Consumers Prefer Products That Work Using Directionally Consistent Causal Chains

Objective: Pegagan ( Centella asiatica ) contains asiaticoside for treatment of striae patients by increasing the synthesis of collagen. Asiaticoside has a large hydrophilic molecule (959.12 g/mol), causing difficulty in penetration through the skin. Nanoemulsion has small droplet size so that the active substance can be delivered into the skin layer. This study aims to formulate and test the stability of nanoemulsion lotion containing pegagan extract. Methods: Nanoemulsion containing pegagan extract formulated in the form of lotion using High Pressure Homogenizer. Nanoemulsion lotion were then evaluated and tested for penetration in vitro . Result: The mean particle size of nanoemulsion was 19.88 ± 2.3 nm and nanoemulsion in lotion was 198.4 ± 11.52 nm; polydispersity index value 0.329 ± 0.065, and zeta potensial was -30.9 mV. Nanoemulsion lotion was stable against storage for 8 weeks at cold, room, and high temperature (4 ± 2°C, 28 ± 2°C, 40 ± 2°C). There were no change in physical properties and pH value of the nanoemultion lotion. The cumulative amount of the penetrated asiaticoside was 1558.65 ± 66.93 μg/cm 2 for nanoemulsion lotion and 1260.364 ± 71.42 μg/cm 2 for lotion only. Flux of nanoemulsion lotions and lotion were 2.1255 ± 0.31 μg/cm 2 /hr and 1.4506 ± 0.49 μg/cm 2 /hr, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that nanoemulsion lotion stable in physical properties during storage and can penetrate more than the non nanoemulsion lotion. Key words: In vitro penetration lotion, Nanoemulsion, Pegagan extract, Stability test.

Yaks (Bos grunniens), indigenous to the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, are well adapted to the severe conditions, and graze natural pasture without supplements all year round. Qaidam cattle (Bos taurus), introduced to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau 1,700 years ago, are raised at a lower altitude than yaks, provided with shelter at night and offered supplements in winter. Based on their different backgrounds, we hypothesized that yaks have lower energy requirements for maintenance than cattle. To test this hypothesis, we measured average daily gain (ADG), apparent digestibilities, energy balance, rumen fermentation parameters, and serum metabolites in growing yaks and cattle offered diets differing in metabolizable energy (ME) levels (6.62, 8.02, 9.42 and 10.80 MJ/kg), but with the same crude protein concentration. Six castrated yaks (155 ± 5.8 kg) and 6 castrated Qaidam cattle (154 ± 8.0 kg), all 2.5 years old, were used in 2 concurrent 4 × 4 Latin square designs. Neutral and acid detergent fiber digestibilities were greater (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle, and decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary energy level; whereas, digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing energy level. The ADG was greater (P < 0.001) in yaks than in cattle, and increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing energy levels. From the regressions of ADG on ME intake, the estimated ME requirement for maintenance was lower (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle (0.43 vs. 0.57 MJ/kg BW0.75). The ratios of digestible energy (DE):gross energy and ME:DE were higher (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle, and increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing dietary energy level. Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.05), whereas concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia increased (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary energy level, and all were greater (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle. Concentrations of ruminal acetate and iso-VFAs were greater (P < 0.05), whereas propionate was lower (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle; acetate decreased (P < 0.001), whereas butyrate and propionate increased (P < 0.001) linearly with increasing dietary energy level. Serum concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate were lower (interaction, P < 0.001) in yaks than in cattle fed diets of 9.42 and 10.80 MJ/kg, whereas non-esterified fatty acids were greater (interaction, P < 0.01) in yaks than in cattle fed diets of 6.62 and 8.02 MJ/kg. Concentrations of serum leptin and growth hormone were greater in yaks than in cattle and serum insulin and growth hormone increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increasing dietary energy level. Our hypothesis that yaks have lower energy requirements for maintenance than cattle was supported. This lower requirement confers an advantage to yaks over Qaidam cattle in consuming low energy diets during the long winter on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

This study was intended to obtain feed with the best energy level to improve the quality of native chicken semen. This study is a biological study with 4 levels of metabolic energy (2700; 2750; 2800 and 2850 kcal/kg) using a completely randomized design (CRD) where each treatment was repeated 5 times. Each treatment used 1 native male chicken that was 80 weeks old and in good health. Increasing energy level in feed significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased semen volume; very significant (p&lt;0.01) improved color and increased semen consistency; but not significant (p&gt;0.05) the effect on semen pH. The average volume of semen obtained ranged from 0.45-1.30ml; semen color score 2.25-3.00; semen consistency score 2.25-3.00 and semen pH 7.83-8.50. Increasing the energy level in the feed can improve the quality of native chicken semen. The best feed to improve the quality of native chicken semen is feed with a metabolic energy of 2850 kcal/kg.

Background: Exercise can play a major role in improving diabetic control and prevention of complications. In order to encourage overweight people with poorly controlled diabetes to take more exercise a group exercise programme was set up. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the diabetes exercise project 20 months after professional contact and funding had ceased. The project ran from October 1994 to March 1996 and the evaluation was carried out in November 1997. Method: Evaluation was carried out through a postal questionnaire, focus group discussions and clinical data collection on a sample of those referred on to the project.The project set out to find: (1) the number of the original group who took up the exercise programme and were still exercising on a regular basis; (2)the clinical outcomes in terms of changes in body mass index (BMI), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1) and diabetes medication from the start of the exercise project to the evaluation; (3) the self‐reported benefits to those with diabetes on the exercise programme, including any self‐reported effect regular exercise has had on their diabetes control at the time of the evaluation; (4) the factors associated with their ability to carry on exercising. Results: Clinical outcomes showed no significant changes in those who continued to exercise and those who stopped. However, there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.01) in the proportion of those with non‐insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) who were treated with insulin, from 30% to 53%. Of the 42 who had replied to the questionnaire, 71% continued to exercise for more than 6 months and, of these, 52% continued to exercise for over 20 months. Self‐reported benefits of exercise included ‘increased energy levels’, a greater ability to concentrate and enjoy exercise, increased motivation and more positive mood and feelings. Improvement in diabetic control was reported by 25 (60%). Further benefits reported included a stabilizing of their diabetes, loss of weight and a more positive attitude towards their health. Conclusions: It is possible to motivate overweight, poorly controlled people with diabetes to exercise on a regular basis. To do so successfully, consideration needs to be given to having the right personnel involved in the exercise programmes, support from the health professionals and suitable facilities and instruction. Injury and lack of time were given as the main barriers to exercise.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nine diets through the application of 3×3 randomized design which included three levels of energy (2600, 2800 and 3000 Kcal/kg) with 3 supplemental protein levels (14, 16 and 18%) on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass yields and economic efficiency of Baladi pigeon squabs from 28 days old until 6 months of age (age of sexual maturity). A total of 135 pairs of squabs were randomly and independently allocated to the nine dietary treatments, each containing 15 pairs (3 replicate of 5 pairs). The diets were formulated in mash form fortified with vitamin and mineral premix. Moreover, feed and water were provided for ad-libitum consumption. The results showed that, squabs fed higher energy and crude protein diets (3000 ME+16% CP) had higher live body weight with a coincident significant decrease of the feed intake (P<0.0001). In addition, dressing (%), breast and thigh meat yield (%) increased significantly with increasing levels of both energy and protein, where they hit the peak values in squabs fed on 3000 ME+16% CP diet. Furthermore, increasing energy levels did not affect serum proteins (albumin and globulin), urea and uric acid. However, it had a significant positive effect on serum lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein). In terms of economic analysis, 3000 ME+16% CP diet revealed the lowest cost per Kg live weight of birds 81.87 L.E per pair, along with the highest economic return 110.3 L.E per pair and net profit 10.43 L.E per pair. In conclusion, squabs can efficiently utilize diet containing high energy (3000 Kcal/kg) and crude protein (16%) diets, consequently, it can be used to optimize their growth performance and maintain the maximum economic return

We postulated that ablation of trabecular meshwork can be accomplished without damage to Schlemm's canal and adjacent tissue. We performed Erbium:YAG laser trabecular ablation on human autopsy eyes and confirmed the results by histopathologic examination. We used an Erbium:YAG laser (2.94 micrometers ) equipped with a sapphire probe and a quartz tip (350 micrometers diameter). Energy levels of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 mJ per pulse were used. The probe was placed directly onto the trabecular meshwork viewed through an operating microscope and focal ablation was performed with single pulses. The tissue was then processed and examined under light and scanning microscopy. The histopathologic study of the trabecular meshwork revealed that a single pulse at an energy level of 15 mJ was optimal for ablating through the trabecular meshwork to Schlemm's canal with a minimal amount of coagulative damage to the surrounding tissue. The mean width of ablated tissue was 150 micrometers +/- 29 micrometers (n equals 18) and the mean depth of ablation was 133 +/- 48 micrometers (n equals 18) at this energy level. The mean width of coagulative damage to adjacent tissue was 16 +/- 8 micrometers (n equals 18). The ablation and coagulative damage increased with increasing energy levels. The Erbium:YAG laser equipped with a contact probe effectively ablates trabecular meshwork with little surrounding coagulative damage. This feature may minimize scarring and result in a high long-term patency rate of outflow channels created by laser trabecular ablation.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The Influence of Dietary Protein and Energy Levels on the Protein and Lipid Content of the Hen’s Egg

Solidification and crystallographic texture modeling of laser powder bed fusion Ti-6Al-4V using finite difference-monte carlo method

We studied the effect of inclusion crude protein (CP) and energy concentration in the diet on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits, and carcass weight in broilers from 0 to 42 d of age. The experimental design was completely randomized with six diets combined as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of CP (20 vs. 22%) and three levels of energy (2900, 3000, and 3100 kcal/kg). Each treatment was 4 replicate and the experimental unit was a pen with 20 birds. All diets were based on corn, soybean meal, wheat, and included sunflower oil. For the entire experiment, the inclusion of CP in the diet did not affect growth performance and the other variables studied. From 0 to 42 d of age, increase energy concentration up to 3100 kcal/kg in diet tended to reduce average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P = 0.053) and improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P &lt; 0.01) than energy concentration at level of 2900 kcal/kg. However, average daily gain (ADG) was not affect. Most of the benefits of increase energy concentration on broiler growth was observed from 14 to 21 d and 28 to 35 d of age, a period in which energy concentration improved ADFI and FCR (P &lt; 0.01), respectively. On d 42, increase energy levels in the diet did not affect GIT or carcass relative weight, except for the liver relative weight was heavier (P &lt; 0.05) when intermedia energy concentration 3000 kcal/kg was included in the diet. It is concluded that energy concentration were well utilized by broilers, at level of inclusion.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Residual torsional properties of composite shafts subjected to impact loadings

ObjectivesTo investigate the optimal parameters of spectral CT for preferably visualizing the periprosthetic vasculature and metal artifact reduction (MAR) in total hip arthroplasty (THA).MethodsA total of 34 THA of 30 patients were retrospectively included. Image reconstructions included conventional image (CI), CI combined with MAR (CIMAR), and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) combined with MAR (VMIMAR) at 50–120 keV. The attenuation and standard deviation of the vessel and artifact, and the width of artifact were measured. Qualitative scoring was evaluated including the vascular contour, the extent of artifact, and overall diagnostic evaluation.ResultsThe attenuation, noise of the vessel and artifact, and the width of artifact decreased as the energy level increased (p < 0.001). The downtrend was relatively flat at 80–120 keV, and the vascular attenuation dropped to 200 HU at 90 keV. The qualitative rating of vascular contour was significantly higher at CIMAR (3.47) and VMIMAR 60–80 keV (2.82–3.65) compared with CI (2.03) (p ≤ 0.029), and the highest score occurred at 70 and 80 keV (3.65 and 3.56). The score of the extent of artifact was higher at VMIMAR 80 keV than CIMAR (3.53 VS 3.12, p = 0.003). The score of the overall diagnostic evaluation was higher at VMIMAR 70 and 80 keV (3.32 and 3.53, respectively) than CIMAR (3.12) (p ≤ 0.035).ConclusionEighty kiloelectron volts on VMIMAR, providing satisfactorily reduced metal artifacts and improved vascular visualization, can be an optimal recommended parameter of spectrum CT for the assessment of periprosthetic vasculature in THA patients.Critical relevance statementThe metal artifact is gradually reducing with increasing energy level; however, the vascular visualization is worsening. The vascular visualization is terrible above 100 keV, while the vessel is disturbed by artifacts below 70 keV. The best performance is found at 80 keV.Key points• VMIMAR can provide both reduced metal artifacts and improved vascular visualization.• Eighty kiloelectron volts on VMIMAR performs best in vascular visualization of total hip arthroplasty patients.• Energy spectrum CT is recommended for routine use in patients with total hip arthroplasty.Graphical

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the most common type of cardiovascular disease and can be caused by various factors, such as genetics and lifestyle. Cells need energy to maintain their integrity and function. Energy that is often used is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Atherosclerosis can cause myocardial ischemia and induced reduction of ATP levels, so that that not only affects cellular energy, but also alters the normal function. D-ribose is a pentose carbohydrate that has been shown to increase cellular energy levels and improve function after ischemia in pre-clinical studies. It has shown potential benefits in clinical evaluation. This article aims to explain the role of D-ribose in increasing energy levels and myocardial function in ischemic cardiovascular disease.

The spall strength of cast iron with varying microstructures has been investigated using plate impact at moderate speed. Stress history measurements were made with manganin stress gauges embedded between the back face of the specimen and a low impedance polycarbonate backing. Five separate cast irons were tested. Four of these consisted of gray cast iron with graphite in flake form, with three classified as Type VII A2 and the fourth containing a bimodal distribution of Types VII A4 and VII D8. The fifth casting consisted of ductile cast iron with graphite in nodular form, classified as Type I, size class 5. The spall strength for the Type VII A2 gray cast irons varied between 40 and 370 MPa, and that of the additional gray cast iron, between 410 and 490 MPa. The spall strength of the ductile cast iron fell within the range of 0.94–1.2 GPa. It is shown that the spall strength is linked to the damage level at the spall plane, where an increased level of tensile stress is required to generate higher levels of damage. Post mortem analysis was performed on the recovered samples, revealing the graphite phase to be the primary factor governing the spall fracture of cast irons, where crack nucleation is directly correlated to the debonding of graphite from the metal matrix. The average length of graphite found within a casting is linked to the material's strength, where strength increases as a function of decreasing length. The morphology and mean free path of graphite precipitates further govern the subsequent coalescence of initiated cracks to form a complete fracture plane. In cases where graphite spacing is large, increased energy level is required to complete the fracture process. A secondary factor governing the spall fracture of cast irons has also been linked to the microstructure of the metal matrix, with pearlite yielding higher spall strengths than free ferrite.

BackgroundThe physical benefits of exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) are well documented within research. In addition to improvements in cardiovascular (CV) and muscular-skeletal (MSK) fitness; EBCR aims to improve patient...

Magnetic Resonance-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of Osteoid Osteoma: A Case Series Report