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Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The severity of pulpitis is a crucial factor in determining the suitable treatment. There are no clear objective indicators to assess the stage of pulp inflammation that...
The severity of pulpitis is a crucial factor in determining the suitable treatment. There are no clear objective indicators to assess the stage of pulp inflammation that could be used in clinical practice. The change in blood pH of the pulp during the inflammatory phase could hypothetically serve as an indicator of the pulp inflammation severity. The aim of this study was to assess the pH values in the pulpal blood of mature teeth in patients with symptomatic pulpitis, in comparison with the healthy controls. The study included patients with symptoms of pulpitis in premolar or molar teeth (Test group; = 24, mean age 36.04, SD 7.10), and healthy controls (Control group, = 6, mean age 24.5, SD 5.94) referred for extraction of premolars or third molars, for orthodontic reasons. The pulpal blood was taken at the opening of the endodontic access cavity, and the pH value was measured in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 27.0 program with a significance level of ≤ 0.05. The Mann-Whitney test for dependent samples was performed to evaluate the statistical difference between the groups. The patients with symptomatic pulpitis had significantly decreased pulpal blood pH compared to the healthy controls ( ≤ 0.05). The mean pulpal blood pH was 7.27 (SD 0.06) and 7.40 (SD 0.02) in Test and Control groups, respectively. In the Test group, the pulpal blood pH values were significantly lower in the patients who had symptoms for 3 days or more (7.25, SD 0.05) than in those who had symptoms for up to 3 days (7.33, SD 0.03) ( < 0.001). The pH value of the pulpal blood gradually declines in cases of symptomatic pulpitis, along with increasing duration of the symptoms.
PubMed: 38893654
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111128 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2016Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of complex aetiology that culminates in right heart failure and early death. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators are a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of complex aetiology that culminates in right heart failure and early death. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators are a promising class of agents that have recently gained approval for use.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy of sGC stimulators in pulmonary hypertension.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the reference lists of articles. Searches are current as of 12 February 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving participants with pulmonary hypertension of all ages, severities and durations of treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
AW, MS and RW independently selected studies, assessed evidence quality and extracted data. This process was overseen by RT and SG. All included studies were sponsored by the drug manufacturer.
MAIN RESULTS
Five trials involving 962 participants are included in this review. All trials were of relatively short duration (< 16 weeks). Due to the heterogenous aetiology of pulmonary hypertension in participants, results are best considered according to each pulmonary hypertension subtype.Pooled analysis shows a mean difference (MD) increase in six-minute walking distance (6MWD) of 30.13 metres (95% CI 5.29 to 54.96; participants = 659; studies = 3). On subgroup analysis, for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) there was no effect noted (6MWD; MD 11.91 metres, 95% CI -44.92 to 68.75; participants = 398; studies = 2), and in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) sGC stimulators improved 6MWD by an MD of 45 metres (95% CI 23.87 to 66.13; participants = 261; studies = 1). Data for left heart disease-associated PH was not available for pooling. Importantly, when participants receiving phosphodiesterase inhibitors were excluded, sGC stimulators increased 6MWD by a MD of 36 metres in PAH. The second primary outcome, mortality, showed no change on pooled analysis against placebo (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.80).Pooled secondary outcomes include an increase in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (OR 1.53, 95% CI 0.87 to 2.72; participants = 858; studies = 4), no effect on clinical worsening (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.14; participants = 842; studies = 3), and a reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MD -2.77 mmHg, 95% CI -4.96 to -0.58; participants = 744; studies = 5). There was no significant difference in serious adverse events on pooled analysis (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.90; participants = 818; studies = 5) or when analysed at PAH (MD -3.50, 95% CI -5.54 to -1.46; participants = 344; studies = 1), left heart disease associated subgroups (OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.78 to 3.13; participants = 159; studies = 2) or CTEPH subgroups (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.56; participants = 261; studies = 1).It is important to consider the results for PAH in the context of a person who is not also receiving a phosphodiesterase-V inhibitor, a contra-indication to sGC stimulator use. It should also be noted that CTEPH results are applicable to inoperable or recurrent CTEPH only.Evidence was rated according to the GRADE scoring system. One outcome was considered high quality, two were moderate, and eight were of low or very low quality, meaning that for many of the outcomes the true effect could differ substantially from our estimate. There were only minor concerns regarding the risk of bias in these trials, all being RCTs largely following the original protocol. Most trials employed an intention-to-treat analysis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
sGC stimulators improve pulmonary artery pressures in people with PAH (who are treatment naive or receiving a prostanoid or endothelin antagonist) or those with recurrent or inoperable CTEPH. In these settings this can be achieved without notable complication. However, sGC stimulators should not be taken by people also receiving phosphodiestase-V inhibitors or nitrates due to the risks of hypotension, and there is currently no evidence supporting their use in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease. There is no evidence supporting their use in children. These conclusions are based on data with limitations, including unavailable data from two of the trials.
Topics: Adult; Female; Guanylate Cyclase; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Male; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors; Walking
PubMed: 27482837
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011205.pub2 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Dec 2014Previous studies have demonstrated that nicotine releases protons from adrenergic nerves via stimulation of nicotinic ACh receptors and activates transient receptor...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Previous studies have demonstrated that nicotine releases protons from adrenergic nerves via stimulation of nicotinic ACh receptors and activates transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors located on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing (CGRPergic) vasodilator nerves, resulting in vasodilatation. The present study investigated whether perivascular nerves release protons, which modulate axon-axonal neurotransmission.
EXPERIMENT APPROACH
Perfusion pressure and pH levels of perfusate in rat-perfused mesenteric vascular beds without endothelium were measured with a pressure transducer and a pH meter respectively.
KEY RESULTS
Periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) initially induced vasoconstriction, which was followed by long-lasting vasodilatation and decreased pH levels in the perfusate. Cold-storage denervation of the preparation abolished the decreased pH and vascular responses to PNS. The adrenergic neuron blocker guanethidine inhibited PNS-induced vasoconstriction and effects on pH, but not PNS-induced vasodilatation. Capsaicin (CGRP depletor), capsazepine and ruthenium red (TRPV1 inhibitors) attenuated the PNS-induced decrease in pH and vasodilatation. In denuded preparations, ACh caused long-lasting vasodilatation and lowered pH; these effects were inhibited by capsaicin pretreatment and atropine, but not by guanethidine or mecamylamine. Capsaicin injection induced vasodilatation and a reduction in pH, which were abolished by ruthenium red. The use of a fluorescent pH indicator demonstrated that application of nicotine, ACh and capsaicin outside small mesenteric arteries reduced perivascular pH levels and these effects were abolished in a Ca(2+) -free medium.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION
These results suggest that protons are released from perivascular adrenergic and CGRPergic nerves upon PNS and these protons modulate transmission in CGRPergic nerves.
Topics: Acetylcholine; Adrenergic Neurons; Animals; Atropine; Axons; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Capsaicin; Cholinergic Agonists; Guanethidine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mecamylamine; Mesenteric Arteries; Muscarinic Antagonists; Nicotinic Antagonists; Protons; Rats; Ruthenium Red; Sympatholytics; Synaptic Transmission; Vasoconstriction; Vasodilation
PubMed: 25117291
DOI: 10.1111/bph.12878 -
The Analyst Jul 2021Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a serious health threat and potential leading cause of death around the world during the processes of immunity and inflammation. Herein a...
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a serious health threat and potential leading cause of death around the world during the processes of immunity and inflammation. Herein a sensitive pH-responsive point-of-care (POC) electrochemical immunoassay was designed for the quantitative monitoring of H1N1 influenza virus using glucose oxidase (GOx) and secondary antibody-functionalized TiC-MXene nanosheets. The assay was carried out on the basis of the sandwich-type immunoreaction in the capture antibody-coated microplate. Two-dimensional (2D) TiC-MXene nanosheets with a large surface area could efficiently enhance the loading amount of GOx molecules, thereby resulting in the signal amplification. Accompanying the formed immunocomplexes, labeled GOx molecules catalyzed glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The generated gluconic acid caused a pH change of the detection solution, which was quantitatively determined on a handheld pH meter. Two labeling strategies with and without TiC-MXene nanosheets were investigated to determine the target H1N1 influenza virus, and improved properties were acquired with the TiC-MXene-labeled system. Under optimum conditions, the TiC-MXene-based immunoassay gave good dynamic responses toward the target H1N1 influenza virus from 0.01 μg mL to 100 μg mL with a detection limit of 1.3 ng mL. Good reproducibility, high specificity, and acceptable stability were also achieved in the analysis of the target H1N1 influenza virus. Significantly, measurements of the H1N1 influenza virus from clinical human samples were demonstrated to further confirm the method reliability and accuracy of the TiC-MXene-based electrochemical immunoassay. Importantly, such a pH-meter-based immunoassay can be suitable for use in point-of-care applications and opens new opportunities for diagnostics.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Glucose Oxidase; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunoassay; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Limit of Detection; Point-of-Care Systems; Reproducibility of Results; Titanium
PubMed: 34132713
DOI: 10.1039/d1an00606a -
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Dec 2020Low gastric pH for extended periods of time can increase the risk of gastric ulceration in horses. Therefore, nutritional interventions that buffer stomach acid may be...
Low gastric pH for extended periods of time can increase the risk of gastric ulceration in horses. Therefore, nutritional interventions that buffer stomach acid may be helpful to decrease ulcer risk. The objective of this trial was to evaluate whether the incorporation of calcified Lithothamnion corallioides and Phymatolithon calcareum (Calmin; Celtic Sea Minerals, Cork, Ireland) into an equine ration would buffer equine gastric juice. Nine mature, Thoroughbred-cross horses, including 6 geldings and 3 mares (524 ± 49 kg) were housed in stalls and fed 2 kg/day of a texturized concentrate (Purina Omolene 100) and 1.5% BW grass hay/day. On testing days 0, 7, and 14, the horses received one of three pelleted dietary treatments (CON, MIN1 ×, MIN2 ×) in a randomized, crossover design. CON contained no added Calmin, MIN1 × provided Calmin at a 1 × concentration, and MIN2 × provided a 2 × dose. All horses underwent gastroscopy (Karl Storz, El Segundo, CA) prior to feeding the treatments, and at 2 and 4 hours postfeeding. Gastric juice was aspirated and pH measured using a benchtop pH meter (ThermoOrion pH Meter Model 410A). Overall, there was a significant time effect (P < .0001) with an increase in gastric juice pH from time 0 (2.31 ± 0.58) to 2 hours (5.52 ± 0.48) and 4 hours (3.59 ± 0.48). Gastric juice pH at 2 hours was higher (P = .0122) in MIN1 × (5.92 ± 0.58) and MIN2 × (5.92 ± 0.57) than CON (5.08 ± 0.58). These results demonstrate that adding Calmin to a meal increases buffering capacity at 2 hours postfeeding.
Topics: Animals; Calcium; Female; Gastric Juice; Horse Diseases; Horses; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ireland; Male; Seaweed
PubMed: 33276919
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103265 -
Journal of Experimental Psychology.... Feb 2021Most music is temporally organized within a metrical hierarchy, having nested periodic patterns that give rise to the experience of stronger (downbeat) and weaker...
Most music is temporally organized within a metrical hierarchy, having nested periodic patterns that give rise to the experience of stronger (downbeat) and weaker (upbeat) events. Musical meter presumably makes it possible to dance, sing, and play instruments in synchrony with others. It is nevertheless unclear whether or not listeners perceive multiple levels of periodicity simultaneously, and if they do, when and how they learn to do this. We tested children, adolescents, and musically trained and untrained adults with a new meter perception task. We presented excerpts of human-performed music paired with metronomes that matched or mismatched the metrical structure of the music at 2 hierarchical levels (beat and measure), and asked listeners to provide a rating of fit of metronome and music. Fit ratings suggested that adults with and without musical training were sensitive to both levels of meter simultaneously, but ratings were more strongly influenced by beat-level than by measure-level synchrony. Sensitivity to two simultaneous levels of meter was not evident in children or adolescents. Sensitivity to the beat alone was apparent in the youngest children and increased with age, whereas sensitivity to the measure alone was not present in younger children (5- to 8-year-olds). These findings suggest a prolonged period of development and refinement of hierarchical beat perception and surprisingly weak overall ability to attend to 2 beat levels at the same time across all ages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Adolescent; Adult; Auditory Perception; Female; Humans; Learning; Male; Middle Aged; Music; Young Adult
PubMed: 32852978
DOI: 10.1037/xge0000903 -
Developmental Science Sep 2023Music listening often entails spontaneous perception and body movement to a periodic pulse-like meter. There is increasing evidence that this cross-cultural ability...
Music listening often entails spontaneous perception and body movement to a periodic pulse-like meter. There is increasing evidence that this cross-cultural ability relates to neural processes that selectively enhance metric periodicities, even when these periodicities are not prominent in the acoustic stimulus. However, whether these neural processes emerge early in development remains largely unknown. Here, we recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) of 20 healthy 5- to 6-month-old infants, while they were exposed to two rhythms known to induce the perception of meter consistently across Western adults. One rhythm contained prominent acoustic periodicities corresponding to the meter, whereas the other rhythm did not. Infants showed significantly enhanced representations of meter periodicities in their EEG responses to both rhythms. This effect is unlikely to reflect the tracking of salient acoustic features in the stimulus, as it was observed irrespective of the prominence of meter periodicities in the audio signals. Moreover, as previously observed in adults, the neural enhancement of meter was greater when the rhythm was delivered by low-pitched sounds. Together, these findings indicate that the endogenous enhancement of metric periodicities beyond low-level acoustic features is a neural property that is already present soon after birth. These high-level neural processes could set the stage for internal representations of musical meter that are critical for human movement coordination during rhythmic musical behavior. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: 5- to 6-month-old infants were presented with auditory rhythms that induce the perception of a periodic pulse-like meter in adults. Infants showed selective enhancement of EEG activity at meter-related frequencies irrespective of the prominence of these frequencies in the stimulus. Responses at meter-related frequencies were boosted when the rhythm was conveyed by bass sounds. High-level neural processes that transform rhythmic auditory stimuli into internal meter templates emerge early after birth.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Infant; Music; Acoustic Stimulation; Electroencephalography; Sound; Periodicity; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 36415027
DOI: 10.1111/desc.13353 -
Contemporary Clinical Trials... Jun 2024Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred when oral feeding is not possible. The use of the Nasogastric Tube (NGT) ensures rapid and low-risk nutrient administration. However,...
BACKGROUND
Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred when oral feeding is not possible. The use of the Nasogastric Tube (NGT) ensures rapid and low-risk nutrient administration. However, confirming the placement through chest radiography, besides delaying the initiation of nutritional therapy, exposes patients to radiation. The pH test of gastric aspirate provides a quicker check for NGT placement, but its reliability is compromised by challenges related to aspirating gastric secretions.
STUDY OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study is to assess the high-performance placement of NGTs for nutritional purposes, optimizing the evaluation of correct insertion through pH testing using an electronic pH meter. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate patient tolerance to the intervention.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This single-center RCT will include 150 EN candidate patients divided into three groups. Each group will use distinct NGTs, evaluating placement through pH testing and chest radiography for safety. Tolerance, complications related to NGT placement, and costs will be assessed, with data collected anonymously through a secure electronic database.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
authorization no. 3624, Territorial Ethical Committee Lombardy 5, October 20, 2023.
IMPLICATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
This protocol introduces innovative technologies, such as advanced NGTs and an electronic pH meter, aiming to optimize enteral nutrition management. This RCT focuses on replacing X-rays as the primary method for verifying NGT placement, thereby reducing costs, time, and patient exposure to radiation. Data analysis may provide insights into managing patients on pH-altering medication. Implementing innovative technologies has the potential to reduce errors and improve economic efficiency and process sustainability.
PubMed: 38845620
DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101312 -
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises May 2017The intensive care department of the institution use drug solutions within higher concentration to avoid fluid overload. The purpose of the study is to prove the...
BACKGROUND
The intensive care department of the institution use drug solutions within higher concentration to avoid fluid overload. The purpose of the study is to prove the physical stability of different injectable drugs within high concentration (amiodarone 25mg/mL, isosorbide 0.60mg/mL, lorazepam 0.16mg/mL, noradrenalin 0.120 and 0.240mg/mL, salbutamol 0.06mg/mL and sodium valproate 12mg/mL) to ensure the patients safety.
METHODS
Five of 30 or 50mL polypropylene syringes were prepared for each solution under aseptic conditions and stored at room temperature. Immediately after the preparation (hour 0) and after 1, 4, 8, 24 and 48hours, 2mL of each solution were withdrawn from each syringe and placed in glass tubes to proceed to the stability test. All specimens were visually inspected in front of a black and of a white background and aliquots of each solution were centrifuged to proceed to microscopic inspection with a ten-fold magnification. The pH of each solution was measured with glass electrode pH-meter (Inolab level 1, WTW Weilhem, Germany with biotrode electrode, Hamilton, Bonaduz, Switzerland) and spectrophotometric measurements (Genesys 10 series, New-York, USA) were performed at three wavelengths (350, 410 and 550nm) to avoid the apparition of turbidity.
RESULTS
For all the drugs included in the study, there was no significant change in pH, no color change, no turbidity or opacity and no precipitation observed in the solutions during the storage at room temperature for 48hours. No microaggregates were detected by microscope neither revealed by a change of absorbance.
CONCLUSION
Within these limits, the preparations of amiodarone in 5% glucose polypropylene syringes and isosorbide, lorazepam, noradrenalin, salbutamol, valproate in 0.9% sodium chloride polypropylene syringes are physically stable at room temperature for 48hours. These results allow us to consider a study of chemical stability by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Stability; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Injections; Intensive Care Units; Pharmaceutical Solutions; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Syringes
PubMed: 28209389
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2016.12.004 -
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology :... May 2016The aim of this study is to compare surface pH in various parts of the oral cavity between patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healthy controls.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to compare surface pH in various parts of the oral cavity between patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healthy controls.
METHODS
Using a flat pH meter sensor, fixed electrode pen type digital pH meter, oral pH levels were assessed at different mucosal sites among 34 GERD patients and 32 healthy controls. Salivary flow rates and buffering capacity were also assessed in them. A thorough oral examination was performed to screen for any oral and dental changes.
RESULT
A significantly lower pH of 6.65 ± 0.13 (mean ± SD) was found in the GERD group compared to control group 7.23 ± 0.12 (p < 0.05). Least pH was found in the floor of the mouth 6.594 ± 0.17 and highest in the lower labial mucosa among the GERD patients. Salivary flow rate and buffering capacity were low in these patients. Significant changes were noticed in the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity among the GERD group.
CONCLUSION
Oral mucosal pH is altered in GERD patients and may contribute to effects on the oral cavity.
Topics: Adult; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth; Salivation
PubMed: 27211893
DOI: 10.1007/s12664-016-0659-7