Blood Glucose Testing Research Articles

Attitude, Knowledge, and Practices Regarding Prediabetes in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study on Family Medicine Residents.

Background Individuals with prediabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseasesand mortality from any cause. The treatment and early detection of prediabetes and T2DM can aid in the prevention of future health complications. The aim of this research was to assess the attitude, knowledge, and practices of family medicine (FM) residents in Saudi Arabia regarding prediabetes. Methodology This is an online cross-sectional survey study that was conducted between March and May 2023. The study population consisted of family medicine residents who are currently practicing their profession in Saudi Arabia. Results A total of 101 family medicine residents participated in this study. The study participants showed a positive attitude towardprediabetes management with a mean score of 25.4 (standard deviation {SD}: 4.8) out of 30. The study participants showed a moderate level of knowledge regarding prediabetes management with a mean score of 7.0 (SD: 2.2) out of 12. The proportion of participants who were able to identify risk factors that might prompt them to screen for diabetes mellitus ranged from 47.5% (n = 48) to 96.0% (n = 97). The participants' agreement levels for questions that examined their attitude towardthe importance of prediabetes screening ranged from 73.3% (n = 74) to 90.1% (n = 91). The most commonly agreed upon barrier was the patient's lack of motivation (n = 80, 79.2%). The most commonly agreed upon interventions that facilitate management and treatment improvements of prediabetes were more resources for patient education and increased access to the diabetes prevention program (DPP), an evidence-based lifestyle change program (n = 80, 79.2%). A body mass index (BMI) of ≥35 kg/m2 was the most commonly reported factor that increases the likelihood of prescribing metformin for a patient with prediabetes. The most commonly agreed upon barrier to prescribing metformin for prediabetes patients was that patients do not like taking medications (n = 67, 66.3%). Conclusions The study participants demonstrated an average level of understanding and a positive attitude regarding the management of prediabetes. A significant percentage of the participants demonstrated comprehension of risk factors associated with diabetes, as well as appropriate screening methods, with fasting blood glucose tests being of particular interest. It is recommended to enhance prediabetes management through heightened awareness and education concerning screening methodologies and lifestyle modifications.

Short-physical performance battery: complete mediator of cognitive depressive symptoms and diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis patients

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the relationship between different dimensions of depressive symptoms and the presence of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis patients. Additionally, the study sought to elucidate the mediating effect of physical performance on this association.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July 2020 and March 2023, involving 1024 patients from eight hemodialysis centers in Shanghai. Diabetes mellitus was based on a documented physician diagnosis and blood glucose tests. Physical performance and depressive symptoms were assessed using short-physical performance battery (SPPB) and the patient health questionnaire-9, respectively. Regression and mediation analysis were applied to statistical analysis.ResultsAmong the 1024 participants, 39.26% (n = 402) were found to have coexisting diabetes mellitus. Diminished SPPB scores (OR = 0.843, 95% CI = 0.792–0.897) and cognitive depressive symptoms (OR = 1.068, 95% CI = 1.011–1.129) exhibited significant associations with diabetes mellitus, while somatic depressive symptoms did not show a significant correlation. Notably, SPPB emerged as a complete mediator in the relationship between cognitive depressive symptoms and diabetes mellitus. The observed indirect effect of SPPB on this relationship was estimated at 0.038 (95% CI: 0.021–0.057).ConclusionThis study showed an association between diabetes mellitus and cognitive depressive symptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis, with physical performance appearing to mediate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and depressive symptoms.

Effectiveness of Guided E-Booklet-Based Education on Self Care Behavior and Blood Sugar in Hospital X Bandung

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder requiring patients to manage and stabilize their condition to prevent complications. Education using e-booklets can facilitate information access and blood sugar control. This study aimed to eval_uate the effectiveness of e-booklet-based education on self-care behavior and blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus patients. Conducted from June to August 2023 at X Hospital's internist clinic in Bandung, the research employed a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The study involved 126 respondents, with 63 in the intervention group and 63 in the control group, selected through purposive sampling. The intervention lasted 4 weeks, covering 8 materials with ongoing monitoring and active participation. Self-care behavior and random blood sugar levels were measured at the beginning and end of the study using the Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activity (SDSCA) questionnaire and blood glucose tests. The Wilcoxon test revealed significant differences in self-care behavior and blood sugar levels before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). The Mann-Whitney test showed significant differences between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, gender, education, disease duration, and e-booklet-based education accounted for 22.2% of the variance in self-care behavior and 30.6% in blood sugar levels. E-booklet-based education effectively improves self-care behavior and blood sugar control. The study recommends ongoing development and supervision to establish healthy habits and prevent complications.

Cleaning time and motion: an observational study on the time required to clean shared medical equipment in hospitals effectively

Despite the important role that cleaning plays in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, no research has been undertaken to quantify the time required for effective cleaning and disinfection of different pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospitals. This short report presents the results from a study that aimed to quantify the time required to clean common pieces of shared medical equipment effectively. An observational time and motion study was conducted in a nursing simulation laboratory to determine the time required for effective cleaning and disinfection of 12 pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospital. After training, the participants cleaned and disinfected equipment, with the time taken to clean recorded. Cleaning was deemed to be effective if ≥80% of ultraviolet fluorescent dots were removed during the cleaning process. The time to clean equipment effectively ranged from 50s [blood glucose testing kit; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0:40-1:00 (min:s)] to 3min 53s [medication trolley; 95% CI 3:36-4:11 (min:s)]. The intravenous stand was cleaned most effectively, with 100% of dots removed (N= 100 dots). In contrast, the bladder scanner was the most difficult to clean, with 12 attempts required to meet the 80% threshold for effective cleaning. This study will inform staffing and training requirements to plan the cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment effectively. The findings can also be used for business cases, and in future cost-effectiveness evaluations of cleaning interventions that include shared medical equipment.

Development of a Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Salivary Glucose and pH Sensors Based on Glucose Oxidase Using Interdigitated Microelectrodes

The use of electrochemical nanosensors has seen a significant uptick in recent years, largely due to the improved chemical and physical properties that result from the modification of nano or microelectrode devices with nanomaterials.[1] These electrodes play a crucial role in enhancing electrochemical-based nanosensors, offering benefits such as a higher signal-to-noise ratio, lower detection limits, cost-effectiveness, ease of fabrication, and the ability to achieve steady-state currents. The interest in electrochemical nanosensors is considerable, given their broad application spectrum, which includes areas like animal health, human health, environmental monitoring, and bioprocess monitoring.[2] The focus of this research is the development of on-chip salivary glucose and pH sensors that are integrated on silicon wafers. These sensors are specifically designed to identify two frequently occurring bovine diseases: bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and scour. Both of these diseases are highly contagious, often resulting in fatal outcomes for calves, and cause economic losses amounting to millions of euros across Europe. Therefore, early detection of BRD and scour is essential to prevent, oversee, or delay the progression of the disease and its related complications. However, the current methods of blood glucose testing for calves have a significant disadvantage, as they require regular invasive blood sampling. Encouragingly, the analysis of saliva has surfaced as a non-invasive and convenient alternative for monitoring glucose levels in calves with above-mentioned disease.[3] Thus, it is necessary to develop a highly sensitive electrochemical nanosensor for early detection of BRD and scour by using biomarkers (glucose, pH) in a calf's saliva. The proposed electrochemical nanosensor is based on a micro fabricated device that integrates a silicon microelectrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode with six individual sensor that can be used for the detection of six different biomarkers i.e. glucose, pH, lactate, electrolytes, etc. The sensing mechanism is based on the measurement of changes in current that occur because of glucose and pH interactions with the modified silicon surface. The sensors are designed to detect small changes in glucose and pH concentrations that can be indicative of the onset of BRD and scour. The main advantage of the proposed electrochemical nanosensor is its ability to provide rapid and accurate detection of BRD and scour in calves. Early detection of these diseases can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of transmission to other animals. In addition, the low cost and ease of fabrication of these sensors make them an attractive option for large-scale deployment in agricultural settings. In conclusion, the development of on-chip electrochemical nanosensors for the early detection of bovine respiratory disease and scour by using saliva as a medium is a promising approach for improving animal health and reducing economic losses. The proposed sensors offer high sensitivity, low cost, and easy fabrication, making them an attractive option for widespread deployment in agricultural settings. Future research can focus on optimizing the sensor design for improved performance and expanding the range of biomarkers that can be detected.This work represents the microfabrication and characterization of gold interdigitated electrodes (IDE) on silicon using standard microfabrication methods i.e., lithography and etching techniques. The sensor have six individual working electrodes (WEs) along with on-chip gold counter and platinum reference electrodes and can be modified individually for glucose and pH sensor. A two-step electrodeposition process was carried out for platinum platting thus incorporating glucose oxidase (GOx) onto a platinum-modified gold IDE with an o-phenylenediamine (o-PD). The enzymatic based nanosensor demonstrated a linear reduction response to wider range of glucose from 0.02-7mM using chronoamperometric measurements in artificial saliva (Figure 1a,b). In addition, real calf samples have been used to detect the glucose level in calf saliva and compared with commercial glucometer (Figure 1c). Furthermore, at gold IDE, the sensor exhibits linear responses for pH ranging from pH 5-8 using cyclic voltammetric analysis (Figure 1d,f).

The Self-Powered Thermoelectric System Driving an Electric Field for Raman-Spectrum Glucose Quantitative Analysis

For a long time, blood glucose monitoring has been a challenging issue in the field of medicine. Although it is possible to visit a hospital for regular blood tests to track blood sugar concentration, the physiological reactions triggered by blood collection might lead to feeling weak, dizzy, or even vomiting. Therefore, especially for diabetic patients, they need to frequently monitor their blood sugar concentration in their daily lives to ensure their health. Currently, the primary methods for blood glucose testing still rely on invasive techniques, such as using fingertip glucose meters and other methods which require skin puncture to obtain blood samples. Although these methods provide a quick assessment of current blood glucose concentration, they come with the pain and discomfort of blood collection process and the potential risk of infection. As a result, in recent years, many researchers have been dedicated to developing non-invasive blood glucose monitoring methods. However, accurately measuring glucose concentration inside the human body remains a challenging task. One of the primary issues is the presence of strong noise and background noise. To avoid this challenge, we have developed an innovative detection platform that is combines surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and external electric field sensing technology. With the electromagnetic effect, we add external electric field in our platform to excite more the surface plasmon resonance. By using this method, we can achieve signal amplification to detect lower concentrations of glucose. Now, we can detect down to 0.001mM of glucose. We also exhibit self-powered electric field system, using the flexible themoelctric device to combine our platform. By the property of self-powered, we success to create a self-powered electric field system. We focus on driving themoelectric through the temperature different between body temperature and environment. The approach is aimed at generating power from the human body, providing a self-powered thermoelectric system for Raman-spectrum glucose sensors. This innovative approach holds promise for advancing non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and benefiting a larger population of diabetes patients in the future.

Use of the Screening for Occult Renal Disease (SCORED) Questionnaire to Screen Diabetic Nephropathy in Asymptomatic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The 2007 Screening for Occult Renal Disease (SCORED)questionnaire accesses risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and makes it possible to screen high-risk patients, being adapted and validated for the Brazilian culture in 2012. The present study evaluated the questionnaire's ability to predict the occurrence of CKD in asymptomatic patients, as well as identify a high risk for developing the disease. This was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design carried out in two stages: answering the SCORED and performing fasting blood glucose and creatinine tests. The participants were patients at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG) with scheduled creatinine and fasting blood glucose tests, respecting the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined for the study. SCORED was applied with questions covering gender, age, proteinuria, and diabetes, being classified as high or low risk for CKD. The data collected were height, weight, age, sex, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and fasting blood glucose. The sample space was 212 individuals, the majority of whom were female (N=130, 61.3%), with a median of 58 years of age. The prevalence of CKD was 15.6% (N=33) with a sensitivity of 90.9%, a specificity of 30.2%, a positive predictive value of 19.4%, a negative predictive value of 94.7%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 39.7%. We concluded that the SCORED questionnaire can be a useful tool for screening CKD in asymptomatic patients and also that there is a relationship was detected between glycemic changes and an increased risk for CKD.

Glucometrics utilisation in an urban teaching hospital in ireland: current practice and future aims.

Dysglycaemia in hospitalised patients is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including cardiovascular events, longer hospital stays, and increased risk of mortality. Therefore, glucose monitoring is necessary to achieve best outcomes. This audit assesses use of point-of-care (POC) blood glucose (BG) testing in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) over an 8-day period. It evaluates compliance with international and TUH glucose monitoring protocols and determines frequency of diabetes team consultations for inpatient adults. Data from an 8-day period (12/03/2023-19/03/2023) were extracted from the TUH COBAS-IT system and analysed. Invalid tests were excluded. Hyperglycaemia was defined as ≥ 10mmol/L and hypoglycaemia as ≤ 3.9mmol/L. Persistent hyperglycaemia was defined as two BG results of ≥ 10mmol/L. A chart review was conducted on adult patients with persistent hyperglycaemia to assess for HbA1C results, diabetes diagnosis, and diabetes consult. 3,530 valid tests were included and analysed. 674 individual patients had tests done. 1,165 tests (33.00%) were hyperglycaemic and 75 (2.12%) were hypoglycaemic. 68.25% of adults with persistent hyperglycaemia had an HbA1C test performed or documented within three months. 42.71% of inpatient adults with persistent hyperglycaemia and a known diabetes diagnosis received a consult from the diabetes team. Increased adherence to hospital protocols for testing HbA1C in adults with persistent hyperglycaemia could improve treatment and clinical outcomes. Increased diabetes team consultation could facilitate appropriate treatment and improve patient outcomes in persistently hyperglycaemic adult patient populations.

Determination of metformin from micro-liter plasma and blood glucose test strip using eco-friendly micro-extraction procedures for point-of-care diagnostics

Metformin is commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. Beyond these common applications, it also holds promise in treating chronic pain, and as an antiaging and anticancer agent. In addition, it has cardiovascular protective and neuroprotective effects. However, elevated concentrations of metformin in the plasma, such as in patients with renal impairment or with conditions that can disrupt lactate clearance, could cause metformin-associated lactic acidosis. Moreover, metformin can cause a deficiency of vitamin-B12 and folic acid and impact one-carbon metabolism negatively. This study employs micro-extraction procedures to extract metformin from the human plasma and blood glucose test strips followed by detection using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Under the optimized micro-extraction procedures and by using an eco-friendly base and solvent, the proposed method required only 10 µL of the human plasma and a small piece of the blood glucose test strip for metformin analysis. The method exhibits a linear range of 0.05–5 μg mL−1 with a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.999 and a limit of detection of 0.01 μg mL−1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) and relative error (RE) were both below 6.7 %. The test strip is a disposable product; its reuse before disposal could increase its additional applicability. Furthermore, major blood proteins and their modifications could be identified using this tiny volume of blood by mass spectrometry after protein digestion. The proposed technique could be invaluable in point-of-care diagnostics, enabling rapid monitoring of metformin plasma concentration and major plasma proteins to help patients mitigate the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis. To reduce organic waste in clinical applications, micro-extraction is a simple and efficient protocol for sample preparation using minute volumes of blood samples.

Neuroprotective Effects of Bexarotene and Icariin in a Diabetic Rat Model.

Objective Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disorder affecting over 400 million people globally, is increasingly recognized for its detrimental impact on the central nervous system. T2DM is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of bexarotene and icariin in a T2DM rat model, focusing on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament-light chain (NfL) levels. Methods Before the study, rats underwent fasting blood glucose tests, lipid profile assessments, and general health evaluations, followed by a high-fat diet for two weeks and a single streptozotocin dose (35 mg/kg). Rats with fasting blood glucose levels ≥250 mg/dl were classified as diabetes mellitus (DM) and continued on the high-fat diet throughout the experiment. Forty-seven male Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups: a healthy control group, a DM control group, a DM group treated with bexarotene, a DM group treated with icariin, and two DM groups treated with combinations of low and high doses of bexarotene and icariin. After the 45-day treatment, blood samples were collected under thiopental sodium anesthesia, with HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) and hematological parameters analyzed within eight hours, and serum stored at -80°C for further analysis. The animals were then euthanized, and brain tissues were harvested, frozen, and stored at -80°C until further examination. Brain tissues were analyzed for BDNF, GFAP, and NfL levels using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). For comparing multiple groups, the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to nonparametric data, and one-way ANOVA was used for parametric data, followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test for pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was determined with two-tailed tests at p < 0.05. Results Significant changes in GFAP levels were observed across groups (p < 0.001). The DM control group showed the highest GFAP levels, while treatment groups exhibited reductions. The DM control group also showed the highest BDNF levels, while treatment groups exhibited reductions. The DM control group showed the lowest NfL levels, while treatment groups exhibited increments. Conclusion This study highlights the neuroprotective potential of bexarotene and icariin in a diabetic rat model, evidenced by significant changes in GFAP levels. The lack of significant changes in BDNF and NfL suggests that longer study durations may be necessary to observe these effects. Future research should include extended study periods, larger sample sizes, varied dosages, and comprehensive behavioral assessments to better understand the therapeutic potential of these agents.

Artificial-Cofactor-Mediated Hydrogen and Electron Transfer Endows AuFe/Polydopamine Superparticles with Enhanced Glucose Oxidase-Like Activity.

Various applications related to glucose catalysis have led to the development of functional nanozymes with glucose oxidase (GOX)-like activity. However, the unsatisfactory catalytic activity of nanozymes is a major challenge for their practical applications due to their inefficient hydrogen and electron transfer. Herein, we present the synthesis of AuFe/polydopamine (PDA) superparticles that exhibit photothermal-enhanced GOX-like activity. Experimental investigations and theoretical calculations reveal that the glucose oxidation process catalyzed by AuFe/PDA follows an artificial-cofactor-mediated hydrogen atom transfer mechanism, which facilitates the generation of carbon-centered radical intermediates. Rather than depending on charged Au surfaces for thermodynamically unstable hydride transfer, Fe(III)-coordinated PDA with abundant amino and phenolic hydroxyl groups serves as cofactor mimics, facilitating both hydrogen atom and electron transfer in the catalytic process. Finally, leveraging the photothermal-enhanced GOX-like and catalase-like activities of AuFe/PDA, we establish a highly sensitive and accurate point-of-care testing blood glucose determination with exceptional anti-jamming capabilities.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of Commelina diffusa extracts on diabetic mice model

This study aimed to investigate the blood glucose stabilising effect of extracts from Commelina diffusa Burm.f. on glucose tolerance test and diabetes test in white mice by streptozotocin. The diabetic mice were induced to hyperglycemia by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in a single dose (170 mg/kg). Water extract, 96% ethanol extract, and 50% ethanol extract of C. diffusa were given orally for 7 days and the reference drug glibenclamide was given orally once on the 7th experimental day. The hypoglycemic effect was evaluated by quantifying fasting plasma glucose concentration and glucose tolerance test. The results of 96% ethanol extract of C. diffusa at two oral doses of 0.21 and 0.42 g/kg showed a more typical hypoglycemic effect than the water extract (0.36 and 0.72 g/kg) and 50% ethanol extract (0.49 and 0.98 g/kg) in both fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance tests. The hypoglycemic effect of 96% ethanol extract of C. diffusa was equivalent to glibenclamide at a dose of 5 mg/kg measured in fasting state and was weaker than glibenclamide in the glucose tolerance test.

The Importance of Monitoring Blood Glucose Test in Patients Post-operative Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Hyperglycemia is a risk factor for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury in post-operative coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients. Glycemic control is important to prevent cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury. Postoperative glycemic control suggested 110-150 mg/dL. The aims of this study were to lower blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of occurrence or severity of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury in post coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients. This study was conducted with a case study design involving 2 post operative coronary artery bypass graft patients who experienced hyperglycemia on the 1st to the 3rd day of treatment. Data collection was carried out from May 22 to May 23, 2023. The results of the case study showed that monitoring blood glucose in post-cardiac surgery patients is very important. Both patients experienced hyperglycemia in the early postoperative phase. With close monitoring and administration of insulin therapy according to the doctor's advice, the blood sugar levels of both patients were controlled. Monitoring urine output and evaluating serum creatinine levels showed that the first patient had cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury stage 1 on day 2 and showed improvement on day 3. The second patient did not develop cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury. The role of critical nurses in monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin doses is supported by related research. Strict monitoring and target ranges of blood glucose levels, in collaboration with the medical team are necessary to reduce the risk of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury events.

The Interrelationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Emotional Well-Being: Current Concepts and Future Prospects.

Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong metabolic disorder that impacts people's well-being and biopsychosocial status. Psychiatric problems and diabetes mellitus have a complex, reciprocal interaction in which one condition affects the other. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the literature on the psychological effects of diabetes, expound on the evaluation of emotional disorders in the setting of diabetes, and suggest interventions aimed at enhancing both mental and physical health. Diabetes can make daily life complicated and stressful. Frequent blood glucose testing, taking medications on a regular basis, adhering to a tight diet plan, and exercising are some examples of the suggested daily routine of subjects with diabetes. Furthermore, comorbid diseases and typical diabetic complications can have a detrimental impact on quality of life. When mental health conditions coexist with diabetes mellitus, there is a greater likelihood of medication noncompliance, a decreased commitment to diabetes-related self-care, increased functional impairment, inadequate glycemic control, a higher risk of complications, and overall higher healthcare expenses. Thus, evaluation of the mental health status of patients with diabetes is crucial. When treating psychological issues and psychiatric disorders, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach should be taken, and where appropriate, psychopharmacological therapies or psychotherapy should be applied. The goal of continuous education and assistance for self-care is to give individuals with the disease the information and abilities they need to control their condition over time.

Availability and pricing of insulin and related diagnostics in South Africa.

In South Africa (SA), most patients rely on the government for free healthcare. Some choose to subscribe to a medical insurance scheme. If insulin is unavailable in government or otherwise unaffordable, non-adherence may occur, which can increase complications of the disease. Data on availability and pricing of insulin and related diagnostics was collected from SA pharmacies via an online survey. Co-payments levied on insulin by the biggest medical aids were extracted from formularies. Affordability of these items was then assessed. An adapted methodology from the World Health Organization/Health Action International tool was used. There was fairly high availability of insulin in the public sector, with the exception of long-acting insulin which respondents claimed was difficult to find; however, long-acting insulin glargine was available in most private sector pharmacies. Point-of-care (POC) blood glucose testing was free in the public sector but offered in only 31.25% of pharmacies. Patients pay a minimum of USD 40.4 (over 3 days' wages for the lowest paid government worker (LPGW)) for a months' supply of the cheapest insulin, needles and test strips. Insulin in SA was cheaper than 5 other countries, except Australia. Overall, there is a good availability of insulin and related diagnostics in SA. Even though insulin is cheaper than other countries, it is unaffordable to the LPGW. This highlights the importance of ensuring a constant availability of insulin in the free public sector. Whilst human insulins are cheaper than newer analogue insulins and SA faces cost constraints, important variables in favour of newer insulins, such as ease-of-use, long term outcomes and value should be considered when treatment guidelines are updated. Annual POC testing should be available and offered free to all patients to detect diabetes early.

Screening of seeds from wild Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) populations for sinigrin levels using a blood glucose meter and test strips

Field pennycress, Thlaspi arvense L., is a new oil seed cover crop being commercialized as a source of biofuel in the United States. Along the path to commercialization, pennycress seed and meal will be marketed as animal feed. As a member of the Brassicacaeae family, pennycress seed is abundant in glucosinolates which are anti-nutritional factors that make the seed and meal less palatable to animals. More specifically, sinigrin has been identified as the only glucosinolate present in pennycress seed. As work continues to develop varieties low in glucosinolates, a rapid assay is needed to determine the sinigrin level in pennycress seed.The objective of this study was to develop and utilize a high throughput, rapid assay to screen pennycress seeds from wild populations for total sinigrin content. Pennycress seeds were ground in potassium phosphate buffer with endogenous myrosinase to catalyze the enzymatic hydrolysis of sinigrin to equimolar amounts of glucose. Glucose content was determined using a blood glucose meter and test strips. From the molar concentration of glucose, the molar concentration of sinigrin was known and the sinigrin level in seeds was calculated in µmol/g. The results were confirmed by HPLC/MS analysis.A rapid and inexpensive method was developed and used to screen seeds of 429 wild pennycress lines for sinigrin. Sinigrin levels in seed ranged from 25 to 85 μmol/g in the pennycress lines screened. Environmental factors also seemed to contribute to the levels of sinigrin in seeds found within the line ‘tt8-t/ARV1’ grown at ten different locations in the Midwest, USA.This rapid and inexpensive assay will allow breeders to efficiently screen lines and select for varieties that produce seeds with low sinigrin levels for improved feed value.

Trends of diabetes in Beijing, China.

The global rise in diabetes prevalence is a pressing concern. Despite initiatives like "The Healthy Beijing Action 2020-2030" advocating for increased awareness, treatment, and control, the specific situation in Beijing remains unexplored. This study aimed to analyze the trends in diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among Beijing adults. Through a stratified multistage probability cluster sampling method, a series of representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Beijing from 2005 to 2022, targeting adults aged 18-79 years. A face-to-face questionnaire, along with body measurements and laboratory tests, were administered to 111,943 participants. Data from all survey were age- and/or gender-standardized based on the 2020 Beijing census population. Annual percentage rate change (APC) or average annual percentage rate change (AAPC) was calculated to determine prevalence trends over time. Complex sampling logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between various characteristics and diabetes. From 2005 to 2022, the total prevalence of diabetes among Beijing adults aged 18-79 years increased from 9.6% (95% CI: 8.8-10.4%) to 13.9% (95% CI: 13.1-14.7%), with an APC/AAPC of 2.1% (95% CI: 1.1-3.2%, P<0.05). Significant increases were observed among adults aged 18-39 years and rural residents. Undiagnosed diabetes rose from 3.5% (95% CI: 3.2-4.0%) to 7.2% (95% CI: 6.6-7.9%) with an APC/AAPC of 4.1% (95% CI: 0.5-7.3%, P<0.05). However, diabetes awareness and treatment rates showed annual declines of 1.4% (95% CI: -3.0% to -0.2%, P<0.05) and 1.3% (95% CI: -2.6% to -0.2%, P<0.05), respectively. The diabetes control rate decreased from 21.5% to 19.1%, although not statistically significant (APC/AAPC=-1.5%, 95% CI: -5.6% to 1.9%). Overweight and obesity were identified as risk factors for diabetes, with ORs of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.38-1.98) and 2.48 (95% CI: 2.07-2.99), respectively. The prevalence of diabetes in Beijing has significantly increased between 2005 and 2022, particularly among young adults and rural residents. Meanwhile, there has been a concerning decrease in diabetes awareness and treatment rates, while control rates have remained stagnant. Regular blood glucose testing, especially among adults aged 18-59 years, should be warranted. Furthermore, being male, elderly, overweight, or obese was associated with higher diabetes risk, suggesting the needs for targeted management strategies.

Risk assessment of diabetes among undergraduate students of Northern Maharashtra using Indian Diabetes Risk Score and its correlation with fasting blood glucose

Abstract Background: Diabetes, once primarily associated with old age, is increasingly prevalent among young adults. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) employs four parameters—age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, and physical activity—to screen for diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the risk and prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in undergraduate medical students and to correlate these findings with their fasting glucose levels. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 336 undergraduate medical students in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. Data on socio-demographic and anthropometric factors were gathered using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Each participant’s IDRS score was calculated. Students were then invited to have their fasting blood glucose levels measured after an overnight fast. Results: The study surveyed 336 medical students, comprising 185 males (55.06%) and 151 females (44.94%). According to the IDRS, 5 students (1.49%) were categorized as high risk, 202 students (60.1%) as moderate risk, and 129 students (38.4%) as low risk for diabetes. Fasting blood glucose tests indicated that 3 students (0.90%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 52 (15.48%) students were pre-diabetic. There was a statistically significant correlation between fasting blood glucose levels and IDRS (R = 0.466, P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The risk of diabetes among the participating undergraduate students is alarmingly high, according to the IDRS score. The strong correlation between the IDRS and the blood glucose levels of the study participants demonstrates that the IDRS is a highly effective, cost-efficient tool for predicting diabetes risk.

Temuan Baru Ekstrak Kulit Nanas Sebagai Potensi Antidiabetes pada Tikus Putih (Rattus Norvegicus) Diinduksi Streptozotocin

Diabetes mellitus is chronic and metabolic disease which occurs because of the increase of blood glucose level or hyperglycemia caused the body which cannot produce or use insulin effectively. Hyperglycemia has a glucotoxic effect resulting in an increase in ROS (reactive oxygen species) thus inducing liver pathogenesis which promotes severe inflammatory and apoptotic responses, as indicated by an increase in the SGPT enzyme. The pineapple peel contains flavonoid. It is known of having a strong antioxidant activity. With the giving of pineapple peel extract, it is expected to decrease the blood glucose level. This research to find out the the effect of pineapple peel extract (Ananas comusus L. Merr) on decreasing blood glucose levels and SGPT levels in male white rats (Rattus norvegicus) induced by streptozotocin. This research is an experimental study with a research design of pretest and posttest control group design. The samples consisted of 18 rats divided into 6 groups consisted of: normal control, negative control, and positive control group given metformin, and pineapple peel extract with dose 200mg/KgBW, 300mg/KgBW and 500mg/KgBW for 28 days and the measurement of the rats blood glucose was conducted by blood glucose test meter at day 1, day 4 (after post inductionof STZ 45mg/KgBW given by intraperitoneal), and day 29. The analysis result of One Way ANOVA showed that pineapple peel extract with dose 200mg/KgBW, 300mg/KgBW, and 500mg/KgBW decrease the blood glucose level significant (p-value&lt;0,05) with negative control group. There was no significant difference between 200mg/KgBW, 300mg/KgBW and 500mg/KgBW compared with positive control (p&gt;0.05). There was an effect of pineapple peel extract administration on the SGPT levels of STZ-induced rats with a dose of 200mg/kg BW, 300mg/kg BW, 500mg/kg BW (p-value &lt;0.05). The administration of 300mg/kg BW pineapple peel extract had the highest decrease in SGPT levels compared to other groups. Pineapple peel extract (Ananas comosus L. Merr) can reduce blood glucose leveland SGPT levels in rats induced by streptozotocin with the greatest reduction at dose 300mg/KgBW.

A machine learning tool for identifying patients with newly diagnosed diabetes in primary care

Background and aimIt is crucial to identify a diabetes diagnosis early. Create a predictive model utilizing machine learning (ML) to identify new cases of diabetes in primary health care (PHC). MethodsA case-control study utilizing data on PHC visits for sex-, age, and PHC-matched controls. Stochastic gradient boosting was used to construct a model for predicting cases of diabetes based on diagnostic codes from PHC consultations during the year before index (diagnosis) date and number of consultations. Variable importance was estimated using the normalized relative influence (NRI) score. Risks of having diabetes were calculated using odds ratios of marginal effects (ORME). Four groups by age and sex were studied, age-groups 35–64 years and ≥ 65 years in men and women, respectively. ResultsThe most important predictive factors were hypertension with NRI 21.4–29.7 %, and obesity 4.8–15.2 %. The NRI for other top ten diagnoses and administrative codes generally ranged 1.0–4.2 %. ConclusionsOur data confirm the known risk patterns for predicting a new diagnosis of diabetes, and the need to test blood glucose frequently. To assess the full potential of ML for risk prediction purposes in clinical practice, future studies could include clinical data on life-style patterns, laboratory tests and prescribed medication.