Usage of Glimepiride/Metformin Fixed-dose Combination in Young Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: The Indian Experience

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has been rising among the younger population and is a cause for concern. The present case-based questionnaire survey evaluated the treatment pattern and clinical experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in prescribing glimepiride/metformin fixed-dose combination (FDC) to young diabetes patients (up to 40 years of age) in the Indian setting. Material and methods: A retrospective, multicenter, observational, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Indian healthcare centers using medical records of patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who were prescribed different strengths of glimepiride/metformin FDCs. Data was collected from the patients’ medical records and were analyzed using statistical tests. Results: A total of 2,715 patients aged between 18 and 40 years were included in the study. Mean diabetes duration among the young patients was 2.76 ± 1.97 years. Among the young T2DM patients, 83.2% patients received glimepiride/metformin FDC as first-line therapy, and 16.8% received it as second-line therapy. Hypoglycemia at 6 months was noted in only 2.47% of the young patients. Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) before and after treatment was 8.7% ± 3.4% and 7.3% ± 3.9%, respectively. Mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 171.8 ± 80.1 mg/dL in patients prior to treatment initiation and came down to 122.8 ± 41.8 mg/dL after treatment with glimepiride/metformin FDC. Mean postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) prior to combination therapy use was 248.7 ± 64.0 mg/dL and dropped to 177.2 ± 39.9 mg/dL after treatment. Good to excellent efficacy and tolerability were reported for 86% and 86.6% patients, respectively. Conclusion: This case-based questionnaire survey demonstrates the usage pattern of various strengths of glimepiride/metformin FDCs and the HCPs’ practice approach regarding the use of this combination in young T2DM patients in the Indian setting. The combination is commonly prescribed to young diabetes patients in India and is associated with beneficial effects on glycemic parameters

The Myosin Va Head Domain Binds to the Neurofilament-L Rod and Modulates Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Content and Distribution within Axons

The neurofilament light subunit (NF-L) binds to myosin Va (Myo Va) in neurons but the sites of interaction and functional significance are not clear. We show by deletion analysis that motor domain of Myo Va binds to the NF-L rod domain that forms the NF backbone. Loss of NF-L and Myo Va binding from axons significantly reduces the axonal content of ER, and redistributes ER to the periphery of axon. Our data are consistent with a novel function for NFs as a scaffold in axons for maintaining the content and proper distribution of vesicular organelles, mediated in part by Myo Va. Based on observations that the Myo Va motor domain binds to intermediate filament (IF) proteins of several classes, Myo Va interactions with IFs may serve similar roles in organizing organelle topography in different cell types

Photodegradation of methylene blue dye using UV/BaTiO3UV/BaTiO_3, UV/H2O2UV/H_2O_2 and UV/H2O2/BaTiO3UV/H_2O_2/BaTiO_3 oxidation processes

The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution was studied using UV source in presence of synthesized $BaTiO_3$ as photocatalyst and in combination with different concentrations of $H_2O_2$. The experiments were carried at different catalyst loading (0.05 & 0.1 wt %), pH (3, 7 & 9) and $H_2O_2$ dosage (0.5 - 6 mL/L). The degradation rate was found to be strongly dependent upon various experimental parameters such as catalyst loading, pH, and dosage of $H_2O_2$. There was no appreciable degadation seen in presence of catalyst alone. Discoloration of the dye was very nearly complete using $UV/H_2O_2$. Neither UV radiation nor $H_2O_2$ alone was able to decolourize the dye. The best degradation results were observed under optimum conditions of catalyst loading of 0.05 wt%, pH 9 for $BaTiO_3/UV$ system. The optimum dosage of $H_2O_2$ for 12 ppm concentration of the dye was found to be 2 mL/L for $UV/H_2O_2$. The experimental kinetic data on the degradation of the dye followed the pseudo first order rate. Tests were further carried out for degradation of the dye using $BaTiO_3/UV/H_2O_2$ system. An enhancement in the degradation rate was observed with this system compared to $UV/H_2O_2$ system