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Scope: Nutrients stimulate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone, secreted from enteroendocrine L-cells which decreases food intake. Thus, GLP-1 analogs are approved for the treatment of obesity, yet cost and side effects limit their use. L-cells are mainly localized in the distal ileum and colon, which hinders the utilization of nutrients targeting GLP-1 secretion. This study proposes a controlled delivery system for nutrients, inducing a prolonged endogenous GLP-1 release which results in a decrease food intake. Methods and Results: α-Linolenic acid (αLA) was loaded into thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon (THCPSi) particles. In vitro characterization and in vivo effects of αLA loaded particles on GLP-1 secretion and food intake were studied in mice. A total of 40.4 ± 3.2% of loaded αLA is released from particles into biorelevant buffer over 24 h, and αLA loaded THCPSi significantly increased in vitro GLP-1 secretion. Single-dose orally given αLA loaded mesoporous particles increased plasma active GLP-1 levels at 3 and 4 h and significantly reduced the area under the curve of 24 h food intake in mice. Conclusions: αLA loaded THCPSi particles could be used to endogenously stimulate sustain gastrointestinal hormone release and reduce food intake.

Novel treatment methods for obesity are urgently needed due to the increasing global severity of the problem. Gastrointestinal hormones, such as GLP-1 and PYY, are secreted by the enteroendocrine cells, playing a critical role in regulating food intake. Digested nutrients trigger the secretion of these hormones, which have a very short half-life. α-Linolenic acid (αLA) has been shown to stimulate GLP-1 secretion, however, chemical instability and fast uptake in the small intestine hinder its use in body weight management. We developed a novel delivery system based on inorganic mesoporous particles for αLA to increase secretion of gastrointestinal peptides. αLA was loaded to thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon particles (THCPSi). 47.9 ± 3.84% and 30.7 ± 2.86% of αLA was released during 6 h from 3.0% and 9.2% loading degree (w/w) samples in vitro, respectively. Native αLA (50 µM) significantly increased GLP-1 secretion from enteroendocrine STC-1 and GLUTag cell lines. αLA loaded THCPSi significantly and dose dependently stimulated GLP-1 secretion from STC-1 cells, whereas empty particles did not. We demonstrated in vitro that THCPSi particles have the potential to be used as a controlled delivery system for nutrients such as αLA, increasing GLP-1 secretion. Our results justify further in vivo investigations.

Patients who are diagnosed with localized prostate cancer need to make critical treatment decisions that are sensitive to their values and preferences. The role of decision aids in facilitating these decisions is unknown. The authors conducted a systematic review of randomized trials of decision aids for localized prostate cancer. Teams of 2 reviewers independently identified selected and abstracted data from 14 eligible trials (n = 3377 men) of which 10 were conducted in North America. Of these 11 trials compared decision aids with usual care and 3 trials compared decision aids with other decision aids. Two trials suggested a modest positive impact on decisional regret. Results across studies varied widely for decisional conflict (4 studies) satisfaction with decision (2 studies) and knowledge (2 studies). No impact on treatment choices was observed (6 studies). In conclusion scant evidence at high risk of bias suggests the variable impact of existing decision aids on a limited set of decisional processes and outcomes. Because current decision aids provide information but do not directly facilitate shared decision making subsequent efforts would benefit from user centered design of decision aids that promote shared decision making.

Elvyttävän korjausrakentamisen toimintatavat (ELVYKOR-projektin tavoitteena oli kehittää Senaatti-kiinteistöille yhtenäinen toimintamalli vanhentuneiden (toimisto) rakennusten korjaamiseen ja kunnossapitoon. ELVKOR-projektissa on erityisesti keskitytty viiteen aiheeseen, jotka ovat kriittisiä elvyttävän korjausrakentamisen ja elvyttävän kunnossapidon näkökulmasta. - Päätösprosessi. Miten syntyvät päätös kiinteistön soveltuvuudesta tilaresurssiksi, hankepäätös ja investointipäätös, mitä varten on kehitetty kiinteistön soveltuvuusanalyysi? - Toteutusmuodon valinta. Mitkä toteutusmuodot tukevat elvyttävän korjausrakentamisen tavoitteiden täyttymistä, mitä varten on erityisesti kehitetty allianssimalli sekä talotekniikan elinkaarivastuullisen hankinnan malli? - Elvyttävän korjausrakentamisen hankeprosessi. Mitä pitää ottaa huomioon hankkeen ohjauksessa, mitä varten on kehitetty tavoitematriisiin perustuva ohjausmalli? - Elvyttävä kunnossapito. Miten kunnossapidon keinoin voidaan ennakoida ja ehkäistä tulevia korjaushaasteita, mitä varten on kehitetty riskikartan hyödyntämiseen perustuva riskienhallintamenettely? - Tietomallit. Kuinka tietomalleja olisi hyödynnettävä elvyttävässä korjausrakentamisessa ja kunnossapidossa, mitä varten on tarkennettu tietomallien rakennetta ja hankintakriteerejä? Tämä julkaisu sisältää ELVYKOR-projektin päätulokset, kun taas erilliset työraportit sisältävät yksityiskohtaiset toimintatapakuvaukset ja niiden perusteet.

We have investigated the fabrication of graphene by chemical vapor deposition using a conventional rapid thermal processing system with infrared heating. Graphene films were grown on the pretreated copper foil in RTP at 935-960°C at pressure of 6~7 mbar. The grown films were characterized by scanning electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy to investigate morphology of graphene. The growth of graphene was initiated by small flakes that spread rapidly covering the whole copper surface as a single-layer film in ~20 seconds. Room temperature mobility and sheet resistance extracted by transfer-length method (TLM) for the graphene film transferred onto the SiO2/Si substrate were around 1,800 cm2/Vs and 260 Ω/ð with the gate voltage, respectively.