1,882 research outputs found
Neuroendocrine control of food intake
No full textAppetite is regulated by a complex system of central and peripheral signals which interact in order to modulate the individual response to nutrient ingestion. Peripheral regulation includes satiety signals and adiposity signals, while central control is accomplished by several effectors, including the neuropeptidergic, monoaminergic and endocannabinoid systems. Satiety signals, including cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY), originate from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during a meat and, through the vagus nerve, reach the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the caudal brainstem. From NTS afferents fibers project to the arcuate nucleus (ARC), where satiety signals are integrated with adiposity signals, namely leptin and insulin, and with several hypothalamic and supra-hypothalamic inputs, thus creating a complex network of neural circuits which finally elaborate the individual response to a meal. As for the neuropeptidergic system, ARC neurons secrete orexigenic substances, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-retated peptide (AGRP), and anorexigenic peptides such as pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). Other brain areas involved in the control of food intake are located downstream the ARC: among these, the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which produces anorexigenic peptides such as thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and oxytocin, the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) and perifornical area (PFA), secreting the orexigenic substances orexin-A (OXA) and melanin concentrating hormone (MCH). A great interest in endocannabinoids, important players in the regulation of food intake, has recently developed. In conclusion, the present work reviews the most recent insights into the complex and redundant molecular mechanisms regulating food intake, focusing on the most encouraging perspectives for the treatment of obesity
Challenges in Monte Carlo event generator software for high-luminosity LHC
No full textThis work received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network MCnetITN3
(grant agreement no. 722104).Valassi, A., Yazgan, E., McFayden, J., Amoroso, S., Bendavid, J., Buckley, A., Cacciari, M., Childers, T., Ciulli, V., Frederix, R., Frixione, S., Giuli, F., Grohsjean, A., Gütschow, C., Höche, S., Hopkins, W., Ilten, P., Konstantinov, D., Krauss, F., Li, Q., Lönnblad, L., Maltoni, F., Mangano, M., Marshall, Z., Mattelaer, O., Fernandez Menendez, J., Mrenna, S., Muralidharan, S., Neumann, T., Plätzer, S., Prestel, S., Roiser, S., Schönherr, M., Schulz, H., Schulz, M., Sexton-Kennedy, E., Siegert, F., Siódmok, A., Stewart, G.A., The HSF Physics Event Generator W
Peripheral neuropathy associated with allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome): clinical features and histological findings
No full textWe describe the case of a patient with a history of resistant asthma who presented with subacute neuropathy, hypereosiniphilia and central nervous system involvement; these findings were consistent with allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome). Although cutaneous biopsy prompted the diagnosis, the cases reported suggests that clinical, biological and histological data are all essential for the diagnosis. We emphasize that an early recognition of this syndrome may be important, since appropriate therapy may lead to recovery or influence favorably at least long term survival
Copper-mediated genotoxic stress is attenuated by the overexpression of the DNA repair gene MtTdp2a (tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2) in Medicago truncatula plants
No full textEnhanced osmotic stress tolerance in Medicago truncatula plants overexpressing the DNA repair gene MtTdp2alpha (tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2)
No full textEstrogens and male reproduction
No full textAbstract The role of estrogen on male reproductive function has become clearer in the last decade. During these years the study of the effect of testosterone, estrogen or an aromatase inhibitor in hypogonadal men provided a first evidence of the effects of estrogens in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion. At the same time, the development of a line of transgenic male mice lacking estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β or aromatase gene provided further evidence about the role of estrogens not only in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion, but also on the effects of estrogens on testicular function and development. A confirmation of these actions of estrogens came from the observation of naturally occurring mutations of the estrogen receptor and of the aromatase gene in human males. Based on these data it has been demonstrated that estrogens are major regulators of gonadotropin secretion acting both at pituitary and hypotalamic level. The presence in the human reproductive structures of estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β and the aromatase enzyme indicates the existence of receptor α, estrogen receptor β or aromatase estrogen actions at this level. Anyway, the precise role of estrogens in testicular development and function and on the regulation of human spermatogenesis has not yet been precisely clarified
Unmet needs in Cushing’s syndrome: the patients’ perspective
No full textBACKGROUND: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare condition of chronically elevated cortisol levels resulting in diverse comorbidities, many of which endure beyond successful treatment affecting the quality of life. Few data are available concerning patients’ experiences of diagnosis, care and persistent comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: To assess CS patients’ perspectives on the diagnostic and care journey to identify unmet therapeutic needs. METHODS: A 12-item questionnaire was circulated in 2019 by the World Association for Pituitary Organisations. A parallel, 13-item questionnaire assessing physician perceptions on CS patient experiences was performed. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty CS patients from 30 countries completed the questionnaire; 54% were aged 35–54 and 88% were female; 41% were in disease remission. The most burdensome symptom was obesity/weight gain (75%). For 49% of patients, time to diagnosis was over 2 years. Following treatment, 88.4% of patients reported ongoing symptoms including, fatigue (66.3%), muscle weakness (48.8%) and obesity/weight gain (41.9%). Comparisons with delay in diagnosis were significant for weight gain (P = 0.008) and decreased libido (P = 0.03). Forty physicians completed the parallel questionnaire which showed that generally, physicians poorly estimated the prevalence of comorbidities, particularly initial and persistent cognitive impairment. Only a minority of persistent comorbidities (occurrence in 1.3–66.3%; specialist treatment in 1.3–29.4%) were managed by specialists other than endocrinologists. 63% of patients were satisfied with treatment. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the delay in diagnosing CS. The high prevalence of persistent comorbidities following remission and differences in perceptions of health between patients and physicians highlight a probable deficiency in effective multidisciplinary management for CS comorbidities
Mesure de la masse du boson W au seuil
No full textThe mass of the W boson is a fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions. Its direct measurement is one of the major goals of the second phase (LEP2) of the experimental program for the LEP collider at CERN: this phase started in June 1996, when the LEP centre-of-mass energy was raised to 161 GeV to allow the production of pairs of W bosons. Close to threshold, the W mass can be determined directly by the measurement of the W pair cross section. This thesis describes the measurement of the cross section at threshold and subsequent extraction of the W mass, using data collected during summer 1996 with the ALEPH detector. In chapter 1, the importance of the measurement of the W mass as a test of the Standard Model and as an indirect measurement of the Higgs boson mass is reviewed. In chapter 2, the methods used for the measurement of the W mass at LEP2 and elsewhere are summarized; in particular, the general principles of the threshold method and the choice of the optimal energy are discussed. In chapter 3, the ALEPH detector and some of the tools used for the analysis of experimental data are described. At LEP2, W pair events can be classified into three channels, leptonic, semileptonic and hadronic, according to the decay modes of the two W bosons. Each channel has characteristic features and requires a specific analysis procedure. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 describe the details of the measurement of the cross section for the three channels. In chapter 7, the inclusive WW cross section at threshold is derived and the W mass is determined from it. The result obtained by ALEPH is then combined to those of the other three LEP Collaborations, and the LEP average is compared to previous measurements of the W mass
Delayed remission after transsphenoidal surgery in patients with Cushing's disease
No full textBackground: Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is the treatment of choice for Cushing's disease (CD). Postoperative hypercortisolemia mandates further therapy. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize patients without immediate postoperative remission who have a delayed decrease to normal or low cortisol levels without further therapy. Design and Setting: A retrospective case series was conducted at three tertiary care centers. Patients and Intervention:Wereviewed the records of 620 patients (512 females, 108 males; mean age, 38±13 yr) who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for CD between 1982 and 2007. Results: Outcomes were classified into the following three groups based upon the postoperative pattern of cortisol testing: group IC (immediate control) included 437 of the 620 patients (70.5%) with hypocortisolism and/or cortisol normalization throughout the postoperative follow-up; group NC (no control) included 148 of 620 patients (23.9%) with persistent hypercortisolism; and group DC (delayed control) included 35 of 620 patients (5.6%)who had early elevated or normal UFC levels and developed a delayed and persistent cortisol decrease after an average of 38±50 postoperative days.The total rate of recurrence was 13% at a median follow-up time of 66 months after TSS; the cumulative rate of recurrence at 4.5 yr was significantly higher in group DC vs. group IC (43 vs. 14%; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Hormonal assessment in the immediate postoperative period after TSS for CD may be misleading because delayed remission can occur in a subset of patients. Expectant management and retesting may spare some patients from unnecessary further treatment. Optimal timing to determine the need for further therapy after TSS remains to be determined
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