High Levels Of Manganese Research Articles

Monitoring and assessment of treated river, rain, gully pot and grey waters for irrigation of Capsicum annuum.

This study examines the benefits and risks associated with various types of wastewater recycled for vegetable garden irrigation and proposes the best water source in terms of its water quality impact on crop yields. The aim was to evaluate the usability of river, rain, gully pot, real grey and artificial grey waters to water crops. The objectives were to evaluate variables and boundary conditions influencing the growth of chillies (De Cayenne; Capsicum annuum (Linnaeus) Longum Group 'De Cayenne') both in the laboratory and in the greenhouse. A few irrigated chilli plants suffered from excess of some nutrients, which led to a relatively poor harvest. High levels of trace minerals and heavy metals were detected in river water, gully pot effluent and greywater. However, no significant differences in plant yields were observed, if compared with standards and other yields worldwide. The highest yields were associated with river water both in the laboratory and in the greenhouse. Plant productivity was unaffected by water quality due to the high manganese, potassium, cadmium and copper levels of the greywater. These results indicate the potential of river water and gully pot effluent as viable alternatives to potable water for irrigation in agriculture.

BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF HYPERANDROGENISM IN CONDITIONS OF INCREASED EXPOSURE OF MANGANESE AND NICKEL

The etiology of polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS) may be associated with high levels of exposure manganese and nickel. These trace elements can change the metabolism of androgensObjectives. Determination of biochemical markers of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS in conditions with elevated levels of manganese and nickel.Methods. 43 women with PCOS were examined. The control group consisted of 27 healthy women of reproductive age. In serum, using chemiluminescent immunoassay method were determined the total (TT) and free (TF) testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HOP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and calculated Free Androgen Index (FAI).Results. In 16.27% of women with PCOS hyperandrogenism was not observed. Detected increased levels of TT (36.59%), TF (30%), DHEA-S (36.59%) 17 - HOP (56.41%), DHT (62.5%), FAI (3.85 %). There was only one increase of androgen 17-HOP (15,38%), TT (7.32%), DHT (6.25%) and DHEA-S (2.44%).Conclusions. Elevated levels of manganese and nickel cause accumulation of metabolites of testosterone in the body. Diagnostics of biochemical hyperandrogenism should be based on determination 17-HOP, TT and perhaps DHT.

Chemical composition and nutritional properties of Terminalia catappa L. oil and kernels from Benin

This work focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of kernels and oil of Terminalia catappa L. from Benin. The detailed physico-chemical properties are given including the nutritional composition and fatty acid profile, but also the phenolic content, phytochemical screening and antioxidant capacity which were determined for the first time. The kernel (100 g) contained 5.5 g of moisture, a high level of lipids (64.7–140.4 of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)), proteins (36.0% RDI), sugars (6.0% RDI), and tannins (0.6%). The defatted kernels (100 g) contained high levels of manganese (184.8–236.1% RDI), magnesium (173.6–235.2% RDI), iron (89.7–201.9% RDI), zinc (87.9–120.9% RDI) and calcium (41.5% RDI), and contributed for 98.6% of RDI proteins. The kernel oil showed a high level of unsaturated fatty acids including oleic (27.1%) and linoleic acids (26.6%) and saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid (40.0%) as well as several phytosterols and triterpenes. These kernels and their unsaturated oil are of interesting nutritional value but could also be used as a biofuel or lubricant. The presence of phenolic and terpenic derivatives may also explain at least in part their use in traditional medicine. La caractérisation physico-chimique de l’huile et des amandes de fruits de Terminalia catappa du Bénin a été réalisée. Les propriétés physico-chimiques ont été analysées, notamment la composition nutritionnelle et le profil en acides gras, mais aussi la teneur en polyphénols, le criblage phytochimique et l’activité antioxydante, qui ont été déterminées pour la première fois. Les analyses réalisées montrent que 100 g d'amandes contiennent 5,5 g d'humidité, un taux élevé de lipides (contribuant pour 63,7 à 140,4% de la dose journalière recommandée (DJR)), de protéines (36,0% de DJR), de sucres (6,0% DJR) et de tanins (0,6%). L’amande délipidée contient des taux élevés de manganese (184,8–236,1% DJR), de magnésium (173,6-235,2% DJR), de fer (89,7-201,8% DJR), zinc (87.9–120.9% DJR) et calcium (41.5% DJR), et contribue pour 98,8% de la DJR en protéines. L’huile est riche en acides gras insaturés, tels que l'acide oléique (27,1%) et l'acide linoléique (26,6%), et en un acide gras saturé, l'acide palmitique (40,0%), et contient aussi des phytostérols et triterpènes. Ces amandes et cette huile de type insaturé ont une valeur nutritionnelle intéressante et peuvent aussi être utilisées comme biocarburants ou lubrifiants pour moteurs. La présence de composés phénoliques et terpéniques peut aussi expliquer, au moins en partie, leur usage en médecine traditionnelle.

Comment on ‘A photoelectron spectroscopy study of lava stones’ by D. A. Cristaldi, C. G. Fortuna and A. Gulino, Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 3458

Exposure to high levels of manganese can cause a form of parkinsonism known as manganism. A higher concentration of MnOOH species on the surface of lapilli from Mount Etna likely results in a high concentration of Mn in groundwater from Etna wells. A possible increased local risk of manganism has been hypothesized. Photograph © Salvatore Giammanco.

English

The large demand for drinking water in the Baya watershed (6324 km2), located in East of Côte d’Ivoire is supplied from groundwater sources. This study investigated the specifics hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality in the Baya’s watershed by using statistical methods with graphical and self-organizing maps (SOM) neural network methods. It was carried out to identify the hydrogeochemical processes related to groundwater quality, conduct a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer systems and delineate the various factors controlling the water chemistry and general suitability for drinking purposes. To reach these goals, groundwater was sampled from 150 locations. Results indicated that the groundwater sampled is generally acid due to the acid character of the enclosing rocks (SiO2 > 60), with an average pH of 6.54 ± 0.33 and an average electrical conductivity of 420.15 ± 248.15 μS/cm. they are moderately mineralized to the gaze of World Heath Organization (WHO) guidelines, with calc-magnesium hydrogen carbonate facies (84%) and calc-magnesium sulphate chlorinated facies. Major ions at the origin of mineralization of groundwater are produced by rock weathering, hydrolysis of silicate minerals. The NO3-, Cl- and SO42- ions are derived from a human pollution due to human activities. Water boreholes located along the major rivers and the watershed outlet are highly mineralized but also proned to anthropogenic pollution. As for the locations of the north and southeast of the Baya’s watershed, there are high levels of iron and manganese, which explains the reddish appearance of these waters. Key words: Hydrogeochemistry, mineralization, fractured Aquifer, self-organizing map (SOM), watershed of Baya.

Development and Applicability of an Internet-Based Diet and Lifestyle Questionnaire for College Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diet contributes to the increasing incidence of chronic diseases. Thus, fast, accurate, and convenient dietary assessment tools are in demand. We designed an internet-based diet and lifestyle questionnaire for Chinese (IDQC). The objective of this study was to validate its applicability and assess the dietary habits of Chinese college students.Six hundred forty-four college students from northern China were recruited and asked to complete the IDQC for the last 4 months (135 food items) and 3-day diet records (3DDRs). Food and nutrient intakes recorded in the IDQC were validated against those in the 3DDRs using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs t test, correlation analysis, and cross-classification. The Student t and χ2 tests were used in the dietary assessment.There were significantly positive correlations in the dietary intakes of 9 food groups and 23 nutrients between the IDQC and 3DDRs. All participants consumed low levels of fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy, and certain micronutrients (ie, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, selenium, and iodine), and high levels of iron and manganese. Male students consumed higher intakes of the food groups and nutrients than female students.The IDQC represents an accurate and convenient dietary assessment tool that can be used in large populations. Inadequate and excessive nutrition co-existed in college students, and more fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy, and various vitamins and minerals were needed in this population's daily diet. The IDQC is free of access at www.yyjy365.org/diet.

Developmental exposure to manganese induces lasting motor and cognitive impairment in rats

Exposure to high manganese (Mn) levels may damage the basal ganglia, leading to a syndrome analogous to Parkinson's disease, with motor and cognitive impairments. The molecular mechanisms underlying Mn neurotoxicity, particularly during development, still deserve further investigation. Herein, we addressed whether early-life Mn exposure affects motor coordination and cognitive function in adulthood and potential underlying mechanisms. Male Wistar rats were exposed intraperitoneally to saline (control) or MnCl2 (5, 10 or 20mg/kg/day) from post-natal day (PND) 8–12. Behavioral tests were performed on PND 60–65 and biochemical analysis in the striatum and hippocampus were performed on PND14 or PND70. Rats exposed to Mn (10 and 20mg/kg) performed significantly worse on the rotarod test than controls indicating motor coordination and balance impairments. The object and social recognition tasks were used to evaluate short-term memory. Rats exposed to the highest Mn dose failed to recognize a familiar object when replaced by a novel object as well as to recognize a familiar juvenile rat after a short period of time. However, Mn did not alter olfactory discrimination ability. In addition, Mn-treated rats displayed decreased levels of non-protein thiols (e.g. glutathione) and increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the striatum. Moreover, Mn significantly increased hippocampal glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. These findings demonstrate that acute low-level exposure to Mn during a critical neurodevelopmental period causes cognitive and motor dysfunctions that last into adulthood, that are accompanied by alterations in antioxidant defense system in both the hippocampus and striatum.

Higher Grades and Repeated Recurrence of Hepatic Encephalopathy May Be Related to High Serum Manganese Levels.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious complication of liver failure. Until now, the precise pathophysiologic mechanisms are not fully determined. It has been demonstrated that manganese plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, we studied manganese levels in serum of cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy in relation to grading and recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy. One hundred persons were enrolled in the study, 80 cirrhotic patients with or without encephalopathy and 20 healthy controls. Hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed clinically and by laboratory findings. Serum manganese levels were measured in all participants. The grading of hepatic encephalopathy was significantly correlated to the severity of liver dysfunction. The mean serum manganese level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls and in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy than in those without encephalopathy. It was also significantly higher in patients with advanced grading of hepatic encephalopathy. Serum manganese level was positively correlated to number of recurrences of encephalopathy during a 6-month follow-up period. Serum manganese levels were able to predict recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy within 6months following the episode. Serum manganese levels are positively correlated to the modified Child-Pugh score of cirrhosis as well as grading and number of recurrences of hepatic encephalopathy. Higher manganese levels seem to be related to worsening of the condition, and its measurement may be used as a predictor of repeated recurrences.

Urinary heavy metals, phthalates and polyaromatic hydrocarbons independent of health events are associated with adult depression: USA NHANES, 2011-2012.

Links between environmental chemicals and human health have emerged, but the effects on mental health such as depression were less studied. Therefore, it was aimed to study the relationships between different sets of urinary environmental chemical concentrations and adult depression in a national and population-based setting in recent years. Data was retrieved from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2011-2012 including demographics, serum measurements, lifestyle factors, self-reported health conditions and urinary chemical concentrations. Depression was determined by using the Patient Health Questionnaire with a cutoff point at 9/10. Chi-square test, t test and survey-weighted logistic regression modeling were performed. Among 5560 American adults aged 20-80 years, 363 (7.8%) people were classified as having depression (Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥ 10). They tended to have history of health events. After full adjustment including urinary creatinine; demographic characteristics; lifestyle factors; health conditions (such as cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, digestive and bone diseases, and injury); and subsample weighing; and higher levels of manganese, tin, and phthalates including mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl, mono-n-butyl, mono-isobutyl, and mono-benzyl were associated with adult depression. Similarly, urinary polyaromatic hydrocarbons including 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-naphthol), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-naphthol) and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene were associated with depression. There were no associations observed in urinary arsenic, phenols, parabens, pesticides, perchlorate, nitrate, thiocyanate and polyfluorinated compounds. Urinary heavy metal, phthalates and polyaromatic hydrocarbons were associated with adult depression, being independent of health events. Further elimination of such harmful chemicals might need to be considered in future mental health and environmental policies.

Part I: the influence of serial repitching ofSaccharomyces pastorianuson the uptake dynamics of metal ions and fermentable carbohydrates during the fermentation of barley and gluten-free buckwheat and quinoa wort

Recently, research has been focusing on the use of alternative raw materials for brewing purposes and gluten-free beer-like beverages from malted buckwheat and quinoa are of commercial interest. A common commercial process involves the serial repitching of the yeast biomass, but this has not been described using buckwheat and quinoa wort fermentations. Our research studies (Parts I–III) explored the serial repitching of the yeast strain Saccharomyces pastorianus TUM 34/70 on the composition of a barley, buckwheat and quinoa fermentation medium. The present paper focuses on the fermentation performance and the uptake dynamics of metal ions and fermentable carbohydrates. Both pseudocereals showed high variations in all of the attributes examined during successive fermentations. In buckwheat the differences between successive fermentations were similar to those observed with barley, whereas differences in quinoa varied quite significantly from those observed with barley and showed a directional trend, suggesting a general weakening of the yeast from the sixth successive fermentation onward. In particular, the assimilation of the fermentable carbohydrates lessened and metal ion uptake appeared poorly controlled. It was concluded that buckwheat showed good potential for serial repitching of S. pastorianus TUM 34/70, whereas serial repitching of a quinoa wort appeared to be limited to five or six fermentations. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

PTH-212 High serum manganese levels in patients receiving long term total parenteral nutrition

Introduction In patients receiving long term total parenteral nutrition (TPN), high manganese (Mn) levels have been associated with nervous system disorders including parkinsonism. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in these patients demonstrates high intensity signals in the globus pallidus which regresses on discontinuation of the Mn supplementation. NICE guideline (CG32) recommends checking Mn levels in patients on long term TPN every 3–6 months. The aim of the study was to assess serum Mn levels in patients on long term TPN and to establish if withdrawing Mn supplementation results in normalisation of serum Mn levels. Method Serum Mn levels were measured in all patients receiving long term TPN in the North East of England and Cumbria during the study period from Nov 2013 to Jan 2015. Of those with a high serum Mn, supplementation was withdrawn and the levels were rechecked within 12 months of withdrawal. Results In the North East of England and Cumbria, 77 patients were receiving long term TPN during the study period. Of these, 48 were female and 29 were male. The age range of patients was from 19 to 84 years. The indication for TPN included; 23 ischaemia, 21 inflammatory bowel disease, 10 intra-abdominal malignancy, 9 post-surgical complication, 5 enteric dysmotility, 4 radiation enteritis, 3 visceral myopathy, 1 connective tissue disorder and 1 congenital abdominal defect. Of the 77 patients, 46 had high serum Mn levels at initial measurement (mean 288nmol/l; range 90–1620). Serum Mn levels were rechecked in these patients within 12 months of Mn withdrawal. When rechecked, 26 patients had normal serum Mn levels and 11 patients had a reduced Mn levels but above normal limits. 9 patients did not undergo a repeat Mn level due to either acute illness, discontinuation of TPN or death. No patients reported any neurological symptoms to suggest toxicity. Conclusion The study demonstrated that high levels of Mn are found in 60% of all patients receiving long term TPN. Withdrawing Mn supplementation in these patients results in a normalisation of Mn levels in 57% and a reduction in Mn level in 20% within 12 months. Although no patients in the study showed signs of Mn toxicity, studies have shown a potential risk resulting in neurological disorders. This study highlights the importance of checking Mn levels in keeping with NICE guidance every 3–6 months and adjusting Mn supplementation for those with high levels to avoid potential toxicity. Mn is supplemented in combination with other trace elements some of which may not be replaced individually including molybdenum, iodine and chromium. Further studies are required to determine the clinical significance of withdrawing these trace elements. Disclosure of interest None Declared.

Maternal Blood Manganese and Early Neurodevelopment: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) Study.

BackgroundManganese is an essential trace element and common component of water, soil, and air. Prenatal manganese exposure may affect fetal and infantile neurodevelopment, but reports on in utero manganese exposure and infant neurodevelopment are rare.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate a relationship between maternal blood manganese level and neurodevelopment of infants at 6 months of age.MethodsData were obtained from the Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) birth cohort study. The study population included 232 pairs of pregnant women and their infants at 6 months of age. Maternal blood manganese was measured at term, just before delivery. Mental and psychomotor development in infancy was assessed at 6 months of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The relationship between maternal blood manganese level and the mental and psychomotor development indexes (MDI and PDI) was estimated for manganese modeled as a linear and as a categorical variable and using penalized splines for nonlinear modeling.ResultsMean ± SD maternal blood manganese concentration was 22.5 ± 6.5 μg/L. After adjustment for potential confounders, blood manganese was used as a continuous variable in a linear and nonlinear model. Associations between maternal blood manganese and MDI and PDI scores followed an inverted U-shape dose–response curve after adjustment for potential confounders, with lower scores associated with both low and high blood concentrations [MDI: likelihood-ratio test (LRT) p = 0.075, PDI: LRT p = 0.038]. Associations of both outcomes with increasing blood manganese shifted from positive to negative at concentrations of 24–28 μg/L in this cohort of term, normal birth weight children.ConclusionAlthough no cut-off point has been established to define manganese toxicity, both high and low blood manganese levels may be associated with neurobehavioral function in infants.CitationChung SE, Cheong HK, Ha EH, Kim BN, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Park H, Oh SY. 2015. Maternal blood manganese and early neurodevelopment: the Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Environ Health Perspect 123:717–722; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307865

Profiling microbial communities in manganese remediation systems treating coal mine drainage.

Water discharging from abandoned coal mines can contain extremely high manganese levels. Removing this metal is an ongoing challenge. Passive Mn(II) removal beds (MRBs) contain microorganisms that oxidize soluble Mn(II) to insoluble Mn(III/IV) minerals, but system performance is unpredictable. Using amplicon pyrosequencing, we profiled the bacterial, fungal, algal, and archaeal communities in four MRBs, performing at different levels, in Pennsylvania to determine whether they differed among MRBs and from surrounding soil and to establish the relative abundance of known Mn(II) oxidizers. Archaea were not detected; PCRs with archaeal primers returned only nontarget bacterial sequences. Fungal taxonomic profiles differed starkly between sites that remove the majority of influent Mn and those that do not, with the former being dominated by Ascomycota (mostly Dothideomycetes) and the latter by Basidiomycota (almost entirely Agaricomycetes). Taxonomic profiles for the other groups did not differ significantly between MRBs, but operational taxonomic unit-based analyses showed significant clustering by MRB with all three groups (P < 0.05). Soil samples clustered separately from MRBs in all groups except fungi, whose soil samples clustered loosely with their respective MRB. Known Mn(II) oxidizers accounted for a minor proportion of bacterial sequences (up to 0.20%) but a greater proportion of fungal sequences (up to 14.78%). MRB communities are more diverse than previously thought, and more organisms may be capable of Mn(II) oxidation than are currently known.

Methcathinone "Kitchen Chemistry" and Permanent Neurological Damage.

Methcathinone abuse is a significant cause of parkinsonism among young patients in the Eastern European countries. The drug is synthesized from over-the-counter cold remedies containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. The final mixture contains a high concentration of manganese if potassium permanganate is used as the oxidant agent. Though manganese is an essential trace element and its homeostasis is well maintained, exposure to a high level of manganese is neurotoxic. The use of manganese-contaminated methcathinone may cause permanent neurological damage and severe disability. Drug users develop a distinctive extrapyramidal syndrome that resembles classic manganese intoxication. Methcathinone could have additive neurotoxic effect to the progression of parkinsonism. The most prevalent symptoms are symmetrical bradykinesia, dystonias, and early postural, gait, and speech impairment. After cessation of exposure, the syndrome is generally irreversible and can even progress.

Bacteriostatic suppression in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) exposed to manganese or hypoxia under pressure of ocean acidification

Future ocean acidification (OA) and warming following climate change elicit pervasive stressors to the inhabitants of the sea. Previous experimental exposure to OA for 16 weeks at pH levels predicted for 2100 has shown to result in serious immune suppression of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus. The lobsters are currently affected by stressors such as periodical hypoxia inducing high levels of bioavailable manganese (Mn). Here, we aimed to investigate possible effects of interactions between OA and these stressors on total hemocyte counts (THCs) and on recovery of inoculated bacteria in the lobsters, measured as a proxy for bacteriostatic response. The effects were judged by following numbers of culturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus in hepatopancreas, 4 and 24h post inoculation in lobsters kept in replicate tanks with six different treatments: either ambient (pCO2∼500μatm/pH∼8.1U) or CO2-manipulated seawater (OA; pCO2∼1550μatm/pH∼7.6U) for 8 weeks. During the last 2 weeks, additional stress of either hypoxia (∼23% oxygen saturation) or Mn (∼9mgL−1) was added except in control treatments. Our results showed clear effect on bacteriostatic response in Norway lobsters exposed to these stressors. In lobsters kept in ambient seawater without additional stressors, the number of culturable bacteria in hepatopancreas was reduced by ∼34%. In combined treatment of ambient seawater and hypoxia, the reduction was ∼23%, while in the Mn-exposed animals, there was no reduction at all. This was also the case in all OA treatments where mean numbers of culturable V. parahaemolyticus tended to increase. In lobsters from ambient seawater with or without hypoxia, the THC was not significantly different as was also the case in OA without additional stressors. However, in OA treatments combined with either hypoxia or Mn, THC was reduced by ∼35%. While the reduction of culturable V. parahaemolyticus in lobsters was clearly affected by these stressors, we found no notable effects on growth, survival or hemolytic properties of the bacteria itself. Thus, we conclude that this predicted stress scenario is beneficial for the pathogen in its interaction with the host. As OA proceeds, it may force the health of the ecologically and economically important N. norvegicus to a tipping point if exposed to more short-term stressors such as the periodical events of hypoxia and Mn. This could impact lobster condition and biomass and may as well increase the risk for bacterial transmission to consumers.

Manganese Oxide Biominerals from Freshwater Environments in Quadrilatero Ferrifero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Biogeochemical Mn cycling in aquatic environments is driven mostly by microbes, and includes reductive dissolution in anaerobic sediments as well as oxidation in aerobic regions. Oxidation is followed by precipitation, which occurs mainly on the extracellular structures of microorganisms. In this work, we studied the minerals precipitated on extracellular structures of native microorganisms from freshwater environments in Quadrilatero Ferrifero (Iron Quadrangle), Minas Gerais, Brazil, known to contain high levels of manganese. Light microscopy of biofilms and floating material showed diverse biomineralized structures. The most conspicuous were identified as the holdfasts of algae from the genus Ulothrix. Diatom frustules associated to manganese oxide precipitates were relatively common. In addition, both filaments and holdfasts produced by bacteria of the genus Leptothrix were found, as well as structures similar to those described as Siderocapsa and Metallogenium. Some previously unknown structures were also observed. Transmission electron microscopy of most of these structures showed the ‘crumpled tissue-paper’ morphology common in biomineralised manganese oxides. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) showed that manganese and oxygen were the main components, along with minor amounts of Al, P, S, K, Ca and/or Ba. Our results bring new perspectives to the study of biomineralized manganese oxide structures from the environment. Moreover, they add information about the background of present-day microbial structures needed to better interpret fossilized microbial biominerals.

Pilosocereus arrabidae (Byles & Rowley) of the Grumari sandbank, RJ, Brazil: Physical, chemical characterizations and antioxidant activities correlated to detection of flavonoids

The fruits of Pilosocereus arrabidae (Cactaceae) is found in the Grumari shoal, located in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil and, several studies have already highlighted the importance of consuming its fruits. This work aims to investigate the physical, mineral and physicochemical properties of its fruits as well as to establish the knowledge about their chemical constituents and antioxidant properties. The peel (Pe) and pulp (Pu) extracts were obtained by maceration with the following solvents: hexane (HX), dichloromethane (DCL), ethyl acetate (EAC) and ethanol 70% (ET). The extracts were analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and, by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC–DAD and HPLC–MS) for its chemical investigation. For the antioxidant activity investigations the ORAC, DPPH and ferrous ion chelating capacity (FICC) tests were performed. As results, we found higher yields for peels (72%) compared to pulps (28%). By the physical–chemical analyses we point out the fruits as a good source of fiber (pulp: 6.01mg/100g; peel: 8.02mg/100g). The minerals were analyzed by the method of issuing flames and indicated high levels of selenium (DRI for pulp and peel: 147%) and manganese (DRI pulp: 97.69% and DRI peel: 269.56%). The total flavonoid contents of the fruits performed by HPLC–DAD presented 0.45μg equiv. in quercetin/mL of peel EAC extract and 0.25μg equiv. in rutin/mL of pulp EAC extract. The antioxidant activities by the ORAC, FICC and DPPH methods indicated that the ET extracts showed antioxidant activities above the standards adopted for the tests. Among these, we highlight the ET extract of the pulp with EC50 of 17.57±0.27μg/mL, lower than Ginkgo biloba EGB761® (23.40±0.04mg/mL). By the FICC test the EAC extract of the peel and pulp showed 70.0% and 53.4% activity, respectively, at 500mg/mL, higher than the standard quercetin (50.0%). By the HPLC–DAD and HPLC–MS methods there were detected, for the first time on this species, the presence of the following flavonoids on the EAC extracts: quercetin, rutin, catechin, dihydrokaempferol, quercetin 3 or 4′-O-glucoside, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. By the GC–MS analysis there were detected on the DCL extracts saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) and, on the HX extracts, methylated sugars (peel) and menthol (pulp). To sum up, the fruits of P. arrabidae display antioxidant potential correlated to flavonoid presence, and, high levels of selenium, manganese and fibers, characteristics that can promote beneficial effects on human health.

The Discolouration of Human Teeth from Archaeological Contexts: Elemental Analysis of a Black Tooth from a Roman Cranium Recovered from the River Witham, Lincoln, UK

A human cranium was recovered from the River Witham, Lincoln, UK, at Stamp End Lock during a police operation in 2002. Although extensive trauma was noted, the skull was not of forensic interest since radiocarbon dating revealed that the individual had lived during the Roman occupation of Lincoln, almost 2,000 years ago. The skull had unusual black “metallic” staining on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth. As this kind of staining is relatively uncommon, it was investigated to determine the possible cause. An individual tooth was subjected to two elemental analyses: inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). A small sample (n=21) of modern teeth was also analysed for comparison to determine “normal” ranges of certain elements. Analysis of the ancient tooth shows very high levels of manganese (275 µg/g) and iron (1540 µg/g) compared to modern teeth values (1.90 µg/g Mn and 40.81 µg/g Fe). These results were consistent with the black staining arising from iron and manganese infiltrating bone and dental tissue from the depositional environment, and not a consequence of diet, pathological process or cultural practices.

BDNF and Huntingtin protein modifications by manganese: implications for striatal medium spiny neuron pathology in manganese neurotoxicity.

High levels of manganese (Mn) exposure decrease striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) dendritic length and spine density, but the mechanism(s) are not known. The Huntingtin (HTT) gene has been functionally linked to cortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) support of striatal MSNs via phosphorylation at serine 421. In Huntington's disease, pathogenic CAG repeat expansions of HTT decrease synthesis and disrupt transport of cortical-striatal BDNF, which may contribute to disease, and Mn is a putative environmental modifier of Huntington's disease pathology. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that changes in MSN dendritic morphology Mn due to exposure are associated with decreased BDNF levels and alterations in Htt protein. We report that BDNF levels are decreased in the striatum of Mn-exposed non-human primates and in the cerebral cortex and striatum of mice exposed to Mn. Furthermore, proBDNF and mature BDNF concentrations in primary cortical and hippocampal neuron cultures were decreased by exposure to Mn confirming the in vivo findings. Mn exposure decreased serine 421 phosphorylation of Htt in cortical and hippocampal neurons and increased total Htt levels. These data strongly support the hypothesis that Mn-exposure-related MSN pathology is associated with decreased BDNF trophic support via alterations in Htt.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and on micronutrient and macronutrient uptake and allocation in olive plantlets growing under high total Mn levels.

The reported work was designed to increase knowledge about the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the phytoavailability and allocation of some of the principal macroelements and microelements in young potted olive plants growing in a soil presenting high levels of manganese (Mn), taken from an experimental olive field. A greenhouse trial was performed using self-rooted cuttings of Ascolana tenera, Nocellara del Belice and Carolea cultivars inoculated or not with two mycorrhizal inocula (commercial vs native). Molecular characterization of the indigenous AMF indicated that the species found in the experimental soil were different from those present in the commercial inoculum. The important incidence of AMF on P uptake was confirmed with generally double the concentration in mycorrhizal olive plants as compared to non-mycorrhizal controls, irrespective of genotype and inocula. Furthermore, apart from promoting plant growth (from 1.7- to 5-fold), the symbiosis reduced Mn concentrations from 43 to 83%. The observed differences depended on the cultivar and the inoculum, with native AMF being more effective probably as a result of their adaptation to the experimental soil. No clear direct relationship was found between AMF inoculation and other elements analysed.