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Neurogenin-3 and the Regeneration of Insulin-Secreting Islet Cells of the Pancreas

*By Dr. Devan Introduction The human pancreas is a dual-function organ, serving both exocrine and endocrine roles. Among its endocrine components, the islets of Langerhans are critical for glucose regulation, producing hormones such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. The destruction or dysfunction of insulin-producing β-cells is the hallmark of diabetes mellitus, particularly type 1 diabetes, where autoimmunity eliminates these cells, and type 2 diabetes, where β-cell exhaustion contributes to disease progression. For decades, researchers believed that adult human β-cells had very limited regenerative capacity. However, recent discoveries have shifted this paradigm, highlighting molecular pathways that could restore or replace β-cell mass. Among these, Neurogenin-3 (Ngn3) has emerged as the master regulator of islet cell development and regeneration. Ngn3 is a transcription factor essential for pancreatic endocrine lineage determination during embryogenesis...
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Factors Contributing to Stroke and Preventive Measures

*By Dr. Devan Introduction Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. It occurs when blood supply to the brain is either interrupted (ischemic stroke) or ruptured (haemorrhagic stroke), depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die, leading to neurological deficits that may be temporary or permanent. The global burden of stroke continues to rise, especially in developing countries where lifestyle diseases, stress, and aging populations are prevalent. However, a significant proportion of strokes are preventable. To prevent stroke, we must first understand the multiple factors that contribute to its occurrence. This essay will explore the major risk factors of stroke and outline preventive measures that individuals and societies can adopt. Major Factors Contributing to Stroke Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) The single most important risk factor for both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Chronic hypertension weakens...
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Your Progress in Life

*By Dr Devan  Your progress in life is written in effort, not in the applause of others, nor in the fleeting shadows of praise. It begins in silence, when no one is watching, when you fight the heaviness of doubt and still take one more step. The mountain is not conquered in a leap—it is climbed by steady feet, by breath that does not quit, by hands that refuse to let go. Do not fear the slow pace; fear only the pause that never ends. Even a single drop, falling each day, can hollow the hardest stone. Failures are not chains—they are chisels, shaping your strength, refining your vision, teaching you endurance. When the night feels too long, remember: the sun always rises, and every dawn is proof that persistence wins over darkness. Your dreams are not distant—they wait. They wait for your courage, for your discipline, for your refusal to surrender when comfort calls you backward. So lift your head, straighten your back, and walk forward with conviction. The world respects consisten...
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Slimming Bacteria

*By Dr. Devan Abstract Obesity is a multifactorial disorder with genetic, environmental, behavioral, and microbial determinants. In recent decades, the gut microbiome has emerged as a critical regulator of host metabolism, energy harvest, and adiposity. This article explores the evidence supporting the existence of “slimming bacteria”—gut microbial strains associated with leanness—and their mechanisms of action. We examine experimental and clinical studies on microbiome composition, discuss therapeutic implications including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and outline future perspectives for microbiome-based interventions in weight management. Introduction Obesity has reached pandemic proportions, affecting more than 650 million adults globally (WHO 2023). Traditional approaches emphasize caloric imbalance, yet increasing evidence implicates the gut microbiome as a decisive factor influencing weight gain and metabolic efficiency (Turnbaugh et al. 2006). Th...
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Labour Problem: Not an Excuse to Thrive in Farming-S R Byakod

Bengaluru: Shivayogi Revanasiddappa Byakod of Ranna Belagali, near Mahalingapur town in Mudhol Taluka, Bagalkote district, is a successful and progressive farmer who has risen to success through hard work. After graduating with a postgraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UASD), he struggled to make a living as a humble agrarian. Thanks to the timely sermons of late Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji and the friendly bonding of his father with Satyakama, a journalist turned philosopher and a mystic, S R Byakod's initial failures became the steps for a successful career as an agri consultant. With the launch of Sneha Agri Clinic, there was no looking back, and it was only success and more success all along.  God has given everything and two curses! Shivayogi R Byakod opines-"God has given everything, pure water, air, food, and unthinkable freedom, among many others, to the peasant. However, at the same time, he has also bestowed t...
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Declining World Population

*By Dr Devan  For centuries, human history has been defined by growth—growth in population, technology, and economies. The 20th century especially saw an unprecedented surge in global population due to improvements in medicine, agriculture, and sanitation. In 1900, the world population was about 1.6 billion; by 2000, it had crossed 6 billion. This rapid increase sparked widespread concern about overpopulation, resource scarcity, and environmental stress. Yet, as we move deeper into the 21st century, the narrative is shifting. While some regions—particularly in Africa and parts of South Asia—are still experiencing high birth rates, a growing number of countries are facing the opposite problem: population decline. Fertility rates are falling below replacement levels, aging populations are expanding, and migration alone cannot fully balance the demographic equation. The world is now preparing for a future where declining population, not growth, may become the defining demographic chal...
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The Feast of the Queenship of Mary

*By Dr. Devan The Church, in her wisdom, has always sought to honor the saints not simply for what they accomplished but for what they represent. Among them all, no one holds as exalted a place as Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is honored as the first disciple, the most faithful believer, and the one who bore in her womb the King of Kings. It is fitting, therefore, that the Church sets aside a special day to honor her as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This is the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, celebrated every year on August 22. This feast is not a mere liturgical formality. It is a profound reminder of who Mary is, what she has become, and what she continues to mean for the faithful. It is also a feast that speaks to our own destiny, for Mary’s crown is a foreshadowing of the glory that awaits those who walk faithfully in Christ. The Origins of the Feast The roots of Mary’s queenship lie deep within the history of salvation. In the ancient Davidic Kingdom, the mother of the king held a p...
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Allama Prabhu: A Respected Figure Among Natha and Siddha Traditions in the North, too

By M Chenna Nagaraj* Veerashaiva poet cum scholar of the Vijayanagara period, Maggeya Mayideva, is one of the most important milestones in the Veerashaiva/Lingayat literary scene, not merely in Kannada but also in the Sanskrit language, a rare feat for any literary person in the southern region. A bold attempt to take a Kannada literary work to the vast Sanskrit ocean: His importance knows no boundaries because he has ventured into something unusual but not impossible for his time. He collated Kannada vachanas of Allama Prabhu to Sanskrit literary circles through his magnum opus ‘Prabhu Gita’, a translation cum critique, which speaks volumes about his bold attempt to take a Kannada literary work to the vast Sanskrit ocean. Did it receive the attention it deserved? It is common knowledge that all translations have been from Sanskrit to Kannada, whereas Mayideva has reversed this established trend by introducing the 12th-century Vachana mystic Allama Prabhu to Sanskrit literature. A rar...
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Pundit Basavaraj Rajaguru Ensured His Disciples Also Grew With Him: Pundit Suhas Vyas

Dharwad: Basavaraj Rajaguru, the late Hindustani Classical maestro, didn't grow alone. He simultaneously ensured all his disciples also grew along with him, opined Pundit Suhas Vyas. The Pune-based vocalist was speaking here after receiving the Basavaraj Rajaguru national award for lifetime achievement, presented by the Swara Samrat Pundit Basavaraj Rajaguru Memorial National Trust on the eve of the veteran classical musician's 105th birth anniversary celebrations here. Next life to be born in Dharwad! Speaking about the unique characteristics of the Dharwad region, Pundit Suhas Vyas exhorted the bundle of talents born in this state's cultural capital city. He recalled the giants of the Indian Hindustani classical music world like Dr Mallikarjun Mansur, Dr Gangubai Hangal, Pundit Puttaraj Gawai, and Pundit Panchakshari Gawai, carving a name for themselves on the global sphere. If at all there is another life, I wish to be born in the state of Karnataka, he exclaimed. Musi...
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Dharwad's Arya Durga, Rukmini and Saraswati...: From Nothing to Crores and Crores...

Bengaluru: Arya Durga Kirani Stores, with Rukmini and Saraswati outlets, are household names for all those residing in and natives of Dharwad. It was a humble and austere beginning, dating back a few decades, thanks to hard work, sincerity, and trustworthy behaviour with customers, the business flourished and grew in leaps and bounds in an unimaginable proportion. Started working at the age of eight years! The owner, late Gajanan Vitthal Shetti, was primarily from Ankola in the North Canara (Karwar) district. Ankola, a coastal town, is renowned for its Salt Satyagraha during the freedom struggle movement. The financial condition of Shetti's family was too critical, making it too difficult to meet even the basic demands of day-to-day life. He began working at a ration shop while he was only eight years of age and continued working until he became 15 years old. Mahalakshmi Hotel boomerangs: Then Gajanan Vitthal Shetti came to Hubballi to do business. He came with his father, Vitth...
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