Abstract
This study deals with an overview of the biomedical projects performed at iThemba LABS, particularly in relation to the spatial distribution of trace metals in hard human tissues from disadvantaged Sudanese communities, such as kidney stone concretions, teeth and hair, undertaken at the iThemba LABS Nuclear Microprobe (NMP) facility. Relevant information about the ion beam techniques used for material characterization was discussed. The Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique was used to investigate the elemental composition of human hard tissues on a microscopic scale with the elemental mapping; complementary ion beam techniques are used to provide information on the major and minor components. Analysis of teeth sections by μ-PIXE showed that the levels of trace elements were enriched and/or depleted, this may associated with leaching and/or erosive processes. On the other hand the characterization of kidney stone concretions by μ-PIXE showed a marked difference of individuals from different region within Sudan.
Highlights
Sudan lies within the tropics, the climate ranges from arid in the north to tropical wet-and-dry in the far southwest
Two sets of human teeth, two sets of human kidney stones Table 1, from two different geographical regions in Sudan and another two set of human hair from all over the Sudanese regions compared in terms of their μ-Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) matrix
The spatial distribution of Ca in most stones was non-uniform. μ-PIXE results were aimed at the spatial distribution of trace elements (TE), Fe, Zn and Sr for both regions
Summary
Sudan lies within the tropics, the climate ranges from arid in the north to tropical wet-and-dry in the far southwest. The objective of this study to assess the concentration profiles of light elements and metals in the tooth enamel surface, kidney stones and hair by nuclear microprobe due to differences in food availability, climate, as well as regional food habits and traditions result in considerable regional variation in food consumption patterns in Sudan and similar tropical climate environments. This work is one of the applications of the Ion beam analysis (IBA) is the most sophisticated and complete of material analysis techniques. It is based on the use of beams of particles obtained by accelerators to bombard the objects to be analysed. (PIXE) it is a technique in which a very small sample is sufficient to analyze at part per million levels by focusing the proton beam as much as possible to the target [6]
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