Anti-interleukin-21 antibody and liraglutide for the preservation of β-cell function in adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Type 1 diabetes is characterised by progressive loss of functional β-cell mass, necessitating insulin treatment. We aimed to investigate the hypothesis that combining anti-interleukin (IL)-21 antibody (for low-grade and transient immunomodulation) with liraglutide (to improve β-cell function) could enable β-cell survival with a reduced risk of complications compared with traditional immunomodulation.

Methods: This randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-dummy, double-blind, phase 2 trial was done at 94 sites (university hospitals and medical centres) in 17 countries.

Steady state is reached within 2-3 days of once-daily administration of degludec, a basal insulin with an ultralong duration of action.

Background: Various factors influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of insulin analogs. The aim of the present study was to determine time to steady state of insulin degludec (IDeg), a basal insulin analog with an ultralong duration of action, after once-daily subcutaneous administration in subjects of varying age, diabetes type, and ethnicity.

Methods: Time to steady state was analyzed in 195 subjects across five Phase I randomized single-center double-blind studies: three in subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), including one in elderly subjects, and two in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), including one with African American and Hispanic/Latino subpopulations.

Associations between COX-2 polymorphisms, blood cholesterol and risk of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The use of specific COX-2 inhibitors in cancer prevention has been associated with higher risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate if the polymorphisms COX2 T8473C (rs5275), and COX2 A-1195G (rs689466), which modify the enzyme levels of COX-2, were associated with risk of ACS and if alcohol intake, smoking, and use of NSAID would modify the associations. We also wanted to investigate associations with blood lipid levels.

PPARgamma Pro12Ala polymorphism and risk of acute coronary syndrome in a prospective study of Danes.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) plays a key role in the regulation of the energy balance, adipocyte differentiation and lipid biosynthesis. The aim was to investigate if the polymorphism PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala, which encodes a less efficient transcription factor, was associated with risk of acute coronary disease and if there were interactions between this polymorphism and factors that modify PPARgamma activity, such as alcohol intake, smoking, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine.

Comparison of coagulant activity of factor VII and activated factor VII activity assays when used for determination of recombinant activated factor VII levels in plasma.

Two assays [coagulant activity of factor VII (FVII:C) and activated factor VII (FVIIa) activity] are currently available for the assessment of factor VII and FVIIa pharmacokinetics. This article presents the results of a comparison of the two assays when applied both in vitro as well as during clinical pharmacokinetic trials of recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa) administered to healthy individuals and haemophilia patients. The in-vitro data showed that, for the FVII:C assay, plasma samples do not dilute in parallel.

Mental vulnerability as a predictor of early mortality.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that mental vulnerability (ie, a tendency to experience psychosomatic symptoms or inadequate interpersonal interactions) is associated with various diseases. The objective of our study is to evaluate whether mental vulnerability is a risk factor for early mortality.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3 random samples of the population in Copenhagen County, Denmark selected in 1976, 1982-1984, and 1991 (n = 6435).