Pressure leaching of a sulphide copper concentrate with simultaneous regeneration of the leaching agent

An experimental study is presented of leaching of a sulphide copper concentrate with aqueous ferric sulphate under oxygen pressure. The effects of oxygen pressure, sulphuric acid concentration and ferrous iron additions on the copper leaching rate have been determined. Partial pressure of oxygen has been found to govern the rate of copper leaching while the concentration of sulphuric acid only slightly influences this rate. Oxygen enhances the leaching rate mainly by oxidizing ferrous iron to ferric iron — the major leaching agent — and not by direct action on the minerals.Leaching of a sulphide copper concentrate under oxygen pressure with aqueous ferric sulphate leads to a three-fold reduction of both the necessary leaching time and ferric sulphate concentration in the leaching solution over those for conventional leaching with concentrated aqueous ferric sulphate.     

Sperm characteristics and zona pellucida binding in relation to field fertility of frozen-thawed semen from dairy AI bulls

There is still debate in the literature on whether or not endurance athletes tend to have low iron stores. In this article, we propose that endurance athletes really are at risk of becoming iron deficient due to an imbalance between absorption of dietary iron and exercise-induced iron loss. The purpose of this article is to present a critical review of the literature on iron supplementation in sport. The effect of iron deficiency on performance, its diagnosis and suggestions for treatment are also discussed. Studies of the nutritional status of athletes in various disciplines have shown that male, but not female, athletes clearly achieve the recommended dietary intake of iron (10 to 15 mg/day). This reflects the situation in the general population, with menstruating women being the main risk group for mild iron deficiency, even in developed countries. Whereas the benefit of iron supplementation in athletes with iron deficiency anaemia is well established, this is apparently not true for non-anaemic athletes who have exhausted iron stores alone (prelatent iron deficiency); most of the studies in the literature show no significant changes due to supplementation in the physical capacity of athletes with prelatent iron deficiency. However, the treatment protocols used in some of these studies do not meet the general recommendations for the optimal clinical management of iron deficiency, that is, with respect to adequate daily dosage, mode of administration and treatment period. For future studies, we recommend a prolonged treatment period (> or = 3 months) with standardised conditions of administration (use of a pharmaceutical iron preparation with known high bioavailability and a dosage of ferrous (Fe++) iron 100 mg/day, taken on an empty stomach). Currently, decisions regarding iron supplementation are best made on the basis of taking care of individual athletes. We believe that there are sufficient arguments to support controlled iron supplementation in all athletes with low serum ferritin levels. Firstly, the development of iron deficiency is prevented. Secondly, the nonspecific upregulation of intestinal metal ion absorption is reverted to normal, thus limiting the hyperabsorption of potentially toxic lead and cadmium even in individuals with mild iron deficiency.     

A kinetic study of the coupled iron-ceruloplasmin catalyzed oxidation of ascorbate in the presence of albumin

Ascorbate is catalytically oxidized by a couple iron-ceruloplasmin system, the iron ions functioning as a red/ox cycling intermediate between ceruloplasmin and ascorbate. Serum albumin, an iron binding compound, was found to stimulate the ascorbate oxidation rate. It is proposed that ferrous ions react more rapidly with ceruloplasmin when they are bound to albumin. A Km value of 39 microM was estimated for Fe(2+)-albumin. Citrate and urate inhibit the iron-ceruloplasmin-dependent ascorbate oxidation by chelating ferric ions. In the presence of albumin only citrate reduced the oxidation rate, the observation suggesting the following order of iron binding ability: citrate > albumin > urate. Physiological aspects of the results have been discussed.     

Pernicious anaemia patients should be screened for iron deficiency during follow up

AIMS: To investigate if patients with pernicious anaemia (PA) are prone to develop iron deficiency and if there is a difference for this manifestation between younger and older age groups. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with pernicious anaemia were evaluated for body iron status at the time of diagnosis and during follow up. Patients were also divided into two groups; younger than 60 (53 patients) and older than 60 (42 patients) years of age. Groups were compared for iron deficiency both at the time of diagnosis and at the end of follow up period. RESULTS: Iron deficiency was a common finding in patients with pernicious anaemia. This deficiency state was more common in the elderly. During B12 therapy, iron deficiency increased in all groups, but the increased rate of iron deficiency was more prominent in the elderly patients. CONCLUSION: Pernicious anaemia is an atrophic gastropathy in which gastric parietal cells no longer produce hydrochloric acid. These patients with achlorhydria demonstrate impaired absorption of iron. On the other hand, with ageing, gastric acidity is already diminished. Iron deficiency commonly accompanies patients with pernicious anaemia and this is more pronounced in the elderly group. We suggest that all patients with pernicious anaemia, especially the elderly, should be screened for iron deficiency both at the beginning and during the follow up.     

复杂微生物浸出液生物成矾法净化除铁的研究

针对低品位矿石生物浸出液中铁含量高而有价金属含量低的特点,研究低温、低pH条件下微生物成矾除铁方法,考察了温度、pH值、菌液接种量、时间等主要因素对微生物氧化及铁矾形成的影响规律,并采用正交实验对微生物成矾除铁规律进行多因素影响分析。结果表明:在生物氧化过程中,亚铁含量为9.46 g·L-1的料液,在pH范围为1.4～2.0,温度范围为30～40℃时,36 h细菌将亚铁氧化完全,细菌氧化亚铁的效果较好;在生物成矾除铁过程中,当pH为2,温度为45℃,菌液接种量为15%,反应时间为10 d时,除铁率达到99.97%,除铁后料液含铁0.015 g·L-1;通过正交实验,确定了影响生物成矾法除铁的主次因素顺序分别为反应时间、接种量、总铁浓度,最优水平组合为:总铁浓度50 g·L-1,接种量20%,反应时间10 d,在此最优组合条件下,沉淀除铁率高达99.95%,实现了低温、低pH条件下微生物成矾除铁,为微生物浸出液的低成本、高效净化除铁提供了一条新途径。     

用高含铁废渣生产硫酸亚铁和固体聚合硫酸铁的可行性分析

利用白银冶金及化工生产过程中产生的高含铁废渣 ,开发新产品 ,如铁精砂、硫酸亚铁、固体聚合硫酸铁。并对生产工艺流程和经济效益进行阐述和评估 ,用这一方法 ,产品回收率可达 98%以上 ,剩余残渣中富集了Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Au、Ag等元素 ,可进一步提炼 ,母液还能用于生产微量元素肥料 ,不仅附加值高 ,而且工艺简单 ,设备少 ,投资小 ,能耗低 ,又无“三废”排放 ,经济效益可观     

A ferric reductase activity is found in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from Caco-2 cells

Brush border membrane vesicles isolated from Caco-2 cells were used to examine whether there is an apical membrane-associated ferric reductase activity in small intestinal enterocytes. A ferric reductase activity which was dependent on NADH or NADPH as reductants was shown. Reduction of Fe(III) was quantified by the formation of a stable Fe(II)/ferrozine complex. The ferric reductase revealed saturation kinetics with a K(m) of 4.12 +/- 0.65 micromol/L and a Vmax of 3.11 +/- 0.043 nmol/(min.mg protein) for NADH. About 25% of the electrons for the NADH-dependent ferric iron reduction were transferred indirectly from the superoxide anion as verified by the superoxide dismutase inhibitable ferric iron reduction rate. However, the main part of Fe(III) reduction occurs directly by catalyzed electron transfer from NADH to ferric iron through (an) enzyme(s) located in the brush border membrane. The ferric reductase activity was inhibited by Pt(II) and especially p-chloromercuribenzoate. Ferricyanide, which is also reduced by the enzyme, is a competitive inhibitor of the Fe(III)/nitrilotriacetate (NTA) complex with a Ki of 43 micromol/L. These results suggest that brush border membranes of enterocytes possess a ferric reductase that reduces ferric to ferrous iron before the iron is transported through the microvillous membrane.     

In vivo effects of fumonisin B1-producing and fumonisin B1-nonproducing Fusarium moniliforme isolates are similar: fumonisins B2 and B3 cause hepato- and nephrotoxicity in rats

Orellanine, [2,2'-bipyridine]-3,3',4,4'-tetrol-1,1'-dioxide, is the toxin responsible for the lethal nephrotoxicity of some Cortinarius mushrooms. Our present ESR and spin-trapping studies of the redox properties of the system of non-illuminated orellanine, ferrous iron and dioxygen contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of its toxicity. UV-visible spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry and ESR in frozen medium showed the formation of a wine-red tris complex, Fe(III)Or3. This ferric complex is easily reducible (Ep = -565 mV vs Ag/AgCl/3M KCl at pH 7), involving a one-electron reversible process. Spin-trapping using DMPO is employed to detect the generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. The instantaneous one-electron oxidation of ferrous ions in the presence of the toxin under air is concomitant with dioxygen consumption as supported by dioxygen consumption. GSH involves the toxin and ferrous ions under air in a redox cycling process resulting in the production of glutathionyl and oxygen free radicals, observed for the first time with an iron complex of a mushroom toxin. In most cases, EDTA is not able to prevent the Fe(III)Or3 and radical formation. The ortho-dihydroxylated groups borne by the di-N-oxidized bipyridine structure and not the bipyridine structure itself, are responsible for the formation of a stable ferric complex at pH 7, as they are for the generation of an apparently stable ortho-semiquinone anion radical. These one-electron mechanisms may play a major role in some of the known toxic effects of orellanine.     

Nuclear DNA content and morphological characteristics in the prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma

Bathophenanthrolinedisulfonic acid (4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonic acid [BPS]) and 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenylsulfonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine (ferrozine), chelators of ferrous iron, are often used to determine iron(II) concentrations in various samples and for identifying or measuring iron reduction in biological systems. In this study, the efficacy of ferrozine and BPS to chelate iron(II) reduced from Fe(3+)-ligands by selected reducing agents was determined. Our results indicate that (i) BPS and ferrozine are not equivalent as kinetic indicators of iron reducing activity; (ii) apparent initial rates of reduction of Fe(3+)-ligands by dithiothreitol, as indicated by formation of complexes of iron(II) with either BPS or ferrozine, differed by a factor of 50; and (iii) nonspecific reduction of some Fe(3+)-ligands by both BPS and ferrozine occurred. Under identical conditions, rates of formation of Fe(2+)-ferrozine generally were slower than rates of formation of Fe(2+)-BPS. These data suggest careful consideration should be given in the design of any experiments where kinetics of iron reduction are monitored with BPS or ferrozine.     

碘-乙醇非水体系分离—重铬酸钾滴定法测定炉渣中金属铁与氧化亚铁

对炉渣中的金属铁与氧化亚铁的测定进行了研究。通过考察与金属铁反应而不与氧化亚铁反应的5种弱酸盐溶液(醋酸铅溶液、醋酸铜溶液、三氯化铁-醋酸钠-醋酸溶液、碘-碘化钾溶液、三氯化铁溶液)和非水溶液(碘-乙醇溶液)对金属铁的浸取效果,选取了碘-乙醇溶液作为炉渣中金属铁的浸取剂。实验结果表明,0.200 0 g炉渣样品用50 mL碘-乙醇溶液浸取40min, 采用重铬酸钾滴定法分别测定浸取液中铁量和浸取后残渣中的亚铁量,得到炉渣中金属铁和氧化亚铁量, 金属铁的浸取率在97 %以上,而氧化亚铁不被浸出。与经典的三氯化铁浸取剂相比,本浸取剂对金属铁的浸取效果好,金属铁与氧化亚铁分离完全,避免了用三氯化铁溶液作浸取剂时亚铁与金属铁的酸溶干扰。以碘-乙醇溶液浸取钢渣和脱磷渣后采用重铬酸钾滴定法测定,金属铁的测定结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为4.2%和4.6 %,氧化亚铁测定结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为0.72%和0.62%。     

Acute leukaemia in Jehovah''s Witnesses

The bioavailability of iron glycine added to a vegetable infant weaning food was compared with ferrous sulfate. Stable, isotopically labeled compounds (57Fe or 58Fe) were mixed into the midday meal (1.4 mg added Fe/serving) and fed to 9-mo-old infants on alternate days for 8 d. Bioavailability, expressed as a percentage of the dose consumed, was measured from isotopic enrichment of hemoglobin 14 d after the last test meal. There was no difference between iron glycine and ferrous sulfate (x+/-SEM): 9.0+/-0.7% and 9.9+/-0.8%, respectively. The effect of chelation was examined by measuring iron bioavailability of iron glycine and ferrous sulfate added to a high-phytate (310 mg/100 g) whole-grain cereal weaning food and comparing it with a lower-phytate (147 mg/100 g) vegetable food, as used in the first study. Both iron compounds had lower bioavailability from the high-phytate food, 5.2+/-0.5% for iron glycine and 3.8+/-0.9% for ferrous sulfate, than the lower-phytate food, 9.8+/-1.5% for iron glycine and 9.1+/-1.3% for ferrous sulfate. The results showed no significant difference in bioavailability between the two forms of iron when added to infant weaning foods, suggesting that the glycine complex was fully or partially dissociated in the gastrointestinal tract. It is concluded that chelation does not improve the bioavailability of iron in the presence of dietary inhibitors.     

Study of primary resistance to antitubercular agents in the Sousse region, 1981-1990

Spatone Iron-Plus is a naturally occurring mineral water from Trefriw Wells Spa in Gwynedd, Wales, UK which contains approximately 0.3 mg of iron per ml as ferrous sulphate. The water has been taken as a tonic since Victorian times. Iron absorption from Spatone Iron-Plus was measured in a whole body counter after labelling the water with [59Fe] ferrous sulphate. Absorption studies were carried out in 13 subjects. Mean absorption for 10 ml of Spatone Iron-Plus taken on an empty stomach was 23 percent. Absorption was related to body iron stores as assessed by serum ferritin. In subjects with a serum ferritin concentration of <10 mu g/I, absorption was approximately 40 percent but was <10 percent in subjects with ferritin concentrations of approximately 200 mu g/I. This study indicates that Spatone Iron-Plus provides iron in a highly bio-available form.     

Iron requirements and iron balance during pregnancy. Is iron supplementation needed for pregnant women?

Among fertile, nonpregnant, Danish women, 33% have absent or reduced iron stores; 22% have serum ferritin values above 70 micrograms/l, i.e., iron reserves of more than 530 mg, corresponding to the net iron losses during a normal pregnancy. During pregnancy, the demands for absorbed iron increase from 0.8 to 7.5 mg/day. Controlled studies show that iron-treated pregnant women have higher serum ferritin levels, i.e., larger iron stores, and higher haemoglobin levels than placebo-treated women. A supplement of 66 mg ferrous iron daily from the beginning of the 2nd trimester prevents iron deficiency anaemia. In Denmark, general iron prophylaxis with 60-70 mg ferrous iron daily from 20 weeks of gestation is recommended by the health authorities.     

An electrochemical model for the leaching of a sphalerite concentrate

The leaching of a sphaleritic flotation concentrate in an acidic ferric sulphate solution is described by an electrochemical charge-transfer model in which the mineral surface potential is approximated by the solution redox potential for the ferrous-ferric redox couple. The oxidation of ferrous ions by dissolved oxygen is described by a model consistent with previously reported models, and the leaching of the sphalerite in the presence of dissolved iron and oxygen is described by the simultaneous integration of the two individual rate expressions.     

Nursing informatics--what on earth?

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Two forms of hypochromic microcytic anaemia i.e. iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait are common in our society. This study reports the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait and predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between two. METHODS: Venous blood was taken from 299 students of Karachi Medical & Dental College and Ziauddin Medical University in Na2 EDTA and analyzed by semi-automated Sysmex K-1000 haematology analyzer. MCV/RBC count ratio was used to discriminate between iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait and > 14% was marked as iron deficiency. Hb electrophoresis was used as gold standard test for confirmation. Serum iron and TIBC was performed to confirm iron deficiency anaemia. RESULTS: Iron deficiency was found in 9% while beta-thalassaemia was seen in 3% students. MCV/RBC count ratio showed a positive predictive value of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait are common, MCV/RBC count ratio can be used to screen out beta-thalassaemia trait.     

EDTA络合滴定法测量高炉渣中铁(Ⅲ)和铁(Ⅱ)

采用盐酸溶解样品,在保护气二氧化碳的保护下,控制溶液温度在(75±2) ℃、pH值在1.5～2.0范围内,以磺基水杨酸为指示剂,用EDTA标准溶液滴定Fe³⁺;然后加入过硫酸铵氧化Fe²⁺,继续用EDTA标准溶液滴定氧化生成的Fe³⁺,再减去金属铁(MFe)即得到Fe²⁺含量。试验讨论了溶液温度、酸度及环境保护措施的选择等条件对测定结果的影响。实验方法用于测定3个高炉渣样品中Fe³⁺和Fe²⁺,结果的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)为0.76%～2.3%。按照实验方法测定3个高炉渣样品中Fe³⁺和Fe²⁺,结果与邻二氮菲分光光度法测定结果相吻合。     

Is serum transferrin receptor useful for detecting iron-deficiency in anaemic patients with chronic inflammatory diseases?

We investigated whether determination of serum transferrin receptor (TfR) is useful for detecting iron-deficiency in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and for differentiating between iron-deficiency anaemia and anaemia of inflammation. Using an immunofluorometric assay, serum TfR was measured in 34 anaemic patients. Of these patients, 23 had a chronic rheumatic disease, 13 with both inflammation and iron-deficiency and 10 with anaemia of inflammation only; the other 11 patients had iron-deficiency anaemia and no evidence of inflammation. Serum TfR concentrations were lower in patients with anaemia of inflammation (2.6 +/- 0.2 mg/l, mean +/- S.E.M.) than in patients with iron-deficiency anaemia (6.7 +/- 1.1 mg/l, P < 0.01) or those with both inflammation and iron deficiency (5.8 +/- 1.0 mg/l, P < 0.01). Among patients with inflammatory disease, correlations between TfR and ferritin concentrations (r = -0.62, P < 0.05) and TfR and erythropoietin concentrations (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) were observed in iron-deficient subjects only. TfR, though not superior to serum ferritin, can help to distinguish between anaemia of inflammation and iron-deficiency anaemia and to identify iron-deficiency in subjects with chronic inflammation.     

Treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency with recombinant human erythropoietin

The discovery of recombinant human erythropoietin has enabled treatment of anaemia in patients whose anaemia was primarily caused by the lack of erythropoietin. This agent was most widely used in the treatment of anaemia in chronic renal failure patients. Non-regulated hypertension is considered to be the only absolute contraindication for recombinant human erythropoietin application, but thrombocytosis, predisposition to thromboses of arterio-venous fistulae, and convulsions are regarded as relative contraindications. Recombinant human erythropoietin may be administered intravenously, but the subcutaneous route is considered more rational. The treatment is initiated by low doses with gradual dose increase, what enables gradual anaemia correction and prevents the appearance of adverse effects. Haemoglobin level of around 100 g/l is considered the target haemoglobin level. The majority of patients respond well to treatment by human recombinant erythropoietin and the absence of anaemia improvement may be the result of iron deficiency, occult haemorrhages, chronic infection, inadequate dialysis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, aluminium intoxication. Anaemia improvement during the treatment with recombinant erythropoietin leads to the improvement of function of most organs and the quality of life in general as well as avoidance of blood transfusions and their adverse effects. The most frequent adverse effect of recombinant erythropoietin is the development of iron deficiency or hypertension aggravation.     

Emergency management of a monstrous inguinal hernia

The risk of osteoporosis is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: particularly in those with additional strong risk factors such as glucocorticoid therapy, hypogonadism, past history of fragility fracture or malnutrition. Where possible, bone densitometry should be performed to identify those in need of treatment, to avoid unnecessary treatment if bone density is normal and to monitor the effects of treatment designed to prevent bone loss. If bone densitometry is not available, treatment should be advised on the basis of strong risk factors. Hormone replacement therapy should be given to patients with hypogonadism and bisphosphonate therapy to those receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment. The dose of glucocorticoids should be kept to a minimum and, where present, vitamin D deficiency should be corrected.     

Fluorescent pseudomonad pyoverdines bind and oxidize ferrous ion

Major pyoverdines from Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 (Pf-B), P. aeruginosa ATCC 15692 (Pa-C), and P. putida ATCC 12633 (Pp-C) were examined by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques to investigate the interaction between ferrous ion and the pyoverdine ligand. At physiological pH, ferrous ion quenched the fluorescence of all three pyoverdines much faster than ferric ion did. Also, increased absorbance at 460 nm was observed to be much faster for Fe2+ -pyoverdine than for Fe3+ -pyoverdine. At pH 7.4, about 90% of Fe3+ was bound by pyoverdine Pa-C after 24 h whereas Fe2+ was bound by the pyoverdine completely in only 5 min. The possibility that Fe2+ underwent rapid autoxidation before being bound by pyoverdine was considered unlikely, since the Fe2+ concentration in pyoverdine-free samples remained constant over a 3-min period at pH 7.4. Incubating excess Fe2+ with pyoverdine in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline, an Fe3+ -specific chelating agent, resulted in the formation of a Fe3+ -hydroxyquinoline complex, suggesting that the iron in the Fe2+ -pyoverdine complex existed in the oxidized form. These results strongly suggested that pyoverdines bind and oxidize the ferrous ion.