Accreditation of testing laboratories in dosimetry: the use of a flexible scope at the Competent Incorporation Measuring Body Jülich.

The accreditation of the Competent Incorporation Measuring Body at Jülich includes incorporation monitoring by means of direct measurements of the body activity as well as by means of indirect determination of the body activity by radiochemical analysis of excreta samples. In both testing areas, it proved to be very useful to have a flexible scope. In particular, the associated freedom in choosing testing procedures supports the continual improvement process of the laboratory. The modification of existing methods as well as the development and introduction of new procedures makes an immediate reaction to changed requirements feasible. At Jülich the use made out of the flexible scope included, e.g. the introduction of mathematical calibration in whole-body counting and the automation of sample preparation in radiochemical analysis. Advantages of the new procedures and modified methods include on the one hand the reduction of processing times, downtimes and hazard potentials on the other hand enhanced detection limits and improved cost-efficiency. In the result, it can be recommended to other qualified testing laboratories to go for a flexible scope.

Imaging mass spectrometry in biological tissues by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Of all the inorganic mass spectrometric techniques, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) plays a key role as a powerful and sensitive microanalytical technique enabling multi- element trace analysis and isotope ratio measurements at trace and ultratrace level. LA-ICP-MS was used to produce images of detailed regionally-specific element distribution in 20 microm thin sections of different parts of the human brain. The quantitative determination of copper, zinc, lead and uranium distribution in thin slices of human brain samples was performed using matrix-matched laboratory standards via external calibration procedures. Imaging mass spectrometry provides new information on the spatially inhomogeneous element distribution in thin sections of human tissues, for example, of different brain regions (the insular region) or brain tumor tissues. The detection limits obtained for Cu, Zn, Pb and U were in the ng g(-1) range. Possible strategies of LA-ICP-MS in brain research and life sciences include the elemental imaging of thin slices of brain tissue or applications in proteome analysis by combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS to study phospho- and metal- containing proteins will be discussed.

Quantitative imaging of selenium, copper, and zinc in thin sections of biological tissues (slugs-genus arion) measured by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Quantitative imaging analysis of endogenous an exogenous elements throughout entire organisms is required for studies of bioavailability, transport processes, distribution, contamination and to monitor environmental risks using indicator organisms. An imaging mass spectrometric technique using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) was developed to analyze selenium and metal distributions in longitudinal sections (thickness, 100 microm) of entire slugs (genus arion). Slugs were fed with either a placebo or solutions containing 1000 microg mL(-1) Se. Samples (raster area, 25 mmx45 mm) were scanned together with synthetic matrix-matched standards with a focused beam of a Nd:YAG laser (wavelength, 266 nm; diameter of laser crater, 50 microm; laser power density, 3x10(9) W cm(-2)) in a large laser ablation chamber. The ablated material was transported with argon as carrier gas to the ICP ion source at a double focusing sector field ICPMS. Ion intensities of selenium (78Se+, 82Se+) were measured together with 13C+, 63Cu+, and 64Zn+ within the entire tissue section. The regression coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.998. Inhomogeneous distributions for Se but also for C, Cu, and Zn were found. Selenium was enriched in the kidney (150 microg g(-1) in Se-treated animals versus 15 microg g(-1) in the placebo-treated animal, respectively) and in the digestive gland (200 microg g(-1) versus 25 microg g(-1)). Highest Se concentrations were detected in the gut of Se-treated slugs (250 microg g(-1)), and additional Se occurred in the skin of these animals. Cu was enriched in the heart and the mucous ventral skin. Interestingly, in addition to the localization in the digestive gland, Zn was detected only in the dorsal skin but not the ventral skin. The developed analytical technique allows the quantitative imaging of selenium together with selected metals in thin sections of biological tissue with limits of detection at the submicrogram per gram range.

Imaging of copper, zinc, and other elements in thin section of human brain samples (hippocampus) by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) was used to produce images of element distribution in 20-microm thin sections of human brain tissue. The sample surface was scanned (raster area approximately 80 mm(2)) with a focused laser beam (wavelength 213 nm, diameter of laser crater 50 microm, and laser power density 3 x 10(9) W cm(-2)) in a cooled laser ablation chamber developed for these measurements. The laser ablation system was coupled to a double-focusing sector field ICPMS. Ion intensities of 31P+, 32S+, 56Fe+, 63Cu+, 64Zn+, 232Th+, and 238U+ were measured within the area of interest of the human brain tissue (hippocampus) by LA-ICPMS. The quantitative determination of copper, zinc, uranium, and thorium distribution in thin slices of the human hippocampus was performed using matrix-matched laboratory standards. In addition, a new arrangement in solution-based calibration using a micronebulizer, which was inserted directly into the laser ablation chamber, was applied for validation of synthetic laboratory standard. The mass spectrometric analysis yielded an inhomogeneous distribution (layered structure) for P, S, Cu, and Zn in thin brain sections of the hippocampus. In contrast, Th and U are more homogeneously distributed at a low-concentration level with detection limits in the low-nanogram per gram range. The unique analytical capability and the limits of LA-ICPMS will be demonstrated for the imaging of element distribution in thin cross sections of brain tissue from the hippocampus. LA-ICPMS provides new information on the spatial element distribution of the layered structure in thin sections of brain tissues from the hippocampus.