7-day Period Research Articles

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Azelastine Hydrochloride in Children with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 40% of the pediatric population. The US practice parameter recommends the use of intranasal antihistamines (INAH) or INCS as first-line therapy for the treatment of AR. Although not directly targeted to children, the recent US practice parameters proposed INAH as first-line therapy whereas the ARIA guidelines did not. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study with a duration of 28 days. It compared azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) 0.10% and 0.15% to placebo of one spray per nostril twice daily in pediatric subjects with moderate-to-severe symptomatic perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Results: A total of 486 subjects were included in the study. The change from baseline rTNSS was statistically significant for 0.15% AZE (p = 0.005) and 0.10% AZE (p = 0.015) versus placebo. Here, 0.15% AZE showed an LS mean change of −3.45 (20.2%) over the 28-day treatment period from a baseline value of 16.60 in rTNSS, and 0.10% AZE showed an LS mean change of −3.37 (20.5%) over the 28-day treatment period from a baseline value of 16.35 in rTNSS. Somnolence was reported by 1 patient in the 0.1% group and 1 placebo patient (both of mild severity and unlikely to be related to treatment). None of the patients reported fatigue. Conclusions: Here, 0.15% AZE significantly improved the overall rTNSS compared with placebo over the 28-day study period. A 0.15% AZE was well tolerated in this study. Key Messages: It is essential to perform studies in school children (6–11 years). However, for INAH, few studies exist in SAR, and, to our knowledge, there are no studies in PAR. This study shows for the first time that the higher dose of AZE is safe and effective in school children with PAR.

Evaluation of Selected Folk Herbs on the Fertility of Sprague Dawley Male Rats: Biochemical, Histological, and Molecular Investigations.

Scientists have shown great interest in traditional plant extracts, particularly Lepidium sativum (LS), Origanum majorana (OM), Ferula hermonis (FH), and Eruca sativa (ES), which are frequ ently used to improve health. Recently, attention has been directed toward their influence on spermatogenesis and male fertility. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore their impact on male rats' fertility. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined, along with the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds. Oral administration of aqueous extracts was performed individually or as a mixture (MIX) at a dose of 100 mg/kg in 28 male Sprague Dawley rats over a 60-day period. Organ weight, sex hormone concentrations, sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers, histological and morphometric analysis, and protein expression levels were investigated. OM and MIX showed the highest TPC and antioxidant activities, and MIX possessed the highest polyphenolic constituents. Elevated serum testosterone, epididymal sperm concentration, testes glutathione levels, and histomorphometric parameters were manifested in all groups, especially in MIX. MIX group also displayed elevated levels of vimentin, protein kinase B, and mTOR expression in the testes, complemented by declined expression of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN). In conclusion, these findings propose that these extracts, especially MIX followed by OM, enhance fertility by stimulating spermatogenesis.

Application of a Multi-Component Composite Edible Coating for the Preservation of Strawberry Fruit

The rapid perishability of strawberries due to factors such as fungal decay, mechanical damage, and respiration significantly limits their shelf life. In this study, a novel multi-component edible coating composed of bacterial cellulose, chitosan, and gellan gum (BChG) was developed to enhance the postharvest quality and extend the shelf life of strawberries. The coated fruits were evaluated over a 15-day storage period for key parameters such as weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), enzymatic activity, color retention, antioxidant activity, and microbiological analysis. The results demonstrated that coated strawberries exhibited significantly lower weight loss, reduced cellulase activity, and higher retention of TSS and TA compared to uncoated controls. The evaluation of microbial quality indicated that coatings, particularly those with higher concentrations of chitosan, control the growth of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) and molds and yeasts (MY), due to the antimicrobial properties of chitosan. This contributed to extending the shelf life of the fruit by preventing spoilage and reducing the risk of toxic compound formation. Additionally, the BChG coatings also preserved the characteristic red color of the fruit and maintained higher antioxidant activity, with BChG-4 being the most effective formulation. The inclusion of chitosan in the coatings was found to play a crucial role in reducing respiration, delaying ripening, and enhancing the fruit’s resistance to oxidative damage. Overall, multi-component coatings, particularly those with higher chitosan concentrations, offer a promising method for extending the shelf life of strawberries, reducing postharvest losses, and preserving fruit quality under ambient storage conditions.

Effect of Malvaviscus arboreus Flower and Leaf Extract on the Functional, Antioxidant, Rheological, Textural, and Sensory Properties of Goat Yogurt.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating different concentrations (1% and 2%) of Malvaviscus arboreus flower (FE) and leaf (LE) extracts as functional ingredients in goat milk yogurt. This study analyzed the impact of these formulations (YFE1%, YFE2%, YLE1%, and YLE2%) on the physicochemical, bioactive, antioxidant, rheological, textural, and sensory properties of goat yogurt over a 28-day storage period. Including FE and LE extracts significantly enhanced the yogurt's antioxidant activity, reaching up to 10.17 µmol TEAC/g, and strengthened its ability to inhibit lipid oxidation during storage. This study also observed a reduction in the viability of lactic acid bacteria, particularly L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, suggesting that the extracts may have antimicrobial properties. Notably, using FE, especially at a concentration of 2% (YFE2%), improved both antioxidant and textural properties while reducing syneresis by the end of the storage period. Sensory evaluations showed positive results for YFE1% and YFE2% formulations. These findings suggest that FE has significant potential as a functional food ingredient. This research lays the groundwork for future studies exploring the integration of Malvaviscus arboreus-based ingredients into functional food products, opening new possibilities for innovation in this field.

A microcycle of high-intensity short-interval sessions induces improvements in indicators of endurance performance compared to regular training.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a microcycle of high-intensity interval training (HIT) sessions with multiple short work intervals followed by an active recovery period, compared to a similar duration of regular training, on determinants and indicators of endurance performance in well-trained cyclists. The participants in the BLOCK group performed a 6-day HIT microcycle including five HIT sessions (5×8.75-min 30/15s short intervals) followed by a 6-day active recovery period with reduced training load, while the regular training group (REG) performed 12days of their regular training, including four HIT sessions. Physiological testing was performed before and after the training periods. From pre- to post- intervention, BLOCK demonstrated significantly larger improvements than REG in mean power output (PO) during the last min of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) test (POVO2max) (3.7 vs. 0.7%, p=0.009, and effect size (ES)=1.00) and mean PO during the 10-s sprint (2.8 vs. 1.9%, p=0.028, and ES=0.63). No significant differences between BLOCK and REG were observed for VO2max, PO at 4mmol·L-1 [blood lactate] (PO4mmol), 15-min maximal mean power output (PO15-min), and gross efficiency (p=0.156-0.919). However, there was a tendency for larger improvements in the performance index (calculated from the main performance indicators POVO2max, PO4mmol, and PO15-min) in BLOCK compared to REG (2.9% vs. 1.2%, p=0.079, and ES=0.71). A 6-day high-intensity short-interval microcycle followed by a 6-day active recovery period induces improvements in endurance performance indicators compared to regular training, demonstrating its potential as an efficient strategy for endurance training in well-trained cyclists.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Bioavailability, and Immunogenicity of Obexelimab Following Subcutaneous Administration in Healthy Japanese and Non-Japanese Volunteers.

Obexelimab is an investigational, bifunctional, non-depleting, humanized monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and FcγRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and CD19-expressing plasma cells. In clinical trials, intravenous (IV) administration of obexelimab has been well-tolerated, and demonstrated clinical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and immunoglobulin G4-related disease. This study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and immunogenicity of obexelimab following subcutaneous (SC) administration, and compare PK/PD profiles between healthy Japanese and non-Japanese volunteers. This was a Phase I, open-label, parallel group, multiple-dose study. Participants were randomized to five cohorts to receive three doses of obexelimab as 125mg SC every 14days (q14d), 250mg SC q14d, 375mg SC q14d, 250mg IV q14d, and 125mg SC every 7days, then monitored during a 28-day safety follow-up period. PK/PD assessments were performed after the first and third doses. A total of 50 healthy volunteers (25 Japanese and 25 non-Japanese) were enrolled and distributed evenly between dose cohorts. All SC dosing regimens were well-tolerated. Dose-proportional PK was observed following SC doses with a bioavailability of approximately 60%. No clinically meaningful differences in PK parameters were found between healthy Japanese and non-Japanese participants. Antidrug antibodies (ADA) were detected in 6/50 (12%) participants after dosing. ADA had no or minimal impact on PK in all six ADA positive participants. Near-complete CD19 receptor occupancy and an absolute B-cell count nadir of approximately 50% baseline levels were maintained for the duration of the study in both populations. Obexelimab SC administration demonstrated favorable bioavailability, was well-tolerated, and showed no clinically meaningful ethnic differences in PK/PD. These results support further clinical development of SC obexelimab to treat B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases. NCT02867098.

Enhancing Motivation to Reduce Restrictive Eating: A Novel Approach.

Despite growing interest in leveraging motivational techniques to address restrictive eating, it is not yet clear how to most effectively promote motivation to reduce this behavior. Drawing from a behavioral economic framework, the present study evaluates a novel approach for increasing motivation to address disordered eating by amplifying the potential benefits of reducing dietary restriction and the consequences of maintaining disordered behaviors. A sample of 126 undergraduate students engaging in restrictive eating participated in a 7-day online experiment. Participants were randomized to one of four conditions: Amplified Benefits and Consequences, Amplified Benefits, Amplified Consequences, or a control condition. Growth curve models were estimated to examine the extent to which experimental conditions led to changes in eating pathology and motivation over the study period. Initial reductions in dietary restraint were observed in conditions where the benefits of reducing restriction wereamplified;however, these reductions were not sustained over the 7-day study period. The greatest increases in motivationwereobserved when both the benefits of reducing restriction and the consequences of maintenance were amplified. Interventions designed to enhance motivation alone are unlikely to yield sustained reductions in eating disorder symptoms and therefore should be accompanied or followed by targeted interventions which directly address restrictive eating behaviors and maladaptive cognitions about shape and weight.

Recalling what we thought we knew about recall periods: a qualitative descriptive study of how adults diagnosed with cancer use recall periods for patient-reported outcome items about physical function.

In cancer studies, assessment of patients' physical function can provide insight into cancer-related symptoms and the side effects of treatment. Physical function can be assessed using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which may or may not include a recall period-the amount of time the questionnaire asks the respondent to think back to answer the questions. More understanding is needed about how patients interpret and respond to items posed with different recall periods, and which recall period they actually use. We conducted a qualitative study with 72 adults diagnosed with cancer to describe response processes when answering PROM items about physical function. When describing their physical function during concept elicitation interviews, most participants recalled their functioning over 1month or more. When presented with PROM items with no recall period, the most used period was more than 4weeks. When presented with a 7-day recall, the most used period was 7days. However, almost 30% of responses used recall periods greater than 1week. Including a 7-day recall period improves recall consistency for patients when answering physical function PROM items, but there is still room for improvement. The inaccuracy of recall for PROMs in clinical trials influences the ability to calculate the change in treatment outcomes over time and may conceal or emphasize actual treatment effects.

The effect of feeding order of forage and oats on metabolic and digestive responses related to gastric emptying in horses.

Feeding order of forage and concentrate might affect gastric emptying and subsequently digestion in horses. The objective of this study was to measure gastric emptying in combination with metabolic and digestive responses in the plasma and caecum, respectively, when changing the feeding order of oats (O) and hay (H) (oats first then hay: O-H vs. hay first then oats: H-O). Four caecum cannulated horses were used in a 2×2 crossover design, with two 12-day periods consisting of 10 d of diet adaptation and two days of data collection. Hay was fed at 0600, 1400 and 2000h, while oats were fed in the morning either 15min before or 1h after feeding hay. On days of data collection, baseline samples were collected before feeding 1.4kg DM hay and 474g DM oats (0.4g starch/kg BW), and data was collected until 8h after feeding. Gastric emptying of oats was estimated using the 13C acetic acid breath test, where breath samples were analysed for 12C:13C ratio after administration of 13C acetic acid mixed with oats. Gastric emptying coefficient (GEC), time where half of the total cumulative recovery of 13C was excreted (t1/2), and time where the maximal amount of 13C was excreted (Tmax) were calculated. Samples of blood and caecal fluid were collected at hourly intervals. Blood plasma was analysed for glucose and insulin and baseline concentrations, peak concentrations, time of peaks and area under the curves (AUC) were calculated. A pH probe was placed in the caecum measuring pH every min to find minimum pH and time to reach minimum pH. Hourly caecal samples were analysed for pH and short-chained fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations. Results from the 13C acetic acid breath test indicated that feeding order affected gastric emptying, as Tmax was longer (P = 0.004) when feeding H-O (2.18h) than O-H (1.09h), but there was no effect on the GEC and T1/2. No effect of feeding order was found for plasma glucose and insulin measures. Feeding order had no effect on minimum pH, but time to reach minimum pH increased (P = 0.014) from 170min for O-H to 280min for H-O, and average pH was lower in the intervals 0 to 170min (P = 0.006) and 170 to 280min (P = 0.006) for O-H than H-O. In general, time of sampling had a larger effect on SCFA concentrations than feeding order. In conclusion, this study indicates that feeding order affected gastric emptying, and the digestive and metabolic responses were more clearly reflected in caecum pH than plasma glucose and insulin.

Behavior of PGS/apatite foam scaffolds during incubation in SBF, PBS, Ringer's solution, artificial saliva, and distilled water.

Poly(glycerol sebacate) is a polymeric material with potential biomedical application in the field of tissue engineering. In order to act as a biodegradable scaffold, its incubation study is vital to simulate its behavior. This study explores the degradation of porous poly(glycerol sebacate)/hydroxyapatite scaffolds subjected to incubation in various physiological solutions. The research involved monitoring pH and conductivity values over a 14-day period, as well as analyzing the swelling capacity and mass alterations of the scaffolds. In simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the pH levels remained relatively stable, whereas Ringer's solution caused a pH decrease. Conversely, artificial saliva demonstrated an increase in pH, and distilled water caused a slight decrease. The conductivity values remained stable in SBF and Ringer's solution, slightly decreased in PBS, increased in artificial saliva, and significantly increased in distilled water. The swelling capacity of the scaffolds varied depending on the solution used, with the lowest equilibrium swelling observed in SBF and PBS. The effect of the presence of ceramics on this parameter was also observed. The mass changes of the scaffolds indicated deposition of particles or salts from the incubation solutions, and subsequent rinsing in distilled water led to a decrease in mass. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and elemental analysis confirmed the presence of crystallized salts on the scaffold surfaces after incubation in SBF. Surface roughness measurements revealed changes in roughness depending on the solution, with deposition of additional layers in SBF and degradation in artificial saliva. In summary, the scaffolds exhibited biodegradation in physiological solutions, with variations in pH, conductivity, swelling capacity, mass changes, and surface morphology depending on the specific solution and scaffold composition.

Antibiotic Choice and Outcomes for Respiratory Infections in Children With Tracheostomies.

Respiratory infections are a major cause of hospitalization in children with tracheostomies, contributing significantly to hospital expenses. Limited data exist to describe optimal diagnostic strategies or management recommendations for these infections. This study aimed to explore factors associated with antibiotic therapy, including usage, administration route, duration, variables influencing the decision to prescribe antibiotics, and outcomes in children with tracheostomies experiencing episodes of respiratory infection other than pneumonia (tracheobronchitis and nonspecific respiratory episodes [NSRE]). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the medical records of 83 children who underwent tracheostomy and received treatment at a tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2021. A total of 164 episodes of tracheobronchitis and 98 episodes of NSRE were analyzed. Children with tracheobronchitis were more frequently treated with antibiotics: 75% in nonhospitalized cases and 76% in hospitalized cases. In NSRE, antibiotic prescription dropped to 40% and 29%, respectively. Out of 51 tracheobronchitis and 15 NSRE initially treated with oral antibiotics, a switch to intravenous administration was deemed necessary in only 7 tracheobronchitis cases (14%). Fever was significantly associated with antibiotic prescription in tracheobronchitis and NSRE, regardless of hospitalization status. Two children died within the 28-day period following the onset of tracheobronchitis symptoms. Many cases identified as tracheobronchitis, along with a greater number of NSRE cases, resolved without requiring antibiotics. Although fever was associated with increased antibiotic prescription, it does not necessarily indicate severity. Therefore, careful consideration should be given before prescribing antibiotics, especially in febrile cases, to avoid unnecessary treatments.

Nutraceutical Effects of Snot Apple Powder on Triiodothyronine, Oxidative Stress Markers, Haematology and Growth of Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the effects of incorporating snot apple powder with or without probiotics on performance, hematological indices, serum protein profile, oxidative markers, and triiodothyronine levels in chickens. The treatments included a control (0% snot apple powder) and varying levels of snot apple powder (1%, 2%, and 3%), all supplemented with probiotics at a rate of 0.5%. Over a 42-day trial period, parameters such as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, and blood samples for hematological and serum analyses were collected. Growth indices revealed significant variations (p

Gelatin-reduced graphene oxide-azithromycin biocomposite coating on baghdadite scaffolds

A critical bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategy is fabricating porous scaffolds using simple and straightforward techniques. However, all porous structures share a common drawback, reduced strength due to porosity. Furthermore, bone scaffolds are vulnerable to bacterial infections when implanted, especially in compromised bone conditions. In this study, baghdadite (BAGH) scaffolds were developed and coated with gelatin (Gel)-reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-azithromycin (AZM) with suitable porosity (75–80%) and pore size (600–800 μm) using the space holder method, combined with a dip coating process in a low vacuum condition. The outcomes revealed that incorporating the Gel-RGO layer increased the compressive strength from 0.8 to 2.9 MPa for the Gel-RGO-AZM scaffolds. The scaffolds coated with Gel-RGO-AZM demonstrated improved bioactivity compared to their uncoated counterparts, showcasing the ability to generate hydroxyapatite (HA)-like crystals after a 28-day soaking period in simulated body fluid (SBF). In vitro studies validated the antimicrobial effectiveness of co-released RGO and AZM from Gel-RGO-AZM coated scaffolds against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. Moreover, the coated scaffolds exhibited significantly improved cellular responses. In conclusion, the research results show that the developed BAGH scaffolds coated with Gel-RGO-AZM are promising materials for BTE, offering enhanced compressive strength, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance.

Fungal Phytase Increased Ileal and Total Tract Digestibility of Phosphorus of Cold-Pressed Canola Cake and Canola Meal Diets in Growing Pigs.

The co-product canola meal contains little fat and has been used in swine production as a protein source for several decades. More recently, locally produced canola cake has also become available that contains important quantities of residual oil. Both canola co-products contain a considerable quantity of phosphorus (P) with low availability. Phytase supplementation can increase P digestibility in canola meal but its efficacy remains unclear for canola cake containing high residual oil. To explore whether phytase supplementation can increase digestibility of P and other nutrients in canola cake, four diets containing 500 g of locally produced cold-pressed canola cake or canola meal, with or without supplemental phytase (Ronozyme HiPhos; Aspergillus oryzae origin)/kg, were fed to seven pigs (initial body weight; 55.9 ± 3.8 kg) in four 9-day periods following a 4 × 4 Latin square plus a 4 × 3 Youden square. Phytase supplementation increased phytase activity from below the detection limit to reach a minimum of 1000 phytase units/kg in the canola meal and cake diets; respectively. Phytase supplementation increased (p < 0.05) coefficients of ileal and total tract digestibility of P by 60% and 46% for canola meal and 76% and 57% for canola cake, respectively, but did not affect the digestibility of crude protein or gross energy. Ileal or total tract digestibility of P did not differ between the canola cake and canola meal diets in growing-finishing pigs. In conclusion, fungal phytase is effective in increasing the P digestibility of canola cake similar to in canola meal fed to growing-finishing pigs. The similar ileal or total tract digestibility of P in canola meal and cake diets either with or without phytase supplementation indicated that the residual oil in canola cake did not affect P digestion and did not affect the efficacy of phytase in increasing P digestibility.

An autonomous microbial sensor enables long-term detection of TNT explosive in natural soil

Microbes can be engineered to sense target chemicals for environmental and geospatial detection. However, when engineered microbes operate in real-world environments, it remains unclear how competition with natural microbes affect their performance over long time periods. Here, we engineer sensors and memory-storing genetic circuits inside the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis to sense the TNT explosive and maintain a long-term response, using predictive models to design riboswitch sensors, tune transcription rates, and improve the genetic circuit’s dynamic range. We characterize the autonomous microbial sensor’s ability to detect TNT in a natural soil system, measuring single-cell and population-level behavior over a 28-day period. The autonomous microbial sensor activates its response by 14-fold when exposed to low TNT concentrations and maintains stable activation for over 21 days, exhibiting exponential decay dynamics at the population-level with a half-life of about 5 days. Overall, we show that autonomous microbial sensors can carry out long-term detection of an important chemical in natural soil with competitive growth dynamics serving as additional biocontainment.

Synergising tradition and innovation: Fortification of milk kefir with date syrup, a novel functional beverage

AbstractMilk kefir is gaining popularity due to its high probiotic content. This study focuses on fortifying milk kefir with date syrup to enhance its sensory attributes, with the goal of encouraging consumption among the younger generation. Date syrup was added to milk kefir in specific proportions (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% per 100 mL of milk). The selection of the most suitable percentage (10%, 74 °Bx) was determined based on sensory preferences indicated by the panellists. The newly developed fermented beverage underwent physicochemical and biochemical analyses over a 14-day fermentation period. Results revealed that the addition of date syrup led to a significant (P ≤ 0.001) decrease in pH and total soluble solids (TSS) content, accompanied by a noteworthy increase in total phenolic, flavonoids, condensed tannins contents and antioxidant activity (almost 2-fold). Liquid chromatography - heated electrospray ionisation - mass spectrometry (LC-HESI-MS/MS) results identified the presence of a newly formed and important antifungal compound, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPLA), showing a progressive increase in quantity during the fermentation process (13.8-fold on the 14th day of fermentation). Hence, the outcomes of this study offer compelling evidence that a novel category of functional beverage can be developed by employing milk kefir as an appropriate starter with the incorporation of date syrup.

Shelf Life and Organoleptic Attributes of Multifruit Smoothies Treated by Combined Mild Preservation Technologies

The application of high hydrostatic pressure and mild heat treatment represents preservation processes for extending the shelf life of food products without compromising their quality. The combination of these physical methods at lower applied levels represents a promising approach to preserving the quality of treated products. This study aims to investigate the impact of combined treatments on the quality and storage stability of strawberry, banana, almond milk and avocado smoothies. The total colony count, electronic nose and tongue signals, colour, viscosity and sensory properties were examined over a 14-day storage period at 6 °C. The combined treatments were found to be effective in reducing the total colony count. During the sensory analysis, the impact of storage was the most prominent factor. Both the treatments and storage conditions significantly affected the colour characteristics of the samples. The smoothie samples exhibited pseudoplastic flow behaviour. Both applied treatments resulted in enhanced texture stability of the samples during the storage period. The electronic tongue and nose could differentiate between groups of fresh and stored samples, as well as between control and treated samples.

Real-Time Visualization of the Gastrointestinal Tract during Nasogastric Tube Placement: Pilot study of a New Video-Assisted System

Background and aims: Nasogastric tubes are commonly inserted blindly, leading to complications. Existing NG tube placement assisting systems faced safety and cost-effectiveness issues. This study aims to evaluate a new assisting system using a camera probe inserted into the nasogastric tube to provide real-time visualization. Patients and methods: Thirty patients requiring nasogastric tube placement were prospectively included. The primary objective was to determine the success rate of nasogastric tube placement, while the secondary objectives included the assessment of the usability and safety of this system. Results: Our findings revealed a high success rate of 96.7%. The median time to complete nasogastric tube placement was 3.8 min. No serious complications were observed during the 7-day follow-up period. Operator’s feedback indicated this system helps facilitate nasogastric tube placement, identify the gastric mucosa and safety landmark, and ease of camera wire removal. However, image visibility received a slightly lower score due to gastrointestinal secretions entering the nasogastric tube through the side hole. To address this, air insufflation was used to enhance visibility in 13 patients. Conclusions: This video-assisted system provides real-time visualization of the gastrointestinal tract during tube insertion and has been shown to enhance the safety and effectiveness of nasogastric tube placement.

Synergistic Effects of Multifunctional Ingredients in Self-Preserving Body Care Cosmeceuticals

The evolution of body care cosmetics has been driven by the pursuit of visible benefits that enhance skin health and beauty. Today, body care products include moisturizers, sunscreens, skin brighteners, and chemical peels. Microbiological protection is crucial to preventing contamination that can compromise product quality, harm the skin, and pose health risks by introducing pathogens. To address these concerns, preservatives are commonly added to safeguard cosmetics during production, use, and storage.However, escalating concerns regarding the safety of chemical preservatives in cosmetics have spurred a growing demand for self-preserving or preservative-free alternatives. Consequently, research has shifted toward exploring multifunctional ingredients with inherent antimicrobial properties as viable substitutes for traditional preservatives.This article presents the development of self-preserving body care cosmeceutical products using multifunctional ingredients alongside other cosmetic components. Through systematic investigation, ternary mixtures of multifunctional actives exhibiting synergistic interactions were identified. The efficacy of these formulations in providing microbiologically safe, self-preserving products equivalent to those preserved with approved preservatives was validated. Specifically, formulations containing sodium coco PG-dimonium chloride, ricinoleic acid, and sorbitan caprylate at specific ratios (1:6.3:10, 1:6.3:12.5, and 1:6.3:37.5) demonstrated notable synergistic effects.Body wash gel, lotion, and cream formulations incorporating these synergistic compositions were prepared and compared against conventional preservative and non-preserved formulations. Preservation efficacy testing conducted over a 28-day period confirmed the effectiveness of the antimicrobial blends.Overall, this research highlights the feasibility and efficacy of formulating self-preserving body care cosmeceuticals using multifunctional ingredients, addressing the growing consumer demand for safer and more sustainable cosmetic solutions.

Effects of benzoic acid in pig diets on nitrogen utilization, urinary pH, slurry pH, and odorous compounds.

The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary benzoic acid (BA) on nitrogen (N) balance, urinary pH, slurry pH, and odorous compounds in feces and slurry of pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 56.2±2.6 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates. The animals were allocated to a replicated 6×4 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 6 experimental diets, and 4 periods, resulting in 8 observations per treatment. The basal diet consisted mainly of corn, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal. Benzoic acid was supplemented to the basal diet at 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, or 2.5% at the expense of corn starch. Each period consisted of a 4-day adaptation period and a 24-h collection period for slurry, followed by a 4-day collection period for feces and urine. On day 5, feces and urine were collected for 24 h and mixed to obtain slurry samples. The daily digested N linearly increased (p<0.05) with increasing BA supplementation. Supplemental BA lowered urinary pH (p<0.001) and slurry pH (p<0.05) in a linear and quadratic manner. In the fecal samples, the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and skatole linearly decreased (p<0.05) with supplemental BA. In the slurry samples, the concentrations of butyrate, isovalerate, and skatole linearly decreased (p<0.05) by supplemental BA. In conclusion, supplemental benzoic acid has the potential to improve nitrogen digestion in a dose-dependent manner for pigs. Additionally, dietary benzoic acid lowers urinary pH, slurry pH, and concentrations of odorous compounds in pig feces and slurry.