Influence of trace elements in body metabolism and their physiological importance in various diseases have motivated their accurate and quantitative determination in biological tissues and fluids. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using short and long term irradiation has been employed to determine five minor elements (Cl, K, Na, Mg, P) and 15 trace elements (As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Rb, Sb, Se, Sc, Sr, and Zn) in cancerous and normal breast tissue from 30 patients of four clinical stages. Several elements show enhancement in cancerous breast tissue. Selenium shows maximum enhancement of 94.7% followed by K (81.6%), Sc (66.7%), Cu (58.2%) Na (48.5%), P (44.4%), and Zn (39.2%). Some elements, such as Fe, Cr, and Mn, are depressed by 30.8, 30.1, and 12.8%, respectively. These elements compete for binding sites in the cell, change its enzymatic activity and exert direct or indirect action on the carcinogenic process accelerating the growth of tumors. This is further evidenced by histopathological examination of cancerous cells showing poor cytological differentiation. An attempt has been made to correlate trace element concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, Rb, Br, Hg, As, Co, Fe, Cr, and Mn and the ratios of Se/Zn, K/P, Cu/Zn, Na/K, and Se/Fe with the clinical stages of cancer. Inhibition of enzymatic activity caused by variation in trace element concentrations results in immunological breakdown of the body system.

Many minor and trace elements influence the permeability of cell membranes by competing for binding sites, and exert direct or indirect action on the carcinogenic process. Instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis has been employed for the determination of more than 20 elements in normal and cancerous breast tissues of 6 patients. Most trace elements, viz., Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, Br, As, Sb and Cd, are elevated in cancerous tissue, whereas lower levels are observed for Fe, Cs, I, and Sr. Similarly, concentrations of minor constituents, such as Na, K, P, Cl, and Mg, are enhanced compared to normal tissue. Several elements incorporate into the normal cell, change its enzymatic activity, and accelerate the growth of tumor.

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Abstract-The subcellular distribution of radionuclides in Glycine max Merr. (soybean) and Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber) and translocation of plant absorbed radionuclides with growth in soybean were studied. More than 60% of cellular incorporated Rb, Sr, Mn, Co, Nb, and Se remained in the supernatant fraction; 55% and 20% of Cr was bound to soybean and cucumber cell wall fractions, respectively; 70% or more of Be, Y, and Fe was fixed in the chloroplast fraction; and approx. 10% of Sc, Fe, V, and As were fixed in the mitochondrial fraction. Translocation of nuclides within the soybean plant at different stages of growth has been determined. Vanadium, Y, Be, Se, Nb, Sc, Cr, and Zr were predominantly accumulated in the root. Although the total percentage of plant uptake of Sc, Zr, Nb, and Cr was high, because of low mobility and translocation to shoot, their accumulation in the fruit fraction was negligible. The translocation of mobile nuclides in plants was demonstrated clearly by Rb, Zn, and Fe. Data on the nuclide fraction mobilized from vegetative parts into edible parts was used to assess the percentage of accumulated radionuclides in plants that may reach humans through beans.

The subcellular distribution of radionuclides in Glycine max Merr. (soybean) and Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber) and translocation of plant absorbed radionuclides with growth in soybean were studied. More than 60% of cellular incorporated Rb, Sr, Mn, Co, Nb, and Se remained in the supernatant fraction; 55% and 20% of Cr was bound to soybean and cucumber cell wall fractions, respectively; 70% or more of Be, Y, and Fe was fixed in the chloroplast fraction; and approx. 10% of Sc, Fe, V, and As were fixed in the mitochondrial fraction. Translocation of nuclides within the soybean plant at different stages of growth has been determined. Vanadium, Y, Be, Se, Nb, Sc, Cr, and Zr were predominantly accumulated in the root. Although the total percentage of plant uptake of Sc, Zr, Nb, and Cr was high, because of low mobility and translocation to shoot, their accumulation in the fruit fraction was negligible. The translocation of mobile nuclides in plants was demonstrated clearly by Rb, Zn, and Fe. Data on the nuclide fraction mobilized from vegetative parts into edible parts was used to assess the percentage of accumulated radionuclides in plants that may reach humans through beans.