Imbalanced temporal states of cortical blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal variability during rest in episodic migraine.

BACKGROUND: Migraine has been associated with functional brain changes including altered connectivity and activity both during and between headache attacks. Recent studies established that the variability of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal is an important attribute of brain activity, which has so far been understudied in migraine. In this study, we investigate how time-varying measures of BOLD variability change interictally in episodic migraine patients. METHODS: Two independent resting state functional MRI datasets acquired on 3T (discovery cohort) and 1.5T MRI scanners (replication cohort) including 99 episodic migraine patients (n3T = 42, n1.5T=57) and 78 healthy controls (n3T = 46, n1.5T=32) were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. A framework using time-varying measures of BOLD variability was applied to derive BOLD variability states. Descriptors of BOLD variability states such as dwell time and fractional occupancy were calculated, then compared between migraine patients and healthy controls using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Spearman's rank correlation was calculated to test associations with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Resting-state activity was characterized by states of high and low BOLD signal variability. Migraine patients in the discovery cohort spent more time in the low variability state (mean dwell time: p = 0.014, median dwell time: p = 0.022, maximum dwell time: p = 0.013, fractional occupancy: p = 0.013) and less time in the high variability state (mean dwell time: p = 0.021, median dwell time: p = 0.021, maximum dwell time: p = 0.025, fractional occupancy: p = 0.013). Higher uptime of the low variability state was associated with greater disability as measured by MIDAS scores (maximum dwell time: R = 0.45, p = 0.007; fractional occupancy: R = 0.36, p = 0.035). Similar results were observed in the replication cohort. CONCLUSION: Episodic migraine patients spend more time in a state of low BOLD variability during rest in headache-free periods, which is associated with greater disability. BOLD variability states show potential as a replicable functional imaging marker in episodic migraine.

BMI variability and cardiovascular outcomes within clinical trial and real-world environments in type 2 diabetes: an IMI2 SOPHIA study.

BACKGROUND: BMI variability has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes, however comparison between clinical studies and real-world observational evidence has been lacking. Furthermore, it is not known whether BMI variability has an effect independent of HbA1c variability. METHODS: We investigated the association between BMI variability and 3P-MACE risk in the Harmony Outcomes trial (n = 9198), and further analysed placebo arms of REWIND (n = 4440) and EMPA-REG OUTCOME (n = 2333) trials, followed by real-world data from the Tayside Bioresource (n = 6980) using Cox regression modelling. BMI variability was determined using average successive variability (ASV), with first major adverse cardiovascular event of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death (3P-MACE) as the primary outcome. RESULTS: After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, a + 1 SD increase in BMI variability was associated with increased 3P-MACE risk in Harmony Outcomes (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.17, P < 0.001). The most variable quartile of participants experienced an 87% higher risk of 3P-MACE (P < 0.001) relative to the least variable. Similar associations were found in REWIND and Tayside Bioresource. Further analyses in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial did not replicate this association. BMI variability's impact on 3P-MACE risk was independent of HbA1c variability. CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with type 2 diabetes, increased BMI variability was found to be an independent risk factor for 3P-MACE across cardiovascular outcome trials and real-world datasets. Future research should attempt to establish a causal relationship between BMI variability and cardiovascular outcomes.

High-frequency assessment of mood, personality, and cognition in healthy younger, healthy older and adults with cognitive impairment.

Increased variability in cognitive scores, mood or personality traits can be indicative of underlying neurological disorders. Whether variability in cognition is due to changes in mood or personality is unknown. A total of 66 younger adults, 51 healthy older adults and 38 participants with cognitive impairment completed 21 daily sessions of attention, working memory, mood, and personality assessment. Group differences in mean performance and variability were examined using Bayesian mixed effects location scale models. Variability in attention decreased from younger to older adults and then increased again in cognitive impairment. Younger adults were more variable in agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness compared to older adults. The clinically impaired group differed from the healthy older adults in terms of variability on attention, openness, and conscientiousness. Healthy aging results in greater stability in personality traits over short intervals yet this stability is not redundant with increased stability in cognitive scores.

Impact of blood pressure variability and cerebral small vessel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Importance: Abnormal blood pressure pattern is an independent risk factor for vascular events. Blood pressure variability can predict cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease outcomes and is closely associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between blood pressure variability and cerebral small vessel disease neuroimaging markers remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure variability and cerebral small vessel disease neuroimaging markers. Data sources: We searched multiple databases, including Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, UpToDate, and World of Science, from their inception until November 27, 2023.Main Outcomes and Measures: A meta-analysis of 19 observational studies involving 14519 participants was performed. Findings: ①Systolic blood pressure variability was correlated with the cerebral small vessel disease total burden, white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarction; ② Diastolic blood pressure variability was correlated with the cerebral small vessel disease total burden, white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds; ③ Non-dipping patterns were correlated with white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarction. ④ Reverse-dipping patterns were significantly correlated with white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds. Conclusions: and Relevance: Blood pressure variability correlates with neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease and its burden. Hence, early monitoring and intervention of blood pressure variability may be essential for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cerebral small vessel disease.

DNA structural features and variability of complete MHC locus sequences.

The major histocompatibility (MHC) locus, also known as the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes, is located on the short arm of chromosome 6, and contains three regions (Class I, Class II and Class III). This 5 Mbp locus is one of the most variable regions of the human genome, yet it also encodes a set of highly conserved and important proteins related to immunological response. Genetic variations in this region are responsible for more diseases than in the entire rest of the human genome. However, information on local structural features of the DNA is largely ignored. With recent advances in long-read sequencing technology, it is now becoming possible to sequence the entire 5 Mbp MHC locus, producing complete diploid haplotypes of the whole region. Here, we describe structural maps based on the complete sequences from six different homozygous HLA cell lines. We find long-range structural variability in the different sequences for DNA stacking energy, position preference and curvature, variation in repeats, as well as more local changes in regions forming open chromatin structures, likely to influence gene expression levels. These structural maps can be useful in visualizing large scale structural variation across HLA types, in particular when this can be complemented with epigenetic signals.

Assessing the impact of nodule features and software algorithm on pulmonary nodule measurement uncertainty for nodules sized 20 mm or less.

Background: Measurements are not exact, so that if a measurement is repeated, one would get a different value each time. The spread of these values is the measurement uncertainty. Understanding measurement uncertainty of pulmonary nodules is important for proper interpretation of size and growth measurements. Larger amounts of measurement uncertainty may require longer follow-up intervals to be confident that any observed growth is due to actual growth rather than measurement uncertainty. We examined the influence of nodule features and software algorithm on measurement uncertainty of small, solid pulmonary nodules. Methods: Volumes of 107 nodules were measured on 4-6 repeated computed tomography (CT) scans (Siemens Somatom AS, 100 kVp, 120 mA, 1.0 mm slice thickness reconstruction) prospectively obtained during CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy between 2015-2021 at Department of Diagnostic, Molecular, and Interventional Radiology in Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, using two different automated volumetric algorithms. For each, the coefficient of variation (standard deviation divided by the mean) of nodule volume measurements was determined. The following features were considered: diameter, location, vessel and pleural attachments, nodule surface area, and extent of the nodule in the three acquisition dimensions of the scanner. Results: Median volume of 107 nodules was 515.23 and 535.53 mm3 for algorithm #1 and #2, respectively with excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.98). Median coefficient of variation of nodule volume was low for the two algorithms, but significantly different (4.6% vs. 8.7%, P<0.001). Both algorithms had a trend of decreasing coefficient of variation of nodule volume with increasing nodule diameter, though only significant for algorithm #2. Coefficient of variation of nodule volume was significantly associated with nodule volume (P=0.02), attachment to blood vessels (P=0.02), and nodule surface area (P=0.001) for algorithm #2 using a multiple linear regression model. Correlation between the coefficient of variation (CoV) of nodule volume and the CoV of the x, y, z measurements for algorithm #1 were 0.29 (P=0.0021), 0.25 (P=0.009), and 0.80 (P<0.001) respectively, and for algorithm #2, 0.46 (P<0.001), 0.52 (P<0.001), and 0.58 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Even in the best-case scenario represented in this study, using the same measurement algorithm, scanner, and scanning protocol, considerable measurement uncertainty exists in nodule volume measurement for nodules sized 20 mm or less. We found that measurement uncertainty was affected by interactions between nodule volume, algorithm, and shape complexity.

Association of ambient temperature with tuberculosis incidence in Japan: An ecological study.

Objectives: Although several studies have investigated the effects of temperature on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in a single city or region, few studies have investigated the variations in this association using nationwide data. This study aimed to quantify the association between temporal variations in TB incidence and temperature across Japan. Methods: The data on the weekly number of newly confirmed TB cases and meteorological variables in 47 Japanese prefectures from 2007 to 2019 were collected. The exposure-response relationships between TB incidence and temperature were quantified using a distributed lag nonlinear model for each prefecture, and estimates from all prefectures were then pooled using a meta-regression model to derive nationwide average associations. Results: This study included 335,060 patients with TB. Compared to those with minimum risk temperature on TB incidence (10th percentile at 4.45°C), people who were exposed to the highest temperature concentrations had a 52.0% (relative risk 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.23) higher risk for TB incidence at the 99th percentile (30.1°C). Our results also emphasized the heterogeneity of these associations in different prefectures. Conclusions: Strengthening monitoring and public health strategies aimed at controlling temperature-related TB may be more effective when tailored to region-specific meteorological conditions.

Electrophysiological detection of exam stress in health schools' students.

Anxiety is a common issue among university students, many of them experience anxiety, depression, and stress during their school life. This study aimed to compare the acute physiological stress responses of students divided into two groups according to their perceived anxiety levels (positive test anxiety, PTA+, and negative test anxiety, PTA-). Heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA) were used to assess stress.Thirty-one healthy volunteers participated in the study. Participants completed anxiety assessments, including the Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Test State Anxiety Inventory (TSAI). Based on their scores, participants were categorized into PTA+ and PTA- groups. All participants underwent 24-h continuous recordings of pulse and electrodermal activity (EDA) on two separate occasions: one day prior to a written exam and during a designated exam-free day serving as a baseline control.We compared the HRV and EDA data obtained on a regular day and on an exam day between the two groups. Results showed that the PTA+ group had significantly higher heart rate, stress index, low frequency, and short-term detrended fluctuation analysis (DFAα1) on the exam day. The tonic EDA component was also higher in the PTA+ group. Stress-related HRV and EDA parameters were negatively correlated with exam scores.In conclusion, the study found that physiological stress indicators obtained from HRV and EDA are associated with perceived exam anxiety in students.

Heterogeneity in post-fire thermal responses across Pacific Northwest streams: A multi-site study.

Over the past century, water temperatures in many streams across the Pacific Northwest (PNW) have steadily risen, shrinking endangered salmonid habitats. The warming of PNW stream reaches can be further accelerated by wildfires burning forest stands that provide shade to streams. However, previous research on the effect of wildfires on stream water temperatures has focused on individual streams or burn events, limiting our understanding of the diversity in post-fire thermal responses across PNW streams. To bridge this knowledge gap, we assessed the impact of wildfires on daily summer water temperatures across 31 PNW stream sites, where 10-100% of their riparian area burned. To ensure robustness of our results, we employed multiple approaches to characterize and quantify fire effects on post-fire stream water temperature changes. Averaged across the 31 burned sites, wildfires corresponded to a 0.3 - 1°C increase in daily summer water temperatures over the subsequent three years. Nonetheless, post-fire summer thermal responses displayed extensive heterogeneity across burned sites where the likelihood and rate of a post-fire summer water temperature warming was higher for stream sites with greater proportion of their riparian area burned under high severity. Also, watershed features such as basin area, post-fire weather, bedrock permeability, pre-fire riparian forest cover, and winter snowpack depth were identified as strong predictors of the post-fire summer water temperature responses across burned sites. Our study offers a multi-site perspective on the effect of wildfires on summer stream temperatures in the PNW, providing insights that can inform freshwater management efforts beyond individual streams and basins.

Prognosis value of heart rate variability measured by Camera HRV application in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the prognostic significance of heart rate variability (HRV) measured by the HRV Camera application in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality within 3 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Of 101 patients, 25 developed MACE and 6 died. Low HRV (SDNN and rMSSD) is associated with increased MACE (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and all-cause mortality rates (p = 0.025 and p = 0.032, respectively). Our study concludes that HRV measured by smartphone applications has significant potential as predictive indicators of MACE and all-cause mortality after PCI, particularly SDNN.

Functional responses of understory plants to natural disturbance-based management in eastern and western Canada.

Natural disturbance-based management (NDBM) is hypothesized to maintain managed forest ecosystem integrity by reducing differences between natural and managed forests. The effectiveness of this approach often entails local comparisons of species composition or diversity for a variety of biota from managed and unmanaged forests. Understory vegetation is regularly the focus of such comparison because of its importance in nutrient cycling, forest regeneration, and for wildlife. However, larger scale comparisons between regions with distinct species assemblages may require a trait-based approach to better understand understory responses to disturbance. We compared the long-term effects of retention harvesting on understory vegetation in two large experimental study sites located in eastern and western regions of the Canadian boreal forest. These sites included the Sylviculture en Aménagement Forestier Ecosystémique (SAFE) experiment and the Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance (EMEND) experiment, located in the eastern and western regions of Canada, respectively. EMEND and SAFE share common boreal understory species but have distinct tree communities, soils, and climate. Both experiments were designed to evaluate how increasing tree retention after harvest affects biodiversity. Here, we examined taxonomic richness, functional diversity, and functional composition (using community trait mean values) of understory plant communities, and also examine intraspecific trait variability (ITV) for five species common and abundant in both experiments. We observed the limited impacts of retention level on richness, functional diversity, and functional composition of understory plants 20 years postharvest. However, ITV of leaf morphological traits varied between retention levels within each experiment, depending on the species identity. Common species had different functional responses to retention level, showing species-specific reactions to environmental variation. Our result suggests that understory plant communities in the boreal forest achieve resilience to disturbance both in terms of interspecific and intraspecific functional trait diversity. Such diversity may be key to maintaining understory biodiversity in the face of future disturbances and environmental change. Our results reveal the significance of ITV in plant communities for understanding responses to forest harvesting and the importance of choosing appropriate traits when studying species responses to the environment.

Accounting for cellular-level variation in lysis: implications for virus-host dynamics.

Viral impacts on microbial populations depend on interaction phenotypes-including viral traits spanning the adsorption rate, latent period, and burst size. The latent period is a key viral trait in lytic infections. Defined as the time from viral adsorption to viral progeny release, the latent period of bacteriophage is conventionally inferred via one-step growth curves in which the accumulation of free virus is measured over time in a population of infected cells. Developed more than 80 years ago, one-step growth curves do not account for cellular-level variability in the timing of lysis, potentially biasing inference of viral traits. Here, we use nonlinear dynamical models to understand how individual-level variation of the latent period impacts virus-host dynamics. Our modeling approach shows that inference of the latent period via one-step growth curves is systematically biased-generating estimates of shorter latent periods than the underlying population-level mean. The bias arises because variability in lysis timing at the cellular level leads to a fraction of early burst events, which are interpreted, artefactually, as an earlier mean time of viral release. We develop a computational framework to estimate latent period variability from joint measurements of host and free virus populations. Our computational framework recovers both the mean and variance of the latent period within simulated infections including realistic measurement noise. This work suggests that reframing the latent period as a distribution to account for variability in the population will improve the study of viral traits and their role in shaping microbial populations.IMPORTANCEQuantifying viral traits-including the adsorption rate, burst size, and latent period-is critical to characterize viral infection dynamics and develop predictive models of viral impacts across scales from cells to ecosystems. Here, we revisit the gold standard of viral trait estimation-the one-step growth curve-to assess the extent to which assumptions at the core of viral infection dynamics lead to ongoing and systematic biases in inferences of viral traits. We show that latent period estimates obtained via one-step growth curves systematically underestimate the mean latent period and, in turn, overestimate the rate of viral killing at population scales. By explicitly incorporating trait variability into a dynamical inference framework that leverages both virus and host time series, we provide a practical route to improve estimates of the mean and variance of viral traits across diverse virus-microbe systems.

The effect of heart rate variability on the choroidal vascularity of the optical coherence tomography and angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between the autonomic nervous system and choroidal vascularity in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 25 patients with unilateral CSC (50 eyes, including the unaffected fellow eyes) and 25 healthy controls. The assessment involved a 5-minute HRV analysis encompassing both frequency and time domains, especially low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio. In OCT (12 × 9 mm) and en-face OCTA (3 × 3 mm) scans, we measured parameters including choroidal vascularity index (CVI), choroidal vessel density in the middle and deep layers, and choriocapillaris flow void. Regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the associations between HRV parameters and OCT/OCTA measurements. RESULTS: Normalized LF(LFnorm) and LF/HF ratios were higher in patients with CSC than in healthy controls. LFnorm and the log-transformed ratio of LF to HF [log(LF/HF)] demonstrated a significant and borderline correlation with CVI in the linear regression analysis (P = 0.040, R2 = 0.171, and P = 0.059, R2 = 0.147, respectively). Both CVI and deep choroid vessel density showed a more significant association with LFnorm and log (LF/HF) in the non-linear quadratic regression analysis than in the linear analysis (all, P < 0.04, R2 > 0.25). CONCLUSION: The frequency-domain parameters of HRV, including LFnorm and log (LF/HF), demonstrated a significant association with indicators reflective of large choroidal vessel luminal area on macular OCT/OCTA scans. This observation implies complicated modulation of choroidal blood flow by the autonomic nervous system in CSC.

Intake of Dark and Milk Chocolate Differently Affects Autonomic Nervous Control of the Heart During Rest and Mental Stress.

OBJECTIVE: Chocolate is a popular food that may affect the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single dose of dark or milk chocolate on ANS cardiac control during rest and mental stress induced by the Stroop test (ST). METHODS: Healthy participants, divided into DARK or MILK chocolate groups, ingested corresponding type of chocolate (1 g/kg body weight). They underwent measurement of ANS during relaxation and ST before and 2 h after chocolate consumption. ANS control was assessed by determination of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability using parameters related to complex autonomic modulation (TP, SDNN) or primary vagal modulation (HFnu, RMSSD). RESULTS: HR was always increased during ST in both groups. Relaxation HR values after chocolate ingestion were higher only in the DARK chocolate group. During ST, values of TP, SDNN and HFnu decreased before and after chocolate ingestion in the DARK group, but only before chocolate ingestion in the MILK group. RMSSD values decreased during ST before and after chocolate ingestion in both groups. Relaxation TP, RMSSD and HFnu values after chocolate ingestion were lower in the DARK but not in the MILK group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that even a single dose of milk chocolate attenuates changes in ANS cardiac control induced by mental stress, whereas a single dose of dark chocolate has an activating effect on the heart via modification of ANS cardiac control at rest. Different levels of sugars and cocoa biologically active compounds in the two types of chocolate could explain the observed effects.

Water availability and extreme events under climate change scenarios in an experimental watershed of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Climate change has diversified negative implications on environmental sustainability and water availability. Assessing the impacts of climate change is crucial to enhance resilience and future preparedness particularly at a watershed scale. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of climate change on the water balance components and extreme events in Piabanha watershed in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. In this study, extreme climate change scenarios were developed using a wide array of global climate models acquired from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Reports (AR6). Two extreme climate change scenarios, DryHot and WetCool, were integrated into the Soil and Water Assessment Tools (SWAT) hydrological model to evaluate their impacts on the hydrological dynamics in the watershed. The baseline SWAT model was first developed and evaluated using different model performance evaluation metrics such as coefficient of determination (R2), Nash-Sutcliffe (NSC), and Kling-Gupta efficiency coefficient (KGE). The model results illustrated an excellent model performance with metric values reaching 0.89 and 0.64 for monthly and daily time steps respectively in the calibration (2008 to 2017) and validation (2018 to 2023) periods. The findings of future climate change impacts assessment underscored an increase in temperature and shifts in precipitation patterns. In terms of streamflow, high-flow events may experience a 47.3 % increase, while low-flows could see an 76.6 % reduction. In the DryHot scenario, annual precipitation declines from 1657 to 1420 mm, with evapotranspiration reaching 54 % of precipitation, marking a 9 % rise compared to the baseline. Such changes could induce water stress in plants and lead to modifications on structural attributes of the ecosystem recognized as the Atlantic rainforest. This study established boundaries concerning the effects of climate change and highlighted the need for proactive adaptation strategies and mitigation measures to minimize the potential adverse impacts in the study watershed.

High plasticity of temperament as a marker of flexible autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in urgent adaptive response to cold in young people.

The properties of temperament are due to differences in the excitability of brain systems that integrate the behavior of an individual, his emotions and autonomic functions and play an important role in the adaptation of the body to the environment. The mechanisms of the relationship between individual characteristics of temperament properties and regulation of the cardiovascular system have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study to assess the relationship between expression of temperament traits and the autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in the baseline condition and in response to exposure to cold. The study involved 25 healthy male volunteers aged between 18 and 21 years. Temperament traits were measured using the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire. During the study, heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (5 min), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were recorded at room temperature. In the period from 5 to 10 min of exposure in an UShZ-25 N cold chamber (-20 °C), HRV were assessed. Immediately after the subjects came out from the cold chamber, blood pressure was measured. Then, 5 min after they left the cold chamber, SBP, DBP, HRV were recorded. The results showed that in young people with different expressions of temperamental properties, no differences were found in the regulation of heart rhythm by the autonomic nervous system in the baseline condition. The high object-related plasticity, i.e. the ease of switching from one type of activity to another, linked with autonomic flexibility and blood pressure control, which restrains a significant increase in blood pressure when exposed to short-term cold, and contributes to the preservation of health.

PM10-bound trace elements in pan-European urban atmosphere.

Although many studies have discussed the impact of Europe's air quality, very limited research focused on the detailed phenomenology of ambient trace elements (TEs) in PM10 in urban atmosphere. This study compiled long-term (2013-2022) measurements of speciation of ambient urban PM10 from 55 sites of 7 countries (Switzerland, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK), aiming to elucidate the phenomenology of 20 TEs in PM10 in urban Europe. The monitoring sites comprised urban background (UB, n = 26), traffic (TR, n = 10), industrial (IN, n = 5), suburban background (SUB, n = 7), and rural background (RB, n = 7) types. The sampling campaigns were conducted using standardized protocols to ensure data comparability. In each country, PM10 samples were collected over a fixed period using high-volume air samplers. The analysis encompassed the spatio-temporal distribution of TEs, and relationships between TEs at each site. Results indicated an annual average for the sum of 20 TEs of 90 ± 65 ng/m3, with TR and IN sites exhibiting the highest concentrations (130 ± 66 and 131 ± 80 ng/m3, respectively). Seasonal variability in TEs concentrations, influenced by emission sources and meteorology, revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) across all monitoring sites. Estimation of TE concentrations highlighted distinct ratios between non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic metals, with Zn (40 ± 49 ng/m3), Ti (21 ± 29 ng/m3), and Cu (23 ± 35 ng/m3) dominating non-carcinogenic TEs, while Cr (5 ± 7 ng/m3), and Ni (2 ± 6 ng/m3) were prominent among carcinogenic ones. Correlations between TEs across diverse locations and seasons varied, in agreement with differences in emission sources and meteorological conditions. This study provides valuable insights into TEs in pan-European urban atmosphere, contributing to a comprehensive dataset for future environmental protection policies.

Regulation of exercise on heart rate variability in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. / 运动对围绝经期和绝经后妇女心率变异性的调节.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive quantitative measure of cardiac autonomic nervous activity. Due to the increase of age and the decrease of estrogen level in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, the cardiac autonomic nervous function is abnormal, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Proper exercise can increase estrogen levels, improve cardiovascular health, regulate cardiac autonomic nervous activity, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Low-moderate intensity aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aerobic combined resistance exercise and mind-body exercise have positive effects on HRV in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Therefore, summarizing the effects of different exercise modes on HRV in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, as well as the mechanism of exercise training improvement on HRV, so as to adopt better exercise strategies to improve HRV of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the health level and quality of life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

The mechanics of correlated variability in segregated cortical excitatory subnetworks.

Understanding the genesis of shared trial-to-trial variability in neuronal population activity within the sensory cortex is critical to uncovering the biological basis of information processing in the brain. Shared variability is often a reflection of the structure of cortical connectivity since it likely arises, in part, from local circuit inputs. A series of experiments from segregated networks of (excitatory) pyramidal neurons in the mouse primary visual cortex challenge this view. Specifically, the across-network correlations were found to be larger than predicted given the known weak cross-network connectivity. We aim to uncover the circuit mechanisms responsible for these enhanced correlations through biologically motivated cortical circuit models. Our central finding is that coupling each excitatory subpopulation with a specific inhibitory subpopulation provides the most robust network-intrinsic solution in shaping these enhanced correlations. This result argues for the existence of excitatory-inhibitory functional assemblies in early sensory areas which mirror not just response properties but also connectivity between pyramidal cells. Furthermore, our findings provide theoretical support for recent experimental observations showing that cortical inhibition forms structural and functional subnetworks with excitatory cells, in contrast to the classical view that inhibition is a nonspecific blanket suppression of local excitation.

A practical approach to estimate analytical method variability from routine testing.

The performance of analytical test methods is critical to ensure decisions that affect efficacy and quality of pharmaceutical products are based on accurate and reliable results. As described in USP <1220> and advocated for in ICH Q14, continued verification of critical method attributes linked to bias and precision is essential to ensure method performance throughout the lifecycle of an analytical test method. As continued verification programs for analytical methods within the pharmaceutical industry mature, additional monitoring tools are required to deliver robust and cost-effective verification programs. Herein, a novel methodology is presented to evaluated analytical method variability directly from results generated during routine method execution. The implementation of the methodology is demonstrated for a small molecule liquid chromatographic assay method utilizing a single-point external reference calibration. Approaches to reduce the required data to be collected and broaden the applicability of the methodology to a wide range of analytical methods is described. Finally, the application of the methodology to method development activities is discussed to aid in the identification of variability sources and effectively select replication strategies, thus allowing a holistic understanding of method variability throughout the entirety of the method lifecycle.