65 research outputs found
HMGA1 is a novel downstream nuclear target of the insulin receptor signaling pathway
High-mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) protein is an important nuclear factor that activates gene transcription by binding to AT-rich sequences in the promoter region of DNA. We previously demonstrated that HMGA1 is a key regulator of the insulin receptor (INSR) gene and individuals with defects in HMGA1 have decreased INSR expression and increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, there is evidence that intracellular regulatory molecules that are employed by the INSR signaling system are involved in post-translational modifications of HMGA1, including protein phosphorylation. It is known that phosphorylation of HMGA1 reduces DNA-binding affinity and transcriptional activation. In the present study, we investigated whether activation of the INSR by insulin affected HMGA1 protein phosphorylation and its regulation of gene transcription. Collectively, our findings indicate that HMGA1 is a novel downstream target of the INSR signaling pathway, thus representing a new critical nuclear mediator of insulin action and function
Clinical implications of gait analysis in the rehabilitation of adult patients with "Prader-Willi" Syndrome: a cross-sectional comparative study ("Prader-Willi" Syndrome vs matched obese patients and healthy subjects)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Being severely overweight is a distinctive clinical feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is a complex multisystem disorder, representing the most common form of genetic obesity. The aim of this study was the analysis of the gait pattern of adult subjects with PWS by using three-Dimensional Gait Analysis. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of obese patients and in a group of healthy subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional, comparative study: 19 patients with PWS (11 males and 8 females, age: 18–40 years, BMI: 29.3–50.3 kg/m<sup>2</sup>); 14 obese matched patients (5 males and 9 females, age: 18–40 years, BMI: 34.3–45.2 kg/m<sup>2</sup>); 20 healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females, age: 21–41 years, BMI: 19.3–25.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Kinematic and kinetic parameters during walking were assessed by an optoelectronic system and two force platforms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PWS adult patients walked slower, had a shorter stride length, a lower cadence and a longer stance phase compared with both matched obese, and healthy subjects. Obese matched patients showed spatio-temporal parameters significantly different from healthy subjects.</p> <p>Furthermore, Range Of Motion (ROM) at knee and ankle, and plantaflexor activity of PWS patients were significantly different between obese and healthy subjects. Obese subjects revealed kinematic and kinetic data similar to healthy subjects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PWS subjects had a gait pattern significantly different from obese patients. Despite that, both groups had a similar BMI. We suggest that PWS gait abnormalities may be related to abnormalities in the development of motor skills in childhood, due to precocious obesity. A tailored rehabilitation program in early childhood of PWS patients could prevent gait pattern changes.</p
Prader-Willi syndrome: A primer for clinicians
The advent of sensitive genetic testing modalities for the diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome has helped to define not only the phenotypic features of the syndrome associated with the various genotypes but also to anticipate clinical and psychological problems that occur at each stage during the life span. With advances in hormone replacement therapy, particularly growth hormone children born in circumstances where therapy is available are expected to have an improved quality of life as compared to those born prior to growth hormone
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Characterization of glycated hemoglobin in diabetic patients: usefulness of electrospray mass spectrometry in monitoring the extent and distribution of glycation
The Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis and Plasma Lipid Levels In The Elderly.
The activity of the hypothalamic-GH-insulin-like growth
factor
(IGF) network declines with age. It has recently been shown that
increased cardiovascular mortality occurs in adults with GH deficiency.
As hypercholesterolemia is common in GH-deficient adults,
and because there is experimental evidence that GH may play a role
in regulating plasma cholesterol, we decided to investigate the activity
of the GH-IGF axis in an elderly population by measuring serum
IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and to
study their relationship with blood lipid levels. One hundred and
thirty-two elderly subjects, 52 men and 80 women, were studied (age
range, 60–91 yr). Men had significantly lower levels of IGFBP-3, high
density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoprotein A1 (ApoA1)
compared to the women, whereas IGF-I and IGF-II were only slightly
lower. Using linear regression analysis, we observed an inverse relationship
of age with IGF-I (r520.35; P , 0.001), IGF-II (r 5 0.40;
P , 0.001), IGFBP-3 (r 5 0.52; P , 0.001), body mass index, and lipid
levels. Univariate regression analysis showed a strong and positive
correlation of both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 with HDL-C and ApoA1. Partial
correlation analysis, after adjustment for age and body mass
index, showed that IGFBP-3 and IGF-II were still significantly and
positively related to HDL-C and ApoA1. Furthermore, a strong association
was documented among IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3. These
data demonstrate that even in an elderly population, further aging is
accompanied by a progressive decline in circulating IGF-I, IGF-II, and
IGFBP-3, suggesting a continuing diminution of the GH-IGF axis
throughout aging. Moreover, the strong correlation between HDL-C
and an index of GH secretion, such as IGFBP-3, suggests that GH
might play an important role in lipid metabolism in healthy elderly
subjects
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Effects of red blood cell transfusion on resting energy expenditure in adolescents with sickle cell anemia
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