An appraisal of the newer trace elements

1981 ◽  
Vol 294 (1071) ◽  
pp. 171-184 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Laboratory Rat ◽  
Dietary Deficiency

For an element to be considered essential it should satisfy three criteria: (1) it must be present in living matter; (2) it must be able to interact with living systems; (3) a dietary deficiency must consistently result in a reduction of a biological function, preventable or reversible by physiological amounts of the element. Ideally, essentiality should be established in more than one species and confirmed in more than one laboratory. Since 1970, vanadium, fluorine, silicon, nickel and arsenic have been shown to meet all the criteria listed above, and evidence from one laboratory has indicated that tin may have an essential biological role in the laboratory rat. A review is presented of the evidence on which the essentiality of these elements has been established and, when known, an indication of their biochemical functions. The possible significance of these ‘newer’ trace elements to the health of man and animals is discussed.

Biological Role of Magnesium

1958 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
A La Pleshchitser
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Oxygen ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Antagonistic Action ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Labile Equilibrium

Abstract Fersman (1934) commented on the relatively unimportant role of magnesium in biochemical processes. The comparatively limited radius of its ions, the stability and relative insolubility of its compounds prevent its taking an active part in the reactions of living matter. On the other hand, we have the statement of Vernadskii that in the plankton film of the ocean, in the ordinary accumulations and more massive growths, the amount of magnesium-containing chlorophyll must reach the order of 10-4 per cent by weight, if not higher, so that a small quantity of magnesium, entering into the composition of the chlorophyll-complex of the plankton, ultimately regulates the main part of the oxygenating function of living matter, the creation of free atmospheric oxygen. The material summarized by us likewise affords evidence of the importance of the role of magnesium in biological processes. All this, however, does not justify sharp differentiation between the biological role of magnesium and its role in biochemical processes. In all probability these processes are conditional to each other, although they are not identical processes. It is important to note the established and incontestable role of magnesium in many enzymatic processes in both the plant and animal kingdoms. The antagonistic action between magnesium and calcium, resulting from artificial changes in the ratios of these elements in soil, plants, and animals, can hardly occur under natural conditions, and, conversely, it must be assumed that a labile equilibrium between these elements is always maintained. The depressing action of magnesium ions on the central nervous system acquires considerable biological significance, since this permits the assumption that these ions in the animal organism may facilitate inhibitory processes in the nerve cell and insure the normal course of catabolic and anabolic processes. The narcotic and cholinolytic effects of magnesium constitute the basis for the wide therapeutic use of magnesium salts in medical practice.

scholarly journals Trace Elements in Living Systems: From Beneficial to Toxic Effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Mikulewicz ◽  
Katarzyna Chojnacka ◽  
Beata Kawala ◽  
Tomasz Gredes
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Toxic Effects

scholarly journals Gravitational Influence on Human Living Systems and the Evolution of Species on Earth

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2784
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Adamopoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Koutsouris ◽  
Apostolos Zaravinos ◽  
George I. Lambrou
Keyword(s):  
Space Time ◽  
Environmental Parameter ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Altered Gravity ◽  
Gravitational Influence ◽  
Musculoskeletal Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Continuum

Gravity constituted the only constant environmental parameter, during the evolutionary period of living matter on Earth. However, whether gravity has affected the evolution of species, and its impact is still ongoing. The topic has not been investigated in depth, as this would require frequent and long-term experimentations in space or an environment of altered gravity. In addition, each organism should be studied throughout numerous generations to determine the profound biological changes in evolution. Here, we review the significant abnormalities presented in the cardiovascular, immune, vestibular and musculoskeletal systems, due to altered gravity conditions. We also review the impact that gravity played in the anatomy of snakes and amphibians, during their evolution. Overall, it appears that gravity does not only curve the space–time continuum but the biological continuum, as well.

scholarly journals Foregut organ progenitors and their niche display distinct viscoelastic properties in vivo during early morphogenesis stages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliaksandr Dzementsei ◽  
Younes F. A Barooji ◽  
Elke A Ober ◽  
Lene Broeng Oddershede
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Neighboring Cell ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Non Invasive

Material properties of living matter play an important role for biological function and development. Yet, quantification of material properties of internal organs in vivo, without causing physiological damage, remains challenging. Here, we present a non-invasive approach based on modified optical tweezers for quantifying sub-cellular material properties deep inside living zebrafish. Material properties of cells within the gut region of living zebrafish are quantified as deep as 150 μ into the biological tissue. The measurements demonstrate differential mechanical properties of the developing foregut organs progenitors: Gut progenitors are more elastic than any of the neighboring cell populations at the time when the developing organs undergo substantial displacements during morphogenesis. The higher elasticity of gut progenitors correlates with an increased cellular concentration of microtubules. The results infer a role of material properties during morphogenesis and the approach paves the way for quantitative material investigations in vivo of embryos, explants, or organoids.

Non-linear character of redistribution of chemical elements in the biosphere components as a result of the living matter activity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Korzh
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Elemental Composition ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Environmental Geochemistry ◽  
Universal Constant ◽  
Academic Publishing ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Linear Character ◽  
Ocean Atmosphere ◽  
Non Linear

<p>Modern problems of acceptable limits of techno-sphere impact on the biosphere, optimizing the interaction of techno-sphere and the biosphere, forecasting consequences of technogenic accidents in the environment and organization of rehabilitation in the post-accident period, place absolutely new demands for knowledge. These challenges require urgent development of new methodological foundations to study mass transfer and transformation of substances, the structure of global biogeochemical systems in the biosphere. Chemical composition of oceans and seas is a result of substance migration and transformation on biogeochemical river-sea and ocean- atmosphere “barriers”, i.e. in sites of “life condensation”. Stability of these processes is the main prerequisite of the hydrosphere ecosystem stability. The use of a methodology of empirical generalization has resulted in establishing a system of chemical elements’ distribution in the hydrosphere which possesses great predictive potentials.</p><p>A comparison of elements’ composition of different phases on the global level within the hydrosphere-lithosphere-soil-atmosphere systems enabled to reveal non-linear character of redistribution of different elements between these phases which reflects a general relative increase of concentration of trace elements in the environment of living organisms due to biogeochemical processes.  These processes are most active at the biogeochemical barriers, i.e. in the localities of "concentrated life" and are therefore inferred to result from the geologic activity of the ubiquitous living matter regulating its environment. The proposed nonlinearity index exhibits definite stability of the resulting living matter impact for different systems approximating 0.7: 1) 0.75 for proto lithosphere - sediment system; 2) 0.67 for river – ocean system; 3) 0.7 for ocean –– atmosphere system. The obtained value is believed to present a universal constant of biosphere reflecting biogenic stabilization of elements’ global cycles in the biosphere in the course of its evolution and corresponds to the biosphere concept of V.I. Vernadsky. The obtained values may be used as a reference values in estimation of the biosphere stability and anthropogenic contribution to transformation of the global biogeochemical cycles.</p><p><strong>References</strong><strong>.</strong></p><p>Vernadsky V.I. (1994) Living Matter and Biosphere. Moscow, Nauka, 672p. (in Russian).</p><p>Korzh V.D. (1974) Some general laws governing the turnover of substance within the ocean-atmosphere-continent-ocean cycle //Journal de Recherches Atmospherioques. France. Vol.8. N.3-4. P. 653-660.</p><p>Korzh V.D. (1991) Geochemistry of the Elemental Composition of the Hydrosphere. Moscow, “Nauka”, 243 p. (in Russian).</p><p>Korzh V.D. (2017) Biosphere. The formation of elemental compositions of the hydrosphere and lithosphere. Saar-Brucken: Lambert Academic Publishing, 63 p. (in Russian).</p><p>Korzh V.D. (2019) Transfer of trace elements in the ocean-atmosphere-continent system as a factor in the formation of the elemental composition of the Earth’s soil cover.//J. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. Vol.41. P. 1-7.</p>

CHARACTERISTICS OF NESTED LIVING SYSTEMS

1993 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 257-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. GÜNTHER ◽  
C. FOLKE
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Entropy Production ◽  
Maximum Entropy ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Optimum Operating ◽  
Integrated Process ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
High Entropy ◽  
Operating Points

Living systems are nested and consist of basic materials, cells, organisms, ecosystems, and their environments, continuously interacting in time and space. Life is an integrated process of nested living systems. We synthesize and discuss exergy capturing and accumulation of organizational exergy; the structuring of the system towards maximum entropy production and export of high entropy products; autopoiesis; emergent attractors or optimum operating points; characteristics of nested systems and holarcic levels; and the role of working and latent information. It is concluded that it is only possible to describe the livingness of a system in a continuous way and that living matter should be defined by the processes of which it is a part. Hence, from the perspective of self-organizing and nested living systems it is difficult to draw boundaries between living and non-living as well as human and non-human systems. Implications of this worldview is discussed in relation to environmental management.

scholarly journals Regulation and Potential Biological Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Chronic Kidney Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhou ◽  
Yuefeng Zhang ◽  
Ning Wang
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Fgf Receptor

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an incurable progressive disease with the progressive impairment of kidney function, which can accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease, increase the risk of infection, and lead to related complications such as anemia and bone disease. CKD is to a great extent preventable and treatable, and it is particularly important to improve the early diagnosis, strengthen the research underlying the mechanism of disease occurrence and development, and innovate new intervention measures. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) belongs to one of members of endocrine FGF subfamily with evolutionarily conserved functions and performs a vital role in the regulation of energy balance and adipose metabolism. FGF21 needs to rely on β-Klotho protein to specifically bind to FGF receptor (FGFR), which activates the FGF21 signaling exerting the biological function. FGF21 is deemed as an important regulatory factor extensively modulating many cellular functions under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Although the metabolic effect of FGF21 has been extensively studied, its potential biological role in the kidney has not been generally investigated. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics, regulation and biological function of FGF21 based on the current studies, and briefly discuss the potential relationship with chronic kidney disease.

scholarly journals Electrodynamic Coherence as a Physical Basis for Emergence of Perception, Semantics, and Adaptation in Living Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Renati
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Matter ◽  
Physical Basis ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Perturbative Approach ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
Symmetry Breakings

Despite the successes earned in cataloguing and finding the role of the most of molecular components in living matter, the “biochemical and molecular” perspective, popular in biology, medicine and genetics, is unable to give account for crucial topics as the faculty of living systems to “feel”, to “perceive” what a given stimulus implies (means, indeed) for their survival. Condensed matter physics too, if bounded to a local, short-range, and perturbative approach, fails dramatically. This is also due to the role commonly assigned to water – actually the main constituent of living matter – deemed for long time to be merely chemical (as “solvent” or a reactant/product). Nonetheless, today many evidences show how living matter can be right conceived as a super-structured coherent water-based matrix, suggesting that the characterization of bio(electro)chemical and physical processes undertaken at molecular level in living matter, would let us unable to answer a question like this: what allows an amoeba, moreover without any neurons, to “know” to get closer to a nutrient or escape away from a toxin? I propose that to pursue such a fundamental inquiry it’s necessary an essentially relational approach, that is: to consider the living being at its grounding as the outcome of a physical history of relationships where symmetry-breakings, dissipation and coherence yield the emergence of the living state of matter, conceivable only as a time-dependent open process, and not as a portraited “body”. The effective tools to build up such an approach may be retrieved in far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics (TD), symmetry-breakings and gauge-fields theory, science of complexity, within the framework of a Quantum Field Theory. Indeed, within a field-view of matter, and of water especially, as it has been developed by a Quantum Electrodynamic (QED) description of condensed matter, it’s possible to give account for a physical basis too such an epistemologically elusive, though crucial, feature of living systems (i.e.: perception and meaning). The emerging landscape allows some important meditations about adaptation, evolution, ecodynamics, and about different conceptions of complexity and “information” in living realm. Furthermore, some neuroscientific themes like consciousness, qualia and their links to artificial intelligence could be supplied with due insights.

Introductory remarks

1975 ◽  
Vol 272 (915) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Keyword(s):  
Living Systems ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Continuous Transition ◽  
Sharp Discontinuity ◽  
New Biology

I should like to begin with a word of apology. I know nothing whatever about biology - not even about the new biology, let alone about real biology. Indeed, I do not know if biologists still make this distinction, whether they still believe that there is a sharp discontinuity between non-living matter and living systems, whether they now think that there is a continuous transition between these extremes as the multiplicity of parts and the complexity of the organization involving them increase, or whether they have shelved this whole question as an arid semantic exercise. Anything that I may say about biology is therefore purely speculative; but perhaps I may be allowed to infer that something like continuous transition is at least allowed as a possibility since otherwise I do not see the point of this meeting.

The Distribution of the Major and Some Minor Elements in Marine Animals I. Echinoderms and Coelenterates

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Riley ◽  
D. A. Segar
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Metallic Elements ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Minor Elements ◽  
Cadmium And Lead

Many metallic elements are concentrated by marine animals to levels far in excess of their concentrations in sea water itself. This concentration extends not only to those elements which are known to have biochemical functions, but also to others which have no established biological role (e.g. cadmium and lead). Little is known about the mechanisms by which trace elements are concentrated, or about the manner in which they are held in the tissues. As a preliminary to the investigation of concentration mechanisms, reliable data are required concerning the distribution of the elements in a variety of marine animals.

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