Latest news with #Leite
Medscape
21-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Tirzepatide Outperforms Semaglutide on Combined T2D Goals
'Simultaneous control of hyperglycemia, lipid profile, blood pressure, and body weight is essential for preventing chronic complications in type 2 diabetes,' Leite said. 'Yet only a small portion of individuals with T2D achieve the recommended therapeutic targets,' she noted. Numerous studies have shown that intensive interventions to meet all combined targets significantly reduce cardiovascular events and mortality, Leite noted. While GLP-1 medications show benefits in each of these measures, the superiority of tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide agonist has not been demonstrated in the context of the goal of simultaneously achieving the control of all therapeutic targets. SURPASS-2 Post Hoc Analysis Leite and colleagues conducted the post hoc analysis of the multicenter, randomized, parallel-group SURPASS-2 trial, involving 1879 patients with T2D that was inadequately controlled with a metformin dose of at least 1500 mg/d. In the study, patients were randomized to either tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg vs semaglutide 1 mg. The mean age was 56.6 years, 53% were women, mean A1c was 8.3%, and mean BMI was 34.2. Patients had a median diabetes duration of 7.1 years. For the primary endpoint of the trial, the change in A1c from baseline to 40 weeks was -2.01, -2.24, and -2.30 percentage points with tirzepatide doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, respectively, vs -1.86 percentage points with semaglutide, indicating that 'tirzepatide at all doses was noninferior and superior to semaglutide,' the SURPASS-2 authors reported. For the current analysis, the assessed outcomes were the attainment of standard and intensive therapeutic targets, based on the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes. Specifically, standard targets include A1c < 7.0%, blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol < 70 mg/dL, and > 10% weight loss. The intensive targets are A1c < 6.5%, blood pressure < 130/80 mm Hg, LDL cholesterol < 55 mg/dL, and > 15% weight loss. At baseline, the mean number of therapeutic targets achieved was 1.1 for standard targets and 0.5 for intensive targets, underscoring the uphill battle patients often face. Factors associated with having attained more of the goals at baseline included being White, having lower mean A1c and fasting glucose, having lower waist circumference, and having lower blood pressure levels. By the end of the study, those treated with tirzepatide at all doses achieved more of the standard goals than those treated with semaglutide (2.3, 2.5, and 2.6 with tirzepatide 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively, vs 2.2 with semaglutide; P < .001). Likewise, the rates of achieving the intensive goals were higher with tirzepatide (1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 with tirzepatide 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively, vs 1.3 with semaglutide; P < .001). Of note, patients on tirzepatide did not have significant differences compared with those on semaglutide in terms of the achievement of blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg ( P = .13) or LDL cholesterol < 70 mg/dL ( P = .94). However, the rates of patients achieving three or more standard therapeutic targets were 42%, 53%, and 57% for those treated with tirzepatide at 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively, vs 35% of those treated with semaglutide (odds ratio [OR] for pooled tirzepatide vs semaglutide, 1.91; P < .001). And for intensive targets, the corresponding rates for meeting three or more targets were 15%, 20%, and 29% for participants treated with tirzepatide at the 3 doses vs 8% for participants treated with semaglutide (OR, 3.09; P < .001). 'The most pronounced advantages of tirzepatide over semaglutide in this analysis were observed in glycemic control and weight management,' Leite said. 'Modest effects on LDL cholesterol were found with both tirzepatide and semaglutide.' Commenting on the study, Shylaja Srinivasan, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Clinic at the University of California San Francisco, said the findings are consistent with the bulk of research showing improvements with tirzepatide compared with GLP-1s. 'It is not surprising to see the findings as tirzepatide does appear to be more efficacious than semaglutide,' Srinivasan said. 'A key caveat was that the comparisons were with 1 mg of semaglutide, which is not the highest dose available,' she noted. 'A better comparison would be with the highest dose of semaglutide (2.4 mg) but that data is not available.' Nevertheless, the study's assessment of the simultaneous goals is a strength, Srinivasan said. 'This particular study looked at overall therapeutic targets, both standard and intensive, which was interesting to see compared to the usual A1c and weight only results.' The SURPASS-2 trial was funded by Eli Lilly. Leite reported having received consulting fees from BIAL. Srinivasan had no disclosures to report. Lead image: Nndanko/Dreamstime
Nahar Net
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Heavy rains in south Brazil kill 2, displace more than 2,600
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 14:48 Heavy rains have killed at least two people in Brazil 's southern region Rio Grande do Sul, the state's civil defense agency said on Wednesday, just over a year after the region was hit by record-breaking floods. A 65-year-old man is also missing and more than 2,600 people have been forced to flee their homes, the agency added. The rains have caused blackouts, landslides, washed-out roads and collapsed bridges across the state. Many of the areas affected were damaged during the floods in May last year, which killed more than 100 people and prompted promises to take measures to avoid a repeat of the dramatic events. "The state is better prepared," Gov. Eduardo Leite said Wednesday on X, pointing to strengthened response teams and investments in river dredging to reduce the risk of flooding. Some regions have been hit by more than 350 millimeters of rain since the weekend, Leite said. The Brazilian army said late Wednesday in a statement that troops have been deployed in seven hard-hit cities of the Rio Grande do Sul state. One of the confirmed deaths is that of a 54-year-old woman in the municipality of Candelaria. Her husband is missing. Preliminary reports indicate that the couple attempted to cross a flooded area in a vehicle in the and were swept away, the civil defense agency said. The agency advised people not to leave their homes, close windows and doors and remove electronic devices from sockets. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.
Arab Times
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Heavy rains in southern Brazil leave at least 2 dead and more than 2,600 displaced
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 19, (AP): Heavy rains have killed at least two people in Brazil 's southern region Rio Grande do Sul, the state's civil defense agency said on Wednesday, just over a year after the region was hit by record-breaking floods. A 65-year-old man is also missing and more than 2,600 people have been forced to flee their homes, the agency added. The rains have caused blackouts, landslides, washed-out roads and collapsed bridges across the state. Many of the areas affected were damaged during the floods in May last year, which killed more than 100 people and prompted promises to take measures to avoid a repeat of the dramatic events. "The state is better prepared,' Gov Eduardo Leite said Wednesday on X, pointing to strengthened response teams and investments in river dredging to reduce the risk of flooding. Some regions have been hit by more than 350 millimetres (14 inches) of rain since the weekend, Leite said. The Brazilian army said late Wednesday in a statement that troops have been deployed in seven hard-hit cities of the Rio Grande do Sul state. One of the confirmed deaths is that of a 54-year-old woman in the municipality of Candelaria. Her husband is missing. Preliminary reports indicate that the couple attempted to cross a flooded area in a vehicle in the and were swept away, the civil defense agency said. The agency advised people not to leave their homes, close windows and doors and remove electronic devices from sockets. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why are international players flocking to the WNBA?
NEW YORK — For a few minutes after a shootaround, Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase sat on the sideline with French guard Carla Leite beside her. Nakase demonstrated different hand motions and signaled to her 21-year-old rookie guard. Looking to bridge a communication gap as much as possible, Nakase recognized Leite as a strong visual learner. 'Sometimes, it's not easy for me to speak,' Leite said. Advertisement More than any other WNBA franchise, the Valkyries roster is a global tapestry. Leite, who said her English is improving every day, is just one part of that. Golden State's opening night roster featured players from six countries. 'I have to learn French is what I've learned,' Nakase said. French is the Valkyries' unofficial second language. Rookies Janelle Salaün and Leite are natives of France, and guard Julie Vanloo, who is Belgian, speaks French fluently. Vanloo said she is 'available if needed' to translate. Rookie center Kyara Linskens, another Belgian, downplayed her French proficiency, though when asked by Nakase if she could speak the language, Linskens replied: 'un petit peu.' Translation: a little bit. (Perhaps Linskens is underselling her knowledge.) Some Valkyries assistants are even learning to count in French to connect with players. Advertisement While Golden State is the WNBA's newest and most worldly team, it isn't alone in its international presence. The number of foreign-born players in the league has continued to increase. At the start of this season, the league had 34 players born outside the U.S., up from 25 at the beginning of the 2023 season. Among this season's group, 18 were in their first or second WNBA seasons. A new generation of international players is showing newfound interest in the league — and vice versa. Twelve new roster spots for the addition of Golden State as an expansion franchise were only part of the surge. According to interviews with more than 10 players, executives and coaches, the WNBA's growing global presence, engaged fan bases, increased ownership investment and expected forthcoming salary increases also contribute to its growth. 'You're seeing more and more international players, more Europeans, wanting to come here and play because it's the most competitive league in the world,' said Cecilia Zandalasini, a Valkyries wing and native of Italy. Advertisement Since its inception, the WNBA has maintained a global presence, with the number of international players peaking in the early 2000s, when the league had three more teams than it does today. However, as the initial fanfare wore off and the league underwent a turbulent period, the number of foreign players declined. At the start of the 2011 season, the league had just 15 foreign-born players due to national team commitments, limited financial incentives, role adjustments and a desire to rest during the summer, which became some of the reasons the WNBA wasn't always the top choice for international players. Some of the world's most decorated European players of the last 15 seasons — Alina Iagupova, Alba Torrens and Laia Palau — never played in the WNBA. Yet, amid a period of transformational growth, international player interest has also increased. The WNBA is broadcast in more than 24 languages this season, up from 16 in 2022, with players tuning in to see packed arenas. (League attendance in 2024 was up 48 percent year-over-year, the highest mark in 22 years.) 'With the (increased) visibility of the league, it does make more sense that more girls would want to aspire to make it to the league,' said Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, who is American-born but grew up in the United Kingdom. Advertisement Exposure takes different forms. Fagbenle loved tennis and didn't watch a WNBA game until she was 14. But soon after seeing her first game, reaching the WNBA became her goal. Sevgi Uzun, a Turkish guard who began the season with the Phoenix Mercury, turned pro at 16 and started practicing alongside WNBA players who competed in her native country during their offseasons. Although no Turkish women's basketball players were in the WNBA when she grew up, Uzun, as a developing prospect, received consistent encouragement from WNBA players about her potential ceiling. 'Kayla McBride was the very first one who told me you're different, you can do something,' Uzun said. (McBride first played in Turkey in 2017.) Multiple league executives also cited the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which both France and Belgium pushed the American team, as another demonstration of the high-quality international player pool. In recent years, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has discussed the desire to globalize the WNBA. Over the last decade, the league has had only three All-Stars born outside the U.S. (Australian Liz Cambage, Emma Meesseman from Belgium, and Jonquel Jones from The Bahamas). A younger generation of foreign players has taken notice of the league's global brand. Advertisement 'People are watching it more and are looking forward to being like, 'OK, this can be a goal,' ' said Mercury rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani, who grew up in Cameroon and France. By seeing Belgian guard Julie Allemand (L.A. Sparks) and French guard Marine Johannès (New York Liberty) make a WNBA impact, Akoa Makani found players she could emulate. 'I used to practice with them when they were pro in my local team, and at the time, I was looking up to them,' she said. 'When I saw them going to the W, I was like, 'We're kind of from the same place, why not (me)?' ' Johannès is among a group of international players who face a unique decision this month: continue playing for their WNBA teams or take a brief hiatus to compete in FIBA's EuroBasket tournament, which runs from June 18 to 29. Johannès sat out the 2024 WNBA season to play for France's Olympic team and will not participate in this month's tournament to remain with the Liberty. However, her New York teammates Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are competing for Germany. The Liberty's absences pale in comparison to Golden State, as Salaün, Zandalasini, Vanloo and Fagbenle will participate in the event. Advertisement Fagbenle, the captain of Team Great Britain, hopes that FIBA and the WNBA will collaborate going forward, so that players aren't forced to choose between country and club teams. 'Two major entities that I would hope would want to work together to figure out a way to make things work for the players who want to play them both,' she said. 'I'm optimistic.' Earlier this month, FIBA announced it was shifting the 2030 World Cup to late November and early December, while the 2026 World Cup is set to take place in early September, creating a potentially significant scheduling conflict for the WNBA. The WNBA may take a brief hiatus just before the 2026 playoffs, although the scheduling specifics will also need to be collectively bargained with the players' association. The league's players, including top American players, may have to make difficult decisions ahead of the most critical time on the WNBA calendar. Faced with the decision to stay or leave for this month's EuroBasket, some foreign players have elected to remain with their WNBA teams. Golden State's Linskens and Leite are staying in the U.S. to focus on their first seasons. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams will stay to compete in her first full WNBA season since 2022, and Storm rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in April's draft from France, will also continue her WNBA season. Advertisement 'I think my rookie season is important and I wanted to leave it all with the team,' Malonga said. Added Leite: 'I think everybody who is born in Europe is also now having the dream to come to the WNBA, so everybody's just super grateful.' Yet as more international players join the WNBA, an inverse situation is occurring abroad. Over the last 15 years, WNBA greats such as Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles played multiple winter seasons on professional teams in Turkey, China and Russia. However, the era of top Americans playing abroad appears to be fleeting. Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 league that debuted in January, provides players with a high-paying U.S.-based alternative. The result of American stars not going abroad is already being felt, according to first-year Connecticut Sun coach Rachid Meziane. Advertisement 'I think overseas domestic leagues are going down a little bit because there are fewer good players because the best players in the world are here,' said Meziane, who is the WNBA's first French-born head coach. Uzun spent the past season with the Turkish power Fenerbahçe, and she sees a change, too. 'It affects us, especially in EuroLeague,' she said. 'It does affect the quality of the league and the competition. But if you're gonna ask me individually, is (their presence) more important (than) their mental (health) and (spending time with) their families? I'm glad they can choose that now. They have enough power to choose that and make that decision.' Players from different continents now have more options than ever for professional play. But as it relates to the summer calendar, the pull of the WNBA appears stronger than ever before. 'Perception has changed,' said Zandalasini, who returned to the WNBA last year after a five-year hiatus. 'The WNBA is growing so fast, and there are fans definitely coming to every game everywhere, so it's more appealing as a league.' Advertisement — The Athletic This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, WNBA, Sports Business 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why are international players flocking to the WNBA?
NEW YORK — For a few minutes after a shootaround, Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase sat on the sideline with French guard Carla Leite beside her. Nakase demonstrated different hand motions and signaled to her 21-year-old rookie guard. Looking to bridge a communication gap as much as possible, Nakase recognized Leite as a strong visual learner. Advertisement 'Sometimes, it's not easy for me to speak,' Leite said. More than any other WNBA franchise, the Valkyries roster is a global tapestry. Leite, who said her English is improving every day, is just one part of that. Golden State's opening night roster featured players from six countries. 'I have to learn French is what I've learned,' Nakase said. French is the Valkyries' unofficial second language. Rookies Janelle Salaün and Leite are natives of France, and guard Julie Vanloo, who is Belgian, speaks French fluently. Vanloo said she is 'available if needed' to translate. Rookie center Kyara Linskens, another Belgian, downplayed her French proficiency, though when asked by Nakase if she could speak the language, Linskens replied: 'un petit peu.' Translation: a little bit. (Perhaps Linskens is underselling her knowledge.) Some Valkyries assistants are even learning to count in French to connect with players. While Golden State is the WNBA's newest and most worldly team, it isn't alone in its international presence. The number of foreign-born players in the league has continued to increase. At the start of this season, the league had 34 players born outside the U.S., up from 25 at the beginning of the 2023 season. Among this season's group, 18 were in their first or second WNBA seasons. A new generation of international players is showing newfound interest in the league — and vice versa. Twelve new roster spots for the addition of Golden State as an expansion franchise were only part of the surge. According to interviews with more than 10 players, executives and coaches, the WNBA's growing global presence, engaged fan bases, increased ownership investment and expected forthcoming salary increases also contribute to its growth. In a heartwarming post-game moment, Carla Leite admits her English isn't great, so teammate Janelle Salaün steps in to translate 🇫🇷 The French duo powered the @valkyries to their second consecutive win! — WNBA (@WNBA) May 24, 2025 'You're seeing more and more international players, more Europeans, wanting to come here and play because it's the most competitive league in the world,' said Cecilia Zandalasini, a Valkyries wing and native of Italy. Since its inception, the WNBA has maintained a global presence, with the number of international players peaking in the early 2000s, when the league had three more teams than it does today. However, as the initial fanfare wore off and the league underwent a turbulent period, the number of foreign players declined. Advertisement At the start of the 2011 season, the league had just 15 foreign-born players due to national team commitments, limited financial incentives, role adjustments and a desire to rest during the summer, which became some of the reasons the WNBA wasn't always the top choice for international players. Some of the world's most decorated European players of the last 15 seasons — Alina Iagupova, Alba Torrens and Laia Palau — never played in the WNBA. Yet, amid a period of transformational growth, international player interest has also increased. The WNBA is broadcast in more than 24 languages this season, up from 16 in 2022, with players tuning in to see packed arenas. (League attendance in 2024 was up 48 percent year-over-year, the highest mark in 22 years.) 'With the (increased) visibility of the league, it does make more sense that more girls would want to aspire to make it to the league,' said Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, who is American-born but grew up in the United Kingdom. Exposure takes different forms. Fagbenle loved tennis and didn't watch a WNBA game until she was 14. But soon after seeing her first game, reaching the WNBA became her goal. Sevgi Uzun, a Turkish guard who began the season with the Phoenix Mercury, turned pro at 16 and started practicing alongside WNBA players who competed in her native country during their offseasons. Although no Turkish women's basketball players were in the WNBA when she grew up, Uzun, as a developing prospect, received consistent encouragement from WNBA players about her potential ceiling. 'Kayla McBride was the very first one who told me you're different, you can do something,' Uzun said. (McBride first played in Turkey in 2017.) Multiple league executives also cited the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which both France and Belgium pushed the American team, as another demonstration of the high-quality international player pool. Advertisement In recent years, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has discussed the desire to globalize the WNBA. Over the last decade, the league has had only three All-Stars born outside the U.S. (Australian Liz Cambage, Emma Meesseman from Belgium, and Jonquel Jones from The Bahamas). A younger generation of foreign players has taken notice of the league's global brand. 'People are watching it more and are looking forward to being like, 'OK, this can be a goal,' ' said Mercury rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani, who grew up in Cameroon and France. By seeing Belgian guard Julie Allemand (L.A. Sparks) and French guard Marine Johannès (New York Liberty) make a WNBA impact, Akoa Makani found players she could emulate. 'I used to practice with them when they were pro in my local team, and at the time, I was looking up to them,' she said. 'When I saw them going to the W, I was like, 'We're kind of from the same place, why not (me)?' ' Johannès is among a group of international players who face a unique decision this month: continue playing for their WNBA teams or take a brief hiatus to compete in FIBA's EuroBasket tournament, which runs from June 18 to 29. Johannès sat out the 2024 WNBA season to play for France's Olympic team and will not participate in this month's tournament to remain with the Liberty. However, her New York teammates Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are competing for Germany. The Liberty's absences pale in comparison to Golden State, as Salaün, Zandalasini, Vanloo and Fagbenle will participate in the event. Fagbenle, the captain of Team Great Britain, hopes that FIBA and the WNBA will collaborate going forward, so that players aren't forced to choose between country and club teams. 'Two major entities that I would hope would want to work together to figure out a way to make things work for the players who want to play them both,' she said. 'I'm optimistic.' Earlier this month, FIBA announced it was shifting the 2030 World Cup to late November and early December, while the 2026 World Cup is set to take place in early September, creating a potentially significant scheduling conflict for the WNBA. The WNBA may take a brief hiatus just before the 2026 playoffs, although the scheduling specifics will also need to be collectively bargained with the players' association. The league's players, including top American players, may have to make difficult decisions ahead of the most critical time on the WNBA calendar. Advertisement Faced with the decision to stay or leave for this month's EuroBasket, some foreign players have elected to remain with their WNBA teams. Golden State's Linskens and Leite are staying in the U.S. to focus on their first seasons. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams will stay to compete in her first full WNBA season since 2022, and Storm rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in April's draft from France, will also continue her WNBA season. 'I think my rookie season is important and I wanted to leave it all with the team,' Malonga said. Added Leite: 'I think everybody who is born in Europe is also now having the dream to come to the WNBA, so everybody's just super grateful.' Yet as more international players join the WNBA, an inverse situation is occurring abroad. Over the last 15 years, WNBA greats such as Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles played multiple winter seasons on professional teams in Turkey, China and Russia. However, the era of top Americans playing abroad appears to be fleeting. Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 league that debuted in January, provides players with a high-paying U.S.-based alternative. The result of American stars not going abroad is already being felt, according to first-year Connecticut Sun coach Rachid Meziane. 'I think overseas domestic leagues are going down a little bit because there are fewer good players because the best players in the world are here,' said Meziane, who is the WNBA's first French-born head coach. Uzun spent the past season with the Turkish power Fenerbahçe, and she sees a change, too. 'It affects us, especially in EuroLeague,' she said. 'It does affect the quality of the league and the competition. But if you're gonna ask me individually, is (their presence) more important (than) their mental (health) and (spending time with) their families? I'm glad they can choose that now. They have enough power to choose that and make that decision.' Advertisement Players from different continents now have more options than ever for professional play. But as it relates to the summer calendar, the pull of the WNBA appears stronger than ever before. 'Perception has changed,' said Zandalasini, who returned to the WNBA last year after a five-year hiatus. 'The WNBA is growing so fast, and there are fans definitely coming to every game everywhere, so it's more appealing as a league.' — The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant contributed to this report. (Photo of Carla Leite: Juan Ocampo / NBAE via Getty Images)
