scholarly journals Probing Trace Elements in Human Tissues with Synchrotron Radiation

Crystals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihai R. Gherase ◽  
David E. B. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Human Tissues ◽  
Chemical Affinity ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Current Research Effort

For the past several decades, synchrotron radiation has been extensively used to measure the spatial distribution and chemical affinity of elements found in trace concentrations (<few µg/g) in animal and human tissues. Intense and highly focused (lateral size of several micrometers) X-ray beams combined with small steps of photon energy tuning (2–3 eV) of synchrotron radiation allowed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques to nondestructively and simultaneously detect trace elements as well as identify their chemical affinity and speciation in situ, respectively. Although limited by measurement time and radiation damage to the tissue, these techniques are commonly used to obtain two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps of several elements at synchrotron facilities around the world. The spatial distribution and chemistry of the trace elements obtained is then correlated to the targeted anatomical structures and to the biological functions (normal or pathological). For example, synchrotron-based in vitro studies of various human tissues showed significant differences between the normal and pathological distributions of metallic trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and lead in relation to human diseases ranging from Parkinson’s disease and cancer to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Current research effort is aimed at not only measuring the abnormal elemental distributions associated with various diseases, but also indicate or discover possible biological mechanisms that could explain such observations. While a number of studies confirmed and strengthened previous knowledge, others revealed or suggested new possible roles of trace elements or provided a more accurate spatial distribution in relation to the underlying histology. This area of research is at the intersection of several current fundamental and applied scientific inquiries such as metabolomics, medicine, biochemistry, toxicology, food science, health physics, and environmental and public health.

An application of Micro X-ray fluorescence computed tomography for determination of three-dimensional elemental distribution in a single hair strand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Kondo ◽  
Takuma Yamato ◽  
Alvaro Muñoz-Noval ◽  
Sadao Honda ◽  
Yoshinori Nishiwaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensional Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Single Hair ◽  
Hair Strand

Three dimensional imaging of trace elements in a single hair strand was achieved by a micro X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (µXRF-CT) using synchrotron radiation. A simple rotational mechanism was attached...

Tomography Observations of Osteoblast Seeding on 3-D Collagen Scaffold by Synchrotron Radiation Hard X-Ray

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
H. Liou ◽  
H. Lin ◽  
W. Chen ◽  
W. Liou ◽  
Y. Hwu
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Collagen Scaffold ◽  
In Vitro Cultivation ◽  
Collagen Scaffolds ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Radiation Hard

In recent years, research into three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds for tissue engineering has become an important topic. To avoid biological rejection, there are many biocompatible materials being developed for in vitro cultivation of autologous cells for implantation into the human body. The 3-D structures of scaffolds are not easily observed using traditional optical or electron microscopes, which only allow examination of the surfaces of samples or ultra thin films, and often require complicated pre-treating processes. The high-brilliance synchrotron radiation (SR) hard X-ray is an emerging technique to acquire tomography. This study involves the successful reconstruction of 3-D images and the animation of the structure of a collagen scaffold. The images were obtained using synchrotron radiation hard X-ray images, which eliminates the need for embedding and microtoming. SR hard X-ray imaging is a non-destructive technique, which has demonstrated a high spatial resolution and transmission, enabling the morphology of osteoblasts adhered on the inner surfaces of the collagen scaffolds to be captured. It is a convenient facility to obtain 3-D tomography images for biomaterial studies. This is the first study to observe the 3-D structures of collagen scaffolds and aquire detailed images of osteoblast attachment on the scaffold, by utilization of third-generation SR hard X-ray radiography.

The spatial distribution of calcium in alginate gel beads analysed by synchrotron-radiation induced X-ray emission (SRIXE)

1997 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beathe Thu ◽  
Gudmund Skjåk-Bræk ◽  
Fulvio Micali ◽  
Franco Vittur ◽  
Roberto Rizzo
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Alginate Gel ◽  
Gel Beads ◽  
Radiation Induced

scholarly journals Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) of brachiopod shell interiors for taxonomy: Preliminary report

2010 ◽  
pp. 109-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Motchurova-Dekova ◽  
David Harper
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Internal Structures ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Micro Tomography ◽  
Light Beams ◽  
Non Destructive

Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) is a non-destructive technique for the investigation and visualization of the internal features of solid opaque objects, which allows reconstruction of a complete three-dimensional image of internal structures by recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy reacting with those structures. Contrary to X-rays, produced in a conventional X-ray tube, the intense synchrotron light beams are sharply focused like a laser beam. We report encouraging results from the use of SRXTM for purely taxonomic purposes in brachiopods: an attempt to find a non-destructive and more efficient alternative to serial sectioning and several other methods of dissection together with the non-destructive method of X-ray computerised micro-tomography. Two brachiopod samples were investigated using SRXTM. In ?Rhynchonella? flustracea it was possible to visualise the 3D shape of the crura and dental plates. In Terebratulina imbricata it was possible to reveal the form of the brachidium. It is encouraging that we have obtained such promising results using SRXTM with our very first two fortuitous samples, which had respectively fine-grained limestone and marl as infilling sediment, in contrast to the discouraging results communicated to us by some colleagues who have tested specimens with such infillings using X-ray micro-tomography. In future the holotypes, rare museum specimens or delicate Recent material may be preferentially subjected to this mode of analysis.

scholarly journals Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 476
Author(s):  
Joshua Chisambi ◽  
Bjorn von der Heyden ◽  
Muofhe Tshibalanganda ◽  
Stephan Le Roux
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3D Space ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
2D And 3D

In this contribution, we highlight a correlative approach in which three-dimensional structural/positional data are combined with two dimensional chemical and mineralogical data to understand a complex orogenic gold mineralization system; we use the Kirk Range (southern Malawi) as a case study. Three dimensional structures and semi-quantitative mineral distributions were evaluated using X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and this was augmented with textural, mineralogical and chemical imaging using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy as well as fire assay. Our results detail the utility of the correlative approach both for quantifying gold concentrations in core samples (which is often nuggety and may thus be misrepresented by quarter- or half-core assays), and for understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space. This approach overlays complementary datasets from 2D and 3D analytical protocols, thereby allowing a better and more comprehensive understanding on the distribution and structures controlling gold mineralization. Combining 3D XCT analyses with conventional 2D microscopies derive the full value out of a given exploration drilling program and it provides an excellent tool for understanding gold mineralization. Understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space holds vast potential for exploration practitioners, especially if the correlative approach can be automated and if the resultant spatially-constrained microstructural information can be fed directly into commercially available geological modelling software. The extra layers of information provided by using correlative 2D and 3D microscopies offer an exciting new tool to enhance and optimize mineral exploration workflows, given that modern exploration efforts are targeting increasingly complex and low-grade ore deposits.

scholarly journals Development of an X-ray real-time stereo imaging technique using synchrotron radiation

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Hoshino ◽  
Kentaro Uesugi ◽  
James Pearson ◽  
Takashi Sonobe ◽  
Mikiyasu Shirai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Silicon Crystal ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Stereo Image ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Stereo Imaging ◽  
X Ray

An X-ray stereo imaging system with synchrotron radiation was developed at BL20B2, SPring-8. A portion of a wide X-ray beam was Bragg-reflected by a silicon crystal to produce an X-ray beam which intersects with the direct X-ray beam. Samples were placed at the intersection point of the two beam paths. X-ray stereo images were recorded simultaneously by a detector with a large field of view placed close to the sample. A three-dimensional wire-frame model of a sample was created from the depth information that was obtained from the lateral positions in the stereo image. X-ray stereo angiography of a mouse femoral region was performed as a demonstration of real-time stereo imaging. Three-dimensional arrangements of the femur and blood vessels were obtained.

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