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Journal of American College Health : J... 2023ObjectiveThis study examined the liking of fruits and vegetables among college students and the relationship between skin carotenoid levels and liking of fruits and...
ObjectiveThis study examined the liking of fruits and vegetables among college students and the relationship between skin carotenoid levels and liking of fruits and vegetables. Sixty-six undergraduate students enrolled at a university in the southeastern United States participated in this study beginning August 2019. Skin carotenoid levels were measured using the Veggie Meter® reflection spectroscopy device. Liking of individual fruits and vegetables was measured using a hedonic general Labeled Magnitude Scale. There were significant differences in mean skin carotenoid levels by year of study and age group. Students had a very strong liking for potatoes and pineapple. Veggie Meter scores and overall liking for fruits and vegetables were positively correlated. In order to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables, preferences for specific fruits and vegetables as well as accessibility should be considered to better serve and accommodate college students.
PubMed: 34242142
DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1947834 -
Journal of the American Heart... Nov 2023Background This randomized controlled trial compared long-term changes in peak walking time (PWT) and exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle oxygen saturation (StO) in... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Background This randomized controlled trial compared long-term changes in peak walking time (PWT) and exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle oxygen saturation (StO) in symptomatic participants with peripheral artery disease following a long-term home exercise program (HEP), a short-term supervised exercise therapy (SET) program that transitioned to a long-term HEP (SET/HEP), and a control intervention. Methods and Results For the first 3 months, HEP and SET/HEP groups performed intermittent walking to mild-to-moderate claudication pain, whereas the control group performed light resistance training. For the subsequent 15 months, the HEP group continued their exercise program, the SET/HEP group transitioned from SET to the HEP program, and the control group transitioned to only receive walking advice. PWT increased significantly from baseline to month 18 in the HEP group (408±279 meters to 814±393 meters, <0.001) and in the SET/HEP group (457±288 meters to 818±313 meters, <0.001). Exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle StO increased significantly from baseline to month 18 in the HEP group (238±241 seconds to 497±485 seconds, <0.05) and in the SET/HEP group (296±289 seconds to 620±450 seconds, <0.001). These changes in PWT and exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle StO were greater than in the control group (<0.001 and <0.01, respectively). Additionally, the change in exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle StO was correlated with the change in PWT in both exercise groups combined (=0.601, =0.0015). Conclusions Long-term HEP and SET/HEP were efficacious in improving PWT and exercise time-to-minimum calf muscle StO in symptomatic participants with peripheral artery disease, and these changes were correlated with each other. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00618670.
Topics: Humans; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Exercise; Intermittent Claudication; Exercise Therapy; Walking; Treatment Outcome; Exercise Test
PubMed: 37929770
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.029755 -
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice Dec 2023Backward walking (BW) is an important gait adaptation and BW speed may be an important indicator of walking function and fall risk. However, the measurement...
INTRODUCTION
Backward walking (BW) is an important gait adaptation and BW speed may be an important indicator of walking function and fall risk. However, the measurement characteristics of a standardized assessment of BW post-stroke have not been fully established.
OBJECTIVES
To determine intra- and interrater reliability, concurrent validity and minimal detectable change (MDC) scores for the 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT) post-stroke.
METHODS
Thirty-four individuals with subacute and 29 individuals with chronic stroke participated. Two trials of comfortable BW was measured over a total distance of 5-meters, while speed was calculated during the middle 3-meters of the walking distance. Intra and interrater reliability were determined by comparing the two trials from one rater and simultaneous assessment of two raters, respectively. Two additional trials were performed and BW speed was calculated using 3MBWT and an instrumented walkway to determine concurrent validity. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) estimated reliability and validity. The MDC was calculated from the standard error of measurement.
RESULTS
Excellent ICC values were obtained for the 3MBWT in the subacute (interrater: ICC = 0.99; intrarater: ICC = 0.96; validity: ICC = 0.96) and chronic (interrater: ICC = 0.99; intrarater: ICC = 0.94; validity: ICC = 0.97) groups. The MDC was 0.07 m/s (subacute) and 0.11 m/s (chronic).
CONCLUSIONS
Establishment of the 3MBWT as a reliable and valid measure in assessing BW speed is an important addition to the assessment toolbox for rehabilitation post-stroke.
Topics: Humans; Walk Test; Reproducibility of Results; Stroke; Gait; Walking; Stroke Rehabilitation
PubMed: 35658807
DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2085638 -
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A,... Jul 2023The optic flow, i.e., the displacement of retinal images of objects in the environment induced by self-motion, is an important source of spatial information, especially... (Review)
Review
The optic flow, i.e., the displacement of retinal images of objects in the environment induced by self-motion, is an important source of spatial information, especially for fast-flying insects. Spatial information over a wide range of distances, from the animal's immediate surroundings over several hundred metres to kilometres, is necessary for mediating behaviours, such as landing manoeuvres, collision avoidance in spatially complex environments, learning environmental object constellations and path integration in spatial navigation. To facilitate the processing of spatial information, the complexity of the optic flow is often reduced by active vision strategies. These result in translations and rotations being largely separated by a saccadic flight and gaze mode. Only the translational components of the optic flow contain spatial information. In the first step of optic flow processing, an array of local motion detectors provides a retinotopic spatial proximity map of the environment. This local motion information is then processed in parallel neural pathways in a task-specific manner and used to control the different components of spatial behaviour. A particular challenge here is that the distance information extracted from the optic flow does not represent the distances unambiguously, but these are scaled by the animal's speed of locomotion. Possible ways of coping with this ambiguity are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Optic Flow; Flight, Animal; Insecta; Motion Perception; Saccades
PubMed: 36609568
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-022-01610-w -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Food safety has emerged as a significant concern for global public health and sustainable development. The development of analytical tools capable of rapidly,... (Review)
Review
Food safety has emerged as a significant concern for global public health and sustainable development. The development of analytical tools capable of rapidly, conveniently, and sensitively detecting food safety hazards is imperative. Over the past few decades, personal glucose meters (PGMs), characterized by their rapid response, low cost, and high degree of commercialization, have served as portable signal output devices extensively utilized in the construction of biosensors. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanism underlying the construction of PGM-based biosensors, which consists of three fundamental components: recognition, signal transduction, and signal output. It also detailedly enumerates available recognition and signal transduction elements, and their modes of integration. Then, a multitude of instances is examined to present the latest advancements in the application of PGMs in food safety detection, including targets such as pathogenic bacteria, mycotoxins, agricultural and veterinary drug residues, heavy metal ions, and illegal additives. Finally, the challenges and prospects of PGM-based biosensors are highlighted, aiming to offer valuable references for the iterative refinement of detection techniques and provide a comprehensive framework and inspiration for further investigations.
PubMed: 37959066
DOI: 10.3390/foods12213947 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023The screen image synthesis (SIS) meter was originally proposed as a high-speed measurement tool, which fused the measured data from multiple sample-rotational angles to...
The screen image synthesis (SIS) meter was originally proposed as a high-speed measurement tool, which fused the measured data from multiple sample-rotational angles to produce a whole-field measurement result. However, it suffered from stray light noise and lacked the capability of spectrum measurement. In this study, we propose an SIS system embedded with a snapshot hyperspectral technology, which was based on a dispersion image of the sparse sampling screen (SSS). When a photo was captured, it was transformed and calibrated to hyperspectral data at a specific sample-rotational angle. After the hyperspectral data in all sample-rotational angles were captured, an SIS image-fusion process was then applied to get the whole field hyperspectral data. By applying SSS to the SIS meter, we not only create a screen image synthesis hyperspectral meter but also effectively address the issue of stray-light noise. In the experiment, we analyze its correctness by comparing the hyperspectral value with a one-dimensional spectrum goniometer (ODSG). We also show the 2D color temperature coefficient distribution and compare it with the ODSG. Experimental results also demonstrate the feasibility in terms of both spectrum distribution meter and color coefficient temperature distribution meter.
PubMed: 38001325
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47785-3 -
Pulmonary Therapy Mar 2024The selection of inhaler device is of critical importance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the interaction between a patient's inhalation profile and...
INTRODUCTION
The selection of inhaler device is of critical importance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the interaction between a patient's inhalation profile and the aerosol characteristics of an inhaler can affect drug delivery and lung deposition. This study assessed the in vitro aerosol characteristics of inhaler devices approved for the treatment of COPD, including a soft mist inhaler (SMI), pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), and dry powder inhalers (DPIs).
METHODS
High-speed video recording was used to visualize and measure aerosol velocity and spray duration for nine different inhalers (one SMI, three pMDIs, and five DPIs), each containing dual or triple fixed-dose combinations of long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists and long-acting β-agonists, with or without an inhaled corticosteroid. Measurements were taken in triplicate at experimental flow rates of 30, 60, and 90 l/min. Optimal flow rates were defined based on pharmacopoeial testing requirements: 30 l/min for pMDIs and SMIs, and the rate achieving a 4-kPa pressure drop against internal inhaler resistance for DPIs. Comparison of aerosol plumes was based on the experimental flow rates closest to the optimal flow rates.
RESULTS
The Respimat SMI had the slowest plume velocity (0.99 m/s) and longest spray duration (1447 ms) compared with pMDIs (velocity: 3.65-5.09 m/s; duration: 227-270 ms) and DPIs (velocity: 1.43-4.60 m/s; duration: 60-757 ms). With increasing flow rates, SMI aerosol duration was unaffected, but velocity increased (maximum 2.63 m/s), pMDI aerosol velocity and duration were unaffected, and DPI aerosol velocity tended to increase, with a more variable impact on duration.
CONCLUSIONS
Aerosol characteristics (velocity and duration of aerosol plume) vary by inhaler type. Plume velocity was lower and spray duration longer for the SMI compared with pMDIs and DPIs. Increasing experimental flow rate was associated with faster plume velocity for DPIs and the SMI, with no or variable impact on plume duration, whereas pMDI aerosol velocity and duration were unaffected by increasing flow rate.
PubMed: 38194194
DOI: 10.1007/s41030-023-00249-5 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jul 2024Walking speed is considered a vital sign of health and better functional outcomes. It is important to assess walking speed both for disease monitoring and before...
BACKGROUND
Walking speed is considered a vital sign of health and better functional outcomes. It is important to assess walking speed both for disease monitoring and before starting rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity, minimal detectable change, and the ideal cutoff time for differentiating patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who fall from PwMS who do not.
METHODS
This study included 43 PwMS (26 female and 17 male) and 36 healthy controls (23 female and 13 male). The 4-meter walk test (4-MWT) was conducted with the 10-meter walk test (10-MWT), timed up and go (TUG) test, dynamic gait index (DGI), timed 25-foot walk (T25-FW), multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12), and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
RESULTS
Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.971) was found for the 4-MWT. The SEM value was 0.38 and MDC value was 1.05. The correlations with 4-MWT, 10-MWT, TUG, DGI, T25-FW, MSWS-12, and EDSS were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). PwMS had longer 4-MWT times than healthy controls, and PwMS fallers had longer 4-MWT times than non-fallers with PwMS (r between 0.668 and -0.858; p < 0.05 for all). In order to distinguish fallers from non-fallers with PwMS, a 4-MWT cutoff time of 4.14 s was shown to be optimal.
CONCLUSION
The 4-MWT was found to be valid and reliable for PwMS. It is concluded that the 4-MWT is a feasible assessment method for clinical and methodological studies of PwMS with mild to moderate disability.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Multiple Sclerosis; Adult; Walk Test; Middle Aged; Disability Evaluation
PubMed: 38759422
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105679 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Dec 2023Plant wearable sensors facilitate the real-time monitoring of plant physiological status. In situ monitoring of the plant chlorophyll content over days can provide...
Plant wearable sensors facilitate the real-time monitoring of plant physiological status. In situ monitoring of the plant chlorophyll content over days can provide valuable information on the photosynthetic capacity, nitrogen content, and general plant health. However, it cannot be achieved by current chlorophyll measuring methods. Here, a miniaturized and plant-wearable chlorophyll meter for rapid, non-destructive, in situ, and long-term chlorophyll monitoring is developed. The reflectance-based chlorophyll sensor with 1.5 mm thickness and 0.2 g weight (1000 times lighter than the commercial chlorophyll meter), includes a light emitting diode (LED) and two symmetric photodetectors (PDs) on a flexible substrate, and is patched onto the leaf upper epidermis with a conformal light guiding layer. A chlorophyll content index (CCI) calculated based on the sensor shows a better linear relationship with the leaf chlorophyll content (r > 0.9) than the traditional chlorophyll meter. This meter can wirelessly communicate with a smartphone to monitor the leaf chlorophyll change under various stresses and indicate the unhealthy status of plants for long-term application of plants under various stresses earlier than chlorophyll meter and naked-eye observation. This wearable chlorophyll sensing patch is promising in smart and precision agriculture.
Topics: Chlorophyll; Plants; Plant Leaves; Nitrogen
PubMed: 37797172
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305552 -
Respiratory Medicine 2023Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are essential in treating patients with pulmonary diseases. Since DPIs were introduced in the 1960s, a remarkable improvement has been made in... (Review)
Review
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are essential in treating patients with pulmonary diseases. Since DPIs were introduced in the 1960s, a remarkable improvement has been made in their technology, dose delivery, efficiency, reproducibility, stability, and performance based on safety and efficacy. While there are many DPIs on the market and several more under development, it is vital to evaluate the performance of DPIs for effective aerosol drug delivery to patients with respiratory disorders. Their performance evaluation includes the physicochemical properties of the drug powder formulation, metering system, device design, dose preparation, inhalation technique, and patient-device integration. The purpose of this paper is to review current literature evaluating DPIs through in vitro studies, computational fluid models, and in vivo/clinical studies. We will also explain how mobile health applications are used to monitor and evaluate patients' adherence to prescribed medications.
Topics: Humans; Dry Powder Inhalers; Reproducibility of Results; Aerosols; Drug Delivery Systems; Powders; Technology; Administration, Inhalation
PubMed: 37244487
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107281