Randeva HS. QRFP induces aldosterone production via PKC and T-type calcium channel-mediated pathways in human adrenocortical cells: evidence for a novel role of GPR103. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 305: E1049 -E1058, 2013. First published August 20, 2013; doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00191.2013.-Hormonal regulation of adrenal function occurs primarily through activation of GPCRs. GPCRs are central to many of the body's endocrine and neurotransmitter pathways. Recently, it was shown that activation of GPR103 by its ligand QRFP induced feeding, locomotor activity, and metabolic rate, and QRFP is bioactive in adipose tissue of obese individuals. Given that the adrenal gland is a pivotal organ for energy balance and homeostasis, we hypothesized that GPR103 and QRFP are involved in steroidogenic responses. Using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we mapped both GPR103 and QRFP in human fetal and adult adrenal gland as well as rat adrenals. Both were primarily localized in the adrenal cortex but not in the medulla. Activation of GPR103 in human adrenocortical H295R cells led to a decrease in forskolin-increased cAMP and an increase of intracellular Ca 2ϩ levels. In addition, treatment of H295R cells with QRFP induced aldosterone and cortisol secretion as measured by ELISA. These increases were accompanied by increased expression and activity of StAR, CYB11B1, and CYP11B2 as assessed by qRT-PCR and luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Using specific inhibitors, we also demonstrated that aldosterone induction involves MAPK, PKC, and/or T-type Ca 2ϩ channel-dependent pathways. These novel data demonstrate that QRFP induces adrenal steroidogenesis in vitro by regulating key steroidogenic enzymes involving MAPK/PKC and Ca 2ϩ signaling pathways. adrenal cortex; QRFP; aldosterone THE ADRENAL GLAND and its associated hormones developed as protection from immediate stress or injury and against prolonged periods of food and water deprivation. The adrenal cortex and medulla, despite being adjacent to each other, are separate organs in terms of their tissue origin (5). Adrenal steroid hormones include cortisol as the major glucocorticoid and stress-adapting hormone and aldosterone, which is involved in sodium ion uptake and modulates blood pressure and adrenal androgens; in certain conditions they can act as precursors for testosterone (8). Hormonal regulation of adrenal function occurs primarily through activation of G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs) (38). GPCRs are central to many of the body's endocrine and neurotransmitter pathways, and their dysfunction contributes to some of the most prevalent human diseases (12). In a recent study, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), latrophilin 3 receptor, G proteincoupled receptor 37, angiotensin II receptor type 2, latrophilin 2 receptor, and melanocortin receptor were shown to be expressed at significantly higher levels in fetal compared with adult adrenals (38). These findings not only implicate further GPCRs in adrenal function but suggest that they may play different roles...

Aim and Objectives:Use of posts improves the physical properties of endodontically-treated teeth. Different post types are developed such as metal, custom-made, carbon, and quartz. The present study was conducted to evaluate the fracture resistance of glass fiber-reinforced, carbon, and quartz post in endodontically-treated teeth.Materials and Methods:Forty extracted human maxillary incisor teeth were decoronated and endodontically treated and equally divided into 4 groups; control, glass fiber-reinforced, carbon, and quartz posts. No post was used in the control group. Post space was prepared and cemented with different posts and subjected to universal testing machine to check fracture resistance. The data were statistically analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance to compare the mean difference between groups (SPSS version 20, IBM).Results:Quartz type of endodontic post showed good fracture resistance compared to carbon and resin-reinforced post. Least resistance was observed in the control group without post.Conclusion:Quartz, carbon, and glass fiber-reinforced posts show good resistance to fracture, and hence can be used in endodontically-treated teeth to enhance their strength.

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) perpetually affects the quality of life. This non-communicable lifelong disease usually develops micro and macro-vascular complications affecting vital organs. Thus, it reduces the functional capability of health as assessed by the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measuring tools. It is not known, how much HRQOL of the diabetic population in Bangladesh is affected. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to estimate the levels of HRQOL of cases with DM attending a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city. The study considered socioeconomic condition, nutritional status, duration of diabetes and treatment modalities while analyzing the HRQOL. Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city from July 2016 to June 2017. Patients with DM were considered eligible and were recruited. Those who were found to have complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, hypertension and stroke were excluded based on previous investigations. Once selected, the study protocol was described to each of the diabetic patients. If agreed, the participant was interviewed. Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) was used for assessment of HRQOL. The assessment of physical health components included physical function, role physical, body pain, and general health. Mental health components were emotion, vitality and social function. Results: A total of 150 diabetic patients (m/f: 80/70) were included in the study. Comparisons of demographic variables between male and female participants showed no significant difference. As regards HRQOL, physical function score was significantly reduced among those who had diabetes for more than 10 years (p=0.049). General health component was significantly impaired among those who had higher BMI (<30kg/m2; p= 0.016) and post-prandial hyperglycemia. Longer duration of DM (>10yrs) and higher BMI significantly reduced components of mental health quality. Conclusion: The study revealed that the overall physical and mental quality of life was significantly affected by longer duration of diabetes, obesity and glycemic status. IMC J Med Sci 2018; 12(2): 73-79

2016-12-23T18:49:38

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