Meta-Analysis of Carbohydrate Solution Intake during Prolonged Exercise in Adults: From the Last 45+ Years’ Perspective

Carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation during prolonged exercise postpones fatigue. However, the optimum administration timing, dosage, type of CHO intake, and possible interaction of the ergogenic effect with athletes’ cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are not clear. Ninety-six studies (from relevant databases based on predefined eligibility criteria) were selected for meta-analysis to investigate the acute effect of ≤20% CHO solutions on prolonged exercise performance. The between-subject standardized mean difference [SMD = ([mean post-value treatment group–mean post-value control group]/pooled variance)] was assessed. Overall, SMD [95% CI] of 0.43 [0.35, 0.51] was significant (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that SMD was reduced as the subjects’ CRF level increased, with a 6–8% CHO solution composed of GL:FRU improving performance (exercise: 1–4 h); administration during the event led to a superior performance compared to administration before the exercise, with a 6–8% single-source CHO solution increasing performance in intermittent and ‘stop and start’ sports and an ~6% CHO solution appearing beneficial for 45–60 min exercises, but there were no significant differences between subjects’ gender and age groups, varied CHO concentrations, doses, or types in the effect measurement. The evidence found was sound enough to support the hypothesis that CHO solutions, when ingested during endurance exercise, have ergogenic action and a possible crossover interaction with the subject’s CRF.

An Ultrahigh Sensitive Microwave Microfluidic System for Fast and Continuous Measurements of Liquid Solution Concentrations

In this paper, we describe a low-cost microwave microfluidic system of ultrahigh sensitivity for detecting small changes in the concentration of polar solutions (liquid dielectrics) in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Its principle of operation is based on microwave interferometry, which is implemented using planar microstrip lines and integrated microwave components. The key features of this system include small solution intake (<200 µL per measurement), short time of measurement (ca. 20 ms), ultrahigh sensitivity of concentration changes (up to 55 dB/%), and low error of measurement (below 0.1%). The ultrahigh sensitivity was proven experimentally by measurements of the fat content of milk. In addition, it is a user-friendly system due to an effortless and fast calibration procedure. Moreover, it can be made relatively compact (<20 cm2) and features low power consumption (200 mW). Thus, the proposed system is perfect for industrial applications, especially for highly integrated lab-on-chip devices.

Simethicone administration improves gastric cleanness for esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a randomized clinical trial

Background Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is very useful in diagnosing and treating upper gastrointestinal mucosal disorders, but too much foam and water in stomach decrease its diagnostic efficiency. Simethicone administration can help remove excessive foam. Aims To determine the optimal simethicone administration strategies in a comparative randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods Adult outpatients with indications for esophagogastroduodenoscopy were enrolled and randomly divided into group 1 (simethicone solution intake 20–30 min before procedure, n = 110), group 2 (simethicone solution intake 31–60 min before procedure, n = 92), and group 3 (simethicone solution intake > 60 min before procedure). Primary and secondary outcomes were procedure time and the patients’ satisfaction after the examination. All symptoms like abdominal pain and distension were recorded. Results No statistically significant differences were found on the patients’ demographic and clinical features and mean examination time (all P values > 0.05). The distribution of patients with different endoscopic and pathological diagnosis was comparable among three groups, respectively (P = 0.607; P = 0.289). However, the proportion of patients with Gastric Cleanness Grade A was most in group 2 (n = 73, 79.3%), and patient proportion with Gastric Cleanness Grade C was most found in group 1 (n = 72, 65.5%), which was greatly different (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference on the satisfaction scores [immediately 6 (3–8) vs. 6 (1–10) vs. 6 (1-9), P = 0.533; 2 h after 10 (8–10) vs. 10 (10–10) vs. 10 (8-10), P = 0.463]. Conclusion Simethicone solution intake 31–60 min before esophagogastroduodenoscopy can help obtain the best gastric cleanness, which is recommended in clinical practice (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03776916 on December 13, 2018).

Gastric bypass in female rats lowers concentrated sugar solution intake and preference without affecting brief-access licking after long-term sugar exposure

In rodents, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) decreases intake of, and preference for, foods or fluids that are high in sugar. Whether these surgically induced changes are due to decreases in the palatability of sugar stimuli is controversial. We used RYGB and sham-operated (SHAM) female rats to test the influence of prolonged ingestive experience with sugar solutions on the motivational potency of these stimuli to drive licking in brief-access (BA) tests. In experiment 1, RYGB attenuated intake of, and caloric preference for, 0.3 M sucrose during five consecutive, 46-h two-bottle tests (TBTs; sucrose). A second series of TBTs (5 consecutive, 46-h tests) with 1.0 M sucrose revealed similar results, except fluid preference for 1.0 M sucrose also significantly decreased. Before, between, and after the two series of TBTs, two sessions of BA tests (30 min; 10-s trials) with an array of sucrose concentrations (0 and 0.01–1.0 M) were conducted. Concentration-dependent licking and overall trial initiation did not differ between surgical groups in any test. In a similar experimental design in a second cohort of female rats, 0.6 and 2.0 M glucose (isocaloric with sucrose concentrations in experiment 1) were used in the TBTs; 0 and 0.06-2.0 M glucose were used in the BA tests. Outcomes were similar to those for experiment 1, except RYGB rats initiated fewer trials during the BA tests. Although RYGB profoundly affected intake of, and caloric preference for, sugar solutions and, with high concentrations, fluid preference, RYGB never influenced the motivational potency of sucrose or glucose to drive concentration-dependent licking in BA tests.

Simethicone administration improves efficacy and efficiency of esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is very useful in diagnosing and treating upper gastrointestinal mucosal disorders, but too much foam and water in stomach decrease its diagnostic efficiency. Simethicone administration can help remove excessive foam. Aims: To determine the optimal simethicone administration strategies in a comparative randomized controlled clinical trial.Methods: Adult outpatients with indications for esophagogastroduodenoscopy were enrolled and randomly divided into Group 1 (simethicone solution intake 20-30 min before procedure, n=110), Group 2 (simethicone solution intake 31-60 min before procedure, n=92) and Group 3 (simethicone solution intake >60 min before procedure). Primary and secondary outcome were procedure time and the patients' satisfaction after the examination. All symptoms like abdominal pain, distension were recorded.Results: No statistically significant differences were found on the patients’ demographic and clinical features, and mean examination time (all P values >0.05). The distribution of patients with different endoscopic and pathological diagnosis was comparable among three groups, respectively (P=0.607; P=0.289). However, the proportion of patients with Gastric Cleanness Grade A was most in Group 2 (n=73, 79.3%), and patient proportion with Gastric Cleanness Grade C was most found in Group 1 (n=72, 65.5%), which was greatly different (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference on the satisfaction scores [immediately 6 (3-8) vs. 6 (1-10) vs. 6 (1-9), P=0.533; 2h after 10 (8-10) vs. 10 (10-10) vs. 10 (8-10), P=0.463].Conclusion: Simethicone solution intake 31-60 min before esophagogastroduodenoscopy can help obtain best gastric cleanness, which is recommended in clinical practice (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03776916).

Zeolite-Containing Terra-Silicea as a Component of Composite Binders

The work is devoted to the study of the zeolite terra silicea (ZTS) for the subsequent development of composite binders based on its properties. Zeolite-containing rock - Terra silicea has high adsorption properties, due to the crystal-chemical features of the structure of its minerals and the predominance of capillary porosity in the rock. The rock-forming zeolite-containing Terra silicea mineral (clinoptilolite), due to the crystal chemical characteristics of its structure, is expected to act as a “battery” of the mortar part of the hydrating system, ensuring the solution intake in the later stages of hardening and, thereby, creating conditions for monolithic structure during the operational period.

Avoidance of phenylthiocarbamide in mature Targhee and Rambouillet rams

Shrub encroachment on grasslands is a worldwide issue and sheep are a potential tool for mitigating shrub encroachment. Many shrubs, however, contain bitter-tasting compounds that may deter grazers. Cattle and sheep commonly graze rangelands, but of the two, sheep have a greater tolerance for bitter compounds and would be expected to consume more bitter-tasting vegetation. We hypothesized that sheep could detect (i.e., taste) bitter-tasting compounds and the sensitivity to these compounds would vary from animal to animal. The objective of this study was to determine whether sheep could detect the bitter-tasting compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), and if so, what PTC concentration would elicit an avoidance response. Using a crossover study design, mature Rambouillet and Targhee rams (n = 30) were subjected in randomized order to various PTC concentrations mixed in the drinking water (PTC solution). In trials 1 and 2 (n = 15/trial), 0.20, 0.56, 1.57, 4.39, and 12.29 mM and 0.20, 0.43, 0.94, 2.03, and 4.39 mM of PTC were tested, respectively. On test days, PTC solution (trial 1: 1.5 kg; trial 2: 3.0 kg) and water (same amounts) were offered for ad libitum intake in a side-by-side presentation for 1 h in trial 1 and 2 h in trial 2. Each test day was followed by a rest day where PTC solution was replaced with water to limit potential carry over effects into the next test day. Consumption of PTC solution for each PTC concentration was expressed as the percentage of PTC solution intake of total morning fluid intake. There was no effect (P &gt; 0.74) of sequence that rams received PTC solutions on PTC consumption during either trial. As PTC concentration increased, percentage of PTC solution intake decreased (P ≤ 0.01) for both trials. The greatest decrease in percentage of PTC solution intake occurred between 1.57 and 4.39 mM (58%) for trial 1 and 2.03 and 4.39 mM (72%) for trial 2. In trial 2, the least percentage of PTC solution intake was the 4.39 mM PTC concentration, which was different (P ≤ 0.05) from lesser PTC concentrations. All other PTC concentrations did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) from each other in percentage intake. This research suggests rams could taste the PTC, and the concentration at which PTC solution was avoided varied across rams. It may be possible to select sheep, based on demonstrated avoidance of PTC, for targeted grazing applications to manipulate vegetation toward range management goals.