经穴注射BMSCs联合中药对大鼠血清VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1浓度的影响

目的：前期基础实验发现经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞联合益气活血中药对大鼠缺血后肢骨骼肌血管密度以及后肢血流恢复具有明显促进作用,为进一步明确其机制,本研究着重经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）联合益气活血方对大鼠血清中血管内皮细胞生长因子（VGEF）,粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）,基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）浓度的影响,从而为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供新的思路和方法。方法：25只大鼠随机分为空白对照组（CG）、下肢缺血模型组（IG）、益气活血方缺血组（HG）、经穴注射BMSCs缺血组（BG）,经穴注射BMSCs＋益气活血方缺血组（BHG）,每组5只,在给予相应干预措施后,于7天后取血清,用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度。结果：1与CG比较,IG、HG、BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF、SDF-1、G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;2与IG比较,HG、BG、BHG组大鼠血清中VEGF,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,BG、BHG大鼠血清中SDF-1浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;3与HG比较,BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;4与BG比较,BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,以上差异均有统计学意义。结论：经穴注射BMSCs联合益气活血中药可大幅提升下肢缺血模型大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度,为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供了新的思路和方法。     

电针对局灶脑缺血／再灌注模型大鼠缺血海马区血管再生的影响及其机制

目的：探讨电针促进局灶脑缺血/再灌注后缺血海马区血管再生的机制。方法180只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、电针组、CXCR4特异性拮抗剂AMD3100药物组、AMD3100＋电针组。线栓法制备右侧局灶脑缺血/再灌注模型。取大鼠“百会”穴（ GV 20）及左侧“四关”穴（合谷LI 4/太冲LR 3）为电针穴位,刺激时间为30 min/d。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应法（ RT-PCR）检测各组缺血海马区SDF-1α、CXCR4 mRNA表达,免疫荧光双标法检测CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管的表达。结果与假手术组比较,模型组与电针组SDF-1α、CX-CR4 mRNA表达明显增高（P＜0.05）,其中电针组各时间点相对模型组增高更为显著（P＜0.05）。 AMD3100＋电针组缺血海马SDF-1α、CXCR4 mRNA表达在再灌注后1 d时明显高于电针组（ P＜0.05）,但后逐渐下降,7 d时明显低于电针组（ P＜0.01）。与模型组比较,电针组再灌注3 d、7 d海马CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管表达明显增多（ P＜0.05）。与电针组比较,AMD3100＋电针组再灌注后7 d CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管表达明显下降（ P＜0.01）。 CD34＋VEGFR2＋血管表达变化与SDF-1α的表达变化显著相关（R＝0.784,P＜0.01）。结论电针可通过上调局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠缺血海马区SDF-1α/CXCR4的表达,促进血管再生。     

间充质干细胞联合铂类对肝癌大鼠抗癌效果及对免疫功能、细胞凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs）联合顺铂（cis-diamminodichloroplatinum Ⅱ dichloride,DDP）对肝癌大鼠抗癌效果及其免疫功能和细胞凋亡水平的影响。方法：将40只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、DDP组和联合组,各10只。除空白对照组外,其余均采用二乙基亚硝胺饲喂法建立肝癌模型。造模成功后,空白对照组和模型组大鼠静腹腔注射生理盐水并经尾静脉注射DMEM培养液,DDP组大鼠经腹腔注射DDP溶液并经尾静脉注射DMEM培养液,联合组大鼠经腹腔注射DDP溶液并经尾静脉注射BMSCs悬液。移植BMSCs两周后处死大鼠,称量肝脏质量和体质量,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测各组大鼠外周血中白细胞介素-2（interleukin-2,IL-2）、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α）、血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）和低氧诱导因子-1α（hypoxia-inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α）水平,采用TUNEL技术检测肝细胞凋亡指数。结果：（1）模型组肝脏质量、肝脏质量/体质量均显著大于其他各组,体质量显著小于其他各组（P<0.05）。联合组肝脏质量、肝脏质量/体质量均显著显著小于模型组和DDP组,体质量显著大于模型组和DDP组（P<0.05）。（2）DDP组和联合组大鼠治疗后血清IL-2水平显著升高,IL-8和TNF-α水平显著降低（P<0.05）。联合组大鼠治疗后血清IL-2水平显著高于DDP组,IL-8和TNF-α水平显著低于DDP组（P<0.05）。（3）DDP组和联合组大鼠治疗后血清VEGF和HIF-1α水平显著降低,且显著低于模型组（P<0.05）。联合组大鼠治疗后血清VEGF和HIF-1α水平显著低于DDP组（P<0.05）。（4）联合组和DDP组肝癌细胞凋亡指数显著高于模型组,且联合组也显著高于DDP组（P<0.05）。结论：BMSCs联合DDP能够显著改善肝癌大鼠免疫功能,抑制肿瘤血管生成,促进肝癌细胞凋亡,效果优于DDP单药。     

红景天对儿茶酚胺损伤大鼠心肌以及对HIF-1α表达的影响

目的:观察红景天对儿茶酚胺损伤大鼠心肌以及对HIF-1α mRNA表达的影响.方法:SD大鼠45只,随机分为异丙肾组(n=15),红景天组(n=15)和对照组(n=15).第六天大鼠处死,测定血清CK-MB、NO,组织病理学检查.RT-2PCR法检测损伤心肌HIF-1α、VEGF、eNOSmRNA的表达.结果:红景天组心肌坏死病理积分较异丙肾组明显降低(P＜0.01),可减轻异丙肾上腺素所致大鼠CK-MB升高(P＜0.05)并且可使异丙肾上腺素心肌损伤大鼠血清NO升高93.8%(P＜0.01).与对照组相比,异丙肾组HIF-1α、VEGF、eNOSmRNA的表达明显增加(P＜0.001);红景天组与异丙肾组比较,HIF-1α、VEGF、eNOSmRNA表达增高(P＜0.001).结论:红景天对儿茶酚胺所致的心肌损害具有明显保护作用,机制可能与上调HIF-1α表达,促进下游VEGF、eNOS等基因的表达,增加血清NO的释放有关.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对急性肝功能衰竭大鼠肝再生、炎症反应及转换生长因子-β受体的影响

摘要 目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）移植对急性肝功能衰竭（ALF）大鼠肝再生、炎症反应及转换生长因子-β受体（TGF-βR）的影响。方法：将90只SD级大鼠以随机数表法分成模型组（n=30）、健康组（n=30）及治疗组（n=30）。健康组不予以任何处理,模型组和治疗组大鼠则通过四氯化碳蓖麻油溶液腹腔注射制作ALF大鼠模型,治疗组大鼠取BMSCs通过门静脉注射治疗,模型组则予以等量生理盐水干预。造模后第7 d,比较三组大鼠的肝功能指标水平,炎症反应以及TGF-βR相关指标表达情况,并进行相关性分析。结果：模型组与治疗组大鼠血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）以及总胆红素（TBIL）水平均高于健康组,但治疗组大鼠上述肝功能指标水平低于模型组（均P＜0.05）。模型组与治疗组大鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平以及肝组织TNF-α mRNA表达均高于健康组,但治疗组大鼠血清TNF-α水平以及肝组织TNF-α mRNA表达低于模型组（均P＜0.05）。模型组与治疗组大鼠TGF-βR1和TGF-βR2蛋白表达均高于健康组,但治疗组大鼠上述蛋白表达低于模型组（均P＜0.05）。经Spearman相关性分析发现：ALT、AST及TBIL水平与血清TNF-α、TNF-α mRNA及TGF-βR1、TGF-βR2蛋白表达水平均呈正相关关系（均P＜0.05）。结论：BMSCs移植在促进ALF大鼠肝再生方面效果显著,且有效减轻炎症反应、下调TGF-βR1和TGF-βR2表达水平。     

移植BMSCs对乳腺炎大鼠血清中自由基和抗氧化酶水平变化影响的研究

目的：探讨乳房基底部移植大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）对实验性乳腺炎大鼠血清中自由基和抗氧化酶水平变化的影响。方法：将70只SD雌性大鼠,其中的60只随机分为3组：对照组、抗生素组和移植BMSCs组,每组20只。通过乳头管灌注内毒素的方法建立实验性大鼠乳腺炎模型,对照组基底部注射生理盐水;抗生素组基底部注射抗生素（5000 U/侧）;移植BMSCs组乳房基底部移植BMSC 50μL（1×106个）,试验0 d时灌注内毒素,1 d时注射BMSCs、抗生素及生理盐水,-1、0、3、5、7 d分别采血样,制备血清,检测血清中丙二醛（MDA）、一氧化氮（NO）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽氧化还原酶（GSH-Px）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）水平。结果：移植BMSC组能显著降低乳腺炎大鼠血清中7 d时MDA、NO水平（P〈0.05）,且MDA水平显著低于抗生素组（P〈0.05）;移植BMSCs组7 d时血清中GSH-Px水平和1、3、5 d时CAT水平显著高于对照组和抗生素组（P〈0.05）。结论：BMSC能显著降低乳腺炎大鼠血清中后期NO和MDA水平,提高血清中前期CAT和后期GSH-PX,从而提高机体清除自由基的能力。     

红景天对心肌梗死大鼠缺血心肌血管新生作用及对VEGF的影响

目的:探讨中药红景天对急性心肌梗死大鼠缺血心肌血管新生作用及其对血管内皮生长因子(EGF)蛋白和mRNA表达的影响.方法:52只SD大鼠随机分成单纯手术组、术后给药组、提前给药组、假手术组和正常对照组.采用开胸结扎冠状动脉左前降支的方法建立心肌梗死模型,4周后处死动物.Ⅷ因子免疫组化染色后对各组大鼠梗死边缘区微血管进行计数;免疫组化技术及Western blot技术检测各组缺血心肌VEGF蛋白质水平表达变化;逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测缺血心肌VEGF mR-NA表达变化.结果:术后给药组和提前给药组血管计数均较单纯手术组增多(P＜0.01),且提前给药组明显多于术后给药组(P＜0.01);术后给药组和提前给药组缺血心肌VEGF及其mRNA表达较单纯手术组增加(P＜0.01),提前给药组缺血心肌VEGF及其mRNA表达明显高于术后给药组(P＜0.01).结论:红景天能够促进心梗后大鼠缺血心肌血管新生,其作用机制可能与上调局部心肌VEGF及其mRNA表达有关.预给红景天可能增强对心梗大鼠的上述作用.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平与肺功能、炎性因子及生活质量的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）稳定期患者血清血管黏附蛋白-1（VAP-1）、巨噬细胞刺激蛋白（MSP）、基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）水平与肺功能、炎性因子及生活质量的关系。方法：选取我院2018年9月～2020年9月收治的COPD稳定期患者116例作为COPD组,选取同期于我院体检的健康志愿者100例作为对照组。比较两组血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平以及肺功能指标[第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）、FEV1/FVC、最大呼气流速（PEF）]、炎症因子[白介素-6（IL-6）、白介素-17（IL-17）、白介素-22（IL-22）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）]水平。根据COPD稳定期患者的严重程度,分成轻度组（n=53）、中度组（n=34）、重度组（n=29）,比较三组上述各指标水平。采用COPD评估测试表（CAT）评估三组生活质量并进行比较,经Pearson线性相关分析血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平与肺功能、炎性因子及CAT评分的相关性。结果：COPD组血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1、IL-6、IL-17、IL-22及TNF-α水平均高于对照组,而FEV1、FVC、FEV1/FVC以及PEF低于对照组（P＜0.05）。轻度组血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1、IL-6、IL-17、IL-22、TNF-α水平及CAT评分较中度、重度组明显降低,且中度组低于重度组,而轻度组FEV1、FVC、FEV1/FVC、PEF较中度、重度组增高,且中度组高于重度组（P＜0.05）。Pearson线性相关分析提示,血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平与FEV1、FVC、FEV1/FVC、PEF呈负相关,三者与血清IL-6、IL-17、IL-22、TNF-α水平及CAT评分呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：COPD稳定期患者的血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平明显上调,且三者与患者的肺功能、炎症因子及生活质量密切相关,临床有望通过测定血清VAP-1、MSP、SDF-1水平,评估COPD稳定期患者病情进展情况。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对急性肝功能衰竭大鼠肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α表达的影响

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）移植对急性肝功能衰竭（ALF）大鼠肝组织中miRNA-155和TNF-α表达的影响,以及与BMSCs疗效间的关系。方法将SD大鼠随机分为健康对照组、ALF组、BMSCs治疗组和BMSCs预防组,其中ALF组予以900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射建立模型;BMSCs治疗组在900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射后2 h,予以尾静脉注射BMSCs 5.0×10^6;BMSCs预防组在900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射前予以尾静脉注射BMSCs 5.0×10^6;健康对照组予以0.9﹪氯化钠溶液1 ml腹腔注射。给药7 h后每组处死大鼠,检测大鼠血清ALT和AST,ELISA法检测TNF-α水平,实时定量PCR检测肝组织miRNA-155、TNF-αmRNA。各组间肝功指标差异采用方差分析,同时观察每组大鼠的24 h生存率,并用卡方检验比较各组生存率的差异。结果 D-GalN/脂多糖诱导7 h后,与ALF组相比,BMSCs预防和BMSCs治疗组大鼠ALT、AST、TNF-α水平均有所降低（P〈0.01）;同时两组肝组织TNF-αmRNA和miRNA-155表达水平均有下调（P〈0.01）;但两组间相比较差异无统计学意义。ALF组大鼠肝组织miRNA-155上调和TNF-αmRNA诱导呈正相关（r=0.734,P=0.001）。BMSCs预防组和BMSCs治疗组miRNA-155和TNF-αmRNA的部分逆转亦呈正相关（r值分别为0.687和0.590,P值分别为0.004和0.006）。给药后24 h,健康对照组、ALF组、BMSCs治疗组和BMSCs预防组大鼠死亡率组间比较差异有统计学意义（c2=19.078,P〈0.01）。结论在BMSCs干预大鼠ALF发病过程中,可以部分逆转上调的肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α,且存在协同性,提示BMSCs治疗ALF可能通过对肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α的调控发生作用。     

Rac1 对糖尿病大鼠脑缺血后血管新生的影响机制的研究

目的:通过观察糖尿病大鼠脑缺血后,脑组织内Rac1表达的变化及其对VEGF、SDF-1表达的影响,探讨不同血糖水平时Rac1对脑缺血后血管新生的影响机制。方法:腹腔注射链脲霉素制作糖尿病大鼠脑缺血模型,尾静脉注射Rac1抑制剂NSC23766,通过western blotting法检测脑组织中总Rac1、VEGF和SDF-1表达;通过GST-pulldown法检测脑组织中活性Rac1表达。结果:在糖尿病大鼠脑缺血模型中,VEGF和SDF-1的表达随着血糖水平的升高而下降;脑组织内Rac1蛋白表达随着血糖水平升高而减少;抑制Rac1活性后,脑组织中VEGF表达均下降但SDF-1的表达反而增加。结论:在糖尿病大鼠脑缺血模型中,高血糖可抑制脑组织Rac1、VEGF和SDF-1的水平,该抑制作用随着血糖升高而增加。抑制Rac1水平可抑制VEGF表达但并未抑制SDF-1水平,提示高血糖可能通过抑制Rac1导致VEGF表达下降,从而影响血管新生。     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.     

Monovalent Cation Permeation through the Connexin40 Gap Junction Channel : Cs,Rb, K,Na, Li,TEA, TMA,TBA, and Effects of Anions Br,Cl, F,Acetate, Aspartate,Glutamate, and NO3

The unitary conductances and permeability sequences of the rat connexin40 (rCx40) gap junction channels to seven monovalent cations and anions were studied in rCx40-transfected neuroblastoma 2A (N2A) cell pairs using the dual whole cell recording technique. Chloride salt cation substitutions (115 mM principal salt) resulted in the following junctional maximal single channel current-voltage relationship slope conductances (γ_j in pS): CsCl (153), RbCl (148), KCl (142), NaCl (115), LiCl (86), TMACl (71), TEACl (63). Reversible block of the rCx40 channel was observed with TBA. Potassium anion salt γ_j are: Kglutamate (160), Kacetate (160), Kaspartate (158), KNO₃ (157), KF (148), KCl (142), and KBr (132). Ion selectivity was verified by measuring reversal potentials for current in rCx40 gap junction channels with asymmetric salt solutions in the two electrodes and using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation to calculate relative permeabilities. The permeabilities relative to Li⁺ are: Cs⁺ (1.38), Rb⁺ (1.32), K⁺ (1.31), Na⁺ (1.16), TMA⁺ (0.53), TEA⁺ (0.45), TBA⁺ (0.03), Cl⁻ (0.19), glutamate⁻ (0.04), and NO₃− (0.14), assuming that the monovalent anions permeate the channel by forming ion pairs with permeant monovalent cations within the pore thereby causing proportionate decreases in the channel conductance. This hypothesis can account for why the predicted increasing conductances with increasing ion mobilities in an essentially aqueous channel were not observed for anions in the rCx40 channel. The rCx40 effective channel radius is estimated to be 6.6 Å from a theoretical fit of the relationship of relative permeability and cation radius.     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

Reliability of Analyses of Hg,Fe, Ca,K, P,pH, Alkalinity,Conductivity, Hardness and Colour from Lakes

The aim of this report has been to present results concerning analytical quality controls of Hg analysis of fish and sediment, analyses of Fe, Ca, total-P, K, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, colour and hardness (Ca + Mg) of lake water samples. Despite the fact that these are standard parameters in many regular water control programs, there are major differences in the reliability with which these parameters can be determined. The focus here is on an overall inter-laboratory comparison between the parameters. Six laboratories have been involved in the analysis. Selected results: pH gives the lowest (average) relative standard deviation (error), about 2 %; conductivity gives an error of about 5–7 %; alkalinity yields an average error of as much as 13–25 %, which is the largest among the parameters studied here; colour also gives a high error, 9–15 %; hardness gives a relative standard deviation of about 6–7 %. Of the other parameters (i. e., Hg, Fe, Ca and P), Hg gives the best reliability and Fe and P the lowest. To have knowledge of the reliability of the analytical data is of paramount importance in most control programs and research projects.     

Competitive inhibition and selectivity enhancement by Ca in the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, Hf) by carrot (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

We investigated the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, and Hf) and the effect of Ca on their uptake in carrots (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) by the radioactive multitracer technique. The experimental results suggested that Na, Mg, K, and Rb competed for the functional groups outside the cells in roots with Ca but not for the transporter-binding sites on the plasma membrrane of the root cortex cells. In contrast, Y, Ce, Pm, and Gd competed with Ca for the transporters on the plasma membrane. The selectivity, which was defined as the value obtained by dividing the concentration ratio of an elemental pair, K/Na, Rb/Na, Be/Sr, and Mg/Sr, in the presence of 0.2 and 2 ppm Ca by that of the corresponding elemental pair in the absence of Ca in the solution was estimated. The selectivity of K and Rb in roots was increased in the presence of Ca. The selectivity of Be in roots was not affected, whereas the selectivity of Mg was increased by Ca. These observations suggest that the presence of Ca in the uptake solution enhances the selectivity in the uptake of metabolically important elements against unwanted elements.     

Relations of the Al,B, Ba,Br, Ca,Cl, Cu,Fe, K,Li, Mg,Mn, Na,P, S,Si, Sr,and Zn mass fractions to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands

The variation with age of the 18 trace element mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0–30 years was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet tissue) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Al 28.5 ± 9.0, B 0.40 ± 0.11, Ba 1.48 ± 0.44, Br 10.5 ± 1.5, Ca 241 ± 30, Cl 3,203 ± 278, Cu 3.51 ± 0.89, Fe 33.7 ± 4.1, K 2,364 ± 145, Li 0.020 ± 0.004, Mg 153 ± 23, Mn 0.46 ± 0.06, Na 2,286 ± 130, P 1,391 ± 100, S 1,698 ± 132, Si 62 ± 11, Sr 0.38 ± 0.08, and Zn 27.6 ± 2.3. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Al 7.2 ± 1.4, B 0.21 ± 0.05, Ba 0.25 ± 0.06, Br 5.8 ± 1.0, Ca 433 ± 81, Cl 2,314 ± 201, Cu 1.77 ± 0.13, Fe 20.9 ± 1.6, K 2,585 ± 118, Li 0.0088 ± 0.0014, Mg 232 ± 27, Mn 0.34 ± 0.04, Na 1,875 ± 107, P 1,403 ± 98, S 1,673 ± 73, Si 22.2 ± 3.1, Sr 0.22 ± 0.03, and Zn 93.3 ± 8.9. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. This work’s results confirm that the Zn mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter. For the first time it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Ca, Mg, and Zn accumulation and that the stroma is a main pool of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Si accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 0–30 years. It was concluded that the Ca, Mg, and Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, V, and Zn Contents in Rib Bone of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15–55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54?±?0.16, 171,400?±?4,050, 1.35?±?0.22, 140?±?11, 1,874?±?71, 0.049?±?0.011, 2,139?±?38, 5,378?±?88, 75,140?±?1,660, 1,881?±?51, 291?±?20, and 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.