Aqua regia extractable selenium concentrations of some Scottish topsoils measured by ICP-MS and the relationship with mineral and organic soil components

BACKGROUND

To provide information concerning the geographical distribution of selenium (Se) in the soils of Scotland, we analysed 47 arable soils selected on the basis of their parent rock, which were expected to have relatively high, low or unclassified Se concentrations. To investigate relationships between the actual minerals in the soils and the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soil, soil minerals were quantified by X-ray diffraction.

RESULTS

The aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soils were between 0.19 and 1.46 mg kg(-1). No simple correlation between the aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soil and the parent rock classification estimated by soil survey was evident. Partial least squares analysis revealed that the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soils was positively related to loss on ignition (LOI) or C concentration and negatively related to the K-feldspar concentration, with other minerals being less important.

CONCLUSION

The Se concentration of arable topsoils from Scotland is more related to LOI or carbon concentration, with parent material being less important.

First web space reconstruction by a free flap from the contralateral paralysed hand

In modern reconstructive surgery any composite tissue removed during an elective ablative operation may serve as a vascularised free-tissue transfer for a possible distant reconstruction. The use of this technique does not create a donor deficit and may help in the reconstruction process. We report a case in which the dorsum of a paralysed and insensate right hand has been used as a free tissue transfer for the reconstruction of the first web space of the left hand.

Comparison of Chemstrip uG, Clinitest, and Diastix urine test methods in diabetic children

The new urine test, Chemstrip uG, was compared with Clinitest and Diastix methods by pediatric diabetic patients and by health care professionals. With the children testing all urine samples (N = 108), accuracy for Chemstrip uG and Clinitest was similar and superior to that of Diastix. When the children tested specimens containing up to only 2.2% glucose (N = 75), all test methods were shown to have generally similar accuracies. The diabetic children, however, preferred Chemstrip uG (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that Chemstrip uG is a clinically useful and acceptable method for self-monitoring of urine glucose in diabetic children.