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Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Health concerns associated with the consumption of food supplements rise in parallel with the rise in the popularity and market availability of these products. In...
Health concerns associated with the consumption of food supplements rise in parallel with the rise in the popularity and market availability of these products. In pursuit of data related to the unauthorized presence of pharmaceuticals in food supplements, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database was searched for the 2011-2022 period. The most "popular" pharmaceuticals for the adulteration of food supplements were phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (235 records); anorexics and laxatives (76), including sibutramine and its active metabolite N-didesmethyl sibutramine, phenolphthalein and 2,4-dinitrophenol; stimulants, among which 1,3-dimethylamine (97), and synephrine (53) were the most numerous; nootropic drugs (24); anabolics and prohormones (16); and cannabinoid cannabidiol (14) (pending authorization as a novel food ingredient). Over 65% of notifications of interest were classified as serious risks, and over 80% of these were alert or border rejection notifications, mainly generated as a result of official control on the market. The alarming number of RASFF notifications should be considered a public health issue, demanding clear and targeted recommendation for action for the legislature and authorities. A harmonized nutrivigilance system should be considered as a tool to detect and scrutinize the adverse health effects of food supplements, along with measures to improve their safety, quality, and testing.
PubMed: 37888499
DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11050154 -
Biomedicines Sep 2023Dental composites, through their structural diversity, represent the biomaterials frequently used in dental reconstructive therapy. The aim of our study was to observe...
Dental composites, through their structural diversity, represent the biomaterials frequently used in dental reconstructive therapy. The aim of our study was to observe the influence of different beverage environment conditions on seven types of obturation dental materials with different compositions. Our research focused on the surface modification analysis of the materials after the immersion in the different beverages; in this regard, we used the EDAX technique correlated with the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The pH of the drinks and that of the simulated saliva solution were determined by the titrimetric method, a sodium hydroxide solution 0.1 mol/dm was prepared and used for the titration. An amount of 5 mL of each analyzed solution was added to 15 mL of distilled water to obtain a dilution, to which 3 drops of phenolphthalein (as a color indicator-Phenolphthalein, 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone, CHO Mw: 318.32, purchased from Merck) were added for each analysis. For each solution, the experiment was repeated three times in order to obtain accurate results. The results of our study materialized into a real plea for modifying the patients' behavior in terms of diet and preferences for acidic drinks, so that their quality-of-life valence can be improved by keeping the composite materials in a long-term unalterable state on the one hand; on the other hand, systemic damage can be prevented as well.
PubMed: 37761013
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092571 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Sep 2023The severe rigid scoliosis patients with type I respiratory failure could not tolerate complicated corrective surgery. Preoperative halo-pelvic distraction (HPD) is used...
BACKGROUND
The severe rigid scoliosis patients with type I respiratory failure could not tolerate complicated corrective surgery. Preoperative halo-pelvic distraction (HPD) is used to reduce the curve magnitude and improve the pulmonary function before surgery. The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze the pulmonary and clinical outcomes of preoperative HPD in severe rigid spinal deformity with type I respiratory failure.
METHODS
Eighteen cases of severe rigid scoliosis and type I respiratory failure treated with preoperative HPD and corrective surgery for spinal deformity between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, major coronal curve and kyphosis, correction rates, heights, pulmonary function, distraction time, and postoperative neurological complications were recorded for all cases.
RESULTS
The averaged duration of distraction was 9.1 ± 2.3 months. The coronal curve was corrected from 168° ± 14° to 58° ± 11° at the end of HPD. The kyphosis curve reduced from 151° ± 29° to 65° ± 10°. Meanwhile, the mean stand body height increased by 23.9 ± 5.3 cm. Significantly increased mean FVC (1.52 ± 0.43 L vs. 0.95 ± 0.44 L) and improved percent-predicted values for FVC (37 ± 10% vs. 23 ± 9%) were observed after HPD. The pressure of oxygen (PaO2) increased from 54.5 ± 2.0 to 84.8 ± 4.7 mmHg. Scoliosis and kyphosis curve, respectively, averaged 48 ± 8°and 30 ± 14° after final fusion and instrumentation, with a mean correction of 71% and 80%, respectively. No severe complication occurred during the distraction.
CONCLUSIONS
HPD may be useful for severe rigid scoliosis patients with type I respiratory failure. Pulmonary functions in patients with severe rigid scoliosis can be significantly improved by HPD. They are then better able to tolerate complicated corrective surgery.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Scoliosis; Oxygen; Body Height; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Kyphosis; Phenolphthalein; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37735661
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04212-7 -
Se Pu = Chinese Journal of... Sep 2023Electrophoresis titration (ET) based on the moving reaction boundary (MRB) theory can detect the analyte contents in different samples by converting content signals into...
Electrophoresis titration (ET) based on the moving reaction boundary (MRB) theory can detect the analyte contents in different samples by converting content signals into distance signals. However, this technique is only suitable for on-site qualitative testing, and accurate quantification relies on complex optical equipment and computers. Hence, applying this method to real-time point-of-care testing (POCT) is challenging. In this study, we developed a smartphone-based ET system based on a visual technique to achieve real-time quantitative detection. First, we developed a portable quantitative ET device that can connect to a smartphone; this device consisted of five components, namely, an ET chip, a power module, a microcontroller, a liquid crystal display screen, and a Bluetooth module. The device measured 10 cm×15 cm×2.5 cm, weighed 300 g, and was easy to hold. Thus, it is suitable for on-site testing with a run time of only 2-4 min. An assistant mobile software program was also developed to control the device and perform ET. The colored electrophoresis boundary can be captured using the smartphone camera, and quantitative detection results can be obtained in real time. Second, we proposed a quantitative algorithm based on ET channels. The software was used to recognize the boundary migration distance of three channels, a standard curve based on two given contents of the standards was established using the two-point method, and the content of the test sample was calculated. Human serum albumin (HSA) and uric acid (UA) were used as a model protein and biosample, respectively, to test the performance of the detection system. For HSA detection, different HSA solutions were mixed with a polyacrylamide gel (PAG) stock solution, phenolphthalein was added as an indicator, and sodium persulfate and tetramethyl ethylenediamine (TEMED) were used to promote polymerization to form a gel. For UA detection, agarose gel was filled into the ET channel, the UA sample, urate oxidase, and leucomalachite green were added into the anode cell and incubated for 20 min. ET was then performed. The fitting goodness () values of HSA and UA were 0.9959 and 0.9935, respectively, with a linear range of 0.5-35.0 g/L and a log-linear range of 100-4000 μmol/L. The limits of detection for HSA and UA were 0.05 g/L and 50 μmol/L, respectively, and the corresponding relative standard deviations (RSDs) were not greater than 2.87% and 3.21%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the detection system has good accuracy and sensitivity. Clinical samples collected from healthy volunteers were used as target blood samples, and the developed system was used to measure serum total protein and UA levels. Serum samples from five volunteers were selected, standard curves of total serum protein and UA were established, and the test results were compared with hospital standard testing results. The relative errors for serum total protein and UA were less than 6.03% and 6.21%, respectively, and the corresponding RSDs were less than 3.72% and 5.84%, respectively. These findings verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed detection system. The smartphone-based ET detection system introduced in this paper presents several advantages. First, it enables the portable real-time detection of total serum protein and UA. Second, compared with traditional ET strategies based on colored boundaries, it does not rely on optical detection equipment or computers to obtain quantitative detection results; as such, it can reduce the complexity of the operation and provide portability and real-time metrics. Third, the detection of two biomarkers, serum total protein and UA, is achieved on the same device, thereby improving the multitarget detection potential of the ET method. These advantages render the developed method a promising detection platform for clinical applications and real-time POCT.
Topics: Humans; Smartphone; Reproducibility of Results; Electrophoresis; Electrodes; Blood Proteins
PubMed: 37712539
DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1123.2023.06001 -
Croatian Medical Journal Aug 2023To assess the quantity and quality of incident reports on medical devices by health care professionals from 2012 to 2021 and evaluate the effect of reporting on...
AIM
To assess the quantity and quality of incident reports on medical devices by health care professionals from 2012 to 2021 and evaluate the effect of reporting on manufacturers' post-market surveillance.
METHODS
Eighty-five incident reports were scored according to a self-developed evaluation system, and categorized as excellent, good, medium, qualified, and unqualified. The completeness of data in critical fields was assessed. For each report, the type and city of the reporter, and medical device risk class were extracted to calculate the frequency of report occurrence per risk class and outcomes for reportable reports.
RESULTS
The number of reports received from health care professionals was low; the highest number of reports in a year was 17. The majority of reports were deemed as unqualified (61.18%) and only 4.71% as excellent. Still, 67.65% of incident reports importantly affected the manufacturer's post-market surveillance, either as added information that contributes to risk monitoring or directly triggering a field safety corrective action.
CONCLUSION
The number of total reports and reports per year shows extensive underreporting in Croatia, and the quality of the provided reports is insufficient.
Topics: Humans; Croatia; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Health Personnel; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 37654038
DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2023.64.265 -
Polymers Aug 2023Benzoxazine resins are widely employed in a variety of applications due to their exceptional heat resistance and treatment properties. However, traditional benzoxazine...
Benzoxazine resins are widely employed in a variety of applications due to their exceptional heat resistance and treatment properties. However, traditional benzoxazine resins still confront hurdles in today's engineering applications, such as their inability to provide long-term service in high-temperature settings and their inadequate toughness. In this study, four alkyne-functionalized benzoxazines with phthalide side groups and cyano groups of varying molecular weights were produced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-NMR) were used to characterize the resin structure, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the thermal curing kinetics at different warming rates. The apparent activation energy was 116.9 kJ/mol. In-situ FT-IR was used to investigate the cure mechanism. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to evaluate the gelation time of BOZ series resins at various temperatures, and the curing process was designed by combining the results with DSC. The Tg of the composites made using BOZ-1N21 as the matrix was 336 °C, which was much higher than the Tg of the BP-a resin made with aniline, phenolphthalein, and formaldehyde (Tg = 251 °C). As a result, the resin system is expected to be employed in applications requiring high-temperature resistance and toughness.
PubMed: 37631535
DOI: 10.3390/polym15163478 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023A new PES-C/emodin ultrafiltration membrane was prepared by blending natural emodin with phenolphthalein polyethersulfone (PES-C) and was used to purify an acanthopanax...
A new PES-C/emodin ultrafiltration membrane was prepared by blending natural emodin with phenolphthalein polyethersulfone (PES-C) and was used to purify an acanthopanax senticosus injection in this study. Regarding the purified acanthopanax senticosus injection, its color became lighter, and its clarity increased. On the contrary, for an acanthopanax senticosus injection containing macromolecules, its color deepened, and its turbidity increased. Thermal stability of the purified acanthopanax senticosus injection was the best, followed by the original solution of the acanthopanax senticosus injection, and the acanthopanax senticosus injection containing macromolecules was the worst. The fingerprint spectrum of the purified acanthopanax senticosus injection was similar to the original solution of the acanthopanax senticosus injection, the relative peak area of each single peak was greater than 0.95, and the relative peak area of the total peak was greater than 0.96. Compared with the original solution of the acanthopanax senticosus injection, the histamine release amount and cell degranulation rate of the acanthopanax senticosus injection containing macromolecules increased, while those of the purified acanthopanax senticosus injection decreased, which reduced the risk of allergic reaction to a certain extent. "Inverse proof" confirmed that the acanthopanax senticosus injection containing macromolecules had certain liver and kidney toxicity, which indirectly proved that the liver and kidney toxicity of the purified acanthopanax senticosus injection was effectively reduced.
PubMed: 37631048
DOI: 10.3390/ph16081135 -
Orthopadie (Heidelberg, Germany) Sep 2023More than almost any other implant, fully implantable intramedullary distraction nails have changed corrective and reconstructive bone surgery. Based on the fundamentals... (Review)
Review
More than almost any other implant, fully implantable intramedullary distraction nails have changed corrective and reconstructive bone surgery. Based on the fundamentals of callus distraction, these new apparatus developments with their novel planning strategies and minimally invasive surgical techniques have opened up a wide range of indications and made the treatment reproducible and safe. The prerequisite, however, is that standardized procedures are adhered to, which concern both the preparation for the surgery, the surgery itself and the subsequent distraction treatment. Treatment with fully implantable intramedullary distraction nails should be performed at specialized centers, so that the paradigm shift in corrective and reconstructive limb surgery, which is already recognizable, will open the door for further developments.
Topics: Nails; Internal Fixators; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; Prostheses and Implants; Bone Lengthening; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 37620678
DOI: 10.1007/s00132-023-04418-x -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Sep 2023This case series highlights the challenges in eye banking and the importance of a quality assurance program. Three cases triggered corrective and preventive actions...
This case series highlights the challenges in eye banking and the importance of a quality assurance program. Three cases triggered corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to improve the processes. Case 1 emphasized training to prevent retrieval failures. Case 2 stressed the need for blood samples and comprehensive documentation. In Case 3, mishandling led to policy revisions and staff training. CAPA involved identifying concerns, root cause analysis, action plans, implementation, checks, and closure. Errors can occur in man, machinery, process, and policies. Continuous CAPA ensures continuous quality improvement and safe corneal tissue transplantation, benefiting patients in need.
Topics: Humans; Eye Banks; Corneal Transplantation; Cornea; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 37602597
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_1994_23 -
ENeuro Sep 2023Previous research has questioned whether motor adaptation is shaped by an optimal combination of multisensory error signals. Here, we expanded on this work by...
Previous research has questioned whether motor adaptation is shaped by an optimal combination of multisensory error signals. Here, we expanded on this work by investigating how the use of visual and somatosensory error signals during online correction influences single-trial adaptation. To this end, we exposed participants to a random sequence of force-field perturbations and recorded their corrective responses as well as the after-effects exhibited during the subsequent unperturbed movement. In addition to the force perturbation, we artificially decreased or increased visual errors by multiplying hand deviations by a gain smaller or larger than one. Corrective responses to the force perturbation clearly scaled with the size of the visual error, but this scaling did not transfer one-to-one to motor adaptation and we observed no consistent interaction between limb and visual errors on adaptation. However, reducing visual errors during perturbation led to a small reduction of after-effects and this residual influence of visual feedback was eliminated when we instructed participants to control their hidden hand instead of the visual hand cursor. Taken together, our results demonstrate that task instructions and the need to correct for errors during perturbation are important factors to consider if we want to understand how the sensorimotor system uses and combines multimodal error signals to adapt movements.
Topics: Humans; Feedback; Hand; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Feedback, Sensory; Movement; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 37596049
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0068-23.2023