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In this era of increased obesity and diabetes prevalence, the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target to induce weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity in this population. The browning process entails a shift in the WAT from primarily storing excess energy to the dissipation of energy as heat. However, this idealistic view of WAT browning being the savior of the metabolic syndrome has been criticized by studies in burn and cancer patients that have shown browning to be detrimental rather than beneficial. In fact, in the context of hypermetabolic states, the browning of WAT has presented with substantial clinical adverse outcomes related to cachexia, hepatic steatosis, and muscle catabolism. Therefore, the previous thought construct of understanding browning as an all-beneficial physiologic event has now been met with skepticism. In this review, we focus on current knowledge of browning of WAT and its adverse metabolic alterations during hypermetabolic states. We also discuss the regulators and signaling pathways involved in the browning process and their potential for being targeted by new or existing drugs to inhibit or alleviate browning, potentially leading to decreased hypermetabolism and improved clinical outcomes. Lastly, the imminent clinical applications of pharmacological agents are explored in the perspective of attenuating WAT browning and its associated adverse side effects reported in burn patients.In conditions of hypermetabolism browning of adipose leads to cachexia and organ steatosis. Thus, drugs to inhibit browning in these patients can potentially attenuate some of these adverse effects.

Burn patients experiencing hypermetabolism develop hepatic steatosis, which is associated with liver failure and poor outcomes after the injury. These same patients also undergo white adipose tissue (WAT) browning, which has been implicated in mediating post-burn cachexia and sustained hypermetabolism. Despite the clinical presentation of hepatic steatosis and WAT browning in burns, whether or not these two pathological responses are linked remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the burn-induced WAT browning and its associated increased lipolysis leads to the accelerated development of hepatic steatosis in mice. Deletion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), regulators of burn-induced WAT browning completely protected mice from hepatic steatosis after the injury. Treatment of post-burn mice with propranolol or IL-6 receptor blocker attenuated burn-induced WAT browning and its associated hepatic steatosis pathology. Lipidomic profiling in the plasma of post-burn mice and burn patients revealed elevated levels of damage-inducing lipids (palmitic and stearic acids), which induced hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and compromised hepatic fat oxidation. Mechanistically, we show that hepatic ER stress after a burn injury leads to a greater ER-mitochondria interaction, hepatocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and impaired fat oxidation. Collectively, our findings uncover an adverse “cross-talk” between the adipose and liver tissue in the context of burn injury, which is critically mediated by WAT browning.

One of the most significant adverse postburn responses is abnormal scar formation, such as keloids. Despite its prolificacy, the underlying pathophysiology of keloid development is unknown. We recently demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome, the master regulator of inflammatory and metabolic responses (e.g., aerobic glycolysis), is essential for physiological wound healing. Therefore, burn patients who develop keloids may exhibit altered immunometabolic responses at the site of injury, which interferes with normal healing and portends keloid development. Here, we confirmed keloid NLRP3 activation (cleaved caspase-1 [P < 0.05], IL-1β [P < 0.05], IL-18 [P < 0.01]) and upregulation in Glut1 (P < 0.001) and glycolytic enzymes. Burn skin similarly displayed enhanced glycolysis and Glut1 expression (P < 0.01). However, Glut1 was significantly higher in keloid compared with nonkeloid burn patients (>2 SD above mean). Targeting aberrant glucose metabolism with shikonin, a pyruvate kinase M2 inhibitor, dampened NLRP3-mediated inflammation (cleaved caspase-1 [P < 0.05], IL-1β [P < 0.01]) and improved healing in vivo. In summary, burn skin exhibited evidence of Warburg-like metabolism, similar to keloids. Targeting this altered metabolism could change the trajectory toward normal scarring, indicating the clinical possibility of shikonin for abnormal scar prevention.

This study examines the multifaceted impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the SCOPUS database, following PRISMA guidelines. The study targeted peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, leading to the selection of 77 high-quality studies. Thematic analysis was employed to categorize research into key themes, including agricultural productivity, climate adaptation, food security, and technological advancements. The review finds that climate change significantly impacts global agricultural productivity, with projections indicating up to a 14% decline in food production by 2050 if adaptation measures are not implemented. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices enhance productivity by 10.5% and profitability by 29.4% but face barriers such as financial constraints and inadequate infrastructure. Soil and water management strategies, such as cover cropping, conservation tillage, and high-efficiency irrigation, have proven effective in improving resilience but require policy and financial support for large-scale adoption. Technological innovations, including AI-driven precision farming, satellite-based climate monitoring, and early warning systems, offer promising solutions but require integration with farmer education and policy incentives. Policy interventions such as carbon pricing, climate-resilient subsidies, and trade liberalization can mitigate climate risks and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This study emphasizes that a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach integrating technology, policy, and socioeconomic factors is critical for developing resilient agricultural systems. Policymakers, researchers, and agricultural practitioners must collaborate to bridge knowledge gaps, enhance access to adaptation resources, and implement sustainable agricultural practices. Future research should focus on long-term adaptation strategies, improved governance frameworks, and inclusive policies that prioritize vulnerable farming communities to ensure global food security amid climate uncertainties. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) adapts to stress by activating a signalling cascade known as the ER stress response. While ER stress signalling is a central component of the cellular defence against environmental insult, persistent activation is thought to contribute to the progression of various metabolic complications via loss of protein function and cell death. Despite its importance however, whether and how ER stress impacts morbidity and mortality in conditions of hypermetabolism remain unclear. In this study, we discovered that chronic ER stress response plays a role in mediating adverse outcomes that occur after major trauma. Using a murine model of thermal injury, we show that induction of ER stress with Tunicamycin not only increased mortality but also resulted in hepatic damage and hepatic steatosis. Importantly, post‐burn treatment with chaperone ER stress inhibitors attenuated hepatic ER stress and improved organ function following injury. Our study identifies ER stress as a potential hub of the signalling network affecting multiple aspects of metabolism after major trauma and as a novel potential molecular target to improve the clinical outcomes of severely burned patients.

This systematic literature review (SLR) investigates the nexus between financial inclusion and green economic growth, synthesizing evidence from 60 Scopus-indexed studies published between 2015 and 2025. The review adopts a thematic approach, grounded in theories such as Sustainability Transition Theory, Institutional Theory, and Financial Intermediation Theory; to explore how inclusive financial systems contribute to environmental sustainability and low-carbon economic development . The findings reveal that financial inclusion promotes sustainability and green economic growth by enhancing access to capital for eco-friendly investments and supporting the adoption of renewable energy. Fintech emerges as a pivotal driver, facilitating the development of green finance through innovation, increased financial efficiency, and broader financial accessibility. Likewise, financial literacy plays a vital role, empowering individuals and firms to make informed, environmentally conscious financial decisions and investments. However, the relationship between financial inclusion and carbon emissions is found to be mixed and context-dependent. While digital financial inclusion can reduce emissions by fostering green innovation, unregulated financial expansion may contribute to environmental degradation, particularly in carbon-intensive sectors. This review identifies research gaps, including limited geographic diversity, lack of standardized metrics, and under-explored policy dimensions. It calls for more interdisciplinary, context-sensitive, and policy-relevant research to fully understand and leverage the potential of financial inclusion in accelerating the transition toward a green economy.

This systematic literature review investigates the influence of Islamic banking on economic growth by analyzing 68 studies from the SCOPUS database, spanning from 2009 to 2024. The findings consistently show a positive relationship between Islamic banking and economic growth, highlighting its role in fostering inclusive development, reducing economic volatility, and enhancing financial stability, especially during crises. Islamic banking also significantly contributes to social development and poverty alleviation through mechanisms, such as zakat and microfinance. The findings also suggest that integrating FinTech with Islamic banking could enhance the accessibility and efficiency of Islamic banking services. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in designing regulations that promote financial inclusion, market efficiency, and economic resilience. Additionally, the adoption of technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital banking can enable Islamic banks to offer secure, accessible, and transparent financial services while adhering to Shariah principles. Overall, Islamic banking makes a substantial contribution to economic growth and development. The study underscores the necessity for strategic regulatory frameworks and the integration of technology to fully leverage Islamic banking's potential in enhancing economic stability and inclusivity. This study systematically reviews 68 SCOPUS-indexed studies published between 2009 and 2024 to explore the multifaceted relationship between Islamic banking and economic growth. The findings reveal that Islamic banking significantly promotes financial inclusion, macroeconomic stability, and sustainable development, especially in times of crisis. The review underscores the sector's unique role in fostering ethical finance, poverty alleviation, and technological integration through FinTech. By synthesizing empirical insights across regions and methodologies, this work offers critical policy guidance for enhancing regulatory frameworks, integrating Islamic finance with national development strategies, and leveraging digital transformation. The study fills crucial gaps in the literature by mapping the evolving role of Islamic banking in global financial systems and its potential to drive inclusive and resilient economic growth.

Renewable energy is essential for sustainable development. It provides a cleaner alternative to conventional energy sources with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness (TO), CO 2 emissions, urban population (UP) and political stability (PS) on renewable energy consumption (REC) in the East African Community (EAC). It employs panel data techniques using annual data covering the period from 2013 to 2021. The findings reveal that both political stability and urban population growth have a negative and significant impact on renewable energy consumption in the EAC. Political instability deters investment in renewable energy projects, while rapid urbanization increases reliance on conventional energy sources—an effect compounded by inadequate renewable energy infrastructure and weak policy frameworks. CO 2 emissions have a significant negative impact, stemming from fossil fuel dependence, underdeveloped renewable infrastructure, and ineffective renewable energy policies. However, FDI and TO have a positive but insignificantly influence REC in EAC. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated examination of foreign direct investment and political stability as determinants of renewable energy consumption in the East African Community, including fragile and conflict-affected states that are often overlooked in prior research. Policymakers should align climate and energy policies, set enforceable renewable energy targets, adopt carbon pricing, and invest in clean infrastructure. Decentralized urban energy solutions and risk mitigation tools, such as political risk insurance and investment guarantees, are also critical for expanding renewable energy in fragile contexts.

Recent discoveries have highlighted the novel metabolic functions of adipose tissue in enhancing hypermetabolism after trauma. As the exact function and expression profiles of serum lipids and free fatty acids (FFA) are essentially unknown, we determined the lipidomic expression profile after burn in correlation to clinical outcomes to identify important lipid mediators affecting post-burn outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study with 46 adult burn patients and 5 healthy controls at the Ross Tilley Burn Center in Toronto, Canada. Patients were stratified based on major demographic and clinical variables, including age, burn severity, mortality, and sepsis. Serum FFAs and inflammatory markers were measured during acute hospital stay. We found that FFAs were acutely elevated post-burn and returned to baseline over time. Greater burn severity and age were associated with an impaired acute response in unsaturated FFAs and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Elevations in saturated and mono-unsaturated FFAs correlated significantly to increased mortality. In summary, persistent elevation of unsaturated lipids was associated with a functionally altered inflammatory-immunological milieu and worse clinical outcomes. The present lipidomic analysis indicates profound alterations in the lipid profile after burn by characterizing key lipids as potential diagnostic and outcome indicators in critically injured patients.

Thermal injury induces a complex immunometabolic response, characterized by hyperglycemia, extensive inflammation and persistent hypermetabolism. It has been suggested that attenuation of the hypermetabolic response is beneficial for patient wellbeing. To that effect, metformin represents an attractive therapeutic agent, as its effects on glycemia, inflammation and bioenergetics can improve outcomes in burn patients. Therefore, we studied metformin and its effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics in a murine model of thermal injury. We set out to determine the impact of this agent on mitochondrial hypermetabolism (adult mice) and mitochondrial dysfunction (aged mice). Seahorse respirometry complimented by in-gel activity assays were used to elucidate metformin’s cellular mechanism. We found that metformin exerts distinctly different effects, attenuating the hypermetabolic mitochondria of adult mice while significantly improving mitochondrial bioenergetics in the aged mice. Furthermore, we observed that these changes occur both with and without adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK) activation, respectively, and analyzed damage markers to provide further context for metformin’s beneficial actions. We suggest that metformin has a dual role following trauma, acting via both AMPK-dependent and independent pathways depending on bioenergetic status. These findings help further our understanding of metformin’s biomolecular effects and support the continued use of this drug in patients.