Browsing by Author "Veliks, Viktors"
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Item Adolescents’ Cognitive Abilities, Reaction Time, and Working Memory Performance by Vienna Test Systems(2023) Veliks, Viktors; Porozovs, Juris; Kļaviņa, Aija; Zuša, Anna; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)Mental and physical health components are critical in child’s development. However, adolescents are especially vulnerable group presenting multiple health risks of chronic disease, sleeping and eating problems. Moreover, the long time spent at screens increases possibility to develop addictions. There is a lack of comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment tools for adolescents, to assess their mental health components, and provide preventive activities. It is very important to develop a methodology that can accurately assess the minor cognitive and health deviations that can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and excessive time spent on screens. This research explores the possibilities to record and compare parameters of cognitive abilities, reaction time, and working memory using Vienna test systems for different groups of adolescents by their physical activity and health levels. The results of this study demonstrated that the reaction time in adolescents was shorter using the leading hand in comparison with using the non-leading hand, 272.842 ± 44.001ms vs 306.631 ± 57.081ms on Vienna test for low physical activity (LPA) adolescents group. In the STROOP test color evaluation results were faster than word reading test results. The median of reaction time of LPA adolescents for color evaluation was 0.897 ± 0.221ms and 0.968 ± 0.15ms for reading. Vienna test system has specific tests that can be used to determine memory parameters, providing different assessment approaches to compare the obtained results.Item Association Between Problematic Internet Use and Health Risks in Adolescents With and Without Chronic Health Conditions(2023-06-27) Kļaviņa, Aija; Veliks, Viktors; Bebrisa-Fedotova, Luize; Zusa, Anna; Porozovs, Juris; Aniscenko, Aleksandrs; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)Background. Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are modifiable health risks that often develop during adolescence. A comprehensive analysis of unhealthy behaviors in adolescents with and without chronic health conditions (CHC) could inform the development of more effective prevention approaches. The aim. This study aimed to measure associations between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), lifestyle habits and subjective health complaints among adolescents with and without CHC. In addition, health behaviors and prevalence of subjective health complaints between adolescents with and without CHC were compared. Methods. A total of 171 adolescents (87 without CHC and 84 with CHC) completed an online survey. The PIU was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. The subjective health complaints assessed were somatic and psychological symptoms. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activities, time spent by screens, eating habits, and duration of sleep. Results. The results showed that 21.83% of adolescents with CHC and 36.78% without CHC scored at risk for problematic internet use. Adolescents without CHC reported significantly more frequent psychological health complaints than their peers with CHC. This study found that multiple health complaints and unhealthy eating habits were significantly associated with PIU in adolescents with CHC, while nervousness and eating fast food in adolescents without CHC. Girls without CHC reported significantly higher PRIUSS scores and prevalence of subjective health complaints than boys (p <.05). Conclusions. Adolescents without CHC reported significantly higher levels of moderate and vi-gorous intensity physical activities weekly than their peers with CHC. PIU behaviors are mainly associated with psychological health complaints and unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescents with and without CHC. These findings highlight the need to identify the specific problematic internet use activities that are associated with different health risks in adolescents.Item The Associations Between Problematic Internet Use, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Complaints in Adolescents(2021-05-04) Klavina, Aija; Veliks, Viktors; Zusa-Rodke, Anna; Porozovs, Juris; Aniscenko, Aleksandrs; Bebrisa-Fedotova, Luize; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)This study aimed to explore relationship between problematic internet use (PIU), healthy lifestyle behaviors and subjective health complaints. Methods: Participants (396 adolescents, aged 11–18 years) from 34 general education schools across Latvia completed online survey. The PIU was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) collecting data on social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive internet use. The subjective health complaints assessed were somatic and psychological symptoms. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activities, time spent in using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and duration of sleep. Results: This study found that 31.00% (n = 124) of the participants scored at risk for PIU. Correlates associated with PIU were subjective health complaints, low physical activity, lack of meals together with family and disturbed sleeping regimes on weekends (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that 34% of the variance in the PRIUSS scores was explained by psychological health complaints (irritability, depression, and nervousness), screen time use on weekends, physical activity, drinking sweetened soft drinks and unhealthy eating habits. Conclusion: PIU behaviors among adolescents in Latvia are associated with psychological symptoms and unhealthy lifestyle. Further effective measures and interventions are needed to prevent development of psychosomatic health problems.Item Breath Fingerprint of Colorectal Cancer Patients Based on the Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis(2024-02) Kononova, Elīna; Mežmale, Linda; Poļaka, Inese; Veliks, Viktors; Anarkulova, Linda; Vilkoite, Ilona; Tolmanis, Ivars; Ļeščinska, Anna Marija; Stonāns, Ilmārs; Pčolkins, Andrejs; Mochalski, Pawel; Leja, Mārcis; Department of Doctoral Studies; Faculty of MedicineThe human body emits a multitude of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via tissues and various bodily fluids or exhaled breath. These compounds collectively create a distinctive chemical profile, which can potentially be employed to identify changes in human metabolism associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and, consequently, facilitate the diagnosis of this disease. The main goal of this study was to investigate and characterize the VOCs’ chemical patterns associated with the breath of CRC patients and controls and identify potential expiratory markers of this disease. For this purpose, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was applied. Collectively, 1656 distinct compounds were identified in the breath samples provided by 152 subjects. Twenty-two statistically significant VOCs (p-xylene; hexanal; 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane; 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate; hexadecane; nonane; ethylbenzene; cyclohexanone; diethyl phthalate; 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one; tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one; 2-butanone; benzaldehyde; dodecanal; benzothiazole; tetradecane; 1-dodecanol; 1-benzene; 3-methylcyclopentyl acetate; 1-nonene; toluene) were observed at higher concentrations in the exhaled breath of the CRC group. The elevated levels of these VOCs in CRC patients’ breath suggest the potential for these compounds to serve as biomarkers for CRC.Item Breath Volatile Organic Compounds in Surveillance of Gastric Cancer Patients following Radical Surgical Management(2023-05) Škapars, Roberts; Gašenko, Evita; Broza, Yoav Y.; Sīviņš, Armands; Poļaka, Inese; Bogdanova, Inga; Pčolkins, Andrejs; Veliks, Viktors; Folkmanis, Valdis; Lesčinska, Anna; Liepniece-Karele, Inta; Haick, Hossam; Rumba-Rozenfelde, Ingrīda; Leja, MārcisAs of today, there is a lack of a perfect non-invasive test for the surveillance of patients for potential relapse following curative treatment. Breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been demonstrated to be an accurate diagnostic tool for gastric cancer (GC) detection; here, we aimed to prove the yield of the markers in surveillance, i.e., following curative surgical management. Patients were sampled in regular intervals before and within 3 years following curative surgery for GC; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nanosensor technologies were used for the VOC assessment. GC-MS measurements revealed a single VOC (14b-Pregnane) that significantly decreased at 12 months, and three VOCs (Isochiapin B, Dotriacontane, Threitol, 2-O-octyl-) that decreased at 18 months following surgery. The nanomaterial-based sensors S9 and S14 revealed changes in the breath VOC content 9 months after surgery. Our study results confirm the cancer origin of the particular VOCs, as well as suggest the value of breath VOC testing for cancer patient surveillance, either during the treatment phase or thereafter, for potential relapse.Item EEG Spectral Feature Markers as an Indicator of Human Cognitive Process(2023) Porozovs, Juris; Veliks, Viktors; Kļaviņa, Aija; Praulīte, Gunita; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)Information technologies allow using modern and timely effective analyses of EEG waves and the methods of data processing that allows effective usage of this method into pedagogically and psychologically oriented research. Aim of this study was to develop and validate method of EEG signal spectral properties usage in the investigations of the process of cognition in the process of the perception of music by the choice of professional studies. 23 research participants took part in the research – the students at the University of Latvia, the division of participants “non-musician” and “musician”. The EEG recording synchronized with the musical signal using the generated synchronization signal that given to one of the unipolar input channels of the EEG equipment. The research analyses the basic rhythm of EEG the changes of the maximum frequency and the wave frequency power in the processes connected with the perception and cognition of music for 15 seconds long intervals. During the time of listening to the chorus songs, the range frequency of the range rhythm of alpha and beta does not change to the musicians but during the time of listening to the instrumental music it increases but it was more vivid in the range of beta frequency. Non-musicians reacted differently – while listening to chorus songs and instrumental music the frequency of alfa waves of EEG increased, but the beta wave frequency decreased. EEG as a method of investigation is recommended for pedagogical research to evaluate the neurological functions in the cognitive processes.Item Modular Point-of-Care Breath Analyzer and Shape Taxonomy-Based Machine Learning for Gastric Cancer Detection(2022-02) Polaka, Inese; Bhandari, Manohar Prasad; Mezmale, Linda; Anarkulova, Linda; Veliks, Viktors; Sivins, Armands; Lescinska, Anna Marija; Tolmanis, Ivars; Vilkoite, Ilona; Ivanovs, Igors; Padilla, Marta; Mitrovics, Jan; Shani, Gidi; Haick, Hossam; Leja, Marcis; Department of Internal Diseases; Department of Doctoral StudiesBackground: Gastric cancer is one of the deadliest malignant diseases, and the non-invasive screening and diagnostics options for it are limited. In this article, we present a multi-modular device for breath analysis coupled with a machine learning approach for the detection of cancer-specific breath from the shapes of sensor response curves (taxonomies of clusters). Methods: We analyzed the breaths of 54 gastric cancer patients and 85 control group participants. The analysis was carried out using a breath analyzer with gold nanoparticle and metal oxide sensors. The response of the sensors was analyzed on the basis of the curve shapes and other features commonly used for comparison. These features were then used to train machine learning models using Naïve Bayes classifiers, Support Vector Machines and Random Forests. Results: The accuracy of the trained models reached 77.8% (sensitivity: up to 66.54%; specificity: up to 92.39%). The use of the proposed shape-based features improved the accuracy in most cases, especially the overall accuracy and sensitivity. Conclusions: The results show that this point-of-care breath analyzer and data analysis approach constitute a promising combination for the detection of gastric cancer-specific breath. The cluster taxonomy-based sensor reaction curve representation improved the results, and could be used in other similar applications.Item Neural activation patterns in open-skilled and closed-skilled athletes during motor response tasks : insights from ERP analysis(2024-11-19) Veliks, Viktors; Talents, Dinass; Fernate, Andra; Evelis, Klavs; Kolesovs, Aleksandrs; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)The present study explored behavioral outcomes and neural correlates of cognitive control abilities in open-skill sports athletes compared with closed-skill sports athletes. The participants of the study were 16 right-handed male athletes. Nine basketball players formed a group of athletes from open-skill sports, and seven outdoor track and field runners formed a comparison group for closed-skill sports. During the two-color Choice Response Time task with simultaneous EEG registration, psychophysiological observation was performed to assess athletes’ functioning. A significant interaction between a sports type and the hand reveals more symmetrical functioning of the hands in basketball players, which is also confirmed by the neural activity of brain regions responsible for motor action (C3 and C4). Although there was no main effect of the sport type, the study revealed closer patterns of motor action and neural regulation of the left and right hand in open-skilled athletes than in closed-skilled athletes.Item Partly and Fully Supervised Physical Exercise Effects on Cognitive Functions and Movement Proficiency of Adolescents(2022-12) Klavina, Aija; Veliks, Viktors; Gulevska, Inta; Aniscenko, Aleksandrs; Porozovs, Juris; Zusa, Anna; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)This study explored the effects of partly supervised physical exercise program (PSPEP) intervention compared to fully supervised physical exercise program (FSPEP) on cognitive functions, movement proficiency and problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents presenting combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Method: Over a period of 16 weeks the PSPEP group (n = 14) engaged in strength, balance and flexibility exercises three times per week with one supervised session and two unsupervised. The FSPEP group (n = 13) practiced dance activities for 2 to 4 days per week including in training sessions the same exercises as for the PSPEP group. Prior and after the study adolescents completed the PIU scale, performed movement proficiency and cognitive function tests. Results: The PSPEP had significant effect on improvement of stress tolerance (p < 0.01, g = 1.08), while the FSPEP had significant effect on contributing general intelligence (p < 0.05, g = 0.90), color-word interference of the reading speed or color recognition (p < 0.01, g = 1.33), short- and long-term memory (p < 0.01, g = 1.72) and stress tolerance (p < 0.05, g = 1.06). The PSPEP had significant effect on improvement of the bilateral coordination (p < 0.01, g = 1.08). None of the two programs had effect on PIU. Conclusions: Engagement in PSPEP selectively contributed bilateral coordination and cognitive skills related to reaction to multiple stimuli. The FSPEP had multiple significant effects in improvement of cognitive outcomes.Item Problematic internet use, related psychosocial behaviors, healthy lifestyle, and subjective health complaints in adolescents(2021-09) Klavina, Aija; Veliks, Viktors; Zusa, Anna; Porozovs, Juris; Aniscenko, Aleksandrs; Bebrisa-Fedotova, Luize; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)Objective: In this study, we explored Internet use-associated psychosocial behavior problems in relationship to adolescents’ subjective health complaints and healthy lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of Latvian adolescents (N = 570, age range 11-19 years) completed a survey. Problematic Internet use (PIU) was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) that measures social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive Internet use. Subjective health complaints assessed were somatic complaints and psychological complaints. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activity, time spent using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and sleep duration. Results: We found that 27.02 % (N = 154) of the participants scored at risk for PIU with significantly higher PIU mean scores in 15-16-year-old girls (p <.05). Also, 15-16-year-old girls reported significantly higher prevalence of subjective health symptoms than boys and girls in other age groups (p <.05). There were statistically significant associations between PIU-related psychosocial behaviors and subjective health complaints and limited physical activity (p <.01). Conclusions: PIU behaviors, subjective health complaints and lack healthy lifestyles were common in adolescents in this study with a significantly high prevalence in 15-16-year-old girls.