Metal uptake by xerothermic plants introduced into Zn-Pb industrial wastes

The dusty surfaces of post-flotation wastes contain high concentrations of toxic compounds and spread widely if appropriate vegetation is not introduced. It has been previously established that effective restoration of such waste areas are best met by xerothermic, mycorrhiza-assisted plants (Turnau et al. Plant and Soil 305:267-280, 2008). The aim of the current study was to improve phytostabilisation practices by gaining insight into the elements uptake in plants after their change of habitat. Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) was employed to evaluate element concentration in the leaves of 23 plant species growing in the wild and on Zn-Pb waste. Higher levels of heavy metals (Zn, Y, As, Pb, Cu) in plants from tailings were usually accompanied by increased Ca concentration, suggesting a possible role of this element in detoxification mechanisms. Also, when compared to grassland specimens, plants from the tailings, exhibited potassium-deficiency. Thus, K-supplementation of the waste substrata should be considered to improve plant growth. Among all the introduced plants, three grass species (Melica transsilvanica, Bromus inermis, Elymus hispidus) and one legume (Anthylis vulneraria) were the most suitable for phytostabilisation. Heavy metal-accumulating properties of Verbascum thapsus need further investigation

Lentinula edodes as a source of bioelements released into artificial digestive juices and potential anti-inflammatory material

Lentinula edodes (shiitake), an edible and medicinal mushroom, was chosen for this study with the aim of evaluating the possibility of release of bioelements into artificial digestive juices and analyzing the anti-inflammatory properties. The extracts were prepared from fruiting bodies and biomass enriched with copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se). The content of bioelements was analyzed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence method. Relatively low content of elements was observed in the fruiting bodies: Cu–1.6, Zn–7.6, and Se–0.12 mg/100 g d.w. compared tomycelial cultures. The anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated in RAW264.7 cells. Based on the levels of cyclooxygenase 2 protein, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ determined using Western blot technique, it was found that the addition of bioelements enhanced the anti-inflammatory properties ofmycelium. This indicates that L. edodes cultured on a suitablemedium may be used as a potential component of anti-inflammatory products

Zastosowanie zjawiska całkowitego odbicia promieniowania X w rentgenowskiej analizie fluorescencyjnej praca doktorska /

Praca doktorska. Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica (Kraków), 2011.Zawiera bibliogr.Dostępna także w wersji drukowanej.Tryb dostępu: Internet.Aparatura pomiarowa stosowana w metodzie TXRF, układ optyczny stosowany w spektrometrach, spektrometry wykorzystywane w metodzie, spektrometr użytkowany w Katedrze Fizyki Medycznej i Biofizyki, analiza ilościowa, przygotowanie próbek, reflektory, zastosowanie metody TXRF w przemyśle elektronicznym, do analizy jakościowej, ilościowej próbek biologicznych, środowiskowych, w archeometrii, analiza wód naturalnych, ocena przydatności metody TXRF do analizy płynów ustrojowych, zastosowanie TXRF do badania składu pierwiastkowego roślin, ocena wpływu mikoryzy na przyswajalność metali u roślin hałdowych, ocena możliwości zastosowania metody TXRF do analizy srebrnych mone

GPR39 (zinc receptor) knockout mice exhibit depression-like behavior and CREB/BDNF down-regulation in the hippocampus

BACKGROUND: Zinc may act as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system by activation of the GPR39 metabotropic receptors. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated whether GPR39 knockout would cause depressive-like and/or anxiety-like behavior, as measured by the forced swim test, tail suspension test, and light/dark test. We also investigated whether lack of GPR39 would change levels of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB),brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB) protein in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of GPR39 knockout mice subjected to the forced swim test, as measured by Western-blot analysis. RESULTS: In this study, GPR39 knockout mice showed an increased immobility time in both the forced swim test and tail suspension test, indicating depressive-like behavior and displayed anxiety-like phenotype. GPR39 knockout mice had lower CREB and BDNF levels in the hippocampus, but not in the frontal cortex, which indicates region specificity for the impaired CREB/BDNF pathway (which is important in antidepressant response) in the absence of GPR39. There were no changes in TrkB protein in either structure. In the present study, we also investigated activity in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis under both zinc- and GPR39-deficient conditions. Zinc-deficient mice had higher serum corticosterone levels and lower glucocorticoid receptor levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: There were no changes in the GPR39 knockout mice in comparison with the wild-type control mice, which does not support a role of GPR39 in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation. The results of this study indicate the involvement of the GPR39 Zn(2+)-sensing receptor in the pathophysiology of depression with component of anxiety