Low Calcium Concentrations Research Articles

Biogeochemical Features of Landscapes of the Nadym Region of YANAO

The purpose of the study is to reveal the biogeochemical features of soils (illuvial-ferruginous podzols, podzols, cryozems, oligotrophic peat frozen soils, alluvial gray-humus and lacustrine-alluvial soils) and vegetation (Betula nana L., Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench, Vaccinium uliginosum L., Ledum palustre L., Sphagnum sp L.) of the Nadym region. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set and implemented: to determine the total content and radial differentiation of elements in the studied soils; to reveal the features of the biological accumulation of elements by the dominant types of vegetation cover. The elemental composition of soils and plants was determined on a serial X-ray fluorescence spectrometer S6 JAGUAR according to the method for determining the mass fraction of metals and metal oxides in powder samples. It has been established that the soils of the Nadym region are characterized by a low content of macroelements, including potassium, calcium, and phosphorus necessary for the mineral nutrition of plants. Calculation of soil-geochemical coefficients shows that the studied soils have an average degree of weathering and leaching moisture regime, peat-gley and cryozems are classified as more fertile soils. Ca, P, and S are accumulated in organic soil horizons, and Co, Cr, and Ni are accumulated in mineral horizons. The radial geochemical structure of cryozems combines features of eluvial-illuvial differentiation and biogenic accumulation. In podzols, the distribution of all elements is eluvial-illuvial, with a minimum in the podzolic horizon. Among plants, the leader in the accumulation of elements is dwarf birch (the maximum accumulation of Ca, K, P, Mg, Zn, Ni), in mosses, on the contrary, the minimum accumulation of elements was found. The elements of energetic and strong accumulation (Kb=n-100n) include Pb, Mo, Cd, Cl, S.

Scalant Removal at Acidic pH for Maximum Ammonium Recovery.

One option for new nitrogen sources is industrial liquid side streams containing ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N). Unfortunately, NH4-N often exists in low concentrations in large water volumes. In order to achieve a highly concentrated NH4-Nsolution, scalant removal is needed. In this study, scalant removal by precipitation was investigated. At alkali pH, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) was used as a precipitation chemical while at acidic pH, the chemical used was oxalic acid (C2H2O4). At alkali pH, high Na2CO3 dose was needed to achieve low content of calcium, which, with sulphate, formed the main scalant in the studied mine water. NH4-N at alkali pH was in the form of gaseous ammonia but it stayed well in the solution during pre-treatment for nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO). However, it was not rejected sufficiently, even via LG SW seawater RO membrane. At acidic pH with CaC2O4 precipitation, NF90 was able to be used for NH4-N concentration up to the volume reduction factor of 25. Then, NH4-N concentration increased from 0.17 g/L to 3 g/L. NF270 produced the best fluxes for acid pre-treated mine water, but NH4-N rejection was not adequate. NF90 membrane with mine water pre-treated using acid was successfully verified on a larger scale using the NF90-2540 spiral wound element.

RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS OF CORONARY DENTIN OF VITAL AND ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the properties of coronary dentin of vital and endodontically treated human teeth using Raman Spectroscopy. MATERIAL/METHODS: The samples used were taken from coronary dentin of intact extracted human teeth, ultrasonically cleaned and stored in a 0.2% thymol solution at 4 degrees Celsius for up to 3 months. They were divided into two groups – “vital dentin” and “endodontically treated dentin” samples. Each sample was crossed-sectioned, embedded in resin, polished and subjected to Raman spectroscopy with a Horiba Jobin-Yvon T64000 triple-grating spectrometer, using a CdHe laser with 4 μm diameter of the laser spot and 2.5mW of power on the examined surface. The resultant diagrams were analyzed using the software package Origin 9.6 andunderwent baseline correction and normalization. A comparison between the two studied groups was made. RESULTS: The results from the “vital dentin” group showed a well-expressed crystalline structure, with clear peaks corresponding to pure and b-carbonated hydroxyapatite. The results of the “endodontically treated dentin” group showed the presence of new chemical compounds – octacalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, as well as increased intensity of the b-carbonated hydroxyapatite peaks. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of mineral substances with low calcium content could contribute to a decrease in dentin toughness, which in turn can lessen the mechanical properties of endodontically treated teeth. Raman spectroscopy can be a useful tool in the detection of these dentin components.

One-Part Alkali-Activated Materials: State of the Art and Perspectives.

Alkali-activated materials (AAM) are recognized as potential alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to limit CO2 emissions and beneficiate several wastes into useful products. Compared with its counterparts involving the concentrated aqueous alkali solutions, the development of "just add water" one-part alkali-activated materials (OP-AAM) has drawn much attention, mainly attributed to their benefits in overcoming the hazardous, irritating, and corrosive nature of activator solutions. This study starts with a comprehensive overview of the OP-AAM; 89 published studies reported on mortar or concrete with OP-AAM were collected and concluded in this paper. Comprehensive comparisons and discussions were conducted on raw materials, preparation, working performance, mechanical properties, and durability, and so on. Moreover, an in-depth comparison of different material pretreatment methods, fiber types, and curing methods was presented, and their potential mechanisms were discussed. It is found that ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) provides the best mechanical properties, and the reuse of most aluminosilicate materials can improve the utilization efficiency of solid waste. The curing temperature can be improved significantly for precursor materials with low calcium contents. In order to overcome the brittleness of the AAM, fiber reinforcement might be an efficient way, and steel fiber has the best chemical stability. It is not recommended to use synthetic fiber with poor chemical stability. Based on the analysis of current limitations, both the recommendations and perspectives are laid down to be the lighthouse for further research.

Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and related complications

The incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is high while the factors involved include age (> 50 years), type of operation, operative time, neck dissection, histology of the surgical specimen and vocal fold paralysis. Low ionic calcium concentrations are indicative of the presence of symptoms of hypocalcemia and the need for oral calcium. Progression to definitive hypoparathyroidism occurs only in patients with clinical manifestations of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. In general, the problem with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism resides in the surgical procedure itself. The most common are related to neuronal hyperexcitability, which explains the paresthesias, cramps and numbness, which usually start in the perioral region and on the fingertips. Muscle spasms and muscle stiffness are also common. When severe, hypocalcemia can lead to life-threatening spastic tetany, laryngospasm, and seizures. The current manuscript aimed to present a review of the bibliography on thyroidectomy and negative impact of its complications on human health, mainly because of a higher risk for developing hypocalcemia. To achieve the study goal, this review covered most recent published articles from 2017 onward.

The role of solvent quality and of competitive adsorption on the efficiency of superplasticizers in alkali-activated slag pastes

The loss of dispersing ability by polycarboxylates ether superplasticizers in alkali-activated slag cements has been widely reported. However, no clear-cut explanation of this phenomenon can be found to date. Therefore, the behaviour of poly(methacrylate-g-poly(ethylene glycol)) superplasticizers in NaOH or Na2CO3-activated slag pastes was investigated. The observed loss of efficiency of the polymer was not due to a specific property of the slag particles, nor to structural degradation of the polymer in the alkaline solutions. Actually, the ionic strength of the activating solution decreased the solvent quality and changed the polymer conformation, leading to a deterioration of the steric repulsion brought by the side-chains. Moreover, in the Na2CO3-activated systems, the adsorption behaviour of the polymers was also significantly altered. Here, this was not caused by a low calcium concentration or by a preferential adsorption of the superplasticizer on calcite crystallites. The most plausible explanation was a competitive adsorption with CO32− ions.

Prevention of Dental Erosion Caused by Fermented Milk: An In-vitro Study.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of three techniques for preventing dental erosion and thereby identify effective methods. The three techniques were: 1) adding calcium to fermented milk (2% Ca and 0.5% Ca); 2) topical application of fluoride to the teeth before exposure to fermented milk (acidulated phosphate fluoride [APF] gel and 0.05% NaF); and 3) a combination of the two techniques (APF gel + 0.5% Ca, 0.05% NaF + 0.5% Ca). pH cycling was performed on bovine-tooth specimens alternately immersed in experimental solutions and artificial saliva. After treatment, the microhardness and roughness of the enamel surfaces were measured, and changes in the surface morphology were observed using atomic force microscope images. Microhardness did not differ statistically significantly between the 2% Ca and mineral water (negative control) groups (2% Ca: 295.34 ± 11.50; mineral water group: 294.76 ± 10.67; p > 0.05). Surface roughness did not differ statistically significantly between the 2% Ca, 0.05% NaF + 0.5% Ca, and mineral water groups (2% Ca: 16.81 ± 7.23; 0.05% NaF + 0.5% Ca: 15.77 ± 2.86; mineral water group: 13.35 ± 5.53; p > 0.05). The surface morphology did not change in the mineral water and 2% Ca groups. Considering that 2% calcium is a high concentration, adding a low concentration of calcium to fermented milk and applying a low concentration of fluoride daily decreased the reduction of surface microhardness and reduced the increase in surface roughness without causing marked changes in surface morphology. This confirms that combining the two techniques is an effective strategy to prevent dental erosion in-vitro.

Calcium handling maturation and adaptation to increased substrate stiffness in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes: The impact of full-length dystrophin deficiency.

Cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC- CMs) are a unique source for modelling inherited cardiomyopathies. In particular, the possibility of observing maturation processes in a simple culture dish opens novel perspectives in the study of early-disease defects caused by genetic mutations before the onset of clinical manifestations. For instance, calcium handling abnormalities are considered as a leading cause of cardiomyocyte dysfunction in several genetic-based dilated cardiomyopathies, including rare types such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)-associated cardiomyopathy. To better define the maturation of calcium handling we simultaneously measured action potential and calcium transients (Ca-Ts) using fluorescent indicators at specific time points. We combined micropatterned substrates with long-term cultures to improve maturation of hiPSC-CMs (60, 75 or 90 days post-differentiation). Control-(hiPSC)-CMs displayed increased maturation over time (90 vs 60 days), with longer action potential duration (APD), increased Ca-T amplitude, faster Ca-T rise (time to peak) and Ca-T decay (RT50). The progressively increased contribution of the SR to Ca release (estimated by post-rest potentiation or Caffeine-induced Ca-Ts) appeared as the main determinant of the progressive rise of Ca-T amplitude during maturation. As an example of severe cardiomyopathy with early onset, we compared hiPSC-CMs generated from a DMD patient (DMD-ΔExon50) and a CRISPR-Cas9 genome edited cell line isogenic to the healthy control with deletion of a G base at position 263 of the DMD gene (c.263delG-CMs). In DMD-hiPSC-CMs, changes of Ca-Ts during maturation were less pronounced: indeed, DMD cells at 90 days showed reduced Ca-T amplitude and faster Ca-T rise and RT50, as compared with control hiPSC-CMs. Caffeine-Ca-T was reduced in amplitude and had a slower time course, suggesting lower SR calcium content and NCX function in DMD vs control cells. Nonetheless, the inotropic and lusitropic responses to forskolin were preserved. CRISPR-induced c.263delG-CM line recapitulated the same developmental calcium handling alterations observed in DMD-CMs. We then tested the effects of micropatterned substrates with higher stiffness. In control hiPSC-CMs, higher stiffness leads to higher amplitude of Ca-T with faster decay kinetics. In hiPSC-CMs lacking full-length dystrophin, however, stiffer substrates did not modify Ca-Ts but only led to higher SR Ca content. These findings highlighted the inability of dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes to adjust their calcium homeostasis in response to increases of extracellular matrix stiffness, which suggests a mechanism occurring during the physiological and pathological development (i.e. fibrosis).

Role of calcium in IVF: More than just a simple ion?

Background and Aim: The mechanism by which sperm cell induces oocyte activation depends on free intracellular calcium (Ca2+) of the oocyte. After fertilization, Ca2+ is higher. A correlation between the cytosolic Ca2+ and mitotic divisions were noticed. A low concentration of calcium may arrest embryo development. Calcium ionophores are chemical agents that are used in IVF for providing calcium and activate the oocyte artificially. This study's aim is to know if calcium ionophores helps to improve ICSI fertilization rate and embryo quality in patients with previous failed cycles.

Agronomic evaluation of irrigation water on the Southern Buh and Kamianska irrigation systems

The aim of the research was to study the temporal and spatial dynamics of a set of agronomic criteria for irrigation water in the process of transporting it from the Southern Buh River intake site to the lands of the Southern Buh and Kamianska irrigation systems situated in southern Ukraine. Six stationary research sites for monitoring the quality of irrigation water were established along the route of irrigation water transportation. Determination of agronomic criteria for irrigation water quality was carried out in two terms: at the beginning of the irrigation season, in May, and at the end, in September. The content of cations of sodium, magnesium, calcium, and anions of chlorine, sulphates, carbonates, and bicarbonates was determined. In the field, the pH and electrical conductivity of water, the total salt content, and the total amount of dissolved solids were determined. It is determined that waters have an average level of danger from the point of view of salinisation of soils. This fact leads to a decrease in yield of sensitive to salinity crops (corn, alfalfa and most vegetables). The high content of sodium cations along with the low content of calcium and magnesium cations indicates the danger of degradation of the physical properties of the southern chernozems and the need to use the meliorants containing calcium. There is a high probability of toxic effects on crops caused by sodium cations. At the same time, it is stated that there is no negative effect of chlorine anions on plants.

Optimal exogenous calcium alleviates the damage of Snow-melting agent to Salix matsudana seedlings.

As the main component of snowmelt agents, NaCl is widely used in northern winters and significantly impacts the expected growth of garden plants in north China. Salix matsudana is also faced with salt stress caused by snowmelt, which seriously affects its development as the main tree species in the northern landscape. However, how exogenous calcium alleviates salt stress in Salix matsudana is not yet clear. In this study, the indicators of growth indices, photosynthetic characteristics and stress resistance were measured by hydroponic assays in combination with three NaCl conditions (0, 50 and 200 mmol·L-1) and five calcium concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mmol·L-1). The study’s results indicated that the application of exogenous calcium remarkably promoted the growth of Salix matsudana seedlings under NaCl stress. When the exogenous calcium concentration was 10 mmol·L-1, the plant height and basal diameter of Salix matsudana seedlings increased significantly, and the biomass of all parts reached the maximum (P< 0.05). Exogenous calcium can substantially improve the photosynthesis of Salix matsudana seedlings under salt stress. The photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic product synthesis of Salix matsudana seedlings were significantly increased at an exogenous calcium concentration of 10 mmol·L-1, and the photosynthetic level of Salix matsudana seedlings reached the highest value. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F v /F m, F v /F 0) of Salix matsudana seedlings were significantly decreased under different concentrations of NaCl stress. The maximum photochemical efficiency (F v /F m) and potential photochemical efficiency (F v /F 0) of Salix matsudana seedlings peaked when the exogenous calcium concentration was 10 mmol·L-1, which was significantly higher than that of the other treatments (P< 0.05). The water use efficiency of Salix matsudana was affected considerably by NaCl stress. The WUE and iWUE peak values of Salix matsudana were significantly higher than those of other calcium concentrations at 10 mmol·L-1 (P< 0.05). Exogenous calcium can increase the activities of CAT, SOD and POD enzymes in Salix matsudana seedlings under different NaCl concentrations. Under NaCl stress, adding exogenous calcium promoted the survival rate and growth of Salix matsudana seedlings. In conclusion, the optimum exogenous calcium concentration for Salix matsudana seedlings was 10 mmol·L-1. High or low concentrations of exogenous calcium did not achieve the best results in alleviating salt stress in Salix matsudana.

Sodium sulphate resistance of geopolymer mortar produced using ground ferronickel slag with fly ash

This study investigated the durability of geopolymer mortar made from ground ferronickel slag (GFNS) with fly ash (FA) after immersion in 5% sodium sulphate solution for 1.5 years. An increase of compressive strength was found after immersion of the samples in sodium sulphate solution. The mortar containing 75% GFNS was found to have the highest compressive strength after sulphate exposure. The high strength of FA-GFNS geopolymer is ascribed to the presence of stable sodium magnesium alumino-silicate hydrate (NMASH) product. The expansions of geopolymer mortars after immersion in sulphate solution were well below the value recommended by the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Microstructural analysis confirmed the absence of expansive gypsum or ettringite in geopolymer mortar after sodium sulphate solution exposure. Though all the samples showed good stability against sulphate exposure, the NMASH gel and the lower calcium content of GFNS made the FA-GFNS blended geopolymer less susceptible to sulphate attack compared to the 100% FA geopolymer.

Ongoings in the apple watercore: First evidence from proteomic and metabolomic analysis

The presence of watercored fruit with translucent mesocarp has attracted immense attention due to its unique morphology and taste, however, the metabolic reconstruction between watercored and non-watercored tissues remain elusive. Herein, the combined proteomic and metabolomic approach was carried out to characterize the protein abundance and metabolic profile in watercored apple. Results demonstrated that carbohydrate metabolism was prioritized enriched in watercored apple, including highly accumulated sucrose and sugar alcohols, and the increased level of transcription factor WHIRLY2 (WHY2), which is required in sugar reallocation. More than 50% overlap of differently abundant proteins involved in calcium ion binding, starch and sucrose metabolism implied the involvement of calcium signaling in watercore development. Moreover, significantly lower calcium content was detected in watercored apples. Sucrose synthase (SUSY) protein, which is involved both in calcium ion binding and sugar metabolism, was the potential basis of apple watercore development, which provided a likely candidate in regulation of apparent quality.

The Formation, Structural Characteristics, Absorption Pathways and Bioavailability of Calcium-Peptide Chelates.

Calcium is one of the most important mineral elements in the human body and is closely related to the maintenance of human health. To prevent calcium deficiency, various calcium supplements have been developed, but their application tends to be limited by low calcium content and highly irritating effects on the stomach, among other side effects. Recently, calcium–peptide chelates, which have excellent stability and are easily absorbed, have received attention as an alternative emerging calcium supplement. Calcium-binding peptides (CaBP) are usually obtained via the hydrolysis of animal or plant proteins, and calcium-binding capacity (CaBC) can be further improved through chromatographic purification techniques. In calcium ions, the phosphate group, carboxylic group and nitrogen atom in the peptide are the main binding sites, and the four modes of combination are the unidentate mode, bidentate mode, bridging mode and α mode. The stability and safety of calcium–peptide chelates are discussed in this paper, the intestinal absorption pathways of calcium elements and peptides are described, and the bioavailability of calcium–peptide chelates, both in vitro and in vivo, is also introduced. This review of the research status of calcium–peptide chelates aims to provide a reasonable theoretical basis for their application as calcium supplementation products.

Potential of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a dietary protein source for broilers.

This study was conducted to systematically assess and compare the fluctuations in crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), and mineral content of staged (larva to adult) Drosophila (fruit fly) to that of a market-purchased black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) product. Results suggested that the relative CP content by dry matter ranged from 40.11% to 53.73% during Drosophila development, significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the 36.90% in BSFL. The relative CF was higher in BSFL (39.14%) compared to that of Drosophila (27.03-30.10%, P < 0.001). Although both insects contained sufficient levels of minerals to meet the dietary requirements of most animals, Drosophila overall possessed a lower content of iron, sodium, and calcium (P < 0.001) with a higher gross energy than the BSFL (P < 0.01). Comparative studies of amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) profiles were further carried out among Drosophila larva (DL), pupa, and BSFL for their economic effectiveness. The AA spectra of insect larvae generally were similar except that the DL was higher in certain AA such as lysine (P < 0.01), which is an essential AA often critical for chicken growth. In contrast, the BSFL included more essential FA such as linoleic (C18:2, ω-6) and linolenic (C18:3, ω-3) acids (P < 0.01). To follow up, a husbandry trial was performed by allotting 120, 1-d-old, weight-matched, Arbor Acres broilers at random into treatment groups consisting of a low-protein diet background that contained ~20% CP supplemented with 4% BSFL and 4% or 8% DL. The average daily growth (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers, compared to the control low-protein diet, were significantly improved by feeding DL diets (P < 0.01), with better live and carcass weight and higher muscle pH (P < 0.001), which were positively correlated with the inclusion level of DL (P < 0.001). However, no differences between the control and 4% BSFL diet were observed for the performance parameters mentioned above. Moreover, all birds under our experimental setting exhibited a comparable feed conversion ratio (FCR) and were in a healthy status as indicated by the meat traits and hematological indexes within normal physiological ranges. Collectively, the findings in this study provide a theoretical basis for the further exploitation of Drosophila as potential dietary ingredients for feed production in order to meet the food challenge in the future.

Performance on Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Concrete with 8, 10 &amp; 12 Molar Naoh Activator Using M40 Grade of Concrete

Abstract: Ordinary Worldwide, Portland cement is a vital building component. A source of carbon dioxide emissions alongside deforestation and the use of fossil fuels is the cement making business. The atmosphere is polluted by greenhouse gases like CO2, which contribute to global warming. CO2 makes up roughly 65% of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Around 7% of the planet's total greenhouse gas emissions come from the cement industry. Alternative binders for the manufacturing of concrete are required to overcome the environmental impacts associated with Portland cement. In this work, a geopolymer based on fly ash from Vijayawada with a low calcium content (Class F) was utilised. A thermal power plant was used to create geopolymer concrete. Flyash activation employed an alkaline solution made of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The ratio of alkaline solution to fly ash was adjusted to 0.45. The sodium hydroxide solution's concentration was kept at 8M, 10M, and 12M. (Molars). As ambient curing, different curing conditions for geopolymer concrete were used. At different ages, including 7 and 28 days, the geopolymer concrete's compressive strength and split tensile strength were evaluated. According to the test results, the strength of geopolymer concrete increases along with the alkaline solution to fly ash ratio.

Effect of Coal Blending on Ash Fusibility and Slurryability of Xinjiang Low-Rank Coal

This work investigated the effect of coal blending on ash fusibility and slurryability of Xinjiang low-rank coal. The results showed that Xinjiang low-rank coals were characterized by high internal water content, high volatile content, high ash fusing point, and poor slurryability, which can not be directly used in coal water slurry gasification. The blending method not only reduced the ash fusibility but also improved the slurryability of these low-rank coals. When the coals with low calcium and high silicon contents (KG and YK) were blended with coal with high calcium content (SH), the ash fusion temperatures of the blended coal were significantly reduced. Moreover, the SH coal showed the worst slurryability performance with a concentration of 48.56%. The slurryability of HS coal can be dramatically improved by blending with KG. When the mass fraction of KG coal reached 70%, the concentration of coal water slurry increased by 11%. For the blended coal of KG and YK, the concentration and stability of coal water slurry gradually increase with the increasing mass ratio of KG. The coal blending method can effectively improve the concentration of coal water slurry for the low-rank coals, which were difficult-to-prepare slurry.

Dental structure and tooth attachment modes in the common fangtooth Anoplogaster cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833) (Actinopterygii; Trachichthyiformes; Anoplogastridae).

We studied the structure and attachment modes of the teeth of adult Anoplogaster cornuta using light- and scanning-electron microscopic techniques. All teeth were monocuspid, composed solely of orthodentin, and lacked a covering enameloid cap. Fourteen teeth were present in the oral jaws, with three teeth each on the left and right premaxilla and four teeth each on the left and right dentary. The anteriormost premaxillary and dentary teeth were considerably larger than the more posteriorly located ones. The oral jaw teeth were transparent, non-depressible and firmly ankylosed to their respective dentigerous bone by a largely anosteocytic bone of attachment. No evidence for replacement of the large oral jaw teeth was found in the analyzed adult specimens. The bone of attachment exhibited lower calcium and phosphorus concentrations and a higher Ca/P ratio than the orthodentin. The connection between dentinal tooth shaft and bone of attachment was stabilized by a collar of mineralized collagen fibers. In contrast to the oral jaw teeth, the pharyngeal teeth exhibited a ring-like fibrous attachment to their supporting bones. This mode of attachment provides the teeth with some lateral mobility and allows their depression relative to their supporting bones, which may facilitate intra-pharyngeal prey transport. In contrast, a firm ankylosis was observed in numerous small teeth located on the branchial arches. The function of these teeth is presumably to increase the tightness of the pharyngeal basket and thereby the retention of small prey items in a species living in a habitat with only sparse food supply. Our findings corroborate earlier statements on the tooth attachment modes of the oral jaw teeth of Anoplogaster cornuta, but provide new findings for the attachment modes of pharyngeal teeth in this species.

STUDY THE MONTHLY CHANGES IN THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AL-GARRAF RIVER WATER IN QALAT SUKER CITY, DEC. 2019-APRIL, 2020, A SUSTAINABLE STUDY

Al- Gharraf River was chosen for this study as the main source of drinking water for most Thi-Qar Governorate residents. The water samples were chosen from three locations, when it entered Qalat Suker (Al-Nazim site) and in the middle of the city (the Bridge site) and when the river came out of the city (Al-Khammas site) each sample had three replicates for a period of five months from December 2019 to April 2020 as one measurement a month. Some physical and chemical properties, which are pH, electrical conductivity EC, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, and chloride ion, were studied. The distance between the entry point of the river and the outer point is about 8 km. The physical and chemical properties curves were plotted to show the changes in water characteristics during the months of the observation to compare the results with the international standards for water use.The results of the study indicated a rise in the concentration of chloride in some months due to industrial wastes, irrigation water, sewage, cleaning materials and organic waste, which is an important source of adding additional chloride ion in surface water and groundwater. The decline in some months may be due to increased rainfall. The study also showed that the concentration of magnesium ion within the allowed limits. Also, the present study also recorded a low concentration of calcium, it is clear that no any additional amounts of these ions added by the city activities. It is clear that the pH decreased in March and April which may because household waste and detergents, pHremains within the limits for human, animal and agricultural uses according to the World Health Organization and Iraqi standards. The water turbidity ranged from 1.77 NTU to NTU38.36. In December and January, the limits were within the permissible limits, while in (February, March and April), the water is considered unfit for human consumption, according to

New KCNN4 Variants Associated With Anemia: Stomatocytosis Without Erythrocyte Dehydration.

The K+ channel activated by the Ca2+, KCNN4, has been shown to contribute to red blood cell dehydration in the rare hereditary hemolytic anemia, the dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis. We report two de novo mutations on KCNN4, We reported two de novo mutations on KCNN4, V222L and H340N, characterized at the molecular, cellular and clinical levels. Whereas both mutations were shown to increase the calcium sensitivity of the K+ channel, leading to channel opening for lower calcium concentrations compared to WT KCNN4 channel, there was no obvious red blood cell dehydration in patients carrying one or the other mutation. The clinical phenotype was greatly different between carriers of the mutated gene ranging from severe anemia for one patient to a single episode of anemia for the other patient or no documented sign of anemia for the parents who also carried the mutation. These data compared to already published KCNN4 mutations question the role of KCNN4 gain-of-function mutations in hydration status and viability of red blood cells in bloodstream.