Minor Weight Loss Research Articles

PC-FACS

PC-FACS

The supergene mineral association with brandholzite from Pernek, Malé Karpaty Mountains, Slovak Republic

5+ , was found at the Križnica deposit near Pernek (Male Karpaty Mountains, Slovak Republic); it is the third occurrence of this mineral phase worldwide. Crystals and crusts of brand­ holzite occur as surface coatings on altered shales mineralized with stibnite and pyrite. Associated minerals include romeite­like phases, sulphur, aragonite, gypsum, senarmontite and Sb­rich Fe­hydroxides. Brandholzite forms euhedral tabular crystals of hexagonal habit, typically 0.5 to 0.8 mm across, exceptionally up to 2 mm long. The crystals occur as isolated, or randomly grouped individuals, creating inconspicuous crusts up to several cm 2 . Brandholzite crystals are colourless, transparent or showing white clouding. No fluorescence was observed under either short­ or long­wave UV radiation. The average electron microprobe analysis gave 6.11 MgO, 0.52 CaO, 0.16 FeO, 55.89 Sb 2 O 5 and (37.32) H 2 O if recast to 100 wt. %. The calculated formula is (Mg 0.88 Ca 0.05 Fe 0.01 ) Σ0.94 (H 2 O) 6.00 [Sb(OH) 6 ] 2.00 . The XRD pattern was indexed in a trigonal setting (space group P3), with refined unit­cell parameters a = 16.1076(9), c = 9.8628(9) A and V = 2216.1(2) A 3 . The thermogravimetric curve shows total weight loss of 34.6 wt. % (over the interval of 20–800 °C), caused by H 2 O release. The initial rapid weight decrease (20–140 °C) was followed by a minor continuous weight loss up to 800 °C. Brandholzite from Pernek and its mineral association were probably formed by sub­recent weathering processes in an abandoned mines environment.

ROLE OF MOLYBDENUM TRIOXIDE ON THERMAL STABILITY OF POLYANILINE NANOCOMPOSITE

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) grains were coated with conducting organic polymer of polyaniline. The as-prepared nanocomposite samples were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetry (TGA). The XRD curves shows that, [Formula: see text] have high crystallinity due to the presence of large number of sharp peaks. From the XRD pattern the particle size is evaluated by using Debye-Scherrer's formula and the average particle size of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] nanocomposites are found to be 46 and 32 nm, respectively. This is clearly observed that the condensed particle size of nanocomposite materials is due to the insertion of metal oxide of molybdenum. The incorporation of metal oxide of MoO3 in polyaniline (Pani) is confirmed by FTIR spectral studies. After de-doping, the characteristic peaks of Pani for all the Pani materials are almost same. This is due to the leaching of metal oxide of MoO3 from Pani. From these observations it is noted that doping–dedoping can also take place in inorganic metal oxides. The thermogram showed a three-step degradation process. The first weight loss step was due to the removal of physisorbed water molecules and moisture. The second minor weight loss step was associated with the removal of dopant from Pani backbone and the slight degradation of benzenoid structure of Pani and their thermal stability is enhanced. The third weight loss step was ascribed to the degradation of quinoid form of Pani. This confirmed the thermal stability of [Formula: see text] nanocomposite system. After degradation above 1000°C, the Pani with MoO3 showed a remaining weight of 8%. This confirmed that incorporation of metal oxide in the Pani nanocomposites is 8%. The enhancement of thermal stability is due to the intercalation of Pani chains into MoO3 in first two step degradation, which is further supported by FTIR and XRD reports. The third step degradation of Pani with MoO3 nanocomposite is loosely bound in organic and inorganic part. Therefore, the organic part is easily decomposed.

Thermal studies on natural polysaccharide

ObjectiveTo characterize thermal property of natural gums obtained from the seeds of Diospyros melonoxylon (D. melonoxylon) Roxb, Buchanania lanzan (B. lanzan) spreng and Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) (Linn.) P. Royen syn. MethodsNatural gums were thermally characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen atmosphere. Major thermal transitions as well as activation energies of the major decomposition stages were determined. Elemental analysis was performed in order to determine the composition of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. ResultsDSC traces indicated a major intense exothermic transition (around 200 °C) followed by weaker exotherm(s). Thermogravimetric analysis showed two phase of weight loss. The first phase has minor weight loss in samples is attributed to the loss of adsorbed and structural water of biopolymers or due to desorption of moisture as hydrogen bound water to the saccharide structure. The second weight loss event may be attributed to the polysaccharide decomposition. The initial decomposition temperature (IDT) was calculated from thermograms obtained of TGA, seed Polysaccharide of D. melonoxylon (IDT 221.21 °C), B. lanzan (IPDT 170.4 °C) and M. zapota (IPDT 178.6 °C) were obtained. According to the integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) values calculated based on the TGA thermograms; D. melonoxylon (IPDT 563.3 °C), B. lanzan (IPDT 598.1 °C) and M. zapota (IPDT 600.6 °C) were obtained respectively. The elemental analysis study shows that the isolated natural Polysaccharides consist of certain percentage of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and hydrogen in all the gums. ConclusionsThe results of the present investigation reveal that the natural gums are thermally stable and these gums can be used as release modifiers in various dosage forms.

Recurrent malignant melanoma in the mediastinum

An 85-year-old man presented with minor haemoptysis and weight loss. Past medical history included resection of a localized 7 mm malignant melanoma from the right forehead 4 years previously. He had a 35 pack-year smoking history and mild asbestos exposure. Physical examination confirmed a scar …

Thermal Properties and Phase Transformation of 2 mol% Y 2O 3-PSZ Nanopowders Prepared by a Co-precipitation Process

Two mol% Y 2O 3-PSZ precursor powders for dental applications were synthesized using ZrOCl 2·8H 2O and Y(NO 3) 3·6H 2O by a co-precipitation process at pH 7 and 348 K for 2 h. The thermal properties and phase transformation of 2Y-PSZ nanocrystallite powder have been investigated using a thermogravimetric and difference scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction and dilatometric analysis. Two weaker broad exothermic peaks appear at around 618 and 718 K were explored in DSC results. The TG analysis shows that minor weight loss occurs from 298 to 348 K, followed by three major weight losses at 610, 630 and 773 K. Calcinated at 773 and 1273 K, the crystallized phases are composed of the major phase of tetragonal ZrO 2 and minor phase of monoclinic ZrO 2. TEM reveals that the tetragonal ZrO 2 with an average size of less than 20.0 nm is mainly aggregated into the secondary aggregates with a size of small than 30.0 nm. The sintering curve of the compact pellet has a significant shrinkage with a linear rate of 18.5% at about 1341 K. Maximum densification rate happened at 1473 K, demonstrating the good low temperature sinterability for dental applications.

Thermal degradation behaviour of a nearly alternating copolymer of vinylidene cyanide with 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate

The thermal decomposition under non-oxidative conditions of a copolymer of vinylidene cyanide (VCN) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (MATRIF) was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and Pyrolysis-GC–MS. The type and composition of the pyrolytic products and the shape of the TG curve indicate that both the main thermal degradation process, with onset at 368 °C, and a minor weight loss at around 222 °C are mainly associated with random main-chain scission. The kinetic parameters were determined by means of dynamic and, in the case of the main degradation stage, also isothermal methods. The results obtained from the dynamic methods (Friedman, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Kissinger, respectively) are in good agreement with those obtained from isothermal TG data. The activation energy was in the 177–213 kJ/mol range for the first stage, and 224–295 kJ/mol for the second stage, the highest respective values being determined from the kinetic analysis according to the Kissinger method.

Use of irinotecan for treatment of small cell carcinoma of the prostate

Prostatic small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare variant of prostate cancer. It is extremely aggressive and resistant to available therapies with a median survival range of 5-17 months. No standard chemotherapeutic regimen has been established for its treatment. In search of a new therapeutic approach, we examined the response of patient-derived prostatic SCC tissue xenografts to irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor. A tumor tissue line was established from a patient's prostatic SCC by subrenal capsule grafting using NOD-SCID mice. Mice carrying subcutaneous transplants of the tumor line were then treated for 2 weeks with irinotecan alone and in combination with cisplatin. The effect on tumor volume, histopathology, and apoptosis were determined. The prostatic SCC tissue line resembled the donor tissue in morphologic and immunohistochemical features. Irinotecan (20 mg/kg/day; days 1-3, 8-10) completely arrested xenograft growth with a small reduction in tumor volume and only minor weight loss of the hosts (7%); irinotecan (12 mg/kg; same schedule) + cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg/day; days 1 and 8) had a similar effect, but with lower weight loss. While the growth inhibition involved apoptosis, it was also associated with a marked increase in autophagy. Tumor tissue lines established via subrenal capsule xenografting provide models with clinical relevance and the present study suggests that irinotecan could be useful for therapy of refractory prostatic SCC, in particular in combination with cisplatin.

Osteopontin regulates hindlimb-unloading-induced lymphoid organ atrophy and weight loss by modulating corticosteroid production

Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional secreted phosphoglycoprotein, plays diverse roles in bone biology, immune regulation, cell survival, inflammation, and cancer metastasis. Here we show its role in determining lymphocyte homeostasis and body mass in response to hindlimb unloading (HU), a model for evaluating effects of weightlessness on the musculoskeletal and other physiological systems. Using this stress model, we compared OPN(-/-) mice with OPN(+/+) mice subjected to HU for 3 days. Whereas OPN(+/+) mice suffered a marked reduction of body weight and significant spleen and thymus atrophy, OPN(-/-) mice exhibited minor weight loss and much less spleen and thymus atrophy. The HU-induced lymphoid organ atrophy was the result of dramatically diminished numbers, respectively, of T and B cells in the spleen and CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive cells in the thymus of OPN(+/+) mice. Increased levels of corticosterone, which modulates lymphocyte activation responses and apoptosis during stress, were found only in OPN(+/+) mice. Apoptotic cell death was evident in the spleen and thymus of OPN(+/+) mice subjected to HU but not in OPN(-/-)mice. Importantly, lymphocytes from both OPN(+/+) and OPN(-/-) mice were equally sensitive to corticosteroid-induced apoptosis. These results reveal that OPN is required for enhanced corticosterone production, immune organ atrophy, and weight loss in mice subjected to HU.

Pre-operative nutritional status does not alter the metabolic response to major gastrointestinal surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer

Malnutrition is associated with an increased incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the effect of malnutrition on the metabolic and inflammatory response to surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer, we studied the effects of oesophagectomy in six patients with major (13.9 (se 1.3) %) weight loss and five patients with minor (0.7 (se 0.6) %) weight loss in the 6 months before to surgery. Rates of appearance (Ra) of glucose, glycerol, leucine and urea were determined by stable isotopically labelled tracer infusion before and after surgery. C-reactive protein was measured as an inflammation marker. BMI was lower in the patients with major weight loss than those with minor weight loss (20.3 (se 0.7) and 24.9 (se 1.5) kg/m2, P = 0.02). With the exception of greater glucose Ra in the major weight loss than minor weight loss subjects (11.1 (se 0.3) v. 9.5 (se 0.3) mumol/kg per min, P = 0.01), there were no differences in substrate kinetics before surgery between groups. Surgery increased glucose Ra, leucine Ra and urea Ra by 41, 24 and 58 %, respectively, in the total group. Changes in substrate kinetics in response to surgery were not different between patients with major and minor weight loss. Surgery increased C-reactive protein concentrations to a comparable extent in both groups. In conclusion, major upper gastrointestinal tract surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer elicits a catabolic response, characterized by increased inflammation, glucose production and protein breakdown. However, this catabolic response does not seem to be influenced by pre-operative nutritional status.

Pesticide Exposure Exacerbates α-Synucleinopathy in an A53T Transgenic Mouse Model

The factors initiating or contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative synucleinopathies are still largely unclear, but environmental factors such as pesticides have been implicated. In this study, A53T mutant human alpha-synuclein transgenic mice (M83), which develop alpha-synuclein neuropathology, were treated with the pesticides paraquat and maneb (either singly or together), and their effects were analyzed. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed that chronic treatment of M83 transgenic mice with both pesticides (but not with either pesticide alone) drastically increased neuronal alpha-synuclein pathology throughout the central nervous system including the hippocampus, cerebellum, and sensory and auditory cortices. alpha-Synuclein-associated mitochondrial degeneration was observed in M83 but not in wild-type alpha-synuclein transgenic mice. Because alpha-synuclein inclusions accumulated in pesticide-exposed M83 transgenic mice without a motor phenotype, we conclude that alpha-synuclein aggregate formation precedes disease onset. These studies support the notion that environmental factors causing nitrative damage are closely linked to mechanisms underlying the formation of alpha-synuclein pathologies and the onset of Parkinson's-like neurodegeneration.

Surface modification of industrial alloys induced by long‐term interaction with an ionic liquid

AbstractThe surface modification of Inconel 600, Naval Brass and AISI 1018 carbon steel after immersion into the [C4mim][Tf2N] ionic liquid (IL) at 225 °C for 20 days has been studied using SIMS, XPS and by surface topography measurements. The trace concentration of alloys' components in the IL solution after the immersion test was measured by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). Appreciable amounts of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and fluorine were detected on the surface of the alloys after the immersion test because of thermal decomposition of the IL. The corrosion layer formed onto the surface of Inconel was found to be rather thick (ca 400–500 nm) and rough (Ra∝ 100–200 nm) due to the dominant adsorption of the IL decomposition products. At the same time, Inconel exhibited minor weight loss (2.5 × 10−5 g × cm−2) after the immersion test. On the contrary, for Brass, the thickness (70–100 nm) and roughness (Ra∝ 80–100 nm) of the corrosion layer were the smallest among the alloys studied, and the weight loss was the greatest (1.3 × 10−2 g × cm−2). It is assumed that IL decomposition might be catalysed by some metallic atoms, for instance Ni, that, in turn, could slow down the surface corrosion and migration of metal atoms into the ionic liquid. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A low fat diet led to a minor weight loss at 7.5 years in postmenopausal women

Howard BV, Manson JE, Stefanick ML, et al. Low-fat dietary pattern and weight change over 7 years: the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA 2006;295:39–49. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q...

How to Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

The epidemic of both obesity and type 2 diabetes is due to environmental factors, but the individuals developing the conditions possess a strong genetic predisposition. Observational surveys and intervention studies have shown that excess body fatness is the major environmental cause of type 2 diabetes, and that even a minor weight loss can prevent its development in high-risk subjects. Maintenance of a healthy body weight in susceptible individuals requires 45-60 minutes physical activity daily, a fat-reduced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, and lean meat and dairy products, and moderate consumption of calorie containing beverages. The use of table values to predict the glycemic index of meals is of little--if any--value, and the role of a low-glycemic index diet for body weight control is controversial. The replacement of starchy carbohydrates with protein from lean meat and lean dairy products enhances satiety, and facilitate weight control. It is possible that dairy calcium also promotes weight loss, although the mechanism of action remains unclear. A weight loss of 5-10% can be induced in almost all obese patients providing treatment is offered by a professional team consisting of a physician and dietitians or nurses trained to focus on weight loss and maintenance. Whereas increasing daily physical activity and regular exercise does not significantly effect the rate of weight loss in the induction phase, it plays an important role in the weight maintenance phase due to an impact on daily energy expenditure and also to a direct enhancement of insulin sensitivity.

An evolutionary concept of polycystic ovarian disease: does evolution favour reproductive success over survival?

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is currently considered as possibly the most frequent cause of female infertility. It is also closely associated with syndrome XX, which, in turn, is closely linked with premature and excessive mortality. Considering these adverse effects on reproductive success and human survival, the evolutionary survival of PCOD, itself considered by many to be a genetically transmitted condition, would, on first glance, appear surprising, since evolution usually discriminates against both of these traits. However, an analysis of some recently reported characteristics of the condition calls for the reconsideration of PCOD as a condition which, from an evolutionary viewpoint, favours decreased reproductive success. Indeed, the reported observations that patients with PCOD will resume spontaneous ovulation with even relatively minor weight loss, and experience later menopause than controls, suggests exactly the opposite. Under an evolutionary concept, PCOD can thus be seen as a ‘fertility storage condition’ which in fact favours human reproductive success and allows the human species to maintain fertility even during adverse environmental circumstances, such as famines.

The stability of poly( m-carborane-siloxane) elastomers exposed to heat and gamma radiation

Poly( m-carboranyl-siloxane) elastomers containing a mixture of di-methyl- and methylphenyl-silyl units were synthesised using the ferric chloride catalysed condensation reaction between di-chloro-diorganosilane and bis(di-methylmethoxysilyl)- m-carborane. These elastomeric materials were originally developed to have greater stability to extreme thermal environments and retain tailorable physical and chemical properties relative to comparable non-carborane containing elastomers. Prepared samples were aged either by heating in air at elevated temperatures or by gamma irradiation from a 60Co source. Multinuclear ( 1H, 13C and 11B) solid and solution state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to assess degradation. This included measurements of segmental chain dynamics using a solid-echo pulse sequence reflecting changes in crosslink density and assessing changes to the carborane fragment by 11B and 1H Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) methods. Thermogravimetric measurements were also performed to assess thermal stability. Gamma radiation (to a dose of 1 MGy) was found to induce only a small degree of elastomer hardening as evidenced by a reduction in segmental chain dynamics. The carborane cage however, remained intact at these dose levels. Thermal degradation was observed to lead to oxidative crosslinking, the degree of which is dependent on temperature. At temperatures below 350 °C, only small changes in segmental dynamics were observed commensurate with only minor weight loss at this temperature. At temperatures above 350 °C, the degradation of the elastomer increased dramatically with decreased segmental dynamics and presumed partial oxidation of the carborane cage. The integrity of the m-carborane cage and the segmental dynamics were found to be significantly reduced at temperatures above 580 °C, in line with the known cage rearrangement temperature for icosahedral carboranes.

The effect of betahistine, a histamine H1 receptor agonist/H3 antagonist, on olanzapine-induced weight gain in first-episode schizophrenia patients

Histamine antagonism has been implicated in antipsychotic drug-induced weight gain. Betahistine, a histamine enhancer with H1 agonistic/H3 antagonistic properties (48 mg t.i.d.), was coadministered with olanzapine (10 mg/day) in three first-episode schizophrenia patients for 6 weeks. Body weight was measured at baseline and weekly thereafter. Clinical rating scales were completed at baseline and at week 6. All participants gained weight (mean weight gain 3.1+/-0.9 kg) and a similar pattern of weight gain was observed: an increase during the first 2 weeks and no additional weight gain (two patients) or minor weight loss (one patient) from weeks 3 to 6. None gained 7% of baseline weight, which is the cut-off for clinically significant weight gain. Betahistine was safe and well tolerated and did not interfere with the antipsychotic effect of olanzapine. Our findings justify a placebo-controlled evaluation of the putative weight-attenuating effect of betahistine in olanzapine-induced weight gain.

Safety and efficacy of immune-stimulating complex-based antigen delivery systems for neonatal immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus infection

To protect against human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV)-induced bronchiolitis in early infancy, vaccines need to be designed which are effective in the neonatal period. To test the safety and efficacy of adjuvants in neonatal mice, we injected hRSV surface proteins combined with immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) prepared from fractions A, C or A + C of Quillaja saponins. All were well tolerated in adults, but A + C ISCOMS proved lethal in neonates; A or C fractions alone were well tolerated by neonates up to the adult dose. hRSV–ISCOM A induced antibody responses similar to combined fractions, and potent in vitro cytotoxic T cell responses. Adult-like in vitro cytotoxicity against hRSV-infected targets and precursor cytotoxic T cell frequencies were observed within one week of neonatal priming and hRSV–ISCOM A-primed neonates showed virtually complete protection against subsequent viral challenge. hRSV challenge was associated with some pulmonary eosinophilia in both age groups, with higher IL-4 production by lung CD4 + T cells in mice primed as neonates. This was, however, accompanied by only minor (~10%) and transient illness and weight loss. Thus, the identification of hRSV antigen delivery systems with an age-appropriate adjuvanticity/reactogenicity balance may be feasible even in the vulnerable early-life period.

Therapy of lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women and men, with an overall survival of 14 percent. METHODS: Review of recent literature concerning modern treatment options. RESULTS: Patients suffering from lung cancer should be treated in specialised centers. The group of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) principally requires a different therapeutical approach to the group of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In patients with operable NSCLC, radical surgical resection offers the best chance of cure. Concerning postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection of NSCLC, no sufficient clinical-experimental data currently exist to recommend any contemporary chemotherapy protocol. Stage III patients in good general condition (ECOG 0–1), with minor weight loss of less than 5% during the last 3 months and appropriate local tumour stage have a clear survival benefit after platin-based chemotherapy in combination with definite local therapy (radiotherapy and/or surgical resection) and should be scheduled for multimodal therapy. Regarding SCLC, chemotherapy represents the essential modality of treatment. Local therapeutical approaches like radiotherapy (stages I–III) and surgical treatment (stages I–II) are additionally used with potentially curative intent in patients with only locoregional spread of the disease. Adjuvant prophylactic cranial radiotherapy should be added in patients after complete remission. Surgical resection plays a secondary role in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. A salvage operation should be taken into consideration in patients who did not attain remission after chemo- and radiotherapy. Such patients most likely have a mixed tumour with portions of NSCLC and can benefit highly from surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Modern multimodal therapy has clearly improved the chance of cure in patients suffering from lung cancer.

Thermal decomposition of syngenite, K 2Ca(SO 4) 2·H 2O

The thermal decomposition of syngenite, K 2Ca(SO 4) 2·H 2O, formed during the treatment of liquid manure has been studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). Gypsum was found as a minor impurity resulting in a minor weight loss due to dehydration around 100 °C. The main endothermic dehydration and decomposition stage of syngenite to crystalline K 2Ca 2(SO 4) 3 and amorphous K 2SO 4 is observed around 200 °C. The reaction involves a solid-state re-crystallisation, while water and the K 2SO 4 diffuse out of the existing lattice. The additional weight loss steps around 250 and 350 °C are probably due to presence of larger syngenite particles, which exhibit slower decomposition due to the slower diffusion of water and K 2SO 4 out of the crystal lattice. A minor endothermic sulphate loss around 450 °C is not due to the decomposition of syngenite or its products or of the gypsum impurity. The origin of this sulphate is not clear.