Mineral Content Research Articles

Potential Effects of Lifelong Team Handball and Football Training and Nutritional Habits on Bone Health and Body Composition in Elderly Women

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lifelong team handball/football training on regional bone health and body composition in elderly women. Methods: Seventeen elderly women team handball/football players (65.9 ± 5.7 years) and twenty-one untrained age-matched women (controls) (67.7 ± 5.1 years) participated. Whole-body and regional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of arms, legs, and lower spine (L1–L4) were performed. Results: We observed 8% and 9% higher bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), respectively, at the whole-body level and in the legs and 11.5% higher BMC in the legs in team handball/football players compared to untrained age-matched controls (p < 0.05). Higher total and leg lean body mass (p < 0.05), along with lower total body fat percentage (p < 0.05) and higher T- and Z-scores, markers of fragility risk fracture (0.294 ± 1.461 vs. −0.538 ± 1.031; 1.447 ± 1.278 vs. 0.724 ± 0.823, respectively), were also found in team handball/football players compared to controls (p < 0.05). No significant differences in nutritional habits were observed between groups. Conclusions: Our study suggest that the beneficial effects of lifetime handball/football practice on bone preservation in elderly women occur independently from nutritional intake, which emphasize the potential role of team sports in osteoporosis prevention. Future studies should focus on the cofounding factors and causative mechanisms mediated by team sport practice in osteoporosis prevention.

Assessing the Muscle–Bone Unit in Girls Exposed to Different Amounts of Impact-Loading Physical Activity—A Cross-Sectional Association Study

Background/Objectives: In children, an association exists between muscle and bone, as well as between physical activity and osteogenesis. Impact loading is a factor in increasing bone accrual during growth. In this work, we explored the muscle–bone association in girls exposed to long-term physical activity at different levels of impact loading. Methods: Four groups of girls aged 7–16 were considered. The curricular (C; n = 22) group only had curricular physical activity at school (2 h/w). In addition to curricular physical activity, the girls in the dance (D; n = 21), gymnastics at lower training (GL; n = 14), and gymnastics at higher training (GH; n = 20) groups had 2 h/w, 4 h/w, and 4 h/w < training ≤ 12 h/w additional physical activity, respectively, for at least one year. A visual analysis estimated the respective amounts of impact-loading activity. The bone mineral content (BMC), areal bone mineral density (aBMD), and fat-free soft tissue mass (FFSTM) were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The results showed that, after adjusting for several confounders, statistically significant correlations were present between muscle mass and several bone mineral variables. A regression analysis confirmed the correlation in the data, and showed the marginal role of other body composition variables and physical activity for predicting BMC and BMD. Conclusion: Skeletal muscle mass is a major determinant of the BMC and BMD of the TBLH, as well as of the Appendicular level, in girls exposed to different amounts of long-term impact-loading physical activity.

Nutritional Value, Fatty Acid and Phytochemical Composition, and Antioxidant Properties of Mysore Fig (Ficus drupacea Thunb.) Fruits.

Ficus drupacea is a fruit-bearing tree that is distributed in Southeast Asia and Australia. The objective of this research was to ascertain the following with regard to ripened fruits: (i) their nutritional value, (ii) their mineral status, (iii) the fatty acid composition of fruit and seed oil, (iv) their phytochemical makeup, and (v) their antioxidant properties. The ripened fruits contained 3.21%, 3.25%, 0.92%, 1.47%, and 2.20% carbohydrate, protein, fat, ash, and fiber, respectively. Fruits had an energy content of 30.18 kcal/100 g. In terms of mineral content, the fruit was rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and nitrogen, with values of 21.03, 13.24, 11.07, and 4.13 mg/g DW. Iron, zinc, manganese, and boron had values of 686.67, 124.33, 114.40, and 35.78 µg/g DW, respectively. The contents of oxalate and phytate were 14.44 and 2.8 mg/g FW, respectively. The fruit and seed oil content were 0.67 and 8.07%, respectively, and the oil's physicochemical properties were comparable to those of fig fruit and seed oils. Omega-3 (α-linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), and omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids were abundant in the oils. Fruit extracts in acetone, methanol, and water have greater concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays demonstrated increased antioxidant activities in close correlation with the higher concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The results of this study demonstrate that the fruits of F. drupacea are a strong source of nutrients and phytochemicals, and they merit more investigation and thought for possible uses.

Cultivating sustainability: a multi-assessment of groundwater quality and irrigation suitability in the arid agricultural district of Dzira (Ksour Mountains, Algeria).

Groundwater serves a range of essential functions such as supplying drinking water, facilitating agricultural practices, and supporting industrial processes. This study examines with multiple methods the quality of groundwater in the agricultural region of Dzira, Algeria. By collecting 38 groundwater samples of different wells and boreholes, valuable awareness of the aptness of groundwater for irrigation in this arid landscape was gained. Most wells met Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) criteria for the total dissolved solids (TDS) and the potential of hydrogen pH, but some areas had higher mineral content and electrical conductivity. Results show significant TDS variations, with 10.81% of wells exceeding limits and acceptable pH levels. Elevated EC values in 67.57% of wells show high salinity, affecting soil and plant growth. Major ions such as Mg2+ and SO4- exceeded FAO standards in 43.24% and 64.86% of wells, respectively, highlighting substantial mineral content in the groundwater. Suitability indices reveal that most wells pose low sodium hazards and are generally suitable for irrigation, though some areas face moderate to high restrictions. The irrigation water quality index (IWQI) ranged from 45.36 to 96.30, averaging 80.77, with 54.04% classified as "low restriction," suitable for sandy soils with good permeability but requiring caution on salt-sensitive soils. Hydrogeochemical analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identifies rapid evaporite dissolution from Triassic saline formations, with a correlation matrix showing associations between TDS and Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄2⁻. This mineralization is likely from gypsum and halite. Zoning maps based on IWQI and other parameters depicted spatial variations in groundwater quality, guiding effective irrigation management strategies. Overall, the study underscores the importance of comprehensive water quality assessment for sustainable agriculture and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to mitigate potential challenges associated with soil salinity and sodicity. Therefore, these findings can be useful to decision-makers and stakeholders in order to optimize water use and protect this vital resource.

Pore structure of the mixed sedimentary reservoir of Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Hashan area, Junggar Basin

The Permian Fengcheng Formation (P1f.) in the Hashan area, situated on the southwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, has witnessed a remarkable breakthrough in shale oil exploration in recent years with nearly 789 million tons of shale oil resources. As a unique set of mixed sedimentary shales, the Fengcheng Formation in the Hashan area is characterized by mixed sedimentation of terrigenous siliciclastic sediments, authigenic minerals, and tuffaceous materials. However, the understanding of pore characteristics in the mixed sedimentary reservoir still remains limited, prohibiting accurate estimation of the oil content and insights into oil mobility. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-Ray Computer Tomography (X-CT), and geochemical analysis were performed to investigate the pore size distribution and main controlling factors of the mixed sedimentary reservoir. Results showed that the main pore types in the mixed sedimentary reservoir are intergranular pores and dissolution pores. The pores of the P1f. mixed shales in the Hashan area were classified into II-micropores (< 25 nm), I-micropores (25–100 nm), mesopores (100–1000 nm) and macropores (> 1000 nm). In general, the mixed sedimentary rocks of P1f. formation feature few macropores but a large number of micropores and mesopores. The CS exhibits the most favourable physical properties among all lithofacies. It is concluded that the abundance and maturity of organic matter, mineral composition, sedimentary structure, and diagenesis of reservoir together impact the pore structure in the mixed sedimentary reservoirs. The maturity of organic matter and the content of tuffaceous minerals are the most significant in influencing the pore structure of P1f. shales. Overall, the pore structure of complex lithologic reservoir formed by mixed deposition and its influence on physical properties are studied, and the characteristics of the microscopic pore-throat system of the dominant lithofacies in the Hashan area are clarified, which is of great significance as a guide for the exploration and development of mixed sedimentary reservoirs in continental shale oil in China.

Efficacy of different remineralization agents on microhardness and chemical composition of enamel white spot lesion

Background White spot lesions (WSLs) are frequently linked with low microhardness and mineral content changes. several strategies have been employed to deal with these problems. This investigation aimed to analyze the microhardness and mineral content changes after remineralization with bioactive glass (BAG) and casein phospho-peptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF). Methods Twenty sound maxillary first premolars extracted were used to obtain a total of one hundred enamel samples. forty enamel slabs were split into four experimental groups (n = 10 each): Group I, BAG; Group II, BAG+CPP-ACPF; Group III, CPP-ACPF varnish; and Group IV, artificial saliva (negative control). To create artificial WSLs, all samples were preserved in a prepared demineralizing agent for 72 h before treatment with remineralizing agents. Vickers microhardness test was performed. Additionally, 60 enamel samples were selected for analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and assigned to six experimental groups; the first four groups were similar to that used in the microhardness test along with Group V: WSLs, and Group VI: baseline. The statistical analyses employed in this study included Tukey’s HSD (p&lt;0.05), one-way ANOVA, and Shapiro-Wilk. Result Regarding surface microhardness, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group showed the most favorable recovery, which was better than the outcomes of the BAG and CPP-ACPF groups. A statistically significant change (p &lt;0.05) was not observed between them. Similarly, for mineral content change, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group demonstrated the greatest result, The BAG group came next, and the CPP-ACPF group came last. Conclusion The BAG+CPP-ACPF group might be regarded as the best course of treatment for enhancing both the surface microhardness and mineral content (Ca, P), while the control group (Artificial saliva) showed the least satisfactory results in comparison. After demineralization, mineral content and microhardness decreased in all samples. Therefore, BAG+CPP-ACPF significantly improved the surface microhardness and mineral content.

An analytical solution model of oil–water dynamic imbibition considering dynamic contact angle effect and osmotic pressure at micro-nano scale

Spontaneous imbibition is one of the important mechanisms to enhance oil recovery during hydraulic fracturing process of shale reservoirs. The dynamic contact angle effect in imbibition kinetics of liquid–liquid system is complicated due to the large number of micro-nano pores in shale reservoir. Moreover, the content of clay minerals is high, the chemical osmosis effect is significant, and the impact of osmotic pressure on imbibition is not clear. In order to clarify the dynamic contact angle effect in imbibition kinetics and correctly understand the role of osmotic pressure in imbibition process. In this paper, based on the molecular kinetic theory (MKT), the dynamic contact angle effect is successfully coupled with imbibition kinetic equation, and a capillary pressure equation is developed. On the basis, considering the effects of osmotic pressure, external displacement pressure and boundary layer effect on imbibition, An analytical solution model of oil–water dynamic imbibition model is developed. The results shows that under the respective effects of capillary pressure and osmotic pressure, the imbibition velocity initially stabilizes before increasing over time; under the action of displacement pressure, the imbibition velocity increases with time. Imbibition velocity is directly proportional to interfacial tension and capillary radius, but inversely proportional to contact angle and oil viscosity. With the salt concentration difference increasing from 80 mol/m3 to 4710 mol/m3, the imbibition velocity increased by about 54 times. Compared with the membrane efficiency of 30 % and 5 %, the imbibition velocity is increased by 4.95 times. In this work, the dynamic contact angle effect in the imbibition kinetics of liquid–liquid system was accurately characterized, clarified the action mechanism of osmotic pressure, and provided theoretical support for enhancing oil recovery of shale reservoirs.

Preliminary study on the effect of lumbar axial rotation on bone mineral density measured by DXA and QCT

Currently, the relationship between axial rotation of the vertebrae and bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess the effect of vertebral rotation on volumetric bone mineral density (v-BMD) and areal bone mineral density (a-BMD), further to propose the corrected strategies. To achieve this, a phantom, which was rotated from 0° to 25° in 5° increments, was utilized. Bone mineral content (BMC), a-BMD, v-BMD, and projected area (p-AREA) were measured. The Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test or one-way ANOVA was used to examine the differences in variables between the different groups. The Pearson and Spearman correlation was used to test the relationships between quantitative parameters and rotated angles. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between angles and quantitative parameters. The findings indicate that, as the angle increased, a-BMD and v-BMD decreased (P < 0.001) , and the p-AREA increased (P < 0.001), but the BMC stays constant. The rotated angle was negative correlated (r = − 0.925, P < 0.001) with a-BMD and v-BMD (r = − 0.880, P < 0.001), positive (r = 0.930, P = < 0.001) correlated with p-AREA. The linear regression analysis showed that a-BMD = 0.808–0.01 × Angle and v-BMD = 151.808–1.588 × Angle. This study showed that, axial rotation might lead to a lower measured for a-BMD and v-BMD, it should be modified. This gives clinicians some insights into how to deal with osteoporosis in scoliosis patients. It's essential for clinicians to incorporate these findings into their diagnostic processes to prevent potential misdiagnosis and over-treatment of osteoporosis.

Boerhavia diffusa and Coccinia grandis: Two indigenous vegetables as a source of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids

Since the nutritional makeup of many plants is still unknown, people have historically included them in their diets without even being aware of their health advantages. Therefore, the present study aimed to uncover the proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids composition of two locally consumed vegetables, namely Boerhavia diffusa and Coccinia grandis. From the analysis, these vegetables had a significant protein, fat, and carbohydrate content. Regarding mineral contents, both plants had a great amount of potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, and zinc. These vegetables had a remarkable content of vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and C. The leaves of both plants had important essential amino acids such as leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine, as well as non-essential amino acids. Unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and erucic acid were more prominent in Coccinia grandis than Boerhavia diffusa. In addition, both plants had a significant amount of saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and lauric acid. Thus, it can be concluded that these two vegetables have magnificent profiles of nutrients which could make them as important sources of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.

Pore structure and adsorption capability of marcolithotypes in the Weizhou mining area, western margin of Ordos Basin

Differences in the pore and fracture systems of four marcolithotypes (bright，semi‐bright, semi‐dull and dull) in coal reservoirs affect the quality of coalbed methane (CBM) and constrain exploration and development of CBM. In this paper, vitrinite reflectance (RO), maceral composition, proximate analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high‐pressure isothermal adsorption experiments and the mathematical method of fractal dimension were carried out on high‐rank coal samples of different marcolithotypes from the Weizhou mining area in the western margin of Ordos Basin. The results show that from bright coal to dull coal, the RO and vitrinite content gradually decrease, while the mineral content and Aad gradually increase. SEM images show that the bright and semi‐bright coals develop open fractures, whereas semi‐dull and dull coals develop closed fractures. According to pore size distribution established by MIP and NMR, the proportion of seepage pores gradually increased from bright coal to dull coal, and MIP fractal dimension of seepage pores (DM2; 2.3352, 2.3532, 2.3755 and 2.4727, respectively) and NMR fractal dimension of seepage pores (DN2; 2.8767, 2.9142, 2.9297 and 2.9981, respectively) show that the structure of the seepage pore is progressively more complex from bright coal to dull coal. In addition, percentage of NMR adsorption pores progressively increases from bright coal to dull coal (64.96%, 76.64%, 82.04% and 89.67%, respectively), but total porosity of bright coal (6.74%) is much greater than that of dull coal (1.34%), which results in that bright coal also has the strongest CH4 adsorption capability (Langmuir volume is 22.898 cm3/g).

Physical and chemical characterization of chitin and chitosan extracted under different treatments from black soldier fly

The shell of Hermetia illucens L. contains considerable amounts of chitin, which has various biological activities. So far, few studies have focused on chitin of Hermetia illucens L. as a source of chitosan and oligosaccharides. There is great potential for utilizing Hermetia illucens L. chitin to produce chitosan films in biomaterials. We studied different extraction conditions for chitin and extracted it from black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.). Three processing steps were adopted: (1) demineralization, (2) deproteinization, and (3) decolorization. The chemical components (moisture, ash, protein, fat, residual protein, and residual mineral contents) and physicochemical characteristics of the chitin and chitosan extracted under these three conditions were determined. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the extracted chitin and commercial samples, and the results showed that demineralization–deproteinization–decolorization treatments could achieve the highest chitin yield (7.18 ± 0.11 %), chitosan yield (64.22 ± 0.79 %), and the best purity (residual protein 0.56 ± 0.01 % and residual ash 0.58 ± 0.04 %), making it the best treatment method. Using this method, the residues produced from farmed BSF can be recycled and used as a new source of chitin.

Study on the Bioactive Constituent and Mineral Elements of the Tibetan Medicine E'seguo from Different Regions of Ganzi Prefecture, China.

The Tibetan medicinal fruit E'seguo originates from two species, Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes and Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid, both unique to the Hengduan Mountains. These species are predominantly found in high-altitude regions of Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, particularly in the Xianshui River and Yalong River basins. Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes is far more abundant in both resource quantity and distribution compared to Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid. However, the nutritional and medicinal differences between the two remain unclear, which significantly impacts the development and utilization of E'seguo resources. This study aimed to measure the mineral content, nutritional components, and medicinal properties of E'seguo from 12 different regions of Ganzi Prefecture to explore the quality differences between these two species and across different regions. ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) was used to determine the mineral content, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and potentiometric titration to analyze nutritional indicators, and HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) to measure the medicinal components L-malic acid and 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG). Results indicate that Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid contains higher levels of K, Ca, Zn, Mg, and Cu compared to Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes, which has higher Fe and Mn content. Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes from the Kangding and Litang regions showed the highest mineral content, with mineral elements primarily influencing polysaccharide levels, according to Mantel analysis. Nutritional and medicinal analyses revealed that Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes outperformed Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid in all metrics except for the sugar-acid ratio. Given the mineral content and taste, Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid is better suited for consumption, while Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes has superior medicinal properties, making it more appropriate for medicinal use. In the Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid regions, both Luhuo and Daofu are in the Xianshui River basin, with Daofu County producing the higher quality fruit. Among the nine Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes regions, the M10 (Tuoba Township, Ganzi County) near the Yalong River had the highest overall score, followed by M7 (Yade Township, Luhuo County) and M6 (Keke, Xiala Tuo Town, Luhuo County), both of which are near the Xianshui River. In summary, Malus transitoria (Batal.) Schneid generally has higher mineral content, but Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes has larger fruit and higher medicinal value, making the latter more suitable as a medicinal resource. At the same time, the medicinal quality of Xianshui River fruit was higher in the two watersheds of Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes.

Effects of recreational artistic gymnastics on bone mineral density and content of school-age girls

Aims :This study aimed to evaluate whether Artistic Gymnastics (AG) practice has beneficial effects on Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) of young gymnasts.Methods : All girls involved in AG training from the city of Pelotas, aged 6 to 12 years were recruited. Control group participants could not be involved in any extracurricular sports activity. Predictive equations based on anthropometric and physical tests were used to assess bone mass (BMD and BMC).Results : When compared to control group, AG group showed higher Femoral neck (0.672 ± 0.147 vs 0.561 ± 0.172) and Upper limbs (1.482 ± 0.159 vs 1.289 ± 0.178) BMD. In addition, Lumbar spine BMD was higher in AG group regardless of the predictive equation used. When compared with girls not involved in extracurricular activities, AG practitioners presented higher upper limbs, femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD.Conclusion : However, caution is required when using predictive equations to assess BMD and BMC.

The antibacterial activity test of salt gel face mask with chitosan extract against propionibacterium acnes and staphylococcus aureus bacteria as antiacne preparations

Abstract Salt is a collection of chemical compounds with the main content in the form of NaCl. The mineral content in salt provides health functions for the body, one of which is acne. Salt gel face mask with chitosan extract has the potential to be used as an antibacterial (antiacne) preparation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective antibacterial activity and concentration of salt used as an antiacne preparation against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in salt gel face masks. The research method used was a laboratory scale experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 repetitions. The treatment consists of a gel face mask with the addition of a salt concentration of 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. The main parameters of this study were antibacterial activity, while the supporting parameters included pH, homogeneity, viscosity, organoleptic and SEM-EDX analysis. The results showed that the addition of different salt concentrations to the salt gel face mask had an effect on the antibacterial activity of the salt gel face mask. The best formulation is in the F4 treatment with a salt concentration of 25%.

Research on acoustic emission characteristics of metagabbros with different felsic development under splitting load

The acoustic emission (AE) characteristic signal can reveal the mechanical properties of rock materials and the development characteristics of internal microcracks. Rocks with different mineral development characteristics produce different AE signals during fracture. This study selected variable metagabbros with varying feldspathic development for AE tests under splitting load. The results demonstrated that the characteristics of AE ringing counts during the Brazilian fracture of metagabbro were closely correlated with the content of felsic minerals. The cumulative AE ringing count of metagabbros with feldspar nondevelopment exceeded 250 000, while those of metagabbros with feldspar development did not reach 200 000. As the feldspathic mineral content increases, the AE ringing counts of metagabbro exhibit an increasing trend in the high-energy (1e6–+∞ aJ) and high-amplitude (90–100 dB) intervals. With the development of feldspar minerals, the fracture mode of metagabbro gradually changed from shear failure to tensile failure. The higher the development of felsic minerals, the higher the stress level corresponding to the maximum fractal dimension, the greater the energy released by rock failure, and the more severe the damage. This study is of great significance for revealing the mechanism of rock rupture.

Control and prediction of bedding-parallel fractures in fine-grained sedimentary rocks: A case from the Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, Western China

The fine-grained sedimentary rocks have numerous bedding-parallel fractures that are essential for the migration, enrichment, and efficient development of oil and gas. However, because of their variety and the complexity of the factors that affect them, their spatial prediction by the industrial community becomes challenging. Based on sample cores, thin sections, and well-logging and seismic data, this study employed a multi-scale data matching approach to quantitatively predict the development of bedding-parallel fractures and investigate their spatial distribution. Bedding-parallel fractures in the Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag frequently occur along preexisting bedding planes and lithological interfaces. Unfilled bedding-parallel fractures inside or near source-rocks exhibit enhanced oil-bearing capacity. They were identified on micro-resistivity scanning images by the presence of regularly continuous black or nearly black sinusoidal curves. Overall, the developmental degree of bedding-parallel fractures was positively related to the brittle mineral and total organic carbon contents and negatively related to single reservoir interval thickness. The maintained porosity of the reservoir matrix contributed to a thorough response to factors affecting the development of bedding-parallel fractures. Here, an effective and objective method was proposed for predicting the development and distribution of bedding-parallel fractures in the fine-grained sedimentary rocks. The method was based on the matched reservoir interval density, reservoir interval density, and matched sweet spot density of bedding-parallel fractures. The prediction method integrated the significant advantages of high vertical resolution from logging curves and strong lateral continuity from seismic data. The average relative prediction error was 8% in the upper sweet spot in the Lucaogou Formation, indicating that the evaluation parameters for bedding-parallel fractures in fine-grained sedimentary rocks were reasonable and reliable and that the proposed prediction method has a stronger adaptability than the previously reported methods. The workflow based on multi-scale matching and stepwise progression can be applied in similar fine-grained sedimentary rocks, providing reliable technological support for the exploration and development of hydrocarbons.

The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Tibial Bone Stress Injury Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Case Series.

Lower extremity bone stress injuries (BSI) are common injuries among athletes and military members. Typical management involves a period of restricted weightbearing which can have rapid detrimental effects upon both muscle and bone physiology. Few studies have investigated the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on bone in the rehabilitative setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lower extremity exercise with the addition of BFR upon bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and lean body mass in military members with tibial BSIs. Case series. Twenty military members with MRI-confirmed tibial BSI were recruited to complete lower extremity exercise with the addition of BFR twice per week for four weeks. The BFR cuff was applied proximally to the participant's involved limb while they performed gluteal, thigh, and leg resistance exercises. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and four weeks. The primary outcomes were whole leg bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and lean body mass (LM) as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Secondary outcomes included thigh and leg circumference measures and patient-reported outcomes, including the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 57 (PROMIS-57), and Global Rating of Change (GROC). No significant differences were found in BMD (p=0.720) or BMC (p=0.749) between limbs or within limbs over time. LM was generally less in the involved limb (p=0.019), however there were no significant differences between or within limbs over time (p=0.404). For thigh circumference, significant main effects were found for time (p=0.012) and limb (p=0.015), however there was no significant interaction effect (p=0.510). No significant differences were found for leg circumference (p=0.738). Participants showed significant mean changes in LEFS (15.15 points), PROMIS physical function (8.98 points), PROMIS social participation (7.60 points), PROMIS anxiety (3.26 points), and PROMIS pain interference (8.39 points) at four weeks. The utilization of BFR in the early rehabilitative management of tibial BSI may help mitigate decrements in both bone and muscle tissue during periods of decreased physical loading. 4.

Radular Tooth Coating in Members of Dendronotidae and Flabellinidae (Nudibranchia, Gastropoda, Mollusca).

Nudibranchs, with their mesmerizing diversity and ecological significance, play crucial roles in marine ecosystems. Central to their feeding prowess is the radula, a chitinous structure with diverse morphologies adapted to prey preferences and feeding strategies. This study focuses on elucidating wear coping mechanisms in radular teeth of carnivorous molluscs, employing Dendronotus lacteus (Dendronotidae) and Flabellina affinis (Flabellinidae) as model species. Both species forage on hydrozoans. Through scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, nanoindentation, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the biomechanical and compositional properties of their teeth were analyzed. Notably, tooth coatings, composed of calcium (Ca) or silicon (Si) and high hardness and stiffness compared to the internal tooth structure, with varying mineral contents across tooth regions and ontogenetic zones, were found. The presence of the hard and stiff tooth coatings highlight their role in enhancing wear resistance. The heterogeneities in the autofluorescence patterns related to the distribution of Ca and Si of the coatings. Overall, this study provides into the biomechanical adaptations of nudibranch radular teeth, shedding light on the intricate interplay between tooth structure, elemental composition, and ecological function in marine molluscs.

Pregnancy vitamin D supplementation and offspring bone mineral density in childhood Follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundFindings from the MAVIDOS trial demonstrated a positive effect of gestational cholecalciferol supplementation on offspring bone mineral density (BMD) at age 4 years. Demonstrating persistence of this effect is important to understanding whether maternal vitamin D supplementation could be a useful public health strategy to improving bone health. ObjectiveWe investigated whether gestational vitamin D supplementation increases offspring BMD at 6-7 years in an exploratory post-hoc analysis of an existing trial. MethodsIn the MAVIDOS randomised controlled trial, pregnant females <14 weeks’ gestation with a singleton pregnancy and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] 25-100nmol/l at three UK hospitals (Southampton, Sheffield and Oxford) were randomised to either 1000 IU/day cholecalciferol or placebo from 14-17 weeks gestation until delivery. Offspring born at term to participants recruited in Southampton were invited to the childhood follow-up at 4 and 6-7 years. The children had a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic discovery) scan of whole-body-less-head (WBLH) and lumbar spine, from which bone area [BA], bone mineral content [BMC], BMD and bone mineral apparent density [BMAD]) were derived. Linear regression was used to compare the two groups adjusting for age, sex, height, weight, duration of consumption of human milk and vitamin D use at 6-7 years. Results454 children were followed up at age 6-7 years, of whom 447 had a usable DXA scan. Gestational cholecalciferol supplementation resulted in higher WBLH BMC (0.15 SD, 95%CI 0.04, 0.26), BMD (0.18 SD, 95%CI 0.06,0.31), BMAD (0.18 SD, 95%CI 0.04,0.32) and lean mass (0.09 SD, 95%CI 0.00,0.17) compared to placebo. The effect of pregnancy cholecalciferol on bone outcomes was similar at ages 4 and 6-7 years. Conclusions and relevanceSupplementation with cholecalciferol 1000 IU/day during pregnancy resulted in greater offspring BMD and lean mass in mid-childhood versus placebo in this exploratory post-hoc analysis. These findings suggest that pregnancy vitamin D supplementation may be an important population health strategy to improve bone health. Trial RegistrationISRCTN:82927713 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN82927713; EUDRACT:2007-001716-23 https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2007-001716-23/results

Clay mineral composition and transport pattern of surface sediments in the Ganges Submarine Delta

The Ganges Submarine Delta is a key land-sea transitional area in the northeastern Indian Ocean. An understanding of sediment distribution, provenance, and transportation in this area is of great importance for understanding its sedimentary environment and the sediment “source-sink” system of the northeastern Indian Ocean. This study aimed to identify the provenances and transport patterns of fine-grained sediments in the Ganges Submarine Delta through analysis of the grain size and clay mineral content of 84 surface sediment samples. Sediment illite, chlorite, kaolinite, and smectite contents were ∼66%, 18%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Sediment illite content decreased from north to south; smectite and chlorite decreased and increased from northwest to southeast, respectively; kaolinite content was highest in the south. Spatial cluster analysis of the four clay minerals grouped the study area into two provinces: province I in the north is characterized by a clay mineral assemblage similar to that of the Ganges-Brahmaputra rivers; province II in the south is characterized by deep water and changes to clay mineral characteristics due to the mixing of material originating from the Indian Peninsula. This study used the illite/(smectite+chlorite+kaolinite) and kaolinite/illite ratios to discuss sediment transport paths in the two provinces. Himalayan material is widely distributed throughout the study area, and mainly transported from the estuary to the southwestern area by the tides, plume, and monsoons; sediments of the Mahanadi river are transported from southwest to northeast by the southwest monsoon, thereby affecting the sediment composition of province II.