Effect of increase in cortisol level due to stress in healthy young individuals on dynamic and static balance scores

WOS: 000453318400004PubMed ID: 30859159OBJECTIVE: Stress is a condition caused by various factors and characterized by imbalance in body functioning, impair in nervous system, and tension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cortisol level, which increases in healthy young individuals due to stress, on dynamic and static balance scores as well as to present the results caused by high levels of stress. METHODS: In this study, 107 healthy medicine faculty students in their second year (who will take the same committee exam) aged between 19 and 23 years were included. The first balance measurements and saliva samples were taken 40 days before the committee exam, and this period was acknowledged as the relaxed period. The same students were considered for balance measurements again on the day of committee exam; saliva samples were collected, and cortisol concentration was determined. This period was acknowledged as the stressful period. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was given to the participants in their relaxed and stressful periods. Dynamic balance scores were measured with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Static balance scores were measured with One Leg Standing Balance Test (OLSBT). RESULTS: The mean cortisol level was found to increase approximately 9 times in stressful periods compared with that in relaxed periods. STAI, which shows state anxiety, showed an increase supporting this increase. In stressful periods, dynamic balance scores showed obvious decrease in all directions. In addition, in stressful periods, an obvious decrease was observed in static balance scores compared with those in relaxed periods. CONCLUSION: This study showed that stress negatively affected dynamic and static balance, even for short periods of time. We believe that our study will form a positive source and basis when correlated with long terms stress and balance measurements

The effect of high-intensity intermittent and moderate-intensity continuous exercises on neurobiological markers and cognitive performance

Abstract Background The effects of exercise on cognitive functions and general brain health have been increasingly studied. Such studies conducted among athletes are very important to understanding the effects of different exercise methods on biochemical parameters and cognitive performance. The present study aimed to compare the neuroprotective effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) based on biochemical parameters and cognitive performance in athletes. Methods A total of twenty-eight elite male boxing athletes aged > 18 years, with at least eight years of training experience, who successfully achieved national and international levels were included in this study. The elite athletes participating in the study were aged 24.43 ± 4.72 years, 14.45 ± 5.89 years of training experience, had a body weight of 74.64 ± 7.82 kg, and had a height of 177 ± 7.15 cm. Athletes who consumed any stimulants during the testing or supplementation phase, nutritional supplements, or steroids that may have affected hormone levels or sports performance in the last three months were excluded from this study. Venous blood samples were obtained, and cognitive performance tests (Stroop tests) were applied (i) immediately after high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE), (ii) one hour after HIIE, (iii) immediately after moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), and (iv) one hour after MICE. Serum BDNF, S100B, and NSE levels were measured after each session. Results Serum BDNF levels were significantly (F = 2.142, P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.589) greater in the HIIE group (5.65 ± 1.79 ng/mL) than in the control group (1.24 ± 0.54 ng/mL) and MICE group (3.38 ± 1.29 ng/mL) for the samples obtained immediately after exercise. Serum S100B levels were significantly (F = 3.427, P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.427) greater in the HIIE group (71.92 ± 23.05 ng/L) than in the control group (47.39 ± 15.78 ng/L), however there was no significant difference between the HIIE and MICE groups (59.62 ± 28.90 ng/L) in the samples obtained immediately after exercise. Serum NSE levels were significantly (F = 1.475, P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.312) greater in the HIIE group (14.57 ± 2.52 ng/mL) than in the control group (9.51 ± 3.44 ng/ML mL), however there was no significant difference between the HIIE and MICE groups (59.62 ± 28.90 ng/L) in the samples obtained immediately after exercise. Compared with control groups, both HIIE and MICE improved cognitive performance demonstrated by the Stroop test results. Again, HIIE was superior to MICE in terms of Stroop task reaction time and error rate (incongruent task) scores. Conclusion HIIE and MICE have favorable effects on improving cognitive performance and neuroprotection in an athlete population. HIIE is considered to be superior to MICE in improving neuroprotection and cognitive performance. Our study has remarkable results demonstrating the benefits of HIIT on neuroprotection and cognitive performance. HIIE is recommended instead of MICE, especially in sports where cognitive performance is more important

Commissioning of the Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) at CRYRING

Accurate non-destructive measurement of the absolute intensity of weak ion beams ( 1 uA) in storage rings is often restricted to special beam conditions and, even then, is associated with large uncertainties and tedious calibration procedures. However, experiments with rare ions in particular depend on excellent current resolution. In order to make these beams accessible, the Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) monitors deviations of the DC beam current on a scale of nA and compares the signal to a calibrated reference current. At the heavy-ion storage ring CRYRING at GSI a CCC prototype for FAIR was installed and first results of the commissioning are reported here. Preceding the operation with beam, a careful design of the beamline helium cryostat was required to provide the stable cryogenic environment needed for CCC operation. Mechanical and electro-magnetic perturbations that interfere with measurement of the beam’s faint magnetic field are suppressed by the internal structure of the system and a superconducting magnetic shield, while the remaining interference can be filtered with adequate signal processing. In this way, a current resolution in the nA range was demonstrated

Versatile Beamline Cryostat for the Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) for FAIR

The Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) extends the measurement range of traditional non-destructive current monitors used in accelerator beamlines down to a few nano-amperes of direct beam current. This is achieved by a cryogenic environment of liquid helium around the beamline, in which the beam’s magnetic field is measured with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), which is itself enclosed in a superconducting shielding structure. For this purpose, a versatile UHV-beamline cryostat was designed for the CCCs at FAIR and is currently in production. It is built for long-term autonomous operation with a closed helium re-liquefaction cycle and with good access to all inner components. The design is supported by simulations of the cryostat’s mechanical eigenmodes to minimize the excitation by vibrations in an accelerator environment. A prototype at GSI has demonstrated the self-contained cryogenic operation in combination with a 15 l/day re-liquefier. The cryostat will be used in CRYRING to compare the FAIR-CCC-X with newly developed CCC-types for 150 mm beamlines. Both which will supply a nA current reading during commissioning and for the experiments

Picturing asthma in Turkey: results from the Turkish adult asthma registry

Introduction: National data on asthma characteristics and the factors associated with uncontrolled asthma seem to be necessary for every country. For this purpose, we developed the Turkish Adult Asthma Registry for patients with asthma aiming to take a snapshot of our patients, thereby assigning the unmet needs and niche areas of intervention. Methods: Case entries were performed between March 2018 and March 2022. A web-based application was used to record data. Study outcomes were demographic features, disease characteristics, asthma control levels, and phenotypes. Results: The registry included 2053 patients from 36 study centers in Turkey. Female subjects dominated the group (n = 1535, 74.8%). The majority of the patients had allergic (n = 1158, 65.3%) and eosinophilic (n = 1174, 57.2%) asthma. Six hundred nineteen (32.2%) of the patients had obese asthma. Severe asthma existed in 670 (32.6%) patients. Majority of cases were on step 3–5 treatment (n: 1525; 88.1%). Uncontrolled asthma was associated with low educational level, severe asthma attacks in the last year, low FEV1, existence of chronic rhinosinusitis and living in particular regions. Conclusion: The picture of this registry showed a dominancy of middle-aged obese women with moderate-to-severe asthma. We also determined particular strategic targets such as low educational level, severe asthma attacks, low FEV1, and chronic rhinosinusitis to decrease uncontrolled asthma in our country. Moreover, some regional strategies may also be needed as uncontrolled asthma is higher in certain regions. We believe that these data will guide authorities to reestablish national asthma programs to improve asthma service delivery