Determination of Ca,Fe, Cu and Zn and their correlations in breast cancer and normal adjacent tissues

An experimental procedure using monoenergetic Synchrotron Radiation x‐ray Fluorescence (SR‐XRF) method was studied, justified and applied to determine trace elements concentrations of normal and neoplastic human breast tissues in the same individual. Scattered radiation from each sample was used as an internal standard in x‐ray emission spectroscopy in order to construct calibration curves used to determine Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations in 52 breast tissue specimens (26 neoplastic and 26 adjacent normal tissues). This work showed that this experimental alternative is approximately matrix independent and also allows a reduction in instrumental variables. Our results showed, as expected, that Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations levels were significantly higher in neoplastic than in healthy breast tissues (all p < 0.001). It was also observed that Fe and Cu levels are correlated in malignant breast tissues as well as Ca and Zn levels, indicating that these elements' concentrations are related, in agreement with the hypothesis that there is a connection between Fe and Cu with both increased cellular activity and blood supply in the formation of neoplasies in breast tissue, and between Ca and Zn as regulators of neoplasies growth, since these metals are present in active matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tracing the pathways of Neotropical migratory shorebirds using stable isotopes: A pilot study

We evaluated the potential use of stable isotopes to establish linkages between the wintering grounds and the breeding grounds of the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), the White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis), the Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii), and other Neotropical migratory shorebird species (e.g., Tringa spp.). These species molt their flight feathers on the wintering grounds and hence their flight feathers carry chemical signatures that are characteristic of their winter habitat. The objective of our pilot study was to assess the feasibility of identifying the winter origin of individual birds by: (1) collecting shorebird flight feathers from several widely separated Argentine sites and analyzing these for a suite of stable isotopes; and (2) analyzing the deuterium and ¹⁸O isotope data that were available from precipitation measurement stations in Argentina. Isotopic ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S) of flight feathers were significantly different among three widely separated sites in Argentina during January 2001. In terms of relative importance in separating the sites, δ³⁴S was most important, followed by δ¹⁵N, and then δ¹³C. In the complete discriminant analysis, the classification function correctly predicted group membership in 85% of the cases (jackknifed classification matrix). In a stepwise analysis δ¹³C was dropped from the solution, and site membership was correctly predicted in 92% of cases (jackknifed matrix). Analysis of precipitation data showed that both δD and δ¹⁸O were significantly related to both latitude and longitude on a countrywide scale (p < 0.001). Other variables, month, altitude, explained little additional variation in these isotope ratios. Several issues were identified that will likely constrain the degree of accuracy one can expect in predicting the geographic origin of birds from Argentina. There was unexplained variation in isotope ratios within and among the different wing feathers from individual birds. Such variation may indicate that birds are not faithful to a local site during their winter stay in Argentina. There was significant interannual variation in the δD and δ¹⁸O of precipitation. Hence, specific locations may not have a constant signature for some isotopes. Moreover, the fractionation that occurs in wetlands due to evaporation significantly skews local δD and δ¹⁸O values, which may undermine the strong large-scale gradients seen in the precipitation data. We are continuing the research with universities in Argentina with a focus on expanding the breadth of feather collection and attempting to resolve the identified issues.     

Synchrotron study of metal localization in Typha latifolia L. root sections

Understanding mechanisms that control plant root metal assimilation in soil is critical to the sustainable management of metal‐contaminated land. With the assistance of the synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence technique, this study investigated possible mechanisms that control the localization of Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in the root tissues of Typha latifolia L. collected from a contaminated wetland. Metal localizations especially in the case of Fe and Pb in the dermal tissue and the vascular bundles were different. Cluster analysis was performed to divide the dermal tissue into iron‐plaque‐enriched dermal tissue and regular dermal tissue based on the spatial distribution of Pb and Fe. Factor analysis showed that Cu and Zn were closely correlated to each other in the dermal tissues. The association of Cu, Zn and Mn with Fe was strong in both regular dermal tissue and iron‐plaque‐enriched dermal tissue, while significant (p < 0.05) correlation of Fe with Pb was only observed in tissues enriched with iron plaque. In the vascular bundles, Zn, Mn and Cu showed strong association, suggesting that the localization of these three elements was controlled by a similar mechanism. Iron plaque in the peripheral dermal tissues acted as a barrier for Pb and a buffer for Zn, Cu and Mn. The Casparian strip regulated the transportation of metals from dermal tissues to the vascular bundles. The results suggested that the mechanisms controlling metal localization in root tissues varied with both tissue types and metals.     

Experimental variation in the spatial deposition of trace metals in feathers revealed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence

Feathers can be used to investigate exposure to pollution in birds because they are a secondary route for the excretion of trace elements. Evidence based on analytical imaging and spectroscopy suggests that the spatial distribution of the essential trace element zinc within feathers is related to melanin pigmentation. However, our understanding of how trace elements are deposited into growing feathers is poor and has been hampered by a lack of analytical tools to examine the localization of trace elements within a feather. Here, synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to map zinc directly within the barb and barbules of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) feathers grown after experimental increases in dietary zinc. The results showed distinct spatial variation in zinc within barbs and barbules, with higher levels observed in the latter. Furthermore, increases in dietary zinc were found to increase the relative levels of zinc throughout the barbules from the base to the tip of the feather. Finally, analysis of feather cross sections revealed that regions of the feather barb and barbules with higher melanosome density also contained higher levels of zinc. These results provide a more detailed understanding of zinc and melanosome arrangement within the feather barb and barbules. Moreover, these results provide further support for the use of feathers as a noninvasive tool to study exposure to trace elements and highlight the utility of X-ray spectroscopy in studies investigating impacts of a rapidly changing environment on wild bird health.     

Synchrotron X‐ray microfluorescence measurement of metal distributions in Phragmites australis root system in the Yangtze River intertidal zone

This study investigates the distributions of Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, K, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti, V and Zn in Phragmites australis root system and the function of Fe nanoparticles in scavenging metals in the root epidermis using synchrotron X‐ray microfluorescence, synchrotron transmission X‐ray microscope measurement and synchrotron X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure techniques. The purpose of this study is to understand the mobility of metals in wetland plant root systems after their uptake from rhizosphere soils. Phragmites australis samples were collected in the Yangtze River intertidal zone in July 2013. The results indicate that Fe nanoparticles are present in the root epidermis and that other metals correlate significantly with Fe, suggesting that Fe nanoparticles play an important role in metal scavenging in the epidermis.     

Tracing the pathways of neotropical migratory shorebirds using stable isotopes: a pilot study

We evaluated the potential use of stable isotopes to establish linkages between the wintering grounds and the breeding grounds of the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), the White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis), the Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii), and other Neotropical migratory shorebird species (e.g., Tringa spp.). These species molt their flight feathers on the wintering grounds and hence their flight feathers carry chemical signatures that are characteristic of their winter habitat. The objective of our pilot study was to assess the feasibility of identifying the winter origin of individual birds by: (1) collecting shorebird flight feathers from several widely separated Argentine sites and analyzing these for a suite of stable isotopes; and 2) analyzing the deuterium and 18O isotope data that were available from precipitation measurement stations in Argentina. Isotopic ratios (delta13C, delta15N and delta34S) of flight feathers were significantly different among three widely separated sites in Argentina during January 2001. In terms of relative importance in separating the sites, delta34S was most important, followed by delta15N, and then delta13C. In the complete discriminant analysis, the classification function correctly predicted group membership in 85% of the cases (jackknifed classification matrix). In a stepwise analysis delta13C was dropped from the solution, and site membership was correctly predicted in 92% of cases (jackknifed matrix). Analysis of precipitation data showed that both deltaD and delta18O were significantly related to both latitude and longitude on a countrywide scale (p < 0.001). Other variables, month, altitude, explained little additional variation in these isotope ratios. Several issues were identified that will likely constrain the degree of accuracy one can expect in predicting the geographic origin of birds from Argentina. There was unexplained variation in isotope ratios within and among the different wing feathers from individual birds. Such variation may indicate that birds are not faithful to a local site during their winter stay in Argentina. There was significant interannual variation in the deltaD and delta18O of precipitation. Hence, specific locations may not have a constant signature for some isotopes. Moreover, the fractionation that occurs in wetlands due to evaporation significantly skews local deltaD and delta18O values, which may undermine the strong large-scale gradients seen in the precipitation data. We are continuing the research with universities in Argentina with a focus on expanding the breadth of feather collection and attempting to resolve the identified issues.     

Evaluation of distribution and bioavailability of Cr,Mn, Fe,Cu, Zn and Pb in the waters of the upper course of the Lerma River

Distribution and bioavailability of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the waters of the upper course of the Lerma River (UCLR), Mexico, were evaluated by means total reflection x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry. The surface water samples were collected from eight sites distributed along the flow direction of the river. Four sampling campaigns were carried out in each site during a one‐year period. The water samples were analyzed in triplicate, using a TXRF Spectrometer ‘TX‐2000 Ital Structures’ with a Si(Li) detector and a resolution of 140 eV (FWHM) at Mn Kα. A Mo tube (40 kV, 30 mA) with 17.4 KeV excitation energy was used for a counting time of 500 s. Results show that the concentration ranges of heavy metals in the water are the following: Cr, from < 5 to 56 µg/l; Mn, from 9 to 788 µg/l; Fe, from 98 to 8474 µg/l; Cu, from 10 to 225 µg/l; Zn, from 23 to 189 µg/l and Pb, from < 3 to 30 µg/l. There are significant statistical differences in the concentration of heavy metals between the different sampling sites and between the different sampling campaigns. The Pearson correlation results indicate a strong correlation between some heavy metals in the water, this significant correlation (p < 0.05) indicating a natural or/and a shared contamination source for these metals. Metal concentration in the water mostly did not exceed the guide values given by Mexican regulation for agricultural use. Only Cu, Mn and Fe in total water phase exceeded the maximum permissible limits for irrigation proposes at some sites. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ICP-OES研究黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛土壤中有效态重金属的含量与空间分布特征

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法高效、快速地测定了黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛土壤中重金属As,Cd,Cu,Fe,Hg,Mn,Pb,Se和Zn的有效态浓度,研究了它们在贝壳堤岛土壤中的空间分布特征,并对土壤中有效态重金属的分布规律、影响因素及保护区土壤环境状况进行了分析。结果表明：黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛土壤样品中9种有效态重金属的含量除镉(Cd)和汞(Hg)稍高外,其余均远远低于国家土壤环境质量标准中的一级背景含量,贝壳堤岛土壤整体处于清洁水平。从水平分布来看,由于背海侧受人类干扰较多,且海水淋洗较少,七种重金属(As,Cd,Cu,Fe,Mn,Pb,Zn)有效态含量背海侧明显高于向海侧,且呈显著差异(p≤0.05)。从纵向土壤剖面分析,受土壤机械组成、人为取沙和地形与水流方向的影响,有效态重金属浓度平均值随剖面样品中<0.5 mm粒径土壤颗粒所占比例的增加而增加,随>0.5 mm粒径土壤颗粒所占比例的增加而减小;贝壳堤岛土壤中的重金属有向下运动的趋势,大部分有效态重金属含量的最大值都位于表层以下各层,但各层重金属含量整体上变化不大。贝壳堤岛土壤中重金属As,Cd,Cu,Fe,Pb,Zn可能有大致相同的来源,而与Hg,Mn和Se的来源不同。综合来看,黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛土壤环境未受到明显外源污染,贝壳堤岛土壤中有效态重金属主要来源于土壤母质滤食性贝类对海水中重金属的富集、风化过程中土壤颗粒对环境中重金属的吸附,以及外源工业区重金属污染物的迁移转化。     

Broad‐beam PIXE and µ‐PIXE analysis of normal and in vitro demineralized dental enamel

Dental enamel has been widely studied by particle‐induced x‐ray emission (PIXE), but less attention was paid to its demineralization, which leads to caries formation. Using broad‐beam PIXE and µ‐PIXE, we investigated normal enamel and the in vitro formation of pre‐carious lesion in lactic acid solution, aiming also to evaluate intercusp differences within the same tooth. Broad‐beam PIXE was performed using 3.0 MeV protons, and µ‐PIXE maps of Ca, Fe and Zn were collected with 3.1 MeV protons at ～4 µm resolution. In normal enamel a differentiated Ca‐rich surface layer was observed, where Fe and Zn reached their highest levels. In deeper layers, Fe and Zn evidenced quasiperiodic patterns of maxima, possibly due to coupled diffusion‐reaction catalytic processes involved in the enamel growth. Both Fe and Zn appeared to be located in a few distinct types of pools. Near the surface, demineralization induced an increase of Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr and Pb with respect to Ca, attributed to partial hydroxyapatite dissolution and/or to chelate extraction and concentration of trace metals. Ca maps revealed limited changes in the surface layer and a massive loss in the inner enamel; here, Fe was almost depleted and Zn partially removed. The maps of Ca, Fe and Zn demonstrated major intercusp variations in both normal and altered enamel. Thus, broad‐beam PIXE and µ‐PIXE, which do not require (semi)thin sectioning of the tooth as the conventional methods, provide compositional and structural insight of normal dental enamel, of its intercusp variability and of the alterations produced by in vitro demineralization, largely not accessible to the current techniques, and highly relevant for understanding the incipient caries formation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of the effects of chronic arsenic poisoning in rat kidneys by means of synchrotron microscopic x‐ray fluorescence analysis

Synchrotron microscopic x‐ray fluorescence analysis (µ‐SRXRF) was used for determining the two‐dimensional distribution of Cl, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Br concentrations in rat kidney slices. The animals received drinking water containing 100 ppm of sodium arsenite ad libitum for 30 and 60 days. Lyophilized kidneys sectioned from normal and treated rats were scanned with a collimated white synchrotron spectrum (300 × 300 µm). The accumulation of arsenic and copper in the rat kidney induced by arsenic exposure was corroborated, and the spatial distributions of these elements were studied in detail. While copper was restricted to the renal cortex, arsenic showed changes in its spatial distribution suggesting nephrotoxicity. A correlation between the spatial distributions of zinc and arsenic was observed, which appears to be caused by the antioxidant properties of zinc. Chlorine and potassium also changed their spatial distributions under arsenic exposure, showing a correlation probably to maintain electrical neutrality. There were no significant changes in iron and bromine but the patterns of their spatial distributions were clearly identified. The obtained results show that µ‐SRXRF is a very well‐positioned and precise technique to detect the spatial distributions of elements in mammalian tissues in healthy and diseased conditions and suggest interesting hypotheses. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The investigation of K‐shell fluorescence parameters of Zn–Fe alloys with different grain size and microstrain values

It is known that zinc alloys with iron group metals have better corrosion resistance than pure zinc. Owing to the corrosion resistance of these alloys, Zn–Fe coatings are widely used in automotive industry and have excellent mechanical performance. In this work, we investigated the relationship between the changes in the measured X‐ray fluorescence parameters (K_β/K_α, σ_Kα and σ_Kβ) and the changes in the structural parameters such as microstrain or grain size values for Zn–Fe alloys that were prepared with different pH values. To explain these changes, the K_α and K_βX‐ray production cross sections, and the K_β/K_αX‐ray intensity ratio values were calculated by three different ways for the elemental forms of Zn and Fe. The structural parameters, such as microstrain and grain size, were also calculated. We expect that the outer shell electronic distribution affects the structural parameters of the produced Zn–Fe alloys, changing the measured K_α and K_βX‐ray production cross sections, and the K_β/K_αX‐ray intensity ratio values. We also show that Zn–Fe alloy mi nimum microstrain value corresponds to the maximum changes in K_βX‐ray production cross‐section values of Fe and Zn. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

同步辐射X射线荧光对双柏恐龙化石的分析

首次使用同步辐射X射线荧光法（SXRF）测试了双柏县安龙堡的恐龙化石,在其截面上原位获得了Ca,Fe,Mn,Cu,Zn,As,Y和Sr等八种元素的分布图。测试结果表明,各种元素在化石中的分布是非均匀的,与一般的矿物岩石元素的分布不同。元素分布图表明,在双柏恐龙化石中未检测到As元素,与四川自贡恐龙由于As元素高的非正常死亡相比,双柏恐龙属正常死亡情形。在分布图中容易看出,化石中的Fe和Mn元素是共生的;Sr和Y两种元素也是共生的,显示化石在成岩过程中,所含Fe,Mn,Sr,Y的化合物胶体均为带异种电荷的颗粒,据此可推知当时这些元素所属化合物的可能形式。同步X射线荧光显微探测法研究恐龙化石元素分布具有原位、快速、准确、直观等优势,它可以将共生元素分离开来,这是XRD和等离子光谱等测试手段不能实现的。恐龙化石微量元素的分布,揭示了化石微区矿物结构的相关信息,这对于挖掘化石蕴涵的古地质特征,恢复古地理、古地质研究的潜力具有重要意义。     

The determination of zinc,copper and iron oxidation state in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast tissue and normal surrounding tissue using XANES

X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to examine the oxidation state of Zn, Fe and Cu in 22 normal and 23 tumour regions spread over 30 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of human primary invasive breast cancer. A micro‐mapping analysis of the metal distribution in the tissue was performed prior to the XANES analysis to identify and localise the metals in the tumour and normal tissue regions. The aim of this study was to identify the oxidation state of Zn, Fe and Cu in normal and tumour tissues of the breast, in order to correlate the oxidation state of these elements with the carcinogenesis process. The position of the Zn K‐edge in normal and tumour tissues suggests that Zn exists in a bounded form. The shape of the Cu K‐edge XANES spectra and the first derivative spectra of normal and tumour tissues shows that a significant portion of the total copper is present as Cu (I). Nevertheless, the position of the edges in the normal and tumour tissue spectra does not exclude the presence of Cu (II). The shape and position of both normal and tumour regions of the tissue suggest that they contain mixtures of Fe (II) and Fe (III) ions with a significant fraction being Fe (III). However, normal tissue regions were found to have a higher fraction of Fe (II) compared to the tumour tissues. In order to estimate the best target for therapy, more information is required about the relative abundance of Zn, Fe and Cu binding proteins, their oxidation state and their localisation at the subcellular level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A closer look at the feather coloration in the male purple sunbird,Nectarinia asiatica

During the breeding season male, but not female, individuals of the purple sunbird possess colourful plumage of chiefly blue and black coloration with a splatter of orange and yellow on the chest. Representative feathers of these colours were collected from male birds during the breeding season and analyzed by reflectance and scanning electron microscopy. The rachis, which is the central support of a feather on which various barbs and barbules are arranged, is spongy and made up of keratin layers with rod-shaped melanosomes sparsely distributed within these layers. Barbs and barbules are the structural units of the feather and depending on how they are arranged provide a characteristic shape to the feather. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of the feathers revealed the presence of various metal elements that might contribute to the feathers’ colorations. Blue feathers are iridescent and contain mainly iron, copper, zinc and cobalt (in that order of abundance); black feathers were also found to contain mainly iron and copper, but chromium instead of zinc and cobalt, while yellow feathers were found to contain predominantly cobalt and nickel. The metal content of the feathers in an as yet unknown way may be involved in the production of the distinct absorbance and reflectance patterns that the brilliant plumage of the purple sunbird is renowned for.     

Iron speciation in ancient Attic pottery pigments: a non‐destructive SR‐XAS investigation

The present work reports a detailed investigation on the speciation of iron in the pigments of decorated pottery fragments of cultural heritage relevance. The fragments come from the Gioiosa Guardia archaeological site in the area of the `Strait of Messina' (Sicily, Southern Italy), and date back to VI–V century BC. The purpose of this study is to characterize the main pigmenting agents responsible for the dark‐red coloration of the specimens using non‐destructive analytical techniques such as synchrotron radiation X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (SR‐XAS), a well established technique for cultural heritage and environmental subjects. Absorption spectra were collected at the Fe K‐edge on the Italian beamline for absorption and diffraction (BM8‐GILDA) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble (France). In order to determine the speciation of Fe in the samples, principal component analysis and least‐squares fitting procedures were applied to the near‐edge part of the absorption spectra (XANES). Details on the local structure around the Fe sites were obtained by analyzing the extended part of the spectra (EXAFS). Furthermore, an accurate determination of the average Fe oxidation state was carried out through analysis of the pre‐edge peaks of the absorption spectra. Samples resulted composed of an admixture of Fe₂O₃ (hematite or maghemite) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄), occurring in different relative abundance in the dark‐ and light‐colored areas of the specimens. The results obtained are complementary to information previously obtained by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis, Fourier transform infrared absorbance and time‐of‐flight neutron diffraction.     

Isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H) diet–tissue discrimination in African grey parrot Psittacus erithacus: implications for forensic studies

Diet–tissue isotopic relationships established under controlled conditions are informative for determining the dietary sources and geographic provenance of organisms. We analysed δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and non-exchangeable δ²H values of captive African grey parrot Psittacus erithacus feathers grown on a fixed mixed-diet and borehole water. Diet–feather Δ¹³C and Δ¹⁵N discrimination values were +3.8?±?0.3?‰ and +6.3?±?0.7?‰ respectively; significantly greater than expected. Non-exchangeable δ²H feather values (?62.4?±?6.4?‰) were more negative than water (?26.1?±?2.5?‰) offered during feather growth. There was no positive relationship between the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the samples along each feather with the associated samples of food offered, or the feather non-exchangeable hydrogen isotope values with δ²H values of water, emphasising the complex processes involved in carbohydrate, protein, and income water routing to feather growth. Understanding the isotopic relationship between diet and feathers may provide greater clarity in the use of stable isotopes in feathers as a tool in determining origins of captive and wild-caught African grey parrots, a species that is widespread in aviculture and faces significant threats to wild populations. We suggest that these isotopic results, determined even in controlled laboratory conditions, be used with caution.     

亚热带自然林与人工林土壤重金属含量的研究

重金属是危害森林生态健康主要污染物之一.采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法与石墨炉原子吸收光谱法,首次比较了亚热带人工林和自然林土壤中13种重金属元素(Fe,Al,Ti,Cr,Cu,Mn,V,Zn,Ni,Co,Pb,Se,Cd)的含量.结果表明自然林土壤中Fe,Al,Ti,Cu,Mn,V,Zn,Ni,Co,Pb,Se,Cd...     

Residual‐density mapping and site‐selective determination of anomalous scattering factors to examine the origin of the Fe K pre‐edge peak of magnetite

The electron‐density distribution and the contribution to anomalous scattering factors for Fe ions in magnetite have been analyzed by X‐ray resonant scattering at the pre‐edge of Fe K absorption. Synchrotron X‐ray experiments were carried out using a conventional four‐circle diffractometer in the right‐handed circular polarization. Difference‐Fourier synthesis was applied with a difference in structure factors measured on and off the pre‐edge (E_on = 7.1082 keV, E_off = 7.1051 keV). Electron‐density peaks due to X‐ray resonant scattering were clearly observed for both A and B sites. The real part of the anomalous scattering factor f′ has been determined site‐independently, based on the crystal‐structure refinements, to minimize the squared residuals at the Fe K pre‐edge. The f′ values obtained at E_on and E_off are ?7.063 and ?6.682 for the A site and ?6.971 and ?6.709 for the B site, which are significantly smaller than the values of ?6.206 and ?5.844, respectively, estimated from the Kramers–Kronig transform. The f′ values at E_on are reasonably smaller than those at E_off. Our results using a symmetry‐based consideration suggest that the origin of the pre‐edge peak is Fe ions occupying both A and B sites, where p–d mixing is needed with hybridized electrons of Fe in both sites overlapping the neighbouring O atoms.     

Intraneuronal investigations of organic components and trace elements with the use of synchrotron radiation

Three techniques based on synchrotron radiation microbeam analysis were applied to biochemical investigations of human central nervous system (CNS) tissue. Thin tissue slices representing Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and control cases were studied. Synchrotron radiation microbeam x‐ray fluorescence (micro‐SRXRF) was applied to the analysis of the elemental distribution inside single nerve cells. Investigation of copper oxidation state was performed with the use of micro x‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy (micro‐XANES). Moreover, the organic components of the tissues were analyzed by means of synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR‐FTIRM). Topographic differences in elemental composition were observed for the nerve cell body. Higher levels of Fe, Zn and Ca were found for the neurons of PD cases in comparison with the control group. The IR spectra measured in neurons of PD, ALS and control cases showed differences in absorption bands associated with characteristic groups of selected biological molecules. Additionally, results of SR‐FTIRM measurements indicated inhomogeneous accumulation of the main organic components in PD nerve cells, in contrast to the control cases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of Pb and Zn in slices of human bone by synchrotron µ‐XRF

Synchrotron radiation‐induced micro x‐ray fluorescence analysis (µ‐XRF) at HASYLAB beamline L was used to determine the distribution of Pb and other trace elements in slices of human bone. Using a focused synchrotron x‐ray beam of about 15 µm in diameter it was found that Pb was mostly located at the outer border of the cortical bone in various samples. Ratios of Pb intensities of cortical and trabecular bone varied from 0.027 for hip head to 0.408 for proximal tibia. Additionally Ca, Zn and Sr distributions were simultaneously recorded. A remarkable association between Pb and Zn content could be observed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.