Search Results (131)

The scientific literature currently lacks studies that evaluate the nutritional composition of the tissues of cattle raised in different systems, so that the nutritional effects can be known and used to enhance consumption and use in the diet. The aim was therefore to assess whether the mineral content of muscle tissue (longissimus lumborum) in cattle finished during the rainy season in the Eastern Amazon is influenced by different farming systems. The treatments consisted of four systems (three pasture production systems and one feedlot system). 1. native wetland pasture in Santa Cruz do Arari (Mesoregion of Marajó); 2. native wetland pasture in Monte Alegre (Mesoregion of Baixo Amazonas); 3. cultivated dryland pasture in São Miguel do Guamá (Mesoregion of Nordeste Paraense); and 4. Confinement in Santa Izabel do Pará (Metropolitan Region of Belém). The analyses were carried out on samples of the longissimus lumborum muscle tissue of 48 male, castrated, crossbred Nelore cattle, twelve per breeding system, from commercial farms, destined for meat production, finished during the rainiest period of the year (between January and June). In systems 1 and 2, the animals were slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses; the animals in systems 3 and 4 were slaughtered in commercial slaughterhouses. Food sampling and chemical analysis, soil sample collection and analysis, longissimus lumborum muscle tissue collection, sample preparation and digestion, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized in a linear model with four rearing systems and one period (rainy). The data was compared using the Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) program. All analyses were carried out considering a significance level of 0.05. Samples of the diets offered (pasture and concentrate) were also collected. The Amazon systems influenced the macro- and micromineral content in the muscles of cattle (p < 0.05). The interaction between pasture systems vs. confinement showed differences in the minerals calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the values of sodium (Na), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) between the rearing systems (p > 0.05). By contrast, the cultivated pasture system vs. extensive pasture showed differences in all the elements evaluated (p < 0.05). The rearing systems of the Eastern Amazon influenced the mineral content of beef, which continues to be an excellent source of macro- and microminerals and can compose the human diet. Full article

Trace elements, which may have harmful health effects, are present in the environment at varying concentrations. In Albania, data on exposure risks are limited. This study aimed to assess and compare the concentrations of various trace elements (aluminum, arsenic, boron, calcium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc) in the hair of cattle and sheep raised in Central Albania (Tirana and Elbasan Counties). Hair samples were collected from 25 cattle and 25 sheep per county and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy. Zinc concentrations were significantly higher in cattle than in sheep (p = 0.029), while no differences were observed between counties (p > 0.05), indicating similar environmental conditions. Copper (17.84, 95%CI: 13.63–16.34 and 15.84, 95%CI: 14.00–17.69 mg/kg in cattle, and 15.58, 95%CI: 13.61–17.56 and 14.14, 95%CI: 12.07–16.20 mg/kg in sheep, in Elbasan and Tirana County, respectively), arsenic (2.08, 95%CI: 1.45–1.21 and 1.51, 95%CI: 1.19–1.81 mg/kg in cattle, 1.73, 95%CI: 1.38–2.07 and 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02–1.75 mg/kg in sheep, in Elbasan and Tirana County, respectively), and cadmium (2.36, 95%CI: 1.63–2.07 and 2.00, 95%CI: 1.68–2.32 mg/kg in cattle, 2.00, 95%CI: 1.59–2.40 and 1.71, 95%CI: 1.39–2.02 mg/kg in sheep, in Elbasan and Tirana County, respectively) concentrations exceeded the values reported in the literature, likely due to contamination from local mining and metal processing activities. Further research is needed to determine the sources of contamination and assess potential risks to animal and human health. Full article

Sustainable agriculture necessitates innovative solutions to enhance plant growth while optimizing resource efficiency. Plasma discharge generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and NO₂⁻), which form plasma-activated water upon dissolution, affecting the nutritional solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC) and, consequently, plant development. Four treatments were applied, resulting from combining high or low plasma discharge intensities at 45 or 60 min spray intervals: low plasma discharge with a 45 min interval (T1), low plasma discharge with a 60 min interval (T2), high plasma discharge with a 45 min interval (T3), and high plasma discharge with a 60 min interval (T4). The experiment followed a 4 × 5 × 2 factorial design comprising the four treatments, five replications per treatment, and two independent experimental repeats, resulting in forty experimental units. Each unit contained 12 lettuce plants, for a total of 480 plants. The multivariate analysis of variance confirmed statistically significant treatment effects. The combination of high plasma intensity and a 45 min spray interval significantly increased the growth parameters and yield as compared with the other treatments. In particular, compared with T1, which produced the lowest values across all measured parameters, T3 resulted in a 97% increase in leaf area, a 72% increase in stem diameter, a 49% increase in leaf number, a 44% increase in leaf width, and a 30% increase in leaf length. Additionally, T3 increased edible yield by 210% and total biomass production by 203% compared with T1. These results demonstrate the combined effect of plasma intensity and spraying frequency in optimizing plant development in aeroponic systems. As far as mineral uptake is concerned, T3 increased the nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium concentrations by 18.2%, 16.7%, 32.3%, 20.2%, and 11.2%, respectively, compared with T1. The regression analysis further validated the robustness of the findings, indicating plasma intensity to be a dominant factor. Enhanced mineral uptake (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and consistent growth trends across treatments highlighted the significance of plasma technology in optimizing plant growth, yield, and nutrient absorption, suggesting it is a sustainable and efficient approach to modern agriculture. Full article

The production and reproduction of small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, living under extensive range-grazing conditions may be influenced by the availability of nutrients and the mineral content of forage. This study evaluated the biodistribution of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn) in whole blood, serum, blood clots, plasma, plasma sediments and hair in sheep and goats. Forty clinically healthy, nonpregnant female sheep and goats were enrolled in the study. Hair and blood samples were performed in duplicate to assess mineral concentration in biological substrates using a Thermo Scientific iCAP- Q ICP-MS spectrometer (Omaha, Ne, USA). Higher levels of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Na were observed in blood and blood clots than in serum, plasma, plasma sediments and hair in sheep and goats. A significant effect of species was observed for all the bioactive element concentrations in the investigated substrates (p < 0.05). The results revealed positive correlations between serum and plasma for all investigated elements in sheep (p < 0.0001) and for Mn and Na in goats (p < 0.001), as well as between serum and blood for Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn in sheep (p < 0.0001) and for Ca and Mn in goats (p < 0.001). Plasma and blood showed a positive correlation for Ca, Fe, and Mn (p < 0.001) in sheep, and for Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn (p < 0.0001) in goats. These findings elucidate differences in biodistribution between sheep and goats, offering valuable insights for livestock production. Full article

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) (weight 96.42 ± 19.17 g, length 20.65 ± 1.04 cm) were exposed to waterborne copper at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg Cu²⁺/L for 96 h. The lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of the P. stellatus exposed to waterborne copper was 15.644 mg Cu²⁺/L. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC count were significantly decreased by waterborne copper exposure. MCV (mean corpuscular volume) (µL) and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) (%) were also significantly decreased. The inorganic components, plasma calcium, and plasma magnesium were significantly increased. The organic components, such as plasma glucose, were significantly increased. In enzymatic components, the AST and ALT were also significantly increased by copper exposure. The results of this study indicate that exposure to copper may have effects on the survival rates and hematological parameters of the P. stellatus. Full article

This study investigates the enhancement of corrosion resistance in magnesium-lithium alloys through plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings incorporating ZnF₂ via in situ synthesis. By adjusting Zn²⁺ concentrations (4–16 g/L) in a zirconium salt-based electrolyte, ceramic coatings with tailored ZnF₂ content, thickness, and porosity were fabricated. The optimal Zn²⁺ concentration of 12 g/L yielded a ZnF₂-rich coating with isolated pores and enhanced densification (inner layer resistance R_i = 3.01 × 10⁴ Ω⋅cm²), achieving a corrosion current density (i_corr) of 4.42 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm² and polarization resistance (Rp) of 8.5 × 10⁵ Ω⋅cm², representing a 354-fold improvement over untreated LA103Z. Higher Zn²⁺ concentrations (16 g/L) induced interconnected pores and ZnO formation, degrading corrosion resistance. Long-term immersion (168 h in 3.5 wt% NaCl) confirmed the durability of Zn₁₂ coatings (mass loss: 0.6 mg), while Zn₄ and Zn₁₆ coatings exhibited severe localized corrosion. The study demonstrates that balancing Zn²⁺ concentration optimizes ZnF₂ passivation and pore isolation, offering a scalable strategy for Mg-Li alloy protection in corrosive environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs)—such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure—are critical endpoints in the clinical research. The existing research has shown metal ions are important regulators of cardiovascular functioning, and defective metal handling may be associated with an increased risk of CVD. This study examines the association of the plasma/serum levels of magnesium, copper, and zinc with MACE incidence and the prevalence of circulatory system diseases, by using electronic health records from a subset of the Scottish population. Methods: We categorised individuals by high, low, or normal plasma/serum metal levels, and calculated the percentage of those who subsequently developed a MACE, identified using related International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes from hospital admission records. Logistic regression was employed to analyse the association between pre-event metal ion levels and the development of specific circulatory system disease subgroups. Results: This study found abnormal magnesium, high copper, and low zinc were associated with a higher risk of developing MACEs. Low magnesium, high copper, or low zinc were associated with increased risks of various circulatory diseases, with specific variations, like low copper increasing venous and lymphatic disease risk. Conclusions: Our findings suggest abnormal plasma metal profiles are associated with the development of MACEs and circulatory disease events, underscoring the importance of monitoring plasma metal levels for cardiovascular risk management and prevention. Full article

AZ31B magnesium alloy (wt.%: Al 2.94; Zn 0.87; Mn 0.57; Si 0.0112; Fe 0.0027; Cu 0.0008; Ni 0.0005; Mg remaining) has appropriate mechanical properties, good biodegradability and biocompatibility and can be used as a good orthopedic implant material. AZ31B magnesium alloy with a superhydrophobic surface exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and antibacterial adhesion performance, but superhydrophobic surfaces also hinder osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on the implants, resulting in unsatisfactory osteogenic properties. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the wettability transition of the superhydrophobic surface at an early stage of implantation. In this work, superhydrophobic hydroxyapatite (HA)/calcium myristate (CaMS)/myristic acid (MA) composite coatings were prepared on AZ31B magnesium alloy using the hydrothermal and immersion methods. The composite coatings can spontaneously undergo the wettability transition from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic after complete exposure to simulated body fluid (SBF, a solution for modeling the composition and concentration of human plasma ions) for 9 h. The wettability transition mainly originated from the deposition and growth of the newly formed CaMS among the HA nanopillars during immersing, which deconstructed the micro-nano structure of the superhydrophobic coatings and directly exposed the HA to the water molecules, thereby significantly altering the wettability of the coatings. Benefiting from the superhydrophobic surface, the composite coating exhibited excellent antibacterial properties. After the wettability transition, the HA/CaMS/MA composite coating exhibited superior osteoblast adhesion performance. This work provides a strategy to enable a superhydrophobic coating to undergo spontaneous wettability transition in SBF, thereby endowing the coated magnesium alloy with a favorable osteogenic property. Full article

In this study, Californian-style black table olives were enriched with fresh and lyophilized “Carao” (Cassia grandis L.) to enhance their mineral composition, antioxidant activity, phenolic compound content, and to evaluate their potential for reducing acrylamide levels. Mineral concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The addition of both fresh and lyophilized “Carao” significantly increased the iron concentration in the olives. Additionally, levels of calcium, magnesium, and potassium were elevated in both “Carao” treatments. Among the treatments, the addition of fresh “Carao” resulted in the highest increase in antioxidant activity, followed by the lyophilized “Carao”, with increases of 62.3% and 68.3%, respectively. The effect of fresh and lyophilized “Carao” on acrylamide reduction in oxidized olives is also discussed. Full article

Minerals and trace elements are vital for numerous physiological processes in mammals. The current reference analysis for mineral determination in biological matrices is inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This analysis is costly, time-consuming, and destructive. While commercial kits are a viable alternative to ICP-MS due to the lower cost, their limit lies in the ability of determining only one mineral at a time. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) has been proposed as a potential alternative for the rapid determination of mineral concentration in biological matrices. This study evaluated the accuracy of ED-XRF as an alternative to commercial diagnostic kits to predict the concentrations of sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, potassium, calcium, iron, and selenium in cattle plasma without sample pretreatment, potentially reducing the time of analysis compared to commercial kits and costs and labor compared to ICP-MS. Reference mineral concentrations were determined in 277 samples using in vitro diagnostics regulation-certified commercial diagnostic kits. The results indicated a moderate prediction accuracy only for potassium. For the other minerals, the prediction accuracy of ED-XRF was insufficient, which suggests that some degree of sample preparation is necessary to improve the determination of minerals in plasma. Full article

Background and Objectives: Several micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition states that are routinely assessed during clinical care of women in the antenatal period have been proposed as risk factors for preeclampsia. However, there is a paucity of data on the potential use of these biomarkers for detection of preeclampsia. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of biomarkers from routine clinical tests, and those specific to micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition, with the risk of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Venous blood samples of 250 participants with preeclampsia and 150 pregnant women without preeclampsia were collected and assayed immediately for the full blood count, urea and electrolytes, high-density cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OxLDL), and selenium, in addition to urine iodine concentration (UIC). Results: The serum potassium/magnesium ratio (K⁺/Mg²⁺), UIC, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), lymphocyte percentage (L/WBC%), and the oxidized LDL/albumin ratio (OxLDL/Alb) were identified as independent predictors of preeclampsia. Conclusions: Serum potassium/magnesium ratio and other analytes essential for various biological processes, some of which are assayed during routine care, were significantly associated with preeclampsia, warranting further exploration as potential screening biomarkers in low-resource settings. Full article

The Arthur River magnesite deposit is in the northwestern part of Tasmania, Australia, within the Arthur Metamorphic Complex. Physical, mineralogical, and chemical characteristics of the deposit were studied using geological drill core logging and analytical techniques (scanning electron microscopy, portable x-ray fluorescence, and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry). The results document variations within the ore body, and three ore types have been identified for the potential production of an economic magnesite concentrate separated from associated gangue minerals (dolomite, quartz, and talc and iron bearing minerals such as pyrite and pyrrhotite). The ore types were identified based on a combination of physical, chemical, and mineralogical differences. Type 1 has a relatively high magnesium content and appears in drill core as hard white crystalline magnesite. Type 2 has relatively lower magnesium and higher iron contents than type 1 and occurs visibly as creamy-yellowish soft magnesite. Type 3 ore has the lowest magnesium and the highest iron content of the three ore types and is reddish brown in color. From the characterization studies, potential beneficiation routes for each ore type are suggested along with potential processing challenges. Examples of processing challenges include magnesium present in both magnesite and in dolomite, and the association of magnesite with quartz and talc results in a relatively high silica content. Full article

This study investigates the content of some metals and metalloids in the flowers of three Aesculus cultivars (AHP, Aesculus hippocastanum pure species, with white flowers; AHH, Aesculus hippocastanum hybrid species, with pink flowers; and AXC, Aesculus × carnea, with red flowers) over a four-year period (2016–2019) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and principal component analysis (PCA). The research focuses on assessing macro- and micro-elemental compositions, identifying variations in mineral uptake, and exploring potential correlations with soil composition. Results highlight significant differences in elemental profiles among the three species, despite similar total ash content. Potassium and phosphorus emerged as dominant macroelements, with AXC showing lower magnesium levels compared to AHP and AHH. Particularly intriguing was the detection of antimony in all cultivars, raising questions about its role and bioaccumulation pathways in floral tissues. Iron and aluminum concentrations varied significantly across species, indicating species-specific metal transport mechanisms. Nickel content showed temporal fluctuations, potentially influenced by climatic conditions and soil properties. PCA revealed distinct clustering patterns, linking elemental concentrations to specific species and years. This comprehensive analysis enhances understanding of metal absorption and distribution in ornamental plants, providing insights into their metabolic processes and potential implications for environmental monitoring and phytoremediation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Degenerative lumbo-sacral spinal stenosis is characterized by spinal canal narrowing, often linked to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. This study evaluated the elemental composition of ligamentum flavum tissue in DLSS patients compared to healthy controls. Methods: This study involved 180 patients diagnosed with degenerative lumbo-sacral spinal stenosis and 102 healthy controls. Ligamentum flavum samples were analyzed for concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Statistical analyses were conducted using Student’s t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The study group exhibited significantly elevated levels of Mg (p < 0.001), Ca (p = 0.014), and P (p = 0.006), along with reduced concentrations of Zn (p = 0.021) and Cu (p = 0.038) compared to controls. No statistically significant differences were observed for Na, K, Mn, or Fe (p > 0.05). Elemental imbalances were more pronounced in individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) and varied by gender. Pain intensity demonstrated a significant correlation with Zn (p = 0.012) and Na (p = 0.045), but no consistent associations with Mg, Ca, or P. Conclusions: Altered Mg, Ca, P, and Zn levels in ligamentum flavum suggest their involvement in degenerative lumbo-sacral spinal stenosis pathophysiology. These elements may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for mitigating spinal canal narrowing. Full article

This study investigates the seasonal variations in the elemental composition of five economically valuable Sparidae fish species from Bozcaada, North Aegean: red seabream (Pagrus major), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), saddled seabream (Oblada melanura), white seabream (Diplodus sargus), and common dentex (Dentex dentex), with a focus on both essential minerals and toxic metals. Fish samples (n = 10 per species per season) were collected across four seasons, and their weights and lengths were recorded. The concentrations of elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, nickel, selenium, cadmium, and mercury were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elemental concentrations varied as follows: Ca (11,388.46–55,470.76), K (17,230.83–27,594.86), Mg (1436.02–2326.73), Na (1962.30–7847.41), P (13,112.11–15,516.57), Fe (107.61–282.00), Cu (36.44–59.13), Mn (6.19–19.87), Zn (98.67–256.26), Cr (4.54–11.96), Ni (6.33–13.89), Se (0.82–7.33), Cd (0.08–0.32), and Hg (0.08–1.50) mg/kg. Health risk assessments, including Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Cancer Risk (CR), were calculated for both adult and child consumers. The results showed that while the essential minerals remained within safe limits, seasonal variations in the concentrations of toxic metals could pose potential health risks, particularly with frequent consumption. This research provides valuable insights into balancing the nutritional benefits and safety of fish from Bozcaada, offering recommendations for informed consumption and public health policies aimed at optimizing benefits while minimizing risks. Full article