Background: The method of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) has been widely used as a sensitive technique to trace elemental analysis in both biological and medical fields. The sensitivity of this powerful method is in the order of ppm .The aim of this work is to analyze structural composition of 4 heavy trace elements with Z greater than 24 (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in two kinds of gallstones and to...

Over the past several years, there has been an alarming increase in the death rate of some Florida alligators and a large decrease in the hatch rate of eggs. Several studies have been conducted to try to find a cause. These studies have ruled out toxins in the environment and high levels of toxic metals (mercury, for example). A previous study using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analys...

The elemental distributions over epidermal skin cross sections as revealed by proton probe analysis on cryosections from human skin provides new insight into the physiology of skin. The present investigation shows that in comparison with skin from non-afflicted individuals nonlesional skin from psoriatics reveals abnormality (higher than normal levels) in calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). ...