Portland: Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new analytical method that answers a long-standing question about type 2 diabetes: why do some obese patients develop the condition while others do not. The research has been published in the journal, “Journal of Experimental Medicine” Type 2 diabetes is a serious metabolic disease that affects roughly one in 10 Americans. Formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, it is a chronic condition affecting the way the body metabolizes glucose, a sugar that’s a key source of energy. This type of diabetes is frequently associated with obesity. For some patients, that means their body does not properly respond to insulin – it resists the effects of insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas that opens the door for sugar to enter cells. In the later disease stages, when the pancreas is exhausted, patients don’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.In either case, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and, if left untreated, the effect impairs many major organs, sometimes to disabling or life-threatening degrees. A key risk factor for type 2 diabetes is being overweight, often a result of eating too much fat and sugar in combination with low physical activity. Andrey Morgun and Natalia Shulzhenko of OSU and Giorgio Trinchieri of the National Cancer Institute developed a novel analytical technique, multi-organ network analysis, to explore the mechanisms behind early-stage systemic insulin resistance. The scientists sought to learn which organs, biological pathways and genes are playing roles. In the human body, white adipose tissue is the main type of fat. “Our experiments and analysis predict that a high-fat/high-sugar diet primarily acts in white adipose tissue by driving microbiota-related damage to the energy synthesis process, leading to systemic insulin resistance,” said Morgun, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the OSU College of Pharmacy. “Treatments that modify a patient’s microbiota in ways that target insulin resistance in adipose tissue macrophage cells could be a new therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes.” The human gut microbiome features more than 10 trillion microbial cells from about 1,000 different bacterial species.Morgun and Shulzhenko, an associate professor in OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, in earlier research developed a computational method, transkingdom network analysis, that predicts specific types of bacteria controlling the expression of mammalian genes connected to specific medical conditions such as diabetes. “Type 2 diabetes is a global pandemic, and the number of diagnoses is expected to keep increasing over the next 10 years,” Shulzhenko said. “The so-called ‘western diet’ – high in saturated fats and refined sugars – is one of the primary factors. But gut bacteria have an important role to play in mediating the effects of diet.” In the new study, the scientists relied on both transkingdom network analysis and multi-organ network analysis. They also conducted experiments in mice, looking at the intestine, liver, muscle and white adipose tissue, and examined the molecular signature – which genes were being expressed – of white adipose tissue macrophages in obese human patients. “Diabetes induced by the western diet is characterized by microbiota-dependent mitochondrial damage,” Morgun said. “Adipose tissue has a predominant role in systemic insulin resistance, and we characterized the gene expression program and the key master regulator of adipose tissue macrophage that is associated with insulin resistance.We discovered that the Oscillibacter microbe, enriched by a western diet, causes an increase of the insulin-resistant adipose tissue macrophage.” The researchers add, however, that Oscillibacter is likely not the only microbial regulator for the expression of the key gene they identified – Mmp12 – and that the Mmp12 pathway, while clearly instrumental, is probably not the only important pathway, depending on which gut microbes are present. “We previously showed that Romboutsia ilealis worsens glucose tolerance by inhibiting insulin levels, which may be relevant to more advanced stages of type 2 diabetes,” Shulzhenko said.Zhipeng Li, Manoj Gurung, Jacob W. Pederson, Renee Greer, Stephany Vasquez-Perez and Hyekyoung You of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and Richard Rodrigues, Jyothi Padiadpu, Nolan Newman, and Kaito Hioki from College of Pharmacy also participated in this research, as did scientists from the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Monash University in Australia.—ANI

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new analytical method that answers a long-standing question about type 2 diabetes: why do some obese patients develop the condition while others do not.

Researchers reveal why not all obese people develop type 2 diabetes

Washington: A new study has found that cancer patients are at a greater risk of developing diabetes. The study was published in the journal 'Diabetes Care'. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Denmark, which has a population of close to 6 million people. In 2019 alone, more than 45,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed. Fortunately, the most recent statistics report that there has been a significant increase in cancer survival in Denmark. Nevertheless, lingering effects and complications reduce the quality of life for many survivors.Higher diabetes risk associated with certain types of cancerAs a result of a collaboration between researchers from Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet and the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen a new study discovered that a cancer diagnosis was associated with an elevated risk of developing diabetes. The study is built on the use of unique epidemiological data from the CopLab Database housed by the Center for General Practice at the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. Certain types of cancer were more likely than others to increase this risk. Associate Professor Lykke Sylow of the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen, who is behind the study together with Professor Christoffer Johansen of The National Centre for Cancer Survivorship and General Late Effects (CASTLE) at Rigshospitalet and Professor Christen Lykkegaard Andersen from the CopLab Database at the Center for General Practice, states: "Our study demonstrates that there is an elevated risk of developing diabetes if a person is affected by lung, pancreatic, breast, brain, urinary tract or uterine cancers." The researchers examined an extensive data set consisting of 112 million blood samples from 1.3 million Danes, of whom more than 50,000 developed cancer.While the study does not say anything definitive about why certain types of cancer are associated with a greater risk of developing diabetes, the researchers have theories around which new studies can be built. "Various cancer therapies may contribute to an increased risk. Cancer itself can affect the rest of the body. We know that cancer cells are able to secrete substances that can affect organs and possibly contribute to an increased incidence of diabetes. This has been suggested in animal studies," says Lykke Sylow.Survivability increases without diabetesThe study also demonstrates that people diagnosed with cancer and subsequently diabetes do not generally live as long as patients who do not develop diabetes while experiencing cancer. "Across all cancer sites we observed, that cancer patients without diabetes survived longer compared to cancer patients diagnosed with diabetes," says Professor Christoffer Johansen from Rigshospitalet. Overall, the study finds excess mortality of 21 per cent in patients who develop diabetes after being diagnosed with cancer. It is worth noting that the study encompassed all types of cancer and did not investigate the influence of diabetes on survivability in relation to individual cancer types.Preventive initiatives and screeningToday, the screening of cancer patients for diabetes has yet to be incorporated into the healthcare system. If it could be shown that screening cancer patients for diabetes would lead to a higher quality of life and increased survival, this would be a good idea in the future: "Our results suggest that it might be relevant to consider diabetes screenings in relation to those cancers where we found an elevated risk of the disease. That is to say, for patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, uterine cancer, and urinary tract cancers. We have outstanding opportunities to treat diabetes and early intervention could have an impact on certain cancer patients," states Professor Christoffer Johansen.Associate Professor Lykke Sylow seconds his assertion, "It could be interesting to investigate whether screening helps cancer patients - both in terms of their chances of survival as well as their quality of life. As a preventive initiative, it might also be possible to recommend different types of exercise for people with cancer, ones that we know work effectively to prevent and treat diabetes. But my suggestions are to be taken in a long-term perspective and need to be tested," she concluded.—ANI

A new study has found that cancer patients are at a greater risk of developing diabetes. The study was published in the journal 'Diabetes Care'. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Denmark, which has a population of close to 6 million people.

Cancer increases risk of developing diabetes: Study

New Delhi: Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday issued guidelines for the management of type 1 Diabetes. The guidelines are released by Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Secretary-DHR and DG-ICMR. The guidelines have mentioned about the burden of diabetes increased among the young population in India, type 1 diabetes is commonest in children and adolescents, and challenges exist in providing equitable treatment, Diabetic complications can be reduced with improved control measures and better management leads to improved quality of life.Dr Nikhil Tandon, Head of the department of endocrinology, AIIMS Delhi speaks to ANI and explained the major highlights of the guidelines about the Type 1 Diabetes affecting children and adolescents, management of the disease and complications.He said, "Type-1 diabetes, predominantly manifests early in life - affecting children and adolescents, thereby resulting in a prolonged period of life spent with the disease. It is a potentially life-threatening condition, and if left undiagnosed and/or inadequately treated can result in acute metabolic complications which may lead to loss of life. The guidelines provide a practical approach to the management of this condition and its complications. The contributors include specialists in the field of endocrinology, diabetology, paediatrics, nephrology, ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, nutrition sciences," he saidDr Nikhil also said that these guidelines will provide "The text, therefore, provides a multi-disciplinary view to the intricacies of management of this condition. With wide dissemination and uptake, we hope that this will provide a significant impact on the health of individuals suffering from this disease." The guidelines come at a time when the COVID19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people with diabetes population, exposing them to a high risk for severe illness and mortality.—ANI

Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday issued guidelines for the management of type 1 Diabetes. The guidelines are released by Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Secretary-DHR and DG-ICMR.

ICMR issues guidelines for management of Type 1 Diabetes

Washington: New insights into how genetic factors affect the body's immune response in type 1 diabetes have recently been found.The findings, published in eLife, provide evidence of a direct link between genetic factors associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes and immune functionality, particularly involving immune T cells. They also highlight 11 genes which could be explored as potential candidates for new treatments.Type 1 diabetes develops when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks groups (or islets) of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. There are currently over nine million people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but there is no cure and patients need to have regular insulin injections to manage the condition. People with certain genetic variations are more susceptible to type 1 diabetes. But while previous studies have identified around 60 associated variations, it is still unknown how they influence the condition."To characterise the body's immune response in type 1 diabetes, we need to look at both the proportion of immune cells and their production of proteins - cytokines - that stimulate the immune system," explains Xiaojing Chu, a Doctorate Student at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. Chu is a co-first author of the study alongside Anna Janssen, a Medical Doctor and PhD Candidate, and Hans Koenen, Assistant Professor, at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands. Xiaojing added, "In our study, we explored how genetic factors affect immune cells and their cytokine production in people with type 1 diabetes, as well as the differences between the immune response in patients and a healthy response." To do this, the researchers collected blood samples from 243 volunteers of Dutch descent with type 1 diabetes, aged 20-84 years old. They then applied a technique called genetic association analysis on more than 200 immune cell traits and more than 100 cytokine production profiles to identify genetic determinants of immune functionality. They compared the results to those obtained in a group of 500 healthy individuals from previous studies that characterised the impact of genetic factors on immune responses in these individuals.Their analyses showed that genetic variants determining susceptibility to type 1 diabetes significantly affect T-cell composition. Specifically, a group of these cells, called CCR5+ regulatory T cells, was actively involved in type 1 diabetes through an area of the genome called the constrained coding region.The team then used a technique called genome-wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to analyse immune traits. This revealed 15 genetic 'commands' that influence the behaviour of immune cells in type 1 diabetes. Of these, 12 have not previously been reported in healthy people, implying a disease-specific genetic regulation. Additionally, the team identified 11 genes as potential candidates for drug development. "Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in the development of type 1 diabetes and that affect the general inflammatory response in patients. We hope this work will open up new avenues for the development of much-needed treatments," concludes Yang Li, Professor of Computational Biology and Director of the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany. Li is a co-senior author of the study alongside Cees Tack, Professor in Internal Medicine at Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.&nbsp;—ANI

New insights into how genetic factors affect the body's immune response in type 1 diabetes have recently been found.

Study Explores How Genetics Influence Immunity In Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Washington: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common pediatric liver disease, affecting 5 to 8 million children in the United States. In NAFLD, the cells of the liver store large fat droplets, which can affect the function of the liver. Physicians have long observed a relationship between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes in adults, but much less is known about a similar connection in children.Rates of type 2 diabetes have doubled in children over the past 20 years. Children with NAFLD have features of insulin resistance, a key characteristic of type 2 diabetes, and so may be at risk for developing the disease."There is a growing public health crisis as children with diabetes mature into adults with diabetes. We need to better understand how NAFLD contributes to type 2 diabetes risk in children so that we can actively work to prevent it," said Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD, professor of paediatrics at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Fatty Liver Clinic at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.In a new study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, a national team of researchers, led by senior author Schwimmer, provide hard numbers describing the connection between NAFLD and diabetes risk, finding that among 892 children with NAFLD enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network, type 2 diabetes was present in 6.6 per cent of the children at initial assessment, with the incidence rate increasing 3 per cent annually over the next four years.By the end of the study, one in every six children had developed type 2 diabetes. "This is alarming because type 2 diabetes in youth is a much more aggressive disease than in adults, with more immediate and serious complications and outcomes," said Schwimmer.The authors also identified specific factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in children with NAFLD: sex (females were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes), the severity of obesity and the amount of fat and scar tissue in the liver. "These findings have clinical implications for gastroenterologists caring for children with NAFLD," Schwimmer said. "They should be aware of the risk and provide monitoring, anticipatory guidance and lifestyle interventions that help their patients avoid developing type 2 diabetes."&nbsp;—ANI

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common pediatric liver disease, affecting 5 to 8 million children in the United States. In NAFLD, the cells of the liver store large fat droplets, which can affect the function of the liver. Physicians have long observed a relationship between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes in adults, but much less is known about a similar connection in children.

Study: Pediatric Liver Disease Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk

London: The effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines were found to be similar for those with a higher body mass index (BMI) and of a healthy weight, but slightly lower for underweight people, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes &amp; Endocrinology.Researchers from the University of Oxford compared risk of severe disease in vaccinated versus unvaccinated people at least 14 days after a second dose.While overall, the findings showed Covid vaccines greatly reduced the number of cases of severe disease for everyone regardless of their body size, the effect was slightly lower in underweight people.Underweight vaccinated people had around half the likelihood of being hospitalised or dying compared with unvaccinated people of the same BMI. According to researchers, it may be because underweight people were also the least likely to have been vaccinated. It may also reflect a reduced immune response as a consequence of frailty or other conditions associated with low body weight. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between BMI and immune responses, the researchers said.On the contrary, people in the healthy and high BMI groups who were vaccinated were around 70 per cent less likely to be hospitalised than unvaccinated people. People with a healthy or a higher BMI were also around two-thirds less likely to die than their unvaccinated counterparts two weeks after a second dose. "Our findings provide further evidence that Covid-19 vaccines save lives for people of all sizes. Our results provide reassurance to people with obesity that Covid-19 vaccines are equally as effective for them as for people with a lower BMI, and that vaccination substantially reduces their risk of severe illness if they are infected with Covid-19," said lead author Dr Carmen Piernas of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, at Oxford. "These data also highlight the need for targeted efforts to increase vaccine uptake in people with a low BMI, where uptake is currently lower than for people with a higher BMI," Piernas added. For the study, the team included 9,171,524 patients who were over 18 years old, had BMI data, and had not previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 from December 8, 2020 to November 17, 2021. People were grouped based on their BMI.Further, people with low and high BMI were significantly higher risk of severe disease following two doses of vaccine, compared with a healthy BMI, the researchers found.For example, a BMI of 17 was linked to a 50 per cent increase in risk of hospitalisation compared with a healthy BMI of 23, and a very high BMI of 44 had three times the risk of hospitalisation compared with a healthy BMI.While the cause of the increased risk among people with obesity is unknown, it is consistent with the higher rate of seasonal flu infections in people with a higher BMI, the team said that an altered immune response in heavier weight individuals may be to blame. —IANS

The effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines were found to be similar for those with a higher body mass index (BMI) and of a healthy weight, but slightly lower for underweight people, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Covid Vax More Effective For Obese People Than Underweight: Lancet

New York :&nbsp;An advisory committee to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deliberated on how to move forward to allow clinical trials to test pig-to-human organ transplants, media reports said.The process, known as xenotransplantations, dates back to the 17th century, when attempts were made to use animal blood for transfusions. Due to paucity of organs from humans, scientists started looking at non-human primates like monkeys, chimpanzees and baboons, and even pigs, Nature reported.While a handful of such procedures were performed in the past year, there have been no formal human xenotransplant trials.Most agency officials and physicians agree that human trials are needed to help answer the most pressing research questions about interspecies transplants, the report said.Information is also needed on the pig breed best suited for growing transplant organs, and how co-occurring health conditions, such as diabetes, could affect transplantation success."Human trials would help to answer a slew of questions, including what is the best cocktail of immunosuppressive drugs to give humans to help their bodies accept a pig organ, and how can physicians manage the risk that transplanted organs might harbour a pig virus," added Caroline Zeiss, a veterinary specialist at Yale University.An increasing number of people waiting for organ transplants also push the need for the trials. In the US alone, more than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants. Researchers have long hoped that xenotransplantation could help to meet demand and, therefore, save lives."We have people dying each day waiting for organs," Jay Fishman, a specialist in transplant infectious disease at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston who participated in the FDA meeting, was quoted as saying.In September 2021, a study published in the American Journal of Transplantation, showed a transplantation of a gene-edited pig's two kidneys onto a brain dead patient. The kidneys functioned normally over the 54 hours of the test and seemed to produce urine.Again in October, doctors at NYU Langone Health, New York performed a similar surgery.In January this year, a severely ill man became the first to receive a pig heart in Maryland, US. However, he died two months later because of a porcine virus, a preventable infection that is linked to devastating effects on transplants.Even though the heart-transplant recipient died, the surgery represents an enormous accomplishment, Allan Kirk, a transplant surgeon at the Duke University in the US, was quoted as saying.The high-profile transplants have "increased public awareness of the field" and have "made this an optimal time for public conversation" and clinical trials, added Wilson Bryan, director of the FDA's Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the meeting.Companies such as Revivicor in Blacksburg, Virginia, owned by United Therapeutics, have been breeding pigs for use in xenotransplantation.They have been searching for the right combination of genetic modifications for their pigs to help ensure that humans' immune systems accept organs from the animals, the report said.These companies "have been creative making these pigs; hopefully they'll be creative testing them", said FDA investigator Deborah Hursh at the meeting. --- IANS

An advisory committee to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deliberated on how to move forward to allow clinical trials to test pig-to-human organ transplants, media reports said. The process, known as xenotransplantations, dates back to the 17th century, when attempts were made to use animal blood for transfusions.

 US FDA likely to okay clinical trials for pig-to-human organ transplants

London:&nbsp;Researchers have identified a blood protein whose elevated levels may raise risk of developing diabetes and death from cancer.Prostasin is a stimulator of epithelial sodium channels that regulate sodium balance, blood volume and blood pressure.The protein has been found to suppress high blood sugar-induced tumour growth and is associated with glucose metabolism.The findings, published in Diabetologia, people with prostasin were 76 per cent more likely to develop diabetes.Prostasin levels were also found to be a better predictor of diabetes in younger participants, and those with lower blood glucose levels and better kidney function.Further, researchers found that prostasin was significantly associated with both cancer mortality and all-cause mortality.People with prostasin blood levels were 43 per cent more likely to die from cancer.For each doubling of prostasin concentration, risk of cancer mortality increased by 139 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, among participants with and without elevated levels of blood glucose (impaired fasting glucose).No association was found for cardiovascular mortality.“Prostasin may be just an indicator that disease might occur, or could be causally relevant, which is exciting because it raises the possibility of targeting this protein with future treatments for both diabetes and cancer,” said Professor Gunnar Engstrom from Lund University in Malmo, Sweden.“Prostasin is a new potential risk marker for the development of diabetes and for cancer mortality, especially in individuals with high blood glucose levels,” added Dr Xue Bao from The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School in Nanjing, China.“It is easily accessible, which enhances its potential to serve as a warning marker in the future.”The study analysed blood samples from over 4,000 middle-aged Swedish adults that were taken over a decade ago.After adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, sex and waist circumference, smoking and drinking habits, LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and anti-hypertensive medication, elevated prostasin levels were found to be positively associated with the presence of diabetes, with those in the highest prostasin quartile almost twice as likely to have diabetes compared to the lowest.Over an average 22-year follow-up, 702 participants developed diabetes.During average follow-up of 24 years, 651 participants died from cancer.Researchers said that the findings are observational and may need further studies.—IANS

Researchers have identified a blood protein whose elevated levels may raise risk of developing diabetes and death from cancer.  Prostasin is a stimulator of epithelial sodium channels that regulate sodium balance, blood volume and blood pressure.

 This blood protein may flag risk of diabetes, death from cancer

Researchers have identified a blood protein whose elevated levels may raise risk of developing diabetes and death from cancer.

Prostasin is a stimulator of epithelial sodium channels that regulate sodium balance, blood volume and blood pressure.

Washington: According to research, emotions of loneliness are associated with a dramatically increased risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes (T2D).
The research, published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]), was conducted by Associate Professor Roger E. Henriksen and his colleagues at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. As well as examining the association between loneliness and the risk of developing T2D, it looked at whether depression and insomnia play a role.
A growing body of research has pointed to a link between psychological stress and an individual's risk of developing T2D. Loneliness creates a chronic and sometimes long-lasting state of distress which may activate the body's physiological stress response. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, this response is believed to play a central role in the development of T2D through mechanisms such as temporary insulin resistance brought on by elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
This process also involves changes in the regulation of eating behaviour by the brain, causing an increased appetite for carbohydrates and subsequently elevated blood sugar levels. Previous studies have found an association between loneliness and unhealthy eating including higher consumption of sugary drinks and foods rich in sugars and fats.
The researchers used data from the HUNT study, a collaboration between the HUNT Research Centre (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology [NTNU]), Trondelag County Council, the Central Norway Regional Health Authority and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
This database contains the health information (from self-reported questionnaires, medical examinations and blood samples) of more than 230,000 people and was obtained via four population surveys: HUNT1 (1984-1986), HUNT2 (1995-1997), HUNT3 (2006-2008) and HUNT4 (2017-2019).
Baseline information for 24,024 participants was taken from HUNT2 after excluding individuals with metabolic disorders, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and those for whom blood test data were not available. T2D status was the main outcome variable and was based on HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin - a measure of long-term blood sugar control) being greater than 48mmol/mol when measured in the HUNT4 survey.
Loneliness was gauged from HUNT2 data survey whether they had felt lonely over the previous 2 weeks and was measured on a four-point scale ('no', 'a little', 'a good amount' and 'very much').
The severity of depression symptoms was assessed using a questionnaire completed during HUNT3 which consisted of 7 questions, each scored on a scale of 0-3 for a total of 0-21 points, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. Individuals with insomnia were identified based on their answers to the questions: 'How often in the last 3 months have you: 'had difficulty falling asleep at night', 'woken up repeatedly during the night' and 'woken too early and couldn't get back to sleep', respectively. These were asked as part of HUNT3 and participants could choose one of three answers: 'never/seldom', 'sometimes' and 'several times a week'.
Out of 24,024 people, 1,179 (4.9 per cent) went on to develop T2D over the course of the study (1995-2019). These individuals were more likely to be men (59 per cent vs 44 per cent) and had a higher mean age (48 years vs 43 years) than those without T2D. They were also more likely to be married (73 per cent vs 68 per cent) and have the lowest level of education (35 per cent vs 23 per cent). Feelings of loneliness were reported by 13 per cent of participants.
The study found that higher levels of loneliness at baseline were strongly associated with a higher risk of T2D when measured 20 years later. After adjusting for age, sex and education level they found that participants who responded 'very much' when asked whether they had felt lonely were twice as likely to develop T2D than those who did not feel lonely.
Further analysis showed that this relationship was not altered by the presence of depression, sleep-onset insomnia or terminal insomnia, although the team did find evidence of a link to sleep maintenance insomnia.
Although their study did not examine the exact mechanisms involved, the researchers note that social support, influence and engagement may have positive effects on health-promoting behaviours. For example, advice and support from a friend may influence an individual's health-related choices and positively affect their diet, physical activity level and overall feelings of stress. Fewer social ties and a lack of these positive influences can make lonely people more vulnerable to behaviour which could increase the risk of developing T2D.
The researchers advise that loneliness should be included in clinical guidelines relating to T2D. They say: "It is important that healthcare providers are open to dialogue about an individual's concerns during clinical consultations, including with regard to loneliness and social interaction."
The authors recommend that further research is carried out into the mechanisms at play in the link between loneliness and T2D as well as the roles played by insomnia and depression. They conclude: "Questions to be answered are the extent to which loneliness leads to the activation of stress responses, the extent to which loneliness affects health-related behaviour and, importantly, how these two pathways interact in terms of contributing to an increased risk of T2D." —ANI

 According to research, emotions of loneliness are associated with a dramatically increased risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Researchers Find Connection Of Loneliness With Risk Of Diabetes

Washington: Scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind why eating late at night is linked to weight gain and diabetes. The connection between eating time, sleep and obesity is well-known but poorly understood, with research showing that over-nutrition can disrupt circadian rhythms and change fat tissue.
The connection between eating time, sleep and obesity is well-known but poorly understood, with research showing that over-nutrition can disrupt circadian rhythms and change fat tissue.
New Northwestern research has shown for the first time that energy release may be the molecular mechanism through which our internal clocks control energy balance. From this understanding, the scientists also found that daytime is the ideal time in the light environment of the Earth's rotation when it is most optimal to dissipate energy as heat. These findings have broad implications from dieting to sleep loss and the way we feed patients who require long-term nutritional assistance.
The paper, "Time-restricted feeding mitigates obesity through adipocyte thermogenesis," will be published online today, and in print tomorrow (Oct. 21) in the journal Science.
"It is well known, albeit poorly understood, that insults to the body clock are going to be insults to metabolism," said corresponding study author Dr. Joseph T. Bass, the Charles F. Kettering Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He also is a Northwestern Medicine endocrinologist.
"When animals consume Western style cafeteria diets -- high fat, high carb -- the clock gets scrambled," Bass said. "The clock is sensitive to the time people eat, especially in fat tissue, and that sensitivity is thrown off by high-fat diets. We still don't understand why that is, but what we do know is that as animals become obese, they start to eat more when they should be asleep. This research shows why that matters."
Bass is also director of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolism and the chief of endocrinology in the department of medicine at Feinberg. Chelsea Hepler, a postdoctoral fellow in the Bass Lab, was the first author and did many of the biochemistry and genetics experiments that grounded the team's hypothesis. Rana Gupta, now at Duke University, was also a key collaborator.
In the study, mice, who are nocturnal, were fed a high-fat diet either exclusively during their inactive (light) period or during their active (dark) period. Within a week, mice fed during light hours gained more weight compared to those fed in the dark. The team also set the temperature to 30 degrees, where mice expend the least energy, to mitigate the effects of temperature on their findings.
"We thought maybe there's a component of energy balance where mice are expending more energy eating at specific times," Hepler said. "That's why they can eat the same amount of food at different times of the day and be healthier when they eat during active periods versus when they should be sleeping."
The increase in energy expenditure led the team to look into metabolism of fat tissue to see if the same effect occurred within the endocrine organ. They found that it did, and mice with genetically enhanced thermogenesis -- or heat release through fat cells -- prevented weight gain and improved health.
Hepler also identified futile creatine cycling, in which creatine (a molecule that helps maintain energy) undergoes storage and release of chemical energy, within fat tissues, implying creatine may be the mechanism underlying heat release.
The science is underpinned by research done by Bass and colleagues at Northwestern more than 20 years ago that found a relationship between the internal molecular clock and body weight, obesity and metabolism in animals.
The challenge for Bass's lab, which focuses on using genetic approaches to study physiology, has been figuring out what it all means, and finding the control mechanisms that produce the relationship. This study brings them a step closer.
The findings could inform chronic care, Bass said, especially in cases where patients have gastric feeding tubes. Patients are commonly fed at night while they sleep, when they're releasing the least amount of energy. Rates of diabetes and obesity tend to be high for these patients, and Bass thinks this could explain why. He also wonders how the research could impact Type II Diabetes treatment. Should meal times be considered when insulin is given, for example?
Hepler will continue to research creatine metabolism. "We need to figure out how, mechanistically, the circadian clock controls creatine metabolism so that we can figure out how to boost it," she said. "Clocks are doing a lot to metabolic health at the level of fat tissue, and we don't know how much yet." —ANI

 Scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind why eating late at night is linked to weight gain and diabetes. The connection between eating time, sleep and obesity is well-known but poorly understood, with research showing that over-nutrition can disrupt circadian rhythms and change fat tissue.

Research Explains Why Late-Night Eating Leads To Weight Gain, Diabetes

Lucknow (The Hawk): A more sedentary lifestyle, developed during the work from home period of the pandemic, has contributed to an increase in diabetes diagnoses, particularly in young adults.
Senior professor at King George's Medical University in Lucknow, Dr. Qauser Usman, stated: "Even after Covid restrictions are lifted, businesses, particularly in some industries, still have the WFH policy. This may be the cause of the rise in diabetes cases among persons in their 30s and 40s. Professionals in the workforce must learn to strike a healthy work-life balance.
Diabetes is becoming more common among young professionals, according to Dr. Abhishek Shukla, secretary general of the Association of International Doctors. Even while they are working, they sit for extended periods of time and continue to eat fast food. This way of life is harmful.
According to Dr. Mayank Somani, diabetes, which affects more than 77 million people in India, is quickly assuming the position of a possible epidemic. It has several factors.
Medical professionals also stated that in order to make up for the decline in physical activity, young people now favour intense workouts.
"Because the body is suddenly being subjected to intense workouts, this might not be beneficial. The ideal prescription for a healthy lifestyle is brisk walking and low-intensity exercise, according to Dr. D.K. Srivastava.
He suggested that recent actor deaths in the Hindi film business may have been caused by strenuous exercise.
(Inputs from Agencies)

A more sedentary lifestyle, developed during the work from home period of the pandemic, has contributed to an increase in diabetes diagnoses, particularly in young adults.

A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of diabetes, according to medical professionals

New York (The Hawk): An Indian-origin researcher has shown that Covid-19 can change a person's genetic makeup, which can increase the spread of disease and lead to greater worsening in diabetes and related heart disease.
According to Dinender Singla, Chair of Cardiovascular Science at the College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida, people with diabetes or those who are predisposed to the disease are more likely to develop post-Covid inflammatory conditions that affect the heart and brain due to their genetic make-up.
In an article that was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, he looked into the mechanics of Covid-19, its potential impacts on people with high-risk diabetes, as well as how the virus might worsen the condition and cause heart failure and inflammation.
According to Singla, "Covid-19 could have three important long-term effects on patients."
"Cognitive dysfunction is one; it can result in Alzheimer's disease. Second, it can worsen pre-diabetic symptoms or pre-diabetic patients' diabetes. Third, it can make diabetes-related issues like cardiomyopathy or muscular dysfunction worse "He clarified.
Some diabetic patients with Covid-19 infection may have established a distinct blood cellular composition from diabetic ones without Covid.
He will now examine specific cellular variations between diabetics with and without a Covid infection as the next phase in his investigation.
In comparison to non-COVID diabetic individuals, "our goal is to look at if there is a difference in blood composition or variations in cytokines — proteins that alter communications between cells," Singla added.
If any variations are found, the type of disorders they might possibly exacerbate or create in those patients would need to be investigated, the doctor continued.
More than 600 million individuals worldwide have been impacted by COVID-19, and although immunizations have rendered the virus less worrisome than it was two years ago, Dr. Singla noted there are still many unsolved issues regarding its long-term effects on health.
Singla is currently seeking to secure financing to investigate the unresolved issues brought on by the virus.
(Inputs from Agencies)

An Indian-origin researcher has shown that Covid-19 can change a person's genetic makeup, which can increase the spread of disease and lead to greater worsening in diabetes and related heart disease.

Covid can worsen diabetes and linked health conditions, according to an Indian-origin scientist

Liege (Belgium): Women of South Asian origin may be more likely to experience gestational diabetes due to the same complex genetics that increases their chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes, according to a study.
The findings of the study were published in eLife.
The discovery may lead to new ways to identify women who would benefit from interventions to prevent diabetes during pregnancy.
People of South Asian descent have an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women in this group are also twice as likely to develop a condition called gestational diabetes during pregnancy than women of European descent. But why South Asians are at an increased risk of these two conditions is not currently clear.
"Only a handful of studies have looked at how genetic and environmental factors interact in gestational diabetes in South Asian women," says lead author Amel Lamri, a research associate at McMaster University and Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) in Ontario, Canada. "None have looked at how the genes associated with type 2 diabetes may interact with environmental factors to contribute to gestational diabetes in South Asian women."
To close this gap, Lamri and colleagues assessed the relationship between genes associated with type 2 diabetes, environmental factors, and gestational diabetes. They examined whether having genetic signatures linked with type 2 diabetes risk is also connected with gestational diabetes in 837 and 4,372 South Asian women who participated in the SouTh Asian BiRth CohorT (START) study, and the Born in Bradford (BiB) study respectively.
The team measured the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes using a polygenic risk score, which estimates the hereditary risk of an individual developing a disease based on the number of risk alleles they have. The researchers found that South Asian women with higher type 2 diabetes polygenic risk scores also had a higher risk of gestational diabetes; each incremental increase in the score was associated with a 45% increase in the risk of developing this condition.
When the scientists studied the gestational diabetes risk at the population level, they found that having a polygenic risk score in the highest one-third explained 12.5% of the risk of developing this condition in South Asian women. When they combined a family history of type 2 diabetes and having a polygenic risk score in the top third, it explained 25% of the risk of developing gestational diabetes. "These results show that a higher type 2 diabetes polygenic risk score and a family history of diabetes are strongly and independently associated with gestational diabetes in women of South Asian descent," explained Lamri.
The scientists also looked at whether environmental factors modulated these genetic risk factors. Most of the environmental factors they considered (with the possible exception of body mass index and diet quality) did not significantly alter the risk of diabetes during pregnancy in both studies. But the authors noted that the studies may not have been large enough to detect more modest environmental effects, and that further studies are needed in order to confirm the modulatory effects they observed .
"Our results support the idea that type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes share a common genetic background," concluded senior author Sonia Anand, the Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Population Health, and a senior scientist at PHRI, McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences. "If future studies confirm our results, this information may help identify which women would benefit most from interventions to help prevent diabetes during pregnancy." —ANI

Women of South Asian origin may be more likely to experience gestational diabetes due to the same complex genetics that increases their chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes, according to a study.

Type 2 Diabetes Linked With Gestational Diabetes In South Asian Women: Study

Cardiff (UK): A recent study performed by Cardiff University indicated that children with type 1 diabetes miss nine more school days on average year than children without the condition.
The findings of the study published in the Journal for Diabetes Care, the research found that children with type 1 diabetes who have the healthiest blood glucose levels miss seven more sessions per year, while those who experience challenges in managing their diabetes are absent for 15 more sessions a year. Absence is measured in sessions, which is half a day.
The team found that while many children with diabetes still perform well in their education both at age 16 and university participation, those facing struggles to manage their blood glucose levels achieved results that are five grades lower in GCSEs than children without the condition - for example 3Bs and 5Cs vs 8 Bs.
They are also less than half as likely to attend university as children without type 1 diabetes.
The team's research - a quantitative study which used data from schoolchildren (aged six to 18) in Wales between 2009 and 2016 - also took into account factors such as a child's household socioeconomic status, neighbourhood deprivation, gender, and age.
They found that these personal and family characteristics are likely to be associated with effective self-management of diabetes and in turn, have an effect on educational attainment.
"Our research suggests children living with type 1 diabetes face many additional challenges in school, including higher absences," said lead author Dr Robert French, a senior research fellow at Cardiff University's School of Medicine.
"Children living with diabetes and managing the condition achieve the same grades at age 16 as their peers without diabetes - and are equally as likely to progress to higher education. This is quite remarkable, given that they miss more school sessions than those without the condition. "Where we do see large differences in educational outcomes is for those children facing struggles in managing their diabetes.
"However, our data suggests that this is most likely the result of social rather than biological factors and something that schools have the capacity to improve." Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the UK, affecting one in 250 children,- although it can be diagnosed later in life. An autoimmune condition, it is not the result of lifestyle factors and requires self-injections of insulin regularly, or the use of an insulin pump to control blood sugar levels. Shelby Sangha was 17 when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Now aged 23, she works for West Midlands Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
"I absolutely hated school at the best of times and then my whole world quite literally came crashing down when I discovered that I was diabetic.
"I didn't want to believe I had diabetes or need treatment because my friends didn't - so why should I? I kind of pushed it to the back of my mind and tried to forget about it. "School and exams were a whirlwind, a very big emotional roller coaster. No-one really had a clue what diabetes was or what it entailed, me included. I don't even think I had any support from my school, if I remember correctly. "I think much more needs to be done to raise awareness of the impact of diabetes on children and young people. As well as support for them, talks in schools or patient referral groups would be a huge benefit."&nbsp;&nbsp;
Rebecca Barlow-Noone was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 18. Now aged 26, she has recently completed a masters degree and has been part of the research project's advisory group.
"Unstable blood sugar levels have a significant impact on your well-being, concentration levels and day-to-day life, so I am not surprised by the findings in this study" she says.
"I was lucky to have support at home when I was diagnosed, but even so, Type 1 diabetes can be an isolating condition and there are real barriers that children and young people face.
"Worryingly, In the current cost of living crisis, even support is not enough - particularly if children with diabetes are missing school meals. It makes this complex condition even more difficult to manage.
"It's really important that we understand how these extra factors - the social determinants such as where we grow up and the education we receive - impact health."
Dr French added: "Living with diabetes can affect every aspect of a child's life, from family, friendships and their self-esteem, and it is complex to manage with many factors at play."
"It also places a huge burden on the NHS in terms of costly interventions. Type 1 diabetes is estimated to account for £1bn in direct costs for the NHS, including diabetes-related heart disease, kidney failure and foot amputations) and £0.9bn in indirect costs, for example, absence from work due to ill health and impact on mental health.
"This study is important for how we address the health and education challenges for young people with diabetes in the future. Schools and healthcare teams need to work together to provide more support to children and their families. This will ensure that children living with diabetes can thrive and reach their full academic potential."
Dr Faye Riley, Research Communications Manager at Diabetes UK, added: "Every child with diabetes deserves the same education, experiences and opportunities as their peers. This study encouragingly indicates that although children with type 1 diabetes tend to miss more school than those without the condition, their condition does not negatively impact their educational attainment and likelihood of progressing to higher education at the age of 16.
"While the research found that those with higher blood sugar levels achieved lower grades than those with levels in a target range, it does not show that high blood sugar levels are the direct cause of this. Instead, it is likely that this link is explained by other factors, such as family support and socioeconomic factors that are associated with both higher blood sugars and poorer educational outcomes. Health inequalities exist across diabetes care, and these findings are an important reminder that schools and healthcare professionals must work together to ensure that all children with type 1 diabetes and their families have the support they need to manage the condition, and to thrive." —ANI

A recent study performed by Cardiff University indicated that children with type 1 diabetes miss nine more school days on average year than children without the condition.

Why Children With Type 1 Diabetes Miss More School: Researchers Revelation

Washington: Diabetes patients are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop dementia. A new study found that persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who used the diabetic medicine pioglitazone were less likely to acquire dementia later in life than those who did not.
The study was published in the online issue of Neurology the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The results were strongest among people who also had a history of stroke or ischemic heart disease, a condition caused by narrowed arteries in the heart. The study does not prove that the drug reduces the risk of dementia for people with diabetes. It only shows an association.
"Since dementia develops for years before diagnosis, there may be an opportunity for intervening before it progresses," said study author Eosu Kim, MD, PhD, of Yonsei University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, adding, "These results may suggest that we could use a personalized approach to preventing dementia in people with diabetes in the case that they have a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke."
For the study, researchers looked at the national Korean health database for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who did not have dementia. They were followed for an average of 10 years. Of the 91,218 participants, 3,467 received the drug pioglitazone.
During the study, 8.3% of the people taking pioglitazone developed dementia, compared to 10.0% of those who were not taking the drug. After researchers accounted for other factors that could affect dementia risk, such as high blood pressure, smoking and physical activity, they found that people taking pioglitazone were 16% less likely to develop the disease than those who did not take it. The benefit was stronger among people who had a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke, with reduced risks of 54% and 43%.
The reduced risk also increased as people used the drug for longer periods. People who took the drug for four years were 37% less likely to develop dementia than those who did not take the drug, while those who took it for one to two years were 22% less likely. People taking the drug were also less likely to have a stroke during the study. Kim noted that side effects of pioglitazone include swelling, weight gain, bone loss and congestive heart failure, and more research is needed on the long-term safety of the drug and whether there is an optimal dose that could minimize side effects while maintaining the benefits.
"These results provide valuable information on who could potentially benefit from pioglitazone use for prevention of dementia," Kim said, adding, "In some previous studies of people with dementia or at risk of cognitive decline who did not have diabetes, pioglitazone did not show any protection against dementia, so it's likely that a critical factor affecting the effectiveness is the presence of diabetes. More research is needed to confirm these findings." A limitation of the study was information on drugs was based on insurance claims, so it's possible that some people did not take the drugs as prescribed. The study was supported by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Research Foundation of Korea. —ANI

Diabetes patients are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop dementia. A new study found that persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who used the diabetic medicine pioglitazone were less likely to acquire dementia later in life than those who did not.

Medicine Linked To Lower Risk Of Dementia In People With Diabetes: Study

Turku (Finland): Anthocyanins, the red, purple, and blue pigments found in fruits, vegetables, and tubers, can lower the risk of diabetes by influencing inflammation, gut microbiota, and energy metabolism. The favourable effect of anthocyanins on type 2 diabetes is amplified if the anthocyanin is acylated, which means that an acyl group is added to the anthocyanin's sugar moieties, according to a new review study evaluating the research findings in the area.
A great amount of anthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins can be found in purple potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, radishes, purple carrots and red cabbages, whereas bilberries and mulberries contain mostly nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins. Acylated anthocyanins are poorly absorbed in digestion, but they have probiotic properties and reduce the risk of diabetes more efficiently than nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins. "The studies have shown that, in addition to changing physical and chemical properties, the acylation affects how the anthocyanins are absorbed and metabolised," said Postdoctoral Researcher Kang Chen at Food Sciences Unit, University of Turku, Finland. The anthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins are more effective antioxidants than the nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins, and they can also improve the intestinal barrier that enables the absorption of necessary nutrients. Furthermore, the anthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins maintain gut microbiota homeostasis , suppress pro-inflammatory pathways, and modulate glucose and lipid metabolisms.
"The plant's genotype defines what kind of anthocyanins they produce. In general, purple vegetables contain many anthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins. Also, purple potatoes, especially the Finnish variety called 'Synkea Sakari', is abundant in anthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins," said Chen.
Acylated anthocyanins travel through our bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract to the colon where they are metabolised by the gut microbiota. Glucose transporters are involved in anthocyanin absorption, but different glucose transporters are responsible for the absorption of acylated and nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins. The acylated and nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins also have different impacts on the enzymes involved in metabolism.
"The latest research has shown that the acylated and nonanthocyanins"&gt;acylated anthocyanins can impact type 2 diabetes in different ways," Chen summarises.&nbsp;&nbsp;
—ANI

Anthocyanins, the red, purple, and blue pigments found in fruits, vegetables, and tubers, can lower the risk of diabetes by influencing inflammation, gut microbiota, and energy metabolism.

Purple Vegetables, Tubers With Anthocyanins Can Lower The Risk Of Diabetes: Study 

Anthocyanins, the red, purple, and blue pigments found in fruits, vegetables, and tubers, can lower the risk of diabetes by influencing inflammation, gut microbiota, and energy metabolism. 

London: Drinking coffee, a rich source of caffeine, may help curb the amount of body fat and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, suggests a study.
Researchers from the Imperial College London found that people who carry genetic variants associated with slower caffeine metabolism drink, on average, less coffee, yet have higher levels of caffeine in their blood than people who metabolise it quickly to reach or retain the levels required for its stimulant effects. The research published in the journal BMJ Medicine concluded that the speed at which coffee is metabolised by the body may impact the weight.
To find out, the study looked at the role of two common genetic variants of the CYP1A2 and AHR genes in nearly 10,000 people of predominantly European ancestry. The CYP1A2 and AHR genes are associated with the speed of caffeine metabolism in the body.
The results of the analysis showed that people with higher plasma caffeine levels enjoyed a lower body mass index (BMI) and body fat, alongside a lower risk of developing type two diabetes.
"Ninety-five per cent of your caffeine is metabolised by an enzyme," Dipender Gill, clinical scientist at the Imperial, was quoted as saying Independent.co.uk. "Two genes - CYP1A2 and AHR - affect the function and level of that enzyme.
Using these genetic variants, the team found that slower metabolisers have higher plasma (blood) caffeine levels, and those with higher plasma levels go on to have a lower BMI and risk of diabetes, Gill said.
"It's the plasma caffeine that's doing that," he noted. However, more research is needed, the team said. It is because caffeine has been associated with lower sleep quality and increased palpitations. —IANS

Drinking coffee, a rich source of caffeine, may help curb the amount of body fat and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, suggests a study.

Drinking Coffee May Help You In Weight Loss, Ward Off Diabetes Risk

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science &amp; Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India is ready to lead technology driven Diabetes care. Addressing the 3-day World Congress of “Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics 2023” (DTechCon 2023) here, as chief guest, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned Diabetologist and Professor, said that India is being looked up to by the rest of the world in the field of healthcare after the successful handling of the pandemic. Technologically and in human resources, we are much ahead of most other countries, he said. Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is fast becoming more and more tech savvy, particularly after Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister because he is personally promoting science &amp; technology innovations. The PM has a natural temper for science and having worked closely with him for the past nine years, the Minister said, he can very well say that Modi gives his team a free hand in developing ideas and getting them implemented. This is evident from the fact that there were just around 350 StartUps before 2014, but after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the clarion call from the ramparts of the Red Fort in his Independence Day address and rolled out special StartUp scheme in 2016, there has been a quantum jump in StartUps to more than 90,000 with more than 100 Unicorns, said the Minister. India is also rated No: 3 in the StartUp ecosystem of the world, he added. Dr. Jitendra Singh said, similarly, Prime Minister Modi opened up the Space sector for private participation leading to more than 100 StartUps in the Space sector within just about three years. Similarly, Biotech StartUps went up from around 50 in 2014 to nearly 6,000 today, he said. Recently the Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Quantum Mission which will also boost medical diagnosis and treatment in the country. The Minister said that India is one of the very few countries in the world to have launched a National Quantum Mission. The Minister said that in the field of Telemedicine, we have some of the best StartUps in the world. These StartUp groups have developed AI doctors. Citing an example of its application, the Minister said that his team selected about 60 remote villages in his constituency and engaged a telemedicine van called ‘Doctor on Wheels’. The team ran it for 3 months in all 60 villages and the best of consultations were provided in a very short time, he said. The Minister said that India is not only becoming a technology leader but also a huge medical tourism hub. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the high priority given to healthcare, Dr Jitendra Singh said that it was because of the personal interest and intervention of Prime Minister Modi that within two years, India not only managed the Covid pandemic successfully better than much smaller countries, but also succeeded in coming out with a DNA vaccine and providing it to the other countries as well. The Minister said as India is in the frontline of diabetes research in the world, the prevention of diabetes is not only our duty towards healthcare but also our duty towards nation building because this is a country with 70% population below the age of 40 and the youth of today are going to be the prime citizens of India@2047. We cannot afford to let their energy get squandered in incapacitating complications occurring as a result of Diabetes Mellitus and other related disorders or its complications, he cautioned. The Minister congratulated Dr Banshi Saboo and his team for the conceptualisation of this conference. Dr. Tadej Battelino, Chair ATTD, the Guest of Honour at the event, agreed that the technological strides India is making in the field of healthcare is much quicker compared to other countries. Dr. Sharad Kumar Agarwal, National President, Indian Medical Association, Dr. Sudhir Bhandari, Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan Health University, Dr. Banshi Saboo, Founder, DTech (India), Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev, President DTech, Dr. Manoj Chawla, Scientific Chairman DTechCon, Dr. Amit Gupta, Org. Secretary DTechCon, healthcare professionals, industry leaders and many StartUps working in the field of health technology participated in the inaugural session of the conference. The DTechCon 2023 (World Congress of Diabetes Technology &amp; Therapeutics) is a global conference dedicated to the latest developments in the field of technology and therapeutics. Additionally, workshops and hands-on training are planned for deeper understanding of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring, Point of Care and futuristic therapy.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences

India Ready To Lead Technology Driven Diabetes Care: Dr Jitendra 

Washington: Several studies have found a rise in type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, none of the research distinguishes between children infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those who are not. Researchers can now acquire fresh insights since the KVB data set contains information on whether children with type 1 diabetes previously had COVID-19. This enables an examination of the temporal link between a COVID-19 diagnostic and a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Among the analysed children who had not been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before to the start of the pandemic, 16.6 percent were diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 2020 and December 2021. The researchers' initial findings were consistent with data from Germany and other countries: the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes in children between the ages of 2 and 12 years was around 50 percent higher in the years 2020 to 2021 as compared to the incidence rate in 2018 to 2019. Important and novel, they found that the development of type 1 diabetes in 2020 to 2021 was higher in the children with COVID-19. The likelihood to develop type 1 diabetes was increased by 57 percent in children who had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to non-infected children. The increase in type 1 diabetes incidence occurred in the same quarter as the COVID-19 diagnosis and also in later quarters.  The new data point to a direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the development of type 1 diabetes "We are cautious in our interpretation, but the findings suggest that the virus could either promote initiation of the underlying autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes or accelerate the progression of the disease in children with existing autoimmunity," says Ezio Bonifacio, last author of the study. Further studies will be needed, to elucidate the exact mechanism driving the increased incidence of type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in young children. The team of researchers also has access to cohorts of prospectively followed children from the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD) and the Fr1da Study. "We want to look into these cohorts to see whether the development of islet autoantibodies and/or type 1 diabetes was increased in the children after SARS-CoV-2 infection," said Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Helmholtz Munich Institute of Diabetes Research and GPPAD researcher. The findings of these studies will help to determine whether vaccination against COVID-19 should be considered in children at risk for type 1 diabetes. (ANI)

Several studies have found a rise in type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However

Study sheds more insight into diagnosis of type 1 diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection

New Delhi: The risk of developing dementia increases in persons with Type 2 diabetes who develop glucose resistance earlier in their lives, a significant study has revealed.  New research published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, shows an association between Type 2 diabetes and developing dementia in later life -- with the risk of dementia increasing the earlier a person develops the disease.  The study investigated the association between prediabetes and dementia.  Prediabetes is an intermediate stage of high blood sugar, where blood sugar is high but has not yet crossed the threshold for Type 2 diabetes.  "Prediabetes is associated with dementia risk, but this risk is explained by the development of diabetes. Diabetes onset at an early age is most strongly related to dementia," said the study by Jiaqi Hu and Professor Elizabeth Selvin of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US.  To reach this conclusion, the authors analysed data from participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Those enrolled were aged 45-64 years in 1987-1989 and from four US counties.  The cognitive function assessments incorporated data from a scoring system involving three cognitive tests.  Among 11,656 participants without diabetes at baseline, 2,330 (20 per cent) had pre-diabetes.  They found that the earlier age of progression to diabetes had the strongest association with dementia -- a 3 times increased risk of dementia for those developing diabetes before age 60.  It fell to a 73 per cent increased risk for those developing Type 2 diabetes aged 60-69 years and 23 per cent increased risk for those developing diabetes aged 70-79 years.  At ages 80 years or older, developing Type 2 diabetes was not associated with an increased risk of dementia.  "Preventing or delaying the progression of prediabetes to diabetes will substantially reduce the future burden of dementia," the authors noted. —IANS

The risk of developing dementia increases in persons with Type 2 diabetes who develop glucose resistance earlier in their lives

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