Sodium Absorption Research Articles

Hydrochemistry and multivariate statistical analysis of the quality of water from Lake Bosomtwe for agricultural and human consumption

Abstract One of the six major meteoric lakes in the world, Lake Bosomtwe, is of great ecological significance for Ghanaians and the scientific community, most importantly for agricultural and human consumption. Water samples (n = 30) were collected to analyze the hydrogeochemical characteristics and water quality of the lake. Statistical methods including correlation, principal component, cluster analysis, Gibbs ratio, and the Piper–Trilinear diagram were used to analyze parameters. The Water Quality Index revealed that the lake water is not suitable for human consumption because measured pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, color, and bicarbonate exceeded their respective thresholds on all occasions. The calculated sodium absorption ratio (13.7–14.8) and soluble sodium percentage (94.43–95.43%) showed that the lake is not appropriate for irrigation as they exceeded their respective limit of 2 and 60%. The Gibbs ratio revealed that rock–water interaction is the underlying mechanism for water evolution. The Piper–Trilinear diagram revealed that alkalies earth and weak acids dominate the water chemistry of the lake. The dominant cation is sodium (82.22%), while the dominant anion is bicarbonate (79.39%). Five monitoring stations were identified, and the water quality was influenced by diverse anthropogenic and natural sources. The findings will provide a reference for policymakers and decision-makers at Lake Bosomtwe.

Characterization of sugar factory effluents from different factories of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, India and its effect on soil properties

Sugarcane is important sugar crop which is accounting for approximately 80 percent of world sugar production. Sugarcane is one of the important agro industrial crops of commercial importance grown in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India. During processing of cane, sugar mills will discharge huge amounts of wastewater as large quantities of water is utilized in sugar mills. However, water resources are limited and a wide gap exists between available water supply and the amount of water required for intensive cropping, appropriate use of industrial effluents may be helpful in meeting a part of the increased water demand. No systematic study has been carried out so far to assess the relative heavy metals availability in soils irrigated with effluent waters. Therefore, a study was undertaken to survey both surface and subsurface soils irrigated with effluent waters for availability of heavy metals and also to assess the contents of the pollutant elements in sugar industrial effluents at the point of source. Survey of effluents and irrigation waters for their quality (heavy metal, RSC, SAR, pH and EC) with special reference to sugarcane cultivation in different factory zones of North Coastal Zone was carried out during 2011-12 and 2012-13.Effluents samples were collected from all the five existing sugar factory areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh viz., M/s Thummapala Cooperative sugar factory, Anakapalle, M/s Etikoppaka Cooperative sugar factory, Darlapudi and M/s Govada Cooperative sugar factory, Chodavaram of Visakhaptanm district; M/s GMR Sugar factory, Sankili of Srikakulam district and M/s NCS sugars, Bobbili of Vizianagaram district. Results revealed that all sugar factory effluents are highly acidic with the pH values varying from 4.32 (M/s Govada Cooperative sugar factory, Chodavaram) to 5.50 (M/s Etikoppaka Cooperative sugar factory, Darlapudi). However after effluent treatment, the pH values in all the factory areas were reached to safer limits. Concentrations of magnesium, calcium, sodium and sodium absorption ratios are within the limits in all the factory effluents. Heavy metals viz., cadmium and lead also not recorded in factory effluents, whereas cobalt, nickel and chromium are found in traces. Hence, effluents from all the sugar factories can be used safely for irrigation with respect to concentration of heavy metals in the sugar factory effluents. Data on soil analysis results revealed that, effluent irrigated soils are neutral in reaction with non-saline in conductivity. Mean organic carbon content pertaining to all the five factory soils was medium in range. Hence, it is found safe to irrigate soils with treated sugar factory effluents as of soil physico-chemical and chemical properties are at permissible limits and for sugarcane cultivation.

Proposal of an irrigation water quality index (IWQI) for regional use in the Federal District, Brazil.

The present study aimed to propose a water quality index (WQI) for the Federal District, Brazil, as a management tool for water resources used in irrigation. Irrigated agriculture is a sector that has been growing in the region, with a consequent demand for quality water. One strategy for assessing water quality in rural areas is to adopt monitoring programs, which generate a large amount of data that often needs to be synthesized. The use of indexes is a way of organizing data in a synthetic and easy to understand format. Although initially formulated to assess the quality of drinking water, it is believed that a similar logic can easily be applied to assess the quality of irrigation water. Studies that evaluate the quality of water for irrigation are very common in arid or semi-arid regions, due to the problems of saline water in the soil and crops. On the other hand, the microbiological approach to water is poorly investigated, since contamination of crops can pose a risk to food security. In this work, three water bodies were selected in rural areas due to their preponderant use: irrigation. The monitoring occurred between May 2012 and April 2013 in 9 sampling points. For each sample collected, 22 physical, chemical, and biological parameters were established. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used in the evaluation and selection of water quality variables to compose the WQI. From PCA, it was possible to reduce the number of parameters from 16 to 6 main ones that reflect the water resources characteristics in the region, which were pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, sodium absorption ratio, nitrate, and Escherichia coli. Of the five classes proposed for WQI, two points were classified as "very good." The other sample points were classified as "good" and "average" for the irrigation practice. The adapted WQI proved to be a good tool in the management of the water quality of the three rivers, and it can be easily used to assess the quality of water for irrigation in the region.

Lack of Kcnn4 improves mucociliary clearance in muco-obstructive lung disease.

Airway mucociliary clearance (MCC) is the main mechanism of lung defense keeping airways free of infection and mucus obstruction. Airway surface liquid volume, ciliary beating, and mucus are central for proper MCC and critically regulated by sodium absorption and anion secretion. Impaired MCC is a key feature of muco-obstructive diseases. The calcium-activated potassium channel KCa.3.1, encoded by Kcnn4, participates in ion secretion, and studies showed that its activation increases Na+ absorption in airway epithelia, suggesting that KCa3.1-induced hyperpolarization was sufficient to drive Na+ absorption. However, its role in airway epithelium is not fully understood. We aimed to elucidate the role of KCa3.1 in MCC using a genetically engineered mouse. KCa3.1 inhibition reduced Na+ absorption in mouse and human airway epithelium. Furthermore, the genetic deletion of Kcnn4 enhanced cilia beating frequency and MCC ex vivo and in vivo. Kcnn4 silencing in the Scnn1b-transgenic mouse (Scnn1btg/+), a model of muco-obstructive lung disease triggered by increased epithelial Na+ absorption, improved MCC, reduced Na+ absorption, and did not change the amount of mucus but did reduce mucus adhesion, neutrophil infiltration, and emphysema. Our data support that KCa3.1 inhibition attenuated muco-obstructive disease in the Scnn1btg/+ mice. K+ channel modulation may be a therapeutic strategy to treat muco-obstructive lung diseases.

Solid-in-oil nanodispersions as a novel delivery system to improve the oral bioavailability of bisphosphate, risedronate sodium

The aim of the current study was to modify the oral absorption of risedronate sodium (RS) using solid-in-oil nanodispersions (SONDs) technology. The oral therapeutic effect of RS is limited in vivo because of its low membrane permeability and the formation of insoluble precipitates with bivalent cations (such as Ca2+) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.We used SONDs to prepare medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)-based nanodispersions of the hydrophilic drug, which used the oral absorption mechanism of MCT digestion to improve bioavailability of RS in vivo. SONDs exhibited high encapsulation efficiency of RS and excellent enzymatic degradation-dependent release behavior. The result of an everted gut sac test showed that the Papp value of the SONDs was 6.29-fold (p<0.05) higher than that of RS aqueous solutions in simulated intestinal fluid containing 5 mM Ca2+, this was because MCT can be digested to form the fatty acids C8 and C10, which have an adsorption-promoting effect on RS. Further, solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion droplets formedafter emulsification by bile salts and MCT digestionwere effective in disrupting epithelial tight junctions (TJs), facilitating the paracellular permeation of RS throughout the intestine. Moreover, in vivo absorption study in rats revealed that the AUC0-12h of RS in SONDs was approximately 4.56-fold (p<0.05) higher than with RS aqueous solutions at the same dose (15 mg/kg). This approach demonstrates a potential drug delivery system to improve the bioavailability of risedronate sodium.

Reducing salinity of treated waste water with large scale desalination

Agriculture, the largest global water consumer, accounts for ~70% of freshwater use thereby considerably influencing water availability. The use of treated wastewater [TWW] for agricultural irrigation has been suggested as a possible solution to help mitigate water scarcity without disrupting food production. However, despite the benefits of TWW irrigation, it is often characterized by high salinity that can reduce crop performance and damage soil structure. In Israel, over 50% of the water used for irrigation is TWW, and a third of the produced TWW undergoes soil aquifer treatment [SAT], i.e., infiltration and percolation to groundwater through the soil before utilization for irrigation. In parallel, seawater desalination provides about 80% of the urban and industrial sector water use. These developments in Israel's water economy during the last three decades, accompanied by extensive governmental monitoring, enabled us to harness high-resolution nation-wide datasets to study the effects of the large-scale introduction of desalination and SAT on TWW quality and salinity in particular. The analyses revealed that large-scale desalination considerably reduced the salinity of TWW to levels similar to freshwater (up to 70% and 60% for Cl and Na, respectively). However, sodium absorption ratio remained unchanged due to the concurrent reductions of Na, Ca and Mg. Mg was reduced to levels that can potentially harm both crops and human health, while B concentrations increased to levels of possible toxicity to crops, suggesting the need for stringent requirements in the post-treatment process. Salinity of groundwater was increased by SAT in the long-term, but was reduced after the introduction of desalination. The results, encompassing almost three decades of water monitoring, suggest that high-quality TWW with a significant portion of desalinated base-water can provide groundwater salinity remediation services.

Evaluation of River Chenab water quality with respect to its users, using different classification schemes

Abstract The Chenab River has always offered a cradle for civilizations in Punjab province of Pakistan; however, in recent times, the quality of this river has been gradually degraded due to several point and non-point pollution sources being introduced in its water. The riverine water quality was evaluated to check the suitability of water for drinking, livestock and irrigation purposes. Water samples (n = 54) were collected across the river, over a period of three years (2012–2014) and subjected to physicochemical analysis. Water quality index rating revealed that the water of River Chenab fell under the marginal category for drinking and livestock watering, due to the presence of heavy metals pollution above safe limits. Irrigation suitability parameters, such as the sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Na (%), Kelley's ratio (KR), magnesium hazard (MH) and the permeability index (PI) were measured, and most of the samples were within the safe limit. The piper classification of hydro-chemical parameters revealed that the alkaline-earth metals and strong acids exceed the alkali metals and weak acids, respectively. A Wilcox diagram indicated the alkali hazard was low while salinity hazard has an increasing trend. Spatiotemporal distribution of the pollutants highlighted minimal pollution until Qadirabad site (S4) which gradually keeps worsening at the downstream sites. Two factors of water quality deterioration were identified as pollution addition from the point and nonpoint sources, and diversion of the water through canals. It is inevitable to manage water quality of the Chenab River by reducing point sources pollution, through law enforcement.

A GIS-Based Fit for the Purpose Assessment of Brackish Groundwater Formations as an Alternative to Freshwater Aquifers

A fit for purpose (FFP) framework has been developed to evaluate the suitability of brackish water resources for various competing uses. The suitability or the extent of unsuitability for an intended use is quantified using an overall compatibility index (OCI). The approach is illustrated by applying it to evaluate the feasibility of the Dockum Hydrostratigraphic Unit (Dockum-HSU) as a water supply alternative in the Southern High Plains (SHP) region of Texas. The groundwater in Dockum-HSU is most compatible for hydraulic fracturing uses. While the water does not meet drinking water standards, it can be treated with existing desalination technologies over most of the study area, except perhaps near major population centers. The groundwater from Dockum-HSU is most compatible for cotton production, but not where it is currently grown. It can be a useful supplement to facilitate a smoother transition of corn to sorghum cropping shifts happening in parts of the SHP. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), sodium, sulfate, and radionuclides are major limiting constituents. Dockum-HSU can help reduce the freshwater footprint of the Ogallala Aquifer in the SHP by supporting non-agricultural uses. Greater regional collaboration and more holistic water management practices are however necessary to optimize brackish groundwater use.

Evolution of epithelial sodium channels: current concepts and hypotheses.

The conquest of freshwater and terrestrial habitats was a key event during vertebrate evolution. Occupation of low-salinity and dry environments required significant osmoregulatory adaptations enabling stable ion and water homeostasis. Sodium is one of the most important ions within the extracellular liquid of vertebrates, and molecular machinery for urinary reabsorption of this electrolyte is critical for the maintenance of body osmoregulation. Key ion channels involved in the fine-tuning of sodium homeostasis in tetrapod vertebrates are epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs), which allow the selective influx of sodium ions across the apical membrane of epithelial cells lining the distal nephron or the colon. Furthermore, ENaC-mediated sodium absorption across tetrapod lung epithelia is crucial for the control of liquid volumes lining the pulmonary surfaces. ENaCs are vertebrate-specific members of the degenerin/ENaC family of cation channels; however, there is limited knowledge on the evolution of ENaC within this ion channel family. This review outlines current concepts and hypotheses on ENaC phylogeny and discusses the emergence of regulation-defining sequence motifs in the context of osmoregulatory adaptations during tetrapod terrestrialization. In light of the distinct regulation and expression of ENaC isoforms in tetrapod vertebrates, we discuss the potential significance of ENaC orthologs in osmoregulation of fishes as well as the putative fates of atypical channel isoforms in mammals. We hypothesize that ancestral proton-sensitive ENaC orthologs might have aided the osmoregulatory adaptation to freshwater environments whereas channel regulation by proteases evolved as a molecular adaptation to lung liquid homeostasis in terrestrial tetrapods.

A multivariate statistical approach in assessing the quality of potable and irrigation water environs of the Netravati River basin (India)

The current river basin monitoring study investigates the standards of the quality of the river and well water in a biodiversity-rich Netravati River basin in Karnataka state, India. Water samples were collected from 16 major sampling sites during pre-monsoon (April), monsoon (August) and post-monsoon (October) seasons in 2017 to ascertain its physico-chemical parameters. The results of the tests were compared with maximum permissible limits proposed by the World Health Organisation drinking water guidelines. The Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) using parameters such as Sodium Percentage (Na %), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Permeability Index (PI), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) have been determined to provide a better understanding of its drinking and irrigation water quality. The interpreted WQI values of the water in Netravati River vary from 33.21 to 298.66, which fall in the range of excellent to very poor drinking water quality. In the case of well water, 100% falls under the excellent category. Multiple statistical methods like Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis were used, and the results of PCA were found to be in a correlation with the results of the Pearson correlation analysis method. The study, as a whole, highlights the importance of the application of PCA, WQI and IWQI as standard methods to evaluate the quality of water. The results of the present study could be used to contemplate regulations to improve the water quality standard and help people living in and around the river basin to understand the current status of the water quality they use for various purposes.

Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Metabolite Characteristics in Patients with Slow Transit Constipation.

Slow transit constipation (STC) is a type of functional constipation in which colon transit time is extended as a result of a reduction in the high amplitude of colon contraction activity. The utility of gut microbiome and metabolite characteristics in patients with STC is rarely studied. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) enhance colonic fluid and sodium absorption and thus may aggravate the symptoms of STC. However, the content and role of SCFAs in constipation patients are not clear. We speculate that gut microbiome and SCFAs in the colon of STC patients may be abnormal and linked to the underlying mechanism of STC. This observational study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02984969). The high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the diversity and composition of fecal microbial communities. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the properties and concentrations of the SCFAs in the two groups. The Shannon diversity and Simpson diversity of the gut microbiome were significantly greater in the STC group than the control group. The two groups also showed significant differences in the species composition of the gut microbiome at different classification levels. The results of GC-MS showed that the acetate concentrations in the STC group were significantly reduced compared with the control group, but the other five types of SCFAs and total SCFAs showed no significant difference between groups. ROC curve analyses revealed that the AUC of Acetate (AUC = 0.758) was higher than Propionate (AUC = 0.660). The largest AUC of gut microbiome for predicting STC was Prevotella (AUC = 0.807). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the concentration of Ruminococcus and Disease history (rs = 0.519). Meanwhile, a positive correlation between the concentration of Roseburia and Acetate (rs = 0.606) or Butyrate (rs = 0.543) was found. We found significant differences between the STC and control groups in the main components of the gut microbiome, with greater diversity in the STC group and differences between the groups in species composition at different classification levels. These different microbiome and metabolite may be valuable biomarkers for STC.

Factors Predisposing to Hypertension in Subjects Formerly Born Preterm: Renal Impairment, Arterial Stiffness, Endothelial Dysfunction or Something Else?

Subjects formerly born preterm subsequently develop arterial - particularly isolated systolic- hypertension more frequently than their peers born at term.Numerous factors may influence this predisposition, including an incomplete nephrogenesis, implying the presence of kidneys with a reduced number of nephrons and consequent reduction in haematic filtration, increased sodium absorption and activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased arterial rigidity produced by an elastin deficiency previously observed in anatomic specimens of human immature aorta, and reduced endothelial nitric oxide excretion, due to high blood levels of ADMA, a strong direct inhibitor of nitric oxide that exerts a vasoconstrictor effect.Other possible factors (i.e. excretion of neuroendocrine compounds) may also be implicated. The aim of this paper was to review all possible mechanisms involved in the observed increase in blood pressure in individuals who had been born preterm and/or with intrauterine growth restriction. The outlook for new and promising laboratory techniques capable of identifying alterations in the metabolic pathways regulating blood pressure levels, such as metabolomics, is also provided.

Inhibition of sodium-proton-exchanger subtype 3-mediated sodium absorption in the gut: A new antihypertensive concept.

Arterial hypertension is one of the main contributors to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. Salt plays a major role in the regulation of blood pressure and is one of the most critical factors for hypertension and stroke. At the individual level, effective salt reduction is difficult to achieve and available methods for managing sodium balance are lacking for many patients. As part of the ingested food, salt is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract by the sodium proton exchanger subtype 3 (NHE3 also known as Slc9a3), influencing extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure.In this review, we discuss the beneficial effects of pharmacological inhibition of NHE3-mediated sodium absorption in the gut and focus on the effect on blood pressure and end-organ damage.

Sulama Suyu Tuzluluğunun Sakız Fasulyesinin Bazı Bitkisel Özelliklerine Etkisi

Çalışma, guarın (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) sulama suyu tuzluluğuna olan hassasiyetini belirlemek amacıyla saksılarda, sera koşullarında yürütülmüştür. Çalışma bölünmüş parseller deneme desenine göre 3 tekerrürlü olacak şekilde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada 8 guar genotipi materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. Sulama suyu olarak SAR değeri 3’den düşük olacak şekilde elektriksel iletkenlik değerleri (ECi) 0.35, 5, 15 ve 30 dS m-1 olan tuzlu sulama suları kullanılmıştır. Artan sulama suyu tuzluluğu bitkilerde olumsuzluklara neden olmuştur. Saksı başına tane verimi 1.39-10.39 gram ve bitki boyu 18.61-80.68 cm arasında değişim göstermiştir. Artan sulama suyu tuzluluğu bitki kök bölgesi tuzluluğunda artışa neden olmuştur. Bitki kök bölgesindeki toprak tuzluluğu (ECe) değerleri 0.67-53.16 dS m-1 arasında değişim göstermiştir.

Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation using water quality index (IWQ Index) in Al-Kasik Subdistrict Northwestern, Iraq

This research work analysed groundwater quality in Al-Kasik district northeastern of Mosul city, Iraq. The area is agricultural land which uses well water for livestock watering and irrigation. Groundwater samples were collected from five wells during dry season to determine the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC25,), anions, cations, soluble sodium percentage (SSP), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and potential salinity, permeability index and Kelly Ratio, IWQ index model was applied for the evaluation. The well water samples were evaluated for agricultural uses according to universal standard classification. Results indicated that most of the measured parameters were high especially electrical conductivity (5369μS/cm), with P. Salinity, Sodium, Calcium and Sulfate ions having 30.7, 15.3, 34.0, 29.3 meq. l-1 respectively. These have an effect on water quality hence considered being of very high salinity (C4) according to United State Salinity Laboratory (USSL). According to the water quality index (IWQ index), the analyzed water was specified as low restriction (LR) to Severe restriction (SR) for irrigation.&#x0D; Keywords: Water Quality; Groundwater; Quality Index; Water Quality Models.

Domestic greywater flows and pollutant loads: A neighbourhood study within a university campus in Ghana

Domestic greywater management is a challenge and remains the most neglected sanitation component in Ghana. Meanwhile, data on greywater (quantity and quality) is very limited. This paper aimed to generate relevant information on greywater using a residential neighbourhood within a university campus in Kumasi city. Data was generated from five households of 24 inhabitants using interviews, greywater quantification by volumetric flow measurement, and laboratory analyses. Greywater flows collected from bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and sink sources were between 250 and 260 l/h/d (52 – 54 l/c/d). Major contaminants like turbidity (270 NTU), TSS (180 – 190 mg/L), BOD5 (320 – 350 mg/L), COD (690 – 740 mg/L), TP (3 mg/L), NH3N/NH4+ (6 – 12 mg/L), and Hg & Pb (0.3 – 0.8 mg/L) failed the regulatory discharge limits. Anionic surfactants (6 – 7 mg-LAS/L), SO42− (13 – 15 mg/L), sodium absorption ratio (SAR, 0.6 (meq/l)½) and biodegradability ratio (BOD5/COD, 0.5) were also determined. Specific pollutant loads were comparable to available literature, e.g. BOD5 & COD were about 18 g/c/d and 38 g/c/d respectively. The untreated greywater flows are low, loaded with pollutants and considered unsafe for open discharge into the environment without treatment.

Glucocorticoids, sodium transport mediators, and respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.

BackgroundAntenatal glucocorticoids (GCs) reduce respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants and are associated with reduced lung liquid content. Our aim was to assess whether airway gene expression of mediators of pulmonary epithelial sodium and liquid absorption, and further, respiratory morbidity, associate with cord blood GC concentrations.MethodsThe study included 64 infants delivered <32 weeks gestation. Cortisol and betamethasone in umbilical cord blood were quantified with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The total GC concentration was calculated. Gene expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), Na,K-ATPase, and serum- and GC-inducible kinase 1 at <2 h and at 1 day postnatally in nasal epithelial cell samples was quantified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The mean oxygen supplementation during the first 72 h was calculated.ResultsConcentrations of cord blood betamethasone and total GC were significantly lower in infants with RDS and correlated with mean oxygen supplementation. Expression of αENaC and α1- and β1Na,K-ATPase at <2 h correlated with betamethasone and total GC concentrations. Expression of Na,K-ATPase was lower in infants with RDS.ConclusionEnhancement of lung liquid absorption via increased expression of sodium transporters may contribute to the beneficial pulmonary effects of antenatal GCs.Impact RDS is related to lower umbilical cord blood GC concentrations and lower airway expression of sodium transporters.In addition to the timing of antenatal GC treatment, resulting concentrations may be of importance in preventing RDS.Induction of sodium transport may be a factor contributing to the pulmonary response to antenatal GCs.

Assessment of groundwater quality based on GIS and geochemical methods: coastal aquifer of Bouficha (North-Eastern Tunisia)

In Tunisia, Groundwater is an important water source for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses, but the deterioration of its quality, under the influence of anthropogenic activities and natural factors, limits its suitability for human consumption and irrigation. The present study was carried out to assess groundwater quality in Bouficha aquifer in north-eastern Tunisia using geochemical, geospatial and statistical techniques. The relationship between groundwater quality and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) patterns were also explored using remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and Landsat satellite images. Groundwater samples were collected from sixteen wells in April 2015 and analyzed for their physical and chemical characteristics. Concentrations of major cations and anions in the groundwater vary spatially. The dominant water types in the investigation area are Na-Cl and Ca–SO4. A basic statistical study, applying hierarchical classification analysis confirms the existence of two groundwater types. To evaluate the suitability of groundwater for irrigation, chemical data were assessed using methods such as Electrical Conductivity, Kelley’s ratio, Sodium Absorption Ratio, Magnesium Hazards, as well as Residual Sodium Carbonate. Regarding drinking groundwater assessment, the World Health Organization (WHO) standards were applied to define sites with drinking water permissible levels. Information was loaded in an ArcGIS software and analyzed with a Spatial Analyst extension using Inverse Spline interpolation methods. Fluoride content in most samples has values as high as 1.97 mg/L, with 53% of the samples showing fluoride concentration higher than the level suggested by the WHO for drinking water of 1.5 mg/L and ratified by the National Society of Exploitation and Drinking Potable Water of Tunisia. Additionally, reported nitrate concentrations are higher than the expected groundwater background level of 10 mg/L; indeed, values are up to 286 mg/L, being hazardous for domestic use and suggesting the presence of anthropogenic sources of water contamination. The Land Use and Land Cover (LULCC) of Bouficha aquifer were changed over seventeen years. The Landsat satellite images have shown that the built-up area increased from 2001 to 2018 to the detriment of water and crop vegetation. The overuse of fertilizers on a total agricultural area of Bouficha aquifer (60%) led to significant pollutants, including nitrate and a deterioration in its water quality. Regarding the WHO and the Tunisian drinking water guidelines, this work provides substantial evidence that groundwater quality is posing a significant health threat for residents. Similarly, results show groundwater’s chemical content is also unsuitable for economic activities in the Bouficha region, mainly hazardous for irrigation purposes.

Assessment of irrigation water quality (Ground water) of Melur block, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu

The irrigation water quality is gaining importance day by day due to the changes in the urbanisation and industrialisation which over utilise the under ground water. The ground water samples were collected from 15 revenue villages of Melur block, Madurai, Tamil Nadu during March, 2017 at variegated intervals, processed and analysed for the physico-chemical, anionic and cationic parameters to find out their quality by arriving calculated parameters viz., RSC (Residual Sodium Carbonate) and SAR (Sodium Absorption Ratio). Though the overall values lies well within the safe limit of water quality, the 25 percent water samples found to be alkaline, 42 percent found to slightly saline & two percent found to be critical in salinity levels. The highest value of 9.23, 2.62 dSm-1, 3.52 and 8.51 of pH, EC, RSC and SAR were observed in the irrigation water samples. The good quality of 92.8 per cent, marginally saline 2.9 per cent and marginally alkali of 4.3 per cent of irrigation water samples have been recorded as per AICRP, 1989 classification.

Tenapanor: new approach to counter irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder chronic in nature and characterized predominantly by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits, diagnosis requires characteristic symptoms during the last 3 months and onset ≥6 months ago. Symptom-based approaches for functional bloating, constipation and diarrhea are best utilised to identify IBS. IBS with constipation exerts significant impairment on work productivity by hampering quality of life. Inadequate relief by existing modalities, persistent hard stools and visceral abdominal pain demanded further clinical research. Tenanapor a novel molecule acts locally on gastrointestinal sodium/hydrogen exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3), an antiporter a counter transporter and exert antinociceptive effects on visceral sensation thereby decreases the frequency of abdominal pain. Action on NHE3 receptors located on small intestine and colon’s apical surface reduces the absorption of sodium and phosphate, with minimal systemic exposure. NHE3 Inhibition induced sodium absorption results in increase in water secretion into intestinal lumen resultant an accelerated intestinal transit time and softer stool consistency. Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) are diarrhea, abdominal distension, flatulence and dizziness. The drug is metabolised mainly by CYP3A4/5 and excreted in feaces (70%) and urine (7%). Tenapanor’s minimal systemic absorption is likely to be associated with a relatively inert safety and tolerability profile. Based on positive results from the phase III T3MPO trial program, tenapanor demonstrated promising results for IBS-C management and received US Food and Drug Administration approval as IBSRELA @ Ardelyx Pharma in September 2019 and augment existing modalities for management of IBS-C.