Mariam S. Arain

Preconcentration and determination of manganese in biological samples by dual-cloud point extraction coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

An efficient, innovative preconcentration method using dual-cloud point extraction (d-CPE) was developed for the analysis of trace levels of manganese (Mn2+) in biological samples (scalp hair) prior to coupling with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the first step of d-CPE, Mn2+ was complexed with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN), which was subsequently entrapped in a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114). In the second step, the entrapped metal complex in the surfactant-rich phase was treated with aqueous nitric acid solution and heated; the studied metal ions were back-extracted again into aqueous phase. The aqueous phase was subjected to FAAS using conventional nebulization. The validity of the proposed method was verified by the analysis of Mn2+ in a certified sample of scalp hair (CRM) by both d-CPE and conventional CPE procedures. The enhancement factor of Mn2+ was found to be 46. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of Mn2+ in acid-digested scalp hair samples of Parkinsons patients and healthy referents.

Comparative evaluation of essential and toxic elements in the blood of kidney failure patients and healthy referents

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the comparative distribution, correlation, and apportionment of selected elements—aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and lead (Pb)—in the blood samples of male kidney failure patients (KFP) and healthy subjects of age ranged 30–60 years. The blood samples were digested with nitric acid and perchloric acid mixture (2:1), followed by the quantification of elements by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of essential elements in blood samples of KFP were found in the range of Ca (97–125), Mg (18–36), Na (2971–3685), and K (177–270) mg/L while, the levels of Al, Cd, and Pb were found in the range of (475–1275), (0.9–9.9), and (211–623) μg/L, respectively. In the healthy referents, concentration of electrolytes in blood samples was lower than KFP, but difference was not significant (p > 0.05). While the levels of toxic elements in blood samples of referents were three- to sixfold lower than KFP (p < 0.01). Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) of the element data manifested diverse apportionment of the selected elements in the blood sample of the KFP compared with the healthy counterparts.

Ultrasonic energy enhanced the efficiency of advance extraction methodology for enrichment of trace level of copper in serum samples of patients having neurological disorders

An innovative dual dispersive ionic liquid based on ultrasound assisted microextraction (UDIL-μE), for the enrichment of trace levels of copper ion (Cu2+), in serum (blood) of patients suffering from different neurological disorders. The enriched metal ions were subjected to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the UDIL-μE method, the extraction solvent, ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C4mim][PF6], was dispersed into the aqueous samples using an ultrasonic bath. The(PAN) 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol was used as ligand for the complexation of Cu ion in IL (as extracting solvent). The various variables such as sonication time, pH, concentration of complexing agent, time and rate of centrifugation, IL volume that affect the extraction process were optimized. The enhancement factor (EF) and detection limit (LOD) was found under favorable condition was 31 and 0.36μgL-1, respectively. Reliability of the proposed method was checked by relative standard deviation (%RSD), which was found to be <5%. The accuracy of developed procedure was assured by using certified reference material (CRM) of blood serum. The developed procedure was applied successfully to the analysis of concentration of Cu ion in blood serum of different neurological disorders subjects and referents of same age group. It was observed that the levels of Cu ion was two folds higher in serum samples of neurological disorders patients as related to normal referents of same age group.

Assessment of selenium and mercury in biological samples of normal and night blindness children of age groups (3-7) and (8-12) years.

The causes of night blindness in children are multifactorial and particular consideration has been given to childhood nutritional deficiency, which is the most common problem found in underdeveloped countries. Such deficiency can result in physiological and pathological processes that in turn influence biological sample composition. This study was designed to compare the levels of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness children age ranged (3–7) and (8–12) years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure was developed as a sample pretreatment for the determination of Se and Hg in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood, and urine. The Se and Hg in biological samples were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to microwave acid digestion, respectively. The concentration of Se was decreased in scalp hair and blood samples of male and female night blindness children while Hg was higher in all biological samples as compared to referent subjects. The Se concentration was inversely associated with the risk of night blindness in both genders. These results add to an increasing body of evidence that Se is a protecting element for night blindness. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professional investigating deficiency of essential micronutrients in biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of night blindness children.

Estimation of Nickel in Different Smokeless Tobacco Products and Their Impact on Human Health of Oral Cancer Patients

It has been extensively investigated that the chewing of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products may enhance the inflammation of the oral cavity. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between nickel (Ni) exposure via different SLT products with oral cancer (different sites) incidence in the population of Sindh, Pakistan. The different brands of SLT products (mainpuri, gutkha, and moist snuff) commonly consumed by the studied population were analyzed for Ni contents. The biological samples of oral cancer patients and noncancerous control subjects of both genders, who have or have not consumed SLT products, were collected. The concentration of Ni in biological samples and SLT products were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked by using certified reference materials. The results of this study showed that the Ni level was significantly higher in scalp hair and blood samples of oral cancer patients compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that exposure of Ni as a result of chewing different SLT products may be synergistic with risk factors associated with oral cancer.

Evaluates the Efficiency of Interferon-Alpha Therapy for Different TimeIntervals on the Levels of Iron in Serum Samples of Chronic Hepatitis CPatients

It was investigated that the Interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy to patients with hepatitis C are correlated with iron levels in serum. The aim and objective of this study was to test whether the iron levels in blood serum samples were decreased after IFN-α therapy for different time intervals. In present follow-up study, iron levels in serum samples of chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) patients before and after IFN-α therapy at different time interval (24-48 weeks) were evaluated. 160 females HCV patients were selected for follow-up study. Blood samples were collected from patients before and after treatment of IFN-α therapy. For comparative purpose, blood samples from healthy female subjects of the same age group were also collected. The serum iron was determined by electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometry, after microwave assisted acid digestion method. After INF-α therapy, HCV RNA level was undetectable in 32% and 58% patients, for 24-48 weeks, respectively. The level of Fe in serum samples were significantly reduced after longer period of treatment with INF-α (48 weeks).