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This study investigated quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of beetroots after blanching. Beetroots were blanched in distilled water, 2% NaCl water, and 2% citric acid water at 100°C for 3 minutes (the blanched group). The moisture content was highest in the control (CON) at 91.30% (p<0.05), and cooking loss was lowest in the water-blanched beetroot (BW) at 5.39% (p<0.01). Chromaticity decreased after blanching compared to CON (p<0.001). Total polyphenol contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) decreased after blanching, and as a result of comparing the True retention (TR) of the blanching treatment group, BW had the highest with TPC TR 91.22% and TFC TR 70.51%. DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities were highest in the CON, and in the blanching group BW was highest scavenging activity. The total number of microorganisms in the CON group was 2.97 log CFU/g, whereas no microorganisms were detected in the blanched groups. Therefore, this study, blanching in water without additives is the most appropriate method for preserving physiologically active substances and nutrients in beetroots and inhibiting microbial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to examine the quality characteristics of nonblanched carrots (CON) and carrots blanched in distilled water, 2% NaCl water and 2% citric acid at 100o C for 3 minutes. This moisture contents of CON was the highest at 85.91%, whereas NT had the lowest moisture at 83.92% (p<0.01). Compared to CON values the L values of pretreatment groups were decreased whereas the b values were increased (p<0.001) A comparison of true retention (TR), revealed that NT had the highest TPC TR 101.04% and TFC TR 91.59% (p<0.001). β-Carotene contents were determined to be higher in NT (1.98 mg/100 g) and CT (1.94 mg/100 g) than in other groups, with highest levels obtained in NT (106.64%) (p<0.001). Examination of the DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities revealed that the NT group had maximum scavenging activity. The total bacterial count was determined to be 3.37 log CFU/g in the CON, whereas no microorganisms were observed in all the pretreatment groups. Our study indicates that blanching in 2% NaCl water is the most desirable in order to increase the biochemical content and nutrient preservation rate of carrots, and to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out the optimal solvent extraction method [Distilled water (DW), 70% ethanol, 99% ethanol] of mushrooms, including Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) Que, Pleurotus eryngii and Flammulina velutipes and improve their usability as natural antioxidants. To analyze antioxidant activities in each mushroom, total polyphenol, flavonoid contents, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2?-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation radical (ABTS+) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) were measured. All mushrooms showed the highest total polyphenol contents in DW mushroom extract (p<0.001). Total flavonoid contents were the highest in P. eryngii and F. velutipes DW and 70% ethanol mushroom extracts (p<0.05). All mushrooms showed the highest activities using DPPH and FRAP assays in the DW extraction method (p<0.001). P. ostreatus (Jacq.) Que and P. eryngii showed the highest ABTS+ radical scavenging activity in the DW extraction method, and F. velutipes showed the highest activity in the 70% ethanol extraction method (p<0.001). As a result of comparing IC50 values of DPPH and ABTS+ radicals and FRAP EC50 values, the DW P. ostreatus (Jacq.) Que extract showed high antioxidant activities (p<0.001). Pearson's correlation between total polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities showed a positive correlation in all mushrooms (p<0.01). Therefore, extraction of the mushrooms with DW can enhance the extraction of effective bioactive substances and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to analyze the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of acorns according to the types of Quercus serrata Thunb (QST) and Q. acutissima Carruther (QAC). The total polyphenol contents of the extracts from QST and QAC were 220.59 and 320.96 mg GAE/g, respectively. The content of total polyphenol of QAC was higher than that of QAC (p<0.001). DPPH (2,2 Diphenyl 1 picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity were increased in a concentration-dependent manner by both acorn extracts, and QAC showed high activity in all antioxidant experiments (p<0.05). The inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase were also increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and QAC showed higher inhibitory activity than QST (p<0.05). Our study indicates that QST and QAC are functional food materials with high antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. In addition, QAC has a higher physiological activity than QST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the quality characteristics of sweet pumpkin after blanching. Sweet pumpkins were blanched in distilled water, 2% citric acid and 2% NaCl water at 100°C for 3 min. The cooking loss of sweet pumpkin in the blanching groups was lower than that in the control group, and greenness and yellowness in the blanching groups were higher than those in the control group (p<0.001). Total polyphenol content (TPC) of sweet pumpkin increased after blanching (p<0.05), and TPC true retention (TR) was measured with the highest NB. CON and NB were significantly higher in ?- carotene content (p<0.001). Lutein content in the blanching treatment groups was lower than that in the control group, but NB was the highest between the blanching groups (p<0.001). DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity assays revealed higher antioxidant activity in the NB groups among the blanching groups (p<0.001). The CON was 2.44 log colonyforming unit (CFU)/ g in the total bacterial count, but there were no microorganisms in the blanching groups. In conclusion, blanching with the addition of 2% NaCl can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and improve TR and antioxidant activities in sweet pumpkin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out the bakery processing suitability of maca and to develop rice-based processed foods. We investigated the antioxidant activity and physicochemical properties of rice cookies prepared with the addition of maca (Lepidium meyenii) powder (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% of the total materials). We observed an increase in the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and DPPH-ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of the rice cookies as the proportion of added maca powder increased (p<0.05). The quality characteristics such as the “a” value, “b” value, and the hardness of the cookies increased with an increase in the proportion of maca powder (p<0.05) in the cookie, whereas the moisture content, pH of the dough, spread ratio, loss rate, leavening rate, and “L” values showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). In the sensory evaluation results, consumer acceptability showed a significantly higher value in the 2% maca cookie group (p<0.05), and the characteristic intensity rating (color, flavor, bitterness) increased as the proportion of maca added to the cookie increased (p<0.05). Therefore, this suggests that adding 2% maca powder as the functional ingredient in rice cookies can result in rice bakery products with excellent qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a mobile application ‘Beat Processing Device (BPD)’ to record and quantify the data for the performance accuracy of rhythm production. BPD has been developed in three phases. First, we reviewed studies that used rhythm as main intervention strategy to improve cognitive functioning of older adults, and derived four basic rhythm idioms. Second, we developed an iOS-based mobile application, optimized the device, the instrument tone, and the measurement variables through preliminary test. Lastly, we tested the mobile application by comparing the performance data obtained from MIDI and BPD from 60 older adults. The device was shown to be reliable and consistent with other mode of measurement and analysis. Conclusively, BPD can be a useful tool for assessing rhythm production ability in the course of cognitive skills training [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To understand awareness, attitude and knowledge levels of muscle health of adults over 18 years old. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires. A total of 401 questionnaires were included for final analysis. Mean and standard deviation of the continuous variables were analyzed and frequency analysis of categorical variables was performed. To identify differences according to general characteristics, t-test was used. Results: Awareness scores about the importance of muscle health and exercises were 8.3 and 13.0, respectively. Attitude score and knowledge score were 12.4 and 15.0, respectively. There were differences in attitude toward muscle health according to gender, age, physical activity, and diet habits. However, there was no difference in attitude toward muscle health according to educational level, smoking, drinking, or sleeping. Conclusion: It is necessary to seek a strategy to improve awareness and attitude toward muscle health based on knowledge, not merely to raise knowledge level about muscle health. Since nurses play a central role in health promotion and disease prevention, they should also play an important role in strategic development and application of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the variable factors affecting the survival rate in fingertip replantation. Methods: We have performed 640 replantation cases of amputation distal to the distal interphalangeal joint between January 2010 to June 2018. Retrospectively, patients were analyzed about variable factors (age, sex, injury mechanism, amputation level according to Ishikawa subzone, ischemic time, surgical experience, vein anastomosis, vein graft) affecting the survival rate of fingertip replantation. Results: The overall survival rate was 76.9% (492 of 640). Male patients were more than female (511 of 640, 79.8%), but survival rate of female was higher than male (80.6%). The mean age of patients was 45.3 years old (15 months to 76 years). In the level of injury, amputation of distal phalanx was most frequently occurred at Ishikawa subzone I (167 of 640). Survival rate of subzone I (80.8%) and II (85.8%) was higher than subzone III (72.4%) and IV (66.8%). In the type of injury, local crushing injury (345 of 640) was most common cause of amputation. And severe crushing injury (66.5%) was the lowest survival rate than others; guillotine (87.0%) and local crushing (80.3%). Total ischemic time was 631 minutes. Ischemic time was not statistically significant. There was a higher survival rate for vein anastomosis group (77.9%) than salvage group (66.4%) in Ishikawa subzone III and IV. The success rate of fingertip replantation is getting higher with experience of hand surgeons. Conclusion: The factors of age, sex, and ischemic times do not affect the survival rate of fingertip replantation. The level of injury, injury mechanism, vein anastomosis, vein graft, surgical experience of the surgeons are statistically significant factors for the survival rate of fingertip replantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the risk factors and the rate of neurological complication occurring after micro-surgical enucleation of schwannoma, and the relationship between single fascicle resection and neurological deficiency. Methods: From January 2010 through September 2018, a total of 65 patients underwent micro-surgical enucleation for schwannoma in the forearm and hand. The factors affecting new neurological deficiency after surgery were analyzed, and the differences in neurological incidence were compared between those that preserved the fascicle and those that were unavoidable to resect the fascicle at surgery. Results: Immediately neurological complications were reported in 16 patients (24.6%) after the surgery, with 4 patients (6.2%) remaining in the final outcome. Neurological complication (50.0%) was higher in case of resection of fascicle at surgery (hazard ratio, HR=18.791, p<0.05). The preoperative misdiagnosis also increased the incidence of neurological complications (HR=10.693, p<0.05). Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis before surgery and preservation of the nerve fascicle at surgery are important to reduce postoperative neurological complications in the treatment of schwannoma. For accurate diagnosis, detailed history taking, physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging should be actively done, and during surgery, efforts should be made to preserve the nerve fascicle as much as possible by using microscopic surgical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the outcome of non-general anesthesia methods for correction of 185 pediatric trigger thumbs. Methods: The corresponding author performed a total of 185 cases of pediatric trigger thumbs over the last 5 years with either cell-phone assisted local anesthesia or local injection with IV sedation under oxygen mask. The methods of nongeneral anesthesia, age of operation and operation time, and perioperative complications of both operation and anesthesia were assessed. Results: Mean operation age was 49.4 months. A total of 104 cases (56.2%) were operated under cell-phone assisted local anesthesia. In 72 cases (38.9%), the operations were performed under local injection with IV sedation. In 9 cases (4.9%), the anesthesia method was changed from cell-phone assisted local anesthesia to local injection with IV sedation due to noncooperation of the babies. Total operation time was 8 minutes and 49 seconds in cell-phone assisted local anesthesia and 7 minutes and 40 seconds in local injection with IV sedation. There were no intraoperative and postoperative complications related with either anesthesia or operation. Conclusion: Cell-phone assisted local anesthesia and local injection with IV sedation anesthesia under oxygen mask is a very useful method for the operation of pediatric trigger thumbs. It lessens the burden of anesthesia and operation to babies and their parents as well as even operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]