Iron Drops Research Articles

Use of Different Iron Preparations for Prophylaxis and Effects on Iron Status in Infancy.

Aim: To evaluate using different iron preparations for iron deficiency and/or iron deficiency anemia prophylaxis in infants and their iron status. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the electronic patient records of 651 healthy children aged 9 to 13 months who met the inclusion criteria and who were followed up in pediatric follow-up outpatient clinics between January 2023 and June 2023. Results: A total of 651 children with a mean age of 11.2 ± 1.4 months, 54.7% of whom were boys, who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study; 56.5% of the children were using Fe + 3 salt and the others were using Fe + 2 salt, microencapsulated iron, or sucrosomial iron drops. After the fifth month of prophylaxis, when the effects of the iron preparations used on the mean laboratory values were evaluated, it was found that hemoglobin, serum iron, and ferritin levels were lower in sucrosomial iron and microencapsulated iron users compared to other preparations (p = 0.001). When statistically pairwise comparisons were made between the groups, hemoglobin and serum iron values were found to be lower in the group using sucrosomial iron compared to the groups using Fe + 2 and Fe + 3 salts (p < 0.0001). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were higher in the group using Fe + 2 salt compared to both sucrosomial iron and microencapsulated iron groups (p < 0.0001). When the infants were evaluated according to iron status, it was found that 208 (31.9%) had iron deficiency. Iron deficiency was found to be less in infants of families who defined their economic status as rich and in infants who used iron regularly (p-values 0.044 and 0.001, respectively). Iron deficiency/iron deficiency anemia was observed at a higher rate in the group using sucrosomial iron and microencapsulated iron prophylaxis (p = 0.001). Conclusions: To prevent iron deficiency, it is very important to use appropriate iron preparations for prophylaxis and to feed foods with high iron content. Although we found that families were willing to use different iron preparations other than iron salts for their infants, the results presented herein indicate that the rate of iron deficiency was lower in patients using iron salts. However, randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether these preparations are effective in iron prophylaxis in infants.

Factors influencing adherence to iron drop supplementation in infants aged 6 to 24 months: a systematic review of observational studies

PurposeIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional anemia in the world and a pervasive health problem, especially in developing countries. Children under two years of age are more prone to be affected by IDA. The best strategy to prevent and treat IDA is to use iron supplements. This study aims to examine the factors associated with noncompliance (such as non-utilization or inconsistent usage) of iron drop supplementation among infants between 6 and 24 months old.Design/methodology/approachOnline databases (PubMed, Scopus and SID) were searched to retrieve relevant articles published from inception up to July 2023. Among the 2,177 articles detected, after removing duplicate and irrelevant titles, 21 cross-sectional studies that met the authors’ inclusion criteria were included. Screening for articles and data extraction were conducted separately by two researchers.FindingsThe findings suggest that some factors related to mothers, such as education, knowledge, attitude and performance; some factors associated with child such as child’s gastrointestinal and dental complications; taste and smell of iron drops; and birth order and gender are the main determinants of adherence to iron supplementation.Originality/valueIt can be proposed that the most significant factors affecting the feeding of iron drops to children under the age of two include: the level of mother’s awareness, socio-economic status of the household and the occurrence of digestive complications following the supplementation. Given these observations, adopting proper policies toward improving the nutritional awareness of mothers and producing iron supplements with minimal side effects seems crucial.

Influence of planetary rotation on metal-silicate mixing and equilibration in a magma ocean

At a late stage of its accretion, the Earth experienced high-energy planetary impacts. Following each collision, the metal core of the impactor sank into molten silicate magma oceans. The efficiency of chemical equilibration between these silicates and the metal core controlled the composition of the Earth interior and left a signature on geochemical and isotopic data. These data constrain the timing, pressure and temperature of Earth formation, but their interpretation strongly depends on the efficiency of metal-silicate mixing and equilibration. We investigate the role of planetary rotation on the dynamics of the sinking metal and on its chemical equilibration using laboratory experiments of particle clouds settling in a rotating fluid. Our clouds initially sink as spherical turbulent thermals, but after a critical depth, rotation becomes important and they transition to a vortical columnar flow aligned with the rotation axis. Applied to Earth formation, our results predict that rotation strongly affects the fall of metal in the magma ocean for impactors smaller than 459 km in radius on a proto-Earth that rotates twice faster than today. On a proto-Earth spinning 5 times faster than today, rotation is important for any impactor smaller than the Earth itself. In contrast with a thermal that grows in all directions, the vortical column grows vertically but keeps a constant horizontal extent. The slower dilution in vortical columns reduces chemical equilibration compared to previous estimates that neglect planetary rotation. We find that rotation significantly affects the degree of equilibration for highly siderophile elements with partition coefficients larger than 103. In this case, for a planet spinning twice faster than today, the degree of equilibration decreases by up to a factor 2 compared to previous estimates that neglect the effect of rotation. Finally, the ultimate fate of iron drops is to be detrained from the vortical column as an iron rain, reconciling the traditional iron rain scenario with the model of turbulent thermal.

Biochemical Markers of Iron Status Among Iraqi Patients at Different Severity Levels of Celiac Disease

In people with a hereditary predisposition, gluten consumption causes celiac disease, a multifactorial autoimmune condition. The ensuing small intestine inflammatory process develops specific antibodies and causes various gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms with varying degrees of severity. Evaluation of the blood iron profile at various histological celiac disease severity in Iraqi patients was the goal of the current study. Seventy-five Iraqi patients with celiac disease, with a mean age of 18.68± 11.13 years, were the study's participants. These people tested positive for celiac antibodies and experienced gastrointestinal symptoms. Based on the disease histological severity, they were divided into two groups: marsh (III a, b, c) group and marsh (0, I) group. For comparison purposes, 46 people who appeared to be in good health and matched in age and gender to the patients utilized in the study were also included. The levels of iron, transferrin, hemoglobin, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, unsaturated iron binding capacity, and the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron were all measured. In comparison to the other patient groups under study, celiac patients (marsh III) group, and particularly those of group (marsh III c), showed a substantial drop (p&lt;0.05) in iron, the percentage of transferrin saturating with iron, the levels of each ferritin and of hemoglobin. The total iron binding capacity and the unsaturated iron binding capacity showed a significant elevation (p&lt;0.05) in (marsh III c) patients’ group, meanwhile non-significant differences (p&gt; 0.05) were found in transferrin concentration. Moreover, significant differences (p&lt; 0.05) were obtained in the iron profile between celiac patients who followed strict gluten free diet and those patients with gluten contained diet.

Nb-Ta-Sn Oxides from Lithium-Beryllium-Tantalum Pegmatite Deposits of the Kolmozero–Voronja Belt, NW Russia: Implications for Tracing Ore-Forming Processes and Mineralization Signatures

In this paper we present textural and compositional data for columbite group minerals (CGMs) and associated Nb-Ta-Sn oxides from lithium-beryllium-tantalum pegmatite deposits of the Kolmozero–Voronja belt, NW Russia, with the aim of deciphering these characteristics for minerals from deposits with different mineral signatures and lithium ore grade. Minerals from four deposits, including two of world-class (Kolmozero and Polmostundra), are examined. The main controlling factors for CGM compositional ranges are the diversity and rate of magmatic fractionation, hydrothermal overprint and mineral paragenesis, following the specific geochemical signature of the different pegmatite deposits. CGM from Kolmozero include several mineral species (columbite-(Fe), columbite-(Mn), tantalite-(Fe), and tantalite-(Mn)), showing large compositional variations, mainly controlled by Nb-Ta fractionation (Ta/(Ta + Nb) = 0.16–0.70; Mn/(Mn + Fe) = 0.45–0.63). Textural patterns are various (oscillatory, homogeneous, and patchy); spongy domains and overgrowing Ta-rich rims are also observed somewhere. This indicates the involvement of numerous magmatic and hydrothermal processes. The Polmostundra CGMs are represented by columbite-(Fe) with Ta/(Ta + Nb), ranging from 0.05 to 0.39; some crystals are homogenous, and others present normal, oscillatory, mottled and reverse-zoning patterns. The Okhmylk CGMs are irregular normal, patchy and homogeneous columbite-(Fe) and columbite-(Mn), with Ta/(Ta + Nb) = 0.09–0.24 and Mn/(Mn + Fe) = 0.29–0.92, indicating the suppressed magmatic fractionation and iron drop due to precipitation of Fe minerals. Columbite-(Fe) and columbite-(Mn) from the Be-Ta Shongui deposit are less evolved, with Ta/(Ta + Nb) = 0.07–0.23 and Mn/(Mn + Fe) = 0.31–0.55. The minerals are characterized by progressive normal, oscillatory, homogeneous and irregular reverse patterns. Associated pyrochlore minerals occur both as early magmatic (Kolmozero) and late hydrothermal (Polmostundra, Okhmylk). Cassiterite is found only in the Okhmylk dykes, and is apparently of hydrothermal origin. CGM from Li pegmatites have impurities of Ti (0.01–0.05 apfu) and W (up to 0.02 apfu), whereas CGM from Be pegmatites contains elevated Ti (up to 0.09 apfu). The mineral system analysis presented here is relevant for exploration.

BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES AFTER DRAMATIC INCREASE IN RUNNING TRAINING VOLUME: EXPLORATORY STUDY IN 3 ELITE SOLDIERS

Ultra-Endurance running training is a powerful stressor for all biological systems and depends mainly on its volume and intensity. Although the high physical demands, soldiers are an unstudied group and information on exercise indicators are essential. This study aimed to observe the changes in serum biochemical indicators in previously endurance trained elite soldiers after a 17-week training program with a dramatic increase in running volume. Three subjects (#1: 26 years, 169,5cm; #2: 27 years, 167,9cm; #3: 27 years, 180,7cm) running daily between 10-12 km/day, increased their running volume to prepare the participation in a 100-km ultramarathon race. For 17 weeks the training program included 10-12 sessions per week, corresponding to 200-260 km. Average daily running volume was 35.8±6.2 km. Blood samples were taken for analysis of urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, AST, ALT, CK, aldolase, Na, chloride, P, Ca, K, Fe, Mg and cortisol. Despite a marked drop in iron and a rise in phosphorus, the overall mineral status remained within laboratory reference values. ALT, AST, Aldolase showed slight changes while a marked increase was found in CK. Creatinine decreased and urea maintained the high starting values. Changes of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides had no clinical significance. After the 17-week the cortisol increased to outside of the reference values in two participants. This study shows that a dramatic increase in running training volume experienced by previous trained runners is mainly reflected in basal blood chemistry through the reduction of iron and creatinine and increase of cortisol.

Effect of Sucrosomial® Iron and Iron Drop Diluted with Natural Fruit Juice on Microhardness of Primary Enamel.

Objectives: Considering the high prevalence of consumption of iron drops, and the resultant reduction in microhardness of primary enamel, this in vitro study aimed to assess the effects of Sucrosomial® iron and iron drop diluted with natural fruit juice on microhardness of primary enamel. Materials and Methods: This in vitro, experimental study evaluated 45 extracted sound primary anterior teeth, that were randomly assigned to three groups (n=15) of Sideral, Irofant, and Irofant + natural apple juice. The titratable acidity and pH of solutions were measured. After measuring the baseline microhardness by a Vickers hardness tester, the teeth in the three groups were exposed to the respective iron drop solutions at 37°C for 5 minutes. They were then rinsed with distilled water, and their secondary microhardness was measured. Data were analyzed using the dependent Student t-test, ANOVA, and ANCOVA (alpha=0.05). Results: Irofant had the lowest pH and the highest titratable acidity among the tested solutions. A reduction in enamel microhardness occurred in all groups after exposure to iron drops (P=0.0001). The reduction in microhardness was significantly greater in Irofant group compared with Irofant + natural apple juice (P=0.0001). Also, the reduction in microhardness was significantly greater in Irofant + natural apple juice compared with Sideral iron drop group (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Sideral iron drop with Sucrosomial iron has minimal adverse effect on microhardness of primary enamel. Also, dilution of iron drops with natural apple juice can be suggested as an effective strategy to decrease their adverse effects on microhardness of primary enamel.

Effect of Structured Teaching Programme on Level of Knowledge on Iron Deficiency Anemia and Prevention of Anemia among Adolescent Girls in selected Higher Secondary School, Thrissur

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia develops when body stores of iron drop too low to support normal red blood cell (RBC) production. Anemia is currently one of the most common and intractable nutrional problems globally. The requirement of iron in doubles during adolscence as compared to younger age group. Following growth spurt, the risk of iron deficiency anemia continues to be a public concern. Objectives: To assess the effect of structured teaching programme on level of knowledge on iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and to associate the level of knowledge of iron deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia among adolescent girls with selected socio demographic and clinical data variables. Methodology: Pre- experimental, one group pre-test post-test design was used. 40 samples were selected by purposive sampling. Pre-test was conducted on 1st day followed by structured teaching programme on iron-deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia and post test was conducted on 4th day. Results: The socio demographic and clinical data variables reveals that the adolescent girls 30(75%) belonged to the age group of 16 years. All adolescent girls had education level of 11th standard 40(100%), more than half of the adolescent girls 21(52.5%) belonged to Hindu religion, majority of the adolescent girls 34 (85%) belonged to nuclear family. Majority of the adolescent girls 24 (60%) lives in rural area, more than half of adolescent girls 21(52.5%) attained menarche at the age of 13 years or less and all the adolescent girls 40(100%) have a mixed type of dietary pattern. In the pre-test, none of the samples 40(100%) had adequate knowledge and 38(95%) samples had inadequate knowledge on iron deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia. There was a significant difference between the pre-test and post test level of knowledge on iron deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia among adolescent girls. There was no significant association between the level of knowledge on iron deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia with socio-demographic and clinical data variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that structured teaching programme is an effective method to improve the knowledge regarding iron deficiency anemia and prevention of anemia among adolescent girls.

A research on rigid polyurethane foam resistibility to ignition from an electric arc welding spark

Introduction. A fire investigation assumes that electric arc welding sparks (hereinafter referred to as “sparks”) are effective sources of ignition. However, the spark ignition of a combustible material depends on the contact time. This work has experimentally proven that a smooth vertical wall, made of combustible rigid polyurethane foam (PUF), is not subjected to spark ignition. To explain this fact, the author calculated the time of contact between the spark and the wall τint, and compared it with the minimal estimated contact time τmin required to ignite the wall.The sample and the testing procedure. Sparks (the arc power up to 6 kW, the current up to 160 A) reached the PUF wall located at a distance of 0.1–0.15 m from the arc. An everyone experiment was continued until the electrode was burned down.Research results and discussion. Neither attempt to inflame the PUF sample by a spark was successful. Sparks bounced off the PUF sample and fell down. The characteristic dimensions of cooled iron droplets ranged from 0.2 to 3 mm.An evaluation of τint. The authors applied a model of elastic interaction between a drop of molten iron and a rigid wall, assuming that the sum of the potential energy of the drop, associated with its surface, and the kine­tic energy of a spreading drop, if flattened, is conserved. The longest contact time is achieved for drops, featuring the maximum diameter of 3 mm: τint ≈ 0.004 s.Estimation τmin. The authors applied the experimental modeling of the process, whereby the effect of an iron drop on PUF was replaced by the time-controlled effect, produced by a wooden cylinder (6 mm in diameter), inflamed at one edge. τmin ≈ 0.3 s. The ratio τint &lt;&lt; τmin explains the inability of electric arc welding sparks to ignite the PUF wall.Conclusions. Electric arc welding sparks, having a diameter of up to 3 mm, cannot ignite a vertical wall, made of rigid combustible polyurethane foam, in case of a side impact. The lack of ignition is explained by the short-term contact between the spark and the surface of the polyurethane foam.

Iron supplementation of breastfed Gambian infants from 6 weeks to 6 months of age: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: A recent analysis showed that plasma iron concentrations decline rapidly from birth in Gambian infants, irrespective of sex or birthweight, to concentrations well below normal expected values for iron-replete children older than two months of age (typically >10 μmol/L). The development and function of neural and immune cells may thus be compromised before the minimum age at which children should receive iron supplementation as per World Health Organisation recommendations. Methods: This study is a two-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised superiority trial. Infants will be randomised to receive iron drops (7.5mg/day of iron as ferrous sulphate) or placebo daily for 98 days, to test the impact on serum iron concentrations in healthy, breastfed infants (n = 100) aged 6-10 weeks at enrolment. Participants will be visited daily and supplemented by the field team. Daily health and weekly breastfeeding questionnaires will be administered. Anthropometry, and venous blood and faecal samples will be collected at enrolment and after 98 days of supplementation with serum iron as the primary endpoint. Low birthweight (less than 2.5kg at birth) and infants born prematurely (< 37 weeks) will not be excluded. Formula-fed and infants with any illness will be excluded. An additional study exploring maternal stakeholder perspectives of the intervention will be conducted by means of maternal interviews and four focus group discussions with local stakeholders. Discussion: Most breast-fed Gambian infants have very low circulating iron levels by five months of age. This study will introduce iron supplements much earlier in infancy than has previously been attempted in a low-income setting with the primary aim of increasing serum iron concentration. Trial registration: Clincaltrials.gov ( NCT04751994); 12 th February 2021.

Color change of primary teeth following exposure to an experimentally synthesized liposomal nano-encapsulated ferrous sulfate drop versus the commercially available iron drops

This study aimed to assess the color change of primary teeth following exposure to an experimentally synthesized liposomal nano-encapsulated ferrous sulfate drop compared with the commercially iron drops. In this in-vitro study, liposomal nano-encapsulated ferrous sulfate (lipo-nano-ferr) drop was first synthesized. Next, 110 extracted primary anterior teeth were randomized into two equal groups (sound and demineralized). Each group was randomly divided into 5 subgroups (n = 11) and exposed to Irofant, Feroglobin, Sideral, and lipo-nano-ferr drops for 540 cycles. One subgroup was remained in artificial saliva as the negative control. Tooth color was analyzed before and after the interventions visually, and the rate of iron adsorption was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy/scanning electron microcopy (EDS/SEM). Data were analyzed using t -test, one-way ANOVA, and LSD test. Iron adsorption was significantly higher by the demineralized specimens than the sound specimens in all subgroups (P < 0.001). A significant difference was noted in iron adsorption among the four subgroups in each of the sound and demineralized groups (P < 0.001). Iron adsorption in the lipo-nano-ferr subgroup was significantly lower than that in Irofant and Feroglobin groups (P < 0.001). The visual inspection results were similar to AAS results. EDS-SEM showed that the atomic percentage of iron in Sideral and lipo-nano-ferr groups was significantly lower than that in Irofant and Feroglobin groups (P < 0.001). Use of nano-encapsulation technology in production of iron drops can significantly decrease the resultant tooth discoloration, causing a clinically negligible color change.

Mosquito metallomics reveal copper and iron as critical factors for Plasmodium infection.

Iron and copper chelation restricts Plasmodium growth in vitro and in mammalian hosts. The parasite alters metal homeostasis in red blood cells to its favor, for example metabolizing hemoglobin to hemozoin. Metal interactions with the mosquito have not, however, been studied. Here, we describe the metallomes of Anopheles albimanus and Aedes aegypti throughout their life cycle and following a blood meal. Consistent with previous reports, we found evidence of maternal iron deposition in embryos of Ae. aegypti, but less so in An. albimanus. Sodium, potassium, iron, and copper are present at higher concentrations during larval developmental stages. Two An. albimanus phenotypes that differ in their susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei infection were studied. The susceptible white stripe (ws) phenotype was named after a dorsal white stripe apparent during larval stages 3, 4, and pupae. During larval stage 3, ws larvae accumulate more iron and copper than the resistant brown stripe (bs) phenotype counterparts. A similar increase in copper and iron accumulation was also observed in the susceptible ws, but not in the resistant bs phenotype following P. berghei infection. Feeding ws mosquitoes with extracellular iron and copper chelators before and after receiving Plasmodium-infected blood protected from infection and simultaneously affected follicular development in the case of iron chelation. Unexpectedly, the application of the iron chelator to the bs strain reverted resistance to infection. Besides a drop in iron, iron-chelated bs mosquitoes experienced a concomitant loss of copper. Thus, the effect of metal chelation on P. berghei infectivity was strain-specific.

Wetting behavior and mechanism between hot metal and carbon brick

Wetting behavior between hot metal and carbon brick is the first step to explore the erosion of carbon brick. In order to investigate the wetting behavior, wetting experiments between hot metal (with carbon content 2.87, 3.47, 4.12, 4.51, and 4.96 mass%) and carbon brick were carried out. The wetting angle under different conditions was measured, the reaction interface morphology and carbon structure were analyzed, the mechanism of hot metal wetting carbon brick was clarified based on interfacial energy and scaling law. The results show that: The wetting angle decreased gradually with the increase of wetting time for all initial carbon content experiments, the wetting angle increased with the increase of initial carbon content in hot metal. The dissolution of carbon occurred during the wetting process, which left a concave on carbon brick. The graphitization degree of carbon in carbon brick increased after the wetting behavior. In the initial stage of the wetting reaction, the change of interfacial energy caused by carbon dissolution reaction was the essential reason for the change of wetting angle. In the final stage of the wetting reaction, the wetting angle mainly depended on the concave shape after the concave was formed. The wetting model was established to explore the wetting behavior with dissolution reaction, the scaling relationship between the spreading radius of iron drop and time was obtained, which was convenient to evaluate the wetting behavior between hot metal and carbon brick.

Relationship of pH and the viscosity of five different iron supplements with the absorption of iron ions and enamel discoloration in the anterior primary teeth (an in vitro study)

Various iron drops are prescribed to children to prevent iron-deficiency anemia. The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the physicochemical profile of iron drops and the effect of these medicines on the color of primary teeth. On the commencement of this experimental study, the pH and viscosity of five types of iron drops were measured. For the purpose of the current study, sixty healthy anterior deciduous teeth were provided; thereafter, they were assigned to five groups and then exposed to iron drops. The color and color difference of each specimen were measured by VİTA Easyshade Compact after 2 weeks. The amount of absorbed iron was determined by atomic absorption. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). As evidenced by the obtained results, all medications demonstrated acidic pH and discoloration. The viscosity values of iron drops were reported to be within the range of 2.07-33.58 cP. Based on the results of Pearson's correlation coefficient test, discoloration showed a correlation with pH and atomic absorption (P < 0.05). Analyzed iron drops displayed low pH and discoloration higher than 3.3 which can be easily distinguished with naked eyes. Medicine labels should include warning statements on the feasibility of dental discoloration and erosion.

Effectiveness of various methods of home fortification in under-5 children: where they work, where they do not. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The common approaches of home fortification (HF) for prevention and/or treatment of micronutrient deficiencies are micronutrient powders (MNPs), foodlets, and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNSs). There are mixed results for the impact of HF on growth and nutritional status of young children. This systematic review was prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to evaluate current evidence from randomized controlled trials including children younger than 5 years to assess the effect of strategies of HF on growth and micronutrient status. The MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched to July 2018. A total of 1301 studies were found in a preliminary search. After screening of titles and abstracts, 30 studies were selected. Treatment with MNPs, foodlets, and LNSs effectively increased hemoglobin concentrations by at least 2.52 g/L, 4.59 g/L, and 4.4 g/dL, respectively, as compared with a control. There was a significant decrease in risk of anemia development after foodlet intervention compared with a control or iron drops (odds ratio, 0.27; 95%CI, 0.10-0.74; P = 0.01). However, these interventions did not result in any significant improvement in z-scores for changes of height for age, weight for age, and weight for height. The results indicated that MNP (7.16; 95%CI, 0.31-14.01; P = 0.04) and foodlet treatment (4.92; 95%CI, 0.28-9.57; P = 0.04) could increase serum zinc levels. However, none of the home fortification methods improved vitamin A status in the target group. Home fortification can be used as an effective method to improve hemoglobin, iron, and zinc status, although in this study it had no effect on vitamin A or anthropometric indicators of the target population. More investigations are warranted for newer approaches of HF to improve a broader range of micronutrients as well as child growth indices and for evaluation of the coverage, compliance, and consistency of such interventions at the population level. CRD42018109279.

Leishmania infection triggers hepcidin-mediated proteasomal degradation of Nramp1 to increase phagolysosomal iron availability.

Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) was originally discovered as a genetic determinant of resistance against multiple intracellular pathogens, including Leishmania. It encodes a transmembrane protein of the phago-endosomal compartments, where it functions as an iron transporter. But the mechanism by which Nramp1 controls host-pathogen dynamics and determines final outcome of an infection is yet to be fully deciphered. Whether the expression of Nramp1 is altered in response to a pathogen attack is also unknown. To address these, Nramp1 status was examined in Leishmania major-infected murine macrophages. We observed that at 12 hrs post infection, there was drastic lowering of Nramp1 level accompanied by increased phagolysosomal iron content and enhanced intracellular parasite growth. Leishmania infection-induced Nramp1 downregulation was caused by ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway, which in turn was found to be mediated by the iron-regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin. Blocking of Nramp1 degradation with proteasome inhibitor or transcriptional agonist of hepcidin resulted in depletion of phagolysosomal iron pool that led to significant reduction of intracellular parasite burden. Interestingly, Nramp1 level was restored to normalcy after 30 hrs of infection with a concomitant drop in phagolysosomal iron, which is suggestive of a host counteractive response to deprive the pathogen of this essential micronutrient. Taken together, our study implicates Nramp1 as a central player in the host-pathogen battle for phagolysosomal iron. We also report Nramp1 as a novel target for hepcidin, and this 'hepcidin-Nramp1' axis may have a broader role in regulating macrophage iron homeostasis.

Dynamic interaction between the transmission wire and cross-frame

In the construction process of electricity facilities, after wire broken or tension failure, the wire will drastically rush through the iron towers and drop onto the shelter structure named cross-frame. In this investigation, A systematical dynamic analysis method is developed to investigate the dynamic interaction between the electricity transmission wire and cross-frame, which is crucial for ensuring the safety of the construction engineering. The Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation cable element is used to model the transmission wire. The methodology of describing and solving the sliding joints between the wire and the iron towers is developed. An efficient contact searching procedure is proposed based on the spatial beam-to-beam contact manner. Since the dynamic properties of the wire and cross-frame are quite different, the co-simulation technology is created. An impact example between a free falling wire and the steel rods is performed both numerically and experimentally. Finally, a full-size cross-frame-wire model is tested. The feasibility, accuracy and efficiency of the proposed procedure are demonstrated, which can significantly improve the efficiency of the cross-frame design and ensure the safety of the electricity facility construction.

Thermal evolution of a metal drop falling in a less dense, more viscous fluid

The initial thermal state of terrestrial planets was partly determined, during accretion, by the fall of iron drops in a liquid magma ocean. We perform axisymmetric numerical simulations of these falling dynamics and associated heat exchanges, for various drop initial sizes and ambient viscosities. Our parametric study shows that the thermal boundary layer thickness, the depth and time for equilibration, the Nusselt number, and the magma ocean volume affected by thermal exchanges, all scale as power laws of the Peclet number that deviate from the classical balances because of drop distortions.

Home fortification of foods with multiple micronutrient powders for health and nutrition in children under two years of age.

Home fortification of foods with multiple micronutrient powders for health and nutrition in children under two years of age.

57Fe Mössbauer study of high-yield CuFe2O4 nanoparticles produced by the levitation-jet aerosol technique with post-synthesis annealing

Pseudo-spherical cubic-shaped nanoparticles of spinel ferrite CuFe2O4 have been prepared using a two-stage process. At first, an evaporation of levitating copper–iron drop into mix of helium–air gas flow took place, which resulting in copper ferrite-based powders. Then, such powders were additionally oxidized trough the heterogeneous auto-wave combustion in open air. We studied the effect of performing the synthesis in either an air or a helium environment on the phase composition of nanoparticles, and how the use of a post-synthesis annealing step modifies this, using room temperature 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. By applying this technique, we are able to distinguish between the normal (non-magnetic) and inverse cubic (magnetic) phases of CuFe2O4, which is usually inaccessible using X-ray diffraction, as well as quantifying their relative amounts within each sample. Furthermore, we have been able to quantify trace amounts of the tetragonal CuFe2O4, phases that are typically obscured by line-broadening effects within our X-ray diffraction data, which indicates that annealing using a propane flame can also cause a cubic to tetragonal distortion in the crystal structure of the spinel lattice. Finally, by combining our Mossbauer parameters, which are sensitive to the Fe-containing phases only, with X-ray diffraction data, which are sensitive to all phases, we report on the full phase composition for the first time for nanoparticles produced via this synthesis route.