Simultaneous determination of five elements in whole blood of dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse by NAA

Concentrations of Br, Ca, Cl, K and Na in whole blood of dystrophin-deficient mouse [the Dmdmdx line] were determined using NAA, resulting in reference values that are relevant for clinical blood investigation. The comparison with human being whole blood values was also performed in order to establish possible indexes and similarities among the experimental and clinical applications.     

Comparison of three analytical methods for the determination of trace elements in whole blood

Three different analytical techniques were compared in a study of the role of trace elements in multiple sclerosis. Data for eight elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, Zn) from neutron activation, flame atomic absorption and electrothermal atomic absorption methods were compared and evaluated statistically. No difference (probability less than 0.001) was observed in the elemental values obtained. Comparison of data between suitably different analytical methods gives increased confidence in the results obtained and is of particular value when standard reference materials are not available.     

Multi-element determination of trace elements in whole blood and blood serum by TXRF

Summary The suitability of total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) for multi-element determination in whole blood and human serum has been investigated. In combination with microwave digestion with nitric acid the elements P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, and Pb were determined in samples from several patients. The detection limits for heavy metal traces are in the range of 0.02 –0.08 g/ml, the precision is in the range of 2 –10%. The elements Mn, Ni and Pb could additionally be determined after iron-(only necessary for whole blood) and salt-matrix separation. In this way the detection limits could be improved by more than one order of magnitude (0.002 g/ ml). The accuracy of the results and the reliability of the analytical procedures are checked with the help of several certified reference materials. In general the accuracy is in the range of 2–15%.

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Multielement-Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Gesamtblut und Blutserum durch TXRF

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Dedicated in gratitude to Prof. Dr. G. Tölg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Determination of inorganic elements in iliac crests of rabbits by NAA

This paper deals with the osteoporosis model of New Zealand rabbits in order to study the function of inorganic elements for women patients with osteoporosis. The thirty cases of iliac crest are collected and determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The results show that the fluorine concentrations in the experimental group are higher than those in control group and the magnesium concentrations are significantly lower (P<0.001), but the concentrations of K, Na, Ca, Ba, Mn, Sr show no remarkable difference. Combined with the serum biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption, the physiological functions of some metal elements in bone are also discussed.     

XRF and TXRF techniques for multi-element determination of trace elements in whole blood and human hair samples

XRF and TXRF were established as useful techniques for multi-element analysis of whole blood and human head hair samples. Direct-XRF with different collimation units and different X-ray excitation modes was successfully used for the determination of S, P, K, Ca, Fe, and Br elements in blood samples and K, Ca, Mn, Fe elements in human hair samples. Direct analysis by TXRF was used for the determination of Rb and Sr in digested blood and human hair samples, respectively, while, the co-precipitation method using APDC for TXRF analysis was used for the determination of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb elements in both matrices. As a result, the improved XRF and TXRF methods were applied for multi-element determination of elements in whole blood and human hair samples in non-occupational exposed population living in Damascus city. The mean concentrations of analyzed elements in both matrices were on the reported range values for non-occupational population in other countries.     

Study of loss and recuperation of inorganic elements of osteoporotic rat bone with nuclear analytical techniques

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis (SRXRF) were used to study the loss and recuperation of inorganic elements of osteoporotic rat bone and the effects of Zhugu Capsule. The results of the animal experiments showed that there was greater loss of multiple elements in cancellous bone than in cortical bone that was difficult to be improved. Yet in the mid-shaft femur, which is mainly consisted of cortical bone, the contents of multiple elements were notably recuperated. Zhugu Capsule could increase the content of not only of Ca, but also Zn and Sr. Further, it could also improve the distribution of these elements in femur.     

Study of trace elements in milk by nuclear analytical techniques

This work is part of a project with the IAEA, in a coordinated program on Trace Elements in Human and Bio-Environmental Systems to evaluate their nutritional requirements, interrelations and the role of trace elements in health, metabolism, etc. Cow's milk being regarded as one of the most important and nutritious foodstuffs consumed by people. Hence as a first step, an elemental analysis for milk was carried out for this purpose; a few samples of pasteurized milk and local sample were investigated for essential and toxic trace elements. The secondary aim of this project was the assessment of various analytical techniques involved. However, in the present work, the methods involved were AAS, PIXE and NAA. The latter method was applied both instrumentally and radiochemically. Although the results pertaining to the various methods employed are not in good agreement. there is, however, some justification to clarify this internal inconsistency. The precision of NAA and AAS allows a greater degree of acceptance. Although PIXE is very fast and rather routine, the technique for trace element analysis needs certain adaptations and development.     

Determination of elements in blood of White New Zealand rabbits by NAA

The determination of elemental concentrations for Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Sr, and Zn in blood samples from White New Zealand rabbits was performed applying the NAA technique. Twenty whole blood samples (12 male and 8 female) collected in research centers from Brazil (Aggeu Magalhães in Recife and Butantan Institute in São Paulo) were investigated, using the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor at IPEN/CNEN-SP-Brazil. These data can be used as references to perform biochemistry analyses in veterinary medicine using small quantities of whole blood (100–400 μL), simplifying the collection and the preparation of biological samples (it is not necessary to perform the serum separation nor to use specific reactants). Furthermore, the knowledge of the biochemical values in blood allows us to check the similarities with the blood estimations in human beings, which is an important condition for selecting laboratory animals. Finally, these data suggest a great similarity of the inorganic tissue profile of rabbits (White New Zealand) and humans.     

Determination of trace elements in drinking tea by various analytical techniques

Tea has been one of the most popular simulating beverages which is both heavily produced and consumed in Taiwan. The determination of minor or trace elements in drinking tea and tea leaves is therefore important for estimating the daily intake of Taiwanese considered as a safety indicator. In order to accurately and precisely determine the concentrations of trace elements in samples, several analytical methods such as AAS, NAA and ICP-AES are suggested. This paper attempts to utilize all three methods to determine the concentrations of minor or trace elements in different types of tea leaves and the extracts percolated from them. The influence of fermentation processes on the concentration levels of minor or trace elements in tea samples is investigated. Because only free metal ions are bioavailable for the human body, it is necessary to determine their concentrations in drinking tea. The dissolution of trace elements in drinking tea is therefore studied by simulating the common Chinese style of tea percolation. Concentrations of thirteen elements including Zn, Mn, Ca, Cu, Ni, Al, K, Mg, Cd, Pb, Na, Co and Sc are determined.     

Trace elements determination by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) in human placenta and membrane: a comparative study

This work is an application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) as an analytical technique for trace elemental determination in human membrane and placenta and elemental concentrations correlations in both tissues. Whole samples were collected during the delivery from healthy mothers and full-term pregnancies. The age of the mother was between 25 and 40 years old, and the weight of the infants ranged from 2.56 to 4.05 kg. Samples were lyophilised and analysed without any chemical treatment. No significant differences in elemental content of placenta and membrane samples were observed except for Ca. Very low levels of Se, As and Pb were observed in all the analysed samples. Zn, considered as one of the key elements in newborn health, was not significantly different in the analysed samples, all of which originated from healthy mothers and healthy babies. The obtained values agree with the literature except for Ca, which is much higher in the studied samples.     

Analysis of serum and whole blood using NAA for clinical investigation

The concentrations of Cl, K and Na were analyzed in human body fluids (whole blood and serum) using NAA, resulting in the first biochemical baseline values for the Brazilian population. These data permitted us a discussion about the advantages and limitations of using this analytical technique for clinical chemistry.     

Determination of protein and trace elements in human milk using NAA and XFR techniques

The principal objective pursued in this study is to establish the base-line data on protein content and on the status of elemental composition in human milk from Sudanese subjects. The protein content was derived by multiplying the nitrogen content by a factor 6.25. The nitrogen was determined using a 14 MeV neutron generator. The median values for crude protein and the total dry matter found in this study were 1.23% (volume) and 104 g/l, respectively. Some minor and trace elements of biological significance namely, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co and Mo were determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results obtained show good compatibility with the data reported by the WHO on elemental composition of human milk from different geographical regions.     

Determination of reference interval values for inorganic elements in whole blood samples of humans and laboratory animals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Inorganic elements are responsible for essential bodily functions, such as osmotic regulation, cardiac frequency and contractibility, blood clotting and neuromuscular excitability. The determination of inorganic elements in corporeal fluids such as blood, serum, plasma and urine is used as a monitor for a part or the whole organism; their values, then, are compared with reference interval values. In this study, the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), applying the Fundamental Parameters method, for the determination of inorganic elements in whole blood samples from humans and laboratory animals, was used. Peripheral blood samples were collected and, before coagulation, 100 μL of sample were deposited onto Whatman No. 41 filter paper and dried, using infrared spotlight. The reference interval values for healthy Brazilian population of Na were found to be 1,788–1,826 μg g^?1, of Mg 63–75 μg g^?1, of P 602–676 μg g^?1, of S 1,519–1,718 μg g^?1, of Cl 2,743–2,867 μg g^?1, of K 1,508–1,630 μg g^?1, of Ca 214–228 μg g^?1, of Fe 170–184 μg g^?1, of Cu 4–6 μg g^?1 and of Zn 1–3 μg g^?1. The reference interval values for golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) of Na were found to be 1,714–1,819 μg g^?1, Mg 51–79 μg g^?1, P 970–1,080 μg g^?1, S 1,231–1,739 μg g^?1, Cl 2,775–2,865 μg g^?1, of K 1,968–2,248 μg g^?1, of Ca 209–257 μg g^?1, of Fe 145–267 μg g^?1, of Cu 4–6 μg g^?1 and of Zn 3–5 μg g^?1. A comparative study between EDXRF and instrumental neutron activation analysis data was carried out and the results for both techniques are statistically equal (α = 0.05). The results contribute for the establishment of reference interval values for Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cu and Zn in the healthy Brazilian population and the referred laboratory animal species.     

Integrated separation of blood plasma from whole blood for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices

Many diagnostic tests in a conventional clinical laboratory are performed on blood plasma because changes in its composition often reflect the current status of pathological processes throughout the body. Recently, a significant research effort has been invested into the development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) implementing these conventional laboratory tests for point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings. This paper describes the use of red blood cell (RBC) agglutination for separating plasma from finger-prick volumes of whole blood directly in paper, and demonstrates the utility of this approach by integrating plasma separation and a colorimetric assay in a single μPAD. The μPAD was fabricated by printing its pattern onto chromatography paper with a solid ink (wax) printer and melting the ink to create hydrophobic barriers spanning through the entire thickness of the paper substrate. The μPAD was functionalized by spotting agglutinating antibodies onto the plasma separation zone in the center and the reagents of the colorimetric assay onto the test readout zones on the periphery of the device. To operate the μPAD, a drop of whole blood was placed directly onto the plasma separation zone of the device. RBCs in the whole blood sample agglutinated and remained in the central zone, while separated plasma wicked through the paper substrate into the test readout zones where analyte in plasma reacted with the reagents of the colorimetric assay to produce a visible color change. The color change was digitized with a portable scanner and converted to concentration values using a calibration curve. The purity and yield of separated plasma was sufficient for successful operation of the μPAD. This approach to plasma separation based on RBC agglutination will be particularly useful for designing fully integrated μPADs operating directly on small samples of whole blood.     

The role of NAA in securing the accuracy of analytical results in the inorganic trace analysis

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The unique value of the neutron activation analysis (NAA) for analytical quality assurance is demonstrated through its contribution to the...     

Trace elements in human cancerous and healthy tissues from the same individual: A comparative study by TXRF and EDXRF

In this work we studied the elemental distribution of P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ni, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, I and Pb in normal and cancerous tissues of the same individual along several contiguous thin sections (up to 10 μm thick) of each tissue. Samples of healthy and carcinoma tissues, of colon, breast and uterus on a total of 7 citizens from German population, were analysed directly by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The tissues were also analysed by normal energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF).An additional application was performed by studying, by the same processes, 10 carcinoma samples of 10 Portuguese citizens from: rectum, sigmoid, thyroid, kidney, larynx and lung, in order to find out a similar correlation pattern in the studied elements in carcinoma tissues.As major conclusion of this work a similar pattern for almost all the analysed tissues were obtained for all the studied samples: increased or constant levels of P, S, K, Ca, Fe and Cu, and decreased levels of Zn and Br were found in carcinoma tissues, when compared with the corresponding healthy ones. Some exceptions were found in some samples for a few numbers of elements.When comparing the results obtained for both techniques, the patterns were the same, however not always the results did coincide. This can be explained by considering that the analysed samples were not exactly the same and the differences can be explained by inhomogeneities.     

Extraction of basic drugs from whole blood and determination by high performance liquid chromatography

Chromatographia - A new method for the extraction of basic drugs from whole blood based on the use of a buffered protein precipitating reagent at pH9, to form NiWO4 in biological fluids and a...     

Application of different activation analysis techniques for determination of trace elements in human blood

One of the requirements of stable isotope tracer technique is detection of two isotopes of same element. It is preferable to use instrumental techniques in order not to contaminate the samples. Different instrumental nuclear techniques namely neutron activation analysis (NAA), photon activation analysis (IPAA), and prompt gamma ray activation analysis (PGAA) were tried on human blood samples. The techniques were found to be complementary to each other, NAA being the most sensitive of the three. Zinc is choosen for validation work among the three feasible elements (Zn, Cr, Se) for stable isotope tracer technique. As NAA was not sufficient to detect two isotopes of Zn, a radiochemical separation scheme was developed later.     

Comparison of neutron activation analysis with other analytical techniques for the determination of inorganic constituents of milk powder

The contribution of different analytical techniques to the results of a recent IAEA intercomparison (A-11) of the determination of the inorganic constituents of a milk powder sample is discussed. In all, 43 laboratories from 24 countries reported results on 40 elements, “recommended” concentrations for 14 elements were established. NAA was the most important of the 9 techniques used in this run, it contributed 40% of all the results and all the results for 7 elements. Accuracy and precision of NAA proved to be good compared to those of other methods.