The preventive effects of nanopowdered red ginseng on collagen-induced arthritic mice.

This study was carried out to investigate the efficiency of red ginseng nanopowder in preventing collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. The mice were divided into five groups: normal group (no immunisation), control (CIA), powdered red ginseng (PRG), nanopowdered red ginseng (NRG) and methotrexate (MTX). Administering MTX, PRG and NRG to arthritic mice significantly decreased spleen indexes, clinical and histological scores compared to control group. Serum analysis of NRG and MTX groups showed a reduction in the cytokines such as the levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) in comparison to PRG group. The levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) in the NRG group were significantly lower than those of the PRG group. In summary, the present study indicated that NRG can be effective in preventing type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice.

Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Red Ginseng Extracts or Red Ginseng Hydrolyzates-added Asiago Cheese during Ripening.

This study was carried out to investigate physicochemical properties of different concentrations (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) of red ginseng hydrolyzates (RGH)- or red ginseng extract (RGE)-added Asiago cheeses (AC) during ripening at 14°C for 4 months. The moisture content significantly increased with increasing concentrations of both RGH- and RGE- added AC (p<0.05). While RGHAC and RGEAC were more yellow and darker with increasing concentrations than that of control (p<0.05), the color was not influenced from the hydrolysis. In texture analysis, hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of RGHAC and RGEAC significantly decreased compared to the control during the ripening (p<0.05). In sensory analysis, bitterness and ginseng flavor and taste scores increased significantly with increasing the concentrations of RGH and RGE during ripening (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of RGH and RGE into cheese slightly influenced the properties of Asiago cheese, and similarities were observed between RGHAC and RGEAC. Thus, the lower concentrations (0.1% to 0.3%) of RGH and RGE added to AC were preferred for color, texture, and sensory during the ripening, therefore, these cheeses would be worth developing commercially.

Physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties of nanopowdered eggshell-supplemented yogurt during storage.

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of adding nanopowdered eggshell (NPES) into yogurt to improve the functionality of yogurt and the effects of adding NPES on the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties of the products during storage. The pH and mean lactic acid bacteria counts of NPES-added (0.15-0.45%, wt/vol) yogurt ranged from 4.31 to 4.66 and from 6.56 × 10(8) to 8.56 × 10(8)cfu/mL, respectively, whereas these values ranged from 4.13 to 4.44 and 8.46 × 10(8) to 1.39 × 10(9), respectively, for the control samples during storage at 5 °C for 16d, which indicates a prolonged shelf-life with NPES-supplemented yogurt. Color analysis showed that the lightness (L*) and position between red and green (a*) values were not significantly influenced by the addition of NPES. However, the position between yellow and blue (b*) value significantly increased with the addition of the concentration (0.45%, wt/vol) of NPES at d 16 of storage. Sensory evaluation revealed that NPES-added yogurts showed a notably less sourness score and a higher astringency score than the control. An earthy flavor was higher in 0.45% NPES-supplemented yogurt compared with the control. Based on the results obtained from the current study, the concentration (0.15 to 0.30%, wt/vol) of NPES can be used to formulate NPES-supplemented yogurt without any significant adverse effects on the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties.

Reliability of the one-repetition maximum test based on muscle group and gender.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. Thirty healthy males (n = 15) and females (n = 15) who experienced at least 3 months of continuous resistance training during the last 2 years aged 18-35 years volunteered to participate in the study. The 1RM for the biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, leg press and squat were measured twice by a trained professional using a standard published protocol. Biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, and squat 1RM's were measured on the first visit, then 48 hours later, subjects returned for their second visit. During their second visit, 1RM of triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, and leg press were measured. One week from the second visit, participants completed the 1 RM testing as previously done during the first and second visits. The third and fourth visits were separated by 48 hours as well. All four visits to the laboratory were at the same time of day. A high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.91) was found for all exercises, independent of gender and muscle group size or location, however there was a significant interaction for muscle group location (upper body vs. lower body) in females (p < 0.027). In conclusion, a standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender. Key pointsThe one repetition maximum (1RM) test is considered the gold standard for assessing muscle strength in non-laboratory situations.This study was done to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the 1RM test.The standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement technique to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender.

Single- and 14-day repeat-dose toxicity of cross-linked ß-cyclodextrin in rats.

The present study was carried out to investigate the oral single and repeat toxicity of cross-linked ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) made with adipic acid. Ten each of female and male rats were orally administered a 5000 mg/kg single dose. At this dose, mortality or macroscopic changes of internal organs were not observed. Dose levels 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg of ß-CD were given daily to 5 each of female and male rats by oral gavage for 14 days. Body and organ weights were not significantly different during the study (P < .05). Hematology and clinical chemistry did not show any toxicity from the cross-linked ß-CD. Macroscopic or microscopic changes were not observed between the controls and the treated rats. Based on these results, the cross-linked ß-CD did not produce any signs of toxicity or other adverse effects at dose levels up to 2000 mg/kg per d for 14 days.

Broken guidewire fragment in the radio-brachial artery during transradial sheath placement: percutaneous retrieval via femoral approach.

A case in which a 0.014" wire was broken during the sheath placement in the radial artery for transradial coronary procedure is described here, and a successful retrieval of it using conventional methods is also described. Through the left femoral artery, the 6 Fr guiding catheter was advanced down to the tip of the broken wire at the brachial artery, and the distal part of the broken guidewire was captivated into the guiding catheter. By inflating the balloon catheter inside of the guiding catheter, seized broken guidewire between the inflated balloon and the guiding catheter was removed successfully by withdrawing the whole system en bloc.