Influence of combined physical and cognitive training on cognition: a systematic review

Background: Numerous daily activities require simultaneous application of motor and cognitive skills (dual-tasking). The execution of such tasks is especially difficult for the elderly and for people with (neuro-) degenerative disorders. Training of physical and cognitive abilities helps prevent or slow down the age-related decline of cognition. The aim of this review is to summarise and assess the role of combined physical-and-cognitive-training characteristics in improving cognitive performance and to propose an effective training scheme within the frame of a suitable experimental design. Methods: A systematic electronic literature search was conducted in selected databases. The following criteria were compulsory for inclusion in the study: 1. A (Randomized) Controlled Trial (RCT or CT) design; 2. Implementation of combined physical and cognitive training, either simultaneously (dual task) or subsequently - at least one hour per weekly over four weeks or more; 3. Cognitive outcomes as a study’s endpoint. Results: Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. It appears that either simultaneous or subsequently combined physical and cognitive training is more successful compared to single physical or single cognitive exercise. Training characteristics like length, frequency, duration, intensity and level of task difficulty seem to determine cognitive performance. However, the articles show that cognitive improvement seems to remain somewhat confined to trained cognitive functions rather than generalising to other cognitive or daily-living skills. Conclusion: Due to methodological heterogeneity among studies, results need to be treated with caution. We critically discuss the role of training characteristics and propose a potentially effective training intervention within an appropriate experimental design

Sleep insufficiency and incident diabetes mellitus among indigenous and minority populations in Greece

Objective: To investigate the potential association between sleep pathology and diabetes mellitus (DM) using self-reported questionnaires. Material and Methods: 957 adults aged between 19 and 86 years old were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used and subjects were classified into three groups [short (8h) sleep duration]. Individuals were classified as diabetics if they responded positively to the questions: “Have you ever been told that you are diabetic or have high blood sugar by a health professional?” or “Are you on antidiabetic medication?”. Sleep quality, utilizing Epworth sleepiness scale, Athens insomnia scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Berlin questionnaire, was also examined. Results: DM prevalence was higher among expatriated and Muslim Greeks (23.1% and 18.7%, respectively) compared to indigenous Greek Christians (4.4%). DM prevalence was significantly associated with short sleep duration (aOR=2.82, p<0.001), excessive daytime sleepiness (aOR=2.09, p=0.019) and poor sleep quality (aOR=2.56, p<0.001), while its relation with insomnia (aOR=1.63, p=0.065) and risk for obstructive sleep apnea (aOR=1.53, p=0.080) were of marginal statistical significance. Conclusion: This study indicates an association between sleep quantity, quality and DM and supports early pharmacological and cognitive behavioral interventions on sleep disturbances in order to reduce the burden of DM with increased focus on minority population needs

Association between sleep insufficiency and dyslipidemia: a cross-sectional study among Greek adults in the primary care setting

Objective: To investigate the potential association between sleep insufficiency and dyslipidemia (DL) in the primary care setting using self-reported questionnaires. Material and Methods: 957 adults aged between 19 and 86 years old from the rural area of Thrace, Greece were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Multistage stratifed cluster sampling was used and the subjects were classifed into three groups according to sleep duration [short (8h) sleep duration]. DL was defined by a positive response to the question “Have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that your blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels were high?”, or if they were currently taking antilipidemic agents. Sleep quality, utilizing Epworth sleepiness scale, Athens insomnia scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Berlin questionnaire, was also examined. Results: DL prevalence was significantly associated with short sleep duration (aOR=2.18, p<0.001) and insomnia (aOR=1.43, p=0.050), while its relation with poor sleep quality (aOR=1.31, p=0.094) and risk for obstructive sleep apnea (aOR=1.32, p=0.097) were of marginal statistical significance. Concerning insomnia subtypes, DL was significantly associated with difficulties maintaining sleep (aOR=2.99, p<0.001) and early morning awakenings (aOR=1.38, p=0.050), but not difficulties initiating sleep (aOR=1.18, p=0.328). Conclusion: This study reveals an association between sleep pathology and DL. Thus, early pharmacological and cognitive or behavioral interventions that improve sleep are deemed necessary in order to decrease DL burden

Biochemical and metabolic adaptations of the bivalves mytilus gallorrovincialis and modiolus barbatus at elevated ambient

Environmental temperature has played an important role during the evolution of species, as well as in their geographical distribution. Thermal biology studies the effects of temperature at every level of biological organization in various time-scales. Its study helps the determination of the thermal limits of organisms in terms of socalled global warming. The aim of the present study was to determine the metabolic and biochemical responses of bivalves with different vertical distribution in Thermaikos Gulf to the elevated sea water temperature, as well as to their exposure to air. For this purpose Mytilus galloprovincialis (exposed to air during the tidal) and Modiolus barbatus (never exposed to air) were used. Especially, we studied the rate of mortality in both species, Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression, phosphorylation of MAPKs p-38 and JNK, which seem to be implicated in Hsps’ expression, enzymatic activity of glycolytic enzymes pyruvate kinase, aldolase, phosphofructokinase, hexokinase, phospho-glycerol-kinase and phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase and the levels of Scope for Growth (SFG) The results of the present study show that M. galloprovincialis have an increased mortality at sea water temperatures over 26#C. However, also lower temperatures seem to affect the duration of valve open and closure. PK’s low enzymatic activity in tissues of M.galloprovinci#lis acclimated at 24#C, indicates a low glycolytic rate, characteristic of bivalves’ anaerobic metabolism. At 26oC and 28oC PK’s enzymatic activity showed a biphasic change pattern. Hsp70 and Hsp90 are induced after long term acclimation at temperatures over 24oC. Over this temperature, phosphorylationl evels of p-38 and JNK are also increased. Clearance rate of M.galloprovincialis (the most important parameter for the determination of SFG) is significantly decreased over 25oC. Its negative value at 26oC and 28oC indicates a mobilization of energy reserves in order the energetic cost of Hsps expression to be covered. It seems that mussels M. galloprovinci#lis live at temperatures near or above their critical temperatures at their habitat during the summer. For M. barbatus the threshold temperature for the induction of Hsps is about 22-23oC, while for M. galloprovincialis it is greater than 25oC. Interenstingly, in reverse to the findings for M. galloprovincialis, this temperature for M. barbatus is not similar to the one, at which increased mortality is found, but lower by about 2oC. Tissues of M. barbatus also present higher glycolytic capacity in regard to the tissues of M. galloprovincialis. These findings suggest an earlier limitation of aerobic capacity, but simultaneously greater ability for pathetic survival for M. barbatus than for M. galloprovincialis. Both species were found not to be able to survive for long periods of time when exposed at air temperatures over 34 oC. Mortality and Hsps’ expression are elevated in the first few hours of exposure. It also seems that shift from normoxic to suboxic conditions during the tidal cycle causes an important change in the organisms’ metabolic type. Based on models for the prediction of future climate changes, it seems that mussels will face air temperatures higher at least by 5-6oC than today. Knowing that today M. galloprovincialis lives at temperatures near the leathal for the species during the summer, we could conclude that such an increased air temperature would probably cause a significantly increased mortality and reduction of mussels’ population in the Thermaikos Gulf. 232

Image and sound as systems of interacting signs during audiovisual synthesis: an investigation of audience’s perception

In this doctoral study, an interdisciplinary approach of the question “How does a change in audiovisual synthesis affect viewers’ perception?” too place. A total of 288 second- and third- year students of Aristotle University participated as volunteers in the study and the experiments were conducted during the Fall 2016-2017 semester. For experiment 1, students of each group were divided into sub-groups, which watched 1-minute film clips either in their original form, or with a change in the image or sound (eg color vs b/w). The participants were filling a survey including Likert-scale questions regarding their perception of the clips. For experiment 2, a novel – in the field of film studies – method, named “method Q”, a quantitative-qualitative hybrid was used instead of the typical interview, for a more systematic investigations of spectators’ subjectivity. Considering the image qualities tested, the presence or absence of color caused most differentiations in the viewers’ responses. PCA confirmed the existing evidence from biology and psychology highlighting the significance especially of the red color. Change in sound qualities had a stronger impact on viewers’ perception compared to image. Isolated sound (sound without image) also exhibited a similar increased capacity to affect perception compared to isolated image. Taking into consideration the participants’ field of studies, both similarities and differences in their responses were observed between groups. The gender and the right- or left-handedness are also significant factors underlying the observed responses. Regarding the subjectivity experiment, the most dominant point of view shared by all groups was that narrative elements (plot, performances, dialogues etc) are more significant for constructing a movie than style elements (images and sounds), with the sound being characterized as the less significant quality, despite the results of experiment 1. Homogeny and variation in viewers’ perception are related with the underlying biological perceptive mechanism, that is defined by both pure biological, as well as by social and psychological factors.Στην παρούσα διατριβή επιχειρήθηκε μία κατά το δυνατόν ολιστική και διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση του κεντρικού ερωτήματος της έρευνας που αφορά το βαθμό, στον οποίο διαφορετικά σημεία ήχου και εικόνας μπορούν να επηρεάσουν την αντίληψη των θεατών για μια κινηματογραφική σκηνή. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν συνολικά 288 δευτεροετείς και τριτοετείς φοιτητές διαφορετικών Τμημάτων του Α.Π.Θ. Για το πρώτο μέρος του πειράματος, στις κύριες ομάδες μελέτης προβλήθηκαν αποσπάσματα από συγκεκριμένες ταινίες στην αυθεντική τους μορφή, είτε με τροποποιημένη κάποια παράμετρο εικόνας ή ήχου (πχ με χρώμα – χωρίς, με μουσική – χωρίς). Οι θεατές κλήθηκαν να καταγράψουν σε ερωτηματολόγια το βαθμό συμφωνίας τους με συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις που αφορούσαν διαστάσεις της αντίληψής τους. Για το δεύτερο μέρος του πειράματος, δηλαδή τη διερεύνηση της υποκειμενικότητας των θεατών ως προς τη σημασία διαφορετικών στοιχείων για τη συγκρότηση μιας ταινίας, αξιοποιήθηκε η δυναμική μιας μεθόδου που χρησιμοποιείται για πρώτη φορά στο πεδίο των κινηματογραφικών σπουδών, της υβριδικής (ποιοτικής-ποσοτικής) μεθόδου Q. Μεταξύ των σημείων εικόνας που ελέγχθηκαν στο πείραμα (κατεύθυνση κίνησης εντός κάδρου, παρουσία χρώματος, μέγεθος κάδρου), τις περισσότερες διαφοροποιήσεις στις αποκρίσεις των θεατών προκάλεσε η παρουσία / απουσία χρώματος. Η παρουσία χρώματος βρέθηκε να συνδέεται με θετικότερα συναισθήματα στους θεατές, θετικό χαρακτηρισμό της υπάρχουσας μουσικής (χαρούμενη) και των πηγών ήχων ως ορατές. Τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης κύριων συνιστωσών υποστηρίζουν την ιδιαίτερη σημασία του κόκκινου χρώματος, καθώς αποτελεί την παράμετρο με τις υψηλότερες αποκρίσεις στο πείραμα «χρώμα-απουσία χρώματος». Τα ευρήματα συμφωνούν με βιολογικά και ψυχολογικά δεδομένα που σχετίζονται με το συγκεκριμένο χρώμα. Τα σημεία του ήχου που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν στα σχετικά πειράματα (παρουσία ήχων εκτός οπτικού πεδίου, ηχητικών εφέ, και μουσικής) προκάλεσαν περισσότερες στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφοροποιήσεις σε σύγκριση με τα σημεία της εικόνας. Ως προς το φύλο των συμμετεχόντων, βρέθηκε ότι στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις οι γυναίκες εμφανίζουν εντονότερες αποκρίσεις, τόσο στα πειράματα σημείων εικόνας (υψηλότερες αποκρίσεις στην προσοχή σημείων ήχου, την ακουστική μνήμη και την αξιολόγηση της ταινίας), όσο και ήχου (οπτική και ακουστική μνήμη, αναγνώριση είδους). Τα παραπάνω βρίσκονται σε συμφωνία με επιστημονικά δεδομένα που έχουν δείξει την ύπαρξη κληρονομήσιμων διαφορών στον τρόπο λειτουργίας του εγκεφάλου μεταξύ ανδρών και γυναικών. Τέλος, τα αποτελέσματα του πειράματος διερεύνησης της υποκειμενικότητας ανέδειξαν την κοινή αντίληψη των θεατών όλων των ομάδων ότι τα στοιχεία της αφήγησης (ιστορία, σενάριο, χαρακτήρες) είναι σημαντικότερα έναντι των στυλιστικών στοιχείων (εικόνες – ήχοι) για τη συγκρότηση μίας κινηματογραφικής ταινίας, ενώ κοινή αντίληψη όλων ήταν επίσης ότι ο ήχος αποτελεί παράμετρο ελάσσονος σημασίας στην οπτικοακουστική σύνθεση. Από τη συζήτηση των αποτελεσμάτων κατέστη σαφές ότι ομοιογένεια και ποικιλομορφία στην αντίληψη της οπτικοακουστικής πραγματικότητας που καταγράφηκε σε πολλές περιπτώσεις, είναι ιδιότητες σύμφυτες των εμπλεκόμενων βιολογικών διεργασιών, όπως αυτές ορίζονται πρωτογενώς (βιολογικά), αλλά και διαμορφώνονται στην πορεία της ψυχολογικής και κοινωνικής ανάπτυξης του ατόμου μέσω της αλληλεπίδρασης με παράγοντες του (κάθε είδους) περιβάλλοντος

Heavy metals and toxic trace elements contents in soils of selected areas of the Kavala prefecture, Northern Greece

10 páginas, 3 figuras, 2 tablas.-- En: Proceedings of the 10th International Congress, Thessaloniki, April 2004.In the present study a total of sixteen samples (3 surrounding rocks and 13 uncultivated topsoils) from the industrial zone east of the city of Kavala, Northern Greece, was collected and analyzed for their content in 41 elements. The extraction of the elements was based on the digestion of 0.1 g of each sample with 2 ml HNO3 and the soil fraction used was the < 200μm. The analytical methods used were ICP-OES for the elements Ca, Mg, K, B, Sr, Fe, Na, Si, S, P, and Al and ICPMS for the elements Mn, Zn, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Rb, Ba, Th, La, Ce, As, Sn, Co, Se, Y, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, W, Sb, Li, U, Ag, Ni, Hg, Ga, Ge and Pb. The mean element concentrations of the thirteen topsoil samples were compared with the mean values for soil types Fluvisols and Leptosols. The results showed that they are enriched for the elements Ag, As and Pb by 21, 15 and 3 times, respectively. Moreover, the topsoils were compared with the three surrounding rock samples. The results showed that the concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Si, S, Al, P Na, B, Ce, Co, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, Li, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, U and W in the topsoils are mainly influenced by their concentrations in the surrounding rocks. The elements Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, Ti, Y, V, Zn, and Zr are enriched in the topsoils. The enrichment of Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, and Zn is mainly due to the widespread presence of PBG sulphides, Mn, Cd, and As in the surrounding mineralizations. The enrichment took place, quite possibly, during the formation of Drama and Nestos basins, during Tertiary, and is possibly being continued until today. However, the human activities that take place in the area are also, at least partially, responsible for this enrichment.Peer reviewe