1
|
Ahmed I, Armstrong A, Clemons TA, Clune-Taylor C, Love-Rutledge ST, Phillips MA, Rogers CD, Williams MJ. How do DEI initiatives impact STEMM, and why do we still need them? Cell 2023; 186:2506-2509. [PMID: 37295395 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The number of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) have grown over the last few years. We asked several Black scientists what impact they have and why STEMM still needs them. They answer these questions and describe how DEI initiatives should evolve.
Collapse
|
2
|
Wilkerson-Vidal QC, Wimalarathne M, Collins G, Wolfsberger JG, Clopp A, Mercado L, Fowler E, Gibson H, McConnell V, Martin S, Hunt EC, Vogler B, Love-Rutledge ST. Young adult male LEW.1WR1 rats have reduced beta cell area and develop glucose intolerance. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 562:111837. [PMID: 36549462 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 American adults and is characterized by insulin resistance, insulin hypersecretion, and impaired glucose tolerance. Weanling LEW.1WR1 (1WR1) rats have increased blood insulin concentrations, so we hypothesized that young adult 1WR1 rats would develop impaired glucose tolerance due to the poor regulation of insulin. We monitored glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, and weight gain for 10 weeks to assess if there was a decline in glucose processing over time. 1WR1 rats were significantly more glucose intolerant after 8 weeks. 1WR1 rats had increased body mass, yet abdominal fat mass was not significantly increased. Although the 1WR1 rats had increased circulating insulin and glucagon protein levels, 1WR1 rat beta cell area was significantly reduced. There may be underlying insulin resistance as evidenced by dysfunctional insulin regulation during fasting. Understanding the metabolic phenotype of this rat model can provide insight into the human pathophysiological changes that increase susceptibility to glucose intolerance and prediabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quiana C Wilkerson-Vidal
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA; The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Madushika Wimalarathne
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA; The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Genoah Collins
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - James Gerard Wolfsberger
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Amelia Clopp
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Luis Mercado
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Evann Fowler
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Helen Gibson
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Victoria McConnell
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Sidney Martin
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA; The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biology, Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Emily C Hunt
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Bernhard Vogler
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| | - Sharifa T Love-Rutledge
- The University of Alabama Huntsville, Department of Chemistry, Materials Science Building 201, John Wright Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wimalarathne MM, Wilkerson-Vidal QC, Hunt EC, Love-Rutledge ST. The case for FAT10 as a novel target in fatty liver diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:972320. [PMID: 36386217 PMCID: PMC9665838 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.972320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen F locus adjacent transcript 10 (FAT10) is a ubiquitin-like protein that targets proteins for degradation. TNFα and IFNγ upregulate FAT10, which increases susceptibility to inflammation-driven diseases like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is well established that inflammation contributes to fatty liver disease, but how inflammation contributes to upregulation and what genes are involved is still poorly understood. New evidence shows that FAT10 plays a role in mitophagy, autophagy, insulin signaling, insulin resistance, and inflammation which may be directly associated with fatty liver disease development. This review will summarize the current literature regarding FAT10 role in developing liver diseases and potential therapeutic targets for nonalcoholic/alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
|