Food intake regulating-neuropeptides are expressed and regulated through pregnancy and following food restriction in rat placenta

Background Neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti related peptide (AgRP), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and melanocortins, the products of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC), are hypothalamic peptides involved in feeding regulation and energy homeostasis. Recent evidence has demonstrated their expression in rat and human placenta. Methods In the current study, we have investigated the expression of those neuropeptides in the rat placenta by real-time PCR using a model of maternal food restriction. Results Our results showed that placental-derived neuropeptides were regulated through pregnancy and following food restriction. Conclusion These data could indicate that placental-derived neuropeptides represent a local regulatory circuit that may fine-tune control of energy balance during pregnancyThis work has been supported by grants from Xunta de Galicia (ML: GRC2006/66), Fondo Investigationes Sanitarias (ML: PI061700), Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia (CD: BFU2005), Mútua Madrileña (CD and ML) and European Union (CD: LSHM-CT-2003-503041)S

Short-term regulation of peptide YY secretion by a mixed meal or peritoneal glucose-based dialysate in patients with chronic renal failure

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in "Nephrology Dialysis Trasnplantation" following peer review. The version of the record is avaliable online at Oxford Academic website.Instituto de Salud Carlos III, PI051024Instituto de Salud Carlos III, PI070413Xunta de Galicia, PS07/12Xunta de Galicia, 2006/2

Fasting and postprandial plasma ghrelin levels are decreased in patients with liver failure previous to liver transplantation

[Abstract] Anorexia is a problem of paramount importance in patients with advanced liver failure. Ghrelin has important actions on feeding and weight homeostasis. Concentrations of ghrelin are controversial in liver cirrhosis. Our aim was to study fasting ghrelin and their response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in liver failure patients and normal subjects. Methods We included 16 patients with severe liver failure prior to liver transplantation. As a control group we included 10 age- and BMI-matched healthy subjects. After an overnight fast, 75 g of oral glucose were administered; glucose, insulin, and ghrelin were obtained at baseline and at times 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, respectively. Results Fasting ghrelin (median and range) were statistically significantly lower for patients compared to the controls, 527 (377–971) pg/ml vs. 643 (523–2163) pg/ml, P = 0.045, for patients and controls, respectively. The area under the curve for total ghrelin post-OGTT were lower in end-stage liver failure patients than in the control group, 58815 (44730–87420) pg/ml min vs. 76560 (56160–206385) pg/ml min, for patients and controls, respectively, P = 0.027. Conclusions Ghrelin levels are significantly decreased both fasting and post-OGTT in patients with liver failure candidates for transplantation. Decreased ghrelin levels could contribute to anorexia in patients with cirrhosis.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI051024Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI070413Xunta de Galicia; PS07/12Xunta de Galicia; PGIDT05PXIC91605PNXunta de Galicia; INCITE08ENA916110E

Criteria for the definition of Pituitary Tumor Centers of Excellence (PTCOE): A Pituitary Society Statement

Introduction With the goal of generate uniform criteria among centers dealing with pituitary tumors and to enhance patient care, the Pituitary Society decided to generate criteria for developing Pituitary Tumors Centers of Excellence (PTCOE). Methods To develop that task, a group of ten experts served as a Task Force and through two years of iterative work an initial draft was elaborated. This draft was discussed, modified and finally approved by the Board of Directors of the Pituitary Society. Such document was presented and debated at a specific session of the Congress of the Pituitary Society, Orlando 2017, and suggestions were incorporated. Finally the document was distributed to a large group of global experts that introduced further modifications with final endorsement. Results After five years of iterative work a document with the ideal criteria for a PTCOE is presented. Conclusions Acknowledging that very few centers in the world, if any, likely fulfill the requirements here presented, the document may be a tool to guide improvements of care delivery to patients with pituitary disorders. All these criteria must be accommodated to the regulations and organization of Health of a given country

Modelo colisional para la penetración de proyectiles sobre un plano semi–infinito

Revista Ingeniería UC, Vol 20, No 1Se formula un modelo teórico de la colisión de un proyectil sobre un medio semi-infinito, abordando el problema de la penetración como un choque perfectamente inelástico y el comportamiento del material blanco como un fluido elástico para el cálculo de la longitud de penetración. El modelo fue corroborado experimentalmente en el laboratorio Balístico de la Compañía Anónima de Venezuela de Industria Militar (CAVIM). Los resultados concuerdan satisfactoriamente con el modelo, según el cual la longitud de penetración depende primordialmente de la longitud y la densidad del proyectil. Adicionalmente se discuten aplicaciones en: Tecnología Militar, la determinación de la presión máxima de materiales y la colisión del navío Deep Impact sobre el cometa Temple 1. Palabras clave: Modelo colisional, Proyectiles de Barrena, Longitud de Penetración, Misión Impacto Profundo