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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Wearable in-ear electroencephalographic (EEG) devices hold significant promise for advancing brain monitoring technologies into everyday applications. However, despite...
Wearable in-ear electroencephalographic (EEG) devices hold significant promise for advancing brain monitoring technologies into everyday applications. However, despite the current availability of several in-ear EEG devices in the market, there remains a critical need for robust validation against established clinical-grade systems. In this study, we carried out a detailed examination of the signal performance of a mobile in-ear EEG device from Naox Technologies. Our investigation had two main goals: firstly, evaluating the hardware circuit's reliability through simulated EEG signal experiments and, secondly, conducting a thorough comparison between the in-ear EEG device and gold-standard EEG monitoring equipment. This comparison assesses correlation coefficients with recognized physiological patterns during wakefulness and sleep, including alpha rhythms, eye artifacts, slow waves, spindles, and sleep stages. Our findings support the feasibility of using this in-ear EEG device for brain activity monitoring, particularly in scenarios requiring enhanced comfort and user-friendliness in various clinical and research settings.
Topics: Electroencephalography; Humans; Wearable Electronic Devices; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Brain; Sleep; Monitoring, Physiologic; Wakefulness
PubMed: 38931756
DOI: 10.3390/s24123973 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The remarkable human ability to predict others' intent during physical interactions develops at a very early age and is crucial for development. Intent prediction,...
The remarkable human ability to predict others' intent during physical interactions develops at a very early age and is crucial for development. Intent prediction, defined as the simultaneous recognition and generation of human-human interactions, has many applications such as in assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, video and robotic surveillance, and autonomous driving. However, models for solving the problem are scarce. This paper proposes two attention-based agent models to predict the intent of interacting 3D skeletons by sampling them via a sequence of glimpses. The novelty of these agent models is that they are inherently multimodal, consisting of perceptual and proprioceptive pathways. The action (attention) is driven by the agent's generation error, and not by reinforcement. At each sampling instant, the agent completes the partially observed skeletal motion and infers the interaction class. It learns where and what to sample by minimizing the generation and classification errors. Extensive evaluation of our models is carried out on benchmark datasets and in comparison to a state-of-the-art model for intent prediction, which reveals that classification and generation accuracies of one of the proposed models are comparable to those of the state of the art even though our model contains fewer trainable parameters. The insights gained from our model designs can inform the development of efficient agents, the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
Topics: Humans; Algorithms; Robotics; Attention
PubMed: 38931706
DOI: 10.3390/s24123922 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Sensory information obtained from the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems is responsible for regulating postural control, and if damage occurs in one or more...
BACKGROUND
Sensory information obtained from the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems is responsible for regulating postural control, and if damage occurs in one or more of these sensory systems, postural control may be altered.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), matched by sex and age group, and to compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with SNHL, with and without vestibular dysfunction.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study that evaluated 130 children (65 with normal hearing and 65 with SNHL), of both sexes and aged between 7 and 11 years, from public schools of the city of Caruaru, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The postural sway velocity of the center of pressure (COP) was assessed by a force platform, in two directions, anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML)), in three positions, namely bipedal support with feet together and parallel (parallel feet (PF)), bipedal support with one foot in front of the other (tandem foot (TF)), and single-leg support (one foot (OF)), evaluated with the eyes open and closed.
RESULTS
Children with SNHL demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, with significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (PF: = 0.001; TF: = 0.000; OF: = 0.003) and closed (PF: = 0.050; TF: = 0.005). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (PF: = 0.001; TF: = 0.000; OF: = 0.001) and closed (PF: = 0.002; TF: = 0.000). The same occurred in relation to vestibular function, where the children with SNHL with an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, demonstrating significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (TF: = 0.001; OF: = 0.029) and eyes closed (PF: = 0.036; TF: = 0.033). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (TF: = 0.000) and with the eyes closed (PF: = 0.008; TF: = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with SNHL demonstrated greater instability of postural control than children with normal hearing in all the directions assessed. Children with SNHL and an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated the greatest instability of postural control in this study.
Topics: Humans; Child; Postural Balance; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Vestibular Diseases; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Deafness
PubMed: 38931672
DOI: 10.3390/s24123888 -
Nutrients Jun 2024The current research aimed to investigate the connection between food insecurity and sleep issues among Spanish adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years from the (Region of...
PURPOSE
The current research aimed to investigate the connection between food insecurity and sleep issues among Spanish adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years from the (Region of Murcia, Spain).
METHODS
Data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities Study, which included a sample of 836 adolescents (55.3% girls), were analyzed. Food insecurity was evaluated using the Child Food Security Survey Module in Spanish (CFSSM-S), while sleep-related problems were evaluated using the Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings during the night, Regularity and duration of sleep, and Sleep-disordered breathing (BEARS) sleep screening tool. Generalized linear models were employed to explore the association between food insecurity and sleep-related issues.
RESULTS
Compared with their counterparts with food security, adolescents with food insecurity had greater probabilities of bedtime problems (24.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 16.9% to 33.0%, = 0.003), excessive daytime sleepiness (36.4%, 95% CI 27.5% to 46.3%, < 0.001), awakenings during the night (16.7%, 95% CI 10.8% to 25.1%, = 0.004), and any sleep-related problems (68.1%, 95% CI 57.5% to 77.1%, < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that food insecurity is related to greater sleep-related problems among adolescents. Implementing strategies to mitigate food insecurity may contribute to improved sleep health among adolescents, highlighting the importance of integrated public health interventions.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Female; Male; Spain; Child; Food Insecurity; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38931314
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121960 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Chronic stress (CS) endangers the physical and mental health of adolescents. Therefore, alleviating and preventing such negative health impacts are a top priority. This...
Microbiome and Metabolite Analysis Insight into the Potential of Shrimp Head Hydrolysate to Alleviate Depression-like Behaviour in Growth-Period Mice Exposed to Chronic Stress.
Chronic stress (CS) endangers the physical and mental health of adolescents. Therefore, alleviating and preventing such negative health impacts are a top priority. This study explores the effect of feeding shrimp head hydrolysate (SHH) on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and neurotransmitters in growing C57BL/6 mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Mice in the model group and three SHH groups were exposed to CS for 44 days, distilled water and SHH doses of 0.18, 0.45, 0.90 g/kg·BW were given respectively by gavage daily for 30 days from the 15th day. The results showed that SHH can significantly reverse depression-like behaviour, amino acids degradation, α diversity and β diversity, proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, abundance of genera such as , , , and , concentration of five short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), 5-HT and glutamate induced by CS. and butyric acid may be a controlled target. This study highlights the potential and broad application of SHH as an active ingredient in food to combat chronic stress damage.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Stress, Psychological; Mice; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Depression; Male; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38931307
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121953 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Training interoceptive sensitivity (IS) might be a first step in effectively promoting intuitive eating (IE). A dyadic interoception-based pilot randomized controlled... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Training interoceptive sensitivity (IS) might be a first step in effectively promoting intuitive eating (IE). A dyadic interoception-based pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to increase IE among couples aged 50+. The training consisted of three exercises, a Body Scan (BS), a hunger exercise (HU), and a satiety (SA) exercise. This study explored how spouses accepted the (dyadic vs. single) training. In a mixed-methods convergence design, the findings of a survey ( = 68 couples) and focus groups ( = 4) were synthesized. Moderate general acceptance (e.g., regarding feasibility and low burden) and a hierarchical gradient in favor of the BS (e.g., pleasantness and improved sleep quality) emerged. Barriers concerned a perceived lack of the exercises' usefulness and a limited understanding of the training purpose. A wish for regular feedback and exchange with the study stuff and other participants was expressed. Spousal training involvement was experienced as being rather beneficial. Previously harmonized dietary practices and daily routines appeared as constructive pre-conditions for the joint training. This study highlights the potential and implications of training couples in IS. Future interventions should involve a regular exchange and closer guidance by study staff to promote a better understanding of the processes and goals of IS and IE.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Pilot Projects; Middle Aged; Interoception; Spouses; Aged; Exercise; Feeding Behavior; Focus Groups; Surveys and Questionnaires; Hunger; Eating; Satiation
PubMed: 38931304
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121949 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) has mutual antagonism with ghrelin, which evokes food intake under a freely fed state. Nevertheless, the impact of...
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) has mutual antagonism with ghrelin, which evokes food intake under a freely fed state. Nevertheless, the impact of LEAP-2 on ghrelin under time-restricted feeding (TRF), which has benefits in the context of metabolic disease, is still unknown. This study aims to explore the impact of central administration of LEAP-2 on the ingestion behavior of rats, which was evaluated using their cumulative food intake in the TRF state. Before intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of -octanoylated ghrelin (0.1 nmol/rat), as a food-stimulatory model, the rats received various doses of LEAP-2 (0.3, 1, 3 nmol/rat, ICV). Cumulative food intake was recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after ICV injection under 12 h freely fed and TRF states in a light phase. In 12 h freely fed and TRF states, central administration of ghrelin alone induced feeding behavior. Pre-treatment with LEAP-2 (1 and 3 nmol/rat, ICV) suppressed ghrelin-induced food intake in a dose-dependent manner in a 12 h freely fed state instead of a TRF state, which may have disturbed the balance of ghrelin and LEAP-2. This study provides neuroendocrine-based evidence that may explain why TRF sometimes fails in fighting obesity/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in clinics.
Topics: Animals; Ghrelin; Male; Rats; Eating; Feeding Behavior; Injections, Intraventricular; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Consciousness; Blood Proteins
PubMed: 38931301
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121946 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, disability, and significantly reduces the quality of life....
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, disability, and significantly reduces the quality of life. Typically, OA is treated using painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While current pharmacologic treatments are common, their potential side effects have prompted exploration into functional dietary supplements. Recently, eggshell membrane (ESM) has emerged as a potential functional ingredient for joint and connective tissue disorders due to its clinical efficacy in relieving joint pain and stiffness. Despite promising clinical evidence, the effects of ESM on OA progression and its mechanism of action remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the efficacy of Ovomet, a powdered natural ESM, against joint pain and disease progression in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rodent model of OA in mice and rats. The results demonstrate that ESM significantly alleviates joint pain and attenuates articular cartilage destruction in both mice and rats that received oral supplementation for 5 days prior to OA induction and for 28 days thereafter. Interestingly, ESM significantly inhibited mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the knee joint cartilage at the early stage of OA, within 7 days after OA induction. However, this effect was not observed in the late stage at 28 days after OA induction. ESM further attenuates the induction of protein expression for cartilage-degrading enzymes like matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) 3 and 13, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), in the late-stage. In addition, MIA-induced reduction of the protein expression levels of cartilage components, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), aggrecan (ACAN) and collagen type II α-1 chain (COL2α1), and cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis promoting transcriptional factor SRY-Box 9 (SOX-9) were increased via ESM treatment in the cartilage tissue. Our findings suggest that Ovomet, a natural ESM powder, is a promising dietary functional ingredient that can alleviate pain, inflammatory response, and cartilage degradation associated with the progression of OA.
Topics: Animals; Egg Shell; Cartilage, Articular; Osteoarthritis; Male; Mice; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Rats; Inflammation; Dietary Supplements; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Arthralgia; Time Factors; Iodoacetic Acid; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 38931240
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121885 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Chronic sleep disturbance affects daily functioning, leading to decreased concentration, fatigue, and higher healthcare costs. Traditional insomnia medications are often...
Chronic sleep disturbance affects daily functioning, leading to decreased concentration, fatigue, and higher healthcare costs. Traditional insomnia medications are often associated with adverse side effects. This study investigated the efficacy of a novel compound derived from and extracts (named RNE) in improving sleep quality with fewer side effects. The study included individuals between the ages of 20 and 65 with subthreshold insomnia and evaluated the effects of RNE on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life. Participants took 750 mg of RNE daily at bed-time for two weeks. The study used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a sleep diary, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for assessments. Of the 20 participants, 13 completed the study and showed significant improvements in sleep quality. The results showed improvements in ISI and PSQI scores, a 57% reduction in wake-time after sleep onset, and improved sleep efficiency. Although FSS scores remained unchanged, significant improvements were seen in SF-36 physical and mental health scores. The results suggest that RNE is an effective, low-risk option for sleep disturbance, significantly improving sleep quality and overall wellbeing without significant side effects.
Topics: Humans; Rhodiola; Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Sleep Quality; Quality of Life; Nelumbo; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Young Adult; Fatigue; Aged; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep
PubMed: 38931222
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121867 -
Nutrients Jun 2024This study investigated the complex interaction between individuals' culinary tastes, at-home dining habits, and their broader impact on general well-being and...
This study investigated the complex interaction between individuals' culinary tastes, at-home dining habits, and their broader impact on general well-being and relationships dynamics. An all-encompassing tool for assessing the impact of dietary choices on emotions related to coziness, social interaction, and general wellness, the multidimensional Culinary Comfort and Connection Index (CCCI) focuses on traditional home-cooked meals, in particular. We used an online-based survey to validate the CCCI. With a Cronbach alpha of 0.844, this scale is reliable and valid. It covers a wide range of aspects including self-care advocacy, traditional values, and a preference for handmade food. We performed descriptive and stratified analyses and tested correlations. The CCCI shows complicated patterns when analyzed with respect to gender, education level, and family income that demonstrate a myriad of factors impacting people's views on food and its relationship to health. While some patterns emerged, the results imply that dietary choices do not necessarily correlate with overall health. The research highlights the complex interaction between cultural, societal, and personal elements in determining perspectives on nutrition and health by drawing on theoretical models like Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Future research should incorporate broader age ranges, longitudinal designs, different populations, objective measurements, and intervention trials to better understand the dynamic link between dietary preferences and health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Food Preferences; Middle Aged; Cooking; Feeding Behavior; Young Adult; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent; Diet; Choice Behavior; Meals; Taste; Diet, Healthy
PubMed: 38931220
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121865