A shared comparison of diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disorders

Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases in the world population, is associated with a number of comorbid conditions including obesity, pancreatic endocrine changes, and renal and cardio-cerebrovascular alterations, coupled with peripheral neuropathy and neurodegenerative disease, some of these disorders are bundled into metabolic syndrome. Type 1 DM (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-secreting islet cells. Type 2 DM (T2DM) is diabetes that is associated with an imbalance in the glucagon/insulin homeostasis that leads to the formation of amyloid deposits in the brain, pancreatic islet cells, and possibly in the kidney glomerulus. There are several layers of molecular pathologic alterations that contribute to the DM metabolic pathophysiology and its associated neuropathic manifestations. In this review, we describe the general signature metabolic features of DM and the cross-talk with neurodegeneration. We will assess the underlying molecular key players associated with DM-induced neuropathic disorders that are associated with both T1DM and T2DM. In this context, we will highlight the role of tau and amyloid protein deposits in the brain as well in the pancreatic islet cells, and possibly in the kidney glomerulus. Furthermore, we will discuss the central role of mitochondria, oxidative stress, and the unfolded protein response in mediating the DM-associated neuropathic degeneration. This study will elucidate the relationship between DM and neurodegeneration which may account for the evolution of other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease as discussed later.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Antitumor Activity of Novel Chromenones Bearing Benzothiazole Moiety

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - 6-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-oxo-(4H)-chromene-3-carbaldehyde was utilized to construct a novel series of fused chromone bearing benzothiazole moiety, namely...     

Economics of technical efficiency in white honey production: Using stochastic frontier production function

This study estimates and compares technical efficiency levels among beekeeping projects with various production capacities using a sample drawn from Fayoum Governorate in Egypt. The study also compares among beekeeping’s most important economic indicators, estimates the optimum production amount, and investigates why technical efficiency in Egyptian beekeeping is declining. We conclude that the average cost to produce one ton of honey decreases when production capacity increases. Furthermore, the average total, net return, and return on investment of one Egyptian pound increases when production capacity increases. Moreover, the results of a stochastic frontier production function indicate an increased return to scale. Finally, the results of maximum likelihood estimation show that technical inefficiency helps explain the deviation of actual from optimal production amounts.