Dissemination of <i>Yersinia pestis</i> of Medieval Biovar in Northern, North-Western Caspian Sea Region and Fore-Caucasus in the second Half of the Twentieth Century

Objective of the study was to determine the origin of Y. pestis strains that widely disseminated in natural plague foci of Northern, North-Western Caspian Sea region and Fore-Caucasus in the second half of the XX century. Materials and methods. We have carried out the investigation of properties and whole genome sequencing of 22 Y. pestis strains, isolated between 1923 and 2003 in five natural foci of the souslik type, situated in Northern and North-Western Caspian Sea region and Fore-Caucasus. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the data of whole genome SNP-typing, based on 1348 identified SNPs. The search of SNPs in the core genome was performed with the help of Wombac 2.0 software. Phylogenetic relations were analyzed using Maximum Likelihood dendrogram, GTR model. Results and discussion. All the studied strains from the foci of Northern, North-Western Caspian Sea region and Fore-Caucasus fall into phylogenetic branch 2. MED1of medieval biovar. On the basis of whole genome SNP-analysis, existence of two groups of closely related strains, comprising the strains dated 1923-1945 and 1962-2003, has been revealed. The predecessors of the 1962-2003 strains from the Northern, North-Western Caspian Sea region and Fore-Caucasus on the phylogenetic tree are the strains from Northern Aral Sea region that go back to 1945. It testifies to the fact that synchronized activation of a group of natural foci in Caspian Sea lowland and Fore-Caucasus in 1975-1979, after prolonged 20-37 year long breaks, could be caused by the dissemination of the strains from the Northern Aral Sea region. The data of epizootic observations indicate that activation of Volga-Ural sandy plague focus in 1960s preceded the start of registration of plague epizooties in the territory of natural foci of souslik type in Northern, North-Western Caspian sea region and Fore-Caucasus

The development of balqymyz beverage from honey and koumiss

The relevance of this research lies in the development of a health-safe beverage, balqymyz, made from honey and koumiss, which exhibits improved taste properties, increased content of beneficial fatty acids and amino acids, and extended shelf life, making it a natural, easy-to-produce, and high-quality beverage with potential health benefits. The study aims to develop a health–safe beverage from honey and koumiss – balqymyz. A total of 75 samples were analyzed, including organoleptic, physicochemical, and taste properties, with three different concentrations of honey. The water content in the beverage, depending on the honey concentration (5%, 7.5%, 10%), ranged from 85% to 90%. No deviations from the maximum permissible levels of radionuclides were observed (Table 1); for example, the concentration of strontium in dairy products is considered normal at 2.5 mg per 1 kg. A significantly higher alcohol content was found in the beverage with a 10% honey concentration compared to the 5% samples (p ≤ 0.05). The proposed production method increased the mean content (in % of total fat content) of oleic, linoleic, ʏ-linolenic and arachidonic acids from 13.589 ± 1.359, 6.531 ± 0.653, 0.158 ± 0.016 and 0.470 ± 0.047% to 14.674 ± 1.467, 6.228 ± 0.623, 0.169 ± 0.017 and 0.729 ± 0.073%, respectively. The content of stearic acid increased to 2.852 ± 0.285%. Other improvements occurred in the amino acid content of glutamic acid (8%), leucine (5%), lysine (4%), and tryptophan (4%). These improvements enhance the sensory characteristics of the beverage and lead to shelf life prolongation by more than 72 h. Other advantages of balqymyz are naturalness, ease of production and high quality of ingredients

Influence of antitox and Vitamin E-selenium on meat quality and safety in rabbits after 1,1-experimental dimethylhydrazine toxicosis

Aim: This study investigated the effects of antitox and Vitamin E-selenium on meat quality and safety in rabbits after experimental 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (1,1-DMH) toxicosis. Materials and Methods: Experimental groups of rabbits weighing 1.5-2.5 kg each were kept in a vivarium under same controlled conditions (temperature 16-21°C, humidity 60-80%, 12/12 h light/dark cycle, noise level <85 dB) with free access to standard food containing 22.0% protein, 4.5% fat, and 4% fiber. The effect of a detoxifying mixture of antitox and Vitamin E-selenium on safety indicators (residual amount of 1,1-DMH) and quality indicators pre- and post-detoxification of the rabbits from 1,1-DMH was determined. Results: After detoxification, the residual 1,1-DMH level decreased in all organs and tissues to <0.1 mg/kg. The nutritional value of meat increased by improving organoleptic, physical, and chemical parameters and the amino acid composition of protein. Conclusion: The antitox+Vitamin E-selenium detoxifying mixture significantly decreases the residual 1,1-DMH level in organs and tissues of animals and increases the nutritional value of rabbit meat in subacute poisoning. The detoxifying mixture can also be used on animals grazing in territories adjacent to Proton-M launch sites for preventive and therapeutic purposes

The Effect of an Accidental Carrier Rocket Crash on Soil and Vegetation Cover

The dynamics of the consequences of the Proton-M carrier rocket crash on the soil and vegetation cover in the area where its parts fell were studied in 2007-2014. Analytical methods such as liquid chromatography with electrochemical and spectrophotometric detection were used. In 2007, four soil detoxifications were performed. A second study in 2009 showed a sharp increase in the area of contamination of plants by UDMH (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) and NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine). In 2010, the situation shifted in the opposite direction. Toxicants in plants were absent for three years (2010-2012) but reappeared in 2013 and 2014. The accidental crash of the Proton-M carrier rocket led to the destruction of the soil and vegetation cover, ignition of vegetation, and soil contamination. In the area where the rocket parts fell, the UDMH content in the soil was 1.4–5,200 times higher than the threshold limit value. The fall of the carrier rocket increased the area of soil contamination with UDMH to $3,600 m^2$, with NDMA to $917 m^2$, and with nitrate ions to $8,314 m^2$. The reappearance of heptyl and nitrous compounds in plants and soil was detected four years after repeated detoxification of the soil

Assessment of quality and safety of meats from various animal species in the Shuchinsk-Burabay resort zone, Kazakhstan

Aim: This study aimed to determine the food safety and protein adequacy of meats from various animals in the Shuchinsk- Burabay resort zone. Materials and Methods: Samples of meat were collected from markets "Zhomart" and "Kausar." Two hundred and ninety-eight samples of meat were obtained: beef - 166, horse - 42, pork - 67, mutton - 8, and poultry - 15. From each carcass, part of the carcass, point samples were taken to form an average sample and conduct research. Analyses used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. The determination of amino acid composition was carried out following the chromatographic method for determining the amino acid composition of meat proteins. Results: The quality of meats from the resort zone was lower than recommended due to the reduced content of essential amino acids, including valine, lysine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. Concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides did not exceed maximum permissible limits, and trace concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead were detected in all meat samples, except beef. The latter meat showed increased concentrations of mercury. Conclusion: In terms of quality indicators, all types of meat met standards; however, pork protein displayed the most favorable amino acid composition, both for content of essential amino acids and the ratio of amounts of essential to non-essential amino acids. For content of heavy metals, poultry and pork meats were safest

First Indications of Omsk Haemorrhagic Fever Virus beyond Russia

Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV) is the agent leading to Omsk haemorrhagic fever (OHF), a viral disease currently only known in Western Siberia in Russia. The symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, cough and haemorrhages. The transmission cycle of OHFV is complex. Tick bites or contact with infected small mammals are the main source of infection. The Republic of Kazakhstan is adjacent to the endemic areas of OHFV in Russia and febrile diseases with haemorrhages occur throughout the country—often with unclear aetiology. In this study, we examined human cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients with suspected meningitis or meningoencephalitis with unknown origins for the presence of OHFV RNA. Further, reservoir hosts such as rodents and ticks from four Kazakhstan regions were screened for OHFV RNA to clarify if this virus could be the causative agent for many undiagnosed cases of febrile diseases in humans in Kazakhstan. Out of 130 cerebrospinal fluid samples, two patients (1.53%) originating from Almaty city were positive for OHFV RNA. Screening of tick samples revealed positive pools from different areas in the Akmola region. Of the caught rodents, 1.1% out of 621 were positive for OHFV at four trapping areas from the West Kazakhstan region. In this paper, we present a broad investigation of the spread of OHFV in Kazakhstan in human cerebrospinal fluid samples, rodents and ticks. Our study shows for the first time that OHFV can not only be found in the area of Western Siberia in Russia, but can also be detected up to 1.600 km away in the Almaty region in patients and natural foci