Comparative analysis of gut bacteria of silkworm Bombyx mori L. on exposure to temperature through 16S rRNA high throughput metagenomic sequencing.

Global warming is one of the serious threats that adversely affects the development and reproduction of silkworms. The ideal temperature for silkworms to carryout normal life activities is 20-30 °C. Certain bivoltine silkworms that are raised in tropical regions are thermotolerant. But, prolonged exposure to high temperatures may be fatal. In the present study, fifth instar larvae of bivoltine silkworm were exposed to heat shock at 40 ± 2 °C for a short period of one hour per day to examine the changes in the gut microflora. The study used high throughput sequencing to evaluate the impact of intestinal microbes of silkworms in response to high temperature. The findings demonstrated that elevated temperature has a negative impact on the intestinal microbes of silkworm compared to the control which were reared under the optimum temperature (25 ± 3° C). Four hundred and fifty eight (458) species of microbes were reported in the control group whereas only 434 species were reported in the temperature exposed group. The digestive process of silkworms may also be impaired by heat shock due to their effect on digestive enzymes. So, the results indicated that heat shock has an impact on the intestinal microflora of silkworms that control the activity of associated digestive enzymes which affects the digestion and nutritional intake, eventually impacting the growth and development of silkworm larvae and cocoons produced. The morphometric parameters of silkworm larvae and cocoons also showed a considerable drop when exposed to heat shock.

Combined (dual) drug therapy for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus: last approach prior to ligation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined (ibuprofen+paracetamol) medical therapy in cases of persistent haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus that are resistant to standard medical monotherapy (ibuprofen and/or paracetamol) in this retrospective multi-centre study. METHODS: The combined therapy included the administration of 15mg/kg/dose of paracetamol every 6 h for 3 days and ibuprofen at an initial dose of 10mg/kg/dose followed by 5 mg/kg/dose every 24 h. After 2 days following the administration of the last dose, the researchers evaluated the efficacy of combined treatment by conducting an echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: Of all 42 patients who received combined therapy, 37 (88.1%) patients exhibited closure of the haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus without requiring surgical ligation. Patients who did not respond to combined therapy had a higher mean birth weight and gestational age compared to those who responded (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The researchers believe the success of ibuprofen and paracetamol in haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus treatment may be due to their synergistic efficacy and inhibition of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway through different enzymes. The results of our retrospective trial suggest that combination therapy with paracetamol and ibuprofen can be attempted when monotherapy is unsuccessful in treating haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, especially in centres without a surgical department.

Levator ani avulsion: a Systematic evidence review (LASER).

BACKGROUND: There is variation in the reported incidence rates of levator avulsion (LA) and paucity of research into its risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence rate of LA by mode of birth, imaging modality, timing of diagnosis and laterality of avulsion. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and MIDIRS with no language restriction from inception to April 2019. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A study was included if LA was assessed by an imaging modality after the first vaginal birth or caesarean section. Case series and reports were not included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: RevMan v5.3 was used for the meta-analyses and SW SAS and STATISTICA packages were used for type and timing of imaging analyses. RESULTS: We included 37 primary non-randomised studies from 17 countries and involving 5594 women. Incidence rates of LA were 1, 15, 21, 38.5 and 52% following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum, spatula and forceps births, respectively, with no differences by imaging modality. Odds ratio of LA following spontaneous birth versus caesarean section was 10.69. The odds ratios for LA following vacuum and forceps compared with spontaneous birth were 1.66 and 6.32, respectively. LA was more likely to occur unilaterally than bilaterally following spontaneous (P < 0.0001) and vacuum-assisted (P = 0.0103) births but not forceps. Incidence was higher if assessment was performed in the first 4 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: LA incidence rates following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were comparable tools for LA diagnosis. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Levator avulsion incidence rates after caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively.

Vaginal birth after Cesarean section and levator ani avulsion: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the risk of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion and enlargement of the levator hiatus following vaginal birth after Cesarean section (VBAC) in comparison with vaginal delivery in primiparous women. METHODS: In this two-center observational case-control study, we identified all women who had a term VBAC for their second delivery at the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen and the 1st Faculty of Medicine in Prague, Charles University, Czech Republic, between 2012 and 2016. Women with a repeat VBAC, preterm birth or stillbirth were excluded from the study. As a control group, we enrolled a cohort of primiparous women who delivered vaginally during the study period. To increase our control sample, we also invited all primiparous women who delivered vaginally in both participating units between May and June 2019 to participate. All participants were invited for a four-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound scan to assess LAM trauma. LAM avulsion and the area of the levator hiatus were assessed offline from the stored pelvic floor volumes obtained at rest, during maximum contraction and during Valsalva maneuver. The laterality of the avulsion was also noted. The cohorts were then compared using the χ2 test and Wilcoxon's two-sample test according to the normality of the distribution. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Multivariate regression analysis, controlling for age and body mass index (BMI), was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 356 women had a VBAC for their second delivery during the study period. Of these, 152 (42.7%) attended the ultrasound examination and full data were available for statistical analysis for 141 women. The control group comprised 113 primiparous women. A significant difference was observed between the VBAC group and the control group in age (32.7 vs 30.1 years; P < 0.05), BMI (28.4 vs 27.4 kg/m2 ; P < 0.05) and duration of the first and second stages of labor (293.1 vs 345.9 min; P < 0.05 and 27.6 vs 35.3 min; P < 0.05, respectively) at the time of the index birth. The LAM avulsion rate was significantly higher in the VBAC compared with the control group (32.6% vs 18.6%; P = 0.01). The difference between the groups was observed predominantly in the rate of unilateral avulsion and remained significant after controlling for age and BMI (adjusted odds ratio 2.061 (95% CI, 1.103-3.852)). There was no statistically significant difference in the area of the levator hiatus at rest (12.0 vs 12.6 cm2 ; P = 0.28) or on maximum Valsalva maneuver (18.6 vs 18.7 cm2 ; P = 0.55) between the VBAC and control groups. The incidence of levator hiatal ballooning was comparable between the groups (17.7% and 18.6%; P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: VBAC is associated with a significantly higher rate of LAM avulsion than is vaginal birth in nulliparous women. The difference was significant even after controlling for age and BMI. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions to improve glycaemic control in children and adults with type 1 diabetes.

AIM: We conducted a systematic review aggregate and network meta-analysis of psychological interventions for people with type 1 diabetes to assess their effectiveness in improving glycaemic levels. METHODS: We searched the following databases from 1 January 2003 to 1 July 2018: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, Dissertation Abstract International. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) of psychological interventions for children and adults with type 1 diabetes reported in any language. We extracted data on publications, participant characteristics at baseline, intervention and control group, and data for the primary outcome, change in glycaemic control [HbA1c (mmol/mol/%)]. Study authors were contacted for missing data. The review was registered with international prospective register of systematic reviews registration (PROSPERO) CRD42016033619. RESULTS: Twenty-four adult RCTs and 23 of children with type 1 diabetes were included in the systematic review. In aggregate meta-analysis there was no overall effect of psychological intervention compared with control on HbA1c [adults, nine RCTs, n = 1102, pooled mean difference -0.12, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -0.27 to 0.03, I2 = 29.0%, P = 0.19; children, 20 RCTs, n = 2567, -0.09, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.04, I2 =54.0% P=0.002]. Network meta-analysis suggested that probability and rank-ordering of effectiveness is highest for attention control groups (b = -0.47, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.12) followed by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (-0.26, 95% CI -0.45 to -0.06) compared with usual care for adults. CONCLUSIONS: Overall psychological interventions for children and adults with type 1 diabetes do not improve glycaemic control. For adults, CBT-based interventions have the potential to be effective.

25 Years of psychological research investigating disordered eating in people with diabetes: what have we learnt?

Disordered eating is a serious and under-recognized problem in people with diabetes. This narrative review summarizes the research contributions made by psychological science over the past 25 years to the study of disordered eating in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and identifies gaps and future directions relevant to both healthcare professionals and researchers. Key focus areas of psychological research investigating disordered eating in people with diabetes have been: (1) defining and classifying types of disordered eating; (2) identifying demographic, diabetes-specific and psychosocial correlates of disordered eating, and developing theoretical models of disordered eating in people with type 1 diabetes; (3) identifying the physical and psychosocial consequences of disordered eating; and (4) developing screening measures to identify disordered eating in people with type 1 diabetes. Psychological science has made significant contributions over the past 25 years to our understanding of the nature of this problem and the multiple factors which may interrelate with disordered eating in people with diabetes. Key areas for further attention include: (1) a better definition of disordered eating subtypes in people with type 1 diabetes; (2) characterizing disordered eating in people with type 2 diabetes; and (3) developing multidisciplinary, evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions for comorbid disordered eating and diabetes.

A pilot study of an integrated mental health, social and medical model for diabetes care in an inner-city setting: Three Dimensions for Diabetes (3DFD).

AIMS: We examined the effectiveness of a service innovation, Three Dimensions for Diabetes (3DFD), that consisted of a referral to an integrated mental health, social care and diabetes treatment model, compared with usual care in improving biomedical and health economic outcomes. METHODS: Using a non-randomized control design, the 3DFD model was offered in two inner-city boroughs in London, UK, where diabetes health professionals could refer adult residents with diabetes, suboptimal glycaemic control [HbA1c ≥ 75 mmol/mol (≥ 9.0%)] and mental health and/or social problems. In the usual care group, there was no referral pathway and anonymized data on individuals with HbA1c ≥ 75 mmol/mol (≥ 9.0%) were collected from primary care records. Change in HbA1c from baseline to 12 months was the primary outcome, and change in healthcare costs and biomedical variables were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: 3DFD participants had worse glycaemic control and higher healthcare costs than control participants at baseline. 3DFD participants had greater improvement in glycaemic control compared with control participants [-14 mmol/mol (-1.3%) vs. -6 mmol/mol (-0.6%) respectively, P < 0.001], adjusted for confounding. Total follow-up healthcare costs remained higher in the 3DFD group compared with the control group (mean difference £1715, 95% confidence intervals 591 to 2811), adjusted for confounding. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £398 per mmol/mol unit decrease in HbA1c , indicating the 3DFD intervention was more effective and costed more than usual care. CONCLUSIONS: A biomedical, psychological and social criteria-based referral system for identifying and managing high-cost and high-risk individuals with poor glycaemic control can lead to improved health in all three dimensions.

Multidisciplinary healthcare teams' challenges and strategies in supporting people with type 1 diabetes to recover from disordered eating.

AIM: To examine the challenges healthcare teams face when treating people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating and the strategies these teams have developed to facilitate effective treatment. METHODS: Four semi-structured focus groups were conducted including two tertiary diabetes specialist teams and three tertiary eating disorders specialist teams between July and December 2018. Thematic analysis of the transcripts followed a six-phase process. RESULTS: Twenty-nine experienced healthcare professionals (16 diabetes and 13 eating disorder specialists, 16±12 years' professional experience) were interviewed. The challenges identified in treating people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating included subthemes the 'challenges specific to the healthcare professional' (feeling not competent enough and perceived emotional burden), 'challenges pertaining to patient factors' (e.g. difficulties with engaging in therapy) and 'challenges created by the healthcare system' (time pressure and staff shortage). Healthcare professionals expressed the need for a consensus on diagnosis and the definition of disordered eating in type 1 diabetes, as well as the need for training and educational resources specific to type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. Healthcare professionals gave practical examples of strategies of communication for better patient engagement and felt that multidisciplinary working in joint clinics with the other specialty were facilitators for recovery from disordered eating. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals require multidisciplinary team support when treating people with type 1 diabetes and to improve their own competencies. The development of effective screening and assessment tools, educational resources and training for healthcare professionals, and developing multidisciplinary treatment pathways will be key to improving outcomes for their service users with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating.

Is there an increased risk of perinatal mental disorder in women with gestational diabetes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: Gestational diabetes (GDM) and mental disorder are common perinatal morbidities and are associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes. While there is a relationship between type 2 diabetes and mental disorder, the relationship between GDM and mental disorder has been less studied. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of mental disorders in women with GDM and their risk for mental disorders compared with women without GDM. METHODS: Published, peer-reviewed literature measuring prevalence and/or odds of GDM and perinatal mental disorders was reviewed systematically. Risk of bias was assessed using a checklist. Two independent reviewers were involved. Analyses were grouped by stage of peripartum, i.e. antepartum at the time of GDM diagnosis and after diagnosis, and in the postpartum. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies were included. There was an increased risk of depressive symptoms in the antenatal period around the time of diagnosis of GDM [odds ratio (OR) 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42, 3.05] and in the postnatal period (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.26, 2.00). CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential relationship between GDM and perinatal mental disorders, integration of physical and mental healthcare in women experiencing GDM and mental disorders could improve short- and long-term outcomes for women and their children.

Phylo-comparative analyses reveal the dual role of drift and selection in reproductive character displacement.

When incipient species meet in secondary contact, natural selection can rapidly reduce costly reproductive interactions by directly targeting reproductive traits. This process, called reproductive character displacement (RCD), leaves a characteristic pattern of geographic variation where divergence of traits between species is greater in sympatry than allopatry. However, because other forces can also cause similar patterns, care must be given in separating pattern from process. Here we show how the phylo-comparative method together with genomic data can be used to evaluate evolutionary processes at the population level in closely related species. Using this framework, we test the role of RCD in speciation of two cricket species endemic to Anatolian mountains by quantifying patterns of character displacement, rates of evolution and adaptive divergence. Our results show differing patterns of character displacement between species for reproductive vs. non-reproductive characters and strong patterns of asymmetric divergence. We demonstrate diversification results from rapid divergence of reproductive traits towards multiple optima under the dual influence of strong drift and selection. These results present the first solid evidence for RCD in Anatolian mountains, quantify the amount of drift and selection necessary for RCD to lead to speciation, and demonstrate the utility of phylo-comparative methods for quantifying evolutionary parameters at the population level.

Learning about Type 1 diabetes and learning to live with it when diagnosed in adulthood: two distinct but inter-related psychological processes of adaptation A qualitative longitudinal study.

AIM: To explore the experiences of adults with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes in order to understand the adaptive processes that occur in the early phase of the condition. METHODS: We conducted longitudinal semi-structured interviews with 30 adults newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (age range 20-67 years; 16 men; median diabetes duration 23.5 months), recruited from hospitals in Denmark and the UK. The data were analysed using a narrative approach. RESULTS: The narratives could be grouped into three thematic areas: the diagnosis; learning about diabetes; and learning to live with diabetes. Diabetes was characterized as a major disruptor to the established and future life plans of participants, causing significant emotional distress. The narratives showed how early experiences triggered the development of ongoing psychological problems (fear of complications or hypoglycaemia) and diabetes distress, and that navigating different social scenarios (relationships and employment) could be challenging, leading to suboptimal self-management behaviours. The narratives also showed that health professionals often did not attend effectively to participants' emotional needs after diagnosis, and that the language used frequently triggered negative feelings, such as fear or a sense of failure. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the common psychosocial problems associated with Type 1 diabetes seem to gestate in the early phase of life with the condition. There appear to be opportunities to enhance the support provided in this phase to minimize these problems.

Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis and a brief history of brittle diabetes research: contemporary and past evidence in diabetic ketoacidosis research including mortality, mental health and prevention.

Pharmacological, technological and educational approaches have advanced the treatment of Type 1 diabetes in the last four decades and yet diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) continues to be a leading cause of admission in Type 1 diabetes. This article begins by reviewing the contemporary epidemiological evidence in DKA. It highlights a rise in DKA episodes in the last two decades, with DKA continuing to be the leading cause of death in young people with Type 1 diabetes, and that DKA episodes are a marker for subsequent all-cause mortality. It also summarizes the limited evidence base for DKA prevention and associations with psychopathology. To emphasize the importance of this group with high-risk Type 1 diabetes and the degree to which they have been overlooked in the past two decades, the article summarizes the research literature of recurrent DKA during 1976-1991 when it was extensively investigated as part of the phenomenon of 'brittle diabetes'. This period saw numerous basic science studies investigating the pathophysiology of recurrent DKA. Subsequently, research centres published their experiences of brittle diabetes research participants manipulating their treatment under research conditions. Unfortunately, the driver for this behaviour and whether it was indicative of other people with ketoacidosis was not pursued. In summary, we suggest there has been a stasis in the approach to recurrent DKA prevention, which is likely linked to historical cases of mass sabotage of brittle diabetes research. Further investigation is required to clarify possible psychological characteristics that increase the risk of DKA and thereby targets for DKA prevention.

A qualitative study exploring women's health behaviours after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes to inform the development of a diabetes prevention strategy.

AIM: To inform targeted interventions for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by exploring the factors that influence their health behaviours and their preferences for lifestyle support. METHODS: Participants were women with previous GDM taken from a diverse inner-city UK population. Data collection involved focus groups (n = 35 women in six groups) and semi-structured interviews (n = 15 women). The transcribed data were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Eight themes relating to factors influencing health behaviour were identified: psychological legacy of pregnancy, relationships with healthcare professionals, physical impacts of pregnancy, social support and cultural norms, life-scheduling, understanding and risk perception, appetite regulation, and prioritization of the baby. The women's recommendations for intervention components included addressing the emotional stress of pregnancy; conveying personalized risk in a motivational way, adopting a family-centered approach, focusing on women's health rather than just the infant's, and developing flexible interventions. These recommendations were used to construct a model integrating the behaviour-regulating factors with a suggested framework for intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified some common drivers that may regulate the health behaviours of women following GDM, and recognized some ways to improve care to impact on this. Interventions for diabetes prevention in this population need to address factors at both the individual and systemic levels.

Transforming mental well-being for people with diabetes: research recommendations from Diabetes UK's 2019 Diabetes and Mental Well-Being Workshop.

AIMS: To identify key gaps in the research evidence base that could help to improve the mental well-being of people with diabetes, and to provide recommendations to researchers and research funders on how best to address them. METHODS: A 2-day international research workshop was conducted, bringing together research experts in diabetes and in mental health, people living with diabetes and healthcare professionals. RESULTS: The following key areas needing increased financial investment in research were identified: understanding the mechanisms underlying depression; understanding the multifactorial impact of social stigma; improving the language used by healthcare professionals; supporting people who find it difficult to engage with their diabetes; supporting significant others; supporting people with diabetes and eating disorders; improving models of care by learning from best practice; the potential benefits of screening and managing diabetes distress in routine diabetes care pathways; primary prevention of mental health issues at the time of diagnosis of diabetes; establishing the effectiveness of diabetes therapies on mood and other mental health issues; and understanding the impact of current diabetes technologies on mental health. Research recommendations as to how to address each of these priority areas were also developed. CONCLUSIONS: This inaugural position statement outlines recommendations to address the urgent unmet need related to the mental well-being of people living with diabetes, and calls on the research community and funders to develop research programmes and strategies to reduce this need.

Depression and change in occupational functioning in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The effect of depression on both employment and productivity in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is poorly understood. AIMS: We tested whether depressive symptoms at diagnosis of T2D are associated with change in employment status and productivity over 2-year follow-up. METHODS: In a prospective analysis of working-age (18-63 years) people with newly diagnosed T2D recruited from primary care, we tested the association between depressive symptoms at diagnosis of T2D (baseline) and employment rates over 2 years. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, depressive symptoms were measured categorically (depression caseness score ≥10) and continuously. In those employed, we measured changes in presenteeism and absenteeism using the World Health Organization (WHO) Health and Work Performance Questionnaire in univariate and multivariate models, respectively, including and excluding part-time workers. RESULTS: Of 1202 people aged 18-63 at baseline, 982 (82%) provided employment information; the mean age was 50.3 (SD 8.1) years, 44% were female, 59% of non-white ethnicity and 16% had depression. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, diabetes control and depression treatment, depression caseness was associated with worsening unemployment over 2 years only in full-time workers (odds ratio 0.43 (95% CI 0.20, 0.96), P < 0.05). In those employed full-time or part-time, total depressive symptoms were associated with worsening presenteeism over 2 years after full adjustment (ß = -2.63 (95% CI -4.81, -0.45), P < 0.05), despite no association with worsening absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: In newly diagnosed T2D, depressive symptoms demonstrate an association with worsening employment rate and decline in work productivity over 2-year follow-up.

Best available science still supports an ancient common origin of Devils Hole and Devils Hole pupfish.

The age of DHP and how pupfish colonized Devils Hole have always been a topic of interest. Recently, two different publications (Martin, Crawford, Turner, & Simons, & Saglam et al., ) tackled this issue using genomic data sets and demographic models but came to widely different conclusions. In their comment, Martin and Höhne () argue that our results (Saglam et al., ) were misleading because we used inappropriate calibration information and biased a priori assumptions. They then re-analysed our data using a "biologically informed" mutation rate prior and concluded that our data support a much younger age of DHP (12.6 kya) as opposed to 60 kya reported in our study. Below we will summarize why their arguments do not hold up and explore some of the inconsistencies between their claims and what was actually presented in our study. Furthermore, we will demonstrate their re-analyses provide no new information compared to what was presented in our original manuscript and reinforce our estimate of a 60 kya divergence of DHP as outweighing competing hypotheses.

Royal College of Psychiatrists Liaison Faculty & Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS): guidelines for the management of diabetes in adults and children with psychiatric disorders in inpatient settings.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists Liaison Faculty & Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care guidelines for the management of diabetes in adults and children with psychiatric disorders in inpatient settings are available in full at: www.diabetes.org.uk/joint-british-diabetes-society and https://abcd.care/joint-british-diabetes-societies-jbds-inpatient-care-group. This article summarizes the guidelines and recommendations. Commissioners are urged to ensure that the needs of people with diabetes and severe mental illness are specifically addressed in contracts with providers of inpatient care, and to avoid financial or other barriers to cross-organizational working and to ensure that patient-structured education is commissioned to meets the complex needs of people with diabetes and severe mental illness. Acute trusts are asked to develop joint pathways with mental health providers and facilitate multidisciplinary working and to screen for mental ill health in those admitted with acute complications of diabetes whose aetiology is unclear or not medically explained. Mental health trusts should create a diabetes register, screen for diabetes, particularly in those prescribed second-generation antipsychotics and ensure that staff are trained in managing and avoiding hypoglycaemia, and the safe use of insulin. Finally, clinical teams should ensure that all staff can access training in diabetes and mental health to support them to care for people with both diabetes and severe mental illness, develop local pathways for joint working and ensure best practice tariff criteria are met for diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia, and for children and young people with diabetes.

'Diabulima' through the lens of social media: a qualitative review and analysis of online blogs by people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and eating disorders.

AIMS: To perform a qualitative review of online blogs authored by people self-identifying as having Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or 'diabulimia', a term used by people with Type 1 diabetes to describe an eating disorder that is characterized by deliberate restriction of insulin to control weight. METHODS: We conducted a structured qualitative review of online blogs published between 2012 and 2017 authored by people who report having Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or diabulimia. The subsequent thematic analysis followed a six-phase process and was conducted by two independent researchers. RESULTS: From 147 000 search results, 11 blogs (304 posts) matched criteria for further analyses. Three key themes and 18 subthemes emerged: 1) different aspects of bloggers' relationship with insulin, including motives for omitting insulin, secrecy of insulin omission and perception of control; 2) bloggers' experiences of diabetes complications, and diabetes ketoacidosis in particular, as well as their worries about future complications; 3) strategies for recovery and triggers for relapse, which involved diabetes self-management and setting up a support system. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative analyses of blogs authored by people with Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or diabulimia have identified high levels of diabetes distress and provided insight into different motives for insulin omission and strategies for recovery. Considering the limited evidence for effective interventions, these findings may help the development of complex interventions to improve biomedical and psychological outcomes in this group.

Healthcare professionals' views of group structured education for people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To determine healthcare professionals' (HCP) views of group structured education for people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to ascertain primary care HCPs' views and experiences of education for people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. A thematic framework method was applied to analyse the data. Participants were HCPs (N = 22) from 15 general practices in three south London boroughs. RESULTS: All but one HCP viewed diabetes education favourably and all identified that low attendance was a problem. Three key themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) benefits of diabetes education, including the group mode of delivery, improved patient interactions, saving HCPs' time and improved patient outcomes; (2) factors limiting uptake of education, including patient-level problems such as access and the appropriateness of the programme for certain groups, and difficulties communicating the benefits to patients and integration of education management plans into ongoing diabetes care; and (3) suggestions for improvement, including strategies to improve attendance at education with more localized and targeted marketing and enhanced programme content including follow-up sessions and support for people with pre-existing psychological issues. CONCLUSIONS: Most HCPs valued diabetes education and all highlighted the lack of provision for people with different levels of health literacy. Because there was wide variation in terms of the level of knowledge regarding the education on offer, future studies may want to focus on how to help HCPs encourage their patients to attend.