Effects of Berry Anthocyanins on Cognitive Performance,Vascular Function and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Intervention Studies in Humans

Supplementation with anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoids mainly found in various berries, is hypothesized to be a promising approach to lower the risk of developing cognitive decline. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of dietary intervention trials describing effects of berry anthocyanins on cognitive performance in humans, while also addressing potential underlying mechanisms. A total of 1197 articles were identified through a systematic search, and 49 studies reporting effects on cognitive performance (n = 18), vascular function (n = 22), or cardiometabolic risk markers (n = 32) were included. Significant improvements were observed on memory, while some of the studies also reported effects on attention and psychomotor speed or executive function. Vascular function markers such as brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation were also affected and consistent evidence was provided for the beneficial effects of berry anthocyanins on endothelial function. Finally, studies reported improvements in blood pressure, but effects on metabolic risk markers (e.g. carbohydrate and lipid metabolism) were less consistent. In conclusion, this review provides evidence for the beneficial effects of berry anthocyanins on cognitive performance as memory improved. Whether observed anthocyanin-induced improvements in vascular function and blood pressure underlie beneficial effects on cognitive performance warrants further study.     

Interactions of biospecific sorbents with physiologically active substances

The synthesis and application of hydrogel biospecific sorbents with immobilized physiologically active substances for creation of bio- and blood-compatible polymeric materials are given and discussed. The chemical nature and structure of affinic ligand, its availability and distribution in the matrix determine the action efficiency of these sorbents. A high blood-compatibility of polymers can be reached by chemical modification with several physiologically active substances acting at the different steps of thromboformation. The complex biotissue chemical modification permits the reduction of calcium and phosphorus accumulation inin vivo experiments by 10–100 times, compared with the control.     

Interrelations between sleep and the somatotropic axis

In the human as in other mammals, growth hormone (GH) is secreted as a series of pulses. In normal young adults, a major secretory episode occurs shortly after sleep onset, in temporal association with the first period of slow-wave (SW) sleep. In men, approximately 70% of the daily GH output occurs during early sleep throughout adulthood. In women, the contribution of sleep-dependent GH release to the daily output is lower and more variable. Studies involving shifts of the sleep-wake cycle have consistently shown that sleep-wake homeostasis is the primary determinant of the temporal organization of human GH release. Effects of circadian rhythmicity may occasionally be detected. During nocturnal sleep, the sleep-onset GH pulse is caused by a surge of hypothalamic GHRH release which coincides with a circadian-dependent period of relative somatostatin disinhibition. Extensive evidence indicates the existence of a consistent relationship between SW sleep and increased GH secretion and, conversely, between awakenings and decreased GH release. There is a linear relationship between amounts of SW sleep--whether measured by visual scoring or by delta activity--and amounts of concomitant GH secretion, although dissociations may occur, most likely because of variable levels of somatostatin inhibition. Pharmacological stimulation of SW sleep results in increased GH release, and compounds which increase SW sleep may therefore represent a novel class of GH secretagogues. During aging, SW sleep and GH secretion decrease with the same chronology, raising the possibility that the peripheral effects of the hyposomatotropism of the elderly may partially reflect age-related alterations in sleep-wake homeostasis. While the association between sleep and GH release has been well documented, there is also evidence indicating that components of the somatotropic axis are involved in regulating sleep. The studies are most consistent in indicating a role for GHRH in promoting NREM and/or SW sleep via central, rather than peripheral, mechanisms. A role for GH in sleep regulation is less well-documented but seems to involve REM, rather than NREM, sleep. It has been proposed that the stimulation of GH release and the promotion of NREM sleep by GHRH are two separate processes which involve GHRH neurons located in two distinct areas of the hypothalamus. Somatostatinergic control of GH release appears to be weaker during sleep than during wake, suggesting that somatostatinergic tone is lower in the hypothalamic area(s) involved in sleep regulation and sleep-related GH release than in the area controlling daytime GH secretion. While the concept of a dual control of daytime and sleep-related GH secretion remains to be directly demonstrated, it allows for the reconciliation of a number of experimental observations.     

A model for housing strategy

This article from the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, describes the first steps in creating a universal model — though one especially relevant to poorer countries — for assessing the planned provision of housing on a national scale. Crucial to the approach is the separation of options for the house shell and those for infill and facilities. These options are then related to varying conditions of present and future national income, and to factors such as demographic changes and any imbalance between desired objectives and effective demand.     

Effect of a glow discharge on the formation of a surface layer on polycaproamide fibres in the presence of an organophosphorus compound

Conclusions The interaction of a glow discharge with polycaproamide fibres which have been impregnated with an involatile, unreactive liquid has been investigated.It has been shown that plasmochemical treatment of the impregnated fibres leads to immobilization of the impregnating agent.It has been established for the first time that on contact of a glow discharge plasma with an impregnated material, migration processes of the impregnating preparation take place both along the surface of the fibre and also in its volume. The intensity and ratio of these processes are determined by the discharge conditions.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 2, pp. 38–40, March–April, 1990.     

Linear copolymerization of unsaturated albumin derivatives with acrylamide

Summary The radical copolymerization of macromonomer — human serum albumin N-acryloyl derivative containing one unsaturated bond with acrylamide has been investigated. It has been found that the water-soluble copolymer of molecular mass about 10⁶, containing 4–5 chemically bound molecules of albumin is formed.     

FRONTIER IMPEDANCE EFFECTS AND THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FOR FRANCE

ABSTRACT On the European Union scale, international traffic is growing faster than intra-national traffic. This phenomenon is often viewed as a consequence of the abatement of the frontier effect. In this article the frontier effect is analyzed, on the basis of data available for road traffic between France and its neighbors and of freight transport data available at the EU level. The concept is discussed in the light of this empirical analysis. The shortcomings of the static approach lead to a critical revaluation by means of a longitudinal approach. In the conclusion some potential directions for future research are discussed.