Development of Zinc‐Specific iCEST MRI as an Imaging Biomarker for Prostate Cancer

The healthy prostate contains the highest concentration of mobile zinc in the body. As this level decreases dramatically during the initial development of prostate cancer, in vivo detection of prostate zinc content may be applied for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Using ¹⁹F ion chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (iCEST MRI) and TF‐BAPTA as a fluorinated Zn‐binding probe with micromolar sensitivity, we show that iCEST MRI is able to differentiate between normal and malignant prostate cells with a 10‐fold difference in contrast following glucose‐stimulated zinc secretion in vitro. The iCEST signal decreased in normal prostate cells upon downregulation of the ZIP1 zinc transporter. In vivo, using an orthotopic prostate cancer mouse model and a transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, a gradual decrease of >300 % in iCEST contrast following the transition of normal prostate epithelial cells to cancer cells was detected.     

Determination of activable isotopic tracers of zinc by neutron activation analysis for study of bioavailability of zinc

A procedure of pre-irradiation concentration of zinc in fecal samples using anion exchanger was developed for the study of the bioavailability of zinc by neutron activation analysis. The mass ratios between⁷⁰Zn and⁶⁸Zn, or⁶⁴Zn and their contents between natural zinc and enriched zinc are used to calculate the bioavailability of zinc when the abundance of the isotope⁷⁰Zn is not high ehough.     

Characterization of neutron transmuted zinc traces in pure copper materials by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

The neutron transmutation doping (NTD) of highly pure copper with zinc was investigated as a promising means of achieving controlled gradation of the zinc content in the range 1–20 μg g^–1. The doping process leads to the enrichment of two stable isotopes ⁶⁴Zn and ⁶⁶Zn in a ratio which differs from that of natural isotopic distribution. Mass spectrometric investigations by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) were performed to validate the results obtained by gamma spectrometry. The investigations included both determination of the isotopic ratios of the doped zinc isotopes and the analysis of the accumulated zinc contents by isotope dilution (ID) analysis. Thereby a sample-specific correction of the blank could be performed because the isotope ⁶⁸Zn was not influenced, because of the transmutation process. The results obtained by TIMS prove the strict proportionality of the doped zinc content, in the range 5 to 20 μg g^–1, to the neutron fluence. Comparison with gamma spectrometric results showed a very good agreement within the uncertainties.     

Microanalytical isotope ratio measurements and elemental mapping using laser ablation ICP-MS for tissue thin sections: zinc tracer studies in rats

The kinetics of zinc absorption, metabolism and excretion is extensively studied by nutritionists. Stable isotopes of zinc can be used to identify body zinc compartments that have different turnover kinetics. Since the compartments might belong to physiological subsections of different organs, there is a need for microsampling analysis to determine isotope ratios of the trace element zinc in tissue samples. Here, we study the feasibility to use laser ablation coupled to quadrupole ICP-MS for the determination of zinc tracers given to rats at different time points with the aim to generate isotope ratio bioimages of heart tissue. A double tracer (⁷⁰Zn and ⁶⁷Zn) experiment with rats was designed to label the exchangeable zinc pool as well as the stable zinc pool. The isotope ratios determined by laser ablation ICP-MS were evaluated by additional measurements of tissue digests. Accumulated tracers which made up more than 0.1% of total zinc could be identified in the tissues of the treated rats. It was established that at least 50 measurements from the microsampling were necessary to distinguish between controls and a tracer treated rat resulting in reduced resolution of the bioimage. With the parameters used, features in the tissue thin sections of at least 250 μm² in size are necessary to detect the incorporation of a tracer. When different time points have to be measured, higher precisions are required and therefore a larger area needs to be ablated (1 mm²). Using the bioimages and pool measurements from one physiological feature, it was possible to show that the aorta cell walls incorporate the zinc tracer at the different time points.     

Zinc in human prostate gland: Normal, hyperplastic and cancerous

Zinc concentration in a prostate gland is much higher than that in other human tissues. Data about zinc changes for different prostate diseases are limited and greatly contradictory. Zinc content was determined for biopsy and resected materials of transrectal puncture tissues from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. There were 109 patients (50 BPH and 59 cancer) available for the present study. Control group consisted of 37 intact glands of men died an unexpected death (accident, murder, acute cardiac insufficiency, etc.). All materials studied were divided into two parts. One of them was morphologically examined, while another one was subjected to zinc analysis by INAA. Zinc contents (M±SE) of normal, benign hyperplastic and cancerous prostate glands were found to be 1018±124, 1142±77, and 146±10 g/g dry tissue, respectively. It was shown that zinc assessments in the materials of transrectal puncture biopsy of indurated prostate sites can be used as an additional test for differential diagnostics of BPH and cancer. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the test are 98±2%.     

Evaluation of colon cancer elements contents in serum using statistical methods

Classification of normal and different cancer groups (TNM classification) with univariate and multivariate statistical methods according to the contents of Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn in blood serum is discussed. All serum samples were digested by acid mixture in a microwave mineralization unit prior to the analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results show that univariate methods can distinguish normal and cancer groups. Level of selenium evaluated as arithmetic mean with its standard deviation in colorectal cancer patients was (42.61 ± 23.76) μg L⁻¹. Retransformed mean was used to evaluate levels of managanese (11.99 ± 1.71) μg L⁻¹, copper (1.05 ± 0.06) mg L⁻¹, zinc (2.14 ± 0.21) mg L⁻¹, and iron (1.82 ± 0.22) mg L⁻¹. Conclusions of multivariate statistical procedures (principal component analysis, hierarchical, and k-means clustering) do not correlate very well with the division of serum samples according to the TNM classification.     

Application of 8-mercaptoquinoline (thiooxine) for the separation of microamounts of elements

The separation of elements by means of thiooxine is reviewed. The extraction ranges of the thiooxinates of manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and mercury, for metal contents of 10⁻⁷–10⁻⁹g, were determined using the radioactive tracer method. Solubility values in chloroform and distribution coefficients in the system chloroform-water were determined for mercury, zinc and iron thiooxinates. Polytetrafluoroethylene powder was used to eliminate chloroform traces from the aqueous phase.     

Determination of Heavy Metals in Soil Extracts and Plant Tissues at Around of a Zinc Smelter

Abstract

Extractable contents of heavy metals such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Bi in soil and plant tissue samples (fruit, leaf, twig and root) collected, along a distance of 1100 m to the West, from the surroundings of a metallurgical factory producing mainly zinc, cadmium and lead were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In addition, the determinations of Ca and Mg, macro nutrient elements for plants, were also performed. Three extractant solutions were used for dissolution of soil samples, namely aqua regia (1 HNO₃₊ 3 HCl) for total metal analysis, 1 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate for exchangeable metal contents, and a dilute acid mixture (0.1 M HCl in 0.025 M H₂SO₄) for acid soluble metal contents. A mixture of HNO₃ and HClO₄ was used to analyze the fruit samples. The analyses of the leaf, the twig, and the root tissue samples were made by dry ashing method. The detection limits of the metals were in the range of 0.04 to 0.45 μg/mL for all soil extracts and 0.01 to 1.50 μg/mL for the fruit samples. The recovery values for all the determinations were higher than 95%. The results obtained from the analyses of plant tissue and soil samples were evaluated using linear correlation analysis and concentration factors to identify the effect of the factory near the grape-vine area.     

A preliminary study on the effect of mineralization parameters on determination of metals in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Viscum album</Emphasis> species

An increasing interest in determination of various macro- and microelements in medicinal plants has been observed. The majority of studies are carried out using one mineralization method without any optimization. The present study demonstrates that changes in mineralization parameters can significantly affect the recovery of the elements determined. In the study, the dried plant material was mineralized in 12 ways and iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) levels were determined. The samples were mineralized in the dry or open microwave mode as well as 10 closed microwave modes. The influence of acid amounts, irradiation power and time, addition of hydrogen peroxide and perfluoric acid was examined. All parameters were shown to be critical — good efficiency was observed with larger amounts of acid. The determined content varied significantly in the same sample and were in the ranges (ug g⁻¹): 46–136 (Fe), 1.4–11.8 (Cu), 4.0–11.3 (Ni), 15.4–53.8 (Zn) and 9.5–67.6 (Mn). Increased irradiation resulted in the loss of copper and zinc and better recovery of nickel. The results demonstrate that such determinations should include the mineralization optimization step.      

Determination of heavy metals in real samples by anodic stripping voltammetry with mercury microelectrodes : Part 1. Application to Wine

Differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry with a mercury microelectrode is used for the determination of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in wine at its natural pH without pretreatment. The effects of the matrix on the stripping peaks are studied in detail by varying the concentration of the metals. Intermetallic (CuZn) interferences and the effects of oxygen are described. The results obtained for the labile metal contents varied from 2 μg l^?1 for cadmium to 148 μg l^?1 for zinc; standard addition plots were linear over about two orders of magnitude above these levels, demonstrating the negligible effect of organic matter. Acidification of the sample with hydrochloric acid to pH 1 allowed the total metal contents to be determined. The reliability of the method was tested by comparison with the results obtained with atomic absorption spectrometry; the differences were within 10–20%.     

男性不育患者精液白细胞、巨噬细胞与锌的研究

为探讨男性不育患者精液白细胞、巨噬细胞与锌的关系,研究测定了85例男性不育患者精液白细胞、巨噬细胞和精浆锌的含量.结果提示,不育男性中精液白细胞≥106/mL组与精浆锌之间有显著性差异（P＜0.01）：精浆锌含量与巨噬细胞阳性组差异有显著性（P＜0.05）,说明精液白细胞、巨噬细胞可能对精浆锌的含量有一定的影响.     

On-line solid phase extraction coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of trace copper and zinc in environmental and biological samples

In this work, bamboo charcoal (BC) was used as a sorbent for on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupling with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for trace copper and zinc determination in environmental and biological samples. Under the optimum pH of 5.5 (for Zn) and 7.0 (for Cu), trace copper and zinc were effectively adsorbed on the microcolumn and the retained cations were efficiently eluted with HCl or HNO₃ with an appropriate concentration and flow rate for on-line AAS determination. With a sample loading time of 60 s at a sample flow rate of 7.6 mL min^?1, the enhancement factors of 39 (for Cu) and 30 (for Zn) and detection limits (3σ) of 0.60 µg L^?1 (for Cu) and 0.36 µg L^?1 (for Zn), respectively, were achieved. The sample throughput was 45 h^?1. At the level of 20 µg L^?1of Cu(II) and Zn(II), the precision (RSD, n?=?11) were found to be 0.26% and 1.6%, respectively. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of copper and zinc in environmental and biological samples.     

Determination of mercury by radiochemical displacement

2–15 g of mercury has been determined by exchange with zinc in⁶⁵Zn labelled zinc sulphide. The influence of various ions which are likely to interfere in the determination of mercury has also been studied.     

Isotope ratio determinations by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry for zinc bioavailability studies

A method is described for the measurement of ⁶⁷Zn/^6*Zn and ⁷⁰ZN/⁶⁸Zn ratios by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization. The method provides sufficient accuracy and precision for zinc bioavailability studies that use samples of human feces or blood plasma. Extraction of zinc from ashed samples yields aqueous solutions sufficiently devoid of matrix ions that could affect count rates and isotope ratios. Effects of sodium matrix, zinc concentration, and instrumental parameters on the precision of isotope ratio determinations are documented. Additions of spikes enriched in ⁶⁷Zn and ⁷⁰Zn to natural-abundance fecal samples verify that ratios can be determined on solutions 30 μM in zinc (<300 nmol of zinc per sample) with relative accuracies of <1% and relative standard deviations (r.s.d.) of ?1% over the range from natural abundance to 370 atom% excess of ⁷⁰Zn and to 84 atom% excess of ⁶⁷Zn.     

Quantification of the metal distribution in metallothioneins of the human liver by HPLC coupled with ICP-AES

Fractions containing metallothioneins (MT’s), extracted from the liver cytosol of humans, were analysed to determine the complete distribution pattern of the metals copper, cadmium and zinc. Samples of cirrhotic livers which had come from organs removed during transplantation were examined for differences in the trace-element binding pattern. After the extraction of supernatants from the tissue samples, membrane ultrafiltration of the cytosolic solution was carried out to separate all high-molecular proteins with molecular weights >100 kDa. This procedure retains the metal content of the MT’s in its initial form, in contrast to the often-used heat treatment of samples, which changes the copper distribution significantly. The MT’s themself were isolated using size exclusion and anion exchange chromatography. Their metal content was determined simultaneously on-line by combination with an ICP-AES as element detector. Calibration of the procedure was performed by means of a column by-pass-injection of elemental standards into the separation system. The MT content in the samples was calculated using the determined metal concentrations and the generally accepted metal/protein ratios for Cu (12:1), Cd (7:1) and Zn (7:1). These values were compared with values resulting from a ¹⁰⁹Cd-saturation-assay. When various liver samples of different pathogenesis were compared, the highest level of Cu-MT was found in primary biliary cirrhosis.     

Substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis of copper traces in zinc by adsorptive sampling

The spontaneous deposition of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions on a hydrogen-saturated platinum surface as a possibility for the substoichiometric sampling of copper is shown. A sensitive isotope dilution method has been developed for the determination of traces of copper in high purity zinc making use of the spontaneous deposition of microquantities of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions of zinc salts on a cathodically polarized platinum surface. If the same platinum surface is used in each run, the saturation values of the deposited copper are practically independent of the concentrations and contents of copper and zinc in the solution. The copper traces were labelled with the product of the⁶⁴Zn(n,p)⁶⁴Cu nuclear reaction. A copper content of 0.18±0.03 ppm in zinc was determined by this method.     

Method Validation for Determination of Thallium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Monitoring of Various Foods in South Korea

Thallium (Tl) is a rare element and one of the most harmful metals. This study validated an analytical method for determining Tl in foods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on food matrices and calories. For six representative foods, the method’s correlation coefficient (R²) was above 0.999, and the method limit of detection (MLOD) was 0.0070–0.0498 μg kg⁻¹, with accuracy ranging from 82.06% to 119.81% and precision within 10%. We investigated 304 various foods in the South Korean market, including agricultural, fishery, livestock, and processed foods. Tl above the MLOD level was detected in 148 samples and was less than 10 μg kg⁻¹ in 98% of the samples. Comparing the Tl concentrations among food groups revealed that fisheries and animal products had higher Tl contents than cereals and vegetables. Tl exposure via food intake did not exceed the health guidance level.     

A method for the determination of Mn,Cu, Zn,K and Na in small tissue biopsies by neutron activation analysis

A method has been worked out for the determination of Mn, Cu, Zn, K and Na in tissue biopsies weighing between 10 and 50 mg. The samples were dried, packed in polyethylene containers and irradiated at a flux of 1.8·10¹² n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ for 48 hrs. They were dissolved and separated into five fractions by ion exchange chromatography. Managenese was precipitated and counted as MnO₂ and zinc as quinaldate. Copper and potassium were counted in solution. Sodium was taken up in hydrated antimony pentoxide (HAP) and counted in that stage. Accuracy, precision and specificity were determined by recovery experiments and by analysis ofBowen's biological standard.     

用于乙烯芳构化反应的Zn/HZSM-5催化剂失活机制研究

采用浸渍法制备了Zn负载量（质量分数）分别为1%、2%、3%的Zn/HZSM-5分子筛催化剂,通过XRD、N₂吸附-脱附、NH₃-TPD、Py-FTIR、XPS、TG-DTA等技术,系统考察Zn/HZSM-5分子筛在乙烯芳构化反应的失活机制。结果表明,积炭是催化剂失活的主要原因,HZSM-5中Zn的添加在较大程度上抑制了催化剂的积炭行为;低Zn含量时催化剂失活缓慢,但Zn含量较高时,由于催化剂比表面积和孔体积极剧下降,催化剂失活加剧。反应过程中,分子筛上Zn物种存在迁移和流失行为,迁移行为体现为催化剂表面Zn的富集和相对比例的变化;Zn流失速率在不同反应阶段保持恒定,但受到Zn含量的影响,Zn含量越高、流失速率越大。外表面ZnO是分子筛催化剂Zn流失的主要物种,且随Zn负载量升高变化趋势愈加明显,其含量与积炭速率存在一定关联。     

Colon tissue concentrations of copper, iron, selenium, and zinc in colorectal carcinoma patients

Concentration of four trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, and selenium) was determined in colon tissue from twenty-three patients with colorectal cancer. The tissue samples were dried and dissolved using microwave-assisted digestion technique. The content of trace elements was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. No significant differences between Zn levels in normal and cancerous tissues were observed. However, the levels of Cu, Fe, and Se were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in the control samples. The results obtained sing microwave-assisted technique were compared to those obtained via alkaline digestion with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Both techniques were used for the digestion of certified reference material of pork liver. Very good agreement with the certified values of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the reference material was achieved using alkaline digestion procedure. This technique seems to be an efficient alternative to decomposition of biological samples.