Role for DPP4 inhibitor therapy in cystic fibrosis related diabetes: A single centre experience.

Introduction: Insulin remains the only recommended medical treatment for cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) Whilst there is an established role for orally bioavailable incretin mimetic agents such as the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4-I) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus, there exists little data on their utility in CFRD.

Aim: To examine the use of DPP4-I therapy in patients with CFRD at a single large adult cystic fibrosis center.

Method: People with CFRD prescribed a DPP4-I were identified from our specialist CFRD clinic and records were retrospectively examined for indication for therapy, tolerability and effectiveness.

Exploiting breakdown in nonhost effector-target interactions to boost host disease resistance.

Plants are resistant to most microbial species due to nonhost resistance (NHR), providing broad-spectrum and durable immunity. However, the molecular components contributing to NHR are poorly characterised. We address the question of whether failure of pathogen effectors to manipulate nonhost plants plays a critical role in NHR.

Time-series transcriptomics reveals a BBX32-directed control of acclimation to high light in mature Arabidopsis leaves.

The photosynthetic capacity of mature leaves increases after several days' exposure to constant or intermittent episodes of high light (HL) and is manifested primarily as changes in chloroplast physiology. How this chloroplast-level acclimation to HL is initiated and controlled is unknown. From expanded Arabidopsis leaves, we determined HL-dependent changes in transcript abundance of 3844 genes in a 0-6 h time-series transcriptomics experiment.

Widespread premature transcription termination of NLR genes by the spen protein FPA.

Genes involved in disease resistance are some of the fastest evolving and most diverse components of genomes. Large numbers of nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes are found in plant genomes and are required for disease resistance. However, NLRs can trigger autoimmunity, disrupt beneficial microbiota or reduce fitness.

The Effect of a Quality Improvement Intervention on Sleep and Delirium in Critically Ill Patients in a Surgical ICU.

Background: Delirium is a deleterious condition affecting up to 60% of patients in the surgical ICU (SICU). Few SICU-focused delirium interventions have been implemented, including those addressing sleep-wake disruption, a modifiable delirium risk factor common in critically ill patients.

Research Question: What is the effect on delirium and sleep quality of a multicomponent nonpharmacologic intervention aimed at improving sleep-wake disruption in patients in the SICU setting?

Study Design And Methods: Using a staggered pre-post design, we implemented a quality improvement intervention in two SICUs (general surgery or trauma and cardiovascular) in an academic medical center.