Desynchronizing electrical and sensory coordinated reset neuromodulation

Coordinated reset (CR) stimulation is a desynchronizing stimulation technique based on timely coordinated phase resets of sub-populations of a synchronized neuronal ensemble. It has initially been computationally developed for electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS), to enable an effective desynchronization and unlearning of pathological synchrony and connectivity (anti-kindling). Here we computationally show for ensembles of spiking and bursting model neurons interacting via excitatory and inhibitory adaptive synapses that a phase reset of neuronal populations as well as a desynchronization and an anti-kindling can robustly be achieved by direct electrical stimulation or indirect (synaptically-mediated) excitatory and inhibitory stimulation. Our findings are relevant for DBS as well as for sensory stimulation in neurological disorders characterized by pathological neuronal synchrony. Based on the obtained results, we may expect that the local effects in the vicinity of a depth electrode (realized by direct stimulation of the neurons' somata or stimulation of axon terminals) and the non-local CR effects (realized by stimulation of excitatory or inhibitory efferent fibers) of deep brain CR neuromodulation may be similar or even identical. Furthermore, our results indicate that an effective desynchronization and anti-kindling can even be achieved by non-invasive, sensory CR neuromodulation. We discuss the concept of sensory CR neuromodulation in the context of neurological disorders

Noise enhanced coupling between two oscillators with long-term plasticity

Spike time-dependent plasticity is a fundamental adaptation mechanism of the nervous system. It induces structural changes of synaptic connectivity by regulation of coupling strengths between individual cells depending on their spiking behavior. As a biophysical process its functioning is constantly subjected to natural fluctuations. We study theoretically the influence of noise on a microscopic level by considering only two coupled neurons. Adopting a phase description for the neurons we derive a two-dimensional system which describes the averaged dynamics of the coupling strengths. We show that a multistability of several coupling configurations is possible, where some configurations are not found in systems without noise. Intriguingly, it is possible that a strong bidirectional coupling, which is not present in the noise-free situation, can be stabilized by the noise. This means that increased noise, which is normally expected to desynchronize the neurons, can be the reason for an antagonistic response of the system, which organizes itself into a state of stronger coupling and counteracts the impact of noise. This mechanism, as well as a high potential for multistability, is also demonstrated numerically for a coupled pair of Hodgkin-Huxley neurons

Economic Law and Standardization: A Basis for Avoiding Risks in Business

Currently, in Ukraine, there is a system of technical regulation as part of the general system of standardization. Technical regulation is defined as a means of state regulation, which, like any legal regulation, is implemented by appropriate legal means. This explains the relevance of this study. This paper investigates the Economic Code of Ukraine, several Ukrainian laws (the Law of Ukraine "On Environmental Audit", the Law of Ukraine "On Standardization", the Law of Ukraine "On Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment", etc.), and State standards. Technical regulation was also considered as a general category and a legal phenomenon, as a result of which it was noted that the technical regulation adopted in Ukraine for dividing products into food and non-food products is only a matter of supervision over the conformity of goods and the use of conditions for a specific legal act and type of product. It was concluded that standardization proceeds from social regulation and generates norms of a technical, organizational, or other orderly nature, transforming into legal provisions. Therewith, technical regulation also derives from legal regulation and gives rise to technical guidelines, which constitute statutory regulations that form part of the national legislation of Ukraine, including economic legislation. As a result, it is proposed to improve and supplement the wording of Part 2 Article 16 of the Law of Ukraine "On Standardization", and it is also proposed to reword Article 24 of the Law of Ukraine "On Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment". Keywords: Technical regulation, laws of Ukraine, state standards, ISO, regulations

What Can Computational Models Contribute to Neuroimaging Data Analytics?

Over the past years, nonlinear dynamical models have significantly contributed to the general understanding of brain activity as well as brain disorders. Appropriately validated and optimized mathematical models can be used to mechanistically explain properties of brain structure and neuronal dynamics observed from neuroimaging data. A thorough exploration of the model parameter space and hypothesis testing with the methods of nonlinear dynamical systems and statistical physics can assist in classification and prediction of brain states. On the one hand, such a detailed investigation and systematic parameter variation are hardly feasible in experiments and data analysis. On the other hand, the model-based approach can establish a link between empirically discovered phenomena and more abstract concepts of attractors, multistability, bifurcations, synchronization, noise-induced dynamics, etc. Such a mathematical description allows to compare and differentiate brain structure and dynamics in health and disease, such that model parameters and dynamical regimes may serve as additional biomarkers of brain states and behavioral modes. In this perspective paper we first provide very brief overview of the recent progress and some open problems in neuroimaging data analytics with emphasis on the resting state brain activity. We then focus on a few recent contributions of mathematical modeling to our understanding of the brain dynamics and model-based approaches in medicine. Finally, we discuss the question stated in the title. We conclude that incorporating computational models in neuroimaging data analytics as well as in translational medicine could significantly contribute to the progress in these fields

Influence balneotherapy on spa Truskavets’ with taking Canephron® N on urina lithogenicity and its metabolic and neuroendocrine-immune accompaniments in patients with chronic pyelonephrite and cholecystite

Shulyak Oleksandr V., Flyunt Igor-Severyn S., Flyunt Victor R., Fil’ Vitaliǐ M., Hrinchenko Borys V., Snihur Oleh V., Zukow Walery, Yanchiy Oksana R., Popovych Igor L. Influence balneotherapy on spa Truskavets’ with taking Canephron® N on urina lithogenicity and its metabolic and neuroendocrine-immune accompaniments in patients with chronic pyelonephrite and cholecystite. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(11):453-465. ISSN 2391-8306. DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34351http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%2811%29%3A453-465https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/673673Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja.Specyfika i zawartość merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie.Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., że w roku 2014 nie będzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktów co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r.The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014).© The Author (s) 2015;This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, PolandOpen Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercialuse, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.Received: 25.09.2015. Revised 25.10.2015. Accepted: 24.11.2015. INFLUENCE BALNEOTHERAPY ON SPA TRUSKAVETS’ WITH TAKING CANEPHRON® N ON URINA LITHOGENICITY AND ITS METABOLIC AND NEUROENDOCRINE-IMMUNE ACCOMPANIMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PYELONEPHRITE AND CHOLECYSTITE Oleksandr V. Shulyak1, Igor-Severyn S. Flyunt2, Victor R. Flyunt3,6, Vitaliǐ M. Fil’2,Borys V. Hrinchenko3, Oleh V. Snihur3, Walery Zukow4, Oksana R. Yanchiy5, Igor L. Popovych6 1Scientic Reseach Institute of Urology, Kyiv, Ukraine   [email protected] of Biology and Physical Education, Ivan Franko Pedagogical University, Drohobych, [email protected]    [email protected] “Dnipro-Beskyd”, Truskavets’, Ukraine   [email protected] of Physical Education, Health and Tourism, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland [email protected] of Biology, OO Bohomolets’ National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine6Laboratory of Balneology, OO Bohomolets’ Institute of Physiology NAS, Truskavets’-Kyiv, [email protected] SUMMARYObjective. We know that balneotherapy on spa Truskavets' did not significantly affect the parameters of urina Lithogenicity, including Ca/Mg ratio, so search for means of reducing urina Lithogenicity remains relevant. We also know that Phytopreparation Canephron® N recommended for inclusion in complex therapy of chronic pyelonephrite as effective elimination of infectious kidney inflammation, prevention of recurrence of inflammation and lithogenese. Aim: to find out the possibility of reducing urina Lithogenicity influenced balneotherapy on spa Truskavets' by additional taking Canephron® N. Results. Standardized balneotherapy not significantly affect urina Lithogenicity in patients with chronic pyelonephrite and cholecystite, even showed a trend to increase, while additional use Canephron® N significantly reduces urina Lithogenicity by reducing the concentration of Uric acid and downward trend Calcium. Reducing urina Lithogenicity accompanied by a decrease urina concentration Chloride and Potassium, and Baevskiy’s Activity Regulatory Systems Index, Asymmetry δ-, θ- and α-rhythms of background EEG and α-rhythm normalized Power Spectrum Density (PSD) in right loci Fp2, F8, T6 and O2, while HRV markers of vagal tone (RMSSD, pNN50, TI) also Frequency Deviation θ- and β-rhythms, Amplitude β- and δ-rhythms, δ-rhythm PSD in loci Fp2, F8, T3, T5, O1, O2, β-rhythm PSD in loci Fp1, F4 and θ-rhythm PSD in loci T3 and F7 rising. However, Canephron® N preventes or reverses increasing Uric acid plasma level, Mineralocorticoide Activity, Sympathetic tone, Baevskiy’s Stress Index and PSD ULF HRV also decreasing PSD VLF HRV. Concerning parameters of Immunity Canephron® N decreases blood level active T-Lymphocytes but increases level B-Lymphocytes, Stubnucleary Neutrophiles and total Leukocytes also prevents or reverses increasing CD16+ NK-Lymphocytes, CD8+ and Theophilinesensitive T-Lymphocytes, Monocytes and serum IgM also decreasing CD4+ T-Lymphocytes and Neutrophiles Phagocytose Count vs Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, Canephron® N potentiates increasing Parathyrine Activity, serum level IgG and Bactericidic Capacity of Neutrophiles vs Staphylococcus aureus also decreasing Urea and Creatinine plasma level, Sodium urina concentration and Neutrophiles Phagocytose Count vs Escherichia coli. Conclusion. Introduce Canephron® N into standard balneotherapeutic complex spa Truskavets’ contribute to decrease urina Lithogenicity accompanied by decreasing of HRV and EEG markers of chronic Stress and favorable modulation parameters of Immunity in patients with chronic pyelonephrite and cholecystite.Keywords: lithogenicity of urina, EEG, HRV, immunity, spa Truskavets’, Canephron® N

Surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal nerve schwannomas: Results of two-center study (14 patients included) and literature review

Objective: This study is aimed to analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal schwannomas based on pre- and postoperative neurological status assessment. Materials and methods: This paper is a retrospective analysis of examination and surgical treatment of 14 patients who were operated on in two large clinics from 2018 to 2021 inclusive. When analyzing the collected data, gender, age, disease symptoms, tumor size and location, surgical approach, tumor to cranial nerves (CN) ratio, jugular foramen (JF) condition, and tumor removal volume were taken into account. All tumors were divided into groups depending on tumor location relative to the JF. Particular attention was paid to assessing cranial nerves functions. Facial nerve function was assessed as per House-Brackmann Scale (HBS), hearing function as per Gardner-Robertson Scale (GRS). Results: 3 (21.4%) patients had total tumor removal: 2 patients had type A tumors and one had type B tumor. Subtotal resection took place in 7 (50%) cases. In 4 cases, a tumor was partially removed: 3 patients had type D tumors and one had type B tumor. 3 (21.4%) patients had preoperative FN deficit (HBS Grade II) and mild dysfunction. 5 (35.7%) patients had postoperative facial nerve deficit: HBS ІІ, 2; ІІІ, 1; V, 2. Preoperative sensorineural type hearing impairment on the affected side was diagnosed in 13 (92.6%) patients. Before surgery, 6 patients had non-serviceable hearing, which remained at the same level after surgery. None of the patients with grade I or II hearing before surgery had any hearing impairment postoperatively. In 2 (14.3%) cases, hearing improved from grade V to grade III after surgery. 6 (42.9%) patients developed new neurological deficit in the caudal group CN. Postoperative deficit of the caudal group CN occurred in type D tumors in 3 patients, type A tumors 2 patients, and type B tumors one patient. Conclusions: Applying a retrosigmoid approach only makes it possible to achieve total tumor removal in case of type A tumors. To remove other tumor types, it is necessary to select approaches that enable access to the jugular foramen and infratemporal fossa. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is an extremely important tool in glossopharyngeal schwannoma surgery. The most common postoperative complication is a developed or increased deficit of the caudal CN group, which can lead to persistent impairments in the patients’ quality of life. Preservation of the CN VII and VIII function in most cases is a feasible task and shall be ensured as a standard for this pathology

Adaptive delivery of continuous and delayed feedback deep brain stimulation - a computational study

Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is a closed-loop method, where high-frequency DBS is turned on and off according to a feedback signal, whereas conventional high-frequency DBS (cDBS) is delivered permanently. Using a computational model of subthalamic nucleus and external globus pallidus, we extend the concept of adaptive stimulation by adaptively controlling not only continuous, but also demand-controlled stimulation. Apart from aDBS and cDBS, we consider continuous pulsatile linear delayed feedback stimulation (cpLDF), specifically designed to induce desynchronization. Additionally, we combine adaptive on-off delivery with continuous delayed feedback modulation by introducing adaptive pulsatile linear delayed feedback stimulation (apLDF), where cpLDF is turned on and off using pre-defined amplitude thresholds. By varying the stimulation parameters of cDBS, aDBS, cpLDF, and apLDF we obtain optimal parameter ranges. We reveal a simple relation between the thresholds of the local field potential (LFP) for aDBS and apLDF, the extent of the stimulation-induced desynchronization, and the integral stimulation time required. We find that aDBS and apLDF can be more efficient in suppressing abnormal synchronization than continuous simulation. However, apLDF still remains more efficient and also causes a stronger reduction of the LFP beta burst length. Hence, adaptive on-off delivery may further improve the intrinsically demand-controlled pLDF

Tractography density affects whole-brain structural architecture and resting-state dynamical modeling

Dynamical modeling of the resting-state brain dynamics essentially relies on the empirical neuroimaging data utilized for the model derivation and validation. There is however still no standardized data processing for magnetic resonance imaging pipelines and the structural and functional connectomes involved in the models. In this study, we thus address how the parameters of diffusion-weighted data processing for structural connectivity (SC) can influence the validation results of the whole-brain mathematical models and search for the optimal parameter settings. On this way, we simulate the functional connectivity by systems of coupled oscillators, where the underlying network is constructed from the empirical SC and evaluate the performance of the models for varying parameters of data processing. For this, we introduce a set of simulation conditions including the varying number of total streamlines of the whole-brain tractography (WBT) used for extraction of SC, cortical parcellations based on functional and anatomical brain properties and distinct model fitting modalities. We observed that the graph-theoretical network properties of structural connectome can be affected by varying tractography density and strongly relate to the model performance. We explored free parameters of the considered models and found the optimal parameter configurations, where the model dynamics closely replicates the empirical data. We also found that the optimal number of the total streamlines of WBT can vary for different brain atlases. Consequently, we suggest a way how to improve the model performance based on the network properties and the optimal parameter configurations from multiple WBT conditions. Furthermore, the population of subjects can be stratified into subgroups with divergent behaviors induced by the varying number of WBT streamlines such that different recommendations can be made with respect to the data processing for individual subjects and brain parcellations

Impact of Nonlinear Delayed Feedback on Synchronized Oscillators

We show that synchronization processes can effectively be controlled with nonlinear delayed feedback. We demonstrate that nonlinear delayed feedback can have a twofold impact on the collective dynamics of large ensembles of coupled oscillators: synchronizing and, mostly, desynchronizing effects. By means of a model equation for the mean field, we explore the existence and stability of the feedback-induced desynchronized states, their multistability and dynamical properties. We propose nonlinear delayed feedback stimulation for the therapy of neurological diseases characterized by abnormal synchrony

Tractography density affects whole-brain structural architecture and resting-state dynamical modeling

Dynamical modeling of the resting-state brain dynamics essentially relies on the empirical neuroimaging data utilized for the model derivation and validation. There is however still no standardized data processing for magnetic resonance imaging pipelines and the structural and functional connectomes involved in the models. In this study, we thus address how the parameters of diffusion-weighted data processing for structural connectivity (SC) can influence the validation results of the whole-brain mathematical models informed by SC. For this, we introduce a set of simulation conditions including the varying number of total streamlines of the whole-brain tractography (WBT) used for extraction of SC, cortical parcellations based on functional and anatomical brain properties and distinct model fitting modalities. The main objective of this study is to explore how the quality of the model validation can vary across the considered simulation conditions. We observed that the graph-theoretical network properties of structural connectome can be affected by varying tractography density and strongly relate to the model performance. We also found that the optimal number of the total streamlines of WBT can vary for different brain atlases. Consequently, we suggest a way how to improve the model performance based on the network properties and the optimal parameter configurations from multiple WBT conditions. Furthermore, the population of subjects can be stratified into subgroups with divergent behaviors induced by the varying WBT density such that different recommendations can be made with respect to the data processing for individual subjects and brain parcellations