We describe here an application of the practical, simple, and reliable approach for the determination of the absolute configuration of sterically demanding tert/tert vic-diols. According to this method, it is only necessary to mix dimolybdenum tetraacteate and a chiral diol in DMSO and record the CD spectra in the 250-650 nm spectral range. From the sign of the CD bands occurring at around 310, 350, and 400 nm, it is possible to establish the chirality of the diol unit expressed by the sign of the O-C-C-O torsion angle. Because the preferred conformation of the diol in the formed complex is known, we are able to determine the absolute configuration of the carbon atoms in the diol subunit even in flexible tert/tert vic-diols.

In humans, selenium was hypothesized to lower the risk of several chronic diseases, mainly due to the antioxidant activity of selenium-containing proteins. Recent epidemiologic and laboratory Downloaded by [New York University] at 16:24 19 June 2015 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2studies, however, are changing our perception of the biological effects of this nutritionally essential trace element. We reviewed the most recent epidemiologic and biochemical literature on selenium, synthesizing the findings from these studies into a unifying view. Randomized trials have shown that selenium did not protect against cancer and other chronic diseases, but even increased the risk of specific neoplasms such as advanced prostate cancer and skin cancer, in addition to type 2 diabetes. Biochemical studies indicate that selenium may exert a broad pattern of toxic effects at unexpectedly low concentrations. Furthermore, its upregulation of antioxidant proteins (selenium-dependent and selenium-independent) may be a manifestation of self-induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, toxic effects of selenium species occur at lower concentrations than previously believed. Those effects may include a large range of proteomic changes and adverse health effects in humans. Since the effects of environmental exposure to this element on human health still remain partially unknown, but are potentially serious, the toxicity of selenium exposure should be further investigated and considered as a public health priority.

The PAR-2/TF/FVIIa axis may contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis; thus, interference with this pathway confers novel therapeutic potential for the treatment of IPF.

The findings of the present study provide evidence for the hypothesis based on in vitro studies which assumes that GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphism has a functional significance for the human organism and that this functionality is associated with a different response of GPx1 activity to Se. They also point to the importance of the genetic background in the assessment of the Se status with the use of selenoprotein biomarkers such as GPx1 activity.

1) Urgent metabolic intervention decreases mortality of LCHAD-deficient patients, but the prognosis is still uncertain. 2) Emergent metabolic reporting and service are crucial also for the survival of neonates detected by NBS. 3) The nationwide selective screening appeared efficient in LCHADD detection in the country. 4) Transient mild hyperphenylalaninaemia may occur in LCHAD-deficient newborns.

It appears that among smoking individuals, those with the Sep15 1125 AA genotype may benefit most from a higher Se intake, whereas in those with the GG or GA genotype, a higher Se status may increase the risk for lung cancer.

BackgroundSince targeting oxidative stress markers has been recently recognized as a novel therapeutic target in cancer, it is interesting to investigate whether genetic susceptibility may modify oxidative stress response in cancer. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether genetic polymorphism in the antioxidant enzymes is associated with lipid peroxidation in breast cancer.MethodsWe conducted a study among Polish women, including 136 breast cancer cases and 183 healthy controls. The analysis included genetic polymorphisms in five redox related genes: GPX1 (rs1050450), GPX4 (rs713041), SOD2 (rs4880), SEPP1 (rs3877899) and SEP15 (rs5859), lipid peroxidation, the activities of antioxidant enzymes determined in blood compartments as well as plasma concentration of selenium – an antioxidant trace element involved in cancer. Genotyping was performed using the Real Time PCR. Lipid peroxidation was expressed as plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and measured with the spectrofluorometric method. Glutathione peroxidase activity was spectrophotometrically determined in erythrocytes (GPx1) and plasma (GPx3) by the use of Paglia and Valentine method. Spectrophotometric methods were employed to measure activity of cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in erythrocytes (Beauchamp and Fridovich method) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in plasma (Sunderman and Nomoto method). Plasma selenium concentration was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.ResultsBreast cancer risk was significantly associated with GPX1 rs1050450 (Pro198Leu) polymorphism, showing a protective effect of variant (Leu) allele. As compared to the control subjects, lipid peroxidation and GPx1 activity were significantly higher in the breast cancer cases, whereas ceruloplasmin activity was decreased. After genotype stratification, both GPx1 activity and TBARS concentration were the highest in GPX1 Pro/Pro homozygotes affected by breast cancer. At the same time, there was a significant correlation between the level of lipid peroxidation and GPx1 activity among the cancer subjects possessing GPX1 Pro/Pro genotype (r = 0.3043; p = 0.0089), whereas such a correlation was completely absent in the cases carrying at least one GPX1 Leu allele as well as in the controls (regardless of GPX1 genotype).ConclusionsGPX1 polymorphism may be an important factor modifying oxidative stress response in breast cancer subjects. Further studies are needed to elucidate its potential clinical significance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1680-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objectives• To elucidate genetic polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP1 (rs1799750), MMP2 (rs243865), MMP9 (rs3918242), MMP12 (rs2276109) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) TIMP1 (rs2070584) and TIMP3 (rs9619311) genes that may be involved in susceptibility to bladder cancer (BC). Patients and Methods• We enrolled 241 patients with BC and 199 controls.• Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood and polymorphisms were analysed by high-resolution melting analysis and by real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan fluorescent probes. T with MMP9 -1562C/T (rs3918242) allele T was found to increase BC risk (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.10-3.62; P = 0.022). Results • Of the six evaluated polymorphisms of Conclusions• Our results suggest that genetic variations in five polymorphisms of MMPs and TIMPs are not associated with a high risk of BC.• Only MMP1 polymorphism may be related to the risk of BC, notably in 'ever smokers' . • Our study suggests that the effects of polymorphisms of MMPs and TIMPs on BC risk deserve further investigation.