Negative Ca Research Articles

Periparturient Mineral Metabolism: Implications to Health and Productivity.

Mineral metabolism, in particular Ca, and to a lesser extent phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg), is altered with the onset of lactation because of extensive irreversible loss to synthesize colostrum and milk. The transient reduction in the concentration of Ca in blood, particularly when it lasts days, increases the risk of mineral-related disorders such as hypocalcemia and, to a lesser extent, hypophosphatemia. Although the incidence of clinical hypocalcemia can be reduced by prepartum dietary interventions, subclinical hypocalcemia remains prevalent, affecting up to 60% of the dairy cows in the first 3 d postpartum. More importantly, strong associations exist between hypocalcemia and increased susceptibility to other peripartum diseases and impaired reproductive performance. Mechanistic experiments have demonstrated the role of Ca on innate immune response in dairy cows, which presumably predisposes them to other diseases. Hypocalcemia is not related to inadequate Ca intake as prepartum diets marginal to deficient in Ca reduce the risk of the disease. Therefore, the understanding of how Ca homeostasis is regulated, in particular how calciotropic hormones such as parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, affect blood Ca concentrations, gastrointestinal Ca absorption, bone remodeling, and renal excretion of Ca become critical to develop novel strategies to prevent mineral imbalances either by nutritional or pharmacological interventions. A common method to reduce the risk of hypocalcemia is the manipulation of the prepartum dietary cation-anion difference. Feeding acidogenic diets not only improves Ca homeostasis and reduces hypocalcemia, but also reduces the risk of uterine diseases and improves productive performance. Feeding diets that induce a negative Ca balance in the last weeks of gestation also reduce the risk of clinical hypocalcemia, and recent work shows that the incorporation of mineral sequestering agents, presumably by reducing the absorption of P and Ca prepartum, increases blood Ca at calving, although benefits to production and health remain to be shown. Alternative strategies to minimize subclinical hypocalcemia with the use of vitamin D metabolites either fed prepartum or as a pharmacological agent administered immediately after calving have shown promising results in reducing hypocalcemia and altering immune cell function, which might prove efficacious to prevent diseases in early lactation. This review summarizes the current understanding of Ca homeostasis around parturition, the limited knowledge of the exact mechanisms for gastrointestinal Ca absorption in bovine, the implications of hypocalcemia on the health of dairy cows, and discusses the methods to minimize the risk of hypocalcemia and their impacts on productive performance and health in dairy cows.

The Effectiveness of Silver Nanoparticles Mixed with Calcium Hydroxide against Candida albicans: An Ex Vivo Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to assess the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in combination with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) against Candida albicans (C. albicans). AgNPs was mixed with pure Ca(OH)2 powder in an aqueous base. A standard suspension (1 × 108 bacterial cells/mL) of C. albicans was prepared in a 96-well plate and incubated on shaker at 37 °C in 100% humidity to allow fungal biofilm formation in infected dentin slices (n = 98). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of AgNPs alone or with Ca(OH)2 were determined. The samples were separately placed in 24-well tissue culture plates and divided into three experimental groups (0.03, 0.04, and 0.06) and three control groups; negative (saline) and positive chlorhexidine gel and Ca(OH)2. Quantitative measurements of fungal activity by XTT colorimetric assay and qualitative measurements using confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The cell viability of C. albicans in the experimental groups was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group. The combination of (AgNPs (0.04%) and Ca(OH)2) was the most potent against C. albicans. The findings demonstrated that combining silver nanoparticles with Ca(OH)2 was more effective against C. albicans biofilm compared to Ca(OH)2 alone, suggesting a combing effect.

Analysis of dim-light responses in rod and cone photoreceptors with altered calcium kinetics

Rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina of vertebrates are the primary sensory neurons underlying vision. They convert light into an electrical current using a signal transduction pathway that depends on Ca^{2+} feedback. It is known that manipulating the Ca^{2+} kinetics affects the response shape and the photoreceptor sensitivity, but a precise quantification of these effects remains unclear. We have approached this task in mouse retina by combining numerical simulations with mathematical analysis. We consider a parsimonious phototransduction model that incorporates negative Ca^{2+} feedback onto the synthesis of cyclic GMP, and fast buffering reactions to alter the Ca^{2+} kinetics. We derive analytic results for the photoreceptor functioning in sufficiently dim light conditions depending on the photoreceptor type. We exploit these results to obtain conceptual and quantitative insight into how response waveform and amplitude depend on the underlying biophysical processes and the Ca^{2+} feedback. With a low amount of buffering, the Ca^{2+} concentration changes in proportion to the current, and responses to flashes of light are monophasic. With more buffering, the change in the Ca^{2+} concentration becomes delayed with respect to the current, which gives rise to a damped oscillation and a biphasic waveform. This shows that biphasic responses are not necessarily a manifestation of slow buffering reactions. We obtain analytic approximations for the peak flash amplitude as a function of the light intensity, which shows how the photoreceptor sensitivity depends on the biophysical parameters. Finally, we study how changing the extracellular Ca^{2+} concentration affects the response.

Vitamin D and calcium co-therapy mitigates pre-established cadmium nephropathy by regulating renal calcium homeostatic molecules and improving anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in rat

BackgroundCadmium (Cd) is a major environmental pollutant and chronic toxicity could induce nephropathy by increasing renal oxidative stress and inflammation. Although vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca) prophylactic treatments attenuated Cd-induced cell injury, none of the prior studies measure their renoprotective effects against pre-established Cd-nephropathy. AimsTo measure the alleviating effects of VD and/or Ca single and dual therapies against pre-established nephrotoxicity induced by chronic Cd toxicity prior to treatment initiation. MethodsForty male adult rats were allocated into: negative controls (NC), positive controls (PC), Ca, VD and VC groups. The study lasted for eight weeks and all animals, except the NC, received CdCl2 in drinking water (44 mg/L) throughout the study. Ca (100 mg/kg) and/or VD (350 IU/kg) were given (five times/week) during the last four weeks to the designated groups. Subsequently, the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), VD synthesising (Cyp27b1) and catabolizing (Cyp24a1) enzymes with VD receptor (VDR) and binding protein (VDBP) was measured in renal tissues. Similarly, renal expression of Ca voltage-dependent channels (CaV1.1/CaV3.1), store-operated channels (RyR1/ITPR1), and binding proteins (CAM/CAMKIIA/S100A1/S100B) were measured. Serum markers of renal function alongside several markers of oxidative stress (MDA/H2O2/GSH/GPx/CAT) and inflammation (IL-6/TNF-α/IL-10) together with renal cell apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 were also measured. ResultsThe PC group exhibited hypovitaminosis D, hypocalcaemia, hypercalciuria, proteinuria, reduced creatinine clearance, and increased renal apoptosis/necrosis with higher caspase-3 expression. Markers of renal tissue damage (TGF-β1/iNOS/NGAL/KIM-1), oxidative stress (MDA/H2O2), and inflammation (TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6) increased, whilst the antioxidants (GSH/GPx/CAT) and IL-10 decreased, in the PC group. The PC renal tissues also showed abnormal expression of Cyp27b1, Cyp24a1, VDR, and VDBP, alongside Ca-membranous (CaV1.1/CaV3.1) and store-operated channels (RyR1/ITPR1) and cytosolic Ca-binding proteins (CAM/CAMKIIA/S100A1/S100B). Although VD was superior to Ca monotherapy, their combination revealed the best mitigation effects by attenuating serum and renal tissue Cd concentrations, inflammation and oxidative stress, alongside modulating the expression of VD/Ca-molecules. ConclusionsThis study is the first to show improved alleviations against Cd-nephropathy by co-supplementing VD and Ca, possibly by better regulation of Ca-dependent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions.

Platelet-rich Plasma Improves Radiotherapy-induced Emotional Disorder and Cognitive Dysfunction, Neuroinflammation in Aged Rats by Inhibiting the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes.

Although radiotherapy (RT) is the preferred treatment for elderly patients with brain tumors, certain negative effects can't be ignored. Fortunately, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) presents with a promising potential for the treatment of neurological diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of PRP on neuroinflammation, emotional disorder and cognitive dysfunction induced by RT in aged rats. Firstly, whole brain RT (WBRT) model was established by whole brain irradiation with 10Gy of 6-MeV electron beam in rats. Next, twenty 20-month-old female SD rats were divided into four groups (sham group, PRP group, WBRT group, and WBRT + PRP group) according different treatments. After that, the cognitive dysfunction and depression-like behavior of rats were examined by novel object recognition test (NORT), Morris water maze test (MWM), open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM). Besides, immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of microglial marker protein Iba-1 in rat hippocampus; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to examine the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-18, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in rat hippocampus; real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot to measure the levels of neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in rat hippocampus; and western blot also to observe the protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and IL-1β in rat hippocampus. After experiments, some results obtained were shown as follows. PRP could significantly improve learning and memory ability and depression-like behavior, increase the level of neurotrophic factors, inhibit the activation of microglia and decrease the level of pro-inflammatory factors in WBRT rats. In addition, PRP significantly inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. To sum up, PRP can ameliorate neuroinflammation, emotional disorder and cognitive dysfunction induced by RT in aged rats, and the mechanism may be related to its inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Abstract P1-05-12: Evaluation of the benefit of the tumor marker cancer antigen 15–3 (CA 15-3) in different subtypes of metastatic breast cancer

Abstract Background: Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) is the most commonly used tumor marker in patients with breast cancer (BC). However, the usefulness of CA 15-3 is still controversial and there is lack of evidence for its role in metastatic BC. We performed a retrospective analysis of the value of CA 15-3 for monitoring and diagnosis in subgroups of metastatic BC. Method: This retrospective study included three cohorts of a total of 196 patients with advanced or metastatic BC treated during the years 2015-2020. Patients’ data, such as subtype, hormone receptor status, and CA 15-3 values, were retrieved from a treatment database to find out how well the CA 15-3 levels followed the disease progression or remission over time. An increase or decrease of CA 15-3 less than 10% indicated stable disease and changes larger than 10% indicated progress or response of therapy. The patients were then categorized into one of six groups based on the proportion of correct CA 15-3 values in each patient during the course of the disease. A proportion of correct values of 95% or higher placed the patient in category 5, between 90% and 95% category 4, 75% to 90% were category 3, 50% to 75% category 2 and below 50% category 1. Patients without any elevated CA 15-3 values and with no evidence of association with a trend of CA 15-3 and disease progression were categorized as 0. Patients in categories 3, 4, and 5 were classified with approved CA 15-3 conformity and categories 4 and 5 with excellent conformity. Results: The median number of samples per patient was 27 (range 5-102) and at diagnosis of metastatic disease, 79%, 66% and 60% of patients had elevated CA 15-3 in the luminal, HER2-positive, and TNBC groups, respectively. Overall, 72.4%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (66.2-78.7) of the patients had an approved conformity of CA 15-3 to monitor the course of the disease. The benefit of CA 15-3 differed significantly between the subtypes, luminal BC had an approved conformity for 94%, 95% CI (88.6-99.1) of the patients, HER2 BC 63%, 95% CI (52.1-73.5) and for TNBC 46% (95% CI 29.9-62.0) of patients. In patients with Luminal A, the conformity was excellent in 84% of patients compared to 60% of patients with Luminal B. Estrogen receptor status (ER) was the single most important factor for the value of CA 15-3, with an approved conformity of 91%, 95% CI (85.6-95.7) of ER-positive patients and 37%, 95% CI (25.3-48.2) of all ER-negative patients. Elevated baseline levels of CA 15-3 in the diagnosis of metastatic BC increased the benefit of the marker to approved levels in 62.5% of the ER-negative patients, but ER-positive patients mostly had approved conformity, despite negative CA 15-3 at baseline. Visceral or bone metastases further improved the utility of CA 15-3 and soft tissue or solitary CNS metastases decreased it. Conclusion: The benefit of serum marker CA 15-3 in monitoring patients with metastatic BC depends mainly on whether the tumor expresses ER or not. ER-positive patients were excellently monitored in most cases and elevated CA 15-3 values at baseline indicated potential utility in ER-negative patients. Citation Format: Henrik Lindman, Ebba Cederqvist Molin, Martin Jernling, Aglia Schiza. Evaluation of the benefit of the tumor marker cancer antigen 15–3 (CA 15-3) in different subtypes of metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-05-12.

The sustainability of timber and biomass harvest in perspective of forest nutrient uptake and nutrient stocks

The sustainability of tree harvest is questioned since harvest results in increased nutrient losses which may reduce nutrient stocks in forest soils, particularly in forests on acidified and poor soils with low base saturation. We used a new forest experiment to quantify nutrient stocks and nutrient uptake rates in mature forest stands, and to assess the forest nutrient balance in relation to different forest management scenarios: clearcutting, shelterwood and thinning; and whole-tree harvest (WTH), stem-only harvest (SOH) and wood only harvest (WOH, with on-site bark stripping). Forests were dominated by trees of Fagus sylvatica, Pseudotsuga Menziesii or Pinus sylvestris, all situated on poor, acidified soils.We measured forest biomass and nutrient stocks based on destructive sampling of fifteen mature trees per species and by using new, calibrated allometric relationships. Aboveground stocks of N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn were calculated for foliage, branches, stem bark and stem wood. Annual forest growth and nutrient uptake were determined using tree ring measures and allometric relationships. Organic layer nutrient stocks and available nutrients in the mineral soil were determined following intensive soil sampling.Stands of beech, Douglas fir and Scots pine differed in aboveground biomass and nutrient stocks, with highest biomass stocks in Douglas fir. However, beech stands had the highest aboveground nutrient stocks, nutrient uptake rates and nutrient losses following harvest, followed by Scots pine. Organic layer nutrient stocks generally exceeded aboveground nutrient stocks, except for the base cations and Mn. Compared to SOH, WTH increased nutrient export between 66% (Douglas fir) up to 100% (Scots pine), while WOH decreased the nutrient export between 23% (beech) up to 41% (Douglas fir).High aboveground base cation and Mn stocks indicate potential long-term threats to forest nutrition if trees are harvested. However, in Douglas fir stands, nutrient losses through SOH may fully recover when using rotation periods of 80 years. Contrary, negative Ca balances are predicted when applying SOH in beech and Scots pine, since Ca stocks are potentially depleted within 2 final fellings. WTH poses, regardless of the species, potential threats for sustainable biomass harvest as nutrients cannot be recovered using common rotation periods. WOH conserves nutrients within the forest posing opportunities for sustainable biomass harvest. For similar temperate forest on acidified, sandy soils, we therefore recommend to limit tree harvest depending on the tree species, and to avoid WTH and consider WOH to better conserve critical nutrients required for long-term forest recovery.

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BETWEEN TWO GLOBAL CRISES AND BEYOND

The aim of the article is to assess the factors of economic growth of the CEE countries over the 30-year history, the productivity of capital and human resources, the resilience of these countries to the negative impact of the global financial crisis. Methodology. The Solow growth model was used to estimate the growth rates of capital, labor and total factor productivity (TFP). The impact of macroeconomic indicators on GDP and TFP growth is assessed. The group of Central and Eastern European countries that joined the European Union was chosen for the analysis: Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, as well as post-Soviet European countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Moldova and Albania in the period from 1991 to 2019. Results. TFP makes a significant contribution to the economic growth of CEE countries. During the period of market reforms, TFP significantly decreased, and during the boom of 2000-2008 it fully ensured the growth of the CEE economies, after the crisis of 2008, the contribution of TFP decreased by 2 times. In the conditions of recovery, TFP growth is positively influenced by inflation, negative CA balance, and unemployment reduction. In the post-crisis period, a decrease in inflation, a positive CA balance, and an increase in unemployment had a positive impact on TFP growth. During a depression, the influence of capital becomes dominant. Restrictive monetary policy contributes to the efficiency of CEE economies. In the short run, unemployment increases, but in the long run it decreases significantly due to the growth of investment and exports. Practical implications. The analysis makes it possible to identify effective macroeconomic policies to stimulate the productivity of the economies of Central and Eastern Europe during the period of economic recovery and depression. Value/originality. A long-term study of the economic performance of CEE countries using the Solow methodology has revealed the behavior of total factor productivity in different periods of modern economic history and its contribution to economic growth.

Faecal dry matter excretion per se affects faecal calcium and phosphorus losses in dogs.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of faecal dry matter (DM) excretion on faecal losses of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) without potentially confounding factors. Dogs were fed two levels of the same basal diet (cooked pork, rice, gelatine; 8.5 ± 0.7 and 12.6 ± 1.2 g DM/kg BW). Mineral supplements were added separately for identical Ca and P supply independent of DM intake (Ca 226 and P ~170 mg/kg BW). Digestion trials (10 days adaptation, 5 days quantitative faecal collection) were carried out. Digestibility of DM averaged 87% in both trials. Faecal DM and mineral excretion increased highly significant (DM 1.1 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 0.2 g/kg BW, p = 0.00005; Ca 185 ± 34 and 233 ± 22 mg/kg BW, p = 0.00119; P 99 ± 23 to 127 ± 12 mg/kg BW, p = 0.00212), revealing a highly significant correlation. Apparent digestibility of Ca was positive in the first trial and negative in the second leading to a slightly negative Ca retention in the latter one. The results suggest that in dogs (i) factors influencing Ca and P absorption can only be compared if faecal DM excretion is identical and (ii) Ca requirements may be affected by DM intake and digestibility.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 negative pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUNDPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Tumor markers like carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) have been proven valuable as a diagnostic tool and a predictor for tumor staging and response to therapy.AIMTo delineate the phenotype of normal CA 19-9 PDAC according to clinical features, disease staging and prognosis as compared with high CA 19-9 PDAC cases.METHODSWe performed a retrospective single-center analysis of all PDAC cases admitted in our Gastroenterology department over a period of 30 mo that were diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition. Patients were divided into two groups according to CA 19-9 levels over a threshold of 37 U/mL. We performed a comparison between the two groups with regard to demographic and clinical data, biomarkers, tumor staging and 6-mo survival.RESULTSAltogether 111 patients were recruited with 29 having documented normal CA 19-9 (< 37 U/mL). In the CA 19-9 negative group of patients, 20.68% had elevated levels of both CEA and CA 125, 13.79% for CA 125 only whilst 17.24% for CEA only. The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. Abdominal pain was more frequently reported in positive vs negative CA 19-9 PDAC cases (76.83% vs 55.17%), while smoking was slightly more prevalent in the latter group (28.04% vs 31.03%). Tumors over 2 cm were more frequently seen in the positive CA 19-9 group, reflecting a higher proportion of locally advanced and metastatic neoplasia (87.7% vs 79.3%). Six-month survival was higher for the negative CA 19-9 group (58.62% vs 47.56%).CONCLUSIONElevated CA 19-9 at diagnosis seems to be associated with a more pronounced symptomatology, high tumor burden and poor prognosis compared to negative CA 19-9 PDAC cases. CEA and CA 125 can be adjunctive useful markers for PDAC, especially in CA 19-9 negative cases.

MO236: Serological Markers of Celiac Disease in Patients With IGA-Nephropathy: Prevalence and Diagnostic Significance

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is known that IgA-nephropathy (IgAN) can be secondary to liver disease, skin disease, lung disease, etc. There is also evidence of an association between IgAN and celiac disease. In the Russian population, there are no studies aimed at identifying the prevalence of IgAN and celiac disease in adult. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of celiac antibody (СА) in patients with IgAN and to compare the clinical and laboratory features within groups. METHOD fifty patients with IgAN were included in the study. Of these, 46 (92%) were male and 4 (8%) were female, ranging in age from 18 to 63 years. The mean age was 35.9 ± 9.8 years. All patients underwent general clinical blood and urinalysis, daily urinary protein excretion. Serum concentrations of IgA, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (tTG), to deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP), to endomysium (EMA) and IgA and IgG antibodies to reticulin (ARA) were assessed, GFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula, the ‘office’ blood pressure was measured. Patients with positive CA underwent fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) with biopsy of the retro-bulbar of the duodenum. The results of the celiac marker study were compared in two groups of patients with IgAN. Group I (n = 10) were patients with IgAN and positive CA; Group II (n = 40) were patients with IgAN and negative CA. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS 26.0. The null statistical hypothesis of no difference and no relationship was refuted at P &amp;lt; .05. RESULTS Positive serological markers were found in 20% of the total group of patients with IgAN. IgA antibodies to DGP were positive in 100% of cases; one patient had a one-step increase in IgA antibodies to DGP and IgA antibodies to tTG. No increase of antibodies to ARA and EMA was observed in any case. All Group I patients underwent FGDS; changes in the architectonics of the duodenum were not found. Four patients underwent biopsy of the retro-bulbar of the duodenum according to the Marsh histological classification; all biopsies were classified as Marsh 0–1. The mean concentration of protein in the urine of group I patients was 1.36 (0.76–1.58) g/L and statistically significantly higher than in group II patients 0.6 (0.4–0.93) g/L. (Р = .033). The mean daily proteinuria in celiac antibody-positive patients was 2.38 (0.78–2.8) g/day and was statistically significantly higher than in group II patients at 0.7 (0.6–1.36) g/day (Р = 0.049). We compared the incidence of arterial hypertension (AH) depending on the presence of CA in patients with IgAN. Consistent with the findings, the incidence of AH was statistically significantly higher in group I compared to group II (P = .031). The odds of AH in patients with CA were 9 times higher than in patients with negative CA [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.041–77.803]. The mean diastolic blood pressure was statistically significantly higher in group I—105.1 (96–115) mm Hg. compared to group II—92 (86–98) mm Hg (P = .032). We compared the incidence of chronic tonsillitis (CT) according to the presence of CA in patients with IgAN. According to the data, the incidence of CT was statistically significantly higher in group I compared to group II (Р = .023). The likelihood of having CT was 8.2 times higher in patients with positive antibodies than in those with negative CA (95% CI 1.461–46.272). CONCLUSION Although the patients with IgAN and positive CA did not have gastrointestinal symptoms, and FGDS with a biopsy of the retro-bulbar of the duodenum did not provide convincing evidence for a violation of the intestinal architectonics, we found statistically significant deviations in clinical and laboratory in this group of patients. Our preliminary findings suggest that an isolated increase in CA to exacerbate the course of IgAN. Whether the screening detection of CA, without disrupting intestinal architectonics, can be an additional diagnostic and prognostic marker for patients with IgAN remains a matter of debate to date. In the meantime, further research on this issue is needed, both at clinical and experimental level.

Long Term Trends of Base Cation Budgets of Forests in the UK to Inform Sustainable Harvesting Practices

There is growing concern in the UK that available base cation pools in soil are declining due to the combined effects of acid deposition and forest harvesting. To help inform the issue, elemental mass balances for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were calculated using more than 10-years (10–24 years) of data from the UK’s ICP Forest Intensive Monitoring Network (Level II) of plots, covering a range of soil types and three tree species—oak, Scots pine and Sitka spruce. Out of the ten sites investigated, small negative Ca balances were observed at three sites and negative K balances on two sites, all on acid geology and nutrient poor soils, which were previously heavily acidified due to acid deposition. There is sufficient Ca and K in the soil exchangeable pool to sustain forest growth on these sites, however, if the present rate of Ca and K loss continues forest health and productivity are likely to be threatened within a few forest rotations. Magnesium showed a positive balance at all but one site, partly sustained by marine deposition. Base cation budgets were significantly (p &lt; 0.01) positively related to soil exchangeable cations and soil base saturation status. Six of the sites showed an increasingly statistically significant positive cation balance with time, attributed to a decline in leaching linked to recovery from acidification. This included the three sites with negative Ca balance, although Ca remained in deficit. One site (Alice Holt) exhibited a decreasing cation balance, driven by a continued significant decline in base cation deposition thought to be related to pollutant emission control. The results were used to simulate the impact of different forest biomass harvesting scenarios involving the removal of brown (extracted after needle drop) or green (extracted before needle drop) brash. Podzols and deep peats were found to be the most vulnerable to brash harvesting causing Ca and K imbalance, but problems also occurred on brown earths. Impacts were greatest for the extraction of green brash from higher productivity stands. Base cation balance calculations remain highly uncertain due to the restricted nature of available measurements and wide variation of some estimates, particularly inputs from mineral weathering. More data are required to check and improve model predictions to better guide forest harvesting practice and ensure sustainable forest management.

Metabolic and blood acid-base responses to prepartum dietary cation-anion difference and calcium content in transition dairy cows

Dairy cows commonly undergo negative Ca balance accompanied by hypocalcemia after parturition. A negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) strategy has been used prepartum to improve periparturient Ca homeostasis. Our objective was to determine the influence of a negative DCAD diet with different amounts of dietary Ca on the blood acid-base balance, blood gases, and metabolic adaptation to lactation. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 81) were blocked into 1 of 3 dietary treatments from 252 d of gestation until parturition: (1) positive DCAD diet and low Ca (CON; containing +6.0 mEq/100 g DM, 0.4% DM Ca); (2) negative DCAD diet and low Ca (ND; -24.0 mEq/100 g DM, 0.4% DM Ca); or (3) negative DCAD diet plus high Ca supplementation (NDCA; -24.1 mEq/100 g DM, 2.0% DM Ca). There were 28, 27, and 26 cows for CON, ND, and NDCA, respectively. Whole blood was sampled at 0, 24, 48, and 96 h after calving for immediate determination of blood acid-base status and blood gases. Serum samples collected at -21, -14, -7, -4, -2, -1, at calving, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d relative to parturition were analyzed for metabolic components. Results indicated that cows fed ND or NDCA had lower blood pH at calving but greater pH at 24 h after calving compared with CON. Blood bicarbonate, base excess, and total CO2 (tCO2) concentrations of cows in ND and NDCA groups were less than those of cows in CON at calving but became greater from 24 to 96 h postpartum. The NDCA cows had lower blood bicarbonate, base excess, and tCO2 at 48 h and greater partial pressure of oxygen after calving compared with ND. Cows fed ND or NDCA diets had lower serum glucose concentrations than CON cows before calving but no differences were observed postpartum. Serum concentrations of total protein and albumin were greater prepartum for cows in ND and NDCA groups than for those in CON. Postpartum serum urea N and albumin concentrations tended to be higher for ND and NDCA cows. Cows fed ND or NDCA diets had elevated serum total cholesterol concentration prepartum. During the postpartum period, triglycerides and NEFA of cows fed ND or NDCA diets tended to be lower than those of CON. Cows fed the NDCA diet had greater postpartum total cholesterol in serum and lower NEFA concentration at calving than ND. In conclusion, feeding a prepartum negative DCAD diet altered blood acid-base balance and induced metabolic acidosis at calving, and improved protein and lipid metabolism. Supplementation of high Ca in the negative DCAD diet prepartum was more favorable to metabolic adaptation to lactation in dairy cows than the negative DCAD diet with low Ca.

Citrate dose for continuous hemofiltration: effect on calcium and magnesium balance, parathormone and vitamin D status, a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundRegional citrate anticoagulation may cause a negative calcium balance, systemic hypocalcemia and parathormone (PTH) activation but randomzed studies are not available. Aim was to determine the effect of citrate dose on calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) balance, PTH and Vitamin D.MethodsSingle center prospective randomized study. Patients, requiring continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) with citrate, randomized to low dose citrate (2.5 mmol/L) vs. high dose (4.5 mmol/L) for 24 h, targeting post-filter ionized calcium (pfiCa) of 0.325–0.4 mmol/L vs. 0.2–0.275 mmol/L, using the Prismaflex® algorithm with 100% postfilter calcium replacement. Extra physician-ordered Ca and Mg supplementation was performed aiming at systemic iCa > 1.0 mmol/L. Arterial blood, effluent and post-filter aliquots were taken for balance calculations (area under the curve), intact (i), oxidized (ox) and non-oxidized (nox) PTH, 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D (25D) and 1,25-dihydroxy-Vitamin D (1,25D).Results35 patients were analyzed, 17 to high, 18 to low citrate. Mean 24-h Ca balance was - 9.72 mmol/d (standard error 1.70) in the high vs − 1.18 mmol/d (se 1.70)) (p = 0.002) in the low citrate group and 24-h Mg-balance was − 25.99 (se 2.10) mmol/d vs. -17.63 (se 2.10) mmol/d (p = 0.008) respectively. Physician-ordered Ca supplementation, higher in the high citrate group, resulted in a positive Ca-balance in both groups. iPTH, oxPTH or noxPTH were not different between groups. Over 24 h, median PTH decreased from 222 (25th–75th percentile 140–384) to 162 (111–265) pg/ml (p = 0.002); oxPTH from 192 (124–353) to 154 pg/ml (87–231), p = 0.002. NoxPTH did not change significantly. Mean 25 D (standard deviation), decreased from 36.5 (11.8) to 33.3 (11.2) nmol/l (p = 0.003), 1,25D rose from 40.9 pg/ml (30.7) to 43.2 (30.7) pg/ml (p = 0.046), without differences between groups.ConclusionsA higher citrate dose caused a more negative CVVH Ca balance than a lower dose, due to a higher effluent Calcium loss. Physician-ordered Ca supplementation, targeting a systemic iCa > 1.0 mmol/L, higher in the high citrate group, resulted in a positive Ca-balance in both groups. iPTH and oxPTH declined, suggesting decreased oxidative stress, while noxPTH did not change. 25D decreased while 1,25-D rose. Mg balance was negative in both groups, more so in the high citrate group.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02194569. Registered 18 July 2014.

Association of blood calcium concentration in the first 3 days after parturition and energy balance metabolites at day 3 in milk with disease and production outcomes in multiparous Jersey cows

Research exploring specific associations of markers of negative energy balance and Ca in postpartum Jersey cows with lactation performance is lacking. Our objectives were to evaluate the associations of total Ca concentration (tCa) measured at 1 through 3 d in milk (DIM) and free fatty acids (FFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and glucose measured at 3 DIM with (1) the risk of multiparous Jersey cows being diagnosed with early-lactation diseases and culling, (2) milk production in the first 9 wk of lactation, and (3) the risk of pregnancy in the first 150 DIM. A cohort study was performed in 1 dairy herd in Texas. Multivariable Poisson regression models were built to evaluate the association of the analytes of interest with the risks of early-lactation diseases and culling in the first 60 DIM (i.e., binary outcomes). Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association of the analytes of interest with milk production within the first 9 wk of lactation, and a Cox proportional hazard model was built to assess the risk of pregnancy within 150 DIM. A total of 380 cows were used in the final analyses. Total Ca measured at 1 through 3 DIM was not associated with the risk of metritis. Cows with increased FFA and BHB had an increased risk of being diagnosed with metritis and clinical mastitis, respectively. Increased concentrations of glucose and FFA and decreased tCa at 3 DIM were associated with an increased risk of culling. Reduced tCa concentrations at 1 DIM (≤1.84 mmol/L) and 2 DIM (≤2.04 mmol/L) were associated with increased milk production across the first 9 wk of lactation compared with tCa concentrations above those thresholds. Total Ca was not associated with milk production when assessed at 3 DIM, whereas increased FFA (≥0.37 mmol/L) and decreased glucose (≤2.96 mmol/L) at 3 DIM were associated with increased milk production. None of the metabolites measured were associated with the risk of pregnancy in the first 150 DIM. Our results demonstrate that tCa concentration assessed in the first 3 DIM show temporary associations with milk production and culling in multiparous Jersey cows. Although increased concentration of FFA assessed at 3 DIM was associated with greater milk yield, it was a detrimental factor for the risk of metritis. This study attempted to better elucidate the relationship of tCa, FFA, BHB, and glucose assessed in early postpartum with health and performance of Jersey cows. Based on this study, assessments performed at 3 DIM using tCa concentration ≤1.99 mmol/L for increased risk of early-lactation culling and FFA ≥0.43 mmol/L for increased risk of metritis could be used as starting points. More studies evaluating the dynamics of energy balance markers and tCa in postpartum Jersey cows using a greater number of herds are needed to better inform dairy consultants on critical levels for exacerbated postpartum negative energy balance and subclinical hypocalcemia for the Jersey breed.

Synthesis, photophysical, cyclic voltammetry properties, and molecular structure study of novel (5,10,15,20-tetratolylphenyl porphyrinato)zinc(II) with pyrazine

The precursor (5,10,15,20)-tetratolylporphyrin (H2TTP) (1) and Zn(II) complex (5,10,15,20)-tetratolylporphyrinato)zinc(II) [Zn(TTP)] (2) have been synthesized and utilized to afford a novel complex (3) bearing pyrazine as fifth coordination site on axial position, i.e. (pyrazine)(5,10,15,20-tetratolylporphyrinato)zinc(II) hemi-pyrazine hemidichloromethane solvate [Zn(TTP) (pyz)]0.0.5(pyz.CH2Cl2). Photophysical, electrochemical and X-ray diffraction were investigated. The single-crystal X-ray analysis indicated that in complex (3) (i) Zn(II) ion is penta coordinated, (ii) slight displacement of Zn atom by −0.28 Å towards the axial ligand (pyrazine) and (iii) the crystal lattice is made up of two dimensional layers stabilised by C−H…Cg intra- and intermolecular interactions (Cg is the centroid of pyrrole ring). Optical absorption studies revealed a redshifted of the Soret (B) and Q bands of the Zn-porphyrins complexes. Contrarily, a hypsochromic shift of Q bands in emission spectra of the complexes is noted as compared to the H2TPP. Lifetime of the electrons in (1–3) were determined and compared. Overall, this study would assist in understanding the impact of incorporation of pyrazine at the axial position on optical and electronic properties. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was applied for the study of the electrochemical behavior of both (2) and (3) complexes in 0.2 M Tetra-n-butyl ammonium perchlorate (TBAP) solution in CH2Cl2. The results of electrochemical confirmed the potentials redox peaks shift more negative ca 60 mV to that is caused by the coordination of pyrazine ligand.

Assessing the Negative Determinants on the Usage Intention of Social Media

Since the development of the Internet jumped quickly, the user can perform a variety of social media information and communicate via computers, mobile phones and other smart devices. Social media can be presented in many different forms, including text, images, music and videos. Under the high popularity of social media usage, users will share information on community self-media platforms, including personal ideas, feelings and experiences. However, social media is one of the sides of a virtual network that allows users to bring convenient, instant, etc. But they also bring negative factors can’t be predicted for users, such as: lack of privacy controls, social media into hidden problems. Due to these reasons, users can cause by long-term excessive use of social media, and make themselves feel fatigue social of psychology. The study investigates whether the negative factors will affect users of social media for social impact of fatigue, use Google questionnaires to collect samples of the web results. To sum up, the conclusion of the study showed that most of the negative factors of social media are social media users will feel social fatigue.

281 Young Scholar Presentation: Digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in feed ingredients fed to gestating sows and growing pigs

Abstract In practical diet formulation, values for standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of Ca and P obtained in growing pigs are also applied to sows. However, gestating sows have reduced digestibility and retention of Ca and P compared with growing pigs, and the impact of microbial phytase on the digestibility of P and Ca is much less in sows than in growing pigs. Applying STTD values for Ca and P obtained in growing pigs to diets for gestating sows, therefore, results in an overestimation of the absorbed Ca and P in sows (Table 1). Further research, however, indicated that the digestibility of Ca and P in late gestating sows is greater than in sows in early or mid-gestation and retention of Ca and P was greater in late-gestation compared with earlier gestation periods, which indicates that digestion and absorption of Ca and P may be under hormonal control in sows (Table 2). It was also demonstrated that a wide Ca:P ratio decreased P digestibility in both growing pigs and sows in late-gestation, which demonstrates the need for not overfeeding STTD Ca. In follow-up research, it was demonstrated that several serum biomarkers may be used to predict if a sow is in a positive or a negative Ca and P state, but more research is needed to quantify this effect and to determine if biomarkers can be used in Ca and P requirement experiments. In conclusion, gestating sows have much lower digestibility of Ca and P than growing pigs, which demonstrates that digestibility values obtained in growing pigs cannot be used to accurately formulate diets for gestating sows. Likewise, effects of microbial phytase on digestibility of Ca and P are much less predictable in gestating sows than in growing pigs and phytase effects in sows are much smaller than in growing pigs.

In-turn capacitive effect resultant from a high dielectric constant found in a ferromagnetic ferrite

Getting negative permeability in ferromagnetic materials as observed in dimensional resonance effect (DRE) raises several questions about the existence of negative permeability in natural materials like ferrite, its dependence on core size, and the way of solving the contradiction with EM theory. This paper shows that negative permeability can't be achieved in ferromagnetic materials without biasing and DRE is a matter of using low frequency inductor’s equivalent model for extracting the permeability at high frequencies. The real effect of dielectric constant on inductor’s behaviour is disclosed, its responsibility on the appearance of unusual capacitive phenomenon between parts of the turn is checked practically and by simulation. The study shows that the parameters which enhance this phenomenon are shape and copper-covered area of the core.Measuring the input impedance of an inductor consisting of six Ni-Zn toroidal cores, and provided by a single turn and connector, shows the appearance of two resonances, and that, the frequencies at which these resonances occur depend on connector’s location, this results are interpreted by in-turn capacitive effect phenomenon while DRE can’t interpret it. This study can be used to improve ferromagnetic devices, like probes, at high frequencies.

Vitamin D3 and calcium cosupplementation alleviates cadmium hepatotoxicity in the rat: Enhanced antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory actions by remodeling cellular calcium pathways

Although vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca) attenuate cadmium (Cd) metabolism, their combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions against Cd toxicity have not been previously explored. Hence, this study measured the protective effects of VD ± Ca supplements against Cd hepatotoxicity. Forty adult male rats were distributed to: negative controls (NCs), positive controls (PCs), VD, Ca, and VD3 and Ca (VDC) groups. All groups, except NC, received CdCl2 in drinking water (44 mg/L) for 4 weeks individually or concurrently with intramuscular VD3 (600 IU/kg; three times per week) and/or oral Ca (100 mg/kg; five times per week). The PC group showed abnormal hepatic biochemical parameters and increase in cellular cytochrome C, caspase-9, and caspase-3 alongside the apoptotic/necrotic cell numbers by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling technique. The PC hepatic tissue also had substantially elevated pro-oxidants (malondialdehyde [MDA]/H2 O2 /protein carbonyls) and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β [IL-1β]/IL-6/IL17A/tumor necrosis factor-α), whereas the anti-inflammatory (IL-10/IL-22) and antioxidants (glutathione [GSH]/GPx/catalase enzyme [CAT]) markers declined. Hypovitaminosis D, low hepatic tissue Ca, aberrant hepatic expression of VD-metabolizing enzymes (Cyp2R1/Cyp27a1/cyp24a1), receptor and binding protein alongside Ca-membrane (CaV 1.1/CaV 3.1), and store-operated (RyR1/ITPR1) channels, and Ca-binding proteins (CAM/CAMKIIA/S100A1/S100B) were observed in the PC group. Both monotherapies decreased serum, but not tissue Cd levels, restored the targeted hepatic VD/Ca molecules' expression. However, these effects were more prominent in the VD group than the Ca group. The VDC group, contrariwise, disclosed the greatest alleviations on serum and tissue Cd, inflammatory and oxidative markers, the VD/Ca molecules and tissue integrity. In conclusion, this report is the first to reveal boosted protection for cosupplementing VD and Ca against Cd hepatotoxicity that could be due to enhanced antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of the Ca pathways.