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Background: Bubble tea drinks contain tea and tapioca pearls. Chewing tapioca pearls in bubble tea drinks may increase salivary components. Because of its proteins, inorganic components, and enzymes, saliva plays an important role in the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses. This study aims to analyze the effect of chewing tapioca pearls in bubble tea drinks on salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and calcium (Ca) levels. Methods: The inclusion criterion was 18–25 years of age. The exclusion criteria were receiving medication, using dentures, a history of dry mouth, smoking and systemic disease. In the first week of the experiment, subjects drank bubble tea with tapioca pearls for three days (intervention week). In the second week, the same subjects drank tea without pearls for three days (control week). Each subject drank the bubble tea for 5 minutes per day over 3 days. Saliva samples were collected on the first day before bubble tea consumption (pretest) and on the third day after tea consumption (posttest). Saliva collection was performed in the morning (09:00 am–12:00 pm) for 1 minute. Sixty saliva samples were collected from 15 subjects. Salivary CRP levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit, and Ca levels were determined using semi-quantitative test strips. Results: Salivary CRP decreased significantly on the third day in the intervention group but showed no significant difference with the control group. Calcium levels increased significantly on the third day in both groups. Conclusion: Bubble tea drinks could improve the quality of saliva by decreasing salivary CRP and increasing Ca levels. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04670341 (17 th December 2020).

Bone health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and disorders such as osteoporosis pose significant challenges worldwide. East Asian Herbal Medicine (EAHM), with its rich history and holistic approach, offers promising avenues for enhancing bone regeneration. In this critical review article, we analyze the intricate mechanisms through which EAHM compounds modulate bone health. We explore the interplay between osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis, dissect signaling pathways crucial for bone remodeling and highlight EAHM anti-inflammatory effects within the bone microenvironment. Additionally, we emphasize the promotion of osteoblast viability and regulation of bone turnover markers by EAHM compounds. Epigenetic modifications emerge as a fascinating frontier where EAHM influences DNA methylation and histone modifications to orchestrate bone regeneration. Furthermore, we highlight EAHM effects on osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells and immune cells, unraveling the holistic impact in bone tissue. Finally, we discuss future directions, including personalized medicine, combinatorial approaches with modern therapies and the integration of EAHM into evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most widely used synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX), causes stunted growth in children when used excessively or for long periods of time; however, there are still plenty of pediatric patients require long-term treatment with DEX. As an alternative, growth hormone is used in combination, but it has side effects, a high cost, and psychological factors, and it is not satisfactory in terms of effectiveness. It is necessary to develop a safe and affordable treatment that can replace it. The Korean Food and Drug Administration approved HT042, a standardized functional food ingredient, with the claim that it can help height growth of children. In this study, it was found that HT042 activated the Indian hedgehog/parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling pathway and enhanced the number of growth hormone receptors and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors on the growth plate surface, which were reduced by DEX treatment, and restored growth retardation. In metatarsal bone and primary chondrocyte models, it was found that HT042 can promote the length of growth plate and recover DEX-induced growth retardation. It was also found that HT042 promotes cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays; moreover, we verified increased expression of GHR/IGF-1R and Ihh/PTHrP pathway activity using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and siRNA analyses to verify its direct action on the growth plate. The anti-apoptotic effect of HT042 was identified by regulating the expression of apoptotic factors such as caspase-3, Bcl2, Bclx, and Bax. These results were identified using both ex vivo and in vitro models. Our study verified that co-administration of HT042 could recover the DEX induced growth retardation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to know application of learning models motion base manipulative of participants educate aged 5-6 years. Loading experimental method pre test and post test as well as skills test results motion base manipulative. Population from study This participant educate 5-6 years old totaling 120 students. Experiment 12 meetings were held. Pretest and posttest were carried out with instrument motion base throwing, catching, dribbling, kicking and bouncing the ball. Based on the results of the data normality test stated that the data was not so that data analysis with using non-parametric statistics. Test results with using Wilcoxon states there is difference between group experiment and control with sig. 0.00. With thereby can concluded that application of learning models with a motion model base manipulative effective For increase results ability motor rough child 5-6 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the intricate relationship between social support, self-efficacy, physical activity, personality type, and stress levels among university students. This study employed an analytic observational cross-sectional design, and data were collected from 329 respondents using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-42 (DASS-42) questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), General Self-Efficacy Scales (GSES) to measure self-efficacy, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure physical activity, personality type assessed using the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). Purposive sampling was utilized to select samples based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and statistical analyses, including chi-square and logistic regression tests, were conducted to examine the associations between variables. It was found that 41.9% of students experienced stress, while 58.1% did not experience stress. Notably, higher levels of social support and self-efficacy were linked with reduced stress, with 87.4% of students reporting high social support and 83.2% with high self-efficacy remaining stress-free. In contrast, lower levels of these factors were associated with higher stress incidence. Moreover, good physical activity habits were correlated with lower stress levels (73.8%), contrasting with poor physical activity linked to heightened stress (72.5%). In addition, students with introverted personalities demonstrated higher stress rates (72.5%). Importantly, the study identified a significant influence of social support, self-efficacy, physical activity, and personality type on stress levels (p < 0.05). Fostering social support networks, enhancing self-efficacy beliefs, and promoting physical activity are effective to alleviate stress among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The material for exposed pulp treatment is calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), although there are still some disadvantages. Composites with components of gelatin, chitosan, carbonated hydroxyapatite, and Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were used to develop the material to obtain optimal quality. Nestin is a marker for differentiation of odontoblast and expressed in irritated odontoblasts. This study evaluated Nestin expression in the dental pulp after applying gelatin-chitosan-TEOS-Ca(OH)2 composite material. Materials and methods: There were 30 Wistar rats divided into two groups, namely the treatment and control groups, with 15 rats in each group. The maxillary first molar tooth was opened using diamond bur No. 010 to the depth of the pulp. The gelatin-chitosan-TEOS-Ca(OH)2 composite was applied in the treatment group, while the control group used Ca(OH)2, followed by temporary fillings. The expression of Nestin was evaluated after 1,3,5,7, and 14 days of application using immunohistochemistry method under light microscopy with 64x and 160x magnifications. Three replication was taken for each evaluation time. Results: A positive expression seen in both the treatment and control groups. The pulp area beneath the irritated tissue showed positive expression of Nestin, especially in the odontoblasts and their processes, pulp cells near positive of the odontoblasts, and flat cells attached to the dentin. The treated group showed weaker Nestin expression than the control group. Conclusion: The gelatin-chitosan-TEOS-Ca(OH)2 composite material has potential as an exposed pulp medicament. After applying the gelatin-chitosan-TEOS-Ca(OH)2 composite to the exposed pulp, the positive Nestin expression indicates a pulp tissue regeneration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

By applying the PLS-SEM method to survey the data of 350 samples in Indonesia, this paper develops a framework based on three potential elements: push effect (partnership and cooperation, rules and regulations, value practices), pull effect (government support, market sophistication, environmental awareness), and mooring effect (technological support and switching costs) about the transition of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards green practices. The study reveals that these factors exhibit variations in terms of statistical significance. The findings indicate that an increase in the push effect and pull effect significantly influences the switching behaviour of MSME owners/managers. In contrast, concerning the mooring effect, each element demonstrates varying levels of direct influence on the transition towards green practices in MSMEs, with some impacts proving to be statistically significant and others not. Overall, these findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of MSMEs environmental responsibility, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The house of quality (HOQ), which serves as the initial matrix in quality function deployment (QFD), is widely employed to set the technical objectives for engineering characteristics. Nevertheless, there exist methodological deficiencies within the HOQ, concerning the assessment of relationship ratings between customer requirements and engineering characteristics, as well as the lack of a structured process for determining design specifications. Therefore, this study proposes a formal HOQ procedure to determine the technical targets of engineering characteristics. The swing method and a specific normalization technique are utilized to incorporate correlations between engineering characteristics, aiming to improve relationship ratings. Additionally, an optimization model has been devised to maximize customer satisfaction within the constraints of available organizational resources. The procedure is illustrated using a wooden dining chair design as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insomnia is a frequent clinical sign of various psychopathological disorders and affects millions of people worldwide. Although stress is recognized as the primary factor of insomnia, the relationship between social media and sleep quality among students remains unclear. Such relationships can have significant implications on the public sleep health that clinicians and researchers have to understand better. This study aimed to explore the relationship between stress, social media usage, sleep quality, and insomnia among university students. Methods: This study was conducted through an observational analysis while using a cross-sectional design of the study which was conducted in 2023. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select 311 students as respondents of the study. The questionnaires used were DASS 42 questionnaire, Intensity of Social Media Usage questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). This study used Chi-Square analysis to examine the associations between stress, social media activity, sleep quality, and insomnia using SPSS version 26. Results: The average age of the students were ranging from 17 years to 22 years. There was a lack of significant association between stress and insomnia (p = 0.876) and between social media activity and insomnia (p = 0.402). Sleep quality demonstrated a highly significant relationship with insomnia (p < 0.001), highlighting its importance as a contributing factor to insomnia occurrences among university students. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of improving sleep quality to reduce insomnia among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Berkala Ilmiah Kimia Farmasi is the property of Universitas Airlangga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The background of this research is that the warm-up for sports or physical education is always done by running around the field. The essence of warming up attempts to prepare physiologically and psychologically to be ready for higher activities. This research has made a real contribution to the development of warm-up activities, which were previously carried out by simply running around the field. The purpose of this research is to produce several game models that can be used as an alternative for warming up. The research design uses development research in sequence, problem exploration, design preparation, expert trials, student trials, small-scale trials, large-scale trials. The design was consulted with physical education lecturers and teachers, student trials were conducted on sports coaching education students, small-scale trials were conducted on sports coaching students, large-scale trials were conducted on elementary and junior high school students. Five types of heating were developed, and the achievement of the heating results was measured by pulse. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results of the study, five game designs were arranged (1,2,3,4 and 5), the results of small-scale trials stated that the pulse had entered the exercise pulse. Tests on students mean that all games have reached the pulse of practice. It was concluded that these five games based on a series of trials were declared feasible and could be used for warm-up activities.