Toxic response of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri to sodium lauryl ether sulphate residues in excavated soils.

Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is the main chemical component in several lubricant products used for soil conditioning in the mechanized excavation industry using Earth Pressure Balance-Tunnel Boring Machines. During the tunnelling process, huge amounts of excavated soil are produced and the SLES presence can affect the subsequent re-use of this material as a by-product. Currently, there is still no regulatory indication of reliable and sensitive bioassays for monitoring soil quality during the excavation process. The main objective of this work was to verify if the Vibrio fischeri screening test was suitable as a consistent and precautionary tool for this specific purpose. Firstly, the ecotoxicity (EC20 and EC50) of the SLES standard solution and three commercial products (SLES content from 10 to 50%) were evaluated to select the most environmental friendly product. Subsequently, soil samples from about 2 years of tunnelling in a real construction site, conditioned with the selected product, were evaluated for their environmental compatibility with the prescriptions of an Italian site-specific protocol. The latter established 2 mg/L as a threshold value for SLES concentration in soil water extracts and a no toxic response (≤20%) for the Vibrio fischeri test. The comparison of the bacterium bioluminescence inhibition values (%) with analytical determinations showed an ecotoxicity when SLES was >2 mg/L. The toxicity was directly related to SLES concentration, indicating that the V. fischeri test and the SLES analyses are suitable tools for assessing excavated soil as a by-product, ensuring its safe reuse in accordance with a green production process (circular economy).

Cellulose acetate microwell plates for high-throughput colorimetric assays.

Single use plasticware (SUP) in scientific, diagnostic, and academic laboratories makes a significant contribution to plastic waste generation worldwide. Polystyrene (PS) microwell plates form a part of this waste. These plates are the backbone of high throughput colorimetric measurements in academic, research, and healthcare settings for detection/quantification of wide-ranging analytes including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and enzyme activity. Polystyrene (PS) microwell plates serve as a platform for holding samples and reagents, where mixing initiates chemical reaction(s), and the ensuing color changes are quantified using a microplate reader. However, these plates are rarely reused or recycled, contributing to the staggering amounts of plastic waste generated in scientific laboratories. Here, we are reporting the fabrication of cellulose acetate (CA) microwell plates as a greener alternative to non-biodegradable PS plates and we demonstrate their application in colorimetric assays. These easy to fabricate, lighter weight, customizable, and environmentally friendly plates were fabricated in 96- and 384-well formats and made water impermeable through chemical treatment. The plates were tested in three different colorimetric analyses: (i) bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) for protein quantification; (ii) chymotrypsin (CT) activity assay; and (iii) alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity assay. Color intensities were quantified using a freely available smartphone application, Spotxel® Reader (Sicasys Software GmbH). To benchmark the performance of this platform, the same assays were performed in commercial PS plates too and quantified using a UV/Vis microplate reader. The two systems yielded comparable linear correlation coefficients, LOD and LOQ values, thereby validating the CA plate-cell phone based analytical method. The CA microwell plates, coupled with smart phone optical data capture, provide greener, accessible, and scalable tools for all laboratory settings and are particularly well-suited for resource- and infrastructure-limited environments.

Multi-Omic Analyses Reveal Bifidogenic Effect and Metabolomic Shifts in Healthy Human Cohort Supplemented With a Prebiotic Dietary Fiber Blend.

Dietary fiber, a nutrient derived mainly from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, is known to confer a number of health benefits, yet most Americans consume less than half of the daily recommended amount. Convenience and affordability are key factors determining the ability of individuals to incorporate fiber-rich foods into their diet, and many Americans struggle to access, afford, and prepare foods rich in fiber. The objective of this clinical study was to test the changes in microbial community composition, human metabolomics, and general health markers of a convenient, easy to use prebiotic supplement in generally healthy young participants consuming a diet low in fiber. Twenty healthy adults participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study which was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03785860. During the study participants consumed 12 g of a prebiotic fiber supplement and 12 g of placebo daily as a powder mixed with water as part of their habitual diet in randomized order for 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout between treatment arms. Fecal microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced by shallow shotgun sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq. Plasma metabolites were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with untargeted analysis. The phylum Actinobacteria, genus Bifidobacterium, and several Bifidobacterium species (B. bifidum, B. adolescentis, B. breve, B. catenulatum, and B. longum) significantly increased after prebiotic supplementation when compared to the placebo. The abundance of genes associated with the utilization of the prebiotic fiber ingredients (sacA, xfp, xpk) and the production of acetate (poxB, ackA) significantly changed with prebiotic supplementation. Additionally, the abundance of genes associated with the prebiotic utilization (xfp, xpk), acetate production (ackA), and choline to betaine oxidation (gbsB) were significantly correlated with changes in the abundance of the genus Bifidobacterium in the prebiotic group. Plasma concentrations of the bacterially produced metabolite indolepropionate significantly increased. The results of this study demonstrate that an easy to consume, low dose (12 g) of a prebiotic powder taken daily increases the abundance of beneficial bifidobacteria and the production of health-promoting bacteria-derived metabolites in healthy individuals with a habitual low-fiber diet. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT03785860.

Patterns of balance loss with systematic perturbations in Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) may affect balance differently. However, no studies have compared loss of balance (LOB) patterns following multi-directional perturbations. OBJECTIVE: 1) determine reliability of LOB ratings following standardized manual perturbations; 2) compare LOB ratings in MS, PD, and healthy control (HC) groups following perturbations at upper/lower torso, in anterior/posterior, right/left, and rotational directions. METHODS: 1) reviewers rated videotaped LOB following perturbations applied by 4 clinicians in 6-10 HCs. 2) three groups (64 MS, 42 PD and 32 HC) received perturbations. LOB ratings following perturbations were analyzed using two-factor mixed ANOVAs for magnitude and prevalence. RESULTS: 1) LOB ratings showed moderate to good ICC and good to excellent agreement. 2) MS group showed greater magnitude and prevalence of LOB than PD or HC groups (p < .001). All groups showed greater LOB from right/left versus anterior/posterior perturbations (p < .01). PD showed greater LOB from perturbations at upper versus lower torso; MS and HC showed greater LOB from posterior versus anterior perturbations. CONCLUSIONS: Our reliable rating scale showed differences in patterns of LOB following manual perturbations in MS, PD, and HC. Clinically accessible and reliable assessment of LOB could facilitate targeted perturbation-based interventions and reduce falls in vulnerable populations.

Mobile application for the evaluation and planning of nursing workload in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we present an application type software which employs the Nursing Activities Score (NAS), a management tool for measuring nursing workload prospectively. METHOD: The system was developed in two modules: WEB (controlled from an Internet browser) for data administration using Java Script; and APP (operated from a smartphone or tablet device) for data acquisition using Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP). White and black box tests were performed in the software. RESULTS: A software was developed with an interface that allows the calculation of the scale score by the same professional who provided assistance, generating reports to help nursing management. The functional test was successfully performed using the Android operational system. CONCLUSION: The efficiency of the software was demonstrated by the functional test and the main innovations brought herein are the prospective use and the generation of management reports, which can contribute positively by improving nursing quality and safety in the intensive care unit.

Visceral fat reduction is positively associated with blood pressure reduction in overweight or obese males but not females: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Visceral adiposity has been reported to play a key role in hypertension compared with other measurements of regional or general obesity. The aim of current study was to evaluate the relationship between visceral fat reduction and changes in blood pressure in a group of overweight or obese Chinese individuals. METHODS: An observational study was conducted with 168 participants (ChiCTR-OOC-17012000). Body composition, blood parameters and blood pressure were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. Males and females were categorized separately into quartiles according to changes in visceral fat during the intervention. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the associations of changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure with changes of visceral fat area, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Changes in visceral fat was significantly associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in men for systolic (ß = 0.234, 95% CI: 0.103, 0.365; p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (ß = 0.237; 95% CI: 0.127, 0.346; p <0.001), but not in women after adjustment for the same potential confounders for systolic blood (ß = - 0.003, 95% CI: - 0.260, 0.255; p = 0.984) and diastolic blood pressure (ß = 0.101, 95% CI: - 0.072, 0.273; p = 0.249). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was observed between reduction in visceral fat and improvements in both systolic blood and diastolic blood pressures in males but not females in a 12-week meal replacement intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Ethics Committee of Peking University Health Science Center approved the study protocol on 6 July 2017. The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this intervention were carried out following the rules of the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975 and registered (ChiCTR-OOC-17012000). http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=20426.

Effects of a Meal Replacement on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters among Subjects with Overweight or Obesity.

Meal replacement plans are effective tools for weight loss and improvement of various clinical characteristics but not sustainable due to the severe energy restriction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of meal replacement, specifically 388 kcal in total energy, on body composition and metabolic parameters in individuals with overweight and obesity from a Chinese population. A parallel, randomized controlled trial was performed with 174 participants (ChiCTR-OOC-17012000). The intervention group (N=86) was provided with a dinner meal replacement, and the control group (N=88) continued their routine diet as before. Body composition and blood parameters were assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. A post hoc analysis (least significant difference (LSD) test), repeated measurements, and paired T-test were used to compare each variable within and between groups. Significant (p < 0.001) improvements in body composition components were observed among the intervention group, including body weight (-4.3 ± 3.3%), body mass index (-4.3 ± 3.3%), waist circumference (-4.3 ± 4.4%), fat-free mass (-1.8 ± 2.9%), and body fat mass (-5.3 ± 8.8%). Body composition improvements corresponded with significant metabolic improvements of blood glucose (-4.7 ± 9.8%). Further improvements in visceral fat area (-7.7 ± 10.1%), accompanying with improvements in systolic (-3.7 ± 6.9%) and diastolic (-5.3 ± 7.7%) blood pressure, were only found in male subjects. To conclude, meal replacement intake with 388 kcal in total energy at dinner time for 12 weeks contributed to improvement in body composition and clinically significant metabolic parameters in both male and female participants with overweight/obesity. Additionally, glucose and blood pressure reduction were gender-specific highlighting the importance of gender stratification for design of nutritional intervention studies for improvement of health.

Integração entre Internet e Prática Docente de Química

O estudo teve como objetivo identificar as principais características do uso da internet por professores de Química do ensino médio do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A maioria dos professores reconhece e usa a internet para aprender, principalmente por meio de busca de informações sobre conteúdo químico para uso individual. Embora políticas públicas incentivem o uso didático de ferramentas da internet em contextos educacionais, o uso de tais ferramentas permanece distante das salas de aula de Química. Discutimos a importância de articular políticas e programas de formação de professores que proporcionem atividades de sensibilização sobre o potencial pedagógico das ferramentas de internet entre os professores.

Holo-television system with a single plane.

We show a system capable of projecting a video scene onto a white-light holographic screen to obtain a kind of image that results in a plane in front of the screen. This holographic screen is mainly a diffractive lens and is constructed by holography. The image plane can be located at any azimuth angle and seen with continuous parallax and without the use of goggles or any special visualization equipment. The image is not volumetric, but when the plane is oblique to the observer its appearance looks very close to a real volumetric image.

Beyond high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels evaluating high-density lipoprotein function as influenced by novel therapeutic approaches.

A number of therapeutic strategies targeting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reverse cholesterol transport are being developed to halt the progression of atherosclerosis or even induce regression. However, circulating HDL cholesterol levels alone represent an inadequate measure of therapeutic efficacy. Evaluation of the potential effects of HDL-targeted interventions on atherosclerosis requires reliable assays of HDL function and surrogate markers of efficacy. Promotion of macrophage cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport is thought to be one of the most important mechanisms by which HDL protects against atherosclerosis, and methods to assess this pathway in vivo are being developed. Indexes of monocyte chemotaxis, endothelial inflammation, oxidation, nitric oxide production, and thrombosis reveal other dimensions of HDL functionality. Robust, reproducible assays that can be performed widely are needed to move this field forward and permit effective assessment of the therapeutic potential of HDL-targeted therapies.

La investigación científica en odontología / Scientific research in dentistry

La investigación científica es la base principal del desarrollo de la civilización. A partir de la investigación científica, se obtienen prodigiosos resultados en la salud, la economía,la industria y el progreso de la humanidad. Los grandes descubrimientos científicos transforman a la humanidad. Sin laciencia básica o fundamental, no se pueden lograr soluciones rápidas, eficientes y duraderas. La ciencia básica y sus descubrimientos han permitido resolver problemas importantes y críticos. El Dr. Bernardo A. Houssay, premio nobel 1947, siempreafirmaba que el adelanto científico dependía de la existencia de científicos de larga y cuidadosa formación. La investigación científica tiene como meta actualizar los conocimientospara mejorar las profesiones. La formación de un profesional no termina con su graduación, sino que es un quehacer constante de conocimientos. La actualización continua y la investigación permiten profundizar los conocimientos y aplicarlos en la práctica profesional. Desde que, en 1887, se propusieron estudios en odontología, grandes maestros argentinos de esta especialidad sedestacaron por generar nuevos conocimientos e innovacionesen estudios odontológicos. La importancia de la investigacióncientífica en la formación del odontólogo reside en mantenere incrementar la calidad del ejercicio de la profesión. Por eso, es preciso fomentar la investigación científica en los jóvenes y futuros odontólogos.

Culturally competent research with American Indians and Alaska Natives: findings and recommendations of the first symposium of the work group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology.

This article describes the collective experience of a multidisciplinary network of researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators who support appropriate research and evaluation methods in working with Native peoples. Our experience underlines the critical importance of culture in understanding and conducting research with the diverse populations of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and documents the need for community-based, collaborative, participatory action research. We discuss the major findings of the first American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology national symposium, and articulate a set of 20 guiding principles for conducting research and program evaluation.

Radar soundings of the subsurface of Mars.

The martian subsurface has been probed to kilometer depths by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding instrument aboard the Mars Express orbiter. Signals penetrate the polar layered deposits, probably imaging the base of the deposits. Data from the northern lowlands of Chryse Planitia have revealed a shallowly buried quasi-circular structure about 250 kilometers in diameter that is interpreted to be an impact basin. In addition, a planar reflector associated with the basin structure may indicate the presence of a low-loss deposit that is more than 1 kilometer thick.

Assessing the strengths of children referred for community-based mental health services.

This study investigated the relationship between child strengths and functional impairment, specifically whether youth with greater levels of functional impairment also exhibit strengths. The relationship was investigated for children (N = 1,838) of different genders, ages, race, and ethnic backgrounds and whose families were living at different income levels. A moderate relationship was found between child strengths and functional impairment. Those children with even the most severe functional impairment were rated as having average or near average strengths. With the exception of gender, the relationship between impairment and strengths did not differ as a function of demographic characteristics. These findings provide additional support for the construct validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Strengths Rating Scale (M. Epstein & J. Sharma, 1998) and they highlight the need for strength-based assessment and screening for youth entering mental health services. Child strengths as the foundation for service planning and implementation, and other implications are discussed.