Identification and quantification of 19 pharmaceutical active compounds and metabolites in hospital wastewater in Cameroon using LC/QQQ and LC/Q-TOF.

Human pharmaceutical residues are a serious environmental concern. They have been reported to have eco, geno, and human toxic effects, and thus their importance as micropollutants cannot be ignored. These have been studied extensively in Europe and North America.

Na(+)/Ca (2+) exchange and the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase in β-cell function and diabetes.

The rat pancreatic β-cell expresses two splice variants of the Na+/Ca(2+) exchanger 1 (NCX1) and six splice variants of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA). In the β-cell, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange displays a high capacity, contributes to both Ca(2+) outflow and influx and participates to the control of insulin release. Gain of function studies show that overexpression of NCX1 or PMCA2 leads to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) depletion with subsequent ER stress, decrease in β-cell proliferation and β-cell death by apoptosis.

β-Cell preservation and regeneration in diabetes by modulation of β-cell Ca²⁺ homeostasis.

Ca(2+) extrusion from the β-cell is mediated by two processes the Na/Ca exchanger (NCX) and the plasma membrane Ca(2+) -ATPase (PMCA). Gain of function studies show that overexpression of NCX or PMCA leads to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) depletion with subsequent ER stress, decrease in β-cell proliferation and β-cell death by apoptosis. Interestingly, chronic exposure to cytokines or high free fatty acid concentrations also induce ER Ca(2+) depletion and β-cell death in diabetes.

Intermittent fasting modulation of the diabetic syndrome in streptozotocin-injected rats.

This study investigates the effects of intermittent overnight fasting in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ rats). Over 30 days, groups of 5-6 control or STZ rats were allowed free food access, starved overnight, or exposed to a restricted food supply comparable to that ingested by the intermittently fasting animals. Intermittent fasting improved glucose tolerance, increased plasma insulin, and lowered Homeostatis Model Assessment index.

Heterozygous inactivation of the Na/Ca exchanger increases glucose-induced insulin release, β-cell proliferation, and mass.

Objective: We have previously shown that overexpression of the Na-Ca exchanger (NCX1), a protein responsible for Ca(2+) extrusion from cells, increases β-cell programmed cell death (apoptosis) and reduces β-cell proliferation. To further characterize the role of NCX1 in β-cells under in vivo conditions, we developed and characterized mice deficient for NCX1.

Research Design And Methods: Biologic and morphologic methods (Ca(2+) imaging, Ca(2+) uptake, glucose metabolism, insulin release, and point counting morphometry) were used to assess β-cell function in vitro.