One Year Effects of Rock Steady Boxing Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease resulting in physical function decline. Exercise slows the progression of PD. Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is a high-intensity, non-contact boxing program designed for people with PD. While it is typically ideal to obtain measurable improvements upon starting an exercise regimen, due to the progressive nature of PD and ensuing decline in function, maintenance is a primary goal in this population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether an RSB program maintains physical function in people with PD. METHODS: Eighteen people with PD (Hoehn-Yahr levels 1-4, ages 65-83) completed tests of physical function prior to starting the RSB program and were tested again after one year of participation. Tests included the 9-hole peg test, grip strength, timed up and go, 10-meter walk, number of steps during the 10-meter walk, and 5 times sit to stand. Participants attended two or three RSB classes per week for the duration of one year. RESULTS: After one year of participating in the RSB program, there were no significant changes in any tests (p\u3e.1) which measured upper extremity strength, dexterity, balance, lower extremity strength and endurance. CONCLUSION: Participation in RSB exercise may contribute to the maintenance of physical function in people with PD

Digital gypsotheque. Online features as inclusive educational tool

The paper deals with the first results of an ongoing research on the issues of digitization of CH for educational and museum purposes. The research starts from the study of the small plaster casts collection kept inside the Santa Croce complex at the University of Cagliari. The workflow aims to investigate the potential of advanced technologies by reconciling the needs strictly related to the two principles of measurement and visualization. The construction of an information system will facilitate not only the classification and management of the digital plaster collection but also communication for scientific and didatic purposes. Two different possible applications are considered: the first for the construction of a web platform for the remote interactive query of the database, the second for the virtual visit of the rooms that host some of the casts through the delivery platform for point & click games developed in the PAC-PAC research project

Effects of a High Speed-Low-Resistance Bicycling Intervention in Parkinson’s Disease

Bellumori, M., Uygur, M., Knight, C.A. University of Delaware, Newark, DE Bradykinesia is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that substantially decreases mobility while contributing to increased rates of disability and health care costs. Bicycling exercise is a promising strategy that could improve mobility in PD. Purpose: To determine the effects of a six week exercise intervention that uses high speed- low-resistance (HS-LR) stationary recumbent cycling in people with PD. Methods: Pre-exercise tests assessed level of PD severity, physical function, and perceived health. These were again performed following a supervised, 6-week (12 sessions), HS-LR program. Results: Eleven participants (age 62.7 (8.8) years; disease duration 41.5 (32.6) months) completed this study and had positive results (see Table below). HS-LR training positively affected the disease severity and the tasks that relate to walking, balance, cognition, and dexterity.Conclusion: High-speed recumbent bicycling is a successful strategy to improve mobility, function, and independence in people with PD that can be completed within a clinical setting or the comfort of one’s home. Supported by a grant from NIGMS (8 P20 GM103446-13) at NIH

Chemical constituents, radical scavenging activity and enzyme inhibitory capacity of fruits from Cotoneaster pannosus Franch

Cotoneaster pannosus (Rosaceae) is a semievergreen shrub, producing globose dark red pomes, native to China and widely used as an ornamental plant all over the world. Despite its extensive cultivation, little information is available on the chemical composition and biological activities of its fruits. In this work, the analysis of the chemical composition of C. pannosus fruits, in terms of phenolic components, carotenoids and ascorbic acid by HPLC/DAD, HPLC/ESI-MS and MS/MS as well as in terms of macro- and micronutrients was performed. The fruits proved to be a good source of shikimic acid and caffeoylquinic acids, whereas β-carotene, pelargonidin-3-O glucoside and cyanidin-3,5-rutinoside gave an important contribution to the color of the fruit. Both the polar and apolar fruit extracts showed noteworthy radical scavenger activity and inhibitory effects against monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), tyrosinase (TYR) and α-glucosidase, making C. pannosus red pomes a promising candidate ingredient in functional foods and dietary supplements

What kind of coffee do you drink? An investigation on effects of eight different extraction methods

The chemical composition of brewed coffee depends on numerous factors: the beans, post-harvest processing and, finally, the extraction method. In recent decades, numerous coffee-based beverages, obtained using different extraction techniques have entered the market. This study characterizes and compares eight extraction coffee methods from a chemical-physical point of view, starting from the same raw material. Specifically, three types of Espresso, Moka, French Press, and 3 filter coffee that for the first time are reported in the scientific literature Cold Brew, V60, and Aeropress are compared. Physical measurements included the quantification of total dissolved solids, density, pH, conductivity, and viscosity. Chemical analyses identified 15 chlorogenic acids (CGAs): six caffeoylquinic acids, one p-Coumaroylquinic acid, one Feruloylquinic Acid, four Caffeoylquinic lactones, and three Dicaffeoylquinic acids. Maximum caffeine and CGA concentrations were found in Espresso coffees, while Moka and filtered coffees were three to six times less concentrated. The classic Espresso method was most efficient for caffeine and CGA recovery, with a yield almost double that of other methods. Per-cup caffeine and CGAs were higher in Cold Brew than Espresso coffees, as a function of the volume of beverage, which ranged from 30\u202fmL (for espresso) to 120\u202fmL (for filtered coffees). In light of these results, it is not possible to establish how many cups of coffee can be consumed per day without exceeding the recommended doses, since according to the applied brewing method, the content of the bioactive substances varies considerably

Within-plant variation in rosmarinus officinalis l. Terpenes and phenols and their antimicrobial activity against the rosemary phytopathogens alternaria alternata and pseudomonas viridiflava

This study investigated within-plant variability of the main bioactive compounds in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). Volatile terpenes, including the enantiomeric distribution of monoterpenes, and phenols were analyzed in young and mature foliar, cortical and xylem tissues. In addition, antimicrobial activity of rosmarinic acid and selected terpenes was evaluated against two rosemary pathogens, Alternaria alternata and Pseudomonas viridiflava. Data showed that total concentration and relative contents of terpenes changed in relation to tissue source and age. Their highest total concentration was observed in the young leaves, followed by mature leaves, cortical and xylem tissues. Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid contents did not show significant differences between leaf tissues of different ages, while young and mature samples showed variations in the content of four flavonoids. These results are useful for a more targeted harvesting of rosemary plants, in order to produce high-quality essential oils and phenolic extracts. Microbial tests showed that several terpenes and rosmarinic acid significantly inhibited the growth of typical rosemary pathogens. Overall, results on antimicrobial activity suggest the potential application of these natural compounds as biochemical markers in breeding programs aimed to select new chemotypes less susceptible to pathogen attacks, and as eco-friendly chemical alternatives to synthetic pesticides