Gender related differences in glucocorticoid therapy and growth outcomes among pubertal children with 21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Twenty-one-hydroxylase deficient congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) causes glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency, hyperandrogenism and short stature. Management of the pubertal CAH patient is particularly challenging. The purpose of this retrospective chart review study was to determine if pubertal males and females with simple virilizing CAH (SVCAH) required different glucocorticoid dosages at progressive Tanner stages.

Empty sella syndrome.

An empty sella (ES) develops when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fills the sella turcica and compresses pituitary tissue until it lines the sellar floor and walls. Primary ES occurs when CSF enters the sella through a rent in the sellar diaphragm that may or may not be associated with increased intracranial pressure. Secondary ES is a result of an injury to the pituitary itself (e.

Natriuretic peptides in children: physiology and clinical utility.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews the genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of the natriuretic polypeptide family and their receptors; their roles in cardiac, bone, and lipid metabolism in children; and pharmacological agents that utilize the natriuretic polypeptide system.

Recent Findings: Clinically, measurements of circulating levels of the natriuretic polypeptides are useful diagnostic and prognostic markers of cardiovascular disease in children. The natriuretic polypeptides also play an important role in growth and body composition.

Bicalutamide and third-generation aromatase inhibitors in testotoxicosis.

Testotoxicosis, a form of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty, results from an activating mutation of the luteinizing hormone receptor expressed in testicular Leydig cells. Affected males experience early testosterone secretion, virilization, advancing bone age, and resultant short stature. Recently, the use of combination therapy with a potent antiandrogen agent (bicalutamide) and a third-generation aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole or letrozole) was reported to yield encouraging short-term results.

Vessel dilator and C-type natriuretic peptide enhance the proliferation of human osteoblasts.

C-natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been shown to regulate proliferation of mouse and rat osteoblasts. Genetic deletion of CNP results in dwarfism. Overexposure of CNP has been associated with arachnodactyly of hands and feet with a very long hallux bilaterally in a 14-y-old girl.

Cardiac hormones inhibit proliferation of pancreatic cancer but not normal cells.

Background: Four cardiac hormones, i.e. atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), vessel dilator, long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP) and kaliuretic peptide (KP), have anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo.

Twice-weekly intravenous treatment of pancreatic cancer with atrial natriuretic peptide and vessel dilator.

Background: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and vessel dilator eliminate 80% and 33% of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas growing in athymic mice when given subcutaneously for 28 days via osmotic pumps.

Materials And Methods: To determine if similar beneficial effects can be obtained by ANP and vessel dilator on a bi-weekly basis, bolus infusion via vascular ports bi-weekly for 4 weeks was given to athymic mice bearing human pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Results: Vessel dilator and ANP (each at 100 microM) (n=6 for each) resulted in a 33% (p<0.

Epidermal growth factor's activation of Ras is inhibited by four cardiac hormones.

Background: Four cardiac hormones synthesized by the same gene, i.e. atrial natriuretic peptide, vessel dilator, kaliuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide, have anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide inhibit ras in human prostate cancer cells.

Background: Atrial natriuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide have anticancer effects in human prostate adenocarcinoma.

Materials And Methods: The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide and cyclic GMP on Ras were examined in human prostate adenocarcinoma cells.

Results: Atrial natriuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide reduced the activation of Ras-GTP over a concentration range of 0.

Vessel dilator and kaliuretic peptide inhibit Ras in human prostate cancer cells.

Background: Vessel dilator and kaliuretic peptide have anticancer effects in human prostate adenocarcinomas.

Materials And Methods: The effects of vessel dilator, kaliuretic peptide and cyclic GMP on Ras were examined in human prostate adenocarcinoma cells.

Results: Vessel dilator and kaliuretic peptide decreased the activation of Ras -GTP over a concentration range of 0.

Obesity: the hormonal milieu.

Purpose Of Review: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions throughout the world and poses significant health and economic burdens to both developed and developing societies. Most recent data from the NHANES study (2003-2004) report that 17.1% of US children are overweight and 32.