First two years' response to growth hormone treatment in very young preterm small for gestational age children.

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) is a therapeutic option for small for gestational age (SGA) children without spontaneous catch-up. There are few reports on preterm SGA children. Prematurity is an additional risk factor for adult short stature. AIM: To describe GH efficacy in preterm SGA patients. METHODS: Twenty-five preterm SGA patients, 2-4 years old, treated with GH 0.066 mg/kg/day, were compared with 14 age-matched preterm SGA historical controls. Height, weight, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, fasting glucose and insulin were measured every 6 months. RESULTS: At start of GH treatment, mean height and weight were -2.4 and -2.4 SDS, respectively. There was a significant increment in height SDS of 1.3 and 2.1 during the 1st and the 2nd year of GH therapy, respectively. There was no significant difference between the progression of chronological and bone ages. A significant increase in IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and molar ratio was observed during GH therapy. There was no difference in glucose, insulin or HOMA-IR index. CONCLUSION: We showed for the first time that the height increment of preterm SGA with GH treatment is similar to that described in other studies with term SGA patients. Therefore, short-term GH treatment in a subset of preterm SGA patients between 2-4 years of age was able to promote adequate growth recovery with no excessive bone age acceleration or adverse effects on carbohydrate metabolism.

Size of the exon 1-CAG repeats of the androgen receptor gene employed as a molecular marker in the diagnosis of Turner syndrome in girls with short stature.

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities among girls. Complete monosomy of X chromosome is responsible for almost 50% of all cases of TS, and mosaicism and X anomaly are detected in the other half. It has already been demonstrated that early diagnosis of these children allows appropriate growth hormone treatment with better final height prognosis and introduction of estrogen at an ideal chronological age. Sixty-four short-stature girls were selected and the clinical data obtained were birth weight and height, weight and height at the first medical visit and target height. Other clinical data including cardiac and renal abnormalities, otitis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, cubitus valgus, short neck, widely separated nipples, and pigmented nevi were obtained from the patients' medical records. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the screening of a group of short-stature girls for TS based on the number of CAG repeats of the androgen receptor gene analyzed by GeneScan software. Patient samples with two alleles (heterozygous) were 49/64 (76.5%) and with one allele (homozygous) were 15/64 (23.5%). A karyotype was determined in 30 patients, 9 homozygous and 21 heterozygous. In the homozygous group, 6/9 were 45,X and 3/9 were 46,XX. In the heterozygous group, 17/21 were 46,XX, and 4/21 were TS patients with mosaicism (45,X/46,XX; 45,X/46XiXq; 46XdelXp). The pattern obtained by GeneScan in two patients with mosaicism in the karyotype was an imbalance between the peak heights of the two alleles, suggesting that this imbalance could be present when there is a mosaicism. The frequency of TS abnormalities (18.7%) did not differ between TS and 46,XX girls. Thus, it is important to accurately assess the incidence of TS in growth-retarded girls, even in the absence of other dysmorphisms. In this study, we diagnosed 6 cases of TS 45,X (9.4%) by molecular analysis, with a 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity. This molecular analysis was able to detect all cases of TS 45,X and the majority of mosaicisms, without the need for more X chromosome markers. In conclusion, determining the number of CAG repeats of the androgen receptor gene analyzed by GeneScan was a fast method with high sensitivity for the detection of TS 45,X, suggesting that it could be interesting as a method for screening a population of growth-retarded girls.

A novel mutation in DAX1 gene causing different phenotypes in three siblings with adrenal hypoplasia congenita.

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a rare disease that can be caused by many abnormalities, including an X-linked form. Mutations in the DAX1 gene have been assigned as the genetic cause of AHC. We describe here three siblings with AHC, clinically presented at different ages, two in the neonatal period and one oligosymptomatic during infancy. Molecular analysis was able to detect a novel mutation in exon 1 of the DAX1 gene, consisting of a transition of C to T at position 359, determining a stop codon at position 359 (Q359X). The mutated gene encodes a truncated protein missing a large portion of the ligand-binding domain (C-terminal domain). The recognition of the disease in the index case suggested the diagnosis in the other siblings. Interestingly, the same mutation is presented with different phenotypes, suggesting that first-degree family members of patients with DAX1 mutations should be carefully evaluated routinely.

The influence of parental origin of X chromosome genes on the stature of patients with 45 X Turner syndrome.

Thirty-seven 45 X Turner syndrome patients with confirmed peripheral blood lymphocyte karyotype were initially selected to determine the origin of the retained X chromosome and to correlate it with their parents' stature. Blood samples were available in 25 families. The parental origin of the X chromosome was determined in 24 informative families through the analysis of the exon 1-CAG repeat variation of the androgen receptor gene. In 70.8% of the cases, the retained X chromosome was maternal in origin and 29.2% was paternal. When we classified the patients according to maternal (Xm) or paternal (Xp) X chromosome, there was a positive correlation between patients' and maternal heights only in the Xm group. There was no correlation with paternal height in either group, and a significant correlation with target height was only observed in the Xm group. In conclusion, maternal height is the best variable correlating with the height of 45 X Turner syndrome patients who retain the maternal X chromosome, suggesting a strong influence of genes located on the maternal X chromosome on stature.

Transdermal estradiol priming during clonidine stimulation test in non-growth hormone deficient children with short stature: a pilot study.

The diagnosis of growth hormone (GH) deficiency is strongly influenced by age, body mass index and presence of gonadal steroids. Priming with oral estradiol (E2) is one possible way to overcome the impact of variable levels of sex steroids. We describe the effects of transdermal estradiol (E2-t) priming on GH response after clonidine stimulation in prepubertal children with familial short stature (group 1, n = 12) or constitutional growth delay (group 2, n = 22). All patients underwent a clonidine test (0.1 mg/m2, p.o.) followed by a clonidine plus E2-t test (50 microg/day) with a 7-day interval. Before E2-t, basal GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) values were similar in the two groups. After E2-t priming, basal GH was significantly higher only in group 2. When compared with group 1, patients from group 2 had a significant increase of GH peak response when submitted to E2-t. The number of patients in both groups with adequate GH peak response was higher after E2-t priming. We conclude that E2-t priming is able to increase GH peak response after clonidine stimulation and also improves the accuracy of the clonidine test in the diagnosis of GH deficiency. Compared to oral administration, E2-t delivery can prevent liver toxicity, providing a more physiological mechanism of GH secretion.

Inhibin alpha-subunit (INHA) gene and locus changes in paediatric adrenocortical tumours from TP53 R337H mutation heterozygote carriers.

The R337H TP53 mutation is a low-penetrance molecular defect that predisposes to adrenocortical tumour (ACT) formation in Brazilian and possibly other populations. Additional genetic defects may be responsible for the variable expression of ACTs in these cases. The inhibin alpha-subunit gene (INHA) on 2q33-qter has been implicated in mouse adrenocortical tumourigenesis. We studied 46 pediatric patients with ACTs from Brazil for INHA genetic alterations; 39 of these patients were heterozygous carriers of the R337H TP53 mutation. We first mapped the INHA gene by radiation hybrid analysis and determined 10 linked microsatellite markers in an area flanked by D2S1371 and D2S206 on 2q33-qter. These markers were then used for loss of heterozygozity (LOH) studies in nine paired germline and tumour DNA samples. Mapping placed the INHA gene in close proximity to D2S2848 (SHGC11864) with a log of odds (LOD) score of 5.84. LOH for at least one marker in the region was identified in 8/9 tumours (89%). Six patients were heterozygous for three INHA mutations: one in exon 1, 127C>G, and two in exon 2, 3998G>A and 4088G>A, all leading to amino acid substitutions (P43A, G227R, and A257T, respectively). A257T is located in a conserved INHA region, highly homologous to transforming growth factor-beta; both G227R and A257T change polarity, and, in addition, G227R changes the pH. We conclude that these sequence alterations and the detected 2q allelic changes suggest that INHA may be one of the contributing factors needed for ACT formation in pediatric patient carriers of the R337H TP53 mutation.

Safety of Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization in Patients With Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes III to VI.

IMPORTANCE: A microfocused ultrasound (MFU) system is a safe and effective aesthetic treatment for tightening and lifting skin in the facial and neck areas. This open-label, nonrandomized trial was performed to further demonstrate the safety of MFU for improving laxity of the skin of the face and neck in 52 adults with Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI. OBSERVATIONS: Before treatment with MFU, the skin tissue of each participant was assessed and ultrasound imaging was performed on the treatment area to ensure appropriate acoustic transducer coupling. Treatment was performed from March 23, 2011, to July 20, 2011. Following treatment, there were 3 reported adverse events described as raised areas of mild edema or welts (2 events) and moderately severe prolonged erythema with mild scabbing (1 event). All events resolved after 90 days without sequelae. Analysis was conducted from Janaury 18, 2012, to March 13, 2013. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The adverse events that occurred in this trial were temporary and associated with treatment technique. When performed by trained physicians, MFU is safe in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01368965.

A novel missense mutation, GLY424SER, in Brazilian patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

A previous screening of 17 mutations in 130 Brazilian patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency did not identify mutations in 20% of the alleles. To diagnose these alleles we sequenced the entire CYP21 gene of one Mulatto patient with the simple virilizing form, who had only the R356W mutation in a heterozygous state. We identified a heterozygous G-A transition in codon 424. This mutation leads to a substitution of glycine by serine in a conserved region where glycine is conserved in at least 4 species. This novel mutation eliminates 1 of the restriction sites of the BanI enzyme, which made its screening possible for the whole series. The G424S mutation was found in a compound heterozygous state in 5 families; 4 presented the simple virilizing form, and 1 presented the nonclassical form. Interestingly, 3 of 5 families have a Mulatto origin. This mutation was not identified in 118 CYP21 alleles of normal individuals, ruling out the possibility of a polymorphism, or in 80 pseudogenes, indicating a casual mutagenic event and not a microconversion event. All patients with the G424S mutation presented CYP21P and C4A gene deletions and human leukocyte antigen DR17 on the same haplotype, suggesting a linkage disequilibrium and a probable founder effect. Search for the G424S mutation in other populations will reveal whether it is restricted to the Brazilian patients or if it has a wider ethnic distribution.

Adrenal steroids synthesis during acute infectious diseases in infants.

UNLABELLED: An increase in plasma 17OHP found in infants requiring differential diagnosis between septic shock and adrenal failure led us to look for adrenal steroids pattern during infection. INFANTS AND METHODS: 56 infants, 1-6 months old, were studied during infection of different degrees of severity. Plasma cortisol, 17OHP, androstenedione, DHEA, DHEA-S and testosterone were measured. RESULTS: 24 patients showed an expected cortisol elevation. One child had a low cortisol level. The concentration of 17OHP was above 6.0 nmol/l (200 ng/dl) in 41 patients and above 30.2 nmol/l (1,000 ng/dl) in 10. Higher 17OHP levels and more severe diseases correlated positively. CONCLUSIONS: During infectious diseases some patients demonstrated not only cortisol elevation but also 17OHP as high as that observed in NC-CAH. We suggest that if 17OHP elevation is not characteristic of SL-CAH, glucocorticoid therapy should be started and an ACTH test should be performed after recovery before ruling out this pathology.

Management of the wide nasal dorsum.

The literature is replete with discussions outlining surgical techniques for managing nasal tip deformities. In contrast, articles devoted to specific dorsal nasal abnormalities are rare. Surgical management of the nasal dorsum has traditionally been relegated to either augmentation or reduction followed by osteotomy. Contemporary rhinoplasty demands attention to the creation of an ideal profile line, which may require dorsal reduction in some areas and augmentation in others. Treatment of the patient with an appropriate projection of the profile but with a wide nasal dorsum presents a special challenge: to narrow the nasal bridge without altering its projection. We discuss several surgical techniques to narrow the nasal dorsum, while maintaining dorsal height. Selected cases are presented to illustrate these techniques and to clarify surgical options.

[Cryptorchism: basic concepts and hormonal therapy]. / Criptorquismo: conceitos básicos e tratamento hormonal.

The authors analyze the clinical results of 368 cryptorchid testis that received intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), at the dose of 50 U/kg once a week for 6 weeks. The patients with inguinal anatomical abnormalities or only with subtle retractility were excluded. There was a correlation among the testicle position, the cryptorchism side, the patient's age at the time of the therapy and the results obtained. We observed (i) a delay on child referral; (ii) concurrence of cryptorchism and systemic diseases, most of them with genetical origin; (iii) better results was obtained in children with retractile testis, older than 4 years old and with bilateral cryptorchism. The efficacy of second hormonal treatment was only present in retractile testis that showed partial response to the first hormonal therapy. It is argued that, although the treatment of children under 2 is less effective, the possible prevention of testicular lesions for this early intervention justify the hormonal therapy between 6 and 9 months of life.

Gustatory cortical lesions affect motivation for snack foods.

Most neuropsychological research using food as a reward uses single-bid auctions. We wished to determine whether focal brain lesions would affect the ability and motivation to win snack food items in a computerized auction allowing multiple bids. This allowed us to assess participants' abilities under more complex conditions. We enrolled 154 male penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) veterans, mean age 58, from the Vietnam Head Injury Study registry, and 53 male uninjured veterans, mean age 59. We used voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) to identify effects of brain lesions on the ability to win items and on participants' answers to statements regarding their level of motivation and evaluation of how well they performed. Number of items won was not significantly associated with any lesions; however, lesions in gustatory cortex (GC) affected motivation and self-evaluation. Our findings provide further evidence of the primary GC's role in motivation for food and drink.

Rhinoplasty in the patient of African descent.

We are in the midst of truly changing times, as patients of African descent actively embrace facial cosmetic surgery. Gaining surgical consistency in patients of African descent has proven to be elusive and unpredictable for many rhinoplasty surgeons. Surgical success relies on the surgeon's ability precisely to identify anatomic variables and reconcile these anatomic realities with the patient's expectations for aesthetic improvement and ethnic identity. An appreciation for underlying heritage provides a link culturally to connect with prospective patients and serves as a tool for establishing realistic aesthetic goals. This article highlights the significance of exploring ancestry in the rhinoplasty consultation; identifies key anatomic variables in the nasal tip, dorsum, and alar base; and reviews surgical logic that has facilitated the achievement of consistent, balanced aesthetic outcomes.

Cholesterol oxides as biomarkers of oxidative stress in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formation of cholesterol oxides (ChOx) as biomarkers of oxidative stress in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes. METHODS: Blood plasma levels of cholesterol oxidation products were determined in the following groups: type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), type 2 diabetes (DM2), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), children without diabetes (C1) and adults without diabetes (C2). The serum levels of cholest-5-ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol (7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7alpha-OH), cholest-5-ene-3beta,7beta-diol (7beta-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-OH), 3beta-hydroxycholest-5-7-one (7-ketocholesterol, 7-K), 5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol (cholestanetriol), 5,6alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (cholesterol-5alpha,6alpha-epoxide,), 5,6beta-epoxy-5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol (cholesterol-5beta,6beta-epoxide) and cholest-5-eno-3beta,25-diol (25-hydroxycholesterol, 25-OH) (trivial name and abbreviations indicated in parentheses) were quantified by gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. RESULTS: The levels of total ChOx were elevated in the DM1 and DM2 groups compared to age-matched subjects without diabetes (p < 0.05). The concentrations of 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, cholesterol-alpha-epoxide and cholesterol-beta-epoxide were higher in the blood plasma of subjects in the DM2 group than in the blood plasma of subjects in the C2 and IGT groups (p < 0.05). Treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with oral hypoglycemic drugs associated with insulin resulted in lower concentrations of nitrotyrosine in the blood plasma without significant changes in the concentrations of glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Moreover, combination with statins in both treatments decreased the concentrations of ChOx. CONCLUSIONS: ChOx are suitable biomarkers of oxidative stress and may be useful in clinical studies to follow drug effects on lipid oxidative modifications in diabetic patients.

Association between Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-gamma2 gene and insulin sensitivity in Brazilian patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2) is a nuclear receptor that plays an important role in lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of Pro12Ala polymorphism at the PPAR-gamma2 gene in Brazilian patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2Dm) and controls (CG). METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from 207 unrelated white people presenting with T2Dm and from 170 controls. Anthropometric data included body mass index and waist to hip ratio. Biochemical parameters included fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin and insulin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also measured. Screening for mutations in the entire coding region of the PPAR-gamma gene was performed by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing. Pro12Ala polymorphism was analysed by using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment-length polymorphism). RESULTS: One base substitution was identified - a C to G substitution in exon B of the PPAR-gamma2 gene. The frequency of the Ala12 allele in T2Dm (0.09) was similar to that found in CG (0.06, p = 0.185). In the T2Dm group, Ala12 allele was associated with lower fasting plasma insulin levels (p = 0.036) and higher insulin sensitivity (p = 0.049) by means of homeostasis model assessment. Among obese people, there was no association between any of the T2Dm or obesity-related traits and the Pro12Ala polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that people with the Ala12 allele of the PPAR-gamma2 gene could be more sensitive to insulin than those carriers of the Pro12 allele among Brazilian Caucasians.

Effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma C161T polymorphism on lipid profile in Brazilian patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the C161T polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) gene in Brazilian subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and controls residing in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from 207 patients with T2DM and 170 unrelated normoglycemic individuals (CG). Anthropometric data included: body mass index, waist, hip, waist-to-hip ratio; biochemical parameters: fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin and insulin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also measured. Screening for mutations in the entire coding region of the PPARgamma gene was carried out by PCR, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and sequencing. C161T polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The C161T polymorphism was the only variant found in exon 6 of the PPARgamma gene. The frequency of the 161T allele in T2DM (0.10) was similar to that found in CG (0.07, p=0.210). Serum triglycerides (p=0.040), VLDL-cholesterol (p=0.040) and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP; p=0.003) were significantly lower in 161T allele carriers than non-carriers in women of the T2DM group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the C161T polymorphism in the PPARgamma gene is not associated with variables related to T2DM or insulin resistance in the Brazilian population. However, a reduction of serum triglycerides and AIP was observed in women with 161T allele of the C161T polymorphism of the PPARgamma gene.

The aging face in patients of color: minimally invasive surgical facial rejuvenation-a targeted approach.

We are in the midst of exciting times from a demographic standpoint as the population of darker-skinned people grows exponentially in the United States. Although there is a growing demand for facial cosmetic procedures amongst people of color, the total number of individuals undergoing surgical facial rejuvenation is dwarfed by the current Caucasian market. In order to provide optimal options for facial rejuvenation, cosmetic surgeons must have an underlying appreciation for the dynamic interplay among ethnicity, facial morphology, and the progression of aging. The purpose of the present article is to outline the minimally invasive surgical options for facial rejuvenation best suited for the patient of color. Although the population of individuals with darker-pigmented skin is quite vast, the present paper will focus on individuals of African descent, with whom the author has the most experience. Preferred surgical techniques include blepharoplasty, autologous facial fat transplantation, percutaneous cheek lift, and submental liposuction. Cutaneous surgeons familiar with soft-tissue surgery and facial anatomy should feel comfortable performing these techniques.

Low glucocorticoid receptor alpha/beta ratio in T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.

Glucocorticoid therapy is pivotal in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); it reduces cell proliferation, promotes cell cycle arrest, and induces cell death by apoptosis. The sensitivity of leukemic cells to glucocorticoids was previously related to the cell concentration of 3[H]dexamethasone-binding sites. The latter represents the classic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoform alpha that binds ligand and modulates the transcription rates of glucocorticoid-responsive genes. In ALL, lymphoblasts of T-lineage are less sensitive to glucocorticoids than cells of the B-lineage. The alternatively spliced GR isoform (GRP), which exerts a dominant negative effect on GRalpha-mediated transcriptional activity, has been proposed as a possible mediator of glucocorticoid resistance. In this study, we determined the amount of GRalpha and GRbeta in mononuclear cells from 13 newly diagnosed and untreated children with ALL and 9 controls by quantitative Western analysis. Generally, leukemic patients expressed 6 times less GRalpha (ALL= 0.54 +/- 1.1; controls = 3.1 +/- 0.9; p < 0.01) than controls, but the same amount of GRbeta (ALL=3.62 +/- 3.3; controls = 3.6 +/- 3.4). ALL patients with T-cell disease had a much lower GRalpha (0.09 +/- 0.1; p < 0.01) but a similar or slightly higher GRbeta (5.98 +/- 3.9; p = 0.1) expression than controls, with a GRalpha/GRbeta ratio 15 times smaller than controls. Mononuclear leukocytes of T-cell lineage expressed significantly lower GRalpha (p = 0.04) and higher GRbeta (p < 0.01) than cells of the pre-B immunophenotype, with a 10 times smaller ratio. We conclude that the combination of low GRalpha and normal-to-high GRbeta expression in leukemic lymphoblasts might represent one of the mechanisms responsible for their reduced glucocorticoid sensitivity; this is more pronounced in T-lineage cells.

Detection of codon 12 mutation in the K-ras oncogene in pancreatic tumors.

Mutations at codons 12, 13, or 61 of the H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras have been detected in human neoplasias by a variety of techniques. Some of these techniques are very sensitive and can detect K-ras mutation in 90% of the cases of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. We analyzed 11 samples of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, three samples of pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma, and two samples without tumors in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections. K-ras mutations at codon 12 were detected by a two-step PCR-enriched technique in all the samples of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but not in cystadenoma or control samples. This technique may be useful for early detection of pancreatic cancer.