Levels Of Essential Elements Research Articles

ANALYSIS OF WHOLE BLOOD AND PLACENTA—A CASE STUDY OF MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES

In a previous report optimisation of ED-XRF and TXRF for whole blood analysis has been reported. In the present work the optimised technique has been applied to investigate possible influence on pregnancy outcome due to an environment characterised by high levels of pollutants. Two groups of maternal and neonate whole blood were analysed with TXRF and GFAAS. The material of the first group was taken from Zabrze (Upper Silesia, Poland), an industrial region with a high degree of pollution. The second group consisted of controls from the Goteborg region in Sweden, where the levels of toxic pollutants in the environment are not as high as those in Zabrze. The results show that as compared with the controls the levels of essential elements like Zn and Se were lower in the Zabrze infants while the levels of toxic elements like Cd and Pb were higher in this group.

Cadmium-affected level of inorganic phosphate in rye leaves influences Rubisco subunits

Heavy metals, like Cd, decrease intracellular levels of essential mineral nutrient elements. Here we show the effects of the interaction between Cd and inorganic phosphate and its effects on some aspects of the photosynthetic competence of first rye leaves. The decrease in the level of small and large Rubisco subunits in the leaves of Cd-treated seedlings is discussed both in terms of the recovering effect of an additional Pi supply to the leaves, as well as of direct and indirect mechanisms of Cd-toxicity towards photosynthesis.

Daily intake of heavy metals by infants through milk and milk products

Concentrations of the essential elements Zn and Cu and potentially toxic elements Pb and Cd in different milk samples and baby food materials were measured, primarily to assess whether the intakes comply with recommended desired levels for essential and permissible levels for toxic elements. The geometric mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in different types of milk were found to vary from 1.70 to 3.35, 0.07 to 0.10, 43.2 to 195 and 1772 to 4230 μg/l, while the same in different baby foods had values from 39.5 to 77.7, 0.45 to 17.7, 1106.3 to 3157.3 and 9367 to 34 592 μg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Cd was found to be very low (0.1 μg/l) and fairly constant in all types of milk. The lead content in cow milk was observed to be the lowest even in comparison with breast milk. Concentrations of all these metals are approximately one order of magnitude higher in baby food products than those observed in different types of milk owing to higher fat content. The infant baby food Amul Spray contains low concentrations of toxic (Pb and Cd) and high concentrations of essential (Cu and Zn) elements. The daily intakes of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn by infants through milk and baby foods marketed in Mumbai city have also been estimated. The daily intakes of Pb (1.1 μg/kg) and Cd (0.01 μg/kg) for infants through baby foods are well below the recommended tolerable levels of 3.57 μg/kg and 0.8–1.0 μg/kg, respectively. Similarly the daily intake levels of essential elements are also significantly lower than the recommended desirable levels of 3–5 mg and 0.5–1.0 mg for Zn and Cu, respectively. Milk from an Indian mother also does not provide adequate levels of essential elements to the infants and children.

Specimen banking of marine organisms in the United States: Current status and long-term prospective

A major part of the activities conducted over the last decade by the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) has involved the archival of marine specimens collected by ongoing environmental monitoring programs. These archived specimens include bivalves, marine sediments, and fish tissues collected by the National Status and Trends and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Damage Assessment programs, and marine mammal tissues collected by the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project. In addition to supporting these programs, the specimens have been used to investigate circumpolar patterns of chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations, genetic separation of marine animal stocks, baseline levels of essential and nonessential elements in marine mammals, and the potential risk to human consumers in the Arctic from anthropogenic contaminants found in local subsistence foods. The NBSB specimens represent a resource that has the potential for addressing future issues of marine environmental quality and ecosystem changes through retrospective analysis; however, an ecosystem-based food web approach would maximize this potential. The current status of the NBSB activities related to the banking of marine organisms is presented and discussed, the long-term prospective of these activities is presented, and the importance of an ecosystem-based food web monitoring approach to the value of specimen banking is discussed.

Effects of aluminium on the mineral metabolism of rats in relation to age.

The present study was conducted to assess in rats the effects of chronic aluminium (Al) exposure on calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) accumulation and urinary excretion in relation to the age of the animals. Male young (21 day old), adult (8 months), and old (16 months) rats were orally exposed to 0, 50, or 100 mg Al/kg/day for a period of 6.5 months. Urinary levels of essential elements were determined after 3 and 6.5 months of exposure, whereas tissue Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe concentrations were examined after 6.5 months of Al administration. A number of age-related changes in tissue accumulation and urinary excretion of essential elements following chronic exposure to Al were found. Concentrations of essential elements in most tissues of young Al-exposed rats were generally lower than those of adult and old rats. The highest levels of essential elements were found in old animals. Liver, testes and spleen were the tissues that showed the most remarkable increases in relation to the levels found in those tissues of young rats. Adult rats showed a pattern comparable to that of old animals for mineral metabolism in brain, whereas in bone and testes the pattern of accumulation was closer to that of young rats. While the urinary levels of Ca were generally reduced in the Al-exposed groups, no Al-associated changes were noted for Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn. In turn, after 6.5 months of Al administration Fe excretion was increased in Al-treated adult and old rats. The results of this study suggest that early stages of life cycle should be of special concern for Al-induced changes in the metabolism of essential elements.

Rating emotional states in 6-month old infants: A downward extension of the kidies

In a birth cohort living in Chitwan Valley, lowland Nepal, we have previously reported inverse associations between in utero levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and neurodevelopment at birth measured by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, third edition (NBAS III). In the present paper, a follow-up of the same cohort was made on 24-month-old infants regarding the neurodevelopmental effects of these metals, taking the postnatal environment into account. In total, the same100 mother-infant pairs as the previous study, whose Pb, As, and Zn concentrations in cord blood were known, were recruited. Postnatal raising environment was evaluated using the Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. Neurodevelopment of children at 24 months of age (n = 74) was assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID II). Multivariable regression adjusting for covariates was performed to determine the associations of in utero levels of toxic and essential elements and the home environment with neurodevelopment scores. Unlike the NBAS III conducted for newborns, none of the BSID II cluster scores in 24-month-old infants were associated with cord blood levels of Pb, As, and Zn. The total HOME score was positively associated with the mental development scale (MDI) score (coefficient = 0.67, at 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.31). In this cohort, a detrimental effect of in utero Pb and As on neurodevelopmental indicators observed at birth disappeared at 24 months, while an association between neurodevelopment and home environment continued.

Influence of various chelators on level of cadmium and essential elements in mice

Influence of various chelators on level of cadmium and essential elements in mice

Cadmium-induced alterations in essential trace element homoeostasis in the tissues of scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis

Studies were performed regarding the effect of cadmium accumulation on the levels of essential elements (copper, zinc and iron) in the tissues of a marine bivalve mollusc, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, exposed to cadmium at 250 ppb during 2 weeks. It was found that the concentration of cadmium in the tissues increased in the order gonads < gills < hepatopancreas < kidney during exposure time. However, the highest value of concentration factor was recorded in the gills. Our data demonstrate that cadmium accumulation in all mollusc tissues is followed by the alterations in copper, zinc and iron concentration, but that the pattern of these changes varies with each tissue. Cadmium had the most pronounced effects on essential trace element homoeostasis in the kidney. The present study suggests that levels of the essential metals in a particular tissue can be modified depending on the level of cadmium accumulation. The possible mechanisms of the effects of cadmium on the essential trace elements are discussed.

Levels of toxic and essential elements in arctic fox in Svalbard

Concentrations of cadmium, mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron in liver, and cadmium in kidneys, were analysed in 95 carcasses of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) caught in Svalbard during three winter seasons from 1984 through 1986. The hepatic concentration ranges of cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic were 0.1–2.4, 0.01–2.2, < 0.5–2.9 and 0.01–1.3 μg·g−1 WW, respectively. The range of cadmium concentration in the kidneys was from 0.2 to 13 μg·g−1 WW. Cadmium and mercury concentrations were higher in adult animals than in juveniles. The average concentrations of cadmium and lead were similar to recently published levels in polar bear from Svalbard, but the mercury concentrations were lower. Significant geographical differences were observed between trapping areas. Foxes caught north of Isfjorden had lower levels of liver iron and higher levels of all other elements analysed than those caught south of Isfjorden. The recorded concentrations of heavy metals indicate a moderate degree of exposure, which most likely is of natural origin.

Changes in metal-binding peptides due to acclimation to cadmium transferred between ramets of Salvinia minima.

Different ramets of a clonal plant exploiting a patchily metal-contaminated habitat may be exposed to different levels of toxic metals. This study investigated whether the exposure of older ("parent") ramets to Cd affected the levels of metal-binding peptides and essential elements in younger ("daughter") ramets which were not exposed to ambient Cd. Pre-treatment of parent ramets of Salvinia minima with 50 μg Cd·l-1 increased the levels of thiols and phytochelatins (PCs), decreased Mg and increased Cu, Zn and S in daughter ramets growing in a Cd-free medium. Acclimation of parents to lower Cd levels (10 and 25 μg Cd·l-1) increased thiols and decreased cysteine and glutathione in daughters, but did not increase PCs. Parental acclimation to all Cd concentrations tested reduced PC production in daughter ramets during subsequent Cd exposure. Daughter ramets from parents pre-treated with 25 μg Cd·l-1 were more Cd tolerant than controls. Although the tolerant daughters contained 35% more thiols than controls, fractionation of tissue Cd showed no difference between the control and tolerant ramets in the fraction of Cd bound by thiol compounds. Thus, while the acclimation of parent plants to Cd increased levels of metal-binding peptides and thiols in daughter ramets, the relationship between these compounds and the Cd tolerance of daughters is unclear.

Determination of selenium in blood components by X-ray emission spectrometry

Sampling, storing, sample pretreatment, and experimental conditions for selenium (Se) determination in human serum, plasma, and whole blood by X-ray emission spectrometric (XRS) methods are described. Concentration levels in these biological fluids, found by this technique, are discussed and compared to values found by other techniques for the same healthy population group in the same area. XRS analysis of blood from patients with various pathological conditions is reviewed, with special attention to the relation of Se with the concentration level of other essential or nonessential trace elements.

Effect of Freezing on Acid Proteinase Activities of Different Organs of Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger Kanagurta)

The mineral composition of target and non-target pelagic fish caught by purse-seiners and longliners in the western-central Indian Ocean was determined. From the 10 essential elements analysed, selenium and zinc showed the highest concentrations in swordfish and blue marlin while Indian mackerel appeared as a good source of copper, iron and chrome. All catch had levels of lead and cadmium, two toxic elements, below the maximum sanitary limits. Although some concerns were raised regarding mercury concentrations in the largest species (wahoo, swordfish and blue marlin), molar ratios of mercury and selenium indicate that all oceanic pelagic fish from the western-central Indian Ocean are safe for human consumption. This study also gives insights on the relationships between the levels of essential and toxic elements in fish muscle and the size, trophic position and diet sources of the studied pelagic species.

Essential metal contents and metallothionein-like protein in testes of mice after cadmium administration

To study the testicular injury by Cd from the viewpoint of essential element levels, male mice were injected with Cd subcutaneously at a dose of 30 μmol/kg body weight singly and the concentrations of 8 elements (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cd) in the testis were measured for 6 weeks. The most pronounced alteration was an increase of Ca content with time after the injection; the experimental group had 270 times more Ca than the control despite a decrease of the testis weight to one-third of the control at 4 weeks. K content decreased markedly and Fe remained at an elevated level throughout the experimental period. Decreased Mg, P, and Zn levels started to be restored after 2 weeks. Metallothionein (MT)-like Zn-binding proteins were studied in the cytosol fraction with a high performance liquid chromatograph-atomic absorption spectrophotometer. MT-like proteins were observed at a higher concentration in the control than in the Cd-injected group. No indications of new induction of MTs or MT-like proteins could be detected.

Effect of spinal cord transection on plasma and hepatic levels of certain essential elements and vitamins in rats

This study was conducted to determine whether spinal cord transection produces nutritional deficiency states in certain essential elements and water soluble vitamins in the rat. Spinal cords of female rats were severed at the T-9 level and these animals were matched and pair-fed to control animals that had undergone sham surgery. Following periods of 60, 90 and 180 days, animals were sacrificed and their plasma and livers assayed for selenium, manganese, zinc and magnesium and eight water soluble vitamins. The results indicate that spinal cord injury did not cause deficiencees in those nutrients studied. Instead the cord transection produced accumulations in the liver of all the elements and six of the vitamins studied. No explanation for these accumulations is known at this time.

Nutritional Considerations in Designing Animal Models of Metal Toxicity in Man

In recent years, exposure of man to increasing amounts of metals has occurred rather generally from industrial contamination and variably from intake of dietary mineral supplements. Adverse effects of individual metals can be markedly altered by dietary levels of other essential and nonessential inorganic elements, essential organic nutrients and other nonessential dietary components. Experimental diets for establishing baseline responses to excess elements should be formulated to meet the animal's requirements only. These reference diets can then be modified to mimic man's average dietary intake as well as meal patterns. Improved animal models should provide better data for assessing hazards of excess metal intake by man.

Nutritional considerations in designing animal models of metal toxicity in man.

In recent years, exposure of man to increasing amounts of metals has occurred rather generally from industrial contamination and variably from intake of dietary mineral supplements. Adverse effects of individual metals can be markedly altered by dietary levels of other essential and nonessential inorganic elements, essential organic nutrients and other nonessential dietary components. Experimental diets for establishing baseline responses to excess elements should be formulated to meet the animal's requirements only. These reference diets can then be modified to mimic man's average dietary intake as well as meal patterns. Improved animal models should provide better data for assessing hazards of excess metal intake by man.

Protective effects of ascorbic acid against toxicity of heavy metals.

Toxicity of cadmium in the young Japanese quail rapidly produced moderate growth depression, hypogonadism in the male, decreased bone ash, severe anemia, alterations of "indicator" tissue levels of several essential inorganic elements, and marked histological abnormalities of the duodenum, bone marrow, adrenal medulla, and esophageal mucus glands. Cadmium appeared to have direct effects on zinc and iron, particularly iron (III), by decreasing intestinal absorption of these elements. Small amounts of dietary ascorbic acid were protective against many of the adverse effects of cadmium. The young quail proved to be a useful species for these studies. The experience with cadmium may have some facets that would prove useful in further studies of the effects of ascorbic acid on the toxicity of other metals.

Sawdust and Other Soil Substitutes and Amendments in Greenhouse Tomato Production1

Abstract Additions of peat moss, sand, straw or sawdust were ineffective in increasing tomato yields in poorly aggregated greenhouse soils in Coastal British Columbia, but significant yield increases were obtained by growing the plants with nutrient solutions in soilless media. Although sand and a sand-sawdust mixture produced equally high yields, sawdust is commercially more practical due to lower cost and greater ease of handling but it requires more initial care to ensure continuous moisture availability for new transplants. Levels of essential elements required in nutrient solutions are given.

Medical Evaluation of Nutritional Status. Part VIII. The School Lunch as a Method for Improving Diets of High School Students

IT has often been suggested that the school lunch offers an opportunity to make up some of the deficiencies in the home diet of school children and to influence their food habits. The extent to which a high school cafeteria can function with respect to these two objectives is uncertain and no experimental work in this field has come to our attention. The relative frequency and extent of deficiencies of essential nutrients in diets, it is believed, afford a reasonable guide for needed modifications in dietary habits of special groups of the population. In a previous report (i), the prevalence of diets below recommended allowances for specific food elements was presented for a high school group in New York City. This information is utilized in the present report as a basis for suggestions for improving the school lunch as a source of the food values which were most commonly deficient. In New York City, a majority of students in public high schools purchase lunch in the school cafeteria, many others who carry lunch to school purchase some supplementary food, and a small group receive free lunches. Through careful planning of food items offered for sale, and some attention to making the more nutritious items attractive, psychologically and economically, the school cafeteria has an opportunity to influence the consumption level of essential food elements. Diet histories, obtained by interview, were available for 2,037 pupils as part of an investigation on Evaluation of Nutri1This paper is the eighth of a series from a cooperative investigation by the United States Public Health Service, Division of Public Health Methods; the Cornell University College, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Department of Pediatrics; the Milbank Memorial Fund; and the New York City Department of Health. The cooperating agencies have been assisted in carrying out this investigation by the Work Projects Administration for the City of New York, Official Project No. 65-1-97-21, W.P. 24, Medical Evaluation of Nutritional Status.