ntr A Multinational, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Cyclical Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The TWO2 Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE Topical oxygen has been used for the treatment of chronic wounds for more than 50 years. Its effectiveness remains disputed due to the limited number of robust high-quality investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of multimodality cyclical pressure Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) home care therapy in healing refractory diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) that had failed to heal with standard of care (SOC) alone. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with diabetes and chronic DFUs were randomized (double-blind) to either active TWO2 therapy or sham control therapy—both in addition to optimal SOC. The primary outcome was the percentage of ulcers in each group achieving 100% healing at 12 weeks. A group sequential design was used for the study with three predetermined analyses and hard stopping rules once 73, 146, and ultimately 220 patients completed the 12-week treatment phase. RESULTS At the first analysis point, the active TWO2 arm was found to be superior to the sham arm, with a closure rate of 41.7% compared with 13.5%. This difference in outcome produced an odds ratio (OR) of 4.57 (97.8% CI 1.19, 17.57), P = 0.010. After adjustment for University of Texas Classification (UTC) ulcer grade, the OR increased to 6.00 (97.8% CI 1.44, 24.93), P = 0.004. Cox proportional hazards modeling, also after adjustment for UTC grade, demonstrated >4.5 times the likelihood to heal DFUs over 12 weeks compared with the sham arm with a hazard ratio of 4.66 (97.8% CI 1.36, 15.98), P = 0.004. At 12 months postenrollment, 56% of active arm ulcers were closed compared with 27% of the sham arm ulcers (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS This sham-controlled, double-blind randomized controlled trial demonstrates that, at both 12 weeks and 12 months, adjunctive cyclical pressurized TWO2 therapy was superior in healing chronic DFUs compared with optimal SOC alone. Full Article
ntr Respective Contributions of Glycemic Variability and Mean Daily Glucose as Predictors of Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes: Are They Equivalent? By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:34-07:00 OBJECTIVE To evaluate the respective contributions of short-term glycemic variability and mean daily glucose (MDG) concentration to the risk of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS People with type 1 diabetes (n = 100) investigated at the University Hospital of Montpellier (France) underwent continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on two consecutive days, providing a total of 200 24-h glycemic profiles. The following parameters were computed: MDG concentration, within-day glycemic variability (coefficient of variation for glucose [%CV]), and risk of hypoglycemia (presented as the percentage of time spent below three glycemic thresholds: 3.9, 3.45, and 3.0 mmol/L). RESULTS MDG was significantly higher, and %CV significantly lower (both P < 0.001), when comparing the 24-h glycemic profiles according to whether no time or a certain duration of time was spent below the thresholds. Univariate regression analyses showed that MDG and %CV were the two explanatory variables that entered the model with the outcome variable (time spent below the thresholds). The classification and regression tree procedure indicated that the predominant predictor for hypoglycemia was %CV when the threshold was 3.0 mmol/L. In people with mean glucose ≤7.8 mmol/L, the time spent below 3.0 mmol/L was shortest (P < 0.001) when %CV was below 34%. CONCLUSIONS In type 1 diabetes, short-term glycemic variability relative to mean glucose (i.e., %CV) explains more hypoglycemia than does mean glucose alone when the glucose threshold is 3.0 mmol/L. Minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia requires a %CV below 34%. Full Article
ntr Immigrants from New Origin Countries in the United States By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 14:27:27 -0500 The national origins of new arrivals to the United States are shifting, in ways not always fully appreciated. Recent newcomers are more likely to come from Asia, Central America, and Africa, and less likely to be from Mexico. This article offers key demographic information about the 15 immigrant groups that have experienced the largest growth since 2010, including Indians, Chinese, Colombians, Nigerians, and Bangladeshis. Full Article
ntr Central American Immigrants in the United States By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 11:16:49 -0400 While much attention has been paid to recent Central American arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border, nearly half of the approximately 3.5 million Central Americans resident in the United States in 2017 arrived before 2000. About one-third are naturalized U.S. citizens, and they tend to participate in the labor force at a higher rate than foreign- and U.S.-born adults. Discover more about this population in this data-rich article. Full Article
ntr Inmigrantes centroamericanos en los Estados Unidos By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 12:58:39 -0400 Si bien se ha prestado mucha atención a los centroamericanos recién llegados a la frontera entre los Estados Unidos y México, casi la mitad de los aproximadamente 3.5 millones que vivían en los Estados Unidos en 2017 llegaron antes de 2000. Aproximadamente un tercio son ciudadanos estadounidenses y tienden a participar en la fuerza laboral con más frecuencia que otros extranjeros y estadounidenses. Descubra más en este artículo lleno de datos. Full Article
ntr International Experience Suggests Safe Third-Country Agreement Would Not Solve the U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:44:06 -0400 While safe third-country agreements appear to hold the potential of deterring new asylum claims, experience suggests this may be a false promise. As the Trump administration explores the possibility of such agreements with Mexico and Guatemala, this commentary examines the evidence of safe third-country arrangements in Europe, finding them difficult to enforce and playing little role in deterring new claims. Full Article
ntr As the United States Resettles Fewer Refugees, Some Countries and Religions Face Bigger Hits than Others By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 23 Sep 2019 15:09:56 -0400 Even as refugee admissions have dropped sharply during the Trump administration, some countries and religions have been significantly more affected than others, as this commentary explores. In fiscal year 2019, 79 percent of refugees were Christian and 16 percent Muslim—as compared to 44 percent Christian and 46 percent Muslim in fiscal year 2016, which was the last full year of the Obama administration. Full Article
ntr Invertir en el Vecindario: Cambios en los Patrones de Migración Entre México y Estados Unidos y Oportunidades para una Cooperación Sostenible By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Fri, 20 Sep 2019 11:31:12 -0400 Presentación del reporte que refleja el contenido de encuentros del grupo de estudio sobre la migración México-Estados Unidos convocado por El Colegio de México y el Migration Policy Institute (MPI). Full Article
ntr Promising Strategies for Reintegration of Migrants Returning to Mexico and Central America By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:03:26 -0500 This MPI webinar focuses on reception and reintegration services for returning migrants, along with the heightened pressure policymakers in Mexico and Central America are facing to design systems and programs that support both returnees and the communities in which they settle. Authors of a year-long study of reception and reintegration services in Mexico and the Northern Triangle discuss the findings of their fieldwork. Full Article
ntr February JADA examines connection between healthy eating habits, untreated caries By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 27 Jan 2020 08:00:00 -0600 Greater compliance with dietary guidelines may reduce the chance of untreated caries in adults, according to a study published in the February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association. Full Article
ntr Member dentist honored for contributions in SNODENT development By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:33:00 -0600 The international group SNOMED International honored ADA member dentist Dr. Mark Jurkovich with the Award of Excellence for spearheading the important work the ADA has done on SNODENT, the group announced Jan. 16. Full Article
ntr Association provides coronavirus infection control resources for dentists By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:43:00 -0500 The ADA is sharing with members the CDC guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment on its website dedicated to COVID-19. Full Article
ntr Infection control webinar from ADA, OSAP available late March 20 By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:20:00 -0500 On March 20, the ADA will release an on-demand webinar offering answers to frequently asked questions about infection control protocol and procedures related to COVID-19. Full Article
ntr ADA infection control webinar live By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:59:00 -0500 The ADA posted an on-demand webinar March 20 offering answers to frequently asked questions about infection control in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ntr Researcher remembered for contributions to dentistry succumbs to COVID-19 complications By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:11:00 -0500 Dr. Leo M. Sreebny, Ph.D., who had a long and distinguished career in academia as a professor of dentistry and researcher, particularly in issues related to saliva and dry mouth, died April 5 from complications of COVID-19 at age 98. Full Article
ntr Researchers discover microbe that could control spread of malaria By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 12:16:19 -0400 A microbe found in mosquitoes that appears to block malaria could be used to control spread of the disease in humans, according to researchers in Kenya and Britain. Full Article
ntr Sustainable Reintegration: Strategies to Support Migrants Returning to Mexico and Central America By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:23:40 -0500 Reception and reintegration programs for deported and other returning migrants represent a long-term investment for migrant-origin and destination countries, holding the potential to reduce re-migration and permit communities of origin to benefit from the skills migrants learn abroad. This report offers recommendations to make reintegration programs more effective in Mexico and Central America. Full Article
ntr The Association of Lipoprotein(a) Plasma Levels With Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Control Status in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-04T06:30:22-08:00 OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the cardiovascular risk factor lipoprotein (Lp)(a) and vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSPatients with type 1 diabetes receiving regular care were recruited in this observational cross-sectional study and divided into four groups according to their Lp(a) levels in nmol/L (very low <10, low 10–30, intermediate 30–120, high >120). Prevalence of vascular complications was compared between the groups. In addition, the association between metabolic control, measured as HbA1c, and Lp(a) was studied.RESULTSThe patients (n = 1,860) had a median age of 48 years, diabetes duration of 25 years, and HbA1c of 7.8% (61 mmol/mol). The median Lp(a) was 19 (interquartile range 10–71) nmol/L. No significant differences between men and women were observed, but Lp(a) levels increased with increasing age. Patients in the high Lp(a) group had higher prevalence of complications than patients in the very low Lp(a) group. The age- and smoking-status–adjusted relative risk ratio of having any macrovascular disease was 1.51 (95% CI 1.01–2.28, P = 0.048); coronary heart disease, 1.70 (95% CI 0.97–3.00, P = 0.063); albuminuria, 1.68 (95% CI 1.12–2.50, P = 0.01); and calcified aortic valve disease, 2.03 (95% CI 1.03–4.03; P = 0.042). Patients with good metabolic control, HbA1c <6.9% (<52 mmol/mol), had significantly lower Lp(a) levels than patients with poorer metabolic control, HbA1c >6.9% (>52 mmol/mol).CONCLUSIONSLp(a) is a significant risk factor for macrovascular disease, albuminuria, and calcified aortic valve disease in patients with type 1 diabetes. Poor metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes is associated with increased Lp(a) levels. Full Article
ntr The Effects of Intensive Glycemic Control on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Different Levels of Cardiovascular Risk and Hemoglobin A1c in the ADVANCE Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-19T15:14:52-07:00 OBJECTIVETo study whether the effects of intensive glycemic control on major vascular outcomes (a composite of major macrovascular and major microvascular events), all-cause mortality, and severe hypoglycemia events differ among participants with different levels of 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at baseline.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe studied the effects of more intensive glycemic control in 11,071 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), without missing values, in the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial, using Cox models.RESULTSDuring 5 years’ follow-up, intensive glycemic control reduced major vascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.90 [95% CI 0.83–0.98]), with the major driver being a reduction in the development of macroalbuminuria. There was no evidence of differences in the effect, regardless of baseline ASCVD risk or HbA1c level (P for interaction = 0.29 and 0.94, respectively). Similarly, the beneficial effects of intensive glycemic control on all-cause mortality were not significantly different across baseline ASCVD risk (P = 0.15) or HbA1c levels (P = 0.87). The risks of severe hypoglycemic events were higher in the intensive glycemic control group compared with the standard glycemic control group (HR 1.85 [1.41–2.42]), with no significant heterogeneity across subgroups defined by ASCVD risk or HbA1c at baseline (P = 0.09 and 0.18, respectively).CONCLUSIONSThe major benefits for patients with T2D in ADVANCE did not substantially differ across levels of baseline ASCVD risk and HbA1c. Full Article
ntr Dapagliflozin Versus Placebo on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Diabetes and Heart Failure: The REFORM Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-03T07:56:03-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on left ventricular (LV) remodeling using cardiac MRI.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe randomized 56 patients with T2DM and HF with LV systolic dysfunction to dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo for 1 year, on top of usual therapy. The primary end point was difference in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) using cardiac MRI. Key secondary end points included other measures of LV remodeling and clinical and biochemical parameters.RESULTSIn our cohort, dapagliflozin had no effect on LVESV or any other parameter of LV remodeling. However, it reduced diastolic blood pressure and loop diuretic requirements while increasing hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ketone bodies. There was a trend toward lower weight.CONCLUSIONSWe were unable to determine with certainty whether dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and HF had any effect on LV remodeling. Whether the benefits of dapagliflozin in HF are due to remodeling or other mechanisms remains unknown. Full Article
ntr Erratum. Randomized Controlled Trial of Mobile Closed-Loop Control. Diabetes Care 2020;43:607-615 By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-03T07:56:03-07:00 Full Article
ntr Metabolic Factors, Lifestyle Habits, and Possible Polyneuropathy in Early Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Study of 5,249 Patients in the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes (DD2) Cohort By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T09:53:07-07:00 OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of metabolic and lifestyle factors with possible diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and neuropathic pain in patients with early type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe thoroughly characterized 6,726 patients with recently diagnosed diabetes. After a median of 2.8 years, we sent a detailed questionnaire on neuropathy, including the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq), to identify possible DPN (score ≥4) and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) questionnaire for possible associated neuropathic pain (MNSIq ≥4 + pain in both feet + DN4 score ≥3).RESULTSAmong 5,249 patients with data on both DPN and pain, 17.9% (n = 938) had possible DPN, including 7.4% (n = 386) with possible neuropathic pain. In regression analyses, central obesity (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio) was markedly associated with DPN. Other important metabolic factors associated with DPN included hypertriglyceridemia ≥1.7 mmol/L, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.36 (95% CI 1.17; 1.59); decreased HDL cholesterol <1.0/1.2 mmol/L (male/female), aPR 1.35 (95% CI 1.12; 1.62); hs-CRP ≥3.0 mg/L, aPR 1.66 (95% CI 1.42; 1.94); C-peptide ≥1,550 pmol/L, aPR 1.72 (95% CI 1.43; 2.07); HbA1c ≥78 mmol/mol, aPR 1.42 (95% CI 1.06; 1.88); and antihypertensive drug use, aPR 1.34 (95% CI 1.16; 1.55). Smoking, aPR 1.50 (95% CI 1.24; 1.81), and lack of physical activity (0 vs. ≥3 days/week), aPR 1.61 (95% CI 1.39; 1.85), were also associated with DPN. Smoking, high alcohol intake, and failure to increase activity after diabetes diagnosis associated with neuropathic pain.CONCLUSIONSPossible DPN was associated with metabolic syndrome factors, insulin resistance, inflammation, and modifiable lifestyle habits in early type 2 diabetes. Full Article
ntr Efficacy and Safety of 1:1 Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide Versus Lixisenatide in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: The LixiLan JP-O1 Randomized Clinical Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T10:59:59-07:00 OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of a 1:1 fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) versus lixisenatide (Lixi) in insulin-naive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSIn this phase 3, open-label, multicenter trial, 321 patients with HbA1c≥7.5 to ≤10.0% (58–86 mmol/mol) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤13.8 mmol/L (250 mg/dL) were randomized 1:1 to iGlarLixi or Lixi for 52 weeks. The primary end point was change in HbA1c at week 26.RESULTSChange in HbA1c from baseline to week 26 was significantly greater with iGlarLixi (–1.58% [–17.3 mmol/mol]) than with Lixi (–0.51% [–5.6 mmol/mol]), confirming the superiority of iGlarLixi (least squares [LS] mean difference –1.07% [–11.7 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001). At week 26, significantly greater proportions of patients treated with iGlarLixi reached HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) (65.2% vs. 19.4%; P < 0.0001), and FPG reductions were greater with iGlarLixi than Lixi (LS mean difference –2.29 mmol/L [–41.23 mg/dL], P < 0.0001). Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia (≤3.9 mmol/L [70 mg/dL]) was higher with iGlarLixi (13.0% vs. 2.5%) through week 26, with no severe hypoglycemic events in either group. Incidence of gastrointestinal events through week 52 was lower with iGlarLixi (36.0% vs. 50.0%), and rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar.CONCLUSIONSThis phase 3 study demonstrated superior glycemic control and fewer gastrointestinal adverse events with iGlarLixi than with Lixi, which may support it as a new treatment option for Japanese patients with T2DM that is inadequately controlled with OADs. Full Article
ntr microRNA-21/PDCD4 Proapoptotic Signaling From Circulating CD34+ Cells to Vascular Endothelial Cells: A Potential Contributor to Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-01T07:23:01-07:00 OBJECTIVEIn patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and critical limb ischemia (CLI), migration of circulating CD34+ cells predicted cardiovascular mortality at 18 months after revascularization. This study aimed to provide long-term validation and mechanistic understanding of the biomarker.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe association between CD34+ cell migration and cardiovascular mortality was reassessed at 6 years after revascularization. In a new series of T2D-CLI and control subjects, immuno-sorted bone marrow CD34+ cells were profiled for miRNA expression and assessed for apoptosis and angiogenesis activity. The differentially regulated miRNA-21 and its proapoptotic target, PDCD4, were titrated to verify their contribution in transferring damaging signals from CD34+ cells to endothelial cells.RESULTSMultivariable regression analysis confirmed that CD34+ cell migration forecasts long-term cardiovascular mortality. CD34+ cells from T2D-CLI patients were more apoptotic and less proangiogenic than control subjects and featured miRNA-21 downregulation, modulation of several long noncoding RNAs acting as miRNA-21 sponges, and upregulation of the miRNA-21 proapoptotic target PDCD4. Silencing miR-21 in control subject CD34+ cells phenocopied the T2D-CLI cell behavior. In coculture, T2D-CLI CD34+ cells imprinted naïve endothelial cells, increasing apoptosis, reducing network formation, and modulating the TUG1 sponge/miRNA-21/PDCD4 axis. Silencing PDCD4 or scavenging reactive oxygen species protected endothelial cells from the negative influence of T2D-CLI CD34+ cells.CONCLUSIONSMigration of CD34+ cells predicts long-term cardiovascular mortality in T2D-CLI patients. An altered paracrine signaling conveys antiangiogenic and proapoptotic features from CD34+ cells to the endothelium. This damaging interaction may increase the risk for life-threatening complications. Full Article
ntr A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Glargine U300 and Glargine U100 for the Inpatient Management of Medicine and Surgery Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Glargine U300 Hospital Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-07T08:41:18-07:00 OBJECTIVEThe role of U300 glargine insulin for the inpatient management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has not been determined. We compared the safety and efficacy of glargine U300 versus glargine U100 in noncritically ill patients with T2D.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis prospective, open-label, randomized clinical trial included 176 patients with poorly controlled T2D (admission blood glucose [BG] 228 ± 82 mg/dL and HbA1c 9.5 ± 2.2%), treated with oral agents or insulin before admission. Patients were treated with a basal-bolus regimen with glargine U300 (n = 92) or glargine U100 (n = 84) and glulisine before meals. We adjusted insulin daily to a target BG of 70–180 mg/dL. The primary end point was noninferiority in the mean difference in daily BG between groups. The major safety outcome was the occurrence of hypoglycemia.RESULTSThere were no differences between glargine U300 and U100 in mean daily BG (186 ± 40 vs. 184 ± 46 mg/dL, P = 0.62), percentage of readings within target BG of 70–180 mg/dL (50 ± 27% vs. 55 ± 29%, P = 0.3), length of stay (median [IQR] 6.0 [4.0, 8.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0, 7.0] days, P = 0.06), hospital complications (6.5% vs. 11%, P = 0.42), or insulin total daily dose (0.43 ± 0.21 vs. 0.42 ± 0.20 units/kg/day, P = 0.74). There were no differences in the proportion of patients with BG <70 mg/dL (8.7% vs. 9.5%, P > 0.99), but glargine U300 resulted in significantly lower rates of clinically significant hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dL) compared with glargine U100 (0% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.023).CONCLUSIONSHospital treatment with glargine U300 resulted in similar glycemic control compared with glargine U100 and may be associated with a lower incidence of clinically significant hypoglycemia. Full Article
ntr Introducing wolves leads to fewer wildland coyotes, researchers find By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 03:00:09 -0400 As the population of gray wolves expands across the northern United States, researchers are finding a surprising side-effect: Their presence appears to lead to a reduction in the coyote population. Full Article
ntr AAI Corp., a division of Textron, nabs $20.7M contract modification for Navy drone program By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 19:26:00 -0400 Textron was awarded a $20.7 million contract modification Friday for work on the Navy's Unmanned Influence Sweep System and Unmanned Surface Vehicle program. Full Article
ntr The Canadian Express Entry System for Selecting Economic Immigrants: Progress and Persistent Challenges By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 17:07:25 -0400 Since its launch in 2015, the Express Entry system has changed how economic immigration to Canada happens and how it fits into public and political debates. And while it has proven successful in cutting through application backlogs, some challenges remain. This report looks at how and why this points-based system was introduced, what its impact has been, and how it could be further finetuned. Full Article
ntr How to Stay Sane While Staying Home: Advice from an Introvert By psychcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 20:30:40 +0000 For loners, recluses, and other solitary types such as myself, sheltering-in-place feels natural and normal. However scary other aspects of this pandemic might be, for us, this aspect isn’t. Working... Full Article Publishers Spirituality & Health coronavirus COVID-19 Extrovert Introvert quarantine
ntr [ Politics ] Open Question : Why are other countries like New Zealand and Australia destroying the virus while America is killing people off to restart the economy? By answers.yahoo.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 17:22:00 +0000 Full Article
ntr The Dutch Elections: How to Lose and Still Shape the Direction of a Country—and Possibly a Continent? By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Mar 2017 15:16:50 -0400 The failure of Geert Wilders’ right-wing, anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) to become the top vote-getter in the Dutch parliamentary elections is being hailed as proof of the limits of anti-Muslim rhetoric and even the “waning” of the appeal of right-wing populism. But as this commentary explores, a closer reading leads one to a more nuanced interpretation of the results and the recognition that Wilders will remain a major force. Full Article
ntr Turning the Tide: Addressing the Long-Term Challenges of EU Mobility for Sending Countries By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 21 Nov 2019 17:52:46 -0500 Amid ongoing debates about the costs and benefits of free movement, this MPI Europe webchat examines big-picture trends of East-West migration; considers possible policy responses at regional, national, and EU levels to alleviate some of the challenges; and reflects on realistic actions that could be taken under the incoming European Commission. Full Article
ntr Under Lockdown Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Europe Feels the Pinch from Slowed Intra-EU Labor Mobility By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 09:07:52 -0400 Border closures and lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic have put a chill on intra-EU labor mobility, most immediately with the difficulty for European farmers to gain access to much-needed seasonal workers and for health-care institutions to get care workers. This article explores how these workers, who often face difficult situations, may be more vulnerable now. It also takes on implications for intra-EU labor mobility post-pandemic. Full Article
ntr Campaign Contributions Change Priorities, Not Beliefs By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT There are two ways to think about the staggering amounts of money given by special interest groups to politicians -- the type of contributions that were detailed for the last quarter in reports filed yesterday by presidential candidates and members of Congress. Full Article Opinions Campaign Contributions Change Priorities Not Beliefs
ntr Invertir en el vecindario: Cambios en los patrones de migración entre México y Estados Unidos y oportunidades para una cooperación sostenible By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Fri, 20 Sep 2019 11:03:45 -0400 La migración entre México y Estados Unidos ha cambiado dramáticamente en los últimos años, pero las políticas y la retórica política en ambos países no se han actualizado a este contexto a la misma velocidad. Este reporte explora esta nueva realidad migratoria y cómo los dos gobiernos podrían trabajar juntos para abordar los desafíos de políticas públicas que tienen en común. Full Article
ntr Introduction to The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane By brooklynbooktalk.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 20 Jan 2013 04:12:00 +0000 My first exposure to Robert Macfarlane happened a year ago when I picked up a battered copy of The Wild Places in order to shelve it. Instead, I checked it out from my branch and stayed up past midnight to read it. Thanks to Macfarlane, I was exposed to Roger Deakin's Wild Wood and Notes from Walnut Tree Farm. I found photos of Walnut Tree Farm, the late Deakin's house, much visited by Macfarlane, while searching for more information about both of them online.I am from probably the last generation of American children to be raised on English children's books. I know that there is a generation of Quidditch-playing adults that were weaned on the Harry Potter books of British-born J. K. Rowling. While the Harry Potter books are gripping, they lack an essential British characteristic shared by many successful authors of British children's books:Rudyard Kipling - the two Puck of Pook's Hill booksRosemary Sucliff - all of her booksElizabeth Goudge - Rowling helped get Linnets & Valerians and The Little White Horse republishedL. M. Boston - the Greene Knowe seriesWilliam MayneRobert WestallDiana Wynne Jones - the British landscape of an alternative BritainJ. R. R. Tolkein -The HobbitKenneth Graham - The Wind in the WillowsT. H. White - The Once and Future KingSusan Cooper - The Dark is Rising seriesI'm sure that there are many more. What these authors and books have in common is a palpable sense of landscape; the English and Welsh earth itself is as present and influential as any of the characters. In any Harry Potter book I had the sense that the only character connected to the land was Hagrid; the rest of the wizards were interested in nature only insofar as they could exploit it for magical potions or familiars.Both Macfarlane and his late mentor Deakin possessed the same sense of awareness of the land as these children's authors. Deakin kept his hedgerows alive to shelter birds and let animals wander at will through his house. Macfarlane travels, mostly on foot, as he did while he hiked and climbed in both The Wild Places and The Old Ways. Full Article Robert Macfarlane Roger Deakin THe Old Ways: A Journey on Foot Walnut Tree Farm Wild Wood
ntr Introduction to The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot, continued By brooklynbooktalk.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:29:00 +0000 Macfarlane likes to walk. In The Wild Places, he visits mountains, woods, water. In The Old Ways, he follows the ancient paths that cross the British isles, that go through wood, by the sea shore, and over the downs. His England (and Scotland) however, is multilayered; he is aware not only of the physical landscape surrounding him but of the history of the land through which he walks. A walk take him from point A to point B in physical space, as well as through centuries of time. In his author's note, Macafarlane observes:"It is an exploration of the ghosts and voices that haunt ancient paths, of the tales that tracks keep and tell, of pilgrimage and trespass, of songlines and their singers and of the strange continents that exist within countries" (p.xi).While Americans are criticized for being such a highly mobile society, humans have always traveled. Early hunter-gatherers did not stay in one place, but roamed within a fairly wide territory. The early sea-farers such as the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans (marine archaeology has shown that they sailed more than we have associated with them) and the Vikings all traveled the roads of the sea. The medieval Crusades were holy wars, but they were also the mass movement of men, women, and children walking across Europe, then by boat from southern Italian ports to the Holy Land. Within Europe itself, bands of pilgrims walked from their homes along the tracks to Canterbury or St. James de Campostela. Merchants in ancient and medieval times traveled in caravans along the land and sea routes of the Silk Roads.The difference between the modern traveler of today and that of the past is that travelers today are less exposed to the world around them. When you are encased in a plane or enclosed in a fast car, you lose awareness of the physical world outside of you. The electronic devices that we use to distract ourselves during our journeys - our DVD players, Ipods, tablets and ebook readers, all cut us off from the landscape and fellow travelers around us. Macfarlane deliberately chooses to travel on foot (and by small boat) to connect with the physical world around him during his modern secular pilgrimage. Full Article pilgrimages Robert Macfarlane THe Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
ntr Introduction to The Children of Green Knowe By brooklynbooktalk.blogspot.com Published On :: Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:00 +0000 My first exposure to Lucy Maria Boston's Green Knowe series came when my older brother took a an introduction to children's literature class during his first year in college. He was required to read The Children of Green Knowe. I found the copy that he had checked out of our village library, loved it, and worked my way through the other books in the series:The Children of Green Knowe (1954)The Chimneys of Green Knowe (1958) (published in the US as The Treasure of Green Knowe)The River at Green Knowe (1959)A Stranger at Green Knowe (1961)An Enemy at Green Knowe (1964)The Stones of Green Knowe (1976)The last book was released after I read the series, and I remember how excited I was to find that the author was still alive and writing.What struck me the most about the books was the strong sense of place that Boston was able to create. The house and the grounds were as alive as the people in the books, and the past of the house was as alive as the character's present. Years later, I moved to Seattle and was able to take advantage of the wonderful collection of its original main library, which has subsequently been demolished. The library had copies of Boston's two memoirs Perverse and Foolish, and more importantly to me, Memory in a House. This second memoir is Boston's account of how as a 45-year-old divorced single mother whose son was at Cambridge, she heard about a house for sale by a river, bought it, renovated it, and began to write books influenced by the history and atmosphere of the house. The house itself is the Manor at Hemingford Grey, which is still open to visitors.For those who have not read the books, these links will provide more information:http://www.greenknowe.co.uk/index.html - Lucy's daughter-in-law still owns the house and gives tours of the house and gardens.The Children of Green Knowe miniseries - this was a BBC production in 1980's which was never released on DVD. You can watch it on Youtube at :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdhiI8XmJQI&list=UULK5kbcKDbN_legADgNfX5g&index=54Chimneys of Green Knowe was filmed at the Manor of Hemingford Grey. Directed by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) it was released in 2009 as From Time to Time.Exterior shots of the gardens from a visitor who did not see the house:http://prairie.typepad.com/my_weblog/photography-the-manor-house-hemingford-grey-lucy-boston-flowers/ Full Article Children of Green Knowe Lucy Maria Boston Manor at Hemingford Grey Memory in a House
ntr Expansion of legal migration opportunities for third-country nationals, particularly in middle- and low-skill sectors, holds potential but should not be oversold as migration management tool, new study cautions By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 21 Oct 2019 17:18:25 -0400 BRUSSELS — While the European Union has called on Member States to expand channels for foreign workers as a way to meet labour market needs and potentially tackle spontaneous migration, they have struggled to deliver on this pledge. To date, policies have focused more on attracting high-skilled workers, but less attention has been paid to admission of low- or middle-skilled nationals. Policymakers would do well not to overestimate the potential of legal channels to reduce irregular migration. Full Article
ntr Governments in Europe & North America Need a New Social Contract for the Age of Spontaneous Migration By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:14:01 -0500 WASHINGTON — A new age of migration has been ushered in by large-scale spontaneous migration flows on both sides of the Atlantic, which have upended asylum adjudications systems and placed enormous stress on reception, housing and social services, particularly in Europe. Full Article
ntr Rebuilding Community after Crisis: Striking a New Social Contract for Diverse Societies (Transatlantic Council Statement) By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 09:52:21 -0500 Addressing the deep-rooted integration challenges unearthed by large-scale migration and rapid social change will require a combination of strategies. Governments in Europe and North America must create a new social contract for increasingly diverse societies that are confronting cycles of disruption. This report sketches a blueprint for an adaptive process oriented by skill needs rather than national origins. Full Article
ntr As More Migrants from Africa and Asia Arrive in Latin America, Governments Seek Orderly and Controlled Pathways By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:48:50 -0400 Growing numbers of African and Asian migrants are moving through Latin America, many hoping to reach the United States or Canada after expensive, arduous, and often dangerous journeys that can take months or even years. As more extracontinental migrants transit through South and Central America, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica have developed the most comprehensive policies to manage these flows, sometimes working in coordination with the U.S. government. Full Article
ntr La Bienvenida Se Agota para Colombianos en Ecuador Mientras Venezolanos Se Hacen Más Visibles By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:42:56 -0500 Aunque colombianos encontraron un refugio cálido en Ecuador después de ser desplazados de su país por una guerra civil que duro décadas, la vida se ha vuelto más difícil para ellos en los últimos años, en parte como resultado del flujo de venezolanos que buscan seguridad. Este artículo se basa en encuestas de migrantes en Quito, comparando y contrastando las experiencias de colombianos y venezolanos, y evaluando sus percepciones de discriminación, victimización y esperanzas para el futuro. Full Article
ntr Effects of Bariatric Surgery in Early- and Adult-Onset Obesity in the Prospective Controlled Swedish Obese Subjects Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:34-07:00 OBJECTIVE Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity, but it is unknown if outcomes differ between adults with early- versus adult-onset obesity. We investigated how obesity status at 20 years of age affects outcomes after bariatric surgery later in life. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Swedish Obese Subjects study is a prospective matched study performed at 25 surgical departments and 480 primary health care centers. Participants aged 37–60 years with BMI ≥34 kg/m2 (men) or ≥38 kg/m2 (women) were recruited between 1987 and 2001; 2,007 participants received bariatric surgery and 2,040 usual care. Self-reported body weight at 20 years of age was used to stratify patients into subgroups with normal BMI (<25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), or obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Body weight, energy intake, and type 2 diabetes status were examined over 10 years, and incidence of cardiovascular and microvascular disease was determined over up to 26 years using data from health registers. RESULTS There were small but statistically significant differences in reduction of body weight among the subgroups after bariatric surgery (interaction P = 0.032), with the largest reductions among those with obesity aged 20 years. Bariatric surgery increased type 2 diabetes remission (odds ratios 4.51, 4.90, and 5.58 in subgroups with normal BMI, overweight, or obesity at 20 years of age, respectively; interaction P = 0.951), reduced type 2 diabetes incidence (odds ratios 0.15, 0.13, and 0.15, respectively; interaction P = 0.972), and reduced microvascular complications independent of obesity status at 20 years of age (interaction P = 0.650). The association between bariatric surgery and cardiovascular disease was similar in the subgroups (interaction P = 0.674). Surgical complications were similar in the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The treatment benefits of bariatric surgery in adults are similar regardless of obesity status at 20 years of age. Full Article
ntr Effects of MK-0941, a Novel Glucokinase Activator, on Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2011-11-21T22:32:39-08:00 OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of MK-0941, a glucokinase activator (GKA), when added to stable-dose insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this double-blind study, 587 patients taking stable-dose insulin glargine (±metformin ≥1,500 mg/day) were randomized (1:1:1:1:1) to MK-0941 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg or matching placebo t.i.d. before meals (a.c.). This study included an initial 14-week, dose-ranging phase followed by a 40-week treatment phase during which patients were to be uptitrated as tolerated to 40 mg (or placebo) t.i.d. a.c. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in A1C at Week 14. RESULTS At Week 14, A1C and 2-h postmeal glucose (PMG) improved significantly versus placebo with all MK-0941 doses. Maximal placebo-adjusted least squares mean changes from baseline in A1C (baseline A1C 9.0%) and 2-h PMG were –0.8% and –37 mg/dL (–2 mmol/L), respectively. No significant effects on fasting plasma glucose were observed at any dose versus placebo. By 30 weeks, the initial glycemic responses noted at 14 weeks were not sustained. MK-0941 at one or more doses was associated with significant increases in the incidence of hypoglycemia, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and proportion of patients meeting criteria for predefined limits of change for increased diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS In patients receiving stable-dose insulin glargine, the GKA MK-0941 led to improvements in glycemic control that were not sustained. MK-0941 was associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemia and elevations in triglycerides and blood pressure. Full Article
ntr Turning the Tide: Addressing the Long-Term Challenges of EU Mobility for Sending Countries By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 05 Dec 2019 15:26:24 -0500 Amid ongoing debates about the costs and benefits of free movement, this MPI webinar examines evidence from the EU-funded REMINDER project on different types of East-West mobility. Speakers examine big-picture trends of East-West migration; consider possible policy responses at regional, national, and EU levels to alleviate some of the challenges; and reflect on realistic actions that could be taken under a new European Commission. Full Article
ntr Young Refugee Children: Their Schooling Experiences in the United States and in Countries of First Asylum By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:28:38 -0400 In this webinar, the authors of three papers on the experiences of refugee children present their findings, with a focus on how such experiences affect their mental health and education. Full Article
ntr Evaluating the Effect of U-500 Insulin Therapy on Glycemic Control in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2015-01-01 Joseph A. GranataJan 1, 2015; 33:14-19Feature Articles Full Article
ntr Case Study: Potential Pitfalls of Using Hemoglobin A1c as the Sole Measure of Glycemic Control By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2004-07-01 Huy A. TranJul 1, 2004; 22:141-143Case Studies Full Article
ntr Effects of Glycemic Control on Diabetes Complications and on the Prevention of Diabetes By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2004-10-01 Jay S. SkylerOct 1, 2004; 22:162-166Feature Articles Full Article