Rapamycin ameliorates age-dependent obesity associated with increased mTOR signaling in hypothalamic POMC neurons.

The prevalence of obesity in older people is the leading cause of metabolic syndromes. Central neurons serving as homeostatic sensors for body-weight control include hypothalamic neurons that express pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) or neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP). Here, we report an age-dependent increase of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in POMC neurons that elevates the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel activity cell-autonomously to silence POMC neurons.

Telephone case management for asthma: an acceptable and effective intervention within a diverse pediatric population.

Background: Asthma disproportionately affects low-income and medically underserved children; additional tools are needed in the effort to improve asthma care.

Objectives: We reviewed the implementation of a telephone case management program provided by community health workers (CHWs) as an alternative to home visits, to examine its efficiency, acceptability, and capacity to identify and address challenges with asthma management.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included children (and their caregivers) presenting for scheduled visits to a comprehensive asthma clinic at an urban, public hospital during 2007.