Levels of Free Amino Acids and their Derivatives in the Brain Cortex of Rats During Unilateral Ischemia

amino acids, brain, ischemia.The efficiency of treatment of ischemic brain damage depends upon integrity of sofisticated conceptions of its pathogenesis. One of the prospective approaches in the development of most comprehensive treatment can be the study of the pool of free amino acids (AAs) as a possible target for the correction in such pathology. Available information does not provide a complete view on the changes of their content under ischemia of various severity. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the content of free amino acids and their derivatives in the frontal cortex of the cerebral hemispheres of rats at different terms of unilateral ischemia. Materials and methods: The changes of pool of A As and their derivatives in the frontal cortex of the cerebral hemispheres at different duration of unilateral cerebral ischemia (UCI) (1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day) were studied in 18 rats. The analyses of the levels of AAs and their derivatives were carried out in the supernatant of protein-free tissue homogenates by reversed-phase liquid chromatography using chromatograph Agilent 1100. Results: Shifts of AAs content after 3 h of UCI observed included the raise of lysine, branched chain AAs (BCAA) – valine and leucine, depletion of the aromatic AAs (AAA) — tyrosine and tryptophan with the doubled ratio of BCAA/AAA. Moreover, we observed the decrease in the content of asparagine and essential/nonessential AAs and glycogenic/ketogenic AAs ratios. These changes were disappeared after 1 day of UCI. Conclusions: These results show possible mechanisms of development of the energy and neurotransmitter imbalances and their implications in the function of the brain with pathology studied. It is feasible that limitation on BCAA in this pathology will reduce consequences of mediator disturbancies caused by the deficiency of the precursors of biogenic amines – tyrosine and tryptophan

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Russia: toxic denaturants and disinfectants pose additional risks

In 2005, 30% of all alcohol consumption in Russia was unrecorded. This paper describes the chemical composition of unrecorded and low cost alcohol, including a toxicological evaluation. Alcohol products (n=22) from both recorded and unrecorded sources were obtained from three Russian cities (Saratov, Lipetsk and Irkutsk) and were chemically analyzed. Unrecorded alcohols included homemade samogons, medicinal alcohols and surrogate alcohols. Analysis included alcoholic strength, levels of volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols), ethyl carbamate, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride (PHMG). Single samples showed contamination with DEP (275–1269 mg/l) and PHMG (515 mg/l) above levels of toxicological concern. Our detailed chemical analysis of Russian alcohols showed that the composition of vodka, samogon and medicinal alcohols generally did not raise major public health concerns other than for ethanol. It was shown, however, that concentration levels of DEP and PHMG in some surrogate alcohols make these samples unfit for human consumption as even moderate drinking would exceed acceptable daily intakes

The Evolution of the Epidemic of Charcoal-Burning Suicide in Taiwan: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis

Shu-Sen Chang and colleagues describe the epidemiology of an epidemic of suicide by charcoal burning in Taiwan and discuss possible reasons for its spread

The spatial Regularities of Violent Mortality in European Russia and Belarus: Ethnic and Historical Perspective

Violent mortality rate; South and north regions; Russian Federation; Belarus; Rank order correlation; Ethnic history IntroductionObjectives: The present article seeks contribution to understanding of spatial regularity in violent mortality. Methods: The spatial pattern of violent mortality in European part of Russia and Belarus over the period 1980-2013 has been studied. The distribution in ranking between 73 regions-subjects of Russian Federation and 6 regions of Belarus was investigated. This analysis was followed by a more detail examination of the violent mortality distribution across the north-south axis by using latitudinal approach both for European part of Russia and Belarus. Results: The findings show the long-term conttnuality in the violent mortality geographical pattern. In the example with Russian regions the Spearman's rank order correlation was found significant, for the maximum interval data available. The stable south-north gradient in violent mortality is manifested on the European territory of Russia and Belarus. Conclusions: These data emphasize the role of historical and anthropological factors in determination of violent death geography. Attention was made on correspondence of mortality pattern with direction of Old Slavs migration in the early medieval period. Besides the historical vision accentuation the multidisciplinary background of this problem is discussed

Spatial regularity in suicides and alcohol psychoses in Belarus

suicide, alcohol psychoses, spatial regularity, BelarusObjective. Epidemiological evidence suggests that rates of suicide mortality vary noticeably between the regions in Belarus with the regular spatial pattern in suicide distribution. The present study considers the effect of regional alcohol consumption as a factor responsible for regional variations in suicide rates. Methods. The cross-sectional time series analysis of suicide and alcohol psychoses (as a proxy for alcohol consumption) rates by the regions of Belarus between 1990 and 2010 was made. Results, in general, the regional variations of suicide and alcohol psychoses incidence rates have a similar spatial regularity, meaning that the regions with a high suicide rate also have a high alcohol psychoses incidence rate. Conclusions. The findings on spatial relationship between suicide and alcohol psychoses incidence rates seem to support the hypothesis that considers the regional pattern of alcohol consumption as a factor responsible for suicide rate regional variations

Transcultural Differences in Alcohol Use among Slavic, Arabian And Nigerian Students: A Case Study in Belarus

Background: Alcohol use by university students is a major public health problem in Belarusian campuses. The patterns of alcohol use might vary among students of different cultural backgrounds. Aims & Objectives: Differences in alcohol use and related problems among undergraduates of various ethnic groups - Slavs, Arabians and Nigerians in Minsk, Belarus were examined. Methods / Study Design: The study was randomized and anonymous, involving a total of 1549 respondents: 1345 Slavic, 120 Arabian and 84 Nigerian students in Minsk, Belarus. AH respondents were administered questionnaire containing the AUDIT, CAGE, MAST and other alcohol related questions. Results / Findings: Overall, 91.08% Slavs, 63.33% Arabs and 56.82% Nigerians were alcohol users. A total of 16.28% Slavic, 32.50% Arabian and 22.73% Nigerian problem drinkers were identified using the AUDIT. Generally, the use of weak strength alcoholic beverages (beer) was higher in the students' population of all ethnicities. Conclusion: The level of alcohol use and related problems in the general Belarusian students' population is high. Differences in the pattern of alcohol use and related problems exist among students of various ethnicities (Slavs, Arabians and Nigerians) in Minsk, Belarus. Alcohol related problems were higher among the Arabs and Nigerians, compared to the Slavs. Similarities in the average AUDIT, CAGE and MAST scores amongst the Slavs and Nigerians, as well as preference for alcoholic beverages among the students of all ethnicities were noted. Higher scores were recorded only on the AUDIT and MAST for the Arabs

Trajectory of Alcohol Use and Related Problems among University Students in Belarus

Trajectory, alcohol use, alcohol problems, university students, BelarusBackground: The problem of alcohol use is a major public health problem in the general students' population in Belarus. Aims & Objectives: We therefore screen and compare the prevalence of alcohol use and related problems among juniors and seniors in Belarusian universities. Methods / Study Design: A total of 2460 university students from four different campuses in Minsk (Belarus) were explained the study aims and objectives. 1599 respondents enrolled for the study. Participants were administered questionnaire, containing the AUDIT, MAST, CAGE and other alcohol related questions. Of them, 100 students could not complete the questionnaire satisfactorily. A total of 1499 (average age = 21) students were considered for analysis. The cut-off point on the AUDIT was set at 8. Results / Findings: The screening results confirm a high level of alcohol use (87.66%) and related problems in the students' population. The level of alcohol problems increases with increase in the year of study. The use of strong strength alcoholic beverages is related to a high risk of alcohol related problems, than the use of weak alcoholic beverages in the students' population. Conclusion: The level of alcohol use and related problems in the general Belarusian students' population are high and show increase in order of increase in the year of study

Analysis of Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Related Problems among University Students in Minsk, Belarus

Alcohol related problems, Gender differences. University students, Belarus.There is a variety of inconsistencies in the differences in alcohol use and related problems between male and female genders. This study was aimed at analyzing the gender differences in alcohol use and related problems among university students in Minsk, Belarus. A total of 465 male (average age of 21) and 1030 female (average age of 20.5) students from four major universities in Minsk, Belarus were administered WHO recommended standardized screening instruments - AUDIT, MAST, CAGE questionnaire, as well as other alcohol related questions. The male to female ratio for the prevalence of alcohol problems according to the AUDIT was 3.34, while the ratio for alcohol users was 0.97. There are a wide gender differences in the pattern of alcohol use and preference for different alcoholic beverages, cause for drinking, and other alcohol related problems like injuries and blackouts