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BACKGROUND: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults in nursing homes is significant, with high death rates, disrupted care, isolation measures, and inadequate treatment. Social isolation has increased risks of cognitive disorders, anxiety, and depression. While many studies have examined the pandemic's effects on nursing home staff and residents' families, less is known about the health consequences for the residents themselves. This review aims to synthesize literature on the COVID-19 lockdown's impact on the functional, cognitive, and psycho-emotional states of older adults in nursing homes. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. The eligibility criteria included studies on older adults in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, with data that could be disaggregated for this population and results on the lockdown's impact on physical, cognitive, and psycho-emotional levels. RESULTS: Seventeen articles met the criteria for data extraction The synthesis was categorized into four main areas: functional, cognitive and psycho-emotional status, and isolation measures. Key findings included decreased functional abilities, lower cognitive test scores during the pandemic's first waves, development of psychological symptoms, and increased negative feelings among residents. CONCLUSIONS: Highlighting the consequences of confinement for nursing home residents is essential for updating evidence, developing effective strategies, and establishing protocols to mitigate the impact and prevent health issues in future pandemics.

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OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the dynamics of indicators of the functional state and health of technical specialties students during their long-term running engagement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved 112 students (59 men and 53 women) aged 17-20 years. Two groups of students were formed: group 1 included students who, in addition to compulsory academic physical education training sessions, were not engaged in any type of motor activity on their own; group 2 included students who independently were engaged in recreational running 3 times a week in extracurricular time. RESULTS: Results: It was found that during the research period, both male and female students who were independently engaged in recreational running in extracurricular time showed a significant improvement of such indicators as resting heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, duration of breath holding during inhalation and exhalation, duration of heart rate recovery after standard exercise, level of endurance development, level of physical health. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The positive influence of independent running with moderate intensity on the functional state and health of students of technical specialties has been proved. The low efficiency of the physical education system in Ukraine and, accordingly, the insufficient level of motor activity, indicators of functional status, and health of students who, in addition to academic physical education training sessions, did not exercise on their own, were also confirmed.

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The relevance of the study is conditioned upon the widespread occurrence of knee injuries in athletes when playing basketball, in particular, damage to the cartilage system of the knee joint. Such a feature of injury causes the fact that basketball players may develop post-traumatic chondropathy with a subsequent change in the functional state of knee joints, which is inextricably linked with a decrease in the quality of life, the occurrence of pain syndrome, shortening of career duration, an increased risk of surgical interventions, and possible disability in the long-term perspective. This paper is aimed at uncovering modern ideas about the impact of post-traumatic chondropathy on the functional state of knee joints in athletes during basketball games. The method for this paper was the search for relevant studies concerning the formulated problem, the collection of information and drawing conclusions. Given the character of the basketball game, knee injuries, both acute and chronic, are widespread among athletes of this sport, including cartilaginous defects of the knee joint, which often occur in athletes. The materials of the paper are of practical value for sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists, traumatologists since it presents the main mechanisms of knee injuries in athletes when playing basketball and the possible consequences of these injuries in the long term.

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OBJECTIVE: Aim: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) based on the CrossFit system on the level of students' functional state and physical development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved 36 male students who were engaged in HIIT during their studies. Indicators of students' functional state and physical development after 1 and 3 years of HIIT were studied. The functional state was assessed by indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and physical development - by physical education tests. RESULTS: Results: It has been found that HIIT has a positive effect on the indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body and the physical development of students. After three years of HIIT sessions, students significantly improved their heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, Stange test, Genchi test, duration of recovery heart rate, as well as the level of development of speed qualities, strength qualities, endurance and flexibility. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It has been established that the sports-oriented form of organization of physical education training sessions with the use of HIIT based on the CrossFit system is quite effective in improving the indicators of the functional state and physical development of students. A high level of these indicators will help to improve students' health, improve their well-being, and increase the effectiveness of their educational and, in the future, professional activities.

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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1332355.].

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Microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, surveil, detect, and respond to various extracellular signals. Depending on the nature of these signals, an integrative microglial response can be triggered, resulting in a phenotypic transformation. Here, we evaluate whether hypercapnia modifies microglia phenotype in brainstem respiratory-related nuclei. Adult C57BL/6 inbred mice were exposed to 10% CO2 enriched air (hypercapnia), or pure air (control), for 10 or 30 min and immediately processed for immunohistochemistry to detect the ubiquitous microglia marker, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1). Hypercapnia for thirty, but not 10 min reduced the Iba1 labeling percent coverage in the ventral respiratory column (VRC), raphe nucleus (RN), and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and the number of primary branches in VRC. The morphological changes persisted, at least, for 60 min breathing air after the hypercapnic challenge. No significant changes were observed in Iba1+ cells in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5) and the hippocampus. In CF-1 outbred mice, 10% CO2 followed by 60 min of breathing air, resulted in the reduction of Iba1 labeling percent coverage and the number and length of primary branches in VRC, RN, and NTS. No morphological change was observed in Iba1+ cells in Sp5 and hippocampus. Double immunofluorescence revealed that prolonged hypercapnia increased the expression of CD86, an inflammatory marker for reactive state microglia, in Iba1+ cells in VRC, RN, and NTS, but not in Sp5 and hippocampus in CF-1 mice. By contrast, the expression of CD206, a marker of regulatory state microglia, persisted unmodified. In brainstem, but not in hippocampal microglia cultures, hypercapnia increased the level of IL1ß, but not that of TGFß measured by ELISA. Our results show that microglia from respiratory-related chemosensory nuclei, are reactive to prolonged hypercapnia acquiring an inflammatory-like phenotype.

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The correction of stress-induced states and cognitive rehabilitation were carried out during the examination session in three university student groups comparable in the number, sex, and age. In the experimental group, a combination of EEG-guided adaptive neurostimulation with preliminary resonance scanning was used. In control group 1, only EEG-guided adaptive neurostimulation was used. In control group 2, musical-acoustic stimuli were presented without feedback from the subject's EEG. Experiments with preliminary resonance scanning revealed the maximum positive effects compared to the two control types of stimulation. A significant increase in the power of EEG rhythms, especially in the alpha range, was accompanied by a significant increase in subjective indicators of the functional state and cognitive activity. These results can be explained from the standpoint of the progressive involvement of the resonant, integrative, and neuroplasticity mechanisms of the brain into the processes of normalization the functional state of the body under the influence of combined stimulation procedures.

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Introduction: In the principles of the organization of armed struggle of the defense forces of most developed countries of the world, considerable attention is paid to the evaluation of combat readiness of the military personnel. This procedure is conditioned by such interconnected goals of the armed struggle as the maximum realization of the combat potential and the minimization of personnel losses. The purpose of the work is to determine the physiological cost of the activities of the soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ukraine with the help of miniature electrocardiographic hardware and software complexes. Methods: In the research, ultra-miniature ECG devices worn on the body for a long time, so-called wearable "on-body" ECG patch devices, were used in various combat conditions. When analyzing the data, the principle of multi-faceted ECG analysis was implemented, which allows you to obtain complete and physiologically based information, which includes 4 blocks: heart rate variability (HRV), amplitude-time indicators of the ECG, heart rhythm disorders, and psycho- emotional state. Results: In this study, a complex index of the functional state formed based on estimates of generally accepted and original indicators of heart rhythm variability, the shape of the teeth and complexes of the electrocardiogram, as well as an index of the psycho-emotional state formed according to the same principles based on the analysis of heart rhythm variability according to the modified McCraty algorithm (USA) was evaluated. Examination with the help of the complex is carried out in a state of rest, sitting or lying down. Discussion: The sensitivity of the developed monitoring system is good enough to detect the changes in the functional state both in the case of short-term (for hours) intense physical or psycho-emotional stress and more chronic (for days and weeks) stress depending on the nature of the task being done. The proposed methods and means can be considered an important tool to support the commander's decision-making regarding the ability of personnel from the point of view of their functional state to perform combat tasks.

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(1) Background: The vitamin D level in blood is one of the markers of the functional reserves of the human body and can contribute to more successful adaptation in the Arctic. (2) Methods: The study involved 38 participants in the project "Arctic Floating University-2021". The determination of vitamin D content was carried out at the beginning of the expedition. A dynamic study was carried out for 20 days in the morning and in the evening. The functional state parameters of the participants were assessed using psychophysiological and questionnaire methods. Statistical methods: Mann-Whitney U-test and correlation analysis. (3) Results: It was found that at the beginning of the expedition, the functional state of participants with more severe vitamin D deficiency is characterized by a shorter average duration of RR intervals (p = 0.050) and reduced SDNN values (p = 0.015). The higher the content of vitamin D, the greater increase in speed (r = 0.510), the higher the increase in projective performance (r = 0.485), and the smaller the increase in projective stress (r = -0.334). Significant relationships between the subjective characteristics of functional states and the vitamin D of participants have not been established. (4) Conclusion: With an increase in the severity of vitamin D deficiency in the blood, the adaptive capabilities of participants decrease during an expedition to the Arctic.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the features of the functional characteristics of the cardiovascular system of patients with ischemic heart disease with obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Examined 130 persons (mostly military personnel and persons who were in the zone of active hostilities): 65 patients (the main group, 62,67±8,93 years) with coronary heart disease and obesity and 45 people of the control group (virtually healthy people, randomized by age and sex, 58,76±14,6 years). RESULTS: Results: Coronary heart disease and obesity compared to healthy individuals probably the exceed all values of the functional state of the cardiovascular system: systolic blood pressure (152.72±14.61 and 119.03±7.94 mmHg; p<0.001); diastolic blood pressure (90.74±7.36 and 80.36±6.74 mmHg; p<0.001); end-diastolic volume (103.17±40.84 and 52.48±8.58 mm3; р<0.001); end-systolic volume (47.98±29.92 and 31.47±8.42 mm3; р=0.001); end-diastolic size (4.74±0.81 and 4.12 ± 0.27 cm; р<0.001); end-systolic size (3.34±0.76 and 3.17±0.59 cm; р=0.014). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The identified functional disorders of the heart in the comorbid course of coronary heart disease and obesity can be used for early diagnosis of cardiovascular complications in such patients and for the development of adequate therapeutic schemes.

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Objective To investigates the effect of acupuncture on sensitization of Zusanli(ST36)in rats with different functional states by using healthy and knee osteoarthritis model rats.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into control,model,model-acupuncture and blank-acupuncture group,with 7 rats in each group.KOA rat model was prepared by intra-articular injection of 1 mg·50 μL-1 monoiodoacetic aci(MIA)in model group and model-acupuncture group.On the second day of modeling,acupuncture treatment was performed on the left Zusanli of the model acupuncture group and the blank-acupuncture group,once everyday for 20 min,5 times as a course of treatment,2 days between courses.The general condition,knee joint diameter,plantar thermal pain threshold and Lequesne MG score of rats was observed before modeling and after acupuncture.Observing the morphology of knee joint cartilage to judge whether the model is successful,measuring the mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli to investigate the acupoint sensitization,observing and counting the morphology of skin mast cells in the acupoint area,and detecting the expression of skin calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)in the acupoint area.Results The mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli after acupuncture in model group and blank-acupuncture group decreased significantly after modeling(P<0.01,P<0.05),compared with the control group,the change rate of mechanical pain threshold in model group and blank-acupuncture group increased significantly(P<0.05),compared with the model group,the mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli in the model-acupuncture group decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the fluorescence intensity of CGRP protein in the skin tissue of Zusanli in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01),MC degranulation rate increased significantly(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of CGRP protein of Zusanli in the blank-acupuncture group(P>0.05),MC degranulation rate increased obviously(P<0.01),CGRP protein of Zusanli in the model-acupuncture group was significantly reduced compared with the model group(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupoint sensitization can occur in different functional states of rats.Zusanli(ST36)of KOA model rats can be sensitized,and acupuncture stimulation can make Zusanli sensitization caused by disease disappear.Under physiological conditions,acupuncture stimulation can induce similar sensitization phenomenon.

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Esta pesquisa foi conduzida entre idosos que viviam em Instituições de Longa Permanência (ILPI) filantrópicas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais e incluiu um estudo transversal e uma pesquisa qualitativa para avaliar a percepção dos pesquisadores sobre o trabalho de campo. O estudo transversal investigou a relação entre indicadores de saúde bucal (perda dentária e performance mastigatória), de higiene bucal (saburra lingual e nível de dependência para higiene bucal) com a condição nutricional e estado funcional de idosos de 60 anos ou mais que viviam nas ILPI. A coleta de dados foi por consulta ao prontuário e entrevista com os idosos ou seus proxies, exames físico e bucal, conduzidos por 6 pesquisadores treinados (kappa: 0,73-0,95). A variável dependente foi o estado funcional dos idosos, analisado como uma variável latente (fragilidade, incapacidade em atividades e participação, nível de dependência funcional e sarcopenia). A circunferência da panturrilha indicou a condição nutricional. Entre as variáveis de saúde bucal estavam número de dentes naturais, higiene (saburra lingual), performance mastigatória (grau de mistura de cores de chiclete) e dependência para higiene bucal. Sexo, idade e número de comorbidades foram covariáveis. Relações entre variáveis foi avaliada por modelo de equações estruturais. Dos 307 idosos identificados, 295 tiveram a condição funcional avaliada e 194 passaram por exame bucal. A maioria dos idosos era frágil ou préfrágil, com alto grau de incapacidade e dependência, e quase metade apresentava baixa força muscular. A dependência na escovação e o acúmulo de biofilme foram relacionados a pior estado funcional, enquanto uma circunferência maior da panturrilha se associou a menor declínio funcional. Embora a performance mastigatória e o número de dentes não mostraram relação direta com o estado funcional, um maior número de dentes naturais se relacionou positivamente com melhor performance mastigatória que, por sua vez, relacionou-se com maior circunferência de panturrilha. Houve relação significativa indireta entre número de dentes naturais e circunferência de panturrilha mediada pela performance mastigatória. Conclui-se que pior condição de saúde bucal está associada a pior condição funcional em idosos que vivem em ILPI. Os seis pesquisadores realizaram registros sobre as impressões pessoais e a percepção sobre o trabalho de campo em um diário, que compôs o corpus da análise do estudo qualitativo. Pesquisadores preencheram também um formulário com perguntas abertas relatando suas experiências significativas no último mês de coleta. O material obtido foi organizado, lido exaustivamente e submetido à análise de conteúdo por dois pesquisadores. Os temas identificados foram: adesão das ILPI à pesquisa; rotina institucional no andamento da pesquisa; abordagem orientada pelo perfil clínico-funcional; papel central do cuidador; habilidades do pesquisador e cuidados bucais nas ILPI. Na percepção dos pesquisadores, os coordenadores das ILPI preocupam-se com os benefícios da pesquisa para os idosos e que seja conduzida sem comprometer a rotina institucional. O cuidador constitui-se em fonte central de informação e orienta o melhor manejo do idoso, que, frequentemente, apresenta problemas físicos, mentais/emocionais que dificultam a comunicação e a abordagem, demandando conhecimento e múltiplas habilidades do pesquisador (empatia, sensibilidade, escuta). A organização dos materiais, registro e fluxo da coleta é fundamental para torná-la mais eficiente em relação ao tempo e menos desgastante para os idosos e pesquisadores. A pesquisa no contexto de ILPI entre idosos com comprometimento clínico-funcional apresenta desafios metodológicos e operacionais específicos, demandando múltiplas habilidades do pesquisador.

This research was conducted among older people living in philanthropic Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The cross-sectional study investigated the association between oral health indicators, oral hygiene, and the level of dependence on oral hygiene with the nutritional condition and functional status of older peoples aged 60 years or more living in LTCF. Data collection involved reviewing medical records, conducting interviews with the elderly residents or their proxies, and performing physical and oral examinations. These examinations were carried out by six trained researchers (kappa: 0.73-0.95). The dependent variable was the functional condition of the elderly, which was determined through the assessment of frailty, impairment in activities and participation, level of functional dependence, and sarcopenia. The functional status served as the dependent variable, evaluated as a latent construct resulting from frailty, disability, functional dependence, and sarcopenia. Meanwhile, calf circumference indicated the nutritional condition. The oral health variables included the number of natural teeth, oral hygiene, chewing performance, and dependence on oral hygiene. Gender, age, and the number of comorbidities were considered as covariates. The relationships between these variables were assessed using structural equation modeling. Out of the 307 identified older people, 295 had their functional condition assessed, and 194 underwent oral examinations. The majority of the older people were either frail or pre-frail, with a high degree of disability and dependence, and half of them exhibited low muscle strength. The analysis revealed that dependence on brushing and the accumulation of biofilm were associated with greater functional impairment. Additionally, a larger calf circumference was linked to less functional decline. A higher number of natural teeth was positively related to better chewing performance, which, in turn, was associated with a larger calf circumference. There was a significant indirect relationship between the number of natural teeth and calf circumference, mediated by chewing performance. It can be concluded that a poor oral health condition is associated with worse functional status in older peolpe living in LTCF. Six researchers documented their personal impressions about the fieldwork in a diary, which was used as the corpus for the qualitative study analysis. Researchers filled out a questionnaire with open-ended questions, reporting their significant experiences during the last month of data collection. The material was subjected to content analysis by two researchers. The identified themes included: LTCF adherence to the research; institutional routine in the research process; an approach guided by clinical-functional profiles; the central role of caregivers; researcher skills, and oral care in LTCF. Research in the context of LTCF among elderly individuals with clinical-functional impairments presents specific methodological and operational challenges, requiring a diverse skill set from the researche.

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Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common degenerative condition in the older population. However, the current methods for assessing CI are not based on brain functional state, which leads to delayed diagnosis, limiting the initiatives towards achieving early interventions. Methods: A total of one hundred and forty-nine community-dwelling older adults were recruited. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) were used to screen for CI, while brain functional was assessed by brain functional state measurement (BFSM) based on electroencephalogram. Bain functional state indicators associated with CI were selected by lasso and logistic regression models (LRM). We then classified the CI participants based on the selected variables using hierarchical clustering analysis. Results: Eighty-one participants with CI detected by MoCA were divided into five groups. Cluster 1 had relatively lower brain functional states. Cluster 2 had highest mental task-switching index (MTSi, 13.7 ± 3.4), Cluster 3 had the highest sensory threshold index (STi, 29.9 ± 7.7), Cluster 4 had high mental fatigue index (MFi) and cluster 5 had the highest mental refractory period index (MRPi), and external apprehension index (EAi) (21.6 ± 4.4, 35.4 ± 17.7, respectively). Thirty-three participants with CI detected by MMSE were divided into 3 categories. Cluster 1 had the highest introspective intensity index (IIi, 63.4 ± 20.0), anxiety tendency index (ATi, 67.2 ± 13.6), emotional resistance index (ERi, 50.2 ± 11.9), and hypoxia index (Hi, 41.8 ± 8.3). Cluster 2 had the highest implicit cognitive threshold index (ICTi, 87.2 ± 12.7), and cognitive efficiency index (CEi, 213.8 ± 72.0). Cluster 3 had higher STi. The classifications both showed well intra-group consistency and inter-group variability. Conclusion: In our study, BFSM-based classification can be used to identify clinically and brain-functionally relevant CI subtypes, by which clinicians can perform personalized early rehabilitation.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim: To analyze the assessment of the decrease in working capacity degree in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in accordance with modern diagnostic disease criteria and social approaches to disability definition in the world (the decline degree of vital activity). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We analyzed the dynamics of primary disability caused by musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases (the main disease - RA) in Ukraine in 2016-2020. We analyzed the data of medical and social cases of 433 patients with RA (referral for medical and social examination, Form 088/o). We studied the degree of reduction of their efficiency. Statistical processing was performed using descriptive and variational statistics methods. The results were calculated on a personal computer using the licensed programs STATISTICA 6.1 (StatoftInc., Serial № AGAR909E415822FA). RESULTS: Results: It is shown that in Ukraine in 2016-2020 the primary disability had a tendency to increase. The article defines the approaches to medical and social examination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis to determine the ability to work and signs of disability. The article emphasizes the importance of a thorough study of medical data, data on the functional state of the affected joints using functional tests, determining the state of the patient's social activity according to the assessments of questionnaires based on the principles of evidence-based medicine. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The problem of RA is a relevant in the world and in Ukraine. The dynamics of primary disability caused by musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases (the main disease - RA) in Ukraine in 2016-2020 shows a growth trend: from 5.8 to 7.1 per 10 thousand population. Carrying out medical and social examination of RA patients to determine the state of working capacity and signs of disability requires careful study of medical data, data on the functional state of the affected joints with functional tests and determining the state of social activity of the patient according to questionnaires. In patients with RA, the most important data for determining violations of vital signs and the presence of functional disability are: disease activity, its course, the presence of lesions of internal organs and the completeness and quality of treatment methods recommended from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is caused by chronic pyelonephritis (CP). This study aimed to investigate the effect of the association of cardiovascular markers with the course of CP on the comorbidity of CP with ischemic heart disease. The study participants included 125 patients with CP without symptoms of urinary tract obstruction who were divided into three groups. The first group (n=45) consisted of patients with recurrent CP (CPr) three or more times per year. The second group (n=42) included patients with active phase pyelonephritis (CPa), with a frequency of two times or less per year, with concomitant pathology (stable coronary artery disease, functional class I - II), and the third group (n=38) included patients with an inactive phase of the disease (CPi), with a history of pyelonephritis of at least five years. The patients' carotid artery augmentation index (AI %) and the change in the diameter of the brachial artery (D %) in CPi, CPa, and CPr groups were 8.44±1.76, 15.47±4.00, 11.71±1.70, 13.81±3.06, 12.75±2.55 and 6.54±3.27, respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) index in the three study groups was estimated to be 68.92±3.76, 64.76±2.75, and 66.28±3.45%, respectively. An analysis of the results showed the most significant changes in the parameters of the cardiovascular system in patients with a comorbid and relapsing course of CP. The results showed a significant increase in pulmonary artery diameter, EF, left ventricular pressure and volume, pulse wave velocity in the aorta, and vascular resistance index.

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As an interface between the visual and language system, the left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (left-vOT) plays a key role in reading. This functional role is supported by anatomical and functional connections between the area and other brain regions within and outside the language network. Nevertheless, only a few studies have investigated how the functional state of this area, which is dependent upon the nature of the task demand and the stimulus being processed, could influence the activity of the connected brain regions. In the present combined TMS-EEG study, we studied the left-vOT effective connectivity by adopting a direct, causal intervention approach. Using TMS, we probed left-vOT activation in different processing contexts and measured the neural propagation of activity from this area to other brain regions. A comparison of neural propagation measured during low-level visual detection of language versus non-language stimuli showed that processing language stimuli reduced neural propagation from the left-vOT to the right occipital cortex. Additionally, compared to the low-level visual detection of language stimuli, performing semantic judgments on the same stimuli further reduced neural propagation to the posterior part of the corpus callosum, right superior parietal lobule and the right anterior temporal lobe. This reduction of cross-hemispheric neural propagation was accompanied by an increase in the collaboration between areas within the left-hemisphere language network. Together, this first evidence from a direct causal intervention approach suggests that processing language stimuli and performing a high-level language task reduce effective connectivity from the left-vOT to the right hemisphere, and may contribute to the left-hemisphere lateralization typically observed during language processing.

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Quite a long time ago, Oleg B. Ptitsyn put forward a hypothesis about the possible functional significance of the molten globule (MG) state for the functioning of proteins. MG is an intermediate between the unfolded and the native state of a protein. Its experimental detection and investigation in a cell are extremely difficult. In the last decades, intensive studies have demonstrated that the MG-like state of some globular proteins arises from either their modifications or interactions with protein partners or other cell components. This review summarizes such reports. In many cases, MG was evidenced to be functionally important. Thus, the MG state is quite common for functional cellular proteins. This supports Ptitsyn's hypothesis that some globular proteins may switch between two active states, rigid (N) and soft (MG), to work in solution or interact with partners.

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Dementia was one of the conditions focused on in an EU (European Union) project called "PARADISE" (Psychosocial fActors Relevant to brAin DISorders in Europe) that later produced a measure called PARADISE 24, developed within the biopsychosocial model proposed in the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). The aims of this study are to validate PARADISE 24 on a wider sample of patients with mild to moderate dementia to expand PARADISE 24 by defining a more specific scale for dementia, by adding 18 questions specifically selected for dementia, which eventually should be reduced to 12. We enrolled 123 persons with dementia, recruited between July 2017 and July 2019 in home care and long-term care facilities, in Italy, and 80 participants were recruited in Warsaw between January and July 2012 as part of a previous cross-sectional study. The interviews with the patient and/or family were conducted by health professionals alone or as a team by using the Paradise data collection protocol. The psychometric analysis with the Rasch analysis has shown that PARADISE 24 and the selection of 18 additional condition-specific items can be expected to have good measurement properties to assess the functional state in persons with dementia.

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Background: The evaluation of the functional state of the neuromuscular system (NMS) in elite female judokas according to the muscular activity indices is influenced by the force (F) and force-velocity (F-V) efforts. The implementation of the individual correction plan in the elite female judokas' process of instruction and training must be based on the accurate determination of the force and force-velocity effort areas throughout the training and competitive periods. Methods: The research involved 44 elite female judokas, divided in to two experimental groups (A, C) and two control groups (B, D). To diagnose the NMS, 21 elite female judokas were evaluated, belonging to different classification categories, divided into three groups: group I-category I (Cat. I), group II-candidates for Masters of Sports (CMS) and group III-Masters of Sports (MS).The evaluation of NMS was performed at the end of each two-week cycle, using 3 tests: Tmax-time to reach the maximum muscle contraction, (msec); Fy -examination of elasticity indices in different muscles, (Hz); J-explosive muscular strength, (kg/s). Measurements were made for six muscle groups and 9 indices of fitness tests: 5 force tests (F) and 4 force-velocity tests (F-V). The research was carried out during 24 cycles, each one lasting two weeks: 12 training cycles and 12 competitive ones. Each cycle lasted two weeks. During the research, the model plan of training for F and F-V was used, determining the optimal areas of F and F-V training efforts in the preparation and competitive periods. In the experimental groups (A and C), according to the data of judokas' NMS functional state evaluation, the individual correction of the F and F-V efforts was performed every two weeks. As for the control groups (B, D), traditional methods of training were used. Results: The NMS evaluation of the female judokas was made every two weeks and the level of correlation of Tmax, Fy and J indices was determined. The value of the Fy index at F effort is 32% in group I, 30% - in group II, 27% - in group III, 28-30% at the effort of F-V. The total number of corrections in group A: 79 negative corrections and 59 positive corrections, while in group C: 65 negative corrections and 89 positive ones. Within the F-V effort, the number of effort corrections in group A was: 68 negative corrections and 92 positive; in group C - 81 positive and 78 negative corrections. The female judokas' results in the final stage of EG-A were significantly improved in F indices by 52.15%, F-V by 6.22% and 6.18%. In the EG-C, the F increased considerably by 7.52%, F-V by 5.67% and 7.20%. These results characterize the level of physical training. Conclusion: The functional state of the NMS in elite judokas, determined according to the temporal indices of reaching the maximal muscular contraction, the muscle explosive strength and the muscles elasticity, is subjected to dynamics under the influence of force effort and force-velocity effort.

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