Effects of Behavioral Economics-Based Messaging on Appointment Scheduling Through Patient Portals and Appointment Completion: Observational Study.

Background: Behavioral economics-based techniques have been an increasingly utilized method in health care to influence behavior change by modifying language in patient communication (through choice architecture and the framing of words). Patient portals are a key tool for facilitating patient engagement in their health, and interventions deployed via patient portals have been effective in improving utilization of preventive health services.

Objective: We examined the impacts of behavioral economics-based nudge health maintenance reminders on appointment scheduling through a patient portal and appointment completion for 2 preventive services: Medicare wellness visits and Pap smear.

Preconditioning by subinotropic doses of ouabain in the Langendorff perfused rabbit heart.

Short exposure to low concentrations of digitalis drugs like ouabain protects the rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury through the activation of the Na/K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)/Src receptor complex and subsequent stimulation of key intracellular cardioprotective signals. Rat Na/K-ATPase, however, is relatively insensitive to digitalis, and it is not known if similar results could be obtained in species with higher sensitivity. Thus, to determine whether ouabain pretreatment protects against ischemic injury and activates the Na/K-ATPase signaling cascade in a species with cardiac glycoside sensitivity comparable to humans, the present study was conducted in the rabbit model.

Understanding type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular disease: linked by insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent disorder diagnosed by the presence of hyperglycemia, although insulin resistance frequently precedes the onset of hyperglycemia. Metabolic abnormalities, such as dyslipidemia, increased markers of atherosclerotic and inflammatory states, and increased free fatty acid flux, also precede the detection of hyperglycemia in many patients. Not surprisingly, clinical morbidities from complications of type 2 diabetes often are present at the time of diagnosis; these complications include both microvascular and macrovascular disease.

Myofibroma of the upper arm in a 52-year-old woman.

Myofibromas are mesenchymal tumors that most often present in infancy. There are sporadic cases in adults throughout the literature. Myofibroma will demonstrate a variable appearance on CT and ultrasound, but tends to have a fairly consistent appearance on MR imaging.

Effect of glutamine in short-bowel syndrome.

Background And Aims: Animal studies have reported positive effects of glutamine on intestinal absorption and morphology; human studies have been less convincing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of glutamine and diet on intestinal morphology, motility, and absorption.

Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 8 patients with short-bowel on a high carbohydrate, low fat (HCLF) diet, was performed.