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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (HolixerTM) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress
Get PDFBackground: In Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) is referred to as “the elixir of life” and is believed to promote longevity and general wellbeing. Although limited, there are clinical trials to suggest Ocimum tenuiflorum has anti-stress effects.
Purpose: Examine the effects of a standardized Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolixerTM) on subjective and objective measures of stress and sleep quality in adults experiencing stress.
Study design: Two-arm, parallel-group, 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry trial registration number ACTRN12621000609853.
Methods: One hundred volunteers aged 18–65 years received either 125 mg of Ocimum tenuiflorum twice daily or a placebo. Outcome measures included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (primary outcome measure), Profile of Mood States, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29. Sleep quality was also assessed using a wrist-worn sleep tracker (Fitbit), and stress changes were examined by measuring between-group differences in hair cortisol and stress responses after exposure to an experiment stress procedure known as the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST).
Results: Compared to the placebo, Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was associated with greater improvements in PSS (p = 0.003) and AIS (p = 0.025) scores; and at week 8, concentrations in hair cortisol were also lower (p = 0.025). Moreover, Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was associated with a buffered stress responses after exposure to the MAST as demonstrated by significantly lower concentrations in salivary cortisol (p = 0.001), salivary amylase (p = 0.001), systolic (p = 0.010) and diastolic (p = 0.025) blood pressure, and subjective stress ratings (p < 0.001). Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was well-tolerated with no reports of major adverse effects.
Conclusion: The results from this trial suggest that 8 weeks of supplementation with an Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolixerTM) may reduce objective and subjective measures of stress, and improve subjective measures of sleep quality. However, further research using gold-standard objective sleep measures will be required to substantiate the sleep-related findings
Optical and structural characteristics of pulsed DC magnetron sputtered Ce1−xTixOy coatings
No full textThis contribution investigates the impact of adding transition metal of Ti to CeOy samples at various concentrations referring to 0, 15.84, 24.46, 34.46, 36.23, 38.46, 45.38% and pure TiOy, correspondingly. The samples were fabricated by the magnetron sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) configurations demonstrate the presence of α-Ce2O3 and Ce2O3 phases with increased Ti contents in the systems. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experimentation confirms the purity of the S1-sample (CeO2) and the purity of the S8-sample (TiO2). Further XPS analysis reveals that Ti incorporation in the doped systems functions as a reducing agent because of the existence of α-Ce2O3 and Ce2O3 phases. Moreover, based on UV–vis spectroscopy results, the studied samples exhibit indirect optical energy band-gaps reduced from 2.6 to 2.35 eV with the increase of Ti concentrations of 0–45.38% in (S1-S7), respectively. In reference to bandgap 2.35 eV, a slight rise in band gaps was detected for S3 sample. However, an observable increase in the band gap of 2.9 eV occurred for S8 (pure TiO2). Optical analysis of the calculated energy loss parameters demonstrates that all the studied samples reveal small amounts of energy loss. Our results suggest that the improved optical properties of Ti-doped CeOy films could serve for various optical applications
Blue to black: Hypotheses on plant use complexity in traditional dyeing processes in Southeast Asia and China
No full textModern indigo dyeing is achieved using chemical dye vats with toxic reducing agents that have an impact on the environment and human health. Consequently, there has been interest in traditional indigo dyeing processes and their potential for more environmentally friendly industrial production. Traditional indigo dyeing was studied by conducting a literature review (China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) and field surveys (Timor Leste, Indonesia, Laos, and China) in Southeast Asia and China (SAC). Traditional SAC blue and black dyeing processes can be a combination of separate dyeing steps. Here, we documented plant species and ingredients in the blue to black dyeing processes used in addition to indigo yielding species. We recorded 80 plant species belonging to 39 families and 67 genera used in the “blue to black” dye processes in SAC. Owing to local use and phytochemicals or microbial substances of these species and their function in the dyeing processes, eight hypotheses for added species, including lime or ash water, microorganisms, food for microorganisms, electron donors, electron mediators, reducing sugars, metallic mordants, and tannins were suggested herein. The combination of hypotheses was supported by the findings and theories of previous studies and clarifies why these particular plant species are likely added to dye vats. The hypotheses and theories derived from this study pave the way for insights into indigo dyeing processes that reduce inorganic chemical additives using additional plant products, which consequently may provide a green route for cleaner production strategies. This research identifies gaps in knowledge and highlights where further work is needed to verify the hypotheses proposed for adding products to dye vats in the future
A taxonomic revision of the Cotula barbata group (Anthemideae, Cotulinae, Asteraceae)
No full textA taxonomic revision of the Cotula barbata group is presented. At the onset of the study nine species were recognised within this group, which is defined by a combination of an annual life history, usually homogamous discoid capitula, mostly basal leaves that are not sheathing at the base, and naked peduncles that are not inflated apically. These species are restricted to the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The species are variable in cypselae morphology, which is shown herein to be taxonomically informative. Through extensive investigation, we here recognize seven species, one of which is described as new. Cotula melaleuca Bolus is reduced into synonymy with C. barbata DC., C. leptalea DC. and C. tenella E Mey ex DC. are reduced into synonymy with C. laxa DC., and C. tuberculata Jakoet & Magee is described as new. An identification key is provided for the seven species, with detailed morphological descriptions, typification, illustrations of diagnostic characters and distribution maps
Molecular interaction with defected h-BN
No full textDensity functional theory simulations studied molecular (Phenol, pyridine, oxygen, and carbon monoxide) interactions with defected h-BN (boron nitride) monolayer structures. The simulation comprised of a supercell modelling the monolayers which contained mono-vacancies (boron or nitrogen) and Stone-Wales defect. Predictions from this analysis indicate that h-BN with vacancies are more reactive to CO and phenol when compared with the Stone-Wales defected configurations. Reacted products entail semiconductor characteristics with a band gap residing in the range 2.6 to 3.96 eV. Outcomes herein reveal a relatively strong interaction of phenol and pyridine, in comparison with smaller diatomic O2 and CO, with defect BN surfaces. A wide array of properties was computed to elucidate an insight into the observed interactive behaviour, including Bader charge’s; local atomic spin polarisation magnetic moments in the vacancy region, and energy band gap of the reaction outcome. These results should be useful in applications that target deployment of BN-based materials in optoelectronic devices, physical–chemical sensors
Clinical and neurophysiological biomarkers of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
No full textIntroduction/Aims
Rate of disease progression (ΔFS), measured as change in the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and body mass index (BMI), are predictors of survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our aim in this study was to assess the utility of these clinical biomarkers along with neurophysiological measures, such as the split hand index (SI), in monitoring disease progression.
Methods
Clinical trial data were collected from 107 patients recruited into the Tecfidera in ALS trial. The prognostic utility of clinical and neurophysiological measures, including ΔFS, BMI, SI, and neurophysiological index (NPI), were assessed cross-sectionally and longitudinally (40 weeks). The outcome measures of disease severity and progression included: (i) ALSFRS-R score; (ii) Medical Research Council (MRC) score; and (iii) forced vital capacity and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure.
Results
Fast-progressor ALS patients (ΔFS ≥1.1) exhibited significantly lower ALSFRS-R and total MRC scores at baseline. A baseline ΔFS score ≥1.1 was associated with a greater reduction in ALSFRS-R (P = .002) and MRC (P = .002) scores over 40 weeks. Baseline BMI <25 was also associated with faster reduction of ALSFRS-R and MRC scores. SI and NPI were associated with disease severity at baseline, but not with subsequent rate of disease progression.
Discussion
Implementation of the assessed clinical and neurophysiological biomarkers may assist in patient management and stratification into clinical trials
Accelerated low-intensity rTMS does not rescue anxiety behaviour or abnormal connectivity in young adult rats following chronic restraint stress
Get PDFCurrently approved repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) involve once-daily (weekday) stimulation sessions, with 10 Hz or intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) frequencies, over 4–6 weeks. Recently, accelerated treatment protocols (multiple daily stimulation sessions for 1–2 weeks) have been increasingly studied to optimize rTMS treatments. Accelerated protocols might confer unique advantages for adolescents and young adults but there are many knowledge gaps related to dosing in this age group. Off-label, clinical practice frequently outpaces solid evidence as rigorous clinical trials require substantial time and resources. Murine models present an opportunity for high throughput dose finding studies to focus subsequent clinical trials in humans. This project investigated the brain and behavioural effects of an accelerated low-intensity rTMS (LI-rTMS) protocol in a young adult rodent model of chronic restraint stress (CRS). Depression and anxiety-related behaviours were induced in young adult male Sprague Dawley rats using the CRS model, followed by the 3-times-daily delivery of 10 Hz LI-rTMS, for two weeks. Behaviour was assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze and Forced Swim Test, and functional, chemical, and structural brain changes measured using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. CRS induced an agitated depression-like phenotype but therapeutic effects from the accelerated protocol were not detected. Our findings suggest that the age of rodents may impact response to CRS and LI-rTMS. Future studies should also examine higher intensities of rTMS and accelerated theta burst protocols
Interpersonal affect dynamics in groupwork: Investigating their relational and collaborative function
Get PDFHigher education institutions worldwide face increasing demand from industry to deliver graduates with advance collaboration skills. although the pedagogical practice of groupwork is largely assumed to fulfill this function, employer data suggests that this is often not the case..
A theoretical and experimental study of the effects of NaCl and the competitive chemisorption of ions at the surface sites in the context of galena flotation
No full textIn this study we have investigated the effects of increasing the NaCl concentration on the flotation of galena. Experiments were carried out using a Hallimond tube in NaCl solutions with concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 mM, at pH 9. It was found that the recovery of galena by collector-less flotation improved for higher NaCl concentrations.
Zeta potential measurements made on galena particles conditioned in NaCl solutions were used to calibrate the parameters for describing a chemisorption model representing charge regulation at the galena binding sites. Our galena chemisorption model presented here is a “two-site/not amphoteric” surface complexation model. A chemisorption model representing the charge regulation process on the surface of an air bubble has also been applied. The zeta potentials calculated using these models were in agreement with the measured values, indicating that these models can be applied to predict the potentials on the surface of galena and an air bubble for a range of NaCl concentrations and pH.
To investigate the mechanisms of particle-bubble interactions for each NaCl concentration, the total interaction free energy as a function of the separation distance between galena and an air bubble was determined. It was found that at a NaCl concentration of 1 mM, due to adsorption of ions at the galena surface, repulsion dominated the interaction, and the lowest galena recovery was reported. With an increase in NaCl concentration in solution to 100 mM, the total interaction between galena and an air bubble was represented by a purely attractive total interaction free energy curve. The theoretical predictions of the models supported the experimental results, with a stronger attraction predicted by the models at higher ionic concentrations, corresponding to a higher galena recovery during flotation
The effect of ozone treatment on metabolite profile of germinating barley
Get PDFOzone is widely used to control pests in grain and impacts seed germination, a crucial stage in crop establishment which involves metabolic alterations. In this study, dormancy was overcome through after-ripening (AR) in dry barley seed storage of more than 4 weeks; alternatively, a 15-min ozone treatment could break the dormancy of barley immediately after harvest, with accelerated germination efficiency remaining around 96% until 4 weeks. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and liquid absorption coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were utilized for metabolite profiling of 2-, 4- and 7-day germinating seeds. Metabolic changes during barley germination are reflected by time-dependent characteristics. Alcohols, fatty acids, and ketones were major contributors to time-driven changes during germination. In addition, greater fatty acids were released at the early germination stage when subjected to ozone treatment