Effects of a multidisciplinary weight loss intervention on body composition in obese adolescents.

Objective: To investigate if a multidisciplinary weight loss program in adolescents suffering severe obesity allows adequate growth and development and avoid lean mass loss.

Design: A total of 55 adolescents (33 girls and 22 boys) suffering severe obesity were enrolled in an interdisciplinary weight reduction program lasting 6-12 months. Progressive submaximal physical activity was performed and national dietary allowances for adolescents with low levels of physical activity energy were provided.

[Pathological phosphorus and calcium metabolism during pregnancy and breast feeding].

The occurrence of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies is enhanced during pregnancy and lactation. The presentation of parathyroid diseases is altered during gestation. A peculiar form of osteoporosis, pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, may be observed.

[Normal phosphorus and calcium metabolism during pregnancy and breast feeding].

Calcium homeostasis is stressed considerably during pregnancy and lactation. Important regulatory mechanisms are needed both for meeting the fetal requirement for calcium and for protecting the maternal skeleton from excessive resorption. For the past 10 years, more and more publications have deal with the involved mechanisms of regulation.

Tibioperoneal diaphyseal toxopachyosteosis or Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome: difficulties encountered in classifying this syndrome and differentiation from rickets.

Using two new cases and 70 case reports in the literature as a starting point, the authors focus on the Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome. Weismann-Netter and Stuhl reported the first cases of tibioperoneal diaphyseal toxopachyosteosis in 1954. This syndrome is defined as an anomaly of the diaphyseal part of both tibiae and fibulae with posterior cortical thickening and anterior-posterior bowing.

Identification and classification of tibioperoneal diaphyseal toxopachyosteosis (Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome): based on two new cases and a review of the literature.

Using two new cases and 70 case reports in the literature as a starting point, the authors focus on the Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome. Weismann-Netter and Stuhl reported the first cases of tibioperoneal diaphyseal toxopachyosteosis in 1954. This syndrome is defined as an anomaly of the diaphyseal part of both tibiae and fibulae with posterior cortical thickening and anterior-posterior bowing.

Successful cord blood stem cell transplantation for congenital erythropoietic porphyria (Gunther's disease).

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (Gunther's disease, GD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. It results from the deficiency of uroporphyrinogen III synthase, the fourth enzyme on the metabolic pathway of heme synthesis. GD leads to severe scarring of the face and hands as a result of photosensitivity and fragility of the skin due to uroporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I accumulation.

Age-related effect of a single oral dose of calcium on parathyroid function: relationship with vitamin D status.

The parathyroid response to the administration of a single oral dose of 0.5 g Cal was studied in 71 normal subjects of both sexes (34 males, 37 females) aged 20-88 y. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were measured before the intake of calcium.

[Neurologic complications of osteoporotic spinal collapses. Apropos of 8 cases].

The prevalence of neurological complications in patients with osteoporotic vertebral collapse and the risk factors for neurological compromise were studied retrospectively in 138 inpatients. Six per cent of patients had objective neurological loss. Patients with neurological loss were more likely to have changes suggestive of malignant disease on roentgenograms, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

[Exploration of the parathyroid gland function by intake or oral calcium and phosphate (only oral intake and sequential treatment with calcium-phosphate)].

The parathyroid hormone response to the oral intake of either calcium or phosphate was explored in 10 young adults (23-28 years). First, the subjects were investigated during free running diet. They ingested a single oral dose of 500 mg of calcium (as a bag of Sandocal) and 10 days later a single oral dose of phosphate (750 mg of phosphorus as a tablet of Phosphore Sandoz Forte).

[Elevation of atrial natriuretic factor in alveolo-interstitial lesions of connective tissue diseases].

Plasma levels of the atrial natriuretic factor were prospectively measured in 15 patients suffering from connective tissue disease with alveolar-interstitial lung lesions. The mean level was significantly higher in these patients than in 12 patients without known lung lesions (74.8 +/- 20.

[Metacarpal bone chondrosarcoma. Apropos of a case].

On the basis of a personal case of non-symptomatic chondrosarcoma of the metacarpal bone and a review of the literature, the authors advise the biopsy of any lesion which resembles a chondroma of the hand. Only histological examination can provide evidence for diagnosis and guide effective treatment.

[Primary hyperparathyroidism: value of "intact parathormone" assay (PTH 1-84)].

In a prospective study of 20 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism the diagnostic value of the intact parathormone assay was compared with that of intermediate fragment measurement and that of nephrogenic cyclic AMP determination. In the basal state, measuring the intact parathormone is the best way of separating hyperparathyroid patients form normal subjects. During calcium infusion tests, there is good concordance between changes in intact parathormone and in nephrogenic cyclic AMP.

[Expression of pain in rheumatic disease. Exploratory study].

An investigation done in 34 rheumatology departments on 259 patients in order to analyse their perception of pain and its repercussions on daily living. The main three diseases justifying hospitalization are: rheumatoid arthritis, lumbosciatica and bone neoplasia. In these patients, pain occurs daily in 75 p.