Proton-induced X-ray emission analysis of atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid bifurcation

The trace elements of both calcified atherosclerotic plaques and plaque-free vessel walls of the carotid bifurcation from 31 autopsies were investigated using the proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. The trace elements studied were phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), chrome (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), strontium (Sr), and rubidium (Rb). All samples contained Fe and Zn. Mercury (Hg) was not detected in any of the samples studied. All plaque-free samples contained Cu and almost all Br and Ca, none Sr. All calcified atherosclerotic plaques contained Ca and almost all Br and Sr. The relative levels of Ca were higher in the calcified plaques than in the plaque-free vessel walls. The relative value of Ca in calcified and uncalcified samples was greatest in the group who had died because of cardiovascular disorders and smallest in the group who had died from other causes. There was a strong positive correlation between the Ca and Sr of the plaque samples and between the P and Br of the plaque-free samples.     

Chemical mutagenesis--a promising technique to increase metal concentration and extraction in sunflowers

Since most of the metal-hyperaccumulating wild plants only produce very low biomass and many high-yielding crops accumulate only moderate amounts of metals, the current research is mainly focused on overcoming these limitations and the optimization of metal phytoextraction. The main goal of the present study was the improvement of metal concentration and extraction properties of Helianthus annuus L by chemical mutagenesis (the non-GMO approach). Sunflowers--hybrid cultivar Salut and inbred lines-were treated with the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). The effect of chemical mutagenesis on metal concentration in and extraction by new sunflower M1 and M2 mutants was directly assessed on a metal-contaminated field in Raft, Switzerland. Mutants of the M2 generation showed a 2-3 times higher metal shoot concentration than the control plants. The best M2 sunflower "giant mutant" 14/185/04 showed a significantly enhanced metal extraction ability: 7.5 times for Cd, 9.2 times for Zn, and 8.2 times for Pb in aboveground parts, as compared to the control plants. Theoretical calculations for the phytoextraction potential of new sunflower variants note that the best sunflower mutant can produce up to 26 t dry matter per hectare and remove 13.3 kg Zn per hectare and year at the sewage sludge contaminated site of Raft; that is a gain factor of 9 compared to Zn extraction by sunflower controls. Furthermore, the use of sunflower oil and biomass for technical purposes (lubricants, biodiesel, biogas) should produce an additional value and improve the economical balance of phytoextraction.     

Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of trace elements of total atmospheric deposit (TAD) around a smelting industry: Aerial pollution monitor

This study monitored total atmospheric deposit (TAD) around a smelting plant in Ile-Ife, Nigeria to assess the contributions of the industry to Nigeria's air-shed pollution. Samples were collected for 12 consecutive months using an Australian model gauge, harvested after 30 d of exposure, filtered and dried to constant weights using oven. Monthly deposition rates were determined and elemental characterizations of the TAD samples were done using proton-induced X-ray emission technique. Results revealed that the monthly deposition rates ranged from 0.69 to 4.62 gm^?3 and was more pronounced in Harmattan. Twenty-three elements were detected; their total elemental concentrations ranged from 1.23 to 13.63 mg m^?3 with Fe having the highest concentrations, while Na has the least. Pearson correlation indicated that some elements have common sources and/or similar chemical properties; enrichment factor showed that Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn were extremely enriched in the study area, modified degree of contamination (3.75) and pollution load intensity (1.21) showed that the neighborhoods could be exposed to high air pollution related impacts. Positive matrix factorization model revealed three distinct sources: Smelting emission (63%), biomass burning (17%), and suspended input material emissions (21%). The study concluded that the smelting activities posed a great hazard to receptors around the smelting industry.     

Experimental models of transgenic plants promising for the modern technologies

Transgenic popato plants have been created which express recombinant proteins, analogues of spidroin 1, the protein of the cobweb skeleton thread. Expression of the hybrid spidroin 1 genes possessing some repeated sequences retains both in the model test-tube-growing plants and in the crops. Expression level of the synthetic spidroin 1 genes and the level of accumulation of their products in plants depend on the type of promoter, number of repeats, organ specificity and plant species but not on the duration of plant material storage. The results show that the strategy based on constuction and expression of hybrid proteins which include the reporter protein makes it easier to select and analyse expression of hybrid proteins in transgenic organisms.     

Using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobes in the study of metal homeostasis in plants

Background and Aims

This Botanical Briefing reviews the application of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microprobes to the plant sciences; how the technique has expanded our knowledge of metal(loid) homeostasis, and how it can be used in the future.

Scope

The use of SXRF microspectroscopy and microtomography in research on metal homeostasis in plants is reviewed. The potential use of SXRF as part of the ionomics toolbox, where it is able to provide fundamental information on the way that plants control metal homeostasis, is recommended.

Conclusions

SXRF is one of the few techniques capable of providing spatially resolved in-vivo metal abundance data on a sub-micrometre scale, without the need for chemical fixation, coating, drying or even sectioning of samples. This gives researchers the ability to uncover mechanisms of plant metal homeostasis that can potentially be obscured by the artefacts of sample preparation. Further, new generation synchrotrons with smaller beam sizes and more sensitive detection systems will allow for the imaging of metal distribution within single living plant cells. Even greater advances in our understanding of metal homeostasis in plants can be gained by overcoming some of the practical boundaries that exist in the use of SXRF analysis.Key words: Metal homeostasis, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence, SXRF, microspectroscopy, microtomography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XAS, ionomics, Arabidopsis thaliana, hyperaccumulator     

Effect of farmyard manure on the trace element content of soils and of plants grown thereon

Farmyard manure, added to six soils at intervals over a two-year period until the equivalent of 240 tons of fresh manure per acre had been applied, significantly increased pH values, organic matter and nitrogen contents, water-soluble boron levels and total amounts of copper, zinc and molybdenum. The uptake of boron and manganese by ladino clover was less, and that of molybdenum was greater, on the manured than on the unmanured soils. It is suggested that the influence of manure on trace-element availability may be an indirect one, due to its effect on soil reaction rather than to any increased amount of these elements that may be added in the manure.Contribution No. 377, Chemistry Division, Science Service.     

Heavy metal content in halophytic plants from inland and maritime saline areas

We investigated the concentration of Aluminium (Al), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) in the root and aboveground organs of four halophyte species (Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima, Salsola soda and Halimione portulacoides), as well as in the soil from maritime and inland saline areas. The aim of our research was to evaluate the capability of some halophyte species to absorb different heavy metals and to detect differentiation of heavy metal accumulation within populations from inland and maritime saline areas. Generally, the plant roots had significantly higher concentrations of metals when compared to stems and leaves. Zinc was the only metal with concentrations significantly higher in the leaves than in the root and stem. Populations from maritime saline areas had higher trace root and stem metal concentrations than populations from inland saline areas. Excepting zinc, populations from inland saline areas had higher heavy metal concentrations in the leaves. The factors that affected metal accumulation by halophytes included the percentage of salt in the soil. We also discuss the potential use of these halophytes in phytoremediation.     

Pyrogenic changes in microelement content in soils and plants from the pine forests of western Transbaikal

The pyrogenic transformation of the microelement content in soils and plants from western Transbaikal (Republic of Buryatia) has been studied. As is found, ground fires, under the studied conditions, lead to the transformation of soil properties and slightly elevated concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb in the surface soil (0–40 cm) and and Mn, Zn, and Pb in plants. It has been also found that the soil Fe: Mn ratio becomes lower. A pyrogenic transformation of vegetation and the soil properties, the elemental composition in particular, is shown to be traced over several years after the fire.     

Experimental models of transgenic plants promising for innovative biotechnologies

Transgenic potato plants have been created that express recombinant proteins that are analogues of spidroin 1, the protein of the cobweb dragline. Expression of spidroin 1 hybrid genes possessing some repeated sequences is retained on going from model test tube-grown plants to crops. The expression level of the synthetic spidroin 1 genes and the level of accumulation of their products in plants depend on the type of promoter, number of repeats, organ specificity, and plant species, but not on the duration of plant material storage. The results show that the strategy based on construction and expression of hybrid proteins including a reporter protein makes it easier to select and analyze the expression of hybrid proteins in transgenic organisms.     

Study of Zn,Cu and Pb content in plants and contaminated soils in Sardinia

Trace elements in soils exist as components of several different fractions. We have analyzed the correlation between total and extractable (EDTA, calcium chloride and deionized water) Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations in soils and the concentration of these elements in plant leaves. Soil and plant samples have been taken from Sulcis-Iglesiente (Sardinia), an area rich in mining tailings. This has made that the concentrations of the trace element under study in soils were varied. Three plants have been studied: Dittrichia viscosa, Cistus salviifolius, and Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii. Soil samples beneath each of them at depths of 0–30 and 30–60 cm have been considered. The highest concentration of trace elements in the leaves of the studied species has been found for Zn. The calcium carbonate content and the crystalline and amorphous forms of iron in the soil have determined the concentration of metal in plant leaves. The soil concentrations that have been found with the extraction methods are uncorrelated with Pb and Cu concentrations in plants, but Zn is correlated with the fraction extracted with EDTA and calcium chloride. The concentrations of trace metals in plants are most closely related to the soil contents of CaCO₃, electrical conductivity, Fe_ox, and Fe_dc.     

Photochemical tools for studying metal ion signaling and homeostasis

Metal ions have well-established catalytic and structural roles in proteins. Much of the knowledge acquired about metalloenzymes has been derived using spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography, but these methodologies are less effective for studying metal ions that are not tightly bound to biomacromolecules. In order to prevent deleterious chemistry, cells tightly regulate the uptake, distribution, and intracellular concentrations of metal ions. Investigation into these homeostasis mechanisms has necessitated the development of alternative ways to study metal ions. Photochemical tools such as small molecule and protein-based fluorescent sensors as well as photocaged complexes have provided insight into the homeostasis and signaling mechanisms of Ca(2+), Zn(2+), and Cu(+), but a comprehensive picture of metal ions in biology will require additional development of these techniques, which are reviewed in this Current Topics article.     

Trace-element analysis of human teeth and bone by proton-induced X-ray emission

The objective of our study is to correlate Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Br, Sr, and Mo concentrations in human teeth crown, root, and bone. The samples, teeth from a lower jaw bone and the lower jaw bone itself, were obtained from a 97-yr-old female cadaver. Two hundred milligrams of crown and root of the teeth, and lower jaw bones were fixed to a Kapton film and irradiated with a 3.8-MeV external proton beam from an 8-MV FN Tandem Van de Graaff Accelerator. TheF-test was used to analyze the difference between crown, root, and bone. It resulted in the following: For Fe, Zn, and Pb, the comparison showed significant differences among the three sample populations of tooth crown, root, and bone; for Cu, Br, Sr, and Mo, the comparison showed no significant differences among all three sample populations. Several elements in the samples were highly interrelated.     

沣河沿岸土壤和优势植物重金属富集特征和潜在生态风险

测定陕西省沣河沿岸32个土壤样品和16个优势植物样品中Cr、Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn和Ni 6种重金属元素的含量,并结合数据统计与GIS制图,对土壤和植物中重金属的空间分布、富集特征及潜在风险进行分析。结果表明沣河中下游沿岸土壤和植物中Cr、Mn、Pb、Zn和Ni含量空间分布呈明显富集。土壤中Cr、Mn和Pb的几何均值分别为92.1、611.1和32.9 mg/kg,均高于陕西省土壤元素背景值;植物中Mn、Zn含量在正常范围内,Cr、Cu、Ni含量部分超标,Pb含量整体较高,地上部分对Pb的积累量达到15.5 mg/kg,约为正常情况下的7.8倍。本研究中马齿苋、艾蒿、芦苇和水蓼四种植物生物量大,对这六种重金属富集能力均较强,可作为该地区耐重金属植物。沣河沿岸土壤和植物中重金属污染值得关注。     

Estimation of uranium and boron contents in plants and soils by nuclear particle etch technique

Summary The nuclear particle etch technique has been utilized to estimate uranium concentration in soil and plant samples and boron contents in plant samples. The average value of uranium content in soil was found to be 11 ppm. Uranium was found to vary from 0.5 to 4.4 ppm and boron was found to vary from 10.9 to 19.2 ppm in plant (mesophyte and xerophyte groups) samples. The present technique of nuclear charged particle track analysis, simple and inexpensive, has high potentiality for boron and uranium analysis in plants and agricultural crops. It may find application in geobotany to get information about underlying deposits of ores and minerals.     

Raman spectroscopy a promising technique for investigations of metallothioneins

Metallobiomolecules are highly elaborated coordination complexes, and their fundamental metal-ligand interactions are critical components of metalloprotein folding, assembly, stability, electrochemistry, and catalytic function. Herein, we have described the benefits in using Raman spectroscopy to define the metal-ion binding properties of MTs toward metal ions such as Zn(ii) and Cd(ii). In particular, this vibrational technique can shed light on the secondary structures eventually present in MTs and the ligands involved in metal coordination. The oxidation state of Cys residues and their participation in the metal chelation can be clearly defined, as well as the eventual involvement of His residues. With regards to exogenous metal ligands such as sulfide anions, their presence can be identified by some marker bands whose intensity is linearly correlated with sulfide/metal molar ratio. Finally, Raman can be also an useful tool for providing information on the favourite sites of the radical attack and radical-induced modification in protein folding. In conclusion, many advantages such as the capability of defining local regions in large complexes and detecting several structural features at the same time, the ability in supporting mechanisms, as well as the requirement of low sample amount, make to propose Raman spectroscopy, in coupling with analytical techniques such as atomic emission spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and circular dichroism, as one of the most promising experimental strategies in the research on structure-activity relationships in MTs.     

Tribo-electrochemical technique for studying tribocorrosion behavior of biomaterials

Tribocorrosion is the term which describes the synergy between tribological and electrochemical processes. An apparatus was designed and built to study the tribocorrosion behavior of biomaterials. Electrochemical set-up with three electrodes is used for controlling the potential of the surface of a conducting material subjected to classical wear testing. Using this equipment, it is possible to carry out friction and wear tests in electrolytic solution under well-defined electrochemical conditions determined by the applied electrode potential. In this paper, this apparatus was described and the tests of deposited TiN on pure Ti for corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior under simulated body fluid were conducted. The presence of TiN layer on the surface of Ti has increased the open circuit potential. The charge transfer resistance (R(ct)) determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was higher for the nitrided surfaces than for the Ti substrates. However after wear test, R(ct) was significantly reduced because the protective layer was damaged.     

Model plants for studying the interaction between Methylobacterium mesophilicum and Xylella fastidiosa

Over the last few years, endophytic bacterial communities associated with citrus have been studied as key components interacting with Xylella fastidiosa. In this study, we investigated the possible interaction between the citrus endophyte Methylobacterium mesophilicum SR1.6/6 and X. fastidiosa in model plants such as Catharanthus roseus (Madagaskar periwinkle) and Nicotiana clevelandii (Clevelands tobacco). The aim of this study was to establish the fate of M. mesophilicum SR1.6/6 after inoculation of C. roseus and N. clevelandii plants, using PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction--denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) and plating techniques. Shifts in the indigenous endophytic bacterial communities were observed in plants inoculated with strain SR1.6/6, using specific primers targeting alpha- and beta-Proteobacteria. Cells of strain SR1.6/6 were observed in a biofilm structure on the root and hypocotyl surfaces of in vitro seedlings inoculated with M. mesophilicum SR1.6/6. This emphasizes the importance of these tissues as main points of entrance for this organism. The results showed that C. roseus and N. clevelandii could be used as model plants to study the interaction between M. mesophilicum and X. fastidiosa.     

Location and quantification of metal ions in enzymes combining polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and particle-induced X-ray emission

A method is presented to identify and determine the relative amounts of protein-bound metal ionsin situ. Proteins or their subunits are directly scanned by a collimated proton beam of 3 MeV energy, and the characteristic X-rays produced are detected. The determination of Fe content of an iron-sulfur protein (HiPiP), as well as the Fe and Ni analysis of the hydrogenese fromThiocapsa roseopersina, have shown the feasibility of this technique.