers. Further investigations are recommended