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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Open-source devices are nowadays used in a vast number of research fields like medicine, education, agriculture, and sports, among others. In this work, an open-source,...
Open-source devices are nowadays used in a vast number of research fields like medicine, education, agriculture, and sports, among others. In this work, an open-source, portable, low-cost pH logger, appropriate for in situ measurements, was designed and developed to assist in experiments on agricultural produce manufacturing. Τhe device was calibrated manually using pH buffers for values of 4.01 and 7.01. Then, it was tested by manually measuring the pH from the juice of citrus fruits. A waterproof temperature sensor was added to the device for temperature compensation when measuring the pH. A formal method comparison process between the open-source device and a Hanna HI9024 Waterproof pH Meter was designed to assess their agreement. We derived indices of agreement and graphical assessment tools using mixed-effects models. The advantages and disadvantages of interpreting agreement through the proposed procedure are discussed. In our illustration, the indices reported mediocre agreement and the subsequent similarity analysis revealed a fixed bias of 0.22 pH units. After recalibration, agreement between the devices improved to excellent levels. The process can be followed in general to avoid misleading or over-simplistic results of studies reporting solely correlation coefficients for formal comparison purposes.
PubMed: 38257583
DOI: 10.3390/s24020490 -
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 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Oct 2024In this work, we developed a ratiometric fluorescent probe (NT) based on ICT framework in near-infrared (NIR) which could detect pH and viscosity simultaneously. Long...
In this work, we developed a ratiometric fluorescent probe (NT) based on ICT framework in near-infrared (NIR) which could detect pH and viscosity simultaneously. Long emission wavelength in NIR could protect the probe from interference of background fluorescence and improve the accuracy of the test. Due to the presence of thiazole-salt, the probe possessed good water solubility and could respond immediately to pH in water system. The pH values measured by NT in the actual samples were not much different from that measured by the pH meter, therefore, NT could give excellent accuracy. NT realized the reversible detection of pH by protonation and deprotonation. NT was used successfully to detect the pH of actual water samples, human serum and meat, as well as the viscosity variation caused by thickeners. Additionally, NT could monitor the changes of pH and viscosity in living cells. Therefore, the novel probe exhibited potential application in the fields of the environment, human health and food safety evaluation.
Topics: Fluorescent Dyes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Viscosity; Humans; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Animals; Meat; HeLa Cells; Water
PubMed: 38788506
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124486 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Behavioral and substance addictions are prevalent health problems that, alongside obesity, are linked to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time....
BACKGROUND
Behavioral and substance addictions are prevalent health problems that, alongside obesity, are linked to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time. Similarly, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and are closely associated with morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of this study is to analyze how addictions are related to obesity and body fat distribution, physical activity, sedentary time, arterial stiffness and vascular aging, as well as sleep quality, cognitive function and gender differences in young adults aged between 18 and 34 years.
METHODS
This cross-sectional descriptive observational study will analyze data from 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) aged 18-34 without cardiovascular disease, selected by simple random sampling with replacement from the urban population of the city center of Salamanca (34,044 people aged 18-34, with 18,450 women and 15,594 men). Behavioral and substance addictions, as well as sleep quality and cognitive impairment will be assessed using questionnaires. The Pittisburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to measure sleep quality and the Ford questionnaire will be used to measure insomnia in response to stress. For obesity, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body composition will be measured with the impedance meter. For physical activity and sedentary time, we will use the accelerometer alongside the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Marshall questionnaire. The will be used for pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), while the will measure cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Vascular aging will be calculated with the 10th and 90th percentiles of cfPWV or baPWV. Demographic, analytical variables will be collected, as will data to assess vascular, cardiac, renal, and brain injury.
DISCUSSION
Addictions are on the rise in today's society, affecting the mental health and well-being of those who suffer from them, generating important social problems such as job loss, family dysfunction, debt and social isolation. Together with obesity, they are prevalent health problems in young adults and are associated with lower physical activity and higher sedentary time. Meanwhile, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and determine morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. The results of this project will allow us to understand the situation regarding behavioral and substance addictions in young adults. Better understanding of these addictions will in turn facilitate the development of more effective prevention strategies and intervention programs, which can then reduce the negative impact at both the individual and societal levels.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05819840].
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ankle Brachial Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Blood Pressure; Pulse Wave Analysis; Obesity; Aging; Exercise; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38344236
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1322437 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Sep 2023Numerous methods, including pH meters and optical sensors, have been developed for the detection of pH, which is an important indicator in various fields. However, those...
Numerous methods, including pH meters and optical sensors, have been developed for the detection of pH, which is an important indicator in various fields. However, those methods are susceptible to errors in strongly acidic and basic ranges and inaccurate pH measurement due to sample turbidity, hindering their application such as photographic industries and wastewater treatment facilities. Eco-friendly and non-invasive F NMR spectroscopy is a promising technique for measurement of strong acids and bases owing to its high sensitivity and little interference; nevertheless, inconsistencies in reproducibility impede its widespread adoption. Herein, we developed aF NMR-based pH sensor by introducing an intramolecular internal standard strategy into a pH-responsive fluorinated material. Based on the acceptable deviation (Δδ = 17-19 ppb) in the evaluation of the internal standard signal, this pH-sensing platform enabled reproducible pH measurements in strongly acidic and basic environments. Moreover, its F NMR response showed reversibility and high stability to potential interfering factors, and the low absolute difference (0.026-0.086 in pH) for real samples such as diet Coke suggests its potential suitability for various acidic beverages.
PubMed: 37455077
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341558 -
European Journal of Physical and... Feb 2024Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, degenerative disease of the central nervous system and the second most frequent cause of permanent... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, degenerative disease of the central nervous system and the second most frequent cause of permanent disability in young adults. One of the most common issues concerns the ability to perform postural and gait tasks while simultaneously completing a cognitive task (namely, dual-task DT).
AIM
Assessing cognitive-motor dual-task training effectiveness in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) for dynamic gait quality when walking on straight, curved, and blindfolded paths.
DESIGN
Two-arm single-blind randomized controlled trial. Follow-up at 8 weeks.
SETTING
Neurorehabilitation Hospital.
POPULATION
A sample of 42 PwMS aged 28-71, with a score of 4.00±1.52 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale were recruited.
METHODS
Participants were randomized in conventional (CTg) neurorehabilitation and dual-task training (DTg) groups and received 12 sessions, 3 days/week/4 weeks. They were assessed at baseline (T0), after the treatment (T1), and 8 weeks after the end of the treatment (T2) through Mini-BESTest, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Modified Barthel Index, and a set of spatiotemporal parameters and gait quality indices related to stability, symmetry, and smoothness of gait extracted from initial measurement units (IMUs) data during the execution of the 10-meter Walk Test (10mWT), the Figure-of-8 Walk Test (Fo8WT) and the Fukuda Stepping Test (FST).
RESULTS
Thirty-one PwMS completed the trial at T2. Significant improvement within subjects was found in Mini-BESTest scores for DTg from T0 to T1. The IMU-based assessment indicated significant differences in stability (P<0.01) and smoothness (P<0.05) measures between CTg and DTg during 10mWT and Fo8WT. Substantial improvements (P<0.017) were also found in the inter-session comparison, primarily for DTg, particularly for stability, symmetry, and smoothness measures.
CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the effectiveness of DT in promoting dynamic motor abilities in PwMS.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
Cognitive-motor DT implemented into the neurorehabilitation conventional program could be a useful strategy for gait and balance rehabilitation.
Topics: Young Adult; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Single-Blind Method; Exercise Therapy; Gait; Cognition; Postural Balance
PubMed: 37997324
DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.23.08156-X -
Acta Neurologica Belgica Aug 2023To examine the validity and reliability of 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the validity and reliability of 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
METHODS
Study included 55 children with CP with the mean age of 12.34 ± 3.78 years, at Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS-E&R) I and II levels. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used for the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3MBWT according to the GMFCS-E&R levels. MDC estimates were calculated using baseline data. Convergent validity of 3MBWT was evaluated with its correlation between the Timed Up and Down Stairs Test (TUDS), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Pediatric Reach Test (PRT), Four Square Step Test (FSST).
RESULTS
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3MBWT was determined excellent at GMFCS-E&R I (Intra-rater ICC = 0.981-0.987, inter-rater ICC = 0.982-0.993), and GMFCS-E&R II (ICC = 0.927-0.933, ICC = 0.954-0.968). Intra-rater MDC values for GMFCS-E&R I were 1.17-1.22 s (s); 1.40-1.42 s for GMFCS-E&R II. Inter-rater MDC values for GMFCS-E&R I were 1.00-1.28 s, and MDC values for GMFCS-E&R II were 1.08-1.22 s. There was strong correlation between 3MBWT and PBS, TUG, and FSST in GMFCS-E&R I, moderate correlation between 3MBWT and TUDS, strong correlation between BBS, moderate correlation between TUG, and strong correlation between FSST in GMFCS-E&R II (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The 3MBWT was found to be valid and reliable in children with CP. According to the MDC results, small differences in CP children can be adequately detected with 3MBWT. The 3MBWT also may add some more information on to GMFCS (E&R) data for following the disease progression as well as rehabilitation responses.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT04653363.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Cerebral Palsy; Disability Evaluation; Postural Balance; Reproducibility of Results; Time and Motion Studies; Walk Test
PubMed: 37014515
DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02259-1 -
Operative Dentistry Sep 2023This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the bleaching efficacy (BE), hydrogen peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber (HPP), and physical-chemical properties...
OBJECTIVES
This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the bleaching efficacy (BE), hydrogen peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber (HPP), and physical-chemical properties (concentration, pH, and viscosity) of in-office bleaching gels immediately and after 1 week of mixing.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
We randomly divided 49 premolars into seven groups: control (no bleaching) and the following in-office bleaching (Opalescence Boost 40%, Total Blanc One Step 35%, and Whiteness HP Blue 35%) applied at two storage times: immediately and after 1 week. We evaluated the BE using a digital spectrophotometer and the HPP through UV-Vis spectroscopy. We measured the initial concentration, pH, and viscosity using titration, a Digital pH meter and Rheometer, respectively. For statistical analysis, we used a twoway analysis of variance and Tukey and Dunnet tests (α=0.05).
RESULTS
We observed higher BE and HPP for Opalescence Boost and Total Blanc One Step after 1 week of mixing than for Whiteness HP Blue (p<0.001). We observed a significantly lower initial concentration for Whiteness HP Blue 1 week after mixing compared to immediately (p=0.00001). All bleaching gels showed a decrease in pH after 1 week of mixing (p=0.00003). However, Total Blanc One Step had a lower pH at both evaluation times (p<0.001). Only Opalescence Boost maintained viscosity 1 week after mixing.
CONCLUSIONS
Opalescence Boost was the only bleaching gel able to keep bleaching efficacy, with the same characteristics of permeability and physical- chemical properties after 1 week of mixing.
Topics: Hydrogen Peroxide; Dental Pulp Cavity; Gels; Viscosity
PubMed: 37721110
DOI: 10.2341/23-010-L -
PloS One 2023Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength are valid markers of health and strong predictors of mortality and morbidity. The tests used to measure these variables...
BACKGROUND
Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength are valid markers of health and strong predictors of mortality and morbidity. The tests used to measure these variables require in-person visits with specialized equipment and trained personnel-leading to organizational constraints both for patients and hospitals, and making them difficult to implement at a large scale. In this context, technologies embedded in smartphones offer new opportunities to develop remote tests.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of MediEval, a newly developed app-based medical device that allows individuals to perform the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 30-second sit-to-stand (30s-STS) test on their own using GPS signal and camera detection with a skeleton extraction algorithm.
METHODS
A total of 53 healthy adults performed the two tests in three different sessions to determine the intra- and inter-day reproducibility. Test validity was assessed by comparing the results obtained from the app to gold standard measures. Pearson correlations and concordance correlation coefficients, the relative measurement error, intraclass correlation coefficients, the standard error of measure and the minimal detectable change were computed for each test.s.
RESULTS
The results revealed high to excellent validity of the app in comparison to gold standards (ρ = 0.84 for the 6MWT and ρ = 0.99 for the 30s-STS test) with low relative measurement error. The mean differences between the app and the gold standard measures were 8.96m for the 6MWT and 0.28 repetition for the 30s-STS test. Both tests had good test-retest reliability (ICCs = 0.77). The minimal detectable changes were respectively 97.56 meters for the 6MWT and 7.37 repetitions for the 30s-STS test.
CONCLUSION
The MediEval medical device proposes valid and reproducible measures of the 6MWT and the 30s-STS test. This device holds promise for monitoring the physical activity of large epidemiologic cohorts while refining patient experience and improving the scalability of the healthcare system. Considering minimal detectable change values, it may be important to ask participants to perform several tests and average them to improve accuracy. Future studies in clinical context are needed to evaluate the responsiveness and the smallest detectable changes of the device for specific populations with chronic diseases.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Mobile Applications; Walk Test; Muscle Strength; Cardiorespiratory Fitness
PubMed: 37561737
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289874 -
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine :... 2023We tested the hypotheses that self-paced aerobic exercise performance is reduced following four hours of cold-water immersion when breathing air and further reduced when...
We tested the hypotheses that self-paced aerobic exercise performance is reduced following four hours of cold-water immersion when breathing air and further reduced when breathing 100% oxygen (O2). Nine healthy adults (four women; age 24 ± 3 years; body fat 17.9 ± 6.4%; VO2max 48±9 mL • kg • minute⁻¹) completed three visits: a no-immersion control trial and two experimental trials consisting of a four-hour cold-water immersion (20.1±0.3°C) either breathing air (FIO2 = 0.21) or O2 (FIO2 = 1.0). During the no-immersion control trial and following immersion in the experimental trials, subjects first completed a 60-minute ruck-march carrying 20% of body mass in a rucksack, immediately followed by an unweighted, self-paced 5-km time trial on a motorized treadmill. Core temperature, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded every 1,000 meters during the 5-km time trial. Data are presented mean± SD. Time trial performance was reduced following immersion in both the 100% O2 trial (32±6 minutes; p=0.01) and air trial (32±5 minutes; p=0.01) compared to the control trial (28± 4 minutes). However, there was no difference between the 100% O2 and air trials (p=0.86). Heart rate, core temperature, and rating of perceived exertion increased during the time trial (time effect: p≺0.01), but were not different between trials (trial effect: p≥0.33). These findings suggest that prolonged cold-water immersion attenuates self-paced aerobic exercise performance, but does not appear to be further affected by breathing gas type.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Body Temperature; Cold Temperature; Exercise; Immersion; Oxygen; Water; Male
PubMed: 38055876
DOI: No ID Found