Abbott (Canada)

Revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this succinct textbook provides the perfect introduction to biomaterials, linking the fundamental properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and natural biomaterials to the unique advantages and limitations surrounding their biomedical applications. New chapters on protein chemistry and interactions, immunology and tissue response, and biocompatibility round out student understanding. Clinical concerns such as sterilization, surface modification, cell-biomaterial interactions, drug delivery systems and tissue engineering are discussed, giving students insight into real-world challenges associated with biomaterials engineering. Key concepts are summarized alongside the text, allowing students to identify the most vital information. The final chapter discusses clinical applications, challenging students to consider future industrial possibilities. Concise enough to be taught in one semester, requiring only a basic understanding of biology, accompanied by over 180 end-of-chapter problems, and featuring color figures throughout, this accessible textbook continues to be ideal for students of engineering, materials science and medicine.

Revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this succinct textbook provides the perfect introduction to biomaterials, linking the fundamental properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and natural biomaterials to the unique advantages and limitations surrounding their biomedical applications. New chapters on protein chemistry and interactions, immunology and tissue response, and biocompatibility round out student understanding. Clinical concerns such as sterilization, surface modification, cell-biomaterial interactions, drug delivery systems and tissue engineering are discussed, giving students insight into real-world challenges associated with biomaterials engineering. Key concepts are summarized alongside the text, allowing students to identify the most vital information. The final chapter discusses clinical applications, challenging students to consider future industrial possibilities. Concise enough to be taught in one semester, requiring only a basic understanding of biology, accompanied by over 180 end-of-chapter problems, and featuring color figures throughout, this accessible textbook continues to be ideal for students of engineering, materials science and medicine.

This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant health care resource utilization (HCRU), partly due to acute complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hypoglycemia. Aim: To investigate glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and HCRU before and after adoption of FreeStyle Libre Systems (FSL) in people with diabetes on multiple daily injections of insulin (MDI). Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study used administrative health data in Ontario, Canada, housed at IC/ES. The cohort comprised people with diabetes on MDI with a first FSL claim between September 16, 2019, and August 31, 2020 (index date), who remained on FSL for 24 months. HCRU (emergency department [ED] visits and hospitalization) was measured for 12 months before the index date and the last 12 months of follow-up. HbA1c data were taken from the last tests in each period. Results: Mean HbA1c was statistically significantly reduced after FSL among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM; n = 10,510; age <25 years, -0.8%; 25-65 years, -0.5%; >65 years, -0.1%; all P < 0.0001) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; n = 12,668; age ≤65 years, -0.6%; >65 years, -0.3%; both P < 0.0001). Overall HCRU was statistically significantly reduced in the T1DM subgroups aged <25 and 25-65 years (ED visits only) and both T2DM age subgroups, with some subgroups having statistically significant reductions in DKA- or hypoglycemia-associated HCRU. Conclusions: Among people with T1DM or T2DM on MDI, HbA1c was statistically significantly reduced after FSL, with statistically significant reductions in HCRU in some subgroups.

We aimed to investigate glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU; emergency department [ED] visits or hospitalization) before and after adoption of FreeStyle Libre sensor-based glucose monitoring systems (FSL) by people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on basal insulin without glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy, basal insulin with GLP-1 RA therapy, GLP-1 RA therapy without insulin or oral therapy alone. Routinely collected administrative health data (housed at IC/ES, formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences) in Ontario, Canada were used to identify 20 253 people with T2DM who had a first FSL claim between 16 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 (index date) and remained active on FSL for 24 months' follow-up. HCRU was measured for 12 months before the index date and the last 12 months of the 24-month follow-up period. HbA1c data were taken from the latest tests in each period. Mean HbA1c was statistically significantly reduced after FSL acquisition among people aged ≤65 or >65 years in all four treatment groups (range, 0.3-0.8% reduction). After FSL acquisition, ED visits and hospitalization were statistically significantly reduced in the oral therapy only group and in some basal insulin subgroups (without GLP-1 RA, all except hospitalization aged ≤65 years; with GLP-1 RA, only ED visits aged ≤65 years). Among people with T2DM using basal insulin and/or non-insulin therapies, HbA1c levels were statistically significantly improved and HCRU was reduced after initiation of FSL.

Objectives Automatic capture confirmation (ACC) algorithms monitor the pacing capture threshold (PCT) and adjust energy output to deliver a tailored safety margin over the PCT, while providing a high-output backup safety pulse in the event of non-capture. Advantages of these algorithms include increased device longevity, enhanced patient safety, and improved remote monitoring capabilities. While such algorithms have been validated for conventional right ventricular pacing (RVP) locations, there is limited information on their performance for pacing in the increasingly utilized location of the left bundle branch area (LBBA). Our objective was to evaluate the longitudinal performance and stability of the Abbott AutoCapture™ algorithm in patients with left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). Methods De-identified remote device data were retrospectively analyzed from consecutive patients in our hospital who received AutoCapture enabled Abbott pacemakers with LBBAP from June 2021 to August 2023. Device stored AutoCapture PCT measurements were then evaluated incrementally over an approximate 2-year period, to evaluate longer-term trends and performance, and also compared with the original, manual PCT at the time of initial implant. Results A total of 619 patients with either single chamber (model 1272, n= 89) or dual-chamber Abbott devices (model 2272, n= 530) were identified. AutoCapture and manually measured PCTs at implant were within 0.25 V in 600/615 (97.6%) patients, with average PCTs of 0.76 V ± 0.28 and 0.80 V ± 0.26 respectively, at a pulse width of 0.5 ms. At 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24-month remote follow-up, average AutoCapture PCTs were 0.67 V ± 0.29 (n=594), 0.66 V ± 0.25 (n=560), 0.71 V ± 0.29 (n=543), 0.77 V ± 0.29 (n=447) and 0.81 V ± 0.28 (n=112), respectively. At the last remote follow-up, lead impedances were 536 ohms ±60, and sensed R-wave amplitude were 11 mV ± 3. AutoCapture was found to be effective in assessing PCT and was activated in the majority of patients (619/644, 97%) without complications related to its activation or usage during the follow-up period. Conclusion The AutoCapture algorithm measured accurate PCTs at implant and showed a stable trend during follow-up out to approximately 2 years in patients with LBBAP.

For people living with diabetes, effective glucose monitoring is a key component in diabetes care, helping to reduce disease burden, complications, and healthcare utilization. Sensor-based glucose monitoring systems, which can provide more comprehensive information about glucose levels than capillary-based self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), are becoming established among people living with diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of glucose monitoring with FreeStyle Libre systems, compared with SMBG, from the perspective of a Canadian private payer. The analysis used the validated, person-level microsimulation model DEDUCE (Determination of Diabetes Utilities, Costs, and Effects). Analyses were conducted separately for populations of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM; T2DM), with time horizons of 40 and 25years, respectively. T2DM treatment was assumed to be 84% non-insulin, 10% basal insulin, and 6% multiple daily injections of insulin. The effect of FreeStyle Libre was modeled as reductions versus SMBG in glycated hemoglobin level (T1DM, - 0.42%; insulin-treated T2DM, - 0.59%; non-insulin-treated T2DM, - 0.3%) and in acute diabetic events (hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis). Costs (in 2023Canadian dollars (Can$)) and utilities were discounted at 1.5%. Outcomes were assessed as costs andquality-adjusted life years (QALYs). In both populations, FreeStyle Libre was dominant to SMBG, providing more QALYs at a lower cost (T1DM: + 1.25 QALYs, - Can$32,287 costs; T2DM: + 0.48 QALYs, - Can$8091 costs). Reductions were seen in the cumulative incidence of all complications (except blindness in the T1DM analysis). FreeStyle Libre was dominant to SMBG in all scenarios tested. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that FreeStyle Libre had a 100% probability of being dominant to SMBG for T1DM and a 91% probability of being dominant for T2DM. This economic analysis shows that, from a Canadian private payer perspective, FreeStyle Libre is cost-effective compared with SMBG for all people living with diabetes.