Fabrication and characterization of the nano-composite of whey protein hydrolysate chelated with calcium.

The nano-composites of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) chelated with calcium were fabricated in aqueous solution at 30 °C for 20 min, with the ratio of hydrolysate to calcium 15 : 1 (w/w). UV scanning spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy were applied to characterize the structure of the WPH-calcium chelate. The nano-composites showed the successful incorporation of calcium into the WPH, indicating the interaction between calcium and WPH. The chelation of calcium ions to WPH caused molecular folding and aggregation which led to the formation of a WPH-calcium chelate of nanoparticle size, and the principal sites of calcium-binding corresponded to the carboxyl groups and carbonyl groups of WPH. The WPH-calcium chelate demonstrated excellent stability and absorbability under both acidic and basic conditions, which was beneficial for calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract of the human body. Moreover, the calcium absorption of the WPH-calcium chelate on Caco-2 cells was significantly higher than those of calcium gluconate and CaCl2 in vitro, suggesting the possible increase in calcium bioavailability. The findings suggest that the WPH-calcium chelate has the potential in making dietary supplements for improving bone health of the human body.

Increase in the free radical scavenging capability of bitter gourd by a heat-drying process.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn.) is widely regarded as one of the best remedy foods for diabetes. The positive effect of bitter gourd on diabetes has been attributed in part to the remarkable free radical scavenging activity of its boiled water extract from sun-dried fruits. It is well known that a heat process significantly influences the antioxidant activity of fresh fruits. However, the heat drying processes of bitter gourd have not been studied so far. Here, we show that the free radical scavenging capability of bitter gourd extract significantly increases after the heat drying process, while the content of flavonoids and phenols, which are generally regarded as the main antioxidant components in bitter gourd, remain unaffected. Furthermore, the content of free amino acids and the total reducing sugar were found to decrease with increasing browning index, indicating the progression of the Maillard reaction, products of which are known to possess significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, it suggests that Maillard reaction products may be the main contributors to the increase in antioxidant capability. Finally, the bitter gourd extract with the higher antioxidant activity, was shown to manifest a corresponding higher proliferation activity on NIT-1 beta-cells. These results suggest that controllable conditions in the heat-drying processing of fresh bitter gourd fruit is of significance for enhancing the total free radical scavenging capacity, beta-cell proliferation activity and possibly the anti-diabetic activity of this fruit.

Function assessment and effect of combined treatment for piriformis syndrome—a report of 73 cases / 中国康复理论与实践

@# ObjectiveTo observe effect of combined treatment for piriformis syndrome and analyze its cause, pathoge nesis, pathology and recovery mechanism.Methods73 piriformis syndrome cases were divided randomly into two groups. The control gro up (35 cases) was given routine treatment, but the treatment group (38 cases) ad ded with thermal therapy, computerized medium frequency electrotherapy, manual t herapy, etc. After two courses, therapeutic effects were observed and assessed w ith standards for hip joint function.Results Of the control group,14 cases were cured,9 effectual,9 effective, and 3 ineffecti ve; of the experiment group, 23 cured,9 effectual, 5 effective, and 1 ineffecti ve. By statistical analysis, the therapeutic effect in the treatment group is su perior to those in the control group (P<0.05). Hip joint fu nction is assessed by scores as: the median point before and after the treatment for the control group is 18.00,the experiment group is 27.50, with statistical ly significance difference (P<0.01).The average cure time f or the experiment group is 11.04±5.10 days, fewer than that for the control gro up (14.79±5.79 days)(P<0.05).Conclusions Comb ined treatment used for piriformis syndrome can produce remarkable therapeutic e ffect, and various types of therapies can play such coordinate roles as promotin g blood circulation, repercussion, anti-inflammation, analgesia, relaxing adhes ion and softening scar.

Treatment of metatarsalyia with combination of thermotherapy,computerized medium-frequency electrotherapy and exercise therapy / 中国康复理论与实践

@# ObjectiveTo study the rehabilitation effect on metatarsalyia with combination of thermotherapy, computerized medium-frequency electrotherapy,exercise therapy and ADL.Methods70 cases with metatarsalyia were randomly divided into two groups: the control group of 35 cases who were given routine treatment and the experiment group of 35 cases who were added thermotherapy, computerized medium-frequency electrotherapy, exercise therapy and ADL. 30 days later, the evaluating score for walking was used to evaluate the rehabilitation effect.ResultsIn the control group, 14 cases were cured, 8 cases remarkably effective, 10 effective and 3 ineffective, while that in the experiment group was 22 cured, 7 remarkably effective, 5 effective, and 1 ineffective(P<0.05). The mean of the difference in evaluation scoring before and after the treatment was (28.00±20.26) for the control,(38.29±21.35) for the experiment (P<0.05). The average cure days was (18.00±6.45) for the experiment and (23.00±7.64) for the control(P<0.05).ConclusionThe combined treatment produces is remarkably effective for metatarsalyia.

Fingerprints of soybean total isoflavone by HPLC / 中草药

Objective To study the HPLC fingerprints of isoflavones from different medicinal plants of G.max and establish a sensitive and specific method for controlling the quality of the soybean isoflavone.Methods The gradient elution mode was applied in chromatographic separation.A C_(18) column(250 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) was used with the mobile phase: ice acetic acid water solution(pH value 3.2)-methanol,flow rate: 0.6 mL/min,detecting wavelength: 261 nm,and the column temperature: room temperature.All 25 samples collected from different species were determined.The clustering analysis and the software of similarity analysis were applied for datum analysis.Results This method had a good repeatability and reproducibility.The ratio of peaks′ area from distinct samples were different.Conclusion The method can show the difference of chemical compositions among species completely and can be used as a quality control method for soybean.