scholarly journals Human Activity in Antarctica: Effects on Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs) in Plants and Soils

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2593
Author(s):  
Jaime Tapia ◽  
Marco Molina-Montenegro ◽  
Camila Sandoval ◽  
Natalia Rivas ◽  
Jessica Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Metallic Trace Elements ◽  
Metallic Trace Element ◽  
The Antarctic

Colobanthus quitensis (Kunt) is one of the two vascular plant species present in Antarctica and develops under severe environmental conditions, being found in both pristine and human-threatened environments. We determined the Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels in C. quitensis roots, leaves, and soils of origin using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In January 2017, we collected samples from four geographical zones on the longitudinal gradient along which C. quitensis is distributed, starting from Punta Arenas (PAR) at the extreme south of mainland Chile and moving southwards to the Antarctic territory from King George Island (KGI) to Hannah Point Peninsula (PHA) and finally Lagotellerie Island (LAT). We used certified reference material to validate the plant tissues and soil samples we collected. The highest concentrations of metals that we measured in the soils and in the C. quitensis roots and leaves were in samples we collected at the KGI station, the zone with the greatest human activity. The lowest concentrations we measured were at the LAT station, an island with little human intervention and scarce fauna. The mean concentrations of metals in the roots and leaves of C. quitensis followed a similar order at all sampling locations: Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd. In contrast, in soil, they followed the following order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. The concentration levels obtained for the different metals in the soil and plants tissue samples in this region of Antarctica indicated that the area was non-polluted. However, the metallic trace element (MTE) concentrations may be at an early stage of contamination, as described in other areas of the Antarctic, being a new threat to this continent.

scholarly journals Geochemical mapping of urban soils in Athens, Greece - Preliminary results

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 901
Author(s):  
A. Argyraki ◽  
E. Kelepertzis ◽  
G. Fligos ◽  
E. Athanasiou ◽  
K. Gardiakos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Soils ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Aqua Regia ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Potentially Harmful Elements ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Research Outcome

Urban geochemistry is a fast growing scientific discipline mainly because of the profound impact of large cities on the environment as well as the increase in the world’s urban population. The present study aims to produce the urban geochemical map of Athens, based on multi-element analysis of surface soils (0-10 cm) with emphasis in the spatial distribution of potentially harmful elements (PHEs). Soil sampling was based on a regular 1km x 1km grid, laid over the survey area covering more than 200 km2. Sampling locations within the grid cells were selected giving priority to playgrounds, schools and urban parks. The < 100 μm fraction of a total of 320 soil samples were analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co and Mn after aqua regia dissolution. Average content of Pb (62 mg/kg), Cu (36 mg/kg), Zn (91 mg/kg) and Mn (465 mg/kg) in soil was lower than reported concentrations from other European cities while Cr (74 mg/kg), Ni (89 mg/kg) and Co (16 mg/kg) were relatively enriched. Geochemical maps were plotted within GIS enabling recognition of spatial trends in elemental concentrations and potential sources of the elements. The research outcome will contribute to the evaluation of quality characteristics of urban soils in Athens and drive attention to areas of any environmental or health risks.

Assessment of copper accumulation in archived liver specimens from cats

2020 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2096135
Author(s):  
Punyamanee Yamkate ◽  
Randi M Gold ◽  
Panagiotis G Xenoulis ◽  
Katja Steiger ◽  
David C Twedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Reference Interval ◽  
Copper Accumulation ◽  
Zonal Distribution ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Hepatic Copper ◽  
Liver Copper ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess hepatic copper concentrations and zonal distribution in cat liver specimens. Methods For this study, 121 archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver specimens from cats were used. Tissue sections were stained for copper with rhodanine and scored from 0 (no copper accumulation) to 5 (panlobular copper accumulation). The tissue specimens were then deparaffinized and hepatic copper concentrations were measured using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results Tissue samples were categorized into four groups based on histopathologic findings: (1) no significant histopathologic hepatic changes (n = 66); (2) hepatic steatosis (n = 18); (3) inflammatory or infectious disease (n = 24); and (4) neoplasia (n = 13). Of the 121 specimens, 13 (11%) stained positive for copper, with three having a score ⩾3. Thirty-seven specimens (31%) had copper concentrations above the reference interval ([RI] <180 µg/g dry weight liver). Copper concentrations in cats with hepatic inflammatory or infectious disease were significantly higher than cats with hepatic steatosis ( P = 0.03). Copper-staining score and concentration were positively correlated ( rs = 0.46, P <0.001). Conclusions and relevance Despite the fact that 31% of specimens had copper concentrations above the RI, only 11% showed positive copper staining and only 2.5% had a score ⩾3. Our findings suggest that hepatic copper concentrations greater than the upper limit of the RI are relatively common in cats. Further studies to determine the factors that influence hepatic copper staining in cats and to establish contemporary RIs for hepatic copper in healthy cats are warranted.

scholarly journals Panel of serum miRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imteyaz Ahmad Khan ◽  
Safoora Rashid ◽  
Nidhi Singh ◽  
Sumaira Rashid ◽  
Vishwajeet Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
Generation Sequencing

AbstractEarly-stage diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is difficult due to non-specific symptoms. Circulating miRNAs in body fluids have been emerging as potential non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis of many cancers. Thus, this study aimed to assess a panel of miRNAs for their ability to differentiate PDAC from chronic pancreatitis (CP), a benign inflammatory condition of the pancreas. Next-generation sequencing was performed to identify miRNAs present in 60 FFPE tissue samples (27 PDAC, 23 CP and 10 normal pancreatic tissues). Four up-regulated miRNAs (miR-215-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-181a-2-3p) and four down-regulated miRNAs (miR-30b-5p, miR-216b-5p, miR-320b, and miR-214-5p) in PDAC compared to CP were selected based on next-generation sequencing results. The levels of these 8 differentially expressed miRNAs were measured by qRT-PCR in 125 serum samples (50 PDAC, 50 CP, and 25 healthy controls (HC)). The results showed significant upregulation of miR-215-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-192-5p in PDAC serum samples. In contrast, levels of miR-30b-5p and miR-320b were significantly lower in PDAC as compared to CP and HC. ROC analysis showed that these 5 miRNAs can distinguish PDAC from both CP and HC. Hence, this panel can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for the early detection of PDAC.

scholarly journals Genes associated with inflammation and bone remodeling are highly expressed in the bone of patients with the early-stage cam-type femoroacetabular impingement

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanying Gao ◽  
Ruiqi Wu ◽  
Rongge Liu ◽  
Jianquan Wang ◽  
Yingfang Ao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Bone Remodeling ◽  
Femoroacetabular Impingement ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Normal Bone ◽  
Impingement Zone

Abstract Background Recent studies have shown high expression levels of certain inflammatory, anabolic, and catabolic genes in the articular cartilage from the impingement zone of the hips with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), representing an increased metabolic state. Nevertheless, little is known about the molecular properties of bone tissue from the impingement zone of hips with FAI. Methods Bone tissue samples from patients with early-stage cam-type FAI were collected during hip arthroscopy for treatment of cam-type FAI. Control bone tissue samples were collected from six patients who underwent total hip replacement because of a femoral neck fracture. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the gene expression associated with inflammation and bone remodeling. The differences in the gene expression in bone tissues from the patients with early-stage cam-type FAI were also evaluated based on clinical parameters. Results In all, 12 patients with early-stage cam-type FAI and six patients in the control group were included in this study. Compared to the control samples, the bone tissue samples from patients with FAI showed higher expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) (P < 0.05). IL-1 expression was detected only in the control group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in IL-8 expression between the patients with FAI and the control group. The patients with FAI having a body mass index (BMI) of >24 kg/m2 showed higher ALP expression (P < 0.05). Further, the expression of IL-6 and ALP was higher in the patients with FAI in whom the lateral center-edge angle was >30° (P < 0.05). Conclusions Our results indicated the metabolic condition of bone tissues in patients with early-stage cam-type FAI differed from that of normal bone in the femoral head-neck junction. The expression levels of the genes associated with inflammation and bone remodeling were higher in the bone tissue of patients with early-stage cam-type FAI than in the patients with normal bone tissue.

scholarly journals The Case for GNMT as a Biomarker and a Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Zachary Heinzman ◽  
Connor Schmidt ◽  
Marek K. Sliwinski ◽  
Nalin C. W. Goonesekere
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Strong Inhibitor ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Tumor Stages ◽  
Early Tumor

The high mortality rate for pancreatic cancer (PC) is due to the lack of specific symptoms at early tumor stages and a high biological aggressiveness. Reliable biomarkers and new therapeutic targets would help to improve outlook in PC. In this study, we analyzed the expression of GNMT in a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines and in early-stage paired patient tissue samples (normal and diseased) by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). We also investigated the effect of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (PGG) as a therapeutic agent for PC. We find that GNMT is markedly downregulated (p < 0.05), in a majority of PC cell lines. Similar results are observed in early-stage patient tissue samples, where GNMT expression can be reduced by a 100-fold or more. We also show that PGG is a strong inhibitor of PC cell proliferation, with an IC50 value of 12 ng/mL, and PGG upregulates GNMT expression in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our data show that GNMT has promise as a biomarker and as a therapeutic target for PC.

scholarly journals Serum levels of Cadmium, Calcium, Lead and Iron in Schizophrenic Patients

1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinky Karim ◽  
Md. Iqbal Hossain ◽  
AFM Nazmus Sadat ◽  
Zabun Nahar ◽  
Md. Khalid Hossain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Schizophrenic Disorder ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Calcium Lead ◽  
Exact Correlation

The serum concentration of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in 30 schizophrenic patients and 30 normal healthy subjects were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ca in schizophrenic disorder patients was not increased significantly (P > 0.05) compared to that of the cohort controls. But the concentration of Fe in schizophrenic patients was significantly different from that of the cohort control (p < 0.000). The change in serum concentration of different trace elements may have some prognostic significance for the diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder. However further work is suggested to examine the exact correlation between trace elements level and the degree of disorder in schizophrenic patients. Key words: Schizophrenic patients, trace elements, clinical significance Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

scholarly journals Cell-free DNA methylation markers for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BMC Medicine ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Biyuan Luo ◽  
Fang Ma ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Jixiong Hu ◽  
Le Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Validation Cohort ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Risk Population ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Independent Validation ◽  
Screening Model

Abstract Background Aberrant DNA methylation may offer opportunities in revolutionizing cancer screening and diagnosis. We sought to identify a non-invasive DNA methylation-based screening approach using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Differentially, DNA methylation blocks were determined by comparing methylation profiles of biopsy-proven HCC, liver cirrhosis, and normal tissue samples with high throughput DNA bisulfite sequencing. A multi-layer HCC screening model was subsequently constructed based on tissue-derived differentially methylated blocks (DMBs). This model was tested in a cohort consisting of 120 HCC, 92 liver cirrhotic, and 290 healthy plasma samples including 65 hepatitis B surface antigen-seropositive (HBsAg+) samples, independently validated in a cohort consisting of 67 HCC, 111 liver cirrhotic, and 242 healthy plasma samples including 56 HBsAg+ samples. Results Based on methylation profiling of tissue samples, 2321 DMBs were identified, which were subsequently used to construct a cfDNA-based HCC screening model, achieved a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 98% in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 96% in the independent validation cohort. This model obtained a sensitivity of 76% in 37 early-stage HCC (Barcelona clinical liver cancer [BCLC] stage 0-A) patients. The screening model can effectively discriminate HCC patients from non-HCC controls, including liver cirrhotic patients, asymptomatic HBsAg+ and healthy individuals, achieving an AUC of 0.957(95% CI 0.939–0.975), whereas serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) only achieved an AUC of 0.803 (95% CI 0.758–0.847). Besides detecting patients with early-stage HCC from non-HCC controls, this model showed high capacity for distinguishing early-stage HCC from a high risk population (AUC=0.934; 95% CI 0.905–0.963), also significantly outperforming AFP. Furthermore, our model also showed superior performance in distinguishing HCC with normal AFP (< 20ng ml−1) from high risk population (AUC=0.93; 95% CI 0.892–0.969). Conclusions We have developed a sensitive blood-based non-invasive HCC screening model which can effectively distinguish early-stage HCC patients from high risk population and demonstrated its performance through an independent validation cohort. Trial registration The study was approved by the ethic committee of The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (KYLL2018072) and Chongqing University Cancer Hospital (2019167). The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov(#NCT04383353).

scholarly journals Association of serum zinc and vitamin E levels with Acne vulgarisin Bangladeshi acne patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Tania Sultana ◽  
Aklima Akter ◽  
Fatima Tuz Zohra ◽  
Md Quddusur Rahman ◽  
Yearul Kabir
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Zinc Level ◽  
Serum Zinc Level ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Flame Atomic Absorption ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Acne Treatment

The serum level of zinc and vitamin E were measured to understand the association of various nutrients on acne pathogenesis. Both zinc and vitamin E are antioxidants used as a supplement in acne treatment. However, their effect and status in acne patients are not fully understood. This study included 48 acne patients and 48 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The zinc and vitamin E concentration was measured in the serum by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and HPLC methods. Compared to the healthy control, a significant deficiency of serum vitamin E level in acne patients (p<0.001) was found, although the patients were not deficient in serum zinc level (p=0.22). In addition, female acne patients had a slightly lower zinc level than male patients (p=0.06). The low serum vitamin E level suggests that supplementation of vitamin E might be helpful in acne treatment. However, further studies are required to understand the dose and mechanism of vitamin E supplements in acne treatment. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 49-58: June 2021

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