Background: I n this study Gd-hematoporphyrin and Gd-DTPA-C595 monoclonal antibody are used as specific contrast agents in detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The spin-lattice relaxation time, Gd concentration and signal intensity of the washing solutions of contrast agents are presented and the results are compared.

Materials and Methods: MCF-7 breast cancer cells were incubated with Gd-H, Gd-DTPA-C595, Gd-DTPA, and Gd-Cl3. After centrifuging, the washing solutions was studied for concentration of Gd by UV‑spectrophotometry, and also by measuring spin-lattice (T₁) relaxation time and produced signal intensity using NMR.

Results: The highest relaxation time was 1026± 63.7 ms, and 1123± 26.9 ms and so the lowest signal intensity (170%, and 180%) was for washing solutions of Gd-H, and Gd-DTPA-C595 incubated with the cancer cells. It is found that these agents have attached to cell membrane of cancer cells, and so their amount is trivial in the washing solution.

Conclusion: The shortest relaxation time and so highest signal intensity was for Gd-Cl₃ which indicates that there is no binding of this agent with cancer cells membrane. It can be concluded that Gd-H, and Gd‑DTPA‑C595 are promising contrast agents for the detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in MRI.

Background: Variations in the blood levels of trace elements are reported as a problem in the dialysis patients. This may result in the deficiency of some trace elements or the overloading of the other elements. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dialysis on the blood level variations of Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Magnesium and the two heavy metals, Aluminium and Lead.

Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 33 dialysis patients referred to Ahwaz (Iran) hospital. Serum samples for all the elements except for lead (whole blood) were assayed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy before and after dialysis.

Results: Of 33 patients, 16 cases were male and 17 female. Mean age of the patients was 54.81±15.65. The levels of elements before and after dialysis for Zinc were 85.9±12.8 and 99.87±17.45 (P=0.000), Copper 75.36±16.6 and 73.78±26.69 (P=0.711), Selenium 10.71±1.49 and 10.63±1.56 (P=0.709), Aluminium 0.588±0.25 and 0.74±0.36 (P=0.067), Magnesium 0.328±0.068 and 0.263±0.049 (P=0.000), Lead 2.714±0.647 and 2.835±0.39 (P=0.233) (µg/dl for all). Lead levels were higher than the allowable level.

Conclusion: Results show that dialysis can cause a reduction in magnesium level, overloading and poisoning with the two heavy metals, Aluminium and Lead.

Background: Nowadays, an accumulation of heavy metals in the environment is one the most important consideration in the world. Heavy metals due to their chemical stability, low flexibility and power of bioaccumulation in the body organism are becoming quickly toxic pollutants. This study was carried out to determine the heavy metals (e.g. Cadmium, Copper, Zinc and Lead) in the water and sediments of Amirkolayeh wetland in Guilan from Winter 2010 to Spring 2011 then they were compared to global scales.

Materials and Methods: Sampling was done at the three stations in Amir kolayeh wetland during Winter and Spring. At first, samples were dried by the wet methods and mixed acid then the chemical annualized were done. Concentrations of the heavy metals were determined by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS).

Results: Results showed that the mean concentrations of heavy metals in water for Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn were 0.394±0.078, 0.03±0.007, 0.011±0.003 and 0.517±0.09mg/l and in sediments were 9.256±1.65, 0.626±0.12, 0.59±0.31 and 44.35±7.44mg/g, respectively.

Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that the heavy metal accumulation increases during the Spring season. Also, the order of the heavy metal accumulation in water and sediment was Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. On the other hand, the concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment were lower than the allowable international standards.

Background: Heavy metal storage and essential elements deficiency account as the important problems in the dialysis patients. Geological and folklore diversity in different ethnic groups around the country may impact the heavy metals poisoning or trace elements deficiency. The aim of this study was to compare the blood concentrations of 5 trace elements between dialysis patients and their matched normal control volunteers.

Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 33 dialysis patients (selected from a university hospital in Ahwaz) and 33 normal volunteers. All trace elements were assayed in serum samples except Lead (whole blood) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Data were analyzed and compared.

Results: the mean age of subjects (35 male and 31 female) were not significantly different (matched populations). Trace element concentrations in the case and control groups for Zinc was 86.35±12.9 and 80.8±11.7 (P=0.075), Copper 75.038±16.47 and 69.84±12.99 (P=0.020), Selenium 10.71±1.49 and 10.15±1.17 (P=0.098), Aluminium 0.58±0.25 and 0.34±0.24 (P=0.000), Magnesium 0.328±0.06 and 0.207±0.03 (P=0.000) and for Lead 2.714±0.64 and 1.67±0.68 (P=0.000) (µg/dl for all), respectively. Lead quantities were higher than the allowable range in the dialysis patients.

Conclusion: Dialysis patients had higher concentrations of Magnesium, Aluminium and Lead in comparison with the normal controls. Furthermore, Aluminium poisoning should be avoided in such patients because of the mean serum Aluminum levels is close to the high normal range.