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.

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.

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.

[Criteria of the OCRA method in evaluating the structural assembly of aircrafts: preliminary data].

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.