Pay today and remain a member of one of the world’s most storied fraternal organizations!

Their research, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal JCI Insight, reveals a novel link between metabolic syndrome and the oral microbiome. The team discovered that even in the absence of dental disease, individuals with metabolic syndrome show distinct changes in their oral bacteria – suggesting that oral health may provide early clues about broader metabolic dysfunction.

This study bridges the fields of endocrinology, microbiology, immunology, and pediatric medicine, reflecting the FOEDRC’s commitment to team science and translational research. As the blog article notes, these findings may open new pathways for earlier diagnosis and intervention for metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, through a simple oral health assessment.

We congratulate FOEDRC faculty members Drs. Taylor, Ganesan, Mangalam, and Curtis on this impactful contribution and their continued leadership in advancing the understanding of diabetes and its associated conditions.

The day featured approximately 200 poster presentations representing a wide range of scientific disciplines, including diabetes and metabolism, and attracted a strong turnout from faculty, trainees, and staff. In addition to poster sessions, attendees enjoyed two concurrent mini-symposia tracks featuring 10-minute oral presentations. These talks offered trainees and investigators the opportunity to share their work in a dynamic format with colleagues across campus.

A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Matthew Merrins, Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Merrins presented a compelling lecture titled “Glycolysis: At the Crossroads of Beta-cell Nutrient Sensing, GPCR Signaling, and Incretin Action.” During his visit, he also met one-on-one with FOEDRC faculty and participated in group dinners with researchers whose work intersects with his own, fostering valuable scientific discussion and collaboration.

The day included a catered lunch and concluded with a lively reception, providing an opportunity for attendees to network and reflect on the day’s presentations.

The lab had previously found that fatty lipids called ceramides are a detriment to metabolic health due to their damaging effect on adipocytes’ ability to efficiently store and utilize nutrients. As such, ceramides are involved in a variety of cellular and systemic metabolic issues, and targeting enzymes required for ceramide synthesis offers a path to their improvement while minimizing unintended effects. “Despite these exciting advances, we wondered whether we could identify ceramide effectors that could be targeted to improve metabolic health without altering ceramide levels, opening the door to novel therapies,” said Chaurasia.

In this recent work, the Chaurasia Lab identifies fibroblast growth factor FGF13’s as an effector of ceramide. This new publication in the high-impact Cell Metabolism emphasizes the importance of their findings; although FGF13 has been previously studied in relation to conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, neurological diseases, and cancers, its role in these metabolic diseases has not been significantly explored.

During their study, the researchers noted obesity-induced FGF13 expression in adipose tissue in both mice and humans, and that this expression was positively associated with glycemic indices seen in Type 2 diabetes. FGF13 exhibits its detrimental effects on metabolic functions by “inhibiting mitochondrial content and function, metabolic elasticity, and caveolae formation, which cumulatively impairs glucose utilization and thermogenesis,” indicating that treatment and prevention for some metabolic diseases, including diabetes, could lie in inhibiting FGF13.

In adult obese and insulin-resistant mice, ablation of FGF13 showed improved insulin sensitivity and resolved excessive fat accumulation in the liver. Further, these methods appear to improve energy and glucose homeostasis without altering ceramide levels. These results show great promise for future research; metabolic diseases are often chronic, complex, and disproportionately impact individuals of lower socioeconomic status. A better understanding of FGF13, and ceramides, presents an opportunity to reduce their effects by making specialized therapies more accessible.

“The identification of FGF13 as a ceramide target provides an additional approach of targeting ceramide pathway for the treatment of metabolic diseases,” Jamal Naderi, PhD, said. Naderi and Himani Thakkar, PhD, share lead authorship on this publication.

Chaurasia would like to thank all the members of his lab, and especially to acknowledge Naderi and Thakkar for their dedication and collaboration.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with Wellcare, the Medicare brand of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC).

Through the partnership, Wellcare will provide Eagles with access to Medicare Advantage plan educational seminars both online and in Aeries across the jurisdiction, as well as products and solutions to help complement existing healthcare coverage. 

For more than 20 years, Wellcare has offered a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in 32 states, offering affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Wellcare is committed to transforming the health of the communities it serves, one person at a time. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com. 

Additionally, Wellcare will be present at the 2025 Fraternal Order of Eagles International Convention in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 5-7 to meet with Eagles and conduct on-site seminars for this year’s registered attendees. 

“The F.O.E. is proud to partner with Wellcare to bring Medicare Advantage plan education and solutions to Eagle members,” said F.O.E. Marketing Director Zack Timmons. “Our top priority is finding quality services to benefit our membership and Wellcare’s attentive service to America’s seniors and the care with which they help these individuals navigate the Medicare Advantage plan options makes them a natural fit for the Eagles.”

Members who are unable to attend an in-person session will have the option to participate in online seminars. Eagles can visit the Member Benefits page at foe.com to sign up for seminars on May 29 (5 p.m. EST) and August 27 (4 p.m. EST). Additional seminars will be announced on foe.com at a later date.

‘Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Washington residents: “Wellcare” is issued by Coordinated Care of Washington, Inc., a subsidiary of Centene Corporation. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. “Wellcare by Health Net” is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. Washington residents: “Wellcare” is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc., a subsidiary of Centene Corporation.

For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-877-699-3552 (TTY: 711). There is no obligation to enroll.

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Honoring Dr. William Sivitz: A Legacy of Discovery in Diabetes and Mitochondrial Research

This month, we are proud to highlight the continued scientific contributions William Sivitz, MD, a foundational member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center and a cornerstone of the University of Iowa’s endocrinology and diabetes research community since 1987.

Dr. Sivitz, now emeritus faculty, remains actively involved in research and continues to publish impactful work. His latest study entitled “Detection of liver mitochondrial oxaloacetate by NMR spectroscopy and membrane potential-dependent accumulation” was recently published in the FASEB Journal. This innovative research utilizes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate how oxaloacetate—a key metabolic intermediate—is detected and regulated within liver mitochondria, often known as the “powerhouse” of the cell. His findings shed light on the role of mitochondrial membrane potential in oxaloacetate accumulation, offering deeper insight into cellular energy metabolism and its relevance to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Dr. Sivitz’s career exemplifies a powerful blend of clinical care and basic science. As a practicing endocrinologist for decades, his work has always been grounded in improving patient outcomes. His contributions to two of the most influential multicenter diabetes trials—the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes (GRADE) study—have helped shape the clinical standards used to treat people with diabetes today.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sivitz has been a national leader in studying how our cells produce energy and how this process can go wrong in diseases like diabetes. He has focused especially on mitochondria and how their function and stress levels affect the body’s overall health. His research has helped us better understand how small changes at the cellular level can lead to bigger problems in metabolism and disease.

As a founding member of the FOEDRC, Dr. Sivitz has played an essential role in building the research culture that defines our Center. His curiosity, rigor, and mentorship continue to inspire colleagues and trainees alike. We are deeply grateful for his ongoing presence and leadership in our scientific community.

Many members will be receiving postcards this week for our Oral History Project in partnership with PCI.

PCI is reaching out to validate membership information and to collect stories from our members over the phone to be used in an F.O.E. History project, which will culminate in a hardcover book outlining the stories of our members and the organization as a whole.

Please consider participating in this project and help us get our history told!

Special F.O.E. discounts for staying at the Hyatt Place include 50% off the breakfast buffet, 20% off food and beverage (alcohol not included), $5 domestic beers and $6 import/craft beers, $17 domestic 60 oz. pitchers and $19-24 craft 60 oz. Pitchers.

Book today by calling 1-800-233-1234 or visiting the Hyatt Place’s online booking portal.

From recruitment to initiation, Membership is a team effort. That’s why the Grand Aerie wants you to be a part of our next big membership campaign with our 2024-25 Membership Tagline Contest.

Come up with a creative and catchy tagline that helps convey the meaning of the Eagles and the importance of Membership. The winning entry will be used on flyers, posters and other materials made available at the 2025 International Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Email your name, home Aerie/Auxiliary number and your tagline to membership@foe.com along with a brief explanation for your tagline. Entries are due by May 1, 2025. The winning entry will be revealed on June 1, 2025 to kick off the 2025-2026 fraternal year!

The winner will receive a $500 gift card to the F.O.E. Online Store, a plaque commemorating their tagline and will be featured in a one-on-one YouTube interview with Membership Coordinator Tim Hoyt.

Don’t wait – enter today!

Dr. O’Neill’s research has focused on the often-overlooked impact of diabetes on skeletal muscle function. His investigations into how impaired insulin signaling affects muscle strength and mitochondrial energy production have provided critical insights into the accelerated muscle loss experienced by individuals with diabetes. His work has underscored the importance of glycemic control and identified potential therapeutic targets to mitigate muscle deterioration, particularly for aging patients or those recovering from major surgeries.

His appointment to the ASCI is particularly significant, as he is the first faculty member from the University of Iowa’s Department of Internal Medicine to be elected to this esteemed organization since 2017. Membership in the ASCI is highly selective, requiring nomination and endorsement from distinguished peers in the field. Dr. O’Neill’s nomination was led by his PhD mentor, Dr. E. Dale Abel, and strongly supported by leading researchers from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic.

As Director of the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship program, he plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of physician-scientists. His recognition by the ASCI reinforces the FOEDRC’s mission to support and develop leaders in diabetes research.

Dr. O’Neill will be formally inducted into the ASCI in April 2025 in Chicago, where he will join a distinguished group of physician-scientists dedicated to advancing medical discovery. This milestone is not only a testament to his individual achievements but also reflects the collaborative and innovative environment fostered at the University of Iowa.