Physiologic insulin resensitization lowers cost in patients with diabetes and kidney disease.

Objective: To examine the effect of physiologic insulin resensitization (PIR) on the cost of treating patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study Design: The mean 1-year cost of treating 66 Medicare Advantage patients with diabetes and CKD who were receiving PIR was compared with that of treating 1301 Medicare Advantage patients with diabetes and CKD not receiving PIR. Differences in disease severity were compared using mean risk adjustment factor scores.

Synthetic extremophiles via species-specific formulations improve microbial therapeutics.

Microorganisms typically used to produce food and pharmaceuticals are now being explored as medicines and agricultural supplements. However, maintaining high viability from manufacturing until use remains an important challenge, requiring sophisticated cold chains and packaging. Here we report synthetic extremophiles of industrially relevant gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, Ensifer meliloti), gram-positive bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) and yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii).