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Biology Letters Mar 2022In nature, light is a key driver of animal behaviour and physiology. When studying captive or laboratory animals, researchers usually expose animals to a period of... (Review)
Review
In nature, light is a key driver of animal behaviour and physiology. When studying captive or laboratory animals, researchers usually expose animals to a period of darkness, to mimic night. However, 'darkness' is often poorly quantified and its importance is generally underappreciated in animal research. Even small differences in nocturnal light conditions can influence biology. When light levels during the dark phase are not reported accurately, experiments can be impossible to replicate and compare. Furthermore, when nocturnal light levels are unrealistically dark or bright, the research is less ecologically relevant. Such issues are exacerbated by huge differences in the sensitivity of different light meters, which are not always described in study methods. We argue that nocturnal light levels need to be reported clearly and precisely, particularly in studies of animals housed indoors (e.g. '<0.03 lux' rather than '0 lux' or 'dark'), and that these light levels should reflect conditions that the animal would experience in a natural context.
Topics: Animal Experimentation; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Circadian Rhythm; Darkness; Light; Lighting
PubMed: 35291885
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0035 -
BioMed Research International 2022This study was aimed at investigating the effect of pelvic tilt taping on muscle strength, pelvic inclination, and gait function in patients with stroke. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Pelvic Stabilization Training with Lateral and Posterior Tilt Taping on Pelvic Inclination, Muscle Strength, and Gait Function in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study.
BACKGROUND
This study was aimed at investigating the effect of pelvic tilt taping on muscle strength, pelvic inclination, and gait function in patients with stroke.
METHODS
A total of 60 patients with stroke were included in our study and randomly divided into three groups: the posterior pelvic tilt taping (PPTT, = 20), the lateral pelvic tilt taping (LPPP) with PPTT (LPPP+PPTT, = 20), and the control ( = 20) groups. All participants performed pelvic stabilization exercises consisting of 6 movements: supine, side lying, quadruped, sitting, squatting, and standing (30 min/day, five days/week, for six weeks). PPTT to correct anterior pelvic tilt was applied to the LPTT+PPTT and PPTT groups, and lateral pelvic tilt taping was additionally applied to the LPTT+PPTT group. LPTT was performed to correct the pelvis tilted to the affected side, and PPTT was performed to correct the anterior pelvic tilt. The control group did not undergo taping. A hand-held dynamometer was used to measure the hip abductor muscle strength. In addition, a palpation meter and 10-meter walk test were used to assess pelvic inclination and gait function.
RESULTS
Muscle strength was significantly stronger in the LPTT+PPTT group than in the other two groups ( = 0.01). The anterior pelvic tilt was significantly improved in the taping group compared to the control group ( < 0.001), and the lateral pelvic tilt was significantly improved in the LPTT+PPTT group compared to the other two groups ( < 0.001). Significantly greater improvements in gait speed were observed in the LPTT+PPTT group than in the other two groups ( = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
PPPT can significantly affect pelvic alignment and walking speed in patients with stroke, and the additional application of LPTT can further strengthen these effects. Therefore, we suggest using taping as an auxiliary therapeutic-intervention method in postural control training.
Topics: Humans; Pelvis; Posture; Gait; Stroke; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 37333857
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9224668 -
PloS One 2020Human height is a simple measure with great applicability. Usually, stadiometers are used to measure height accurately. However, these may be impractical to transport...
BACKGROUND
Human height is a simple measure with great applicability. Usually, stadiometers are used to measure height accurately. However, these may be impractical to transport and expensive. Therefore, we developed a portable and low-cost laser height metre (LHM).
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to (1) determine intrarater and interrater reliability of our LHM and compare it to a wall-fixed stadiometer, (2) examine its agreement with the same stadiometer, and (3) determine the minimum number of recordings needed to obtain an accurate and reliable height measurement using the LHM.
METHODS
We recruited 32 participants (18+ years)-both men and women. Two raters performed assessments on the same day blinded to each other and their reference standard measurements. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), standard error of measurement (SEM), and Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement (LOA).
RESULTS
For both the LHM and stadiometer, we found ICC values of 0.99-1.00 (95% CI: 0.997-1.000) for both intrarater and interrater reliability. Regarding LHM intrarater reliability, SEM, CV, and LOA were 0.34 cm, 0.16%, and -1.07 to 0.73 cm, respectively. In terms of LHM interrater reliability, SEM, CV, and LOA were 0.27 cm, 0.12%, and -0.32 to 0.84 cm, respectively. As to agreement with stadiometers using one measurement, the mean difference was -0.14 cm and LOA ranged from -0.81 to 0.77 cm.
CONCLUSION
A portable and low-cost LHM, for measuring body height once, showed an excellent reproducibility within and between raters along with an acceptable agreement with a stadiometer thereby representing a suitable alternative.
Topics: Adult; Body Height; Female; Humans; Lasers; Male; Mobile Applications; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 32267891
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231449 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2020This study aims to retard the setting reaction of CSC by mixing it with 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX) which will be used as an intracanal medicament, and to evaluate the...
PURPOSE
This study aims to retard the setting reaction of CSC by mixing it with 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX) which will be used as an intracanal medicament, and to evaluate the removal of the experimental medicaments from the root canal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
White Portland cement, white ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were mixed with 2% CHX. The setting time, flowability and film thickness of the CSC/CHX mixture (experimental medicaments) were assessed and measured following the standards of ISO specification. Calcium ion release was measured using ICP-OES, while pH was tested using a pH meter. Moreover, twenty single-rooted teeth were filled with the experimental medicaments for seven days, then the medicaments were removed and the samples analyzed using SEM. Calcium hydroxide paste was used as a control.
RESULTS
The setting time of the experimental medicaments was inhibited until 84 days. The calcium ion release of the experimental medicaments was significantly higher compared to the control over the period of 14 days (P<0.001). The mean pH value was above 11.45 for all tested materials over a period of 14 days, with no significant difference between them (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in film thickness of the experimental medicaments compared to the control (P> 0.05). However, the flowability of the experimental medicaments was significantly higher than the control (P<0.05). SEM showed no significant differences in the removal of the intracanal medicaments between all the tested groups.
CONCLUSION
The addition of 2% CHX to CSCs retarded or inhibited its setting reaction over a period of 84 days. The calcium ion release and flowability of these experimental medicaments was found to be better than calcium hydroxide. Removal of the intracanal medicaments from the root canal was successfully achieved in all groups. Therefore, these experimental medicaments have the potential to be used as an enhanced root canal medicament.
PubMed: 32158275
DOI: 10.2147/CCIDE.S241015 -
Mikrochimica Acta Jan 2021A simple and feasible pH meter-based immunoassay is reported for detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) using glucose oxidase (GOD)-conjugated dendrimer loaded with...
A simple and feasible pH meter-based immunoassay is reported for detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) using glucose oxidase (GOD)-conjugated dendrimer loaded with platinum nanozyme. Initially, platinum nanozymes were loaded into the dendrimers through an in situ synthetic method. Then, GOD and monoclonal anti-CRP antibody with a high molar ratio were covalently conjugated onto carboxylated dendrimers via typical carbodiimide coupling. The immunoreaction was carried out with a competitive mode in a CRP-coated microplate. Along with formation of immunocomplex, the added glucose was oxidized into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide by GOD, and the latter was further decomposed by platinum nanozyme, thus accelerating chemical reaction in the positive direction. The produced gluconic acid changed the pH of detection solution, which was determined using a handheld pH meter. Under optimum conditions, the pH meter-based immunoassay gave a good signal toward target CRP from 0.01 to 100 ng mL. The limit of detection was 5.9 pg mL. An intermediate precision ≤ 11.2% was acquired with batch-to-batch identification. No nonspecific adsorption was observed during a series of procedures to detect target CRP, and the cross-reaction against other biomarkers was very low. Importantly, our system gave well-matched results for analysis of human serum samples relative to a referenced ELISA kit.Graphical abstract.
Topics: Antibodies, Immobilized; Antibodies, Monoclonal; C-Reactive Protein; Catalysis; Dendrimers; Glucose Oxidase; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunoassay; Limit of Detection; Metal Nanoparticles; Oxidation-Reduction; Platinum; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 33389237
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-020-04687-9 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2020Fluorescent pH biosensors have gained importance owing to their low cost utilization in real time monitoring of biological and food samples in comparison to conventional...
Fluorescent pH biosensors have gained importance owing to their low cost utilization in real time monitoring of biological and food samples in comparison to conventional pH meters. The research reports a novel method of ultrasonic atomization for developing a fluorescent pH sensor for real-time analysis made of Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran/FITC-dextran-Tris (2, 2'-bipyridyl) dichlororuthenium (II) hexahydrate as indicator and reference fluorophores, respectively. The process of ultrasonic atomization ensures formation of monodisperse dye immobilized alginate microspheres ensuring efficient pH sensing. The developed biosensor was tested on milk samples, which has a short life span and shows a significant fall in pH with time due to microbial spoilage. The proposed biosensor showed a linear range of pH 4-8 (R between 0.96-0.99 for different single/dual fluorophore biosensors) which suitably cover the pH of milk during the entire storage period and spoilage. The % recovery for predicted pH falls between 90-110% compared against standard pH meter, indicating a good accuracy of estimation and low turnaround time (10 min). Thus, real-time monitoring using fluorescent pH biosensor for milk samples may profoundly improve the economics of losses occurring in processing and storage with capability of in-package continuous quality assessment.
PubMed: 32616901
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68005-2 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Light is an electromagnetic radiation that occurs in a narrow range of over an extremely wide range of wavelengths, from gamma rays with wavelengths to radio waves...
Light is an electromagnetic radiation that occurs in a narrow range of over an extremely wide range of wavelengths, from gamma rays with wavelengths to radio waves measured in meters [...].
PubMed: 35893615
DOI: 10.3390/plants11151911 -
BMJ Paediatrics Open 2019Gut microbiota plays an important role in the growth of children. The gut of children with optimum growth is enriched in certain species, especially and and ommensal...
BACKGROUND
Gut microbiota plays an important role in the growth of children. The gut of children with optimum growth is enriched in certain species, especially and and ommensal both contribute to formation of acidic stool, and an elevated faecal pH indicates reduction of these species in the gut. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of faecal pH with childhood stunting.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 100 children with length-for-age Z score (LAZ) <-1 aged between 12 and 18 months were enrolled from the ongoing Bangladesh Environmental Enteric Dysfunction study conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. LAZ was measured by anthropometry and data on factors affecting linear growth were recorded. Faecal pH measurement was done using pH metre on freshly collected non-diarrhoeal faecal samples following standard procedure. Multiple quantile regression was done to quantify the relation between faecal pH and LAZ scores.
RESULTS
The mean LAZ and faecal pH of the children were -2.12±0.80 and 5.84±1.11, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically significant negative correlation between stool pH and the LAZ scores (p<0.01). After inclusion of other factors affecting linear growth into the regression model, a statistically significant inverse association was observed between faecal pH and LAZ score (p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Elevated faecal pH was found to have a significant association with stunted growth. As an indicator of gut microbiota status, faecal pH might have emerged as a possible indirect determinant of childhood stunting.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT02812615.
PubMed: 31646200
DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000549 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Mar 2023Although it is known that epidermal biophysical properties vary with age and gender, the changes in epidermal biophysical properties over the time from baby to...
BACKGROUND
Although it is known that epidermal biophysical properties vary with age and gender, the changes in epidermal biophysical properties over the time from baby to adolescence have not been elucidated yet. In the present study, we assessed the trend of changes in transepidermal water loss rates (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin surface pH in Chinese children.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
A total of 780 boys and 610 girls, aged 1 month to 17-year old, were enrolled in this study. TEWL and stratum corneum hydration on the forearm and the shin were measured with GPSkin Barrier, whereas skin surface pH was measured with portable skin pH meter.
RESULTS
Overall, TEWL and stratum corneum hydration levels decreased, whereas skin surface pH increased in children from 1-month old to 17-year old. Significant decline in TEWL was observed on both the forearm and the shin of girls, and the shin of boys aged 13-17-year old. Similarly, marked decline in stratum corneum hydration levels started at ages of 6-12-year old. In contrast, decline in skin surface pH was observed in both girls and boys aged one to 12-month old except on the forearm of boys. Afterward, skin surface pH remained either stable or slight increase except on the shin of boys aged >12 months to 3-year old.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that both TEWL and stratum corneum hydration levels decrease, whereas skin surface pH increases in children aged 1 month to 17-year old. The changes in these biophysical properties vary with age, gender, and body site.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Asian People; East Asian People; Epidermis; Forearm; Skin; Water Loss, Insensible; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 36973975
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13297 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023In the pursuit of enhancing the wine production process through the utilization of new technologies in viticulture, this study presents a novel approach for the rapid...
Rapid Determination of Wine Grape Maturity Level from pH, Titratable Acidity, and Sugar Content Using Non-Destructive In Situ Infrared Spectroscopy and Multi-Head Attention Convolutional Neural Networks.
In the pursuit of enhancing the wine production process through the utilization of new technologies in viticulture, this study presents a novel approach for the rapid assessment of wine grape maturity levels using non-destructive, in situ infrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence techniques. Building upon our previous work focused on estimating sugar content (∘Brix) from the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions, this research expands its scope to encompass pH and titratable acidity, critical parameters determining the grape maturity degree, and in turn, wine quality, offering a more representative estimation pathway. Data were collected from four grape varieties-Chardonnay, Malagouzia, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah-during the 2023 harvest and pre-harvest phenological stages in the vineyards of Ktima Gerovassiliou, northern Greece. A comprehensive spectral library was developed, covering the VNIR-SWIR spectrum (350-2500 nm), with measurements performed in situ. Ground truth data for pH, titratable acidity, and sugar content were obtained using conventional laboratory methods: total soluble solids (TSS) (∘Brix) by refractometry, titratable acidity by titration (expressed as mg tartaric acid per liter of must) and pH by a pH meter, analyzed at different maturation stages in the must samples. The maturity indicators were predicted from the point hyperspectral data by employing machine learning algorithms, including Partial Least Squares regression (PLS), Random Forest regression (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), in conjunction with various pre-processing techniques. Multi-output models were also considered to simultaneously predict all three indicators to exploit their intercorrelations. A novel multi-input-multi-output CNN model was also proposed, incorporating a multi-head attention mechanism and enabling the identification of the spectral regions it focuses on, and thus having a higher interpretability degree. Our results indicate high accuracy in the estimation of sugar content, pH, and titratable acidity, with the best models yielding mean R2 values of 0.84, 0.76, and 0.79, respectively, across all properties. The multi-output models did not improve the prediction results compared to the best single-output models, and the proposed CNN model was on par with the next best model. The interpretability analysis highlighted that the CNN model focused on spectral regions associated with the presence of sugars (i.e., glucose and fructose) and of the carboxylic acid group. This study underscores the potential of portable spectrometry for real-time, non-destructive assessments of wine grape maturity, thereby providing valuable tools for informed decision making in the wine production industry. By integrating pH and titratable acidity into the analysis, our approach offers a holistic view of grape quality, facilitating more comprehensive and efficient viticultural practices.
Topics: Vitis; Wine; Sugars; Artificial Intelligence; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Fruit; Carbohydrates; Neural Networks, Computer; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 38067909
DOI: 10.3390/s23239536