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BACKGROUND: Esthetic orthodontic wires are preferred for their ease to fit in with natural tooth color, but their susceptibility to staining in the oral environment poses a concern. Various Coatings such as Teflon and Epoxy aim to enhance appearance and biocompatibility but may still result in discoloration. Understanding the color stability of these wires under different staining conditions is crucial for a better and enhanced treatment plan. OBJECTIVE: This study intended to assess the color stability of esthetic orthodontic wires under various staining solutions that are often used in daily life. METHOD: Color changes of Teflon and Epoxy-coated esthetic orthodontic wires were meticulously measured at baseline, 7, 14, and 21-day intervals utilizing the precise CIE Lab* color measurement system. A total of thirty-two samples of wires from each brand were prepared (n = 8/group) and immersed in staining solutions (coffee, tea, cola, and saffron). The color change within and between the groups was statistically evaluated (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Significant variations in color stability were observed across different staining solutions. Saffron emerged as the most potent agent, inducing the most pronounced color changes, whereas cola demonstrated the least impact. Furthermore, Epoxy-coated wires consistently exhibited superior color stability compared to their Teflon-coated counterparts across all staining solutions and time intervals. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the significance for orthodontists to consider staining agents' possible effects on orthodontic wires into account when selecting the orthodontic wires. The findings suggest that Epoxy-coated wires hold promise in mitigating discoloration issues during orthodontic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bezoars, including phytobezoars, trichobezoars, and pharmacobezoars, are accumulations of undigested substances in the gastrointestinal tract. We report three cases of gastric bezoars. Case 1: An 86-year-old woman presented with a one-month history of abdominal pain and vomiting. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed gastric bezoars; consumption of 2 L of cola daily for 2 weeks resulted in complete disappearance of the bezoars. Case 2: An asymptomatic 63-year-old woman underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed a gastric bezoar. Cola spraying and endoscopic lithotomy were ineffective; therefore, the patient underwent laparoscopic removal of the bezoar for management of small bowel obstruction secondary to the bezoar fragments. Case 3: A 6-year-old girl with a history of pica underwent two laparoscopic surgeries 10 months apart for recurrent trichobezoars. We report our treatment approach in three patients who presented with gastric bezoars.

Abstract Background Urinary tract problems are a common complaint in small animal medicine and urolithiasis is considered to be an important cause of urinary tract disease in dogs. In this study the main aim was to investigate whether the occurrence of cystine urolithiasis increased during a five-year period. A second aim was to evaluate possible risk-factors as breed, age and gender. This study also evaluated how urine specific gravity, pH and level of cystine in urine responded to preventive strategies. Medical records of dogs with urolithiasis presented at nine Norwegian animal clinics and one animal hospital between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results The incidence of cystine uroliths increased significantly during the five study years (R2 = 0.72, P = 0.0199). Dogs with cystine uroliths were significantly younger (5.0 years (n = 84, 95% CI [4.4–5.6])) when they were diagnosed with cystine uroliths compared to dogs with other types of uroliths (8.1 years (n = 255, 95% CI[7.8-8.5]) P

Background: Urinary tract problems are a common complaint in small animal medicine and urolithiasis is considered to be an important cause of urinary tract disease in dogs. In this study the main aim was to investigate whether the occurrence of cystine urolithiasis increased during a five-year period. A second aim was to evaluate possible risk-factors as breed, age and gender. This study also evaluated how urine specific gravity, pH and level of cystine in urine responded to preventive strategies. Medical records of dogs with urolithiasis presented at nine Norwegian animal clinics and one animal hospital between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The incidence of cystine uroliths increased significantly during the five study years (R2 = 0.72, P = 0.0199). Dogs with cystine uroliths were significantly younger (5.0 years (n = 84, 95% CI [4.4–5.6])) when they were diagnosed with cystine uroliths compared to dogs with other types of uroliths (8.1 years (n = 255, 95% CI[7.8-8.5]) P < < 0.0001). Cystine levels in urine were increased in 93% of the dogs with cystine urolithiasis. Cystinuria decreased significantly after neutering (P < 0.0001). Breeds most commonly affected with cystine urolithiasis in this study were Staffordshire bull terrier, Danish Swedish farmdog and Chihuahua. Conclusions: The results from this study supports a suggested genetic basis for cystine urolithiasis as described in previous studies. Neutering is considered an important part of preventing reoccurrence since cystine values decreased significantly after neutering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reentrant condensation (RC) is a protein behavior in which the protein solution shifts between the one- and two-phase state more than twice by increasing a single parameter. Although RC would be a candidate mechanism for the physicochemical design of food additives, no realistic model has been established under diverse contaminants like food materials. Here, we found that a mixture of cola and milk yielded RC. At pH 3.2–3.6, cola induced milk condensation at 30–40%, while lower or higher concentrations of cola did not. Furthermore, we reduced this cola/milk system to two pure components, casein in milk and polyphosphate (polyP) in cola, and investigated the characteristics of casein concentration and zeta potential. This was the first experimental demonstration of RC occurrence in a multicomponent system. The well-characterized cola/milk system would explore both the universal nature of proteins and the industrial application of RC.

Purpose of Review: Online resources have become an essential component of medical education. We describe here our long standing but unique approach to providing online education in the specialty of allergy and immunology and its impact. Recent Findings: In this article, we report the process and updates to our online conferencing curriculum known as Conferences Online in Allergy (COLA). The program was developed at Children's Mercy Kansas City almost two decades ago for the utilization of fellows in training, as well as practicing allergists. Since its inception viewership has continued to grow. Summary: COLA has served as a significant resource for both the new and practicing allergists. With rapidly continuing advancements in medical knowledge and technology, coupled with the aftereffects of a pandemic and remote learning, COLA will continue to play a significant role in allergy and immunology medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an ethnography of the queue that formed in the Comic Con Experience parking lot on December 6, 2019 to access the Cinemark auditorium panels, held the next day. Based on the article by Leon Mann called Queue Culture: The Waiting Line as a Social System (1969) and on the book Fila e Democracia (2017) by Roberto DaMatta and Alberto Junqueira, this text defines the queue as a space democratic public. The study also understands that it consists of a social practice that generates sociabilities, marked by a sense of community. The article concludes that references to pop culture narratives present in the event and in the queue generate an affective anteriority that, shared between individuals, establishes a "common" that links their behaviors, emotions and affections, as discussed by Muniz Sodré in the book The science of the common: notes on the communicational method (2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to develop a formulation of a non-alcoholic cola cocktail concentrate with lemon-lime, of good acceptability, which allows its production on an industrial scale. For this purpose, a cola concentrate elaborated in the Food Industry Research Institute was taken, which could serve as a base for the preparation of the cocktail concentrate. With the application of affective tests with a seven-point hedonic scale and the just-about-right (JAR) scale the optimal content of an alcoholic essence of lemon-lime in the cola concentrate (0.7 g/100 g of cola concentrate) was determined. The penalty analysis, which combines the affective test with the JAR scale to identify the optimal intensity of each sensory attribute, indicates that the parameter that had the greatest weight in product acceptance was the lemon-lime essence content, compared to cola and sweet attributes. The cocktail concentrate produced with the optimized lemon-lime essence content had 54.6 °Brix, 0.43% acidity, mold and yeast count less than 102 CFU/mL and an acceptance of 6.4 on a scale of seven points, resulting in a high acceptability rate of 91.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a summary of 60+ Tēvāram hymns on Veṇkāṭu which are not only important documents in the history of South Indian Śaivism, but also the sthala and organizing principle of the structure of the temple, its location and iconography. The Śaivite Navagraha-sthalas in the Kāviri delta, are Curiyanārkōyil-Sūrya, Tiṅkalūr-Candra, Tiruveṇkāṭu-Budha, Vaittīcuvarankōyil-Aṅgāraka, Ālaṅkuṭi-Bṛhaspati, Kañcaṇūr-Śukra, TirunaḷḷāṟuŚanaiścara, Kuṃbhakoṇam/Nākeśvaram-Rāhu and Perumpaḷḷam-Ketu. The Vaiṣṇavas have their Navagrahasthalas in the Tāmiraparaṇi basin, called Navatiruppatis (nine holy lands). The nava-Kailāsas in this zone are also treated Śaiva grahasthalas. Śvetāraṇyeśvara temple. Tiruveṇkāṭu, is a crucial Śaiva-sthala, much less known to the outer world. The three authors of the Tēvāram, viz., Campantar (Tirumuṟai 1-3), Nāvukkaracar (4.6) and Cuntarar (7) have contributed six patikams (decades of hymns, totally of 62 hymns) on the Budha-sthala in Tiruveṇkāṭu. The different manifestations of Śiva are extolled in these hymns, particularly Ardhanārīśvara, Naṭarāja, Yogīśvara, Candraśekhara, Ekapādamūrti, Bhikṣāṭana, Kālāri, Gajasaṃhāra and so on. These remain unexamined in scholarly works. It is worthwhile to see what the Tēvāram-trio have to say on Veṅkāṭu. It seems during the past, Cōḻa, Veṇkāṭu was a base of the Vīraśaivas. Therefore, a shrine for the Lord Vīrabhadra is present within the Śvetāraṇyeśvara temple. The bhakti Tamil literature clearly recognizes the importance of this venue with reference to its landscape, sthala, vṛkṣa, cultic values, mythologies, nāmāvalis ‘epithets’ and its implications on the visual iconography of the temple that evolved under the Cōḻas and successive rulers of the region. This article hopes to show the importance of an aspect of Tamil Śaivism which is often neglected by scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile approach is reported to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogel. The proposed approach involves the reduction of GO by utilizing the reduction capability of carbonic acid in soft drinks. The presence of carbonic acid reduces the oxygen functionalities in GO to produce rGO and simultaneously provides carboxyl groups for hydrogen bonding in the three-dimensional self-assembly of aerogel. It is also proven that the as-synthesized rGO aerogel possesses a pseudocapacitive effect, owing to the presence of carboxyl groups. This facile reduction approach by an easily available source successfully produces rGO aerogel with 20-fold charge storage capacity enhancement (121 F/g at 0.4 A/g) as compared to the GO. It suggests this facile approach has great potential to construct lightweight graphene aerogel for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric impactions are an uncommon cause of colic in horses, although they appear to occur more often in Friesians. The administration of cola via nasogastric tube to resolve impactions has been described, but the efficacy of this treatment has not been reported. The aim of the study was to compare the success of treatment of gastric impactions with and without the use of cola and to determine whether Friesians are more often affected by gastric impactions than other breeds. For this retrospective descriptive case series, patient records were retrieved (2003–2019) and 125 horses with gastric impactions identified. The outcome, defined as discharge from the hospital, was compared between horses that were treated with cola and those that were not. The percentage of Friesians in the group of horses with gastric impactions was compared to that in the population admitted to our clinic and treatment success in Friesians was compared to that in other breeds. Overall 72/125 (57.6 %) horses with gastric impactions were discharged from the hospital, but the likelihood of survival was significantly greater for horses treated with cola (48/58 = 82.8 % vs. 24/67 = 35.8 %, P < 0.001). In 66 cases in which the impaction was resolved an estimate was made of the number of days taken for this to occur. The average time until resolution was 2.6 days (range 1–11). Of the 125 horses with gastric impactions 39 (31.2 %) were Friesians, a significantly higher percentage than in our hospital population (9.4 %, P < 0.001). Also, Friesians treated with cola were less likely to survive (12/18 = 66.7 %) than other breeds (36/40 = 90 %, P = 0.03). In conclusion, gastric impactions in horses are more likely to be resolved when treatment includes the nasogastric administration of cola. Friesian horses are more likely to develop gastric impactions than other breeds and less likely to survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viviane Hass,1 Stephanye Tavares Carvalhal,2 Suellen Nogueira Linares Lima,2 Andrés Alejandro Viteri-Garcia,3 Etevaldo Matos Maia Filho,2 Matheus Coelho Bandeca,2 Alessandra Reis,4 Alessandro Dourado Loguercio,4 Rudys Rodolfo De Jesus Tavarez2 1Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, UNOPAR-University Northern Parana, Londrina, PR, Brazil; 2Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, University Ceuma, São Luis, Brazil; 3Escuela de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad UTE, Quito, Ecuador; 4Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, BrazilCorrespondence: Alessandro Dourado LoguercioUniversidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Departamento de Odontologia Restauradora, Avenida Carlos Cavalcanti 4748 – Uvaranas, Ponta Grossa 84030-900, PR, BrazilEmail aloguercio@hotmail.comObjective: The purpose of this single-blind (evaluators) and parallel design study was to evaluate whether exposure to a cola-based soft drink during bleaching treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) affects color change and bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity.Material and methods: Forty-four patients with central incisors darker than A2 were selected. Participants who did not drink cola-based soft drinks were assigned to the control group (CG), while participants who drank a cola-based soft drink at least twice a day were assigned to the experimental group (EG). For the CG, foods with staining dyes were restricted. For the EG, there was no restriction on food and patients were asked to rinse their mouths with a cola-based soft drink for 30 s, 4 times daily. For both groups, 2 sessions with three 15 min applications of 35% HP were performed. Shade evaluation was assessed via subjective (VITA classical and VITA bleacheguide shade guides) and objective methods (Easyshade spectrophotometer) at baseline, during bleaching (first, second, and third weeks), and post bleaching (1 week and 1 month). Patients recorded their sensitivity perceptions using a numerical rating scale and 0–10 visual analog scales. Variation in shade guide units and the 2 colors (DE) were evaluated with a Student’s t-test (α = 0.05) and Mann–Whitney test (α = 0.05). Absolute risk of tooth sensitivity and intensity of tooth sensitivity were evaluated by a Chi-square test (α=0.05).Results: Effective bleaching was observed for both groups after 30 days, without statistical difference (p > 0.08). There was no significant difference in absolute risk of bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity between the 2 groups (p = 0.74). Higher and significant scores in pain scales were detected for the EG in comparison to the CG (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Even that the cola-based soft drink exposure during in-office bleaching treatments did not affect the bleaching’s effectiveness; patients reported a higher intensity in bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity.Keywords: dentin sensitivity, dental bleaching, hydrogen peroxide, cola-based soft drink, carbonated beverages, cola, soda

Introduction: Activated charcoal is the most common form of gastrointestinal decontamination used for the poisoned patient. One limitation to its use is patient tolerability due to palatability. Some recommend mixing activated charcoal with cola to improve palatability. An important question is whether mixing activated charcoal with cola affects the ability of the activated charcoal to adsorb xenobiotic., Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled crossover trial. Five healthy adults aged 18 to 40 years were recruited. Participants received 45 mg/kg acetaminophen rounded down to the nearest whole tablet. One hour later, they were randomized to receive 50 g of an activated charcoal-water premixture alone or mixed with cola. Acetaminophen levels were collected. The area under the curve of acetaminophen concentrations over time was measured as a marker for degree of absorption. Participants also completed an appeal questionnaire in which they rated the activated charcoal preparations. Participants would then return after at least 7 days to repeat the study with the other activated charcoal preparation., Results: Four male participants and 1 female participant were recruited. There was no statistical difference in preference score for activated charcoal alone versus the cola-activated charcoal mixture. There was no statistical difference in the area under the curve of acetaminophen concentrations over time between activated charcoal alone and the cola-activated charcoal mixture. Of note, the study is limited by the small sample size, limiting its statistical power., Discussion: The absorption of acetaminophen in an overdose model is no different when participants received activated charcoal alone or a cola-activated charcoal mixture as suggested by area under the curve. In this small study, there was no difference in preference for activated charcoal alone or a cola-activated charcoal mixture across a range of palatability questions. On an individual level, some participants preferred the activated charcoal-cola mixture, and some preferred the activated charcoal alone., (Copyright © 2024 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Many pregnant women, in the world, drink caffeine-containing beverages. Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy may have adverse effects on foetus but results are conflicting. Our goals were to estimate the prevalence of caffeine use in a cohort of French pregnant women using maternal self-reports and to evaluate the association between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and delivery and newborn characteristics. All pregnant women who gave birth in a large French urban area during a limited period of time were included (in total 724 mothers were included). Coffee, tea or cola consumption as well as pregnancy and neonate characteristics were analysed. The mean consumption of caffeine per day slightly decreased from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy: 587 caffeine users, with a consumption of caffeine of 59.2 ± 61.5 mg/day during the first trimester as compared to 577 consumers (54.3 ± 55.4 mg/day) during the third trimester, respectively. A significant decrease of neonates' birth length was observed when mothers were using at least 100 mg/day (or two cups) of caffeine during the second and third trimesters but this difference was no longer significant after adjustment on potential confounding factors such as tobacco use. The potential existence of other confounders (e.g. poorer dietary habits or other lifestyle variables) that might also be associated with reduced birth length, may not be excluded. Caffeine use during pregnancy was associated with reduced birth length but this effect was no longer significant after adjustment on potential confounding variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory evaluation of food relies heavily on the eating context. The objective of this study was to determine how the context effect, created from differences in environmental setting and product information, affects consumer's acceptability of two types of beverages. Participants of this study rated five ready‐to‐drink tea products and five diet cola products on a 9‐point hedonic scale. Environmental setting differences were created by altering testing locations, and product information differences were created by serving the same samples with or without product name and image. Self‐reported sensory engagement was measured in each location. Tea samples showed significantly higher appearance liking ratings in the sensory booth location as well as higher flavor liking ratings when product information was provided. Cola samples did not show a significant effect of testing location but did show a significant product information by sample interaction, where well‐established brands received higher ratings when product information was provided. Overall, results were product‐specific; testing location does not appear to have a large influence on hedonic scores for certain beverages, and the impact of product information varies largely depending on the product type and brand. The laboratory sensory booth setting provided higher panelist engagement overall. Additional research on the combination of external context and meal, sample, or social context is needed to fully explore the effect of eating context in sensory tests. Practical Application: Findings from this study can help the food industry comprehend how test location may impact results of acceptability testing of different beverage products, both in terms of hedonic scores and sensory engagement. Results of this study also evidence the influence of sample information on product acceptability and how this influence differs based on the type of beverage and the popularity of the brand tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The consumption of caffeinated drinks and soft drinks is widespread in society, including by pregnant women. Data regarding the association of caffeine intake and stillbirth are varied. We aimed to investigate the degree of consumption of caffeinated drinks or soft drinks in the last four weeks of pregnancy in women who experienced a late stillbirth compared to women with ongoing live pregnancies at similar gestation. Influences on maternal caffeine intake and soft drink consumption during pregnancy were also investigated.Study Design: A case-control study undertaken in 41 maternity units in the United Kingdom. Cases were women who had a singleton non-anomalous stillbirth ≥28 weeks' gestation (n = 290) and controls were women with an ongoing pregnancy at the time of interview (n = 729). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included questions regarding consumption of a variety of caffeinated drinks and soft drinks in the last four weeks of pregnancy as well as other behaviours (e.g. cigarette smoking).Results: Multivariable analysis adjusting for co-existing demographic and behavioural factors found the consumption of instant coffee, energy drinks and cola were associated with increased risk of stillbirth. There was an independent association between caffeine intake and late stillbirth (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.27, 95 % Confidence Interval (95 %CI) 1.14, 1.43 for each 100 mg increment/day). 15 % of cases and 8% of controls consumed more than the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation (>300 mg of caffeine/day; aOR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.40, 4.24). The population attributable risk for stillbirth associated with >300 mg of caffeine/day was 7.4 %. The majority of respondents reduced caffeine consumption in pregnancy. Midwives and internet resources were the most frequently used sources of information which influenced maternal behaviour with regard to soft drinks and caffeine, and this did not differ between cases and controls.Conclusions: Women should be informed that consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of stillbirth, particularly at levels greater than recommended by the WHO (>300 mg/day). Recommendations from midwives and internet-based resources are likely to be the most effective means to influence maternal behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dental erosion is a chemical-mechanical process that leads to the loss of dental hard tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pomegranate juice on the enamel., Methods: Enamel blocks were randomly divided into three groups: deionized water, cola, and pomegranate juice. The blocks were immersed in the solutions four times a day for 14 days, and stored in artificial saliva for the remaining period. The surface hardness was measured on days 7 and 14. The surface structures of the demineralized blocks were observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the depth of demineralization was observed via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The pH, calcium, and phosphorus levels of the three solutions were analyzed., Results: The microhardness values of the blocks in the pomegranate juice and cola groups decreased with the increase in the demineralization time. The blocks in the pomegranate juice group exhibited large fractures in the enamel column, whereas those in the cola group had pitted enamels with destruction of the interstitial enamel column. Compared with cola group, fluorescent penetration increased in pomegranate juice (P < 0.01). The pH of cola (2.32 ± 0.09) was lower than that of pomegranate juice (3.16 ± 0.16). Furthermore, the calcium content in pomegranate juice was significantly higher than that in cola (P < 0.01). Alternatively, the concentration of phosphorous in cola was significantly higher than that in pomegranate juice (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: These findings indicate that pomegranate juice can cause enamel demineralization with an erosive potential comparable to that of cola., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between cola consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adolescents and young adults. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011. A total of 2499 adolescents and young adults aged 12–25 years were included. The study participants were classified as cola drinkers and non-cola drinkers according to 24-h dietary recall data. BMD was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. In the male population, whole body, whole femur and femoral neck BMD in cola drinkers were lower than that of non-cola drinkers by 4% (95% CI −0⋅071, −0⋅007), 5% (−0⋅092, −0⋅012) and 5% (−0⋅090, −0⋅001), respectively. In both sex groups, cola drinkers had less frequent milk consumption than non-cola drinkers. However, there were no significant differences in cola consumption according to calcium intake in both sexes. In conclusion, cola intake and BMD were inversely associated with Korean male adolescents and young adults. Considering the importance of peak bone mass attainment at adolescents and the increasing trend in carbonated beverage consumption in South Korea, further studies are needed to elucidate the causality between cola intake and lower BMD.

Background and aims – Cola, the second largest genus of the Malvaceae-Sterculioideae comprises 100–135 small to large tree species confined in nature to African forests, though cultivated elsewhere. Current species distribution ranges show that the genus is highly diverse in the seasonally wet forests along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, including the Korup National Park (KNP). In this paper we examine the diversity and abundance of Cola in KNP compared to other forests for which comparable data are available. We also describe two novelties in the genus.Methods – We used inventory data from a 50-ha permanent plot in southern KNP where all Cola trees and saplings down to 1 cm in diameter were tagged, mapped and identified. Additional collections of the genus came from the 11 km trail leading to the plot. Classic herbarium techniques and field observations were used for the morphological identification and description of specimens at MO and YA and from our personal collections. Cola species richness and abundance was estimated from the plot data and compared to other African forest sites for which comparable data are available. The evaluation of the conservation status of the two new species described in this paper followed the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Key results – Twenty-five species of Cola were identified in the southern part of the KNP, including four undescribed species, raising the total number of Cola species in Cameroon to 46. The abundance of the genus in KNP was three orders of magnitude higher than in the Rabi forest in southwestern Gabon or in the Ituri forest in eastern D.R. Congo. This high species richness and abundance suggests that KNP is part of the center of diversity of the genus. Two new species, Cola zemagoana Kenfack & D.W.Thomas and C. mamboana Kenfack & Sainge are described and illustrated. Both species are only known from the lowland rainforest of southwestern Cameroon. Cola zemagoana is narrow endemic of southern KNP and its conservation status is assessed as Endangered. Cola mamboana is confined to the lowland forests of southwestern Cameroon, is locally very abundant in protected areas and is also assigned the conservation status Endangered.

The ever increasing number of orbital objects since 1957 raises numerous questions concerning future sustainability of space. Among the 34,000 objects larger than 10 cm in orbit, 20,000 only are cataloged. These cataloged objects include roughly 2000 active satellite, among which less than 1500 are maneuverable. All the rest are orbital debris, large satellites of launcher upper stages, mission related objects, inert pieces from fragmentations or collisions, with no maneuvering capabilities. Collision Avoidance is a common practice when at least one maneuvering satellite is involved, even though it requires a very significant effort to do so. But it is today not possible to avoid collisions among two debris, which represent by far the most frequent collision scenario. It appears necessary to find solutions to avoid such collisions as they have the potential to generate thousands of new orbital pieces and feed to so-called Kessler syndrome; indeed, numerous publications underline the frequent near-misses among very large derelict, and the consequences such collisions would have. Several solutions for such "Just in time Collision Avoidance (JCA)" have been proposed and are recalled in the paper. Three of them have recently been studied in order to assess their feasibility, and appear promising. The use of an orbital laser system can first drastically improve our the accuracy of the ephemerids, second impart a very small ΔV to a passive debris early enough to enable a significant increase in distance between the two objects. Another solution which appears very promising considers the launch on a small sounding rocket of a system releasing a cloud of particle and gas in front of one of the debris; the associated drag, even very small, is enough to lower the probability of an announced collision. Swarms of nano-tugs could also be attached to the most hazardous derelicts, de-tumble them, and slightly modify their trajectory in order to prevent collisions. • Collision between two large non maneuverable objects is one of the key problems in orbit. • Just-in-time Collision Avoidance JCA may help preventing such collisions. • Small laser orbital stations may provide solutions to track and nudge the large debris. • Insertion of a suborbital cloud of particles in front of a debris may prevent a collision. • Nanotugs, attached to a large debris, may control it and prevent a collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: (Pre)clinical evidence is accumulating that intermittent exposure to increased doses of protein kinase inhibitors may improve their treatment benefit. In this phase I trial, the safety of high-dose, pulsatile sorafenib was studied.Patients and Methods: High-dose sorafenib was administered once weekly in exposure escalation cohorts according to a 3 + 3 design. Drug monitoring was performed in weeks 1-3 and doses were adjusted to achieve a predefined target plasma area under the curve (AUC)(0-12 h). The effect of low gastric pH on improving sorafenib exposure was investigated by intake of the acidic beverage cola.Results: Seventeen patients with advanced malignancies without standard treatment options were included. Once weekly, high-dose sorafenib exposure was escalated up to a target AUC(0-12 h) of 125-150 mg/L/h, achieving a twofold higher Cmax compared to standard continuous dosing. Dose-limiting toxicity was observed in three patients: grade 3 duodenal perforation (2800 mg sorafenib), grade 5 multiorgan failure (2800 mg sorafenib) and grade 5 biliary tract perforation (3600 mg sorafenib). The mean difference between observed and target AUC(0-12 h) was 45% (SD ± 56%) in week 1 using a fixed starting dose of sorafenib compared to 2% (SD ± 32%) in week 3 as a result of drug monitoring (P = 0.06). Dissolving sorafenib in cola, instead of water, did not improve sorafenib exposure. Clinical benefit with stable disease as the best response was observed in two patients.Conclusion: Treatment with high-dose, once weekly sorafenib administration resulted in dose-limiting toxicity precluding dose escalation above the exposure cohort of 125-150 mg/L/h. Drug monitoring was a successful strategy to pursue a target exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether a change in beverage flavor during endurance cycling improves subsequent performance. Eight trained male athletes (age 24.3 ± 3.9 y, weight 74.7 ± 6.0 kg, peak O2 uptake [VO2peak] 65.4 ± 5.4 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1; mean ± SD) undertook 3 trials, with training and diet being controlled. Trials consisted of 120 min of steady-state (SS) cycling at ∼70% VO2peak, immediately followed by a 7-kJ/kg time trial (TT). During exercise subjects were provided with fluids every 20 min. After 80 min of SS cycling subjects either continued drinking the same-flavor sports drink or changed to an alternate flavor--either an alternate-flavor sports drink (AFSD) or cola. All beverages were carbohydrate and volume matched. Changing drink flavor caused no significant change in TT time (sports drink 27:16 ± 03:12, AFSD 27:06 ± 03:16, cola 27:03 ± 02:42; min: s). The various flavors produced no treatment effects on heart rate, blood glucose, or rating of perceived exertion throughout the SS exercise protocol. The influence of other taste variables such as palatability, bitterness, or timing of flavor change on endurance-exercise performance requires more rigorous investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge on canine and feline cystinuria from available scientific reports. Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic defect characterized by abnormal intestinal and renal amino acid transport in which cystine and the dibasic amino acids ornithine, lysine, and arginine are involved (COLA). At a normal urine pH, ornithine, lysine, and arginine are soluble, but cysteine forms a dimer, cystine, which is relatively insoluble, resulting in crystal precipitation. Mutations in genes coding COLA transporter and the mode of inheritance were identified only in some canine breeds. Cystinuric dogs may form uroliths (mostly in lower urinary tract) which are associated with typical clinical symptoms. The prevalence of cystine urolithiasis is much higher in European countries (up to 14% according to the recent reports) when compared to North America (United States and Canada) where it is approximately 1–3%. Cystinuria may be diagnosed by the detection of cystine urolithiasis, cystine crystalluria, assessment of amino aciduria, or using genetic tests. The management of cystinuria is aimed at urolith removal or dissolution which may be reached by dietary changes or medical treatment. In dogs with androgen-dependent cystinuria, castration will help. In cats, cystinuria occurs less frequently in comparison with dogs.

Background and Aim: High consumption of carbonated diet soda is the most common etiologic factor for dental erosion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microhardness of the enamel surface eroded by cola after treatment with Remin Pro and neutral sodium fluoride. Materials and Methods: This in vitro experimental study was performed on 20 extracted premolars with no corrosion, abrasion, crack or hypocalcification. To properly evaluate the microhardness, the buccal surface of samples was polished with sandpaper and then the teeth were immersed in acidic drinks to achieve demineralization. Next, the microhardness was measured at three new points and the samples were randomly divid-ed into two groups for application of neutral sodium fluoride and Ramin Pro. Duration of treatment was in accord with the manufacturer's instructions and the microhardness of the samples was measured again. Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups after the treatment, and the fluoride group showed higher microhardness (P=0.04). Also, the microhardness value was significantly different at the three time points (P

El presente artículo se enfoca en una empresa de maní ubicada en Medellín Colombia, la cual debido al incremento de la producción por la alta demanda de sus productos, afectó la calidad y los estándares de producción, provocando diversos problemas como demora en la entrega de productos, acumulación de materia prima entre otros. De este modo, se evaluó la problemática presentada, por medio un modelo de simulación teniendo en cuenta todas las variables que intervienen en dicha situación, localizando posibles cuellos de botella que causan la demora en la producción, y de esta forma se determinó el plan de acción a seguir para solucionar el problema. Teniendo en cuenta los hallazgos encontrados en lo anterior, se procedió a establecer diferentes escenarios de solución, atacando las diferentes causas de la problemática, posteriormente se evaluaron dichos escenarios para establecer la viabilidad de la implementación en la fábrica de maní, y se analizaron los resultados encontrados los cuales son relevantes para identificar cuáles de las actividades se podría intervenir para incrementar el volumen de unidades producidas y así mismo dar solución a la problemática.

Trapacear em avaliações se revela um problema educacional com efeitos deletérios ao indivíduo e ao país. Os meios para se inibir este comportamento são pouco eficientes e se baseiam apenas em medidas de repressão, como punições, e profiláticas, como limitação do número de itens portados em avaliações. Desse modo, este estudo propõem identificar o perfil comportamental de estudantes que trapaceiam em exames, para auxiliar na elaboração de estratégias adequadas a redução da frequência desta transgressão nas escolas e concursos. Para tanto se realizou uma pesquisa acerca do comportamento de indivíduos que declararam trapacear, ou não trapacear, em exames escolares. Os resultados destacaram que a postura de um indivíduo perante a transgressão em exames, se diferencia significativamente entre os gêneros, posicionamento religioso, nível de estudo entre outros elementos. Os resultados desta pesquisa foram empregados no delineamento do perfil comportamental humano perante ao hábito de ‘colar’, para auxiliar o docente na elaboração de estratégias eficazes para coibir esta transgressão, e suas consequências para a sociedade.

Reentrant condensation (RC) is a protein behavior in which the protein solution shifts between the one- and two-phase state more than twice by increasing a single parameter. Although RC would be a candidate mechanism for the physicochemical design of food additives, no realistic model has been established under diverse contaminants like food materials. Here, we found that a mixture of cola and milk yielded RC. At pH 3.2-3.6, cola induced milk condensation at 30-40%, while lower or higher concentrations of cola did not. Furthermore, we reduced this cola/milk system to two pure components, casein in milk and polyphosphate (polyP) in cola, and investigated the characteristics of casein concentration and zeta potential. This was the first experimental demonstration of RC occurrence in a multicomponent system. The well-characterized cola/milk system would explore both the universal nature of proteins and the industrial application of RC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging are difficult to impossible to remove in wastewater treatment plants, and may enter groundwater production wells and hence municipal tap water via bank filtration. As anthropogenic gadolinium (Gd) may be accompanied by other, more harmful waste water-derived (micro)pollutants such as endocrine disruptors, we investigated the potential pathway of anthropogenic Gd into popular tap water-based beverages sold in highly frequented fast food restaurants. We, therefore, determined the concentration and distribution of geogenic and anthropogenic rare earth elements (REE) in tap water and in a related tap water-based popular soft drink (Coca Cola) from two fast food franchises (McDonalds and Burger King) in six major German cities. We observed anthropogenic Gd in both tap water and corresponding soft drinks in all investigated cities, extending the database for anthropogenic Gd in tap waters and highlighting its widespread distribution. In Berlin and Düsseldorf, where tap water is (mainly) produced by river bank filtration, 85 to 99% of the total Gd is of anthropogenic origin. The surprisingly high anthropogenic fraction (91%) in tap water from Munich reveals that even the shallow groundwater tapped in two Alpine valleys is eventually exposed to anthropogenic pollution. The REE distribution in post-mix soft drinks generally follows that of the corresponding tap water, except for enrichments of ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu) and cerium (Ce), which are derived from the syrup. The concentration of anthropogenic Gd is similar in the soft drinks and in the corresponding tap water, demonstrating that the highly stable Gd-based contrast agents are not removed in soda fountains but are directly transferred to the beverages. This study highlights a pathway for anthropogenic waste water-derived xenobiotics such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors into the food chain, and hence, reveals the potential for human exposure to potentially harmful anthropogenic compounds. Unlabelled Image • Anthropogenic Gadolinium in municipal tap water in six major cities in Germany • Study proves entrainment of polluted surface water into shallow groundwater aquifers. • Anthropogenic gadolinium directly transferred into in tap water-based soft drinks. • First evidence that anthropogenic Gd used as contrast agent enters human food chain. • Reveals potential human exposure to possibly harmful waste-water derived compounds [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Higher consumption of sugar-containing beverages has been associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and gout. Whether this equally applies to cola with an unhealthy image and orange juice (OJ) having a healthy image remains unknown. Methods In order to investigate whether OJ and cola differently affect metabolic risk 26 healthy adults (24.7 ± 3.2 y; BMI 23.2 ± 3.3 kg/m2) participated in a 2 × 2-wk intervention and consumed either OJ or caffeine-free cola (20% Ereq as sugar from beverages) in-between 3 meals/d at ad libitum energy intake. Glycemic control, uric acid metabolism and gut microbiota were assessed as outcome parameters. Results Fecal microbiota, body weight, basal and OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity remained unchanged in both intervention periods. Levels of uric acid were normal at baseline and did not change with 2-wk cola consumption (−0.03 ± 0.67 mg/dL; p > 0.05), whereas they decreased with OJ intervention (−0.43 ± 0.56 mg/dL; p < 0.01) due to increased uric acid excretion (+130.2 ± 130.0 mg/d; p < 0.001). Compared to OJ, consumption of cola led to a higher daylong glycemia (ΔiAUC: 36.9 ± 83.2; p < 0.05), an increase in glucose variability (ΔMAGE-Index: 0.29 ± 0.44; p < 0.05), and a lower 24 h-insulin secretion (ΔC-peptide excretion: −31.76 ± 38.61 μg/d; p < 0.001), which may be explained by a decrease in serum potassium levels (−0.11 ± 0.24 mmol/L; p < 0.05). Conclusion Despite its sugar content, regular consumption of large amounts of OJ do not increase the risk of gout but may even contribute to lower uric acid levels. The etiology of impaired insulin secretion with cola consumption needs to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheating in exams is a great educational problem which cause bad effects both for the people than for the country. This behavior is usually inihibited by repression and prophylactic ways, such as punishment and the limitation of the number of items carried during the exams respectively. Thus, this study proposes to identify the behavioral profile of students to assist in the elaboration of appropriate strategies to reduce the frequency of cheating in exams. To perform this study was made a popular research which inquired about the behavior of persons who cheatings during exams, and others who never cheated in any exam. The results highlight the importance of to know who are the students in class to establish a correct teaching-learning process because the acts of cheatings differs significantly between groups of persons with different genres, religious options, level of study, and other elements elucidated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a snacks company located in Medellín (Colombia), which, due to the increase in production due to the high demand for its products, affected the quality and production standards, causing various problems such as delays in the delivery of products, accumulation of raw material among others. In this way, the presented problem was evaluated using a discrete simulation model considering all the variables that intervene in this situation, locating possible bottlenecks that cause the production delay, and in this way the action plan was determined to continue to solve the problem. Taking into account the findings found in the above, we proceeded to establish different scenarios of solution, attacking the different causes of the problem, then these scenarios were evaluated to establish the feasibility of the implementation in the snacks factory, and the results were analyzed found which are relevant to identify the activities that could be intervened to increase the volume of units produced and also provide a solution to the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cola species constitute an important non–timber forest product. Besides the food value, Cola is rich in numerous phytochemicals, making it more important for its use in both African traditional medicine and potentials in industrial pharmacopoeia. Knowledge about genetic diversity is essential for conservation. In this paper, we reported genetic variability of Cola acuminata and C. nitida germplasm across the Cola – producing states (the rain forest and derived savannah zones) in Nigeria using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Fifteen primers which gives an average of 6.5 bands per primer were selected for both species. C. acuminata exhibited a higher level of variation with 71.5% of the detected markers being polymorphic (223 polymorphic alleles), whereas C. nitida presented 58.3% variation with 182 polymorphicalleles. Interpopulation differentiation was measured as Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. The mean similarity index amounted to 42.5% in C. acuminata and 46.7% in C. nitida respectively. Results reveal the genetic structure of both species and conservation strategies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kolanut contains caffeine and it is widely consumed in various social contexts in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. While some studies have suggested that kolanut is consumed by pregnant women, there is a dearth of information on the prevalence, consumption pattern and reasons for kolanut consumption among this group. This study investigated kolanut use among pregnant women in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 478 consenting pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy was conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Associations between kolanut use and respondent characteristics were investigated using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the women was 28.7 ± 6.3 years. One hundred and sixty-two (33.9%) of women reported kolanut use during pregnancy, 140 (29.3%) in the current pregnancy. Fifty-five (39.3%) pregnant women reported frequent use and 46 (32.9%) used it in high quantities. Significant associations were found between current kolanut use and Hausa respondents (p = 0.014), educational level; secondary (p = 0.032), tertiary (p = 0.006), TBA (p = 0.005). The majority (93.7%) used kolanut to prevent spitting, nausea, and vomiting. This study showed that kolanut use is quite common among pregnant women and frequently used in large quantities., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Abstract: Bulk‐fill composites show structural differences compared to those of conventional resin composites. Their more reactive photoinitiators, monomer compositions, and increased filler content may result in higher color stability than for conventional ones. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the color stability of three different bulk‐fill composites and one conventional resin composite with a higher filler load after 1 week and 1 month of immersion in different drinks. The resin composite materials that were tested demonstrated significantly different color changes after immersion in the four solutions during both evaluation periods. Immersion in coffee and red wine showed noticeable staining of all the materials. The discoloration effect of staining solutions on the resin composites depends both on the material composition and on the pigment types found in the solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Composite restorations must not only provide an initial shade match but also must maintain its esthetic appearance over a long period of time. The major disadvantage with the use of composite resins is its color instability. Color alteration is due to oral hygiene habits, diet, etc., of an individual. The consumption of coffee and soft drinks, for example, has a high prevalence in the contemporary society, especially in industrialized countries. This study aimed at assessing this color alteration when immersed in chocolate milk, cola, and packed juice - children's beverages. Materials and Methods: The color and color difference of Dentsply Ceram, 3M Composite, and GC Solare Sculpt after immersion in different staining solutions, i.e., (1) chocolate milk and artificial saliva, (2) cola and artificial saliva, and (3) packed juice and artificial saliva were measured using reflectance spectrophotometer with CIELAB system before immersion and after immersion at day 1 and day 10. Results: Dentsply ceram showed acceptable color change, i.e., ΔE <3.7 with all three solutions and artificial saliva over the span of 10 days. The other two restorative materials assessed exhibited an acceptable color change in the Group 1 (orange juice and artificial saliva) and Group 2 (Bournvita milk and artificial saliva) solutions but ΔE >3.7 in Group 3 (Pepsi and artificial saliva). Conclusion: Pepsi had the most staining ability among the three solutions, and Dentsply Ceram proved to be the most color stable with its ΔE <3.7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of this review is to summarize current daily caffeine intake of children, adolescents, and adults, and trends in caffeine intake over the past decade. A literature search was conducted (1997-2015) which yielded 18 reports on nationally representative studies, describing caffeine consumption of over 275,000 children, adolescents and adults. The data revealed that mean total daily caffeine intake in children, adolescents, and adults is below caffeine intake recommendations such as those stated by Health Canada (2.5 mg/kg bw/day for children and adolescents, and 400 mg/day for adults) and the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA (3 mg/kg bw/day for children and adolescents, and 400 mg/day for adults). Total daily caffeine intake has remained stable in the last 10-15 years, and coffee, tea and soft drinks are the most important caffeine sources. Across all age groups, energy drinks contribute little to total caffeine intake. The highest potential for reducing daily caffeine intake is by limiting coffee consumption, and in some countries and age groups, by reducing tea and soft drink consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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