Matrix Effects in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Biological Tissue

We have made several observations during the course of our studies that show the presence of matrix effects in soft biological tissue and standards. The sputtering rate of gelatin is approximately twice that of epoxy resin, but the ion yield of lithium in gelatin is an order of magnitude less than in epoxy. Osmium impregnation of freeze-dried material significantly alters the localization of calcium, but not potassium and barium. The absolute count rate for calcium in osmicated tissue is increased several-fold above that in freeze-dried tissue. Scanning electron microscopy of sputtered material shows the formation of cones during sputtering, which is particularly, but not exclusively, associated with melanin granules and red blood cells. These structures are known to be highly emissive for Na, K, and Ca. Boron implanted tissue also exhibits selective boron emission from melanin granules. Relative proportions of monoatomic and polyatomic emission vary in epoxy, gelatin and tissue. Ion images of carbon, chlorine and vanadium in tissue embedded with a vanadium-doped epoxy resin show variations in local regions that correspond to tissue structure. The energy distributions of common secondary ions differed somewhat in resin and two different tissue regions. These examples show the existence of potential matrix effects in soft biological tissue that involve both differential sputtering and ion yield effects

Bone ultrastructure and x-ray microanalysis of aluminum-intoxicated hemodialyzed patients

Bone ultrastructure and x-ray microanalysis of aluminum-intoxicated hemodialyzed patients. In hemodialyzed patients aluminum (Al) intoxication may induce osteomalacic lesions which are mainly observed when plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentrations are low, and osteitis fibrosa absent. In this study, the bone tissue of eight hemodialyzed patients with elevated plasma and bone Al concentrations was examined by histomorphometry, electron microscopy, and x-ray microanalysis. Five patients (group 1) had osteomalacia and minimal osteitis fibrosa, three patients (group 2) had severe osteitis fibrosa. In group 1, Al was concentrated at the mineralizing front, in hexagonal structures measuring 200 to 1,000 Å which also contained phosphorus, but not calcium. Hydroxyapatite needles had a normal aspect. Osteoblasts appeared inactive. In group 2, Al was also present at the mineralizing layer of osteoid, but, in these cases, in small clusters next to abnormal calcium deposits. Osteoblasts appeared very active. Their mitochondria contained calcium and phosphorus granules, or amorphous material, measuring 1,500 to 2,000 Å, emitting x-rays characteristic for Al and phosphorus. These results suggest that secondary hyperparathyroidism, by stimulating the cellular activity, may increase the uptake and release of Al by the osteoblasts. The presence of Al within the mitochondria of these cells may be one of the factors inducing the mineralization defect.Ultrastructure et microanalyse x du tissu osseux de malades hémodialysés intoxiqués par l'aluminium. Chez des malades hémodialysés l'intoxication par l'aluminium (Al) peut induire des lésions ostéomalaciques qui s'observent principalement quand la concentration plasmatique de l'hormone parathyroïdienne immunoréactive (iPTH) est peu augmentée, et en l'absence d'ostéite fibreuse. Dans cette étude le tissu osseux de huit malades hémodialysés dont la concentration plasmatique et osseuse de l'Al était élevée, a été examiné par l'histomorphométrie, la microscopie électronique et la microanalyse x. Cinq malades (groupe 1) avaient une ostéomalacie et des lésions minimes d'ostéite fibreuse, trois malades (groupe 2) avaient une ostéite fibreuse sévère. Dans le groupe 1, l'Al était concentré entre ostéoïde et tissu minéralisé, dans des structures hexagonales mesurant 200 à 1000 Å, qui contenaient également du phosphore, mais pas de calcium. Les aiguilles d'hydroxyapatite avaient un aspect normal. Les ostéoblastes paraissaient peu actifs. Dans le groupe 2, l'Al était aussi présent entre ostéoïde et tissu minéralisé, mais, dans ce cas, sous forme de petits amas, près de dépôts anormaux de calcium. Les ostéoblastes semblaient très actifs. Leurs mitochondries contenaient des granules de calcium et de phosphore ou bien du matériel amorphe, mesurant 1500 à 2000 Å, dont l'émission x était caractéristique de l'Al et du phosphore. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'hyperparathyroïdie secondaire, en stimulant l'activité cellulaire, favorise la captation et le dépôt de l'Al par les ostéoblastes. La présence d'Al dans les mitochondries de ces cellules pourrait être un des facteurs à l'origine du trouble de la minéralisation

Observed long-term land cover vs climate impacts on the West African hydrological cycle: lessons for the future ? [P-3330-65]

West Africa has experienced a long lasting, severe drought as from 1970, which seems to be attenuating since 2000. It has induced major changes in living conditions and resources over the region. In the same period, marked changes of land use and land cover have been observed: land clearing for agriculture, driven by high demographic growth rates, and ecosystem evolutions driven by the rainfall deficit. Depending on the region, the combined effects of these climate and environmental changes have induced contrasted impacts on the hydrological cycle. In the Sahel, runoff and river discharges have increased despite the rainfall reduction (“less rain, more water”, the so-called "Sahelian paradox "). Soil crusting and erosion have increased the runoff capacity of the watersheds so that it outperformed the rainfall deficit. Conversely, in the more humid Guinean and Sudanian regions to the South, the opposite (and expected) “less rain, less water” behavior is observed, but the signature of land cover changes can hardly be detected in the hydrological records. These observations over the past 50 years suggest that the hydrological response to climate change can not be analyzed irrespective of other concurrent changes, and primarily ecosystem dynamics and land cover changes. There is no consensus on future rainfall trend over West Africa in IPCC projections, although a higher occurrence of extreme events (rainstorms, dry spells) is expected. An increase in the need for arable land and water resources is expected as well, driven by economic development and demographic growth. Based on past long-term observations on the AMMA-CATCH observatory, we explore in this work various future combinations of climate vs environmental drivers, and we infer the expected resulting trends on water resources, along the west African eco-climatic gradient. (Texte intégral

Ultra-structural cell distribution of the melanoma marker iodobenzamide: improved potentiality of SIMS imaging in life sciences

BACKGROUND: Analytical imaging by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) provides images representative of the distribution of a specific ion within a sample surface. For the last fifteen years, concerted collaborative research to design a new ion microprobe with high technical standards in both mass and lateral resolution as well as in sensitivity has led to the CAMECA NanoSims 50, recently introduced onto the market. This instrument has decisive capabilities, which allow biological applications of SIMS microscopy at a level previously inaccessible. Its potential is illustrated here by the demonstration of the specific affinity of a melanoma marker for melanin. This finding is of great importance for the diagnosis and/or treatment of malignant melanoma, a tumour whose worldwide incidence is continuously growing. METHODS: The characteristics of the instrument are briefly described and an example of application is given. This example deals with the intracellular localization of an iodo-benzamide used as a diagnostic tool for the scintigraphic detection of melanic cells (e.g. metastasis of malignant melanoma). B16 melanoma cells were injected intravenously to C(57)BL(6)/J(1)/co mice. Multiple B16 melanoma colonies developed in the lungs of treated animals within three weeks. Iodobenzamide was injected intravenously in tumour bearing mice six hours before sacrifice. Small pieces of lung were prepared for SIMS analysis. RESULTS: Mouse lung B16 melanoma colonies were observed with high lateral resolution. Cyanide ions gave "histological" images of the cell, representative of the distribution of C and N containing molecules (e.g. proteins, nucleic acids, melanin, etc.) while phosphorus ions are mainly produced by nucleic acids. Iodine was detected only in melanosomes, confirming the specific affinity of the drug for melanin. No drug was found in normal lung tissue. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential of SIMS microscopy, which allows the study of ultra structural distribution of a drug within a cell. On the basis of our observations, drug internalization via membrane sigma receptors can be excluded

The management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Current expert opinion and recommendations derived from the 24th ESMO/World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Barcelona, 2022

This article summarises expert discussion on the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which took place during the 24th World Gastrointestinal Cancer Congress (WGICC) in Barcelona, July 2022. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to ensure an optimal diagnosis and staging of HCC, planning of curative and therapeutic options, including surgical, embolisation, ablative strategies, or systemic therapy. Furthermore, in many patients with HCC, underlying liver cirrhosis represents a challenge and influences the therapeutic options

Les modèles utilisés pour l'estimation des risques de radiocancer : les difficultés actuelles

Deux variétés de modèles sont actuellement utilisés pour les tentatives d'estimation des risques de radiocancer dans les domaines de dose intéressant la radioprotection : les modèles dits d'" extrapolation " vers les faibles doses et les modèles de projection du risque. Ces modèles avaient initialement deux objectifs : 1 ) celui de déterminer la dose seuil en-dessous de laquelle le risque peut être considéré comme nul ou négligeable, et 2) celui d'apprécier quantitativement un risque dans des domaines de dose et de débit de dose très inférieurs à ceux pour lesquels le risque est décelable. Ces objectifs très ambitieux n'ont pas été atteints. Les prédictions fournies par l'utilisation des modèles les plus récents pour déterminer ce qu'il est convenu d'appeler le niveau supérieur du risque atteignent une imprécision démesurée. En outre, les hypothèses mathématiques que l'on pensait autrefois justifiées pour l'élaboration de ces modèles sont en contradiction avec les acquis les plus solides de la biologie moderne, et il convient aujourd'hui d'y renoncer