Trace Elements Open a New Direction for the Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis.

Abnormal or excessive accumulation of adipose tissue leads to a condition called obesity. Long-term positive energy balance arises when energy intake surpasses energy expenditure, which increases the risk of metabolic and other chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis. In industrialized countries, the prevalence of coronary heart disease is positively correlated with the human development index. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) is among the primary causes of death on a global scale. There is evidence to support the notion that individuals from varied socioeconomic origins may experience varying mortality effects as a result of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, raised cholesterol levels, and high body mass index (BMI). However, it is believed that changes in the concentration of trace elements in the human body are the main contributors to the development of some diseases and the transition from a healthy to a diseased state. Metal trace elements, non-metal trace elements, and the sampling site will be examined to determine whether trace elements can aid in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. This article will discuss whether trace elements, discussed under three sections of metal trace elements, non-metal trace elements, and the sampling site, can participate in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

Evolutionary dynamics of quantitative variation in an adaptive trait at the regional scale: The case of zinc hyperaccumulation in Arabidopsis halleri.

Metal hyperaccumulation in plants is an ecological trait whose biological significance remains debated, in particular because the selective pressures that govern its evolutionary dynamics are complex. One of the possible causes of quantitative variation in hyperaccumulation may be local adaptation to metalliferous soils. Here, we explored the population genetic structure of Arabidopsis halleri at fourteen metalliferous and nonmetalliferous sampling sites in southern Poland. The results were integrated with a quantitative assessment of variation in zinc hyperaccumulation to trace local adaptation. We identified a clear hierarchical structure with two distinct genetic groups at the upper level of clustering. Interestingly, these groups corresponded to different geographic subregions, rather than to ecological types (i.e., metallicolous vs. nonmetallicolous). Also, approximate Bayesian computation analyses suggested that the current distribution of A. halleri in southern Poland could be relictual as a result of habitat fragmentation caused by climatic shifts during the Holocene, rather than due to recent colonization of industrially polluted sites. In addition, we find evidence that some nonmetallicolous lowland populations may have actually derived from metallicolous populations. Meanwhile, the distribution of quantitative variation in zinc hyperaccumulation did separate metallicolous and nonmetallicolous accessions, indicating more recent adaptive evolution and diversifying selection between metalliferous and nonmetalliferous habitats. This suggests that zinc hyperaccumulation evolves both ways-towards higher levels at nonmetalliferous sites and lower levels at metalliferous sites. Our results open a new perspective on possible evolutionary relationships between A. halleri edaphic types that may inspire future genetic studies of quantitative variation in metal hyperaccumulation.

Physiological and proteome study of sunflowers exposed to a polymetallic constraint.

The new energy requirements of the growing world population together with the actual ecological trend of phytoremediation have made challenging the cultivation of energetic crops on nonagricultural lands, such as those contaminated with trace elements. In this study, phenotypical characterization and biochemical analyses were combined to emphasize the global response of young sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) grown in hydroponic media contaminated with different Cd, Ni, and Zn concentrations. Leaves and roots of sunflowers reaching the stage "2-extended leaves" and exposed to different trace metal concentrations were harvested and analyzed by 2D-DIGE in order to study in depth the molecular responses of the young plants upon the polymetallic exposure. Proteomics confirmed the observed global reduction in growth and development. If photosynthetic light reactions and carbon metabolism were the most affected in leaves, in roots significant disruptions were observed in proteins involved in respiration, oxidative balance, protein and gene expression, and in the induction of programmed cell death. Elemental analyses of the plantlets indicated a profound impact of the treatment resulting in misbalance in essential micronutrients. Altogether, this study highlights the sensitivity of the sunflower to a polymetallic pollution and indicates that its use as a remediative tool of trace element polluted soils is limited.

Release of metal elements from the Essure implant: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE(S): The causal mechanistic relationships between Essure® and adverse effects are unclear, but corrosion in the in-vivo environment with release of metal ions may be suspected. Here we evaluated the concentrations of nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and tin (Sn) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and in the fallopian tube (FT) during laparoscopic Essure® removal compared to a control group. STUDY DESIGN: Ni, Cr and Sn concentrations were determined in the PF and FT from two groups(group A: symptomatic patients with Essure®) vs group B (control group without Essure®) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry analysis. Correlation between metal elements concentrations and reported pre-operative symptoms was also investigated. RESULTS: There were 131 patients in group A vs 92 control patients in group B. The concentrations of Cr and Ni in PF between both groups were significantly different (p < 0.0001) while there was no statistical difference for Sn (p = 0.58). There was also a significantly higher concentration in the FT for the 3 metal elements in group A than in group B (p < 0.0001). There were differential dynamics of the levels of metal elements based on the length of time between the placement and removal of Essure®. CONCLUSIONS: There was a chronic exposure to metal elements in symptomatic patients with Essure® raising the question of the relationship between adverse effects and these potential toxic metals.

Differences in chemical contaminants bioaccumulation and ecotoxicology biomarkers in Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis and their hybrids.

The Mytilus mussels are spread all over the world and many related species coexist in several areas and can produce hybrid offspring. Mussels have been used for decades in national and international programs to monitor chemical contamination in the environment. Differences in bioaccumulation and biotransformation abilities between species and their hybrids should be evaluated to assess the comparability of the results obtained within the international biomonitoring programs. The objective of this study was to characterize bioaccumulation abilities and biomarker responses in Mytilus edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis and their hybrids via an in situ transplantation experimentation on their progenies. Four mussel groups (M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis and two hybrids batches) issued from genetically characterized parents were transplanted for one year in Charente Maritime (France) to ensure their exposure to identical sources of contamination. The bioaccumulation of several families of contaminants (trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls), the response of several biomarkers (DNA strand breaks level, lysosomal membrane stability, metallothionein content, acetylcholine esterase activity) and some physiological parameters (growth, mortality, gonadal development), were analyzed. Differences were observed between species, however they were contaminant-specific. Variations in contaminants levels were observed between progenies, with higher levels of Cu, PBDE, PCB in M. edulis, and higher levels of Cd, Hg, Zn in M galloprovincialis. This study demonstrated that variations in contaminant bioaccumulation and different biomarker responses exist between Mytilus species in the field. Data on species or the presence of hybrid individuals (or introgression) is an important additional parameter to add to biomonitoring programs databases.

Bioaugmentation coupled with phytoextraction for the treatment of Cd and Sr, and reuse opportunities for phosphogypsum rare earth elements.

The environmental and health impacts caused by phosphogypsum (PG) make it necessary to carefully manage these wastes. Bioaugmentation of a PG-compost mix with Bacillus cereus was associated with Trifolium pratense or Helianthus annuus for the phytoextraction of metal trace elements (MTE). In hydroponics, MTE concentrations in sunflower shoots are higher than in clover; however, as opposed to clover, it regulates their accumulation. The MTE accumulation levels by plants cultivated in pots with the PG-compost mix are much lower than in hydroponics due to lower concentration in available MTE. The bacteria-plant coupling has served to raise MTE concentrations, especially for rare earth elements (REE), i.e., Ce, La, Nd, Y, in the AP of sunflower, by factors of 4.4, 38.3, 3.4 and 21, respectively, compared to non-bioaugmented control. The translocation factor was also increased for all MTE and is ranged between 1.1 for Sr and 6.8 for Y. Moreover, the presence of bacteria raises plant biomass by a factor of 3.7 for shoots and 2.9 for the roots as regards clover. Results showed that in addition to phytoextraction of REE elements, all providing the promise of some kind of economic opportunity, the dispersion of PG stockpiles dust and erosion should be reduced.

Potential release of toxic metal elements from Essure® device in symptomatic patients: First results of the French Ablimco cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Many patients with Essure® devices request the removal of these implants due to persistent adverse effects. The pathophysiology remains unknown, but a corrosion of the implants in the in-vivo environment leading to metal ion release may be suspected. The implants consist of polyester fibers, nickel-titanium alloy and other metals including chromium. The purpose of this study is to deliver the first results on the concentrations of nickel and chromium (two potential toxic metal elements) in peritoneal fluid and in the fallopian tube tissue during laparoscopic removal of Essure®. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective observational study conducted in a French academic research hospital (University hospital of Lyon), nickel and chromium concentrations were determined in the fallopian tube tissue and peritoneal liquid from symptomatic patients with Essure® by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis in a PerkinElmer NexION 350. RESULTS: Significant metal element concentrations were showed in the peritoneal fluid. There was also a differential concentration in the fallopian tube tissue with higher concentration close to the implant then lower at a distance from this implant. There was a correlation between the concentrations of the two metals. CONCLUSION: The presence of nickel and chromium in the fallopian tube tissue and the peritoneal fluid raises the question of a possible relationship between the symptoms attributed to Essure® implants and the dissemination of potential toxic metals due to galvanic corrosion of the devices.

[Exposure of man to metal trace elements and alteration of sperm parameters: study conducted in the mining areas of Haut-Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo]. / Exposition de l'homme aux éléments traces métalliques et altération du sperme: étude menée dans les zones minières du Haut-Katanga en République Démocratique du Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Arsenic and cadmium exposures cause significant adverse effects. This study aims to determine the urinary arsenic and cadmium concentrations in men in order to analyze their profile in relation to sperm count test values. METHODES: We conducted an exposed-non-exposed analytical study of men exposed to arsenic and cadmium in a mining area in Upper Katanga, DRC and of non-exposed men living far from any mining area. RESULTS: Study results show that 48% of exposed subjects had semen pH below the threshold value of 7.2 versus 16% of non-exposed subjects. The risk of a lowering of pH below the standards was more than 4 times higher (OR=4.85[1.9-12.39]) among exposed men. The difference between the averages of the total number of spermatozoa was statistically significant to the advantage of non-exposed subjects. Abnormal number of spermatozoa was much higher in exposed subjects. It was recorded a more rapid spermatozoa mobility degradation in exposed subjects. In addition, 44% of exposed men had urinary arsenic concentration > 20 µg/L versus 8% of non-exposed subjects, the risk of excessive arsenic accumulation was nine times higher in exposed men than in non-exposed men (OR=9.04 [2.82-28.96]). Sixty percent of exposed men had urinary cadmium concentration ≥0.5µg/ml versus 38% of non-exposed subjects, with an Odd Ratio of 2.45 [1.1-5.47], reflecting a risk of excessive cadmium accumulation in exposed men. On the other hand, it was recorded that, among exposed men, high urinary arsenic and cadmium concentrations resulted in a proportional degradation of sperm count test values. CONCLUSION: This study shows, on one hand, high urinary arsenic and cadmium concentrations and, on the other hand, more rapid and more severe alterations of sperm count test values in men living in mining area. This suggests a decline in male fertility which deserves to be further documented in future studies.

A closer look at the feather coloration in the male purple sunbird, Nectarinia asiatica.

During the breeding season male, but not female, individuals of the purple sunbird possess colourful plumage of chiefly blue and black coloration with a splatter of orange and yellow on the chest. Representative feathers of these colours were collected from male birds during the breeding season and analyzed by reflectance and scanning electron microscopy. The rachis, which is the central support of a feather on which various barbs and barbules are arranged, is spongy and made up of keratin layers with rod-shaped melanosomes sparsely distributed within these layers. Barbs and barbules are the structural units of the feather and depending on how they are arranged provide a characteristic shape to the feather. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of the feathers revealed the presence of various metal elements that might contribute to the feathers' colorations. Blue feathers are iridescent and contain mainly iron, copper, zinc and cobalt (in that order of abundance); black feathers were also found to contain mainly iron and copper, but chromium instead of zinc and cobalt, while yellow feathers were found to contain predominantly cobalt and nickel. The metal content of the feathers in an as yet unknown way may be involved in the production of the distinct absorbance and reflectance patterns that the brilliant plumage of the purple sunbird is renowned for.

Antioxidant defense gene analysis in Brassica oleracea and Trifolium repens exposed to Cd and/or Pb.

This study focused on the expression analysis of antioxidant defense genes in Brassica oleracea and in Trifolium repens. Plants were exposed for 3, 10, and 56 days in microcosms to a field-collected suburban soil spiked by low concentrations of cadmium and/or lead. In both species, metal accumulations and expression levels of genes encoding proteins involved and/or related to antioxidant defense systems (glutathione transferases, peroxidases, catalases, metallothioneins) were quantified in leaves in order to better understand the detoxification processes involved following exposure to metals. It appeared that strongest gene expression variations in T. repens were observed when plants are exposed to Cd (metallothionein and ascorbate peroxidase upregulations) whereas strongest variations in B. oleracea were observed in case of Cd/Pb co-exposures (metallothionein, glutathione transferase, and peroxidase upregulations). Results also suggest that there is a benefit to use complementary species in order to better apprehend the biological effects in ecotoxicology.

A multiple-level study of metal tolerance in Salix fragilis and Salix aurita clones.

The response of two willow clones (Salix fragilis (Sf) and Salix aurita (Sa)) to the presence of metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni) was studied. Rooted cuttings were planted in control and contaminated soil. After 100days, different parameters (biomass, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), pigment and sugar concentrations, electrolyte leakage and proteome-level changes) were analyzed. The growth of Sa was not influenced by metals whereas Sf produced significantly less biomass when exposed to the pollutants. Furthermore, although Sa did not show a growth reduction in the presence of metals, the overall view of the physiological results among others the changes in the accumulation of sugars and pigments indicated that metals had a more severe impact on this clone. The response at the proteome level confirmed these observations. The growth reduction and the proteomic changes in Sf indicate that this clone adjusts its metabolism to maintain cellular homeostasis. Sa on the contrary maintains growth but the physiological and proteomics data suggests that this can only be done at the cost of cellular deregulation. Therefore high biomass is not linked with a good tolerance strategy. In a long-term study the survival of Sa might be compromised making it a poorer candidate for phytoremediation efforts. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the last centuries human activity has resulted in the dispersal of heavy metals with potential phytotoxic effects over large areas. The increased knowledge of the responses of Salix-species, a group of trees with potential as biomass producer but also as phytoremediation agent, when growing on metal-polluted substrate provided by this study has the potential to help in the improved selection of clones with more or less potential for these aims. Contrary to most studies the trees in the current study were exposed to a mixture of metals, thereby facing a closer resemblance to the situation on soils polluted by human activity. Whereas many papers focused on the two main phenotypic characteristics (biomass and accumulation), fewer papers studied proteomic and physiological parameters which allow to have a global view of the tolerance of probable willow candidates for phytoremediation purposes. Our data demonstrates that higher biomass production in presence of metals is not necessarily linked with higher tolerance whereas growth reduction might indicate longer long-term tolerance. In the long term and in the purpose of a future use in phytoremediation, the survival of this high producer clone could be compromised.