Optimization of rs-fMRI parameters in the Seed Correlation Analysis (SCA) in DPARSF toolbox: A preliminary study.

There are a number of various methods of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) analysis such as independent component analysis, multivariate autoregressive models, or seed correlation analysis however their results depend on arbitrary choice of parameters. Therefore, the aim of this work was to optimize the parameters in the seed correlation analysis using the Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPARSF) toolbox for rs-fMRI data received from a Siemens Magnetom Skyra 3-Tesla scanner using a whole-brain, gradient-echo echo planar sequence with a 32-channel head coil. Different ranges of the following parameters: amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), Gaussian kernel at FWHM and radius of spherical ROI for 109 regions were tested for 20 healthy volunteers. The highest values of functional connectivity (FC) correlations were found for ALFF 0.01-0.08, spherical ROIs with the 8-mm radius and Gaussian kernel 8 mm at FWHM in all the studied areas that is, Auditory, Sensimotor, Visual, and Default Mode Network. The dominating influence of ALFF and smoothing on values of FC correlations was noted.

Prenatal Zidovudine Treatment Modifies Early Development of Rat Osteoid - Confocal Microspectroscopy Analysis.

Autofluorescence of the bone extracellular matrix (ECM) has not been widely explored although the ECM plays a very important role in bone development. In our research we focused on examining the bone matrix of very young animals due to the intense growth process during the first month of life. Structure images and fluorescence spectra of the bone surface were carried out using confocal fluorescence microscope Eclipse Ti-S inverted CLSM (NIKON, Japan) for compact tibia of healthy 7-, 14- and 28-day-old rat newborns after prenatal zidovudine administration in comparison with control. Spectral features of ECM autofluorescence were analyzed statistically by taking into consideration p < 0.05. The CLSM technique allows for simultaneous examination of the structure and autofluorescence from selected areas of the bone surface. Excessive autofluorescence of ECM after prenatal zidovudine administration influences bone growth incommensurably to the newborns' age. Therefore the possibility of an additional non-enzymatic mechanism of collagen cross-linking in the first two weeks of life of newborn rats prenatally treated with zidovudine has been considered. Our results suggest that ECM autofluorescence can be an indicator of bone development in the normal and pathological state.

[Central retinal sensitivity assessment with microperimetry in patients with primary open angle glaucoma]. / Ocena czulosci siatkówki centrainej metoda mikroperymetrii u chorych na jaskre pierwotna otwartego kata.

INTRODUCTION: Visual field defects in glaucomatous patients found in perimetry are analysed using increasingly more sophisticated methods. One of these methods is microperimetry, which enables detecting the progression of changes in particular central retinal quadrants in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma, especially at early stages of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 99 eyes of 57 patients--men and women aged 40 to 65 years--were enrolled in the study. Retinal sensitivity in the central perimacular, 12-degree area divided into four quadrants (temporal, nasal, superior and inferior) plus the fovea was assessed with microperimetry. The mean visual field defects in particular areas were compared and analysed using the ANOVA rank Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The biggest defect in the visual field was found in both superior quadrants. Only slightly milder defects were demonstrated within the fovea. The defects were the least pronounced within the inferior temporal and nasal quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: Microperimetry enables detection and appreciation of changes in sensitivity of individual central retinal quadrants, which is of significance in the diagnosis of early glaucoma.

Determination of the Effects of a Series of Ten Whole-Body Cryostimulation Sessions on Physiological Responses to Exercise and Skin Temperature Behavior following Exercise in Elite Athletes.

The present study investigated the effects of a series of 10 whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) sessions (3 min; -110 °C) on physiological and thermal responses to a submaximal exercise test in 17 elite athletes. Participants performed an exercise test twice at similar levels of intensity before and after a series of ten WBC sessions. Before and during the test, each participant's oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), internal temperature (Ti), and skin temperature in selected areas of the skin were measured, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP), physiological strain index (PSI), and mean skin temperature (Tsk) were calculated. The results show that during exercise, increases in Ti and the PSI were significantly lower after the WBC sessions, and although there were no significant changes in HR or the MAP, the Tsk was significantly higher. Following exercise, an increase in skin temperature asymmetry over the lower-body muscles was detected. A series of WBC sessions induced a tendency toward a decrease in temperature asymmetry over the thigh muscles. In conclusion, a series of ten WBC sessions does not induce significant modifications in physiological variables but does influence the PSI and Ti during exercise. Moreover, a series of ten WBC sessions influences the distribution of skin temperature and the magnitude of temperature asymmetries in the early phase of recovery.

Thermography study of skin response due to whole-body cryotherapy.

PURPOSE: Thermography and contact thermometry were used to study the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the lowering of skin temperature caused by whole-body cryotherapy. METHODS: The study was performed using the Thermovision Camera AGEMA Type 470 and A40. The thermograms of the chosen regions of interests were performed before and immediately after whole-body cryotherapy in a research room outside a cryogenic chamber where the temperature was stabilized. As an additional measurement technique during whole-body cryotherapy, contact thermometry was performed using thermocouples Ni-Cr-Ni-Al stacked to the skin surface. RESULTS: The results obtained showed differences in the decrease of skin temperature of predetermined body parts. The largest temperature decrease was observed on the lower extremities. Some differences in the thermal response of similar body parts influenced by the extremely low temperature, with regard to the BMI of volunteers, were observed. This was also found in the results of contact thermometry studies. The statistical analysis confirmed the results of thermography and thermometry studies. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of skin temperature decrease due to the extremely low temperature used in whole-body cryotherapy may be connected to a patient's BMI.

Does maternal treatment with zidovudine affect changes in mandibles of newborns? Laser induced fluorescence study.

The influence of antiretroviral drug zidovudine treatment during pregnancy on mandible development in newborn rats was studied. The fluorescence of mandibles from 7-, 14- and 28-days old individuals was measured by means of fiber-optical fluorescence analyzer with 407 nm laser excitation. Obtained results revealed disturbing effect of maternal zidovudine administration on mandible fluorescence intensity which should decrease with bone development. Small changes in fluorescence of porphyrin forms are maintaining in the first month of newborns life while the changes observed in 440-585 nm range disappear.

Fluorescence spectroscopy as tool for bone development monitoring in newborn rats.

Autofluorescence of the mandible and femur bones taken from newborn rats (7-, 14- and 28-day old) was studied. Endogenous fluorophores were excited with 231 nm, 291 nm, 340 nm and 360 nm wavelengths. Modifications in content and microenvironment of both noncolagenous and collagenous constituents of bone tissue as well as metabolic coenzymes during the bone formation with age were reflected in fluorescence emission spectra. The increase of emission from peptide bonds and tryptophan residues was noted with rat age while for collagen and metabolic coenzymes at the first 2 weeks only. After maternal administration of indinavir the changes in fluorescence intensity and shifts in position of peak maximum were found. The distinct drop of emission from peptide bonds and tryptophan residues in studied bones was detected. In the case of collagen and metabolic coenzymes the red shift of peak maximum was revealed. Fluorescence spectroscopy could be used to follow bone development in newborn rats and effect of maternal indinavir administration on offspring.

The Effect of Medium-Term Sauna-Based Heat Acclimation (MPHA) on Thermophysiological and Plasma Volume Responses to Exercise Performed under Temperate Conditions in Elite Cross-Country Skiers.

The influence of a series of ten sauna baths (MPHA) on thermophysiological and selected hematological responses in 14 elite cross-country skiers to a submaximal endurance exercise test performed under thermoneutral environmental conditions was studied. Thermal and physiological variables were measured before and after the exercise test, whereas selected hematological indices were studied before, immediately after, and during recovery after a run, before (T1) and after sauna baths (T2). MPHA did not influence the baseline internal, body, and skin temperatures. There was a decrease in the resting heart rate (HR: p = 0.001) and physiological strain (PSI: p = 0.052) after MPHA and a significant effect of MPHA on systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), hematological indices, and an exercise effect but no combined effect of treatments and exercise on the tested variables. A positive correlation was reported between PSI and total protein (%ΔTP) in T2 and a negative between plasma volume (%ΔPV) and mean red cellular volume (%ΔMCV) in T1 and T2 in response to exercise and a positive one during recovery. This may suggest that MPHA has a weak influence on body temperatures but causes a moderate decrease in PSI and modifications of plasma volume restoration in response to exercise under temperate conditions in elite athletes.

The rod-shaped conformation of Starmaker.

Fish otoliths are calcium carbonate biominerals responsible for gravity sensing and the perception of sound. The otoliths formation is controlled by Starmaker (Stm), a protein which belongs to a class of intrinsically disordered proteins. Here, we utilized analytical ultracentrifugation along with Ferguson's analysis of the electrophoretic data to demonstrate that Stm exists in solution as a monomer. The Stm frictional ratio has an unusually high value ranging from 2.6 to 3.1 depending on the method used to analyse the data obtained from analytical ultracentrifugation or gel filtration experiments. These unusually high values of frictional ratio indicate that monomeric Stm has a significantly extended rod-shaped conformation. Calcium ions, which are putative ligands of Stm, induce compaction of the extended conformation of Stm. In particular, increasing the calcium ion concentration from 1 mM to 50 mM lowered the Stokes radius by about 9.5 A. Gel filtration experiments done under denaturing conditions showed only small changes in the dimensions of Stm, which suggests the presence of residual ordered structures. These structures were estimated to be 23% of the Stm structure by detailed analysis of the data obtained by differential scanning microcalorimetry. The elongation of Stm polypeptide chain may facilitate its simultaneous interaction with other components of the composed calcium carbonate crystals which build up otoliths.

Differences in spatio­temporal distribution of the visual P3b event-related potential between young men and women.

Here, we evaluated the P3b potential evoked in a visual two-stimulus oddball paradigm. The experiment was conducted in 20 healthy students (23.1±1.1 years, 10 women), using a 32 channel electroencephalography (EEG) montage system. The paradigm included geometric figures; a black square on a white background as a target and a white circle on a black background as a standard stimulus. We examined the maximal amplitude and latency of the P3b component at 18 electrode sites, as well as, temporal changes of scalp voltage distribution. We observed a non-equal spatial distribution of the visual ERP (event related potentials) waveforms on the scalp surface, with the highest P3b waveform observed over midline parietal areas and the lowest over frontal regions. Moreover, the spatial distribution of ERP signal on the scalp surface was more lateralized towards the right side in men and more centralized in women. Gender-related differences in P3b amplitude and latency were observed only in left hemisphere. Differences in P3b between men and women observed in our study arose not only from different P3b amplitudes and latencies, but also from the speed and character of P3b waveform fall, resulting in spatio-temporal amplitude changes. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the P200 potential also changed on the scalp differently in men and women. These results suggest that gender-related differences evoked in visual two-stimulus oddball paradigm, which engage attention processes, are complex and include spatio-temporal changes in P3b waveform generation, distribution, and suppression across the scalp.

Serum Autofluorescence and Biochemical Markers in Athlete's Response to Strength Effort in Normobaric Hypoxia: A Preliminary Study.

The human organism has the ability to adapt to hypoxia conditions. Training in hypoxia is used in sport to improve the efficiency of athletes; however, type of training affects the direction and scope of this process. Therefore, in this study, the usefulness of serum fluorescence spectroscopy to study the assessment of athlete's response to strength effort in hypoxia is considered in comparison with biochemical assay. Six resistance-trained male subjects took part in a research experiment. They performed barbell squats in simulated normobaric hypoxic conditions with deficiency of oxygen 11.3%, 13% 14.3% compared to 21% in normoxic conditions. Fluorescence intensity of tyrosine revealed high sensitivity on strength effort whereas tryptophan was more dependent on high altitude. Changes in emission in the visible region are associated with altering cell metabolism dependent on high altitude as well as strength training and endurance training. Significant changes in serum fluorescence intensity with relatively weak modifications in biochemical assay at 3000 m above sea level (ASL) were observed. Training at 5000 m ASL caused changes in fluorescence parameters towards the normobaric specific values, and pronounced decreases of lactate level and kinase creatine activity were observed. Such modifications of fluorescence and biochemical assay indicate increased adaptation of the organism to effort in oxygen-deficient conditions at 5000 m ASL, unlike 3000 m ASL. Fluorescence spectroscopy study of serum accompanied by biochemical assay can contribute to the understanding of metabolic regulation and the physiological response to hypoxia. The results of serum autofluorescence during various concepts of altitude training may be a useful method to analyze individual response to acute and chronic hypoxia. An endogenous tryptophan could be exploited as intrinsic biomarker in autofluorescence studies. However, these issues require further research.

Functional and structural studies of tolloid-like 1 mutants associated with atrial-septal defect 6.

Inactive mammalian tolloid-like 1 (tll1) and mutations detected in tolloid-like 1 (TLL1) have been linked to the lack of the heart septa formation in mice and to a similar human inborn condition called atrial-septal defect 6 (ASD6; OMIM 613087, formerly ASD II). Previously, we reported four point mutations in TLL1 found in approximately 20% of ASD6 patients. Three mutations in the coding sequence were M182L, V238A, and I629V. In this work, we present the effects of these mutations on TLL1 function. Three recombinant cDNA constructs carrying the mutations and one wild-type construct were prepared and then expressed in HT-1080 cells. Corresponding recombinant proteins were analyzed for their metalloendopeptidase activity using a native substrate, chordin. The results of these assays demonstrated that in comparison with the native TLL1, mutants cleaved chordin and procollagen I at significantly lower rates. CD analyses revealed significant structural differences between the higher order structure of wild-type and mutant variants. Moreover, biosensor-based assays of binding interactions between TLL1 variants and chordin demonstrated a significant decrease in the binding affinities of the mutated variants. The results from this work indicate that mutations detected in TLL1 of ASD6 patients altered its metalloendopeptidase activity, structure, and substrate-binding properties, thereby suggesting a possible pathomechanism of ASD6.

Effect of UVC radiation on conformational restructuring of human serum albumin.

The study of the influence of UVC-254 nm radiation on spectroscopic and calorimetric properties of human serum albumin in aqueous solutions was conducted. This radiation did not only accelerate aging of albumin solutions but also caused the other qualitative changes. The dose dependent effect on conformational restructuring and thermal stability of albumin for exposure periods from 10 to 60 min was shown. The differences in response to UVC-irradiation between non-defatted and fatty acid-free albumins were found.

Monitoring of whole body cryotherapy effects by thermal imaging: preliminary report.

In whole body cryotherapy the whole human body is exposed to low temperature below -100 degrees C in a special room called cryogenic chamber for a very short period of time (2-3 minutes). The impact of cold can cause many different biochemical and physiological reactions of the organism. The skin temperature response due to whole body cryotherapy was studied by means of infrared measurements. The thermograms of chosen body parts of patients suffering from low back pain were performed before and after whole body cooling on the 1(st), 5(th) and the last (10(th)) day of medical treatment. Infrared imaging performed after cold impact owing to the enhancement of the skin temperature profile may reveal a slight decrease of the inflammatory states as a result of the 10 sessions of cryotherapy.

Differential scanning microcalorimetry study of the thermal denaturation of haemoglobin.

A study of thermal denaturation of human haemoglobin A0 (HbA0) and methaemoglobin (mHb) was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry. DSC haemoglobin profiles were scan rate dependent and only partly reversible. Thermal unfolding of protein was analysed with the use of both equilibrium thermodynamic and kinetic approaches. The fittings based on the simple equilibrium/dissociation model were good and much more satisfactory than those based on "fully-kinetic" models. However the presence of some kinetic distortion during the unfolding process should be noted due to the scan-rate effect on DSC transitions. The calculated first-order kinetic constant for mHb was higher by two orders than the one for HbA0 (stabilised form). The average activation energy for HbA0 was found to be 289 +/- 28 kJ M-1 while for mHb it was about 100 kj M-1 lower.

The changes in bone organic and inorganic matrix in newborn rats after maternal application of antiretroviral agents: Indinavir and zidovudine.

This work presents results concerning influence of indinavir (protease inhibitor, PI(1)) and zidovudine (nucleoside and nucleotide inhibitor of reverse transcriptase, NRTI) administered to pregnant Wistar rat females on organic and mineral constituents of bones and teeth (mandibles, skulls, tibiae, femurs, and incisors) of their offspring at the age of: 7, 14, and 28 days studied by means of induced laser and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy supported by digital radiography. Influence of indinavir administered to pregnant female rats on bone of their offspring revealed mainly in changes of mineral concentration: lowered Ca concentration and disturbances of trace elements. Zidovudine influenced organic matter more than inorganic matrix which was seen in enhancement of LIF fluorescence. However, there was also an unexpected increase of bone density for rats from zidovudine group, unlike indinavir group, observed. Our studies suggest that studied antiretroviral agents given to pregnant women, may have different destructive impact on bone state of their offspring in the first period of life. Maternal administration of zidovudine may delay development of organic matrix, while indinavir may have adverse effects on inorganic structure.

Can Whole-Body Cryotherapy with Subsequent Kinesiotherapy Procedures in Closed Type Cryogenic Chamber Improve BASDAI, BASFI, and Some Spine Mobility Parameters and Decrease Pain Intensity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The present study investigated whether whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) procedures could potentially have more beneficial effects on index of BASDAI and BASFI, pain intensity, and spine mobility parameters: Ott test, modified Schober test, chest expansion in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, than kinesiotherapy procedures used separately. AS patients were exposed to a cycle of WBC procedures lasting 3 minutes a day, with a subsequent 60 minutes of kinesiotherapy or 60 minutes of kinesiotherapy only, for 10 consecutive days excluding weekend. After the completion of the cycle of WBC procedures with subsequent kinesiotherapy in the AS patients, BASDAI index decreased about 40% in comparison with the input value, whereas in the group of patients who received only kinesiotherapy it decreased only about 15% in comparison with the input value. After the completion of the treatment in the WBC group, BASFI index decreased about 30% in comparison with the input value, whereas in the kinesiotherapy group it only decreased about 16% in comparison with the input value. The important conclusion was that, in WBC group with subsequent kinesiotherapy, we observed on average about twice better results than in the group treated only by kinesiotherapy.

Role of trace elements (Zn, Sr, Fe) in bone development: energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence study of rat bone and tooth tissue.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common debilitating disease around the world and it is more and more established among young people. There are well known recommendations for nutrition of newborns and children concerning adequate calcium and vitamin D intake in order to maintain proper bone density. Nevertheless, important role in structure and function of a healthy bone tissue is played by an integration between all constituents including elements other than Ca, like trace elements, which control vital processes in bone tissue. It is important from scientific point of view as well as prevention of bone diseases, to monitor the mineralization process considering changes of the concentration of minerals during first stage of bone formation. This work presents studies of trace element (zinc, strontium, and iron) concentration in bones and teeth of Wistar rats at the age of 7, 14, and 28 days. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to examine mandibles, skulls, femurs, tibiae, and incisors. The quantitative analysis was performed using fundamental parameters method (FP). Zn and Sr concentrations were highest for the youngest individuals and decreased with age of rats, while Fe content was stable in bone matrix for most studied bones. Our results reveal the necessity of monitoring concentration of not only major, but also minor elements, because the trace elements play special role in the first period of bone development.

Regional ADC measurements during normal brain aging in the clinical range of b values: a DWI study.

The aim of our work was to evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal brain over a wide age range and in different cerebral structures, including the white and grey matter. A population of 89 subjects (39 male, 50 female, age range: 3-69 years) was divided into age groups designated as 1-7 as follows: 3-9; 10-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69 years old. All subjects underwent a head MRI using a 1,5 T GE system with diffusion-weighted imaging using spin echo echo planar imaging (EPI) for b=0, 500, 1000, and 1200 s/mm(2). The ADC values of the following 10 regions of interest were analysed: head of the caudate nucleus (L=left and R=right side), thalamus (L and R side), centrum semiovale (L and R side), pons, respectively, as well as in cerebellum (L and R side) and vermis of the cerebellum. The ADC values of the studied brain structures showed a polynomial dependence on age indicating a logarithmic decline in children, some stabilisation during adulthood and a small trend of increasing diffusivity for subjects over the age of 50 years old. Significant interhemispheric differences in the ADC values were mainly found for thalamus, especially in older age groups. Moreover, the best differentiation of the examined structures was found in the mature brain. The knowledge of age-dependent diffusion changes in the human brain can be helpful in the proper interpretation of diffusion-weighted images in clinical practice.

Does the temperature gradient correlate with the photodynamic diagnosis parameter numerical colour value (NCV)?

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) as well as thermovision belong to the category of non-invasive optical diagnosis techniques. Among many different skin cancer diseases, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently occurring one (almost 95% of all skin tumours). In contrast, seborrhoeic keratosis represents almost 70% of benign skin tumours. In this paper we present infrared thermography as an additional method, combined with PDD, to show the differentiation between these two skin mutations. METHODS: The photodynamic diagnosis studies were performed by using the autofluorescence diagnosis system Xillix Onco. As an additional non-invasive diagnosis technique, thermovision studies were performed. Thermal imaging was done by using a Thermovision Camera A40M with a sensitivity of 0.07K. The thermograms of the chosen areas were performed in a special room with a temperature of 22.5±1°C. All patients were treated in the Chair and Clinic of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine in Bytom. Thirteen skin lesions were studied: 9 diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma and 4 as seborrhoeic keratosis. All skin lesions were confirmed in histopathological examinations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of the studies revealed significant differences in skin thermal mapping between patients suffering from basal cell carcinoma and seborrhoeic keratosis. It appears that benign skin lesions are characterised by a lower mean temperature than the surrounding healthy skin. To the contrary, cancerous skin mutations appeared on the thermal map at a higher mean temperature. Thermal images for the chosen skin lesions and temperature parameters derived from the thermograms are contiguous with the photodynamic diagnosis results and may give some additional diagnostic information.