1
|
Mougkogiannis P, Adamatzky A. Recognition of sounds by ensembles of proteinoids. Mater Today Bio 2024; 25:100989. [PMID: 38384791 PMCID: PMC10879779 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.100989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteinoids are artificial polymers that imitate certain characteristics of natural proteins, including self-organization, catalytic activity, and responsiveness to external stimuli. This paper examines the acoustic response properties of proteinoids microspheres when exposed to auditory stimuli. We convert sounds of English alphabet into waveforms of electrical potential, feed the waveforms into proteinoid solutions and record electrical responses of the proteinoids. We also undertake a detailed comparison of proteinoids' electrical responses (frequencies, periods, and amplitudes) with original input signals. We found that responses of proteinoids are less regular, lower dominant frequency, wider distribution of proteinoids and less skewed distribution of amplitudes compared with input signals. We found that resonant acoustic excitation of proteinoids generates unique electrical impulse patterns dependent on sound frequency and amplitude. The finding will be used in further designs of organic electronic devices, based on ensembles of proteinoids, for sound processing and speech recognition. Our findings provide the first quantitative investigation into the potential of thermal proteinoid microspheres for bio-inspired sound processing and recognition applications. Using controlled speaker excitation on proteinoid samples, we create reliable markers of productive acoustic response capacities, paving the way for future advancement.
Collapse
|
2
|
Douglas PS. The need to acknowledge similarities between the 2022 D'Souza and Cassels and the 2014 Whittingham and Douglas contextual models of infant sleep. Sleep Health 2023; 9:797-800. [PMID: 37770249 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Sylvia Douglas
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wolff B, Franco VR, Magiati I, Cooper MN, Roberts R, Skoss R, Glasson EJ. Individual-Level Risk and Resilience Factors Associated with Mental Health in Siblings of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions: A Network Analysis. Dev Neuropsychol 2023; 48:112-134. [PMID: 36942456 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2023.2190119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are exposed to unique family environments and experience a range of psychosocial risk and resilience factors. Networks of self-reported risk, resilience, and neuropsychiatric variables were estimated for siblings of individuals with (n = 235) and without (n = 480) NDCs (N = 715, mean age 22.40 years, 76% female, 74% White Caucasian). The NDC group reported more depressive (g = 0.39) and anxious (g = 0.43) symptoms than controls, and 71.5% of the NDC group reported at least one neuropsychiatric diagnosis compared to 36.9% of controls. Self-reported sleep and post-traumatic stress disorders were high amongst NDC siblings. Everyday executive functioning difficulties (cognitive inflexibility, hyperactivity/impulsivity) and emotion dysregulation were the most influential transdiagnostic risk factors for poorer functioning within the NDC group network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Wolff
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute , Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Vithor R Franco
- Department of Psych ology, São Francisco University, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Iliana Magiati
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Matthew N Cooper
- Telethon Kids Institute , Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Rachel Roberts
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rachel Skoss
- Telethon Kids Institute , Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia
| | - Emma J Glasson
- Telethon Kids Institute , Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychiatry, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, WA, Perth, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Melnikov EY, Khodasevich LS, Polyakova AV, Legkaya EF. [Motor impairments in children with autism spectrum disorders: causes and possibilities for correction]. VOPROSY KURORTOLOGII, FIZIOTERAPII, I LECHEBNOI FIZICHESKOI KULTURY 2023; 100:54-61. [PMID: 37735796 DOI: 10.17116/kurort202310004154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by triad of abnormalities in the form of developmental distortion with a lack of communicative abilities, behavioral and motor stereotypies. Etiology and pathogenesis of disease currently are unknown, but multifactorial causes of this pathology have been suggested. Although social disorders are considered a defining characteristic, motor disorders are a key feature of ASD. They are based on a postural control impairment, which is accompanied by delayed psychomotor development, reduced ability to motor synchronism in early childhood, modified arrangement of muscles, problems with balance and gait, postural instability, coordination deficiency, presence of motor dyspraxia and other abnormalities. OBJECTIVE To analyze current scientific data about motor disorders in ASD and their correction possibilities in children with this pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis of publications, contained in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, which give consideration to motor disorders in children with ASD, was carried out. The search was done by keywords: motor disorders, children, autism spectrum disorder, causes, correction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Adaptive physical culture during individual training is one of the available and effective methods of physical rehabilitation in patients with ASD. Children with ASD need three levels of psychological support, each of which offers individual exercises, depending on the nature and severity of speech and cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Yu Melnikov
- Research Center of Health Resort and Rehabilitation - branch of Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Medical Rehabilitation and Health Resort of Federal Medical-Biological Agency in Sochi, Sochi, Russia
| | - L S Khodasevich
- Research Center of Health Resort and Rehabilitation - branch of Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Medical Rehabilitation and Health Resort of Federal Medical-Biological Agency in Sochi, Sochi, Russia
- Kuban State Medical University, Krasnodar, Russia
| | | | - E F Legkaya
- Sochi Institute - branch of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Sochi, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Douglas P. Re-thinking lactation-related nipple pain and damage. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 18:17455057221087865. [PMID: 35343816 PMCID: PMC8966064 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221087865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Nipple pain is a common reason for premature cessation of breastfeeding. Despite the benefits of breastfeeding for both infant and mother, clinical support for problems such as maternal nipple pain remains a research frontier. Maternal pharmaceutical treatments, and infant surgery and bodywork interventions are commonly recommended for lactation-related nipple pain without evidence of benefit. The pain is frequently attributed to mammary dysbiosis, candidiasis, or infant anatomic anomaly (including to diagnoses of posterior or upper lip-tie, high palate, retrognathia, or subtle cranial nerve abnormalities). Although clinical protocols universally state that improved fit and hold is the mainstay of treatment of nipple pain and wounds, the biomechanical parameters of pain-free fit and hold remain an omitted variable bias in almost all clinical breastfeeding research. This article reviews the research literature concerning aetiology, classification, prevention, and management of lactation-related nipple-areolar complex (NAC) pain and damage. Evolutionary and complex systems perspectives are applied to develop a narrative synthesis of the heterogeneous and interdisciplinary evidence elucidating nipple pain in breastfeeding women. Lactation-related nipple pain is most commonly a symptom of inflammation due to repetitive application of excessive mechanical stretching and deformational forces to nipple epidermis, dermis and stroma during milk removal. Keratinocytes lock together when mechanical forces exceed desmosome yield points, but if mechanical loads continue to increase, desmosomes may rupture, resulting in inflammation and epithelial fracture. Mechanical stretching and deformation forces may cause stromal micro-haemorrhage and inflammation. Although the environment of the skin of the nipple-areolar complex is uniquely conducive to wound healing, it is also uniquely exposed to environmental risks. The two key factors that both prevent and treat nipple pain and inflammation are, first, elimination of conflicting vectors of force during suckling or mechanical milk removal, and second, elimination of overhydration of the epithelium which risks moisture-associated skin damage. There is urgent need for evaluation of evidence-based interventions for the elimination of conflicting intra-oral vectors of force during suckling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Douglas
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Possums & Co., Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Pamela Douglas, c/o Possums & Co., PO Box 5139, Brisbane, West End QLD 4101, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Douglas P. Re-thinking benign inflammation of the lactating breast: Classification, prevention, and management. WOMEN'S HEALTH 2022; 18:17455057221091349. [PMID: 35441543 PMCID: PMC9024158 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221091349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding for both infant and mother, clinical support for problems such as benign inflammation of the lactating breast remain a research frontier. Breast pain associated with inflammation is a common reason for premature weaning. Multiple diagnoses are used for benign inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast which lack agreed or evidence-based aetiology, definitions, and treatment. This article is the second in a three-part series. This second review analyses the heterogeneous research literature concerning benign lactation-related breast inflammation from the perspectives of the mechanobiological model and complexity science, to re-think classification, prevention, and management of lactation-related breast inflammation. Benign lactation-related breast inflammation is a spectrum condition, either localized or generalized. Acute benign lactation-related breast inflammation includes engorgement and the commonly used but poorly defined diagnoses of blocked ducts, phlegmon, mammary candidiasis, subacute mastitis, and mastitis. End-stage (non-malignant) lactation-related breast inflammation presents as the active inflammations of abscess, fistula, and septicaemia, and the inactive condition of a galactocoele. The first preventive or management principle of breast inflammation is avoidance of excessively high intra-alveolar and intra-ductal pressures, which prevents strain and rupture of a critical mass of lactocyte tight junctions. This is achieved by frequent and flexible milk removal. The second preventive or management principle is elimination of the mechanical forces which result in high intra-alveolar pressures. This requires elimination of conflicting vectors of force upon the nipple and breast tissue during milk removal; avoidance of focussed external pressure applied to the breast, including avoidance of lump massage or vibration; and avoidance of other prolonged external pressures upon the breast. Three other key preventive or management principles are discussed. Conservative management is expected to be effective for most, once recommendations to massage or vibrate out lumps, which worsen micro-vascular trauma and inflammation, are ceased.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Douglas
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The Possums Clinic, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Douglas P. Re-thinking benign inflammation of the lactating breast: A mechanobiological model. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 18:17455065221075907. [PMID: 35156466 PMCID: PMC8848036 DOI: 10.1177/17455065221075907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding for both infant and mother, clinical support for problems such as inflammation of the lactating breast remains a research frontier. Breast pain associated with inflammation is a common reason for premature weaning. Multiple diagnoses are used for inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast, such as engorgement, blocked ducts, phlegmon, mammary candidiasis, subacute mastitis, mastitis and white spots, which lack agreed or evidence-based aetiology, definitions and treatment. This is the first in a series of three articles which review the research literature concerning benign lactation-related breast inflammation. This article investigates aetiological models. A complex systems perspective is applied to analyse heterogeneous and interdisciplinary evidence elucidating the functional anatomy and physiology of the lactating breast; the mammary immune system, including the human milk microbiome and cellular composition; the effects of mechanical forces during lactation; and the interactions between these. This analysis gives rise to a mechanobiological model of breast inflammation, in which very high intra-alveolar and intra-ductal pressures are hypothesized to strain or rupture the tight junctions between lactocytes and ductal epithelial cells, triggering inflammatory cascades and capillary dilation. Resultant elevation of stromal tension exerts pressure on lactiferous ducts, worsening intraluminal backpressure. Rising leucocyte and epithelial cell counts in the milk and alterations in the milk microbiome are signs that the mammary immune system is recruiting mechanisms to downregulate inflammatory feedback loops. From a complex systems perspective, the key mechanism for the prevention or treatment of breast inflammation is avoidance of excessively high intra-alveolar and intra-ductal pressures, which prevents a critical mass of mechanical strain and rupture of the tight junctions between lactocytes and ductal epithelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Douglas
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Possums & Co., Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Autism risk in neonatal intensive care unit patients associated with novel heart rate patterns. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:1186-1192. [PMID: 33603208 PMCID: PMC8371053 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01381-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients are at increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autonomic nervous system aberrancy has been described in children with ASD, and we aimed to identify heart rate (HR) patterns in NICU patients associated with eventual ASD diagnosis. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included NICU patients from 2009 to 2016 with archived HR data and follow-up beyond age 3 years. Medical records provided clinical variables and ASD diagnosis. HR data were compared in infants with and without ASD. RESULTS Of the 2371 patients, 88 had ASD, and 689,016 h of data were analyzed. HR skewness (HRskw) was significantly different between ASD and control infants. Preterm infants at early postmenstrual ages (PMAs) had negative HRskw reflecting decelerations, which increased with maturation. From 34 to 42 weeks PMA, positive HRskw toward accelerations was higher in males with ASD. In 931 males with at least 4 days of HR data, overall ASD prevalence was 5%, whereas 11% in the top 5th HRskw percentile had ASD. CONCLUSION High HRskw in NICU males, perhaps representing autonomic imbalance, was associated with increased ASD risk. Further study is needed to determine whether HR analysis identifies highest-risk infants who might benefit from earlier screening and therapies. IMPACT In a large retrospective single-center cohort of NICU patients, we found that high positive skewness of heart rate toward more accelerations was significantly associated with increased risk of eventual autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in male infants but not in females. Existing literature describes differences in heart rate characteristics in children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders, but the finding from our study in NICU infants is novel. Heart rate analysis during the NICU stay might identify, among an inherently high-risk population, those infants with especially high risk of ASD who might benefit from earlier screening and therapies.
Collapse
|
9
|
Improvement of brain functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder: an exploratory study on the potential use of virtual reality. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:371-380. [PMID: 33677622 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02321-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) need to be provided with behavioral, psychological, educational, or skill-building interventions as early as possible. Cognitive Behavior Therapy has proven useful to manage such problems. There is also growing evidence on the usefulness of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) in treating various functional deficits in ASD. This exploratory study is aimed at assessing the changes in cognitive functions in children with ASD, and the putative subtending neurophysiological mechanisms, following the provision of rehab training using an innovative VRT system. Twenty patients with ASD, aged 6-15 years, were provided with 24 sessions of VRT by using the pediatric module of the BTS NIRVANA System. Neuropsychological and EEG evaluations were carried out before and at the end of the training. After VRT, all patients showed a significant improvement in their cognitive-behavioral problems concerning attention processes, visuospatial cognition, and anxiety. These findings were paralleled by an evident reshape of frontoparietal connectivity in the alpha and theta frequency range. Our study suggests that VRT could be a useful and promising tool to improve ASD neurorehabilitation outcomes. This improvement is likely to occur through changes in frontoparietal network connectivity following VRT.
Collapse
|
10
|
Hiremath CS, Sagar KJV, Yamini BK, Girimaji AS, Kumar R, Sravanti SL, Padmanabha H, Vykunta Raju KN, Kishore MT, Jacob P, Saini J, Bharath RD, Seshadri SP, Kumar M. Emerging behavioral and neuroimaging biomarkers for early and accurate characterization of autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:42. [PMID: 33441539 PMCID: PMC7806884 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The possibility of early treatment and a better outcome is the direct product of early identification and characterization of any pathological condition. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social communication, restricted, and repetitive patterns of behavior. In recent times, various tools and methods have been developed for the early identification and characterization of ASD features as early as 6 months of age. Thorough and exhaustive research has been done to identify biomarkers in ASD using noninvasive neuroimaging and various molecular methods. By employing advanced assessment tools such as MRI and behavioral assessment methods for accurate characterization of the ASD features and may facilitate pre-emptive interventional and targeted therapy programs. However, the application of advanced quantitative MRI methods is still confined to investigational/laboratory settings, and the clinical implication of these imaging methods in personalized medicine is still in infancy. Longitudinal research studies in neurodevelopmental disorders are the need of the hour for accurate characterization of brain-behavioral changes that could be monitored over a period of time. These findings would be more reliable and consistent with translating into the clinics. This review article aims to focus on the recent advancement of early biomarkers for the characterization of ASD features at a younger age using behavioral and quantitative MRI methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandrakanta S Hiremath
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kommu John Vijay Sagar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - B K Yamini
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Akhila S Girimaji
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Raghavendra Kumar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sanivarapu Lakshmi Sravanti
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Hansashree Padmanabha
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bengaluru, India
| | - K N Vykunta Raju
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru, India
| | - M Thomas Kishore
- Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bengaluru, India
| | - Preeti Jacob
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Jitender Saini
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rose D Bharath
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shekhar P Seshadri
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.
| |
Collapse
|