Comparative Analysis of Electrophoretic Profile of Major Proteins of Milk from Alpine and Carpathian Goats

The milk’s proteins provide nutritional and biologically active values, essential in human and animal nutrition. In the case of goat milk, the proteins’ concentration and quality represent basic indices for the evaluation of the nutritional and biologically active values. The proposal is to comparatively analyse the protein profile of milk. The milk was collected from two different breeds: French Alpine and Romanian Carpathian. During March and April 2016 there were collected samples of raw milk in hygienic and sanitation conditions. There were two lots: first lot has 10 Carpathian goats and the second lot has 10 Alpine goats. The protein composition of goat milk was established with SDS-PAGE, after the evaluation of the total proteins’ concentration with the Bradford method. The quantitative and percentage data obtained with electrophoresis revealed few differences between those 8 identified protein fractions. Between those two lots, regarding the levels of β-CN, k-CN and β-lactoglobulines there were significant differences. The other protein fractions have values almost identical. Statistical analysis of obtained data shaped the differences in the protein profile at those two breeds. Based on those differences it is to note the superior potential of the Alpine breed regarding the content in biologically active milk proteins. Regarding the obtained data, this study brings new contributions for the evaluation and analysis of protein profile as a nutritive and biologically active component of goat milk, confirming its character as a functional aliment

Potential Effects of Romanian Propolis Extracts against Pathogen Strains

The impact of globalization on beekeeping brings new economic, scientific, ecological and social dimensions to this field The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical compositions of eight propolis extracts from Romania, and their antioxidant action and antimicrobial activity against seven species of bacteria, including pathogenic ones: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of propolis extracts were quantified; the presence of flavones and aromatic acids was determined. Quercetin and rutin were identified by HPLC analysis and characterized using molecular descriptors. All propolis samples exhibited antibacterial effects, especially against P. aeruginosa and L. monocytogenes. A two-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate correlations among the diameters of the inhibition zones, the bacteria used and propolis extracts used. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the diameter of the inhibition zone was influenced by the strain type, but no association between the propolis origin and the microbial activity was found

Determinants of Suicide Ideation in the Romanian Population

Background: Suicide ideation and behaviors are directly linked to the risk of death by suicide. In Romania, as well as worldwide, increased suicide rates were observed in the recent past, more so in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of psychosocial factors, quality of life (QOL), and loneliness dimensions and adverse life antecedents on suicide ideation (SI) and prolonged sadness (PS). Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative research study used a CATI data gathering method to investigate 1102 randomly selected individuals over 18 years of age regarding various determinants of SI and PS. Data were collected in June 2021. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistics were used for data analysis. Results: SI was negatively correlated with all the assessed psychosocial factors, more significantly with family relationships, wealth, health, social relationships, and affective life. Stronger correlations were observed when investigating the state of prolonged sadness, sex, and affective lives along with health and income, which were more influential. SI was negatively correlated with QOL and positively correlated with adverse life events and total loneliness scores. Lesser educated youngsters with reduced overall happiness and a history of depression, self-harm, and trauma were at greater risk of developing SI. Conclusions: This is the first national study exploring the suicide ideation and prolonged sadness in relation to psychosocial factors, quality of life, and adverse life events. These results have important implications for suicide prevention programs, which should be designed in accordance with similar studies