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Skin Research and Technology : Official... Mar 2023Although it is known that epidermal biophysical properties vary with age and gender, the changes in epidermal biophysical properties over the time from baby to...
BACKGROUND
Although it is known that epidermal biophysical properties vary with age and gender, the changes in epidermal biophysical properties over the time from baby to adolescence have not been elucidated yet. In the present study, we assessed the trend of changes in transepidermal water loss rates (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin surface pH in Chinese children.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
A total of 780 boys and 610 girls, aged 1 month to 17-year old, were enrolled in this study. TEWL and stratum corneum hydration on the forearm and the shin were measured with GPSkin Barrier, whereas skin surface pH was measured with portable skin pH meter.
RESULTS
Overall, TEWL and stratum corneum hydration levels decreased, whereas skin surface pH increased in children from 1-month old to 17-year old. Significant decline in TEWL was observed on both the forearm and the shin of girls, and the shin of boys aged 13-17-year old. Similarly, marked decline in stratum corneum hydration levels started at ages of 6-12-year old. In contrast, decline in skin surface pH was observed in both girls and boys aged one to 12-month old except on the forearm of boys. Afterward, skin surface pH remained either stable or slight increase except on the shin of boys aged >12 months to 3-year old.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that both TEWL and stratum corneum hydration levels decrease, whereas skin surface pH increases in children aged 1 month to 17-year old. The changes in these biophysical properties vary with age, gender, and body site.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Asian People; East Asian People; Epidermis; Forearm; Skin; Water Loss, Insensible; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 36973975
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13297 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Nov 2022Conventional microneedles (MNs) have been extensively reported and applied toward a variety of biosensing and drug delivery applications. Hydrogel forming MNs with the...
Conventional microneedles (MNs) have been extensively reported and applied toward a variety of biosensing and drug delivery applications. Hydrogel forming MNs with the added ability to electrically track health conditions in real-time is an area yet to be explored. The first conductive hydrogel microneedle (HMN) electrode that is capable of on-needle pH detection with no postprocessing required is presented here. The HMN array is fabricated using a swellable dopamine (DA) conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel, and is embedded with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) to increase conductivity. The catechol-quinone chemistry intrinsic to DA is used to measure pH in interstitial fluid (ISF). The effect of PEDOT:PSS on the characteristics of the HMN array such as swelling capability and mechanical strength is fully studied. The HMN's capability for pH measurement is first demonstrated using porcine skin equilibrated with different pH solutions ranging from 3.5 to 9. Furthermore, the HMN-pH meter is capable of in vivo measurements with a 93% accuracy compared to a conventional pH probe meter. This HMN technology bridges the gap between traditional metallic electrochemical biosensors and the direct extraction of ISF, and introduces a platform for the development of polymeric wearable sensors capable of on-needle detection.
Topics: Swine; Animals; Hydrogels; Electric Conductivity; Needles; Electrodes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 36166698
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200201 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Jun 2017To determine the effect of dilating drops on strabismus measurements in adults.
PURPOSE
To determine the effect of dilating drops on strabismus measurements in adults.
DESIGN
Prospective cohort study.
METHODS
Patients aged 18 and older with strabismus underwent a standard evaluation of ocular motility, stereopsis, and ocular alignment with alternate prism cover test by a certified orthoptist. After pupil dilation with 2.5% phenylephrine and 1% tropicamide, ocular alignment was remeasured in primary gaze at 6 meters, at 1/3 meter, and at 1/3 meter with a +3.00 by a second certified orthoptist, masked to the previous measurements. The primary outcome was the mean difference in the angle of horizontal and vertical deviations after dilation in prism diopters.
RESULTS
A total of 55 patients were enrolled with a variety of diagnoses. For horizontal measurements the mean change was 0.54 prism diopters at 6 meters (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.36 to 1.43, P = .24), 1.67 prism diopters at 1/3 meter (95% CI -0.19 to 3.54, P = .08), and -0.05 prism diopters at 1/3 meter with a +3.00 add (95% CI -1.65 to 1.56, P = .95). The mean change in vertical deviation was 0.18 prism diopters at 6 meters (95% CI -0.19 to 0.56, P = .34), 0.57 prism diopters at 1/3 meter (95% CI 0-1.15, P = .05), and 0.47 prism diopters at 1/3 meter with a +3.00 add (95% CI -0.23 to 1.17, P = .18).
CONCLUSIONS
Pupil dilation does not meaningfully affect vertical or horizontal strabismus measurements in adults. Mild variability at near in younger patients is eliminated with the use of a +3.00 add.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Eye Movements; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mydriatics; Ophthalmic Solutions; Prospective Studies; Pupil; Strabismus; Young Adult
PubMed: 28302533
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2017.03.004 -
Versatile activity and morphological effects of zinc oxide submicron particles as anticancer agents.Nanomedicine (London, England) Apr 2022Submicron particles (SMPs), as novel bionanomaterials, offer complementary benefits to their conventional nano-counterparts. To explore zinc oxide (ZnO) SMPs'...
Submicron particles (SMPs), as novel bionanomaterials, offer complementary benefits to their conventional nano-counterparts. To explore zinc oxide (ZnO) SMPs' bioimaging and anticancer potentials. ZnO SMPs were synthesized into two shapes. Fluorescent spectrum and microscopy were studied for the bioimaging property. Wound healing and Live/Dead assays of glioblastoma cells were characterized for anticancer activities. ZnO SMPs exhibited a high quantum yield (49%) with stable orange fluorescence emission. Both morphologies (most significant in the rod shape) showed tumor-selective properties in cytotoxicity, inhibition to cell migration and attenuating the cancer-upregulated genes. The tumor selectivity was attributed to particle degradation and surface properties on pH dependency. The authors propose that ZnO SMPs could be a promising anticancer drug with tunable, morphology-dependent properties for bioimaging and controlled release.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Fluorescence; Surface Properties; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 35350869
DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0420 -
Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry 2017To assess the inhibitory effects of nitrite on plaque acidogenicity and its relationship with caries experience.
PURPOSE
To assess the inhibitory effects of nitrite on plaque acidogenicity and its relationship with caries experience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plaque (2 μl) was collected from 76 children (age 5.8 ± 2.6 years, dmft 2.9 ± 3.5, DMTF 0.6 ± 1.4) and mixed with nitrite solution (final concentration = 0.63 mM) or distilled water (control). The initial pH (pH-0) of each sample was measured using a portable pH meter. The samples were incubated for 10 min, then their pH (pH-1) was measured again. Next, glucose (final concentration = 0.67%) was added to the samples, which were then incubated for a further 10 min before their pH was assessed for a third time (pH-2).
RESULTS
The pH-0, pH-1, and pH-2 values of the control samples were 7.25 ± 0.16, 6.07 ± 0.44, and 5.11 ± 0.48, respectively, and those of the nitrite-treated samples were 7.26 ± 0.16, 6.37 ± 0.45, and 5.34 ± 0.48, respectively. The pH-1 and pH-2 values of the nitrite-treated samples were higher than those of the control samples (p < 0.005). Greater plaque acid production was associated with stronger inhibition of plaque acid production by nitrite (p < 0.005). No relationship was detected between the inhibition by nitrite and caries experience.
CONCLUSIONS
Nitrite inhibited both endogenous and exogenous plaque acid production. Nitrite inhibited acid production more markedly in plaque that exhibited greater acid production, suggesting that nitrite might be effective at preventing caries, as it contributes to pH homeostasis in plaque by countering excess acidification.
Topics: Acids; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Humans; Nitrites
PubMed: 28322358
DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.a37926 -
Journal of the American Geriatrics... Feb 2021Physical activity (PA) preserves mobility, but few practices screen older adults for mobility impairment or counsel on PA. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Physical activity (PA) preserves mobility, but few practices screen older adults for mobility impairment or counsel on PA.
DESIGN
"Promoting Active Aging" (PAA) was a mixed-methods randomized-controlled pilot, to test the feasibility and acceptability of a video-based PA counseling tool and implementation into practice of two mobility assessment tools.
SETTING
Three primary care practices affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Health.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults aged 65 years and older who presented for primary care follow-up and were willing and able to answer self-report questions and walk 4 meters (n = 59).
INTERVENTION
Video-based PA counseling intervention versus control video, "Healthy Eating."
MEASUREMENTS
Potential participants completed mobility assessments: self-report (Mobility Assessment Tool-short form (MAT-sf)) and performance based (4-meter walk test). We assessed PAA's implementation-feasibility, acceptability, and value-via interviews and surveys. Effectiveness was measured via participant attendance at a PA information session.
RESULTS
Of 92 patients approached, 89 (96.7%) agreed to mobility assessment. Eighty-nine completed MAT-sf, and 97.8% (87/89) completed 4-meter walk test. Sixty-seven (75%) met eligibility criteria, and 59 (88%) consented to be randomized either to the PA counseling intervention (Video-PA) or to active control (Video-C). Most participants viewed the walk test positively (51/59; 86.4%). Staff reported that completion of patient surveys, MAT-sf, and videos required significant staff time and support (median = 26 minutes for all), resulting in low acceptability of MAT-sf and the videos. Attendance at a PA information session did not differ by randomization group (Video-PA = 11/29 (37.9%); Video-C = 12/30 (40%); 95% confidence interval for difference in proportion = -0.29 to 0.25).
CONCLUSIONS
Mobility assessment, particularly a 4-meter walk test, was feasible in primary care. Tablet-based assessment (MAT-sf) and video counseling tools, selected to reduce staff effort, instead required significant time to implement. Future work to promote PA should identify effective ways to facilitate adoption of PA in sedentary older adults that do not burden staff.
Topics: Aged; Exercise; Feasibility Studies; Female; Health Promotion; Health Services Accessibility; Healthy Aging; Humans; Implementation Science; Male; Mobility Limitation; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Pilot Projects; Preventive Health Services; Primary Health Care; Remote Consultation; Walk Test
PubMed: 33006763
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16838 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Apr 2023The ability to extract rhythmic structure is important for the development of language, music, and social communication. Although previous studies show infants' brains...
The ability to extract rhythmic structure is important for the development of language, music, and social communication. Although previous studies show infants' brains entrain to the periodicities of auditory rhythms and even different metrical interpretations (e.g., groups of two vs three beats) of ambiguous rhythms, whether the premature brain tracks beat and meter frequencies has not been explored previously. We used high-resolution electroencephalography while premature infants ( = 19, 5 male; mean age, 32 ± 2.59 weeks gestational age) heard two auditory rhythms in the incubators. We observed selective enhancement of the neural response at both beat- and meter-related frequencies. Further, neural oscillations at the beat and duple (groups of 2) meter were phase aligned with the envelope of the auditory rhythmic stimuli. Comparing the relative power at beat and meter frequencies across stimuli and frequency revealed evidence for selective enhancement of duple meter. This suggests that even at this early stage of development, neural mechanisms for processing auditory rhythms beyond simple sensory coding are present. Our results add to a few previous neuroimaging studies demonstrating discriminative auditory abilities of premature neural networks. Specifically, our results demonstrate the early capacities of the immature neural circuits and networks to code both simple beat and beat grouping (i.e., hierarchical meter) regularities of auditory sequences. Considering the importance of rhythm processing for acquiring language and music, our findings indicate that even before birth, the premature brain is already learning this important aspect of the auditory world in a sophisticated and abstract way. Processing auditory rhythm is of great neurodevelopmental importance. In an electroencephalography experiment in premature newborns, we found converging evidence that when presented with auditory rhythms, the premature brain encodes multiple periodicities corresponding to beat and beat grouping (meter) frequencies, and even selectively enhances the neural response to meter compared with beat, as in human adults. We also found that the phase of low-frequency neural oscillations aligns to the envelope of the auditory rhythms and that this phenomenon becomes less precise at lower frequencies. These findings demonstrate the initial capacities of the developing brain to code auditory rhythm and the importance of special care to the auditory environment of this vulnerable population during a highly dynamic period of neural development.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Adult; Humans; Male; Infant; Acoustic Stimulation; Auditory Perception; Brain; Electroencephalography; Hearing; Periodicity; Music
PubMed: 36914264
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1100-22.2023 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Jul 2020Urinary pH is a decisive factor in several pathologies, there by an informative marker employed in treatment decisions. Although extensively used, the urinary pH...
OBJECTIVES
Urinary pH is a decisive factor in several pathologies, there by an informative marker employed in treatment decisions. Although extensively used, the urinary pH dipstick test may not be sufficiently accurate or precise for clinical decisions and more robust methodologies need to be considered. In this study, we compare pH measurements when using aportable medical device and different dipstick tests.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four pH dipstick brands and a Lit-Control® pH Meter were tested using commercial buffer solutions with seven distinct pH values representing the physiological range in urine (4.66; 5.0;5.5; 6.0; 7.0; 7.5; 8.0). A statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation of measured versus real values, together with validity measures as resolution,precision and accuracy.
RESULTS
Validity measures stated the superiority of the portable pH meter, with a reduced dispersion of data and more exact values. Additionally, correlation analysis demonstrate that the pH values obtained with the pH meter were the closest to the buffers' real pH values.
CONCLUSION
The detailed comparative study presented here reveal the superiority of a portable pH meter to several of the most used dipstick brands in the clinic.Lit-Control® pH Meter represents a reliable alternative when a monitoring of urinary pH is needed, as may happen during the screening of diseases or treatment monitoringin the clinic, as well as during the self-monitoringby the patient under professional supervision at home.
Topics: Employment; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Reagent Strips; Urinalysis
PubMed: 32633250
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Diabetes Science and... Nov 2017Patients with diabetes rely on blood glucose (BG) monitoring devices to manage their condition. As some self-monitoring devices are becoming more and more accurate, it...
BACKGROUND
Patients with diabetes rely on blood glucose (BG) monitoring devices to manage their condition. As some self-monitoring devices are becoming more and more accurate, it becomes critical to understand the relationship between system accuracy and clinical outcomes, and the potential benefits of analytical accuracy.
METHODS
We conducted a 30-day in-silico study in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy and a variety of BG meters, using the FDA-approved University of Virginia (UVA)/Padova Type 1 Simulator. We used simulated meter models derived from the published characteristics of 43 commercial meters. By controlling random events in each parallel run, we isolated the differences in clinical performance that are directly associated with the meter characteristics.
RESULTS
A meter's systematic bias has a significant and inverse effect on HbA1c ( P < .01), while also affecting the number of severe hypoglycemia events. On the other hand, error, defined as the fraction of measurements beyond 5% of the true value, is a predictor of severe hypoglycemia events ( P < .01), but in the absence of bias has a nonsignificant effect on average glycemia (HbA1c). Both bias and error have significant effects on total daily insulin (TDI) and the number of necessary glucose measurements per day ( P < .01). Furthermore, these relationships can be accurately modeled using linear regression on meter bias and error.
CONCLUSIONS
Two components of meter accuracy, bias and error, clearly affect clinical outcomes. While error has little effect on HbA1c, it tends to increase episodes of severe hypoglycemia. Meter bias has significant effects on all considered metrics: a positive systemic bias will reduce HbA1c, but increase the number of severe hypoglycemia attacks, TDI use, and number of fingersticks per day.
Topics: Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Computer Simulation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Equipment Design; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Infusions, Subcutaneous; Insulin; Insulin Infusion Systems; Linear Models; Models, Biological; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Transducers; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28569076
DOI: 10.1177/1932296817710474 -
Journal of Conservative Dentistry : JCD 2019This study was conducted to evaluate and compare fluoride ion release by Cention-N (self-cure and light-cure) and conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) at different pH...
AIM
This study was conducted to evaluate and compare fluoride ion release by Cention-N (self-cure and light-cure) and conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) at different pH and time intervals.
METHODOLOGY
Cavities of similar dimensions were prepared in mandibular molars and restored with Cention-N (by self-cure and light-cure techniques) and GIC. Samples were stored in deionized water, and the cumulative fluoride ion release and change in pH were assessed utilizing spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively, at the end of 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. The data thus obtained were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
All the tested materials released fluoride ions in both acidic and neutral pH at all time intervals, and the fluoride ion release was significantly higher (<0.05) in acidic pH as compared to neutral pH except in GIC. All the groups showed a statistically significant increase in pH in acidic medium, whereas no significant increase was observed in neutral medium.
CONCLUSIONS
Cention-N (self-cure) has the highest fluoride ion release and alkalizing potential in acidic pH as compared to Cention-N (light-cure) and GIC.
PubMed: 31367117
DOI: 10.4103/JCD.JCD_74_19