There are conflicting reports on the link between the micronutrient selenium and the prevalence of diabetes. To investigate the possibility that selenium acts as a "double-edged sword" in diabetes, cDNA microarray profiling and two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry were used to determine changes in mRNA and protein expression in pancreatic and liver tis...

The early stages of quinoa germination are sensitive to drought stress. For this purpose, a study entitled the effect selenium in different concentrations on characteristics and some antioxidant enzymes under stress conditions with polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was investigated. first experimental factor seed priming (from two sources: sodium selenate nanoparticles: SeNPs ? 33.4 nm) at 0.5, 1....

Sir: Latumcidin1) (abikoviromycin)2>3), C10HnINK), is an optically active antiviral antibiotic isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces reticuli var. latumcidicus. It is highly unstable and promptly polymerizes during isolation. In 1968, A.I. Gurevich et al.^ reported the structure of abikoviromycin to be (4S, 4 aR) 5-ethylidene-2,3-dihydro-l,5-pyridine4,4a-oxide by chemical method. We h...

Selenate reductase (SER) from Thauera selenatis is a periplasmic enzyme that has been classified as a type II molybdoenzyme. The enzyme comprises three subunits SerABC, where SerC is an unusual b-heme cytochrome. In the present work the spectropotentiometric characterization of the SerC component and the identification of redox partners to SER are reported. The mid-point redox potential of the ...

Phytoremediation of selenium-contaminated soils may be influenced by higher trophic levels including insects. We examined how selenium affects the behavior, survival, and development of the wasp parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris, parasitizing its natural host, the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, feeding on alfalfa, Medicago sativa, irrigated with water containing selenate. X-ray absorption spe...

We investigated possible conditions or drugs that might enhance the sensitivity of anti-mitotic drug-resistant cancer cells. We particularly focused on identifying mechanisms or drugs that could sensitize P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-overexpressing resistant KBV20C cancer cells. Our approach utilized repositioning drugs, which are already used in clinics, because once their sensitization mechanisms on...

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and other mammals. Most dietary Se is derived from crops. To develop a Se biofortification strategy for wheat, the effect of selenate fertilization and bacterial inoculation on Se uptake and plant growth was investigated. YAM2, a bacterium with 99% similarity to Bacillus pichinotyi, showed many plant growth promoting characteristics. Inocul...

Selenium is a naturally occurring substance that is toxic at high concentrations but is also a nutritionally essential element. Hydrogen selenide is the most acutely toxic selenium compound. Acute (short-term) exposure to elemental selenium, hydrogen selenide, and selenium dioxide by inhalation results primarily in respiratory effects, such as irritation of the mucous membranes, pulmonary edema...

The effects of selenium (Se) on the growth and antioxidant activity in Spirulina platensis were investigated. S. platensis was grown in zarrouk medium containing three different concentrations of selenate (Na2SeO4) (0 as a control, 5 and 10 mg l-1) for 7 days. Selenate at the concentration of 5 mg l-1was found to improve S. platensis growth. However, selenate was toxic to S. platensis at the co...