Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology最新文献

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Objective

Method

Result

Conclusion

The fruitbodies or sporocarps formed by mushrooms can accumulate mineral elements, such as selenium, zinc or copper, making them an important source of micronutrients essential to humans. However, the literature about environmental factors affecting mineral composition in mushrooms is scarce and limited to the ambiguous impact of soil properties and region. In our study, we investigated the effects of tree stand characteristics (tree species and tree canopy cover), understory cover, and soil properties (pH and C/N ratio of the soil) on the concentration of minerals in six edible mushroom species: Laccaria laccata, L. proxima, L. amethystina, Lepista nuda, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Calvatia excipuliformis, collected on 20 plots covered by stands of different tree species composition and varying in the understory cover. We estimated the concentration of eight elements (Zn, Se, Mg, Mn, Cu, Co, Cr, Mo) using the ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry) technique and compared their concentration between the plots, using ordination and linear regression methods. Our research revealed that mushroom species identity, including its ecological role and phylogenetic affinity, had the greatest effect on the mineral composition of mushrooms. The effect of environmental factors depended also on the micronutrient identity. Some elements were not affected at all (Co, Cr), some only by soil reaction or C/N ratio (Mn, Mg, Cu), while others were influenced by both tree stand characteristics and soil properties (Se, Zn, Mo). This knowledge enables us to maximize the content of minerals in harvested mushrooms by collecting them in specific areas. For example, mushrooms, which are sources of Se and Zn, can be gathered in coniferous forests characterized by acid soils, low canopy cover, and minimal understory cover. This targeted collection approach can effectively increase the mineral content in harvested mushrooms, thereby enhancing their health benefits.

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and poses significant treatment challenges. Traditional therapies often lead to adverse side effects and resistance, necessitating innovative approaches for effective management.

Objective

This review aims to explore the potential of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in enhancing breast cancer therapy through targeted drug delivery, improved imaging, and their antiangiogenic properties.

Methods

The review synthesizes existing literature on the efficacy of CuNPs in breast cancer treatment, addressing common challenges in nanotechnology, such as nanoparticle toxicity, scalability, and regulatory hurdles. It proposes a novel hybrid method that combines CuNPs with existing therapeutic modalities to optimize treatment outcomes.

Results

CuNPs demonstrate the ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy. Their unique physicochemical properties facilitate efficient biodistribution and enhanced imaging capabilities. Additionally, CuNPs exhibit antiangiogenic activity, which can inhibit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that CuNPs represent a promising avenue for advancing breast cancer treatment. By addressing the limitations of current therapies and proposing innovative solutions, this review contributes valuable insights into the future of nanotechnology in oncology.

Introduction

The possible health effects of consuming milk contaminated with heavy metals have been the subject of considerable concern worldwide.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals in cow's milk in the vicinity of MIDROC Laga Dambi gold mine and to assess their possible health risks for consumers.

Methods

Nine composite samples were formed by aggregating 243 milk samples obtained in triplicates from 81 domestic milk-producing households. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy was used to measure the amount of heavy metals after samples digestion under optimal conditions.

Results

The heavy metals concentrations obtained were 13.913˗7.843, 9.505˗3.589, 5.972˗3.147, 2.288˗1.851, 0.403˗0.143, 0.436˗0.128, 0.26˗0.153, 0.143˗0.048, 0.160˗ND (not detected), and 0.140˗ND mgkg⁻¹for Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Hg, Cr, Cd, As, Ni, and Co, respectively. Of the heavy metals identified, the levels of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg exceeded the recommended value. Based on the estimated daily intake (EDI), the total health quotient (THQ) is higher than unity even for Pb alone. It has been found that the consumption of cow milk increases the health index (HI) by 2.972. Ninety five percent of the HI in the study area was explained by the toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) in the cow milk, which were found to be beyond the safe limit.

Conclusion

This demonstrates that there is a health risk to the population who consume cow’s milk sourced from the vicinity of MIDROC Laga Dambi gold mine. To safeguard the public’s health, we advised strict monitoring and legislative control for the safety of cow’s milk originating from study area.

Background

Meta-analyses show increased copper (Cu) levels in major depression disorder. However, the association of Cu biomarkers with clinical classification in other mental health disorders has not been fully explored.

Methods

To this aim, we compared an extensive panel of Cu biomarkers, composed of Cu, ceruloplasmin (Cp) Cp activity, Cp specific activity, Cu not bound to ceruloplasmin (non-Cp Cu, also known as ‘free’ copper) in 171 consecutive patients affected by psychiatric disorders and in 61 healthy controls (HC) using MANOVA adjusting for the effect of sex and age, and studied their association with the clinical scale outcomes at psychiatric examination, namely Global Assessment of Functioning, Clinical Global Impression, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Results

individuals with psychiatric disorders were classified as 109 patients affected by mood spectrum disorders (MSD), 20 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), and 42 with personality disorders (PD). Cu and non-Cp Cu were increased in psychiatric individuals than in HC, which also differed among the patients stratified per the clinical classification, being higher in the MSD individuals. The analysis stratified for sex revealed that women from the patient group, and specifically from the MSD group, had increased levels of Cu and non-Cp Cu than healthy women, while no difference was revealed in men. A logistic regression model considering the effect of sex and age revealed that non-Cp Cu could explain 26 % increased odds of having MSD per µmol/L unit increase (OR = 1.26; p = 0.0008; 95 % CI 1.099–1.436), that reached 40 % when considering only women. This result was driven by non-Cp Cu that correctly classified 64.1 % MSD (70 % in women) individuals vs. HC in a decision tree model, with values higher than 2.1 µmol/L which could distinguish the majority of MSD patients (86.3 % MSD vs. 13.7 % HC in women). None of the biological variables under study correlated with outcomes of the clinical scales, substances, or alcohol abuse.

Conclusion

Current results suggest mild Cu toxicity in women with MSD, as revealed by a value of non-Cp Cu higher than 2.1 µmol/L, which can be further investigated to assess its potential diagnostic accuracy in bigger and longitudinal cohorts.

Background

Recent studies have shown an association between trace elements and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the relationship between trace elements and SLE is still unclear. This study aims to determine the distribution of plasma trace elements in newly diagnosed SLE patients and the association between these essential and toxic element mixtures and SLE.

Methods

In total, 110 SLE patients and 110 healthy controls were included. Blood samples were collected. 15 plasma trace elements were quantified using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile g-computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) are used to analyze the association between single and mixed exposure of elements and SLE.

Results

The logistic regression model shows that, plasma lithium (Li) [OR (95 % CI): 1.963 (1.49–2.586)], vanadium (V) [OR (95 % CI): 2.617(1.645–4.166)] and lead (Pb) [OR (95 % CI): 1.603(1.197–2.145)] were positively correlated with SLE, while selenium (Se) [OR (95 % CI): 0.055(0.019–0.157)] and barium (Ba) [OR (95 % CI): 0.792(0.656–0.957)] had been identified as protective factors for SLE. RCS results showed a non-linear correlation between the elements Li, V, Ni, copper, Se, rubidium and SLE. In addition, WQS regression, qgcomp, and BKMR models consistently revealed significant positive effects of plasma Li and Pb on SLE, as well as significant negative effects of plasma Se.

Conclusions

Exposure to heavy metals such as Li and Pb is significantly positively correlated with SLE, but Se may be protective factors for SLE. In addition, there is a nonlinear correlation between the elements Li and Se and SLE, and there are complex interactions between the elements. In the future, larger populations and prospective studies are needed to confirm these associations.

Background

Securing the evidence in various investigative situations is often associated with trace analysis, including fingerprints or blood groups. However, when classic and conventional methods fail, trace elements, such as copper, zinc, fluorine, and many others found in exceedingly insignificant amounts in organisms, may prove useful and effective.

Methods

The presented work reviews articles published between 2003 and 2023, describing the use of trace elements and the analytical methods employed for their analysis in forensic medicine and related sciences.

Results & conclusion

Trace elements can be valuable as traces collected at crime scenes and during corpse examination, aiding in determining characteristics like the sex or age of the deceased. Additionally, trace elements levels in the body can serve as alcohol or drug poisoning markers. In traumatology, trace elements enable the identification of various instruments and the injuries caused by their use.

Background

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) represents a premalignant state presumably related to perturbations in circulating levels of trace elements.

Materials and methods

Employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we quantified essential and toxic trace elements in the sera of 60 women diagnosed with CIN and 60 age-matched healthy counterparts.

Results

Our investigation revealed a noteworthy higher levels in serum of Mn, Zn, and Pb, as well as lower levels in Ni, Se, Rb, and Mo levels within the CIN cohort. Levels of Mn, Zn, and Pb were higher by approximately 5.5-fold, 3.0-fold, and 7.5-fold, respectively, while Mo levels exhibited an approximate 4.5-fold reduction in CIN sera compared to the control group. While the study provided valuable insights into trace element variations, it’s important to note that the adult Serbian population is considered Zn-deficient, so the Zn data should be interpreted with caution. Age stratification (30–40 vs. 40–50 vs. 50–60 years), smoking status (smokers vs. nonsmokers), and CIN severity (CIN 2 vs. CIN 3) yielded no significant disparities in elemental profiles. Among the 10 proposed ratios, 5 demonstrated a significant surge in CIN sera relative to controls: Mn/Se, Mn/Mo, Zn/Se, Zn/Mo, and Se/Mo. Correlation analysis of trace element levels revealed a predominantly consistent pattern between CIN cases and healthy subjects, except for Zn and its negative correlations (antagonistic interactions) with other analyzed trace elements.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore differences in serum levels of specific trace elements in CIN cases versus controls, implicating their potential involvement in the underlying pathophysiological cascades culminating in cervical neoplasms.