Publications by authors named "Evan Ball"

Carney triad, the association of paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and pulmonary chondromas, is a sporadic condition that is significantly more frequent in females; its genetic etiology remains unknown. Carney triad is distinct from the dyad of paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, known as Carney-Stratakis syndrome, which is inherited in an autosomal- dominant manner and is almost always caused by succinate dehydrogenase subunit mutations. In the present study, we investigated the largest cohort of Carney triad patients that is available internationally: 63 unrelated patients.

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Carney triad (CTr) describes the association of paragangliomas (PGL), pulmonary chondromas, and gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors (GISTs) with a variety of other lesions, including pheochromocytomas and adrenocortical tumors. The gene(s) that cause CTr remain(s) unknown. PGL and GISTs may be caused by loss-of-function mutations in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) (a condition known as Carney-Stratakis syndrome (CSS)).

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The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are important mediators of gastrointestinal (GI) motility because of their role as pacemakers in the GI tract. In addition to their function, ICCs are also structurally distinct cells most easily identified by their ultra-structural features and expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT. ICCs have been described in mammals, rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, but there are no reports at the ultra-structural level of ICCs within the GI tract of an organism from the teleost lineage.

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Background: Mutations in the subunits B, C, and D of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mitochondrial complex II have been associated with the development of paragangliomas (PGL), gastrointestinal stromal tumors, papillary thyroid and renal carcinoma (SDHB), and testicular seminoma (SDHD).

Aim: Our aim was to examine the possible causative link between SDHD inactivation and somatotropinoma.

Patients And Methods: A 37-yr-old male presented with acromegaly and hypertension.

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Carney-Stratakis syndrome, an inherited condition predisposing affected individuals to gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and paraganglioma, is caused by germline mutations in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits B, C, or D, leading to dysfunction of complex II of the electron transport chain. We evaluated the role of defective cellular respiration in sporadic GIST lacking mutations in KIT or PDGFRA (WT). Thirty-four patients with WT GIST without a personal or family history of paraganglioma were tested for SDH germline mutations.

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Mutations in the tumor suppressor genes SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD (or collectively SDHx) cause the inherited paraganglioma syndromes, characterized by pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. However, other tumors have been associated with SDHx mutations, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) specifically in the context of Carney-Stratakis syndrome. Previously, we have shown that SDHB immunohistochemistry is a reliable technique for the identification of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas caused by SDHx mutations.

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Endocrine disruptors, chemicals that disturb the actions of endogenous hormones, have been implicated in birth defects associated with hormone-dependent development. Phytoestrogens are a class of endocrine disruptors found in plants. In the current study we examined the effects of exposure at various perinatal time periods to genistein, a soy phytoestrogen, on reproductive development and learning in male rats.

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Problem: Implantation failure and early pregnancy loss are common following natural conceptions and they are particularly important clinical hurdles to overcome following assisted reproduction attempts. The importance of adequate vascular development and maintenance during implantation has recently become a major focus of investigation.

Materials And Methods: Review of current published literature was undertaken to summerize the cells and cell products that regulate tissue vascularity during implantation.

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