Psychomotor retardation in depression: bradykinesia or paucity of movement?

Objectives: Psychomotor retardation is part of Major Depression (MD) diagnosis criteria and has been assimilated to bradykinesia, even though there is a clear lack of objective measurement of motor activity in MD. We conducted a study to evaluate bradykinesia, posture and gait parameters in MD patients with an ambulatory system, allowing continuous motor measurements. Methods: Patients with DSM-IV MD and healthy controls matched for age and sex were asked to carry on with their usual activities while being recorded for 6 hours by a wireless autonomous ambulatory system, containing miniature gyroscopes, data-logger, battery and flash memory. allowing continuous recording of upper limbs movements (speed, amplitude and activity (% of time with movement)), posture (% of time standing, walking, lying or sitting) and gait parameters (speed, cadence, stance, double support, stride). Results: Hands activity was significantly lower in depressed patients, as compared to controls (MD: 40%, controls: 60%; p<0.05). Speed of hand movements (p= 0.13) and their amplitude (p=0.71) were similar to controls. MD patients had a trend to spend more time lying or sitting than controls (p=0.06) but did not differ in terms of any gait parameters. Conclusion: Patients with MD displayed less hand movements than controls and tended to spend more time lying or sitting over 6 hours, but did not differ in terms of speed and amplitude of movement, nor in gait parameters. These results suggest that psychomotor retardation classically described in MD might be the expression of a paucity of movement rather than a bradykinesia as observed in parkinsonism and might involved different (nondopaminergic) mechanisms.

Skill Development in Music Reading. The Eye-Movement Approach

This dissertation examined skill development in music reading by focusing on the visual processing of music notation in different music-reading tasks. Each of the three experiments of this dissertation addressed one of the three types of music reading: (i) sight-reading, i.e. reading and performing completely unknown music, (ii) rehearsed reading, during which the performer is already familiar with the music being played, and (iii) silent reading with no performance requirements. The use of the eye-tracking methodology allowed the recording of the readers’ eye movements from the time of music reading with extreme precision. Due to the lack of coherence in the smallish amount of prior studies on eye movements in music reading, the dissertation also had a heavy methodological emphasis. The present dissertation thus aimed to promote two major issues: (1) it investigated the eye-movement indicators of skill and skill development in sight-reading, rehearsed reading and silent reading, and (2) developed and tested suitable methods that can be used by future studies on the topic. Experiment I focused on the eye-movement behaviour of adults during their first steps of learning to read music notation. The longitudinal experiment spanned a nine-month long music-training period, during which 49 participants (university students taking part in a compulsory music course) sight-read and performed a series of simple melodies in three measurement sessions. Participants with no musical background were entitled as “novices”, whereas “amateurs” had had musical training prior to the experiment. The main issue of interest was the changes in the novices’ eye movements and performances across the measurements while the amateurs offered a point of reference for the assessment of the novices’ development. The experiment showed that the novices tended to sight-read in a more stepwise fashion than the amateurs, the latter group manifesting more back-and-forth eye movements. The novices’ skill development was reflected by the faster identification of note symbols involved in larger melodic intervals. Across the measurements, the novices also began to show sensitivity to the melodies’ metrical structure, which the amateurs demonstrated from the very beginning. The stimulus melodies consisted of quarter notes, making the effects of meter and larger melodic intervals distinguishable from effects caused by, say, different rhythmic patterns. Experiment II explored the eye movements of 40 experienced musicians (music education students and music performance students) during temporally controlled rehearsed reading. This cross-sectional experiment focused on the eye-movement effects of one-bar-long melodic alterations placed within a familiar melody. The synchronizing of the performance and eye-movement recordings enabled the investigation of the eye-hand span, i.e., the temporal gap between a performed note and the point of gaze. The eye-hand span was typically found to remain around one second. Music performance students demonstrated increased professing efficiency by their shorter average fixation durations as well as in the two examined eye-hand span measures: these participants used larger eye-hand spans more frequently and inspected more of the musical score during the performance of one metrical beat than students of music education. Although all participants produced performances almost indistinguishable in terms of their auditory characteristics, the altered bars indeed affected the reading of the score: the general effects of expertise in terms of the two eye- hand span measures, demonstrated by the music performance students, disappeared in the face of the melodic alterations. Experiment III was a longitudinal experiment designed to examine the differences between adult novice and amateur musicians’ silent reading of music notation, as well as the changes the 49 participants manifested during a nine-month long music course. From a methodological perspective, an opening to research on eye movements in music reading was the inclusion of a verbal protocol in the research design: after viewing the musical image, the readers were asked to describe what they had seen. A two-way categorization for verbal descriptions was developed in order to assess the quality of extracted musical information. More extensive musical background was related to shorter average fixation duration, more linear scanning of the musical image, and more sophisticated verbal descriptions of the music in question. No apparent effects of skill development were observed for the novice music readers alone, but all participants improved their verbal descriptions towards the last measurement. Apart from the background-related differences between groups of participants, combining verbal and eye-movement data in a cluster analysis identified three styles of silent reading. The finding demonstrated individual differences in how the freely defined silent-reading task was approached. This dissertation is among the first presentations of a series of experiments systematically addressing the visual processing of music notation in various types of music-reading tasks and focusing especially on the eye-movement indicators of developing music-reading skill. Overall, the experiments demonstrate that the music-reading processes are affected not only by “top-down” factors, such as musical background, but also by the “bottom-up” effects of specific features of music notation, such as pitch heights, metrical division, rhythmic patterns and unexpected melodic events. From a methodological perspective, the experiments emphasize the importance of systematic stimulus design, temporal control during performance tasks, and the development of complementary methods, for easing the interpretation of the eye-movement data. To conclude, this dissertation suggests that advances in comprehending the cognitive aspects of music reading, the nature of expertise in this musical task, and the development of educational tools can be attained through the systematic application of the eye-tracking methodology also in this specific domain.

Less structured movement patterns predict severity of positive syndrome, excitement, and disorganization

Disorganized behavior is a key symptom of schizophrenia. The objective assessment of disorganized behavior is particularly challenging. Actigraphy has enabled the objective assessment of motor behavior in various settings. Reduced motor activity was associated with negative syndrome scores, but simple motor activity analyses were not informative on other symptom dimensions. The analysis of movement patterns, however, could be more informative for assessing schizophrenia symptom dimensions. Here, we use time series analyses on actigraphic data of 100 schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients. Actigraphy recording intervals were set at 2 s. Data from 2 defined 60-min periods were analyzed, and partial autocorrelations of the actigraphy time series indicated predictability of movements in each individual. Increased positive syndrome scores were associated with reduced predictability of movements but not with the overall amount of movement. Negative syndrome scores were associated with low activity levels but unrelated with predictability of movement. The factors disorganization and excitement were related to movement predictability but emotional distress was not. Thus, the predictability of objectively assessed motor behavior may be a marker of positive symptoms and disorganized behavior. This behavior could become relevant for translational research.

Autonomous recording current meter measurements at the Håkon Mosby mud volcano (LOOME)

The deployment of LOOME was performed by lowering the LOOME frame by winch, followed by positioning of the surface sensors across the most active site by ROV. The frame was placed on an inactive slab of hydrates, eastwards and adjacent to the hot spot. To the frame autonomous recording current meter was mounted, recording physical oceanography variables approximately two to three meter above the seafloor.

Simplified recording of soft contact lens fit

Purpose: To determine the critical fitting characteristics of modern soft contact lens fits and from this to devise a simplified recording scheme. Methods: Ten subjects (aged 28.1 ± 7.4 years) wore eight different modern soft contact lenses. Video was captured and analysed of blink (central and up-gaze), excursion lag (up, down, right and left gaze) and push-up movement, centration and coverage. Results: Lens centration was on average close to the corneal centre. Movement on blink was significantly smaller in up-gaze than in primary-gaze (p<0.001). Lag was greatest in down-gaze and least in up-gaze (p<0.001). Push-up test recovery speed was 1.32±0.73mm/s. Overall lens movement was determined best by assessing horizontal lag, movement on blink in up-gaze and push-up recovery speed. Steeper lens base-curves did not have a significant effect on lens fit characteristics. Contact lens material did influence lens fit characteristics, particularly silicone-hydrogels which generally had lower centration and a faster push-up speed of recovery than HEMA lenses (p<0.05). Conclusion: Lag on vertical gaze, and movement on blink in primary gaze generally provide little extra information on overall lens movement compared to horizontal lag, movement on blink in up gaze and push-up recovery speed. They can therefore be excluded from a simplified recording scheme. A simplified and comprehensive soft contact lens fit recording system could consist of a cross-hairs indicating the centre of the cornea; a circle to indicate the lens centration; a mark on the relevant position of the circle to indicate any limbal incursion; a grade (‘B’) below for movement with blink in up-gaze, a grade (‘L’) to the side for horizontal lag and a grade above (‘P’) for the assessed push-up recovery speed.

Consensus on recording of gas permeable contact lens fit

Purpose: To develop a new schematic scheme for efficiently recording the key parameters of gas permeable contact lens (GP) fits based on current consensus. Methods: Over 100 established GP fitters and educators met to discuss the parameters proposed in educational material for evaluating GP fit and concluded on the key parameters that should be recorded. The accuracy and variability of evaluating the fluorescein pattern of GP fit was determined by having 35 experienced contact lens practitioners from across the world, grading 5 images of a range of fits and the topographer simulation of the same fits, in random, order using the proposed scheme. The accuracy of the grading was compared to objective image analysis of the fluorescein intensity of the same images. Results: The key information to record to adequately describe the fit of an GP was agreed as: the manufacturer, brand and lens parameters; settling time; comfort on a 5 point scale; centration; movement on blink on a ±2 scale; and the Primary Fluorescein Pattern in the central, mid-peripheral and edge regions of the lens averaged along the horizontal and vertical lens axes, on a ±2 scale. On average 50-60% of practitioners selected the median grade when subjectively rating fluorescein intensity and this was correlated to objective quantification (r= 0.602, p< 0.001). Objective grading suggesting horizontal median fluorescein intensity was generally symmetrical, as was the vertical meridian, but this was not the case for subjective grading. Simulated fluorescein patterns were subjectively and objectively graded as being less intense than real photographs (p< 0.01). Conclusion: GP fit recording can be standardised and simplified to enhance GP practice. © 2013 British Contact Lens Association.

Characterisation of baseline oscillation in congenital nystagmus eye movement recordings

Congenital nystagmus is an ocular-motor disorder that develops in the first few months of life; its pathogenesis is still unknown. Patients affected by congenital nystagmus show continuous, involuntary, rhythmical oscillations of the eyes. Monitoring eye movements, nystagmus main features such as shape, amplitude and frequency, can be extracted and analysed. Previous studies highlighted, in some cases, a much slower and smaller oscillation, which appears added up to the ordinary nystagmus waveform. This sort of baseline oscillation, or slow nystagmus, hinder precise cycle-to-cycle image placement onto the fovea. Such variability of the position may reduce patient visual acuity. This study aims to analyse more extensively eye movements recording including the baseline oscillation and investigate possible relationships between these slow oscillations and nystagmus. Almost 100 eye movement recordings (either infrared-oculographic or electrooculographic), relative to different gaze positions, belonging to 32 congenital nystagmus patients were analysed. The baseline oscillation was assumed sinusoidal; its amplitude and frequency were computed and compared with those of the nystagmus by means of a linear regression analysis. The results showed that baseline oscillations were characterised by an average frequency of 0.36 Hz (SD 0.11 Hz) and an average amplitude of 2.1° (SD 1.6°). It also resulted in a considerable correlation (R2 scored 0.78) between nystagmus amplitude and baseline oscillation amplitude; the latter, on average, resulted to be about one-half of the correspondent nystagmus amplitude. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Muscle movement and electrodes motion artifact during vibration treatment

Vibration treatment by oscillating platforms is more and more employed in the fields of exercise physiology and bone research. The rationale of this treatment is based on the neuromuscular system response elicited by vibration loads. surface Electromyography (EMG) is largely utilized to assess muscular response elicited by vibrations and Root Mean Square of the electromyography signals is often used as a concise quantitative index of muscle activity; in general, EMG envelope or RMS is expected to increase during vibration. However, it is well known that during surface bio-potential recording, motion artifacts may arise from relative motion between electrodes and skin and between skin layers. Also the only skin stretch, modifying the internal charge distribution, results in a variation of electrode potential. The aim of this study is to highlight the movements of muscles, and the succeeding relevance of motion artifacts on electrodes, in subjects undergoing vibration treatments. EMGs from quadriceps of fifteen subjects were recorded during vibration at different frequencies (15-40 Hz); Triaxial accelerometers were placed onto quadriceps, as close as possible to muscle belly, to monitor motion. The computed muscle belly displacements showed a peculiar behavior reflecting the mechanical properties of the structures involved. Motion artifact related to the impressed vibration have been recognized and related to movement of the soft tissues. In fact large artifacts are visible on EMGs and patellar electrodes recordings during vibration. Signals spectra also revealed sharp peaks corresponding to vibration frequency and its harmonics, in accordance with accelerometers data. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Linearization of Chains and Sideward Movement

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Orientação do corpo humano como um todo a partir do seu elipsoide central de inercia

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Dificuldades de aprendizagem : um olhar na perspectiva do movimento gimnico

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Epidermal growth factor in liposomes may enhance osteoclast recruitment during tooth movement in rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of local administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) located within liposomes on recruitment of osteoclasts during mechanical force in rats. Materials and Methods: An orthodontic elastic band was inserted between the left upper first and second molars, to move mesially the first molar. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): EGF (2 ng/mu L) located within liposomes (group 1), liposomes only (group 2), soluble EGF (2 ng/mu L; group 3), or vehicle alone (group 4). The solutions were injected into the region of the root furcation of the left first molar after elastic band insertion. Tooth movement was measured using a plaster model of the maxilla, and the number of osteoclasts recruited at the pressure side of the first molar was histologically evaluated. Results: Intergroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference between group 2 and group 4 (P >.05) and between group 1 and group 3 (P >.05). However, group 1 and group 3 exhibited greater differences in tooth movement than group 2 and group 4 (P <.05). On the other hand, group 1 showed greater tooth movement than groups 2 and 4 with statistical significance (P <.01). The increase in the number of osteoclasts in group 1 was significantly higher than in the other groups (P <.05). Conclusion: Exogenous EGF-liposome administration has an additive effect when compared with soluble EGF on the rate of osteoclast recruitment, producing faster bone resorption and tooth movement.

Tooth Movement Activates the Central Amygdala and the Lateral Hypothalamus by the Magnitude of the Force Applied

Objective: To determine if the magnitude of the force used to induce incisor tooth movement promotes distinct activation in cells in the central amygdala (CEA) and lateral hypothalamus (LH) of rats. Also, the effect of morphine on Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) was investigated in these nuclei. Materials and Methods: Adult male rats were anesthetized and divided into six groups: only anesthetized (control), without orthodontic appliance (OA), OA but without force, OA activated with 30g or 70g, OA with 70g in animals pretreated with morphine (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Three hours after the onset of the experiment the rats were reanesthetized and perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. The brains were removed and fixed, and sections containing CEA and LH were processed for Fos protein immunohistochemistry. Results: The results show that in the control group, the intramuscular injection of a ketamine/xylazine mixture did not induce Fos-IR cells in the CEA or in the LH. Again, the without force group showed a little Fos-IR. However, in the 70g group the Fos-IR was the biggest observed (P < .05, Tukey) in the CEA and LH compared with the other groups. In the 30g group, the Fos-IR did not differ from the control group, the without OA group, and the without force group. Furthermore, pretreatment with morphine in the 70g group reduced Fos-IR in these regions. Conclusions: Tooth movement promotes Fos-IR in the CEA and LH according to the magnitude of the force applied. (Angle Orthod. 2010;80:111-115.)

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Orthodontic Tooth Movement on Dental Pulps in Rats

Objectives: To describe the microscopic pulpal reactions resulting from orthodontically induced tooth movement associated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-five young male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups. In group I (n = 20), the maxillary right first molars were submitted to orthodontic movement with placement of a coil spring. In group II (n = 20), the teeth were submitted to orthodontic movement plus LLLT at 4 seconds per point (buccal, palatal, and mesial) with a GaAlAs diode laser source (830 nm, 100 mW, 18 J/cm(2)). Group III (n = 5) served as a control (no orthodontic movement or LLLT). Groups I and 11 were divided into four subgroups according to the time elapsed between the start of tooth movement and sacrifice (12 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days). Results: Up until the 3-day period, the specimens in group I presented a thicker odontoblastic layer, no cell-free zone of Weil, pulp core with differentiated mesenchymal and defense cells, and a high concentration of blood vessels. In group II, at the 12- and 24-hour time points, the odontoblastic layer was disorganized and the cell-free zone of Weil was absent, presenting undifferentiated cells, intensive vascularization with congested capillaries, and scarce defense cells in the cell-rich zone. In groups I and II, pulpal responses to the stimuli were more intense in the area underneath the region of application of the force or force/laser. Conclusions: The orthodontic-induced tooth movement and LLLT association showed reversible hyperemia as a tissue response to the stimulus. LLLT leads to a faster repair of the pulpal tissue due to orthodontic movement. (Angle Orthod. 2010;80:116-122.)

Males still have limb asymmetries in multijoint movement tasks more than 2 years following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

More than 2 years after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, women still present bilateral asymmetries during multijoint movement tasks. Given the well-known ACL-injury gender bias, the goal of this study was to investigate whether males also present such asymmetries more than 2 years after undergoing ACL reconstruction. This study involved 12 participants submitted to ACL reconstruction in the ACL group and 17 healthy participants in the control group. The mean postoperative period was 37 months. The participants executed bilateral countermovement jumps and load squat tasks. The kinematics and ground reaction forces on each lower limb and pelvis were recorded, and used to compute bilateral peak vertical ground reaction forces, peak knee and hip joint powers in the sagittal plane, and the ratio between these powers. For the jump task, the groups had the same performance in the jump height, but for the ACL group the peak knee joint power on the operated side was 13% lower than on the non-operated side (p = 0.02). For the squat task, the hip-knee joint power ratio on the operated side of the ACL group was 31% greater than on the non-operated side (p = 0.02). The ACL group presented a deficit in the operated knee that had its energy generation over time (joint power) partially substituted by the hip joint power of the same side. The fact that, even after more than 2 years following the ACL reconstruction and returning to regular activity, the ACL group still had neuromuscular asymmetries suggests a need for improvement in the ACL reconstruction surgery procedures and/or rehabilitation protocols.