Elements In Hair Samples Research Articles

Elemental status and psychological predisposition of the Russian population to deviant behavior

BACKGROUND: One of the most crucial environmental factors is the geochemical structure and chemical composition of the soils and waters in a given area, as they directly influence the elemental status of the population residing there. However, there is currently a lack of data regarding the associations between the elemental status of Russian residents and the severity of indicators related to deviant behavior.
 AIM: To study the potential influence of chemical environmental factors on the development of deviant behavior in men and women residing in the Russian Federation.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 1815 students who were permanent residents of the 14 regions of Russia. The elemental status was determined by concentrations of 25 chemical elements in hair samples. A set of standard indicators of psychological status was employed to assess the risk of developing deviant behavior in the study participants. Associations between hair concentrations of the elements and psychological status were studied by correlation analysis.
 RESULTS: Reactive aggressiveness was negatively associated with the concentration of potassium (p=0.016), sodium (p=0.05) and beryllium (p=0.044) in men, while it was positively associated with the concentration of zinc (p=0.005) in women. Depression and the level of suicidal ideation were associated with lithium deficiency (p=0.018 and p=0.022) in men and with selenium deficiency in women (p=0.004 and p=0.001). The risk of alcoholism was inversely associated with the content of zinc (p=0.001), lithium (p=0.026), selenium (p=0.027) and calcium (p=0.049) in men while in women the significant associations were found for boron (p=0.02) and phosphorus (p=0.044). Drug consumption was positively associated with hair concentrations of silicon (p 0.001), nickel (p=0.002), magnesium (p=0.005), lead (p=0.007), selenium (p=0.011) and tin (p=0.012) in men and with aluminum (p=0.005), selenium (p=0.021) and iron (p=0.05) in women.
 CONCLUSION: Our study provide the evidence on the associations between chemical elements some prerequisites for the development of deviant behavior in Russia.

Evaluation of elements in hair samples of children with developmental language disorder (DLD)

ABSTRACT Background Recent studies have highlighted a role for trace elements and toxic metals across neurodevelopmental disorders, including developmental stuttering, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, these environmental influences have yet to be explored in relation to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Methods Elemental hair composition of seven elements; zinc (64Zn), magnesium (26Mg), iron (57Fe), potassium (39K), aluminum (27Al), lead (208Pb), and barium (138Ba) were analyzed in hair samples from 35 children affected by DLD and 35 controls with typical language development (TLD) using both inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) and inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP–MS). Results The concentration of 64Zn was significantly lower in the hair of DLD group compared to the TLD control group. All other elements showed similar levels between cases and controls. This pilot study demonstrates the utility of trace elements and toxic metals screening in relation to language disorders and the use of hair samples in such investigations. Conclusion The finding that zinc levels differed between cases and controls could represent a clinically relevant result and should be replicated in larger sample size across time. A wider battery of related elements will help to better understand the role of trace elements and toxic metals in DLD.

Trace element status in old people of European and Asian parts of the North of russia

To determine age-relatedpeculiarities of trace element system in oldpeople, residing in different natural and geographical regions, the content of 25 trace elements in hair samples of women from Arkhangelsk (average age is 87,0±0,98 years) and Magadan (average age is 80,1±1,25 years) was determined by spectrometric methods. In both groups there was established element misbalance characterized by lower concentration of such essential elements as Ca, Mg, Co, Cu and higher concentration of Na. The excess of K and Zn is more expressed in hair of female residents of Arkhangelsk in comparison with the city of Magadan there was revealed significantly more higher content of aluminum, boron, silicon, in the city of Magadan there are significantly higher concentrations of selenium and tin. According to the frequency of occurrence the excess of elements in the body of residents of the city of Arkhangelsk is comparable to that of residents of the city of Magadan, but has its own features. In Arkhangelsk there is more pronounced the excess ofpotassium, there was found high content of zinc, whereas in the city of Magadan there was revealed an excess of manganese and arsenic. Square of the figure, reflecting the deficiency of elements in female residents of the city of Magadan is more than in the city of Arkhangelsk, which is manifested by larger deficiency of chromium, zinc, iron. Identified regional differences in the content of macro- and microelements are related to biogeochemical and ecological features of the regions, which can determine the specifics of the aging diseases and time of their occurrence.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ МОЛОДНЯКА КРУПНОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА ПРИ СКАРМЛИВАНИИ ПРИРОДНОЙ МИНЕРАЛЬНОЙ ДОБАВКИ

The article presents the results of two production inspections on young cattle with an initial live weight of 73.8 kg in the summer period. and in the winter period, 71.9 kg, by feeding the two most effective doses of a natural mineral additive as part of the feed mixture. In the summer, the young cattle in the diet received30.25 mJ exchange energy and407.2g digestible protein, in winter, respectively, 30.67mJ and225.0g digestible protein. The average daily gain in the experimental group in the summer, which in the feed mixture was fed 20 g per day, the head of the natural mineral additive was 4.6% more, and in the winter period, where 30 g was added to the diet. mineral supplement was 2.59% more compared to control animals. The recoupment of additional expenses per one ruble in the summer period was 21.3 and in the winter period 8.28 rubles. The content of chemical elements in hair samples of withers, back and tail, it turned out that the content of cadmium in the summer period in all hair samples in young cattle was lower in the experimental groups who received the natural mineral supplement.

Determination of traces of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn and Pb in human hair by triple quadrupole ICP-MS

ABSTRACTWith the wide range of metallic contaminants discharged in the environment, studying the human health requires a growing number of elements to be monitored in biological samples. Hair analysis has been suggested as a suitable tool for biomonitoring environmental and occupational exposure to toxic elements. This study describes a method for the determination of 10 trace elements in hair samples using ICP-QQQ-MS. Combining the power of the MS/MS high-energy Helium mode with the MS/MS O2 mass-shift mode, the method offers great analytical performances with detection limits reaching 0.0014 µg g−1 for As, 0.0016 µg g−1 for Cd, 0.012 µg g−1 for Cr, 0.0035 µg g−1 for Hg, 0.0055 µg g−1 for Mn, 0.10 µg g−1 for Ni, 0.0012 µg g−1 for Sb, 0.0083 µg g−1 for Sn, 0.011 µg g−1 for Se and Pb. The accuracy of the method was tested on a human hair ERM® certified reference material. Percent recoveries varied from 91.3% and 106.9% being always in the acceptance range of 90–110%. For all analysed elements, RSD% of repeatability ranged between 0.6% and 9.0% and those of intermediate precision did not exceed the limit of 20% being always lower than 10% (except for As). The proposed method was applied for the determination of trace elements in hair samples from 20 unexposed subjects. The geometric mean levels were as follows: Cr 0.28 µg g−1, Mn 0.30 µg g−1, Sn 1.04µg g−1, Sb 0.07 µg g−1, Hg 0.42 µg g−1, As 0.02 µg g−1, Cd 0.03 µg g−1, Ni 0.51 µg g−1, Se 0.45 µg g−1 and Pb 1.83 µg g−1. Element concentrations were in the same range with the reported data. The reported results may be useful for environmental exposure assessment or comparisons studies when establishing reference values of trace elements in exposed population.

Reference levels of trace elements in hair samples from children and adolescents in Madrid, Spain

IntroductionHair samples are used as a tool to evaluate environmental exposure to contaminants and metabolic status in the individual. However, the use of human hair is controversial, mainly because of the lack of well-defined reference levels. In the case of Spain, very few biomonitoring studies have investigated these issues in infants, children or adolescents. ObjectiveTo establish reference levels for trace elements in children and teenagers in Madrid, Spain. Material and methodsInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure Al, As, Ag, Ba, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Tl and Zn levels in hair samples from 648 healthy children and adolescents (253 boys and 395 girls) between April 2008 and December 2009. ResultsMedian levels were as follows: Al 18.5μg/g, As 0.07μg/g, Ag 196ng/g, Ba 0.5μg/g, Bi 0.01μg/g, Cd 18.3ng/g, Cr 0.4μg/g, Co 14.5ng/g, Cu 25.7μg/g, Fe 15.5μg/g, Mn 328ng/g, Mo 0.04μg/g, Ni 0.5μg/g, Pb 0.70μg/g, Se 0.5μg/g, Sr 1.29μg/g, Tl 0.28ng/g and Zn 121μg/g. Discussion and conclusionThe values of trace elements here described could be considered as possible reference ranges for hair samples from children and adolescents aged 0–18 years living in the Madrid region (central Spain). These values could also be selected as a preliminary screening tool to assess exposure sources and to generate information needed to develop prevention strategies and likewise could be a complement to other diagnostic procedures.

REGIONAL PECULIARITIES OF TRACE ELEMENTS' CONTENT IN OLD FEMALES IN MAGADAN

To examine the content of 25 macro- and trace elements in hair samples of females at elderly and old age, the methods of atom emission and mass-spectrometry with inductively bonded argon plasma were used. Elements' content in both examined groups did not show statistically important differences (p > 0.05), except Si, which content was 2.5 times lower in the group of the old women. Ca, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, P, Si, Zn content was lower, while Al, As, B, Cd, Pb, Sn content was higher than in the elderly women. Both groups were characterized by a high deficit of many essential elements. It has been found that the median lines of Co and Se concentration were below the lowest limit of reference values in all the examined subjects. Due to the analysis of data on the elements content in the surveyed people's hair, it is possible to assess imbalance of mineral metabolism in females of both age groups constant residents of the Russian Northeast region in order to carry out prenosological diagnostics, primary prophylaxis and correction of the revealed disorders both on the individual and micropopulation levels.

The Correlation Between Smoking Status of Family Members and Concentrations of Toxic Trace Elements in the Hair of Children

Hair analysis is a promising tool for routine clinical screening and diagnosis of heavy metal exposure and essential trace element status in the human body. Systemic intoxications have been identified by anomalously high values of toxins in hair samples. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between smoking habit of the family members and the levels of toxic and nontoxic trace elements in hair samples of children. The randomized cross-sectional controlled study comprised of 95 children (41 girls and 54 boys) between the ages of 1 and 6 years. After written informed consent was obtained, a face-to-face interview was conducted with the families about educational background, total income of the family, and smoking habits of family members. The mineral elements considered in this study were Zn, Se, B, V, Co, Mo, Mn, iron (Fe), Be, aluminum (Al), As, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), Hg, chromium (Cr), Ag, Be, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), Sn, and antimony (Sb). Hair mineral contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Sb, Fe, and Al in hair samples of children whose parents smoked were significantly higher than those whose parents were nonsmokers. The number of smokers and the frequency of smoking at home were positively correlated with Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Sb levels found. At the same time, it was found that there was no correlation between toxic element concentrations and family income or educational background excluding the levels of Cd. A correlation was observed between the smoking status of family members and levels of toxic trace elements in hair where this correlation was more significant with the levels of Pb and Cd. High socioeconomic status and the level of education of family members did not have any effect on toxic trace levels in hair samples of children.

Elemental Contents in Hair of Children from Two Regions in Dar Es Salaam

The work presented in this paper is part of the study which aims at determining the levels of elements in hair of children in Tanzania as a bioindicator of their nutrition and health. In this paper, the levels of trace elements in hair from children living in Dar es Salaam have been analysed. The analysis was carried out by long and short irradiation INAA at the reactor centre of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Rez Czech Republic. 22 samples were collected from children living at Kiwalani about 12 km from Dar es Salaam city and 16 samples from children living at Mlimani, the main campus of University of Dar es Salaam. A total of 34 elements were found in the hair of the children. There were no big differences between the concentration levels of the essential elements in hair samples collected from the children which might indicate the same food consumption habits.

Comparative estimation of the neurotropicity of trace elements in the organism of children living in industrial towns of Ukraine

In 10- to 16-year-old children, inhabitants of industrial towns of Ukraine, an X-ray fluorescence analysis of the content of some chemical elements in hair samples allowed us to find a deficiency of Zn and Cu against the background of excesses of Ca, Cr, Ni, Mo, and Cd. Comparison of the parameters of EEG frequency components and levels of Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Sr, Pb, and Cd showed that there are significant correlations between the normalized values of spectral powers of many frequency components of the ongoing EEG recorded in different functional states (eyes closed/open, solving an arithmetic task, and phono-/photostimulation) and concentrations of ten of the above-mentioned trace elements. Comparative estimation of the neurotropicity of the elements showed the following sequence of numbers of significant correlations (shown in parentheses) from the total set of possible comparisons: Cd (35) > Ni (31) > Cr (19) > Sr (17) > Pb (16) > > Ca (10) > Cu (7) > Mo (3) > Zn (2) > Fe (1). The intensity of correlations (values of the correlation coefficients) varied from 0.26 to 0.42 at 0.05 < P < 0.001; more frequently, such correlations were observed under conditions of EEG recording with the eyes closed (39) and upon solving an arithmetic task (33).

A fast ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure for trace elements determination in hair samples by ICP-MS for forensic analysis

An ultrasound-assisted extraction method is proposed for the determination of trace elements in hair samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for forensic investigation. Prior to analysis, 25 mg of hair samples were accurately weighed into (15 mL) conical tubes. Then, 2 mL of 20% HNO 3 is added to the samples, sonicated at 2 min (50 W, 100% amplitude), and then further diluted to 10 mL with Milli-Q water. Resulted diluted slurries are centrifuged and the analytes are directly determined in the supernatant. Calibrations against aqueous solutions were carried out with rhodium as internal standard. The method was successfully applied for the extraction of Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Tl, U, V and Zn with a method detection limit (3 s, n = 20) of 0.1, 0.4, 0.2, 0.09, 0.08, 0.04, 0.1, 2.9, 1.0, 0.9, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1 and 4.2 ng/g, respectively. Method accuracy is traceable to Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) 85 and 86 human hair from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additional validation data are provided based on the analysis of hair samples from the trace elements intercomparison program operated by the Institut National de Sante’ Publique du Quebec, Canada. The proposed method is very simple and can be applied for forensic purposes with the elimination of sample digestion step prior to analysis. Then, a considerable improvement in the sample throughput is archived with the use of the proposed method.

Monitoring heavy metal contents in food and hair in a sample of young Spanish subjects

For most people the main route of exposure to the toxic elements is through the diet. Consequently, information concerning dietary intake is of the utmost importance in being able to assess risks to human health. The goal of this study was to intend to assess the usefulness of hair as a biomonitor of the mineral status in young adults. Daily intakes of selected toxic and essential mineral elements were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. In addition, the levels of these same elements in hair samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The contents of the essential elements in the study population were all well above Spanish recommendations for adult males and females. The estimated intakes of toxic elements were appreciably below the respective PTWIs, indicating that these intake levels do not pose a health concern for this group. Significant differences in hair metal levels were observed between the men and the women, who were in the same age group. Interestingly, no correlation was found between trace element intakes and the corresponding levels in the hair. In conclusion, hair is only limited usefulness as a means of estimating the nutritional status of the essential and toxic elements considered.

A fast method for the determination of 16 elements in hair samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with tetramethylammonium hydroxide solubilization at room temperature

This paper describes a simple and fast method for the determination of Se, Pb, Cd, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, Pt, U, Tl, As, Mg, Cr, Be, Ag and Ni in hair by using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). Prior to analysis, 50–100 mg of hair samples were accurately weighed into (15 mL) conical tubes. Then, 1 mL of 25% m/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution was added to the samples, incubated at room temperature overnigh and then further diluted to 10 mL with 1% v/v HNO3. After that, samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS (ELAN DRC II). Rhodium was used as internal standard. Calibration was performed with standards containing 1.0 mg mL−1 of L-cysteine. The method detection limits were 4.0; 0.8; 0.06; 0.8; 0.02; 3.5; 2.3; 0.005; 0.03; 0.02; 0.4; 0.03; 0.09; 0.07; 0.09; 2.0 ng g−1 for Se, Pb, Cd, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, Pt, U, Tl, As, Mg, Cr, Be, Ag and Ni, respectively. Method accuracy is traceable to Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) 85 and 86 human hair from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additional validation data are provided based on the analysis of hair samples from the trace elements intercomparison program operated by the Institut National de Sante Publique du Quebec, Canada. With the proposed method at least 500 hair samples can be solubilized and analyzed in 3–4 days.

Intervalos de referência para elementos menores e traço em cabelo humano para a população da cidade do Rio de Janeiro &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;-&lt;/FONT&gt; Brasil

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used for the determination of twenty minor and trace elements in hair samples from an urban population group (N = 1775), aiming at the establishment of reliable hair reference intervals. Statistical evaluation of the data with respect to age, sex and anatomic region was performed by multivariant analysis and according to recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC). The results show that mainly age and anatomic region (scalp or pubis) influence significantly the concentration of several elements. Comparison of the here calculated reference intervals with those previously published and used by clinical laboratories for this population showed larger discrepancies and the need for an urgent revision of these data.

Determination of trace elements in human head hair by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure concentrations of elements in hair samples from a group of patients of a medical clinic and from a control group. Elements Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se, V and Zn were analyzed and comparisons were made between the results obtained for these two groups of individuals. Normal ranges for elemental hair by commercial laboratories are also presented, for comparison, with those results obtained for the control group of individuals living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Precision and accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing NIES No. 5 Human Hair and SHINR GBW09101 Human Hair reference materials.

Regional Variation in As, Cu, Hg, and Se and Interaction between Them

A comparative survey of trace elements in hair samples from three different regions of the world was carried out. The concentrations of the same trace elements in tissues from infants and adults from Glasgow are also presented. It was found that the Se levels in hair samples from Iceland are significantly lower than the levels found for the Glasgow area. The level of Hg was in the same range as that for the Glasgow area and the As level is much lower in Iceland. Comparison of the levels of Hg, As, and Se in hair samples from Iran and Glasgow revealed significantly lower levels of these trace elements in samples from Iran, but the Cu levels were similar. Comparison of adult and infant levels of Se and Cu revealed fetal storage of Cu in the livers of infants. Arsenic levels were higher in adult tissues. In the study of the interaction among trace elements in human tissues, a positive correlation between Hg and Cu in liver samples from the Glasgow area and hair samples from Iran was found. A positive correlation between Se and As was also found in spleen and lung tissues.

An INAA study of trace elements in hair samples from two children on different sampling dates

A study of trace elements in hair samples from two children of different sex on different sampling dates has been carried out using INAA. Using several combinations of irradiation, cooling and counting times, about thirty elements were quantitatively determined. Some conclusions could be drawn from the data obtained.

Comparison of particle and photon excited X-ray characteristic spectra applied to elemental analysis of hair samples

Two different modes of sample excitation have been used for elemental analysis of hair: PIXE (2.5 MeV protons) and XRF (Mo anode). The same samples were exposed to X-ray and proton beams. Difficulties in the interpretation of data in both methods arise from: energy loss or absorption of the incident beam, X-ray self-absorption, difficulties in the determination of sample mass, and lack of knowledge of the distributions of elements in hair samples. The influence of these effects in trace element analysis is discussed. An absorption model for XRF was developed.

Determination of trace elements in hair samples from normal and protein-deficient children by activation analysis

Radioactivation analysis has been used by several workers to determine trace elements in hair. The present work describes investigations on samples of hair from normal and protein-deficient children in Indonesia. The motivation of the work was based on the following reasoning. Hair is a protein which acts as a slow mode of excretion for inorganic elements absorbed from the diet. If the diet is deficient in protein, the excretory pattern may change; for example the hair of protein-deficient children may change colour. It was hoped that some of the changes in metal content might be useful in diagnosing incipient protein deficiency.

Determination of short-lived radionuclides in neutron-activated human head-hair samples

The Al, Na, Mn, Cl and Mg contents of human head-hair samples were determined by irradiating the samples in a thermal reactor and measuring their γ-activity by scintillation techniques. The concentration variations of these elements in hair samples originating from the same and different persons were studied.