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The lack of an accurate point-of-care detection system for microalbuminuria represents an important unmet medical need that contributes to the morbidity and mortality of patients with kidney diseases. In this proof-of-concept study, we used SERS spectroscopy to detect urinary albumin concentrations in the normal-to-mildly increased albuminuria range, a strategy that could be useful for the early diagnosis of renal impairment due to uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease or diabetes. We analyzed 27 urine samples by SERS, using iodide-modified silver nanoparticles and we could discriminate between groups with high and low albumin concentrations with an overall accuracy of 89%, 93% and 89%, using principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis and cut-off values of 3, 6 and 10 μg mL-1 for urinary albumin concentrations, respectively. We achieved a detection limit of 3 μg mL-1 for human serum albumin based on the 1002 cm-1 SERS band, attributed to the ring breathing vibration of phenylalanine. Our detection limit is similar to that of the immunoturbidimetric assays and around one order of magnitude below the detection limit of urinary dipsticks used to detect microalbuminuria. We used principal least squares regression for building a spectral model for quantifying albumin. Using an independent prediction set, the R2 and root mean squared error of prediction between predicted and reference values of human serum albumin concentrations were 0.982 and 2.82, respectively. Here, we show that direct SERS spectroscopy has the sensitivity required for detecting clinically relevant concentrations of urinary albumin, a strategy that could be used in the future for the point-of-care screening of microalbuminuria.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate three semi-quantitative screening methods used to predict ulceration risk in diabetic patients: 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SW), 128-Hz tuning fork and VibraTip® device. Material and Method: This case-control study was carried out at the Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Department Cluj-Napoca and included 90 persons distributed into three groups: group A: 30 patients with diabetes mellitus and one or more active neuropathic ulcerations at one foot, group B: 30 patients with diabetes mellitus without ulceration and group C: 30 apparently healthy subjects. The subjects were examined by two independent examiners, using the three screening methods. Results: The agreement kappa coefficient between the two examiners was high and statistically significant. The SW monofilament presented a sensitivity of 71.67% and a specificity of 91.67%. The 128 Hz tuning fork presented a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 89.17%. VibraTip® device recorded a sensitivity of 76.66% and a specificity of 77.5%. Conclusions: The highest sensitivity is encountered at the use of VibraTip® device, and the highest specificity is presented by SW monofilament.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is continuously growing worldwide, while the specific chronic complications that it induces have a negative impact on life expectancy andquality, entailing extremely high costs of healthcare services. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, affecting almost half of diabetic people during life.This review aims at summarizing the evidence on the advantages and the usefulness of current perception threshold measurement for peripheral diabetic neuropathy assessment. Among the different methods used for the screening and diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy, measurement of current perception threshold using the Neurometer® has the ability to assess three sub-types of nerve fiber by producing transcutaneous electrical stimuli at frequencies of 2000, 250 and 5 Hz.Current evidence shows that this method provides a useful, noninvasive evaluation technique of patients with peripheral nervous system disorders, being able to detect neuropathy in the earliest and asymptomatic stages.

Background and Aims. There is no unanimous opinion regarding the risk factors associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). We have done a retrospective analysis of risk factors and clinical features associated with DR progression. Material and Methods. This analysis included consecutive patients with moderate non-proliferative or severe retinopathy between December 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014 who had at least two eye examinations before that period. We have collected demographic, clinical and lab data. Results. 51.28% of patients were diagnosed with moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 24.68% with severe NPDR and 21.05% with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In 82.16% of cases, DR had progressed. The risk factor correlated with DR progression in the whole group was anemia; hypertension, anemia and diabetes duration were risk factors in type 1 and smoking status at diabetes diagnosis in type 2 diabetes. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes control and presence of diabetic renal disease were positively but not statistically significant correlated with DR progression. Conclusions. In our study the risk factors correlated with DR progression were hypertension, anemia and diabetes duration in type 1, respectively smoking at diabetes diagnosis in type 2 diabetes. Glycemic goals were achieved in a small number of patients.

Background and aims. This article aims to compare corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) with acknowledged tests of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), to assess corneal nerve morphology using CCM in diabetic patients, and to underline possible correlations between clinical and biological parameters, diabetes duration and DPN severity. Material and methods. A total of 90 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study for whom we measured anthropometric parameters and we performed laboratory measurements (tests). The patients were assessed for diabetic peripheral neuropathy using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Testing (SWMT), Rapid-Current Perception Threshold (R-CPT) measurements using the Neurometer®, and CCM. We stratified the patients according to DPN severity, based on four parameters extracted after image analysis. Results. A higher percentage of patients were diagnosed with DPN using CCM (88.8%), compared with SWMT and R-CPT measurement (17.8% and 40% respectively). The incidence of DPN detected with CCM was considerable in patients with normal protective sensation and with normal R-CPT values. Conclusions. Our study showed that corneal confocal microscopy is a useful noninvasive method for diabetic neuropathy assessement in early stages. It was proven to directly quantify small fiber pathology, and to stratify neuropathic severity, and therefore can be used as a new, reliable tool in the diagnosis, clinical evaluation, and follow-up of peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Background and aim . Morbid obesity represents a proinflammatory and pro-oxidative state associated with dysregulation of adipokines. We aimed to evaluate the circulating levels of chemerin and omentin-1 in morbidly obese (MO) patients and to investigate the relationship between these two adipokines and between each of them and anthropometric, metabolic, oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory parameters. Material and methods . 32 MO patients and 20 controls were investigated in this study. Anthropometric, metabolism parameters, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress indicators as well as chemerin and omentin-1 were measured. Results . Serum levels of chemerin were increased while omentin-1 levels were decreased in MO patients when compared with controls. Chemerin correlated positively with insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL cholesterol and negatively with total antioxidant response. Omentin-1 correlated negatively with tumor necrosis factor alpha and total cholesterol. In a multiple linear stepwise regression analysis we learnt that only HOMA-IR (β=0.70, p

Over a decade ago, sildenafil, the first phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, became available and revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Ever since, several other agents, such as vardenafil and tadalafil, have enriched the spectrum of therapy offering therapeutic flexibility. The fascinating background of PDE5 inhibitors is that they were initially developed for cardiovascular treatment, and this aspect has lately attracted increasing attention. Both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ED are associated with endothelial dysfunction and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While sudden drops in blood pressure from PDE5 inhibitor use may trigger sympathetic activation with potential negative effects on a damaged cardiovascular system, a growing body of literature suggests that PDE5 inhibitors restore endothelial function, thus representing a potential cardiovascular therapy. This article discusses current use, safety profile and future therapeutic developments of this class of dugs.

Purpose Diabetes is increasingly prevalent, and nonadherence with diabetes treatment regimens is associated with physical and social costs. Psychological predictors of adherence have been investigated in the literature, including cognitive factors. The present meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between beliefs related to diabetes and adherence to diabetes regimens. Methods Studies that measured both (a) beliefs, perceptions, or cognitions about diabetes and (b) the relationship between such cognitive factors and blood glucose levels or other adherence behaviors were included. This research focused on adults with any type of diabetes, reaching a final sample of 48 studies. The effect size r was calculated for all types of beliefs and outcomes. Results The types of beliefs most strongly associated with adherence were self-efficacy, perceiving a positive relationship with physician, and beliefs about the personal consequences of adherence. A few limitations of this meta-analysis are that studies were only retrieved through databases and other sources were not searched, only articles in English were included, and only adult participants were included. Conclusions People who are more adherent have a higher level of confidence in their ability to follow medical recommendations, expect more meaningful positive consequences for adherence, and perceive a more positive relationship with their health care provider. Educators and clinicians could use cognitive restructuring techniques to facilitate these types of beliefs and perceptions in people with diabetes.

This is a post hoc analysis of quality of life in diabetic neuropathy patients in a cross-sectional survey performed in 2012 in Romania, using the Norfolk QOL-DN in which 21,756 patients with self-reported diabetes were enrolled. This current analysis aims to expand research on the diabetic foot and to provide an update on the number of foot ulcers found in Romania. Of the 21,174 patients included in this analysis, 14.85% reported a history of foot ulcers and 3.60% reported an amputation. The percentage of neuropathy patients with foot ulcers increased with age; the lowest percentage was observed in the 20–29-year age group (6.62%) and the highest in the 80–89-year age group (17.68%). The highest number of amputations was reported in the 70–79-year age group (largest group). Compared to patients without foot ulcers, those with foot ulcers had significantly higher scores for total DN and all its subdomains translating to worse QOL (p<0.001). This analysis showed a high rate of foot ulcers and amputations in Romanian diabetic patients. It underscores the need for implementation of effective screening and educational programs.

objective was to conduct a critical review of the factors that account for psychological insulin resistance (PIR) and of the available strategies to reduce it. Medline, PubMed, Cochrane reviews, PsycInfo, ProQuest, Science Direct, and EBSCO databases were searched and 60 studies were included in the final review. Topics reviewed included: research methods, instruments to assess PIR, PIR in patients and in the medical care team, and proposed strategies for overcoming it. The results showed that a large number of factors account for PIR in patients. The main categories are emotional, cognitive, social/cultural, and interaction with health providers. Physicians mainly delay insulin because they lack knowledge on guidelines or pancreas physiology, they fear inducing hypoglycaemia in elderly or impaired patients, and/or they lack time or personnel resources to teach initiation. Strategies proposed to reduce PIR are educational and psychological (exposure, desensitisation, relaxation and counselling). We concluded that there is a great need of evidence-based interventions that help remove psychological barriers about insulin use in patients, as well as in health care providers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes Int 2011; 28(3): 125-128