The p,p'-DDE disturbs the M1 function without affecting the M2 phenotype nor unstimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages from BALB/c mice.

DDT, a persistent organic pollutant, remains affecting human health worldwide. DDT and its most persistent metabolite (p,p'-DDE) negatively affect the immune response regulation and mechanisms involved in protecting against pathogens Such metabolite decreases the capability to limit intracellular growth of Mycobacterium microti and yeast. However, the effect on unstimulated (M0) and anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) has been evaluated scanty. Herein, we evaluated the impact of p,p'-DDE at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.125, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/mL) on bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated with IFNγ+LPS to M1 or with IL-4 +IL-13 to M2. Thus we study whether the p,p'-DDE induces M0 to a specific phenotype or modulates activation of the macrophage phenotypes and explains, at least partly, the reported effects of p,p'-DDE on the M1 function. The p,p'-DDE did not affect the cell viability of M0 or the macrophage phenotypes. In M1, the p,p'-DDE decreased NO•- production and IL-1ß secretion, but increasing cellular ROS and mitochondrial O2•-, but did not alter iNOS, TNF-α, MHCII, and CD86 protein expression nor affect M2 markers arginase activity, TGF-ß1, and CD206; p,p'-DDE, did not affect marker expression in M0 or M2, supporting that its effects on M1 parameters are not dependent on M0 nor M2 modulation. The decreasing of NO•- production by the p,p'-DDE without altering iNOS levels, Arginase activity, or TNF-α, but increasing cellular ROS and mitochondrial O2 suggests that p,p'-DDE interferes with the iNOS function but not with its transcription. The p,p'-DDE decreasing of IL-1ß secretion, without any effect on TNF-α, suggest that an alteration of specific targets involved in IL-1ß secretion may be affected and related to ROS induction. The p,p'-DDE effect on iNOS function and the IL-1ß secretion process, as the NLRP3 activation, deserves further study.

Demographic, Clinical, and Serological Characteristics of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients From the Anticoagulation Clinic of Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellín, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune thrombophilia, characterized by vascular thrombosis or obstetric compromise, associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Large international studies have analyzed the clinical/serological behavior of the disease and in Colombia, there are few cohorts that have been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The main objective is to characterize the patients with APS followed in the anticoagulation clinic of a tertiary care hospital and to determine the clinical manifestations and serological findings at diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out to evaluate patients with a presumptive and/or confirmed diagnosis of APS, according to modified Sapporo criteria, which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria established by the authors. The information was collected from the review of medical records. RESULTS: We included 103 patients, with the female sex being the most prevalent (86.6%). 54.3% of the patients (n = 56) had a diagnosis of primary APS. Venous thrombotic events occurred in 87.3% (n = 90) of the patients, 34.9% (n = 36) had arterial thrombosis (n = 36), and 3.9% (n = 4) had catastrophic APS (n = 4). 15 cases of Obstetric APS were documented. Lupus coagulation inhibitor (LA) positivity was the most prevalent marker in 84% (n = 68) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical behavior in this cohort of patients is like that found in large international and national studies. Most patients have a probable diagnosis of APS, so they could overestimate the real prevalence and condition of long-term anticoagulant treatment.

A Virus-Packageable CRISPR System Identifies Host Dependency Factors Co-Opted by Multiple HIV-1 Strains.

At each stage of the HIV life cycle, host cellular proteins are hijacked by the virus to establish and enhance infection. We adapted the virus packageable HIV-CRISPR screening technology at a genome-wide scale to comprehensively identify host factors that affect HIV replication in a human T cell line. Using a smaller, targeted HIV Dependency Factor (HIVDEP) sublibrary, we then performed screens across HIV strains representing different clades and with different biological properties to define which T cell host factors are important across multiple HIV strains. Nearly 90% of the genes selected across various host pathways validated in subsequent assays as bona fide host dependency factors, including numerous proteins not previously reported to play roles in HIV biology, such as UBE2M, MBNL1, FBXW7, PELP1, SLC39A7, and others. Our ranked list of screen hits across diverse HIV-1 strains form a resource of HIV dependency factors for future investigation of host proteins involved in HIV biology. IMPORTANCE With a small genome of ~9.2 kb that encodes 14 major proteins, HIV must hijack host cellular machinery to successfully establish infection. These host proteins necessary for HIV replication are called "dependency factors." Whole-genome, and then targeted screens were done to try to comprehensively identify all dependency factors acting throughout the HIV replication cycle. Many host processes were identified and validated as critical for HIV replication across multiple HIV strains.

Radionuclide geochemistry evolution in the Long-term In-situ Test (LIT) at Grimsel Test Site (Switzerland).

The Long-term In-situ Test (LIT) of the Colloid Formation and Migration project (CFM) at the Grimsel Test Site, investigates the generation of bentonite colloids and, hence, radionuclide mobilization within a well-defined and controlled shear zone in a crystalline rock. In this context, the determination of radionuclide aqueous speciation is essential to understand whether radionuclides are easily transported or immobilized by precipitation or uptake processes in the bentonite barrier included in a repository concept for nuclear waste, and mimic in the LIT experiment. The objective of this work is to determine the aqueous speciation of seven radionuclides (i.e. 75Se(VI), 99Tc(VII),233U(VI), 237Np(V), 241Am(III), Th(IV) and 242Pu(IV)) by thermodynamic calculations in different water compositions representing the geochemical evolution through the LIT. A comparison of the results obtained from two different modelling groups allows the identification of the geochemical key parameters affecting radionuclide mobility in this context and the corresponding numerical and conceptual uncertainties. Particularly, silicate complexes of trivalent actinides and uranium(VI) carbonato complexes (i.e. CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n) n = 1 or 2) seem to be crucial in these environments, even at reducing conditions. Conceptual uncertainties like inclusion/exclusion of tetravalent actinide-bearing colloids formation and polyselenides have clearly been identified.

Low concentrations of lead disturb phenotypical markers of the inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory profile of bone marrow-derived macrophages from BALB/c mice.

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous toxic metal that decreases resistance to infections, in which the macrophages have an essential role. Pb adverse effects on nitric oxide (NO-) production and variable effects on inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages have been reported, but no effects have been reported in anti-inflammatory macrophages. We studied Pb (0.03-6 µg/dL equivalent to 0.014-2.89 µM) effects on the function of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) induced to either inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes, with LPS + IFNγ or IL-4+IL-13, respectively, and whether these effects are related. Pb did not induce cytotoxicity at any concentration in both macrophage phenotypes. In inflammatory BMDM, Pb (6 µg/dL) inhibited NO- production without affecting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels or basal arginase activity. At 3 and 6 µg/dL, Pb enhanced the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) membrane expression but did not modify CD86 expression, TNFα, or IL-1ß production and secretion. In anti-inflammatory BMDM, Pb did not alter arginase activity, but at 3 and 6 µg/dL, increased TGF-ß1 and mannose receptor expression. Results showed that environmentally relevant concentrations of Pb alter functional outcomes or phenotypic markers of anti-inflammatory for the first time. The Pb effects on the inflammatory macrophages are not dependent on negative feedback resulting from the Pb effect on the anti-inflammatory phenotype. The Pb affected only some molecules or specific pathways related to both phenotypes. These effects could be related to Pb effects on immune defense against intracellular pathogens and allergy susceptibility.

Ectopic Cushing syndrome in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe the clinical features of patients with ectopic Cushing syndrome (ECS) from Colombia and compare these findings with other series to provide the best management for these patients. METHODS: Records of patients with ECS from 1986 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed; patients with a diagnosis of adrenal or pituitary Cushing syndrome (CS) were excluded. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with ECS were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 54.4 (SD 17.1) years, and the female to male ratio was 1.33:1. Regarding the etiology of ECS, four patients had lung carcinoids (28.6%), three had small-cell lung carcinoma (21.4%), three had pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (21.4%), one had medullary thyroid cancer (7.1%), one had non-metastatic pheochromocytoma (7.1%), one had metastatic thymoma (7.1%) and one patient had an occult source of ACTH (7.1%). The most common clinical features at presentation were moon-face, muscle weakness, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Hyperpigmentation was present in 36% of patients, and 12 patients had hypokalemia with a mean value of 2.3 mEq/L (SD 0.71). The median basal cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) and ACTH were 30.5 ug/dL (IQR 21-59 ug/dL), 2,600 ug/24 h (IQR 253-6,487 ug/24 h) and 91 pg/mL (IQR 31.9-141.9), respectively. Thirteen patients (92.8%) had the site of the primary lesion identified. Six patients had undergone a surgical intervention to address the primary tumor. Resection was curative in 28.5% of patients. Death occurred in 57.1% of patients, and the median overall survival was 27 months. Intrathoracic tumors had the most aggressive behavior. CONCLUSION: ECS is a rare disease; however, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A rapid intervention supported by an interdisciplinary group is required to improve overall survival and quality of life.

Ectopic Cushing syndrome in Colombia

ABSTRACT Objective The aim was to describe the clinical features of patients with ectopic Cushing syndrome (ECS) from Colombia and compare these findings with other series to provide the best management for these patients. Materials and methods Records of patients with ECS from 1986 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed; patients with a diagnosis of adrenal or pituitary Cushing syndrome (CS) were excluded. Results Fourteen patients with ECS were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 54.4 (SD 17.1) years, and the female to male ratio was 1.33:1. Regarding the etiology of ECS, four patients had lung carcinoids (28.6%), three had small-cell lung carcinoma (21.4%), three had pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (21.4%), one had medullary thyroid cancer (7.1%), one had non-metastatic pheochromocytoma (7.1%), one had metastatic thymoma (7.1%) and one patient had an occult source of ACTH (7.1%). The most common clinical features at presentation were moon-face, muscle weakness, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Hyperpigmentation was present in 36% of patients, and 12 patients had hypokalemia with a mean value of 2.3 mEq/L (SD 0.71). The median basal cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) and ACTH were 30.5 ug/dL (IQR 21-59 ug/dL), 2,600 ug/24 h (IQR 253-6,487 ug/24 h) and 91 pg/mL (IQR 31.9-141.9), respectively. Thirteen patients (92.8%) had the site of the primary lesion identified. Six patients had undergone a surgical intervention to address the primary tumor. Resection was curative in 28.5% of patients. Death occurred in 57.1% of patients, and the median overall survival was 27 months. Intrathoracic tumors had the most aggressive behavior. Conclusions ECS is a rare disease; however, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A rapid intervention supported by an interdisciplinary group is required to improve overall survival and quality of life

Paraneoplastic Hypoglycemia in Hepatocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Hypoglycemia is a common medical emergency in the context of insulin treatment in diabetic patients and oral hypoglycemic agents such as sulfonylureas. In anecdotal cases, hypoglycemia is associated with non-islet cell tumor-induced hypoglycemia (NICTH). In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it has been reported in 4-27% of patients, and it is associated with poor prognosis. We present a case report of a patient with hypoglycemia associated with HCC secondary to chronic hepatitis B virus infection without response to treatment with glucagon, steroids, octreotide, and embolizations, who required parenteral nutrition at home. Even though hypoglycemia associated with HCC is a recognized entity, there is not sufficient evidence in its treatment and prevention. The article aims to review the literature on prevention and therapeutic options.

Competitive Reaction of Neptunium(V) and Uranium(VI) in Potassium-Sodium Carbonate-Rich Aqueous Media: Speciation Study with a Focus on High-Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy.

Neptunium(V) and uranium(VI) are precipitated from an aqueous potassium-sodium-containing carbonate-rich solution, and the solid phases are investigated. U/Np M4,5-edge high-energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure (HR-XANES) spectroscopy and Np 3d4f resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (3d4f RIXS) are applied in combination with thermodynamic calculations, U/Np L3-edge XANES, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies to analyze the local atomic coordination and oxidation states of uranium and neptunium. The XANES/HR-XANES analyses are supported by ab initio quantum-chemical computations with the finite difference method near-edge structure code (FDMNES). The solid precipitates are also investigated with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results strongly suggest that K[NpVO2CO3](cr), K3[NpVO2(CO3)2](cr), and K3Na[UVIO2(CO3)3](cr) are the predominant neptunium and uranium solid phases formed. Despite the 100 times lower initial neptunium(V) concentration at pH 10.5 and oxic conditions, neptunium(V)-rich phases predominately precipitate. The prevailing formation of neptunium(V) over uranium(VI) solids demonstrates the high structural stability of neptunium(V) carbonates containing potassium. It is illustrated that the Np M5-edge HR-XANES spectra are sensitive to changes of the Np-O axial bond length for neptunyl(V/VI).

TRIM5α Restricts Flavivirus Replication by Targeting the Viral Protease for Proteasomal Degradation.

Tripartite motif-containing protein 5α (TRIM5α) is a cellular antiviral restriction factor that prevents early events in retrovirus replication. The activity of TRIM5α is thought to be limited to retroviruses as a result of highly specific interactions with capsid lattices. In contrast to this current understanding, we show that both human and rhesus macaque TRIM5α suppress replication of specific flaviviruses. Multiple viruses in the tick-borne encephalitis complex are sensitive to TRIM5α-dependent restriction, but mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including yellow fever, dengue, and Zika viruses, are resistant. TRIM5α suppresses replication by binding to the viral protease NS2B/3 to promote its K48-linked ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Importantly, TRIM5α contributes to the antiviral function of IFN-I against sensitive flaviviruses in human cells. Thus, TRIM5α possesses remarkable plasticity in the recognition of diverse virus families, with the potential to influence human susceptibility to emerging flaviviruses of global concern.

Consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes del Área IV del municipio de Cienfuegos / Alcoholic beverage consumption in adolescents of Area IV of the Cienfuegos municipality

Fundamento: actualmente se aprecia un incremento del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes, lo cual puede convertirse en un importante problema de salud.Objetivo: describir el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes.Métodos: estudio descriptivo realizado de enero 2014 a enero del 2015, en el área IV de salud del Municipio Cienfuegos, que incluyó 315 adolescentes seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio simple. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, consumo de alcohol, edad de inicio al consumo de alcohol, primera bebida alcohólica que consumió, frecuencia del consumo, lugar donde consume, si ha sufrido de estado de embriaguez y sensación experimentada, consumo de alcohol por los familiares con los que convive y por amigos o compañeros de colegio, información sobre de los efectos indeseables del alcohol y quién le proporcionó la información. Resultados: todos los adolescentes refirieron que consumen bebidas alcohólicas; el 58, 4 % lo inició con la ingestión de cerveza; el 22 % consume una vez por semana; el 88, 9 % lo hace en bares, discotecas y lugares públicos; 50, 5 % de los consumidores son fumadores y el 73, 6 % refirió a la familia como fuente para obtener información sobre consumo de alcohol. La edad de inicio del consumo en general es entre los 14 y 16 años, con un inicio más temprano en el sexo femenino. Casi la totalidad refirió consumo de alcohol por familiares, se presentó una relación casi similar por amigos o compañeros de la escuela y la totalidad conocen los efectos indeseables del alcohol. Conclusiones: el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes constituye un problema de salud en el territorio.

Foundation: There is currently an increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages in adolescents, which can become an important health problem. Objective: To describe alcoholic beverages consumption in adolescents. Method: A descriptive study conducted from January 2014 to January 2015, in Area of health IVof the Cienfuegos Municipality, which included 315 adolescents selected through simple random sampling. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, alcohol consumption, age of onset of alcohol consumption, first alcoholic beverage consumed, frequency of consumption, place of consumption, if experienced drunkenness and experienced sensation, alcohol consumption by relatives with whom he lives and by friends or schoolmates, information on the undesirable effects of alcohol and who provided the information. Results: All adolescents reported consuming alcoholic beverages; 58, 4% started it with the ingestion of beer; 22% consume once a week; 88, 9% do it in bars, discos and public places; 50, 5% of consumers are smokers and 73, 6% referred to the family as a source for information on alcohol consumption. The age of onset of consumption in general is between 14 and 16 years, with an earlier onset in the female sex. Almost all referred alcohol consumption by relatives, showed a near similar relationship by friends or school friends and the whole know the undesirable effects of alcohol. Conclusion: Alcoholic beverage consumption is a health problem in the Territory.

Robust stratification of breast cancer subtypes using differential patterns of transcript isoform expression.

Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death of women worldwide, is a heterogenous disease with multiple different subtypes. These subtypes carry important implications for prognosis and therapy. Interestingly, it is known that these different subtypes not only have different biological behaviors, but also have distinct gene expression profiles. However, it has not been rigorously explored whether particular transcriptional isoforms are also differentially expressed among breast cancer subtypes, or whether transcript isoforms from the same sets of genes can be used to differentiate subtypes. To address these questions, we analyzed the patterns of transcript isoform expression using a small set of RNA-sequencing data for eleven Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+) subtype and fourteen triple negative (TN) subtype tumors. We identified specific sets of isoforms that distinguish these tumor subtypes with higher fidelity than standard mRNA expression profiles. We found that alternate promoter usage, alternative splicing, and alternate 3'UTR usage are differentially regulated in breast cancer subtypes. Profiling of isoform expression in a second, independent cohort of 68 tumors confirmed that expression of splice isoforms differentiates breast cancer subtypes. Furthermore, analysis of RNAseq data from 594 cases from the TCGA cohort confirmed the ability of isoform usage to distinguish breast cancer subtypes. Also using our expression data, we identified several RNA processing factors that were differentially expressed between tumor subtypes and/or regulated by estrogen receptor, including YBX1, YBX2, MAGOH, MAGOHB, and PCBP2. RNAi knock-down of these RNA processing factors in MCF7 cells altered isoform expression. These results indicate that global dysregulation of splicing in breast cancer occurs in a subtype-specific and reproducible manner and is driven by specific differentially expressed RNA processing factors.

Consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes del Área IV del municipio de Cienfuegos / Alcoholic beverage consumption in adolescents of area IV of the Cienfuegos municipality

Fundamento: actualmente se aprecia un incremento del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes, lo cual puede convertirse en un importante problema de salud. Objetivo: describir el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes. Métodos: estudio descriptivo realizado de enero 2014 a enero del 2015, en el área IV de salud del Municipio Cienfuegos, que incluyó 315 adolescentes seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio simple. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, consumo de alcohol, edad de inicio al consumo de alcohol, primera bebida alcohólica que consumió, frecuencia del consumo, lugar donde consume, si ha sufrido de estado de embriaguez y sensación experimentada, consumo de alcohol por los familiares con los que convive y por amigos o compañeros de colegio, información sobre de los efectos indeseables del alcohol y quién le proporcionó la información. Resultados: todos los adolescentes refirieron que consumen bebidas alcohólicas; el 58, 4 por ciento lo inició con la ingestión de cerveza; el 22 por ciento consume una vez por semana; el 88, 9 por ciento lo hace en bares, discotecas y lugares públicos; 50, 5 por ciento de los consumidores son fumadores y el 73, 6 por ciento refirió a la familia como fuente para obtener información sobre consumo de alcohol. La edad de inicio del consumo en general es entre los 14 y 16 años, con un inicio más temprano en el sexo femenino. Casi la totalidad refirió consumo de alcohol por familiares, se presentó una relación casi similar por amigos o compañeros de la escuela y la totalidad conocen los efectos indeseables del alcohol.Conclusiones: el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes constituye un problema de salud en el territorio(AU)

Foundation: There is currently an increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages in adolescents, which can become an important health problem.Objective: To describe alcoholic beverages consumption in adolescents.Method: A descriptive study conducted from January 2014 to January 2015, in Area of health IVof the Cienfuegos Municipality, which included 315 adolescents selected through simple random sampling. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, alcohol consumption, age of onset of alcohol consumption, first alcoholic beverage consumed, frequency of consumption, place of consumption, if experienced drunkenness and experienced sensation, alcohol consumption by relatives with whom he lives and by friends or schoolmates, information on the undesirable effects of alcohol and who provided the information. Results: All adolescents reported consuming alcoholic beverages; 58, 4 percent started it with the ingestion of beer; 22 percent consume once a week; 88, 9 percent do it in bars, discos and public places; 50, 5 percent of consumers are smokers and 73, 6 percent referred to the family as a source for information on alcohol consumption. The age of onset of consumption in general is between 14 and 16 years, with an earlier onset in the female sex. Almost all referred alcohol consumption by relatives, showed a near similar relationship by friends or school friends and the whole know the undesirable effects of alcohol. Conclusion: Alcoholic beverage consumption is a health problem in the Territory(AU)

Novel miRNA-31 and miRNA-200a-Mediated Regulation of Retinoblastoma Proliferation.

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in children. Current management includes broad-based treatments such as chemotherapy, enucleation, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. However, therapies that target specific pathways important for retinoblastoma progression could provide valuable alternatives for treatment. MicroRNAs are short, noncoding RNA transcripts that can regulate the expression of target genes, and their aberrant expression often facilitates disease. The identification of post-transcriptional events that occur after the initiating genetic lesions could further define the rapidly aggressive growth displayed by retinoblastoma tumors. In this study, we used two phenotypically different retinoblastoma cell lines to elucidate the roles of miRNA-31 and miRNA-200a in tumor proliferation. Our approach confirmed that miRNAs-31 and -200a expression is significantly reduced in human retinoblastomas. Moreover, overexpression of these two miRNAs restricts the expansion of a highly proliferative cell line (Y79), but does not restrict the growth rate of a less aggressive cell line (Weri1). Gene expression profiling of miRNA-31 and/or miRNA-200a-overexpressing cells identified differentially expressed mRNAs associated with the divergent response of the two cell lines. This work has the potential to enhance the development of targeted therapeutic approaches for retinoblastoma and improve the efficacy of treatment.

Sensitive redox speciation of iron, neptunium, and plutonium by capillary electrophoresis hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry.

The long-term safety assessment for nuclear waste repositories requires a detailed understanding of actinide (geo)chemistry. Advanced analytical tools are required to gain insight into actinide speciation in a given system. The geochemical conditions in the vicinity of a nuclear repository control the redox state of radionuclides, which in turn has a strong impact on their mobility. Besides the long-lived radionuclides plutonium (Pu) and neptunium (Np), which are key elements in high level nuclear waste, iron (Fe) represents a main component in natural systems controlling redox-related geochemical processes. Measuring the oxidation state distribution for redox sensitive radionuclides and other metal ions is challenging at trace concentrations below the detection limit of most available spectroscopic methods (≥10(-6) M). Consequently, ultrasensitive new analytical techniques are required. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a suitable separation method for metal cations. CE hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-SF-MS) was used to measure the redox speciation of Pu (III, IV, V, VI), Np (IV, V, VI), and Fe (II, III) at concentrations lower than 10(-7) M. CE coupling and separation parameters such as sample gas pressure, make up flow rate, capillary position, auxiliary gas flow, as well as the electrolyte system were optimized to obtain the maximum sensitivity. We obtain detection limits of 10(-12) M for Np and Pu. The various oxidation state species of Pu and Np in different samples were separated by application of an acetate-based electrolyte system. The separation of Fe (II) and Fe (III) was investigated using different organic complexing ligands, EDTA, and o-phenanthroline. For the Fe redox system, a limit of detection of 10(-8) M was calculated. By applying this analytical system to sorption studies, we were able to underline previously published results for the sorption behavior of Np in highly diluted concentrations, and we monitored the time-dependent reduction of Pu(VI) by Fe(II). This study clearly shows that CE-ICP-SF-MS is a suitable separation method for the redox states of Pu, Np, and Fe.