Communications Biophysics

Contains reports on one research project.National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 PO1 GM14940-07

Disorders of metal metabolism

Trace elements are chemical elements needed in minute amounts for normal physiology. Some of the physiologically relevant trace elements include iodine, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, cobalt and molybdenum. Of these, some are metals, and in particular, transition metals. The different electron shells of an atom carry different energy levels, with those closest to the nucleus being lowest in energy. The number of electrons in the outermost shell determines the reactivity of such an atom. The electron shells are divided in sub-shells, and in particular the third shell has s, p and d sub-shells. Transition metals are strictly defined as elements whose atom has an incomplete d sub-shell. This incomplete d sub-shell makes them prone to chemical reactions, particularly redox reactions. Transition metals of biologic importance include copper, iron, manganese, cobalt and molybdenum. Zinc is not a transition metal, since it has a complete d sub-shell. Selenium, on the other hand, is strictly speaking a nonmetal, although given its chemical properties between those of metals and nonmetals, it is sometimes considered a metalloid. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the inborn errors of metal and metalloid metabolism

Images of psychiatry and psychiatrists

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hot electron driven enhancement of spin-lattice coupling in 4f ferromagnets observed by femtosecond x-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Femtosecond x-ray magnetic circular dichroism was used to study the time-dependent magnetic moment of 4 fs electrons in the ferromagnets Gd and Tb, which are known for their different spin-lattice coupling. We observe a two-step demagnetization with an ultrafast demagnetization time of 750 fs identical for both systems and slower times which differ sizeably with 40 ps for Gd and 8 ps for Tb. We conclude that spin-lattice coupling in the electronically excited state is enhanced up to orders of magnitude compared to equilibrium.Comment: added reference 24, clarified the meaning of photo-induced, emphasized that XMCD probes the magnetic moment localized at 4f electron

The secretory small GTPase Rab27B as a marker for breast cancer progression.

In contemporary oncology practice, an urgent need remains to refine the prognostic assessment of breast cancer. It is still difficult to identify patients with early breast cancer who are likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Although invasion of cancer cells is the main prognostic denominator in tumor malignancy, our molecular understanding and diagnosis are often inadequate to cope with this activity. Therefore, deciphering molecular pathways of how tumors invade and metastasize may help in the identification of a useful prognostic marker. We recently discovered that the secretory small GTPase Rab27B, a regulator of vesicle exocytosis, delivers proinvasive signals for increased invasiveness, tumor size, and metastasis of various estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo. In human breast cancer specimens, the presence of Rab27B protein proved to be associated with a low degree of differentiation and the presence of lymph node metastasis in ER-positive breast cancer.publishersversionpublishe

Small Is Beautiful: Why Profundaplasty Should Not Be Forgotten

Background: Surgical profundaplasty (SP)is used mainly as an adjunct to endovascular management of peripheral vascular disease (PAD) today. Results from earlier series of profundaplasty alone have been controversial, especially regarding its hemodynamic effect. The question is: Can profundaplasty alone still be useful? Our aim was to evaluate its role in the modern management of vascular patients. Methods: This was a retrospective outcome study. A consecutive series of 97 patients (106 legs) from January 2000 through December 2003 were included. In 55 (52%) legs, the superficial femoral artery was occluded. These patients were included in the current analysis. Of these patients 14 (25%) were female. Mean age was 71 ((11) years. Nineteen (35%) were diabetic. The indication for operation was claudication in 29 (53%), critical leg ischemia (CLI) in 26 (47%), either with rest pain in 17 (31%), or ulcer/gangrene in 9 (16%). Endarterectomy with patch angioplasty with bovine pericardium was performed in all cases. Mean follow-up was 33(14 months. Mean preoperative ankle brachial index (ABI) was 0.6. Sustained clinical efficacy was defined as upward shift of 1 or greater on the Rutherford scale without repeat target limb revascularization (TLR) or amputation. Mortality, morbidity, need for TLR, or amputation were separate endpoints. Results: Postoperatively, ABI was significantly improved (mean=0.7), in 24 (44%) by more than 0.15. At three years, cumulative clinical success rate was 80%. Overall, patients with claudication had a better outcome than those with CLI (p=0.04). Two (4%) major amputations and 2 (4%) minor ones were performed, all in patients with CLI. None of the 9 (16%) ulcers healed. Conclusion: Profundaplasty is still a valuable option for patients with femoral PAD and claudication without tissue loss. It is a straightforward procedure that combines good efficacy with low complication rates. Further endovascular treatment may be facilitated. It is not useful for patients with the combination of critical ischemia and tissue los

International Undiagnosed Diseases Programs (UDPs): components and outcomes

Over the last 15 years, Undiagnosed Diseases Programs have emerged to address the significant number of individuals with suspected but undiagnosed rare genetic diseases, integrating research and clinical care to optimize diagnostic outcomes. This narrative review summarizes the published literature surrounding Undiagnosed Diseases Programs worldwide, including thirteen studies that evaluate outcomes and two commentary papers. Commonalities in the diagnostic and research process of Undiagnosed Diseases Programs are explored through an appraisal of available literature. This exploration allowed for an assessment of the strengths and limitations of each of the six common steps, namely enrollment, comprehensive clinical phenotyping, research diagnostics, data sharing and matchmaking, results, and follow-up. Current literature highlights the potential utility of Undiagnosed Diseases Programs in research diagnostics. Since participants have often had extensive previous genetic studies, research pipelines allow for diagnostic approaches beyond exome or whole genome sequencing, through reanalysis using research-grade bioinformatics tools and multi-omics technologies. The overall diagnostic yield is presented by study, since different selection criteria at enrollment and reporting processes make comparisons challenging and not particularly informative. Nonetheless, diagnostic yield in an undiagnosed cohort reflects the potential of an Undiagnosed Diseases Program. Further comparisons and exploration of the outcomes of Undiagnosed Diseases Programs worldwide will allow for the development and improvement of the diagnostic and research process and in turn improve the value and utility of an Undiagnosed Diseases Program

Association of the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type-3 protein with clathrin

BACKGROUND: Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a disorder of lysosome-related organelle biogenesis characterized by oculocutaneous albinism and prolonged bleeding. These clinical findings reflect defects in the formation of melanosomes in melanocytes and dense bodies in platelets. HPS type-3 (HPS-3) results from mutations in the HPS3 gene, which encodes a 1004 amino acid protein of unknown function that contains a predicted clathrin-binding motif (LLDFE) at residues 172–176. RESULTS: Clathrin was co-immunoprecipitated by HPS3 antibodies from normal but not HPS3 null melanocytes. Normal melanocytes expressing a GFP-HPS3 fusion protein demonstrated partial co-localization of GFP-HPS3 with clathrin following a 20°C temperature block. GFP-HPS3 in which the predicted clathrin-binding domain of HPS3 was mutated (GFP-HPS3-delCBD) did not co-localize with clathrin under the same conditions. Immunoelectron microscopy of normal melanocytes expressing GFP-HPS3 showed co-localization of GFP-HPS3 with clathrin, predominantly on small vesicles in the perinuclear region. In contrast, GFP-HPS3-delCBD did not co-localize with clathrin and exhibited a largely cytoplasmic distribution. CONCLUSION: HPS3 associates with clathrin, predominantly on small clathrin-containing vesicles in the perinuclear region. This association most likely occurs directly via a functional clathrin-binding domain in HPS3. These results suggest a role for HPS3 and its protein complex, BLOC-2, in vesicle formation and trafficking