Organization of Mental Activity and the Effectiveness of Learning

The considerable increase in the quantity of knowledge, the rise in its theoretical level, and the greater requirements made on the quality of learning confront teachers with new tasks that cannot be resolved without proper consideration of the capacities of pupils' mental activity. These capacities are the main content of my talk.     

Neurophysiological Markers of Abnormal Development in Children with Mental Disorders

Longitudinal analysis of the spectral power of the main EEG bands was performed in the wakeful state with the eyes open and the eyes closed in children with mental disorders at various stages of correction by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). A significant increase in the power of α-rhythm in the parietal-occipital areas and a significant decrease in the slow wave activity in the left frontotemporal areas were observed in the course of the correction process. The data obtained can be considered as the neurophysiological markers of the tDCS effects (formation of age-related EEG parameters in children with mental disorders). The data also prove the relations between the described phenomena and the cortical mechanisms of speech disorders and other psychic processes caused by perinatal CNS disorders.     

NOR Activity in Wheat Species with Different Ploidy Levels Treated with Phytohormones

The effects of the phytohormones 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 24-epibrassinolide (EB) on the sizes of nucleoli in the interphase nuclei of root meristem were studied using the silver-staining procedure in wheat species with different ploidy levels (a polyploid series). In addition, the effects of the phytohormones on the cell mitotic activity in the roots of 5-day-old seedlings were studied. The higher the wheat species ploidy level, the higher its sensitivities to BAP and EB were. In diploid wheat, the maximum increase in the nucleolar organizing region (NOR) activity was observed after treatment with considerably higher phytohormone concentrations compared to tetra- and hexaploid wheat species. The phytohormone treatment increased both the sizes and the number of nucleoli in meristematic cells of seedling roots in all wheat species studied. It was assumed that the differences between the responses of wheat species with three different ploidy levels to different concentrations of phytohormones were related to their effects on the methylation/demethylation of cytosine residues in the rDNA promoter region.     

Potassium Absorption by Rice at Different Levels of Organization

A study was made of the effects of temperature and calcium on the properties of K⁺ transport in rice roots (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dunghan Shali), in cell suspension culture of rice and in callus cultures. The rates of influx and efflux of K⁺ were measured by using ⁸⁶Rb as tracer, and the net change in K⁺ content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In roots of low salt status the K⁺ transport mechanism exhibits a positive temperature dependence and calcium exerts a stimulation. In cell and callus cultures a transport mechanism of this kind is lacking, and the K⁺ fluxes are inhibited by calcium and independent of temperature. Chilling-induced K⁺ leakage is similar for both types of tissue, and can be characterized by a negative temperature-coefficient and the inhibitory effect of calcium.     

Enzymatic Activity of Glutathione S-Transferase and Dental Fluorosis Among Children Receiving Two Different Levels of Naturally Fluoridated Water

This study was conducted to measure the activity of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in saliva and to compare the activity of this enzyme in children with and without dental fluorosis in communities with different concentrations of naturally fluoridated water. A total of 141 schoolchildren participated in this cross-sectional study. Children were selected from two communities: one with a low (0.4 ppm) and the other with a high (1.8 ppm) water fluoride concentration. Dental fluorosis was evaluated by applying the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI) criteria. Stimulated saliva was obtained, and fluoride concentration and GST activity were measured. The GST activity was compared among children with different levels of dental fluorosis using multinomial logistic regression models and odds ratios (OR). The mean age of the children was 10.6 (±1.03) years. Approximately half of the children showed dental fluorosis (52.5 %). The average GST activity was 0.5678 (±0.1959) nmol/min/μg. A higher concentration of fluoride in the saliva was detected in children with a higher GST activity (p = 0.039). A multinomial logistic regression model used to evaluate the GST activity and the dental fluorosis score identified a strong association between TFI = 2–3 (OR = 15.44, p = 0.007) and TFI ≥ 4 (OR = 55.40, p = 0.026) and the GST activity level, compared with children showing TFI = 0–1, adjusted for age and sex. Schoolchildren with higher levels of dental fluorosis and a higher fluoride concentration in the saliva showed greater GST activity. The increased GST activity most likely was the result of the body’s need to inactivate free radicals produced by exposure to fluoride.     

Individual Features of Functional Brain Organization in Seven-to-Eight-Year-Old Children with Mental Retardation during the Processing of Visuospatial Information

A complex neuropsychological and electrophysiological analysis of the processing of visuospatial information was carried out in seven-to-eight-year-old mentally retarded children. A neuropsychological examination revealed the children with strong functional immaturity of left- and right-hemispheric structures. An analysis of the EEG parameters showed that specific features of intercentral integration during visuospatial performance in children with mental retardation depend on the type of hemispheric insufficiency. In right-hemispheric immaturity, ensembles of the regions of the left hemisphere become functionally significant, whereas in left-hemispheric immaturity, cortical areas, predominantly of the right hemisphere, become involved in interaction.     

Mechanisms of Classification of Visual Objects in Children with Different Styles of Cognitive Activity

A sample of seven-year-old children was divided into reflective and impulsive groups using the matching familiar figures test (MFFT). Event-related potentials of different regions of the cerebral cortex were studied in children from these groups performing classification of visual-object shapes on the basis of only one discriminative feature or with the use of additional information. Comparison of the success of visual-stimulus identification in reflective and impulsive children under the conditions of alternative choice (MFFT) and classification according to a specified discriminative feature demonstrates differences in the mechanisms of both selection and analysis of the sensory characters of the stimulus. When the shape of a visual object is classified according to the discriminative feature, the initial stages of analysis in impulsive children are accompanied by the emergence of wave N80 in the left hemisphere, which may reflect the higher rate of detection of the discriminative feature by these children. Impulsive children are also characterized by an earlier development and a higher amplitude of component P300 compared to reflective children. In the latter, waves N250 and N350, indicating continuing information processing, are superposed on this positive component. If the picture presented to children contains an element consistent with the discriminative feature, the N350 amplitude in the right temporo-parieto-occipital region and the negative shift corresponding to the N350 wave in the left temporo-parieto-occipital region are increased in reflective and impulsive children, respectively. Additional information increased wave N400 in the left frontal region.     

Toward the Problem of Stages in the Mental Development of Children

The problem of stages' in the mental development of the child is the fundamental problem of child psychology. Elaboration of this problem has important theoretical significance since it is by determining the stages of mental development and by discovering the patterns of transition from one stage to the next that psychology will eventually solve the problem of the motive forces of mental development. We contend that every conception of the motive forces of mental development must first be tested on the "proving grounds" of the theory of developmental stages.     

Genome-Wide Association Study of Serum Minerals Levels in Children of Different Ethnic Background

Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride and phosphorus are the major dietary minerals involved in various biological functions and are commonly measured in the blood serum. Sufficient mineral intake is especially important for children due to their rapid growth. Currently, the genetic mechanisms influencing serum mineral levels are poorly understood, especially for children. We carried out a genome-wide association (GWA) study on 5,602 European-American children and 4,706 African-American children who had mineral measures available in their electronic medical records (EMR). While no locus met the criteria for genome-wide significant association, our results demonstrated a nominal association of total serum calcium levels with a missense variant in the calcium –sensing receptor (CASR) gene on 3q13 (rs1801725, P = 1.96 × 10^-3) in the African-American pediatric cohort, a locus previously reported in Caucasians. We also confirmed the association result in our pediatric European-American cohort (P = 1.38 × 10^-4). We further replicated two other loci associated with serum calcium levels in the European-American cohort (rs780094, GCKR, P = 4.26 × 10^-3; rs10491003, GATA3, P = 0.02). In addition, we replicated a previously reported locus on 1q21, demonstrating association of serum magnesium levels with MUC1 (rs4072037, P = 2.04 × 10^-6). Moreover, in an extended gene-based association analysis we uncovered evidence for association of calcium levels with the previously reported gene locus DGKD in both European-American children and African-American children. Taken together, our results support a role for CASR and DGKD mediated calcium regulation in both African-American and European-American children, and corroborate the association of calcium levels with GCKR and GATA3, and the association of magnesium levels with MUC1 in the European-American children.     

不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点

目的：探讨不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点。方法：用军人心理素质量表筛选出54名部队官兵,其中高、中、低心理素质组军人各18名。采用3份情绪视频材料,诱导被试的中性和厌恶情绪,利用八通道多参数生物反馈仪,记录自主神经反应的十个指标和相应自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间。结果：（1）在中性情绪条件下,低心理素质组[（12．06±4．89）b／min]的心率（HR）的变化上显著大于高心理素质组[（5．75±2．80）b／min];（2）在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质组f（7．09±2．02）nU]的心率变异性（rmv）频谱归-化低频功率（Lfnorm）的变化显著大于中等[（3．43±1．70）nU]与高心理素质组[（2．66±1．50）nU];低心理素质组[（357．94±129．33）Hz]的总功率（TP）的变化显著大于中等[（171．1±73．02）ms。]与高心理素质组[（167．84±86．38）ms／];（3）在自主神经反应指标的恢复时间上,低心理素质组[（49．98±10．96）秒]在厌恶情绪条件下其心率（HR）的恢复时间显著大于高心理素质组[（24．65±9．38）see];低心理素质组[（37．84±21．33）sec]在厌恶情绪条件下其皮电（SC）、皮温（TEMP）、指端血容振幅（BVP）、心率（HR）四个自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间上显著大于高心理素质组[（18．57±10．15）秒]。（4）在情绪的愉悦度、唤醒度的上,低心理素质组（0．88±1．11）在中性条件下其唤醒度的变化明显大于中等（0．50±0．70）与高心理素质组（0．12±0．33）;低心理素质组（-2．11±0．90）在厌恶条件下愉悦度的变化明显大于中等（-1．56±0．86）与高心理素质组（-1．33±0．84）。结论：在中性条件下,低心理素质军人更容易出现生理上的唤醒警觉状态。在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质军人是副交感神经伴有较强交感神经兴奋的自主神经反应模式;高、中等心理素质军人副交感神经伴有较弱的交感神经兴奋。     

不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点

目的:探讨不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点。方法:用军人心理素质量表筛选出54名部队官兵,其中高、中、低心理素质组军人各18名。采用3份情绪视频材料,诱导被试的中性和厌恶情绪,利用八通道多参数生物反馈仪,记录自主神经反应的十个指标和相应自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间。结果:(1)在中性情绪条件下,低心理素质组[(12.06±4.89)b/min]的心率(HR)的变化上显著大于高心理素质组[(5.75±2.80)b/min];(2)在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质组[(7.09±2.02)nU]的心率变异性(HRV)频谱归一化低频功率(Lfnorm)的变化显著大于中等[(3.43±1.70)nU]与高心理素质组([2.66±1.50)nU];低心理素质组([357.94±129.33)Hz]的总功率(TP)的变化显著大于中等([171.14±73.02)ms2]与高心理素质组([167.84±86.38)ms2];(3)在自主神经反应指标的恢复时间上,低心理素质组([49.98±10.96)秒]在厌恶情绪条件下其心率(HR)的恢复时间显著大于高心理素质组([24.65±9.38)sec];低心理素质组([37.84±21.33)sec]在厌恶情绪条件下其皮电(SC)、皮温(TEMP)、指端血容振幅(BVP)、心率(HR)四个自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间上显著大于高心理素质组([18.57±10.15)秒]。(4)在情绪的愉悦度、唤醒度的上,低心理素质组(0.88±1.11)在中性条件下其唤醒度的变化明显大于中等(0.50±0.70)与高心理素质组(0.12±0.33);低心理素质组(-2.11±0.90)在厌恶条件下愉悦度的变化明显大于中等(-1.56±0.86)与高心理素质组(-1.33±0.84)。结论:在中性条件下,低心理素质军人更容易出现生理上的唤醒警觉状态。在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质军人是副交感神经伴有较强交感神经兴奋的自主神经反应模式;高、中等心理素质军人副交感神经伴有较弱的交感神经兴奋。     

胚胎发育过程中端粒酶活性水平的变化

本文采用液体闪烁计数法观察了不同胎龄的６个胚胎，共３６个组织样品的端粒酶活性水平。结果表明端粒酶活性水平在胚胎发育过程中表现为阶段性变化。端粒酶活性水平不仅随胎龄而异，而且同一胎儿不同组织其差异也极为显著。     

Gelsolin蛋白在类风湿性关节炎和系统性红斑狼疮的临床诊断及疾病活动度评价中的意义

目的:分析gelsolin蛋白对类风湿性关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)和系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)的临床诊断及疾病活动度评价的意义。方法:采集RA 30名和SLE 47名及健康人群50名的临床资料及血清标本,定量Western Blot法检测血清gelsolin水平。分析gelsolin蛋白与RA和SLE患者临床表现及疾病活动度的相关性。结果:RA、SLE和正常对照组之间性别、年龄、血红蛋白、血小板、血红细胞、血白细胞之间没有显著差异;RA患者出现CRP、转氨酶、RF、CCP异常的阳性率明显高于SLE患者(P0.05);而SLE患者出现白蛋白、尿蛋白、尿红细胞、尿素氮、ANA、肌酐异常增高的几率高于RA患者(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白在SLE和RA血清中的含量均显著低于正常人(P0.05),且RA患者含量更低(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白滴度与RA的疾病活动度无明显相关性(r=0.089,P=0.652),而与SLE的疾病活动度呈显著负相关(r=0.646,P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白正常组RA患者的转氨酶升高、CRP、RF、CCP阳性率均显著高于SLE患者(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白降低组SLE患者的白蛋白、尿蛋白、尿红细胞、尿素氮、ANA、肌酐阳性率显著高于RA患者(P0.05)。结论:gelsolin蛋白滴度检测可作为RA和SLE临床辅助诊断手段,其滴度变化可作为SLE疾病活动度进展的预判指标。     

Organized Sport Participation Is Associated with Higher Levels of Overall Health-Related Physical Activity in Children (CHAMPS Study-DK)

Introduction

Many children fail to meet international guideline recommendations for health-related activity (≥60 minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]), and intervention studies to date have reported negligible effects.

Objective

Explore the associations of organized leisure-time sport participation with overall physical activity levels and health-related physical activity guideline concordance.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was nested in the Childhood Health, Activity, and Motor Performance School Study Denmark. Study participants were a representative sample of 1124 primary school students. Organized leisure-time sport participation was reported via text messaging and physical activity was objectively measured over seven days with accelerometry. Associations between sport participation and physical activity level were explored with multilevel mixed-effects regression models and reported with beta coefficients (b) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

Results

Participants were 53% female, with mean(SD) age = 8.4(1.4) years. Boys were more active than girls (p<0.001), and physical activity levels and guideline concordance decreased with age (p<0.001). Soccer participation at any frequency was associated with greater overall MVPA (b[95% CI] = 0.66[0.20,1.13] to 2.44[1.44,3.44]). Depending on participation frequency, this equates to 5–20 minutes more MVPA on the average day and 3 to 15 fold increased odds of achieving recommended levels of health-related physical activity (aOR[95%CI] = 3.04[1.49,6.19] to 14.49[1.97,106.56]). Similar associations were identified among children playing handball at least twice per week. Relationships with other sports (gymnastics, basketball, volleyball) were inconsistent.

Conclusions

Many children, particularly girls and those in higher grade levels do not adhere to health-related physical activity recommendations. Organized leisure-time sport participation may be a viable strategy to increase overall health-related physical activity levels and international guideline concordance in children.