Cadmium-induced alterations in ocular trace elements

The present report demonstrates, for the first time, that feeding rats 50 ppm cadmium for just 7 wk results in detectable levels of cadmium in the eye of rats. Furthermore, these ocular cadmium concentrations affect significant alterations in the levels of the essential trace elements selenium, calcium iron, and copper in the eye. Rats were fed a low-selenium (<0.02 ppm selenium), high-copper basal diet (50 ppm copper) supplemented with 0, 0.1, and 0.5 ppm selenium. The animals were either untreated or treated with 50 ppm cadmium admixed with their feed. Cadmium treatment resulted in significant reductions (up to 50%) in ocular selenium. Furthermore, rats fed the basal diet and given 100 ppm cadmium via their feed for 6 wk exhibited a 69% reduction in the activity of the selenoenzyme, glutathione peroxidase, in the eye. Cadmium treatment also resulted in reductions of up to 50% in ocular calcium, irrespective of dietary selenium supplementation. Iron levels were increased by 30% in rats fed the low-selenium diet and decreased by as much as 40% in rats fed the selenium-supplemented diets, compared to animals fed identical levels of selenium without cadmium. Ocular copper levels were significantly increased only in rats fed the low-selenium diet and treated with cadmium. Ocular zinc levels were not significantly affected by dietary cadmium or selenium.     

Characteristics of Plant Communities and Copper Content in Dominant Plants in Hongtou Shan Copper Ore Region of Liaoning Province

Copper content in the soil of Hongtou Shan copper ore is 40–2000 ppm, with mean value at 471 ppm. Standard deviation is 667.5. There are many principal types of plant communities: Coppice of Quercus liaotungensis and Corylus sp. and Lespedeza bicolor scrub. In the soli with copper content more than 500 ppm, Gypsophila pacffica usually grows together. It significantly indicates the abnormal soil with respect to copper content. Analysis of copper content for 347 samples of 48 species shows: Limiting value of copper content is 8.45–44.40 ppm in dry plants, with difference of the values being 35.95. The plants contained copper at 5–10 ppm account for 12.8% of the total plants, at 10–30 ppm for 76.9% and at 30–45 ppm for 10.6%. Direct correlation is found between copper content in the Plants and in the soil, for example, Gypsophila pacifiea r=0.844 (N=8) It is important in biogeoehemical prospecting. There are no striking correlation between copper content of the plants and pH and organic matter content of soil.     

A novel approach to the identification and quantitative elemental analysis of amyloid deposits—Insights into the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease

There is considerable interest in the role of metals such as iron, copper, and zinc in amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease. However to convincingly establish their presence in plaques in vivo, a sensitive technique is required that is both quantitatively accurate and avoids isolation of plaques or staining/fixing brain tissue, since these processes introduce contaminants and redistribute elements within the tissue. Combining the three ion beam techniques of scanning transmission ion microscopy, Rutherford back scattering spectrometry and particle induced X-ray emission in conjunction with a high energy (MeV) proton microprobe we have imaged plaques in freeze-dried unstained brain sections from CRND-8 mice, and simultaneously quantified iron, copper, and zinc. Our results show increased metal concentrations within the amyloid plaques compared with the surrounding tissue: iron (85 ppm compared with 42 ppm), copper (16 ppm compared to 6 ppm), and zinc (87 ppm compared to 34 ppm).     

Trace elements status in multinodular goiter

Importance of iodine and selenium in thyroid metabolism is well known, but the roles of other essential trace elements including copper, zinc, manganese and iron on thyroid hormone homeostasis remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of those trace elements in benign thyroid diseases and evaluate possible links between trace element concentrations and thyroid hormones.The study group was composed of 25 patients with multinodular goiter. Concentrations of thyroid hormones (plasma-free thyroxine, FT₄; free triiodothyronine, FT₃; and thyrotropin, TSH), selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron in plasma, and urinary iodine were determined. The results were compared with those of a healthy control group (n=20) with no thyroid disorder.A mild iodine deficiency was observed in the patients with multinodular goiter whereas urinary iodine levels were in the range of “normal” values in healthy controls. All patients were euthyroid, and their thyroid hormone concentrations were not significantly different from the control group. Plasma selenium, zinc and iron concentrations did not differ from controls, while copper and manganese levels were found to be significantly higher in the patients with multinodular goiter indicating links between these trace elements and thyroid function and possibly in development of goiter. Besides iodine, there was a significant correlation between plasma copper concentration and FT₃/FT₄ ratio.     

Characteristics of Phytogeochemistry in Copper Mine Area of Hongtou Shan,Liaoning Province

The contents of copper, zinc, lead nickel and cadmium for 322 samples of 44 species growing on copper mine area of Hongtou Shoo were determined. The results showed that the average contents of zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium in dry matter are 51.313 ppm, 1.536 ppm, 0.361 ppm and 0.058 ppm respectively. The variable range of zinc and cad- mium contents is larger, difference between minimum and maximum value is about 30–40 times. Zinc, lead and nickel contents in leaves of xylophyta in dry matter are mostly higher than in branches, but cadmium content of branches in dry matter is higher than leaves. The contents of lead and zinc in plants of minerelization areas are higher than that in non-minerelization areas. The results of correlative analysis showed that the linear regression between the metal contents in plants and soils are significant, for example, Lespedeza bicolor Thalictrum thumbergii, Arundinella hirta et al. It is important in phytogeochemical methods of prospecting for mineral. However, the correlative coefficients between the elements contents in leaves and branches of Quercus liaotungensis and in soils are not obvious. The correlative coefficient of nickel in plants and zinc, lead, cadmium and organic matter contents in soils are mostly negative value, without significant correlation. The results of the principal component analysis showed that the correlation of cadmium and zinc is significant among five elements in the plants. The contributive rate of first principal component is 33.94%, the positive target of the main target constitute is cadmium and zinc.     

Molecular Diversity of Rumen Methanogens from Sheep in Western Australia

The molecular diversity of rumen methanogens in sheep in Australia was investigated by using individual 16S rRNA gene libraries prepared from the rumen contents obtained from six merino sheep grazing pasture (326 clones), six sheep fed an oaten hay-based diet (275 clones), and five sheep fed a lucerne hay-based diet (132 clones). A total of 733 clones were examined, and the analysis revealed 65 phylotypes whose sequences (1,260 bp) were similar to those of cultivated methanogens belonging to the order Methanobacteriales. Pasture-grazed sheep had more methanogen diversity than sheep fed either the oaten hay or lucerne hay diet. Methanobrevibacter strains SM9, M6, and NT7 accounted for over 90% of the total number of clones identified. M6 was more prevalent in grazing sheep, and SM9, despite being found in 16 of the 17 sheep, was more prevalent in sheep fed the lucerne-based diet. Five new species were identified. Two of these species exhibited very little sequence similarity to any cultivated methanogens and were found eight times in two of the six sheep that were grazing pasture. These unique sequences appear to represent a novel group of rumen archaea that are atypical for the rumen environment.     

Trace elements in bipolar disorder

IntroductionTrace elements may play an important role in bipolar disorders. The objective of this study is to determine serum copper and zinc, blood lead and cadmium and urine lead, cadmium and thallium concentrations in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorders and to compare these levels with those of a healthy control group.Materials and methodsA total of 25 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 29 healthy subjects participated in this study. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry; the blood lead and cadmium concentrations were measured by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction; urine lead, cadmium and thallium concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsMedian blood and urine lead and cadmium levels were significantly higher among the bipolar patients than among the control group: Blood lead (μg/dL): patient median: 3.00 (IQR: 1.40–4.20); control median (μg/dL): 2.20 (IQR: 0.90–3.00) p = 0.040. Blood cadmium (μg/L): patient median: 0.39 (IQR: 0.10–1.15); control median: 0.10 (IQR: 0.10–0.17) p < 0.001. The median of cadmium (μg/L) in patients who smoked (1.20 IQR: 0.44–2.30) was higher than that in non-smokers (0.12 IQR: 0.10–0.34) p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0.001) in zinc levels among patients in the manic phase (mean 111.28, SD: 33.36 μg/dL) with respect to the control group (mean 86.07, SD: 12.39 μg/dL).ConclusionsThe results suggest that there could be higher levels of some toxic trace elements in the group of patients with bipolar disorder than in the healthy control group.     

Molecular diversity of rumen methanogens from sheep in Western Australia

The molecular diversity of rumen methanogens in sheep in Australia was investigated by using individual 16S rRNA gene libraries prepared from the rumen contents obtained from six merino sheep grazing pasture (326 clones), six sheep fed an oaten hay-based diet (275 clones), and five sheep fed a lucerne hay-based diet (132 clones). A total of 733 clones were examined, and the analysis revealed 65 phylotypes whose sequences (1,260 bp) were similar to those of cultivated methanogens belonging to the order Methanobrevibacter: Pasture-grazed sheep had more methanogen diversity than sheep fed either the oaten hay or lucerne hay diet. Methanobrevibacter strains SM9, M6, and NT7 accounted for over 90% of the total number of clones identified. M6 was more prevalent in grazing sheep, and SM9, despite being found in 16 of the 17 sheep, was more prevalent in sheep fed the lucerne-based diet. Five new species were identified. Two of these species exhibited very little sequence similarity to any cultivated methanogens and were found eight times in two of the six sheep that were grazing pasture. These unique sequences appear to represent a novel group of rumen archaea that are atypical for the rumen environment.     

Relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on some hair trace elements

This study was performed in order to analyze the relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content in four groups of seven animals each which were pair-fed during 8 wk with (1) a nutritionally adequate diet, (2) a 36% (as energy) ethanol-containing isocaloric diet, (3) a 2% protein, isocaloric diet, and (4) a 36% ethanol, 2% protein isocaloric diet, respectively, following the Lieber-DeCarli model, and to analyze the relationship between hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content, and the liver and muscle content of these elements. Although there was a trend to higher levels of all the elements analyzed in the the hair of the low-protein fed animals, differences were statistically significant regarding copper and manganese, effects being solely attributable to the low protein diet, not to ethanol. Moreover, hair copper was significantly, inversely related with final weight and weight loss. There were significant relationship between liver zinc and muscle zinc (r=0.57, p=0.002), but not between liver or muscle zinc and hair zinc; no correlations were observed between muscle copper and hair copper, nor between liver manganese and hair manganese. An inverse, statistically significant correlation was observed between liver copper and hair copper (r=−0.39, p<0.05).     

Quantified elemental changes inAspidisca cicada andVorticella convallaria after exposure to aluminium, copper, and zinc

Summary Data on metal-induced elemental changes in eukaryotic unicellular organisms, such as protozoa, are rare. This study focused on two species of ciliate protozoa,Aspidisca cicada andVorticella convallaria, both common and abundant in activated sludge. Elemental changes in cells exposed to aluminium, copper, and zinc were determined by scanning electron microscopy-electron probe X-ray microanalysis. X-ray emission spectra obtained from cells 2 h after resuspension in Chalkley's medium (control) showed clear, characteristic peaks for magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, and copper. These elements were also routinely detected in all cells resuspended in metal solution. Spectra obtained from cells treated with aluminium or zinc showed additional distinct peaks for aluminium and zinc. In copper-treated cells enhanced copper peaks were seen. Mean aluminium levels were low inA. cicada control cells (0.14mg/g of dry weight) but higher in cells treated with 0.50 ppm (0.69 mg/g of dry weight) and 2.00 ppm aluminium (2.07 mg/g of dry weight).A. cicada was ten times more sensitive to copper than to the other metals, and thanV. convallaria. There was a significantly higher concentration of copper inA. cicada cells treated with 0.20 ppm copper (2.94 mg/g of dry weight) than in control cells (2.16 mg/g of dry weight). InA. cicada cells treated with 0.50 and 2.00 ppm zinc significantly higher levels of zinc (2.41 and 2.07 mg/g of dry weight, respectively) were observed than in the control (0.41 mg/g of dry weight). After treatment with 0.50 ppm and 2.00 ppm aluminium, aluminium was significantly higher in the treatedV. convallaria cells (1.58 and 0.67 mg/g of dry weight, respectively) than in control cells (0.14 mg/g of dry weight). After treatment with 2.00 ppm copper there was significantly more copper in treatedV. convallaria cells (3.63 mg/g of dry weight) than in controls (2.08 mg/g of dry weight). InV. convallaria cells treated with 0.50 ppm and 2.00 ppm zinc there was an increase in the amount of zinc in cells (1.30 and 2.68 mg/g of dry weight, respectively) compared with control cells (0.34 mg/g of dry weight). Data on other changes in intracellular elements in both species, after 2 h exposure to aluminium, copper, and zinc medium are given. In both species, there was uptake and/or accumulation of aluminium, copper, and zinc when the external concentration of the metal was increased. Intracellular elemental levels were altered by sublethal and toxic external concentrations of the metals studied.A. cicada was ten times more sensitive to copper than to aluminium or zinc, and thanV. convallaria to the metals studied.     

Change in cotton plant quality in response to application of anaerobically digested sewage sludge

Treated municipal sewage sludge (TSS) was applied to the cotton plant at rates of 10, 20 and 30 t/ha per year. Seed cotton yield (71.4%), lint yield (67.7%) and cottonseed yield (74.1%) were increased significantly when sludge was applied at a rate of 30 t/ha (TSS3). The effects of TSS applications on seed yield, lint yield and cottonseed yield were listed as TSS3 > TSS2 > CF > TSS1 > C according to the applications. The increasing TSS levels had a positive effect and increased the total N concentration compared to the control. The highest N value was observed in TSS3 plots, while the lowest value was recorded in control (C) plots. The highest P value was found in control (C) at 0.80% and in 10 t/ha (TSS1) at 0.80%, while the lowest value was found in the TSS2 application (0.70%). The K concentration of cottonseed increased with the increasing TSS rates, from 1.56% in control plots to 2.20% in 20 t/ha application (TSS2). Corresponding to the TSS levels, the calcium of plant tissues was determined by a range of 0.12–0.13%. The treatments of TSS and mineral fertilizer had similar effects on the Mg content of cottonseed, which was in the range of 0.38–0.43%. Na content in plant tissue increased with increasing dose of sludge application compared to control soils. Increasing doses of TSS had no significant effect on the concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) in cottonseed. The order of the elements with respect to their amounts in cottonseed was as follows: Fe > Zn > Na > B > Mn > Cu. The concentrations of non-essential elements (Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and As) in cottonseed were below the permissible limits.     

Distribution of elements binding to molecules with different molecular weights in aqueous extract of Antarctic krill by size-exclusion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The distribution of silver, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, selenium and zinc binding to species with different molecular weight in aqueous extract of krill was studied by on-line size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The extract was fractionated in three fractions with different molecular weight (MW) ranges (>20,000 relative molecular mass (rel. mol. mass), 2000-20,000 rel. mol. mass and <2000 rel. mol. mass), which were further analyzed by SEC with columns having different optimum fractionation ranges in order to obtain more detailed information about the MW distribution of the elements. Various distribution profiles for the target elements among different MW ranges were observed. The results obtained indicated that manganese, zinc, silver, cadmium and lead species were mostly distributed in the higher MW range (>20,000 rel. mol. mass). In the case of chromium, iron, cobalt, arsenic and selenium, most of them bind to species with lower MW (<2000 rel. mol. mass). Only copper and nickel species was predominantly present in middle MW range (2000-20,000 rel. mol. mass). Further speciation of arsenic compounds in the small MW fraction was carried out with anion exchange chromatography (AEC) coupled with ICP-MS. The results showed that the dominant arsenic species in this fraction is As(III) (63% of extractable arsenic), while As(V) (13%) and two unknown arsenic species (19% and 5%, respectively) are present in lower amounts.     

Trace and non-trace elements in blood cells of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): variations with values from liver function indicators

Alterations in trace and non-trace element homeostasis have been associated with both normal physiologic and pathologic processes of many species. Changes in copper and zinc, for instance, have been associated with liver disease in humans and dogs. While liver disease has been documented in marine mammals, associations of liver disease with trace and non-trace elements have not been determined. The goal of this study was to assess potential elemental associations with clinically relevant changes in liver enzymes of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and to compare observed associations to what has been reported in other species. Blood cell samples were collected from 37 healthy bottlenose dolphins, maintained by the Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP), between 1991 and 1992. Twenty-one trace and non-trace elements were assessed along with a standard liver enzyme function profile, and trace element associations to specific liver enzymes were determined. In this study, of the 21 blood cell elements assessed, 19 were measured within detectable limits in at least one of the blood samples, and 10 trace elements were found to be associated with at least one of the liver function indicators. Many of these same associations have been documented in various forms of liver disease in other species, including the associations of increases in copper and decreases in zinc with both elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The observed analogous associations between changes in blood trace and non-trace elements and liver function indicators of bottlenose dolphins and other species may indicate similar pathologic processes and functions of some elements. Given the results of this study, additional research is warranted to further elucidate associations of trace and non-trace elements to liver disease in bottlenose dolphins.     

The relationship between established coronary risk factors and serum copper and zinc concentrations in a large Persian Cohort

IntroductionThe relationship between demographic and biochemical characteristics, including several established coronary risk factors, and serum copper and zinc was assessed in a large Iranian population sample.Materials and methodsA group of 2233 individuals, 15–65 years of age [1106 (49.5%) males and 1127 (50.5%) females] was recruited from residents of the Greater Khorasan province in northeast of Iran. Demographic data were collected using questionnaires. Coronary risk factors were determined using standard protocols, and trace elements were measured in serum using atomic absorption spectroscopy.ResultsDegree of glucose tolerance and smoking habit were not associated with serum zinc and copper levels. Serum copper levels were significantly higher in obese and hypertensive than in normal subjects (p<0.001). In the whole group and for the female subgroup, serum zinc (p<0.01) and copper (p<0.001) were both significantly lower in individuals with normal versus high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.A strong positive correlation was found between serum copper and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.85, p<0.001). Weaker positive associations were found between serum copper and calculated 10 years’ coronary risk (r=0.11, p<0.001). Serum zinc/copper ratio was strongly inversely associated with calculated 10 years’ coronary risk (r=?0.10, p<0.001). The partial Eta squared (PES) values for factors determining serum zinc were hypertension (0.007, p=0.01) and BMI (0.004, p=0.01); and for serum copper, they were gender (0.02, p=0.001), hypertension (0.004, p=0.009), and 10 years’ coronary risk for men (0.003, p=0.03) and women (0.002, p=0.07).ConclusionSignificant associations between serum trace element concentrations and several coronary risk factors, including calculated 10 years’ coronary risk scores, were found.     

Biomethanation of spent wash: Heavy metal inhibition of methanogenesis in synthetic medium

Five heavy metals detected in distillery waste were lead (1.0–8.8 μg/ml), copper (1.7–15.7 μg/ml), zinc (3.1–11.8 μg/ml), iron (36.0–43.5 μg/ml), and manganese (3.0–5.1 μg/ml). Their toxicity to biomethanogenesis in a synthetic medium containing 1% sodium acetate, propionate, or butyrate was measured by batch fermentation, after cultivating the bacterial biomass semicontinuously. Lead, copper, and zinc in decreasing order were found to be toxic to biomethanogenesis. Lead at the concentration of 10 μg/ml completely stopped methane production. Iron did not produce any notable change in the process while manganese stimulated the rate of methane production. The toxicity of lead, copper, and zinc to methanogenic bacteria and methane production was dose-dependent but the growth of acetogenic bacteria was impaired at higher concentrations (2.5–10.0 μg/ml) of lead, copper, and zinc. Manganese stimulated the growth of only methanogenic bacteria, but not that of non-methanogenic bacteria or acetic acid production. The reduction in the synthesis of acetic acid via butyrate was more in the presence of these three metals than the synthesis of this acid via propionate.     

Effects of etretinate on the distribution of elements in rats

We studied in the rat the effects of the drug etretinate (Tigason), given at three doses 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg body wt for 1 mo, on the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Cu, and Zn in the plasma, brain, thymus, heart, liver, lung, kidney, testicle, muscle, and bone. The elements were simultaneously determined in tissues after nitric acid dissolution by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry using a JY 48 instrument. At the dose of 3 mg/kg, etretinate did not induce any statistically significant modifications of the element distribution. At the dose of 10 mg/kg, the main observed modifications were in plasma an increase of copper (+38%) and a decrease of zinc (-25%). At the highest dose of 30 mg/kg, some variations of the concentrations of elements in tissues were observed. But, on no account did retinoids induce an alteration of the mineral composition of bone, despite obvious macroscopic bone alterations.     

Inhibition of methanogenesis in pure cultures by ammonia, fatty acids, and heavy metals, and protection against heavy metal toxicity by sewage sludge

The effect of ammonium chloride, sodium butyrate, sodium propionate, and the heavy metals nickel, zinc, and copper on methanogenesis by pure cultures of Methanospirillum hungatei, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, and Methanobacterium formicicum at pH 6.5 was studied. The latter three strains were resistant to greater than 60 g/L of the volatile fatty acids and to greater than 10 g/L of NH3 N. Methanospirillum hungatei was somewhat more sensitive with 50% inhibition of methanogenesis occurring at 4.2 g/L NH3 N, 27 g/L butyrate, and 41 g/L propionate. All strains were very sensitive to both copper (1-5 mg/L) and zinc (1-10 mg/L), but much more resistant to nickel. Zinc and copper concentrations 30 to 270 times higher were required to cause inhibition of Msp. hungatei incubated in sewage sludge compared with buffer, indicating a strong protective environment was afforded the methanogens against heavy metal toxicity in the sludge.     

Variability of selected trace elements of different meat cuts determined by ICP-MS and DRC-ICPMS

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cadmium, lead, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, copper and molybdenum in different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and foal collected from supermarkets and butcheries in Switzerland. The concentrations of manganese, copper, molybdenum, zinc, iron, selenium, cadmium and lead were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. Mean values and their respective coefficients of variation were calculated from the measured concentrations. The concentrations found for cadmium and lead ranged from 0.6 to 3.9 μg/100 g and 1.0 to 2.1 μg/100 g, respectively. Concentrations ranged between 0.5 and 3.3 mg/100 g for iron, 0.7 and 5.1 mg/100 g for zinc, 9 and 44 μg/100 g for selenium, 3.1 and 16.7 μg/100 g for manganese, 0.3 and 132 μg/100 g for copper and 0.9 and 3.2 μg/100 g for molybdenum. Differences found for the concentrations in meat from different species as well as between the individual meat cuts were notable for iron, zinc, selenium and copper. Manganese concentrations were found to vary unsystematically within muscles and species. Molybdenum concentrations were higher in chicken meat in comparison with the mammalian meats. The highest coefficients of variation were found for manganese (13% to 142%) and copper (13% to 224%), while the lowest was found for zinc (4% to 45%). In conclusion, in order to provide an accurate overview and to be able to calculate reliable dietary intakes, it is important to include the variability in food composition data.     

Influence of zinc on copper binding in tissue proteins of steers

Two experiments were conducted with steers fed diets containing 270 ppm copper either with or without 2050 ppm zinc. Liver biopsies were taken from steers biweekly for 10 wk for analysis. The steers were then killed; tissues were removed, homogenized, and centrifuged, and the pellets were extracted with mercaptoethanol (BME), and selected cytosols and extracts were subjected to gel filtration (Sephadex G-75). Copper and zinc were determined on the BME extracts, pellets after extraction, cytosols, and gel-filtration fractions. Copper accumulated at about the same rate in BME extract and in the extracted pellet, with the smallest amount in the cytosol. In contrast, over 70% of the zinc was present in the hepatic cytosols. Gel filtration of BME extracts revealed the greatest amount of copper in a low-molwt (MW) peak in addition to three minor peaks of copper. Within the hepatic cytosols, the greatest amount of copper accumulated in proteins of MW>75,000, the next greatest amount in 30,000-MW proteins, and the least amount with metallothionein (MT) of steers fed the diet with only copper added. In contrast, the greatest amount of copper was present with MT in hepatic cytosols of the steer fed a diet that included copper plus zinc. Hence the zinc status of steers influences the deposition of copper in the cytosolic proteins (as demonstrated by liver, kidney, and pancreas), but not in the intracellular fractions.     

Selective absorption of mineral elements by native plants of Wisconsin

Summary Native plants of Wisconsin seem to show considerable selectivity in the absorption of mineral elements. This was indicated by an unusually high or low concentration of a specific element in a species in comparison with other species growing under generally similar conditions, and by the fact that a species might have an unusually high concentration of one or several elements but an unusually low content of other elements. A capacity for selective uptake of a particular element was in general characteristic of samples of the same species obtained from different sites. The potassium content of some accumulator species was as high as 7.0 per cent when the average concentration in other species from the same sample area was only 2.0 per cent. Manganese seemed to be selectively excluded by some species.Cornus canadensis, for example, collected from a bog of pH 4.0 contained only 149 ppm manganese in comparison with an average concentration of 1061 ppm in other species from the same area.Nemopanthus mucronata showed an unusual capacity for selective zinc accumulation. Samples of this species contained from 300 to 700 ppm zinc while comparison species from the same sites contained less than 50 ppm. Some of the nutritional and ecological implications of the results are discussed.