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In this work, 3D ZnO nanosheets were grown on carbon fabric using a simple, cost-effective solvothermal approach, followed by thermal annealing to form porous 3D nanostructures. The as-coated fabrics were investigated to determine their structure, morphology, and composition. The thermal stability of as-fabricated fabrics was assessed using thermogravimetric analysis. The Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of manufactured ZnO nanosheet coated fabric and porous ZnO coated fabric was 462 and 185 respectively. The enhancement in UPF of ZnO nanosheet coated carbon fabric is attributed to the intense ultraviolet (UV) shielding property of ZnO. The porosity of the ZnO nanostructure is found to have a significant impact on the UPF of the synthesized fabric. Thermoelectric properties of fabricated materials were also studied. ZnO coated carbon fabric shows a thermopower of −0.007 μVK⁻1, while porous ZnO coated carbon fabric yields a thermopower of 0.009 μVK⁻1.The hydrophobic nature of the samples is confirmed by the results of a water contact angle study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exenatide once-weekly is an extended release formulation of exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, which can improve glycemic control, body weight, blood pressure, and lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The EXenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL) will compare the impact of adding exenatide once-weekly to usual care with usual care alone on major cardiovascular outcomes. EXSCEL is an academically led, phase III/IV, double-blind, pragmatic placebo-controlled, global trial conducted in 35 countries aiming to enrol 14,000 patients with T2DM and a broad range of cardiovascular risk over approximately 5 years. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to receive exenatide once-weekly 2 mg or matching placebo by subcutaneous injections. The trial will continue until 1,360 confirmed primary composite cardiovascular end points, defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, have occurred. The primary efficacy hypothesis is that exenatide once-weekly is superior to usual care with respect to the primary composite cardiovascular end point. EXSCEL is powered to detect a 15% relative risk reduction in the exenatide once-weekly group, with 85% power and a 2-sided 5% alpha. The primary safety hypothesis is that exenatide once-weekly is noninferior to usual care with respect to the primary cardiovascular composite end point. Noninferiority will be concluded if the upper limit of the CI is <1.30. EXSCEL will assess whether exenatide once-weekly can reduce cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM with a broad range of cardiovascular risk. It will also provide long-term safety information on exenatide once-weekly in people with T2DM. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01144338. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kisspeptin has recently been identified as a key neuroendocrine gatekeeper of reproduction and is essential for the initiation of human puberty and maintenance of adult reproduction. Kisspeptin neurons appear to be integrative sensors, as they respond to changes in numerous internal and external factors including nutrient and fat status, stress and sex steroids, thus providing a link between these factors and reproduction. We have pioneered the development of kisspeptin antagonists as powerful tools for interrogating the role of kisspeptin in reproductive physiology and pathology, and as potential treatments for hormone-dependent disease. This article summarizes their development and key findings to date. These demonstrate an essential role for kisspeptin in GnRH neuron firing, GnRH pulsatile secretion, negative feedback by gonadal steroids, the onset of puberty, and the ovulatory LH surge. These studies establish that kisspeptin antagonists are powerful investigative tools and set the scene for more extensive physiological and pathophysiological studies as well as therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]