Applications of genomic medicine in endocrinology and post-genomic endocrine research

Constantine A. Stratakis

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In the mid 1980’s, two advances revolutionized Medicine in a way that is comparable only to some of the most important events in the approximately 3,000 years of its history. The first was the introduction of the concept of “positional cloning”, i.e. the idea that one can identify genes for human disease though knowing nothing or very little about their function…

Preoperative imaging and localization of small sized insulinoma with EUS-guided fine needle tattoing: a case report

George N. Zografos, Alexandra Stathopoulou, George Mitropapas, John Karoubalis, George Kontogeorgos, Gregory Kaltsas, George Piaditis, George I. Papastratis

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We report a case of an insulinoma that was not identified on either Computerized Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a small insulinoma located at the body of the pancreas, which was histologically confirmed. The patient underwent a laparotomy but no tumour was identified either on palpation or with intra-operative ultrasound …

Chronic autoimmune thyroid disease in children and adolescents in the years 1999-2004 in Lower Silesia, Poland

Teresa Zak, Anna Noczýnska, Renata Wasikowa, Urszula Zaleska-Dorobisz, Anna Golenko

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The aim of the study was to analyze data related to chronic autoimmune thyroid disease at diagnosis and at follow-up of children and adolescents in Lower Silesia in the years 1999-2004. Age, gender, incidence of thyroid disease in the family, clinical presentation, hormonal findings, levels of thyroid antibodies, results of ultrasonography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were recorded …

The ancient and medieval Greek writer\’s perceptions concerning the relationship between sexual characteristics and testicular volume

Athanasios Diamandopoulos, Pavlos Goudas, Demetra Patsy

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Physicians and scholars of antiquity were well aware that the function of the testicles of humans and animals was not restricted to the production of sperm alone but that it was directly related to sexuality and secondary sexual characteristics. This concept was the natural conclusion of their observations on the macroscopical results of the removal of testicular tissue …

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

Harilaos S. Vontetsianos, Spiros E. Davris, George D. Christopoulos, Catherine Dacou-Voutetakis

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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 was adenotonsillar hypertrophy with or without recurrent infections. Weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and Body Mass Index …

Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: a review in the interface between adipocyte physiology and clinical challenges

Antje Körner, Susann Blüher, Thomas Kapellen, Ante Garten, Jürgen Klammt, Jürgen Kratzsch, Wieland Kiess

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Body weight is regulated by a feedback loop in which peripheral signals report nutritional information to an integratory center in the brain. The cloning of the ob gene is consistent with this concept and suggests that body fat content in adult rodents is regulated by a negative feedback loop centered in the hypothalamus…

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

Gerasimos P. Sykiotis, George D. Kalliolias, Christos Terezis, Athanasios G. Papavassiliou

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In the homeland of Hippocrates, the study of the history and philosophy of medicine is remarkably infrequent among medical practitioners. It is excluded from the curricula of the majority of medical schools and from the hobbies and pastimes of most physicians and medical students…

Endocrine manifestations in DiGeorge and other microdeletion syndromes related to 22q11.2

Sofia Kitsiou-Tzeli, Aggeliki Kolialexi, Ariadni Mavrou

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Microdeletions, translocations or other rearrangements of chromosomal region 22q11.2 have been reported in association with >80 different birth defects and malformations occurring in many combinations and with widely differing severity…

Exercise and the Stress System

George Mastorakos, Maria Pavlatou, Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis, George P. Chrousos

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Exercise represents a physical stress that challenges homeostasis. In response to this stressor, autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are known to react and to participate in the maintenance of homeostasis. This includes elevation of cortisol and cathecholamines in plasma. However, sustained physical conditioning in highly trained athletes is associated…