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Nutrients Apr 2020Food ingestion induces a metered response of the digestive system. Initially, the upper digestive system reacts to process and extract meal substrates. Later, meal... (Review)
Review
Food ingestion induces a metered response of the digestive system. Initially, the upper digestive system reacts to process and extract meal substrates. Later, meal residues not absorbed in the small bowel, pass into the colon and activate the metabolism of resident microbiota. Food consumption also induces sensations that arise before ingestion (e.g., anticipatory reward), during ingestion (e.g., gustation), and most importantly, after the meal (i.e., the postprandial experience). The postprandial experience involves homeostatic sensations (satiety, fullness) with a hedonic dimension (digestive well-being, mood). The factors that determine the postprandial experience are poorly understood, despite their potential role in personalized diets and healthy eating habits. Current data suggest that the characteristics of the meal (amount, palatability, composition), the activity of the digestive system (suited processing), and the receptivity of the eater (influenced by multiple conditioning factors) may be important in this context.
Topics: Affect; Digestion; Eating; Feeding Behavior; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Postprandial Period; Satiation; Satiety Response
PubMed: 32252402
DOI: 10.3390/nu12040986 -
Thorax May 2020Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective, key standard treatment for people with COPD. Nevertheless, low participant uptake, insufficient attendance and high... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
RATIONALE
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective, key standard treatment for people with COPD. Nevertheless, low participant uptake, insufficient attendance and high drop-out rates are reported. Investigation is warranted of the benefits achieved through alternative approaches, such as pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (PTR).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether PTR is superior to conventional PR on 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and secondarily on respiratory symptoms, quality of life, physical activity and lower limb muscle function in patients with COPD and FEV <50% eligible for routine hospital-based, outpatient PR.
METHODS
In this single-blinded, multicentre, superiority randomised controlled trial, patients were assigned 1:1 to 10 weeks of groups-based PTR (60 min, three times weekly) or conventional PR (90 min, two times weekly). Assessments were performed by blinded assessors at baseline, end of intervention and at 22 weeks' follow-up from baseline. The primary analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The primary outcome was change in 6MWD from baseline to 10 weeks; 134 participants (74 females, mean±SD age 68±9 years, FEV 33%±9% predicted, 6MWD 327±103 metres) were included and randomised. The analysis showed no between-group differences for changes in 6MWD after intervention (9.2 metres (95% CI: -6.6 to 24.9)) or at 22 weeks' follow-up (-5.3 metres (95% CI: -28.9 to 18.3)). More participants completed the PTR intervention (n=57) than conventional PR (n=43) (χ test p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
PTR was not superior to conventional PR on the 6MWD and we found no differences between groups. As more participants completed PTR, supervised PTR would be relevant to compare with conventional PR in a non-inferiority design. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02667171), 28 January 2016.
Topics: Aged; Anxiety; Depression; Exercise; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Single-Blind Method; Symptom Assessment; Telemedicine; Walk Test
PubMed: 32229541
DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2019-214246 -
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation May 2020: Stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter and 6-minute walk tests that include instructions for people with aphasia, accessible walkway lengths, and allow provision...
: Stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter and 6-minute walk tests that include instructions for people with aphasia, accessible walkway lengths, and allow provision of assistance to walk are needed to facilitate uptake in hospital settings.: To estimate the test-retest reliability, measurement error, and construct validity of stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter walk test (10mWT), and 6-minute walk test conducted using a 15-meter walkway (6MWT) and 30-meter walkway (6MWT), in people post-stroke. A quantitative, cross-sectional study involving ambulatory people post-stroke was conducted.: Data were collected from 21 and 20 participants at baseline and retest, respectively, 1-3 days apart. Mean age was 61 years, median time post-stroke was 134 days, and 90% had experienced an ischemic stroke. Performance on the 10mWT, 6MWT, and 6MWT across sessions yielded intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates of test-retest reliability of 0.83, 0.97, 0.95, respectively, and minimal detectable change values at the 95% confidence level of 0.40m/s, 44.0m, and 67.5m, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.80-0.95 ( < .001) between results on all three walk tests and 0.27-0.48 ( < .25) between walk test results and strength subscale scores on the Stroke Impact Scale.: Findings showed excellent test-retest reliability; measurement error values similar to current literature; and support for construct validity of the 10mWT, 6MWT, and 6MWT. Due to the shorter walkway, the 6MWT may be more feasible to implement than the 6MWT in hospital settings. A larger sample with more severe deficits is required to improve generalizability.
Topics: Aged; Clinical Protocols; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Stroke; Walk Test; Walking
PubMed: 31752634
DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2019.1691815 -
ELife Jul 2023Genomic analysis has shed light on how hadal snailfish have adapted to living at depths of several thousand metres.
Genomic analysis has shed light on how hadal snailfish have adapted to living at depths of several thousand metres.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Perciformes; Animals
PubMed: 37436434
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.90216 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021This study determines the effect of walking backward on a treadmill on balance, speed of walking and cardiopulmonary fitness for patients with chronic stroke. Subjects... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
This study determines the effect of walking backward on a treadmill on balance, speed of walking and cardiopulmonary fitness for patients with chronic stroke. Subjects with chronic stroke for more than six months, whose level of Brunnstrom stage is greater than IV and who are able to walk more than eleven meters with or without assistive devices were recruited. After grouping for a single-blind clinical randomized controlled trial, the subjects were divided into two groups: eight in the control group and eight in the experimental group. All subjects were subjected to 30 min traditional physical therapy, three times a week for four weeks. The experimental group was subjected to an additional 30 min of walking backward on a treadmill. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were used to determine the functional balance and walking ability. The walking speed was evaluated using a timed 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and the cardiopulmonary fitness was determined using a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and a pulmonary function test (PFT). All assessments were made at baseline before training commenced (pre-training) and at the end of the four-week training period (post-training). A paired -test and an independent -test were used to determine the effect on balance, speed of walking and cardiopulmonary fitness before and after training. The level of significance α was 0.05. After four weeks of training, the experimental group showed significant differences ( < 0.05) on TUG, BBS, 10MWT, 6MWT, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This pilot study shows that the 30 min of walking backward on a treadmill three times a week for four weeks increased balance, speed of walking and cardiopulmonary fitness. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials NCT02619110.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Humans; Pilot Projects; Postural Balance; Single-Blind Method; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation; Time and Motion Studies; Treatment Outcome; Walking
PubMed: 33804374
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052376 -
Journal of Dentistry (Shiraz, Iran) Sep 2020Systemic conditions can affect the salivary glands and oral health. Hypertension induces xerostomia. Because the function of saliva is related to its quality and...
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Systemic conditions can affect the salivary glands and oral health. Hypertension induces xerostomia. Because the function of saliva is related to its quality and quantity, therefore, any changes in saliva can lead to diminished quality of patient's life.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between pH and viscosity of cumulative unstimulated saliva and hypertension in adults with sustained hypertension.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
This cross sectional study took place on patients referred to oral medicine faculty of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science. The patients' blood pressure was measured and the 135 patients fitting the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Their unstimulated cumulative saliva was collected by spitting method and pH of the samples was measured by digital pH-meter set. The viscosity of the samples was measured by comparing the amount of saliva displacement in the thistle tube with control fluids at mm/10 seconds. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 software and ANOVA tests and Tukey multiple comparison and their nonparametric equivalent (≤ 0.005).
RESULTS
The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between pH and viscosity of unstimulated saliva of normotensive and borderline hypertensive patients (<.0001and < .005, respectively) and between normotensive and stage I hypertensive patients (<.0001, <0.000). Therefore, hypertension had a direct and significant relationship with saliva viscosity but a reverse relationship with saliva pH.
CONCLUSION
Hypertension can reduce the pH and increase the salivary viscosity in hypertensive patients, which subsequently lead to changes in quality and quantity of secreted saliva and influence the oral health and quality of the patient's life.
PubMed: 33062812
DOI: 10.30476/DENTJODS.2019.80992.0 -
General Dentistry 2023This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the acidity and fluoride content of beverages commonly consumed by millennials and the enamel-softening effect of these drinks on...
This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the acidity and fluoride content of beverages commonly consumed by millennials and the enamel-softening effect of these drinks on tooth enamel. The study included 13 beverages in 4 categories: energy (sports) drink, flavored sparkling water, kombucha, and other (an unsweetened iced tea, a vegetable-fruit juice blend, and a soft drink). The acidity was measured with a pH/ion meter, and the fluoride concentration was measured with a combined fluoride electrode coupled to the meter (n = 10 measurements per beverage). The Vickers hardness number of extracted molars was measured before and after a 30-minute immersion in 4 representative beverages via 2 immersion protocols (n = 10 per beverage per protocol): (1) immersion in the beverage only and (2) immersion alternating between the beverage and artificial saliva every other minute. The pH and fluoride concentrations of the beverages ranged from 2.652 to 4.242 and from 0.0033 to 0.6045 ppm, respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all differences between beverages in pH values were statistically significant, as were the majority of differences in fluoride concentrations (P < 0.001). The beverages and the 2 immersion methods significantly affected enamel softening (2-way ANOVA, P = 0.0001 to 0.033). The representative energy drink (pH 2.990; 0.0102 ppm fluoride) caused the greatest enamel softening followed by the representative kombucha (pH 2.820; 0.2036 ppm fluoride). The representative flavored sparkling water (pH 4.066; 0.0098 ppm fluoride) caused significantly less enamel softening than the energy drink and kombucha. A root beer (pH 4.185; 0.6045 ppm fluoride) had the least enamel softening effect. All tested beverages were acidic and had a pH below 4.5; only some contained fluoride. Flavored sparkling water, likely due to its higher pH, caused less enamel softening than the tested energy drink and kombucha. The fluoride content of kombucha and root beer lower their enamel-softening effects. It is imperative that consumers be aware of the erosive potential of beverages they consume.
Topics: Humans; Fluorides; Carbonated Water; Tooth Erosion; Dental Enamel; Beverages; Carbonated Beverages; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 37358581
DOI: No ID Found -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Jan 2022Usefulness and Acceptability of a Smart pH Meter and Mobile Medical App as a Monitoring Tool in Patients with Urolithiasis: Short-term Prospective Study.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Usefulness and Acceptability of a Smart pH Meter and Mobile Medical App as a Monitoring Tool in Patients with Urolithiasis: Short-term Prospective Study.
OBJECTIVE
An accurate strategy for regularly measuring urine pH is the use of portable electronic pH meters. This study evaluated the usefulness and acceptability of the smart Lit-Control® pH Meter connected with a companion mobile medical application (myLit-Control(R) App) used by patients with urolithiasis for home monitoring of urine pH. We also examined adherence and compliance rates, and users´ satisfaction levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective study conducted in 10 centers from Spain. Adult patients with a history of urolithiasis were recruited and instructed to carry out a pH measurement with the pH meter three times per day for two weeks. User tasks included turning on the device, registration and on boarding processes in the App, sync the device and the App, and data dumping. At the end of the trial, we evaluated the level of adherence and usage compliance. Participants' perceptions about the usefulness, acceptability, and satisfaction with the device/App were collected through the Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ) and subjective surveys. RESULTS: Participants were 27 men and 10 women. The mean age of participants was 48.7 (SD = 10.4) years, ranging from 25 to 66. The predominant type of stone was calcium oxalate. The mean pH of all readings was 5.83 (SD = 0.41). Seventy-three (73%) patients met the "good adherence" criterion (not being more than 2 days without recording any pH value). The compliance (actual vs. theoretical readings) was 87.6%. Participants rated the usability of the App 5.4 and above (on a 7-point scale) in all the items of CSUQ. Satisfaction was high, as indicated by the mean score of 6.0 in item 16. In the subjective questionnaire (0 to 3 scale), nearly all mean values were above 2. Patients scored their probability to recommend the App with an average of 8.2 on a 0 to 10 scale.
CONCLUSION
The new smart Lit-Control® pH Meter and the accompanying medical App were deemed useful and acceptable by urolithiasis patients as a portable tool for urine pH monitoring at home. The usage compliance rates were high and the satisfaction with the products was good.
Topics: Adult; Calcium Oxalate; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Prospective Studies; Urolithiasis
PubMed: 35173078
DOI: No ID Found -
Explore (New York, N.Y.) 2021To design a set of measures which were portable and cost-effective that scientists could use to determine competence of Energy Practitioners so that qualified...
OBJECTIVE
To design a set of measures which were portable and cost-effective that scientists could use to determine competence of Energy Practitioners so that qualified practitioners could be employed in improving ongoing research accuracy.
DESIGN
This was a prospective study with sample of convenience.
SUBJECTS
213 subjects, 185 women and 28 men, were tested in this study.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Empirical outcome measures included Triaxial Extra Low Frequency Magnetic Field meter, Data Logging Multimeter, RF Field Spectrum Analyzer, Acoustimeter, Broadcast Frequency counter, digital pH meter, digital TDS meter, GDV and physiology suite including heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, respiration, EMG, EKG, temperature and blood volume pulse. Additional questions on ethics and body reading were included in the test.
RESULTS
Results suggest a range of tests which could be used to determine practitioner competence. Many of the energy practitioners tested consistently produced changes in the areas being measured past the error rate of the devices being used. Across the 13 measures, practitioner success ranged from 56.8% on the Acoustimeter to 100% on the Broadcast Frequency Counter measures with 95% CI. Tri Axial ELF magnetic field meter showed significance with practitioners producing oscillations of amplitude from the L hand at p< 0.01 with and effect size D of 1.5 and R hand p< 0.001 and an effect size D of 1.6. Practitioners demonstrated the ability to produce a change in pH beyond ±.1pH in 10 minutes at a Mean of 0.5 and a SD of 0.4 at a 95% CI of 0.48-0.58 and changes in TDS beyond+/-2% at a Mean of 36.7 and a SD of 35.2 at a 95% CI of 31.9-41.5. Other measures are discussed in detail.
CONCLUSIONS
This test presents a possible way to demonstrate a level of practitioner competence and improve the selection of energy practitioners for use in scientific studies of energy healing in the areas of full spectrum healing, laying-on-of-hands healing, Reiki, Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
Topics: Female; Hand; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Mind-Body Therapies; Prospective Studies; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 32798173
DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.07.010