Efficacy of a nootropic spearmint extract on reactive agility: a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,parallel trial

Background

Proprietary spearmint extract (PSE) containing a minimum 14.5% rosmarinic acid and 24% total phenolic content, has evinced positive effects on cognition in individuals aged 50–70 with memory impairment after chronic supplementation. To address the growing interest in connecting mental and physical performance, the present study examined whether the nootropic effects of PSE translate into changes in reactive agility following daily supplementation with PSE.

Methods

Utilizing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, healthy, recreationally-active men and women (n?=?142) received 900?mg of PSE or placebo (PLA) daily for 90?days. Reactive agility, our primary outcome, was determined by measuring the number of hits and average reaction time (ART) on a Makoto Arena II, a 360⁰ audio-visual device that measures stationary, lateral, and multi-directional active choice reaction performance. Safety was evaluated using complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and blood lipids. Measurements were evaluated on days 7, 30, and 90 of supplementation.

Results

An overall treatment effect (p?=?0.019) was evident for increased hits with PSE on the stationary test with footplates, with between group differences at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.96?±?2.08 vs. 28.09?±?1.92 hits; p?=?0.040) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.42?±?2.54 vs. 27.02?±?3.55 hits; p?=?0.002). On the same task, ART improved (treatment effect, p?=?0.036) with PSE at Day 7 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5896?±?0.060 vs. 0.6141?±?0.073?s; p?=?0.049) and Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5811?±?0.068 vs. 0.6033?±?0.055?s; p?=?0.049). PSE also significantly increased hits (treatment effect, p?=?0.020) at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.25?±?1.84 vs. 18.45?±?1.48 hits; p?=?0.007) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.39?±?1.90 vs. 18.66?±?1.64 hits; p?=?0.026) for the multi-directional test with footplates. Significant differences were not observed in the remaining Makoto tests. PSE was well tolerated as evidenced by no effects observed in the blood safety panels.

Conclusions

The findings of the current study demonstrate that consumption of 900?mg of PSE improved specific measures of reactive agility in a young, active population.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02518165. Registered August 7, 2015 – retrospectively registered.

     

Nitrogen cycling in large temperate floodplain rivers of contrasting nutrient regimes and management

Hydraulic connection between channels and floodplains (“connectivity”) is a fundamental determinant of ecosystem function in large floodplain rivers. Factors controlling material processing in these rivers depend not only on the degree of connectivity but also on the sediment conditions, nutrient loads, and source. Nutrient cycling in the nutrient‐rich upper Mississippi River (MISS) is relatively well studied, whereas that of less eutrophic tributaries is not (e.g., St Croix River; SACN). We examined components of nitrogen cycling in 2 floodplain rivers of contrasting nutrient enrichment and catchment land use to test the hypothesis that N‐cycling rates will be greater in the MISS with elevated nutrient loads and productivity in contrast to the relatively nutrient‐poor SACN. Nitrate (NO₃^?‐N) concentrations were greatest in flowing habitats in the MISS and often undetectable in isolated backwaters except where groundwater inputs occurred. In the SACN, NO₃^?‐N concentrations were greatest in the flowing backwater where groundwater inputs were high. Ambient nitrification in the MISS was twice that in the SACN and tended to be lowest in the main channel. Denitrification was 3× greater in the MISS than that in the SACN, N‐limited in both rivers. Community production/respiration was >1 in the MISS and likely provisioned labile C to fuel microbial metabolism and dissimilatory NO₃^?‐N reduction, whereas the heterotrophic (production/respiration < 1) nature of the SACN likely limited microbial metabolism and NO₃^?‐N dissimilation. It appears that N‐cycling in the SACN was driven by groundwater, whereas that in the MISS was supported mainly by water column N‐sources.     

Optische Konstanten von Substraten im NIR/MIR‐Spektralbereich

Determination of the Optical Constants of Common Substrate Materials in the NIR/MIR‐Spectral Regions An approach is reported for determining the optical constants of substrates and single layer coatings in the near and mid‐infrared spectral regions. A combination of the algorithm from Nichelatti and a multi‐oscillator model has been used to determine the optical constants of the substrates. Thus, the approach even works when the sample transmittance is vanishing. We demonstrate the application of the approach to the evaluation of transmission and reflection spectra of common substrates (CaF₂, Q1, Sapphire) measured by a Fourier‐Transform‐Infrared spectrophotometer. The comparison of the calculated optical constants with values reported in literature confirms the validity of the used approach. We also demonstrate the IR characterisation of a tantalum oxide single layer deposited onto a Q1 substrate by means of the multi‐oscillator‐model. The results are again in good agreement with literature data.     

Mechanism of decreased arachidonic acid in the renal cortex of rats with diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of decreased synthesis and increased consumption in the depression of arachidonic acid levels in renal cortex and glomeruli of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. In diabetic rats, arachidonic acid was depressed 33.2% in renal cortex, 47.4% in liver and 66.1% in heart compared to values of control rats. Δ6 Desaturase activity was depressed in renal cortex, liver and heart of diabetic rats to 53.3, 55.5 and 63.7%, respectively, of control values. Δ5 Desaturase activity was also depressed 43.7, 55.5 and 47.6% in renal cortex, liver and heart of diabetic rats, respectively. In other rats the activities of five enzymes involved in the synthesis and esterification of arachidonic acid were measured in renal cortex and in isolated glomeruli. Both tissues from diabetic rats showed depressed activities of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases, increased activities of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase and 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acyltransferase and no change in the activity of elongase as compared to those in control tissues. Malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation, was lower in the renal cortex of diabetic rats than in control rats, whereas β-oxidation of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were similar in diabetic and in control rats. Basal and stimulated prostaglandin E² synthesis were significantly higher in isolated glomeruli from diabetic rats compared to those in control rats. In isolated tubules, prostaglandin E₂ synthesis was similarly low in both groups. From these data we conclude that the reduced level of arachidonic acid esterified in lipids of the kidney cortex is caused principally by depressed synthesis of arachidonic acid secondary to decreased activity of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases. Increased consumption of arachidonic acid to support prostaglandin synthesis may have contributed to the depression of arachidonic acid in glomeruli but not in tubules.     

Components of female sex pheromone of spotted bollworm,Earias vittella F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Identification and field evaluation in Pakistan

Ovipositor washings from virgin femaleEarias vittella (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moths were examined by gas chromatography (GC) linked to electroantennography (EAG). Six components were detected by the male moth. These were identified by comparison of their retention times with those of a range of synthetic standards on fused silica capillary GC columns as hexadecanal, (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal, octadecanal, (Z)-11-octadecenal, and (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadien-1-ol in 1210241 ratio. Field testing in Pakistan showed that a 2102 mixture of (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal, and (Z)-11-octadecenal was as attractive to maleE. vittella moths as the six-component mixture and equal in attractiveness to a virgin female moth. Omitting (Z)-11-hexadecenal or (Z)-11-octadecenal greatly reduced this attractiveness. It was found that synthetic lures must be protected from sunlight to prevent loss of attractiveness caused by isomerization of the conjugated diene aldehyde, and addition of (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienal, one of the products of isomerization, was shown to reduce attractiveness significantly. During this work, a 101 mixture of (E,E)-10, 12-hexadecadienal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal was shown to be as attractive toE. insulana (Boisd.) male moths as a virgin female moth, and the attractiveness of this mixture was further increased by addition of (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienal.     

One year soy protein supplementation has positive effects on bone formation markers but not bone density in postmenopausal women

Background  

Although soy protein and its isoflavones have been reported to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in peri- and post-menopausal women, most of these studies are of short duration (i.e. six months). The objective of this study was to examine if one year consumption of soy-containing foods (providing 25 g protein and 60 mg isoflavones) exerts beneficial effects on bone in postmenopausal women.     

Editorial

This article presents a systematic review of the current practices of creating, maintaining, using, and evaluating East Asian studies guides across North America. We examined 137 East Asian studies subject guides published by 44 major East Asian libraries and surveyed the East Asian librarian community. In this article, we discuss the common issues and unique challenges faced by East Asian studies librarians and propose recommendations. Our aim is to provide insight for East Asian studies librarians in order to help them better manage their subject guides and serve the evolving needs of users in this digital age.     

The conservation-redevelopment dilemma in Singapore: The case of the Kampong Glam historic district

Conservation-redevelopment conflicts are increasingly gaining prominence on the urban agendas of cities in the developing world. This paper examines the role urban conservation plays within the broader framework of national ideology and policies in Singapore, a city which faces intensive redevelopment pressures. It explains how, from the perspective of the state, redevelopment and conservation can both be accommodated within the ambit of modernist planning and goals. After outlining various preservation and conservation schemes initiated by state agencies, the paper goes on to argue that, contrary to state rhetoric and despite the fact that conservation is given some priority in the planning of the city, the conservation-redevelopment dilemma has not been solved but has taken on new dimensions in the 1990s. Specifically, the paper shows by means of a case study of the Kampong Glam Historic District that conflict arises because gazetted monuments and conservation areas often slice up the organic form and texture of cultural hearths in an arbitrary fashion, legislating boundaries between a defended zone perceived to be of historical value and an excluded landscape, which is threatened with excision.     

A Model for Motivating and Measuring Quality Performance in Information Systems Staff

This article presents a model developed to motivate and measure quality performance in information systems staff. This approach, referred to as team-based assessment (TBA), is founded on organizational effectiveness and quality principles. the team-based assessment approach emphasizes two main goals — to maintain a customer orientation and to promote an atmosphere for employee development and growth — while ensuring individual and team accountability. To assess the achievement of these goals, a formal system of measurements has been developed. the approach encompasses five critical areas: product quality, staff development, customer outreach, administrative efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. This model is currently in use at several large government contract-based organizations.