Preventive Effect of the Japanese Traditional Herbal Medicine Boiogito on Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in Rats

Background: Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of the Japanese traditional Kampo medicine Boiogito (BO), we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of BO to prevent the development of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in rats with surgically induced KOA. Methods: Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) was performed to induce osteoarthritis in the right knees of 12-week-old Wistar rats under general anesthesia. The rats were orally administered 3% BO in standard powder chow for 4 weeks after surgery (controls: n = 6; sham group: n = 6; DMM group: n = 5; DMM + BO group: n = 5). During this period, the rotarod test was performed to monitor locomotive function. After 4 weeks, histological assessment was performed on the right knee. Results: Oral administration of BO improved locomotive function in the rotarod test. Walking time on postoperative days 1, 14, or later was significantly longer in the DMM + BO group than in the DMM group. Histologically, the DMM group showed significant progression of KOA, which, in the DMM + BO group, was strongly suppressed, as assessed by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International score. Conclusions: Our results showed that oral administration of BO had a clinically preventive effect on early stage posttraumatic KOA.

Development of Instant Chutney Powder with Incorporation of Blanched Carrot and Green Leafy Vegetable Powders

Instant chutney powder, a palatable functional food adjunct, was developed by using carrot (Daucus carota L), basella (Basella alba L) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves and other selected spice ingredients. The carrot, basella and spinach were blanched for 1 to 3 minutes and dried. The dried powders were subjected to assessment of colour parameters to standardize the time period for blanching. The Hunter (a*) values of blanched samples became more positive, indicating that those samples were greener and intensity of greenness was more in samples blanched for 3min. Hunter (a*) values of carrot were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for blanched samples than for unbalanced samples which show the intensity of carotenoids. The dried carrot, basella and spinach powders were added to standard chutney powder in different ratios and subjected to sensory evaluation. The best combination which selected was CACP4 (Carrot: basella: spinach-1:1:2). It was noted that the combination of vegetable with greens were accepted better rather than only standard powder.

Study of low-temperature isothermal annealing in the PM Cu-Pt alloys after plastic deformation

The investigation was performed on pure sintered (PM) copper and dilute PM copper-based alloys with 3 and 5.9 wt.% of platinum. Investigated PM samples were obtained using the standard powder metallurgy technique by mixing the elemental powders in proper ratio followed by pressing in hydraulic press and sintering in a hydrogen atmosphere. The PM samples were further cold deformed by rolling at ambient temperature to a total rolling reduction of 60 %. On pre-deformed samples, the low-temperature isothermal annealing up to the 100 hours was accomplished. During all stages of isothermal annealing, the values of Vickers hardness, micro-hardness, and electrical conductivity were measured. Also, the microstructure was analyzed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This investigation has shown a slight increase in all measured properties for both dilute Cu-Pt alloys. An increase in mechanical properties was some more pronounced for more alloyed Cu-5.9wt%Pt alloy. During the low-temperature isothermal annealing, there were no significant changes in properties for pure pre-deformed copper.

FEATURES OF X-RAY ANALYSIS OF CRYSTALLINITY DEGREE OF POLYPROPYLENE FIBRES

The need to take into account the anisotropy of compact samples pressed from grinded polypropylene (PP) fibres at a determination of the degree of polymer crystallinity by X-ray method was shown. It was proved that the breach of the spherical scattering symmetry of X-rays by PP fiber samples is not connected with an amorphous phase of polymer. The method for calculating the degree of crystallinity of fibres from the normalized intensity of the diffuse halo of preparations under study and standard powder PP samples was proposed.

Clinoptilolite in Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Murine Colitis: Efficacy and Safety of a Microparticulate Preparation

Background Clinoptilolite is an aluminium silicate of natural origin; the microporous structure and the net negative charge of its crystal lattice allows for adsorption of ions, toxins, inflammatory mediators, and some microorganisms. We generated 2 preparations of purified clinoptilolite, which differed by about 10-fold in particle size, ie, a standard powder (GHC1) and a microparticulate fraction (GHC2) with a size of 3.6 µm and 0.39 µm (d50) respectively. These were examined for their ability to accelerate the recovery of mice from DSS (dextran sulphate sodium)-induced intestinal inflammation. Methods Efficacy of clinoptilolite preparations was investigated by administering DSS-treated mice twice daily with 30 mg GHC2 or GHC1 for 5 consecutive days, followed by 5 days of recovery without DSS. To explore the safety of the microparticulate preparation (GHC2), mice were subjected to 4 cycles of DSS-exposure. We specifically verified that clinoptilolite microparticles were not systemically bioavailable by examining the gut tissue and the liver for the accumulation of microparticles by transmission electron microscopy. Results Treatment of mice with GHC2 was superior to GHC1 and as effective as the reference compound 5-aminosalicylic acid in ameliorating the damage induced by the exposure to DSS. In addition, no clinoptilolite particle was observed in the intestinal epithelial layer, gut-associated lymph follicles, or in the liver. Conclusion Our observations confirm that a microparticulate preparation of clinoptilolite is safe and effective in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease and supports the hypothesis that the adsorptive capacity of clinoptilolite is of potential therapeutic relevance.

Investigations on Properties of Al-B4C Composites Synthesized through Powder Metallurgy Route

Powder metallurgy is a popular technique to synthesize metal matrix composites with uniform distribution of the reinforcements. The present work aims to synthesize Al-B4C composites through powder metallurgy route and study their properties. The compositions of the composites are Al-5%B4C, Al-10%B4C & Al-15%B4C. Blending of powders, compaction and sintering process were carried out as per standard powder metallurgy procedure. The distributions of the reinforcements were analyzed for the sintered specimens by the help of scanning electron microscope. The effect addition of B4C in the Aluminium matrix on the properties such as density, porosity, hardness and compressive strength were discussed. Results show that addition of B4C improves the properties of Al-B4C composites.

Microstructure and properties of gravity sintered 316l stainless steel powder with nickel boride addition

The present work demonstrates a procedure for synthesis of stainless steel powder by gravity sintering method. As an additive to the basic powder, NiB powder was added in the amount of 0.2 - 1.0 wt.%. Gravity sintering was done in vacuum, at the temperatures of 1100?C-1250?C, in the course of 3 - 60 min, using ceramic mould. Structural characterization was conducted by XRD, and microstructural analysis by optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests with steel rings. Density and permeability were determined by standard techniques for porous samples. Gravity sintered stainless steel with NiB addition had more superior mechanical and physico-chemical properties compared to stainless steel obtained by standard powder metallurgy procedures - pressing and sintering.

Analysis of Twin Boundary in Single Crystal of Ni-Mn-Ga Martensite Using Powder Laboratory Diffractometer

The presented paper describes X-ray diffraction study of Ni-Mn-Ga modulated martensite single crystal. A standard powder laboratory diffractometer equipped with texture cradle and monocapillary was found to be suitable and sufficient tool for this type of studies. Three different scans were performed to unambiguously identify the martensitic twin variants at selected place. From this identification and with the help of theoretical calculation full description of martensitic microstructure can be determined. In addition the effect of sample displacement on beam position on sample was derived.

The Study on the Antioxidative Activity of Resveratrol in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone/8 (SAMP8)

In the present study, we examined resveratrol(RES)extracted from Polygonum cuspidatum on antioxidative effects in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM). We fed resveratrol to young adult SAM mice at doses of 25,50,100mg/(kg•bw) in their standard powder diet for 8-week. The body weight, organ weights and oxidation products of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver of the SAM were determined. The results showed that the SAM mice were no dose-related change in either body weight or organ weights, the amount of MDA declined distinctly in the mouse liver. In conclusion, resveratrol may have an antioxidant effect.