Sorption of 137Cs^{137}Cs and Pb on sediment samples from a drinking water reservoir

This study focused on 137Cs and Pb accumulation in sediments from the Dobczyce Reservoir in southern Poland. Elements’ spatial distribution as well as their distribution in sediment core samples were analyzed. The conditions of cesium and lead desorption were also investigated. The distribution coefficient for 137Cs (KCs) was obtained using a radiometric determination in combination with static ion-exchange chromatography. Determination of the distribution coefficient for Pb (KPb) was performed by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (electrothermal technique). The experiments were carried out considering various concentrations of potassium and calcium ions (from 5·10-3 to 10-5 mol·dm-3 by addition of KNO3 and Ca(NO3)2, respectively). It was found that: a) spatial distribution of anthropogenic 137Cs and Pb in the sediments of the Dobczyce Reservoir results mainly from hydrological conditions of the sedimentation process and, on the other hand, from the sorptive properties of the deposited material b) in the case of 137Cs sorption, a pronounced competitive effect was noted for K ions; much less effect was found for Ca. On the contrary, in the case of lead such a competitive effect was visible for Ca, much less for K. The conditions of 137Cs desorption from the sediments caused by K and Ca ions present in water were estimated

Concentrations of ^{137}Cs and ^{40}K radionuclides and some heavy metals in soil samples from the eastern part of the Main Ridge of the Flysch Carpathians

The aim of the study is to present the results of determination of radioactivity of artificial ^{137}Cs and natural ^{40}K and certain heavy metals in soil samples collected from the eastern part of the Main Ridge of Carpathians, including the Beskid Niski Mts and the Bieszczady Mts. The evaluation of level of radionuclides was based on the bulk density analysis of the soil. A valuable finding of the study was a good linear correlation between the level of ^{137}Cs concentration and bulk density of the soil as well as an inverse correlation between radioactivity of natural ^{40}K and tested soil density. This might indicate though a high competitiveness of these elements between each other. Moreover, a good correlation between the concentrations of artificial element ^{137}Cs and Pb has been also observed in soil samples collected from the Beskid Niski Mts. In most cases, the level of artificial ^{137}Cs was lower comparing to an average ^{137}Cs concentration established for soils in Poland

Comparative study of metals accumulation in cultured in vitro mycelium and naturally grown fruiting bodies of Boletus badius and Cantharellus cibarius

Cantharellus cibarius Fr. (chanterelle) and Boletus badius Pers. (bay bolete) harvested from natural sites in Poland were used to derive in vitro cultures. The optimal medium composition for cultures was developed. Concentrations of the chosen elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, and Cd) in mycelium samples were measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. Fe concentration in the analyzed mushroom materials was in the range 215.4–680.3 μg/g dry weight. Mean values of Mg were respectively (in micrograms per gram dry weight) 541.8 for mycelium of C. cibarius cultured in vitro and 1,004.1 for C. cibarius fruiting bodies and 928.9 for the mycelium of B. badius cultured in vitro and 906.4 for B. badius fruiting bodies. The mean concentrations of Zn were 442.7 μg/g dry weight in mycelium from in vitro cultures of B. badius and 172.1 in B. badius fruiting bodies and 131.9 in the case of C. cibarius in mycelium from in vitro cultures and 95.5 for the C. cibarius fruiting bodies. Cu exhibited a reversal tendency, i.e., the element concentrations in naturally grown mushrooms were significantly higher (43.57 μg/g dry weight for C. cibarius and 43.54 μg/g for B. badius) than in cultured in vitro mycelium (12.47 μg/g for C. cibarius and 4.17 μg/g for B. badius). Ni was found in lowest concentrations ranging from 0.33 to 1.88 μg/g dry weight. Toxic metal Cd was found in relatively high concentrations in naturally grown species (0.79 μg/g dry weight—1.02). The lowest was the concentration of Cd in C. cibarius mycelium from in vitro culture—0.06 μg/g dry weight—a bit higher than it was in the B. badius mycelium (0.21 μg/g)

Zinc and propolis reduces cytotoxicity and proliferation in skin fibroblast cell culture : total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of propolis

It has been demonstrated that zinc exerts its beneficial influence on skin fibroblasts. Propolis, a complex mixture of plant-derived and bees’ products, was reported to stimulate cicatrization processes in skin and prevent infections. The aim of this study was to find out how zinc and propolis influence human skin fibroblasts in cell culture and to compare the effect of individual compounds to the effect of a mixture of zinc and propolis. In this study, zinc, as zinc aspartate, at a concentration of 16 μM, increased human fibroblasts proliferation in cell culture, whereas propolis at a concentration of 0.01 % (w/v) revealed antiproliferative and cytotoxic action followed by mild cell necrosis. In culture, zinc was effectively transported into fibroblasts, and propolis inhibited the amount of zinc incorporated into the cells. An addition of propolis to the medium caused a decrease in the Zn(II) amount incorporated into fibroblasts. The obtained results also indicate an appreciable antioxidant property of propolis and revealed its potential as a supplement when applied at doses lower than 0.01 % (w/v). In conclusion, the present study showed that zinc had a protective effect on human cultured fibroblasts’ viability, although propolis revealed its antiproliferative action and caused mild necrosis

Development of optimal medium content for bioelements accumulation in Bacopa monnieri (L.) in vitro culture

# The Author(s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Bacopa monnieri is one of the most interesting plants from the Ayurveda system. The aims of present research were, basing on in vitro shoot culture of B. monnieri, to determine content and to evaluate the influence of physiologically important metabolites on the selected bioelements accumulation in biomass. The most significant increase in biomass production was observed in the culture medium enriched with 0.5 mg/L of anthranilic acid. In this medium also, the highest accumulation of Mg was noted. The highest concentration of iron was determined in B. monnieri in vitro culture enriched with 0.25 g/L of serine. The addition of L-tryptophan, magnesium sulfate, and zinc hydroaspartate caused only a small increase in the accumulation of copper in B. monnieri. Increase in Zn accumulation was obtained in biomass from in vitro culture of B. monnieri with the addition of magnesium sulfate and zinc hydroaspartate. In the case of Na, the maximum level of this element was in biomass from medium enriched with zinc hydroaspartate. Twofold increase in K concentration was obtained in biomass from cultures on medium with addition of serine and magnesiu

Applicability of the silver amalgam electrode in voltammetric determination of zinc and copper in gastric juice and gastric mucosa of rats

The aim of the work was to compare two analytical methods of trace analysis in respect to their applicability in heavy metals determination in biological samples. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) may be considered as the method of choice in such analyses due to its accuracy, precision and low detection limit. On the other hand, voltammetric methods seem to be as useful, but rarely applied. Having in mind that there is no universal analytical method, we have compared two AAS and voltammetric methods as the tools for Zn and Cu determination in the samples collected from rat gastric juice and gastric mucosa. Construction of the renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) for stripping voltammetry was described. Detailed optimization of measurements procedure and sample preparation for differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP ASV) and AAS were also performed and presented. The obtained results of quantitative analysis of the chosen parameters by means of both methods are discussed

Distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage : initial report

The aim of this study was evaluation of distribution microelements in human articular cartilage and to determine factors influencing it. The following elements were taken under consideration: Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Pb. Their concentration was assessed in the articular cartilage harvested from the loaded an unloaded area of human femoral heads. Initial results indicate that mechanical loadings are one of the important factors influencing distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage

Study of the serum copper levels in patients with major depressive disorder

Copper may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Clinical data on this issue are very limited and not conclusive. The purpose of the study was to determine the copper concentration in the serum of patients with major depressive disorder and to discuss its potential clinical usefulness as a biomarker of the disease. A case–control clinical study included 69 patients with current depressive episode, 45 patients in remission and 50 healthy volunteers. Cu concentration was measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The mean serum copper level in depressed patients was slightly lower (by 11 %; not statistically significant) than in the control group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in Cu(2+) concentration between depressive episode and remission, nor between remission and control group. In the remission group were observed significant correlations between copper levels and the average number of relapses over the past years or time of remission. There was no correlation between serum copper and severity of depression, as measured by HDRS and MADRS. The obtained results showed no significant differences between the copper concentration in the blood serum of patients (both with current depressive episode and in remission) and healthy volunteers, as well as the lack of correlations between the copper level in the active stage of the disease and clinical features of the population. Our study is the first conducted on such a large population of patients, so the results may be particularly important and reliable source of knowledge about the potential role of copper in depression

The serum concentration of magnesium as a potential state marker in patients with diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Aim. Few scientific reports indicate changes in the concentration of magnesium in the blood of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). So far very little studies concerning these issues have been conducted. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum magnesium level in patients with bipolar disorder (in different phases of the disease) in comparison to healthy volunteers. Methodology. The study included 129 patients (58 subjects in depressive episode, 23 in manic episode and 48 patients in remission) with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I or II. The control group consisted of 50 healthy people. Magnesium concentration was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Results. Patients with a current depressive or manic/hypomanic episode had statistically significantly elevated serum magnesium levels compared to healthy volunteers. Moreover, a positive correlation between the duration of the manic/hypomanic episode and the relapse frequency in the last year was observed. The concentration of magnesium in patients in remission was unchanged in relation to the control group. Conclusions. Presented findings suggest a role of serum magnesium level as a potential state marker, reflecting the pathophysiological changes associated with acute episodes of bipolar disorder