Zinc Levels Research Articles

Zinc and iron biofortification of crops grown in a vertical farm

With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge(1). Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. In the UK population females and younger adults appear to be particularly vulnerable to micronutrient shortfalls from food sources alone. Levels of micronutrient intakes including zinc and iron are below the recommended daily intake(2). As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs hydroponics using a nutrient solution which offers opportunities to modulate nutrient uptake, and thus influence plant mineral and vitamin composition(3).In this study we aimed to determine the suitability of different crop types for soilless agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron to achieve biofortified crops.In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of 20ppm (+20 mg L−1) of zinc (ZnSO4) or iron (Fe-EDTA) to the nutrient solution on the growth and nutritional components in pea microgreens, kale microgreens and kale baby leaf plants. The growth conditions were kept identical throughout the treatments with photoperiod 18 h d-1, temperature 20-22°C and relative humidity at 70-80%. Plant growth, mineral composition, glucosinolate content and protein content were evaluated. Results were analysed using ANOVA (p<0.05, Tukey’s test).It was determined that higher amounts of zinc in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of zinc in all three crops (p<0.05), with increases of 205% in pea microgreens, 264% in babyleaf kale and 217% in kale microgreens compared to the control plants. Higher amounts of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of iron only in pea microgreens, with an increase of 38% (p<0.05). Neither dosing regimen negatively influenced the overall crop performance.These results suggest that the three different crops are suitable for soilless biofortification with zinc and iron, although pea microgreens were the only crop that had a significant increase in iron upon iron-dosing.

Essential Trace Elements in Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Meta-analysis.

Lipid metabolism is a complex process that includes lipid uptake, transport, synthesis, and degradation. Trace elements are vital in maintaining normal lipid metabolism in the human body. This study explores the relationship between serum trace elements and lipid metabolism. In this study, we reviewed articles on the relationship between alterations in somatic levels of zinc, iron, calcium, copper, chrome, manganese, selenium, and lipid metabolism. In this systematic review and mate-analysis, databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang was searched for articles on the relationship published between January 1, 1900, and July 12, 2022. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration). No significant association was found between serum zinc and dyslipidemia, while other serum trace elements (iron, selenium, copper, chromium, and manganese) were associated with hyperlipidemia. The present study suggested that the human body's zinc, copper, and calcium content may be related to lipid metabolism. However, findings on lipid metabolism and Iron, Manganese have not been conclusive. In addition, the relationship between lipid metabolism disorders and selenium levels still needs to be further studied. Further research is needed on treating lipid metabolism diseases by changing trace elements.

Serum iron, zinc and copper among Indian patients with leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The serum levels of iron, zinc and copper in patients with leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and compare them with normal subjects is of interest to dentists. The effort was to determine a parameter that will aid the initial diagnosis, a more efficient therapy plan, and ultimately a better prognosis. Participants in the study comprised 40 healthy normal volunteers, 60 patients diagnosed with leukoplakia, 60 patients diagnosed with OSCC, and 60 patients diagnosed with OSMF. After fasting for the whole night, blood samples were taken from each participant. There was analysis by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the determination of trace elements; iron, copper, and zinc. The serum levels of iron and zinc in normal subjects was greater as compared to patients with leukoplakia, OSMF and OSCC. There was increase in serum copper levels in patients with oral leukoplakia, OSMF and OSCC as compared with normal subjects.

Impact of Agronomic Zinc Biofortification on Yield Attributes, Yield and Micronutrient Uptake of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Southern Odisha

Cereal crops are low in micronutrients primarily due to Iron and Zinc deficiency in soil. Iron, being the cofactor of various enzymes, performs basic functions in the human body, while its absence causes anaemia. Symptoms of Zn-deficiency appearing in the human body includes retarded growth, hypogonadism, immune dysfunction and cognitive impairment. In rice plants, their deficiency results in stunted growth and poor plant development, leading to yield reduction. Consumption of milled rice containing very low levels of iron and zinc, is one of the principal reasons for widespread malnutrition among rice consumers. Health of millions of people around the world, including India, is directly or indirectly affected due to ‘Hidden Hunger’ or ‘Malnutrition’ of iron and zinc. The current study was conducted in the summer season of 2022 at the Post Graduate Research Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, comprising 8 treatments of zinc (foliar and basal) applications on rice. Influence of these treatments on grain and straw yield of rice was ascertained by measuring Pearson correlation coefficient and different multivariate tests viz., Multiple Regression, Multilayer Perceptron Neural Analysis (MPN) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which indicated that grain zinc and iron content, was highly influenced by the zinc application. Analysis of generated data indicated that basal application of 5 kg Zn ha−1 along with foliar application of 0.25% Zn at maximum tillering and at booting stage produced the highest grain yield (6.80 t ha-1) and superior outcomes on different yield attributes, nutrient uptake and straw yield of hybrid rice as compared to other treatments, (MARVEL 1011) in the soil of Southern Odisha.

Establishment of discrete reference interval and next-generation reference interval for copper and zinc during pregnancy using real-world data

BackgroundCopper and zinc are two trace elements that are essential to maintain normal pregnancy and fetal development. But only few research established specific reference intervals (RIs) for pregnant women. In this study, we aim to establish discrete RIs and next-generation RIs for copper and zinc during pregnancy by real-world data. MethodWe retrospectively collected 710 healthy pregnant women and 300 age-matched non-pregnant women attending the hospital and compared copper and zinc levels among them. Further, we analyzed multiple factors (gestational age, maternal age, and parity) that may affect copper and zinc during pregnancy by multivariate regression. Two types of reference intervals (RIs) of copper and zinc for pregnant women were established: discrete reference intervals (RIs) by non-parametric method and next-generation RIs by Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) model. ResultCopper levels were higher (median: 1st trimester: 1203.00 μg/L, 2nd trimester: 1818.00 μg/L, 3rd trimester: 1795.00 μg/L) than in non-pregnant women (median: 900.00 μg/L, p＜0.001), whereas zinc levels were lower in pregnant women (median: 1st trimester: 836.00 μg/L, 2nd trimester: 639.00 μg/L, 3rd trimester: 618.00 μg/L) than in non-pregnant women (median: 767.00 μg/L, p＜0.001). Additionally, copper and zinc levels varied among trimesters. Moreover, copper and zinc were affected significantly by gestational age but maternal age only had a weak effect on them. Based on the effect of gestational age, we established discrete RIs partitioned by trimesters and next-generation RIs for copper and zinc respectively during pregnancy. ConclusionTaken together, this research elucidated the remarkable effect of gestational age on copper and zinc during pregnancy. The next-generation RIs visualized trends and subtle changes in copper and zinc levels during pregnancy. The discrepancy between discrete RIs and next-generation RIs suggested a more detailed continuous RIs could be considered for pregnant women.

The Association Between Obesity, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Zinc, Depression and COVID-19 Susceptibility: An observational Study

Objective: Unhealthy lifestyle factors have been associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, but data for diet and related lifestyle factors are conflicting. The objective of this study was to identify whether obesity, Mediterranean diet, Zn or depression could be associated to the risk of COVID-19 occurrence. Methods: This observational case-control study was conducted in Türkiye (between December 2020- September 2021) with face-to-face interview. A total of 100 former COVID-19 subjects as case group and 100 healthy control group, aged 20-54 were included in the study. By semi-structured questionnaire; demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements was collected. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and Mediterranean Diet Score. Daily dietary zinc intake was calculated using a 25-item food frequency questionnaire and blood samples for zinc levels was obtained from each participant. The level of depression was evaluated by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results: No differences were found between the anthropometric characteristics of two groups (p.05). Average adherence to the Mediterranean diet were lower in the case groups compared to controls (p

PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF SEEDS OF Phaseolus vulgaris L. AS A FUNCTION OF ZINC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY

The objective of this study was to study the physiological quality of bean treated with levels of zinc during the physiological maturation stage. The work was carried out at Fazenda Ponte da Braúna and at the Seed Analysis Laboratory of the Center for Agricultural Sciences and Engineering at the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Bean seeds of the cultivar Peanut were treated with Zn at concentrations of 0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5 and 10 g kg-1 of seeds and sown in the field. The variables analyzed were seed moisture, 1000-seed weight, length, width and thickness of pods and seeds, germination, germination speed index, shoot length, root length, shoot and root dry matter. The experimental design used was completely randomized, in the factorial 5 x 7 (zinc doses x maturation periods), with four replications of 25 seeds. The seeds of the bean cultivar Amendoim treated with zinc at 10 g kg-1 seeds showed the highest values of pod length, thickness, and width. The seeds of the bean cultivar Amendoim showed the highest germination means and GSI after 35 days from anthesis. The treatment of seeds of the bean cultivar Amendoim with zinc does not influence the seedling characteristics. Seed treatment with zinc does not interfere with the seed maturation time of the bean cultivar Amendoim. The physiological maturation of seeds of the bean cultivar Amendoim occurs after 42 days from anthesis. The seed water content of the bean cultivar Amendoim at the stage of physiological maturation is 19%

Assessment and Mapping of Nutrients in Soils of Babain and Ladwa Blocks of Kurukshetra using GIS

The study was conducted in 2021-22 to evaluate the soil fertility status and create geospatial thematic mapping of available macro and micronutrients using GIS, and their correlation with physico-chemical properties of the soils of the Babain and Ladwa blocks of Kurukshetra, India. A composite of 204 georeferenced soil samples was collected from different villages of both blocks and samples were analysed using standard procedures. The average pH of the soils of Babain and Ladwa had a mean value of 8.10 and 8.18. Among the total soil samples, 92 and 80 samples were found to be saline in Babain and Ladwa, respectively. The nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur content in the soils of the Babain block ranged from 105-280, 6-32, 80-500 and 34-298 kg ha-1, while in the Ladwa block nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur content in the soils ranged from 89-287, 7-27, 65-510 and 45-430 kg ha-1, respectively. The soil samples exhibited varying levels of zinc, iron, and copper, with some falling into the sufficient category and others into the deficient category. However, all samples had sufficient manganese and boron content. The observed deficiency of zinc, iron and copper can be replenished with the application of manures and fertilizers to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.

Emerging Perspectives in Zinc Transporter Research in Prostate Cancer: An Updated Review.

Dysregulation of zinc and zinc transporters families has been associated with the genesis and progression of prostate cancer. The prostate epithelium utilizes two types of zinc transporters, the ZIP (Zrt-, Irt-related Protein) and the ZnTs (Zinc Transporter), to transport zinc from the blood plasma to the gland lumen. ZIP transporters uptake zinc from extracellular space and organelle lumen, while ZnT transporters release zinc outside the cells or to organelle lumen. In prostate cancer, a commonly observed low zinc concentration in prostate tissue has been correlated with downregulations of certain ZIPs (e.g., ZIP1, ZIP2, ZIP3, ZIP14) and upregulations of specific ZnTs (e.g., ZnT1, ZnT9, ZnT10). These alterations may enable cancer cells to adapt to toxic high zinc levels. While zinc supplementation has been suggested as a potential therapy for this type of cancer, studies have yielded inconsistent results because some trials have indicated that zinc supplementation could exacerbate cancer risk. The reason for this discrepancy remains unclear, but given the high molecular and genetic variability present in prostate tumors, it is plausible that some zinc transporters-comprising 14 ZIP and 10 ZnT members-could be dysregulated in others patterns that promote cancer. From this perspective, this review highlights novel dysregulation, such as ZIP-Up/ZnT-Down, observed in prostate cancer cell lines for ZIP4, ZIP8, ZnT2, ZnT4, ZnT5, etc. Additionally, an in silico analysis of an available microarray from mouse models of prostate cancer (Nkx3.1;Pten) predicts similar dysregulation pattern for ZIP4, ZIP8, and ZnT2, which appear in early stages of prostate cancer progression. Furthermore, similar dysregulation patterns are supported by an in silico analysis of RNA-seq data from human cancer tumors available in cBioPortal. We discuss how these dysregulations of zinc transporters could impact zinc supplementation trials, particularly focusing on how the ZIP-Up/ZnT-Down dysregulation through various mechanisms might promote prostate cancer progression.

The Relationship between Levels of Zinc and Copper and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients in Homs

The Relationship between Levels of Zinc and Copper and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients in Homs

Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware

Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.

Estimation of calories intake, iron, zinc, and selenium among children of the underprivileged area in Sindh, Pakistan.

Malnutrition is one of the most serious community health issues in developing countries. This study estimated total energy intake, Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Calcium (Ca), and Phosphate (PO4) levels among school-going children (aged 13-17 years) of the underprivileged area in Sindh, Pakistan. Children from Mithi City, District Tharparkar, were selected for this cross-sectional investigation. Students from various schools from both genders who fulfilled the selection criteria were selected. A questionnaire was filled, and five ml blood samples were taken to analyze blood parameters. Each participant's estimated nutrient intake (ENI) per day was assessed and matched to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) to determine their micro and macronutrient intake. A total of 300 school-going children [150(50%) boys (mean age 15± 0.8 years) and 150(50%) girls (mean age 14±1.3years)] were included in this study. Total calories (1449±949 Kcal vs. 1245±215 Kcal; p < .001), carbohydrates (138±27 gm vs. 126 ±25 gm; p < .001) protein (47±9.1 gm vs. 44±6 gm; p < .001) was significantly higher among boys compared to girls. In contrast, calcium (1094±105 mg vs. 1144±100; 0.004), phosphate 1050±125 vs. 1148±147; p<0.001), iron (9.2±1.7 mg vs. 10±1.3 mg; p<0.001), and Zinc (7.4±1.8 mg vs. 9.9±1.7 mg; p<0.001) intake was significantly higher among girls than boys. Gender-wise comparison of serum metals in school-going children showed that serum iron was significantly lower among girls than boys (100.86±25.65 μg/dl vs. 78.48±28.66 μg/dl; p<0.001), and no difference was found in serum Zn, Se, and Ca levels. Total proteins were also significantly lower among girls than boys (6.48±1.01g/dl vs. 4.87±1.4301g/dl; p<0.001). Serum iron, Ca, and total proteins were significantly lower among girls with normal ranges compared to boys with normal ranges. Total protein was significantly lower among girls below normal ranges than boys with normal ranges (p < .001). The correlation of carbohydrates, protein, and fat with some serum biochemical parameters in school-going children showed that serum Fe was significantly linked with proteins (r = 0.255; p < .0.05). Our findings showed a concurrent shortage of macro and micronutrients. The current study also revealed that total energy intake was lower than the RDA and significant Fe, Zn, and Se deficiencies. The findings highlight the importance of measures aimed at improving children's nutritional status.

Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation with Zinc and Boron Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Mungbean is considered as an extremely nutritious crop possessing a high level of micronutrients. The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of growth and yield of Mungbean to zinc, boron and rhizobium inoculation. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with tree replications during kharif season of 2021 and 2022 at Instructional farm, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical and Social Sciences Sultanpur, U.P. India. Four levels of zinc (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 Kg Zn ha-1), three levels of boron (0, 0.5 and 1.0 Kg B ha-1) and two levels of rhizobium i.e. Uninoculated (Control) and inoculated were used in this study. Zinc levels were allocated to the main plots, boron levels in the sub-plot, while Rhizobium inoculation in the sub-sub plot. The results revealed that plant height, number of branches per plant, dry weight, number of nodules and seed and stover yield were higher in mungbean inoculated with Rhizobium inoculation with application of zinc 7.5 kg ha-1 and Application of boron 1.0 kg ha-1. The findings of the current study would improve the growth and yield of mungbean.

Effect of Nutrient Management on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil in Indian Mustard

A field experiment was conducted at the IFS Unit Instructional Farm of Banda University of Agriculture &amp; Technology, Banda (UP) during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24. The study aimed to examine the impact of nutrient management on the soil properties of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) grown in clay loam soil. Mustard, an essential oilseed crop in India, encounters issues like low productivity and diminished soil fertility caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The paper highlights the importance of integrating chemical and organic sources, such as vermicompost. Vermicompost enriched with biofertilizers, especially Azotobacter, PSB, PMB, NPK Consortia, and ZSB demonstrates significant potential in improving the soil conditions for mustard crops. The experiment utilized a split plot design (SPD) with four main factors in the main plot and four levels in the sub-plot, resulting in sixteen treatment combinations, each applied three times. The soil at the experimental site was characterized by a clay loam texture and low levels of organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and sulfur, with moderate levels of available potash. The main plot treatments consisted of different fertility levels: 50% RNPKS, 75% RNPKS, 100% RNPKS and 125% RNPKS. Each main plot was further divided into four sub-plots, each with a combination of micronutrients and enriched vermicompost. The results indicated that the treatment of either 125% or 100% RNPKS and 2.5 kg Zn + 0.5 kg B + 500 kg enriched vermicompost ha-1 was superior in improving the soil properties for Indian mustard.

Characterization of all life stages of Tenebrio molitor: Envisioning innovative applications for this edible insect

The human food security is unavoidably dependent on exploring novel nutritional sources, such as edible insects. However, insects farming needs to improve their rearing practices, such as extracting value from all growing stages, from larvae until adults. In this work, a full characterization of larvae, pupae and adults of Tenebrio molitor was carried out. Higher protein and ash contents were observed in pupae, while higher lipids (mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA) were observed in larvae, decreasing until reaching the adult stage. Chitin content was 6-fold higher in adults than larvae and pupae. Also, it was possible to quantify the chitin resorting to computed 3D tomography, achieving similar values as the traditional and chemically based method. Lower mineral content was found in larvae, while high iron, zinc and copper levels were found in beetles. Phenolic compounds content was similar among larvae, pupae and beetles. FTIR analysis was a valuable, easy, and fast method to assess the nutritional composition of T. molitor, detecting vibrations characteristic of protein, lipids and chitin fractions. This study provides a full characterization of all life stages of T. molitor, highlighting the possible valorisation chains that can be adopted to obtain highly nutritive and/or functional compounds.

An investigation of association between human milk mineral patterns and infant growth.

Human milk is widely acknowledged as the optimal food for infant aged 0 ~ 6 months. While there has been extensive documentation on the mineral and trace element composition of human milk, results on the relationship between mineral content and infant growth remain mixed. This cross-sectional study aims to explore human milk mineral patterns and to investigate associations between human milk mineral patterns, human milk metabolomic profile and infant growth. A total of 200 breast milk samples from seven cities in China was included. Human milk mineral and trace elements was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). K-means cluster analysis was utilized to derived human milk mineral patterns. Untargeted human milk metabolomic profiles was determined using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Differences of infant growth rate and metabolomic profiles were then compared across patterns identified. Three human milk mineral patterns were identified. Cluster I was characterized as the highest levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium, while the lowest levels of copper, zinc, manganese and selenium. Cluster II showed the most abundant sodium, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium. Cluster III had the lowest levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Infants of cluster I showed significantly higher length-for-age z score (0.60 ± 2.03, p = 0.03). Compared with other clusters, samples of cluster I showed lower expression of metabolites of arachidonic acid (ARA) and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism pathway. A human milk mineral pattern was identified which is related to increased infant growth rate and altered metabolic signature. Future work is needed to understand these human milk patterns in terms of biologic mechanisms and generalization to other populations.

Major and Trace Elements of Baobab Leaves in Different Habitats and Regions in Sudan: Implication for Human Dietary Needs and Overall Health.

The metabolic needs of the human body and preventing infections require a diet with sufficient amounts of essential nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the importance of Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) dried leaves as a healthy food source by determining the content of macro and trace elements in different habitats and regions. This study was conducted in Sudan and covered three different habitats, wetland (W), plainland (P), and mountain (M), in two regions (Blue Nile and Kordofan). The dry matter (DM) of Baobab leaves was considered for analyzed menials, and the results showed that the mean values were significantly affected by habitats where Baobab trees grew. The highest contents of potassium K (1653 ± 34 mg/100 g) and sodium (Na) 7.67 ± 1.18 mg/100 g were found in the W zone, whereas the highest contents of calcium (Ca) 2903 ± 187 mg/100 g and magnesium (Mg) 529 ± 101 mg/100 g were detected in the M and P zones, respectively. In addition, the two regions showed significant differences in trace and macro elements, i.e., higher levels of iron (Fe) 17.17 ± 2.76 mg/100 g and magnesium (556 ± 55 mg/100 g) were found in the Kordofan region while higher levels of zinc (Zn) 2.548 ± 0.55 mg/100 g and calcium (2689 ± 305 mg/100) were in the Blue Nile region. These varying amounts of elements can be used in our daily diets because of their potentially healthy effects, especially in areas where access to nutrient-rich foods is limited.

Taste Changes and Salivary Flow Rate Disparities in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: Exploring the Zinc Connection.

Menopause triggers hormonal changes that can manifest in oral symptoms like dysgeusia, xerostomia, and burning sensations, substantially impacting daily life, including chewing, swallowing, and taste perception. Menopausal women are particularly susceptible to nutritional fluctuations, including variations in zinc levels, which are believed to be linked to taste perception. Taste alterations can render food unappetizing, leading to malnutrition and diminished quality of life. The study aims to assess taste alterations, salivary flow rate, and zinc levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, investigating the correlation between these factors. This research involved 30 premenopausal and 30 postmenopausal women randomly selected from outpatients at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. Saliva samples were collected, unstimulated salivary flow rates were measured, taste perception was evaluated using a whole mouth threshold taste test, and serum zinc levels were assessed. The study revealed that a significantly higher percentage of postmenopausal women could not identify sucrose taste at concentrations 1 (76.7%, p = 0.017) and concentrations 2 (56.7%, p = 0.007) compared to premenopausal women (43.3%, 20%, respectively). A statistically significant number of postmenopausal women also couldn't identify the bitter taste at concentration 1 (43.3%, p=0.047) compared to premenopausal women. No significant difference in taste perception of salt and sour was observed between both groups at all tested concentrations. In both groups, mean taste perception rankings were similar, with salt being most perceived, followed by sour bitter, and at least with sucrose. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels did not significantly differ between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The correlation between zinc levels and taste perception was weak and non-significant, indicating that zinc levels were not significant predictors of taste perception in either group. Postmenopausal women exhibited reduced perceptions of sucrose and quinine hydrochloride, potentially impacting eating habits, while taste perception of sodium chloride and citric acid remained relatively consistent. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels were within the normal range for postmenopausal women up to 60 years of age included in the study. The study demonstrated that zinc levels did not significantly influence perception among postmenopausal women, suggesting that taste impairment is a multifactorial phenomenon.

Evaluation of the Spatial Arrangement of Rabbit Hepatocytes Based on Voronoi Tessellation Following Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been utilized in different fields over the last decades. These nanoparticles can pose significant risks to various organs such as the liver. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on liver histology, serum biochemistry, and spatial arrangement of the hepatocytes in the female New Zealand white rabbit. The rabbits received 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) intraperitoneally once every 3 days for 28 days. The serum levels of the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and zinc were assessed 48 hr following the first administration. The histopathological changes and Voronoi tessellation were evaluated after the last administration. Our findings showed that the ZnO NPs significantly increased the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and zinc. The histopathological findings showed ballooning degeneration, and sinusoidal congestion in ZnO NPs administrated groups. The Voronoi tessellation diagrams also confirmed that ZnO NPs changed the regular spatial arrangement of hepatocytes to random and cluster patterns. In conclusion, the ZnO NPs alter the liver spatial arrangement and induce hepatic pathological changes that may affect liver function in rabbits.

Association of Serum Zinc and Selenium Levels with Infection in Patients With Stroke

Background and aims: Patients with acute stroke are vulnerable to infectious diseases due to low consciousness, aspiration, dysphagia, and underlying conditions. Zinc and selenium play critical roles in boosting the immune system. This study aimed to compare serum zinc and selenium levels in patients with stroke before and after infection. Methods: The present prospective study was conducted on patients with stroke in Hamadan, west of Iran, from 2019 to 2020. Serum levels of zinc and selenium were measured before and after infection in patients with stroke. The calculated sample size for this study was 78 patients. A paired t-test was used to compare the mean zinc and selenium levels. The linear regression model was used to assess the association of clinical and para-clinical factors with the change in the serum level of selenium after infection. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. Results: The mean (±SD) age of participants was 71.33±14.27 years, and 55.1% of the participants were female. The mean (±SD) serum zinc levels before and after infection were 80.4±7.6 µg/dL and 74.3±7.9 µg/dL, respectively, indicating a significant difference (P&lt;0.001). These values for selenium were 118.1±42.8 µg/dL and 78.4±29.4 µg/dL, respectively (P&lt;0.001). There was a significant association between sepsis and decreases in the levels of selenium (-28.86 µg/dL, 95% CI: -56.13, -1.59) and zinc (-9.84 µg/dL, 95% CI: -16.12, -3.56). Conclusion: Based on our results, the levels of zinc and selenium in patients with stroke significantly decrease after infection compared to before infection.