Study of trace elements in stranded green turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

The purpose of this study was to survey and compare the amounts of elements in the serum of stranded sea turtles from the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The sea turtles from the Gulf of Thailand had Ca, Mg, P, S, Se, and Si concentrations significantly higher than those in sea turtles from the Andaman Sea. The Ni and Pb concentrations of sea turtles from the Gulf of Thailand was higher, but not significantly so, than in sea turtles from the Andaman Sea.

Contamination Level in Geo-Accumulation Index of River Sediments at Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Area in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia.

Substances found in watersheds and sediments in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas contaminated by heavy metals are becoming tremendously critical issues in Asia. This study aimed at clarifying the pollution caused by heavy metals in sediments in river basins near ASGM sites in Gorontalo Province, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sediment samples collected from experimental areas were classified into nine clay samples and twenty-seven sand samples, whereas three other samples were collected from the control area.

Environmental Survey of the Distribution and Metal Contents of in Arsenic-Lead-Mercury-Contaminated Gold Mining Areas along the Bone River in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia.

In this paper, we report ecological and environmental investigations on in the As-Pb-Hg-polluted Bone River area, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. The density distribution of decreases from around the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) site to the lower reaches of the Bone River, and it is rarely found near Gorontalo City. The maximum concentrations of As, Hg, and Pb recorded in the soil samples were 401, 36, and 159 mg kg, respectively, with their maximum concentrations in recorded as 17,700, 5.

Evaluation of the Total Mercury Weight Exposure Distribution Using Tree Bark Analysis in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Area, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia.

It is well known that atmospheric mercury (Hg) contaminates air, water, soil, and living organisms, including trees. Therefore, tree bark can be used for the environmental assessment of atmospheric contamination because it absorbs heavy metals. This study aimed to establish a new biomonitoring for the assessment of atmospheric Hg pollution.

Element Rich Area Associated with Human Health Disorders: A Geomedical Science Approach to Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination.

(1) Background: Geomedical science focuses on the relationship between environmental impact and human health. The abundance of elements in a geographic area is reflected accumulation of these elements in humans. This study aims to describe the relationship between concentrations of geologic elements and accumulations in the human body as well as element-related symptoms.

Relationship between Trace Element in Tumor and Prognosis in Lung Cancer Patients.

This study aimed to observe the relationship between trace element concentrations in lung tissue from lung non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients and prognosis. The concentrations of various trace elements in the lung tissues were measured by a particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) system, and the results were analyzed for statistical significance. Eight essential trace elements, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, and Mo, were analyzed.

Mercury in Soil and Forage Plants from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Bombana Area, Indonesia.

Mercury (Hg) contamination in soil and forage plants is toxic to ecosystems, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of such pollution in the Bombana area of Indonesia. Hg contamination in soil and forage plants was investigated by particle-induced X-ray emission analysis of samples collected from three savannah areas (i.e.

Elemental and mutational analysis of lung tissue in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Background: This study aimed to observe the association between trace element concentrations in lung tissue from lung adenocarcinoma cancer (LADC) patients and mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor () and genes.

Methods: LADC patients who had undergone lung resection were included in this study. Furthermore, twenty patients without lung cancer were included in this study as the control group.

Iron treatment inhibits Aβ42 deposition in vivo and reduces Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques containing the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) within the parenchyma of the brain. Aβ42, which is 42 amino acids in length, is considered to be the key pathogenic factor in AD. Iron deposition is found abundantly in the amyloid plaques of AD patients; however, whether iron intake exacerbates amyloid deposition in vivo is unknown.

Statistical resolutions for large variabilities in hair mineral analysis.

Measuring biomaterials is usually subject to error. Measurement errors are classified into either random errors or biases. Random errors can be well controlled using appropriate statistical methods.

Sequential changes in serum zinc concentrations in calves with experimentally induced endotoxin shock measured by the particle-induced X-ray emission method.

The aim of the present study was to measure changes in the serum concentrations of some elements in endotoxin-challenged calves using a particle-induced X-ray emission analysis and to screen for elements useful as diagnostic markers. The results obtained revealed that serum Zn concentrations were more accurate diagnostic markers for detecting endotoxin shock in calves than other elements. Serum Zn level in endotoxin-challenged calve was significantly lower from 8 to 12 hr after the endotoxin challenge than pre-challenge values.

Lung Function Assessment as an Early Biomonitor of Mercury-Induced Health Disorders in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in Indonesia.

The evaluation of mercury impact on humans is currently nonspecific because the body characteristics (homeostasis) of each human being varies. Therefore, in the early diagnosis of mercury toxicity, one of the most important monitoring parameters is the respiratory function examination. In this study, respiratory function was examined with a portable spirometer and correlated with the mercury levels in hair from the noses and heads of subjects.

Plasma lead, silicon and titanium concentrations are considerably higher in green sea turtle from the suburban coast than in those from the rural coast in Okinawa, Japan.

The purpose of this study was to compare the concentration of trace elements in the plasma of sea turtles that inhabited the suburban (Okinawa Main Island, n=8) and the rural coast (Yaeyama Island, n=57) in Okinawa, Japan. Particle induced X-ray emission allowed detection of 20 trace and major elements. The wild sea turtles in the suburban coast in Okinawa were found to have high concentrations of Pb, Si and Ti in the plasma when compared to the rural area but there were no significant changes in the Al, As and Hg concentrations.

Current Mercury Exposure from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia-Future Significant Health Risks.

The rapid expansion of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) industry in developing countries has marginalized the local communities in poverty, and resulted in occupational exposure to mercury via the gold extraction process. We investigated the mercury exposure of the mining workers lived inside and outside the mining area. Based on the occupations of the contributors, the hair samples were divided into three subgroups: directly exposed, indirectly exposed, and a control.

Total Calcium and Albumin Are Decreased in the Deeper Epidermis of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus.

Background/aims: In our earlier studies, we reported high concentrations of intra- and extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) in the deeper epidermis of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated pruritus. To determine the cause of this phenomenon, we measured total calcium (TCa) concentrations in the deeper epidermis and performed immunostaining of epidermal albumin, which binds to Ca2+.

Methods: This study included 45 patients with CKD-stage 5, which was defined as severely reduced kidney function (i.

[Measures against Radiation Exposure Due to Large-Scale Nuclear Accident in Distant Place--Radioactive Materials in Nagasaki from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant].

Objective: To investigate human health effects of radiation exposure due to possible future nuclear accidents in distant places and other various findings of analysis of the radioactive materials contaminating the atmosphere of Nagasaki due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Methods: The concentrations of radioactive materials in aerosols in the atmosphere of Nagasaki were measured using a germanium semiconductor detector from March 2011 to March 2013. Internal exposure dose was calculated in accordance with ICRP Publ.

Targeted concurrent chemoradiotherapy, by using improved microcapsules that release carboplatin in response to radiation, improves detectability by computed tomography as well as antitumor activity while reducing adverse effect in vivo.

Purpose: The effect of alginate-hyaluronate microcapsules that release carboplatin in response to radiation was improved by adding ascorbic acid (AA).

Materials And Methods: Four measures of the effectiveness of the microcapsules were evaluated: 1) release of carboplatin in response to radiation in vitro and in vivo; 2) detectability of their accumulation by computed tomography (CT) in vivo; 3) enhancement of antitumor effects in vivo; and 4) reduction of adverse effects in vivo.

Results: There were significant increases in the rupture of microcapsules by adding AA in vitro.

Standardized uptake value in high uptake area on positron emission tomography with 18F-FRP170 as a hypoxic cell tracer correlates with intratumoral oxygen pressure in glioblastoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the reliability of positron emission tomography (PET) using a new hypoxic cell tracer, 1-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-1-[hydroxymethyl]ethoxy)methyl-2-nitroimidazole ((18)F-FRP170).

Procedures: Twelve patients with glioblastoma underwent (18)F-FRP170 PET before tumor resection. Mean standardized uptake value (SUV) and normalized SUV were calculated at regions within a tumor showing high (high-uptake area) and relatively low (low-uptake area) accumulations of (18)F-FRP170.

Cohort study for prevention of atopic dermatitis using hair mineral contents.

We undertook a cohort study to determine the association between hair mineral content and the onset of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants. Eight hundred and thirty-four mother-infant pairs, who donated hair samples during one and ten-month health checkups, had their samples analyzed by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) for 32 mineral concentrations, and these mineral concentration data together with their AD family history were statistically examined for any relationships between them. Results indicated that of all minerals, only selenium (Se) and strontium (Sr) showed statistically significant associations for infants, while the same two elements were only marginally significant for mothers.

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents using improved radiosensitive liquid core microcapsules and assessment of their antitumor effect.

Purpose: Radiation-sensitive microcapsules composed of alginate and hyaluronic acid are being developed. We report the development of improved microcapsules that were prepared using calcium- and yttrium-induced polymerization. We previously reported on the combined antitumor effect of carboplatin-containing microcapsules and radiotherapy.

Selective alterations of brain dopamine D(2) receptor binding in cirrhotic patients: results of a (11)C-N-methylspiperone PET study.

Alterations of the brain dopamine system have been implicated in the neurological complications of chronic liver failure. The present study was aimed at the measurement of dopamine D(2) binding sites in cirrhotic patients by positron emission tomography (PET) using (11)C-N-methylspiperone as ligand. The regions of interest (ROI) were designated on a three-dimensional stereotaxic ROI template (3DSRT).

[Biodistribution of ultrafine particles of titanium dioxide by intratracheal administration to mice].

TiO2 ultrafine particles are used as photo-catalysis. When ultrafine particles are exposed to hosts, they are invaded in alveolar, transferred to organs through blood vessels and may express biological effects. We administered TiO2 ultra-fine particles (5 nm, 100 nm) intratracheally to mice, and collected whole blood and removed organs (liver, lung, kidney, spleen and brain) after 1, 4 and 24 hours.

Effects of formalin-preservation on element concentrations in animal tissues.

Determination of the exposure level of environmental pollutants is essential in studies on environmental toxicology. If concentrations of exposed pollutants in tissues are not affected by formalin-preservation, a preserved specimen will provide not only histopathological information but also the exposure level of environmental pollutants. In the present study, concentrations of nine elements in the liver and kidney were compared between fresh and formalin- or neutral formalin-preserved specimens to validate the ultimate analysis of the preserved specimens.

Relationship between trace elements status in mane hair and atrial fibrillation in horse.

To investigate the relationships between trace elements concentrations in hair and atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses, concentrations of nineteen trace elements were detected in hair using the particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. The horses were assigned to either control (n=22, no abnormalities) or AF groups (n=5) based on electrocardiograph findings. The mean concentrations of Ca and Zn in the hair of the AF group were significantly higher than those in the control group.

Evaluation of urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine in healthy Japanese people.

The urinary concentration of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (8-OHdG), which is a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, was measured in 248 healthy Japanese, and its correlations with life style, urinary metal elements, serum antioxidants, and other plasma or serum factors were investigated. The mean urinary concentration of 8-OHdG was 15.2+/-5.