A Genetic Basis for Mechanosensory Traits in Humans

Hearing and touch are genetically related, and people with excellent hearing are more likely to have a fine sense of touch and vice versa

Transient Hypothyroidism in Premature Infants After Short-term Topical Iodine Exposure: An Avoidable Risk?

Studies in preterm infants have shown that prolonged treatment with topical iodine (multiple doses, often over multiple days) can transiently suppress thyroid function. However, it is uncertain if topical iodine exposure for very short periods of time can cause significant changes in thyroid function. We report two cases of transient hypothyroidism in preterm infants after short-term exposure to topical iodine during surgical preparation, and review their clinical and laboratory findings before and after iodine exposure. We conclude that premature infants are at risk of developing transient hypothyroidism in response to a single, short-term exposure to topical iodine, even in iodine-sufficient geographical areas. We advise monitoring of thyroid function in these infants after iodine exposure, as treatment with levothyroxine may be needed for a limited duration to prevent the sequelae of untreated hypothyroidism. Consideration of using alternative cleansing agents is also advised

Transient Hypothyroidism in Premature Infants After Short-term Topical Iodine Exposure: An Avoidable Risk?

Studies in preterm infants have shown that prolonged treatment with topical iodine (multiple doses, often over multiple days) can transiently suppress thyroid function. However, it is uncertain if topical iodine exposure for very short periods of time can cause significant changes in thyroid function. We report two cases of transient hypothyroidism in preterm infants after short-term exposure to topical iodine during surgical preparation, and review their clinical and laboratory findings before and after iodine exposure. We conclude that premature infants are at risk of developing transient hypothyroidism in response to a single, short-term exposure to topical iodine, even in iodine-sufficient geographical areas. We advise monitoring of thyroid function in these infants after iodine exposure, as treatment with levothyroxine may be needed for a limited duration to prevent the sequelae of untreated hypothyroidism. Consideration of using alternative cleansing agents is also advised

Early Detection of Physical Activity for People With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Early detection of exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may allow changes in therapy to prevent hypoglycemia. Currently there is limited experience with automated methods that detect the onset and end of exercise in this population. We sought to develop a novel method to quickly and reliably detect the onset and end of exercise in these individuals before significant changes in blood glucose (BG) occur. METHODS: Sixteen adults with T1DM were studied as outpatients using a diary, accelerometer, heart rate monitor, and continuous glucose monitor for 2 days. These data were used to develop a principal component analysis based exercise detection method. Subjects also performed 60 and 30 minute exercise sessions at 30% and 50% predicted heart rate reserve (HRR), respectively. The detection method was applied to the exercise sessions to determine how quickly the detection of start and end of exercise occurred relative to change in BG. RESULTS: Mild 30% HRR and moderate 50% HRR exercise onset was identified in 6 ± 3 and 5 ± 2 (mean ± SD) minutes, while completion was detected in 3 ± 8 and 6 ± 5 minutes, respectively. BG change from start of exercise to detection time was 1 ± 6 and −1 ± 3 mg/dL, and, from the end of exercise to detection time was 6 ± 4 and −17 ± 13 mg/dL, respectively, for the 2 exercise sessions. False positive and negative ratios were 4 ± 2% and 21 ± 22%. CONCLUSIONS: The novel method for exercise detection identified the onset and end of exercise in approximately 5 minutes, with an average BG change of only −6 mg/dL

Evaluation of an artificial pancreas with enhanced model predictive control and a glucose prediction trust index with unannounced exercise

Background: We investigated the safety and efficacy of the addition of a trust index to enhanced Model Predictive Control (eMPC) Artificial Pancreas (AP) that works by adjusting the responsiveness of the controller's insulin delivery based on the confidence intervals around predictions of glucose trends. This constitutes a dynamic adaptation of the controller's parameters in contrast with the widespread AP implementation of individualized fixed controller tuning. Materials and methods: After 1 week of sensor-augmented pump (SAP) use, subjects completed a 48-h AP admission that included three meals/day (carbohydrate range 29-57 g/meal), a 1-h unannounced brisk walk, and two overnight periods. Endpoints included sensor glucose percentage time 70-180, 180 mg/dL, number of hypoglycemic events, and assessment of the trust index versus standard eMPC glucose predictions. Results: Baseline characteristics for the 15 subjects who completed the study (mean ± SD) were age 46.1 ± 17.8 years, HbA1c 7.2% ± 1.0%, diabetes duration 26.8 ± 17.6 years, and total daily dose (TDD) 35.5 ± 16.4 U/day. Mean sensor glucose percent time 70-180 mg/dL (88.0% ± 8.0% vs. 74.6% ± 9.4%), <70 mg/dL (1.5% ± 1.9% vs. 7.8% ± 6.0%), and number of hypoglycemic events (0.6 ± 0.6 vs. 6.3 ± 3.4), all showed statistically significant improvement during AP use compared with the SAP run-in (P < 0.001). On average, the trust index enhanced controller responsiveness to predicted hyper- and hypoglycemia by 26% (P < 0.005). Conclusions: In this population of well-controlled patients, we conclude that eMPC with trust index AP achieved nearly 90% time in the target glucose range. Additional studies will further validate these results