Background and Objectives: Unhealthy nutrition can contribute to the development or progression of various alimentary-dependent diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, anaemia, and arterial hypertension. Young-old and old-old individuals often have diets deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, characterized by high consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and insufficient intake of plant-based products like vegetables and fruits. This study aims to identify key parameters of nutritional status among the young-old (aged 60–74 years) and old-old (aged 75–90 years) populations in central Kazakhstan, particularly in relation to specific alimentary-dependent diseases. Materials and Methods: The study involved 300 participants aged 60−90 years. The study incorporated a dietary questionnaire, food consumption records (such as 24 h recalls), and measurements of anthropometric indicators including weight and skinfold measurements. Results: Residents in the surveyed regions typically consumed food 3–4 times daily, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner being eaten at consistent times. A significant proportion of individuals, especially older adults, followed this meal schedule. About one-third ate before bedtime, and more than half believed they adhere to a specific diet. The mean BMI for men aged 60–74 years was 28.3 (95% CI: 20.1–43.2) and, for those aged 75–90 years, it was 29.0 (95% CI: 22.1–40.8). Caloric intake among individuals aged 60–74 was higher compared to those aged 75–90, with males consuming an average of 2372.7 kcal and females consuming 2236.78 kcal versus 2101.5 kcal for males and 2099.9 kcal for females in the older age group. Conclusions: The dietary patterns observed among old-old individuals were marked by excessive calorie intakes and imbalances in macronutrient composition, with a predominant emphasis on high-carbohydrate foods at the expense of essential nutrients like proteins, fats, and key vitamins (such as C, E, B vitamins) and minerals (such as potassium, calcium, and iron).

Background and Study Aim. Dance and movement therapy defined as culturally creative, unique, but at the same time and a universal phenomenon encompassing bodily movements, bodily self – expression, feelings, stories, body interactions with self and others. Aim of the Study was to evaluate the impact of dance and movement therapy on the physical capacity, flexibility and psycho – emotional state of individuals under constant stress. Material and Methods. The study included 18 – 45 years old females (N=20) who has psycho – emotional disorders and came to this facility for rehabilitation treatment procedures. To assess functional physical capacity was used 6 – minute walk test. For flexibility assessment, to determine the mobility of the lumbar cross section of the spine was used Schober's sample. For psycho – emotional state assessment and for setting the symptoms of depression and anxiety in subjects was used Hospital Anxiety and Depression Symptom (HADS) Scale. The fatigue was measured by Fatigue Impact Scale. Results. Positive statistically significant change in the psycho – emotional state of the subjects was in both groups, however in dance and movement therapy group this state improvement is twice large than in physiotherapy group. The mean values of the HADS scale decreased by 3.1 ± 3.981 points in the first group of subjects treated with physiotherapy and by 6.9 ± 4.62 points in the second group treated with dance and movement therapy. During physical capacity assessment we observe a statistically significant basic change in both groups. In the first study group the average 6 – minute test increased by 35.2 ± 24.89 meters and in the second study group by 27.5 ± 19.44 meters. Conclusions. Dance movement therapy has a positive effect on psycho – emotional state, flexibility and physical ability of people experiencing constant stress. As observed, dance and movement therapy have a positive effect not only on flexibility or physical ability, but also on psycho – emotional state. Dance and movement therapy can be easily applied among different age population. All this makes physiotherapy a highly essential tool to improve person‘s well – being and quality of life.

Background and Objectives: An altered sympathetic function is established in primary arterial hypertension (PAH) development. Therefore, PAH could be targeted by applying an electric current to the medulla where reflex centers for blood pressure control reside. This study aims to evaluate the electric caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) stimulation effect on blood pressure and animal survivability in a freely moving rat model. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 Wistar rats aged 12–16 weeks were randomly assigned to either: the experimental group (n = 10; electrode tip implanted in CVLM region) or the control group (n = 10; tip implanted 4 mm above the CVLM in the cerebellum). After a period of recovery (4 days), an experimental phase ensued, divided into an “OFF stimulation” period (5–7 days post-surgery) and an “ON stimulation” period (8–14 days post-surgery). Results: Three animals (15%, one in the control, two in the experimental group) dropped out due to postoperative complications. Arterial pressure in the experimental group rats during the “OFF stimulation” period decreased by 8.23 mm Hg (p = 0.001) and heart rate by 26.93 beats/min (p = 0.008). Conclusions: From a physiological perspective, CVLM could be an effective deep brain stimulation (DBS) target for drug-resistant hypertension: able to influence the baroreflex arc directly, having no known direct integrative or neuroendocrine function. Targeting the baroreflex regulatory center, but not its sensory or effector parts, could lead to a more predictable effect and stability of the control system. Although targeting neural centers in the medullary region is considered dangerous and prone to complications, it could open a new vista for deep brain stimulation therapy. A possible change in electrode design would be required to apply CVLM DBS in clinical trials in the future.

The control circuits of blood pressure have a strong neural regulatory element important in the pathogenesis of essential drug-resistant hypertension. Targeting lower medullary neural control mechanisms of blood pressure by electrical stimulation could be beneficial, and therefore, a novel device is needed. This paper presents a remotely programmable deep brain stimulator with an invasive continuous blood pressure monitoring system in a non-tethered rat model. The device is designed for lower medullary deep brain stimulation research with minimal interference to a daily animal routine. Electrodes were implanted in the caudal ventrolateral medulla. Animal survivability, catheter patency rates, and device data drift were evaluated. Eight out of ten rats survived the surgery and testing period with no or mild temporary neurological compromise. The study revealed that carotid catheters filled with heparinized glycerol ensure better catheter patency rates and blood pressure transduction. There was no significant drift in the device’s pressure sensitivity during the experiment. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental study to show considerable animal survival after lower medullary implantation. Combining the ability to measure and monitor invasive blood pressure with a closed-loop brain pulse generator in a single device could be of potential value in future hemodynamic animal research.

The objective of this study was to examine the variations in adipokines, myokines, inflammation indicators, glucose, insulin, and ketones in the body over a 5-day fasting period. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the underlying factors contributing to changes in body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. These factors included blood markers, participants’ healthy lifestyle habits, emotional intelligence, personality traits, impulsivity, overall well-being, and subjective happiness. The study involved 42 women with an average age of 49.8 years (± 9.3 years). The following indicators were measured: leptin, adiponectin, TNF-alpha, BDNF, irisin, IL-6, insulin, glucose levels, and ketone bodies. Various assessments were utilized, including the Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS-LTU), the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, and the Big Five personality traits. The results showed that fasting led to substantial reductions in body mass, waist circumference, leptin levels, glucose, and insulin levels, while simultaneously increasing ketone bodies. Basal energy expenditure decreased, but participants experienced improvements in mood, with increased vigor and reduced tension. Although markers of inflammation rose, the concentration of irisin declined, while levels of BDNF and adiponectin remained unchanged. Moreover, a greater reduction in fat mass was associated with higher pre-fasting well-being, emotional intelligence, and lower levels of tension and impulsivity. Conversely, the loss of lean mass was linked to neuroticism and higher levels of impulsivity, particularly concerning pre-fasting tension levels.These findings suggest that psychological factors may impact fasting outcomes, emphasizing the need for personalized fasting strategies.