Diabetes News December 3rd 2010

Apply for a Diabetes UK research grant
Diabetes UK offers several different types of funding scheme (Diabetes UK)

HbA1c Survey: Are you ready for the change?
Ben Jones, a chemical pathology trainee at Imperial is conducting a survey about the readiness of UK diabetologists in adapting to the new HbA1c units (Young Diabetologists)

Generalized impairment of vasodilator reactivity during hyperinsulinemia in patients with obesity-related metabolic syndrome
Insulin exerts a generalized facilitatory action on vasodilator reactivity, and this effect is impaired in patients with Metabolic Syndrome likely because of increased oxidative stress. Given the importance of vasodilator reactivity in affecting glucose disposal and vascular homeostasis, this defect may then contribute to the development of metabolic and vascular complications in insulin-resistant states (American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology & Metabolism)

Assessing treatment barriers in young adults with type 1 diabetes
Results suggest that despite attempts to educate patients; barriers such as family conflict, psychological issues, and carbohydrate counting remain obstacles impeding glycemic control in young adults with DM1(Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice)

Clinical approach to the patient with diabetes mellitus and very high insulin requirements
A systematic approach to the evaluation of these patients is necessary to facilitate an appropriate diagnosis, select the most reasonable therapy, and hopefully improve the long-term outcome of these patients (Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice)

Diabetes, Vestibular Dysfunction, and Falls: Analyses From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Vestibular dysfunction may represent a newly recognized diabetes-related complication, which acts as a mediator of the effect of diabetes mellitus on fall risk (Otology & Neurotology)

Prophylactic Surgery in the Diabetic Foot
The lecture begins by discussing the epidemiology and economic impact of diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers, then addresses the screening questions one should ask when evaluating the diabetic foot (Present Podiatry)

An assessment of peripheral vascular disease in patients with diabetic foot ulcer
This study shows that these patients had risk factors for PVD. The use of hand held Doppler will aid early diagnosis of critical limb at risk of loss and help to prevent and reduce the high rate of limb loss in our patients (The Foot)

Insulin promoter DNA methylation correlates negatively with insulin gene expression and positively with HbA1c levels in human pancreatic islets
This study demonstrates that DNA methylation of the insulin promoter is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes and correlates negatively with insulin gene expression in human pancreatic islets (Diabetologia)

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes: American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association
Joint Position Statement (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise)

Metformin and Cancer Risk in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Metformin is associated with a decreased risk of cancer incidence compared with other treatments among diabetic patients. Given the retrospective nature of most studies and the possibility that the control treatments increase risk, phase II trials are needed before large cancer prevention trials are launched (Cancer Prevention Research )

Novel Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog Delivered Orally Reduces Postprandial Glucose Excursions in Porcine and Canine Models
When delivered enterically, GLP-1 (ORMD-0901) is absorbed from the canine and porcine gastrointestinal tracts and retains its biological activity. Further development of this drug class in an oral dosage form is expected to enhance diabetes control and patient compliance (Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology)

Merck to Acquire SmartCells, Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc., and SmartCells, Inc., announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck will acquire SmartCells, a private company developing a glucose responsive insulin formulation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (PharmaLive)