Concentrations Of Several Trace Elements Research Articles

LIBS және хемометриканы қолданып кварцты жіктеу және сандық талдау әдісі

Vein quartz often becomes the subject of chemical analysis. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly compared to traditional silicate analysis. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using LIBS in combination with design of experiment and chemometric methods for the classification analysis of amorphous quartz and the quantitative determination of several constant impurities. The combination of objects and methods used in this work has not been previously published. Vein quartz samples were collected from various geographically distant locations. The sample preparation for LIBS involved cutting and polishing a flat surface of the quartz specimen. The LIBS instrument settings were optimized using design of experiment method. The concentrations of several trace elements in the training and control sets of samples were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The spectra and analytical data of the training set were used for multivariate calibration using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS-R). Sample classification was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). It was shown that in the score plot in the space of the first three principal components, the samples confidently group according to their sources of origin. The results were validated on a test set of samples. The accuracy of quantitative determination of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Al, Ti using LIBS exceeded 90%. A method for the quantitative determination of several elements in quartz and an approach to identifying the place of origin of a sample are proposed.

Reconstructing the depositional environment and diagenetic modification of global phosphate deposits through integration of uranium and strontium isotopes

The geochemistry of phosphate rocks can provide valuable information on their depositional environment and the redox condition of global oceans through time. Here we examine trace metal concentrations and uranium (δ238U, δ234U) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope variations of marine sedimentary phosphate rocks and the phosphate-bearing carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) mineral phase, originating from Precambrian to mid-Miocene aged major global phosphate deposits. We find elevated concentrations of several trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Cd, U, Mn, Co, Cu, As, and Rb) in the CFA mineral phase of young phosphate rocks (Miocene to Late Cretaceous) relative to those of older (Devonian to Precambrian) rocks. The δ238U of phosphate rocks of Mid-Miocene to Permian age range from −0.311‰ to 0.070‰, exhibiting a positive fractionation relative to modern seawater (−0.38‰). This is similar to the isotope fractionation reported for carbonate and shale sediments, likely resulting from the reduction of uranium in porewaters during CFA precipitation. Cambrian to Precambrian phosphate rocks have lower δ238U of −0.583‰ to −0.363‰, indicating different depositional redox conditions likely resulting from seafloor anoxia and/or diagenetic modification. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of phosphate rocks of Cretaceous to Mid-Miocene age generally follow the secular 87Sr/86Sr seawater curve. Phosphate rocks with 87Sr/86Sr that deviate from this curve have characteristic trace metal trends, such as lower Sr/Ca and Sr concentrations, suggesting later diagenetic modification. Older phosphate rocks of Precambrian age are systematically more radiogenic than the expected secular Sr seawater composition at the time of deposition, possibly due to the greater influence of terrestrial input in peritidal zones and/or more pervasive diagenetic modification. Overall, our study reveals connections between U and Sr isotope variations for reconstructing the depositional and diagenetic conditions of global phosphate rock formation through Earth history and the transition to an oxic ocean following the Paleozoic Oxygenation Event.

Multivariate analyses of selected trace elements from Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. plant by ICP-OES: A chemometrics approach

AimThe entire world population is increasingly shifting to the use of plant-based medicines either as supplementation or medication. These medicinal plants absorb trace elements and metals available in the soil solutions in ionic, complexed, or chelated forms and can either be deficient or toxic for human and animal consumption. Therefore, screening these medicinal plants for trace elements or metals is important according to the recommendation of WHO and European legislation (1881/2006/EC). MethodologyIn this study, the concentrations of 12 trace elements and metals (Al, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Se, Te, and Tl) were determined from Kigelia africana leaf and fruit extracts using 700 series Agilent inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) coupled with ultrasonic CETAC U-6000AT+ Nebulizer after microwave-assisted acid digestion of the plant samples with MDS-6G closed microwave digester. ResultsThe study revealed that K. africana extracts have significant trace elements with the fruit extracts having high concentrations of required trace elements (3.2 mgkg−1 Mg, 67.18 mgkg−1 K, 0.04 mgkg−1 Se, and 0.16 mgkg−1 Al). Interestingly, the fruit and leaf extracts also have the required amount of Boron (B), Bismuth (Bi), Gallium (Ga), and Lithium (Li) which are essential in human brain function, nervous system, and glucose metabolism among other therapeutic functions. Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Tellurium (Te), and Thallium (Tl) are known toxic metals when accumulated in the human body and are found in low concentrations in this study. ConclusionThis study revealed that trace elements are positively correlated when analyzed with principal component (PCA) and hierarchical cluster (HCA) analyzes. This shows that K. africana plant extract can be considered one of the most important medicinal plants with several therapeutic benefits. The concentrations of several trace elements according to recommended dietary allowance (RDA) as well as the correlation between these metals and metalloids are reported for the first time using PCA and HCA.

Abstract 6526: Investigation levels of trace elements in breast cancer types using laser spectroscopic techniques

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in women. Women have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of around 31%, which makes it the first most common malignancy in women. Diagnosing cancer and classifying its types is a complex process that relies heavily on sample analysis. Early detection of cancer diseases is one of the important and main factors in determining treatment and saving many patients before the disease worsens and reaches dangerous stages. Alterations in the levels of trace elements have been observed in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, the relationships between these alterations and the metabolic and clinical consequences of BC are unknown. The aim of the present work is to study in vitro possibilities and the effectiveness of introducing an efficient optical spectroscopic technique such as LIBS for the identification types of breast cancer, as well as determining the disease grade and severity. The ultimate goal of this work is to investigate the concentrations of several trace elements in BC patients, and their relationships with the molecular subtypes of tumors. The atomic transition of the neutral element lines of Fe, Al, Na, Ca, K, V, Co and Pb was chosen to determine the trace element levels of four breast cancer types. We found that the measured average level of trace elements can differentiate between different types of breast cancer. Citation Format: Ola Sayed Ahmed, hisham imam. Investigation levels of trace elements in breast cancer types using laser spectroscopic techniques [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6526.

Chemical Speciation and Potential Mobility of Heavy Metals in Forest Soil Near Road Traffic in Hafir, Algeria.

Background.Different fractions of metals, of varying origin and reactivity, are present in sediments of forest soil. Forest ecosystems are privileged sites for the deposition of persistent organic pollutants carried by the atmosphere.Objectives.The present study describes the current state of metallic contamination around the Hafir forest, located southwest of Tlemcen, Algeria, based on analysis of total sediment mineralization and the speciation of each metal to examine the effects of emissions due to road traffic.Methods.The distribution and migration of ten heavy metals were studied, including cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and silver (Ag), and four major elements: potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in the superficial horizon of forest soil (0–20 cm) at different road distances (0–1700 m), in two sampling campaigns in the dry and wet seasons around the Hafir forest, Algeria.Results.Bioavailability appears to be relatively low due to the small amount of metals present in the carbonate fraction and the alkaline pH. The impact of road traffic was observed in the variability of the concentrations of several trace elements in forest soil, such as Co, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Ag, Cd. They were generally observed at very high levels along the roadside due to dry atmospheric deposition.Conclusions.The high levels of metals in the carbonate, reducible and residual phases indicate a direct influence on the environment stemming from road traffic near the forest as well as contamination from rainfall in the area.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Тяжёлые металлы в поверхностной воде Атлантического сектора Антарктики в 79-м рейсе научно-исследовательского судна «Академик Мстислав Келдыш»

Актуальность мониторинга содержания тяжёлых металлов в водах Атлантического сектора Антарктики определяется необходимостью современной оценки качества водной среды для принятия ответственных решений по сохранению морских живых ресурсов в этом уникальном регионе Мирового океана. Цель проводимых исследований — получить новые данные об уровнях и пространственном распределении концентрации микроэлементов, преимущественно тяжёлых металлов, в поверхностной воде. Отбор проб поверхностной морской воды производили в антарктической экспедиции 79-го рейса НИС «Академик Мстислав Келдыш» на 21 станции в районе проливов Дрейка, Брансфилда, Антарктика, а также в морях Уэдделла и Скотия. Экстракцию и концентрирование растворённой формы 13 микроэлементов (Be, Se, Sb, Tl, V, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mo, Co и Fe) осуществляли с помощью диэтилдитиокарбамата натрия и четырёххлористого углерода (CCl4). Измерение элементов проводили масс-спектрометрическим методом. Только для Mo на девяти станциях, расположенных в проливах Дрейка и Брансфилда, в северном районе моря Уэдделла, а также возле южного побережья острова Огненная Земля, отмечали превышение его концентрации в морской воде в 1,2–2,8 раза по отношению к ПДК микроэлементов в воде рыбохозяйственных объектов РФ (ПДКРХ). Согласно международным нормативно-правовым актам, таким как «Голландские листы», зарегистрированы единичные случаи превышения MPC (maximum permissible concentration — ПДК при краткосрочном воздействии) для Cd и Zn, а также превышение TV (target value — контрольные уровни при хроническом воздействии) для Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Se и Co на нескольких станциях. Исследования показали, что, несмотря на ограниченный режим антропогенной нагрузки в этом регионе Южного океана, в морской воде отдельных районов Атлантического сектора Антарктики в современный период зафиксированы повышенные концентрации некоторых микроэлементов, включая тяжёлые металлы. Необходимо дальнейшее изучение источников поступления и особенностей распределения микроэлементов в морских водах Атлантической части Антарктики для объяснения происходящих процессов, а также для принятия мер по рациональному управлению и экологически приемлемому природопользованию в Антарктическом регионе.

Association between Trace Elements and Body Composition Parameters in Endurance Runners.

The aim of this study was to determine the possible correlations between essential and toxic trace elements of plasma with several anthropometric and body composition parameters and performance in endurance runners. Sixty-five high-level middle and long-distance runners (21 ± 3 years; 1.77 ± 0.05 m; 64.97 ± 7.36 kg; VO2 max. 67.55 ± 4.11 mL/min/kg) participated in the present study. Abdominal, subscapular, iliac crest, triceps, front thigh and medial calf skinfold thicknesses and an incremental test until exhaustion were recorded. Body, fat, muscle and bone mass were estimated. Plasma trace elements were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Correlations and simple linear regression were used to assess the relationship between trace elements and several variables. Different skinfolds, fat mass, muscle mass and bone mass correlated positively and negatively with trace elements such as copper, manganese, selenium, vanadium, zinc, lithium, rubidium, strontium, arsenic, beryllium and lead. Lithium was related with performance. In conclusion, endurance training causes changes in the body concentrations of several trace elements that trigger modifications in body composition that may be interesting, if confirmed in the future, for the control of metabolic diseases such as obesity.

Effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Trace Elements in the Brain.

Comorbidities of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) include HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Changes in the brain due to HIV include atrophy, hyperintensities, and diffusion changes. However, no research has focused on trace elements concentration changes in the brain due to HIV, as seen in other neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the concentration of several trace elements in the brains of individuals with and without HIV infection. Prior to formalin embalming, blood was drawn and tested in triplicate with Determine HIV-1/2 rapid tests and confirmed with a SD HIV Device 1/2 3.0 rapid HIV Kit. After embalming, tissue was sampled from the caudate nucleus and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine statistically significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.05). Fifteen HIV-positive and 14 HIV-negative male cadavers were included (mean age 44, range 22 to 61). Cadmium was marginally decreased, possibly due to malnutrition or utilization by the HIV nucleocapsid. Nickel was marginally increased, perhaps due to a reduced capability to remove metals from the body. In conclusion, this article provides the first information on trace element levels in the brains from HIV-infected individuals and postulates that cadmium and nickel may play a role in the pathophysiology of HAND. This information can contribute to finding a treatment for HAND, other than the use of antiretroviral drugs. Future studies should asses the levels of cadmium and nickel in a larger cohort of HIV-infected individuals.

Pyrite trace-element and sulfur isotope geochemistry of paleo-mesoproterozoic McArthur Basin: Proxy for oxidative weathering

Abstract Redox-sensitive trace elements and sulfur isotope compositions obtained via in situ analyses of sedimentary pyrites from marine black shales are used to track atmosphere-ocean redox conditions between ∼1730 and ∼1360 Ma in the McArthur Basin, northern Australia. Three black shale formations within the basin (Wollogorang Formation 1730 ± 3 Ma, Barney Creek Formation 1640 ± 3 Ma, and Upper Velkerri Formation 1361 ± 21 Ma) display systematic stratigraphic variations in pyrite trace-element compositions obtained using LA-ICP-MS. The concentrations of several trace elements and their ratios, such as Se, Zn, Se/Co, Ni/Co, Zn/Co, Mo/Co, Se/Bi, Zn/Bi, Ni/Bi, increase from the stratigraphically lower Wollogorang Formation to the Upper Velkerri Formation. Cobalt, Bi, Mo, Cu, and Tl show a consistent decrease in abundance while Ni, As, and Pb show no obvious trends. We interpret these trace element trends as a response to the gradual increase of oxygen in the atmosphere-ocean system from ∼1730 to 1360 Ma. Elements more mobile during erosion under rising atmospheric oxygen show an increase up stratigraphy (e.g., Zn, Se), whereas elements that are less mobile show a decrease (e.g., Co, Bi). We also propose the increase of elemental ratios (Se/Co, Ni/Co, Zn/Co, Mo/Co, Ni/Bi, and Zn/Bi) up stratigraphy are strong indicators of atmospheric oxygenation. Sulfur isotopic compositions of marine pyrite (δ34Spyrite) from these formations, obtained using SHRIMP-SI, are highly variable, with the Wollogorang Formation exhibiting less variation (δ34S = –29.4 to +9.5‰; mean –5.03‰) in comparison to the Barney Creek (δ34S = –13.8 to +41.8‰; mean +19.88‰) and Velkerri Formations (δ34S = –14.2 to +52.8‰; mean +26.9‰). We propose that the shift in mean δ34S to heavier values up-section corresponds to increasing deep water oxygenation from ∼1730 to 1360 Ma. Incursion of oxygenated waters possibly caused a decrease in the areal extent of anoxic areas, at the same time, creating a possibly efficient reducing system. A stronger reducing system caused the δ34S of the sedimentary pyrites to become progressively heavier. Interestingly, heavy δ34S in pyrites overlaps with the increase in the concentration of certain trace elements (and their ratios) in sedimentary pyrites (Se, Zn, Se/Co, Ni/Co, Zn/Co, Mo/Co, Ni/Bi, and Zn/Bi). This study concludes that there was a gradual increase of atmospheric oxygen accompanied by ocean oxygenation through the first ∼400 million years of the Boring Billion (1800–1400 Ma) in the McArthur Basin.

Elemental and B-O-H isotopic compositions of tourmaline and associated minerals in biotite-muscovite granite of Mashhad, NE Iran: Constraints on tourmaline genesis and element partitioning

Abundant tourmaline occurs in Late Triassic biotite-muscovite granites of Mashhad (NE Iran), with several distinct morphologies including tourmaline nodules in granite, pegmatitic tourmalines, aplitic tourmalines, and vein-related tourmalines (quartz-tourmaline vein, tourmaline-rich vein and radial tourmalines). Pegmatitic and aplitic tourmalines are compositionally Fe-rich schorl and the nodule, radial and vein tourmalines are Mg-rich schorl. The tourmalines have generally low abundances for most trace elements except for Sr, Ga, Li, Be, Sn, Pb and some transition elements. Tourmalines have low REE abundances and are enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE (mostly below detection limits) with positive Eu anomalies. The concentration of several trace elements (e.g., Pb, Be, Sn, Ga, Sr, Pb, and REE) correlates well with the major element composition of the tourmalines (e.g. Mg# (Mg/Mg + Fe), vacancy/)X-site vacancy + Na(and Na/)Na + Ca(). Trace element data of coexisting minerals with tourmaline indicate that the oligoclase and albite show the most preference in Sr, Pb and Eu and LREEs, biotite readily incorporates Rb, Ba, Zn, Li, Cs and Nb; K-feldspar has high contents of Rb, Ba, Sr and Pb; and garnet incorporates HREEs and Y during magma differentiation. The B-O-H isotopic compositions for all tourmalines are consistent with an S-type granite source, that was derived from partial melting of the continental crust. The pegmatitic and aplitic tourmalines with Fe-rich schorl composition indicate magmatic conditions and the radial, vein, and nodule tourmalines with Mg-rich schorl composition formed during the transition from magmatic to hydrothermal conditions due to the internal evolution of the granitic magma.

Trace element concentrations in breast cancer patients

Alterations in the circulating levels of trace elements have been observed in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, the relationships between these alterations and the metabolic and clinical consequences of BC are unknown. The treatment-of-choice of BC is surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT). The present study was aimed at investigating: 1) the concentrations of several trace elements in BC patients, and their relationships with the intrinsic molecular subtypes of tumors; 2) the toxicological effect of RT. We studied 49 women with BC who were scheduled to receive RT following excision of the tumor. Plasma samples were obtained before and after the irradiation procedure. The control group was composed of 49 healthy women. Patients had significantly lower pre-RT concentrations of B, Cu, and Zn, and significantly higher concentrations of Sr than the control group. Irradiation was associated with a striking increase in plasma B concentrations, while Cu, Fe, Sr and Zn concentrations were not significantly different from pre-RT levels, albeit Sr and Zn showed non-significant trends towards increases. The plasma concentrations of B, Cu, Fe, Sr, and Zn were associated with the tumor expression of hormone receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor 2, Ki67 antigen, as well as dermatitis and asthenia, all of which represent the main toxicological responses to RT.

Erratum to: An assessment study in the determination of chemical elements in sediments and fish in the Zarka River and King Talal Dam, Jordan

Concentrations of several trace elements were detected in the sediments at King Talal Dam and at different locations along the Zarka River, Jordan. Chemical elements were also detected in the edible part of common fish types existing at the dam. Elemental concentrations were determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The results showed that the concentration of chemical elements in the sediments decreases as one moves away from the Khirbet Al Samra waste water treatment plant. The results also revealed that most of the elements had higher concentrations in Tilapia fish compared to the Catfish.

Trace element and vitamin concentrations in paediatric dialysis patients.

There are few recent data regarding blood micronutrient concentrations and supplementation in children on maintenance dialysis. We investigated micronutrient concentrations following dialysis commencement. Retrospective review, including all children on maintenance dialysis (peritoneal dialysis, PD; intermittent haemodialysis, IHD), for nutritional blood concentrations measured over the first 12months. Patients received pyridoxine and Dialyvit® daily with planned 3-monthly micronutrient concentration monitoring including selenium, manganese, copper, zinc, folate and vitamins A, D, B12 and E. We reviewed 47 children (24 girls) including 19 PD and 28 IHD, median age (IQR) 11.4 (2.8,14.4) years. 33 were white, 5 Asian, 5 black and 4 of other ethnic origins. Vitamin A, B12 and E concentrations were within range in 6%, 20% and 13% respectively, with all others above normal range. Serum folate and vitamin D concentrations were within the desired range of 55%, with the rest above or below target. For trace elements, 37%, 60%, 65% and 89% achieved normal ranges for zinc, manganese, copper and selenium respectively. Deficiencies were seen for zinc (43%), copper (28%), folate (6%) and selenium (4%), whereas 7%, 7%, 20% and 40% had copper, selenium, zinc and manganese levels above normal ranges. Despite standard pyridoxine supplementation, only 6 children were monitored during the study period. Concentrations of several trace elements and vitamins were outside reference ranges. Response to systematic monitoring and targeted supplementation should be evaluated in future studies. Paediatric dialysis centres should consider undertaking routine nutritional bloods monitoring, particularly for vitamin D, zinc and copper.

Concentrations of trace elements and iron in the Arctic soils of Belyi Island (the Kara Sea, Russia): patterns of variation across landscapes.

The concentrations of several trace elements and iron were determined in 26 soil samples from Belyi Island in the Kara Sea (West Siberian sector of Russian Arctic). The major types of soils predominating in the soil cover were sampled. The concentrations of trace elements (mgkg-1) varied within the following ranges: 119-561 for Mn, 9.5-126 for Zn, 0.082-2.5 for Cd, <0.5-19.2 for Cu, <0.5-132 for Pb, 0.011-0.081 for Hg, <0.5-10.3 for Co, and 7.6-108 for Cr; the concentration of Fe varied from 3943 to 37,899mgkg-1. The impact of particular soil properties (pH, carbon and nitrogen contents, particle-size distribution) on metal concentrations was analyzed by the methods of correlation, cluster, and factor analyses. The correlation analysis showed that metal concentrations are negatively correlated with the sand content and positively correlated with the contents of silt and clay fractions. The cluster analysis allowed separation of the soils into three clusters. Cluster I included the soils with the high organic matter content formed under conditions of poor drainage; cluster II, the low-humus sandy soils of the divides and slopes; and cluster III, saline soils of coastal marshes. It was concluded that the geomorphic position largely controls the soil properties. The obtained data were compared with data on metal concentrations in other regions of the Russian Arctic. In general, the concentrations of trace elements in the studied soils were within the ranges typical of the background Arctic territories. However, some soils of Belyi Island contained elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd.

Association of Serum Concentration of Different Trace Elements with Biomarkers of Systemic Oxidant Status in Dairy Cattle.

There has been some recent criticism about the reliability of the assays commonly used to measure oxidant status in cattle, because some recent publications suggested that the concentration of different trace elements influences the results of these assays. The aim of this study was to test the correlation in 502 bovine serum samples between the concentration of several trace elements (Br, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, V and Zn) and markers of oxidant status (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC)). The Oxidative Stress index (OSi) was also calculated as ROS/SAC. Some significant correlations were found, although weak (|ρ|<0.50). Therefore, the relationships observed might be attributed to the different pro- and antioxidant effect of the different elements rather than to the assays detecting these elements instead of the oxidised molecules or total antioxidant potential, respectively. The OSi was poorly correlated (|ρ|≤0.36) with the concentration of the studied trace elements, and therefore, its use is recommended to assess shifts in the systemic redox balance.

Determination of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Normal and Pathological Human Endometrial Biopsies and In Vitro Regulation of Gene Expression by Metals in the Ishikawa and Hec-1b Endometrial Cell Line.

It is well known that several metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and vanadium, can mimic the effects of estrogens (metallo-estrogens). Nevertheless, there are only a few studies that have assessed the effects of toxic metals on the female genital tract and, in particular, endometrial tissue. In this context, we measured the concentrations of several trace elements in human endometrial tissue samples from individuals with hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma and in normal tissues. Hyperplasic endometrial tissue has a 4-fold higher concentration of mercury than normal tissue. Mercury can affect both the AhR and ROS signaling pathways. Thus, we investigated the possible toxic effects of mercury by in vitro studies. We found that mercury increases oxidative stress (increased HO1 and NQO1 mRNA levels) and alters the cytoskeleton in the human endometrial Ishikawa cell line and to a lesser extent, in the “less-differentiated” human endometrial Hec-1b cells. The results might help to explain a potential link between this metal and the occurrence of endometrial hyperplasia.

Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique for determining multi-element composition of transformed hairy root cultures of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: an important medicinal herb

Therapeutically important inorganic elements in Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetically transformed hairy root cultures (HRCs) of a pharmaceutically significant herb Boerhaavia diffusa were quantified using proton induced X-ray emission technique. This was compared with that of roots from the naturally grown donor plant. Two macro-elements (Ca & K) and eight different trace elements namely V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu Zn, and Ni were detected and their content was determined. In HRCs of a transformed rhizoclone, calcium and potassium had values which were significantly higher than that of in vivo roots. The concentrations of several trace elements, which are known to have a positive implication in human healthcare, were found to be either comparable (Fe) to that in the natural root samples or higher (Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Co) in the transformed rhizoclone. The genetically transformed HRCs can thus serve as a fast-proliferating renewable resource of medicinally useful minerals targeting specific diseases.

STATUS OF SERUM MAGNESIUM, ZINC &amp; COPPER IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TYPE -2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Alterations in serum concentrations of several trace elements including copper, zinc, manganese, and the macroelement magnesium have been reported to occur in type-2 diabetes mellitus. This study is done to evaluate copper, zinc and magnesium status in diabetic and nondiabetic human subjects. In this comparative analysis, the serum concentration of copper, zinc and magnesium was estimated in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without complication and 40 healthy non-diabetic subjects.  The data was analyzed by students’t’ test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test.Mean serum concentration of copper was significantly elevated in diabetic patients compared to control subjects.  Serum zinc levels were significantly low (p &lt; 0.001) in diabetic subjects compared to controls . There were no significant differences in serum magnesium between groups. Fasting plasma glucose level has significant positive correlation with serum level of copper (r = 0.567; p &lt; 0.001), while zinc has negative correlation (r = -0.311; p &lt; 0.047), but there is no significant correlation of plasma glucose level with serum magnesium level. Diabetic patients have significantly lower mean serum zinc levels and significantly higher serum copper concentration compared with healthy controls respectively. Along with antidiabetic therapy, supplementation of zinc and magnesium and chelation of copper can redu

Leaching of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Trace Elements After Stem-Only and Whole-Tree Clear-cut on Boreal Peatland

The aim of this work was to study the short-term effect of clear-cut harvest on concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), B, Al, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb in drainage water from northern peatland catchments in Finland underlain by granitic or black shale bedrock, the latter having higher concentrations of several trace elements, such as Ni and Zn. Stem-only harvest (SOH) or whole-tree harvest (WTH) with stump removal were carried out at coniferous sites. Controls were left unharvested. DOC and trace element concentrations were monitored during one pre-treatment and two post-treatment years. There was no constant increase in the element concentrations. However, there were signs that both SOH and WTH clear-cut harvest on northern peatland catchments increases the concentrations of DOC, B, Al, Zn and Ni in ditchwater in some sites irrespective of the bedrock type. The greatest increases were observed in WTH sites but the study does not allow us to assess the statistical significance of the magnitude of the difference between SOH and WTH. We conclude that the element concentrations in ditchwater depend largely on site characteristics masking the possible effect of harvest.

Trace element systematics of tourmaline in pegmatitic and hydrothermal systems from the Variscan Schwarzwald (Germany): The importance of major element composition, sector zoning, and fluid or melt composition

An extensive data set on the compositional variation of tourmaline from granitic pegmatites, from migmatitic gneisses and from various types of hydrothermal veins from the Schwarzwald, Germany, is provided. The investigated tourmalines are members of the alkali and X-vacant groups representing mostly dravite–schorl solid solutions with some analyses belonging to the foitite–Mg–foitite series. Oxygen isotope data on quartz–tourmaline pairs indicate formation temperatures between 550 and 350°C for most of the quartz–tourmaline veins.Most of the tourmalines show strong sector zonation, fractionating certain major (e.g., Na, Mg), minor (e.g., Ti, Ca) and trace elements (e.g., Sr, Pb, REE) among the different crystallographic sectors of the crystals. We conclude that comparison of tourmaline compositions for petrogenetic interpretations must be based on the concentrations in the neutral a sector in order to eliminate the effects of intra-crystalline fractionation.Most trace element contents vary over several orders of magnitude with median concentrations generally between 0.1 and 10μg/g. The highest concentrations are found for Zn, V, Sr, Sc, Sn and Li (median concentrations of several tens to hundreds of μg/g) whereas very low median concentrations (<0.1μg/g) were found for U, Th, Bi, Tl and Cs. The concentration of several trace elements (e.g., Sr, REE, Co) correlates with the major element composition of the tourmaline, which implies potential crystal chemical effects on their incorporation. Consequently, the general assumption that tourmaline is a passive monitor for the chemical compositions of the melts or fluids from which it crystallizes has to be questioned. Nevertheless, our study demonstrates that the trace element composition of tourmaline allows to distinguish between geochemically distinct fluid sources, and the trace element composition of tourmaline may therefore be used to unravel the chemical complexity of granite-related hydrothermal systems.