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Aim: To investigate the effects of educational attainment on glucose control and morbid events in patients with type 2 diabetes in Beijing communities.Methods: In this prospective multi-center study, 2866 type 2 diabetes patients receiving integrated care from 15 Beijing urban communities were investigated. Educational attainment was categorized into three levels: low, medium, and high. After a 42-month management, glucose control parameters and morbid events were analyzed.Results: At baseline, the percentages of patients with good glucose control (HbA1c ≤ 7.0%) in the low, medium and high educational groups were 49.09%, 54.82% and 62.59%, respectively (P<0.001). After the 42-month management, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c values were the highest in the low educational group (7.51 ± 2.05 mmol/l and 7.20 ± 1.27%, respectively). Percentages of patients with good glucose control in the three groups were 49.6%, 55.83% and 67.23%, respectively, and the incidences of combined morbid events were 4.5%, 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that educational level was related to the incidence of combined morbid events (medium level, HR=0.572; high level, HR=0.351; P<0.05).Conclusions: Educational level was associated with long-term glucose control, and seemed to be related to the incidence of combined morbid events in people with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Al–15%Pb–4%Si–1%Sn–1.5%Cu alloys (mass fraction, %) were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA). Phase transformation and microstructure characteristics of the alloy powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the nanocrystalline supersaturated solid solutions and amorphous phase in the powders are obtained during MA. The effect of ball milling is more evident to lead than to aluminum. During MA, the mixture powders are firstly fined, alloyed, nanocrystallized and then the nanocrystalline partly transforms to amorphous phase. A thermodynamic model is developed based on semi-experimental theory of Miedema to calculate the driving force for phase evolution. The thermodynamic analysis shows that there is no chemical driving force to form a crystalline solid solution from the elemental components. But for the amorphous phase, the Gibbs free energy is higher than 0 for the alloy with lead content in the ranges of 0–86.8at.% and 98.4–100at.% and lower than 0 in range of 86.8–98.4at.%. For the Al–2.25at.%Pb (Al–15%Pb, mass fraction, %), the driving force for formation of amorphization and nanocrystalline supersaturated solid solutions are provided not by the negative heat of mixing but by mechanical work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Opalinids are a large group of anaerobic protists, mainly inhabiting the cloacae of amphibians (frogs and toads). The classification of this group has not been fully resolved, because of a lack of molecular information. Here, we give a redescription of Opalina triangulata Metcalf, 1923, collected from the rectum of the frog Fejervarya limnocharis , based on detailed morphological and molecular data. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed the monophyly of Opalinata. Within it, Opalinea were monophyletic with O. triangulata and O. undulata as well as two Protoopalina species grouping together. Karotomorpha and Proteromonas did not group together confirming the paraphyly of Proteromonadea. Meanwhile, the ITS2 secondary structural similarities as well as G-C content revealed greater similitudes between Opalina species and P. lacertae than with Blastocystis hominis , which is in accordance with their position as sister clades in the SSU rDNA-based phylogenies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from islet β cells is mediated by K ATP channels. However, the role of non-K ATP K+ channels in insulin secretion is largely unknown. Here, we show that a non-K ATP K+ channel, KCNH6, plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. KCNH6 p.P235L heterozygous mutation co-separated with diabetes in a four-generation pedigree. Kcnh6 knockout (KO) or Kcnh6 p.P235L knockin (KI) mice had a phenotype characterized by changing from hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia to hyperglycemia with insulin deficiency. Islets from the young KO mice had increased intracellular calcium concentration and increased insulin secretion. However, islets from the adult KO mice not only had increased intracellular calcium levels but also had remarkable ER stress and apoptosis, associated with loss of β cell mass and decreased insulin secretion. Therefore, dysfunction of KCNH6 causes overstimulation of insulin secretion in the short term and β cell failure in the long term. Graphical Abstract Highlights • KCNH6 regulates insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice • KCNH6 dysfunction causes a phenotype from hyper- to hypoinsulinemia and diabetes • KCNH6 dysfunction increases intracellular calcium levels and hyperinsulinemia • Chronic elevation of intracellular calcium causes β cell loss and hypoinsulinemia Yang et al. show that KCNH6 plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. Dysfunction of KCNH6 results in a hyperinsulinemia phenotype in the short term and hypoinsulinemia and diabetes in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a three-step programmed method to find gene mutations related to maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Target region capture and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed using customized oligonucleotide probes designed to capture suspected genes for MODY in 11 probands with clinically diagnosed MODY. The suspected associations of certain genes with MODY were then confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the probands and their family members. Finally, to validate variants of one of the genes of interest (glucokinase, GCK) as pathogenic mutations, protein function editing by the variant genes was assessed. In the target region capture and NGS phase, a total of nine variants of seven genes ( GCK , WFS1 , SLC19A2 , SH2B1 , SERPINB4 , RFX6 , and GATA6 ) were identified in eight probands. Two heterozygous GCK mutations located on the same allele (p.Leu77Arg and p.Val101Met) were identified in a MODY family. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the variants identified by NGS to be present in probands and their diabetic family members, but not in non-diabetic family members. Finally, enzyme kinetic and thermal stability analyses revealed that the p.Leu77Arg mutation or the p.Leu77Arg mutation in combination with the p.Val101Met mutation inactivates GCK function and stability, while mutation of p.Val101Met alone does not. The p.Leu77Arg but not p.Val101Met GCK mutation is therefore considered a pathogenic mutation associated with MODY. Genetic screening coupled with gene-editing protein function testing is an effective and reliable method by which causative gene mutations of MODY can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of two-dimensional MoS 2 nano-sheet (MSNS) films were deposited on different metal coated substrate (Al or Mo-coated alumina ceramic substrate and Al or Mo-coated glass substrate) by using the vacuum electron beam vapor deposition (EBVD) technique. The film thickness of MSNS and metal coating was well-controlled by appropriately modifying the growth conditions and deposition time. The microstructure and surface morphology of MoS 2 films were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The field emission (FE) test results indicated that the FE properties of the glass-Al/MSNS sample are superior to the glass-Mo/MSNS sample. And in the case that the device is working properly, the FE current density of ceramic-Al/MSNS sample is always higher than that of ceramic-Mo/MSNS sample when the external electric field is the same. All the experimental results are explained reasonably. • MoS 2 nanosheet films grown vertically on different metal coated substrate were prepared. • The field emission(FE) characteristics of these film devices are compared. • This experiment proves that different substrate materials have a great influence on the FE performance of MoS 2. • Finding suitable substrate material is of great significance for further improving the FE properties of MoS 2 film emitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]