bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the effect of administering N-acetyl-glucosamine-containing green tea supplement on biomarkers for cartilage metabolism in healthy individuals without symptoms of arthritis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study
Authors: Tomonaga Akihito , Fukagawa Mitsuhiko , Ikeda Hiroki , Hori Toshiyuki , Ohkawara Masaharu , Nagaoka Isao 
Published: August 2018

Background: To evaluate the chondroprotective action of an N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc)-containing supplement on the joint health of healthy individuals without symptoms of arthritis, we conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods: Subjects (n=100, 51.3 ± 1.0 years (mean ± SE)) without symptoms of arthritis were randomly assigned to receive a 1000 mg GlcNAc-containing diet (GlcNAc group) or a placebo diet (placebo group) once a day for 16 weeks, and the effect on the cartilage metabolism was evaluated by analyzing the ratio of type II collagen degradation to synthesis using type II collagen degradation (C2C) and synthesis (PIICP) markers.Results: The results indicated that the changes in the C2C/PIICP ratios from the baseline were slightly suppressed in the GlcNAc group compared with those in the placebo group at weeks 16 during the intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. To make the effect of GlcNAc even more clear, the subjects with joint loading and impaired cartilage metabolism were evaluated. Interestingly, the changes in the C2C/PIICP ratios from the baseline were significantly suppressed in the GlcNAc group compared with the placebo group at weeks 16 during the intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention. Moreover, test supplement-related adverse events were not essentially observed during and after the intervention.Conclusions: These observations suggest that the oral administration of GlcNAc at a dose of 1000 mg/day exerts a chondroprotective action on the healthy individuals by lowering the C2C/PIICP ratio, which indicates relative reduction of type II collagen degradation and increase of type II collagen synthesis, without apparent adverse effect. Key words: N-acetyl-glucosamine, biomarker, cartilage metabolism, joint health
Influence of hot water blanching process on phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of Cinnamomum porrectum herbal tea
Authors: Saetan Phornthip , Usawakesmanee Worapong , Siripongvutikorn Sunisa 
Published: August 2018

Background: C. porrectum leaves, one kind of Cinnamomum family, has recently been used to produce a locally herbal tea. Although C. porrectum essential oil and aqueous extract have been reported to have some biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, there is no scientific data using the blanching process for the production of herbal tea. Therefore, this experiment aimed to study the effect of hot water blanching before drying process on microstructure, nutrition content of the tea powder, TPC, TFC, antioxidant activities of infusion, as well as the phenolic profile of the extract.Objective: To determine effect of hot water blanching process on nutritional value, microstructure, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity of the C. porrectum herbal tea.Methods: The C. porrectum leaves were divided into 2 groups; control (un-treated) and blanched before dried for herbal tea processing. The fresh leaves and the powders of control and blanched leaves were checked for proximate composition and chlorophyll contents, in addition to color value. The powders were determined microstructure by SEM. The infusions were determined to have color value and total extractable phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activities. The hydrolyzed extracts of freeze dried infusion were subjected to identify phenolic profile by HPLC. Results: The blanched tea powder yielded a percentage of fat and protein contents higher than un-treated due to easier extraction because of the bigger pore size found in microstructure. Chlorophyll content of blanched was decreased compared with the control sample. However, it was found that blanching could greater maintain green color of both powder and infusion. Additionally, blanching helped increased TPC, TFC extractability, and antioxidant activities in all assays except metal chelating property. Based on retention time and peak profile determined by using HPLC, it was found that both control and treated extracts consisted of similar main phenolic and flavonoid compounds however, only kaempferol was found in un-treated. Moreover, hydrolyzed blanched extract showed a higher intensity of 2 unknown compounds than un-treated. Though un-treated provided a higher intensity of pyrogallol, gallic acid, and cinnamic acid, the blanched exhibited a higher intensity of caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin. Conclusion: Blanching before drying expanded pore size of dried leaves, increased yield extractability, maintained color value, chlorophylls and increased TPC and TFC which related to antioxidant activities. Blanched extract provided higher intensity of some phenolic compounds than un-treated.Keywords: Cinnamomum porrectum, blanching process, SEM, HPLC
The Cytotoxic and Anti-proliferative Activity of High Molecular Weight Pectin and Modified Citrus Pectin
Authors: Abdel-Massih Roula , Hawach Venicia , Boujaoude Marie-Anne 
Published: August 2018

Background: Pectin is a heterogeneous polysaccharide mainly present in citrus fruits and has different biological activities.Objective: High molecular weight Citrus Pectin and modified citrus pectin (MCP) were tested for their cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and anti-oxidant activity.Methods: The cytotoxicity of pectin was studied against HaCaT cell line (human keratinocyte cell line) using Trypan blue method and LDH-cytotoxicity assay. Anti-proliferative activity was assayed using a WST-1 proliferation kit. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH scavenging assay.Results: MCP and Pectin both reduced the viability of HaCaT cells in a dose dependent manner; however MCP was found to be more cytotoxic than high molecular weight citrus pectin since it had a lower IC50 (300ug/ul). At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the viability of cells decreased with increase of concentration of MCP as determined by the WST-1. MCP exhibited a higher antioxidant effect than pectin (SC50 at a concentration range between 2 and 4mg/ml).Conclusion: This study suggests that MCP exhibits a stronger cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effect on HaCaT cell line than pectin. The most probable explanation of this observation is the different effect due to the variable molecular weight and exposed side-chains of MCP and high molecular weight citrus pectin. Keywords: Cytotoxic, Anti-proliferative, Pectin, MCP, HaCaT cell line
Topical applied nutraceutical antioxidant formulation reduces ocular oxidative stress
Authors: Kador Peter F. 
Published: August 2018

Background: Oral nutraceutical antioxidants have shown disappointing clinical results in reducing oxidation-induced age-related cataract and other ocular diseases. Based on the hypothesis that nutraceuticals do not adequately reach the lens by oral administration, we have developed a unique topical antioxidant formulation whose active ingredients have the reported ability to reduce oxidative stress through free radical scavenging and chelating activity. This topical nutraceutical formulation was designed to mimic the in vivo activity of multifunctional antioxidants, compounds which are being developed in our laboratory to independently scavenge free radicals and selectively bind redox metals. A comparison of the efficacy of this topical nutraceutical to multifunctional antioxidants in laboratory animal models of oxidation-induced lens changes, retinal changes, and dry eye is reviewed. Although it is less potent than the small molecule multifunctional antioxidants that will require FDA approval, the topical nutraceutical formulation beneficially reduces ocular oxidative stress. These studies suggest that this topical antioxidant may fill an unmet therapeutic need by providing a nutraceutical that beneficially reduces the effects of oxidation on age-related ocular diseases. Keywords: oxidative stress, nutraceutical antioxidants, age-related ocular diseases, dry eye, cataracts, retinal degeneration
Adding stewed apricot juice to sena improves the right-side and overall colon cleansing quality for colonoscopy preparation
Authors: Yasar Bulent , Abut Evren , Kayadibi Huseyin , Akdoğan Fatih , Gonen Can 
Published: August 2018

Background: To achieve optimal colonoscopic examination, the bowel must be sufficiently cleansed. However, none of the currently available colonoscopy preparation regimens is safe, efficient and comfortable. The aim of this study was to determine whether adding stewed apricot juice to senna increased patient comfort and improved bowel cleansing during colonoscopy preparation.Methods: Outpatients of both genders, aged over 18 years, who were referred for elective colonoscopy were randomly allocated to drink stewed apricot juice with senna or senna alone. The quality of colon cleansing was evaluated using the Ottawa scale. The evaluation of patient tolerance and adverse events was made through completion of a questionnaire. Results: The study included a total of 128 patients in the randomization procedure. A significantly greater effect of cleansing was determined with stewed apricot juice plus senna in the right and transverse colon (p= 0.038, p=0.037, respectively). It was also determined that in the stewed apricot juice plus senna group, overall cleansing was superior (p<0.001), total colonoscopy (17.6 min vs 22.8 min, p=0.048) and cecal intubation (7.4 min vs 11.2 min, p=0.042) times were shorter, and the colonoscopy procedure was easier (79.4%vs 49.2%, p<0.001). No difference was determined between the groups in respect of patient acceptance, compliance and adverse events (p>0.05). In the stewed apricot juice plus senna group, 91.2% of patients stated willingness to receive the same regimen in the future compared with 80% of the patients in thesenna alone group (p=0.037).Conclusion: The addition of natural, stewed apricot juice to senna significantly improves cleansing outcomes without additional adverse events.Keywords: bowel cleansing, colonoscopy, stewed apricot juice, senna.
Effects of vitamin E and its derivatives on diabetic nephropathy in Rats and identification of diacylglycerol kinase subtype involved in the improvement of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Kakehi Tomoko , Yagi Keiko , Saito Naoaki , Shirai Yasuhito 
Published: August 2018

Background: Diabetes is a significant social issue. Controlling diabetic complications such as nephropathy is very important for QOL of diabetic patients. One of the mechanisms which causes diabetic complications is the abnormal activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by increased diacylglycerol (DG) from hyperglycemia. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) can attenuate PKC activity by converting DG to phosphatidic acid. Thus far, d-a-tocopherol (VtE) treatment has been shown to prevent early changes of diabetic renal dysfunctions by activating DGK. However, it is still unknown whether VtE derivatives improve diabetic nephropathy similarly to VtE, and which DGK subtype is activated by VtE and/or the derivatives. Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of VtE and its derivatives on diabetic nephropathy in rats, in addition to identifying the DGK subtype involved in the improvement of nephropathy in vivo. Methods: To induce diabetes in rats, six weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitonealy administrated 65 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ) in 20 mM citrate buffer. For two or eight weeks, 40 mg/kg VtE, 44 mg/kg acetate VtE (aVtE) or 49.3 mg/kg succinate VtE (sVtE) was intraperitonealy administrated every other day after STZ administration. The blood glucose level, body weight, and kidney weight, in addition to urinary volume, albumin, and BUN were measured every week after STZ administration. Additionally, in order to identify the DGK subtype activated by VtE and aVtE, the DGK subtype expressed in the rat glomerulus was checked by RT-PCR and western blotting, and the activity in the glomerulus from the rats before and after the VtE and aVtE treatments were measured in the presence or absence of EGTA.Results: Averages of kidney weight and BUN of rats treated with VtE, aVtE and sVtE for 8 weeks were reduced, compared to the control. However, the intraperitoneal administration of sVtE was toxic. Additionally, the amount of urine volume and urinary albumin significantly improved by the two-weeks treatment of VtE and aVtE. mRNA of DGKa, g, d, e, and z were detected in the glomerulus, but only the protein of DGKa and DGKd were detected as calcium-dependent and independent subtype respectively. Both VtE and aVtE activated DGK in the glomerulus. However, the calcium dependent DGK subtype was mainly activated by aVtE, with not only the calcium-dependent subtype but also the calcium-independent subtype being activated in the case of VtE. In other words, DGKa was activated by aVtE and DGKd was additionally enhanced in the case of VtE.Conclusion: These results clearly indicated that aVtE as well as VtE improved diabetic nephropathy, with the activation of DGKa and/or d being potentially involved with this improvement. Key words: diabetic nephropathy, diacylglycerol kinase, vitamin E
Effects of six-week consumption of lard or palm oil on blood pressure and blood vessel H2S in middle-aged male rats
Authors: Naphatthalung Jomkarn , Cing Lian Suan , Kanokwiroon Kanyanatt , Radenahmad Nisaudah , Jansakul Chaweewan 
Published: August 2018

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. The etiology of this disease is multifactorial, with unhealthy nutrition being one of the main risk factors. Diets high in animal fats and saturated fatty acid have been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, the results of investigations on the effects of lard (LO)- and palm oil (PO) on cardiovascular risk are still controversial due to the dosages used and the age of the animals investigated. Objective: We investigated whether LO or PO consumption led to different effects on blood pressure, vascular functions, and lipid profiles within middle-aged rats. Methods: The study was performed in middle-aged male rats, n = 6 for each group. LO, PO, or distilled water (control) 1 or 3 ml/kg were orally gavaged once a day for 6 weeks. Basal blood pressure and heart rate were measured in anesthetized rats. Fasting serum lipids were measured by enzymatic methods. The vascular functions of isolated thoracic aorta were studied using pharmacological techniques in the absence or presence of N-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor and or DL-propargylglycine (PAG), a cystothionine-γ-lyase (CSE) inhibitor. Additionally, the aortic wall eNOS and CSE protein expression were measured by Western blotting.Results: In comparison to the control group (distilled water, DW), no differences were observed in any of the parameters studied after the rats took 1 ml/kg of LO or PO. However, PO caused an increase in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and body fat. At 3 ml/kg dosage, LO caused increased basal blood pressure (LO, 153.4 ± 3.2; DW, 131.4 ± 3.2 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and LO, 130.9 ± 2.5; DW, 107.9 ± 5.8 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure) body and liver cell lipid accumulation, while PO led to increased body fat and fasting serum triglyceride (PO, 131.5 ± 13.2; DW, 91.8 ± 4.8 mg %). Neither LO nor PO treatment had any effect on vascular contraction to phenylephrine, except in the presence of PAG which led to an increased contractile response to phenylephrine. PO but not LO treatment caused increased vascular wall CSE protein expression.Conclusion: The results document how both LO and PO at a dose of 3 ml/kg (corresponding to three servings of Thai fast food) cause increased cardiovascular risk factors. However, the blood vessel H2S production increased while the lower dose had a minimal effect.Keywords: Lard oil; Palm oil; blood vessel; liver lipid; NO; H2S
The “Cosmic Seagull”: A Highly Magnified Disk-like Galaxy at z ≃ 2.8 behind the Bullet Cluster
Authors: Motta V. , Ibar E. , Verdugo T. , Molina J. , Hughes T. M. , Birkinshaw M. , López-Cruz O. , Black J. H. , Gunawan D. , Horellou C. , Magaña J. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array measurements of the “Cosmic Seagull,” a strongly magnified galaxy at z = 2.7779 behind the Bullet Cluster. We report CO(3–2) and continuum 344 μm (rest-frame) data at one of the highest differential magnifications ever recorded at submillimeter wavelengths (μ up to ∼50), facilitating a characterization of the kinematics of a rotational curve in great detail (at ∼620 pc resolution in the source plane). We find no evidence for a decreasing rotation curve, from which we derive a dynamical mass of (6.3 ± 0.7) × 1010
M
⊙ within r = 2.6 ± 0.1 kpc. The discovery of a third, unpredicted, image provides key information for a future improvement of the lensing modeling of the Bullet Cluster and allows a measure of the stellar mass,

, unaffected by strong differential magnification. The baryonic mass is expected to be dominated by the molecular gas content (f
gas ≤ 80 ± 20%) based on an

mass estimated from the difference between dynamical and stellar masses. The star formation rate (SFR) is estimated via the spectral energy distribution (SFR = 190 ± 10 M
⊙ yr−1), implying a molecular gas depletion time of 0.25 ± 0.08 Gyr.
Off the Beaten Path: Gaia Reveals GD-1 Stars outside of the Main Stream
Authors: Price-Whelan Adrian M. , Bonaca Ana 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Tidally disrupted globular clusters are transformed into thin, dynamically cold streams of stars that are extremely valuable tracers of the large- and small-scale distribution of mass in the Galaxy. Using data from the Gaia second data release combined with Pan-STARRS photometry, we present a sample of highly probable members of the longest cold stream in the Milky Way, GD-1. The resulting map of GD-1: (1) extends the apparent length of the stream by 20°, (2) reveals plausible locations for the progenitor, (3) detects high-contrast gaps along the stream, and (4) indicates the existence of stream members perturbed off the main stream track. These discoveries are only possible because of the exquisite astrometry from Gaia, which permits a clean separation of the stream from Milky Way stars. The additional length and a proper treatment of the progenitor will aid in dynamical modeling of GD-1 for mapping the large-scale dark matter distribution. The complex morphology of the stream points to a turbulent history; detailed phase-space properties of the perturbed stream members could potentially constrain dark matter substructure in the Milky Way.
« C’est toujours la même routine », mais… : modes d’habiter des travailleurs du mégachantier hydroélectrique de la rivière Romaine (Côte-Nord, Québec, Canada)
Authors: Guimond Laurie , Desmeules Alexia 
Published: August 2018

Cet article se centre sur l’expérience géographique quotidienne des travailleurs du projet hydroélectrique de la Romaine sur la Côte-Nord (Québec) pour mieux comprendre les modes d’habiter des grands chantiers nordiques. À partir d’une démarche qualitative fondée sur des entrevues approfondies menées auprès de travailleurs autochtones et non autochtones, régionaux et extra-régionaux, nous explorons quatre composantes interdépendantes des modes d’habiter le chantier et ses campements : le travail, la mobilité, le vivre-ensemble, l’habitat. La lecture transversale des expériences plurielles – positives ou non – débouche sur une typologie originale des modes d’habiter qui entrecroise le travailleur-habitant et le chantier-habité : le refuge , l’ atelier , la prison dorée , le pénitencier , l’ escale . Notre analyse révèle qu’au-delà d’un modèle de développement territorial axé sur le pragmatisme et la productivité, imposant une structure rigide et des routines fermement établies aux travailleurs, se dégagent des rapports nuancés au chantier et aux collègues d’origines géographiques et culturelles différenciées.
Médiateurs scolaires et travailleurs de l’accrochage scolaire en Belgique francophone : interprétations et négociations autour du partage du travail socioéducatif
Authors: Verhoeven Marie 
Published: August 2018

En revisitant plusieurs enquêtes empiriques, cet article se penche sur l’activité de deux types d’intervenants chargés de la lutte et de la prévention contre les violences et le décrochage scolaire : les médiateurs scolaires et les travailleurs de l’ accrochage scolaire . Après avoir présenté le contexte ayant présidé à leur apparition et la pluralité des référentiels d’action publique qui les encadrent, l’article se consacre à une analyse « par le bas » de ces deux segments. La comparaison des dispositifs met au jour des interprétations contrastées des fonctions socioéducatives de l’école, oscillant entre une logique de contrôle et une logique d’émancipation. Enfin, l’on examine comment ces intervenants négocient leur place au sein de l’établissement scolaire. La délimitation des rôles de chacun mais aussi les alliances qui s’établissent sont révélatrices des enjeux du « partage du travail socioéducatif », qui semble hésiter en Belgique francophone entre la voie de la division et celle de la collaboration.
What does “we” want? Team Reasoning, Game Theory, and Unselfish Behaviours
Authors: Lecouteux Guilhem 
Published: August 2018

cet éditorial présente les principales contributions de la théorie du raisonnement en équipe en théorie des jeux, et les problèmes qu’il reste à résoudre avant que cette théorie ne puisse offrir une alternative crédible à la théorie des jeux « orthodoxe ». Je suggère en particulier qu’une approche fondée sur l’agence collective plutôt la théorie du choix rationnel et les préférences sociales offre une théorie scientifiquement préférable des comportements collectifs, en termes de parcimonie et de validation empirique. Je propose une brève revue de la littérature économique portant sur le raisonnement en équipe, et met en avant les contributions des articles de ce numéro.
Coordination, Team Reasoning, and Solution Thinking
Authors: Guala Francesco 
Published: August 2018

Adam Morton a avancé l’idée qu’un type particulier de simulation, nommé « raisonnement par solution », permet d’expliquer comment les joueurs se coordonnent avec succès dans une interaction stratégique. Dans cet article, je développe l’idée de Morton et suggère que (i) la simulation explique comment un point focal peut générer des croyances communes, et (ii) les individus engagent dans une forme particulière de simulation lorsqu’ils raisonnent en équipe. Un aspect essentiel du raisonnement par solution est que les croyances communes sont un output , et non un input , de la coordination. Cela suggère que le rôle des croyances dans le maintien de la coordination puisse être moindre que ce qui est traditionnellement supposé dans la littérature.