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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 -
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 -
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 -
PloS One 2024The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive benthic fish first introduced to the Laurentian Great Lakes in 1990 that has negatively impacted native fishes...
The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive benthic fish first introduced to the Laurentian Great Lakes in 1990 that has negatively impacted native fishes through increased competition for food and habitat, aggressive interactions, and egg predation. While complete eradication of the round goby is currently not possible, intensive trapping in designated areas during spawning seasons could potentially protect critical native fish spawning habitats. Baited minnow traps were spaced 10 meters apart in shallow water along a 100-meter stretch of shoreline within the Duluth-Superior Harbor during the round goby breeding period (June to October) with captured round gobies removed from interior traps (N = 10) every 48 hours. These traps were bracketed by two pairs of reference traps deployed weekly for 48 hours, from which round gobies were also tagged and released. The number of round gobies captured in the interior traps declined by 67% compared to reference traps over the course of the study, with extended periods of no captures. The tagged round gobies showed high site affinity, with 82.8% of tagged fish recaptured at the previous release site. The results indicate that even at open water sites, which allow natural migration of round gobies into the area, extensive trapping could reduce local population numbers.
Topics: Animals; Introduced Species; Ecosystem; Population Density; Perciformes; Fishes; Lakes
PubMed: 38718023
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301456 -
Food Chemistry Sep 2024The real-time monitoring of the pH values of alcoholic beverages was performed with a compact wireless device based on a colorimetric detection method with the Hue (H)...
The real-time monitoring of the pH values of alcoholic beverages was performed with a compact wireless device based on a colorimetric detection method with the Hue (H) as the analytical signal working in a pH range of 2.50-6.50. This device represents the first colorimetric pH meter reported in the literature monitoring in real-time the pH value of colored solutions. This pH meter consists of I) a nitrocellulose membrane impregnated with a pH-sensitive gel; II) a CCD camera for color acquisition; III) an electronic board with the calibration profiles of H vs. pH, and IV) a display to read the measured pH. It was applied to the pH determination of a white wine, a prosecco white wine, and a double malt beer leading to the values of pH= 3.30, pH= 3.33, pH = 4.29. The analytical performance is comparable to the glass electrode with an accuracy error ≤ 0.05 pH units.
Topics: Wine; Beer; Colorimetry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 38713982
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139513 -
PloS One 2024Thousands of offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed throughout the world's oceans and more structures are being installed as part of the transition to...
Thousands of offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed throughout the world's oceans and more structures are being installed as part of the transition to renewable energy. These structures increase the availability of ecological niches by providing hard substrate in midwater and complex 3D habitat on the seafloor. This can lead to 'hotspots' of biodiversity, or increased densities of flora and fauna, which potentially spill over into the local area. However, the distances over which these higher densities extend (the 'range of influence') can be highly variable. Fish aggregate at such structures, but the range of influence and any implications for wider fish populations, are unclear. We investigated the relationship between fish and platform areal densities using high resolution fisheries acoustic data. Data were collected in the waters surrounding the vessel exclusions zones around 16 oil and gas platforms in the North Sea, and throughout the wider area. We estimated densities of schooling fish using echo-integration, and densities of non-schooling fish using echo-counting. At 10 platforms, non-schooling fish densities were elevated near the platform relative to background levels in the equivalent wider area. The range of influence, defined here as the range to which fish densities were elevated above background, varied from 0.8 to 23 km. In areas of high platform density, fish schools were encountered more often, and non-schooling fish densities were higher, when controlling for other sources of environmental variation. This is the first time such long-range effects have been identified; previously, ranges of influence have been reported in the order of just 10s-100s of metres. These findings suggest that the environmental impact of these structures may extend further than previously thought, which may be relevant in the context of upcoming management decisions around the decommissioning of these structures.
Topics: Animals; Fishes; Oil and Gas Fields; Population Density; Ecosystem; Oil and Gas Industry; North Sea
PubMed: 38709717
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302738