Novel insights into D-Pinitol based therapies:a link between tau hyperphosphorylation and insulin resistance

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the amyloid accumulation in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is mainly mediated by the phosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein.Among the multiple causes of tau hyperphosphorylation,brain insulin resistance has generated much attention,and inositols as insulin sensitizers,are currently considered candidates for drug development.The present narrative review revises the interactions between these three elements:Alzheimer’s disease-tau-inositols,which can eventually identify targets for new disease modifiers capable of bringing hope to the millions of people affected by this devastating disease.

Analysis of the influencing factors and clinical related characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND In China,the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)among diabetic patients is estimated to be between 90%-95%.Additionally,China is among the 22 countries burdened by a high number of tuberculosis cases,with approximately 4.5 million individuals affected by active tuberculosis.Notably,T2DM poses a significant risk factor for the development of tuberculosis,as evidenced by the increased incidence of T2DM coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis(T2DMPTB),which has risen from 19.3%to 24.1%.It is evident that these two diseases are intricately interconnected and mutually reinforcing in nature.AIM To elucidate the clinical features of individuals diagnosed with both T2DM and tuberculosis(T2DM-PTB),as well as to investigate the potential risk factors associated with active tuberculosis in patients with T2DM.METHODS T2DM-PTB patients who visited our hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were selected as the observation group,Simple DM patients presenting to our hospital in the same period were the control group,Controls and case groups were matched 1:2 according to the principle of the same sex,age difference(±3)years and disease duration difference(±5)years,patients were investigated for general demographic characteristics,diabetes-related characteristics,body immune status,lifestyle and behavioral habits,univariate and multivariate analysis of the data using conditional logistic regression,calculate the odds ratio(OR)values and 95%CI of OR values.RESULTS A total of 315 study subjects were included in this study,including 105 subjects in the observation group and 210 subjects in the control group.Comparison of the results of both anthropometric and biochemical measures showed that the constitution index,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and lymphocyte count were significantly lower in the case group,while fasting blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher than those in the control group.The results of univariate analysis showed that poor glucose control,hypoproteinemia,lymphopenia,TB contact history,high infection,smoking and alcohol consumption were positively associated with PTB in T2DM patients;married,history of hypertension,treatment of oral hypoglycemic drugs plus insulin,overweight,obesity and regular exercise were negatively associated with PTB in T2DM patients.Results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis found lymphopenia(OR=17.75,95%CI:3.40-92.74),smoking(OR=12.25,95%CI:2.53-59.37),history of TB contact(OR=6.56,95%CI:1.23-35.03)and poor glycemic control(OR=3.37,95%CI:1.11-10.25)was associated with an increased risk of developing PTB in patients with T2DM,While being overweight(OR=0.23,95%CI:0.08-0.72)and obesity(OR=0.11,95%CI:0.02-0.72)was associated with a reduced risk of developing PTB in patients with T2DM.CONCLUSION T2DM-PTB patients are prone to worse glycemic control,higher infection frequency,and a higher proportion of people smoking,drinking alcohol,and lack of exercise.Lymphopenia,smoking,history of TB exposure,poor glycemic control were independent risk factors for T2DM-PTB,and overweight and obesity were associated with reduced risk of concurrent PTB in patients with T2DM.

Vitamin D,selenium,and antidiabetic drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

BACKGROUND Diabetes and thyroiditis are closely related.They occur in combination and cause significant damage to the body.There is no clear treatment for type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT).While single symptomatic drug treatment of the two diseases is less effective,combined drug treatment may improve efficacy.AIM To investigate the effect of a combination of vitamin D,selenium,and hypoglycemic agents in T2DM with HT.METHODS This retrospective study included 150 patients with T2DM and HT treated at The Central Hospital of Shaoyang from March 2020 to February 2023.Fifty patients were assigned to the control group,test group A,and test group B according to different treatment methods.The control group received low-iodine diet guidance and hypoglycemic drug treatment.Test group A received the control treatment plus vitamin D treatment.Test group B received the group A treatment plus selenium.Blood levels of markers of thyroid function[free T3(FT3),thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),free T4(FT4)],autoantibodies[thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAB)and thyroid globulin antibody(TGAB)],blood lipid index[low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),total cholesterol(TC),triacylglycerol(TG)],blood glucose index[fasting blood glucose(FBG),and hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)]were measured pre-treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment.The relationships between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]level and each of these indices were analyzed.RESULTS The levels of 25(OH)D3,FT3,FT4,and LDL-C increased in the order of the control group,test group A,and test group B(all P<0.05).The TPOAB,TGAB,TC,TG,FBG,HbA1c,and TSH levels increased in the order of test groups B,A,and the control group(all P<0.05).All the above indices were compared after 3 and 6 months of treatment.Pre-treatment,there was no divergence in serum 25(OH)D3 level,thyroid function-related indexes,autoantibodies level,blood glucose,and blood lipid index between the control group,test groups A and B(all P>0.05).The 25(OH)D3 levels in test groups A and B were negatively correlated with FT4 and TGAB(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combination drug treatment for T2DM with HT significantly improved thyroid function,autoantibody,and blood glucose and lipid levels.

Correlation of periodontal inflamed surface area with glycated hemoglobin,interleukin-6 and lipoprotein(a)in type 2 diabetes with retinopathy

BACKGROUND The two-way relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is well established.Prolonged hyperglycemia contributes to increased periodontal destruction and severe periodontitis,accentuating diabetic complications.An inflammatory link exists between diabetic retinopathy(DR)and periodontitis,but the studies regarding this association and the role of lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)]and interleukin-6(IL-6)in these conditions are scarce in the literature.AIM To determine the correlation of periodontal inflamed surface area(PISA)with glycated Hb(HbA1c),serum IL-6 and Lp(a)in T2DM subjects with retinopathy.METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised 40 T2DM subjects with DR and 40 T2DM subjects without DR.All subjects were assessed for periodontal parameters[bleeding on probing(BOP),probing pocket depth,clinical attachment loss(CAL),oral hygiene index-simplified,plaque index(PI)and PISA],and systemic parameters[HbA1c,fasting plasma glucose and postprandial plasma glucose,fasting lipid profile,serum IL-6 and serum Lp(a)].RESULTS The proportion of periodontitis in T2DM with and without DR was 47.5%and 27.5%respectively.Severity of periodontitis,CAL,PISA,IL-6 and Lp(a)were higher in T2DM with DR group compared to T2DM without DR group.Significant difference was observed in the mean percentage of sites with BOP between T2DM with DR(69%)and T2DM without DR(41%),but there was no significant difference in PI(P>0.05).HbA1c was positively correlated with CAL(r=0.351,P=0.001),and PISA(r=0.393,P≤0.001)in study subjects.A positive correlation was found between PISA and IL-6(r=0.651,P<0.0001);PISA and Lp(a)(r=0.59,P<0.001);CAL and IL-6(r=0.527,P<0.0001)and CAL and Lp(a)(r=0.631,P<0.001)among study subjects.CONCLUSION Despite both groups having poor glycemic control and comparable plaque scores,the periodontal parameters were higher in DR as compared to T2DM without DR.Since a bidirectional link exists between periodontitis and DM,the presence of DR may have contributed to the severity of periodontal destruction and periodontitis may have influenced the progression of DR.

Association of accelerometer-measured sleep duration and different intensities of physical activity with incident type 2 diabetes in a population-based cohort study

Purpose:The aim of the current study was to investigate the association of accelerometer-measured sleep duration and different intensities of physical activity(PA)with the risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a population-based prospective cohort study.Methods:Altogether,88,000 participants(mean age=62.2±7.9 years,mean±SD)were included from the UK Biobank.Sleep duration(short:<6 h/day;normal:6-8 h/day;long:>8 h/day)and PA of different intensities were measured using a wrist-won accelerometer over a 7-day period between 2013 and 2015.PA was classified according to the median or World Health Organization-recommendation:total volume of PA(high,low),moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA)(recommended,not recommended),and light-intensity PA(high,low).Incidence of type 2diabetes was ascertained using hospital records or death registries.Results:During a median follow-up of 7.0 years,1615 incident type 2 diabetes cases were documented.Compared with normal sleep duration,short(hazard ratio(HR)=1.21,95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.03-1.41)but not long sleep duration(HR=1.01,95%CI:0.89-1.15)was associated with excessive type 2 diabetes risk.This increased risk among short sleepers seems to be protected against by PA.Compared with normal sleepers with high or recommended PA,short sleepers with low volume of PA(HR=1.81,95%CI:1.46-2.25),not recommended(below the World Health Organization-recommended level of)MVPA(HR=1.92,95%CI:1.55-2.36),or low light-intensity PA(HR=1.49,95%CI:1.13-1.90)had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes,while short sleepers with a high volume of PA(HR=1.14,95%CI:0.88-1.49),recommended MVPA(HR=1.02,95%CI:0.71-1.48),or high light-intensity PA(HR=1.14,95%CI:0.92-1.41)did not.Conclusion:Accelerometer-measured short but not long sleep duration was associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes.A higher level of PA,regardless of intensity,potentially ameliorates this excessive risk.

Fecal microbiota transplantation:whole grain highland barley improves glucose metabolism by changing gut microbiota

Highland barley(HB)is a high-altitude cereal with rich nutritional components and potential health benefits.To clarify its hypoglycemic effect and mechanism,we investigated the effect of whole grain HB and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet and streptozotocin(HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mice.The results showed that HB(40%)significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and the area under the glucose tolerance curve,significantly increased insulin secretion and improved insulin resistance in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice(P<0.05).Inflammatory factors and blood lipid indices were also significantly alleviated after 12 weeks of 40%HB intervention(P<0.05).Additionally,beneficial bacteria,such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia,were significantly enriched in the gut of diabetic mice after whole grain HB intervention.Meanwhile,the results of further FMT experiments verified that the fecal microbiota after the 40%HB intervention not only significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia but also effectively improved glucose metabolism and alleviated the inflammatory state in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice.Collectively,our study confirmed the bridge role of gut microbiota in improving glucose metabolism of whole grain HB,which could promote the development of precision nutrition.

Diabetes mellitus in patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis at diagnosis and after corticosteroid therapy

Background:A high prevalence of diabetes mellitus(DM)coexisting with autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is observed.However,evidence on the circumstances under which corticosteroid therapy(CST)for AIP improves or worsens DM is scarce.This study aimed to demonstrate and identify predictors of DM control under the influence of CST.Methods:Patients diagnosed with type 1 AIP were enrolled from a prospectively maintained cohort and were classified into three groups according to the chronology in which AIP and DM were diagnosed:pre-existing DM(pDM),concurrent DM(cDM),and non-DM(nDM).The responses of DM to CST were assessed when corticosteroid was ceased or tapered to a maintenance dose and classified as‘improvement’and‘non-improvement’(including‘no change’and‘exacerbation’).Results:Among 101 patients with type 1 AIP,52(51.5%)patients were complicated with DM at the time of AIP diagnosis,with 36 patients in the cDM group and 16 patients in the pDM group.The incidences of diffuse pancreatic swelling(72.2%)and pancreatic body/tail involvement(91.7%)were significantly higher in the cDM group than in both the pDM and nDM groups.Of the 52 patients with DM,CST was administered in 48 cases.Multivariate logistic analysis identified that elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)level at AIP diagnosis[odds ratio(OR)=0.032,95%confidence interval(CI):0.003-0.412,P=0.008]and pancreatic atrophy after CST(OR=0.027,95%CI:0.003-0.295,P=0.003)were negatively associated with DM control improvement.Conclusions:Patients with diffuse pancreatic swelling and pancreatic body/tail involvement in pancreatitis tended to be complicated with cDM at AIP diagnosis.CST exerted a beneficial effect on the clinical course of DM in nearly half of the AIP patients complicated with DM at diagnosis,particularly in those without elevated serum GGT levels at diagnosis and who did not experience pancreatic atrophy after CST.

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus among elderly patients in the Lugu community

BACKGROUND Age is a significant risk factor of diabetes mellitus(DM).With the develop of population aging,the incidence of DM remains increasing.Understanding the epidemiology of DM among elderly individuals in a certain area contributes to the DM interventions for the local elderly individuals with high risk of DM.AIM To explore the prevalence of DM among elderly individuals in the Lugu community and analyze the related risk factors to provide a valid scientific basis for the health management of elderly individuals.METHODS A total of 4816 elderly people who came to the community for physical examination were retrospectively analyzed.The prevalence of DM among the elderly was calculated.The individuals were divided into a DM group and a non-DM group according to the diagnosis of DM to compare the differences in diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and systolic blood pressure(SBP),fasting blood glucose,body mass index(BMI),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR)and incidence of hypertension(HT),coronary heart disease(CHD),and chronic kidney disease(CKD).RESULTS DM was diagnosed in 32.70%of the 4816 elderly people.The BMI of the DM group(25.16±3.35)was greater than that of the non-DM group(24.61±3.78).The WHR was 0.90±0.04 in the non-DM group and 0.90±0.03 in the DM group,with no significant difference.The left SBP and SBP in the DM group were 137.9 mmHg±11.92 mmHg and 69.95 mmHg±7.75 mmHg,respectively,while they were 126.6 mmHg±12.44 mmHg and 71.15 mmHg±12.55 mmHg,respectively,in the non-DM group.These findings indicate higher SBP and lower DBP in DM patients than in those without DM.In the DM group,1274 patients were diagnosed with HT,accounting for 80.89%.Among the 3241 non-DM patients,1743(53.78%)were hypertensive and 1498(46.22%)were nonhypertensive.The DM group had more cases of HT than did the non-DM group.There were more patients with CHD or CKD in the DM group than in the non-DM group.There were more patients who drank alcohol more frequently(≥3 times)in the DM group than in the non-DM group.CONCLUSION Older adults in the Lugu community are at a greater risk of DM.In elderly individuals,DM is closely related to high BMI and HT,CHD,and CKD.Physical examinations should be actively carried out for elderly people to determine their BMI,SBP,DBP,and other signs,and sufficient attention should be given to abnormalities in the above signs before further diagnosis.

Multi-systemic melioidosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes in nonendemic areas:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Melioidosis,an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei(B.pseudomallei),occurs endemically in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia and is a serious opportunistic infection associated with a high mortality rate.CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old woman presented with scattered erythema on the skin of her limbs,followed by fever and seizures.B.pseudomallei was isolated successively from the patient’s urine,blood,and pus.Magnetic resonance imaging showed abscess formation involving the right forehead and the right frontal region.Subsequently,abscess resection and drainage were performed.The patient showed no signs of relapse after 4 months of follow-up visits post-treatment.CONCLUSION We present here a unique case of multi-systemic melioidosis that occurs in nonendemic regions in a patient who had no recent travel history.Hence,it is critical to enhance awareness of melioidosis in non-endemic regions.

Effect of a comprehensive geriatric assessment nursing intervention model on older patients with diabetes and hypertension

BACKGROUND The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment(CGA)was introduced late in China and is primarily used for investigating and evaluating health problems in older adults in outpatient and community settings.However,there are few reports on its application in hospitalized patients,especially older patients with diabetes and hypertension.AIM To explore the nursing effect of CGA in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension.METHODS We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension who were hospitalized and treated in the Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between September 2020 and June 2022.Among the 80 patients included,40 received CGA nursing interventions(study group),while the remaining 40 received routine nursing care(control group).The study group's comprehensive approach included creating personalized CGA profiles,multidisciplinary assessments,and targeted inter-ventions in areas,such as nutrition,medication adherence,exercise,and mental health.However,the control group received standard nursing care,including general and medical history collection,fall prevention measures,and regular patient monitoring.After 6 months of nursing care implementation,we evaluated the effectiveness of the interventions,including assessments of blood glucose levels fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and glycated hemoglobin,type A1c(HbA1c);blood pressure indicators such as diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and systolic blood pressure(SBP);quality of life as measured by the 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36)questionnaire;and treatment adherence.RESULTS After 6 months,the nursing outcomes indicated that patients who underwent CGA nursing interventions experienced a significant decrease in blood glucose indicators,such as fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and HbA1c,as well as blood pressure indicators,including DBP and SBP,compared with the control group(P<0.05).Quality of life assessments,including physical health,emotion,physical function,overall health,and mental health,showed marked improvements compared to the control group(P<0.05).In the study group,38 patients adhered to the clinical treatment requirements,whereas only 32 in the control group adhered to the clinical treatment requirements.The probability of treatment adherence among patients receiving CGA nursing interventions was higher than that among patients receiving standard care(95%vs 80%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The CGA nursing intervention significantly improved glycemic control,blood pressure management,and quality of life in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension,compared to routine care.

Myosteatosis is associated with coronary artery calcification in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND Myosteatosis,rather than low muscle mass,is the primary etiologic factor of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Myosteatosis may lead to a series of metabolic dysfunctions,such as insulin resistance,systematic inflammation,and oxidative stress,and all these dysfunctions are closely associated with the acceleration of T2DM and atherosclerosis.AIM To investigate the association between myosteatosis and coronary artery calcification(CAC)in patients with T2DM.METHODS Patients with T2DM,who had not experienced major cardiovascular events and had undergone both abdominal and thoracic computed tomography(CT)scans,were included.The mean skeletal muscle attenuation was assessed using abdominal CT images at the L3 level.The CAC score was determined from thoracic CT images using the Agatston scoring method.Myosteatosis was diagnosed according to Martin’s criteria.Severe CAC(SCAC)was defined when the CAC score exceeded 300.Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were performed.RESULTS A total of 652 patients with T2DM were enrolled.Among them,167(25.6%)patients had SCAC.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that myosteatosis,age,duration of diabetes,cigarette smoking,and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors of SCAC.Myosteatosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAC(OR=2.381,P=0.003).The association between myosteatosis and SCAC was significant in the younger patients(OR=2.672,95%CI:1.477-4.834,P=0.002),but not the older patients(OR=1.456,95%CI:0.863-2.455,P=0.188),and was more prominent in the population with lower risks of atherosclerosis.The decision tree analyses prioritized older age as the primary variable for SCAC.In older patients,cigarette smoking was the main contributing factor for SCAC,while in younger patients,it was myosteatosis.CONCLUSION Myosteatosis is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM,especially in the population with younger ages and fewer traditional risk factors.

Clinical study of different prediction models in predicting diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Among older adults,type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is widely recognized as one of the most prevalent diseases.Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is a frequent com-plication of DM,mainly characterized by renal microvascular damage.Early detection,aggressive prevention,and cure of DN are key to improving prognosis.Establishing a diagnostic and predictive model for DN is crucial in auxiliary diagnosis.AIM To investigate the factors that impact T2DM complicated with DN and utilize this information to develop a predictive model.METHODS The clinical data of 210 patients diagnosed with T2DM and admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Wenling between August 2019 and August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether the patients had DN,they were divided into the DN group(complicated with DN)and the non-DN group(without DN).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors affecting DN in patients with T2DM.The data were randomly split into a training set(n=147)and a test set(n=63)in a 7:3 ratio using a random function.The training set was used to construct the nomogram,decision tree,and random forest models,and the test set was used to evaluate the prediction performance of the model by comparing the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,recall,precision,and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Among the 210 patients with T2DM,74(35.34%)had DN.The validation dataset showed that the accuracies of the nomogram,decision tree,and random forest models in predicting DN in patients with T2DM were 0.746,0.714,and 0.730,respectively.The sensitivities were 0.710,0.710,and 0.806,respectively;the specificities were 0.844,0.875,and 0.844,respectively;the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of the patients were 0.811,0.735,and 0.850,respectively.The Delong test results revealed that the AUC values of the decision tree model were lower than those of the random forest and nomogram models(P<0.05),whereas the difference in AUC values of the random forest and column-line graph models was not statistically significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Among the three prediction models,random forest performs best and can help identify patients with T2DM at high risk of DN.

Hypoglycemic mechanism of Tegillarca granosa polysaccharides on type 2 diabetic mice by altering gut microbiota and regulating the PI3K-akt signaling pathwaye

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a complex metabolic disease threatening human health.We investigated the effects of Tegillarca granosa polysaccharide(TGP)and determined its potential mechanisms in a mouse model of T2DM established through a high-fat diet and streptozotocin.TGP(5.1×10^(3) Da)was composed of mannose,glucosamine,rhamnose,glucuronic acid,galactosamine,glucose,galactose,xylose,and fucose.It could significantly alleviate weight loss,reduce fasting blood glucose levels,reverse dyslipidemia,reduce liver damage from oxidative stress,and improve insulin sensitivity.RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that TGP could activate the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway to regulate disorders in glucolipid metabolism and improve insulin resistance.TGP increased the abundance of Allobaculum,Akkermansia,and Bifidobacterium,restored the microbiota abundance in the intestinal tracts of mice with T2DM,and promoted short-chain fatty acid production.This study provides new insights into the antidiabetic effects of TGP and highlights its potential as a natural hypoglycemic nutraceutical.

Application of non-mydriatic fundus photography-assisted telemedicine in diabetic retinopathy screening

BACKGROUND Early screening and accurate staging of diabetic retinopathy(DR)can reduce blindness risk in type 2 diabetes patients.DR’s complex pathogenesis involves many factors,making ophthalmologist screening alone insufficient for prevention and treatment.Often,endocrinologists are the first to see diabetic patients and thus should screen for retinopathy for early intervention.AIM To explore the efficacy of non-mydriatic fundus photography(NMFP)-enhanced telemedicine in assessing DR and its various stages.METHODS This retrospective study incorporated findings from an analysis of 93 diabetic patients,examining both NMFP-assisted telemedicine and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA).It focused on assessing the concordance in DR detection between these two methodologies.Additionally,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to determine the optimal sensitivity and specificity of NMFP-assisted telemedicine,using FFA outcomes as the standard benchmark.RESULTS In the context of DR diagnosis and staging,the kappa coefficients for NMFPassisted telemedicine and FFA were recorded at 0.775 and 0.689 respectively,indicating substantial intermethod agreement.Moreover,the NMFP-assisted telemedicine’s predictive accuracy for positive FFA outcomes,as denoted by the area under the ROC curve,was remarkably high at 0.955,within a confidence interval of 0.914 to 0.995 and a statistically significant P-value of less than 0.001.This predictive model exhibited a specificity of 100%,a sensitivity of 90.9%,and a Youden index of 0.909.CONCLUSION NMFP-assisted telemedicine represents a pragmatic,objective,and precise modality for fundus examination,particularly applicable in the context of endocrinology inpatient care and primary healthcare settings for diabetic patients.Its implementation in these scenarios is of paramount significance,enhancing the clinical accuracy in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of DR.This methodology not only streamlines patient evaluation but also contributes substantially to the optimization of clinical outcomes in DR management.

Serum tumor markers expression(CA199,CA242,and CEA)and its clinical implications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Glucose and lipid metabolic disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is associated with the levels of serum tumor markers of the digestive tract,such as cancer antigen(CA)199.Therefore,tumor markers in T2DM are important.AIM To evaluate the expression of serum tumor markers[CA199,CA242,and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)]and the clinical implications of the expression in T2DM.METHODS For this observational study conducted at Hefei BOE Hospital,China,we enrolled 82 patients with first-onset T2DM and 51 controls between April 2019 and December 2020.Levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),tumor markers(CA199,CEA,and CA242),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),etc.were measured and group index levels were compared.Moreover,FBG and HbA1c levels were correlated with tumor marker levels.Tumor markers were tested for diagnostic accuracy in patients with>9%HbA1c using the receiver operating curve(ROC)curve.RESULTS The T2DM group had high serum FBG,HbA1c,CA199,and CEA levels(P<0.05).A comparative analysis of the two groups based on HbA1c levels(Group A:HbA1c≤9%;Group B:HbA1c>9%)revealed significant differences in CEA and CA199 levels(P<0.05).The areas under the ROC curve for CEA and CA199 were 0.853 and 0.809,respectively.CA199,CEA,and CA242 levels positively correlated with HbA1c(r=0.308,0.426,and 0.551,respectively)and FBG levels(r=0.236,0.231,and 0.298,respectively).CONCLUSION As compared to controls,serum CEA and CA199 levels were higher in patients with T2DM.HbA1c and FBG levels correlated with CA199,CEA,and CA242 levels.Patients with poorly controlled blood sugar must be screened for tumor markers.

Role of renin-angiotensin system/angiotensin converting enzyme-2 mechanism and enhanced COVID-19 susceptibility in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a disease that caused a global pandemic and is caused by infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus.It has affected over 768 million people worldwide,resulting in approx-imately 6900000 deaths.High-risk groups,identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,include individuals with conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),obesity,chronic lung disease,serious heart conditions,and chronic kidney disease.Research indicates that those with T2DM face a hei-ghtened susceptibility to COVID-19 and increased mortality compared to non-diabetic individuals.Examining the renin-angiotensin system(RAS),a vital regulator of blood pressure and pulmonary stability,reveals the significance of the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)and ACE2 enzymes.ACE converts angiotensin-I to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin-II,while ACE2 counters this by converting angiotensin-II to angiotensin 1-7,a vasodilator.Reduced ACE2 exp-ression,common in diabetes,intensifies RAS activity,contributing to conditions like inflammation and fibrosis.Although ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can be therapeutically beneficial by increasing ACE2 levels,concerns arise regarding the potential elevation of ACE2 receptors on cell membranes,potentially facilitating COVID-19 entry.This review explored the role of the RAS/ACE2 mechanism in amplifying severe acute respiratory syndrome cor-onavirus 2 infection and associated complications in T2DM.Potential treatment strategies,including recombinant human ACE2 therapy,broad-spectrum antiviral drugs,and epigenetic signature detection,are discussed as promising avenues in the battle against this pandemic.

Comparative efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus:A real-world experience

BACKGROUND Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT-2i)are a class of drugs with modest antidiabetic efficacy,weight loss effect,and cardiovascular benefits as proven by multiple randomised controlled trials(RCTs).However,real-world data on the comparative efficacy and safety of individual SGLT-2i medications is sparse.AIM To study the comparative efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i using real-world clinical data.METHODS We evaluated the comparative efficacy data of 3 SGLT-2i drugs(dapagliflozin,canagliflozin,and empagliflozin)used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Data on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),body weight,blood pressure(BP),urine albumin creatinine ratio(ACR),and adverse effects were recorded retrospectively.RESULTS Data from 467 patients with a median age of 64(14.8)years,294(62.96%)males and 375(80.5%)Caucasians were analysed.Median diabetes duration was 16.0(9.0)years,and the duration of SGLT-2i use was 3.6(2.1)years.SGLT-2i molecules used were dapagliflozin 10 mg(n=227;48.6%),canagliflozin 300 mg(n=160;34.3%),and empagliflozin 25 mg(n=80;17.1).Baseline median(interquartile range)HbA1c in mmol/mol were:dapagliflozin-78.0(25.3),canagliflozin-80.0(25.5),and empagliflozin-75.0(23.5)respectively.The respective median HbA1c reduction at 12 months and the latest review(just prior to the study)were:66.5(22.8)&69.0(24.0),67.0(16.3)&66.0(28.0),and 67.0(22.5)&66.5(25.8)respectively(P<0.001 for all comparisons from baseline).Significant improvements in body weight(in kilograms)from baseline to study end were noticed with dapagliflozin-101(29.5)to 92.2(25.6),and canagliflozin 100(28.3)to 95.3(27.5)only.Significant reductions in median systolic and diastolic BP,from 144(21)mmHg to 139(23)mmHg;(P=0.015),and from 82(16)mmHg to 78(19)mmHg;(P<0.001)respectively were also observed.A significant reduction of microalbuminuria was observed with canagliflozin only[ACR 14.6(42.6)at baseline to 8.9(23.7)at the study end;P=0.043].Adverse effects of SGLT-2i were as follows:genital thrush and urinary infection-20(8.8%)&17(7.5%)with dapagliflozin;9(5.6%)&5(3.13%)with canagliflozin;and 4(5%)&4(5%)with empagliflozin.Diabetic ketoacidosis was observed in 4(1.8%)with dapagliflozin and 1(0.63%)with canagliflozin.CONCLUSION Treatment of patients with SGLT-2i is associated with statistically significant reductions in HbA1c,body weight,and better than those reported in RCTs,with low side effect profiles.A review of large-scale real-world data is needed to inform better clinical practice decision making.

Predictive value of bilirubin and serum γ-glutamyltranspeptidase levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is a major complication of diabetes mellitus(DM).Type-2 DM(T2DM)is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality,while serum biomarkers may facilitate the prediction of these outcomes.Early differential diagnosis of T2DM complicated with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)plays an important role in controlling disease progression and improving safety.AIM To investigate the correlation of serum bilirubin andγ-glutamyltranspeptidase(γ-GGT)with major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)in T2DM patients with ACS.METHODS The clinical data of inpatients from January 2022 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.According to different conditions,they were divided into the T2DM complicated with ACS group(T2DM+ACS,n=96),simple T2DM group(T2DM,n=85),and simple ACS group(ACS,n=90).The clinical data and laboratory indices were compared among the three groups,and the correlations of serum total bilirubin(TBIL)levels and serumγ-GGT levels with other indices were discussed.T2DM+ACS patients received a 90-day follow-up after discharge and were divided into event(n=15)and nonevent(n=81)groups according to the occurrence of MACEs;Univariate and multivariate analyses were further used to screen the independent influencing factors of MACEs in patients.RESULTS The T2DM+ACS group showed higherγ-GGT,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)and lower TBIL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the T2DM and ACS groups(P<0.05).Based on univariate analysis,the event and nonevent groups were significantly different in age(t=3.3612,P=0.0011),TBIL level(t=3.0742,P=0.0028),γ-GGT level(t=2.6887,P=0.0085),LDL-C level(t=2.0816,P=0.0401),HbA1c level(t=2.7862,P=0.0065)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LEVF)levels(t=3.2047,P=0.0018).Multivariate logistic regression analysis further identified that TBIL level and LEVF level were protective factor for MACEs,and age andγ-GGT level were risk factors(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Serum TBIL levels are decreased andγ-GGT levels are increased in T2DM+ACS patients,and the two indices are significantly negatively correlated.TBIL andγ-GGT are independent influencing factors for MACEs in such patients.

Serum proteins differentially expressed in gestational diabetes mellitus assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics

BACKGROUND As a well-known fact to the public,gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)could bring serious risks for both pregnant women and infants.During this important investigation into the linkage between GDM patients and their altered expression in the serum,proteomics techniques were deployed to detect the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)of in the serum of GDM patients to further explore its pathogenesis,and find out possible biomarkers to forecast GDM occurrence.METHODS Subjects were divided into GDM and normal control groups according to the IADPSG diagnostic criteria.Serum samples were randomly selected from four cases in each group at 24-28 wk of gestation,and the blood samples were identified by applying iTRAQ technology combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Key proteins and signaling pathways associated with GDM were identified by bioinformatics analysis,and the expression of key proteins in serum from 12 wk to 16 wk of gestation was further verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS Forty-seven proteins were significantly differentially expressed by analyzing the serum samples between the GDMgravidas as well as the healthy ones. Among them, 31 proteins were found to be upregulated notably and the rest16 proteins were downregulated remarkably. Bioinformatic data report revealed abnormal expression of proteinsassociated with lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complement system and inflammatory responsein the GDM group. ELISA results showed that the contents of RBP4, as well as ANGPTL8, increased in the serumof GDM gravidas compared with the healthy ones, and this change was found to initiate from 12 wk to 16 wk ofgestation.CONCLUSION GDM symptoms may involve abnormalities in lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complementsystem and inflammatory response. RBP4 and ANGPTL8 are expected to be early predictors of GDM.

Honeymoon phase in type 1 diabetes mellitus: A window of opportunity for diabetes reversal?

The knowledge of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)continues to rapidly evolve.The natural course of the disease can be described in four clinical stages based on the autoimmune markers and glycemic status.Not all individuals of T1DM progress in that specific sequence.We hereby present a case of T1DM with a classical third phase(honeymoon phase)and discuss the intri-cacies of this interesting phase along with a possible future promise of“cure”with the use of immunotherapies.We now know that the course of T1DM may not be in only one direction towards further progression;rather the disease may have a waxing and waning course with even reversal of type 1 diabetes concept being discussed.The third phase popularly called the“honeymoon phase”,is of special interest as this phase is complex in its pathogenesis.The honeymoon phase of T1DM seems to provide the best window of opportunity for using targeted therapies using various immunomodulatory agents leading to the possibility of achieving the elusive“diabetes reversal”in T1DM.Identifying this phase is therefore the key,with a lot of varying criteria having been proposed.