Why is calcium important in dogs?4 answersCalcium is important in dogs because it plays a key role in maintaining normal organ, cell, and tissue function. It is particularly important for bone metabolism, but it also has implications for renal health, urinary tract disease, and other organ systems. High calcium intake in adult dogs has been studied, and it has been found that intakes of up to 7.1 g/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) are well tolerated over a period of 40 weeks, with no adverse effects. Calcium deficiency can have negative consequences on skeletal health, as seen in cases where dogs were fed unbalanced diets without mineral supplementation. Excess calcium intake can also affect nutrient digestibility in different breeds of dogs, with apparent energy digestibility being impaired. Overall, calcium is important for various aspects of a dog's health, including bone health and overall organ function.
How calcium induce vesicle fusion in actin remodelling?5 answersCalcium induces vesicle fusion in actin remodeling through multiple mechanisms. One mechanism involves the protein Snapin, which acts as a missing link in the molecular mechanism of calcium-triggered vesicle fusion. Another mechanism involves the mediation ability of calcium on the electroformation of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Calcium ions (Ca(2+)) polarized by an alternating electric field induce an electroosmotic flow that facilitates the formation of uniform GUVs. Additionally, the presence of calcium ions can induce fusion in vesicles enriched in certain negatively charged lipids, such as phosphatidylserine and PIP2. This selectivity is attributed to the formation of lipid clusters with long-range correlations that induce negative curvature on the membrane surface. Calcium binding to membranes also lowers the barriers along the fusion pathway, leading to the formation of the fusion stalk and fusion pore.
What kind of stimuli induce the calcium signaling of mast cells?5 answersMechanical stimuli, such as shear stress induced by interstitial fluid flow, activate mechano-sensitive ion channels on mast cells' membrane, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration and subsequent release of leukotriene C4 (LTC4). Mast cells also respond to fluid shear stress by exhibiting changes in cytosolic calcium concentration, which can result in degranulation. Additionally, mast cells can undergo calcium signaling in response to IgE-dependent stimulation of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FceRI), which involves both store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and non-SOCE. These findings suggest that mechanical stimuli, interstitial fluid flow, and IgE-dependent stimulation can induce calcium signaling in mast cells.
What is the role of calcium signaling in pericytes?3 answersCalcium signaling plays a crucial role in pericytes. Pericytes are multifunctional cells that are essential for brain homeostasis. They have different calcium signaling pathways compared to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and myocytes. Pericyte calcium signals are largely independent of voltage-gated calcium channels and instead rely on Orai channels for calcium entry. Calcium transients in pericytes occur through a combination of IP3 receptor (IP3R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) activation, and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) via Orai channels is required to sustain and amplify intracellular calcium increases. Calcium signaling in pericytes is important for their contractile function and regulation of local blood flow. Neuronal activation and extracellular potassium levels can modulate calcium activity in pericytes. Understanding calcium signaling in pericytes is crucial for manipulating their function in health and disease.
What can be causing high calcium in blood samples?3 answersHigh calcium in blood samples can be caused by various factors. Primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy are the most common causes of elevated calcium levels. Other less common causes need to be considered for a differential diagnosis. Clinical conditions affecting acid-base balance can alter the proportions of bound and free calcium, leading to hypercalcemia. Inaccuracies in the measurement of other metabolites used to correct total calcium levels can introduce errors. Prolonged standing, venous stasis, and exercise can also affect blood calcium levels. Ingestion of calcium supplements or calcium-containing nutrients can cause transient elevations in blood calcium levels. Additionally, sampling of capillary blood in neonates with different hematocrit values can result in different calcium results. pH changes, calcium binding by heparin, and dilution by anticoagulant solution can also affect ionized calcium levels.
How does increased intracellular calcium affect the EKG?8 answers