Serum trace elements in dysphagic patients that underwent endoscopic gastrostomy for long term enteral feeding

Patients who underwent endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) present protein-energy malnutrition, but little is known about Trace Elements (TE), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr). Our aim was the evaluation of serum TE in patients who underwent PEG and its relationship with serum proteins, BMI and nature of underlying disorder.

Mineral and trace elements content of Black Sea Area traditional foods

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n.º 227118.

Patterns of rare earth and other trace elements in Paleogene and Miocene clayey sediments from the Mondego platform (Central Portugal)

In the present study the origin of clay deposits occurring in an inland platform, in central Portugal, was investigated by their mineralogical and chemical composition. The clay deposits, exploited for ceramic industry are composed of silt-clay facies, the Monteira Member and the Arroça Member, which are assigned to the Coja Formation (Paleogene) and the Campelo Formation (Miocene), respectively. These clayey facies show almost compositional homogeneity, especially concerning texture. The mineralogical composition of the Monteira Member displays slightly higher content in smectite and interstratified clay minerals, which is supported by the chemical composition of samples analyzed. Both members present similar REE patterns, displaying an intense weathering record and little variation in the source area composition. Minor element geochemistry suggests low content in heavy minerals and transition metals. REE patterns and ratios of geochemical parameters support the dominant metasedimentary provenance, with a granite source contribution and also mature recycled sediments of continental origin. The study results’ suggest that the clays of these two members have the same source in terms of lithology and recycled sediments from the Hesperian massif. During the deposition of the Arroça Member, a major remobilization of the Monteira Member is suggested, explaining the geochemical similarity of both facies.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopic determination of heavy metals and trace elements in aerial parts of Origanum sipyleum L from Turkey

Purpose: To determine the heavy metal and trace element composition of the powdered aerial parts of Origanum sipyleum L. and its water extract. Methods: The heavy metal and trace elements content of the powdered plant material and 2 % aqueous extract were evaluated by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with silicon drift detector SDD at a resolution of 145 eV and 10,000 pulses. The process conditions were 0.1 g sample weight, process time of 300 s at a voltage of 25 kV and 50 kV, and at a current of 0.5 and 1.0 mA under helium atmosphere. Results: The major elements, K, Ca and Na, known as macronutrients, constituted 11990, 10490 and 970 ppm of the powdered drug and 8910, 2991 and 810 ppm of the water extract, respectively. Among other constituents, arsenic, lead and uranium levels were < 1, 2.1 and < 3 ppm, respectively, in the powdered material while in the aqueous extract, the levels were < 1, < 2 and 200 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: O. sipyleum is a potential source of macro- and micronutrients from which useful food additives and health supplements can be derived.

Trace elements and electrolytes in human resting mixed saliva after exercise

Objectives—Exercise is known to cause changes in the concentration of salivary components such as amylase, Na, and Cl. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the eVect of physical exercise on the levels of trace elements and electrolytes in whole (mixed) saliva. Methods—Forty subjects performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Samples of saliva were obtained before and immediately after the exercise test. Sample concentrations of Fe, Mg, Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Ag, Sb, Cs, and Hg were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and concentrations of Ca and Na by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results—After exercise, Mg and Na levels showed a significant increase (p<0.05) while Mn levels fell (p<0.05). Zn/Cu molar ratios were unaVected by exercise. Conclusions—Intense physical exercise induced changes in the concentrations of only three (Na, Mg, and Mn) of the 16 elements analysed in the saliva samples. Further research is needed to assess the clinical implications of these findings.

Analysis of plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer

Introduction: Zinc deficiency has been associated with damage and oxidative changes in DNA that may increase an individual`s risk of cancer. Furthermore, zinc metabolism may be affected in cancer patients, leading to alterations in its distribution that would favor carcinogenesis. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in women with breast cancer were evaluated in this cross-sectional, controlled study. Material and methods: Fifty-five premenopausal women of 25 to 49 years of age with and without breast cancer were divided into two groups: Group A, composed of women without breast cancer (controls, n = 26) and Group B, composed of women with breast cancer (cases, n = 29). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry at gamma = 213.9 nm. Diet was assessed using the 3-day diet recall method and analyzed using the NutWin software program, version 1.5. Student`s t-test was used to compare means and significance was established at p <0.05. Results: Mean plasma zinc levels were 69.69 +/- 9.00 g/dt, in the breast cancer patients and 65.93 +/- 12.44 g/dt. in the controls (p = 0.201). Mean erythrocyte zinc level was 41.86 +/- 8.28 mu gZn/gHb in the cases and 47.93 +/- 7.00 mu gZn/gHb in the controls (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary zinc levels were above the estimated average requirement. Conclusions: The present results suggest that zinc levels are lower in the erythrocyte compartment of premenopausal women with breast cancer.

Trace me if you can: the use of intrinsic biogeochemical markers in marine top predators

Human activities have serious impacts on marine apex predators. Inadequate knowledge of the spatial and trophic ecology of these marine animals ultimately compromises the viability of their populations and impedes our ability to use them as environmental biomonitors. Intrinsic biogeochemical markers, such as stable isotopes, fatty acids, trace elements, and chemical pollutants, are increasingly being used to trace the spatial and trophic ecology of marine top predators. Notable advances include the emergence of the first oceanographic"isoscapes" (isotopic geographic gradients), the advent of compound-specific isotopic analyses, improvements in diet reconstruction through Bayesian statistics, and tissue analysis of tracked animals to ground-truth biogeochemical profiles. However, most researchers still focus on only a few tracers. Moreover, insufficient knowledge of the biogeochemical integration in tissues, fractionation and routing processes, and geographic and temporal variability in baseline levels continue to hamper the resolution and potential of these markers in studying the spatial and feeding ecology of top predators.

Geochemistry of Rare Erath Elements and Trace Metals along the Western Continental Shelf of India

Rare earth elements have occupied an important role in marine geochemical research, particularly as used in the format of REE abundance patterns to describe the geochemical pathways in marine sedimentation and authigenesis. This study concentrates on the distribution pattern of Rare earth elements in the sediments, behavior of Eu and Ce with respect to their occurrence in multiple oxidation states. It also concentrate the depth wise variation of sediment REEs from near shore areas (30m) to deeper depths 200m) in the Arabian Sea. It includes the downcore variation of REEs and other trace elements in the sediment cores and a comparison between the REE distributions of Arabian Sea sediment with the sediments of Andaman Sea. The study gives a general introduction regarding the importance of RRE studies, its occurrence and abundance, electronic configuration, lanthanide contraction, oxidations states and REE supply to the ocean, seawater and sediments.

Influence of Selected Dietary Micronutrient Elements on Growth and Biochemistry of Farmed Prawns

From the present study, it is clear that all the three metals, selenium, molybdenum and cobalt have significant effect on the antioxidant status of the shrimps. Selenium and molybdenum were observed to induce peroxidative damage at elevated levels. But at the same level, cobalt did not show such an effect. Selenium was found to be growth promoting at lower levels of dietary supplementation. Even though low levels of dietary selenium had a protective effect against the lipid peroxidation, the present study indicates that high levels of dietary selenium could promote lipid peroxidation. The selenium-dependent antioxidant enzyme, GPx behaved differently in muscle and hepatopancreas. A high concentration of selenium was required for the active expression of the enzyme in the muscle, where as in hepatopancreas maximum activity was observed at lower selenium concentration. Selenium supplementation had a positive effect on GSH concentration. The other antioxidant enzymes such as GST, SOD and CAT showed enhanced activity at higher concentration of selenium. Molybdenum supplementation significantly reduced the free radical scavenger enzymes SOD and CAT. This resulted in enhanced lipid peroxidation in tissues. The activity of antioxidant enzyme GPx and the concentration of the substrate for the enzyme, GSH also were lower at elevated levels of molybdenum supplementation. In addition to this amino acids and fatty acids were also altered in molybdenum supplemented groups. In trace amounts, dietary molybdenum exerts a beneficial effect on the growth and also in the activities of the enzymes XO and SO. At the same time it also indicates a possibility of oxidative damage as a result of the peroxidation caused by the activities of the enzymes SO and XO at elevated concentrations of molybdenum is also indicated. The absorption of various trace elements was also altered by molybdenum supplementation.Among the three metals studied, cobalt was the least toxic one at the administered levels. But this metal has a significant effect on the lipid content, amino acid composition, cholesterol levels and phospholipid levels. Increased growth was also observed as a result of cobalt supplementation in shrimps. The antioxidant system of the animal was activated by dietary cobalt. Tissue levels of the trace metals were also found to be altered in cobalt supplemented groups of shrimps.These studies, thus shows that influence of dietary trace metals calls for more detailed studies in farmed shrimp. They may hold the key to growth and even disease resistance in shrimp. But this still remains as a virgin field which demands more attention, especially in view of the increasing importance of shrimp farming.