Effect of organically bound iodine in cattle feed on health indicators

Currently, the problem of iodine deficiency is actual in the world, which may cause a large number of diseases and disorders. The problem of iodine deficiency for humans may be partly solved by enriching agricultural products with iodine, i.e. by providing animals with an increased intake of iodine during their growth. Theoretically, the most effective way to use iodine is the form bound to tyrosine, since diiodotyrosine has been proven to be a thyroxine precursor. Taking it into account, a supplement was developed containing iodine organically bound to tyrosine and histidine. In this work, we studied the effect of this supplement introduced into the diets of cattle on biochemical parameters of animal blood. In the test group, which received the supplement with organically bound iodine, an improvement in nitrogen metabolism was noted compared to the control group. This was most clearly demonstrated by the content of urea, since in the test group, its content decreased by ≈15 percentage points, and by the content of creatinine, since its increase in the test group was more than 20 percentage points. Differences in the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism between treatments were also noted, as in the blood of animals from the test group, the content of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, glucose and malondialdehyde was lower than in the control group. In mineral metabolism and morphological parameters, there was no significant difference between treatments. Among the indicators of pigment and hormone metabolism, it is important to note the reduced content of cortisol in the blood of animals from the test group. Its level was lower by ≈17.23 percentage points compared to the control group. A decrease in cortisol levels indicated a lower stress load in the test group. In general, studies have shown that the use of a feed supplement containing organically bound iodine has a positive effect on the metabolism of animals.Currently, the problem of iodine deficiency is actual in the world, which may cause a large number of diseases and disorders. The problem of iodine deficiency for humans may be partly solved by enriching agricultural products with iodine, i.e. by providing animals with an increased intake of iodine during their growth. Theoretically, the most effective way to use iodine is the form bound to tyrosine, since diiodotyrosine has been proven to be a thyroxine precursor. Taking it into account, a supplement was developed containing iodine organically bound to tyrosine and histidine. In this work, we studied the effect of this supplement introduced into the diets of cattle on biochemical parameters of animal blood. In the test group, which received the supplement with organically bound iodine, an improvement in nitrogen metabolism was noted compared to the control group. This was most clearly demonstrated by the content of urea, since in the test group, its content decreased by ≈15 percentage points, and by the content of creatinine, since its increase in the test group was more than 20 percentage points. Differences in the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism between treatments were also noted, as in the blood of animals from the test group, the content of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, glucose and malondialdehyde was lower than in the control group. In mineral metabolism and morphological parameters, there was no significant difference between treatments. Among the indicators of pigment and hormone metabolism, it is important to note the reduced content of cortisol in the blood of animals from the test group. Its level was lower by ≈17.23 percentage points compared to the control group. A decrease in cortisol levels indicated a lower stress load in the test group. In general, studies have shown that the use of a feed supplement containing organically bound iodine has a positive effect on the metabolism of animals

Scale effects in tribological properties of solid-lubricating composites made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene filled with calcium stearate particles

Friction properties being influenced by scale effects are simulated in the paper by the example of polymer composite material made from Ultra High-Molecular Weight Polyethylenes (UHMWPE) filled by calcium stearate (C[36]H[70]CaO[4]). Of interest are the composites whose mechanical properties and tribotechnical characteristics do not depend monotonically on filler (inclusions) weight fraction. In order to describe the influence of scale effects onto frictional properties the model based on Reiss averaging (model of "weak phase") is employed. It is also suggested that when gradient elasticity theory is applicable the formal analogy between effective friction coefficient for surface heterogeneous structures and effective mechanical properties (compliances) for heterogeneous material can take place. Theoretical dependence to describe nonmonotonic change of effective friction coefficient versus filler concentration was obtained for the polymer composites under study. The suggested expressions might be useful for the sake of properties prognosis of antifriction polymeric materilas

Методика и метрологические характеристики измерений массовой доли глутамата натрия в биологических матрицах

Over the last century the people’s mode of life and eating habits has dramatically changed: the people of developed countries began to consume fast food, and also started disorderly and frequent snacking. The production of dietary meals and the increase of food assortment, including food produced from low-quality ingredients, led to the manufacturer’s necessity to use a large number of functional ingredients, i. e. those that improve taste of the food. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the widely used additives. Monosodium L-Glutamate (E621) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid found in all protein foods; it is used throughout the world as a food flavor enhancer. The legislation of the Russian Federation limits the content of monosodium glutamate, or additive E621, in a food product. Due to the fact that the glutamic acid takes the major weight in the monosodium glutamate molecule, which molecule is naturally present in almost all food products, the weight of the molecule of the E621 additive was determined by content of this amino acid expressed in terms of monosodium glutamate. In connection with the foregoing, it became necessary to develop a method for the quantitative determination of the mass fraction of monosodium glutamate introduced into food during the production of food products. Within the framework of this research a new method for determining the share of added monosodium glutamate is proposed, which is not associated with the natural content of glutamic acid. The authors have developed a method for determining the mass fraction of monosodium glutamate in food products with the help of high performance liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization. This research presents metrological assessment of the developed methodology, determines accuracy rates and reproducibility factors in two concentrations ranges. For a range of 0.1 to 1%, the reproducibility is set at 17% and the accuracy rate is set at 30%. For the range of 1–10%, the reproducibility is 6%, the accuracy rate is 10% respectively. Also, during the development of the method, the lower limits for the quantitative determination (Limit of Detection — LOD) and qualitative determination (Limit of Quantification — LOQ) of the method were calculated. LOQ was equal to 0.01% and LOD accounted for 0.1%. The method has successfully passed the metrological certification and is included in the Register of Measurement Methods of the Russian Federation. It can be used by accredited laboratories for assessment and control of food quality.За прошедшее столетие образ жизни и пищевые привычки человека кардинально изменились: жители развитых стран стали прибегать к быстрому питанию, а также ввели в обиход беспорядочные и частые перекусы. Производство диетических блюд и увеличение ассортимента продуктов питания, в т. ч. вырабатываемого из низкокачественных ингредиентов, приводит к тому, что производителю приходится использовать большое количество функциональных ингредиентов, например таких, которые улучшают вкус. Одной из широко применяемых добавок является глутамат натрия. L-глутамат натрия (Е621) представляет собой натриевую соль глутаминовой кислоты, присутствующую во всех белковых продуктах и используется во всем мире в качестве усилителя вкуса пищи. В законодательстве Российской Федерации установлен уровень внесения глутамата натрия, или добавки Е621, в пищевой продукт. Ввиду того, что основной вес в молекуле глутамата натрия составляет глутаминовая кислота, которая естественным образом присутствует практически во всех продуктах, вес молекулы добавки Е621 определяли по содержанию аналогичной аминокислоты в пересчете на глутамат натрия. В связи с вышесказанным возникла потребность в разработке метода количественного определения массовой доли внесенного глутамата натрия при производстве пищевых продуктов питания. В рамках рассматриваемой работы предложен новый метод идентификации добавленного глутамата натрия, который не связан с природным содержанием глутаминовой кислоты. Авторами разработана методика определения массовой доли глутамата натрия в пищевых продуктах методом высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии с предколоночной дериватизацией. Представлена метрологическая оценка разработанной методологии, установлены показатели точности и воспроизводимости в двух диапазонах концентраций. Для диапазона от 0,1 до 1% показатель воспроизводимости установлен на уровне 17%, а показатель точности — на уровне 30%. В диапазоне же 1–10% воспроизводимость равняется 6%, точность — 10% соответственно. Также в процессе разработки методики были рассчитаны нижние пределы обнаружения количественного (Limit of Detection — LOD) и качественного (Limit of Quantification — LOQ) определения метода. LOQ составил 0,01%, а LOD = 0,1%. Методика прошла метрологическую аттестацию и внесена в Реестр методик измерений РФ. Она может применяться аккредитованными лабораториями для оценки и контроля качества пищевых продуктов

Glutathione Precursor N-Acetyl-Cysteine Modulates EEG Synchronization in Schizophrenia Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Glutathione (GSH) dysregulation at the gene, protein, and functional levels has been observed in schizophrenia patients. Together with disease-like anomalies in GSH deficit experimental models, it suggests that such redox dysregulation can play a critical role in altering neural connectivity and synchronization, and thus possibly causing schizophrenia symptoms. To determine whether increased GSH levels would modulate EEG synchronization, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, was administered to patients in a randomized, double-blind, crossover protocol for 60 days, followed by placebo for another 60 days (or vice versa). We analyzed whole-head topography of the multivariate phase synchronization (MPS) for 128-channel resting-state EEGs that were recorded at the onset, at the point of crossover, and at the end of the protocol. In this proof of concept study, the treatment with NAC significantly increased MPS compared to placebo over the left parieto-temporal, the right temporal, and the bilateral prefrontal regions. These changes were robust both at the group and at the individual level. Although MPS increase was observed in the absence of clinical improvement at a group level, it correlated with individual change estimated by Liddle's disorganization scale. Therefore, significant changes in EEG synchronization induced by NAC administration may precede clinically detectable improvement, highlighting its possible utility as a biomarker of treatment efficacy

Modern Conception of the Control over the Abundance of Carriers and Vectors of Plague in the Territory of the Russian Federation

Disinfestation and deratization remain the main ways of non-specific disease prophylaxis in natural plague foci. Modern strategies, tactics, methods and means of control over carriers and vectors of plague and associated infectious diseases are selected with due consideration to epidemiological potential of territories, epizootic activity of a foci, peculiarities of population ecology of animals that are of a medical significance, preservation of biodiversity in natural ecosystems, and the requirements for human and natural environments protection from pollutants

Current State of Natural Foci of Dangerous Infectious Diseases in the Territory of the Russian Federation

Objective of the study is to evaluate the current state of epizootic activity of natural zoonotic foci, as the basis for the development of prophylactic measures aimed at prevention of natural-focal infections during mass events. Materials and methods. Utilized have been reports from the Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Tatarstan, the data provided by Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Republic of Tatarstan over the period of 2009-2014, and literature references. Results and conclusions. The most pressing natural-focal infectious diseases are hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, tick-borne borreliosis, and tick-borne viral encephalitis. Yersinioses, leptospiroses, and West Nile fever are rarely registered. Tularemia infections have not been reported within the past 20 years. The period of 2009-2013 is characterized by the decrease in the numbers of carriers and vectors of the diseases, as well as epizootic activity of natural foci, which came up to minimum values in 2013. Emerged since 2014 increment in the abundance rates of the carriers and later the vectors can lead to the increase in the incidence of natural-focal diseases. In the territory of the Republic, allocated are the spatial combination areas of natural foci of the diseases of various etiology with high risk of population exposure. Previous to conduction of mass events it is necessary to enhance the epizootiological surveillance in the natural foci, the results of which lay premises for the development of complex prophylactic activities

Director Characteristics and Firm Performance

The traditional methodology examining optimal boards relates a simple board variable (e.g. independence or board demography) to firm performance, however, ig- noring other board characteristics. This paper investigates how the education and business experience of directors affect firm performance. The sample consists of 1,574 directorships from 224 listed firms in Switzerland. Using OLS and including control variables, the results show that graduates of minor Swiss universities are negatively related to Tobin’s Q, and industrial knowledge and Tobin’s Q are nega- tively correlated if the firm has more divisions. In addition, director fixed effects (or unobserved characteristics) are significant, but improve the explanatory power of the models only by 5 percent