No effect of digestate amendment on Cs-137 and Sr-90 translocation in lysimeter experiments.

The soil-plant transfer of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in different crops was determined with respect to the present-day amendment practice of using digestate from biogas fermenters. The studies were performed using large lysimeters filled with undisturbed luvisol monoliths. In contrast to the conservative tracer, Br, neither of the studied radionuclides showed a significant vertical translocation nor effect of the applied digestate amendment compared to a non-amended control was found.

Metal imaging on surface of micro- and nanoelectronic devices by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and possibility to measure at nanometer range.

An analytical mass spectrometric method for the elemental analysis of nano-bioelectronic devices involved in bioengineering research was developed and applied for measurements of selected metals (Au, Ti, Pt, Cr, etc.) on interdigitated electrode array chips (IDA-chip). An imaging laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (LA-ICP-MS) procedure was used to map the elements of interest on the surface of the analyzed sample.

Near-field laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a novel elemental analytical technique at the nanometer scale.

An analytical technique utilizing a near-field effect (to enhance the incident light energy on the thin tip of an Ag needle) in a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (NF-LA-ICP-MS) procedure was developed. To produce the thin needles with a tip diameter in the hundreds of nm range a robust needle etching procedure was established. The 'sample-to-tip' distance was controlled via the measurement of a tunnel current between the needle and sample surface.

Element distribution is altered in a zone surrounding human glioblastoma multiforme.

Recent data indicate that A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1)AR) density is increased in a zone surrounding human and experimental gliomas. On the contrary, tumor tissue and adjacent brain tissue show low to intermediate A(1)AR densities. In order to assess whether changes in A(1)AR expression are indicating further processes of a chemical reorganization of the peritumoral zone, we investigated element concentrations and distribution patterns of copper and zinc in six human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) specimens by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

Glia protects neurons against extracellular human neuromelanin.

Background: Neuromelanin-containing neurons of the substantia nigra are highly vulnerable to degenerate in Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of the respiratory chain or formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by intracellular neuromelanin and triggering of inflammatory processes by extracellular neuromelanin emanating from melanized neurons after their demise are thought to be causally implicated in the high vulnerability of melanized neurons.

Objective: We addressed the direct effect of purified neuromelanin on mitochondrial complex I activity, and its influence on ROS production and survival of primary mesencephalic neurons in the presence or absence of glia.

Depth profiling of Pu, 241Am and 137Cs in soils from southern Belarus measured by ICP-MS and alpha and gamma spectrometry.

The depth distribution of plutonium, americium, and 137Cs originating from the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was investigated in several soil profiles in the vicinity from Belarus. The vertical migration of transuranic elements in soils typical of the 30 km relocation area around Chernobyl NPP was studied using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), alpha spectrometry, and gamma spectrometry. Transuranic concentrations in upper soil layers ranged from 6 x 10(-12) g g(-1) to 6 x 10(-10) g g(-1) for plutonium and from 1.