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Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Sep 2021Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH...
OBJECTIVES
Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH Meter and an associated mobile medical app, with the aim of identifying possible design and functionality issues along with usability problems among non-expert voluntary users.
MATHERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-one individuals of both genders, between 26 and 61 years old, tested the dyad pH meter/app for 14 days (three readings per day). The participants were asked to carry out a sequence of use of the system equivalent to what an intended user would do for urinary pH self-monitoring. At the end of the trial period, each participant filled out study questionnaires regarding the learning times, i.e. the time used by a new user to perform a task with the technology, usability, errors detected, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 35.4 (range, 26 to 61) years. The readings from the pH meter yielded average values of 5.72 (SD = 0.26), 6.13 (SD= 0.43), and 5.47 (SD = 1.27) for the morning, evening, and night micturitions, respectively. The time of the day with greater adherence was the morning (49.7% of all readings). The learning times were in general short as reported by the participants: 73.7% were able to register in the App, rated as the least easy task, in less than two and a half minutes. The task of uploading the pH readings, both manually and automatically, was mostly performed in less than 35 seconds.
CONCLUSION
This pilot study of real-world usage pattern shows that the dyad smart Lit-Control pH meter/Appwas perceived as fit for purpose by non-expert volunteers and had no relevant functionality or usability issues that would pose a significant barrier to the intended users. New studies are ongoing in order to test the usability by patients with lithiasis history.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Pilot Projects; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34472438
DOI: No ID Found -
American Journal of Clinical and... 2022To evaluate the correlation between the pH readings in 24-h urine and the random fasting specimen in patients with urolithiasis using 2 methods.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the correlation between the pH readings in 24-h urine and the random fasting specimen in patients with urolithiasis using 2 methods.
METHODS
A total of 114 patients with urinary lithiasis using potassium citrate were prospectively analyzed. All patients collected 24-h urine and an additional sample, after nocturnal fasting, collected on the day they brought the 24-h sample at the lab. Two different methods (test strip and digital meter) were used to determine pH values.
RESULTS
The pH analysis using strips in the 24-h urine presented a mean value similar to the one obtained in the fasting sample (6.07 ± 0.74 vs. 6.02 ± 0.82, respectively; P > 0.05). The same behavior was seen considering the readings with a digital pH meter (5.8 ± 0.78 vs. 5.75 ± 0.83; P > 0.05). However, readings conducted in the same specimen with pH meter and test strip were dissonant (P < 0.05), suggesting that the colorimetric method is not reliable in the assessment of urinary pH in this population.
CONCLUSION
pH assessment in a random urinary specimen proved as efficient as the 24-h urine standard method to monitor patients with kidney stones in the use of potassium citrate. Classical test strip analysis is not sensitive enough to evaluate the urine pH in this population and digital pH meter reading is preferred.
PubMed: 35874289
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of the International Society of... Jan 2021Accurate and reliable monitoring of blood ketone and glucose levels is useful for athletes adhering to a ketogenic diet who want to verify that they are in a state of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Accurate and reliable monitoring of blood ketone and glucose levels is useful for athletes adhering to a ketogenic diet who want to verify that they are in a state of ketosis and, therefore, accruing performance adaptations. However, the cost of devices and testing materials may prohibit their use. More affordable field testing systems are available, but their accuracy and reliability remain in question. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the agreement between a previously validated ketone and glucose meter (Meter 1 - Precision Xtra) and a more affordable meter that has not been validated (Meter 2 - Keto-Mojo), and also to assess the diagnostic performance of Meter 2 for identifying nutritional ketosis.
METHODS
Thirteen participants (7 females and 6 males; 21.6 ± 3.0 years old) visited the laboratory three times in this randomized, double-blind cross-over design study. Ketone and glucose levels were measured with Meter 1 and Meter 2 twice before and twice after ingestion of a racemic ketone, natural ketone, or maltodextrin supplement. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate interrater reliability for Meter 1 and Meter 2. Bland-Altman plots were constructed to visually assess the agreement between devices. Area under the ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of Meter 2 to detect nutritional ketosis at a threshold ketone level of 0.5 mM as identified by Meter 1.
RESULTS
Reliability between the meters was excellent for measuring ketones (ICC = .968; .942-.981) and good for measuring glucose (ICC = .809; .642-.893), though the Bland-Altman plot revealed substantial differences in agreement for measuring glucose. Area under the ROC curve (Area = 0.913; 0.828-0.998) was excellent for diagnosing nutritional ketosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Both Meter 1 and Meter 2 displayed excellent agreement between each other for ketone measurement. Meter 2 also displayed an excellent level of accuracy for diagnosing nutritional ketosis at a threshold value of 0.5 mM, making it an effective and affordable alternative to more expensive testing devices.
Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Area Under Curve; Athletes; Blood Glucose; Cross-Over Studies; Diagnostic Equipment; Diet, Ketogenic; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Ketone Bodies; Ketones; Ketosis; Male; Polysaccharides; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 33413456
DOI: 10.1186/s12970-020-00404-2 -
Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular... Aug 2022Pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) can reduce the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, reduce pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and improve the quality of life in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) can reduce the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, reduce pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and improve the quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We conducted a systematic meta-analysis of the effectiveness of PADN in the treatment of PH patients.
METHODS
This is a comprehensive literature search including all public clinical trials investigating the effects of PADN on PH. Outcomes were mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), cardiac output (CO), right ventricular (RV) Tei index, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function grading.
RESULTS
A total of eight clinical studies with 213 PH patients who underwent PADN were included. Meta-analysis showed that after PADN, mPAP (mean difference [] -12.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] -17.74 to -7.27, P<0.00001) (mmHg) and PVR ( -5.17, 95% CI -7.70 to -2.65, P<0.0001) (Wood unit) decreased significantly, CO ( 0.59, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.86, P<0.0001) (L/min) and 6MWD ( 107.75, 95% CI 65.64 to 149.86, P<0.00001) (meter) increased significantly, and RV Tei index ( -0.05, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.17, P=0.63) did not change significantly. Also after PADN, the proportion of NYHA cardiac function grading (risk ratio 0.23, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.37, P<0.00001) III and IV decreased significantly.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis supports PADN as a potential new treatment for PH. Further high-quality randomized controlled studies are needed.
Topics: Denervation; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pulmonary Artery; Quality of Life; Vascular Resistance
PubMed: 35976208
DOI: 10.21470/1678-9741-2020-0533 -
Arthritis Care & Research Apr 2021Little is known regarding what difference in functional performance measures is significant in individuals with chronic medical disease. Our objective was to examine the...
OBJECTIVE
Little is known regarding what difference in functional performance measures is significant in individuals with chronic medical disease. Our objective was to examine the important differences in gait speed in adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis.
METHODS
Functional performance was measured by gait speed using 20-meter and 400-meter walk tests performed at a self-selected usual pace among adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis participating in the Osteoarthritis Initiative at baseline and 2 years later. Both distribution-based methods and anchor-based methods were used to calculate the important differences in gait speed. Anchor-based methods used the chair stand rate and self-reported function to estimate gait speed differences related to physical function.
RESULTS
We included 2,527 participants with radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Distribution-based important difference estimates for the 20-meter walk ranged from 4.1 to 6.4 meters/minute and 400-meter walk estimates ranged from 2.9 to 6.5 meters/minute. Prevalent (cross-sectional) anchor-based estimates for the 20-meter walk ranged from 5.4 to 6.9 meters/minute and for the 400-meter walk ranged from 3.0 to 6.9 meters/minute. Longitudinal anchor-based estimates were deemed unreliable. Combining distribution-based with prevalent anchor-based methods showed that an important gait speed difference for the 20-meter walk is between 4.1 and 6.9 meters/minute and for the 400-meter walk is between 2.9 and 6.9 meters/minute.
CONCLUSION
Our results found that the important difference in gait speed for the 20-meter walk and the 400-meter walk is consistent with important difference estimates for older adult populations. These findings can provide benchmarks for assessing and understanding functional performance outcomes when comparing exposure groups and can be used in designing future studies targeting adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis.
Topics: Aged; Female; Functional Status; Gait Analysis; Humans; Knee Joint; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; United States; Walking Speed
PubMed: 32004424
DOI: 10.1002/acr.24159 -
Asia Pacific Allergy Jan 2014Daily bathing with antiseptic cleansers are proposed by some physicians as an adjunctive management of atopic dermatitis (AD). As atopic skin is sensitive, selection of...
BACKGROUND
Daily bathing with antiseptic cleansers are proposed by some physicians as an adjunctive management of atopic dermatitis (AD). As atopic skin is sensitive, selection of cleansing products becomes a topic of concern.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose is to evaluate the pH of various antiseptic body cleansers to give an overview for recommendation to patients with AD.
METHODS
Commonly bar and liquid cleansers consisted of antiseptic agents were measured for pH using pH meter and pH-indicator strips. For comparison, mild cleansers and general body cleansers were also measured.
RESULTS
All cleansing bars had pH 9.8-11.3 except syndet bar that had neutral pH. For liquid cleansers, three cleansing agents had pH close to pH of normal skin, one of antiseptic cleansers, one of mild cleansers and another one of general cleansers. The rest of antiseptic cleansers had pH 8.9-9.6 while mild cleansers had pH 6.9-7.5. Syndet liquid had pH 7 and general liquid cleansers had pH 9.6.
CONCLUSION
The pH of cleanser depends on composition of that cleanser. Adding antiseptic agents are not the only factor determining variation of pH. Moreover, benefit of antiseptic properties should be considered especially in cases of infected skin lesions in the selection of proper cleansers for patients with AD.
PubMed: 24527408
DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2014.4.1.32 -
HardwareX Sep 2023Acid-base titration is a quantitative analysis that enables knowing the quantity of acidic or basic groups present in a solution sample. It consists in the addition of...
Acid-base titration is a quantitative analysis that enables knowing the quantity of acidic or basic groups present in a solution sample. It consists in the addition of base or acid to the solution sample while monitoring the pH to reach a neutral pH. The titration can be automated and here we present a low cost Arduino based Open Source Pump (OSPump) modified to act as an automated titrator with an obsolete but reliable Metrohm 713 pH meter. Our device is 50 times less expensive than second hand units from the pH meter manufacturer and inherently open to customization. We present two validation cases of study, including the lipolysis of a vegetable olive oil in water emulsion, characterized by the OSPump Titrator.
PubMed: 37649586
DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2023.e00464 -
Pediatric Research Mar 2021Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a widely used screening method for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Deviation of the transcutaneous bilirubin concentration (TcB) from the...
BACKGROUND
Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a widely used screening method for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Deviation of the transcutaneous bilirubin concentration (TcB) from the total serum bilirubin concentration (TSB) is often ascribed to biological variation between patients, but variations between TcB meters may also have a role. This study aims to provide a systematic evaluation of the inter-device reproducibility of TcB meters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen commercially available TcB meters (JM-105 and JM-103) were evaluated in vitro on phantoms that optically mimic neonatal skin. The mimicked TcB was varied within the clinical range (0.5-181.3 μmol/L).
RESULTS
Absolute differences between TcB meter outcomes increased with the measured TcB, from a difference of 5.0 μmol/L (TcB = 0.5 μmol/L phantom) up to 65.0 μmol/L (TcB = 181.3 μmol/L phantom).
CONCLUSION
The inter-device reproducibility of the examined TcB meters is substantial and exceeds the specified accuracy of the device (±25.5 μmol/L), as well as the clinically used TcB safety margins (>50 µmol/L below phototherapy threshold). Healthcare providers should be well aware of this additional uncertainty in the TcB determination, especially when multiple TcB meters are employed in the same clinic. We strongly advise using a single TcB meter per patient to evaluate the TcB over time.
IMPACT
Key message: The inter-device reproducibility of TcB meters is substantial and exceeds the clinically used TcB safety margins. What this study adds to existing literature: The inter-device reproducibility of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) meters has not been reported in the existing literature. This in vitro study systematically evaluates this inter-device reproducibility.
IMPACT
This study aids in a better interpretation of the measured TcB value from a patient and is of particular importance during patient monitoring when using multiple TcB meters within the same clinical department. We strongly advise using a single TcB meter per patient to evaluate the TcB over time.
Topics: Bilirubin; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Equipment Design; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Infant, Premature; Monitoring, Physiologic; Neonatal Screening; Phantoms, Imaging; Reproducibility of Results; Skin Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 32919392
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01118-6 -
Journal of Diabetes Science and... Sep 2009Most current insulin pumps include an insulin-on-board (IOB) feature to help subjects avoid problems associated with "insulin stacking." In addition, many control... (Review)
Review
MOTIVATION
Most current insulin pumps include an insulin-on-board (IOB) feature to help subjects avoid problems associated with "insulin stacking." In addition, many control algorithms proposed for a closed-loop artificial pancreas make use of IOB to reduce the probability of hypoglycemic events that often occur due to the integral action of the controller. The IOB curves are generated from the pharmacodynamic (time-activity profiles) actions of subcutaneous insulin, which are obtained from glycemic clamp studies.
METHODS
Glycemic clamp algorithms are reviewed and in silico studies are performed to analyze the effect of glucose meter bias and noise on glycemic control and the manipulated glucose infusion rates. The glucose infusion rates are used to obtain insulin time-activity profiles, which are then used to generate IOB curves.
RESULTS
A model-based, three-step-ahead controller is shown to be equivalent to a proportional-integral control algorithm with time-delay compensation. A systematic glucose meter bias of +6 mg/dl results in a decrease in the glucose area under the curve of 3% but no change in the IOB profiles.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on these preliminary simulation studies, a substantial amount of glucose meter bias and noise during a glycemic clamp can be tolerated with little net effect on the IOB curves. It is suggested that handheld glucose meters can therefore be used in clamp studies if the measurements are filtered (averaged) before processing by the control algorithm. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Topics: Algorithms; Blood Glucose; Computer Simulation; Diabetes Mellitus; Diagnostic Equipment; Equipment Design; Glucose Clamp Technique; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Insulin Infusion Systems; Models, Biological; Pancreas, Artificial; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 20144413
DOI: 10.1177/193229680900300503 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology Sep 2014Normal healthy skin has potential of hydrogen (pH) range of 5.4-5.9 and a normal bacterial flora. Use of soap with high pH causes an increase in skin pH, which in turn...
BACKGROUND
Normal healthy skin has potential of hydrogen (pH) range of 5.4-5.9 and a normal bacterial flora. Use of soap with high pH causes an increase in skin pH, which in turn causes an increase in dehydrative effect, irritability and alteration in bacterial flora. The majority of soaps and shampoos available in the market do not disclose their pH.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to assess the pH of different brands of bathing soaps and shampoos available in the market.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The samples of soaps and shampoos were collected from shops in the locality. The samples of different brands are coded before the analysis of the pH. Solution of each sample was made and pH was measured using pH meter.
RESULTS
Majority of the soaps have a pH within the range of 9-10. Majority of the shampoos have a pH within the range of 6-7.
CONCLUSIONS
The soaps and shampoos commonly used by the population at large have a pH outside the range of normal skin and hair pH values. Therefore, it is hoped that before recommending soap to patient especially those who have sensitive and acne prone skin, due consideration is given to the pH factor and also that manufacturers will give a thought to pH of soaps and shampoos manufactured by them, so that their products will be more skin and hair friendly.
PubMed: 25284846
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.139861