Lab-on kit: A 3D printed portable device for optical and electrochemical dual-mode detection.

The hyphenation of electrochemical methods and optical methods in a single portable device is expected to be a challenging combination to enhance the information which can be gained on complex chemical systems. In this paper, a low-cost spectrophotometric device based on low-cost electronics integrated with an electroanalytical cell equipped with a screen printed electrode (SPE) and assembled exploiting a DIY approach, is presented. This easy to use device allowed spectrophotometric and electroanalytical measurements to be performed simultaneously providing simultaneous information and enabling concomitant comparison and autovalidation of the results collected. The analytical robustness and precision of the proposed system was successfully tested on solutions containing mixtures of Patent Blue (E-131) and Brilliant Blue (Erioglaucine E-133), two food dyes displaying optical and redox properties very similar to each other.

Ramadan intermittent fasting reduces visceral fat and improves gastrointestinal motility.

BACKGROUND: Ramadan is a model of intermittent fasting linked with possible beneficial effects. Scarce information, however, is available about the combined effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometric and metabolic indices, gastrointestinal symptoms, and motility. METHODS: In 21 healthy Muslims, we assessed the impact of RIF on caloric intake, physical activity, gastrointestinal symptoms and motility (gastric/gallbladder emptying by ultrasonography, orocaecal transit time by lactulose breath test), anthropometric indices, subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness (ultrasonography), glucose and lipid homeostasis. RESULTS: Mean caloric intake decreased from a median of 2069 kcal (range 1677-2641) before Ramadan to 1798 kcal (1289-3126) during Ramadan and increased again to 2000 kcal (1309-3485) after Ramadan. Although physical activity remained stable before, during, and after RIF, body weight, body mass index and waist circumference decreased in all subjects and in both genders, together with a significant decrease in subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness and insulin resistance. The postprandial gastric emptying speed was significantly faster after than before RIF. Fasting gallbladder volume was about 6% smaller after, than before Ramadan, with a stronger and faster postprandial gallbladder contraction. After RIF, lactulose breath test documented increased microbiota carbohydrate fermentation (postprandial H2 peak), and faster orocaecal transit time. RIF also significantly improved gastric fullness, epigastric pain and heartburn. CONCLUSIONS: RIF generates, in healthy subjects, multiple systemic beneficial effects in terms of fat burden, metabolic profile, gastrointestinal motility and symptoms. Further comprehensive studies should assess the potential beneficial effects of RIF in diseased people.

Gut Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acids: Implications in Glucose Homeostasis.

Gut microbiota encompasses a wide variety of commensal microorganisms consisting of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbial population coexists in symbiosis with the host, and related metabolites have profound effects on human health. In this respect, gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the regulation of metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. Bacterial metabolites include the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4), which are the most abundant SCFAs in the human body and the most abundant anions in the colon. SCFAs are made from fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch in the gut. They modulate several metabolic pathways and are involved in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Thus, diet might influence gut microbiota composition and activity, SCFAs production, and metabolic effects. In this narrative review, we discuss the relevant research focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota, SCFAs, and glucose metabolism.

[Criteria of the OCRA method in evaluating the structural assembly of aircrafts: preliminary data]. / Criteri applicativi del metodo OCRA nella valutazione dell'assemblaggio strutturale degli aeromobili: dati preliminari.

In the aircraft productive sector, the risk assessment of repetitive occupational activities through the OCRA method presents some major obstacles: - high number of different tasks (more than 20) carried out during the work shift. - definite identification of the number of technical actions per cycle. Risk assessment through the traditional OCRA method provides in this sector a index which varies according to the sampling of the occupational tasks, rather than reflecting the effective risk level. The study raises an OCRA-based method which is applicable in the aircraft production sector and defines the overall ergonomic load for homogeneous groups of exposed workers, based on production data specified for each aircraft model.