Effect of two different exercises on balance, pain and ankle motor function in male college students with chronic ankle instability

Strength and proprioceptive exercise are known to be representative exercise methods used in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and they are effective in restoring ankle stability and body balance, which gets reduced by repetitive ankle sprains. But, there is a lack of data comparing the effects of strengthening or proprioceptive exercise rehabilitation program for CAI patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a 4-week exercise program on ankle range of motion (ROM), static/dynamic balance, and drop landing in college students with CAI. The subjects of this study were 21 male college students who had the Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire scores of 24 or less, and they were divided into three groups; the non-treated group (NTG), the traditional strength exercise group (SEG) and the proprioceptive exercise group (PEG). The exercise rehabilitation program was applied 3 times a week for 4 weeks. To examine the difference between groups, CAIT, visual analogue scale (VAS), body composition, ankle ROM, one-leg standing with eyes closed and Y-balance test (YBT) as well as center of pressure (COP) 95% confidence ellipse area during drop landing were measured before and after the exercise intervention. CAIT scores and static balance were significantly increased in the PEG compared to the NTG and the SEG, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM and Y-balance were significantly increased in the SEG and the PEG compared to the NTG. In addition, pain, ankle inversion ROM, and COP 95% confidence ellipse area were significantly reduced in the SEG and the PEG compared to the NTG. The proprioceptive exercise program is thought to be effective therapeutic approach on improving the symptoms of CAI patients

Catechin-capped gold nanoparticles: green synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol reduction

An eco-friendly approach is described for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using catechin as a reducing and capping agent. The reaction occurred at room temperature within 1 h without the use of any external energy and an excellent yield (99%) was obtained, as determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Various shapes of gold nanoparticles with an estimated diameter of 16.6 nm were green-synthesized. Notably, the capping of freshly synthesized gold nanoparticles by catechin was clearly visualized with the aid of microscopic techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Strong peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles confirmed their crystalline nature. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles was observed in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH(4). The results suggest that the newly prepared gold nanoparticles have potential uses in catalysis

Nest entry shape change may cause nest abandonment in urban cavity-nesting species: a case study of the Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

The threat of predation is the main cause of bird nest abandonment, with such behaviour imposing considerable energetic costs on breeding birds. However, for several species, nest abandonment can be a less costly alternative to complete brood failure. In this study, we examined nest abandonment among Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) by surveying 71 Tree Sparrow nests with various types of entry holes and conducted artificially manipulating some of the entrance shapes. We found that nest abandonment was caused by changes to the nest entry shape in seven cases and by human interference in two cases. Nest abandonments occurred throughout the breeding season, and breeding pairs attempted to breed again immediately after nest abandonment. The results of the artificial nest entry shape manipulation experiment showed that nine of twelve nests (75.0%) were abandoned where the nest entrance holes were widened, and six of eleven nests (54.5%) were abandoned where the nest entrance holes were narrowed. However, none of the nests were abandoned where the entry shape was unchanged. Thus, nest abandonment by Tree Sparrows is correlated with nest entry shape manipulation and is more likely to occur when the energy cost of breeding again is less than that of abandoning the nest

Effect of drainage ratio during strawberry cultivation:The volatilomics-based shelf-life indicators for strawberry fruit

The metabolome of strawberries at harvest determines their storage capacity. Therefore, dynamics of volatile production during storage of strawberry cultivated under diverse drainage ratios, T1 (12.0%), T2 (25.3%), T3 (36.4%), and T4 (56.5%), were evaluated. Among the various non-target VOCs analysis, there were some groups including aldehydes, esters, and furans occupied over 5% with exhibiting high coefficient of determination (R2) following the days after storage (DAS). Aldehydes content decreased over the storage period, while the esters (methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and benzyl acetate) and furanones (furaneol and mesifuran) were increased as representing aroma compounds in strawberry ripening. Even on the same day, it was investigated that the release of VOCs linked to fruit decay was delayed in the groups (T1 and T2) that were given relatively little water compared to T3 and T4. The hexanal and ethyl hexanoate as an over-ripened signal showed a rapid increase from 4 DAS to 5 DAS in T3 and T4, respectively, while T1 and T2 showed significant increase from 5 DAS to 6 DAS. Relatively slower over-ripening tendency of T1 and T2 was supported by changes of firmness, total soluble solid content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity during storage. T1 and T2 showed higher antioxidant activity at the harvest time and lower anthocyanin accumulation than T3 and T4. The present study elucidated that the preharvest drainage changes during cultivation was involved in fruit quality during strawberry storage. Besides, volatilomics analysis depicted that T2 as an optimal ratio, could delay the occurrence of stress and senescence, and guaranteed the strawberry yield. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that the practical application of drainage ratios could improve horticultural product quality even with low water use and VOCs might be considered an early indicator for strawberry fruit shelf-life

Pengaruh Ekstrak Jahe Merah (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe Var. Rubrum) Terhadap Kadar Mda Serum Tikus Setelah Terpapar Asap Rokok

Latar Belakang: Asap rokok merupakan salah satu sumber radikal bebas. Kadar radikal bebas yang tinggi dapat menyebabkan terjadinya kondisi stres oksidatif dan memicu terjadinya peroksidasi lipid pada membran sel yang akan menghasilkan Malondialdehyde (MDA). Sebenarnya, tubuh mempunyai sejumlah enzim dan zat yang dapat menetralkan radikal bebas yang disebut antioksidan. Kadar radikal bebas yang tinggi dapat menyebabkan antioksidan endogen tidak mampu untuk menetralisir. Kemampuan jahe sebagai antioksidan alami juga tidak terlepas dari kadar komponen fenolik total yang terkandung di dalamnya sehingga memiliki efek protektif yang tinggi dalam menangkal stres oksidatif. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemberian ekstrak jahe merah terhadap kadar MDA serum tikus setelah terpapar asap rokok. Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian true experimental dengan desain pre-post test only control group design pada tikus. Perlakuan yang diberikan yaitu dengan pemberian ekstrak jahe merah (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum) dan pemberian paparan asap rokok pada tikus, sedangkan keluarannya (outcome) adalah kadar MDA serum tikus. Hasil: Pemberian paparan asap rokok pada kelompok 2 meningkatkan kadar MDA serum dibandingkan dengan kelompok 1. Kelompok 3 yang diberikan ekstrak jahe merah 200 mg/kgBB/hari tidak efektif menurunkan kadar MDA serum. Pemberian ekstrak jahe merah menurunkan kadar MDA serum setelah diberikan paparan asap rokok (K4) jika dibandingkan dengan kelompok yang diberikan jahe merah tanpa diberikan paparan asap rokok (K3), penurunan tersebut tidak bermakna secara statistik. Kelompok 4 meningkatkan kadar MDA serum tikus dibandingkan dengan kelompok 2. Kesimpulan: Tidak terdapat pengaruh yang bermakna dari pemberian jahe merah (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum) terhadap kadar MDA darah tikus setelah terpapar asap rokok

Accuracy of Administrative Claim Data for Gastric Adenoma After Endoscopic Resection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Administrative databases provide valuable information for large-cohort studies. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an administrative database for resected gastric adenomas. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent endoscopic resection for benign gastric lesions were collected from three hospitals. Gastric adenoma cases were identified in the hospital database using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10-codes. The non-adenoma group included patients without gastric adenoma codes. The diagnostic accuracy for gastric adenoma was analyzed based on the pathological reports of the resected specimen. RESULTS: Among 5,095 endoscopic resections with codes for benign gastric lesions, 3,909 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 2,831 and 1,078 patients were allocated to the adenoma and non-adenoma groups, respectively. Regarding the overall diagnosis of gastric adenoma with ICD-10 codes, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 98.7%, 88.5%, 95.2%, and 96.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the tertiary and secondary centers. CONCLUSION: Administrative codes of gastric adenoma, according to ICD-10 codes, showed good accuracy and can serve as a useful tool to study prognosis of these patients in real-world data studies in the future

The Prevalence of Knee Osteoarthritis in Elderly Community Residents in Korea

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) among community residents and to elucidate the relevant risk factors. This prospective, population-based study was conducted on residents over 50 yr of age in Chuncheon. Subjects completed an interview based on a standardized questionnaire and clinical evaluation including standardized weight bearing semiflexed knee A-P radiographs. We defined a subject with the Kellgren and Lawrence grade ≥2 as having radiographic knee OA (ROA). Symptomatic knee OA (SOA) was defined by the presence of both ROA and knee pain. We obtained symptom information and radiographs from 504 subjects. The prevalence of ROA and SOA was 37.3% and 24.2%, respectively. The prevalence of both ROA and SOA was significantly higher among women than among men. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of hypertension, and a manual occupation were significantly associated with the presence of ROA and SOA. Lower level of education was significantly associated with the presence of ROA, and female sex with the presence of SOA. In conclusion, both ROA and SOA are common in the aged adult population of Korea, with preponderance for women