This study sought to determine whether a foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program can improve daily physical activity (i.e. number of steps) and fast and self-selected gait speed in people with ...diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In this single-blind randomized controlled trial and intention-to-treat analysis, 78 volunteers with DPN were allocated into a control group, which received usual care, and an intervention group (IG), which received usual care plus a 12-week foot-ankle exercise program. The adherence at 12 weeks rate in the IG was 92.3% (36 participants) and the dropout was 5.1% in the control group (2 participants). The number of steps and self-selected gait speed did not change significantly in either group (p > 0.05), although a 1,365-step difference between groups were observed at 1-year followup. The 12-week foot-ankle therapeutic exercises improved significantly fast-gait speed (primary outcome) (p = 0.020), ankle range of motion (p = 0.048), and vibration perception (secondary outcomes) (p = 0.030), compared with usual-care at 12 weeks. At 24 weeks, the IG showed better quality of life than controls (p = 0.048). At 1-year, fast-gait speed and vibration perception remained higher in the IG versus controls. Overall, the program may be a complementary treatment strategy for improving musculoskeletal and functional deficits related to DPN.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02790931 (06/06/2016).
An elegant synthesis of 2-aroylfuro3,2-
c
quinolines
2a-e
from quinolone-based chalcones
1a-e
via
bromination of the exocyclic double bond followed by furan ring formation was developed. ...Interestingly, during bromination the tautomerization of the quinolin-4(1
H
)-one ring of compounds
1a-e
into the corresponding 4-hydroxyquinoline occurred followed by cyclization to give in a one-pot transformation, upon
in situ
oxidation, the 2-aroylfuro3,2-
c
quinolines
2a-e
. In the bromination of the quinolone-based chalcone
1e
, bearing a hydroxy group at the
ortho
-position of the aryl ring, two compounds were obtained; the major one was the expected 2-aroylfuro3,2-
c
quinoline
2e
dibrominated in the aryl ring, due to the activating effect of the hydroxy group, and the minor was identified as 12
a
-bromo-6
b
,12
a
-dihydro-12
H
-chromeno2′,3′:4,5furo3,2-
c
quinolin-12-one
3
. Two possible mechanistic pathways were proposed to explain the formation of compound
3
. The structures of all new compounds were confirmed by
1
H and
13
C NMR, ESI and HRMS spectra. Compounds
2a-e
and
3
showed no significant scavenging activity towards the free radicals ABTS
+
&z.rad; and NO&z.rad;, but compounds
2a
and
2c
showed promising activity as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (IC
50
= 78.99 ± 2.75 μM and 27.52 ± 0.23 μM, respectively).
A series of 2-aroylfuro3,2-
c
quinolines
2a-e
was synthetized from quinolone-based chalcones
1a-e
. When R =
ortho
-OH, an unexpected compound
3
was also obtained. Compounds,
2a
and
2c
, showed significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme.
The applicability of Washburn capillary rise (WCR) method on cork powders wettability was investigated. An adapted sample preparation method was also developed to guarantee measurements accuracy and ...reproducibility. The processing of cork powders by 3D Printing (3DP) presents a clear challenge related to cork wettability. The common liquid binders used in 3DP printers are composed mainly by water (95% w/w).
Two sets of cork powders with different particle size distributions (PSD) were prepared and studied, namely Full Range powder with a wider distribution (20–100 μm) and Coarse powder with a narrow distribution (63–80 μm). Among the studied wetting liquids, hexane revealed to be the wetting liquid with higher ability to completely wet cork powders in a short period of time (14–18 s). Coarse powder exhibited higher packing ability based on the calculated parameter C values. Contact angles between a commercial binder and Full Range and Coarse powders were estimated as 86.1 ± 2.1° and 87.3 ± 1.5°, respectively. The obtained results showed that WCR method can successfully describe the wettability behaviour of cork powders.
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•Cork powders wettability was successfully evaluated by the WCR method.•Hexane completely wetted cork powders in a short period of time (14–18 s).•Powders with narrow PSD exhibited a higher packing ability.•Estimated contact angle values between cork and binder were found to be 86.1–87.3°.
Superoxide, a naturally produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the human body, is involved in many pathological and physiological signaling processes. However, if superoxide formation is left ...unregulated, overproduction can lead to oxidative damage to important biomolecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Superoxide can also lead to the formation of peroxynitrite, an extremely hazardous substance, through its reaction with endogenously produced nitric oxide. Despite its importance, quantitative information regarding superoxide production is difficult to obtain due to its high reactivity and low concentrations in vivo. MitoHE, a fluorescent probe that specifically reacts with superoxide, was used in conjunction with microchip electrophoresis (ME) and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to investigate changes in superoxide production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells following stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Stimulation was performed in the presence and absence of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitors, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and 2-metoxyestradiol (2-ME). The addition of these inhibitors resulted in an increase in the amount of superoxide specific product (2-OH-MitoE⁺) from 0.08 ± 0.01 fmol (0.17 ± 0.03 mM) in native cells to 1.26 ± 0.06 fmol (2.5 ± 0.1 mM) after PMA treatment. This corresponds to an approximately 15-fold increase in intracellular concentration per cell. Furthermore, the addition of 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) to the cells during incubation resulted in the production of 0.061 ± 0.006 fmol (0.12 ± 0.01 mM) of 2-OH-MitoE⁺ per cell on average. These results demonstrate that indirect superoxide detection coupled with the use of SOD inhibitors and a separation method is a viable method to discriminate the 2-OH-MitoE⁺ signal from possible interferences.
Infections are one of the main reasons for removal of implants from patients, and usually need difficult and expensive treatments. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most ...frequently detected pathogens. We reviewed the epidemiology and pathogenesis of implant-related infections. Relevant studies were identified by electronic searching of the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Academic Google, and CAPES Journal Portal. This review reports epidemiological studies of implant infections caused by S. aureus and S. epidermidis. We discuss some methodologies used in the search for new compounds with antibiofilm activity and the main strategies for biomaterial surface modifications to avoid bacterial plaque formation and consequent infection. S. aureus and S. epidermidis are frequently involved in infections in catheters and orthopaedic/breast implants. Different methodologies have been used to test the potential antibiofilm properties of compounds; for example, crystal violet dye is widely used for in-vitro biofilm quantification due to its low cost and good reproducibility. Changes in the surface biomaterials are necessary to prevent biofilm formation. Some studies have investigated the immobilization of antibiotics on the surfaces of materials used in implants. Other approaches have been used as a way to avoid the spread of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, such as the functionalization of these surfaces with silver and natural compounds, as well as the electrical treatment of these substrates.
Background
Environmental fluoride exposure at elevated levels is potentially linked to kidney injury, and may contribute to chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) as a risk factor. ...However, this link remains unclear, and examining the risk of kidney damage from early life fluoride exposure may provide important insights. Hence, this study aimed to investigate associations of fluoride exposure with pediatric kidney health in CKDu impacted and unimpacted communities in Sri Lanka.
Methods
Considering the geographical variations in environmental fluoride, climate, and prevalence of CKDu, four study groups were established within selected education zones in CKDu-endemic dry zone regions (D-En), and CKDu-nonendemic regions within the dry (D-NE), wet (W-NE), and intermediate (I-NE) climatic zones. The study population included 922 school students (11–18 years of age). Participants in each group were divided into four subgroups based on quartiles of respective urinary fluoride (UF) distribution for comparison of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR).
Results
UF levels in participants particularly in CKDu endemic dry zone regions were significantly high compared to the other regions. Significantly high median urinary NGAL (in D-NE) and ACR (in D-EN, and W-NE) levels were observed in subgroups of higher UF quartiles. Albuminuria was not particularly identified in subjects with high UF excretion. Urinary KIM-1 showed no significant variation across the UF quartile subgroups. Linear regression identified weak associations of UF with kidney injury biomarkers.
Conclusions
Fluoride exposure is particularly high in CKDu-endemic dry zone communities. As implied by kidney injury biomarkers, a strong link between fluoride exposure and pediatric kidney health was not evident at the observed exposure levels in the study regions.
Graphical abstract
A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as
Supplementary information
Cereal grains are the dominant source of cadmium in the human diet, with rice being to the fore. Here we explore the effect of geographic, genetic, and processing (milling) factors on rice grain ...cadmium and rice consumption rates that lead to dietary variance in cadmium intake. From a survey of 12 countries on four continents, cadmium levels in rice grain were the highest in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with both these countries also having high per capita rice intakes. For Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, there was high weekly intake of cadmium from rice, leading to intakes deemed unsafe by international and national regulators. While genetic variance, and to a lesser extent milling, provide strategies for reducing cadmium in rice, caution has to be used, as there is environmental regulation as well as genetic regulation of cadmium accumulation within rice grains. For countries that import rice, grain cadmium can be controlled by where that rice is sourced, but for countries with subsistence rice economies that have high levels of cadmium in rice grain, agronomic and breeding strategies are required to lower grain cadmium.
Stroke leads to significant impairment in upper limb (UL) function. The goal of rehabilitation is the reestablishment of pre-stroke motor stroke skills by stimulating neuroplasticity. Among several ...rehabilitation approaches, functional electrical stimulation (FES) is highlighted in stroke rehabilitation guidelines as a supplementary therapy alongside the standard care modalities. The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive review regarding the usability of FES in post-stroke UL rehabilitation. Specifically, the factors related to UL rehabilitation that should be considered in FES usability, as well a critical review of the outcomes used to assess FES usability, are presented. This review reinforces the FES as a promising tool to induce neuroplastic modifications in post-stroke rehabilitation by enabling the possibility of delivering intensive periods of treatment with comparatively less demand on human resources. However, the lack of studies evaluating FES usability through motor control outcomes, specifically movement quality indicators, combined with user satisfaction limits the definition of FES optimal therapeutical window for different UL functional tasks. FES systems capable of integrating postural control muscles involving other anatomic regions, such as the trunk, during reaching tasks are required to improve UL function in post-stroke patients.
Background
Extremes of unhealthy body weight, particularly obesity, are known to increase the risk of chronic kidney diseases. However, the current knowledge of kidney health outcomes associated with ...unhealthy body weight remains incomprehensive, especially in pediatrics. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate body mass index (BMI) and its potential associations with kidney health in a selected subset of school students in Sri Lanka.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of both sexes in the range of 11–18 years of age (
N
= 1078) in education zones with no reported cases of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology. Based on sex- and age-specific BMI percentiles (LMS method), the participants were classified into five BMI groups (severely thin, thin, healthy, overweight, and obese) for measurement of urinary biomarkers of kidney injury: kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR).
Results
The median urinary levels of NGAL, ACR, and particularly KIM-1, which is a more sensitive indicator of kidney injury, showed no significant differences across the BMI strata. Importantly, moderate correlations of BMI with KIM-1 and NGAL were identified in severely thin girls.
Conclusions
According to the present study, these findings do not produce plausibly strong evidence to establish a potential association of BMI with altered kidney function in the studied pediatric communities. Particularly, a likelihood of abnormal kidney health outcomes associated with undernutrition is apparent in severely thin girls. However, in-depth studies are warranted to develop a comprehensive understanding of the associations of nutritional status with pediatric kidney health in Sri Lanka.
Graphical Abstract
A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as
Supplementary information
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