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Objective: The 13 C-urea breath test (UBT) is the most widely used non-invasive diagnostic test for Helicobacter pylori. Debate continues to surround the possible interference of antacid intake on its result. This study aims to confirm the non-interference of almagate in the determination of H. pylori by UBT., Patients and Methods: Observational, multicentre study in adult patients treated with almagate in whom a UBT (TAUKIT®) was indicated. When the UBT result was negative, use of almagate was stopped for 30 days and the UBT was repeated. When the result was positive, no further determinations were made. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who, having had a negative result in the first breath test, were positive in the second after having stopped taking almagate (UBT false negatives, possibly attributable to almagate)., Results: Of the 167 evaluable patients, 59% were female, average age was 49 and 97% had gastrointestinal symptoms. The result of the first UBT was negative in 71% of cases. Of these, in the second UBT test after stopping the almagate, the negative result was confirmed in 97.5%. Out of the total number of cases evaluated, the rate of false negatives was 1.8%., Conclusions: Taking almagate has minimal or no interference in the result of UBT for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. It can therefore be used in the weeks prior to a UBT., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The widespread use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in consumer products and the overwhelming uncertainties in their ecological and human health risks have raised concerns regarding their safety among industries and regulators. There has been an ongoing debate over the past few decades on ways to overcome the challenges in assessing and mitigating nano-related risks, which has reached a phase of general consensus that nanotechnology innovation should be accompanied by the application of the precautionary principle and best practice risk management, even if the risk assessment uncertainties are large. We propose a quantitative methodology for selecting the optimal risk control strategy based on information about human health and ecological risks, efficacy of risk mitigation measures, cost and other contextual factors. The risk control (RC) methodology was developed in the European FP7 research project SUN and successfully demonstrated in two case studies involving real industrial nano-enabled products (NEPs): nano-scale copper oxide (CuO) and basic copper carbonate (Cu 2 (OH) 2 CO 3 ) used as antimicrobial and antifungal coatings and impregnations for the preservation of treated wood, and two nanoscale pigments used for colouring plastic automotive parts (i.e. red organic pigment and carbon black). The application of RC for human health risks showed that although nano-related risks could easily be controlled in automotive plastics case study with modifications in production technology or specific type of engineering controls, nano-related risks due to sanding and sawing copper oxide painted wood were non-acceptable in the use lifecycle stage and would need the identification of a more effective risk control strategy., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In this work, we evaluate the tissue response and tolerance to a designed 3D porous scaffold composed of nanocrystalline carbonate-hydroxyapatite and agarose as a preliminary step in bone repair and regeneration. These scaffolds were subcutaneously implanted into rats, which were sacrificed at different times. CD4+, CD8+ and ED1+ cells were evaluated as measurements of inflammatory reaction and tolerance. We observed some inflammatory response early after subcutaneous implantation. The 3D interconnected porosity increased scaffold integration via the formation of granulation tissue and the generation of a fibrous capsule around the scaffold. The capsule is initially formed by collagen which progressively invades the scaffold, creating a network that supports the settlement of connective tissue and generating a compact structure. The timing of the appearance of CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations is in agreement with the resolved inflammatory response. The appearance of macrophage activity evidences a slow and gradual degradation activity. Degradation started with the agarose component of the scaffold, but the nano-apatite was kept intact for up to 30 days. Therefore, this apatite/agarose scaffold showed a high capacity for integration by a connective network that stabilizes the scaffold and results in slow nano-apatite degradation. The fundamental properties of the scaffold would provide mechanical support and facilitate bone mobilization, which is of great importance in the masticatory system or large bones.

Environmental pollution by alkaline salts, such as Na 2 CO 3 , is a permanent problem in agriculture. Here, we examined the putative role of jasmonic acid (JA) in improving Na 2 CO 3 -stress tolerance in maize seedlings. Pretreatment of maize seedlings with JA was found to significantly mitigate the toxic effects of excessive Na 2 CO 3 on photosynthesis- and plant growth-related parameters. The JA-induced improved tolerance could be attributed to decreased Na uptake and Na 2 CO 3 -induced oxidative damage by lowering the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. JA counteracted the salt-induced increase in proline and glutathione content, and significantly improved ascorbic acid content and redox status. The major antioxidant enzyme activities were largely stimulated by JA pretreatment in maize plants exposed to excessive alkaline salts. Additionally, increased activities of glyoxalases I and II were correlated with reduced levels of methylglyoxal in JA-pretreated alkaline-stressed maize plants. These results indicated that modifying the endogenous Na + and K + contents by JA pretreatment improved alkaline tolerance in maize plants by inhibiting Na uptake and regulating the antioxidant and glyoxalase systems, thereby demonstrating the important role of JA in mitigating heavy metal toxicity. Our findings may be useful in the development of alkali stress tolerant crops by genetic engineering of JA biosynthesis.

Phenotypic plasticity has the potential to allow organisms to respond rapidly to global environmental change, but the range and effectiveness of these responses are poorly understood across taxa and growth strategies. Colonial organisms might be particularly resilient to environmental stressors, as organizational modularity and successive asexual generations can allow for distinctively flexible responses in the aggregate form. We performed laboratory experiments to examine the effects of increasing dissolved carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) (i.e. ocean acidification) on the colonial bryozoan Celleporella cornuta sampled from two source populations within a coastal upwelling region of the northern California coast. Bryozoan colonies were remarkably plastic under these CO 2 treatments. Colonies raised under high CO 2 grew more quickly, investing less in reproduction and producing lighter skeletons when compared with genetically identical clones raised under current surface atmosphere CO 2 values. Bryozoans held under high CO 2 conditions also changed the Mg/Ca ratio of skeletal calcite and increased the expression of organic coverings in new growth, which may serve as protection against acidified water. We also observed strong differences between source populations in reproductive investment and organic covering reaction norms, consistent with adaptive responses to persistent spatial variation in local oceanographic conditions. Our results demonstrate that phenotypic plasticity and energetic trade-offs can mediate biological responses to global environmental change, and highlight the broad range of strategies available to colonial organisms., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Background: The present study tested whether replacement of the leavening agent ammonium carbonate by sodium hydrogen carbonate in combination with calcium cation and acidifying agent will synergically decrease acrylamide (AA) content in gingerbread., Results: The type of leavening agent and the presence of Ca 2+ and citric acid accounted for 33.6%, 13.2% and 53.2% of the explained variability of the AA content, respectively (P < 0.01). The AA content in gingerbread produced with (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 alone was 186.5 µg kg -1 . Irrespective of other tested additives, NaHCO 3 decreased (P < 0.05) AA content to 42% compared to (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 . Combination of NaHCO 3 + CaCl 2 + citric acid in dough reduced (P < 0.05) AA content below the limit of detection (25 µg kg -1 ). The AA content in gingerbread (y; µg kg -1 ) decreased with an increasing number of additives used (x) according to the equation y = 158.8 - 47.94x (r 2 = 0.42; P < 0.0001). A comprehensive sensory analysis did not indicate any significant deterioration (P > 0.05) in the organoleptic quality of gingerbread produced using calcium cation and citric acid., Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the combination of additives NaHCO 3 /Ca 2+ /citric acid synergically decreases AA content in gingerbread without compromising the sensory quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Objective: To describe the use of sodium carbonate and apomorphine in a historical cohort of dogs, compare the occurrence of emesis and report any adverse effects recorded., Methods: This historical, observational study included information from medical records of dogs that received an emetic agent. The occurrence of emesis with apomorphine or sodium carbonate was calculated and the association between emesis and agent was explored, with the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) reported. A non-inferiority analysis of the occurrence of emesis for sodium carbonate was performed against an equivalence range of ±7% of the estimated occurrence of emesis with apomorphine. Owners were emailed a short survey about their dog's health after their visit to the hospital for induced emesis., Results: Records for 787 dogs seen from January 2007 to December 2013 were included. For apomorphine, 382/392 dogs showed emesis (97%, 95% CI 95-100%). For sodium carbonate, 320/395 dogs showed emesis (81%, 95% CI 77-85%), which fell below the equivalence range for apomorphine (97 ± 7%, 90-100%) and was considered inferior. The odds ratio of emesis with apomorphine to sodium carbonate was 9.0 (95% CI 4.6-17.6). Of 18 responses to the survey, 5 reported abnormalities after emesis (3 with sodium carbonate, 2 with apomorphine)., Conclusion: The occurrence of emesis with sodium carbonate was high but inferior to apomorphine. However, the advantages of sodium carbonate, including less expense and ease of accession compared with apomorphine, make it a viable choice in emergency medicine., (© 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.)

The extrinsic sources for erosion-causing acids are primarily acidic beverages and foodstuffs. Effervescent tablets also contain organic acids (e.g. citric, tartaric, malic) in order to form carbon dioxide by contact with water – with the help of the carbonate salts of the tablets. To adequately inform patients about the possible erosive potential of effervescent tablets, this study was undertaken in order to investigate the erosive potential of effervescent tablets (ET), containing either a combination of vitamins and minerals or vitamins only, commercially available in Switzerland. One hundred and ninety-two bovine enamel samples were prepared and allocated to 16 groups (A–H and 1–8; n = 12/group). Samples were eroded (120 s/erosive cycle) in freshly prepared solutions (200 ml/12 samples) comprised of tap water and a supplement as follows: none (control groups, A and 1); vitamin+mineral ET: Qualite and Prix (B), Optisana (C), Well and Active (D), Actilife All in One (E), Berocca (F), Isostar (G) and Qualite and Prix Mg + Vit C (H); vitamin ET: Actilife-Multivitamin (2), Sunlife Vitamin C (3), Optisana Vitamin C (4), Optisana Multivitamin (5), Well and Active Multivitamin (6), Kneipp Vitamin C+Zink (7) and Sunlife Multivitamin (8). Enamel loss was measured using profilometry after 10 and 20 erosive cycles. For the vitamin+mineral ET, no loss was observed in groups B–E. Significantly highest enamel loss (mean ± SD) after 20 cycles was observed for Isostar (5.26 ± 0.76 µm) and Qualite and Prix Mg + Vit C (5.12 ± 0.67 µm). All vitamine ET showed erosive enamel loss. Significantly highest loss was observed for Sunlife Multivitamin (8.45 ± 1.08 µm), while the lowest loss was observed for Actilife-Multivitamin (5.61 ± 1.08 µm) after 20 cycles. Some of the tested effervescent tablets showed a considerable erosive potential and patients should be informed accordingly.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a recurring problem in Australian rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss farms and requires strategically timed, repeat treatments for effective management. Sodium percarbonate (SPC) is permitted for use in Australia, with host safety margins based on the toxicity of acute exposures to hydrogen peroxide (HP), the active product released when SPC is added to water. The effects of exposure to HP released by SPC, of repeated doses and of doses exceeding 100 mg l-1 on rainbow trout are unknown. We exposed juvenile rainbow trout (mean weight: 30.5 ± 9 g) to repeated doses of 50, 150 and 250 mg l-1 SPC for 1 h on Days 1, 2, 7 and 8 of a treatment regime. The effect of SPC was assessed by histological evaluation of structural changes in gill tissue. Survival was 100% in all groups, but some fish exposed to 250 mg l-1 SPC displayed impaired swimming performance, and on Day 9 after the final treatment, oedema was present in 9.8% of lamella, which was significantly higher than the mean occurrence of 1.7, 4.2 and 1.3% in fish treated with 0, 50 and 150 mg l-1 SPC, respectively. These changes resolved within 24 h of the cessation of treatment. We conclude that SPC is safe to use on rainbow trout in doses of ≤150 mg l-1 at 17°C, however caution is advised at doses approaching 250 mg l-1. Water temperature, fish age, fish size and maturity, intensity of parasite infection and stocking density could alter the sensitivity of rainbow trout to SPC treatments.

Saline-alkaline stress is characterized by high salinity and high alkalinity (high pH); alkaline stress has been shown to be the primary factor inhibiting rice seedling growth. In this study, we investigated the potential priming effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on tolerance of rice seedlings to alkaline stress simulated by Na2CO3. Seedlings were pretreated with ABA at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, and 50 μM by root-drench for 24 h and then transferred to a Na2CO3 solution that did not contain ABA. Compared to control treatment, pretreatment with ABA substantially improved the survival rate of rice seedlings and increased biomass accumulation after 7 days under the alkaline condition. ABA application at 10 μM also alleviated the inhibitory effects of alkaline stress on the total root length and root surface area. Physiologically, ABA increased relative water content (RWC) and decreased cell membrane injury degree (MI) and Na(+)/K(+) ratios. In contrast, fluridone (an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor) decreased the RWC and increased MI in shoots under the alkaline conditions. These data suggest that ABA has a potent priming effect on the adaptive response to alkaline stress in rice and may be useful for improving rice growth in saline-alkaline paddy fields., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)