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Background: There is increasing evidence supporting the concept of exercise-related changes in brain structure and function in adults and, more recently, pre-adolescent children. To further address this relationship, we investigated the association between physical activity and white matter microstructure in a cohort of 6- and 7-year-old children. Methods: Twenty-five healthy, right-handed children, 6-7 years of age, from southwest Tennessee who had no neurological conditions were enrolled to participate in the study. Participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and 7-day physical activity assessment using accelerometry (GT3X-BT, Actigraph Inc.). Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated using an automated atlas-based method for a priori white matter tracts, based on previous literature, and included the corpus callosum, corona radiata, superior longitudinal fasciculus, posterior thalamic radiation and cerebral peduncle. Accelerometer data were categorized as absolute time and percentage of wear-time spent in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. Associations between physical activity and white matter integrity were analyzed using partial correlations, controlling for age and sex. Alpha was set to 0.05. Results: Average times spent in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity per day were 553±97 min (58% of total monitored time), 341 ±57 min (35%), 49±18 min (5%) and 21 ±13 min (2%), respectively. We found a negative association between absolute time spent in sedentary activity and FA of corpus callosum splenium (r=-0.482), as well as bilateral posterior corona radiata (r=-0.426). Percent wear-time spent in vigorous activity was positively correlated with FA of the right posterior thalamic radiation (r=0.428), and percent wear-time spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity was positively correlated with FA of the left posterior corona radiata (r=0.417). For all of these correlations, p<0.05. Discussion:The findings reported in this study demonstrate the extent to which levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with integrity of structures underlying visual processing, motor control, and interhemispheric information transfer, in 6-7-year-old children. Given the implications of physical activity for overall cognitive health, strategies focusing on decreasing sedentary time and elevating especially moderate and vigorous physical activity levels during the most responsive developmental window in children could induce neurobiological changes leading to improved behavioral outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSDs) are a group of peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) with different variants in the PEX genes. The main biochemical marker for screening peroxisomal disorders is very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). The study reveals a rare case of PBD in the Zellweger spectrum in which she had normal plasma VLCFA levels., Case Presentation: Here, we report a 10-year-old girl with neurodevelopmental delay, facial dysmorphism, and hearing impairment. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan was done to determine the reason for the seizures and neurodevelopmental delay. MRI images showed a mild widening in sulci especially in frontal lobes and sylvian fissures with pachygyria in the perisylvian regions. Biochemical analysis was done to detect ZSD. However, plasma VLCFA levels were normal. The diagnosis was made using whole-exome sequencing (WES). A homozygous variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in PEX6 NM&#95;000287.4: c.1992G > C (p. Glu664Asp) was identified which has been confirmed through Sanger sequencing in probands and her parents., Conclusions: According to the case report, plasma VLCFA levels can be normal in patients with PBDs in the Zellweger spectrum. Furthermore, we could re-classify the c.1992G > C variant in the PEX6 gene from VUS to likely pathogenic based on clinical manifestations including facial dysmorphism, and hearing impairment., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran. (Approval Number: IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1402.226). Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s parents with the agreement to share the clinical and genetic information for research analysis. Consent for publication: The written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s parents for publication of this case report and the accompanying images. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is a treatment option for patients with refractory epilepsy when surgical resection is not possible due to overlap of the irritative zone and eloquent cortex. Presurgical evaluations for RNS placement typically rely on invasive methods. This study investigated the potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to provide key presurgical information non-invasively. We hypothesized that these non-invasive methods may assist in optimizing RNS placement by providing useful information for seizure localization by MEG and eloquent cortex mapping by TMS. A retrospective chart review identified nine patients who underwent RNS placement (mean age = 20.4 years [SD = 5.6], two-thirds were female). Characterization of the irritative zone using MEG was successful in eight of nine patients. Non-invasive mapping of relevant eloquent cortex was attempted in all patients. TMS was successful in eight of nine patients, and MEG was successful in two of six patients. Importantly, patients mapped with non-invasive modalities experienced an average seizure reduction of 77 % at their most recent clinic visit, compared to 75 % seizure reduction in those with invasive evaluations, indicating appropriate RNS placement. These data demonstrate that TMS and MEG can provide key information for RNS and may be feasible alternatives to invasive methods for assisting in decision making regarding RNS placement. Non-invasive methods for determining RNS placement have a high rate of success when data from multiple non-invasive modalities converge and can inform more accurate placement of intracranial electrodes prior to RNS placement or mitigate their need., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Determination of language hemispheric dominance (HD) in patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery has traditionally relied on the sodium amobarbital (Wada) test. The emergence of non-invasive methods for determining language laterality has increasingly shown to be a viable alternative. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), compared to the Wada test, in determining language HD in a sample of 12 patients. TMS-induced speech errors were classified as speech arrest, semantic, or performance errors, and the HD was based on the total number of errors in each hemisphere with equal weighting of all errors (classic) and with a higher weighting of speech arrests and semantic errors (weighted). Using MEG, HD for language was based on the spatial extent of long-latency activity sources localized to receptive language regions. Based on the classic and weighted language laterality index (LI) in 12 patients, TMS was concordant with the Wada in 58.33% and 66.67% of patients, respectively. In eight patients, MEG language mapping was deemed conclusive, with a concordance rate of 75% with the Wada test. Our results indicate that TMS and MEG have moderate and strong agreement, respectively, with the Wada test, suggesting they could be used as non-invasive substitutes.

Non-invasive methods such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) aid in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy or brain tumor to identify sensorimotor cortices. MEG requires sedation in children or patients with developmental delay. However, TMS can be applied to awake patients of all ages with any cognitive abilities. In this study, we compared the efficacy of TMS with MEG (in awake and sedated states) in identifying the hand sensorimotor areas in patients with epilepsy or brain tumors. We identified 153 patients who underwent awake- (n = 98) or sedated-MEG (n = 55), along with awake TMS for hand sensorimotor mapping as part of their pre-surgical evaluation. TMS involved stimulating the precentral gyrus and recording electromyography responses, while MEG identified the somatosensory cortex during median nerve stimulation. Awake-MEG had a success rate of 92.35 % and TMS had 99.49 % (p-value = 0.5517). However, in the sedated-MEG cohort, TMS success rate of 95.61 % was significantly higher compared to MEG's 58.77 % (p-value = 0.0001). Factors affecting mapping success were analyzed. Logistic regression across the entire cohort identified patient sedation as the lone significant predictor, contrary to age, lesion, metal, and number of antiseizure medications (ASMs). A subsequent analysis replaced sedation with anesthetic drug dosage, revealing no significant predictors impacting somatosensory mapping success under sedation. This study yields insights into the utility of TMS and MEG in mapping hand sensorimotor cortices and underscores the importance of considering factors that influence eloquent cortex mapping limitations during sedation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background and Purpose: Mothers' attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy are crucial to their ability to adjust themselves to motherhood. Attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy questionnaire (PRE-MAMA) have been used in a few Iranian studies, and its validity and reliability have not been assessed yet. This study, hence, aimed to provide the psychometric properties of the PRE-MAMA in Iran. Methods: In this research, 110 pregnant women were selected through random sampling in 2020. The face, content, and construct validity of the PRE-MAMA were examined through exploratory and confirmatory analyses. The test-retest reliability and internal consistency were also employed to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The content validity index and content validity ratio of the PRE-MAMA were 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. The results of the scale-based exploratory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.63, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) was equal to 0.97 (.93-.99). Conclusion: The Iranian version of PRE-MAMA is a valid and reliable tool for assessing Iranian mothers' attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy., (© 2023 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.)

Objective: Noise pollution is a kind of stress that impairs various physiological functions. This study evaluated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) on corticosterone, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte responses to acute noise stress in male rats., Design: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, including control which was assessed at the beginning, control time which was assessed simultaneously with experimental groups (CT), HIIT, MCT, HIIT followed by noise stress (HIIT+S), MCT followed by noise stress (MCT+S), and noise stress. HIIT and MCT were performed for 8 weeks. Noise stress was induced for one session. Blood samples were taken 48 hours after the last exercise session in training and CT groups and immediately after acute noise stress in stress groups of HIIT+S, MCT+S, and noise stress., Results: In response to acute noise stress, MCT and HIIT adaptations increased corticosterone, while reduced monocytes compared to CT. MCT increased basal corticosterone and IL-6 and decreased monocytes; however, in response to acute noise stress, corticosterone was higher and monocyte count was lower in the HIIT+S group. Regarding the effect of training, corticosterone and monocytes in MCT were higher than in HIIT. The serum level of IL-6 was lower in MCT than CT group, while it was not significantly different between stress groups., Conclusion: In response to noise stress, previous exercise, especially HIIT, increased stress while did not increase inflammatory and innate immune response.

Objectives: Pregnancy is a vulnerable period for women's health, and health practices play an essential role in this period. This study aimed to determine the relationship between health practices with attitudes toward pregnancy and motherhood and pregnancy symptoms., Design: It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling conducted on 351 pregnant women in 2021-2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic characteristics, health practices in pregnancy (Health Practices Questionnaire-II), attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy (Prenatal Attitudes Towards motherhood and Pregnancy) and pregnancy symptoms (Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory). The general linear model (GLM), with the adjustment of socio-demographic characteristics, was used to determine the relationship of the health practices with attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy and pregnancy symptoms., Setting: Health centres in Tabriz city, Iran., Participants: Women were eligible if living in the Tabriz city, Iran, were pregnant and had a personal health record at the health centre., Results: The mean (SD) of the total health practices score was 117.9 (20.5) out of 34-170. The mean (SD) of the attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy was 33.4 (4.5) out of 11-44. The mean (SD) of the pregnancy symptoms was 28.0 (12.1) out of 0-123. According to the Pearson correlation test, there was a significant direct correlation between health practices with attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy (r=0.39; p<0.001) and a significant inverse correlation with pregnancy symptoms (r=-0.29; p<0.001). Based on the GLM with an increase in the score of health practices, the mean score of the attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy increased (B=0.07; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.1), and the mean score of pregnancy symptoms decreased (B=-0.1; 95% CI: -0.2 to -0.05)., Conclusion: Considering the relationship between health practices with the attitude towards motherhood and pregnancy symptoms, healthcare providers better use educational and counselling strategies to promote health practices in pregnant women., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Developmental psychological trauma induces vulnerability to psychosis. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. Impairments in Theory of Mind (ToM) have been observed in adult survivors of developmental trauma and individuals with psychosis. ToM is therefore a candidate mechanism underlying the association between developmental trauma and psychosis., Methods: We used a computerised version of the Director task - where a participant is instructed by a confederate to move an object around a 4 × 4 grid, whilst taking account of whether these objects are visible to a confederate who instructs the participant - to investigate impairments in ToM in 209 participants (age: M = 37.8, SD=13.6; 56% female). Participants were divided into a) developmental trauma-positive (DT+) and control groups (DT-) based on their history of developmental trauma and b) then further into subclinical (S) and healthy groups (H) as based on psychotic experiences indexed by the CAPE-P15. After exclusion, the numbers in each group were: DT+H (47), DT+S (84), DT-H (54), DT-S (12). (Total: 197)., Results: Developmental trauma exposure was associated with psychotic experiences (OR: 7.89, p < .001), which remained significant after controlling for demographic and clinical confounds (adjusted R 2  = 0.452, R 2 change = 0.0184, p = .009). Participants with developmental trauma (F 1, 194 ) = 5.46, p = .020, ηp 2  = 0.027) and participants more prone to psychotic experiences (F 1, 194 ) = 4.71, p = .031, ηp 2  = 0.024) demonstrated significantly lower accuracy on the Director task relative to their respective control, after controlling for the effects of age., Conclusions: ToM deficits are associated with self-reported developmental trauma and psychotic experiences. Further work is needed to explore these relationships further and whether they represent generalised or specific effect effects on developmental trauma and psychopathological domains., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth at an early age are associated with potential risks and complications for adolescent mothers. Health practices are behaviors that can positively affect maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of self-care counseling on health practices (main outcome), attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy, and pregnancy symptoms (secondary outcomes) in adolescent pregnant women., Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 54 adolescent pregnant women admitted to the health centers of Bukan, Iran in 2020 were enrolled. Using randomized block design, the participants were randomly assigned to the counseling (n=27) and control (n=27) groups. Those in the intervention group attended 6 self-care group counseling sessions. The Health Practices Questionnaire-II (HPQ-II), Attitudes towards Motherhood and Pregnancy Questionnaire (PRE-MAMA), and Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI) were completed before and 4 weeks after the intervention., Results: Based on the results of ANCOVA with controlled baseline values, after the intervention the mean health practices score of the participants in the intervention group was significantly higher than those in the control group (adjusted mean difference (AMD): 36.34; 95% CI: 34.69 to 37.98; P<0.001). The mean attitude towards motherhood score of the participants in the intervention group was significantly higher than those in the control group (AMD: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.96; P= 0.038). However, the mean pregnancy symptoms score of the participants in the intervention group was partially lower than those in the control group (AMD: -1.37; 95% CI: -4.32 to 1.58; P= 0.354)., Conclusion: Self-care counseling sessions can improve the health practices of adolescent pregnant women and enhance their attitudes towards maternal role and pregnancy. Therefore, planners are recommended to organize self-care counseling programs for all pregnant women, especially for adolescent pregnant women., Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N54 . Date of registration: 2/3/2020. URL: https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/42571/view ; Date of first registration: February 3, 2020., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background & Aims: There is debate over the optimal method for colonoscopic surveillance of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Guidelines recommend chromoendoscopy, but the value of chromoendoscopy in high-definition colonoscopy has not been proven. Furthermore, the value of random biopsies is controversial., Methods: We performed a prospective study of 305 patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis referred for surveillance colonoscopy at a university hospital in Sweden, from March 2011 through April 2016. Patients randomly assigned to a group that received high-definition chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine (HD-CE; n = 152), collection of 32 random biopsies, and targeted biopsies or polypectomies or to a group that received high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE; n = 153), collection of 32 random biopsies, and targeted biopsies or polypectomies. The primary endpoint was number of patients with dysplastic lesions., Results: Dysplastic lesions were detected in 17 patients with HD-CE and 7 patients with HD-WLE (P = .032). Dysplasias in random biopsies (n = 9760) were detected in 9 patients: 6 (3.9%) in the HD-CE group and 3 (2.0%) in the HD-WLE group (P = .72). Of the 9 patients with dysplasia, 3 patients (33%) had primary sclerosing cholangitis-only 18% of patients (54/305) included in the study had primary sclerosing cholangitis. The number of dysplastic lesions per 10 min of withdrawal time was 0.066 with HD-CE and 0.027 with HD-WLE (P = .056)., Conclusions: In a randomized trial, we found HD-CE with collection of random biopsies to be superior to HD-WLE with random biopsies for detection of dysplasia per colonoscopy. These results support the use of chromoendoscopy for surveillance of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT01505842., (Copyright © 2020 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)