Comparison between levels of trace elements in normal and cancer inoculated mice by XRF and PIXE

Determination of Rb, Br, Se, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Br/Rb ratio in tissues of mice inoculated with colon and melanoma cancer cells is described. A group of 19 Balb/c mice inoculated with C26 colon carcinoma, 4 C57B1/6 mice inoculated with B16 melanoma, and 13 control mice of both kinds were under investigation. The study was conducted on samples of blood, liver, kidneys, colon, and skin, and the trace element levels in normal and inoculated mice were compared. The inoculation was by subcutaneous injection either at the back or intrafootpad. The blood samples were taken 1, 2, and 3 wk after inoculation, and after 4 wk all the animals were sacrificed. Two nondestructive, complementary analytical methods were used: a modified X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for solid tissue and particleinduced X-ray emission (PIXE) for blood samples. The detection limit (DL) in the PIXE method was 0.35 (μg/g dry wt in 600 s counting time and in XRF, 1 μg/g dry sample for Rb, Br, Se and Zn and 2 μg/g for Cu and Fe in 200 s counting time. In all the cases studied, cancerous tissue developed at the site of the injection, and a significant difference in the trace element levels was observed between tissue samples obtained from normal and inoculated mice. The most pronounced effect was an increase in Rb level in the tumor by a factor ranging between 4 and 10 relative to normal tissue, with a corresponding decrease in the Br/Rb ratio (p < 0.05). Smaller changes were found in the Br, Se, Zn, and K levels. The changes in trace element levels in the inner organs were much smaller and seem to be influenced by the site of injection.     

Uptake and distribution of trace elements in maturing soybean

The uptake and translocation of trace elements in maturing soybean plants cultivated on soil were studied over 360 h under diurnal conditions after the administration of a multitracer. The contents (%/g) of Co, Se, Rb, Sr, Ru, Rh, and Cs in all the leaves and stems collected from each node increased up to around 200 h after the administration of the multitracer and then decreased with time. The contents of Zn, Tc, and Re in the leaves and Zn in the stems continuously increased up to 360 h, but Tc and Re in the stems showed maximum content. This observation suggests the translocation of these elements from old leaves to growing leaves via stems. The relationship between the content (%/g) of an element in the seeds and pods, and the cultivation time varied depending on the kind of element and on the growth steps. Mathematical analyses were applied to the behavior of the elements in the soybean. The time dependence of the uptake rate (%/g/h) and distribution of elements in each part of the plant were characteristic of the element.     

Determination of plasma trace elements in tumor-bearing animals by proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy

Although altered levels of circulating essential trace elements are known to accompany malignant disease, the lack of sensitivity of conventional detection methods has generally limited their study to clinical conditions involving extensive disease (i.e., significant tumor burden). As such, the application of altered trace element levels as potential prognostic guides or as response indicators subsequent to treatment has been of limited use. During this study, proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy was evaluated as a tool to determine trace element imbalances in a murine tumor model. Using plasma from C57B1/6 mice bearing the syngeneic Lewis lung carcinoma (LLCa), levels of Fe, Cu, and Zn, as well as changes in the Cu/Zn ratio, were measured in animals carrying an increasing primary tumor burden. The plasma levels of Fe, Cu, and Zn were found to decrease significantly 7 d following implants of LLCa cells with no significant change observed in the Cu/Zn ratio. By d 21, however, an increase in the Cu/Zn ratio was found to accompany increased growth of the LLCa tumor; the plasma levels of Cu had returned to normal levels, whereas both the Fe and Zn plasma levels remained lowered. Collectively, the results suggest that although a net change in individual plasma trace element concentrations might not be accurately associated with tumor growth, a clear relationship was established between the Cu/Zn ratio and tumor size.     

当归补血汤抑制荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长的作用

目的：观察接种肿瘤细胞不同时间,给予当归补血汤的抗肿瘤作用。方法：建立荷瘤小鼠（EL-4瘤株）动物模型．当归补血汤煎剂灌胃。观察肿瘤大小和小鼠生存时间。结果：肿瘤接种当日给药组和肿瘤直径0．3cm组与空白对照组比较肿瘤生长速度显著减慢（p〈0．05）,生存时间显著延长（p〈0．05）;肿瘤直径0．6cm组与空白对照组比较肿瘤生长速度无差异（p〉0．05）,生存时间无明显延长（p〉0．05）;且不同时间用药组比较,各观测指标差异显著（p〈0．05）。结论：预防性及肿瘤早期单独应用当归补血汤治疗有一定疗效。     

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.     

Distribution of transposable elements in Drosophila species

We present a global analysis of the distribution of 43 transposable elements (TEs) in 228 species of the Drosophila genus from our data and data from the literature. Data on chromosome localization come from in situ hybridization and presence/absence of the elements from southern analyses. This analysis shows great differences between TE distributions, even among closely related species. Some TEs are distributed according to the phylogeny of their host specie; others do not entirely follow the phylogeny, suggesting horizontal transfers. A higher number of insertion sites for most TEs in the genome of D. melanogaster is observed when compared with that in D. simulans. This suggests either intrinsic differences in genomic characteristics between the two species, or the influence of differing effective population sizes, although biases due to the use of TE probes coming mostly from D. melanogaster and to the way TEs are initially detected in species cannot be ruled out. Data on TEs more specific to the species under consideration are necessary for a better understanding of their distribution in organisms and populations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An XRF study of trace elements accumulation in kidneys of tumor-bearing mice after treatment withcis-DDP with and without selenite and selenocistamine

The effect ofcis-DDP treatment with and without selenite and selenocistamine was studied on kidneys of tumor-bearing mice. The amounts ofcis-DDP, selenite, and selenocistamine injected were chosen so as to be compatible with the treatment of humans. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 d after treatment. The kidneys were removed and subjected to trace element analysis by a novel X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method and for pathological assessment. The results show that following treatment withcis-DDP, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn reach a maximum level after 7 d; K, Fe, and Cu levels were significantly reduced by the addition of selenite. The level of Zn was reduced only in groups treated with selenite whereas that of K and Cu was reduced also in groups treated with selenocistamine with and withoutcis-DDP. The greatest increase in Pt and Se levels was reached 1 wk after injection withcis-DDP, with and without selenocompounds, and in the case of Pt was partly reduced by addition of selenite. Se returned to control values 2 wk after injection, although Pt was still high in all groups 2 and 4 wk after injection. The results corroborate the findings of our previous studies. The effect of selenocistamine incis-DDP treated mice was partly insufficient. The pathological examination of the kidneys did not show any differences in the effect of various additives during the study.     

蒲公英提取液调整小鼠肠道菌群并延长荷瘤生存时间的研究

目的研究蒲公英在调节肠道菌群和改善荷瘤小鼠生存质量提高生存率方面的作用。方法用肝癌腹水瘤H22细胞株注射小鼠造荷瘤小鼠模型,然后口服蒲公英提取液治疗。观察治疗前后菌群变化、腹水量和荷瘤生存时间等。结果蒲公英治疗组与阴性对照组比较,肠道菌群趋于平衡、腹水出现时间延迟、腹水量降低和荷瘤生存时间延长。结论蒲公英提取液能调节小鼠肠道菌群,改善荷瘤小鼠生存质量、提高生存率。     

Correlation between serum cholesterols and trace element uptake in liver,kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic mice

The radioactive multitracer technique was applied to the simultaneous determination of the uptake of 17 trace elements (Be, Na, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru) in the liver, kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic model mice. The uptakes of Be, Sc, V, Cr, Fe, As, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru in liver increased with an increasing feeding period of a cholesterol-rich diet, whereas the uptakes of Zn and Se decreased. Feeding of the diet resulted in a marked increase in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The metabolism of trace elements between cholesterolemic and normal mice was compared with respect to their serum cholesterol levels. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of serum triglycerides and liver uptakes of Cr, Fe, and As and a negative correlation for the uptake of Zn. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of serum high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols and kidney uptakes of Cr and Rb. A negative correlation was found between the uptake of Be in the blood and the concentration of serum triglycerides. These results suggest that cholesterolemia have some specific effects on the metabolism of some elements.     

Pituicytes in normal and Jimpy mice

Summary Neural lobes of control and Jimpy mice were examined electron microscopically. The ultrastructure and incidence of pituicytes was examined following reports of reductions in astrocyte and oligodendrocyte populations in areas of the CNS of Jimpy mice. The failure to demonstrate any modification of structure or numbers of the pituicytes in the affected animals suggests that the pituicytes are not as closely related to the satellite cells of the CNS as has previously been proposed.Grateful thanks to Miss M. Pehrson for supply of animals used in these experiments, and to Mrs. J. Griffin for technical assistance.     

基因芯片技术在肿瘤缺氧微环境研究中的应用进展

缺氧微环境是实体肿瘤的特征之一,也是影响实体肿瘤发生、发展、侵袭、转移及耐药的重要因素,但其影响肿瘤的具体机制尚未完全明确。根据检测的mRNA数量,基因芯片分为传统的表达谱芯片和功能分类芯片。随着技术的发展,基因芯片技术因能对成千上万种基因的表达情况同时进行定量检测,在生命科学研究包括缺氧微环境对肿瘤作用的研究中越来越多地得到应用。选择性应用这些基因芯片除了能证明缺氧微环境与肿瘤发生发展有关外,同时还能筛选肿瘤缺氧微环境调节的未知靶基因及缺氧微环境重要调节因子的未知下游靶基因,还能为研究缺氧微环境影响肿瘤的分子机制提供有用的线索。基因芯片技术正成为该领域非常重要的研究工具之一。     

A survey of trace elements in pteridophytes

Concentration of 11 trace elements (Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Cs, Ba, La, and Ce) in 96 pteridophytes (fern and fern ally species) was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis to evaluate a concentration range for each element and also to find species characteristic in the uptake of trace elements. Asplenium trichomanes was found to accumulate Sc, Cr, and Co to the highest concentrations among 96 pteridophytes. The highest concentration of Ca and Zn was observed for Asplenium obscurum. The other Pteridophytes exhibited only one element whose concentration was the highest. A positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Fe and Sc, and also between the concentrations of Cr and Co. The remarkable accumulation of lanthanides (La and Ce) was observed mainly in diversifying genera (Polystichum and Dryopteris in Dryopteridaceae, Diplazium in Woodsiaceae, and Asplenium in Aspleniaceae).     

二氢卟吩e6在艾氏荷瘤小鼠体内的分布

目的研究二氢卟吩e6(Ce6)在移植瘤小鼠体内吸收、分布及代谢的动态变化,以期为声动力疗法处理不同部位肿瘤的时间点提供科学依据。方法艾氏移植瘤小鼠尾静脉注射Ce6后,利用荧光分光光度法和小动物活体成像技术测定Ce6在小鼠不同组织的富集分布变化规律。结果小鼠尾静脉给药后,Ce6迅速分布于全身各组织,在2 h内,各组织药物浓度均达到峰值,其中以肝含量最高。随后各组织中药物浓度均开始下降,以肝中清除速度最快。肿瘤组织中的Ce6含量在注射后不断上升,2 h时达到最高,随后开始下降,2～10 h代谢比较缓慢,24 h时浓度降至最低,但仍高于其他组织。结论 Ce6在艾氏移植瘤中具有肿瘤组织选择性好、潴留时间长并可迅速从体内排出等优点,有着很好的临床应用前景,同时提出了不同组织类型不同部位的肿瘤应根据各自适当的时间点进行处理。     

Distribution of structural and trace elements in human temporal bone

This study was undertaken to evaluate a systematic analysis of mineral and trace elements of individual functionally determined parts of adult temporal bone. Marked differences were observed in basic structural elements (Ca, P, Mg, and Zn) among different bone regions. The more so, molar Ca/P ratio was significantly different in various regions, being highest in the hammer and vestibular regions. Taxonomic analysis revealed specific differences in the mineral ratio between the two petrous bone regions believed to develop from various embryonal bases. According to results, the observed differences in mineral trace element composition of particular regions of human temporal bone might be explained by their developmental specificities and functional adaptation.     

GFP在绿色荧光裸鼠不同组织中的表达及分析

目的研究外源绿色荧光蛋白（green fluorescent protein,简称GFP）基因在BALB/c绿色荧光裸鼠主要器官组织中的表达及其差异。方法小动物成像系统和RT-PCR方法检测GFP的组织分布以及荧光表达水平情况。结果经活体荧光影像系统观察及PCR方法检测发现GFP可以在裸鼠多个器官组织中表达,其中在胰腺、心脏、全脑、皮肤、睾丸中表达量较高。结论外源绿色荧光蛋白可以在模型动物体内成功表达且稳定遗传,其中在胰腺组织中高表达。     

Essential trace elements in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys as affected by lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements

The aim of this trial was to study the concentration of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and iodine (I) in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys, taking into account the effects of lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements. During a 3-month period, 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys (Martina-Franca-derived population), randomly divided into two homogeneous groups (control (CTL) and trace elements (TE)), were used to provide milk and blood samples at 2-week intervals. Donkeys in both groups had continuous access to meadow hay and were fed 2.5 kg of mixed feed daily, divided into two meals. The mixed feed for the TE group had the same ingredients as the CTL, but was supplemented with a commercial premix providing 163 mg Zn, 185 mg Fe, 36 mg Cu, 216 mg Mn, 0.67 mg Se, 2.78 mg Co and 3.20 mg I/kg mixed feed. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Co and I were measured in feeds, milk and blood serum by inductively coupled plasma-MS. Data were processed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The milk concentrations of all the investigated elements were not significantly affected by the dietary supplementation with TE. Serum concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu Mn and Se were not affected by dietary treatment, but TE-supplemented donkeys showed significantly higher concentrations of serum Co (1.34 v. 0.69 μg/l) and I (24.42 v. 21.43 μg/l) than unsupplemented donkeys. The effect of lactation stage was significant for all the investigated elements in milk and blood serum, except for serum manganese. A clear negative trend during lactation was observed for milk Cu and Se concentrations (−38%), whereas that of Mn tended to increase. The serum Cu concentration was generally constant and that of Co tended to increase. If compared with data reported in the literature for human milk, donkey milk showed similarities for Zn, Mn, Co and I. Furthermore, this study indicated that, in the current experimental conditions, the mineral profile of donkey milk was not dependent on dietary TE supply.     

Differences in Plasmodium berghei development in nude and normal mice

Mcguire R. W. 1984. Differences in Plasmodium berghei development in nude and normal mice. International Journal for Parasitology14: 57–61. Parasitemia is a cumulative index of hostparasite responses which constitutes a dynamic cycle of affector-effector mechanisms. Therefore, it is necessary to view these responses as host or parasite in nature and this investigation focused on parasite responses. This study supports previous findings, i.e., congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice maintain higher parasitemias than control (nu/+) animals. Analysis of these differences demonstrate that, in the erythrocytic phase, the frequency of schizonts, the frequency of multiple-infected red blood cells and the number of nuclei per schizont are dependent on the immunological state of the host. Collectively, parasite developmental characteristics suggest that Plasmodium berghei has a greater reproductive capability and possibly a higher degree of sequestration while developing in nude mice.     

圈养大熊猫血清微量元素含量的测定与分析

正微量元素包括Fe、Cu、Cr、Mn和Zn等,虽含量极微,但具有极重要的生理功能,涉及机体的生长发育、免疫代谢等生命活动过程(Shenkin,2008; Subrahmanyam et al.,2015),也是反映机体新陈代谢及生理功能状况的重要指标(Carpene et al.,2017)。例如Fe元素参与机体氧的运输和贮存(Abbaspour et al.,2014),血清铁被认为是动物营养评估的生化指标(Ganapathy et al.,2011); Cu元素是多种氧化酶的重要组分,参与动物新陈代谢、生长发育等(Desai et al.,2014)。     

Augmentation of natural cell activity in tumor-bearing and normal mice by MVE-2

Summary Mice bearing advanced Lewis lung carcinoma were found to have significantly decreased natural killer (NK) cell activity in spleen and blood. The same pattern of lowered spontaneous NK cell activity was observed in nude mice with advanced human colon carcinoma LS 174 and in C3H mammary tumor virus-positive mice that spontaneously developed mammary adenocarcinomas. Maleic anhydride divinyl ether (MVE-2) usually augments NK cell activity in normal mice. We found that the lower level of spontaneous NK cell activity in tumor-bearing mice could be boosted by a single injection of MVE-2; however, this response was much weaker than that observed in age-matched normal mice. Multiple treatments with MVE-2 which are known to induce hyporesponsiveness to further augmentation of NK cell activity in spleen and blood of normal mice, also produced NK cell hyporesponsiveness in the spleen, bone marrow, and blood of tumor-bearing mice.Wladyslaw Budzynski is a guest researcher in the Preclinical Screening Laboratory from the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Czerska Street 12, Wroclaw, Poland