Nutritional Value and Bioactive Compounds of Leaves and Grains from Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Quinoa is an important crop for food security and food sovereignty in Ecuador. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, and antinutrient compounds of leaves and grains of the Ecuadorian quinoa variety Tunkahuan, and we identified significant differences between the nutrient content in the leaves and grains. The quinoa leaves presented a higher protein content than the grains, as well as inorganic nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. Both the grains and leaves had an appreciable phenolic content. In addition, the quinoa grains presented a higher content of the antinutrient saponin than the leaves, while the leaves contained more nitrates and oxalates than the grains. Thus, quinoa leaves and grains exhibit excellent potential for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Serum Vitamin D as a Biomarker in Autoimmune, Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone regulating calcium-phosphorus homeostasis, immune response and brain function. In the past thirty years, an increasing number of cohort studies, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RTCs) evaluated the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], which is considered the Vitamin D status biomarker, in patients affected by neurological, psychiatric and autoimmune diseases. Although an association between low 25(OH)D serum levels and the prevalence of these diseases has been found, it is still unclear whether the serum 25(OH)D measurement can be clinically useful as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and predicting treatment response in neurodegeneration, mental illness and immune-mediated disorders. The lack of standardized data, as well as discrepancies among the studies (in the analytical methods, cut-offs, endpoints and study sets), weakened the findings achieved, hindered pooling data, and, consequently, hampered drawing conclusions. This narrative review summarizes the main findings from the studies performed on serum 25(OH)D in neurological, psychiatric and autoimmune diseases, and clarifies whether or not serum 25(OH)D can be used as a reliable biomarker in these diseases.

Edukasi Manfaat Jus Wortel Sebagai Terapi Dismenorea Pada Remaja

ABSTRAK Dismenore adalah nyeri ringan yang dapat ditolerir tanpa obat, namun dalam kondisi berat bisa mengganggu aktivitas sehari – hari atau absen sekolah. Pemicu utama dismenore primer adalah prostaglandin yang berperan penting menyebabkan kram dan kontraksi serta gejala lainnya. Mengatasi dismenore dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan jus wortel yang kaya akan karotin, pectin, aspargin, serat, lemak, hidrat arang, kalsium, fosfor, besi, sodium, asam amino, minyak esensial dan beta karote serta vitamin A,B,C,D,E dan K. Vitamin E membantu block formasi prostaglandin dan membantu mengatasi efek dari peningkatan prostaglandin, sehingga efektif menurunkan nyeri. Kegiatan penyuluhan dilakukan di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Mulya Asri tanggal 15 maret 2021. Kegiatan diawali dengan melakukan pertest lalu penyampaian materi, demonstrasi pembuatan jus dan diakhiri dengan evalusi dalam bentuk post test. Terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan remaja putri tentang dismenore serta cara mengatasi dismenorea menggunakan jus wortel yaitu sebesar 55%. Kata Kunci: Edukasi, Jus Wortel, Remaja, Dismenore ABSTRACTDysmenorrhea is mild pain that can be tolerated without medicine, however, severe conditions can disturb daily activity or be absent in school. The main trigger of primer dysmenorrhea is a prostaglandin that has an important role in causing cramps, contraction, and other symptoms. The way to overcome dysmenorrhea can be done by using carrot juice in which very rich in carotene, pectin, asparagine, fiber, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, amino acids, essential oil, beta carotene, and A, B, C, D, E, K vitamin. Vitamin E helps block the formation of prostaglandin and helps in overcoming the effects of increased prostaglandin so that it is very effective in decreasing pain. Counseling activity was done in the worked area of Mulya Asri’s Public Health Center on 15th March 2021. This activity was started by doing a pretest, delivering the material, demonstrating in making juice, and ended by evaluating in the form of the posttest. The results were that teenage girls have had increased their knowledge about dysmenorrhea and they have had known in overcoming dysmenorrhea by using carrot juice totally 55%. Keywords : Education, Carrot Juice, teenage, Dysmenorrhea

Alterations in the Hemato-biochemical, Endocrine, Somatic Cell Count and Milk Composition in Lactating Tarai Buffaloes during Different Lactation Stages

Background: Tarai buffalo is indigenous buffalo breed of Uttarakhand state, dual purpose, well adapt to hot-humid climatic condition of Tarai area. This study aimed to evaluate the alterations in the hemato-biochemical, endocrine, milk somatic cell count and milk composition in lactating Tarai buffaloes. Methods: Thirty-six healthy Tarai buffaloes were selected from four different Gujjar farms and divided into four groups consisting nine buffaloes in each group as early (60±30 days), mid (120±30 days) and late (180±30 days) lactation stages and dry buffaloes. Both blood and milk samples were collected once from each lactation stage of selected animals. Hematological parameters and milk composition were evaluated by standard procedures and methods. Biochemical and endocrine parameters were evaluated using commercially available kits as per manufacturer’s protocol. Milk somatic cell count (SCC) was done by direct microscopic counts using Newman Lampert stain. Result: It observed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher TLC value but lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and urea levels during early lactation stage. Significantly (p less than 0.05) declined in plasma total protein during late lactation stage and triglyceride in dry cows. Plasma hormone significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in cortisol during early lactation while higher T4 and insulin in late lactation stages. Milk fat, urea and total solids were significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased during early lactation and again increased during late lactation while milk SCC significantly (p less than 0.05) higher during early and late lactation stages.

Early Warning for Ovarian Diseases Based on Plasma Non-esterified Fatty Acid and Calcium Concentrations in Dairy Cows

Inactive ovaries (IO) and ovarian (follicular or luteal) cysts (FC or LC) are two common ovarian diseases leading to infertility in dairy cattle. Both disorders are associated with altered metabolites and hormones. There are currently no known effective biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis of ovarian diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the plasma biomarkers of ovarian diseases in Holstein dairy cows that facilitate an early diagnosis of the diseases and control its progression. The experiment was performed from 3 weeks postpartum and last for 7 weeks. Seventy-six multiparous Holstein cows (mean age, 4.36 years; weight, 635.63 kg) were divided into healthy control group (HC, n = 22), FC group (n = 18), LC group (n = 18) and IO group (n = 18) by rectal palpation or ultrasonography during the last 2 weeks before trial end. Blood was collected via tail vein for measurement of plasma energy metabolites, liver function indicators, minerals, and hormones at 3 and 8 weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation, binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis, where applicable. At 8 weeks postpartum, FC cows had a more severe body condition score loss and these had greater levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and estradiol, and lesser levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), progesterone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels than HC cows (P < 0.05). LC cows had a lower milk yield, higher NEFA and progesterone levels, and lower calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels than HC cows (P < 0.05). IO cows had a lower body condition score, higher NEFA levels, and lower ALT, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, estradiol, progesterone and IGF-1 levels than HC cows (P < 0.05). At 3 weeks postpartum, cows with ovarian diseases had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of NEFA, and lesser concentrations of ALT, calcium, phosphorus and IGF-1 than HC cows. Early warning values for ovarian diseases were plasma NEFA concentrations >0.50 mmol/L, or calcium concentrations <2.02 mmol/L. Therefore, plasma NEFA and calcium could be used as early-warning indicators for ovarian diseases in dairy cows.

Comparative experience of the influence of the introduction of an antibiotic and some natural amino acids into the diet consisting of natural ecological components on the zootechnical indicators of black-and-white calves

This paper shows the results of introducing the amino acids lysine concentrate and d1 - methionine, as well as the antibiotic Bacitracin, into the calves [[CHECK_SINGLEQUOT_ENT]] diet. Experimentally, the effect of meat components on the average daily weight gain; the digestibility of nutrients received from the feed; the average daily use of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and sulfur; the yield of meat after slaughter; the weight of internal organs and the chemical composition of meat.

The Contrasting Effects between Caffeine and Theobromine on Crystallization: How the Non-fluoride Dentifrice Was Developed

Caffeine and theobromine are members of the xanthine family. Coffee and soft drinks contain caffeine, whereas, in cacao, theobromine is the main ingredient. The mineral contents of the tooth which sucked the caffeine-containing dam’s milk were decreased. To determine if caffeine would affect enamel, dams were fed with a caffeine and pups were killed and first and second molars were extracted. Enamel was exposed to the acid solution and dissolved minerals from the enamel were measured. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium from the first molars of the caffeine group were significantly dissolved. To determine why minerals were released, enamel was separated. The crystallite size of the enamel from the caffeine group showed decreased. If the pups with the same dietary regimen, but given a cariogenic diet, the caffeine group should show a higher incidence of dental caries. The caffeine group revealed higher caries scores. An in vitro experiment to grow apatite crystals was conducted, adding the various members of the xanthine. Theobromine produced larger crystal sizes than caffeine. Theobromine was added to the maternal diet. Dissolution experiments revealed that these minerals were far less dissolved. Comparative studies of the various parameters between theobromine and fluoride were conducted. Theobromine was superior to fluoride in every aspect.

Influence of weather conditions on the durability of acrylic-polyurethane car coatings in an industrial area

The influence of weather conditions on the durability of acrylic-polyurethane car coatings during their exposure to industrial plants (Grupa Azoty, Zakłady Chemiczne "Police" SA) was investigated. The surface structure and the general appearance of the paint coatings (after 16 months of the test) were examined using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope, an optical profilometer and a gloss meter. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the composition and chemical structure of the coatings. Convex spots of various sizes were observed on the surface of the tested coatings. Quantitative profilometric analysis showed a clear increase in surface roughness. However, the results of the XPS and FTIR tests did not confirm the chemical degradation of the tested samples. It was shown that the convexities observed on the surfaces of the aged coatings were atmospheric deposits consisting mainly of oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, iron, silicon and carbon. Thorough cleaning of the surfaces resulted in their complete removal.