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Milk and dairy products are studied as alternative iodine sources, because salt iodisation is controversial due to high salt consumption leading to cardiovascular diseases. However, the iodine concentration in milk markedly varies. This... more
Milk and dairy products are studied as alternative iodine sources, because salt iodisation is controversial due to high salt consumption leading to cardiovascular diseases. However, the iodine concentration in milk markedly varies. This study evaluated the iodine concentration in cow’s milk available in the Latvian market. Iodine and fat concentration was analysed with a spectrophotometer “Varian Cary 50” based ISO 2446:2008 in 20 milk samples. Data from the Central Statistical Bureau and survey among pregnant women were used to analyse milk product consumption and its impact on iodine status. Average iodine concentration in milk samples was 457.6 (179.6) μg/L, winter samples had a higher concentration of iodine than summer samples: 563.4 (329.6) μg/L and 469.2 (162.0) μg/L, but this is not statistically significant p < 0.05. Iodine concentration in skimmed milk was 490 μg/L, milk with the reduced fat content 501.7 (174.8) μg/L, and whole milk — 422.6 (192.1)1 μg/L. Milk consumpt...
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While many people work remotely during the pandemic, three-dimensional (3D) printers are working to ensure the medical personnel and general public with the necessary specific materials. Ease of use, low cost, fast prototyping, and a wide... more
While many people work remotely during the pandemic, three-dimensional (3D) printers are working to ensure the medical personnel and general public with the necessary specific materials. Ease of use, low cost, fast prototyping, and a wide range of materials are the advantages of 3D technology that can quickly adapt to specific needs in different application areas and result in increased popularity. The aim was to analyse the concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in 3D printing zone where printers are located throughout the room around the perimeter and where orthopaedics and designers develop models during their full shift. The average ultrafine particles (UFP) concentration level fluctuates from 4×103 to 26×103 particles/cm3 that exceed the background level (<3×103 particles/cm3) during 8 h-shift. Microclimate was evaluated as unsatisfied regarding permissible values for air quality at workplaces: air temperature exceeds permissi...
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The world’s leading indoor air quality guidelines provide for the identification of certain parameters with a specific limit value based on the latest empirical measurements, however, most of them do not have legal coverage and are... more
The world’s leading indoor air quality guidelines provide for the identification of certain parameters with a specific limit value based on the latest empirical measurements, however, most of them do not have legal coverage and are voluntary. This leads to unequal assessment of indoor air quality, because there is an identifiable difference between the limit values set out in the various guidelines. And these values would be related to the results obtained during the experimental activities of the application of the specific parameters and the interpretation of their effects on human health. The aim of this IAQ guideline and IAQ certification review was to develop IAQ label for Nordic countries and to find gaps the legislation established by the Latvian government. The development of indoor air quality labels provides an opportunity to maintain and promote the optimal functionality of human physiological processes and the sustainability of the building.
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Chemical products are widely used in our everyday activities. As the availability and accessibility of ecological chemical products increases, the usage of these products should be promoted and encouraged since it is better for the... more
Chemical products are widely used in our everyday activities. As the availability and accessibility of ecological chemical products increases, the usage of these products should be promoted and encouraged since it is better for the environmental and human health. However, there is a gap between individual perceptions on these products and actual usage, therefore the aim of this study was to compare the knowledge and perceptions on chemical products and their labelling in Latvian adult citizens and whether this knowledge impacts their choices and usage of chemical products. An online survey was used to gather data from 412 respondents (21.8 % (n = 90) men, 78.2 % (n = 322) women, average age 39.5 years, 77.2 % (n = 318) had obtained higher education). 62.2 % (n = 237) of respondents use household chemicals every day: 6.7 % (n = 25) more than five times a day, 25.9 % (n = 99) two to five times a day and 29.6 % (n = 113) at least once a day. Although 78.2 % (n = 257) of respondents ind...
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Previously, sapropel has been commonly used in agriculture, cosmetology and medicine in its raw form and there has been no generally accepted method or standard for realizing sapropel extract. However, for sapropel usage in medicine,... more
Previously, sapropel has been commonly used in agriculture, cosmetology and medicine in its raw form and there has been no generally accepted method or standard for realizing sapropel extract. However, for sapropel usage in medicine, balneology and pharmacy, it is essential to develop quality criteria for raw sapropel and its extracts. This review aims at discussing and summing up different techniques for extracting bioactive compounds from sapropel as well as the possibilities of creating quality criteria. This paper covers existing analytical techniques and methodologies; currently, there are few extraction methods using several extractants for obtaining bioactive components from raw sapropel. Different freshwater sapropel types have been described and characterized. Bioactive components in sapropel have been identified and explained. Humic acids and fulvic acids have been identified as the main substances and their extraction methods have been listed. Solid-liquid, ultrasound ass...
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Development trends need the necessity for wider use of the local resources and available natural materials are one of the priorities around the world. Freshwater sapropel is a common material in the water basement of the lakes, but still... more
Development trends need the necessity for wider use of the local resources and available natural materials are one of the priorities around the world. Freshwater sapropel is a common material in the water basement of the lakes, but still not sufficiently explored. The main goal of the project to start detailed and systematic research on the medical properties of sapropel to be obtained in Latvia, promote its scientifically based use in balneology, develop new medical procedures and services, and promote development of new exportable products. The results include the survey, sampling depths, and processing, evaluation of external signs, physical, chemical, and biochemical parameters, and evaluation of microbiological indicators. Active components from the sapropel samples extracted using the alkaline method. Sapropel extracts were characterized by organic carbon content, humic and fulvic acid concentrations, total phenolic content, trace metal and pesticide concentrations, total anti...
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Sapropel has been used for different purposes - in agriculture as fertilizer, in construction as building material, in cosmetic products, in balneology also in medicine and pharmaceuticals as bioactive component. Previously sapropel has... more
Sapropel has been used for different purposes - in agriculture as fertilizer, in construction as building material, in cosmetic products, in balneology also in medicine and pharmaceuticals as bioactive component. Previously sapropel has been commonly used in raw form and there is no general accepted method or standard method for obtaining sapropel extract. However, most extraction methods follow the same path. Currently, there are few extraction methods using several extractants for obtaining bioactive components from raw sapropel. The most commonly used extractant is alkaline solution. When sapropel is subjected to alkaline environment, the humic and fulvic acids, together with some lipids, vitamins and sugar, present in the raw sapropel become soluble, however other organic and mineral content present in the sapropel remain solid. Alkaline extraction is followed by filtration and water present in the aqueous mixture is evaporated off. Latvian freshwater sapropel can be used as raw...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background Development trends need the necessity for wider use of the local resources and available natural materials are one of the priorities around the world. Freshwater sapropel is a common material in the water basement of the lakes... more
Background Development trends need the necessity for wider use of the local resources and available natural materials are one of the priorities around the world. Freshwater sapropel is a common material in the water basement of the lakes in Latvia, but still not sufficiently explored. The main goal of the project to start detailed and systematic research on the medical properties of sapropel to be obtained in Latvia, promote its scientifically based use in balneology, develop new medical procedures and services, and promote development of new exportable products. Results The results include the survey, sampling depths and processing, evaluation of external signs, physical, chemical and biochemical parameters and evaluation of microbiological indicators. Active components from the sapropel samples extracted using the alkaline method. Sapropel extracts were characterized by organic carbon content, humic and fulvic acid concentrations, total phenolic content, trace metal and pesticide ...