Diabetes News February 5th 2010

Long-term conditions
Video library (NHS Choices)

Diabetes patients rank health concerns differently than their doctors, U-M survey shows
While diabetes and hypertension ranked high for both groups, diabetics were more likely than doctors to prioritize symptoms such as pain and depression (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)

Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in the Emergency Department
Treatment consists of appropriate fluid resuscitation, insulin infusion, adjustments of electrolytes and phosphate, and careful monitoring. The most common serious complication is cerebral edema (Abstract – Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine)

Changes in Prandial Glucagon Levels after 2-year Treatment with Vildagliptin or Glimepiride
In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Inadequately Controlled with Metformin Monotherapy … Vildagliptin therapy but not glimepiride improves post-prandial a-cell function, which persists for at least 2 years (Diabetes Care)

Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade On Insulin Resistance And Inflammatory Parameters in Patients With Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Insulin sensitivity and associated inflammatory factors improve under ARB in IGT patients (Diabetes Care)

Intracellular Ca2+ regulating proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells are altered with type 1 diabetes due to the direct effects of hyperglycemia
This work demonstrates that the previously-reported reduced Ca2+ signaling in VSMCs from diabetic animals is related to decreases and/or redistribution in the IP3R Ca2+ channels and SERCA proteins (Cardio Vascular Diabetology)

Open innovation challenge seeks solutions to type 1 diabetes
An innovation contest launched by the Harvard Catalyst, an online hub for cross-disciplinary scientific work. The challenge is to define new hypotheses and unaddressed questions concerning type 1 diabetes. The best new ideas will receive prizes ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 (Harvard Science)

Novo Nordisk happy with Victoza launch as group sales climb
Novo Nordisk has posted a solid set of figures for 2009, and says that the launch of its much-touted diabetes drug Victoza in Europe has been going very well (PharmaTimes)

Swedish Diamyd Medical to apply for diabetes vaccine approval 2011
Diamyd Medical plans to file for regulatory approval of its diabetes vaccine (Trading Markets)

Entelos Granted Patent for Innovative Diagnostic Capability in Obesity, Diabetes
The newly patented method extends the ability of the Entelos Metabolism PhysioLab platform to explore, simulate, and predict differences in fuel utilization (e.g., fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism) between patients, a key predictor in responses to treatment (Entelos)

Metabolic consequences of incorrect insulin administration techniques in aging subjects with diabetes
Often overlooked factors including insulin injection into altered skin areas, often brought about by incorrect habits, namely needle reutilization or poor compliance to the suggestion to continuously rotate skin injection areas (Acta Diabetologica)

Incident Diabetes in Relation to Weight Patterns During Middle Age
This study underscores the importance of obesity in diabetes risk and the importance of preventing the development of overweight and obesity earlier in life (American Journal of Epidemiology)

JDRF-funded research advances potential for regeneration as a possible cure for type 1 diabetes
A hormone responsible for the body’s stress response is also linked to the growth of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, according to JDRF- funded researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)

Potential Mediators of Diabetes-Related Hearing Impairment In The U.S. Population
Mechanisms related to neuropathic or microvascular factors, inflammation, or hyperglycemia may be mediating the association of diabetes and hearing impairment (Diabetes Care)