Effect of Daily Glucose Fluctuation on Coronary Plaque Vulnerability in Patients Pre-Treated With Lipid-Lowering Therapy A Prospective Observational Study

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the effect of daily glucose fluctuation on coronary plaque properties in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) pre-treated with lipid-lowering therapy.BackgroundThere is growing evidence that glucose fluctuation, as a residual risk apart from dyslipidemia, is an important factor contributing to the development of CAD.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 70 consecutive CAD patients who were referred for percutaneous coronary intervention and whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was <120 mg/dl under statin treatment or <100 mg/dl without statins. Daily glucose fluctuation was analyzed by measuring the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE). The plaque properties in the culprit and nonculprit lesions were assessed by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound, and the volume percentage of necrotic core within the plaque (%NC) and the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 165 lesions were evaluated in 70 patients (40 diabetic and 30 nondiabetic patients). %NC was well correlated with MAGE (r = 0.490, p <0.001). A linear mixed effect model showed that MAGE had the strongest effect on %NC (coefficient β = 0.080 ± 0.020 [standard error], p < 0.001). The generalized linear mixed effect model revealed that MAGE was the only independent predictor of the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (odds ratio: 1.037; 95% confidence interval: 1.010 to 1.065; p = 0.007).ConclusionsDaily glucose fluctuation may have an effect on coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with CAD pre-treated with lipid-lowering therapy. Further investigations should address the rationale for the early detection and control of glucose fluctuation in the era of universal statin use for CAD patients

Prevention of hypoglycemia by intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring device combined with structured education in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus : A randomized, crossover trial

Aims: We conducted a randomized, crossover trial to compare intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) device with structured education (Intervention) to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (Control) in the reduction of time below range. Methods: This crossover trial involved 104 adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injections. Participants were randomly allocated to either sequence Intervention/Control or sequence Control/Intervention. During the Intervention period which lasted 84 days, participants used the first-generation FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA) and received structured education on how to prevent hypoglycemia based on the trend arrow and by frequent sensor scanning (≥10 times a day). Confirmatory SMBG was conducted before dosing insulin. The Control period lasted 84 days. The primary endpoint was the decrease in the time below range (TBR; <70 mg/dL). Results: The time below range was significantly reduced in the Intervention arm compared to the Control arm (2.42 ± 1.68 h/day [10.1 %±7.0 %] vs 3.10 ± 2.28 h/day [12.9 %±9.5 %], P = 0.012). The ratio of high-risk participants with low blood glucose index >5 was significantly reduced (8.6 % vs 23.7 %, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of isCGM combined with structured education significantly reduced the time below range in patients with T1DM

Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?

Correction: Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Article Number: 44 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00351-w Published: OCT 26 2020Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.Peer reviewe

Bulbil Formation on Water Yam (<i>Dioscorea alata</i> L.) Is Promoted by Waterlogged Soil

The formation of bulbils, which are storage organs, is an important agronomic trait and a unique morphological feature in the vegetative reproduction of yam. We found a landrace of water yam (Dioscorea alata L.), which rarely forms bulbils, that produces bulbils during periods of high rainfall. We investigated the physiological mechanism of bulbil formation in response to over-moist soil and relevant factors at the single plant level. Waterlogging (WL) treatment markedly increased the number of bulbils initiated, predominantly toward the upper nodes. This formed-bulbil was an accessory bud developed as a storage organ in leaf axils. Photosynthetic capacity decreased under WL, attributed to stress-induced stomatal closure. WL stress also reduced dry matter partitioning to the belowground organs. During tuber enlargement in WL plants, photosynthetic products accumulated in the aboveground organs and were transported to the bulbils as a result of reduced translocation to belowground organs. We investigated the effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on bulbil formation on the basis of changes in the sink–source balance in response to WL stress. ABA treatment of leaf axils enhanced bulbil formation in unstressed plants, suggesting that increased ABA is one of the factors that initiate bulbils. Our study shows that bulbil initiation occurs as a result of changes in physiological conditions in response to WL stress. This finding may provide fundamental information for the control of bulbil production. This response of bulbil formation, as an environmentally adaptive trait of the tropical water yam, may underlie the survival strategy of vegetatively propagated plants

Effects of light quality on pod elongation in soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr.) and cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp.)

<p>Soybean pods are located at the nodes, where they are in the shadow, whereas cowpea pods are located outside of the leaves and are exposed to sunlight. To compare the effects of light quality on pod growth in soybean and cowpea, we measured the length of pods treated with white, blue, red or far-red light. In both species, pods elongated faster during the dark period than during the light period in all light treatments except red light treatment in cowpea. Red light significantly suppressed pod elongation in soybean during the dark and light periods. On the other hand, the elongation of cowpea pods treated with red light markedly promoted during the light period. These results suggested that the difference in the pod set sites between soybean and cowpea might account for the difference in their red light responses for pod growth.</p