This study aimed to evaluate the palatine tonsils of patients with chronic tonsillitis and spinocellular carcinoma to determine the presence of nano-sized particles. Tonsil samples from adult patients with chronic tonsillitis and spinocellular carcinoma of the palatine tonsil were dried and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope with the X-ray microprobe of an energy-dispersive spectroscope. Demographic data and smoking histories were obtained. The principal metals found in almost all tissues analyzed were iron, chromium, nickel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. No significant difference in elemental composition was found between the group of patients with chronic tonsillitis and the group with spinocellular carcinoma of the palatine tonsil. Likewise, no significant difference was found between the group of smokers and the group of nonsmokers. The presence of various micro- and nano-sized metallic particles in human tonsils was confirmed. These particles may potentially cause an inflammatory response as well as neoplastic changes in human palatine tonsils similar to those occurring in the lungs. Further and more detailed studies addressing this issue, including studies designed to determine the chemical form of the metals detected, studies devoted to quantitative analysis, biokinetics, and to the degradation and elimination of nanoparticles are needed for a more detailed prediction of the relation between the diagnosis and the presence of specific metal nanoparticles in tonsillar tissue.
Objective. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate presence and quantity of micro- and nanosized particles (NPs) and interindividual differences in their distribution and composition in nasal mucosa. Methods. Six samples of nasal mucosa obtained by mucotomy from patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinosinusitis were examined. Samples divided into 4 parts according to the distance from the nostrils were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy to detect solid particles and characterize their morphology and composition. A novel method of quantification of the particles was designed and used to evaluate interindividual differences in distribution of the particles. The findings were compared with patients' employment history. Results. In all the samples, NPs of different elemental composition were found (iron, barium, copper, titanium, etc.), predominantly in the parts most distant from nostrils, in various depths from the surface of the mucosa and interindividual differences in their quantity and composition were found, possibly in relation to professional exposition. Conclusions. This study has proven the possibility of quantification of distribution of micro- and nanosized particles in tissue samples and that the NPs may deposit in deeper layers of mucosa and their elemental composition may be related to professional exposition to the sources of NPs.
This study explores the inorganic composition of amniotic fluid in healthy human fetuses and fetuses with congenital malformation with a special attention to presence of metal-based solid particles. Amniotic fluid originates from maternal blood and provides fetus mechanical protection and nutrients. In spite of this crucial role, the environmental impact on the composition of amniotic fluid remains poorly studied. The samples of human amniotic fluids were obtained by amniocentesis, including both healthy pregnancies and those with congenital malformations. The samples were analysed using several techniques, including Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersed spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Several metal-based particles containing barium, titanium, iron, and other elements were detected by SEM-EDS and Raman microspectroscopy. XRD analysis detected only sodium chloride as the main component of all amniotic fluid samples. Infrared spectroscopy detected protein-like organic components. Majority of particles were in form of agglomerates up to tens of micrometres in size, consisting of mainly submicron particles. By statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis), it was observed that groups of healthy and diagnosed fetuses form two separate groups and therefore, qualitative differences in chemical composition may have distinct biological impact. Overall, our results suggest that metal-based nanosized pollutants penetrate into the amniotic fluid and may affect human fetuses.
Backround Deep skin burn injuries, especially those on the face, hands, feet, genitalia and perineum represent significant therapeutic challenges. Autologous dermo-epidermal skin grafts (DESG) have become standard of care for treating deep burns. Additionally, human autologous thrombin activated autologous platelet concentrate (APC) has gained acceptance in the setting of wounds. While each of these interventions has been independently shown to accelerate healing, the combination of the two has never been evaluated. We hypothesized that the addition of platelets (source of growth factors and inhibitors necessary for tissue repair) to the DESG (source of progenitor cells and of tissue proteases necessary for spatial and temporal control of growth regulators released from platelets) would create the optimal environment for the reciprocal interaction of cells within the healing tissues. Methods We used clinical examination (digital photography), standardised scales for evaluating pain and scarring, in combination with blood perfusion (laser Doppler imaging), as well as molecular and laboratory analyses. Results We show for the first time that the combination of APC and DESG leads to earlier relief of pain, and decreased use of analgesics, antipruritics and orthotic devices. Most importantly, this treatment is associated with earlier discharges from hospital and significant cost savings. Conclusions Our findings indicate that DESG engraftment is facilitated by the local addition of platelets and by systemic thrombocytosis. This local interaction leads to the physiological revascularization at 1–3 months. We observed significant elevation of circulating platelets in early stages of engraftment (1–7 days), which normalized over the subsequent 7 and 90 days.
Interactions between organisms and micro‐ and nano‐sized particles are studied in a relatively new research field—nanopathology. Some diseases (oncological and/or inflammatory) may be connected with accumulation of the particles in the tissues. In general, precise and accurate qualitative evaluation of chemical composition of particles is very important. In such analyses, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy is used most often. Nevertheless, it reveals merely the elemental composition of particles/clusters. On the other hand, because Raman microspectroscopy is non‐destructive and it is coupled with an optical microscope, it has potential for detection of particles of unknown nature; in addition, it allows determination of the chemical composition of these particles/clusters. Therefore, this technique could be a very useful supporting tool for nanopathology. The aim of the presented study is to survey the possibilities and advantages of Raman microspectroscopy for the detection and characterization of particles of an unknown nature in the samples of human nasal mucosa and amniotic fluids. Three different approaches of analysis are hereby discussed: (1) analysis of the entire area of the sample, (2) division of the sample in sections, and subsequent analysis of a defined number of points in selected parts, and (3) Raman spectral imaging of the selected parts. Results clearly prove high efficiency of Raman microspectroscopy as a tool for characterization of the particles/clusters in human tissues and body fluids, and thus it may allow a better understanding of the potential impact to human health in relation to specific diagnoses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solid particles, predominantly in micron and submicron sizes, have repeatedly been observed as a threat to a human health unique compared to the other textures of the same materials. In this work, the hypothesis the solid metal-based particles play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was investigated in patients who had not responded positively to medication. In the group of 40 randomly selected patients indicated for surgical mucotomy, the presence of solid micro- and submicron particles present in their nasal mucosa was assessed. For comparison, a set of 13 reference samples from patients without diagnosed chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was evaluated. The analysis was performed using Raman microspectroscopy. The advantage of this method is the direct identification of compounds. The main detected compounds in the mucosa samples of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis were TiO2, carbon-based compounds, CaCO3, Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2 MgCO3, Fe2O3, BaSO4, FeCO3 and compounds of Al and Si, all of which may pose a health risk to a living organism. In the reference samples, only TiO2 and amorphous carbon were found. In the control group mucosa, a significantly lower presence of most of the assessed compounds was found despite the longer time they had to accumulate them due to their higher mean age. Identification and characterisation of such chemicals compounds in a living organism could contribute to the overall picture of the health of the individual and lead to a better understanding of the possible causes not only in the chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, but also in other mucosal and idiopathic diseases.
Background. Nanotechnology is receiving enormous funding. Very little however is known about the health dangers of this technology so far. Chronic tonsillitis is one of a number of diseases called idiopathic. Among other factors, the tonsils are exposed to suspended particles in inhaled air including nano particles. The objective of this study was to detect and evaluate metallic particles in human tonsil tissue diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis and in amniotic fluid as a comparison. Methods. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was used for identification of solid particles in a total of 64 samples of routinely analyzed biopsy and cytologic material. Results. Almost all samples were found to contain solid particles of various metals. The most frequent, regardless of diagnosis, were iron, chromium, nickel and aluminium. The size, determined using SEM, varied from around 500 nm to 25 μm. The majority formed aggregates of several micrometers in size but there were a significant number of smaller (sub-micrometer or nano-sized) particles present. The incidence of metallic particles was similar in child and adult tissues. The difference was in composition: the presence of several metals in adults was due to occupational exposure. Conclusions. The presence of metallic particles in pathologically altered tissues may signal an alternative causation of some diseases. The ethiopathogenic explanation of these diseases associated with the presence of nano-sized particles in the organism has emerged into a new field of pathology, nanopathology.
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