Here's a look at what's coming up in the July 2017 issue of JoVE: The World's Premier Video Journal Summer fruits are our first video-appetizer this month, specifically, berries. Publishing in JoVE Biology, our Authors present a method for extracting polyphenols from freeze-dried blackberry and raspberry powder. Polyphenols have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-Inflammatory and cardio-protective properties. After extraction utilizing ethanol and sonication, our authors investigate the effects of both crude and purified extracts on cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. This extraction method can be applied to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and that's berry cool! Eating healthily pairs with working out as we move to our second video highlight this month, from JoVE Chemistry. Here, our Authors describe a short-term resistance-training program focusing the elderly. The group used an isokinetic dynamometer to obtain detailed information on changes in strength and power, muscle biopsies to assess aerobic capacity, and monitored changes in glucose tolerance. They conclude that strength training in seniors may be more efficient and less physically stressful than endurance exercise for combatting common age related issues like diabetes, and reduce the risk of injury. At the opposite end of the health spectrum our next study, from JoVE Neuroscience, looks at anti-smoking media. Our Authors examined the emotional and cerebral reactions of subjects towards a selection of Public Service Announcements, or PSA's, aired in the USA and Europe between 1998 and 2015. Using a combination of electroencephalography, heart rate monitoring, and galvanic skin response, the researchers measured the physical and emotional effects of the commercials on the participants to gauge their effectiveness. These data may be used to design more effective PSA's in the future, and help reduce the number of current and new smokers. All eyes are on a cool new technological application for our final highlight this month. In JoVE Medicine, our Authors describe a simple method to record images of the ocular fundus using a smartphone camera and a conventional, hand-held ophthalmoscopy lens. This snappy trick allows clear documentation of macula and optic nerve changes in settings not previously available due to the lack of access to a professional fundus camera. I think we can all see how smart that is! You've just had a sneak peek of the July 2017 issue of JoVE. Visit the website to see the full-length articles, plus many more, in JoVE: The World's Premier Video Journal.
