Advancing Ion Selective Membranes with Micropore Ion Channels in the Interaction Confinement Regime

Ion exchange membranes allowing the passage of charge-carrying ions have established their critical role in water, environmental, and energy-relevant applications. The design strategies for high-performance ion exchange membranes have evolved beyond creating microphase-separated membrane morphologies, which include advanced ion exchange membranes to ion-selective membranes. The properties and functions of ion-selective membranes have been repeatedly updated by the emergence of materials with subnanometer-sized pores and the understanding of ion movement under confined micropore ion channels. These research progresses have motivated researchers to consider even greater aims in the field, i.e., replicating the functions of ion channels in living cells with exotic materials or at least targeting fast and ion-specific transmembrane conduction. To help realize such goals, we briefly outline and comment on the fundamentals of rationally designing membrane pore channels for ultrafast and specific ion conduction, pore architecture/chemistry, and membrane materials. Challenges are discussed, and perspectives and outlooks are given.

A randomized trial of eribulin monotherapy versus eribulin plus anlotinib in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Eribulin mesylate is a novel, nontaxane, microtubule dynamics inhibitor. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of eribulin versus eribulin plus the oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor anlotinib in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this single-center, open-label, phase II clinical study (NCT05206656) conducted in a Chinese hospital, patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracycline- or taxane-based chemotherapy were randomized (1 : 1) to receive eribulin alone or in combination with anlotinib. The primary efficacy endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

From June 2020 to April 2022, a total of 80 patients were randomly assigned to either eribulin monotherapy or eribulin plus anlotinib combination therapy, with 40 patients in each group. The data cut-off was 10 August 2022. The median PFS was 3.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-5.5 months] for eribulin and 5.1 months (95% CI 4.5-6.9 months) for eribulin plus anlotinib (hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.98; P = 0.04). The objective response rates were 32.5% versus 52.5% (P = 0.07), respectively, and disease control rates were 67.5% versus 92.5% (P = 0.01), respectively. Patients <50 years of age, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0, visceral metastasis, number of treatment lines of four or more, hormone receptor negative (triple-negative), and HER2 low expression appeared to benefit more from combined treatment. The most common adverse events in both groups were leukopenia (n = 28, 70.0%, patients in the eribulin monotherapy group versus n = 35, 87.5%, patients in the combination therapy group), aspartate aminotransferase elevations (n = 28, 70.0%, versus n = 35, 87.5%), neutropenia (n = 25, 62.5%, versus n = 31, 77.5%), and alanine aminotransferase elevations (n = 25, 62.5%, versus n = 30, 75.0%).

CONCLUSION

Eribulin plus anlotinib can be considered an alternative treatment option for HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Activation cross sections for reactions induced by 14 MeV neutrons on natural titanium

Cross sections for the neutrons around 14 MeV interaction with natural titanium were precisely measured by neutron activation and off-line measurement technique. The fast neutrons were produced by ³H(d,n)⁴He reaction and the neutron energy was obtained by using the cross section ratio method of ⁹⁰Zr(n,2n)⁸⁹Zr to ⁹³Nb(n,2n)^92mNb reactions. Experimental cross sections have been acquired for ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁶Sc, ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁷Sc, ⁵⁰Ti(n,x)⁴⁷Ca and ⁴⁸Ti(n,x)⁴⁸Sc reactions. The measured cross section data are compared with the experimental data available in the previous literature and evaluated nuclear data from the ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1, CENDL-3.2 and FENDL-3.2b libraries. Furthermore, excitation functions for these reactions were calculated by using the theoretical model based on Talys-1.96 code with default and adjusted parameters. Within experimental error, evaluated nuclear data are mostly consistent with experimental data. The excitation function with adjusted parameters can roughly reproduce the experimental data.

Association of aldehyde exposure with bone mineral density in the national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES 2013-2014)

PURPOSE

The association between aldehyde exposure and bone health in humans remains unclear. This study was to evaluate the association of serum aldehydes with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia/osteoporosis.

METHODS

We analyzed the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cross-sectional data from 2013 to 2014. Weighted multivariate-adjusted linear regression and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between specific aldehydes and osteopenia/osteoporosis. Associations between aldehyde combinations and BMD were also evaluated using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method.

RESULTS

Compared with men in the first tertile, those in the third tertile of propanaldehyde concentration were negatively associated with proximal femur and lumbar spine BMD. Significant inverse associations were observed between benzaldehyde exposure and trochanter BMD in women. Benzaldehyde increased the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis 2.75-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 7.11] in the highest tertile in women compared to the lowest tertile concentration. In males, the prevalence of total femur, femur neck, and trochanter osteopenia/osteoporosis was significantly higher in the highest versus the lowest tertile of propanaldehyde exposure, with odds ratios (ORs) of 6.84 (95% CI = 2.33, 20.04), 2.72 (95% CI = 1.18, 6.27), and 3.26 (95% CI = 1.25, 8.56), respectively. RCS regression also showed decreased BMD continuously with increasing serum mixed aldehyde levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum aldehyde concentrations were associated with low BMD and high osteopenia/osteoporosis risk in adults, with propanaldehyde and benzaldehyde being the most critical. Co-exposure to aldehyde combinations was negatively correlated with BMD.

Disparities in Risks of Inadequate and Excessive Intake of Micronutrients during Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Inadequate or excessive intake of micronutrients in pregnancy has potential to negatively impact maternal/offspring health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to compare risks of inadequate or excessive micronutrient intake in diverse females with singleton pregnancies by strata of maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, and prepregnancy BMI.

METHODS

Fifteen observational cohorts in the US Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Consortium assessed participant dietary intake with 24-h dietary recalls (n = 1910) or food-frequency questionnaires (n = 7891) from 1999-2019. We compared the distributions of usual intake of 19 micronutrients from food alone (15 cohorts; n = 9801) and food plus dietary supplements (10 cohorts with supplement data; n = 7082) to estimate the proportion with usual daily intakes below their age-specific daily Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), above their Adequate Intake (AI), and above their Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), overall and within sociodemographic and anthropometric subgroups.

RESULTS

Risk of inadequate intake from food alone ranged from 0% to 87%, depending on the micronutrient and assessment methodology. When dietary supplements were included, some women were below the EAR for vitamin D (20-38%), vitamin E (17-22%), and magnesium (39-41%); some women were above the AI for vitamin K (63-75%), choline (7%), and potassium (37-53%); and some were above the UL for folic acid (32-51%), iron (39-40%), and zinc (19-20%). Highest risks for inadequate intakes were observed among participants with age 14-18 y (6 nutrients), non-White race or Hispanic ethnicity (10 nutrients), less than a high school education (9 nutrients), or obesity (9 nutrients).

CONCLUSIONS

Improved diet quality is needed for most pregnant females. Even with dietary supplement use, >20% of participants were at risk of inadequate intake of ≥1 micronutrients, especially in some population subgroups. Pregnancy may be a window of opportunity to address disparities in micronutrient intake that could contribute to intergenerational health inequalities.

2D Heterostructured Nanofluidic Channels for Enhanced Desalination Performance of Graphene Oxide Membranes

The two-dimensional (2D) lamellar membrane assembly technique shows substantial potential for sustainable desalination applications. However, the relatively wide and size-variable channels of 2D membranes in aqueous solution result in inferior salt rejections. Here we show the establishment of nanofluidic heterostructured channels in graphene oxide (GO) membranes by adding g-C₃N₄ sheets into GO interlamination. Benefiting from the presence of stable and sub-nanometer wide (0.42 nm) GO/g-C₃N₄ channels, the GO/g-C₃N₄ membrane exhibits salt rejections of ∼90% with water permeances of above 30 L h^-1 m^-2 bar^-1, while the pure GO membrane only has salt rejections of below 30% accompanied by water permeances of below 4 L h^-1 m^-2 bar^-1. Combining experimental and theoretical investigations, size exclusion has proved to be the dominating mechanism for high rejections, and the ultralow friction water flow along g-C₃N₄ sheets is responsible for permeation enhancements. Importantly, the GO/g-C₃N₄ membrane shows promising long-term, antioxidation, and antipressure stability.

Atomically dispersed Ni in cadmium-zinc sulfide quantum dots for high-performance visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production

Catalysts with a single atom site allow highly tuning of the activity, stability, and reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts. Therefore, atomistic understanding of the pertinent mechanism is essential to simultaneously boost the intrinsic activity, site density, electron transport, and stability. Here, we report that atomically dispersed nickel (Ni) in zincblende cadmium-zinc sulfide quantum dots (ZCS QDs) delivers an efficient and durable photocatalytic performance for water splitting under sunlight. The finely tuned Ni atoms dispersed in ZCS QDs exhibit an ultrahigh photocatalytic H₂ production activity of 18.87 mmol hour^-1 g^-1. It could be ascribed to the favorable surface engineering to achieve highly active sites of monovalent Ni(I) and the surface heterojunctions to reinforce the carrier separation owing to the suitable energy band structures, built-in electric field, and optimized surface H₂ adsorption thermodynamics. This work demonstrates a synergistic regulation of the physicochemical properties of QDs for high-efficiency photocatalytic H₂ production.

MFN2 contributes to metabolic disorders and inflammation in the aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic disorders and inflammation of chondrocytes are major pathological changes in aging cells and osteoarthritis (OA). Recent studies demonstrated age-related mitochondrial dysfunction may be a key contributing factor in the development of OA. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a key regulator of mitochondrial fusion, cell metabolism, autophagy and apoptosis. This study was performed to ascertain whether MFN2 was involved in the aging of chondrocytes and OA.

METHODS

Metabolic measurements were taken in rat chondrocytes between different ages (3-week, 5-month, 12-month). MFN2 activity was detected in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Then, knockdown of MFN2 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes. Lentiviruses were used to establish MFN2-overexpression/knockdown OA models both in vivo and in vitro to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to OA progress. Further, regulatory mechanism of MFN2 was assessed and interaction between MFN2 and PARKIN was performed.

RESULTS

A metabolic shift to mitochondrial respiration was confirmed in rat chondrocytes during aging. MFN2 expression was elevated in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Knockdown of MFN2 with siRNA reversed the age-related metabolic changes in rat chondrocytes. Overexpression of MFN2 exacerbated inflammation and OA progress, while knockdown of MFN2 ameliorated inflammation and OA progress. Further, MFN2 could be ubiquitinated by PARKIN, declined PARKIN expression during aging and OA might result in elevated MFN2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes and inflammation during aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis.

A novel mixed matrix membrane framework for ultrafast cation sieving

This work reported a new mixed matrix membrane architecture. Within this structure, cross-linked sulfonated polymers uniformly distributed into the two dimensional channels stacked by graphene oxide sheets. The resulting membranes show ultrafast perm-selectivity towards mono/multiple-valence cations.

T2 mapping in dermatomyositis/polymyositis and correlation with clinical parameters

AIM

To explore the T2-mapping signal characteristics of the thigh muscles in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) and to investigate the correlation between thigh muscle T2 values, clinical parameters, and serum creatinine kinase (CK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with DM/PM proven by diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study along with 13 healthy control subjects. Both T2-mapping and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were obtained in the thigh musculature of all subjects. The T2 values of thigh muscles were compared between the DM/PM patients and control groups. Thirty-one DM/PM patients were evaluated with manual muscle testing (MMT) and serum CK levels. A Spearman correlation coefficient model was used to correlate the mean T2 values and clinical assessments. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also utilised. p-Values <0.05 reflected statistical significance.

RESULTS

The T2 value of all oedematous muscles was greater on average than that of the unaffected muscles of the DM/PM patients (p<0.05) and the muscles of healthy volunteers (p<0.05). The T2 value of unaffected muscles in DM/PM patients was also greater than that of the normal muscles in healthy volunteers (p<0.05). The area under the curves (AUCs) for T2 relaxation time values was 0.72 with respective sensitivity and specificity of 72.6% and 65.4%. The mean T2 relaxation time of the 31 patients group and the MMTs (p<0.05) was correlated without serum CK levels (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

T2 mapping is not only quantitatively used for subclinical muscle involvement in DM/PM, but also be used to demonstrate severity of damaged muscles in DM/PM.

Statistically optimal estimation of Greenland Ice Sheet mass variations from GRACE monthly solutions using an improved mascon approach

We present an improved mascon approach to transform monthly spherical harmonic solutions based on GRACE satellite data into mass anomaly estimates in Greenland. The GRACE-based spherical harmonic coefficients are used to synthesize gravity anomalies at satellite altitude, which are then inverted into mass anomalies per mascon. The limited spectral content of the gravity anomalies is properly accounted for by applying a low-pass filter as part of the inversion procedure to make the functional model spectrally consistent with the data. The full error covariance matrices of the monthly GRACE solutions are properly propagated using the law of covariance propagation. Using numerical experiments, we demonstrate the importance of a proper data weighting and of the spectral consistency between functional model and data. The developed methodology is applied to process real GRACE level-2 data (CSR RL05). The obtained mass anomaly estimates are integrated over five drainage systems, as well as over entire Greenland. We find that the statistically optimal data weighting reduces random noise by 35-69%, depending on the drainage system. The obtained mass anomaly time-series are de-trended to eliminate the contribution of ice discharge and are compared with de-trended surface mass balance (SMB) time-series computed with the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO 2.3). We show that when using a statistically optimal data weighting in GRACE data processing, the discrepancies between GRACE-based estimates of SMB and modelled SMB are reduced by 24-47%.

Alkaline Anion-Exchange Membranes Containing Mobile Ion Shuttles

A new class of alkaline anion-exchange membranes containing mobile ion shuttles is developed. It is achieved by threading ionic linear guests into poly(crown ether) hosts via host-guest molecular interaction. The thermal- and pH-triggered shuttling of ionic linear guests remarkably increases the solvation-shell fluctuations in inactive hydrated hydroxide ion complexes (OH(-) (H2 O)4 ) and accelerates the OH(-) transport.

Click Chemistry Finds Its Way in Constructing an Ionic Highway in Anion-Exchange Membrane

To find the way to construct an ionic highway in anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), a series of side-chain-type alkaline polymer electrolytes (APEs) based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) polymer backbones were synthesized via Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry. The resulting triazole groups and quaternary ammonium (QA) groups facilitate the formation of a continuous hydrogen bond network, which will lead to high hydroxide conductivity according to Grotthuss-type mechanism. Microphase separation induced by long alkyl side chains contributes at the same time to further improving the hydroxide conductivity of the resultant AEMs. Hydroxide conductivity as high as 52.8 mS/cm is obtained for membrane TA-14C-1.21 (IEC = 1.21 mmol/g) with the longest pendant chain at 30 °C, and the conductivity can be increased to 140 mS/cm when the temperature was increased to 80 °C. Moreover, the corresponding water uptake is only 8.6 wt % at 30 °C. In the meantime, the membrane properties can be tuned by precisely regulating the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio in the cationic head groups. Compared with AEMs containing triazole and quaternized trimethylammonium head groups, enhanced dimensional stability and mechanical properties are obtained by tuning side-chain chemistry. However, the alkaline stability of the membrane is not as stable as anticipated, probably because of the existence of the triazole ring. Further study will be focused on increasing the alkali stability of the membrane. We envisage that the side-chain-type APEs meditated by click chemistry bearing long hydrophobic side chains pendant to the cationic head groups hold promise as a novel AEMs material.

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and its derivatives

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is considered to be a promising candidate since it enables versatile routes to obtain high performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs).

Cytogenetic and molecular analysis of infertile Chinese men: karyotypic abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene

Chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and androgen receptor gene CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms in infertile Chinese men featuring severe oligospermia and azoospermia were analyzed. Ninety-six fertile men and 189 non-obstructive infertile men, including 125 patients with azoospermia and 64 with severe oligozoospermia, were studied. Seventeen infertile men (9.0%) carried a chromosome abnormality. Twenty (10.6%) carried a Y-chromosome microdeletion. In the remainder of the patients and controls, GGN and CAG repeats were sequenced. Short GGN repeats (n < 23) appeared to be associated with defective spermatogenesis, with the number of GGN repeats strongly correlated with sperm counts. No significant difference in CAG repeats was found between patients and controls, nor were CAG repeats correlated with sperm counts. However, for CAG repeats ranging between 24 and 25, there was a >2.5-fold risk (OR = 2.539, 95%CI = 1.206-5.344, P < 0.05) of severe oligospermia and azoospermia. Our results confirmed the significant role of chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and GGN repeats in Chinese male infertility.

Guanidylated hollow fiber membranes based on brominated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) for gold sorption from acid solutions

Novel guanidylated hollow fiber membranes are prepared based on brominated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) under mild reaction conditions. 1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine hydrochloride (HPCA) is employed for the guanidylation in aqueous solution at room temperature. The obtained guanidylated PPO hollow fiber membranes (GPPO HFMs) contain 0.31-0.95 mmol/g guanidyl groups and show high affinity to tetrachloroauric anions (AuCl(4)(-)) in acid solutions. For 0.1M HCl solution containing 57.8 mg gold/L, the sorption amount can get as high as 130 mg/g. Besides, the GPPO HFMs show preferable selectivity toward gold in multicomponent solution containing Mg(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II). A system of comparison experiments involving the sorption behavior of GPPO HFMs and quaternary aminated HFMs are also performed. The results reveal that driving forces for the high adsorption of gold mainly involve complexation mechanism. Overall, the obtained GPPO HFM is a promising chelating material for the recovery of gold.

Isolation and characterization of twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci in the buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from an AC-enriched genomic library of Buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii). The allele number of these loci ranged from three to 13 (average 7.75 per locus) in tested individuals. Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.532 to 0.882 with an average of 0.721. Average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.559 (range from 0.240 to 0.792) and 0.772 (range from 0.621 to 0.910), respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful for the assessment of genetic diversity, relatedness identification of family and analysis of population structure in wild buff-throated partridge.

[Estimation of insulin secretion rate in multiple sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test]

OBJECTIVE

To measure and calculate insulin secretion rate(ISR) in multiple sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) according to the two compartment model and standard parameters of the kinetics of connecting peptide (C-P) in vivo.

METHODS

15 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 11 type 2 diabetic patients took part in the study. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and FSIVGTT were performed. Glucose concentrations were measured by hexokinase method. Insulin (INS) and C-P concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. A computer procedure devised by our laboratory was used to calculate the value of ISR at each time point.

RESULTS

In the control group, serum INS and C-P concentrations reached the peak at 4 min, the second peak was not obvious. In type 2 diabetes, only 5 subjects had a small peak within 4 min, two curves reached its peak between 60 and 80 min. In the control group, ISR reached its peak 2 min after injection of glucose, that was earlier than INS and C-P curves in time sequence (P = 0.000), the second obvious peak was shown at 22 min. In type 2 diabetes, an obvious but small peak of ISR was shown at 2 min and all the patients had this peak.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to take the process of metabolic clearance of INS and C-P into consideration, when blood concentration of INS and C-P were used as indexes to evaluate the secretion function of beta-cells. The ISR profile is more sensitive for investigation of the second phase of insulin secretion in the control group and the first phase in type 2 diabetes group.

[Studies on properties of biofriction and wear for friction pairs of UHMWPE and Ti matrix-TiN-TiC gradient film materials]

In order to search the possible application of friction pairs of UHMWPE and Ti6Al4V-TiN-TiC etc. gradient materials to total hip joint replacements, we have prepared Ti6Al4V-TiN-TiC etc. gradient film materials by using N ion implant, d. c plasma CVD(PCVD). The properties of biological friction and wear for friction pairs of HUMWPE and Ti6Al4V-TiN-TiC etc. gradient film materials were investigated. The friction coefficient of friction paris and the wear loss of worn UHMWPE were measured; the surface morphology was observed by SEM. It has been shown that in human serum lubrication the wear loss of HUMWPE decreases with the increase in the surface hardness of its pairing ceramic film material. The pairing Ti6Al4V-TiN-TiC gradient film material possesses highest surface hardness, compared with other materials studied; UHMWPE wear loss in lowest. The wear mechanism of studied pairs has been analysed as well in the present paper.

[Primary study on characteristics of insulin secretion rate, metabolic clearance rate and sensitivity in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects from multiplex diabetic pedigrees]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of insulin secretion rate (ISR), metabolic clearance rate (MCR-I) and sensitivity and to explore their relationship with obesity in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects from multiplex diabetic pedigrees (MDP).

METHODS

Fifteen subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 11 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients from MDP were included in the study. Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) was performed. Glucose, insulin (INS) and connecting-peptide (C-P) concentrations were measured. A computer procedure devised by our laboratory was used to calculate the value of ISR at each time point, then MCR-I was acquired. Insulin sensitivity index (SI) was calculated according to minimal model technique about glucose in FSIVGTT.

RESULTS

The ISR curve in control group was biphasic, while in non-insulin. In non-insulin-dependent diabetic group, areas under the curves of C-P (AUCC) and ISR level (AUCS) measured during 0 approximately 16 min were 7.9 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) +/- 2.8 nmol.min(-1).L(-1), and 6.1 nmol +/- 2.2 nmol, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in control group 17.7 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) +/- 4.92 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) and 12.3 nmol +/- 3.9 nmol (P < 0.01). The two parameters were slightly higher than those in control group 155 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) +/- 44 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) vs 101 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) +/- 30 nmol.min(-1).L(-1) and 76 nmol +/- 26 nmol vs 54 nmol +/- 20.0 nmol (P < 0.05)measured during 16 approximately 180 min. There was no significant difference, between the two groups about the amount of insulin secretion during 3 hours (82 nmol +/- 28nmol vs 68 nmol +/- 21 nmol, P = 0.2). In control group, there were significant positive correlation, between AUCS, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and body surface area, (BSA) and significant negative correlation between MCR-I, SI and WHR, BSA (P < 0.01), and also between MCR-I and SI. In non-insulin-dependent diabetic group, AUCS were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01), and MCR-I had significant negative correlation with AUCC (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are obvious impaired first phase insulin secretion after glucose challenge in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects from MDP. Decrease in endogenous MCR-I might be an important factor to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Increased insulin secretion, decreased MCR-I and insulin sensitivity can be observed in abdominal obese subjects of control group.