Determination of 19 elements in human eye lenses

Neutron activation analysis was used to determine the concentrations of 19 elements in normal and senile human cataractous lenses. It was found that the concentrations of Ca, Na, Cl, Eu, Sb, and Fe were significantly higher, and those of K, Rb, Cs, Cr, Mn, Co, Sc, and Ce were significantly lower in senile mature cataractous lenses than those in normal human eye lenses. No changes were found for the concentrations of Se, Zn, Mg, S, and Th in the two groups. Positive correlations between Na, Cl, and Ca and K, Rb, and Cs were found, whereas a significantly negative correlation between na, Ca, Cl and K, Rb, Cs were found. The roles of these elements in the evolution of cataract are discussed.     

A search for trace elements in some human intracranial tumors by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A investigation was undertaken to measure the presence of trace elements in some intracranial tumors using the instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. The following 20 minor and trace elements were investigated: Na, Mg, Al, P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, I, and Cs. Our results are compared with other trace element analyses in human brain tissue.     

Trace element contents in serum of healthy elderly population of metropolitan São Paulo area in Brazil

In this study, the elements Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in serum of a healthy elderly population residing in the São Paulo Metropolitan area, using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Comparison studies indicated that only Se concentration was significantly lower in the elderly group aged 75–91 years than those obtained for the group aged 60–74 years. Between genders, males presented lower Br concentrations and, the females lower Fe. Mean concentrations obtained for most elements were within the values reported in the literature.     

An elemental correlation study in cancerous and normal breast tissue with successive clinical stages by neutron activation analysis

Influence of trace elements in body metabolism and their physiological importance in various diseases have motivated their accurate and quantitative determination in biological tissues and fluids. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using short and long term irradiation has been employed to determine five minor elements (Cl, K, Na, Mg, P) and 15 trace elements (As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Rb, Sb, Se, Sc, Sr, and Zn) in cancerous and normal breast tissue from 30 patients of four clinical stages. Several elements show enhancement in cancerous breast tissue. Selenium shows maximum enhancement of 94.7% followed by K (81.6%), Sc (66.7%), Cu (58.2%), Na (48.5%), P (44.4%), and Zn (39.2%). Some element, such as Fe, Cr, and Mn, are depressed by 30.8, 30.1, and 12.8%, respectively. These elements compete for binding sites in the cell, change its enzymatic activity and exert direct or indirect action on the carcinogenic process accelerating the growth of tumors. This is further evidenced by histopathological examination of cancerous cells showing poor cytological differentiation. An attempt has been made to correlate trace element concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, Rb, Br, Hg, As, Co, Fe, Cr, and Mn and the ratios of Se/Zn, K/P, Cu/Zn, Na/K, and Se/Fe with the clinical stages of cancer. Inhibition of enzymatic activity caused by variation in trace element concentrations results in immunological breakdown of the body system.     

Trace element correlations in the blood of indian women with breast cancer

Fourteen minor (Na, K, P, Fe) and trace (Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Zn) elements have been determined in pre and postoperative blood samples of 10 breast-cancer-affected. Indian women and compared with controls. The study showed elevation of Cr, Hg, Fe, Rb, Sb, and Zn and lowering of Se, K, P, and Sr contents in the blood of cancer patients. Most elemental contents in pre and postoperative stages remain unaltered except Br, Co, and Sb. Statistical significance of Fe, Se, Zn, and Hg levels has been tested by box plots. Lowering of Se in blood (-54.4%) is correlated with its enhancement in cancerous breast tissue (94.7%) of various clinical stages. Se/Zn and Se/Fe ratios are lowered in the blood of cancer patients, whereas Na/K ratio is only marginally enhanced. An attempt has been made to correlate Se levels with the dietary intake and breast cancer risk vis-a-vis American and Japanese women.     

Analysis of elemental absorption and excretion in mice bearing malignant ascites

Feces, kidney, and small intestine were sampled from the mice bearing malignant ascites at different stages of tumor growth to investigate the kinetics of elemental distribution in the body. The contents of 14 elements in samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The elements Br, Cl, Cu, Na, Se, and Zn increased, whereas Mn and Rb decreased in kidney with the growth of the tumor. The elements Cl, Na, and Fe, however, appeared to have significantly different behavior in the small intestine.     

Twenty-eight element concentrations in mane hair samples of adult riding horses determined by particle-induced X-ray emission

The concentrations of 28 elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) were measured in mane hair by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. Except for Br, Cl, K, S, and P, the trace element concentrations in mane hair of horses are similar to literature values for human hair. The values obtained are not dependent on the horse's age, breed, and sex and could be used as reference values in the assessment of diseases and nutritional status in equines.     

Influence of the coat color on the trace elemental status measured by particle-induced x-ray emission in horse hair

The influence of hair color on the trace elemental status in horse's hair has been studied. A current analytical technique such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) used in this study has provided reliable, rapid, easy, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic methods. Twenty-eight elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) in mane hair were detected by the PIXE method. The gray hair contains significantly greter amounts of Cu, Ti, and Zn, and lower amounts of Br, Ca, Se, and Sr than those in other colored horse hairs (p<0.05). Those results measured in the horse's hair were similar to those found in human and dog hair. When interpreting a result, it should be kept in mind that hair color, especially gray hair, influences the concentrations of some elements in horse hair.     

Chemical Elements in Organic and Conventional Sweet Oranges

This work focuses on the determination of chemical elements in sweet oranges of variety Valencia produced under organic and conventional systems using instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distribution of chemical elements was variable among the fruit parts with usually higher concentrations of Br, Ca, Ce, K, La, Na, Rb, and Sc in the peel. However, K, Na, and Rb also presented high values in the juice samples, while Fe and Zn were higher in the seeds. Differences between organic and conventional oranges were found for Br and Cu.     

Impact of Ficoll density gradient centrifugation on major and trace element concentrations in erythrocytes and blood plasma

ProjectFicoll density gradient centrifugation is widely used to separate cellular components of human blood. We evaluated the suitability to use erythrocytes and blood plasma obtained from Ficoll centrifugation for assessment of elemental concentrations.ProcedureWe determined 22 elements (from Li to U) in erythrocytes and blood plasma separated by direct or Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsCompared with erythrocytes and blood plasma separated by direct centrifugation, those separated by Ficoll had highly elevated iodine and Ba concentration, due to the contamination from the Ficoll-Paque medium, and about twice as high concentrations of Sr and Mo in erythrocytes. On the other hand, the concentrations of Ca in erythrocytes and plasma were markedly reduced by the Ficoll separation, to some extent also Li, Co, Cu, and U. The reduced concentrations were probably due to EDTA, a chelator present in the Ficoll medium. Arsenic concentrations seemed to be lowered by Ficoll, probably in a species-specific manner. The concentrations of Mg, P, S, K, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Cs were not affected in the erythrocytes, but decreased in plasma. Concentrations of Mn, Cd, and Pb were not affected in erythrocytes, but in plasma affected by EDTA and/or pre-analytical contamination.ConclusionsFicoll separation changed the concentrations of Li, Ca, Co, Cu, As, Mo, I, Ba, and U in erythrocytes and blood plasma, Sr in erythrocytes, and Mg, P, S, K, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb and Cs in blood plasma, to an extent that will invalidate evaluation of deficiencies or excess intakes.     

Determination of trace elements in aerosol samples by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Two nuclear techniques, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (EDXRF) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), were used to analyze aerosol samples collected in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Na, Cl, Mn, V, Al, Sm, Mo, W, La, As, Br, Sb, K, Ba, Se, Th, Cr, Rb, Ca, Fe, Ce, and Sc were determined by INAA, and Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Hg, and Pb were determined by EDXRF. A preliminary identification of the main source of the atmospheric aerosol was performed based on enrichment factor and correlation coefficient calculations.

     

Major and trace elements in the twig axes of Norway spruce and the relationship between twig axis and needles

Summary The concentrations of 23 elements have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in the needles and axes of 1-year-old spruce twigs from 12 different sites. Although the twigs had been washed with toluene and tetrahydrofuran prior to analysis, it was found that the amounts of eight elements (Al, Cr, Eu, Fe, La, Sc, Th and V) present were predominantly due to aerosol particles still being retained on the surface of the axes. The results of the remaining 15 elements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cs, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr and Zn) were not or only slightly influenced by this effect and are considered to represent their inherent concentrations within the axes. With most of these latter 15 elements there are highly significant and linear correlations between the concentrations in the needles and in the axis, which testify to the great similarity of needles and axis of a twig. The axis/needles ratios are constant for every element (except K), but the individual elements show considerable differentiation, as evidenced by their ratios, which have values between 0.5 and 2.8. Inter-element correlations in the axes are mainly found within two groups of elements. With Na, Cl and Br these correlations are probably due to different pollution levels of the different sites, whereas with Mn, Co, Rb and Cs they are due to the pH of the soil. The activity of ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl fallout represents independent confirmation of the results obtained with the stable elements. With twigs sprouted before the deposition of the fallout, ¹³⁷Cs acts as a tracer for aerosol particles, whereas it forms a tracer for the stable Cs inherent to the plant with twigs sprouted after the deposition.     

Assessment of the contamination from devices used for sampling and storage of whole blood and serum for element analysis

An assessment of potential contamination risk associated with devices routinely used in hospitals and clinical laboratories for sampling and storage of whole blood and serum was made by analysis of leachates from the devices. The devices checked were disposable stainless steel needles, different types of blood collection tubes; serum separation tubes, disposable plastic pipettes and plastic vials used for serum storage. Concentrations of about 70 elements in solution after leaching with 0.05 mol l(-1) HNO3 were determined by double focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sector field ICP-MS). For the elements present in blood/serum at concentrations higher than 10 ng ml(-1) (Na, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Br, Si, Zn, Cu, Rb, Se and I) contribution from devices was as a rule negligible (less than 1% of expected concentrations in the body fluids), but for the majority of trace and ultra-trace elements it may significantly affect or even prevent accurate determination. The highest trace element contribution was found to derive from commercially available blood collection and serum separation tubes. Apparent concentrations of Al, Ba, Th, rare earth, and some other elements resulting from contamination were higher than normal serum concentrations all types of tubes tested for.     

Availability of Essential Elements in Nutrient Supplements Used as Antidiabetic Herbal Formulations

Five brands of antidiabetic herbal formulations as tablets, Diabetex, Divya Madhu Nashini, Jambrushila, Diabeticin, and Madhumeh Nashini, from different pharmacies were analyzed for six minor (Na, K, Ca, Cl, Mg, and P) and 20 trace (As, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, V, and Zn) elements by thermal neutron irradiation followed by high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry. Further Ni, Cd, and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Most elements vary in a narrow range by a factor of 2–4 while a few others vary in a wide range, e.g., Na (0.05–0.67 mg/g), Mn (26.7–250 μg/g), and V (0.26–2.50 μg/g). All the five brands contain K, Cl, Mg, P, and Ca as minor constituents along with mean trace amounts of Cr (2.11 ± 0.67 μg/g), Cu (15.7 ± 7.11 μg/g), Fe (459 ± 171 μg/g), Mn (143 ± 23 μg/g), Se (238 ± 112 ng/g), and V (0.99 ± 0.93 μg/g). Jambrushila is enriched in Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, Fe, Cu, Se, and Zn, essential nutrients responsible for curing diabetes. Dietary intake of Mn, Fe, and Cu are greater than 10% of the recommended dietary allowance, whereas that for Zn and Se is less than 2%. Mean contents of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were found below permissible limits except in Jambrushila. Cr and Zn were inversely correlated with r = −0.81, whereas Rb and Cs exhibit linear correlation (r = 0.93) in five brands. C, H, N analysis showed C ∼ 55%, H ∼ 12%, and N ∼ 2% with a total of ∼70% organic matter. However, thermal decomposition studies at 700°C suggest less than 5% nonvolatile metal oxides. Herbal formulations contain minor and trace elements in bioavailable forms that favorably influence glucose tolerance and possibly increase the body’s ability to ameliorate development of diabetes.     

Study on air pollution in Beijing’s major industrial areas using multielements in biomonitors and NAA techniques

Three kinds of plant leaves, Chinese white aspen, arborvitae, and pine needles, have been sampled from the Yanshan Oil refinery complex, the Capital Iron and Steel Factory, and Badachu, a control area in Beijing, as biomonitors for air-pollution studies. Each sample was divided into two parts, washed, and unwashed. Thirty-one trace elements (As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Sb, Sm, U, W, Yb, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sc, Se, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, and Zn) have been determined by using the relative and the K₀ methods of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques. The results indicated the following: (1) The concentration of trace elements in unwashed samples are much higher than these in washed samples; (2) the area around Capital Iron and Steel Factory is heavily polluted, and the Yanshan Oil refinery complex area is moderately polluted; (3) Chinese white aspen is a good biomonitor in particular seasons and pine needles are better than arborvitae for yearly monitoring; (4) elements As, Cd, Hg, Co, Rb, Sb, W, and Zn are highly absorbed by Chinese white aspen. Pine needles are sensitive for the absorption the elements Br, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sc, Cs and rare earth elements, but arborvitae is very sensitive for the absorption of Sr.     

Concentrations of nutritional and trace elements in needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) as functions of the needle age class

The endogenous concentrations of the essential elements Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, P and Zn, and of the nonessential elements Al, As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, I, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Si and Sr were determined in 5 successive needle age classes. 40 mature spruce trees from 6 different sites were investigated individually. A given element usually shows smooth changes with the needle age class t. Trees on a given site usually have a similar dynamic behaviour. The same holds for the different site means. The concentrations can be approximated by functions c=f(t). Three different types of functions are required to describe the dynamic behaviour of 3 groups of elements that increase with t, and one for the elements that decrease with t. A given element usually can be described by the same type of function at all sites, even if its concentration differs widely. Exceptions are Mn, Co and Zn, which change from a decreasing function at low concentrations to an increasing function at high concentrations. Further irregulatities are found at some sites with Ca, Sr and Ba. These findings are corroborated by a multivariate statistical analysis.     

A survey of trace elements in fresh-water fish and rice along the Han River by neutron activation analysis

For a case study of environmental pollution, radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) was applied to the crucian and rice collected along the Han River. The crucian was analyzed for three times in 1973, 1987, and 1990. Sixteen trace elements (Hg, Cd, As, Br, Cu, Na, K, Se, Cr, Hf, Rb, Fe, Zn, Co, La, and Cs) were determined by RNAA using distillation and diethyldithiocarbamate extraction methods. Contents of Na, K, Se, Hf, Fe, Zn, and Co were almost constant regardless of the sampling place and year. The contents of the other elements showed increasing trends down river, especially in the first investigation. At the lower part of the river, the contents showed decreasing trends with the time of sampling, especially during the first two investigations. These trends were typical for Hg and Cd. Rice was analyzed by the same method for 12 elements, and the results showed no regional trends, but have decreased after 1973.     

Correlation between 25 element contents in mane hair in riding horses and atrioventricular block

The influence of atrioventricular block (AV-block) on the trace elemental status in a horse hair was studied. The particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method has provided a reliable, rapid, easy, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic method. Twenty-five elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Ti, Y, and Zn) in mane hair and serum were measured by the PIXE method. A horse hair with first- and second-degree AV-block contained significantly greater amounts of Br, Ca, Sr, and Zn than those of horses without electrocardiographic abnormalities, whereas there was no significant differences in the elemental contents of the serum of the both groups. Those results in contents of a horse hair suggest that the evaluation of the degree of ionic imbalance by this method might be used to predict the susceptibility of a horse to heart disease much before symptoms appear.     

Correlation of Trace Elemental Profiles in Blood Samples of Indian Patients with Leukoplakia and Oral Submucous Fibrosis

In order to ascertain possible correlation between alterations in trace elemental profile and the progression or regression of two most common potentially malignant disorders affecting oral cavity, namely oral submucous fibrosis and leukoplakia, blood from 60 patients from each group of patients as well from 30 healthy individuals was analyzed for elemental profiling employing EDXRF technique. Out of the 16 detected elements (K, Si, Ca, V, Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Co, and Pb), Mn, Fe, Zn, Br, and Co showed remarkable alteration in their profile in both leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis patients with respect to the normal healthy individuals. While Zn, Br, and Fe reflected similar changes--showing gross depletion in both the diseased groups, Mn and Co depicted inverse pattern of alterations in their concentrations in the two types of precancerous disorders when compared to the control subjects.     

Effects of thyroparathyroidectomy and of thyroxin and calcitonin on the tissue distribution of twelve elements in the rat

The effects of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTY) and of replacement therapy using thyroxin (T4) and calcitonin (CT) on the tissue distribution of elements were studied in the rat under semichronic conditions. The elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were determined in whole blood, plasma, brain, liver, heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, and bone. TPTY modified concentrations of all elements tested but only small changes were observed for K, Mg, S, and P. The mineral bone composition was slightly modified, 28 d after TPTY, whereas plasma was the most altered. The consequences of TPTY were corrected fairly well by T4 for Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, and S, and by CT for K, P, Rb but with less efficiency for Ca. This study revealed that hormones of the thyroid gland, mainly T4, play an important role in the plasma and tissue balance of elements. It is suggested that T4 participates in tissue fixation of Cu, Zn, and Fe and that CT influences phosphoremia and cellular Ca binding.