OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of copper in the subcellular structure for the understanding of primary pathogenesis of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS: Skin fibroblasts taken from HLD patients wer...OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of copper in the subcellular structure for the understanding of primary pathogenesis of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS: Skin fibroblasts taken from HLD patients were cultured as an in vitro model of HLD, and the control cells taken from healthy volunteers were clutured in the same way. The distribution of copper inside and outside of lysosomes in fibroblasts was detected by quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The relationship between the subcellular location of copper and the genotype of the patients, and relationship between the distribution of copper and the course of the disease were analyzed. RESULTS: The content of Cu^(2+) inside lysosomes of HLD cells (14.6±2.1 mmol/kg) and of heterozygote cells (11.6±0.6 mmol/kg) was higher than that of normal cells (4.5±1.2 mmol/kg) (P<0.01). The content of Cu^(2+) outside lysosomes of HLD cells (17.5±4.2 mmol/kg) and of heterozygote cells (12.0±0.9 mmol/kg) was higher than that of normal cells (4.7±1.2 mmol/kg) (P<0.01). The distribution of copper in the subcellular structure was correlated with disease courses of HLD patients. With the progression of the disease, more copper was deposited in lysosomes (r=0.85, P<0.01). The content of copper in the diffused cytoplasmic compartment in HLD cells was correlated with that of sulfur (r=0.86, P<0.05), but not in heterozygote and normal cells. CONCLUSIONS: In the early stage of HLD, copper is accumulated outside lysosome, which is paralleled with increase of metallothionein-like proteins (copper and sulfur-binding proteins). With the development of the disease, more copper is deposited inside lysosome than outside lysosome. We conclude that the up-regulation expression of copper and sulfur-binding proteins and copper accumulation in lysosomes may play an important role in lowering the ATP7B gene mutation-induced toxic effects of free copper on the cell.展开更多
The effect of operating conditions on the time-dependent X-ray intensity variation is of great importance for the optimal EPMA conditions for accurate determinations of various elements in carbonate minerals. Beam dia...The effect of operating conditions on the time-dependent X-ray intensity variation is of great importance for the optimal EPMA conditions for accurate determinations of various elements in carbonate minerals. Beam diameters of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 μm, and beam currents of 3, 5, 10, 20,and 50 nA were tested. Ca, Mg, Zn, and Sr were found to be more sensitive to electron beam irradiation as compared to other elements, and small currents and large beam diameters minimized the timedependent X-ray intensity variations. We determined the optimal EPMA operating conditions for elements in carbonate: 10 μm and 5 nA for calcite;10 μm and 10 nA for dolomite;5 μm and 10 nA or 10 μm and 20 nA for strontianite;and 20 nA and 5 μm for other carbonate. Elements sensitive to electron beam irradiation should be determined first. In addition, silicate minerals are preferred as standards rather than carbonate minerals.展开更多
Red mud is a bauxite residue generated during the process of alumina production. In this research, the occur- rence mode of scandium in the Bayer red mud was investi- gated mainly by electron probe microanalysis （EPM...Red mud is a bauxite residue generated during the process of alumina production. In this research, the occur- rence mode of scandium in the Bayer red mud was investi- gated mainly by electron probe microanalysis （EPMA）. The Bayer red mud used in this work is composed of 21.47 wt% hematite, 12.13 wt% goethite, 8.86 wt% gibbsite, 5.02 wt% perovskite, 9.70 wt% quartz, 3.23 wt% anhydrite, 29.92 wt% Na_2Al_2Si_5O_14 and 9.67 wt% Al_3Fe_5O_12. Besides, the scandium content in the Bayer red mud is 84.32 × 10-6, indicating that this Bayer red mud is an important scandium resource deserving exploitation. The EPMA results show that the scandium within the Bayer red mud is mainly occurring in the iron minerals of hematite and goethite with the isomorphism form, but its distribution is not homogeneous in these iron minerals with the Sc_2O_3 content between 330 × 10-6 and 2040 × 10-6. This study provides a theoretical base for the further experimental work on the scandium extraction from this Bayer red mud.展开更多
AIM To develop methods of articular cartilage preparation for X-ray-electron probe microanalysis and to study its elements content in experimental osteoarthrosis.METHODS Twenty dogs aged 2-8 years were divided in rese...AIM To develop methods of articular cartilage preparation for X-ray-electron probe microanalysis and to study its elements content in experimental osteoarthrosis.METHODS Twenty dogs aged 2-8 years were divided in research(aged 2 years, induction of osteoarthrosis-IOA) and intact group. Intact group included three subgroups(aged 2, 5 and 8 years). Samples of cartilage after araldite saturation and pouring were partially cut into semithin sections stained with methylene blue and with methylene blue-basic fuchsin. Their smooth surfaces were investigated by X-ray-electron probe microanalysis. Spatial distribution of sulfur, calcium and phosphorus and their concentrations(weight %) were investigated.RESULTS X-ray electron probe microanalysis revealed non-uniformsulfur distribution in cartilage of intact animals: Its content increases from superficial zone to deep one, this regularity was preserved in animals with IOA. Differences of IOA with spontaneous chondropathy were revealed. Spontaneous aging was characterized by calcium and phosphorus storage in deep and calcified zones and compensatory increase of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in intermediate and deep cartilage zones as evidenced by the metachromatic reaction and microanalysis data. Unlike spontaneous chondropathy connected with aging in experimentally stimulated osteoarthrosis more intensive storage of calcium but minor phosphorus in intermediate zone were marked. In IOA the calcified cartilage thinning and osteoclastic resorption are apparent with few changes of elements composition; the only difference from control is minority phosphorus content.CONCLUSION The obtained results demonstrate specific tricks of X-ray electron probe microanalysis and its possibility in the research of mechanisms of articular cartilage alterations in osteoarthrosis.展开更多
Rare earth elements (REEs), especially heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), are in demand for their current and emerging applications in advanced technologies. Here we perform computer-driven micro-mapping at the millim...Rare earth elements (REEs), especially heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), are in demand for their current and emerging applications in advanced technologies. Here we perform computer-driven micro-mapping at the millimeter scale of the minerals that comprise Round Top Mountain, in west Texas, USA. This large rhyolite deposit is enriched in HREEs and such other critical elements as Li, Be, and U. Electron probe microanalysis of 2 × 2 mm areas of thin sections of the rhyolite produced individual maps of 16 elements. These were superimposed to generate a 16-element composition at each pixel. Principal components analysis of elements at each pixel identified the specific mineral at that site. The pixels were then relabeled as the appropriate minerals, thereby producing a single mineral map. The overall mineral composition of the 7 studied samples compared favorably with prior analyses of the Round Top deposit available in the literature. Likewise the range of porosity in the maps was consistent with that of previous direct measurements by water saturation. This new statistical and GIS-based technique provides a robust and unbiased approach to electron microprobe mapping. The study further showed that the high-value yttrofluorite grains exhibited little tendency to cluster with other late-stage trace minerals and that the samples extended the previously documented overall homogeneity of the deposit at field scale to this microscopic scale.展开更多
文摘OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of copper in the subcellular structure for the understanding of primary pathogenesis of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). METHODS: Skin fibroblasts taken from HLD patients were cultured as an in vitro model of HLD, and the control cells taken from healthy volunteers were clutured in the same way. The distribution of copper inside and outside of lysosomes in fibroblasts was detected by quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The relationship between the subcellular location of copper and the genotype of the patients, and relationship between the distribution of copper and the course of the disease were analyzed. RESULTS: The content of Cu^(2+) inside lysosomes of HLD cells (14.6±2.1 mmol/kg) and of heterozygote cells (11.6±0.6 mmol/kg) was higher than that of normal cells (4.5±1.2 mmol/kg) (P<0.01). The content of Cu^(2+) outside lysosomes of HLD cells (17.5±4.2 mmol/kg) and of heterozygote cells (12.0±0.9 mmol/kg) was higher than that of normal cells (4.7±1.2 mmol/kg) (P<0.01). The distribution of copper in the subcellular structure was correlated with disease courses of HLD patients. With the progression of the disease, more copper was deposited in lysosomes (r=0.85, P<0.01). The content of copper in the diffused cytoplasmic compartment in HLD cells was correlated with that of sulfur (r=0.86, P<0.05), but not in heterozygote and normal cells. CONCLUSIONS: In the early stage of HLD, copper is accumulated outside lysosome, which is paralleled with increase of metallothionein-like proteins (copper and sulfur-binding proteins). With the development of the disease, more copper is deposited inside lysosome than outside lysosome. We conclude that the up-regulation expression of copper and sulfur-binding proteins and copper accumulation in lysosomes may play an important role in lowering the ATP7B gene mutation-induced toxic effects of free copper on the cell.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41403022)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (No. CUGL150401)
文摘The effect of operating conditions on the time-dependent X-ray intensity variation is of great importance for the optimal EPMA conditions for accurate determinations of various elements in carbonate minerals. Beam diameters of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 μm, and beam currents of 3, 5, 10, 20,and 50 nA were tested. Ca, Mg, Zn, and Sr were found to be more sensitive to electron beam irradiation as compared to other elements, and small currents and large beam diameters minimized the timedependent X-ray intensity variations. We determined the optimal EPMA operating conditions for elements in carbonate: 10 μm and 5 nA for calcite;10 μm and 10 nA for dolomite;5 μm and 10 nA or 10 μm and 20 nA for strontianite;and 20 nA and 5 μm for other carbonate. Elements sensitive to electron beam irradiation should be determined first. In addition, silicate minerals are preferred as standards rather than carbonate minerals.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51604026 and 51234008)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Nos. 2016M590046 and 2016T90034)
文摘Red mud is a bauxite residue generated during the process of alumina production. In this research, the occur- rence mode of scandium in the Bayer red mud was investi- gated mainly by electron probe microanalysis （EPMA）. The Bayer red mud used in this work is composed of 21.47 wt% hematite, 12.13 wt% goethite, 8.86 wt% gibbsite, 5.02 wt% perovskite, 9.70 wt% quartz, 3.23 wt% anhydrite, 29.92 wt% Na_2Al_2Si_5O_14 and 9.67 wt% Al_3Fe_5O_12. Besides, the scandium content in the Bayer red mud is 84.32 × 10-6, indicating that this Bayer red mud is an important scandium resource deserving exploitation. The EPMA results show that the scandium within the Bayer red mud is mainly occurring in the iron minerals of hematite and goethite with the isomorphism form, but its distribution is not homogeneous in these iron minerals with the Sc_2O_3 content between 330 × 10-6 and 2040 × 10-6. This study provides a theoretical base for the further experimental work on the scandium extraction from this Bayer red mud.
基金Supported by The RF Ministry of Health within government-mandated program for FSBI Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center "Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics"(RISC"RTO") for Scientific Research,No.01201155770
文摘AIM To develop methods of articular cartilage preparation for X-ray-electron probe microanalysis and to study its elements content in experimental osteoarthrosis.METHODS Twenty dogs aged 2-8 years were divided in research(aged 2 years, induction of osteoarthrosis-IOA) and intact group. Intact group included three subgroups(aged 2, 5 and 8 years). Samples of cartilage after araldite saturation and pouring were partially cut into semithin sections stained with methylene blue and with methylene blue-basic fuchsin. Their smooth surfaces were investigated by X-ray-electron probe microanalysis. Spatial distribution of sulfur, calcium and phosphorus and their concentrations(weight %) were investigated.RESULTS X-ray electron probe microanalysis revealed non-uniformsulfur distribution in cartilage of intact animals: Its content increases from superficial zone to deep one, this regularity was preserved in animals with IOA. Differences of IOA with spontaneous chondropathy were revealed. Spontaneous aging was characterized by calcium and phosphorus storage in deep and calcified zones and compensatory increase of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in intermediate and deep cartilage zones as evidenced by the metachromatic reaction and microanalysis data. Unlike spontaneous chondropathy connected with aging in experimentally stimulated osteoarthrosis more intensive storage of calcium but minor phosphorus in intermediate zone were marked. In IOA the calcified cartilage thinning and osteoclastic resorption are apparent with few changes of elements composition; the only difference from control is minority phosphorus content.CONCLUSION The obtained results demonstrate specific tricks of X-ray electron probe microanalysis and its possibility in the research of mechanisms of articular cartilage alterations in osteoarthrosis.
文摘Rare earth elements (REEs), especially heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), are in demand for their current and emerging applications in advanced technologies. Here we perform computer-driven micro-mapping at the millimeter scale of the minerals that comprise Round Top Mountain, in west Texas, USA. This large rhyolite deposit is enriched in HREEs and such other critical elements as Li, Be, and U. Electron probe microanalysis of 2 × 2 mm areas of thin sections of the rhyolite produced individual maps of 16 elements. These were superimposed to generate a 16-element composition at each pixel. Principal components analysis of elements at each pixel identified the specific mineral at that site. The pixels were then relabeled as the appropriate minerals, thereby producing a single mineral map. The overall mineral composition of the 7 studied samples compared favorably with prior analyses of the Round Top deposit available in the literature. Likewise the range of porosity in the maps was consistent with that of previous direct measurements by water saturation. This new statistical and GIS-based technique provides a robust and unbiased approach to electron microprobe mapping. The study further showed that the high-value yttrofluorite grains exhibited little tendency to cluster with other late-stage trace minerals and that the samples extended the previously documented overall homogeneity of the deposit at field scale to this microscopic scale.
