Towards salivary C-reactive protein as a viable biomarker of systemic inflammation

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.C-reactive protein (CRP) is a commonly used marker of systemic inflammation, routinely measured in serum blood samples. However salivary samples offer a non-invasive and easily accessible alternative which would improve point of care (POC) testing for inflammation. Two major challenges restrict the use of saliva: the influence of the oral environment on CRP and its local production; and collecting a standardised sample given patient-dependent salivary flow rates. Here we review the reported studies of salivary CRP in humans as a potential marker of systemic inflammation and how the challenges can be overcome. Salivary CRP currently poorly reflects systemic inflammation as it does not consistently and strongly correlate with serum CRP. The mean and one standard deviation reported R2 values are 0.53 ± 0.23 from 14 studies. An improved understanding of the key challenges and implemented solutions are needed to optimise salivary CRP use. Firstly, control for the effects of local oral inflammation. Screening for oral trauma is one option, however this could drastically limit the number of patients suitable for salivary CRP testing and the number of professionals able to use the POC test. Secondly, the role of a dilution biomarker is considered controlling for salivary flow rate which dilutes serum CRP by ~104; a variable and likely-patient specific factor. The ideal dilution biomarker should have many of the pharmacokinetic, sensitivity and specificity characteristics of CRP. The potential for positive acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) and negative acute phase protein albumin is considered and the characteristics of any correction function discussed. Currently, however, there are no available strategies to make salivary CRP a reliable quantitative measure of serum CRP and hence POC systemic inflammation testing

Implementation of a Non-Metallic Reinforced Bridge Deck, Volume 1: Bond Behavior

The primary maintenance problem with bridges in Indiana has been deterioration of the concrete deck which is often related to corrosion of the reinforcing steel. While a corrosion protection system consisting of epoxy-coated reinforcement in combination with 2-1/2 in. of Class C concrete cover has been used in Indiana, research and experience have demonstrated that this system can be compromised. As an alternative solution to the corrosion problem in reinforced concrete, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars which are corrosion resistant can be provided as reinforcement. This research was divided into two phases directed towards the implementation of a nonmetallic reinforced bridge deck. The first phase evaluated the bond strength of fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement with the goal of developing a design expression for the calculation of development and splice lengths. Forty-six glass FRP, carbon FRP, and steel reinforced concrete beams with unconfined tension lap splices were tested. The second phase consisted of the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a glass FRP bar reinforced concrete bridge deck. Based on this study, design recommendations are provided for the calculation of development and splice lengths of both FRP and steel reinforcement. Furthermore, the behavior of the FRP reinforced bridge deck is assessed and compared with its design assumptions. The findings of this study provide design tools and behavioral data that will assist in the future development and deployment of this technology

Exploring implications of urban growth scenarios and investments for water supply, sanitation, wastewater generation and use in Accra, Ghana

Large cities in developing countries are challenged to meet steeply water demands and to dispose of wastewater safely in a context of urbanisation and poor water management and planning capacities. Urban water management has direct implications for water availability and sewage disposal in terms of quality and quantity. Studying the future implications and assessing the scale of impact of these processes starts with an understanding of the various water flows, supply and sewage infrastructure and uses of the water that is supplied to the city. It is argued that changes in water infrastructure and household water use and sanitation facilities at the city level has implications for upstream supply and demand management and downstream wastewater management. This paper explores this research area with a focus on Accra in Ghana. It is argued that the current situation in Accra shows a need and potential for improvement of water supply and wastewater treatment, however, through ways that do not require more concrete pipes

Notational analysis in female Grand Slam tennis competitions

Grand Slam tennis tournaments are played on different surfaces. The aims of the present study were to analyse the technical differences in the Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open or AO, Roland Garros or RG, Wimbledon or W, and the United States Open or US), as well as to establish differences between winning and losing players. A total of 580 sets in 248 matches played in Grand Slams between 2017 and 2018 were analysed. To observe differences between the tournaments, a one-way analysis of variance (Kruskal Wallis) with the Bonferroni post-hoc test was performed. Univariate (Wilcoxon test) analysis of data was carried out to show the differences between the winning and losing performances of sets. Players who had more aces, points won on the 1st serve, winning shots and net points won more matches in the AO, W and US than in the RG (p<.05). However, in RG, players won more receiving points (43.56% of the points played) with chances to break the opponents’ service game. The results also showed that the winning players were superior in both service and receiving, and the most influential variables on the outcome of the match were percentage of receiving points won, break points won, and percentage of points won on the first serve. Such knowledge may have implications in the design of appropriate game strategies and specific training sessions to improve performance in professional women’s tennis

Differences in forms of organization of the padel lessons with students

El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer los efectos en la cantidad y eficacia de golpeos y la percepción de satisfacción/diversión, aburrimiento y esfuerzo a través de cuatro formas de organización diferentes de sesiones de pádel. Los participantes del estudio fueron 48 estudiantes del Ciclo Formativo de Técnico en Animación y Actividades Físico Deportivas (33 chicos y 15 chicas), con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 26 años. Se evaluó la cantidad y eficacia de los golpeos a través de una hoja de observación directa. La percepción de diversión y aburrimiento fue evaluada a través del Sport Satisfaction Instrument y la percepción de esfuerzo a través de la Pictorial Children´s Effort Rating Table. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la forma de organización basada en el peloteo entre los alumnos se plantea como la más eficaz en la enseñanza del pádel, obteniendo un número significativamente mayor y más eficaz de golpeos, así como valores significativamente superiores de diversión/satisfacción y esfuerzo e inferiores de aburrimientoThe aim of this study was to determine the effects on the quantity and effectiveness of strokes and perceived satisfaction / fun, boredom and effort through four different organizational forms of paddle sessions. Study participants were 48 students from the Technical Training Course in Animation and Sports Physical Activities (33 boys and 15 girls) with ages between 18 and 26 years. The amount and effectiveness of beatings through direct observation of a sheet was evaluated. The perception of fun and boredom was evaluated through the Sport Satisfaction Instrument and perception of effort through the Pictorial Children's Effort Rating Table. The results show that the form of organization based on the rally among students is seen as the most effective in teaching paddle. A significantly greater and more effective number of strokes and significantly higher values of amusement / satisfaction and effort and lower boredom have been proved as a result of this form of organizatio

Analysis of Serve and Serve-Return Strategies in Elite Male and Female Padel

This aim of this study was to analyze serve and return statistics in elite padel players regarding courtside and gender. The sample contained 668 serves and 600 returns of serves from 14 matches (7 male and 7 female) of the 2019 Masters Finals World Padel Tour. Variables pertaining to serve (number, direction, court side and effectiveness), return of serve (direction, height, stroke type and effectiveness) and point outcome were registered through systematic observation. The main results showed that the serving pair had an advantage in rallies, under 8 shots in women and under 12 shots in men. Statistical differences according to gender and court side were found. Female players execute more backhand and cross-court returns and use more lobs than men. On the right court, serves are more frequently aimed at the "T" and more down the line returns are executed when compared to the left side. Such knowledge could be useful to develop appropriate game strategies and to design specific training exercises based on actual competition context

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

There is a growing recognition of the harmful effects of lead exposure on avian and mammalian scavengers. This can lead to both lethal and non-lethal effects which may negatively impact wildlife populations. Our objective was to assess medium-term lead exposure in wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Frozen liver samples (n = 41), opportunistically collected in 2017–2022, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine liver lead concentrations. These results were then used to calculate the proportion of animals with elevated lead levels ( \u3e 5 mg/kg dry weight) and examine the role of explanatory variables that may have influenced the results. The majority of samples analysed were from the south-east corner of Tasmania, within 50 km of Hobart. No Tasmanian devil samples were found to have elevated lead levels. The median liver lead concentration was 0.17 mg/kg (range 0.05–1.32 mg/kg). Female devils were found to have significantly higher liver lead concentrations than males (P = 0.013), which was likely related to lactation, but other variables (age, location, body mass) were not significant. These results suggest that wild Tasmanian devil populations currently show minimal medium-term evidence of exposure to lead pollution, although samples were concentrated in peri-urban areas. The results provide a baseline level which can be used to assess the impact of any future changes in lead use in Tasmania. Furthermore, these data can be used as a comparison for lead exposure studies in other mammalian scavengers, including other carnivorous marsupial species

Urban growth, wastewater production and use in irrigated agriculture: a comparative study of Accra, Addis Ababa and Hyderabad

The relationships between urban development, water resources management and wastewater use for irrigation have been studied in the cities of Accra in Ghana, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Hyderabad in India. Large volumes of water are extracted from water sources often increasingly far away from the city, while investments in wastewater management are often lagging behind. The resulting environmental degradation within and downstream of cities has multiple consequences for public health, in particular through the use of untreated wastewater in irrigated agriculture. Despite significant efforts to increase wastewater treatment, options for safeguarding public health via conventional wastewater treatment alone remain limited to smaller inner-urban watersheds. The new WHO guidelines for wastewater irrigation recognize this situation and emphasize the potential of post- or non-treatment options. Controlling potential health risks will allow urban water managers in all three cities to build on the benefits from the already existing (but largely informal) wastewater reuse, those being the contribution to food security and reduction of fresh water demands