Environmental and genetic activation of a brain-adipocyte BDNF/leptin axis causes cancer remission and inhibition.

Cancer is influenced by its microenvironment, yet broader, environmental effects also play a role but remain poorly defined. We report here that mice living in an enriched housing environment show reduced tumor growth and increased remission. We found this effect in melanoma and colon cancer models, and that it was not caused by physical activity alone. Serum from animals held in an enriched environment (EE) inhibited cancer proliferation in vitro and was markedly lower in leptin. Hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was selectively upregulated by EE, and its genetic overexpression reduced tumor burden, whereas BDNF knockdown blocked the effect of EE. Mechanistically, we show that hypothalamic BDNF downregulated leptin production in adipocytes via sympathoneural beta-adrenergic signaling. These results suggest that genetic or environmental activation of this BDNF/leptin axis may have therapeutic significance for cancer.

Identifying the Factors Influencing Patients' Telehealth Visit Satisfaction: Survey Validation Through a Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth as an alternative to in-person hospital visits. To understand the factors impacting the quality of telehealth services, there is a need for validated survey instruments and conceptual frameworks. The objective of this study is to validate a telehealth patient satisfaction survey by structural equation modeling (SEM) and determine the relationship between the factors in the proposed telehealth patient satisfaction model (TPSM). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of pediatric patients and families receiving care from a comprehensive pediatric hospital in the Midwest between September 2020 and January 2021. In total, 2,039 usable responses were collected. We used an SEM approach by performing confirmatory factor analysis with Diagonally Weighted Least Squares modeling and Partial Least Squares-Path Modeling to establish the structural validity and examined the relationships among the constructs of "Admission Process" (AP), "Perceived Quality of Service" (PQS), and "Telehealth Satisfaction" (TS). Results: Participants were predominantly White (75%) and English-speaking (95%) parents (85%) of patients (mean age of patients was 10.2 years old). The survey responses were collected from patients visiting 43 department specialties, whereas 50% were behavioral and occupational therapy patients. The structural model showed that the admission process (AP) had a strong positive impact on perceived quality of service (PQS) (p = 0.67, t = 36.1, p < 0.001). The PQS had a strong positive impact on telehealth satisfaction (TS) (p = 0.66, t = 31.8, p < 0.001). The AP had a low positive direct impact on TS (p = 0.16, t = 7.46, p < 0.05). Overall, AP and PQS explained 61% variances (R2) of TS. Conclusions: We validated a newly proposed TS assessment model by using SEM. The TPSM will inform researchers to better understand the influencing factors in TS and help health care systems to improve telehealth patient satisfaction through a validated model.

Rapid Development of a Telehealth Patient Satisfaction Survey Using a Multi-Stakeholder Approach.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened the adoption of telehealth and the drastic shift to an unfamiliar process may impose significant impact to the quality-of-care delivery. Many providers are interested in understanding the quality of their telehealth services from the patients' experience. Materials and Methods: A telehealth patient satisfaction survey (TPSS) was developed by using an iterative stakeholder-centered design approach, incorporating elements from validated telemedicine and customer service survey instruments, and meeting the operational needs and constraints. A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect survey responses from patients and families of a large pediatric hospital. Finally, we performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to extract latent constructs and factor loadings of the survey items to further explain relationships. Results: A 22-item TPSS closely matched the existing in-person patient satisfaction survey and mapped to a revised SERVPERF conceptual model that was proposed by the interdisciplinary committee. Survey was implemented in the HIPAA-compliant online platform REDCap® with survey link embedded in an automated Epic MyChart (Verona, WI) visit follow-up message. In total, 2,394 survey responses were collected between July 7, 2020, and September 2, 2020. EFA revealed three constructs (with factor loadings >0.30): admission process, perceived quality of services, and telehealth satisfaction. Conclusions: We reported the development of TPSS that met the operational needs of compatibility with existing data and possible comparison to in-person survey. The survey is short and yet covers both the clinical experience and telehealth usability, with acceptable survey validity.

Cytomegalovirus shedding in seropositive healthy women of reproductive age in Tianjin, China.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enters latency after primary infection and can reactivate periodically with virus excreted in body fluids which can be called shedding. CMV shedding during the early stage of pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. The shedding pattern in healthy seropositive women who plan to have babies has not been well characterised. Vaginal swabs, urine and blood were collected from 1262 CMV IgG-positive women who intended to have babies and tested for CMV DNA by fluorogenic quantitative PCR method. Serum IgM was also detected. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and CMV shedding prevalence was analysed. Among 1262 seropositive women, 12.8% (161/1262) were detected CMV DNA positive in at least one body fluid. CMV DNA was more frequently detected in vaginal secretion (10.5%) than in urine (3.2%) and blood (0.6%) also with higher viral loads (P < 0.00). CMV shedding was more likely detected in IgM-positive women than IgM-negative women (29.5% (13/44) vs. 12.2% (148/1218); OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.55-5.93; P = 0.001). CMV shedding in vaginal secretion was highly correlated with shedding in urine, the immune state of IgM, the adverse pregnant history and younger age. CMV shedding was more commonly detected in vaginal secretion than in urine or blood with higher viral loads among healthy seropositive women of reproductive age. Further studies are needed to figure out whether the shedding is occasional or continuous and whether it is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Genetic polymorphisms of loci D18S53, D18S59, and D18S488 in fetuses from a Chinese Tianjin Han population.

We investigated the genetic polymorphisms of three short tandem repeat (STR) loci, D18S53, D18S59, and D18S488, on chromosome 18 in fetuses from a Chinese Tianjin Han population. Sixty-four villus samples and 374 amniotic fluid samples were collected from fetuses. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the STR loci, followed by scanned electrophoresis and quantitative analysis of the fluorescence signals. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) analysis was performed based on the genotype distributions of the STR loci to obtain the following population genetic data: genotype frequency, heterozygosity of observation (HO), polymorphism information content (PIC), probability of discrimination power (PD), and probability of exclusion (PE). We detected 15, 13, and 15 alleles of D18S53, D18S59, and D18S488, respectively. The genotype frequencies were found to be in line with HWE. The HO values of the three loci, D18S53, D18S59, and D18S488, were 0.797, 0.847, and 0.792; the PIC values were 0.81, 0.75, and 0.73; the PD values were 0.944, 0.901, and 0.881; and the PE values were 0.593, 0.689, and 0.585, respectively. D18S53, D18S59, and D18S488 loci are good genetic markers of chromosome 18, and show potential for use in the prenatal genetic diagnosis of Edwards' syndrome.

[Hyperparathyroidism of different genesis in young patients with Turner syndrome: case series and brief review].

Hyperparathyroidism is a syndrome characterized by an excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone. Etiologically, hyperparathyroidism is subdivided into primary hyperparathyroidism, which develops as a result of parathyroid adenoma, carcinoma or hyperplasia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism, which happens as a compensatory response to a hypocalcemia caused by condition outside the parathyroid glands. Turner syndrome may also be accompanied by mineral metabolism disorders of various etiology. An association of hyperparathyroidism and Turner syndrome is interesting because of multifactorial impact on bone mineral density, but only few cases of such coexistence have been previously described in the literature. This article describes two patients with Turner syndrome and hyperparathyroidism of different etiology. Hyperparathyroidism, normocalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, parathyroid tumors were found in both cases. In one case a number of assays was performed to confirm the patient's normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, and surgery was performed to achieve remission. In the second case, treatment of vitamin D deficiency resulted in normalization of serum concentration of parathormone, after which the patient was prescribed antiresorptive therapy. The pathogenetic association between Turner syndrome and hyperparathyroidism requires further investigation. Comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of mineral metabolism disorders are essential for patients with coexistence of these two diseases.

The Global Burden of Early-Onset Biliary Tract Cancer: Insight From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Backgrounds/objectives: The escalating incidence of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers is becoming a primary global health concern. Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has been relatively understudied in this regard. We conducted an epidemiological study regarding the burden of this condition. Methods: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to investigate the temporal trends in early-onset BTC (EOBTC), encompassing the estimation of frequencies and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of EOBTC incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), from 2010 to 2019. Results: EOBTC constituted nearly 7%of all BTC cases worldwide. The incidence rates of EOBTC decreased significantly in most regions, except in the Eastern Mediterranean (annual percentage change +1.04 %), where the incidence is rising. Stratified by the sociodemographic index (SDI), countries with low middle SDI (annual percentage change +0.5 %) show increasing incidence of EOBTC. The ASR of death and DALYs decreased in most regions. The ASR of EOBTC-related death and disability attributable to high body mass index increased in most regions, with the highest increase in Southeast Asia and low, middle SDI strata. Conclusions: There was a reduction in the burden of EOBTC globally, except for Eastern Mediterranean countries and low-middle SDI countries.

Associations of Telehealth Care Delivery with Pediatric Health Care Provider Well-Being.

BACKGROUND: The rapid, large-scale deployment of new health technologies can introduce challenges to clinicians who are already under stress. The novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic transformed health care in the United States to include a telehealth model of care delivery. Clarifying paths through which telehealth technology use is associated with change in provider well-being and interest in sustaining virtual care delivery can inform planning and optimization efforts. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize provider-reported changes in well-being and daily work associated with the pandemic-accelerated expansion of telehealth and assess the relationship of provider perceptions of telehealth effectiveness, efficiency, and work-life balance with desire for future telehealth. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted October through November 2020, 6 months after the outbreak of COVID-19 at three children's hospitals. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine telehealth factors associated with reported change in well-being and desire for future telehealth. RESULTS: A total of 947 nontrainee physicians, advanced practice providers, and psychologists were surveyed. Of them, 502 (53.0%) providers responded and 467 (49.3%) met inclusion criteria of telehealth use during the study period. Of these, 325 (69.6%) were female, 301 (65.6%) were physicians, and 220 (47.1%) were medical subspecialists. Providers were 4.77 times as likely (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.29-7.06) to report improved versus worsened well-being associated with telehealth. Also, 95.5% of providers (95% CI: 93.2-97.2%) wish to continue performing telehealth postpandemic. Our model explains 66% of the variance in telehealth-attributed provider well-being and 59% of the variance for future telehealth preference and suggests telehealth resources significantly influence provider-perceived telehealth care effectiveness which in turn significantly influences provider well-being and desire to perform telehealth. CONCLUSION: Telehealth has potential to promote provider well-being; telehealth-related changes in provider well-being are associated with both provider-perceived effectiveness of telemedicine for patients and adequacy of telehealth resources.

Study on micro-structure and morphological evolution of Fe/Pt nano-magnetic film.

One of the vertical magnetic recordings medium materials of the hard disk drive (HDD) is a Fe/Pt thin film. The development of ultra-high density magnetic recording medium in next generation is expected the magnetic disks such as HDD with capacity enlargement of the data. In order to study effectiveness of the proposed sputtering method, we evaluated micro structure, magnetic and the mechanical properties of a Fe/Pt thin film by some sputtering process conditions. From research results, effect sputtering conditions on micro-structure and mechanical properties of Fe/Pt nano film are verified.

Drug delivery observation of hydrophobe ferrofluid and magnetite nanoparticals by SPring-8 synchrotron radiation.

In this study, the composite magnetic nanoparticles of coated SiO nano film with about 8 nm size and high saturation magnetization value, were synthesized by liquid phase precipitation method. The magnetic nanoparticles can be dispersed in various liquid media, widely known as magnetic fluids or ferrofluids with both magnetic and liquid properties. The materials been collected great interests and more and more attentions to focus into Drug Delivery System (DDS) as a new technology in this paper. We use the composite nanoparticles to disperse H2O and inject the solutions into rat's in-vivo organs. And, in the experiments by using a strong photon beam of SPring-8 Synchrotron Radiation facility, the distribution stat and the effects of magnetic field as well as drug delivery behaviour of nanoparticles in the rat' kidney are verified by the in-vivo observations.

The role of protein restriction and interaction with antibiotics in the regulation of compensatory growth in pigs: growth performance, serum hormone concentrations, and messenger RNA levels in component tissues of the endocrine growth axis.

The present study investigated the effects of protein restriction and antibiotics on the hypothalamus-pituitary-liver growth axis during the compensatory growth of growing and finishing pigs. Growth performance, serum hormones, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of hormones and their receptors in growth axis tissues were recorded for analyses. A total of 64 piglets (large white × Landrace × Duroc cross) with an initial weight of 10.07 ± 0.14 kg were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups of 16 piglets per group. The dietary treatments consisted of 2 protein levels (14% and 20%) and 2 antibiotic levels (no antibiotics and 20 mg/kg colistin sulfate with 50 mg/kg kitasamycin) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The study was performed over 30 d for the first stage (S1, restriction phase) and 74 d for the second stage (S2, realimentation phase). The 4 treatment diets were maintained throughout the duration in the restriction phase. The 4 groups were fed the same diet in the realimentation phase. The trial period totaled 104 d. Protein restriction decreased BW, average daily food intake, and ADG in weaning pigs (P < 0.01) and induced compensatory growth after feeding a normal diet during the growth of finishing pigs. Average daily gain increased during the last phase of compensatory growth (P < 0.01). Protein restriction increased serum GH and leptin (LEP) and the mRNA levels of liver IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1-R; P < 0.01) but decreased serum IGF-1 (P < 0.01) and the mRNA levels of liver GH receptor (GH-R; P < 0.01) and IGF-1 (P < 0.05) in weaning piglets. Serum GH was increased, but serum IGF-1 was decreased during the realimentation phase (P < 0.05). Antibiotics increased the mRNA levels of GHRH (P < 0.05) and decreased somatostatin (P < 0.01) in the hypothalamus of weaning pigs. Protein restriction and antibiotics had no interactions across the entire trial. In conclusion, the slowing of growth caused by early protein restriction may be compensated for in the later stages of pig raising, and the mechanism of compensation is related to the regulation of GH, IGF-1, GH-R, and IGF-1-R.

The effects of gastric cancer interstitial fluid on tumors based on traditional Chinese medicine 'phlegm' theory and the investigation on the mechanism through microRNA-21 regulation.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of gastric cancer interstitial fluid (GCIF) on tumors and explore the possible mechanism of Xiaotan Sanjie decoction (XTSJ) on treatment of gastric cancer from the view of regulating microRNA-21 (miR-21) expression. The GCIF was extracted and identified by measuring the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and miR-21. The effects of GCIF on the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells and tumor growing were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and subcutaneously transplanted tumor-bearing nude mice model, respectively. Additionally, inhibition effect of XTSJ decoction on proliferation of SGC-7901 cells intervened by GCIF were assessed in vitro and anti-cancer effect of it was further assessed using orthotopic transplanted tumor-bearing nude mice model. The concentration of SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells were dependent on the concentration of the added GCIF. After 72 hours of continuous culture, the interstitial fluid had an obvious proliferative effect on the SGC-7901 tumor cells, which was the most significant in the high concentration group. XTSJ decoction could inhibit the growth-promoting effect (P < 0.01) of GCIF on gastric cancer cells. Intervention of the GCIF might promote the growth (P < 0.05) of the subcutaneously transplanted tumors in nude mice and decrease the net weight of the tumor-bearing nude mice (P < 0.05) after tumor removal. The GCIF was able to up-regulate the expression (P < 0.001) of miR-21 in the subcutaneously transplanted tumors. XTSJ decoction could downregulate the expression (P < 0.05) of miR-21 in SGC-7901 orthotopically transplanted tumors. XTSJ decoction can inhibit the multiplicative effect of GCIF on gastric cancer cells, growth of gastric tumor and promotion effect of GCIF on tumors, probably due to the down-regulating miR-21 expression in tumor tissues.

Feasibility and usability study of a pilot immersive virtual reality-based empathy training for dental providers.

PURPOSE: Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly impact individuals' engagement with the healthcare system. To address SDOH-related oral health disparities, providers must be equipped with knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) to understand how SDOH affect patients and how to mitigate these effects. Traditional dental school curricula provide limited training on recognizing SDOH or developing empathy for those with SDOH-related access barriers. This study describes the design and evaluation of such a virtual reality (VR)-based simulation in dental training. We hypothesize the simulation will increase post-training KSAs. METHODS: We developed "MPATHI" (Making Professionals Able THrough Immersion), a scripted VR simulation where participants take the role of an English-speaking caregiver with limited socioeconomic resources seeking dental care for a child in a Spanish-speaking country. The simulation is a combination of 360° video recording and virtual scenes delivered via VR headsets. A pilot was conducted with 29 dental residents/faculty, utilizing a pre-post design to evaluate effectiveness in improving immediate and retention of KSAs toward care delivery for families facing barriers. RESULTS: MPATHI led to increased mean scores for cognitive (pre = 3.48 ± 0.80, post = 4.56 ± 0.51, p < 0.001), affective (pre = 4.20 ± 0.4, post = 4.47 ± 0.44, p < 0.001), and skill-based learning (pre = 4.00 ± 0.47, post = 4.52 ± 0.37, p < 0.001) immediately post-training. There was not a significant difference between skills measured immediately post-training and in the 1-month post-training survey (p = 0.41). Participants reported high satisfaction with the content and methods used in this training. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study supports using VR SDOH training in dental education. VR technology provides new opportunities for innovative content design.

Evaluation of the usefulness of the fetal femur length with respect to gestational age to detect Down syndrome in Korean subjects.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the usefulness of shortening of the fetal femur length (FL) to predict Down syndrome at different gestational ages in Korean subjects. METHODS: This study involved 110 Korean Down syndrome fetuses and 602 randomly selected euploid controls. The expected FL for any biparietal diameter (BPD) was calculated based on the control group data. Subjects were divided into four groups according to gestational age periods: 14-18 weeks; 19-23 weeks; 24-28 weeks and 29-36 weeks. The value of measured/expected FL ratio to predict Down syndrome was analyzed for each group. RESULTS: The values of FL for any BPD in Down syndrome patients were significantly different from those in the control group (p < 0.001). A low ratio of measured/expected FL increased the risk of fetal Down syndrome (p < 0.001) with a mean measured/expected FL in Down syndrome of 0.907 (SD 0.075). At a fixed false positive rate of 5%, the sensitivities of FL were lower than 32.8% (95% CI 0.705-0.915) in three second trimester groups, and 71.1% (95% CI 0.924-0.997) in the third trimester group. CONCLUSION: Short FL is a poor marker of Down syndrome in the second trimester in Korean subject. It may be used as a screening marker only in the third trimester.

Effects of early protein restriction on the growth performance and gut development of pigs fed diets with or without antibiotic.

In the livestock husbandry compensatory growth may be explored as a means to improve nutrient utilization, to reduce gut health problems due to excess protein intake, to simplify feeding strategies and thus to improve production efficiencies. This study investigated the effects of early protein restriction (EPR) and early antibiotic intervention (EAI) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, colonic bacteria, metabolites and mucosal gene expressions during the restriction phase and re-alimentation phase. A total of 64 piglets (10.04 ± 0.73 kg) were randomly divided into four treatment groups according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of proteins (14% v. 20%) and two levels of antibiotics (0 v. 50 mg/kg kitasamycin and 20 mg/kg colistin sulphate). After a 30-day restriction phase with four kinds of diets, all groups were fed the same diets for another 74 days. The results showed that EPR decreased BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake in the restriction phase (P < 0.01) and increased ADG on days 66 to 104 of the late re-alimentation phase. Early protein restriction could decrease the villus height in the jejunum (P < 0.05), while shifting to the same diets restored the villus height. Meanwhile, during the re-alimentation phase, pigs in the protein restriction groups had increased concentrations of total short chain fatty acids (P < 0.05), and modified the abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the colon. Furthermore, the lower microbial diversity caused by EPR was improved, and gene expression analysis indicated a better barrier function in the colon. During the whole trial, EAI had no interaction with EPR and played a dispensable role in compensatory growth. Collectively, the retardation of growth caused by EPR can be compensated for in the later stages of pig raising, and accompanied by altered intestinal morphology, microbial composition.

Activity-dependent volume transmission by transgene NPY attenuates glutamate release and LTP in the subiculum.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene transduction of the brain using viral vectors in epileptogenic regions can effectively suppress seizures in animals, and is being considered as a promising alternative treatment strategy for epilepsy. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the detailed mechanisms governing the release and action of transgene NPY in neuronal circuitries. Using whole-cell recordings from subicular neurons, we show that in animals transduced by recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector carrying the NPY gene, transgene NPY is released during high-frequency activation of CA1-subicular synapses. Released transgene NPY attenuates excitatory synaptic transmission not only in activated, but also in neighboring, non-activated synapses. Such broad action of transgene NPY may prevent recruitment of excitatory synapses in epileptic activity and could play a key role in limiting the spread and generalization of seizures.

A deep learning model for pediatric patient risk stratification.

OBJECTIVES: Current models for patient risk prediction rely on practitioner expertise and domain knowledge. This study presents a deep learning model-a type of machine learning that does not require human inputs-to analyze complex clinical and financial data for population risk stratification. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative predictive analysis of deep learning versus other popular risk prediction modeling strategies using medical claims data from a cohort of 112,641 pediatric accountable care organization members. METHODS: "Skip-Gram," an unsupervised deep learning approach that uses neural networks for prediction modeling, used data from 2014 and 2015 to predict the risk of hospitalization in 2016. The area under the curve (AUC) of the deep learning model was compared with that of both the Clinical Classifications Software and the commercial DxCG Intelligence predictive risk models, each with and without demographic and utilization features. We then calculated costs for patients in the top 1% and 5% of hospitalization risk identified by each model. RESULTS: The deep learning model performed the best across 6 predictive models, with an AUC of 75.1%. The top 1% of members selected by the deep learning model had a combined healthcare cost $5 million higher than that of the group identified by the DxCG Intelligence model. CONCLUSIONS: The deep learning model outperforms the traditional risk models in prospective hospitalization prediction. Thus, deep learning may improve the ability of managed care organizations to perform predictive modeling of financial risk, in addition to improving the accuracy of risk stratification for population health management activities.

Dynorphin knockout reduces fat mass and increases weight loss during fasting in mice.

Endogenous opioids, particularly dynorphins, have been implicated in regulation of energy balance, but it is not known how they mediate this in vivo. We investigated energy homeostasis in dynorphin knockout mice (Dyn(-/-) mice) and probed the interactions between dynorphins and the neuropeptide Y (NPY) system. Dyn(-/-) mice were no different from wild types with regards to body weight and basal and fasting-induced food intake, but fecal output was increased, suggesting decreased nutrient absorption, and they had significantly less white fat and lost more weight during a 24-h fast. The neuroendocrine and thermal responses to fasting were at least as pronounced in Dyn(-/-) as in wild types, and there was no stimulatory effect of dynorphin knockout on 24-h energy expenditure (kilocalories of heat produced) or physical activity. However, Dyn(-/-) mice showed increased circulating concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenlacetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, suggesting increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The respiratory exchange ratio of male but not female Dyn(-/-) mice was reduced, demonstrating increased fat oxidation. Interestingly, expression of the orexigenic acting NPY in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus was reduced in Dyn(-/-) mice. However, fasting-induced increases in pre-prodynorphin expression in the arcuate nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus, and the ventromedial hypothalamus but not the lateral hypothalamus were abolished by deletion of Y(1) but not Y(2) receptors. Therefore, ablation of dynorphins results in increases in fatty acid oxidation in male mice, reductions in adiposity, and increased weight loss during fasting, possibly via increases in sympathetic activity, decreases in intestinal nutrient absorption, and interactions with the NPYergic system.

Biosorption of a reactive dye (Rhodamine-B) from an aqueous solution using dried biomass of activated sludge.

Low cost, locally available biomaterial was tested for its ability to remove reactive dyes from aqueous solution. Granules prepared from dried activated sludge (DAS) were utilized as a sorbent for the uptake of Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) dye. The effects of various experimental parameters (dye concentration, sludge concentrations, swelling, pretreatment and other factors) were investigated and optimal experimental conditions were ascertained. Nearly 15min was required for the equilibrium adsorption, and Rh-B dyes could be removed effectively. Dye removal performance of Rh-B and DAS increased with increasing concentrations. The acid pretreated biomass exhibited a slightly better biosorption capacity than alkali pretreated or non-pretreated biomass. The optimum swelling time for dye adsorption of the DAS within the swelling time range studied was 12h. Both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models could describe the adsorption equilibrium of the reactive dye onto the activated sludge with the Langmuir isotherm showing the better agreement of the two. Second-order kinetic models confirmed the agreement.

Hypofractionated CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery for acoustic neuromas with and without association to neurofibromatosis Type 2.

CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (CKSRS) has been proved effective in treating intra-cranial lesions. To treat acoustic neuroma (AN) patients with or without neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) associations, the functional preservation of hearing, trigeminal nerve, and facial nerve are important. Twenty-one patients were treated with hypofractionated CKSRS. Fourteen non-NF2 and seven NF2 patients were enrolled. Cranial nerve function, audiograms, and magnetic resonance images (MRI) were monitored. Mean follow-up was 15 month. Tumors with volumes ranging from 0.13 to 24.8 cm3 (mean 5.4 cm3) were irradiated with the marginal dose 1800-2000 cGy/3 fractions. Tumors were treated with an 80 to 89% isodose line (mean 83%) and mean 97.9% tumor coverage. Two patients experienced hearing deterioration (16.7%) in the non-NF2 group, and 3 patients (50%) in the NF2 group. No facial or trigeminal dysfunction, brain stem toxicity, or cerebellar edema occurred. Tumor regression was seen in 9 patients (43%) and stable in 12 patients (57%). 100% tumor control rate was achieved. Hypofractionated CKSRS was not only effective in tumor control but also excellent in hearing preservation for non-NF2 AN. But for NF2 patients, although the tumor control was remarkable, hearing preservation was modest as in non-NF2 patients.