Heparanase and Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets. The degradation of the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS) by the endo-β-D-glycosidase heparanase plays a critical role in multiple stages of the disease process. Heparanase aids (i) migration of inflammatory leukocytes from the vasculature to the islets, (ii) intra-islet invasion by insulitis leukocytes, and (iii) selective destruction of beta cells.

Hereditary pituitary hyperplasia with infantile gigantism.

Context: We report hereditary pituitary hyperplasia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the results of the clinical and laboratory analysis of this rare instance of hereditary pituitary hyperplasia.

Design: The study is a retrospective analysis of three cases from one family.

Establishment of pediatric reference intervals on a large cohort of healthy children.

Background: Reference intervals are essential in assessing the significance of laboratory results. There have been limited studies generating reference intervals from pediatric populations. We have studied a large cohort of healthy children on 3 separate occasions at 2yearly intervals.

Contrasting longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between insulin resistance and percentage of body fat, fitness, and physical activity in children-the LOOK study.

Background: Knowledge of individual changes in insulin resistance (IR) and longitudinal relationships of IR with lifestyle-associated factors are of important practical significance, but little longitudinal data exist in asymptomatic children. We aimed to determine (a) changes in the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) over a 2-yr period and (b) comparisons of longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between HOMA-IR and lifestyle-related risk factors.

Methods: Our subjects, 241 boys and 257 girls, were assessed at age 8.

Discordance of international adiposity classifications in Australian boys and girls - the LOOK study.

Background: Various charts based on body mass index (BMI) and per cent body fat (%BF) are used to classify childhood body composition but outcomes may vary.

Aim: The study investigated variation in incidences of childhood obesity as depicted by four classification charts.

Subjects And Methods: BMI and DXA-derived %BF were assessed in 741 children.