-
European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Sep 2021Custom-made mouthguards have many advantages compared to the stock and ready-made types, but sport treatments with custom made mouthguards involve changes in ecological...
AIM
Custom-made mouthguards have many advantages compared to the stock and ready-made types, but sport treatments with custom made mouthguards involve changes in ecological factors of the oral cavity. In the present study we investigated the potential protective role of salivary factors, such as pH value, volume, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2? (8-iso-PGF2?) levels during training with customised mouthguards.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 80 subjects were selected: 40 athletes, of whom 20 practice volleyball and 20 basketball (test group), and 40 subjects who attend a gym at a non-competitive level (control group). The athletes (test group) were analyzed at baseline (T0), pre-training (T1), post-training with custom-made Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA) mouthguards (T2), post-training without mouthguards (T3). The control group was analyzed only at baseline (T0). On each player, in the 4 time points, and on the control group at T0, we stimulated saliva for determining PGE2 and 8-iso-PGF2? levels by radioimmunoassay and pH value by a pH meter and volume/ml. Saliva pH was calculated with a pH meter.
RESULTS
We observed an inhibition of 8-iso-PGF2? salivary release induced by physical exercise and by use of custom-made mouthguard, while we found an increase in PGE2 salivary level in athletes after training and wearing the mouthguard. Furthermore, in the test of the volume of saliva produced in 5 minutes, a significant inhibition of saliva production emerged in the athletes who did not use the mouthguard during sports activities.
CONCLUSION
Sports activity could lead to a reduction in oxidative stress and the use of mouth guards seems even more effective for athletes.
Topics: Athletes; Athletic Injuries; Equipment Design; Humans; Mouth; Mouth Protectors; Saliva
PubMed: 34544251
DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2021.22.03.8 -
PloS One 2020Human height is a simple measure with great applicability. Usually, stadiometers are used to measure height accurately. However, these may be impractical to transport...
BACKGROUND
Human height is a simple measure with great applicability. Usually, stadiometers are used to measure height accurately. However, these may be impractical to transport and expensive. Therefore, we developed a portable and low-cost laser height metre (LHM).
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to (1) determine intrarater and interrater reliability of our LHM and compare it to a wall-fixed stadiometer, (2) examine its agreement with the same stadiometer, and (3) determine the minimum number of recordings needed to obtain an accurate and reliable height measurement using the LHM.
METHODS
We recruited 32 participants (18+ years)-both men and women. Two raters performed assessments on the same day blinded to each other and their reference standard measurements. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), standard error of measurement (SEM), and Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement (LOA).
RESULTS
For both the LHM and stadiometer, we found ICC values of 0.99-1.00 (95% CI: 0.997-1.000) for both intrarater and interrater reliability. Regarding LHM intrarater reliability, SEM, CV, and LOA were 0.34 cm, 0.16%, and -1.07 to 0.73 cm, respectively. In terms of LHM interrater reliability, SEM, CV, and LOA were 0.27 cm, 0.12%, and -0.32 to 0.84 cm, respectively. As to agreement with stadiometers using one measurement, the mean difference was -0.14 cm and LOA ranged from -0.81 to 0.77 cm.
CONCLUSION
A portable and low-cost LHM, for measuring body height once, showed an excellent reproducibility within and between raters along with an acceptable agreement with a stadiometer thereby representing a suitable alternative.
Topics: Adult; Body Height; Female; Humans; Lasers; Male; Mobile Applications; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 32267891
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231449 -
Journal of the American Geriatrics... Feb 2021Physical activity (PA) preserves mobility, but few practices screen older adults for mobility impairment or counsel on PA. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Physical activity (PA) preserves mobility, but few practices screen older adults for mobility impairment or counsel on PA.
DESIGN
"Promoting Active Aging" (PAA) was a mixed-methods randomized-controlled pilot, to test the feasibility and acceptability of a video-based PA counseling tool and implementation into practice of two mobility assessment tools.
SETTING
Three primary care practices affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Health.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults aged 65 years and older who presented for primary care follow-up and were willing and able to answer self-report questions and walk 4 meters (n = 59).
INTERVENTION
Video-based PA counseling intervention versus control video, "Healthy Eating."
MEASUREMENTS
Potential participants completed mobility assessments: self-report (Mobility Assessment Tool-short form (MAT-sf)) and performance based (4-meter walk test). We assessed PAA's implementation-feasibility, acceptability, and value-via interviews and surveys. Effectiveness was measured via participant attendance at a PA information session.
RESULTS
Of 92 patients approached, 89 (96.7%) agreed to mobility assessment. Eighty-nine completed MAT-sf, and 97.8% (87/89) completed 4-meter walk test. Sixty-seven (75%) met eligibility criteria, and 59 (88%) consented to be randomized either to the PA counseling intervention (Video-PA) or to active control (Video-C). Most participants viewed the walk test positively (51/59; 86.4%). Staff reported that completion of patient surveys, MAT-sf, and videos required significant staff time and support (median = 26 minutes for all), resulting in low acceptability of MAT-sf and the videos. Attendance at a PA information session did not differ by randomization group (Video-PA = 11/29 (37.9%); Video-C = 12/30 (40%); 95% confidence interval for difference in proportion = -0.29 to 0.25).
CONCLUSIONS
Mobility assessment, particularly a 4-meter walk test, was feasible in primary care. Tablet-based assessment (MAT-sf) and video counseling tools, selected to reduce staff effort, instead required significant time to implement. Future work to promote PA should identify effective ways to facilitate adoption of PA in sedentary older adults that do not burden staff.
Topics: Aged; Exercise; Feasibility Studies; Female; Health Promotion; Health Services Accessibility; Healthy Aging; Humans; Implementation Science; Male; Mobility Limitation; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Pilot Projects; Preventive Health Services; Primary Health Care; Remote Consultation; Walk Test
PubMed: 33006763
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16838 -
Skin Surface pH in Acne Vulgaris: Insights from an Observational Study and Review of the Literature.The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic... Jul 2017Recurrent and chronic course of acne vulgaris, despite effect-proven therapies, point to an underfocused aspect in its pathogenesis and management. This study aims to...
Recurrent and chronic course of acne vulgaris, despite effect-proven therapies, point to an underfocused aspect in its pathogenesis and management. This study aims to assess in subjects with and without acne, the skin surface pH, a parameter that cumulatively represents functioning of various units of skin, including the barrier. A total of 200 patients with acne and 200 age- and sex-matched controls were included. Under basal conditions, facial skin pH was derived from five sites using a skin pH-meter. The relation between skin pH and acne was evaluated according to sex. There were more subjects with normal skin pH in the control group compared to the case group, and the majority of acne occurrences in the case group were related to high skin pH (=0.000). Mean pH among cases was higher than normal reference value (pH 4.5-5.5 for women, 4-5.5 for men) and that of controls (<0.001). No significant association was observed between sex and skin pH in either cases or controls (>0.05). Increased facial skin pH in patients with acne at basal conditions mirrors a chronic state of stratum corneum instability, which could be predisposing individuals to acne occurrence and/or recurrences. It could possibly be a common domain via which the classical pathomechanisms might be acting in acne. Integrating measures that maintain stratum corneum pH during therapy might prove worthwhile.
PubMed: 29104722
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2005Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is progressive, resulting in right ventricular failure. Pulmonary hypertension can be idiopathic or associated with other... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is progressive, resulting in right ventricular failure. Pulmonary hypertension can be idiopathic or associated with other conditions. Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation, and can be given orally, subcutaneously, intravenously or inhaled via a nebuliser.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy of prostacyclin or one of its analogues in idiopathic primary pulmonary hypertension.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Electronic searches were carried out with pre-specified terms. Searches were current as of July 2004.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Two reviewers selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with pulmonary hypertension for inclusion.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Study quality was assessed and data extracted independently by two reviewers. Outcomes were analysed as continuous and dichotomous outcomes. We sub-grouped data where possible by aetiology of PH (PPH, PH secondary to connective tissue disorder or mixed populations).
MAIN RESULTS
Nine RCTs of mixed duration (3 days-52 weeks), recruiting 1175 participants were included (NYHA functional classes II-IV). Intravenous prostacyclin versus usual care (four studies): There were significant improvements in exercise capacity of around 90 metres, cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and NYHA functional class over 3 days-12 weeks. Effects were consistent in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Oral prostacyclin versus placebo (two studies): Short-term data (3-6 months) indicated that there was a significant improvement in exercise capacity, but data from one study of 52 weeks reported no significant difference at 12 months. No significant differences were observed for any other outcome. Subcutaneous treprostinil versus placebo (two studies, 8-12 weeks):One large study reported a significant median improvement in exercise capacity of around 16 metres. Cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and symptom scores favoured treprostinil. Infusion site pain and withdrawals due to adverse events were more frequent with treprostinil. Inhaled prostacyclin versus placebo (one study, 12 weeks):There was a significant increase in exercise capacity of approximately 36 metres. Treatment led to better symptom scores and functional class status than with placebo. Subgroup analyses reported by individual studies showed a better exercise capacity in participants with PPH, than those participants with PH secondary to other diseases. Side effects and adverse events were common in the studies.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that intravenous prostacyclin in addition to conventional therapy at tolerable doses optimised by titration, can confer some short-term benefits (up to 12 weeks of treatment) in exercise capacity, NYHA functional class and cardiopulmonary haemodynamics. There is also some evidence that patients with more severe disease based upon NYHA functional class showed a greater response to treatment.
Topics: Adult; Antihypertensive Agents; Epoprostenol; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 15846646
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002994.pub2 -
Journal of Dairy Science Aug 2020Commonly used lactose assays [enzymatic spectrophotometric absorbance (EZA) and HPLC] for dairy ingredients are relatively expensive and time consuming. A blood glucose...
Commonly used lactose assays [enzymatic spectrophotometric absorbance (EZA) and HPLC] for dairy ingredients are relatively expensive and time consuming. A blood glucose meter (BGM)-based method has successfully been documented as a rapid lactose assay in milk. However, the BGM-based method has not been evaluated in dairy ingredients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the BGM-based lactose analysis method in whey-derived (WD) and skim milk-derived (SMD) ingredients. The study was carried out in 4 phases. In phase 1, the effect of pH and lactose concentrations on the BGM reading was investigated using a factorial design with 2 factors: pH (6.02-7.50) and lactose (0.2 or 0.4%). We found that BGM readings were significantly affected by lower pH values at both lactose levels. In phase 2, the effect of total solids and ingredient type was investigated using a factorial design with 2 factors: ingredient type (WD or SMD) and total solids (0-8%). It was observed that the BGM reading was significantly affected by ingredient type and total solids. Phase 3 involved developing a linear relationship between the BGM reading and the EZA reference method to ascertain the accuracy of the proposed BGM method. Different ingredient types (WD or SMD) and non-lactose solids (0.5-27%) model ingredient dilutions prepared over a range of lactose contents (0.08-0.62%) were measured using the BGM and EZA methods. The average absolute percentage bias difference between the BGM method and EZA reference method results for these model dilutions was found to be between 2.2 and 7.3%. In phase 4, 15 samples procured from commercial sources ranging from 0.01 to 81.9% lactose were evaluated using the BGM method and EZA reference method. The average absolute percentage bias difference for lactose results between the 2 methods ranged from 3.6 to 5.0% and 5.3 to 9.7% for well-performing and poorly performing meters, respectively. Overall, the BGM method is a promising tool for rapid and low-cost analysis of lactose in both high-lactose and low-lactose dairy ingredients.
Topics: Animals; Biosensing Techniques; Blood Glucose; Cattle; Dairy Products; Lactose; Milk; Whey; Whey Proteins
PubMed: 32505394
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17903 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Dec 2014Previous studies have demonstrated that nicotine releases protons from adrenergic nerves via stimulation of nicotinic ACh receptors and activates transient receptor...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Previous studies have demonstrated that nicotine releases protons from adrenergic nerves via stimulation of nicotinic ACh receptors and activates transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors located on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing (CGRPergic) vasodilator nerves, resulting in vasodilatation. The present study investigated whether perivascular nerves release protons, which modulate axon-axonal neurotransmission.
EXPERIMENT APPROACH
Perfusion pressure and pH levels of perfusate in rat-perfused mesenteric vascular beds without endothelium were measured with a pressure transducer and a pH meter respectively.
KEY RESULTS
Periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) initially induced vasoconstriction, which was followed by long-lasting vasodilatation and decreased pH levels in the perfusate. Cold-storage denervation of the preparation abolished the decreased pH and vascular responses to PNS. The adrenergic neuron blocker guanethidine inhibited PNS-induced vasoconstriction and effects on pH, but not PNS-induced vasodilatation. Capsaicin (CGRP depletor), capsazepine and ruthenium red (TRPV1 inhibitors) attenuated the PNS-induced decrease in pH and vasodilatation. In denuded preparations, ACh caused long-lasting vasodilatation and lowered pH; these effects were inhibited by capsaicin pretreatment and atropine, but not by guanethidine or mecamylamine. Capsaicin injection induced vasodilatation and a reduction in pH, which were abolished by ruthenium red. The use of a fluorescent pH indicator demonstrated that application of nicotine, ACh and capsaicin outside small mesenteric arteries reduced perivascular pH levels and these effects were abolished in a Ca(2+) -free medium.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION
These results suggest that protons are released from perivascular adrenergic and CGRPergic nerves upon PNS and these protons modulate transmission in CGRPergic nerves.
Topics: Acetylcholine; Adrenergic Neurons; Animals; Atropine; Axons; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Capsaicin; Cholinergic Agonists; Guanethidine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mecamylamine; Mesenteric Arteries; Muscarinic Antagonists; Nicotinic Antagonists; Protons; Rats; Ruthenium Red; Sympatholytics; Synaptic Transmission; Vasoconstriction; Vasodilation
PubMed: 25117291
DOI: 10.1111/bph.12878 -
Asia Pacific Allergy Jul 2013Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have increased susceptibility to irritants. Some patients have questions about types of water for bathing or skin cleansing.
BACKGROUND
Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have increased susceptibility to irritants. Some patients have questions about types of water for bathing or skin cleansing.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the pH of water from various sources to give an overview for physicians to recommend patients with AD.
METHODS
Water from various sources was collected for measurement of the pH using a pH meter and pH-indicator strips.
RESULTS
Bottled drinking still water had pH between 6.9 and 7.5 while the sparkling type had pH between 4.9 and 5.5. Water derived from home water filters had an approximate pH of 7.5 as same as tap water. Swimming pool water had had pH between 7.2 and 7.5 while seawater had a pH of 8. Normal saline and distilled water had pH of 5.4 and 5.7, respectively. Facial mineral water had pH between 7.5 and 8, while facial makeup removing water had an acidic pH.
CONCLUSION
Normal saline, distilled water, bottled sparkling water and facial makeup removing water had similar pH to that of normal skin of normal people. However, other factors including benefits of mineral substances in the water in terms of bacteriostatic and anti-inflammation should be considered in the selection of cleansing water.
PubMed: 23956962
DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2013.3.3.155 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Jan 2022Predicting and organizing patterns of events is important for humans to survive in a dynamically changing world. The motor system has been proposed to be actively, and...
Predicting and organizing patterns of events is important for humans to survive in a dynamically changing world. The motor system has been proposed to be actively, and necessarily, engaged in not only the production but the perception of rhythm by organizing hierarchical timing that influences auditory responses. It is not yet well understood how the motor system interacts with the auditory system to perceive and maintain hierarchical structure in time. This study investigated the dynamic interaction between auditory and motor functional sources during the perception and imagination of musical meters. We pursued this using a novel method combining high-density EEG, EMG, and motion capture with independent component analysis to separate motor and auditory activity during meter imagery while robustly controlling against covert movement. We demonstrated that endogenous brain activity in both auditory and motor functional sources reflects the imagination of binary and ternary meters in the absence of corresponding acoustic cues or overt movement at the meter rate. We found clear evidence for hypothesized motor-to-auditory information flow at the beat rate in all conditions, suggesting a role for top-down influence of the motor system on auditory processing of beat-based rhythms, and reflecting an auditory-motor system with tight reciprocal informational coupling. These findings align with and further extend a set of motor hypotheses from beat perception to hierarchical meter imagination, adding supporting evidence to active engagement of the motor system in auditory processing, which may more broadly speak to the neural mechanisms of temporal processing in other human cognitive functions. Humans live in a world full of hierarchically structured temporal information, the accurate perception of which is essential for understanding speech and music. Music provides a window into the brain mechanisms of time perception, enabling us to examine how the brain groups musical beats into, for example a march or waltz. Using a novel paradigm combining measurement of electrical brain activity with data-driven analysis, this study directly investigates motor-auditory connectivity during meter imagination. Findings highlight the importance of the motor system in the active imagination of meter. This study sheds new light on a fundamental form of perception by demonstrating how auditory-motor interaction may support hierarchical timing processing, which may have clinical implications for speech and motor rehabilitation.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Auditory Perception; Brain; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Imagination; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Music; Periodicity; Time Perception; Young Adult
PubMed: 34848500
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1121-21.2021 -
Indian Journal of Hematology & Blood... Mar 2017Bacterial contamination of blood components is the major infectious risk in transfusion medicine. Since platelets should be stored at room temperature that makes them an...
Bacterial contamination of blood components is the major infectious risk in transfusion medicine. Since platelets should be stored at room temperature that makes them an excellent growth medium for bacteria; it is mentioned as a major problem in transfusion medicine. Transfusion risk of a bacterial contaminated platelet concentrate is higher than viral pathogen such as HIV, HBV, HCV and HTLV. The objective of this study was to evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of use of glucose and pH for bacterial screening of platelet concentrates compared to the Bact/Alert. 1332 platelet concentrates were screened by the Bact/Alert system for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial contamination. Bacterial contamination was also evaluated by using urine reagent strips (Multistix10 SG Bayer) and culture methods. Moreover PH screening with a pH meter (Metrohm 744 Swiss) and glucose was also used for detection of bacterial contamination. The rate of bacterial contamination detected by the Bact/Alert system in platelet concentrates was 25 in 1332 (1.9 %). It contained 15 (1.1 %) for aerobic bacteria and 10 (.8 %) for anaerobic bacteria. 226 of 1332 were considered as containing bacteria by using urine reagent strips. Six of the 226 units were also positive by the Bact/Alert system. Three of those units were culture positive for aerobic bacteria and three for anaerobic. The result of platelet concentrates that underwent pH screening by use of pH meter and a pH portion of urine reagent strips was the same. The sensitivity and specificity of considering glucose alone for detection of bacterial contamination were 12 and 98 % respectively. For pH alone, these were 24 and 83 %. For glucose and/or pH, these were 24 and 83 %; and for combination of glucose and pH, these were 12 and 98 %. Our results showed use of glucose/pH strips would improve the safety of blood products and should be encouraged.
PubMed: 28194067
DOI: 10.1007/s12288-016-0660-4