Traces of phylogeny and ecology in hippocampal neuron numbers.

It is not known how selective pressures shape the numbers of interconnected neurons in defined neural circuits during the phylogeny of mammals. Consequently, models of function are without phylogenetic bounds, and species differences in neuronal makeup cannot be linked to ecological factors that generate selective pressures. Based on data from 65 species belonging to 11 orders, we here provide an analysis of five interconnected neuron populations in the circuitry of the hippocampus, the forebrain region encoding episodic memories.

Hippocampal structure, patterns of the calcium-binding proteins and neuron numbers in small echolocating bats.

Even though bats are the second most speciose group of mammals, neuroanatomical studies of their hippocampus are rare, particularly of small echolocating bats. Here, we provide a qualitative and quantitative neuroanatomical analysis of the hippocampus of small echolocating bats (Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae). Calcium-binding proteins revealed species- and family-specific patterns for calbindin and calretinin.

Enhanced Media Optimize Bovine Myogenesis in 2D and 3D Models for Cultivated Meat Applications.

Livestock farming and conventional meat production pose significant environmental, health, and animal welfare challenges. In seeking sustainable alternative solutions, cultivated meat technology typically utilizes differentiation of myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) into muscle cells for in vitro meat production. However, understanding the molecular determinants governing MPC differentiation into muscle cells, and the potential enhancement of this process through modulation of signaling pathways, remains limited.

Filamented Light (FLight) Bioprinting of Mini-Muscles with Self-Renewal Potential.

The plasticity and regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle arise from quiescent stem cells activated upon overload, injury, or disease state. Developing in vitro muscle models to study these properties can advance muscle disease modeling and pre-clinical evaluation. Here, Filamented Light (FLight) bioprinting is leveraged as a high-throughput approach for producing mini-muscle tissues.

Personalised, GIS-based counselling to promote habitual walking in mobility-limited and chronically ill older adults: protocol of the MOBITEC-Routes randomised controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity is a cornerstone of health for older adults. Recent evidence underscores that even regular light activity, such as routine walking, offers substantial health benefits. Traditional approaches to promoting walking often overlook the importance of the local neighbourhood environment and the wide range of abilities and preferences of older adults.

Accuracy of screening for symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients with fibromyalgia in physiotherapy.

ObjectivesThis study compares the accuracy of physiotherapists' screening for anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia patients using observer-report versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 for anxiety versus the 0-10 numeric rating scale.DesignObservational cross-sectional study.SettingPrivate physiotherapy practices in Flanders, Belgium.

Beyond FITT: addressing density in understanding the dose-response relationships of physical activity with health-an example based on brain health.

Research on physical activity (PA) and health has a fundamental concern with dose-response relationships. The variables of (1) Frequency, (2) Intensity, (3) Time, and (4) Type (i.e.

Beyond "just" fun: The role of exergames in advancing health promotion and disease prevention.

Applying innovations in digital health technologies, such as exergames, has been recommended by official bodies like the World Health Organization for health promotion and disease prevention across various populations and age groups. Given a key advantage of interactive and gamified digital health technologies is promoting user engagement, a substantial proportion of studies have implemented recreational exergames - games primarily designed to make specific activities more fun and entertaining. In this article, we aim to move beyond the benefits of "just" providing a more engaging environment for physical and motor-cognitive activities/exercises by shedding light on serious exergame features that enhance the ecological validity of exercises and offer unique advantages for tailoring interventions beyond conventional approaches.

The amyloid precursor family of proteins in excitatory neurons are essential for regulating cortico-hippocampal circuit dynamics in vivo.

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) family is ubiquitously expressed in the mammalian brain and implicated in Alzheimer's disease. APP family proteins participate in synaptic function and their absence impairs cognition. However, how these proteins regulate neural circuits and influence brain-behavior relationships remains unknown.

PEMOCS: effects of a concept-guided, PErsonalized, MOtor-Cognitive exergame training on cognitive functions and gait in chronic Stroke-a randomized, controlled trial.

Purpose: Motor-cognitive exergames may be beneficial for addressing both motor and cognitive residual impairments in chronic stroke, however, effective training schedules are yet to be determined. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of a concept-guided, personalized, motor-cognitive exergame training on cognitive functions and gait in chronic stroke survivors.

Methods: In this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, stroke survivors (at least six-months post-stroke and able to perform step-based exergaming) were allocated either to the intervention (usual care + concept-guided, personalized, motor-cognitive exergame training) or the control group (usual care only).

Addressing the Paradox of Rest with Innovative Technologies.

The paradox of rest lies in its dual nature: essential for recovery yet potentially harmful when prolonged. Prolonged physical inactivity (PI) significantly contributes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Studies show nearly a third of adults worldwide were insufficiently active in 2022, with the economic costs of PI projected to reach INT$520 billion by 2030.

Pupil size reveals arousal level fluctuations in human sleep.

Recent animal research has revealed the intricate dynamics of arousal levels that are important for maintaining proper sleep resilience and memory consolidation. In humans, changes in arousal level are believed to be a determining characteristic of healthy and pathological sleep but tracking arousal level fluctuations has been methodologically challenging. Here we measured pupil size, an established indicator of arousal levels, by safely taping the right eye open during overnight sleep and tested whether pupil size affects cortical response to auditory stimulation.

Within- and between-day test-retest reliability of responses to rapid bilateral anterolateral magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation in healthy humans (ReStim).

Background: Mechanical ventilation can lead to lung injury and diaphragmatic dysfunction. Rapid bilateral anterolateral magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation (rBAMPS) may attenuate both of the aforementioned issues by inducing diaphragm activation. However, in order for rBAMPS to become part of standard of care, the reliability of inspiratory responses to rBAMPS needs to be established.

Delivery of A Chemically Modified Noncoding RNA Domain Improves Dystrophic Myotube Function.

Fast twitch muscle fibers are prone to degradation in skeletal muscle pathologies, such as sarcopenia and muscular dystrophies. We previously showed that the exercise-induced long noncoding RNA CYTOR promotes fast-twitch myogenesis. Here, we identify an independent functional element within human CYTOR, and optimize its RNA delivery.

Hypercapnia Reduces Perceived Heat Pain in Healthy Subjects.

Background: Danger signals modulate pain perception. Both amplification and attenuation of perceived pain are observed in healthy subjects exposed to danger signals, such as transient threats of an imminent electrical shock. However, exposure to danger signals in real life typically is not transient but constant over minutes to hours.

Diagnostic accuracy of heart rate variability as a screening tool for mild neurocognitive disorder.

Background: Mild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD) is recognized as an early stage of dementia and is gaining attention as a significant healthcare problem due to current demographic changes and increasing numbers of patients. Timely detection of mNCD provides an opportunity for early interventions that can potentially slow down or prevent cognitive decline. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be a promising measure, as it has been shown to be sensitive to cognitive impairment.

Accuracy and Reliability of Grip Strength Measurements: A Comparative Device Analysis.

Grip strength is widely used as a surrogate parameter for functional status. The current gold standard, the JAMAR Hydraulic Dynamometer (JAMAR Hydraulic), presents challenges for individuals with painful finger joints or low grip strength. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to assess comparability across the JAMAR Smart, the Martin Vigorimeter and the gold standard.

Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting.

Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) during sleep benefits memory integration and consolidation. In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of TMR applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep following modulation and updating of aversive autobiographical memories using imagery rescripting (ImR). During 2-5 nights postImR, 80 healthy participants were repeatedly presented with either idiosyncratic words from an ImR updated memory during sleep (experimental group) or with no or neutral words (control groups) using a wearable EEG device (Mobile Health Systems Lab-Sleepband, MHSL-SB) [1] implementing a close-loop cueing procedure.

The effectiveness of neuromuscular training warm-up program for injury prevention in adolescent male basketball players.

This study evaluated the effects of a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up program on injury incidence, neuromuscular function, and program adherence, maintenance and acceptance in adolescent basketball players. A total of 275 players from 20 Slovenian teams (15 ± 1.7 years of age), were randomized into an intervention group (IG, n=129) and a control group (CG, n=146).

Feasibility of an exergaming training program in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A mixed method study.

Introduction: Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus may benefit from exergaming training. Exergaming, technology-driven physical activities requiring participants to be physically active or exercise to play the game, allows combining cognitive with motor training. This trial aimed to primarily evaluate the feasibility of an exergame-based training protocol.

Overnight changes in performance fatigability and their relationship to modulated deep sleep oscillations via auditory stimulation.

Deep sleep oscillations are proposed to be central in restoring brain function and to affect different aspects of motor performance such as facilitating the consolidation of motor sequences resulting in faster and more accurate sequence tapping. Yet, whether deep sleep modulates performance fatigability during fatiguing tasks remains unexplored. We investigated overnight changes in tapping speed and resistance against performance fatigability via a finger tapping task.

Sleep and cardiac autonomic modulation in older adults: Insights from an at-home study with auditory deep sleep stimulation.

The autonomic nervous system regulates cardiovascular activity during sleep, likely impacting cardiovascular health. Aging, a primary cardiovascular risk factor, is associated with cardiac autonomic disbalance and diminished sleep slow waves. Therefore, slow waves may be linked to aging, autonomic activity and cardiovascular health.