Vol 45, No 3 (2019)

A population of children (mean age 6.05 years) with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) was divided into two groups depending on whether further development was supposed to be of an autistic type (AT) or to have a transition to a schizotypal type (SCH-T). Features of the baseline EEG spectral power (SP) were studied in the AT and SCH-T groups and a group of children with the schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SchSDs) in comparison with a group of normally developing children of the same age. The SPs of the θ and α rhythms in the anterior cortex were higher than normal in the SCH-T and AT groups, while the α-rhythm SP in the posterior cortex was decreased. The AT group displayed lower activities of the θ and α rhythms, especially in the posterior regions. The α-rhythm SPs in the occipital regions were reduced in all test groups. A right predominance of the α rhythm was observed in two groups, SchSD and SCH-T. An increased representation of the γ rhythm in the frontal-central and temporal regions was observed in the AT group. The heterogeneity of the groups of children with ASDs was presumably associated with a transition from ASD to SchSD, and possible predictors of this transition are discussed.

We studied the origin of pulsed acoustic signals, which were first discovered in our previous study using temporal leads in subjects at rest. We simultaneously recorded acoustic, electroencephalographic, and electromyographic signals in subjects at rest. It was found that the acoustic signals correlated with the electromyographic signals when acoustic receivers were placed on the temples and electromyographic electrodes were located on the corresponding temporal muscles. Correlations of the acoustic and electromyographic signals were also observed when acoustic receivers and electromyographic electrodes were placed on the biceps. These correlations indicate the common nature of the observed acoustic and electromyographic signals and allow them to be classified as spontaneous acoustomyographic signals observed in subjects at rest. Therefore, similarly to the electromyographic signals, the pulsed acoustomyographic signals can be used for the purposes of medical diagnostics.

The analysis of individual physical exercise (PE) tolerance is related to the variability of time series (TS) in the cardiorhythmogram (CRG). Mathematical simulation (MSim) is one of the most detailed methods for such studies. We investigated the CRG variability in stress testing using mathematical simulation of its time series in order to determine the prognostic markers of PE tolerance. We examined a mixed sample (MS) of apparently healthy subjects aged 18–22 years (n = 68), which was divided into two equal groups (n = 34): athlete (1) and nonathlete (2) subjects. We performed maximal bicycle exercise testing according to an individual protocol. We applied S to the derived CRG TS. The markers of MSim for CRG TS of the early adaptation period (EAP) were matched (Spearman) with individual load and recovery values. Then we performed intergroup comparison (Mann–Whitney). It was found that the EAP CRG variability has some specific traits of the entire loading period and is connected with the individual PE tolerance. The markers of MSim for CRG TS reflect the specific traits of the entire time series and can be used to study variability and relations with other adaptation mechanisms. The minute models of EAP allowed us to reveal its critical stages: maximal variability (1–2 min) and stability (3 min); maximal variability velocity (1 min), significant velocity reduction (2 min), and minimal velocity (3 min). The last (third) minute of EAP in the mixed sample and in group 2 reflects the limit of the individual load tolerance with the highest accuracy. Homogeneous groups significantly differ in the maximal level and chronotropic parameters of PE tolerance, start time and the velocity of changes in CRG TS. At the same time, the markers of MSim for CRG TS for the mixed sample and the nonathlete group reflect the individual PE tolerance with the same accuracy as the average and maximal HR values determined for the entire loading period. For atheletes, these markers determine maximum tolerance with lower accuracy but reflect the quality of PE tolerance. The markers of MSim for the EAP reflecting the features of chronotropic adaptation can be used for screening in a mixed population; for the investigation and prediction of tolerance development, the training level, for control of PE mastering, for prevention of overload and overtraining in the athlete group; and for the evaluation of the health status and adaptation disorders (PE tolerance) in the nonathlete group.

The spectral parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures in apparently healthy female patients of the second period of adulthood have been analyzed. The mean values of the circulatory indices, total spectrum power (TP), absolute and relative values of the wave power in the very-low-frequency (VLF, %VLF), low-frequency (LF, %LF), and high-frequency (HF, %HF) ranges of the spectrum have been estimated. The HRV in women of the second period of adulthood with an increased body fat mass and obesity was characterized by an increase in the parasympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. The increase in parasympathetic activity was associated with a decrease in heart rate in the group of women with abdominal obesity. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the LF/HF index and fat mass.

The program of the Moon-2015 eight-day experiment simulating a lunar flyby to study the mechanisms controlling the female body adaptation to the conditions of isolation in a hermetically sealed environment (IHE) during interplanetary voyages included the measurement of 42 biochemical indices characterizing the state of organs and tissues, as well as the main metabolic pathways, in six female volunteers aged from 25 to 34 years. Venous blood samples were collected 25 days before the IHE start, 1 h after centrifugation (+Gz, 2g, 21 min) on a short-radius centrifuge (SRC) before the IHE start, on day 5 of the IHE, immediately after the IHE completion and one hour after centrifugation (+Cz, 2g, 30 min) upon the IHE completion. The following signs of expressed stress responses were observed after the first centrifugation: the concentrations of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), and bicarbonate (BC) significantly increased, and the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity also increased, which was accounted for by muscle isozymes. Mild symptoms of hypodynamia were observed on day 5 of IHE: the concentrations of glucose, albumin, calcium, and chlorides, as well as the activities of cholinesterase (CHE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), moderately decreased; in contrast, the lipase activity and the magnesium and phosphorus concentrations increased. No significant differences were recorded between the values shown in the majority of indicators after the IHE and the baseline values. The changes due to centrifugation resembled the previous pattern of exposure to hypergravitation (HG), but they were less intense and did not involve all indices, e.g., the values of CPK activity and its muscle isozyme, as well as the β-HB concentrations, did not differ from the baseline values, whereas the BC level decreased, which could be associated with both the hypodynamic effect and a progress in HG training. Thus, HG training on a CFG led to the development of a stress response marked for elevated blood glucose and cholesterol and elevated CPK activity. The living under the IHE conditions even for a limited period of time led to the appearance of metabolic signs of hypodynamia, which were quickly compensated upon the completion of the IHE.

We measured the level of natural antibodies against serotonin, histamine, dopamine, glutamate, GABA, orphanin, β-endorphin, and angiotensin by ELISA in the serum of athletes. The study included 52 hockey players aged 18–24 years; we used step-by-step physical load testing on a Sheller bicycle ergometer. Significant differences in the level of antibodies against dophamine, orphanin, GABA, and glutamate were found after exercise when compared to the indicators at rest. Correlation coefficients were the following: r = 0.88 for serotonin antibodies, r = 0.82 for dopamine, r = 0.78 for orphanin, r = 0.80 for GABA, and r = 0.72 for glutamate, p < 0.05. A significant correlation was found between the changes in serotonin, glutamate, and GABA antibodies after exercise and biochemical parameters. The relationship between the level of antibodies against GABA and the glucose concentration was r = 0.38 at p = 0.047; the relationship between serotonin levels and iron concentration was r = –0.45, p = 0.015. The correlation coefficient of the increase in the content of creatinine phosphokinase (CРК) and the level of antibodies against glutamate was r = 0.50, p = 0.048. The data prove the diagnostic significance of immunological parameters concerning dophamine, orphanin, GABA, and glutamate for the estimation of adaptation and stability of the physical form of examined hockey players.

The aim of the work was to compare postural performance during kneeling and standing between different modes of ventilation. Body stability was assessed using a force platform in healthy volunteers (n = 48) during quiet breathing (QB), breath holding (BH), and hyperventilation (Hyp) in the kneeling and standing positions. The mean velocity of the center of pressure (CP) displacement and the postural sway amplitude were estimated in the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes. The breathing amplitude and respiration rate were evaluated using a strain gauge. In general, the CP displacement amplitude in the mediolateral plane was lower and mean velocity higher during kneeling than during standing. The results gave grounds to assume that the kneeling posture was accompanied by a higher strain of the postural control system and that a reduced postural sway amplitude during kneeling was related to an unusual body configuration rather than better postural performance.