Issue Information ‐ Editorial Board

https://ift.tt/2S5p3BO

Front Cover

The cover image is based on the Review Overlapping but distinct roles for NOTCH receptors in human cardiovascular disease, by J.A.N. Meester et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/cge.13382.

The cover image is based on the Review Overlapping but distinct roles for NOTCH receptors in human cardiovascular disease, by J.A.N. Meester et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/cge.13382.

https://ift.tt/2QB3xYY

Selenium-Mercury Balance in Commercial Fish Species from the Turkish Waters

Abstract

The interactions between selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) were assessed in order to interpret public health risk, associated with dietary mercury exposure due to fish consumption. For this purpose, the mass and molar concentrations of Se and Hg were determined in the edible tissues of six species of fish, collected from the commercial fishing grounds of Turkey. The Se/Hg molar ratios and selenium health benefit values (Se-HBVs) were also calculated. The main fish species exported from Turkey to Europe were studied to determine the risks or benefits for human health. The mean Hg levels (μg g⁻¹, wet weight) ranged from 0.01 (in turbot) to 0.45 (in Atlantic bluefin tuna). The average selenium concentrations were between 0.96 μg g⁻¹ (in thornback ray) and 1.86 μg g⁻¹ (in turbot). The molar ratios of Se/Hg were above 1 for all species and greater than 100 in turbot, red mullet, and whiting. Positive Se-HBVs were determined for all samples, showing health benefits. Since Se is present in molar excess of Hg in the fish muscles, organic Hg exposures from eating these fish is not a public health concern.

https://ift.tt/2BkqOne

Initial evaluation of PET/CT with 18F‐FSU‐880 targeting prostate‐specific membrane antigen in prostate cancer patients

Summary

This first‐in‐man study was performed to evaluate the safety, whole‐body distribution, dose estimation and lesion accumulation of ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880, a newly‐developed probe targeting prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Six prostate cancer patients with known metastatic lesions underwent serial whole‐body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880. Blood and urine were analyzed before and after PET/CT. Accumulation of ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880 in organs and metastatic lesions in serial PET images were evaluated by measuring the standardized uptake values. From the biodistribution data, the organ doses and whole‐body effective dose were calculated using OLINDA/EXM software. ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880 PET/CT could be performed without significant adverse effects. High physiological uptake was observed in the salivary/lachrymal glands and kidneys. The effective dose was calculated to be 0.921 × 10^‐2 mSv/MBq. Known metastatic lesions were clearly visualized with high image contrast that increased with time, except in one patient, whose bone metastases were well‐controlled and inactive. PET/CT with ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880 could be performed safely and could clearly visualize active metastatic lesions. The present results warrant further clinical studies with a larger number of cases to verify the clinical utility of ¹⁸F‐FSU‐880 PET/CT in the management of prostate cancer patients.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

https://ift.tt/2LiRB7W

Continuum Gating Current Models Computed with Consistent Interactions

The action potential of nerve and muscle is produced by voltage sensitive channels that include a specialized device to sense voltage. The voltage sensor depends on the movement of charges in the changing electric field, as suggested by Hodgkin and Huxley. Gating currents of the voltage sensor are now known to depend on the movements of positively charged arginines through the hydrophobic plug of a voltage sensor domain. Transient movements of these permanently charged arginines, caused by the change of transmembrane potential V, further drag the S4 segment and induce opening/closing of ion conduction pore by moving the S4-S5 linker.

https://ift.tt/2SKjHLX

Molecular Mechanisms of Macular Degeneration Associated with the Complement Factor H Y402H Mutation

A single nucleotide polymorphism, tyrosine 402 to histidine (Y402H), within the gene encoding complement Factor H (FH) predisposes individuals to acquiring age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after aging. This polymorphism occurs in short consensus repeat (SCR) 7 of FH and results in decreased binding affinity of SCR6-8 for heparin. As FH is responsible for regulating the complement system, decreased affinity for heparin results in decreased regulation on surfaces of self. To understand the involvement of the Y402H polymorphism in AMD, we leverage methods from bioinformatics and computational biophysics to quantify structural and dynamical differences between SCR7 isoforms that contribute to decreased pattern recognition in SCR7H402.

https://ift.tt/2QP8b4K

Serum and Urinary Selenium Status in Patients with the Pre-diabetes and Diabetes in Northeast China

Abstract

Homeostasis imbalance of selenium (Se) in diabetes has received great attention. This study investigated serum and urinary Se levels in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Northeast Chinese populations. From January 2010 to October 2011, patients with IFG (n = 12), IGT (n = 15), T1D (n = 25), T2D (n = 137), and healthy controls (n = 50) were enrolled in the First Hospital of Jilin University. Se was detected using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. The serum Se level was dramatically lower in patients with T1D and was significantly higher in IFG subjects, and the urinary Se concentration was markedly lower in IGT and T2D groups. The serum Se levels were positively correlated with serum zinc (Zn) in both IFG and IGT groups, while urinary Se were positively associated with urinary Zn and copper (Cu) in IGT group. The serum Se levels were positively correlated with serum Cu in both T1D and T2D groups, and urinary levels of Se were positively associated with serum zinc and urinary Cu, Zn, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and negatively correlated with serum Ca and Mg in T2D group, while the urinary levels of Se were positively correlated with urinary Zn and Mg both in peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and retinopathy (DR) groups. One month of simvastatin therapy reduced serum Se levels. These results suggest the potential role of Se in diabetes should receive attention.

https://ift.tt/2RZZDFA