-
International Dental Journal May 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine trypsin on the adhesion and pH of dental plaque biofilms.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine trypsin on the adhesion and pH of dental plaque biofilms.
METHODS
A multispecies dental plaque biofilm model and a single-species dental plaque biofilm model were established in vitro. Three groups were tested: (1) blank control group (aseptic ultrapure water); (2) negative control group (1M Tris-HCl buffer, pH = 7.4); and (3) experimental group (bovine trypsin). Adhesion ability was measured using an automatic microplate reader and visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The pH was measured using a pH meter. The expression of gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD was analysed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
Adhesion ability in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the blank group and the negative control group (P < .05); readhesion ability in the experimental group was inhibited for a certain period of time (24-hour multispecies biofilms were inhibited from 4 to 8 hours, and the 48- and 72-hour multispecies biofilms were inhibited from 2 to 6 hours; P < .05). The decrease in pH was inhibited for a certain period of time (24-hour multispecies biofilms were inhibited from 2 to 8 hours, and the 48- and 72-hour multispecies biofilms were inhibited from 1 to 8 hours; P < .05). Expression levels of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, and ldh in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the blank group (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial adhesion, and readhesion, decreasd pH, and expression of adhesion- and acid-related genes by Streptococcus mutans in biofilms could be reduced by bovine trypsin for a certain period of time.
PubMed: 38760192
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.04.025 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jul 2024Walking speed is considered a vital sign of health and better functional outcomes. It is important to assess walking speed both for disease monitoring and before...
BACKGROUND
Walking speed is considered a vital sign of health and better functional outcomes. It is important to assess walking speed both for disease monitoring and before starting rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity, minimal detectable change, and the ideal cutoff time for differentiating patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who fall from PwMS who do not.
METHODS
This study included 43 PwMS (26 female and 17 male) and 36 healthy controls (23 female and 13 male). The 4-meter walk test (4-MWT) was conducted with the 10-meter walk test (10-MWT), timed up and go (TUG) test, dynamic gait index (DGI), timed 25-foot walk (T25-FW), multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12), and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
RESULTS
Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.971) was found for the 4-MWT. The SEM value was 0.38 and MDC value was 1.05. The correlations with 4-MWT, 10-MWT, TUG, DGI, T25-FW, MSWS-12, and EDSS were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). PwMS had longer 4-MWT times than healthy controls, and PwMS fallers had longer 4-MWT times than non-fallers with PwMS (r between 0.668 and -0.858; p < 0.05 for all). In order to distinguish fallers from non-fallers with PwMS, a 4-MWT cutoff time of 4.14 s was shown to be optimal.
CONCLUSION
The 4-MWT was found to be valid and reliable for PwMS. It is concluded that the 4-MWT is a feasible assessment method for clinical and methodological studies of PwMS with mild to moderate disability.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Multiple Sclerosis; Adult; Walk Test; Middle Aged; Disability Evaluation
PubMed: 38759422
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105679 -
Biosensors & Bioelectronics Sep 2024Effective wound management has the potential to reduce both the duration and cost of wound healing. However, traditional methods often rely on direct observation or...
Effective wound management has the potential to reduce both the duration and cost of wound healing. However, traditional methods often rely on direct observation or complex and expensive biological testing to monitor and evaluate the invasive damage caused by wound healing, which can be time-consuming. Biosensors offer the advantage of precise and real-time monitoring, but existing devices are not suitable for integration with sensitive wound tissue due to their external dimensions. Here, we have designed a self-powered biosensing suture (SPBS) based on biofuel cells to accurately monitor glucose concentration at the wound site and promote wound healing. The anode of the SPBS consists of carbon nanotubes-modified carbon fibers, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), and glucose oxidase (GOx), while the cathode is composed of AgO and carbon nanotubes modified nanotubes modified carbon fibers. It was observed that SPBS exhibited excellent physical and chemical stability in vitro. Regardless of different bending degrees or pH values, the maximum power density of SPBS remained above 92%, which is conducive to long-term dynamic evaluation. Furthermore, the voltage generated by SPBS reflects blood glucose concentration, and measurements at wound sites are consistent with those obtained using a commercially available blood glucose meter. SPBS achieves the healing effect of traditional medical sutures after complete healing within 14 days. It offers valuable insights for intelligent devices dedicated to real-time wound monitoring.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Sutures; Wound Healing; Nanotubes, Carbon; Humans; Glucose Oxidase; Equipment Design; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Blood Glucose; Animals; Glucose; Carbon Fiber
PubMed: 38759309
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116365 -
Technology and Health Care : Official... 2024Patients with hemiparetic stroke experience diminished motor function, dynamic balance, and gait speed, which influence their activities of daily living (ADL).
The effectiveness of core stabilization exercise using ultrasound biofeedback on motor function, balance control, gait speed and activities of daily living in stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Patients with hemiparetic stroke experience diminished motor function, dynamic balance, and gait speed, which influence their activities of daily living (ADL).
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of ultrasound biofeedback core exercise (UBCE) on Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Time up and go (TUG), 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and functional independent measure (FIM) in participants with stroke.
METHODS
Twenty-four stroke survivors consistently underwent UBCE or abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) for 30 min/session, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Clinical outcome measurements - the FMA, TUG, 10MWT, and FIM - were observed pre-and post-intervention.
RESULTS
We detected significant changes in the FMA-lower extremities, TUG, 10MWT, and FIM scores between the UBCE and ADIM groups. UBCE and ADIM showed significant improvements in FMA-lower extremities, TUG, 10MWT, and FIM scores. However, UBCE showed more favorable results than ADIM in patients with stroke.
CONCLUSIONS
Our research provides novel therapeutic suggestion of neurorehabilitation in stroke patients.
Topics: Humans; Stroke Rehabilitation; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Activities of Daily Living; Postural Balance; Aged; Walking Speed; Biofeedback, Psychology; Exercise Therapy; Stroke; Adult; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 38759070
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248042 -
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology :... Jun 2024Skeletal muscle is characterized by its mass, strength and performance. These normative values are pivotal in defining sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is associated with poor...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Skeletal muscle is characterized by its mass, strength and performance. These normative values are pivotal in defining sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is associated with poor outcome of numerous medical and surgical conditions. This study aimed to establish normative benchmarks for skeletal muscle mass, strength and performance within the context of the Asian (Indian) population.
METHODS
Our investigation utilized the computed tomography (CT) skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrip strength (HGS), gait velocity and chair-stand test to construct reference values for muscle characteristics in the Indian population.
RESULTS
The SMI analysis incorporated 1485 cases of acute abdomen (54.7%) males). The calculated SMI (kg/m) was 38.50 (35.05-42.30) in males and 36.30 (32.20-41.20) in females (p = 0.510). The study also involved 3083 healthy individuals (67.6% males) evaluated for muscle strength and performance between August 2017 and August 2018. Notably, HGS (kg force) was recorded at 34.95 (26.50-43.30) in males and 25.50 (18.60-31.20) in females (p < 0.001). Gait velocity (metres/second) exhibited values of 1.25 (1.04-1.56) in males and 1.24 (1.03-1.56) in females (p = 0.851). Additionally, chair-stand test (seconds) results were 10.00 (9.00-13.00) in males and 12.00 (10.00-14.00) in females (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The investigation determined that males had greater muscle strength and performance than females. But gender wise, there was no significant difference in muscle mass. Interestingly, our population's muscle parameters were consistently lower compared to western literature benchmarks. These normative values will help to define sarcopenia parameters in our population, which have prognostic value in multiple ailments.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Muscle, Skeletal; India; Adult; Reference Values; Sarcopenia; Hand Strength; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult; Aged; Adolescent; Walking Speed
PubMed: 38758434
DOI: 10.1007/s12664-024-01565-7 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Jun 2024Myxine limosa is a burrowing species of hagfish that occurs in the western North Atlantic in areas with muddy substrate and at depths generally greater than...
Myxine limosa is a burrowing species of hagfish that occurs in the western North Atlantic in areas with muddy substrate and at depths generally greater than 100 meters. Burrowing of M. limosa has been observed from submersibles, but little is known about the behavior of these animals within the substrate or the biomechanical mechanisms involved. Here, we investigated burrowing in M. limosa by observing individuals as they burrowed through transparent gelatin. A photoelastic setup using crossed polarizers allowed us to visualize stress development in the gelatin as the hagfish moved through it. We found that M. limosa created U-shaped burrows in gelatin using a stereotyped, two-phase burrowing behavior. In the first ('thrash') phase, hagfish drove their head and their anterior body into the substrate using vigorous sinusoidal swimming movements, with their head moving side-to-side. In the second ('wriggle') phase, swimming movements ceased, with propulsion coming exclusively from the anterior, submerged portion of body. The wriggle phase involved side-to-side head movements and movements of the submerged part of the body that resembled the internal concertina strategy used by caecilians and uropeltid snakes. The entire burrowing process took on average 7.6 min to complete and ended with the hagfish's head protruding from the substrate and the rest of its body generally concealed. Understanding the burrowing activities of hagfishes could lead to improved understanding of sediment turnover in marine benthic habitats, new insights into the reproductive behavior of hagfishes, or even inspiration for the design of burrowing robots.
Topics: Animals; Hagfishes; Biomechanical Phenomena; Behavior, Animal; Swimming; Gelatin
PubMed: 38757152
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247544 -
Environmental Research Sep 2024Addressing cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural lands is crucial, given its health implications and accumulation in crops. This study used pot experiments to...
Addressing cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural lands is crucial, given its health implications and accumulation in crops. This study used pot experiments to evaluate the impact of foliar selenium spray (Se) (0.40 mM), corn straw biochar (1%), and pig manure (1%) on the growth of rice plants, the accumulation of Cd in rice grain, and to examine their influence on health risk indices associated with Cd exposure. The treatments were designated as follows: a control group without any amendment (CK), biochar (T1), pig manure (T2), Se (T3), Se and biochar (T4), Se and pig manure (T5), and Se along with biochar and pig manure (T6). Our results indicated that the treatments affected soil pH and redox potential and improved growth and the nitrogen and phosphorus content in rice plants. The soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) meter readings of leaves during the tillering stage indicated a 5.27%-15.86% increase in treatments T2 to T6 compared to CK. The flag leaves of T2 exhibited increases of 12.06%-38.94% for electrolyte leakage and an 82.61%-91.60% decline in SOD compared to treatments T3 to T6. Treatments T1 to T6 increased protein content; however, amylose content was significantly reduced in T6. Treatment T6 recorded the lowest Cd concentration in rice grains (0.018 mg/kg), while T2 recorded the highest (0.051 mg/kg). The CK treatment group showed a grain Cd content reduction of 29.30% compared to T2. The assessment of acceptable daily intake, hazard quotient, and carcinogenic risk revealed an ascending order as follows: T6 < T3 < T5 < T4 < T1 < CK < T2. In conclusion, the application of treatment T6 demonstrates the potential to lower oxidative stress, enhance production, reduce cancer risk, and ensure the safe cultivation of rice in environments affected by Cd contamination.
Topics: Oryza; Cadmium; Selenium; Manure; Animals; Charcoal; Soil Pollutants; Swine; Plant Leaves; Risk Assessment; Humans
PubMed: 38754613
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119160 -
PloS One 2024Conducting functional assessments remotely can help alleviate the burden of in-person assessment on patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their caregivers. The... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Conducting functional assessments remotely can help alleviate the burden of in-person assessment on patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their caregivers. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether scores from remote functional assessment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy correspond to in-person scores on the same functional assessments. Remote live stream versus in-person scores on the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (including time [seconds] to complete the 10-meter walk/run and time to rise from the floor [supine to stand]) were assessed using statistical analyses, including intraclass correlation coefficient, and Pearson, Spearman, and Bland-Altman analyses. The remote and in-clinic assessments had to occur within 2 weeks of one another to be considered for this analysis. This analysis included patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged 4 to 7 years. Participants in this analysis received delandistrogene moxeparvovec (as part of SRP-9001-101 [Study 101; NCT03375164] or SRP-9001-102 [Study 102; NCT03769116]) or were randomized to receive placebo (in Part 1 of Study 102). This study evaluates score reproducibility between live stream remote scoring versus in-person functional assessments as determined by intraclass correlation coefficient, and Pearson, Spearman, and Bland-Altman analyses. The results showed that scores from remote functional assessment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy strongly correlated with those obtained in person. These findings demonstrate congruence between live stream remote and in-person functional assessment and suggest that remote assessment has the potential to reduce the burden on a family by supplementing in-clinic visits.
Topics: Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Child; Child, Preschool; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Video Recording; Telemedicine; Female
PubMed: 38753764
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300700 -
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Jul 2024Prediabetes has garnered increasing attention due to its association with cardiovascular conditions, especially hypertension, which heightens the risk of prefrailty and...
BACKGROUND
Prediabetes has garnered increasing attention due to its association with cardiovascular conditions, especially hypertension, which heightens the risk of prefrailty and frailty among older individuals.
METHODS
We screened elders with prefrail hypertension from March 2021 to January 2023. We assessed the correlation linking cognitive dysfunction (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score), insulin resistance (triglyceride-to-glucose index), and physical impairment (5-meter gait speed). Then, we measured the risk of developing frailty after a 1-year follow-up period, adjusting the outcome using multivariable Cox regression analysis. We also investigated the impact of administering 500 mg of metformin once daily to a subset of frail subjects for an additional 6 months.
RESULTS
We assessed the relationship between the triglyceride-to-glucose index and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, observing a significant correlation (r, 0.880; <0.0001). Similarly, we analyzed the association between the triglyceride-to-glucose index and 5-meter gait speed, uncovering a significant link between insulin resistance and physical impairment (r, 0.809; <0.0001). Prediabetes was found to significantly (<0.0001) elevate the risk of frailty development compared with individuals without prediabetes by the end of the 1-year follow-up, a finding confirmed via multivariable analysis with Cox regression. Furthermore, among the subgroup of subjects who developed frailty, those who received metformin exhibited a significant decrease in frailty levels (<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Insulin resistance and prediabetes play substantial roles in the development of cognitive and physical impairments, highlighting their importance in managing hypertension, even before the onset of frank diabetes. Metformin, a well-established drug for the treatment of diabetes, has shown favorable effects in mitigating frailty.
Topics: Humans; Metformin; Male; Prediabetic State; Aged; Female; Frailty; Hypertension; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin Resistance; Frail Elderly; Aged, 80 and over; Cognitive Dysfunction; Blood Glucose
PubMed: 38752357
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.23087 -
Cureus Apr 2024Background The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to evaluate the impact of five distinct commercial mouthwashes on the development of that had been adhered to...
Influence of Five Different Commercially Available Mouthwashes on the Growth of Candida albicans Adhered to Customized Prefabricated Heat-Cured Denture Base Acrylic Resin Sheets: An In Vitro Study.
Background The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to evaluate the impact of five distinct commercial mouthwashes on the development of that had been adhered to heat-cured acrylic resin sheets. Methods This in vitro investigation was carried out at the MES Medical College's Microbiology Department in Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India. A total of 72 heat-cured acrylic resin sheets, size 10 × 10 × 2 mm, were fabricated. After disinfection, all 72 acrylic sheets were placed in a flask containing a suspension of the standard strain of species (American Type Culture Collection) and incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. Then, the acrylic sheets were randomly divided into six groups, with each group containing 12 acrylic sheets. Group 1 was the control group to which no mouthwash was added. In group 2, Colgate Plax was added. In group 3, Hiora Himalaya was added. In group 4, Oral B was added. In group 5, Listerine was added. In group 6, Pepsodent was added. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were assessed using a colony counter every six, 24, 48, and 120 hours. After obtaining the pH and CFU of all 72 specimens, software known as the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used to analyze the data. Results adhered to heat-cured denture base acrylic resin sheets differed significantly in response to commercially available mouthwashes (Oral B, Colgate Plax, and Pepsodent) and non-commercial mouthwashes (Hiora Himalaya and Listerine) that contained cetylpyridinium chloride. Conclusions Compared to other mouthwashes that do not contain cetylpyridinium chloride (Listerine and Hiora Himalaya), mouthwashes with cetylpyridinium chloride as the active ingredient (Oral B, Pepsodent, and Colgate Plax) have shown good antifungal properties against the adhering on denture base resin.
PubMed: 38752083
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58301