Predictors of conversion from prediabetic state to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jordan

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Microbial Load of Chicken Shawerma and the Handlers’ Compliance with Food Safety Practices in Jordan

Background: Shawerma is a popular traditional food in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the shawerma handlers’ compliance with food safety practices and determine the microbial load and pathogenic organisms in the ready-to-eat chicken shawerma sandwiches in the restaurants of Amman, Jordan. Methods: This cross-sectional study used mixed methods including observational checklists to determine the compliance of food safety practices by 120 chicken shawerma handlers from 40 randomly selected restaurants in Amman. Additionally, pathogenic microorganisms were assessed by laboratory analysis in the ready-to-eat chicken shawerma sandwiches. Results: Only 2.5% and 10% complied, respectively, with separating knives and boards used for chicken from the ones used for vegetables. The compliance for maintaining proper temperatures for freezers and chillers were only 62% and 67%, respectively. As for hand-washing techniques and using disposable drying papers, the adherence was 5% and 7.5%, respectively. Laboratory analysis showed that 27.5% of the ready-to-eat shawerma had unacceptable levels of microorganisms. Conclusion: Our findings showed poor compliance of food safety practices in chicken shawerma restaurants of Amman. There is a need for capacity building and periodic evaluations of food handlers’ knowledge and practices within a comprehensive food safety program, carried out by qualified trainers. Keywords: chicken shawerma, food safety, Jorda

Synthesis and Anti-Diabetic Activity of an 8-Purine Derivative as a Novel DPP-4 Inhibitor in Obese Diabetic Zücker Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the world’s principal metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. The gut incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), which has been proposed as a new treatment for T2DM, are extensively metabolized by Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4). Inhibitors of DPP-4 block the degradation of GLP-1 and GIP and may increase their natural circulating levels, favoring glycemic control in T2DM. A novel and potent selective inhibitor of DPP-4 with an 8-purine derived structure (1) has been developed and tested in vitro and in vivo in Zücker obese diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an experimental model of the metabolic syndrome and T2DM to assess the inhibitory activity using vildagliptin as reference standard. ZDF rats were subdivided into three groups (n = 7/group), control (C-ZDF), and those treated with compound 1 (Compound1-ZDF) and with vildagliptin (V-ZDF), both at 10 mg/kg/d rat body weight, in their drinking water for 12 weeks, and a group of lean littermates (ZL) was used. ZDF rats developed DM (fasting hyperglycemia, 425 ± 14.8 mg/dL; chronic hyperglycemia, HbA1c 8.5 ± 0.4%), compared to ZL rats. Compound 1 and vildagliptin reduced sustained HbAl1c (14% and 10.6%, P < 0.05, respectively) and fasting hyperglycemia values (24% and 19%, P < 0.05, respectively) compared to C-ZDF group (P < 0.001). Compound 1 and vildagliptin have shown a potent activity with an IC50 value of 4.92 and 3.21 μM, respectively. These data demonstrate that oral compound 1 administration improves diabetes in ZDF rats by the inhibitory effect on DPP-4, and the potential to be a novel, efficient and tolerable approach for treating diabetes of obesity-related T2DM, in ZDF rats.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through (grants PID2021.128109OB.I00 and PID2021-125900OB-I00)European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as a way of making Europ

Telecardiology Application in Jordan: Its Impact on Diagnosis and Disease Management, Patients’ Quality of Life, and Time- and Cost-Savings

Objectives. To assess the impact of live interactive telecardiology on diagnosis and disease management, patients’ quality of life, and time- and cost-savings. Methods. All consecutive patients who attended or were referred to the teleclinics for suspected cardiac problems in two hospitals in remote areas of Jordan during the study period were included in the study. Patients were interviewed for relevant information and their quality of life was assessed during the first visit and 8 weeks after the last visit. Results. A total of 76 patients were included in this study. Final diagnosis and treatment plan were established as part of the telecardiology consultations in 71.1% and 77.3% of patients, respectively. Patients’ travel was avoided for 38 (50.0%) who were managed locally. The majority of patients perceived that the visit to the telecardiology clinic results in less travel time (96.1%), less waiting time (98.1%), and lower cost (100.0%). Telecardiology consultations resulted in an improvement in the quality of life after two months of the first visit. Conclusions. Telecardiology care in remote areas of Jordan would improve the access to health care, help to reach proper diagnosis and establish the treatment plan, and improve the quality of life

Risk factors for coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography in Jordan

Abstract Background Unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, inactivity and type 2 diabetes are endemic in the Middle East. The public health consequences might be detrimental; however, local studies on risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) are scarce. Methods Patients referred for coronary angiography at a tertiary hospital in Amman, Jordan, between January and December 2015, were included in this study. Risk factors for CAD were assessed in a multivariate logistic regression model, and presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Among 557 participants, 356 (63.9%) had CAD and 201 (36.1%) had a normal cardiogram. The majority (n = 395, 70.9%) were male, and median age was 55 years (interquartile range 47–64). Two-hundred-and-fifteen (38.6%) individuals reported previous diabetes, and 287 (51.5%) were current or previous smokers. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.3–6.0), age (45–54 years: OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.7–8.5; 55–64 years: OR 6.0, 95% CI 3.2–11.4; ≥65 years: OR 15.7, 95% CI 7.8–31.3), previous diabetes (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7–4.1) and current/previous smoking (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.4) were significant predictors of CAD. Conclusions Age, gender, diabetes and smoking were strong and significant risk factors for CAD in Jordan. Public health interventions to reduce the prevalence of smoking and diabetes are urgently needed