A normative framework dissociates need and motivation in hypothalamic neurons.

Physiological needs evoke motivational drives that produce natural behaviors for survival. In previous studies, the temporally intertwined dynamics of need and motivation have made it challenging to differentiate these two components. On the basis of classic homeostatic theories, we established a normative framework to derive computational models for need-encoding and motivation-encoding neurons.

GLP-1 increases preingestive satiation via hypothalamic circuits in mice and humans.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective antiobesity drugs. However, the precise central mechanisms of GLP-1RAs remain elusive. We administered GLP-1RAs to patients with obesity and observed a heightened sense of preingestive satiation.

Lateral hypothalamic leptin receptor neurons drive hunger-gated food-seeking and consummatory behaviours in male mice.

For survival, it is crucial for eating behaviours to be sequenced through two distinct seeking and consummatory phases. Heterogeneous lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons are known to regulate motivated behaviours, yet which subpopulation drives food seeking and consummatory behaviours have not been fully addressed. Here, in male mice, fibre photometry recordings demonstrated that LH leptin receptor (LepR) neurons are correlated explicitly in both voluntary seeking and consummatory behaviours.

Surgical strategy for colonic intussusception caused by a giant colonic lipoma: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

A colon lipoma is a remarkably rare tumor. In most cases, the tumors are asymptomatic and small in size, need to be differentiated from malignant tumors, and do not need any special treatment. Selection of the right surgical strategy depends on the status of bowel, as well as the size and the location of tumor.

A stercoral perforation of the rectum.

A stercoral perforation of the rectum due to a fecaloma is a rare disease with a high mortality rate. Although multiple case reports of colonic perforations have been published, the data regarding rectal perforations are limited. This case report will highlight one such case of a stercoral rectal perforation that was successfully treated with a laparoscopic operation.

The efficiency of IV PCA with remifentanil and ketorolac after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Background: This randomized, double-blinded clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of remifentanil with ketorolac for IV PCA after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly allocated into four groups. Group R received IV PCA using only remifentanil at a basal rate of 0.

Extensive external auditory canal cholesteatoma in the infratemporal area without mastoid involvement: use of a new surgical technique.

The external auditory canal (EAC) is an unusual location for a cholesteatoma. We present the cases of 2 patients with EAC cholesteatoma who experienced extensive damage that extended from the inferior EAC wall to the infratemporal area; there was no mastoid involvement. In both cases, the cholesteatomas were removed under local anesthesia and the inferior canal wall was reconstructed with a technique that involved the placement of a pedicled musculoperiosteal flap, a cartilage graft, and a full-thickness skin graft.

Comparison of ramosetron and ondansetron for preventing nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery under general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil.

Background: In this randomized, double-blinded study, we evaluated the efficacy of ramosetron and ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after middle ear surgery.

Methods: Seventy patients of either sex, ASA 1-2, scheduled middle ear surgery (mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty) under general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups and received IV ramosetron 0.

Can cochlear function be preserved after a modified translabyrinthine approach to eradicate a huge cholesteatoma extending to the petrous apex?

The objective of the present study was to show that the modified translabyrinthine approach with partial ablation of the labyrinths is useful for preserving hearing in our experience involving three clinical cases with huge cholesteatomas extending to the petrous apex. A retrospective analysis of patient medical records was done in a tertiary referral medical center. All three patients studied had huge cholesteatomas extending to the petrous apex and were treated surgically with a modified translabyrinthine approach between October 2005 and December 2006.

Bilateral promontory fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media.

The authors describe a case of bilateral promontory fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in a 46-year-old male. We performed both open cavity mastoidectomy and left staged ossiculoplasty. One year postoperatively, the audiogram showed an improved left air conduction threshold and maintenance of bone conduction.

Vestibular malformation in mice lacking Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 and expression of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 in human vestibular end organs.

Conclusion: The Na-K-2Cl cotransporter-1 (NKCCl) may be essential for the maintenance and functioning of the vestibular morphology in mice and it is strongly expressed in human vestibular end organs.

Objective: NKCCl is a member of the cation-coupled chloride transporter which participates in salt transport and cell volume regulation in diverse tissues. NKCCl-deficient mice exhibit deafness, and show structural alterations in the cochlea.

Mastoid and epitympanic obliteration in canal wall up mastoidectomy for prevention of retraction pocket.

Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcome in patients who have undergone mastoid and epitympanic obliteration technique.

Study Design: : Retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care referral center.

P2Y2 agonist induces mucin secretion via Ca2+- and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-dependent pathway in human middle ear epithelial cells.

Purinergic agonists regulate mucin secretion in the airway epithelial cells. This study examined the effects of the apical application of purinergic agonists on Ca(2+) influx ([Ca(2+)](i)), and mucin secretion along with their underlying signaling pathway in normal human middle ear epithelial (NHMEE) cells. The apical membrane of NHMEE cells were stimulated with various purinergic agonists, including UTP, and the [Ca(2+)](i) was measured using a miniature Ussing double perfusion chamber.