The Relationship of Urinary Metabolites of Carbaryl/Naphthalene and Chlorpyrifos with Human Semen Quality

Most of the general population is exposed to carbaryl and other contemporary-use insecticides at low levels. Studies of laboratory animals, in addition to limited human data, show an association between carbaryl exposure and decreased semen quality. In the present study we explored whether environmental exposures to 1-naphthol (1N), a metabolite of carbaryl and naphthalene, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY), a metabolite of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl, are associated with decreased semen quality in humans. Subjects (n = 272) were recruited through a Massachusetts infertility clinic. Individual exposures were measured as spot urinary concentrations of 1N and TCPY adjusted using specific gravity. Semen quality was assessed as sperm concentration, percent motile sperm, and percent sperm with normal morphology, along with sperm motion parameters (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and linearity). Median TCPY and 1N concentrations were 3.22 and 3.19 μg/L, respectively. For increasing 1N tertiles, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were significantly elevated for below-reference sperm concentration (OR for low, medium, and high tertiles = 1.0, 4.2, 4.2, respectively; p-value for trend = 0.01) and percent motile sperm (1.0, 2.5, 2.4; p-value for trend = 0.01). The sperm motion parameter most strongly associated with 1N was straight-line velocity. There were suggestive, borderline-significant associations for TCPY with sperm concentration and motility, whereas sperm morphology was weakly and nonsignificantly associated with both TCPY and 1N. The observed associations between altered semen quality and 1N are consistent with previous studies of carbaryl exposure, although suggestive associations with TCPY are difficult to interpret because human and animal data are currently limited

Practical guidelines for standardising the measurement of resting metabolism by indirect calorimetry: a literature review

Accurate resting metabolic rate readings are essential for dietary planning and body composition monitoring not only for healthy individuals but also for athletes. A number of factors can alter resting metabolic rate during its measurement by indirect calorimetry. The methodology used may affect the results of the study. A clear standardisation of this procedure is needed to obtain the most accurate results.Purpose: To review the literature to determine the optimal subject condition and methodology for the resting metabolism measurement procedure using indirect calorimetry.Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases. The query included key words and logical phrases: “calorimetry”, “indirect calorimetry”, “resting metabolic rate”, “energy metabolism”, “basal metabolism”, “standards”. Only Englishlanguage studies and human studies were considered. Additional information was identified because of the review and included in the review.Results: the parameters of standardization during the resting metabolism measurement procedure are described: consumption of food, ethanol, caffeine, nicotine; daily activities and physical activity; body position in space and environmental conditions during the measurement; actions of the specialist performing the procedure, etc. The article outlines effective methods for measuring resting metabolism to obtain the most accurate results in both athletes and non-athletes.Conclusion: an attempt has been made to formulate precise methodological rules for standardization and recommendations for measuring resting metabolism by indirect calorimetry

Improved method for the obtaining DTTA-appended 2,2’-bipyridine ligands for lanthanide cations

The composition of the reaction mixture after DTTA tert-butyl ester alkylation with 6'-halomethyl-5-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridines was studied. In addition to the target product, DTTA-appended 2,2’-bipyridine, the corresponding 6'-hydroxymethyl-substituted 2,2’-bipyridine and (5'-phenyl-[2,2'-bipyridin]-6-yl)methyl formate were isolated as by-products in some cases. Finally, an improved procedure for the DTTA tert-butyl ester alkylation with 6'-halomethyl-5-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridines by using Finkelstein reaction was developed

Practical recommendations for safe reduction of body weight in combat sports: scoping review

The presence of weight categories in martial arts requires an athlete to constantly maintain and control body weight and, in some cases, to reduce it. For this reason, it is common among martial artists to use forced methods of body weight reduction, which are often unphysiological and may have a negative impact on performance, as well as pose a danger to health. In this connection, it is of practical interest to search, analyse and introduce into practice physiological and safe methods of body weight reduction by athletes-athletes before participation in competitions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various methods of weight loss in athletes preparing to participate in competitions.Materials and methods: the review was conducted according to the methodology of Scoping review. Articles were selected in the domestic data-bases eLibrary and Russian State Library, using the following keywords: «методы снижения массы тела ИЛИ снижение массы тела ИЛИ весогонка» И «единоборства ИЛИ боевые виды спорта», as well as in the foreign databases ScienceDirect and PubMed, using the following keywords: «making weight OR weight loss» AND «combat sports», placed in a search depth of 15 years.Results: we found 121 studies, 3 duplicates were excluded after initial screening, 118 studies were screened for inclusion criteria, and a total of 16 studies were included in the review.Conclusion: a reduction of 5 to 10 % of body weight less than 7 days before the official weigh-in may adversely affect performance parameters and the state of the body’s functional systems. A reduction of up to 5 % of body weight 7 or more days before the official weigh-in is the safest

Practical guidelines for standardising the measurement of resting metabolism by indirect calorimetry: a literature review

Accurate resting metabolic rate readings are essential for dietary planning and body composition monitoring not only for healthy individuals but also for athletes. A number of factors can alter resting metabolic rate during its measurement by indirect calorimetry. The methodology used may affect the results of the study. A clear standardisation of this procedure is needed to obtain the most accurate results.Purpose: To review the literature to determine the optimal subject condition and methodology for the resting metabolism measurement procedure using indirect calorimetry.Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases. The query included key words and logical phrases: “calorimetry”, “indirect calorimetry”, “resting metabolic rate”, “energy metabolism”, “basal metabolism”, “standards”. Only English-language studies and human studies were considered. Additional information was identified because of the review and included in the review.Results: the parameters of standardization during the resting metabolism measurement procedure are described: consumption of food, ethanol, caffeine, nicotine; daily activities and physical activity; body position in space and environmental conditions during the measurement; actions of the specialist performing the procedure, etc. The article outlines effective methods for measuring resting metabolism to obtain the most accurate results in both healthy individuals and athletes.Conclusion: an attempt has been made to formulate precise methodological rules for standardisation and recommendations for measuring resting metabolism by indirect calorimetry

New 2,5-bis(2-ethylhexyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione-2,2’-bipyridine-based co-polymer, synthesis, photophysical properties and response to metal cations

A new co-polymer based on fragments of 2-(2-pyridyl)monoazatriphenylene and 2,5-bis (2-ethylhexyl)-3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione was prepared by using the Sonogashira reaction. The photophysical properties of the polymer were studied. The presence of a strong bathochromic shift of the absorption and emission maxima in comparison with the previously described monomer units is shown. The polymer exhibits an intense “turn-off” response toward Cu2+ cations

Plant and animal protein for muscle mass and strength gains: a systematic review

Background: Controversial approaches to studying the effect of proteins of various origins on the functional parameters of human skeletal muscles have led to the erroneous opinion that plant-based protein is a lesser stimulator of muscle mass growth and muscle strength than animal protein. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to actually evaluate the effects of plant and animal protein intake on muscle mass and strength through studies comparing protein supplements.Methods: Literature search was carried out in the databases PubMed, Research Gate and the database of the Russian State Library. Studies were considered both in English and in Russian, over the past 20 years, filtered by date: from July 2002 to July 2022. Inclusion Criteria: Participants are healthy men and women over 18 years of age; taking protein supplements from plant products (soy, wheat, pea, rice, etc.); comparison with a group taking protein supplements from animal products (whey, beef, egg, etc.); studies assessed lean and/or muscle mass and assessed participants' muscle strength before and after supplementation; randomized controlled trial.Results: A total of 970 studies were found. After initial screening for title and abstract, 938 studies were excluded. Of the 32 publications selected, 5 duplicates were excluded, and after a secondary selection, 18 studies that did not meet the PICOS criteria were excluded. As a result of the search and selection, the review included 9 publications.Conclusions: Athletes and active individuals who prefer to consume plant-based protein products may not be inferior in terms of muscle strength and muscle mass to those athletes who prefer animal-based protein products. To further explore this topic, more randomized controlled trials should be conducted, taking into account the requirements for standardization and with a large number of participants.Registration: PROSPERO 2022 CRD4202234524

THE ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTAL AND 87Sr/86Sr ISOTOPIC COMPOSITON FOR THE AUTHENTICATION AND DETERMINATION OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN OF RUSSIAN WINES

The study is devoted to the development of the analytical methodology for elemental and Sr isotopic composition by Q-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS of wines in order to their further authentication and determination of the geographical origin by the example of Russian wines.Работа выполнена в ЦКП УрО РАН «Геоаналитик» в рамках темы № 123011800012-9 государственного задания ИГГ УрО РАН

Application of whey of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana fermented by lactic acid bacteria as a bread biopreservative agent

A total of nine isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from tomato and sourdough with antifungal activity were employed to revaluate the whey of Mozzarella di Bufala through the fermentation process for 72 h at 37 °C. Then, the fermented whey (BWF) was characterised and used as biopreservative in bread formulation. L. plantarum TR7 and L. plantarum TR2 strains showed average lactic acid concentration in BWF of 13.8 g L 1. Also, the bread volatile organic compounds (VOC) analysis showed an increase in hexanal, benzeneacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde and pyrazine tetramethyl when using BWF as ingredient. Moreover, the DPPH-inhibitory activity of bread with BWF extract also reflected a 33% rise in comparison with control bread. The application of BWF as a biopreservation agent in bread showed an increase in shelf life compared with bread with 0.3% calcium propionate and bread control for 2 and 15 days, respectively. BWF can be used as an interesting biopreservation strategy of bread

Оптимизация преаналитического этапа обработки материала для проведения гистохимического исследования биоптатов скелетной мышцы в диагностике нервно-мышечных заболеваний

Diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases is complicated by the variety of clinical manifestations and requires the use of additional methods, an important place among which is the pathomorphological study of skeletal muscle biopsy. Despite the fact that the procedure for taking a muscle biopsy is not technically difficult, to obtain informative material a multitude of conditions must be observed at the stages of pre-analytical processing of the obtained tissue samples. Violation of the technology of taking, storing and fixing the material contributes to the formation of artifacts that limit the possibilities for further analysis of the morphological changes in tissue biopsy. A comparison was made of the effectiveness of various methods for cryoprocessing of muscle tissue samples and the manufacture of histological specimens with a subsequent assessment of morphological changes. As a result, the main causes of artifacts were identified. The optimal method for processing muscle biopsy specimens is indicated, which makes it possible to prevent the appearance of artifacts as much as possible and to ensure the preservation of tissue for research.Диагностика нервно-мышечных заболеваний затруднена многообразием клинических проявлений и требует использования дополнительных методов, важное место среди которых занимает патоморфологическое исследование биопсии скелетной мышцы. Несмотря на то что процедура взятия мышечной биопсии технически не сложна, для получения информативного материала требуется соблюдение множества условий на этапах преаналитической обработки полученных образцов ткани. Нарушение технологии взятия, хранения и фиксации материала способствует образованию артефактов, которые ограничивают возможности дальнейшего анализа морфологических изменений ткани биоптата. Проведено сравнение эффективности различных методов криообработки образцов мышечной ткани и изготовления гистологических препаратов с последующей оценкой морфологических изменений. В результате были выявлены основные причины возникновения артефактов. Обозначен оптимальный метод обработки мышечных биоптатов, позволяющий максимально предотвратить появление артефактов и обеспечить сохранность ткани для исследования