Dissolved and particulate metals and metalloids in the eastern Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

The article reports the concentration levels of particulate and dissolved metals and metalloids (Be, Se, Sb, Tl, V, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mo, Co, Fe As, Ag) in the eastern region of the lower Mekong Delta (Vietnam) in order to assess their possible influence on the environmental quality of river water. To measure the concentrations of trace elements, a mass spectrometric method was used. The critical particulate elements had included V, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Cd and potentially critical - Mo, Ag, Se, Tl. In the dissolved phase these were Cu, Zn, and Pb, Cd, Co, Ag, Se respectively. The high accumulation ability of studied elements to suspended particulate matter (102-107) suggests their important role in the distribution of elements. The water salinization boundary in the riverbeds of the delta moves upstream 30-50 km further in the dry season compared to the wet season.

Malondialdehyde and Zinc May Relate to Severity of Microvascular Complications in Diabetes: A Preliminary Study on Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Northeast China.

Background: Serum trace elements and oxidative stress factors are related to diabetic microvascular complications. The study was to investigate the complex relationship between trace elements, oxidative stress factors, and the severity of microvascular complications of diabetes in older adults. Methods: The present study included patients with or without type 2 diabetes, and blood glucose, blood lipids, trace elements (iron, magnesium, zinc), oxidative stress factors (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)) were evaluated. Risk factors for the severity of diabetic microvascular complications in older adults with diabetes were also estimated. Results: There were statistically significant differences in fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), MDA, NO, SOD, T-AOC, magnesium, and zinc between the two groups (P<0.05). Iron (rZinc = 0.147, rSOD = 0.180, rT-AOC = 0.193, P < 0.05) was positively correlated with zinc, SOD and T-AOC. Iron was negatively correlated with MDA (rMDA = -0.146, P < 0.05). Magnesium was positively correlated with SOD (rMagnesium = 0.147, P < 0.05). Zinc (rSOD = 0.616, rT-AOC = 0.575, P < 0.01) was positively correlated with SOD and T-AOC. Zinc (rMDA =-0.636, rNO=-0.616, P<0.01) was positively correlated with MDA and negatively correlated with NO. The course of disease (18.653, [5.726; 60.764], P <0.01), FBG (1.265, [1.059; 1.511], P <0.05), HbAlc (1.545, [1.431; 1.680], P <0.01), MDA (2.989, [1.900; 4.702], P <0.01) were risk factor for the severity of diabetic microvascular complications. Zinc (0.680, [0.503; 0.919], P < 0.05) and SOD (0.820, [0.698; 0.964], P < 0.05) were protective factors for the severity of diabetic microvascular complications. Conclusion: Serum trace elements are related to oxidative stress levels in older adults with type 2 diabetes. The more stable trace element in older adults with diabetes, the lower the oxidative stress and the fewer microvascular complications of diabetes.

Water quality dynamics and underlying controls in the Halton Region, Ontario.

We assessed the hydrochemistry of 15 watersheds in the Halton Region, southern Ontario, in high resolution (n > 500 samples across n > 40 streams) to characterize water quality dynamics and governing controls on major and trace element concentrations in this rapidly urbanizing region. In 2022, major water quality parameters were generally in line with historic monitoring data yet significantly different across catchments, e.g., in specific conductance, turbidity, phosphate and chloride, and trace element concentrations. Distinct hydrochemical signatures were observed between urban and rural creeks, with urban stream sections and sites near the river mouths close to Lake Ontario having consistently higher chloride (up to 700 mg/L) and occasional enrichment in nutrients levels (up to 8 and 20 mg/L phosphate and nitrate, respectively). Particularly upper reaches exhibited hydrochemical signatures that were reflective of the catchment surface lithologies, for instance through higher dissolved Ca to Mg ratios. Unlike for chloride and phosphate, provincial water quality guidelines for trace elements and heavy metals were seldom surpassed (on < 10 occasions for copper, zinc, cadmium, and uranium). Concentrations of other trace elements (e.g., platinum group elements or rare earth elements) were expectedly low (< 0.3 µg/L) but showed spatiotemporal concentration patterns and concentration-discharge dynamics different from those of the major water quality parameters. Our results help improve the understanding of surface water conditions within Halton's regional Natural Heritage Systems and demonstrate how enhanced environmental monitoring can deliver actionable information for watershed decision-making.

Mercury exposure and trophic ecology of urban nesting black-legged kittiwakes from France.

Seabirds are increasingly used as bioindicators for assessing the chemical contamination of marine ecosystems, including mercury (Hg) worldwide. However, some geographical areas are still poorly documented, as Metropolitan France that is home to 28 seabird species including the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, in the part of the southern limit of the North Atlantic range of the species. Here, we investigated Hg contamination and trophic ecology of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in the harbour of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Northern France. Mean blood Hg concentration was 4.81 ± 1.20 µg g-1 dw (dry weight), 3.66 ± 0.75 µg g-1 dw and 0.43 ± 0.07 µg g-1 dw for adult males, adult females, and chicks, respectively. According to Hg toxicity benchmarks for avian blood, 30% of the sampled adults were considered to be at moderate risk to Hg toxicity. Stable isotope and food analyses showed that highest δ15N values (reflecting a higher trophic position) were related to highest blood Hg concentrations in adult birds, and that Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) were the main prey. Adult kittiwakes from Boulogne-sur-Mer showed Hg levels three times higher than those found in Arctic nesting kittiwakes, where sublethal effects have been documented. This study provides a first description of Hg contamination of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in France and calls for future ecotoxicological research to assess the vulnerability of this species in the southern part of its distribution range.

Temporal change and impact on air quality of an energy recovery plant using the M-BACI design in Gipuzkoa.

A significant concern in our society is the potential impact on both health and the environment of air pollutants released during the incineration of waste therefore, it is crucial to conduct thorough control and monitoring measures. In this context, the objectives of this research was to study the evolution of particulate matter (PM2.5) and associated trace elements during the period before and after the installation of an Energy Recovery Plant (ERP). For that, a descriptive and temporal analysis of PM2.5 concentration and composition were performed on two similar areas (impact / control) using the Before-After/Control-Impact (BACI) design and two periods (before from 01/01/2018 to 06/02/2020 and after from 10/12/2020 to 30/09/2022). Results showed a decrease in the levels of PM2.5 and associated trace elements is observed in the impact zone (IZ) and in the control zone (CZ) throughout the study period. In the case of PM2.5, the most notable decrease occurred in the period of the start-up of the ERP, a period that coincides with the confinement and restrictions of COVID, with a subsequent increase in both zones, without reaching the levels observed in the period prior to the start-up of the ERP. Selenium is the only trace element that increases significantly in the IZ. In conclusion, a decrease is observed for all pollutants except selenium in both zones, although less pronounced in the IZ. Since selenium already showed an upward trend in the phase prior to the start of the ERP, it is necessary to investigate its evolution and find out the possible cause.

Extremely rare complication in high-risk newborn on long-term parenteral nutrition and large stool losses through ileostomy.

AIM: To analyse postnatal characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, results of investigations in the newborn (25 gestational weeks; Apgar score: 6/9 points; born per caesarean section; birth weight: 600 g; birth length: 31 cm; head circumference: 21 cm) from the first high-risk pregnancy with acquired form of acrodermatitis enteropathica. RESULTS: After summarizing the clinical picture with laboratory findings, we analysed the components of parenteral nutrition with regard to the deficiency of trace elements and vitamins. The zinc depletion dominated. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis is clinical, based on the presence of a typical clinical picture together with a low serum zinc concentration. Standard preparations with elementary elements do not sufficiently cover the daily needs of children, other possibilities of supplementation in intravenous form are not available. It is necessary to supplement zinc in premature children, in children with high losses of zinc (with diarrhoea, in patients with a stoma, in patients with severe skin disease) (Fig. 4, Ref. 15).

Trace Element Deficiency in Systemic Sclerosis-Too Much Effort for Some Traces?

Trace elements are essential for several physiological processes. To date, various data have suggested that inadequate levels of trace elements may be involved in the pathogenesis of different chronic diseases, including immune-mediated ones, or may develop during their course. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune multisystemic disease, primarily characterized by microvascular dysregulation, the widespread activation of the immune system and tissue fibrosis. According to the latest reports regarding the pathogenesis of SSc, the main pathophysiological processes-inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis-may include various trace element derangements. The present literature review aims to update the available data regarding iron, zinc, copper and selenium status in SSc as well as to underline the possible implications of these trace elements in the complexity of the pathogenic process of the disease. We observe that the status of trace elements in SSc plays a crucial role in numerous pathogenic processes, emphasizing the necessity for proper monitoring and supplementation. The reported data are heterogenous and scarce, and future studies are needed in order to draw clearer conclusions about their complete spectrum.

Trace elements in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB) of Western Himalayas: Quantification, sources modeling, and impacts.

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of trace element concentrations in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB), a glacier-fed region in the Western Himalayas (WH), aiming to discern their environmental and anthropogenic sources and implications. Despite limited prior data, 69 samples were collected in 2019 from diverse sources within the UIRB, including mainstream, tributaries, and groundwater, to assess trace element concentrations. Enrichment factor (EF) results and comparisons with regional and global averages suggest that rising levels of Zn, Cd, and As may pose safety concerns for drinking water quality. Advanced multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), absolute principal component scores (APCS-MLR), Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), etc were applied to estimate the associated human health hazards and also identified key sources of trace elements. The 95th percentile of the MCS results indicates that the estimated total cancer risk for children is significantly greater than (>1000 times) the USEPA's acceptable risk threshold of 1.0 × 10-6. The results classified most of the trace elements into two distinct groups: Group A (Li, Rb, Sr, U, Cs, V, Ni, TI, Sb, Mo, Ge), linked to geogenic sources, showed lower concentrations in the lower-middle river reaches, including tributaries and downstream regions. Group B (Pb, Nb, Cr, Zn, Be, Al, Th, Ga, Cu, Co), influenced by both geogenic and anthropogenic activities, exhibited higher concentrations near urban centers and midstream areas, aligning with increased municipal waste and agricultural activities. Furthermore, APCS-MLR source apportionment indicated that trace elements originated from natural geogenic processes, including rock-water interactions and mineral dissolution, as well as anthropogenic activities. These findings underscore the need for targeted measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and safeguard water resources for communities along the IRB and WH.

Prediagnostic whole blood cadmium and molybdenum associated with pancreatic cancer in an American cohort.

Environmental exposures such as cadmium might be contributing to the increasing incidence of pancreatic cancer. Few prospective studies have examined the association between trace elements and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We conducted a nested case-control study in participants aged 55-74 years at baseline from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial cohort to examine the association between 12 trace elements measured in predignostic whole blood and PDAC. From May 1998 through December 2014, 318 incident PDAC cases were identified during follow-up to 16.7 years. Two controls (n = 636) alive when each case was diagnosed were selected and matched by age (+ 5 years), sex, calendar date of blood draw (2-month blocks), and race and ethnic group. We used multivariable adjusted conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cadmium and molybdenum were associated with PDAC [highest compared to lowest quintile: cadmium OR=1.81; 95% CI: 01.12, 2.95; P-trend = 0.03; molybdenum OR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.80; P-trend = 0.02]. The inverse molybdenum association was only observed among ever smokers (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.58, P-trend= 0.003, P-interaction=0.03) with no association in never smokers. Lead, arsenic, and other trace elements were not associated with PDAC. Our results support that increasing prediagnostic whole blood cadmium increases while molybdenum reduces PDAC risk.

Towards sustainable upcycling of side streams of purple bread wheat using dry fractionation: Enhancing bioactive compounds and reducing harmful elements.

Side streams from milling result in significant food wastage. While highly nutritious, their harmful elements raise concerns. To repurpose these side streams safely, this study designed a dry fractionation technique for anthocyanin-rich purple bread wheat. Four fractions - from inner to outer layers: flour, middlings, shorts and bran - alongside whole-wheat flour were obtained and examined by microstructure, antioxidant activity, anthocyanin profiles, and essential and harmful minerals. Across the four investigated cultivars, both anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity increased from inner to outer layers. In comparison to flour, cyanidin-3-glucoside concentrations in middlings, shorts and bran were 2-5 times, 3-9 times, and 6-19 times, respectively. Concentrations of Cr, Ni, Sr and Ba progressively increased from inner to outer layers, Pb and Se exhibited uniform distribution, while Al was more concentrated in inner layers. These findings indicate that the fractionation technique is effective in deriving valuable ingredients from underexploited side streams, especially bran.

Subzero project: comparing trace element profiles of enriched mitochondria fractions from frozen and fresh liver tissue.

From organs to subcellular organelles, trace element (TE) homeostasis is fundamental for many physiological processes. While often overlooked in early stages, manifested TE disbalance can have severe health consequences, particularly in the context of aging or pathological conditions. Monitoring TE concentrations at the mitochondrial level could identify organelle-specific imbalances, contributing to targeted diagnostics and a healthier aging process. However, mitochondria isolation from frozen tissue is challenging, as it poses the risk of TE losses from the organelles due to cryodamage, but would significantly ease routine laboratory work. To address this, a novel method to isolate an enriched mitochondria fraction (EMF) from frozen tissue was adapted from already established protocols. Validation of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) quantification via inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) showed sufficiently low quantification limits for EMF TE analysis. Successful mitochondrial enrichment from frozen liver samples was confirmed via immunoblots and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed sufficient structural integrity of the EMFs. No significant differences in EMF TEs between frozen and fresh tissue were evident for Mn and Cu and only slight decreases in EMF Fe. Consequently, EMF TEs were highly comparable for isolates from both tissue states. In application, this method effectively detected dietary differences in EMF Fe of a murine feeding study and identified the disease status in a Wilson disease rat model based on drastically increased EMF Cu. In summary, the present method is suitable for future applications, facilitating sample storage and high-throughput analyses of mitochondrial TEs.

Reviewing the role of microplastics as carriers for microorganisms in absorbing toxic trace elements.

The pervasive presence of microplastics in various settings, such as freshwater and marine ecosystems, has sparked serious concerns. Microplastics can operate as possible transporters for hazardous trace elements or microbes, even though they are not naturally able to actively absorb these compounds. The binding sites on the plastic's surface or the complexes that are formed with the organic material on the plastic are how this adsorption process takes place. Microplastics' surfaces also seem to be attractive to microorganisms, such as bacteria and algae. Microorganisms can adhere to the rough surface of microplastics, which facilitates their colonization and formation of biofilms. Numerous bacteria, including ones that have the ability to absorb hazardous trace elements, can be found in these biofilms. Microplastics and microbes can interact in ways that are advantageous and detrimental. Microplastics have the ability to act as a substrate for microbial growth, which could lead to an increase in the quantity of microorganisms in the surrounding environment. On the other hand, microplastics may make it easier for microbes to spread to new areas, which could help dangerous or deadly species proliferate. Research is still ongoing to determine the degree to which microplastics serve as carriers of microbes and hazardous trace elements. Comprehending the implications of microplastics, pollutants, and microorganisms in a variety of environmental conditions is difficult due to their complex interplay. This review provides a detailed description of the complexity of the problem and used the examples related to microplastics, its environmental effects, and impacts on human health.

Assessment of Elemental Deficiency of Crossbred Dairy Cows and Mineral Composition in Natural Feed and Nutritional Supplements in the Northern and Northwestern Provinces in Sri Lanka.

This study assessed the elemental status of cross-bred dairy cows in small holder farms in Sri Lanka, with the aim to establish the elemental baseline and identify possible deficiencies. For this purpose, 458 milk, hair, serum and whole blood samples were collected from 120 cows in four regions of Northern and Northwestern Sri Lanka, (namely Vavaniya, Mannar, Jaffna and Kurunegala). Farmers also provided a total of 257 samples of feed, which included local fodder as well as 79 supplement materials. The concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Evaluation of the data revealed that all cows in this study could be considered deficient in I and Co (18.6-78.5 µg L-1 I and 0.06-0.65 µg L-1 Co, in blood serum) when compared with deficiency upper boundary levels of 0.70 µg L-1 Co and 50 µg L-1 I. Poor correlations were found between the composition of milk or blood with hair, which suggests that hair is not a good indicator of mineral status. Most local fodders meet dietary requirements, with Sarana grass offering the greatest nutritional profile. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess differences in the elemental composition of the diverse types of feed, as well as regional variability, revealing clear differences between forage, concentrates and nutritional supplements, with the latter showing higher concentrations of non-essential or even toxic elements, such as Cd and Pb.

Spatial variations and health risk assessment of heavy metal levels in groundwater of Qatar.

The present work's objective is to give a comprehensive overview of the quality of groundwater in Qatar in terms of heavy metals content as well as investigating the cause and effect of the elevation in their levels above the WHO/US-EPA standards. The scope of the study included (1) physical and chemical analysis of 82 groundwater samples collected from various locations around Qatar, (2) development of ArcGIS maps depicting the variations in the levels, (3) assessment of the human health risks associated with the existing levels using three of the most used models which are: Hazard index (HI), Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (NCPI) and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). There is no extensive study ever reported to assess the health risks linked with the consumption of groundwater characterized with such heavy metals levels in Qatar. The chronic daily intake (CDI) of the investigated heavy metals (Ag, Mn, Cr, V, Mo and Sr) through ingestion and dermal pathways had a range of 1.4 × 10-5-6.7 × 10-1 mg/kg/day while the NCPI's range was reported at 0-4.39. Moreover, the HI and ILCR were found to have a range of 0-3.2 and 5.6 × 10-4-5.5 × 10-2, respectively. The assessment of health risks, conducted in the present work, could be beneficial in building the baseline of heavy metals levels in groundwater in Qatar. This will also help in the determination of any future contamination of groundwater.

The Bacau (Romania) phosphogypsum stacks as a source of radioactive threat: a case study.

For a detailed characterization of the 5.7 106 mt phosphogypsum (PG) stack in the vicinity of Bacau city, Romania, the air dose rate (ADR) was measured in 72 points covering the stack surface, while 10 samples of stack material were collected for future analysis. Radiometric determinations showed for the ADR values varying between 364 ± 53 and 489 ± 8 nSv/h, with some extreme values of 2775 ± 734 nSv/h, significantly exceeding 90 nSv/h, the average value reported for the Romanian territory. High-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy (HRGS), performed on 10 samples collected from the entire PG stack evidenced only the presence of 226Ra as the major radioactive element with a specific activity varied between 820 ± 150 and 5278 ± 264 Bq/kg for hot spots. Further analysis performed on a similar number of samples by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), evidenced, beside gypsum as the main component, traces of brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) and ardealite (Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4)·4H2O), as well as the presence of small acicular celestine (SrSO4) agglomerates. XRF determinations of the mass fractions of major elements evidenced values such as SiO2 (2.31 ± 0.73 %), TiO2 (0.07 ± 0.01 %), Al2O3 (0.17 ± 0.04 %), Fe2O3 (0.87 ± 0.18 %), MnO (0.01 ± 0.01 %), MgO (0.17 ± 0.02 %), CaO (32.5 ± 0.82 %), Na2O (0.04 ± 0.04 %), K2O (0.05 ± 0.01 %), P2O5 (2.12 ± 0.51 %), LOI (20.2 ± 0.3 %), i.e. closer to literature reported data for PG of different provenience while the data concerning the distribution of 20 trace elements, including incompatible Sc, La, Ce, and Th were relatively closer to the upper continental crust (UCC).

Comparison of sediment bioavailable methods to assess the potential risk of metal(loid)s for river ecosystems.

A heavily impacted river basin (Caudal River, NW Spain) by Hg and Cu mining activities, abandoned decades ago, was used to evaluate the environmental quality of their river sediments. The obtained results compared with reference values established by the US EPA and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment for river sediments, have shown that the main elements of environmental concern are arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and, to a lesser extent, copper (Cu), which reach concentrations up to 1080, 80 and 54 mg kg-1, respectively. To understand the role that river sediments play in terms of risk to ecosystem health, a comparison has been made between the total content of metal(oid)s in the sediments and the bioavailable contents of the same elements in pore water, passive DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin films) samplers and the sediment extractant using acetic acid. A good correlation between the As and Cu contents in the DGTs and the pore water was found, resulting in a transfer from the pore water to the DGT of at least 47 % of the Cu and more than 75 % of the As when the concentrations were low, with a deployment time of 4 days. When As and Cu concentrations were higher, their transfer was not so high (above 23.6 % for As and 19.3 % for Cu). The transfer of Hg from the pore water to the DGT was practically nil and does not seem to depend on the content of this metal. The fraction extracted with acetic acid, conventionally accepted as bioavailable, was clearly lower than that captured by DGTs for As and Cu (≤5 % and ≤8.5 % of the total amount, respectively), while it was similar for Hg (0.2 %).

Interrelation between environmental conditions, acanthocephalan infection and metal(loid) accumulation in fish intestine: an in-depth study.

Metal(loid) bioaccumulation in acanthocephalans (Dentitruncus truttae) and intestines of fish (Salmo trutta) from the Krka River, influenced by industrial and municipal wastewaters, was investigated in relation to exposure to metal(loid)s from fish gut content (GC), water, and sediment to estimate potentially available metal (loid)s responsible for toxic effects and cellular disturbances in biota. Sampling was performed in two seasons (spring and autumn) at the reference site (river source, KRS), downstream of the wastewater outlets (Town of Knin, KRK), and in the national park (KNP). Metal(loid) concentrations were measured by ICP-MS. The highest accumulation of As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Se and Zn was observed mainly in organisms from KRK, of Cd, Cs, Rb and Tl at KRS, and of Hg, Mn, Mo, Sr and V at KNP. Acanthocephalans showed significantly higher bioaccumulation than fish intestine, especially of toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Tl). Metal(loid) bioaccumulation in organisms partially coincided to exposure from water, sediments and food, while in GC almost all elements were elevated at KNP, reflecting the metal(loid) exposure from sediments. Seasonal differences in organisms and GC indicated higher metal (loid) accumulation in spring, which follows enhanced fish feeding rates. Higher number of acanthocephalans in the intestine influenced biodilution process and lower concentrations of metal(loid)s in fish, indicating positive effects of parasites to their host, as supported by high values of bioconcentration factors. Fish intestine and acanthocephalan D. truttae were confirmed as sensitive indicators of available metal fraction in conditions of generally low environmental exposure in karst ecosystem. Since metal(loid) accumulation depended on ecological, chemical and biological conditions, but also on the dietary habits, physiology of organisms and parasite infection, continuous monitoring is recommended to distinguish between the effects of these factors and environmental exposure when assessing dietary associated metal(loid) exposure in aquatic organisms.

Measurement of Trace Elements (Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, and Iron) in the Saliva of Horses: Validation Data and Changes in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible use of spectrophotometric assays for the measurement of trace elements, including Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in the saliva of horses and study their possible changes in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). EGUS is a highly prevalent disease, with a current high incidence due to the increase in intensive management conditions. There are two EGUS diseases: equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), which can appear individually or together. For this purpose, automated spectrophotometric assays for measuring these analytes in horse saliva were analytically validated. Then, these analytes were measured in the saliva of horses with only ESGD, only EGGD, both ESGD and EGGD and a group of healthy horses. The methods used to measure the analytes were precise and accurate. Horses diagnosed with EGGD presented significantly lower levels of Zn and Mg. Fe concentrations were significantly lower in the saliva of horses with ESGD and EGGD. Overall, these results indicate that there are changes in trace elements in saliva in EGUS that could reflect the physiopathological mechanisms involved in this process and open the possibility of using trace elements as biomarkers of this syndrome.

Bioaccessibility of trace elements and Fe and Al endogenic nanoparticles in farmed insects: Pursuing quality sustainable food.

This study investigated the in vitro bioaccessibility of aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, lead, selenium, and zinc in three important species of farmed insects: the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Results show that all three insect species constitute excellent sources of essential elements (Fe, Cu and Zn) for the human diet, contributing to the recommended dietary allowance, i.e., 10%, 50%, and 92%, respectively. A higher accumulation of Se (≥1.4 mg Se/kg) was observed with increasing exposure concentration in A. domesticus, showing the possibility of using insects as a supplements for this element. The presence of Al and Fe nanoparticles was confirmed in all three species using single particle-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. The results also indicate that Fe bioaccessibility declines with increasing Fe-nanoparticle concentration. These findings contribute to increase the nutritional and toxicological insights of farmed insects.

Application of microwave digestion for complete dissolution of igneous silicate rock samples: A simple and quick sample preparation procedure.

In the area of geochemical analyses of rock solutions, achieving a complete sample dissolution is a fundamental prerequisite for obtaining accurate, precise and reliable analytical results. The challenge posed by the presence of resistant minerals such as zircon, rutile, corundum, spinel, tourmaline, beryl, chromite, and cassiterite in different silicate rocks is a well-recognized challenge in geological studies. These minerals, due to their resilient nature, demand additional efforts to ensure complete dissolution during sample preparation. The prevailing conventional sample digestion methods require several days of laboratory work and the handling of large amounts of multiple types of acids, which also increase sample blanks. Until recently, there was a widely held belief that microwave-assisted digestion, where microwave radiation is transformed to heat, faced limitations in achieving complete dissolution of refractory minerals. This prevailing opinion led to skepticism about the applicability of microwave-assisted digestion for sample preparation of e.g. igneous rock samples containing these minerals. This study introduces a novel, universal and quick closed-vessel (pressurized) high-temperature microwave-assisted digestion method appropriate for dissolution of all major types of igneous silicate rock samples, including rocks containing refractory minerals. This streamlined and expeditious procedure, comprising three steps, requires only a total time of ∼9 h. The method proves its versatility by successfully dissolving both, mafic igneous samples (e.g., basalt) with low-content of resistant minerals, and felsic igneous samples (e.g., granite) with relatively high-content of resistant minerals. To validate the reliability of this procedure, 36 trace elements were analyzed: Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th and U in several geological Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). The CRMs including basalts JB-3, BCR-2, BHVO-2; andesites JA-2, AGV-2; granodiorite GSP-2; granite JG-2 and alkaline granite MGL-OShBO, were digested and analyzed using triple quadrupole Inductively Coupled-Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-QQQ). The results of the analysis demonstrate remarkable consistency, closely aligning with both certified and literature values.