Elemental composition of vegetables cultivated over coal-mining waste

ABSTRACT We assessed elemental composition of the liver in mice subjected to one-time or chronic consumption of the juice of vegetables cultivated in a vegetable garden built over deposits of coal waste. Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Beta vulgaris L. (beet), Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (kale) were collected from the coal-mining area and from a certified organic farm (control). Elemental composition was analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Concentrations of Mg, S, and Ca of mice subjected to one-time consumption of broccoli and concentrations of these same elements plus Si of mice receiving kale were higher in the coal-mining area. Concentrations of P, K, and Cu were increase after chronic consumption of lettuce from the coal-mining area, whereas the levels of Si, P, K, Fe, and Zn were higher in the group consuming kale from the coal-mining area. Our data suggests that people consuming vegetables grown over coal wastes may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since these plants contain both essential and toxic metals in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good.

Comet assay in neonatal sepsis.

Objective. To determine whether the DNA damage detected using the Comet assay helps in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis Methods. Sepsis was diagnosed, based on clinical findings, laboratory findings and positive culture results, in 24 of the 48 newborns who participated in the study. Hematological parameters, baseline demographic data and genotoxic evaluation were investigated. Results. There were no significant differences in hematological, demographic and genotoxic data between cases and controls. Conclusions. The Comet assay proved to be ineffective in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.