Search results for "Function"
showing 10 items of 14432 documents
Motor Cortex Function in Fibromyalgia: A Study by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
2019
Previous studies indicated changes of motor cortex excitability in fibromyalgia (FM) patients and the positive results of transcranial stimulation techniques. The present study aimed to explore the metabolism of motor cortex in FM patients, in resting state and during slow and fast finger tapping, using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), an optical method which detects in real time the metabolism changes in the cortical tissue. We studied 24 FM patients and 24 healthy subjects. We found a significant slowness of motor speed in FM patients compared to controls. During resting state and slow movement conditions, the metabolism of the motor areas was similar between groups. The oxy…
The difference of free light chains as a predictor of kidney damage in patients with Multiple Myeloma
2022

 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm characterized by the clonal expansion of plasma cells that can release monoclonal immunoglobulins (monoclonal component) or part of theme. Since 2001, the k and λ serum free light chains (sFLC) evaluation and their ratio (rFLC) have made up the laboratory analysis more sensitive and precise in MM patients. The role of rFLC has been widely studied and discussed and now it is validated in the literature. Instead, the value of free light chains difference (dFLC), especially in MM is less known yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the dFLC and the kidney damage parameters in patients with MM, in compa…
Staging, neurocognition and social functioning in bipolar disorder.
2018
Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with significant neurocognitive and functional impairment, which may progress across stages. The ‘latent stage' of BD remains understudied. This cross-sectional study assessed staging, neurocognition and social functioning among BD patients and their healthy siblings.Methods: Four groups were included: euthymic type I BD patients in the early (n = 25) and late (n = 23) stages, their healthy siblings (latent stage; n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 21). All 92 subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery of processing speed, verbal learning/memory, visual memory, working memory, verbal fluency, executive cognition, and motor …
Well-being and functional abilities in nursing home and home living seniors in Latvia
2018
The society in developed countries is aging. 1.5% of seniors live in nursing homes in Latvia.Aim: to compare functional abilities and well-being between nursing home and home living Latvian seniors.Methods:280 home living seniors and 285 from nursing homes, age ≥ 65 years able to respond to questions and stand up were included in the study based on availability. They were asked to describe their well-being from very bad to very good. The functional abilities were assessed by hand grip strength, the ability to stand up without assistance, the dependence on caregivers (1 – independent, 2 – partly dependent, 3 – fully dependent), the use of walking device assistance devices.Results:The home li…
The Influence of Fatigue on Throwing and YBT-UQ Performance in Male Adolescent Handball Players
2020
Purpose: The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of fatigue on throwing and Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ) performance in male adolescent handball players. We hypothesized that throwing and YBT-UQ performance will be decreased in response to an upper-body fatigue-protocol.Method: All male participants (N = 24, age: 14.8 ± 0.7 yrs) were handball players of a regional youth selection team. A radar gun was used for the assessment of throwing velocity. The YBT-UQ was executed assessing medial, inferolateral and superolateral reach directions normalized to the upper limb length together with a composite score. Immediately following a fatigue protocol of different sets of p…
A Group-Based 8-Week Functional Interval-Type Outdoor Training Program Improves Physical Performance in Recreationally Active Adults
2022
Even though physical activity is an important aspect of health, lack of time or motivation impede people from working out regularly. One type of training program that is both efficient and motivating is functional interval-type outdoor training. To evaluate this, our study had 81 participants complete a battery of physical performance tests (incremental treadmill test, core stability test and functional fitness test) before and after an 8-week outdoor interval-type training intervention. Training procedures included multimodal and high-intensity exercises performed in consistent, small groups. Results showed that the interval training program produced significant increases in the interventi…
Towards a sustainable leader-follower relationship: constructive dissensus, organizational virtuousness and happiness at work (haw)
2020
This paper examines how leaders and followers can interact positively under complex and bounded conditions. For this purpose, this paper conceptualizes and measures the concept of constructive dissensus. Constructive dissensus relates to a mutual understanding leading to a situation of coregulation. In addition, the relationship between constructive dissensus and happiness at work is examined on the basis of affective events theory. Furthermore, the mediating role of organizational virtuousness is assessed. Through structural equation modeling, a multilevel analysis was performed. Data from 130 bank branches and 606 employees were gathered. The results reveal a direct effect of constructive…
System identification via optimised wavelet-based neural networks
2003
Nonlinear system identification by means of wavelet-based neural networks (WBNNs) is presented. An iterative method is proposed, based on a way of combining genetic algorithms (GAs) and least-square techniques with the aim of avoiding redundancy in the representation of the function. GAs are used for optimal selection of the structure of the WBNN and the parameters of the transfer function of its neurones. Least-square techniques are used to update the weights of the net. The basic criterion of the method is the addition of a new neurone, at a generic step, to the already constructed WBNN so that no modification to the parameters of its neurones is required. Simulation experiments and compa…
Cost effectiveness of zofenopril in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction: a post- hoc analysis of th…
2013
BACKGROUND: In SMILE-4 (the Survival of Myocardial Infarction Long-term Evaluation 4 study), zofenopril + acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was superior to ramipril + ASA in reducing the occurrence of major cardiovascular events in patients with left ventricular dysfunction following acute myocardial infarction. The present post hoc analysis was performed to compare the cost-effectiveness of zofenopril and ramipril. METHODS: In total, 771 patients with left ventricular dysfunction and acute myocardial infarction were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive zofenopril 60 mg/day (n = 389) or ramipril 10 mg/day (n = 382) + ASA 100 mg/day and were followed up for one year. The primary study end…
Jurisdiction in cases of divorce, legal separation or marriage annulment
2021
The subject of coordination is fundamental for the functioning of jurisdictional rules of the Regulation n.2016/1103 on matrimonial property regimes and Regulation n.2016/1104 on the property consequences of registered partnerships. Both Property Regimes Regulations have the purpose of gathering litigation before the courts of one Member State and have the related procedures managed by the courts of the same Member State. Recital 34 of Regulation No. 2016/1103 specifies that matters of matrimonial property regime related to proceedings pending before the court of a member state hearing an application for divorce, legal separation or marriage annulment should be dealt with by the courts of t…