Salt Wash Research Articles

Formation of transient highly-charged mAb clusters strengthens interactions with host cell proteins and results in poor clearance of host cell proteins by protein A chromatography

Protein A chromatography with a high salt wash usually leads to robust clearance of host cell proteins (HCPs) in most recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but a small subset of recalcitrant mAbs show significant HCP copurification. In this study, we carried out systematic studies using 4 different mAbs to explore the HCP copurification mechanism. HCP identification results revealed that the 3 high-HCP mAbs had many common HCPs which do not copurify with the low-HCP mAb, suggesting a similar mechanism is at play. Through wash evaluation, surface patch analysis, chain-swapping, domain evaluation, and structure-guided mutations, several charged residues in each mAb were found which correlated with HCP copurification. Surprisingly, these residues are also critical for self-association propensity. We observed an inverse correlation between diffusion interaction parameter and HCP copurification. Each of the high-HCP mAbs could form dynamic clusters consisting of 3∼6 mAb molecules. Therefore, a mAb cluster can exhibit higher net positive charges on the order of 3 to 6, compared with the individual mAb. In Protein A chromatography, high-HCP mAbs had elution tailing which contained high level of HCPs. Addition of Arginine-HCl or point mutations preventing cluster formation effectively reduced HCP copurification and elution tailing. Based on these results, we propose a novel HCP-copurification mechanism that formation of mAb clusters strengthens charge-charge interactions with HCPs and thus compromises HCP removal by Protein A chromatography. Besides arginine, histidine under acidic pH conditions prevented cluster formulation and resulted in effective HCP removal. Finally, structure-guided protein engineering and solution screening by using cluster size as indicator are useful tools for managing mAbs with high-HCP issues.

An Application of Axiomatic Design to Improve Productivity in the Circular Economy Context—The Salt Production Example

Sustainability and a circular economy (CE) are crucial for the development of society. The CE approach should start by designing new products or processes or retrofitting existing ones to achieve the best efficiency and extend their life cycle. Designs that enable CE require the guidance of a design theory. Axiomatic design (AD) theory allows for the classification of designs and achieving the targets if appropriate requirements are adopted. This paper aimed to show that sustainability and productivity can be made compatible by ensuring functional independence, as defined in AD and using the circular economy concept. The paper presents how a salt washing machine could be improved concerning its performance. The analysis of the existing design showed fewer design parameters than the functional requirements. A viable enhancement was the addition of one design parameter, which made it possible to control the separation and washing independently. The resulting machine retrofitting increased the production rate by 20% to 30%—the productivity and the quality of the final product was also improved. The washing process now used less water and energy. Moreover, the brine feeding system was also redesigned, so that the brine was now reused, the land use was reduced as was the operating time, and the operators now worked in a more friendly environment. The industrial case study presented in this paper is an example of how innovative engineering design that fits the design science research (DSR) with the generation of knowledge. The objective of this design solution was to increase the efficiency of the entire process and consequently increase the productivity and sustainability.

Interaction Between Brackish Water Intermittent Infiltration and Cultivated Soil Environment: A Case Study From Arid Piedmont Plain of Northwest China

Brackish groundwater was widely used in arid areas which may cause soil salinization and groundwater environmental declines. To ensure the sustainable development of agriculture in arid areas, brackish water intermittent infiltration experiments were conducted in Southern Xinjiang, Northwest China between June to September 2018, and Hydrus-2D numerical simulation was used to analyze the underground pipe drainage systems. The field experiments were carried out during cotton growth stages after the first freshwater flood infiltration and salt washing. Two control experiments were, respectively, designed as freshwater (0.68 g/L) and brackish water (1.66 g/L) with water amount of 1.0 Q = 572 mm. Other eight groups (1.05–1.40 Q) were compared to analyze the effect of soil salt leaching by increasing the brackish water amount. The results showed that the soil moisture content was almost less than the field capacity of 0.203 at depth of 0–60 cm before each infiltration due to roots water uptake, and the soil water holding capacity rate was lower than 0.2 after 5 days under 1.20–1.40 Q brackish water treatments. Variation of EC1:5 at depth of 0–30 cm was less than 0.5 dS/m. Salt mainly accumulated at the depth of 40–60 cm whether the water amount was excessive or insufficient even under the fresh water infiltration. The optimal brackish water amount was 1.15 Q = 657.8 mm, and the soil total salinity was less than 0.55 dS/m (EC1:5) and reached mild salinization degree. Numerical simulations were used based on the 2018 field experimental results and extended by another 10 years. The soil salt accumulated to 1.10–2.99 dS/m (EC1:5) at the depth of 40–60 cm during 0–30 days. The no salinization area expanded to depth of 40–45 cm after 120 days and reduced during non-infiltration period due to evaporation effect. The soil salt was gradually leached and less than 0.55 dS/m (EC1:5) after 10 years. The optimized leaching–drainage system could not only provide a low salinity soil condition for cotton growth and realize sustainable cultivation but also greatly protect the soil and groundwater environment.

The lithostratigraphic Tidwell Member of the Morrison or Summerville Formations (Upper Jurassic)—who, what, where, when?

The Tidwell Member, a lithostratigraphic unit on the Colorado Plateau, has variously been referred to the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation or the Upper Jurassic Summerville Formation. Its authorship has been ascribed to U.S. Geological Survey geologists Robert B. O'Sullivan or Fred Peterson. Because Peterson and O'Sullivan have different type sections, a resolution to authorship is needed. Both authors meet the minimum requirements for a new stratigraphic unit as given by the 1983 North American Stratigraphic Code under which Peterson and O'Sullivan operated. However, both authors also operated under the more restrictive Stratigraphic Nomenclature in Reports of the U.S. Geological Survey, which makes it clear that O'Sullivan used Tidwell Member informally, whereas Peterson made a formal proposal. Thus, Peterson is the rightful author and the type section is at Shadscale Mesa, Emery County, Utah. To resolve the issue of which formation the Tidwell Member belongs, its strata were examined across the northern Colorado Plateau in context with both the underlying marine Summerville Formation and the overlying terrestrial Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation. Meters-thick gypsum beds, one criterion for including the Tidwell Member in the Summerville, was found to be mostly restricted to the west side of the Colorado Plateau. Numerous low-angled anticlines at the top of the Summerville Formation are truncated beneath this gypsum, thus the gypsum beds cannot be part of the Summerville Formation. The unconformity marks the J-5 unconformity. Detailed analysis of the gypsum beds shows a complex origin indicative of smaller playa lakes rather than broad coastal sabkhas. The gypsum beds show an interfingering relationship with the overlying and lateral interbedded thin sandstone-siltstone-mudstone-limestone facies assemblage of the Tidwell Member. This relationship is interpreted as localized gypsum playa lakes that formed at the terminus of prograding fluvial fans from the Elko highlands to the west, with possible lesser contribution from the growing fluvial fan exiting from the Grand Canyon bight near the present-day Arizona-Nevada border. An isopachous map of the Tidwell Member supports this interpretation, and also indicates additional, less significant source areas to the southeast and east of the northern Colorado Plateau. A widespread tabular sandstone at the base of the Tidwell Member lateral to the gypsum facies known as Bed A, is interpreted to have originated mostly as a sand sheet analogous to the Selima Sand Sheet of the eastern Sahara or the sand sheet of the Gran Dieserto in Sonora, Mexico. The source of the sand is from the fluvial fans to the west. Similarities between the lithofacies of the contemporaneous Tidwell and Ralston Creek Members of the Morrison Formation indicates deposition under similar environmental conditions. This supports the inclusion of the Ralston Creek Member in the Morrison Formation as previously suggested, rather than as a separate formation.

Paleohydraulic analysis of an ancient distributive fluvial system

ABSTRACTReconstructing the paleohydraulics of ancient fluvial systems has important implications when determining channel-body dimensions in the subsurface as well as aiding source-to-sink studies and quantitatively determining the impact of changing climatic conditions. We undertake a paleohydraulic analysis of the Upper Jurassic Salt Wash distributive fluvial system (DFS) of the Morrison Formation, SW USA, to determine if downstream trends such as decreasing channel size and discharge, inferred in studies of DFS, are present. Channel depth was estimated using cross-set height values and preserved bar thickness. Nine localities across the exposed part of the Salt Wash system were studied. In total, 49 bars were measured, full bar thickness was determined from 12 complete bars, and average cross-set height was calculated for 37 bars. Estimates of maximum bankfull channel depth were derived from measured bar thicknesses. Bar height was then obtained and converted to mean bankfull channel depth using a shape adjustment factor of 0.65. The bar-derived mean bankfull channel depths were then used to derive a factor for which dune cross-set heights could be converted to mean bankfull channel depth (4.6) and maximum bankfull channel depth (7.1). These factors were then applied to localities where only cross-set height data were available, thus allowing consistent comparison and extrapolation of mean bankfull channel depth over the preserved DFS area. The use of measured bar thicknesses to calibrate estimates of mean channel depth from reconstructed dune heights is considered a useful approach, with the factor of 4.6 estimated here being lower than that (6 to 10) commonly used in comparable studies.The datasets for the Salt Wash DFS record systematic downstream trends in cross-set height, bar thickness, calculated channel depth, estimated channel width, and estimated Q, with variability and overlap between the proximal to medial, and medial to distal parts. The variability superimposed on the regional downstream trends is attributed to a combination of autocyclic processes such as variations in discharge, depth of scour, and avulsion as well as more regional-scale channel-belt switching together with allocyclic controls. The wide spatial distribution of the dataset in this study allows distinction between local autocyclic controls and regional downstream trends. Formative discharge shows no downstream trend across the entire Salt Wash DFS, with a wide range in coefficient of variation of preserved cross set thickness (CV(dst) values of 0.1 to 1.1) indicative of flashy (variable) discharge.The spatial distribution of the Salt Wash dataset allows extrapolation of trends upstream to the unexposed part of the system that allows insights into the characteristics of the channel system in the apex area (∼ 150 km to the southwest and removed by post depositional erosion). The fluvial system would have a mean depth of 9 m, and a bankfull-depth discharge of around 1450 m3/s with mean cross-set heights of between 50 and 70 cm. These estimates are in line with those from present-day DFSs in the Himalayan and Andean foreland basins that have a scale similar to that estimated for the Salt Wash system.

On the development of a system of palletizers for washing of saline and salty soil in Uzbekistan

The analysis of the work of farms, cultivated crops on irrigated lands confirmed by salinity, showed the impossibility of obtaining high yields on these lands without removing the excess of water-soluble salts from the root layer of the soil, which is achieved by washing against the background of drainage. The main method of flushing saline lands is flushing by flooding checks without passing water from check to check, and for this purpose, farms make pal (earthen rollers) palletizers. The analysis and experience of their use showed that the height (main parameter) of the pallet-“h” produced by the above-mentioned palletizers does not correspond to the modern requirements of agricultural technology, agromelioration and ecology, which leads to a decrease in yield and product quality. The author proposed a mathematical model for establishing the rational height of the log (check) “h”, taking into account the total washing rate (Q), mechanical composition, physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the soil and the number of salt washing (multiplicity) of water supply (Z), etc. The use of a palletiser system for washing for lands with different conditions of salinity and saline soils, the parameters of which, selected according to the proposed model, provide an increase in productivity and a decrease in the cost of production of agricultural crops cultivated on these soils.

Salt redistribution and nutrient loss after soil salt washing in plastic shed vegetable field in East China

Salt redistribution and nutrient loss after soil salt washing in plastic shed vegetable field in East China

Remodeling and activation mechanisms of outer arm dyneins revealed by cryo-EM.

Cilia are thin microtubule-based protrusions of eukaryotic cells. The swimming of ciliated protists and sperm cells is propelled by the beating of cilia. Cilia propagate the flow of mucus in the trachea and protect the human body from viral infections. The main force generators of ciliary beating are the outer dynein arms (ODAs) which attach to the doublet microtubules. The bending of cilia is driven by the ODAs' conformational changes caused by ATP hydrolysis. Here, we report the native ODA complex structure attaching to the doublet microtubule by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure reveals how the ODA complex is attached to the doublet microtubule via the docking complex in its native state. Combined with coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations, we present a model of how the attachment of the ODA to the doublet microtubule induces remodeling and activation of the ODA complex.

Increasing the performance of a Salt Washing Machine through Axiomatic Design

Systems with fewer design parameters (DPs) than functional requirements (FRs) are coupled or cannot achieve all their FRs simultaneously, as per Axiomatic Design's theorem 1. In that case, production processes have lower productivity and production rate than uncoupled or decoupled designs. This paper reports the upgrading of a salt washing machine concerning its performance, not only on separation of salt from saltwater but also on washed salt production. The machine analysis showed it is a coupled design, with one more functional requirement than the design parameters. A viable enhancement was the addition of one design parameter, which made it possible to control separation and washing independently. This redesign enforced functional independence and allowed increasing the production rate between 20% and 30%. Furthermore, one could perceive increased productivity, quality of the final product, and reduced water and energy consumption.

Application of geographic information systems in effective management of the land resources of Syrdarya region, Uzbekistan

The article analyzes the opportunities of effective land management using geographical information systems. The perspectives of the using of geo information systems in the efficient use of agricultural lands especially in the development of recommendations for improving the reclamation of saline soils are given. The development of algorithms for the provision of relevant regulatory recommendations on the state of the lands in the studied area and the creating of salt washing norm maps based on GIS technologies have been studied.

Detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of the Middle to Late Jurassic Paradox Basin and Central Colorado trough: Paleogeographic implications for southwestern Laurentia

AbstractMiddle to Upper Jurassic strata in the Paradox Basin and Central Colorado trough (CCT; southwestern United States) record a pronounced change in sediment dispersal from dominantly aeolian deposition with an Appalachian source (Entrada Sandstone) to dominantly fluvial deposition with a source in the Mogollon and/or Sevier orogenic highlands (Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation). An enigmatic abundance of Cambrian (ca. 527–519 Ma) grains at this provenance transition in the CCT at Escalante Canyon, Colorado, was recently suggested to reflect a local sediment source from the Ancestral Front Range, despite previous interpretations that local basement uplifts were largely buried by Middle to Late Jurassic time.This study aims to delineate spatial and temporal patterns in provenance of these Jurassic sandstones containing Cambrian grains within the Paradox Basin and CCT using sandstone petrography, detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, and detrital zircon trace elemental and rare-earth elemental (REE) geochemistry. We report 7887 new U-Pb detrital zircon analyses from 31 sandstone samples collected within seven transects in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Three clusters of zircon ages are consistently present (1.53–1.3 Ga, 1.3–0.9 Ga, and 500–300 Ma) that are interpreted to reflect sources associated with the Appalachian orogen in southeastern Laurentia (mid-continent, Grenville, Appalachian, and peri-Gondwanan terranes). Ca. 540–500 Ma zircon grains are anomalously abundant locally in the uppermost Entrada Sandstone and Wanakah Formation but are either lacking or present in small fractions in the overlying Salt Wash and Tidwell Members of the Morrison Formation. A comparison of zircon REE geochemistry between Cambrian detrital zircon and igneous zircon from potential sources shows that these 540–500 Ma detrital zircon are primarily magmatic. Although variability in both detrital and igneous REE concentrations precludes definitive identification of provenance, several considerations suggest that distal sources from the Cambrian granitic and rhyolitic provinces of the Southern Oklahoma aulacogen is also likely, in addition to a proximal source identified in the McClure Mountain syenite of the Wet Mountains, Colorado. The abundance of Cambrian grains in samples from the central CCT, particularly in the Entrada Sandstone and Wanakah Formation, suggests northwesterly sediment transport within the CCT, with sediment sourced from Ancestral Rocky Mountains uplifts of the southern Wet Mountains and/or Amarillo-Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. The lack of Cambrian grains within the Paradox Basin suggests that the Uncompahgre uplift (southwestern Colorado) acted as a barrier to sediment transport from the CCT.

Pilot Plant Study to Utilize Waste Brine Generated by Salt Industries

Since early 80s, people of Pakistan have been enjoying good quality of salt known as refined salt. Mechanical salt washing is used in many countries to upgrade salt quality. The counter current washing at multiple stages and dewatering by centrifuge improves salt quality. During this process almost 10 to 15% of salt is converted into saturated brine solution containing high amount of sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphate. In the current practice most of the salt processers, this brine waste solution is drained. In the present study, a method is modified to utilize this waste brine solution. Brine was treated with calcium oxide and iron chloride to remove some soluble and insoluble impurities. The treated brine is evaporated in a specially constructed jacketed crystallizer connected with a hot water geyser. Heat is transferred through bottom by counter current flow. The temperature is maintained between 55 to 65oC at pH 3-4. The applied study yield the well shaped pyramidal crystals of salt known as Fluer de sel (flower of salt), that are world famous and used in gourmet foods with a growing market. Fleur de Sel has unique morphology, lower bulk density, large surface area, improved taste and rapid dissolution as compared to the common cubic salt

Improvement of nitrogen and phosphorus availability by Pseudoalteromonas sp. during salt-washing in saline-alkali soil

In saline-alkali soils, the inactivation of phosphorus and loss of nitrogen resulting in soil infertility could be intensified by salt, which simultaneously leads to pollution of water sphere. However, there is no complete solution for this challenge due to the weak nutrients biological turnover caused by salt dynamic accumulation. In this study, halophilic marine bacteria strains with carriers were screened to decrease the leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus inactivation in saline-alkali soil during salt-washing. Results showed the combination of Pseudoalteromonas sp. CF8-6 and corn cob significantly increased not only soil available phosphorus by 37.03%, but also the soil bioavailable phosphorus content. Moreover, the concentration of TN, NO3−, TP and PO43− in salt washing eluents reduced by corn cob colonized with CF8-6 significantly. It was also found that the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Azotobacter), and abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in soil were all increased by this combination, which were corresponding for the turnover of nitrogen and phosphorus. We demonstrated that the combination of CF8-6 and corn cob has promising potential in improvement of bioavailability of soil nitrogen and phosphorus during the salt-washing process in saline-alkali soil.

Resilient modulus experiment of subgrade soil on different wetting–drying and salt washing–supplying paths

Climate change and human action significantly impact the state of soil, particularly saline and loess soils in China's arid and semi-arid regions. Infrastructure is continuously built on these problematic soil areas, making it crucial to study the impact of external factors on the engineering properties of subgrade soil. This paper proposes a test device by which a few physical conditions (salt content and temperature) can be controlled and the mechanics parameters (deformation and resilient modulus) of soil samples can be dynamically investigated. Using the proposed device, the resilient moduli of the samples collected from an in-situ highway project on different wetting–drying and salt washing–supplying paths were measured and analyzed. The results indicate that, for the same final moisture content, the modulus value of a soil sample subjected to the drying → wetting path is larger than that of a soil sample subjected to the wetting → drying path. Further, the resilient modulus of soil samples is weakened after multiple wetting–drying cycles, while the stiffness of soil samples obtained from high soluble salt content is lower than that of soil samples with the same initial soluble salt content. Finally, the proposed device is simple and convenient to use and provides a reliable method for exploring the mechanism of mechanical behavior degradation of saline and loess soils and the subgrade settlement in problematical soil areas.

Analysis and Comparison of Different Dewatering Methods On Salt Quality

The salt quality was studied by dewatering methods such as centrifugal hydro extraction, fixed bed dryer, and rotary drum dryer. The effect of different salt particle sizes was also analyzed. The centrifugal hydro extractor is found to be effective when reducing the high-water content of salt and suitable for reducing water content after the salt wash stage. Fixed bed dryers produce lower water content than rotary drum dryers. A water content lower than 1% can be achieved using fixed bed dryers. Finally, all dewatering methods such as centrifugal hydro extractors, fixed bed dryers, and rotary bed dryers are suitable for salt production methods. Reduced salt particle size from 30 to 60 mesh also improved the drying performance.

Feasibility of urban waste for constructing Technosols for plant growth

An alternative for sustainable urban development is to revegetate cities with the construction of planters as well as to recover degraded sites. The objective of this work was to characterize urban waste materials produced in Mexico City and to evaluate their potential for constructing Technosols for plant growth, as an alternative to use in revegetating the city without affecting natural landscapes. Construction and demolition waste materials amended with different application rates of compost made out of gardening wastes from Mexico City green areas were tested. Nine mixtures were prepared; three based on concrete, three based on demolition waste and three based on excavation waste. Changes on physical, chemical and physicochemical properties of these mixtures, namely nutrient contents, water retention and aeration capacity, were monitored in a twelve-month experiment. The mineralogy and the risk regarding the release of heavy metals and trace elements were also evaluated in the soluble fraction. The constructed Technosols were appropriate, to a greater or lesser extent, for tomato plant growth. Soil pH and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were the main factors defining their suitability; both parameters changed over time due to the washing of salts. The particle size of the mineral materials as well as the application rates of compost used in the construction of the Technosols resulted in adequate water holding capacity and soil aeration for plant growth. The type of parental materials defined the majority of the Technosol characteristics as well as their ability to function as a plant support. The concentrations of readily available heavy and trace metals were not a limitation for plant growth. However, potential co-transport of these elements with soluble organic matter should be considered in further research.

Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Morrison Formation in the Western Panhandle of Oklahoma with Reference to the Historical Stovall Dinosaur Quarries

New investigations of the Morrison Formation in the western Oklahoma panhandle reveal that the formation is approximately 60 m thick near Kenton, considerably less than historical measurements. We provide a new isopach map of the Morrison Formation at the basin margin and divide the formation into three new members based on geological, geochemical, petrographic, and paleontological characteristics. Each member is defined by unique depositional facies recording a variable climatic signal and the eventual progradation of the distributive fluvial system to the basin margin. Analogous depositional facies and lithologies of these units suggest they are lateral facies successions of the well-established members of the Colorado Plateau. The Cimarron Member is composed of numerous small, ephemeral, clastic lakes at the distal margin of the alluvial braid plain of the Tidwell Member. The Boise Member consists of numerous perennial limestone lakes at the distal edge of the Salt Wash Member distributive fluvial system. At the top of the member, the lake coalesced into a large lake, herein termed Lake Stovall. The Kenton Member records the progradation of the Brushy Basin Member distributive fluvial system to the basin margin in Oklahoma. Kenton Member fluvial deposition was by small, isolated, anastomosing fluvial channels and their associated splays. The gradual progradation of facies to the basin margin signifies that deposition in the foreland basin was geographically extensive and protracted. Dinosaur fossils excavated during the 1930s are placed into a stratigraphic framework. All quarries lie in the basal 6 m of the Kenton Member. Depositional facies and taphonomic data imply the dinosaurs died during a series of severe droughts. Bone dispersal and burial resulted from ephemeral flood splay events.

Prevalence of Goiter and Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Demba Gofa Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Iodine deficiency disorder is a major public health problem in Ethiopia that is more common in women of reproductive age. However, it is not well addressed and there is a lack of information on its prevalence and associated factors in women of reproductive age group. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess goiter prevalence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in the Demba Gofa woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was used among 584 randomly selected women in the reproductive age group from February 05 to April 20, 2016. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study kebeles, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study samples. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire, and the goiter examination was done clinically for each participant. The collected data were coded and entered into a computer for statistical analysis using EpiData version 3.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Variables with a P value ≤0.25 in bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis, and finally, variables with a P value <0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered significantly associated with the dependent variable. Results The total goiter rate was 43%, 95% CI = 39.2–46.9. Cassava consumption (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.03–4), salt wash before use (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.1–11.3), salt use after >2 months of purchase (AOR: 11, 95% CI: 5–26), family history of goiter (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.4–15.8), and poor knowledge of iodized salt (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4–5.5) were significant factors associated with goiter. Conclusion Iodine deficiency was found to be severe in women of reproductive age in the study area. This showed that women of reproductive age, especially during pregnancy, are exposed to iodine deficiency and its adverse effects at delivery. Thus, they need urgent supplementation with iodine, improved access to foods rich in iodine, and intake of iodized salt. Additionally, health education should focus on the importance of iodized salt, the proper method of use, and the prevention of iodine deficiency, which are highly recommended to minimize the problem.

Modification and validation of the Endopep-mass spectrometry method for botulinum neurotoxin detection in liver samples with application to samples collected during animal botulism outbreaks

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and they cause the paralytic disease botulism in humans and animals. In order to diagnose botulism, active BoNT must be detected in biological material. Endopep-MS is a sensitive and selective method for serum samples, based on antibody capture, enzymatic cleavage of target peptides, and detection of cleavage products using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In many cases of animal botulism, serum samples are not available or they do not contain detectable amounts of BoNT and liver sampling is an alternative for postmortem examinations. However, the Endopep-MS method is impaired by the inherent protease activity of liver samples. In the presented study, the Endopep-MS method has been successfully modified and validated for analysis of cattle, horse, and avian liver samples, introducing a combination of a salt washing step and a protease inhibitor cocktail. These modifications resulted in a substantial decrease in interfering signals and increase in BoNT-specific signals. This led to a substantial improvement in sensitivity for especially BoNT-C and C/D which are among the most prominent serotypes for animal botulism. Botulism was diagnosed with the new method in liver samples from dead cattle and birds from outbreaks in Sweden.Graphical

The Study Effect of field Magnetic on some of average fungi of the soil

In series of experiment to test effect magnetic series of experiment to test effect magnetic water treatment and use it in agriculture and Environment and leaching salts of soil, the objective of the present work was to fungi determine the effect of Rhizopus stolanifer, Fusarium oxysporium, Fusarium solani, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger, That cause pant disease indirect form and use magnetic area direct form in habit or kill pathogenic fungi . the use of magnetic mechanism appear positive result in fungi growth habit for fungi uses’ in experiment. the use of that mechanism signification different from measurement diameter colony growth in petri dish when it use magnetic water or use direct magnetic area that incurrence the colony of fungi. As part of a series of experiments to test the effect of magnetic treatment on pathogenic fungi, their effect on water and their uses for agricultural and environmental purposes and soil washing of salts, the current work aims to use magnetic treated water and observe its effect on Fusarium oxysporium, Fusarium solani, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolanifer that cause Plant diseases indirectly and the use of the magnetic field and directly to inhibit or kill pathological fungi. The use of magnetic technology showed positive results in stopping the fungal growth of the selected fungi in the experiment as the use of those Cannula for significant differences in terms of measuring the diameters of colonial growth in dishes, whether when using magnetic water or using the direct magnetic field to which the fungi colonies were exposed