Association of alkali metals and Alkaline-earth metals with the risk of schizophrenia in a Chinese population: A Case-Control study

Alkali metals (AMs) and alkali earth metals (AEMs) affect levels and signaling of neurotransmitters, which potentially play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). The current case-control study aims to explore how AMs [i.e. Potassium (K), sodium (Na), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs)] and AEMs [i.e. magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba)] in serum could associate with SCZ. One hundred and five inpatients with SCZ and 106 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Weifang, China. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used to evaluate serum concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was for Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba. Subjects with SCZ had significantly higher Mg and Sr serum concentrations than HCs (20.86 vs. 19.73 μg/mL of Mg, p < 0.001; 53.14 vs. 42.26 ng/mL of Sr, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the odds ratio of Mg and Sr remain significantly higher in the SCZ group (Mg: OR = 2.538, 95 % CI: 1.254–5.136, p=0.010; Sr: OR = 3.798, 95 % CI: 1.769–8.153, p = 0.001). No significant differences between SCZ subjects and HCs were observed for other AMs and AEMs. Higher serum concentrations of Mg and Sr were associated with SCZ. Studies are suggested to find the related mechanisms and provide clues for pathogenesis of SCZ, which would impact prevention and treatments of SCZ.     

Sequential extraction of trace metals and particle size distribution studies of Kainji Lake sediment,Nigeria

Abstract

Sequential extraction was carried out to determine the concentrations of some trace metals (Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd) in the Kainji lake sediments from seven different locations in four fractions: exchangeable, bound to iron and manganese oxide, bound to organic matters and residual. This was to undertaken to assess the environmental fate of these trace metals. The BCR technique, a modified form of the Tessier method of sequential extraction was used.

The proportion of the mean metal concentrations of the bioavailable metals follows the order Fe>Cu>Pb>Mn>Cd. Generally, Fe was most abundant metal in the sediment and about 40% was found in its bioavailable form. Although Cd contributed least to the bioavailable content, a greater percentage (~60%) was found in the bioavailable fraction. This suggests that Cd is highly mobile and, since it is known to be toxic, its concentration in the bioavailable form constitutes an environmental threat.

The contribution of metals bound to organic matter was found to be high and of the same magnitude as those bound to oxides and constitutes about 70% of the non-bioavailable metal contents. The petrological analysis of the sediments revealed that the sediments were predominantly quartz and rock clays with percussion marks and indentations.     

Time preference of headache attack and chronotype in migraine and tension-type headache

ABSTRACT

Migraine attacks have a time preference of headache attack (TPHA). Chronotype is the propensity for an individual to sleep at a particular time during a 24-h period. However, limited evidence exists regarding the association between TPHA and chronotype in individuals with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH). The aim of the present study is to investigate TPHA and chronotype in individuals with migraine and TTH, which are two of the most common primary headaches. One hundred sixty-nine first-visit migraine and TTH participants were consecutively enrolled. Information on sleep onset time and wake up time on workdays and free days, and TPHA were investigated with a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire booklet. Chronotype was assessed, using the midpoint of sleep on free days, corrected for sleep extension on free days (MSFsc), by subtracting one-half of the average weekly sleep duration. Headache frequency per month, headache intensity, impact of headache, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, insomnia severity, and mood status were also assessed. Time preference of headache attack was reported for 45.5% and 44.8% of participants with migraine and TTH, respectively. Migraineurs with TPHA had an earlier MSFsc than did migraineurs without TPHA (1:18 a.m. ± 282 min vs. 4:18 a.m. ± 186 min; p = .022). Among migraineurs with TPHA, a later MSFsc was associated with a later preferential time of attack (β = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6–2.1, p = .004). A later MSFsc was significantly correlated with a higher headache frequency per month among migraineurs with TPHA (β = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.3–3.4, p = .023), but was not significantly correlated among migraineurs without TPHA (β = 1.4, 95% CI ?1.7–4.4, p = .332). Among TTH participants with TPHA, MSFsc was not significantly associated with a preferential time of attack (β = ?0.2, 95% CI = ?1.0 to 0.6, p = .611). Headache frequency was not associated with MSFsc among TTH participants with TPHA (β = 0.2, 95% CI = ?1.2 to 1.6, p = .792) or among TTH participants without TPHA (β = 0.4, 95% CI = ?0.5 to 1.3, p = .354). In conclusion, approximately one-half of participants with migraine and TTH reported having TPHA. Migraineurs with TPHA had an earlier chronotype than did migraineurs without TPHA. A later chronotype was associated with increased headache frequency and a later time of attack among migraineurs with TPHA. Among participants with TTH, TPHA and headache frequency were not significantly associated with chronotype.     

Fractionation and ecological risk assessment of trace metals in surface sediment from the Huaihe River,Anhui, China

Abstract

The Huaihe River has suffered increasing pressure from pollutants including metals from anthropogenic activities. In this study, enrichment and fractionation behavior of trace metals were analyzed in sediment samples obtained from fish spawning area of the Huaihe River (Anhui Section) to evaluate the potential ecological risk of trace metals to aquatic organisms. Geochemical indices including enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index as well as mean probable effect concentration quotient and risk assessment code were adopted to assess the contamination degree and potential ecological toxicity. Results showed that the total contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg in sediment were 23.1?±?6.4, 32.3?±?11.1, 76.8?±?14.2, 84.6?±?17.2, 0.2?±?0.1, 9.0?±?3.0, and 0.031?±?0.010?mg/kg, respectively. The indexes EF and I_geo revealed slight accumulation for Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and As in some sampling sites. The result of Q_m-PEC demonstrated that trace metals in sediment were not toxic to aquatic organisms. Most trace metals appeared to mainly associate with the residual form suggesting lower mobility whereas Cd presented a relative higher exchangeable fraction indicating a great degree of bioavailability. The result of risk assessment code (RAC) evaluation revealed that Cd poses a medium ecological risk for aquatic organisms whereas most of the other trace metals pose low risks.     

Quantitative speciation of heavy metals in soil and crops of agricultural fields of Islamabad,Pakistan

Abstract

Two root crops: carrot (Daucus carota) and spring onion (Allium fistulosum) and soil samples were selected from the agricultural fields located near Islamabad, Pakistan to determine their elemental content. Field soil speciation of the two crops was also carried out to analyse the correlation of the elements in field crop and soil. Concentrations of selected elements were evaluated in the leaf, stem, root and flowering part of the crops using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that elements are mostly concentrated in soil rather than crop parts following the sequence Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd. Furthermore, soil speciation showed that Ni and Cr are more prevalent in the Fe–Mn oxide fraction, Zn and Cd as the carbonate bound fraction and Cu is found in the organic bound form. However, concentrations of Pb are similar across the carbonate, Fe–Mn oxide and organic bound fractions. The highest average concentration of Zn is found as the carbonate bound fraction (2.09 ± 0.005 mg kg^?1) and Cu as the organic bound (1.51 ± 0.029 mg kg^?1) in soil samples taken from the agricultural field of Daucus carota.     

Complexation of trace metals with humic acids from soil,sediment and sewage

ABSTRACT

Metal—humate interactions in aqueous and terrestrial ecosystems control the speciation of trace metals and hence, their bioavailability and toxicity. The present study investigated the complexation interactions of copper, cadmium and lead, in their divalent states, with humic acids extracted from three different sources: the treated sewage from a treatment plant, Yamuna river bed sediment, and Yamuna river flood plain soil, all at Okhla, Delhi, employing ion selective electrode potentiometry. The conditional stability constants of the complexes were computed from Scatchard plots. The influences of the two important metal speciation factors, viz., pH and ionic strength of the reaction medium on the conditional stability constants were ascertained by investigating the reactions under three different pH: 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 and three different ionic strengths: 0.01, 0.03 and 0.1. Stabilities of metal—humic acid (HA) complexes follow the order: Cu-HA > Pb-HA > Cd-HA for humic acids from any single source and are found to increase with a rise in pH and fall in a ionic strength of the medium. The humic acids extracted from the soil and the sediment emerged as stronger complexing agents, as compared to that extracted from sewage.     

Circadian variations in the clinical presentation of headaches among migraineurs: A study using a smartphone headache diary

Migraines occur within certain time frames. Nevertheless, information regarding circadian variation in the clinical presentation of migraine is limited. We investigated circadian variations in the clinical presentation of migraine using a smartphone headache diary (SHD). We enrolled adult participants with the diagnosis of migraine according to the third beta edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Participants were asked to log in to the SHD every day for 90 days to record the occurrence of headaches. We compared the occurrence and clinical presentation of headaches during four 6-hour quadrants per day (00:00–05:59, 06:00–11:59, 12:00–17:59, and 18:00–23:59). Migraine-type headache was defined as a headache attack that fulfilled all criteria of migraine, except for the criterion regarding typical headache duration. Eighty-two participants kept a dairy for at least 50% of the study period and recorded 1491 headache attacks. Among the 1491 headache attacks, 474 (31.8%) were classified as migraine-type headaches and 1017 (68.2%) were classified as non-migraine-type headaches. All headaches, migraine-type headaches and non-migraine-type headaches occurred most frequently between 06:00 and 11:59, and least frequently between 18:00 and 23:59, and between 00:00 and 05:59. Migrainous headache characteristics, such as unilateral pain, pulsating quality, severe headache intensity, aggravation by movement, nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia presented most frequently between 06:00 and 11:59, and least frequently between 18:00 and 23:59, and 00:00 and 05:59 among 1491 all headache attacks. Headache clinical presentation as well as headache occurrence exhibited circadian periodicity among migraineurs.

Abbreviations: SHD: smartphone headache diary; ICHD-3 beta: the third edition beta version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders     

荷叶离褶伞子实体营养成分分析与评价

经测定,荷叶离褶伞Lyophyllum decastes子实体含粗蛋白21.4%,粗脂肪8.2%,粗纤维9.52%,碳水化合物53.03%,灰分13.6%;必需氨基酸6.02g/100g,占氨基酸总量(16.82g/100g)的35.78%;含维生素B10.068mg、维生素B24.26mg、维生素B6590μg、维生素B1255.7μg、烟酸21.2mg;1kg子实体含锌50.0mg、铜19.0mg、硒0.013mg、镉1.85mg、汞0.56mg、铅0.75mg、砷0.29mg。     

Silicon compatible with the height of human vertebral column

In the study on human vertebral composites, silicon was found to be related to the height of the vertebral column. The element ratio of silicon to calcium in the lumbar vertebra was twice that of the lowest one in the cervical vertebra. The element ratio gradually increased from approx 0.5 at the cervical vertebra to approx 1.0 at the lumbar one. Silicon is preserved catastropically much more in the lower height of the backbone in contrast with the calcium amount, and the ratio to sulfur appears to be unchanged. This suggests that silicon is compatible with the biokinetics of the vertebral bone structure of calcium.     

Evaluating tissue levels of the eight trace elements and heavy metals among esophagus and gastric cancer patients: A comparison between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues

BackgroundConsidering the affecting role of environmental factors including trace elements and heavy metals on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, there is paucity of empirical research in tissue evaluations.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to measure the tissue content of some trace elements and heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) in esophagus and gastric cancerous tissues compared to the adjacent healthy tissues.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, the aforementioned trace elements and heavy metals were evaluated among patients with esophagus and gastric cancers. During endoscopy, multiple samples were taken from cancerous lesions and the adjacent healthy tissues. The classic flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) method was employed as the study framework.ResultsFifty patients with the mean age of 53.92 ± 8.73 were enrolled in the current study. Thirteen patients suffered from esophageal cancer and thirty-seven patients were afflicted with gastric cancer. The results revealed significant differences in the median concentrations of Zn, Cr, Sn and, Cu (P < 0.05) between the two groups. Although there were no significant changes in the tissue content in the esophageal samples, in the median concentrations of Zn, Cr and, Sn (P < 0.05) in gastric tissues, significant differences were observed. Further, the results indicated that gender enacted an affecting role in the level of some trace elements and heavy metals.ConclusionThe tissue contents of some elements were altered in gastric and esophageal cancers; this difference may reflect the underlying mechanism of cellular changing during the tumorigenesis or direct exposure of these elements. It seems that under the shade of other coexisting risk factors, larger cohort studies are suggested to be conducted to investigate other probable aspects in this area of interest.     

Physiological responses of plants to heavy metals and the quantification of tolerance and toxicity

Abstract

Techniques available for assessing the tolerance of plants to heavy metal toxins are reviewed. All are based on physiological responses and range from long-term growth trials in metal-contaminated substrates, to rapid cytological tests. Problems associated with the ecophysiological interpretation of in vitro measurements of tolerance are considered. The implications of multiple tolerance, co-tolerance, constitutional tolerance, inducible tolerance and possible stimulatory effects of metals on plant responses are discussed.     

Ecotoxicity of trace metals for chironomids

The main issue of the present study was to evaluate Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu uptake in chironomid larvae and other freshwater benthic macro-invertebrates under field conditions. Secondly, laboratory experiments were performed to relate trace metal uptake in chironomid larvae with effects on growth and development, and to assess the fate of accumulated trace metals during metamorphosis or upon predation.     

Maternal essential metals,thyroid hormones,and fetal growth: Association and mediation analyses in Chinese pregnant women

BackgroundEssential metals play critical roles in fetal growth and development, but results from human studies are inconsistent. Additionally, whether maternal thyroid hormone (TH) levels mediate the associations between essential metals and fetal growth remains unknown.MethodsData for analysis were extracted from the Information System of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019. Maternal levels of essential metals [copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe)] and THs were measured at the second trimester. Multivariate linear models were introduced to evaluate the potential associations between maternal essential metals, thyroid functions, and fetal growth, and the possible mediation effects of thyroid functions were explored in the median analyses.ResultsA total of 4186 mother-infant pairs were included in the present study. Maternal Fe levels were found to significantly increase birth weight in 272.91 g (95 % CI: 15.59, 530.22) among anemia group. Maternal Cu levels were positively associated with increased free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine ratio (FT3/FT4). Negative associations of Fe and Mg levels with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were observed, accompanied with the positive associations in relation to FT3, FT4 and FT3/FT4 ratio. Mediation analyses suggested that 72.01 % of the associations between Fe levels and birth length might be mediated by FT3 levels. Additionally, 25.85 % of the Cu-birth length association and 44.53 % of the Fe-birth length association could be explained by FT3/FT4 ratio.ConclusionOur findings suggest that maternal Cu, Mg, and Fe levels can alter TH concentrations, and maternal FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio might be potential mediators on the developmental effects of Cu and Fe levels.     

Consequences of trace metal variability and supplementation on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture performance: A review of key mechanisms and considerations

Trace metals are supplied to chemically-defined media (CDM) for optimal Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture performance during the production of monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins. However, lot-to-lot and vendor-to-vendor variability in raw materials consequently leads to an imbalance of trace metals that are supplied to CDM. This imbalance can yield detrimental effects rooted in several primary mechanisms and pathways including oxidative stress, apoptosis, lactate accumulation, and unfavorable glycan synthesis. Recent research endeavors involve supplying zinc, copper, and manganese to CDM in excess to further maximize culture productivity and product quality. These treatments significantly impact critical quality attributes and furthermore highlight the degree to which trace metal availability can affect CHO cell culture performance. This review highlights the role of trace metal variability, supplementation, and interplay on key cellular mechanisms responsible for overall culture performance and the production and quality of therapeutic proteins.     

Time dependent study to evaluate the efficacy of zinc on hepatic marker enzymes and elemental profile in serum and liver of protein deficient rats

This study was designed to determine the time dependent protective effects of zinc sulfate on the serum and liver marker enzymes along with elemental profile in protein deficient Sprauge Dawley (S.D.) female rats. Zinc sulfate in the dose of 227 mg/l in drinking water was administrated to normal control as well as protein deficient rats for a total duration of 8 weeks. The effects of different treatments were studied on enzymes like alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and alanine aminotransferases (ALT) in rat serum at different time intervals of 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks and in the rat liver at the end of study. The status of different essential elements in liver was also studied. The serum ALP activity got significantly depressed when estimated at the intervals of 4 and 8 weeks. Activity of serum ALT was significantly increased after 4 weeks interval in protein deficient rats and the increasing trend continued upto 8 weeks of protein deficiency. On the other hand, activity of AST showed a significant increase just after 2 weeks and activity continued to be increased up to 8 weeks. Moreover activities of all the hepato marker enzymes showed a significant increase in liver of protein deficient rats. Interestingly, supplementation of Zn to protein deficient rats helped in regulating the altered activities of ALP, AST and ALT both in serum and liver. However, zinc treatment alone to normal rats did not indicate any significant change in the activities of all the enzymes in liver as well serum except at the interval of 2 weeks where a marginal increase in the activity of AST was seen. It has also been observed that concentrations of zinc, copper, iron and selenium were found to be decreased significantly in protein deficient animals. However, the levels of these elements came back to within normal limits when zinc was administrated to protein deficient rats. Published online December 2004     

Trace metals in edible marine molluscs and crustaceans from Lebanon

Samples of the edible tissue of cephalopod molluscs (cuttlefish, squid, octopus) and crustaceans (lobster, shrimp) collected off the coast of Lebanon were found to concentrate similar levels of cadmium, copper, nickel, and chromium. Lead and zinc were highest in the cephalopods and iron was highest in the crustaceans.The molluscs collected from Beirut had higher levels of many metals than those taken from the other locations. The Beirut octopus had higher lead, cadmium, copper, iron, and chromium. Lead, cadmium, and copper were also highest in the Beirut cuttlefish while iron and zinc were elevated. The crustaceans from Beirut showed no strong tendency to concentrate higher metal levels, except for the Beirut lobster which had higher copper than the other samples.In the cuttlefish, the analysis of bone showed generally higher cadmium, zinc, nickel, and chromium but lower copper and iron than the muscle. However, at Beirut, the bone samples had much higher iron. Levels of most metals in the exoskeletons of the lobster and shrimp were quite similar to those in the muscle tissue with the exception of iron in the lobster which was highest in the exoskeleton, and zinc in both crustaceans, which was more highly concentrated in the muscle.     

Age-related changes in the concentrations of major and trace elements in the brain of rats and mice

Age-related changes in the concentrations of constituent elements in the brains of rats and mice 1 wk to 24 mo old were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Seventeen elements could be determined with reasonable accuracy and reproducibility. They were P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Rb, Al, Mn, Sr, Mo, Co, Pb, Cs, and Cd in order of concentrations in the adult rat brains. In these elements, six major elements (P, K, Na, Fe, Mg, Ca) were determined with ICP-AES and the others with ICP-MS. The concentrations of each element and the pattern of age-related changes were similar between the rat and mouse brains. The elements of which concentrations decreased with aging were K and Rb. On the other hand, the concentrations of some metal elements, including Fe, Cu, Sr, and Co, appeared to increase with growth and aging. The concentrations of other elements were relatively constant throughout the age examined.     

Trace metals in barnacles:the significance of trophic transfer

Barnacles have very high accumulated trace metal body concentrations that vary with local trace metal bioavailabilities and represent integrated measures of the supply of bioavailable metals. Pioneering work in Chinese waters in Hong Kong highlighted the potential value of barnacles (particularly Balanus amphitrite) as trace metal biomonitors in coastal waters, identifying differences in local trace metal bioavailabilities over space and time. Work in Hong Kong has also shown that although barnacles have very high rates of trace metal uptake from solution, they also have very high trace metal assimilation efficiencies from the diet. High assimilation efficiencies coupled with high ingestion rates ensure that trophic uptake is by far the dominant trace metal uptake route in barnacles, as verified for cadmium and zinc. Kinetic modelling has shown that low efflux rate constants and high uptake rates from the diet combine to bring about accumulated trace metal concentrations in barnacles that are amongst the