Salt Absorption Research Articles

Suspended Collagen Hydrogels to Replicate Human Colonic Epithelial Cell Interactions with Immune Cells.

The human colon plays a critical role in fluid and salt absorption and harbors the largest immune compartment. There is a widespread need for in vitro models of human colon physiology with its innate immune system. A method is described to produce a cassette with a network of struts supporting a suspended, non-chemically cross-linked collagen hydrogel scaffold compatible with the co-culture of primary gastrointestinal epithelium and migratory inflammatory cells. The epithelial monolayer cultured on the suspended collagen possesses a population of polarized and differentiated cells similar to that present in vivo. This epithelial layer displays proper barrier function with a transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) ≥ 1,500 Ω cm2 and an apparent permeability ≤10-5 cm2 s-1 . Immune cells plated on the basal face of the scaffold transmigrated over a period of 24h to the epithelial layer in response to epithelial production of IL-8 induced by luminal stimulation of Clostridium difficile Toxin A. These studies demonstrate that this in vitro platform possesses a functional primary colonic epithelial layer with an immune cell compartment capable of recruitment in response to pro-inflammatory cues coming from the epithelium.

KEBIJAKAN IMPOR DAN PERSAINGAN USAHA KOMODITAS GARAM MASA AWAL PRESIDEN JOKOWI-JK TAHUN 2015-2016

This study aims to describe the political dynamics in the formulation of salt import policies in Indonesia during the early administrationin Jokowi-JK 2015-2016 which were characterized by the practice of unfair business competition in the form of rent-seeking and monopoly. The primary questions that will guide the researcher are (1) what is the portrait of salt import policy during the early Jokowi-JK administration? and (2) how the relationship between private actors and bureaucratic ones in the domain of salt import policy through the Regulation of Indonesian Trade Ministry No. 125/2015?As qualitative research with a descriptive approach, this research utilizes in-depth interviews, observation, document tracking, and document analysis techniques in which a number of bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, and salt farmers were used as informants to mine the data.The results of this study show that Nawacita's priority agenda in the form of an economic policy package became the main foundation for the formulation of import policy (the Regulation of Indonesian Trade MinistryNo. 125/2015) which requires the government to abolish recommendations for import permits from the Ministry of Industry, import quotas, time of imports, and absorption of people's salt. As a result, political turmoil arose among salt farmers who considered the government reluctant to protect the salt of the people but instead prioritized the interests of entrepreneurs. Through such a policy, the state facilitated PT. Garam carries out a monopoly on the import of consumption salt to bring about the practice of unfair business competition between salt importers.This kind of political dynamics increasingly emphasizes that the formulation of public policies that do not go through a "fair" mechanism often enables the emergence of unfair business practices, monopoly, and rent-seeking.

Influence of Garlic (Allium sativum) Clove-Based Selenium Nanoparticles on Status of Nutritional, Biochemical, Enzymological, and Gene Expressions in the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879).

Selenium (Se) is one of the essential micronutrients for performing vital body functions. This study aims at examining the influence of dietary supplementation of garlic clove-based green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles (GBGS-SeNPs, 48-87nm) on carcass minerals and trace elements, and growth, biochemical, enzymological, and gene expression analyses in the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL). The 96h LC50 of this GBGS-SeNPs to M. rosenbergii PL was 52.23mgL-1. Five different artificial diets without supplementation of GBGS-SeNPs (control, 0.0mgkg-1) and with supplementations of GBGS-SeNPs starting from 100 times lower than the LC50 value (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0mgkg-1) were prepared and fed to M. rosenbergii PL for 90days. A dose-dependent accumulation of Se was observed in the carcass of experimental prawns. GBGS-SeNPs, up to 1.5mgkg-1 significantly influenced the absorption of other trace elements (Ca, Cu, and Fe) and mineral salts (K, Mg, Na, and Zn). GBGS-SeNPs-supplemented diets showed efficient food conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.32g against 2.71g, and therefore enhanced the survival rate (85.6% against 78.8% in control) and weight gain (WG) of 1.41g against 0.46g of control prawn. GBGS-SeNPs significantly elevated the activities of protease, amylase, and lipase, and the contents of total protein, essential amino acids (EAA), total carbohydrate, total lipid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and ash. These indicate the growth promoting potential of GBGS-SeNPs in prawn. The insignificantly altered activities of glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) up to 1.5mgkg-1 suggest its acceptability in prawn. Moreover, a respective down- and upregulated myostatin (MSTN) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) genes confirmed the influence of GBGS-SeNPs on the growth of prawn. In contrast, 2.0mgkg-1 GBGS-SeNPs supplementation starts to produce negative effects on prawn (FCR, 1.76g; survival rate, 82.2%; WG, 0.84g against respective values of 1.32g, 85.6%; and 1.41g observed in 1.5mgkg-1 of GBGS-SeNPs-supplemented diet fed prawn). This study recommends a maximum of 1.5mgkg-1 GBGS-SeNPs as dietary supplement to attain sustainable growth of M. rosenbergii. This was confirmed through polynomial and linear regression analyses.

A low-cost and eco-friendly fabrication of an MCDI-utilized PVA/SSA/GA cation exchange membrane

Abstract The alternative desalination technique of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) has emerged in the last 15 years and received a lot of research attention since then. By using a voltage applied between two electrodes covered with ion-exchange membranes, MCDI has attempted to challenge established methods such as reverse osmosis or electrodialysis. In this study, through the crosslinking of sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and glutaric acid (GA) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cation exchange membrane preparation and characterization were introduced. For the CDI system, membranes were chosen based on their water absorption and ion exchange properties. The PVA/SSA/GA composite (mass ratio of 100:5:5) had the best water adsorption and charge efficiencies that could be utilized for CDI application. The membrane’s ability to desalinate water was assessed using electrical properties such as total resistance, specific capacitance, and electro adsorption coated with the best ratio composite CEM. The salt absorption capacity of 19.06 mg·g−1 with stable performance was found to be encouraging.

Structural basis of autoinhibition of the human NHE3-CHP1 complex.

Sodium-proton exchanger 3 (NHE3/SLC9A3) located in the apical membrane of renal and gastrointestinal epithelia mediates salt and fluid absorption and regulates pH homeostasis. As an auxiliary regulatory factor of NHE proteins, calcineurin B homologous protein 1 (CHP1) facilitates NHE3 maturation, plasmalemmal expression, and pH sensitivity. Dysfunctions of NHE3 are associated with renal and digestive system disorders. Here, we report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of the human NHE3-CHP1 complex in its inward-facing conformation. We found that a cytosolic helix-loop-helix motif in NHE3 blocks the intracellular cavity formed between the core and dimerization domains, functioning as an autoinhibitory element and hindering substrate transport. Furthermore, two phosphatidylinositol molecules are found to bind to the peripheric juxtamembrane sides of the complex, function as anchors to stabilize the complex, and may thus enhance its transport activity.

Response of groundwater chemical characteristics to land use types and health risk assessment of nitrate in semi-arid areas: A case study of Shuangliao City, Northeast China

Groundwater is an important source of water, especially in semi-arid areas. The assessment of the chemical characteristics of groundwater under different land use types the associated risk to human health is of important significance for water resources utilization and protecting the ecological environment. The present study analyzed the hydrochemical characteristics and ion sources of groundwater, taking Shuangliao City as an example. The analysis was based on the field investigation (82 water samples), descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, ion proportionality coefficient method, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results indicated that the concentrations of most ions in the aquifer had wide spatiotemporal variation and were susceptible to environmental influences. NO3− showed the highest spatial variability, with concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 529.48 mg·L−1. The processes contributing the most to the chemical composition of groundwater were leaching/dissolution and cation exchange. The spatial distribution of groundwater chemistry types was visually obtained through the combined use of Piper trilinear charts and a Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The HCO3—Ca type dominated. Groundwater Cl−, SO42−, and Ca2+ were negatively correlated with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) due to the absorption of inorganic salt by vegetation roots, indicating that land use types affect groundwater hydrochemistry in the area. The hazard quotient (HQ) used in the human health risk assessment (HHRA) model indicated children (0.0010–6.4162) to be at the highest risk, followed by adult females (0.0007–4.0396), with adult males (0.0005–3.0863) under the lowest risk. The spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate was shown to pose risks to children, adult females, and adult males across 62.97%, 50.01%, and 39.34% of the study area, respectively. This study can improve the understanding of groundwater evolution and the relationship between water chemistry and land use types. This study can also guide the development and utilization of groundwater resources and conservation of water quality in semi-arid areas.

Evaluation of beef in purified sea water: microbiological and chemical-physical aspects.

In this study the influence of the maintenance of beef (Bavarian heifer meat submitted to dry aging for 1 month) in purified sea water was evaluated considering microbiological and physical-chemical parameters. The treated samples were perforated on their upper and lower surfaces, subsequently placed in sterile plastic containers, and covered with purified sea water while the control samples were wrapped in a plastic film; all the samples were stored at 2°C and sample analyses were performed on the day of receipt (t0) and after five (t5), seven (t7) and ten (t10) days of storage. The initial bacterial population was close to 6 log CFU/g, as expected in meat subjected to a long ageing. After 5 and 10 days of storage the treated samples showed significantly lower counts for most parameters (Total Bacterial Count, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactic Acid Bacteria and Pseudomonas spp.) if compared to the control samples. Halotolerant bacteria, yeasts and moulds showed no differences between the two series. During the test, the exposed surface of treated meat samples underwent a partial protein denaturation. Analyses show a moderate acidification of the meat during the first part of storage (from t0 to t5), followed by a substantial stabilization in the second part of the trial. The meat maintained in purified sea water acquired a significantly and constantly higher water retention due to the absorption of salt by the meat. No significant difference was detected in terms of tenderness between the two series.

Structure, physicochemical, and in vitro functional properties of insoluble dietary fiber from bamboo culm: A potential functional ingredient

Bamboo culm contains abundant hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, which was a high-quality insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) raw material. In this paper, the effects of alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) and enzymatic hydrolysis on physicochemical and functional of bamboo IDF (named BIDF and OIDF, respectively) were reported. SEM, FT-IR, and XRD analysis suggested that both BIDF and OIDF had the functional groups of insoluble cellulose and crystal structure of cellulose. AHP treatment effectively improved the water-holding capacity (WHC), water swelling capacity (SC), and glucose absorption capacity (GAC). Enzymatic hydrolysis effectively improved the glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI), bile acid salt absorption capacity (BAC), cholesterol-adsorption capacity (CAC), and nitrite ion absorption capacity (NIAC). In addition, they all exhibited great toxic ions adsorption (Cd2+, Pb2+). The above results showed that bamboo culm IDF could be used as an ideal functional ingredient in food processing. Practical applications Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) provides various beneficial functions, such as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic. We used alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment (AHP) and complex enzymatic hydrolysis to improve the physicochemical and functional properties of bamboo IDF and help to the further research on its application value in food and other industry. The bamboo culm IDF could be incorporated into other food products for enhancing textural properties and promoting a favorable mouthfeel and it was an ideal functional ingredient in food processing.

Does the early aldosterone-induced SGK1 play a role in early Kaliuresis?

Urinary K+ potassium excretion rapidly increases after a potassium‐rich meal. The early aldosterone‐induced sgk1 gene (encoding serum and glucocorticoid‐induced kinase 1), activates potassium clearance, but the role of this kinase in the early activation of K+ secretion has not been clearly defined. Here, we challenged inducible renal‐tubule‐specific Sgk1Pax8 / LC1 knockout mice with an acute high‐potassium load (HK:5%K+) and compared the physiological and molecular responses to control mice. We observe that urinary excretion after a K+ load over the first 3 h is not dependent on SGK1 but is coincident with the rapid dephosphorylation of the Na+,Cl−‐cotransporter (NCC) to increase distal salt delivery. Molecular analyses indicate that whereas SGK1‐mediated phosphorylation of the ubiquitin‐protein ligase NEDD4‐2 begins to increase by 3h, SGK1‐dependent proteolytic activation of ENaC only becomes detectable after 6 h of HK intake. Consistent with SGK1‐dependent ENaC activation via inhibition of NEDD4‐2‐mediated ubiquitylation, Sgk1Pax8 / LC1 mice are unable to efficiently inhibit NEDD4‐2 or increase ENaC cleavage after 6 h of HK. Nevertheless, no defect in acute K+ balance was detected in the mutant mice after 6 h of HK. Moreover, we found that Sgk1Pax8 / LC1 mice reduce NCC phosphorylation and NCC‐mediated salt absorption to a greater extent than control mice after a K+ load, promoting increased amiloride‐sensitive Na+‐reabsorption via ENaC to maintain adequate kaliuresis. Together, these data indicate that: (a) during the early 3 h of HK intake, K+ excretion is SGK1‐independent even under an extreme K+ challenge, (b) shortly after, SGK1 inhibits NEDD4‐2 and activates ENaC to stimulate K+‐secretion, (c) SGK1‐dependent phosphorylation of NCC occurs, acting more likely as a brake pedal to prevent excessive K+ loss.

The Sweet and Salty Dietary Face of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease in Lebanon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension; and every year, hypertension takes 7.6 million lives. High intakes of salt and sugar (mainly fructose from added sugars) have been linked to the etiology of hypertension, and this may be particularly true for countries undergoing the nutrition transition, such as Lebanon. Salt-induced hypertension and fructose-induced hypertension are manifested in different mechanisms, including Inflammation, aldosterone-mineralocorticoid receptor pathway, aldosterone independent mineralocorticoid receptor pathway, renin-angiotensin system (RAS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, and genetic mechanisms. This review describes the evolution of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Lebanon and aims to elucidate potential mechanisms where salt and fructose work together to induce hypertension. These mechanisms increase salt absorption, decrease salt excretion, induce endogenous fructose production, activate fructose-insulin-salt interaction, and trigger oxidative stress, thus leading to hypertension. The review also provides an up-to-date appraisal of current intake levels of salt and fructose in Lebanon and their main food contributors. It identifies ongoing salt and sugar intake reduction strategies in Lebanon while acknowledging the country’s limited scope of regulation and legislation. Finally, the review concludes with proposed public health strategies and suggestions for future research, which can reduce the intake levels of salt and fructose levels and contribute to curbing the CVD epidemic in the country.

Biomass Absorption of Nickel Salt Derived Carbon Wrapped Nis/Ni3s4 Nanocomposite as Efficient Electrode for Supercapacitors

Biomass Absorption of Nickel Salt Derived Carbon Wrapped Nis/Ni3s4 Nanocomposite as Efficient Electrode for Supercapacitors

Biomass Absorption of Nickel Salt Derived Carbon Wrapped Nis/Ni3s4 Nanocomposite as Efficient Electrode for Supercapacitors

Biomass Absorption of Nickel Salt Derived Carbon Wrapped Nis/Ni3s4 Nanocomposite as Efficient Electrode for Supercapacitors

Silver nanoparticles intensify the allelopathic intensity of four invasive plant species in the Asteraceae.

This study aimed to estimate the allelopathic intensity of four Asteraceae invasive plant species (IPS), including Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq., Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., Bidens pilosa (L.), and Aster subulatus Michx., by testing the effect of leaf extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth (SGe and SGr) of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in combination with two particle sizes of silver nanoparticles. These four IPS decreased the germination of lettuce seeds but increased the growth of lettuce seedlings. The allelopathic intensity of the four IPS decreased in the following order: B. pilosa > C. canadensis > E. annuus > A. subulatus. Silver nanoparticles decreased the SGe and SGr of lettuce. The 20 nm silver nanoparticles affected the competition intensity for water and the absorption of inorganic salts by lettuce more intensively than the 80 nm nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles intensify the allelopathic intensity of the four invasive plant species on the SGe and SGr of lettuce. The allelopathic intensity of B. pilosa was higher than that of the other three IPS when they were polluted with silver nanoparticles. Thus, silver nanoparticles could facilitate the invasion process of the four IPS, particularly B. pilosa, via an increase in the intensity of allelopathy.

Dihydroartemisinin improves hypercholesterolemia in ovariectomized mice via enhancing vectorial transport of cholesterol and bile acids from blood to bile

The increase of concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum of postmenopausal women is the important risk factor of the high morbidity of cardiovascular diseases of old women worldwide. To test the anti-hypercholesterolemia function of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in postmenopausal women, ovariectomized (OVX) mice were generated, and DHA were administrated to OVX mice for 4 weeks. The blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histological tests respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to metabolism and transport of cholesterol, bile acid and fatty acid in the liver or ileum were checked through qPCR and western blot. DHA could significantly reduce the high concentrations of TC and LDL-C in the serum and the lipid accumulation in the liver of ovariectomized mice. The expression of ABCG5/8 was reduced in liver of OVX mice, and DHA could up-regulate the expression of them. Genes of transport proteins for bile salt transport from blood to bile, including Slc10a1, Slco1b2 and Abcb11, were also significantly up-regulated by DHA. DHA also down-regulated the expression of Slc10a2 in the ileum of OVX mice to reduce the absorption of bile salts. Genes required for fatty acid synthesis and uptake, such as Fasn and CD36, were reduced in the liver of OVX mice, and DHA administration could significantly up-regulate the expression of them. These results demonstrated that DHA could improve hypercholesterolemia in OVX mice through enhancing the vectorial transport of cholesterol and bile acid from blood to bile.

Comparative study on Biochar salt absorption capacity in different saline concentrated solutions

Salt-affected soils are caused by excess accumulation of salts. As soil salinity increases, salt effects can result in the degradation of soils. Previous studies have determined that biochar has the potential to reduce salt stress in soils. In this study, the electroconductive properties of biochar to adsorb salts were investigated in different saline-concentrated solutions. Pelletized, fragmented and powdered biochar were placed in solutions with concentrations of 0, 50, 500, 1000, and 2000 parts per million sodium chloride, respectively. Control treatments consisted of deionized water mixed with salt and no biochar addition. A week after setting the experiment, the electroconductivity measurements were significantly higher relative to the first day. Significant differences were observed among treatments for pelletized, fragmented, and powdered biochar treatments. Increases in electroconductivity values are attributed to ambient temperature changes and differences in particle size. However, pelletized biochar declined in electroconductive values, which is attributed to ions being retained inside the pores of bigger particles. Our study concludes that biochar can adsorb salts at lower sodium chloride concentrations; therefore, it may help mitigate soil salt stress.

Experiment and simulation of chloride ion transport and binding in concrete under the coupling of diffusion and convection

Diffusion and convection are the main factors affecting chloride ion transport in unsaturated cementitious materials. In this study, capillary salt absorption experiment and steady-state migration experiment were used to investigate the chloride ion migration in unsaturated concrete, and a modified chloride ion diffusion-convection model was established for concrete considering curing age, initial water saturation and the combined effect of chloride ion. The results show that the chloride ion migration in unsaturated concrete can be divided into six stages: safety stage, initial stage, convection stage, deceleration stage, diffusion stage and stablilization stage, the chloride ion binding coefficient is approximately linear with the initial saturation, and the concrete with fly ash content of 40% or sand content of 60% has the best blocking effect on chloride ion migration.

CFTR Protein: Not Just a Chloride Channel?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in a gene encoding a protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). The CFTR protein is known to acts as a chloride (Cl−) channel expressed in the exocrine glands of several body systems where it also regulates other ion channels, including the epithelial sodium (Na+) channel (ENaC) that plays a key role in salt absorption. This function is crucial to the osmotic balance of the mucus and its viscosity. However, the pathophysiology of CF is more challenging than a mere dysregulation of epithelial ion transport, mainly resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance (MCC) with consecutive bronchiectasis and in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This review shows that the CFTR protein is not just a chloride channel. For a long time, research in CF has focused on abnormal Cl− and Na+ transport. Yet, the CFTR protein also regulates numerous other pathways, such as the transport of HCO3−, glutathione and thiocyanate, immune cells, and the metabolism of lipids. It influences the pH homeostasis of airway surface liquid and thus the MCC as well as innate immunity leading to chronic infection and inflammation, all of which are considered as key pathophysiological characteristics of CF.

Optimization of Prussian Blue Analogues for Na-Ion Desalination Batteries

With a growing need for clean water worldwide, interest in capacitive deionization (CDI) is growing as a potentially low energy desalination methodology. Current commercial technologies are using activated charcoal at both electrodes, but these materials suffer from low capacity and poor durability. Inspired by the recent advances in sodium-ion batteries1,2, several studies have proposed to use intercalation materials to increase the desalination potential of electrodes3,4. Among the proposed materials for desalination batteries, hexacyanoferrate Prussian blue materials (PBs) are especially interesting because of their open framework structure5 that allow insertion of Na with high reversibility and fast kinetics.This study focused on the development of heterostructured NaMxNy(HCF) PBs with M and N being Ni, Mn or Fe, with an optimization for performance and durability in 1M NaCl electrolyte. Materials were synthesized using a simple, cost-effective and scalable coprecipitation synthesis process at room temperature. Different compositions and electrode architecture were tested and salt absorption above 75 mg/g of electrode at rates above 100 mg/g/min will be reported.

Unraveling Ion Transport in Pentablock Copolymer Membranes for Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Medium to long duration energy storage devices, such as redox flow batteries, will be imperative for implementing smart grids and accommodating the increasing use of renewable energy sources. Sodium (Na) based electrochemical energy storage is of interest for large-scale applications due to sodium’s low cost and high abundance compared to lithium and vanadium. The membrane plays a critical role in a flow battery, separating the catholyte and anolyte by preventing transport of the redox active species through the membrane. Thus, it is critical to develop mechanically robust, chemically resistant membranes. Considering that the membrane is a significant source of internal resistance and capacity fade in an operating battery, understanding the effect of electrolyte type and concentration on membrane transport properties is imperative for optimizing the performance of non-aqueous flow batteries. This study aims to unravel relationships between membrane transport properties and electrolyte concentration in a polar and non-polar organic solvent for a Na-based non-aqueous flow battery. A pentablock copolymer with a Na-transporting trifluoromethanesulfonimide (TFSI) center block was successfully synthesized. The fabricated membranes were equilibrated in tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) and propylene carbonate (PC) solutions with varying concentrations of sodium triflate (NaTf). Membrane properties such as uptake, conductivity, transport number, and salt absorption were measured as a function of electrolyte concentration. The membranes achieve an ionic conductivity of 7.2 x 10-5 S/cm in TEGDME and 1.4 x 10-4 S/cm in PC at moderate electrolyte concentrations. A high cation transport number (>0.75) was maintained across the concertation range for PC and up to 0.5M NaTf in TEGDME. This study suggests new design parameters for Na-conducting membranes for non-aqueous flow battery, where optimum membrane performance; a balance between uptake, conductivity, and charge carrier selectivity; can be achieved at moderate electrolyte concentrations of 0.5 M to 0.75 M NaTf.

Quo vadis Spectroscopy?

Since the early days of modern chemistry, analytical chemistry always tried to offer solutions to real-life problems. This is how, in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, Margueritte developed the titrimetric determination of iron using the chameleon solution (potassium permanganate). In 1860, for the first time, Bunsen and Kirchhoff used element-specific light emission and absorption of flame-evaporated alkali metal salts for qualitative analysis. Their discovery was groundbreaking because the analytical sensitivity and detection capability of the proposed method was several orders of magnitude lower than that of the contemporary classical analytical ones. Application of this method, leading to the establishment of spectroscopic techniques, also allowed the discovery of about ten chemical elements. Another timeless merit of spectroscopy is the ability to determine the elemental composition of a star in a distant galaxy. In the second half of the 20th century, an era of rapid development of instrumental analysis, atomic spectroscopy also brought several revolutionary results. One such breakthrough was the reduction of the sample volume required for analysis down to microliters with the introduction of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The detection limit of GFAAS also decreased by several orders of magnitude. Another important advance was the combination of inductively coupled plasma as a high-temperature ion source with a mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). In the late 1980s, the hyphenation of atomic spectrometric devices to chromatographs, aiming at elemental speciation, also emerged. In Central and Eastern Europe, spectroscopic research was driven by the embargo of the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls established by the Western Bloc during the Cold War. In this emerging era, scientific research and applications went hand in hand. Therefore, the science education program and fundamental research were very strong in those countries, contributing considerably to the development of spectrochemistry in Hungary. By the end of the 20th century, development of new equipment and procedures was increasingly carried out by instrument manufacturers, and fundamental research at universities and institutes was relegated to second place. Analytical chemistry has experienced a considerable shift from determination of inorganic compounds and small organic molecules towards that of large (bio)molecules. Expansion of the application of analytical chemistry to forensic, environmental and biochemical questions has been observed and the role of atomic spectrometric techniques seemed to fade away. However, sheer use of these high-performance instruments is not always appropriate or cost-effective; the reliability of the results and elimination of interference must be thoroughly explored. However, when publishing such results, there is a risk that our communications will be rejected due to lack of novelty. Nevertheless, carrying out fundamental research cannot be avoided, as it is not possible to offer appropriate decisions to stakeholders based on questionable results. Presently, GFAAS and ICP-MS allow reliable quantitative determination of virtually any element in any sample. Recently, microwave plasma using nitrogen isolated from the air was launched on the market. This device requires significantly lower operating costs compared to the conventional ICP and reliable simultaneous multi-element analysis has also become possible. Another promising direction is single-particle ICP-MS applied for the characterization of inorganic nanoparticles. Most of the articles of the current issue of BrJAC also demonstrate that atomic spectrometry has become indispensable in many areas of our life. Enjoy reading the current issue!