Browsing by Subject "Trace elements"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Caracterización del pulmón como órgano diana de la muerte por sumersión: evaluación del estrés oxidativo y concentraciones de elementos traza
    (Universidad de Murcia, 2022-09-28) Barrera Pérez, Estefanía; Agustín Sibón Olano; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
    El diagnóstico de asfixia por sumersión sigue siendo una de las muertes más difíciles y controvertidas de establecer. Representa una de las principales causas de muerte no intencional a nivel mundial. En la mayoría de las ocasiones, el patólogo forense precisa para llegar a un diagnóstico certero, no solo de los hallazgos de autopsia, sino de una serie de pruebas complementarias tales como estudios histopatológicos, biológicos y químicos. A pesar de ser el pulmón el órgano más afectado en la muerte por sumersión, existe poca información sobre el impacto que tiene en este órgano este tipo de muerte. Los objetivos de nuestro trabajo fue investigar la concentración de elementos traza en los pulmones de sujetos que habían fallecido por diferentes causas de muerte para evaluar la capacidad de discriminación de los elementos traza en el diagnóstico de la muerte por sumersión en agua salada. Y conocer los procesos de estrés oxidativo en las muertes por sumersión en agua salada y otras causas de muerte, analizando los niveles de marcadores de estrés oxidativo (MDA y GSH) en lóbulos pulmonares, así como su correlación con alteraciones en la expresión inmunohistoquímica de la proteína A del surfactante pulmonar. Material y métodos: se analizaron un total de 11 elementos traza en 74 casos forenses mediante Espectrometría de Masas con Plasma Acoplado Inductivamente (ICP-MS). Para identificar alteraciones ultraestructurales y determinar los niveles de elementos traza en las muestras de pulmón se utilizó microscopía electrónica de barrido asociado a espectroscopia de rayos X de dispersión de energía. Por otra parte, estudiamos en una serie de 93 casos de autopsias forenses, los marcadores de estrés oxidativo mediante determinación colorimétrica de Malondialdehído (MDA), por espectrofotometría el GSH (método de Tiztze). Por último, para evaluar la expresión inmunohistoquímica de la PS-A se realizaron análisis histológicos utilizando el anticuerpo monoclonal de ratón anti-SPA humano PE-10. Resultados: se obtuvieron concentraciones significativamente más altas de Br y Sr, y concentraciones significativamente más bajas de Cu, Zn, Se, Cd y Pb en los casos de muerte por sumersión en agua salada frente a otras causas de muerte. Estos resultados fueron confirmados por PCA, que reveló una amplia separación entre las muertes por sumersión y el resto de las causas de muerte. Los niveles de MDA fueron superiores en ambos pulmones en los casos de muerte por sumersión en agua de mar en comparación con otras causas de muerte, existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las concentraciones de MDA entre los tres grupos de causas de muerte analizados. Del mismo modo, se observó niveles significativamente superiores de GSH en los casos de sumersión frente al resto de muertes, resultando ser más significativo en el pulmón derecho. Se obtuvo mayor expresión inmunohistoquímica de la SP-A en los casos de sumersión en agua salada que en las otras causas de muerte, siendo los niveles superiores en ambos pulmones. En el análisis de correlación entre los niveles de estrés oxidativo (MDA y GSH) en tejido pulmonar y el nivel de expresión de la SP-A se obtuvieron resultados positivos y significativos para los casos de sumersión en agua de mar, tanto en membrana alveolar como en el espacio alveolar. Conclusiones: la determinación de los elementos traza Br y Sr en pulmón junto con la determinación de los niveles de MDA y GSH en tejido pulmonar, así como el nivel de expresión de la SP-A puede ser de gran importancia en el diagnóstico de la muerte por sumersión en agua salada y circunstancias de la muerte. Un mejor conocimiento de la fisiología de la sumersión es importante por sus posibles repercusiones en la adopción de medidas en el abordaje de pacientes que han sobrevivido a un proceso de sumersión y también crucial en patología forense para una interpretación más correcta de los acontecimientos que conducen a la muerte por sumersión.
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    Elemental composition in soft tissues as a model for identifying batches of juvenile Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
    (Elsevier, 2023-01-26) Salvat-Leal, Inmaculada; Ortega, Aurelio; Blanco, Edurne; García, Jaime; Romero, Diego; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Integral Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) aquaculture will become a reality in the coming years and so tuna batches will have to be clearly identifiable to avoid commercial fraud and ensure this species’ conservation. Consequently, the objective of this study was to analyse the components of juvenile bluefin tissue to be able to discriminate between three tuna batches: specimens born in captivity and raised in inland facilities (onshore tanks), fish born in captivity and raised in the sea (sea cages), and wild tuna. Ten macro and trace elements (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Cu, Mn and Zn) were selected, and their concentrations were analysed in four soft tissues: liver, kidney, brain and muscle. Only one of the elements (Cu) showed statistically significant differences for fish batch in all tissues, so multivariate tests (Principal Component Analysis, PCA and Canonical Discriminant Analysis, DCA) were performed. In the PCA, there were partial batches separation in kidney and muscle. In DCA, the percentage of cases correctly classified using this validation were 60.8 % (liver), 88.6 % (kidney), 79.5 % (muscle) and 82.2 % (brain). Globally, muscle appear to be the best tissue for discriminating the batch of tunas, and wild specimens are the most readily identifiable.
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    Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Human Breast Milk from Industrial/Mining and Agricultural Zones of Southeastern Spain
    (MDPI, 2021-09-02) Jiménez, Sandra; Oliva, José; Cámara, Miguel Ángel; Pérez‐Cárceles, María Dolores; Motas Guzmán, Miguel; Química Agrícola, Geología y Edafología
    Human breast milk is the most complete foodstuff for infants but can also be a potential source of exposure to toxic chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of metal pollution in the breast milk of women living in agricultural and industrial/mining areas of the Region of Murcia (Spain) that are well known for their cases of environmental pollution. Human milk samples were collected from 50 mothers and inorganic contaminants were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The mean or maximum concentrations of the different inorganic elements analyzed in breast milk, with the exception of manganese, exceeded the maximum limits established by the WHO and could constitute a high risk for pregnant mothers and their children. The breast milk of women living in the industrial/mining zone presented the highest levels of aluminum, zinc, arsenic, lead, mercury and nickel. On the contrary, the highest concentrations of manganese, chromium and iron were determined in the milk of women living in the agricultural zone. These results suggested and confirmed different profiles of environmental contamination of these areas.
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    Measurement of Trace Elements (Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, and Iron) in the Saliva of Horses: Validation Data and Changes in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)
    (MDPI, 2024-06-07) Muñoz-Prieto, Alberto; Cerón, José Joaquín; Tecles, Fernando; Cuervo, María Martín; Contreras-Aguilar, Maria Dolores; Ayala de la Peña, Ignacio; Oudada-Guillén, Adrián; Pardo-Marín, Luis; Hansen, Sanni; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible use of spectrophotometric assays for the measurement of trace elements, including Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in the saliva of horses and study their possible changes in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). EGUS is a highly prevalent disease, with a current high incidence due to the increase in intensive management conditions. There are two EGUS diseases: equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), which can appear individually or together. For this purpose, automated spectrophotometric assays for measuring these analytes in horse saliva were analytically validated. Then, these analytes were measured in the saliva of horses with only ESGD, only EGGD, both ESGD and EGGD and a group of healthy horses. The methods used to measure the analytes were precise and accurate. Horses diagnosed with EGGD presented significantly lower levels of Zn and Mg. Fe concentrations were significantly lower in the saliva of horses with ESGD and EGGD. Overall, these results indicate that there are changes in trace elements in saliva in EGUS that could reflect the physiopathological mechanisms involved in this process and open the possibility of using trace elements as biomarkers of this syndrome.
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    Optimisation of the chemical immobilisation by limestone filler of heavy metals and metalloids in contaminated soils via response surface methodology (RSM)
    (Elsevier, 2023) Veiga del Baño, José Manuel; Martínez López, Salvadora; Pérez Sirvent, Carmen; Martínez Sánchez, María José; Andreo Martínez, Pedro; Química Agrícola, Geología y Edafología
    Five soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd) from mining waste with different mineralogical and physico-chemical properties were amended with a limestone filler. In order to accelerate any alteration in the samples, the five soils mixed with filler were placed in a climatic chamber for a 1000-hour cycle at 20 ◦C and 80% of relative humidity. The amount of amendment agent was optimised by experimental design using response surface methodology (RSM) with two factors, the acid potential of these soils which varies between 29.2 and 5.3 mm mol H+/kg and the percentage of filler added which varies in the experimental design between 10% and 58%. The second order models obtained with the RSM showed a good adjustment for all elements except for As. The optimum filler value obtained through RSM was 40% for the five elements studied. This percentage of filler was validated by means of an experimental test with this content of filler. The results showed that Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn were immobilised over 99% due to the high carbonate content of the limestone filler and the precipitation process. However, As showed a 22% lower of immobilization. Therefore, alternative processes must occur for these elements as the adsorption.
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    Trace elements in forensic human lung: a new approach to the diagnosis of seawater drowning. A preliminary study
    (Elsevier, 2021-05-04) Barrera-Pérez, Estefanía; Prieto-Bonete, Gemma; Pérez-Martínez, Cristina; Sibón, Agustín; Maurandi-López, Antonio; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Didáctica de las Ciencias Matemáticas y Sociales
    The diagnosing of drowning remains one of the most challenging activities for the forensic pathologist. There is little information on the impact on the lung as a target organ in death by drowning. We aimed to investigate the concentration of trace elements in the lungs of people who had suffered different types of death to evaluate the discriminating ability of trace elements to identify seawater drowning (SWD). A total of 11 trace elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in 74 forensic cases. Sampler scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to identify ultrastructural lung alterations. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of trace elements was carried out. The trace elements in SWD lungs were detected in the following order of concentration: Br˃Zn˃Sr˃Cr˃Cu˃As˃Pb˃Se˃Mn˃Ni˃Cd. Our results showed significantly higher concentrations of Br and Sr (P = 0.010 and P = 0.000) and significantly lower concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in SWD compared with other causes of death. After adjusting by confounder factors, Sr and Br remained as predictive independent factors for diagnosis of drowning (p = 0.042, in both cases). These results were confirmed by PCA, which revealed a wide separation between SWD and the rest of the causes of death. Our SWD cohort was characterized by high concentrations of the trace elements Br and Sr and low concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in lung tissue, while PCA showed its discriminatory capacity to identify death by seawater drowning. These findings, together with those obtained using other techniques, can be of great importance in the diagnosis of SWD.
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    Trace elements in saliva and plasma of patients with type 2 diabetes: Association to metabolic control and complications
    (Elsevier Ltd., 2019-10-08) Marin Martinez, Luis; Molino Pagan, Diana; Lopez Jornet, Pia; Dermatología, Estomatología, Radiología y Medicina Física
    Aim: An analysis is made of the saliva and plasma levels of trace elements in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their association to metabolic control and the presence of chronic complications. Methods: A cross-sectional observational clinical study was carried out in 74 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the following trace elements in plasma and unstimulated basal saliva: 13Al, 16S, 4Be, 5B, 20Ca, 27Co, 29Cu, 24Cr, 38Sr, 15P, 3Li, 12Mg, 25Mn, 28Ni, 82Pb, 37Rb, 22Ti, 23V and 30Zn. Results: The levels of cobalt (p = 0.048) in saliva and of strontium (p = 0.001) in plasma were related to the presence of chronic complications. Significant differences with respect to metabolic control were observed for beryllium (p = 0.038), boron (p = 0.023) and phosphorus in saliva (p = 0.046), and for rubidium (p = 0.005), titanium (p = 0.016) and zinc in plasma (p = 0.013). A significant correlation (p < 0.001) was found between boron in plasma and boron in unstimulated basal saliva. Conclusions: The determination of trace elements in plasma and saliva constitutes a complementary tool for the assessment of metabolic control and for predicting chronic complications associated to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further studies involving the biomonitoring of trace elements in saliva and plasma are needed
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    Trace metals in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Murcia coastline, Mediterranean Sea, during the period 2009-2015.
    (Elsevier, 2019-08) Escriña, A.; Lara, L.; Gens, M.J.; María Dolores, Emilio; Alcaraz, A.; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Martínez López, Emma; Peñalver García, José; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) concentrations in internal tissues of 72 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Murcia Region (Mediterranean coastline) have been investigated for the first time. Hg showed the highest concentration, followed by Se, Cd, As and Pb. In general, the levels of metal found in this study were similar to those described in similar studies in the Mediterranean Sea. However, in some adult specimens, Hg liver concentrations were related with toxic effects in cetacean. A significant correlation was observed with age, likewise between Se and Hg and Cd in tissues, which agree with detoxify effect attributed to Se through inert complex formation. Molar ratio Hg:Se in liver was close to 1:1 in some specimens, which would indicate overload of the Hg-Se detoxify function and compromised health. These results could contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these persistent pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea