Metformin in the prevention of type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes in postnatal women (OMAhA): a UK multicentre randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind feasibility trial with nested qualitative study.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a definitive trial of metformin to prevent type 2 diabetes in the postnatal period in women with gestational diabetes.

Design: A multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomised feasibility trial with qualitative evaluation.

Setting: Three inner-city UK National Health Service hospitals in London.

Myo-inositol nutritional supplement for prevention of gestational diabetes (EMmY): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial with nested qualitative study.

Objectives: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised trial on the effects of myo-inositol in preventing gestational diabetes in high-risk pregnant women.

Design: A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot randomised trial with nested qualitative evaluation.

Setting: Five inner city UK National Health Service hospitals PARTICIPANTS: Multiethnic pregnant women at 12 and 15 weeks' gestation with risk factors for gestational diabetes.

Effectiveness and acceptability of metformin in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes in postnatal women: a protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind feasibility trial—Optimising health outcomes with Metformin to prevent diAbetes After pregnancy (OMAhA).

Introduction: Up to half of all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years after delivery. Metformin is effective in preventing type 2 diabetes in high-risk non-pregnant individuals, but its effect when commenced in the postnatal period is not known. We plan to assess the feasibility of evaluating metformin versus placebo in minimising the risk of dysglycaemia including type 2 diabetes after delivery in postnatal women with a history of gestational diabetes through a randomised trial.

Effectiveness and acceptability of -inositol nutritional supplement in the prevention of gestational diabetes (EMmY): a protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes increases maternal and offspring complications in pregnancy and cardiovascular complications in the long term. The nutritional supplement -inositol may prevent gestational diabetes; however, further evaluation is required, especially in multiethnic high-risk mothers. Our pilot trial on -inositol to prevent gestational diabetes will evaluate trial processes, assess acceptability to mothers and obtain preliminary estimates of effect and cost data prior to a large full-scale trial.

Tissue stiffening promotes keratinocyte proliferation through activation of epidermal growth factor signaling.

Tissue biomechanics regulate a wide range of cellular functions, but the influences on epidermal homeostasis and repair remain unclear. Here, we examined the role of extracellular matrix stiffness on human keratinocyte behavior using elastomeric substrates with defined mechanical properties. Increased matrix stiffness beyond normal physiologic levels promoted keratinocyte proliferation but did not alter the ability to self-renew or terminally differentiate.

Type VI Collagen Regulates Dermal Matrix Assembly and Fibroblast Motility.

Type VI collagen is a nonfibrillar collagen expressed in many connective tissues and implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. We hypothesized that type VI collagen regulates matrix assembly and cell function within the dermis of the skin. In the present study we examined the expression pattern of type VI collagen in normal and wounded skin and investigated its specific function in new matrix deposition by human dermal fibroblasts.

Differential regulation of elastic fiber formation by fibulin-4 and -5.

Fibulin-4 and -5 are extracellular glycoproteins with essential non-compensatory roles in elastic fiber assembly. We have determined how they interact with tropoelastin, lysyl oxidase, and fibrillin-1, thereby revealing how they differentially regulate assembly. Strong binding between fibulin-4 and lysyl oxidase enhanced the interaction of fibulin-4 with tropoelastin, forming ternary complexes that may direct elastin cross-linking.