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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 -
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 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Oct 2021Riociguat therapy has been recommended for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and it might have therapeutic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Riociguat therapy has been recommended for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and it might have therapeutic significance for other types of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our purpose was to evaluate the specific impact of riociguat on all types of PH.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the safety and efficacy of riociguat treatment for PH through databases of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to the present. Duplicate publications, studies with no full text, incomplete information or inability to extract data, animal experiments and reviews, and systematic reviews were excluded. The software RevMan 5.4 was used for data synthesis.
RESULTS
There were 8 RCTs included in our study, involving 1,606 participants. For PAH and CTEPH patients, riociguat treatment extended 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) by 39.84 meters, decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) by 4.20 mmHg, lowered pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by 218.76 dynes/sec/cm-5, cut down right atrial pressure (RAP) by 0.9 mmHg, increased cardiac index (CI) by 0.49 L/min/m2, improved cardiac output (CO) by 0.89 L/min, reduced N-terminal pro-type B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) by 436.21 pg/mL, and decreased adverse events and clinical worsening as compared with placebo. For other types of PH including PH due to left heart disease and PH due to lung disease, riociguat was reported as having improved CI by 0.42 L/min/m2 and CO was increased by 0.92 L/min compared with placebo. Other efficacy outcomes and safety outcomes did not attain statistical difference in other types of PH.
CONCLUSIONS
For PAH and CTEPH, riociguat treatment is safe and effective, but for other types of PH, it can only improve some hemodynamic parameters.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines
PubMed: 34763472
DOI: 10.21037/apm-21-2656 -
Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the... Nov 2020To validate the Clouclip, a continuously measuring objective rangefinder, and examine viewing behaviours during various near tasks in non-myopic and myopic adults.
PURPOSE
To validate the Clouclip, a continuously measuring objective rangefinder, and examine viewing behaviours during various near tasks in non-myopic and myopic adults.
METHODS
In experiment 1, five Clouclip devices were utilised. An infrared camera was used to visualise and measure infrared beam size and angle. Repeatability for distance tracking was assessed from 5 to 120 cm in 5 cm increments. Accuracy of distance tracking was investigated for paper and iPad targets, spatial integration was calculated, effects of target tilt were determined and light measurements were compared to a lux meter. In experiment 2, viewing behaviour was assessed in 41 subjects (21 non-myopic, 20 myopic) during four 15-min near tasks; (1) passive reading of printed material, (2) active writing on printed material, (3) passive viewing on an electronic device and (4) active engagement on an electronic device. Working distance was compared between tasks and refractive error groups.
RESULTS
Clouclip distance tracking showed good repeatability, with a mean difference of 0.34 cm and limits of agreement of ±2.0 cm. Clouclip-measured and actual distances were highly correlated for paper and electronic targets from 5 to 120 cm, with mean differences and limits of agreement of 3.96 ± 13.78 cm and 4.48 ± 8.92 cm, respectively; variability increased for distances >100 cm. Tracking ability increased with larger target sizes; tracking was accurate when the target occupied 1.5%-20.3% of tracking beam area, depending on distance and with target tilt up to ±60 degrees. Clouclip- and lux meter-measured ambient illumination were highly correlated for a wide range of intensities (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), but with greater variability for intensities >20 000 lux. The Clouclip infrared beam was measured to have a diameter of 25.6 ± 2.2° and a downward angle of 10.3 ± 0.5°. For subject testing, viewing distance was significantly closer for active and passive printed tasks (29.5 ± 6.7 cm and 33.2 ± 8.8 cm, respectively) than for active and passive electronic tasks (35.4 ± 8.0 cm and 40.8 ± 10.4 cm, respectively), with no differences between refractive error groups (p = 0.88).
CONCLUSIONS
The Clouclip performed well in measuring near and intermediate distances and could distinguish between indoor (<1000 lux) and outdoor (>1000 lux) illumination. A closer working distance was observed for printed tasks compared to those on an iPad, with no difference in viewing distance between non-myopic and myopic adults.
Topics: Accommodation, Ocular; Distance Perception; Humans; Lighting; Myopia; Optometry; Reading
PubMed: 33002229
DOI: 10.1111/opo.12735 -
Computational and Mathematical Methods... 2022Bodybuilding operation is a favorite sports item, which is beneficial to enhance physical fitness, improve coordination and flexibility of movement, and enhance...
Bodybuilding operation is a favorite sports item, which is beneficial to enhance physical fitness, improve coordination and flexibility of movement, and enhance cardiopulmonary function. Standard aerobics movements and nutrition matching strategies can more effectively enhance the exercise effect. In this paper, the characteristics of aerobics, sports, and nutrition strategies are researched through the human body recognition technology of the depth image; the subjects were divided into four groups by statistical method and control variable experiment method. They were the control group, the experimental group for aerobics training, the experimental group for improving the nutritional balance under diet, and the experimental group for aerobics training. After two and a half months of experimental training and observation, the students in the four groups were tested for physical fitness and physical function; analyze the obtained experimental test data using the human body recognition technology of depth image, then obtain the experimental test data, and then use the data fusion method to combine the data and information for more accurate evaluation. The results showed that after 10 weeks of aerobics learning and nutrition, the average height of students increased by 1.19 cm, the average weight decreased by 1.17 kg, the number of sit-ups increased from 23.9 before the experiment to 31.2, and the results of 50-meter race and 800-meter run were 0.2 seconds and 2.9 seconds, respectively. It can be concluded that aerobics and nutrition can speed up metabolism, promote the growth and development of bones, and supplement the nutrition needed by the human body, to improve students' physical quality. This study contributes to the research of sports and nutrition matching in improving physical conditions.
Topics: Adolescent; Algorithms; Body Image; Child; China; Computational Biology; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Status; Physical Fitness; Sports; Students
PubMed: 35178120
DOI: 10.1155/2022/8021536 -
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 -
Translational Animal Science 2024This experiment aimed to assess the impact of virginiamycin on in vitro gas production dynamics, rumen kinetics, and nutrient digestibility in beef steers fed a...
This experiment aimed to assess the impact of virginiamycin on in vitro gas production dynamics, rumen kinetics, and nutrient digestibility in beef steers fed a grain-based diet. Nine ruminally cannulated British-crossbred steers (596 ± 49 kg) were assigned to this experiment. Animals were housed in three pens ( = 3/pen) equipped with a Calan gate feed system and water troughs. Pens were enrolled in a 3 × 3 Latin square design containing three periods of 16 d, and a 5-d washout interval between periods. Dietary treatments consisted of virginiamycin () administration at 0 (VM0), 180 (VM180), or 240 mg/d (VM240). During days 15 and 16 of each period, about 600 mL of rumen fluid and urine samples were collected before (0 h), and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 h after the morning feed (0730 hours), rumen inoculum was used to take pH and redox potential measurements immediately after collection using a portable pH and redox meter, and subsamples were taken for volatile fatty acids () and NH-N analyses, and urine samples were composited daily and analyzed for creatinine and purine derivatives () content to estimate microbial crude protein flow. During the 4-h post-morning feed rumen collection, rumen inoculum was utilized to perform in vitro gas production measurements. Fecal samples were collected on day 16 of each period to estimate nutrient digestibility using acid detergent insoluble ash as an internal marker. Animals were considered the experimental unit for the statistical analyses, and periods and squares were included as random variables. The total and rate of gas production were similar among treatments ( ≥ 0.17). The second-pool (i.e., fiber) gas production increased linearly as VM inclusion increased ( = 0.01), with VM240 being greater compared to VM180 and VM0 (7.84, 6.94, and 6.89 mL, respectively). Ruminal pH linearly increased as VM increased, with VM240 being greater than VM0 and VM180 intermediate (5.90, 5.82, and 5.86, respectively; = 0.03). The VFA concentrations did not differ ( ≥ 0.13), but the acetate-to-propionate ratio was the highest in VM240 ( = 0.005). Branched-chain VFA increased ( ≤ 0.03) while lactate concentrations decreased ( = 0.005) linearly with VM. The ruminal NH-N concentration was the lowest in the VM0 ( = 0.006). The estimated absorbed PD, purine derivative to creatinine index, and microbial N flow increased linearly with VM ( ≤ 0.07). The provision of VM influenced rumen dynamics in a dose-dependent manner.
PubMed: 38406320
DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae019 -
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ :... Nov 2020Atorvastatin (ATO) is of the statin class and is used as an orally administered lipid-lowering drug. ATO is a reversible synthetic competitive inhibitor of... (Review)
Review
Atorvastatin (ATO) is of the statin class and is used as an orally administered lipid-lowering drug. ATO is a reversible synthetic competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase thus leading to a reduction in cholesterol synthesis. It has recently been demonstrated that ATO has different pharmacological actions, which are unrelated to its lipid-lowering effects and has the ability to treat chronic airway diseases. This paper reviews the potential of ATO as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative agent after oral or inhaled administration. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using ATO under conditions associated with those found in the airways. This treatment could potentially be used to support the formulating of ATO as an inhaler for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.
PubMed: 33250642
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2020.08.025 -
Versatile activity and morphological effects of zinc oxide submicron particles as anticancer agents.Nanomedicine (London, England) Apr 2022Submicron particles (SMPs), as novel bionanomaterials, offer complementary benefits to their conventional nano-counterparts. To explore zinc oxide (ZnO) SMPs'...
Submicron particles (SMPs), as novel bionanomaterials, offer complementary benefits to their conventional nano-counterparts. To explore zinc oxide (ZnO) SMPs' bioimaging and anticancer potentials. ZnO SMPs were synthesized into two shapes. Fluorescent spectrum and microscopy were studied for the bioimaging property. Wound healing and Live/Dead assays of glioblastoma cells were characterized for anticancer activities. ZnO SMPs exhibited a high quantum yield (49%) with stable orange fluorescence emission. Both morphologies (most significant in the rod shape) showed tumor-selective properties in cytotoxicity, inhibition to cell migration and attenuating the cancer-upregulated genes. The tumor selectivity was attributed to particle degradation and surface properties on pH dependency. The authors propose that ZnO SMPs could be a promising anticancer drug with tunable, morphology-dependent properties for bioimaging and controlled release.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Fluorescence; Surface Properties; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 35350869
DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0420