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

Consumption and exchange in Early Modern Cambodia: NAA of brown-glaze stoneware from Longvek, 15th-17th centuries

An evaluation of the geochemical characteristics of 102 storage jar sherds by k0-neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) from archaeological contexts in Cambodia and reference samples from stoneware production centres in Thailand provides a new perspective on regional and global trade in mainland Southeast Asia. Identification of seven geochemical groups enables distinctions between production centres, and articulation of their role in trade between northern and central Thailand, South China and Cambodia. Storage jars from Thailand and South China are known in archaeological contexts worldwide because of their durability and intrinsic functional and cultural values. Evidenced by a novel application of k0-NAA, analogous stoneware sherds at Longvek connect the Cambodian capital to a global trading network. Additional proof of ceramics from an undocumented Cambodian kiln demonstrates the gradual and complex transition between the Angkorian past and the Early Modern period

Gene discovery and Pre-breeding in cereals for broad resistance against insects adaptable to variable environments

Climate change is expected to cause drastic changes in the incidence of disease and pests throughout the world, also leading to the occurrence of highly variable insect pests. One approach to minimize the losses in crop yields due to highly variable insects is the introgression of multiple resistance genes into adapted crop cultivars. The objectives of the study are to: 1) Identify wheat and barley germplasm from around the world that are resistant to various Russian wheat aphid biotypes in various countries, 2) develop genomic tools for marker-assisted breeding, and 3) introgress multiple resistance genes into more adapted wheat and barley cultivar. We have evaluated more than 80 wheat lines and over 200 barley lines from various parts of the world against a number of RWA biotypes from USA, Mexico, Hungary, France, Chile and Iran. Wheat and barley lines with moderate to good levels of resistance were identified. Genetic analysis of lines has revealed significant diversity. With the use of Doubled-haploid and F2:3 populations we have mapped resistance genes from various sources on chromosomes 1DS and 7DS in wheat, and 1H, 2H, 3H and 7H in barley. Closely linked SSR and Diversity array technology (DArT) markers have been identified, and these markers offer opportunities for marker-assisted breeding. The presentation will also outline the strategies for introgressing multiple resistance genes to adapted wheat and barley cultivars that could have better potential for minimizing yield loses due to increased incidence of insects because of climate change

Safeguarding world wheat and barley production against Russian wheat aphid: An international germplasm evaluation and pre-breeding initiative

No abstract availabl