Improved somatic growth following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy in young children. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms

Harilaos S. Vontetsianos1, Spiros E. Davris1, George D. Christopoulos1, Catherine Dacou-Voutetakis2 1ENT Department and 2Endocrine Unit, First Paediatric Department, Athens University, Children's Hospital "Agia Sophia" Athens, Greece Abstract The effect of Adenotonsillectomy on somatic growth was studied prospectively in 57, randomly selected children (31 boys, 26 girls), aged 5.03±1.32 (mean±1SD) years. The indication for surgery Read More

Of Temples and Plane Trees: the Hippocratic Legacy as Collective Memory

Gerasimos P. Sykiotis1, George D. Kalliolias2, Christos Terezis2, Athanasios G. Papavassiliou3 1Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA, 2Department of Philosophy, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece, 3Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece In the homeland of Hippocrates, the study Read More

Exercise and the Stress System

George Mastorakos1, Maria Pavlatou1, Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis2, George P. Chrousos3 1Endocrine Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, 2Endocrine Section, First Department of Medicine, Laiko Hospital, 3First Department of Pediatrics, "Agia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, 115 27, Greece Abstract Exercise represents a physical stress that challenges homeostasis. In response to Read More

Polycystic ovary syndrome. Revised diagnostic criteria and long-term health consequences

Eleni Kousta, George Tolis, Stephen Franks Ippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece (G.T.), Institute of Reproductive & Developmental Biology Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London U.K. (S.F.) Abstract The diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have recently been revised. The polycystic ovarian morphology has been introduced as part of the criteria and an international consensus has Read More

Growth hormone binding protein and acid labile subunit levels in the assessment of acromegaly treatment

Marinella Tzanela, Marieta Christoforaki, Lida Papastathopoulou, Dimitra Vassiliadi, Effie Botoula, Panagiotis Trivizas, Nikos C. Thalassinos Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece Abstract Objective: Post-treatment monitoring of acromegalic patients is a matter of controversy, as discrepancies between GH and IGF-I levels have been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate Read More

Effects of GH and IGF-I on the in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes

Erasmia Kiapekou1, Dimitris Loutradis2, Peter Drakakis2, Evangelia Zapanti1, George Mastorakos3, Aristidis Antsaklis2 11st Endocrine Section, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece, 21st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens university medical school, Athens, Greece, 3Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaion Hospital, Athens university medical school, Athens, Greece Abstract Objective: A number of hormones Read More

Hypoparathyroidism in a patient presenting with severe myopathy and skin rash. Case report and review of the literature

Vassiliki Syriou, Asimina Kolitsa, Lamprini Pantazi, Dimitrios Pikazis Department of Pathophysiology Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece Abstract A 47-year old man with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IHP), presented as severe myopathy and skin rash is described. The serum muscle enzymes were increased. After treatment with calcium and vitamin D, the clinical condition Read More

A case of a prolactinoma resistant to dopamine agonists

Irene Vourliotaki1, Ingrid Elizabeth Bonapart1, Catherine Stamataki1, Eva-Maria Tsapakis2, Catherine Saridaki1 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Venizelio General Hospital, Iraklion, Crete, Greece, 2Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK Abstract Dopamine agonists are the drugs of choice in the treatment of prolactinomas, the most common type of pituitary adenomas. However, up to 25% of prolactinomas do not Read More

Hypophosphataemic osteomalacia due to de Toni-Debre-Fanconi syndrome in a 19-year old girl

Tasoula Tsilchorozidou, John G Yovos Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece Abstract Osteomalacia associated with adult onset Fanconi syndrome is thought to result from hypophosphataemia due to renal phosphate loss and relative 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 deficiency. In this disorder, the impaired renal phosphate uptake occurs as part of a generalized tubular Read More

On the centenary of the term

Effie Poulakou-Rebelakou, Costas Tsiamis, Spyros G. Marketos History of Medicine, Athens University, Medical School INTRODUCTION In June of 2005 the term hormone completed a life span of one century. The word that Ernest Henry Starling included in one of his four lectures to the Royal Society of Physicians of London, given in June 1905, definitively Read More