The Use of BrownAlgae Laminaria Saccharinain Iodine Enriched Products Aimed at PreventingIodine Deficiency

The high content of iodine in dried algae has allowed it to be used as a physiologically functional food ingredient in the technology of fortified foods, which can help prevent iodine deficiency. The aim of this research was to develop a technology for food products enriched with iodine (Italian crispbreads), as well as fermented dairy products (thick and drinking yoghurts with various fruit fillings). The brown algae Laminaria saccharina, which originates from the islandFrøya (in Norway), was used to enrich the products with iodine. This algaewas grown on the farms of the company ”Energy Solutions AS” and was dried by various methods of low-temperature drying (heat pump at a temperature of minus 10 ∘C, drying in 1-3 layers; vacuum freeze drying with pre-storage at a temperature of minus 8 ∘C; and pre-freezing and storing at a temperature of minus 25 ∘C for 2-6 days). The chemical composition of the algae was studied. The findings showed that the modes of pretreatment of algae and the method of cold drying did not influence the following indicators (in % of the total mass of dried algae): the mass fraction of water (6.00±0.50% to 6.93±0.50%),ash (46.40-50.14%), andsodium chloride (31.00±1.75%). The above technological factors substantially affected the content of protein and iodine in the dried algae. Thus, the mass fraction of protein varied from 5.88% to 12.35% per total mass, and iodine varied from 0.367% to 0.522% in terms of dry matter. The optimal dosage of dried algae for adding to raw material was calculated (which provided anabove-stated iodine content of % of the recommended level of adequate consumption in 100g of the developed products): from 66% in crispbreads to 88% in fermented dairy products. All new products provided a high level of organoleptic evaluation. Keywords: brown algae, Laminaria saccharina, iodine, functionalproduct, crispbreads, drinking yoghurts, thick yoghurts

Curcuma longa L. Prevents the Loss of β-Tubulin in the Brain and Maintains Healthy Aging in Drosophila melanogaster

Loss of tubulin is associated with neurodegeneration and brain aging. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has frequently been employed as a spice in curry and traditional medications in the Indian subcontinent to attain longevity and better cognitive performance. We aimed to evaluate the unelucidated mechanism of how turmeric protects the brain to be an anti-aging agent. D. melanogaster was cultured on a regular diet and turmeric-supplemented diet. β-tubulin level and physiological traits including survivability, locomotor activity, fertility, tolerance to oxidative stress, and eye health were analyzed. Turmeric showed a hormetic effect, and 0.5% turmeric was the optimal dose in preventing aging. β-tubulin protein level was decreased in the brain of D. melanogaster upon aging, while a 0.5% turmeric-supplemented diet predominantly prevented this aging-induced loss of β-tubulin and degeneration of physiological traits as well as improved β-tubulin synthesis in the brain of D. melanogaster early to mid-age. The higher concentration (≥ 1%) of turmeric-supplemented diet decreased the β-tubulin level and degenerated many of the physiological traits of D. melanogaster. The turmeric concentration-dependent increase and decrease of β-tubulin level were consistent with the increment and decrement data obtained from the evaluated physiological traits. This correlation demonstrated that turmeric targets β-tubulin and has both beneficial and detrimental effects that depend on the concentration of turmeric. The findings of this study concluded that an optimal dosage of turmeric could maintain a healthy neuron and thus healthy aging, by preventing the loss and increasing the level of β-tubulin in the brain.

Celastrol Protects against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice by Inhibiting Glycolysis through Targeting HIF-1α/PDK1 Axis

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is closely related to dysfunctional glucose metabolism. Celastrol is a bioactive compound that has been found to exhibit neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia, while whether it can protect against cerebral I/R injury by regulating glycolysis remains unclear. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of celastrol on cerebral I/R injury and its underlying mechanisms in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mice. Methods. To observe the protective effect of celastrol and select its optimal dosage for further study, neurological score, TTC staining, and HE staining were used to evaluate neurological function, cerebral infarct volume, and cortical cell damage, respectively. QRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), pyruvate dehydrogenasekinase1 (PDK1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter1 (GLUT1), and hexokinase2 (HK2), respectively. The lactate production, ATP level, and glucose content were assessed by assay kits. Results. Our results indicated that celastrol dose-dependently improved neurological function and reduced cerebral infarct volume and cortical cell death of tMCAO mice, and its optimal dosage was 4.5 mg/kg. In addition, celastrol significantly blocked I/R-induced increase of LDHA, GLUT1, HK2, and lactate production as well as decrease of ATP level and glucose content. Moreover, celastrol inhibited the I/R-induced upregulation of HIF-1α and PDK1. Overexpression of HIF-1α by DMOG reversed the protective effect of celastrol on cerebral I/R injury and blocked celastrol-induced suppression of glycolysis. Conclusions. Taken together, these results suggested that celastrol protected against cerebral I/R injury through inhibiting glycolysis via the HIF-1α/PDK1 axis.

The Utilization of Dehydroepiandrosterone as a Sexual Hormone Precursor in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: An Overview

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and its metabolite, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ester (DHEAS), are the most abundant circulating steroid hormones, and are synthesized in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, in the gonads, and in the brain. The precise physiological role of DHEA and DHEAS is not yet fully understood, but these steroid hormones can act as androgens, estrogens, and neurosteroids, and perform many roles in the human body. Since both levels decline with age, use of DHEA supplements have gained more attention due to being advertised as an antidote to aging in postmenopausal women, who may have concerns on age-related diseases and overall well-being. However, current research has not reached an overall consensus on the effects of DHEA on postmenopausal women. This overview is a summary of the current literature, addressing the metabolic pathway for DHEA synthesis and utilization, as well as the effects of DHEA on premenopausal and postmenopausal women with disease states and other factors. As for the therapeutic effects on menopausal syndrome and other age-related diseases, several studies have found that DHEA supplementations can alleviate vasomotor symptoms, preserve the integrity of the immune system, reduce bone loss, and increase muscle mass. Intravaginal DHEA has shown significant beneficial effects in menopausal women with severe vulvovaginal symptoms. On the other hand, DHEA supplements have not shown definitive effects in cardiovascular disease, adrenal insufficiency, insulin sensitivity, and cognition. Due to inadequate sample sizes and treatment durations of current studies, it is difficult to assess the safety and efficacy of DHEA and draw reliable conclusions for the physiological role, the optimal dosage, and the effects on premenopausal and postmenopausal women; therefore, the study of DHEA warrants future investigation. Further research into the roles of these steroid hormones may bring us closer to a therapeutic option in the future.

Efficiency of using Artemia salina as part of a feed additive for chickens

Main problem: The development of the genetic potential of poultry, as well as the receipt of high-quality eggs for collection or further incubation, are possible only if rational and correct feeding of the broodstock and, more importantly, the young during its rearing period is observed. During this period, high-quality protein nutrition occupies an important place, which determines the level of productivity, stable growth, reproductive ability of the bird, as well as the state of health during the feeding period. Protein deficiency always remains an urgent problem for agricultural land, whose main activity is aimed at breeding dairy and meat animals. In this regard, research in the field of finding the use of non-traditional protein feed is of great need. If we summarize the modern achievements in the field of protein and aminoacid nutrition of poultry, we can find the most profitable way to obtain feed additives in industrial production. The studies, the results of which will be described in this article, are aimed at studying the possibility, experimental substantiation of the optimal dosage and the effectiveness of using the feed additive from crustaceans Artemia salina in the diets of chickens of the egg-meat direction of productivity [1]. Purpose: To study the possibility, experimental substantiation of the optimal dosage and the effectiveness of the use of the feed additive from crustaceans Artemia salina in the diet of chickens of the egg-meat direction of productivity. Methods: Analysis and generalization of theoretical information Results and their significance: This article presents the results of the analysis and generalization of theoretical material. The theoretical significance is determined by the fact that it is invested in scientific and practical problems related directly to solving urgent problems, increasing the efficiency, competitiveness and quality of domestic poultry products.

River water turbidity removal using new natural coagulant aids: case study of Euphrates River, Iraq

For turbidity removal, most of drinking water treatment plants are using coagulants due to the presence of suspended and colloidal materials at the coagulation and flocculation units. Aluminium and sulphates salts are the widely used coagulants, such as Aluminium sulphate (Alum) and ferric chloride. However, several researches have linked Alzheimer's disease to the use of Aluminium sulphate. Hence, scholars have conducted several researches on the possibility to reduce the amount of Aluminium sulphate by using natural material/plants base as coagulant aids. In this study, Mallow's Leaves Extracts (MLE) and Carob's Pods Extracts (CPE) were used as an alternative coagulant aid. Couples of coagulation tests were implemented to find the optimal dosage of Aluminium Sulphates were used as coagulants. The results displayed that the maximum turbidity removal efficiency by adding 100% of each coagulant (i.e., Alum, MLE and CPE) were (61.16%, 51.175% and 37.12%), respectively. In addition, the minimum residual turbidity and maximum turbidity removal efficiency were 4.56 NTU and 97.72% by adding 22.5 Alum and 7.5 MLE presenting 30 mg/l dosing. Further, the minimum residual turbidity and maximum turbidity removal efficiency were 15.4 NTU and 92.3% by adding 22.5 Alum and 7.5 CPE presenting 30 mg/l dosing.

The effect of prebiotic with bifidogenic properties on morphometric parameters of rabbits

The research was aimed at study of the potential and effectiveness of lactulose use in rabbit breeding. Lactulose is an isomer of milk sugar (disaccharide), it serves as a nutrient substrate for saccharolytic bacteria. The latter decompose it into short-chain fatty acids - lactic, acetic, propionic, butyric. At that time, the pH of the contents of the colon decreases. The microbiocenosis uses lactulose as a source of carbohydrates and energy. In this work, the optimal dosage and method of introducing lactulose into the diet of young rabbits of the California breed are calculated and determined experimentally. The experiment (2013-2016) involved male rabbits at the age of 45 days. The duration of the experiment was 60 days. The control group and two experimental groups of 20 heads each were formed by the method of analog pairs. The dry type of feeding was used using full-grain granular compound feed KK-92. Lactulose concentrate "Lactusan" was used, being added to drinking water. As the basic value of the norm for the introduction of lactulose into the diet of rabbits for further planned experiments, 0.06 g/kg of live weight per day was taken. As a result of the conducted studies, some responses of the rabbit body were revealed when they were raised using the lactulose prebiotic, which has bifidogenic properties. The influence of different dosages of lactulose on some morphological parameters and meat productivity of rabbits was established. The mass of the examined internal organs did not undergo critical changes. The introduction of lactulose into the diet of California rabbits for 60 days at a dosage of 0.06 g/kg of live weight per day increased the slaughter yield by 3.1 %, and at a dosage of 0.12 g/kg ‒by 0.5 %.

Application of Solid Paraffin Inhibitor in Fracturing of Kuqa Ultra Deep High Pressure and High Wax Content Tight Condensate Gas Reservoir

The buried depth of gas reservoir B is more than 6700m, the thickness of reservoir is about 180m, the porosity of reservoir matrix is mainly 5.0% - 7.0%, with an average of 6.3%, and the permeability of reservoir matrix is mainly 0.01-0.1mD, The average production capacity of the three wells is 0.08mD, the formation pressure is 116-126MPa, the formation temperature is 124-131°C, the wax content of the condensate oil is high, and the average wax content is 16.9%. In the early stage, the natural productivity of the three wells was low, and the daily gas production was 120000-180000 cubic meters after stimulation. During the production process, the wellhead temperature was 20°C-25°C, the wax freezing temperature was 35°C, and the wellbore wax plugging was serious, The wellbore was blocked, the gas well was forced to shut down, and the reserves of 100 billion cubic meters were unable to be used, so it was necessary to explore new wax control technology. Through investigation, a new type of solid particle paraffin inhibitor is introduced, which can enter the artificial fracture with proppant during fracturing. When the condensate gas passes through the fracture, it washes the solid paraffin inhibitor which enters with proppant, and becomes the condensate gas containing paraffin control components.Therefore,it is not easy to form wax after entering the wellbore, which makes the problem of wellbore paraffin formation change from "passive control" to "active control". Referring to the relevant experimental standards, the conductivity, crushing test, solid paraffin inhibitor and fracturing fluid compatibility test were carried out. The existing test standards of wax freezing point are all for waxy oil under normal pressure, but not for condensate gas. A set of innovative experimental method is designed to successfully test the wax freezing point of condensate gas containing wax control components, and obtain the wax control effect under different ratios of wax control agent and proppant, so as to optimize the amount of wax control agent used in the experiment. The results show that the solid paraffin inhibitor has good dispersibility and suspension, and has little influence on the conductivity of sand filled fractures. The paraffin control effect on condensate oil and gas in this block is good. The wax freezing point can be reduced by about 12°C-18°C, and the optimal dosage is proppant 1%-2%. Field test was carried out in B gas reservoir. After fracturing, 5mm nozzle was used for production, tubing pressure was 83.6MPa, wellhead temperature was 28.8°C, daily oil production was 10.72 cubic meters, daily gas production was 217000 cubic meters, wellhead temperature was lower than wax freezing temperature in this area. At present, it has been in production for 6 months, and there is no wax deposit in wellbore. The successful test of solid paraffin inhibitor in the fracturing of Kuqa ultra deep high pressure and high wax content tight condensate gas reservoir provides a powerful technical reference for the wellbore flow guarantee of condensate gas reservoir.

Features of the Chemical Interaction of 2-Furaldehyde and 1,3,5-Trihydroxybenzene in an Alkaline Medium to Obtain a Plasticizing Additive

The paper presents data on the study of the polycondensation of 2-furaldehyde and 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene in an alkaline medium to obtain a plasticizing additive. Results are presented on the study of the products of the separate interaction of 1,3,5-trioxybenzene and 2-furaldehyde with NaOH, and the joint polycondensation of 1,3,5-trioxybenzene with 2-furaldehyde with NaOH by UV spectroscopy. The structure of the product of the interaction of 1,3,5-trioxybenzene with 2-furaldehyde in an alkaline medium was studied by IR spectroscopy. Stronger C–H bonds appear in the IR spectrum and stretching vibrations of the C = O group are not observed, which confirms the production of a new compound. The optimal dosage of the developed plasticizing additive has been established as 0.3% of the cement mass (calculated on dry matter). The developed plasticizing additive can significantly reduce the water-cement ratio while maintaining the strength characteristics of cement compositions. In addition, when using the additive, the strength characteristics are significantly increased with a reduced water-cement ratio.