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The intricate relationship between the gut and the brain has long captured the imagination of scientists, philosophers, and clinicians alike. Over the past few decades, research has unveiled a complex and bidirectional communication network that connects these seemingly distinct organs, giving rise to the concept of the gut-brain axis. This axis represents a dynamic and multifaceted system through which the gut and the brain exchange signals, impacting not only digestive processes but also a wide array of physiological and neurological functions. From influencing appetite and mood to playing a role in metabolic regulation, the gut-brain axis has emerged as a crucial nexus in understanding human health and well-being. This chapter delves into the intricate mechanisms that underlie the gut-brain axis, exploring its components and pathways with a special focus on the role played by glucagon. By unraveling the mysteries of this axis, we gain valuable insights into how our body's diverse systems collaborate to maintain a delicate balance and how disturbances within this axis can contribute to a range of health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential impact Over a hundred million people have been educated regarding importance of screening for diabetes (test), regular monitoring of diabetes (track), and treatment to maintain glycemic control (treat). Defeat Diabetes Campaign Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), being the largest organization of professionals involved in the care of people with diabetes, decided to launch a massive public awareness campaign. [Extracted from the article]

Poly (L lactic acid) (PLLA) ultrathin films of various thicknesses were prepared by spin coating method and investigated by using vibrational spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR and Raman. The analysis has been done in two parts: first one is verification of structural mode to understand the visibility of characteristic band to confirm the PLLA structure; where interestingly, as the thickness of the film increased, the structural features were found to be more explicit. The second part of the study was to observe the features of the film having been annealed for 1 h in two separate temperatures, one at specific annealing temperature 120 °C and the other at 160 °C to enable PLLA chains to reorient to get crystallized from its soften state at two such specific temperatures. The isothermal crystallization behavior of PLLA film at 120 °C and 160 °C from the melt was monitored by FTIR as well as Raman spectroscopies. More importantly, the band at 921 cm-1 corresponds to α crystalline phase of PLLA has been observed even in this ultrathin film with the effective application of temperature as selected in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that pituitary-specific transcription factor (Pit-1) is responsible for pituitary development and hormone expression in mammals. It presents a study comparing buffalo Pit-1 gene sequences with Bos taurus, which revealed no nucleotide changes, however seven single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were found within Indian buffalo breeds. It also suggests that polymorphism detected in Buffalo Pit-1 gene are expected to have functional significance as generic markers.

In light of Americans' growing love affair with caffeinated products, this Note considers not only the possibility of future regulation of those products, but also the effect that regulation would have on caffeinated product-producing companies. While there is no certainty that such regulation is in our future, the regulation of market-similar products like tobacco and alcohol, and regulations abroad on heavily caffeinated drinks, suggest American regulation of caffeinated products to be a distinct possibility. This would be a serious concern for caffeine companies, who could face reduced access to target markets as a result of FDA-imposed limitations, whether by age restriction or another similar measure. In light of this potential regulation, the next question then becomes: what can companies do to help combat foreseeable FDA regulation or governmental legislation of the caffeine industry? Can businesses in this industry predict the market effect of regulation, and thereby take effective action, by comparing regulation of market-similar products such as tobacco and alcohol? Part I of this Note discusses the medical effects of caffeine on humans, both adults and children. Part II discusses the probability of future government regulation and the subtle hints of impending regulation. Part II also briefly examines other countries' laws and regulations of caffeine consumption. Part III discusses and predicts the effects regulation would have on producers of caffeinated products by contrasting the caffeine industry with the tobacco industry, and looks at the effects of tobacco regulations placed on tobacco producers. Part IV discusses the effects of future regulation on caffeine-dependent Americans. Part V discusses the potential avenues businesses may take to fend off diminishing profits that would result from government regulation. Finally, this Note concludes that while businesses' financial statements will be hurt by government regulation, businesses will be able to defend their profit model by incorporating the proffered solutions discussed in Part V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first description of patients with clustering of various metabolic abnormalities was as early as 1923 but it was more than five decades later, in 1988, that Reaven coined the term 'syndrome X' for this entity. The last two decades have brought forth a number of definitions and criteria to identify this condition. Various studies have demonstrated disparities in these definitions and a few researchers have questioned the utility of these criteria and even the existence of such a syndrome. A few important definitions are reviewed in this paper and, at the end, a simplified clinical definition is given and a simple parameter -- lipid accumulation product -- is been described that can be used to identify this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Though India has been thought to be an ideal destination for conduct of clinical drug trials, other smaller countries seem to be doing better. The pace of growth observed during 2005-2009 seems to be plateaued in 2010. Aims: There is an urgent need for introspection and corrective actions. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted among various stakeholders from clinical drug trial industry in India regarding their perception about clinical drug trial industry in India. Respondents were requested to rate training of investigator sites, industry, performance of regulatory, etc. Results: Majority of respondent felt that the clinical drug trial industry in India is growing, though India is not utilizing its full potential. Lack of trained investigators and delay in regulatory approvals came out as biggest hurdles. Conclusions: Urgent steps need to be taken in terms of proper training of all stakeholders. Regulatory bodies ought to bring about some radical changes in the system so as to match the other competing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) has been recognized as the recent pandemic; India and China competing each other for the title--"Diabetes Capital of the World." A number of new drugs have been recently available and has lead to a boom in the clinical drug trial industry. We intend to evaluate the trend of clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM over last one decade. Materials and Methods: Clinical drug trial registry of USA was used for getting the data regarding number of drug trials conducted in each country over last decade. India, China, and USA being the countries with highest prevalence of diabetes were included in the analysis. The percentage share of each country in clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM was compared with their percentage share in prevalence of Type 2 DM. Discussion: A significant growth in the drug trials in Type 2 DM was observed during 2005 to 2008, after which there has been a plateau. It was also recognized that India and China which contribute to around 30% of diabetic population of the world contributed in only 9.73% and 5.15% of drug trials in Type 2 DM during 2010, respectively. USA comprising of 15.15% of diabetic population of world was seen to have contributed in 38.36% of clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM. This raises a question of skewing in the data generated from various drug trials conducted in Type 2 DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To study prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in Indian type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and methods: Fasting serum lipid profiles of 788 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes were retrieved from hospital records. Patients having one or more parameters (TG, HDL cholesterol or LDL cholesterol) outside the targets recommended by American Diabetes Association (ADA) were considered to have dyslipidemia. Those with dyslipidemia were further classified into mixed dyslipidemia, combined two parameter dyslipidemia and isolated single parameter dyslipidemia (TG, HDL or LDL). Results: Prevalence of dyslipidemia among diabetic patients at baseline was 85.5% among males and 97.8% among females. Among the males with dyslipidemia the proportion of patients with mixed dyslipidemia, combined dyslipidemia and single parameter dyslipidemia were 14.1%, 44.9% and 41%, respectively. Figures for the same among female patients stood at 24.6%, 47.8% and 27.7%, respectively. Combined dyslipidemia with high LDL and low HDL was the most common pattern among males and females both, contributing to 22.7% and 33% patients of diabetic dyslipidemia, respectively. Second most common pattern among males was isolated high LDL, contributing to 21.3% of males with dyslipidemia. While among females isolated low HDL emerged as the second most common pattern affecting 13.4% dyslipidemic females. Conclusions: Majority of Indian type 2 diabetic patients are dyslipidemic at baseline. The most common pattern of dyslipidemia is high LDL and low HDL among both males and females. The most prevalent problem among males is high LDL while among females low HDL emerged as a bigger threat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented about low dose pioglitazone combinations.

Background: HIV & antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is known to be associated with metabolic derangements like diabetes & dyslipidemia. In present study we evaluated metabolic abnormalities in a cohort of ARV treated HIV patients. Methods: A total of 145 HIV patients (122 on ARV, 23 therapy naive HIV cases) were evaluated metabolic. After clinical examinations & auxology, investigations like blood sugars, complete lipid profiles and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed. For analysis ARV treated patients were divided into protease inhibitor (PI) & non-PI (d4T) subgroup. Results: In non-PI (d4T) subgroup of ARV treated patients, 71 out of 94 (75.5%) patients had TG > 150 mg/dL, 4 (4.2%) patients had impaired fasting glucose (IFG i.e. FBS >100 mg/dL) & 44 (46.8%) patients developed lipoatrophy. Among 38 patients in PI subgroup, 12 (31.5%) had TG >150 mg/dL, 9 (23.6%) patients had low HDL (<40 mg/dL for males & <50 mg/dL for females) while 4 (10.5%) had elevated LDL of >100 mg/dL. IFG was seen in 14 (36.8%) out of 38 patients in PI subgroup, while 1 (2.6%) patient developed frank diabetes. In PI subgroup 21 (55.2%) patients had central obesity (waist circumference >80 cm in females, >90 cm for males), while 31 (81.5%) patients had total body fat >25%. Conclusions: PI therapy is associated with significant abnormalities of lipid profile, impaired glucose tolerance & abnormal body fat composition. In non-PI (d4T) treated patients lipoatrophy is the commonest abnormality followed by hypertriglyceridemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camels are the economic backbone of many nomadic tribes of the world including India. Camel population in India is restricted to western part of the country and is represented by eight breeds. The western most state of the country, Gujarat, possesses two camel breeds, Kachchhi and Kharai inhabiting in the same area. Populations of both are facing severe decline which calls for their immediate conservation. In the present study we examined genetic variability and structure in Kachchhi and two populations of Kharai ( n =193) using 27 microsatellite markers. A total of 138, 112 and 95 alleles were observed in Kachchhi, Kharai (K) and Kharai (A) respectively with the mean effective number of alleles per locus 2.818±0.303; 2.373±0.245 and 2.313±0.224. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.446±0.039 for Kachchhi, 0.272±0.040 for Kharai (K) and 0.423±0.044 for Kharai (A), which was lower than expected heterozygosity 0.535±0.045, 0.461±0.051 and 0.474±0.043 respectively. The average inbreeding coefficient ( F IS ) 0.233±0.037 was substantially high in both the breeds. The test for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium showed significant deviations at most of loci. The mean multilocus F ST value (0.237) suggested significant population differentiation. This was also supported by AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance), Principal component analysis and Bayesian cluster analysis. The genetic distinctness of these camel breeds as revealed by microsatellite analysis may have significant impact on issues concerning conservation and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]