[Juvenile granulosa-cell tumor: clinical and molecular expression].

Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors are rare tumors that originate from the nongerminal cells of ovary. Two decades ago, the identification of juvenile granulosa-cell tumors (GCT), as a specific entity inside this group, allowed a better treatment of these tumors in children. However, little data have been reported on the natural course of the disease and reliable prognostic factors have not been yet defined.

Aberrant expression of ovary determining gene FOXL2 in the testis and juvenile granulosa cell tumor in children.

Purpose: FOXL2 is the earliest known marker of ovarian differentiation in mammals. It is involved in ovarian somatic cell differentiation and further follicle maintenance. FOXL2 is not implicated in determination of the male gonad and it is absent in the testis.

[Hereditary angioedema causing colocolic intussusception].

Hereditary angioedema is a rare, autosomal dominant disease inherited. The cause is a quantitative or qualitative congenital deficit in C1 inhibitor. Various clinical symptoms, in particular of sub-cutaneous, upper airways and digestive origin, have been described.

Extinction of FOXL2 expression in aggressive ovarian granulosa cell tumors in children.

Objective: In the female gonad, FOXL2 is a key factor for proper differentiation of granulosa cells (GC) during folliculogenesis and its expression persists in the ovary after birth. The aim of this multicentric nationwide study was to determine whether FOXL2 expression varies during tumoral proliferation of GC cells in juvenile ovarian GC tumors (OGCT).

Design: Nationwide retrospective study.

Searching for somatic mutations in McCune-Albright syndrome: a comparative study of the peptidic nucleic acid versus the nested PCR method based on 148 DNA samples.

Background: Activating mutations of the Gsalpha gene (GNAS), which encodes for the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory G protein, have been identified in patients with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). Accuracy and sensitivity in the molecular diagnosis of MAS is mandatory for optimal therapeutic strategy and adapted follow-up, especially for incomplete clinical forms of MAS. To date, the highly sensitive nested PCR method with intermediary digestion by a restriction enzyme at the mutation site is one of the most widely used techniques.

Activating mutations of the stimulatory g protein in juvenile ovarian granulosa cell tumors: a new prognostic factor?

Context: Conflicting data have been reported regarding the presence of a constitutive activation of Galphas in ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCTs). Although the precise role of this mutation in the transformation of ovarian cells into malignant cells remains debatable, it has been demonstrated in other tissues that the rate of cell proliferation and invasiveness can be influenced by the gsp oncogene.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether activating mutations of Galphas or Galphai are present in juvenile OGCTs and, if so, whether these mutations are significant prognostic factors.

[Clinical expression of precocious pubertal development in girls].

The paediatric endocrinologist is frequently asked whether pubertal development in a girl is normal, early or too early (precocious). This review will cover all clinical expression of premature development of puberty: central precocious puberty (neurogenic, secondary, and idiopathic) where treatment with GnRHa is considered, early puberty, partial puberty or pubertal variants and peripheral or pseudo precocious puberty related to an antonomous hypersecretion of estrogens by the ovaries. A special attention should be paid also to the role of environmental disruptors in the development of peripheral precocious puberty.

A nationwide study of granulosa cell tumors in pre- and postpubertal girls: missed diagnosis of endocrine manifestations worsens prognosis.

Background: There are very few data on the natural history of ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCT) in children. The aim of this study was to determine whether early recognition and diagnosis of the initial endocrine signs could improve the outcome of these tumors.

Methods: In a nationwide study from 1990 to 2004, we analyzed the clinical, biological and pathologic data from 40 pre- and postpubertal girls presenting an OGCT.