JDRF Rebrands as Breakthrough T1D to Accelerate Type 1 Research and Advocacy by Daniel Trecroci for BeyondType1.org, 4 June 2024.
On June 4, 2024, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) announced that Breakthrough T1D was the new name for the organization. During the organization’s annual Government Day meeting in Washington, D.C., the new name was announced in a global simulcast.
After a thorough, data-driven selection process, Breakthrough T1D was chosen because it more appropriately represents the non-profit’s capacity to engage with and support the whole type 1 diabetes community.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to create very little insulin or none at all. It was once thought that type 1 diabetes was a disorder that could only be detected in children—hence the name “juvenile diabetes.” In actuality, type 1 diabetes can strike anyone at any age.
“For more than half a century, our organization has been at the forefront of type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, said Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO of Breakthrough T1D. “It is an honor to be CEO at this breakthrough moment as the organization takes a name that more accurately reflects our community and priorities.”
Breakthrough T1D’s new name is a reflection of its leadership in accelerating scientific research, therapeutic development, and the availability of medications and therapies for the T1D community.
“Our new name, Breakthrough T1D, puts our mission front and center. To accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications,” said Pam Morrisroe, chief marketing officer of Breakthrough T1D. “We developed this evolved brand in partnership with global experience firm Siegel+Gale through a nearly two-year data-driven process. Together, we have developed a visionary, powerful brand that more accurately reflects who we are: the world leader in type 1 diabetes research, advocacy, and community support.”
Read more: JDRF Rebrands as Breakthrough T1D to Accelerate Type 1 Research and Advocacy
Direct to Apple Watch compatibility announced for Dexcom G7 CGM by Jill Rollet for Healio.com/endocrinology, 5 June 2024.
The Dexcom G7 CGM is compatible with Direct to Apple Watch, allowing users to receive real-time glucose readings through their watch without using their phone. The Dexcom G7 transmits glucose information and personalized alerts to the watch using a Bluetooth connection. According to Dexcom, the G7 is the first CGM to have the capability of connecting directly with the Apple Watch.
“At Dexcom, our users are at the heart of everything we do. Direct to Apple Watch has been one of our most requested features and we’re thrilled to roll it out to Dexcom G7 users in the U.S. and around the world,” Jake Leach, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Dexcom, said in the release.
People with diabetes can also track other key health metrics that impact glucose levels using Apple’s activity, cycle tracking, sleep and other health features. These data can be viewed alongside data from the Dexcom G7 in the Apple Health app.
Direct to Apple Watch is available for Dexcom G7 users in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland. Users must have version 2.1 of the Dexcom G7 app, Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 10 or later, and an iPhone with iOS 17 or later to use the new feature.
Read more: Direct to Apple Watch compatibility announced for Dexcom G7 CGM
Investigational Extended Wear Insulin Infusion Set in People With Type 1 Diabetes, ClinicalTrials.gov: Identifier: NCT06273124, sponsored by Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. in collaboration with Jaeb Center for Health Research, first posted 22 February 2024.
The purpose of this study is to collect clinical data to support a 7-day wear of the Extended Wear Infusion Set (EWIS). Participants will be asked to 1. Wear the EWIS for up to 7 consecutive days for 12 consecutive wear periods and 2. Perform blood glucose and ketone measurements if continuous glucose meter is ≥250mg/dL for one hour.
This is a multi-center, single-arm, prospective study of an extended wear infusion set in adults with Type 1 diabetes using a Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology with continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Up to 300 participants across the United States age 18-80 will be enrolled in up to 20 investigational centers. Participants will change insulin cartridges every 48 to 72 hours as recommended by their health care provider. Participants will be expected to participate in the study for approximately 12-16 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures are rates of infusion set failure at the end of 7 days in participants using either Novolog or Humalog.
Read more: Investigational Extended Wear Insulin Infusion Set in T1Ds
Glucotrack has more data backing implantable glucose monitor, plans for human trials this year by Sean Whooley for DrugDeliveryBusiness.com, 6 June 2024.
Glucotrack announced the completion of a second long-term preclinical study for its implantable continuous blood glucose monitor (CBGM). The study further validates the CBGM’s sustained accuracy, the company says. It demonstrated a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) — a measurement of CGM accuracy — of 4.7% at day 90. MARD measures the average difference between the CBGM device’s measurement and a reference measurement. Lower values indicate better performance.
Glucotrack’s CBGM measures glucose in the blood without the lag time associated with subcutaneous sensors measuring glucose in interstitial fluid. It directly measures blood glucose in real-time and continuously. The company says this enables a less burdensome approach to glucose monitoring over extended periods.
“We are again very pleased with the performance of our sensor during a long-term preclinical study and look forward to moving into human clinical trials,” said Paul Goode, CEO of Glucotrack. “Our CBGM’s ability to continuously measure blood glucose for 2+ years with accuracy, minimal calibration, and without a wearable device represents a significant advancement in glucose monitoring. We believe this technology has the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for people with diabetes by providing a more convenient and discreet monitoring solution.”
Read more: Glucotrack has more data backing implantable glucose monitor
Eating More Vegetables Improves Glucose Tolerance by Javed Choudhury for MedScape.com, 3 June 2024.
A diet rich in green, leafy, cruciferous, and colorful vegetables may improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, whereas a high intake of potato fries or chips may worsen these outcomes, an Australian study shows. The study was led by Pratik Pokharel, MPH, Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia, and published online in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
The authors wrote that their study “sheds light on the physiological alterations in insulin regulation and glucose tolerance resulting from higher vegetable and subgroups of vegetable intake and supports the notion that vegetable subgroups may act differently in regulating insulin and blood glucose levels.”
Read more: Eating More Vegetables Improves Glucose Tolerance
Study Finds Xylitol Increases Risk Of Heart Attack by RTTNews Staff Writer for RTTNews.com, 6 June 2024.
The European Heart Journal recently published a study that found a potential link between increased levels of xylitol and a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and mortality. The research, which was conducted by a team from the Cleveland Clinic and involved over 3,000 participants from the U.S. and Europe, specifically focused on individuals with a history of heart disease or risk factors for heart-related issues.
To gain deeper insights into the relationship between xylitol and heart events, scientists examined the impact of xylitol on platelets in human blood cells in a laboratory setting. The results showed that human platelets were more likely to form clots after being exposed to xylitol compared to a saline solution.
Furthermore, the researchers monitored platelet activity in ten individuals after they consumed xylitol-sweetened water. Within just 30 minutes, there was a thousand-fold increase in xylitol levels in their blood plasma, leading to heightened platelet clotting readiness, especially in those with the highest xylitol levels.
“When you eat sugar, your glucose level may go up 10% or 20% but it doesn’t go up a 1,000-fold,” said senior study author Dr. Stanley Hazen, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, who also directs the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Microbiome and Human Health.
Read more: Study Finds Xylitol Increases Risk Of Heart Attack
Concierge Medicine: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by N. Adam Brown, MD/MBA for MedPageToday.com, 7 June 2024.
Concierge medicine is a membership-based healthcare model where patients pay a flat fee for complete access to a physician. This fee often covers unlimited office and telehealth visits, direct phone access to a doctor, basic diagnostic and blood tests, and specialist referrals as necessary — all without co-pays and additional charges. This approach to care reflects a broader shift toward a consumer-driven approach in healthcare, focused on quality and personalized service, offering a distinct contrast to traditional models of care. But at whose expense? While millions of Americans remain uninsured for routine care, the concern is that concierge medicine will further exacerbate disparities in access and quality, and place further burden on our already strained healthcare infrastructure.
THE GOOD: Concierge medicine has emerged as a viable and expanding business model within the U.S. By 2032, the market size for concierge medicine is projected to reach $10.9 billion, marking a nearly 65% increase over a decade. This model’s allure lies in its unique approach to healthcare, which appeals to both patients and physicians.
THE BAD: While it offers enhanced access and personalized care, not all concierge medicine practices are created equal. Some concierge services charge relatively modest annual fees of around $150, providing benefits like extended visits and streamlined scheduling. At the high end, fees can exceed thousands of dollars, featuring luxury services and highly exclusive patient panels.
THE UGLY: While concierge medicine can benefit both patients and physicians, it also introduces significant challenges and potential drawbacks for the wider healthcare system. One major concern is the impact on the availability of primary care physicians for the general population who can’t afford or who don’t have access to this service. As doctors shift to concierge models, which typically involve smaller patient panels, this exacerbates the existing shortage of primary care clinicians.
This migration to concierge medicine also places a heavier burden on physicians remaining in traditional practices. With a thinner spread of doctors to cover an extensive patient base, they might have to shorten appointment times and increasingly depend on nurse practitioners and physician assistants (PAs).
MY Opinion/Experiences:
Yes, some good, some bad and some extremely UGLY. Some physicians do become more available and accessible but several just see a way of getting money upfront and delivering limited time and access. Some actually reach out with important or useful information – patient engagement and caring. Others seem to totally disregard patient customer service – very disappointing.
YOUR THOUGHTS?
Read more: Concierge Medicine: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I think the rebranding of JDRF is such good news. We have many great things in our community, but removing the word Juvenile allows those of us with T1 to to expand the understanding of the disease. I am glad for it. ‘
Sign me up for the vegetables. All of them. 🙂