The Effects of C. lacerata on Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

BACKGROUND: Several experimental studies have suggested beneficial effects of Ceriporia lacerata on glucose metabolism. However, there has been no human study assessing the effects of C. lacerata on glucose metabolism. Therefore, we investigated whether C. lacerata improves glucose control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: Ninety patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for more than 6 months were enrolled. Subjects were randomly divided into placebo (n = 45) or C. lacerata (n = 45) groups and then assigned to take placebo or C. lacerata capsules (500 mg/capsule) for a 12-week intervention period. Biochemical markers, including fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, and lipid profile levels, as well as insulin, c-peptide, and Hba1c, were measured. Furthermore, insulin sensitivity indices, such as HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta, and QUICKI, were assessed before and after the 12-week administration. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients completed the study. There were no significant differences in fasting, postprandial glucose, HbA1c, or lipid parameters. HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were improved at week 12 in the C. lacerata group, especially in subjects with HOMA-IR of 1.8 or more (p < 0.05). Fasting, postprandial c-peptide, and insulin levels decreased at week 12 in the C. lacerata group (p < 0.05). These significant differences were not observed in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Twelve-week administration of C. lacerata in T2DM patients resulted in significant improvement in insulin resistance, especially in those with lower insulin sensitivity. A larger population study with a longer follow-up period and an effort to elucidate the mechanism is warranted to further assess the effects of C. lacerata on T2DM patients.

Temperature-boosted photocatalytic H2 production and charge transfer kinetics on TiO2 under UV and visible light.

This study investigates the effect of reaction temperature (298-353 K) on photocatalytic H2 production in bare and platinized TiO2 (Pt/TiO2) suspensions containing various organic hole scavengers (EDTA, methanol, and formic acid) under UV (λ > 320 nm) and visible light (λ > 420 nm for ligand-to-metal charge transfer). H2 production rates are enhanced ∼7.8- and ∼2.5-fold in TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 suspensions, respectively, with EDTA under UV by simply elevating the reaction temperature from 298 K to 323 K (ΔT = 25 °C). Such a temperature-boosted increase in H2 production is always observed, regardless of the TiO2 crystalline structure (anatase, rutile, and an anatase/rutile mixture), type of hole scavenger, and irradiation wavelength range. It is estimated that approximately 90% of incident photons are utilized in H2 production, for which the activation energy is 25.5 kJ mol-1. Detailed photoelectrochemical analyses show the positive relationship between reaction temperature and photocurrent generation, with charge carrier mobility and interfacial charge transfer improving at higher temperatures. Other possible factors, such as H2 solubility and mass transport, play a limited role.

Long level (t4-l1) spinal epidural abscess in a diabetic patient - a case report -.

Spinal epidural abscesses are uncommon, but potentially devastating and often fatal. They can be found in normal patients, but they are more prevalent in immunocompromised patients, such as intravenous drug users, diabetics, chronic renal failure patients, pregnant women, and others. Timely diagnosis and treatment are the keys to optimizing outcome. Traditionally, treatment has comprised parenteral antibiotics and possible surgical intervention, such as decompression by pus drainage. We treated a long level (T4-L1) epidural abscess in a diabetic patient who had to undergo emergent long level decompression and drainage due to complete paralysis of the lower extremities and progression of neurologic deficit toward the upper thoracic level. Although lower extremity paralysis has not improved, the patient has completely recovered from lower extremity anesthesia. Further follow-up was not done because the patient expired due to sepsis eight month after surgery.

Results of arthroscopic treatment of superior labral lesions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of isolated superior labral lesions of the shoulder. METHODS: We evaluated thirty-four patients at a mean of thirty-three months (range, twenty-four to forty-nine months) following arthroscopic repair of an isolated superior labral lesion of the shoulder with suture anchors. The outcome of treatment was evaluated with the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score and on the basis of the patient's ability to return to prior activities. There were thirty male patients and four female patients with a mean age of twenty-six years (range, sixteen to thirty-five years). Thirty patients were involved in athletic activities, and eighteen of them were engaged in overhead sports. RESULTS: Repair of the superior labral lesion resulted in a satisfactory University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score for thirty-two patients (94%) and an unsatisfactory score for two. Thirty-one patients (91%) regained their preinjury level of shoulder function. The shoulder score and the return to activity were correlated with the type of sports activity (r = 0.291, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.373, p = 0.010, respectively. Patients participating in overhead sports had significantly lower shoulder scores and a lower percentage of return to their preinjury level of shoulder function compared with patients who were not engaged in overhead activity (p = 0.024 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of an isolated superior labral lesion is successful in a majority of patients. However, the results in patients who participate in overhead sports are not as satisfactory as those in patients who are not involved in overhead sports.