scholarly journals Role of Insulin in Health and Disease: An Update

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6403
Author(s):  
Md Saidur Rahman ◽  
Khandkar Shaharina Hossain ◽  
Sharnali Das ◽  
Sushmita Kundu ◽  
Elikanah Olusayo Adegoke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health And Disease

Insulin is a polypeptide hormone mainly secreted by β cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The hormone potentially coordinates with glucagon to modulate blood glucose levels; insulin acts via an anabolic pathway, while glucagon performs catabolic functions. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream and induces glucose storage in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, resulting in overall weight gain. The modulation of a wide range of physiological processes by insulin makes its synthesis and levels critical in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Although clinical and basic research has made significant progress in understanding the role of insulin in several pathophysiological processes, many aspects of these functions have yet to be elucidated. This review provides an update on insulin secretion and regulation, and its physiological roles and functions in different organs and cells, and implications to overall health. We cast light on recent advances in insulin-signaling targeted therapies, the protective effects of insulin signaling activators against disease, and recommendations and directions for future research.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of suicide and suicide attempt in northwest of Iran: incidence, predictors, and socioeconomic status and the role of sociocultural status

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Fakhari ◽  
Mostafa Farahbakhsh ◽  
Elham Davtalab Esmaeili ◽  
Hosein Azizi
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Religious Commitment ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Multiple Variable ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background A detailed community-level understanding of socioeconomic status (SES) and sociocultural status (SCS) of suicides and suicide attempters (SAs) in a prospective design could have significant implications for policymakers at the local prevention and treatment levels. The effect of SCS and SES on SAs is poorly understood and investigated in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence, trend, and role of SES and SCS on suicide and SAs. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted based on the registry for SAs in Malekan County, Iran, from 2015 to 2018. Demographic characteristics, SES, SCS, incidence rates, and predictors of suicidal behaviors were measured via structured instruments. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 853 SAs (32 suicides and 821 attempts) were identified during the study. Trend analysis revealed that the suicide rate significantly decreased from 2014 (10.28) to 2018 (1.75) per 100,000. In the final multiple variable models, age (26–40), male sex, unemployment, antisocial activities, history of SA, hanging method, and season (spring) increased the suicide risk while religious commitment had protective effects on suicide. Conclusions Our findings indicated that demographic characteristics, low SES, and SCS are associated with suicide. In this county, trend of suicide and SA were decreased from 2014 to 2018. This study findings highlight the need to consider a wide range of contextual variables, socio-demographic, SES, and SCS in suicide prevention strategies. Improving inter-sectoral collaborations and policymakers’ attitudes are imperative for SA reduction.

scholarly journals Role of Melanocortin Signaling in Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Actions of Leptin in Male Rats With Uncontrolled Diabetes

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (11) ◽  
pp. 4157-4167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Meek ◽  
Miles E. Matsen ◽  
Vincent Damian ◽  
Alex Cubelo ◽  
Streamson C. Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Rats ◽  
Melanocortin Receptor ◽  
Glucose Lowering ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Uncontrolled Diabetes ◽  
Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes ◽  
Melanocortin Signaling ◽  
Antidiabetic Effects

Abstract Although the antidiabetic effects of leptin require intact neuronal melanocortin signaling in rodents with uncontrolled diabetes (uDM), increased melanocortin signaling is not sufficient to mimic leptin's glucose-lowering effects. The current studies were undertaken to clarify the role of melanocortin signaling in leptin's ability to correct metabolic and neuroendocrine disturbances associated with uDM. To accomplish this, bilateral cannulae were implanted in the lateral ventricle of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and leptin was coinfused with varying doses of the melanocortin 3/4 receptor (MC3/4R) antagonist, SHU9119. An additional cohort of streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats received intracerebroventricular administration of either the MC3/4R agonist, melanotan-II, or its vehicle. Consistent with previous findings, leptin's glucose-lowering effects were blocked by intracerebroventricular SHU9119. In contrast, leptin-mediated suppression of hyperglucagonemia involves both melanocortin dependent and independent mechanisms, and the degree of glucagon inhibition was associated with reduced plasma ketone body levels. Increased central nervous system melanocortin signaling alone fails to mimic leptin's ability to correct any of the metabolic or neuroendocrine disturbances associated with uDM. Moreover, the inability of increased melanocortin signaling to lower diabetic hyperglycemia does not appear to be secondary to release of the endogenous MC3/4R inverse agonist, Agouti-related peptide (AgRP), because AgRP knockout mice did not show increased susceptibility to the antidiabetic effects of increased MC3/4R signaling. Overall, these data suggest that 1) AgRP is not a major driver of diabetic hyperglycemia, 2) mechanisms independent of melanocortin signaling contribute to leptin's antidiabetic effects, and 3) melanocortin receptor blockade dissociates leptin's glucose-lowering effect from its action on other features of uDM, including reversal of hyperglucagonemia and ketosis, suggesting that brain control of ketosis, but not blood glucose levels, is glucagon dependent.

scholarly journals The Lipocalin Apolipoprotein D Functional Portrait: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Sanchez ◽  
Maria D. Ganfornina
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physiological Function ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lipid Management ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Apolipoprotein D ◽  
Extracellular Structures ◽  
Cellular Compartments

Apolipoprotein D is a chordate gene early originated in the Lipocalin protein family. Among other features, regulation of its expression in a wide variety of disease conditions in humans, as apparently unrelated as neurodegeneration or breast cancer, have called for attention on this gene. Also, its presence in different tissues, from blood to brain, and different subcellular locations, from HDL lipoparticles to the interior of lysosomes or the surface of extracellular vesicles, poses an interesting challenge in deciphering its physiological function: Is ApoD a moonlighting protein, serving different roles in different cellular compartments, tissues, or organisms? Or does it have a unique biochemical mechanism of action that accounts for such apparently diverse roles in different physiological situations? To answer these questions, we have performed a systematic review of all primary publications where ApoD properties have been investigated in chordates. We conclude that ApoD ligand binding in the Lipocalin pocket, combined with an antioxidant activity performed at the rim of the pocket are properties sufficient to explain ApoD association with different lipid-based structures, where its physiological function is better described as lipid-management than by long-range lipid-transport. Controlling the redox state of these lipid structures in particular subcellular locations or extracellular structures, ApoD is able to modulate an enormous array of apparently diverse processes in the organism, both in health and disease. The new picture emerging from these data should help to put the physiological role of ApoD in new contexts and to inspire well-focused future research.

scholarly journals A Brief Taxonomy of Hybrid Intelligence

Forecasting ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-643
Author(s):  
Niccolo Pescetelli
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Models ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Machine Intelligence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Errors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hybrid Intelligence ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
Problem Solvers

As artificial intelligence becomes ubiquitous in our lives, so do the opportunities to combine machine and human intelligence to obtain more accurate and more resilient prediction models across a wide range of domains. Hybrid intelligence can be designed in many ways, depending on the role of the human and the algorithm in the hybrid system. This paper offers a brief taxonomy of hybrid intelligence, which describes possible relationships between human and machine intelligence for robust forecasting. In this taxonomy, biological intelligence represents one axis of variation, going from individual intelligence (one individual in isolation) to collective intelligence (several connected individuals). The second axis of variation represents increasingly sophisticated algorithms that can take into account more aspects of the forecasting system, from information to task to human problem-solvers. The novelty of the paper lies in the interpretation of recent studies in hybrid intelligence as precursors of a set of algorithms that are expected to be more prominent in the future. These algorithms promise to increase hybrid system’s resilience across a wide range of human errors and biases thanks to greater human-machine understanding. This work ends with a short overview for future research in this field.

Pathogenesis as a problem of functional incompetence and imbalance in the population of T-lymphocytes

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Н.М. Геворкян ◽  
Н.В. Тишевская
Keyword(s):  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Regulatory Role ◽  
Total Rna ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Health And Disease

Цель обзора - анализ клеточной основы патогенеза различных заболеваний в свете регуляторной роли Т-лимфоцитов. Рассматривается роль поликлонального многообразия популяции Т-лимфоцитов, особых свойств этих клеток-представителей гомеостатической системы организма в физиологических процессах в норме и при патологии. Указаны перспективы терапевтического и профилактического воздействий, связанные с использованием суммарных РНК нормальных лимфоидных клеток аллогенной и ксеногенной природы. Указана также возможность создания с помощью лимфоцитарных суммарных РНК адекватных моделей заболеваний человека на пути к развитию персонифицированной медицины. This review provides an analysis of the cellular basis of the pathogenesis of various diseases in the light of the regulatory role of T-lymphocytes. The role of the polyclonal diversity of the population of T-lymphocytes, the special properties of these cells-representatives of the homeostatic system of the body, in physiological processes in health and disease is considered. Prospects for therapeutic and prophylactic effects associated with the use of total RNA of normal lymphoid cells of allogeneic and xenogenic origin are indicated. The possibility of creating, using lymphocytic total RNA, adequate models of human diseases for the development of personalized medicine is also indicated.

Prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes risk in Italy in 2017–2018: results from the first National screening campaign in community pharmacies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Brunetti ◽  
L Baldessin ◽  
S Pagliacci
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Diabetes Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Undiagnosed Diabetes ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Very High

Abstract Background Effective policies for diabetes prevention remain urgent. We conducted a mass screening campaign in Italy to identify subjects potentially having undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes or at diabetes risk. Methods This cohort study was conducted in community pharmacies joining the unitary National federation of pharmacy holders (Federfarma) and participating in the 7-day screening campaign ‘DiaDay’ in 2017–2018. Capillary blood glucose levels and the risk of developing diabetes in 10 years (through the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) were assessed. Results 145 651 volunteers aged ≥20 years without known diabetes were screened at 5671 community pharmacies in 2017 and 116 097 at 5112 in 2018. Overall, 3.6% had glucose values suggestive of undiagnosed diabetes; under fasting conditions (N = 94 076), 39.9% and 16.4% had values suggestive of prediabetes by the American Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization criteria, respectively. Of those without diabetes (N = 252 440), 19.2% had scores compatible with a high risk (1:3) and 2.7% with a very high risk (1:2) of developing the disease; in the prediabetes group, the risk rose with higher impaired fasting glucose values. Conclusions DiaDay, the first National screening campaign, highlights the need to screen the population and the key role of the pharmacist both in screening activities and education promotion.

Modern Downsizing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1970-1983
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Wojtkowiak
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Strategic Option ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Points Of View

The aim of the chapter is to present the concept of downsizing from different points of view: as a strategic option, as a management tool and as a phenomenon. It describes the evolution of the term, its definitions, and different directions of development. A scale and possible outcomes are described on the basis of financial analysis; however it also discusses the role of non-financial aspects. The chapter points out reasons, aims and a wide range of tools that may be used during implementation of downsizing. One of the conclusions of the chapter is to present future research directions aiming at increasing knowledge of managers and providing them with detailed good practices.

Future Research on the Role of the Mesentery in Health and Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 507-512
Author(s):  
Eli D. Ehrenpreis ◽  
Steven D. Wexner ◽  
John C. Alverdy ◽  
David H. Kruchko
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Disease

scholarly journals The expanding role(s) of eosinophils in health and disease

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (19) ◽  
pp. 3882-3890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Jacobsen ◽  
Richard A. Helmers ◽  
James J. Lee ◽  
Nancy A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Graduate School ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Consensus Opinion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Healthy Persons

Abstract Surprisingly, the role(s) of eosinophils in health and disease is often summarized by clinicians and basic research scientists as a pervasive consensus opinion first learned in medical/graduate school. Eosinophils are rare white blood cells whose activities are primarily destructive and are only relevant in parasitic infections and asthma. However, is this consensus correct? This review argues that the wealth of available studies investigating the role(s) of eosinophils in both health and disease demonstrates that the activities of these granulocytes are far more expansive and complex than previously appreciated. In turn, this greater understanding has led to the realization that eosinophils have significant contributory roles in a wide range of diseases. Furthermore, published studies even implicate eosinophil-mediated activities in otherwise healthy persons. We suggest that the collective reports in the literature showing a role for eosinophils in an ever-increasing number of novel settings highlight the true complexity and importance of this granulocyte. Indeed, discussions of eosinophils are no longer simple and more often than not now begin with the question/statement “Did you know …?”

The Role of Biomaterials in Insulin Delivery Systems

1980 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 299-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Bruck
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Glucose Sensor ◽  
Insulin Delivery ◽  
The United States ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels

The control of blood glucose levels in diabetes involving devices are critically reviewed, and the role of blood-contacting biomaterial components analyzed. These include mechanical insulin-delivery systems of the closed-loop type that require an electronic glucose sensor and feedback, and open-loop systems that deliver insulin without a sensor and feedback. Whole pancreatic and islet transplantations, islet encapsulation, and the potential role of polymeric sustained drug delivery systems are discussed. The medical and social impacts of diabetes mellitus are of prime public health concern and of even greater magnitude than those of heart disease in the United States. While future advances in device design, miniaturization, and biometrials technology will significantly add to the arsenal of therapeutic alternatives, devices capable of controlling blood glucose levels ought to be viewed as mere interim phases rather than as final goals of the problem.

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