Dermoscopic structures and patterns used in melanoma detection.

Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-related deaths. Yet, early detection remains the most cost-effective means of preventing death from melanoma. Early detection can be achieved by a physician and/or the patient (also known as a self-skin exam).

Dermoscopy in Selected Latin American Countries: A Preliminary Look into Current Trends and Future Opportunities Among Dermatology Residency Programs.

Introduction: Skin cancer remains a global public health burden. Dermoscopy is a useful technique that aids in early detection and increases diagnostic accuracy with adequate training. However, dermoscopy is not uniformly taught to residents worldwide.

Phosphorylation of S11 in PHR1 negatively controls its transcriptional activity.

Plant responses to phosphate starvation (-Pi) are very well characterized at the biochemical and molecular levels. The expression of thousands of genes is modified under this stress condition, depending on the action of Phosphate starvation response 1 (PHR1). Existing data indicate that neither the PHR1 transcript nor the quantity or localization of its protein increase during nutrient stress, raising the question of how its activity is regulated.

Human Rickettsiosis Caused by Rickettsia parkeri Strain Atlantic Rainforest, Urabá, Colombia.

We describe the clinical, serologic, and molecular findings of a new human rickettsiosis in Colombia. Antibodies against Rickettsia spp. were detected.

Patterns of Infancy Growth and Metabolic Hormonal Profile Are Different in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants Born Small for Gestational Age Compared to Those Born Appropriate for Gestational Age.

Background/aims: An increased preterm birth survival rate is associated with long-term neurological and metabolic risks; thus, our aim was to evaluate whether early patterns of infancy anthropometry and metabolic hormonal profile differ in preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA) from birth to 36 months of corrected age (CA).

Methods: We recruited 110 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants (AGA = 60 and SGA = 50) with a mean birth weight of -2.39 ± 0.

Expression of recombinant SnRK1 in E. coli. Characterization of adenine nucleotide binding to the SnRK1.1/AKINβγ-β3 complex.

The SnRK1 complexes in plants belong to the family of AMPK/SNF1 kinases, which have been associated with the control of energy balance, in addition to being involved in the regulation of other aspects of plant growth and development. Analysis of complex formation indicates that increased activity is achieved when the catalytic subunit is phosphorylated and bound to regulatory subunits. SnRK1.

Hyperandrogenism in adolescent girls: relationship with the somatotrophic axis.

Background: During puberty there is a physiologic increase in adrenal and ovarian androgens. It has been suggested that the somatotrophic axis may be related to the development of hyperandrogenism and anovulation in non-obese adult women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The objective of the study was to investigate whether ovarian androgen secretion in young postmenarchal girls is related to the function of their somatotropic axis.

Leuprolide acetate-stimulated androgen response during female puberty.

Background: A physiological increase in androgen levels occurs during adolescence. Measuring androgen concentrations is the best method to distinguish normal evolution processes from hyperandrogenic disorders.

Hypothesis: The increase in circulating androgens during puberty is inversely associated with insulin sensitivity in normal weight girls.

Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels are inversely associated with growth rates in infancy.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic and growth regulator.

Aim: To investigate the role of FGF21 during growth in infancy.

Methods: Blood samples for FGF21, leptin, insulin and glucose were collected from cord blood obtained from 95 preterm and term newborns (cross-sectional group), and at 6 and 12 months of life in 80 preterm and term infants (longitudinal group).

Effects of levothyroxine on growth hormone (gh) sensitivity in children with idiopathic short stature.

Background: The possible relationship between the circulating concentrations of T4 and GH sensitivity has not been elucidated.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of levothyroxine supplementation on GH sensitivity in prepubertal boys with idiopathic short stature (ISS).

Methods: We selected 28 prepubertal boys with ISS (mean age 8.

Hormonal profile and androgen receptor study in prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis.

Background: Prepubertal hypertrichosis is a reportedly benign condition characterized by an excessive growth of vellous hair in non-androgen dependent areas of the body compared to the amount usually present in normal subjects of the same age, race and sex. Although this condition is usually considered idiopathic and regarded as benign, it may be very disturbing cosmetically, causing significant patient and parental anxiety.

Method: We performed a hormonal and androgen receptor study in 42 prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis and 29 control girls from 2 to 8 years of age.

Differences in body composition and resting energy expenditure in childhood in preterm children born with very low birth weight.

Background: Rapid early ponderal growth is associated with adverse metabolic risks in young adults born at term.

Aim: To determine whether there are differences in body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE) and metabolic variables between preterm children born with very low birth weight (VLBW) either appropriate (AGA) or small (SGA) for gestational age and whether these differences are related to an early period of weight gain.

Methods: 67 VLBW preterm (40 AGA, 27 SGA).

Microstructural brain and multivoxel spectroscopy in very low birth weight infants related to insulin-like growth factor concentration and early growth.

Background: Very low birth weight (VLBW) children have higher risk of neurologic disabilities and growth factors are essential for brain maturation.

Aim: To assess whether there are differences in neurologic findings, psychometric parameters and microstructural brain morphology in 1-year-old VLBW infants versus term healthy controls and whether these differences are related to hormonal/growth changes.

Methods: Prospective anthropometry, prefeed venous blood sample [insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), leptin, glucose], neurologic and imaging assessment, at age 1 year in 34 VLBW infants (12 SGA; 10 M) and 10 healthy term controls (5 M).

Leptin and IGF-I/II during the first weeks of life determine body composition at 2 years in infants born with very low birth weight.

Rapid early growth is associated with adverse metabolic outcome. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in body composition (BC) between very-low-birth-weight preterm (VLBWPT) infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) and whether these differences relate to first-year growth. Twenty-six VLBWPT (15 AGA and 11 SGA).

Accelerated early pubertal progression, ovarian morphology, and ovarian function in prospectively followed low birth weight (LBW) girls.

Aim: To compare pubertal development in age-matched healthy girls born with low birth weight (LBW) or appropriate birth weight for gestational age (AGA).

Subjects And Methods: Girls with breast in Tanner stage II and normal body mass index were followed for 3 years with a complete physical exam, bone age, pelvic ultrasound, and measurement of gonadal hormones using a leuprolide test.

Results: Forty-one girls (AGA 25/LBW 16) were followed up for 3 years.

A prospective cohort study of the prevalence of growth, facial, and central nervous system abnormalities in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure.

Background: Most children who are exposed to large quantities of alcohol in utero do not develop fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Population-based prospective data on the risk of developing components of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), however, are limited.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 9,628 women screened during their first prenatal appointment in Chile, which identified 101 who consumed at least 4 drinks/d (exposed) matched with 101 women with no reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy (unexposed).

Ovarian function in adolescents with McCune-Albright syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate ovarian function, especially ovulation rate, in adolescents with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) and a history of peripheral precocious puberty.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic center.

Frequency of familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 in a hypertensive pediatric population: clinical and biochemical presentation.

Familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder attributed to a chimeric CYP11B1/CYP11B2 gene (CG). Its prevalence and manifestation in the pediatric population has not been established. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 in Chilean hypertensive children and to describe their clinical and biochemical characteristics.

Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on postnatal growth and the insulin-like growth factor axis.

Aims: To study the effect of in-utero alcohol exposure on the insulin-like growth factor axis (IGF) and leptin during infancy and childhood, considering that exposed children may exhibit pre- and postnatal growth retardation.

Methods: We prospectively identified heavily drinking pregnant women who consumed on average 4 or more drinks of ethanol per day (≥ 48 g/day) and assessed growth in 69 of their offspring and an unexposed control group of 83 children, measuring serum IGF-I (radioimmunoassay), IGF-II (immunoradiometric assay, IRMA), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) (IRMA) and leptin (IRMA) at 1 month and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years of age.

Results: IGF-II levels increased with age in both groups, but the rate of increase was significantly higher in exposed children, and levels were significantly higher in ethanol-exposed children at 3, 4, and 5 years of age.

Aldosterone, plasma Renin activity, and aldosterone/renin ratio in a normotensive healthy pediatric population.

Primary aldosteronism is an important cause of secondary hypertension and is suspected in adults with an aldosterone/renin ratio > or =25. The normal aldosterone/renin ratio is unknown in children. The aim was to establish serum aldosterone, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone/renin ratio values in a healthy pediatric population.

Differences in body composition and energy expenditure in prepubertal children born term or preterm appropriate or small for gestational age.

Small size at birth may result from fetal undernutrition which may occur at different times during gestation. Early postnatal catch-up growth and excess childhood weight gain are associated with an increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the relative contributions of body composition and energy expenditure on fasting insulin sensitivity during late childhood.

Changes in nocturnal leptin and insulin concentrations in prepubertal low birth weight children after administration of the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complex.

Background: There is limited information regarding the effects of IGF-I and/or IGFBP-3 on circulating leptin concentrations.

Aim: To determine the effects of IGF-I on leptin and insulin concentrations, we examined leptin and insulin nocturnal profiles before and after the administration of the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complex (Iplex) to prepubertal, low birth weight children.

Methods: We studied 20 prepubertal children (11 boys and 9 girls), born after a full-term pregnancy with a mean birth weight below 2.

The IGF-I response to growth hormone is related to body mass index in short children with normal weight.

Aim: We investigated whether the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I response to growth hormone (GH) is regulated by body mass index (BMI) in short children with normal weight.

Methods: We studied 37 prepubertal children with idiopathic short stature (ISS), comparing children with high-normal BMI (standard deviation scores, SDS 1.23 +/- 0.

Comparison of three doses of leuprolide acetate in the treatment of central precocious puberty: preliminary results.

Objective: Depot luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist have been widely used for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP), but the optimal doses to obtain hormonal suppression are still unknown, especially in patients with higher weights. The goal of our study was to compare the efficacy of three leuprolide acetate (LA) preparations, suppressing gonadotropin secretion in patients with CPP.

Design: In an open 12-month protocol, we evaluated LA 7.