Contents Of Biochemical Components Research Articles

Ameliorating Potential of Curcumin and Ascorbic Acid Against Hepatotoxicity Caused by Synergistic Effect of Heavy Metals in Male Albino Rats

The ameliorative role of combination of curcumin and ascorbic acid (low and high doses) was determined against biochemical and histopathological changes in liver caused due to synergistic effects of heavy metals (As, Cd and Pb) present above permissible limits in drinking water for 60 and 90 days in 84 male albino rats. The histology of liver in rats treated with a mixture of low as well as high doses of heavy metals showed mild alternations after 60 days and intense damage after 90 days. The content of biochemical parameters like proteins and lipids were significantly decreased and cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids were significantly increased after 60 and 90 days of treatment. The rats treated with curcumin and ascorbic acid showed restoration of histological damage and content of biochemical components indicated amelioration of hepatotoxicity effectively up to 60/90 days depending upon the dose of heavy metals, curcumin and ascorbic acid.

Machine learning prediction of bio-oil yield during solvothermal liquefaction of lignocellulosic biowaste

Solvothermal liquefaction of biomass has gained attention to produce liquid biofuel and specialized chemicals. In this study, eXtreme Gradient Boosting was applied for predicting the bio-oil yield during solvothermal liquefaction of lignocellulosic biowaste. To establish a precise model for predicting the bio-oil yield, the prediction of the biomass conversion was found to be an intermediate ameliorating variable. The combination of the contents of biochemical components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) with the operating factors (temperature, time, solid loading, solvent polarity and solvent density) provided the best prediction for the biomass conversion (R2 equals to 99.98% for training and 97.67% for test). To predict the yield of bio-oil, introduction of the biomass conversion among inputs improved prediction accuracy (R2 equals to 100% for training and 94.4% for test). The best prediction models developed were interpreted using a game theory-based feature importance and the partial dependence plotting analysis, which provided insights into the biomass conversion pathways and the bio-oil generation mechanism. To assist other researchers in predicting, a graphical user interface was created. This tool will save both resources and time that would otherwise be spent on multiple experimental trials and might not yield useful results.

Effects of Airflow Disturbance on the Content of Biochemical Components and Mechanical Properties of Cucumber Seedling Stems

In order to explore the changes in biochemical components and mechanical properties of cucumber seedlings with dwarfing characteristics under airflow disturbance treatment, ‘Jinyou No. 1’ cucumber seedlings were used as experimental materials and the split-plot design was used. The cucumber seedlings were treated with airflow disturbance with two airflow temperatures of 25 ± 5 °C and 35 ± 5 °C as the main factors and four airflow velocities of 1, 3, 6 and 9 m/s as the secondary factors. At the same time, cucumber seedlings without airflow disturbance were used as controls to study the effects of airflow temperature and velocity on the biochemical components and mechanical properties of cucumber seedling stems. The results showed that with the increase in airflow velocity, the content of the stems’ biochemical components increased to varying degrees, and the bending load, shear load, elastic modulus, bending strength and shear strength of the seedling stems also increased. Under the same airflow velocity, the biochemical component content and the accepted load of seedlings under the 25 ± 5 °C airflow temperature treatment were larger than those under the 35 ± 5 °C airflow greenhouse treatment, but the elastic modulus, bending strength and shear strength of seedlings under the 25 ± 5 °C airflow temperature treatment were lesser than those under the 35 ± 5 °C airflow temperature treatment. Using the grey relational analysis method, the correlation degree between the biochemical components of the stem and the mechanical properties of the stem was different. The correlation degree between the biochemical components of the seedling stem and the mechanical properties under different airflow temperature treatments was significant. The correlation degree between the biochemical components of the seedling stem and the mechanical properties under different airflow velocity treatments was greater than 0.60, indicating that the biochemical components of the seedling stem under airflow velocity treatments had a greater influence on the mechanical properties. In summary, airflow disturbance significantly affected the biochemical components and mechanical properties of cucumber seedlings. The biochemical components and mechanical properties of seedlings were negatively correlated with airflow temperature and positively correlated with airflow velocity. With a decrease in airflow temperature and an increase in airflow velocity, the biochemical components and mechanical properties of seedlings increased.

Lipid biomarkers as organic matter source indicators of estuarine mangrove ecosystems

ABSTRACT Surface sediments from three mangrove forests and three adjoining stations of the Cochin estuary were analysed for lipid biomarkers along with bulk parameters to delineate organic matter (OM) sources. Fine-grained sediments dominated in mangrove forests due to low hydrodynamic energy conditions compared to estuaries. The protein/carbohydrate ratio >1 at most of the sites implied that a major fraction of OM was freshly originated. Lipid/carbohydrate ratios >1 indicated the better food quality of OM. Depleted δ13C, higher organic carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (>20), tannin and lignin content and lipid biomarkers implied OM inputs from mangrove vegetation. Occurrence of unique mangrove biomarkers like taraxerol in estuarine sediments reflected mangrove input via tidal export of OM. Prominent relative abundance of steroidal ketones, triterpenoid ketones and other degraded triterpenoids pointed towards active diagenetic transformations of sedimentary OM. Significantly higher content of biochemical components and biomarkers in mangrove systems was due to the dominance of fine-grained sediments and better preservation of OM under anoxic conditions. The study could provide baseline information on the significance of OM sequestration and preservation potential of mangrove ecosystems, and hence it is recommended to formulate sustainable management strategies to conserve the existing mangrove forest cover along the Kerala coast.

Effects of spraying Indonesian foliar fertilizer on growth and quality of tea in red soil region of southern China

In order to explore the application effect of BioSilAc solid foliar fertilizer and OBFs liquid foliar fertilizer produced by Indonesia Institute of Biotechnology and Bio-industry on tea plantations in red soil region, a field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of spraying BioSilAc and OBFs on the morphological indexes of tea garden, fresh tea outputs and contents of biochemical components of tea in red soil region of southern China. Results showed that spraying BioSilAc and OBFs could increase bud density by 14.4%-24%, 100 buds’ weight of tea by 17.0%-33.9%, internode length by 9.5%-23.8% and leaf area by 6.9%-23.1%, respectively; The yield of autumn tea and spring tea increased by 2.4%-6.7% and 13.1%-24.7% respectively, and the total yield of fresh tea was increased by 7.1%-14.5%; The contents of tea polyphenols, amino acids, caffeine and water extract were increased by 8.3%-24.0%, 19.0%-47.6%, 3.5%-19.7% and 13.2%-31.3%, respectively. Among them, treatment of CF+OBFs had the best effect on improving the morphological indexes of tea gardens, promoting the yield and increasing the content of biochemical components of tea.

Results of the Biochemical Study of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) Mutants

Background: Induced mutagenesis has been used in citrus breeding, in Georgia, since 1960, resulting in many interesting and promising mutant forms that require morphological, physiological and biochemical studies. The present paper presents the results of biochemical research of some promising mutants. Methods: During the period 2017-2019 investigate on 13 promising mutant forms of mandarin has been carried out. In the current study, phenolic composition content in the fruits of mandarin mutants were determined using Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and their antioxidant capacities were evaluated using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals.Result: The results have shown that different concentrations of mutagen effect on mandarin seeds and, accordingly, on the biochemical components which they include. In most cases, this leads to a positive result. The impact of the mutagen significantly increases the range of changes in biochemical components and varies over a wide range. Analyzing the data, we can conclude that the solutions of all concentrations of the Nash mutagen effect a change in the biochemical indicators in mutant forms. However, a wide range of variability is largely associated with the use of medium and low concentrations of the mutagen. In most cases, the majority of mutant forms significantly outperform the control variants in the content of biochemical components. The study has revealed a variety of mutant forms (gene pool), which characterized a whole complex of positive signs. Their use in selection allows getting perspective forms with positive features.

Impact of habitation conditions on metabolism in the muscles, liver, and gonads of different sex and age groups of bream

Impact of the factors of the aquatic environment is an inevitable aspect of the life of fish as poikilothermic animals and provokes responses in their organisms. The study focused on determining peculiarities in the composition of the metabolic products in the tissues of different age and sex groups of common bream Abramis brama (L.) depending on the living conditions in the water reservoirs of the Upper Volga. The fish were captured in the fattening period in summer and autumn, measured, weighed, identifying sex, maturity stage of the gonads and age. In the muscles, liver and gonads of bream, we analyzed the contents of water, dry matter, lipids, protein, ash and carbohydrates using the standard techniques. The contents of biochemical components in the organism of bream were to a higher degree determined by the peculiarities of the living conditions rather than sex and age of the individuals. In the muscles and liver of bream living in the conditions of increased water temperature and low concentration of oxygen, the concentrations of protein and ash were lower. In the same tissues of bream from the water bodies with high concentrations of pollutants in the water and benthic deposits, we found increased fat content. The muscles of male bream contained less protein and more carbohydrates than females and juvenile individuals, and the muscles of juveniles had less fat. The environmental factors had greater influence on the content of the metabolic products in the liver of bream than sex, and only females had higher ash content than males. The testes had more fat and less protein than the ovaries. During the transition of the gonads from maturity stage II to III, the contents of dry matter and lipids in them decreased. We determined that the environmental factors have stronger impact on biochemical parameters in the tissues of bream than age, because we found no general age patterns in the dynamics of biochemical components, except the liver, in which the highest content of organic compounds was found in individuals aged 6 to 10 years. Water heated by the Hydro Power Plant positively influenced the young bream, as indicated by higher content of metabolic products in individuals aged 5+ than older groups and bream from the surveyed water bodies. Monitoring of the physiological condition of bream focusing on the contents of metabolic products in the tissues may provide necessary data for successful regulation of bream populations in the water reservoirs of the Upper Volga.

Research for Biochemical Components of Sun-dried Green Tea in Different Tea Areas of Yunnan by Using PCA and Cluster Analysis Methods

This paper was to study the biochemical components and groups differences among 28 tea samples from different tea regions in yunnan. The biochemical components of 28 tea samples were analyzed by conventional method and high performance liquid chromatography. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to classify 28 tea samples.The results showed that the mainly biochemical components of 28 tea samples,which included catechinepicatechin and epigallocatechin had large variation coefficients,56.88%,36.41% and 49.52%,respectively. The diversity index was 1.91,1.91 and 1.97,respectively. All above explained the characteristics of the samples in biochemical components were more abundant in the composition and performance of non-galloylatedcatechins. The samples were divided into 6 groups by cluster analysis,there were some differences in the content of biochemical components between the groups.

Nutraceutical quality of Opuntia ficus-indica developed under micro tunnel conditions, applying vermicompost

The demand for Opuntia spp., cladodes has increased substantially due to their low caloric value, high fiber content, their nutritional and functional characteristics and beneficial effects and phytochemical composition. The aim of this work was to determine the content of biochemical components and the antioxidant capacity of the nopal developed under micro tunnel conditions, with VC as a source of fertilization. The plants were grown under micro tunnel conditions with the manual vermicompost application at 15, 30 and 45 t•ha-1. Between February and May 2019, four samplings of three cladodes (12 to 15 cm) from each treatment were obtained. Samples were stored at -20 °C prior to obtaining ethanol extracts. Total phenolic content and total flavonoids were determined using a modification of Folin-Ciocalteu and Zhishen methods, respectively. The ABTS+ test was performed with methodology proposed by Aubad-López. A split plot design, with two replicates, was used. The big plot corresponded to doses of vermicompost and subplots to the three varieties of nopal. Data were statistically analyzed by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Statistical significance was obtained at 95 % confidence level (α = 0.05) using SPSS Statistics. The values recorded for the contents of total phenols, total flavonoids and the antioxidant activity, in the Chicomostoc, Chapingo and Narro varieties suggest that cladodes may be a promising source of natural antioxidants.

Biochemical components content in black currant plants as affected by the elements of agricultural technology

Purpose. The study of the formation of currant plants biochemical components as affected by the elements of agricultural technology. Methods. Physical and chemical, analytical, statistical. Results. It was established that the content of biochemical components (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in leaves, shoots and berries, content of ascorbic acid and total sugars) of black currant plants vary as affected by the elements of agricultural technology (soil maintenance in inter-rows and bush strips, fertilizers application). The highest content of nitrogen and phosphorus is formed in black currant plants by keeping soil of inter-rows under bare fallow and applying N60P90K90. Soil maintenance in bush strips and the use of Riverm had less effect on their contents. The potassium content varies little depending on the studied elements of agricultural technology. The content of ascorbic acid in the berries was 160–162 mg/100 g depending on soil maintenance in bush strips by keeping soil of inter-rows as bare fallow on non-fertilizer areas. N60P90K90 application increased the content of ascorbic acid by 3 %, regardless of soil maintenance of bush strips. The use of N60P90K90 + 1–3 % Riverm increased this figure by 6–9 % compared to the control. The content of total sugars in the berries was 7.5–7.6 %, depending on soil maintenance of bush strips by keeping soil of inter-rows as bare fallow on non-fertilizer areas. N60P90K90 application increased sugar content by 3–4 %, depending on soil maintenance of bush strips. The use of N60P90K90 + 1–3 % Riverm increased this figure by 4–9 % compared to the control. Conclusions. Nitrogen content in the leaves is 2.01–2.32 %, in shoots 1.89–2.07, in berries 1.10–1.31 %, as affected by the elements of agricultural technology. Phosphorus content is 0.19–0.32 %, 0.10–0.16, 0.42–0.52 %, respectively. Potassium content is 1.27–1.49 %, 1.03–1.25 %, 1.44–1.55 %, respectively. The content of chemical elements in black currant plants is most dependent on soil maintenance of inter-rows and the use of fertilizers. The highest levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in plants are formed by growing currants in bare fallow with application of N60P90K90. The use of fertilizers significantly increases the content of ascorbic acid in currant berries. Its highest content provides currant cultivation with N60P90K90 + 1–3 % Riverm irrespective of soil maintenance of inter-rows and bush strips. In this scenario of agricultural technology, the content of ascorbic acid is 166–174 mg/100 g of berries, sugar content is 7.8–8.3 %.

ANÁLISIS GENÉTICO DE COMPONENTES NUTRICIONALES EN CRUZAS SIMPLES DE MAÍZ DE GRANO BLANCO

In order to define the best breeding method to improve a population, it is essential to know its genetic parameters and the genetic variation that exists in it. The objective of this study was to identify genetic effects and possible maternal effects acting on some nutritive and bioactive components of maize kernel (Zea mays L.) in single crosses formed from five S6-S8 inbred lines. The crosses were developed for production systems under irrigation and were evaluated in Montecillo, Texcoco, State of Mexico during the Spring- Summer 2014 production cycle. The genetic analysis of total content of oil, protein, starch, ash, and phytic acid was carried out on the F1 kernels from the crosses and kernels of the parents. The results showed greater variation for the specific combining ability (SCA) than for general combining ability (GCA) in each of the nutritional components. On average, SCA and GCA represented 53 and 12 %, respectively, of the variation between genotypes, hence the non-additive genetic effects (dominance and epistasis) prevailed over the additive ones (GCA) in the genotypes evaluated. Maternal and reciprocal effects showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits, except for starch content. The performance of the parents and their crosses was determined to direct the efficient use of the evaluated traits. Some crosses were better than their parents in the content of biochemical components; nevertheless, it is necessary to consider the direction of the crossing, given the significant maternal effects found in the components of the kernel.

The content of biochemical components in the marine microalgae Tetraselmis viridis during long-term storage in a state of cold hibernation

It was found that the storage of green microalgae Tetraselmis viridis for mire than 7 years at a temperature of -14ºС in samples without protectors there was a decrease in biochemical parameters (pigments, lipids, protein, carbohydrates) by 70–90% of the original quantity, and in samples stored with protectors (glycerin 10, 20 and 30%) characteristics decreased by 30–60%. However, the ratio of biochemical components in the cells was preserved, which implies the preservation of microalgae and its possibility to reactivation.

Systematic Evaluation of Landrace Tea Populations in Northern Sichuan, China, Based on Morphology, DNA Markers, and Biochemistry Analyses

Landrace tea populations are important recourses for germplasm conservation and selection of elite tea clone cultivars. To understand their genetic diversity and use them effectively for breeding, two traditional landrace tea populations, Beichuan Taizicha (BCTZ) and Nanjiang Dayecha (NJDY), localized to northern Sichuan, were evaluated for morphological characters, simple sequence repeat (SSR)–based DNA markers and the contents of biochemical components. A wide range of morphological variation and a moderately high level of DNA polymorphism were observed from both BCTZ and NJDY. NJDY had on average, bigger leaves, larger flowers, higher total catechins (TCs), and greater gene diversity (GD) than BCTZ. Interestingly, samples from BCTZ had a wide range in the ratio of galloylated catechins to nongalloylated catechins (G/NG) (1.83–8.12, cv = 48.8%), whereas samples from NJDY were more variable in total amino acid (TAA) content (25.3–50.8 mg·g−1 dry weight) than those from BCTZ. We concluded that the two Camellia sinensis landrace populations are of great interest for both individual selection breeding and scientific studies.

Stability of Dark Tea Infusion and their Biochemical Components

This research investigated the stabilityof Pu’er tea infusion and Fangbao tea infusion and their contents of biochemical components, such as TP (tea polyphenols), caffeine, water-soluble saccharides, free protein, free amino acids. Compared with green tea, there are a small number of TP and free amino acids in the above two kinds of dark tea and no free amino acids were detected in Fangbao tea. Pu’er tea infusion and Fangbao tea infusion were respectively stored at 2, 30 and 60°C, respectively for 1, 2, 6, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h, respectively to evaluate their stability. The turbidity of Pu’er tea infusion and Fangbao tea infusion began to increase after stored for 6 h and its stability was the worst at 30°C.

Physiological Mechanisms behind Differences in Pod Shattering Resistance in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Varieties.

Pod shattering resistance index (SRI) is a key factor affecting the mechanical harvesting of rapeseed. Research on the differences in pod shattering resistance levels of various rapeseed varieties can provide a theoretical basis for varietal breeding and application in mechanical harvesting. The indicators on pod shattering resistance including pod morphology and wall components were evaluated on eight hybrids and open pollinators, respectively, during 2012–2014. The results showed the following: (1) From the current study, SRI varied greatly with variety, and conventional varieties had stronger resistance than hybrid according to the physiological indexes. and (2) Under the experimental conditions, the SRI was linearly related to pod wall weight and the water content in pod walls, and the goodness-of-fit measurements for the regression model of the SRI based on pod wall weight and water content were 0.584** and 0.377*, respectively, reaching the significant level. This illustrated that pod wall weight and the water content in pod walls determined the SRI. (3) Compared with the relative contents of biochemical components in pod walls, the contents of particular biochemical components in pod walls had closer correlations with SRI. Among the biochemical components, the hemicellulose content was the decisive factor for the SRI.

Ferti-irrigational impact of sugar mill effluent on agronomical characteristics of Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) in two seasons.

Ferti-irrigation response of 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100% concentrations of the sugar mill effluent (SME) on French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Annapurna) in the rainy and summer seasons was investigated. The fertigant concentrations produced significant (P < 0.01) changes in the soil parameters, viz., electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), sodium (Na(+)), potassium (K(+)), calcium (Ca(2+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), phosphate (PO4 (3-)), sulfate (SO4 (2-)), ferrous (Fe(2+)), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), in both seasons. The contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn except Cd were found to be below the maximum levels permitted for soils in India. The agronomic performance of P. vulgaris was gradually increased at lower concentrations, i.e., from 5 to 25%, and decreased at higher concentrations, i.e., from 50 to 100%, of the SME in both seasons when compared to controls. The accumulations of heavy metals were increased in the soil and P. vulgaris from 5 to 100% concentrations of the SME in both seasons. The contents of Cu, Mn, and Zn except Cd and Cr were noted under the permissible limit of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Most contents of biochemical components like crude proteins, crude fiber, and total carbohydrates were found with 25% concentration of the SME in both seasons. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals was in the order of Cd > Cr > Zn > Mn > Cu for soil and Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd for P. vulgaris in both seasons after fertigation with SME. Therefore, the SME can be used to improve the soil fertility and yield of P. vulgaris after appropriate dilution.

Application of Visible Hyperspectral Imaging for Prediction of Springiness of Fresh Chicken Meat

Springiness is an important quality characteristic of chicken meat, related with muscle structure and contents of biochemical components, and has great influence on eating quality of chicken meat. Traditional methods for springiness evaluation including manual inspection and instrumental measurement are tedious, time-consuming, and destructive. This study implemented a smart and promising nondestructive technique, i.e., hyperspectral imaging, for rapid prediction of springiness of fresh chicken meat. Hyperspectral images of tested samples with different springiness levels were acquired, and their spectral data were extracted in the spectral range of 400–1,000 nm. Two calibration methods, namely, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and artificial neural network (ANN), were respectively used to correlate the extracted spectra of chicken meat samples with the reference springiness values estimated by a twice-compression method. Successful projections algorithm (SPA) as a popular wavelength selection tool was applied, and ten optimal wavelengths (416, 458, 581, 637, 696, 722, 740, 754, 773, and 973 nm) were finally selected. Based on the selected optimal wavelengths, optimized SPA-PLSR and SPA-ANN model were established, respectively. By comparing with the results of two optimized models, the SPA-PLSR model showed better prediction results with high correlation coefficient (R p) of 0.84 and low root mean square error by prediction (RMSEP) of 0.159. Finally, an image processing algorithm was developed to transfer the SPA-PLSR model to each pixel in chicken meat for visualizing their springiness distribution. The results from the current study indicated that hyperspectral imaging could be a rapid and nondestructive tool for prediction of springiness of chicken meat.

Estimation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in the leaves of different plants using laboratory-based visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy: comparison of partial least-square regression and support vector machine regression methods

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are some of the most important biochemical components of plant organic matter, and hence, estimation of their contents can help monitor the metabolism processes and health of plants. This study, conducted in the Yixing region of China, aimed to compare partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVMR) methods for estimating the nitrogen (C N), phosphorus (C P), and potassium (C K) contents present in leaves of diverse plants using laboratory-based visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. A total of 95 leaf samples taken from rice, corn, sesame, soybean, tea, grass, shrub, and arbour plants were collected, and their C N, C P, C K, and Vis-NIR reflectance data were measured in a laboratory. The PLSR and SVMR methods were calibrated to estimate the C N, C P, and C K contents of the obtained samples from spectral reflectance. Cross-validation with an independent data set was employed to assess the performance of the calibrated models. The calibration results indicated that the PLSR method accounted for 59.1%, 50.9%, and 50.6% of the variation of C N, C P, and C K, whereas the SVMR method accounted for more than 90% of the variation of C N, C P, and C K. According to cross-validation, the SVMR method achieved better estimation accuracies, which had determination coefficients of 0.706, 0.722, and 0.704 for C N, C P, and C K, respectively, than the PLSR method, which had determination coefficients of 0.663, 0.643, and 0.541. It was concluded that the SVMR method combined with laboratory-based Vis-NIR reflectance data has the potential to estimate the contents of biochemical components.

Comparative studies on the morphometry and physiology of European populations of the lagoon specialist Cerastoderma glaucum (Bivalvia)

Seasonal changes in the morphometic and physiological parameters of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum. (Bivalvia) from the Baltic Sea (GD), the North Sea, (LV), and the Mediterranean Sea (BL) were investigated. The cockles from GD were much smaller than those from other populations clue to osmotic stress. The female to male ratios did not differ significantly front 1 : 1. The northern populations (GD, LV) had a monocyclic reproductive pattern, whereas the southern population (BL) seemed to reproduce throughout the year. Seasonal changes in the contents of biochemical components appeared to be correlated with changes in trophic conditions and the reproductive cycle. Protein content was the highest in spring for all the populations. The highest lipid content's and lowest carbohydrate contents were noted in GD and BL in spring, while no marked differences were noted among seasons in LV (probably because the data, from both sexes were pooled). Respiration rates in GD were the highest among the populations, which could have been due to osmotic stress. High metabolic rates expressed by high respiration rates in GD and LV in spring and autumn could have resulted from gamete development (in spring) and phytoplankton blooms (in spring and autumn).

Comparison of the mechanical and biochemical characteristics of human brain arteries

The major characteristics of the mechanical properties of extracranial and intracranial arteries relative to aging were determined experimentally. In a parallel study, the quantitative content of biochemical components of the arterial walls was determined, and an analysis of the rank correlation coefficients between the major characteristics of the mechanical properties and the biochemical components was carried out.