Clinical Study of the Change of pH Level in the Supragingival Plaque in Children after Taking Homeopathic Remedies

Objective: There are numerous publications on the parameters of conventional medications, which contribute to their cariogenic and erosive potential. Little is known about the homeopathic remedies (HR) and the changes in the oral cavity they lead to, especially during childhood. Material and methods: The study involved 25 children (5-9 years of age). It monitored the change in plaque pH level after intake of three frequently used homeopathic remedies in five consecutive weeks. The pH level values were measured after the administration of the remedies, without HR intake, and after rinsing with 10% sucrose solution. Five groups were formed – two controls and three groups with results from the tested HR. Results: A drop in the plaque pH level was observed after intake of all HR and in all tested individuals. The biggest decrease was observed at the 15th minute for all HR. At the 30th minute the greatest decrease was observed with the second remedy, and at 60th minute – with the first and second. Conclusions: A dramatic decrease in the plaque pH level was observed after intake of each studied remedy. In many cases the drop was below the critical value of pH = 5.5. The low plaque pH values were maintained even at the 60th minute after the start of the study.

Anaerobic Fitness Testing in Crossfit

SummaryCrossFit is one of the sports disciplines where endurance play a significant role in the performance. For testing anaerobic fitness it is important to choose the means that are part of the exercise and have a good transfer to the sport. A sample of competitive crossfitters (n = 12) underwent stress tests on the assault air bike (AB) (60 s) and Wingate. In addition to the performance parameters (Wmax, Wmean, W/kg, cal), lactate values after exercise (1st, 5th, 10th and 15th minute) were monitored. The results showed significant differences in both the absolute values of lactate and the development of the lactate curve (α = 0.05). The correlation of the selected variables showed a significant relationship between the average Watts value and the calories traveled (0.894). Testing anaerobic fitness with AB appears to be a suitable variant for CrossFit, as well as monitoring the development of lactate curve. Due to the original design of the study, it is necessary to verify the results.

Effect of Proparacaine 0.375%-Sodium Fluorescein 0.25% Eye Drop Mixture and Fluorescein Strip on Anterior Segment Parameters

Purpose. To determine the effect of proparacaine 0.375%-sodium fluorescein 0.25% eye drop mixture and fluorescein strip on anterior segment parameters commonly used in routine ophthalmology practice. Methods. 115 healthy volunteers without any systemic or ocular disease were divided into two groups. 57 volunteers were in the proparacaine 0.375%-sodium fluorescein 0.25% eye drop mixture group, and 58 volunteers were in the fluorescein strip group. Measurements (CCT (central corneal thickness), topographic pupil diameter, AD (aqueous depth), ACV (anterior chamber volume), ICA (iridocorneal angle), LLD (limbus-limbus distance), and CV (corneal volume)) were taken before and at 1, 5, 15, and 30 minutes after application. Results. 59 (51.3%) participants were female, and 56 (48.7%) were male. The mean age of the drop application group was 26.88 ± 8.03, and the mean age of the strip application group was 26.33 ± 7.28. The mean CCT was 556 ± 32 μm before drop application and 569 ± 30 μm in the 1st minute, 560 ± 32 μm in the 5th minute, and 559 ± 31 μm in the 15th minute. The change was statistically significant (p<0.001, p=0.005, and p=0.013, resp.). Before the strip application, mean CCT was 552 ± 36 μm, while it increased to 556 ± 36 μm at the 1st minute, and this change was statistically significant (p=0.002). The mean CV before dropping was 59.29 ± 3.53 mm3 and 60.62 ± 3.53 mm3 at the 1st minute and 59.66 ± 3.70 mm3 at the 5th minute, which was statistically significant (p<0.001 and p=0.034). Mean topographic pupil diameters at the 1st, 5th, 15th, and 30th minute after application of drops and strips were not significantly changed compared to the preapplication values in the AD, ACV, ICA, and LLD measurements. Conclusions. Proparacaine 0.375%-sodium fluorescein 0.25% eye drop mixture and fluorescein strip application lead to a temporary change in CCT and CV of the anterior segment parameters. Anterior segment measurements with the Scheimpflug camera have to be done before topical fluorescein application.

Quick model of septic shock in rats

Modeling septic shock by means of administration of living bacteria is a minimum invasive adequate model for reproduction of this pathologic process, however there is a few data on effectiveness of this model in rats on the basis of direct measurement of hemodynamic parameters. The goal of the study was to elaborate a simple and convenient model of septic shock by intravenous infusion of living bifidobacteria. Indexes of central hemodynamics evaluated by direct method were analyzed in the study as well as endothelial function of blood vessels assessed by measuring concentration of NO, vessels' endothelial growth factor-A and tissue plasminogen activator. Dysfunction of hemostasis was also estimated by measuring fibrinogen level and soluble complexes of fibrin monomer. Intravenous infusion of living bifidobacteria caused development of severe septic shock by 15th minute after administration with valid decrease of all systemic hemodynamics' parameters. Marked hemodynamic disturbancies combined with development of endothelial dysfunction and hemostatic mechanisms' increased activity. The present model is absolutely safe; it can be easily reproduced in a research or training laboratory and it can be used for fundamental research of septic shock, for pre-clinical tests of drugs as well as for educational purposes.

Comparison of the Effects of Hydration with Water or Isotonic Solution on the Recovery of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation

Despite the importance of hydration during exercise, the impact of ingesting water or isotonic solution during and after exercise on the regulation of autonomic modulation is unclear. The study aimed to compare the effect of ingesting water or isotonic solution (Gatorade®, Brazil) on cardiac autonomic modulation in young people after submaximal aerobic exercise. Thirty-one young men were subjected to a protocol consisting of 4 steps: 1) incremental test, 2) control protocol without hydration, 3) protocol with ingestion of water, and 4) protocol with ingestion of isotonic solution. The protocol consisted of 10 min of rest, 90 min of treadmill exercise at 60% VO2peak, and 60 min of recovery at rest. In the hydration protocols, hydration occurred during and after exercise, every 15 min beginning after the 15th minute of exercise, with the amount ingested proportional to body mass lost in the control protocol. Autonomic modulation was evaluated by heart rate variability. The hydration protocols promoted a more efficient recovery of autonomic modulation, and for the exercise performed, regardless of the hydration administered, the effect on autonomic modulation was similar.

Technical Errors And The Venue Of The Match In Handball

Introduction. In sports success depends on how well the players are prepared for the match in terms of their technical, tactical and motor skills, as well as their mental attitude. The training process is focused on improving the players' capabilities and eliminating their errors. The aim of the study was to describe the errors made in handball matches taking into account their timing and quantity.Material and methods. The material consisted of recordings of 50 matches of men's handball held in the EHF Champions League in 2012-2013. The study included 8 teams that took part in the tournament. The following matches were analysed for each team: 4 matches in the knockout stage (2 played at home and 2 away) and 4 in the group stage (2 at home and 2 away). The errors were determined based on EHF regulations.Results. A difference was found between the errors committed in matches at home and away in the knockout stage. The most errors (35) in this stage of the tournament were made between the 25th and 30th minute, and the fewest (18) between the 30th and 35th minute, in both cases in matches played at home. In the group stage the most errors (36) were made between the 40th and 45th minute away, and the fewest (15) between the 10th and 15th minute at home. In the knockout stage the four teams made a total of 632 errors, including 71 errors made by the winner of the tournament, who committed the smallest number of errors. The smallest number of errors (53) in the group stage were made by HC Metalurg Skopje.Conclusions. The number of errors made did not have a direct influence on a team's position in the tournament, but the winner made the least errors in the knockout stage. The differences between the numbers of errors made in the knockout stage may indicate that the players were more comfortable when playing at home. The support of fans may be one of the factors which contribute to the fact that players commit fewer errors in this stage of the tournament. The rise in the number of errors made towards the end of the match, on the other hand, is most likely due to an increased level of physical and emotional fatigue, particularly considering the risk of being eliminated from the tournament.

Acute Effect on Arterial Stiffness after Performing Resistance Exercise by Using the Valsalva Manoeuvre during Exertion

Background. Performing resistance exercise could lead to an increase in arterial stiffness.Objective. We investigate the acute effect on arterial stiffness by performing Valsalva manoeuvre during resistance exercise.Materials and Methods. Eighteen healthy young men were assigned to perform bicep curls by using two breathing techniques (exhalation and Valsalva manoeuvre during muscle contraction) on two separate study days. Carotid pulsed wave velocity (cPWV) was measured as an indicator to reflect the body central arterial stiffness using a high-resolution ultrasound system, and its value was monitored repeatedly at three predefined time intervals: before resistance exercise, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes after exercise.Results. At the 0th minute after resistance exercise was performed using the Valsalva manoeuvre during exertion, a significant increase in cPWV (4.91 m/s ± 0.52) compared with the baseline value (4.67 m/s ± 0.32,P=0.008) was observed, and then it nearly returned to its baseline value at the 15th minute after exercise (4.66 m/s ± 0.44,P=0.010). These findings persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure.Conclusion. Our result suggests short duration of resistance exercise may provoke a transient increase in central arterial stiffness in healthy young men.