A texting-based blood pressure surveillance intervention.

The authors examined whether using home BP measurements collected via a custom-built bi-directional-texting platform incorporated into patients' electronic medical records would lead to treatment calibration and improved BP management. Patients were randomized to either the intervention group and collected home measurements based on reminders and reported via bi-directional texting, or to the control group, with home BP measurement reporting via standard practice (eg, phone, electronic medical record portal) and instructed to return 7 morning and 7 evening BP measurements. Outcomes included number of BP measurements submitted, the number of medication changes, reduction in BP, and BP control.

Ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis, a single academic center experience.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, single or in combination, have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of many malignancies. Ipilimumab, a CTLA-4 inhibitor, was initially FDA approved for treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma and subsequently in combination therapy for other cancers. Ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis (IH) risk of development varies in different studies between 0 and 17%.

Updates in Diagnosis and Treatment of Acromegaly.

Acromegaly is a rare disease, caused largely by a growth hormone (GH) pituitary adenoma. Incidence is higher than previously thought. Due to increased morbidity and mortality, if not appropriately treated, early diagnosis efforts are essential.

Clinical outcomes in male patients with lactotroph adenomas who required pituitary surgery: a retrospective single center study.

Purpose: Lactotroph adenomas (LA) are the most frequently encountered pituitary tumors. Although more frequently observed in women, LAs in men were recently included in a more aggressive category regardless of histological grading, by the WHO. We aimed to perform a rigorous retrospective review of a single center's pre-operative evaluation, patient characteristics and outcomes of male LAs patients requiring pituitary surgery.

Diabetes as an increasingly common comorbidity among patient hospitalizations for tuberculosis in the USA.

Objective: Diabetes is a risk factor for active tuberculosis (TB). The purpose of this paper was to estimate the risk of hospitalization for TB with and without a secondary diagnosis of diabetes in groups with different ethnic backgrounds.

Research Design And Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2011, identifying all patients with a primary diagnosis of TB and/or a secondary diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) or HIV.

In vivo evaluation of zirconia ceramic in the DexAide right ventricular assist device journal bearing.

Zirconia is a ceramic with material properties ideal for journal bearing applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of zirconium oxide (zirconia) as a blood journal bearing material in the DexAide right ventricular assist device. Zirconia ceramic was used instead of titanium to manufacture the DexAide stator housing without changing the stator geometry or the remaining pump hardware components.

A pilot study for inducing chronic heart failure in calves by means of oral monensin.

Introduction: Heart failure remains a major cause of mortality in the United States, despite advancing technologies, newer methods of treatment, and novel devices. To evaluate such novel devices, a large-animal model of chronic heart failure is critical in carrying out preclinical animal studies.

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of oral monensin in inducing stable heart failure in five Jersey calves.

Development of DexAide right ventricular assist device: update II.

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) is a magnetically and hydrodynamically levitated implantable centrifugal pump. Recent progress includes 1) redesign of the inflow/outflow conduits, which yielded two successful 3-month experiments, 2) development of alternative journal bearing materials, and 3) completion of an 18-month duration of in vitro endurance testing. Verification testing of the RVAD electronics has been completed, and a prototype biventricular assist device (BVAD) system has been tested.

Median sternotomy approach for chronic bovine experiments.

Lateral thoracotomy is the traditional surgical approach for preclinical animal testing of various ventricular assist devices. Median sternotomy, however, is regarded from a functional standpoint as the most appropriate approach for cardiac surgical procedures, particularly for device implantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of performing a median sternotomy in chronic bovine studies.