Levels of Trace Elements in Erythrocytes as Endocrine Disruptors in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most commonly recognized endocrinopathies in women. The literature lacks clear data that allow any meaningful conclusions to be drawn about the influence of trace elements in erythrocytes on the biochemical parameters of PCOS. Materials and methods: This study was conducted among 47 women meeting the Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. The research groups included women with PCOS with different BMI values (body mass index): obese women with PCOS (PCOS with BMI ≥ 30, mean BMI index 35.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2), nonobese PCOS women (PCOS with BMI < 30, mean BMI index 25.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2), and healthy control group (CG) with a mean BMI of 23.57 ± 0.9 kg/m2. The contents of trace elements in erythrocytes were determined with an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. Results: The only trace element showing significant differences in concentration between the studied groups was nickel (Ni). The level of nickel in the obese women with PCOS (BMI ≥ 30) was significantly higher than in nonobese women (BMI < 30). The content of other trace elements in erythrocytes did not differ significantly between the studied groups. Several significant correlations were found within each of the studied PCOS groups: in the group of obese women, the content of zinc (Zn) in erythrocytes positively correlated with prolactin, the content of magnesium (Mg) positively correlated with testosterone, and the content of manganese (Mn) negatively correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone. In the group of nonobese women, Zn content correlated positively with testosterone, Ni with luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol, and Mg negatively correlated with estradiol. Conclusions: The relationship between the level of trace elements and the level of hormones suggests that, in obese women with PCOS, nickel may play a role in inhibiting the processes of folliculogenesis and ovulation. Research on trace elements and their relationship to ovulatory cycles and the development of PCOS may contribute to reducing the consequences of PCOS and, therefore, should be extended.

Application of the Remote Interaction Effect and Molecular Imprinting in Sorption of Target Ions of Rare Earth Metals

The goal of the present work is a comparative study of the effectiveness of the application of intergel systems and molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective sorption and separation of neodymium and scandium ions. The following physico-chemical methods of analysis were used in this study: colorimetry and atomic-emission spectroscopy. The functional polymers of polyacrylic acid (hPAA) and poly-4-vinylpyridine (hP4VP) in the intergel system undergo significant changes in the initial sorption properties. The remote interaction of the polymers in the intergel system hPAA–hP4VP provides mutual activation of these macromolecules, with subsequent transfer into a highly ionized state. The maximum sorption of neodymium and scandium ions is observed at molar ratios of 83%hPAA:17%hP4VP and 50%hPAA:50%hP4VP. Molecularly imprinted polymers MIP(Nd) and MIP(Sc) show good results in the sorption of Nd and Sc ions. Based on both these types of these macromolecular structures, principally new sorption methods have been developed. The method based on the application of the intergel system is cheaper and easier in application, but there is some accompanying sorption (about 10%) of another metal from the model solution during selective sorption and separation. Another method, based on the application of molecularly imprinted polymers, is more expensive and the sorption properties are higher, with the simultaneous sorption of the accompanying metal from the model solution.

Towards biowastes valorization: Peanut shell as resource for quality chemicals and activated biochar production

The purpose of this work was to transform a regional biowaste into value-added chemicals and products through a modest thermo-catalytic pyrolysis process. ZSM-11 (Zeolite Socony Mobile-11) zeolites modified by nickel (Ni) incorporation (1–8 wt%) were synthesized and characterized by means of X-Ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectra and Temperature Programmed Reduction. Results demonstrated that Ni was mainly incorporated as oxide. These porous materials were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts to improve biooil composition. In this sense, higher hydrocarbon yields, and quality chemicals were obtained and oxygenates were diminished. The deactivation of the most active material was studied over six cycles of reaction. In order to achieve the circular bioeconomy postulates, the obtained biochar (usually considered a residue) was further transformed through a physicochemical activation. The obtained activated biochars were extensively characterized.

Pilot Study to Reduce Added Salt on a University Canteen through the Use of an Innovative Dosage Equipment

Background: This study aims to demonstrate the practical application of an innovative easy-to-use equipment to dosage cooking salt, and evaluate the effectiveness in reducing 30% of the added salt in meals and the impact on consumer’s satisfaction and food waste. Methods: Two canteens from one public university where randomized in one control arm and one intervention arm. The first step was to evaluate the salt added to food through atomic emission spectrophotometry in both canteens, and the second step was to perform gradual reductions of up to 30% of cooking salt in the intervention canteen using the Salt Control-C (SC-C) equipment. Consumer acceptability was assessed through satisfaction questionnaires and food waste was evaluated by weighing. Results: The intervention canteen achieved to a reduction of more than 30% of added salt in soup (−34.3% per 100 g), fish dish (−41.1% per 100 g) and meat dish (−48.0% per 100 g), except for the vegetarian dish (6.1% per 100 g). There was no decrease in consumer satisfaction, with a significant satisfaction increase of 15.7% (p = 0.044) regarding the flavor of the main dish. Also, no significant differences were found in food waste. Conclusions: SC-C seems to be effective in reducing 30% of added salt levels in canteen meals, and may be a good strategy to control and reach adequate levels of added salt in meals served outside-the-home, promoting benefits to the individual’s health.

A Comprehensive Review of Minerals, Trace Elements, and Heavy Metals in Saffron

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and its popularity as a tasty food additive is spreading rapidly through many cultures and cuisines. Minerals and heavy metals are minor components found in saffron, which play a key role in the identification of the geographical origin, quality control, and food traceability, while they also affect human health. The chemical elements in saffron are measured using various analytical methods, such as techniques based on spectrometry or spectroscopy, including atomic emission spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The present study aimed to review the published articles about heavy metals and minerals in saffron across the world. To date, 64 chemical elements have been found in different types of saffron, which could be divided into three groups of macro-elements, trace elements, and heavy metals (trace elements with a lower gravity/greater than five times that of water and other inorganic sources). Furthermore, the chemical elements in the saffron samples of different countries have a wide range of concentrations. These differences may be affected by geographical condition such as physicochemical properties of the soil, weather and other environmental conditions like saffron cultivation and its genotype.

The Uptake Characteristics of Prussian-Blue Nanoparticles for Platinum-Group Metal and Molybdenum Ions in a Nitric Acid Solution Toward Application for the Recovery of Precious Metals from Nuclear and Electronic Wastes

We have examined the uptake mechanisms of platinum-group-metals (PGMs) and molybdenum (Mo) ions into PBNPs in a nitric acid solution for 24-h sorption test, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, powder XRD, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy in combination with first-principles calculations, and revealed that the Ru4+ and Pd2+ ions are incorporated into PBNPs by substitution with Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions of the PB framework, respectively, whereas the Rh3+ ion is incorporated into PBNPs by substitution mainly with Fe3+ and minorly with Fe2+ ion, and Mo6+ ion is incorporated into PBNPs by substitution with both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions, with maintaining the crystal structure before and after the sorption test. Assuming that the amount of Fe elusion is equal to that of PGMs/Mo substitution, the substitution efficiency is estimated to be 39.0% for Ru, 47.8% for Rh, 87% for Pd, and 17.1% for Mo6+. This implies that 0.13 g of Ru, 0.16 g of Rh, 0.30 g of Pd, and 0.107 g of Mo can be recovered by using 1g PBNPs with a chemical form of KFe(III)[Fe(II)(CN)6].

Contamination of the Dzheltulak-1 river basin under alluvial gold mining (the Amur region)

The purpose of the introduced research is to study the environmental impact of placer gold mining. The object of the study is natural and natural-man-made geosystems of the Dzheltulak-1 river located in the Amur region. The content of the main cations and microelements in water samples was determined by atomic emission and mass spectral methods. The content of micro- and rock-forming elements in bottom sediments and soils was determined by X-ray fluorescence using XRF-1800 X-ray spectrometer (Shimadzu, Japan). The results of the conducted studies indicate that the contents of iron, manganese, copper, aluminum, vanadium, molybdenum, mercury and ammonium ions exceed commercial fishery standards in a significant part of the surface water samples. It is found out that settlement ponds negatively affect the water quality in the river Dzheltulak-1 downstream due to the dam drainage. The highest concentrations of dissolved forms of mercury were noted in the water of the settlement ponds. The gross content of arsenic in the samples of bottom sediments and soils exceeds sanitary and hygienic standards by 2.7–14.5 times. The distributions of mercury as the most dangerous pollutant among the biogenic components of geochemical landscape were worked out in detail. Mercury contamination of soils was classified according to the forms of mercury occurrence: free, physically sorbed, chemisorbed, sulfide and isomorphic. It has been shown that the free form is characteristic of fresh mercury contamination due to the use of prohibited technological schemes for gold-bearing sands separation by the amalgamation method.

Mineral Composition of Dietary Supplements-Analytical and Chemometric Approach

There is a lack of data on the actual composition and effectiveness of beetroot-based dietary supplements. The research aimed to determine the profile of 22 elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, As, Se, Zn, Cu, Ag, Co, Ni, Mo, Al, Mn, Sr, Cr, Ba, Li, Pb, Cd) in beetroot and its supplements by the microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) method. The analytical procedure was optimised and validated. The composition of both groups was compared, assessing compliance with the recommended daily doses for the chosen elements, and the health risk was estimated. Furthermore, chemometric analysis was applied. Beetroots constituted a significant source of elements, especially K, Na, Mg, Ca, P, in contrast to supplements which contained their negligible amounts except from iron-enriched products which provided notable amounts of Fe (38.3–88% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for an adult male from 19 to 75 years old). Some products were significantly contaminated with toxic elements (As, Cd). Factor and cluster analyses were helpful in the differentiation of beetroot and its supplements in view of their type (vegetable, supplement, iron-enriched supplement), origin, type of cultivation (conventional, organic), and form (capsule, tablet) based on their mineral composition. The obtained results indicate the need for more stringent control of supplements, as they may pose a significant health risk to consumers.