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1.
Pregnancy supplementation of Gambian mothers with calcium carbonate alters mid-childhood IGF1 in a sex-specific manner.
Prentice, A, Ward, KA, Nigdikar, S, Hawkesworth, S, Moore, SE
Bone. 2019;:314-320
Abstract
CONTEXT Sex-specific effects of pregnancy calcium carbonate supplementation have been reported in 8-12 year old Gambian children, indicating faster growth in boys but slower growth in girls born to calcium-supplemented mothers. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the pregnancy supplement resulted in sex-specific effects on offspring IGF1 and other growth-related indices in mid-childhood. DESIGN Analysis of archived data obtained in mid-childhood from the children of rural Gambian mothers who had been randomised to 1500 mgCa/d (Ca) or placebo (P) from 20 weeks pregnancy to delivery (ISRCTN96502494). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Of the 526 children born and followed in infancy, 290 had early-morning, fasting plasma assayed for IGF1, IGFBP3, leptin, insulin and calcium-related indices and had anthropometry performed at age 7.5 (SD1.2) years (N/group: Males(M)-Ca = 64, Females(F)-Ca = 77; M-P = 76, F-P = 73). Sex-specific effects of maternal supplementation were considered using regression with sexes separated and together to test for sex ∗ supplement interactions. RESULTS Boys had lower IGF1, IGFBP3, leptin and insulin than girls (P ≤ 0.004). IGF1 was higher in M-Ca than M-P (+14.2 (SE7.7)%, P = 0.05) but lower in F-Ca than F-P (-17.8 (SE7.4)%, P = 0.01); sex ∗ supplement interaction P = 0.001. IGF1 concentrations (ng/ml, geometric mean [-1SE,+1SE]) were M-Ca = 78.1[4.3,4.5], M-P = 67.8[3.4,3.6]; F-Ca = 99.5[4.8,5.1], F-P = 118.9[6.4,6.8]. Similar sex ∗ supplement interactions were seen for IGFBP3 and IGF1-adjusted-for-IGFBP3 but group differences were smaller. There were no significant supplement effects on the other biochemical indices. CONCLUSIONS Calcium carbonate supplementation of pregnant Gambian mothers resulted in higher IGF1 in boys and lower IGF1 in girls during mid-childhood, consistent with the reported maternal supplement effects on growth of the offspring in later childhood.
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2.
Chitosan enhances calcium carbonate precipitation and solidification mediated by bacteria.
Nawarathna, THK, Nakashima, K, Kawasaki, S
International journal of biological macromolecules. 2019;:867-874
Abstract
Formation of the biominerals in living organisms is mainly associated with organic macromolecules. These organic materials play an important role in the nucleation, growth, and morphology controls of the biominerals. Current study mimics this concept of organic matrix- mediated biomineralization by using microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) method in combination with the cationic polysaccharide chitosan. CaCO3 precipitation was performed by the hydrolysis of urea by the ureolytic bacteria Pararhodobacter sp. SO1 in the presence of CaCl2, with and without chitosan. The crystal polymorphism and morphology of oven-dried samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The amount of precipitate obtained was higher in the presence of chitosan. The precipitate included both of the CaCO3 and the chitosan hydrogel. Rhombohedral crystals were dominant in the precipitate without chitosan and distorted crystal agglomerations were found with chitosan. Sand solidification experiments were conducted in the presence of chitosan under different experimental conditions. By adding chitosan, more strongly cemented sand specimens could be obtained than those from conventional method. All of these results confirm the positive effect of chitosan for the CaCO3 precipitation and sand solidification.
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3.
Environmental safety and biosafety in construction biotechnology.
Ivanov, V, Stabnikov, V, Stabnikova, O, Kawasaki, S
World journal of microbiology & biotechnology. 2019;(2):26
Abstract
The topics of Construction Biotechnology are the development of construction biomaterials and construction biotechnologies for soil biocementation, biogrouting, biodesaturation, bioaggregation and biocoating. There are known different biochemical types of these biotechnologies. The most popular construction biotechnology is based on precipitation of calcium carbonate initiated by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea which follows with release of ammonia and ammonium to environment. This review focuses on the hazards and remedies for construction biotechnologies and on the novel environmentally friendly biotechnologies based on precipitation of hydroxyapatite, decay of calcium bicarbonate, and aerobic oxidation of calcium salts of organic acids. The use of enzymes or not living bacteria are the best options to ensure biosafety of construction biotechnologies. Only environmentally safe construction biotechnologies should be used for such environmental and geotechnical engineering works as control of the seepage in dams, channels, landfills or tunnels, sealing of the channels and the ponds, prevention of soil erosion and soil dust emission, mitigation of soil liquefaction, and immobilization of soil pollutants.
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4.
Screening of Fungi for Potential Application of Self-Healing Concrete.
Menon, RR, Luo, J, Chen, X, Zhou, H, Liu, Z, Zhou, G, Zhang, N, Jin, C
Scientific reports. 2019;(1):2075
Abstract
Concrete is susceptible to cracking owing to drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw cycles, delayed ettringite formation, reinforcement corrosion, creep and fatigue, etc. Continuous inspection and maintenance of concrete infrastructure require onerous labor and high costs. If the damaging cracks can heal by themselves without any human interference or intervention, that could be of great attraction. In this study, a novel self-healing approach is investigated, in which fungi are applied to heal cracks in concrete by promoting calcium carbonate precipitation. The goal of this investigation is to discover the most appropriate species of fungi for the application of biogenic crack repair. Our results showed that, despite the significant pH increase owing to the leaching of calcium hydroxide from concrete, Aspergillus nidulans (MAD1445), a pH regulatory mutant, could grow on concrete plates and promote calcium carbonate precipitation.
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Effects of Food and Antacids on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Lesinurad, a Selective Urate Reabsorption Inhibitor.
Shen, Z, Lee, CA, Valdez, S, Yang, X, Wilson, DM, Flanagan, T, Gillen, M
Clinical pharmacology in drug development. 2019;(5):647-656
Abstract
Two clinical studies were performed in healthy volunteers to investigate food and antacid effects on lesinurad, a novel selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor approved for treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout in combination with xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Study 1 evaluated a high-fat, high-calorie meal or high doses of antacids (3000 mg calcium carbonate or 1600 mg magnesium hydroxide/1600 mg aluminum hydroxide) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of 400 mg oral lesinurad. Study 2 evaluated low doses of antacids (1250 mg calcium carbonate or 800 mg magnesium hydroxide/800 mg aluminum hydroxide) on the PK and PD of 400 mg lesinurad. Food did not alter the plasma AUC of lesinurad and only reduced its Cmax by 18%. In the fasted conditions, high-dose calcium carbonate reduced the Cmax and AUC of lesinurad by 54% and 38%, respectively, whereas high-dose magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide reduced Cmax and AUC by 36% and 31%, respectively. Food enhanced the maximum serum urate (sUA)-lowering effect of lesinurad by approximately 20% despite reducing the Cmax of lesinurad. High-dose calcium carbonate decreased the urate-lowering effect approximately 20% in the first 6 hours, whereas high-dose magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide reduced the effect by 26%. Low-dose calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide in the presence of food did not significantly affect plasma lesinurad Cmax and AUC or the sUA lowering and renal handling of uric acid. In summary, study results suggest food did not meaningfully alter lesinurad PK and PD. High doses of antacids reduced lesinurad AUC up to 40% and reduced the lesinurad uric acid-lowering effect.
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L-thyroxine malabsorption due to calcium carbonate impairs blood pressure, total cholesterolemia, and fasting glycemia.
Morini, E, Catalano, A, Lasco, A, Morabito, N, Benvenga, S
Endocrine. 2019;(2):284-292
Abstract
PURPOSE Calcium carbonate was previously shown to interfere with L-thyroxine absorption. To estimate the magnitude of tablet L-thyroxine malabsorption caused by calcium carbonate, with resulting increase in serum thyrotropin (TSH), we performed a cohort study in a referral care center. METHODS Fifty postmenopausal hypothyroid L-thyroxine-treated women (age 71.7 ± 5.1 years) who added calcium supplementation (600-1000 mg/day) were considered. They were taking L-thyroxine 45-60 min before breakfast (setting 1). After 4.4 ± 2.0 years from initiation of L-thyroxine therapy, they took calcium supplemaentation within 2 h after L-thyroxine taking (setting 2) for 2.3 ± 1.1 years. Hence, we recommended postponing calcium intake 6-8 h after L-thyroxine (setting 3). We evaluated TSH levels, the prevalence of women with elevated TSH (>4.12 mU/L), total cholesterolemia, fasting glycemia, blood pressure, and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. RESULTS TSH levels were 3.33 ± 1.93 mU/L versus 1.93 ± 0.51 or 2.16 ± 0.54 comparing setting 2 with setting 1 or 3 (P < 0.001, both). In setting 2, 18% women had elevated TSH versus none in setting 1 or 3 (P < 0.01). Total cholesterolemia, fasting glycemia, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure were also significantly higher in setting 2 compared to settings 1 and 3. For every 1.0 mU/L increase within the TSH range of 0.85-6.9 mU/L, total cholesterolemia, glycemia, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure increased by 12.1, 3.12 mg/dL, 2.31, and 2.0 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring of hypothyroid patients who ingest medications that decrease L-thyroxine absorption should not be restricted to solely measuring serum TSH.
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7.
Body mass index, calcium supplementation and risk of colorectal adenomas.
Barry, EL, Lund, JL, Westreich, D, Mott, LA, Ahnen, DJ, Beck, GJ, Bostick, RM, Bresalier, RS, Burke, CA, Church, TR, et al
International journal of cancer. 2019;(3):448-458
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Abstract
Calcium supplementation (1,200 mg/day) did not significantly reduce colorectal adenomas in our recent randomized, controlled trial (Vitamin D/Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, VCPPS, 2004-2013) in contrast to our previous trial (Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, CPPS, 1988-1996). To reconcile these findings, we identified participant characteristics that differed between the study populations and modified the effect of calcium supplementation on adenomas or high-risk findings (advanced or multiple adenomas). Compared to the CPPS, more participants in the VCPPS were obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 ; 37.5% vs. 24.4%) and fewer had normal BMI (BMI <25 kg/m2 ; 18.5% vs. 31%). BMI appeared to modify the effect of calcium supplementation on adenomas and especially on high risk-findings: in the VCPPS, there was a 44% reduction in high-risk findings among individuals whose BMI was normal (RR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.26-1.23), but not among overweight (RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.62-1.91) or obese (RR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.92-2.57) individuals (pinteraction = 0.03). Similarly, in the CPPS, there was a 56% reduction in high-risk findings among individuals whose BMI was normal (RR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26-0.74), but not among overweight (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.55-1.39) or obese (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.57-1.82) individuals (pinteraction = 0.02). Standardization of each trial's findings to the BMI distribution in the other attenuated calcium's protective effect on adenomas in the CPPS but enhanced it in the VCPPS. In conclusion, 1,200 mg/day calcium supplementation may reduce risk of colorectal adenomas among those with normal BMI but not in overweight or obese individuals; and differences in BMI distribution partially account for the apparent difference in calcium efficacy between the two trials.
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Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation: a widespread phenomenon in the biological world.
Seifan, M, Berenjian, A
Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2019;(12):4693-4708
Abstract
Biodeposition of minerals is a widespread phenomenon in the biological world and is mediated by bacteria, fungi, protists, and plants. Calcium carbonate is one of those minerals that naturally precipitate as a by-product of microbial metabolic activities. Over recent years, microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been proposed as a potent solution to address many environmental and engineering issues. However, for being a viable alternative to conventional techniques as well as being financially and industrially competitive, various challenges need to be overcome. In this review, the detailed metabolic pathways, including ammonification of amino acids, dissimilatory reduction of nitrate, and urea degradation (ureolysis), along with the potent bacteria and the favorable conditions for precipitation of calcium carbonate, are explained. Moreover, this review highlights the potential environmental and engineering applications of MICP, including restoration of stones and concrete, improvement of soil properties, sand consolidation, bioremediation of contaminants, and carbon dioxide sequestration. The key research and development questions necessary for near future large-scale applications of this innovative technology are also discussed.
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Effect of cation type in mixed Ca-Na systems on transport of sulfonamide antibiotics in saturated limestone porous media.
Sun, K, Sun, Y, Gao, B, Xu, H, Wu, J
Environmental science and pollution research international. 2019;(11):11170-11178
Abstract
Retention and transport of sulfonamides (SAs) in subsurface can strongly affect groundwater quality. In this work, a range of laboratory batch sorption and column transport experiments were conducted to determine the effect of cation type in mixed Ca-Na systems on the retention and transport of two typical SAs, sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfacetamide (SCA), in saturated limestone porous media. Column experimental data showed divalent cation Ca2+ played a more important role than monovalent cation Na+ in decreasing the transport of only SDM in co-cation systems in the saturated limestone media. Further, in the single-cation (i.e., including either Ca2+ or Na+) system, increasing ionic strength (IS) of either NaCl or CaCl2 had little effect on SCA transport; however, increasing of IS of CaCl2 promoted the retention of SDM in the saturated limestone porous media. This is mainly due to the cation bridging effect of Ca2+ on SDM and limestone. Overall, SDM showed much higher retention in the limestone columns than SCA, which can be attributed to the two SAs' different physicochemical properties. Moreover, limestone showed stronger ability to retain the two SAs than quartz sand. Findings in this study suggest that cation type and the concentration of certain electrolyte (e.g., CaCl2) as well as medium type play an important role in controlling the environmental fate and transport of antibiotics.
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In thyroxine-replaced hypothyroid postmenopausal women under simultaneous calcium supplementation, switch to oral liquid or softgel capsule L-thyroxine ensures lower serum TSH levels and favorable effects on blood pressure, total cholesterolemia and glycemia.
Morini, E, Catalano, A, Lasco, A, Morabito, N, Benvenga, S
Endocrine. 2019;(3):569-579
Abstract
PURPOSE In postmenopausal women under L-T4 therapy, which was subsequently accompanied by calcium carbonate (CC) supplementation taken 6-8 h after tablet L-T4, TSH levels were greater than prior to adding CC. Total cholesterolemia [CHOL], fasting glycemia [FG], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP, DBP] were also greater than baseline. Our aim was to explore the effects of either liquid or softgel capsule L-T4, while maintaining CC ingestion 6-8 h, later on TSH levels, CHOL, FG, SBP, and DBP. METHODS We proposed to 50 hypothyroid postmenopausal women under tablet L-T4 therapy, to switch to either liquid or softgel capsule L-T4 at the same daily dose while maintaining CC ingestion 6-8 h later. Sixteen women accepted [group I; liquid (n = 9), capsule (n = 7)], while 34 continued tablet L-T4 [group II, (n = 34)]. RESULTS After 3 months, in group I, TSH decreased significantly (1.23 ± 0.49 vs. 1.80 ± 0.37 mU/L, P < 0.01), as did FG (80.7 ± 7.9 vs. 83.4 ± 6.3 mg/dL, P < 0.05); CHOL, SBP, and DBP decreased, though insignificantly. In contrast, in group II, TSH, FG, CHOL, SBP increased insignificantly, and DBP increased borderline significantly (69.7 ± 9 vs. 66.3 ± 6.5, P < 0.10). Compared to baseline (before adding CC), in group I, TSH was significantly lower (P < 0.01) and the other indices similar; in group II, TSH, FG, and SBP were significantly higher (P < 0.05), DBP borderline significantly higher (P < 0.10) and CHOL insignificantly higher. Performance of liquid L-T4 and capsule L-T4 was similar. CONCLUSION Delaying CC ingestion even by 6-8 h after taking tablet L-T4 is not entirely satisfactory, unlike liquid or softgel L-T4.