International network on endocrine complications in thalassaemia (I-CET): an opportunity to grow.

Most of the endocrine complications in thalassaemia are attributable to iron overload which may be the result of economic circumstances (expense of the chelation therapy), late onset of chelation therapy or poor compliance with the iron chelation therapy. The major difficulties reported by hematologists or pediatric endocrinologists experienced in thalassaemias or thalassaemia syndromes in following growth disorders and endocrine complications were: lack of familiarity with medical treatment of endocrine complications (40%), interpretation of endocrine tests (30%), costs (65%), absence of paediatric endocrinologist for consultation on growth disorders and endocrine complications (27%), facilities (27%), other (e.g. lack of collaboration and on-time consultation between thalassaemic Centers supervised by hematologists and endocrinologists) (17%). Because any progress we make in research into growth disorders and endocrine complications in thalassaemia should be passed on to all those suffering from it, guaranteeing them the same therapeutic benefits and the same quality of life, on the 8th of May, 2009 in Ferrara (Italy), the International Network on Endocrine Complications in Thalassemia (I-CET) was founded. The I-CET group is planning to conduct, in Ferrara in May 2012, a workshop, "MRI and Endocrine Complications in Thalassaemia", and in Doha (Qatar) in September 2012, a 3-day intensive course entitled, "Growth disorders and Endocrine Complications in Thalassaemia", to provide interested pediatricians, physicians and hematologists from all over the world with an in-depth approach to the diagnosis and management of growth and endocrine disorders in thalassaemic patients.

Gonococcicidal action of capper in vitro.

PIP: Several copper and cupric ion sources were shown to kill or inhibit the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in vitro. The media used was GC Agar Base supplemented with Isovitalex. Pure copper shot, cupric sulfate, and cupric chloride were used as copper sources. E. coli and Neisseria meningitis were used in addition to Neisseria gonorrhoeae to test the effects of the copper. It was found that micromolar amounts of the copper sulfate and copper chloride killed gonococci during relatively brief incubation while the organisms were in suspension. Inhibition of gonococcal or meningococcal growth was achieved by concentrations of cupric ion several-fold more dilute than was necessary to inhibit growth of E. coli. The sensitivity of gonococci is primarily of interest because of recent contraceptive uses of copper. The copper-containing intrauterine devices might offer prophylactic protection against gonococcal infection of the female genitalia.^ieng