Plantar pressure distribution in diverse stages of diabetic neuropathy

Background: Diabetic Foot Ulceration in patients with diabetes could be associated with high plantar pressure caused by diabetes neuropathy. Therefore, it seems that one of the ways of identifying high-risk legs in diabetic patients with neuropathy would be characterization of elevated plantar pressure distributions. Objective: Comparing the plantar pressure distribution in diabetic patients who suffered neuropathy with those without neuropathy. Methods and materials: Plantar pressure distribution was recorded in the following categories: 38 diabetic patients without neuropathy, 30, 40 and 34 patients with mild neuropathy, moderate and severe neuropathy respectively. Results: Patients suffered from severe neuropathy suggested higher maximum peak plantar pressure at midfoot, heel, and medial forefoot. The peak pressure of midfoot was significantly different in the following categories as well: patient without neuropathy (32.3 ± 17.9 kPa), mild neuropathic (24.0 ± 17.9 kPa), moderate neuropathic (21.5 ± 12.6 kPa), and severe neuropathic (22.9 ± 10.7 kPa) groups (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The progression of diabetic neuropathy would have been increased followed by the peak plantar pressure. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Effects of zinc supplementation on serum adiponectin concentration and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Previous studies have suggested that zinc is involved in insulin homeostasis. Adiponectin is a well-known adipokine with anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control, and the potential mediating role of adiponectin, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients with diabetes, 30-60 years, were randomized to receive either 30 mg/d zinc (as zinc gluconate) or placebo for 12 weeks. Circulating levels of adiponectin, zinc, glucose homeostasis parameters, and lipid profiles, as well as anthropometric parameters and dietary intakes, were assessed. Results: About 53.3 of the patients had zinc insufficiency at baseline. Serum zinc levels improved significantly in the intervention than control group following 12 weeks supplementation (P < 0.001). Adiponectin (1.23 ± 2.23 μg/ml, P = 0.006) and insulin (3.6 ± 4.66 μIU/ml, P = 0.001) levels increased significantly compared to baseline in the zinc group; but this change was not significant compared with the control group. Following supplementation, there were no significant differences in glycemic control and anthropometric parameters between the two groups. Serum HDL levels increased significantly in the zinc (5.37 ± 14.8 mg/dl) compared to control (-1.53 ± 6.9 mg/dl) group following supplementation (P = 0.039). Conclusion: Despite a significant increase in serum zinc level, no improvement was observed in glycemic control, following 12 weeks supplementation with 30 mg/d zinc (as zinc gluconate). Zinc supplementation restored adiponectin concentrations partly within the intervention group, and increased HDL levels compared to the control group. The current findings did not support improvement in glucose homeostasis following zinc supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes under the present study design. © 2019 Elsevier Gmb

Effects of intravenous Semelil (ANGIPARS�) on diabetic foot ulcers healing: A multicenter clinical trial

Some diabetic foot ulcers, which are notoriously difficult to cure, are one of the most common health problems in diabetic patients .There are several surgical and medical options which already have been introduced for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, so some patient will require amputation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Semelil (ANGIPARS�), a naive herbal extract to accelerate healing of diabetic foot ulcers. A multi-centric randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate intravenous Semelil for healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Sixteen diabetic patients were treated with intravenous Semelil, and nine other patients were treated with placebo as control group. Both groups were otherwise treated by wound debridement and irrigation with normal saline solution, systemic antibiotic therapy and daily wound dressing. Before and after intervention, the foot ulcer surface area was measured, by digital photography, mapping and planimetry. After 4 weeks, the mean foot ulcer surface area decreased from 479.93±379.75 mm2 to 198.93±143.75 mm2 in the intervention group (p = 0.000) and from 766.22±960.50 mm2 to 689.11±846.74 mm2 in the control group (p = 0.076). Average wound closure in the treatment group was significantly greater than placebo group (64 vs. 25, p= 0.015). This herbal extract by intravenous rout in combination with conventional therapy is more effective than conventional therapy by itself probably without side effect. However, further studies are required in the future to confirm these results in larger population

Risk factors associated with depression in type 2 diabetics

Background: Depression is one of the most common psychological states in type 2 diabetes that contributes to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for the incidence of depression in type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 254 type 2 diabetic patients were selected through convenience sampling among diabetes outpatient clinics of Tehran university of medical sciences and also Iranian diabetes society during 2010-11. Data were collected using demographic and disease characteristic questionnaire, patient health questionnaire, social support scale and diabetes self-management scale (DSMS) and then analyzed using Chi square, t-test and binary logistic regression.Results: Increased pain and functional disability (OR=11.725), decreased social support (OR=3.086), decreased performance for diabetes self-care (OR=4.088), longer duration of diabetes (OR=1.328), diabetes complications (OR=2.324), the need for insulin therapy (OR=2.431), HbA1c>9 (OR=21.575), BMI>25kg/m2 (OR=2.251) and major life events (OR=14.043) were significantly different between the diabetic patients with and without depression (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in age, sex and socio-economic status between the two groups. The regression model correctly was fitted in 95.3 of the cases.Conclusion: Pain and functional disability, poor social support, weaker diabetes self-care, longer duration of diabetes, diabetes complications, the need for insulin therapy, HbA1c>9, BMI>25kg/m2 and the experience of major life events all together contribute to the incidence of depression in type 2 diabetic patients. The results of the study have implications for the prevention of depression in diabetic patients

Effects of zinc supplementation on serum adiponectin concentration and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Previous studies have suggested that zinc is involved in insulin homeostasis. Adiponectin is a well-known adipokine with anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control, and the potential mediating role of adiponectin, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients with diabetes, 30-60 years, were randomized to receive either 30 mg/d zinc (as zinc gluconate) or placebo for 12 weeks. Circulating levels of adiponectin, zinc, glucose homeostasis parameters, and lipid profiles, as well as anthropometric parameters and dietary intakes, were assessed. Results: About 53.3 of the patients had zinc insufficiency at baseline. Serum zinc levels improved significantly in the intervention than control group following 12 weeks supplementation (P < 0.001). Adiponectin (1.23 ± 2.23 μg/ml, P = 0.006) and insulin (3.6 ± 4.66 μIU/ml, P = 0.001) levels increased significantly compared to baseline in the zinc group; but this change was not significant compared with the control group. Following supplementation, there were no significant differences in glycemic control and anthropometric parameters between the two groups. Serum HDL levels increased significantly in the zinc (5.37 ± 14.8 mg/dl) compared to control (-1.53 ± 6.9 mg/dl) group following supplementation (P = 0.039). Conclusion: Despite a significant increase in serum zinc level, no improvement was observed in glycemic control, following 12 weeks supplementation with 30 mg/d zinc (as zinc gluconate). Zinc supplementation restored adiponectin concentrations partly within the intervention group, and increased HDL levels compared to the control group. The current findings did not support improvement in glucose homeostasis following zinc supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes under the present study design. © 2019 Elsevier Gmb

Usefulness of prolactin measurement in inferior petrosal sinus sampling with desmopressin for Cushing�s syndrome

Background: Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) is used to distinguish pituitary from ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) excess in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing�s syndrome. Our objective was to examine the utility of prolactin measurement during IPSS with desmopressin (DDAVP) stimulation in localization of the source of ACTH excess. Method: Retrospective review of 20 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing�s syndrome who underwent IPSS with DDAVP stimulation. Baseline, DDAVP-stimulated, and prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P (inferior petrosal sinus to peripheral) ratios were calculated. Cut-off values for each test were obtained from receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Fifteen patients had Cushing disease (CD), and five were diagnosed with ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). For the baseline ACTH IPS:P ratio of �2, the diagnostic sensitivity (80), specificity (100), positive predictive value (PPV) (100) and negative predictive value (NPV) (62.5) were calculated. These values for DDAVP-stimulated IPS:P ACTH ratio � 3, were 86.7, 100, 100 and 71.4, respectively. The corresponding value for the prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratio � 0.8 were 86.6, 80, 92.8 and 66.7. The cut-off value for the baseline, DDAVP-stimulated and prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratios were 1.76, 3.9, and 0.33, respectively. Conclusion: Prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratio measurement showed comparable sensitivity and less specificity than baseline/DDAVP-stimulated IPS/P ACTH ratios. Moreover, when baseline and stimulated IPS/P ACTH tests were discordant, prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS: P ratio correctly localized the source of ACTH excess. The sensitivity of the test increased, applying a prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS: P ratio �0.33. © 2020, © 2020 The Neurosurgical Foundation

Successful treatment of aluminium phosphide poisoning by dihydroxyacetone: A two-case report study

What is known and objective: Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is an agricultural fumigant which produces phosphine gas in the presence of moisture. Phosphine inhibits oxidative phosphorylation and causes cell death by inhibiting cytochrome C oxidase. Clinical manifestations of AlP poisoning are refractory hypotension, tachycardia, low oxygen saturation and severe metabolic acidosis. Case summary: Two cases received dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in addition to routine management of AlP poisoning. Administration of DHA (7 gr in 50 mL sodium bicarbonate, gavage) 2 times at a 1-hour interval improved the clinical signs. What is new and conclusion: This is the first case report to highlight the safe and successful treatment of AlP poisoning with DHA. However, more clinical studies are recommended to determine the precise mechanism of DHA action. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Lt

Usefulness of prolactin measurement in inferior petrosal sinus sampling with desmopressin for Cushing�s syndrome

Background: Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) is used to distinguish pituitary from ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) excess in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing�s syndrome. Our objective was to examine the utility of prolactin measurement during IPSS with desmopressin (DDAVP) stimulation in localization of the source of ACTH excess. Method: Retrospective review of 20 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing�s syndrome who underwent IPSS with DDAVP stimulation. Baseline, DDAVP-stimulated, and prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P (inferior petrosal sinus to peripheral) ratios were calculated. Cut-off values for each test were obtained from receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Fifteen patients had Cushing disease (CD), and five were diagnosed with ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). For the baseline ACTH IPS:P ratio of �2, the diagnostic sensitivity (80), specificity (100), positive predictive value (PPV) (100) and negative predictive value (NPV) (62.5) were calculated. These values for DDAVP-stimulated IPS:P ACTH ratio � 3, were 86.7, 100, 100 and 71.4, respectively. The corresponding value for the prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratio � 0.8 were 86.6, 80, 92.8 and 66.7. The cut-off value for the baseline, DDAVP-stimulated and prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratios were 1.76, 3.9, and 0.33, respectively. Conclusion: Prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS:P ratio measurement showed comparable sensitivity and less specificity than baseline/DDAVP-stimulated IPS/P ACTH ratios. Moreover, when baseline and stimulated IPS/P ACTH tests were discordant, prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS: P ratio correctly localized the source of ACTH excess. The sensitivity of the test increased, applying a prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS: P ratio �0.33. © 2020, © 2020 The Neurosurgical Foundation

Novel Mutation C.7348C>T in NF1 Gene Identified by Whole-Exome Sequencing in Patient with Overlapping Clinical Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Bannayan�Riley�Ruvalcaba Syndrome

Abstract: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder provoking benign cutaneous and nerve sheath tumors. The cutaneous tumors termed as plexiform neurofibromas, which some of them are extremely visible, and can influence the quality of life. They can also develop into invasive forms of carcinomas and infiltrate into multiple tissues, thus endangering the patient�s life. The loss-of-function mutations in NF1 gene are responsible for NF-1 type. Due to the large size of NF1 gene (~350 kb and 60 exons), exist some pseudogenes on another locus, and lack mutation hotspot the molecular characterizing of patients is complex. In this study, we reported a patient showed symptoms of both NF-1 and Bannayan�Riley�Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS), then performed a whole-exome sequencing (WES) and a data analysis for molecular characterization. These results showed a single heterozygous nucleotide variant (c.7348C>T) in NF1 gene, which results in a premature stop codon (p.Arg2450Ter) and a truncated protein, causing clinical symptoms of the patient. According to the results, WES is a quick and cost-effective approach for molecular diagnosis of the mixed phenotype of NF-1. © 2020, Allerton Press, Inc