Trace mineral content of conventional, organic and courtyard eggs analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

We investigated the contents in yolk and albumen of the trace minerals Se, Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, V, Cr, Ni, TI. As and Cd in eggs from hens from three husbandry systems by ICP-MS. Conventional hens were given a commercial feed with added minerals, organic hens were given a feed based on organic feedstuffs also with added minerals, and courtyard hens were fed on cereals. legumes. grass and swill. Dietary Se, Zn, Mn, Co and Cu concentrations were lower in courtyard compared to conventional and organic diets; Cr concentration was highest in courtyard compared to organic diet. Trace element contents in yolks were higher than those in albumen. The highest content of Se in yolks was in organic, followed by conventional eggs. Zn contents were highest in courtyard yolk, followed by conventional, which in turn was higher than organic. Mn yolk contents were lowest in courtyard eggs; Cr contents were highest in courtyard eggs. The differences in albumen were in Zn and Cr values, which were highest in courtyard eggs. The results provide baseline measurements of trace mineral contents of eggs and suggest measurable differences amongst eggs from hens in different husbandry systems; the physiological significance of these differences are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Variation in Trace Element Contents Among Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Goose, and Pigeon Eggs Analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Despite substantial interest in the trace element content of eggs by poultry breeders, nutritionists, and environmental scientists, available data about trace elements levels in eggs are scarce. Trace element contents in yolk and albumen of chicken, turkey, duck, goose, and pigeon eggs were analyzed to establish a baseline dataset and assess differences among trace element content in avian species. We measured the selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and thallium (Tl) contents in both yolk and albumen by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. One hundred twenty eggs deriving from 24 birds of each species, reared in the same poultry farm in northern Greece, were used; bird feed was common and based on cereals and legumes and contained no added vitamins or microminerals. Trace element contents in yolks were far higher than those in albumen, except for V and Ni. In yolks, the highest content for Se, Mo, and Tl were in pigeon eggs, for Zn, Mn, Cu, and Cr in turkey eggs, and for Co and Ni in goose eggs. In albumen, Se was highest in duck eggs, while Zn, Mn, and Co in pigeon ones. It is concluded that there is a substantial, up to threefold, variation for trace element contents in eggs among different domestic avian species offered the same feed

The fluxes and distribution of molybdenum in a mountainous fir forest in two hydrological years

The distribution, stocks and fluxes of Mo were examined in a mountainous fir forest in Greece in two hydrological years. In both years, the fluxes of Mo in throughfall were lower than those in bulk deposition implying Mo retention and probably uptake by tree canopies. The Mo concentration was appreciable in soil solution but its fluxes were lower than those in throughfall. The Mo fluxes in both bulk and throughfall deposition were higher than those in litterfall, a finding that stresses the importance of the hydrological cycle for this metal. The Mo concentration in the older twigs in the standing trees were higher than the current year ones most probably due to the existence of dry deposition. The concentrations of total Mo in soils reflected the nature of the sedimentary rocks underlying the soil and increased with depth following the clay concentration gradient. The available (oxalate extractable) Mo in soils ranged from 3% to 14% of the total Mo. In terms of the stocks of Mo, the soil had by far the highest values in both total and available Mo. The needs of the fir plants for Mo uptake are covered by the available Mo in the mineral soil layers, whereas the Mo content in the organic horizon may not be adequate for this purpose. © 2020 Global NEST

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of new immigrant and refugee children arriving in Greece

Background: Migrant children are a population at risk for various health problems. Despite the increased inflow of migrants in Greece, data regarding their health assessment are lacking. This study aims to describe the clinical and certain laboratory characteristics and identify possible associations in a group of new immigrant (I) and refugee (R) children, arriving in Athens, Greece. Methods: A prospective, cross- sectional study was performed in a migrant outpatient clinic of a tertiary Children's hospital. All immigrant and refugee children, examined to obtain a health certificate, within 3 months of their arrival in the country, were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory information was collected in a pre- designed form. We applied multiple logistic regression models to investigate the association between the child's status (immigrant vs refugee) and health indicators controlling for possible confounding effects, mainly of age and area of origin. Results: From 2010 to 2013, a total of 300 children (I/R:138/162) with a mean age of 7.08 (range 1-14) years were included. Overall, 79.3% presented unknown vaccination status, 21.3% dental and 7.3% additional clinical problems. Latent tuberculosis was identified in 2.7%, while anemia, low serum ferritin and eosinophilia were found in 13.7%, 17.3%, and 22.7% of subjects, respectively. 57.7% had protective antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/L) and 30.6% elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs). Immigrants had less likely unknown immunization (OR = 0.25, p < 0.001), but had increased odds of low ferritin (OR = 1.97, p = 0.043), EBLLs (OR = 2.97, p = 0.001) and protective anti-HBs (OR = 1.79, p = 0.03). Age was inversely associated with anemia (OR = 0.0.89, p = 0.017), low ferritin (OR = 0.91, p = 0.027), EBLLs (OR = 0.86, p = 0.001) or positive anti-HBs (OR = 0.92, p = 0.025). Children from Europe or Africa presented decreased probability of EBLLs (OR = 0.31, p = 0.001, and OR = 0.15, p = 0.005, respectively) compared to those from Asia. Conclusions: New immigrant and refugee children presented distinct clinical problems and certain laboratory abnormalities. Some of these health issues differed according to their migration status, age and geographic area of origin. These findings provide evidence that may assist the optimal approach of this vulnerable population. © 2017 The Author(s)

Risk factors for elevated blood lead levels among children aged 6-36 months living in Greece

Background: Childhood lead poisoning remains a critical environmental health concern because even low blood lead levels (BLLs) can result in permanent adverse health effects. Social factors and living conditions have been correlated with BLLs. There is no recent survey about the prevalence of elevated BLLs among children in Greece. The purpose of this study was to assess BLLs among children aged 6-36months born and living in Greece and to evaluate their association with demographic, socio-economic and housing conditions. Methods: In a cross-sectional hospital-based study including 814 randomly selected children aged 6-36months, BLLs and haematological parameters were evaluated. A questionnaire investigating demographic and socio-economic conditions was completed in all children. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA for Windows v.8.5, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean BLLs of the population were 2.78 (SD = 2.34)μg/dl, and the median was 2.02μg/dl; 11.7% had BLLs above 5μg/dl, while 15 children (1.8%) exceeded 10μg/dl. Being a toddler, being Roma or Asian, living in an industrial/low-income neighbourhood or in an old house, using traditional herbs and/or spices and having a mother with a manual occupation were independent risk factors for elevated BLLs. Conclusion: Lead exposure remains a threat for optimal health especially for toddlers and children of socio-economically disadvantaged families living in Greece. A nationwide survey to assess lead exposure in children is necessary to guide prevention governmental policies. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

A Negative Association Between Lithium in Drinking Water and the Incidences of Homicides, in Greece

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between lithium levels in the public water supply and incidences of homicide in Greece. A total of 149 samples of drinking water were collected from 34 out of 52 prefectures, and data for homicides were taken from National Statistic Service of Greece (Hellenic Statistical Authority - EL.STAT). The average lithium level was 11.10 μg/l (SD = 21.16). The results indicate that there is a tendency for lower mean number of homicides in the prefectures with high levels of lithium in drinking water (R2 = 0.054, β = −0.38, p =.004). Considering the results of our previous study, which showed an inverse association between the lithium levels in drinking water and the incidence of suicide, homicide, rape, and drug abuse, we suggest that natural lithium level intake may influence impulsiveness, a factor that mediate to the manifestation of both suicidality and aggressiveness. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York