Aluminum Levels Research Articles

Aluminum in Bottom Sediments of the Lower Silesian Rivers Supplying Dam Reservoirs vs. Selected Chemical Parameters.

The study was carried out on sediments collected from three rivers: Nysa Szalona, Strzegomka and Bystrzyca flowing in southwestern Poland. The content of Al in sediments and in bottom water was determined in relation to chemical conditions. The study was carried out in a four-year cycle, during spring and autumn. The aim of the study was to determine the level and accumulation of aluminum in sediments of rivers supplying dam reservoirs storing water for consumption. The sediments studied were mineral in nature, with neutral pH and moderate sulfate content. The level of Al and heavy metals in the sediments was the highest in the Nysa Szalona River and the lowest in the Strzegomka River, which was also evident in the concentration factor (CF). In terms of season, higher Al contents were recorded in sediments in autumn than in spring, which was also reflected in the concentration factor (CF). Along the course of the river, a gradual decrease in Al levels was observed in successive tributaries in the Nysa Szalona and Strzegomka Rivers, while there was no apparent regularity for the Bystrzyca. Against this background, a comparison of extreme sites below the springs and at the reservoir outlet shows that values were higher in the Nysa Szalona below the springs, and lower in the Strzegomka and Bystrzyca below the reservoir outlet. The general picture of Al and heavy metal loading of the studied sediments shows the lowest loading for the Strzegomka, only the enrichment factor (EF) was the lowest for the Nysa Szalona: metal pollution index (MPI)—S < B < NS, contamination factor (Cf)—S < B < NS, degree of contamination (DC)—S < NS < B, EF—NS < B < S, geoaccumulation index (Igeo)—S < B < NS, CF—S < NS < B. There was no effect of catchment size and river length on Al levels in sediments.

Association of Cigarette Smoking With Male Cognitive Impairment and Metal Ions in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Objective: Cigarette smoking might accelerate cognitive impairment; however, this has never been investigated using human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We conducted this study to investigate the association between cigarette smoking and cognitive impairment through metal ions in CSF.Methods: We obtained 5-ml CSF samples from routine lumbar puncture procedures in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction before surgery in China. A total of 180 Chinese males were recruited (80 active smokers and 100 non-smokers). We measured specific cigarette-related neurotoxic metal ions in CSF, including iron, copper, zinc, lead, aluminum, and manganese. Sociodemographic data and history of smoking were obtained. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was applied.Results: Active smokers had fewer years of education (11.83 ± 3.13 vs. 13.17 ± 2.60, p = 0.01), and higher age (33.70 ± 10.20 vs. 29.76 ± 9.58, p = 0.01) and body mass index (25.84 ± 3.52 vs. 24.98 ± 4.06, p =0.03) than non-smokers. Compared to non-smokers, active smokers had significantly higher CSF levels of iron, zinc, lead, and aluminum and lower MoCA scores (all p < 0.05). Average daily numbers of cigarettes smoked negatively correlated with the MoCA scores (r = −0.244, p = 0.048). In young smokers, CSF manganese levels negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = −0.373, p = 0.009).Conclusions and Relevance: Cigarette smoking might be associated with male cognitive impairment, as shown by lower MoCA scores and higher levels of CSF iron, zinc, lead, and aluminum in active smokers. This might be early evidence of cigarette smoking accelerating male cognitive impairment.

Combination of Water Quality Parameters and Bioassays for the Assessment of Two Rivers, Southern Brazil.

In the present study, water physicochemical and microbiological parameters, as well as bioassays using Allium cepa L. seeds and the fish species Astyanax jacuhiensis were used to assess the water quality of two rivers - Ilha River and Paranhana River -, located in southern Brazil. Water samples were collected at the source and mouth of the rivers and then, laboratory experiments were performed. The results evidenced high levels of aluminum and iron in water samples collected at the four sampling sites. The micronucleus (MN) test in fish showed significant difference in the frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) in the mouth of the Paranhana River in comparison to control group in one sampling period, whereas the A. cepa test evidenced significant spatial differences in cytotoxicity between the source and mouth of both rivers. Therefore, these data evidence the poor water quality of the rivers studied as well as the potential toxicity to the aquatic organisms.

Evaluation of Scalable Synthesis Methods for Aluminum-Substituted Li7La3Zr2O12 Solid Electrolytes.

Solid electrolyte is the key component in all-solid-state batteries (ASBs). It is required in electrodes to enhance Li-conductivity and can be directly used as a separator. With its high Li-conductivity and chemical stability towards metallic lithium, lithium-stuffed garnet material Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) is considered one of the most promising solid electrolyte materials for high-energy ceramic ASBs. However, in order to obtain high conductivities, rare-earth elements such as tantalum or niobium are used to stabilize the highly conductive cubic phase. This stabilization can also be obtained via high levels of aluminum, reducing the cost of LLZO but also reducing processability and the Li-conductivity. To find the sweet spot for a potential market introduction of garnet-based solid-state batteries, scalable and industrially usable syntheses of LLZO with high processability and good conductivity are indispensable. In this study, four different synthesis methods (solid-state reaction (SSR), solution-assisted solid-state reaction (SASSR), co-precipitation (CP), and spray-drying (SD)) were used and compared for the synthesis of aluminum-substituted LLZO (Al:LLZO, Li6.4Al0.2La3Zr2O12), focusing on electrochemical performance on the one hand and scalability and environmental footprint on the other hand. The synthesis was successful via all four methods, resulting in a Li-ion conductivity of 2.0–3.3 × 10−4 S/cm. By using wet-chemical synthesis methods, the calcination time could be reduced from two calcination steps for 20 h at 850 °C and 1000 °C to only 1 h at 1000 °C for the spray-drying method. We were able to scale the synthesis up to a kg-scale and show the potential of the different synthesis methods for mass production.

Linking mountaintop removal mining to water quality for imperiled species using satellite data.

Environmental laws need sound data to protect species and ecosystems. In 1996, a proliferation of mountaintop removal coal mines in a region home to over 50 federally protected species was approved under the Endangered Species Act. Although this type of mining can degrade terrestrial and aquatic habitats, the available data and tools limited the ability to analyze spatially extensive, aggregate effects of such a program. We used two large, public datasets to quantify the relationship between mountaintop removal coal mining and water quality measures important to the survival of imperiled species at a landscape scale across Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. We combined an annual map of the extent of surface mines in this region from 1985 to 2015 generated from Landsat satellite imagery with public water quality data collected over the same time period from 4,260 monitoring stations within the same area. The water quality data show that chronic and acute thresholds for levels of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, conductivity, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, pH, selenium, and zinc safe for aquatic life were exceeded thousands of times between 1985 and 2015 in streams that are important to the survival and recovery of species on the Endangered Species List. Linear mixed models showed that levels of manganese, sulfate, sulfur, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and zinc increased by 6.73E+01 to 6.87E+05 μg/L and conductivity by 3.30E+06 μS /cm for one percent increase in the mined proportion of the area draining into a monitoring station. The proportion of a drainage area that was mined also increased the likelihood that chronic thresholds for copper, lead, and zinc required to sustain aquatic life were exceeded. Finally, the proportion of a watershed that was mined was positively related to the likelihood that a waterway would be designated as impaired under the Clean Water Act. Together these results demonstrate that the extent of mountaintop removal mining, which can be derived from public satellite data, is predictive of water quality measures important to imperiled species-effects that must be considered under environmental law. These findings and the public data used in our analyses are pertinent to ongoing re-evaluations of the effects of current mine permitting regulations to the recovery and survival of federally protected species.

Associations of plasma metal levels with type 2 diabetes and the mediating effects of microRNAs

The present study aims to determine the associations of multiple plasma metal levels and plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) with diabetes risk, and further explore the mediating effects of plasma miRNAs on the associations of plasma metal with diabetes risk. We detected plasma levels of 23 metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) among 94 newly diagnosed and untreated diabetic cases and 94 healthy controls. The plasma miRNAs were examined by microRNA Array screening and Taqman real-time PCR validation among the same study population. The multivariate logistic regression models were employed to explore the associations of plasma metal and miRNAs levels with diabetes risk. Generalized linear regression models were utilized to investigate the relationships between plasma metal and plasma miRNAs, and mediation analysis was used to assess the mediating effects of plasma miRNAs on the relationships between plasma metals and diabetes risk. Plasma aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and Thallium (Tl) levels were correlated with elevated diabetic risk while molybdenum (Mo) with decreased diabetic risk (P < 0.05 after FDR multiple correction). MiR-122–5p and miR-3141 were positively associated with diabetes risk (all P < 0.05). Ti, Cu, and Zn were positively correlated with miR-122–5p (P = 0.001, 0.028 and 0.004 respectively). Ti, Cu, and Se were positively correlated with miR-3141 (P = 0.003, 0.015, and 0.031 respectively). In addition, Zn was positively correlated with miR-193b-3p (P = 0.002). Ti was negatively correlated with miR-26b-3p (P = 0.016), while Mo and miR-26b-3p were positively correlated (P = 0.042). In the mediation analysis, miR-122–5p mediated 48.0% of the association between Ti and diabetes risk. The biological mechanisms of the association are needed to be explored in further studies.

Allergic reaction and metal hypersensitivity after shoulder joint replacement

PurposeMetal ion release may cause local and systemic effects and induce hypersensitivity reactions. The aim of our study is first to determine if implant-related hypersensitivity correlates to patient symptoms or not; second, to assess the rate of hypersensitivity and allergies in shoulder arthroplasty.MethodsForty patients with shoulder replacements performed between 2015 and 2017 were studied with minimum 2-year follow-up; no patient had prior metal implants. Each patient underwent radiographic and clinical evaluation using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), 22 metal and cement haptens patch testing, serum and urine tests to evaluate 12 metals concentration, and a personal occupational medicine interview.ResultsAt follow-up (average 45 ± 10.7 months), the mean CMS was 76 ± 15.9; no clinical complications or radiographic signs of loosening were detected; two nickel sulfate (5%), 1 benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) and 1 potassium dichromate (2.5%) positive findings were found, but all these patients were asymptomatic. There was an increase in serum aluminum, urinary aluminum and urinary chromium levels of 1.74, 3.40 and 1.83 times the baseline, respectively. No significant difference in metal ion concentrations were found when patients were stratified according to gender, date of surgery, type of surgery, and type of implant.ConclusionsShoulder arthroplasty is a source of metal ion release and might act as a sensitizing exposure. However, patch test positivity does not seem to correlate to hypersensitivity cutaneous manifestations or poor clinical results. Laboratory data showed small constant ion release over time, regardless of gender, type of shoulder replacement and implant used.Levels of evidenceLevel II.

Evaluation of some trace elements in sera of asthma patients: a case control study.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by recurrent respiratory symptoms of dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. This study aims to investigate the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, and Al in the serum of asthmatic patients. An atomic absorption technique was used to determine the levels of trace elements. The study included sixty asthmatic patients and ninety healthy individuals as control group their ages ranging from 20 to 45 years. We found a significant increase of the levels of copper, iron, and aluminum by 20%, 54%, and 47% (p<0.01), respectively, in the asthmatic patients as compared with the controls. On the other hand, in comparison with the controls, the levels of zinc, magnesium, manganese, and nickel were found to be significantly decreased (p<0.01) by 24%, 16%, 53%, and 81%, respectively, in the asthmatic patient group. Moreover, chromium level showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) between patients and control group. The increased level of Cu and Fe may reflect their potential role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Furthermore, the serum iron levels tend to be increased as a result of the inflammatory process that occurs in asthma. Low levels of Zn, Mg, and Mn may contribute to allergic diseases due to their role in the synthesis of certain antioxidants or to their effect on the immune system.

Effects of occupational exposure to aluminum on verbal function of workers

Objective: To explore the effect of occupational aluminum (Al) exposure on workers' overall cognitive level and speech function. Methods: In July 2019, by using cluster sampling method, the group of 232 exposed to Al from an Al plant in Shanxi Province were selected as the exposed group, and the group of 228 not exposed to Al were selected as the control group. The blood Al concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MAS) . The exposed group was divided into high exposure group and low exposure group according to the median (M) concentration of Al in serum. The general cognitive function and speech function were evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) , and the differences in the general cognitive function and speech function between the groups were compared, and non-conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the possible influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) . Results: There were significant differences in age, working age, education and drinking status between Al exposed group and control group (P<0.05) . The total MoCA score, animal naming tese (ANT) score and category fluency repetition (CFT) score in Al exposure group were lower than control group and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The full rate of ANT was lower than that of CFT in Al exposure group (P<0.05) . The total MoCA score, ANT score and CFT score in the high exposure group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . The score of MoCA, ANT and CFT in high exposure group were lower than those in low exposure group between the level of serum aluminum>60 μg/L group and ≤60 μg/L group (P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that working age, serun Al concentration, ANT score, CFT score and SR score were the possible influencing factors of MCI in occupational Al exposure workers (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational Al exposure can lead to impaired speech function of workers, the higher the ANT score, CFT score and SR score, the lower working age and serum Al concentration, the lower risk of MCI.

CHEMICAL SOIL ATTRIBUTES IN DIFFERENT USE SYSTEMS, ITACOATIARA-AM, BRAZIL

The use of soil to implement several management systems, such as agriculture, livestock farming and agroforestry activities contribute to the depletion of the soil and the forest, reducing or increasing the levels of soil chemical attributes, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus and increase or decrease of active (pH) or exchangeable (Aluminum) acidity. This study aimed to evaluate macronutrients (calcium - Ca2+, magnesium - Mg2+, potassium - K+ and phosphorus - P), as well as aluminum - Al3+ and soil pH, under use systems: agroforestry system - SAFs and pasture - PA, comparing them to Primary Forest - PF, in the Rosenthal community in Itacoatiara-AM, Brazil. The soils were sampled in layers 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm deep, with samples composed of six single samples each. The distribution of nutrient contents (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ , and P) considering the 0-10 and 10-20 cm layers showed little variation, except for phosphorus, which obtained the highest concentration in the prospected layers. The distribution of calcium, magnesium, and potassium nutrients in the sampled soil layers decreased with depth. However, an inverse pattern was observed in the elevation of active soil acidity and aluminium levels. Soil macronutrients showed medium to high concentrations, with forest and SAFs as systems that preserve good levels of fertility.

Fluoride removal by hybrid cation exchanger impregnated with hydrated Al(III) oxide nanoparticles (HCIX-Al) with novel closed-loop recyclable regeneration system

A high concentrations of fluoride (F-) in groundwater limits drinking water supplies and results in fluorosis for hundreds of millions of people globally. A novel F- selective adsorbent (HCIX-Al) with a closed-loop regeneration system was developed, characterized, and assessed for its effectiveness in F- removal using both synthetic and natural groundwater. The system used an inexpensive polymeric macroporous cation exchanger doped with hydrous aluminum oxide (HAlO) nanoparticles. The HAlO nanoparticles were loaded into the matrix of the polymer phase by ion-exchange reactions between Al3+ and Ca2+ ions that bind with sulfonic acid functional groups of the cation exchangers. Hydrogen ions were generated in-situ during the HAlO formation process, creating acidic conditions inside the polymeric phase, which significantly increased F- sorption capacity (maximum sorption capacity = 5.75 mg/g at pH 7.5). While most other aluminum oxide-based F- selective sorbents suffer from low F- removal capacity at neutral to alkaline pH of typical groundwater, the HCIX-Al exhibited high F- sorption capacity even using alkaline (pH 8.5) groundwater. The treated water had a pH greater than 6.5 and non-detectable levels of aluminum (detection limit 0.002 mg/L), which complies with drinking water regulations. The HCIX-Al material can be reused by conditioning the exhausted material with a closed-loop regeneration chemical containing a recyclable 12% AlCl3 solution. The F- was precipitated from the regeneration system as CaF2 using lime at pH 11. This material, including a novel regeneration scheme, offered high F- removal capacity, cost-effectiveness, and provided a sustainable defluoridation process.

Assessment of Aluminum via Baby Foods Consumption in Turkey: Estimated Early-Life Dietary Exposure and Target Hazard Quotient.

This study focuses on infant formulas and baby biscuits, which have an important place in the nutrition of the most vulnerable individuals, namely babies. In this sense, the aluminum levels of 64 different baby foods, retrospectively consumed by 348 babies for dietary recall 24h, were determined by ICP-MS. Then, the exposure resulting from the consumption of these foods was calculated via a deterministic model, and a risk assessment was made. Aluminum levels of infant formulas and baby biscuits that are of higher values compared to other studies were found in the range of 718-6987 and 1803-15,479μg/kg, respectively. Aluminum exposure was calculated as 8.02, 7.28, 4.03, and 4.08μg/kg bw/day in babies aged 0-6, 7-12, 13-24, and 25-36months, respectively. There is no statistically significant difference between different age groups according to the total aluminum exposure levels. The toxicological contribution of aluminum exposure is quite limited (< 6.0% of PTWI). THQ values were calculated as 10-20 for babies aged 0-36months. Therefore, THQ values indicate a potential health problem.

Analysis of potentially toxic contaminants in milk powder

The aim of this study was to identify potentially toxic contaminants in milk powder. Powdered milk contains a range of toxic and non-toxic substances that are present in a wide variety, also having very different origins. A number of seven milk powder samples from different producers sold on the Romanian market were analyzed, the samples that were collected from the original packaging: P1, P 2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7. The concentration of the following elements was analyzed using the X-ray (XRF) fluorescence method: potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and aluminum (Al). The vast majority of the samples showed the levels of elements K, Ca, Cl, Al, P well above the maximum allowable limit (AML). In a single test, the elements potassium, calcium, chlorine, phosphorus showed levels below the maximum allowable limit, but the level of aluminum was much above. The experimental results showed that the market sells assortments of milk powder that exceed concentrations above the maximum limits established by the legislation in force for some constituent elements. Concentrations of constituent elements are not always specified on food labels, and if this information appears, they are not always the correct values.

Cultivar Differences in the Biochemical and Physiological Responses of Common Beans to Aluminum Stress.

Soil conditions leading to high levels of available aluminum are detrimental to plant growth, but data are limited on genotypic differences in tolerance to aluminum stress in some crops. The aim of this study was to examine the morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes in roots and shoots of 25 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars (Pinto market class) under aluminum (Al) treatment. Additionally, this study aimed to assess the range of responses amongst the common bean cultivars relative to their Al toxicity tolerance and sensitivity. Plants were grown hydroponically using a simplified nutrient solution with or without 20 µM AlCl3. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were measured to establish the effects of Al treatment on the plants. In addition, growth parameters such as shoot and root dry weight, root-to-shoot ratio, root elongation, and root volume changes were also investigated. The cultivar effect was significant for all the measured parameters, except for shoot dry weight. Inhibition of the root and shoot dry weight for selected common bean cultivars shows that the response of common bean to Al stress is genotype-specific. Additionally, Al-induced root elongation inhibition and root volume changes varied among the cultivars. Most cultivars had significantly higher SOD activity (20 of 25 cultivars) and POD activity (12 cultivars) under AlCl3 treatment compared to the controls. A positive significant correlation was observed between MDA and ROS, showing that Al stress induced the accumulation of ROS along with an increase in lipid peroxidation. According to the results of this study, Arapaho and AC Island cultivars could potentially be used in the future production of common beans under Al stress. Therefore, these two cultivars could also be included in Al tolerance breeding programs.

Higher levels of lead and aluminium are associated with increased risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults: An 18-month follow-up study.

The present study aims to determine the association of trace elements and oxidative and DNA damage biomarkers with fall incidence among community-dwelling older adults. This study is part of the Long-term Research Grant Scheme - Towards Useful Ageing cohort study in Malaysia. Of a total of 174 participants with complete trace elements and oxidative and DNA damage data during baseline, only 147 (84.5%) were successfully followed up after 18 months. Participants who experienced any fall events in the previous 18 months during the follow-up were categorized as fallers. Thirty participants (20.4%) reported at least one fall in the previous 18 months. The mean concentrations of aluminium, lead and zinc were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fallers than non-fallers. However, in comparison with the non-faller group, the percentage of DNA in tail (11.43 ± 4.10% vs. 13.22 ± 5.24%) and tail moment (1.19 ± 0.54 AU vs. 1.59 ± 0.78 AU) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the faller group. No significant difference in serum superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde level was observed between non-fallers and fallers. Following multifactorial adjustments, higher aluminium (odds ratio [OR]: 1.007; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.002-1.011) and lead (OR: 1.162; 95% CI: 1.010-1.336) levels and lower tail moment scores (OR: 0.313; 95% CI: 0.138-0.709) appeared significant in the final hierarchical binary logistic regression model. Higher levels of lead and aluminium were associated with increased risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1026-1032.

Rancang Bangun Alat Filterasi Limbah Minyak Pelumas (Oli Bekas) Menggunakan Pasir Zeolit, Karbon Altif Dan Membran Keramik

The increasing use of motor vehicles, the greater the amount of engine oil consumption. Engine oil cannot be used continuously due to frictional force on the engine, so engine oil is purified. Unused engine oil can pollute the environment because it is categorized as B3 waste. Used engine oil has a higher metal content than new engine oil. The reduction in metal content can be done by using a filtration column containing zeolite and activated carbon with a filtration column height of 20 cm from each media. Besides filtering also used separation by using a ceramic membrane. In the use of filtration columns filtering used oil using zeolite and activated carbon after that continued using a ceramic membrane, before the used oil is heated at a temperature of 70 0 C then flowed on the ceramic membrane. In this research, a decrease in levels of aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) was obtained.

Mineralogy and genesis of soils developed from ultrabasic and alkaline rocks of Lages Alkaline Complex, Brazil

In the Plateau of Lages, intrusions of alkaline and ultrabasic rocks occur, rocks of rare occurrence in Brazil, whose soils derived from them are practically unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, mineralogy, genesis, and classification of the soils developed from the rocks Nepheline Sienite (P1), Volcanic Breccia (P2), Kimberlitic Breccia (P3), Phonolitic Tephrite (P4), and Phonolite (P5). After the morphological description (field) and the collection of soil samples, chemical analyses of the soils, mineralogical of the clay fraction and the total elements of the soils and the corresponding rocks that gave rise to them were carried out. Three Humudepts (Cambissolos), a Hapludolls (Chernossolo), and a Kandiudox (Nitossolo) were identified. Except for the P3 profile, the others are acidic soils, with high levels of exchangeable aluminum, poor in basic cations, with low sum and base saturation, showing a high degree of weathering and strong leaching. In the clay fraction, the presence of 2:1 clay minerals predominated with kaolinite with interlayered hydroxy-Al polymers. The P3 profile showed a slightly acidic reaction, high sum and base saturation, and practically zero exchangeable aluminum, a situation compatible with mineralogy, where trioctahedral vermiculite predominated, revealing that it was a young, slightly weathered soil.

A prospective observational study on the traditional and novel risk factors associated with post-transplant diabetes mellitus in renal transplant recipients

Introduction and Aim: Post Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) constitutes a major co-morbidity that has significant impact on the patient and renal allograft outcome. Various traditional risk factors like dialysis vintage, immunosuppressive medication, viral infections have known to be associated with PTDM. Novel risk factors and its causative role in PTDM remains unexplored. The study looked at the incidence of PTDM at 6 months post renal transplantation and correlation of PTDM with known traditional and novel risk factors like pre-transplant C-reactive protein (CRP) level and Trace element deficiency.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Methods: 30 consecutive renal transplant recipients more than 18 years of age were inducted into the study. Demographic data, known pre-transplant and post-transplant risk factors associated with development of PTDM were collected. Pre-transplant CRP and serum Trace element (Aluminum, Copper, Selenium and Zinc) levels were estimated. PTDM was diagnosed by home based glucometer monitoring and confirmed by Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The incidence of PTDM was 36.6% at six months post renal transplant. Among the pre-transplant risk factors, higher age and positive family history of diabetes mellitus had a strong association with the occurrence of PTDM. Pre-transplant Zinc deficiency emerged as a significant novel risk factor for the development of PTDM.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Apart from known traditional risk factors, novel risk factors are associated with development of PTDM.

Long term field trials demonstrate sustainable nutrient supply and uptake in rehabilitated bauxite residue

Establishing a sustainable vegetation cover is one of the most important steps in progressive rehabilitation and final closure of ore-processing residues and tailings facilities. Sustainable rehabilitation partly depends on establishing and maintaining a supply of plant-available nutrients, but few long term field studies demonstrating the success or failure of rehabilitation of degraded land such as mineral processing tailings have been reported. Bauxite-processing residues are a highly sodic, highly alkaline, nutrient-poor by-product generated from alumina extraction, and pose many challenges for successful rehabilitation. This study investigated long term performance of rehabilitation established on bauxite-processing residue storage areas (RSAs) by comparing the nutrient content of the vegetation cover with nutrient concentrations in the underlying residue sand. Five plant species having diverse physiology were selected from rehabilitation varying in age from 1 to 10 years old; these being: Hardenbergia comptoniana – a vigorous growing legume ground cover/creeper), Acacia cochlearis and A. rostellifera - legume shrubs tolerant of sandy, alkaline conditions, Grevillea crithmifolia - a drought-tolerant proteaceous shrub tolerant of alkaline soil, and Spyridium globulosum - a robust, fast-growing shrub, commonly found on alkaline coastal soils. Gypsum incorporation reduced the pH and soluble aluminium levels in residue sand, but also acted as a long-term source of nutrients for the vegetation cover. Legume species contained more nitrogen than non-legumes (2.5% N and 1.5% N, respectively), and decomposition of surface litter increased organic carbon and total and mineral nitrogen contents of the residue sand over time. Nutrient cycling maintained a supply of macro- and micro- nutrients for the vegetation cover, and 10-year old rehabilitation exhibited characteristics similar to an analogue site. This study highlighted the importance of organic matter accumulation, developing a functional microbial community, and a diverse plant species mix on transforming the residue sand characteristics and encouraging nutrient cycling as key mechanisms for establishing a sustainable vegetation cover and functional ecosystem on residue sand embankments.

Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Human Breast Milk from Industrial/Mining and Agricultural Zones of Southeastern Spain.

Human breast milk is the most complete foodstuff for infants but can also be a potential source of exposure to toxic chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of metal pollution in the breast milk of women living in agricultural and industrial/mining areas of the Region of Murcia (Spain) that are well known for their cases of environmental pollution. Human milk samples were collected from 50 mothers and inorganic contaminants were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean or maximum concentrations of the different inorganic elements analyzed in breast milk, with the exception of manganese, exceeded the maximum limits established by the WHO and could constitute a high risk for pregnant mothers and their children. The breast milk of women living in the industrial/mining zone presented the highest levels of aluminum, zinc, arsenic, lead, mercury and nickel. On the contrary, the highest concentrations of manganese, chromium and iron were determined in the milk of women living in the agricultural zone. These results suggested and confirmed different profiles of environmental contamination of these areas.