Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone whose glucose-dependent insulinotropic actions have been harnessed as a novel therapy for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Although it has been known for some time that the GLP-1 receptor is expressed in the CVS where it mediates important physiological actions, it is only recently that specific cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 in the setting of diabetes have been described. GLP-1 confers indirect benefits in cardiovascular disease (CVD) under both normal and hyperglycaemic conditions via reducing established risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity, which are markedly increased in diabetes. Emerging evidence indicates that GLP-1 also exerts direct effects on specific aspects of diabetic CVD, such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, angiogenesis and adverse cardiac remodelling. However, the majority of studies have employed experimental models of diabetic CVD and information on the effects of GLP-1 in the clinical setting is limited, although several large-scale trials are ongoing. It is clearly important to gain a detailed knowledge of the cardiovascular actions of GLP-1 in diabetes given the large number of patients currently receiving GLP-1-based therapies. This review will therefore discuss current understanding of the effects of GLP-1 on both cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes and direct actions on the heart and vasculature in this setting and the evidence implicating specific targeting of GLP-1 as a novel therapy for CVD in diabetes. AbbreviationsANP, atrial natriuretic peptide; CAD, coronary artery disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DPP-4, dipeptidyl peptidase-4; eNOS, endothelial NOS; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; hs-CRP, high sensitivity C-reactive protein; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1; MI, myocardial infarction; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; STZ, streptozotocin; T1DM, type 1 diabetes mellitus; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; TLR, toll-like receptor; UKPDS, United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study; VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1

Background: The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' Rural Surgical Training Program (RSTP) ran from 1996 to 2007. As a formal review of the RSTP had never occurred, it remained unknown whether the RSTP had achieved its objectives of training surgeons for and retaining them in practice in rural Australia. Methods: Sixty-six RSTP fellows and 67 general surgery fellows were asked to complete a survey evaluating factors influencing the decision to pursue a rural surgical career, the influence of the RSTP on subsequent career pathways and the adequacy of the RSTP in preparing its trainees for rural work. Results: Fifty-one out of 66 RSTP fellows were noted to be in practice in metropolitan Australia, with only 15 in rural Australia. Responses obtained revealed rural surgical rotations during training as a major influence in the decision to perform rural work. Thirty out of 35 RSTP participants stated that the RSTP did not influence their subsequent careers. Six out of 15 RSTP respondents responded positively when asked about the adequacy of the RSTP in preparing its trainees for rural work. Conclusion:The RSTP largely succeeded in preparing its trainees for rural work, but did not succeed in retaining the majority of its trainees in practice in rural Australia. It appears that targeting doctors at the point of admission to surgical training, in the hope that this would translate into more rural surgeons, did not result in improved retention in rural areas.