A search for trace elements in some human intracranial tumors by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A investigation was undertaken to measure the presence of trace elements in some intracranial tumors using the instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. The following 20 minor and trace elements were investigated: Na, Mg, Al, P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, I, and Cs. Our results are compared with other trace element analyses in human brain tissue.     

Trace element correlations in the blood of indian women with breast cancer

Fourteen minor (Na, K, P, Fe) and trace (Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Zn) elements have been determined in pre and postoperative blood samples of 10 breast-cancer-affected. Indian women and compared with controls. The study showed elevation of Cr, Hg, Fe, Rb, Sb, and Zn and lowering of Se, K, P, and Sr contents in the blood of cancer patients. Most elemental contents in pre and postoperative stages remain unaltered except Br, Co, and Sb. Statistical significance of Fe, Se, Zn, and Hg levels has been tested by box plots. Lowering of Se in blood (-54.4%) is correlated with its enhancement in cancerous breast tissue (94.7%) of various clinical stages. Se/Zn and Se/Fe ratios are lowered in the blood of cancer patients, whereas Na/K ratio is only marginally enhanced. An attempt has been made to correlate Se levels with the dietary intake and breast cancer risk vis-a-vis American and Japanese women.     

An elemental correlation study in cancerous and normal breast tissue with successive clinical stages by neutron activation analysis

Influence of trace elements in body metabolism and their physiological importance in various diseases have motivated their accurate and quantitative determination in biological tissues and fluids. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using short and long term irradiation has been employed to determine five minor elements (Cl, K, Na, Mg, P) and 15 trace elements (As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Rb, Sb, Se, Sc, Sr, and Zn) in cancerous and normal breast tissue from 30 patients of four clinical stages. Several elements show enhancement in cancerous breast tissue. Selenium shows maximum enhancement of 94.7% followed by K (81.6%), Sc (66.7%), Cu (58.2%), Na (48.5%), P (44.4%), and Zn (39.2%). Some element, such as Fe, Cr, and Mn, are depressed by 30.8, 30.1, and 12.8%, respectively. These elements compete for binding sites in the cell, change its enzymatic activity and exert direct or indirect action on the carcinogenic process accelerating the growth of tumors. This is further evidenced by histopathological examination of cancerous cells showing poor cytological differentiation. An attempt has been made to correlate trace element concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, Rb, Br, Hg, As, Co, Fe, Cr, and Mn and the ratios of Se/Zn, K/P, Cu/Zn, Na/K, and Se/Fe with the clinical stages of cancer. Inhibition of enzymatic activity caused by variation in trace element concentrations results in immunological breakdown of the body system.     

The Influence of Accompanying Cations on the Foliar Uptake of Na, K, Rb and Cs

The influence Na, K, Rb or Cs may have when accompanying one of these elements applied foliarly to bean plants has bean studied under controlled environmental conditions. No competition was found in the speed of initial penetration from the outer leaf surface to the protoplasts of epidermal cells between any two of the cations considered separately. The magnitude of penetration of Na, Rb or Cs. Retention in the treated area showed competition among the elements, Na being held more strongly when accompanied by Cs, Rb or K in that order. Presence of another cation influenced retention differently. Transport of Na was faster than of either K, Rb or Cs when applied together. K and Rb were transported simultaneously at equal rates, and either more than Cs. Total quantities transported were influenced differently by the various cations present and in turn determined the total quantities taken up by the plants.     

Use of Rb(+) and Br(-) as tracers for investigating ion transport by X-ray microanalysis in the Malpighian tubules of the black field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus

Substitution of Rb(+) for K(+) in the incubation saline for in vitro preparations of Malpighian tubules had little effect on tubule function. Secretion rates increased by 10% for whole tubules, 9% for distal segments and 10% for main segments. In the secreted fluids Rb(+) almost completely replaced K(+). Within the cells of the main segment of the tubules Rb replaced the majority of the intracellular K. Treatment by ouabain in Rb saline resulted in a considerable increase in intracellular Na and Cl concentrations but no change in Rb concentration. This suggests that Rb(+) did not enter the cell via Na K ATPase and that the latter was not directly involved in Rb(+) secretion and by inference K(+) secretion. Substitution of Br(-) for Cl(-) in the incubation saline resulted in a 30% reduction in secretion rate from the distal segments but only a 10% reduction for the main segment. Cl(-) was almost completely replaced by Br(-) in fluid from both main and distal segments. In cells of the main segment the intracellular concentration of Br(-) did not exceed 30mmol kg(-1) dry weight and the Cl(-) concentration was unchanged in the apical region of the cell and increased in the basal region. These data suggest that Br(-) was transported across the tubule epithelium by a paracellular route and that the basal cell membrane is relatively impermeable to Cl(-). By inference Cl(-) may also be transported by a paracellular route.     

Trace elements in human parotid saliva

Although various proteins and some electrolytes have been measured in human saliva, little systematic data about the major and minor elemental components of this body fluid have been obtained. In order to obtain such data, concentrations of C, Na, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, I, and Cs in human parotid saliva were measured by instrumental nuclear methods. The data obtained confirmed the relative lack of Zn in saliva of patients with hypogeusia (decreased taste acuity) and suggested that concentrations of Na, Cl, Br, and Ca followed the order: normals > hypogeusia > hyposmia (decreased smell acuity). To compare concentrations of elements in saliva with those in blood and urine, absolute concentrations were normalized to that of Na through the use of a concept called an enrichment factor. On this basis, parotid saliva is relatively depleted in Se, Zn, and Fe and enriched for most other elements relative to blood plasma indicating that the fluid is not simply a transudate of blood plasma. Using this same technique, saliva composition was found more similar to urine than blood plasma, being relatively depleted in Se, Cs, and Co, being enriched in I, Br, and Cr and having about the same relative concentrations of P, Cl, Zn, Fe, Ca, K, and Rb. As the total body concentrations of many of the enriched elements in saliva are extremely small, their enrichment in saliva suggests special roles for these elements in the oral cavity. Because of its accessibility, ease of collection, and interaction with some body constituents, saliva represents a useful, albeit neglected, tool in the diagnosis of some physiological and pathological changes in body function and in understanding important aspects of trace metal metabolism.     

Determination of 19 elements in human eye lenses

Neutron activation analysis was used to determine the concentrations of 19 elements in normal and senile human cataractous lenses. It was found that the concentrations of Ca, Na, Cl, Eu, Sb, and Fe were significantly higher, and those of K, Rb, Cs, Cr, Mn, Co, Sc, and Ce were significantly lower in senile mature cataractous lenses than those in normal human eye lenses. No changes were found for the concentrations of Se, Zn, Mg, S, and Th in the two groups. Positive correlations between Na, Cl, and Ca and K, Rb, and Cs were found, whereas a significantly negative correlation between na, Ca, Cl and K, Rb, Cs were found. The roles of these elements in the evolution of cataract are discussed.     

Twenty-eight element concentrations in mane hair samples of adult riding horses determined by particle-induced X-ray emission

The concentrations of 28 elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) were measured in mane hair by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. Except for Br, Cl, K, S, and P, the trace element concentrations in mane hair of horses are similar to literature values for human hair. The values obtained are not dependent on the horse's age, breed, and sex and could be used as reference values in the assessment of diseases and nutritional status in equines.     

The seasonal variation of 20 elements in 1st and 2nd year needles of Norway spruce,Picea abies (L.) Karst

Summary The concentration of 20 elements (including eight nutritional elements) in spruce needles was monitored by taking samples at nine different dates in a single year. On each date the youngest and the 1-year-old needles were collected at four different sites. The needles were washed with an organic solvent to remove surface contamination before analysis by instrumental neutron activation. Although the sites showed widely different concentrations for the same element, they could be treated as a uniform population using normalized concentration values. Taking the time dependence of the concentration and the ratio of the concentrations in new and old needles as criteria, the following three groups of elements could be distinguished: 9 group I —Ca, Sr, Ba, and Mn; group II — Al, Br, Co, Fe, Hg, La, Sc, Sb, and Zn; group III — K, Rb, Cs, P, and Cl. Mg and Na did not fit into any of these groups. Within group I and III elements the strongest variations occur during the growing season (late spring and early summer) and the weakest during the dormant season; the variation is greater in the younger needles. Group II elements show an approximately linear increase throughout the year in both the younger and older needles. The concentrations of elements of groups I and II increase with time, while those of group III decrease. Na is unique insofar as its concentration is influenced by foliar uptake of road de-icing salt. The concentration of elements belonging to the same group shows strong inter-element correlations. The grouping of elements deduced here shows similarities with the chemical nature of the elements and with their transportability within the plant.     

An environmental research on trace elements in freshwater fish by neutron activation analysis

For a case study of environmental contamination, radiochemical activation analysis has been applied to the crucians collected in the Han River. Sixteen trace elements (Hg, Cd, As, Br, Cu, Na, K, Se, Cr, Hf, Rb, Fe, Zn, Co, La, and Cs) were separated into three groups using distillation and diethyldithiocarbamate extraction methods, and their contents were determined by a single comparator method. Compared with the values 15 years ago, the values for mercury and cadmium have been drastically decreased at the middle and lower part of the river, but no typical change is found in other elements.     

A survey of trace elements in fresh-water fish and rice along the Han River by neutron activation analysis

For a case study of environmental pollution, radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) was applied to the crucian and rice collected along the Han River. The crucian was analyzed for three times in 1973, 1987, and 1990. Sixteen trace elements (Hg, Cd, As, Br, Cu, Na, K, Se, Cr, Hf, Rb, Fe, Zn, Co, La, and Cs) were determined by RNAA using distillation and diethyldithiocarbamate extraction methods. Contents of Na, K, Se, Hf, Fe, Zn, and Co were almost constant regardless of the sampling place and year. The contents of the other elements showed increasing trends down river, especially in the first investigation. At the lower part of the river, the contents showed decreasing trends with the time of sampling, especially during the first two investigations. These trends were typical for Hg and Cd. Rice was analyzed by the same method for 12 elements, and the results showed no regional trends, but have decreased after 1973.     

Analysis of elemental absorption and excretion in mice bearing malignant ascites

Feces, kidney, and small intestine were sampled from the mice bearing malignant ascites at different stages of tumor growth to investigate the kinetics of elemental distribution in the body. The contents of 14 elements in samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The elements Br, Cl, Cu, Na, Se, and Zn increased, whereas Mn and Rb decreased in kidney with the growth of the tumor. The elements Cl, Na, and Fe, however, appeared to have significantly different behavior in the small intestine.     

Multivariate analysis of elements in chinese brake fern as determined using neutron activation analysis

Pytoremediaton of arsenic (As) contamination using Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), an As hyperaccumulator has proven potential because of its cost-effectiveness and environmental harmonies. Aiming to investigate the elemental correlation in Chinese brake fern, 20 elements (As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Na, Nd, K, Rb, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, Yb and Zn) were measured in the fronds and roots of the fern by neutron activation analysis. The ferns were sampled from two sites with high geogenic As levels: Zimudang (ZMD) and Lanmuchang (LMC) in Guizhou Province, China. Multivariate statistic analysis was performed to explore the interrelationship between these elements, especially between As and other elements. As was found to be positively related to K, Na, La, and Sm in both the roots and the fronds, suggesting that these four elements might operate as synergies to As during uptake and transportation processes. Se was positively related to most of the other cations measured, except in the fronds of the fern at ZMD, where Br replaced Se as positively related to the other cations. The difference of As and Se in correlation with other cationic elements suggested that the two anionic elements play different roles in elemental uptake processes. Our findings of elemental correlation highlight the importance of the anioncation balance in Chinese brake fern.     

Inorganic chemical investigations in the Forest Biosphere Reserve near Kalinin,USSR

About 50 naturally occurring chemical elements were quantitatively determined by AAS, ICP/AES, ICP/MS and INAA in the main vegetation cover of the Forest Biosphere Reserve near Kalinin, USSR. The lichen Hypogymna physodes, which was studied and compared with other plant species, accumulates the elements Al, As, Br, Ce, Co, Dy, Eu, Fe, La, Lu, Pb, Pr, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, Tm, V, Zn, and Zr. At the same time, a depletion of the alkaline elements Na, K, Rb, and Cs and the alkaline earth elements Mg and Ca is to be observed. Within the moss cover certain heavy metals are also accumulated by Polytrichum commune and the various Sphagnum species. As in Hypogymna physodes there is also a pronounced depletion of the alkaline earth metals Mg and Ca, but contrary to Hypogymna physodes there is a simultaneous accumulation of the alkaline metals K and Rb in Polytrichum commune and additionally of Na in the Sphagnum species. This is in agreement with studies showing different behaviour for the element potassium in Polytrichum formosum in the course of several vegetation periods. Potassium accumulation was found at the beginning of the vegetation period contrary to the dilution effect due to biomass supply. The depletion of Mg and Ca in all accumulator plants seems to be a direct consequence of heavy metal concentration since this phenomenon occurs irrespective of the site, as was shown by a comparison with data from a German forest ecosystem (Grasmoor near Osnabrück). Clear bioindication behaviour of Polytrichum commune, the various Sphagnum mosses and Hypogymna physodes was found for the elements Mn, Ni, Sn, Th, Cr, Mo, and S since the same accumulation and depletion behaviour was observed for all three plants as a function of site. These plant species could thus be used as bioindication cadasters in the sense of ARNDT. The higher shrub plants examined (Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Vaccinium myrtillus) show the already known accumulation of the elements Ba and Mn (up to 4000 mg/kg of Mn for Vaccinium myrtillus). In general the concentration ranges for many elements are more restricted in higher plants.     

Major and trace elements in the twig axes of Norway spruce and the relationship between twig axis and needles

Summary The concentrations of 23 elements have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in the needles and axes of 1-year-old spruce twigs from 12 different sites. Although the twigs had been washed with toluene and tetrahydrofuran prior to analysis, it was found that the amounts of eight elements (Al, Cr, Eu, Fe, La, Sc, Th and V) present were predominantly due to aerosol particles still being retained on the surface of the axes. The results of the remaining 15 elements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cs, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr and Zn) were not or only slightly influenced by this effect and are considered to represent their inherent concentrations within the axes. With most of these latter 15 elements there are highly significant and linear correlations between the concentrations in the needles and in the axis, which testify to the great similarity of needles and axis of a twig. The axis/needles ratios are constant for every element (except K), but the individual elements show considerable differentiation, as evidenced by their ratios, which have values between 0.5 and 2.8. Inter-element correlations in the axes are mainly found within two groups of elements. With Na, Cl and Br these correlations are probably due to different pollution levels of the different sites, whereas with Mn, Co, Rb and Cs they are due to the pH of the soil. The activity of ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl fallout represents independent confirmation of the results obtained with the stable elements. With twigs sprouted before the deposition of the fallout, ¹³⁷Cs acts as a tracer for aerosol particles, whereas it forms a tracer for the stable Cs inherent to the plant with twigs sprouted after the deposition.     

Trace element contents in serum of healthy elderly population of metropolitan São Paulo area in Brazil

In this study, the elements Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in serum of a healthy elderly population residing in the São Paulo Metropolitan area, using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Comparison studies indicated that only Se concentration was significantly lower in the elderly group aged 75–91 years than those obtained for the group aged 60–74 years. Between genders, males presented lower Br concentrations and, the females lower Fe. Mean concentrations obtained for most elements were within the values reported in the literature.     

Penetration, Retention and Transport of Foliar Applied Single Salts of Na, K, Rb and Cs

The penetration, retention and transport of foliar applied chloride salts of Na-22, K-43, Rb-86, and Cs-134 were studied under controlled environmental conditions. Penetration although occurring at different rates was found to be non-selective and appears to be a passive free diffusion process. Retention in the treated area is similar for Na, K and Rb and greater for Cs. Transport of these elements away from that area and in the plant was greatest and fastest for Na and Rb and slower for Cs and K. Distribution in the plants following leaf treatment was similar for K, Rb and Cs but no significant upward transport was noted for Na. Losses from roots were greatest for Na. No significant K could be detected in the culture medium 4 days after treatment of the leaves.     

Study on air pollution in Beijing’s major industrial areas using multielements in biomonitors and NAA techniques

Three kinds of plant leaves, Chinese white aspen, arborvitae, and pine needles, have been sampled from the Yanshan Oil refinery complex, the Capital Iron and Steel Factory, and Badachu, a control area in Beijing, as biomonitors for air-pollution studies. Each sample was divided into two parts, washed, and unwashed. Thirty-one trace elements (As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Sb, Sm, U, W, Yb, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sc, Se, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, and Zn) have been determined by using the relative and the K₀ methods of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques. The results indicated the following: (1) The concentration of trace elements in unwashed samples are much higher than these in washed samples; (2) the area around Capital Iron and Steel Factory is heavily polluted, and the Yanshan Oil refinery complex area is moderately polluted; (3) Chinese white aspen is a good biomonitor in particular seasons and pine needles are better than arborvitae for yearly monitoring; (4) elements As, Cd, Hg, Co, Rb, Sb, W, and Zn are highly absorbed by Chinese white aspen. Pine needles are sensitive for the absorption the elements Br, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sc, Cs and rare earth elements, but arborvitae is very sensitive for the absorption of Sr.     

Effect of lithium augmentation on the trace elemental profile in diabetic rats.

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was employed to study the interactions among various elements, viz.: K, Zn, Br, Fe, Cu, Br & Rb in 4 groups of rats viz. control-GI, diabetic-GII (diabetes induced by i.p. administration of alloxan monohydrate at a dose level of 150 mg/kg b.w; single injection), lithium treated-GIII (lithium administered as Li2 Co3 at a dose level of 1.1 g of Li2 Co3/kg animal diet; free access; serum lithium levels--0.5-1.2 mEq/L) and lithium + diabetic rats-GIV. The different treatments continued for a total duration of 1 month. The K contents were found to be significantly lowered in all the treatment groups which was maximum (28%) in lithium treated diabetic rats. Depression in the levels of Rb was noticed in lithium treated and lithium treated diabetic (G-III and G-IV) groups. However, the levels (Rb) remained unaltered in diabetic (G-II) group. Interestingly, a significant decline was observed in Fe levels in G-III following lithium administration but the levels remained unchanged in G-IV with lithium administration to diabetic rats. On the other hand, lithium treatment to normal (G-III) and diabetic (G-IV) rats indicated statistically significant elevation in the levels of Cu and Br. However, diabetic (G-II) rats did not indicate any elevation in the levels of these two elements. Interestingly, the concentrations of Zn were found to be significantly elevated in all the treatment groups, which was maximum (37%) in G-III (lithium) group. A comparison of various elements from lithium treated diabetic group G-IV with the corresponding elements from the diabetic group G-II, implied a significant depression in K and Rb levels and a significant elevation in the levels of Br.     

Determination of multielement concentrations in normal human organs from the Japanese

In order to elucidate the distribution of elements in organs from healthy Japanese, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), based on the preliminary examination, was applied to quantitative determination of multielements in nine organs autopsied (brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, pancreas, spleen, and thyroid). The following results were obtained: (1) The values obtained for each element could be considered to be representative as "normal values" and "ranges" in organs from healthy Japanese males; (2) the essential elements Br, Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Rb, Se, and Zn were not affected by external environmental factors or by racial difference; (3) renal and hepatic Cd levels were very high in several cases and the accumulation has still been in progress in the Japanese, whereas the contaminant elements are low in each organ except for lung.