car Reply: Clarifying the Utility of Myocardial Blood Flow and Myocardial Flow Reserve After Cardiac Transplantation By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-01T06:00:28-07:00 Full Article
car Cholecystokinin 2 Receptor Agonist 177Lu-PP-F11N for Radionuclide Therapy of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Results of the Lumed Phase 0a Study By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-01T06:00:28-07:00 Treatment of patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is still a challenge. For more than 2 decades, it has been known that the cholecystokinin 2 receptor is a promising target for the treatment of MTC with radiolabeled minigastrin analogs. Unfortunately, kidney toxicity has precluded their therapeutic application so far. In 6 consecutive patients, we evaluated with advanced 3-dimensional dosimetry whether improved minigastrin analog 177Lu-DOTA-(d-Glu)6-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-PheNH2 (177Lu-PP-F11N) is a suitable agent for the treatment of MTC. Methods: Patients received 2 injections of about 1 GBq (~80 μg) of 177Lu-PP-F11N with and without a solution of succinylated gelatin (SG, a plasma expander used for nephroprotection) in a random crossover sequence to evaluate biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and tumor and organ dosimetry. An electrocardiogram was obtained and blood count and blood chemistry were measured up to 12 wk after the administration of 177Lu-PP-F11N to assess safety. Results: In all patients, 177Lu-PP-F11N accumulation was visible in tumor tissue, stomach, and kidneys. Altogether, 13 tumors were eligible for dosimetry. The median absorbed doses for tumors, stomach, kidneys, and bone marrow were 0.88 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.85–1.04), 0.42 (IQR: 0.25–1.01), 0.11 (IQR: 0.07–0.13), and 0.028 (IQR: 0.026–0.034) Gy/GBq, respectively. These doses resulted in median tumor-to-kidney dose ratios of 11.6 (IQR: 8.11–14.4) without SG and 13.0 (IQR: 10.2–18.6) with SG; these values were not significantly different (P = 1.0). The median tumor-to-stomach dose ratio was 3.34 (IQR: 1.14–4.70). Adverse reactions (mainly hypotension, flushing, and hypokalemia) were self-limiting and not higher than grade 1. Conclusion: 177Lu-PP-F11N accumulates specifically in MTC at a dose that is sufficient for a therapeutic approach. With a low kidney and bone marrow radiation dose, 177Lu-PP-F11N shows a promising biodistribution. The dose-limiting organ is most likely the stomach. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose and the efficacy of 177Lu-PP-F11N. Full Article
car Evidence of Tissue Repair in Human Donor Pancreas After Prolonged Duration of Stay in Intensive Care By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:30-08:00 M2 macrophages play an important role in tissue repair and regeneration. They have also been found to modulate β-cell replication in mouse models of pancreatic injury and disease. We previously reported that β-cell replication is strongly increased in a subgroup of human organ donors characterized by prolonged duration of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and increased number of leukocytes in the pancreatic tissue. In the present study we investigated the relationship between duration of stay in the ICU, M2 macrophages, vascularization, and pancreatic cell replication. Pancreatic organs from 50 donors without diabetes with different durations of stay in the ICU were analyzed by immunostaining and digital image analysis. The number of CD68+CD206+ M2 macrophages increased three- to sixfold from ≥6 days’ duration of stay in the ICU onwards. This was accompanied by a threefold increased vascular density and a four- to ninefold increase in pancreatic cells positive for the replication marker Ki67. A strong correlation was observed between the number of M2 macrophages and β-cell replication. These results show that a prolonged duration of stay in the ICU is associated with an increased M2 macrophage number, increased vascular density, and an overall increase in replication of all pancreatic cell types. Our data show evidence of marked levels of tissue repair in the human donor pancreas. Full Article
car Manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and usual care for prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura: multicentre, randomised clinical trial By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 22:31 Full Article
car Comparison of dietary macronutrient patterns of 14 popular named dietary programmes for weight and cardiovascular risk factor reduction in adults: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 - 22:31 Full Article
car Occurrence, prevention, and management of the psychological effects of emerging virus outbreaks on healthcare workers: rapid review and meta-analysis By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - 12:46 Full Article
car Prognosis of unrecognised myocardial infarction determined by electrocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Thursday, May 7, 2020 - 11:41 Full Article
car Starbucks operator Caribbean Coffee floats US$30m bond By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:06:12 -0500 Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited, CCTL, is moving ahead with plans for a US$30-million bond placement, the proceeds from which it will likely use to expand the Starbucks chain it operates in three regional markets. The initial franchise agreement... Full Article
car Towards a Low-Carbon Future: China and the European Union By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 09:08:16 +0000 1 October 2007 , Number 7 Chinese goods seem to flood western markets: computers, light bulbs, sweaters, T-shirts and bras. The instinct is to try to protect home producers. A better plan would be to work with Beijing on producing products for the next industrial revolution – the creation of a low-carbon economy. But that would take real vision and political courage. Bernice Lee OBE Research Director; Executive Director, Hoffmann Centre for Sustainable Resource Economy @BerniceWLee Nick Mabey Founding director and Chief Executive, E3G GettyImages-102943828.jpg Full Article
car Net Zero and Beyond: What Role for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:55:01 +0000 Invitation Only Research Event 23 January 2020 - 8:30am to 10:00am Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE Event participants Richard King, Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Department, Chatham HouseChair: Duncan Brack, Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Department, Chatham House In the context of the feasibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, policymakers are beginning to pay more attention to options for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A wide range of potential carbon dioxide removal (CDR) options are currently being discussed and modelled though the most prominent among them are bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and afforestation and reforestation.There are many reasons to question the reliance on BECCS assumed in the models including the carbon balances achievable, its substantial needs for land, water and other inputs and technically and economically viable carbon capture and storage technologies.This meeting will examine the potentials and challenges of BECCS in the context of other CDR and emissions abatement options. It will discuss the requisite policy and regulatory frameworks to minimize sustainability and socio-political risks of CDR approaches while also avoiding overshooting climate goals.Attendance at this event is by invitation only. Event attributes Chatham House Rule Department/project Energy, Environment and Resources Programme, Sustainable Transitions Series Chloé Prendleloup Email Full Article
car Net Zero and Beyond: What Role for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:51:45 +0000 29 January 2020 Policymakers are in danger of sleepwalking into ineffective carbon dioxide removal solutions in the quest to tackle climate change. This paper warns against overreliance on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Read online Download PDF Duncan Brack Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme @DuncanBrack Google Scholar Richard King Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme LinkedIn Reaching Net Zero: Does BECCS Work? Policymakers can be influenced by ineffective carbon dioxide removal solutions in the quest to tackle climate change. This animation explores the risks of using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). SummaryCurrent climate efforts are not progressing quickly enough to prevent the world from overshooting the global emissions targets set in the Paris Agreement; accordingly, attention is turning increasingly to options for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – ‘carbon dioxide removal’ (CDR). Alongside afforestation and reforestation, the main option under discussion is bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): processes through which the carbon emissions from burning biomass for energy are captured before release into the atmosphere and stored in underground reservoirs.This pre-eminent status is not, however, based on a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility and impacts of BECCS. In reality, BECCS has many drawbacks.Models generally assume that biomass for energy is inherently carbon-neutral (and thus that BECCS, by capturing and storing the emissions from combustion, is carbon-negative), but in reality this is not a valid assumption.On top of this, the deployment of BECCS at the scales assumed in most models would consume land on a scale comparable to half that currently taken up by global cropland, entailing massive land-use change, potentially endangering food security and biodiversity. There is also significant doubt about the likely energy output of BECCS solutions.BECCS may still have some role to play in strategies for CDR, depending mainly on the feedstock used; but it should be evaluated on the same basis as other CDR options, such as nature-based solutions or direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS). Analysis should take full account of carbon balances over time, the requirements of each CDR option in terms of demand for land, water and other inputs, and the consequences of that demand.There is an urgent need for policymakers to engage with these debates. The danger at the moment is that policymakers are ‘sleepwalking towards BECCS’ simply because most models incorporate it – or, almost as bad, it may be that they are simply ignoring the need for any meaningful action on CDR as a whole. Department/project Energy, Environment and Resources Programme, Bioenergy, Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Full Article
car The prospects of carbon dioxide removal in climate policymaking within the United States By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:40:01 +0000 Research Event 19 November 2019 - 9:00am to 5:00pm School of Law, University of California, Davis Agendapdf | 158.8 KB Meeting Summarypdf | 207.92 KB This meeting formed part of a programme of work which investigates the role of negative emissions technologies (NETs) in achieving the Paris Agreement climate targets. Previous meetings held in London and Brussels have looked at integrating negative emissions into EU policy-making, the implications and degree to which NETs, and in particular bioenergy with carbon capture storage (BECCS), can be an effective climate mitigation tool. This meeting focused on the possible deployment pathways of NETs and alternatives to BECCS for the US in particular, in the context of geographical constraints and socioenvironmental implications, the role of the private sector, and appropriate governance and finance mechanisms. Department/project Energy, Environment and Resources Programme, Bioenergy, Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Melissa MacEwen Project Manager, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme Email Full Article
car Healthcare comes to standstill in east Aleppo as last hospitals are destroyed By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 13:46 Full Article
car Covid-19: GPs have a fortnight to start organising weekly care home reviews, says NHS By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - 11:01 Full Article
car Covid-19: the challenge of patient rehabilitation after intensive care By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 12:36 Full Article
car Covid-19: Woman with terminal cancer should be released from care home to die with family, says judge By feeds.bmj.com Published On :: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 15:01 Full Article
car Proline-rich 11 (PRR11) drives F-actin assembly by recruiting the actin-related protein 2/3 complex in human non-small cell lung carcinoma [DNA and Chromosomes] By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: 2020-04-17T00:06:05-07:00 The actin cytoskeleton is extremely dynamic and supports diverse cellular functions in many physiological and pathological processes, including tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms that regulate the actin-related protein 2/3 (ARP2/3) complex and thereby promote actin polymerization and organization in cancer cells are not well-understood. We previously implicated the proline-rich 11 (PRR11) protein in lung cancer development. In this study, using immunofluorescence staining, actin polymerization assays, and siRNA-mediated gene silencing, we uncovered that cytoplasmic PRR11 is involved in F-actin polymerization and organization. We found that dysregulation of PRR11 expression results in F-actin rearrangement and nuclear instability in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Results from molecular mechanistic experiments indicated that PRR11 associates with and recruits the ARP2/3 complex, facilitates F-actin polymerization, and thereby disrupts the F-actin cytoskeleton, leading to abnormal nuclear lamina assembly and chromatin reorganization. Inhibition of the ARP2/3 complex activity abolished irregular F-actin polymerization, lamina assembly, and chromatin reorganization due to PRR11 overexpression. Notably, experiments with truncated PRR11 variants revealed that PRR11 regulates F-actin through different regions. We found that deletion of either the N or C terminus of PRR11 abrogates its effects on F-actin polymerization and nuclear instability and that deletion of amino acid residues 100–184 or 100–200 strongly induces an F-actin structure called the actin comet tail, not observed with WT PRR11. Our findings indicate that cytoplasmic PRR11 plays an essential role in regulating F-actin assembly and nuclear stability by recruiting the ARP2/3 complex in human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Full Article
car An Untapped Pool of Critical U.S. Health-Care Workers in a Time of Pandemic By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:06:18 -0400 As the U.S. health-care system sags under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, health-care workers are not only on the frontlines fighting the virus, they are also some of the most at-risk individuals, making it more essential than ever to have sufficient numbers of qualified health professionals. While 1.5 million immigrants and refugees are already working in the U.S. health-care system, an additional 263,000 immigrants and refugees in the U.S. with health-related college degrees are working in low-skilled jobs or are out of work. Full Article
car South Korea Carefully Tests the Waters on Immigration, With a Focus on Temporary Workers By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:00:05 -0500 Faced with labor shortages in key sectors of the economy, South Korea has moved carefully in recent decades toward accepting greater numbers of workers—albeit in temporary fashion. Its Employment Permit System, launched in 2003, earned international accolades for bringing order and legality to immigration in the country, although several challenges remain to be addressed as this Country Profile explores. Full Article
car Randomized Study to Evaluate the Impact of Telemedicine Care in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes With Multiple Doses of Insulin and Suboptimal HbA1c in Andalusia (Spain): PLATEDIAN Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-20T12:00:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a telemedicine visit using the platform Diabetic compared with a face-to-face visit on clinical outcomes, patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and physicians’ satisfaction in patients with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS PLATEDIAN (Telemedicine on Metabolic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Andalusian Patients) (NCT03332472) was a multicenter, randomized, 6-month follow-up, open-label, parallel-group controlled study performed in patients with type 1 diabetes with suboptimal metabolic control (HbA1c <8% [<64 mmol/mol]), treated with multiple daily injections. A total of 388 patients were assessed for eligibility; 379 of them were randomized 1:1 to three face-to-face visits (control cohort [CC]) (n = 167) or the replacement of an intermediate face-to-face visit by a telemedicine visit using Diabetic (intervention cohort [IC]) (n = 163). The primary efficacy end point was the mean change of HbA1c levels from baseline to month 6. Other efficacy and safety end points were mean blood glucose, glucose variability, episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, patient-reported outcomes, and physicians’ satisfaction. RESULTS At month 6, the mean change in HbA1c levels was –0.04 ± 0.5% (–0.5 ± 5.8 mmol/mol) in the CC and 0.01 ± 0.6% (0.1 ± 6.0 mmol/mol) in the IC (P = 0.4941). The number of patients who achieved HbA1c <7% (<53 mmol/mol) was 73 and 78 in the CC and IC, respectively. Significant differences were not found regarding safety end points at 6 months. Changes in HRQoL between the first visit and final visit did not differ between cohorts, and, regarding fear of hypoglycemia (FH-15 score ≥28), statistically significant differences observed at baseline remained unchanged at 6 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of telemedicine in patients with type 1 diabetes with HbA1c <8% (<64 mmol/mol) provides similar efficacy and safety outcomes as face-to-face visits. Full Article
car Diabetes INSIDE: Improving Population HbA1c Testing and Targets in Primary Care With a Quality Initiative By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-20T12:00:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE To improve outcomes of patients with adult type 2 diabetes by decreasing HbA1c undertesting, reducing the proportion of patients with poor glycemic control, and lowering mean HbA1c levels using a quality improvement (QI) program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Six years of outpatient electronic health record (EHR) data were analyzed for care gaps before and 2 years after implementing a QI initiative in an urban academic medical center. QI strategies included 1) individual provider and departmental outcome reports, 2) patient outreach programs to address timely follow-up care, 3) a patient awareness campaign to improve understanding of achieving clinical goals, 4) improving EHR data capture to improve population monitoring, and 5) professional education. RESULTS Analysis (January 2010 to May 2018) of 7,798 patients from Tulane Medical Center (mean age 61 years, 57% female, 62% black, 97% insured) with 136,004 visits showed target improvements. A Cox proportional hazards model controlling for age, sex, race, and HbA1c level showed a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c undertesting >6 months (hazard ratio 1.20 ± 0.07). Statistical process control charts showed 15.5% relative improvement in the patient proportion with HbA1c >9% (75 mmol/mol) from 13% to 11% (P < 10–6) following QI interventions and a 2.1% improvement of population mean HbA1c from 7.4% (57 mmol/mol) to 7.2% (55 mmol/mol) (P < 10–6). CONCLUSIONS Multidisciplinary QI teams using EHR data to design interventions for providers and patients produced statistically significant improvements in both care process and clinical outcome goals. Full Article
car Diabetes in the Emergency Department: Acute Care of Diabetes Patients By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2011-04-01 Candace D. McNaughtonApr 1, 2011; 29:51-59Feature Articles Full Article
car The Weighty Issue of Low-Carb Diets, or Is the Carbohydrate the Enemy? By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2004-10-01 Jennifer B. MarksOct 1, 2004; 22:155-156Editorials Full Article
car Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes--2018 Abridged for Primary Care Providers By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2018-01-01 American Diabetes AssociationJan 1, 2018; 36:14-37Position Statements Full Article
car Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes--2019 Abridged for Primary Care Providers By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2019-01-01 American Diabetes AssociationJan 1, 2019; 37:11-34Position Statements Full Article
car Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes--2020 Abridged for Primary Care Providers By clinical.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-01 American Diabetes AssociationJan 1, 2020; 38:10-38Standards of Care Full Article
car Within-Trial Evaluation of Medical Resources, Costs, and Quality of Life Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Participating in the Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL) By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-20T12:00:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE To compare medical resource use, costs, and health utilities for 14,752 patients with type 2 diabetes who were randomized to once-weekly exenatide (EQW) or placebo in addition to usual diabetes care in the Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Medical resource use data and responses to the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) instrument were collected at baseline and throughout the trial. Medical resources and medications were assigned values by using U.S. Medicare payments and wholesale acquisition costs, respectively. Secondary analyses used English costs. RESULTS Patients were followed for an average of 3.3 years, during which time those randomized to EQW experienced 0.41 fewer inpatient days (7.05 vs. 7.46 days; relative rate ratio 0.91; P = 0.05). Rates of outpatient medical visits were similar, as were total inpatient and outpatient costs. Mean costs for nonstudy diabetes medications over the study period were ~$1,600 lower with EQW than with placebo (P = 0.01). Total within-study costs, excluding study medication, were lower in the EQW arm than in the placebo arm ($28,907 vs. $30,914; P ≤ 0.01). When including the estimated cost of EQW, total mean costs were significantly higher in the EQW group than in the placebo group ($42,697 vs. $30,914; P < 0.01). With English costs applied, mean total costs, including exenatide costs, were £1,670 higher in the EQW group than the placebo group (£10,874 vs. £9,204; P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in EQ-5D health utilities between arms over time. CONCLUSIONS Medical costs were lower in the EQW arm than the placebo arm, but total costs were significantly higher once the cost of branded exenatide was incorporated. Full Article
car Plasma and Dietary Linoleic Acid and 3-Year Risk of Type 2 Diabetes After Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Analysis in the Alpha Omega Cohort By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-20T12:00:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE To study plasma and dietary linoleic acid (LA) in relation to type 2 diabetes risk in post–myocardial infarction (MI) patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We included 3,257 patients aged 60–80 years (80% male) with a median time since MI of 3.5 years from the Alpha Omega Cohort and who were initially free of type 2 diabetes. At baseline (2002–2006), plasma LA was measured in cholesteryl esters, and dietary LA was estimated with a 203-item food-frequency questionnaire. Incident type 2 diabetes was ascertained through self-reported physician diagnosis and medication use. Hazard ratios (with 95% CIs) were calculated by Cox regressions, in which dietary LA isocalorically replaced the sum of saturated (SFA) and trans fatty acids (TFA). RESULTS Mean ± SD circulating and dietary LA was 50.1 ± 4.9% and 5.9 ± 2.1% energy, respectively. Plasma and dietary LA were weakly correlated (Spearman r = 0.13, P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 41 months, 171 patients developed type 2 diabetes. Plasma LA was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk (quintile [Q]5 vs. Q1: 0.44 [0.26, 0.75]; per 5%: 0.73 [0.62, 0.86]). Substitution of dietary LA for SFA+TFA showed no association with type 2 diabetes risk (Q5 vs. Q1: 0.78 [0.36, 1.72]; per 5% energy: 1.18 [0.59, 2.35]). Adjustment for markers of de novo lipogenesis attenuated plasma LA associations. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort of post-MI patients, plasma LA was inversely related to type 2 diabetes risk, whereas dietary LA was not related. Further research is needed to assess whether plasma LA indicates metabolic state rather than dietary LA in these patients. Full Article
car Health Care Expenditures Among Adults With Diabetes After Oregons Medicaid Expansion By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:30-08:00 OBJECTIVE To compare trends in Medicaid expenditures among adults with diabetes who were newly eligible due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion to trends among those previously eligible. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using Oregon Medicaid administrative data from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2016, a retrospective cohort study was conducted with propensity score–matched Medicaid eligibility groups (newly and previously eligible). Outcome measures included total per-member per-month (PMPM) Medicaid expenditures and PMPM expenditures in the following 12 categories: inpatient visits, emergency department visits, primary care physician visits, specialist visits, prescription drugs, transportation services, tests, imaging and echography, procedures, durable medical equipment, evaluation and management, and other or unknown services. RESULTS Total PMPM Medicaid expenditures for newly eligible enrollees with diabetes were initially considerably lower compared with PMPM expenditures for matched previously eligible enrollees during the first postexpansion quarter (mean values $561 vs. $793 PMPM, P = 0.018). Within the first three postexpansion quarters, PMPM expenditures of the newly eligible increased to a similar but slightly lower level. Afterward, PMPM expenditures of both groups continued to increase steadily. Most of the overall PMPM expenditure increase among the newly eligible was due to rapidly increasing prescription drug expenditures. CONCLUSIONS Newly eligible Medicaid enrollees with diabetes had slightly lower PMPM expenditures than previously eligible Medicaid enrollees. The increase in PMPM prescription drug expenditures suggests greater access to treatment over time. Full Article
car Redesigning Primary Care to Improve Diabetes Outcomes (the UNITED Study) By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:29-08:00 OBJECTIVE The effective redesign of primary care delivery systems to improve diabetes care requires an understanding of which particular components of delivery consistently lead to better clinical outcomes. We identified associations between common systems of care management (SysCMs) and the frequency of meeting standardized performance targets for Optimal Diabetes Care (NQF#0729) in primary care practices. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A validated survey of 585 eligible family or general internal medicine practices seeing ≥30 adult patients with diabetes in or near Minnesota during 2017 evaluated the presence of 62 SysCMs. From 419 (72%) practices completing the survey, NQF#0729 was determined in 396 (95%) from electronic health records, including 215,842 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. RESULTS Three SysCMs were associated with higher rates of meeting performance targets across all practices: 1) a systematic process for shared decision making with patients (P = 0.001), 2) checklists of tests or interventions needed for prevention or monitoring of diabetes (P = 0.002), and 3) physician reminders of guideline-based age-appropriate risk assessments due at the patient visit (P = 0.002). When all three were in place, an additional 10.8% of the population achieved recommended performance measures. In subgroup analysis, 15 additional SysCMs were associated with better care in particular types of practices. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes care outcomes are better in primary care settings that use a patient-centered approach to systematically engage patients in decision making, remind physicians of age-appropriate risk assessments, and provide checklists for recommended diabetes interventions. Practice size and location are important considerations when redesigning delivery systems to improve performance. Full Article
car The Association Between Poor Glycemic Control and Health Care Costs in People With Diabetes: A Population-Based Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:34-07:00 OBJECTIVE To analyze the differences in health care costs according to glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data on health care resource utilization from 100,391 people with type 2 diabetes were extracted from the electronic database used at the Catalan Health Institute. Multivariate regression models were carried out to test the impact of glycemic control (HbA1c) on total health care, hospital admission, and medication costs; model 1 adjusted for a variety of covariates, and model 2 also included micro- and macrovascular complications. Glycemic control was classified as good for HbA1c <7%, fair for ≥7% to <8%, poor for ≥8% to <10%, and very poor for ≥10%. RESULTS Mean per patient annual direct medical costs were 3,039 ± SD 6,581. Worse glycemic control was associated with higher total health care costs: compared with good glycemic control, health care costs increased by 18% (509.82) and 23% (661.35) in patients with very poor and poor glycemic control, respectively, when unadjusted and by 428.3 and 395.1, respectively, in model 2. Medication costs increased by 12% in patients with fair control and by 28% in those with very poor control (model 2). Patients with poor control had a higher probability of hospitalization than those with good control (5% in model 2) and a greater average cost when hospitalization occurred (811). CONCLUSIONS Poor glycemic control was directly related to higher total health care, hospitalization, and medication costs. Preventive strategies and good glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes could reduce the economic impact associated with this disease. Full Article
car Impact of a Telephonic Intervention to Improve Diabetes Control on Health Care Utilization and Cost for Adults in South Bronx, New York By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:34-07:00 OBJECTIVE Self-management education and support are essential for improved diabetes control. A 1-year randomized telephonic diabetes self-management intervention (Bronx A1C) among a predominantly Latino and African American population in New York City was found effective in improving blood glucose control. To further those findings, this current study assessed the intervention’s impact in reducing health care utilization and costs over 4 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured inpatient (n = 816) health care utilization for Bronx A1C participants using an administrative data set containing all hospital discharges for New York State from 2006 to 2014. Multilevel mixed modeling was used to assess changes in health care utilization and costs between the telephonic diabetes intervention (Tele/Pr) arm and print-only (PrO) control arm. RESULTS During follow-up, excess relative reductions in all-cause hospitalizations for the Tele/Pr arm compared with PrO arm were statistically significant for odds of hospital use (odds ratio [OR] 0.89; 95% CI 0.82, 0.97; P < 0.01), number of hospital stays (rate ratio [RR] 0.90; 95% CI 0.81, 0.99; P = 0.04), and hospital costs (RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.84, 0.98; P = 0.01). Reductions in hospital use and costs were even stronger for diabetes-related hospitalizations. These outcomes were not significantly related to changes observed in hemoglobin A1c during individuals’ participation in the 1-year intervention. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the impact of the Bronx A1C intervention was not just on short-term improvements in glycemic control but also on long-term health care utilization. This finding is important because it suggests the benefits of the intervention were long-lasting with the potential to not only reduce hospitalizations but also to lower hospital-associated costs. Full Article
car Watch: Driver accidentally reverses onto two parked cars outside Florida bank By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 10:31:58 -0400 A Florida sheriff's office said a driver reversing out of a bank parking lot accidentally ended up backing up onto two other cars. Full Article
car Iowa man receives postcard mailed 33 years earlier By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 13:35:11 -0400 An Iowa man who received a postcard from his sister said he was surprised to note the card had been mailed in 1987. Full Article
car Colts QB Philip Rivers to coach at Alabama high school once NFL career ends By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 21:04:31 -0400 Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers will become the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School, the school announced Friday. Full Article
car 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson baseball card from 1910 sells for $492K at auction By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 22:57:58 -0400 A "Shoeless" Joe Jackson baseball card from 1910 sold at auction for $492,000 this week. Full Article
car Lipid and Inflammatory Cardiovascular Risk Worsens Over 3 Years in Youth With Type 2 Diabetes: The TODAY clinical trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2013-06-01 TODAY Study GroupJun 1, 2013; 36:1758-1764TODAY Study Full Article
car Framingham, SCORE, and DECODE Risk Equations Do Not Provide Reliable Cardiovascular Risk Estimates in Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2007-05-01 Ruth L. ColemanMay 1, 2007; 30:1292-1293BR Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Full Article
car Early Signs of Cardiovascular Disease in Youth With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2005-05-01 Neslihan GungorMay 1, 2005; 28:1219-1221BR Pathophysiology/Complications Full Article
car In-Hospital Prognosis of Ppatients With Fasting Hyperglycemia After First Myocardial Infarction By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 1991-08-01 John J O'SullivanAug 1, 1991; 14:758-760Short Report Full Article
car Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Concentrations and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2006-03-01 Massimo CigoliniMar 1, 2006; 29:722-724BR Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Full Article
car Personalized Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes: Reflections from a Diabetes Care Editors' Expert Forum By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2013-06-01 Itamar RazJun 1, 2013; 36:1779-1788Diabetes Care Expert Forum Full Article
car Update on Cardiovascular Outcomes at 30 Years of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2014-01-01 John M. LachinJan 1, 2014; 37:39-43DCCT/EDIC 30th Anniversary Summary Findings Full Article
car Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Stiffness in Obese Children By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2004-10-01 Arcangelo IannuzziOct 1, 2004; 27:2506-2508Brief Reports Full Article
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