Valdis PIRAGS

Valdis PIRAGS

Prof. Dr.med. Valdis PIRAGS

Faculty of Medicine
University of Latvia
Sarlotes iela 1a
Riga, LV 1001
Latvia

Head of the Clinic of Internal Medicine,
P.Stradins University Hospital
Pilsonu iela 13
Riga, LV 1002

Phone: + 371 29237760, +371 7069307
Fax: + 371 7614168
E-mail: pirags@latnet.lv

Born: February 20, 1961, Jelgava, Latvia

Languages: Latvian, English, German, Russian

Interests:

Endocrinology and Diabetology
Genome Databases
Genetics of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases
Pathogenesis of Diabetes and Diabetic Complications
Medical Education
Intracellular Signal Transduction
Protein Kinase C (PKC)

Main Research:

Creation of the Unified Latvian Genome Database (2003-2009)
Protein kinase C activity and thrombogenesis in diabetic patients.
Microcirculation in diabetic patients.
Genetics of Graves'disease.

Education:

Dr.med., magna cum laude, University of Ruhr, Bochum (Germany), 1995
Medical Academy of Latvia and University of Rostock (Germany), 1984-1990
Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, University of Latvia , 1979-1984

Experience:

Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical Faculty at the University of Latvia, since 2001
Head of the Clinic for Internal Medicine, P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital, since 2000
Head of Endocrinology Course, Associate Professor (docent), Medical Academy of Latvia, 1995-2001
Director for Education and Research, P.Stradins University Hospital, 1999-2000
Head of the Department of Medical Education, Medical Academy of Latvia, 1996-2000
Research Fellow at the Endocrinology Laboratory of the Ruhr-University, Bochum (Germany), 1993-1995
Summer School of NATO Advanced Study Institute on New Developments in Lipid - Protein Interactions and Receptor Function on the Island of Spetsai (Greece), 1992
Council of Europe fellowship at the Wilhelm-University of Westfalen, Munster (Germany), 1992
Junior Research Fellow, Latvian Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 1990 -1992

Honours and Awards:

Distiguished Research Award for the year 2003 in the science category from the Kuwait Foundationfor tht Advancement of Sciences for the research article published in the journal "Medical Principles and Practice", Vopl 12, No.1, 2003.
Karl-Oberdisse-Prize 1996 (Young researchers award for the best medical research results in the northwestern part of Germany), Germany, 1996

Professional Activities and Memberships:

Member, Editorial Board for medical journal Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes (Germany), 2006 -
Member of the EAS Advisory Committee, 2005 -
President of the Baltic Atherosclerosis Society, 2004
Member of the Council of the Medical Faculty, University of Latvia, 2004
Review Editor for medical journal International Diabetes Monitor, 2003
Member of the Working Group on Research on Stored Human Biological Materials
(CDBI-CO-GT2biomat), Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France, 2003
Member of the Board, the Latvian Medical Association, 2002
Member of the ScanBalt (Nordic-Baltic Biotech Network) Steering Group, 2002
Member of the General Committee of the DIABETES EDUCATION STUDY GROUP (DESG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, 2001-2004
Member, Editorial Board for medical journal Lietuvos Endokrinologija, 2000 -
Editor-in-Chief, medical journal Aktualitates Diabetologija un Endokrinologija, 2000 -
Member, Editorial Board for Medical Teacher, an international journal of education in the health sciences, United Kingdom, 1999 -
President of the Latvian Association of Endocrinologists, 1998 -
Member, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, 1997
Member, American Diabetes Association, 1996-

Participation in 5th and 6th Framework Programs funded by the European Commission:
- Team leader in the project ScanBalt COMPETENCE REGION, funded as STREP under the Quality of Life programme of the FP6, 2004

Lectures:

Esonomic Transition in Baltic Countries. ScanBalt Forum, Turku, Finland, 2004
Antiplatelet Therapy in Diabetes. Symposium on Practical Diabetology (in German), Wiesbaden, Germany 2003
Ethical Aspects of the Latvian Genome Project. Council of Europe Seminar 'From Genetics to Law', University of Tartu, Estonia 2003
Current status of genetic research in Latvia. Inaugural workshop of COGENE programme (funded by European Commission), Limassol, Cyprus; October 2002
The Latvian experience of biobanks. Medicon Valley Bio Conference, Malmoe, Sweden; 2002
Data protection in Latvian Genome Project. Central European University, Budapest, Hungary; 2002
Aims and Structure of the Latvian Genome Project. Medical faculty "Charite" of the Humboldt University,
Berlin, Germany, 2002
Correlation between dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Invited lecture. International Conference "Management of Hyperlipidemia - Relevance for Baltic Countries", 1998, Tallinn, Estonia
Activation of platelet protein kinase C in response to hyperglycemia in vivo in diabetic patients. Invited lecture. International Symposium "Endothelium in Cardiovascular Disease", May 15-16, 1998, Tartu, Estonia
Activation of Platelet Protein Kinase C-beta2 in Response to Acute Hyperglycemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Karl-Oberdisse-Prize winner lecture, January 19, 1996
Molecular Pathogenesis of Diabetic Complications. Invited lecture. Finnish-Baltic-Polish Postgraduate Course on Diabetes, Paernu, Estonia, June 4, 1996

Courses:

Endocrine Spells, EFES Postgraduate Course on Clinical Endocrinology, Barcelona, Spain, 2004
Management of Dyslipidemia, EFES Postgraduate Course on Clinical Endocrinology, Wroclaw, Poland, 2004
Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes (Undergraduate course), Medical Academy of Latvia 1995-2001
Advanced Course in Diabetology (Postgraduate course), P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 1997
Advanced Course on Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary Diseases (Postgraduate course),
P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 1997

Recent/Representative Publications:

V.Pirags, E.Grens. The Latvian Genome Project. - In: J.Sandor (ed.). Society and Genetic Information. Codes and Laws in the Genetic Era. Budapest - New York, CPS Books, Central European University Press, 2003, pp. 225-231

V.Pirags. Nicotinamide and prevention of type 1 diabetes. - International Diabetes Monitor, 2005, vol. 17, N 2, pp. 22-24.
J.A.Dormandy, ..., V.Pirags, T.Podar, et al. Secondary prevention of macrovascular events in patyients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised trial of pioglitazone. The proactive study. - Lancet, 2005, 366 (9493), pp. 1279-1289.
V.Pirags, N.Bricina, V.Dzerve, I.Eisaka. Screening for unknown diabetes in individuals with increased cardiovascular risk in Latvia. - Baltic Journal of Endocrinology, 2005, N 1, pp. 11-16.
P. Tretjakovs, U. Kalnins, A. Jurka, S. 'Steina, R. Ritenberga, M. Marga, A. 'Stifts, V. Pirags. Naftidrofuryl, a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor inhibitor, improves vasomotor responses in diabetics with atherosclerosis. - Seminars in Cardiology 2004; vol. 10, N 2, pp.101-108
T. Sjakste , J. Eglite , A. Sochnevs , M. Marga , V. Pirags , Y. Collan , N. Sjakste. Microsatellite genotyping of Chromosome 14q13.2-14q13 in the vicinity of proteasomal gene PSMA6 and association with Graves' disease in the Latvian population.- Immunogenetics, 2004, vol. 56, pp. 238-243
U.Dumpis, A.Balode, D.Vlgante, I.Narbute, R.Valinteliene, V.Pirags, A.Martinsons, I.Vingre. Prevalence of Nosocomial Infection in Two Latvian Hospitals. - Eurosuveillance, 2003, vol.8, N 3, pp. 73-78
P.Tretjakovs, A.Jurka, A.Stifts, V.Pirags. Alpha-lipoic acid therapy improves cutaneous vasomotor responses in type 2 diabetic patients. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2003, vol. 57, N 6, pp. 209-214
A.Jurka, G.Mazarevica, D.Tirzite, I.Krasnakova, P.Tretjakovs, V.Pirags. Erythrocyte refractive index, erythrocyte membrane fluidity, and plasma antioxidant status in diabetic patients. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2002, vol. 56, N 6, pp. 232-237
A.Stifts, P.Tretjakovs, A.Martinsons, A.Jurka, A.Petersons, A.Zvaigzne, V.Pirags. Both microalbuminuria in diabetic patients and proteinuria in glomerulonephritic patients are closely related to generalised microvascular abnormality. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2002, vol. 56, N 3, pp.103-108
P.Tretjakovs, U.Kalnins, I.Dabina, A.Erglis, I.Dinne, A.Jurka, G.Latkovskis, A.Zvaigzne, V.Pirags. Arachidonic acid metabolism and nitric oxide production in platelet membranes of coronary artery disease patients with or lacking associated diabetes. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2002, vol. 56, N 3, pp. 109-113.
V.Pirags, P.Tretjakovs, A.Jurka (2001). Effect of alpha-lipoic acid therapy on the vasomotor response in NIDDM patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. - Jurnalul Roman de Diabet, Nutritie si Boli Metabolice, 2001, 2 (suppl. 3), pp. 16-23
A.Zvaigzne, A.Bumbure, P.Tretjakovs, A.Lejnieks, V.Pirags. Regulation of synthesis and activity of protein kinase C beta-1 in platelets of diabetic patients after in vitro incubation. - In: Protein Modules in Cellular Signalling. L.Heilmeyer, P.Friedrich (Eds.). NATO Science Series, 2001, vol. 318, IOS Press, pp. 81-88.
R.Assert, A.Bumbure, V.Pirags, H.Schatz, A.Pfeiffer. Regulation of Protein Kinase C by Short Term Hyperglycemia in Human Platelets in vivo and in vitro. - Diabetologia, 2001, vol. 44, pp.188-195.
M.Marga, A.Denisova, A.Sochnevs, V.Pirags, NF Farid (). Two HLA DRB1 Alleles Confer Independent Genetic Susceptibility to Graves' disease: The Relevance of Cross-Population Studies. - Am. J. Med. Genetics, 2001, vol.102, pp.188-191.
A.Zvaigzne, P.Tretjakovs, V.Pirags. Increased Synthesis of Protein Kinase C-beta1 in Platelets of Diabetic Patients During in vitro Incubation. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2000, vol 54, N3, pp.68-72.
V.Pirags. Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease. Review of Recent Consensus Documents. - The Baltic Atherosclerosis Journal, 1999, vol. 1, pp. 39-42 (in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian).
V.Pirags , A.Bumbure , G.Bartling , H.Schatz , A.Pfeiffer. Hyperreagibility of PKC-beta to different stimuli in platelets of type 2 diabetic patients. - Diabetes, 1998, vol. 47 (suppl 1), p. 441 (in English).
V.Pirags, R. Assert, K. Haupt, H. Schatz, A. Pfeiffer. Activation of Human Platelet Protein Kinase C-beta2 in vivo in Response to Acute Hyperglycemia. - Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes, 1996, vol. 104, pp. 431-440.

Research Projects:

V.Pirags (Head of Project). Molecular and Genetic Characteristics of the Nodular and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Latvia. Latvian Council of Science (2004 - ).
V.Pirags (Head of Project). Alleles of the HLA DR, DQ and Other Genes Predispositional to and Protective Against the Autoimmune Thyrotoxicosis (Graves'Disease)for the Patients in Latvia. Latvian Council of Science (2001 -2003).
V.Pirags (Head of Clinical part of Project). Relationship of the ProteinKinase C beta Gene PRKCB1 to Diabetes mellitus. Latvian Council of Science (2000-2001).
V.Pirags (Head of Clinical part of Project). Analysis of the Hypotalamic Melanocortin System Gene Polymorphisms in Relationship to the Disorders of Human Energy Metabolism. Latvian Council of Science (2000-2001).
V.Pirags (Head of Project). Predisposing and Protective Gene Alleles in Patients with Graves'Disease. Latvian Council of Science (1999-2001).
V.Pirags (Head of Project). The Role of Protein Kinse C in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Long-Term Complications. Latvian Council of Science (1996-1999).
V.Pirags (Head of Latvian part of project). Analysis of PKC Activity in the Human Blood Cells. Volkswagen Stiftung (1996-1998).

Last update 07.03 .2007