Brown and beige adipose tissue are emerging as distinct endocrine organs. These tissues are functionally associated with skeletal muscle, adipose tissue metabolism and systemic energy expenditure, suggesting an interorgan signaling network. Using metabolomics, we identify 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, 5-oxoproline, and β-hydroxyisobutyric acid as small molecule metabokines synthesized in browning adipocytes and secreted via monocarboxylate transporters. 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, 5-oxoproline and β-hydroxyisobutyric acid induce a brown adipocyte-specific phenotype in white adipocytes and mitochondrial oxidative energy metabolism in skeletal myocytes both in vitro and in vivo. 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid and 5-oxoproline signal through cAMP-PKA-p38 MAPK and β-hydroxyisobutyric acid via mTOR. In humans, plasma and adipose tissue 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, 5-oxoproline and β-hydroxyisobutyric acid concentrations correlate with markers of adipose browning and inversely associate with body mass index. These metabolites reduce adiposity, increase energy expenditure and improve glucose and insulin homeostasis in mouse models of obesity and diabetes. Our findings identify beige adipose-brown adipose-muscle physiological metabokine crosstalk.
Introduction Ghana has seen a rise in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the past decade. In 2011, the Ghana National Cancer Steering Committee created a guideline recommending fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for CRC screening in individuals over the age of 50. There is limited data available on current Ghanaian CRC screening trends and adherence to the established guidelines. Methods We conducted a survey of 39 physicians working at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. The survey evaluates physician knowledge, practice patterns, and perceived personal-, patient- and system-level barriers pertaining to CRC screening. Results Almost 10% of physicians would not recommend colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic, average risk patients who met the age inclusion criteria set forth in the national guidelines. Only 1 physician would recommend FOBT as an initial screening test for CRC. The top reasons for not recommending CRC screening with FOBT were the lack of equipment/facilities for the test (28.1%) and lack of training (18.8%). The two most commonly identified barriers to screening identified by >85% of physicians, were lack of awareness of screening/not perceiving colorectal cancer as a serious health threat (patient-level) and high screening costs/lack of insurance coverage (system-level). Conclusion Despite creation of national guidelines for CRC screening, there has been low uptake and implementation. This is due to several barriers at the physician-, patient- and system-levels including lack of resources and physician training to follow-up on positive screening results, limited monetary support and substantial gaps in knowledge at the patient level.
Purpose The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ghana has increased eightfold since the 1960s. In 2011, national guidelines were set forth recommending all patients aged 50–70 years old undergo annual CRC screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), but adherence to these guidelines is poor and screening rates remain low for unclear reasons. Methods We performed semi-structured interviews with 28 Ghanaians including physicians ( n = 14) and patients ( n = 14) from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, to better understand the factors driving screening adherence and perceived barriers identified in an earlier quantitative study. Results Participants reported sociocultural factors such as reliance on alternative medicine or religion, lack of education, and financial burden as community-level barriers to CRC screening. At the system level, screening was limited by insufficient access to FOBT as well as a perceived lack of national prioritization. This was described as inadequate efforts from the Ministry of Health regarding national education as well as lack of incorporation of CRC screening into the National Health Insurance Scheme. Conclusion Several community- and system-level barriers exist to widespread screening of CRC in Ghana. A multi-level approach will be required to improve rates of CRC screening and ultimately reduce the burden of CRC in Ghana.
Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common postoperative complication worldwide. WHO guidelines to prevent SSI recommend alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and fascial closure using triclosan-coated sutures, but called for assessment of both interventions in low-resource settings. This study aimed to test both interventions in low-income and middle-income countries.Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery was cleancontaminated, or contaminated or dirty, including patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a skin incision of 5 cm or greater. This trial was undertaken in 54 hospitals in seven countries (
It is degraded to free triglycerides and fatty acids by the secreted phosphatases of the plant family (sPLA2s). Plants have very few sPLA2s. Plant sPLA2s' molecular, biochemical, and catalytic properties are being studied. Three-dimensional structures are also included when comparing the two groups. Glycine max is used as a benchmark for comparing various organisms, including any herbal plants and small animals. In addition, they can be used as a type of signalling molecular. The functions of SPLa2 enzymes are well understood, however their ligand activities remain a mystery. Since the last review, sPLA2-binding proteins have evolved dramatically. Promiscuous SPLa2 proteins exist in nature for evolutionary reasons that we describe. As sPLA2s have a wide range of roles in the human body, they appear to be suitable therapeutic targets. New diagnostic and therapeutic techniques can be developed by using sPLA2s to interact with other proteins.
Gastric infarction is a rare condition often associated with high mortality due to a delay in diagnosis. The stomach which has a rich supply of blood is a rare site for such a condition. Gastric infarction has a long list of etiological factors. We report a case of a patient who was managed successfully following gastric infarction from gastric dilatation. An 18-year-old female student presented with a three-day history of abdominal pain associated with abdominal distension of two days. The abdomen was distended with generalized tenderness, rebound tenderness, and guarding. Bowel sounds were absent. Digital rectal examination was unremarkable, and a pregnancy test was negative. Biochemical tests were all normal. Intraoperatively, two litres of serosanguinous fluid was suctioned from the abdomen. About 300 mL of pus was suctioned from the pelvis. The gangrenous portion was resected, and repair was done in two layers using Conell and Lambert suture techniques. Acute gastric necrosis is a rare surgical condition that requires a high index of suspicion and prompts aggressive resuscitation and surgical intervention to obviate the high mortality rate associated with the condition.
Many people suffer from ulcer, a disorder of the digestive tract. Simply put, it's an inflamed break in the skin or the mucus membrane lining the digestive tract. Whenever there is a change in the equilibrium, such as increased aggression or decreased mucosal resistance, ulceration develops. Reasons for this could include drug use, poor diet, stress, and other similar factors. Peptic ulcers are a general term for any type of stomach or duodenal ulcer. To develop, peptic ulcers need mucosal defences to be compromised in addition to gastric juice acid and peptic activity. Ulcers can be treated with a variety of synthetic medications. However, compared to herbal remedies, these drugs are more costly and more likely to cause side effects. According to the research, many different ayurvedic doctors and traditional medicine practitioners use different medicinal plants and polyherbal formulations to treat ulcers. Peptic ulcer disease treatment should focus on symptom alleviation, ulcer healing, and preventing recurrence. In this article, we'll take a look at some medicinal plants that have been studied for their potential use in peptic ulcer treatment and prevention, both in ayurveda and Western medicine.
Background: Despite efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, it has failed to provide long-term immunity and protection against COVID-19 and the newly worrying SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains. Understanding cytokines, which are key in generating unique immune responses from pathogenic organisms, is important for creating vaccines. Objective: In order to better understand cytokines and how the current COVID-19 vaccinations can assist reactivate latent cytokines, the scientific community and the general public must be educated. Materials and Methods: Medical and scientific indexing sources like PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search for relevant medical and scientific publications. Results: After vaccination, cytokines in the immune system can be activated, which can help signal chemicals that can increase the immune system's ability to fight against new and break-through COVID 19 infections. Conclusion: It has been discovered that both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines are safe and effective in preventing break through COVID-19 infections, regardless of whether the patient experiences symptoms or not. It is an adenovirus, not an mRNA, that Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is made of.
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