A Preliminary X-Ray Study on Human-Hair Microstructures for a Health-State Indicator
We present a preliminary x-ray study on human-hair
microstructures for a health-state indicator, in particular a cancer
case. As an uncomplicated and low-cost method of x-ray technique,
the human-hair microstructure was analyzed by wide-angle x-ray
diffractions (XRD) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The
XRD measurements exhibited the simply reflections at the d-spacing
of 28 Å, 9.4 Å and 4.4 Å representing to the periodic distance of the
protein matrix of the human-hair macrofibrous and the diameter and
the repeated spacing of the polypeptide alpha helixes of the
photofibrils of the human-hair microfibrous, respectively. When
compared to the normal cases, the unhealthy cases including to the
breast- and ovarian-cancer cases obtained higher normalized ratios of
the x-ray diffracting peaks of 9.4 Å and 4.4 Å. This likely resulted
from the varied distributions of microstructures by a molecular
alteration. As an elemental analysis by x-ray fluorescence (XRF), the
normalized quantitative ratios of zinc(Zn)/calcium(Ca) and
iron(Fe)/calcium(Ca) were determined. Analogously, both Zn/Ca and
Fe/Ca ratios of the unhealthy cases were obtained higher than both of
the normal cases were. Combining the structural analysis by XRD
measurements and the elemental analysis by XRF measurements
exhibited that the modified fibrous microstructures of hair samples
were in relation to their altered elemental compositions. Therefore,
these microstructural and elemental analyses of hair samples will be
benefit to associate with a diagnosis of cancer and genetic diseases.
This functional method would lower a risk of such diseases by the
early diagnosis. However, the high-intensity x-ray source, the highresolution
x-ray detector, and more hair samples are necessarily
desired to develop this x-ray technique and the efficiency would be
enhanced by including the skin and fingernail samples with the
human-hair analysis.
[1] L. Pauling and R.B. Corey, "Two hydrogen-bonded spiral
configurations of the polypeptide chain", J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 72,
(1950), 5349.
[2] L. Pauling, R.B. Corey, H.R. Branson, "The structure of proteins: two
hydrogen bonded helical configurations of the polypeptide chain", Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 37, (1951), 205-211.
[3] L Pauling and R.B. Corey, "Compound Helical Configurations of
Polypeptide Chains: Structure of Proteins of the ╬▒-Keratin Type",
Nature 171, (1953), 59-61.
[4] C. R. Robbins, "Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair", 4th
Ed., 2000
[5] F. Baltenneck, Bernard, J.C. Garson, P. Engström, C. Riekel, F. Leroy,
A. Franbourg and J.Doucet, "Study of the keratinization process in
human hair follicle by x-ray microdiffraction", Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-legrand):
46(5), (2000), 1017-1024.
[6] V.J. James, "Fiber diffraction of skin and nails provides an accurate
diagnosis of malignancies", Int. J. Cancer: 125, (2009) 133-138.
[7] V. James, "Review: A place for fiber diffraction in the detection of
breast cancer?", Cancer Detection and Prevention 30 (2006), 233-238.
[8] V. James, G. Corino, T. Robertson, N. Dutton, D. Halas, A. Boyd, J.
Bentel and J. Papadimitriou, "Early diagnosis of breast cancer by hair
diffraction", Int. J. Cancer: 114, (2005), 969-972.
[9] G. L. Corino, P. W. French, M. Lee, M. M. Ajaj, J. Haklani, D. A.H.
Mistry, K. Phan and P. G. Yuile, "Characterization of a Test for
Invasive Breast Cancer Using X-ray Diffraction of HairÔÇöResults of a
clinical Trial", Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research 3 (2009), 83-
90.
[10] V. James, J. Kearsley, T. Irving, Y. Amemiya, D. Cookson, "Using hair
to screen for breast cancer", Nature: 398(6722), (1999), 33-40.
[11] P. Meyer, V. James and J., "Experimental confirmation of a distinctive
diffraction pattern in the hair from women with breast cancer", J. Nat.
Cancer Inst.: 93(11), (2001), 873-875.
[12] G.L. Corino, P.W. French, "Diagnosis of breast cancer by x-ray
diffraction of hair", Int. J. Cancer.;122(4), (2008), 847-856.
[13] G. Dongarrà, M. Lombardo, E. Tamburo, D. Varrica, F. Cibella, G.
Cuttitta, "Concentration and reference interval of trace elements in
human hair from students living in Palermo, Sicily (Italy)",
Environmental toxicology and pharmacology; 32, (2011), 27-34.
[14] S. Polizzi, J. Todhunter, P. Panarisi, G. Caruso, A. Schiavone,
"Smoking habits and breast cancer: Substantially reduced risk for
smokers observed in screening trials using X ray diffraction of hair by
synchrotron", Primary therapy of early breast cancer - 11th International
Conference, 20(1), (2011), 333.
[15] M. L. Carvalho, A. F. Marques and J. Brito,"Synchrotron Radiation and
Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Applications on Elemental
Distribution in Human Hair and Bones", AIP Conf. Proc. (x-ray and
inner-shell processes); 652, (2003), 522-528.
[16] K. Geraki, M. J. Farquharson and D. A. Bradley, "Concentrations of Fe,
Cu and Zn in breast tissue: a synchrotron XRF study", Phys. Med. Biol.
47, (2002), 2327-2339.
[17] P. Li, X. Feng, G. Qiu and Q. Wan, "Hair can be a good biomarker of
occupational exposure to mercury vapor: Simulated experiments and
field data analysis", Sci. Total Environ. 409(20), (2011), 4484-8.
[18] V.J. James, D.K. Yue and S.V. McLennan, "Changes in the molecular
structure of hair in insulin dependent diabetes", Biochim. Biophys. Res.
Commun. 233, (1997), 76-80.
[19] www.breastcancer.org
[20] S. Wacholder et al., "Performance of Common Genetic Variants in
Breast-Cancer Risk Models", N. Engl. J. Med. 362, (2010), 986-93.
[21] V. James, "Synchrotron fibre diffraction identifies and locates foetal
collagenous breast tissue associated with breast carcinoma", J.
Synchrotron Radiat. 9, (2002), 71-76.
[22] S. Hayes, C. Boote, Y. Huang, K.M. Meek, "The relationship between
surface corneal topography and stromal collagen organisation in normal
and keratoconus corneas", Fibre Diffraction Rev. 14 (2006), 15-21.
[23] C.J. Connon, T. Nakamura, A. Hopkinson, A. Quantock, N. Yagi, J.
Doutch, K.M. Meek, "The biomechanics of amnion rupture: an x-ray
diffraction study", PLoS One 2, (2007), e1147.
[24] V.J. James and B.E. Willis, "Molecular changes in skin predict
predisposition to breast cancer", J. Med. Genet. 39, 2002, 1e.
[25] V.J. James, "Fibre diffraction from a single hair can provide an early
non-invasive test for colon cancer" Med. Sci. Monitor 9, (2003),
MT79-MT84.
[26] V.J. James, J.C. Richardson, T.A. Robertson, J.M. Papadimitriou, N.S.
Dutton, M.A.L. Maley, L.M. Berstein, O.E. Lantseva and R.N. Martins,
"Fibre diffraction of hair can provide a screening test for Alzheimer-s
Disease: a human and animal model study", Med. Sci. Monitor, 11,
(2005), CR53-CR57.
[27] Y.S. Ryabukin, "Activation analysis of hair as an indicator of
contamination of man by environmental trace element pollutants",
IAEA Report IAEA/RL/50, Vienna; 1978.
[28] Y.S. Ryabukhin, "Nuclear-based methods for the analysis of trace
element pollutants in human hair", J. Radioanal. Chem. 60 , (1980), 7-
30.
[29] D.A. Bass, D. Hickok, D. Quig and K. Urek, "Trace Element Analysis
in Hair: Factors Determining Accuracy, Precision, and Reliability",
Alternative Medicine Review, 6 (5), (2001), 472-481.
[1] L. Pauling and R.B. Corey, "Two hydrogen-bonded spiral
configurations of the polypeptide chain", J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 72,
(1950), 5349.
[2] L. Pauling, R.B. Corey, H.R. Branson, "The structure of proteins: two
hydrogen bonded helical configurations of the polypeptide chain", Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 37, (1951), 205-211.
[3] L Pauling and R.B. Corey, "Compound Helical Configurations of
Polypeptide Chains: Structure of Proteins of the ╬▒-Keratin Type",
Nature 171, (1953), 59-61.
[4] C. R. Robbins, "Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair", 4th
Ed., 2000
[5] F. Baltenneck, Bernard, J.C. Garson, P. Engström, C. Riekel, F. Leroy,
A. Franbourg and J.Doucet, "Study of the keratinization process in
human hair follicle by x-ray microdiffraction", Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-legrand):
46(5), (2000), 1017-1024.
[6] V.J. James, "Fiber diffraction of skin and nails provides an accurate
diagnosis of malignancies", Int. J. Cancer: 125, (2009) 133-138.
[7] V. James, "Review: A place for fiber diffraction in the detection of
breast cancer?", Cancer Detection and Prevention 30 (2006), 233-238.
[8] V. James, G. Corino, T. Robertson, N. Dutton, D. Halas, A. Boyd, J.
Bentel and J. Papadimitriou, "Early diagnosis of breast cancer by hair
diffraction", Int. J. Cancer: 114, (2005), 969-972.
[9] G. L. Corino, P. W. French, M. Lee, M. M. Ajaj, J. Haklani, D. A.H.
Mistry, K. Phan and P. G. Yuile, "Characterization of a Test for
Invasive Breast Cancer Using X-ray Diffraction of HairÔÇöResults of a
clinical Trial", Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research 3 (2009), 83-
90.
[10] V. James, J. Kearsley, T. Irving, Y. Amemiya, D. Cookson, "Using hair
to screen for breast cancer", Nature: 398(6722), (1999), 33-40.
[11] P. Meyer, V. James and J., "Experimental confirmation of a distinctive
diffraction pattern in the hair from women with breast cancer", J. Nat.
Cancer Inst.: 93(11), (2001), 873-875.
[12] G.L. Corino, P.W. French, "Diagnosis of breast cancer by x-ray
diffraction of hair", Int. J. Cancer.;122(4), (2008), 847-856.
[13] G. Dongarrà, M. Lombardo, E. Tamburo, D. Varrica, F. Cibella, G.
Cuttitta, "Concentration and reference interval of trace elements in
human hair from students living in Palermo, Sicily (Italy)",
Environmental toxicology and pharmacology; 32, (2011), 27-34.
[14] S. Polizzi, J. Todhunter, P. Panarisi, G. Caruso, A. Schiavone,
"Smoking habits and breast cancer: Substantially reduced risk for
smokers observed in screening trials using X ray diffraction of hair by
synchrotron", Primary therapy of early breast cancer - 11th International
Conference, 20(1), (2011), 333.
[15] M. L. Carvalho, A. F. Marques and J. Brito,"Synchrotron Radiation and
Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Applications on Elemental
Distribution in Human Hair and Bones", AIP Conf. Proc. (x-ray and
inner-shell processes); 652, (2003), 522-528.
[16] K. Geraki, M. J. Farquharson and D. A. Bradley, "Concentrations of Fe,
Cu and Zn in breast tissue: a synchrotron XRF study", Phys. Med. Biol.
47, (2002), 2327-2339.
[17] P. Li, X. Feng, G. Qiu and Q. Wan, "Hair can be a good biomarker of
occupational exposure to mercury vapor: Simulated experiments and
field data analysis", Sci. Total Environ. 409(20), (2011), 4484-8.
[18] V.J. James, D.K. Yue and S.V. McLennan, "Changes in the molecular
structure of hair in insulin dependent diabetes", Biochim. Biophys. Res.
Commun. 233, (1997), 76-80.
[19] www.breastcancer.org
[20] S. Wacholder et al., "Performance of Common Genetic Variants in
Breast-Cancer Risk Models", N. Engl. J. Med. 362, (2010), 986-93.
[21] V. James, "Synchrotron fibre diffraction identifies and locates foetal
collagenous breast tissue associated with breast carcinoma", J.
Synchrotron Radiat. 9, (2002), 71-76.
[22] S. Hayes, C. Boote, Y. Huang, K.M. Meek, "The relationship between
surface corneal topography and stromal collagen organisation in normal
and keratoconus corneas", Fibre Diffraction Rev. 14 (2006), 15-21.
[23] C.J. Connon, T. Nakamura, A. Hopkinson, A. Quantock, N. Yagi, J.
Doutch, K.M. Meek, "The biomechanics of amnion rupture: an x-ray
diffraction study", PLoS One 2, (2007), e1147.
[24] V.J. James and B.E. Willis, "Molecular changes in skin predict
predisposition to breast cancer", J. Med. Genet. 39, 2002, 1e.
[25] V.J. James, "Fibre diffraction from a single hair can provide an early
non-invasive test for colon cancer" Med. Sci. Monitor 9, (2003),
MT79-MT84.
[26] V.J. James, J.C. Richardson, T.A. Robertson, J.M. Papadimitriou, N.S.
Dutton, M.A.L. Maley, L.M. Berstein, O.E. Lantseva and R.N. Martins,
"Fibre diffraction of hair can provide a screening test for Alzheimer-s
Disease: a human and animal model study", Med. Sci. Monitor, 11,
(2005), CR53-CR57.
[27] Y.S. Ryabukin, "Activation analysis of hair as an indicator of
contamination of man by environmental trace element pollutants",
IAEA Report IAEA/RL/50, Vienna; 1978.
[28] Y.S. Ryabukhin, "Nuclear-based methods for the analysis of trace
element pollutants in human hair", J. Radioanal. Chem. 60 , (1980), 7-
30.
[29] D.A. Bass, D. Hickok, D. Quig and K. Urek, "Trace Element Analysis
in Hair: Factors Determining Accuracy, Precision, and Reliability",
Alternative Medicine Review, 6 (5), (2001), 472-481.
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:64694", author = "Phannee Saengkaew and Weerasak Ussawawongaraya and Sasiphan Khaweerat and Supagorn Rugmai and Sirisart Ouajai and Jiraporn Luengviriya and Sakuntam Sanorpim and Manop Tirarattanasompot and Somboon Rhianphumikarakit", title = "A Preliminary X-Ray Study on Human-Hair Microstructures for a Health-State Indicator", abstract = "We present a preliminary x-ray study on human-hair
microstructures for a health-state indicator, in particular a cancer
case. As an uncomplicated and low-cost method of x-ray technique,
the human-hair microstructure was analyzed by wide-angle x-ray
diffractions (XRD) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The
XRD measurements exhibited the simply reflections at the d-spacing
of 28 Å, 9.4 Å and 4.4 Å representing to the periodic distance of the
protein matrix of the human-hair macrofibrous and the diameter and
the repeated spacing of the polypeptide alpha helixes of the
photofibrils of the human-hair microfibrous, respectively. When
compared to the normal cases, the unhealthy cases including to the
breast- and ovarian-cancer cases obtained higher normalized ratios of
the x-ray diffracting peaks of 9.4 Å and 4.4 Å. This likely resulted
from the varied distributions of microstructures by a molecular
alteration. As an elemental analysis by x-ray fluorescence (XRF), the
normalized quantitative ratios of zinc(Zn)/calcium(Ca) and
iron(Fe)/calcium(Ca) were determined. Analogously, both Zn/Ca and
Fe/Ca ratios of the unhealthy cases were obtained higher than both of
the normal cases were. Combining the structural analysis by XRD
measurements and the elemental analysis by XRF measurements
exhibited that the modified fibrous microstructures of hair samples
were in relation to their altered elemental compositions. Therefore,
these microstructural and elemental analyses of hair samples will be
benefit to associate with a diagnosis of cancer and genetic diseases.
This functional method would lower a risk of such diseases by the
early diagnosis. However, the high-intensity x-ray source, the highresolution
x-ray detector, and more hair samples are necessarily
desired to develop this x-ray technique and the efficiency would be
enhanced by including the skin and fingernail samples with the
human-hair analysis.", keywords = "Human-hair analysis, XRD, SAXS, breast cancer, health-state indicator", volume = "5", number = "11", pages = "632-5", }
