Curcumin nanoemulsions (Cur-NEs) were developed with various surfactant concentrations by using high pressure homogenization and finally applied to the commercial milk system. Characterization of Cur-NEs was performed by measuring the droplet size and polydispersity index value at different Tween 20 concentrations. The morphology of the Cur-NEs was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Antioxidant activity and in vitro digestion ability were tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, pH-stat method, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays. Cur-NEs were found to be physically stable for 1 mo at room temperature. The surfactant concentration affects particle formation and droplet size. The mean droplet size decreased from 122 to 90 nm when surfactant concentration increased 3 times. Cur-NEs had shown an effective oxygen scavenging activity. Cur-NEs-fortified milk showed significantly lower lipid oxidation than control (unfortified) milk and milk containing curcumin-free nanoemulsions. These properties make Cur-NEs suitable systems for the beverage industry.

Chitosan-coated curcumin nanoliposomes (CS-Cur-NLs) were fabricated by the ethanol injection method (EIM), and their physicochemical properties were compared with the properties of those fabricated by the dry thin film method (DTFM). The mean size and zeta potential of CS-Cur-NLs gradually increased with CS concentration. The encapsulation efficiency of Cur-NLs prepared by EIM was 54.70%, which was significantly improved compared to that (42.60%) of Cur-NLs prepared by DTFM. Further improvement of encapsulation efficiency was attained (up to 64.93%) by EIM with 0.1% CS coating. The mucoadhesive property of Cur-NLs improved from 33.60 to 56.47% with CS coating. The results indicate that the encapsulated curcumin will show prolonged adsorption in the gastrointestinal tract because of higher mucoadhesion. Thus, EIM can be considered to be effective for food-grade delivery carriers with higher encapsulation efficiency and absence of harmful solvents. EIM-generated CS-Cur-NLs showed higher bioavailability, with enhanced high mucoadhesive property, storage stability, and encapsulation efficiency.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> In the literature on creativity in older adults, creative activities have been found to be an effective way of adapting to age-related psychological and physical changes, providing older adults with opportunities to think differently and be open to new ideas. On the other hand, physical activities play an important role in the prevention of physical decline. Thus, combining physical activity and certain creative activities, such as creative dance (CD), might help facilitate successful aging. Since the National Dance Association has expanded dance into educational and community facilities, CD programs have begun to be developed and widely used for all ages. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We investigated the effects of a CD program on fitness, functional balance, and mobility in the elderly. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty-two community-dwelling older adults were randomly allocated to either a dance group (<i>n</i> = 41, age = 70.5 ± 7.89 years) or a stretching group (<i>n</i> = 41, age = 71.77 ± 7.78 years). Over 8 weeks, these groups participated in CD and stretching training (ST) classes, respectively, which lasted for 90 min and were held 2 days a week. The CD included tasks to explore movement elements (i.e., body, space, time, force), develop their own movement, and transform feelings or inner experiences into movement. The ST included several upper- and lower-body stretching poses. The outcome measures included the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and 10-Meter Walking Test (gait speed). <b><i>Results:</i></b> A significant group × time interaction was found for the 30-s stand and 30-s arm curl, and for the BBS, TUG, DGI, and gait speed. Post hoc paired <i>t</i> tests revealed significantly increased scores for the 30-s stand, 30-s arm curl, back stretching, and chair sit and reach tests, and for the TUG, BBS, TUG, DGI, and gait speed in the CD group. The 30-s arm curl and chair sit and reach test scores significantly increased in the ST group. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CD and stretching may both benefit fitness and balance for older adults; however, CD may improve dynamic balance and mobility more than stretching. Therefore, CD may be a creative physical activity that contributes to successful aging.

Curcumin solid dispersions were prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to enhance water solubility of curcumin. The particle size of curcumin solid dispersions was in range from 371 to 528 nm and particles were shaped as spherical with wrinkles. The encapsulation efficiency was over 93% for all samples, and water solubility of curcumin was significantly improved to 238 µg/mL when the ratio of curcumin to HPMC was 20:80. The results of X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that crystalline form of curcumin changed to amorphous form. Curcumin solid dispersions showed improved dissolution behavior compared to pure curcumin and the curcumin release kinetic studies were applied to find best‐fitting model. This study showed a great potential of solid dispersion using HPMC as curcumin delivery system with improved water solubility and oral absorption. Practical Application Curcumin has limited applications in the food industry because of low water solubility. Dongoh water‐soluble curcumin (DW‐CURs) were prepared by solid dispersion method with HPMC. Our results indicated that curcumin solid dispersions improved the water solubility of curcumin and showed a sustained release, demonstrating its possibility of body application. Therefore, DW‐CURs are a promising formulation for application as a functional ingredient in the food industry.

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. However, its low solubility in aqueous solutions, low absorption following oral administration, and rapid degradation limit its use as a functional food material. In this study, a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based solid dispersion of curcumin (DW-CUR 20) was prepared and its bioavailability was evaluated. In addition, its therapeutic efficacy as a hepatoprotective agent was investigated using the model of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatocyte damage. The rat plasma pharmacokinetic study showed that the oral curcumin bioavailability of DW-CUR 20 significantly increased compared to that of non-formulated curcumin. DW-CUR 20 showed a concentration-dependent hepatocyte protective effect on t-BHP-induced HepG2 cells. DW-CUR 20 inhibited the release of lactate dehydrogenase and decreased apoptosis-related proteins such as Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, cleaved caspase-7 and cleaved caspase-8 on t-BHP-treated HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that DW-CUR 20 could be a promising formulation for enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of curcumin and for improving the safety.

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and therapeutic potential of creative dance (CD) based exercise as a rehabilitation intervention for adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were 10 adolescents with spastic CP (mean age, 17.5± 2.12 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I [n= 3] and II [n= 7]). Outcome measures included the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88; dimensions D and E), spatiotemporal gait parameters, lower limb range of motion during walking, and body image, assessed using the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS). CD was provided in 2-hr classes, twice weekly, for 12 weeks, during which participants learned movement concepts and developed their own movement. All participants completed the intervention, with an attendance rate of 98% and high satisfaction rating. GMFM-88 dimensions D (P= 0.01) and E (P= 0.005); walking speed (P= 0.005), cadence (P= 0.009), step (P= 0.005), and stride length (P= 0.005); and sagittal ranges of motions of hip (P = 0.009) and ankle (P = 0.03) during walking were significantly improved. The time of opposite foot off (P= 0.028) and first double-limb support (P= 0.028) significantly decreased, whereas the percentage of single-limb support time (P= 0.02) increased. Additionally, BCS scores were significantly improved. In conclusions, CD-based exercise can improve gross motor function, gait performance, and body image in adolescents with CP.

INTRODUCTIONThe intraocular smooth muscle tumor is rare and has been known to arise in the iris, the ciliary body, or the choroid. Choroidal leiomyomas usually involve the ciliochoroidal area (peripheral choroid) (1), and leiomyoma of the posterior choroid is extremely rare. Here we report a case of posterior choroidal leiomyoma in a young male.The choroidal leiomyoma can mimick amelanotic melanoma, neurofibroma, neurilemmoma, and other tumors in several clinicopathologic aspects. Thus, electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry are essential for the definite diagnosis of leiomyoma. Shields and his colleagues described the major clinical and pathological features of leiomyoma of the ciliary body and the choroid, based on the personal observation of seven cases and literature review of additional seventeen cases (1). Some unique features to our case compared with these previous observations are described.We represent this case to contribute to find out the characteristics of the intraocular leiomyoma and emphasize the possibility of leiomyoma in the differential diagnosis of choroidal tumors. CASE REPORTA 27-yr-old male was referred to the Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital for the further evaluation of a known intraocular tumor of the left eye. He had been with a good visual acuity until he experienced a sudden decrease of visual acuity and the defect of upper visual field of the left eye a month before. On examination, the visual acuity of the right eye was 20/20 and the left eye was only finger-countable at a distance of 30 cm. The intraocular pressure and the movement of both eyeballs were normal. Indirect ophthalmoscopic examination of the left eye disclosed a yellowish white, highly vascularized elevated mass at the temporal side of the fundus about two-disc diameters apart from the optic disc (Fig. 1). The serous retinal detachment was accompanied around the mass. MRI revealed an 1 cm-sized mass with lobulating contour in the retina, and the lesion had medium to low internal reflectivity with smooth attenuation and the acoustic quiet zone inside on ultrasonography (Fig. 2). The right eye showed no abnormalities. Under the suspicion of amelanotic melanoma of the choroid, the left globe was enucleated.Gross examination of the enucleated eyeball revealed an oval to round nonpigmented mass measuring 11×11 mm in maximal dimension. The mass involved the lower temporal quadrant with retinal detachment around. The cut surface was gray to whitish and the mass had rubbery consistency. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections revealed a well-circumscribed dome-shaped mass at the equator of the globe. The base of the mass was about 7 mm apart from the ciliary Smooth muscle tumor of the uveal tract is rare, and mostly located in the ciliochoroidal area. We report a unique case of posterior choroidal leiomyoma in a 27-yr-old man. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed an 11 mm-sized mass on the fundus two-disc diameters apart from the optic disc. With a suspicion of amelanotic me...

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