Use of Multiple Irradiations and Reference Materials as Comparators in Quality Control of Neutron Activation Analysis Data of Biological Samples.

We propose that several different reactor irradiation times followed by assaying of activity for differential counting periods may be employed for quality control (QC) of neutron activation analysis (NAA) data of biological samples. It is also recommended that three to four reference materials (RMs) of similar matrix but from different agencies such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Vienna), Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (INCT, Poland), and National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES, Japan) including a synthetic multielemental primary standard should always be analyzed simultaneously along with the samples. Finally, the mean ± σ values so obtained may be considered as more reliable after statistical analysis. Our analytical data for Na and K in three RMs (SRM 1572, CRM H-9, and Bowen's Kale) using different irradiation periods of 15 m, 2 h, 6 h, and 1 day were comparable with the certified values within error range of + 0.2 to - 2.7%. We report our data for 20 elements in two candidate RMs corn flour (INCT-CF-3) and soya bean flour (INCT-SBF-4) from the INCT, Poland, where Z-score values for most elements are in reasonable range of certified values.

Neutron Autoradiography Combined With UV-C Sensitization: Toward the Intracellular Localization of Boron.

Our group has reported the imprint formation of biological material on polycarbonate nuclear track detectors by UV-C exposure, which is used as an approach to simultaneously visualize cell imprints and nuclear tracks coming from the boron neutron capture reaction. Considering that the cell nucleus has a higher UV-C absorption than the cytoplasm and that hematoxylin preferentially stains the nucleus, we proposed to enhance the contrast between these two main cell structures by hematoxylin staining before UV-C sensitization. In this study, several experiments were performed in order to optimize UV-C exposure parameters and chemical etching conditions for cell imprint formation using the SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell line. The proposed method improves significantly the resolution of the cell imprints. It allows clear differentiation of the nucleus from the rest of the cell, together with nuclear tracks pits. Moreover, it reduces considerably the UV-C exposure time, an important experimental issue. The proposed methodology can be applied to study the boron distribution independently from the chosen cell line and/or boron compounds.

Effect of royal jelly on serum trace elements in rats undergoing head and neck irradiation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of radiation on serum trace elements and the changes in these elements as induced by royal jelly in rats undergoing head and neck irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats at the age of eight weeks with a mean weight of 275±35 g were included in the study. Subjects were divided into four groups with eight rats in each group: group 1: controls (C), group 2: radiation-only (RT), group 3: radiation plus royal jelly 50 mg/kg (RT+RJ50) and group 4: royal jelly 50 mg/kg-only (RJ50). Radiotherapy was applied to the head and neck area by single fraction at a dose of 22 Gy. The royal jelly was given once daily for seven days. The subjects were sacrificed on the seventh day of the study. Trace elements in blood samples were measured using ICP/MS method. RESULTS: When the trace element levels among the groups were compared using ANOVA test, a statistically significant difference was found in Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Pb, Se, and Sn levels (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the levels of Ag, Ba, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ti, U, V, and Zn (p>0.05). It was observed that oxidative stress was reduced in the radiation plus royal jelly group, compared to the radiation-only group. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that head and neck irradiation increases oxidative stress, leading to some changes in the trace element levels, while royal jelly exhibits a protective effect against the oxidative stress induced by radiation.

Biological X-ray absorption spectroscopy (BioXAS): a valuable tool for the study of trace elements in the life sciences.

Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) the binding modes (type and number of ligands, distances and geometry) and oxidation states of metals and other trace elements in crystalline as well as non-crystalline samples can be revealed. The method may be applied to biological systems as a 'stand-alone' technique, but it is particularly powerful when used alongside other X-ray and spectroscopic techniques and computational approaches. In this review, we highlight how biological XAS is being used in concert with crystallography, spectroscopy and computational chemistry to study metalloproteins in crystals, and report recent applications on relatively rare trace elements utilised by living organisms and metals involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

Determination of trace concentrations of elements in high purity tellurium by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometer (RF-GDOES).

A method was established for the determination of trace impurities in high purity tellurium (Te) 99.9999 (6N) by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (RF-GDOES). The optimized parameters are power, argon pressure, pre-integration time, analysis time and selection of wavelength. Nine elements Se, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb were analysed in 6N Te, out of which only three elemental peaks (Se, Ca, and Mg) were detected and the remaining six elements ( Si, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) were below detection levels. Finally, the method was evaluated by the analysis of the above traces using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and was found to be satisfactory. The detection limits for most of the elements were below 10 ng/g and R.S.D. was around 10%, which indicated that this method could fully satisfy the requirements for the trace analysis in high purity Te metal.

Tissue trace element change after total body irradiation.

PURPOSE: In this study, we examined the changes of tissue contents of trace elements and iron after total body irradiation (TBI) and their possible impact on late toxicities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups - either radiation (n = 10) or control (n = 10). Rats in the radiation group received TBI of 5 Gy in a single fraction. Rats were sacrificed and tissue samples of heart, lung and kidney were taken 8 weeks after radiation. Tissue levels of zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese and iron analysis were performed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and suprapure grade standard solutions. One kidney of each animal was taken for electron microscopic analysis. Blood samples were collected from all animals and the blood chemistry related to kidney function was studied. RESULTS: The kidney levels of Fe and Cu significantly increased 8 weeks after irradiation (p < 0.05). The Cu/Zn ratio did not reach statistical significance in any tissue, however in kidney, there was a tendency to rise (p = 0.08). Myocardium and lung content of trace elements and iron did not show any significant change 8 weeks after irradiation. Electron microscopic analysis showed significant injury in glomerular endothelial cells, renal tubules and thickening of basement membrane. Blood chemistry showed a significant rise in serum creatinine (p = 0.008) and calcium (p = 0.01) in the TBI group. Serum creatinine levels were 0.73 and 0.84 mg/dl, and serum calcium levels were 10.1 and 11.3 mg/dl in control and TBI groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: A sublethal dose of TBI causes deposition of Cu and Fe within the kidney after TBI. Deposition of these elements may have some additional role on the toxicity caused by direct radiation on the kidney.

[Metabolic disorders in digestive and hepatobiliary pathology in those who worked in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]. / Narusheniia metabolizma pri digestivnoi i gepatobiliarnoi patologii u likvidatorov posledstvii avarii na ChAES.

A clinical observation over 57 liquidators of the Chernobyl accident aftermath (ChAAL) with associated diseases of the digestive and hepato-biliary system revealed abnormalities in blood enzymic activity, presenting as elevation of, in particular, alanine aminotransferase as well as of asparagine aminotransferase, gamma-glutaminetranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and of blood mineral composition at the expense of an increase in certain minerals. Disturbances in underlying process of bodily metabolism promote the development and association of erosive and ulcerous lesions of the stomach and duodenum with chronic noncalculous cholecystitis, persistent hepatitis in ChAAL.

[The late sequelae of the action of irradiation during the cleanup of the aftermath of the Chernobyl catastrophe on the concentration of macro- and microelements in human blood serum]. / Otdalennye posledstviia deistviia oblucheniia pri likvidatsii posledstvii Chernobyl'skoi katastrofy na kontsentratsiiu makro- i mikroélementov v syvorotke krovi cheloveka.

The content of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, P, and S in the blood serum and its ultrafiltrate was studied by the inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectrometry in eliminators of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station who worked in the accident zone in 1986-1987. Changes in the mineral equilibrium of the blood serum was expressed in elevated concentrations of the ultrafiltered Cu and S, increased Mg content in the serum, and decreased content of ultrafiltered Zn. The Fe concentration in the serum and ultrafiltrate did not differ from the control indices, thus suggesting balanced Fe transport, accumulation, and mobilization at a remote time after the radiation injury.

[The vitamin and trace element status of the personnel of the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station and of preschool children in the city of Slavutich]. / Vitaminnyi i mikroélementnyi status personala ChAES i detei doshkol'nogo vozrasta g. Slavuticha.

Supply of the Chernobyl NPP staff and Slavutich children with vitamins and minerals has been examined in spring 1992. From 43 to 100% of people have moderate deficiency of vitamin C, B1, B2, B6 and folic acid, 6-61%--deep deficiency of these nutrients. Most of the people have insufficient supply with vitamins in the form of polyhypovitaminosis, i.e. combined deficiency of ascorbic acid and of 2 or 3 vitamins of the B group. Deficiency of 2 vitamins was found in 20% of adults of 3 vitamins in 37%, of 4 vitamins in 29% and of 1 vitamin in 10% of adults. Only 4% of examined adults are sufficiently supplied with all vitamins and none of children. Deficiency of 1 vitamin was found in 11% of children, of 2 vitamins in 15%, of 3 vitamins in 17%, of 4 vitamins in 35%, of 5 vitamins in 20% and of 6 vitamins in 2% of children. Supply of children with all vitamins has been improved when they received combined vitamin-mineral preparation "Duovit" for one month. Universal prophylactic vitaminization by means of administration of ascorbic acid and polyvitamin preparations in doses corresponding to the daily physiological requirement should be recommended as the most reliable, effective and economical measure aimed to improve supply of the population with vitamins.

[The electrolyte and trace element content of the blood in participants in the cleanup of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]. / Soderzhanie élektrolitov i mikroélementov v krovi uchastikov likvidatsii avarii na Chernobyl'skoi AES.

Electrolyte equilibrium and microelemental composition of blood as well as mechanisms of their control were studied in remote period after patients exposure to complex influence of factors associated with radiation accident. The following regularity was observed: total level of electrolytes was decreased in plasma but increased in erythrocytes. These changes are caused by disorders of hormonal regulation. Dysbalance between oxidant and anti-oxidant systems, increased contents of lead, cobalt and iron in the blood may be a pathological basis for development of free radical pathology in examined patients.

[Blood trace elements as an indicator of the degree of severity in radiation lesions]. / Mikroélementy krovi kak indikator stepeni tiazhesti luchevykh porazhenii.

Changes of selenium, chromium, antimony, silver, cobalt, rubidium, zinc, iron and bromine concentration in whole blood of Wistar rats were examined in early period after gamma irradiation by 3, 7.5 and 10 Gy. Level of these trace elements was measured by instrumental neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Diagnostic and prognostic significance of some trace elements were established.

[The effect of microwaves on lipid peroxidation and on lipid and mineral metabolism in warm-blooded animals (experimental research)]. / Vliianie mikrovoln na perekisnoe okislenie lipidov, lipidnyi i mineral'nyi obmen teplokrovnykh zivotnykh (éksperimental'noe issledovanie).

The experiments on 50 white mature male rats have provided evidence on the effect produced by microwave therapy on lipid peroxidation, lipid and mineral metabolism and weight of the animals. The effect varied with frequency, wavelength and the site of the exposure (abdominal or cervical zones).