Could Available Drugs Regenerate beta Cells? – Part 1 - Diabetes 28

We have talked about dangerous of several drugs in the market that cause negative effect on beta cells to produce insulin:

- Why Pancreas of Type 2 Diabetic Persons Produce Less Insulin? - Diabetes 3

- Could Medicines Affect on Pancreas to Produce Insulin? - Diabetes 4

Fig 01- Diet for diabetes

However, based on research published in Science Translational Medicine, Vol.12, no 530 (February, 2020) that two type of drugs are able to grow beta cells in human pancreas.

Two type of drugs which could replicate beta cells are:

- DYRK1A inhibitors

- and GLP-1 receptor agonists

Researchers found that using DYRK1A inhibitors alone could stimulate beta cells productions, but at modest level only.

Fig 02- Illustration purpose

Fig 03- Sagitarius, Illustration only

Then researchers searched other possibility by using GLP-1 receptor agonists which are prescription drugs to treat diabetes.

Some of GLP-1 receptor agonists are following:

- Novo Nordisk’s Victoza

- Ozempic

- Rybelsus

- Eli Lilly’s Trulicity

- and AstraZeneca’s Bydureon.

# To be continued to Part 2

# Previous postings:

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- Do You Like Paper Map Instead of Digital One?

- Why Neon Tetra Fish is Good For Aquarium?

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What are Tempe Health Benefits? - Part 2 – Food Variety 16

 You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- What are Tempe Health Benefits? - Part 1 – Food Variety 16

Tempe contains isoflavones which one of it functions to lower cholesterol levels in our blood.

Fig 01- Tempe made by an American company

Several other functions of Isoflavones (Sherry Christiansen, 2021: What Are Isoflavones?, Published in verywellhealth):

- similar to structure of estrogen hormone

- anti-oxidant, hence it may reduce damage because of oxygen.

- help to fight cancer

The study showed that Tempe is better than animal resources to manage cholesterol levels.

Fig 02- Nutrition content of Tempe

Fig 03- Tempe sold in Walmart grocery

Manganese in Tempe could be able to manage blood sugar in the body, and thus fight diabetes.

Manganese is compound to stimulate process called gluconeogenesis.

The process is important to maintain blood sugar in normal level as needed by our body.

Tempe could improve bone health due to calcium in its. Calcium with other mineral and vitamin prevent the bone (include teeth) from fracture and weak.

Have you seen Tempe sold in the market or Whole Foods market?

# Previous postings:

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- Can We Make Tea of Hibiscus Flowers?

- What Kinds of Foods Have no Effect on Weight Gain?

- What was Prediction After 9/11 of Terrorist Attacks?

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Do People Keep a Pig as a Pet? - Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):
- Do People Keep a Pig as a Pet? - Part 1

3) Vietnamese potbellied

- the breed as its name come from Vietnam.
- weigh about 50 kg (110 pound)
- height to shoulders reach about 41 cm (16 inches).
- the color is uniformly black

Fig 01- A pig with triplets

4) Teacup pigs

- quite small, about 41 kg (90 pound) weight size
- their life span could reach 25 years old.
- since longer life span, this small pig could be a long term pet compared to cats and dogs.

From 4 breeds, I do not know which one is good for indoor, but some people said that Vietnamese potbellied and teacup pigs are the best choice for pets.

Fig 02- A cup, just for illustration

Fig 03- For illustration only.

It is because the Vietnamese potbellied and teacup pigs have distinguish characters such as:

- gentle and sweet to human
- intelligent, can be trained like many cats and dogs
- companionable, walk with human on a leash.

Pig life spans is in the range between 12 to 20 years, but pet pigs may reach up to longer life span. 

What do you think about pig as a pet?

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- Do You Know Different between Dark and Bold Coffee?
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The Reasons Raccoon Visit Our Neighborhood – Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- The Reasons Raccoon Visit Our Neighborhood – Part 1

The animals easily to adapt to their environment in term of foods and water resources.

Fig 01- A raccoon entered the garden

We find raccoon sift through garbage to find food in our neighborhood.

However, their favorite foods is our pet’s food. They are eating cat or dog foods, then they will come back in other days if they feel safe.

It seems that he raccoon is just hungry. It might have babies around too and looking to feed them.

If a wild raccoon doesn't run when approached, stay away.

Raccoons are dangerous when cornered, and most times they are sick.

Fig 02- Trash as a food source for raccoon

Fig 03- Young raccoon on the branches.

A fat raccoon has entered to our house few years ago by chewing through our roofing shingles, then got access into attic:

- she looks at me crazy

- she didn’t move

- she didn't shew

- she was not scared.

Have you ever faced with raccoon?

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Why do Banana Ripen Faster than We Expected?

- What are Equipment to Cut the Trees Down in Neighborhood?

- Are Women Happier Without Husband and Children?

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What are Tempe Health Benefits? - Part 1 – Food Variety 16

Tempe or Tempeh is fermented cooked soybean, one of Indonesia traditional foods.

Now days, Tempeh easily found at commercial markets in America and some European countries.

Fig 01- Sliced of Tempe

It is believed Tempe has many health benefits as suggested by Keri Wiginton (2021: The Health Benefits of Tempeh).

Some of Tempeh health benefits are:

1. Help to reduce cholesterol

2. Maintain blood sugar

3. Improve bone health

4. Reduce heart diseases risk

5. Improve metabolism

Fig 02- Tempe sold in the USA market

Fig 03- a kind of bean, just for illustration

Fig 04- Tempeh was made from these soybeans 

(credit to Subagja Hamara).

Since Tempe contains niacin, omega 3 and 6, and polyunsaturated fat thus able to lower heart diseases risk include heart attacks.

Vitamin B-12 in Tempe has functions which are relating to red blood cell in our body:

- the vitamin could improve metabolism of red blood

- and essential for production of red blood.

# To be continued to Part 2

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Do People Keep a Pig as a Pet? - Part 1

I saw someone brought a pig to the public park a long time ago, I was not so curious, just feel odd.

In recent days, I saw a pig wanders around neighborhood, my first guessed that a pig might be from nearby “pig farming.”

Fig 01- Lost pig in neighborhood

No, no said my neighbor. It was a pet. A pet pig owned by one of our neighbors. Considered as a lost pig.

There are at least 70 breeds of pigs, domestics or wilds world wide, about 4 well known breeds for pet:

- Yucatan

- African pygmy pigs

- Vietnamese potbellied

- teacup pigs

Fig 02- Cute, just for illustration

Fig 03- Autumn’s trees in our city, illustration

Fig 04- Pig and piglets, Illustration only

1) Yucatan breed

- size is 22 inches tall and 43 inches length

- very docile

- quite easy to controlled

- tolerate to restraint.

2) African pygmy pigs

- 20 inches tall, and reach 40 pounds in weight

- gentle temperament, hence easy to handle

- friendly, active and intelligent

# To be continued to Part 2

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- Buy What You Need in Home Depot

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The Reasons Raccoon Visit Our Neighborhood – Part 1

Raccoon is one of wild animals around our neighborhood. I think their population increasing recently.

We easily spot them before dark, even though they are nocturnal animals, active at night.

Fig 01- Raccoon at the backyard

In nature, raccoon is an omnivorous, they consume both plants and small animals such as:

- fruits

- vegetable

- nuts

- berries

- insects

- rodents

- frogs

- eggs

- crayfish.

Fig 02- Raccoon likes to attack our pets

Fig 03- A dog, illustration only

Fig 04- Raccoon can not get out from trash can.

We have noticed that Raccoon always visit our house during winter season. It might be due to several reasons:

1) Cold winter drives them to find safe shelter.

- a house is a warm place to hiding

2) Scarcity of natural foods and water

- difficult to find foods and water during cold seasons

- they would be happy to find left over pet’s food in neighborhood’s yards.

- some neighbors provide water for wild birds, hence, to be target of wild raccoon.

# To be continued to Part 2

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- Stop by at Art Galleries of a College Student

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