Stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin-like growth factor II in human muscle is not mediated by the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor.

Although the growth-promoting effects of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) have been intensively studied, the acute actions of this hormone on glucose metabolism have been less well evaluated, especially in skeletal muscle ofhumans. We and other groups have shown that IGFs reduce glycaemic levels in humans and stimulate glucose uptake in rat muscle. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of IGF-II on glucose transport in muscle of normal and obese patients with and without non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), as well as to identify the receptor responsible for this action. 2- Deoxyglucose transport was determined in vitro using a muscle- fibre strip preparation. IGF-II binding and stimulation of glucose transport by IGF-II were investigated in biopsy material of rectus abdominus muscle taken from lean and obese patients and obese patients with NIDDM at the time of surgery. In the lean group, IGF-II (100 nM) stimulated glucose transport 2.1-fold, which was slightly less than stimulation by insulin (2.8-fold) at the same concentration. Binding of IGF-II was approx. 25 % of that of insulin at 1 nM concentrations of both hormones. Obesity with or without NIDDM significantly reduced IGF-II-stimulated glucose uptake compared with the lean group. In order to explore which receptor mediated the IGF-II effect, we compared glucose uptake induced by IGF-II and two IGF-II analogues: [Leu27]IGF-II, with high affinity for the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor but markedly reduced affinity for the IGF-I and insulin receptors, and [Arg54,Arg55]IGF-II, with high affinity for the IGF-I and insulin receptors but no affinity for the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor. The potency of [Arg54,Arg55]IGF-II was similar to that of IGF- II, whereas [Leu27]IGF-II had a very diminished effect. Results show that IGF-II is capable of stimulating muscle glucose uptake in lean but not in obese subjects and this effect seems not to be mediated via an IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor. Originally published Biochemical Journal, Vol. 300, Pt. 3, June 199

Assessment of vapor pressure deficit variability and trends in Spain and possible connections with soil moisture

The Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is one of the most relevant surface meteorological variables; with important implications in ecology, hydrology, and atmosphere. By understanding the processes involved in the variability and trend of the VPD, it is possible to assess the possible impacts and implications related to both physical and human environments, like plant function, water use efficiency, net ecosystem production, atmospheric CO2 growth rate, etc. This study analysed recent temporal variability and trends in VPD in Spain between 1980 and 2020 using a recently developed high-quality dataset. Also, the connection between VPD and soil moisture and other key climate variables (e.g. air temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) was assessed on different time scales varying from weekly to annual. The objective was to determine if changes in land-atmosphere feedbacks connected with soil moisture and evapotranspiration anomalies have been relevant to assess the interannual variability and trends in VPD. Results demonstrate that VPD exhibited a clear seasonality and dominant positive trends on both the seasonal (mainly spring and summer) and annual scales. Rather, trends were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05) during winter and autumn. Spatially, VPD positive trends were more pronounced in southern and eastern of Spain. Also, results suggest that recent trends of VPD shows low contribution of variables that drive land-atmosphere feedbacks (e.g. evapotranspiration, and soil moisture) in comparison to the role of global warming processes. Notably, the variability of VPD seems to be less coupled with soil moisture variability during summertime, while it is better interrelated during winter, indicating that VPD variability would be mostly related to climate variability mechanisms that control temperature and relative humidity than to land-atmosohere feedbacks. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of assessing driving forces and physical mechanisms that control VPD variability using high-quality climate datasets, especially, in semiarid and sub-humid regions of the world

Rehabilitación cognitiva en trastornos psiquiátricos graves: aplicación de los subprogramas cognitivos de la terapia psicológica integrada (IPT).

El objetivo del estudio fue conocer los efectos de los subprogramas cognitivos de la Terapia Psicológica Integrada (IPT) en pacientes con trastornos psicóticos. La investigación, de tipo experimental, midió los cambios en los procesos cognitivos básicos y, a su vez, en la sintomatología, las habilidades sociales y de resolución de problemas. Los participantes fueron 32 pacientes en tratamiento ambulatorio diagnosticados de esquizofrenia y trastorno esquizoafectivo (F20 y F21), divididos en dos condiciones: experimental y control. Los participantes del grupo experimental asistieron a un programa de IPT durante seis meses, a razón de dos sesiones semanales. El grupo control no recibió ningún programa terapéutico de rehabilitación. En el análisis de las medidas pre-post tratamiento para el grupo experimental, encontrándose una mejoría estadísticamente significativa tanto para la sintomatología cognitiva (Mpre=4,05 vs Mpost=3,60), como para la afectiva (Mpre= 4,35 vs. Mpost= 4,00) y la negativa (Mpre=4,65 vs Mpost=.4, 25). También, en las medidas del rendimiento se ha podido observar un incremento en el rendimiento (Mpre=12 vs. Mposts=13.95), en la medida de atención selectiva y memoria auditiva. Por último, se encontró una mejora en la satisfacción con la vida (Mpre=55,60 vs. Mpost= 53,67). Los participantes del grupo control, por el contrario, no experimentaron cambios significativos en ninguna de las variables medidas. Se evidencia la eficacia de la implementación de un programa de tratamiento psicológico integrado en la rehabilitación cognitiva de los pacientes psicóticos. Así mismo, se discuten las limitaciones y las implicaciones para futuras aplicaciones de la IPT en esta població

Rehabilitación cognitiva en trastornos psiquiátricos graves: aplicación de los subprogramas cognitivos de la terapia psicológica integrada (IPT).

El objetivo del estudio fue conocer los efectos de los subprogramas cognitivos de la Terapia Psicológica Integrada (IPT) en pacientes con trastornos psicóticos. La investigación, de tipo experimental, midió los cambios en los procesos cognitivos básicos y, a su vez, en la sintomatología, las habilidades sociales y de resolución de problemas. Los participantes fueron 32 pacientes en tratamiento ambulatorio diagnosticados de esquizofrenia y trastorno esquizoafectivo (F20 y F21), divididos en dos condiciones: experimental y control. Los participantes del grupo experimental asistieron a un programa de IPT durante seis meses, a razón de dos sesiones semanales. El grupo control no recibió ningún programa terapéutico de rehabilitación. En el análisis de las medidas pre-post tratamiento para el grupo experimental, encontrándose una mejoría estadísticamente significativa tanto para la sintomatología cognitiva (Mpre=4,05 vs Mpost=3,60), como para la afectiva (Mpre= 4,35 vs. Mpost= 4,00) y la negativa (Mpre=4,65 vs Mpost=.4, 25). También, en las medidas del rendimiento se ha podido observar un incremento en el rendimiento (Mpre=12 vs. Mposts=13.95), en la medida de atención selectiva y memoria auditiva. Por último, se encontró una mejora en la satisfacción con la vida (Mpre=55,60 vs. Mpost= 53,67). Los participantes del grupo control, por el contrario, no experimentaron cambios significativos en ninguna de las variables medidas. Se evidencia la eficacia de la implementación de un programa de tratamiento psicológico integrado en la rehabilitación cognitiva de los pacientes psicóticos. Así mismo, se discuten las limitaciones y las implicaciones para futuras aplicaciones de la IPT en esta població

Hematology oncology practice in the Asia-Pacific APHCON survey results from the 6th international hematologic malignancies conference: bridging the gap 2015, Beijing, China

This report serves as a snapshot of the state-of-knowledge in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Hematology Oncology community, and establishes a baseline for longitudinal investigations to follow changes in best practices over time. The objective of this study was to understand the approach to hematologic diseases, common standards of care and best practices, issues that remain controversial or debated, and educational or resource gaps that warrant attention. We used mobile application to disseminate and distribute questionnaires to delegates during the 6th international hematologic malignancies conference hosted by the APAC Hematology Consortium at Beijing, China. User responses were collected in an anonymous fashion. We report survey results in two ways: the overall responses, and responses as stratified between Chinese physicians and 'Other' represented nationalities. Overall geographical concordance in survey responses was positive and strong. Perhaps more interesting than instances of absolute agreement, these data provide a unique opportunity to identify topics in which physician knowledge or opinions diverge. We assigned questions from all modules to broad categories of: patient information; diagnosis; treatment preference; transplantation; and general knowledge/opinion. On average, we observed a geographic difference of 15% for any particular answer choice, and this was fairly constant across survey modules. These results reveal utility and need for widespread and ongoing initiatives to assess knowledge and provide evidence-based education in real time. The data will be made more valuable by longitudinal participation, such that we can monitor changes in the state of the art over time.published_or_final_versio

Lipidomics Analysis Reveals Efficient Storage of Hepatic Triacylglycerides Enriched in Unsaturated Fatty Acids after One Bout of Exercise in Mice

Background: Endurance exercise induces lipolysis, increases circulating concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and the uptake and oxidation of fatty acids in the working muscle. Less is known about the regulation of lipid metabolism in the liver during and post-exercise

cAMP/PKA Regulates Osteogenesis, Adipogenesis and Ratio of RANKL/OPG mRNA Expression in Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Suppressing Leptin

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a pluripotent cell type that can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and other cells. The reciprocal relationship between adipogenesis and osteogenesis was previously demonstrated; however, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We report that activation of PKA by 3-isobutyl-1 methyl xanthine (IBMX) and forskolin enhances adipogenesis, the gene expression of PPARgamma2 and LPL, and downregulates the gene expression of Runx2 and osteopontin, markers of osteogenesis. PKA activation also decreases the ratio of Receptor Activator of the NF-kappaB Ligand to Osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) gene expression - the key factors of osteoclastogenesis. All these effects are mediated by the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway by suppressing leptin, and may contribute to PKA stimulators-induced in vivo bone loss in developing zebrafish. CONCLUSIONS: Using MSCs, the center of a newly proposed bone metabolic unit, we identified cAMP/PKA signaling, one of the many signaling pathways that regulate bone homeostasis via controlling cyto-differentiation of MSCs and altering RANKL/OPG gene expression