ROUTE-T1D: A behavioral intervention to promote optimal continuous glucose monitor use among racially minoritized youth with type 1 diabetes: Design and development.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes management is often challenging during adolescence, and many youth with type 1 diabetes struggle with sustained and optimal continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use. Due to racial oppression and racially discriminatory policies leading to inequitable access to quality healthcare and life necessities, racially minoritized youth are significantly less likely to use CGM. METHODS: ROUTE-T1D: Research on Optimizing the Use of Technology with Education is a pilot behavioral intervention designed to promote optimal CGM use among racially minoritized youth with type 1 diabetes. Intervention strategies include problem solving CGM challenges and promoting positive caregiver-youth communication related to CGM data. RESULTS: This randomized waitlist intervention provides participants with access to three telemedicine sessions with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. Caregiver participants are also connected with a peer-parent coach. CONCLUSION: Hypothesized findings and anticipated challenges are discussed. Future directions regarding sustaining and optimizing the use of diabetes technology among racially minoritized pediatric populations are reviewed.

Synthesis of easily-modified and useful dibenzo-[b,d]azepines by palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization/addition with a green solvent.

A novel strategy in which palladium(II)-catalyzed tandem cyclization is used to obtain N-heterocyclic architectures containing a seven-membered ring has been developed and used to synthesize a series of derivatives. The reaction uses an eco-friendly mixed solvent (water : EtOH = 2 : 1) instead of DMSO and maintains a high yield (91%). Its potential application value and reaction mechanism have also been explored.

Development of a New Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Radioligand Targeting RIPK1 in the Brain and Characterization in Alzheimer's Disease.

Targeting receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as a promising therapeutic stratagem for neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). A positron emission tomography (PET) probe enabling brain RIPK1 imaging can provide a powerful tool to unveil the neuropathology associated with RIPK1. Herein, the development of a new PET radioligand, [11C]CNY-10 is reported, which may enable brain RIPK1 imaging. [11C]CNY-10 is radiosynthesized with a high radiochemical yield (41.8%) and molar activity (305 GBq/µmol). [11C]CNY-10 is characterized by PET imaging in rodents and a non-human primate, demonstrating good brain penetration, binding specificity, and a suitable clearance kinetic profile. It is performed autoradiography of [11C]CNY-10 in human AD and healthy control postmortem brain tissues, which shows strong radiosignal in AD brains higher than healthy controls. Subsequently, it is conducted further characterization of RIPK1 in AD using [11C]CNY-10-based PET studies in combination with immunohistochemistry leveraging the 5xFAD mouse model. It is found that AD mice revealed RIPK1 brain signal significantly higher than WT control mice and that RIPK1 is closely related to amyloid plaques in the brain. The studies enable further translational studies of [11C]CNY-10 for AD and potentially other RIPK1-related human studies.

Toward AI-driven neuroepigenetic imaging biomarker for alcohol use disorder: A proof-of-concept study.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a disorder of clinical and public health significance requiring novel and improved therapeutic solutions. Both environmental and genetic factors play a significant role in its pathophysiology. However, the underlying epigenetic molecular mechanisms that link the gene-environment interaction in AUD remain largely unknown. In this proof-of-concept study, we showed, for the first time, the neuroepigenetic biomarker capability of non-invasive imaging of class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) epigenetic enzymes in the in vivo brain for classifying AUD patients from healthy controls using a machine learning approach in the context of precision diagnosis. Eleven AUD patients and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls completed a simultaneous positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance (PET/MR) scan with the HDAC-binding radiotracer [11C]Martinostat. Our results showed lower HDAC expression in the anterior cingulate region in AUD. Furthermore, by applying a genetic algorithm feature selection, we identified five particular brain regions whose combined [11C]Martinostat relative standard uptake value (SUVR) features could reliably classify AUD vs. controls. We validate their promising classification reliability using a support vector machine classifier. These findings inform the potential of in vivo HDAC imaging biomarkers coupled with machine learning tools in the objective diagnosis and molecular translation of AUD that could complement the current diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)-based intervention to propel precision medicine forward.

Effects of Low-Calorie Sweetener Restriction on Glycemic Variability and Cardiometabolic Health in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Findings of a Pilot and Feasibility Study.

Low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) are commonly consumed by children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet their role in cardiometabolic health is unclear. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of 12 weeks of LCS restriction among children with T1D. Children (n = 31) with T1D completed a two-week run-in (n = 28) and were randomly assigned to avoid LCS (LCS restriction, n = 15) or continue their usual LCS intake (n = 13). Feasibility was assessed using recruitment, retention, and adherence rates percentages. Acceptability was assessed through parents completing a qualitative interview (subset, n = 15) and a satisfaction survey at follow-up. Preliminary outcomes were between-group differences in change in average daily time-in-range (TIR) over 12 weeks (primary), and other measures of glycemic variability, lipids, inflammatory biomarkers, visceral adiposity, and dietary intake (secondary). Linear regression, unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, race, and change in BMI, was used to compare mean changes in all outcomes between groups. LCS restriction was feasible and acceptable. No between-group differences in change in TIR or other measures of glycemic variability were observed. However, significant decreases in TNF-alpha (-0.23 ± 0.08 pg/mL) and improvements in cholesterol (-0.31 ± 0.18 mmol/L) and LDL (-0.60 ± 0.39 mmol/L) were observed with usual LCS intake, compared with LCS restriction. Those randomized to LCS restriction did not report increases in total or added sugar intake, and lower energy intake was reported in both groups (-190.8 ± 106.40 kcal LCS restriction, -245.3 ± 112.90 kcal usual LCS intake group). Decreases in percent energy from carbohydrates (-8.5 ± 2.61) and increases in percent energy from protein (3.2 ± 1.16) and fat (5.2 ± 2.02) were reported with usual LCS intake compared with LCS restriction. Twelve weeks of LCS restriction did not compromise glycemic variability or cardiometabolic outcomes in this small sample of youth with T1D. Further examination of LCS restriction among children with T1D is warranted.