<abstract>The stress response to surgery has two main systemic effects in an organism: neuroendocrine and haemato-immunological. Neuroendocrine effects are induced by changes in the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis. Haematoimmunological effects are characterised by cytokine production, acute phase reaction and lymphocyte and neutrophil proliferation. All of these responses interact closely. Prolongation of the stress response can increase morbidity and worsen postoperative outcome. Surgical stress can be affected by preoperative, perioperative and postoperative factors. In this paper, we review the main neuroendocrine and haemato-immunological changes related to stress and discuss different possible approaches to minimise the stress response to surgery</abstract>

Stress Response to Surgery and Possible Ways of Its Correction

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> One of the most valuable foods is meat, due its nutritional value, largely determined by the essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. At the same time, concern needs to be given to health of consumers by used products with less calories, which can be ensured by greater variety of game animals, including also deer grown in captivity. The aim of our investigation was to compare the nutrition value of elk, wild deer, farm deer, roe deer, and wild boar that were killed during hunting in Latvia. Meat samples (m. logissimus lumborum) were collected in the autumn- winter season. The results of the conducted research suggest that game meat samples have higher protein and essential fatty acid content in comparison with domestic animals. The amount of fat in all analysed samples did not differ greatly, although the fatty acid content in wild game meat differed significantly. The fatty acid profile was used to calculate the atherogenicity index (AI), which has a positive correlation with the risk of cardiovascular disorders. The formula AI = [C12 : 0 + (C14 : 0 × 4) + C16 : 0 ] / (Total unsaturated fatty acids) was used to calculate the ratio of total saturated fatty acids, ω-6 and ω-3. Regarding the microelement content of meat there were great differences in iron and manganese concentration among animals. </abstract>

Nutrition Value of Wild Animal Meat

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Concepts of Rurality and Urbanity as Analytical Categories in Multidimensional Research</title>This paper is a review of the concepts of rurality and urbanity and of various approaches to their differentiation. The author reviews the continuum and dichotomy of rurality and urbanity and the challenges that occur when seeking to differentiate between them. The author has reviewed the descriptive approach, which is based on empirical data, as well as the social approach, which is based on various social agents and different ways of perceiving space. The author has evaluated various approaches to studying rural-urban separation, focusing on the challenges that are created by contemporary developments in society. New forms of populated areas are emerging, and they do not correspond to this binary separation. Both rural and urban areas are becoming increasingly multidimensional and interactions between them more intensive. "Urban" and "rural" are abstractions and metaphors that are needed to ensure human communications which enables the bridging of knowledge from one area of science or politics to another. That is particularly relevant for interdisciplinary research such as spatial and environmental studies. In the conclusion, the author reviews the way in which rurality and urbanity are studied by researchers in Latvia.</abstract>

Concepts of Rurality and Urbanity as Analytical Categories in Multidimensional Research

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Effects of art therapy on stress and anxiety of employees</title>The study was designed to determine if art therapy has any effect on the stress and anxiety of employees. The results demonstrated that before and after art therapy in the study group, the level of the stress indicator (cortisol) over twenty-four hours and also the state of anxiety decreased significantly (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). The mean final stress level and situational anxiety for the study group were significantly lower (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) than those for the control group. No significant changes were found for trait anxiety in any of the groups. These findings suggest that art therapy for employees is a preventive measure for a person to understand stress situations and to be capable to manage their anxiety, react adequately and to cope with stress, thus improving the quality of life by creative means.</abstract>

Effects of art therapy on stress and anxiety of employees

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title><italic> Biscuits were prepared by substituting wheat flour with Jerusalem artichoke powder, which is a</italic><italic>widespread plant, and powder of cacao bean shells, which is a by-product of the cocoa bean refining</italic><italic>process. Both of these were added to biscuit dough. Biscuits were analyzed for physical</italic><italic>and chemical parameters. The results indicate that both materials contain highly valuable ingredients</italic><italic>for production of a new type of biscuits. Jerusalem artichoke powder and cocoa shells contributed</italic><italic>to fibre content, and the content of protein and fat changed. Also, the hardness and</italic><italic>colour of the biscuits differed compared to the control.</italic></abstract>

Production of Biscuits With Higher Nutritional Value

<abstract>Yield and quality of potato depend on nutrient availability in soil, especially regarding nitrogen. Nitrogen (N) is a very dynamic plant nutrient and its uncontrolled application can considerably raise the price of agricultural production. If N is insufficiently utilised by plants environmental pollution can occur. The aim of the study was to investigate efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser use by potato. The field trials were carried out at the State Priekuïi Plant Breeding Institute from 2009 till 2012. Nine fertilisation variants were applied: no fertilisation; PK dose to provide potato yield of 40 t ha-1; and the remaining seven variants with a PK dose plus plus increasing N amount from 30 to 210 kg ha-1. The results of the four-year experiment years indicated that an increase in nitrogen fertilizer rate up to N120 kg ha-1 increased the potato yield. Nitrogen fertilizer rates should be applied depending on potato variety and planned use of the grown potato crop. Tuber nitrogen content increased with nitrogen fertilizer level from 1.09% in the treatment N0PK up to 1.53% in treatment N120, and practically remained at that level in treatments with higher N application levels. Nitrogen content in potato foliage was twice as high as that in tubers and continuously increased with the N amount applied, and particularly with higher nitrogen fertilizer rates of N150-210. In regard only to tuber yield, the N utilization coefficient at a nitrogen fertilizer rate up to N120 was on average 0.60. A further increase in nitrogen rate reduced the N utilization coefficient with each successive step.</abstract>

Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Latvia University of Agriculture, Lielā iela 2, Jelgava LV-3001, LATVIA

State Priekuļi Plant Breeding Institute, Zinātnes iela 1a, Priekuļi LV-4126, LATVIA

Influence of Nitrogen on Potato Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Given its very important economic and environmental interests, the cultivation of carob tree in Algeria has experienced remarkable development, which is reflected in the methods of plant multiplication, the increase in the surface area of its cultivation, and in particular, the growing number of carob fruit processing industries (first and second transformation). In this context, the present study focused on the evaluation of the food quality of whole pod powders and carob pulps from three different regions of Algeria (Boumerdes, Relizane, and Tissemsilt). The experimental part presents a morphobiometric characterisation of carob pods carried out during the 2020–2021 production campaign — length, width, mass, volume, thickness, size index (length/width), the number and mass of seeds, analysis of the food quality of carob powders from whole pods and their pulps and determining their physicochemical properties (particle size, pH and dry matter), nutritional properties (ash, crude proteins, total sugars, crude fibres, fats) and sensory (colour, taste, texture, and smell). The results showed that the morphobiometric characteristics of the carob pods studied (physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of the powders) strongly depend on the biogeographical site of the carob tree and the conditions of its production. Compared to the other carob fruit powders analysed, Relizane carob pulps powder showed a better sensory appreciation; this powder was characterised by a colour (100% light brown), taste (50% sweet, 50% very sweet), texture (100% fine), and odour (100% carob with strong intensity). Indeed, the study of the food quality of the two types of powders obtained separately from whole pods (seeds and pulps) and from the pulps is very valuable and opens possible ways of food valorisation of carob tree fruit.
</abstract>

Morphobiometric Characterisation of Carob Tree Pods Cultivated in Algeria and Evaluation of Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Sensory Properties of Their Powders

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Raimonds Cinovskis (1930–1998) devoted his entire life to plants, especially to the research of dendroflora in Latvia, as well as in the Baltic states in general, and he also participated in botanical expeditions in several places in Asia. He introduced many new names of plant taxa, described new taxa, and made new name combinations. Although the plant names he created are widely used by Latvian botanists and can also be found in the seed exchange catalogues issued by local botanic gardens, these names have never been (with some exceptions) evaluated before. This paper summarises all of the names of plant taxa introduced by R. Cinovskis. It was established that R. Cinovskis introduced more than 200 new names of plant taxa or new name combinations for plants belonging to 11 plant families — Betulaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Cupressaceae, Grossulariaceae, Juglandaceae, Pinaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, and Ulmaceae. The majority of the names of plant taxa were for plants of the rose family (Rosaceae). Critically evaluating the compliance of the names introduced by R. Cinovskis with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, it was concluded that the majority of the names were published illegitimately.
</abstract>

Names of Plant Taxa Introduced by Raimonds Cinovskis (1930–1998)

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Processed electroencephalographic indices such as the Patient State Index (PSi) have been proposed as a method of monitoring the depth of general anaesthesia. However, in order to establish the validity of PSi, it is necessary to compare its accuracy to other techniques, such as the isolated forearm technique (IFT). 30 ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification) I–III patients were administered standard propofol-sevoflurane anaesthesia with PSi monitoring. Before each dose of muscle relaxant, the forearm contralateral to the intravenous cannula was isolated for 30 minutes. PSi, hand movements, and exhaled sevoflurane concentrations were recorded during the induction of anaesthesia, intubation, throughout the surgical procedure, prior to extubation, and patients’ responses to commands were classified as positive or negative. The Brice questionnaire was used to assess intraoperative awareness after the patient regained consciousness. All patients completed the study without memory of the surgery or IFT commands, 53.3% of patients showed a response to IFT commands during intubation. PSi values ranged around 26 (23.5; 30) in IFT non-responders and 33.5 (26; 42) in responders (<italic>p</italic> = 0.15). The best cut-off value for PSi to predict IFT response was 55, with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 85.2%, which led to the conclusion that PSi is not a fully reliable tool for monitoring the depth of anaesthesia.
</abstract>

Evaluating the Accuracy of Patient State Index for Measuring Anaesthetic Depth in Patients Undergoing Propofol-Sevoflurane Anaesthesia

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The reference intervals and median values of serum vitamin B12 level in blood from patients among the Latvian population were established for different age groups with a two-year step using data for a large number of patients, accumulated in E. Gulbis Laboratory in Latvia. The data represents the general population of Latvia. An indirect in silico method, developed in E. Gulbis laboratory for determination of serum vitamin B12 blood level reference intervals, was used. Strong elevation of serum vitamin B12 blood level was observed in children who were between 2 and 10 years old. The paper discusses the serum vitamin B12 values for children and a different serum vitamin B12 reference interval for young children is suggested.
</abstract>

Variation of Serum Vitamin B12 Level in the Blood from Patients of Different Age Among the Latvian Population

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the quality of life and glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and associated autoimmune diseases with T1D only, using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scale. The study examined differences in health-related quality of life assessments and glycaemic control between children with T1D and associated autoimmune diseases and T1D only. In total, 94 children, aged 2 to 17 years, and their parents participated in the study. The results of the study showed a statistically significantly lower total score of general well-being for children with T1D and associated autoimmune disease (<italic>p</italic> = 0.016). Children with T1D and associated autoimmune disease reported a lower physical function score (<italic>p</italic> = 0.034) and lower emotional function score (<italic>p</italic> = 0.038). Social and school function scores did not differ in those with and without T1D associated autoimmune disease. There were no statistically significant differences in haemoglobin A1c between children with T1D and autoimmune disease and T1D only.
</abstract>

Quality of Life in Type 1 Diabetes Children with Other Autoimmune Diseases

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the first-line systemic treatment options in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and can be combined with narrow band UVB phototherapy (Nb-UVB). However, such a combination is rarely used for optimal duration due to safety and efficacy concerns. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) combination with low doses of Nb-UVB versus MTX monotherapy in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a real-world setting. Retrospective psoriasis patient medical chart review was performed for the period from 2013 till 2019. The combination therapy group (Group 1, n = 74) received MTX 10 mg s/c once a week for four to six weeks and 311 nm UVB phototherapy according to the skin type and protocol of administration — three times a week; undergoing 10–24 procedures in the treatment course. The monotherapy group (Group 2, n = 57) was treated, using MTX as monotherapy 2.5 mg two times a day orally for five days (4–6 treatment courses in total). The combination therapy group achieved decrease of mean PASI at the end of the 2nd week of treatment by 38% vs monotherapy group 21%. Combination of low dose subcutaneous MTX and Nb-UVB therapy provides better treatment outcomes and normalisation of immunochemical parameters than for MTX monotherapy. This combination also showed a favourable tolerability profile.
</abstract>

Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacological Intervention and Phototherapy in Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Patients in a Real-World Setting

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Cereal-based foods have great importance in the compensation of micro- and trace element deficiency, because 50% of the foods produced worldwide are made up of cereal grains. The aim of the research was to determine the concentration of macro-elements and trace elements in different cereals cultivated in Latvia. Various cereals were used in the research: rye (n = 45), barley (n = 54), spring wheat (n = 27), winter wheat (n = 53), triticale (n = 45) and oats (n = 42). Thirteen macro- and trace elements (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Al, Cu, K, Na, Mn, Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca) were determined in cereal grain samples (n = 266). Macro-elements and trace elements varied significantly (p &lt; 0.01 or p &lt; 0.001). The highest concentrations of macro- and trace elements were found in oats and the lowest in rye. The obtained data will expand the opportunity for food and nutrition scientists to evaluate content of the examined elements in grain products, and dietary consumption (bioavailability) of the examined macro-elements and trace elements.</abstract>

Chemistry Department, University of Latvia, Kr. Valdemāra iela 48, Rīga, LV-1013, LATVIA

State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute, „Dižzemes”, Dižstende, Lībagi Civil Parish, Talsi County, LV-3258, LATVIA

Macro-Elements and Trace Elements in Cereal Grains Cultivated in Latvia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The review examines the state of knowledge on genes that control the architectonics of wheat plant (spike morphology). It is shown that molecular genetic studies, which have been recently started, allow to find both the orthologous genes from relative species of wheat (barley, rye, etc.) and genes that were not previously used for breeding. Use of these genes for further breeding allows to produce modern wheat commercial cultivars.</abstract>

Spike Morphology Genes in Wheat Species (<italic>Triticum</italic> L.)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Grape surface is an unstable habitat that changes greatly according to the stage of grape ripening. Different bacteria and yeasts can colonise the surface of grape berry and the diversity of microorganisms depends on the stage of ripening, pesticide application and health condition. The aim of this study was to study the microflora of the surface of grape berries. Altogether, 19 grape samples from Slovakia were collected. The spread plate method was applied and a 100 μL inoculum of each dilution (10−2, 10−3) was plated on TSA, MEA, and MRS agar for isolation of microorganisms from grapes. Proteins were extracted from cells by ethanol/formic acid extraction procedure. MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry was used for identification of microorganisms. In total, 11 genera of Gram-negative bacteria, 11 of Gram-positive bacteria and nine of yeasts were identified. Among 200 isolates, Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts represented 11%, 27% and 62% of the total number of isolates studied. The most common genera of isolated yeasts were Hanseniaspora (37%), Metschnikowia (31%), and Rhodotorula (10%). The most frequently isolated among Gram-negative bacteria were Acinetobacter (22%), Pseudomonas (22%) and Sphingomonas (13%). The most common genera of Gram-positive bacteria were Bacillus (20%), Lactobacillus (19%), Leuconostoc and Staphylococcus (11%), respectively.</abstract>

Microorganisms of Grape Berries

<abstract>Development of fruit growing and fruit science in Latvia has always been closely linked to the development of the whole country. After the founding of the independent Latvia state in 1918, fruit growing developed rapidly. Although in the Soviet times the situation was not favourable for quality fruit growing, research and breeding continued with good results. After Latvia regained independence, private land property rights were restored, and interest in intensive orchard establishment and growing technologies increased rapidly, which demanded change in the research focus. At present, the Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing is the leading institution in this field, working in cooperation with Pūre Horticultural Research Centre, Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, Institute of Agrobiotechology, and Faculty of Food Technology, Latvia University of Agriculture, Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia. Research is carried out in the following directions: breeding and cultivar evaluation; genetics and molecular biology; plant pathology and entomology; orchard management; experimental processing and storage.</abstract>

Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing, Graudu iela 1, Dobele LV-3701, LATVIA

Latvia State Plant Protection Centre, Struktoru iela 14, Rîga LV-1039, LATVIA

Development of Fruit Science in Latvia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Cereals, including barley, have been recognised as functional foods that provide beneficial effect on the health of the consumer and decrease the risk of various diseases. The aim of investigation was to determine the grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients. The results of analysis showed that protein content among varieties ranged from 106.6-146.8 g·kg-1, total dietary fibre 187.4-208.2 g·kg-1, β-glucans 42.8 g-49.4 g·kg-1, and amount of α-tocopherol 6.03-8.93 mg·kg-1. The sum of essential amino acids in barley grain samples was from 32.90 g·kg-1 to 38.71 g·kg-1. All varieties of hulled and hulless barley grain were found to be sources of protein with high biological value. Comparison of barley varieties bred in Latvia suggests that variety ‘Kornelija’ outperforms others in protein, dietary fibre and micronutrient content. </abstract>

Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Kr. Valdemāra iela 48, Rīga, LV-1013, LATVIA

Grain Composition and Functional Ingredients of Barley Varieties Created in Latvia

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Volume 63 (2009): Issue 4-5 (October 2009) The National Research Programme On Main Diseases Threatening The Life Expectancy and Life Quality of The Latvian Population: Scientific papers