Latest news with #Kapahi
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Early puberty, childbirth may raise several health risks to women
New Delhi: Girls who go through puberty (the onset of menstruation) before the age of 11 or women who give birth before the age of 21 have double the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, and quadruple the risk of developing severe metabolic disorders, according to a study. The study led by researchers at the US-based Buck Institute for Research on Aging revealed that later puberty and childbirth are genetically associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, slower epigenetic ageing, and reduced risk of age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. "We show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with a significant cost later in life, including accelerated ageing and disease. It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance the survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother," Pankaj Kapahi, Professor at the varsity. Noting that the public health implications of the research are significant, he stated that "these risk factors, whether positive or negative, clearly have significant influence on a variety of age-related diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall health." The research, published in the journal eLife, was based on regression analysis on nearly 200,000 women in the UK to confirm genetic associations. The study identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on ageing. Kapahi said the study highlights the role of Body Mass Index (BMI) as a critical mediator of this process, finding that early reproductive events contribute to a higher BMI, which in turn increases the risk of metabolic disease. "One can envision that enhancing the ability to absorb nutrients would benefit the offspring, but if nutrients are plentiful, then it can enhance the risk of obesity and diabetes." Kapahi noted that understanding the long-term impact of reproductive timing allows for the development of personalised health care strategies that could help mitigate the risks associated with early puberty and early childbirth. He added that lifestyle modifications, metabolic screenings, and tailored dietary recommendations could improve long-term health in women.
Fox News
04-08-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Alzheimer's researchers say targeting brain sugar could help protect against dementia
The brain has a hidden "sugar code" that could lead to better treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, according to new research. A study recently published in the journal Nature Metabolism found that breaking down glycogen (stored glucose) in the brain could reduce the buildup of toxic proteins linked to the common dementia. This was one of the first studies to show that glycogen may actively influence brain health and disease, according to lead author Dr. Pankaj Kapahi, a professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California. "The study began with fruit flies (Drosophila) that were genetically modified to mimic tauopathy, a condition where a protein called tau builds up in the brain, similar to what happens in Alzheimer's disease," Kapahi told Fox News Digital. The flies used in the study were found to have brain damage and shortened lifespans, according to the researcher. To ensure that the results could translate to humans, the research team also studied nerve cells made in the lab from human patient cells carrying tau mutations, as well as postmortem brain samples from people who had Alzheimer's or related conditions, according to a press release. In both the fly and human models, the researchers found increased levels of glycogen (stored glucose) in the brain, as well as signs that glycogen breakdown was impaired, Kapahi told Fox News Digital. This was a surprising discovery, as researchers previously thought glycogen was mainly stored in the muscles and liver. They also found that the excess glycogen contributed to disease. The tau proteins in the scientists' models interacted with glycogen, blocking it from breaking down, and the nerves lost their ability to ward off cell damage. However, the researchers found they could decrease damage to the fruit flies and human nerves by boosting an enzyme called glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP), which breaks down glycogen. "The next step in the process may be mopping up potentially damaging free radicals roaming our brains." The nerve cells used the glycogen to fight against cell damage, suggesting that the enzymes responsible for breaking down sugar could be promising targets for future therapies. The researchers were also curious whether a restricted diet could improve the flies' brain health. When they reduced the amount of protein in the insects' diet, the flies indeed lived longer and their brain health improved. "We then discovered this improvement was linked to an increase in the breakdown of glycogen," Kapahi said. This led to the study's main finding — that breaking down glycogen in neurons can protect the brain from damage caused by tau buildup. The scientists also developed a drug using a special molecule called 8-Br-cAMP that replicated similar effects of dietary restriction, the press release noted. The authors clarified that they are not recommending low-protein diets just yet — but said this research could pave the way for dietary or drug-based strategies to help slow Alzheimer's and related diseases. Dr. Michael Okun, a Florida neurologist and medical advisor to the Parkinson's Foundation, was not involved in the study but commented on the significance of the findings. "Instead of funneling sugar into energy-burning processes, the broken-down glycogen seemed to be routed into an antioxidant-producing pathway," Okun, who is also author of "The Parkinson's Plan," told Fox News Digital. "The next step in the process may be mopping up potentially damaging free radicals roaming our brains," he said. Okun also confirmed that dietary restrictions activated a protective brain pathway and boosted the breakdown of brain sugar. "It ultimately reduced damage from the Alzheimer's-related tau protein," he said. The study — which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, as well as the American Federation of Aging Research and other sources — did have some limitations, the experts acknowledged. The researchers did not clarify whether breaking down brain glycogen could stop human brain cells from dying, Okun noted. "We still don't know if targeting glycogen breakdown will work in human patients — and most importantly, whether it will be a safe approach." "We don't yet know why glycogen builds up in disease, or whether it's a cause or a result of tau pathology — though our data suggest it may amplify disease progression," Kapahi added. The research was also conducted only on fly and human cell models and has not yet been tested on living humans. "We still don't know if targeting glycogen breakdown will work in human patients — and most importantly, whether it will be a safe approach," Okun said. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia in the U.S., affects more than seven million people in the U.S., according to the Alzheimer's Association. For more Health articles, visit The neurological disorder affects memory, thinking and behavior. There is no cure for the disease, but some medications can temporarily slow progression and improve quality of life.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
DU denies receiving request from Lenskart's Kapahi for academic records
New Delhi, The Delhi University on Thursday said it has not received any formal application from Lenskart co-founder Sumeet Kapahi for duplicate copies of his degree and marksheets, contradicting claims made in the eyewear company's draft IPO filing. DU denies receiving request from Lenskart's Kapahi for academic records In a statement issued in response to Lenskart's Draft Red Herring Prospectus , the Delhi University clarified that its examination wing conducted a detailed search but found no official communication — either physical or digital — from Kapahi. 'The Examination Wing of the University of Delhi has diligently examined the matter and searched for any communication from the applicant… It was found that no communication has been done by the applicant named 'Sumeet Kapahi',' the university said. The statement added that a payment under the 'miscellaneous' section had been made on July 16, 2025 by an individual named 'Deepesh', who mentioned Kapahi's name while applying for a duplicate marksheet older than six years. However, this alone did not constitute a formal application, the DU clarified. 'It has been found that the applicant/student Mr Sumeet Kapahi has not filled the online/offline form and has not applied formally for the duplicate degree and marksheets. The applicant is advised to apply on the university portal and submit the appropriate fee,' the university said, providing the necessary web link for the process. The clarification comes after Lenskart disclosed in its DRHP that Kapahi, currently the company's Global Head of Sourcing, had been unable to trace his academic documents and had reached out to the university multiple times via email, letter and online portal. 'There can be no assurances that he will be able to trace the relevant documents… in future or at all,' the prospectus had noted. Kapahi, who has been with Lenskart since 2011, played a key role in sourcing and supply chain management. Prior to joining Lenskart, Kapahi worked with Ray-Ban Sun Optics India. Gurugram-based Lenskart filed the DRHP with Sebi on Monday, proposing to raise ₹2,150 crore through a fresh issue of shares in addition to an offer-for-sale of 13.22 crore shares by promoters and investors. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
31-07-2025
- Business
- News18
DU denies receiving request from Lenskart's Kapahi for academic records
New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) The Delhi University on Thursday said it has not received any formal application from Lenskart co-founder Sumeet Kapahi for duplicate copies of his (Hons) degree and marksheets, contradicting claims made in the eyewear company's draft IPO filing. In a statement issued in response to Lenskart's Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), the Delhi University (DU) clarified that its examination wing conducted a detailed search but found no official communication — either physical or digital — from Kapahi. 'The Examination Wing of the University of Delhi has diligently examined the matter and searched for any communication from the applicant… It was found that no communication has been done by the applicant named 'Sumeet Kapahi'," the university said. The statement added that a payment under the 'miscellaneous' section had been made on July 16, 2025 by an individual named 'Deepesh", who mentioned Kapahi's name while applying for a duplicate marksheet older than six years. However, this alone did not constitute a formal application, the DU clarified. 'It has been found that the applicant/student Mr Sumeet Kapahi has not filled the online/offline form and has not applied formally for the duplicate degree and marksheets. The applicant is advised to apply on the university portal and submit the appropriate fee," the university said, providing the necessary web link for the process. The clarification comes after Lenskart disclosed in its DRHP that Kapahi, currently the company's Global Head of Sourcing, had been unable to trace his academic documents and had reached out to the university multiple times via email, letter and online portal. 'There can be no assurances that he will be able to trace the relevant documents… in future or at all," the prospectus had noted. Kapahi, who has been with Lenskart since 2011, played a key role in sourcing and supply chain management. Prior to joining Lenskart, Kapahi worked with Ray-Ban Sun Optics India. Gurugram-based Lenskart filed the DRHP with Sebi on Monday, proposing to raise Rs 2,150 crore through a fresh issue of shares in addition to an offer-for-sale of 13.22 crore shares by promoters and investors. PTI MHS AS AS view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Lenskart cofounder Sumeet Kapahi unable to 'trace' Delhi University's degree
Agencies Sumeet Kapahi, cofounder, Lenskart In a surprising disclosure, eyewear giant Lenskart has revealed that Sumeet Kapahi, one of its cofounders and promoters, has been unable to locate copies of his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree and marksheets from the University of Delhi. The revelation was made in the company's draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed with markets regulator Sebi as part of its proposed initial public offering (IPO). Also Read: Lenskart IPO: Founder Peyush Bansal buys back company shares at steep discount ahead of going public According to the draft documents filed on Monday, Kapahi, who currently serves as the company's Global Head of Sourcing, has made several efforts to retrieve the documents. He has written multiple e-mails and a letter to the university, and has also applied for copies of the marksheets through the university's online portal. However, a response is awaited. The company noted that there is no assurance that the University of Delhi will respond to these communications in a timely manner or at all. "One of our promoters, Sumeet Kapahi, who is also the Global Head of Sourcing of our company, has been unable to trace the copies of his (Hons) degree and marksheets from the University of Delhi," the draft prospectus stated. "Further, there can be no assurances that he will be able to trace the relevant documents pertaining to his educational qualifications in future or at all," it added. Kapahi has been associated with Lenskart since September 2011, where he is responsible for developing and planning sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost optimization. Prior to joining Lenskart, Kapahi worked with Ray-Ban Sun Optics India. In fiscal 2025, he received a total compensation of Rs 2.24 crore, which includes provisions for incentives amounting to Rs 50 lakh payable in fiscal 2026. On Monday, Gurugram-based Lenskart filed preliminary papers with Sebi seeking its approval to raise funds through an IPO. The IPO involves raising Rs 2,150 crore through fresh issuance of equity shares. Besides, promoters and investors would offload 13.22 crore shares. Also Read: IPO-bound Lenskart buys 80% stake in Spain's Meller for Rs 407 crore Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Jane St: How an options trader smelt a rat when others raised a toast Regulators promote exchanges; can they stifle one? Watch IEX TCS job cuts may not stop at 12,000; its bench policy threatens more From near bankruptcy to blockbuster drug: How Khorakiwala turned around Wockhardt Stock Radar: SBI Life rebounds after testing 50-DEMA; could hit fresh record highs above Rs 2,000 – check target & stop loss These 10 banking stocks can give more than 25% returns in 1 year, according to analysts Two Trades for Today: A metals stock for an over 6% gain, a large-cap chemicals maker for about 7% upmove F&O Radar| Deploy Broken Wing in LIC Housing Finance to benefit from bearish outlook
