Proceedings of the VIIIth Conference of the International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans (ISTERH), the IXth Conference of the Nordic Trace Element Society (NTES), and the VIth Conferen

Current state of knowledge and gaps in experimental evidence related to the physiologic role and toxicity of trace elements in human health were presented and discussed at an international joint conference in Hersonissos, Crete-Greece, in October 2007. The conference (ISTERH/NTES/HTES '07) constituted the VIIIth Conference of the International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans (ISTERH), the IXth Conference of the Nordic Trace Element Society (NTES), and the VIth Conference of the Hellenic Trace Element Society (HTES). The focus of the conference is put on the topics:Trace minerals as modulators of arterial functionZinc nutriture and the fetal origins of diseaseHealth consequences of trace element deficienciesCopper in neurologic and neurodegenerative diseasesHealth effects of low dose exposure to toxic metalsEnvironmental stress and mineral homeostasisMolecular mechanisms of metal induced diseaseAdvances in analytical detection of trace elements in biological tissuesMineral elements and molecular signaling as it relates to human diseaseIs copper involved in carcinogenesis/carcinostatics?Zinc and the common coldThe role micronutrients (iodine, iron and zinc) in intellectual development