Frequent Monitoring of Blood Glucose Levels via a Remote Patient Monitoring System Helps Improve Glycemic Control.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Vivovitals diabetes platform in improving glycemic control and reducing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus by providing more accessible and direct patient care under the monitoring and oversight of their physician. METHODS: This 12-week, prospective, pragmatic, single-center, double-arm study assessed the impact of the Vivovitals diabetes platform on glycemic control in 78 adults aged ≥18 years with HbA1c levels of ≥7.5% (58 mmol/mol) at baseline. The participants were randomized into 2 groups. The control group received usual clinical care, whereas the intervention group was provided with a smartphone-linked telehealth application, a preconfigured glucometer, and access to a glycemic reading diary. The blood glucose levels of the intervention group were transmitted to the providers daily. Patients whose blood glucose level was <70 mg/dL or >180mg/dL were contacted, and modifications were made to their diet and medication. The 2 groups were compared at the baseline and at 12 weeks using nonparametric tests, with P <.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Over 12 weeks, the average HbA1c level in the control group reduced by 0.474% (P = .533; 95% CI, -0.425 to -0.523), whereas the average HbA1c level in the intervention group reduced by 1.70% (P = .002; 95% CI, -1.02 to -2.39). The estimated treatment difference was expressed using Cohen d, which yielded 0.62. After 12 weeks, the HbA1c values between the control and intervention groups were statistically significant (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The use of the Vivovitals platform may help to improve glycemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Reference range of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in women during reproductive age in the Iranian population.

Backgrounds: To determine the average cutoff values of serum-free and total testosterone (FT, TT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) among healthy premenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Participants were women aged 18-55 years without signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism (n = 489). Participants if Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) scores between 6 and 8 were considered a group located in the upper spectrum related to the normal hirsutism score (n = 30). DHEAS, TT, and FT levels were compared between different populations. Upper limits of 97.5 and 95 and lower limits of 5 and 2.5 percentiles were calculated to provide the reference intervals for DHEA, TT, and FT in the total sample and in the population with FG 6-8. Results: In the total population, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) serum FT, TT, and DHEAS levels were 1.40 ± 0.63 pg/mL, 0.42 ± 0.17 ng/mL, and 1.5 ± 0.97 µg/ml, respectively. The cutoff values of FT at 1.35 and TT at 0.49 were obtained for differentiating the patients with FG 6-8 scores from the normal population, with the corresponding specificity of 0.60, the sensitivity of 0.67, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) (confidence interval 95%) of 0.63 (0.52-0.73), P = 0.01 and 0.68 (0.58-0.78) P = 0.001, respectively. Conclusions: In our study, the mean ± SD serum FT level was 1.40 ± 0.63 pg/mL, the TT level was 0.42 ± 0.17 ng/mL, and the DHEAS level was 1.5 ± 0.97 µg/ml, in premenopausal women between 18 and 49 years of age. Furthermore, in a population with FG 6-8 score, a cutoff value of FT at 1.35 and TT at 0.49 was obtained. Although the irregular menstrual cycle did not change the reference range when compared with the normal group.

Patterns of changes in serum lipid profiles in prediabetic subjects: results from a 16-year prospective cohort study among first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Lipid abnormality pervasively is associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study that has examined the longitudinal changes in a wide range of serum lipid profiles in prediabetic subjects in association with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the future. This study aimed to identify the patterns of changes in lipid profiles over time in prediabetic patients and to classify these subjects in order to highlight which patients are at high risk for future diabetes. METHODS: This prospective 16-year (2003-2019) cohort study was conducted among 1228 prediabetic subjects. The study subjects were followed, and the changes in their lipid profiles, including triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were evaluated. The latent Markov model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) age of subjects was 44.0 (6.8) years, and 73.6% of them were female. The latent Markov model identified two latent states of subjects in terms of changes in lipid profiles: a low tendency to progress diabetes / high tendency to progress diabetes (74, 26%). The latent Markov model showed that the transition probability from a "low tendency to progress diabetic" state to a "high tendency to progress diabetic" state was lower than the transition probability from "high tendency to progress diabetic" state to "low tendency to progress diabetic" state. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that more than half of the first-degree relatives of T2DM had approximately normal lipid profiles and that these patients are more inclined to transition from a higher- to a lower-tendency diabetic state. These findings confirm the value of regular screening of first-degree relatives of T2DM. Moreover, preventive intervention strategies are recommended to reduce their risk of developing T2DM.

Factors associated with progression to pre-diabetes: a recurrent events analysis.

AIMS: Pre-diabetes is a strong risk factor for type 2diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with normal glucose maintenance and pre-diabetes prevention or delay. METHODS: Data of 1016 first-degree relatives of T2D patients were retrieved from the Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Study (IDPS). Association of various variables including nutrients, serum tests and physical activity with the risk of pre-diabetes was assessed using recurrent events approach. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of diabetes was 8.17, 9.44, and 4.91% for total sample and individuals with and without pre-diabetes experience in the follow-up. Risk of progression to pre-diabetes was higher in women and older people (p < 0.01). Additionally, BMI and blood pressure had significant association with the risk (p < 0.01) and individuals with higher intake of fat were at higher risk (HR = 2.26; 95% CI 1.66-3.07 for high-intake and HR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.27-1.83 for medium-intake compared to low-intake group). Carbohydrates and protein intake were positively associated with the risk of pre-diabetes with HR = 8.63 per 49 g extra carbohydrates per day and HR = 1.32 per 6 g extra protein per day (p < 0.01). The association was also significant for triglyceride (TG) with 7% risk increase per 1 SD = 1.14 increase in TG level. CONCLUSION: Despite frequent studies on lifestyle modification for pre-diabetes prevention, less information is available about the role of nutritional components. We observed direct effects for intake of macronutrients including fat, carbohydrates, and protein in first-degree relatives. Further research is warranted to assess these associations in general populations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Evidence obtained from a single-center cohort study.

Thyroid volume and nodular and diffuse thyroid diseases by ultrasonography in pregnant women: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, it is shown that pregnancy may have an impact on the thyroid that can be leading to pregnancy complications such as abortion, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery. The objective was to compare the thyroid volume, number and characteristics of thyroid nodules, and prevalence of diffuse thyroid diseases in a sample of Iranian pregnant women in the first trimester to nonpregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 298 pregnant and 290 nonpregnant women. Thyroid volume, maximum diameter of thyroid nodules and prevalence of moderate to highly suspicious thyroid nodules, Hashimoto's appearance and goiter were assessed using thyroid ultrasonography. Antithyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies were measured if the sonographic features were highly suggested for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. RESULTS: The mean of total thyroid volume in pregnant and nonpregnant women was 6 and 6.5 ml, respectively (P = 0.053), and the median (interquartile range) was 6.2 and 5.5, respectively. Nodules were observed in 16.4% of pregnant and 16.6% of nonpregnant women (P = 0.845). Hashimoto's thyroiditis was detected in 6.7% of pregnant and 12.4% of nonpregnant women (P = 0.013). Anti-TPO antibodies were detected in 5% of pregnant and 9.3% of nonpregnant women (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The thyroid volume and nodule characteristics in the first trimester of pregnancy were similar to nonpregnant women. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and anti-TPO antibodies in pregnant women were significantly lower than in nonpregnant women.

Prevalence and predictors of prediabetes and its coexistence with high blood pressure in first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes: A 9-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is strongly associated with high blood pressure; however, a little is known about prediabetes and high blood pressure comorbidity in the high-risk individuals. This is the first study in the world to assess the long-term effects of risk factors associated with high blood pressure and prediabetes comorbidity in the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The longitudinal data obtained from 1388 nondiabetic FDRs of T2DM patients with at least two visits between 2003 and 2011. We used univariate and bivariate mixed-effects logistic regressions with a Bayesian approach to identify longitudinal predictors of high blood pressure and prediabetes separately and simultaneously. RESULTS: The baseline prevalence of high blood pressure, prediabetes, and the coexistence of both was 27.4%, 19.1%, and 29.8%, respectively. The risks of high blood pressure and prediabetes were increased by one-unit raise in the age (odds ratio [OR] of high blood pressure: 1.419 (95% credible intervals [CI], 1.077-1.877), prediabetes: 1.055 (95% CI: 1.040-1.068)) and one-unit raise in remnant-cholesterol (OR of high blood pressure: 1.093 (95%CI, 1.067-1.121), and prediabetes: 1.086 (95% CI, 1.043-1.119)). Obese participants were more likely to have high blood pressure (OR: 2.443 [95% CI, 1.978-3.031]) and prediabetes (OR: 1.399 [95% CI, 1.129-1.730]) than other participants. CONCLUSION: We have introduced remnant-cholesterol, along with obesity and age, as a significant predictor of prediabetes, high blood pressure, and the coexistence of both in the FDRs of diabetic patients. Obesity index and remnant-cholesterol showed the stronger effects on high blood pressure and prediabetes comorbidity than on each condition separately.

Area under the curve during OGTT in first-degree relatives of diabetic patients as an efficient indicator of future risk of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether the area under the curve of an OGTT has a predictive role in identifying prediabetic and diabetic subjects among first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM). DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: In a population-based cohort study, 766 FDR of diabetic patients with a normal glucose tolerance test (NGT) completed a 2-hour OGTT. They were followed up for 7 years and classified according to the American Diabetes Association criteria into: NGT, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and DM. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated based on logistic regression. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis along with AUC at different intervals and at time points during the OGTT was used to evaluate the risk of prediabetes and diabetes. RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects (3%) developed type 2 DM, 118 (29.3%) IFG, 81 (11.5%) IGT and 544 (71%) subjects remained NGT. AUC and mean difference of glucose in all high-risk groups demonstrated significant differences in both intervals and time points when compared to the NGT group. The cut-off values during OGTT to predict prediabetes and diabetes was determined as blood glucose more than 7.2 and 7.8 mmol/L at 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. The time point 60 has the highest predictive role for the development of diabetes, alone, and improved the performance of a prediction model containing multiple important clinical risk factors. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the glycaemic response to an OGTT may predict the risk of development of diabetes in first-degree relatives of DM patients.

Utility of serum lipid ratios for predicting incident type 2 diabetes: the Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluate the association between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and total cholesterol (TC) to HDL (TC/HDL) ratio and the risks of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in an Iranian high-risk population. METHODS: We analysed 7-year follow-up data (n = 1771) in non-diabetic first-degree relatives of consecutive patients with T2D 30-70 years old. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of T2D based on repeated oral glucose tolerance tests. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratio for incident T2D across tertiles of TG/HDL and TC/HDL ratios and plotted a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess discrimination. RESULTS: The highest tertile of TG/HDL and TC/HDL ratios compared with the lowest tertile was not associated with T2D in age- and gender-adjusted models (HR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.88, 1.11 for TG/HDL ratio and 1.10, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.23 for TC/HDL ratio). Further adjustment for waist circumference or body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not appreciably alter the hazard ratio compared with the age- and gender-adjusted model. The area under the ROC curve for TG/HDL ratio was 57.7% (95% CI: 54.0, 61.5) and for TC/HDL ratio was 55.1% (95% CI: 51.2, 59.0). CONCLUSIONS: TG/HDL and TC/HDL ratios were not robust predictors of T2D in high-risk individuals in Iran. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Utility of Continuous Metabolic Syndrome Score in Assessing Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It is not clear whether levels of continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetS) are associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to determine the ability of the cMetS score to predict progression to T2D in non-diabetic first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with T2D in Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: A total of 1,869 non-diabetic FDRs 30-70 years old in 2003-2005 were followed through 2014 for the occurrence of T2D. At baseline and through follow-ups, participants underwent a standard 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. The cMetS score was calculated using age- and gender-standardized Z-score for MetS components. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the association between cMetS and components of MetS with T2D. RESULTS: During 13,571 person-years of follow-up, 72 men and 210 women developed diabetes. Those in the top quartile of cMetS were 8.0 times more likely to develop diabetes than those in the bottom quartile (OR 7.96; 95% CI 4.88-12.99). On ROC curve analysis, a higher area under the ROC were found for FPG (74.3%; 95% CI 70.8-77.8), than for cMetS (69.4%; 95% CI 66.0-72.8). CONCLUSIONS: The cMetS score is a robust predictor of T2D and may be more effective and efficient than the current binary definition of MetS in predicting progression to T2D in our study population.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on insulin resistance among prediabetic patients: A pilot study and single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the prevalent type of diabetes in the world. Prediabetic patients are the most probable group to get diabetes. Several studies have mentioned the role of inflammation in the incidence of diabetes. The origin of inflammation can be infection such as Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. This study was designed to explore the effect of HP eradication on insulin resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2014-2015. The sample size consisted of 49 individuals who were in prediabetes stage with HP infection. Patients with positive stool antigen were allocated randomly into two groups. The treatment group took medication to eradicate HP infection by the routine method of four-drug eradication. However, placebo capsules and tablets were given to the patients in the placebo group. Then fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), and quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-B), Matsuda index, insulinogenic index, and disposition index were calculated. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that FPI and HOMA-IR increased significantly (P value of FPI = 0.023 and P value of HOMA-IR = 0.019) after HP eradication in the treatment group. On the other hand, comparison of differences at the baseline and after 6 weeks in FPG (P value = 0.045), FPI (P value = 0.013), and HOMA-B (P value = 0.038) revealed significant differences between the placebo group and treatment group. CONCLUSION: Results showed that HP eradication by a 2-week antibiotic medication did not decrease insulin resistance and even increased FPI and insulin resistance indices. So HP eradication among prediabetic patients is not recommended for the decrease of insulin resistance and postponement of the development of diabetes mellitus.

Adherence to statin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: An important dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of patients' adherence to their drug treatments for achieving desired therapeutic goals and the proven role 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors (statins) for the health status of patients with cardiovascular diseases, there is not enough information regarding diabetic patients' adherence to statin therapy in developing countries. In this clinical study we aimed to assess the adherence of diabetes type 2 patients to statin therapy in a research based community clinic in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical study which was done at Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, 204 diabetic type 2 patients under treatment with statin were interviewed twice and their demographic data (age, gender, body mass index, education), statin information (type, dose) and their serum lipid profile were recorded. Three months after the initial visits, patients were assessed using pill counting method and according to patients' self-reporting and also assessed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal attainment <100 mg/dl. RESULTS: Adherence rate was 79.7% and 69% according to pill counting and self-reporting among study population. Moreover, 68.4% of patients achieved their LDL cholesterol goal of <100 mg/dl and adherent patients reached therapeutic goal significantly more than those who were considered non-adherence to statin therapy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Adherence to statin therapy, as reflected by pill count method, is significantly related to LDL cholesterol goal achievement in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia. Pill count method can be used to identify patients who are nonadherent to statin therapy and at high risk for failure to attain LDL cholesterol goals.

Trends of diabetic nephropathy prevalence in Isfahan, Iran, during 1992-2010.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and its subsequent complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, ulcers, disability, and amputation increase the burden of the disease. Patient knowledge-improving programs are employed to prevent disease progression and to improve the quality of life of the patients. In this way, we need to characterize the groups of patients in urgent need for more and rich-in-content programs. In the present study, we used piecewise regression to evaluate the trends of diabetic nephropathy prevalence in patients registered in the Sedigheh-Tahereh Research Center and to identify patients who were in need of more attention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Piecewise regression, used in this study, is a statistical method to identify change points, if any, in the trends of mortality rates, prevalence of a disease, or any other trends. Available information for 1,935 patients were retrieved from the database. Joinpoint program 3.5.3 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 was used to fit piecewise regression and obtain descriptive statistics, respectively. RESULTS: We assessed the trend of diabetic nephropathy in different groups of diabetic patients with respect to sex, blood pressure status, education, family history of diabetes, and age. The results showed an increasing trend in females, patients without family history of diabetes, and eover th recent years. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in patients with academic education was high. CONCLUSION: The groups with high prevalence or increasing trends need more preventive intervention and detailed assessment of the present trends. Exploring high-risk groups is beneficial for better policy-making in the future. However, discovering the reasons for the increased trend of the disease is really helpful in controlling diabetes complications.

Effect of metformin on thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid volume in patients with prediabetes: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The people with prediabetes have insulin resistance (IR). IR may affect thyroid function, size and nodules. We investigated the effects of metformin on the thyroid gland in prediabetic people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind placebo-control clinical trial, 89 people with prediabetes, aged 18-65 years were studied for 3 months. They were divided into two, metformin (n = 43) and placebo (n = 46) treated groups. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured and thyroid nodules and volume was studied by ultrasonography. The data were compared between and within groups, before and after the study. RESULTS: Mean of the baseline characteristics in metformin and placebo-treated groups had no statistically significant difference. At the end of the study, serum TSH was not significantly different between the two groups. However, if the TSH range was divided into two low normal (0.3-2.5 µU/ml) and high-normal (2.6-5.5 µU/ml) ranges, significant decrease was observed in metformin-treated group with a high-normal basal serum TSH (P = 0.01). Thyroid volume did not change in metformin-treated group. However, in placebo-treated group, the thyroid was enlarged (P = 0.03). In 53.9% of participants, thyroid nodule was observed. There was just a decrease in the volume of small solid (not mixed) nodules from median of 0.07 ml to 0.04 ml in metformin-treated group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In prediabetic people, metformin decreases serum TSH, only, in those people with TSH >2.5 µU/ml and reduces the size of small solid thyroid nodules. It also prevents an increase in the thyroid volume.

Serum uric acid level and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Excess serum uric acid (UA) accumulation can lead to various diseases. Increasing evidences reveal that UA may have a key role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Little is known about the associations of UA levels with cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic individuals. This study was designed to evaluate the association between UA and cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic subjects with family history of diabetes compared with those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional setting, a sample containing 643 (302 prediabetic subjects and 341 normal) of the first-degree relatives of diabetic patients aged 35-55-years old were investigated. Samples were assessed in prediabetic and normal groups using glucose tolerance categories. Prediabetes was defined based on American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. Body weight and height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), UA, creatinine (Cr), albumin (Alb), fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid profiles were measured and compared between two groups. RESULTS: Prediabetic persons were older and obese than normal persons. Also, prediabetic persons (5.2 ± 1.3 mg/dl) had significantly higher UA than normal persons (4.9 ± 1.4 mg/dl) (P < 0.05). FBG after 0, 30, 60, and 120 min in prediabetic were higher than normal persons (P < 0.001). With respect to metabolic parameters, the patients in the higher UA quartiles exhibited higher levels of body mass index (BMI), SBP, FBG and triglycerides (TG). The higher quartiles of UA tended to be associated with higher BMI and higher total cholesterol (TC) in females prediabetic persons. Based on logistic regression analysis in different models, UA was positively (odds ratio (OR) >1, P < 0.05) associated with glucose tolerance categories. This association remained statistically significant after adjusting the effects of age and BMI. Also, the association between glucose tolerance categories and UA were positively significant in both genders. CONCLUSION: High UA level was associated with some cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic individuals compared with normal person. UA level was also a significant predictor for prediabetes condition.

Identification of a lytic bacteriophage against clinical isolates of Salmonella typhimurium in turkey poults.

The poultry products are known as a source of zoonotic and multi-drug resistant pathogens, especially Salmonella spp. The objective of this study was using bacteriophages as an alternative anti-microbial agent against Salmonella typhimurium isolate from turkey poults. The antibiotic susceptibility test was used to identify the antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates. The bacteriophage was purified, enhanced and titrated using the Spot test and double layer agar (DLA) techniques after being isolated from a chicken slaughterhouse and sewage treatment facility. By determining the morphological characteristics of resulting plaque, the specificity and host range of the phage were studied on S. typhimurium isolates. A total number of 22 suspected Salmonella isolates were confirmed biochemically positive in sample by cultures method. Nine of these isolates (40.90%) were identified as S. typhimurium by polymerase chain reaction. All of isolates (100%) were resistant to chloramphenicol, doxycycline, kanamycin, florfenicol, rifampin, and erythromycin. Seven isolates (77.77%) were resistant to amoxicillin and nalidixic acid. The plaques were present with 3.00 ± 0.22 mm in diameter on the culture of 6 out of 9 (66.66%) isolates of S. typhimurium on brain heart infusion broth using DLA method. The amount of phage titer was 7.60 × 107 phage forming unit mL-1 and its multiplicity of infection value was calculated as 5.06 × 10-2 based on obtained results. In place of antibiotics, the multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. typhimurium was successfully destroyed by the isolated bacteriophage from wastewater. In vitro settings were used in this investigation to identify the efficient bacteriophages against MDR S. typhimurium.

Association between PRO12ALA polymorphism of the PPAR-γ2 gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iranian patients.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) have been identified as ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily. It has been shown that an association exists between Proline 12 alanine (Pro12Ala) polymorphism of PPAR-GAMMA2 (PPAR-γ2) gene and increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different populations. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the association between Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR-γ2 gene and T2DM in an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred unrelated people, including 100 healthy controls and 100 diabetic patients were recruited diagnosed based on American Diabetes Association criteria. Blood samples were used for isolation of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Having extracted the genomic DNA from human blood leukocytes by means of High Pure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Template preparation kit, we carried out polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on each blood sample. Then, Genomic DNA was digested by BstU-I restriction enzyme. Thereafter, restriction products were analyzed by means of Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained by Ethidium Bromide. RESULTS: We found that the frequency of Ala allele in healthy subjects was significantly higher than in diabetic subjects (P = 0003). Moreover, the genotype frequency of Ala/Ala in healthy subjects was significantly higher than in diabetic subjects (P < 0.001). However, the genotype frequency of Ala/Pro in diabetic subjects was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that polymorphism of PPAR-γ2 gene is associated with T2DM. Furthermore, Ala allele is significantly found in non-diabetic individual's Iranian population.

Prevalence of stomach cancer in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, cancer of stomach is still the fourth common cancer and the second cause of mortality among all cancers affecting annually 870,000 subjects. This study aims to determine the frequency and the characteristics of gastric cancer in southern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10,800 of all cancers registered in Fars Hospital-based Cancer Registry were surveyed among which 574 cases were gastric cancer in both genders and all age groups. From January 2002 to December 2007, all hospital-based data were recorded according to International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICD-O) and registered cases included all invasive cancers in ICD-10 categories of C-00 to C-80 and all duplicate cases were eliminated. RESULTS: Among all registered cancers, there were 574 cases of gastric cancer including 69.3% males. The mean age of patients was 58.1 ± 14.8 years, 25.4% with a history of in their first relatives and most of them were smokers (50.9%) and from low socioeconomic class (45.5%). Metastasis was visible in 182 patients and majority of them underwent surgery (64.3%). The majority of gastric cancer patients were older than 50 years, smokers, low socioeconomic class, and female in favor of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that in our area, treatment programs and health plans should focus on men, patients older than 50 years and with adenocarcinoma, smokers, and those in a low income level.

The Impact of Obesity Surgery on Serum Uric Acid in People With Severe Obesity: A Retrospective Study.

Studies indicate an association between hyperuricemia (HUA) and metabolic syndrome risk factors. On the other hand, obesity is a major modifiable and independent risk factor for HUA and gout. However, evidence concerning the effects of bariatric surgery on serum uric acid levels is limited and not completely clarified. This retrospective study was carried out with 41 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n = 26) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 15) from September 2019 to October 2021. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data, including uric acid blood urea nitrogen and creatinine fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglyceride (TG), and serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), were measured preoperatively and postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months. From baseline to 6 and 12 months, bariatric surgery resulted in a significant decrease in serum uric acid of patients with severe obesity (p < 0.001). The decreases in serum FBS, TG, and cholesterol of patients were significant during 6 and 12 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). However, the HDL increase of patients was not statistically significant in 6 and 12 months (p > 0.05). Besides, although patients' serum level of LDL decreased significantly during the 6 months of follow-up (p = 0.007), it was not significant after 12 months (p = 0.092). Bariatric surgery significantly reduces serum uric acid levels. Therefore, it may be an effective supplementary therapy for lowering serum uric acid concentrations in morbidly obese patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Success of Bariatric Surgeries in Patients with Severe Obesity.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) pandemic may influence the weight outcomes of bariatric surgeries (BS). Here, we intended to compare the weight outcome of patients who underwent BS before and during the pandemic time. METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center study, the information of two groups of patients; first COVID-19 group (n = 51) consisted of those that underwent BS during the pandemic and completed a year of follow-up, second non-COVID-19 group included 50 patients who underwent BS and were followed up before the pandemic. All the patients' anthropometric and obesity-related disease data were compared between groups. RESULTS: Weight loss and the decrease of body mass index 1 year after the surgery, as well as excess weight loss and total weight loss, were significantly higher in the non-COVID-19 group compared to the COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). Although the rate of remission for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was higher in the non-COVID-19 group, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We showed a significantly poorer weight outcome at the 1-year follow-up of the BS during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic. These results need further investigations to determine the preventive measures and management by evaluating the associated factors.

The impact of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on sleep quality and duration after one year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Several studies have shown the association between obesity and sleep. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery may improve sleep disturbances in patients with obesity by influencing a variety of factors. This study aims to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on sleep quality. METHODS: Patients with severe obesity referred to the obesity clinic of a center from September 2019 to October 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether they underwent RYGB surgery. Medical comorbidities and self-report questionnaires regarding sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were collected at baseline and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: 54 patients were included, including 25 in the bariatric surgery group and 29 in the control group. However, five patients in the RYGB surgery group and four patients in the control group were lost in the follow-up. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was decreased from a mean of 7.7 to 3.8 in the bariatric surgery group (p-value<0.001). In contrast to the control group, the number of patients with obstructive sleep apnea was significantly reduced in the bariatric surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a significant improvement in sleep quality following RYGB surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea, obesity/overweight, and depressive symptoms significantly improved in our study. There is a lack of a better understanding of the association between these factors and sleep quality following surgery. Therefore, further studies are recommended regarding this issue.