Manganese encephalopathy and interhemispheric asymmetry of the brain

Patients suffering from manganese encephalopathy, which develops while taking surrogate drugs, suffer from pronounced subcortical pseudobulbar syndrome, pyramidal insufficiency and a complex of autonomic disorders. The most pronounced of them are disorders of motor functions. The work is devoted to the study of the bioelectrical activity of the brain of patients with manganese encephalopathy in order to develop an EEG-criterion for diagnosing this disease. The subjects underwent EEG recording using a 16-channel electroencephalograph "NeuroCom standart" (KhAI-Medika, Ukraine) in accordance with the international recording system "10-20". The following were analyzed: the power of the signals of the main rhythms of the background EEG, the relative characteristics of the power of the signals of the main EEG rhythms – the activation coefficient of the cortex, the activation coefficient of the sub cortex, the indices of interhemispheric asymmetries in terms of the power of bioelectric signals in bilaterally synchronous points of the head. It was found that in patients with manganese encephalopathy both the cortical activation coefficients and the sub cortex activation coefficients had values that can be observed in patients with аnother diseases. In turn, such indicators as interhemispheric asymmetry in the power of signals of individual rhythms and interhemispheric asymmetry in the total power of signals at bilaterally synchronous points of the head in patients with manganese encephalopathy had values that significantly differed from those in patients with other types of pathology. So, with indicators of 16-18 interhemispheric asymmetries in healthy people and 9-25 in patients in coma, in patients with manganese encephalopathy, it was observed: in one patient – 12 interhemispheric asymmetries, in the other of the patients – 9, 7, 3 and 2 interhemispheric asymmetries in signal power of individual rhythms at bilaterally synchronous points of the head. The reason for such a pronounced smoothing of interhemispheric asymmetries in patients with manganese encephalopathy, obviously, may be those destructive changes in the subcortical parts of the GM that are present in this group of patients.

A randomized study on the energy difference measured by electro photonic image on caregivers practiced Indian aesthetic dance and yoga

Background: Electro photonic image (EPI) technique based on the bio-energy field, is growing as a novel technique in the fields of alternative medicine, conventional practices, psycho-physiology, psychology, and consciousness. In this study, the EPI instrument is used to assess emotional pressure which is termed as activation coefficient (AC), communication energy (C) level of various organ systems, and entropy (E) in the human energy field is assessed in the caregivers (CGs) of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).Methods: Immediate effect of Indian aesthetic dance (n=31) and yoga (n=30) practices for 75 minutes were assessed in two randomized experimental groups that are later compared with the control group (n=30). The statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Version 21.0.Results: The activation coefficient of intervention groups showed a significant reduction in stress levels (p<0.001). Indian aesthetic dance intervention group showed significant improvement in the energy level of the organ systems namely respiratory, endocrine, musculoskeletal and digestive system (p<0.001); cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems (p<0.01) and yoga group in respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous system (p<0.001); and cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune system (p<0.01). Both the intervention groups showed a significant reduction in entropy (p<0.001) post-intervention compared to the control group.Conclusions: The EPI parameters used for CGs of children with NDDs explore the possibility of using this instrument for measuring the bioenergy field that infers the health status of CGs before and after dance and yoga interventions.

The Homozygous Hemoglobin EE Variant Is Associated with Poorer Riboflavin Status in Cambodian Women of Reproductive Age

ABSTRACT Background Riboflavin is required for erythropoiesis, which is increased in people with hemoglobinopathies due to increased hemolysis and erythrocyte turnover. Dietary intake and status of riboflavin is poor in Cambodia, where hemoglobinopathies are common. Objective We assessed the association between genetic hemoglobin disorders and riboflavin status in women of reproductive age in Cambodia. Methods Venous blood samples from 515 Cambodian women of reproductive age, 18–45 y, were analyzed for biomarker status of riboflavin [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac)], genetic hemoglobin (Hb) disorders, and hematological indices. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association between EGRac with Hb, ferritin, and Hb genotypes. EGRac was log transformed in the analyses, and the regression coefficients represent the geometric mean differences. Results Genetic Hb disorders were present in 57% of the population, with the homozygous hemoglobin E variant (Hb EE) occurring in ∼10% of women (n = 53). Deficient (EGRac ≥1.40) or marginal riboflavin status (EGRac ≥1.30 and &lt;1.40) was observed in 92% (n = 475) of women. The variant Hb EE genotype was associated with 18% (95% CI: 9%, 28%) higher geometric mean EGRac values than the normal Hb AA genotype (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Although riboflavin biomarker deficiency or marginal status is widely prevalent in Cambodian women, lower riboflavin status was observed more frequently in women with the Hb EE genotype than in women with normal Hb AA. The relation between genetic Hb disorders and riboflavin warrants further investigation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01593423 and NCT02481375.

Soil phosphorus and relationship to phosphorus balance under long-term fertilization

Temporal changes in the concentrations of plant-available phosphorus (P) in soil (Olsen-P), total soil-P and P activation coefficient (the ratio of Olsen-P to residual-P (i.e. an approximation to total-P)) were measured in plots that received consistent inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus organic fertilizers annually. Maize and winter wheat crops were grown in rotation for 24 years. Olsen-P and P activation coefficient declined significantly in the earlier years (&lt; 12 years) for treatments that did not include any P fertilizer, and increased over the same period for the P-fertilized treatments. The rates of change in the Olsen-P and P activation coefficient values were positively related to P balance. In the later years, the Olsen-P and P activation coefficient plateau values were positively related to the P balance.

A new concept of fusion neutron monitoring for PF-1000 device

The power output of plasma experiments and fusion reactors is a crucial parameter. It is determined by neutron yields that are proportional and directly related to the fusion yield. The number of emitted neutrons should be known for safety reasons and for neutron budget management. The PF-1000 is the large plasma facility based on the plasma focus phenomenon. PF-1000 is operating in the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion in Warsaw. Neutron yield changes during subsequent pulses, which is immanent part of this type device and so it must be monitored in terms of neutron emission. The reference diagnostic intended for this purpose is the silver activation counter (SAC) used for many years. Our previous studies demonstrated the applicability of radio-yttrium for neutron yield measurements during the deuterium campaign on the PF-1000 facility. The obtained results were compared with data from silver activation counter and shown linear dependence but with some protuberances in local scale. Correlation between results for both neutron monitors was maintained. But the yttrium monitor registered the fast energy neutron that reached measurement apparatus directly from the plasma pinch. Based on the preliminary experiences, the yttrium monitor was designed to automatically register neutron-induced yttrium activity. The MCNP geometrical model of PF-1000 and yttrium monitor were both used for calculation of the activation coefficient for yttrium. The yttrium monitor has been established as the permanent diagnostic for monitoring fusion reactions in the PF-1000 device.

Cumulative effect of short-term and long-term meditation practice in men and women on psychophysiological parameters of electrophotonic imaging: a cross-sectional study

Anapanasati is one of the meditation techniques discussed in Buddhism. In this meditation, one focuses one’s attention on bodily sensations caused by incoming and outgoing breath. This study aims to track the cumulative effect of long-term meditators (LTM) and short-term meditators (STM) using electrophotonic imaging (EPI).: To execute the current study, 432 subjects (264 men and 168 women with mean age of 34.36: In both LTM and STM, lower values of stress (activation coefficient) were found in woman meditators as compared to men. In both groups, highly significant gender-related differences were observed in integral area parameter, which measures the overall health of an individual. Integral entropy (index of disorderliness of subtle energy in the body) was fluctuating in both groups in both directions for both genders. It was increasing in LTM group and decreasing in STM group with increasing length of practice.: Women of LTM and STM demonstrated lesser stress than men. Both groups showed cumulative health-related improvement. Moreover, in gender-related analysis woman meditators exhibited more positive improvement in EPI parameters than men.

Riboflavin Supplementation Improves Energy Metabolism in Mice Exposed to Acute Hypoxia

This study investigated the effects of riboflavin on energy metabolism in hypoxic mice. Kunming mice were fed diets containing riboflavin at doses of 6, 12, 24 and 48 mg/kg, respectively for 2 weeks before exposure to a simulated altitude of 6000 m for 8 h. Changes of riboflavin status and energy metabolism were assessed biochemically. Simultaneously, a 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomic technique was used to track the changes of plasma metabolic profiling. It was found that the content of hepatic riboflavin was decreased and erythrocyte glutathione activation coefficient was elevated significantly under hypoxic condition. Meanwhile, increased plasma pyruvate, lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate and urea, as well as decreased plasma carnitine were observed. Riboflavin supplementation improved riboflavin status remarkably in hypoxic mice and decreased plasma levels of pyruvate, free fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate significantly. Plasma carnitine was increased in response to riboflavin supplementation. Results obtained from 1H NMR analysis were basically in line with the data from biochemical assays and remarkable changes in plasma taurine, choline and some other metabolites were also indicated. It was concluded that riboflavin requirement was increased under acute hypoxic condition and riboflavin supplementation was effective in improving energy metabolism in hypoxic mice.

Removal of Phosphates from Wastewater and Intensify the Biological Wastewater Treatment Process from Organic Pollution

The paper presents the results of research studies to determine the degree of influence of reinforced material on the purification process wastewater from phosphates and organic contaminants. The paper presents the results of mathematical description of the laws of the biological purification. Obtained activation coefficient. Shows the effect of reinforced material for phosphate removal from wastewater. Shows the effect of reinforced material on sludge dose and sludge index.

Novel Spectrophotometric Method for the Quantitation of Urinary Xanthurenic Acid and Its Application in Identifying Individuals with Hyperhomocysteinemia Associated with VitaminB6Deficiency

A novel spectrophotometric method for the quantification of urinary xanthurenic acid (XA) is described. The direct acid ferric reduction (DAFR) procedure was used to quantify XA after it was purified by a solid-phase extraction column. The linearity of proposed method extends from 2.5 to 100.0 mg/L. The method is precise, yielding day-to-day CVs for two pooled controls of 3.5% and 4.6%, respectively. Correlation studies with an established HPLC method and a fluorometric procedure showed correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.98, respectively. Interference from various urinary metabolites was insignificant. In a small-scale screening of elderly conducted at Penghu county in Taiwan (n=80), we were able to identify a group of twenty individuals having hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 μmole/L). Three of them were found to be positive for XA as analyzed by the proposed method, which correlated excellently with the results of the activation coefficient method for RBC’s AST/B6functional test. These data confirm the usefulness of the proposed method for identifying urinary XA as an indicator of vitamin B6deficiency-associated hyperhomocysteinemic condition.