High Calcium Concentrations Research Articles

Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) Lectins as Modulators of Intracellular Calcium Mobilization in Breast Cancer and Normal Breast Cells

Lectins are proteins that specifically recognize carbohydrates on cell membranes, triggering several cellular events such as apoptosis of cancer-transformed cells; however, the mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Our research group has reported that a concentrated fraction of Tepary bean lectins (Phaseolus acutifolius; TBLF) exhibits the concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells by caspase activation. It is well established that an increase in cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) initiates intracellular signals involved in processes such as exocytosis, gene transcription, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and muscle contraction, among others. Furthermore, dysregulated calcium signaling has been implicated in various diseases, including certain neurological disorders and cancer. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the effects of native TBLF lectins and a recombinant lectin (rTBL-1) on calcium mobility in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and non-cancerous cells (MCF-12F). Both TBLF and rTBL-1 increased intracellular calcium concentrations and mobilized calcium from intracellular stores in a concentration-dependent manner; however, the two cell lines exhibited differential responses. While MCF-12F cells restored cytoplasmic calcium concentration, MCF-7 cells maintained a high intracellular calcium concentration. This strongly suggests that lectins can elicit differential cellular responses in cancer and non-cancer cells due to variations in their intrinsic mechanisms of calcium homeostasis. Finally, we demonstrated that TBLF and rTBL-1 can differentially alter Metabolic Cellular Activity (MCA) as a direct measure of cell viability (CVi) in both cell lines. These findings strengthen the evidence of the therapeutic potential of Tepary bean lectins. Undoubtedly, further studies will be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their applications.

Enhancing floret persistence and bloom duration in gladiolus through foliar-applied calcium: a sustainable approach to floriculture

ABSTRACT Enhancing floret persistence and bloom duration in ornamental plants through foliar-applied calcium promotes sustainability by improving nutrient efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, conserving resources, and boosting ornamental and commercial value. This two-year study (2021–2022) evaluated the effects of foliar calcium application on floret persistence and bloom duration in gladiolus (cv. White Prosperity). The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design with a split-plot arrangement, replicated three times. Main plots received different application timings (3rd, 5th, and 7th leaf stages), and subplots were assigned various calcium concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mm). Calcium chloride was applied as a foliar spray. Results showed that applying 300 mm calcium at the 5th leaf stage yielded the longest spike emergence duration (96.63 days), tallest spike length (128.50 cm), and extended both first floret (7.23 days) and last floret (5.34 days) life spans. Additionally, florets in the 300 mm treatment had the highest calcium content (0.853%). These findings demonstrate that precise foliar calcium application enhances the ornamental quality and market value of gladiolus and contributes to sustainable horticulture by optimising nutrient use efficiency, reducing input waste and supporting environmental resilience in floriculture practices.

Lower Cadmium Bioavailability and Toxicity in Japonica Rice than in Indica Rice: Mechanisms and Health Implications.

Cadmium (Cd) is efficiently transferred from soil to food crops, notably rice. Research indicates that indica rice grains may accumulate more Cd than japonica cultivars; however, differences in Cd bioavailability (the fraction of ingested rice Cd absorbed into the systemic circulation) and toxicity remain unexplored, thus hindering a comprehensive understanding of exposure and health risks. To address this, a mouse bioassay was conducted to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBA) of Cd in 35 samples each of japonica and indica rice, determining which type exhibits lower Cd bioavailability. The results revealed a significantly lower mean Cd-RBA in japonica rice (49.6 ± 7.8%) compared to indica rice (65.6 ± 12.2%). This disparity is attributed primarily to the 1.25- and 1.37-fold higher concentrations of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in japonica rice, which enhanced Ca and Fe absorption from the intestine and reduced duodenal expression of Ca and Fe transporters by 1.8-5.9 times in mice consuming japonica rice, thereby decreasing Cd transcellular transport. Additionally, japonica rice consumption promoted beneficial gut probiotics (Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Lactobacillus reuteri) and metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids and peptides, potentially increasing mineral absorption and reducing Cd uptake. Moreover, mice fed japonica rice exhibited 1.35-1.47 times higher gene expression of intestinal tight junctions, enhancing intestinal barrier function and reducing extracellular Cd transport. Consequently, consuming Cd-containing japonica rice was associated with lower oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer risks in mice compared to indica rice consumption. This study significantly enhances our understanding on the health risks associated with Cd in different rice subspecies.

Evaluation of mechanisms involved in regulation of intrinsic excitability by extracellular calcium in CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat.

It is well recognized that changes in the extracellular concentration of calcium ions influence the excitability of neurons, yet what mechanism(s) mediate these effects is still a matter of debate. Using patch-clamp recordings from rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, we examined the contribution of G-proteins and intracellular calcium-dependent signaling mechanisms to changes in intrinsic excitability evoked by altering the extracellular calcium concentration from physiological (1.2 mM) to a commonly used experimental (2 mM) level. We find that the inhibitory effect on intrinsic excitability of calcium ions is mainly expressed as an increased threshold for action potential firing (with no significant effect on resting membrane potential) that is not blocked by either the G-protein inhibitor GDPβS or the calcium chelator BAPTA. Our results therefore argue that in the concentration range studied, G-protein coupled calcium-sensing receptors, non-selective cation conductances, and intracellular calcium signaling pathways are not involved in mediating the effect of extracellular calcium ions on intrinsic excitability. Analysis of the derivative of the action potential, dV/dt versus membrane potential, indicates a current shift towards more depolarized membrane potentials at the higher calcium concentration. Our results are thus consistent with a mechanism in which extracellular calcium ions act directly on the voltage-gated sodium channels by neutralizing negative charges on the extracellular surface of these channels to modulate the threshold for action potential activation.

The association between domestic water hardness and kidney stone disease: a prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank.

Kidney stone disease is a common surgical disease and significant public health issue, may be influenced by environmental factors such as domestic water hardness and its related minerals. Previous studies have shown inconsistent and controversial results regarding the impact of domestic water hardness on kidney stone formation. This prospective cohort study analyzed data from 288,041 participants in the UK Biobank with no prior history of kidney stones from 2006-2024. The exposures were domestic water hardness, calcium concentration, calcium carbonate concentration, and magnesium concentration. The main outcomes were the disease status and onset time of kidney stone diseases. The confounding factors of model adjustment included age, sex, ethnicity, economic level, education level, Townsend Deprivation Index, Index of Multiple Deprivation, assessment center, body mass index, drug history influencing the metabolism of calcium and magnesium, and water intake based on the directed acyclic graph of causal hypothesis. The association between domestic water hardness and kidney stone was assessed using the Cox regression models, sensitive analyses, subgroup and interactive analyses. During the follow-up period, 3,298 participants (1.14%) developed kidney stones. In all participants, mean concentration of calcium, calcium carbonate, and magnesium was 52.61mg/L, 135.01mg/L, and 4.66mg/L, respectively. In cox regression models, higher magnesium levels (Q4,>5mg/L) in natural water use can reduce risk of kidney stones [HR and 95%CI: 0.88 (0.80-0.97) in the model 3], but no significant correlation was found in domestic water hardness, calcium concentration, and calcium carbonate concentration in the overall models. Four sensitive analyses further supported the overall results in the overall models. In subgroup analysis, hard water and calcium concentration in domestic water can increase the 18%-34% incidence risk of kidney stones in participants over 60years old and female participants; high magnesium concentration (>5mg/L) in domestic water can decrease the 10%-28% risk of kidney stones in males, participants≤45years old, and participants without renal failure. Magnesium interacted with other minerals, and its protective effects was more significant in the hard water (HR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.61-0.87), high concentration of CaCO3 (HR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.50-0.78) and calcium (HR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.33-0.71) in domestic water. Our findings suggested that magnesium levels in water can decrease kidney stone risk, but in the overall population, domestic water hardness, calcium concentration, and calcium carbonate concentration have no significant impact on the formation of kidney stones. Interestingly, hard water and its calcium concentration can promote the formation risk of kidney stones in participants>60years old and females, while high magnesium concentration in domestic water can reduce the risk in males,≤45years old, and those without renal failure. The protective effects of magnesium interacted with other minerals and were more obvious in the population intake of hard water and high concentrations of CaCO3 and calcium. This study contributes to the complex understanding of environmental factors in kidney stone etiology and suggests a need for focusing on mineral-specific effects in different population and interaction with other minerals, which hope to provide some evidence of water in public health and clinical management of kidney stones.

Coffee Pulp and Husk Residue Compost Improve the Growth of Robusta Coffee (Coffea canephora) Seedlings in the Nursery

Background: Compost made from coffee husk and pulp residues could serve as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for fertilizing coffee fields. Methods: This study was conducted to determine the agronomic value of seven compost formulations based on coffee residues [Husk residues+chicken manure (3:1); Husk residues+chicken manure (2:1); Husk residues+chicken manure (1:1); Husk residues+pig slurry (3:1); husk residues+pig slurry (2:1); pulp residues+chicken manure (3:1); and husk residues+pig slurry (1:1)] mixed in equal proportion with potting soil on the vegetative growth of coffee seedlings in the nursery. The experimental design employed was a completely randomized design with one factor. Result: Six months after planting, the compost based on husk residues+chicken manure (3:1) and the compost based on husk residues+pig slurry (3:1) were found to be more effective. The former led to rapid growth in plant height (46.85 cm compared to 27.1 cm) and diameter. It is followed in terms of effectiveness on height growth by the compost based on husk residues+Pig slurry in proportion (3:1). These composts also had a positive impact on the fresh and dry biomass (aboveground and root) of coffee plants. This can be explained by the high content of organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, calcium and phosphorus in these composts. These two composts mixed in equal proportion with potting soil are recommended for coffee plant production in the nursery. Furthermore, field experimentation would confirm their effectiveness.

Strategic agronomic interventions for leaf yield and quality improvement in moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) under high density planting system

Moringa leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, and soluble fiber, making them an ideal dietary supplement for addressing undernourishment, as well as iron and vitamin A deficiencies. The presence of high concentrations of potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, and natural antioxidants are particularly beneficial for pregnant mothers and young children. The current study carried out in 2021 and 2022, sought to standardize crop geometry and harvesting heights to enhance leaf biomass and quality in Moringa under High-Density Planting Systems . The research trial employed four different spacing configurations, incorporating single-row and double-row triangular planting at both wider and closer spacing, and included three harvesting heights. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Observations on growth parameters, physiological traits, and yield characters were recorded at each harvest. Leaf quality parameters were analyzed in dried Moringa leaf powder. Pooled results indicated that double-row triangular planting with narrower intra-row spacing, combined with a 45 cm harvesting height, yielded substantially higher fresh and dried leaf yields of 42.76 t/ha and 7.83 t/ha, respectively. This treatment also produced superior leaf quality parameters, attributed to enhanced growth, physiological responses, and yield outcomes, leading to greater economic returns through enhanced fresh leaf yield.

Crack Sealing in Concrete with Biogrout: Sustainable Approach to Enhancing Mechanical Strength and Water Resistance.

Concrete, as the most widely used construction material globally, is prone to cracking under the influence of external factors such as mechanical loads, temperature fluctuations, chemical corrosion, and freeze-thaw cycles. Traditional concrete crack repair methods, such as epoxy resins and polymer mortars, often suffer from a limited permeability, poor compatibility with substrates, and insufficient long-term durability. Microbial biogrouting technology, leveraging microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), has emerged as a promising alternative for crack sealing. This study aimed to explore the potential of Bacillus pasteurii for repairing concrete cracks to enhance compressive strength and permeability performance post-repair. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the bacterial growth cycle and urease activity under varying concentrations of Ca2+. The results indicated that the optimal time for crack repair occurred 24-36 h after bacterial cultivation. Additionally, the study revealed an inhibitory effect of high calcium ion concentrations on urease activity, with the optimal concentration identified as 1 mol/L. Compressive strength and water absorption tests were performed on repaired concrete specimens. The compressive strength of specimens with cracks of varying dimensions improved by 4.01-11.4% post-repair, with the highest improvement observed for specimens with 1 mm wide and 10 mm deep cracks, reaching an increase of 11.4%. In the water absorption tests conducted over 24 h, the average mass water absorption rate decreased by 31.36% for specimens with 0.5 mm cracks, 29.06% for 1 mm cracks, 27.9% for 2 mm cracks, and 28.2% for 3 mm cracks. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed the formation of dense calcium carbonate precipitates, with the SEM-EDS results identifying calcite and vaterite as the predominant self-healing products. This study underscores the potential of MICP-based microbial biogrouting as a sustainable and effective solution for enhancing the mechanical and durability properties of repaired concrete.

Evaluation of water hardness treatment methods using sodium hydroxide and their impact on water quality

Hard water is an environmental and technical challenge caused by high concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions, leading to scale formation that affects the efficiency of household and industrial appliances and increases maintenance and treatment costs. Additionally, hard water can pose health risks and reduce its quality for daily use. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different doses of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in treating water hardness and improving water quality by reducing total hardness (TH) and adjusting the physicochemical properties of water. Three main dosages were tested: the first dosage (5 g/L of NaOH), which assessed the basic effectiveness of sodium hydroxide; the second dosage (2.5 g/L of NaOH and 2.5 g/L of Na₂CO₃ with HCl and acid), aimed at balancing hardness reduction with mineral retention; and the optimized dosages (10, 20, and 30 mg/L of NaOH), which proved to be the most effective and balanced. The optimized doses successfully reduced total hardness to levels compliant with Algerian standards while maintaining calcium and magnesium concentrations within acceptable ranges. Furthermore, electrical conductivity (EC) remained within safe limits without significant increases, ensuring the water did not become oversaturated with dissolved salts. The slight increase in sodium (Na⁺) concentration also remained within permissible levels, enhancing the water's suitability for drinking and other uses. Based on these results, the optimized NaOH dosages are the optimal solution for water hardness treatment, achieving a balance between reducing hardness and ensuring water quality in compliance with local standards.

Indirect Fortification of Traditional Nixtamalized Tortillas with Nixtamalized Corn Flours.

This work focused on the study of the indirect fortification of Mexican tortillas made from nixtamalized masa (NM) with nixtamalized commercial corn flour (NCC-F) fortified with Zn, Fe, vitamins and folic acid. The chemical proximate values (CPV), ash content, mineral composition by inductively coupled plasma, in vitro protein digestibility (PD), protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS), the total starch content, the resistant starch (RS) content in nixtamalized corn tortillas (NC-T) and nixtamalized commercial corn flour tortillas (NCCF-T) and the contribution of tortillas prepared with a mixture of NM and NCC-F (75:25 and 50:50, NM:NCC-F) to the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of minerals and vitamins were determined. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in CPV and RS content between NCCF-T and NC-T. Ca content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in NC-T than in NCCF-T, while Fe, K, Zn, folic acid contents, PD and PDCAAS content was higher in NCCF-T compared to NC-T (p < 0.05). The tortillas made with a mixture of NM and NCC-F (50:50) provide 43.07% of the RDI of Ca for Mexican children and adults, while ~45% and >100% of the RDI of Mg for adults and children, respectively, are provided by these tortillas. Similarly, tortillas from the NM:NCC-F mixture (50:50) provide average values of 45, 71 and ~91% of the RDI of Fe, Zn and folic acid, respectively, for all age groups of the Mexican population. NCCF-T contribute significantly to the recommended daily intake (RDI) of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium and folic acid, while tortillas made from the traditional nixtamalized corn of the Mexican diet have a higher calcium content. Tortillas made from a mixture of NCC-F and traditional NM may be an effective way to address micronutrient deficiencies in the Mexican population.

Management of groundwater resources in the Tolga region (south-east Algeria)

This study attempted to assess and map the quality of Tolga's groundwater in order to determine its suitability for human consumption and agricultural use. The results of analyses of the physicochemical parameters of the water samples were compared with WHO potability standards and standard agricultural water quality indices, namely sodium adsorption ratio SAR ,Soluble sodium percentage Na% , Magnesium risk MH , Kelly ratio KR and permeability index PI. According to the results analysed, most of the physicochemical parameters are above WHO tolerance limits and within the limits of empirical water quality indices for agricultural use. In our study, the graphical maps obtained by kriging are fitted with theoretical variogram models that best approximate the point cloud. The suitability of these models for our sample is verified by cross-validation results. The graphical representation shows high concentrations of conductivity, salinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride, which are located in the Eastern part of the region, and increase progressively from northwest to east. These waters are highly charged with salts and have maximum conductivity values.

A flavoromics approach to investigate the effect of Saskatoon berry powder on the sensory attributes, acceptability, volatile components, and electronic nose responses of a low-fat frozen yogurt.

Saskatoon berries are grown in Canada and some northwestern states in the United States, and are notable for containing abundant antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins, metal elements, and fiber. To increase consumer interest in and accessibility to Saskatoon berries, some producers have begun to develop processes for refining Saskatoon berries into a powder with an extended shelf life that can be incorporated into a variety of value-added food products. To assess the desirability of this approach, this study sought to determine how the sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and volatile and non-volatile composition of a plain, Greek-style frozen yogurt (PY) changed when fortified with 16% Saskatoon berry powder (SBP). Greek-style frozen yogurt was chosen as the food to be fortified for this study due to its low fat and relatively high calcium and protein content as well as its popularity among consumers. Descriptive analysis of the two yogurt formulations by 11 participants determined that SBY was higher in berry aroma, berry flavor, and sweetness, and lower in cream aroma, dairy aroma, and sourness compared to PY. SBY was lower in iciness and degree of smoothness and higher in viscosity and mouth coating compared to PY. Untrained participants (n = 112), found no significant differences in color, flavor, and overall acceptability between SBY and PY. However, SBY was significantly less acceptable than PY for texture and aroma. Iciness was the most influential variable related to texture acceptability. For aroma acceptability, berry flavor (negatively related) and berry aroma (positively related) were the most influential attributes. The exposure of Saskatoon berry powder (SBP), PY, and SBY to e-nose sensors showed consistencies in replicate analysis (n = 25 measurements/sample), and cross validation of the PCA showed that the model could sort samples into the correct class with 98.7% accuracy. Key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for berry and fruity aroma in SBP were also found to be retained in the SBY. Several key phenolic compounds with therapeutic effects such as baicalein, chlorogenate, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid were also identified in both SBP and SBY samples, potentially indicating that the SBY may retain some of the health benefits associated with the consumption of raw Saskatoon berries.

Development of hydroxyapatite materials for dental applications

Nowadays, multiple materials have been developed to reconstruct human bone tissue and bone through organic waste materials in order to reduce environmental pollution, such as "chicken eggshells" due to their high calcium content from which we can synthesize a bioceramic called "hydroxyapatite", that has mimetic similarities with human tissues and bones. Within this study, "San Juan" brand eggshells from "Nicolás Romero, State of Mexico, Mexico" were used to synthesize materials that can be used for calcium phosphate dental grafts; where this biomaterial was synthesized and afterwards applied in dental grafts focusing on cavities being damashed by caries produced through time.

Efeito da autocicatrização no fechamento de fissuras decorrentes do ataque por sulfato em cimento Portland, supersulfatado e álcali ativado

Abstract Self-healing consists of closing cracks and recovering the watertight properties of cement-based materials and can occur by hydration of the materials of the mixture (autogenous) or by materials added to the mixture for this purpose (autonomous). This study consists of the use of stimulated self-healing as a way of mitigating sulfate attack (sodium and magnesium), with the evaluation of the influence of crystalline admixture in this process. For that, cycles of sulfate attack and self-healing (by wetting and drying cycles in water) were performed, aiming to evaluate the behavior of mortars with three types of cement: Portland, supersulfated, and alkali-activated. The results showed that self-healing was not sufficient to close cracks due to sulfate attack. This behavior was associated with the hypothesis that the high calcium content of the crystalline admixture reacted with the sulfates and formed expansive products, increasing the attack rate.

Nanoarchitectonics of SiO2 composite hydrogel in inorganic solution: Simulation and experimental analysis

Polyacrylamide hydrogels are widely used in medicine, petrochemical, water treatment and other fields, among which polyacrylamide hydrogels play an important role in oilfield Profile control and water shutoff and enhanced oil recovery, however, there are few reports on the effect of different inorganic salt solutions on the properties of SiO2 composite hydrogel. In this paper, a cross-linked SiO2 composite hydrogel was constructed using Materials Studio software for the first time, and its structure and properties in inorganic salt aqueous solutions were studied. The results show that the addition of inorganic salts can weaken the interaction between water molecules and hydrogels, and this effect is minimal in calcium chloride solution. The radial distribution function shows that there are strong hydrogen bonds between nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the amide group and water molecules, but there are van der Waals forces between oxygen and water atoms, and the addition of inorganic salts will enhance the hydration of nitrogen atoms in the amide group and the interaction between monovalent ions and amide groups was greater than that between bivalent ions. At the same time, the addition of inorganic salts can also enhance the diffusion ability of water molecules and the fluidity of polymer chains. Among the four inorganic salt solutions, Calcium chloride solution has the least effect on the polymer chain and the cross-linked SiO2 composite hydrogel has the best expansion performance in calcium chloride solution, which is basically consistent with the experimental results, this has a potential application prospect in the reservoir with high calcium content for profile control and water plugging and enhanced oil recovery.

Homogeneity analysis of medicine tablets by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with multivariate methods

Pharmaceutical tablets need to have a homogenous chemical structure, especially in cases where the patient may divide the tablet in half prior to consumption. This work aims to demonstrate the viability of using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for analyzing the homogeneity and determining the chemical composition of losartan potassium tablets. This was accomplished by obtaining the spectra of 10 tablet points in 30 successive laser pulses, which revealed four main peaks (C, H, N, and O) as well as a high concentration of calcium and potassium in the core tablets and titanium in the coating—all of which are excellent analytical objectives for LIBS. It is possible to say that the generated plasma meets the minimum requirement for local thermodynamic equilibrium because the physical parameters of the plasma, including temperature (T) and electronic density (Ne), were calculated throughout the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadened line, respectively, and the McWhirter criterion was met. In addition, T and Ne changes have been used for homogeneity analysis. Different peak comparisons cannot provide us with further data because the major structural components are similar, making it challenging to differentiate between them. So relative standard deviation (RSD) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to comprise the whole spectra, which showed that the homogeneity of the tablet’s core is better than that of the coating and is acceptable.

Calcium phosphate nanoclusters modify periodontium remodeling and minimize orthodontic relapse

Orthodontic relapse is one of the most prevalent concerns of orthodontic therapy. Relapse results in patients' teeth reverting towards their pretreatment positions, which increases the susceptibility to functional problems, dental disease, and substantially increases the financial burden for retreatment. This phenomenon is thought to be induced by rapid remodeling of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in the early stages and poor bone quality in the later stages. Current therapies including fixed or removable retainers and fiberotomies have limitations with patient compliance and invasiveness. Approaches using biocompatible biomaterials, such as calcium phosphate polymer-induced liquid precursors (PILP), are an ideal translational approach for minimizing orthodontic relapse. Here, post-orthodontic relapse is reduced after a single injection of high concentration PILP (HC-PILP) nanoclusters by altering PDL remodeling in the early stage of relapse and improving trabecular bone quality in the later stage. HC-PILP nanoclusters are achieved by using high molecular weight poly aspartic acid (PASP, 14 kDa) and poly acrylic acid (PAA, 450 kDa), which resulted in a stable solution of high calcium and phosphate concentrations without premature precipitation. In vitro results show that HC-PILP nanoclusters prevented collagen type-I mineralization, which is essential for the tooth-PDL-bone interphase. In vivo experiments show that the HC-PILP nanoclusters minimize relapse and improve the trabecular bone quality in the late stages of relapse. Interestingly, HC-PILP nanoclusters also altered the remodeling of the PDL collagen during the early stages of relapse. Further in vitro experiments showed that HC-PILP nanoclusters alter the fibrillogenesis of collagen type-I by impacting the protein secondary structure and forming aggregates. These findings propose a new approach for treating orthodontic relapse and provide additional insight into the PILP nanocluster's structure and properties on collagenous structure repair.

Ragi Revolution: Enhancing Dietary Practices through Nutritional Education and Local Food Systems Implementation

Ragi (Eleusine coracana), commonly known as finger millet, is a nutrient-rich cereal that remains underutilized in modern diets despite its high calcium, iron, and dietary fiber content. This examines how ready-to-eat ragi-based supplementary foods, combined with effective nutrition education, can drive behavioral changes to incorporate ragi into daily diets and local food systems. The increasing availability of ready-to-eat ragi products offers an accessible solution for improving nutrition, but challenges remain in terms of consumer acceptance due to unfamiliarity and taste preferences. This paper focuses on the role of nutrition education in reshaping dietary behaviour, emphasizing case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted interventions in promoting ragi consumption. Additionally, it explores strategies for integrating ragi into public nutrition programs and sustainable food systems, highlighting the importance of community-driven efforts and public-private partnerships. The review also discusses the role of policy support and multi-stakeholder collaboration in fostering ragi’s cultivation and incorporation into local food systems. By examining behavioural change strategies such as social marketing and culturally sensitive approaches, this paper presents a roadmap for promoting ragi as a key component of sustainable diets and public health interventions.

Preparation of TiCl4 from Ilmenite Concentrates via Carbothermal Reduction and Boiling Chlorination for Different Carbon Proportions.

Low-temperature boiling chlorination is the most common approach used to achieve a clean preparation of TiCl4 from ilmenite concentrates with high contents of calcium and magnesium impurities. However, this process did not systematically investigate the impact of the Ti/C ratio of the raw materials on the chlorination efficiency of Ti, Ca, and Mg elements. Thus, the influence of the carbon allocation proportion on the carbothermal reduction and boiling chlorination process of ilmenite concentrates with high contents of calcium and magnesium impurities was investigated in this study. The results show that the reduction products of ilmenite concentrates are mainly Mg-rich Ti2O3 impurities at a low carbon proportion. However, with increasing carbon proportion, Ti2O3 is gradually reduced to TiC x O1-x , and Mg2TiO4 appears. The Ti2O3 content in the acid-insoluble matter of the reduced products decreases after acid washing, while the TiC x O1-x content increases with increasing carbon allocation proportion. With increasing carbon proportion, the chlorination rate of the acid-insoluble matter increases, and the corresponding chlorination rates of titanium, magnesium, and calcium also increase. The residual carbon produced by acid-insoluble chlorination at high carbon proportions exacerbates the chlorination of Mg and Ca impurities.

Sludge from Arapaima Gigas Culture as an Alternative Culture Medium for Lipid Production in Nannochloropsis Sp

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of sludge generated during the culture of Arapaima gigas as an alternative medium for Nannochloropsis sp. Theoretical Framework: Microalgae are photosynthetic micro-organisms with the ability to transform organic waste or effluents into valuable biomass. They are currently of great interest for their use in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Nannochloropsis sp. is a valuable microalga due to its excellent lipid profile. Method: The sludge used was collected from A. gigas culture ponds at the CITE Acuícola Pesquero Ahuashiyacu (Tarapoto-Peru). An aqueous extract of sludge (EAL) was obtained from the sample by a thermal procedure, which was dosed into the cultures at concentrations of 100, 150 and 200 mL/L. The experimental units followed the traditional batch culture arrangement under laboratory conditions. Guillard F/2 medium was used as control treatment. The characterisation of metals in the medium was performed by coupled plasma induction (ICP) and the determination of ammonium and nitrite by colorimetric tests. In addition, population density, productivity and total lipid content were estimated. Results and Discussion: Chemical analyses revealed high concentrations of calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, ammonium and nitrite (655, 648, 283, 67, 32, 17, 1.5, and 10 ppm, respectively). Likewise, the best growth (3590.00 ± 91.24 x 104 cells/mL) and productivity (0.69 ± 0.01 g/L) was obtained with 200 mL/L of EAL, presenting significant statistical differences (p &lt; 0.05) with respect to the other treatments. In contrast, the highest lipid production (29.67 ± 1.53 %) was observed in the control treatment, far exceeding the EAL cultures; however, no significant statistical difference was observed between EAL treatments. Research Implications: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using EAL as an alternative medium for the production of Nannochloropsis sp. with a positive environmental and economic impact on the production of A. gigas. Originality/Value: The use of sludge generated in fish culture, in particular A. Gigas, has not been reported previously. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of using this sludge in the culture of the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. which also has a high potential for use in fish larviculture.