Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events

The role of open-air inhalatoria in the air quality improvement in spa towns

Objectives: The present study was aimed at evaluating microbiological contamination of air in Ciechocinek and Ino­wro­cław – Polish lowland spa towns. Additionally, the impact of open-air inhalatoria on the quality of air was evaluated. Material and Methods: Air samples were collected seasonally in the urban areas, in the recreation areas and in the vicinity of inhalatoria in both towns using impaction. The numbers of mesophilic bacteria, staphylococci, hemolytic bacteria and actinomycetes were determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/02. The number of moulds was determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/03. Results: While the highest numbers of microorganisms were noted at the sites located in the urban areas, the lowest numbers were noted in the vicinity of the open-air inhalatoria. In all the investigated air samples the values of bioaerosol concentrations were below the recommended TLVs (≤ 5000 CFU×m–3 for both bacteria and fungi in outdoor environments). Location of the sampling site was invariably a decisive factor in determining the number of microorganisms in the air. Conclusions: The aerosol which is formed in the open-air inhalatoria has a positive influence on microbiological air quality. Owing to a unique microclimate and low air contamination, Ciechocinek and Inowrocław comply with all necessary requirements set for health resorts specializing in treating upper respiratory tract infections

Effect of calcium carbide modification on the mechanical properties of BA 1044 bronze

Badano wpływ przesycania z chłodzeniem mikrostrumieniowym w czasie przesycania oraz modyfikowania C + Ca i CaC2 stopu BA1044 w stanie lanym, przesycanym i ulepszanym cieplnie. Modyfikowanie oraz przesycanie są wyraźnie korzystne w stanie ulepszonym cieplnie dla Rp0,2. Wyżarzanie wysokotemperaturowe pozwala na uzyskanie wyższych wła- ściwości plastycznych, a nisokotemperaturowe wyższych właściwości wytrzymałościowych.The effect of solution heat treatment with jet cooling and modification with C + Ca and CaC2 on the behaviour of BA1044 alloy in as-cast state, and after solution heat treatment and toughening was examined. The microjet modification and solution heat treatment are clearly beneficial for the Rp0,2 in quenched and tempered state. High-temperature annealing enables obtaining higher plastic properties, while low-temperature annealing improves the mechanical properties

The effect of toughening combined with microjet cooling during quenching (solution heat treatment) of calcium carbide-modified CuAl10Fe4Ni4 alloy on its mechanical properties

The work presents the results of the experimental research concerning the impact of a heat treatment (toughening) of aluminum bronze CuAl10Fe4Ni4 on its mechanical properties. The conditions of the experiments and selected results are described. A detailed description of the effects of individual heat treatment conditions namely low and high temperature aging is also presented in the work

The Effect of Toughening Combined with Microjet Cooling During Quenching (Solution Heat Treatment) of Calcium Carbide-Modified CuAl10Fe4Ni4 Alloy on its Mechanical Properties

The work presents the results of the experimental research concerning the impact of a heat treatment (toughening) of aluminum bronze CuAl10Fe4Ni4 on its mechanical properties. The conditions of the experiments and selected results are described. A detailed description of the effects of individual heat treatment conditions namely low and high temperature aging is also presented in the work

Modeling the Impact of Silicon-Carbide Nanotube on the Phospholipid Bilayer Membrane: Study of Nanoindentation and Removal Processes via Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The molecular dynamics simulation technique was extensively used to explore systematically the nanoindentation of a phospholipid bilayer by a silicon-carbide nanotube. Three different indentation speeds were examined. In addition, the process of removal of the silicon-carbide nanotube from the membrane was investigated. Throughout the simulation, the mean force, work, and deflection of the bilayer were estimated and analyzed for both processes. It is found that the silicon-carbide nanotube does not destroy the phospholipid bilayer, and the self-sealing process is quite effective when the removal process is completed. Our study suggests that the silicon-carbide nanotube might be considered as a potential tool to deliver specific molecular cargo to the cells and to work as an artificial trans-membrane channel between the interior of the cell and the external environment. © Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society