Determination of metallic nanoparticles in soils by means spICP-MS after a microwave-assisted extraction treatment.

Current sample preparation strategies for nanomaterials (NMs) analysis in soils by means single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have significant constrains in terms of accuracy, sample throughput and applicability (i.e., type of NMs and soils).

Microwave-sustained inductively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma (MICAP) for the elemental analysis of complex matrix samples.

Microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) has gained widespread attention in the last few years for trace elemental analysis. Among the new generation of MIPs it is worth to mention the microwave-sustained inductively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma (MICAP) for which previous works have shown similar detection capabilities to those afforded by ICP-OES. Nevertheless, this instrument has not been applied yet to complex matrix sample analysis.

Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism.

It has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous system and the presence of cellular mechanisms of heavy metal detoxification such as metallothioneins. To carry out this study, wild mice (Mus musculus) chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment were captured in Furnas village (Azores, Portugal) and compared with those trapped in a reference area (Rabo de Peixe, Azores, Portugal).

Ultrasensitive determination of β-conglutin food allergen by means an aptamer assay based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection.

The overall objective of this work is the evaluation of different competitive aptamer assays based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection for the determination of β-conglutin (food protein allergen from lupin) in flour samples. To this end, two competitive aptamer assay schemes were developed using either thiolated aptamers chemisorbed onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) or biotinylated aptamers linked to streptavidin-AuNPs. The influence of ICP-MS detection mode (i.