Activity

timulated glucose uptake in adipocytes and thus contributes to control of metabolic homeostasis.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) belongs to the large family of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Even though FGF signaling has been mainly implicated in developmental processes, recent studies have demonstrated that FGF21 is an important regulator of whole body energy expenditure and metabolism, in obesity.

Given the fact that obesity has developed epidemic proportions, not just in industrialized countries, FGF21 has emerged as a novel therapeutic avenue to treat obesity as well as associated metabolic disorders. While the metabolic effects of FGF21 are undisputed, the mechanisms by which FGF21 regulate weight loss have not yet been fully resolved. Until recently it was believed that FGF21 induces brown fat activity, thereby enhancing energy expenditure, which concomitantly leads to weight loss. Novel studies have challenged this concept as they could demonstrate that a part of the FGF21 mediated effects are retained in a mouse model of impaired brown adipose tissue function.

The review illustrates the recent advances in FGF21 research and discusses the role of FGF21 in the regulation of energy expenditure linked to brown fat activity.

The review illustrates the recent advances in FGF21 research and discusses the role of FGF21 in the regulation of energy expenditure linked to brown fat activity.

Diabetes and metabolic syndromes are chronic, devastating diseases with increasing prevalence. Human pluripotent stem cells are gaining popularity in their usage for human invitro disease modeling. With recent rapid advances in genome editing tools, these cells can now be genetically manipulated with relative ease to study how genes and gene variants contribute to diabetes and metabolic syndromes.

We highlight the diabetes and metabolic genes and gene variants, which could potentially be studied, using two powerful technologies – human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and genome editing tools – to aid the elucidation of yet elusive mechanisms underlying these complex diseases.

hPSCs and the advancing genome editing tools appear to be a timely and potent combination for probing molecular mechanism(s) underlying diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndromes. The knowledge gained from these hiPSC-based disease modeling studies can potentially be translated into the clinics by guiding clinicians on the appropriate type of medication to use for each condition based on the mechanism of action of the disease.

hPSCs and the advancing genome editing tools appear to be a timely and potent combination for probing molecular mechanism(s) underlying diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndromes. Linsitinib The knowledge gained from these hiPSC-based disease modeling studies can potentially be translated into the clinics by guiding clinicians on the appropriate type of medication to use for each condition based on the mechanism of action of the disease.Microglia play a key role in defending central nervous system from various internal and external threats. However, their excessive and/or chronic activation is associated with deleterious effects in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we have shown that ribavirin when applied in clinically relevant dosage (10 μM) modulates activated microglia in complex fashion inducing both anti- and proinflammatory effects, simultaneously causing cytotoxicity. Here, we examined potential of low-dose ribavirin (0.1 and 1 μM) to modulate activated BV-2 microglia. Morphological and functional activation of BV-2 cells was achieved with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Our results demonstrated that low-dose ribavirin did not induce cell death, while 10 μM ribavirin promoted LPS induced apoptosis. We determined that 1 μM ribavirin was equally efficient in deactivation of LPS induced morphological changes as 10 μM ribavirin treatment. Ribavirin showed halfway success in reducing markers of functional activation of microglia. Namely, none of the doses had effect on LPS triggered production of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. On the other hand, low-dose ribavirin proved its effectiveness in reduction of another inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide, by inhibiting inducible form of nitric oxide synthase. Our results imply that low-dose ribavirin may alleviate nitrosative stress during neuroinflammation.Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, also called the “female hydrocele,” is a rare developmental disorder in females. This entity is now believed to be more common now in comparison with previous reports; however, it is still an unfamiliar problem for physicians. The processus vaginalis accompanies the round ligament through the inguinal canal into the labium majus. This evagination of the parietal peritoneum forms the canal of Nuck in the female. The canal of Nuck normally loses its connection with the peritoneal cavity during the first year of life, but can result in a hernia or hydrocele when the connection of the canal of Nuck fails to close. Here, we present the case of a 43-year-old female who complained of swelling in the right inguinal region. Coronal and axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic mass lesion with an irregular shape in the right inguinal region, and smaller cystic lesions extending alongside the right round ligament were also identified in the right side of the pelvic cavity. Magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography revealed the uninterrupted cystic lesion from the inguinal region to the pelvic cavity, with constrictions at the internal and external inguinal rings. These MR findings proved to be incredibly useful for surgical planning.Here, we report the successful treatment of a 40-year-old man with mucoepidermoid carcinoma that originated in the proximal end of the left main bronchus close to the carina. He underwent wide and deep airway wedge resection, including the distal trachea and part of the carina via left postero-lateral thoracotomy. He has demonstrated neither anatomic complications nor disease recurrence 2 years after the operation.

This study examines the patterns and determinants of hypertension in Botswana.

In 2007, a cross-sectional survey of chronic non-communicable diseases and risk factors was conducted by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation using the STEPS approach. STEP 1 was the collection of demographic data, STEP 2 was the physical measurement of the height, weight, waist and hips, and blood pressure; STEP 3 was biochemical measurements, which included the collection of blood samples. A nationally representative sample of 4003 individuals aged 25-64 years was included for analysis.

From a total sample of 4003 respondents, the national prevalence of hypertension was estimated to be 16.9% (9.9% for males versus 18.9% for females). Logistic regression analysis indicated a positive association between gender and hypertension prevalence, with females (OR 1.9) more likely to be hypertensive. Hypertension increases significantly with age for both males and females. For women a high educational level and employ of hypertension.

The purpose was to study whether racial disparities in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) utilization and outcomes have declined over time.

We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2011.We used chi-squared test to compare characteristics, Cochran-Armitage test to compare utilization rates, and Cochran-Armitage test and logistic regression to compare time-trends in outcomes by race.

From 1998 to 2011, 176,141 Whites and 7694 Blacks underwent TSA. Compared to Whites, Blacks who underwent TSA were younger (69.1 vs. 64.2 years;

<0.0001), more likely to be female (54.9 vs. 71.0 %;

<0.0001), and have rheumatoid arthritis or avascular necrosis as the underlying diagnosis (1.7 vs. 3.0%and 1.7 vs. 6.1 %;

<0.0001 for both) and a Deyo-Charlson index of 2 or higher (8.5 vs. 16.7 %;

<0.0001). Compared to Whites, Blacks had much lower TSA utilization rate/100,000 in 1998 (2.97 vs. 0.83;

<0.0001) and in 2011 (12.27 vs. 3.33;

<0.0001); racial disparities increased from 1998 to 2011 (

<0.0001). A higher proportion of Blacks than Whites had a hospital stay greater than median in 1998-2000, 62 vs. 51.4 % (

=0.02), and in 2009-2011, 34.4 vs. 27.3 % (

<0.0001); disparities did not change over time (

=0.31). These disparities in utilization were borderline significant in adjusted analyses. There were no racial differences in proportion discharged to inpatient medical facility in 1998-2000, 15.2 vs. 15.0 % (

=0.95), and in 2009-2011, 12.3 vs. 11.1%(

=0.37), respectively.

We found increasing racial disparities in TSA utilization. Some disparities in outcomes exist as well. Patients, surgeons, and policy-makes should be aware of these findings and take action to reduce racial disparities.

We found increasing racial disparities in TSA utilization. Some disparities in outcomes exist as well. Patients, surgeons, and policy-makes should be aware of these findings and take action to reduce racial disparities.

In this study, authors sought to characterize race and gender disparities in mental health in a national sample of first year medical students early in their medical school experience.

This study used cross-sectional baseline data of Medical Student CHANGES, a large national longitudinal study of a cohort of medical students surveyed in the winter of 2010. Authors ascertained respondents via the American Association of Medical Colleges questionnaire, a third-party vendor-compiled list, and referral sampling.

A total of 4732 first year medical students completed the baseline survey; of these, 301 were African American and 2890 were White. Compared to White students and after adjusting for relevant covariates, African American students had a greater risk of being classified as having depressive (relative risk (RR)=1.59 ) and anxiety symptoms (RR=1.66 ). Women also had a greater risk of being classified as having depressive (RR=1.36 ) and anxiety symptoms (RR-1.95 ).

At the start of their first year of medical school, African American and female medical students were at a higher risk for depressive symptoms and anxiety than their White and male counterparts, respectively. The findings of this study have practical implications as poor mental and overall health inhibit learning and success in medical school, and physician distress negatively affects quality of clinical care.

At the start of their first year of medical school, African American and female medical students were at a higher risk for depressive symptoms and anxiety than their White and male counterparts, respectively. The findings of this study have practical implications as poor mental and overall health inhibit learning and success in medical school, and physician distress negatively affects quality of clinical care.

Latinos are the fastest growing minority group in the Southeastern USA. Latinos living in the USA have a higher prevalence of obesity, metabolic diseases, and physical inactivity compared to non-Latino Whites, particularly Latina women. The objective of this study is to assess the patterns of physical activity (PA) in overweight Latina immigrants in Alabama using a self-report and an accelerometer.

Participants included foreign-born Latina women age ≥19 years with BMI ≥25 kg/m(2). The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess self-reported physical activity. Accelerometers were used as an objective measure of physical activity.

Among 44 overweight/obese Latina immigrants (mean age 36.6 years and BMI 33.3 kg/m(2)), 36.4 % met PA recommendations by self-report while only 20.5 % met recommendations according to the accelerometer. Self-report sedentary activity was underestimated (186 min/day self-report vs. 575 min/day accelerometer) while moderate activity was overestimated (34 min/day self-report vs.