Synthesis and properties of free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon.

Bulk amorphous materials have been studied extensively and are widely used, yet their atomic arrangement remains an open issue. Although they are generally believed to be Zachariasen continuous random networks1, recent experimental evidence favours the competing crystallite model in the case of amorphous silicon2-4. In two-dimensional materials, however,  the corresponding questions remain unanswered. Here we report the synthesis, by laser-assisted chemical vapour deposition5, of centimetre-scale, free-standing, continuous and stable monolayer amorphous carbon, topologically distinct from disordered graphene. Unlike in bulk materials, the structure of monolayer amorphous carbon can be determined by atomic-resolution imaging. Extensive characterization by Raman and X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveals the complete absence of long-range periodicity and a threefold-coordinated structure with a wide distribution of bond lengths, bond angles, and five-, six-, seven- and eight-member rings. The ring distribution is not a Zachariasen continuous random network, but resembles the competing (nano)crystallite model6. We construct a corresponding model that enables density-functional-theory calculations of the properties of monolayer amorphous carbon, in accordance with observations. Direct measurements confirm that it is insulating, with resistivity values similar to those of boron nitride grown by chemical vapour deposition. Free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon is surprisingly stable and deforms to a high breaking strength, without crack propagation from the point of fracture. The excellent physical properties of this stable, free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon could prove useful for permeation and diffusion barriers in applications such as magnetic recording devices and flexible electronics.

Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty.

This study explores how researchers' analytical choices affect the reliability of scientific findings. Most discussions of reliability problems in science focus on systematic biases. We broaden the lens to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of conscious and unconscious decisions that researchers make during data analysis. We coordinated 161 researchers in 73 research teams and observed their research decisions as they used the same data to independently test the same prominent social science hypothesis: that greater immigration reduces support for social policies among the public. In this typical case of social science research, research teams reported both widely diverging numerical findings and substantive conclusions despite identical start conditions. Researchers' expertise, prior beliefs, and expectations barely predict the wide variation in research outcomes. More than 95% of the total variance in numerical results remains unexplained even after qualitative coding of all identifiable decisions in each team's workflow. This reveals a universe of uncertainty that remains hidden when considering a single study in isolation. The idiosyncratic nature of how researchers' results and conclusions varied is a previously underappreciated explanation for why many scientific hypotheses remain contested. These results call for greater epistemic humility and clarity in reporting scientific findings.

Amiloride Reduces Urokinase/Plasminogen-Driven Intratubular Complement Activation in Glomerular Proteinuria.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Proteinuria predicts accelerated decline in kidney function in CKD. The pathologic mechanisms are not well known, but aberrantly filtered proteins with enzymatic activity might be involved. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-plasminogen cascade activates complement and generates C3a and C5a in vitro / ex vivo in urine from healthy persons when exogenous, inactive, plasminogen, and complement factors are added. Amiloride inhibits uPA and attenuates complement activation in vitro and in vivo . In conditional podocin knockout (KO) mice with severe proteinuria, blocking of uPA with monoclonal antibodies significantly reduces the urine excretion of C3a and C5a and lowers tissue NLRP3-inflammasome protein without major changes in early fibrosis markers. This mechanism provides a link to proinflammatory signaling in proteinuria with possible long-term consequences for kidney function. BACKGROUND: Persistent proteinuria is associated with tubular interstitial inflammation and predicts progressive kidney injury. In proteinuria, plasminogen is aberrantly filtered and activated by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), which promotes kidney fibrosis. We hypothesized that plasmin activates filtered complement factors C3 and C5 directly in tubular fluid, generating anaphylatoxins, and that this is attenuated by amiloride, an off-target uPA inhibitor. METHODS: Purified C3, C5, plasminogen, urokinase, and urine from healthy humans were used for in vitro / ex vivo studies. Complement activation was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and ELISA. Urine and plasma from patients with diabetic nephropathy treated with high-dose amiloride and from mice with proteinuria (podocin knockout [KO]) treated with amiloride or inhibitory anti-uPA antibodies were analyzed. RESULTS: The combination of uPA and plasminogen generated anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a from intact C3 and C5 and was inhibited by amiloride. Addition of exogenous plasminogen was sufficient for urine from healthy humans to activate complement. Conditional podocin KO in mice led to severe proteinuria and C3a and C5a urine excretion, which was attenuated reversibly by amiloride treatment for 4 days and reduced by >50% by inhibitory anti-uPA antibodies without altering proteinuria. NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3-inflammasome protein was reduced with no concomitant effect on fibrosis. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, amiloride reduced urinary excretion of C3dg and sC5b-9 significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In conditions with proteinuria, uPA-plasmin generates anaphylatoxins in tubular fluid and promotes downstream complement activation sensitive to amiloride. This mechanism links proteinuria to intratubular proinflammatory signaling. In perspective, amiloride could exert reno-protective effects beyond natriuresis and BP reduction. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: Increased Activity of a Renal Salt Transporter (ENaC) in Diabetic Kidney Disease, NCT01918488 and Increased Activity of ENaC in Proteinuric Kidney Transplant Recipients, NCT03036748 .

Metabolic effect of adrenaline infusion in people with type 1 diabetes and healthy individuals.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: As a result of early loss of the glucagon response, adrenaline is the primary counter-regulatory hormone in type 1 diabetes. Diminished adrenaline responses to hypoglycaemia due to counter-regulatory failure are common in type 1 diabetes, and are probably induced by exposure to recurrent hypoglycaemia, however, the metabolic effects of adrenaline have received less research attention, and also there is conflicting evidence regarding adrenaline sensitivity in type 1 diabetes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the metabolic response to adrenaline and explore whether it is modified by prior exposure to hypoglycaemia. METHODS: Eighteen participants with type 1 diabetes and nine healthy participants underwent a three-step ascending adrenaline infusion during a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp. Continuous glucose monitoring data obtained during the week before the study day were used to assess the extent of hypoglycaemia exposure. RESULTS: While glucose responses during the clamp were similar between people with type 1 diabetes and healthy participants, plasma concentrations of NEFAs and glycerol only increased in the group with type 1 diabetes (p<0.001). Metabolomics revealed an increase in the most common NEFAs (p<0.01). Other metabolic responses were generally similar between participants with type 1 diabetes and healthy participants. Exposure to hypoglycaemia was negatively associated with the NEFA response; however, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In conclusion, individuals with type 1 diabetes respond with increased lipolysis to adrenaline compared with healthy participants by mobilising the abundant NEFAs in plasma, whereas other metabolic responses were similar. This may suggest that the metabolic sensitivity to adrenaline is altered in a pathway-specific manner in type 1 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05095259.

Amiloride lowers plasma TNF and interleukin-6 but not interleukin-17A in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Interleukin (IL)-17A contributes to hypertension in preclinical models. T helper 17 and dendritic cells are activated by NaCl, which could involve the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). We hypothesized that the ENaC blocker amiloride reduces plasma IL-17A and related cytokines in patients with hypertension. Concentrations of IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF, IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-10 were determined by immunoassays in plasma from two patient cohorts before and after amiloride treatment: 1) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and treatment-resistant hypertension (n = 69, amiloride 5-10 mg/day for 8 wk) and 2) patients with hypertension and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (n = 29) on standardized salt intake (amiloride 20-40 mg/day, 2 days). Plasma and tissue from ANG II-hypertensive mice with T1DM treated with amiloride (2 mg/kg/day, 4 days) were analyzed. The effect of amiloride and benzamil on macrophage cytokines was determined in vitro. Plasma cytokines showed higher concentrations (IL-17A ∼40-fold) in patients with T2DM compared with T1DM. In patients with T2DM, amiloride had no effect on IL-17A but lowered TNF and IL-6. In patients with T1DM, amiloride had no effect on IL-17A but increased TNF. In both cohorts, blood pressure decline and plasma K+ increase did not relate to plasma cytokine changes. In mice, amiloride exerted no effect on IL-17A in the plasma, kidney, aorta, or left cardiac ventricle but increased TNF in cardiac and kidney tissues. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages, amiloride and benzamil (from 1 nmol/L) decreased TNF, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1ß. In conclusion, inhibition of ENaC by amiloride reduces proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 but not IL-17A in patients with T2DM, potentially by a direct action on macrophages.NEW & NOTEWORTHY ENaC activity may contribute to macrophage-derived cytokine release, since amiloride exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppression of TNF and IL-6 cytokines in patients with resistant hypertension and type 2 diabetes and in THP-1-derived macrophages in vitro.

The impact of upper extremity impairments on work and everyday life of people with type 1 diabetes-A nationwide controlled study.

AIMS: The study objective was to explore how upper extremity impairments (UEIs) affect the everyday life and work-life of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to compare them to a control group without T1D to determine if there are diabetes-specific consequences of UEIs. METHODS: In a controlled cross-sectional study, a survey was distributed across all regions of Denmark. A total of 2174 people with T1D and 827 controls were included in the study population. The survey addressed UEI symptoms, employment status, functional disability, mental well-being and diabetes distress. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic and linear regression. RESULTS: Upper extremity impairments were associated with a higher rate of work absence and modification, but no more so for people with T1D than for the control group. Among people with T1D, UEIs were significantly associated with worse mental well-being and diabetes distress, and across all outcomes including functional disability, additive effects were found with an increasing number of coexisting impairments. The impact of UEIs on functional disability was more severe for the T1D group than the control group, but this was primarily due to differences in the number of coexisting impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity impairments have significant negative implications for the work-life and everyday life of people with T1D, and interventions to reduce UEIs and their impact among this group are highly relevant.

Offshore produced water treatment by a biofilm reactor on the seabed: The effect of temperature and matrix characteristics.

In many industrial processes a large amount of water with high salinity is co-produced whose treatment poses considerable challenges to the available technologies. The produced water (PW) from offshore operations is currently being discharged to sea without treatment for dissolved pollutants due to space limitations. A biofilter on the seabed adjacent to a production platform would negate all size restrictions, thus reducing the environmental impact of oil and gas production offshore. The moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was investigated for PW treatment from different oilfields in the North Sea at 10 °C and 40 °C, corresponding to the sea and PW temperature, respectively. The six PW samples in study were characterized by high salinity and chemical oxygen demand with ecotoxic effects on marine algae S. pseudocostatum (0.4%

Associations between insulin pump self-management and HbA1c in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Insulin pump self-management is important for glycaemic outcomes. We aimed to investigate associations between self-management factors and HbA1c. METHODS: Adult insulin pump users with type 1 diabetes (n = 770) completed an online questionnaire. The latest HbA1c and demographics were extracted from national registries. Associations between HbA1c and self-management (use of advanced features, timing of infusion set change, timing of meal bolus, data-upload and pump settings adjustments) were investigated using backward selected linear regression models. RESULTS: Of the 699 responders eligible for this study, 60% were women; the median age and diabetes duration were 49 and 25 years, respectively. Significant associations with HbA1c were found for changing infusion set every 0-4 days relative to 5-10 days (-5 mmol/mol (-0.4%), p = 0.003), and for never/rarely missing a bolus (-6 mmol/mol (-0.5%), p < 0.001) relative to often missing a bolus. Timing insulin 10-15 min before meal relative to after meal start was also associated with lower HbA1c (-3 mmol/mol (-0.3%), p = 0.023). Self-adjusting pump settings showed the strongest association with lower HbA1c (-6 mmol/mol (-0.6%), p < 0.001) relative to health care professionals doing all adjustments. CONCLUSION: Self-adjusting insulin pump settings, optimal timing and few omissions of meal boluses, and timely change of infusion set are associated with lower HbA1c.

Effect of insulin degludec versus insulin glargine U100 on nocturnal glycaemia assessed by plasma glucose profiles in people with type 1 diabetes prone to nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia.

AIM: To compare nocturnal glucose profiles according to hourly plasma glucose measurements during treatment with insulin degludec and insulin glargine U100 in a cohort of people with type 1 diabetes prone to nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HypoDeg trial is a 2-year investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled crossover trial in 149 participants randomized to treatment with insulin degludec and insulin glargine U100 for 12 months each. The 51 participants in this predefined substudy stayed at least one night in hospital during each treatment arm for plasma glucose samples to be taken. Endpoints were glucose profiles, including mean plasma glucose, glycaemic variability and risk of hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: There were no differences between treatments regarding mean plasma glucose. We saw a flatter glucose profile during insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine U100 treatment, which had a nadir at 4:00 AM, with a subsequent rise. During treatment with insulin degludec, the participants had lower glycaemic variability, with an estimated treatment difference of -4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] -8.1 to -0.5; P < 0.05). Participants treated with insulin degludec were less likely to experience nocturnal hypoglycaemia below 3.0 mmol/L (hazard ratio 0.36 [95% CI 0.17-0.73; P < 0.05]). CONCLUSION: Based on nocturnal plasma glucose measurements, treatment with insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine U100 administered in the evening results in lower glycaemic variability and lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia without differences in mean plasma glucose.

Sustainable and Reagentless Fenton Treatment of Complex Wastewater.

Conventional Fenton treatment is fundamentally impractical for large-scale applications, as the consumption of Fe(II), H2O2, and pH regulators and the accumulation of iron hydroxide sludge are very costly. This paper describes a new method for Fenton treatment of complex wastewater without additional dosing of Fe(II) and H2O2, without iron-sludge accumulation, and with less consumption of pH regulators, using a novel bioelectrode system. Our new system includes a novel three-chamber microbial electrolysis unit and Fenton reaction unit, where Fenton reagents are generated by biotic and abiotic cathodes, while the bioanode simultaneously degrades biodegradable organics from the wastewater. The system's self-alkalinity buffering also waives the need for pH regulators. Dissolved organic carbon and 22 specific recalcitrant organics were removed by 99% and between 78 and 100%, respectively. The bioelectrode system generated 13 ± 3 mg/L dissolved Fe(II) and 5 ± 0.4 mg/L H2O2 for the Fenton reaction unit. The closed iron cycle avoided iron loss and iron sludge accumulation during operation. The pH regulator dosage and operating costs were just 9.7 and 1.4%, respectively, of what is required by classic Fenton. The low operating cost and reduction in chemical usage make it an efficient, sustainable alternative to the conventional treatment processes currently used for complex wastewater.

The novel inflammatory biomarker GlycA and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are associated with the presence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Subjects with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have an increased incidence of heart failure (HF). Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been involved in its development. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential contribution of the advanced lipoprotein profile and plasma glycosylation (GlycA) to the presence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in subjects with T1DM. METHODS: We included subjects from a Danish cohort of T1DM subjects (Thousand & 1 study) with either diastolic and/or systolic subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and a control group without myocardial dysfunction, matched by age, sex and HbA1c. All underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and an advanced lipoprotein profile obtained by using the NMR-based Liposcale® test. GlycA NMR signal was also analyzed. Systolic dysfunction was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45% and diastolic dysfunction was considered as E/e'≥12 or E/e' 8-12 + volume of the left atrium > 34 ml/m2. To identify a metabolic profile associated with the presence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction, a multivariate supervised model of classification based on least squares regression (PLS-DA regression) was performed. RESULTS: One-hundred forty-six subjects had diastolic dysfunction and 18 systolic dysfunction. Compared to the control group, patients with myocardial dysfunction had longer duration of diabetes (p = 0.005), and higher BMI (p = 0.013), serum NTproBNP concentration (p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), albuminuria (p < 0.001), and incidence of advanced retinopathy (p < 0.001). The supervised classification model identified a specific pattern associated with myocardial dysfunction, with a capacity to discriminate patients with myocardial dysfunction from controls. PLS-DA showed that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLs), such as VLDL (total VLDL particles, large VLDL subclass and VLDL-TG content) and IDL (IDL cholesterol content), as well as the plasma concentration of GlycA, were associated with the presence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Proatherogenic TGRLs and the proinflammatory biomarker Glyc A are strongly associated to myocardial dysfunction in T1DM. These findings suggest a pivotal role of TGRLs and systemic inflammation in the development of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in T1DM.

Prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in pregnant women with diabetes-time to individualize photo screening frequency.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy including macular oedema in pregnant women with diabetes and to identify women in whom the frequency of retinal screening can be reduced to minimize the burden of health care visits. METHODS: A cohort study of 348 women with pre-existing diabetes were routinely screened with retinal photo in early (12 weeks) and late pregnancy (27 weeks). Diabetic retinopathy was classified in five stages in accordance with National Danish Guidelines based on the eye with the highest retinopathy level. Sight-threatening retinopathy was defined as the presence of proliferative retinopathy and/or clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO). RESULTS: Retinopathy was present in 52% (116/223) vs. 14% (17/125), with sight-threatening retinopathy in 16% (35/223) vs. 6% (7/125) of women with type 1 and type 2, respectively. Women without retinopathy in early and late pregnancy were characterized by shorter diabetes duration (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.008) and predominance of type 2 diabetes. Amongst the 50% (175/348) of the cohort having no retinopathy in early pregnancy and HbA1c<53 mmol/mol (7.0%), none developed sight-threatening retinopathy and 94% (165/175) remained without any retinopathy during pregnancy. Development of sight-threatening retinopathy was mainly observed in women with retinopathy in early pregnancy. Treatment for sight-threatening retinopathy was given to a minority (2.7 and 2.4%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Good glycaemic control and no retinopathy was seen in a large proportion of women in early pregnancy and none of these women developed sight-threatening retinopathy. The frequency of retinal screening can probably be safely reduced during pregnancy in these women.

Effects of short-acting exenatide added three times daily to insulin therapy on bone metabolism in type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exenatide, added to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group trial, 108 individuals with type 1 diabetes aged 18 years or older on basal-bolus therapy with HbA1c 59-88 mmol/mol (7.5%-10.0%) and body mass index of more than 22.0 kg/m2 were randomized (1:1) to preprandial subcutaneous injection of 10 µg exenatide (Byetta) before breakfast, lunch, and dinner over 26 weeks as add-on treatment to insulin therapy. RESULTS: Exenatide elicited a body weight reduction of 4.4 kg compared with placebo, but no between-group differences in bone mineral density, as assessed by whole-body, hip, lumbar, and forearm dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry following 26 weeks of treatment, were observed. Fasting plasma levels of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, a marker of bone resorption, and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, a marker of bone formation, were unchanged by exenatide compared with placebo after 26 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an exenatide-induced body weight reduction, no changes in bone metabolism were observed with exenatide added to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes after 26 weeks.

Liraglutide changes body composition and lowers added sugar intake in overweight persons with insulin pump-treated type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To present secondary outcome analyses of liraglutide treatment in overweight adults with insulin pump-treated type 1 diabetes (T1D), focusing on changes in body composition and dimensions, and to evaluate changes in food intake to identify potential dietary drivers of liraglutide-associated weight loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 26-week randomized placebo-controlled study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide 1.8 mg daily in 44 overweight adults with insulin pump-treated T1D and glucose levels above target, and demonstrated significant glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)- and body weight-reducing effects. For secondary outcome analysis, dual X-ray absorptiometry scans were completed at Weeks 0 and 26, and questionnaire-based food frequency recordings were obtained at Weeks 0, 13 and 26 to characterize liraglutide-induced changes in body composition and food intake. RESULTS: Total fat and lean body mass decreased in liraglutide-treated participants (fat mass -4.6 kg [95% confidence interval {CI} -5.7; -3.5], P < 0.001; lean mass -2.5 kg [95% CI -3.2;-1.7], P < 0.001), but remained stable in placebo-treated participants (fat mass -0.3 kg [95% CI -1.3;0.8], P = 0.604; lean mass 0.0 kg [95% CI -0.7;0.7]; P = 0.965 [between-group P values <0.001]). Participants reduced their energy intake numerically more in the liraglutide arm (-1.1 MJ [95% CI -2.0;-0.02], P = 0.02) than in the placebo arm (-0.9 MJ [95% CI -2.0;0.1], P = 0.22), but the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.42). However, energy derived from added sugars decreased by 27% in the liraglutide arm compared with an increase of 14% in the placebo arm (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide lowered fat and lean body mass compared with placebo. Further, liraglutide reduced intake of added sugars. However, no significant difference in total daily energy intake was detected between liraglutide- and placebo-treated participants.

Comparison of treatment with insulin degludec and glargine U100 in patients with type 1 diabetes prone to nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia: The HypoDeg randomized, controlled, open-label, crossover trial.

AIM: To investigate whether the long-acting insulin analogue insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine U100 reduces the risk of nocturnal symptomatic hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: Adults with T1D and at least one episode of nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia during the last 2 years were included in a 2-year prospective, randomized, open, multicentre, crossover trial. A total of 149 patients were randomized 1:1 to basal-bolus therapy with insulin degludec and insulin aspart or insulin glargine U100 and insulin aspart. Each treatment period lasted 1 year and consisted of 3 months of run-in or crossover followed by 9 months of maintenance. The primary endpoint was the number of blindly adjudicated nocturnal symptomatic hypoglycaemic episodes. Secondary endpoints included the occurrence of severe hypoglycaemia. We analysed all endpoints by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Treatment with insulin degludec resulted in a 28% (95% CI: 9%-43%; P = .02) relative rate reduction (RRR) of nocturnal symptomatic hypoglycaemia at level 1 (≤3.9 mmol/L), a 37% (95% CI: 16%-53%; P = .002) RRR at level 2 (≤3.0 mmol/L), and a 35% (95% CI: 1%-58%; P = .04) RRR in all-day severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin glargine U100. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T1D prone to nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia have lower rates of nocturnal symptomatic hypoglycaemia and all-day severe hypoglycaemia with insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine U100.

Dual nuclear magnetic resonance for probing intrinsic bone structure and a potential gut-bone axis in ovariectomized rats.

Currently, the existence of a gut-bone axis receives massive attention, and while sound premises and indirect proofs exist for the gut-bone axis concept, few studies have provided actual data linking the gut and bone physically. This study aimed to exploit the versatile nature of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to link NMR relaxometry data on bone mineralization with NMR spectroscopic profiling of gut metabolites. For this purpose, sample material was obtained from a 6-week intervention study with ovariectomized (OVX) rats (n = 49) fed with seven different diets varying in calcium content (0.2-6.0 mg/kg) and prebiotic fiber content (0-5.0% w/w). This design ensured a span in (i) calcium available for bone mineralization and (ii) metabolic activity in the gut. After termination of the intervention, longitudinal (T1 ), transverse (T2 ) relaxation, and mechanical bone strength were measured on the excised femur bones. A PLS model with high predictability (Q2 = 0.86, R2 = 0.997) was demonstrated between T2 decay curves and femur mechanical strength. Correlations were established between bone T2 populations and gut short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, the present dual NMR approach showed strong correlation between T2 relaxation and mechanical strength of the bone, and when metabolic activity in the gut was modulated by inulin, the potential existence of a gut-bone axis was demonstrated.

Is the Effect of Environmental Attitudes on Behavior Driven Solely by Unobserved Heterogeneity?

A large body of research exists investigating the link between environmental attitudes and behavior. Many empirical studies have found modest positive effects, suggesting that attitudes toward the environment might indeed influence environmental behavior. However, most of the previous empirical work is cross-sectional and correlational in nature. This means that the issue of the causal effect of environmental attitudes on behavior is far from settled, and that the relationships observed in the past may be due to unobserved confounders. In a panel study using six waves of the GESIS Panel Survey, we examine the individual-level effect of changes in one's attitudes on changes in different forms of environmental behavior. We use fixed effects panel regression within the structural equation modeling framework to control for unobserved time-invariant confounders, while also tackling other methodological challenges. We find that environmental attitudes have no effect on behavior after controlling for unobserved confounders. However, there is a robust effect of attitudes on willingness to sacrifice. This suggests that creating more positive attitudes might make individuals more willing to accept sacrifices for environmental protection.

Effects of continuous glucose monitor-recorded nocturnal hypoglycaemia on quality of life and mood during daily life in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this work was to assess the effect of spontaneous nocturnal hypoglycaemia on quality of life and mood during subsequent days in type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 153 people with type 1 diabetes participated in 6 days of blinded continuous glucose monitoring while documenting hypoglycaemic symptoms, quality of life and mood, daily. Hypoglycaemia was defined by interstitial glucose ≤3.9 mmol/l (IG3.9) and ≤ 3.0 mmol/l (IG3.0) for ≥15 min and was classified as asymptomatic if no hypoglycaemic symptoms were reported. RESULTS: Self-estimated quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D VAS (but not by the WHO Well-Being Index) was higher the day after asymptomatic (but not after symptomatic) hypoglycaemic nights, as compared with non-hypoglycaemic nights (IG3.9, p = 0.021; IG3.0, p = 0.048). The effect increased with lower glucose nadir and longer duration of nocturnal hypoglycaemia (IG3.9, p = 0.03). The finding was confined to participants with impaired hypoglycaemia awareness. There was no effect of nocturnal hypoglycaemia on mood or self-estimated effectiveness at work the following day. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Individuals with type 1 diabetes and impaired hypoglycaemia awareness reported higher quality of life on days preceded by nights with asymptomatic (but not symptomatic) hypoglycaemia. The effect was amplified by lower glucose nadir and longer duration of the episodes and may help explain resistance to implementation of interventions to reduce hypoglycaemia in many people with impaired hypoglycaemia awareness.

Relationship between peripheral neuropathy, diastolic function and adverse cardiovascular outcome in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus without known cardiovascular disease: Results from the Thousand & 1 Study.

AIMS: To investigate the association between measures of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and impaired left ventricular diastolic function, and the prognosis in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and no known cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to test the incremental prognostic value of including measures of PN and diastolic function to the established Steno T1 Risk Engine. METHODS: Echocardiography and quantitative biothesiometry was performed to evaluate diastolic function and PN. The participants were categorized according to severity of diastolic function and PN. The study endpoint was combined cardiovascular (CV) events and all-cause death. Associations were analysed using multivariable regression models. The prognostic capability was assessed with Harrell's C-statistics and tested against the Steno T1 Risk Engine. RESULTS: A total of 946 individuals (51.5% men) were included. The mean (SD) follow-up was 6 (1.3) years. The total number of CV events and all-cause death were 100. In the multi-adjusted analysis, both PN and impaired diastolic function were associated with increased risk of CV events and all-cause death: severe PN versus no PN: hazard ratio (HR) 2.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.68; P = 0.035); severe diastolic impairment versus normal function: HR 2.27 (95% CI 1.16-4.44; P = 0.016). Measures of diastolic function improved prognostic capability when added to the Steno T1 Risk Engine: C-statistic 0.797 (95% CI 0.793-0.817) versus 0.785 (95% CI 0.744-0.825; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Peripheral neuropathy and impaired diastolic function are associated with an increased risk of CV events and all-cause death in patients with T1DM. Measures of diastolic function improved prediction of prognosis by the Steno T1 Risk Engine.

Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in visual impairment and blindness - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Seasonal and non-seasonal depression are prevalent conditions in visual impairment (VI). We assessed the effects and side effects of light therapy in persons with severe VI/blindness who experienced recurrent depressive symptoms in winter corresponding to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal SAD (sSAD). RESULTS: We included 18 persons (11 with severe VI, 3 with light perception and 4 with no light perception) who met screening criteria for sSAD/SAD in a single-arm, assessor-blinded trial of 6 weeks light therapy. In the 12 persons who completed the 6 weeks of treatment, the post-treatment depression score was reduced (p < 0.001), and subjective wellbeing (p = 0.01) and sleep quality were improved (p = 0.03). In 6/12 participants (50%), the post-treatment depression score was below the cut-off set for remission. In four participants with VI, side effects (glare or transiently altered visual function) led to dropout or exclusion. CONCLUSION: Light therapy was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in persons with severe VI/blindness. Eye safety remains a concern in persons with residual sight.