A method for independent component graph analysis of resting-state fMRI

Introduction: Independent component analysis (ICA) has been extensively used for reducing task-free BOLD fMRI recordings into spatial maps and their associated time-courses. The spatially identified independent components can be considered as intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) of non-contiguous regions. To date, the spatial patterns of the networks have been analyzed with techniques developed for volumetric data. Objective: Here, we detail a graph building technique that allows these ICNs to be analyzed with graph theory. Methods: First, ICA was performed at the single-subject level in 15 healthy volunteers using a 3T MRI scanner. The identification of nine networks was performed by a multiple-template matching procedure and a subsequent component classification based on the network neuronal properties. Second, for each of the identified networks, the nodes were defined as 1,015 anatomically parcellated regions. Third, between-node functional connectivity was established by building edge weights for each networks. Group-level graph analysis was finally performed for each network and compared to the classical network. Results: Network graph comparison between the classically constructed network and the nine networks showed significant differences in the auditory and visual medial networks with regard to the average degree and the number of edges, while the visual lateral network showed a significant difference in the small-worldness. Conclusions: This novel approach permits us to take advantage of the well-recognized power of ICA in BOLD signal decomposition and, at the same time, to make use of well-established graph measures to evaluate connectivity differences. Moreover, by providing a graph for each separate network, it can offer the possibility to extract graph measures in a specific way for each network. This increased specificity could be relevant for studying pathological brain activity or altered states of consciousness as induced by anesthesia or sleep, where specific networks are known to be altered in different strength

Eating Attitudes and Food Intakes of Elite Adolescent Female Figure Skaters: a Cross Sectional Study

Background: Elite adolescent female figure skaters compete in an aesthetic-based sport that values thin builds and lithe figures. To conform to the sport’s physical requirements, skaters may alter their eating patterns in unhealthful directions. This study assesses the eating attitudes and dietary intakes of elite adolescent female figure skaters to assess the potential nutritional risks among them. Methods: Thirty-six elite competitive adolescent female figure skaters (mean age 16 ± 2.5 SD years) completed self-administered three-day records of dietary intake and simultaneous physical activity records during training season. Two months later, they attended a national training camp during which they completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), provided fasting blood samples, and had heights and weights measured. Results: Participants’ mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.8 ± 2.1 SD. Their BMIs were within the normal range, and the majority (70%) did not report a history of recent weight loss. The mean EAT-40 score was normal (19.5 ± 13.5 SD) and below the cut-off score of 30 that indicates clinically significant eating pathology. However, one-quarter of the skaters had EAT-40 scores above 30. The skaters reported a mean energy intake of 1491 ± 471 SD kcal/day (31 ± 10 SD kcal/kg), with 61.6% of calories from carbohydrate, 14.6% from protein, and 23.7% from fat. Their reported dietary intakes were high in carbohydrates but low in total energy, fat, and bone-building nutrients. Conclusions: Although these highly active young women compete in a sport that prizes leanness, they had appropriate weights. The athletes reported dietary intakes that were far below estimated energy needs and were at moderate risk of disordered eating. Anticipatory guidance is warranted to improve their dietary intakes, particularly of bone-building nutrients

FREQUÊNCIA DE DOR LOMBAR EM OPERADORAS DE TELEMARKETING EM SANTA MARIA, RS

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2236583413390O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a frequência de dor lombar em operadoras de telemarketing de uma empresa da cidade de Santa Maria RS, bem como sua situação laboral e capacidade funcional das funcionarias que possuírem dor lombar. Os instrumentos utilizados para a coleta de dados foram a ficha de avaliação além dos questionários de Avaliação Funcional de Oswestry e de Roland-Morris. Fizeram parte da amostra oito funcionárias, com idade média de 25 anos. Das oito voluntárias, cinco apresentaram média de dor lombar 5 na escala visual analógica; no questionário Roland Morris a pontuação média foi de 2,8 e no questionário de Oswestry de 7% de incapacidade. Pode –se concluir que a dor lombar esteve presente em cinco das oito funcionarias avaliadas, caracterizando-se como dor de média intensidade

AMPLITUDE DE MOVIMENTO DE OMBRO EM ATLETAS DE HANDEBOL

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223658347961Estudos demonstram aumento da ADM de rotação lateral (RL) e perda da rotação medial (RM) do ombro dominante quando comparado ao não-dominante em esportes como beisebol e tênis, porém poucos estudos em jogadores de handebol. Logo, avaliou-se a ADM de rotação de ombro em jogadores de handebol comparando o ombro dominante e não-dominante. Participaram do estudo 46 atletas do sexo masculino da categoria cadete e adulto, realizando goniometria de ombro da ADM de RL e RM de ambos os ombros. Na comparação entre as categorias foi utilizado o teste t-independente e para comparação entre ombro dominante e não dominante o teste t pareado. Quando comparado RM dominante e não-dominante nas duas categorias houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no ombro dominante. Quanto a RL, houve diferença estatística na RL dominante apenas nos cadetes. Em relação à RM, ambas categorias demonstraram significância, porém não o suficiente para gerar alterações adaptativas. Descritores: Ombro, amplitude de movimento articular, atleta

Atletas tenistas adolescentes de alto rendimento: Perfil de consumo e composição corporal

Tennis is an intermittent sport, with movements of high intensity and duration. The present study aimed to assess nutritional status focusing on food intake and body composition of high-performance adolescent athletes. Observational, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach conducted with 9 athletes from a tennis school in Campo Grande-MS, of both sexes, aged between 10 and 15 years. Dietary research of specific food frequency for athletes was used, comparing with the nutritional recommendations of the International Society for Sports Nutrition for energy and macronutrients and the Institute of Medicine for micronutrients. Anthropometric measurements of weight, height, arm and waist circumferences and skinfolds were performed to determine body fat (%) and fat-free mass (kg). Regarding adequacy, we observed 77.8% of energy intake, in relation to the recommendations, mean intake of carbohydrates of 6.9 g/kg/day, 2.0 g /kg/day of protein and 1.9 g/kg/day of lipids. Calcium intake was below recommendation in 100% of cases. Mean intake above the recommendation was found for zinc, vitamin E and C. Adequate body fat was observed in only 33.3% of tennis players. We concluded that the majority of athletes presented inadequate intake of proteins and micronutrients, which may be reflected in their body composition.O tênis é um esporte intermitente, com movimentos de alta intensidade e curta duração.  O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o estado nutricional focado no consumo alimentar e composição corporal de atletas adolescentes de alto rendimento. Estudo observacional, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa realizado com 9 atletas de uma escola de tênis de Campo Grande-MS, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 10 e 15 anos. Utilizou-se inquérito dietético de frequência alimentar específico para atletas, comparando-se com as recomendações nutricionais da International Society of Sports Nutrition de energia e macronutrientes e do Institute of Medicine para micronutrientes. As medidas antropométricas de peso, estatura, circunferências de braço e cintura e dobras cutâneas foram realizadas para a determinação da gordura corporal (%) e da massa livre de gordura (kg). Observou-se consumo energético com 77,8% de adequação em relação as recomendações, carboidratos de 6,9 g/kg/dia, proteína de 2,0 g/kg/dia e lipídios de 1,9 g/kg/dia. A ingestão de cálcio estava abaixo da recomendação em 100% dos casos. A média de ingestão de zinco, vitamina E e C apresentaram inadequações estando superiores às recomendações. O percentual de gordura corporal estava adequado em apenas 33,3% dos tenistas. A maioria dos atletas apresentaram ingestão inadequada de proteínas e micronutrientes, que pode estar refletindo na composição corporal

Repeatability of the 6-min walk test in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Non-cystic fbrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive and irreversible changes of the bronchial tree. The evaluation of exercise capacity is essential to manage this disease. This study aims to determine the within-subject repeatability of two Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in adults with NCFB. NCFB. This cross-sectional observational study included 66 NCFB subjects above 18 years-old (mean of 55 ± 17 years old, 68% women). 73% of the participants presented moderate to severe clinical condition classifed by Bronchiectasis Severity Index. It showed that these participants walked 16.6 m less (95%CI 3.8 to 29.4; p< 0.01) in the second 6MWT when compared to the frst test, with a within-subject coefcient variation of 9.4% (95%CI 7.2–11.2%) and an intra-test reliability with a high intraclass correlation coefcient of 0.88 (95%CI 0.80–0.93). Bland–Altman plot showed an agreement regarding test repeatability, besides presented a large limit of agreement (− 85 to 116 m). Respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure were signifcantly higher before starting the second test. In conclusion, 6MWT seems to be reproducible in NCFB subjects and vital sign verifcation should be attentively checked to assess if the patient is fully recovered to perform a second test, as well as the disease severity score. Other studies on this matter should be conducted with a larger number of participants to confrm the fndings of the present study

Altered CSF Albumin Quotient Links Peripheral Inflammation and Brain Damage in MS

OBJECTIVE CNS damage can increase the susceptibility of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to changes induced by systemic inflammation. The aim of this study is to better understand BBB permeability in patients with MS and to examine whether compromised BBB integrity in some of these patients is associated with CNS damage and systemic inflammation. METHODS Routine CSF measurements of 121 patients with MS were analyzed including number and type of infiltrating cells, total protein, lactate, and oligoclonal bands, as well as intrathecal production of immunoglobulins and CSF/serum quotients for albumin, immunoglobulins, and glucose. In addition, in a subcohort of these patients, we performed ex vivo immunophenotyping of CSF-infiltrating and paired circulating lymphocytes using a panel of 13 monoclonal antibodies, we quantified intrathecal neurofilament light chain (NF-L) and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), and we performed intrathecal lipidomic analysis. RESULTS Patients with MS with abnormal high levels of albumin in the CSF showed a distinct CSF cell infiltrate and markers of CNS damage such as increased intrathecal levels of NF-L and CHI3L1 as well as a distinct CSF lipidomic profile. In addition, these patients showed higher numbers of circulating proinflammatory Th1 and Th1* cells compatible with systemic inflammation. Of interest, the abnormally high levels of albumin in the CSF of those patients were preserved over time. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that CNS damage may increase BBB vulnerability to systemic inflammation in a subset of patients and thus contribute to disease heterogeneity

Feasibility of Digital Memory Assessments in an Unsupervised and Remote Study Setting

Sensitive and frequent digital remote memory assessments via mobile devices hold the promise to facilitate the detection of cognitive impairment and decline. However, in order to be successful at scale, cognitive tests need to be applicable in unsupervised settings and confounding factors need to be understood. This study explored the feasibility of completely unsupervised digital cognitive assessments using three novel memory tasks in a Citizen Science project across Germany. To that end, the study aimed to identify factors associated with stronger participant retention, to examine test-retest reliability and the extent of practice effects, as well as to investigate the influence of uncontrolled settings such as time of day, delay between sessions or screen size on memory performance. A total of 1,407 adults (aged 18-89) participated in the study for up to 12 weeks, completing weekly memory tasks in addition to short questionnaires regarding sleep duration, subjective cognitive complaints as well as cold symptoms. Participation across memory tasks was pseudorandomized such that individuals were assigned to one of three memory paradigms resulting in three otherwise identical sub-studies. One hundred thirty-eight participants contributed to two of the three paradigms. Critically, for each memory task 12 independent parallel test sets were used to minimize effects of repeated testing. First, we observed a mean participant retention time of 44 days, or 4 active test sessions, and 77.5% compliance to the study protocol in an unsupervised setting with no contact between participants and study personnel, payment or feedback. We identified subject-level factors that contributed to higher retention times. Second, we found minor practice effects associated with repeated cognitive testing, and reveal evidence for acceptable-to-good retest reliability of mobile testing. Third, we show that memory performance assessed through repeated digital assessments was strongly associated with age in all paradigms, and individuals with subjectively reported cognitive decline presented lower mnemonic discrimination accuracy compared to non-complaining participants. Finally, we identified design-related factors that need to be incorporated in future studies such as the time delay between test sessions. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of fully unsupervised digital remote memory assessments and identify critical factors to account for in future studies

Asymptomatic COVID-19 in the elderly: dementia and viral clearance as risk factors for disease progression

Background:SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals ≥60 years old have the highest hospitalization rates and represent >80% fatalities. Within this population, those in long-term facilities represent >50% of the total COVID-19 related deaths per country. Among those without symptoms, the rate of pre-symptomatic illness is unclear, and potential predictors of progression for symptom development are unknown.Our objective was to delineate the natural evolution of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in elders and identify determinants of progression.Methods:We established a medical surveillance team monitoring 63 geriatric institutions. When an index COVID-19 case emerged, we tested all other eligible asymptomatic elders ≥75 or >60 years old with at least 1 comorbidity. SARS-CoV-2 infected elders were followed for 28 days. Disease was diagnosed when any COVID-19 manifestation occurred. SARS-CoV-2 load at enrollment, shedding on day 15, and antibody responses were also studied.Results:After 28 days of follow-up, 74/113(65%) SARS-CoV-2-infected elders remained asymptomatic. 21/39(54%) pre-symptomatic patients developed hypoxemia and ten pre-symptomatic patients died(median day 13.5,IQR 12).Dementia was the only clinical risk factor associated with disease(OR 2.41(95%CI=1.08, 5.39). In a multivariable logistic regression model, dementia remained as a risk factor for COVID-19 severe disease. Furthermore, dementia status showed a statistically significant different trend when assessing the cumulative probability of developing COVID-19 symptoms(log-rank p=0.027).On day 15, SARS-CoV-2 was detectable in 30% of the asymptomatic group while in 61% of the pre-symptomatic(p=0.012).No differences were observed among groups in RT-PCR mean cycle threshold at enrollment(p=0.391) and in the rates of antibody seropositivity(IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein).Conclusions:In summary, 2/3 of our cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected elders from vulnerable communities in Argentina remained asymptomatic after 28 days of follow-up with high mortality among those developing symptoms. Dementia and persistent SARS-CoV-2 shedding were associated with progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic infection.Fil: Esteban, Ignacio. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Bergero, Georgina. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Alves, Camila. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Bronstein, Micaela. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Ziegler, Valeria. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Wood, Cristian. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor "Dr. Cosme Argerich"; ArgentinaFil: Caballero, Mauricio Tomás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Wappner, Diego. No especifíca;Fil: Libster, Romina Paula. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Perez Marc, Gonzalo. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor "Dr. Cosme Argerich"; ArgentinaFil: Polack, Fernando Pedro. Fundación para la Investigación en Infectología Infantil; Argentin