|
by Brooke Bunch
The
Diabetes/Endocrine Center, a part of Ohio University’s
Appalachian Rural Health Institute, will hold its monthly
Diabetes Research Seminar Tuesday, March 8, which will be
followed by a day-long Diabetes Educators Seminar Wednesday,
March 9.
The seminars are
a part of the ARHI Diabetes/Endocrine Center’s ongoing research
and educational programs, which are designed to further diabetes
research, improve patient care and clinical training, and
promote diabetes education. The center was
founded by Ohio University’s College of Health and Human
Services and OU-COM.
On Tuesday from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Frank Schwartz, M.D., will present the
“Role of Visceral Obesity in Pathogenesis of Type II Diabetes
and Atherosclerosis.” The seminar will take place in Grosvenor
West 111.
Schwartz’s
lecture will address the growing epidemic of obesity and type II
diabetes, and more specifically, how to treat visceral obesity,
and how acquisition of inter-abdominal cavity fat contributes to
diabetes risk.
“Intra-abdominal
fat is more biologically active and contributes to the
development of diabetes and other heart disease,” Schwartz says.
The visceral fat
cells secrete “adipokines,” which are chemicals that have
diverse biological effects especially on tissue function in
muscle, liver and pancreas which results in increased risk for
diabetes.
“As these fat
cells accumulate too much fat, they become saturated and release
the adipokines which contribute to the process,” Schwartz says.
Schwartz will
present human and animal research data at the seminar, as well
as discuss the potential research approaches for intervening
with current medications, as well as new compounds being
developed at the University that may be active in preventing
this process from occurring.
On Wednesday, the center holds
an diabetes educators seminar, “Appalachian Culture and Diabetes
Care,” from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m. Sharon Denham, D.S.N.,
R.N., professor of
nursing in the School of Nursing, College of Health and Human
Services, will be the main presenter at the educators seminar.
The seminar will take place in Grosvenor West 111.
Denham will examine the culture
links between Appalachian culture and diabetes care, paying
special attention to women’s roles, self-care philosophies and
access to medical care.
Denham also will discuss
distinct cultural traits of Appalachians, as well as Appalachian
literacy, health literacy, and literacy levels of diabetic
teaching materials. Denham’s presentation will begin at 11 a.m.
“At the end of this session,
participants will be able to describe at least three cultural
aspects of Appalachians, identify specific cultural perspectives
pertaining to diabetes care and discuss health literacy and
information needs related to diabetic care in Appalachian
populations,” Denham says.
Schwartz and Jay Shubrook,
D.O., associate professor of family medicine, will kick off
the seminar at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided at noon, followed
by a diabetes curriculum evaluation at 1 p.m.
Schwartz, the
director of the ARHI
Diabetes/Endocrine Center and an OU-COM associate professor of
endocrinology, says the center’s seminars on clinical and basic
science diabetes research serve as an incubator for university
researchers, physicians, health-care professionals and
educators. A primary aim of the center’s efforts is to open the
door to more interdisciplinary and interdepartmental research
collaborations at the University.
“They increase the
consolidation of our collective expertise for better directed
research into the areas of diabetes, atherosclerosis and related
diseases,” he says.
- 30 -
News for
the week of Feb. 28 – March 5
News for
the week of Feb. 21 – Feb. 26
News for
the week of Feb. 14 – Feb. 19
News Archives
|
