Search results

1

Fast and accurate methodology for direct mercury determination in hair and nails

100%

Vicent A., Cervera M. L., Morales-Rubio A.

Sample Preparation

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2014

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vol. 2

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issue 1

EN

A solvent-free, easy, fast and waste-free methodology was developed for the determination of total mercury levels in hair and nails. Samples were taken from several volunteers and directly analysed, with levels of mercury in the range between 0.5 and 8 ng/mg. The influence of quantity of hair, as well as the addition of small amount of solvent and the necessity of previous treatment were studied. Also, a history of mercury exposure was provided by the distance of the hair from the scalp of each volunteer, the results of which were correlated with fish consumption. Furthermore, a short study of mercury in nails was carried out and correlated to the results from hair mercury levels. A small quantity of 5 mg of hair with an addition of 50 μL of water to the sample without previous treatment was adequate to get a representative result in less than 10 minutes. The accuracy of the proposed method was confirmed by analysing certified reference materials including Coal Fly Ash-NIST SRM 1633b, Fucus-IAEA 140 and three unpolished Rice Flour NIES-10. The observed results were found to be in good agreement with the certified values.

2

Application of the TOF-SIMS and SEM-EDS methods to assess the influence of dusting from a phosphate waste deposal place based on hair analysis

88%

Szynkowska M., Leśniewska E., Pawlaczyk A., Rogowski J., Paryjczak T.

Polish Journal of Chemical Technology

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2007

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vol. 9

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issue 4

85-90

EN

In this work, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) were used to study the particles present on the hair surface of the inhabitants of Wislinka (people environmentally exposed due to the closeness of a dump) in order to obtain the information about the possible influence of dusting from a phosphate waste deposal place. Additionally, the morphology and the composition of fresh phosphogypsum were analyzed. Waste phosphogypsum is formed in the process of a wet phosphoric acid production and there is still a problem with its storage. A thorough understanding of the composition and chemistry of phosphogypsum seems to be necessary to evaluate its environmental impact comprehensively. The results obtained from these two techniques turned out to be complementary and revealed the information expected.

3

Metals interaction tested in children’s hair originating from industrial and rural areas

88%

Kwapuliński J., Ciba J., Trzcionka A., Kluczka J., Brewczyński P. Z., Swoboda M., Fulczyk T., Szady B., Stykowska E., Trzcionka J.

Medycyna Środowiskowa - Environmental Medicine

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2014

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vol. 17

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issue 3

45-51

EN

Introduction. Different biological samples (blood, gallstone, teeth, hair) serve as a biomarker of exposure to metals for many years. This method appeared to be useful not only in clinical medicine, but also in the studies on the environment. Aim. The study is to compare the amount of selected metals in children’s hair residing in industrial and rural areas. Material and methods. Research of occurrence of 12 metals in children’s hair at the age of 7, 10 and 14 living in an industrial (Nowy Bytom town ) and a rural (Strumień town) areas has been presented. Determination of Pb, Cd, Ni, Co Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and Ca was carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) using a spectrometer Perkin- Elmer 400. Results. In the case of seven-year old children, regardless of gender a common mechanism of co-occurrence was noticed for manganese and calcium, manganese and magnesium, calcium and magnesium, sodium and potassium. Apart from the correlation of metals for the seven-year-old-children mentioned, in case of ten-year old children, an additional correlation between calcium and zinc appears. Conclusion: The amount of some metals in the hair with the diversified possibility of interaction between the metals themselves and their relation to gender and age of children revealed different environmental exposure.

PL

Wstęp. Materiał biologiczny (krew, złogi pęcherzyka żółciowego, zęby, włosy) służy od lat jako biomarker ekspozycji na metale. Metoda ta okazała się być przydatna nie tylko w medycynie klinicznej ale również w badaniach nad środowiskiem. Cel pracy. Porównanie zawartości wybranych metali we włosach dzieci zamieszkałych na terenach przemysłowym i rolniczym. Materiał i metody. Zaprezentowano wyniki występowania 12 metali we włosach dzieci w wieku lat 7, 10 i 14, zamieszkujących tereny przemysłowy (Nowy Bytom) i rolniczy (Strumień). W celu dokonania oznaczeń Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe i Ca zastosowano absorpcyjną spektrometrię atomową. Wykorzystano spektrometr Perkin-Elmer 400. Wyniki. W przypadku dzieci 7- i 10-letnich dostrzeżono mechanizmy współwystępowania bez względu na płeć dla Mn i Ca, Mg i Mn, Ca i Mg, Na i K. Przy czym u dzieci 10 letnich dodatkowo wystąpiła współzależność pomiędzy Ca i Zn. Wnioski. Zawartość niektórych metali we włosach dzieci determinowana jest różną ekspozycją środowiskową, płcią i wiekiem badanych. Możliwa jest interakcja pomiędzy różnymi metalami.

4

Bioelements in hair of children with selected neurological disorders

75%

Józefczuk J., Kasprzycka W., Czarnecki R., Graczyk A., Józefczuk P., Krzysztof M., Lampart U., Mrozowska-Ząbek E., Surdy W., Kwiatkowska-Graczyk R.

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2017

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vol. 64

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issue 2

279-285

EN

We have analyzed concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in hair of a group of 82 children with mental retardation, in which 9 patients suffered from epilepsy, 18 from the Down's syndrome and 55 from cerebral palsy. Girls comprised little over 50% of the patients. In the group of boys with epilepsy, we found Mg, Ca, Cu and Fe deficiency, and normal level of Zn. In the group of girls with epilepsy, apart from low Fe concentration, a high level of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu was noted. For girls with the Down's syndrome, a high or normal level of Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu was found, whereas the Fe concentration varied and presented itself in a non-characteristic way. Both groups of children with cerebral palsy, i.e. boys and girls, displayed low Fe concentration in their hair; low Cu level was found in older patients as well. In this group of patients, we also noted high concentrations of Ca, Mg and Zn in girls and normal in boys. A high concentration of Ca in girls with cerebral palsy requires separate analysis. The obtained results could be useful as guidance in the direction and determination of the amount of possible patient nutritional supplementation.

5

Morphology and elemental analysis of free range and stabled Polish Konik horses hair using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)

75%

Kubiak K., Niedźwiedź A., Siwińska N., Jaworski Z., Żak A., Słowikowska M.

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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2018

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vol. 21

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issue 1

6

Trichotillomania: Hair Pulling Disorder

63%

Olusoji E. B., Adesina M. A., Kanmodi K. K.

World News of Natural Sciences

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2018

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vol. 20

208-214

EN

Trichotillomania, also known as hair pulling disorder, is a chronic psychiatric condition common among women. It is a condition that causes impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The rate of presentation of such cases to medical practitioners is low, as affected individuals conceal it because of the shame associated with hair pulling behaviour. This makes the aetiology and management of the condition to be fairly understood; creating the need for extensive empirical research. This paper discusses the clinical and epidemiological features of trichotillomania and its management.

7

Piękno w tabletce – wiedza społeczeństwa na temat nutraceutyków

63%

Karkoszka M., Banach K., Beberok A., Wrześniok D. M.

Farmacja Polska

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2020

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vol. 76

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issue 5

239-249

EN

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH: Nutricosmetics contain vitamin, mineral and biologically active compounds that have a positive effect on the appearance of the skin, nails and hair. The constantly growing consumption of dietary supplements, including preparations improving the condition of the skin of the hair and nails, promotes the creation of new preparations, but does not increase public awareness of the products used. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to verify patients' knowledge of dietary supplements, with particular emphasis on preparations improving the condition of skin, hair and nails, as well as determining the factors determining the choice of a particular preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted from December 2019 to April 2020 with the participation of a random group of 170 respondents, using the author's anonymous questionnaire containing 33 questions. RESULTS: Based on the results obtained, it can be said that 95% of respondents know the definition of a dietary supplement, but only 46.5% of respondents know that they are intended for healthy people, 54% of respondents declare taking dietary supplements that support the condition of the skin, hair and nails, 1/3 of respondents when choosing a preparation do not pay attention to whether it is a medicine or a dietary supplement, and 40% of respondents are not aware of the differences resulting from the different registration of both preparations. Over 70% of respondents buy dietary supplements at the pharmacy, but only a quarter of respondents use the pharmacist's professional advice. Almost 40% of respondents simultaneously use two or more dietary supplements, without being aware of the possibility of overdose of active substances contained in the preparations taken. Only half of the respondents are satisfied with the effects achieved thanks to the use of dietary supplements that improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents have basic knowledge about dietary supplements used, but constant public education is needed regarding specialist knowledge regarding the quality and method of taking dietary supplements.

PL

PRZEDMIOT BADAŃ: Nutrikosmetyki zawierają związki witaminowe, mineralne i biologicznie aktywne, które wpływają korzystnie na wygląd skóry, paznokci i włosów. Stale rosnąca konsumpcja suplementów diety, w tym preparatów poprawiających kondycję skóry włosów i paznokci sprzyja powstawaniu nowych preparatów, jednak nie zwiększa to świadomości społeczeństwa w zakresie stosowanych produktów. CEL BADAŃ: Celem badania była weryfikacja wiedzy pacjentów na temat zażywanych suplementów diety, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem preparatów poprawiających kondycję skóry, włosów i paznokci, a także określenie czynników, determinujących wybór określonego preparatu. MATERIAŁY I METODY: Badanie prowadzono od grudnia 2019 do kwietnia 2020 roku z udziałem losowej grupy 170 respondentów, za pomocą autorskiego, anonimowego kwestionariusza zawierającego 33 pytania. WYNIKI: Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników można stwierdzić, iż 95% respondentów zna definicję suplementu diety, jednak tylko 46,5% ankietowanych wie, że są one przeznaczone dla osób zdrowych, 1/3 respondentów podczas wyboru preparatu nie zwraca uwagi czy jest on lekiem czy suplementem diety, a 40% badanych nie ma świadomości różnic wynikających z odmiennej rejestracji obu preparatów. Ponad 70% badanych kupuje suplementy diety w aptece, jednak z fachowej porady farmaceuty korzysta jedynie ¼ respondentów. Niemal 40% ankietowanych stosuje jednocześnie dwa lub więcej suplementów diety, nie będąc świadomymi możliwości przedawkowania substancji czynnych zawartych w przyjmowanych preparatach. Jedynie połowa badanych jest zadowolona z efektów osiągniętych dzięki stosowaniu suplementów diety poprawiających kondycję skóry, włosów i paznokci. WNIOSKI: Respondenci posiadają podstawową wiedzę na temat stosowanych suplementów diety, jednak konieczna jest stała edukacja społeczeństwa w zakresie specjalistycznej wiedzy dotyczącej jakości i sposobu przyjmowania suplementów diety.