Democratizing Access to Higher Education in Russia: The Consequences of the Unified State Exam Reform

This is the first paper that evaluates the effects of a reform requiring Russian universities to make admission decisions based on the results of a national high-school exam. We show the reform led to a threefold increase in geographic mobility rates among high-school graduates from small cities and towns to start college. This is robust to different techniques, samples, and specifications. The reform was also accompanied by increases in students’ expectations to attend university, parental transfers, and educational expenditures. There is no evidence the reform affected parental labor supply, divorce, and employment outcomes of graduates who did not move

Shearing influences the milk fatty acid profile of dairy ewes

In Mediterranean areas shearing is commonly performed during late spring and, therefore, ewes may be exposed to cold stress especially during the night. Short-term periods of cold exposure can increase hepatic glucose production, decrease insulin secretion and increase fat catabolism and plasma non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) concentration. These metabolic adaptations to cold exposure can increase the mammary uptake of long-chain fatty acid from plasma. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of dairy ewes to shearing by monitoring their milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Twelve 2-4-year-old Sarda ewes, in mid-late lactation, were used. The trial lasted from 30th May to 9th June 2006. The pre-experimental period (pre-shearing, PrS) was from 30th May to 5th June (shearing day), being followed by the experimental period (post-shearing, PoS) until 9th June. On shearing day, the flock was divided in two groups (6 ewes each) which were then managed differently: non-confined group (NCG) and confined group (CG) which was kept in a sheepfold during the night. Four samplings during PrS and other four during PoS periods were performed. During the trial, ewes were fed concentrate at 1000g/d per head, during the two daily milking, and hay ad libitum, and grazed on green clover (3h/day). Daily milk production was recorded and daily milk samples were collected for analysis of fat content and FA profile. Shearing did not influence milk yield but increased significantly milk fat content (6.37 vs. 6.94% for PrS and PoS, respectively; P<0.01). Ewes confinement during the night did not affect milk yield and its fat content. Shearing modified significantly the FA profile of milk. The concentration of C8, C10, C12 and C16 increased significantly from PrS to PoS. On the other hand, the content of long-chain FA (>C18:0) did not change between PrS and PoS (46.26 vs. 46.40mg/100g of FAME, respectively). These results suggest that the increase of milk fat after shearing was related to the increase of the main FA synthesized by the mammary gland. However, the unexpected increase in the synthesis of short- and medium-chain FA after shearing suggests that these animals were not subjected to cold stress. Therefore, the mechanism involved in the modification of the FA profile caused by shearing in dairy ewes should be elucidated

Seasonal variation in the fatty acid profile in meat of Sarda suckling lambs

This study evaluated temporal changes in fatty acid (FA) composition of meat from Sarda suckling lambs reared in Sardinia, with emphasis on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). From December to April, 25 lambs were randomly chosen in a slaughter house and slaughtered at about 30 days of age (5 lambs/rearing month). From each carcass, the Femoral biceps muscle was used to determine the chemical and FA composition. Intramuscular lipid content ranged from 1.72% to 2.34% and protein content from 19.2% to 20.2%. Concentrations of several FA and FA groups were significantly influenced by rearing month. The greatest variation between months was observed for monounsaturated FA (MUFA), which ranged from 35.3% to 43.5%, and total PUFA, which varied from 18% to 26% of total FA. The content of FA of interest, especially α-linolenic (18:3 n-3) acid, CLA and long chain PUFA n-3, i.e. EPA (20:5 n-3), DPA (22:5 n-3) and DHA (22:6 n-3), did not vary among months. Lamb meat analysed in the study evidenced a constant amount of FA of nutritional interest, especially of the omega-3 family and CLA, in all months.Highlights Composition and fatty acid profile of meat from Sarda suckling lambs were evaluated during different months of production. Suckling lamb meat evidenced a low fat content and a constant amount of PUFA n-3 in all slaughter months. PUFA n-3 and CLA did not vary with slaughter months in suckling lambs

Feeding strategies to design the fatty acid profile of sheep milk and cheese

The majority of sheep milk produced in the world is transformed into cheese. Feeding is a major factor affecting the quality of sheep milk and, therefore, of sheep cheese. Because fat is the main compound of cheese, this review gives an update on the effects of feeding and nutrition on milk fat content and deeply discusses feeding strategies aimed at increasing the levels of healthy fatty acids (FA), such as conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 FA, in milk and cheese in the human diet. In addition, the use of alternative feed resources such as by-products, aromatic plants, and phenolic compounds in the sheep diet and their effects on milk and cheese FA composition are also discussed. Among feeding strategies, grazing and the use of supplements rich in oils seem to be the best and the cheapest strategies to improve the nutritional value of the fatty acid profile in sheep cheese

Adipokines as Possible New Predictors of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Case Control Study

Background and Aims. The secretion of several adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aFABP), and visfatin, is altered in subjects with abdominal adiposity; these endocrine alterations could contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship among adiponectin, RBP4, aFABP, and visfatin, and incident cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results. A case-control study, nested within a prospective cohort, on 2945 subjects enrolled for a diabetes screening program was performed. We studied 18 patients with incident fatal or nonfatal IHD (Ischemic Heart Disease) or CVD (Cerebrovascular Disease), compared with 18 matched control subjects. Circulating adiponectin levels were significantly lower in cases of IHD with respect to controls. Circulating RBP4 levels were significantly increased in CVD and decreased in IHD with respect to controls. Circulating aFABP4 levels were significantly increased in CVD, while no difference was associated with IHD. Circulating visfatin levels were significantly lower in cases of both CVD and IHD with respect to controls, while no difference was associated with CVD. Conclusions. The present study confirms that low adiponectin is associated with increased incidents of IHD, but not CVD, and suggests, for the first time, a major effect of visfatin, aFABP, and RBP4 in the development of cardiovascular disease

Enteral versus intravenous approach for the sedation of critically ill patients: a randomized and controlled trial

Background. ICU patients must be kept conscious, calm, and cooperative even during the critical phases of illness. Enteral administration of sedative drugs might avoid oversedation, and would be as adequate as intravenous for awake patients, with fewer side effects and lower costs. This study compares two sedation strategies, in order to early reach and maintain the light sedation target. Methods. Multicenter, single-blind randomized and controlled trial carried out in 12 Italian ICUs, involving patients with expected mechanical ventilation duration >72 hours at ICU admission and predicted mortality >12% (Simplified Acute Physiology Score II >32 points) during the first 24 ICU hours. Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous (midazolam, propofol) or enteral (hydroxyzine, lorazepam, and melatonin) sedation. Primary outcome: percentage of work shifts with an observed Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) = target RASS \ub1 1. Secondary outcomes: protocol feasibility, delirium- and coma-free days, costs of drugs, length of ICU and hospital stay, ICU, hospital, and one-year mortality. Results. 348 patients were enrolled. There were no differences in the primary outcome: enteral 89.8 [74.1-100], intravenous 94.4 [78-100]%, p=0.20. Enteral-treated patients had more protocol violations: 81 (46.6%) vs 7 (4.2%), p<0.01, more self-extubations: 4 (2.4%) vs 14 (8.1%), p=0.03, a lighter sedative target (RASS = 0): 93 [71-100] vs 83 [61-100]%, p<0.01, and lower total costs for drugs: 2.39 [0.75- 9.78] vs 4.15 [1.20 -20.19] \u20ac/day with mechanical ventilation (p=0.01). Conclusions. Although enteral sedation of critically ill patients is cheaper and permits a lighter sedation target, it is not superior to intravenous sedation for reaching the RASS target. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical Trial #NCT01360346, registered 25 March 2011, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01360346. Registered on 25 March 2011