title: Network of mental activities, cognitive function and depression in older men and women

authors: Hopkins, Ella G.

subjects: Cognition

abstract: BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that lifestyle activities impact cognitive and mental health in older populations. However, how lifestyle factors are associated with one another, and which factors are most important for cognitive function and mental health has received comparatively little attention. DESIGN: Bayesian-Gaussian network analysis was used to investigate unique associations between mental activities (MA; i.e., activities involving cognitive engagement), global cognition, and depression at three time-points in a large sample of older adults (baseline, 2 years, and 4 years follow-up). SETTING: This study used longitudinal data from participants living in Australia and participating in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 998 participants (55% female) aged between 70 and 90, without a diagnosis of dementia at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Neuropsychological assessment of global cognition, self-reported depressive symptoms, and self-reported information about daily MA. RESULTS: Cognitive functioning was positively associated with playing tabletop games and using the internet in both sexes at all time-points. MA were differentially linked in men and women. Depression was not consistently associated with MA in men across the three time-points; women who visited artistic events consistently had lower depression scores. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging with tabletop games and using the internet was associated with better cognition in both sexes, however sex acted as a modifier for other associations. These findings are useful for future investigations that consider interactive associations between MA, cognition, and mental health in older adults, and their possible roles in promoting healthy aging.

text: Network of mental activities, cognitive function and depression in older men and women BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that lifestyle activities impact cognitive and mental health in older populations. However, how lifestyle factors are associated with one another, and which factors are most important for cognitive function and mental health has received comparatively little attention. DESIGN: Bayesian-Gaussian network analysis was used to investigate unique associations between mental activities (MA; i.e., activities involving cognitive engagement), global cognition, and depression at three time-points in a large sample of older adults (baseline, 2 years, and 4 years follow-up). SETTING: This study used longitudinal data from participants living in Australia and participating in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 998 participants (55% female) aged between 70 and 90, without a diagnosis of dementia at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Neuropsychological assessment of global cognition, self-reported depressive symptoms, and self-reported information about daily MA. RESULTS: Cognitive functioning was positively associated with playing tabletop games and using the internet in both sexes at all time-points. MA were differentially linked in men and women. Depression was not consistently associated with MA in men across the three time-points; women who visited artistic events consistently had lower depression scores. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging with tabletop games and using the internet was associated with better cognition in both sexes, however sex acted as a modifier for other associations. These findings are useful for future investigations that consider interactive associations between MA, cognition, and mental health in older adults, and their possible roles in promoting healthy aging.

year: 2023-06

title: Extraction of Lycopene from Tomato Paste and its Immobilization for Controlled Release

authors: Haroon, Saima

subjects: Lycopene

abstract: Lycopene is one of the 600 carotenoids found in nature and can be easily identified in tomatoes. Several epidemiological studies report that lycopene rich diets have beneficial effects on human health, showing strong correlations between the intake of carotenoids and a reduced risk of cancer, coronary and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and effective method for solvent extraction of lycopene from tomato paste, and to stabilise and encapsulate the lycopene in the form of sodium-alginate beads.

The Soxhlet method was used for the extraction of lycopene from commercially available tomato paste. Several solvents were tested, and ethyl acetate was found to be the best solvent for extraction, resulting in the separation of more lycopene than other solvents. 

Due to the presence of unsaturated bonds in its molecular structure, lycopene is susceptible to oxidation and degrades easily when exposed to light and heat. In the food processing field, microencapsulation techniques have been widely used to protect food ingredients against deterioration, volatile losses, or interaction with other ingredients and factors. 

Lycopene was encapsulated in 4% alginate (4g/100 mL), 1% agar-agar and chitosan. The stability of the resulting beads was tested under conditions to simulate those in the human intestine. The lycopene beads showed good survivability when exposed to the acidic conditions such as those in the gastric environment (pH 2.0–3.0).  The lycopene release rate was best at higher pH levels (pH 6.6) such as in the intestine, which is where nutrient absorption occurs. The release rate of chitosan-coated alginate-lycopene was found to be much faster at body temperature (37°C) than at 24°C. 

The experimental results show that Ca-alginate chitosan coated lycopene beads have a potential application as pH/temperature-controlled drug release carriers in the biomedical field.

text: Extraction of Lycopene from Tomato Paste and its Immobilization for Controlled Release Lycopene is one of the 600 carotenoids found in nature and can be easily identified in tomatoes. Several epidemiological studies report that lycopene rich diets have beneficial effects on human health, showing strong correlations between the intake of carotenoids and a reduced risk of cancer, coronary and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and effective method for solvent extraction of lycopene from tomato paste, and to stabilise and encapsulate the lycopene in the form of sodium-alginate beads.

The Soxhlet method was used for the extraction of lycopene from commercially available tomato paste. Several solvents were tested, and ethyl acetate was found to be the best solvent for extraction, resulting in the separation of more lycopene than other solvents. 

Due to the presence of unsaturated bonds in its molecular structure, lycopene is susceptible to oxidation and degrades easily when exposed to light and heat. In the food processing field, microencapsulation techniques have been widely used to protect food ingredients against deterioration, volatile losses, or interaction with other ingredients and factors. 

Lycopene was encapsulated in 4% alginate (4g/100 mL), 1% agar-agar and chitosan. The stability of the resulting beads was tested under conditions to simulate those in the human intestine. The lycopene beads showed good survivability when exposed to the acidic conditions such as those in the gastric environment (pH 2.0–3.0).  The lycopene release rate was best at higher pH levels (pH 6.6) such as in the intestine, which is where nutrient absorption occurs. The release rate of chitosan-coated alginate-lycopene was found to be much faster at body temperature (37°C) than at 24°C. 

The experimental results show that Ca-alginate chitosan coated lycopene beads have a potential application as pH/temperature-controlled drug release carriers in the biomedical field.

year: 2014

title: What does it take to make us listen? The experiences of those leading whole school reform to improve outcomes for indigenous minority students

authors: Buckley, Louise Jane

subjects: Education

abstract: This thesis examines how the Kia Eke Panuku: Building on Success school reform initiative shaped the experiences of groups of educators within mainstream New Zealand secondary schools. These experiences are analysed against a setting of colonisation and historic educational policies of assimilation and integration that have created a situation of education debt. The lack of power for Māori in education is evident. This study highlights the role of the Strategic Change Leadership Team in deconstructing power hierarchies within schools so that educational outcomes can be improved for Māori students. It presents the Strategic Change Leadership Team as the vehicle for conscientisation, resistance and transformative praxis within schools. It shows that in schools where power hierarchies were deconstructed, Māori students were able to enjoy educational success as Māori.

text: What does it take to make us listen? The experiences of those leading whole school reform to improve outcomes for indigenous minority students This thesis examines how the Kia Eke Panuku: Building on Success school reform initiative shaped the experiences of groups of educators within mainstream New Zealand secondary schools. These experiences are analysed against a setting of colonisation and historic educational policies of assimilation and integration that have created a situation of education debt. The lack of power for Māori in education is evident. This study highlights the role of the Strategic Change Leadership Team in deconstructing power hierarchies within schools so that educational outcomes can be improved for Māori students. It presents the Strategic Change Leadership Team as the vehicle for conscientisation, resistance and transformative praxis within schools. It shows that in schools where power hierarchies were deconstructed, Māori students were able to enjoy educational success as Māori.

year: 2020