Diabetes News January 22nd 2010

IDF establishes Diabetes Trust Fund for Haiti
IDF is setting up a Haiti Diabetes Trust Fund where member associations can support people with diabetes during the emergency and contribute to rebuilding services for the more than 300,000 people with diabetes in Haiti in the longer term (IDF)

D-Start (Diabetes, Supporting TrAnslational Research and Twinning)
On January 15 2010, the International Diabetes Federation launched D-START (Diabetes, Supporting TrAnslational Research and Twinning), an initiative that aims to support the development of innovative projects in low and middle- income countries (LMCs – BRIDGES / IDF)

BRIDGES (Bringing Research in Diabetes to Global Environments and Systems)
BRIDGES aims to fund translational research projects in diabetes prevention and treatment to provide the opportunity to ‘translate’ lessons learned from clinical research to those who can benefit most: people affected by diabetes (BRIDGES / IDF)

Changes in the Position of Conventional Insulin Pumps Shown to Significantly Impact Accuracy of Insulin Delivery
Researchers at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute and University of California, Santa Barbara have concluded that changing the height of a conventional insulin pump in relation to its tubing and infusion set can significantly impact expected insulin delivery rates. Such changes can occur during routine daily activities like dressing, sleeping or showering (CNN)

JDRF and BD Collaborate to Improve Insulin Pump Delivery
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Becton, Dickinson announce an innovative program aimed at improving the treatment of type 1 diabetes by developing novel insulin delivery products to enhance the use of insulin pumps (JDRF)

Diabetes is associated with impaired myocardial performance in patients without significant coronary artery disease
In patients without significant CAD, DM is associated with an impaired systolic longitudinal LV function and global diastolic dysfunction. These abnormalities are likely to be markers of adverse prognosis (Cardio Vascular Diabetology)

Peripheral arterial disease in diabetes—a review
Measurement of ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) has emerged as the relatively simple, non-invasive and inexpensive diagnostic tool of choice … Efforts towards increasing awareness and intensive treatment of the risk factors will help to reduce morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients with PAD (Diabetic Medicine)

Prevention and treatment of microvascular disease in childhood type 1 diabetes
There is growing interest in the development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting specific pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications (British Medical Bulletin)

Novo Nordisk Gains Approval for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment in Japan
Novo Nordisk received Japanese regulatory clearance for the type 2 diabetes therapy Victoza® (liraglutide). The drug is indicated as either a monotherapy or along with sylphonylurea. Launch in Japan is expected during the first half of 2010 upon completion of price negotiations (GEN)

Takeda wins Japanese approval for diabetes drug
Unlike normal tablets, Actos OD tablets disintegrate into the oral cavity and can be taken easily without water, which is expected to improve patient dosing compliance and promote better glycemic control (Trading Markets)

Diabetes: Magnitude and Mechanisms
During the next 2 years, Clinical Diabetes will devote space in each issue to reviewing the fundamentals of diabetes care for physicians in training (Clinical Diabetes)

Hemoglobin glycation index: a robust measure of hemoglobin A1c bias in pediatric type 1 diabetes patients
Biological variation in A1c is a robust quantitative trait that can be assessed using HGI calculated from routine clinic data. This suggests that HGI could be used clinically for more personalized assessment of complications risk (Pediatric Diabetes)

Inhaled insulin: overview of a novel route of insulin administration
This review will discuss pulmonary delivery of insulin via inhalation. The safety of inhaled insulin as well as the efficacy in comparison to subcutaneous insulin in the various populations with diabetes are covered (Vascular Health and Risk Management)

Buccal Alterations in Diabetes Mellitus
Pathophysilology, prevention and treatment (Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome)

Diabetes gene points way to new treatments
Scientists from 174 research centres around the world, who studied the genes and blood glucose level of more than 120,000 volunteers, were able to identify a set of genes that control the body’s response to glucose in the blood (Times, UK)

Predicted annual costs for inpatients with diabetes and foot ulcers in a developing country—a simulation of the current situation in Brazil
Our model shows that the social and economic impact of diabetic foot disease in Brazil is high. Government decision makers should reflect on the current situation and provide organized foot care throughout the whole country (Diabetic Medicine)

New sensor could help treat, combat diabetes, other diseases
University of Florida engineers have designed and tested versions of the sensor for applications ranging from monitoring diabetics’ glucose levels via their breath to detecting possible indicators of breast cancer in saliva (GEN)