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Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the urocortins (UCN1, UCN2, and UCN3) belong to the CRF family of peptides and are the major regulators of the adaptive response to internal and external stresses. The actions of CRF and UCNs are mediated through two receptor subtypes: CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRFR2. Their physiological roles, among other functions, include the regulation of food intake and anxiety-like behavior. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made towards understanding how anxiety- and depression-like behavior and food intake are regulated by CRF, UCN1, UCN2, and UCN3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report a 75-year-old man with multiple myeloma who developed acute deterioration of renal function. Systemic AL amyloid deposition was found in the stomach, duodenum and brachial artery. A small amount of proteinuria without significant abnormal urinary sediments, increased excretion of urinary low-molecular-weight proteins and Bence Jones protein were observed. Significant renal Ga-67 uptake suggested acute tubulointerstitial lesions. Renal necropsy after sudden death 40 days after introduction of hemodialysis revealed mesangial expansion with glomerular basement membrane thickening, tubular basement membrane thickening with or without tubular atrophy and massive tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Slight amyloid depositions in the mesangium and vessels, and massive granular electron-dense deposits and deposition of monoclonal light chain λ in renal basement membranes and vessels were found, indicating the rare condition of co-existence of amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease (LCDD). The rapid progression of renal failure may have been caused by massive deposition of monoclonal light chains in our patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the unclear association between temporary discharge home from the palliative care unit and achievement of good death, in the background of increases in discharge from the palliative care unit. Association between experiences and circumstances of patient and family and duration of temporary discharge was also examined. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from a nationwide post‐bereavement survey. Results: Among 571 patients, 16% experienced temporary discharge home from the palliative care unit. The total good death inventory score (p <.05) and sum of 10 core attributes (p <.05) were significantly higher in the temporarily discharged and stayed home ≥2 weeks group. Among all attributes, "Independent in daily activities" (p <.001) was significantly better in the temporarily discharged and stayed home ≥2 weeks group. Regarding the experience and circumstance of patient and family, improvement of patient's appetite (p <.05), and sleep (p <.05) and peacefulness (p <.05) of family caregivers, compared to the patient being hospitalized, were associated with longer stay at home after discharge. Conclusions: Patient's achievement of good death was better in the temporarily discharged and stayed home longer group, but this seemed to be affected by high levels of independence of the patient. Temporary discharge from the palliative care unit and staying home longer was associated with improvement of appetite of patients and better sleep and mental health status of family caregivers. Discharging home from palliative care unit is worth being considered even if it is temporary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two dimerized iron(II) complexes, [{Fe( L)(H L)2}{Fe(H L)3}](PF6)(BF4)2 ·5CH3CN ·4H2O ( 1) and [{Fe( L)(H L)2}{Fe(H L)3}](PF6)(FeCl4)2 ( 2) {H L = 3-(2-pyridyl)-5-[4-(diphenylamino)phenyl]-1 H-pyrazole}, supported by triphenylamine-derivatized bidentate ligands and encapsulating hexafluorophosphate ions were synthesized. The complex iron ions have octahedral coordination geometries in which they interact with six nitrogen atoms from three bidentate ligands. Both compounds have capsule-like dimerized supramolecular structures, in which the arrangements of the bulky ligands of two discrete mononuclear complexes create a central cavity in which a single hexafluorophosphate ion is captured. The bidentate ligands interact with the anionic guest molecules through the hydrogen atoms of the ligand pyrazole moieties. Cryomagnetic studies reveal that both compounds show spin-crossover behavior. Complex 1 showed quasi-reversible spin-crossover around 200-300 K, hindered by desolvation effects, whereas 2 showed reversible gradual spin-crossover behavior. The electronic states of the iron ions resulting from the spin-crossover were confirmed by X-ray structure analyses and Mössbauer spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Epileptic spasms (ES) in West syndrome (WS) are classified as being of the generalized seizure type. However, evidence of a focal neocortical origin has been proposed based mainly on surgical WS series. We report herein two infants with WS, whose ES subsequently evolved into focal ES of the right lower extremity. Methods: Medical records, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging findings were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A 2year-old Japanese girl developed ES at 3months of age. Focal ES of the right leg manifested one month after successful ACTH therapy performed at 6 months of age. Brief jerking of the right leg, every few seconds, occurred immediately after awakening. A 7month-old girl with symptomatic WS had developed focal seizures with postural signs at 2months of age. The seizures gradually diminished and had been replaced by ES by 3months of age. ES gradually evolved into focal ES of the right leg. A video-polygraphic study demonstrated the ES with marked predominance in the right leg corresponding to a left sided predominant paroxysmal biphasic slow wave complex. Brain MRI revealed no abnormal findings although interictal EEG demonstrated left centro-parieto-temporal localized spike foci. Conclusions: The focal ES of one lower limb, following treatment of ES in these two infants with WS, suggests the origin of the ES in the first case to be a neocortical focus involving the primary motor cortex representing the lower limb while that in the second case involves more widespread neocortical area with predominance in the same motor cortex as the first case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]