Quantitative CT density histogram values and standardized uptake values of FDG-PET/CT with respiratory gating can distinguish solid adenocarcinomas from squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

Purpose: To assess the ability of parameters derived from computed tomography (CT) histograms and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT) images to distinguish solid lung adenocarcinomas from squamous cell carcinomas and to determine if these parameters are correlated.

Methods: This study comprised 43 consecutive patients with solid lung cancer (<3 cm in diameter), who underwent both plain chest CT and FDG-PET/CT (adenocarcinoma, n = 25; squamous cell carcinoma, n = 18). Density histograms of targeted lung cancers were created from chest CT images, and kurtosis and skewness were calculated.

A key role for neuropeptide Y in lifespan extension and cancer suppression via dietary restriction.

Knowledge of genes essential for the life-extending effect of dietary restriction (DR) in mammals is incomplete. In this study, we found that neuropeptide Y (Npy), which mediates physiological adaptations to energy deficits, is an essential link between DR and longevity in mice. The lifespan-prolonging effect of lifelong 30% DR was attenuated in Npy-null mice, as was the effect on the occurrence of spontaneous tumors and oxidative stress responses in comparison to wild-type mice.

Similar metabolic responses to calorie restriction in lean and obese Zucker rats.

Calorie restriction (CR), which is thought to be largely dependent on the neuroendocrine system modulated by insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin signaling, decreases morbidity and increases lifespan in many organisms. To elucidate whether insulin and leptin sensitivities are indispensable in the metabolic adaptation to CR, we investigated the effects of CR on obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats and lean control (+/+) rats. CR did not fully improve insulin resistance in (fa/fa) rats.