Colorimetric Textile Sensor for the Simultaneous Detection of NH3 and HCl Gases.

For the immediate detection of strong gaseous alkalis and acids, colorimetric textile sensors based on halochromic dyes are highly valuable for monitoring gas leakages. To date, colorimetric textile sensors for dual-gas detection have usually been fabricated by electrospinning methods. Although nanofibrous sensors have excellent pH sensitivity, they are difficult to use commercially because of their low durability, low productivity, and high production costs. In this study, we introduce novel textile sensors with high pH sensitivity and durability via a facile and low-cost screen-printing method. To fabricate these textiles sensors, Dye 3 and RhYK dyes were both incorporated into a polyester fabric. The fabricated sensors exhibited high detection rates (<10 s) and distinctive color changes under alkaline or acidic conditions, even at low gas concentrations. Furthermore, the fabricated sensors showed an outstanding durability and reversibility after washing and drying and were confirmed to contain limited amounts of hazardous materials. Thus, our results show that the fabricated textile sensors could be used in safety apparel that changes its color in the presence of harmful gases.

Improvement of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease With Carnitine-Orotate Complex in Type 2 Diabetes (CORONA): A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of carnitine-orotate complex in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Eight hospitals in Korea participated in this randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of patients with diabetes and NAFLD. Seventy-eight patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive carnitine-orotate complex (824 mg, three times daily) or matching placebo. The primary study outcome was decline in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to the normal range. Secondary study outcomes were change in ALT, radiological hepatic steatosis, parameters for anthropometry, liver function, lipid profiles, and glycemic control. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using Hounsfield units on noncontrast computed tomography (CT) imaging with hepatic attenuation. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, compared with placebo group, carnitine-orotate complex-treated participants had a significantly higher rate of normalization of serum ALT level (17.9% vs. 89.7%, P < 0.001). On hepatic CT analysis, participants treated with carnitine-orotate complex showed an increased liver attenuation index (0.74 ± 8.05 vs. 6.21 ± 8.96, P < 0.008). A significant decrease in HbA1c was observed in the carnitine-orotate complex group (-0.33 ± 0.82% [-3.6 ± 9.0 mmol/mol], P = 0.007), but no significant change was seen in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with carnitine-orotate complex improves serum ALT and may improve hepatic steatosis as assessed by CT in patients with diabetes and NAFLD. Further studies using more advanced magnetic resonance imaging and liver histology as an end point are needed to assess its efficacy in NAFLD.

Ramipril treatment suppresses islet fibrosis in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats.

We evaluated whether ramipril, one of long-acting ACEIs, has a direct effect on pancreas islets in animal model of type 2 diabetes. OLETF rats were treated with ramipril for 24 weeks. We assessed the body weight, glucose tolerance, and the amount of islet fibrosis. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis of transforming growth factor-beta with its downstream signals were performed from the pancreas. Ramipril treatment remarkably reduced weight gain and the area under the curve of glucose. Islet fibrosis and the expression of TGF-beta with its downstream signal molecules were significantly reduced in the pancreas of ramipril-treated group than in control and paired-feeding group. These beneficial effects of ramipril might be related to the downregulation of TGF-beta and its downstream signals in OLETF rats. To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting the potential effect of ramipril on the prevention of islet destruction by fibrosis in the animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Body mass index is the most important determining factor for the degree of insulin resistance in non-obese type 2 diabetic patients in Korea.

With obesity, increased insulin secretion is needed to compensate for the additional demands and to maintain euglycemia. In contrast to Caucasians, the majority of type 2 diabetic patients belong to the non-obese category in Korea. There appears to be an ethnic difference underlying the pathogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, there is only limited data on these subjects. The degree of insulin resistance in 267 Korean non-obese (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m(2)) >/= patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was analyzed, and the factors responsible for the insulin resistance were examined. The mean age and BMI of the patients were 50.8 +/- 10.6 years and 22.6 +/- 1.8 kg/m(2). Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) >/= 2.5 was defined as being insulin resistant according to our data (mean +/- 1.5 SD of 1,917 normal subjects). There was no significant difference according to age, the duration of disease, and the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(lc)) levels between the subjects with or without insulin resistance. The HOMA-IR values in the patients with insulin resistance and normal insulin sensitivity were 4.2 +/- 1.4 and 1.5 +/- 0.6, respectively. In the insulin-resistant group, the log-transformed triglyceride (TG) levels were higher and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower than those of the insulin-sensitive group (log-transformed TG: 5.2 +/-.6 v 4.9 +/-.7 and HDL-C: 1.13 +/- 0.3 v 1.25 +/- 0.3mmol/L). These differences were still observed after adjusting for BMI. The HOMA-IR value was independently predicted by BMI and HDL-C levels, which explained 7% and 3% in the variability of insulin resistance, respectively. However, the TG levels were not independently associated with the HOMA-IR. Logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factor associated with HOMA-IR was only BMI. These results suggest that the BMI is the most important determinant of insulin resistance, while TG and HDL-C levels might be good markers of insulin resistance in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea.