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Natural gold particles in Eucalyptus leaves and their relevance to exploration for buried gold deposits.

ABSTRACT: Eucalyptus trees may translocate Au from mineral deposits and support the use of vegetation (biogeochemical) sampling in mineral exploration, particularly where thick sediments dominate. However, biogeochemistry has not been routinely adopted partly because biotic mechanisms of Au migration are poorly understood. For example, although Au has been previously measured in plant samples, there has been doubt as to whether it was truly absorbed rather than merely adsorbed on the plant surface as aeolian contamination. Here we show the first evidence of particulate Au within natural specimens of living biological tissue (not from laboratory experimentation). This observation conclusively demonstrates active biogeochemical adsorption of Au and provides insight into its behaviour in natural samples. The confirmation of biogeochemical adsorption of Au, and of a link with abiotic processes, promotes confidence in an emerging technique that may lead to future exploration success and maintain continuity of supply.

SUBMITTER: Lintern M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3826622 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundThis exploratory study investigates if intra-articular injected gold microparticles in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) reduce immunomodulatory-based pain via proteomic changes in the synovial fluid (SF) and serum.MethodsThirty patients with moderate KOA were included. Intraarticular injections with 20 mg gold microparticles (72.000 particles, 20-40 µm in diameter) using the patient's synovial fluid (SF) as carrier were performed. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) subscores for pain, stiffness, and function were assessed at inclusion, 8 weeks and 2 years The PainDetect questionnaire, pain pressure threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and pain diary were assessed at inclusion and 8 weeks. Proteome analysis was performed on SF and blood samples before and after 8 weeks of treatment.ResultsA decrease in WOMAC scores (pain (p = 0.0001), stiffness (p = 0.0088), activity (p = 0.0001)), PainDetect (p = 0.0002) and increase in PPT (p = 0.001) and CPM (p = 0.021) and a decrease in TS (p = 0.03) were found after 8 weeks compared to inclusion assessments. At 2 years follow-up compared to baseline there was a decrease in WOMAC scores (pain (p = 0.0001), stiffness (p = 0.007), activity (p = 0.0001)) and PainDetect (p = 0.0001). In SF, 28 different proteins were downregulated and 11 upregulated (p < 0.05) mainly associated immune response. Similarly, 31 proteins were downregulated and 1 upregulated in serum (p < 0.05) reflecting key immune response and anatomical structure development processes. No adverse effects related to the treatment were recorded.ConclusionsGold microparticles injected intra-articular in KOA joints may provide pain relief and an inflammatory modulatory effect based on proteome changes found in SF and serum. A randomized, controlled, double-blind study is needed to infer a conclusion.SignificanceThis study indicates that intra-articular gold may provide advantages in clinical practice for managing knee osteoarthritic pain. The use of intraarticular gold can add new knowledge to the treatment of inflammation and pain.

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Natural gold particles in Eucalyptus leaves and their relevance to exploration for buried gold deposits.

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