Publications by authors named "Skordis N"

Increasing numbers of transgender and gender diverse adolescents seek endocrine treatment to align their body to their gender identity. In this relatively young field of medicine, there is a limited body of evidence, and the available evidence generally is of low quality. However, in the absence of randomised trials, much can be learned from prospective observational studies.

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Estrogens are involved in a number of physiological functions, including in the development of the brain, growth, reproduction and metabolism. The biological actions of estrogens are achieved by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) in numerous types of tissues. ERα and ERβ belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily and the G‑protein coupled ER1 (GPER1) is a membrane receptor.

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Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with significant increases in prevalence over recent decades. While excessive calorie consumption and physical inactivity are known factors, emerging research highlights the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly obesogens, in obesity's pathogenesis. This review explores the historical context of the environmental obesogens hypothesis, their sources, mechanism of action, impact on prenatal and postnatal development, and epigenetics.

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Selective screening for inherited metabolic disorders (IMD) began in Cyprus in 1990. Over the last thirty-three years 7388 patients were investigated for IMD and 200 diagnoses were made (diagnostic yield 2.7%).

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Article Synopsis
  • The report highlights the activities of the Molecular Genetics-Function and Therapy (MGFT) department at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, emphasizing its role as a Reference Center for the European Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN).
  • Over 15 years of collaboration has resulted in more than 2000 genetic tests performed for diagnosing rare inherited endocrine disorders, with significant findings related to various genetic variants associated with conditions like Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN).
  • The MGFT has also developed a diagnostic and research program focusing on premature puberty, particularly the role of the MKRN3 gene, aiming to enhance healthcare for patients with rare endocrine
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Human sexual and reproductive development is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is primarily controlled by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) acting on its receptor (GnRHR). Dysregulation of the axis leads to conditions such as congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and delayed puberty. The pathophysiology of GnRHR makes it a potential target for treatments in several reproductive diseases and in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

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Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an autosomal dominant (AD) condition with very high penetrance and expressivity. It is characterized into three clinical entities recognized as MEN2A, MEN2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). In both MEN2A and MEN2B, there is a manifestation of multicentric tumor formation in the major organs such as the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands where the proto-oncogene is expressed.

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Swyer syndrome is a rare congenital condition that serves as a risk factor for developing germ cell tumors. The condition belongs to the group of 46, XY disorders of sexual development, is characterized by complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD) and is mostly manifested as delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea during adolescence. Individuals with Swyer syndrome are known to be phenotypically female with normal internal and external female genitalia at birth.

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Makorin RING finger protein 3 (MKRN3) is an important factor located on chromosome 15 in the imprinting region associated with Prader-Willi syndrome. Imprinted is expressed in hypothalamic regions essential for the onset of puberty and mutations in the gene have been found in patients with central precocious puberty. The pubertal process is largely controlled by epigenetic mechanisms that include, among other things, DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides of puberty-related genes.

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Background: Genetic diversity of mutations in the CYP21A2 gene is the main cause of the monogenic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) disorder. On chromosome 6p21.3, the CYP21A2 gene is partially overlapped by the TNXB gene, the two residing in tandem with their highly homologous corresponding pseudogenes (CYP21A1P and TNXA), which leads to recurrent homologous recombination.

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Severe early‑onset obesity is mainly attributed to single gene variations of the hypothalamic leptin‑melanocortin system, which is critical for controlling the balance between appetite and energy expenditure. Adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3), a transmembrane enzyme localized in primary neuronal cilia, is a key genetic candidate, which appears to have an essential role in regulating body weight. The present study aimed to identify ADCY3 genetic variants in severely obese young patients of Greek‑Cypriot origin by genomic sequencing.

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The infantile, childhood, and adolescent periods of growth and development also represent times of increased vulnerability to stressors. Growth velocity in each period is dependent on the interplay of genetic, environmental, dietary, socioeconomic, developmental, behavioral, nutritional, metabolic, biochemical, and hormonal factors. A stressor may impact growth directly through modulation of the growth hormone axis or indirectly through other factors.

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Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) due to premature activation of GnRH secretion results in early epiphyseal fusion and to a significant compromise in the achieved final adult height. Currently, few genetic determinants of children with CPP have been described. In this translational study, rare sequence variants in , , , and genes were investigated in patients with CPP.

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Article Synopsis
  • 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) deficiency is a rare genetic condition linked to a specific gene mutation, resulting in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
  • An 8.5-year-old boy with this condition displayed symptoms like ambiguous genitalia and advanced bone age, requiring hormone replacement therapy since infancy.
  • Analysis identified a novel mutation in the gene and highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosing and managing such complex disorders of sex development.
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Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare genetic disease caused by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) deficiency. So far a limited number of variants in several genes have been associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. In this original research and review manuscript the retrospective analysis of known variants in (, and genes is described, along with novel variants identified in patients with CHH by the present study.

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Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrinologic condition diagnosed in women of childbearing age. It is primarily associated with androgen excess and ovarian dysfunction, which contribute to menstrual irregularity, oligo-anovulation, infertility, hirsutism and acne. It is associated with several systemic conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity and neuropsychological disorders.

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Article Synopsis
  • There has been a notable increase in transgender youth seeking endocrine treatment over the past ten years, leading to the development of guidelines for treatment but leaving some uncertainties regarding care.
  • As the clinical needs of transgender individuals have outpaced medical expertise, a multidisciplinary approach has emerged, involving various specialists to improve diagnostic and treatment decisions.
  • The article reviews current endocrine management for adolescents with gender dysphoria and highlights the need for further research to define optimal clinical care in this area.
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Over the last decade, we have witnessed considerable progress in gender dysphoria (GD) terminology in an attempt to better describe the condition based on certain criteria. The ever-increasing social acceptance and destigmatization of children and adolescents with GD have resulted in an increased number of transgender individuals seeking endocrine care. In addition to terminology and diagnostic criteria, the tremendous progress of genetics and neuroimaging has enabled us to have a deeper understanding of the complex pathogenesis of GD.

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Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) is clinically defined by the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. To date, mutations in the coding region of , and genes have been reported as causative for CPP. This study investigated the presence of causative mutations in both the promoter and the 5'-UTR regions of the gene.

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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is caused by mutations in the gene. The study refers to CAH patients of Greek-Cypriot ancestry between years 2007 and 2018. One hundred and twenty patients with various degrees of CAH were categorized and genotyped.

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