on ADA urges CDC to update guidance for dental personnel By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 12:19:00 -0500 The American Dental Association is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to “quickly provide guidance” on how to safely reopen dental practices during the deceleration phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. Full Article
on Organized dentistry asks Congress for flexibility in Paycheck Protection Program loans By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 15:46:00 -0500 The Organized Dentistry Coalition is asking Congress for flexibility in the Paycheck Protection Program to allow dentists to purchase personal protective equipment as states begin the reopening phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
on HPI releases webinar on economic impact of COVID-19 By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 11:59:00 -0500 The ADA Health Policy Institute held a webinar April 29 with leading experts from across the dental industry to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the dental economy and what they think the future will bring. Full Article
on ADA tip sheet includes CDC guidance on identifying counterfeit N95 masks By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 15:25:00 -0500 The American Dental Association has created a tip sheet with guidance from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health group at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help health care professionals avoid buying or using counterfeit N95 respirators, which are often simply referred to as masks. Full Article
on Oil prices ease on renewed concern about a weaker economy By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:09:34 -0500 Crude oil prices fell Monday amid renewed concerns about potentially declining crude oil demand resulting from weaker economic outlook. Full Article
on Petrobras preempts three pre-salt areas ahead of sixth auction By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:10:20 -0500 Petrobras wants to exercise pre-emption rights for three areas ahead of the sixth bidding round of pre-salt offshore oil areas to be held later this year. Full Article
on Oil prices led lower by rising U.S. production, inventories By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Jan 2019 08:51:15 -0500 Oil prices fell early Thursday despite an OPEC report confirming a sizable cut due to bearishness related to rising United States production and inventories. Full Article
on Venezuelan crude production continued to decline in December By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:55:05 -0500 Venezuelan crude oil production continued its steady decline and hit a new low in December with just 1.15 million barrels per day produced. Full Article
on Oil rises after report on possible China talks concessions By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 18 Jan 2019 09:11:06 -0500 Oil prices rose early Friday trailing equity gains late Thursday that followed a report about possible concessions ahead in U.S. trade talks with China. Full Article
on Refineries, investors fear crude shortages over possible Venezuela sanctions By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:54:11 -0500 An unexpected rise in U.S. crude inventories offset fears of potential risk to Venezuelan crude supply because of possible U.S. sanctions. Full Article
on Oil prices fall on rising U.S. rigs, fading Venezuelan risk By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:07:11 -0500 Oil prices fell Monday as the number of rigs in the United States saw a weekly rise, analysts said Full Article
on Major corporations, cities buying into Texas' green energy boom By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:50:51 -0500 The U.S. wind industry is in a scramble to get a batch of turbine farms running in the next two years, before the federal government phases out a key tax credit. Full Article
on U.S. fuel prices near last month's levels, unlikely to change By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 08:22:59 -0500 Average fuel prices in the United States started the week at $2.26 per gallon, showing little change from the last month or last week, and may remain flat. Full Article
on Crude oil prices rise amid renewed Venezuela concerns By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:39:09 -0500 Oil prices were higher early Tuesday amid renewed concern about Venezuelan supplies but market worries about China-U.S. trade issues prevented higher gains. Full Article
on IEA: Greater use of rail would save energy, lower emissions By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:08:40 -0500 Increased railway use would save energy, help the environment, and also be safer, according to reports prepared by international environmental experts. Full Article
on Oil prices rise amid ongoing concern about Venezuela By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:12:39 -0500 Oil prices rose Wednesday amid expectations that Venezuelan oil shipments would see some disruption following U.S. sanctions. Full Article
on Petrobras sells Chevron $350M Texas plant bought for $1.2B By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 07:51:06 -0500 Chevron bought a Houston refinery for $350 million from Petrobras that had cost the Brazilian state oil company over $1.2 billion little over a decade earlier. Full Article
on Oil nearly flat in pause after previous session's gains By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:12:31 -0500 Oil prices were near flat early Thursday in what was seen as a pause after gains in the two previous sessions, as traders considered geopolitical developments. Full Article
on Crude oil prices rise early Friday amid supply concerns By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:59:28 -0500 Oil prices rose early Friday amid supply concerns following reports of smaller-than-expected stocks, and amid reduced expectation of interest rate hikes. Full Article
on BP to be more transparent about climate efforts amid investor concerns By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:04:14 -0500 BP on Friday announced plans to increase disclosure on its efforts to fight climate change after requests from two groups of investors. Full Article
on Arctic bird turns down immune system to conserve energy in winter By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:32:40 -0400 To survive the Arctic's frigid temperatures, animals must use their energy efficiently. According to a new study, one Arctic bird species, the Svalbard rock ptarmigan, utilizes a previously unknown energy-saving method. Full Article
on Cancer patients on Medicaid might not benefit from experimental treatments, study finds By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:00:57 -0400 Cancer patients on Medicaid or who don't have insurance benefit less from experimental treatments, even if they get into clinical trials, a study published Thursday by JAMA Network Open has found. Full Article
on Blood clots, skin lesions among newly identified possible COVID-19 symptoms By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:30:59 -0400 Blood clots, skin rashes and other lesions might be among the symptoms some people experience with COVID-19, according to new research released Thursday. Full Article
on Analysis suggests states need to plan for second wave of COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 18:17:11 -0400 Leaders across the United States should plan for a worst-case scenario, second wave to the COVID-19 pandemic, including no vaccine availability or herd immunity, say experts at the University of Minnesota. Full Article
on 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
on Patient portals need proxy options for better privacy protection, study finds By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 15:27:49 -0400 More patient portals and electronic health records should enable users to create "proxy" accounts for nurses and home aids to prevent unintentional sharing of personal health details, researchers said Monday. Full Article
on Study: ACE inhibitors, ARBs don't increase risk for COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 12:41:17 -0400 Certain high blood pressure medications may be linked with more serious illness from COVID-19, but they don't increase a person's risk for getting the disease, a new study published Tuesday by JAMA Cardiology reports. Full Article
on U.S. rural areas soon might be on front lines in COVID-19 pandemic By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 18:42:18 -0400 The COVID-19 pandemic has left a path of destruction in urban centers throughout the northeastern United States, but the next outbreak hotspots could have even deadlier effects in rural areas. Full Article
on Face-aging app increases sunscreen use among teens by 50%, study finds By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 13:36:46 -0400 A face-aging app could encourage young people to protect their skin from harmful UV rays and lessen their risk for skin cancer, a study published Wednesday by JAMA Dermatology has found. Full Article
on Poverty, poorer health make some in the Bronx more vulnerable to COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:40:25 -0400 New York City has been the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, with immigrant populations in areas such as the Bronx "disproportionately" affected, a commentary in JAMA Internal Medicine says. Full Article
on 15-minute COVID-19 test proves accurate at confirming infection By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 17:19:00 -0400 A new, point-of-care testing kit for COVID-19 that can deliver results in 15 minutes accurately diagnoses people more than 80 percent of time, an analysis has found. Full Article
on Combination of HIV, hepatitis C, MS drugs might resolve COVID-19 infection By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 18:38:48 -0400 Combination therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin appears to improve symptoms and shorten hospital stays for people with mild to moderate COVID-19. Full Article
on Measles vaccinations in U.S. children fall up to 60 percent since pandemic, CDC says By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 19:03:09 -0400 Pediatric vaccination against measles has declined by as much as 60 percent nationally since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to new data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Full Article
on Exploring the Potential of Two-Generation Strategies in Refugee Integration By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2018 11:45:21 -0500 On this webinar, MPI researchers and Utah and Colorado refugee coordinators explore promising practices to better serve refugee families, including education services for refugee youth, innovative efforts to secure better jobs for adult refugees, and other services designed to aid integration over time. They also discuss the potential for implementing and supporting two-generation approaches to refugee integration at a time when the system’s funding and capacity are in peril. Full Article
on 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
on Breaking New Ground: Ten Ideas to Revamp Integration Policy in Europe By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 10:00:37 -0500 To address the intersecting challenges facing European societies—from population aging and labor-market change, to immigration and political upheaval—governments need to hone new strategies for helping both newcomers and long-term residents succeed amid diversity. This report explores some of the most promising approaches, drawing on input from policymakers, the private sector, civil society, and others. Full Article
on Exploring New Legal Migration Pathways: Lessons from Pilot Projects By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:26:36 -0500 As European countries launch ambitious new legal migration partnerships with several origin and transit countries in Africa, this report takes stock of the long and mixed history of such projects. To make the most of their potential to encourage skills development and fill pressing labor gaps, policymakers will need to think carefully about the partners and sectors they choose, among other key considerations. Full Article
on Social Innovation for Refugee Inclusion: From Bright Spots to System Change By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Wed, 12 Jun 2019 11:51:08 -0400 In the three years since the European migration and refugee crisis vividly captured public attention, a wave of innovative initiatives has emerged to help newcomers settle into receiving societies. Now, as the sense of crisis abates, this report explores what these initiatives will need to do to outlast the hype and produce lasting change on key integration issues such as housing, economic inclusion, and community building. Full Article
on Diabetes Is Associated With Worse Long-term Outcomes in Young Adults After Myocardial Infarction: The Partners YOUNG-MI Registry By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2019-09-23T15:12:23-07:00 OBJECTIVEWe sought to determine the prevalence of diabetes and associated cardiovascular outcomes in a contemporary cohort of young individuals presenting with their first myocardial infarction (MI) at age ≤50 years.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed records of patients presenting with a first type 1 MI at age ≤50 years from 2000 to 2016. Diabetes was defined as a hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or a documented diagnosis of or treatment for diabetes. Vital status was ascertained for all patients, and cause of death was adjudicated.RESULTSAmong 2,097 young patients who had a type 1 MI (mean age 44.0 ± 5.1 years, 19.3% female, 73% white), diabetes was present in 416 (20%), of whom 172 (41%) were receiving insulin. Over a median follow-up of 11.2 years (interquartile range 7.3–14.2 years), diabetes was associated with a higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.30; P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (2.68; P < 0.001). These associations persisted after adjusting for baseline covariates (all-cause mortality: 1.65; P = 0.008; cardiovascular mortality: 2.10; P = 0.004).CONCLUSIONSDiabetes was present in 20% of patients who presented with their first MI at age ≤50 years and was associated with worse long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. These findings highlight the need for implementing more-aggressive therapies aimed at preventing future adverse cardiovascular events in this population. Full Article
on Trends in Uninsured Rates Before and After Medicaid Expansion in Counties Within and Outside of the Diabetes Belt By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-27T16:03:28-08:00 OBJECTIVETo examine trends in uninsured rates between 2012 and 2016 among low-income adults aged <65 years and to determine whether the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded Medicaid, impacted insurance coverage in the Diabetes Belt, a region across 15 southern and eastern states in which residents have high rates of diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSData for 3,129 U.S. counties, obtained from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates and Area Health Resources Files, were used to analyze trends in uninsured rates among populations with a household income ≤138% of the federal poverty level. Multivariable analysis adjusted for the percentage of county populations aged 50–64 years, the percentage of women, Distressed Communities Index value, and rurality.RESULTSIn 2012, 39% of the population in the Diabetes Belt and 34% in non-Belt counties were uninsured (P < 0.001). In 2016 in states where Medicaid was expanded, uninsured rates declined rapidly to 13% in Diabetes Belt counties and to 15% in non-Belt counties. Adjusting for county demographic and economic factors, Medicaid expansion helped reduce uninsured rates by 12.3% in Diabetes Belt counties and by 4.9% in non-Belt counties. In 2016, uninsured rates were 15% higher for both Diabetes Belt and non-Belt counties in the nonexpansion states than in the expansion states.CONCLUSIONSACA-driven Medicaid expansion was more significantly associated with reduced uninsured rates in Diabetes Belt than in non-Belt counties. Initial disparities in uninsured rates between Diabetes Belt and non-Belt counties have not existed since 2014 among expansion states. Future studies should examine whether and how Medicaid expansion may have contributed to an increase in the use of health services in order to prevent and treat diabetes in the Diabetes Belt. Full Article
on 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
on Rapid Corneal Nerve Fiber Loss: A Marker of Diabetic Neuropathy Onset and Progression By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-05T08:52:34-08:00 OBJECTIVECorneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) represents a biomarker for diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). We aimed to determine the reference distribution of annual CNFL change, the prevalence of abnormal change in diabetes, and its associated clinical variables.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe examined 590 participants with diabetes [399 type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 191 type 2 diabetes (T2D)] and 204 control patients without diabetes with at least 1 year of follow-up and classified them according to rapid corneal nerve fiber loss (RCNFL) if CNFL change was below the fifth percentile of the control patients without diabetes.RESULTSControl patients without diabetes were 37.9 ± 19.8 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 3.0 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was –0.1% (90% CI, –5.9 to 5.0%). RCNFL was defined by values exceeding the fifth percentile of 6% loss. Participants with T1D were 39.9 ± 18.7 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 4.4 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was –0.8% (90% CI, –14.0 to 9.9%). Participants with T2D were 60.4 ± 8.2 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 5.3 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was –0.2% (90% CI, –14.1 to 14.3%). RCNFL prevalence was 17% overall and was similar by diabetes type [64 T1D (16.0%), 37 T2D (19.4%), P = 0.31]. RNCFL was more common in those with baseline DSP (47% vs. 30% in those without baseline DSP, P = 0.001), which was associated with lower peroneal conduction velocity but not with baseline HbA1c or its change over follow-up.CONCLUSIONSAn abnormally rapid loss of CNFL of 6% per year or more occurs in 17% of diabetes patients. RCNFL may identify patients at highest risk for the development and progression of DSP. Full Article
on Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes After Weight Loss From Gastric Bypass Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes: Cardiorenal Risk Reductions Exceed Atherosclerotic Benefits By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-09T12:42:04-07:00 OBJECTIVEWe examined detailed renal and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes after gastric bypass (GBP) surgery in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), across several renal function categories, in a nationwide cohort study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe linked data from the National Diabetes Register and the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Register with four national databases holding information on socioeconomic variables, medications, hospitalizations, and causes of death and matched 5,321 individuals with T2DM who had undergone GBP with 5,321 who had not (age 18–65 years, mean BMI >40 kg/m2, mean follow-up >4.5 years). The risks of postoperative outcomes were assessed with Cox regression models.RESULTSDuring the first years postsurgery, there were small reductions in creatinine and albuminuria and stable estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the GBP group. The incidence rates of most outcomes relating to renal function, CV disease, and mortality were lower after GBP, being particularly marked for heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] 0.33 [95% CI 0.24, 0.46]) and CV mortality (HR 0.36 [(95% CI 0.22, 0.58]). The risk of a composite of severe renal disease or halved eGFR was 0.56 (95% CI 0.44, 0.71), whereas nonfatal CV risk was lowered less (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.70, 0.97]) after GBP. Risks for key outcomes were generally lower after GBP in all eGFR strata, including in individuals with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2.CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest robust benefits for renal outcomes, heart failure, and CV mortality after GBP in individuals with obesity and T2DM. These results suggest that marked weight loss yields important benefits, particularly on the cardiorenal axis (including slowing progression to end-stage renal disease), whatever the baseline renal function status. Full Article
on Performance of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays To Reflect Comorbidity Burden and Improve Mortality Risk Stratification in Older Adults With Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-11T14:49:52-07:00 OBJECTIVEIncorporation of comorbidity burden to inform diabetes management in older adults remains challenging. High-sensitivity cardiac troponins are objective, quantifiable biomarkers that may improve risk monitoring in older adults. We assessed the associations of elevations in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) with comorbidities and improvements in mortality risk stratification.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe used logistic regression to examine associations of comorbidities with elevations in either troponin (≥85th percentile) among 1,835 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study with diabetes (ages 67–89 years, 43% male, 31% black) at visit 5 (2011–2013). We used Cox models to compare associations of high cardiac troponins with mortality across comorbidity levels.RESULTSElevations in either troponin (≥9.4 ng/L for hs-cTnI, ≥25 ng/L for hs-cTnT) were associated with prevalent coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary disease, hypoglycemia, hypertension, dementia, and frailty. Over a median follow-up of 6.2 years (418 deaths), both high hs-cTnI and high hs-cTnT further stratified mortality risk beyond comorbidity levels; those with a high hs-cTnI or hs-cTnT and high comorbidity were at highest mortality risk. Even among those with low comorbidity, a high hs-cTnI (hazard ratio [HR] 3.0 [95% CI 1.7, 5.4]) or hs-cTnT (HR 3.3 [95% CI 1.8, 6.2]) was associated with elevated mortality. CONCLUSIONS Many comorbidities were reflected by both hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT; elevations in either of the troponins were associated with higher mortality risk beyond comorbidity burden. High-sensitivity cardiac troponins may identify older adults at high mortality risk and be useful in guiding clinical care of older adults with diabetes. Full Article
on Reduced Myocardial Perfusion Reserve in Type 2 Diabetes Is Caused by Increased Perfusion at Rest and Decreased Maximal Perfusion During Stress By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-19T15:14:52-07:00 OBJECTIVETo examine differences in myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and during stress between patients with type 2 diabetes and controls, and to identify potential predictors of changes in MBF at rest and during stress.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA cross-sectional study of 193 patients with type 2 diabetes and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was used in order to evaluate left ventricular structure and function, and MBF at rest and during adenosine-induced stress. MBF was derived as the mean of the flow within all segments of a midventricular slice.RESULTSPatients with type 2 diabetes had higher global MBF at rest (0.81 ± 0.19 mL/min/g) and lower global MBF during stress (2.4 ± 0.9 mL/min/g) than did controls (0.61 ± 0.11 at rest, 3.2 ± 0.8 mL/min/g under stress; both P < 0.01). Patients with macroalbuminuria had lower MBF during stress (1.6 ± 0.5 mL/min/g) than did patients with microalbuminuria (2.1 ± 0.7 mL/min/g; P = 0.04), who in turn had lower MBF during stress than did normoalbuminuric patients (2.7 ± 0.9 mL/min/g; P < 0.01). Patients with severe retinopathy had lower MBF during stress (1.8 ± 0.6 mL/min/g) than did patients with simplex retinopathy (2.3 ± 0.7 mL/min/g; P < 0.05) and those who did not have retinopathy (2.6 ± 1.0 mL/min/g; P < 0.05). Albuminuria and retinopathy were associated with reduced MBF during stress in a multiple regression analysis. Stress-related MBF inversely correlated with myocardial extracellular volume (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.37), a measure of diffuse myocardial fibrosis. A trend toward lower basal MBF was observed in patients treated with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (P = 0.07).CONCLUSIONSPatients with type 2 diabetes have higher global MBF at rest and lower maximal MBF during vasodilator-induced stress than do controls. Reduced MBF during stress is associated with diabetes complications (albuminuria and retinopathy) and is inversely correlated with diffuse myocardial fibrosis. Full Article
on 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
on Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnancy: Importance of Analysing Temporal Profiles to Understand Clinical Outcomes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine if temporal glucose profiles differed between 1) women who were randomized to real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) or self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG), 2) women who used insulin pumps or multiple daily insulin injections (MDIs), and 3) women whose infants were born large for gestational age (LGA) or not, by assessing CGM data obtained from the Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Women With Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy Trial (CONCEPTT).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSStandard summary metrics and functional data analysis (FDA) were applied to CGM data from the CONCEPTT trial (RT-CGM, n = 100; SMBG, n = 100) taken at baseline and at 24- and 34-weeks gestation. Multivariable regression analysis determined if temporal differences in 24-h glucose profiles occurred between comparators in each of the three groups.RESULTSFDA revealed that women using RT-CGM had significantly lower glucose (0.4–0.8 mmol/L [7–14 mg/dL]) for 7 h/day (0800 h–1200 h and 1600 h–1900 h) compared with those with SMBG. Women using pumps had significantly higher glucose (0.4–0.9 mmol/L [7–16 mg/dL]) for 12 h/day (0300 h to 0600 h, 1300 h to 1800 h, and 2030 h to 0030 h) at 24 weeks with no difference at 34 weeks compared with MDI. Women who had an LGA infant ran a significantly higher glucose by 0.4–0.7 mmol/L (7–13 mg/dL) for 4.5 h/day at baseline; by 0.4–0.9 mmol/L (7–16 mg/dL) for 16 h/day at 24 weeks; and by 0.4–0.7 mmol/L (7–13 mg/dL) for 14 h/day at 34 weeks.CONCLUSIONSFDA of temporal glucose profiles gives important information about differences in glucose control and its timing, which are undetectable by standard summary metrics. Women using RT-CGM were able to achieve better daytime glucose control, reducing fetal exposure to maternal glucose. Full Article
on Sleep Duration Patterns in Early to Middle Adulthood and Subsequent Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 OBJECTIVETo identify sleep duration trajectories from early to middle adulthood and their associations with incident type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSUsing a group-based modeling approach, we identified sleep duration trajectories based on sleep duration in ages 20–25, 26–35, 36–45, and 46+ years, which were retrospectively assessed in 2009 among 60,068 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II (median age 54.9 years) who were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. We investigated the prospective associations between sleep duration trajectories and diabetes risk (2009–2017) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.RESULTSWe documented 1,797 incident diabetes cases over a median follow-up of 7.8 years (442,437 person-years). Six sleep duration trajectories were identified: persistent 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-h sleep duration and increased or decreased sleep duration. After multivariable adjustment for diabetes risk factors, compared with the persistent 7-h sleep duration group, the hazard ratio was 1.43 (95% CI 1.10, 1.84) for the 5-h group, 1.17 (1.04, 1.33) for the 6-h group, 0.96 (0.84, 1.10) for the 8-h group, 1.33 (1.09, 1.61) for the increased sleep duration group, and 1.32 (1.10, 1.59) for the decreased sleep duration group. Additional adjustment for time-updated comorbidities and BMI attenuated these associations, although a significantly higher risk remained in the decreased sleep duration group (1.24 [1.03, 1.50]).CONCLUSIONSPersistent short sleep duration or changes in sleep duration from early to middle adulthood were associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes in later life. These associations were weaker after obesity and metabolic comorbidities were accounted for. Full Article
on A Randomized Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Fast-Acting Insulin Aspart Compared With Insulin Aspart, Both in Combination With Insulin Degludec With or Without Metformin, in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes (Onset 9) By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) compared with insulin aspart (IAsp), both with insulin degludec with or without metformin, in adults with type 2 diabetes not optimally controlled with a basal-bolus regimen.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis multicenter, double-blind, treat-to-target trial randomized participants to faster aspart (n = 546) or IAsp (n = 545). All available information, regardless of treatment discontinuation or use of ancillary treatment, was used for evaluation of effect.RESULTSNoninferiority for the change from baseline in HbA1c 16 weeks after randomization (primary end point) was confirmed for faster aspart versus IAsp (estimated treatment difference [ETD] –0.04% [95% CI –0.11; 0.03]; –0.39 mmol/mol [–1.15; 0.37]; P < 0.001). Faster aspart was superior to IAsp for change from baseline in 1-h postprandial glucose (PPG) increment using a meal test (ETD –0.40 mmol/L [–0.66; –0.14]; –7.23 mg/dL [–11.92; –2.55]; P = 0.001 for superiority). Change from baseline in self-measured 1-h PPG increment for the mean over all meals favored faster aspart (ETD –0.25 mmol/L [–0.42; –0.09]); –4.58 mg/dL [–7.59; –1.57]; P = 0.003). The overall rate of treatment-emergent severe or blood glucose (BG)–confirmed hypoglycemia was statistically significantly lower for faster aspart versus IAsp (estimated treatment ratio 0.81 [95% CI 0.68; 0.97]).CONCLUSIONSIn combination with insulin degludec, faster aspart provided effective overall glycemic control, superior PPG control, and a lower rate of severe or BG-confirmed hypoglycemia versus IAsp in adults with type 2 diabetes not optimally controlled with a basal-bolus regimen. Full Article
on Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Receiving Interferon-Based therapy By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 Full Article