-
Journal of the American College of... Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial; Cardiomyopathies; Walking; Male; Aged
PubMed: 38750977
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.041 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jul 2024Corrosion of brass plumbing materials may lead to metal release and deteriorate the drinking water quality. In this study, the initial corrosion of brass coupon cut from...
Corrosion of brass plumbing materials may lead to metal release and deteriorate the drinking water quality. In this study, the initial corrosion of brass coupon cut from commercially available water meter was investigated. High rates of Pb, Cu and Zn release from the brass coupon were found during the early stage of corrosion (0-5 d) due to general corrosion and galvanic corrosion. The corrosion current density (I) increased and resistance (R) decreased during this period indicating that severe corrosion had occurred. In a later stage (5-30 d), a decreased I and an increased R were observed due to the development of a denser layer of Pb and Cu corrosion products which regulated the release of soluble Pb and Cu. The release of Zn continued and no significant Zn precipitation was found. Overall, particulate Pb, particulate Cu and soluble Zn dominated in the metal release during the initial corrosion of brass. The release of Pb, Cu and Zn was enhanced by a lower pH. Free chlorine was found to slightly reduce the release of Pb but promote the release of Cu and Zn. The presence of Pb on the brass surfaces was found to alleviate the dezincification process. A conceptual model based on metal release profile and electrochemical characterization was proposed to describe the initial corrosion of brass in typical drinking water.
Topics: Corrosion; Copper; Zinc; Lead; Drinking Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38750810
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124154 -
Journal of Biomechanics May 2024Chiari Malformation (Chiari) is a congenital condition occurring from an inferior herniation of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum. Given the role of the...
Chiari Malformation (Chiari) is a congenital condition occurring from an inferior herniation of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum. Given the role of the cerebellum in postural control, it is reasonable to expect joint motion to be affected in this patient population. In fact, joint stiffness is a common self-reported symptom of Chiari, however it has never been assessed in these individuals. This study aimed to examine if ankle joint quasi-stiffness is correlated with Chiari severity. The human body was considered as an inverted oscillating pendulum without damping. A Fast Fourier Transform was used to extract natural frequency from the center of pressure trajectories during upright standing. Ankle joint quasi-stiffness was then calculated using the relationship between natural frequency and moment of inertia. Twelve Chiari participants (Chiari), six with decompression surgery (Chiari-D) and six without (Chiari-ND), and eight control individuals (Control) participated. Participants completed three, 30-second quiet standing trials on a force plate, focused on a target three meters in front of them. Chiari, regardless of surgery, had significantly lower quasi-stiffness than controls (Chiari-D vs. Control p = 0.0011, Chiari-ND vs. Control, p < 0.001). The proposed method is advantageous as it incorporates the entire center of pressure signal, minimizes error from instantaneous muscular dynamics, and does not require motion capture.
Topics: Humans; Arnold-Chiari Malformation; Female; Adult; Male; Ankle Joint; Standing Position; Biomechanical Phenomena; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38749240
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112146 -
JAMA Surgery May 2024Obesity and insulin are risk factors for breast cancer, and retrospective studies suggest bariatric surgery reduces breast cancer risk in women. However, long-term...
IMPORTANCE
Obesity and insulin are risk factors for breast cancer, and retrospective studies suggest bariatric surgery reduces breast cancer risk in women. However, long-term prospective data on breast cancer risk after bariatric surgery and the role of baseline insulin levels are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To examine if bariatric surgery is associated with breast cancer incidence in women and if treatment benefit is modified by baseline insulin levels.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study was a nonrandomized intervention trial designed to investigate the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on obesity-related mortality and morbidity. Study recruitment took place between 1987 and 2001, and median (IQR) follow-up time was 23.9 years (20.1-27.1) years. The study was conducted at 25 public surgical departments and 480 primary health care centers in Sweden and included 2867 women aged 37 to 60 years and with body mass index 38 or greater (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared).
INTERVENTION
In the surgery group (n = 1420), 260 women underwent gastric banding, 970 vertical banded gastroplasty, and 190 gastric bypass. The remaining contemporaneously matched control individuals (n = 1447) received usual obesity care.
MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES
Breast cancer, the main outcome of this secondary report, was not a predefined outcome in the SOS study. Breast cancer events were identified in the Swedish National Cancer Registry.
RESULTS
The study population comprised 2867 women with a mean (SD) age of 48.0 (6.2) years. During follow-up, there were 154 breast cancer events, 66 in the surgery group and 88 in the usual care group, and a decreased risk of breast cancer was observed in the bariatric surgery group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49-0.94; P = .019; adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52-1.01; P = .06). The surgical treatment benefit on breast cancer risk was greater in women with baseline insulin levels above the median 15.8 μIU/L (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.74; P = .001; adjusted HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.86; P = .008) compared to those below (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.59-1.53; P = .84; adjusted HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.61-1.66; P = .97; interaction P = .02).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This prospective clinical trial indicated a reduced risk of breast cancer after bariatric surgery in women with obesity. The surgical treatment benefit was predominantly seen in women with hyperinsulinemia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01479452.
PubMed: 38748431
DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2024.1169 -
AAPS PharmSciTech May 2024Although inhalation therapy represents a promising drug delivery route for the treatment of respiratory diseases, the real-time evaluation of lung drug deposition...
Although inhalation therapy represents a promising drug delivery route for the treatment of respiratory diseases, the real-time evaluation of lung drug deposition remains an area yet to be fully explored. To evaluate the utility of the photo reflection method (PRM) as a real-time non-invasive monitoring of pulmonary drug delivery, the relationship between particle emission signals measured by the PRM and in vitro inhalation performance was evaluated in this study. Symbicort® Turbuhaler® was used as a model dry powder inhaler. In vitro aerodynamic particle deposition was evaluated using a twin-stage liquid impinger (TSLI). Four different inhalation patterns were defined based on the slope of increased flow rate (4.9-9.8 L/s) and peak flow rate (30 L/min and 60 L/min). The inhalation flow rate and particle emission profile were measured using an inhalation flow meter and a PRM drug release detector, respectively. The inhalation performance was characterized by output efficiency (OE, %) and stage 2 deposition of TSLI (an index of the deagglomerating efficiency, St2, %). The OE × St2 is defined as the amount delivered to the lungs. The particle emissions generated by four different inhalation patterns were completed within 0.4 s after the start of inhalation, and were observed as a sharper and larger peak under conditions of a higher flow increase rate. These were significantly correlated between the OE or OE × St2 and the photo reflection signal (p < 0.001). The particle emission signal by PRM could be a useful non-invasive real-time monitoring tool for dry powder inhalers.
Topics: Dry Powder Inhalers; Lung; Administration, Inhalation; Particle Size; Drug Delivery Systems; Aerosols; Powders; Drug Liberation
PubMed: 38730125
DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02825-7 -
Environmental Science & Technology May 2024Over 4 million liters of mixed acidic (∼pH 2.5), high ionic strength (∼5 M nitrate) plutonium (Pu) processing waste were released into the 216-Z-9 (Z-9) trench at...
Over 4 million liters of mixed acidic (∼pH 2.5), high ionic strength (∼5 M nitrate) plutonium (Pu) processing waste were released into the 216-Z-9 (Z-9) trench at the Hanford Site, USA, and trace Pu has migrated 37 m below the trench. In this study, we used flowthrough columns to investigate Pu transport in simplified processing waste through uncontaminated Hanford sediments to determine the conditions that led to Pu migration. In low pH aqueous fluids, some Pu breakthrough is observed at pH < 4, and increased Pu transport (14% total Pu breakthrough) is observed at pH < 2. However, Pu migrates in organic processing solvents through low pH sediments virtually uninhibited with approximately 94 and 86% total Pu breakthrough observed at pH 1 and pH 3, respectively. This study demonstrates that Pu migration can occur both with and without organic solvents at pH < 4, but significantly more Pu can be transported when partitioned into organic processing solvents. Our data suggest that under acidic conditions (pH < 4) in the vadose zone beneath the Z-9 trench, Pu present in organic processing solvents moved relatively unhindered and may explain the historical downward migration of Pu tens of meters below the Z-9 trench.
Topics: Plutonium; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Water Pollutants, Radioactive; Geologic Sediments; Radioactive Waste; Solvents
PubMed: 38728532
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10082 -
PloS One 2024Quantitative diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is essential for the safe administration of 8-aminoquinoline based radical cure for the...
Quantitative diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is essential for the safe administration of 8-aminoquinoline based radical cure for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax infections. Here, we present the PreQuine Platform (IVDS, USA), a quantitative biosensor that uses a dual-analyte assay for the simultaneous measurement of Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and G6PD enzyme activity within the same sample. The platform relies on a downloadable mobile application. The device requires 10μl of whole blood and works with a reflectance-based meter. Comparing the G6PD measurement normalized by Hgb of 12 samples from the PreQuine Platform with reference measurements methods (spectrophotometry, Pointe Scientific, USA and hemoglobin meter, HemoCue, Sweden) showed a positive and significant agreement with a slope of 1.0091 and an intercept of -0.0379 under laboratory conditions. Next steps will be to conduct field trials in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and the USA to assess diagnostic performance, user friendliness and acceptance.
Topics: Humans; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Hemoglobins; Biosensing Techniques; Malaria, Vivax; Aminoquinolines
PubMed: 38728310
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297918 -
Food & Function Jun 2024The study aimed to investigate the alleviation of an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice by apolysaccharide (PSP) from purple sweet potato ( (L.) Lam) and explore the...
Gastroprotective effects of polysaccharides from purple sweet potato ( (L.) Lam) on an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer regulating immunity and activating the PI3K/Akt/Rheb/mTOR pathway.
The study aimed to investigate the alleviation of an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice by apolysaccharide (PSP) from purple sweet potato ( (L.) Lam) and explore the mechanism. The anti-ulcer activity was determined by histopathological evaluation, total gastric acidity, pepsin activity, gastric ulcer index and gastric ulcer inhibition rate. The expression levels of inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA. A special protein meter was used to detect the content of immunoglobulin lgM, immunoglobulin lgG, and complements C3 and C4 in the serum of mice. The expression of CD4/CD8 lymphocyte subsets of mice was detected using flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to examine the effect of PSP on the PI3K/Akt/Rheb/mTOR pathway. The results showed that PSP could effectively reduce the total gastric acidity, pepsin activity, and the index and inhibition rate of gastric ulcers. At the same time, PSP could significantly increase the levels of immunoglobulins (lgG and lgM) and complements (C3 and C4). It could also increase the activity of peritoneal macrophages in mice and the expression of CD4/CD8 in the spleen. ELISA analysis showed that the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased and the content of IL-10 was significantly increased in the PSP group. The western blot analysis showed that PSP could upregulate the relative protein expressions of MUC5AC, PI3K, p-Akt, Rheb and mTOR. These results indicate that PSP can activate the PI3K/Akt/Rheb/mTOR signaling pathway to improve the immunity of mice and maintain the balance of the immune system, thereby protecting the gastric mucosa and improving stress gastric ulcers.
Topics: Animals; Stomach Ulcer; Ipomoea batatas; Mice; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Polysaccharides; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Ethanol; Male; Signal Transduction; Plant Extracts; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Humans
PubMed: 38726829
DOI: 10.1039/d4fo01071j -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Apr 2024Recent reviews have suggested a possible association between periodontal disease and increasing risks during pregnancy, such as newborn low weight, premature birth,...
BACKGROUND
Recent reviews have suggested a possible association between periodontal disease and increasing risks during pregnancy, such as newborn low weight, premature birth, gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. Besides, being saliva a valuable source of information on general and buccal health, it is necessary to know its parameters associated with periodontal diseases; in order to help odontologists to better understand this disease, and provide a sound clinical treatment. Therefore, this research sought to assess the correlation between periodontal index, and salivary pH on first trimester pregnant women.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
71 pregnant women were evaluated by observational, transversal and correlational study, using the community periodontal index and salivary pH-meter. The Spearman coefficient was employed, considering a p value of 0.05.
RESULTS
A correlation was found between periodontal index and salivary pH in first trimester pregnant women (=0.039). According to age, correlations were found to be very weak in age group 18 to 24 years (=0.605), and age group 25 to 35 years (=0.071). Similarly, no strong correlation was found when pairing based on number of pregnancies (primiparous =0.239 and multi pregnancy =0.114). Also, 36.6% of pregnant women showed periodontal pockets smaller than 5 mm.
CONCLUSIONS
With lower salivary pH, the periodontal index in pregnant women gets lower; however, no correlation could be found between age group and number of pregnancies. Periodontal index, periodontal pocket, periodontal diseases, saliva, pregnancy, pregnant women.
PubMed: 38725820
DOI: 10.4317/jced.60522 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine May 2024Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) selectively acts on the pulmonary vasculature of ventilated lung tissue by reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and intrapulmonary shunt.... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) selectively acts on the pulmonary vasculature of ventilated lung tissue by reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and intrapulmonary shunt. This effect may reduce ventilation/perfusion mismatch and decrease pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease.
METHODS
In a prospective, single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, participants with advanced interstitial lung disease, underwent two separate six-minute walk tests (6MWT): one with iNO and the other with a placebo. The primary outcome measured the difference in meters between the distances covered in the two tests. Secondary outcomes included oxygen saturation levels, distance-saturation product, and Borg dyspnea score. A predefined subgroup analysis was conducted for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
RESULTS
Overall, 44 patients were included in the final analysis. The 6MWT distance was similar for iNO treatment and placebo, median 362 m (IQR 265-409) vs 371 m (IQR 250-407), respectively (p = 0.29). Subgroup analysis for patients with pulmonary hypertension showed no difference in 6MWT distance with iNO and placebo, median 339 (256-402) vs 332 (238-403) for the iNO and placebo tests respectively (P=0.50). No correlation was observed between mean pulmonary artery pressure values and the change in 6MWT distance with iNO versus placebo (spearman correlation Coefficient 0.24, P=0.33).
CONCLUSION
In patients with advanced interstitial lung disease, both with and without concurrent pulmonary hypertension, the administration of inhaled nitric oxide failed to elicit beneficial effects on the six-minute walk distance and oxygen saturation. The use of inhaled NO was found to be safe and did not lead to any serious side effects.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
(NCT03873298, MOH_2018-04-24_002331).
Topics: Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Nitric Oxide; Male; Female; Administration, Inhalation; Middle Aged; Aged; Walk Test; Prospective Studies; Exercise Tolerance; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Single-Blind Method; Oxygen Saturation
PubMed: 38724947
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03051-4