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Background and Objective: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases and also the biggest health problem in all countries. The world health organization has called it a silent epidemic. Self-care is one of the most important factors in controlling blood sugar in diabetics’ patients. This study was done to determine the relationship between self-care and glycosylated hemoglobin level diabetic patients in rural area in Golestan Province, northern Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 239 male and female patients with type 2 diabetes (56.92±10.70 years) in rural area in Golestan Province, northern Iran during 2016. Data collection tool were a standard diabetes self-care questionnaire with demographic variables and HbA1C test. Completion of data and sampling was done by referring to the health center and calling patients.
Results: There was no significant relationship between glycemic controls with any of the self-care items studied. Mean of HbA1c was 8.23±1.85%. 97 patients (40.6%) had good blood sugar control (less than 7.5%). Patient's self-care had a mean of 3.58, of which the highest score was related to the dietary regimen (6.60) and the lowest was related to self-monitoring of blood glucose (0.88) and regular physical activity (2.3).
Conclusion: Self-care of the patients was moderate. Interventions to increase self-care of patients are recommended in this area.

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Background and Objective: Type II diabetes is a major globle health problem that can lead to disability and early death. This study was performed to evaluate the association of TCF7L2 (rs7903146) polymorphism with type II diabetes.
Methods: This case - control study was done on 100 patients with type II diabetes and 100 healthy subjects. Following DNA extraction, TCF7L2 (rs7903146) genotype was determined and compared between two groups by Tetra-Arms PCR method.
Results: The frequency of CT genotype was 25% and 56% in healthy subjects and patients, respectively (P<0.05). The frequency of TT genotype was 2% and 6% in control and patient groups, respectively. In the co-dominant model, rs7903146 was dependent on type II diabetes.
Conclusion: Human heterozygote for Lucos TCF7L2 (rs7903146), which contains T alleles, are high risk for developing diabetes mellitus.

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Background and Objective: Increased ferritin levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes. This study was done to determine the effect of continuous and interval aerobic exercise training on serum ferritin and iron level of induced diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 wistar rats weighing 205±54 g were randomly allocated into four groups including healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic interval training and diabetic continuous training. The diabetic training groups were received 10 weeks of training following one week after the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Fasting blood sugar ferritin and iron level was measured in each animal.
Results: Induction of diabetes significantly increased serum ferritin and iron levels in diabetic control group compared to healthy control group (P<0.05). Serum ferritin and iron levels and fasting blood sugar significantly reduced in interval aerobic exercise and continuous aerobic training groups compared to diabetic control group (P<0.05). There was not any significant difference in the dependent variables between interval aerobic exercise and continuous aerobic training.
Conclusion: In conclusion, it seems the training of two methods of aerobic interval and continuous training in induced diabetic rats with reduction of serum ferritin and iron levels, as well as improving fasting blood glucose and serum insulin seems to reduce insulin resistance index and improve glycemic status in induced diabetic rats.

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Background and Objective: Family-centered empowerment involves engaging clients and their families in decision-making processes to improve health outcomes, thereby enabling them to exert control over their health status through informed choices. Self-efficacy is considered the most crucial component of empowerment and holds significant importance in the management of chronic diseases and the enhancement of self-efficacy. This study was conducted to compare the effects of patient-centered and family-centered empowerment model-based training on perceived self-efficacy and fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 120 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended rural comprehensive health centers in Gorgan, Iran, during 2023. Patients were enrolled in the study using a multi-stage cluster sampling method and were divided into three groups of 40: A control group, a family-centered empowerment group, and a patient-centered empowerment group. The interventions in the patient-centered and family-centered groups were delivered in 6-8 people groups based on a four-stage model. These stages included threat perception, problem-solving, educational participation, and evaluation. Patients in the control group received only the routine health center training. Data collection instruments included the standard Perceived Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in middle-aged diabetic patients and a checklist for recording clinical characteristics.
Results: The fasting blood glucose levels decreased in all three groups after the intervention; however, this difference was not statistically significant among the groups in either the pre-test or the post-test. In the post-test, a statistically significant increase in perceived self-efficacy was observed between the patient-centered group and the family-centered group, as well as between the patient-centered group and the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The patient-centered and family-centered empowerment model-based training on patients’ perceived self-efficacy was evaluated as effective; however, it had no effect on the fasting blood glucose levels of patients with type 2 diabetes.