GPU-based computation for brain spatio-temporal networks definition.

Nowadays, with the increase of computational analysis in sciences such as biology and neuroscience, the computational aspect is one of the most challenging. The purpose of this work is the achieve the possibility to apply spatio-temporal networks inference techniques on brain to perform network analysis. One of the problems of spatio-temporal network applications is the computational time, and it becomes impractical to keep developing studies when it takes a long time to analyze and compute the results. We present a GPU-based system used to speed up the computation of spatio-temporal networks applied to different brain data; thanks to the architecture of these devices we are able to obtain an average increase in the performances of ~ 35× on a single GPU and ~ 78× on multi GPU with the respect of CPU execution.

Physical activity modulates effects of some genetic polymorphisms affecting cardiovascular risk in men aged over 40 years.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several genetic polymorphisms have been found to be involved in cardiovascular risk, and many studies have documented the beneficial effect of systematic physical activity (PA) on the cardiovascular system. Our aim was to investigate the interactive effects of PA and genetic background on plasma lipids and homocysteine (tHcy) levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical and metabolic parameters, dietary intakes and some polymorphisms of the genes involved in cardiovascular risk (Apo E, fatty acid binding protein-2, Apo AII, hepatic lipase and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase) were determined in 100 men aged over 40 years who cycle 120-150 Km/week and 100 age-matched sedentary controls. The physically active subjects had lower concentrations of plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), Apo B, glucose and tHcy, and higher concentrations of plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and Apo AI than the sedentary men; they also had larger LDL particle sizes (LDLs). The LDL-C and Apo B raising effect of the Apo E epsilon 4 allele detectable in the sedentary subjects was totally absent in the cyclists, in whom the LDL-C and Apo B lowering effect of the epsilon 2 allele was observed. PA blunted the TG-raising effect of the Apo AII-265TT genotype, and amplified the HDL-C raising effect of the HL-250AA genotype. PA had a small but significant lowering effect on plasma tHcy adjusted for folate levels in subjects with the 677TT genotype of the MTHFR gene. CONCLUSIONS: Extended high-intensity PA in men aged over 40 years may modify their metabolic cardiovascular risk factors even in the presence of some unfavourable genotypes.

Increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline in runners training in urban areas.

In this study, the authors investigated urinary excretion of hydroxyproline in 120 subjects to test the hypothesis that physical activity is associated with increased exposure to pollution derived from traffic exhaust. The study population comprised active noncompetitive runners (i.e., 21.1% trained < 2.5 hr/wk, 20% trained for 2.5-5.0 hr/wk, and 54.4% trained > 5 hr/wk) who lived in Genoa, an urban area of Northern Italy. The mean hydroxyproline value (24.39 +/- 8.38 standard deviation] mg/24 hr x m2) in a group of 69 runners who trained in tracks and streets located in downtown Genoa was higher (p < .05) than the mean value recorded in a group of 21 runners (13.33 +/- 2.51 mg/24 hr x m2) who trained mainly in a rural environment of Genoa. The difference was even greater (p < .01) when a third comparable group of 30 nonrunners was considered (mean = 12.54 +/- 3.41 [standard deviation] mg/24 hr x m2). In the urban environment, urinary levels of hydroxyproline were correlated significantly with intensity and frequency of running, but they were unrelated to smoking status.

Increased blood lead levels in runners training in urban areas.

In an attempt to examine the hypothesis of whether physical activity causes increased uptake of lead in humans, blood lead levels were measured in 231 individuals. Included in the study were subjects who lived in Northern Italy and who practiced noncompetitive running in urban areas or along the countryside. The mean values (1.25 +/- 0.27 mumol/l) measured in a group of 28 runners who trained at tracks and on roads of a large town, characterized by heavy traffic and high atmospheric lead levels, were slightly higher than those recorded in a group of 10 runners of the same town who trained mostly in a rural environment (0.99 +/- 0.29 mumol/l) and, with a striking and significant difference, in a comparable group of 182 nonrunners (0.46 +/- 0.22 mumol/l). These background figures were similar to those found in 11 runners who lived in a smaller, less polluted urban area who trained in country roads (0.40 +/- 0.11 mumol/l). Blood lead levels were correlated significantly with the intensity and frequency of the running practice and were unrelated to smoking habits.

Judo and choking: EEG and regional cerebral blood flow findings.

Ten judoka were examined at rest by EEG and regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF) (133-Xenon inhalation method); in seven of them a syncope was induced by choking and EEG was recorded during the loss of consciousness while rCBF was measured immediately after recovery. Baseline EEG and rCBF examinations were normal. During choking, EEG showed diffuse 2-3 Hz. high voltage waves, predominantly in the anterior regions, then the EEG gradually recovered to normal. After choking, rCBF decreased in all but one subject, slightly in four and more markedly in two. Our findings suggest that there is no evidence of permanent CNS functional changes due to judo practice and choking. The variable rCBF features soon after choking-induced syncope may reflect a different timing of recovery from cerebral ischemia for each subject.

[A comparative study of skinfold thickness and bioelectric impedance analysis in the evaluation of body composition of children and adolescents]. / Studio comparativo tra plicometria e impedenzometria bioelettrica cutanee nella valutazione della composizione corporea di bambini e adolescenti.

A comparative study as carried out between skin-fold thickness tests and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to assess the validity of the latter as a method for evaluating body composition in childhood and youth. The percentage values of total body fat obtained using both methods in 117 boys and girls aged between 8 and 14 appear to be significantly correlated (p less than 0.01) in both sexes (males: r = 0.891; females: r = 0.830) and in each group of subjects subdivided according to stage of puberal development (8-11 years: r = 0.905; 12-14 years: r = 0.864) or the degree of physical activity performed (active: r = 0.880; sedentary: r = 0.915). The results of the study confirm that BIA represents a valid and reliable method to analyse body composition even during circumpuberal development in phase opposition. Moreover, BIA provides an estimate of total body fat which is independent of the differences in distribution between surface and deep deposits.

Nutritional status and body composition of adolescent female gymnasts.

Nutritional status and body composition of 26 young female gymnasts (average age 12 years) were studied. The body fat percentage (15% of total body weight) is low, still consistent with an excellent health. The caloric intake is lower (1552 kcal/day) than that recommended for their age group, however it is still within the standard by body weight (43 kcal/kg). They show and insufficient assumption of carbohydrates (47.7%), mineral salts and vitamins, so that a more detailed alimentary information is required in order to avoid undesired consequences on sport performance and growth rate.

Prolactin release induced by physical exercise is independent from peripheral vasoactive intestinal polypeptide secretion.

The plasma concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and prolactin were measured before and after an exhaustive and a submaximal exercise test in 7 male marathon runners. A significant increase of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was recorded after both tests, whereas the prolactin increase was observed only after the exhaustive exercise test. No significant correlation was found between the plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and the plasma prolactin values recorded during the two exercise tests. Data suggest that the exercise-induced prolactin release occurs independently from variations of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels in peripheral circulation.

The manual preparation of leukocyte-poor red cells for transfusion by a new filter.

Standard and buffy-coat-depleted red cell concentrates were filtered through a new cellulose acetate filter with a manual procedure. No residual leukocytes could be detected in 19 of the 21 filtered units. Extracellular hemoglobin after red cell filtration and concentration never exceeded 10 mg per unit. No transfusion reaction occurred in 10 recipients with potent lymphocytotoxic antibodies in their serum and histories of febrile transfusion reactions. This filter allows the preparation of leukocyte-poor red cell units with a safe, simple, and effective manual procedure.

Comparison of pituitary responses to physical exercise in athletes and sedentary subjects.

Serum growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were evaluated before and after a bicycle ergometer exercise test in 8 male competitive volleyball players and in 8 sedentary healthy males of the same age. Increased serum GH and cortisol values after exercise in both groups were found, whereas an exercise-induced PRL release was observed in athletes only. Serum levels of LH, FSH and TSH were unaffected by the test in all subjects. A possible role of training in conditioning the hypothalamopituitary exercise-induced secretion is suggested.

Effects of physical activity and diet on lipemic risk factors for atherosclerosis in women.

Serum lipoproteins were studied in active and sedentary young women. The groups were matched for age, body weight, and blood pressure. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the diet was performed. In spite of a higher intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the active group were not significantly different from the controls. Nevertheless, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly higher in the active subjects even after covariance adjustment for nutrient intake; therefore, the HDL-C increase seems to depend on physical activity "per se" rather than on differences in diet.

[The psychodynamic basis of diver training]. / Le basi psicodinamiche dell'addestramento del subacqueo.

The techniques employed in teaching diving and especially diving safety, were studied. Since it was felt that most accidents are not merely fortuitous but also derive from unconscious urges towards risk-taking, an attempt was made to understand the psychodynamics of the question. The study also investigated the effectiveness of the teaching method as a means not only of transmitting intrinsically useful skills and knowledge, but also as a psychotherapeutic technique aiding the diver to control any self-destructive aggressive urges.

[Psychodynamic aspects of sports diving]. / Aspetti psicodinamici dello sport subacqueo.

Individual and group discussions with divers and instructors were used to discover the psychodynamic bases of the diver's psychology. The clearly narcisistic compensation mechanisms, based essentially on so-called "cross-identification" appear to explain the apparently contradictory personality traits revealed by both psychodiagnostic techniques and phenomenological analysis. The recognition of cross identification as the basis of the narcisism-masochism collusion appears to be a useful addition to the field of accident prevention.

[Evaluation of the accuracy of precipitation methods for HDL cholesterol determination]. / Valutazione dell'accuratezza dei metodi di precipitazione per il dosaggio del colesterolo delle HDL.

Several methods for HDL-Cholesterol determination have been proposed; the over-floating cholesterol evaluation after non-HDL lipoproteins precipitation by polyanions with bivalent cations or neutral polymers is practical and not expensive, but it's accuracy and precision must be strictly control led. The Authors, after a review and a quality-check of the most used methods, conclude that the best accuracy for HDL-Cholesterol determination is provided by Dextransulphate-Mg-chloride and Phosphotungstate-Mg-chloride at pH 7,5.

[Relationships between programmed physical activity and risk factors in atherosclerosis]. / Osservazioni sui rapporti tra attivita' fisica programmate e fattori di rischio dell'aterosclersoi.

The lipidemic pattern has been evaluated in 40 systematically trained subjects and in 43 subjects of same age and BMI sedentary ones. The mean CT concentration of active subjects was not different from that of the sedentary group, whereas HDL-C was significantly higher and TG significantly lower, CT/HDL-C was significantly lower in active subjects. The obtained results show that systematic physical activity, even if not at agonistic level, can induce antiatherogenic modifications of the lipidemic pattern.

[Influence of alcohol intake and smoking on plasma HDL cholesterol in active and sedentary subjects]. / Interferenza dell'assunzione di alcool e del fumo sulla concentrazione plasmatica del colesterolo HDL in soggetti attivi e sedentari.

The effect of physical activity, of smoking habit and alcohol assumption on plasma HDL-cholesterol has been evaluated in 40 normolipidaemic male active subjects and in 43 non-active ones. The comparison have been performed after covariance adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Physical activity increases and smoking habit decreases HDL-cholesterol plasma levels; no effects depending on alcohol consumption have been found.

[Blood coagulation processes in decompression sickness and hyperbaric therapy]. / Processi emocoagulativi nella malattia da decompressione e nel trattamento iperbarico.

The hyperaggregability of platelets is remarkably important in the pathogenesis of decompression sickness. The basis of this phenomenon might consist of an excessive production of metabolites of arachidonic acid (C 20:4) whose action favours aggregation (prostaglandin endoperoxides PGG2 and PGH2 and Tromboxane A2) in respect of the synthesis of its derivatives exerting an antithrombotic action (prostacyclin I2). The antiaggregating therapy usually associated to the hyperbaric treatment involves administration of acetylsalicylic acid in low doses (3.5-5 mg/kg every three days), associated if necessary to dypyridamol. As a prophylaxis against thrombotic phenomena in "risky" subjects, a congruous dietetic assumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids is recommended, such as linoleic acid (C 18:2) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C 20:5) which are forerunners of anti-aggregating prostaglandin derivates. Hyperbaric oxygenation might finally lead to the production of lypid peroxides apt to inhibit the synthesis of PGI2. In such cases it is a rational procedure to administer vitamin E in high doses, as physiological antioxidant of lypids.