Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p&lt;0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (&lt;1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (&lt;1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

High Quality Wafer-scale CVD Graphene on Molybdenum Thin Film for Sensing Application

The superb physical properties of graphene make it a material with great potential for sensing applications, including chemical sensors, Hall sensors and pressure sensors. However, its availability on large area substrates and the development of a scalable manufacturing process need to be addressed. In this work we propose wafer-scale, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of graphene on sputtered thin-films of molybdenum, as alternative to the more commonly used CVD graphene processes based on copper films. The high melting point of Mo, its low thermal expansion, along with its smooth surface, create potentially favourable conditions to produce large area, wrinkle free, high quality graphene. Furthermore, the advantage of Mo, being commonly used in IC and sensor manufacturing environment, makes it an attractive choice for large volume production of sensing devices

Актуальні питання діагностики та терапії вторинної лактазної недостатності у дітей

The literature review on lactase deficiency in children is presented. Practical recommendations for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with second_ary lactase deficiency are given.Key words: lactose, children, lactase deficiency, diagnosis, therapy.Приведен обзор литературы, посвященной проблеме лактазной недостаточности у детей. Даны практические рекомендации относительно лечебно-реабилитационных мероприятий у детей с вторичной лактазной недостаточностью. Ключевые слова: лактоза, дети, лактазная недостаточность, диагностика, терапия.Наведено огляд літератури, присвяченої проблемі лактазної недостатності у дітей. Надано практичні рекомендації щодо лікувально-реабілітаційних заходів у дітей з вторинною лактазною недостатністю. Ключові слова: лактоза, діти, лактазна недостатність, діагностика, терапія

ГІГІЄНІЧНА ОЦІНКА ЗБАЛАНСОВАНОСТІ РАЦІОНІВ ХАРЧУВАННЯ ДІТЕЙ ДОШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ В ДИТЯЧИХ НАВЧАЛЬНИХ ЗАКЛАДАХ М. ЧЕРНІВЦІ ЗА ВМІСТОМ ЖИРІВ ТА ПОЛІНЕНАСИЧЕНИХ ЖИРНИХ КИСЛОТ

Qualitative and quantitative composition of the daily nutrition ration of children at preschool institutions of Chernivtsi was investigated and analyzed. Hygienic evaluation of  fats and polyunsaturated fatty acids constituent was provided. Analysis of the daily children’s diets in 9 preschool institutions of Chernivtsi showed that their food was variable, the order and intervals between meals were kept, as well as the sequence of taking dishes and distribution of energy value. In the diets was insufficient content of products that are the sources of fats of vegetable and animal origin (meat, fish, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, dairy products, cheese) was observed. The content of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in all of the preschool institutions was lower than the recommended one. The ratio of ω-6: ω-3 was 32: 1, which is not recommended. Received results served as the basis for development of the recommendations for correction of children actual nutrition at preschool institutions of Chernivtsi.Изучен и проанализован качественный и количественный состав суточных пищевых рационов детей дошкольного возраста, посещающих детские образовательные учреждения г. Черновцы с последующей гигиенической оценкой сбалансированности их жировой составляющей. Анализ суточных пищевых рационов  в 9 детских образовательных учрежденях г. Черновцы свидетельствует, что питание детей было разнообразным, соблюдались кратность питания, интервалы между приемами пищи, последовательность приема блюд, соответствующее распределение калорийности рациона. В пищевых рационах наблюдали недостаточное содержание продуктов – источников жиров растительного и животного происхождения (мяса и мясных изделий, рыбы, яиц, постного масла, молока, кисломолочной продукции, сыров). Содержание полиненасыщенных жирных кислот семейства ω-3 в рационах всех учреждений ниже должной величины поступления. Соотношение  ω-6 : ω-3 составило 32:1, что не соответствует рекомендуемым. На основе полученных результатов  разработаны рекомендации относительно коррекции фактического питания детей дошкольного возраста, посещающих детские образовательные учреждения г.Черновцы.Вивчено та проаналізовано якісний та кількісний склад добових раціонів харчування дітей дошкільного віку, які відвідують дитячі навчальні заклади з наступною гігієнічною оцінкою збалансованості їх жирової складової. Аналіз харчових раціонів, проведений у 9 дитячих навчальних закладах м.Чернівці  засвідчив, що харчування дітей було різноманітним, дотримувалися кратність харчування, інтервали між прийомами їжі, послідовність прийому страв та розподіл енергетичної цінності раціону за прийомами їжі. Встановлено зменшення у раціонах харчування кількості продуктів, які є джерелами жирів тваринного і рослинного походження (м’яса та виробів з нього, рибних продуктів, яєць, олії, молока та кисломолочних продуктів, сирів).  Встановлено недостатній вміст у харчових раціонах поліненасичених жирних кислот родини ω-3. Співвідношення ω-6 : ω-3 становило 32:1, що не відповідало рекомендованому. Отримані результати та висновки лягли в основу розробки рекомендацій щодо корекції фактичного харчування дітей дошкільного віку, які відвідують дитячі навчальні заклади м.Чернівці

The structure and dynamic behaviour of disubstituted derivatives of Rh6(CO)16 containing heterobidentate bridging phosphine ligands

The solution structures and dynamic behaviour of [Rh6(CO)14(µ-PX)][PX = diphenyl(2-pyridyl)phosphine, (PN); diphenyl(2-thienyl)phosphine, (PS); diphenyl(vinyl)phosphine, (PV)] have been studied by multinuclear NMR and the X-ray structure of [Rh6(CO)14(µ,3-PV)] is reported. In solution, the above clusters undergo a variety of localised CO-exchanges and the mechanisms of these are discussed. The PV ligand in [Rh6(CO)14(µ,3-PV)] is hemilabile and exhibits facile exchange/reorientation of the vinyl group

Silver-Decorated TiO2 Inverse Opal Structure for Visible Light-Induced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Hydrogen Evolution

TiO2 inverse opal (TIO) structures were prepared by the conventional wet chemical method, resulting in well-formed structures for photocatalytic activity. The obtained structures were functionalized with liquid flame spray-deposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The nanocomposites of TIO and AgNPs were extensively characterized by various spectroscopies such as UV, Raman, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with microscopic methods such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM. The characterization confirmed that high-quality heterostructures had been fabricated with evenly and uniformly distributed AgNPs. Fabrication of anatase TiO2 was confirmed, and formation of AgNPs was verified with surface plasmon resonant properties. The photocatalytic activity results measured in the gas phase showed that deposition of AgNPs increases photocatalytic activity both under UVA and visible light excitation; moreover, enhanced hydrogen evolution was demonstrated under visible light.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Re(I) Complexes as Backbone Substituents and Cross-Linking Agents for Hybrid Luminescent Polysiloxanes and Silicone Rubbers

This study focuses on the synthesis of hybrid luminescent polysiloxanes and silicone rubbers grafted by organometallic rhenium(I) complexes using Cu(I)-catalyzed azido-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The design of the rhenium(I) complexes includes using a diimine ligand to create an MLCT luminescent center and the introduction of a triple C≡C bond on the periphery of the ligand environment to provide click-reaction capability. Poly(3-azidopropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (N3-PDMS) was synthesized for incorporation of azide function in polysiloxane chain. [Re(CO)3(MeCN)(5-(4-ethynylphenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine)]OTf (Re1) luminescent complex was used to prepare a luminescent copolymer with N3-PDMS (Re1-PDMS), while [Re(CO)3Cl(5,5′-diethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine)] (Re2) was used as a luminescent cross-linking agent of N3-PDMS to obtain luminescent silicone rubber (Re2-PDMS). The examination of photophysical properties of the hybrid polymer materials obtained show that emission profile of Re(I) moiety remains unchanged and metallocenter allows to control the creation of polysiloxane-based materials with specified properties

Polynuclear cage-like Au(i) phosphane complexes based on a S2− template: observation of multiple luminescence in coordinated polyaromatic systems

A rational approach to the synthesis of cage-like compounds has been realized to build a new family of sulfido-phosphane Au(i) polynuclear complexes. Ditopic phosphane ligands with an extended aromatic system were used to obtain cage compounds with a clearly determined geometry. Au(i) complexes have been fully characterised in solution using spectroscopy methods, and DFT optimisation of the molecular structure gives additional arguments in favour of the suggested structural patterns. All complexes obtained are luminescent in solution and in the solid state, and display multiple emissions with an unusual combination of two phosphorescence bands and one fluorescence band. DFT calculations show that multiple emissions were mainly determined by IL and metal perturbed IL transitions. The ratio of singlet and triplet emission components depends on the distance between the ligand chromophoric centre and Au(i).This research has been supported by grants of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research 16-33-60109, 14-03-00970 and the Russian Presidential scholarship SP-2534.2016.1. The financial support from the Academy of Finland (grant 268993, I. O. K.) is acknowledged. The work was carried out using equipment of the Analytical Centre for Nano- and Biotechnologies (Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University with financial support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation); and Centres for Magnetic Resonance, for Optical and Laser Materials Research, for Chemical Analysis and Materials Research, and Computer Centre (Research park of St Petersburg State University).Peer Reviewe