BackgroundWe developed for the first time a smartphone application designed for diabetes self-management in Korea and registered a patent for the relevant algorithm. We also investigated the user satisfaction with the application and the change in diabetes related self-care activities after using the application.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire survey on volunteers with diabetes who were using the application. Ninety subjects responded to the questionnaire between June 2012 and March 2013. A modified version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) was used in this study.ResultsThe survey results exhibited a mean subject age of 44.0 years old, and males accounted for 78.9% of the subjects. Fifty percent of the subjects had diabetes for less than 3 years. The majority of respondents experienced positive changes in their clinical course after using the application (83.1%) and were satisfied with the structure and completeness of the application (86.7%). Additionally, the respondents' answers indicated that the application was easy to use (96.7%) and recommendable to others (97.7%) and that they would continue using the application to manage their diabetes (96.7%). After using the Diabetes Notepad application, diabetes related self-care activities assessed by SDSCA displayed statistically significant improvements (P<0.05), except for the number of days of drinking.ConclusionThis smartphone-based application can be a useful tool leading to positive changes in diabetes related self-care activities and increase user satisfaction.

Several environmental contaminants have been linked to the development of diabetes and increased diabetes‑associated mortality. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a widely used perfluoroalkane found in surfactants and lubricants, and in processing aids used in the production of polymers. Furthermore, PFOA has been detected in humans, wildlife and the environment. The present study investigated the toxic effects of PFOA on rat pancreatic β‑cell‑derived RIN‑m5F cells. Cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, cytokine release and mitochondrial parameters, including membrane potential collapse, reduced adenosine triphosphate levels, cardiolipin peroxidation and cytochrome c release were assessed. PFOA significantly decreased RIN‑m5F cell viability and increased apoptosis. Exposure to PFOA increased the formation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial superoxide, nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, PFOA induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and reduced adenosine triphosphate levels, cardiolipin peroxidation and cytochrome c release. These results indicate that PFOA is associated with the induction of apoptosis in RIN-m5F cells, and induces cytotoxicity via increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Methylglyoxal (MG) contributes to the pathogenesis of age- and diabetes-associated complications. The present study investigated the effects of glabridin on MG-induced cytotoxicity in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with glabridin in the presence of MG, and markers of mitochondrial function and oxidative damage were examined. Pretreatment of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells with glabridin prevented MG-induced cell death, the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxides, cardiolipin peroxidation, and the production of inflammatory cytokines. The soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGEs)/RAGE ratio increased upon MG treatment, but less so after pretreatment with glabridin, which also increased the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of glyoxalase I and heme oxygenase-1, all of which were reduced by MG. In addition, glabridin elevated the level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. These findings suggest that glabridin protects against MG-induced cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and increasing MG detoxification. Pretreatment of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells with glabridin reduced MG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, the nitric oxide level significantly increased upon glabridin pretreatment. Together, these data show that glabridin may potentially serve to prevent the development of diabetic bone disease associated with MG-induced oxidative stress.

We developed a 2.0 inch, QCIF (160×128×RGB), a-Si:H TFT-LCD with a low noise gate driver integrated on glass substrate. By simulation and measurement, the proposed gate driver was found to be noise-free compared to conventional one. A new gate driver can make it possible to perform operation regardless of the voltage coupling from other voltage sources.

Background This study extends the findings of our previous examination of the relationship between obesity and depression in Korean adults. Here, we further investigate the relationships among body image perception, weight control method, and depression based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014 and 2016. Methods In total, we analyzed 11,782 participants. We classified them into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal-to-overweight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ), obesity stage I (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m 2 ), and obesity stage II (BMI >30.0 kg/m 2 ). Current depression was defined as a score of at least 10 on the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We performed chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the relationships among BMI, body image perception, method of weight control, and depression. Results Depression was diagnosed in 6.5% of the study participants. The underweight group had the highest odds ratio (OR) for depression (OR, 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–2.65). Further, participants in the extremely lean subgroup within the underweight group had an even higher OR for depression (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.28–4.10). Regarding weight management methods, the rate of depression was higher for fasting and for skipping or reducing a meal than for exercise. Conclusion Biased BMI and body image perception are associated with increased incidence of depression. In addition, specific weight control methods, such as fasting, skipping a meal, and reducing food consumption, are also associated with increased incidence of depression.