Background: Weight loss accelerates cognitive decline and increases mortality in patients with dementia. While acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are known to cause appetite loss, we sometimes encounter patients in whom switching from donepezil (AChE inhibitor) to rivastigmine (AChE and butyrylcholinesterase [BuChE] inhibitor) improves appetite. Since BuChE inactivates ghrelin, a potent orexigenic hormone, we speculated that rivastigmine improves appetite by inhibiting BuChE-mediated ghrelin inactivation. Methods: The subjects were patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease treated with either rivastigmine patch (n = 11) or donepezil (n = 11) for 6 months. Before and after treatment, we evaluated appetite (0, decreased; 1, slightly decreased; 2, normal; 3, slightly increased; 4, increased), cognitive function, and blood biochemical variables, including various hormones. Results: Rivastigmine treatment significantly improved appetite (from 1.6 ± 0.5 to 2.6 ± 0.7), whereas donepezil treatment did not (from 2.0 ± 0.0 to 1.8 ± 0.4). Simultaneously, rivastigmine, but not donepezil, significantly decreased the serum cholinesterase activity (from 304.3 ± 60.5 to 246.8 ± 78.5 IU/L) and increased the cortisol level (from 11.86 ± 3.12 to 14.61 ± 3.29 μg/dL) and the acyl/des-acyl ghrelin ratio (from 4.03 ± 2.96 to 5.28 ± 2.72). The levels of leptin, insulin, total ghrelin, and cognitive function were not significantly affected by either treatment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that compared with donepezil, rivastigmine has the advantage of improving appetite by increasing the acyl/des-acyl ghrelin ratio and cortisol level, thereby preventing weight loss.
This paper introduces the air cushion pressure control of the 140m Techno Super Liner (TSL), which Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) has constructed. TSL is an air-supported catamaran ship, which contains pressurized air between rigid side hulls. The ship dynamic performance is investigated through simulations, for the first, which is based on 3DOF motion (Heave/Pitch/Roll) and air cushion dynamics. It was performed for both model and full scale in various wave headings. The scale effect is discussed through simulation results. Then, the results of towing model tests in both regular and irregular waves are described. The model is equipped with lift fans and all the tests are carried out under the on/cushion conditions. The results of model scale simulations and model tests are compared and verified. With these results from the simulations and model tests, the design of the air cushion control system is discussed in terms of the fan stability and ship vertical accelerations. The basic concept of air-vent louver control is presented. As for the sea trial of the ship, it was successfully completed on October 12, 2005. Some of her splendid performances were demonstrated. A brief introduction of the trial is also presented in this paper.
This short article examines the microwave-assisted photolytic disinfection of aqueous solutions contaminated by Bacillus subtilis microorganisms using UV and vacuum-UV radiation emitted from a microwave discharge electrodeless lamp (MDEL), a device containing a Hg/Ar gas-fill that was proposed recently for use in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). Results of the disinfection are compared with those obtained from UV radiation emitted by a low-pressure electrode Hg lamp and by an excimer lamp. Also examined is the disinfection of B. subtilis aqueous media that contained Au3+ or Ni2+ ions, species often found in the treatment of electroplating wash wastewaters.
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