-
Biosensors & Bioelectronics Mar 2023Advanced biosensors, considered as emerging technologies, are capable of accurate, quantitative and real-time analysis for point-of-care testing (POCT) applications.... (Review)
Review
Advanced biosensors, considered as emerging technologies, are capable of accurate, quantitative and real-time analysis for point-of-care testing (POCT) applications. Moreover, the integrating of miniaturized meters into these advanced biosensors makes them ideally appropriate for portable, sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules. Miniaturized meters including PGMs (personal glucose meters), thermometer, pressuremeter, pH meter, etc. are the most accurate devices and wide availability in the market, exhibiting a promising potential towards detection of small molecule mycotoxins. In this article, we introduce and analyze the recent advancements for sensing of mycotoxins measured by handheld meters since the first report in 2012. Furthermore, limitations and challenges for versatile meters application against mycotoxins in food matrix are highlighted. By overcoming the bottleneck problems, we believe the miniaturized meters-based biosensor platform will provide great possibilities for mycotoxins analysis and launch them to the market.
Topics: Mycotoxins; Biosensing Techniques; Glucose; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing
PubMed: 36669289
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115077 -
Journal of the International Society of... Jan 2021Accurate and reliable monitoring of blood ketone and glucose levels is useful for athletes adhering to a ketogenic diet who want to verify that they are in a state of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Accurate and reliable monitoring of blood ketone and glucose levels is useful for athletes adhering to a ketogenic diet who want to verify that they are in a state of ketosis and, therefore, accruing performance adaptations. However, the cost of devices and testing materials may prohibit their use. More affordable field testing systems are available, but their accuracy and reliability remain in question. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the agreement between a previously validated ketone and glucose meter (Meter 1 - Precision Xtra) and a more affordable meter that has not been validated (Meter 2 - Keto-Mojo), and also to assess the diagnostic performance of Meter 2 for identifying nutritional ketosis.
METHODS
Thirteen participants (7 females and 6 males; 21.6 ± 3.0 years old) visited the laboratory three times in this randomized, double-blind cross-over design study. Ketone and glucose levels were measured with Meter 1 and Meter 2 twice before and twice after ingestion of a racemic ketone, natural ketone, or maltodextrin supplement. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate interrater reliability for Meter 1 and Meter 2. Bland-Altman plots were constructed to visually assess the agreement between devices. Area under the ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of Meter 2 to detect nutritional ketosis at a threshold ketone level of 0.5 mM as identified by Meter 1.
RESULTS
Reliability between the meters was excellent for measuring ketones (ICC = .968; .942-.981) and good for measuring glucose (ICC = .809; .642-.893), though the Bland-Altman plot revealed substantial differences in agreement for measuring glucose. Area under the ROC curve (Area = 0.913; 0.828-0.998) was excellent for diagnosing nutritional ketosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Both Meter 1 and Meter 2 displayed excellent agreement between each other for ketone measurement. Meter 2 also displayed an excellent level of accuracy for diagnosing nutritional ketosis at a threshold value of 0.5 mM, making it an effective and affordable alternative to more expensive testing devices.
Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Area Under Curve; Athletes; Blood Glucose; Cross-Over Studies; Diagnostic Equipment; Diet, Ketogenic; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Ketone Bodies; Ketones; Ketosis; Male; Polysaccharides; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 33413456
DOI: 10.1186/s12970-020-00404-2 -
Dental Materials : Official Publication... Jan 2021To characterise the ion release, pH changes and apatite formation of a phosphate free bioactive glass.
OBJECTIVES
To characterise the ion release, pH changes and apatite formation of a phosphate free bioactive glass.
METHODS
A SiO-CaO-CaF-NaO glass was synthesized by a melt route with a composition close to the reactive glass in the commercial Cention N® composite. The glass was characterized after immersion in three media: Artificial Saliva pH4 (AS4) Artificial Saliva pH7 (AS7) and in a high phosphate artificial saliva at pH6.5 (AS6.5). The pH and fluoride release were measured using a pH meter and an ion selective electrode. The concentration of Ca, P, Na and Si were measured by ICP-OES. The glass powders after immersion were characterized by FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction and F MAS-NMR.
RESULTS
The glass increased the pH in all three media. Fluoride was detected in all three media but was much higher in AS 6.5. Calcium fluoride formed in AS4 with a small amount of fluorapatite at long immersion times. Fluorapatite and calcium fluoride formed in AS7, whilst in AS6.5 fluorapatite formed. The ion concentrations in solution after immersion reflected the glass composition and the immersion media with fluorapatite being favoured by higher pHs and phosphate contents in the media.
SIGNIFICANCE
The results demonstrated the ability of the glass to increase the pH and to form fluorapatite in phosphate containing media. This may explain the low incidence of secondary caries found in the commercial composite. Unlike the commercial composite evidence was found for the precipitation of fluorite, which will act to reduce the release of fluoride for preventing secondary caries.
Topics: Fluorides; Glass; Phosphates; Saliva, Artificial; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 33267973
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2020.09.017 -
Journal of Tissue Viability Nov 2022Skin care plays an important role in the prevention of the development of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of skincare with a body...
AIM
Skin care plays an important role in the prevention of the development of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of skincare with a body pH-compatible cleansing cloth on the development time of pressure ulcers and on skin pH.
METHODS
This experimental research was conducted with 156 patients hospitalized in intensive care clinics of a state hospital between September 2019 and 2020. The sample was calculated with a power of 80% and a significance level of 0.05 (α error) and as a result, 78 elderly patients formed the intervention group and another 78 elderly patients made up the control group. Data were collected using the Elderly Information Form, Braden Risk Assessment Scale, Pressure Ulcer Staging Tool and Skin pH Measurement Form. The pre- and post-care skin pH of both groups was measured with a skin pH meter. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The average development time for pressure ulcers was 14.9 days in the control group, 18.9 days in the intervention group and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Skin pH decreased in the intervention group after the skin care routine was applied, whereas it increased in the control group.
CONCLUSION
It can be said that care of one's skin with a body pH-compatible cleansing cloth has a positive effect on the development time of pressure ulcers and also positively changes the skin pH to acidic.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Pressure Ulcer; Skin Care; Risk Assessment; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 36180377
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2022.09.003 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Jan 2021Urinary pH is a factor that influences in urinary lithogenesis. It can condition the heterogeneous nucleation of calcium oxalate and the crystallization or dissolution...
OBJECTIVE
Urinary pH is a factor that influences in urinary lithogenesis. It can condition the heterogeneous nucleation of calcium oxalate and the crystallization or dissolution of other substances such as uricacid, cystine and phosphates. Its exact and precise measurement is a tool to guide the treatment and prevention. The most accurate way to measure the pH is to use a glass electrode and a pH-meter, but this device is used in hospital's environment and is not portable. Test strips are not adequate for proper measurement. Recently, a portable and electronic device for measuring urinary pH has shown greater precision and accuracy in the measurement of urinary pH, with good acceptance by patients.
METHOD
We carried out a bibliographic search inPUBMED and EMBASE using the terms "URINARY pH", "Lithiasis", "Uro-Lihitiasis", "Urinary Stone", "Urinary pH measurement", in order to compile articles, books, abstracts and the most relevant clinical guides in English and Spanish on this topic.
RESULTS
We select a total of 66 articles, 3 books, an abstract of a study unpublished presented at the American urology congress and the European Guidelines on urolithiasis on the effect of pH on the formation and prevention of urolithiasis. Four articles deal specifically with the effect of urinary pH on urolithiasis, 5 articles deal with a new portable electronic device for measuring urinary pH, 5 articles dealt with the measurement of urinary pH with test strips and 1 article dealt with the modification of urinary pH to reduce fouling of double J catheters, 2 articles deal about the urinary acidification with oral methionine. The selected abstract deals with the new portable device for measuring urinary pH in cystinuric patients. The 3 selected books have specific sections where the role of urinary pH in urolithiasis is discussed. Finally, in the European Urology Guidelines, the control of urinary pH is emphasized in the sections of prevention of urolithiasis formation, treatment of uric lithiasis, infectious/non-infectious phosphocalcic and cystine.
CONCLUSIONS
Urinary pH is a recognized factor in the scientific-urological community for the study, monitoring, treatment and prevention of lithiasic patients. Urinary pH measurement is a very useful tool, but test strips are not suitable for pH measurement and medical decision making. Currently, several studies have evaluated a new device to achieve the measurement of urinary pH effectively and easily by the patient, keeping urinary pH innon-lithogenic ranges with the association of medical and non-medical treatments, and good acceptability from the patients.
Topics: Calcium Oxalate; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Urinary Calculi; Urolithiasis
PubMed: 33459626
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Dentistry 2023Enlarged adenoids can lead to obstruction of the nasopharyngeal airway and subsequent oral respiration. Oral breathing can cause dry mouth, dehydration in gingival...
Enlarged adenoids can lead to obstruction of the nasopharyngeal airway and subsequent oral respiration. Oral breathing can cause dry mouth, dehydration in gingival tissue, and resistance to plaque accumulation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of tonsillectomy on oral health status, salivary pH and flow rate, and common complications caused by tonsillar hypertrophy in children. An analytical before-and-after study was conducted on 60 children aged 5-12 years who required tonsillectomy. We gathered data through a questionnaire and collected unstimulated saliva using the spitting method for five minutes. Salivary pH was measured by a pH meter and its volume was determined with a calibrated test tube. The plaque index, bleeding index and modified gingival index were determined using a disclosing tablet, Williams' probe and observational examination, respectively. All measurements were repeated one month after tonsillectomy. Paired t-test was used for data analysis. We found a significant increase in mean pH and salivary flow rate after tonsillectomy and observed a decrease in oral health indices among the children one month after surgery. Over half of the children who reported complications such as dry mouth, itchy nose and throat, snoring, night sweats, and sleep disturbances experienced complete recovery after tonsillectomy. Based on the results obtained in the present study, children with enlarged adenoids showed significant improvements in salivary pH, salivary flow rate, and oral health indices, one month after tonsillectomy.
PubMed: 37701649
DOI: 10.18502/fid.v20i24.13168 -
PloS One 2022In this study, we show that virtual reality (VR) behaviometrics can be used for the assessment of compliance and physical laboratory skills. Drawing on approaches from...
In this study, we show that virtual reality (VR) behaviometrics can be used for the assessment of compliance and physical laboratory skills. Drawing on approaches from machine learning and classical statistics, significant behavioral predictors were deduced from a logistic regression model that classified students and biopharma company employees as experts or novices on pH meter handling with 77% accuracy. Specifically, the game score and number of interactions in VR tasks requiring practical skills were found to be performance predictors. The study provides biopharma companies and academic institutions the possibility of assessing performance using an automatic, reliable, and simple alternative to traditional in-person assessment methods. Integrating the assessment into the training tool renders such laborious post-training assessments unnecessary.
Topics: Humans; Virtual Reality; Clinical Competence; Physical Examination; Simulation Training; Students; User-Computer Interface
PubMed: 36534685
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279320 -
Biophysical Chemistry Mar 2022Although peptides were widely used in many fields, their interface behaviors as surfactants have not been explored. The results of the surface tension experiments by an... (Review)
Review
Although peptides were widely used in many fields, their interface behaviors as surfactants have not been explored. The results of the surface tension experiments by an automatic surface tension meter indicate that the stability and emulsifying ability of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) under alkaline conditions were stronger than those under acidic conditions. With encoding the different oxygen and nitrogen atoms in GSSG, as well as the different hydrogen atoms bonded with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The pH Dependence of the number of hydrogen bonds, affected by the protonation and deprotonation of the functional groups in GSSG, is calculated by LAMMPS software. The results demonstrate that GSSG forms twice as many hydrogen bonds under alkaline conditions as under acidic conditions, resulting in a better surface-interface activity in alkaline conditions. The interface properties of the GSSG surfactant can be regulated by pH. Therefore, GSSG is a potential pH-responsive surfactant.
Topics: Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Nitrogen; Oxygen; Surface-Active Agents; Water
PubMed: 34959125
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106748 -
European Review For Medical and... Feb 2021To evaluate changes in pH and Flow Rate (FR) of the Unstimulated Whole Saliva (UWS) in a sample of pregnant women in different gestational periods. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in pH and Flow Rate (FR) of the Unstimulated Whole Saliva (UWS) in a sample of pregnant women in different gestational periods.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
After collecting demographic data and medical histories, as well as conducting an oral examination, a sample of pregnant women were instructed on how to prepare prior to the sample collection. At a time between 11.00 and 12.00 a.m., they were subjected to salivary collection (spitting method, time 5 minutes); the measurement of FR was carried out using a professionally calibrated precision scale and the pH with a portable pH meter.
RESULTS
The average FR of the women's detected sample (0.40 ± 0.20 ml/min) was lower than that of non-pregnant women (0.48 ± 0.15 ml/min) of the same age (p <0.05). We observed an increase (p <0.001) of FR in the first trimester (0.56 ± 0.20 ml/min) compared to second (0.34 ± 0.14 ml/min) and third (0.31 ± 0.14 ml/min) trimester. The salivary pH of pregnant women was lower than the one detected in the non-pregnant women's sample (p <0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study highlighted an increase in the FR in the first trimester compared to that detected in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy which viceversa was lower than the average FR in non-pregnant women. This data, combined with the decrease in salivary pH, supports the hypothesis that correlates the FR increase with the attempt to counter the decrease in pH due to gastric regurgitation frequent in the first trimester. Further studies are necessary to evaluate salivary FR and pH in pregnant women samples related to the emesis phenomenon.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Salivary Glands; Secretory Rate
PubMed: 33660789
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202102_25074 -
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral... Sep 2023Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
BACKGROUND
Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
METHODS
Commercial liquid HMFs and powder infant formulas were added to pasteurized pooled donor human milk in triplicate and stirred. The pH of unfortified and fortified human milk at 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 30 kcal/ounce (624, 680, 737, 765, 794, and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using a pH meter. Phenolphthalein acidity at 24 and 30 kcal/ounce (680 and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using diluted sodium hydroxide.
RESULTS
The pH of unfortified human milk increased within the first hour (6.52 ± 0.06 vs 6.62 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). Changes in pH largely correlated with caloric density; however, directional changes varied considerably between HMFs and powder infant formulas. Two liquid HMFs demonstrated modest reductions in pH with increasing caloric density whereas one liquid HMF alkalinized human milk with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001). Phenolphthalein acidity was significantly higher for five HMFs and lower for one HMF at 30 kcal/ounce (850 kcal/g) but not 24 kcal/ounce (680 kcal/g). Powder infant formulas generally increased pH with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001), but no differences in phenolphthalein acidity were noted.
CONCLUSION
Changes in acid/base balancefor fortified human milk are variable and may be a consideration when selecting a fortifying agent for human milk.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Milk, Human; Powders; Food, Fortified; Dietary Supplements; Phenolphthaleins
PubMed: 37350060
DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2537