The Unlikely Buddha

Semaglutide is a drug that belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut in response to eating. GLP-1 has several effects that help to control blood sugar, including: Increasing insulin production by the pancreas Reducing glucagon production by the pancreas Slowing the movement of food through the stomach Increasing the feeling of fullness Semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels. Semaglutide is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease. In addition to treating type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is also approved for weight loss. It is currently only available under the brand name Wegovy. The typical dose for weight loss is 2.4 milligrams, administered weekly as subcutaneous (under the skin) self-injections. Semaglutid...

Northwestern Medicine researchers have discovered a new cell type, tissue-resident monocyte-lineage cells (TR-MC), in the joint that contributes to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. TR-MC stands for tissue-resident monocyte-lineage cells. They are a type of immune cell that is found in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis. TR-MCs are thought to play a role in the development and progression of the disease. TR-MCs are different from other immune cells in the joint, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells are short-lived cells that come from the blood and travel to the joint. TR-MCs, on the other hand, are long-lived cells that are born and die in the joint. TR-MCs produce a number of inflammatory molecules, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17). These molecules can damage the joint and contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery of TR-MCs could lead to new treatments for rheumatoid arth...