Multiparametric ultrasound versus multiparametric MRI to diagnose prostate cancer (CADMUS): a prospective, multicentre, paired-cohort, confirmatory study.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric MRI of the prostate followed by targeted biopsy is recommended for patients at risk of prostate cancer. However, multiparametric ultrasound is more readily available than multiparametric MRI. Data from paired-cohort validation studies and randomised, controlled trials support the use of multiparametric MRI, whereas the evidence for individual ultrasound methods and multiparametric ultrasound is only derived from case series. We aimed to establish the overall agreement between multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI to diagnose clinically significant prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicentre, paired-cohort, confirmatory study in seven hospitals in the UK. Patients at risk of prostate cancer, aged 18 years or older, with an elevated prostate-specific antigen concentration or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination underwent both multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI. Multiparametric ultrasound consisted of B-mode, colour Doppler, real-time elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Multiparametric MRI included high-resolution T2-weighted images, diffusion-weighted imaging (dedicated high B 1400 s/mm2 or 2000 s/mm2 and apparent diffusion coefficient map), and dynamic contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted images. Patients with positive findings on multiparametric ultrasound or multiparametric MRI underwent targeted biopsies but were masked to their test results. If both tests yielded positive findings, the order of targeting at biopsy was randomly assigned (1:1) using stratified (according to centre only) block randomisation with randomly varying block sizes. The co-primary endpoints were the proportion of positive lesions on, and agreement between, multiparametric MRI and multiparametric ultrasound in identifying suspicious lesions (Likert score of ≥3), and detection of clinically significant cancer (defined as a Gleason score of ≥4 + 3 in any area or a maximum cancer core length of ≥6 mm of any grade [PROMIS definition 1]) in those patients who underwent a biopsy. Adverse events were defined according to Good Clinical Practice and trial regulatory guidelines. The trial is registered on ISRCTN, 38541912, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02712684, with recruitment and follow-up completed. FINDINGS: Between March 15, 2016, and Nov 7, 2019, 370 eligible patients were enrolled; 306 patients completed both multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI and 257 underwent a prostate biopsy. Multiparametric ultrasound was positive in 272 (89% [95% CI 85-92]) of 306 patients and multiparametric MRI was positive in 238 patients (78% [73-82]; difference 11·1% [95% CI 5·1-17·1]). Positive test agreement was 73·2% (95% CI 67·9-78·1; κ=0·06 [95% CI -0·56 to 0·17]). Any cancer was detected in 133 (52% [95% CI 45·5-58]) of 257 patients, with 83 (32% [26-38]) of 257 being clinically significant by PROMIS definition 1. Each test alone would result in multiparametric ultrasound detecting PROMIS definition 1 cancer in 66 (26% [95% CI 21-32]) of 257 patients who had biopsies and multiparametric MRI detecting it in 77 (30% [24-36]; difference -4·3% [95% CI -8·3% to -0·3]). Combining both tests detected 83 (32% [95% CI 27-38]) of 257 clinically significant cancers as per PROMIS definition 1; of these 83 cancers, six (7% [95% CI 3-15]) were detected exclusively with multiparametric ultrasound, and 17 (20% [12-31]) were exclusively detected by multiparametric MRI (agreement 91·1% [95% CI 86·9-94·2]; κ=0·78 [95% CI 0·69-0·86]). No serious adverse events were related to trial activity. INTERPRETATION: Multiparametric ultrasound detected 4·3% fewer clinically significant prostate cancers than multiparametric MRI, but it would lead to 11·1% more patients being referred for a biopsy. Multiparametric ultrasound could be an alternative to multiparametric MRI as a first test for patients at risk of prostate cancer, particularly if multiparametric MRI cannot be carried out. Both imaging tests missed clinically significant cancers detected by the other, so the use of both would increase the detection of clinically significant prostate cancers compared with using each test alone. FUNDING: The Jon Moulton Charity Trust, Prostate Cancer UK, and UCLH Charity and Barts Charity.

Progression of nonmotor symptoms in subgroups of patients with non-dopamine-deficient Parkinsonism.

BACKGROUND: Ten to fifteen percent of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients recruited to clinical trials have scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit, whose presence represents a heterogeneous patient population. METHODS: A cohort of 41 patients with parkinsonism and scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit at baseline, were subdivided into groups according to their final clinical diagnoses and nigrostriatal dopamine function assessed after 2 years of study. At follow up, 23 patients had clinically probable PD or unclassified parkinsonism with normal nigrostriatal dopamine imaging ("true" scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit), nine were diagnosed with another tremulous condition, five had psychogenic parkinsonism, and four had phenoconverted to PD with reduced nigrostriatal dopamine function. We analyzed nonmotor symptoms at baseline and follow-up in subgroups of patients with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit in comparison with a random sample of 62 PD patients and 195 healthy controls (HCs). All patients were enrolled in the Parkinson's Progressive Marker's Initiative. RESULTS: Patients who had true scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit had more severe rapid eye movement sleep disorder, depression, anxiety, and autonomic dysfunction than HCs in addition to more frequent depressive symptoms and worse cardiovascular dysfunction than patients with PD (P = 0.038, P = 0.047, respectively). Patients with true scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit had normal olfaction that was significantly better than that of patients with PD (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of the cohort with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit revealed that all patients shared similar nonmotor features irrespective of their final clinical diagnoses. Follow-up of subject groups showed stable nonmotor symptoms over 2 years of study. CONCLUSIONS: At an early symptomatic stage, patients with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit and long-standing parkinsonism exhibit nonmotor features that differ from those of patients with PD on mood and cardiovascular and olfactory function, but remain similar to patients with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit with alternative final diagnoses.

Clinical correlates of raphe serotonergic dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease.

Post-mortem and neuroimaging studies suggest that the serotonergic system, which originates from the brainstem raphe nuclei, is disrupted in Parkinson's disease. This could contribute to the occurrence of non-motor symptoms and tremor, which are only partially explained by dopamine loss. However, the level of involvement of the serotonergic raphe nuclei in early Parkinson's disease is still debated. (123)I-FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography is a marker of dopamine and serotonin transporter availability. While (123)I-FP-CIT binds primarily to dopamine transporters in the striatum, its binding in the brainstem raphe nuclei reflects serotonin transporter availability. We interrogated baseline single photon emission computed tomography scans of subjects recruited by the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative to determine: (i) the integrity of the brainstem raphe nuclei in early Parkinson's disease; and (ii) whether raphe serotonin transporter levels correlate with severity of tremor and symptoms of fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance. Three hundred and forty-five patients with early drug-naïve Parkinson's disease, 185 healthy controls, and 56 subjects with possible Parkinson's disease without evidence of dopaminergic deficit were included. In the Parkinson's disease cohort, 37 patients had a tremulous, 106 patients had a pure akinetic-rigid, and 202 had a mixed phenotype. Patients with Parkinson's disease had significantly lower serotonin transporter availability in the brainstem raphe nuclei compared to controls (P < 0.01) and subjects without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (P < 0.05). However, only 13% of patients with Parkinson's disease individually had reduced signals. Raphe serotonin transporter availability over the entire Parkinson's disease cohort were associated with rest tremor amplitude (ß = -0.106, P < 0.05), rest tremor constancy (ß = -0.109, P < 0.05), and index of rest tremor severity (ß = -0.104, P < 0.05). The tremulous Parkinson's disease subgroup had significantly lower raphe serotonin transporter availability but less severe striatal dopaminergic deficits compared to akinetic-rigid patients with no resting tremor (P < 0.05). In tremulous patients, raphe serotonin transporter availability was also associated with rest tremor constancy (ß = -0.380, P < 0.05) and index of rest tremor severity (ß = -0.322, P < 0.05). There was no association between raphe serotonin transporter availability and fatigue, depression, excessive daytime sleepiness, or rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in early Parkinson's disease. We conclude that the raphe nuclei are affected in a subgroup of early drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients and that reduced raphe serotonin transporter availability is associated with the severity of resting tremor but not non-motor symptoms.

Selecting optimal progestational agents either alone or in combination in common pediatric endocrine settings: challenges of unmet needs.

Progesterone is a natural hormone, mainly produced by the corpus luteum, with the foremost endocrine function on the secretory glands of the endometrium. Since being isolated, both natural and synthetic forms have been produced and are utilized for several purposes, including regulating the menstrual cycle and preventing endometrial hyperplasia. Specifically, the use of progestational agents is essential in the treatment of many common endocrine conditions, including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Turner Syndrome, and Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Although these agents are essential for disease management, literature that focuses on the benefits of specific progestins as well as the effects on glucocorticoid receptors (GR), mineralocorticoid receptors (MR), and androgenic receptors (AR) is limited. In this review, we provide a disease specific summary of the available literature and highlight where more information is needed.

The Adhesive Capsulitis Corticosteroid and Dilation (ACCorD) randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Is it feasible to conduct a definitive multicentre trial in community settings of corticosteroid injections (CSI) and hydrodilation (HD) compared to CSI for patients with frozen shoulder? An adequately powered definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) delivered in primary care will inform clinicians and the public whether hydrodilation is a clinically and cost-effective intervention. In this study, prior to a full RCT, we propose a feasibility trial to evaluate recruitment and retention by patient and clinician willingness of randomization; rates of withdrawal, crossover and attrition; and feasibility of outcome data collection from routine primary and secondary care data. Methods: In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that prompt early management of frozen shoulder is initiated in primary care settings with analgesia, physiotherapy, and joint injections; most people can be managed without an operation. Currently, there is variation in the type of joint injection: 1) CSI, thought to reduce the inflammation of the capsule reducing pain; and 2) HD, where a small volume of fluid is injected into the shoulder joint along with the steroid, aiming to stretch the capsule of the shoulder to improve pain, but also allowing greater movement. The creation of musculoskeletal hubs nationwide provides infrastructure for the early and effective management of frozen shoulder. This potentially reduces costs to individuals and the wider NHS perhaps negating the need for a secondary care referral. Results: We will conduct a multicentre RCT comparing CSI and HD in combination with CSI alone. Patients aged 18 years and over with a clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder will be randomized and blinded to receive either CSI and HD in combination, or CSI alone. Feasibility outcomes include the rate of randomization as a proportion of eligible patients and the ability to use routinely collected data for outcome evaluation. This study has involved patients and the public in the trial design, dissemination methods, and how to include groups who are underserved by research. Conclusion: We will disseminate findings among musculoskeletal clinicians via the British Orthopaedic Association, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Royal College of Radiologists, and the Royal College of General Practitioners. To ensure wide reach we will communicate findings through our established network of charities and organizations, in addition to preparing dissemination findings in Bangla and Urdu (commonly spoken languages in northeast London). If a full trial is shown to be feasible, we will seek additional National Institute for Health and Care Research funding for a definitive RCT. This definitive study will inform NICE guidelines for the management of frozen shoulder.

Early occurrence of cerebral white matter abnormality detected in a neonate with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The development of white matter signal abnormalities on magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI) in children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia has been well documented. Existing theories regarding the development of these findings include effects of electrolyte imbalances, effects of disease-related hormone abnormalities, and non-physiologic long-term administration of corticosteroids. Many of the patients previously described were normal neurologically. We describe the case of white matter signal abnormalities in a neonate with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia who presented with seizures during the first week of life, possibly due to a transient blood calcium disturbance. This case suggests that white matter changes are not simply the result of chronic insults and that they may not always be subclinical.

Growth patterns in pubertal HIV-infected adolescents and their correlation with cytokines, IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the final adult height (FAH) and pubertal growth patterns in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adolescents and to compare these to an age-matched population of seroreverting HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) adolescents. It further aims to evaluate the interplay of proinflammatory cytokines with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and IGFBP-1 during the pubertal growth spurt. METHODS: HIV-infected (n=34) and HEU (n=12) adolescents who had achieved FAH were evaluated. Auxologic data, viral load, CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4) count, and the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy were obtained via a retrospective chart review. Serum interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and IGF-1 were assessed. RESULTS: The mean FAH standard deviation score for the HIV-infected group was -0.78 (±1.1) compared to 0.05 (±0.78) for the HEU (p=0.034). There was a positive correlation between CD4 count and FAH (p=0.019). The mean age and magnitude of peak growth velocity (GV) was within normal limits. IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, IGFBP-3, and IGF-1 were not significantly correlated with HIV RNA or height. IGFBP-1 was detectable in 100% of poorly controlled HIV-infected patients and 25% of the HEU cohort (p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: The FAH of HIV-infected patients was significantly shorter than that of HEU patients, and it positively correlated with CD4 count. Our cohort demonstrated normal timing and magnitude of peak GV during puberty.

Elevated serum anti-Müllerian hormone in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship to ultrasound features.

CONTEXT: Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is linked to the ovarian follicle pool. Little is known about the relationship between serum AMH and ovarian ultrasound (US) features in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). OBJECTIVES: To confirm that serum AMH is elevated in adolescents with PCOS and to correlate serum AMH with ovarian US features in this population are the objectives of this study. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic data in adolescents with PCOS and normal controls is the design of the study. Serum AMH was measured and compared between groups and correlated with ovarian US findings. SETTING: The study was done in two urban tertiary academic medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Study groups included 23 adolescent females with PCOS and 12 age and BMI-matched female controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We hypothesized that serum AMH would be elevated in the PCOS group compared with the controls and would positively correlate with the follicle number, distribution, and ovarian volume. RESULTS: Serum AMH was 6.78±3.55 ng/mL in the PCOS group vs. 3.38±1.48 ng/mL in the controls (p=0.0004). AMH positively correlated with ovarian volume (left ovary r=0.65, p=0.0007, right ovary r=0.55, p=0.0065) and peripheral follicle distribution (p=0.0027). Ten or more follicles were observed in 83% of USs. CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive relationship between serum AMH and ovarian volume as well as peripheral follicular distribution in adolescents with PCOS. Our findings support the use of serum AMH as a useful marker to reflect ovarian US features typical of PCOS in cases where accurate USs are not available and for follow-up.

Improved long-term glucose control in neonatal diabetes mellitus after early sulfonylurea allergy.

BACKGROUND: Activating mutations of the ABCC8 gene can lead to permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). Glucose variability in infants with NDM treated with insulin can be extreme. We report long-term glycemic control in a patient with PNDM on sulfonylurea therapy, despite initial allergic reaction. METHODS: A Chinese girl presented on the first day of life with persistent hyperglycemia. Despite treatment with various insulin regimens, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c (normal 4.8%-6.3%) increased from 5.0% at 14 days of age to a peak of 9.7% at 15 months of age. Her average insulin dose was 0.5 units/kg/day. Genetic analysis revealed two novel ABCC8 gene activating mutations encoding the beta-cell sulfonylurea-1 receptor of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. At age 3 years 2 months, transition from insulin to the oral sulfonylurea glyburide was initiated. After 8 days, she developed urticaria, palmar erythema, and a diffuse maculopapular rash, which resolved when medication was discontinued. At age 3 years 11 months, glyburide was reintroduced at a very low dose and was increased with concomitant weaning of insulin over the following 6 months. RESULTS: Normoglycemia (HbA1c 5.6%) was achieved on glyburide without any further allergic reaction at the age of 4 years 5 months with improved metabolic control. For the next 3 years, HbA1c measurements, and glucose means and variability were significantly lower compared with values during insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with subcutaneous insulin, oral sulfonylureas improved long-term metabolic control in a patient with NDM caused by novel activating mutations in the ABCC8 gene. Desensitization permitted safe oral sulfonylurea therapy in our patient with NDM despite initial allergic reaction. Fewer episodes of hypoglycemia occurred on sulfonylurea than on insulin therapy, which is an advantage in a very young child.

Radiologic findings of pelvic venous congestion in an adolescent girl with angiographic confirmation and interventional treatment.

We present a case of pelvic venous congestion in a 13-year-old girl who complained of pelvic pain for 9 months. The diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome was suggested by imaging modalities, including sonography, CT and MRI, with classically described imaging findings. The girl underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, where visual inspection demonstrated congested pelvic veins and endometriosis. After removal of endometrial implants, the child's pain persisted and she subsequently underwent venography and embolization of the ovarian veins. We found no literature describing pelvic venous congestion (PVC) in children. Knowledge that PVC exists in children is important, particularly for pediatric radiologists who are imaging patients with complaints of pelvic pain.

Oral fluid nanosensor test: saliva as a diagnostic tool for oral health.

High-impact diseases, especially cancer, are challenging to diagnose without supplementing laboratory testing. Even with laboratory tools, definitive diagnosis often remains elusive. The oral fluid nanosensor test technology platform combines cutting-edge technologies--such as self-assembled monolayers, bionanotechnology, cyclic enzymatic amplification, and microfluidics--with several well-established techniques including microinjection molding, hybridization-based detection, and molecular purification. The intended use of the OFNASET is for the point-of-care multiplex detection of salivary biomarkers for oral cancer.

Pre-treatment Neutropenia in Children and Adolescents with Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism

Objective: Neutropenia can occur in untreated autoimmune hyperthyroidism (AIH) or in association with treatment with the anti-thyroid drug, methimazole (MMI). Starting MMI in children and adolescents with AIH and pre-existing neutropenia could thus be worrisome. The aim was to describe the prevalence of neutropenia in pediatric AIH, prior to antithyroid drug therapy and to assess the effect of antithyroid drugs on neutrophil count. Methods: Patients with AIH attending a pediatric endocrinology clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) data at presentation and during anti-thyroid treatment for up to 24 weeks was collected. AIH was defined as elevated free thyroxine (fT4) or free tri-iodothyronine (fT3), suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone, and positive thyroid autoantibodies. Neutropenia was defined as ANC <1500 cells/µL. Results: Thirty-one patients (71% female) were included with a median interquartile range (IQR) age of 14.71 (11.89-17.10) years. Neither fT4 nor fT3 levels correlated with ANC at presentation (rs=0.22, p=0.24 and rs=0.13, p=0.54, respectively). 26/31 (84%) had normal baseline ANC. None developed neutropenia with thionamides. 5/31 (16%) had baseline neutropenia (median ANC 1,200/µL; IQR 874-1200). Four of these five started MMI at diagnosis while one was started on propranolol only but MMI was started one week later. All five normalized ANC within 24 weeks. Conclusion: In this cohort, 16% of AIH patients had neutropenia at presentation, but this resolved in the short term and did not worsen with thionamides. Thionamides may be used with caution in these patients with close monitoring of blood counts.

Auto-destruction of the thyroid gland and coexisting glutamic acid decarboxylase mediated neurological disease in an adolescent: an unusual presentation of autoimmunity.

OBJECTIVES: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is characterized by lymphocytic thyroid infiltration. Gradual thyroid failure can occur due to thyroid cell apoptosis. Rarely neurological autoimmunity due to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antigen can co exist with HT. CASE PRESENTATION: A seven-year-old male presented with tiredness, weight loss, frequent falls, tachycardia, firm thyromegaly, and abnormal gait. Biochemical markers and thyroid ultrasound (TUS) showed autoimmune hyperthyroidism. Methimazole (MMI) was started and continued for 2.2 years. MRI brain was normal and neurological symptoms resolved. At nine years, he became hypothyroid and levothyroxine (LT4) was started. Serial TUS showed progressive thyroid atrophy. At 14.8 years, he developed epilepsy and fourth cranial nerve palsy, and diagnosed with GAD-65 central nervous system disease. At 15.3 years, TUS showed complete atrophy of right lobe with involuting left lobe volume. CONCLUSIONS: This is an unusual form of atrophic thyroiditis (AT) with coexisting neurological autoimmunity. GAD-65 CNS autoimmunity should be considered in children with AT presenting with neurological signs.

Protocol for a prospective double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility trial of octreotide infusion during liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is a complex operation that can provide significant improvements in quality of life and survival to the recipients. However, serious complications are common and include major haemorrhage, hypotension and renal failure. Blood transfusion and the development of acute kidney injury lead to both short-term and long-term poor patient outcomes, including an increased risk of death, graft failure, length of stay and reduced quality of life. Octreotide may reduce the incidence of renal dysfunction, perioperative haemorrhage and enhance intraoperative blood pressure. However, octreotide does have risks, including resistant bradycardia, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia and QT prolongation. Hence, a randomised controlled trial of octreotide during liver transplantation is needed to determine the cost-efficacy and safety of its use; this study represents a feasibility study prior to this trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We describe a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility study of continuous infusion of octreotide during liver transplantation surgery. We will recruit 30 adult patients at two liver transplant centres. A blinded infusion during surgery will be administered in a 2:1 ratio of octreotide:placebo. The primary outcomes will determine the feasibility of this study design. These include the recruitment ratio, correct administration of blinded study intervention, adverse event rates, patient and clinician enrolment refusal and completion of data collection. Secondary outcome measures of efficacy and safety will help shape future trials by assessing potential primary outcome measures and monitoring safety end points. No formal statistical tests are planned. This manuscript represents study protocol number 1.3, dated 2 June 2021. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received Research Ethics Committee approval. The main study outcomes will be submitted to an open-access journal. TRIAL SPONSOR: The Joint Research Office, University College London, UK.Neither the sponsor nor the funder have any role in study design, collection, management, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the study report or the decision to submit the report for publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04941911) with recruitment due to start in August 2021 with anticipated completion in July 2022. CLINICAL TRIALS UNIT: Surgical and Interventional Group, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London.

Harnessing rare variants in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopment disorders-a Keystone Symposia report.

Neurodevelopmental neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, have strong genetic risk components, but the underlying mechanisms have proven difficult to decipher. Rare, high-risk variants may offer an opportunity to delineate the biological mechanisms responsible more clearly for more common idiopathic diseases. Indeed, different rare variants can cause the same behavioral phenotype, demonstrating genetic heterogeneity, while the same rare variant can cause different behavioral phenotypes, demonstrating variable expressivity. These observations suggest convergent underlying biological and neurological mechanisms; identification of these mechanisms may ultimately reveal new therapeutic targets. At the 2021 Keystone eSymposium "Neuropsychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Harnessing Rare Variants" a panel of experts in the field described significant progress in genomic discovery and human phenotyping and raised several consistent issues, including the need for detailed natural history studies of rare disorders, the challenges in cohort recruitment, and the importance of viewing phenotypes as quantitative traits that are impacted by rare variants.

Unilateral ovarian enlargement in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome: a variant of bilateral disease.

AIMS: To evaluate clinical, biochemical and radiological features in adolescent females with unilateral polycystic ovary (UniPCO) versus bilateral polycystic ovary (BiPCO) in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to compare the association of insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS) between the two groups. SETTING: Pediatric endocrine clinic. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of girls with the diagnosis of PCOS was performed. They were divided into two groups: PCOS with UniPCO and BiPCO. RESULTS: No difference was seen between the two groups in regard to clinical parameters. LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in patients with BiPCO. No difference was seen in free testosterone, lipids, MS or IR between groups. Ultrasound showed a mean ovarian volume of 13.2 +/- 1.5 ml on the affected side in UniPCO and 16.1 +/- 1.2 ml in BiPCO. Ovarian follicle location was mostly peripheral in both UniPCO and BiPCO. Multiple follicles were found in the majority of cases. IR and MS were present in 40% of girls with UniPCO and 38% and 23%, respectively, in girls with BiPCO. CONCLUSION: UniPCO may be a forerunner of BiPCO and may represent an early point along the continuum. Later, the unaffected ovary continues to increase in volume, resulting in BiPCO. Metabolic abnormalities of patients with UniPCO highlights that as well as being a precursor of BiPCO, it also imparts considerable health risks.

Can preimplantation genetic diagnosis be used for monogenic endocrine diseases?

Context Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is currently used for over 400 monogenic diseases. Some endocrine conditions that occur due to monogenic defects are either life-threatening or can cause severe morbidities; thus, PGD may be an option to avoid the occurrence of such diseases. Evidence acquisition An initial search in PubMed/Medline search was done to identify monogenic endocrine conditions using appropriate search terms. Eleven articles (1999-2018) reported 15 cases using PGD for monogenic endocrine diseases performed at major reproductive centers. Clinical and outcome data of these cases were reviewed with respect to the number of PGD cycles, successful pregnancy rates, live births and their genetic status. Evidence synthesis Fifteen couples underwent 32 PGD cycles (one to nine per couple), of which 17 resulted in a pregnancy. Seven couples underwent a single PGD cycle. Four couples had successful pregnancies each resulting in live births, one couple had an unsuccessful pregnancy, one needed medical termination of pregnancy and the outcome data were not reported in one. The remaining eight couples underwent multiple PGD cycles (two to nine per couple) and all had successful pregnancies in at least one cycle resulting in 16 live births. Of the total live births, 60% were genetically unaffected and 40% were carriers of the autosomal recessive gene mutation. Conclusions PGD may be a potential tool for preventing the inheritance of severe monogenic endocrine diseases in future generations. Currently, the use of PGD in endocrine disorders is rare but provides a promising option on a case-by-case basis, provided the optimal resources are available.

Allergic and non-allergic skin reactions associated with growth hormone therapy: elucidation of causative agents.

BACKGROUND: Allergic and non-allergic skin reactions to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) are uncommon and infrequently reported. However, physicians should be aware of these potential side effects to determine whether the reactions constitute true allergies and how to proceed with growth hormone therapy. To review allergic and non-allergic skin reactions caused by rhGH and subsequent diagnostic workup and management options. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 12-year-old healthy male presenting with idiopathic short stature. He developed an itchy skin rash over the chest and abdomen, 15 min after administration of the first dose of rhGH, leading us to review allergic and non-allergic skin reactions to rhGH. In our patient, an immediate skin reaction after administration of rhGH prompted a concern about a type I hypersensitivity reaction (HS) and the discontinuation of rhGH. However, after a dermatologic evaluation and observed administration of rhGH without subsequent rash, the initial eruption was likely an exacerbation of his underlying atopic dermatitis and a type I HS was felt to be unlikely. The rhGH was resumed and he has been on rhGH for the past 1 year with no recurrence of rash and with improvement in growth velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Though rare, allergic and non-allergic skin reactions are known to occur with rhGH. It is important to know if the allergic reaction was due to the growth hormone molecule or one of the preservatives. It is also important to consider a non-allergic reaction due to flare up of underlying skin disorders as in our patient.