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Background and Objectives : Few studies have explored the hormonal triggers for masturbation in infants and young children. Thus, we aimed to study the sex hormones and clinical profiles of masturbating infants and young children. Methods : This case-control study involved infants and young children who masturbate and were referred to three pediatric neurology clinics between September 2004 and 2006 (n=13), and a similar control group. All children underwent basic laboratory investigations prior to referral. Other tests included electroencephalography (n=8) and brain neuroimaging (n=9). We measured dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, free testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and androstenedione in all participants. Result : The median age at the first incident was 19.5 months (range, 4-36 months); the median masturbation frequency, 4 times/day; and the median duration of each event, 3.9 min. The subjects masturbated in both prone (n=10) and supine positions (n=3); two subjects used the knee-chest position. All subjects showed facial flushing; 6, friction between the thighs; 5, sweating; 9, sleeping after the event; and 12, disturbance on interruption. EEG was abnormal in one of eight subjects tested, and neuroimages were normal in all of nine subjects examined. The case and control groups had comparable levels of all sex hormones, except estradiol, which showed significantly lower levels in the case group (P=.02). Conclusion : Masturbation in children seems to be associated with reduced estradiol levels, but not with other sex hormones. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Aims: To describe the effect of three classes of GLP1 analogues on HbA1c and weight over one year in a homogenous group of patients at the Dubai Diabetes Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The specific objectives are to study the extent of change in HbA1c and weight loss on these medications as well as the sustainability of change over one year., Methods: A retrospective audit of patients diagnosed Type 2 diabetes receiving one of the three following GLP-1 agonists (Exenatide LA 2 mg weekly, liraglutide 1.8 mg once daily, Dulaglutide 1.5 mg) over one year and documenting changes in HbA1c and weight at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months intervals., Results: The study shows that while there was significant reduction in HbA1c and weight in the first 3 months, this change was not clinically significant. Also, the change was not maintained at the end of the year. By the final quarter, the effect of the medication diminishes, accompanied by a partial regain of weight., Conclusion: GLP1 agonists favorable initial effect on HbA1c and weight may not be sustainable beyond a certain period. The exact reason and factors contributing to this need further exploration., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), identify their associated factors, determine how the prevalence of type 2 DM has changed over 10 years, and assess the awareness and state of control of diabetes in Jordan., Methods: Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional study that included a random sample of 1121 Jordanians aged 25 years and above. A subject was deemed affected by DM if this diagnosis was known to the patient or if his or her condition complies with the American Diabetes Association definition. IFG was defined as a fasting serum glucose level of >or=6.1 mmol/l (110 mg/dl) but <7 mmol/l. HbA(1c) >7.5% was defined as "unsatisfactory" metabolic control., Results: The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes and IFG was 17.1% and 7.8%, respectively, with no significant differences between women and men. Of the 195 diabetic subjects, 146 (74.9%) had been previously diagnosed. More than half (54%) of those previously diagnosed were found to be with unsatisfactory glycemic control. Compared to the 1994 survey, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of diabetes by 31.5%. Increase in age, increase in body mass index, and having a family history of diabetes were associated with increased odds of diabetes and IFG. While the level of education had no effect on IFG, higher level of education was associated with a decrease in the odds of having diabetes., Conclusion: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IFG is high in Jordan and is increasing. More than half of the patients with diabetes have unsatisfactory control. Therefore, they are likely to benefit from programs aimed at encouraging behaviors toward achieving optimum weight as well as physical activity behaviors. Physicians caring for patients with diabetes may need to adopt a more vigorous approach for diabetes control.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obesity in northern Jordan, identify its associated factors, assess its association with selected comorbidities, and determine how the prevalence of obesity has changed in Jordan over 10 years., Methods: A total of 1121 participants aged 25 years and above were randomly selected. Sociodemographic characteristics as well as information on selected metabolic disorders and their potential risk factors were obtained. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics were measured. Obesity was defined based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio., Results: The age-standardized prevalence of obesity in northern Jordan was 28.1% (95% CI: 23.4, 32.8) for men and 53.1% (95% CI: 49.3, 57.0) for women. Irrespective of age or measure used, women always had a considerably higher prevalence of obesity than men. The prevalence of obesity varied greatly with age, generally increasing, irrespective of the measurement used. There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity over a period of ten years for both men and women aged 60 years and above only. When important variables were taken into account in logistic regression analyses, obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of having all studied metabolic abnormalities. Female gender, increase in age, being married, former smoker or nonsmoker, and fewer than 12 years of education were significantly associated with increased odds of BMI-defined obesity and high waist circumference., Conclusions: This study demonstrated alarming rates of obesity and of its associated comorbidities among Jordanians, especially among women.