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Currently available semiautomated insulin-delivery systems require individualized insulin regimens for the initialization of therapy and meal doses based on carbohydrate counting for routine operation. In contrast, the bionic pancreas is initialized only on the basis of body weight, makes all dose decisions and delivers insulin autonomously, and uses meal announcements without carbohydrate counting.In this 13-week, multicenter, randomized trial, we randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio persons at least 6 years of age with type 1 diabetes either to receive bionic pancreas treatment with insulin aspart or insulin lispro or to receive standard care (defined as any insulin-delivery method with unblinded, real-time continuous glucose monitoring). The primary outcome was the glycated hemoglobin level at 13 weeks. The key secondary outcome was the percentage of time that the glucose level as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring was below 54 mg per deciliter; the prespecified noninferiority limit for this outcome was 1 percentage point. Safety was also assessed.A total of 219 participants 6 to 79 years of age were assigned to the bionic-pancreas group, and 107 to the standard-care group. The glycated hemoglobin level decreased from 7.9% to 7.3% in the bionic-pancreas group and did not change (was at 7.7% at both time points) in the standard-care group (mean adjusted difference at 13 weeks, -0.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.6 to -0.3; P0.001). The percentage of time that the glucose level as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring was below 54 mg per deciliter did not differ significantly between the two groups (13-week adjusted difference, 0.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -0.1 to 0.04; P0.001 for noninferiority). The rate of severe hypoglycemia was 17.7 events per 100 participant-years in the bionic-pancreas group and 10.8 events per 100 participant-years in the standard-care group (P = 0.39). No episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis occurred in either group.In this 13-week, randomized trial involving adults and children with type 1 diabetes, use of a bionic pancreas was associated with a greater reduction than standard care in the glycated hemoglobin level. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04200313.).

Background: Ectopic production of ACTH causing Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is rare but has been well described in association with bronchial carcinoids, thymomas, pancreatic malignancies, and small cell lung carcinomas. We report a rare case of CS caused by ACTH-producing non-small cell carcinoma. Clinical Case: A 71 year-old man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (T2bN1M0) 10 years prior who underwent lobectomy and adjunctive chemotherapy, presented with a new cough, weight loss, and bilateral lower extremity edema. He was also noted to have significant fatigue, hypertension, symptomatic hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia. CT chest revealed a large right perihilar mass with mediastinal adenopathy and numerous hepatic lesions. A biopsy of the liver lesions revealed a poorly differentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine features strongly positive for AE1/3 with focal p40+, CK7, synaptophysin, chromogranin, and TTF1. It was negative for p63, CK5/6, CDX2, CK20, and GATA3. The morphology and immunohistochemical staining favored a squamous primary. Unfortunately, there was insufficient tissue sample to stain for ACTH. Biochemical evaluation revealed: post-1 mg dexamethasone serum cortisol 74.8 µg/dL (N < 1.8 µg/dL), 24 hr urine free cortisol 2987 µg/g creatinine (normal: < 32 µg/g creatinine), and ACTH 170 pg/mL (N < 47 pg/mL). Other notable findings at presentation were potassium 2.8 mmol/L (N: 3.7-5.1 mmol/L) and glucose 371 mg/dL (N: 74-99 mg/dL). MRI brain revealed focal pituitary infundibular thickening up to 6 mm in diameter and an enlargement of the pituitary gland concerning for metastasis. The patient’s clinical course was complicated by persistent hypokalemia and hyperglycemia which were treated with spironolactone 100 mg twice a day and insulin therapy, respectively. Ketoconazole 100 mg twice a day was initiated for the hypercortisolemia; etoposide, carboplatin, and atezolizumab were started for the neuroendocrine tumor. The patient expired due to sepsis one month after the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Conclusion: We report a rare case of paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome due to poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor with a squamous cell carcinoma primary. ACTH producing non-small cell carcinomas have been seldom reported in the literature. Although we were unable to provide ACTH staining on pathology, the existence of an obvious neuroendocrine tumor, marked elevation in ACTH, and an MRI which was negative for a pituitary adenoma, strongly suggests paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome.

Islam is the second most common religion in the world, and there are 1.6 billion Muslims, many in areas where diabetes is prevalent. Each year observant Muslims fast during the daylight hours for the holy month of Ramadan. It is estimated that 50 million diabetic people fast between dawn and sundown

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether endocrinologists and primary care physicians (PCP) adequately screen for ophthalmic symptoms/signs within office visits and provide timely ophthalmology referrals in patients with diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients between the ages of 18 years and 80 years with diabetes who underwent an office visit with an endocrinologist or a PCP between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, were identified. Demographics, ophthalmic assessments, and referral information were collected. RESULTS: A total of 1,250 patient records were reviewed. Providers asked about ophthalmic symptoms/signs in 95.5% and 71% of endocrinology and primary care office encounters, respectively ( P < .0001). Past and/or future ophthalmology appointments were verified in 86.1% and 49.7% of patients during endocrinology and PCP visits, respectively ( P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic complications from diabetes are not adequately screened, especially within the primary care setting, and further quality improvement measures may improve adherence to recommended screening protocols. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2016;47:930–934.]