Correlative imaging of cutaneous tumors provides additional information to the standard histopathologic examination. However, the joint progress in the establishment of analytical techniques, such as Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in clinical practice is still limited. Their combination provides complementary information as it is also shown in our study in terms of major biotic (Ca, Mg, and P) and trace (Cu and Zn) elements. To elucidate changes in the elemental composition in tumors, we have compiled a set of malignant tumors (Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma, and Epithelioid Angiosarcoma), one benign tumor (Pigmented Nevus) and one healthy-skin sample. The data processing was based on a methodological pipeline involving binary image registration and affine transformation. Thus, our paper brings a feasibility study of a practical methodological concept that enables us to compare LIBS and LA-ICP-MS results despite the mutual spatial distortion of original elemental images. Moreover, we also show that LIBS could be a sufficient pre-screening method even for a larger number of samples according to the speed and reproducibility of the analyses. Whereas LA-ICP-MS could serve as a ground truth and reference technique for preselected samples.
- MeSH
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Mass Spectrometry methods MeSH
- Laser Therapy MeSH
- Lasers MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Melanoma diagnostic imaging pathology MeSH
- Skin Neoplasms * diagnostic imaging pathology MeSH
- Nevus, Pigmented diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Spectrum Analysis methods MeSH
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell diagnostic imaging pathology MeSH
- Trace Elements analysis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Trace elements are essential for the biochemistry of the cell. Their reference values have been found to differ considerably in pregnant women stratified by age, place of residence, anthropometric status, and length of pregnancy. In optimal amounts, these elements reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and rubidium (Rb) on pregnant women in an iodine deficiency region and find the relationship with the thyroid status and nutrition. METHODS: We evaluated the iodine status of 61 healthy pregnant women from an iodine deficient region in Bulgaria. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxin free (FT4) levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: We found elevated levels of copper that differed the most between the first and second trimesters; Cu and TSH were found to be positively correlated (р < 0.05). Lower Cu levels were found in pregnant women consuming pulses more than 2-3 times a week (р = 0.033). The women consuming fish more than 2-3 times a week had higher levels of Rb. We found a pronounced iodine deficiency in more than half of the examined women in the first to third trimesters, without any effect of pregnancy on the ioduria (р=0.834). All second and third trimester cases were associated with severe ioduria (< 150 μg/L). CONCLUSION: The high Cu levels were associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and less pulse consumption during pregnancy in an iodine deficiency endemic area. SCH was found in 24% of the pregnant women in such an area while in 13% of them SCH had progressed to overt hypothyroidism.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Magnesium blood analysis administration & dosage MeSH
- Hypothyroidism epidemiology MeSH
- Iodine * deficiency administration & dosage MeSH
- Pregnancy Complications epidemiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Copper * deficiency blood MeSH
- Nutritional Status * MeSH
- Trace Elements deficiency MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Thyrotropin blood MeSH
- Zinc * deficiency blood MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Bulgaria MeSH
Výživa významně ovlivňuje zdravotní stav jedince, protože ovlivňují biochemické a energetické děje v těle. Děti jsou k důsledkům poruch výživy významně náchylnější než dospělí. Zhodnocení nutričního stavu pacienta vychází z anamnestických údajů a výsledků fyzikálních, laboratorních, funkčních a zobrazovacích vyšetření. Hodnocení a interpretace laboratorních nálezů bývají obtížné, ale na druhou stranu jsou pro odhad nutriční bilance stěžejní. Proto se předkládaný článek věnuje interpretaci nejčastěji užívaných nutričních laboratorních parametrů a upozorňuje na některá jejich úskalí a souvislosti z pohledu patofyziologie.
Nutrition significantly affects the health of an individual because it influences the biochemical and energy processes in the body. Children are significantly more susceptible to the effects of nutritional disorders than adults. The assessment of a patient’s nutritional status is based on anamnestic data and the results of physical, laboratory, functional and imaging tests. The evaluation and interpretation of laboratory findings is often difficult, but on the other hand is central to the estimation of nutritional balance. Therefore, the present article focuses on the interpretation of the most commonly used nutritional laboratory parameters and highlights some of their pitfalls and implications in terms of pathophysiology.
- MeSH
- Avitaminosis pathology MeSH
- Biomarkers * MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Nutrition Assessment * MeSH
- Deficiency Diseases etiology physiopathology pathology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Malnutrition diagnosis MeSH
- Prealbumin analysis MeSH
- Data Collection methods MeSH
- Serum Albumin analysis MeSH
- Trace Elements analysis deficiency MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- MeSH
- Deficiency Diseases etiology prevention & control MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Minerals therapeutic use MeSH
- Urinary Tract MeSH
- Genitalia, Male MeSH
- Dietary Supplements MeSH
- Trace Elements therapeutic use MeSH
- Vitamins * therapeutic use MeSH
- Men's Health * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
Assessment of trace metal concentrations in plant oils has been considered a crucial quality control marker for potential health risks, oil flavour, and oxidative stability. A straightforward inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methodology was developed and validated through introduction of argon:oxygen gas mixture into plasma, allowing for a direct elemental analysis of organic matrices. This approach offers the advantage of a simple one-step preparation of plant oil samples with negligible contamination risks. The complete solubilization of the oil matrix enables the determination of total metal content from a single test tube with low dilution factor of 5. The modified plasma conditions resulted in the development of a robust and accurate ICP-MS method providing limits of detection at sub ng·g-1 levels. The ICP-MS method allowed the determination of trace levels of Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sn, V, and Zn in olive, sunflower and rapeseed oils.
- MeSH
- Mass Spectrometry methods MeSH
- Metals MeSH
- Oxygen * analysis MeSH
- Plant Oils chemistry MeSH
- Trace Elements * analysis MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Food Analysis MeSH
- Nutritional Physiological Phenomena MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Meat Products * analysis MeSH
- Meat Substitutes * analysis MeSH
- Nutritive Value MeSH
- Sodium, Dietary analysis MeSH
- Spectrum Analysis MeSH
- Trace Elements analysis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal, included in the US EPA list of priority pollutants. Even though its toxicity is potentially higher or comparable to Cd or Hg, its environmental impact is largely unknown. Despite its toxicity, only a few recent studies are mapping the impact of recently introduced Tl on soil microbial communities, namely in agricultural systems but no studies focus on its long term effect. To complement the understanding of the impact of Tl on soil, this study aims to describe the influence of extremely high naturally occurring Tl concentration (50 mg/kg of potentially bioavailable Tl) on soil microbial communities. Our investigation concentrated on samples collected at Buus (Erzmatt, Swiss Jura, Switzerland), encompassing forest and meadow soil profiles of the local soil formed on hydrothermally mineralized dolomite rock, which is naturally rich in Tl. The soil profiles showed a significant proportion of potentially bioavailable Tl. Yet, even this high concentration of Tl has a limited impact on the richness of the soil bacterial community. Only the meadow soil samples show a reduced richness compared to control samples. Furthermore, our analysis of geogenic Tl contamination in the region unveiled a surprising finding: compared to other soils of Switzerland and in stark contrast to soils affected by recent mining activities, the structure of the bacterial community in Buus remained relatively unaffected. This observation highlights the unique ability of soil microbial communities to withstand extreme Tl contamination. Our study advances the understanding of Tl's environmental impact and underscores the resilience of soil microbes in the face of severe long-term contamination.
Trace elements and vitamins, collectively known as micronutrients, are essential for basic metabolic reactions in the human body. Their deficiency or, on the contrary, an increased amount can lead to serious disorders. Research in recent years has shown that long-term abnormal levels of micronutrients may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of some neurological diseases. Acute and chronic alterations in micronutrient levels may cause other serious complications in neurological diseases. Our aim was to summarize the knowledge about micronutrients in relation to selected neurological diseases and comment on their importance and the possibilities of therapeutic intervention in clinical practice.
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Micronutrients MeSH
- Nervous System Diseases * MeSH
- Trace Elements * MeSH
- Vitamin A MeSH
- Vitamins MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Stopové prvky jsou v lidském těle součástí řady důležitých funkcí. Svůj nepochybný význam mají i pro vývoj skeletu od fetálního období s podílem na novotvorbě kosti, a v dospělosti pak v udržení její integrity. Některé stopové prvky mají na kost efekt protektivní (zinek), jiné naopak toxický (kadmium, chrom, kobalt). Měření koncentrací stopových prvků v tělních tekutinách (krev a moč) a ve tkáních (vlasy a kost) umožní identifikovat jedince ohrožené osteoporotickými frakturami v důsledku nutričního deficitu. Článek podává přehled součas- ných znalostí o významu stopových prvků pro fyziologii skeletu.
Trace elements are involved in a number of important functions in the human body. They are of undoubted importance for the development of the skeleton from the foetal period onwards, contributing to new bone formation, and in adulthood to the maintenance of its integrity. Some trace elements have a protective effect on the bone (zinc), others have a toxic effect (cadmium, chromium, cobalt). Measurement of trace element concentrations in body fluids (blood and urine) and tissues (hair and bone) will allow identification of individuals at risk of osteoporotic fractures due to nutritional deficiencies. This article provides current knowledge on the importance of trace elements for skeletal physiology.
- MeSH
- Skeleton * physiology growth & development MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nutritional Requirements MeSH
- Trace Elements * blood metabolism urine deficiency toxicity MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
