Policy for transitioning childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency from pediatric to adult endocrine care in Belgium.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents can vary in severity and origin, with GH replacement therapy proving effective in achieving genetic target height. Optimal outcomes are seen in those treated early and with higher doses. As patients approach adult height, priorities shift towards optimizing metabolic effects, maintaining body composition, and enhancing bone mass and muscle strength.

Mortality-related risk factors of inpatients with diabetes and COVID-19: A multicenter retrospective study in Belgium.

Background And Aims: We describe mortality-related risk factors of inpatients with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Belgium.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study from March to May, 2020, in 8 Belgian centers. Data on admission of patients with diabetes and COVID-19 were collected.

Three Methods Assessing the Association of the Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungus with Non-Grafted Grapevine .

Characterizing the association of endophytic insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF) with plants is an important step in order to understand their ecology before using them in biological control programs. Since several methods are available, it is challenging to identify the most appropriate for such investigations. Here, we used two strains of : EF3.

Granulomatous lung inflammation is nanoparticle type-dependent.

Background: Nanoparticles are increasingly suspected as a strong etiologic factor of granuloma formation.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of our study was to compare lung inflammatory response and histology changes following exposure of mice to two widely used nanoparticles: carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and cadmium-based nanoparticles (QDOT705) in an attempt to better our understanding of granulomatous inflammation.

Materials And Methods: Various groups of mice were included: control mice and mice that were intranasally instilled with QDOT or MWCNT.

Can an electronic glycaemic notebook associated with an insulin calculator improve HbA1c in diabetic patients on a multiple insulin injections regimen? A 26-week observational real-life study.

Background: Automated insulin calculators (AICs) with carbohydrate counting (CHC) have been shown to be effective in improving glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. By contrast, use of AICs without CHC, with predetermined prandial insulin doses modified according to a correction factor and modulated as a function of glycaemia, has not yet been investigated.

Methods: This comparative, retrospective, observational and non-randomized study took place over a 6-month period of routine clinical practice.

One-year metabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide in routine practice.

Aim: The study objective was to analyze, in everyday practice, the long-term metabolic effects of exenatide (for 9 and 12 months) in patients with type 2 diabetes not responding to treatments with metformin and sulphonylurea at maximum dosages.

Methods: A total of 299 type 2 diabetics were recruited from 14 centres specializing in diabetes care across Belgium. Main study endpoints were changes in HbA(1c), weight and waist circumference, and tolerability and compliance.

Impact of genomics on drug discovery and clinical medicine.

Genomics, particularly high-throughput sequencing and characterization of expressed human genes, has created new opportunities for drug discovery. Knowledge of all the human genes and their functions may allow effective preventive measures, and change drug research strategy and drug discovery development processes. Pharmacogenomics is the application of genomic technologies such as gene sequencing, statistical genetics, and gene expression analysis to drugs in clinical development and on the market.

In vitro effects of oestradiol on galanin gene expression in rat anterior pituitary cells.

While the pituitary galanin gene is highly responsive to oestrogen stimulation in vivo, in vitro effects of oestrogens on pituitary galanin gene expression have been less studied. We therefore examined the short-term effects of 17beta-oestradiol on galanin synthesis by dispersed rat anterior pituitary cell cultures and investigated the mechanisms by which oestrogens may modulate galanin gene expression. 17beta-oestradiol increased galanin mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal increase observed at a concentration of 10-7 M.

Temporary vena caval filtration. Preliminary clinical experience with removable vena caval filters.

Removable vena caval devices look attractive in order to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) in high risk patients when anticoagulant therapy has to be discontinued for periods shorter than 14 days. We describe our preliminary experience about 10 consecutive patients. All patients were anticoagulated for recent venous thromboembolism and the indication of vena caval filtration was mainly a short-term contraindication to anticoagulation due to surgery (8 cases) or delivery (1 case).

Pharmacological management of diabetes: recent progress and future perspective in daily drug treatment.

Glycaemic control in Type 1 diabetes has been proven efficient in preventing microvascular and neurological complications. The assumption that good control of hyperglycaemia may also have significant impact on alleviation of complications in Type 2 diabetes has gained growing support in recent years. Measures such as body weight reduction and exercise improve the metabolic defects, but pharmacological therapy is most frequently used.