Mmol Ca Research Articles

Bi-directional switch regulation of three metals for cleaner bio-production of gluconic acid by whole-cell catalysis

Gluconic acid (GA) has been widely applied as a value-added platform biochemical, and the whole-cell catalysis of glucose for GA bioproduction by Gluconobacter sp. NL71 has shown great commercial competitiveness. In bioprocess, GA will be further dehydrogenated by Gluconobacter sp. NL71 to generate the by-products of 2-/5-/2,5-ketogluconic acid (keto-GA) that leads yield decrease and troublesome impurity problems. In this paper, the bi-directional switch regulation strategy of three metals on whole-cell catalysis was explored and developed to cleaner production of GA without by-products. With the couple dance performance of three metals of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cu2+, a precise two-switch controlling on whole-cell catalysis and bio-oxidation was successfully achieved that results in the complete bio-conversion of glucose to GA without any keto-GA. Ca2+ and Mg2+ plays a positive activator to glucose dehydrogenation to GA, while Cu2+ works as a strong negative inhibitor to GA further oxidation to 2-/5-/2,5-keto-GA. Under the intensification with the superimposition of 100 mmol/L Mg2+, 60 mmol Ca2+ and the auxiliary regulation with 40 mmol Cu2+, 52.3 g/L glucose was transformed into 48.9 g/L GA by whole-cell catalysis with the yield of 93.5%. 58.4 g/L glucose obtained by enzymatic hydrolysate of sulfuric acid-pretreated corncob could effectively produce 54.2 g/L GA without by-product. The results verify that bi-directional switch regulation of three metals could vigorously promote the industrial bioproduction of GA, as well as provide some technical approach for fermentation engineering controlling.

Transcriptomics of circulating neutrophils in dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcemia.

Hypocalcemia is closely associated with inflammatory diseases in dairy cows. Recent research has underscored the key role of calcium in the adaptations of the innate immune system during this period. The main objective in the present study was to compare the transcriptome profiles and analyze differences in the expression of neutrophil (PMNL) immune function-related genes and calcium binding-related genes in hypocalcemic cows. At 2 days postpartum, a concentration >2.10 mmol Ca2+/L was used to classify cows as controls (CON), and a concentration <2.00 mmol Ca2+/L used to classify cows as low-calcium (LCAL) (n = 8 in each group). A routine medical examination was conducted by the attending veterinarian to ensure there were no other complications and that the blood β-hydroxybutyrate was <1.2 mmol/L. Blood was collected from the tail vein (20 mL) to isolate PMNL, and 5 cows in each group were used for RNA sequencing and statistical analysis of gene expression differences. Transcriptome RNA-seq sequencing analysis was via omicsstudio using the R package edgeR. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were used for bioinformatics. The remaining 3 cows in each group were used for validation of RNA sequencing data via quantitative PCR, which confirmed the observed responses. Compared with CON, 158 genes in LCAL were significantly up-regulated and 296 genes were down-regulated. The downregulation of Interleukin-12 (CXCL12), Tubulin beta chain (TUBB1), L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) indicated a decrease in immune function of PMNL in LCAL cows. The decreased expression of calcium-binding pathway-related genes in PMNL of LCAL cows indicated a decrease in immune function of PMNL likely related to calcium ions. For example, cartilage acid protein 1 (CRTAC1) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase 4 (CAMK4) were significantly reduced in LCAL cows. The upregulation of Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), Perforin 1 (PRF1), and Homeodomain interacting protein kinase 3 (HIPK3) indicated that LCAL led to greater cell apoptosis and senescence. Overall, the analyses indicated that the reduction in PMNL immune function during hypocalcemia is associated with downregulation of intracellular Ca2+ related genes and upregulation of genes controlling apoptosis and senescence. Together, these alterations contribute to an immunosuppressive state during the transition period.

Effect of changing chemical environment on physical properties of maize root mucilage

AimsHigh viscosity, low surface tension and hydrophobicity are specific properties of maize root mucilage which contribute to modulate the spatial configuration of the liquid phase in soil pores. Several processes in the rhizosphere, in particularly nutrient absorption, root exudation and microbial activity, may cause strong temporal variations in the chemistry of the soil solution of the rhizosphere. Although the physical properties of maize root mucilage have been repeatedly measured in the last years, their variation upon a changing chemical environment and understanding of the chemical mechanisms governing these properties remain unexplored.MethodsWe investigated how flow and surface properties of maize root mucilage varied by changes in pH, calcium chloride (CaCl2) and lecithin concentrations.ResultsThe physical properties of mucilage can strongly vary depending on the environmental conditions. Low surface tension of maize root mucilage at pH7 was increased by addition of calcium. Upon pH change and lecithin addition, hydrophobic mucilage turned hydrophilic. High Ca concentration above 0.83 mmol Ca (g dry mucilage)−1, the addition of 167 μg lecithin (g dry mucilage)−1 and a pH rise to 9 decreased the viscosity of mucilage.ConclusionSuch variations strongly suggest that the role of mucilage in hydraulic processes in the rhizosphere depends on changes of solutes concentration and composition, which themselves vary according to plant growth and soil water content. It seems that mucilage can best serve as a hydraulic bridge only under certain chemical environments, whose spatio-temporal occurrence in the changing rhizosphere remains to be defined.

The Effect of Addition of F3O4 and Sintering Temperature on Properties of the Magnetite/Hydroxyapatite Particles Produced through the Coprecipitation Technique

Nowadays, the composite of magnetite/hydroxyapatite has become one of the main topics in biomedical field especially as drug delivery system. In this paper, the effect of sintering temperature and Fe3O4 addition on the properties of coprecipitation produced by magnetite/hydroxyapatite composite is investigated. The magnetite was first dispersed into 100 mL aquadest and mixed with 33.7 mmol Ca(NO3)2.4H2O while stiring for 15 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was reacted with 20 mmol (NH4)2HPO4 for 120 minutes at 90ºC. The mixture pH of 11 during process was controlled by adding NH4OH 25%. The mixture was left to stand for 1 day, washed and then the precipitate was separated from the mixture. The precipitate was dried at 90ºC for 1 day and it ended with sintering for 2 hours. The composite powder was characterized by field emission scanning election microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result showed that increase in the amount of of Fe3O4 in the composite, it produced the larger crystalline Fe3O4 size of 15.59 nm, a decrease in crystallinity to 14.22%, and a higher saturation magnetization was 17.2 emu/g. The higher sintering temperature causes an increase in the size of a hydroxyapatite crystal to 22.94 nm, an increase in crystallinity to 22.55%, and a lower saturation magnetization was 4.0 emu/g.

Rapid elimination of foodborne and environmental fungal contaminants by benzo analogs.

Contamination of food or the environment by fungi, especially those resistant to conventional fungicides or drugs, represents a hazard to human health. The objective of this study is to identify safe, natural antifungal agents that can remove fungal pathogens or contaminants rapidly from food and / or environmental sources. Fifteen antifungal compounds (nine benzo derivatives as candidates; six conventional fungicides as references) were investigated. Three benzo analogs, namely octyl gallate (OG), trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA), and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (2H5M), at 1 g L-1 (3.54 mmol), 1 mL L-1 (7.21 mmol), 1 mL L-1 (5.39 mmol), respectively, achieved ≥99.9% fungal death after 0.5, 2.5 or 24 h of treatments, respectively, in in vitro phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) bioassay. However, when OG, CA, and 2H5M were examined in commercial food matrices, organic apple, or grape juices, only CA maintained a similar level of antifungal activity, compared with a PBS bioassay. trans-Cinnamaldehyde showed higher antifungal activity at pH 3.5, equivalent to that of commercial fruit juices, than at pH 5.6. In soil sample tests, the application of 1 mL L-1 (7.21 mmol) CA to conventional maize / tomato soil samples (pH 6.8) for 2.5 h resulted in ≥99.9% fungal death, indicating CA could also eliminate fungal contaminants in soil. While the conventional fungicide thiabendazole exerted antifungal activity comparable to CA, thiabendazole enhanced the production of carcinogenic aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus, an undesirable side effect. trans-Cinnamaldehyde could be developed as a potent antifungal agent in food processing or soil sanitation by reducing the time / cost necessary for fungal removal. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Irrigation with phosphate-buffered saline causes corneal calcification during treatment of ocular burns

Corneal calcification is a vision-threatening manifestation of calcium containing agents in ocular burn. As we previously reported, our interest was sparked by a particular discrepancy of a case: A patient treated for a non-calcium containing agent in eye burn from exposure to an alkaline mixture of NaOH and KOH, who unexpectedly developed corneal calcification. This current study aims to elucidate whether the 2min lasting irrigation with a phosphate-buffered saline itself, regardless of rinsing regimen, triggers corneal calcification. The Ex Vivo Eye Irritation Test (EVEIT) system was used on rabbit corneas to replicate the very same phosphate-buffered saline solution the patient was treated with. The rabbit corneas were first burned with 1 M NaOH, rinsed with 4.9% phosphate-buffered saline for 2 min, and were then moisturized with an artificial tear solution for 48 h. All corneas were fluorescein-stained for photo documentation, snap-frozen, lyophilizated, and the electrolyte content was analyzed by Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The EDX analysis revealed pathological phosphorous in corneal stroma after a single rinsing with phosphate-buffered saline. Ongoing application of artificial tears containing physiological 14.581 mmol Ca2+ /l led to macroscopically visible calcification, but only in areas of induced corneal erosion. Regardless of the rinsing protocol neither 2 or 15 min of eye rinsing with phosphate containing rinsing solutions, we have given proof that corneal calcification is a foreseeable effect of the phosphate-buffered saline rinsing of mechanically epithelial damaged and chemically burnt eyes. Thus, it is crucial to legally restrict the formulations of phosphate-buffered salines in the medical treatment of eye burns, corneal erosions or chemical splashes of the eye.

A Trypsin from Euphausia Pacifica (TEP B): Functional Groups and Effects of Metal Ions

ABSTRACT Xiang, P.; Wu, Z.; Niu, W.; Ye, Y., and Lin, M., 2018. A trypsin from euphausia pacifica (TEP B): Functional groups and effects of metal ions. In: Liu, Z.L. and Mi, C. (eds.), Advances in Sustainable Port and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 83, pp. 392–396. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Euphausia pacifica is a widely distributed euphausiid of Chinese coastal waters with a large biomass. It is a kind of seafood with high nutritive value, indicates to be a potential large massive protein resource. A 32.3 kDa trypsin (TEP B) with isoelectric point 4.3 and amidase activity was purified and identified from E. pacifica. The effects of metal ions and the modifications of chemicals on the functional groups of TEP B were performed. The activity of TEP B was activated by 0.3–0.5 mmol Ca2+ and Mg2+, and was inhibited by 0.1–0.5 mmol Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+; the effect of TEP B was promoted with 0.2 mmol Mn2+, but inhibited with 0.5 mmol Mn2+. The cysteine, tryp...

Severe hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia with an optimised preterm parenteral nutrition formulation in two epochs of differing phosphate supplementation

ObjectiveTo compare in two epochs of differing phosphate provision serum calcium, phosphate, potassium, and sodium concentrations and the frequency of abnormality of these electrolytes and of sepsis in preterm infants...

Ca(2+) and EGF induce the differentiation of human embryo mesenchymal stem cells into epithelial-like cells.

The mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) occurs in organ development and anti-tumorigenesis. We have investigated the effects of calcium (Ca(2+)) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) differentiation into epithelial-like cells. hMSCs lost their biological characteristics after EGF transfection, and MET was achieved by adding 0.4 mmol Ca(2+). Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed expression of EGF, keratin, keratin 19 (K19), β1-integrin, E-cadherin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK, Ser-910) increased in hMSCs infected with EGF and exposed to Ca(2+), although Smad3 activation was downregulated. hMSCs co-stimulated with EGF transfection and Ca(2+) can therefore differentiate into epithelial-like cells in vitro.

Hypercalciuria in Familial Hyperkalemia and Hypertension with KLHL3 Mutations

Background: Familial hyperkalemia and hypertension (FHHt) is a rare genetic disorder manifested by hyperkalemia and early hypertension. Hypercalciuria is another accompanying feature. Mutations in WNK4 and WNK1 were found initially, and recently additional mutations were found in two genes, KLHL3 and CUL3, which are components of the Ubiquitin system. It was not reported whether these latter mutations are accompanied by hypercalciuria. Methods: We compared urinary calcium excretion (UCa) in affected subjects with FHHt and KLHL3 mutations, and in their unaffected family members, and in affected subjects with FHHt and WNK4 Q565E mutation. Results: Two new families with FHHt including a total number of 23 subjects, 10 of them affected, in whom previously described mutations in KLHL3 (Q309R and R528H) were identified. Presenting features were short stature in the first family, and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in the second. Affected subjects had hypercalciuria. UCa levels in affected subjects in the two families were significantly higher than in unaffected subjects (0.608 ± 0.196 vs. 0.236 ± 0.053 mmol Ca per mmol creatinine, respectively (p < 0.0001)). Hypercalciuria in FHHt with KLHL3 mutations is less severe than that observed in FHHt with the Q565E WNK4 mutation (0.608 ± 0.196 (n = 10) mmol Ca per mmol creatinine versus 0.860 ± 0.295 (n = 29), respectively (p = 0.0168)). Conclusions: FHHt caused by KLHL3 mutations is accompanied by hypercalciuria as well as hyperkalemia and hypertension. The similar phenomena observed for FHHt caused by WNK4 mutations fits the other evidence that WNK4 mutations are activating, and the aberrant mechanism of calcium handling by the kidney in FHHt.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake and leak properties, and SERCA isoform expression, in type I and type II fibres of human skeletal muscle

The Ca(2+) uptake properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were compared between type I and type II fibres of vastus lateralis muscle of young healthy adults. Individual mechanically skinned muscle fibres were exposed to solutions with the free [Ca(2+)] heavily buffered in the pCa range (-log10[Ca(2+)]) 7.3-6.0 for set times and the amount of net SR Ca(2+) accumulation determined from the force response elicited upon emptying the SR of all Ca(2+). Western blotting was used to determine fibre type and the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) isoform present in every fibre examined. Type I fibres contained only SERCA2 and displayed half-maximal Ca(2+) uptake rate at ∼pCa 6.8, whereas type II fibres contained only SERCA1 and displayed half-maximal Ca(2+) uptake rate at ∼pCa 6.6. Maximal Ca(2+) uptake rate was ∼0.18 and ∼0.21 mmol Ca(2+) (l fibre)(-1) s(-1) in type I and type II fibres, respectively, in good accord with previously measured SR ATPase activity. Increasing free [Mg(2+)] from 1 to 3 mM had no significant effect on the net Ca(2+) uptake rate at pCa 6.0, indicating that there was little or no calcium-induced calcium release occurring through the Ca(2+) release channels during uptake in either fibre type. Ca(2+) leakage from the SR at pCa 8.5, which is thought to occur at least in part through the SERCA, was ∼2-fold lower in type II fibres than in type I fibres, and was little affected by the presence of ADP, in marked contrast to the larger SR Ca(2+) leak observed in rat muscle fibres under the same conditions. The higher affinity of Ca(2+) uptake in the type I human fibres can account for the higher relative level of SR Ca(2+) loading observed in type I compared to type II fibres, and the SR Ca(2+) leakage characteristics of the human fibres suggest that the SERCAs are regulated differently from those in rat and contribute comparatively less to resting metabolic rate.

Endogenous and maximal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content and calsequestrin expression in type I and type II human skeletal muscle fibres

The relationship between sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content and calsequestrin (CSQ) isoforms was investigated in human skeletal muscle. A fibre-lysing assay was used to quantify the endogenous Ca(2+) content and maximal Ca(2+) capacity of the SR in skinned segments of type I and type II fibres from vastus lateralis muscles of young healthy adults. Western blotting of individual fibres showed the great majority contained either all fast or all slow isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MHC), troponins C and I, tropomyosin and SERCA, and that the strontium sensitivity of the force response was closely indicative of the troponin C isoform present. The endogenous SR Ca(2+) content was slightly lower in type I compared to type II fibres (0.76 ± 0.03 and 0.85 ± 0.02 mmol Ca(2+) per litre of fibre, respectively), with virtually all of this Ca(2+) evidently being in the SR, as it could be rapidly released with a caffeine-low [Mg(2+)] solution (only 0.08 ± 0.01 and <0.07 mmol l(-1), respectively, remaining). The maximal Ca(2+) content that could be reached with SR Ca(2+) loading was 1.45 ± 0.04 and 1.79 ± 0.03 mmol l(-1) in type I and type II fibres, respectively (P < 0.05). In non-lysed skinned fibres, where the SR remained functional, repeated cycles of caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release and subsequent Ca(2+) reloading similarly indicated that (i) maximal SR Ca(2+) content was lower in type I fibres than in type II fibres (P < 0.05), and (ii) the endogenous Ca(2+) content represented a greater percentage of maximal content in type I fibres compared to type II fibres (∼59% and 41%, respectively, P < 0.05). Type II fibres were found on average to contain ∼3-fold more CSQ1 and ∼5-fold less CSQ2 than type I fibres (P < 0.001). The findings are consistent with the SR Ca(2+) content characteristics in human type II fibres being primarily determined by the CSQ1 abundance, and in type I fibres by the combined amounts of both CSQ1 and CSQ2.

Production of Hydroxylapatite from Biowaste, Chicken Manure by Hydrothermal Process

Hydrothermal process has been applied for effective production of Hydrogen from biowastes. In this study hydrothermal process for production of valuable Hydroxylapatitefrom chicken manure containing phosphorus was focused on. Conditions of 400?C and 26 - 27 MPa with addition of 1 mmol Ca(OH)2 were determined as the optimal by using O-phospho-DL-serine as a model compound. Afterwards, the real biowaste containing phosphorous, chicken manure was processed under the same conditions. Formation of a Hydroxylapatite; in the solid residue was confirmed from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, after purification. It was found that 27.9% of P in the chicken manure was converted to Hydroxylapatite. With the use of acetic acid as a chemical purification medium, Hydroxylapatite was obtained.

Soil Depletion of Ca, Mg and K Due to Vicinal Intensive Hog Farming Operation Located in East Mediterranean

One of the main environmental impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations is soil degradation in the vicinity of the livestock breeding facilities due to substances such as ammonia emitted from the various stages of the process. In this research, the soil degradation effects of an intensive hog farming operation (IHFO) located at a Mediterranean limestone soil coastal area have been investigated. Soil samples of the upper mineral soil were taken in various distances and directions from the IHFO boundaries. Thirteen experimental cycles were carried out in the duration of 1.5 years starting in March 2009 until October 2010. The soil samples were analysed on total, exchangeable and water-soluble Ca, Mg and K as well as water-soluble ammonium concentrations. Significantly lower concentrations of the exchangeable and water-soluble base cations were observed on soil samples at increasing proximity downwind from the farm (south). Southern soil average concentrations of exchangeable base cations ranged between 78.6 and 128.52 mmol Ca2+ kg−1 soil, 8.42–21.39 mmol Mg2+ kg−1 soil and 4.25–8.1 mmol K+ kg−1 soil, respectively. Southern soil average concentrations of water-soluble base cations ranged between 0.57 and 2.17 mmol Ca2+ kg−1 soil, 0.16–0.89 mmol Mg2+ kg−1 soil and 0.48–0.95 mmol K+ kg−1 soil, respectively.

Quantification of calsequestrin 2 (CSQ2) in sheep cardiac muscle and Ca2+-binding protein changes in CSQ2 knockout mice

Calsequestrin 2 (CSQ2) is generally regarded as the primary Ca2+-buffering molecule present inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in cardiac cells, but findings from CSQ2 knockout experiments raise major questions about its role and necessity. This study determined the absolute amount of CSQ2 present in cardiac ventricular muscle to gauge its likely influence on SR free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) and maximal Ca2+ capacity. Ventricular tissue from hearts of freshly killed sheep was examined by SDS-PAGE without any fractionation, and CSQ2 was detected by Western blotting; this method avoided the >90% loss of CSQ2 occurring with usual fractionation procedures. Band intensities were compared against those for purified CSQ2 run on the same blots. Fidelity of quantification was verified by demonstrating that CSQ2 added to homogenates was detected with equal efficacy as purified CSQ2 alone. Ventricular tissue from sheep (n=8) contained 24±2 μmol CSQ2/kg wet wt. Total Ca2+ content of the ventricular tissue, measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy, was 430±20 μmol/kg (with SR Ca2+ likely<250 μmol/kg) and displayed a linear correlation with CSQ2 content, with gradient of ∼10 Ca2+ per CSQ2. The large amount of CSQ2 bestows the SR with a high theoretical maximal Ca2+-binding capacity (∼1 mmol Ca2+/kg ventricular tissue, assuming a maximum of ∼40 Ca2+ per CSQ2) and would keep free [Ca2+] within the SR relatively low, energetically favoring Ca2+ uptake and reducing SR leak. In mice with CSQ2 ablated, histidine-rich Ca2+-binding protein was upregulated ∼35% in ventricular tissue, possibly in compensation.

Collection of gametes from live axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, and standardization of in vitro fertilization

This study established the first protocol for collection of gametes from live axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, by gentle abdominal massage and in vitro fertilization. To stimulate spermiation and ovulation, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and Ovopel pellets, which are commercially used to stimulate spawning in fish, were tested. The hCG was more effective than Ovopel pellets and yielded a higher semen volume in the injected males and a shorter response time in the females. Collected semen by this method was already motile and fertile. Fertile eggs could be collected in 3–4 successive collection times after the female has started the typical spawning behaviour. The fertilization condition that yielded the highest hatching rate was mixing semen with eggs before the addition of a fertilization saline solution (20 mmol/l NaCl, 1 mmol/l KCl, 1 mmol/l Mg 2SO 4, 1 mmol Ca 2Cl, 3 mmol NaHCO 3, 10 mmol/l Tris, pH 8.5 – Osmolality = 65 mosmol/kg). When the pH of the fertilization solution was increased to ≥ 10, the hatching rate was significantly increased. The use of fertilization solutions with osmolalities of ≥ 150 and ≥ 182 were accompanied with a significant decrease in hatching rates and the appearance of deformed larvae, respectively. In conclusion, a reliable protocol for gamete collection from live axolotl is established as a laboratory model of in vitro fertilization for urodele amphibians. This protocol may be transferable to endangered urodeles.

Efficacy of various dietary calcium salts to improve intestinal resistance toSalmonellainfection in rats

Previous animal and human studies have shown protective effects of Ca on the resistance to enteropathogenic infections. Most interventions were performed with calcium phosphate and little is known about the protective effect of other dietary sources of Ca. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of several Ca salts to enhance intestinal resistance to Salmonella enteritidis infection. Rats (n 7-8 per group) were fed a high-fat, Western human-style, purified diet with a low Ca content (20mmol calcium phosphate/kg; negative control group) or the same diet supplemented with either (extra) calcium phosphate, milk Ca, calcium chloride or calcium carbonate (total of 100mmol Ca supplement/kg). Diets contained Cr-EDTA for assessment of incremental changes in intestinal permeability. After an adaptation period of 2 weeks, animals were orally infected with S. enteritidis to mimic a human-relevant foodborne infection. Ca supplement-induced changes on faecal lactobacilli and enterobacteria were studied before infection. Changes in intestinal permeability were determined by measuring urinary Cr with time. Persistence of Salmonella was determined by studying faecal excretion of this pathogen in time. Overall, all Ca salts increased resistance towards Salmonella. After infection, body weight gain and food intake were higher in the calcium phosphate group. Calcium phosphate and milk Ca decreased faecal enterobacteria before infection. All Ca salts decreased infection-induced intestinal permeability and persistence of Salmonella. Calcium phosphate, milk Ca, calcium carbonate and calcium chloride are able to enhance the intestinal resistance to Salmonella in rats.

Effects of extracellular zinc ion on the rate of oxygen consumption of rat brain mitochondria

The inhibitory effect of extracellular zinc ion on the rate of oxygen consumption of rat brain mitochondria pre-incubated in 1.0 mMol Ca(2+)EDTA were determined. There was a significant increase [P < 0.01] in the rate of oxygen consumption in the rat brain mitochondria pre-incubated in 1.0 mMol Ca(2+)EDTA in a succinate initiated reaction. The reverse was the case when the concentration of Ca(2+)EDTA was increased to 10 mMol. A 20 microMol zinc-aspartate was found to have no inhibitory effect on the rate of oxygen consumption of the brain mitochondria pre-incubated with 1.0 mMol Ca(2+)EDTA when compared with the control that lacked 1.0 mMol Ca(2+)EDTA, however there was a significant decrease [P < 0.01] in the rate of oxygen consumption of the rat brain mitochondria in the control experiment.

Mineral Sources of Calcium and Phosphorus in Soils of the Northeastern United States

Apatite is ubiquitous in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, although usually in trace amounts. Apatite is the primary source of P and, due to its relatively rapid dissolution rate, can be an important Ca source in noncarbonate soils. We investigated the distribution of apatite using a 1 mol L−1HNO3extraction of glacial till soils at 31 sites across the northeastern United States. Parent materials formed from crystalline silicate and clastic sedimentary rocks contained 0.2 to 41 mmol Ca kg−1soil and 1 to 27 mmol P kg−1soil; at most of these sites, the P/Ca ratio was approximately 3:5, indicating the dominance of apatite. Parent materials underlain by carbonate rocks had 3 to 16 mmol P kg−1soil, similar to the noncarbonate groups, but had large concentrations of easily weathered Ca (56–1890 mmol kg−1soil) due to the extraction of carbonates. The same extraction procedure applied to samples from the upper 30 cm of mineral soil at the same sites showed lower concentrations of both Ca and P than in the C horizon, except for a few sites where the upper soil layers probably developed in different parent materials than the current C horizon. We also measured neutral‐salt‐exchangeable Ca concentrations in the 10‐ to 20‐cm depth increment. Exchangeable Ca concentrations in soils underlain by carbonate bedrock were an order of magnitude higher than in soils underlain by crystalline silicate and clastic sedimentary rocks. For this reason, the exchangeable Ca concentration in the upper soil was correlated to the concentration of 1 mol L−1HNO3extractable Ca in the underlying soil parent material. To predict concentrations of apatite in parent materials and the concentrations of exchangeable Ca in overlying horizons in greater detail would require more specific characterization of bedrock sources.

Origin and mechanisms of K–Si-metasomatism of ca. 3.4–3.3 Ga volcaniclastic deposits and implications for Archean seawater evolution: Examples from cherts of Kittys Gap (Pilbara craton, Australia) and Msauli (Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa)

The effects of K–Si-metasomatism during the formation of Early Archean replacement cherts have been quantified in this study by the investigation of two well-known stratigraphic sections: the Msauli chert (MC, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa) and the Kittys Gap chert (KGC, Pilbara craton, Western Australia). The KGCs have a dacitic precursor similar to Duffer Formation dacites (Pilbara craton), while the MCs are derived from Al-depleted komatiites similar to those from the Weltevreden Formation (Barberton greenstone belt). Mass balance calculations reveal that the volcaniclastic deposits had initial porosities of up to 85 vol.% for the KGC and of 65 vol.% for the MC. Secondary porosities (27 vol.%: MC, 8 vol.%: KGC) produced during K-metasomatism are proportional to the dissolution of Fe, Ca, Mg-rich glass and precursor minerals. Komatiites have a higher chemical exchange potential than dacites, each gram releasing 1.2 mmol Fe 2+, 2.8 mmol Mg 2+, 1.4 mmol Ca 2+ and 1.1 mmol Na + to seawater, together with 4.4 mmol O 2−. K-metasomatism of 1 g of komatiite further implies an uptake of 0.67 mmol of K + and 2.7 mmol of H +. The highest silica uptake is achieved for the KGC (82 mmol/g of precursor). This silica enrichment most likely operated in the water column and at the sediment–water interface by sorption mechanisms on the surface of detrital particles and particulate organic matter, as a result of seawater silica-saturation. Acidic conditions (pH 5.5–6.5) and hot temperatures (>70 °C) favored the formation of K-rich phyllosilicates by interaction with seawater during the early diagenetic alteration of the volcaniclastic particles. The widespread occurrence of K–Si-metasomatism in volcanic and sedimentary rocks can be regarded as a general alteration process of the Early Archean seafloor, with a major influence on seawater composition. The highly K-selective metasomatism confirms previous studies suggesting that the Archean ocean was acidic and probably in equilibrium with a CO 2-rich atmosphere.