Charcoal-based dentifrices and powders: analyses of product labels, Instagram engagement, and altmetrics

Abstract This study identified charcoal-based dentifrices and abrasive powders sold in Brazil and analyzed their label information. The products were searched in four online shopping platforms. The same products were searched on Instagram and their engagement metrics were investigated. Furthermore, a literature review of international publications assessing charcoal dentifrices and powders was conducted, and altmetrics were collected (Altmetric and PlumX). Thirty-six products were found with prices between $0.4-22 USD. Most frequent words in product description were sodium, stain, whitening, oil, xylitol, and coconut. Only 3 products contained fluoride. Bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities were indicated, in addition to non-scientific claims such as calming teeth or increasing oral immunity. In total, 72% of products had Instagram profiles, which generally showed low engagement rates (81%) and medium audience quality scores (65%). Twenty-two articles were found in the literature, from which 21 were in vitro studies. The single clinical study was sponsored by a charcoal product and had no control group. In total, 23% of studies showed positive results and 55% reported negative results for the charcoal products, which included no whitening ability, increased roughness, surface alterations, and lower demineralization prevention ability. Altmetric scores for the included articles varied from 0 to 55, with 40.9% of studies mentioned online. In conclusion, charcoal-based products are using marketing strategies on Instagram but their current engagement with the public is not high. Consumers are being exposed to charcoal products whose potential risks to health are still unknown.

Download Full-text

The Interpretation of Studies Using the Reading Level Design

Journal of Reading Behavior ◽

10.1080/10862968909547687 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 413-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Usha Goswami ◽

Peter Bryant

Keyword(s):

Reading Disability ◽

Reading Level ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Control Group ◽

Causal Factors ◽

Negative Results ◽

Level Design ◽

Positive Results

Recent research in reading disability has been strengthened by the addition of a reading level (RL) control group to the more traditional chronological age (CA) control group. However, caution is required in interpreting results from these two kinds of control. Only positive results in a RL match and negative results in a CA match are interpretable; negative results in a CA match and positive results in a RL match are not. Furthermore, the RL control group cannot be used to unambiguously determine between specific deficit and developmental lag interpretations of reading disability. It is argued that the use of the RL control can only ever be a first step in research aimed at delineating the causal factors in reading backwardness.

Download Full-text

A critical review of the possible benefits associated with homeopathic medicine

Revista do Hospital das Clínicas ◽

10.1590/s0041-87812003000600007 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 324-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Renan Moritz V. Rodrigues Almeida

Keyword(s):

Critical Review ◽

Scientific Research ◽

Research Progress ◽

Reference Source ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Negative Results ◽

Plausible Mechanism ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Positive Results

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the recent scientific research progress on homeopathy. METHODOLOGY: Homeopathy was evaluated in terms of its clinical research; in vitro research, and physical foundations. The Medline database was the main reference source for the present research, concerning data of approximately the last 10 years. Secondary references (not available in this database) were obtained by means of direct requests to authors listed in the primary references. RESULTS: Clinical studies and in vitro research indicate the inefficacy of homeopathy. Some few studies with positive results are questionable because of problems with the quality and lack of appropriate experimental controls in these studies. The most recent meta-analyses on the topic yielded negative results. One of the few previous meta-analyses with positive results had serious publication bias problems, and its results were later substantially reconsidered by the main authors. The sparse in vitro homeopathic research with positive results has not been replicated by independent researchers, had serious methodological flaws, or when replicated, did not confirm the initial positive results. A plausible mechanism for homeopathic action is still nonexistent, and its formulation, by now, seems highly unlikely. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the recent scientific research on homeopathy, it can be concluded that ample evidence exists to show that the homeopathic therapy is not scientifically justifiable.

Download Full-text

The Wassermann and Luetin Reactions in Leprosy

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s002217240000615x ◽

1915 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 102-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

William Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Average Duration ◽

Venereal Disease ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Control Group ◽

Advanced Stage ◽

Negative Results ◽

Dark Ground ◽

Wassermann Reaction ◽

Positive Results

1. One hundred lepers were examined by Browning, Cruickshank and McKenzie's modification of the Wassermann reaction with positive results in 22 cases. The amount of complement deviated was in some cases exceptionally large.2. In a control group of 110 non-leprous persons there were 11 positive reactions.3. In only one of the lepers was there visible evidence of former venereal disease but 33 of the lepers admitted that they had suffered from syphilis or from chancres, and of these 33, 13 reacted positively, while only nine of the remaining 66 gave positive reactions.4. In the control group, 21 admitted former syphilitic infection and, of these, eight reacted positively; among the remaining 89, who denied syphilis, there were three positive reactions.5. There were 12 positive reactions among 44 cases of tubercular leprosy and 10 positive reactions among 56 cases of the anaesthetic type.6. The average duration of the disease, among the 22 lepers who reacted positively, was four years and eight months, as compared with an average of three years and eight months for the 78 patients who reacted negatively; but among the latter there were many old-standing cases.7. Seventeen of the 22 positive cases were in an advanced stage of leprosy and in some of them the disease was progressing; but among those lepers who reacted negatively there were also many advanced and progressing cases.8. Serum from the lesions in 10 of the lepers who reacted positively was examined by dark-ground illumination, but in no case was the Treponema pallidum found.9. The luetin test was applied to 21 lepers, with negative results in every instance; 13 of these cases gave positive and eight gave negative Wassermann reactions. The test was also applied to a control group of non-leprous persons selected because they were likely to be latent syphilitics. In this group there were 11 positive luetin reactions.

Download Full-text

Basic Research on Homeopathy: Analysis of the Top Ten Best Investigated Substances

International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206 ◽

10.51910/ijhdr.v15i4.839 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 5-6

Author(s):

Beate Stock-Schroeer ◽

P. Christian Endler ◽

Petra Koczy ◽

Stephan Baumgartner

Keyword(s):

Inorganic Compounds ◽

Basic Research ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Research Field ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Negative Results ◽

Apis Mellifica ◽

Positive Results

1. Introduction Almost fifteen years after introducing HomBRex database [1] the number of registered experiments increased from about 900 at that time to more than 2000 in 2016. This worldwide unique database provides the most comprehensive library on basic research in the field of homeopathy. The first overview on classification of systems and methods used in basic research came to the conclusion that a variety of research questions can be derived from the huge number of data collected in HomBRex [2]. After evaluation of proving and therapeutic experiments [3], infection models [4] and the use of high potencies in basic research on homeopathy [5], the current study deals with the question which homeopathic substances in what sort of experiments were mainly under investigation. 2. Methods The HomBRex database is updated continuously by systematic searching of bibliographic databases. Each registered experiment is analyzed by scientists of the Carstens-foundation (lately BS, PK) to provide detailed information on the following items: organism, condition, substance, in vitro/in vivo, prophylactic/therapeutic, potency, and others. For the current study, the entire database was categorized according to the substances investigated. For selected substances, further subgroups were analyzed (e.g. organism, research field, and others). 3. Results The following substances rank among the top ten of investigated substances in basic research: Arsenicum album (N=189), Sulfur (N=103), Thuja occidentalis (N=77), Belladonna (N=72), Natrium chloratum (N=70), Cuprum sulfuricum (N=70), Arnica montana (N=70), Mercurius corrosivus (N=60), Phosphorus (N=60) and Apis mellifica (N=60). Arsenicum album, first on the list, was tested on animals in 78 experiments, in 52 on plants. 91 experiments were conducted in vitro and 98 in vivo. 175 authors report positive results, 14 state negative results. Apis mellifica, the number ten,s tested on animals (N=16, mainly on guinea pigs and rats) in the field of toxicology or physiology. Sixteen experiments deal with human cells, mainly on reaction in blood cells granulocytes and lymphocytes e.g. with different potencies of the substance. Experiments with plants focus on virus infected plants and their treatment with Apis, only two experiments belong to the field of physical chemistry. Most of the authors report on positive results in their papers (N=57), only three state negative results. 4. Discussion/Conclusion The most often used substances in published homeopathic basic research are well proven, well known and also frequently used homeopathic remedies in human therapy. Inorganic compounds predominate. Quantitative meta-analyses are still difficult due to the heterogeneity of experimental models used. The current analysis provides an overview on which substances are most relevant for future replication trials in defined experimental models.

Download Full-text

Turismo e voluntariado: a busca pela compreensão do volunturismo

Revista Brasileira de Ecoturismo (RBEcotur) ◽

10.34024/rbecotur.2018.v11.6619 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pablo Braga de Souza ◽

Antônia Maria Nascimento Barcelos ◽

Suellen Alice Lamas

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Economic Potential ◽

Volunteer Tourism ◽

The Public ◽

Mass Tourism ◽

Negative Results ◽

De Se ◽

The World ◽

The Subject ◽

Positive Results

Ao longo do tempo, o turismo tem se destacado como uma importante atividade econômica no mundo, gerando serviços, produtos, emprego e renda. Entretanto, tão importante quanto o seu potencial econômico, é o seu potencial social, capaz de transformar localidades que apresentam desequilíbrios e limitações, o que vem sendo proposto pelo turismo voluntário também conhecido como volunturismo. Embora seja muito praticada no exterior, essa modalidade, está em estágio inicial no país, o que traz à tona dúvidas e questionamentos em relação ao tema e a necessidade de estudá-lo a fim de que se possa compreendê-lo em sua totalidade. Deste modo, faz-se a reflexão: O que é turismo voluntário? Qual o perfil do público que o pratica? Quais as diferenças entre turismo voluntário e turismo solidário? Quais os impactos nas comunidades visitadas? A partir desses questionamentos, o presente trabalho visa discorrer sobre o turismo voluntário apresentando suas interfaces conceituais, problemáticas e perfil dos praticantes, de modo a contribuir com o esclarecimento e debate teórico sobre o tema. Assim, vê-se a importância de estudos em relação ao turismo voluntário para que, a partir de sua compreensão, os resultados positivos possam ser maximizados e os negativos minimizados. Baseando-se em seu caráter de agente transformador social, pode-se inferir que o turismo voluntário é mais uma forma de se fazer turismo, contrária ao turismo de massas, do que um segmento propriamente dito. Tourism and volunteering: the search for understanding of the voluntourism ABSTRACT Over time, the tourism has distinguished itself as an important economic activity in the world, generating services, products, employment and income. However, as important as its economic potential, it is its social potential capable of transforming localities that show unbalances and limitations, what has been proposed by the volunteer tourism also known as voluntourism. Although it has been practiced abroad, this type of tourism is in an early stage in the country, which propitiates doubts and questions concerning the theme and the necessity to study it in order to understand it in its entirety. Thus, the reflection is done: What is volunteer tourism? What is the public profile that practices it? What are the differences between volunteer tourism and solidary tourism? What are the impacts on the communities visited? Based on these questions, the article aims to discuss about volunteer tourism showing its conceptual interfaces, problematic and the profile of the participants in order to contribute to the elucidation and the theoretical debate on the subject. Therefore, one sees the importance of the studies concerning volunteer tourism so that, from its understanding, positive results can be maximized and negative results can be minimized. Based on its character of a social transforming agent, one can infer that the volunteer tourism is more a way of doing tourism, contrary to mass tourism, than a segment itself. KEYWORDS: Volunteering; Tourism; Knowledge; Voluntourism.

Download Full-text

An analysis of clinical trials registered with CTRI in India from 2007 to 2015

International Journal of Clinical Trials ◽

10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20162797 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 155

Author(s):

Vihang S. Chawan ◽

Sagar V. Badwane ◽

Kalpesh V. Gawand ◽

Maheshi U. Chhaya

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Trial Registry ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Negative Results ◽

Potential Risks ◽

Wide Gap ◽

Based Medicine ◽

Positive Results

Background: Clinical trials are gold standard in the field of evidence based medicine. Registration of clinical trials facilitates the dissemination of information among clinicians, researchers and patients. Earlier, researchers were interested only in publishing positive results of their study. The negative results were never published resulting in bias in reporting the results of such clinical trials. It is now mandatory to register all clinical trials done in India at National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS) hosted at Clinical Trial Registry - India (CTRI) website to ensure transparency, accountability and accessibility of clinical trials. This study was planned to analyze the number of clinical trials registered under CTRI from 2007 to 2015. The information regarding the registration of clinical trials was accessed from the website www.ctri.nic.in.Methods: The information on registered clinical trials was obtained from the website www.ctri.nic.in. The clinical trials registered with CTRI from 2007 to 2015 were noted for analysis.Results: Maximum number of clinical trials registered in the year 2015 (1113), followed by year 2014 (1089), 2013 (990), 2012 (959) and 2011 (748) while least number of clinical trials registered in the year 2007 (32). Results revealed that there is wide gap the number of clinical trials registered in between year 2007 to 2015 and also revealed that number of clinical trials registered are increasing in order from year 2007 to year 2015. Conclusions: The registrations of clinical trials improve the reliability of data generated, assist clinicians to interpret research, minimizes duplication of trials and prevents exposure of volunteers to potential risks.

Download Full-text

THE EFFECT OF UREA SUPLEMENTATION IN MATURATION MEDIA OF BOVINE OOCYTE IN VITRO TOWARDS EXPRESSION OF BAX, BCL-2 AND BAX/BCL-2 RATIO

Jurnal Kedokteran Hewan - Indonesian Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.21157/j.ked.hewan.v14i1.15283 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dhesy Kartikasari ◽

Sri Mulyati ◽

Suzanita Utama ◽

Pudji Srianto ◽

Widjiati Widjiati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oocyte Maturation ◽

Immunocytochemical Staining ◽

Control Group ◽

Bovine Oocyte ◽

Significant Difference ◽

In Vitro Oocyte Maturation ◽

Positive Results

This study aims to evaluate the expression of BAX, BCL-2, and BAX/BCL-2 ratio in maturation media of cow oocytes which supplemented with Urea in vitro because BAX and BCL-2 are the main regulators of apoptosis. A total of 263 oocytes from follicle aspirations originating from ovaries taken from slaughterhouses and were saturated with 3 addition of urea which was divided into three groups. The control group (P0) was control group without the addition of urea, P1 group was added with urea 20 mg/dL, while P2 group was added with urea 40 mg/dL. The results of in vitro oocyte maturation were continued with identification using immunocytochemical staining with the addition of BAX and BCL-2 antibodies. Positive results showed a brownish color on the oocyte and its cumulus. The results of this study indicated that there were significant differences (P0.05) in BAX and BCL-2 expression, although both curves were equally increase. The increase in BCL-2 was more significant than BAX, while the BAX BCL-2 ratio did not show a significant difference (P0.05) in whichthe curve of BAX/BCL-2 ratio was decreased. It can be concluded that the addition of urea does not affect the level of apoptosis.

Download Full-text

PERBEDAAN JUMLAH KOLONI STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PADA BEBERAPA KONSENTRASI PERASAN BUAH BELIMBING WULUH SECARA IN VITRO

Meditory : The Journal of Medical Laboratory ◽

10.33992/m.v5i1.110 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Igede Sudarmanto

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Control Group ◽

Dilution Method ◽

Control Group Design ◽

The Public ◽

Group Design ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Post Test ◽

Colony Counter

Abstract : Plants bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi Linn) has been utilized by the public as a traditional medicinal plants to cure various diseases. The content of natural chemicals from bilimbi fruits are known to have an antibacterial effect, namely, flavonoids and phenols. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a gram-positive bacteria resistant to antibiotics semisintesis. This research aims to identify the differences in the number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at some concentrations of bilimbi fruit filtrate in vitro. The design of the research is a post test only control group design. Measurement of the activity of bacteria using a colony counter with dilution method. The average number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that grow at a concentration of bilimbi fruit filtrate 10% as much as 59.33 x 108 CFU / ml; at a concentration of 20% as much as 1.33 x 108 CFU / ml; at a concentration of 30%, 40% and 50% contained no bacterial colonies growing. At a concentration of 10 % is able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, while at a concentration of 30 % has been able to kill the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. There is a difference in the number of bacterial colonies of Staphylococcus aureus in some bilimbi fruit filtrate concentration (Averrhoa bilimbi Linn) in vitro (p = 0.000

Download Full-text

Role of clinical-anamnestic data in adenomyosis development at the present stage

HEALTH OF WOMAN ◽

10.15574/hw.2017.120.54 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 54-56

Author(s):

P.M. Prudnikov ◽

Keyword(s):

False Negative ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Early Diagnostics ◽

Present Stage ◽

Negative Results ◽

False Negative Results ◽

Long Time ◽

Positive Results

The objective: to study a role of clinical-anamnestic data in development and an adenomyosis current at the present stage. Patients and methods. Еxamination of 110 patients, from which 60 – patients with an adenomyosis of different degree of activity and prevalence – the main group was conducted. Depending on degree of expression of the main clinical implications, characteristic for the adenomyosis, all studied patients with an adenomyosis (n=60) conditionally were divided into 2 clinical subgroups: 1.1 – the subgroup was made by 38 patients with clinically "active" adenomyosis; 1.2 a subgroup – 22 patients with clinically "inactive" adenomyosis. The control group was made by 50 patients of genesial and premenopausa age without adenomyosis Results. As a result of the analysis of preliminary diagnoses at pre-hospital stage at patients with an adenomyosis their appreciable heterogeneity was taped. So, from 60 patients at 50% this diagnosis was made correctly, at 18.7% the adenomyosis was mistakenly taken for a hysteromyoma, at 11.7% – for hyperplasia and polyps an endometrium, at 6.7% – for dysfunctional uterine bleedings; at 3.3% – for cystoadenoma an ovary. 10.0% of patients a long time were surveyed and treated at the neuropathologist, the gastroenterologist, the therapist with suspicion on disk hernia, osteochondrosis, colitis, adherent process and so forth Conclusin. On the basis of clinical-anamnestic yielded and results of gynecologic inspection the adenomyosis was suspected at 48 patients, from them is confirmed – in 28 cases. The share of false positive results made 41%. At the same time from 60 patients with the confirmed adenomyosis, in the clinical diagnosis this pathology was taken out at 31. Thus, the share of false-negative results made 48%. Sensitivity of a method – 51.7%, specificity – 59%. The received results need to be considered at early diagnostics and adenomyosis forecasting. Key words: adenomyosis, clinic, anamnesis, diagnostics.

Download Full-text

Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Safety Evaluation of Papain (Carica papayaL.) Using In Vitro Assays

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology ◽

10.1155/2010/197898 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Claudia R. da Silva ◽

Marcia B. N. Oliveira ◽

Ellen S. Motta ◽

Gabriella S. de Almeida ◽

Leandro L. Varanda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Safety Evaluation ◽

University Hospital ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Chemical Agent ◽

Mutagenic Potential ◽

The Public ◽

Negative Results ◽

Induced Mutagenesis

Papain, a phytotherapeutic agent, has been used in the treatment of eschars and as a debriding chemical agent to remove damaged or necrotic tissue of pressure ulcers and gangrene. Its benefits in these treatments are deemed effective, since more than 5000 patients, at the public university hospital at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have undergone papain treatment and presented satisfactory results. Despite its extensive use, there is little information about toxic and mutagenic properties of papain. This work evaluated the toxic and mutagenic potential of papain and its potential antioxidant activity against induced-H2O2oxidative stress inEscherichia colistrains. Cytotoxicity assay, Growth inhibition test, WP2-Mutoxitest and Plasmid-DNA treatment, and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to investigate if papain would present any toxic or mutagenic potential as well as if papain would display antioxidant properties. Papain exhibited negative results for all tests. This agent presented an activity protecting cells againstH2O2-induced mutagenesis.

Download Full-text