The urinary stone, serum and 24-hour urine concentrations of 14 trace elements were determined in urinary stone patients by inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy. The data obtained for 25 active stone patients and 32 whose last stone episode had occurred at least 12 months previously were compared with those of 25 healthy individuals. Urinary nickel, manganese and lithium excretion, and serum nickel, manganese and cadmium concentrations were statistically significantly lower for active stone patients compared to those with previous stone episodes and healthy individuals. No difference in the concentrations of trace elements could be found, however, for patients with previous stone episodes and healthy individuals. Nickel, manganese, lithium and cadmium could be of significance in the pathological mechanism of stone formation, not from mineralogical or crystallographic viewpoints but for the smooth flow of enzymatic reactions in biological systems.

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In the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric analysis of real samples, influences of the matrix on the analyte spectral lines could be expected, especially when the ratio of the concentration of the matrix to that of the analyte is extremely high. In addition to the elimination of stray-light effects by background correction, there are also spectral interferences which must be investigated. It is of great importance to obtain information concerning the spectral line overlaps before setting up an analytical programme. The experiments performed dealt with the interferences to be expected in a Zr matrix. In general, because of the nature of Zr the chemistry and technology associated with this element are very complicated, therefore the methods applied in its analysis have specific requirements. Where possible, for all the analytes of interest (

This study was undertaken to evaluate a systematic analysis of mineral and trace elements of individual functionally determined parts of adult temporal bone. Marked differences were observed in basic structural elements (Ca, P, Mg, and Zn) among different bone regions. The more so, molar Ca/P ratio was significantly different in various regions, being highest in the hammer and vestibular regions. Taxonomic analysis revealed specific differences in the mineral ratio between the two petrous bone regions believed to develop from various embryonal bases. According to results, the observed differences in mineral trace element composition of particular regions of human temporal bone might be explained by their developmental specificities and functional adaptation.